Shadowed Legacy

I must say, Shadowed Legacy, is a different one for Lora Leigh. Entering into the fantasy realm- it took me a bit to get into it. Not that I don't LOVE fantasy stories, but you can't really classify this as "fantasy". It's more like Romantica with fantasy elements. Again normally I'm all over that, however, written early on in her writing career, I believe it shows some immaturity. Don't get me wrong, I did like this book. It's the SECOND in the Legacy series- of which I had not idea I had picked up- and the time has moved forward into the present- or very near future. The sex is characteristically graphic, and plentiful, and I enjoyed the hero Develin and heroine Chantal (ugh, enough with the pretentious names, dear Authors!)... despite the fact I found Chantal a tad annoying with her hissy fits and all. Still I found in her shades of Jude Devereaux's heroines, which I simply adore. Chantal was noble, kind and strong and made this story for me. I believe part of the reason it took me awhile to get into the book was because I hadvn't read the first one. But because the characters of this book, whose memories of the time before had been erased, were in much the same shoes as I, I eventually caught up. As they remembered the past I was able to connect the dots. Now that I've finished it, I probably won't go back to the first in the series, Shattered Legacy (Book 1) , before I read the next Savage Legacy (the set up in this one was a perfect teaser!) My suspicions is that IF you are to read Shattered Legacy first LIKE I SHOULD HAVE- be sure to have Shadowed Legacy (book 2) nearby, because apparently she left Shattered with a sad cliff hanger.

This book is part of the Legacy series. Hot, sexy, and riveting action. Couldn't put it down.

Lives and loves have been sacrificed in the battle between good and evil. No one knows better than Devlin, a Shadow Warrior, who has been fighting a war against the wicked Jonar for centuries. Though lately, he has been dreaming about a mysterious woman. A woman, he senses, who may hold the key to the mysteries of his past as well as his future. Her name is Chantal. Or is it? Chantal Ducaine is sent to retrieve the Earth Crystal from Jonar before he uses it for evil. However, she is set up to fail and is captured and beaten by his soldiers. As she struggles to free herself, her mind and soul calls out to Devlin. Is he her savior or will their past lives hurt them in the end? Shadowed Legacy is the second book in the revised and revamped Legacy Series. This installment continues the journey of Chantal and Devlin and is not a stand-alone novel. Shattered Legacy should be read first to understand the background and basis of this epic series. The struggles Chantal faces would destroy a lesser woman. But Chantal has this inner strength and steel backbone that I found amazing. Her ingenuity and skills had me cheering for her. She didn't need a rescuer, so much as a counterpart to love. An Alpha male, Devlin exudes power, strength and a barely leashed sensuality that had me looking for a cold drink to cool off. Devlin's wisdom and dedication to his quest make for a very alluring hero. Chantal and Devlin are electric and mesmerizing. Their story had me glued to edge of my seat. It has everything I want in a romance: action, drama and an amazingly strong couple who complement each other completely. Know that Shadowed Legacy is only one chapter in this saga of good versus evil. The other warriors are just as strong. Ms. Leigh gives us glimpses of the past that will set up their stories of pain, loss, and hopefully, forgiveness and love. I look forward to reading more about each couple in the rest of the Legacy Series. All in all, Ms. Leigh has created an intensely emotional and incredible book in Shadowed Legacy. Lee reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

BOOK 2: All I can say is that I loved this book. It picks up where the last one left off. The characters are now in the present time. Devlin is still living in the castle, he is well over a thousand years old now. He and his warrior brothers are still fighting Jonar, trying to defeat him. Meanwhile Chantel has been reincarnated, and is too fighting to bring Jonar down. She works in a special agent task force with her father and brother. She has these shadowed memories, and she knows her life is meant to mean so much more. Just like the last novel she has dreams of Devlin, but this time doesn't know exactly what he means to her. Devlin too has the same sexual dreams. That is his only pleasure in life, for he has not had sex for a thousand years because he is impotent. Devlin has felt lost for the last thousand years and nothing makes him happy; and he cannot figure out why. Meanwhile, Chantel finds her earth crystal necklace and puts it on, and then is captured by Jonar's men. She manages to escape Jonar's hideout with help from the earth crystal. She somehow is able to call to the man in her dreams(Devlin) to come rescue her out of the town she is in. He does, and when he sees her he is shocked. She looks just like Antea(he has no memory of Chantel because her dad, Galen, put a curse on him to erase his memories of her), but at the same time he is fiercely attracted to her. He can't explain it beacause he hated Antea so much. He then brings Chantel to the castle to keep her safe. He is torn with his feelings for Chantel. His soul wants to love her and cherish her, but his mind does not. His mind is telling him that she is the evil Antea. Chantel's memories and powers start to come back little by little, which in turn help her use her crystal to do good. Just as Devlin's shadowed memories are slowly coming back. I loved watching Devlin's struggle to remember. Even though his mind couldn't, his soul definitely could. He loved Chantel so much, more than anything. The love scenes were hot and erotic. He was so tender and loving with her, but at the same time strong and protective . And when their memories finally surfaced completely it was amazing. Chantel's love was just as strong. I think she gave up alot in the beginning, so she and Devlin could have a real future together. And even though he did not like it, I think he understood. I loved the part in the book when he said his soul could not survive a second time again without her. This book was weaved with so much emotion and plot. I cannot wait to read the next one.