Unique and Interesting

This is not your typical romance novel. There are no white knights in shining armor. No one running in to save the damsel in distress. This is a story of two damaged people finding comfort in one another.

Emma is heartbroken. Her marriage has fallen apart and she has returned home. Her days are filled with teaching at a Catholic school and her nights lonely. Eric is a man with an addition. He craves the physical release of being with a woman. Through their own darkness they find a light in each other.

This is not a flowers and romance book. It is dark and very real. With a deeply religious vein running through the novel, each individual looks for their own salvation. How they find it is not typical.

I was very surprised and pleased when I read this book. I enjoyed the writing style. The author allowed the reader to see the inner struggles of each character. The character development, plot, and writing style were very well written and kept me interested. What I enjoyed the most was the uniqueness of the story. It was not formulaic.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a different type of romance novel. I give this book four stars.

Turned

Turned is the first installment in the Belladonna series. But have no fear the story comes to a definite conclusion.

In a world where the government sanctions turning humans into vampires, Ty Duncan and others are a part of a secret agency that is fighting that very agenda. A group known as Rouges are going against their own kind and turning innocent humans into vampires against their will. The Belladonna agency was formed to fight and take down these vampires. To meet their goal, HBIC Carly, decides they need to diversify their membership.

This leads Ty to Ana. Ana has a shady past that will come in handy and further the agency's agenda. Trying hard to rebuild her life and stay away from trouble, Ana is hesitant to help Ty and join the Belladonna agency. But Ty (insert mafioso voice here) makes her an offer she can't refuse, a chance to see her sister again.

The writing was done well. It transitioned well into each character's own thoughts and actions without becoming repetitive. You get a chance to see what makes the characters tick. Ty is often conflicted by the wants and needs of his new vampiric nature and his humanity. You know, your typical brooding vampire. While Ana is fighting to overcome her past and the actions she had to take to ensure the survival of herself and her baby sister.

The story line is an oldie but goodie. Boy meets girl. Feels an instant attraction. Girl meets boy. Feels an instant attraction. Add in a dash of angst and misunderstood actions and intentions and you have a paranormal romance story. While the storyline wasn't terribly unique, the writing style and character development compensate well.

There are several questions that were left unanswered for me. But I am assuming all the loose ends will be tied up in the books to come. Overall, I give the book 3 1/2 stars.