Deadly Shades of Gold by L.E.Harner and T.A. Webb

2940016315645_p0_v1_s260x420Title: Deadly Shades of Gold

Series: Altered States #2

Author: L.E. Harner & T.A. Webb

Genre: MM-MMM / Paranormal / Urban Fantasy

Length: Novella

Publisher: Hot Corner Press (February 20th, 2013)

Reviewer: Thommie

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: “Wolf or vamp? Decide. It has to be now.”

Those were the last words Sam Garrett ever heard—as a human. Now on the para side of normal, the NOPD slammed the proverbial door on his career.

Travis Boudreaux knows exactly how his former partner feels—but when some doors close, the golden window of opportunity opens. Crimes against supernaturals require a new and different approach, and once the Feds show up, the Odd Squad isn’t the only law enforcement game in town.

After a revenge-seeking vampire creates deadly havoc, the new agent-in-charge is on a recruiting mission—and he’s more than ready to fight fire with fire. What do you get when you mix old friends, new enemies, and a license to kill?

Pure dynamite.

Product Link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/287840

Review: Deadly Shades of Gold is most definitely NOT yet another vamp/were story in so many ways. It is the multi-dimensional plot that marks it as way different for me, plus the fact that it doesn’t shy away from the blood and gore. Yes, I do have something of an appeal when it comes to brutality. It suits the book just fine, though, and it made for a fascinating read.

Normally, most books have a pair of protagonists and a pretty simple action plot. Not the case here and I couldn’t be happier. If you want to stretch things, though, you could say that this book of the series is about Sam and Travis.

The story starts with the, ironic should I say, near-death and change of Sam.  ironic because Sam hates all things non-human. So much so, that it cost him his friendship with Travis when the man was bitten and changed into a vampire two years ago and tried to attack him. After having thought things through, Sam went to see him and ask for forgiveness. He never managed though, at least not as human.

It was very interesting seeing those two “men” in this story. They don’t have too much time, we don’t get to see them together a lot and therefore one might say that their relationship didn’t have space to develop.  Yet, that couldn’t be more wrong, as from the first moment those two are in the same room, and every single time afterward, the air cracks with the tension that flows between them. There is something special that marks those two, and their future, in the next book is predicted to be of high interest. I am perhaps a bit disappointed that they had so little space here or that the length of the book was so short.

Moving on, there are other characters that have an equally important role in the story. The Alpha Werewolf and his Beta, Jet, are quite amusing in a way and Danny and Clint promise a new cracking pair. But, what had my real attention was the “baddie” Henri du Champ. I think I fell in love with that guy who is not only the mastermind behind so many of our boys’ troubles but the Master Vampire of the city and I’ll admit it that is quite hot.

I could go on and give you a pretty clear idea of what to expect and how the story goes. I won’t do it this time, as I’m confident that this is one of those books you should just let go, and be swiped by the story and the very interesting plot. I must recommend though, if you haven’t already, to first read book #1 of the Altered States series, Deep Blues Goodbye. It will help you have a clearer view of the story and acclimate faster. However this can be read as a stand-alone and I bet it will mark the way of how you’re going to view paranormal stories in the future.

Strongly recommended!