Pam Reviews: Dragon Bound

It's a family affair on the blog of late! I always share books I love with my mom and mother-in-law, but my mom especially is a romance lover like me, so I always send my smutty favorites her way. She fell madly in love with one of my very favorite series, and is here today to share her thoughts on book one, Dragon Bound! *high five Mom*

DRAGON BOUND
Elder Races #1
Thea Harrison
Paranormal Romance
312 pages
Berkley Sensation
Available Now
Source: Bought!

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
Half-human and half-Wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the Wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful—and passionate—of the Elder Races.

As the most feared and respected of the Wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they've ignited in each other.

Pia knows she must repay Dragos for her trespass, but refuses to become his slave—although she cannot deny wanting him, body and soul.

PAM'S THOUGHTS
As most are aware, Dragon Bound is the first book of the Elder Races series written by the talented author, Thea Harrison. I know, I know it was written years ago, but it remains my all-time favorite go-to book when I reach for a reread that I truly loved. It let’s me escape for awhile to enjoy an amazing world with unforgettable characters that evoke a myriad of wonderful feelings. So when asked to write a review of a personal favorite in the paranormal genre, this was instantly chosen. 

The extreme popularity of Dragon Bound bespeaks of Harrison’s exceptional “gift of the written word” and is readily apparent in every component of the book: humorous and witty dialogue, non-stop action that is riveting at times, a plot with twists and turns that keeps the reader turning the pages, and world building that is creative, unique and uncomplicated. But she excels at character development and relationship building, and that sooo does it for me in any book.

Pia and Dragos. Did I mention unforgettable characters? They’re, simply put, magical, literally and figuratively. Dragos is the arrogant, controlling, incredibly powerful, strong-willed hero who demands total obedience and loyalty from all in his Wyr realm. And then there’s Pia, a no mess heroine, who is equally strong-willed, but with a soft, warm heart that melts the Great Beast with understanding, patience and eventually love. This constant push and pull in their relationship and the growth and change in both characters is fascinating and keeps me emotionally engaged. And culminates into a romance that’s as intense as it is entertaining.

The secondary characters are equally addictive. Who can forget the dynamic and petite faerie, Tricks, the skeptical Rune and the tender-hearted Graydon to name but a few. Their development was well constructed throughout, never overshadowing the main characters or detracting from the story. Not surprisingly, these characters now sport their own books.

And yep, with the l-o-n-g Michigan winters I experience, be assured I’ll grab this off my shelf to reread again. I repeat, I truly loved this book – it’s a fun and very good read.

Rating: 5/5 (of course!)

Find Thea:

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Review: Shadow's End

SHADOW'S END
A Novel of the Elder Races #9
Thea Harrison
Paranormal Romance
320 pages
Berkley
Available December 1st
Source: ARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
For Beluviel, consort to the Elven High Lord, and Graydon, gryphon and First Sentinel of the Wyr, even the slightest desire for each other is forbidden. But two hundred years ago, after a desperate play to save Beluviel’s stepson left them indebted to the cruel Djinn Malphas, they found their fates inexorably linked together—and the hunger between them growing too strong to ignore…

Two centuries later, with their debt to Malphas coming due, Beluviel and Graydon realize that, if they are to stand any chance of saving their souls, they must once again work together—this time more closely than ever before. But every moment they spend with each other brings them nearer to losing something even more vital—their hearts…

MY THOUGHTS
For lovers of the Elder Races series like myself, the wait for Graydon's story has tested the boundaries of our patience as we've watched everyone around him pair off book after book. He won many a reader’s heart in the first book even when pitted against the sheer immensity of Dragos’s personality and his role as hero, and we’ve since waited and wondered when Ms. Harrison would gift us with his turn at leading man. One of the main concerns when cracking the spine of a romance like this that features a beloved secondary character finally granted their time in the spotlight is that their story won’t quite meet the absurdly high expectations a long wait creates, something that was sadly the case in this ninth installment.

The first third of Graydon and Bel’s story is told in one long flashback, sending us two hundred years into the past so that we may bear witness to the beginning of their courtship and the steps that led to their bargain with pariah Djinn, Malphas. Part of the problem with flashbacks (for me personally) is the feeling of missing out on something in the present, and while the events leading up to Gray and Bel’s deal with the devil are intrinsic to the story as a whole, their romance during that time feels rushed and lacking in the spark we’ve come to expect from Ms. Harrison’s couples. We then fast forward to the present and begin gearing up for the big showdown, but between one chapter and the next we've missed out on two hundred years of emotional fallout.

Because of their deal with Malphas, Gray and Bel have a forbidden relationship, one that was poised to give us all the feels as they struggled against Malphas’s invisible shackles, but the split timeline gives us the formation of a relationship at novella-length speed before breaking for two centuries and then resuming that love as though no time had passed. All the tension, need, and thwarted desire is left somewhere in the 200 years we missed out on, and their interactions in the present, while enjoyable, are missing the banter, antagonism, and–most of all–the heat that characterized the previous romances.

Ms. Harrison does pack an emotional wallop outside the romance at the end of this story, and it’s sure to be nothing short of ugly-cry inducing for Elder Races fans. That said however, Gray and Bel do get their happily ever after and we also get a sneak peek at some interesting things to come for Dragos, Pia and Liam. Though this was perhaps not the strongest installment despite Gray being an Elder Races favorite, this series is still one not to be missed.

Rating: 3.5/5

Find Thea:

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This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review. 

I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

Romance Reviews: Midnight's Kiss and Grave Phantoms

MIDNIGHT'S KISS
Elder Races #8
Thea Harrison
Paranormal Romance
290 pages
Berkley Romance
Available Now
Source: Finished copy from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, two souls who have long buried their passions are about to be consumed…

Ever since their scorching affair ended years ago, Julian, the Nightkind King, and Melisande, daughter of the Light Fae Queen, have tried to put the past behind them—and distance between them. But when a war breaks out between Julian and Justine, a powerful Vampyre of the Nightkind council, they find themselves thrown together under treacherous circumstances…

Kidnapped as leverage against Julian, Melly is convinced that her former lover won’t be rushing to her rescue. But when Julian gives himself up to save her, they both end up Justine’s captives. Armed only with their wits and their anger, Melly and Julian must work together to escape. But will they be able to ignore their complicated history, or will the fiery passion that once burned them blaze again?

MY THOUGHTS
Midnight’s Kiss is a romance that could have easily been more frustrating than swoon-worthy given the longstanding history between Melly and Julian, accusations of cheating creating a roadblock with the possibility that neither will find their way around. The two of them were at each other’s throats in the previous book, making us equal parts nervous and excited as we wonder how that animosity will play out once they graduate from secondary to main characters. What we quickly learn, however, is that Melly and Julian have no plans to spend majority of their story sniping at one another and nursing old wounds, instead they bring a smile to our faces when they set aside their shared pain in favor of solving the more immediate problems before going back and talking everything out.

Melly is a spitfire, full of fight and vigor and completely unafraid of Julian’s flash of fangs when he gets upset, but she’s not so blindingly independent that she doesn’t know when following an order from Julian is the best course of action. She gives and takes in equal measure as Julian does, the pair of them are a force to be reckoned with while at the same time riddled with enough vulnerabilities to ensure they find an empathetic audience in us.

Julian, despite being utterly convinced Melly was unfaithful to him years ago, does an impressive job of not holding it against her when it matters, able to set aside his feelings in order to focus on the task at hand. When it comes time to confront the past, he does so intelligently rather than emotionally, finally allowing Melly’s vehement denials to penetrate and giving her the benefit of the doubt he wasn’t able to give twenty years prior. They both work to make sure their relationship survives the second time around, and the two of them are as beautifully fun and sexy as all the couples who came before them.

Overall, Midnight’s Kiss is yet another check in the plus column of a series already decorated with such marks, and while our time with Melly and Julian is thoroughly enjoyable, we can’t help but be excited about a return to Dragos’s Sentinels with Graydon’s story next.

Rating: 4/5
 

Find Thea:

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GRAVE PHANTOMS
Roaring Twenties #3
Jenn Bennett
Paranormal/Historical Romance
320 pages
Berkley Sensation
Available Now
Source: Finished copy from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
Feisty flapper Astrid Magnusson is home from college and yearning for the one thing that’s always been off limits: Bo Yeung, her notorious bootlegging brother’s second-in-command. Unfortunately her dream of an easy reunion proves difficult after a violent storm sends a mysterious yacht crashing into the Magnussons’ docks. What’s worse, the boat disappeared a year ago, and the survivors are acting strangely…

Bo has worked with the Magnusson family for years, doing whatever is needed, including keeping his boss’s younger sister out of trouble—and his hands to himself. Of course, that isn’t so easy after Astrid has a haunting vision about the yacht’s disappearance, plunging them into an underground world of old money and dark magic. Danger will drive them closer together, but surviving their own forbidden feelings could be the bigger risk.  

MY THOUGHTS
While possible to read as a standalone, Grave Phantoms will be infinitely more satisfying for those who have watched Astrid and Bo dance around one through the two previous books, our desire to see them together at a fever pitch by the time we're finally able to dive into their story in its entirety. The two of them don't disappoint, the tension between them in the first third of the book so thick our hands feel like they're moving in slow motion as we turn the pages, hearts in our throats as their feelings for one another are continually silenced by nerves and rampant prejudice. Luckily for us though, Astrid and Bo don't make us wait with bated breath too long before they decide their love for one another trumps anyone else's thoughts on the rightness of their relationship, and we then get to glory in that love while the pair of them further embroils themselves in a well-executed paranormal mystery.

Though Astrid and Bo's complicated feelings for one another (as well as her young age and the fact that Bo works for her brother) are what has kept them from voicing their mutual attraction, the main hurdle this pair faces is the fact that Bo is Chinese in a time and place that assigns little worth to anyone other than white, wealthy men. While neither Bo nor Astrid spend an enormous amount of time dwelling on that fact as they face far more pressing paranormal problems, it does give their romance a very real obstacle to overcome and has us rooting for them to say “screw it” to society's disdain for interracial couples.

The romance is of course as delightful as the previous two in this series, but equally as satisfying is the supernatural mystery surrounding a recovered yacht with a handful of amnesic survivors. The entire Magnusson clan is a magnet for all things ghostly and strange, and Astrid proves herself a Magnusson through and through when she finds herself plagued by visions of the sinister deeds done on the deck of the Plumed Serpent. Ms. Bennett always does an outstanding job of perfectly balancing the romance and suspense in this series, giving us just enough of both to keep us glancing at the clock to determine if we can fit in another chapter before bed.

Overall, Grave Phantoms is as enjoyable as its predecessors, highly recommended for those who love strong couples that give as good as they get, and paranormal happenings just creepy enough to inspire chills in the dark of night.

Rating: 4/5

Find Jenn:

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These books were sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review. 

I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

Mini Reviews: Night's Honor + The Accidental Abduction

NIGHT'S HONOR
Novels of the Elder Races #7
Thea Harrison
Adult Paranormal Romance
282 pages
Berkley Romance
Available Now
Source: Finished copy from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
On the run from her former employer, Tess knows that she’s vulnerable on her own amongst the Elder Races. That’s why she decides to audition to become the human attendant of a powerful Vampyre of the Nightkind demesne. But while her position affords her the safety she seeks, her protector turns out to be more than she bargained for.

The right-hand man of the Nightkind King, Xavier del Torro is both terrifying and alluring. While his true nature frightens Tess, she can’t ignore the appeal of his innate sense of integrity and self-restraint. Thrown into Xavier’s world, Tess must quickly learn to navigate the dangers—both to her life and to her heart. But the biggest threat comes from her own past….

MY THOUGHTS
Initially the two protagonists of Night’s Honor seem like they might not live up to the couples of previous books simply due to the fact that neither individual is a member of Dragos’s inner circle; our desire to read the stories of all those closest to him resulting in little patience for time with others. What we learn in chapter one, however, is that our doubt in the appeal of Xavier and Tess simply cannot hold up in the face of the beautifully slow burn that brings down their walls and allows trust, affection and true intimacy to flood through.

Tess is the type of heroine we wish for every time we crack the spine of a romance book, completely aware of her shortcomings and honest about her feelings even when standing in front of those who could easily do her harm. Though she fears Xavier for nearly the entire first half of the book, she doesn’t allow that fear to blind her to Xavier’s positive attributes, instead keeping a wary distance from him but fully acknowledging when his words or actions go a long way toward disproving her previous assessment. Xavier, for his part, is amazingly patient with Tess despite the fact that her trust issues affect him more than he’d like, and he gives her all the time and space she needs to come to her own conclusions about the man and Vampyre he truly is.

It takes majority of the book for Xavier to prove himself to Tess and for Tess to open herself up to what her eyes and heart see rather than what her mind stubbornly clings to, but that only serves to create the most delicious type of tension between them, and the reward when they finally come together is worth every minute of the time it takes to get there.

Rating: 4/5
 

Find Thea:

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THE ACCIDENTAL ABDUCTION

Darcie Wilde

Adult Historical Romance 

336 pages

Berkley Romance

Available Now

Source: Finished copy from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)

Harold Rayburn is about to be taken for the ride of his life…

After having his proposal rejected by a beautiful but flighty woman, Harry vows he is done with unpredictable and impetuous women for good. Until beautiful and fierce Leannah Wakefield barrels into his life, inadvertently kidnapping him while on a wild carriage ride and leaving him all too eager to get back in the saddle…

Leannah would sacrifice everything to protect her family. So upon hearing of her sister’s intended elopement, she races across London to stop the ill-advised ceremony before it can happen. However, when her mad journey picks her up an unlikely stowaway, one who ignites her desire beyond all reason, she’s the one who ends up hastily wedding a handsome and secretive stranger.

But as Leannah and Harry immediately encounter opposition, jealousy, and suspicion of their hurried nuptials, they begin to doubt that their unquenchable passion can truly lead to a happy marriage—especially when both the bride and groom have devastating secrets to hide…

MY THOUGHTS 

The Accidental Abduction is a fairly straightforward historical romance, the rigid societal structure of the time period creating a number of obstacles for our lead couple to overcome, but despite not creating anything new or groundbreaking within the genre, it's still a sweet and sexy way to spend a couple hours. While the story gets off to a quick start with Leannah practically running Harry down in the street, the pacing of the first half still manages to be a bit slow, endless speculation from both Harry and Leannah about how the other feels, tastes or sounds in intimate moments making us wish for less imagining and more action. That's not to say them actually jumping into bed together would have been the more desirable course–especially given the fact they get there quickly enough–but the time they both spend musing in the first half keeps us from diving into their story with enthusiasm.

Once Leannah and Harry marry however, the story starts to take a more emotional turn, the two of them endlessly compatible in bed but yet so hesitant and unsure out of it. They both have secrets they're keeping from one another, and though that would normally be a source of frustration, they each work hard to be as honest as possible while sorting through the displeasure of their respective families. They don't want to believe all they hear and learn about one another from outside sources, but even as distant observers we can recognize the insidious nature of doubt and how easily it slips into the tiniest of cracks in one's armor, spreading quickly until it becomes all-consuming. Overall, despite a somewhat rocky start with too much time spent on Leannah and Harry's internal musings, The Accidental Abduction ends on a high note with trust broken and then oh-so perfectly restored.

Rating: 3.5/5
 

Find Darcie:

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These books were sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review. 

I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

Kinked Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

KINKED
A Novel of the Elder Races #6
Thea Harrison
Adult Paranormal Romance
304 pages
Berkley/Penguin
Available November 5th
Source: Finished copy from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
Two opponents must confront the cause of their obsessive fury in the latest Novel of the Elder Races…

As a harpy, Sentinel Aryal is accustomed to dealing with hate, but Sentinel Quentin Caeravorn manages to inspire in her a burning ire unlike anything she’s ever known. Aryal believes the new Sentinel to be a criminal, and vows to take him out as soon as the opportunity arises. But the harpy’s incessant wrath has pushed Quentin to the limit, and forces him to make a deadly vow of his own.

To put an end to the conflict, Dragos, Lord of the Wyr, sends them on a reconnaissance mission to the Elven land of Numenlaur. Forced to work together, Aryal and Quentin’s mutual antagonism escalates. Each fight draws forth more passion—culminating in an explosively sexual confrontation. But when their quest reveals real danger, Aryal and Quentin must resolve their differences in ways beyond the physical, before the entire Wyr is threatened.

MY THOUGHTS
Kinked brings us perhaps the most magnificent couple since Dragos and Pia set our bodies aflame in Dragon Bound, the antagonism and downright hatred simmering between Aryal and Quentin practically characters unto themselves; living, breathing pieces of the story that shape, grow and change as our two protagonists are forced to endure each other’s company. The two of them ignite from the very first page, their anger and their physical inability to not attack one another creating in us deeply fascinated voyeurs, glued to the pages as we wait for the moment when all that energy is redirected and given a more pleasurable outlet. Aryal and Quentin are all claws and teeth–sharp edges meeting sharp edges when they clash–shattering the peace and stability of the team of sentinels while drawing each other’s blood in the process, and even when their gross dislike of one another begins to morph into something else, there’s still a roughness to them both that ensures they're a standout couple in a series brimming with memorable characters.

Aryal, as a harpy, is a woman who takes pleasure in a fight, her wicked words matching her even more wicked claws to cut many a person off at the ankles before they even know they’ve engaged her. She has us wrapped around her talons from page one though, her almost irrational distaste for Quentin providing us with endless amusement, and our admiration for her as a fighter as well as one of Dragos’s Sentinels only grows as the story progresses. While the epic battle between her and Quentin could have been dragged out till the very end just to keep us riding a razor’s edge of tension, Ms. Harrison takes a far more interesting route when the reason for Aryal’s grudge is resolved fairly quickly and easily, but where that might sound disappointing given the build-up, it’s in fact a huge relief and gives us the opportunity to experience a romance so very different from the ones that have come before it.

Quentin, like Aryal, is extraordinarily dominant, his desire for control a clawing beast beneath his skin, and as a result his relationship with Aryal takes a tantalizing turn when his need to dominate runs face-first into her matching need and promptly combusts. In the beginning they set the pages ablaze, but Ms. Harrison paces this story extremely well, giving us plenty of heat before settling things down and allowing the emotional component of their relationship to catch up with the physical one. Seeing these two individuals whom–with undisguised glee–have plotted numerous times the not-so unfortunate demise of the other slowly find in that same person an outlet for all the strength and darkness that rides them both is endlessly entertaining and immensely satisfying.

Overall, Kinked is one of the strongest installments of the Novels of the Elder Races, the pleasure Aryal and Quentin find in one another accompanied by a sting of pain to give things an added bite, something that suits them so spectacularly well we can’t wait to go back to the beginning and immediately start again.

Rating: 4.5/5
 

Find Thea:

Website • Blog • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads • Amazon

• • • • • • • • • • 

Q+A

As part of the promotional tour for Kinked, Thea Harrison answered a few questions about the Novels of the Elder Races and Kinked in particular for readers, and I wanted to share a couple my favorite questions and answers from that interview with you!

You've been gifted (or cursed) with the ability to shift into another form by a witch. What kind of shifter are you and why?  (All creatures, including mythological, apply.)

Awesome question!  I think I have two answers for that one. If it was a gift, then I think it would have to be something winged and strong. I think there’s something to be said for being as fearless as a harpy, although I’m quite sure I wouldn’t win any popularity contests!

If the ability was a curse and meant to be nasty, the witch would probably turn me into my phobia—a spider! That would be the meanest, nastiest thing anybody could ever do to me!

What is next for the Elder Race series?

I’m now contracted for books 7-9, so I’m writing Graydon’s story which will be released around August of 2014. The main characters have also been decided for books 8 and 9, and I’m eager to get to those stories!

I also wrote a self-published project, a novella entitled Dragos Takes A Holiday, which releases November 25th. I loved spending time with Dragos and Pia, and their little son Peanut gets his POV debut.

*I just died of happiness at the mention of Graydon. He's been my very favorite from the beginning (sorry Dragos, but I still love you!) and it's possible I might not be able to actually read his book when it comes out because the drool will have too thoroughly warped the pages. O.o

• • • • • • • • • • 

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the amazingly generous people at Penguin, I have one copy of Kinked to giveaway on the blog today. Even though this is book six, Quentin and Aryal's romance stands alone, so anyone who hasn't tried this series yet could easily start here! Giveaway is open to US addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday: Kinked

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine and is a fun way to see what books other bloggers just can't wait to get their hands on!

KINKED

A Novel of the Elder Races #6

Thea Harrison

Adult Paranormal Romance

Releases from Berkley/Penguin on November 5th

From Goodreads:

As a harpy, Sentinel Aryal is accustomed to dealing with hate, but Sentinel Quentin Caeravorn manages to inspire in her a burning ire unlike anything she’s ever known. Aryal believes the new Sentinel to be a criminal, and vows to take him out as soon as the opportunity arises. But the harpy’s incessant wrath has pushed Quentin to the limit, and forces him to make a deadly vow of his own.

To put an end to the conflict, Dragos, Lord of the Wyr, sends them on a reconnaissance mission to the Elven land of Numenlaur. Forced to work together, Aryal and Quentin’s mutual antagonism escalates. Each fight draws forth more passion—culminating in an explosively sexual confrontation. But when their quest reveals real danger, Aryal and Quentin must resolve their differences in ways beyond the physical, before the entire Wyr is threatened.

The Novels of the Elder Races is one of my very favorite paranormal romance series, but for those of you who haven't read any of them yet, fear not, as this is a series where each book can work as a standalone. Yes, you'll miss out on a little backstory and some world-building, but each book (with the exception of book 5 which is a direct sequel to book 1) features a new couple with their own distinct personalities and problems.

I'm perhaps more excited for the release of this book than I have been for any of the others (which is saying something) because it features one of my very favorite romantic setups: Enemies to lovers. Oh yes. Give me a deeply antagonistic relationship any day and I'm a very happy woman. Aryal and Quentin DESPISE each other. Despise. Want-to-punch-each-other-in-the-face-and-will-smile-while-doing-it kind of despise. I cannot wait for the moment when all that anger turns into something else. *rubs hands together impatiently*

Review: Rising Darkness

RISING DARKNESS
Game of Shadows #1
Thea Harrison
Adult paranormal romance
304 pages
Berkley Sensation
Available now
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
In the hospital ER where she works, Mary is used to chaos. But lately, every aspect of her life seems adrift. She’s feeling disconnected from herself. Voices appear in her head. And the vivid, disturbing dreams she’s had all her life are becoming more intense. Then she meets Michael. He’s handsome, enigmatic and knows more than he can say. In his company, she slowly remembers the truth about herself…

Thousands of years ago, there were eight of them. The one called the Deceiver came to destroy the world, and the other seven followed to stop him. Reincarnated over and over, they carry on—and Mary finds herself drawn into the battle once again. And the more she learns, the more she realizes that Michael will go to any lengths to destroy the Deceiver.

Then she remembers who killed her during her last life, nine hundred years ago…Michael.

MY THOUGHTS
Rising Darkness is a bit of a departure format-wise from Ms. Harrison’s Novels of the Elder Races, giving us a hero and heroine who will be front and center for multiple books rather than main characters in this first book and secondary characters in subsequent ones. This setup shifts the arc of the romance itself, drawing things out far longer and heating things up far slower than we might be expecting based on our experience with Dragos and company in her other series, and as a result, our connection to this story and its leading pair is incredibly slow in forming and weak in strength for majority of the book.

While the premise for the series is deeply intriguing–the concept of soul mates torn apart and catapulted into a new world where they repeatedly dance in and out of each other’s orbits one lifetime after another–it takes nearly one hundred pages for our couple to actually meet for the first time in their current lives, making the first third of the novel a touch tedious. So badly do we want them to set eyes on one another, to kick-start the palpable romantic tension we know Ms. Harrison is so gifted at creating, that it’s simply hard for us to settle into the story, our nerves on edge and our minds wandering to the moment of inevitability we're so desperately craving.

Additionally, Mary is understandably confused about the radical changes suddenly taking place in her otherwise fairly mundane existence (save for the very realistic dreams she’s experienced her whole life), and given we know nothing more than she does, our resulting confusion only amplifies our desire for her to find Michael and the vital information we know he possesses. Once they finally do meet the story drastically picks up, the answers to our questions flowing freely and forcing us to emotionally invest in the tragic, cyclical nature of their lives. Both Mary and Michael are characters we can easily see ourselves loving deeply as the series continues, each of them strong individually despite the fact that they are quite literally halves of a single whole, and though that love isn’t necessarily established by the time we reach the last chapter, we have nothing but infinite faith in Ms. Harrison’s ability to weave their beautifully chaotic strands around our hearts in future installments.

Overall, Rising Darkness gets off to a bit of a meandering start and never quite gets back on track, the romantic sparks between Mary and Michael lacking some emotional intimacy due to their late introduction to one another. Their history together and the all-too brief snippets of their past lives both together and apart seem to have far more poignancy and chemistry than their current incarnations do, leaving us just a touch wistful when we close the back cover and begin the long wait for book two. That being said, I will certainly be looking forward to watching their relationship deepen as their millennia-spanning fight against the Deceiver continues.

Rating: 3.5/5
 

More information on Thea and her books can be found here:

Website • Blog • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads • Amazon

Review: Lord's Fall

LORD'S FALL
Novels of the Elder Races #5
Thea Harrison
Adult Paranormal Romance
304 pages
Berkley
Available Now
Received from publisher for review

*Books 1-4 in the Elder Races series can all be read as stand alone paranormal romances, but it should be noted that this 5th book is a direct sequel to book 1, Dragon Bound. Readers can read Dragon Bound and skip directly to Lord's Fall without missing out on too much, but I highly recommend trying the entire series.

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, two mates find themselves on different paths, torn between their duty to the Wyr and the passion that binds them…  

Before she met Dragos, half-human/half-Wyr Pia Giovanni was alone and on the run. Now she’s mated, pregnant and heading south to repair the Wyrs’ frayed relationship with the Elves. Being separated from Dragos is painful, but for the good of the Wyr demesne they need to figure out how to be partners—in more places than just the bedroom. 

In New York to preside over the Sentinel Games, Dragos is worried about his mate, but knows that finding two replacement sentinels is essential to show the rest of the Elder Races just how strong and brutal the Wyr demesne can be. But as the Games heat up, Pia’s negotiations with the Elves take a turn for the dangerous, straining her bond with Dragos and threatening everything they hold dear…

MY THOUGHTS
Lord’s Fall returns us to the life and love of the couple that kicked off the Novels of the Elder Races in such spectacular fashion, delighting us with extra time spent alongside Dragos and Pia as they settle into true partnership after their quick and combustible mating in Dragon Bound. Though some of the tension that accompanies the courtship dance between two characters who are taking the first tentative steps toward a relationship is missing given our hero and heroine are an established couple, there’s something equally intriguing about reading as emotional intimacy is deepened, and the complexities of making a relationship actually work are brought to the forefront.

The first half of this story is a bit slower in nature as Dragos and Pia must physically separate to deal with two of the many varied problems the Wyr demesne faces, but though we spend the entirety of those first 150 pages wishing for them to be reunited in more than just the dreams Dragos casts for them, we can see how necessary the separation is to help build the foundation for their partnership. The force of Dragos’s immense alpha personality as well as the Power he radiates are things that could easily consume Pia whole, and if she doesn't stand and fight for her place by his side rather than in his shadow, he could simply (though not intentionally or maliciously) overwhelm her and drastically skew their relationship in his favor.

Once the two are reunited the story picks up in speed, and we’re not only granted the time with our leading couple we’ve been craving since the beginning, but we’re also treated to all the secondary characters who go where Dragos goes, charming us with their antics, fascinating us with their distinct personalities, and making us fall a little more in love with them as we desperately await their books. Graydon, Quentin, and Aryal all hold particular interest, as does new character Alex (a Pegasus!), with Ms. Harrison allowing us to see just a few of the facets these gems of characters possess, successfully baiting us until we can’t bear the thought of having to wait until we get to know them as well as we’ve gotten to know Dragos and Pia.

Overall, while this is not the strongest addition to this outstanding series, it’s still highly enjoyable, and it’s my sincere hope that we might continue to get snippets from Dragos and Pia even as his sentinels step into the spotlight moving forward.

Rating: 4/5

Interview: Thea Harrison + Oracle's Moon

I'm thrilled today to welcome author Thea Harrison back to the blog to answer a few questions about Oracle's Moon (releases today!), the latest in her amazing Novels of the Elder Races series. If you couldn't tell by my gushing review last week, I'm completely in love with these books and with hero Khalil in particular. I hope everyone who loves adult paranormal romance, and especially those who might be reluctant to try this genre as a whole, gives this series a try as it's full of beautifully complex characters in a truly unique world. It has my highest recommendation!

Hi, thanks so much for having me on your blog today!

*HI THEA!*

Khalil has the ability to pretty much take any form that pleases him. Aside from his breathtaking go-to human skin, what form might he say is his favorite? Least favorite?

I think Khalil’s least favorite form might actually be the ordinary-looking black housecat he turns into for Grace’s children. That form is rather small for his taste. If you can call this a form, he’s quite partial to black smoke, because, like silly putty, you can do almost anything with it.

Khalil is almost too adorable for words in this story (don’t tell him I said that), and manages to be both innocent and imposing at the same time. Was it difficult to balance those two traits in a single character without one ever overshadowing the other?

I promise I have wrapped Khalil in cotton for this interview, so he doesn’t know a thing. Writing his character didn’t feel difficult. Khalil was one of those characters that, once I unlocked who he was, he became very easy to write. I’m so glad you enjoyed him; I adored writing him.

If we were to ask Grace to share with us a favorite memory of her and her sister Petra, what might she say?

Aw, what a heartwarming question. Grace and Petra used to watch cartoons and children’s shows together after school and on Saturday mornings. Watching those shows and sharing popcorn are an early favorite memory for Grace. Another favorite memory was when Petra gave birth to Chloe and brought her home from the hospital.

Khalil has a couple chances to go toe-to-toe with Dragos in his effort to watch over Grace and even shuts Dragos down at one point. Where might those few interactions rank on his list of Greatest Moments Ever?

These interactions definitely make Khalil’s Top Ten list. They might even make his Top Five.

There is definitely the feeling that Grace and Khalil’s story, while nicely concluded, could continue on as they tackle the challenges still facing them both at the end. Do you think there's any chance you might circle back around to them as you are with Dragos and Pia?

What a great idea! There is a lot of forward movement in Grace and Khalil’s story, and I would love the chance to revisit them at some point. If the opportunity becomes available and readers would welcome that story, I would definitely consider it.

This book is the first to not feature a Wyr from Dragos’s elite inner circle. Did you approach writing Khalil and Grace’s story any differently as a result?

Another fabulous question! In the first three books in the series (Dragon Bound, Storm’s Heart and Serpent’s Kiss), the world building contained some element of Wyr and Wyr society. Branching away from the Wyr entirely presented its own challenges, because the world building had to become more intense again. I had two different Elder Races to sketch and present a sense of their societies, along with their histories, conflicts and characteristics, all the while keeping the romance between Khalil and Grace as the focal point of the story. As a result, Oracle’s Moon took a certain amount of back work to lay the foundation properly before I actually began to write.

Carling talks Rune into giving Khalil a bit of dating advice before he takes Grace out for the first time. What three words might Rune use to describe their date had he witnessed it?

Abysmal. Hilarious. Hopeless.

If you had Khalil’s ability to transform into anything and travel anywhere in the world you wanted with ease, what form would you take and where would you go?

I love it! I think I would probably dematerialize into spirit then rematerialize into my own form, unless it was in an environment that was unfriendly to humans. Then I would just remain in spirit. I would actually want to visit all the places that Khalil travels to, or mentions, in Oracle’s Moon. St. Petersburg, the great waterfalls of the world, the Amazon, Mount Everest, the moon.

Thank you again for having me on your blog today! I had a blast answering your questions.

For the readers, if you had Khalil’s ability to transform into anything and travel anywhere in the world you wanted with ease, what form would you take? Where would you go?

Thank you so much for stopping by Thea! More information on Thea and the Novels of the Elder races can be found here:

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Review: Oracle's Moon

ORACLE'S MOON
(A Novel of the Elder Races #4)
Thea Harrison
Adult Paranormal Romance
336 pages
Berkley
Available March 6th
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
As a second daughter, Grace Andreas never had to worry about the intrigues of the Elder Races. But when her sister, Petra, and Petra's husband are both killed, Grace inherits the Power and responsibilities of the Oracle of Louisville, as well as her sister's two young children - neither of which she is prepared for.

Yet, she is not alone. Khalil, Demonkind and Djinn prince of House Marid - driven by his genuine caring for the children - has decided to make himself a part of the household both as their guardian and as an exasperating counterpoint to Grace's impudence toward the Elder Races.

But when an attempt is made on Grace's life, she realizes that Khalil is the only one who can protect her - and offer her more than a mortal man...

MY THOUGHTS
Where the first three books in the Novels of the Elder Races gave us the deeply passionate, intense, and funny stories of three powerful members of the Wyr demesne and their mates, this fourth installment leads us away from the Wyr connected to Dragos Cuelebre and gives a humorous and fresh romantic pair. One of the highlights of this paranormal romance series in general is Ms. Harrison’s focus on lesser known supernatural entities, and Oracle’s Moon entertains us yet again as a Djinn prince who can exist as nothing more than smoke and air finds himself drawn to a woman who has inherited the ancient power of the Oracle of Delphi. Ms. Harrison has an innate ability to make each novel distinct and unique, with each of her alpha heroes and strong-minded heroines setting themselves apart from those who came before to give us something unexpected and immensely appealing each and every time.

Grace is a young woman who fully embodies the radiant beauty and stunning spirit implied by her name, stepping up to take care of her niece and nephew without a single complaint or hint of resentment for the unexpected turn her life has taken. Her love for her sister’s kids shines from every page, and their family interactions have us laughing, smiling, and feeling an intimate kinship with them as they struggle to not replace what was lost, but rather rebuild it in their new image–a family whose cracks show through in body and mind but who are rendered more stunning for their imperfections. When Khalil insinuates himself into her life against her wishes, she holds her ground and stands up to a man whose power cows most of those with whom he comes in contact, forcing him to toe a line she defines with regard to the children and herself, and ensuring the balance of mental and emotional power is as equal between them as the ancient Power that emanates from both of them physically.

Khalil is perhaps the most enjoyable of Ms. Harrison heroes yet, his interactions with Grace and the little ones incredibly charming and endearing, the hilarity completely at odds with what we expect from someone as ancient and compelling as he. Khalil is so old that not much about life surprises him anymore, and he approaches each event or interaction with a type of detachment that results from having seemingly experienced everything at least once before. With Grace and the kids however, he shakes off his complacency in adorable fashion, venturing into human interaction with his own child-like curiosity as he tests boundaries, asks questions, and makes demands in a way that is remarkably lacking in authority despite the exquisite intensity of his Djinn energy. For him, everything with Grace is a new tactile or abstract sensation, and there’s nothing more satisfying than watching a man that has seen, felt, and experienced everything find joy and contentment in the simplest of everyday pleasures.

Even with the seriousness of the challenges facing Grace and the pain of Khalil’s past with his daughter, Oracle’s Moon has a lightness to it that's infectious and completely addicting, and we close the last page with the almost overwhelming desire to just flip back to the beginning and start all over again. Though we get a complete tale for Khalil and Grace, there is enough room in their physical relationship and the complexity of their distinct Powers for their story to not be fully concluded, and we can only hope that as with Pia and Dragos, Ms. Harrison might return us to their story again in the future so that we might get to treasure them one more time.

Rating: 4.5/5


I'm typically not a reader who highlights favorite or meaningful quotes while reading, but this interaction between Grace and Khalil was just too cute not to share (please note the below passage is taken from the ARC and may differ from the final printed version):

She did not protest, and he thought it was a measure of how the vision had shaken her. He looked at Chloe. "Come over to the table. Sit with your aunt. I will clear away this mess and...I will achieve pancakes."

Grace's lovely, tired face wobbled with what looked suspiciously like mirth, but she had been under so much stress he decided his first impression could not be correct. "You'll achieve pancakes?"

"I do not see why not," he said.

"Have you achieved them before?" she asked. A touch of liveliness came back into her vivid eyes and they sparkled.

"That question is irrelevant," he told her, while his eyes narrowed in suspicion on her tired face. On a Djinn, her expression would definitely be laughter. "I will achieve pancakes now."

Review: Serpent's Kiss

SERPENT'S KISS
(A Novel of the Elder Races #3)
Thea Harrison
Paranormal Romance
336 pages
Berkley Sensation
Available October 4th
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY
Rune Ainissesthai is a Wyr and a man who would do anything to save the lives of his friends. This unwavering loyalty and love for his fellow sentinel Tiago led him to agree to a bargain with a Vampyre queen known and feared for her magical abilities. In exchange for Tiago's life, he promised her a favor of her choosing.

A week after the bargain is struck, Rune finds himself called to her home on a remote island in the San Francisco Bay. He goes in aware he placed no stipulations on the terms of the deal, and knows she could ask for something that will take hundreds of years to complete. What he finds waiting for him there is not at all what he expected though. Carling asks only for him to kneel and bow to her and then releases him from his debt, demanding his immediate departure.

Rune senses there's something going on with Carling however, and he refuses to leave until he figures out what it is. When he learns her Power is becoming increasingly unpredictable–something indicating the end of a Vampyre's extraordinarily long life–he vows to help her find a way to reverse the symptoms of her old age and save her. And so what began with a favor owed turns into a life-altering, time-bending race to cheat death and an epic fight for love.

MY THOUGHTS
Third in the Novels of the Elder Races, Serpent's Kiss continues to entertain us with its richly layered characters and increasingly tense political situation while further fascinating us with a rather unique set of problems for our protagonists to overcome. With each book in this series, Ms. Harrison proves the limitlessness of her imagination and the brilliance of her creative abilities, ensuring we read on in rapture as her characters waste little time making a home for themselves in our hearts. Our minds are also kept delightfully occupied in this installment, trying to unravel the knots in the temporal and spacial relationship causing Rune and Carling so many issues. We find ourselves deep in thought yet are never confused, we laugh at the banter between our hero and heroine yet never forget the seriousness of their circumstances, and we relish the physical nature of their partnership yet glory equally in the power of their emotional connection.

One of the highlights of these books is the extreme care Ms. Harrison takes in crafting her characters, excelling at writing alpha men with possessive streaks thousands of miles wide but also never failing to give us women of tantamount strength and skill who rise to whatever challenges face them. Carling is one such woman, a Vampyre feared by many for her gifts with spells yet one who slowly reveals to us the flesh and blood individual behind the infamy and reputation. We start out thinking she will be as cool and reserved as she seemed to be in Tiago and Niniane's story, however Rune's presence imbues her with a comforting warmth that destroys the distance she tries to put between her and the world, forcing us all into close proximity as a figurative pulse begins to beat in her undead chest. She is smart and regal while at the same time unexpectedly playful, taking charge when necessary but also listening to Rune's input when the answers to her problems aren't clear to her, and we find ourselves falling more in love with her as Rune is with each page we read.

Rune is a bit of a deviation from the prior two heroes in this series, his more laid back attitude and his mirth and mischievousness enchanting after the immensity of Dragos's personality and the intensity of Tiago's formidable presence. He can absolutely switch gears into fiercely protective and possessive mode, but his ability to charm a laugh out of a woman who can barely remember how to do so has our limbs liquefying and a dopey grin taking up permanent residence on our faces. For being the half of the couple unable to sense the emotions of the other he reads her remarkably well, knowing just when to push and when to comfort as well as when to seduce and when to grant space between them, allowing him to take ownership of all our hearts as though he has every right to it and would settle for nothing less.

While Rune and Carling's story is undeniably intriguing and the nature of their bond a curious puzzle with ever-multiplying pieces, notably absent is Ms. Harrison's stunning set of secondary characters. This tale centers almost entirely on Rune and Carling exclusively until the end, and while their isolation does add a layer of intimacy to their relationship we can't help but miss some of the vibrant personalities we've met in previous books. Overall however, Serpent's Kiss is a book that gives us a taste of everything we could ever ask for, and is led by two characters who we can only hope we'll catch a glimpse of in future installments.

Rating: 4/5

Interview: Thea Harrison

I'm extremely excited today to welcome author Thea Harrison to the blog! She writes the Novels of the Elder Races, a paranormal romance series that has quickly become one of my very favorite addictions. Her books are fresh and fun and feature some oh-so swoon-worthy alpha male heroes. If you're a fan of memorable characters whose romances never overshadow the plot itself, then this is a series you must try! Storm's Heart, book two in the series, released last week (you can read my review HERE) and book three, Serpent's Kiss, releases October 4th.

Do you remember the first aspect of the Elder Races books to pop into your head? Was it a single character or something specific about the world?

I love this question! The whole thing began as a collection of images floating around in the back of my mind. One of the most persistent of the images was of the Dragon Bound heroine Pia running on the beach. The passage went like this:

She glanced at the sky and paused. In the distance over the water, a patch of the sky rippled. It looked like the watery shimmer of heat waves off an asphalt highway on a hot summer day. But the May evening was cooling down, the sky just starting to darken in the east and there was no asphalt anywhere near that ripple.

She shaded her eyes. What was it? It was big and seemed to be getting bigger fast. She watched the patch grow, her stomach clenching. She’d never seen anything like it before, but she knew it was wrong.

Wait a minute. That shimmering patch of air wasn’t growing bigger. It was getting closer.

Your world introduces us to some lesser-known supernatural beings such as thunderbirds and gryphons; is there one being in particular that has been the most fun to research or write about?

You zeroed right in on the two creatures I’ve had the most fun researching to date! I got excited when I realized that I hadn’t read anything with thunderbird shifter characters in it. That doesn’t mean they aren’t out there, written by someone—I just haven’t read of them before, and this was in part how Tiago was born. I also have enjoyed what I’ve read about gryphons. Wikipedia has an enjoyable article, for anyone who might be interested at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffin.

If Tricks had to pick a favorite item of clothing or accessory, what might she choose? If Tiago had to pick a favorite weapon?

This is another awesome question! But Tricks might have fainted in my head just now. ONE favorite item of clothing or accessory? Just ONE? Sure you mean one favorite TYPE of clothing or accessory. (See, she has started the wheedling and bargaining already.) If that is what you meant, she would have to pick shoes. She has a serious shoe addiction.

Tiago feels the same way about weaponry, but if push comes to shove—and it has before—he would have to pick a battle axe. He’s got the strength to wield battle axes singlehandedly, and they can do maximum damage in a battle.

Dragos doesn’t necessarily seem like the type to welcome strangers into his territory, was it difficult for Tricks to convince him to provide her with sanctuary after she fled her home?

Dragos immediately saw the advantages to giving Tricks asylum in the Wyr demesne. He had had a peaceful rapport with Tricks’s father Rhian, and he saw nothing good coming from Urien usurping power. Dragos knows how to play a political long game. He knew if he gave Tricks shelter, he could create an almost unparalleled alliance with the Dark Fae Queen if he could keep her alive and wait for the right opportunity to see her on the throne.

If Tricks and Tiago had to sit down and interview each other as part of the promotional tour for Storm's Heart, what might be the first question out of each of their mouths?

This is another awesome question! I’m seeing them being interviewed by Bob Eubanks from The Newlywed Game. Tricks and Tiago are a great example of how opposites attract. They are completely drawn to each other and yet mystified at the same time. I actually think any interview with them would run the risk of going completely off the rails. It might go something like this:

Tiago: Why do you wear make-up?
Tricks: What do you mean—why do I wear make-up? Don’t you like me with make-up?
Tiago (cagily): I think you are beautiful no matter what.
Tricks: That’s not what I asked. I asked if you liked me with make-up.
Tiago: This is a stupid conversation.
Tricks: Did you just call me stupid?
Tiago: NO. Shut up. Come here.
*kiss*
Tricks (whispering): We’re still on camera. People are watching!
Tiago (to the audience): Go away. Find your own person to kiss.

What would Tiago say has been the hardest thing about adapting to the world’s changes through his extraordinarily long lifetime?

For Tiago, the hardest thing about adapting to the world’s changes has been the sweeping changes brought by modern civilization. He has a difficult time if he is cooped up too much in modern cities.

You write such wonderful romantic pairings–characters who win us over with their flaws and vulnerabilities and who make us smile with their strength and intelligence. Do you have a favorite paranormal couple outside your own books?

The first couple that came to mind was Eileen Wilks’ Lupi series, with Lily Yu and werewolf Rule Turner. I love those two, and I especially love that we get to revisit them in several books!

All of your characters have such unusual names, do you do any research to find them or do they just come to you as you develop their personalities?

Some of my characters’ names come to me, and others I have to research. For instance, Dragos’s name was one I had to research. His names, both Dragos and Cuelebre, have meaning. Dragon Bound’s heroine Pia’s first name came to me, but then I had to do research for the rest of her name. Tiago Black Eagle’s name came easily to me, and so did Niniane Lorelle. Sometimes, though, I’ve got to dig for a little extra meaning.

On the cover of both Dragon Bound and Serpent's Kiss, we get to see Dragos’s and Rune’s faces, but with Tiago we just get his torso (and what a lovely torso it is). Is there a reason he wished to keep his face to remain hidden?

As far as I know, there is no reason at all for this. The Berkley art department created all three book cover images. I provided initial input only in a general way. For example, when I was asked, I said that Storm’s Heart’s cover should have a stormy, darker aspect, and it would be wonderful if Serpent’s Kiss had the colors of a desert in it. I love how there is an urban scene in the background of each one.

If you had to describe your experience with writing the novels of the Elder Races thus far in one word, what would that word be?

Delicious.

What word would you use to describe how you see the future of the series?

Exciting!

Thank you so much for having me. I had terrific fun!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions Thea! As of now, I believe there are going to be six books total in the series (here's hoping there's more beyond that!), all coming out several months apart. For more information on Thea and her books, you can find her here:

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Dragon Bound
Storm's Heart
Serpent's Kiss
Oracle's Moon

Review: Storm's Heart

STORM'S HEART (Elder Races #2)
Thea Harrison
Paranormal Romance
336 pages
Berkley Sensation/Penguin
Available August 2nd
Received from publisher for review

Warning: Contains mild spoilers from Dragon Bound, but no spoiler's from Storm's Heart.

THE STORY
With the death of her uncle, Tricks (also known as Niniane) is now the rightful heir to the Dark Fae throne. She escaped from a life of politics over two hundred years ago when her entire family was slaughtered, seeking sanctuary with the Wyr and their leader Dragos. Now, she has to return to that life she ran from and be the person she's not entirely sure survived that tragedy.

When Tricks goes missing after a scheduled meeting with Dark Fae representatives, Tiago, as one of the best trackers Dragos has, is sent to find her and ensure her safety. Though he's immeasurably powerful, battle-scarred, and possesses control over lightning and thunder, he finds himself vulnerable to the petite-sized Niniane, and he discovers his need to protect her extends beyond a mere desire to follow orders.

Both Tricks and Tiago knew there would be many who were not happy with her placing a legitimate claim on the throne in the wake of her uncle's death, but they quickly realize the real threat is coming from someone close to her, someone in their small group of people traveling to Niniane's former home. Battling passion and politics, Niniane and Tiago leap into the fray together, hoping their combined emotional and physical strength will restore both order and leadership to the Dark Fae.

MY THOUGHTS
The world of Storm's Heart is one that rejuvenates the paranormal romance genre, infusing it with new breeds of hero and heroine who delight us with their charismatic personalities and enthrall us with the newness of their supernatural abilities. Fairly unknown entities such as dragons, thunderbirds, and gryphons dominate the novels of the Elder Races, and we can't help but smile gleefully as these new additions join familiar vampire and faerie favorites to create stories that allow us to revel in what we love most about the genre as a whole while also providing us with new experiences and new characters with whom to fall in love.

Ms. Harrison is a master at creating extraordinarily alpha-male heroes–men who are unapologetically protective and possessive, but who also acknowledge that the need for their women goes far beyond the physical and into a true and believable partnership. Tiago is typically rough on the exterior, strength and dominance oozing from his black-clad physique in staggering waves, but his tenderness and sensitivity when it comes to diminutive Niniane guarantees himself a treasured place in our hearts as we secretly wish for him to step from the pages and turn that slightly intimidating and focused attention our way. He is literally a raging storm encased in flesh, his temper impressive but never overwhelming, and his aggressiveness just enough to remind us what he's capable of as we melt with the knowledge of just how much he tempers that power with his mate.

Niniane is strong in her own right, her power lying in the force of her infectious personality and her ability to diffuse tension with soothing words and genuine compliments when those around her would resort to more violent means of communicating. Though her relationship with Tiago is a bit of a push and pull in the beginning–her sense of royal responsibility outweighing her desire to pursue a relationship–once the decision to move forward is made, both parties throw their full weight behind the effort to present a unified front to all those who seek to do them harm. Little flashbacks to her gruesome past make us fully appreciate the safety she finds in Tiago's embrace, and we easily root for a woman of intelligence and wit who constantly seeks to put the well-being of others before her own.

Though not quite as strong as its predecessor, Storm's Heart is still an intensely satisfying addition to this series. The political maneuvering, conniving, and corruption make for a slightly quieter read in comparison to Dragos's explosive and combative nature, but Ms. Harrison's characters are written in such rich and lush detail that they exist fully formed in our minds; their features, personalities, strengths and weaknesses etched crystal clear into our memories where they will remain indefinitely no matter how many books we pick up following their stories.

Rating: 4/5