Review: STORMWALKER

Janet Begay, a Navajo Stormwalker through her father's family, is able to command the power of storms though powerful magic.  She is also half-goddess, thanks to her estranged mother, a goddess herself trapped in the mystical realm of Beneath.  Janet travels to the Southwestern town of Magellan to investigate the disappearance of the police chief's daughter.  Magellan is located near several vortexes, gateways to the world of Beneath.  Janet suspects her mother may be involved in the young woman's disappearance, as she will stop at nothing to find the key to open a vortex and escape from Beneath.  Shortly after arriving in Magellan, Janet's mysterious ex-boyfriend Mick shows up in town, someone she hasn't seen in five years.  Mick also possesses supernatural power, though Janet is unsure of what type of magical being he is, and he will tell her very little about himself.  Janet knows that Mick can brandish fire without getting burned, and he is unaffected by her storm power.  But what does he really want with her?  Can she trust him to stand by her during the biggest battle of her life?

Wow!  I've been waiting for this book's release since I read the prequel A Little Night Magic in the anthology Hot for the Holidays.  It was well worth the wait.  Stormwalker was a page-turner!  It was an action-packed urban fantasy, sexy paranormal romance and mystery/suspense all in one story.  The plot is full of twists and turns, and you're never quite sure who's on the side of good or evil.  The author has created a cast of fascinating characters - from a trickster god that changes from man to coyote to a bi-sexual talking magic mirror!  I loved the first-person perspective of Janet Begay.  She is an engaging heroine who had me fighting, cringing, laughing and crying along with her.  She's the first character in a long time who could rival Sookie Stackhouse!   Any fan of urban fantasy or paranormal romance would enjoy this story.