"Demons, Dragons, Magic, and Sexy Angels!"
Reviewed by Shellie Surles
Posted March 23, 2014
Paranormal - Supernatural
Kye Rivers is a Deuce, a person who has magical blood. Her
power is the ability to read sexual problems and desires in
people. Kye loves her job of helping others but it keeps
her from having a relationship of her own. Whenever she in
involved with someone, her powers become muted, and she is
no longer able to help people. So Kye never ever dates.
Kasabian is a Caido, a descendant of Angels. Caido do their
best not to have contact with people because the emotions
of others cause them great pain. Therefore Cadio almost
never have relationships with non-Cadio it's just too
physically painful. Kye is using her magic to find a way to
help Cadio and non-Caido be together without pain. The
process she has created sometimes releases repressed
memories and feelings in Cadio. When Kye meets Kasabian she has an immediate connection
with him. He feels the same with her and asks her for
help. Kasabian and his best friend were kidnapped as
children and escaped, but they have no memories of the
event. They believe the same people who took them are
taking children again. Kasabian believes if he can just
remember what happened, then he can figure out a way to
save those children. Always willing to help someone, Kye
helps Kasabian and in doing so creates a bond with him that
messes up her abilities. With the lives of children, friends
and each other on the line, Kye must find a way to help
Kasabian without her magic before time runs out. ANGEL SEDUCED brings to life a world of angels, demons,
dragons, and magic with a creative story of lives lost,
memories returned, and redemption for people once thought
beyond it. This story is after all a love story, and only in
this one, the lesson is the learning the importance of
others. Though I enjoyed this book, it is book three in
The Hidden Series. I recommend reading the first two
books in the series before this one. I had a hard time
connecting with the characters and feel it would have been
easier if I had read the first two books.
SUMMARY
My name is Kye Rivers. I am a Deuce Crescent, which means I
have magick running through my veins. Even though my family
is Deuce, too, I have always felt like an outcast. Why?
Because my particular gift revolves around sensuality, which
makes my family uncomfortable. I get my validation and satisfaction from helping people
with their sexual pathos. The price for my magick is that falling in love interferes
with my abilities. Losing my abilities, and my career, isn't
worth getting involved with some guy who will probably break
my heart anyway. When I met the new bartender, a rare Caido
who works at the nightclub that serves as my office and
second home, I felt an electric draw like never before. Even
scarier, Kasabian isn't like other angel/human Crescents,
who are cool and asexual. Kasabian craves emotions - and he
craves me. I fear that what's different in him is dangerous
for both of us.
ExcerptCHAPTER 1Kye Rivers bypassed the velvet rope that corralled the line
of people waiting to
get into the Witch's Brew. Too bad the handful of Mundane
humans didn't know that
this exclusive Miami nightclub only allowed in Deuces like
her. Of course, they knew
nothing at all about Crescents, humans who carried the DNA
of a fallen angel, Dragon or sorcerer god. Kye traded a greeting with the bouncer and went into the
jam-packed cave of a
building. There was plenty of magick in the air, too. One
guy was clearly using a little
sex magick to get the girl across the table into a nearly
orgasmic state. A woman was
casting an attraction spell on the guy she was talking to.
Kye snapped her finger as she
passed them and broke it. Get him to like you on your own
terms, chickie. Sarai raced over, her serving tray tucked under her arm.
“Kye, wait 'til you see the
new bartender! His name is Kasabian. He’s totally hot.
And"—she gave her the wait for it grin—"he's Caido.” "No way. Maybe it's a Deuce illusion, like his gimmick." "He couldn't hold it for two whole shifts. Plus, he's healed
a couple of people." All three classes of Crescents traced their ancestry to a
mysterious island in the
Bermuda Triangle, where humans had procreated with gods, but
none intermingled much. Caidos, half fallen angels, were downright reclusive. Sarai snapped her gum. "There was quite a stir at first, as
you can imagine. The
women were all gaga and the guys were all 'why's the pretty
boy Caido working here?'
But people are starting to warm to him. He's nice. Not
snotty like Tad or slutty like Donnie was." Kye's gaze went right to the new face behind the bar. The
gorgeous new face.
Red lights within the thick glass counter cast a glow over
the angles of his cheeks and
the gloss of his dark-blond hair. Kasabian might be new to
the Brew, but he was clearly
not new to tending. He flipped bottles, poured, and returned
them to their places with
the speed and grace of a juggler. By the relaxed smile on
his face, he was enjoying it. So
were the people watching him in rapt awe. Of course, that
could be the Thrall, the way
Caidos could hypnotize with their preternatural beauty.
Because of what Kye did for a
living, she’d learned to shut out that allure. But damn, fascination stirred deep in her chest. Whoa, cut that shit out. Kye shrugged. "Just another gorgeous Caido." She pushed her
long blond hair
back over her shoulder. “Think I'll order a drink now.” “I totally know you’re checking him out—" Sarai's teasing
smile disappeared. She
gripped her arm, the mist in her eyes stirring like
storm-tossed clouds. "Don't do it!" "You're freaking over me ordering a drink from the guy?" Sarai shook her head. "I'm feeling a lot more than a drink.
First, I sensed that there
could be something good and hot and sexy between the two of
you. Then I got a really bad feeling." Kye splayed her hand on her chest. "Uh, remember who you're
talking to. The girl
you're always giving a hard time because I never date." "Remember who's doing the talking. I had a feeling about
that guy Katie was
dating, and he ended up being a drug dealer. I warned Rhea
that her brakes were going to
give out, and the mechanic said they wouldn't have lasted
another day." "I don't doubt your forecasts. Maybe something good and bad
would come from
getting involved, but I'd never get romantic with a Brew
employee anyway." She patted
Sarai's hand. "I need to meet him. He's in my world, after
all." The Brew was her second home, the employees a sort of
family. Kasabian looked up, zoning right in on her as she
approached. His green eyes held
the Caido glitter, like sun on early-morning frost. Each of
the three types of Crescents
held their unique magick in their eyes, visible only to
other Crescents. He watched her, even as he shoved limes into two Coronas and
pushed them
across the counter to the men waiting for them. “What can I
get you, love?” he asked when she reached him. ‘Love’? What kind of Caido was this
guy? The smooth edge of the counter pressed into her palms as she
leaned forward. “Know how to make the Whis-Kye?” she called out over the
pounding beat of Katy Perry's "Wide Awake." His mouth curved into a heart-stopping smile as his gaze
lingered on the patch on
her black leather jacket that read NO DOES NOT MEAN CONVINCE
ME. "You must
be Kye. Before he left, Donnie filled me in on the special
customers. From what I've
heard, you're quite special." He held out his hand. "I’m
Kasabian.” A strange twist of anticipation and fear overtook her, but
she slid her hand into
his—and instantly knew why. A jolt like a low-level
electrical surge went through her. She pulled her hand back, heat flushing over her. He was
watching her as though he
expected her to react, so she did her best not to. He turned and pulled down the bottle of Jack Daniels Blue
Label whiskey with
one hand, a highball glass in another. There were no
available stools, but the couple
beside her shifted so she could settle in more comfortably.
Which she shouldn’t do. Kasabian mixed the drink Mike, the club's owner, had
concocted for her years
ago. Whiskey, Mountain Dew, and a splash of orange juice,
just enough liquor for a
tiny buzz. He snuggled a wedge of orange on the rim and slid
the glass in front of her. Someone farther down the bar flagged Kasabian down. “Don’t go,” he said, moving away to take an order. He made
three different drinks
and pulled one draft. His tight yellow shirt showed off a
physique he got doing more than
tossing bottles. Not bodybuilder thick but lean well
defined. He returned to her. “Mike
told me you’re a Zensu Deuce, that you pick up people's
sensual pathos and fix them. He thinks you’re a goddess.” Embarrassment stung her cheeks but warmed her heart. That
was a lot more
appreciation than she’d ever gotten from her own family over
her gift. She couldn’t go
into how she’d helped Mike with his sexual dysfunction,
discovering it stemmed from an impotency spell cast by an ex. "I'm a certified sex therapist,” she felt compelled to say.
“With a doctorate in clinical sexology." "Plus a dash of magick." "To be honest, it's mostly the magick." Kasabian regarded her with a curious expression. "You pick
up people's feelings?" "It can work that way, if someone asks me to open the door.
I don't make a habit
of eavesdropping. In fact, I keep the psychic door closed
most of the time." He gestured for her to lean closer, then did the same. She
had the bizarre notion
that he was going to kiss her. Even more bizarre, she
involuntarily licked her lips in
anticipation. His mouth moved close to her ear, brushing the
shell of it ever so slightly as
he said, "So, what do you get from me?" She tried to stifle her shiver at his touch. He leaned back,
and she saw that his
question was a challenge, maybe a test. She opened the door
and … holy Zensu, a wave
of desire, pain, and heat washed over her. Desire for her.
He's Caido. This can't be right. It spiraled inside her like a vine, a dark hunger twining
through her until she slammed the door shut. She worked to mask her surprise, along with the flush on her
face. She had to lean
close to him now. "Caidos don't have sexual pathos … or
sexual anything. You're all shut down." She grabbed her drink. Kasabian's raised eyebrow and smile said, I don't believe
you. He gave her a wink
and tipped his chin toward the dance floor. “Go dance, give
me something to watch.” Was he serious? His playful smile could go both ways. A woman tugged her sleeve. "Are you Kye? I was told you
could help me with … "Yes, yes, I can." Kye gratefully led her to her usual
table, a RESERVED sign
sitting on the shiny black top. Mike let her conduct
business in the club, and she insisted
on giving him a cut. Some people felt more comfortable
talking about their sexual issues
in loud, smoky surroundings. The club had become her second
office. It was damn annoying how Kye's attention kept straying to
Kasabian through the
night, how her mind kept replaying their conversation. Women
gawked and flirted, but he
didn't flirt back. She was glad to see him leave while she
finished up with a client session after closing time. Her relief evaporated when she stepped into the well-lit
parking lot and spotted
him leaning against a deep yellow sports car. As though he
were waiting for her. The
thought fluttered in her chest. Not helping, the Lotus's
license plate read NOANGEL,
and black angel wings spread across the hood. She told
herself it was enough to enjoy the
view. Men who took care of their bodies, working out enough
to build muscle without
looking too jacked up, were eye candy. No calories in looking. The thick black heels of her short boots clunked on the
asphalt. She felt such an
odd pull toward him that she forced herself to give him a
brief smile and bypass him. “Aren’t you hot in that?” he asked, gesturing as though he
were wearing a jacket. She slowed to a stop in front of him. “Only when I dance.”
No matter how warm
she got, she never took off the black leather jacket with
her patches and studs. “And you didn’t dance.” He tilted his head, giving her an
oh-my-gods-stop-my-heart pout. “Pity.” "Are you flirting with me?" "You make it sound like a crime." "What you're hearing is surprise. I know it's painful for
Caidos to feel desire,
punishment you unfairly suffer because your angel
forefathers fell to human temptation.
Don't worry. As a therapist, I'm sworn to secrecy," she
added. "Caido clients tell me it's
easier to shut down their desire. Yet you do … feel desire." "Ah, so you did sense it." "You threw me off back at the bar. First that you were
flirting, then that you asked
me outright to feel you. I mean, to sense your feelings.
You're different." "Very. I don't usually flirt." He let his gaze drift down
over her black leather
skirt and fishnet stockings. His eyes met hers again,
jumpstarting her heart. "You have a strange effect on me." Ditto, buddy. Which made her all too aware that they
were outside alone together. His chuckle rolled across her skin. "Don't worry, I'm not
waiting out here to pounce on you." She'd forgotten how Caidos could pick up others' emotions.
"But you are waiting for me." "Yes, I am." "You're not going to ask me out or anything, are you?
Because I don't date." He
didn't say anything, which made for a really awkward few
seconds. "It's a general rule,
nothing personal. If … that's what you were going to ask."
She would have thwapped
herself on the forehead if it wouldn't look stupid. And, of course, as a Caido, he picked up everything she was
feeling, which put a
damned incredibly sexy smile on his face. "As much as I'd
love to hook up with you, it's not feasible. Or wise." He'd love to hook up with her. She tried to staunch her
reaction to those words. He gave her a sympathetic smile. "The love guru doesn't
date? That seems sad." She debated being obtuse but decided it was better that he
knew she wasn't just
playing hard to get. "Being involved with someone interferes
with my abilities. The
drama and distraction, even if things are going well, takes
over my mind. All I get is noise when I read someone." "And that terrifies you. Why?" She really hated that he could read her. "Helping people is
important to me." "Which leads beautifully to the reason I'm waiting for you.
The Caido/Deuce
couple who came in and greeted you like you were their best
friend, who danced
together, and kissed … you helped them, didn't you?" Kye had watched them snuggling together on the dance floor
with just a tiny bit
of longing. "Sorry, client confidentiality." He rubbed his chin. "So you did help them. The only way they
could be together
is by doing the Essex. I assume you know about the exchange
of essences that balances
the Caido so he's not as sensitive to her emotions. Because
it only temporarily ease his
pain, a long-term relationship would mean that her essence
would eventually be depleted. No self-respecting Caido would do that to someone he cares
about. So how is it that they're together?" She could only give him a general answer. "I've come up with
a way to make the Essex permanent." He pushed away from the car, interest crackling off him as
he came closer. "Tell me more." She fought the instinct to back up a step. "I've had a few
mixed-Caido couples
approach me about circumventing the pain. They hadn't meant
to fall in love, but now
they wanted to be together. I tried several different spells
and magick devices, but nothing worked." He crossed his arms in front of him and rocked back on his
heels. "And you take
it very hard when you can't fix someone." "You get that from me too?" "I suppose we both bear a similar burden in picking up
feelings we have no business sensing. How does it work?" She laid one of her hands on top of the other and let her
fingers barely settle
between each other. "With the Essex, you're limited to how
much essence you can
exchange, kind of the way my fingers can't slide together.
That's why it's temporary. The
Cobra, which I named for the tantric position, allows both
essences to reach fully toward
each other, like this." She laced her hands together,
fingers straight so that they formed an
X. "This starts the bonding process. The last step is when
both parties actually pull each
other's essence into their souls, permanently locking them
together." Her fingers wrapped
over her hands as though in prayer. "At least, I think it's
permanent. The first couple did it
four months ago and it's still holding strong." "Why haven't I heard about this magick of yours? The Caido
community should be buzzing." "There are some side effects I'm still working out. The
Caido is bombarded by
every emotion he's ever repressed. It can be intense. One
Caido even experienced a resurgence of buried memories." Kasabian's eyes shimmered. "Buried memories?" "It apparently caused some big problems, but he couldn't
give me any details
beyond that. He just wanted me to know that it happened." He went silent for a few moments, rubbing his fingers across
his mouth. "Can you
do it so a Caido can simply experience desire?" "Only if you have a committed partner who wants to be
permanently bonded to you. Because that's what it does." "That would not be a good thing. For any woman." "Why?" The mystery of him pulled at her, the dark desire
she'd sensed. "Oh, love, there you go, needing to help even though you
know you should
run the other way." He lowered his chin, the street light
reflecting off his razor-sharp
jawline. "And you should. I'm forty ways fucked up." She swallowed. No one had ever made her this off-balanced.
"I do want to help.
Too many messed up people are not only suffering but
inflicting their misery on others." "I assure you that I'm not inflicting my anything on
anyone." He reached out with
the back of his hand and brushed it down her cheek. "As much
as I'd like to." She stumbled back, his touch curling throughout her body. "I
should go." Hunger flashed in his eyes. "Yes, you should." Go, run, and never look back.
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