Eye of Heaven: A Dirk & Steele Novel (Dirk & Steele Series, 5)

I knew, when I first heard that Majorie M. Liu was writing Blue Perrineau's story, of Ms Lui's paranormal romantic suspense universe, Dirk and Steele, that this was going to be a GREAT story, and one of my very favorite's. Maybe I had a little of that "extra sensory" stuff myself, or it could be because, since reading her very first (Tiger Eye, 2005) book about a group of paranormal, mutant, gifted (which ever adjective you would most like to use) detective's, I've been hooked on her universe of agents trying save humanity from evil. In Eye Of Heaven, Blue is after an organ peddler, a flesh and blood broker, who is not just powerful and rich, but who's family actually owns the bank. But Blue is seriously injured, and in his delirium, with his power, he also injures one of his best friends wives. As he tries to recuperate, he gets the news that his estranged father has died. Only things aren't what they seem. Not only is Blue's father not dead, but he finds out he has a brother. With his father blackmailing him, and guilt for the injury he caused his friends, Blue goes to Las Vegas, following a lead to find his brother. Not only does Blue find him, but he finds the love of his life. Iris McGillis. Iris McGillis, circus performer, shapeshifter, orphan. After Iris mother disappears, she tries to make the best of her life that she can. But with men attacking her, causing problems with the big cats that she has care of, causing problems with the Las Vegas hotel that has hired the small circus to perform for them, Iris is more emotionally confused then ever. Then a handsome, sexy man saves her, and her confusion only intensify. But again, things aren't as them seem. Not only must Blue reconcile the fact that he has a brother, but he must save Iris from the very people that he has been chasing, and people who he thought was family. Iris and Blue both, must face the lies, heartbreak and betrayal, of those they trusted and come to terms with who they are and what they want out of life for themselves.

None from this series has been as good for me as the first, but they all sure can make you stay up late at night reading. The characters are fun and well rounded and Liu is adept at taking you around the world in her adventure stories. In this case the story begins in Indonesia. Yet, strangely enough, this one stays mostly in America. Mainly, Las Vegas. Iris works with wild cats (lions, tigers, but not bears)in a circus. Blue works for the Dirk and Steele detective agency and is threatened into finding his (never knew he existed before) half brother for his evil father. This leads him to the circus and right into the arms of the amazing shape-shifter, aka Iris. Of course, there's always more going on in a Liu book. While he's there observing his half-brother (escape artist) they are attacked by the some of the same men working for a very bad man Blue was tracking in Indonesia. Same sick man is interest in Iris and Blue's brother. Some how his crazy dad is envolved and Iris's missing mom. I know--it sound's crazy, doesn't it? But somehow Liu pulls all the strings together in the end and makes for a very entertaining read. Looking forward to more.

This is a phenomenal author, everything she writes is unbelieveably good. The first chapter of the book sort of turned me off and I started to wait to read it but I perservered and was rewarded with a fully engrossing, intense, thrilling journey, I loved the book and I understand now why the first chapter was necessary. Blue Perrineau is the son of a powerful man, very wealthy and harsh, they are estranged and Blue avoids his father as much as possible. Blue is a part of Dirk and Steele, an agency of psychic and para normal men and women who work quietly to preserve the peace and justice in our world. Now his father is supposedly dying and he has summoned his son. With threats and coersion he tells Blue he has a brother and the father is determined to control this one. Blue has managed to escape his influence because he is illigetimate. His brother is legitemate, because the father married his mother. So with the health and even life of his mother at stake he agrees to find the missing brother. Blue has no idea of the sordid world he must traverse to find his brother and finally save the woman he meets and desires along the way. Iris is a show performer. She is a lion tamer with several tigers and lions and jaguars, that she takes care of and performs with. She is also a shape-shifter. Her whole life has been concealed and secreted in the circus where she lives. Now they are in Las Vegas, she is performing at a major hotel and with her telepathic bond to the animals and the mass of people generating more mental static than she can handle, she is near a meltdown. Blue knows immedately that she is a shifter because some of his friends at Dirk and Steele are shifters too. Knowing her secrets he realizes how tightly she must be holding her shields. He finds her fasinating and trys to help her, he also finds his brother. Neither brother acts like they know each other but they do, although they have never met. Protecting Iris and his brother becomes harder when they are caught up into the dark underside of the sordid business that his father runs. Neither brother has ever had any tenderness from their father. Iris finds herself falling for Blue but she has many admirers and one of them is determined to have her, body and soul. Finally it will take the two brothers and all of Dirk and Steele to save Iris and overcome the dark path set before the men by their own flesh and blood. I loved this book and will wait anxiously for the next. Do not miss it.

This latest entry into the Dirk and Steele series continues the high standard set with the first book. Liu is a wonderful writer who can really flesh out what should be unrealistic characters. She makes them believeable with all the problems (and more) of ordinary people. They have their good and bad characteristics. I think it would be difficult to start the series with this book. Readers actually have to be familiar with the world Liu has formed. Blue appears in the other books in a supporting role, but assumes the primary one here. All the characters in her first book seem to be getting their own. Each finds their significant other and all are not normal. The books hold interest well, although this one got a little drawn out at the end. One problem that I am finding with the series, is that the overall plot is very complex. Since the books are not published very close to one another it is difficult to keep all the characters and plot points straight. This book seemed to complicate things even more. It would probably be best to wait until most of the series is published, then read them all in a row. However, I wait for each eagerly as do most of her fans for the next. I hope there are many more.

Ms. Liu's latest Dirk & Steele fantasy romantic adventure, Eye of Heaven, is in my opinion, her best yet. This book has it all, a strong hero, Blue, and heroine, Iris, and a supportive cast of additional heroes and nasty baddies. The characters, with all their supernatural powers, seem like comic book creations but Liu gives them enough emotional angst to flesh them out and make you care about them. From the first page, this book takes off and the reader is in for one exciting, emotional thrill ride. This series keeps getting better and better and I eagerly look forward to the next novel. Bravo, Ms. Liu!