Title: Taken by Desire
Series: Demonic Desires, Book 1
Author: Valerie Twombly
Release Date: May 18, 2015
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Demonic Desires, Book 1
Author: Valerie Twombly
Release Date: May 18, 2015
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Greydon has two important missions: Find his brothers and rescue his people. His duty becomes complicated when he's forced to beg a human to save his life.
Aimee Jarvis always considered her bookstore a detour to bigger things. Little did she realize her next stop would be the intriguing world of a demon prince. Yet, she finds the dangerous Greydon alluring.
While their attraction continues to burn, they both deny what their hearts already know. It will take the mystery of an ancient civilization and a shocking discovery for them to admit their desire.
My Review
I found Taken By Desire to be a good, solid paranormal romance with a strong storyline and fascinating demonic characters. Valerie Twombly is very good at creating captivating paranormal worlds with plots that grab your attention and keep you wanting more, and after reading this one, I can't wait for the rest of the series.
Aimee's character was a strong female lead, though at times she felt a little laid back when it came to her feelings for Greydon. I would have liked to see her more openly express herself to him from the start. Greydon...now there's an alpha male protector that I can easily add to my ever-growing favorites list. He is dedicated to his people, and committed to saving them and his brothers no matter what. He and Aimee seem to fit well together, if they could both just admit it to each other from the start.
The story moves extremely fast, and I would have liked to see it a bit more fleshed out as it felt like there was so much more that could be told. As it is, it felt a little rushed to me. But even so, there was plenty of great world-building, and I just have to point out my favorite secondary character-Fang. He tells it like it is, is devoted to his prince and friend Greydon, has some great lines and banter with him. It's going to be great finding out more about him and getting his story.
A recommended read for paranormal romance fans, Taken By Desire is a solid 4-star read for me.
Greydon and Fang checked the perimeter of the compound to be sure there was no trouble. Greydon didn’t trust Zolar, even if it was impossible for the god to enter. It would only be a matter of time before the god succeeded in finding a way in.
“So, how do you feel knowing that Aimee is part demon?” Fang asked.
Greydon shrugged. “How am I supposed to feel?”
The demon protector snorted. “You have the f*cking hots for her. Why won’t you simply admit it?”
Greydon stopped outside the front door to the palace. “Just like you to speak what’s on your mind.”
“Will you deny it?” Fang raised a brow.
Greydon laughed. “No, I guess I’m not.”
“Well that’s good because her scent is all over you. So, what are you going to do about it, or have you already?”
“I don’t know.” He opened the door, crossed the threshold with Fang on his heels and immediately sensed Aimee’s restlessness. He was driven to find her. “Fang, I have something I need to do.”
“Of course you do.” The demon walked in the other direction, laughing to himself.
“I’m glad he finds this humorous,” Greydon mumbled under his breath as he followed both Aimee’s scent and the pull his tie had to her.
Seconds later, he found himself standing in the doorway of the expansive library, staring at her as she stood in front of the fire. The black yoga pants formed to every inch of her lean body and the pink tee allowed her midriff to peek out.
“You look far away.”
She jerked and spun to face him. “I didn’t hear you. I wasn’t tired so thought I’d come in here.”
He walked into the room and made himself comfortable on the couch in front of the fireplace. “Something bothering you?”
She rubbed her arms as if cold, but he knew better. She was anxious about something. He could smell it. “I’ve been thinking. I want to help you, but I’m not sure how. Maybe you can guide me in the right direction?”
He cocked his head and stared at her, then patted the seat next to him. “Come sit and we can discuss it.”
She plopped down beside him and stared straight into his eyes. “I want to get one thing straight. I know you think that your attraction to me is from the blood bond, and maybe it is. However, I’m attracted to you as well and I have no bond to blame. I liked the kiss, and well, I hope you’re not discouraged from doing it again.”
At a loss for words, he figured the best place to start was with her request to help. "Okay, let's deal with one thing at a time. I think you might be a big help in deciphering our society. We're taught when we are very small about this world and what happened here. However, there are many gaps. You studied ancient languages and have a love for old books."
She nodded. "I think I know where you might be going with this. You want me to do some digging around here to see what I can learn?"
"Would you mind?" he asked, watching her eyes light up and a big smile spread across her lips. He realized he liked seeing her happy.
"Absolutely! I would be honored. I have to admit, it would also give me a chance to learn more about my supposed heritage.”
"I guess you probably have a lot of questions. I know I sure as hell do. In the morning, Fang and I plan to go back to the compound where you were held, and see if we can locate the others."
Aimee stared off into the flames. "I'm sure by now they know I'm gone." Her pleading gaze came back to meet his. "You have to save the other humans there too. God only knows what they've done to them."
The need to provide comfort coursed through him so he brushed his thumb down her cheek, desiring the intimate contact. “I’ll do my best, but you have to understand. My people, and especially my brothers, come first. After that I will not hesitate to save who I can.”
“Of course I understand, and I wouldn’t expect any less.” She leaned into his palm and desire darkened her hazel eyes.
He couldn’t stand it anymore, so he leaned in and brushed his lips across hers. He wanted more, and even though she’d admitted being attracted to him, he still held back. However, it took him by surprise when she placed her palms on his chest and pushed him back into the couch. Her lips never broke contact with his and when he could go no further, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her tongue pressed and he opened, allowing her to sweep in and taste him. She positioned herself between his spread legs and the next thing he knew, she was grinding against his swollen erection.
She laced her fingers in his hair as her tongue continued to plunder his mouth. Never before had he given control to a woman. He wondered why, since he was loving every second of it.
He slid his hands down her back and cupped her ass, digging his fingers into the firm flesh. She moaned into their kiss and pressed harder against him. Heat radiated between her thighs and caused his shaft to ache. He needed both his c*ck and his fangs buried deep inside her, but damn he had to stop this and quickly.
Taken by Desire purchase links
Amazon | iBooks | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | ARe
Also Available for Pre-Order: Shades of Desire, including Spanish Nights.
99 cents for a limited time; includes 10 full novels.
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.
Connect with Valerie:
Book Trailers:
Eternal Flame, Guardians #1 http://youtu.be/qkQkcFT-6Q0
Fatal Desire, Guardians #2 http://youtu.be/WN4jAlcYhnM
Primal Hunger, Guardians #3 http://youtu.be/TlyH1gVkTgQ
Thanks for reviewing and sharing!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely my pleasure! Can't wait to read the next one...and hear more about Fang ;-)
DeleteLooking forward to reading this.
ReplyDelete