I owe Larissa a debt of gratitude because after reading and loving her book “Pleasure Unbound”, and posting a review on Amazon.com I visited her website. It was through her site that I found Writeminded_Readers, a yahoo group where authors and readers join in discussions about books, reading and life. I had been scouting around for an online reading group for a long time and when I noticed that the majority of the cornerstone authors at Writeminded had written books I read and thoroughly enjoyed I immediately joined and have since made my ‘online home’ there.
Since joining Writeminded I’ve had the opportunity to chat with Larissa online on many occasions and I can tell you she is gracious, grateful to her readers and has a wonderful sense of humor. I feel she is a kindred spirit in a way, she has similar reading tastes to myself and told me recently she is a vegetarian (not that that has anything to do with my author picks – lol). Larissa has an amazing imagination and a gift for taking a simple idea and spinning it into a wonderful story.
Which brings me to my review of “Pleasure Unbound”.
“Pleasure Unbound”, is IMHO one of the best books I’ve read of it’s genre to be published in 2008. Larissa has woven erotic romance, suspense, and treachery into a great storyline in an original setting. The story is laced with dark wit and the action scenes are explosive. The book opens at “Underworld General”, a hospital created for the treatment of demons and all manner of paranormal creatures. It is here we meet the main protagonist of the book, “Eidolon”, a charismatic (and I mean charismatic), demon physician who has endured many losses in an ongoing war with a society of demon hunters and exterminators. Practicing medicine is Eidolon’s passion, however he is struggling to control dark impulses that are raging within him as part of a transitional phase inherent to his species.
Enter “Tayla Mancuso”, a tormented human demon hunter who Eidolon reluctantly saves from certain death, only to find that she alone awakens powerful desires within him. Tayla is a tough, determined and highly trained warrior that resists an overwhelming attraction to Eidolon. The conflict and barriers between these two unlikely lovers seem insurmountable. However, the sensuality that erupts between them is volcanic, literally sizzling off the pages.
There is a cast of well-developed and endearing supporting characters introduced in the book woven into sub-plots that don’t overtake the overall storyline but keep the entire read exhilarating and entertaining. As a reader I cannot help but want to know what happens to the other characters Larissa has skillfully introduced in this, the first book of her Demonica series.
If you enjoy a good dark erotic paranormal romance, “Pleasure Unbound” is well worth the money spent and the reading time. I am eagerly looking forward to the next books in the series. “Desire Unchained”, will be available near the end of February 2009, and “Passion Unleashed”, available at the end of March 2009. I have mine pre-ordered. Do you?
“Snowbound” is a heartwarming contemporary romance story about Robyn Montgomery a career driven radio station manager and Sean Trenton a previous Olympian skier turned ski patroller.
Robyn is forced to return to her home near a world famous ski resort for a reunion where many traumatic memories from her high school years await.
Sean loves his work as a ski patroller but is haunted by repercussions from a very unfortunate illness he endured 2 years previously. This hero is drop dead gorgeous (just look at the book’s cover art and you will see what I mean – lol) and epitomizes everything women find so attractive about snow patrollers.
What made this book a keeper for me was that I could identify with the characters, especially Robyn. Larissa spins a beautiful romance surrounding Robyn and Sean filled with conflicts and difficulties. The attraction between them is electric and the love scenes are sensual and gentle.
Snowbound is one of my favorite contemporary romance stories this year and I highly recommend the read.
Rock on Larissa!
Larissa Ione’s website is: http://www.larissaione.com/
About Lea
Animal loving, tree hugging vegetarian, live with a menagerie of animals and 2 to 3 two legged people, it varies. Hobbies - pooches, reading, writing reviews - blogging, learning computer stuff and an occasional Tweeter.
A TBR pile of books that is overwhelming.
I owe Larissa a debt of gratitude because after reading and loving her book “Pleasure Unbound”, and posting a review on Amazon.com I visited her website. It was through her site that I found Writeminded_Readers, a yahoo group where authors and readers join in discussions about books, reading and life. I had been scouting around for an online reading group for a long time and when I noticed that the majority of the cornerstone authors at Writeminded had written books I read and thoroughly enjoyed I immediately joined and have since made my ‘online home’ there.
Great review for Pleasure Unbound! I am in total agreement with you as well as several of my online friends. Pleasure Unbound will definitely be in my top ten for 2008!
Can’t wait for Desire Unchained!
I joined the Writeminded group the other day. I should do the newbie intro thing. I get weirded out sometimes
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Amy:
Thank you so much. Don’t feel shy about joining in at Writeminded, they are a great group over there and will be delighted to know you have joined the list.
They really try and include everyone and there are so many discussions that a person never feels left out. I am a real introvert and it took me a while to feel comfortable. But now I love it!
So, come on by!!! lol
Thank you so much, Lea! What a wonderful post, and fantastic reviews! I know I told you this already, but readers like you are why I write, and all of us at Writeminded are lucky to have you!
Amy, that’s so great to hear! And please, feel free to speak up at the group! We always love new voices!
Great reviews for 2 fantastic books!!! Larissa is an awesome author and not only that one of the nicest people in the world!! She is generous with her time on our reader group….we have a blast discussing books and everything else!! I’m so thrilled to be a part of Writeminded and EVERYONE needs to run out and buy these books by Larissa, they are on my keeper shelf and I read them over and over and over again!!
I loved Pleasure Unbound and Snowbound. Two of my favorite books. Larissa – probably won’t tell you but Damon in Snowbound is really a demon in disguise.
You are so very welcome Larissa, reviewing your work is a joy actually.
Thanks for your comments Blanche and Greta, aren’t these books great reads?
Hi Lea!
Great review. I loved Pleasure Unbound, too. Definitely a favorite of 2008 for sure. I can’t wait to read more in Larissa’s Demonica series!
I haven’t read Snowbound. I bet I’d love it, though. My husband and I used to be very avid skiiers. Before kids came along . . .
Thank you Christine!
I appreciate the feedback. I think you would like Snowbound, I was a skier too and certainly related to the story.
Regards
Lea
Great review!
Although I have to say that this novel, while very good, wasn’t great for me.
Okay here’s where I think I went wrong. I bought this novel way after it’s release and based on ALL the fab reviews I sat down to read it fully expecting to be blown away and my hair barely blew in a light breeze.
But I definitely liked it well enough and it most certainly will not keep from picking up Ione’s next novel. I’m anxiously awaiting ‘Desire Unchained’ because I love the forced-together-after-heartbreak plot device. It makes for excellant sexual tension don’t you think?
I agree VampFanGirl with respect to the plot device that will come into play between Shade and Runa. I am hoping for an explosive story.
Reading, like anything else is an such personal experience and what works for one person doesn’t for another.
Regards