Raising Cain

I got this unsure as to whether or not it would really grab my attention and happily can report that I was hooked right from the start. This new to be author has written a story that seems to have so many elements running through it that I was left reeling. A world peopled with paranormals (freaks) , humans ( norms) and even Angels and Demons so right from the outset a lot to take on. This Author had no reservations though and dives in taking this reader with her and it's sink or swim!
Dani is working in the Freaks Fair and it's fair to say her job as a stable hand is far from glamorous but that's fine with her because the last thing Dani wants is to be noticed. An unfortunate incident sees her using her own secret talent but it draws unwanted attention to her and now Dani is not sure just how safe she is any more. She ends up coerced by her boss into acting as the Fairs psychic but Dani is far from stupid and demands a bodyguard but what she gets is a whole lot of trouble !
Cain is a Demon and an Incubus to boot and he has been sent from Sheol to locate the fabled Key. It's is foretold that the prophecised Key can control the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse so the battle is on to locate it. Believing the Key to be the missing daughter of the Archangel of Death, Cain goes undercover searching but what he finds will change not just his but Dani's life forever. Those defending Sheol are not the only players in town and pretty soon Dani finds herself a pawn with a choice to make and the fate of the world within her hands!
Ok I have to start by saying I loved the first half of this book. Fast paced ,great world building and characters that although fantastical were capable of inciting strong feelings within me. Yes I liked Dani and I'm sure some readers will think "meh" but for me she may not be kick ass and seems to fall down a lot but I enjoy imperfect heroines. Now we come to that titular make Cain! Oh boy what a confused guy he is. He is an Incubus and yet there's no sex here,he is a hired Assasin and now he is so close to an almost perfect existence but there's just the teeny tiny matter of that Key to sort out first. I mentioned I really enjoyed the first half but will admit ( without spoilers if possible) that when the action moved to Montana it just seemed to stagnate a bit. What was previously a fast paced story just seemed to lose momentum and although we needed more information without a doubt it just felt a little like too much navel gazing for me. Characters are introduced and are they good or bad for Dani? I would have liked a few less words here and perhaps a different editor would have tightened it up a little . Do not misunderstand it's wasn't badly written and certain scenes are essential to the plot but everything just seemed to grind to a halt for a while as the heroine fully realised just what and who she was dealing with.
There is a lot of potential here and it seems to be more urban fantasy than paranormal romance in spite of having an Incubus in it. Far from over Dani's journey is just beginning and I hope we see a lot more of Cain in it because they really do spark off each other. Quite violent at times but a really interesting beginning and I'm looking forward to more from this author