Guest Review: Shadow Rising – Kendra Leigh Castle

Ancient Secrets, Dark Passions…

As one of the Grigori, a noble vampire dynasty shrouded in mystery, Ariane has spent her life hidden away in the desert. Like all of her kind, she is a watcher, fated to observe, forbidden to act. Yet when her best friend, Sammael, vanishes, she defies all rules and flees her safe haven to bring him home.

A shape-shifting assassin for the House of Shadows, Damien Tremaine is hired to locate Sammael. His hunt for the wayward Grigori leads him to Ariane, the rogue vamp who stands between him and his bounty. Damien never lets emotion interfere with his work, but a single touch from the sexy, beguiling vampire shatters his self-control. Drawn together by their common goal, what begins as an alliance of necessity soon becomes one of desire. But when the secret at the dark heart of the Grigori comes to light, Damien and Ariane must make a choice that could bind them eternally…or tear them—and everything they care about—apart.

Series:  Dark Dynasties #3
Release Date:  July 31, 2012
Publisher:  Forever
Source:  NetGalley
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Reviewer’s Thoughts:

Ariane is a Grigori vampire, the Grigori pride themselves on being emotionless, they are the watchers of history. Ariane has always been treated as an outcast because her turning was born of emotion. No matter what she did or how hard she worked she was always treated as a mistake. Her only friend in the Grigori compound, Sammael, has gone missing. She leaves the compound on her own to find Sam when she is once again overlooked.

Damien Tremaine,is a Cait Sith another line of vampires. He is a thief, assassin and bounty hunter, he has spent centuries  being the best at what he does. He has become bored with his work and he refuses to feel anything about anyone. As a Shade he works for Alistair Drake, Damien is hired to find Sammael by the Grigori and if he happens to see Ariane while he is searching he is supposed to let the Grigori know so they can collect her.

Damien has always had women throw themselves at him from when he was mortal until now and so when Ariane dismisses right off the bat he is intrigued. When Ariane set eyes on Damien she knew he was dangerous, especially to her self control. After running into each other several times in the search for Sammeal and after saving Damien’s life Ariane purposes an unusual partnership, she doesn’t want anything but to be allowed to come along while Damien searches, Damien who has never allowed anyone to work with him allows the partnership because he feels something when she is around. Through the search for Sammeal we meet the heads of several other vampire houses including Vlad Dracul who helps the couple.

I loved this book, I have not read the previous two books but I will be doing so shortly! It works as a stand alone with none of the problems that can be found in a book that is part of a series. This is a mystery, a thriller and a romance all rolled into one fantastic package. The characters are well developed, the story is well written and it is easy to fall into the story and get lost.  We have love and adventure with enough steamy sex to make you need a cold drink while you read it.  I am looking forward to re-reading this book after I have read the first two, I think having done so will only add to the experience. I gladly give this a 5 out of 5 review!

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