Nocturne Romance Reads

Dead Sexy-Paige Tyler

December 10th, 2010 

Ellora’s Cave

Paranormal Romance

Summary-

Romance author Simone Kent thinks she might just have found the most perfect guy in all of New York City-in bed and out. But Drake Parrish is about as far from perfect as any man can get. Eight years ago, he was cursed by an evil Voodoo priestess to live part of his life as a zombie. Since then he has lived like a recluse on New York's Upper East Side, afraid to go out for fear he'll suddenly turn into one of the walking dead.

The sex is the hottest either of them has ever experienced and Simone discovers just how naughty she can be with Drake, while he finds himself experiencing things for Simone that he hasn't felt in a very long time. When the Voodoo priestess learns of their relationship, however, she comes after him again. She's determined he won't have a future with Simone, even if that means killing both him and the woman he loves. (Goodreads)

Review-

The story starts with Drake working as a high-paid, successful investment banker for a premier Wall Street firm. He is arrogant, ambitious, greedy and self-centered – and quite the womanizer. It was very easy to dislike Drake at this stage, as he was a wholly unsympathetic character. Drake wins a bet that he can bed the naive young intern working at his firm, uncaring that she has fallen in love with him. She flees New York City after he cruelly dumps her, and he is soon visited by her grandmother, the Voodoo priestess who curses him. Fast forward eight years, and Drake is a different man, forced to make changes both practical and personal as he deals with the curse. He has become an editor, working from home, trapped in his apartment. The new Drake has become adept at editing romance novels, among other things. He has the one friend, Beck, a private investigator who is searching for the Voodoo priestess to try to get the curse lifted. Beck is Drake’s lifeline, and his presence in the story adds dimension and depth to Drake’s character, as the reader realizes how much his friendship means to Drake.

The use of a prologue was very effective, as it allowed for a believable transition from the Drake who was such an ass that he was cursed, to the Drake who is thoughtful, romantic and kind. After her agent recommends Simone contact Drake to assist her with her stalled novel, they begin an online email and chat relationship. This part of the story is quite romantic and sweet, as Drake and Simone’s relationship blossoms from online chatting to dates, to phone sex to lots of great real sex, as Drake decides to take a chance. The use of anticipation is a powerful aphrodisiac for Drake and Simone, and for the reader it creates a realistic romance. The sex, when it happens, is well-written and lengthy (16 pages – whew!). But all these elements create a strong base, both emotional and physical, for Drake and Simone’s new relationship.

When the Voodoo priestess comes to town, Simone and Drake must battle zombies and go on the run. Simone is touched by Drake’s protectiveness, but she also learns his secret. While Simone is coming to grips with Drake’s curse, the priestess and her zombies attack again, and the action heats up to heart-pounding, nail-biting levels. Throw in some interesting Voodoo lore, a truly unexpected plot twist, and near-death experiences, and you will be reading this late into the night.

This story is such a fun combination of sweet romance, hot sex, realistic relationship issues, and truly exciting zombie action all in one tightly-woven, well-plotted story. Read this!

4 Hoots

Reveiwed by~Sarah J