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Showing posts with label Breeds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breeds. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Review: Stygian's Honor by Lora Leigh

Stygian's Honor
Author: Lora Leigh 
Release Date: Aug. 7, 2012
Publisher: Berkley
Breeds #27
ISBN: #978-0425246078
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotic
Format(s): Paperback (374 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher - won ARC at RAGT12

About the book:
Window Rock, Arizona, is the last known location of Honor Roberts, who vanished when she was just thirteen. It was her only sanctuary from the Breed research that would surely have ended in her death--one such insidious experiment should, indeed, have killed her. That she lived is both a miracle--and a great mystery. 

Stygian's mission is to find Honor Roberts, no matter the cost. Now, with the help of Liza Johnson, assistant to the chief of the Navajo Nation, he is closer than ever to his goal. But will the discovery of Honor Roberts mean the destruction of the mating heat that has developed between Stygian and Liza?

What Im talking about:
“Hmmm... What are my thoughts on this book?” That is what I wondered as I finished the 27th Breed story. I have mixed feelings, but that is probably more a reflection of the direction of the series and a combination of reading so many of these books, rather than Stygian’s Honor as a stand alone body of work. As I've said countless times before, Breeds is my guilty pleasure. But lately the books have left me a bit unsatisfied, and Stygian’s Honor is no exception. My biggest complaint is that the books feel very formulaic. Although the set up and situations are unique to each story, there are common denominators that are frankly becoming tiresome for me: the alpha breed male determined to "break" his female, the human female mate who feels mating a breed will ruin her life, Jonas being an ass (and he reaches a whole new level in this book!). In addition, the once erotic sex scenes have become a series of words and phrases repeated time and time again. And at times, the point-of-view changes from one character to another without any clear indicators, which can make the story difficult to follow.

With that said, there are some things I liked in this book. First, I really enjoyed several of the conversations between Stygian and Liza. Many were open and direct, which was a refreshing change from other pairings. She is much more knowledgable about the Breeds and their secrets than other heroines in past stories, and she was willing to let Stygian know where he stands. In addition, Stygian knows from the start that Liza is his mate and embraces this fact. He doesn't want to lie to his mate and while he doesn't, he is still careful to not reveal too much. 

Second, I was very happy to see Cassie back in action. Although her role is small, it was exciting. We saw more of her special "abilities" front and center. In addition, we witnessed a few more clues as to what may be coming. I'm still trying to figure out who she will mate with one day... I have my suspicions. 

Another plus is Coyote Breed, Dog. I enjoy his sarcasm and wit. His character is tough to read, and I like trying to figure him out. There is one short scene near the end of the book that has me reeling and wondering what Dog is up to. 

As for the overall story arc, we last left off with Jonas et. al. searching for two human females and two Breed males that were part of the Genetic Council's testing of the Breed Mating hormone program. Jonas believes these four carry the answers to cure his young daughter from the effect of the drugs former Council member Brandenmore used on her. The team is set up on Navajo land and are bullying their way to find answers. In Stygian’s Honor we do get some of these answers, but not many. I don't feel like the Breeds are any closer to solving the mysteries of the Brandenmore drug. 

I liked Liza for the most part. She is strong and fiercely independent. I also appreciate that Stygian makes a huge and successful effort to allow her to remain that way. However I felt that her character was too "wishy-washy,” with radical emotional shifts and apparent changes in beliefs when it comes to her family and the Breeds. One minute she wants out from the Breeds, the next she's happy. She goes on about how she loves and trusts her father, but then rails on him. It was inconsistent behavior that frustrated me. 

Another thing I'm not happy about is that Liza is tied into a covert group known as the Navajo Underground ... This team of friends plays a large roll in her life, and we see a lot of them in the beginning of the book. However, once Liza falls under Breed protection, we hear nothing of this group again. It felt off and gave no closure. 

Even though the scale seems to weigh heavy on the negative side in my review, the book was still enjoyable. There is a reason these books are addictive and I am not ready to give up the habit just yet. 

My Rating:

Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)






Purchase Info:

Reviews in the Series:



Monday, December 19, 2011

Review: Lawe's Justice

Lawe’s Justice
Author: Lora Leigh 
Release Date: Dec. 6, 2011
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Breeds #26
ISBN: #978-0425243954
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (368 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds

About the book:
Diane Broen's lived to protect her younger sister Rachel from harm. But now that Rachel has been mated off, Diane's occupied herself with less fulfilling tasks at the Genetics Council--until she's paired with a new team member, a Breed male notorious for his attitude, and a touch that makes her recoil.
Lawe isn't thrilled with her either. A lion at heart, he prefers a lair of solitude. When it comes to females, he'd rather snarl than purr. And while fate may have paired them to fight on the same team, neither is willing to admit to the obvious: the mating heat between them is positively incinerating.
It's only when danger threatens that they make a hotter-than-hell connection--one so explosive it could destroy them. Or, as providence reveals, bind them together, forever.

What Im talking about:
Lawe’s Justice opens with a horrifying memory of the Breed Lab where Lawe and his brother Rule grew up - a memory of their mother being cut open and studied while alive. The story then jumps to present day where Breed Director Jonas is investigating a rogue Breed who is killing human researchers who were involved with similar experimentations. Meanwhile, we meet Diane, a human mercenary hired to find three individuals (victims) that fled from the lab. Jonas, the perpetual interfering manipulator, sends Lawe in to debrief Diane, knowing that she is Lawe’s mate.
Diane and Lawe have lived the past several months trying to avoid one another, knowing they were mates and not yet ready to deal with the commitment that comes along with being mated. Once together, they realize they can no longer fight their attraction. However, Diane refuses to be protected and “placed on a shelf,” and fights to continue as a warrior and solider in the fight to protect all Breeds. 
The story was a bit tough to follow at first - all these names tossed at the reader without much detail to back up the action. All I could figure out for the first few chapters is that the rouge Breed, Gideon, was chasing after the same people Diane was looking for. I’d say it wasn’t until I was about a third of the way through the book until I started piecing together who Gideon and Diane were searching for and how they all fit into the larger picture.
What blew me away with this book was the intense an emotionally raw dialogue between Lawe and Diane. She poured our her heart and soul to him over and over. Diane is a strong woman who refuses to be treated with kid gloves. She wants Lawe to stop protecting her and fight along side of her. She is full of fervor and refuses to give up her fight. Her internal struggles were passionate as she acknowledged her physical and emotional desire to be Lawe’s mate, which felt in direct contrast to her drive to fight and be free. Diane’s heartfelt pain drew me in and had me hoping for Lawe to change as well.
Diane also shared some beautiful moments with Jonas’ mate, her sister Rachel. These interactions also highlighted Diane’s inner turmoil as she watched her sister stand along side her mate and seemingly in opposition to Diane.
However, at around the 70% mark (I read on Kindle), I noted that Diane’s honest and heart-wrenching dialogue was getting to be a bit repetitive. And then she started coming off as whiny. I became disinterested in her feelings and just wanted the story to progress.
Speaking of the story... Once I figured out (I thought) who everyone was, who they were trying to locate, and why they were searching (Gideon for revenge, Diane to help find a cure for her niece), and I thought the parties were getting close to locating them, things started falling apart for me.  It seemed like there were new players every few pages and I got very confused. 
And the ending... I was not happy. For a book that started out so strong, the ending was pretty weak. There was no conclusion in the story for the hunt for the missing lab victims - not even a satisfying lead. I understand the need to have a strong story arc in a multi-book series, however in this case, the entire book was about the hunt and it lead nowhere.
Lawe’s Justice was probably a 4.5 star story for about two-thirds of the book, and then it went downhill for me. Diane was a breath of fresh air, and I adored the conflicts she and Lawe dealt with. However, their friction grew tiresome and the story just wasn’t that strong in the end. 

My Rating:
Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Review: Navarro's Promise

Navarro’s Promise
Author: Lora Leigh 
Release Date: April 5, 2011
Publisher: Berkley Trade
The Breeds Series #24
ISBN: #978-0425239780
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotic
Format(s): paperback (320 pgs), e-book

I purchased a copy of the book for my own reading pleasure.
From the author’s website:
In the wolf breed novel, NAVARRO’S PROMISE, Mica Toler’s best friend is the wolf/coyote hybrid breed, Cassie Sinclair. And now Mica is being drawn into her world in ways she had prayed she never would be when the charming wolf breed Navarro makes good on the promise he made her on a dark, explosive night.

The Breeds guaranteed that no harm would come to Micah Toler but they never allowed for her sensual fascination with Navarro Blaine. Aloof, cool, and mysterious, he draws her in as no man ever has. But Micah never wanted this. She had her own dreams, her own desires, and being stalked and seduced by a wolf breed wasn’t part of that plan.

Now she knows her life is in danger. What Navarro knows is that she’s his mate and that the breeding and training that created him is being peeled away in his desperation to claim a woman that refuses to be claimed.

He has her body. She craves his touch. And as the breeds converge the past will rise up to haunt Navarro in ways he never expected.

What I’m talking about:
Once again, I stress to you all... The Breeds Series is my guilty pleasure. You can read about my love in my recent review of the novella “Primal Kiss” HERE
Chronologically, this story takes place after Styx’s Storm and the recent novella “Primal Kiss.”  The story focuses on Breed Enforcer, Navarro Blaine and human Mica Toler.  Mica grew up among the Breeds and is best friends with one of the Breed protected children, Cassie Sinclair.  Mica is now an adult, but has dreamed of and loved Navarro since she was 16. She guarded her emotions from him for years, but when the evil Phillip Brandenmore threatens her life, Mica and Navarro are thrown together in a dangerous fight for survival.
NOTE: due to some technical issues with the book, I have described a scene that may be slightly spoilerish. In addition, I have mentioned some things about the conclusion of the book that are spoilers.
I’m going to say right up front that this book was a bit of a let down for me.  It still had the erotic sex scenes and the fast-paced action, but for me, it lacked the “punch” of many of her other Breed stories.  Not only that, but the book is actually missing an pivotal scene that lead to some confusion while I was reading it! A little backstory here... I do not read other reviews or information about a book until after I’ve read it. I received a heads up from tweep @HaileyEdwards that a scene was missing, but I didn’t want to research it until I was done. And sure enough... right about page 299, at a critical moment in the book, we have Mica and Navarro leaving the labs all mad at each other and jump to the bed, post sex, spilling out the emotions we’ve been waiting for the entire story. Oh, and the bad guy happens to be there as well. It was a total WTF?! moment.  After doing some research on both the author’s and publisher’s websites, the only thing I could find out about this “error” is that it was a mistake, the author plans to put the scene up on her website, and the books will be reprinted soon. (The information HERE is located on Ms. Leigh’s FORUM) I called my local Barnes & Noble store, which knew nothing about the problem, but said that they would exchange my book for me when the new ones are available.
Anyhow, back to the review...  The overall story was okay, and I doubt that the missing scenes will solve the things I didn’t care for in the book.  What I did like: the mating heat and signs have taken an interesting twist and I like how it was directly tied to emotions - in the past we were lead to believe the heat happens, but will only match up “perfect pairs,” and the emotions of either partner didn’t seem to have an impact. Not so with Navarro and Mica. It was a nice adjustment to this little-known phenomenon. I also enjoyed seeing more of the mysterious Cassie and getting a better idea of how Eli (the feline doctor) is doing after being near death and betrayed by those close to her.
What I didn’t really care for: first of all... the story seemed very repetitive to me.  I got tired of reading about Mica’s juices flooding her pussy, that Navarro was not experiencing the mating heat, that the Breeds have to hide the mating phenomenon, and that although Merinus was over 40 years old, she still looked so young, etc. etc.  Also, I felt that Mica’s reactions to events surround the mating heat were overly conflicted and hyper-emotional. She admitted that she’d been in love with Navarro since she was 16, yet she was so freaked out for a while, even bordering on hateful feelings. I understand that she was afraid of getting her heart broken, but it just seemed over the top to me.
Finally, the ending of the story was a disappointment. Unless the missing scene can pull together several plot line developments, I feel that the conclusion of the story was lackluster. There was build up of a spy in Sanctuary (yes, another spy... go figure!), but it was never more than a passing mention in the end. Mica was the focus of Brandenmore’s evil plans, yet we never really found out what he was up to, and he was just brushed under the rug in the end.  
I am giving this book a 3 for its rating.  I love the Breeds, and this book did have some wonderful scenes that held an emotional impact. I felt it fell short in the end, but is still a must read for fans of the series. If you are new to the series - definitely do NOT start here. It’s not the best example of how wonderful this series truly is.
My Rating: 
Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
(recommend for fans of the series, 
but not for new comers to the series) 


 
Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Quickie Review: "Primal Kiss"

“Primal Kiss”
from the Anthology Primal
Author: Lora Leigh 
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Publisher: Berkley Trade
The Breeds Series #23
ISBN: #978-0425239056
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotic
Format(s): paperback, e-book

I borrowed a copy of the book for my own reading pleasure. (thanks Mandi!)
From the author’s website:
When the bad boy lion breed, Creed Raines, crashes the family cabin while Pharmaceutical CEO Horace Engalls' daughter is vacationing, it sets off a series of events that even Creed couldn't have imagined beginning. Mating Heat blows sky high, hot and overwhelming, and reminding him of all the reasons he had fought to avoid it. Especially with the shy, though incredibly stubborn decidedly willful, much loved and cherished Engalls Princess, Kita Engalls.

But for Jonas Wyatt it could be a blessing in disguise, because only Horace Engalls knows the true scope of Phillip Brandenmore’s evil. And only by holding Kita hostage to the truth Jonas demands, will it ever come to light. But can mating heat bloom and became the fiery tendrils of love when Kita suspects her breed has betrayed her?
What I’m talking about:
Once again, I stress to you all... The Breeds Series is my guilty pleasure. Ms. Leigh writes some of the hottest erotic paranormal stories out there, and this novella is no exception! As an avid reader of this series, my review may not make sense to those of you that have not YET picked up this delicious series.
Chronologically, this story takes place after Styx’s Storm and prior to the recently released Navarro’s Promise (review later this week).  As with most of Ms. Leigh’s novellas, “Primal Kiss” contains key plot development for the overall story arc.  In this case, we find out more about Phillip Brandenmore and his evil plot to create a “fountain of youth” serum from mating Breed pairs. At risk, his niece, Kita Engalls, the unknown (at the time) mate of Breed Enforcer Creed Raines.  She is wanted by both the Breeds and purest-human groups as leverage to get knowledge from Brandenmore.
The pace of this story is quick. There are few bumps in the road and both Kita and Creed readily accept their lot as mates including all of the complications that come with the Breed mating hormone. The primary focus of the story is the romance between Kita and Creed, which is erotic and sensual. The story climaxes with a showdown between the Breeds and Brandenmore, which was a bit sketchy with details and lacked emotional tension - but you can’t expect everything to be perfect in a novella-length story.
All-in-all another pleasurable read in The Breed Series. LOVE IT!!  A must read for fans and a fun introduction for those that have missed out on this amazingly fun series.
My Rating: 
Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)


Monday, October 18, 2010

Review: Styx's Storm

Styx’s Storm
Author: Lora Leigh
Release Date: October 5, 2010
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
A Breeds Series Book (#22 according to Goodreads)
ISBN: #978-0425237397
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): mass market paperback (304 pgs), e-book
From the back cover:

When Storme Montague’s father and brother are killed by the Breeds, her father’s research is also destroyed--except for a crucial date chip that both the Council and the Breeds would kill to possess. Betrayed to the Council, she is rescued by Styx, a Wolf Breed who is different from most other Breeds she has ever known. Storme has something he wants too--but it’s not a data chip.

There’s never been a woman who bad boy Styx couldn’t seduce. But can the charmer of the Wolf Breeds charm the enemy?

Or has the enemy come up with a plan of her own? A plan that could destroy the tentative balance the Breeds have created in society and among their allies--and that may ultimately destroy them both...
What I’m talking about:
Lora Leigh’s Breeds Series is my guilty pleasure. I admit it. I really enjoy the books. Yes, they tend to follow the same basic storyline. Yes, the males are bit hard-headed and dominate/possessive. Yes... I love it!  And this story is no different.
Spoiler Alert (this contains information learned in previous Breed books and may be a spoiler if you haven’t read them)
Picking up about 6 weeks after the end of Lion’s Heat (my review HERE), we find out there there may be information out there to help Breed Director, Jonas Wyatt, figure out what was done to his infant daughter.  That information is hidden by Storme Montague, who’s father and brother were Council scientists that helped create the Breed race.  She was raised in a Breed laboratory setting and witnessed a rouge Breed murder her brother and father.  Storme has been on the run for ten years and doesn’t trust ANYONE.  The Breeds have followed Storme from afar, always protecting her without her knowledge, hoping she would come to them one day and share the secrets that her father and brother left with her. Unfortunately, time has run out and the Breeds send out Wolf Breed Styx to bring in Storme.
Styx is not your average Breed. He is known as quite the ladies man and for good reason. Even when scared, this is Storme’s first impression of her undiscovered mate:
Squared, strong features drew instant female attention, as did the exotic eyes that appeared to be lined with kohl.  High cheekbones, well-molded male lips, broad shoulders, a strong chest and impressive biceps. He was larger and broader than the other men, and looked exactly like what he had been created to be. A Scots warrior.  He would have looked at home in a kilt with a sword strapped to his waist.
Styx knows Storme is his mate, yet the mating process doesn’t complete after they have hot and steamy smex. He is perplexed and frustrated, and he cannot share the information with Storme until he knows if she will betray the Breeds or not. At first I thought this may be a repeat of either Mercury’s War or Tanner’s Scheme, but Ms. Leigh tweaks the story enough to make it a bit different. Unfortunately, we never really learn why the mating process was delayed, and I felt a bit let down by that.
What I did enjoy (besides the passionate and very hot romance) was that Storme got the chance to fall in love with Styx before the mating took hold. Although she is involuntarily taken and protected by the Breeds, she is treated with kindness and respect. Styx doesn’t try to force the mating and he doesn’t try to overtly dominate Storme. She does hate and fear the Breeds and her captor/mate, but she starts to observe that her perceptions may not be true. She struggles with her emotions and fights the dueling attraction and lust verses her long-held beliefs. This is a refreshing change from some of the earlier Breeds Series books.
We didn’t learn much about the overall story arc and conflict of Breed verses Council, and there were more unanswered or open questions (see earlier comment on delayed mating process). However, I enjoyed the focus on Storme and Styx. The romance was extremely hot and I felt more of a connection with this couple than I did in the previous couple of stories.
This is a must read for Breed fans. However, if you haven’t been following the series, I don’t know if this book would be well received.  As I wrote in my review of Lion’s Heat, you can start with Megan’s Mark and get enough background and story to make the series worthwhile. But if you haven’t followed the series, you really should!
My Rating: 
4: Really enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)


Sunday, May 30, 2010

Sunday Snippets #10


From “A Christmas Kiss” in the anthology Hot for the Holidays by Lora Leigh.

He breathed in slowly, deeply. “You’re my mate, Jessica. We both know what that means. I’ve tried to stay away from you. I’ve tried to wait until the time was right to court you, to give you a chance to accept what it means.”
“Time?” She gave a hard, bitter laugh. “I was jailed, Hawke. You didn’t even visit. I’ve rarely seen you since my release. Perhaps you need to figure out exactly what it means to court a woman before you decide to do it.”
His jaw tightened, the muscle bunching almost violently as she watched him clench his teeth.
“I would have given us more time.” He seemed to push the words past his throat. “Before I began to court you, I wanted to ensure your protection, your safety. And your freedom.” He bit the last work out almost angrily. “I wanted you to choose me. I didn’t want to force the heat.”
“And that’s changed. Why?” She almost softened at the words, at the need she could see in his eyes and the fact that, unlike the circumstances of other mates, hers had tried to give her a choice, a chance to turn her back on it if it wasn’t what she wanted.
Monday, April 12, 2010

Lion's Heat - a Review

Lion’s Heat
Author: Lora Leigh
Release Date: April 6, 2010 Publisher: Berkley
Breed Series Book # 21 ** For more information on the Breed book reading order, please see Ms. Leigh's website here
ISBN: #0425233804
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Shifter
From the book’s back cover:

Bad boy Jonas Wyatt’s personal assistant, Rachel, has had a child -- an innocent new life that has been put in grave danger because of Jonas’s perilous games and calculations played in the shadow-world in which he lives: the dark and sensual world of the Breeds. Now, Rachel is making only one demand of Jonas: that he finally take responsibility and deliver on the protection that only he can give.

Jonas has known for a long time that it is destiny that Rachel become his mate. He can sense it. He can also sense her reluctance. And for that, he refuses to claim her. He wants her on love alone and not because of the urge of the mating heat. But it is Jonas’s destiny to claim her. And he will have his way...
What I’m talking about:
I’ve been waiting for this book for a long time now. I started reading this series with the first book published by Berkley - Megan’s Mark. I don’t know about the books prior to that one, but since that point, Jonas has been a manipulating leader of the Breeds. It was great to see him buckle and just plain “lose it” in this book.
Jonas has always controlled his own life and the lives of countless Breeds around him. He continues to try and stay in control even though he is forced to hire his own mate as a personal assistant. She is just the woman to work for Jonas - she can stand up to him and put him in his place. But she is not aware that she is Jonas’s destined mate.  I enjoyed reading how Jonas had to continually fight the urge to take his mate. It warmed my heart that Jonas put Rachel and her child above his own health and needs so that Rachel would be comfortable and find love in her own way.  This is VERY different than the prior Breeds’ books.
As always with Ms. Leigh’s books, the sex is hot and passionate. The sex scenes go on for pages and can be graphic at times. But either I am getting used to them or these sex scenes were a bit tame compared to ones in the earlier books.
The overall Breeds story arc took some interesting twists. I think my favorite parts in this book were those that carried on the mythology of the Breeds and their battle for peace and safety. In addition, Ms. Leigh tossed in some new curveballs and unanswered questions. These unresolved issues will bring me back to the next story - regardless of who the main couple will be.
On the negative side: I did notice that there were several repetitive phases and terms used throughout the book. I don’t know if it’s lazy writing or bad editing, but it was a bit annoying to me.  I found that I started skimming longer sections that just kind of repeated an earlier section of the book.
Overall, Lion’s Heat is a must read for Breeds fans. If you are new to the series I highly recommend NOT starting with this book. You will lose a lot of important background story. If you can find the earliest books, then start at the beginning. If not, you can start at Megan’s Mark like I did. (See note at beginning of post regarding reading order.)
My Rating:

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Sunday Snippets #2


From Coyote’s Mate by Lora Leigh.

Anya shook her head. It hadn’t been pain. It hadn’t hurt, not physically. Emotionally. The warmth she needed, the feel of him that she ached for physically, couldn’t overshadow the pain she felt inside.

“I’m fine,” she said again. “Please excuse me, Del-Ray. I just need to shower. Maybe eat.” She gave him a false smile and edged to the door of her office. “Good night.”

She opened the door, slipped inside the little room and nearly sank to the floor as her upper body spasmed with the need to sob. She was his mate, not his coya. Without the ceremony, she would never truly be his coya, his other half. She was just the woman he f**ked and nothing more.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Hear the Lion Roar

Just one week until the newest Lora Leigh release from her Breeds series: 
Lion's Heat
Release Date: April 6, 2010
ISBN: 0425233804 
Publisher: Berkley
On the author’s website:
Bad boy Jonas Wyatt knows it is fate that Rachel becomes his mate. He can sense it. He can also sense her reluctance. But she has little power over the mating heat of the Breeds. It is Jonas's destiny to claim her. And nothing will stop him from having his way.

For an except please visit Ms. Leigh’s website
I’m a sucker for Lora Leigh’s Breed Series. I have an addiction. I’ll admit it. For the most part they are candy for my brain, and I keep going back for more.  There is a pattern to her books, a feel of familiarity, and it works. Not to mention, the sex scenes are incredibly hot. While normally I start a series from the beginning, this is one in which I did not -- I started with Megan’s Mark, and I have read each subsequent book in order.
To celebrate the newest Breeds release, I want to highlight one of my favorite books from the series.
Dawn’s Awakening
ISBN: 0425219755
Publisher: Berkley
From the author’s website:

The runt of the lab she was created in, Dawn Daniels endured years of torture by her pride brother and the council soldiers. Finally freed from her torment, she’s now a Breed Enforcer, in control of her own life. Until she’s assigned to protect the one man destined to be her mate—and realizes it’s far too easy to lose total control…
One of the Breed’s most important supporters, Seth Lawrence has spent years trying to forget Dawn, knowing that her lost innocence has made it impossible for her to get close to anyone. But suddenly neither of them can find the strength to fight the overwhelming passion between them. At least until the most brutal tormenter from Dawn’s past reappears—and threatens to destroy their newfound love, along with their lives…

What I’m talking about: 
As I mentioned earlier, Ms. Leigh’s books tend to follow a pattern, but this book broke the mold.  Finally we have a male that may want to protect and dominate, but he doesn’t need to use sex as a method for control. In fact, Seth has waited 10 long years with a hope in his heart that Dawn will let go of her past and come to him.  
Dawn has suffered unspeakable terror at the Breed labs, and she has never been able to shake the horror of her past.  She has risen in rank among the Breeds, becoming an enforcer, and always maintaining control. Even if that meant staying away from her destined mate.  But when confronted with the possibility of losing Seth forever, Dawn realizes she cannot fight nature any longer and gives in to her desires for Seth.  
Oh and Seth does not disappoint. He knows he must take his time with Dawn - time they don’t really have. But he surprises Dawn with care and compassion. I love that he collected soaps from his travels, imagining her wrapped in the fragrance of each one.  It may be a chemical reaction that bring Breed mates together, but in the 10 years Seth has waited for Dawn, he’s learned that the physical desire isn’t the only thing that draws him to her. 
The romance in this story is erotic and passionate.  The story is fun.  But what I didn't expect was the depth of emotions this book brought out in me.  It is a touching story, one that had my heart aching and in the end, jumping for joy.


Rating:

Coming Up...

Review: Making It Last by Ruthie Knox

Review: Dangerous Proposition by Jessica Lauryn

Review: Vicious Moon by Lee Roland

Review: The Thing About Weres by Leigh Evans

Review: Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews

Review: Marine with Benefits by Heather Long

About My Blog...

WELCOME to my blog! At That's What I'm Talking About, we discuss romance books and generally review the paranormal and urban fantasy genres, with some other fun topics tossed in. I hope you will stay and visit for a while!

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Jen
aka Twimom227

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About our reviews: The reviews posted here are the writer's own honest opinion of the book, not a judgement on the subject matter or author. We read for pleasure and at the request of authors and publishers. We do not receive compensation for our reviews, other than the copy of the book to read for the review.

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