Seraphim by Shelby Reed takes us to a place where Archangels show themselves in human form. Archangels are generally "chief or leading angels". They have a unique role as important mediators between God and mankind. They are believed to command the heavenly army in an ongoing war against Satan and his legion of angels. They have a protective and special love for all of the persons of earth, intervening in crises and times of need to protect and guard.

After Gia Rossi's childhood in a bleak Chicago tenement with an alcoholic mother, she enjoys the Barrington Hills mansion that she shares with her husband Vincent. His business dealings are unquestionably shady; still she cannot leave him. At the pool one sunny day, she has the feeling she is being watched. When two of the kitchen staff come running across the lawn, she realizes she is being kidnapped.

Joachim, commander of the angelic warriors, must protect Gia and locate the sacred relics needed to conquer the demon Therides. In order to do this he has to convince Gia that she is in danger and her husband is not the man she thinks he is. When he tries to show her that some of Vincent's past and present contacts have been terminated, she doesn't want to face the truth. He does the only thing he can do. He shows her things she never imagined and things she does not want to learn.

Gia has Joachim feeling an unnamed, bittersweet sensation near his human heart that he knows better than to examine. Can they fight the desire in order to save both of their worlds? Or will the sexual attraction be too much for them both to resist?

Throughout Seraphim, Shelby Reed raises several questions one may never think about. How would you react if your Archangels confronted you? Would you run scared or would you embrace them? Seraphim is a delightful story of the spiritual world and enriching relationships. The characters are lively and complicated enough to make the story engrossing. The romance between Joachim and Gia is charming as well as sensuously stimulating. Shelby Reed has written a book that I found hard to put down and I highly recommend adding it to your reading list.

Reviewed By: Tammy Adams
©July 2005