Step by Cindy Paterson

Title: Step

Author:  Cindy Paterson

Series:  The Senses #2

Published:  Smashwords (first published November 4th 2012)

Page Count:  339

Genre:  Paranormal Romantic Suspense

Shelf:  Review Copy

Rating:  ★★★★★ (+ a few for good measure)

Synopsis from Goodreads:

‘Only her love can restore his trust—only with his trust can she win her battle.’

Kilter, an immortal Senses Visionary, excels at being rude and crass with little hope of finding peace after being betrayed and tortured by his brother more than a hundred years ago. Reckless and stubborn he has alienated everyone—just the way he likes it. Until the day he meets Rayne and emotions he buried long ago are reawakened.

Rayne suffers from Anorexia Nervosa. Trapped by debilitating thoughts and a false sense of control, Rayne is slowly dying. Her husband has kept her secluded and alone for years, causing her to withdraw into an emotionless shell. But Rayne’s outward behavior is deceiving for beneath her delicate existence is a woman with strength. The trouble is—can she find that part of herself that has been driven away? Or has her cruel husband broken her fragile existence?

The two tortured souls are brought together only to be torn apart and forced to relive their horrific pasts in order to find salvation. But Rayne’s past has more significance than the Senses realize and their enemies will do anything in order to get her back.

The Senses are in for one hell of a fight as Waleron is forced to make the hardest decision of his life—Damien is tortured beyond his emotional capability by the witch Abigail—and Delara is drawn into a vampire’s arms only to have him use her darkest secret against her.

My Review:

The Senses return with a vengeance with this novel, the 2nd instalment in Paterson’s Senses series. Her fluid writing draws you in right from the get-go and doesn’t loosen its grip until you’ve hit the last page. Paterson writes with such a natural use of the English language and such eloquent descriptions that you feel like you’re watching a movie rather than reading a novel.

I really appreciate how Paterson develops the various supernatural races, species, and being throughout the novel. They are extremely well developed throughout while keeping up with this fast paced novel. I also like how Paterson presents eating disorders within this novel. She tackles a very difficult and troublesome topic with tact and grace. There is a great deal of information on the topic worked into the story and Paterson goes a long way to show how one can approach the subject.

The characters that Paterson has developed for this novel, and for the series as a whole, are phenomenal. Not only is each character individually developed, be they the main character of the novel or simply part of the Talde, but they are also loveable in their own right. Paterson has brought for a very diverse cast that has something for everyone to enjoy. I love the fact that the characters names are short, unique, to the point, and fit each character perfectly.

Overall, this was a phenomenal read that I couldn’t put down, even for a second. It was a phenomenal follow up to Jump, and although this novel could definitely be read as a standalone, I’d suggest reading Jump first as it contains some relevant background information. Also, have a copy of Fall on hand when you finish because you won’t want to let these characters go.

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Jump by Cindy Paterson

Title:  Jump

Author: Cindy Patterson

Series: The Senses #1

Published:  November 19th 2011 by Cindy Paterson

Page Count:  314

Genre:  Paranormal Romantic Suspense

Shelf: Review Copy

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Centuries of loyalty

His code of honor was respected without question, until he consumed the blood of an enemy in exchange for a mortal woman to be set free from certain slavery.

He can’t forget her

Despite knowing, he will be imprisoned and put to death if caught, Balen, a fierce Senses Tracker, returns to Toronto to find the mortal woman, Danielle, he left behind two years ago. Haunted with memories of the torture they endured in the hands of a Senses enemy, Balen’s determination to see her again, drives him to risk everything. But when he does, a new enemy comes into play, one he can’t defeat.

To conquer the wrath of fear

Determined to find some sort of peace after her abduction, Danielle finds solace in painting a man from her nocturnal unconsciousness. When he comes knocking on her door, her world is shattered and Danielle must face her worst fears in order to survive what is coming after them. It won’t stop. It can’t. For the ancient spell has no compassion.

A journey of tenacious desire that refuses to fade even though that is what will destroy them. Because—in order for Danielle to live, first she must die.


Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

My Review:

What a rush. This novel grabs you from the get go and never lets go. You are constantly on the edge of your seat with all of the twists and turns that Patterson throws at you. And she keeps you on the edge of your seat with the good kind of suspense. There’s never a moment where you’re wondering what’s going on based on lack of detail or background information. The suspense is built into a very solid storyline that keeps you hooked so deep that you couldn’t get out, even if you wanted to. And trust me, you won’t want to.

Throughout the novel Patterson employs very clear and detailed descriptions that are true to life and that flow with the storyline. Everything in this novel is very vivid, but in a realistic way. Even though this is a supernatural story, it never becomes over-the-top or cartoon-like. Patterson also works some very unique interactions and relationships between supernatural species, and between those species and humans. It all just seems so real.

Everyone in this novel is very well developed to suit a specific purpose or personality. They are all such distinct people that you can’t help but identify with at least a couple of them, if not all of them in some little way. I also love that her paranormal characters are ‘human.’ Sure they have supernatural abilities, but they also look, act, talk, and feel like a human does. Because of this, the story doesn’t seem farfetched at all. You can really see this all happening in your own neighbourhood because you’d never know that your neighbours aren’t actually human. The characters that Patterson developed for this phenomenal story are the kind who will stay with you forever.

This story was a much bigger rush than I’d expected when I first picked it up. I couldn’t put it down at all. I also really appreciate the fact that this novel can stand on its own. Everything is completed within the parameters of the novel itself. That said, I really can’t wait to grab the sequel and dive into it.

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