When Sean Cullen first saw Bronnie McGregor he knew they were destined to be together - they were soul-mates. Unfortunately as he was the son of an abusive butcher, born on the wrong side of town, Bronnie's family didn't think he was good enough for their daughter.

Despite being forbidden to meet her soul-mate, Bronnie still found ways to tell him how she felt. One day, after finding their daughter with Sean, Bronnie's family drugged her and had her confined in a restrictive Catholic convent in Ireland. After a couple of months Bronnie realises she is pregnant and when her baby is born he is given up for adoption.

At the same time Sean discovers that the father he has hated his entire life is not his biological father and that his true parentage involves a dark evil secret. After discovering the truth of his dark heritage Sean is forced to choose between destroying his beloved or murdering her father. However, moments before the bomb he has planted under McGregor's car is due to explode Sean sees a small baby. Rushing forward in an attempt to protect the infant he takes the full force of the explosion and his injuries prove fatal.

Years later, Bronnie, now a doctor, takes a job at Wynth Industries. There she meets the mysterioud Viraidon Cree, a man to whom she feels an instant, irresistable attraction. Once again the object of her affection is a man with a darker side...

BlackWind is another excellent novel from the pen (keyboard) of Charlotte Boyett-Compo. Initially the reader is lead to believe that it is a simple story of forbidden love, however it soon becomes apparent that it is, in fact, a dark fantasy tale. Just as you have accepted the book fits into that genre the author throws in another twist and it seemingly is also a sf novel. This is not a common combination - I think the last story I read that had similar blurring of genres was Stephen King's The Tommyknockers. It does have to be said though that the sf content is definitely secondary to the horror aspects of the story.

Frequent readers of Ms. Boyett-Compo's work will notice a number of familiar names which is okay when the books are set in the same world/timespan. But when you have a story like BlackWind set in a world totally unrelated to the author's other work it would be preferable to have some fresh characters to meet.

This does not take away form the fact that this is a damned goodbook set in the USA and Ireland. It's written in Charlee's usual addictive style; you'll find BlackWind is exceptionally difficult to put down once you have started it, and you'll also wonder if such a story could ever have a happy outcome.

Thoroughly enjoyable!

Synopsis
Not of this world but part of hers, they would wage a desperate battle to win her hand...

Torn apart by their parents and destiny, Bronwyn McGregor and Sean Cullin face insurmountable odds to find a life together. But despite his desire to be with Bronnie, Sean learns he is a Reaper, an entity that must consume human blood to survive, and fate deals him a cruel, horrifying blow. In her misery over circumstances beyond her ability to control, Bronnie unwittingly summons a Nightwind, an ancient, shapeshifting demon, bound to her by grief and history.

In the end, who will win the heart of Bronwyn McGregor: The Reaper or the NightWind?