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Deal With The Devil / Charming The Beast (Purgatory Series) by Cynthia Eden – a review

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DEAL WITH THE DEVIL / Charming The Beast (Purgatory Series) by Cynthia Eden-a review

Deal with the Devil

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / KOBO /

About the book: Release Date June 9, 2015

Eric Pate is used to making his own rules—as the director of the PARA Unit, he is the boss. Everyone rushes to obey his commands, and no one knows his secrets. No one ever gets too close to him. But then he meets her.

Ella Lancaster is tired of being a prisoner. She escaped one hell just to find herself in another, but Eric doesn’t consider her containment with his agents as punishment. He actually thinks it is a form of protection. But Eric is so very wrong. Ella doesn’t need protecting, not for anyone or anything.

But when the PARA Unit comes under attack, Ella and Eric both find themselves battling a supernatural beast that they never expected. Forced to join forces, to make a deal, Ella and Eric are soon fighting side-by-side, and their attraction for each other can’t be contained or controlled. Hot. Wild. Consuming. Ella’s deal with her devil is soon taking over her life.

And as Eric falls deeper and deeper under the mysterious Ella’s spell, his legendary control begins to crack. The beast that he has kept chained so carefully inside rises to the surface. Unfortunately, when the devil loses his control…there is real hell to pay.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: DEAL WITH THE DEVIL is the fourth installment in Cynthia Eden’s adult, contemporary Purgatory paranormal romance series. Purgatory is an island prison for the supernatural-those that cannot be controlled and are a danger to themselves and everyone else. This is PARA Unit director Eric Pate, and Ella Lancaster’s storyline. DEAL WITH THE DEVIL can be read as a stand alone but for background information and enjoyment, I suggest reading the series in order.

Told from alternating third person perspectives (Eric and Ella) DEAL WITH THE DEVIL follows the continued ‘imprisonment’ of Ella Lancaster, and the PARA Unit director’s explosive attraction to a woman whose species (or origins) is unknown. Ella ia a woman who had been imprisoned by a monster; for years she was tortured and abused, tested and retested, drained of blood and left to die. Someone or something was using Ella’s blood. Upon her ‘rescue’ Ella found she had traded one prison for another, regardless of the furnishing and trappings made to look like she was living a normal life. As the PARA doctors continued to run tests on Ella’s blood, Eric Pate found himself drawn to the woman who was secluded for her own protection, not imprisoned against her wishes.

Throughout the series Eric Pate has been an enigma. He is a man who demands obedience of those he commands; his control over the others is unquestioned; but he is also a man whose personality was questionable. Eric had secrets; dark and dangerous secrets, if revealed, could compromise his position within the PARA Unit.

The relationship between Ella and Eric is one of immediate attraction but Ella believes she was betrayed by the very people who aided in her rescue including Eric Pate –The PARA Unit commander and a man who isn’t quite human himself. What ensues is a mutual attraction between Ella and Eric, one that Ella believes is fated for her kind. Eric refuses to give in to the myth of fated mates, and although his need for Ella cannot be explained, Eric is determined to save Ella from whatever is hunting the woman of his heart even if it mean revealing the truth about his ‘second nature’. The $ex scenes are intimate, aggressive and compelling without the ‘over the top’ erotic factor.

The secondary and supporting characters include all of the previous storyline couples: Duncan and Holly, Shane and Olivia, Connor and Chloe. We are also introduced to the man responsible for Ella’s powers; and the beast who will stop at nothing to get her back. By way of the storyline premise, we are also introduced to a new breed of hybrid supernaturals, and the possibility of something more. Lawrence’s storyline may be next on the horizon.

DEAL WITH THE DEVIL is a story with action, mystery, suspense and romance. Cynthia Eden will capture your heart and your imagination. Her characters are likeable, engaging and intense; her storyline emotional, passionate and intriguing; the world building continues to grab your attention-always leaving you wanting more !

Reading Order and Reviews
The Wolf Within
Marked by the Vampire
Charming The Beast (see review below)
Deal with the Devil

NOTE:  If you have not read this series, THE WOLF WITHIN (Book 1 of the Purgatory Series) is FREE for KINDLE and KOBO users:Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / KOBO /

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Charming the BeastCHARMING THE BEAST
(Purgatory #3)
by Cynthia Eden
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal romance

Kindle & Nook ebook ONLY 99¢ :Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 23, 2014

He’s a man with a beast inside…

Connor Marrok never intended to work for the Seattle Para Unit. He’s not one of the good guys—he’s a real monster, and the beast he carries doesn’t exactly play nicely. But now he finds himself being blackmailed into a new assignment. It’s supposed to be his last gig. His mission? Protect the beautiful Chloe Quick. Keep her alive. Destroy her enemies. Easy enough…until he starts to fall for Chloe.

She just wants to escape.

Chloe is tired of being a prisoner. She wants to get away from her Para Unit guard and run fast into the night. So what if Connor is the sexiest guy she’s ever met? Chloe knows trouble when she sees it, and Connor is one big, dangerous package of trouble. But, when an obsessed werewolf begins stalking Chloe, she realizes that her paranormal bodyguard may just be the one man she needs the most.

Their attraction is primal.

Every moment that Chloe and Connor spend together increases their attraction. Chloe has never felt a need so strong or a desire so dark. The beast that Chloe carries inside has always been silent, but Connor is stirring up her animal instincts. And as the danger and desire begin to twist together, Chloe wonders just how far she’d be willing to go…in order to spend one more night in Connor’s arms.

••••••••••

REVIEW: CHARMING THE BEAST is the third installment in Cynthia Eden’s paranormal, adult, contemporary Purgatory romance series. Purgatory is an island prison for the most powerful of supernatural criminals. This is Para Unit Agent and crossover hybrid Connor Marrok and Chloe Quick’s storyline who were introduced to one another in the previous book. Although this is the third book in the series is can be read as a stand alone without too much difficult but I recommend reading in order for background and detailed information about the previous storyline couples and premise.

Connor Marrok is a cross-over. A supernatural being ½ vampire/ ½ werewolf and all alpha male. He is a man whose younger years have resulted in physical and emotional scars that will never heal. His wolf wants Chloe Quick-the daughter of the man who has set out to destroy the FBI’s Seattle Para Unit-and the man who tried to destroy Chloe’s life.

Chloe is under the Para Unit’s protection but her freedom and choices are no longer her own. Something about Chloe’s DNA has changed and she is now the focus of a number of werewolf packs; she has become the number one target for a man hoping to make her his own. As the wolves begin to circle, someone is willing to sacrifice Chloe for information and a chance to end the cycle of attacks.

The attraction between Chloe and Connor is immediate; a friends to lovers storyline that focuses on Connor’s need to protect the woman he needs to claim as his mate. But Connor believes he is not the right man for Chloe and tries miserably but fails to keep his distance.

The world building continues as more agents of the Para Unit are introduced and Purgatory continues to house the baddest of the bad. The secondary characters include all of the previous storyline couples as well as the agents and Unit commander Eric Pate. Eric is an enigma; an alpha male; the boss; the man in charge and he is nobody’s friend. Eric is a man who is willing to risk any or all of his agents to ensure they get their ‘man’. In this, he is a character whose intent is questionable but also a character who has many secrets that have yet to be revealed. I believe his story is next.

If you are a fan of the paranormal shifter romance storylines, then Cynthia Eden’s PURGATORY series is for you. There is a little bit of everything supernatural: werewolves, vampires, Dijinn, magic and more. The characters are for the most part likeable; their stories are heartbreaking; sometimes tragic; always intense.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Wolf Within
Marked by the Vampire
Charming the Beast
Deal with the Devil

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Marked by the Vampire by Cynthia Eden-Review and Release Day Blitz

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Marked by the Vampire by Cynthia Eden-Review and Release Day Blitz

Marked By The Vampire Release Day Blitz

Marked by the Vampire
Purgatory #2
by Cynthia Eden
Genre: paranormal, romance
Release Date: June 9, 2014

Marked by the Vampire

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

Vampires exist. So do werewolves. The creatures that you fear in the darkness? They’re all real. And the baddest of the paranormals…those who love to hurt humans…they’re sent to Purgatory, the only paranormal prison in the U.S.

His job is to stop the monsters.

Deadly forces are at work within Purgatory. The monsters are joining together—and their plans have to be stopped. FBI Agent Shane August, a very powerful vampire with a dark past, is sent into the prison on an undercover assignment. His job is to infiltrate the vampire clan, by any means necessary.

She wants to help the prisoners.

Dr. Olivia Maddox wants to find out just why certain paranormals go bad. What pushes some vampires over the edge? Why do some werewolves turn so savage? If she can understand the monsters, then Olivia thinks she can help them. When she gets permission to enter Purgatory, Olivia believes she is being given the research opportunity of a lifetime.

Olivia doesn’t realize that she’s walking straight into hell.

To survive, they have to rely on each other.

When the prisoners break loose, there is only one person—one vampire—who can protect her, but as Olivia and Shane fight the enemies that surround them, a dark and dangerous passion stirs to life between the doctor and the vamp. Shane realizes that Olivia is a woman carrying secrets—powerful, sinful secrets. Secrets that a man would kill to possess.

And Olivia realizes that—sometimes—you can’t control the beast inside of you. No matter how hard you try. Some passions can push you to the very limits of your control…and the growing lust that she feels for her vampire…it’s sending her racing right into a deadly storm of desire.

Welcome to Purgatory…a place that’s a real hell on earth…

review orange and black

REVIEW:

MARKED BY THE VAMPIRE is the second instalment in Cynthia Eden’s contemporary, adult Purgatory paranormal series. Purgatory is an island prison for the supernatural-those that cannot be controlled. This is Dr. Olivia Maddox and FBI Agent Shane August’s storyline. Although this is the second in the series, MARKED BY THE VAMPIRE can be read as a stand alone. Some of the previous storyline characters play secondary roles and any information from the prior story is imparted where necessary.

Told from third person POV the story follows Olivia Maddox as she has gained access to Purgatory to further her research surrounding the darkest of the supernatural powers. But Olivia has a secret-one that if discovered or released-will place everyone in danger. So to add to her protection, vampire and Para Unit specialist Shane August is sent in undercover only to realize a little too late that they have both ‘literally’ been thrown to the wolves. Someone knows about Olivia’s true identity and is hoping that Purgatory will keep her under control.

The attraction between Shane and Olivia is immediate. They have a connection that can only be called fated and in this Shane is determined to protect Olivia at all costs-even if it means taking out everyone who threatens the woman he believes to be his mate.

The secondary characters include many of the previous storyline characters as well as a new cast of villains who are on the hunt for the ultimate in supernatural powers. The storyline is well paced; the suspense and mystery will keep the reader on the edge of their seat-and in the end-there was very little difference between good and evil. Trust must be earned and very little is earned throughout the story. Needless to say, Olivia had some major issues of trust, especially when she found herself imprisoned by the very people who had promised to keep her safe.

Cynthia Eden writes an exciting and intense story with all the hallmarks of a paranormal mystery-the reader is never sure just who is the bad guy; who is the betrayer; and who can be trusted with your life. Life in Purgatory is hell, but working with the Para Unit is like working for the Devil-himself.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

 

“I’ve got a plan, love. Trust me.” He advanced into the darkness.
Her nails sank into his skin. “No. Look, dammit, I get that it’s too little, too late, but I wasn’t exactly high on choices upstairs.”
He frowned down at her. She wasn’t looking at his face in that total darkness, but instead staring just over his shoulder.
“Give me something here—I mean, make me know that I’m with the good guy.”
Oh, but he couldn’t do that. He’d never been exactly good, not even when he’d been working with the FBI. If she only knew the things he’d done, she might just run back up to the wolves. “I work with Pate.”
“Give me more. Why are you at Purgatory? What’s going on?”
He pulled her closer. Wanted to take her mouth again but didn’t. Control. “We don’t have time for a fucking long discourse here, love. So here are the simple facts. I’m working undercover—a cover that I blew for you. And right now, I’m the only thing standing between you and death, so if you want to die, then by all means…” He let her go. “Don’t trust me.”
In the darkness, he saw her wrap her arms around her stomach. “You…you haven’t killed? Your file was all lies?”
“I’ve killed plenty.” Brutal truth. “And that’s why I’m your best hope of survival.”
She rocked back on her heels. “Have you killed innocents?”
The woman was so naive. “There are no innocents in this world.”
Her body trembled. He could see the small ripple that shook her.
With his back teeth clenched, he demanded, “Now are you coming with me or do you want to try your luck with the wolves?”
Her hand lifted, tried to find him in the dark. He stepped toward her so that she touched his chest.

 

 

series spotlight

The Wolf Within
Purgatory #1
by Cynthia Eden
Genre: adult, romance, mystery, paranormal
Release Date: November 2012

The Wolf WithinAmazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Click HERE for our review of The Wolf Within

FBI Special Agent Duncan McGuire spends his days–and his nights–tracking real-life monsters. Most humans aren’t aware of the vampires and werewolves that walk among them. They don’t realize the danger that they face, but Duncan knows about the horror that waits in the darkness. He hunts the monsters, and he protects the innocent. Duncan just never expects to become a monster. But after a brutal werewolf attack, Duncan begins to change…and soon he will be one of the very beasts that he has hunted.

Dr. Holly Young is supposed to help Duncan during his transition. It’s her job to keep him sane so that Duncan can continue working with the FBI’s Para Unit. But as Duncan’s beast grows stronger, the passion that she and Duncan have held carefully in check pushes to the surface. The desire that is raging between them could be a very dangerous thing…because Holly isn’t exactly human, not any longer.

As the monsters circle in, determined to take out all of the agents working at the Para Unit, Holly and Duncan will have to use their own supernatural strengths in order to survive. But as they give up more of their humanity and embrace the beasts within them both, they realize that the passion between them isn’t safe, it isn’t controllable, and their dark need may just be an obsession that could destroy them both.

 

About The Author

 

Cynthia EdenUSA Today Best-selling author Cynthia Eden has written over twenty-five novels and novellas. She was named as a 2013 RITA® finalist for her paranormal romance, ANGEL IN CHAINS, and, in 2011, Cynthia Eden was a RITA finalist for her romantic suspense, DEADLY FEAR.

Cynthia is a southern girl who loves horror movies, chocolate, and happy endings.  She has always wanted to write (don’t most authors say that?), and particularly enjoys creating stories about monsters–vampires, werewolves, and even the real-life monsters that populate her romantic suspense stories.

Cynthia’s foreign sales for her books include translations to Japan, Germany, Thailand, Greece, and Brazil.

(Back in the day…) Cynthia graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Alabama where she studied Sociology (because people interest her) and Communication (because she likes to write about said people).  Cynthia has worked as a college admissions counselor, a teacher, and as an editor. But now, Cynthia is thrilled to be spending her days making up stories.

Follow Cynthia: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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