I love this series by Shiloh Walker! I devoured the entire set in five days. They were impossible to put down (so to speak). It is imperative that when you read this set, you read all of the e-books from The Hunters series in order. In this way, you will gain the background information you ideally need for the following stories. There are currently six in the series, but the author has plans for at least two more, though they are not yet contracted. I am eagerly awaiting these releases.

What to say about this series as a whole? Well, it’s very unique and original. Contained within are all sorts of paranormal creatures. This is very rare. Most often, a writer will focus their story on one type, rather than including a mixture (in my experience, at least). Included are various mystical beings interacting and supporting one another. Vampires, werewolves and witches (and cross-breeds!) are friends, colleagues, associates and lovers.

The name of the series is derived from the way certain characters are born Hunters, protectors of the innocent and vulnerable. A clear divide can be seen between good and evil. The good (for example, the Hunters) are those who prey only on the evil – human and non-human. The evil (ferals) prey on the innocent and vulnerable. The Hunters eliminate those who harm and kill these people for fun. A governing body known as The Council recruits Hunters, both warriors and healers, and sets the rules by which the non-humans live.

Rafe and Sheila is the story of two vampires. Rafe is destined to be a Master vampire and reaches this stage in this book. Sheila is not as powerful as Rafe, having only been a vampire for twenty years. She is brutally turned against her own will by her ex-fiancé. Deeply in love with Rafe, Sheila is very unhappy because Rafe isn’t interested in a permanent relationship.

Sheila watches Rafe from afar for months. When they finally get together, there’s just one problem – Rafe isn’t looking for anything long-term. He only wants a sexual relationship. The only time he looks at her or speaks to her is when he wants to have sex with her. At all other times, he ignores her. Sheila eventually cannot put up with this treatment. She breaks off the relationship with him. After several months of not being able to get on with her life (no male will come near her for fear of angering Rafe) Sheila goes on vacation. Rafe, insanely jealous that she’ll possibly meet someone, or will have sex with several other someones, follows her. In doing so, he finds his destiny and the greatest love imaginable. Joining forces to save lives and fight a great evil, Rafe and Sheila experience more than either ever hoped to have.

This story, and indeed the whole series, is not for the faint of heart. This tale contains extreme violence. The sizzling sex scenes were enough to give me hot flashes, but they may be too much for some, with their use of a threesome (M/F/M) and anal sex.

I love the whole series and find it impossible to list any single tale as the best of the lot. The sex scenes throughout The Hunters series had me squirming. The bravery of Rafe (and Dominic, a secondary character in this tale) in the face of great evil first met in book five, Ben and Shadoe, was really impressed upon me, particularly with the comparison to Sheila’s response.

This event really illustrated the differences between what makes a master vampire – and what doesn’t. I was cleverly hooked and drawn into the series by Ms. Walker. Having read this e-book, as well as the others in the series, I have been turned into a die-hard fan of Ms. Walker – particularly regarding her paranormal romantic erotica. I cannot wait for the release of the others in this series and beg Ellora’s Cave to contract Ms Walker soon for several more additions to this brilliant, refreshing collection.

Reviewed By Elizabeth
© July 2005