Wasteland by Lynn Rush

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Pages: 284

 (Released: August 1, 2011)

From the Cover:

Bound by the blood contract his human mother signed four centuries ago, half-demon, David Sadler, must obey his demonic Master's order to capture fifteen-year-old Jessica Hanks. But as he learns more about her, he realizes she may be the key to freedom from his dark enslavement.

The only obstacle-Jessica's distractingly beautiful Guardian, Rebeka Abbott. He must not give in to their steamy chemistry, or he will lose his humanity. But fresh off a quarter millennia of sensory deprivation as punishment for not retrieving his last target, he may not be able to resist temptation long enough to save what's left of his human soul. 

David, half demon by his mother's blood contract, has spent 245 years at the mercy of his Master's torture. Unable to fulfill Master's demand, he was sent to the burning pits, darkness, sensory deprivation, and unending hungers. Upon his release, David is sent after Master's newest desire, Jessica Hanks, with no other information other than the name of a nightclub in Arizona and that she bears a mark.

Gage, his demon 'brother', jailor, and unwanted companion, tries to intimidate David, cow him into become the full demon he knows rests inside David's body, the one who claws for release, the one who wants to taste tender flesh. But, David knows, the instant he gives into his unholy desire, his life as he knows it will be over. His humanity lost. This he cannot live with.

Beka is a guardian angel sent to protect the one thing David must have, Jessica Hanks, but with as little information as David. She and her 'brother', Russell, become the operators of this nightclub where Jessica is to be found. Who is Jessica Hanks? Why is she so important? Beka has the answers to some of these questions. She knows what Jessica will transform to be. And she'll sacrifice her life to make sure it happens.

But, when David meets Beka, he is tempted, first by the feel of her pale flesh, then by her lilac scent. When Jessica is discovered, it's David who ends up protecting her and saving Beka's life, linking them together forever. But, with his failure to obey Master or to give in to the desire of Beka's flesh, Master will punish David all over again.

Wasteland by Lynn Rush is under Crescent Moon Press's new genre of New Adult, targeted toward the emerging late teens to early twenties, those facing first time relationships, jobs, life of an adult. It has some of the qualities of YA, looking for answers, but also some of the qualities of Adult fiction, finding love, making lasting commitments. Wasteland is the story of David Sadler, half-demon who is held by a blood contract signed by his mother before his birth. Sold for riches she never enjoyed, raped by a demon. He's a 400 year old immortal who's clinging to what's left of his human soul, who has done Master's bidding to the best of his abilities. His only failure occurred with the death of his last mark. But, even the tiniest failure earns Master's wrath, and he spent 245 of a 250 year sentence in torture, released early to find Jessica Hanks. But, what so special about this girl that makes Master release him early from punishment? Why must it be he to bring Jessica to Master? Why not one of Master's other demon slaves? What is Master truly trying to accomplish? When David is sent to retrieve Jessica, he meets Beka Abbott and he discovers some of the answers to his questions. But, will he lose himself in the process? Will he be able to resist what he desires most? Can the dark survive in the light?

Wasteland is a wonderfully told tale of the discovery of truths. The title of the book speaks volumes, and it's uniquely found. Lynn Rush creates a world that exists within the bounds of the human realm, one where demons exists to do their Master's bidding, and guardian angels exist to stop the demons and protect the innocent. But, what happens when one of the innocent has been sold to evil? Forced to become what should have never been, but as destiny would have, has indeed occurred. That's what happens in Wasteland. The question is can one survive the other. Can our hero, David, become what our heroine, Beka, needs? Or will they fail each other, especially when the truths are laid out for everyone to see. Crescent Moon Press has taken an ambitious step filling the role of this new emerging genre with Wasteland as it's first entry. It accomplishes the feat and more. Wasteland is for the paranormal romance lovers, urban fantasy lovers, and for anyone who loves the struggle to find and then hold on to love once it's found. Readers of YA outside it's targeted audience, and for those emerging from YA hoping to find a middle ground, should also give this new genre a try. Wasteland is an excellent read, highly recommended. Lynn Rush will follow up Wasteland with Awaited in 2012. She also has a new release coming March 2012, Violet Midnight, Book 1 of the Violet Night Trilogy. Wasteland gets 5 out of 5 fairy kisses for this reader. I encourage you to go out and grabbed this read now, discounted on Amazon until midnight 10-31-11.

I received this ebook for review from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.