The Calling

Jennifer Ashley has created a world where vampires, werewolves, demons and magic are a part of everyday life in the 21st century Earth and where life and death magic must be kept in balance. There are 5 Immortals, born from ancient goddesses that protect the human race from destruction that too much death magic can cause. Adrian is the son of Isis. He has spent centuries in the Earth realm trying to find his youngest Immortal brother, Tain, who he believes is being held captive by a woman with ancient death magic. His search brings him to Seattle where he saves Amber Silverthorne's life from a demon attack. Amber just wants to find the demon that killed her sister. When the link between her sister's death and Adrian's brother is discovered, they work together to find the answers that each are seeking. Adrian's job now is to protect Amber from demon and death magic while they are being drawn into a vengeful plot that could not only destroy them but the world too. Immortals: The Calling is the first book in a 4 part series where the Immortal brothers are called upon to fight the ultimate battle over death magic. With this story we are introduced to the Immortals and their purpose for existing. Adrian and Amber's battle will captivate the reader with a blazing romance of heart wrenching passion while spine-chilling horrors of betrayal and demonic vengeance will leave you spellbound until the end. There's Amber's werewolf friend Sabine, vampire allies, and a mysterious shape shifting friend of Adrian's that enhance the plot and creates more intriguing scenes that pull this premise together for a spectacular ending that sets into motion the next Immortals' story. I loved this world that Jennifer Ashley has created. It's a page turning read with fascinating characters and a well developed plot that leaves you anxiously awaiting the next story of the Immortals. The next one is Immortals: The Darkening by Robin T. Popp and promises to be just as exciting as this one. Immortals: The Calling is a recommended read from me and a definite keeper.

Having trouble tracking down this series? The Immortals series is a joint venture for three different authors. The first, fourth and fifth books are by Jennifer Ashley (AKA Allyson James). The second book is by Robin T. Popp, and the third by Joy Nash. The Immortals Series: The Calling The Darkening The Awakening The Gathering The Redeeming (Tain's Story) September 2008 I actually delayed reading this book. I wasn't really looking forward to it after reading the mixed reviews. Then I realized that many of the lower reviews were from people who don't like erotic love scenes. If you like the love scenes in series such as BDB, you'll like these. I really enjoyed the story. With so many paranormals out there, I like reading a book that had some unique characteristics. The story takes place in modern day Seattle, California, and the Arctic. The paranormal beings are witches, demons, vampires, "The Immortals", and shapeshifters. "The Immortals" are five sons of the Celtic gods and goddesses. They were created to protect the world from death magic. (Death magical beings include demons and vampires.) After several millennia, the Immortals have been all but forgotten. In the past, witches would chant "The Calling" spell to summon the Immortals for help whenever evil threatened. Those of the 5 whom are still fighting evil today, are doing so at their own leisure. Once these brothers realized that they could live in freedom, they each went their own way. They have not seen one another for hundreds of years. The world of magic is divided between those who live in "life magic", and those who live in "death magic". Life magic lives in the Immortals, good witches, the Celtic gods/ goddesses, and shapeshifters. Death magic lives in demons and vampires. For millennia, they have battled. Adrian, the oldest of the 5 sons, has formed a truce with the vampires of Los Angeles. They work together to prevent demons from overtaking the world. For 700 years, Adrian has lived in anguish. He had a special bond with his youngest brother, Tain. When Tain was taken prisoner by a demon, Adrian began to search the world for his brother. Not a corner of the world has gone unsearched. Not a day has passed that Adrian has given up the hunt. Tain is in Adrian's dreams every night, calling for Adrian's help, crying in pain from the demon's torture. In 700 years, not a clue to Tain's whereabouts has been found. Sensing a demon presence in Seattle, Adrian races to the location to kill it. He finds that a young witch is about to be murdered by his enemy. Fighting off the demon, Adrian saves Amber's life. Now he wants to know who she is, and why she summoned a demon. Amber is alone in the world. Her one relative, her sister Susan, was murdered by a demon 4 weeks ago. Setting up a witch circle in the warehouse where Susan died, Amber is determined to find out who killed her and why. While performing the spell, a powerful demon shows up to slay

I have been getting burnt out on some of the scores of lackluster paranormal romances out there, but having read a Jennifer Ashley Historical before and enjoyed it-I decided to give this book a try. I am so glad I did:) While I loved the book and found it VERY erotically romantic and very fast paced and adventuresome-I did want to forewarn a few readers who may not like erotica. First-I throughly feel this is erotica and not just a highly sensual romance. Why? Well-there are explicit love scenes as well as scenes in the beginning that are more about sex than love. Very explicit language, over half a dozen bedroom scenes as well as a love scene written about 2 other characters besides the H/H-so to me that constitutes erotica or at least being labeled an erotic romance. Again, not a problem for me personally, but I wanted to warn those who are disturbed by this. Second-there is lots of violence and bloodletting-integral to the story-but again, be forewarned if you're squeamish. Finally-witchcraft-which I found very interesting-is heavily involved in the storyline. The heroine is described as a "hereditary witch"-meaning her family has been witches for generations. I thought this part of the book very well done and not too "over the top"-but I did want to mention it for those who don't read romances with witches (though I would question why anyone with a problem with witches would read paranormal romances to begin with-LOL). I read the book in a little over half a day and didn't want to put it down. I loved that Amber was a very strong, brave heroine! The secondary characters were very interesting and you want to see their stories as well. All in all, a fun, sexy, romantic adventure that I highly recommend! A great escape from the everyday grind. 5 stars!

Adrian, an immortal warrior, has a dream involving a demon and he hears a woman's cries. Four weeks later he has finally managed to track down the demon to a warehouse and encounters Amber Silverthorne, a witch whose sister Susan has been murdered. Adrian fights off the demon, but the demon manages to escape. Adrian and Amber team up to find out who was responsible for Susan's death and eventually also locate Adrian's Immortal brother, Tain, who has been missing for seven hundred years. If you like paranormal romance with great action, you will like this book. It had it all, immortals, witches, a dragon, a werewolve, vampires and demons. The writing was impeccable, the action exhilarating, the love story was spellbinding. Since this is the first book in a four book series, the story is left open at the end for the continuation of the next Immortal's story and how the calling of the Immortals' plays out.

Adrian is one of five immortal brothers created at the dawning of time to protect mankind from those who will use dark magic to destroy life magic. Although much of humanity has forgotten this powerful quintet of warriors, a few life magic practitioners still believe they will come if the world needs them. Thus when someone possessing incredible levels of magic goes rogue, Adrian, whose brother Tain vanished seven centuries ago, begins a quest to stop this maverick from eradicating humanity; his fear is that Tain turned. Adrian meets life magic witch Amber Silverthorne, who seeks the demon who murdered her sister for no apparent reason. Adrian and Amber are attracted to one another and make love whenever they can, but the quest comes first. As they receive aid from paranormal and mortal individuals, the duo treks from Seattle to the Arctic with points in between hunting a killer and trying to learn more about THE CALLING. This is an interesting opening saga starring an immortal who uses his superpowers especially mind control to get what he wants; in this case he wants Amber. However, for the most part Amber can thwart his mental efforts to force her to do his bidding. Though sidebars to establish a contemporary earth filled with magic and supernatural beings take somewhat away from the prime theme of the Immortal and the Witch making love in between the latest good vs. evil war, this is a spellbinding and enchanting tale. Harriet Klausner