Kalina Harper, undercover cop for the Washington D. C. Police department is still haunted by a hot and humid summer night two years in her past. When a suspect had her on the ground ready for violation someone or something ripped him off her. Her only clear memory is of claws and fangs tearing away the scumbag and crushing the life from him. Even if the terror-filled dreams would stop someone out there doesn't want her to forget. Mysterious envelopes containing photos of that night are being delivered to her apartment with no clue about who sent them, or why.

Despite that she holds it together well enough to fulfill her assignment, trying to find evidence of collusion with a drug lord in the files of Reynolds & Delgado. It doesn't matter how strongly her body is begging for one of the owners. He's her suspect, full stop.

Roman Reynolds and his partner Nick Delgado share a fascination with the new accounting clerk. They also share a secret. They are members of a hidden society of jaguar shifters who have moved out from under jungle shadows to create a life in modern society. Their secret is threatened by a rogue element who feels their paranormal powers give them the right to rule the world. Their blatant attacks have left mauled bodies raising questions in the minds of the authorities. As a Faction Leader for his people the last thing Rome should be focused on is the way Kalina's scent makes him crazy in lust for her.

TEMPTATION RISING is the first in A. C. Arthur's new Shadow Shifter's series and an interesting read. At times the plotting and pace are a touch uneven but the book's strong points far outweigh any minor flaws. The storyline and world Arthur has built are fascinating, a new take on paranormal romance. Readers are plunged into a dark and primitive fable lying beneath our modern world. The books strongest point is Arthur's consummate skill with erotica. The lava- hot scenes are some of the best I have read. The elements of mystery are also handled very well, with some surprises in store and the conclusion contains a deft set up for the next book in the series without detracting from TEMPTATION RISING. Book two, Seduction's Shift is due out in September, 2012.