Vowed in Shadows

Slade's (Forged of Shadows) latest entry in her gritty crossover urban fantasy series The Marked Souls is permeated with more sex than romance. Jonah Walker is possessed by a repentant demon that enhances his abilities and drives him to earn redemption by fighting evil spirits. He needs to help a newly-possessed woman assimilate her demon and recruit her to fight beside him, but she's not what Jonah expects. The tough and jaded Nim is an unabashed stripper who turns a few tricks on the side. She's a lover, not a fighter, and thinks superhuman strength, speed, and deadly skills will make her a star in Vegas. Jonah realizes the cheap jewelry Nim pawned is the demonic weapon needed to channel and control her powers, but now Corvus, Jonah's worst enemy, has the weapon in his hands and is determined to get the girl that goes with it. Both Jonah and Nim are physically and psychologically damaged, creating a raw overtone that permeates the complex story and deepens the tension of their push-pull attraction without overloading the angst. (Apr.)