DREAMWALKER - Kathleen Dante
Berkley Heat
ISBN: 978-0-425-21963-8
May 2008
Erotic Contemporary Paranormal Romance

Florida, Macedonia, and Kosovo - Present Day

Damon Venizelos works for the U.S. government as a Dreamwalker, otherwise known as an incubus. He has the ability to invade people's dreams and can find out their secrets, or even kill them if he needs to. He can also see auras, a spectrum of colors or scents around people. Damon is investigating a series of art thefts and has no clue who is responsible. Even though he has relied on his gift in the past, this time he may have to use old-fashion investigative skills to find the criminal. The only thing Damon does know is that the perpetrator is a woman, and he can't wait to take her down.

Aurora "Rory" diScipio is a master thief and also has a secret ability where she can shape-shift into any human form. This makes it very easy to steal precious pieces of art whenever she wants. She loves the thrill of the chase and living on the edges of society. She knows she is being watched and is finally caught by Damon. She has seen Damon before because he has been trailing her, always missing her because of her ability to change at a moments notice.

Because Damon cannot get to her in person, he goes to her in her dreams. He doesn't want to capture her and put her away, but instead, needs her help in finding a nuclear bomb that is in the hands of an arms dealer who will sell the bomb to the highest dealer. Damon will even pay Rory for her help. Rory is very interested in the money but also wants Damon in her bed. Shocked, but also intrigued, Damon agrees. These two forge a shaky partnership that sends them deep into places where no one should venture. When Rory and Damon are not running for their lives or trying to find the bomb, they spend their free moments indulging in many sexual delights. If they do come out of this alive, Rory may still walk away and leave Damon, who is slowly realizing that his beautiful shapeshifter is the woman of his dreams.

Kathleen Dante has written an erotic paranormal for those who enjoy spy stories very much like the Ludlum/Lustbader Bourne books or movies. Damon himself is much like Jason Bourne because of how deeply he is involved with the FBI and puts his life on the line to save the world. The twist with DREAMWALKER is that he is a special agent with magical skills, and includes a heroine with a unique ability I wish I had! These two are a perfect team that, when crossed, can cause destruction wherever they go.

The sex between Damon and Rory is hot and fast, much like the mission they are on. Talk about passions exploding! These two don't need a bed to get down to business, and I was surprised the walls in some of the places they stayed didn't crumble to the ground. Steamy is not a good enough word to use, and because Damon can enter Rory's dreams, he knows what her desires are and which buttons to push to make her go crazy for him. But there is an underlying emotion between these two when they love each other. They know they must live in the moment because the villains are right on their tails and death is waiting for them.

The action and suspense is also fast and furious and, besides the hot sex, the scenes where Rory is climbing buildings or she finds herself in the cross fire are well written and will keep you on the edge of your seat. It has been a while since such a book as DREAMWALKER had me yelling out loud because Rory and Damon are almost killed on multiple occasions.

Kathleen Dante is definitely one author who keeps you guessing, even with the actions of this duo. DREAMWALKER kept me hooked till the very last page, and don't be surprised if you are also.

Kate Garrabrant