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P.A.R.A Investigations #3
Inevitable
Paranormal investigator and erotic novelist Emma Black is at a masquerade ball and looking for a coveted lust potion. Unexpectedly, she bumps into her former partner, the ridiculously sexy (oh so sexy!) Ryan Shephard. And, for added bonus temptation points, the rare lust potion is splashed on both of them-with instantaneously hot results!But is the incredible, mind-blowing sex between them only the result of the potion? Or are Emma and Ryan simply giving in to the inevitable?
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2011
5 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Rowen
67 books2,726 followersNational bestselling author MICHELLE ROWEN writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and young adult fantasy, both light and dark, sexy and sweet, long and short -- it all depends on the story! She's won a Holt Medallion for Best First Book and a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award for Vampire Romance. For more information, please visit Michelle at her website at www.michellerowen.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 10, 2023
I would describe this book as ridiculous but mean it as a compliment. It has everything and that makes it fun.
January 16, 2024
A few words in this one.
Cute
Rushed
Predictable.
The blurb drew me in because I love paranormal stuff but it didn’t live up to its potential.
Cute
Rushed
Predictable.
The blurb drew me in because I love paranormal stuff but it didn’t live up to its potential.
March 23, 2011
True love gets undermined by betrayals, false accusations and hurt feelings but eventually triumphs with the help of an accidental dose of a lust potion and a romance book.
This is a really cute story and fun too. Sure there’s a serious side to it but the author balanced the conflict well with a good portion of optimism and sultry shenanigans. The conflict is basically about trust – how to gain it back once it was lost and what made it get lost in the first place.
Emma has deep feelings for Ryan, the hero, but her emotions are in the middle of one giant taffy pull. She used to trust him until she saw something with her own two eyes that made her doubt everything she thought she knew about him. So what if her heart is trying to tell her something different, she has a brain and is determined to use it. I adored her sassiness, and her writing talent. I think that was the most fun thing about her character – she channeled her fantasies into one hot page turner. The next most fun element is who her biggest fan ends up being. Those scenes held some entertaining dialogue that’s for sure.
Ryan just can’t understand why his world blew up in his face. Finally things were going well for him and then one day he was fired for something he didn’t do. That was a terrific hook for me. Also add in the fact that he’s a man determined to prove himself and that he never spiraled down into self-destructive behavior or bitterness made him a character I could respect. He makes plans that follow the old adage, ‘when one door closes, another opens’ and Ryan certainly has it all planned out. One thing he never anticipated was a close encounter with a little benign looking antique bottle.
The secondary characters include the villains and the old lecherous rich guy for whom the bottle’s magic refused to work. After learning about him I can certainly see why it didn’t and I’m glad of it. Ick. The villains were truly bad not because of anything violent or disgusting but what they represented and their justification for doing what they did. I could almost pity them because they just didn’t understand what was truly important in life. Oh, did I forget to mention the ghosts? One thing leads to another in that scene and I think it was pivotal to Ryan and Emma’s relationship.
I had a great time watching Emma delude herself into believing that the potion was longer lasting than she expected. I think readers are going to see the progression and understand what is really going on and it’s really very sweet while at the same time scorching. I mean some of the things Ryan and Emma do and most importantly where they do it were quite daring and bold and downright scandalous. Of course, I wrote that last line with a grin on my face.
Inevitable is a fun romance spiced with a paranormal influence that entertained me from the first chapter until the very happily ever after. Emma the writer may not have had her first book end with an HEA but I suspect that she’ll be writing another filled with what she now knows and happiness will certainly color its pages. I can certainly say that I was feeling pretty happy while reading this book. I think the characters of Ryan and Emma were great together and Ms. Rowen did a wonderful job of bringing them to vivid life.
Originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
This is a really cute story and fun too. Sure there’s a serious side to it but the author balanced the conflict well with a good portion of optimism and sultry shenanigans. The conflict is basically about trust – how to gain it back once it was lost and what made it get lost in the first place.
Emma has deep feelings for Ryan, the hero, but her emotions are in the middle of one giant taffy pull. She used to trust him until she saw something with her own two eyes that made her doubt everything she thought she knew about him. So what if her heart is trying to tell her something different, she has a brain and is determined to use it. I adored her sassiness, and her writing talent. I think that was the most fun thing about her character – she channeled her fantasies into one hot page turner. The next most fun element is who her biggest fan ends up being. Those scenes held some entertaining dialogue that’s for sure.
Ryan just can’t understand why his world blew up in his face. Finally things were going well for him and then one day he was fired for something he didn’t do. That was a terrific hook for me. Also add in the fact that he’s a man determined to prove himself and that he never spiraled down into self-destructive behavior or bitterness made him a character I could respect. He makes plans that follow the old adage, ‘when one door closes, another opens’ and Ryan certainly has it all planned out. One thing he never anticipated was a close encounter with a little benign looking antique bottle.
The secondary characters include the villains and the old lecherous rich guy for whom the bottle’s magic refused to work. After learning about him I can certainly see why it didn’t and I’m glad of it. Ick. The villains were truly bad not because of anything violent or disgusting but what they represented and their justification for doing what they did. I could almost pity them because they just didn’t understand what was truly important in life. Oh, did I forget to mention the ghosts? One thing leads to another in that scene and I think it was pivotal to Ryan and Emma’s relationship.
I had a great time watching Emma delude herself into believing that the potion was longer lasting than she expected. I think readers are going to see the progression and understand what is really going on and it’s really very sweet while at the same time scorching. I mean some of the things Ryan and Emma do and most importantly where they do it were quite daring and bold and downright scandalous. Of course, I wrote that last line with a grin on my face.
Inevitable is a fun romance spiced with a paranormal influence that entertained me from the first chapter until the very happily ever after. Emma the writer may not have had her first book end with an HEA but I suspect that she’ll be writing another filled with what she now knows and happiness will certainly color its pages. I can certainly say that I was feeling pretty happy while reading this book. I think the characters of Ryan and Emma were great together and Ms. Rowen did a wonderful job of bringing them to vivid life.
Originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
May 14, 2011
Inevitable was an intriguing read. When I first got the book, I didn’t expect the energetic story to leap off the pages and keep me reading until I made it to the end. I was more than pleased with how Michelle Rowen, the author, crafted such a unique paranormal romance through the Harlequin Blaze line with a hint of a suspenseful mystery (the book has a little bit of everything).
Spoiler Alert! Don’t read any further if you don’t want to know anything other than was it a good story.
Packed full of exciting sub plots, secondary characters, ghosts, conmen and wee bit of danger Emma and Ryan‘s true characters shine in the story.
In all honesty, I could see Emma and Ryan staring in a series of books where they investigate different ghosts, haunted places, and so-called sightings of the unexplained. Should this ever happen (big hope because I loved them both) I would definitely buy every single book. Why do I feel this way? Because in this unique story where they thought their attraction came from a green potion they help a ghostly couple reunite and find their way to the ever after. The sad story behind the dead couple was just as good as the live couple of Emma and Ryan.
The section in the book where the Emma and Ryan help the dead couple come together after decades of being separated was a very sweet and touching moment.
Now for the danger part. Emma’s co-workers who were at fault for Ryan’s demise were also a well thought-out secondary cast of characters. If it weren’t for them, this book would not have been as good. Not that I’m batting for the bad guys. I never saw the two bad guys as conmen until the end, which is great in my opinion. I hate it when I have the book all figured out before I get to the ‘unveiling’ of the truth.
I would recommend this book for several reasons.
1 - The plot is funny, charming, dangerous and oh so thick with sensual heat.
2 - There truly is a little bit of everything for everyone in the plot.
3 - The ghostly couple is just as cute as Emma and Ryan.
4 - The descriptions of the characters and the settings left me without any doubt. Michelle’s narrative words painted a clear picture in my mind. As I read, I felt like I was watching a moving.
5 - Because of the danger element
6 - Because of the plot had many twists and turns. It truly does keep you on the edge of your seat flipping page after page.
Spoiler Alert! Don’t read any further if you don’t want to know anything other than was it a good story.
Packed full of exciting sub plots, secondary characters, ghosts, conmen and wee bit of danger Emma and Ryan‘s true characters shine in the story.
In all honesty, I could see Emma and Ryan staring in a series of books where they investigate different ghosts, haunted places, and so-called sightings of the unexplained. Should this ever happen (big hope because I loved them both) I would definitely buy every single book. Why do I feel this way? Because in this unique story where they thought their attraction came from a green potion they help a ghostly couple reunite and find their way to the ever after. The sad story behind the dead couple was just as good as the live couple of Emma and Ryan.
The section in the book where the Emma and Ryan help the dead couple come together after decades of being separated was a very sweet and touching moment.
Now for the danger part. Emma’s co-workers who were at fault for Ryan’s demise were also a well thought-out secondary cast of characters. If it weren’t for them, this book would not have been as good. Not that I’m batting for the bad guys. I never saw the two bad guys as conmen until the end, which is great in my opinion. I hate it when I have the book all figured out before I get to the ‘unveiling’ of the truth.
I would recommend this book for several reasons.
1 - The plot is funny, charming, dangerous and oh so thick with sensual heat.
2 - There truly is a little bit of everything for everyone in the plot.
3 - The ghostly couple is just as cute as Emma and Ryan.
4 - The descriptions of the characters and the settings left me without any doubt. Michelle’s narrative words painted a clear picture in my mind. As I read, I felt like I was watching a moving.
5 - Because of the danger element
6 - Because of the plot had many twists and turns. It truly does keep you on the edge of your seat flipping page after page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2011
Inevitable was a very enjoyable paranormal romance with a touch of mystery/suspense and a whole lot of steamy sex. Going in, I wondered if a book about a lust potion would be cheesy. It wasn't! There was actually a lot more going on in this story than what the blurb describes. Emma, a clairvoyant, and Ryan, an empath, were once partners in PARA, the Paranormal Assessment and Recovery Agency, until a reliable witness catches Ryan stealing the supernatural artifacts they study. Ryan loses his job along with Emma's trust and friendship, though he maintains he is innocent.
Six months later, they meet again as Emma is recovering a bottle of lust potion from a wealthy glassware collector. Ryan is there looking for items he was accused of stealing, and maybe find clues as to who set him up in the process. After a snippy altercation, the lust potion splashes on them, which makes for some delicious sexual tension. During the time they're under its spell, Ryan convinces Emma to give him the benefit of the doubt, and she agrees to help clear his name. Try as they might, they are unable to resist the pull of the potion's effects, which makes for some sizzling hot sex scenes. They wonder, though, how it will be between them once the spell wears off.
The story wasn't just about a lust potion and the erotic consequences of mishandling it. It was about forgiveness, trust and second chances. I totally fell for Ryan. He had a hint of emotional vulnerability underneath his tough exterior that touched my heart. Ryan and Emma had great chemistry, even at the beginning when their relationship was strained. Their snarky banter was witty, and it made them even more charming. Did I mention that Emma was an erotic romance writer on the side? Her book (and Ryan's reaction to it) was a fun and sexy subplot woven into the story. If you're looking for an entertaining plot and captivating characters, Inevitable shouldn't be missed!
Six months later, they meet again as Emma is recovering a bottle of lust potion from a wealthy glassware collector. Ryan is there looking for items he was accused of stealing, and maybe find clues as to who set him up in the process. After a snippy altercation, the lust potion splashes on them, which makes for some delicious sexual tension. During the time they're under its spell, Ryan convinces Emma to give him the benefit of the doubt, and she agrees to help clear his name. Try as they might, they are unable to resist the pull of the potion's effects, which makes for some sizzling hot sex scenes. They wonder, though, how it will be between them once the spell wears off.
The story wasn't just about a lust potion and the erotic consequences of mishandling it. It was about forgiveness, trust and second chances. I totally fell for Ryan. He had a hint of emotional vulnerability underneath his tough exterior that touched my heart. Ryan and Emma had great chemistry, even at the beginning when their relationship was strained. Their snarky banter was witty, and it made them even more charming. Did I mention that Emma was an erotic romance writer on the side? Her book (and Ryan's reaction to it) was a fun and sexy subplot woven into the story. If you're looking for an entertaining plot and captivating characters, Inevitable shouldn't be missed!
March 5, 2011
Good quick read. Have to say, I'm a fan of the author which is the entire reason I read it. I'm glad I did though. Some steamy scenes and a pretty great plot made for an enjoyable afternoon. I consider this type of book to generally be snack food for my dietary needs but seriously... I liked the tension between the characters as they tried to work out the "whodunnit" that was going on. Great job.
June 3, 2012
I enjoyed this couple together.They worked with each other, fought with each other but loved each other soo much that they tried to forget the wrong because they see mostly right within...I would seriously love to read a series with Emma and Ryan working together in paranormal investigations.
December 17, 2016
I listened to the audible download of this book.
By this 3rd book, the story is basically the same. the characters have simply switched names. Have a past history check, reunite check, have wild sex, check. that's about it.
By this 3rd book, the story is basically the same. the characters have simply switched names. Have a past history check, reunite check, have wild sex, check. that's about it.
February 8, 2011
Ghosts, suspense, love or lust potion.......an enjoyable book.
Read
August 14, 2017Miniseries: Forbidden Fantasies
March 14, 2011
very cute. good plot, some steamy sex. I had a fun time listening to it.
May 31, 2011
A good, quick paranormal read with an intriguing twist to the relationship. Nice chemistry between the characters too.
November 24, 2011
I've enjoyed this story way more than I'd expected. That was some magical potion! Love it! It's a fast-paced, fascinating read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews