Review ~ The Reluctant Amazon by Sandy James

The Reluctant Amazon

(Alliance of the Amazons #1)

By Sandy James

3 out of 5 STARS

The last thing Rebecca Massee expects on her wedding day is to go from jilted kindergarten teacher to Amazonian Earth warrior. But when she causes an earthquake after her groom says I don’t, she discovers that not only does she possess incredible powers, she is one of four lost chosen sisters who must fight to keep humanity safe from rogue gods and demons. Luckily she has help: ruggedly handsome Scottish warrior Artair MacKay, her protector and teacher.

An immortal, Artair has trained countless warriors for more than four hundred years. He understands Rebecca’s confusion at the new world she’s been thrust into and worries she is too emotionally vulnerable, but that doesn’t stop his growing feelings for the beautiful and fearless woman. 

When an evil force threatens to destroy the Amazons, Rebecca must claim her full powers--but they come at a cost. Can she sacrifice the man she loves if it means saving the world?

ARC provided by Carina Press

Released September 3rd ~ available at Amazon 

This is a unique concept that I have not read before.  There are generations of Amazons that may be called in for duty.  Rebecca is called to duty while being turned down at the alter.  Ouch, that had to hurt!  But?  What better way to make an exit than to follow the sexy man in a kilt who has come for her.  Yep, enter Artair MacKay.  He's the Sentinel for the Amazons.  Sentinel duties include finding the recently called Amazons, training and helping them out.

Rebecca is an Earth Amazon.  Reluctant to believe that any of this could be real, she soon learns that revenants AKA creepy zombie creatures are real as she finds her new sister Megan, the Fire Amazon.

Rebecca is slow at learning the tricks of the trade.  The first third of the book is all about training and a slowly budding attraction between her and Artair.  

The middle part moves a little faster as she finally takes to training and coming into her own powers.  She meets up with her other two sisters that have been training with the new Sentinel and finally we get a glimpse of what the evil they are facing in this installment is up to.

The last part of the book moves pretty quickly and it was wonderful to see Rebecca go from shrinking violet to kick ass heroine.  She really steps up.  Her and Artair have something special though it is forbidden but luckily everything works out.

The end was a whirlwind of action leaving off with a very satisfying ending and an opening for what's to come  in the next installment. 

Overall?  I liked it.  Great romance in the making, kick ass chicks, some hot sex...  Can't wait for book 2, The Impetuous Amazon due out early 2013.