In order to keep the peace between the Slayers and the Theronai, each side has sent an emissary from their group to the other group. Lyka Phalen is the emissary the Slayers sent, though she thinks of it as more like being a hostage. Things might not be so bad for Lyka if it wasn't for the secret she was hiding. A secret so big that if the Theronai ever found out, she knows they'd never let her leave them. However, when Synestryn's attack her home and capture some of her people, Lyka is willing to sacrifice anything to rescue them, even her freedom.

From the moment Lyka came into the Theronai compound, Joseph has been aware of her. Joseph knows better than to get involved with the alluring Slayer but something always draws him to her. When Lyka bargains to bind herself to Joseph in return for help in rescuing her people, Joseph knows he can't refuse. He'll do everything he can to help Lyka and her people but Lyka's refusal to fully commit to Joseph may end up costing both these warriors their hearts and their lives.

When it comes to suspenseful storytelling and emotionally charged characters, it doesn't get much better than Shannon K. Butcher. BINDING TIES, the ninth book in the Sentinel Wars series, pairs up a Slayer and a Theronai, sworn enemies now working together thanks to a peace treaty and their own need for each other. A perfect blend of paranormal and urban fantasy, Butcher is a master storyteller who knows how to keep a reader hooked to a series.

On par for Butcher, we get plenty of teasers about the other characters populating her world while the main focus is on Joseph and Lyka. I love that I never feel like Butcher bogs down her stories in an attempt to set up other books. Everything is weaved through to such perfection that it just seems natural to have certain things unfold at certain times. If you love books that are full of sizzling action, danger and romance, BINDING TIES is guaranteed to provide that and much more.