So, this book as well as the others in the series come in pairs. So I’m giving the stars based on the best of the two. The first story is Raphael and Ashe by Alexandra Ivy. All I have to say about this story is that I expected more from Ivy. The story was pretty empty. The entire story consisted of her meeting him after they’d already had sex and she’s pregnant but she can’t remember the night, he kidnaps her from her motel, she runs away, he catches her again and they go to his home with 2 instances of contact with the enemy. Done…Talk about empty calories.The second story is Parish and Julia by Laura Wright. Though this was also a short story it was much more put together and quite lovely. There was emotion, tension with a brush with the enemy and two people who thought they couldn’t be happy finding each other and not being afraid to take what they want to be happy.Raphael: 1 StarParish: 4 Stars Interesting concept of having 2 authors take characters out of a story line and write their own individual stories but keeping within the plot of the entire series. These stories are written as novellas with the entire book only being 130ish pages. How this is done is that the plot continues but the focus switches from one hero/heroine to another hero/heroine as the main character focus. In story 1 by Alexandra Ivy we have Raphael and Ashe this story focuses on what happens *after* they initially meet and she gets pregnant. We also have some world building in this novella so we can understand the uniqueness of the Pantera. The unique thing is that we still can follow Raphael and Ashe's relationship when we switch to the second Novella by Laura Wright which features Parish and Julia. It is interesting to view Raphael and Ashe out of Parish's eyes. Both authors did a good job giving us fully dimensional characters considering the number of pages allotted. I didn't feel short changed in any way while reading. The stories themselves were complete and you didn't feel you needed to continue reading the second story once you completed the first but you did want to because you knew the bigger picture plot would continue. Unique concept in paranormal romance with intrigue, romance, hawt steamy sex and a sweetness of developing love. It was kinda cool because in story one I found I related to and empathized with Ashe more than Raphael and in story two I adored Parish and thought Julia was Meh. I know I'm partical to broken heroes so that could be why. I enjoyed both stories and will definitely continue with Bayon and Jean Baptiste's stories in the next dual novel. I give this 4 stars and a recommendation. I have read both these author's other series and loved them. This new series together definitely does not disappoint. Great when you need a shorter read! t'irla t'irla's talk tirlastalk.blogspot.ca ...come on over and check out the blog..gimme a follow if you like it.
What do You think about Raphael/Parish (2000)?
Both in the Dark Nights Dangerous Men anthology.
—rleeland
