Raintree: Sanctuary
Beverly Barton
Silhouette Nocturne, Jul 2007, $5.25
ISBN: 0373617666

Two centuries ago two clans with magical powers fought a battle that left the Raintree victorious and the Ansara family devastated. While the Raintree brood thought that was the war to end all wars, the Ansara healed and regrouped on a Caribbean island with their home base Beauport magically enclosed so that the nearby humans would not know of their existence. Judah leads the Ansara clan, but is being undermined by his half-brother Cael, who craves power and wants to rule.

Cael sends one of his men to infiltrate the Raintree Sanctuary in the North Carolina Mountains protected by a magical shield that keeps humans away. It is in the care of Guardian Princess Mercy who had a one night stand with Judah that led to the birth of their daughter Eve who is more powerful than either of her parents. When Judah goes to stop the assassination of Mercy, he meets Eve. Judah plans to kill Cael and bring Eve home with him before his sibling starts clan war III; Eve has other ideas for her parents.

This concluding electrifying Raintree saga is a powerful spellbinding romantic fantasy thriller with a final twist that will shock the audience who never will anticipate it coming yet it seems plausible. Fast-paced and action-packed like its predecessors (see RAINTREE: INFERNO and RAINTREE: HAUNTED) RAINTREE: SANCTUARY is character driven tale making the clans seem genuine as if they actually exist in real life.st. Fans will enjoy the struggle of the Romeo and Juliet like lead pair, as each feels they must decide between clan loyalty and love.

Harriet Klausner