Must-read romances: 'The Raven,' 'Unraveling You,' 'The Farther I Fall'
The Raven by Sylvain Reynard
As the centuries-old vampyre leader of his principality, the Prince of Florence has survived threats and challenges from the supernatural and human world. He's witnessed man's inhumanity to man and known great evil as well as good. In fact, Sylvain Reynard's Prince and his ilk can discern a sweet vintage from the reek of vice…they can scent it in human blood.
The smell of blood filled his nostrils. There was more than one vintage, but the scent that attracted his attention was young and unaccountably sweet. It resurrected in him memories forgotten, images of love and loss.
Other monsters moved in the darkness, from all parts of the city, racing toward the place where innocent blood cried out from the ground.
When the Prince is drawn to the scene of a young woman being brutalized in an ally by a group of men, he finds himself doing something uncharacteristic. Instead of taking her from her abusers and sating his hunger, he saves her.
When he turned to claim his prize, he found she'd fallen to the ground, the sweet scent of her blood heavy in the air. She seemed unconscious, her eyes tightly shut, her face battered.
"Cassita vulneratus," he whispered, crouching next to her.
She opened large green eyes and stared up at him through the raindrops.
Art restorer Raven Wood does not believe in the supernatural or miracles, so when she awakens to find her body changed and an old injury that has plagued her since adolescence healed, she considers insanity as a possible explanation. Arriving at Florence's Uffizi Gallery to begin her workday adds to her confusion and anxiety. Her colleague and friend initially doesn't recognize Raven and asks where she's been for the past week. As well, the gallery is swarming with police as a priceless set of illustrations painted by Botticelli depicting Dante's Divine Comedy has been stolen. Raven is a prime suspect in the theft as her disappearance coincides with the robbery, and what further complicates her situation is that she has no recollection of what happened to her. When a mysterious stranger begins to visit her after dark, her belief in the supernatural changes, and so does her life.
As we are drawn further into the Prince's dark paranormal world, Reynard ratchets up the danger and intrigue by revealing enemies within and outside his principality. Much like The Raven's charismatic, multidimensional hero, Reynard's prose is eloquent and sensual. Well-formed characters drive a spellbinding, intricate storyline enriched by vivid descriptions of Renaissance history, art and poetry. The city provides the perfect backdrop for an unconventional intense romance that evolves between a powerful ancient vampyre and a spirited but vulnerable human woman. Raven is passionate about life and art, and while taking a vampyre lover presents many challenges they enrich each other's lives, and the Prince proves capable of great passion.
The Florentine Series will hook paranormal readers new to this author's work and will delight devoted SR fans. The ending of The Raven left me hungering for the next installment of what will be a trilogy of stories. I would suggest reading the series' introductory novella, The Prince, first because it provides the foundation for Sylvain Reynard's intricate world building and gives insight into the complexities of the hero.
Be sure to stay tuned because Sylvain Reynard will join HEA in February to chat about The Raven.
Unraveling You and Raveling You by Jessica Sorensen
Lyric Scott is a delightful, musically talented teenager who has a zest for life and both feet firmly planted on the ground. She calls a spade a spade, is witty and doesn't spare the snark when the occasion calls for it. Lyric is an only child, but her family lives next door to the Gregorys, who are best friends with her parents and considered family. The Gregorys have adopted four children of various ages. Ayden is the latest to be welcomed to the family; he is Lyric's age, very good-looking, quiet and shy, her polar opposite.
He has no clue how to respond to my colorful personality—most people don't in the beginning.
Feeling a little on the adventurous side, I snatch ahold of Ayden's hand and drag him to his feet. "Come on, shy boy." I pull him with me as I march out of the room and downstairs. "The longer we stay up here, the longer this night is going to drag on."
He follows me a lot easier than I expected him to, holding onto my hand, maybe too tightly, as if he's terrified out of his wits.
Unraveling You and Raveling You are told from a dual first-person POV. Lyric's and Ayden's voices are distinct, and readers have a front-row seat as she takes him under her wing and helps him adjust to his new environment and high school. Poetry bubbles up throughout the narratives as the lead characters use it as a form of expression of their innermost fears and desires. Ayden has a traumatic background that involves abuse so severe he has post-traumatic amnesia. Lyric earns Ayden's trust, becomes his confidante and best friend — his anchor. Conversely, he adds dimension to her life and inspires her muse.
Raveling You begins a year after Unraveling You concludes. Ayden and Lyric's bond has tightened, feelings have intensified and their relationship is progressing beyond best friends. Lyric's father is a musician and has helped Ayden learn to play guitar, and he's joined a band. They are both writing lyrics, and Ayden helps Lyric conquer disabling stage fright, enabling her to become the band's lead singer.
God, if I could just kiss her without freaking out…
I'd kiss her all the time.
"So, just to be clear," my voice wobbles embarrassingly, "I'd never go on a date with someone else. I don't want to date at all. I mean, I do want to date, but I just can't yet. I don't think so, anyway." I clear my throat. Nothing I'm saying is coming out right. "Okay, let me try that again. I don't want to go out on a date with anyone other than you. I just don't think I can handle dating right now." I roll my eyes at myself. Man, I am the least smooth person ever. "See, now I'm the one who just made things awkward."
"You didn't make things awkward." She searches my eyes, her own sparkling, a sign that my cheery Lyric is about to emerge. "So, my dad had a band cancel for his opening."
Her abrupt subject change throws me off, but I latch on to her offering. It's one of the reasons I love her so much…
Love her?
I shake my head at my thoughts, and Lyric's face twists with perplexity.
No, I like her.
A lot.
Ayden copes with the angst and hormonal surges that accompany adolescence, but he also deals with continuing post-traumatic symptoms. His memories remain suppressed, and they terrify him. Lyric provides steadfast support, and when Ayden's past catches up with him and brings danger to their door, the families band together to provide love and protection.
I am addicted to this series. I love the relationship dynamic between the families and the way Jessica Sorensen is progressing Lyric and Ayden's relationship. Given Ayden's traumatic background and lingering emotional and physical scars, this could have been a very dark and sad story. However, Lyric's positive outlook and indomitable spirit add color and brighten Ayden's darkness. She is a truly special heroine.
The Unraveling You series is connected to Jessica Sorensen's Secret Series, about Ayden and Lyric's parents. I've not read that series but had no problem following Unraveling You and Raveling You.
Book three, Awakening You, will be released in March, and I'm counting the days till it arrives on my Kindle.
The Farther I Fall by Lisa Nicholas
After suffering a career-ending wound during an IED attack while serving with the British Army in Afghanistan, Sergeant Gwen Tennyson travels to the USA to recuperate with her sister Samantha. After watching Gwen languish for weeks as a couch potato whilst studying afternoon television, her sister can't stand it anymore. Samantha takes Gwen's welfare in hand and gets her a job managing the American tour for one of the country's most talented and troubled rock musicians. Gwen is less than enthused, but Sam wheedles her sister into acceptance. The meat and bones of the job sound interesting, but there is a catch.
Lucas Wheeler is described as a bit of a cad — petulant, arrogant, needy, rude … and drop-dead gorgeous. To make Gwen's new job more challenging, he needs babysitting because he's an addict, fresh out of rehab. Lucas zeroes in on Gwen like a cruise missile programmed to hit a target. He turns on the charm. His raw sexuality is like a living thing, and the tension between Lucas and Gwen is palpable. It took me a while to figure this hero out, and to be honest, I found his sulky, occasionally erratic behavior and manipulative tactics annoying. However, I realized we are supposed to be annoyed with Lucas. He is struggling with his demons and in need of support and understanding, which Gwen provides. He does prove to have redeeming qualities. Gwen is sexually aware and confident, and Lucas likes relinquishing control in the bedroom. They have great chemistry, and the love scenes are hot.
Debut author Lisa Nicholas deftly integrates a suspense subplot involving a lunatic stalker obsessed with Lucas. The danger escalates over the course of the storyline, and Gwen's military training comes in very handy. Lucas' brother Lee is a standout. His background is somewhat of a mystery, and he exudes power, definitely an alpha male. Nicholas confirms that his story is coming later in the summer, called As Lost as I Get, and I'm looking forward to the read.
The Farther I Fall is fast-paced and not short on action and intrigue. Well worth a try if you enjoy a different erotic romantic suspense with a kick-butt military heroine and a rock-star hero who likes to be bossed around … sometimes. ;)
Lea Franczak cannot remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. She's read and enjoyed multiple genres but is especially partial to contemporary and erotic romance, dark gritty romantic suspense, paranormal romance and has recently become a New Adult junkie. Lea has been blogging and reviewing since 2008 and is also HEA's Tweeter Extraordinaire. Follow HEA on Twitter (@HEAusatoday).