Dear Reader,
I must have been living under a rock since 2006 because I just recently, and by recently I mean this past week, started to read Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series. I’m now addicted. No laundry, food shopping, assorted errands, or much work was done this week. Phone calls went unanswered, emails are piling up, and you can forget about the promise I made to finally clean my oven this year. Instead I’ve spent the week getting to know this series book by book. It started when I picked up the latest release in the series, Bonds of Justice.
Bonds of Justice is the 8th book in the series (not including the novellas), and it definitely stands alone. However, I realized I was missing the subtle nuances of the world Ms. Singh created, and in effect I was cheating myself by not fully comprehending the myriad of nuances and carefully created reasons this world exists. So after reading 101 pages of Bonds of Justice I stopped. Not an easy thing to do—because this book had me from chapter one.
Instead of continuing the book, I ordered the first seven books in the series and decided to have a Nalini Singh Psy-Changeling marathon. It says a lot about a book when you stop reading it after only 100 pages so you can purchase the first 7 books in order to fully immerse yourself in a fictional world. After being properly introduced to this world in the amazing book Slave to Sensation, I had to immediately read Visions of Heat and right now I’m reading Caressed by Ice. Each book is different and compelling and each one brings you deeper into a world that is not only extraordinary but more importantly emotionally captivating. I’ve been reading these books non-stop for the past 6 days.
For those of you who have been living under a neighboring rock, I say get out from under it and check out this series. It is a fantasy/futuristic look at a high-tech world divided by races. A world inhabited by changelings (shape-shifters), humans, and the Psy (highly evolved beings who have subjugated their emotions and conscience). What makes this series stand out from other paranormal series on the market is Miss Singh’s ability to clearly define the emotional and psychological differences in each of these species; each acting according to the tenants and emotional strictures that define who they are. What makes the series even more powerful is that while each book gives us a look at a different hero and heroine it also delves even deeper into the psyche of the individual species, their motives, strengths, and weaknesses. Her books aren’t about informational downloading, instead, she lets the characters reveal the form and function of the world she has created with mystery, drama, action, and romance. Each book is a taut and exciting suspense as well as an unveiling of the individual characters and their communities. Word by word, chapter by chapter, book by book this fantastical world unfolds and captures the imagination.
I fell in love with Miss Singh’s writing when I read the first two books in her new Guild Hunter series, Angels' Blood and Archangel's Kiss. There is no denying that she is an author of incredible talent; but what makes her a cut above, is her ability to harness your imagination and take you to a world of her creation with pitch-perfect writing.
So, dear reader, despite the many books I’ve got waiting to be read, this summer is going to be partially devoted to the Psy-Changeling series. If you haven’t read this series pick up Slave to Sensation, you’ll be taken in immediately. If you’re a fan, Bonds of Justice is the story of Max Shannon (a human cop) and Sophia Russo (a Justice Psy). The first 100 pages were a non-stop ride and a collision course of these two opposites, and I for one can’t wait to get back to reading it—that is, after I devour the previous books.
I’m really curious, have any of you ever done a reading marathon of a particular author or series?
Until next Monday, remember, there’s a book waiting to be read.
Marisa O'Neill is an avid reader and television producer.
OK, do I get credit for the pimping here? Granted, I pimped these books about two years ago, but still.... 
Nalini is one of my all time favorite authors. I envy you the glom, Marisa. What I love most about her heroes is the way they love their women. They are these super alpha guys who are just soft and gooey about their heroines. It's heady stuff!
I hope you enjoy the glom. You're not too far from reading my second favorite in the series, Branded by Fire. When two changelings get together it's GOOOO-OOOD! Enjoy the glom!
Marisa, Deb,
Me three for those upstate NY alphas of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. I bought all six of them at once. I was glad I did, because I was hooked after about three pages of the first one, Dark Lover. That was my first author marathon. I read them for an entire week!
My author marathon I'm on right now is Sherrilyn Kenyon. I just finished Acheron. What a book! I been reading them for two weeks straight. I've been a Greek Mythology lover since I was a kid, so I'm loving every minute. Right now I'm so hooked on her books. I can't be without one! I'm starting on another tonight. Thank goodness she has so many!
