Faythe Reclaimed ( #3) by Lisa Sanchez

Running through a strange forest with a bloodthirsty demon hot on her heels wasn’t Taylor’s idea of a rockin’ evening. Then again, neither was soaring backward through time and space. Time travel chafed and left a rank, nasty aftertaste. So, when she finds herself floundering amidst a sea of Commandment-loving holy rollers who fling accusations of witchcraft and bedevilment like hotcakes in a diner, finding her way home jumps to the top of her to do list. Too bad she can’t remember who she is or where she came from. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Taylor realizes she’s fallen for Gabriel, the mysterious Latin warlock who came to her rescue.

Battling an identity crisis and lost in a time that’s not her own, Taylor is determined to find her way back to twenty-first century Hanaford Park. But first, she and Gabriel must work together to uncover the dark scourge lurking in the shadows of Salem Village, and in doing so, save their lives, and the lives of countless innocents from a lethal date with the hangman’s noose. 

 

 

Grace's Review:

Bewitching, Dark, Smexy!

If you're a fan of the Hanaford Park series by Lisa Sanchez, then Faythe Reclaimed is a MUST READ!!! Seriously! I'm so glad I read Pleasures Untold right before digging into this one, because I don't know if I could have waited all these months to find out what happened to Gabriel and Taylor!

This sequel begins right where we last see these two at the end of Pleasures Untold. The story is written from both their POVs. I'm so glad it's done this way, since a lot goes on when Taylor is thrown back through time and lands smack dab in a forest outside Salem Village, Massachusetts in 1692, the time and place of the Salem witch trials. Gabriel, a Latin warlock, has no choice but to go back in time, too, but suffers the painful consequences of doing so.

Sanchez cleverly incorporates from Greek mythology the Moirai, or The Fates, who warn Gabriel that he cannot change Taylor's fate. He is also plagued by a harsh curse placed upon him by someone in his past. A curse designed to rip his soul mate away from him and put her through hell inevitably causing each of them great pain. Do you think either of these things keeps him from trying to save Taylor? No way! Gabriel is willing to accept whatever punishment The Fates have in store for him.

Taylor has her own set of problems, too. She can't remember who she is or where she came from...and wonders why everyone is wearing ugly Pilgrim outfits. She immediately observes that the villagers are quick to judge and accuse. So when they think she is an apprentice named Faythe Ellwood, she agrees with them just to stay on their good side, even though she senses that is not her true identity. “Faythe” meets and feels a familiar connection to a young Gabriel. The villagers are already wary of the presence of both Faythe and Gabriel, so when accusations of witchcraft and bedevilment start flying, all hell breaks loose! Did I mention that someone is conjuring up demons as well? They have to deal with them too!

Faythe Reclaimed is darker, has more angst from the previous books, and the demons are bigger and scarier! What captivated me the most was the perseverance and strength maintained by the two central characters. Gabriel and Taylor both go through immense physical and emotional pain and sacrifice a lot to be together. Sanchez doesn't hold back in this department at all. She really puts both characters through the ringer, their anguish raw and descriptive. Even with all that, the author is able to keep the wit and snark I've enjoyed throughout the series. Imagine Taylor cursing “beeyotch” in the 17^th century...yeah that doesn't hold well for her at all! Sanchez also spikes up the heat level in this one. All I'll say is that a certain Latin warlock sure does like warm maple syrup! I'm going to giggle every time I pour that stuff on anything. Mmmm!

So does Gabriel's curse get broken? Does our hero and heroine make it back to the 21^st century? Will Taylor ever get to wear skinny jeans again? Read it and find out! I laughed, cried, and bit my nails to their nubby ends! I'm excited for anyone who reads Faythe Reclaimed, because Sanchez has truly written a special treat for her readers. Well deserving of 5 stars and a nice place on my favorites shelf! Releases May 17, 2012.