Blood on Silk by Marie Treanor

Title: Blood on Silk

Author: Marie Treanor

Series: Awakened by Blood (book #1)
Next in series: Blood Sin

My rating: 5 Stars

Synopsis: An academic researching Vampire superstition in Romania, Elizabeth Silk is tricked into awakening Saloman, the most seductive and dangerous of the species. Saloman needs Elizabeth’s blood to survive but finds himself inexplicably drawn to her innocence, and the two soon find themselves on opposing sides of an age old conflict between humans and vampires. Which will be victorious?

Review: The characterization and world building are excellent, and the plot leaves you guessing right up until the end. The book contains elements of paranormal romance but leans more toward the urban fantasy genre with first-rate action scenes and an ongoing storyline revolving around the two main characters. 

The chemistry between Saloman and Elizabeth is mesmerizing and their scenes together often left me breathless. Saloman is a traditional vampire and while some readers may find him evil and repulsive with questionable morals, the fact that he is “old-school” adds a captivating intensity to his character as well as an additional dimension to the heroine’s struggle with her feelings for him.

Elizabeth is an intriguing character who must come to terms not only with the knowledge that vampires are real but with the fact that she has a personal stake in Saloman’s resurrection and the danger that he poses to humanity. It is fascinating to see her transformation from a studious academic to a fully-fledged vampire hunter.

The secondary characters are well-developed with singular identities and motivations. They are integrated smoothly into the overall storyline and never feel superfluous. 

The writing flows smoothly and it is easy to become immersed in the world Treanor has created. I particularly enjoyed Saloman's backstory and the unique explanation of the origins of vampires. Hopefully more details will be forthcoming in the next book, which is set up nicely in the epilogue.

Overall, Blood on Silk is a compelling and exciting read with provocative and thought-provoking characters and themes.

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Dreamwalker by Kathleen Dante

Title: Dreamwalker

Author: Kathleen Dante

My rating: 3 Stars

Synopsis: Damon Venizelos is an incubus or dreamwalker, who works as an assassin for the US government and kills people in their sleep. His latest mission is to recruit master thief and shapeshifter, Rory diScipio, for the most dangerous job of her life – stealing a nuclear weapon from terrorists. As the two work closely together, they risk not only their lives but their hearts as well.

Review: The premise is extremely appealing; unfortunately, the execution is weak and disappointing. The dream sequences ultimately distract from the plot and characterization, and the book would have been better as a traditional espionage romance without the added paranormal elements.

The terrorist plot is alright even though certain events within the reconnaissance storyline (such as the abuse toward prostitutes and the marks Damon kills) have an artificial feel to them and do not contribute to the overall plot. 

The romance is contrived and the sex scenes repetitive. They add very little to the relationship between the hero/heroine, which remains superficial and underdeveloped. In terms of characterization, Damon and Rory’s backgrounds and motivations are hinted at but never fully materialize, which makes it difficult for the reader to become immersed in their story. Their connection is based almost solely on sex and is neither intense nor emotional.  

This is a first time author for me and I may read another of her books if I stumble across it but I won’t be seeking them out.

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Night Falls Darkly by Kim Lenox

Title: Night Falls Darkly

Author: Kim Lenox

Series: Shadow Guard (book #1)
Next in series: So Still the Night

My rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis: Archer, Lord Black is an immortal warrior whose only goal is to reclaim corrupt souls. That is until the day he saves Elena Whitney from a maniac and makes her his ward. Now, he has returned to London to reclaim the soul of Jack the Ripper and must come to terms with the emotions that Elena evokes in him before they prove to be a fatal distraction.  

Review: An intriguing mix of paranormal romance, historical romance and historical mystery. The traditional Jack the Ripper tale is engrossing as always and the additional twist as to his identity is unique to say the least. The author intersperses historical figures, such as Bram Stoker and Queen Victoria, among her fictitious characters, which adds an air of credibility to the paranormal elements and the gothic Victorian atmosphere contributes a chilling quality to the overall reading experience.  

The hero is wonderfully drool-worthy and despite the fact that he initially comes across as moody and unfeeling, he is slowly revealed to be fiercely protective and intensely passionate. His chemistry with the heroine and the gripping buildup of their relationship is one of the highlights of the book.

The characterization is good but there is insufficient detail regarding Archer’s background and his relationship with the other Shadow Guards. The reader is unceremoniously dropped into the midst of their ongoing conflict and it takes a while for the circumstances to become clear. Elena’s motivation and emotions are better detailed even if her background is murky (this is explained by the fact that she suffers from amnesia). The other Shadow Guards evoke a certain amount of curiosity even though they are not particularly likeable characters.

While it is easy to follow the plot, Lenox’s writing style can be a little disorganized, and requires more exposition and explanation. Nevertheless, I will continue reading the series as its underlying mythology is very appealing.

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Scandal by Amanda Quick

Title: Scandal
Author: Amanda Quick
 
My Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis: Resigned to a life of spinsterhood following a youthful indiscretion, Emily Faringdon never dreamed she would meet anyone who could see beyond her past. Simon Traherne, Earl of Blade, will let nothing stand in the way of his vengeance against the Faringdon family until he meets Emily and realizes that some things are more important the revenge.

Review: Quick's books never fail to put a smile on my face. The writing is immersing and the dialogue exceedingly witty. 

Emily and Simon are a wonderful couple. While some readers may find Emily’s naiveté ridiculous and annoying, to me she is a charming and gutsy character whose fondness for romantic escapism actually masks her awareness of the harsher realities of life. The outlandish situations she gets herself into are refreshingly endearing and highly amusing. Simon is also a likeable character despite the fact that he initially comes across as cold and bitter. It is great to watch him struggle with his emotions until all his coldness and reserve melt away. 

One thing I could have done without is the excessive repetition of Emily’s "metaphysical, transcendental" nonsense. Once or twice was quite enough to get the point across. Nevertheless, this did not detract from my overall enjoyment of this highly entertaining story. 

On a side note, if you have never read Quick’s books before, I would not start with this one. I can, however, recommend her first historical romance, Seduction, as a starting point.

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Passion Untamed by Pamela Palmer

Title: Passion Untamed

Author: Pamela Palmer

Series: Feral Warriors (book #3)
Previous in series: Obsession Untamed

Next in series: Rapture Untamed

My rating: 4.5 Stars

Synopsis: A Mage witch with a gentle heart, Skye is forced to kidnap and enslave a Feral Warrior, but when she learns of the heinous crimes her leader has planned, she risks her life to help the warrior escape. Left with a deep and abiding hatred for anything Mage, Paenther swears vengeance against the beautiful enchantress who has ensnared him body and soul. When threated by demonic evil, the only way out for Skye and Paenther is to go against their instincts and trust each other or perish.

Review: There is a lot going on in this book - an abundance of twists and turns, revelations and shifting loyalties. A certain character, who shall remain nameless so as not to ruin the surprise, is redeemed while another is exposed as a traitor.

More details are provided concerning the ongoing conflict between the Ferals and Mages, and one particularly significant point emerging from the book is that appearances can be deceiving, and that representatives of good and evil are not so easily differentiated.

The characterization continues to be a high point in the series. As a seriously sexy yet tortured hero, Paenther belongs to my favorite category of heroes and his loyalty and devotion to his brothers contributes to his appeal. In addition, his internal struggle between his love for Skye and his prejudices against her race makes for a compelling read. Skye is an incredibly strong-willed and resilient character but the abuse and exploitation she has suffered for her entire life require a strong stomach to read through. Moreover, readers my find her initial interactions with Paenther, in which she seduces him against his will, a bitter pill to swallow. The relationship between the other Feral Warriors and their mates is also entertaining.

On the whole, Passion Untamed is a harsh yet absorbing book. There are some extremely difficult scenes that some readers may find off-putting but the intense writing style and emotional characterization definitely make it worthwhile. The epilogue is absolutely amazing and it also looks as if things are shaping up toward an epic battle, which should be exhilarating.

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