by Dianne Duvall
Series: Immortal Guardians #6
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating:
Heat Level:
The Immortal Guardians protect the innocent in secret. Sometimes the secret gets out... U.S. law enforcement agent Heather Lane can read minds. But not the future. The dream of battle and blood that recurs every night must be a fluke, some obscure terror from her own mind. What its significance might be, she can’t guess: an attack from seven psychotic vampires at once, only separated from nightmare by an eighth very different immortal. A handsome, brave man fighting at her side, a man she misses when she wakes. Then the dream comes true. Heather is flung into a war between predators and protectors of humanity, the man from her dreams beside her again. Except now that she’s awake, she isn’t sure she can trust Ethan, or the shadow organization he represents. The U.S. military doesn’t trust either of them. But against an onslaught of evil like the one that’s coming, it will take everything they have just to survive..
Shadows Strike was a stellar addition to the Immortal Guardians series by Dianne Duvall. Heat, intense action scenes and strong characters had me completely immersed in this world. Shadows Strike is the sixth novel in the Immortal Guardians series and can work as a standalone, although there is an overall story ARC between good and evil. I started this series with the fourth book and will eventually start at the beginning. *glares at TBR pile*
Heather Lane is a U.S. enforcement agent who can read minds. She hides her gift by claiming to read faces. This allows her to learn whether a client is lying. For the past year, she has been plagued by a dream occurring in a meadow. In the dream, seven men attack a sole male dressed in black. The dream is always the same and she awakes at the very same moment. It has also led to daydreams and sex dreams about the man dressed in black. All of this leads her to look for the field and place herself there every morning. When her dream become reality Heather soon finds herself plunged into a dark world she never knew existed and into the arms of Ethan.
Duvall writes an action packed series that keeps me on edge from the present danger to the overall series ARC. However, the characters are what keep me coming back. Ethan is an Immortal Guardian with the ability to remember everything. He can describe in minute detail a room or place and can recall complete conversations. I adored Ethan; he is a little shy, sometimes cocky and a whole lotta sexy. Heather is such a kick-ass heroine. She is a military brat and her Daddy the General taught well. Mind readers generally don’t have the gift of premonition and the thread about her dreams was fascinating adding to the overall suspense. We spend time with all the Immortals, and get updates as well as see hints of stories to come. Duvall has created this dynamic family with different personalities all working to save the world. I feel at home at David’s and care about each of them. The banter, teasing, feuds and the way they work together as a team have made this series a hit for me.
The romance between them developed like most romances in this genre, but Duvall made their feelings feel genuine and quickly had me falling for them. Heather’s independent, take-charge nature added delicious tension and humor. From the beginning, their connection and the chemistry felt genuine. Readers are sure to fall for them and I found myself smiling as these two tangoed.
Awkward silence engulfed them.
Ethan wasn’t sure he liked the way Heather was studying Zach.
Zach’s lips twitched. “It isn’t what you’re thinking,” he told Heather, who blushed.
“What?” Ethan asked.
Zach nodded to the mortal in their midst. “She’s still wondering what you wanted me to tuck away.”
Lisette and Ethan both laughed.;
Someone is attacking military bases leaving those on the base for dead. The government is scrambling to figure out who is behind these attacks. When Heather’s Dad asked her to analyze a survivor, it becomes clear to her and the Immortals that vampires are involved. Shadows Strike plot was well crafted, with high body counts, suspense and twists to keep you guessing. As dark as the story was, Duvall manages to lighten things up with banter between the characters and tender moments between the couples. A scene involving Heather’s Dad while intense had me laughing aloud.
If you are looking for a paranormal romance series with suspense, incredible action scenes and characters to swoon over then the Immortal Guardians series is one I recommend. Shadows Strike had all the elements I love in this genre with a fun, ass-kicking couple to page turning suspense.
A Voracious Reader
Omg, I love, love, love this series! *swoon* If I were going to muster up the energy to stalk someone it would be Dianne Duvall. And that quote!! Bwahahaha! I LOL’d so much, but then again I LOL during every book. 😀 Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Yay, glad you love the series as well Carol 🙂
Lexxie
Yours is the second review for Shadows Strike that I read today, Kimba. And now my one-click finger is itching to buy the first books in the series so I can enjoy it, too! It sounds really, really good.
kimbacaffeinate
Click it, click it!
Wattle
This one sounds like a fun series! I’m never sure how to handle series that you can pick up halfway through and read as standalones (it’s just my brain, I like order lol) so I think I might pick this one up from the beginning 🙂 Great review Kim! Thank you for sharing.
kimbacaffeinate
Before blogging I would have felt the same way, but I have learned sometimes you can dive in and 9 times out of 10 I eventually go back and read them all.
Lorna
I loved this book and series as well 🙂 I hope you do go back and read the others cause they are all so good! I am hoping for Seth’s story next, but that will probably be the last one-whenever that comes-hopefully not anytime soon! Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I own them, it is just a matter of finding time to reading all the books I buy 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
oooh, the suspense sounds good!
kimbacaffeinate
It is, you won’t get bored reading this series Jennifer 🙂
Christy
Okay, I’ll read these, but I’m starting from the beginning. These two sound great together though!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I have the first three books I just need to read them..LOL
Braine Talk Supe
This series is very new to me. I love MC’s who are very detail oriented and have great retention. Never fails to awe me. I will have to check this series out.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try them Braine, this series is fun 🙂
Angela Adams
Good, interesting characters grab a reader every time! Thanks for the post!!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Angela , and I agree!
The Bibliophile Babe
This sounds absolutely perfect! I’ve been craving some PNR fun, and I think I’ll start this series. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy! I hope you enjoy it as much as I am 🙂
Cyn
Haven’t heard of this paranormal series but it sounds pretty action packed! The romance sounds nice, tension and humour are definite must! Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Cyn, this is a fun series and the characters keep you coming back 🙂
Kathy
This one looks up my alley. I’ll add it to my wish list. 🙂 I haven’t read a paranormal in a while, so I’m due a good PR book.
kimbacaffeinate
I love mixing them in and with Fall around the corner these are perfect 🙂
Tyler H Jolley
It’s been a minute since I’ve read a paranormal book like this, thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
I love mixing them in now and again. This is a great series 🙂
Sophia Rose
This series is on the list. I saw it when the first book debuted, but have yet to pick it up and get going.
I love the way you describe the family of former characters, the excitement, and the engaging main characters.
kimbacaffeinate
I love how they all interact with each other Sophia.
Heidi
Sounds like a terrific series that strikes just the right balance. I will have to try these sometime.
kimbacaffeinate
Nice, this series has been a joy to read 🙂
blodeuedd
Too pnr for me :/
kimbacaffeinate
Boo..it is so much fun 🙂
Mary Kirkland
Sounds like a paranormal romance series I need to read.
kimbacaffeinate
Such a fun, action-packed series Mary 🙂
sherry fundin
These are my kind of books and I added it to my Goodreads list. Thanks for introducing me to Dianne.
kimbacaffeinate
You are welcome, I am having such fun with this series 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Ooh Kim, this is a new one to me. Hmmm and it’s right up my alley. Thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
Glad I could introduce you 🙂
Ramona
Yup, I know that glare aimed at the TBR pile myself! 😀 This series is unknown to me, but it sounds very dynamic and full of interesting characters. If my pile doesn’t topple over and kill me first, I might check it out 🙂 Happy Monday <3
kimbacaffeinate
I love the characters and they way they interact.
Bookworm Brandee
I like the sound of this – the mix of government/military and immortals. It’s good to know that you can jump in and not feel lost in the series, too. I’ve been reading my fair share of PNR lately – actually listening more often – so I’ll see about starting this series in audio.
kimbacaffeinate
I managed ok jumping in with book 4 but will go back and read the first 3
kindlemom1
‘Tis the time of year for great paranormal reads! So glad this was a good one!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..Fall is perfect for this type of read 🙂
Jenny
AH! I’m behind on this series Kim! I still need to read Lisette’s book. I absolutely adore this series though (I’m patiently waiting for Seth’s book, though I think he’ll probably be last), so I need to make sure I get caught up. I hope you get a chance to start at the beginning soon! So good.
kimbacaffeinate
I am glad to have discovered it Jenny..happy reading!
Angela
I’ve not heard of this series before now I’m eager to check it out!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try them Angela 🙂
Felicia GeekyBlogger (
I loved this one too! So much I am going to listen to it before posting my review. She made me fall in love with him and I was pretty much “meh” about him the last two books.
kimbacaffeinate
I bet the audios for this are good ..enjoy!
Nick
I think I’m going to like this hero! It’s hard to resist a blend of shy and cocky!
Glad this series is going so strong for you, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, this is a fun series Nick 🙂
Melliane
It’s always so nice to have a PNR book like that. I haven’t tried any books by the author but I really should one day. Plus it’s great to have plenty of action.
kimbacaffeinate
These are intense with a nice mix of banter, romance and comradery.
Lover Of Romance
I have been wanting to read this author for a while, and boy I just want to grab this one up!!! This hero sounds so dang sexy –especially with a mix of being cocky yet shy too….gotta read it now. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I have been really enjoying these books. Hopefully I can read 1-3 before the next release 🙂