Shifting Dreams ~ Cambio Springs Series #1 ~ Book Review

Title:  Shifting Dreams
Series:  Cambio Springs #1
Author:  Elizabeth Hunter
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Release Date:  March 5, 2013
Main Characters:  Jena Crowe & Caleb Gilbert
My Rating:  4 Mysterious ♥'s

First Thoughts:  Like a present, this book builds anticipation, unwrapping the mystery of the town & people one page at a time.  Sooner or later, everyone must choose whether or not to allow someone close enough to help them close the door on the past, accept the present, and move forward into the future.

Synopsis:

Some days, Jena Crowe just can’t get a break. Work at her diner never ends, her two boys are bundles of energy, and she’s pretty sure her oldest is about to shift into something furry or feathery. Added to that, changes seem to be coming to the tiny town of Cambio Springs—big changes that not everyone in the isolated town of shapeshifters is thrilled about.

Caleb Gilbert was looking for change, and the quiet desert town seemed just the ticket for a more peaceful life. He never counted on violence finding him, nor could he have predicted just how crazy his new life would become.

When murder rocks their small community, Caleb and Jena will have to work together. And when the new Chief of Police isn’t put off by any of her usual defenses, Jena may be faced with the most frightening change of all: lowering the defenses around her carefully guarded heart.

Shifting Dreams is the first novel in Cambio Springs, the new paranormal romance series from Elizabeth Hunter, author of the best-selling Elemental Mysteries series.

My Review:

Strange things happen in Cambio Springs . . . people are clannish, secrets are guarded, an outsider never quite fits in.  Caleb Gilbert rode into town toting some heavy emotional baggage, but he was determined to make a home and a place for himself as the chief of police.  He runs into a wall of resistance from some of the strange locals who don't cotton to outsiders as they protect their secrets at all costs.  Jena Crowe is a widowed mom with two young boys, making ends meet by running her parent's diner during the day and tending bar at night.  Sparks fly when Caleb & Jena meet and share one electrifying kiss on Caleb's first night in town.  In the weeks that follow, he pursues Jena as diligently as she pushes him away.  Why won't she let him get close?  How can he break through her guard?  Late one night, Caleb is called out to the scene of a murder to find a very naked Jena sitting on the porch crying.  He senses her lies when he tries to question her. . . in fact, Caleb knows that everyone on the scene is lying to him.  The murder victim is a tribal elder, found lying naked in a pool of blood, bearing some strange deadly scratches. As Caleb investigates the scene, he realizes that something is very wrong here.  The evidence just doesn't add up, and he can't catch a murderer if no one will tell him the truth. What is going on in this town?  Who & what are these people?

There's a fascinating cast of characters in Cambio Springs.  Caleb is so sexy, so gorgeous.  And while he pretty much rode into town on a white horse, he's also in need of some TLC himself.  He left a past that haunts him and carries a saddle bag full of self-inflicted guilt. Jena's simply afraid to love and trust again, afraid of being left alone once more if another man either dies too young as her first husband did or simply rides out of town like most outsiders eventually do.  Caleb has his work cut out for him once he decides that he wants to be the man in Jena & her son's lives.  Sooner or later, everyone must choose whether or not to allow someone close enough to help them close the door on the past, accept the present, and move forward into the future.  And while trying to convince Jena that he's the real deal, Caleb is experiencing some strange sensations/dreams of his own.  There's an intriguing supporting cast that I know will be fodder for future stories . . . I look forward to reading their stories, especially Ted & Alex and Ollie & Allie.

Shifting Dreams is a hard book to describe without spoilers.  You really need to live and experience the story as you read it. I found this book to be different than other series I've read by Hunter, but just as captivating in its own way. The town of Cambio Springs is an intriguing mystery.  Like a present, this book builds anticipation, unwrapping the mystery of the town & people one page at a time.  I was quickly hooked by Hunter's writing style (as always) and found this book to be an unique, often funny, fascinating, and yes, even sexy read. A Must Read!

My Rating:  4 Mysterious ♥'s . . . And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart . . .xxx

Sandra