Connor Rihyad is a Gargoyle, gone undercover seeking the evil Gargoyles who are breaking centuries of honor. The Gargoyles are tasked with taking care of humans, but this sect has broken off and is doing just the opposite. What Connor finds horrifies him -- the Gargoyles are keeping human women as their sex slaves, attempting to get them pregnant so that the babies can be used to form an army.

But he can't break the women out right away or he'll give away his undercover role. He can help them as much as possible and one strong, brave woman in particular stands out. Mara Kincaide is making the best of her situation, determined to find her friend who disappeared. She's scared of the newcomer, and shocked when he takes her to his room, stamping her as his before the horrible men in the house. When he doesn't touch her, she's even more astonished.

Connor and Mara bind together to fight the Gargoyles and find their feelings growing for one another. But Connor has his secret and believes that no human woman could ever accept that he transforms into a Gargoyle. Just because another Gargoyle, Nathan Cross, found love with a woman doesn't mean it will happen that way for him.

I reviewed the first Gargoyle book, CARVED IN STONE (Nathan's story), and admitted then that I approached the concept of human/Gargoyles with skepticism. I ended up loving the story and am amazed at the author's ability to make this work. She did it once more with Connor and Mara. Mara, in particular, is a strong, beautiful character, and Connor is certainly her match. I enjoyed learning more about the Gargoyle culture that Ms. Taylor has created, and I'm looking forward to future books. An interesting series for those who like the paranormal.