Darkest Temptation by Rachel Van Dyken

I'm a werewolf King who chose to step down out of grief for my mate.

For centuries I've been alone, choosing to live a life of modesty despite the wealth surrounding me.

I deserve to be punished.

I crave things I have no business craving.

And it is manifesting itself in a way I'm terrified I won't be able to control any longer.

Especially since she arrived.

Vampire. Orphan. Beaten beyond recognition.

My blood calls to her in a way that makes no sense.

I'm a wolf.

She's a vampire.

The two don't mate.

They barely tolerate one another.

All it takes is one slip of control on my part — one taste.

And I doom us all.

Then again, I never knew what is lurking inside has the power to balance good and evil.

Darkest Temptation, a new standalone in The Dark Ones Saga by Rachel Van Dyken is a hit the ground running paranormal romance.  Told in first person, from dual perspectives, including visions & flashbacks, you’ll want to rush through, but will need to take a little time to make sure you can keep track of who’s who in this multi-layered storyline “…of a legend, of love and loss.”

In this sexy & funny at times “Demons, wolves, vampires, angels --- it was a gas, our fun little immortal world.” paranormal romance, Mason is caught between finding his place in this world & fulfilling his destiny to ensure “…his bloodline would rise up and restore what had been broken.” – “to restore the connection between the fallen and the heavenliness…”  To do this he must be strong “And the only way for him to be strong is to make sure he has both bloodlines.” ---he must find another mate.  “Wolves mated for life…” There is instant attraction & an unexplained connection the moment Mason & Serenity meet.  An eternal love, lust-riddled & sexy “He was all predator. And she…she was prey.” These characters discover the truths behind what links them & come together to unravel mysteries they didn’t even realize where there.  And face demons of the internal kind, find their destined places & warring together for the greater good of all kind.

“We all work together for the greater good, and one day, that work will all have been worth it. Because the Wolf is coming—and he will save the world as we know it.”

I enjoyed the sexy & mysterious aspects of this book, I wanted to love it & really liked it.  Going a bit quickly from serious & intense one moment to silly & trivial the next. Ultimately a sexy & intriguing read!

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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