Tuesday, June 9, 2015

ARC REVIEW: "Michel/Striker" by Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright


Michel/Striker
by Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright
Book #16 in the Bayou Heat series

MICHEL
Michel doesn’t trust Dr. Chelsea Young. Why should he? She willingly worked as a researcher for the humans who were using Pantera as lab animals. Unfortunately, his suspicions haven’t kept his cat from becoming obsessed with the need to possess the beautiful female.

Chelsea is determined to atone for her youthful mistakes. Even if that means working with the aggravating Michel who refuses to believe she now wants to help the Pantera. Together they must overcome their mutual animosity to track down her former boss, Stanton Locke, before he can commit the ultimate betrayal.


STRIKER
Dark, damaged and definitely gorgeous, Striker is all about the mission. And when the mission’s over? The Hunter is out of there. That is, until one of Locke’s lab rats is forced on him—a beautiful, pained female who needs sex to survive.

The lovely Twelve was abducted and taken to the labs several years ago. Used for breeding, she was given drugs that make her irresistible to males. It was a hellish, lonely life. But she’s free now, and determined to discover the truth about her past. If only the road to that truth didn’t involve the heartless male she can’t stop herself from wanting.

Another fantastic addition to the Bayou Heat series, the team of Ivy and Wright gives the readers a two scorching stories of redemption and risk. 

Alexandra Ivy’s Michel is more a traditional shifter story. Dr. Chelsea Young has been given a second chance.  After being the protégé of Locke, she helps the Pantera track him down.  She is partnered with the shifter she is least likes, Michel. Unfortunately for them, at least at the start, they are fated as mates.  It’s not quite insta-love because they have had to overcome a mountain of mistrust, but they still manage to overcome that hurdle and finally give in to their destiny. 

Laura Wright gives us a very erotic contribution to Bayou Heat with Striker. Sex is an essential element to the story.  The narrative begins with Striker sexing Twelve to consciousness (that’s right, not sex until oblivion.) Sex is the prescription to all the drugs pumped into Twelve while she is held prisoner by Locke. It is only time when she can find lucidity. 

Striker is assigned the “task” of helping Twelve work through the drugs coursing through her system. She can only do this through intercourse. He is the perfect person for this job as he already avoids attachment and intimacy.  Because of a past betrayal, he will not allow himself to get attached to any female.  However, Twelve is no ordinary female.  

The author uses an unusual narrative device to gain our attention. She takes us into the head of Twelve during her delusionary episodes. It is both disorienting and fascinating.  I first noticed this approach in her Wicked Ink series and found it disconcerting at that time.  The point of view is not defined and the voice is difficult to distinguish.  However, this makes the reader pay more attention to try and discern what is developing.  

IN A NUTSHELL:

This series is like chocolate truffles, small morsels of creamy, rich, goodness. It’s just enough to get you to the next fix.

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