Bone Crossed by Patrica Briggs

"Car mechanic and sometime shapeshifter Mercy Thompson has learned, the hard way, why her race was almost exterminated. When European vampires immigrated to North America, they found Mercy's people had a hidden talent - for vampire slaying. Unfortunately for Mercy, the queen of the local vampire seethe has discovered her true identity. She's also furious when she learns Mercy has crossed her and killed one of her vampires. Mercy may be protected from direct reprisals by the werewolf pack (and her interesting relationship with its Alpha), but that just means Marsilia will come after Mercy some other way. So Mercy had better prepare to watch her back."

Bone Crossed pick up exactly where Iron Kissed left off, and it's not long before Mercy is neck deep in trouble again. Her vampire friend, Stefan is in trouble and it's up to Mercy, and the local werewolf pack by association, to help him. But Mercy's own life is in greater danger from those that would see Stefan harmed. Adam, local alpha wolf, is doing everything he can to protect her, but it's not easy.

When Mercy's old college roommate shows up on her doorstep asking her for help with a problem ghost, it seems like the perfect excuse to get Mercy out of town for a little while. Away from Adam's protection, and Marsilia's deadly reach, Mercy must deal with her problems alone. Her problems, and those of Amanda the college roommate, are much bigger than it first appears though and soon Mercy finds herself running again, relying on Stefan and Adam's power to keep her alive.

As well as all the new problems, the lasting affects of Iron Kissed are carefully wrapped in. Handled with empathy, but without shying away, shows Ms. Briggs' talent and Mercy's strength. And the depth of several secondary characters too.

I thoroughly enjoyed Bone Crossed. The darkness that Mercy faced and the lighter moments added in just the right moments adding depth to the overall picture. A fantastic series and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series when it's out.

Rating: 9/10