Book Review: Heart of Stone by Christine Warren

Heart of Stone is the first book in the Gargoyles series by Christine Warren. This is the latest in a number of paranormal romance series from Warren.  Ella Harrow is trying to carve out a normal life for herself. Well, as normal as an art geek with psychic abilities can hope for. As museum docent and gift-shop manager, Ella is able to keep her distance from people, and her powers in check, while surrounding herself with the artifacts she loves. The Gargoyle Kees has been asleep for eons, waiting for a portent of evil to wake him. Somehow, Ella triggered his reawakening. Maybe the demons have been unleashed? Maybe his heart is finally ready to be chiseled open? The fate of the world and their hearts are at stake.

Heart of Stone reminds me of why I used to read a lot of paranormal romance. Ella sometimes seems like a 'helpless' heroine, but other times she shows a backbone of steel. She is also extremely understanding, and very intuitive. Kees is an alpha male that does not always hold a perfect body, when he is in his gargoyle form he is pretty scary and not exactly what someone might want to snuggle with. He is strong, mentally and physically, but adjusts as needed. I think both characters handled the cards they are dealt well. There were a few times when I wanted to kick one, or both, of them. There were definite moments of the two of them being simply too attracted to each other despite timing and their situation, but that kept the story moving a bot fast despite Kees' stubborn nature and Ella's willingness to sit back and wait.

Heart of Stone is a fun weekend read. It is not the best of the genre, but it has some hot moments, some high action, and the set up needed for a viable series that just might grab you. I am interested in seeing where the larger story arch goes and I know I will read the next book, and perhaps beyond.