Carved in Stone

You know a book is excellent when it is still intriguing the second time you read it! Nathan Cross is a Gargoyle, a race of men cursed to be the protectors of humans while wearing the guise of beasts. He is also an outcast from his congregation as he has spurned the old ways; Nathan refuses to choose a mate so that she can bear a son and he can consequently be reincarnated. Rachel Vandermere is an Interpol agent who has dedicated her entire life to looking for monsters ever since she witnessed her father's murder. Rachel believes her father was murdered by a winged monster and thus she is terrified when her search leads her to Nathan and he reveals his Gargoyle self to her. Nathan is confused as to why he can't alter Rachel's memories and why she hears the Calling- a high pitched whistling sound that only Gargoyles can hear as they call for help. Vickie Taylor has created a fascinating world complete with political intrigue Gargoyle-style. Until I read this book, I had never even considered Gargoyles as heroes. Highly recommended!

This is an outstanding book! I really cannot say enough about it. I cannot wait for Flesh and Stone next April (what an awfully long year)! I do not want to ruin anything so all I will say is READ it and ENJOY! Nathan and Rachel absolutely sizzle and it is great fun to watch them fight the attraction and lose :) This on is a real winner!

Vickie Taylor introduces us into a new world of Gargoyles, men who can shapeshift into animal forms and help protect humanity. Nathan Cross is a griffin, roughened and tortured from past lives and cynical towards what he must do. Rachel Vandermere is a smart, brave woman who is introduced into Nathan's world. I really enjoyed this book. It's not easy to successfully create a paranormal world with rules, terms, and history that is believable, but this novels does that and more. The writing is flowing and well done, and the emotions, want, and love between Rachel and Nathan is very apparent through the novel. I only wish that they had actually said "I love you" aloud...although, I suppose it's not entirely necessary since they are connected so, but it still would have been a nice plus. As I said, I just loved this book and am eagerly looking forward to the sequel, Connor's story called Flesh and Stone.

While I like science fiction and fantasy books, as well as stories about vampires and werewolves etc, I recognize that it's hard to tell that kind of story and make it believable and fresh. Vickie Taylor has managed to do both with a subject (Gargoyles) that is even harder to do well than the above mentioned subjects. How do you turn ugly monsters into sympathetic heroes? Read the book. She does it with skill. As with most books of this kind our hero, Nathan Cross is a tortured soul and Rachel Vandermere is our plucky courageous heroine, but Ms. Taylor gives them a depth you don't always find and they are fully realized characters that you believe in and come to care for. This book is fast paced, sexy and suspenseful and I sure hope she has more of this world in store for us. I can't wait.