5/5 Review: Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

 

 

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of "rehabilitation"--the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was...

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a Changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several Changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion--and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities--or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation... 

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Imagine being part of a race that has developed beyond feelings. It has been totally erased. And if you somehow retain such things you are consider flawed. Where you are connected with others by a mental link resembling the Internet as we know it now but in your mind. And is so intertwine that to try to "disconnect" could mean your death or rehabilitation.With rehabilitation is nothing short of a lobotomy.

Changelings and Humans have coexisted with the Psy, but it's an fragile existence. Which is about to become even more uncomfortable. If what they suspect is true, that the killer preying on changeling women is a Psy, that the Psy Counsel is covering up these murders, but quit possibly is also a Counsel member. This is the world that Sascha Duncan was born into she is "Psy". And Sascha is flawed she feels and everyday she must fight this "breakdown" or she may face being "rehabilitated". Lucas Hunter is a changeling and the Alpha leader of Leopard Pack DarkRiver. He is determined to expose this killer, and cover up. When he see a chance at getting more information as he and Sascha are brought together to work on a housing project.

 A wonderful, multi-layered and intricate plot with a very engaging voice make this an A+ read. The writing is crisp and the plot keeps you reading. I really liked that we learn more about this world. Above all, this story again showcased Nalini's talent in writing believable characters, who happen to be in a fantasy world. We have Lucas - a complex, inhuman being who has no doubts about his place in the world, and what he needs to do to stay there.Sascha, his soul mate, is a great match for him - she has the strength and confidence to stand up to him, while her loving nature brings out the humanity in him. Nalini succeeds in creating a relationship which is real, takes effort to build and is by no means perfect but is loving and lasting.

 This is such a fabulous world that Nalini has created and it's exciting to see how she explores the moral aspects of it all. What are we if we don't have the consciousness that comes from emotion? How much of who we are comes from our socialization and our conditioning vs. who we are just naturally inside of us? Nature vs Nurture? How does our family and the ties to that family, both externally and internally, reflect who we are and become? I am loving all these ideas that Nalini is exploring through these books. Just an absolutely fabulous series!!  Can't wait to get the next installment. 

 

 

5/5 Review: Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh

Naasir is the most feral of the powerful group of vampires and angels known as the Seven, his loyalty pledged to the Archangel Raphael. When rumors surface of a plot to murder the former Archangel of Persia, now lost in the Sleep of the Ancients, Naasir is dispatched to find him. For only he possesses the tracking skills required - those more common to predatory animals than to man.

Enlisted to accompany Naasir, Andromeda, a young angelic scholar with dangerous secrets is fascinated by his nature - at once playful and brilliant, sensual and brutal. As they race to find the Sleeping archangel before it's too late, Naasir will force her to question all she knows...and tempt her to walk into the magnificent, feral darkness of his world. But first they must survive an enemy vicious enough to shatter the greatest taboo of the angelic race and plunge the world into a screaming nightmare...
 

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Nalini Singh never ever disappoints.  I have read every book in the Guild Hunter series and i fall in love each time.  Whether it is with Raphael, Elena, Dmitri, Honor, Jason Illium (my all time favorite of them all), Naasir, Andromeda and number of others that will take me to long to mention.  There is a beauty to the way she tells a story.  I feel as if i am flying off of the rooftop of the Archangel Headquarters with Raphael or running light the speed of light with Naasir.   You get so into the reading you feel as if you are part of the story.  You feel their pain and/or love with each sentence you read.  

Nassir must save Andromeda, his feisty yet celibacy vowing mate.  She is captured and brought before Lijuan because of the knowledge she possess.  She is a devote scholar with the potential to bring any outcome to the war between Raphael and Lijuan.  It all comes down to her knowledge of the whereabouts of Alexander.  He is an ancient who has been in a state of sleep for centuries. Can they protect Alexander who is being tracked down for slauter by Lijuan?  Will Lijuan get the information she seeks?  Will Naasir rescue his mate?  

This to me has got to be one of the best stories in this series.  I recommend not only this book to others but the entire Guild Series.  Happy Reading!

Review: Night Shift four novellas by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Lisa Shearin & Milla Vane

Four masters of urban fantasy and paranormal romance plunge readers into the dangerous, captivating world unearthed beyond the dark....

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh delivers a smoldering story with Secrets at Midnight, as the scent of Baastien Smith's elusive lover ignites a possessiveness in him that

s as feral as it is ecstatic.  And now that he's hound his mate, he'll do anything to keep her..

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrew's novella, Magic Steals, when a woman goes misssing, shape shifting tigress Dali Harimau and jaguar shifter Jim Shrapshire must uncover the truth about the mysterious creatures responsible.

It's seer Makenna Fraziers's first day on the job at Supernatural Protection and investigations, and her first body guarding assignment is more than she bargained for when a leprechaun prince's bachelor party goes every which way but right in national bestselling author Lisa Shearin's Lucky Charms.

From Milla Vane---a warrior princess must tame The Beast of Blackmoor to earn a place among her people. Soon she discovers that the beast isn’t a monster, but a barbarian warrior who intends to do some taming himself.

I thought that Night Shift with four novellas was a great book for people who liked the paranormal fantasy type books. There are many types of  heroes and villains  that make it really interesting and definitely not boring.

Secrets At Midnight :

            I thought Bastian a leopard hero and Kirby   a human heroine were  a great couple in their quest for love.

Bastian is  very lovable, kind and patient with Kirby. I like the mystery of who Kirby really is and how the story about her unfolds.

Magic Steals;

I liked  how the hero Jim, a jaguar shifter and security chief and Dale a Tiger shifter work together to find someone who has gone missing. The details are intriguing and well written.

             I liked how Jim was amazed and watched how Dale did her magic. He was so supportive and helpful in her quest.

Lucky Charms;

This is chocked full of supernatural beings; lots of variety. You were never bored with all the different  beings and dangerous things going on.

I liked that Mac was thrown right into a dangerous job to find a missing being. There was lots of humor that help even out the evil.

Beast of Blackmoor;

            Mala the heroine is trying to help by taming a beast who didn't even know he needed taming.  She knows it is hard but knows she is protected by her goddess.

I like how the hero Kavik learns to trust her so she can turn around the curse he has on him.