I have tried on several occasions to jump on the Paranormal Fiction bandwagon and absorb books by recommended authors such as Kim Harrison, Anita Blake, and L.A. Banks. I honestly did try but I just couldn't find a book or author to catch my fancy. It finally happened this week with Tainted by Julie Kenner.

Julie Kenner is the author of many award winning books and he most famous series is about a demon hunting soccer mom. In her new series, The Blood Lily Chronicles, she takes a more serious tone. Book 1 is title Tainted. I loved how the book opened right in the middle of the action of the story. In the opening scene Lily is dying after she goes toe to toe with her little sister's stalker. Lily swears she is dead but she is completely aware of what is going on around her. Is she having an out of body experience? Did Lucas (the stalker) not killer her and she is actually waking up from the ordeal?

Lily's soul goes into another female's body who dies around the same time Lily does. The girl's name is Alice and at first seems to live a very ordinary life as a waitress in a hole-in-the-wall bar. Lily is thrust into the life of Alice with no hint or instructions about Alice's life. Lily does find out quickly that there is a catch to her staying in this body: she is the "chosen one" by God to halt the opening of the 9th gate of hell by slaying the demons that are working to open it.

I really got into this book. The twisting of the plot keeps you turning the pages. Once you think you have the story all figured out, here comes another surprise. I was very pleased with the ending mostly because I wasn't expecting it. I can't wait for the second book to be released on November 24th!