Cop and conjurer of demons, she’s a woman in danger of losing control-to a power that could kill….

Why me? Why now? That’s what Beaulac, Louisiana, detective Kara Gillian was asking herself when an angelic creature named Rhyzkahl unexpectedly appeared during a routine summoning. Kara was hoping to use her occult skills to catch a serial killer, but never had she conjured anything like this unearthly beautiful and unspeakably powerful being whose very touch set off exquisite new dimensions of pleasure. But can she enlist his aid in helping her stop a killer who’s already claimed the lives-and souls-of thirteen people? And should she? The Symbol Man is a nightmare that the city thought had ended three years ago. Now he’s back for an encore and leaving every indication on the flesh of his victims that he, too, is well versed in demonic lore.

Kara may be the only cop on Beaulac’s small force able to stop the killer, but it is her first homicide case. Yet with Rhyzkahl haunting her dreams, and a handsome yet disapproving FBI agent dogging her waking footsteps, she may be in way over her head…

Kara Gillian is a cop and demon summoner. When her final test to become a demon summoner somehow lands her summoning a Demon Lord, she is convinced she somehow made a mistake. At the same time, there is a serial killer who has returned after a few years of no activity. Are the two incidents somehow connected? And can Kara use the Demon Lord’s help to stop the Symbol Man?

Mark of the Demon is Diana Rowland’s debut novel and let me tell you, I was still thinking about this book two days after I finished it! Think Patricia Cornwell meets the Paranormal. She is definitely an author to watch!

Ms. Rowland’s character development is absolutely phenomenal as is the extreme attention to detail, especially in regards to Forensics and detective work.

One of the things I liked about Mark of the Demon is that the demons are not as harsh and evil as we think they are, they can be bargained with and sent back to their realm.  It’s a totally different take on Demons and the Paranormal, and well worth the read! Book two in the series is due out in early 2010.

5/5 Stars