Review: Burden of Blood by Wenona Hulsey

Burden of Blood by Wenona Hulsey

*I received this book (digital copy) in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour.  The blog tour is being hosted by The Bookish Snob Tours.

Amazon Product Description:
No one wants to know everyone’s darkest secrets, especially not police officer, Nicole Keenan. All she wants is a blissfully normal life in the small, Alabama town where she was born. But as generations of power running through her veins start to wake up, an ancient grudge is ignited that threatens to push her over the edge. She can hardly believe in what she is, let alone that a dark force will not stop until she's joins them. Or is dead.
Nicole Keenan's life enters into a dangerous dance with warriors and gothic fairies. Southern tradition collides with Irish folklore as she learns about love, heartbreak, and The Burden of Blood. 

My thoughts:
Wow!  This is one of those books where you wish that the characters were real people!  It would be amazing if we had police that could hear thoughts!  It would take the mystery out of deciding guilt.  It would be even more amazing if a man like Luke actually existed!
The characters are fantastic and for the most part drive the story.  Nicole is a great character.  Tough, seasoned cop with new found "super" powers that she has to not only learn to control, but learn to fight with - she becomes a force to be reckoned with.  I like the warrior/fae hybrid twist as well as the warrior/princess angle that the story takes.  Luke is (obviously) my favorite.  His character is just the right mix of bad boy meets angel.  I can't wait to see where the sequel takes Luke and Nicole.  The supporting characters are well done and vital to the story.
The book is set in today's world but has Nicole travel to the past in her dreams.  It is in these dreams that we learn about her grandmother, although this isn't where we learn who her grandmother really was.
There is a theme throughout the book of both sacrifice and family.  The characters are faced with loyalty, love and dedication but also of distrust, deception and secrets.  The story is filled with mystery and had me turning the pages faster and faster in an effort to find out what choices Nicole would make.  I found myself cheering for her, cursing her hardheadedness and hoping for her.  What would you be willing to do for those you love?
This is a fresh, new look at fae and magical powers.  I enjoyed the story very much.  It is well written, nicely paced, easy to read and truly entertaining.  I read the book in one sitting.  Be sure to give this one a read!!!