In HUNTER'S SEASON, Xanthe, an assassin for the Dark Fae,
returns from a mission in Chicago to her homeland Adriyel
after completing a mission for her boss. Unfortunately in
the completion she was compromised and will be unable to go
undercover. Her duties as assassin for the Queen's mate,
Chief of Security Lord Tiago Black Eagle, are at an end. On
top of that she accidentally brings home a little kitten,
who turns out to be a Wyr, a little girl who can change
into a cat. Also with her from Chicago is a set of tarot
cards that are filled with magic, which she promised to
return to the proper temple, as soon as she figures out
which God they belong to. She is forgiven for the kitten
and for being compromised, and named to be a palace guard
with the Americanized Fae Queen Niniane. She also finds
that her duties bring her in contact with the handsome
chancellor.
Aubrey Riordan is chancellor for the queen despite the fact
that his wife was involved in an assassinate attempt in his
name but luckily the plot was foiled. He had no knowledge
of the plan and after investigation was exonerated. Her
family is not happy and plans to sue Aubrey but the queen
quickly cancels the suit, though the chancellor had hoped
to hear what "evidence" they claimed to have. A short time
later he is attacked and barely survives.
It is decided that he is to recuperate at Xanthe's cottage,
since it is very isolated, while Tiago puts his best people
to investigating. No one is to know they are there. It
doesn't take long for the tiny sparks that were dancing
around come to a full on flame.
I really was delighted with HUNTER'S SEASON. Usually Fae
books are more uptight, especially the Dark Fae, with heads
rolling at a wrong word or look. This world was more
Americanized, though it is set in land of the Fae, in more
primitive homes and weaponry. I really liked the way the
author had Xanthe and Aubrey dancing around each other
until it was time to stop dancing around and dance with
each other. Thea Harrison wove a fantastic world with a
warm and sometimes scorching romance in a very out of the
ordinary setting. I hope to read more of these stories from
her.
As a palace guard and assassin for the Dark Fae, Xanthe
always wore a mask, hiding her emotions to do her duty. But
when her identity is compromised, she trades undercover work
for guarding Queen Niniane—a position that often brings her
in contact with Chancellor Aubrey Riordan.
Aubrey’s trust is shattered. A year ago his wife tried to
assassinate their new queen in his name, a betrayal of
everything he believes in. And now an attack on his life is
proof the dark conspiracy is not yet over. Although injured
and weak, Aubrey can’t help but be drawn to this shy
assassin and loyal protector. Xanthe is everything Naida
wasn’t, and the passion she stirs in him is something he
thought had long passed him by.
Warning: Take a man recovering from an assassination
attempt, the assassin sworn to protect him, add in a magical
Tarot card deck and an isolated cabin, and watch the sparks fly!