Book Review: Shades of Temptation by Virna DePaul

Title: Shades of Temptation

Author: Virna DePaul
Release Date: September 18th 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin HQN
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

Carrie Ward understands dangerous men, and she's got the scars to prove it. These days, the Special Investigations Group detective saves her risk taking for the job. But when she's asked to pursue a high-profile serial killer, she'll have to join forces with the last man she wants to depend on—Jase Tyler, an ace senior detective who's as reckless as she is cautious. And despite her best intentions, the sparks begin to fly.
As Carrie and Jase race to try to save the next victim, the passion that simmers between them ignites. But a cunning killer at the top of his game is challenging Carrie to play to the very end. 

Now all she can count on are her instincts—and Jase, the one man daring enough to keep her safe….

My Thoughts

Virna DePaul has a talent for writing an intriguing mystery surrounded by an intense and deeply sexually charged atmosphere.
But sadly, that's where it tends to end.
The characters never truly develop, the story kind of stagnates, and I'm left feeling disappointed and let down - again.

The first half of this book was great.
Lots of heated exchanges between Carrie and Jase, plenty of tension, sexual and otherwise; a crazed murderer and an equally deranged copycat on the loose makes for a really great read.

But then it all slumps.
The story gets long winded and boring, causing me to skim through a good chunk of the book before it slowly starts to pick up again, but it doesn't - not really.
The remaining last third is a reasonably safe and stale read that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, because I feel like Carrie and Jase have been cheated out of what could have been a fantastic story. Somehow it just seemed to plateau at the mid way point and never got back its intensity.

Overall a good read, but I was unsatisfied with the books lack of consistency. 3 Stars :]

Book Review: Shades of Desire by Virna DePaul

Title: Shades of Desire

Author: Virna DePaul

Publication Date: May 29th 2012

Publisher: HQN (Harlequin)

Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

WHAT SHE CAN'T SEE COULD KILL HER.
Natalie Jones is the lucky survivor of an elusive killer who preys on young women and then disappears from view. And since her harrowing ordeal, the once gutsy photojournalist has remained isolated in her home, paralyzed by fear and her failing vision. Special Agent Liam "Mac" McKenzie has scars of his own. But despite his efforts to ignore the attraction that simmers between him and Natalie, he needs her help to catch a predator. Soon, they will forge a tentative alliance-charged with desire. Through a soft-focus lens, Natalie dares to envision a future with Mac beyond the investigation...never guessing that the clues hidden within her photographs are drawing them into an explosive confrontation with a madman.

My Thoughts

This isn't actually a bad story.
The writing is smooth and unhurried and the storyline is intriguing.
I especially liked the fact that the MC has lost her sight and is dealing, or in her case, not dealing with the changes that her condition is forcing her to make. Add into the mix a psycho attacker on her tail and the need for some sexy police protection and you've got yourself a winner...or have you?

The initial attraction between Natalie and Mac is very heated, but as the story progressed I didn't feel that every advantage of their attraction was addressed as well as it could of been.
They danced around each other a lot and all that simmering lust just kind of tapered off. 

I felt like the author was all geared up to give us an absolute scorcher of a coming together and at the last minute, second guessed herself and doused the flames.

However, the overall storyline was good and I did enjoy trying to unravel the whodunit element.

Like I said, not a bad read but I did feel let down in the end, especially after the great build up in the beginning.
An enjoyable 3 Star read :]