Review: Branded by Fire (Psy-Changeling #6) by Nalini Singh

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Though DarkRiver sentinel Mercy is feeling the pressure to mate, she savagely resists when Riley Kincaid, a lieutenant from the SnowDancer pack, tries to possess her. The problem is not simply that he pushes her buttons; the problem is that he’s a wolf, she’s a cat, and they’re both used to being on top.

But when a brilliant changeling researcher is kidnapped from DarkRiver territory, Mercy and Riley must work together to track the young man—before his shadowy captors decide he’s no longer useful. Along the way, the two dominants may find that submitting to one another uncovers not just a deadly conspiracy, but a passion so raw that it’ll leave them both branded by fire…

My Thoughts: One thing I like about Nalini Singh's books is that she mixes things up as far as her couples go.  This is the first Psy-Changeling book that I can think of that's featured two Changelings instead of a Psy-Changeling or Changeling/Human combo.  I might be wrong about that.  It's been a while since I read some of those earlier books.  Still, it felt fresh and new to me, really, that's what counts.

Naturally, things aren't easy for Mercy and Riley.  She's a cat, he's a wolf.  The two Changeling groups have a working relationship but they haven't progressed to the point of being comfortable getting naked (and, ahem, down and dirty) on a regular basis with one another.  Still, Mercy and Riley can't seem to keep their hands to themselves.  Throw in the fact that Mercy is a dominant female and Riley's a dominant male and neither are willing to submit to the other and the sparks begin to fly.

I just love these Changelings to pieces.  I really liked how Nalini Singh handled bringing two dominants together.  They have to find a way to work together both professionally and sexually and it worked for me.  I'm not adverse to seeing people willing to bend a bit to make sure their partner is happy.  Nope, not at all.

The overall arc of what's happening to Silence and the NetMind was explored and deepened.  My only complaint is that the cast of characters within the upper echelon of the Psy is starting to get so big that I'm having a tough time remembering who'd backstabbing who and which ones belong to where.  I got over it, mostly because I love spending time with those Changelings, but I think I'm going to need a family tree/flowchart soon to keep everybody straight.

Still, I enjoyed it and I'll be reading the next several in the series before too long.

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Other reviews in this series:
Book 1: Slave to Sensation
Book 2: Visions of Heat
Book 3: Caressed by Ice
Book 4: Mine to Possess
Book 5: Hostage to Pleasure

More books by Nalini Singh