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2013 Reading Challenge
Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) has
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New-To-Me Authors
2013 reading goal:
15 new-to-me authors.
1) Stacy Gail
2) Heather Massey
3) Sidney Bristol
4) Ann Mayburn
5) Thea Harrison
6) Virna DePaul
7) Mary Quast
8) Molly Harper
9) Eleri Stone
10) PJ Schnyder
11) Kait Ballenger
12) Denise L. Wyant
13) Lucy Monroe
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Showing posts with label ACRO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ACRO. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
What Makes a Good Gateway Book?
In case you haven’t heard any of the recent online and on-the-air discussions surrounding Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James, this isn’t one of them! I will tell you, I have not read the book and honestly, I don’t intend to. This isn’t a commentary on Fifty Shades nor a discussion on whether or not one should read the book... I’m in favor of books that get people reading, and that is what this book is doing.
What I am here to talk about is what I hope Fifty Shades of Grey will be for many individuals... a GATEWAY book: a book that brings new readers into a genre. That’s what The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer was for me and so many other women. It was my gateway into romance - specifically paranormal romance. Before Twilight, I’d never read a romance in my life. The series was the pathway for (I’m guessing) thousands of women to paranormal romance and urban fantasy.
So I wonder... will Fifty Shades of Grey do the same for some of the so-called “fringe” romances? I’ve had girlfriends that wouldn’t give my blog the time of day ask me about the book because of all of the hype. I’ve been asked for recommendations for more “erotic” or “BDSM” reads. This makes me happy!
A twitter discussion about both Fifty Shades and Twilight with @CarolynCrane and @KatiD prompted the question of what makes a good gateway (or introductory) book? You need something that is well-written and easy to follow. A gateway/introductory book should epitomize the genre without being too hard core. You don’t want to scare away a potential fan before they get used to the genre!
When people ask for recommendations in the paranormal romance genre, I always start with the Psy-Changeling Series by Nalini Singh. I feel that this series is hands down one of the best out there. It’s well-written, the stories are exciting, the romance sexy but not overly erotic, and the amount of paranormal is “just right.” And for folks looking for a vampire-centric story, I refer them to the Midnight Breed Series by Lara Adrian.
For Urban Fantasy, my go-to series is the Kate Daniel Series by Ilona Andrews. It’s just amazing! And after railroading through the Disillusionists Series by Carolyn Crane earlier this year, I’ve added that to my “gateway” books list.
If someone is looking for a little bit of “fringe” in their romance, I recommend the ACRO Series by Sydney Croft. This series is one of my favorites! The sex is definitely more erotic than the average paranormal romance, and the stories showcase both m/m romance and (in one book) BDSM.
Now I’m looking to my readers out there... what books do you recommend to friends that want to try out a new-to-them genre? I’d love to get some ideas for contemporary, historical, and m/m romance. What about outside of the romance genre all together? What makes a book a good GATEWAY book for you?
I look forward to reading all of your answers! Thanks for stopping by and Happy Reading!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Sunday Snippet #64
Taken By Fire
by Sydney Croft
Bantam DellJune 28, 2011
**NOTE: this SNEAK PEEK comes from an uncorrected galley copy of the book**
“My powers are almost out.”
Thank fucking God. “Keep going.”
“I don’t want to do this anymore,” she murmured. “I’m killing you.”
“No one’s ever died from blue balls,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’ll be fine.”
“You don’t look fine.” Well, no, he wasn’t fine at all. And as she let off the last of her icy blasts, his body was rocked with the most painful urges he’d ever felt. He clawed the ground and tried to breathe, looked any- where but at Mel, and his eyes fell on the waterfall.
His erection was a steel rod and fucking painful. Hell, maybe this would be the best thing for him—a cold shower times a million.
He took off at a dead run, not stopping until he hit the water. Kept going until his body was under the freezing wash and he was shivering.
Bye-bye, erection; hello, hypothermia.
“Stryker—are you okay?” Melanie was asking, from directly in front of him. She’d stripped naked, her skin glistening with crystal water droplets, but she didn’t seem affected by the cold at all. Well, her nipples were pert, hard little buds ... and this wasn’t helping anything.
“You’ll freeze.”
“Um, no. Cold doesn’t affect me. At all.” She glanced down. “Doesn’t appear to be doing you much good either.”
“Fuck. Mel, please, just give me a few minutes.”
But she was in his arms then, her mouth on his, so damned warm and willing, her legs wrapped around his waist. His body felt right against hers, his body continuing to beg for mercy from his arousal in an all-consuming way, until he couldn’t think straight ... couldn’t see straight.
That wasn’t from hypothermia either.
Her fingers wound through his wet hair and his hands held her hips, moved them back and forth, wanting nothing more than to be inside of her, right here and now.
But fuck, he couldn’t. He promised Devlin, and he did not go back on his word.
He pulled back, rested his forehead against hers. “Sorry, Mel,” he said over the slight rushing roar of the water, his voice raw.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
ARC Review: Taken By Fire
Taken By Fire
Author: Sydney Croft
Release Date: June 28, 2011
Publisher: Bantam Dell
ACRO Series #6 (final book)
ISBN: #978-0385342292
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotica
Format(s): Paperback (304 pgs), e-book
I received a copy of this book from the author for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
HIS MISSION WAS TO TAKE HER OUT.
BUT DESIRE GOT IN THE WAY.
A product of genetic manipulation, Melanie Milan shares a body with her malevolent sister Phoebe. A sleek, blonde predator with a heart of pure darkness, Phoebe puts their body through the wicked underbelly of sex for thrills—when she’s not igniting her pyrokinetic skills for an evil organization bent on taking over the world. Melanie rarely gets out to play—much less fall in love. But that changes when rival ACRO agent Stryker Wills shows up, with a mission to take out the woman who torched his partner.
An operative with rare abilities, Stryker soon realizes that the woman he’s about to kill isn’t the murderous fire starter he’s hunting. But he does want her. Melanie, with the power to ice anything in her path, is heating things up in ways that are setting his blood on fire. As long as Melanie stays in control, she is his best ally to bring down her sister and stop hellish havoc from being unleashed. Walking a tightrope of longing and hate, Stryker and Melanie begin to understand that true power lies in sweet surrender to each other, to the fire between them, to the erotic adventure that’s joined their hearts and abilities to become their salvation—and perhaps the world’s.
What I’m talking about:
WARNING: This is the sixth and final book from the ACRO Series by Sydney Croft (Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler). Although you could read this book as a stand alone... please don’t. This series is so worth a read - it’s only 6 books! (You can read more about the entire series HERE.) Taken By Fire is the PERFECT series finally and you would miss out on so much if you read only this book. With that in mind, this review contains SPOILERS from the first 5 books, so move forward at your own risk!
Taken By Fire takes place less than a year after the dramatic conclusion of the previous book, Tempting The Fire, when ACRO agent Stryker witnessed ITOR (bad guys) agent Phoebe kill his best friend by burning him alive. We discover that Stryker has been hunting Phoebe to bring her to justice. But when he finally locates her, Stryker learns that Phoebe shares her body with her sweet and mostly innocent sister, Melanie. Since it appears that Melanie wants to bring down ITOR as badly as ACRO does, Stryker is ordered to bring the sisters in alive. This begins their heated relationship, and with each passing day, Stryker realizes he cannot hate Melanie for the crimes of her sister, and he allows himself to fall in love.
I joked on Twitter about how hard it is to write reviews for books you love - my solution... here is my review: THIS BOOK ROCKS... READ IT. That is all. Okay, so I need to say more, I know. First, the primary love story of Mel and Stryker... it was so hot! They start out as perceived enemies, neither really wanting to be with the other, but never completely evil to the other. I loved the internal (and external) struggles that they both experience - I could feel Stryker’s turmoil as he attempted to reconcile falling for the (sister of the) woman who killed his partner in cold blood. And poor Melanie - her life controlled by and ruined because of her evil sister and father. She understands why no one will trust her, but it still hurts. When the two finally come together out of lust and pent up desire: WOW! Taken By Fire out does the eroticism of all the earlier stories. (Let me just say that there is an ice dildo involved in one explosive scene and a spatula in another!) Their relationship is really well written - I didn’t feel any sparks between the two in the beginning, and I’m not meant to... they find their way together as they open up to each other and learn to trust.
Now for “everything else...” My favorite couple, Annika and Creed, are fairly front and center. We found out in the last book that Annika is pregnant, and that the ghostly Oz (brother of Creed and former love of ACRO leader, Dev) predicted that if Annika has Creed’s baby she will die. Oh, and Oz’s premonitions are never wrong. I completely adore this couple and how they have come so far since the first book. Being pregnant hasn’t made Annika any softer, but she has matured. I’m not going to tell you what happens; however, be prepared to shed a few tears while on this emotional roller coaster.
Dev... oh Dev. I LOVED Dev and Oz together. Ms. Croft BROKE MY HEART in an earlier book, but now Dev has Gabe. For me, Gabe and Dev never had the strong emotional connection I saw with Dev and Oz, but in Taken By Fire, Dev and Gabe put it all on the line to cement their connection. In addition, Gabe and Dev have some intense and HOT smex, and there is a m-m-m threesome that *fans self* um... you will need to cool off some! And although I am satisfied with how things played out and ended, I still felt more emotional pull between Dev and Oz’s ghost than Dev has with his new love, Gabe. It still was an amazing storyline and I really can’t complain about it one bit.
Taken By Fire wrapped up everything from the first 5 books while giving hope for the future generations. It truly was everything you expect and want from a series finale (and never seem to get). I was emotionally drained by the time I finished... Cursed out the authors a few times... but it was an amazing journey. Every loose was end tied up in a uniquely fitting way. Yes, there are happy endings, but they aren’t forced and did not feel contrived. I’ve said this before, but it is worth repeating: Sydney Croft is a master of sensual story-telling, and the ACRO series is in a league of its own.
My Rating:
Personal favorite - a must read (A+)
(But you must read the ENTIRE series!)
Labels:
5 stars,
ACRO,
erotic romance,
Larissa Ione,
paranormal romance,
Stephanie Tyler,
Sydney Croft
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2
comments
Monday, June 13, 2011
Series... love them or hate them?
I'm a series girl. I've stated this before, probably several times, but I enjoy a good series - whether it be romance, sci-fi, fantasy, mystery... There is something reassuring about seeing the same characters and settings book after book. My love for series started young - when I read Trixie Belden, Little House on the Prairie and the Three Investigators. Series are a staple of the books I read. I have several "auto reads" or "auto buy" series. Here are my top favorites - these I recommend above all others (but I love so many more):
1) The Kate Daniel Series by Ilona Andrews.
Heroine: Kate Daniels - magical, powerful, great with a sword, all-around kick-ass
Hero: Curran - Beast Lord, lion shifter, sexy, powerful, makes me purr
Book Titles -
MAGIC BITES
MAGIC BURNS
MAGIC STRIKES
MAGIC BLEEDS
MAGIC SLAYS
My series rating 5 stars.
2) The Psy-Changeling Series by Nalini Singh.
This paranormal romance takes primarily takes place in San Francisco, CA. For those unfamiliar with this incredible series, the world is made up of 3 races: Psy: cerebral and emotionally void people that hold most political and financial offices; Changeling: shifters of many different species, in-tune with nature, emotionally fierce and loyal; and humans: the supporting race in the middle. The books focus primarily on two dominant Changeling packs: SnowDancers, which are wolves and DarkRiver, which are leopards. Ms. Singh has created an overall story arc dealing with the breakdown of the Psy "silence" and how the Changelings are coming into power. Book Titles -
SLAVE TO SENSATION
VISIONS OF HEAT
CARESSED BY ICE
MINE TO POSSESS
HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE
BRANDED BY FIRE
BLAZE OF MEMORY
BONDS OF JUSTICE
PLAY OF PASSION
KISS OF SNOW
My series rating: 5 Stars.
3) The Stormwalker Series by Allyson James.
Is it paranormal romance or urban fantasy? I don't care because it is incredible writing and storytelling! I just finished the third book in this amazing new series and I cannot wait for more. Taking place in Arizona, the stories follow the crazy life of Janet Begay, a Native American with earth-based storm magic and an evil goddess for a mother. She lives with the most amazing magic man, Mick and together they fight the evil that seems to follow Janet's every step. Each book has suspense, mystery, action, and romance. Perfect!Book Titles -
STORMWALKER
FIREWALKER
SHADOW WALKER (review to come this week!)
My series rating: 5 Stars.
4) The ACRO Series by Sydney Croft.
Erotic romance meets paranormal adventure... Think X-Rated X-men! Authors Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler have created an amazing, action packed world of covert ops, complete with complex good and bad guys. Each story revolves around several couples and keeps them coming back book after book. This series contains on of my favorite, so emotionally charged scenes I have read in a book. The sixth and final installment comes out later this month. If you want hot smex and action... this is a MUST READ!Book Titles -
TAKEN BY FIRE (review later this month!)
My series rating: 4.5 Stars.
Another wonderful paranormal romance series that is full of story and light on fluff. Meljean is one of the best world-builders writing today. The Guardians are a race of protectors, each created when, as a human s/he sacrifices her/himself to protect the human race. They are like angels, but not quite. They fight evil demons and other "creatures from hell," while trying to remain a secret to the humans around them. Book Titles -
DEMON ANGEL
DEMON NIGHT
DEMON BOUND
DEMON FORGED
DEMON MARKED, coming 2011
My series rating: 4.5 Stars.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
These series are also on my auto-read list:
Iron Seas by Meljean Brook (only one full book so far, but best read of 2010)
The Breeds by Lora Leigh (my guilty pleasure)
SO... which series can't you live without?
Labels:
ACRO,
Guardian Series,
Kate Daniels,
Psy/Changeling,
reading,
Stormwalker Series
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12
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Monday, February 14, 2011
Celebrating... Larissa Ione
Welcome to Week #3 of my Month of Celebrating!
Today I want to tell you about another one of my favorite authors: Larissa Ione. Larissa is the author of one of the hottest paranormal books series: The Demonica Series. Demonica follows the adventures and romances of sexy demon brothers who run a hospital for paranormal creatures. Fantastically original!
She is also co-author (under the pen-name Sydney Croft) of hands-down one of my favorite series: Agency for Covert Rare Operatives aka ACRO Series. This series is erotica, paranormal, suspense and emotionally-satisfying romance all rolled into one fantastic ride. I liken it to “X-men for Adults.”
One of the great things I adore about Larissa, is that she always makes time for her readers. She is easily accessible via twitter and email. She and I have discussed books, sports, cold weather and fruit flies. Gotta love a diverse author!
Larissa has been a big part of my first year blogging. She always answers my questions and spreads the word on my reviews. She stops by my blog and leaves me comments (which is a total *squee* for me). Not only is she one of my favorite authors, but she is an amazing lady. I look forward to stalking finally meeting her this August in Philadelphia at the Authors After Dark convention.
To help me celebrate my one year BLOGIVERSARY and my upcoming 40th birthday, Larissa has generously donated a signed copy of one of her Demonica Series books (winner’s choice) plus assorted swag. BUT WAIT... that’s not all... She is also donating a copy of her current release (ebook only): Eternity Embraced. SO this week there will be TWO WINNERS! Thank you, Larissa!! (rules for giveaway are below)I hope you all are enjoying this MONTH OF CELEBRATING! I know I am!! Be sure to enter my $40 Birthday Gift Card giveaway as well. For more information, please go HERE. Once again, thank you all for making my first year of blogging such a success!
Rules for the giveaway:
1) Contest is open from Monday February 14, 2011 to Friday February 18, 2011 at 11:00 PM EST.
2) In order to enter, you must leave a comment telling me what one of your favorite book series is at the END OF THIS POST. ETA: sorry folks, forgot to edit this part from last week. Please leave me a comment telling me what your favorite paranormal creature is (and if it comes from a specific book or series). For example... do you *heart* werewolves? Are you gaga for angels?
3) Please also leave your email address so that I may contact you if you win. (If you prefer not to leave your email, you may send it to me confidentially.)
4) You do not have to be a follower of my blog, but it is appreciated.
5) Winner must be 18 years of age.
6) Each person that leaves a comment and follows the rules for the giveaway will receive an entry for the giveaway - only one entry per person.
7) Winner will be selected from all eligible entries using random.org.
8) The winner will be announced on my blog on Saturday February 19, 2011. Winner will have one week to contact me or another winner will be selected.
9) NOTE: The contest for the book and swag is open to US mailing addresses ONLY. Contest for ebook is open to US, Canadian and INTERNATIONAL mailing addresses.
Labels:
ACRO,
blogiversary,
celebrating,
contest,
Demonica,
giveaway,
Larissa Ione,
Sydney Croft
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56
comments
Monday, July 26, 2010
Tempting the Fire - ARC Review
Tempting the Fire
Author: Sydney Croft
Release Date: July 27, 2010
Publisher: Bantam Books
ACRO Series Book #5
ISBN: #978-0-385-34228-5
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotic Romance
NOTE: An Advance Review Copy of this book was provided to me by the author for the purposes of review.
From the author’s website:
EXTREME HEAT. EXTREME HUNGER. A JUNGLE EDEN ABLAZE WITH TEMPTATION..
Shockwaves shoot through the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives (ACRO) when horrific video surfaces from the Brazilian rain forest. A team of Navy SEALs has been nearly wiped out by something sinister and superhuman. Now ACRO agents Sela Kahne and Marlena West head to the world’s most unforgiving jungle in pursuit of a mythical monstrosity with a taste for human blood. And the only path that will take them to the creature runs through two men, each hiding his own dark secret.
Sela is an expert on cryptozoology with a sideline skill that could prove invaluable: when she makes love to a man, she engulfs his innermost thoughts. Teamed with Marlena, Sela makes contact with the lone SEAL survivor, Chance McCormack. Meanwhile Logan Mills, the man who rescued Chance, leads his private company on a hunt that has nothing to do with saving lives. Soon, Sela will put her supernatural charms to work on Logan, determined to extract information about the creature they are seeking. But in this sweat-drenched realm of danger and deception, Logan is more than just a passive target. He has the power to lead a highly-trained seducer into a jungle without any rules, without any limits—and no end to the heat.
What I’m talking about:
This book sizzles from the first page until the end! ACRO veteran agent, Sela, and first time field operative, Marlena, head to the Brazilian rain forest to find out more about the mysterious creature that was filmed attacking a SEAL team, and more importantly stop the para-military group, GWC, that is camped near the attack site, from selling weapons to ITOR (the bad guys). Even though Marlena is sent to seduce GWC head, Logan, she is unexplainably drawn to the loan SEAL survivor, Chance. Meanwhile, as Sela tries to push Logan towards Marlena, she can’t help but fall for his wicked charm and sex appeal.
The story that takes place down in the rain forest is SMOKIN’ HOT and exciting. Each individual struggles with a strong (never felt before) attraction, keeping a personal secret, and trying to discover who to trust. This is a lot to deal with, but added to their issues is the murderous creature that they need to capture or ITOR will kill an innocent hostage. This time pressure adds to the intensity of the moments and makes for a very thrilling storyline. I seriously could not put this book down because every time I thought “I’ll end after this chapter,” something else would happen.
The development of the dual love-interest story lines is captivating. And although they are two individual love stories, everything is woven into an amazing tale. I enjoyed seeing the parallels in each coupling (as mentioned above), but also watching each couple find its unique voice. Marlena and Chance’s story is especially appealing due to her background (which was told in the first 4 books, but summarized sufficiently in this story). Marlena is cursed to never to know a man’s love, and longs to know joy in her broken heart. The authors did a marvelous job developing her character and letting her story play out to its full potential.
One of the many things I love about the ACRO series is that the individual books do not focus solely on one “main” couple throughout the book. In this 5th installment of the series, we have 2 primary couples, plus the on-going relationships between my favorites: Creed and Annika as well as ACRO boss, Dev and newbie Gabe. The story lines for each coupling is perfectly proportioned for the book. Although, I have to admit, the authors tossed in a HUGE bomb for the Annika/Creed story line on page 14 (of the ARC) and did not pick it back up for 160 pages... this was torture for me (but in a delightfully wicked way)! And for those that have followed my reviews on the ACRO books (links to each at the end of this post), you know how much I adore ACRO leader, Dev. I was glad to see more interaction between Gabe and Dev in Tempting the Fire, but I still feel that their emotional connection is lacking somewhat.
In the end, each storyline collides in an amazing battle of good vs. evil. We meet a new ITOR agent that embodies both and are left with a glimpse of what is to come. I, for one, do not know how I am going to wait to find out what will become of ACRO. Sydney Croft is a master of sensual story-telling, and the ACRO series is in a league of its own.
My Rating:
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sunday Snippets #18
From Tempting the Fire by Sydney Croft
Book release: Tuesday July 27, 2010, so in addition this Snippet is also a
“You can join me, in the name of water conservation,” he called back, imagined her slick, soapy body rubbing his. He’d bet anything she was wild in bed; she was the type--all buttoned-up and serious on the outside, but once she got turned on... she’d probably rake her nails down his back when she came.
Oh. F*cking. Yeah.
He stroked himself harder, the build-up nearly too much, and he forced himself not to bite down on his own arm. She’d probably bite. And scratch. She’d lock those long legs around his waist and tease him by rocking her slick sex, her swollen clit, along the length of his shaft, working her honey all the way to his balls.
Which were drawing up, boiling with come. He imagined her palm cupping them, rolling them between her long fingers as she arched up, finally taking him deep. They’d both shout at the joining, and she might even reach her first orgasm when his cock raked a sensitive place inside.
“Do you think you’ll be ready soon?” she persisted.
“Yeah,” he panted. “Really ready.”
God, she’d be hot and tight - his hips rocked a little as he thrust into his fist.
“Because then we need to discuss the fact that you’re keeping me prisoner...”
Sela in handcuffs in the shower naked with him. “Yeah. Prisoner.” At his mercy, spread-eagle and calling his name...
“Logan, do you hear me?”
“Mmmmmhmmm.”
“Because that’s against the law.”
“Oh, yeah. Against.” Pressed against, her nipples rubbing his chest, her core contracting around him, and f*ck, he was at the edge and he was going over fast.
“Why are you suddenly being so agreeable?” Her voice had turned suspicious and he was seeing the white light behind his eyes. He pumped his hand faster, long strokes from base to tip, adding a twisting motion at the head that made the white light turn blinding.
“Because...it feels...so damned good,” he ground out. Sensation sizzled like a lit fuse down his spine to groin, where the pressure that had been building combusted. His balls tightened and his dick pulsed in his hand and he came, hard and fast, shooting on the floor while the water ran down his back like a soft caress.
There was dead silence on her end, and then, “I hope you enjoyed yourself in there, as that’s the closest you’re ever getting to being with me.”
-----
Be sure to visit tomorrow when I have my ARC review of Tempting the Fire.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Taming the Fire Review
Taming the Fire
Author: Sydney Croft
Release Date: available now Publisher: Bantam Dell
ACRO Series Book #4
ACRO Series Book #4
ISBN: #0385342276
Genre: Paranormal/Erotic Romance
From the author’s website:
POWER. PLEASURE. DANGER. IT DOESN’T GET ANY HOTTER THAN THIS.
He came to the underground London club for a night of extreme sex play with the enigmatic “Mistress Rik”. But the Special Agent known as Trance is really on a search-and-rescue mission to keep her alive. Part predator, Ulrika “Rik” Jaegar possesses feral powers that make her a danger to others–and to herself. That’s why the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives (ACRO) wants to recruit her to their side….To do so, Trance will have to pull off the impossible: capture and control Rik, both woman and beast.
On the run from the deadly agency that changed her into a pleasure-seeking shape shifter, Rik uses sex to rein in her own raging desires. Operating on pure instinct, she trusts no one…especially the magnificent alpha male with the power to seduce her into submission. An undercover agent with unique hypnotic gifts, Trance is surprised by his instinct to hold Rik and keep her safe — but he has a job to do. And as he hunts her down, as Rik and Trance are thrust into the ultimate game of domination and submission, they’ll enter a place where surrender is their sole hope of survival — and the only thing that can tame the wild beast in both of them…
What I’m talking about:
This is the fourth book in the ACRO series, but it is the first book of a new “story arc” within the ACRO world.
The story opens with ACRO agent Trance trying to bring in shifter and ex-ITOR agent Rik. Rik is a mistress in a BDSM club and Trance has a bondage/Dom history. The books gives the reader an insight into this underground world, but I just couldn’t connect. I don’t know if it was because of the extreme sex play or just this story, but their sex scenes weren’t emotionally satisfying to me - I just couldn’t grasp their need to Dom/sub over one another.
The story moves quickly with Rik and Trance developing a connection, but building a trust on false pretenses (Trance lies about his true identity.) While on the run, Trance continues to foster the trust with more lies, and of course, when the truth all comes out, Rik is incredibly upset. I think this was also part of the reason I didn’t connect as deeply with the couple - knowing that the relationship and trust was built on lies, and that Rik had been abused so much in the past, just bothered me. Once the couple get back to ACRO, Trance and Rik learn to trust one another and start to fall in love. But then BAM a major issue comes out of the woodwork. Trance unfairly cuts Rik out of his life, and I felt a bit let down by the story and Trance’s character. And when the couple FINALLY reunites in literally the last pages of the story, it just didn’t hold an emotional punch for me.
One thing I loved was Rik’s character. She is a strong, alpha female who doesn’t trust easily. I enjoyed watching her learn to overcome her own fears and past to build stronger relationships with those around her. But best is her self-development with her inner beast (AKA Cujo).
As for the enjoyable side stories, there were some changes. With Annika and Creed getting their HEA in the previous story, we move onto lost ACRO agent, Ryan and his mystery girl, Coco (aka Meg). I was looking forward to another multi-book story arc with these two, similar to A/C, but this one was wrapped up within this book. I didn’t feel the strong emotional connection with this couple as I did with A/C. Both Meg and Ryan’s emotional states were too much of a roller coaster ride for me - hurt one moment, completely in love the next. I think if their story had more time to develop, it would have been more emotionally satisfying.
*SPOILER IF YOU HAVEN’T READ FIRST THREE BOOKS*
My love from each book has been ACRO’s leader, Devlin. In the third book, Seduced by the Storm, Dev was finally reunited with his long-time on again/off again true love, Oz. And then Oz was killed, and his death destroyed me. Now Dev’s storyline is moving forward and I’m not sure what to make of it. I found his transition to Dev’s new love too quick - but then again, I adored Oz and their relationship was so powerful for me. I am hopeful that we will learn more about Dev and Gabe in the next book, and that their story isn’t quite finished.
Overall the book moved quickly and was a good read. However, I found myself (unfairly) comparing the story to the prior three, and it just didn’t measure up to the emotional satisfaction I found in those books. I still enjoyed it and look forward to the next book (coming this summer).
My Rating:
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