Review: Immortal Hope- Claire Ashgrove

Title: Immortal Hope
Author: Claire Ashgrove 
Series: Templar Book 1
Release Date: January 3 2012
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Historical 
Rating: 4 Hoots
Reviewer: Michelle
Buy From: Amazon/ Barnes and Noble/ Book Depository 

Sum It Up! Immortal Hope is an incredible novel. I highly recommend this read if you like action, romance, and danger. 

Centuries ago, Templar knights defied the archangels and unearthed the copper scroll that revealed the locations of the gates to hell. Cursed for their forbidden act, they now roam the earth, protecting mankind from evil. But darkness stalks them, and battles they fight bring them ever closer to eternal damnation. One promise remains to give them salvation—the return of the seraphs.

Embittered by his purpose, Merrick du Loire must honor an ancient pact and bring peace to his cousin’s soul, releasing him from the clutches of their enemy. When he stumbles upon history professor Anne MacPherson, he discovers that she possesses a sacred artifact that marks her as a seraph. Duty demands he set aside his personal quest and locate the knight she’s fated to heal. As Merrick struggles with conflicting oaths, Anne arouses buried hope and sparks forbidden desire that challenges everything he’s sworn to uphold.

Anne has six weeks to complete her thesis on the Knights Templar. When Merrick takes her to the Templar stronghold, he presents her with all she needs—and awakens a soul-deep ache that he alone can soothe. Yet loving Merrick comes with a price. If she admits she is destined for him, her gift of foresight predicts his death.  (Amazon)

Review:

The Templar Knights made a grave mistake when they uncovered a secret scroll pinpointing the locations of the gates of Hell. As their punishment, they now have to roam the earth protecting humans from evil. Aside from being cursed there is a more devious draw back. When they kill demons they themselves begin to become evil as well until they ultimately become fully evil. When the Knights are close to being full of darkness Seraph are to come and balance out the darkness with light.

Clair Ashgrove did an excellent job when she mixed fantasy with history in the first of the Templar Series, Immortal Hope. This is by far more than your average Urban Fantasy novel. The passion between Merrick and Anne is unmistakable. The lustful yet romantic affair begins as Anne attempts to protect Merrick with her sight. Merrick on the other hand spends his time figuring out this modern woman and her appalling ways. Ashgrove is remarkable in the sense that she brings to life all of her characters. The secondary characters were as well thought out as the main ones without taking away from the story. Immortal Hope is an incredible novel. I highly recommend this read if you like action, romance, and danger. Of course you will be saved by a sexy knight ;)