Stolen Portrait Stolen Soul picks up six weeks after Celine Buckley and her friends successfully rid the world of the menacing Duke Marcus Northcott. Hoping for peace for the first time in her long existence, Celine is looking forward to being back with her husband. But peace is a fragile thing. Especially when you’re a time-traveling supernatural being struggling with guilt issues. Celine begins to sense that something is amiss, and everything points toward a stolen painting. But in a home whose inhabitants have lived for hundreds of years, this is no ordinary portrait. With the help of her loyal friends and family, an investigation is undertaken and more trouble is unearthed. Will Celine be powerful enough to help her family this time or are their darker forces at play?
If this novel is any indication, Nellie Steele’s mind is a deep well of creativity. There are so many surprising elements in this mystery that it reads like a time-traveling supernatural soap-opera! I appreciate how the author takes the opportunity to more fully develop Damien’s character in this second book in the Shadow Slayers Stories series. For me, he is the most interesting and dynamic persona, as he truly proves his devotion for Celine. Another shining aspect is the odd juxtaposition of old and new, such as text messages and nacho cheese tortilla chips on one page and a pub in the 18th century or ageless vampires on the next. With an intricate plot, thoughtful action, and heartfelt relationships, Stole Portrait Stolen Soul is a spellbinding tale with a suspenseful conclusion.
