Reviewer: Holly Revelation by Lauren Dane
Series: de La Vega Cats #2
Also in this series: Trinity
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Carina Press
Publication Date: July 20, 2010
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Point-of-View: Alternating Third
Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
Content Warning: View Spoiler »
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 166
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
Series Rating:
Previously published; newly refreshed by author
Fall in love with the de La Vega cat shifters in this classic paranormal romance from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Dane, a spin-off of the fan-favorite Cascadia Wolves series
The very magick that brought them together now makes them targets…
Kendra Kellog may have found her sister, but she’s still miles away from bringing down the evil mages targeting her family. Max de La Vega is exactly what she doesn’t need at this moment in time—strong, smart and the very definition of alpha.
The next in line to run his jaguar jamboree, Max is used to getting what he wants. Right now, he wants Kendra. More than that, he realizes she needs him—and he’ll do whatever it takes to guarantee her safety.
With evil forces out to siphon her magick, Kendra can’t afford to keep pushing Max away. And for once, Max’s cat and his man are in total agreement: Kendra is his to protect.
This was a really great story, probably my favorite so far of the series. I like the new direction Dane is taking the story. I’m not a super big fan of witches and warlocks usually, but Dane does them very well. They don’t seem woo-woo or B horror flick. They’re every day average people who happen to have magical powers.
Kendra has moved to a new city to be closer to her sister, Renee. Thanks to Renee having two mates, Kendra is drawn into a large extended family. One man in particular stands out to her – Max de la Vega. He’s a strong alpha male who cares about his family and friends, and Kendra seems to have fallen into that group. Unfortunately for both of them, Kendra learned her lesson about strong, dominating men and isn’t interested in starting something with him. Not that Max is letting that stop him…
Max has known Kendra was for him almost since the first. He took some time to get to know her to make sure, but now he’s convinced. He just has to convince Kendra. He can tell she’s wary and figures it has something to do with her past. He’s willing to take it slow, but he’s not willing to walk away.
I liked the way Max and Kendra were with each other. They had more than just sex between them; they had respect and caring. A lot of times with an alpha-male, especially a shifter, he expects his little woman to sit at home barefoot and pregnant, jumping at his every command. Max wasn’t like that. He truly respected Kendra and her opinions, as well as her strength as both a woman and a witch. He wanted her to be safe, yes, but he didn’t feel the need to repress or coddle her. Both Kendra and I appreciated that.
Although the sex scenes were hot, that wasn’t all they had between them. Dane really took the time to develop the romance. I believed that Kendra and Max loved each other because I saw them falling. It was great.
The story arc from the first book, Trinity, is carried over here. Kendra and Renee’s father is still at large and there’s still a group of bad witches after them. I like the Dane moved the storyline forward without sacrificing the romance. I do wish she hadn’t left the end the quite so open. It’s too long to wait for the next book. Dammit.
Overall this was a good blend of paranormal suspense and romance. I enjoyed the secondary characters as much as the romance. I can’t wait for the next installment.
4.5/5
de La Vega Cats
You’re making me want to re-read this. Maybe when #3 comes out, I can do a little glom of 1-3…
When is the third book coming out?
THis is on my tbb list, I really like Trinity so am looking forward to this one. But now I am even more anxious.