Halflings by Heather Burch

After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret---and the wings that come with. A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys' powers, as well as her role in a scientist's dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world. 

Halfling is the first book in author Heather Burch's Halflings series-and it cranks up the action right away. We start off by meeting Nikki Youngblood, who is currently being chased by some pretty nasty, smelly, creatures called hell hounds.

Why?

Well, we really have no idea, and neither does she.

But then the weird factor is upped a notch upon discovering there are three Lost Boys-half angel/half human males-watching the action from a slightly more elevated, and less dangerous, vantage point than Nikki finds herself in.

Why?

Well, we really have no idea, and neither does she.

But, thankfully, the pieces start coming together in a relatively swift fashion the quicker you turn the pages and the faster you read.

(And you won't want to slow down because the story kinda sneaks up on you and grabs your attention without letting go.)

Heather Burch has created an interesting, addicting, thrilling, sweet, other worldly, romantic, fun story that, while considered to be in the YA camp, is adult friendly reading too.

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Halflings history, as well as each of the boys individual personalities. Mace is a conscientious all around good guy, while Raven is tormented with inner badness, and Vine is totally sweet-both literally and figuratively. (He frequently stops Mace and Raven from multiple "petty" fights, while habitually guzzling down enough Twizzlers to rot his teeth at least a few dozen cavities.)

Nikki's character is a nice combo of motorcycle chick feminine girl emotions that plays well off both Mace and Raven. And that's good, or more likely bad, because they both like her. Which complicates the already complicated things even more. But the most important complication? As a rule, neither of the boys can fall in love with Nikki, unless they want to consign themselves to an eternity of hell. (And by hell, I don't mean the shudder inducing prospect of eternal teenage angst.)

I won't say anything else about the plot because I hate giving away too many spoilers, but the end of Halflings definitely made me want to read the second book, Guardian, which comes out later this year.

This was definitely an interesting novel, one that I'm sure I'll pick up and re-read again in the future.

So, for all you paranormal romance, angel loving, entertainment seeking fans, grab a copy of this book-and maybe some non-sugar candy to nibble on.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.