Redeemed in Darkness

Redeemed in Darkness is the fourth book in the Paladins of Darkness series. This is the story Cullen Finley, a Seattle Paladin, and Lusahn q'Arc, an Other. Lusahn is the sister of Barak, an Other, who now lives among the Seattle Paladins. Barak was supposed to speak with his sister about investigating the blue stones that Others are bringing from their world to Earth. However, at the appointed rendezvous time, Barak is unable to meet her. Cullen waits to toss a note to Lusahn, but instead steps across to her world when the barrier is down, becoming trapped there. Cullen had an encounter with Lusahn previously where they briefly fought, for Lusahn is also a warrior. Since that encounter, Cullen could not get Lusahn out of his mind, and Lusahn has dreamed often of him. By stepping across the barrier, Cullen has placed himself and Lusahn in danger. I really enjoyed this book. Ms. Morgan is deft a storyteller. She has woven the story of Cullen and Lusahn around the mystery of the blue stones as she takes us to the fascinating world of the Others. Learning more about the Others, their world and society enhances this story. Cullen is terrifically drawn. Luashn is a very strong female who must come to grips with both her attraction to a human and unexpected betrayals. Reviewed at Bitten by Books Paranormal Fiction Review Site by Sally

Like another reviewer I re read the first three books of this series before reading this one. Alexis Morgan gave us exactly what In Darkness Reborn promised, a glimpse of the world of the Paladins' natural enemies, the Others(or more appropriately the Kalith). We get to see them as a society with their own issues and motivations further blurring the line of right vs wrong that so many other series draw without compromise. The romance in this book wasn't as well developed as in the others and I did have a little difficulty getting past the way Cullen & Lusahn fell into their relationship so quickly. I'm a big fan of the tension that generally builds in these books. But I think some of the other criticisms have been unfair. Like wondering why no one had ever thought to ask what the Others call themselves. It isn't as if there was anyone to ask besides Barak who wasn't exactly inclined to answer questions about his people. And Lacey did ask him. He never answered her. It doesn't really surprise me that the Paladins never asked. Barak's people had always been "the Others" to them and I doubt they even thought of the term as disparaging in and of itself. As far as not learning a whole lot about the world as far as social structure, hospitals, etc the entire book took place over the course of a few days during which Cullen couldn't exactly go out sight seeing and he and Lusahn had more on their minds and their plates than chatting about culture especially given the fact that she wasn't any too inclined to answer questions that Cullen asked. While I agree that the characters weren't as sympathetic as in previous books and the emotions weren't as heartbreaking this book still gets five stars from me if for no other reason than that the "enemy" of this series became even less one dimensional than Barak made them. The connection between the Kalith and the Paladins became more intriguing and it all has to make you wonder how it will all effect the way the Paladins do their job. As far as this being the last of the series I'm not worried about that. Jarvis' book has apparently been slated for release in February of 2009.

Cullen Finley, the Paladin known as the "Professor", has been asked by the injured Barak q'Arc to throw a note over the barrier to Barak's sister - the same sister that Cullen fought a sword battle with just weeks ago. A sword battle he can't get out of his mind because not only was Lusahn q'Arc a brilliant and tireless Other warrior, she was also a beautiful and feminine woman. When the barrier goes down and Cullen sees Lusahn on the other side, he does what Barak asks except for one thing: he crosses the barrier himself in order to hand deliver the letter to Lusahn. Looking into her gleaming eyes, Cullen doesn't regret a thing - so what if the barrier now has him trapped on the Other side? Lusahn q'Arc is still so very hurt from her brother and his treasonous behavior with the humans. Finding out he is really alive makes her heart fill with joy but sadness as well because she is on the Other side. The side that Paladin warriors protect with their swords so that no one leaves her world alive. Agreeing to meet her brother Barak to discuss the illegal smuggling of blue stones from her world to the human world, she is surprised and filled with trepidation when she notices that Barak has not met her at all. The warrior on the other side of the barrier is the Paladin with whom she had a sword fight with weeks ago that she can't get out of her mind. When the barrier does down, Lusahn hesitates to use her sword because the thought of killing such a fine man makes her sad. So sad that when the barrier goes up and he is trapped in her world, she does the unthinkable. She takes him home and falls in love. The words just shine on the page in Redeemed in Darkness. Cullen was heroic, virile and charming. He was also loyal. Nothing stood in the way of him and his woman, and I pity the man that might have the audacity to try. Lusahn's character was almost a contradiction. She was feminine but tough as nails. When she loved, she loved with every ounce of her being and the sensuality between her and Cullen was enough to make a nun blush. Once again readers are being treated to a novel of worth. Alexis Morgan's Paladins of Darkness series is a must read and Redeemed in Darkness is magnificent. I am totally and emphatically hooked on these wonderful warriors and the women who love them. Mark this one as a Joyfully Reviewed recommended read and run, don't walk to the nearest bookstore the day it is released! Please note that Redeemed in Darkness is book four of the series. While it stands completely alone, I, as a reader myself, recommend beginning the series with book one, Dark Protector, and then reading each book in order. You won't want to miss a moment of this outstanding series. Talia Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Paladin warrior Cullen Finley crossed the barrier between worlds to deliver a message. Once he completes his mission, he is to immediately return to his universe. However, something happens to the barrier and Cullen is trapped on the wrong side in the Other universe of his enemy. Lusahn q'Arc considers the Paladins as her enemy. Her first reaction upon seeing her combat foe Cullen is to want to torture information out of him as she was expecting to meet her missing brother Barak. Next she finds herself either wanting to making love with him or killing him. When he provides her information on the smuggling of the blues that bring light to her dark world, she realizes she must hide him. As they fall in love, both conclude that traitors on both sides of the feud are using the dying sun of the Others to maliciously manipulate the rivalry. The fourth Paladins of Darkness romantic fantasy (see DARK PROTECTOR, DARK DEFENDER and IN DARKNESS REBORN) is a fabulous entry with a wonderful freshness as Alexis Morgan takes her audience to the demon side. Fans as well as Cullen will begin to see a different humanized Others instead of the demonic killers. The forbidden romance enhances a fabulous thriller that will have readers enthralled once the hero crosses over.

I am a huge fan of Alexis Morgan's Paladin series and 'Redeemed in Darkness' makes me long for quicker release dates. The 4th book in the series tells us the story of Barak's sister, Lusahn and gives us a peek into the world of the Others. Cullen Finley's dreams have been haunted by his one encounter with a warrior woman of the Others and when Barak needs him to toss a message to his sister past the Barrier, he takes his duty one step further and enters their world, risking death to see the warrior female again. If that isn't hot, I don't know what is. Risking life and limb just to be with Lusahn, who might not even return his affections, is ballsy and totally Alpha Male. Especially since Cullen is considered the practical one of the Paladins. He's even nicknamed Professor, but the attraction between these two is far from practical. They have been sworn enemies for centuries but that doesn't stop the heat between the two of them. Alexis Morgan is a master storyteller and she is one of the few authors I don't skip paragraphs when reading. She mixes just the right amount of emotion, descriptors and dialogue to make Redeemed a page turner. You can follow the storyline of the book without reading the first 3 but why rob yourself of the pleasure? This series is one of the best out there in paranormal romance today. Kudos Ms. Morgan and keep 'em coming. (Alexis Morgan has a new series coming out from Pocket Books featuring the Talions and you can bet I will be first in line to pick it up.)