This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Published by Tantor Audio
Released on June 12, 2018
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
The Delight
As a long-time fan of the Midnight Breed series, I was thrilled to discover there was going to be a spin-off series about some of the most enigmatic, lethal Breed Vampires- the Hunters. Strong, skilled Gen One Warriors who were bred and trained by a mad-man with only one purpose- to kill. I was always curious what happened to all those young guys who were finally free, but with such dark shadows on their pasts. Now, we’re getting each of their stories with the Hunter Legacy series.
Review
Born of Darkness introduces the Hunter, Asher. He’s found his way out into the Mojave Desert near Vegas. A kind old human man took him in and gave him a chance. Asher likes the solitude that Ned’s land and caring for animals gives to him since Asher’s memories from the past do not leave him and his psychic gift is more a curse. By one simple touch, he is forced to relieve a person’s worst life experiences.
Into Asher’s lonely tranquil life storms Naomi Fallon. He saves her life when she gets caught cheating a powerful casino owner and then feels he must continue to protect her once he gets her memories and recognizes that she’s a Breed Female using her gift to steal for revenge against the guy who killed her mother. Naomi is a spitfire, somewhat cocky about danger, and stubborn about going it her own way since she’s been alone through growing up in foster care. She rushes headlong into some tough spots and finds it’s not a bad thing to have a big, bad Breed male at her side.
So, this new spin-off series is off to a good start. I can see where both long-time Midnight Breed fans and newcomers can pick up this book and enjoy it. It is a standalone as promised with just enough connection to the previous series and open to what is to come without anyone getting lost.
From the start, I was into Asher’s brooding, cranky, and yet generous personality. He wanted to be left alone, but he steps up anyway and then he quickly comes to see that he wants Naomi and he sticks with it even though she leads him on a merry time in her need for revenge that set some bad stuff in motion and her trouble with opening up to someone.
Naomi’s the one I was iffy about at times. She pulled a few stupids that left me shaking my head and wondering how she’d lived so long. I don’t have a lot of patience for that sort of thing.
But, there was a good connection and I could tell how this pair did need each other and worked well . And, holy smokes did this pair have some sizzle. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other once they gave into the immediate attraction. Their suspense and action scenes out on the desert and back in Vegas were sensational, too. I loved seeing lethal Asher get to show his ruthless side all to help Naomi- who was pretty tough, herself, and take down a baddy who needed dealing with.
I’m definitely hoping for Cain, a secondary character and a fellow Hunter to get his story next. He caught my attention.
As to the narration work, I thought Roger Wayne was fantastic for this book. He did great with Asher, deep, slightly rough rumbling voice I easily associated with the quiet, deadly calm male, and all the characters including Naomi both her adult voice and child-like past history voice. He had good timing for the action, the passion, and for the thoughtful moments. I hope he continues as the series narrator.
So, all in all, this series is off to a solid start. I think I might love the Hunter stories more than the main series if they continue along this line. Paranormal Romance fans who like their fangers, passionate lovers, strong characters and lots of action should definitely pick this one up.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges
Romance Roundabout #227 PNR
New Release #113
Audio #45
COYER Summer #25
Recommendations
About Lara Adrian
LARA ADRIAN is a New York Times and #1 internationally best-selling author with nearly 4 million books in print and digital worldwide and translations licensed to more than 20 countries. Her books have been named among Amazon’s Top Ten Romances of the Year, and have also been nominated by readers multiple times as finalists for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance of the Year. Reviewers have called Lara’s books “addictively readable” (Chicago Tribune), “extraordinary” (Fresh Fiction), “strikingly original” (Booklist), and “one of the best vampire series on the market” (Romantic Times).
Writing as TINA ST. JOHN, her historical romances have won numerous awards including the National Readers Choice; Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice; Booksellers Best; and many others. She was twice named a Finalist in Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards, for Best Historical Romance (White Lion’s Lady) and Best Paranormal Romance (Heart of the Hunter). More recently, the German translation of Heart of the Hunter debuted on Der Spiegel bestseller list.
With an ancestry stretching back to the Mayflower and the court of King Henry VIII, the author lives with her husband in New England, where she is working on her next novel. Visit Lara’s website and sign up for new release announcements at http://bit.ly/LaraAdrianNews