Melhara- Jocelyn Tollefson

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

Melhara is the story Kyra- half witch, half angel. Ever since being a little girl, she's had dreams and nightmares of angels and demons battling it out. She also has powers she's been keeping secret. Grown-up, Kyra has a husband and a son and appears to be somewhat removed, living in her own land of daydreams. Everyone notices, but can't quite put their finger on what's going on with her.

On a family roadtrip, they stop at a "western style" motel and Kyra is attacked by men trying to kidnap her. She uses her powers- to her husband's and son's surprise- but is none the less kidnapped. She is delivered to Alastor: a demon claiming that Kyra and him will be King and Queen and free the souls of hell together. Turns out Kyra's nightmares are real. She refuses Alastor and subjects her and her family to brutal torture. In the end, she submits herself and basically becomes a pawn of the demon. Alastor and Kyra plot world domination and slaughter all that are in their path, including the President and Kyra's husband. Her distraught, confused family speak with priests from the Vatican who enlighten them as to what's going on and why Alastor needs Kyra. The priests tell of a prophecy of a demon breaking forth from Hell once a female Melhara is born and letting loose the demons of Hell to rule the Earth, bringing the biblical Apocalypse. The only way to stop the demon is either by killing the Melhara or convincing the Melhara to betray the demon and send him back to Hell.

The rest of the book is how Kyra's family saves her and concocts a plan to rid the Earth of Alastor and his minions.

Overall, I thought this was a decent book. The first part of the book really grabbed me with the action, Kyra's nightmares, and the motel scene. I was intrigued and enjoyed the fast-pace. About half-way through it became a little harder to read. The pacing was almost too fast, there were some pieces of the plot that needed a little more explaining, and I started getting really tired of Alastor.  I do think that's a good thing though...you're not exactly supposed to like demons. I enjoyed the pieces about Xavier- Kyra's son. We find out he inherits some of his mother's abilities and also is Alastor's downfall- no one can come between a mother's love for her child. I found that bit very pleasing. Besides Xavier's role, I found most of the other characters a bit immature. Kyra's husband seemed removed. Kyra's had an affair and her lover seemed quite petty. Her mother seemed a little out of touch. I liked Kyra though she was possessed for most of the book. She was an easy character to buy into.  The book is a little violent- beheading, mass murder, possession and such. Also, there are some sex scenes between Alastor and companions.

If you're into paranormal, angels, demons, heaven, and hell and a fast-paced easy read, this may be a good book for you.

3 Stars.