Pleasures of the Night

The Dream Guardians have the burden of protecting their human charges from Nightmares. The latter are more than bad dreams. They are beings that feed upon the fear and misery they create in that light sleep state known as Twilight.

It has been foretold that there will one day be a Dreamer who will see clearly what the others under the Guardians care cannot see. This person is known to them as the Key and will be the destruction of both their worlds.

Captain Aidan Cross is a Dream Guardian Elite Warrior known for his prowess in fighting the enemy. His seduction skills bring forth positive energy that can keep Dreamers safe from Nightmares, and the wielding of his glaive strikes true. Lately, the seemingly endless fight and the secretive ways of the Council of Elders who govern them have brought him discontent.

He is sent to someone suspected of being the Key. The traits he finds are expected but the form is a surprise as is his immediate attraction. What are the Elders hiding? And what if the prophecy is wrong?

All of her life, Lyssa Bates has had a lack of dream recollection. Sickly for most of her existence, she is now experiencing chronic fatigue, cause unknown and cure unlikely. The lack of rest is affecting her physically, mentally, and emotionally.

A mysterious man enters her life. He seems to know all about her; her body and subconscious recognizes and trusts him. Now, if she could just remember where they’d met.

This is a treat of a book with a unique world of heroic Guardians, eerie Nightmares, a bit of suspense and an obscure prophecy. While there is not elaborate explanation of the Elders who seem to be the keepers of their knowledge and their governing body, enough is gleaned to portray the slow discord and suspicions, which arise. Questions remain about the esoteric council and one hopes that we will learn more about them in the next book.

An engaging hero and heroine lure us in as the author pens her story with such charm that we are firmly caught in her web. Aidan goes to great lengths and against the rules to protect the woman he has come to love. His battle hardened body and seductive brogue are the stuff of many a woman’s dreams. Lyssa is a heart-tugging heroine who clearly needs what Aidan can provide but at the same time manages not to appear weak. Her love of animals and wish to help as a veterinarian, her innate kindness in dealing with those around her, and her bits of irreverence in comebacks give her convincing heroine credentials.

Sweet and funny banter swirled in with steamy scenes are always great reading and Ms. Day does not disappoint. Erotic enough to fog over your windows and tender enough to make you melt.

One would like more of a development to the actual romance. It happens in a seeming whoosh, but once it is introduced we are in no doubt that their love will be strong enough to withstand the shaking of and breaking down of belief in a possible myth.

This is a fine start to the Dream Guardians series.

July 2007