I first became interested in Tina Gerow’s book Stone Maiden when she gave an interview on one of the Wednesday night online talk shows. My first thought was “Wow, a female gargoyle story. What an interesting idea.” As she discussed the story further she told of a tale full of romance, action, sacrifice, ancient prophecies and the never-ending battle between good and evil. By the time the interview ended I knew that I wanted to read this book.

When the security firm owned by Ariel Knight and her sisters is offered the job of being personal bodyguard to Logan McAllister, Ariel has no problem in proving that security for the songwriter is seriously lacking. Only she discovers that Logan’s business manager, James Wellington is the one who wants to hire her. Ariel has serious doubts about taking the job as she and James have a past together - one that didn’t end well. After helping Ariel defend his home, Logan sits on his front porch with a shotgun across his lap, wondering when life became so weird. One day he is just a simple country songwriter with nothing more to worry about than over-zealous fans. The next he is having to deal with death threats and attacks on his life.

When James suggests hiring a security firm Logan believed that he could deal with the problem himself. He realizes that this night proven him wrong in that he can't handle everything himself and that his life is even stranger than he thought. Earlier he discovered Ariel outside his home fighting off a pack of zombies who were under the control of a vampire. Oh and by the way, she had a set of wings. Then comes a strange prophecy made by a six-inch tall fairy and his life has taken a turn into the realm of the truly weird.

Ariel Knight may be a security expert now but nine hundred years earlier she was the first of a race of gargoyles created by God as the army for the Archangel Gabriel’s war against evil. As the last of the survivors of that army, Ariel and her sisters are now free to seek out their own destinies. When Gabriel asks Ariel to take the job of guarding Logan, she does so even though she wants nothing to do with James, her one time lover and betrayer.

For Ariel, Logan seems to touch that part of herself that she lost when James betrayed her. Can she allow herself to be that close to someone again? What is this instant attraction and undeniable heat between them? Is it just lust or something more, something deeper?

Logan has always been a "love them and leave them" kind of guy but Ariel is one woman that he doesn’t seem to want to leave. He has built a wall around his heart and soul that he has never wanted anyone to breach. James, his best friend is the only person he has allowed to get close since that terrible night his mother was killed. Now Ariel is slipping under his guard to steal his heart. Is this true love or just the heat of the moment? Can he love someone who is so totally different? What part does their love play in the prophecy?

As the past comes back to haunt both Ariel and Logan will they be strong enough to face the consequences of their actions? Will they have to sacrifice all their hopes and dreams for the future of the human race? Are they willing to give up everything, even their lives, for those that they love?

After hearing Ms. Gerow discuss her book I hoped I wouldn’t be disappointed and I wasn’t. It was everything she said it would be: full of romance, action and even humor. The need for trust, love and the willingness to sacrifice for the greater good is a theme that runs through all of the characters in this story, not just Ariel and Logan. Ms. Gerow creates such strong personalities and tantalizing glimpses into the possible future of these characters that you can't help but hope that there are more books to come on the gargoyle sisters. With two titles under her belt to date, Ms. Gerow is an up and coming author to watch. I, for one, will be watching for her future works.

Reviewed By Theresa Rhodes © January 2006