Dark Rival
The Masters Of Time
Brenda Joyce
ISBN# 037377219X
HQN, Oct 2007, 384 pp
Paranormal Romance
$7.99 (US) $9.50 (CDN)

Reviewed by Laurel
September 2007

Black Royce was a fledgling Master new to his powers, when he watched his wife suffer at the hands of the formidably evil Kael. For centuries he travels back to this horrible time and place reliving the pain and immense grief, silently wishing that he could change the past. It was while he was on one of these journeys that he suddenly hears a woman’s voice begging and pleading with him to find her. Incredulous, he wonders what kind of trick this is and starts a wild and relentless search. Floundering in bewilderment he is informed by a fellow Master that she is from his future and is his destiny. He gives up his search for her knowing that in time they will cross paths again.

In the year 2007, Allie Monroe is an heiress by day but a gifted healer by night. When she is confronted by daemons, a Highland Warrior appears to her and saves her from certain death. Grateful, Allie is stunned at the immediate and powerful attraction she feels for this irresistible but dangerous Highlander named Black Royce. One of the Master's of Time she has heard about. Whisking her off to his castle in present day Scotland, Allie and Royce bask in their love but evil lurks around them still and once again Royce battles evil and he is killed. Devastated that she was unable to save him, Allie begs Aidan to take her back to a time before she met Royce. She knows it was not Royce’s time to die, and she will do anything to undo the past to protect her future with her soul mate.

DARK RIVAL is the second entry in Brenda Joyce’s new series The Masters Of Time. It is a sexy and steamy romp through time as Allie and Royce battle evil and defy the odds with their intensely powerful bond. Allie is a feisty but determined woman, she stands up for what is right and she knew when she saw Royce he was the mate that she’d been waiting her whole life for. Bringing a smile to this reader’s face, as the twists, turns and surprises are unraveled throughout the novel. Royce is an indomitable male hero whose torments in his past affect his future. With Allie’s quiet and patient determination he is able to banish his horrible memories and become the powerful master we read about in DARK SEDUCTION. DARK RIVAL continues to develop and enhance the roles of The Masters bringing a better understanding of this world Brenda Joyce has created. I am especially drawn to the character of Aidan and I cannot wait to read his story.