Title: Mystik Guardians: Foxfire
Author: Heather Kundert
Published in 2006 by Triskelilon Publishing
Genre: Paranormal
ISBN: 1-933874
There was something in Eliza Jane's past that needed taken care of, and she realizes she cannot put it off any longer. She is sensitive to things around her, and it has led her on a peculiar path since she left the small town of Cadence where she was born. With only her father's love and knowledge to guide her, Eliza was lonely growing up, looked at as a freak. Twenty years had not changed things. Even now, she knows some of the few dates she has had are due to bets in the office, the station, or just plain curiosity on the part of guys on the squad. As a child, it had hurt, as an adult, it left an ache for companionship that would not go away. More often than not her thoughts would travel back to her best friend Travis, his company, and how he had protected her from the taunts at school. She wondered about him, about Jenna's case, and about the restlessness she has been feeling. With this last case again ending so badly, she decided to go back. She needed answers, needed to close the book on this mystery. Of course it didn't help her boss, Mike Underwood, told her to get away or else. She knew behind Mike's thinking is a care and a worry for her, and the stress even she could see when she looked in the mirror. It was a horrible feeling for Elisa when a case ended badly, when she failed to find a missing person, or save a child. This last one had been one of the worst, and Mike was right, she needed to get away.
Eliza was not on the prescribed vacation. She knew Jenna's spirit was calling her home as the little ghost has become more insistent and she can no longer ignore her. It is not only a matter of self preservation, but a matter of urgency, of life and death. A matter of finding the lost children taken and held by the demon. There was guilt behind this as well, for Eliza has always felt it was her fault Jenna was taken all those years ago. Eliza has always had the feeling she was the target, not Jenna, and if she had not run faster, Jenna would never have disappeared. There is more to the feeling though Eliza has been feeling things were coming to a head with this particular situation, and the phone call from her father when she made the decision only spurred her on, made her feel as though she was right. Her father always knew things, especially things pertaining to her. He was against her going, against her facing the mother who had no time for her, no love for her, and again facing the town she had escaped. She knows in her heart he cares, worries for her safety, but she also knows it is something she has to do. She can stay with her Aunt Milli. She will be welcomed there, and find the comfort only a mother can give. Then she can take care of this nightmare plaguing her. Only she can do it and its something she must do by herself.
Travis Monroe was surprised when he got the call about the break-in at the Parks' place. He went out there with a great sense of apprehension because even after all this time, he didn't like dealing with Vanessa Parks. She hated him forever it seems, and really didn't like it when he an El-Jay hung out together. It was not a prospect he looked forward to, but if he didn't go, as Chief of Police of Cadence, he couldn't expect the others to respond to one of Vanessa's calls either. Sometimes it was a pain to set the example, but Travis is man enough to ignore Vanessa in general, her attitude in particular, and yet he was not prepared to see Eliza Jane walking out the door of her mother's house. El-Jay had changed, and the hurt slammed into Travis. Twenty years worth of pain caused by her abandonment. Deep inside he knew it really wasn't her fault, but it still hurt after all this time, so he gets mad. Once again he has to deal with these feelings. Again El-Jay is just wandering into his life, and will probably leave it in shreds and anger is at least safe. Anger he can control, the hurt he cannot. He has to keep his head on straight for Dorrie. He knows she might not understand, as a ten year-old, and sensitive to those around her, his daughter is showing signs of abilities like El-Jay's, and it scares Travis like nothing else.
Deep inside, Travis knows that something is different here. All his life he has been aware of the aura about Cadence and some of the people living there. It is a mystery he is not willing to look at too closely because he may not like what he finds. He feels Vanessa Parks is just plain evil, crazy, maybe even insane, but there is something else in the background. It is a sense of unease, and when Eliza comes back to town, it stirs up old feelings, old suspicions, and some odd vibrations which permeate the air. Travis is aware of a certain expectancy, a heavy air of tension, and puts it down to his unresolved feelings for Eliza Jane Parks. Love does not even enter his mind, for El-Jay had been his best friend, and yet he knows if he could really love anyone again, it would be Eliza. As it is, he loved Amy, married her, lost her to cancer, and now has Dorrie to look after, so Eliza and Vanessa's problems with her just have to stay between them. Travis has his own to worry about, has to deal with Dorrie, his mother, and has no time for flights of "what if" fantasy. Life is his family, his job, and the town of Cadence, and he can't afford to let Eliza come in, disrupt his life, then leave as she did before. He will not go through that pain and hurt another time with her. Never again...
Heather Kundert flashes on the romance horizon like a star. Her bright new look at romance shines in her paranormal stories, and in her innovative style. Eliza Jane is a character plagued by nightmares, chased by the horrors of her childhood, she needs to find peace. To find this elusive thing, she must go back, so she finds herself face to face with the once-best-friend she was forced to abandon. She knows she hurt Travis when she left without saying good bye, and she also knows that she was hurt by having to leave. She couldn't tell him good bye then, it was just too painful for a child of only ten. Good bye was just too permanent. Travis Monroe has a strength of character even Eliza Jane's mother Vanessa cannot weaken, and she has tried. He has integrity, love for his family and town, and an honesty that forces him to realize he has to get through and past the hurt. She has a reason for being her, and he senses she may need him. Travis will need all his strength if he is to help Eliza Jane. He sees in her the epitome of everything he loved and lost. He has Dorrie now, and although he loved his wife, Amy, there is no one who could or can take El-Jay's special place in his heart.
Mystik Guardians: Foxfire is a book showcasing her talent, and it is filled with everything you would expect in a great tale. it has a subtle humor, wonderful characters, just the right amount of tension, and a plot that keeps you turning the pages and leading you on. The plight of Eliza and Travis keeps you riveted to the pages as the story unfolds. Eliza is strong, determined, but vulnerable in a way she cannot understand. She needs the strength Travis possesses to be whole, to fight the danger that threatens her, Travis, and ultimately the daughter who is his whole reason for living. It will take all the love they have for each other, no matter how long denied, and all the talent each has to defeat the demon unleashed so many years ago. There is magic afoot, and untapped and unrecognized talent which will be uncovered in order for this tragedy to be understood, resolved, and Eliza and Cadence set free. Mystik Guardians: Foxfire is an unforgettable book, one you will go back to again and again. Heather has done a magnificent job and has woven a memorable keeper for your bookshelf. Mystik Guardians: Foxfire, available now at Triskelion Publishing, is a book you don't want to miss, so get your copy today.
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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