#Review - Fused in Earth and Stone by Sandy Williams #Fantasy

Series: Kennedy Rain # 3
Format: Kindle, 339 pages
Release Date: October 3, 2023
Publisher: Sandy Williams
Source: Amazon
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Kennedy knew challenging the power-players of the supernatural world would come at a cost, but she always thought she’d be the one to pay the price.

When Kennedy dares to open The Rain’s doors to unsanctioned paranorms, she sets off a chain of events that will test her determination like never before. As retribution, the ruthless master vampire, Arcuro, captures one of Kennedy’s closest allies. Despite the advice from those around her, she refuses to let Arcuro’s actions go unanswered.

Kennedy must navigate the politics of the paranormal world to form new alliances, but one tiny misstep could result in disaster, and one small act of indiscretion might reveal feelings Kennedy has tried so hard to ignore. If she wanted to play it safe, she would stay away from Blake and his teasing smiles. Unfortunately, she’ll need his help to have any chance to free her friend.

With doubts chipping away at her confidence and old enemies resurfacing, Kennedy comes up with a risky plan. Can she outwit the cunning master vampire? Or will her resolve to undermine him lead her down a treacherous path, putting The Rain and everyone around her in jeopardy?

Fused in Earth and Stone, by Sandy Williams, is the third installment in the authors Kennedy Rain series. This book picks up right where Bound by Bloodsong finished. For protagonist Kennedy Rain, it has been 3 months since her parents were brutally murdered by a devious witch leaving her as the only Rain left alive. Since then, Kennedy has discovered who was to blame, and has pretty much gone to war against the Vampires led by Arcuro, and the Werewolves led by Octavian Lehr. 

If you have not read this series yet, here is a summary of events. The Rain Hotel is the only known null zone on the planet. It’s a place where vampires can see the sun rise and werewolves can avoid the lure of the full moon. Once not too long ago, Kennedy, who is human, turned her back the family business trying to live a normal human life while going to college. But then her parents never returned from a business trip, and the Rain ended up under her direction. She has a staff of paranorms who made contracts to stay with the Rain until contracts were fulfilled. 

She has a former vampire enforcer, Jared, living in her hotel. She has the daugher of the Alpha Werewolf, Nora, now considered to be a stray because of her marriage to Jared. She has two Valkyries in Phedra and Thords who try to keep Kennedy out of trouble even though she clearly has other wishes when she goes looking for ways to payback those response for her parents murders. Even though she's been ordered to reopen the Rain to guests, she refuses until she can discover the truth about the Rain's arrangements with the paranormal community.

With the inn still closed, Kennedy realizes she needs to do something to open the hotel, and allows any unsanctioned paranorms that are willing to put their names on a list that she puts up, without the approval the Lehr (or Arcuro). A number of wolves enter the hotel, which sets off a chain of events. After the ruthless master vampire, Arcuro, captures one of Kennedy’s closest allies, Daegan, she makes plans to strike back. Despite the advice from those around her, included Jared, Nora, Christian, and Blake, she refuses to let Arcuro’s actions go unanswered.

Along with Christian and Astrid, the last remaining witch in a powerful coven, Kennedy tries to contact two very powerful vampires trying to get their help in overthrowing Arcuro and rescuing one of Jared's loyal vampires. One of the more curious aspects of this series has been the relationship between Kennedy and Blake. Blake, it seems, has been punished for his relationship with her, and his protective nature. There's not been any hint of a romance yet, but could it be on the horizon? What's even more serious is that none of Kennedy's human friends know about the Rain, or the danger they face if they learn about the paranormal world.

*Thoughts* This story is action packed from the first page to the last. One of the more curious aspects of this series is the ease of travel to such places as New Orleans and Austin, Texas where Kennedy hopes to find new allies. What's even more curious is the amount of time and money that is spent traveling while the Rain is up to its ears in bills that must be paid now that Kennedy's parents have left behind a mess for her to clean up. I don't mind Kennedy, but I really wish she would take some suggestions now and then before she finds herself without any allies or friends, including her human friends who have no idea of the danger Kennedy is facing. Finally, it is pretty apparent that a 4th book is needed to find out what happens next. I fear more bloodshed is on the horizon.   

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