Book 73, 2023
Lion Heart by Doranna Durgin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
At work yesterday, I finished reading my lunchbreak book, Lion Heart by Doranna Durgin. It's part of Silhouette's "Nocturne" line, and it's the second book in the "Sentinel" series. The main characters are ocelot Sentinen Lyn Maines and cougar Sentinel Joe Ryan.
After the death of his partner, Joe has been banished to the mountains of Arizona. Although no one could prove he had anything to do with Dean's death, his new assignment on the fringes is meant to send a message. Unknown to the leadership of the Sentinels, Joe has the ability to channel the power that resides in the mountain. Now, however, the Core, adversaries of the Sentinels, are trying to steal the power for themselves, heedless of the damage it can cause the mountain and its inhabitants.
Lyn is one of the Sentinels' best trackers, and she's been sent to Arizona to find out just what Joe Ryan is up to. Initially prepared to believe he's a rogue, Lyn soon realizes that Joe loves the mountain and is just as intent on protecting it as she is. By the time they learn to trust one another, however, it may already be too late.
For once, one of these Nocturne books featured a strong, savvy female lead who was not subjected to assault or abuse. Can I get a 'hallelujah' from the chorus?! Thank you, Doranna Durgin, for crafting a capable heroine who didn't need to be forged in the fires of misogynistic abuse. That being said, not only were the characters portrayed well, but the plot was fast and engaging. While there was some resolution at the end, there was no ultimate resolution.
Favorite line: "The world is made of interlocking layers, not separate units."
Very good story, and some redemption for this line from Silhouette. Four stars.