Balance is an important component in any novel. Balance is also where author Robin Helm excels In Soulfire, she creates a perfect combination of wit, humor, angst, romance and scripture, fused together to gain and maintain the reader’s attention.

Throughout the book, the balance between humor and angst moves the plot along nicely. Helm weaves them together so cleverly; there is a natural ebb and flow to the storyline. The banter between Gabriel, Michael, and Darcy is witty, while also providing the comic relief needed to offset the angst-filled parts. Also helping to offset the tension created by Gregory and his minions are the affectionate scenes between Darcy and Elizabeth. After Elizabeth tells Darcy she loves him, he quotes the Song of Solomon to her, creating a tender scene. However, Gregory, Lucifer and their demons will stop at nothing to break up the couple and the SoulFire tour. After being tested time and again, will Darcy and Elizabeth’s love be strong enough to overcome deceit and betrayal?

The clever way Helm alludes to events and popular quotes from Austen’s text only serves to draw the reader in by making those connections. As Darcy is not one to easily converse with those with whom he is not intimate, he remarks how it was easier for him, as Daniel’s guardian angel, to close the mouths of lions than it is to strike up a conversation with Elizabeth. On the other side, there is the charming Gregory who tells Elizabeth that Darcy cannot be trusted as he has known him for years. These parallels continue throughout the novel, and it was rather fun trying to pick these out and see Helm’s spin on them.

Another area where Helm shows expertise is her ability to incorporate scriptures into the text. Whether it is through direct quotes of scripture or through scriptural references, it is well-placed and applicable. If the reader is open, he can hear God speak through the pages. It is truly amazing how many names God has and how each one is specific to one of His attributes. Though there are scriptures in the text, the reader does not have to be a Christian in order to enjoy this Pride and Prejudice variation.

While I enjoyed most of the novel, there were times when Helm’s exposition seemed superfluous. While Elizabeth is performing a piano concert in Toronto, Helm expounds for several paragraphs about the concert. It seemed a bit unnecessary, as I could not see its purpose to the story.

I have said before in my reviews that I love it when an author can evoke an array of emotions from me. That holds true with SoulFire. From the joy felt by the lighthearted banter to the agony felt from characters being hurt both physically and emotionally, the reader’s emotions are fully engaged.

Helm leaves the characters and readers with many questions at the end of the novel. I have to say I am anxiously awaiting Helm to publish the third and final book in the Guardian Trilogy, Legacy.