Smoke on the Water by Lori Handeland

Smoke on the Water by Lori HandelandI have to give Lori Handeland credit for pulling off a difficult series with three distinct stories that overlapped to some degree. The final book, though, had significant ties to the second and yet managed to present the events through a new perspective so despite knowing what was happening, I got to see it fresh.

Like the first book, I didn’t feel the suspense as much, but the romantic conflict was strong from the start.

Consider first the leading couple being a psychiatrist and his patient with all the conflicts of interest and legalities involved. It made Sebastian’s refusal to even consider what his heart knew from the moment he met Willow make sense. Now complicate with a twist in that Willow has been experiencing their relationship through her visions forever only now to find he’s both real and out of her reach.

When the story begins, even Willow doesn’t know for sure she’s sane. She’s got good reason to see the visions as real because they always come true, but she knows all too well that such things don’t exist. It takes another patient, Owen’s mother Mary, to open her eyes through trying to help Mary control her dangerous psychosis.

Except is even Mary insane? How much of what she says is nothing but the truth as she mixes up with witches and Roland himself? I loved this glimpse into Mary’s mind when Owen’s impression was less than flattering…for good reason.

This is a story of good people trying to do the right thing while being faced with everything they’ve been told all their lives is only fantasy. The contradictions between social reality and what he sees with his own eyes is especially strong for Sebastian. It leaves him questioning every diagnosis he’s made and pondering deep issues of responsibility for those under Roland’s influence.

That’s not to say there aren’t real villains, though. Not only is Roland about, but some of his minions follow of their own free will rather than his mental intrusions.

I enjoyed Willow’s discovery not just of her own sanity, but of her powers and the bond with her sisters she’s been denied. The manifestation of her powers is also wonderful, allowing for tense moments and some cute twists as well.

There’s a lot going on here, and I’ve only lightly brushed on it to avoid spoilers, but it’s a solid people novel. And yes, there are some sexy moments that are both inappropriate and yet perfectly timed. You’ll understand what I mean when you read it.

I enjoyed the whole series and hope this isn’t the end of the witch triplets and the FBI werewolf hunters either. Though Roland’s centuries-old hatred will be hard to top, surely there are other magical villains waiting to be uncovered.

P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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