A Dark Guardian

Dear Donna Grant, thank you so much for helping me through a really hot day with a super thrilling, suspenseful, twisted romance. I was not prepared to get pulled into the story. I was not prepared to be sucked into the drama. Oh My Word!! The Drama!! I was not prepared to be grabbed by The Shields. Now I sit here wishing that I needed saving and the knights coming riding into for the rescue. The Shields are the "real white knights" coming to save the day in an era of castles, dungeons, and creatures of the night. They show up at castle under siege, kill the creature, saving the day. Each mission is getting more challenging. The creatures are getting harder to kill. The mystery, the who done it ,is getting more challenging. Sherlock Holmes would have a difficult time. I had a difficult time. I got it wrong. Mind Blown!! Weaved throughout this suspenseful drama was the growing romance between Hugh and Mina. Hugh is the leader of The Shields. Mina is the sister of the Castle Baron, Bernard, and the devious, controlling Theresa. Their romance is totally whacked. The author kept me flipping back and forth between wanting them as a couple and hoping they won't be. Hugh questions everything, suspects everyone. He is constantly second guessing himself, second guessing Mina. She doubts everything thanks to her, not so lovely, family. Her self doubt riddles the pages. Her confidence is gone, if she ever had any. None of this screams the perfect start to anything. What is does scream is the author sucked me into the story. I was hooked. I stayed up into the night discovering the good, bad and the ugly of the life as a member of The Shield. Life lessons are learned. I discovered I really like having my mind screwed with. I thoroughly enjoyed become invested in the story, the characters. What makes A Dark Guardian even better is that it is book one. I get to look forward to more stories filled with adventure, suspense and drama. I have the popcorn and the "do not disturb" sign ready.

3.75 stars--A DARK GUARDIAN is the first instalment in Donna Grant’s adult THE SHIELD paranormal/fantasy romance series focusing on a group of men known as the Shields. This is Hugh the Righteous, and Lady Mina of Stone Crest’s story line. NOTE: A DARK GUARDIAN was originally released in 2006 but has been updated with a new cover Told from several third person perspectives including Mina and Hugh, A DARK GUARDIAN follows the group of men known as the Shields, tasked by the Fae, to hunt and take down the creatures destroying the realms. At each Realm, the Shields find themselves in a battle to save the inhabitants from total annihilation, and at Stone Crest casatle Hugh believes the woman that calls to his heart, is the woman controlling the virulent evil but Mina is as much a victim as the people whose lives were destroyed, a victim who finds herself pushed and pulled between family, all of her life. As the creature continues to wreak havoc over the village and its’ people, Mina continues to be the number one suspect when all clues point to her possible involvement. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Hugh and Mina, and the potential fall-out as Hugh is unable to look beyond the clues, to see the truth. A DARK GUARDIAN is a story of family, betrayal, vengeance, power and control. Magic is a large part of the story line premise, magic used to command and destroy in an effort to take charge of everyone and everything. The premise is fast paced and intriguing; the characters are energetic and colorful; the romance is seductive but I did not feel the palpable sexual attraction between our leading couple as our hero struggled to believe Mina was an innocent victim.

Interesting medieval fantasy featuring brave knights, mysterious Fae, fair maidens, and deadly demons. Loved the storyline and the characters (including the baddies). I mean, what's not to like about strong, handsome warriors fighting evil with swords and crossbows?? My only issue was with Hugh, the male MC. I know he's been burned before by a woman who was in league with evil, but his continued disbelief in Mina's (female MC) innocence hurt my romantic heart. Sigh! Great ending and set-up for the next book. 3.5 stars rounded to 4