Riley’s Sparrow
Del Fantasma Collection

Mary Winter

Publisher:
Aspen Mountain Press

Release Date:
June 13, 2008

Genres:
Paranormal Romance

ISBN:
eBook
9781601681133

Bookmark Rating:

Reviewed by
Yosha

Review Posted:
September 2008

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  I’m a big fan of the DEL FANTASMA collection of stories.  A number of different authors contribute and all of the stories proceed from the same idea – Cody, the owner of a bar called Del Fantasma, knows what people want or need in the romance department.  He sets people up by giving the hero or heroine a special drink.  The drink predicts what each person wants.  Sex on the Beach, a Screaming Orgasm, you get the idea. 

In this addition to the collection, we meet Cherie, a Fae princess who can transform into a sparrow, and Riley, a fae commoner, who becomes a hawk.  Cheri was exiled to the human world when she spent a night with Riley – and she shouldn’t have.  Riley was supposed to be somebody else’s plaything that night.  (Apparently the Fae have very strict rules about that.)  Now she’s broken the rules again in banishment.  And Riley is sent to retrieve her to the Fae realm.  If he brings her back, he can atone for spending the night with her.  (At least the Fae have equal opportunity punishments.)   

When they meet up at Del Fantasma, the sparks … or the fairy lights … begin to fly.  Once they meet again, RILEY’S SPARROW follows a class plot – common man must fight for the princess he loves.  And there are evil relatives and wise women and self-sacrifice along the way. 

All in all, a satisfying story of good triumphing over evil. 

Riley isn’t exactly a typical Alpha hero.  His commoner status keeps him humble in many ways, though he shows off his core of steel when it’s needed.  Cheri has good reasons for everything she does and she’s got a good heart.  A little too good.  I was a bit surprised at how naïve she could be about her sister.  After all, her sister had her exiled for stealing Riley in the first place. 

If you haven’t read any of the DEL FANTASMA stories, grab one and prepare to be entertained.  This one goes a little further afield than some of the others, but it’s still good romantic entertainment. 

Now, about my drink order …..

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