Temptation in Shadows: A Novella

While this has previously been published as part of Gena's The Bodyguard anthology, it's being released by itself and is a very quick … tempting (hah) read. Sean Walker is a nightclub bodyguard who is also a controller of shadows and can harness the darkness. All it takes, though, is one woman (doesn't it always?) and Sean will never be the same. I can't say much about this novella's plot without giving it away, but I loved Gabby. She can interface with computers and has abilities out of this world. While I loved Gena's world building, the ending felt rushed (as is usual with most novellas) and I kinda want more! :-)

Head over to the HEA blog to see what Gena has to say about her hero, heroine and TiS!

A paranormal story with spies, men out to kill, a crazy scientist and some really cool powers. Lots of action and mystery. Who can she trust? Who knows her secrets? And why can’t she stop thinking about the handsome brute? And don’t forget the romance and some hot scenes.

My Rating: D, Not A Big Fan
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by NetGalley

*NOTE: Unfortunately when I saw the cover of this book, I made the assumption that it was a Lords of the Underworld novella. It is NOT. While it is paranormal romance in nature, it is completely unrelated to the LotU world.

Briar Rose is an independent agency with ties to government. It is full of agents with supernatural abilities. They are safe and accepted there.

Gabrielle Huit… is a loner. Kidnapped when living on the streets as a child, she was experimented on, and a crazy scientist turned her brain into a computer. Then, she was mysteriously let go. Gabrielle has tried to live a normal yet reclusive life, moving from place to place to keep any one from discovering who she is.

Sean Walker is an undercover agent for Briar Rose, working at the nightclub that employs Gabby. He needs to gain her trust and bring her in because all of the previous subjects of the mad doctor have died when they become extremely agitated.

Unfortunately, Temptation in Shadows was not the novella I was hoping for, especially since I mistakenly thought it was from the LotU series. However, even with that piece aside, it was not a very strong or enjoyable story. Sean Walker and his fellow agent, Rowan, do not seem to have enough practical intelligence to be “covert agents,” especially when their plan to earn Gabby’s trust is by kidnapping her and then saving her. I think I literally banged my head on my desk. Sean continues to make poor decisions throughout the novella (and what agent doesn’t care about leaving fingerprints behind?!), making it very hard to enjoy the story.

Gabby is not much better. I do find the science-fiction part of the story interesting. The concept that her brain was manipulated to create a computer and that the scientist just let her go, created a fascinating potential storyline; however it didn’t evolve much beyond that. Understandably, Gabby doesn’t trust anyone, especially since she has access into their computers and can see what they don’t want anyone else to know. Yet, she seems to have no problem going along with Sean and giving him her complete confidence.

Overall Temptation in Shadows is mediocre at best. The couple goes from nada to full on “I love you’s” in way too short of a time. Although their sex scene is hot, I never felt any emotional attachment to the pair. The overall story is weak and full of flaws that secret agents just wouldn’t make. I like the concept of what was done to heroine, but it wasn’t enough to save the entire story.

Terrific! Totally enthralling! I couldn't put it down. I was sucked into the fascinating world of intelligence agencies and supernatural powers as only Ms. Showalter can do. I hadn't read this when it came out in THE BODYGUARD anthology and am sorry I missed it. When it came available for review I pounced on it. I felt the ending was a little rushed but I'm sure it was just due to size limitations and really didn't ruin my enjoyment. I do hope this will be the start of a series.
I received a free ARC of Temptation in Shadows from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

When I started reading Gena Showalter’s Temptation in Shadows it felt familiar. I went back to look and sure enough, it was part of an anthology paperback I bought a few years ago titled The Bodyguard. Since I only keep my favorites in a paperback that is testimony to how much I enjoyed the story. It was just as good this time around too. While a novella, it reads as a complete stand-alone story. It starts out with a bang with the action never stopping. The two main characters, Sean and Gabby are compatible with special skills. The entire story covers just a few weeks in a world that leaves you wanting to know more. I hope that this is a start series that will now be continued.
Copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

Temptations In Shadows is a novella by Gena Showalter that stands apart from any of her paranormal series. So it can definitely be read as a standalone. Now you all know I am not a big fan of novella's, but I am a big fan of Gena Showalter, so I gave it a chance.

Basically this story contains all the elements I am used of her. It has a dark hero with a lot of alpha tendencies, a heroine who has some special skills and has no real idea of how much in trouble she is, some crazy enemies and smexy scenes. It's a different story than her other paranormal novels, but it does give me the same feeling. Except of 300 something pages, it is all contained in less than a 100 pages.

If you're a fan of Gena Showalter, you will probably like this book or if you're looking for a short, but sexy paranormal read then this is for you.

*I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Having read some of Gena's Lords of the Underworld books, I knew that I was likely to be given a sexy alpha male, and a kick-ass heroine when I picked up Temptation in the Shadows, and she didn't let me down.

Gabrielle Huit & Sean Walker, both have a little something special going on compared to normal humans, and as such are both extremely desirable commodities in certain circles.

He was hot, callused... a temptation she couldn't afford.

She was a job, not a possible date.

Gabby is a waitress & Sean a bouncer at Eye Candy Nightclub. The attraction is mutual, but the reasons to ignore it many. What Gabby doesn't know is that Sean and her boss Rowan Patrick are also agents for the Rose Briar Agency, and they have been looking for her...

There were secrets in his eyes... a darkness that should have frightened her.

I really enjoyed this novella, it offers a great little story, a shot of hot sexiness and a group of characters that definitely have potential for development. I hope that the Rose Briar Agency and it's not-quite-100%-human-agents get a series at some point in the future.

He wanted to take the darkness of her past and give her light for the future.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley in exchange for the above honest review.

Received an ARC for review

I love Gena Showalter and this did so not feel like a novella. No one was who they said they were. I hope this is the start of a new series because I want to know more about the other members of Rose Briar and the other missing children. Sean was yummy and can manipulate shadows. Gabby was pretty cool too and she needs a chance to take care of her past.

It was surprising how quickly I fell into story. The reader is thrust into the thick of it with these two. Sean Walker was supposed to be back up. Not the leading man in this op. But after he encounters the smart and feisty Gabby he won’t let anyone charm their way to her. She is his.

Both Sean and Gabby have talent that go beyond normal human capabilities. Sean was born with his. Gabby had hers violently thrust upon her. On the run and not knowing who to trust we follow along with these guys to find answers. It is a fun sexy ride filled with lots of action and suspense.