New Fiendish Review: Bonded by Blood by Laurie London

BOOK:                   Bonded by Blood

AUTHOR:             Laurie London

PUBLISHER:        HQN

ISBN/ASIN:         9780373775446

RATING:               4 Stars  

RELEASE DATE:  Out Now

Check Out Laurie's page

For countless centuries, a war has been waged beyond the limits of human notice between the DarkBloods and the Agency. But this time, the conflict spilling on the streets of Seattle pales in comparison to the ultimate master plan the DarkBloods are moving towards: Sweetbloods.

Her entire life, MacKenzie Shaw has had something to fear-The Shaw family curse. It was always something whispered out…something that has always held her back-cut short any plans she might have made.  Unbeknownst to her, her family has been hunted for generations by a very, very, specific predator.  To her, family members have periodically gone missing, have inexplicably disappeared. And one day she is scared it will happen to her as well.

When a chance encounter puts her in the sights and mind of Agency operative Dominic Serrano, their worlds collide and the unbearable truth becomes a reality. MacKenzie is a Sweetblood, the most coveted of all bloods, and craved after like a drug. And Dominic can’t help himself. But he must protect her from the DarkBloods, and from his own desires.

Similar to J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series and more recently, Elle Jasper’s Dark Ink Chronicles (which incidentally has a similar blood plot), I was immediately drawn into this new series, mesmerized by the incredible cover, and once inside London’s world, became absolutely seduced. Bonded by Blood is told very, very, well. Each exquisite word, nuance, each critical piece of action and intercourse between the characters has been exploited for every drop of sensuality that London can wring out. She already has an identifiable writing style and from what I have read so far, this debut is amazing. Is this really a debut? London writes like a seasoned pro, excels at characterization, plot building and visuals, such important traits when writing paranormal romance.

In this sexy feast, London takes simple gestures, a glance, a movement, all the non-verbal cues and repartee, and magnifies them to an almost aching state of want. The attraction between Dominic and MacKenzie simmers with promise, not reaching fruition until mid-way through the novel, and then their heat cascades even more so from the pages.

This is what romance is all about and paired with the strong paranormal plot, and edgy excitement, made Bonded with Blood a stunning feast of sensuality. It literally kept me at the edge of my seat, curled my toes, and made me want more. Um yeah, nitroglycerine. That’s all I can think of when I finished it….and I’d though the cover was smokin’ hot!

Now I’m looking forward to Alphonso’s story in Embraced by Blood…I’m very very interested in finding out how he became the Overlord’s minion and betrayed his family.

Highly Recommended!

A Fiendishly Bookish Review (and one grumpy cat)