Crimson Heart by Heather McCollum

Elena ha trascorso la sua intera vita tenendo nascosto il vero nome della sua famiglia, vivendo al limite tra l'essere una nobildonna e parte della servitù in una famiglia di fede protestante. Tenere il segreto sulle sue origine è stato per anni un successo, ma ora con una nuova agguerrita regina cattolica sul trono, i protettori protestanti di Elena vengono presi di mira. E quando Mary la sanguinaria, scopre la reale identità di Elena,la ragazza si vede costretta a scappare in Scozia per difendere non solo la sua libertà, ma la sua stessa vita.

Searc Munro, il guerriero delle Highland, ha anche lui un segreto. In una famiglia di guaritori come la sua, la magia oscura che possiede, che può uccidere, deve essere tenuta nascosta. Ma quando la vita del padre viene minacciata, Searc lascia libero il suo potere letale per salvarlo. Afflitto dagli sguardi pieni di sospetto e dai mormorii nel suo clan, decide di andarsene via da solo, trovandosi invece poi costretto un'altra volta a usare la sua magia per salvare una bellissima ragazza aggredita nella foresta.

Compagni d'esilio Elena e Searc si dirigono verso Edinburgo per trovare rifugio. Invece una serie di omicidi rituali che affliggono la città e un traditore che tenta di assassinare la reggente di Scozia, fanno ricadere i sospetti  su Searc. Quando le voci dell'esistenza di un altro erede al trono britannico raggiungono il Paese, i due devono trovare il modo di fidarsi uno dell'altra, nonostante i loro segreti, prima che sia troppo tardi.

Altro libro che va ad aggiungersi alle mie letture historical romance che hanno per protagonisti gli Highlander.

Crimson Heart è stata un libro molto gradevole da leggere, scritto bene, con una buona trama e dei personaggi interessanti.

La magia del cui potere Searc è dotato sin dalla nascita, o più una maledizione, visto come viene vissuta dall'uomo, aggiunge qualcosa di diverso a questa storia; è un  personaggio intenso, un po' cupo, ma coraggioso, leale, testardo e un uomo d'onore.

Mi è piaciuto da subito, nonostante sia un uomo che porta un po' con difficoltà il peso del suo potere, si isola dagli altri, fugge dai suoi cari per la paura di vedere nei loro occhi lo sguardo di persone impaurite o  disprezzo per quello che lui è. Ma nei momenti che ontano tutto questo viene messo da parte e il guerriero che è in lui prende il posto dell'uomo tormentato da mille dubbi e sensi di colpa.

Elena è anche lei una donna molto singolare, nasconde la sua vera identità perché vuole vivere una vita libera e lontana da intrighi e complotti legati al suo sangue reale. Preferisce  piuttosto lavorare presso qualche famiglia che rivendicare il suo titolo, ma la scelta non entusiasma altre persone che invece la vorrebbero usare. Coraggiosa, anche se a volte a causa della sua ingenuità le cose le sfuggono un po' di mano, intelligente e non si lascia spaventare da Searc e la sua magia, una volta che lo incontra, nonostante tutte le superstizioni dell'epoca.

Il loro viaggio per Edinburgo diventa una vera e propria avventura, nella quale l'attrazione che provano uno verso l'altro avrà la una importanza.

Loro sono una bella coppia, ma anche i personaggi secondari mi sono piaciuti: i genitori di Searc, i Munro, a loro volta una bellissima coppia nella quale amore, complicità e ironia sono evidenti e Mary, la regina, è una donna notevole, divertente ma pericolosamente letale.

Una storia nella quale ho trovato diverse componenti interessanti: intrighi, segreti, un mistero legato alla morte orribile di diverse ragazze innocenti, passione, amore e magia.

Insomma un bel po' di cose direi.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Entangled Publishing LLC per il libro.

VOTO: 4 stelle

TITOLO: Crimson Heart

AUTRICE: Heather McCollum

EDITORE: Entangled Publishing LLC

Elena has spent her entire life hiding her family name while walking the thin line between lady and servant in a Protestant household. Keeping the secret of her lineage has been a success for years, but now, with a new, fiercely Catholic queen on the throne, Elena's Protestant caretaker is being targeted. And when Bloody Mary discovers Elena's true identity, she must not only flee to Scotland for her freedom, but also for her life.

Highland warrior, Searc Munro, has secrets of his own. In a family of healers, his own dark, killing magic must never be known. But when his father's life is threatened, Searc unleashes his lethal power to save him. With his clan's suspicious glances and whispers plaguing him, he sets off alone, only to find another use for his magic in saving a beautiful lass being attacked in the forest.

Teaming up as exiles, Elena and Searc head toward Edinburg to find refuge. Yet, with a series of ritual killings haunting the city and a traitor attempting to assassinate Scotland's regent, suspicion turns to Searc. As word of another British heir reaches the country, the two must find a way to trust each other, despite their secrets, before it's too late.

Another book that I can add to my reading historical romance about the Highlanders.

Crimson Heart was a very enjoyable book to read, well written, with a good plot and interesting characters.

The magic and the power that Searc has since his birth, or a curse, as is experienced by the man, adds something different to this story; he's intense as fictional character, a littore dark, but brave, loyal, stubborn and a man of honor.

I liked him immediately, although he's a man carrying the weight of his power, isolates from the others, he escapes from his loved ones for fear to see in their eyes a look full of fear for what he is; But when the times get tough, he puts aside everything and the Warrior in him takes the place of a man tormented by a thousand doubts and feelings of guilt.

Elena is also a very unique woman, she's hiding her true identity because she wants to live a free life and away from intrigues and conspiracies related to her actual bloodline. She prefers rather to work for some family beside that claim her title, but this choice is not enthused that other people would like to use her. Courageous, even if sometimes due to her naivety things escape a little from her hand, intelligent and she's not scared from Search and his magic, despite all the superstitions of the time.

Their trip to Edinburgh becomes a real adventure, in which the attraction they feel for one another will have its importance.

They are a lovely couple, but I liked also the minor characters: Searc's parents, the Munro, a beautiful couple their love, complicity and irony are obvious and Mary, the Queen, is a remarkable woman, funny but dangerously fatal.

A story in which I found several interesting components: intrigue, secrets, a mystery tied to the horrible death of several innocent girls, passion, love and magic.

In short, a lot of things I would say.

Thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing LLC for the book.

RATING: 4 stars

TITLE: Crimson Heart

AUTHOR: Heather McCollum

PUBLISHER: Entangled Publishing LLC

Crave the Night by Lara Adrian

Bello, bello, bello. la mia recensione in italiano la potete trovare su Romanticamente Fantasy Sito.

Vi lascio il link, andate a dare un'occhiata Federica, una delle ragazze che si occupa della veste grafica ha fatto un capolavoro e potrete vedere Nathan e Jordana in carne e ossa :-)

http://www.romanticamentefantasy.it/anteprima-inediti-in-italia-recensione-crave-the-night-lara-adrian-midnight-breed-12/

Born and raised to be an emotionless killing machine, Nathan is one of the most lethal Breed vampires in existence. A key member of the Order—an elite group of warriors charged with protecting both mortals and vampires—Nathan executes each mission with flawless precision and a total lack of mercy. Now he must pursue a powerful, hidden enemy. But Nathan’s hard discipline and training are no match for the fierce pull he feels toward a young woman he has no right to desire—a woman of wealth and high social standing who has long been promised to another Breed male, and who may also prove to be the key to rooting out Nathan’s elusive quarry.

Jordana lives a life of glittering privilege as a member of a prominent Breed family in Boston. Surrounded by fine things and fawning admirers, Jordana wants for nothing—until she crosses paths with a dark, intense warrior from the Order and finds herself swept into an impulsive, sizzling kiss that neither of them will forget. As much as she tries to deny her deep feelings for Nathan, Jordana cannot resist the craving to be near him, to break through his forbidding walls and see the man he truly is. But getting close to Nathan will thrust Jordana into a treacherous new world, forcing her to risk all she has and all she knows about herself and her past. And loving this seductive man could be the most dangerous temptation of all.

Lara Adrian will never stop to amaze me with her Midnight Breed.

Crave the Night is the 12th book in this series and it is one of the most beautiful written by this author. Looking back to the first boocantone reader can see a profound change in the stories of Ms. Adrian, they began a more choral works, thanks to the different characters,  but always maintaining the focus of the story on the two main protagonists to whom is dedicated the book; I guess one of the major talents of this writer is the ability to tell her stories in a simple way, letting the plot develops in a way so smooth that the pages fly off one after the other. Then how to remain immune to the charms of her Breeds?

Nathan, the protagonist of this book along with Jordana, is irresistible. It was by the time of Tegan, I didn't meet an equally fascinating character. Dark and absolutely dominant, he has been conditioned since his early childhood to avoid any kind of emotions, so he could be  war machine, the perfect killer, cold and calculating.

Ms Adrian has not softened or blunted these characteristics. In fact, this vampire apparently so emotionless, is like  a volcano remained quiet and inactive for many years, then suddenly ready to explode and trample all over.

An impulsive act of Jordana, a simple Kiss, creates a crack in the wall that Nathan has built and that take him far away from the other, but slowly, despite himself, the young woman was able to push Nathan, in losing his self-control so renowned.

At first, the character of Jordana can mislead, she may seem like a littleinsecure, a weak girl who lives in her own world protected by a crystal ball, but in reality she proves to be quite different. She is at a crossroads: to be the perfect girl, never above the lines, which take decisions which all expect and want from her, or follow her instincts, which drives her to make a leap into the void, not knowing if there will be someone ready to pick her up.

I really liked the contrast between Jordana and Nathan, but mostly I adored their direct way in the deal. Well, actually, the term directed to Nathan is a bit of a euphemism, he is  more a caterpillar... Jordana for him and her emotions are an open book, he is able to "read" through her and doesn't allow her to hide. Luckily he does not fall into the vicious circle of "I am not worthy of you", which sometimes I can't stand in some male characters in books. Yes, he thinks that, but as he says himself, he believed not to be worthy of Jordana, but he's pretty selfish to go on his way, to attempt to conquer her. And for this reason the pedestal on which I put for years Tegan has faltered and little ...

Another strong point of Crave the Night is the eroticism and sensuality that unleashes Nathan, or rather the skill of the writer to create intense and incandescent scenes as well, without ever being vulgar, and I've experienced a mystical moment reading the description of Nathan ... practically I dislocated my jaw, because of my mouth was  so left open. How do you say? So much stuff? Never too much though ...

Closing Nathan a moment in my own cabinet, otherwise the neurons don't vive me peace, I must also say that I found the story of Jordana and the plot of the book interesting and could lead to new innovations in the future.

Already in the book of Mira and Kellan there had been a real chaos in the Breed and of humans' lifes and in the new stories the Breeds discover real surprises and new enemies.

I'm curious to see what future will bring with this author and, above all, who are the protagonists of the next book, I did not find major clues, I have an idea, but that is because there are really many players still to be explored among the sons of the original nucleus of the Breeds

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group- Bantam Dell for the kind preview.

Rating: 5 stars

Guilty Pleasure by Lora Leigh

Marty Mathews had always known about the secret, forbidden pleasures that the women she had grown up with enjoyed. Women whose husbands or lovers were members of the exclusive “Club,” where they took a selected “third” into their beds.  And there is one man—a dangerous, forbidden man—who is part of this world and who has haunted Marty’s dreams for years.  But she had been the FBI agent assigned to shadow him, making him completely off limits. . .That is until Khalid is cleared and Marty is released from her assignment.  Now, all bets are off. . .

The beautiful, fierce Marty Mathews is the one woman Khalid hungers for like no other and is the one woman he dare not let himself have.  His past dogs his every step and danger lurks around every corner.  If he wants to keep her safe, he must stay away from her.  But the power of their desire is something they cannot deny—and once Marty is his, Khalid will do whatever it takes to keep her in his bed and in his arms.

Guilty pleasure is the eleventh book in Lora Leigh's erotic series  Bound Hearts, in which its male protagonists are members of an exclusive club, attended by influential people, rich, and unsuspected who loves to share their willing women, with another man in a ménage a trois.

After reading the first few pages I thought about a case of homonymy of the author, it was difficult to believe that this story could have been written by one of my favorite authors. Unfortunately, however, it is hers, a complete disappointment. Let's say that I consider it an empty step.

Khalid had the potential to be a wonderful male protagonist and the contrast of his dominant personality and "physicality" with Marty was perfect to make her a worthy companion. The attraction they feel for each other is so obvious for years that everyone is aware, even Marty's father and Godfather, which are members of the "famous" club tothese the girl is not to obscure about how it might evolve her relationship with Khalid and his habit of sharing his women. All of this, however, was lost due to the lack of a good plot, which could hold up the history between the two.

The book is full by an endless series of sexually scenes described explicitly and with very colorful language, but this is typical of the way of writing of Ms Leigh. Where is the problem then? It's the missing of a link taking everything put it together.

The scenes between Khalid and Marty are repeated until the boredom, the situations are similar if not the same, and in the first part of the book, the dialogue between the two repeat after a few pages almost the same words, making everything predictable. At this point, what had to be moments filled with eroticism, became for me like reading mechanical performance between two bodies.

I haven't found the ability that I love in this author to involve me in her stories, creating characters who move me with their stories and feelings.

The ingredients were all there: the heartbreaking past of Khalid and his secrets, the hatred that his brothers feel against him, Marty, that besides being a beautiful woman, is also a great FBI agent, and the third man chosen by Khalid for their ménage, Shayne, who is a person for whom Marty anyway feels a strong attraction.

All these things have been used so very shallow in the story, I can't say the author hasn't tried, but the result is a little unfortunate in my opinion and unconvincing.

The level of sensuality as you may have figured it out for me was somewhat undone by the whole context, but given the content of the book, I can say the reading is reccomended to adults.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the book.

Rating: 2 stars

Anteprima: Claimed by the Laird by Nicola Cornick

He will expose her as the criminal he seeks, or seduce her as the woman he desires…

An old maid—that's all Lady Christina McMorlan, daughter to the Duke of Forres, is to society now that she's past thirty. She hosts her father's parties and cares for her siblings, knowing she'll never have her own home and family. She has no time to pine, however. By night, she's The Lady, head of a notorious whiskey-smuggling gang that supports her impoverished clan. They're always one step ahead of the revenue man—until Lucas Black shows up.

Rejecting his title and the proper society that disparaged his mother, Lucas earns his living running a successful gambling house. He's also a spy, charged with bringing down the Forres Gang. He thinks The Lady's just a bored society spinster. She thinks he's a lost child playing at rebellion. And when the truth comes out, it's not just their love on the line…

The stories and female protagonists are always intriguing in this series by Nicola Cornick: Scottish Brides, in which Claimed by the Laird is the third book.

Lady Christina should be only a lonely woman no more young, according to the custom of the time,  the classic spinster, dedicated in caring for the needs of her family, after the death of her mother. The good and dear Christina, which doesn't strike at first sight because of her beauty and on which all count for her reliability. Few know actually about her secret life, perhaps from this point of view,  the members of her clan know more about her, and also who live in the village or her servants, they all know that the woman is the head of a gang of smugglers of whisky, while her family members are unaware of everything.

It isn't boredom or the need for adventure that has pushed her to make this choice, but the desperate need for money of ordinary people and the habit of these smugglers to use excessively violent methods, while thanks to her presence they manage to remain within acceptable limits.

Lucas could be a Prince, he's anglo-russian, he could be, because he is an illegitimate child, his childhood was anything but happy because of prejudice of aristocrats and now he refuses to be a part of that world, he's grown up and his title and his money would be very welcome. He also has his secrets when he met  Lady Christina in disguise, to be taken as part of the service staff, and carry out his mission.

Lucas with his character is definitely notoghe best choice for the part, too accustomed tgene respected and he always likes to have the last word and Lady Christina isn't so  weak and conciliatory as everyone seems to think.

Lucas discovers Lady Christina's secret and this complicates their relationships.  Both if them feel a deep attraction for each other, but they fight against it for different reasons. She could be the instigator of the murder of Lucas' brother,  while he  younger than Lady Christina , more beautiful and without money. An affair with her employee would give rise to a scandal, that the woman can't afford , she must avoid attentions, which she has managed to do in all these years.

The exchanges of banter between Lucas and Christina are fun, thanks to the man irreverence and ability to cause reactions in Christina, which almost always go beyond ladylike and compassate responses. Lucas is very good at "reading" people and interpreting their reactions and he needs to understand who is really Lady Christina: is she the woman who cares about everything and everyone, with a deep sense of Justice or is she a cold and ruthless person who hides behind a facade?

A nice story with two protagonists unique and an excellent plot, written very well in its romance, very passionate, and enriched by the mystery linked to death of Lucas's brother.  There are both the point of views of the two protagonists, and these is great for these characters so complex, it helps to understand better their behavior and reactions and empathize with them.

I loved both of them, Christina and Lucas, they're perfect for each other, very different, but together they're a lovely couple.

 Scottish Bride became one of my favourite historical romance series, along with its author.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the kind preview.

RATING: 4 stars

TITLE: Claimed by the Laird

AUTHOR: Nicola Cornick

SERIES: Scottish Brides #3

PULISHER: Harlequin

PUBLICATION DATE: July 2014, 29

Waking Up Pregnant by Mira Lynn Kelly

La notte che ha cambiato tutto!

La cameriera Darcy Penn è un tipo sveglio e sensibile, flirtare con un tipo molto carino nel bar non è il suo solito modo di fare. E finire nella sua camera d'albergo? Decisamente non è da lei! Sgattaiolare via mentre lui è nel bagno per evitare l'imbarazzo dopo aver fatto sesso? È più da lei...

Se Darcy fosse rimasta, Jeff avrebbe potuto dirle del fallimento completo del loro preservativo. Così non rimane poi così sconvolto quando mesi dopo, Darcy si presenta nel suo elegante ufficio di L.A. e vomita nel suo cestino della carta straccia. È afflitta in modo terribile dalle nausee mattutine e è andata lì per scoprire cosa lui ha intenzione di fare.

Questo è un genere di lettura che ho cominciato a seguire durante e dopo la mia gravidanza, orse un po' per curiosità e solidarietà con queste protagoniste dalle linee morbide e gli sbalzi ormonali.

È un romance contemporaneo nel quale, come dice il titolo Waking Up Pregnant, la protagonista femminile rimane incinta.

Per una volta nella sua vita Darcy dedite di fare una follia e lasciarsi andare a un'avventura di una notte con un cliente conosciuto nel locale dove stava lavorando. Lui è bello, affascinante, ironico e sembra una persona affidabile. Lei sta per lasciare la città e iniziare una nuova vita e decide per una volta di vivere una serata durante la quale è disposta a infrangere tutte le regole che si è imposta.

Insieme lei e Jeff trascorrono una serata memorabile, c'è feeling tra di loro, una forte attrazione che fa trascorrere loro insieme una notte perfetta, tranne per un piccolo particolare: il preservativo usato da Jeff era difettoso e lui non può nemmeno dirlo a Darcy perché lei, non sapendo come affrontare "il dopo" si è già data alla fuga.

La ragazza rimane incinta e si presenta da Jeff per avvisarlo e dargli la possibilità di fare una scelta: vuole far parte del futuro del bambino.

Darcy non vuole sposarsi o altro, ha lottato per imparare a essere una persona totalmente indipendente e tale vuole rimanere.

È un libro molto carino, la storia scorre via che è un piacere e Jeff è veramente un personaggio fantastico.

Offre da subito il suo supporto a Darcy, senza riserve, e vuole essere presente per lei e il bambino dal momento lei gli rivela la sorpresa.

Il rapporto tra i due si era interrotto in modo brusco. Jeff non aveva dimenticato la loro avventura, anzi se lei fosse rimasta le avrebbe chiesto di continuare a vedersi. Entrambi dicono di non credere all'amore delle favole, hanno paura di rovinare il loro rapporto, complicando poi la vita loro e del bambino. Ma Darcy per Jeff è come una sirena, non riesce a resisterle e starle lontano. E la loro storia va avanti.

Mi piace questo libro anche perché affronta un argomento che a volte è un po' tabù, il sesso durante la gravidanza di una donna, il fatto che comunque si possa apparire belle e desiderabili.

Nessun colpo di scena a stravolgere la storia di Jeff e Darcy, ma a volte è bello leggere anche storie così, lasciamo i casini alla realtà fuori dai libri.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Harlequin per il libro.

VOTO: 4 stelle

TITOLO: Waking Up Pregnant

AUTRICE: Mira Lynn Kelly

EDITORE: Harlequin

DATA PUBBLICAZIONE: 1 marzo 2014

The night that changed everything!

Waitress Darcy Penn is the smart, sensible type—flirting with the extremely cute guy in the bar just isn't her usual style. As for ending up in his hotel room? Definitely not! Sneaking out while he's in the bathroom to avoid the post-sex awkwardness? Much more like it….

If Darcy had stuck around, Jeff Norton could have told her about their "epic latex fail." So he shouldn't be quite so shocked when months later, Darcy turns up at his classy L.A. office and throws up in his wastepaper basket. She's got a bad case of morning sickness, and she's here to find out what he's going to do about it!

This is a kind of reading that I have begun to follow during and after my pregnancy, due a little of curiousity and solidarity with these protagonists with smooth lines and the hormonal up and down.

It is a contemporary romance in which, as the title says Waking Up Pregnant, the female protagonist gets pregnant.

For once in her life Darcy wants to prove to let go on an adventure of a night with a customer known in the bar where she was working. He is handsome, charming, ironic and seems like a good person. She is going to leave town and start a new life and she decided for once to live an evening during which she is willing to break all the rules that she has set in her life to be safe.

Together she and Jeff spend an amazing night, there is feeling between them, a strong attraction and the whole night is perfect, except for one small detail: the condom used by Jeff was failed and he can't even tell Darcy because she is already  run away, not knowing how to deal with "the after".

The girl becomes pregnant and she goes to Jeff to warn him and give him a chance to make a choice: he wants to be part of the future of the child or not?

Darcy does not want to marry him or something else, she struggled to learn to be a totally independent and she wants to remain herself.

It's a book vero nice, the story is smooth, I enjoyed its reading, and Jeff is truly a fantastic character.

He offers immediatly his support to Darcy, unconditionally, and he wants to be there for her and the baby as she reveals the surprise.

The relationship between the two had stopped so abruptly. But Jeff had not forgotten their adventure, he even though about ask her to continue seeing each other. Both of them say they do not believe in fairy tales, afraid of ruining their relationship, complicating their lives and  the child's one. But Darcy for Jeff is like a siren, he can't resist her and ne can't stay away. And their story continues.

I like this book because it deals with a subject that is sometimes a bit taboo, sex during pregnancy of a woman, and the fact that you can be beautiful and desirable too.

No twist to distort Jeff and Darcy's story, but sometimes it's nice to read stories like this, we leave the mess to the reality outside the books.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the book.

RATING: 4 stars

TITLE: Waking Up Pregnant

AUTHOR: Mira Lynn Kelly

PUBLISHER: Harlequin

PUBLICATION DATE: March 1, 2014

Ravenous by Annie Nicholas

Soffrire la fame...

Pia Blyton desidera tutto. Un fidanzato affidabile, l'amore e la sua indipendenza. Ma ignorare la sua natura di succube è come invitare a nozze il caos. Ogni tre giorni deve vere un orgasmo per nutrirsi. Il sesso pessimo non è un opzione. Ignorare la fame troppo a lungo fa venir fuori la parte demonica che ha in sé e i suoi gusti sono molto meno ricercati che quelli di Pia.

Un giorno malaugurato, la decisione sbagliata e il demone che è in lei prende il controllo della sua libido e tutte le sue migliori intenzioni vanno a farsi friggere.

Con il cuore a pezzi e piena di vergogna, Pia viene trascinata a casa a Lake City da Zur-Sin, un vampiro che il padre ha pagato per trovarla. Imprigionata in una realtà dove i desideri dei mortali sono visti come una debolezza, Pia ha bisogno di scoprire come fare a proteggere il suo cuore dai suoi desideri più profondi.

Prequel del libro Starved for Love di Annie Nicholas, che avevo già letto in passato e mi era piaciuto molto.

Ravenous è una short-novel nella quale viene raccontato il passato di Pia e del suo tentativo di vivere una relazione stabile con un umano che ama, andando contro la sua natura di succube. La natura di Pia infatti la obbliga a nutrirsi ogni tre giorni attraverso orgasmi durante rapporti sessuali con altre persone. Di solito per gli altri demoni della sua razza non è un problema, la natura li ha dotati di tutti i mezzi per sedurre i possibili candidati, con tanto di feromoni diffusi nell'ambiente all'ennesima potenza, ma Pia non vuole vivere nutrendosi attraverso miriadi di rapporti occasionali, ha bisogno di stabilire un legame col suo partner, desidera l'Amore con la A maiuscola, cosa praticamente impossibile, soprattutto con un umano che scambierebbe il tutto per sani episodi di tradimento. Questo lato sentimentale di Pia le crea grossi problemi e il suo tentativo di realizzare il suo sogno si rivela un vero disastro, spingendola a una sorta di tentativo di suicidio per carenza di nutrimento.

Per fortuna viene ritrovata da Zur-Sin vampiro inviato dal padre di Pia preoccupato per la figlia.

Il racconto è carino, ma un po' inferiore rispetto a Starved for Love. Però mi è piaciuto molto poter leggere la storia e scoprire come è nato il legame tra Zur-Sin, Cooper, Johnny e Pia.

Zur-Sin è sicuramente il mio personaggio preferito, ma si sa, ho un debole per i vampiri, soprattutto se così antichi e intimidatori. Ma con Pia si scopre un altro lato della sua personalità e l'ho adorato.

Pieno di ironia e tanto sesso, d'altronde con la natura di Pia non poteva essere altrimenti. Spero che la serie vada avanti e dedichi delle storie ad altri personaggi come Cooper e la misteriosa Gigi, la piccola mutaforma che Pia incontra durante la sua permanenza nel covo di Zur-Sin.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la CrushStar Multimedia LLC per il libro.

VOTO: 3 stelle

Suffer the hunger.

Pia Blyton wants it all. A steady boyfriend, love and her independence. But to ignore her succubus nature is to welcome chaos. Every three days she must orgasm to feed. Bad sex isn’t an option. Stave off the hunger for too long and her demon side peeks out, and its tastes are much less discerning than hers.

One bad day, one wrong decision, and her demon takes control of her libido and kisses all her best intentions goodbye.

Brokenhearted and ashamed, Pia is dragged home to Lake City by Zur-Sin, a vampire her father paid to find her. Caught in a world where mortal desires are seen as a weakness, Pia needs to figure out how to protect her heart from her deepest longings.

Prequel of the book Starved for Love by Annie Nicholas, I had already read it in the past and I loved the story.

Ravenous is a short-novel which told the what happened to Pia during her attempt to live a stable relationship with a human she loves, going against her succubus nature. Her kind must feed every three days through orgasms during sex with other people. Usually for other demons of her race is not an issue, the nature has  created them with all the means of seducing the possible candidates, with a lot of pheromones released in the environment, but Pia does not want to live eating through myriads of occasional one-night stand, she needs to establish a bond with her partner, she wants to love a big love , virtually impossible, especially with a human who would exchange her sexual behavior as cheating. This sentimental side of the Pia creates big problems and her attempt to fulfill her dream turns out to be a big mistake, pushing her to a some kind of suicide attempt for lack of nourishment.

Fortunately she is found from Zur-Sin, a vampire sent by Pia's father worried about her daughter.

The story is cute, but I liked more Starved for Love. Though I really liked to read the story and find out how was born the bond between Zur-Sin, Cooper, Johnny and Pia.

Zur-Sin is definitely my favorite character, but you know, I have a soft spot for vampires, especially if so ancient and intimidating. But with Pia I discover another side of his personality, and I loved him.

Funny with and lot of hot sex, on the other hand with the nature of Pia could not be otherwise. I hope the series goes ahead with the stories of other characters such as Cooper and the mysterious Gigi, the little shapeshifter who meets Pia during her stay in Zur-Sin's nest.

Thanks to Netgalley and CrushStar Multimedia LLC for the book.

RATING: 3 stars

A Vampire's Promise by Carla Susan Smith

Fidati del tuo istinto.

Rowan Harper è solo una semplice commessa di una libreria dalla risposta sempre pronta, con una vita sentimentale disastrosa, quando una sera si reca al Rosie's Bar. Molti dei drammi Presenti nella sua vita li prende in prestito dalle avventure della sua migliore amica. Ma quando incontra Gabriel - alto e bello come una star del cinema - tutto cambia. Non importa se ha rifiutato il drink che le ha offerto o che porti con sé segreti che Rowan non vuole affrontare. Accende in lei una passione che non avrebbe mai sospettato di poter provare e mostra di subire il fascino di Rowan in un modo che lei non sa spiegarsi.

Lui non ha famiglia, nessun lavoro o conto in banca; sa dove vive lei e qual è il suo fiore preferito. Un aura di mistero lo avvolge, e anche se Rowan desidererebbe conoscere i fatti, al tempo stesso teme che le risposte possano distruggere la sua felicità. Gabriel può condurla in un mondo favoloso di nuove sensazioni. Ma solo se Rowan crederà abbastanza in lui da seguirlo.

Questo libro mi è piaciuto così tanto da farmi andare un po' contro la mia avversione per i finali con cliff hanger da paura.

Lo ammetto, sarò patetica ma una delle cose che di solito preferisco sono i lieto fine e quindi "cozzo" un po' con il finale lasciato in sospeso.

In questo caso faccio la dovuta eccezione perché la storia mi è piaciuta, non tanto per la sua originalità, questo no, per chi legge parecchi paranormal romance alcune cose si erano già capite prima della rivelazione finale. Mi è piaciuto per il modo nel quale è stato scritto e per i suoi personaggi Rowan, Gabriel e l'alone di mistero che circonda la loro storia.

Rowan è una giovane donna con un certo spirito, dalla risposta abbastanza pronta e decisa nelle sue scelte, fino a quando non incontra Gabriel che col suo fascino la mette decisamente in difficoltà e piano piano la conquista. Nei confronti di quest'uomo che la corteggia e tratta in modo molto speciale, Rowan prova delle sensazioni particolari, oltre di  un'attrazione fisica immediata che la manda letteralmente in fiamme. Ha l'impressione di vivere dei deja vu come se lo avesse già incontrato in passato, come se lo conoscesse, ma non riesce ad andare più a fondo di queste sue percezioni.

Gabriel rappresenta tutto quello che si può desiderare in un uomo, bellissimo, sexy, protettivo e anche terribilmente romantico. Dice sempre la cosa giusta al momento e nel modo giusto, tratta Rowan come se fosse la cosa più importante per lui al mondo e pian piano vince la sua diffidenza e la conquista.

Però nasconde anche un mare di segreti, Rowan ne è consapevole, ma ha paura di affrontarli e purtroppo prima o poi i nodi vengono al pettine e come sempre accade nel peggiore dei modi.

Ho trovato in quest'autrice una grande capacità di coinvolgermi e catturare completamente la mia attenzione mentre leggevo il libro.

Veramente ben scritto sia nella sua parte romance vera e propria che nelle scene di sesso tra i due protagonisti che sono esplicite e incandescenti, ma mai volgari.

Ben delineati anche i personaggi secondari che hanno la loro importanza nella storia, come la simpaticissima amica di Rowan, Laycee e le persone legate a Gabriel, anche loro misteriose, con fanno percepire una certa aura di pericolo, ma Particolari nei loro atteggiamenti verso Rowan così come lo è Gabriel.

Ora non mi resta che leggere il seguito del libro, A Vampire's Soul, perché questa Santa donna che è l'autrice Carla Susan Smith, per fortuna nel giro di un mese ha già pubblicato il secondo libro, un sollievo.

Dimenticavo di far presente che questa autrice è un'emergente e devo dire che questo suo primo libro è molto promettente.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Kensington Books per il libro.

VOTO: 4 stelle

TITOLO: A Vampire's Promise

AUTRICE: Carla Susan Smith

SERIE: Vampire's Promise #1

EDITORE: Kensington Bookshop

DATA PUBBLICAZIONE: 5 giugno 2014

Trust Your Instincts

Rowan Harper is nothing but a smart-mouthed bookstore clerk with a crappy love life on the night she walks into Rosie's Bar. Most of the drama in her life is borrowed from her best friend's adventures. But when she meets Gabriel--tall and movie star gorgeous--everything changes. Never mind that she turns down the drink he offers, or that he brims with secrets she can't begin to guess at. He ignites a desire in her she never suspected--and shows a fascination with her she can't explain.

He has no family, no job, no bank account;he knows where she lives and her favorite flower. An aura of mystery cloaks him, even as Rowan grasps for facts, even as she fears an answer that could destroy her happiness. Gabriel can guide her through a wonderland of new sensations. But only if Rowan trusts him enough to follow. . .

I loved this book so much that I went  a bit against my distaste for the finals with cliff hanger so big.

I admit, I'm pathetic but one of the things that I usually prefer are the happy ending and then I have a little with ma issues with the ones left pending.

In this case I made an exception because I liked a lot the story, not so much for its originality, I can't say this, for those who read several paranormal romance some things were already understood before the final revelation. I liked the way in which it was written, and for its characters Gabriel and Rowan and the aura of mystery surrounding their story.

Rowan is a young woman with a certain spirifanone speaks her mind and she's determined in her choices, until she meets Gabriel and his charme and good looking puts her definitely in trouble and slowly ne wins her. Against this man who woos her and acts in a very special way, Rowan feels special sensations, over an immediate physical attraction that sends her literally on fire. The impression of living  deja vu as if they had already met in the past, as if she knew him, but she fails to go deeper than her perceptions.

Gabriel is everything you could want in a man, beautiful, sexy, protective and so terribly romantic. He always says the right thing at the right time and in the right way, as Rowan is the most important thing in the world for him and gradually wins her distrust.

Though also he has a lot of secrets, Rowan is aware of that, but she's afraid to confront them and unfortunately, sooner or later, the nodes are in the comb and as always happens in the worst ways.

I found this author has a great  ability to get me involved and she was be able to fully capture my attention while I was reading the book.

Really well written in its real part romance and in  the sex scenes between the two characters, that are explicit and hot, but never vulgar.

The well-defined minor characters have their importance in plot, as the lovely friend of Rowan, Laycee and the people linked to Gabriel,  very mysterious people, with a certain aura of danger, very particular their attitudes toward Rowan, but so is Gabriel.

Now I just have to read the book, A Vampire's Soul, because this saint woman which is the author Carla Susan Smith, thankfully within a month has already published her second book, a relief.

I forgot to point out that this author is an emerging one and I must say that this book is very promising.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the book.

RATING: 4 stars

TITLE: A Vampire's Promise

AUTHOR: Carla Susan Smith

SERIES: Vampire's Promise # 1

PUBLISHER: Kensington Bookshop

PUBLICATION DATE: June 5, 2014