Eyes of the Dead

One of the best things about being a book reviewer (and there are many!) is that when you stumble across a new author, you can give that author a little visibility. That is the case with "Eyes of the Dead" by Broward County author Aleka Nakis. In this case, the visibility also involves a new small press, Resplendence Publishing based in Edgewater, just south of Daytona Beach.

"Eyes of the Dead" is Aleka's third published novel from Resplendence. "The Greek Rule" came out in November and "The Summer Deal" is to be released later this month. "Eyes" is a romantic paranormal thriller, which kicks off when cancer researcher Tiffany Jensen, the heroine, travels to a Mayan jungle in search of CDL-39, a plant purported to be a potential cure for breast cancer. Her guide and the book's romantic hero, Antonio Francisco Fernandez, is concerned about her welfare, since sex traffickers prey on local women. He also carries a heavy load of guilt because previously he had guided Michael Delier, Tiffany's mentor and friend, into the same jungle but had been unable to save Delier when he was shot during a daring robbery in a local cantina. Antonio tries to dissuade Tiffany from her mission, fearing she will be kidnapped and sold into white slavery. He is unsuccessful because Tiffany is determined to find a cure for the cancer that killed her mother. Along the way both she and Antonio are guided and protected by her mother's ghost.

The pace of the book is quick. It's a romance, which means that the emphasis is on the relationship between Tiffany and Antonio. However, there is suspense and excitement. Tiffany, who has never learned to swim, must trust Antonio as they ford very dangerous rapids. She must survive an attack by a jaguar and being kidnapped by the very sex traffickers Antonio feared. And, of course, there is not only sexual tension between hero and heroine, but delayed final gratification. And more than a few complications delay their ultimate reunion. The description is nice, the dialogue works, and the book moves to a logical and satisfying climax - in more ways than one. The description is vivid and interesting and Aleka has wisely chosen an exotic, intriguing setting.

It will be interesting to watch Aleka Nakis develop and grow as a novelist. She certainly has mastered the basics and has learned her craft.

Books reviewed in this column are available online or at your local bookstore.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.