Virna DePaul

Turned is a story about a man, Ty Duncan, who is a FBI agent and a Vampire. His mission? Bring in Ana Martin and have her help him bring down what looks like a philophilantric organization helping out destitute Spanish women and children. Nothing is as it seems for Ana, who learns secrets, the existence of vampires and the events years ago that put into motion the very organization that she must bring down. DePaul weaves a web of secrets, lies and betrayal that is captivating. I found the show more world rich and fascinating, the concepts refreshing. The book itself had so much promise and I wanted to like it BUT..

The main characters have moments of regression to a two year old state. Ana throws a chair, Ty throws a table..frustration and anger is natural in these sorts of situations, but for people who are supposed to be hardened ex-gang members and FBI agents hissy fits ruin the mood. They also spend a lot of time doing the “I want you, but I don’t think you want me” sort of drama. Okay, but when you clearly both want each other, and have already had sex, I think the mystery is out of the bag.
The only other complaint I have about this book would be that when I received it through NetGalley it was listed as a “Romance”, but this is most definitely erotica. Too much sex, not enough world building and personal growth.

In the end, I am eagerly awaiting book two, and will be reading it once it’s released. Definitely worth a read if you feel like you want a gritty, fluffy read that has some serious secrets that are sure to blow up in everyone’s faces later in the series.

I will be checking out the Para-Ops series as well, hoping it proves as fun as this series, but LESS voyeurism and sex, and more thriller and mystery. show less

REVIEW: DOWN DEEP (GOING DEEP) BY VIRNA DEPAUL  
 
 
DOWN DEEP (GOING DEEP) BY VIRNA DEPAUL
 
 
Release Date:    October 11, 2016
 
 
SYNOPSIS
 
He’s here to score and he always wins. Heath Dawson: football star, gorgeous man candy, and panty-dropper extraordinaire. He was also Camille Pollert’s first crush. But then he humiliated her at a high school football game, and while she got her revenge, she also closed off her heart. Ten years later, Camille is a football photographer and single show more mother, and her old crush returns with a vengeance when she sees Heath again. He’s just as handsome, but now he’s a man. A man she can no longer resist. Heath hardly recognizes the skinny girl he knew in high school, but he can’t deny the attraction he feels for the curvaceous and beautiful woman Camille has become. He wants her, and he always gets what he wants. Just as the two of them start to realize they might be perfect for one another, reality rears its ugly head. Can Heath and Camille score a touchdown for their love? Or will they fumble the play and be parted once again?
 
 
 
BUY LINKS
 
Amazon        B & N         Google Play Books       IBooks        Kobo
 
 
 
REVIEW:  DOWN DEEP (GOING DEEP) BY VIRNA DEPAUL
 
Down Deep by Virna DePaulMy rating: 5 of 5 starsA do-over. We all want that chance to face down that moment in our lives when we're not at our best. The chance to interact with a dearly departed love one for some much needed advice. The opportunity to handle embarrassment with dignity or the moment when thoughtless actions and careless words break someone's heart. Down Deep taps into the awkwardness of youth. The guy who has the world at his feet because he can toss a ball and the starry eyed teenaged girl about to take a fall. A broken heart and being a devoted mother has taught Camille two things. Always look out for yourself and nothing is easy. Her dedication has help her land on her feet professionally but high and dry in the personal department. A surprising twists sets her back on the roller-coaster of first love when Heath comes back into her life. Maturity has taught him that no high can last forever and now the boy of her hidden fantasies may end up of becoming the man of her dreams. I am no sports enthusiasts but the Going Deep series is off to a great start. Down Deep is sensitive with a hint of sass. View all my reviews
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Francesca Stewart has never wanted a man as badly as she does Jake Rios. The fact they both work for the California Governor doesn’t deter her from thinking of ways to jump his yummy bones. Unfortunately, his apparent disinterest in said jumping and his complete focus as Head of Security leaves her with just her fantasies. Until the day he drops the disinterest and lets it be known in no uncertain terms how very much he does want her, bone jumping and anything else she can think of.

Jake show more Rios is a vampire who needs a mate and soon or bad things will start happening to him. Luckily, in his bid to reach the Governor, he finds her. Francesca is his. Now, all he has to do is convince her of that fact. And well, that he’s a vampire. It shouldn’t be hard, right?

Well-written and quick-flowing this short gets right down to business. I love the characters and look forward to reading more about them. I have a feeling that the villain is going to be one of those guys who you want to hate so much, but he’s not completely evil. I love those guys. It’s easy to hate a complete blackguard and cheer for his downfall. Harder to hate one who has bits of grey and maybe even some white to his character. I’m not saying the big baddie in this book is like that, it’s just my impression. I can’t wait to read more.

The different take on vampires is interesting, the steamy scenes are definitely steamy and I’m curious as to how the baddie is connected to Francesa and why. Although the ending seemed a bit rushed to me, for a short story it has me hooked and, so far, I’m intrigued and waiting for the next installment. Bring it on!

*Book source ~ Many thanks to NetGalley and Loveswept for providing me with a review copy. Please see disclaimer page on my blog. show less

Bedding the Boss (Bedding the Bachelors) by Virna DePaul  
Bedding the Boss is a little bit country and a whole lot of everything else.  The most memorable of romances start with simplicity, yet endure the test of time.  Lexi and Eric are a tribute to that kind of love.   From broken hearts to new beginnings, Virna DePaul is all heart with this couple.  Lexi is a dreamer.   A wanderer at heart.  She longs to make her mark doing something that she loves. Writing.  So she sets out show more to gain some life experience and loses her heart forever. Eric is a man trying to outrun his past. Heartache and regret are in his rear view.  A new life awaits him in the country.  Until the woman he never saw coming, ends up being the one he can't forget.  It's easy to lose your heart when the characters are as endearing as Eric and Lexi. show less