Raziel: The Fallen, Book 1

Debut author Douglas delivers a sexy and smart romp to launch a series about blood-drinking fallen angels, cruel heavenly administrators, angelic warfare, and true love. After Allegra Watson, author of cheeky biblical murder mysteries, dies in a bus accident, she is rescued from damnation by Raziel, one of the Fallen tasked with guiding souls in need to their final destinations. His decision to tinker with her fate revives a millennia-old campaign by God's last remaining archangel to destroy the Fallen, and ignites passion between Raziel and Allegra. Packed with verbal sparring and sly shout-outs to gnosticism, this entertaining tale is unfortunately hampered by occasional overwriting and an abrupt and frequently confusing beginning, but once sparks start flying and a dastardly plot is revealed, the story picks up very nicely. (Feb.)