When I first began to review for AAR, the Loveswept line of series romances was about to be discontinued. One author who was published by them toward the end was Catherine Mulvany and one of my first reviews was of her charming debut Upon A Midnight Clear. She published Man Shy and Aquamarine with Loveswept in 1998 and then disappeared. I wondered if she was still writing, and then one day I saw Run No More. Not only is Catherine Mulvany back, but she’s written my favorite paranormal romance this year.

Ian MacPherson is a retired cat burglar. When Alex Ferrell, his former apprentice, offers him a million dollars to go to Rio de Janeiro to help steal the red tourmaline known as Milagre, Ian accepts. Rumors say that Milagre has healing powers, and it does heal a cut Ian gets on his hand during the course of the robbery. But when Alex has Milagre in hand, he cuts Ian’s harness, leaving the older man Ian paralyzed and in the hands of the police.

Ian spends thirty years in prison. When he’s finally released, he goes to live in California with Paulinho, who was also in prison. Ian has money, but is paralyzed and has lost his youth. He burns for revenge against Alex, who has used the power of Milagre to set up a spa, one that is renouned for its healing powers. But how can an old, paralyzed man defeat one who is powerful and in full health due to the gem he stole? Ian is about to eat his gun when a young woman runaway comes into the house through the dog flap.

Tasya Flynn is escaping from her husband, a brilliant sadist. She married him to escape from an abusive guardian. Despite her life of almost unmitigated woe, Tasya is not a meek victim. She is intelligent and strong, and Ian asks her to become his new protege and help him with his revenge on Alex.

Tasya and Ian go to the spa under the disguise of a rich old crippled man and his trophy wife. They discover that Alex owes money to a gangster and is trying to sell Milagre to a Japanese collector to raise that money. While they are there, Milagre works its power and Ian regains the use of his legs. Tasya and Ian do get their hands on Milagre, but things go wrong and a tragedy occurs. But Milagre has a twin, and it’s said that when the two come together, they can change the course of time.

I began to read Run No More and was totally hooked from the beginning. I loved the story line. The only problem I had was that the end was a bit rushed. If there had been about fifty extra pages, I think it would have been better, but it’s still a wonderful book.

Fans of kick butt heroines will love Tasya. She isn’t in the least bit feisty or silly. She is strong, kind, and intelligent, and she is the focus of the book. The love that develops between Tasya and the much older Ian is very believable, and despite the difference in their ages they make a wonderful couple. There’s no icky Lolita feel about their relationship at all. They really belong together.

Ian is also a memorable character – although not as strong as Tasya – and a good man, despite his former profession. Ian belongs to the fraternity of thieves who never steal from someone who didn’t somehow deserve it. He has a code of honor even though it is a bit twisted.

I enjoy the occasional paranormal romance but I’ll admit to getting a bit tired of werewolves and vampires. This book was just what I was looking for in the paranormal department, and I’ll just mention again it’s my favorite so far this year. Fans of paranormal romance, fans of romantic suspense, and fans of kick butt heroines, do not miss Run No More. Welcome back, Catherine Mulvany, and please don’t stay away so long next time!