Surviving Demon Island - Jaci Burton

Surviving Demon Island
Jaci Burton
Dell

Contemporary Romance/Paranormal

Gina Bliss is the top-earning female action star in the movies. She loves the action part of her job, and does a lot of her own stunt work. After making back-to-back films, she’s due for a vacation. When her agent suggests participation in a reality show, she’s hesitant at first. But the fact that the show will film on a tropical island and will be a test of physical prowess convinces her. The idea of the show is that several people, with various areas of physical and fighting expertise, come together on a deserted island to kill demons. Sounds simple enough.

Derek Marks introduces himself to the group during the cruise to the island. He’ll be their trainer and drill sergeant. Most contestants feel like he’s taking things way too seriously. The truth is, they have no idea about the truth. Derek and Lou, who poses as the host, are really testing each contestant; assembling a fighting force. The group discovers this truth when two contestants are killed after the first day of filming. What they all assumed would be actors in demon costumes are, in reality, demons. The group is there to train in fighting demons. And the stakes really are life and death.

When I started this novel, I had no idea (or I had forgotten, which is far more likely) that this was a paranormal story. That bit caught me by surprise, but the author works it in so believably that I had no trouble shifting gears, just as Gina and the rest of the contestants must. There’s great chemistry between Gina and Derek that drives the romance part of the story. But, for me, the draw was the action, the adventure, and the demon-fighting. The pace is fast and never flags, with that can’t-put-it-down appeal. SURVIVING DEMON ISLAND is the first in a series, and if this first installment is any indication, it’s going to be a real winner.

Rating: 8
January 2007
ISBN# 978-0-440-24335-9 (paperback)