miras_booverse's reviews
411 reviews

Ketley Allison certainly does not disappoint with her new book "Black Heart".

I really liked "Black Heart", although the story did not manage to completely absorb me. As interesting as the book was for me, unfortunately I was not able to fully connect with the characters and be captivated by the story, but I have many positive things to say about it.

Ketley Allison's writing is great. It is detailed and multi-layered both in terms of building the story and in terms of creating the characters in the book. She doesn't just tell, but shows what the characters are like and introduces the plot in a smooth, but at the same time strong and clear way that leaves no room for wondering what will happen here. And this is evident from the first 3-4 pages, because the book begins shockingly and grabbingly.

The dynamics are constant, but this does not mean that the reader does not have time to relax between the scenes that are tenser, because the author has managed to balance the action with calmer ones.

The characters are extremely well built. You can see how much attention has been paid to them and how much effort has been put into them. Through all their dialogues - whether with each other or with one of the other characters, we both learn more about Layla and Kaden, and they themselves build and continue the story through these conversations. Both the characters have their good and bad qualities, traumas from the past that readers manage to get to know and strong personalities that can be seen from what and how they are shaped.

"That striptease you did for me, you thought it was enoght of a ruse to allow you to escape. Instead, all it did was mark you as mine. I've seen you, Wraithling, and I want all of you now.

Their relationship was very interesting for me to follow. The sexual desire for each other is evident from miles from the moment they first meet, however, despite this, their first sexual interaction kind of came out of nowhere for me, while something completely different was happening. Otherwise, the rest of the time, their erotic scenes are superbly written. The author knows how to write so that you feel weak in the knees and you can feel the chemistry between them every time they are near each other.

"If I ever let you scream, it will be with my name on your tongue, begging me to touch you again."

The climax is extremely strong and dynamic, full of action and emotion in the perfect amounts, which makes it very well built. I admit that the plot twist at the end of it was not expected, although I should have guessed earlier where things were going. And yet - it managed to surprise me, with which the book earns bonus points.

"How many more will die?" I whisper, staring at the blood on his hands.
"As many as it takes to keep you safe."

The book ends on a cliff hanger and I would certainly like to read the next book to find out what will happen.
~~~
Rating: 4/5

~~~This book was provided to me by Valentine PR and Ketley Allison for my honest opinion.~~~ 

 I arrive with such a cool and dynamic romantic book - "Crossfire" by Kathy Lockheart, which is the first of her duology "Cross".

"Crossfire" is a great start to the duology about Ivy and Grayson, which managed not only to interest me, but also to keep my attention. The writing style is very good - extremely detailed and insightful both in the setting and in the characters. It managed to keep my interest all the time and keep my curiosity about the story until the last page. I can't deny that there were scenes that were too long or dragged on longer than necessary, and could be shortened, but in the end, they weren't so many to ruin the book for me. My problem was that while I was reading "Crossfire" I wasn't exactly in the mood for it, which caused the whole process of reading to be a lot slower than I would have liked. Although I can't deny that when I sat down to read it, I did it with interest and desire.

The story maintains a constant level of dynamics, whether through the tension of the mystery that develops, whether with action, or with the romance in it, which I really liked.

As she looked up at me, a realization struck that there were no other eyes I'd rather be looking into than hers.

The characters are multi-layered, great and credibly built. All the time we can see their inner torments, fears, desires and thoughts, which helps us a lot to understand and feel close to them. At the same time, we also see how much they develop through the book, which makes them even more real.

It's great that in addition to the romantic relationship between Grayson and Ivy, we also have two other storylines – the mystery around the attempted murder of Ivy, which the heroine tries to unravel throughout the book, and why someone is so diligently trying to make her bad in the whole story.

"That's the price tag of love: the risk of losing it."

I can't hide the fact that I really liked the romantic relationship between the main characters as it develops. Although things between them seem to happen very quickly at first, they don't feel rushed or forced, and everything happens at exactly the right pace. Then, when we come to the shaping of the real romantic relationship between them, when all the masks fall off, we see how slowly and carefully they actually take shape, turning into something strong and real. Even the reader can feel the superimposition of just the right amount of sexual tension between Ivy and Grayson before this happens. And when it is finally unleashed, the author certainly knows what and how to do so that it is as sweet as possible to read.

"Now that I have you," he rasped, his voice a dark promise. "I'll never let you go."

The climax is very tense both in terms of action and emotions, as both main characters are affected differently by what is happening.

There is no denouement, as the book ends in a cliffhanger, which feels like it is in the middle of the climax and this makes it soo good. It makes me want to pick up the next book as soon as possible.
~~~
Rating: 4/5

~~~This book was provided to me by Valentine PR for my honest opinion.~~~