Review: Circle of Fire - Keri Arthur

Sixteen teenagers taken from their homes.  Eleven bodies recovered, each completely drained of blood.  Some believe vampires are responsible.  Jon Barnett knows it's something far worse and, while trying to stop the killers, he soon becomes enmeshed in a web of black magic and realises he needs help.  But fate gives him only one choice.

Recluse Madeline Smith is afraid of the abilities she cannot control.  But when she is brought a warning of danger and her nephew goes missing, Maddie must learn to overcome this fear - and place her trust in Jon.  But as the search for the teenagers becomes a race against time, the greatest danger to them both could be the feelings they refuse to acknowledge.

Damask Circle Trilogy:

Circle of Fire
Circle of Death
Circle of Desire

For more information visit Keri Arthur's website

Review:
Maddie has some amazing abilities but she has never learnt to control them which led has to disastrous consequences in the past.  Now terrified of her own gifts she has hidden away from the world in her isolated farm house not wanting to risk putting others in danger.  When she receives a warning that her nephew is in trouble she is forced to face her fears and leave her haven to try and save him.  Jon works for the Damask Circle, a secret organisation that protects the world from supernatural creatures gone bad.  He is investigating the disappearance of 16 teenagers, 11 of whom have turned up dead with their bodies drained of blood.  He needs help but he doesn't want the complication of the attraction he feels for Maddie.  Can they learn to trust each other and work together in time to save Maddie's nephew and stop they mysterious force behind the disappearance of the teenagers?

I'm a big fan of Keri Arthur and Circle of Fire wasn't a disappointment.  This series is set in the same world as Keri's Nikki & Michael series (if you haven't discovered that series yet then I highly recommend it), Jon actually works for the same organisation as Michael and it was nice to see their boss Seline make an appearance in this book.  I would class this as paranormal romance as the focus is more on the relationship between Maddie and Jon but I'm sure there is probably enough action and mystery to keep urban fantasy fans happy too.

Maddie is a really likable character, she has been through a lot and it has made her very nervous of her own abilities.  She is wary of the world and doesn't want to hurt someone accidentally so finds it easier to hide away at home and avoid everyone.  When her nephew is in trouble she is still reluctant to leave the house but nothing will stop her from going to his aid.  She is a lot stronger than she thought she was but still isn't your typical heroine.  Jon is also a great character, he does an important job but has pushed away his family because he doesn't want them to be in danger.  For the same reasons he is reluctant to let Maddie into his heart but he finds the attraction between them difficult to resist.

This was a great story and although I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the Nikki & Michael series I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series and would say it is well worth reading this one if you're a paranormal romance / urban fantasy fan.

Source: Library

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