Eternal Flame

I hate to be the lone dissenter. Cynthia Eden is a new author to me. This is the 3rd book in her Night Watch series. I try to never start a series mid way through. However, since this is a book won through a Goodreads contest here is my review of only the 3rd book.

I don't know whether my complaints can be attributed to not reading the entire series or the author's writing. So whatever mistakes or assumptions I make that are wrong, please correct me.

I'm not real good at summarizing, but others have done a good job and the blurb is above so onto my review.

I liked the main characters. Our hero Zane Wynter-hybrid demon, strong, sexy, has supernatural powers, fights bad guys-what's not to like about that? Our heroine Jana Carter seemed really human-struggled with right and wrong, had her own code etc. She had good qualities, but also faults which made for a very good character to read about. I must say though that Zane's endearment "baby" did get quite annoying towards the end. And I couldn't figure out why Jana withheld the Perseus information for so long.

The setting I felt good have used some work. Until the mention of the swamp and the antebellum mansion I felt it could've been anywhere in the country instead of Baton Rouge. This kind of vague, lack of description is throughout the book because in the first chapter in the burning antebellum we don't know what Zane or Jana are wearing.

********MAY BE SPOILERS BELOW! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!********

The biggest problem I had was the terminology. For instance Zane is a demon and demons are supposed to be descendents of the Fallen (I am assuming this means like Lucifer) so does that mean there are real demons too(heaven vs. hell)? Or psychic- does this refer to all humans with a gift? So is Beth a psychic psychic? Were does Catalina fall-psychic or Other? What about djinn or Born Masters? Then you have the powers mentioned. It said that demons can control the elements, but I saw no water control, so do they have more of an affinity to fire(again the hell-demon connection)? Was Zane telepathic or only when he made a bond with someone? And for Jana-she can control where it burns and how hot, but she can't put a fire out? Can she get burned? Wouldn't part of directing the fire mean air control(therefore not causing her to suffocate)? Also, I few sentences the author used should probably be reworded, such as pg 270 "Character slammed forward, breaking free of Tony's grasp and ramming her head into the cement. She didn't get up." makes it sound like she split her skull open and is dead, but isn't, just unconscious. On this same note when you have a story about a person who can start fires you have to be careful when you use words like flame, burn, hot, heat, etc because every time Jana was being aroused I thought she was actually using her gift instead of becoming "enflamed" with passion.

On that note, I must say the sex scenes seemed rather tame compared to some authors I have read. There were 3 full sex scenes and 2 close calls.

The story was action packed, but I felt jumped around to too many suspects in the latter half. I, also, felt it too coincidental that when one of the higher ups- example Harold Evans or Jeremiah Daniels -needed to be involved they were or knew about the Others. How long could the Others possibly stay a secret?

The author made a big fuss out of Zane being uber special and strong even though he's a hybrid that I thought there would be some big secret revealed, but ...no, just hints and innuendo. Also, with Jana it only mentioned at first that her stepfather was a beater, but then later had tones of pedophilia. Overall I believe the back story was lacking somewhat.
********END SPOILERS********

I'm sorry this doesn't sound very flattering and sounds like I hated the book, however, a lot of the above I'm sure is starting with book 3 and not book 1. I'm interested in reading Jude and Erin's story, not so much Dee and Simon's because of the way Dee and Simon came off in this book. As another reviewer mentioned there sure were a lot of crazy people in this book. I would read more of hers, but I don't think this book was the best representation of paranormal romance that you could find out there. Hope this review helps.

Cynthia Eden is like the hidden gem of paranormal romance. With each novel she only proves she's gonna be here for a while. Eternal Flame is the third book in the Night Watch series. It still takes part in the world of the Others and features Zane, the hybrid demon bounty hunter as he closes in on Jana, an ignitor/firestarter working for the bad guys. I always enjoy Eden's novels and love the fact that she made Zane a character I couldnt help but love even though he only plays a minor role in previous novels. I didnt honestly think his story could be that good. Boy was I wrong. Zane is not only hot, he actually rivals Niol as Alpha,powerful male hero. Jana is a heroine with a great background. She's an ignitor by birth and an assassin by default. She plays an active role in her survival without coming across as a bossy too tough female. Another great read by this author. I am already planning to read it again.

Without giving away too much, I can only add that this story stands alone but it helps if you read the others to know about demons, the night watch agency and a few of the secondary characters who make an appearance toward the end.

This series was fun to read. I liked how if they were out of order you weren't lost. I didn't realized I had read the 2nd book 1st but wasn't lost like in some books.

I've been anxiously awaiting this book since I read Eternal Hunter (Night Watch #1). Oh Cynthia Eden you are a dark chocolate crack addiction. The Night Watch series follows bounty hunters who are more than they appear; they're Other - paranormal shifters, demons, vampires, charmers - they take care of the things that go bump in the night. They aren't perfect people, but they're trying and it's that constant struggle of nature vs nurture and choice that make these book really awesome. They're dark and gritty and hopeful - oh yeah - and sexy.

Eternal Flame follows possibly my favorite character of the Night Watch crew; Zane, a hybrid demon who is proof that hybrids can have all the perks. In the previous book, I'll Be Slaying You (Night Watch #2), Zane had a run in with an Ignitor - a person who can start fires with a thought. Suffice to say, they're not his favorite people. So when Jana is both an Ignitor and attempts to play him - things don't go too well, at least not for her.

I like how the characters continued to have flaws; just because the book is over doesn't mean the characters have shored up those cracks in their personalities, they keep living with them. It's probably one of my favs about Cynthia Edens characters; they seem like real people - ya know, if your neighbor was a white tiger shifter or something.

The Night Watch books are action packed - but Eternal Flame seems to take that to a whole new level. I was about halfway through the book and thinking: This can't get any better, this is awesome! And then it pulls out the stops and keeps going. If you're looking for something that's steamy, paranormal, and full of action the Night Watch books are the thing to buy into. And you know what's even more awesome? It looks like there's a forthcoming book in this series/world due out in June called Never Cry Wolf. Can't wait!

I'm wondering why it took me so long to pick up a Cynthia Eden book. I was hooked from the very first page. Eternal Flame had non-stop action. I mean, literally. One thing winds down, and then all of a sudden, the hero and heroine, Jana and Zane, found themselves once again on the go, trying to avoid danger, and from the people that wanted to kill either one of them. The stakes are high, the sparks are flying between the two, and I was taken in on a long, wild ride. What I can say about this book- expect the unexpected. The twists and turns until the ending will have you gasping for air and then begging for more. I really didn't want this book to end. I need more Cynthia Eden!