Fox Tale - Karen Hulene Bartell

Heights terrify Ava. When a stranger saves her from plunging down a mountain, he diverts her fears with tales of Japanese kitsune—shapeshifting foxes—and she begins a journey into the supernatural.

She’s attracted to Chase, both physically and metaphysically, yet primal instincts urge caution when shadows suggest more than meets the eye.

She’s torn between Chase and Rafe, her ex, when a chance reunion reignites their passion, but she struggles to overcome two years of bitter resentment. Did Rafe jilt her, or were they pawns of a larger conspiracy? Are the ancient legends true of kitsunes twisting time and events?

My Review

This is a hard review to write. Fox Tale is a paranormal romance. The paranormal side of things is facinating and it's what kept me turning the pages, keen to know how it would all unfold. For me, the romance did not work. Mostly because I did not like either of the male characters.

The whole story is built around Japanese folklaw, something that I know less than nothing about. We have shape-shifters, possession by good and evil foxes and immortal beings with grudges that span the centuries. I loved this side of the story and really wanted to know where it would go.

As I mentioned before, I wasn't keen on either of Ava's potential love interests. I'm trying to explain why here without giving away too many spoilers. They both come waving more red flags than is healthy. I couldn't understand why Ava would give Rafe the time of day after what he did to her previously. He gives an explanation and there is more that we learn later, but that just made me dislike him even more. 

This may well be a personal thing and as I said, I really enjoyed everything else in the book so don't let my issues put you off. This really is a good read. I found the Japanese culture facinating. I also polished this book off in a little over 24 hours, so you can see it was one I enjoyed. If you're looking for something a little different, then I would suggest that you won't go far wrong with this. 

Author Bio

Dr. Karen Hulene Bartell, author of Wild Rose Pass, The Keys: Voice of the Turtle, Christmas in Cahokia, Holy Water: Rule of Capture, Lone Star Christmas, Angels from Ashes, Christmas in Catalonia, Sacred Gift, Belize Navidad, Sacred Choices, and others, is a best-selling author, motivational keynote speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life. She writes multicultural, offbeat love stories steeped in the supernatural that lift the spirit. Dr. Bartell lives in the Texas Hill Country with her husband Peter and her "mews"—three rescued cats and a rescued CATahoula Leopard dog.