Celestial Fantasy Book – Sins and Shadows by Lyn Benedict

Shadows and Sins, a great fantasy book by Lyn Benedict, introduces us to Sylvie Lightner, a detective with too many “special” cases for her own peace of mind. It’s the first book in the new Shadow Inquiries series, which starts with Sylvie planning to close her detective agency because she lost a good friend during the commission of a recent case. Sylvie is a tough, no-nonsense woman who lives in a world where magic is real and her specialty is her ability to solve magical cases.

In addition to closing her business she’s trying to avoid a group of government agents that have her marked as someone who’s always involved in magical catastrophes. They follow her everywhere, waiting for her to make a mistake so they can grab her.

With all the magic alive in the world, Sylvie lives in a strange environment where she has to deal with annoying, selfish gods who have some familiar names – Zeus and Lilith being two you might know. The gods control everything and – news flash – it is NEVER good to disagree with the folks who can change you into a turtle at any moment! So, when a god shows up in Sylvie’s office needing her help finding his missing lover, she’s put in an awkward position: should she tell him no and proceed with closing her detective agency? I’ll let you guess what she decides . . .

Put it this way, when a god asks you for a favor, “No” is not an option.

Especially when the god in question is Justice, who has no qualms about threatening her family in order to ensure her cooperation. And don’t forget the Feds: in addition to dealing with a meglomaniacal, family-threatening god, she also has to deal with real-world government agents who want nothing more than to put her under the jail. Even when a handsome government agent emerges from her past she discovers that he’d just as likely shoot her as engage in conversation.

How can a girl win?

This fantasy book immediately drew me in because the writing style is fast and fun. The main character, Sylvie, is not your typical female lead. She has no giant chip on her shoulder. She does not shoot whatever is bothering her at the moment. Outwitting the gods is what keeps Sylvie busy. Doing such a good job with the first book in the Shadow Inquiries fantasy series makes you wonder what new “shadows” can Lyn Benedict shine her light on next? I plan to be there to find out.

Get Sins and Shadows and find out how Sylvie juggles the challenges thrown at her.

Get it now and be ready for the next book in the series, Ghosts and Echoes, which comes out April 27, 2010.