How To Tame a Beast in Seven Day (The Embraced #1) by Kerrelyn Sparks-a review

How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days (The Embraced Series – #1) by Kerrelyn Sparks-a review

How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days

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Release Date: March 7, 2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, romance

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Luciana grew up on the Isle of Moon, hidden away because of her magical powers. But when her father arrives, he offers her a choice: remain on the island or return with him and marry the Beast of Benwick in order to save their legacy—and her father’s life.

Lord Leofric, the Beast of Benwick, has not been touched since he was a child. Born with the power to harness lightning, he is a danger to everyone he touches. When he meets his betrothed, he expects a loveless, lonely marriage…until he discovers she’s vastly more powerful than he realized. But is she strong enough to withstand his touch?

If they can survive, their love will alter the future of the kingdom. But will their extraordinary powers cost them everything?

Review:
How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days begins at the Convent of the Two Moons, on the Isle of Moon, with five girls playing a game they had made up using “telling stones”. Luciana excelled at the game and her “sisters” loved having her tell them their futures. When Luciana picked the stones for herself: red as blood, black as death. Little did she know how profound those stones would be. As a storm nears the isle, the girls rush to secure their windows, only to be interrupted by a Sister from the convent telling Luciana that she is to come with her to meet someone who has just arrived. When Luciana presses the Sister as to whom she’s meeting, she is more than surprised to find out that it is her father. Luciana and her sisters had been raised at the convent since birth as orphans, never knowing that she or any of the others had any family left.

As Luciana enters to meet her father, she can’t help but wonder why she’d been raised as an orphan and why her family had sent her away. Torn between hurt and curiosity, she steels herself to face the man who, after nineteen years, has decided to visit. Once she realizes the truth of the danger her father is in and why she had been sent away, she makes a vow to help him in any way she can….even if it means they could both be killed. Her home is ruled by a greedy, power-hungry king, who informed her father that his daughter is to marry the king’s nephew, The Beast of Benwick. Rumors of the Beast and his power to harness lightning scare everyone, including Luciana. To save their legacy, and her father, Luciana embarks on a quest that will be life-changing for everyone. But, none more than she and the Beast.

How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days is the first in a new series by Kerrelyn Sparks, whom I have adored for years. She’s created a new world which includes magic, shifters and great characters. Luciana, having been raised in a convent, is naïve about a lot of things, but it is her sense of loyalty, kindness and integrity that reaches out and grabs the reader. It doesn’t take her long to see that their situation is dire and she does everything in her power to ensure the safety of everyone in their keep. Leo, the Beast, is fierce, loyal and very smart. His uncle, the king, has tried more than once to have him killed, but, as Leo says, he’s hard to kill. When Luciana and Leo, along with their close inner circle of friends, soldiers and ghosts decide to take things into their own hands, they all fight tooth and nail to not only keep themselves alive, but everyone in their duchy. The secondary characters are AWESOME. I cannot wait to read more about them to find out how they ended up in their current situations. Sparks style of writing enraptured me the very first time I read one of her books. She writes with humor, which is always a plus, but it is her way of reaching into your heart that gets you every time. Her characters are relatable, the romances sweet and her world building is awe inspiring. If you’ve never read a Kerrelyn Sparks story, this would be a great place to start. Well done, Kerrelyn Sparks! Very well done!

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Vickie M

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The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo (Love at Stake #14) by Kerrelyn Sparks-a review

The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo (Love at Stake #14) by Kerrelyn Sparks- a review

Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

About the book: Release Date August 27, 2013

Dougal Kincaid has something to prove. After being injured in a battle with the Malcontents, he’s ready for active duty protecting unsuspecting mortals from these villainous vampires who want to rule the world. But first he has to get control of himself . . . because just the sight of a certain lovely doctor has his injured hand doing some peculiar things, not to mention the sizzling sensation that burns along his dragon tattoo.

Vampires? Vampires?! As a scientist, Leah is having trouble believing that these immortal creatures exist. But there they are, standing in front of her, asking for help in solving a genetic puzzle that can save mankind. There’s even one in a sexy kilt! Just one look into Dougal’s gorgeous green eyes sets her pulse racing. But can she trust him—and the overwhelming desire that refuses to be ignored?

Review:

This entry into the Love at Stake series begins with Dougal having issues with his “bionic” hand. But, those problems pale in comparison to what happens when the beautiful Leah enters the lab and he sees her on one of the security monitors. He is immediately drawn to her, and for some reason, his dragon tattoo reacts as well. Seems Dougal lost a love three hundred years ago and Leah invokes her memory.

Once Leah enters the labs at Romantech, she is ushered into a particular lab and shown slides of samples under microscopes. Leah is renowned geneticist and is immediately curious about what she is seeing. But, once they start to tell her about the existence of vampires and such, she thinks she’s being punked. Once Dougal sees that she’s upset, he intervenes on her behalf. He thinks that the work they ask of her is too dangerous, but, once the others finally get through to her about all of the people she could potentially help, she decides to stick around.

Dougal takes it upon himself to be her friend and protector and hopefully more. Problem is, Leah still isn’t convinced about this whole vampire thing. To top it all off, once she finds out about their death sleep, she is plagued by indecision. How can something or someone be dead one minute, and alive the next? And, the fact that Dougal makes her feel more alive than she has ever felt scares her. Leah is a genius and went to college at fourteen and has been socially awkward ever since. She’s never had a true friend, but that’s about to change…………….

Once things get rolling, Leah is kidnapped by the bad guys and Dougal is furious. He has failed to keep her safe, but once they get her back, she is so devastated by the events that played out, Dougal makes the ultimate sacrifice in order for her to be happy again. What sacrifice you ask? You’ll have to read to find out, but let me tell ya, you may shed a tear or two………….

The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo is a wonderful addition to the Love at Stake series. A lot happens in this book. We get a new species or two introduced into the storyline. Well, not “new”, but new to this particular series. Old threats are taken care of as new ones emerge. I loved that we get to see old friends and make new ones, as always. That’s one of the things that Sparks does that I love. You don’t have to continually wonder what others are up to. Sparks also writes with humor, which is always a plus for me. This is one of my “go to” series. It is such a nice departure from the darker things that I (we) read. I always look forward to the next installment after I finish one of these books. Now, the waiting begins……………

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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