DEADLY PURSUIT is Book two in Nina Croft's Deadly
Desires
series. Because of the fantasy elements and world-building
in DEADLY PURSUIT, it's a good idea to read this series in
order. The characters from Book one appear and play major
roles in this story. DEADLY PURSUIT is a great for any
reader who enjoys fantasy, sci-fi, and fast-paced action
mixed with romance.
Although both Jon and Alexia long for freedom and
autonomy,
DEADLY PURSUIT is partly about relationships and the
interconnectedness of life. The crew of El Cazador might
be
an unlikely group of characters working together, but they
almost function as a family unit. Nina Croft does a great
job of making each character unique and making them three-
dimensional. After reading DEADLY PURSUIT, I'm eager to
see
what Nina Croft has in store for other characters.
The romance itself between Jon and Alexia is a little
unusual. Although Jon is a werewolf, DEADLY PURSUIT is not
your average werewolf tale. The action and sense of danger
pumps energy and intensity into the romance. Alexia
reveals
her vulnerabilities when she wonders when Jon will
eventually leave her. For me, those fears make her real
and
a much more sympathetic character. The intimate scenes
between them are extremely passionate and visceral. Jon
makes for a sexy, yet reluctant, hero -- always coming to
Alexia's rescue. Jon is a complex character and I wasn't
sure that I would like him at the beginning of the story.
However, he managed to prove himself as the story went on.
DEADLY PURSUIT is a classic "hero's quest" story that has
thrills as well as erotic elements. I liked the moments of
humor and thought that they do a great job of lessening
the
tension. Nina Croft does a wonderful job of world-building
in DEADLY PURSUIT. For me, this story is part space
odyssey
and part erotic paranormal love story. I look forward to
reading more stories by Nina Croft.
He craves his own freedom.
Jonathon Decker knows how to keep his enemies close—and his
allies closer. But what about his women? Everyone wants a
piece of the world’s sexiest werewolf, now that he’s been
broken out of prison. Enter Alexia, the High Priestess of
the Church of Everlasting life. Captivating and
independent,
Alexia is everything Jon could want in a woman. But can she
be trusted? It will take more than one night of endless
passion to find out…
And she is his to possess…
After twenty-four years of faithfully playing by the rules,
Alex is finally ready take fate into her own hands. Her
passion for Jon is a force to be reckoned with—and the way
he makes her feel keeps her coming back for more. But their
desire could lead them both down a dark path—one in which
there’s no turning back. How much will each of them risk to
be together…for all time?
Excerpt
After taking a deep gulp of air, Alex looked up, straight
into Tannis’s eyes. “I’m not a boy.”
Tannis frowned. “You’re not?” Her gaze ran over Alex, took
in the baggy pants and shirt hanging off her skinny frame.
“Are you sure?”
Rico lounged in his chair, an amused expression on his
lean, handsome features. “I believe you, but I’ve got to
say”—his gaze roamed her slim figure, lingering on the
flatness of her chest—“you sure look like a boy. How about
you show us some evidence?”
Alex ignored him and glanced across to where Jon still sat
in his seat, his legs stretched in front of him, his
expression bored.
Skylar leaned across and switched on the main monitor so a
floor-to-ceiling screen lit up in front of her. She tapped
a few keys and sat back as an instantly recognizable image
appeared. Recognizable to Alex at least, but a quick glance
around the room revealed no noticeable reactions.
The image showed a woman in full-length black robes, her
hair covered by a dark veil, a serene, otherworldly
expression on her small, pointed face. A wave of
suffocation washed over Alex as she remembered the weight
of those robes—how much she hated black.
Rico was the first to catch on. “No fucking way.” He turned
to stare at Alex, then back at the screen. “That’s you?”
She nodded.
“The Lady Alexia, High Priestess of the Church of
Everlasting Life? You’re kidding us, right?”
Alex ground her teeth but said nothing.
“There’s a reward,” Tannis said.
Alex peered closer and read the screen. There was indeed a
reward, and it was a huge sum of money. Way more than she
would have ever thought they would offer. It didn’t make
sense. And Alex didn’t like the speculative look in the
captain’s eyes. Tannis was a good person, but if anything
could sway her, it was money, and this was a lot of
credits.
“The Virgin bride of the Everlasting God,” Tannis read out
loud, and Alex cringed. “Virgin?”
Somebody sniggered, and two masculine gazes swiveled in her
direction.
“A virgin, huh?” Rico murmured, his voice tinged with
amusement and a measure of curiosity.
Skylar slammed him in the gut with her elbow. “Get that
look off your face.”
“What look?” He grinned and shrugged one shoulder.
“Virgins? Highly overrated I’ve always thought. Give me an
experienced older woman any day.”
“It’s only a title, isn’t it?” Janey asked. “I mean, it
doesn’t actually mean she’s a real honest-to-god virgin.”
She shifted her gaze from the screen to Alex. “Does it?”
Alex’s toes curled within her boots. For a minute, she
studied the floor. When she looked back up, everyone was
staring at her. Even Jon’s bored expression was replaced
with avid curiosity. He caught her gaze and raised an
eyebrow. Alex scowled. What was the big deal?
“Hey, give her a break,” Skylar said, but Alex could hear
the laughter in her voice. “She was married to God. It’s
not Al’s fault he didn’t demand his conjugal rights.”
“Ha-ha,” she muttered.
Janey gave her a sympathetic smile. “Hey, she’s only a kid—
leave her alone.”
“I am not a kid.”
“You’re not?”
“She’s twenty-four,” Skylar said.
“No freaking way.” Tannis stared at her.
Alex drew herself up as tall as she could, which still left
her the shortest person in the room by a good six inches.
What was the point? She slouched again, stuck her hands in
her pockets, and thrust out her lower lip. And waited for
them to get over it.
And for someone to jump to a few conclusions.