Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Fatal Desire by Valerie Twombly



Title:  Fatal Desire
Series:  Guardians #2
Author:  Valerie Twombly
Published:  March 12th 2014 by Resplendence
Length:  250pgs
Format:  ecopy
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★


Blurb:

Caleb is dark, hot, and commanding in human form. As a dragon, he’s a force to be reckoned with. When he witnesses the slave Lileta being beaten by his Overlord Odage, he nearly comes unglued. Without understanding why, he asks to take the slave as his own, but soon realizes his longing is more than an attraction to a beautiful woman. In a sick twist of fate, the gods have given him a demon as his mate—one he can never touch unless he wishes his own death. His only choice is to grant her freedom.

Lileta wanted to kill Caleb, but when she is freed by this tempting male, her anger turns to a desire that can only prove fatal. Even if she could claim him as her own, her dark past makes her unworthy of his love.

When their paths continue to intertwine, spiraling them to the brink of passion, can they resist the yearnings burning within them, or will they submit to their fatal desire?

Excerpt:

Odage stood under the full moon; the desert wind blew through his hair and grains of sand danced past his boots. Finally, he’d found the other half of the amulet of Tobor.

“I am extremely pleased, Odage. You have done well and will be rewarded. However, you know this journey has only begun,” a sinister voice echoed through the night air.

“Yes, My Lord. I’m aware of what is to come next.” Odage sneered. He knew the dark demon wanted the amulet. The harmless stone tucked in his curled fingers would somehow open Hell’s Gate when combined with the blood of a guardian’s mate. His master would then be set free to rain terror on the earth’s occupants.

“Good. Then you will start preparations. I am most anxious to leave this realm.”

“Of course, My Lord.” Odage shoved the amulet in his pocket and headed toward Caleb’s tent. He wondered how the slave Lileta fared with his second-in-command. He’d been surprised when Caleb had asked for the slave himself. Odage planned to kill her for her betrayal but decided Caleb deserved a gift so had agreed. He grinned, knowing the other Draki could be as brutal as he was. She might die yet.

When he reached the tent, he flung open the door and entered. Caleb sat at the table gnawing on a chicken bone. Odage’s gaze moved across the room where Lileta was handcuffed to the bed. Her tight pink T-shirt showed every curve, causing his desire to stir. She pinned him with a death glare. It really was a shame their species were incompatible. She was a beautiful female, with flowing raven hair, golden eyes, and hips that would fit nicely in his grip. Fortunately for her, the gods saw fit to make her species, the Kothar Demon, poisonous to a dragon.

Caleb rose. “My liege, how may I assist you?”

“Sit; finish your meal.”

Caleb took his seat. “May I offer you something? Wine?”

“Yes, a glass of wine is in order.” Odage waited while Caleb got up and procured another glass, filled it halfway with the red liquid then handed it to him. He raised it. “A toast.” Caleb extended his glass. “To finding the amulet.” Odage pulled the red stone from his pocket and placed it on the table.

“My liege, this is wonderful news. I know how long you’ve been searching for it.” He leaned in closer. “What happens next? Do you sell it to the highest bidder?”

Odage smirked. “Perhaps.” He would keep his master’s plans close to his chest, not even Caleb would be entrusted with the information. “But first, we must rid ourselves of the vampires. Prepare to burn down Vandeldor if you must.”

Caleb tipped his head. “Wouldn’t it be wise to find their queen’s murderer? I’d be honored to clear your name.”

Odage narrowed his gaze. “Fuck them. They dare accuse me, Queen Daria’s closest ally, of killing her? You know as well as I that they will never stop hunting me. Even if they were successful in catching me, they wouldn’t stop there. They will massacre our race.”

“Perhaps, but we are stronger than they are.”

“Yes, but I fear they have the gods on their side.”

Caleb furrowed his brows then nodded. “As you wish then. I will devise a plan to take them out.”

“Good, I knew I could count on you.” He raised his glass again. “To the death of our enemies.”

My Review:

When I started reading this novel I was still on a high from the first book in the series, I didn’t think it could get much better, but it definitely did. Twombly’s descriptions are even more vivid and the story even more captivating. Emotions run high throughout. I felt my heart break for the characters. Twombly’s writing makes it very easy to visualise the scenery and the events throughout the novel. This would have easily been a 5 star novel if the author had gone for another round of editing. There were a few times where I was tripping over the grammar and spelling which detracted from the story a bit.

The main characters in this novel were even more vivid than in the first novel in the series. They were also even more memorable (if that’s possible). They may just be my favourite lead couple in a series. The supporting cast is also perfectly developed. They are so much more than secondary characters. They are family and friends, and amongst the worst of enemies. It makes for a brilliant tale.

This is a brilliantly crafted story that kept me captivated throughout. I cannot wait to see what the future will hold for this series.

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About the author:

As a child, Valerie would often get into trouble for peeking at her mother’s favorite TV show, Dark Shadows. She can still hear her mother saying, “It will give you nightmares.” She was right of course, but that did not stop Valerie from watching. As an adult, her love of the fanged creatures never waned. She would watch any vampire movie she could find.

Being a true romantic, Valerie was thrilled when she discovered the genre of paranormal romance. Her first read was one of Lara Adrian’s, Midnight Breed Series and from there she was hooked.

Today, Valerie has decided to take her darker, sensual side and put it to paper. When she is not busy creating a world full of steamy, hot men and strong, seductive women, she juggles her time between a full-time job, hubby and her two German shepherd dogs, in Northern IL.

Valerie is a member of Romance Writers of America and Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Romance Writers. She is also a member of Coffee Talk Writers and the Coffee Talk website –a site designed to support established writers and foster new talent.

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