Alex Archer's ROGUE ANGEL

I became a fan of Alex Archer by chance, actually. You see I was (and still am, actually) a huge fan of Harlequin and Silhouette books for years now, and it was in the back pages of one of the books I was reading for either publication that I saw an ad for a new series. I barely remembered the title of the series, but I knew it had the word "angel" there somewhere and the first book in the series was coming out in late 2006.

I read the synopsis for the first book in what I didn't was to become a series; I just thought it'd be one long novel that has a beginning, middle, and conclusion. When September or October came, I wanted to read the book; I can't recall who the author was and the series' title eluded me, until I found the book I was reading at the time when I saw the ad in the back and remembered.

It took me a while to hunt down the very first book in the series written by Alex Archer. The series was called Rogue Angel and the first story in the series was entitled Destiny.

Now I was no action-adventure reader girl. Like what I said I was into Harlequin, Silhouette, Mills & Boons and the likes. I read stories about vampires and werewolves and other supernatural/paranormal stuff, but all genres had one thing in common: romance.

Yes! I love reading romance novels. It was my drug, something that spurred me on to this whole new other world of...well, romance, what else?! -LoL-

Needless to say as soon as I began reading Destiny I had a gut-feeling that it wouldn't be the romantic action-adventure type I had in mind. Sure the heroine (Annja Creed) was a gorgeous, athletic, intelligent woman who grew up an orphan with some issues of her own (c'mon, a flawless heroine was just too good to be true to be written) and was destined to be the carrier of St. Joan of Arc's ancient sword, and Mr. Archer did introduce a possible love interest for Annja in the middle of the book in the form of an immortal crusader and Joan's guardian's protege, Garin Braden, still Mr. Archer steered it away from that part.

To say I was dismayed would be a lie.

I was hooked on the series right away and was thankful that by the time I found the first book, the second book in the series was already released and I bought both Destiny and Solomon's Jar at the same time so by the time I finished the first book, I was all ready to read the second one, which didn't disappoint me either.

Mr. Archer had a way of writing about Annja's relationships with the opposite sex and how she got drawn towards a certain member of the opposite sex she happened to work with. Although my fave guy for her, Garin, barely made any appearances in the books, still, a part of me wanted him to get it on with Annja.

I've read about Annja's relationships and dealings with the opposite sex in all 8 books released in the series, but it wasn't until I read the 7th book (God of Thunder) that I read about an all-too-brief smooch between Annja and Garin, which was caused by Garin being his usual mischievous self.

And speaking of Garin Bradin, something about this blond German would irk the reader's interest, making them wonder exactly what was Garin's role in Annja's life: was he an enemy or a possible future love?

I, as you already know, am all for the latter, but it wouldn't be bad to see them argue and fight and let their pent-up emotions build up for the climactic outcome, which I hope would be in favour of what I had been hoping for since Garin was first introduced in book 1.

I'm not trying to sell this book to you if the genre is not your cup of tea. But if you're a wide reader, I'm sure you'll be willing to broaden your horizons, per se, and pick up the first book in the series and try check it out; let me know if it sucks you in to the world of archeology and wonder like what it did to me...

ROGUE ANGEL series:

Destiny

Archaeologist and explorer Annja Creed's fascination with the myths and mysteries of the past leads her to a crypt in the caves of France, where the terrifying legend of the Beast of Gevaudan hints at the unimaginable. What she discovers is shattering: an artifact that will seal her destiny; a brotherhood of monks willing to murder to protect their secret; and a powerful black-market occultist desperate to put his own claim to centuries-old blood money. Annja embarks on a high-tension race across Europe and history itself, intent on linking the unholy treachery of the ages with the staggering revelations of the present. But she must survive the shadow figures determined to silence her threat to their existence.

Solomon's Jar

Rumors of the discovery of Solomon's Jar--in which the biblical King Solomon bound the world's demons after using them to build his temple in Jerusalem--are followed with interest by Annja Creed. An archaeologist intrigued by the arcane, Annja pursues the truth about the vessel and its ancient origins. Her search leads her to a confrontation with a London cult driven by visions of a new world order; and a religious zealot fueled by the insatiable desire for glory. Across the sands of the Middle East to the jungles of Brazil, Annja embarks on a relentless chase to stop humanity's most unfathomable secrets from reshaping the modern world.

The Spider Stone

In the crumbling remains of a tunnel that was part of the Underground Railroad, a mysterious artifact reveals one of the darkest secrets of Africa's ancient past. Intrigued by the strange, encrypted stone, archaeologist Annja Creed opens a door to a world--and a legend--bound by a fierce and terrible force. She is not alone in her pursuit of the impossible. A bloodthirsty African warlord, and an international corporate magnate exploiting a land, a culture and a people, are equally anxious to stake their claim on the relic's unknown power. Annja's odyssey deep into the primeval jungles of Senegal becomes a desperate race to stop those eager to unleash the virulence of the Spider God….

The Chosen

Archaeologist Annja Creed believes there's more to the apparitions of Santo Niño - the Holy Child - luring thousands of pilgrims to Santa Fe. Other sightings of strange and anomalous creatures in the area indicate a mystery more profane than sacred - with links, perhaps, to Annja's own fate. But she is not alone in her quest to separate reliquaries from unholy minds who dare to harness sinister power. A dangerous yet enigmatic Jesuit, sworn to protect the Vatican at any cost, a brilliant young artist whose genius portrays a truth too potent for words and a famed monster hunter with a terrifying agenda are the keys to the secrets that lie in the heart of Los Alamos - and unlocking the door to the very fabric of time itself...

Forbidden City

A stunning artifact holds the key to an untapped power of global destruction-- While working on a dig in the California wilderness, archaeologist-adventurer Annja Creed uncovers evidence of a tragedy that's linked to Chinese miners during the days of the Gold Rush. A sudden attack on the site by shadow if gures drives Annja to if nd the connection to a mysterious buried city in China. Lured by legends of gold, betrayal and the vengeance of a Han Dynasty overlord, Annja travels on the Orient Express, battling avaricious treasure hunters and a modern-day descendant of an ancient league of assassins. Her adversaries will stop at nothing to stake their claim on the fabled lost city, where a Han leader's dark past promises doom for those who dare to reveal its evil power.

The Lost Scrolls

Ancient papyrus scrolls recovered among the charred ruins of the Library of Alexandria reveal astonishing texts that detail the wonders of Atlantis--knowledge that could shatter the blueprint of world energy. Archaeologist Annja Creed confronts shadow figures determined to preserve empires built on power, greed and global manipulation, finding unlikely allies in a mysterious American with connections in high places, and a young linguistics prodigy with attitude. Dodging a petroleum conglomerate and their pet killers on a high-speed chase that leads from Egypt to the North Sea oil fields to the urban battlegrounds of China, Annja becomes an unwilling conspirator in a bid for power to control the beating heart of the world's energy.

God of Thunder

Archaeologist Annja Creed narrowly escapes an attack by unknown fi gures when she tries to collect a package near her loft. She later learns that the sender—an old colleague named Fellini—has been brutally murdered. Fellini had been researching the Hammer of Thor, the Norse god of thunder, and had linked it to a Viking warrior and a twelfth-century Latvian village. A coded message in Fellini's package leads Annja on a wild chase along the canals of Venice to Latvia for more clues to an ancient treasure. Rumored to be hidden deep in the forests of Latvia for nine hundred years, this fabled prize is also sought by a ruthless corps of mercenaries. And they will do anything to fi nd it. Including killing Annja Creed.

Secret of the Slaves

When archaeologist Annja Creed is hired to find the lost city of Promise in Brazil, she is more than intrigued. Legends abound of a magical place where slaves were rumored to have discovered the secret to eternal youth and life. But strangers are not welcome in Promise. Annja soon learns that the residents have gone to extreme lengths to guard their precious secret. Making her way from the steamy port of Belém to the brutal slums of Northeast Brazil, Annja faces unexpected peril, from poisoned arrows to Amazonian anacondas. As she navigates through a land where spirituality collides with the material world, Annja must distinguish between what is real and what is imagined for fear of making a wrong move. Because anyone or anything could be her enemy. And she's getting too close….

Warrior Spirit -- COMING SOON, NOVEMBER 2007