Awakened a Paranormal Romance

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This is the second book by Virna DePaul that I have read and yet again I am not disappointed.  I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This newest installment in the Belladonna Agency series focuses on Barrett an ex-soldier and former lover of partner in arms Nick.  Barrett and Nick once upon a time had a very passionate love affair.  However, it cooled when Barrett walked away in order to save herself from potential heartbreak.  Now Barrett is force to seek Nick's help when her best friend's daughter is kidnapped and taken into a sex ring.  I liked the aspect of the kidnapped girls forced into a sex ring.  It allowed each of the characters to get past their own bullshit and work toward achieving a common goal.

I found myself enjoying this second installment much more than the first book.  The foundation and vampire lore had already been established and DePaul doesn't spend much time rehashing that.  Which I loved!!!  DePaul trusted that her readers had a smidgen of intelligence and could either re-read the previous book or um use Goodreads..HELLO!  So the story isn't bogged down in an effort to remind readers what they should already know.  That being said, you really need to read the first book before attempting this one.  It will not make as much sense to you and you will have wasted your time and money attempting to read it.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys paranormal romance and I cannot wait until the next installment!  Happy reading!!

In Your Corner by Sarah Castille

With the second installment in the Redemption series, Sarah Castille doesn't disappoint. While I highly recommend you read the first book in this series before beginning this one, it is not absolutely necessary. You should be able to follow the story and put together the pieces without reading the first book in the series. While it does bring back characters and settings seen in the first book, it is a stand-alone with a definite conclusion. NO CLIFFHANGERS!

This installment focuses on the relationship between Jake and Amanda. (view spoiler) Jake is a MMA fighter that is torn between family obligations and his true desires. Amanda is a strong-willed lawyer that has a very hard time with true intimacy.


This book also highlights the societal double standard when it comes to a sexually active woman. Amanda has been around the block and makes no qualms about her experience. HALLE-FREAKIN-LUJAH! Too many times in the romance/erotica genre we are force fed the virginal heroine that needs to be saved and educated by the strong, well-experienced alpha male. This is not the case. Amanda has needs and doesn't feel ashamed by those needs. She knows what she likes and isn't afraid to ask for it.


The storyline progresses well. Although Jake and Amanda's one step forward two steps back relationship, does cause the story to feel a bit bogged down at times. That being said, I feel the progression and regression of these two is needed to allow for character growth. Amanda has to learn to deal with her fears of intimacy and Jake has to learn how to be patient with her; and this takes time. There are no immediate fixes for these two. Each one has to work through their own issues.

I really enjoyed Sarah Castille's latest and would highly recommend it. You get a definite conclusion and the HEA you hunger for. Happy reading!!

Reflection by Elene Sallinger

Sallinger's latest installment doesn't disappoint.  True to her style, Sallinger delivers a dark and delicious tale of two souls who seek each other out in order to find healing.
Bridget is a woman with a tormented past.  Having gone through a traumatic event, she finds it hard to connect with the opposite sex.  However, when she meets Conner she finds a man that is willing to move slowly and give her what she needs.
Conner also suffers from his past.  He is instantly taken by Bridget and wants to get to know her.  Only, he's finding it difficulty to get past Bridget's walls. 

I love the way Sallinger delivers a realistic erotica novel.  There is no love at first sight, no lets move off and have babies either.  It is two people that have to overcome the haunting of their past in order to move forward.  This is the second book I have read by Sallinger and I find myself enjoying it just as much as the first.  I definitely recommend.

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.