What did I just read you ask? I just read one of the best ding dang short erotic paranormal romances that I have read in a long time! I don't generally enjoy books under 100 pages because it is seems very difficult for authors, especially in this genre where world building is important, to tell a good story in so little space. However, Paloma Beck has done it and done it well. Plus I'm a cheapskate and I don't feel I get much bang for my buck from a short story. Sorry authors, but it's the truth. However, Beck has me giddy with excitement. There wasn't anything about this story that I didn't like. You get the main lead female and male characters getting together right away of course, but it seems perfectly acceptable when you know why it happens so quickly.
Layla is the youngest of the seven Sinster sisters who are all part of the Magdalena Circle and have powers and destinies that are directly linked to the Valendite Breed with whom they are meant to mate. Each sister bears the mark of a sin that she is released from after finding her mate. For Layla, lust is her marked sin. Madden, a powerful and respected Valendite Breed male, is her eternal mate. However, their mating has a unique twist that Layla never could have anticipated. That's all I'm going to say on that one, I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't read the book. But it was a twist that happened so fast that I almost got whip lash!
This little gem is firmly in the erotica category so if you are easily offended by extremely steamy scenes and need only sweet romance that discretely and delicately hints at passion please don't pick this one up-you may get a case of the vapors! I, in all of my jadedness, enjoyed this very much. This is the first time that I have ever given a book so short a five star rating, but Beck did something phenomenal by making me fall in love with a world in under 100 pages! I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to read Lustful Cravings and can't wait to dive into book 2 Eternal Envy.
Happy Reading!
Monica
**I promise that I was not paid to gush this much over this short little book, but I did receive a copy in exchange for an honest review from the author. Beck's gamble on me just paid off!**
Synopsis:
Seven sisters are entwined in a legacy bigger than anyone ever expected. One by one, they will find their mates from the immortal Valendite breeds and secure their place in history. Each sister embodies one of the seven deadly sins only to be cast aside once claimed. But claiming comes at the price of separation, causing a weakening of their combined powers, which none want to happen... until Layla, holding the sin of lust within her body, locks eyes with Madden.
Madden is one of the strongest of the Valendite Breed, a group of near-immortal men originating from the Italian Wars in the 1500s. Today, the Valendite Breed serve as the Terrorist Elimination Unit (TEU), their only weakness being their body’s need for a mate to carry on the Breed. So now that Madden has found Layla, he will never let her go.
With forces mounting up against the Breed, Madden and Layla will need to rely on their powers combined to get them to their Pronouncement.
About the Author:
Paloma Beck is an erotic romance writer in both the contemporary and paranormal realms. Happily married and living a life of total contradiction, Paloma runs carpool service for her three sons, volunteers in PTA and teaches religious education.
Then in the moments when her characters talk to her, she journals their stories - and they are anything but PG. As a natural introvert, quiet time with her characters is necessary to keep sane while writing is the perfect outlet for her creativity.
Paloma believes a daily dose of coffee and a good book make any day better.
Read an Excerpt:
Madden pulled away from her, just slightly, and she whimpered in protest. He chuckled and kissed her nose when he saw her wrinkle it. Struck by the flush of her cheeks, Madden noted the same flush running down her throat and to the very top of her breasts. As she took deep breaths to calm herself, he placed his forehead against hers. But Madden only paused for a moment because he had no intention of letting the emotions he was pulling from Layla subside. He would not let her gain the control she was wrestling for. A woman off-balance was what he needed her to be.
As part of the Valendite Breed, Madden had been raised to know the prophecy, to appreciate the significance of finding your mate and claiming her. He planned to worship Layla until the day they died. The sharing of blood so sacred, nothing could tear them from one another. Not only would their blood bond them together but it would also sustain Madden and prolong Layla’s life so she lived as long as he did.
Madden moved his hands to frame her face and drew her head up to meet her eyes. He brushed a soft kiss against her full lips before speaking, his voice husky with desire. “Take your tongue, Layla love, and touch it to my sharpest teeth. The blood exchange will bind us and I can take you then. Ho bisogno di te. Please don’t make me wait.”
Madden’s words were barely finished when he took her mouth again. Gently his tongue drew hers out, slowing to let her catch up to his need. When he felt the puncture wounds and tasted the first drop of her blood, he moaned low inside himself. He felt Layla tense at first and then soften her body as it settled into his own. Her moans began to mirror his. He could feel her desire as if it was his own, and it multiplied the urge to claim her and demand she submit to him as his mate.
Madden held back with every piece of control he had been trained to possess. This moment required him to remain in control, to ease her in the mating. He felt her pull away. Her body shuttered and a small whimper bubbled up from her throat. He was suddenly struck by her vulnerability.
“What’s happened, Madden? Why do I feel this way?” His Layla was frightened and he wanted nothing more than to comfort her. Her feisty golden eyes now appeared panicked. Madden couldn’t bear it.
“Layla love, we’re bonded now. You will forever feel what I feel just as I will feel the emotions inside of you. It is a powerful thing for mates. It will make the next act we perform even richer than any romance book you’ve ever read.” He rose then from the floor between her legs and pulled her to him, carrying her out of the room.
“Which way to your bedroom, Layla?”
Wow! I'm humbled by your review. Thank you for recommending it to your followers. :) Hope you enjoy the rest of the series as well!
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