Dark Sins and Desert Sands (Harlequin Nocturne) (edition 2011)

ARC for Bitten by Paranormal Romance

This was such a well written story. I just can't get over how much I enjoyed it. It was a paranormal, romantic suspense novel. I have a lot of nice things to say about this book, but the best part of it for me was how smooth the writing was in the story. I felt like I was in the story watching everything happen live. There was a lot of very realistic dialogue between several very interesting characters. There was just enough happening to keep me on the edge of my seat without overwhelming me with too many characters or strange plot points. I don't like violence or torture. The few times these issues were brought up, they were touched upon just enough to give me an idea of what happened to the hero in the past without rubbing it in my face. I absolutely loved Layla! She was such an amazing character. She was kind, intelligent, and loving. I also loved Ray. He was such a kind- hearted person who was strong, caring, and perfect for Layla. These two were perfect for each other, and it was great watching them fall in love. The remaining cast of characters really helped to round out the story.


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ARC for Bitten by Paranormal Romance

This was such a well written story. I just can't get over how much I enjoyed it. It was a paranormal, romantic suspense novel. I have a lot of nice things to say about this book, but the best part of it for me was how smooth the writing was in the story. I felt like I was in the story watching everything happen live. There was a lot of very realistic dialogue between several very interesting characters. There was just enough happening to keep me on the edge of my seat without overwhelming me with too many characters or strange plot points. I don't like violence or torture. The few times these issues were brought up, they were touched upon just enough to give me an idea of what happened to the hero in the past without rubbing it in my face. I absolutely loved Layla! She was such an amazing character. She was kind, intelligent, and loving. I also loved Ray. He was such a kind- hearted person who was strong, caring, and perfect for Layla. These two were perfect for each other, and it was great watching them fall in love. The remaining cast of characters really helped to round out the story.


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Ms. Draven has created a world that very closely resembles our own except for the fact that the Gods walk among us as well as other creatures out of legends. And it could be possible as I am positive that there are more things out there then we have discovered as of yet. I found this world to be interesting and it does cause one of wonder if the war in the desert has been going on for long due to a God's interference.

I found DARK SINS AND DESERT SANDS to be an interesting book with very personable characters and a good plot. It does make for an enjoyable book to curl up with. And most definitely not one that I regret reading. However it was missing that unexplainable spark that is needed to lift it out of the pack of other paranormal romances. Perhaps it was the fact that I felt that the pacing was slightly off in places. It almost felt as though the author was trying to race through portion of the story yet in others it seemed to drag. Because of this, I am only rating this book a 3 ( )

Review: Dark Sins and Desert Sands by Stephanie Draven
3 STARS
Kept getting confused in the story. Had a lot of sex scenes. Lot of deaths.
Their is also self sacrifice, love and forgiveness.
Dr. Layla Bahset has no memories of her life except the last two years. She woke up in the deseret in a car, box of certificate she earned and plenty of money enough to set up her office.
Ray for years was in a prison and torured they wanted to have him confess to treason. Till one day he had power and was able to escape. He was turning into the minotaur and had power to make people do what he tells them. But after he always bleeds. Ray also has uncontrollable anger fits. He wants to find out who set him up to be a treason. He also wants to find the woman psychologist who was their asking the questions.
Their are a couple of Gods of mythology as part of the story and the sphinx as a person. I did enjoy the book but thought it could be a lot better somehow.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange for a honest review from Netgalley.
10/18/2011 PUB Harlequin imprint Harlequin Nocturne ( )

In Draven's paranormal romance novel, U.S. serviceman Ray Stavrakis emerged after escaping a hellish Syrian prison, with uncanny mind-control powers and the ability to morph into a mythical Minotaur. Half-man, half-bull, Ray was powerful but only one woman could prove his innocence. Ironically, it was the same woman who'd driven him close to insanity with interrogation and sensuality. But Vegas psychologist Layla Bahset had no memory of her past, only the sense of being stalked. Was it Ray who condemned her with his eyes while igniting her with his hands? Or was there another evil force at work? Layla was on a mission to remember, and nothing can stop her if she has her way. It's a unique and different story. ( )