Sandy M’s review of Return of the Beast (Knights of White, Book 3) by Lisa Renee Jones
Contemporary Paranormal ebook published by Silhouette Nocturne Bites 1 Jun 08

I’m really enjoying this series. I love the beasts inside these Knights they try to control but that they have to let go to claim their mate. I like the idea of each Knight, no matter how old, has a mate out there, someone to love them despite either who they were or who they are now. I, of course, thoroughly enjoy all the alphaness that goes along with each Knight, as well as his sensitivity that he didn’t know he had when it comes his woman until he meets her. Pure sexy, paranormal entertainment and right up my alley.

Ryder is a young Knight, turned only 25 years before. He’s come to the scene of the crime, so to speak, the place where he was attacked and turned into the beast he is today. It’s not until he meets up with Alexis that he knows why he’s been sent back to his former home. A part of it may be to face his inner demons, but the bigger part is to face the demons causing problems for Alexis and her ranch. The biggest part is Alexis herself. His mate. Something he thought he’d have to wait so much longer for, but now that he’s found her, tasted her, loved her, if she isn’t meant to be part of his life, he’ll at least make sure she’s happy in hers, no matter what he has to do.

Taking care of the ranch since her father’s death, Alexis is not having an easy time of it. In fact, things are pretty bad. Livestock is missing and money is tight. It’s taking everything she’s got not to let the men know there’s anything wrong. Then a miracle walks into her life. Ryder is the one that may be able to help her save the ranch. His knowledge and experience he’s gained from the Jaguar Ranch would go a long way in keeping her afloat, if she can afford it. On top of that, there’s something about the man himself that causes her to keep changing her mind and asking him to stay when she should be telling him to be on his way.

Harlequin’s and Silhouette’s short stories, the Spice Briefs and the Nocturne Bites, are turning out to be great reads. There’s no pussyfooting around with the back-and-forth, on-again/off-again relationship between the hero and heroine and the story moves right along, still introduces us to other characters, and even though we get a love scene or so less than the usual, I think it’s a good trade off to get that main relationship going and on track for the length of the book. Alexis did try very hard to fight her attraction to Ryder and he certainly didn’t fight it because she is his mate and he’s happy to have found her. The demons are vanquished to return another day and Ryder finds that all he has to do is ask to have the life he wants and never though he’d have.

I know some of you will argue it’s too short, not enough time to know the characters or have a good storyline. As long as you have a good storyteller, I believe it can be done. And Ms. Jones proves it beautifully with this Bite.

Grade: A

Summary:

Saved by an immortal after an attack by a Beast, Chris Avern is doomed to carry that beast within himself. It taints his soul with a darkness that can only be purged by finding his chosen mate. Now, as a Knight of White, a demon fighter caught up in an ancient war between good and evil, Chris must battle the soulless Darkland Beasts intent on reaking destruction upon humanity.

Sent to save the hometown he left twenty-five years ago from an onslaught of Beasts, Chris comes to the rescue of ranch owner Alexis Wright. He is drawn to Alexis with a demanding passion that nearly overwhelms him and he recognizes immediately that Alexis must be his chosen mate. But, while he knows Alexis can be his salvation, he is torn by conflict. For to draw her into his world, he must put her life…and her soul…in unimaginable danger.

Other books in this series: