Unforgiven

Overall, Lindsay McKenna's Unforgiven was an enjoyable read for me. I particularly liked the heroine, Calen Hernandez. She was strong, intelligent and independent, not a delicate waif waiting to be rescued. The story centers around two Warriors for the Light/shape-shifters, Calen Hernandez and Reno Manchahi, brought together by destiny to find the first of seven emerald spheres that make up the Emerald Key necklace. This necklace, in the hands of the Light, will bring about 1000 years of peace on earth. However, dark forces are also on a quest for the necklace to produce the opposite effect. The problem is that this is not a stand-alone book; it mainly sets the foundation for the rest of the series to come. There is a lot of background information given about the prophecy of the Emerald Key, which is fine if you intend to read the rest of the series. I would have liked less background info and more written about the relationship between Calen and Reno. Also, I am a little confused about the book's title, as the emerald the two characters discover is the sphere with the power of forgiveness. This is the first paranormal romance in the Silhouette Nocturne line. The paranormal elements were interesting (shape-shifting, powerful emeralds), however, the romance was light. It was a quick read, as the writing style was not complex. This is the first book I've read by Lindsay McKenna, so I can't compare the writing to her other works. It was enjoyable and worthwhile if you are planning to read other books from the Warriors for the Light series.

Sniper Reno Manchahi lives each day for revenge. His wife and little girl were murdered. When he threatens the General responsible, he's put in jail with a twenty year sentence. Coming from Apache heritage, Reno is in touch with nature. When he hears a hawk cry out with a message of freedom he's not sure he can believe it. That day he's made an offer. If he's willing to use his skills as a sniper for a special assignment, he will gain his freedom. He's asked to travel to Ecuador to dispose of El Espanto, a mysterious figure scaring the guards away from an emerald mine. The catch is that he can never return to the United States. Calen Hernandez leads a double life. By day she's a billionaire in charge of an oil empire. By night she's El Espanto protecting the poor esmeraldos from the cruelty of the guards at the emerald mine. When Reno comes to town, she knows that he's the sniper brought in to kill her, but despite that she finds herself drawn to him. Soon Reno and Calen find they have a common destiny. They are Warriors for the Light and they are called to a higher duty. They will fight with others like themselves to save the world. Not only is UNFORGIVEN the first book in Silhouette's new Nocturne series, but it's the first in Lindsay McKenna's new Warriors for the Light trilogy. This book is a wonderful start to both series. Reno and Calen are both vulnerable and real. Right from the start you care about what happens to them. The tension between them keeps you going until they come together in a wonderfully emotional scene. I can't wait for the next book from Lindsay about the Warriors for the Light. [...]

This book has gotten a bad rep. It is a really good book. The characters had a lot of depth and the paranormal aspects were really something special. I would like to see more stories that follow the theme of this book. The book was left open in such a way that other stories could be written and I hope Nocturne will be around long enough for those stories to be published.

Shapeshifter Calen turns into a jaguar as she uses her powers to protect the esmeraldos from the mercenaries employed by the Guild owners of the Santa Maria Emerald Mine, who have orders to shoot to kill anyone on mine property. Calen, who masquerades as El Espanto, (the Ghost) protects the esmeraldos by instilling fear in the mercenaries which leads them to quit their jobs. The guild hires former convict and superb sniper Rio to infiltrate the esmeraldos so he can learn who El Esparto is and kill him. Rio, also a shapeshifter, flies down to Ecuador and poses as a medical technician but Calen knows he was hired to kill her. They soon learn that they both have Warriors of the Light birthmarks and a vision leads them to find one of the emeralds in the Emerald Key necklace. Legend has it she will find, with some outside help, the other ones scattered throughout the world and when she wears it she will usher in 1000 years of piece. The other part of the legend goes on to say that a woman who is part of the dark side is also looking for the emeralds and if she finds them, the world will be destroyed. When Rio learns Calen's secret identity he becomes her protector and makes an enemy out of the Guild and mercs who want to kill him. Only a miracle will leave them free to love one another. Lindsay McKenna has written an exciting and enthralling paranormal romantic thriller that sets the stage for a gathering place for the warriors of the night and the people who will be drawn to the upcoming quest. Both the hero and heroine have lost those they loved to violence but they are able to find strength through one another. UNFORGIVEN is a fast paced, character driven thriller that will keep reader attention at rarely achieved levels. Harriet Klausner