Name: Blood of the Earth
ISBN: 9780451473301

Faith Hunter

Includes excerpt from Skinwalker (pages 361-371).

Blood of the Earth

In this series set in the same world as the Jane Yellowrock novels, New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter introduces Nell Ingram, who wields powers as old as the earth. When Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she was almost alone in the world, exiled by both choice and fear from the cult she was raised in, defending herself with the magic she drew from her deep connection to the forest that surrounds her. Now, Jane has referred Nell to PsyLED, a Homeland Security agency policing paranormals, and agent Rick LaFleur has shown up at Nell’s doorstep. His appearance forces her out of her isolated life into an investigation that leads to the vampire Blood Master of Nashville. Nell has a team—and a mission. But to find the Master’s kidnapped vassal, Nell and the PsyLED team will be forced to go deep into the heart of the very cult Nell fears, infiltrating the cult and a humans-only terrorist group before time runs out...

Nickie Mohler

Nell Ingram lives on Soulwood. That's the name of her property. She is connected to the land. Not sure what that makes her, she is content to just be. Life would be good if the people from her old church (or cult) would leave her alone. They want her and they want her land. They will take both by force if need be. She is all alone, knowing that if enough of them come, she doesn't stand a chance no matter how many guns she has. Then, along comes PsyLED, a paranormal Homeland Security unit. They are looking for some kidnappers and believe they have ties to her old cult. To help them, Nell is going to have to let go of all the nonsense she was taught by the church and embrace who she really is. I absolutely loved this book!!! It grabbed me right from the start and left me wanting more. The story was great, and I loved the characters. Faith Hunter does it again! I received a copy of this book from Net Galley.

Southern Today Gone Tomorrow

Written by Faith Hunter, Blood of the Earth is the first of the Soulwood novels, which it turns out is a offshoot of the Jane Yellowrock book series (which, at this point in time, I have NEVER read and didn’t know about it). This novel follows Nell Ingram, as finally the promised help comes to help her in her situation, only to find out they want her help in finding a group that is wanted by the government and her knowledge of the cult she grew up in.

So, a little more clarification: PsyLED is the group that she is joining. This team is the FBI of the Paranormal variety, dealing with anything more than human, and you can bet that the other agencies don’t like them and try to keep them out of the loop.


 
I absolutely LOVED this novel. The writing was the level and style that elevated it from a normal urban fantasy to something more in the style of Robin McKinley. Think Sunshine. So, so well written.

The characters are fantastic, from Rick, the leader, and his odd relationship with Paka, to the resident witch T. Lanie. An empath, Tandy, adds a really great scope to the team and what is experienced, and of course they have the token human Jojo. But, I think my favorite character, aside from Nell herself, is Occum, the clear future romance between the nature worker and the werecat is just wonderful. It has the slow, slow progression that I think ends up adding a lot more to a set of characters and story that you can miss with a fast burn.


 
With action, adventure, murder, magic, and a touch of romance, this novel hit all of the right notes for me. Highly, HIGHLY, recommend this novel.

If you are wanting a steamy romance, keep walking. Otherwise, I think this is a great novel.

Blood of the Earth

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