Deliver Me from Temptation

Two guardians of humanity—a female cop and a descendant of angels—fall into forbidden love in Hilaire’s fast-paced second adventure of the Paladin warriors (after Deliver Me from Darkness). Logan Calhoun III, future leader of the Paladins, reluctantly purges Jessica Waters’s memory of running into him while he and his team were hunting a succubus. Despite Jessica’s completely human genes, which make her off-limits, Logan can’t help wanting her, and though Jessica is suspicious of Logan’s connection to one of her cases, she feels that same compelling attraction. Jessica’s caution regarding Logan and her suspicion that he might even be a stalker are logical responses to the man who is so suddenly a prominent part of her life; her eventual willingness to ignore her doubts and give into lust feels forced, but leads to a compelling conclusion. Fans of the first tale will be delighted to see more of their favorite characters, and hints toward later volumes are seeded throughout. (Dec.)