Predatory
*Partial review. Rating based on stories by Alexandra Ivy and Dianne Duvall only.*In Still Darkness by Dianne Duvall - 4 Stars
I'm a huge fan of Dianne Duvall and her Immortal Guardians series, and I am happy to say that this short story did not disappoint. In Still Darkness occurs during Night Reigns and Phantom Shadows . If you recall, during those stories you hear talk about Richart d’Alençon's mysterious human girlfriend. In In Still Darkness readers finally get the down-low about her and all of those secretive phone conversations. You don't need to be familiar with the series to read this short story as the author provides background into the Immortal Guardians world, but she doesn't bog the story down for fans of the series by being overly descriptive which I appreciated.
Despite the length, the author packs in plenty of sizzling romance, exciting action and a wonderful HEA into the story. Richart saves Jenna from a pack of vampires, which she doesn't remember, but Richart can't seem to forget Jenna. So he stalks watches over Jenna to be sure that the vampires don't return for her. But soon just watching isn't enough.... Sheldon, Roland, Sarah, Étienne, Lisette and a few other series characters join the story, which I enjoyed. All together, In Still Darkness was a short but satisfying read and I think the author did an exceptional job of giving readers a complete story in such few pages.
Out Of Control by Alexandra Ivy - 4 Stars
A promising start to Alexandra Ivy's Sentinel series, the author introduces readers to the world of the High-Bloods, gifted and sometimes mutated men and women, and their hunters and protectors, the Sentinels. As a novella, it doesn't get too in-depth as to the history and background of these groups, I'm sure we'll see that in the full-length novels, but it did give enough to peak my curiosity.
Nikolo Bartrev is on the hunt for a murdering high-blood who killed not only two of his best friends, but several 'norms' as well. He knows the psychopath will eventually try to contact Angela Locke, a college student with the ability to manipulate cells, so for the last six weeks he has been watching her in the role of a visiting professor. Never did he expect to fall for the beautiful but shy scientist. Can he separate his emotions from his duty when it comes time to confront the killer, or will he loose it all?
Passion, intrigue, magic and mayhem, I'm looking forward to finding out more in Born in Blood! I'm hoping that we see more of Niko and Angela in the following books as well as fellow Sentinel Arel!
