Tag: Elsa Aarden

His Turn by Elsa Aarden

Elsa Aarden - His Turn Cover fjcn87rjTitle: His Turn

Author: Elsa Aarden

Genre: Paranormal, Vampires

Length: Novella (89pgs)

ISBN: 978-1-64243-975-5

Publisher: Siren Publishing (5th September 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’– 3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: To certain humans, the city is a place riddled with vampires. Cameron Jameson, a lover of art, ventures out of his rural hometown to see the work of his favorite painter in person. There, he meets Duncan Marlow, a persistent vampire. During their spark, an enemy throws Cameron into a new vampire world unknown to him with Duncan.

Duncan Marlow is new to dating a human. Is the vampire world too much for his human partner? A family secret takes Cameron by surprise and Duncan has to find a way to help him adapt. His intentions to keep Cameron away from danger are to no avail.

A fatal accident turns Cameron’s life around. While all expected it to be that simple, it turns out to be much more than ever imagined for them. His new-found existence creates surprise and fear in others during the test-run of his abilities.

Purchase Link: Siren-BookStrand | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: His Turn is a standalone paranormal romance by Elsa Aarden. Aarden is not an author that I’m super familiar with – I’ve come across her name a number of times while perusing the Siren website, and I’ve a couple of books in the past. However, this is not an author that I am invested in, to the point that I must read every book. That’s not to saying anything bad about the author or the writing style, I have enjoyed each book I’ve read by Aarden, but there are just so many book and authors that this did not tip to become on my very long must read authors list.

The story starts with Cameron Jameson. He’s a fairly ordinary human who lives with his very human family in a rural town. There seems to be a lot of fear and distrust when it comes to vampires from his people. The big, bad vampires all seem to populate the big, bad city. But being that Cameron loves art, there isn’t much he can do in his small town or farm, so when his favourite artist makes an appearance at an art gallery in the city, Cameron makes the drive. It is at the gallery, that not only does Cameron get to meet his idol, but he also meets Duncan Marlow, a vampire.

Duncan seems to be everything fearful that Cameron has heard about vampire, yet at the same time there is some inexplicable link between the two of them. However, Cameron is uncertain, and rather than push and become too aggressive, Duncan is ready to take things slow. However, there is as much darkness in the world of vampires that Cameron fears. Duncan will do anything to help and protect Cameron.

Cameron and Duncan have a great connection. There is sexual tension from the moment they meet, and while there is kindness and romance, there is also harshness and danger when Cameron must see and become a part of Duncan world, ultimately facing his fears. What I really like the most about Duncan is that while he can be a “brutal vampire” and is partly why he has survived for so long and has become so successful. While the story didn’t grab me and enchant me as much as I would have liked it was these elements that allowed me to enjoy the book.

His Turn is a pretty good, solid romance that wonderfully captures the danger and uncertainty that comes with the world of vampires along with the hot attraction between the main characters. If you’re into paranormal or vampire romances, I reckon it’s worth giving it a go.

The Two Hounds by Elsa Aarden

ea-fan-twohounds3141117_0318Title: The Two Hounds
Series: Freeway at Night, #1
Author: Elsa Aarden
Genre: Paranormal/MMM MĂ©nage a Trois
Length: Novella (115 pages)
Publisher: Siren Publishing, Inc (November 27th 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥ 2 Hearts
Blurb: Casey Martins, a homeless young man, is rescued by Leonard Kill and William Murder. The two handsome men help him recover and quickly express why they fell for Casey. Even though his new home has a fierce man who doesn’t want him there, Casey does what he can to stay with Leonard and William.

Leonard Kill, with the Water element, is the first to fall for Casey. Although his stepfather doesn’t approve of their relationship, Leonard insists that Casey is the one. He is afraid to express his true feelings for Casey, and he doesn’t want to push his lover away.

William Murder, with the Fire element, has no fear of showing his love for Casey. Along the way, they find out that Casey isn’t a normal human, after all, but he and Leonard refuse to let Casey help them against their dangerous opponent. Together, they face and enemy who wants to stop Leonard and William from incarcerating criminals.

Note: This book contains double anal penetration.

ISBN: 978-1-63258-615-5

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/the-two-hounds

Reviewer: Leigh

Review: Casey has been leaving on the streets for while since he was kicked out by his parents for being a drain on their expenses. Unable to find a job and kicked out the alley he was living in, Casey falls in the middle of the sidewalk from hunger. Two well-dressed men come up to him, offer him help, and take him home. Although leery, Casey still gets in their limo with them.

Leonard and William see Casey and want him. Even in Casey’s dirty and malnourished state, they want to have sex with him. They want to have someone to come home to at night when they are done working. I want to say they pretty much want a pampered pet. They don’t really expect Casey to do anything in their home all day except be there when they get home and let Leonard and William take care of him. Before the third chapter is over the three of them are saying I love you.

The secondary characters are just annoying. Hamilton is the butler/chauffeur, hates Casey immediately, and goes out of his way to make his new life miserable. But even when Leonard and William find out, they keep him on just telling him to stay away from Casey. The stepfather is a horn dog and keeps trying to seduce Casey. The sex scenes are not really hot but more like rushed to fill in space.

So yeah, the concept was good, but the application needed some more work. On one hand, I wanted to really like this book. But on the other, I hated it because it was so convoluted. There is no emotion to the story. I didn’t like the MCs, but I didn’t hate them either. It just left me feeling let down and hate to say it…bored. Since this looks to be a series, I do hope it improves in writing style.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *