RAINTREE: INFERNO by Linda Howard
Title: Raintree: Inferno
Author: Linda Howard
Series: Raintree book 1
Publication Info: Silhouette Nocturne, May 07
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
The chemistry is burning between these two strong protagonists in Linda Howard’s first book of the Raintree Trilogy. Their quick repartee is strongly reminiscent of Ms. Howard’s MR. PERFECT (another highly recommended read), complete with short, feisty, sharp-tongued heroine and tall, totally Alpha, arrogant, domineering hero. I often find “Alpha” is short for “A$$hole,” but Dante’s intelligence, protectiveness and humor helped balance his domineering tendencies. Besides, I’m a sucker for a man who says those three little words: “Have my baby.”
There are two groups of magical beings that live among the humans: the Raintree, who use their powers for good, and the Anasara, who use their powers for evil. These powers range from psychic abilities to control over the elements, similar to the paranormal protagonists in Jacquelyn Frank’s Nightwalker series. Dante, the king of the Raintree, controls fire, so when his casino bursts into flames he can’t control, he immediately suspects the strange woman who has been cheating him out of money. She must be an Anasara in disguise. Lorna Clay doesn’t know anything about magic or psychic abilities. All she knows is that she’s always been uncommonly lucky with numbers and that this powerful man poses an extraordinary danger to her. Unfortunately, she seems to have been hypnotized to obey his every command. Don’t move. Don’t talk. Follow me. How can she trust a man who would force his will on her? She may have to, because someone is trying to kill them. Risking her life is terrifying, but it’s a walk in the park compared to risking her heart.
The writing in this book is, as typical of Ms. Howard’s work, flawless. Her prose is quite plain, but it gets the job done with a fast plot and engaging, well-rounded characters. The dialogue between the hero and heroine is excellent. My favorite passage:
That was a dirty game of pool he was playing, saying Have my baby as if he meant it. He couldn’t mean it. They had known each other two days. That was something men said to seduce women, because hundreds of centuries ago some cunning bastard had figured out most women were pushovers for babies, (p238).
Yeah, I know it isn’t true for all women, but, boy!, is it true for me. *grin*
Can’t wait to read the next two in the trilogy!
Book 1: Linda Howard Raintree: Inferno – May 07
Book 2: Linda Winstead Jones Raintree: Haunted – June 07
Book 3: Beverly Barton Raintree: Sanctuary – July 07
Tags: "romance novels", book reviews, Linda Howard, Paranormal Romance, Raintree, Raintree: Inferno, silhouette nocturn
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January 13, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Oh I loved this one! I’ve heard a lot of people say that it was not that good but I just loved the interactions between Dante and Lorna. And I’ve always had something for the name Dante….but that’s a whole other blog post! lol
January 14, 2009 at 1:59 pm
I LOVED this book! (LH is the reason I started this series). I’m definitely one of those women. That passage made me crack up and cry at the same time b/c of what it meant to her. She was the perfect blend of heroine. And the next book is just as good, if not better. Different kind of hero, but just as badass (they’re brothers!) I agree with what the term alpha often represents, but Ms. Howard knows how to write them right! Yum :) I’m glad you liked this b/c I remember last year Sarai blogging about it and not liking this one so much. :(
January 16, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I enjoyed this one, and for the life of me can’t figure out why I’ve been so sluggish to finish the trilogy. I really need to get a move on it.