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Sentinels #6
Lynx Destiny
A lone shifter and a stranger must embrace their deepest fears to defeat a deadly enemy in Doranna Durgin's newest Sentinels romance
Forced to return to her family cabin deep in the Sacramento Mountains, Regan Adler is determined to keep her visit brief. Voices that drove her mother crazy are now threatening to do the same to her and she can't ignore them. Then she meets Kai….
Kai Faulkes is a lone shape-shifter who takes the form of a lynx. He's aware of the danger approaching and must protect his home at all costs. When Regan's soft and sultry voice reaches him, he is thrown into a whole new world of passion and desire. Suddenly the stakes are higher, and Kai and Regan must fight for everything they hold dear.
Forced to return to her family cabin deep in the Sacramento Mountains, Regan Adler is determined to keep her visit brief. Voices that drove her mother crazy are now threatening to do the same to her and she can't ignore them. Then she meets Kai….
Kai Faulkes is a lone shape-shifter who takes the form of a lynx. He's aware of the danger approaching and must protect his home at all costs. When Regan's soft and sultry voice reaches him, he is thrown into a whole new world of passion and desire. Suddenly the stakes are higher, and Kai and Regan must fight for everything they hold dear.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 7, 2013
5 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Doranna Durgin
115 books227 followersDoranna Durgin is an award-winning author (the Compton Crook for Best First SF/F/H novel) whose quirky spirit has led to an extensive and eclectic publishing journey across genres, publishers, and publishing lines. Beyond that, she hangs around outside her Southwest mountain home with horse and highly accomplished competition dogs. She doesn't believe in mastering the beast within, but in channeling its power--for good or bad has yet to be decided! She says, “My books are SF/F, mystery, paranormal romance, & romantic suspense. My world is the Southwest, and my dogs are Beagles!”
Doranna’s most recent releases encompass the three books of the Reckoners trilogy--a powerful ghostbuster raised by a spirit, her brilliantly eccentric backup team, a cat who isn't a cat, and a fiercely driven bounty hunter from a different dimension who brings them together when worlds collide.
Doranna’s most recent releases encompass the three books of the Reckoners trilogy--a powerful ghostbuster raised by a spirit, her brilliantly eccentric backup team, a cat who isn't a cat, and a fiercely driven bounty hunter from a different dimension who brings them together when worlds collide.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 23, 2014
The latest Sentinels story shows how several belonging to the Atrum Core will do anything to get the power they want from the land, regardless of who or what is harmed. A shape-shifting recluse and an unsuspecting woman find they must work together or much will be lost, and it quickly becomes apparent they are not they only ones with something to lose. Doranna Durgin continues her exceedingly original Sentinels miniseries with a story packed with danger, passion and intense emotion. LYNX DESTINY is an intriguing paranormal novel featuring spirited characters and the chilling risks they must face.
Although Regan Adler never wanted to come back to the New Mexico cabin where she once lived, she felt it was her duty to take care of the place when her father went into the hospital. She believes her mother greatly suffered from voices that whispered to her when she lived there, and Regan is already hearing them speak to her right after she arrives. While riding on the family property, she comes in contact with a man who seems to know her father but acts a little different from most people.
Living a solitary life makes Kai Faulkes happy, especially since he wants his ability to shape-shift into a lynx kept secret. He can also sense the needs of the land, and he knows those who belong to the Core would harm it just to receive power. Unfortunately, he realizes they are coming into the area where he lives. When Kai meets Regan, they both feel a strange connection to each other because of the land. Soon they are entangled in the war between the Sentinels and the Core, where dangerous threats could destroy what they have come to love most.
Any story by Doranna Durgin is always innovative with one-of-a-kind scenarios and distinctive individuals. The Sentinels miniseries is especially creative when it comes to the ongoing plot and its unique characters. The danger to the main couple in LYNX DESTINY begins shortly after their paths cross, as Kai and Regan become caught up in the never-ending feud between the Sentinels and the Core. The origin for this hostility is very creative, and the consequences resulting from their continuing disputes are shown through vividly detailed situations. Ms. Durgin certainly takes the reader into the heart of each moment, whether it is a death-defying incident or only circumstances filled with strong emotions. All the graphically described scenes bring realism to every second of LYNX DESTINY, and my own feelings were profoundly affected on a number of occasions. The setting is particularly colorful, and the Sacramento Mountains in New Mexico came alive because of Ms. Durgin’s skilled writing.
As for being a great hero, Kai definitely has the qualifications. He put others before himself, and he proved his deep love for the environment in many ways. The care he takes to keep his lynx under control when around Regan made him a special man, and the lusty sex between them shows he is exceptionally passionate. Though she is rather confused when they first met because of so many unanswered questions, I liked how Regan is later ready to take charge of any arising situation since trust is building. Another compelling story is added to the Sentinels miniseries, and Doranna Durgin makes each scene believable. LYNX DESTINY is magically enchanting.
CataRomance Review - 4.5 Stars
Although Regan Adler never wanted to come back to the New Mexico cabin where she once lived, she felt it was her duty to take care of the place when her father went into the hospital. She believes her mother greatly suffered from voices that whispered to her when she lived there, and Regan is already hearing them speak to her right after she arrives. While riding on the family property, she comes in contact with a man who seems to know her father but acts a little different from most people.
Living a solitary life makes Kai Faulkes happy, especially since he wants his ability to shape-shift into a lynx kept secret. He can also sense the needs of the land, and he knows those who belong to the Core would harm it just to receive power. Unfortunately, he realizes they are coming into the area where he lives. When Kai meets Regan, they both feel a strange connection to each other because of the land. Soon they are entangled in the war between the Sentinels and the Core, where dangerous threats could destroy what they have come to love most.
Any story by Doranna Durgin is always innovative with one-of-a-kind scenarios and distinctive individuals. The Sentinels miniseries is especially creative when it comes to the ongoing plot and its unique characters. The danger to the main couple in LYNX DESTINY begins shortly after their paths cross, as Kai and Regan become caught up in the never-ending feud between the Sentinels and the Core. The origin for this hostility is very creative, and the consequences resulting from their continuing disputes are shown through vividly detailed situations. Ms. Durgin certainly takes the reader into the heart of each moment, whether it is a death-defying incident or only circumstances filled with strong emotions. All the graphically described scenes bring realism to every second of LYNX DESTINY, and my own feelings were profoundly affected on a number of occasions. The setting is particularly colorful, and the Sacramento Mountains in New Mexico came alive because of Ms. Durgin’s skilled writing.
As for being a great hero, Kai definitely has the qualifications. He put others before himself, and he proved his deep love for the environment in many ways. The care he takes to keep his lynx under control when around Regan made him a special man, and the lusty sex between them shows he is exceptionally passionate. Though she is rather confused when they first met because of so many unanswered questions, I liked how Regan is later ready to take charge of any arising situation since trust is building. Another compelling story is added to the Sentinels miniseries, and Doranna Durgin makes each scene believable. LYNX DESTINY is magically enchanting.
CataRomance Review - 4.5 Stars
May 2, 2014
First Reads Review - Sentinels: Lynx Destiny by Doranna Durgin
When I won this through the Goodreads First Reads program, I pretty much knew what to expect. Not that it's a bad thing, but rather that that as a Harlequin series there are certain things that are just kind of givens. It's fun, sexy, and with some interesting paranormal elements that, while not really setting it worlds apart from other paranormal romances, at least distinguishes it enough to be enjoyable. The characters are compelling, Regan the artist and Kai the mountain man. It's a fun enough story, though perhaps starting my experience with the sixth book in a series wasn't the easiest way to do it. The setting of the Sentinels, though, is more of a backdrop against which Regan and Kai's story is told, and it is sexy and fun and full of dramatic twists.
Though I'm sure I wasn't expecting Kai to spend so much of this book injured. I understand that it gives Regan the chance to do more, to be more active, but I kind of wish they could have done it a little better than just constantly having Kai get shot and needing help. I suppose it flips around the usual dynamic because she has to save him a few times, but only because he got injured saving her, and most of the action is reserved for him, so despite liking Regan I felt she was a little under-utilized in the story.
The setting was interesting, though, set apart from the world on a mountain, with the bad guys intruding, Regan and Kai not having any backup as they try to maintain their independence and yet defeat the machinations of the Core. I think knowing a bit more about the setting might have given me a bit more grounding into the real importance of the struggle between the Sentinels and the Core, because as it is this book takes place along the periphery of things, not really delving too much into the conflict. Still, not knowing the organizations made certain aspects of the story a bit harder to follow, like the seeming lack of consequences or a feel of what the two organizations actually do.
That said, as a romance the book works quite well, with the sparks and tension right from the beginning, and some fun sex scenes peppered throughout. There is also a charm and humor to the story, a cuteness that was fun to read. The secondary characters were mostly fun and easy to like, though I might have liked seeing a little bit more of some of them. Still, everything worked and was enjoyable to read. There just wasn't too much there beyond the dressings of a shifter romance. It was fine, but didn't do too much new, and while it was a fun book to read, it didn't really get above three stars out of five for me.
When I won this through the Goodreads First Reads program, I pretty much knew what to expect. Not that it's a bad thing, but rather that that as a Harlequin series there are certain things that are just kind of givens. It's fun, sexy, and with some interesting paranormal elements that, while not really setting it worlds apart from other paranormal romances, at least distinguishes it enough to be enjoyable. The characters are compelling, Regan the artist and Kai the mountain man. It's a fun enough story, though perhaps starting my experience with the sixth book in a series wasn't the easiest way to do it. The setting of the Sentinels, though, is more of a backdrop against which Regan and Kai's story is told, and it is sexy and fun and full of dramatic twists.
Though I'm sure I wasn't expecting Kai to spend so much of this book injured. I understand that it gives Regan the chance to do more, to be more active, but I kind of wish they could have done it a little better than just constantly having Kai get shot and needing help. I suppose it flips around the usual dynamic because she has to save him a few times, but only because he got injured saving her, and most of the action is reserved for him, so despite liking Regan I felt she was a little under-utilized in the story.
The setting was interesting, though, set apart from the world on a mountain, with the bad guys intruding, Regan and Kai not having any backup as they try to maintain their independence and yet defeat the machinations of the Core. I think knowing a bit more about the setting might have given me a bit more grounding into the real importance of the struggle between the Sentinels and the Core, because as it is this book takes place along the periphery of things, not really delving too much into the conflict. Still, not knowing the organizations made certain aspects of the story a bit harder to follow, like the seeming lack of consequences or a feel of what the two organizations actually do.
That said, as a romance the book works quite well, with the sparks and tension right from the beginning, and some fun sex scenes peppered throughout. There is also a charm and humor to the story, a cuteness that was fun to read. The secondary characters were mostly fun and easy to like, though I might have liked seeing a little bit more of some of them. Still, everything worked and was enjoyable to read. There just wasn't too much there beyond the dressings of a shifter romance. It was fine, but didn't do too much new, and while it was a fun book to read, it didn't really get above three stars out of five for me.
December 28, 2018
Interesting read.
February 20, 2015
3.5 stars - I liked it. I have been reading Durgin's shapeshifting Sentinel series from the start, and it's always been one of my favorite Nocturnes.
This time around the formula is twisted a bit, the hero Kai who takes the form of a Lynx has been hiding from both the Sentinels and their enemies the Core - because he can sense any Core magic, even the new 'silent' artifacts - which would mean his death should the Core discover him and his freedom if the Sentinels do. His leading lady Regan is also special, but doesn't know that. Regan just knows that she back at the childhood home she fled because there Regan hears the 'voices of the land' that cost Regan's mother her 'sanity' and her life. Regan and Kai are drawn to each other though it appears that their secrets will keep them apart until the Core appears on the scene and threatens the land with their evil workings.
Lynx Destiny is pretty slow to roll, Regan doesn't plan on staying and Kai's survival has meant that he's had to stay apart from everyone. Regan ends up being a good heroine once she finally accept her power, but I loved Kai from the start. He's just a little off and almost feral - he can sort of fit in but not easily and he doesn't often bother - living alone in the forest and only occasionally going into the small town nearby. My favorite parts of the story come near the end, after the pair finally come together and after the Core makes their big play - I liked that Regan is strong enough to make a difference and I really liked how the people of the town accept Kai once they finally 'see' the real him.
From an over all series perspective, the story ends before Kai and Regan make any kind of dent in the battle between the Sentinels and the Core (maybe they'll be side characters in another book?) But there is a brief appearance by Joe and Lyn from Lion Heart - which is actually my favorite of the Sentinels books.
(I got an ARC of this from NetGalley, but the formatting was hindering my enjoyment, so purchased the Kindle version and read that instead.)
This time around the formula is twisted a bit, the hero Kai who takes the form of a Lynx has been hiding from both the Sentinels and their enemies the Core - because he can sense any Core magic, even the new 'silent' artifacts - which would mean his death should the Core discover him and his freedom if the Sentinels do. His leading lady Regan is also special, but doesn't know that. Regan just knows that she back at the childhood home she fled because there Regan hears the 'voices of the land' that cost Regan's mother her 'sanity' and her life. Regan and Kai are drawn to each other though it appears that their secrets will keep them apart until the Core appears on the scene and threatens the land with their evil workings.
Lynx Destiny is pretty slow to roll, Regan doesn't plan on staying and Kai's survival has meant that he's had to stay apart from everyone. Regan ends up being a good heroine once she finally accept her power, but I loved Kai from the start. He's just a little off and almost feral - he can sort of fit in but not easily and he doesn't often bother - living alone in the forest and only occasionally going into the small town nearby. My favorite parts of the story come near the end, after the pair finally come together and after the Core makes their big play - I liked that Regan is strong enough to make a difference and I really liked how the people of the town accept Kai once they finally 'see' the real him.
From an over all series perspective, the story ends before Kai and Regan make any kind of dent in the battle between the Sentinels and the Core (maybe they'll be side characters in another book?) But there is a brief appearance by Joe and Lyn from Lion Heart - which is actually my favorite of the Sentinels books.
(I got an ARC of this from NetGalley, but the formatting was hindering my enjoyment, so purchased the Kindle version and read that instead.)
February 5, 2014
Arc was provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
Now there is nothing i like better than a hot were anything. Yes even the quiet ones like Kai (goodness gracious even the name gets nibblets a nibbling). In this story there is an ongoing war between the Sentinals(shifters with special gifts)and the Core(humans who feel the need to destroy shifters)with Kai and Regan getting caught slap in the middle of it. Kai Faulkes is a lone lynx who was left behind by his family to protect the Sacramento Mountains. Growing up he discovered he had the gift detect the Core, a gift Sentinals would happily exploit. In Order to protect him his family leaves him behind. He is basically a mountain man(grrrr). Regan Adler was determined never to return back to the mountains that took her mother's sanity. Just like her mother she hears the whispers of the land so she felt staying away would keep her from her mothers fate. Then she met Kai and it all seems to come together. She soon learns that what she once thought was a curse could be her saving grace.
The beginning of the book did drag a bit but it doesn't take long for the story to get interesting. I just wish that even though Kai was suppose to be a man of few words, but i wished there was more of him. More of what was going on in that super sexy lynx self. Have i mentioned what a hot big ole piece of ass i think he is?
Now there is nothing i like better than a hot were anything. Yes even the quiet ones like Kai (goodness gracious even the name gets nibblets a nibbling). In this story there is an ongoing war between the Sentinals(shifters with special gifts)and the Core(humans who feel the need to destroy shifters)with Kai and Regan getting caught slap in the middle of it. Kai Faulkes is a lone lynx who was left behind by his family to protect the Sacramento Mountains. Growing up he discovered he had the gift detect the Core, a gift Sentinals would happily exploit. In Order to protect him his family leaves him behind. He is basically a mountain man(grrrr). Regan Adler was determined never to return back to the mountains that took her mother's sanity. Just like her mother she hears the whispers of the land so she felt staying away would keep her from her mothers fate. Then she met Kai and it all seems to come together. She soon learns that what she once thought was a curse could be her saving grace.
The beginning of the book did drag a bit but it doesn't take long for the story to get interesting. I just wish that even though Kai was suppose to be a man of few words, but i wished there was more of him. More of what was going on in that super sexy lynx self. Have i mentioned what a hot big ole piece of ass i think he is?
February 5, 2014
Contemporary, Romance, Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico
Regan Adler has to return to her family’s cabin in the Sacramento Mountains though she is determined to keep her visit very brief. Her mother was driven crazy by the voices she heard there. Now those same voices are threatening to do the same to Regan. She can’t ignore them either. Then she meets Kai Faulkers.
Kai Faulkers is a lone lynx shape shifter. He knows danger is coming and he must protect his home no matter what the cost. When he hears Regan’s sultry voice he is thrown into a new world of passion and desire. Now the stakes are higher than ever. Kai and Regan must fight for what they hold dear if they want a chance to survive what is coming.
This is a great story that is different than most shape shifter stories. The plot is engrossing and the characters are very engaging. The story comes alive for the reader and they can get lost in the story as each scene unfolds. This is part of series but can easily be read as a stand alone. The story explains the world behind it very well so that the reader never feels lost in learning about the world that this series is based in. It will also have readers looking for the other books in the series to learn more and to have a chance to enjoy more in this series.
Regan Adler has to return to her family’s cabin in the Sacramento Mountains though she is determined to keep her visit very brief. Her mother was driven crazy by the voices she heard there. Now those same voices are threatening to do the same to Regan. She can’t ignore them either. Then she meets Kai Faulkers.
Kai Faulkers is a lone lynx shape shifter. He knows danger is coming and he must protect his home no matter what the cost. When he hears Regan’s sultry voice he is thrown into a new world of passion and desire. Now the stakes are higher than ever. Kai and Regan must fight for what they hold dear if they want a chance to survive what is coming.
This is a great story that is different than most shape shifter stories. The plot is engrossing and the characters are very engaging. The story comes alive for the reader and they can get lost in the story as each scene unfolds. This is part of series but can easily be read as a stand alone. The story explains the world behind it very well so that the reader never feels lost in learning about the world that this series is based in. It will also have readers looking for the other books in the series to learn more and to have a chance to enjoy more in this series.
November 11, 2016
Another different perspective on the Sentinels: a lone outsider's
It's interesting how Doranna Durgin set the Sentinels up as the "good guys", but keeps showing us it's not that simple for every shifter.
Kai has avoided them his whole woods-dwelling life, lest they give him no choice about being taken away so his rare talent can be used, content with just occasional brief visits into the small town where a few people care about him despite not knowing his secrets.
As for Regan, she knows nothing about true paranormal abilities, considering her late mother mad for listening to the "voice" of the wilderness, and fearing she herself is facing the same tragic end now that she's returned.
When the Core insinuates itself into their lives and land, what follows surprises them all. Regan must find the strength and trust to become more, and Kai must face the fate his parents left him to avoid. In the end, two familiar Sentinels locate them, and must decide what their own true mandate is.
It's interesting how Doranna Durgin set the Sentinels up as the "good guys", but keeps showing us it's not that simple for every shifter.
Kai has avoided them his whole woods-dwelling life, lest they give him no choice about being taken away so his rare talent can be used, content with just occasional brief visits into the small town where a few people care about him despite not knowing his secrets.
As for Regan, she knows nothing about true paranormal abilities, considering her late mother mad for listening to the "voice" of the wilderness, and fearing she herself is facing the same tragic end now that she's returned.
When the Core insinuates itself into their lives and land, what follows surprises them all. Regan must find the strength and trust to become more, and Kai must face the fate his parents left him to avoid. In the end, two familiar Sentinels locate them, and must decide what their own true mandate is.
February 12, 2014
I read this book while huddled under the covers during an unexpected snow storm while in a not well insulated motor home. Between the heat of the written words plus a few dogs snuggling close I managed to stay very warm!
Durgin has given us another story of the Sentinels, with a different twist. Kai is essentially a stealth Sentinel, with an affinity for his mountain, but is not known by Brevis Southwest. Regan has her own connection to the land which at first she fears until she learns more about the legacy inherited from her mother.
Each Sentinel book has its own voice, this one is a bit softer and more mystical, in keeping with both main characters relationship with the natural world. As the story became more involved I began to wonder if (and when) Brevis would become aware of Kai, and which members would show up.
There is nothing to disappoint in this story, from the HOT lynx natural man to the very special town he protected. Wouldn't we all like to live in such a place
Durgin has given us another story of the Sentinels, with a different twist. Kai is essentially a stealth Sentinel, with an affinity for his mountain, but is not known by Brevis Southwest. Regan has her own connection to the land which at first she fears until she learns more about the legacy inherited from her mother.
Each Sentinel book has its own voice, this one is a bit softer and more mystical, in keeping with both main characters relationship with the natural world. As the story became more involved I began to wonder if (and when) Brevis would become aware of Kai, and which members would show up.
There is nothing to disappoint in this story, from the HOT lynx natural man to the very special town he protected. Wouldn't we all like to live in such a place
March 12, 2014
It took me most of the book to realize who Kai reminds me of - Jamie of Lori Foster fame. He's a loner who nobody really understands but everyone is protective - they warned the h off, or tried to. He always seems to show up when he's needed, and… well… Yeah.
The h hears voices. Well, actually, she hears the land. As the H says, her mother is why the Sentinels try their darnedest not to leave fruit behind - just enough power to mess with her head, not enough to really understand why. The h's mother was thought nuts and sent away. She eventually died. I got the feeling that she didn't necessarily consider herself to be nuts, but others convinced her (or was that convicted).
Of course there is the Core messing with things. In some ways, it pushes the H/h together. In other ways, it causes the h to plan to leave. Funny thing - the Core is perfectly ok with using things on people, but they kinda freak out when the land reacts badly to their toys.
The h hears voices. Well, actually, she hears the land. As the H says, her mother is why the Sentinels try their darnedest not to leave fruit behind - just enough power to mess with her head, not enough to really understand why. The h's mother was thought nuts and sent away. She eventually died. I got the feeling that she didn't necessarily consider herself to be nuts, but others convinced her (or was that convicted).
Of course there is the Core messing with things. In some ways, it pushes the H/h together. In other ways, it causes the h to plan to leave. Funny thing - the Core is perfectly ok with using things on people, but they kinda freak out when the land reacts badly to their toys.
April 7, 2016
I liked this. The hero is a hunting guide, besides being a shapeshifting lynx, living in isolation from everyone, not just his own kind. The heroine is an artist, specializing in nature/ animal illustration, who can connect with the mountain where she grew up. She's afraid of it, though, because hearing the voice of the mountain made her mother go crazy and killed her. There are bad guys trying to buy her dad's land and the hero opposes them and helps her, and they are attracted to each other, but she doesn't understand what's going on, and... Well, it's a good, well-done story. I thought the heroine's confusion and resistance went on a little long, as did the hero's reluctance to tell her anything about anything. A little more motivation would have helped. But overall, I liked it a lot.
July 26, 2016
I wasn't sure I'd like Sentinels: Lynx Destiny when I first started reading it but it grew on me. The author is definitely very talented and knows how to tell a good story. The beginning was a bit blah but it picked up soon and became really intriguing. The plot is engrossing and really pulls you in and Kai was simply awesome. I haven't read a lot of books by Durgin but this one has certainly left an impression! Looking forward to more in the series.
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January 12, 2016"This Sentinels series installment furthers the fight between the good Sentinels and the evil Atrum Core who are out to take power when and where they can. Durgin's descriptions and the mythology for her characters are skillfully woven into the plot." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars
March 6, 2014
My very favorite to date of the Sentinels series. Unlike the other books, this plot revolves around just two lost souls. Exciting watching them learn to love and trust. Regan and Kai were real to me. A great read.
March 14, 2019
DNF Just couldn't get into it so gave up!
January 4, 2015
I love shape shifters and this was a good one - wish they had been together more on the page.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews