Destiny Divided (Shadows of Destiny, #1) by Leia Shaw

Excellent Reading

Destiny Divided by Leia Shaw is a gem of a paranormal romance. I absolutely loved the mythos of Ms. Shaw's paranormal world of witches, vampires, and shape-shifters which is original and intriguing.

Sage Peterson has been living in the basement of the university where Professor James Elias teaches. She has lived a hard lonely life where she has to cover up all of strange unexplainable events that occur around her when she gets overly emotional. The frustrating, sexy, authoritative James offers to help Sage who is a powerful half witch/half sorceress by training her in magic while he is secretly planning to use Sage against his enemies. However, as they spend more time together, their feelings deepen into a bond that is irrefutable, even to Professor Elias who has a few secrets he is trying to keep to himself.

Ms. Shaw is able to create a solid connection between the reader and the hero and heroine of this story because she has created two domineering eccentric characters that effectively complement each other. The snarky conversations and one liners between these Sage and James is very amusing and helps to lessen the intensity of the events occurring around them. The sexual tension and relationship that develops between the two main characters is extremely meaningful. In addition, the plot and the originality of novel compounds the reader’s appreciation of the novel. The combination of all these elements creates a paranormal romance that is hard to put down.

(Please note: you can enter to win this book and read an interview with the author, Leia Shaw, by clicking on the 18  & Over Book Blogger Giveaway Hop icon found at the top of the right-hand side column through September 18, 2011 - or click here.)

Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!

His Darkest Hunger by Juliana Stone

Excellent reading!

 

His Darkest Hunger by Juliana Stone is a very emotionally draining and satisfying read. Ms. Stone has created an extremely steadfast and compelling heroine in Libby Jamieson. Her counterpart, Jaxon Castille is your ultimate alpha male with the obtuseness we like to encounter since those types fall the hardest.

Libby and Jaxon have a past where they worked on the same military team together and fell in love. Libby’s disappearance and other actions lead the team and Jaxon to believe she betrayed them. He has been hunting her ever since with vengeance on his mind for her betrayal to him and the team.

The journey they endure together to unravel the mystery of the events that led to Libby’s apparent betrayal is harrowing, dark, emotionally gut-wrenching, and oh so enthralling. This book is a little darker in it’s diabolical content than I usually like; but, Juliana Stone is able to keep us more tender-hearted types reading through those moments when things seem to be at their most austere.

The secondary characters were equally interesting, full of depth and personalities that snare the reader into caring about them, too. I am looking forward to continuing the series to find out what happens to them as the saga continues to hunt the bad guys and make things right with the world. The journey the reader is led on in His Darkest Hunger is fraught with dichotomous emotions leaving the reader wrung out but gratified.


Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!


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Highland Destiny by Laura Hunsaker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Highland Destiny by Laura Hunsaker is an exciting tale of time travel, love, deception, and a bonny Highlander or two. The story emerges with Mackenzie Stewart and her best friend, Jenna, at the beginning of their vacation in Scotland. While the two are attending a tour through the castle, Mackenzie is abducted by two sorcerers who take her back in time to 1792 with them.

She has been kidnapped to thwart a curse, bring peace to the Highland clans, and end the life of the Campbell who is slowly becoming more mad by venturing into the manipulations of the dark arts to further his own political gain. To help the scheme along, Mackenzie needs to pretend to be the Campbell’s betrothed.

Low and behold, in the middle of the sorcerers explaining the game plan, Mackenzie is then abducted a second time by Connor MacRae. Mackenzie is astonished to be looking into a pair of stunning blue she has been dreaming about since she was a teenager. Destiny and fate play a big part in the joining of Mackenzie and Connor’s lives.

At first, the purpose of Connor’s abduction of Mackenzie is to best the Campbell who is his sworn enemy - and nothing more. As Conner gets to know this trying and intriguing wench, he was not prepared for the strength of feeling she elicits within his body and heart. In turn, she has feelings for him that run just as deep physically and emotionally. The love affair is hot and strong for them; but, trust comes more tentatively.

Laura Hunsaker leads the reader on a wonderful journey through her narrative by offering beautiful descriptions of the Scottish countryside, love, deceit, brutality, and the loyalty of family and clan. She uses the insights offered by Mackenzie’s and Connor’s point of view to enrapture her audience with these descriptions. Highland Destiny is a very satisfying read for Hunsaker’s debut novel into the romance genre.

Happy Reading!!

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Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Phenomenal Reading!!

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews is another home run and then some. The plot in this book out does the previous books in this series. You will be on the edge of your seat while you read this book. I will spare you a detailed review if this book and give the “cliff notes” version. There are a lot reviews out there that do an outstanding job of relating the details of the book.

Kate Daniels has started her own business since she left the Order. Things are kind of slow at the office until Gastek, Master of the Dead, calls and asks her for a favor which leads to a bloody altercation in front of her office. Then her first client shows up who is from the Red Guard, an elite body guarding company. Next, Andrea - her best friend shows back up after being gone for months with no communication.

From there, a mystery unravels that will leave you guessing as to what will happen next. The crux of the mystery is that he Magic users’ lives are being threatened by a magic-sucking device that they need to contain before it causes catastrophic damage to the magic community of Atlanta.

Curran and Kate are going strong. There is a little hiccup; but, they get through it, of course. I love these two together. Their relationship gets stronger, deeper, and more meaningful with each book. They are the perfect paranormal couple: strong alpha male paired with a strong alpha female with a lot of soul-searing love to share between them.

This book is the best in the series. Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance enthusiasts will, no doubt, love this book as much as I did.

Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!

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