First, the really good news: If you are not yet a Victoria Danann reader, now is your chance to join us because this is the very first book in a new series. If you want to enjoy it to its fullest, it would be good to read the Sons of Sanctuary series first but that probably isn't necessary since the SSMC plays a secondary role here... sort of.
I was not very far into this book before I knew that I could probably predict the way we were going though it turns out there was a new side to it. It is similar in the basic story line to some other books by this author, particularly the SSMC books. So if it is somewhat “predictable,” then why the 5 star rating? Here's why, in reverse order:
3-Goodreads doesn't have more than 5 stars.
2-It is another SSMC (sort of) book.
1-Victoria Danann is the author! That automatically qualifies it for all stars Amazon has.
About this book? I won't say much because you need to read it. My three favorite states of the 50, in order, are Mississippi/Texas, Texas/Mississippi, and Louisiana. This one is set in Louisiana (South Louisiana, which is really different from the rest) and Texas. And the author lives in South Texas so she isn't relying on research – she knows the area and people. This time she writes a romance story filled with action, local color and flavor, and her own, unique way of telling a story. If you have read anything at all from this author, you know what I mean and Batiste is more of the same in that regard only “just a little bit” better because Victoria Danann's story telling skills improve with every book... if that's even possible.
If you're looking for a fun little read, look elsewhere because this one had some real teeth to it... okay, probably not different from her other books but it looks at some things about a part of human behavior the is a little dark. However, it is NOT done in a distasteful manner, as disturbing as it may be to some. That's just a disclaimer for her, not a description. Personally I was not put off by anything here in the least except that the bad guy got his just desserts entirely too quickly in the end but then my ending really might have offended you. He deserved worse, much worse... but that's just me.
So that's why the book gets 5 stars. If Goodreads gives us more, I'll go back and increase my score because this one deserves it. If you haven't read the previous Sons of Sanctuary books, I still think you really should go back to book 1 and start from there, just so you'll have a better grasp of the characters in this one and you will enjoy it while you're catching up. A lot! If you don't want to go to that much pleasure, go ahead and buy this one because it can stand on it's own. Great news! More Victoria Danann stuff will be coming soon!