A Sentry's Touch
They followed their destiny and discovered love.
Orphaned at a young age, Iris Bridge carries scars on the palms of her hands from the fire that killed her
parents. Now a top-notch trauma nurse in the Alaskan wilderness, it’s her job to respond if disaster
strikes. When a helicopter crash brings a strange man named Avi into her care, she knows what to do…until
his wounds mysteriously heal and Iris discovers the reason he’s come to town. He wants to take her back to
the land he calls home—Varana.
Avi’s quest to find Iris has led him across planes and taken half of his lifetime. Iris is a Sentry and as
her Guardian, it’s Avi’s duty to protect her. It matters not that Iris, taken from his world, doesn’t
understand who or what she is; the strikingly handsome shapeshifter is honor bound to protect her.
When strange creatures start attacking Iris and her friends, she has no choice but to trust in Avi and
hope he’ll lead her to the truth. What she finds, however, is so much more. Iris discovers her own power
and, in the arms of her fated lover, her destiny to possess A Sentry’s Touch.
5 kisses from Tara Renee, Two Lips Reviews:...I really cannot say enough great things about this
book! I just want to yell to everyone to read it. Iris is a woman who lives to help the injured and she has
a backbone of steel. She does not blindly accept the things she is told, instead she demands to see the
truth for herself. I love that about her. Avi broke my heart. He has been put down his entire life by those
who should have supported him, yet he always fights for what he believes to be right. The love between Avi
and Iris adds a romantic touch to this tale. I think their love is a beautiful part of the story and adds
depth to the plot. A Sentry’s Touch is a story that will satisfy lovers of science fiction stories and
lovers of pure romance. You simply cannot go wrong by choosing this book.
4 1/2 flags from Melisa, Euro-Reviews:...Hubba Hubba.. where can I get a Guardian? This book is
HOT!...The story has great flow and imagination. I love that the characters weren’t perfect and each had
their own issues to work through. Iris and Avi had to fight the big bad and it was the true ‘good versus
evil’ and the battle scenes didn’t get too gory but had the action needed.
4 stars from Mahaira Fatima, Just Erotic Romance Reviews:...Together they are a dynamic pair,
relaxing and comforting for each other. Even though, they meet in strange circumstances, their attraction
is instantaneous and the bonding keeps strengthening throughout the story. The sex has the same dark
feeling as the story. Instead of arousing, it soothes the reader’s nerves as a necessary break when too
much is going on in the plot. The terrain is so lushly described by Ms. Dean that you want to embark on an
adventure while visualizing this alternate dimension. I was as anxious to reach the conclusion as the main
characters and was rooting for Iris as she made sense of it all. The plot cleverly weaves romance with
adventure and intrigue and forces you to question wars and the purpose behind them...Kudos for Ms. Dean for
making a daring attempt and introducing us to two people who are willing to make desperate and valiant
attempts to change the course of their lives and their loved ones. A Sentry’s Touch is a compelling tale
that surely will touch your soul!
4 1/2 stars from Elise Lyn, Ecataromance:...The plot was intriguing and had several unexpected
twists which kept you interested and turning the pages. Avi and Iris fit together beautifully and you can’t
help but want a happy ending for these two who endure so much. Vivien Dean has penned a memorable tale and
more books set in this world would certainly be welcome.
5 cherries from Daisy, Whipped Cream Reviews:...A Sentry's Touch is, hands down, one of the best
romance novels I've read this year.
4 out of 5 from Susan, Night Owl Book Romance Reviews:...Vivien Dean has created an intriguing
world with an absorbing plot that holds the readers attentions as a love develops in this dangerous world.
Iris proves to be courageous when faced with unbelievable tales and dangerous situations and Avi her true
partner with his bravery and unyielding faith in an uncertain destiny.
4 cups from Liadan, Coffee Time Romance:...What a story! Ms. Dean brings Varana to life through
very vivid descriptions and leaves the reader almost able to feel the spongy earth beneath their feet. The
characters are strong even though they have been treated as underdogs most of their lives. The reader gets
the feeling that both main characters are a bit insecure at times and the treatment they receive from a few
other minor characters has you cheering for their cause. Ms. Dean's creativity knows no bounds in this
mildly erotic masterpiece.
4 hearts from Patricia Oshier Bruening, The Romance Studio:...Ms. Dean has created a story that
spans dimensions. Her characters come to vivid life as they explore not only their real world but their
hearts.
4 angels from Dana P., Fallen Angel Reviews:...Vivien Dean gives us a realistic heroine in Iris.
She has built this character with an abundance of empathy, Iris has known loss, and continues to move
forward.
From Tanya, Joyfully Reviewed:...a fantastic job in creating this realm and I hope the author will be continuing the stories in this realm. There is a wonderful plot line, as well as sensual loving scenes and fast-paced plot in A Sentry’s Touch that many will enjoy.
EXCERPT
...Iris pulled open the driver’s side door at the same time she heard the creature crash outside. She looked up to see him racing toward her, sleek and deadly in the stark winter light. His mouth — or what she assumed was a mouth — was twisted into a snarl, but she only heard his hissing growls for a moment before slamming the door shut and locking the truck.
Without taking her eyes off him, Iris stabbed the key into the ignition, twisting it to send the engine roaring to life. She was about to throw the truck into reverse, when a shadow appeared over her low roof, swooping lower and lower to the ground. Her eyes widened at the large white bird. She had no idea what kind it was, but it had a wing span of nearly five feet, and it loomed larger with every foot it came closer. It didn’t take a genius to realize it was aiming straight for the monster rushing her truck. She froze in her seat as she anticipated the upcoming attack.
And then it changed.
Literally.
Seconds before its taloned feet skimmed the earth, the bird’s wings bent downward, elongating and changing shape. By the time they made contact, they were legs, with paws, and the head and beak were gone, replaced by the sleek lines of a white panther. Its pace never faltered. It hit the ground running and immediately leapt onto the back of the reptilian monster intent on attacking Iris.
The two tumbled to the ground.
The bodies were of equal mass, but the momentum of the bird/cat creature gave it the advantage. It raked dangerous claws across the intruder that left deep gouges spurting blood onto the snow. The reptilian monster tried to twist away, but the cat had it pinned, hurting it further when he sank his powerful jaws into its scaled neck. It thrashed beneath him, and Iris held her breath as she waited for it to somehow toss off the animal attached to its back.
It never happened. Seconds passed, and with each one, her intruder’s struggles grew less and less until it finally stopped moving at all. The white panther held on for nearly another minute, during which time all Iris heard was the purr of her idling truck while it waited for her to shift.
Run.
Even as the single word command filtered through her brain, even as she grabbed the gear stick and shoved it into reverse, Iris wondered who it was directed to. Her foot pushed the gas pedal hard enough to make the tires squeal, and the truck jerked as she leapt out of the driveway.
Run.
Iris slammed on the brakes as soon as she was on the road. Her neck snapped from the force, creating a fresh ache, but there wasn’t time to consider her pains. There was just time to run.
Until she made the mistake of glancing back at her front yard.
Iris froze.
The large animal had lifted his head from its dead prey. To watch her.
Eyes the color of clear emerald turned in her direction. Though blood stained the panther’s mouth and the surrounding fur, Iris would have sworn that there was a gentleness in the attention he fixed on her.
He. She kept thinking of it like that. Somehow, she knew that she was right.
He didn’t move from where he lay crouched over the dead intruder. She didn’t know what he was waiting for. For her? If she got out, would she be his next victim? Somehow, she was sure she wouldn’t. But what if there were more intruders? She needed to get to safety.
That was when she noticed the blood streaking his back legs. One paw was almost completely caked in it, the strands of hair dry and clumped where they stuck together. He was hurt, and he’d helped her anyway. Whatever he was.
Slowly, Iris pulled up to the edge of the grass and turned off the engine. With the thrust of flight over, her body was becoming increasingly aware of the cold and her state of near undress. Chills made her shiver, and she pulled her robe more tightly around her. She’d go inside, put her clothes back on, then call Sheriff Armstrong to report the attack. That’s what anybody else in her situation would do.
Pushing the door open, she climbed out, careful to step on the balls of her feet as she skirted the scene of the attack. The panther tracked her with his eyes, turning his head as she circled him to get to the porch, but when she reached the door, he opened his mouth and mewled an almost whispered cry.
Iris stopped. Goosebumps erupted along her legs. She wanted to think it was because of the cold, but everything in her screamed that it was a reaction to the panther.
The panther blinked. Gingerly, he set his front paws down on the frozen ground and pushed himself up, a pained growl escaping his throat when he tried to put his weight on his back legs. He bowed his head, and she watched his haunches heave up and down. The powerful muscles rippled beneath the fur, and then she realized, the fur was rippling as well, smoothing out as the animal’s shape changed once again.
Paws became hands.
Claws became fingers.
Fur atop its head became closely cropped white-blond hair.
The panther disappeared, leaving in its place a man on his hands and knees.
She knew before he lifted his head to gaze at her with brilliant green eyes that it was the same man who’d disappeared from the clinic...
|
