Carved in Stone (Berkley Sensation) [Mass Market Paperback]

A book where gargoyle's, not were's or vamps or aliens, are the dark hero's in turmoil? Interesting!

Rachel and Nathan, our main couple, meet during a art gallery showing and are instantly attracted. Each has their own troubles though. Rachel is there as part of an interpol mission to take down an assasin.Policework has been her lifes work since as a small child she saw her family killed by what she thought were monsters...Nathan is an excomunicated gargoyle who has lived 14 lifetimes in different ages before he was reborn into this one. Now he has decided to end his existance for good since he has been shunned by the others of his dwindeling kind.

They meet again after Nathan stumbles into Rachel's hit man and does the work for her. But she has a feeling he's not all he appears...and Nathan's freinds will need both of them to come help the gargoyles if they are to survive. Together they uncover a secret about that long ago attack on Rachel's family...

Vickie Taylor introduces us into a new world of Gargoyles, men who can shapeshift into animal forms and help protect humanity. Nathan Cross is a griffin, roughened and tortured from past lives and cynical towards what he must do. Rachel Vandermere is a smart, brave woman who is introduced into Nathan's world.

I really enjoyed this book. It's not easy to successfully create a paranormal world with rules, terms, and history that is believable, but this novels does that and more. The writing is flowing and well done, and the emotions, want, and love between Rachel and Nathan is very apparent through the novel. I only wish that they had actually said "I love you" aloud...although, I suppose it's not entirely necessary since they are connected so, but it still would have been a nice plus.

As I said, I just loved this book and am eagerly looking forward to the sequel, Connor's story called Flesh and Stone.

I'm not sure if I liked CARVED IN STONE, a paranormal romance by Vickie Taylor. When I first heard about it, I couldn't wait to read it. After all, the hero, Nathan, is a gargoyle. I thought to myself, how clever and original! Then I read it....

First of all, I really did like how the author played with the idea of a gargoyle hero. She created an interesting history about a race of men cursed with the ability to shape-shift into gruesome creatures with the express purpose of helping mankind. That alone was worth reading about.

But there were problems with the book. For one, the book is called CARVED IN STONE, and Nathan is described by the heroine as having a earthy, rocky scent. Yet these gargoyles don't turn into stone, and there's no other stone connection at all. That was bizarre ... and a little disappointing.

Some things I also found disappointing were the love scenes, which didn't come across as sensual to me. Maybe it was the language. I know that the term "hand job" jarred me when I read it. It was a little too crude for me.

Also, the first "heroine in danger/hero saves her" scene with the "hood" in the bar was cheesy. In the middle of a fight, in which the "hood" is holding a knife to her throat while Nathan threatens him, Rachel actually rolls her eyes and makes a caustic comment about having better things to do that day than listen to their pissing contest. I was the one rolling my eyes then. I just can't take the story seriously if the author doesn't try to attempt a little realism when it comes to human interactions.

Another issue is that the ending to the story doesn't wrap things up, plot-wise. In fact, you have to read the next book, FLESH AND STONE, to find out who the "bad guys" are that threatened Nathan and his fellow gargoyles in CARVED IN STONE. I find that rather unsatisfying.

Going back to the plot ... well, let's just say the plot rambled around a bit. It starts off with Rachel, an Interpol officer, trying to track a killer, then veers off to her tracking down a gargoyle who killed the killer, then veers off to strangers trying to kill the gargoyles. All the while, Nathan and Rachel fall in love, even though he's one of the monsters she's trying to destroy.

Anyway, for me, CARVED IN STONE is a so-so book, saved only by the fact that the hero is a gargoyle. It was interesting to read, as well as fast paced. I finished it quickly. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into it. There were too many things that put me off (including the contrived ending). Still, I'm planning to read the next book, in hopes that the writing will improve. After all, the concept fascinates me. Gargoyles. Very cool idea. Just wish the book was better executed.

***For those who like shapeshifter romances, the best I've ever read are about werewolves. Try TO CATCH A WOLF by Susan Krinard or KILLING MOON by Rebecca York. Or, try THE SELKIE by Melanie Jackson, which is a solid romance about a man who is half-seal.***