TOUCH OF MADNESS

Author: C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp ISBN: 0765356635 6/2007 PARANORMAL Publisher: TOR

Kate Reilly is having a bad month She's on trial for murders she didn't commit. She's next on the list of a serial killer. The parasitic vampires known as the Thrall want her to investigate the murder of their young, and will use any means necessary to force her to bow to their demands. And—possibly worst of all—her boyfriend Tom's werewolf pack is trying to break them up so Tom can mate with a werewolf to ensure the survival of his pack. Now Kate must fight for Tom—and fight for her very survival in this brand new paranormal romance from the unbeatable, bestselling team of C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

As thrilling, action-packed, and sexy as TOUCH OF MADNESS is, I have to mention one thing that distracted me a tiny bit from my love for it. Not enough to drop it to Four Rose category, but enough that I ear-marked certain passages because of my confusion. So, here it is: There are some inconsistencies with the heroine's clothes. That's right, I said her clothes.

For those of you that have read TOUCH OF EVIL, the predecessor to TOUCH OF MADNESS, you might understand why I point this out right away. For those of you that have not read it, let me explain. Clothes are very important to the heroine, Kate. The authors draw attention to that fact on several occasions. Kate has to have specific clothes for fighting vampires. You know the kind—leather jackets, easy to move in jeans, and so on. More importantly, she needs clothes, specifically tops, that fit over her hard acrylic neck and shoulder contraption, that, as I am sure you guessed, keep her from being bitten. So, that is why I pay attention to the pages that have Kate reaching to put on a navy turtleneck sweater and jeans, only in the next breath to say that she is wearing instead business casual clothes that consist of a brown turtleneck and slacks. Huh? Okay, it's not a terrible flaw, but perhaps if you read just how much attention is focused on Kate's wardrobe, you may not think I am out of line on this one.

Not to be completely overshadowed by the minor detail above is the fantastic emotional and enjoyable plot. (Or should I say, plots?) There are wonderful twists, turns, ups and downs, and if you are not moved in some way by at least one of them, well, you must be related to the Grinch. The authors do a fabulous job, like usual, of creating such an enthralling (thrall—get it?) setting and charismatic characters that I believe there is no other way to read this book other than to finish it in one evening. It is really, really, a fabulous read.

Shannon Johnson