Black Royce is a soldier of the gods who's given his life to protecting mankind from the demons that hunt them. When he's sent into the future to protect a powerful healer from the evils' that are determined so use her powers for themselves, he discovers the one woman who can make him forget his vows and all his self-imposed rules.

Allie Monroe is determined to use her healing powers to help the people who need it, even if it means putting herself at risk. Transported to a castle in Scotland when a warrior from the past arrives to protect her, Allie can do nothing to protect her heart from the powerful warrior's modern day version. But when Royce is murdered in present day, nothing will stop Allie from going back to the past to save him; not even the possibility of her own death.

I loved this book! This was my first Brenda Joyce novel and I can't believe what I've been missing. DARK RIVAL didn't just hook me into the story, I was consumed. Both Allie and Royce are such strong characters. I loved watching the sparks fly off the pages when these two butted heads; and they butted heads often. Add to the mix the secondary characters that'll have you intrigued about what's to come and you have a winning combination all around. I can't wait to pick up the first book in this series, DARK SEDUCTION, and I hope Ms. Joyce plans many, many more Master of Time books in the future.