This is my new favourite, in this series. It not only surpasses the best of the earlier books, but it perfectly showcases the skills of the author.
I've read the whole series right from the beginning, when they were only available as ebooks on the EC website. I've owned this book less than one week and read it twice already. Gloria 'Ria' Rodrigues is sent to Sanctuary to find a traitor/s. She instantly drawn to Mercury who everyone knows was mated, and his mate was killed. Mecury is the rare breed who is physically closer to the animal (lion) than other breeds. Ria doesn't want to get involved with him; she's not his mate and will only ever be second-best, and end up with her heart broken. But unbeknown to them both the beast within Mercury is waking up from a long sleep.
This book features a breed who is both intensely male and vulnerable; which makes him especially appealing. I loved the banter between Mercury and Ria. I found there was an emotional intensity in this novel that really got to me. Read this and you'll be dabbing your eyes one minute, and fanning yourself the next. When you combine the great story, and depth of characterisation with Leigh's trademark 'heat', then this book can't be more highly recommended.