Mini Review: Hard to Handle (Gargoyles #5)

Hard to Handle (Gargoyles #5)

by Christine Warren

Blurb:

 The only male among four sisters, Michael Drummond is no stranger to women’s strength and formidable will. But when a fierce woman warrior from another realm bursts into his life, bringing with her a battle between good and evil, Michael is overcome by an explosive dose of desire that only this stunningly beautiful woman can inspire.

The first and only of her kind, Ash is a lone female gargoyle, a creature destined to protect mankind from Demons determined to unleash their darkest forces.

But her bone-deep instinct to do battle is turned off-kilter by her untamed attraction to the dangerously handsome human she can’t stay away from. If they manage to keep the world safe, can they turn the passion crackling between them into a love that will withstand the test of time?

Themes:  Paranormal

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 I have never shied away from the long-game types of paranormal series that leads readers down  long and twisting paths against the evils of the world where ultimately only good can prevail.  Christine Warren is a unique voice in any series she writes, but the Gargoyles in this series are beyond unique and going into the sometimes too strange, but that is what makes it such a good read.  This series continues with the story of the first ever female Guardian springing to life to replace a warrior that was lost in the previous story. Ash has no idea when she bursts to life why she is the first and only female of her kind to ever come along, but she never questions her need to achieve her deeply ingrained goal of protecting the world from evildoers.  Michael is the typical alpha Irishman, even going too far sometimes into the obnoxiousness that often makes us hate alpha males. When Michael is thrown into a world he never really believed he belonged in, where magic rules and the evil is undeniably after him, Ash is the only thing that is able to ground him and the passion she brings out in him is sometimes the only thing that feels real in his new experiences. I loved seeing these two circling one another, learning from one another, and proving that sometimes what you need is the one thing you never think you’ll want. Ash was an interesting woman, hard and soft in equal measure and of course able to kick some serious ass. Once Michael begins to understand his own power and the need that Ash brings to life in him, he is unable to deny that being with Ash will make him a better man and there is no way he will lose her to their coming enemies.  This story was a wonderful tale of two individuals that are thrown into new worlds that they don’t truly understand, but they quickly learn that the only way they will survive the world around them and the enemies set to kill them all is if they work together.  I am looking forward to seeing where this story goes next and learning who will be awakened and meeting their mate. Ms. Warren is an amazing author and I love all of her work, but if you haven’t ever had any experience with a story like this, I seriously recommend beginning the series at the beginning, no matter how great this story is, you can really only truly experience and understand it’s greatness if you go back to the very beginning. Long Live the Guardians! :)

*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.