Binding Ties (Sentinel Wars #9) by Shannon K Butcher-Dual Review and Giveaway
Binding Ties
The Sentinel Wars 9
by Shannon K Butcher
Genre: adult, paranormal romance, UF
Release Date: March 3, 2015
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BINDING TIES (Sentinel Wars #9) by Shannon K. Butcher
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 3, 2015
They are the Sentinels. Three races descended from ancient guardians of mankind, each possessing unique abilities in their battle to protect humanity against their eternal foes: the Synestryn. Now a warrior must protect his onetime enemy—without succumbing to his darkest desires.
Lyka Phelan is a Slayer, sent to live among her enemy to guarantee lasting peace with the Theronai. Yet she has a secret—and it could make her a slave to their power. But when a pack of Synestryn destroys her home and captures her packmates, Lyka realizes her freedom is a small price to pay for the safety of her people. So she strikes a bargain with the leader of the Theronai—one that reveals her true identity and binds her to him forever.
Joseph thought he knew better than to tangle with the beautiful, hot-blooded Lyka. One misstep could send their races straight back to war. But now he has no choice other than to help her. Forced to protect her with his life, Joseph finds himself increasingly drawn to Lyka. As they risk everything in their fight against the demons, he realizes he must convince her to surrender to him completely—otherwise she will never truly be his.
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Sandy’s Review:
SOME BACKGROUND: The Sentinels are three races descended from an ancient race of guardians known as the Athanasians, who defend and protect mankind from the demons at the door. The Theronai are the protectors whose Theronai lifemark-The Tree of Life-begins to lose its’ leaves if a Theronai warrior does not find his mate. The lifemark is a visual gage of a soul’s health, and all of the warriors suffering with the pain are running out of time. The Synestryn have killed most of the female Theronai and the warriors are in need of women whose DNA and heritage will match with their own: the Sanguinar are the healers (as well as blood feeders) and the Synestryn are the demons whose humanity has been lost for centuries.
BINDING TIES is the ninth full length installment in Shannon K Butcher’s SENTINEL WARS paranormal romance, fantasy series. This is Slayer Lyka Phelan and leader of the Theronai Joseph’s storyline. BINDING TIES can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and history, I would suggest reading in order as many of the storylines overlap and continue in each successive installment. Shannon is an author who builds up future storylines in many of the previous novels.
The premise finds Lyka as a ‘guest’ of the Theronai. To keep the tentative peace between the Slayers and the Theronai, Lyka’s brother Andreas and the Theronai leader Joseph have inked out a plan for a provisional truce between the once combative enemies. The accord offers a member of each race in exchange for peace and understanding. Lyka was sent to the Theronai while Joseph’s adopted daughter was sent to the Slayers. Lyka believes she is nothing more than a prisoner in a gilded cage.
Joseph is in constant pain as his lifemark continues to lose its’ leaves. Nearing the end, Joseph is a man whose desire to lead his people is waning; he is tired of the battles and knows that he does not have much time left but Lyka’s presence eases his pain and without knowing, Lyka may be the answer to all of Joseph’s prayers. There is something about Lyka that calls to Joseph’s heart-something that Lyka would like to keep secret from all Theronai Males.
Lyka’s pack has been decimated. The demons have destroyed their village and Lyka’s brother Eric and the youngest members of the pack are missing. Lyka’s need to search for her brother finds Joseph on the hunt alongside his potential mate. What ensues are several demon attacks, a near death experience for both Joseph and Lyka, and the revelation that someone is controlling the demons-behind the scenes. Lyka’s brother Eric will sacrifice himself to save the youngest members of his pack.
The world building finds several smaller storylines continuing to develop as per Shannon’s writing style. Ronan, the Sanguinar and Theronai healer, perseveres in his search for the woman who saved his life. This woman is familiar to Ronan but he is unable to place her identity or the nature of the battle she fights within herself. Connal is still missing and his actions have caused a rift between the Sanguinars and the human feeders who once opened their homes as safe houses for the warriors and healers.
SHANNON K BUTCHER is an amazing storyteller. The SENTINEL WARS is an infinitely detailed series about a supernatural species that defend and protect but a species that is also dependent on the people they protect. There are moments of anger and betrayal; lust and need; romance and love. But there are also times that romance on the run can be difficult when facing the demons who want to destroy your life. There is an urban fantasy feel to Shannon’s Sentinel War series as the Theronai continue to do battle with a foe that refuses to stop the hunt. There is always something or someone waiting on the other side.
Barb’s Review:
Binding Ties by Shannon K. Butcher is the 9th book in her fantastic Sentinel Wars series. For those who have not read this series, this blurb on the back cover gives you enough to understand what it is all about. “They are the Sentinels. Three races descended from ancient guardians of mankind, each possessing unique abilities in their battle to protect humanity against their eternal foes: the Synestryn”
Throughout this series, we have waited for the Sentinel leader Joseph’s story, and it was worth the wait. Joseph being the leader of the Sentinel’s has given up hope of finding a mate, and concentrates solely to help the people in their compound survive against all threats by the Synestryn demons. He has more or less given up on his own life, as he fears he is near the end. Lyka, is a Slayer, living with the Sentinels as part of a peace treaty that her brother agreed upon with Joseph.
When Lyka finds out that one of her other brothers, and a group of children have been captured by the evil demons, she is determined to use her enhanced tracking ability to find them. However, Joseph feels responsible for Lyka and refuses to let her go. Joseph himself has not been in the field for a long time, having to keep things organized and controlled behind a desk.
Lyka has a secret that she hides from everyone, especially Joseph. But to be able to help find her Slayer family that is in danger, she offers Joseph a deal he can’t refuse. Wear his lycra, and bond with him, in order for him to allow her freedom…nothing more. It will save Joseph’s life, not to mention his true feelings for Lyka that will enable him to accept. Will he keep his promise to allow her freedom, once she completes her mission? Will Joseph and Lyka act on their growing sensual feelings for each other? What is Lyka’s secret?
Since Lyka is adamant about finding the captured Slayers, Joseph arranges to go with her. Together they have to face danger against the evil demons in an exciting adventure that will put both of their lives in danger. In between the pulse pounding action, the romance between Joseph and Lyka grows and despite her attempts to avoid contact, she finds herself unable to resist Joseph.
Binding Ties was another fantastic addition to Shannon K. Butcher‘s Sentinel Wars series. It was an exciting, action packed, tense, romantic and steamy storyline. There were so many wonderful parts, as we learned more about both Joseph and Lyka. This is a fun series, with fabulous characters, great couples, exciting stories, which we have come to expect from Shannon K. Butcher. If you have not read this series, I suggest you do so.
Reading Order
1. Burning Alive
2. Finding The Lost
3. Running Scared
3.5 The Collector
4. Living Nightmare
5. Blood Hunt
5.5 Bound by Vengeance
6. Dying Wish
7. Falling Blind
8.Willing Sacrifice
9. Binding Ties
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.
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