Torrid Teasers Volume 45: Epic Turns & Dark Memories
By Piper Evyns
Epic Turns – Professional snowboarder Jacee Lennox has become disillusioned with her life as a sports hero, then suddenly she finds herself in a strange land with a gorgeous man who shows her the real definition of heroism and temptation.
Dark Memories – Jon Brand hunts the things that go bump in the night, but when his ex-fiancée turns up almost dead, in a pile of corpses left by a vampire gang, he might find the key to bringing down the bad guys, as well as a second chance at love.
This is a two story anthology that is sure to take you on some unique adventures into the paranormal.
Epic Turns has a fresh and surprising choice of occupation for a heroine. Jacee is an Olympic snowboarding champion who makes a jump into a whole new realm of possibilities. The greatest goal in her life is to realize her dream of being accepted for her accomplishments, for herself. Can you believe that some people actually think that being an Olympic champion is worthless and undeserving of recognition? Well, that’s what Jacee’s family thinks and it hurts. I felt for Jacee; her frustration, her yearning and her sadness. I enjoyed seeing her pluckiness and determination to not give up but continue to be the best that she can be. I love the fact that all her training and expertise is about to be appreciated in ways she never dreamed.
I’ve read stories of teleporting humans to other realms before and they usually have to drudge through the culture shock. Not Jacee. Nope, she gets Oryon; the gruff and disgruntled fur covered hunk of a man who doesn’t give her time to catch her breath. Calling her ‘warrior , Oryon gives Jacee the opportunity Earth never did, to show her just what she‘s made of and what she’s capable of doing. And what she’s expected to do shocks the heck out of her. I was hooked. How can a snowboarder possibly be the answer to a people’s prayers? How can a talent so unusual and specialized be practical in the real world? How can a woman do the impossible? And will she find with Oryon what she never found on Earth?
Oryon was funny. Perhaps it wasn’t meant that way, but I liked the fact that Jacee had him in a tizzy. On one hand, he knew what needed to be done so he was focused and committed to the goal even if Jacee wasn’t what he expected. On the other hand, his confusion over Jacee and how she took him by surprise by acting and being the liberated woman of Earth that she was,kept me turning the pages. That includes, of course, the sex. Jacee isn’t ignorant yet still is sort of shy and she throws Oryon for a loop. He isn’t stunned for long and when they come together it’s fun, hot and furious. Let’s just say there’s a lot to be said for cavemen.
Epic Turns is exciting, sexy and fun while taking us on a journey of love and self-affirmation in a fresh and unique world.
*
Dark Memories keeps us on Earth and is intense. Vampires are the bad guys and Jon Brand is our hero.
What a flawed man he is. He’s dedicated to his job and he can’t talk about it. He loves a woman but can’t keep her. And he’s a Royal Canadian Mounted Police – or at least from a special office of them. I thought that was so cool - Dudley Do-Right fights vampires. What a great concept!
This story delves into the darker side of a paranormal Earth. Jon discovers that Holly, his ex-fiancé, has been traumatized by vampires. Why did they leave her alive when they always kill their food? The reason will break your heart. It made Jon’s fight against the vampires very believable and I found myself cheering for them to win. I could understand even Holly’s desire to find the horrible creatures who would do things like that and stake them or do whatever needs to be done to rid the world of their vileness.
Lest you think this story is too intense, let me reassure you. The romance part is wonderful. Jon never stops loving Holly and what he does to get her back reminds me of the movie
Overboard with Kurt Russell, remember that? Except this story is a LOT spicier and I can picture Kurt in the role of Jon. Yum.
When Holly figures out what Jon did, I was expecting a clichéd response. What a pleasant surprise when Holly not only got her own back but her reaction was perfect and unique to her character. How refreshing. The ending has adventure, drama, suspense and a lot of humorous innuendo that assures me that Holly is going to give Jon a frisky and naughty HEA.
Dark Memories is a fast paced suspenseful romance that will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next.
Torrid Teasers Volume 45: Epic Turns & Dark Memories is an attention grabbing, page-turning book that will appeal to fans of paranormal worlds filled with humor,relationships that are hot, plots to sink your teeth into and reasons to re-read it again and again.
Rating:

Reviewed by Xeranth