August 8, 2013 by Tina Williams

Heart of Obsidian, Psy-Changeling Series, #12, by Nalini Singh

Dark, Dangerous and oh SO Seductive!

I ADORE this book! Heart of Obsidian was for me and other Nalini Singh fans one of THE most anticipated books of 2013 and it more than lived up to my expectations. The novel, #12 in the author’s fantastic Psy-Changeling series has a dark and seductive hero, ex Councilor Kaleb Krychek. I am a huge fan of Nalini Singh’s heroes, but she has reached new heights with Kaleb, the anti-hero of this novel. Kaleb is dark, tortured and deadly, the most powerful Psy on the planet, with awesome psychic powers, even for his race. Indeed he has telekinetic powers so great that he could penetrate the Earth’s crust, has the ability to induce madness into the minds of his victims and can teleport at will. I strongly recommend that you read this series in order to fully appreciate it.

Kaleb has the potential to be the destroyer or the saviour of the Psy race and the rest of the world inhabited by the Changelings and the humans. He is also a seemingly ruthless killer who lets no one stand in the way of his lust for power, destroying those in his path. Yet he will do anything to find the one person who was cruelly taken away from him seven years ago and atone for his role in her abduction and disappearance. I also cannot resist a man who can literally make the earth move when making love and who is a virgin hero who states that he has “researched sexual intimacy the same way as I research everything else. Methodically and in intricate detail.”

Readers have witnessed Kaleb’s rise to power in previous novels in the series and wondered whether he is on the side of good or evil, or somewhere in between….. In Heart of Obsidian the truth is out. We also learn of the identity of the mysterious and elusive Ghost, whose meetings with the Psy Judd Laurens, who has dropped out of the Psy Net and defected to the SnowDancer changeling wolf pack and the human Father Xavier has featured in previous instalments. Kaleb’s destiny is inextricably linked to this shadowy figure.

Sahara Kyriakus, of the Clan Nightstar, who has the power of back sight, has been held captive for the last seven years, her captor ruthlessly trying to exploit a formidable second power that she also possesses for their own evil intent. Sahara has resisted this at great cost to herself, retreating deep into her mind and creating a protective labyrinth. When we first meet her she has been rescued by Kaleb, only to be imprisoned by him in his home, unaware of the part he has played in her life. Although Sahara is wary of Kaleb, fearing that he too wishes to exploit her power she cannot resist the attraction she has for him. The fate of the Psy Net and the world rests on how Sahara will react when her memories return and recalls the role that Kaleb played in her past.

Both Kaleb and Sahara have tortured pasts. The abuse they have been subjected to is truly horrific and yet I love how they come together. Kaleb has the reputation of being as cold and calculating a they come, a wholly Silent and emotionless individual, with a dark past. Yet Sahara has the key to his heart. It is only with her that he is open to compromise. I adored how possessive Kaleb is when it comes to Sahara, reminding her often that she is his and belongs to him alone. Yet Sahara is no shrinking violet and has an inner strength. Indeed, I loved how this woman. Initially so broken and vulnerable regained her physical and mental strength after years of abuse and asserted herself.

Much of the novel focuses on the relationship between Kaleb and Sahara, with the main backdrop the continued disintegration of the Psy Net and the actions taken by Pure Psy. We also encounter ex Councilors Tatiana, Ming, Anthony and Nikita, and the Arrows Aden and Vasic and some scenes take place in San Francisco and the home of the DarkRiver Leopards. The past actions of Santano Enrique, who we met earlier in the series also plays a part.

As usual Nalini Singh’s plot and character development and descriptive powers are superb. I am hoping that there will be a good few novels left in the series yet. The book contains some fantastically erotic lovemaking scenes, which are always a big plus for me! It brings new meaning to the meeting of minds as well as bodies, when Sahara’s merest touch can cause both Kaleb’s shields and the very Earth to fracture!

I recommend this book to fans of Nalini Singh and those who like to read paranormal romance or romance with a Futuristic/Sci-Fi theme, with a plot which keeps you at the height of suspense throughout.

Reviewed by Tina 🙂

www.orionbooks.co.uk

www.nalinisingh.com

www.gollancz.co.uk

August 5, 2013 by Caroline Barker

Wolfen Domination (Project Nemesis #1) – a short story by Celeste Anwar

Celeste Anwar’s Wolfen Domination (Project Nemesis #1) is a dramatic erotica short story which is suitable only for the adult reader (18 yrs+) due to its content. Full of adventure Wolfen Domination follows the consequences of a captured Lycan, Jesse Stone, and the part that scientist, Erin Maddox, played in him being physically used (and non-consensually) – all in the name of science!

Project Nemesis is a secretive, government supported project that involved capturing a Lycan once their existence was discovered and its mission was to find out as much as possible on this new discovered species. However, head scientists Doctor Wagner and Doctor Freda Dallas appear to get carried away with their experiments and the reader soon discovers that Jesse has been starved and tortured. The reader instantly wants Jesse to escape any way he can.

The only part of Jesse’s day that was a small compensation was seeing the young scientist, Erin, when she came to leave him some food. But over time, after countless tests and torturous moments, Erin showed up in his cage seemingly willing to take part in the science experiments herself. It wasn’t until after the deed itself that it dawned on Jesse that Erin had been willing – willing to use him. The one moment he looked forward to, in seeing her, now completely enraged him. She was one of them. Jesse was furious and longed to escape in order to kill them, to avenge his mistreatment of physical and mental torturous hell! He plans to kill Erin last due to the pain and betrayal she has made him feel.

Celeste Anwar throws the reader straight in the deep end with the experiments having taken place, Jesse having been tortured and Freda and Wagner discussing how they can perform a further experiment with Jesse. The reader is made aware of the callousness of Doctor Wagner and Doctor Freda and the extremes that they will go to without taking any moment to think of the rights of Jesse.

There are moments when I felt that Wolfen Domination was rushed. The reader is not provided with much, if any, background information on Jesse or any of the other Lycans. We are made aware of what Jesse is from the beginning but apart from that there are no real dramatic descriptions of him ‘turning’ or much about his characteristics. Also, the on/off attraction between Jesse and Erin at times doesn’t seem believable as aside from the experiments we know too little about these characters. I do think this story would have benefitted from a more intense build-up and allowing the readers to get close to the main characters. That said, Wolfen Domination is quite adventurous and becomes moreso as the story moves on.

In terms of erotica, the reader is provided with some very intimate scenes between Jesse and Erin. Jesse is obviously attracted to her quite strongly. These scenes are mostly at the beginning of the story and the story then unfolds into a more paranormal action/adventure. However, some of these scenes are non-consensual, hence the recommendation for ADULT readers only, and therefore this may not be for everyone – a more erotic/horror. These scenes are necessary for the main plot, however, and if you can bear reading scenes of this nature the plot thereafter is quite interesting, following the consequences of the experiments and Jesse’s reaction to all that he has been through.

To mention what takes place after the experiments on Jessie would spoil the story. However, it is a worthwhile read and I would consider reading more of Celeste Anwar’s work. There are moments when the reader is completely involved in the story and connected to the characters, although there are moments that the reader could possibly struggle with following the concepts due to a lack of background knowledge. However, reading the whole story certainly allows for the reader to see where the plot is actually going and the potential it has.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

August 3, 2013 by Tina Williams

The Proposal, The Survivors’ Club #1, by Mary Balogh

I am an avid reader of historical romances encompassing all time periods. Regency romances feature high on my reading list as there are a huge number of authors who choose to set their novels at this time, following in the footsteps of the great Jane Austin and more recently Georgette Heyer, whose novels I devoured as a teenager.

Mary Balogh is one author I go to when I want to be guaranteed a great romantic read, which conjures up the Regency period perfectly and has engaging characters that often differ from the usual lord or lady. Her Huxtable Quintet, and her Bedwyn, Simply and Mistress series being amongst my favourites. The Proposal, the first book in her new series, The Survivors’ Club, deals with the romantic entanglements of seven individuals who have been injured in or by the horrors of the Napoleonic wars. Five of them are officers who have been wounded, one is a woman, who witnessed her husband, a Surveillance Officer, tortured and finally shot by the enemy and the other the Duke of Stanbrook. The Duke, who lost his son in the war and his grieving wife to suicide soon afterwards, opened up his home Penderris Hall to aid their convalescence and recovery and return to civilian life. They formed a strong bond during their time at Penderris and meet at there for a few weeks each year to enjoy each others’ company and offer mutual support, each of them having sustained physical and mental wounds of varying natures. I love reading about heroes and heroines who have had a difficult past, where they come together to find happiness and I have been looking forward to this series for a while.

In The Proposal the hero is Hugo Emes, Lord Trentham, a title he was awarded due to his bravery in the Peninsular. Hugo does not bear any physical scars from the war. Instead he harbours the mental scars of survivor’s guilt at having led so many men to their deaths for the greater good. After his initial convalescence at Penderris, Hugo has found solace in retiring to the country and working the land for a year or so. However, he now decides that he must honour his deceased father’s wishes and marry and produce an heir to inherit the family business. What he wants is a solid middle class woman who is best placed to understand and support him. Shortly after arriving at Penderris, Hugo decides to take a walk on the adjacent beach, joking with his friends that he will perhaps find a bride there. He comes across a woman with a badly sprained ankle.

Lady Gwendoline Muir has survived a number of tragedies in her life. Her husband died in a sudden accident and she has a limp, the result of a fall from a horse. Gwen and Hugo, from different worlds, clash immediately – she is a respected member of the aristocracy and the ton and he is an outspoken middle class ex-army officer who does not mince his words. However, as Gwen is compelled to remain at Penderris to recuperate, a strong physical attraction develops between them, which they cannot resist. They also begin to find out the truth about each other and form a deep attachment. However, is it love or lust? What will happen when Gwen returns to her aristocratic roots? Will she be happy to reprise her role as sister and aunt after tasting such passion? Also will Hugo be able to take up the reins of his family business and find a suitable middle class wife as he wishes? Is there a future for a couple with lives so disparate and with prejudices on either side?

What follows is a touching romantic tale examining if two people from two different classes can find some middle ground on which to live the rest of their lives together. There is also the added question of whether Gwen feels that she can afford to love a man as mentally scarred as Hugo after experiences she had in her first marriage. I found that the novel was beautifully written and sensitively examined the unseen wounds which individuals can bear after traumatic experiences in their lives.

I loved the characters of both Hugh and Gwen. Hugh is a taciturn and outspoken member of the middle class, uncomfortable around the aristocracy, many of whom resented his rise up through the ranks in his army days. When it comes to broaching the physical attraction that exists between him and Gwen he is outspoken, often shocking Gwen with his words. I also sympathised with him as he had clearly suffered from Post Traumatic Stress, as well as survivor’s guilt. Gwen never thought that she could find love again and is taken completely by surprise at the attraction she feels for Hugo. I love how despite their initial misgivings about a permanent relationship they came together.

I recommend this novel to readers of romance who are seeking a truly romantic and heart warming read. I am very much looking forward to the next in the series, The Arrangement, which tells the tale of another member of The Survivors’ Club, Viscount Darleigh, who we met in this book.

Reviewed by Tina 🙂

Mary Balogh’s website

Publisher Piatkus’website