Raintree: Sanctuary Raintree: Sanctuary (Silhouette Nocturne)
I enjoyed this book so much I would love to know of any other authors and titles of this same style of writing. I liked the mythological angles mixed in with the suspense and romance. I do not particularly care for vampire stories but enjoy the myth.
I purchased this book because Beverly Barton is a favorite author. This is the third book in a series with the first two written by Linda Howard and Linda Winstead Jones. The entire set was excellent.
enjoyed Sanctuary through most of the book Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
Mercy Raintree is the guardian of the Raintree Sanctuary and hopes to keep the secret of her daughter from her daughter's father. But war is coming and soon the secret will be out. Mercy's daughter is the child of Judah Ansara, dranir of the Ansara clan and Mercy's blood rival.
As the solstice grows ever closer, tension between the clans heats up and Mercy finds the safety of her clan, and of her daughter, is in imminent danger. Will Judah be successful in wiping out all of the Raintrees or will his passion for Mercy and their daughter become his salvation?
I enjoyed Sanctuary through most of the book, happy to see the action really pick up as Judah's brother Cael becomes more desperate to take over the clan. I also loved Mercy in the beginning, admiring her for her quiet inner strength and her fierce dedication to the protection of her family, her daughter, and their sanctuary. I found myself easily understanding what it was about Judah that Mercy loved. I wasn't especially fond of Eve's personality, as she had a tendency to get on my nerves, though I was highly impressed at the talents she so easily wielded at such a young age.
My enjoyment however, came to a screeching halt in one particular scene. Here, Judah does something to Mercy that is unforgivable to most women. What was worse though, was that I totally and completely lost respect for Mercy in the same scene and from there on, I was unable to empathize with her anymore. While I had a stronger reaction to Dante's treatment of Lorna in Inferno, Judah's behavior wasn't much better in this one scene. This ruined the whole book for me and from there on it was very difficult to finish. Such a shame too because Sanctuary was shaping up to be a fantastic book until then.
As a whole, I was disappointed in the Raintree trilogy, only truly liking Haunted, the middle book. I was happy to see the resolution to the entire story arc and liked the way the ultimate story ended, but as individual stories, I felt the series was sorely lacking.
As the Dranir of the Ansara clan, Judah Ansara is gearing up for the coming battle with the Raintree. Judah plans to eliminate all of the Raintree and has declared Mercy Raintree as his to kill. When Judah encounters Mercy and her daughter Eve, he realizes he may be forced to change his battle strategy.
I have adored this series! Every book is equal in its deliciousness. All three authors managed to maintain the continuity of the mythology and deliver engaging stories. Beverly Barton concludes this fantabulous series with Raintree: Sanctuary and it is heart-breaking, heart-pounding and heart-melting. With a strong and empathetic heroine, an alpha and mouth-watering hero and a climatic battle between good and evil, Beverly Barton's Raintree: Sanctuary is marvelous!
