HIS DARKEST EMBRACE by Juliana Stone

Sequel to His Darkest Hunger
Publisher: Avon Books
Date published: October 26th, 2010
ISBN: 9780061808807
Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


Jagger is a hunter, one who has no regard for the humans that share the world he lives in. A dark soul, he finds himself entrenched in a mission with the beautiful Skye Knightly, one that will have them both on the path to save the world…if Jagger can find the strength to believe in the lightness that is Skye. Each is the other’s sole hope for survival yet darkness surrounds them, forcing Jagger and Skye to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to have the life they yearn for.

I absolutely adored HIS DARKEST HUNGER, the first book in the new paranormal series by Juliana Stone. It had mystery, a new take on shifters and the writing was spectacular. It had everything I loved in a paranormal story yet this second book, HIS DARKEST EMBRACE, just didn’t match it. Granted the writing was still good, it was the storyline and the characters that I felt needed a bit more work.

The story picks up a few months after HIS DARKEST HUNGER and the reader is in the jungle…a lot. It felt like all Jagger did was whine, pout or run around the jungle feeling sorry for himself. Not what I want in a hero. Granted the author tried to make him lovable to me but I felt, in my opinion, that she just didn’t quite make the mark with him. Skye was independent, feisty but the pairing between her and Jagger felt forced and not as believable as I wanted. The chemistry between these two characters just wasn’t there and I felt let down. There was so much potential with Jagger and Skye but it wasn’t built upon. The storyline had holes, some “Huh?” moments that had me scratching my head and wondering what happened to Ms. Stone. Did Martians replace her? The storyline itself was a sad disappointment as well. The ending alone had me going “WHAT??” and not in a good way either. It was just one of those stories that you either liked or not. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t find myself enjoying it as much as I hoped.

HIS DARKEST EMBRACE was a story I really, really wanted to like but alas, it just didn’t connect with me on any level. I loved the first book and am hoping this author gets back on track for the next book. If you like a story like this, then you may enjoy HIS DARKEST EMBRACE.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

HIS DARKEST HUNGER by Juliana Stone

Book 1 in Jaguar Warrior Series
Publisher: Avon Books
Date published: March 2010
ISBN: 9780061808777
Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


Jaxon Castille is on a mission-find the women who stole his heart, broke it and then make her pay for her betrayal. When he finally catches up to Libby Jamieson, she is so different than what he remembers. She has no memories of their time together or what she did to Jaxon. Danger stalks them both and as ghosts surround them during their time together, can Jaxon get past his anger and need for vengeance to help Libby discover who wants them dead and why? The truth is said to set you free but what happens when the truth can shatter lives as well?

HIS DARKEST HUNGER introduces the reader to the Jaguar Warriors series and boy is it an engrossing read. I fell in love with Jaxon immediately. He was pure alpha male hero; dark, sinfully sexy and determined to make his past lover, Libby, pay for her treachery. What he never anticipates is that she has no idea who he is or what happened between them. The characters fairly brim with life and the storyline flows quickly keeping the reader glued to the edge of her seat with the twists it takes. I haven’t read this author before and found her writing to be tight, characters well rounded and the storyline well written.

Meet Jaxon Castillo, a jaguar shifter and warrior who was betrayed, or so he thinks, by his lover Libby Jamieson. When he finally finds her, he is shocked to see she has no idea who he is, what caused them to part or her betrayal. Now with danger stalking them, something or someone wants them dead as the secrets of the past come out into the open. Can Libby and Jaxon forge a strong enough bond to figure out the truth-even if the truth can shatter them both into pieces? I love, love, love Jaxon. Strong, sexy and alpha male, he literally had me drooling from the moment he stepped on the pages. He was a complex character who is driven by desire of revenge even as he finds he still wants Libby with a passion. I loved his toughness but he melts when he is with Libby, regardless of his feelings of betrayal. Libby steps up to the plate and though she has feelings for Jaxon, she has no idea why he runs hot and cold with her. She is a strong heroine who definitely delivers when she is going toe-to-toe with Jaxon or the bad guy. There were a few secondary characters that had me eager to know if they will get their own stories and the ending left me eager for book two.

HIS DARKEST HUNGER is a strong introduction into the world of jaguar shifters and a mystery that will leave you breathless in the end. From the first to the last page, this was one story I could not put down. If you are looking for a new paranormal book to read, then grab HIS DARKEST HUNGER and settle in for a pulse pounding ride. I cannot wait to read the continuing story of the jaguar warriors and see what happens next.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.