Hurt Me Sweetly (Dark Alliance 6) by Kira James-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 23, 2023

I’m onto the story of a lifetime, but when I find myself falling for one of the key players, I’ll have to decide what really matters. Love or justice? Knowledge or desire?

Ryan Doyle is unlike anyone I’ve ever met before. Half human and half… something else, something dark that he desperately wants to keep hidden.

As our unexpected dance of seduction brings us closer, I discover that he’s the key to understanding everything. And although he’s willing to open his body, he will do anything to keep me from unlocking his mind and all the sinful secrets that lurk in its shadows.

Just how far am I willing to go to find the truth? And what all am I willing to surrender in its pursuit? I’ve never met anyone like Ryan before, but what if he’s not really who he claims to be… What if loving him will mean losing myself?

••••••

REVIEW: HURT ME SWEETLY is the sixth full-length instalment in Kira James’ contemporary, adult DARK ALLIANCE paranormal, romance series originally release as the Shadowkeepers. This is para demon Ryan Doyle, and journalist Andrea ‘Andy’ Tarrant aka Allison Stahl.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise including graphic violence, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from third person perspective HURT ME SWEETLY follows the search for a killer, or group of killers targeting the world of the Shadowers. A badly beaten and fatally injured weren is desperate to locate our hero, para demon Ryan Doyle, who works at Division 6, and the PEC (Preternatural Enforcement Commission), a Division of Homeland Security. Ryan Doyle and the PEC suspect a well orchestrated faction of the human population is targeting the supernatural races. Journalist Andrea ‘Andy’ Tarrant knows a story when she sees it, and her recent run in with the ultimate evil in the guise of Kyle Creevey, suggests the world of the supernatural truly exists but Andy has never been a believer until someone close reveals the truth about one of our heroine’s darkest hours, years before. Pulled into a group who call themselves the Dark Warriors, Andy will come face to face with her future, Ryan Doyle, a man she believes is nothing more than human. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Andy and Ryan, and the potential fall-out when Ryan goes in undercover with the Dark Warriors, only to have his identity revealed from an unlikely source.

The relationship between Andy and Ryan begins with an accidental meeting. Andy is led to believe Ryan works for US Homeland Security but never expected to be pulled into a world she only thought existed in fantasy and fairy tales. Discovering Ryan Doyle is a para demon means Andy must choose sides, a choice that will play Andy in the direct line of fire, and against the people she loves the most. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and seductive.

The secondary and supporting characters include several members of the Shadow Alliance: Lucius Dragos aka Luke-Lieutenant Governor of Los Angeles; Luke’s wife and mate Sara Constantine, an attorney with Division 6; Nikki Leviathan (Director of Division 6) ; vampire CeeCee Jane Gantz and Luke’s ward; half-demon PEC Agent Ryan Doyle ; enhanced human Agent Severin Tucker, with the ability to read the thoughts of the recently deceased. We are introduced to Andy’s father Andrew Tarrant , her cousin Kevin, Kyle Creevey, and leader of the Dark Warriors Paul Vassalo. The requisite evil has many faces.

HURT ME SWEETLY is another fast paced and intricate story of speciesism and discrimination, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is fated and animated; the characters are powerful, energetic and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

If you haven’t started the series, the introductory novella  CRAVE ME ROUGHLY is FREE  at Bookfunnel

Crave Me Roughly .5
Embrace Me Darkly
Torture Me Gently
Tempt Me Deadly
Crush Me Tenderly 4.5
Hold Me Wickedly
Claim Me Sinfully

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy