For Nicole Peyton, nothing is more important than escaping the stifling confines of elite shapeshifter society, an old-fashioned world where women are valued only for their bloodlines and bank accounts. In New Orleans, she has a bar she loves, friends she cares for, and a smoldering, unspoken tension with an unsuitable but incredibly attractive man.
Neither could predict how quickly forbidden longing would erupt into burning need, but Nick and Derek have more than themselves to think about when Nick's sister arrives in the city with a shapeshifter strike team hard on her heels. The only way Nick can save her sister may be to play by the Conclave's rules--but it will mean giving up the man she's falling in love with, unless he's willing to risk everything in a challenge that will shake the foundations of their world.
Southern Arcana Series:
Crux
Crossroads
A Peyton Family Christmas (free short story on Moira Rogers' website)
Deadlock (ebook = January 4th 2011, print = 2011)
Cipher (ebook = September 2011, print = 2012)
Visit Moira Rogers' website for more information
Review:
Derek and Nicole (Nick) have both had feelings for each other for a long time now but the time has never been right for them to act on it. Derek was turned into a werewolf after a vicious attack a couple of years ago and since then has been trying to deal with his new supernatural abilities. It hasn't been easy for him to come to terms with his inner wolf and he has always been afraid of losing control and hurting Nick. Nick's father is an Alpha and also the head of the Conclave which is basically the council for American werewolves. This means Nick is like a princess in the world of born werewolves but she wants nothing to do with politics and has escaped from New York to New Orleans where she is happy running a bar. Nick wants nothing more than to be with Derek but as far as the born werewolves are concerned the turned werewolves are second class citizens and any relationship between them would be looked down on by her family.
Just as they are starting to think that they might be able to have a future together Nick's sister Michelle turns up and she's in big trouble. As a powerful magic user (known as a seer) Michelle's life has always been under the control of the Conclave, it's only the fact that her father is so powerful that she wasn't killed as a child. Michelle is forbidden from having any kind of relationship but she has fallen in love with her bodyguard Aaron and is now pregnant. The Conclave want to see Aaron killed for treason but Nick will do anything to protect Michelle & her family - even if it means giving up the love of her life.
Crossroads is book 2 in the Southern Arcana series and although it can be read as a stand alone novel I'd strongly recommend reading Crux first - this really is a series that you don't want to miss out on! Although this is a paranormal romance it is one that straddles the lines with urban fantasy and I'd recommend it to fans of both genres.
We were first introduced to Nick and Derek in Crux so we know they both have feelings for each other and I for one was eager to see them together as a couple. They actually get together quite quickly which I was pleased about and the passion between them was steamy to the extreme. It isn't just sex though and although their mating instincts play a role you can tell how much they mean to each other. Nick is a strong heroine and one who will do anything to protect those she cares about - her twin sister in particular. She feels guilty that life has been so hard for Michelle and wants to see things work out for her even if it means sacrificing her own happiness to achieve that. I admired Nick for the way she cares about Michelle and was desperate to see how things could work out for them both.
Derek is a great hero and perfectly matched to Nick. He also cares a great deal about his family and immediately offers to do anything he can to help Michelle and Aaron. His life has been hard since he was turned into a werewolf and he is sick of being considered a second class citizen by the Conclave and other born wolves. He has no idea how ruthless the Conclave are prepared to be in order to get what they want but he's about to learn the hard way. Derek is not going to leave Nick to face them alone though and is prepared to do whatever it takes to help both her and Michelle.
Crossroads is a fast paced read and one I read in one sitting because I couldn't bear to put it down. The romance was hot enough to leave me needing a cold shower and I both laughed and wanted to cry as I was reading - it really did have everything you could ask for. I enjoy spending time in the world Moira Rogers (writing duo Bree & Donna) have created and I'm relieved that I don't have too long to wait until the next installment (Deadlock) will be released. The series includes a strong cast of secondary characters and I'm looking forward to reading each of their stories - Andrew & Alec's in particular - it was also nice to get to see Mackenzie and Jackson again (the main characters from Crux). If you haven't already started the Southern Arcana series then I'd strongly recommend you get hold of Crux as soon as possible.
Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review
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