Review: York (The Verge Crew, Book 3) by Laurann Dohner

BLURB:
 

Watching his crewmates fall in love has left York craving a female of his own. That’s how he ends up being matched to a Parri female through a service to find bond mates. He’s excited at the prospect when he arrives on planet Relon. Until he actually meets her.

Betrayed by her government in a bid for alien technology, poverty-stricken human Sara is doomed to be a prince’s sex toy, until she’s rescued on a planet that doesn’t take kindly to slavers. Suddenly free, she’s an outcast on her new home, treated with distrust…by everyone except a gorgeous, kind, huge blue alien. Too bad he’s getting married the next day. His future bond mate is a horrid, abusive woman, and Sara has a way to save them both—she’ll convince York to bond with her instead.

AMAZON 

Review:  First let me say, I've been a huge Laurann Dohner fan from the first time I picked up Fury, the first book in her New Species Series. I've read everything in that series, her Mating Heat series, her Zorn series as well as her Cyborg series.  Pretty much anything she'd put out when she was with E.C.   Even after they closed, I've devoured her new series - VLG books and her newest series The Vorge Crew.  

York is the third book in that particular series, and one that I was really waiting for. I wanted to see the big blue guy get his story - particularly after Ms. Dohner let it slip in one of the earlier books that he likes to be told what to do in the bedroom - it's a quirk of his species - they enjoy catering to their mates every whim, and they don't just crave their mate's touch but need it to stay healthy.  So my little inner freak was definitely squealing about that.  

Needless to say, once the book hit my reader on Tuesday, I spent part of Tuesday night unwinding with my reader in hand while my grandson watched his show on tv.  I thoroughly enjoyed York and Sara's story. Their chemistry and emotion closeness really drew me in. Ms. Dohner did a great job making both of their motives and reactions realistic. There was no sex just for sex sakes.  Even though it was a great book, it seemed to end too soon for me. I was hoping to see a bit more of a power exchange (that's the inner kinkster inside me) but even without that dynamic, the scenes were sizzling and very satisfying.  I give York 4 Naughty Handcuffs. 

Review: Rain by Taryn Kincaid

So when I'm not writing I try to squeeze in a bit of reading - and this week I dived back into a Beyond Fairytales story, by the delightful Taryn Kincaid.  As an author I've written for this line, so I know the challenges it represents - however as a reader, I find most of these tales whisk you away as they redo the classics. 

Title: Rain

Author: Taryn Kincaid

Length: 69 pages

Buy Links:  Amazon 

BLURB: 

Sleeping Beauty in a post-apocalyptic land…

In a world gone mad, where little remains but a vast wasteland of sand, the leader of a troop of roving warriors welcomes a brave young woman into his midst.

Much as he burns for her, Major Clay Worthington swears to keep his distance from the mysterious woman, so sensitive even the stinging rain can wound her.

Rosina Brierly is besotted with the formidable soldier and will gladly trade her life for one torrid night of blissful passion in his arms.

But when sleep overcomes them, will true love prevail?

Review

So what to say about Taryn's foray into the Beyond Fairytales line? Overall, I truly enjoyed it. I loved the spin she gave Nicodemus (he has a very strong presence in Rain).   I also got a giggle or two out of the Arthur references and the twist Ms. Kincaid put on the names for her characters. She kept them very close to the original tale. (For those of you who don't know Briar Rose  was actually Sleeping Beauty's name, in the original fairytale.)   

I felt very drawn to her hero.  Clay was a self-aware man. He knows his flaws as well as his own control. I have to say he put up the good fight before giving in.  I love a hero with a conscious. Of course it didn't hurt that the chemistry between Rosina and him was off the charts.  Frankly, I'm surprised they resisted as long as they did.  

Ms. Kincaid did a fairly good job, drawing me into her post apocalyptic world - however I will give this warning, as reader, you have to really pay attention to the storyline or you might find yourself scratching your head.  But if you enjoy a bit of intrigue, with a storyteller who isn't all he seems and love conquers all, this Beyond Fairytale is for you.  Which is why I give Rain 4 Naughty Handcuffs.