Of Blood and Bone

The Minaldi Legacy #1

by Courtney Cole

Luca Minaldi is powerful, rich and mesmerizing. But he is also a reclusive enigma. He lives in Malta, a fairytale-like place filled with sunshine and sea, beauty and secrets. And Luca’s darkest of secrets is the best kept of them all.

Eva Talbot is spending the summer in Malta to finish up her doctoral dissertation. When she meets Luca, a mysterious and handsome shipping magnate, there is an instant attraction. He has a disturbing and beautiful energy that she has never felt before. But she senses the darkness that lives within him.

Eva is hired to care for his mother, a woman who suffers from dementia, but it is Luca who Eva will eventually risk everything to save. She desperately wants to reach inside of him and fix what is broken, while at the same time, she knows that she is falling for him. Her life becomes a swirling chaos of darkness and romance, of secrets and mystery. And the question that emerges will become the most important answer of all.

Can she save Luca from the darkness that plagues him without losing herself?

The answer is a matter of life or death.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Suspense, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Love

Nook

First published September 14, 2012

About the author

Courtney Cole is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist who loves to eat your emotions for breakfast.

She believes in the power of blonde hair dye and red lipstick, and that a well-timed smile can save the world.

Learn more about Courtney and her books at www.courtneycolecreates.com

Find her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/courtneyc...

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is nuts. In an awesome way. I was so interested in everything- the detailed setting of the story, the mysterious curse that plagues Luca, and the hauntingly beautiful writing. Of Blood and Bone is so well executed.

The first two sentences of the summary perfectly describe Luca! (and Of Blood and Bone) In case you don't feel like scrolling up just one paragraph, here are the sentences, "Luca Minaldi is powerful, rich and mesmerizing. But he is also a reclusive enigma." This book is such an enigma. I loved the concept of it and the twists and turns keep coming until the very end of the book. It was so great. Of Blood and Bone kept me thinking long after I was done reading.

I loved Luca, but I hated how tormented he seemed. I felt so bad for him. Eva is so good for him. Although I have to admit that if I were in her position, I would probably run after the first incident. It was scary! But she doesn't. She is super persistent and I loved that about her. She is a very strong girl, which I admired but she does have a weak patch about 3/4ths of the way through the book. I understand and sympathized but I wanted her to pull herself together a little quicker. But other than that I really liked her, and I loved Luca. Though, I must say that I think I liked the old cover more. Both are really pretty, but I thought the other cover fit the story better.

Of Blood and Bone will keep you guessing until the end. It is an adult book, not YA. This book made me want to visit Malta. I am so excited that there is going to be another book in the Minaldi Legacy series, I am hooked. I need to know what is going to happen. I loved that Of Blood and Bone didn't end on a cliffhanger, but it certainly left me curious. It was more of sinister foreshadowing. Dun, dun, dun!

[Cyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

GENRE: Romance
THEME: Mystery/Paranormal
RECEIVED: Kismet Blog Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/

REVIEW:
After reading Courtney Coles novel Dante’s Girl and loving every bit of it I knew I couldn’t wait to read her adult novel Of Blood and Bone. This is a dark romance novel with a ton of mystery and murder. It had a lot of unexpected moments and its fast paced plot never confused me with all the twists that popped up.

Of Blood and Bone follows Evangeline (Eva) who has just gotten to her summer home in Malta. She has been studying to be a Psychiatrist in America and wants to finish her studying in her childhood hometown, Malta. But after meeting the mysterious, wealthy and downright gorgeous Luca, her quiet town turns into a scary place to walk at night. Woman have been found dead by some beast and Luca seems to know who it is and why.

Eva is your normal strong heroine; she falls head over heels for Luca once he helps her on her first night in Malta. It’s almost like an insta-love but not annoying more gradual until the plot starts to pick up. I liked how devoted she was to her work and wished she hadn’t lost focus on that after meeting Luca. But she did however want to help those in need such as Lucas mother, with what she had learned. This story is heavily focused on the romance and the mystery behind Luca’s family. Eva starts to unfold the mystery as she sees everything face to face and that it could affect her relationship with Luca.

Luca is the definition of tall dark and handsome. His family history is what ties the darkness and murders together. I liked how the readers not only get Eva’s perspective but also Luca’s, we see and feel his emotions as he’s trying to figure everything out. I felt bad for this guy because he can’t help what is happening. Even though he has a dark side to him, overall he’s a sweet, loving and a very sexy guy who can’t resist Eva.

Adrian, is the first to notice and meet Eva, he has a happy demeanor and wanting to protect and help Eva. He also works for Luca and both have secrets that they have kept over the many years. He too like Luca has a lot of mystery and darkness behind him. In the end he surprised me the most.
Overall this was a suspenseful and thrilling romantic mystery that seriously kept me guessing. Coles writing is smooth and really connected her characters not only together but also to me as the reader, I really felt their love and emotions towards each other. I will definitely be continuing this series because the end shows that this is just the beginning.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult series that has sexual content that is meant for mature readers. Fans of Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series and Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series will enjoy Blood and Bone by Courtney Cole.

[Khanique McDaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

So ... I stumbled upon this book at the end of 'If you Stay' and I had to give it a read and I am so glad I did.
It's not what I usually read, but this one just sunk it's teeth in me and wouldn't let me go!

Once again, Ms. Cole is fantastic at getting your attention when she starts a story. I wanna know just as much as the female lead character and I don't mind the glimpses we get into that of Luca Minaldi.

I love the location, as it was good great to get out of the usual USA scene and venture to a country with different culture, people and settings. It wasn't your usual college campus or downtown city within the U.S. and it was great! (felt like taking a vacation)

The development and twist were unexpected and Courtney did a good job of never giving anything away until the characters themselves find out. I was hardly ever one step a head and it was refreshing! I liked that I had to be on my feet with this one.

However, I must say that this author continues to shy away from conversation. I noticed it in her previous book and it is here again. We spend a lot of time in the minds of the characters, and even though once we get dialogue it is fairly good, I still believe a little bit more conversation could be had within the novel.

The first sex scene was primal and intense and due to the nature of the novel, I would have hope the sex scenes to follow would be as such if not a little more when she found out his secret, but once again they seem to have just been mentioned into passing through the mind of the characters.

At times, the story felt rush like we were trying to fast forward to a point and I am not sure if this has anything to do with the author splitting up the story into parts and not trying to give too much away.

The arrival of Luca's brothers, especially Damien, was welcomed and I wish he would stay a while, because I gravitated to his character for the brief time he spent once again in the mind of Eva.

A glimpse into Luca's mind when the 'affliction' took over was a nice addition and I only wish we had more.

Anyways, this was a great story that might be themed as paranormal romance, (I'm not sure) but I know that it was a different and refreshing read and with a little bit more dialogue, it could have been great.

The impromptu cliffhanger ending was very much unappreciated and did make me want more, as well as make me want to break something. I really wish authors would just give us a full book and be done with it.

Anyhoo ... in closing I'd just like to say: "It's all in the scotch"!! *wink**wink* (Hope I'm right this time!)

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

Be prepared to be surprised. From the description, even from the title, I expected Of Blood and Bone to be a paranormal romance. It isn't. Think of it as romantic suspense, but of the old-fashioned gothic school of suspense.

Except that the heroine is a psychiatrist. One who falls in love with her patient, even after he has slightly kinky sex with her, and then doesn't remember it the next morning. But Eva's not licensed to practice yet, so she's not violating any rules.

And Luca Minaldi technically isn't her patient. His mother is. If Eva Talbot could technically have patients. Which she can't.

Luca's mother says he's evil. Luca believes that he's a monster. That he's fated to be a monster, just like his father, and his grandfather, and his great-grandfather. That he's cursed.

Eva's sure that there's a scientific explanation for everything. Even the murders.

And she's right. It's just not the explanation that anyone thinks it is. And just when everyone thinks it's over...it isn't.

Escape Rating B: Luca compares himself and Eva to Heathcliff and Catherine, except that he's sure that his monstrosity is a real curse and not just a character flaw. Eva names his problem Jekyll & Hyde syndrome, but is certain there's a real disease behind it. There will be a point in the story where most readers will be certain Luca is a werewolf. It's not that simple.

Even when you start to figure out who, and you get the glimmer of how, you won't know why. That was the suspense that kept me riveted to my iPad. But Eva the psychiatrist should have figured things out long before I did, no matter how distracted she was be her affair-gone-wrong with her all-too-hot would-be patient.

But the series is off to a absolutely fascinating misdirecting start. I was so sure I knew what book 2 in the series would be, and then, on the last page, the author totally threw me into another direction. Again. Whiplash. Wow.

[Tabitha R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an outstanding book. Loved loved loved it!!!
I tend to shy away from mystery, suspense books but have read prior reviews and thought Id give it a shot. Boy am I glad that I did. This book kept me by the seat of my pants!
Better yet.. This wasn't just about a mystery but had romance inbetween each page. I fell in love with strong silent Luca. Eva.. a strong out going women who says what she thinks and oozed confidence. Both of them complimented each other well and I found myself rooting for them right off the bat. Which let me say, completely conflicted with what I thought I should be feeling for their relationship.
I spent half the time yelling in my head.. Run Away Eva..Run.. And the other half yelling run to Luca!
I just can not wait for the next installment. I'm on pins and needles.
Courtney Cole did a wonderful job in peeling back each layer of this book. Keeping you on edge and pulling you in with every page. This book flowed and left the reader wanting more!

[Michelle Files · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hot, Luca!
It's been a week and I'm still sweating from this one! I will write a more coherent review once I've cooled off but between now and then if you want a good adult read pick this book up NOW!

[Deea (Andreea) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! I've wanted to read something written by Courtney Cole for a long time, so I was super excited when she and the lovely ladies at Kismet Blog Touring offered me a review copy and the chance to help Courtney promote this new release! I had a good feeling about this book from the first time I heard about it, and I was so right to feel that way! I had big expectations going into it and they were actually exceeded, I was very impressed with Ms. Cole's writing.

Even from the start, you can tell that Eva is a strong, smart and very ambitious main character, and I liked her and connected with her and her story instantly!

Eva has been studying to become a Psychiatrist and she goes to Malta for the summer to make some research and to finish her dissertation. And that's when she meets Luca (I need to make a side note here to say that I LOVE this name! It's kind of a family obsession, there are 3 or 4 generations of Luca's in my family and they were all tall, dark and handsome, so, yeah... big love for the name choice here ;)). Luca is extremely handsome, rich and elegant, but he's also very mysterious and reserved. Even so, there's a strong, fiery, undeniable connection between them from the moment they meet. Eva is attracted to him, but the doctor in her is also very intrigued by his personality. She needs to find out if her first impression of him was accurate: Rich. Formal. Gentleman. Jaded. Unafraid. Intense. Mercurial. Dangerous.

I’m too interested. And I know that I’m not going to let it go. I need a follow-up meeting with him. His personality is just too interesting. There are too many facets to it that I can’t put my finger on. And the things that I can pinpoint are fascinating. I tell myself that I am only interested in his mind, his personality, and definitely only in the medical sense, but I’m not sure that I believe it.

And the strong attraction works both ways. By the way, I loved that the story was told from both their POVs (you know I'm a sucker for stories told in alternative POVs!), and we got to understand their thoughts and emotions so much better and to see how their relationship developed and how they felt for each other. Win!

I am intrigued by this new woman, by her open and curious face, by her interesting eyes, by her beauty. I want her. This dream was a testament to that. And I haven’t wanted anything for a very long time. The knowledge is startling. I can’t fool myself into thinking that her beauty does not play a part in my fascination. Of course it does. She is breathtaking. But it isn’t just that. She’s smart and confident in a way that I haven’t quite seen before. She’s a very capable person. Except when she’s dealing with a spider.

As they spent time together, Eva realizes that there's so much more to Luca than everyone else can see. And the more she finds out about him, the more she wants to know. There's a hidden, darker side to Luca and he tries to keep her at a safe distance - safe for her, of course. He really thinks he's dangerous.

And his eyes! His eyes draw me to him. They are filled with so many things, dark things, pained things; and the psychiatrist and woman in me wants to discover what has hurt him. Because clearly, even though he is strong and confident on the outside, there is trauma lurking on the inside.

But there's also something sad and vulnerable about him and she wants to do everything she can to help him - despite the fact that he's convinced that no one can help him.

“Evangeline, I need more help than you will ever know. But I’m a lost cause.” “I don’t believe in lost causes, Luca.”

Eva has her own troubled past and problems. She doesn't usually open up to everyone either. And maybe at the beginning she only wanted to be objective about Luca and to solve the puzzle of his personality, but he's starting to get under her skin. There's something strong, emotional, hot and passionate developing between them that can't be ignored.

For the first time in as long as I can remember, I have felt something besides the dark void that lives within me. Evangeline is a hopeful person, full of light. And being around her is invigorating. The attraction between us is undeniable.

Actually, that's how their relationship becomes: intense, hot and passionate. Until the darkness inside Lucas becomes too dangerous and threatens not only to end their already fragile relationship, but also to consume Lucas for good. The last part of the book is full of raw emotions, secrets, mysteries, passion and despair. There are strong things pulling them together, but even stronger things keeping them apart. The ending was unexpected, but satisfying, even though the final twist seems to lead to more things to happen in the upcoming books with these characters.

I didn't know what to expect from the plot, so I went into this journey of love, darkness, mystery and discovery along with the characters, and I really enjoyed that. There were some very interesting, unexpected twists throughout the story that added an edgy feeling to it.

Also, I loved the setting! And the way Courtney Cole described everything... I could almost feel the sand under my toes, the sun on my skin and the smell of the sea. It was truly beautiful! Not to mention the Minaldi house! *dreamy sigh*

I was quite impressed with the way she approached all the medical stuff. The way the illnesses were described, all the details Eva payed attention to in the other people and how she assessed all the situations - everything was very thorough and at the same time, seemed very natural and realistic. Awesomeness!

There were some events around the 70-80% mark that gave me pause and some things seemed to happen too fast, but overall, I really enjoyed Of Blood and Bone.

There are more things I could say about it, but you'd better discover them for yourselves.;) It's a dark, edgy, emotional, yet beautiful and very sexy (!) story and the writing is absolutely flawless! I'm looking forward to the next story from the Minaldi Legacy! *fingers crossed for more appearances from the Minaldi brothers*

Review also posted on my blog at http://deeas-journal.blogspot.ro/2012...

[FicTalk Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Meg

As a little boy, Luca Minaldi was told he was a monster. As an adult, he knows it is true. He lives in Malta, a fairytale-like place filled with sunshine and sea, beauty and secrets. And Luca’s darkest of secrets is the best kept of them all.

Eva Talbot arrives in Malta for the summer to finish up her doctoral dissertation. When she meets Luca, a mysterious and handsome shipping tycoon, there is an instant attraction, a disturbing and beautiful energy that she has never felt before. But she senses the darkness that lives within him.

Eva is hired to care for his mother, who suffers from dementia, but it is Luca who Eva will eventually risk everything to save. Her life becomes a swirling chaos of darkness and romance, of secrets and mystery. And the question that emerges will become the most important answer of all.

Can she save Luca from the darkness that plagues him without losing herself?

The answer is a matter of life or death.

Of Blood and Bone is Courtney Coles first non-Young Adult novel, with adult themes, a dark story, and some very sexy adventures within. As soon as she asked if I would like an ARC to read and review, I certainly couldn’t say no. Of Blood and Bone is based in a beautiful place known as Malta, where Eva Talbot has went to finish her doctoral dissertation based on first impressions and initial meetings. With each person she meets, the cheerful and very analytical Eva immediately begins developing a list of attributes she’s believing they have, based only on their first meeting. When an unlikely encounter with a creepy spider leads her to being saved by the resident wealthy bachelor of Malta (man, if only I would scream spider and a hot sexy man would come squish it for me…instead I scream and get two dogs who’d rather sniff it and roll it around than actually kill it) Eva’s list takes a slight change. She’s met the darkly handsome and wealthy Luca Minaldi and she can’t help but to have just a teensy weeny little crush on him. I personally can’t blame her.

Not long after Eva meets Luca, she learns that the island of Malta has had several strange and unsolved murders happen recently. Luckily for her, she stumbles across Luca again, though this time he’s less than amiable and is desperate for someone to come help with his mother, who is afflicted with dementia. After a bit of pleading on his part, Eva comes to stay in his home to help his mother, who’s lately taken a dark turn in her sickness, and who’s current physician is out of town for an extended period of time. Eva, is of course, like any warm blooded woman, quite excited to find herself with just a little more one on one time with Luca, but at the same time she’s deeply troubled by his mother’s strange state of mind. Sometimes she seems so lucid and coherent, that Eva finds dementia to be an odd diagnosis, and then at times Mrs. Minaldi’s mad ravings and suicidal, desperate thoughts prove to Eva that there is something wrong. As she looks closer into the situation, she finds herself unraveling a very dark and alluring mystery.

Of Blood and Bone is quite a step away from Cole’s normal works. Her last book I read was the very light and happy Dante’s Girl, and prior to that were the YA greek mythology novels from the Bloodstone Saga. Of Blood and Bone is a dark, and at times, chilling look into the human psyche with some pretty angst ridden, and in some cases, exceptionally violent scenes. The love between the two main characters isn’t a traditional love, and I feel that some readers would be put off by it, because it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Luca is, at times, a very disturbed individual who has an incredibly dark secret and Eva is a strong willed woman who’s determined to unearth the truth. This leads to some pretty angry scenes between the two, but to me, this made it more real and made the budding love between them more poignant. The characters in this book, far more so than any other characters I’ve read from Cole, have reason to be haunted and broken. Eva is a light to Luca’s darkness, and I feel that if Cole hadn’t made her such a bright character, she would have easily become overshadowed by Luca’s darkness, and then the outcome of the book, or the general plot, wouldn’t have been nearly as believable.

As far as the plot went, I loved this dark style. The adult romance within the novel was spicy, and the chemistry between Eva and Luca was palpable. It was refreshing to see Cole write a love scene in detail, in previous novels it had been glossed over due to the YA content, but in this book, for the first time, readers get a real love scene, and though a few of the scenes are dark and uncomfortable, they’re a glimpse into a very intimate moment between the characters, that builds on the plots and the development of those characters.

In regards to writing style, I feel like Cole changed things up a bit with this book. The descriptions seemed less flowery and more matter of fact, and the conversations between characters seemed to be heavily based off of the internal turmoil of the characters, where as in previous books Cole has been more apt to use lengthy prose and vivid description. I liked the change, it fit with the book and the plot, and I found that in many of the darker scenes, I was very thankful for the slightly less descriptive nature of her writing, it kept some of the heavy scenes from going into over kill mode and I feel it really, in the end, pulled the book together just right.

All in all, I think Courtney Cole did a fabulous job with this first step into adult territory, the plot was fabulous, it kept me on my toes and I never in a million years expected the ending I received. She blew my mind with that plot twist, to be honest. I loved the characters, and the writing style, and I absolutely cannot wait for another installment of this series.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book, my original thought was that I was in another very dark read. I kept feeling this for about the first 35% of the book. Then, I kept thinking I was reading a paranormal romance, but it isn't a paranormal romance, and it isn't a dark story. It is something completely different. Courtney Cole has taken the plunge into the adult genre head first without looking back and scored. She has stepped out of her YA comfort zone to bring a chilling, romantic thriller with just enough romance and eroticism...that's right, eroticism, to keep you invested in this story. The writing is fluid, and the story has some angst to it. We've all seen authors switch POV between two main characters...I personally love this style of writing, because I get to feel each character...but Courtney Cole managed to switch POV between three main characters to create just enough of an edge to keep the reader entertained. So whose POV do we feel? Luca and Evangeline, of course...and The Beast (Luca's alleged alter personality).

I tried to think of what I was reminded of while reading this story. Well, the answer was simple. Courtney Cole has managed to cross Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice with a Stephen King thriller to give birth to The Minaldi Legacy...contemporary romantic suspense meets classic literature, in both voice and plot. Her description during a particular scene in the story regarding Eva's pain at her loss left me with such a heartfelt response. I honestly was pulled (reluctantly) into Eva's character at that point. There were scenes in which I felt so happy and sad at the same time. I became such an oxymoron, I didn't know whether to wind my butt or scratch my watch! Just when I thought the worst was over, Courtney Cole took me there again! Just when I thought I saw it coming and thought no, the story won't take me there, well, it did!

Luca's childhood is revealed in this book, and it is heartbreaking. His mother's character actually made me think of Norman Bates's mother in Psycho. I was so wanting him to find redemption for the wrongs he believed he had done, and for the monster he believed he was. Was this man really a monster of sorts?

He is considered mysterious, handsome, and the most eligible bachelor of Malta.

But...he has a secret. A very dark secret. He views himself as a dark monster, a beast; but Eva doesn't see him that way. She is the light to his darkness...the light he desperately wants to save...from himself. But he is constantly drawn to her light like a moth to a flame, and she is equally drawn to him.

I have to admit, there were parts that I definitely saw coming...I just knew it. But, I was still led on an exciting journey and made to second guess how I envisioned the story would play out. I'm happy to report that the ending (prior to epilogue) had me trembling in a wee bit of fear for Luca and Eva. Yes, a cliffhanger of Betty Davis proportion! Okay, maybe I dated myself here. But, if you don't know who Betty Davis is, just watch some old black and white scary psychological thrillers...you'll see what I mean...in a good way. I am happy to know that a sequel, The Minaldi Legacy #2, will be coming this winter....because I have to see what pain and trouble continue to plague Luca and Eva. What you can expect is a psychological thriller with romance in the forefront. What you get is an exciting debut into the adult fiction genre with likeable characters and twists that will have you in spasms. I give this book 4 stars and look forward to more from the adult side of Courtney Cole.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eva Tablet is spending her summer on the beautiful Island of Malta, while she completes her dissertation. Eva is a psychiatrist. While there, she meets Luca Minaldi, the most eligible bachelor on the Island. Luca is rich, handsome, mysterious, aloof, and one of the most beautiful men Eva has ever seen. Eva prides herself on her ability to read people. In fact, this is part of what she is working on for her dissertation, but Luca Minaldi is an enigma, a mystery, which both baffles and intrigues her. Luca ends up hiring her to help at his estate with his mother, who suffers from dementia. Try as he knows he must, he cannot stay away from Eva. The darkness that encompasses Luca and tries to consume him, has kept him from having a relationship with anyone, which is the way it should be, or so Luca believes. Eva brings light to that darkness, and she wants nothing more than to help Luca. Aware of the risks, she is determined to save him. She moves to the Minaldi Estate at the insistence of Luca after the murder of several girls in the area. What she encounters while there, and the depth of her feelings for Luca leave her forever changed.

Of Blood and Bone is different than I expected, and I mean that in a good way. It has the feel of a psychological thriller, with mystery, suspense, and some really steamy romance. I liked Eva's character and admired her determination to find an answer for Luca's curse. Luca radiates hotness. Not only is he extremely easy on the eyes, he has that mysterious bad boy vibe about him that sucks you right in. This is a dark romance that will leave your mind and emotions reeling as the mystery plays out. The book is very intense, as are the issues that are addressed in the book. It was also very mysterious, and I found myself turning the pages to find out more about Luca, and about the curse that plaques him. The chemistry between Eva and Luca is sizzling, with some very steamy scenes. The ending really surprised me, because I really wasn't sure what to expect, and Courtney Cole really surprised me with the place she took this novel. This is Cole's first adult novel, and she has done an excellent job bringing the characters and the story to life. It is not lighthearted, but is very intense and emotional, so be prepared to deal with some very heart wrenching situations. I enjoyed this story a great deal. If you love hot romance, mystery, and suspense, with a psychological thriller type feel to it, you should check Of Blood and Bone out.

[Farrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review also appears on my blog at http://www.thegoldenruleof666.blogspo...

I LOVED Courtney Cole’s YA book, Dante’s Girl. So when I heard about a new adult book she wrote, I was all for it. And it didn’t disappoint at all. Courtney, you’ve completely wowed me again.

The setting of this book, Malta, was gorgeous. The descriptions were a sensory delight. I truly felt like I was in this lush, beautiful location. I really have to applaud Courtney for the fabulous job she did creating the setting. It was magnificent.

Eva was a strong lead. She was smart and strong, the epitome of the independent woman. Her career as a psychiatrist gives her the ability to read a person like a book. It was really interesting to see. She’s also very compassionate, determined to do her best to help people. She was a lovely heroine, one that anyone would like.

Luca was a total enigma. On one hand, he’s sweet and passionate and a total dreamboat. But on the other hand, he has so many skeletons in his closet and a hell of a dark secret. But despite all of that heaviness, it isn’t hard at all to fall for him. He’s a complex character, one that has so much to him that he feels real. His situation tugs at your heart and his sweetness gets you wrapped around his finger in no time. Needless to say, I was enormously fond of him.

The relationship between Eva and Luca was…explosive to say the least. It’s dark and passionate, but tempered with a true love. It was paced well, not too fast but not unbearably slow. Their relationship was well drawn out and, though it is far from perfect, it was real and tangible.

The plot line was excellent. The twists in this book are crazy. I never saw any of them coming. When the whole situation was revealed, I was in total shock. My jaw literally dropped. The pace moved quickly and the ending was magnificent, complete with a cliffhanger that will leave you dying to find out what happens next.

Of Blood and Bone is a spectacular book. It has romance, mystery, suspense, and paranormal elements. If any of that appeals to you, you’ll love this book.

5/5

[Chris Torretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very unusual story. Eva is an interesting character but I don’t understand her decisions. Straight from the beginning she starts to think about this guy Luca before she even really knows him. Actually she does not really get to know him until much further in the book but she’s already lusting over him. I guess in my mind she is smarter than just falling for some hot guy.

Then again Luca isn’t just some hot guy. He has an intensity about him that she can’t place and being someone that can read people very well this is doubly intriguing to her. Eva did throw me off a bit but as the story moved along I still liked her more and more. Although some of the plot scenes I was surprised she didn’t handle well and then others she was completely fine with. Odd but still not enough to make me quit reading.

Luca. Now he is another ball of wax. He is straight forward with her but only to a point. And then that point goes way into left field. You know he is having … let’s call them issues but you’re not sure if he’s involved in the more serious goings on of the island. It sure is interesting finding out however! It doesn’t help that his mother calls him evil and seems to be going off her rocker also. And as things intensify on the island you wonder just who really is the villain here?

And speaking of intensify! There were some sexy scenes in this! Whew. Need a drink of water because it was getting hot! These scenes wouldn’t be filed under erotica but they were definitely sexy and lovely to read. And the mood fit the plot which was very well done. I have a little excerpt below which will give you a glimpse of that hotness…

Pretty good plot, although I picked out the villain it wasn’t early on and this kept me going through the night. Ended not exactly on what you might call a cliff hanger but I am curious as to what is going to happen next!

[Autumn Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, what do you think of the revised cover? Gorgeous right?!?! Ok, so if you've ever read anything by Courtney Cole, be prepared, this is different than her other books. In my opinion, I think she has created a brilliant book. It's dark, gritty, sexy, and suspenseful. You'll be hot one minute and curious the next.

Eva was a likable character to me right away. There isn't anything that particular drew her to me per say, but I liked her none the less. I think because I really liked Luca, the dynamic of their relationship appealed to me. She's smart, sensitive, and determined to help Luca find some answers.

Luca is a complex man. He's well known, but aloof. He's sexy and seems a bit dangerous. The thing is, he's one big puzzle. Truth be told, it took me a bit to really understand him. He intrigued me. Luca feels like he's been doomed since he was a child. No one can help with the answers he seeks. Once Eva enters his life, he feels that maybe there is some hope.

The chemistry and attraction that Luca and Eva share is amazing. There are some incredibly steamy moments between them. My heart was racing and ice packs were needed.

This story is complex and mysterious. It's difficult to write a review, because I don't want to reveal even one iota of information. Let me just say that nothing is as it seems.

Of Blood and Bone took my by surprise. I knew it would be well written, but it's also become a top adult read for me this year. I can't wait to see how the series develops.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oozing mystery, suspense, and intrigue, Of Blood and Bone by Courtney Cole makes for a perfect Fall read! While this is certainly not for young adults, it is definitely worthy of being reviewed here at Inklings Read!

Courtney does a fantastic job of teasing the readers in this book with the fantastic plot and steamy romance! She slowly reveals bits and pieces of information, but only enough to keep you guessing. I loved that she chose to write this story using multiple POVs! That extra peek into the mind of the characters really enhanced the story. Not to mention that layout was great for a dark, suspenseful book like this.

I could not help but fall under Luca's spell right along with Eva. Not only was he a perfect gentleman, but he was also well off, sophisticated, and protective. All great traits in my book! The erotic (yes, erotic!) and romantic scenes between the two of them were perfect! I would never have guessed that this was Courtney's first adult book!

Of Blood and Bone was a surprisingly quick read for me. I was finished in a day! Just one freaking day! When I say this book was addicting that is a slight understatement. I devoured this book! I highly, highly, highly, recommend it to my adult followers. I cannot wait to see what comes next in the second installment of The Minaldi Legacy!

[Belkis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well when I started reading this book I didn't really have a clear take on what genre the storyline was going to fall into but the synopsis had me intrigued so I bought it. I started reading it and at the beginning the initial setup and book atmosphere had me leaning towards the supernatural and I thought that maybe it would end up having some kind of paranormal element in it. Total surprise, it did not. Very well written suspenseful adult romance. Which I admit I enjoyed very much. Loved Luca. Had my suspicions about Adrian very early in the book. Way too underhanded and overly contriving with his overdeveloped charm and sugary demeanor. Also liked the heroine of the story Dr. Evangeline or Eva. Her character was believable and well developed. Now to wait on book two. Didn't realize when I bought the book that it was going to be a series. And the waiting begins.

[Tiffanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtney Cole has a way of drawing you into her world and this book was a testament to that. I feel in love the with the people on the island and the characters of the story. At times I was wondering if this was paranormal story, with the things that kept happening to Luca. But the twist and turns that keep you engaged till the end were amazing and I can not wait for the next book to be released.

[Clista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I'm not sure what I was expecting when I started this book. I was interested from the start, wondering what was going on. Loved getting to know the characters and wanting to know more about Eva and Luca straight away. The darkness and mystery of the whole place was intriguing. The story had suspense and emotions that kept building. I was surprised, and really wanting to read more to finish this unfinished story!

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a dark, twisted, passionate sotry. Its hard notto love Luca but you do find yourself questioning yourself about your reaction to him. what great charcters courtney has created in Eva and Luca. I throughly enjoyedthis book. Courtney has done a great job with her first contemporary romance. I look forward to the second book of this series... it cannot come out fast enough

[Theresa Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough about this book.... I absolutely LOVED it! What is it about a seemingly broken man and the strong woman who saves him that makes a story all consuming??? Add in passion, mystery, and a bit of jealousy, and you get this book. I was devoured by this book and I am left in strong anticipation of the sequel....

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING STORY..


Love is dangerous… and its called LUCAS MINALDI!!
This book was HOT,STEAMY PASSIONATE INTENSE AND DARK..

Courtney Cole I LOVE THIS BOOK!! And im in LOVE with LUCA..

"His the most beautiful male body I've ever seen, absolutely perfect in every way" .

This BOOK Is a must READ!! BOOK 2 where are you??

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mind can't handle what I just read. I love a dark and twisty male lead! Luca you filled the role perfectly! I hope I don't have to wait too long for the next book to come out because Courtney you left me with Book Blue Balls! (BBB)

[Marybel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow it was so good, omigod can't wait for book two.

[Nicky Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this, Luca is as the synopsis says - "mesmerising" excellent story, look forward to more!

[UltraMeital · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I didn't really know what to expect from this book what I DIDN'T expect is an absolute and total disappointment! The story itself had it's potential but it was ruined by too many things. With all the hailing reviews I can't believe that I'm giving it one star but I can't say that I found this book interesting, maybe the prelude was, but the story itself and mostly the way it was written felt cold and detached to me so I couldn't feel anything during the whole ride. The mystery could have been good (even if it WAS a bit predictable) but the writing and mostly Eva the main character was just unrealistic and not even true to character.

This isn't really a series since it contains two books and the version I got has the two parts together. The ending of the first one, meaning - the part that I've read - isn't a whole cliffhanger but it shows that the whole mystery isn't over yet. I'm NOT going to read the next one though I've read in reviews that the second part, mystery-wise is much better but since you get the HEA in the ending of the first part I couldn't be bothered to read the next half for the mystery part of it, especially since the writing isn't interesting enough to hold me, not for 200 more pages.

The feel of the book is a little bit like a fairy tale I guess. We have Eva visiting the Maltese for the summer to finish her Psychiatric degree. There she meets Luca the rich introvert who keeps away from everyone but seems reluctant to be away from her, as she is intrigued and attracted to him. In his eyes she can see that he is holding something, a secret, a mystery, a dark side that she finds frightening yet appealing because she is determined to find and fix what is "wrong" with him. Luca doesn't believe he can be saved though deep down inside he wants to be saved by her. But when push comes to shove he decides she is better away from him and pushes her away.

What happens on the short time that they are apart is SO predictable I was annoyed to even read it, and I don't think a 29 years old woman could EVER be SO stupid. But naturally what also happens is she pieces everything together and knows how to save him / help him. Here, again, is something that doesn't make any sense, what took her more than a month to figure out should have taken no more than a week (and I'm being generous here...). I don't want to write what it is because it would be a HUGE spoiler and anyhow I had a good feeling that that's the case so you might as well figure it out..

Eva on the one hand describes herself as a people's person, yet she says she is detached emotionally since her brother's drowning when she was a kid. Something feels a bit strange about that. I'm not sure a person would get to be a psychiatrist without ever examining this part of him/herself, and also her behavior doesn't feel detached AT ALL. She is one of the most emotional characters I've EVER read. She cries SO MUCH. Not to mention that the love between her and Luca progressed in a VERY unrealistic way. I understand immediate attraction, I understand an immediate intrigue from both their sides, but something about the OBSESSION they both have to one another didn't feel right. Maybe if they were teenagers. But he is 32 years old and she is only 3 years younger.

Also I find it a bit hard to believe that a woman wouldn't cringe from learning all the things that she does about Luca not to mention what happens to her TWICE when his dark side catches up with him.

The story is told from both Eva and Luca's POV. Which could have been great since I LOVE it when we get the whole arc of the story from both MC. Yet the story was told literally from how they saw everything in their mind which felt like a strange emotionless narration. Even though I usually really like reading the thoughts in a character's mind, here it was the whole deal and the conversations because of that felt a bit off. Everything felt a bit off because of it, mostly the emotional part. I didn't feel any kind of emotion while reading, even in parts that you should hold a hand over your heart or cry real tears the way it was written took it all out.

I finished this book for ONE reason and that is because on Tuesday a book I can't wait to read releases and I wanted to make sure I finish reading this one so I'll be free to delve into it the moment I get home from work and since I read it on the weekend and I knew that Sunday-Monday are going to be a bit busy I wanted to read as much as possible even when I felt I was pushing myself to read and I can't be bothered to continue. I literally MADE myself read and surely finish this book.

With all that being said it makes me reluctant to read "Beautifully Broken" series by Courtney which is on my list for this month. I WILL give it a go. It might be different since the vibe should be different and also it's a New Adult, not Contemporary so it might also make the characters more true to character (which here WEREN'T!) but if the writing will be the same kind of detached narration I would pass.

I HATE writing discouraging reviews, or if you want to call it "bad reviews" that's an option as well. But even though I KNOW the author gave her best writing this story and I feel extremely bad writing one bad thing about it, I'm always true to my feelings when reading a book and certainly when reviewing it. Also, the fact that this book has SUCH a high rating makes me feel a little "better". Not everyone agrees on everything. Everyone is different and have their unique opinion which makes the world a more interesting place :) So take in mind my review but don't make me discourage you if you are interested in this one or if the other reviews you've read makes it appealing to you.

More Reviews HERE

[Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I really did. But I had one big problem with the logic in it, and I'd like to explain why the rating is three stars instead of the 4.5 it should have been because of the cool story and characters and dialogues of this book.

If you don't care whether drug abuse and its effects are portrayed correctly in a book or not, please just ignore this review and enjoy the book. I don't want to ruin anyone's fun here.

Luca's situation in this book is explained to be brought forth by constant drugging by his childhood friend Adrian.
The drugs mentioned in the books are Nightshade, Rohypnol and Angel's Trumpet (Datura). I didn't check whether there would be lethal or toxic interactions between those parts, because I wanted to believe that the drugs could just be mixed together. Like magic.
Now chemistry isn't magic and you can't just take a few drugs, throw them in a pot and expect it to work out nicely, but this is fiction, so it might in Ms. Cole's Malta.

I thought this sounded a little strange, so I researched.
Rohypnol is indeed a "Date Rape" drug, but it's also a sleep inducing drug which will make you sleepy and helpless; NOT aggressive. The reason why it's called Date Rape drug is because of its knock-out qualities: the rape victim will take the drug and in 15-20 minutes the symptoms will show themselves, but they will also disappear in a matter of 4 to 7 hours tops. When used repeatedly (which Luca apparently does) Rohypnol causes serious brain damage. In a matter of weeks, you get concentration problems, and also serious problems talking.
When taken on a long-term basis, Rohypnol has the inconvenient little effect of killing you: you can't breathe right anymore, and sometimes your heart just fails completely.

What wouldn't work even in fiction Malta is the thing that Cole pulled in the last Chapter of the book. Apparently, now that Adrian is out of the picture, the reader is expected to believe that the effects of this perfect drug with no side effects to Luca's health just reoccur.
That is kinetically impossible. Kinetic means that a drug gets into your system and rummages there, attacking a certain part of your body or brain.
As Rohypnol leaves the system damaged, but without leaving traces of the actual Rohypnol behind. That means that of course there is damage left that could manifest itself in spasms, heart failure, breathing problems or stupidity, but the same effects the drug would obtain can not be recreated, especially not chronically.
But Rohypnol is highly addicting and would cause you serious pain and make you throw up the whole time when you abruptly stop taking it.

Note: I didn't do the research myself. I'm not a doctor and I don't know much about medicine, but I had my mother (a pharmacist) look Rohypnol up in the national medicine registry for apothecarians and she explained to me all the effects listed above. I didn't want to bother her with Nightshade and Angel's Trumpet as well since I was pretty sure that the results wouldn't have evened out the side effects Rohypnol dumps on you.

I have no problem with fantasy as long as it's fantasy, but once you bring real drugs and effects into your fiction, please do your research right or just invent some new plant.
I wanted to believe all the things written in this book, but the effects of the drug coming back is just pushing it. Even I could guess that that would never work.

Apart from that, I really liked the book.

[Pene|ope • Temp Hyperfixation: WC & OMV · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of Blood and Bone is a romantic story that deals with dark themes, giving it a mysterious and chilling atmosphere. There are some brutal things that happen in these pages, and while I knew that it had adult themes before I read it, I'm not sure I was expecting quite so much. There are some horrible events in the story, and I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but...they were written so excellently. There was one part that I was especially impressed with, even though the action that is taking place is just completely wrong. I've included here on Goodreads, so if you aren't interested in reading it, then do not read the quote that will be below this review.

For those of you who like hot romance, rest assured that there is MUCH steam waiting to be released from between the pages of this book. Very much steam. I try not to talk about the sex in books too much, since I know that there are pre-teens who read my blog (one especially--yes, YOU! Stop reading!), and I like to keep it clean for them. But let me just say that not only does Courtney Cole include steaming hot sex scenes, but she also manages to create a very definite contrast between the sex scenes (the bad ones, and the intimate ones). Worth noting, because I think there is a fine line between both when dealing with certain topics, and Courtney keeps each on the right side of line, even when other factors come into play.

Sadly, I was never quite sold on the relationship between the two mane characters, as they fall in love pretty instantly. The mane character is a smart and successful mare who is very stable and knows what she wants in life, and how to get it. Yet she turns into jello at the mere sight of Luca, and professes her love a few days later. I really hate coming across insta-love.

Another thing that I particularly wanted to mention, is that even though Eva is in a different country, those around her continually speak using expressions and sayings that are very much American. The ponies's accents are mentioned, and the culture of the island was described so beautifully, that it was a bit of a let-down to have the conversations between the characters read as utterly American.

Yet--suspending disbelief--I was compelled to finish the story in record time, to discover what would come of Eva and Luca's seemingly doomed relationship. I very much enjoyed the psychological aspects of the story--and all the complications that come from them--and was desperate to know how things would end. Definitely one to read if you like to analyze personalities, and pony behaviors (also if you like a hot romance).


Read this if:
...you like romance mixed with a good psychological mystery.

Content Warning
*This section may contain some spoilers about content!*
This book contains very mature content including multiple rapes, brutal murders, a detailed miscarriage, and lots of very descriptive (but hot) sex scenes.


This review was originally published on my blog: The Reading Fever.

*I was given an eGalley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Margarita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suspenseful, dark and highly intriguing...

(Definitely NOT YA! This book contains sexual content and language, beware!)

I have to say, I could not put this book down! Courtney Cole really does know how to write a suspenseful turn-paging story. She captured Malta and its fairytale qualities beautifully, her descriptions of this romantic island made me feel like I was there - I can feel the sand in between my toes, smell the salty air and picture the sweet and helpful natives as my neighbors...

Everything about Luca is so mysterious, intriguing and steamy! The moment you meet him you can't help but feel drawn to him and wonder what he's all about, wonder how such an endearing, intelligent and passionate man could have such a dark side.
And, surprisingly, I liked Eva's character as well. She is a strong, smart and independent woman. She is in Malta to complete her work so she can finish getting her Psychology license in Portland. Being in the profession that she is in, it is difficult for her not to figure out people from the moment that she meets them. First impressions really determine the qualities in a person, after all, this is her work. But when she meets Luca, she starts to go through her 'list' and by the end of their first meeting, she is baffled and is determined to follow-up and get a better measure of him soon... of course, it helps that he is gorgeous and so very attractive. But her head is on right and she knows that she does not need a man in her life, although, it would be nice, especially if it was Luca.
The attraction between Luca and Eva is undeniable and understandable. Their first encounter was very sweet and quite funny. However, a few things that take place between them just didn't sit right with me and seemed to be downplayed by Eva. As romantic as some of the scenes between them were, there were a few that were not and her reactions to them took me by surprised. I can understand that she is falling for Luca and is very determined to help him and his "curse", but at what cost???
At times the story was predictable for me, but I thoroughly continued to enjoy the story. There were a few crucial parts that I thought were a bit rushed, but then again, everything still flowed really well and there wasn't anything that was missing.
The ending was perfect! And I wished that the epilogue wasn't included. Even though it still left me in wonderment and highly anticipating the next book, I felt it unnecessary to hear from this particular character again. But it did seal the deal to hate him even more... believe me, you will!

Definitely a great adult read to pick up and spend the afternoon with!
The first in a trilogy, I look forward to seeing whether or not Luca and Eva will be by the end!

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on the blog: What the Cat Read

This was a fascinating read. When I first started, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Was this going to be a paranormal romance, a mystery/thriller, or a straight dark romance novel? Turns out, it’s a little of all of the above. There’s definitely a lot of romance involved, though it’s a bit more erotic than I’m use to. This isn’t to say my enjoyment of the book was dimmed in any way. If anything, it drew me further into the story and it’s safe to say that I enjoyed every minute of it!

I’m always hesitant when I read a story which changes points of view frequently, but it worked spectacularly for this novel. Cole tells the story from three perspectives; that of Eva (Evangeline), Luca, and The Beast. Each voice is distinctive, engaging, and blends perfectly with the others. While I enjoyed Eva’s POV, I found myself enjoying Luca’s and The Beast’s more because they were less analytical. Actually, I think my favorite point of view was that of The Beast because Cole really captured the creature’s primal nature in each section. But each section holds true to the character’s personality. Eva’s a psychiatrist, so her parts are analytical in nature. Luca’s sections have the feeling of mystery surrounding them. And well, you can already guess what The Beast’s parts are like. =^.^=

Character wise, I enjoyed everyone, even the secondary characters. Luca is a mysterious, deliciously disturbing individual. Eva’s strong-willed, analytical, and at times overly emotional. The two of them are the perfect blend of dark and light. But they also have moments where they clash, and the resulting blow out will leave your senses whirling. I also took a particular interest in Luca’s mother. She’s a rather fascinating individual in her own right and her scenes add to the mystery that plays throughout this book.

As for Cole’s writing, it flows well throughout the book. The scenes are well thought out, the descriptions and attention to detail fit the tone of the story, and the plot will keep you turning the pages as it takes a number of unexpected twists.

I’ll be honest and say that this isn’t a book that will be for everyone. There are times where it gets very dark and some of the scenes were a bit disturbing, there’s one in particular that comes to my mind at the moment, but for the most part I must say that for Cole’s first venture out of the YA genre, she’s got a winner on her hands. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

I’d like to thank Kismet Book Touring and Courtney Cole for letting me review this title. =^.^=

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, the first thing you need to know is that this book is a departure from Courtney’s previous series. And what a departure it is! First of all, it’s an adult book with adult situations. It’s a dark mystery with some steamy romance. Oh, and let’s not forget murder, family curses and betrayals. Yup…it’s different! But in such a good way!

The characters are unique and well written, each with their own story to tell. Eva is finishing her dissertation in hopes of beginning her career as a psychiatrist. She’s a smart, independent woman who’s adventurous enough to move to a new country to continue her research. She’s intrigued by people and inexplicably drawn to Luca from their very first meeting. Luca is a handsome, successful, eligible bachelor with a dark side. He has not had an easy life but does not want anyone to know it. As part of the most famous family in Malta, he cannot risk having his secrets exposed. And, ultimately, he’s a mystery that Eva wants to solve. The secondary characters all play a part in adding to the twists and turns of the story and adding to the believability of the environment in which the story takes place.

My overall thoughts are simple. The first person narrative was great, it let me feel closer to the characters and get inside their thoughts and feelings. The alternating POV’s was a wonderful way to tell the story. I always like to “hear” what everyone is thinking and we don’t get that often enough in books. Luca and the mystery surrounding him was delicious. I wanted him to be good so badly, right from the beginning, but I also savored the unknown, trying to solve the mystery myself as I went along. The flow of the story was perfect. It was easy to read; effortless and smooth. And the ending…well, the ending was unexpected and left me with a need to know what will happen next.

Courtney has stepped out of her comfort zone, namely the YA and mythological worlds to tell the story of the Minaldi curse. Her writing, as always, draws you in. But in this case, it’s more straightforward and direct. Her characters are more real, more flawed and, in some cases, less likeable. The situations these characters find themselves in are not always pleasant and may make some readers uncomfortable. But, if you are prepared for some adult situations, romance and, yes, even some violence, it’s worth the trip into this world! Put aside what you think you know about this author and be prepared for something completely different.

[Hayley G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Blood and Bone is a sexy read! Warning!!!! This is an adult title and does contain mature content.

I enjoyed reading OBB from the first page. Cole has a knack for keeping her writing exciting and pacing, smooth. She accomplishes this, with short, succinct chapters, narrated from the multiple, first-person-perspectives of Eva, Luca and The Beast. I mean for the first few chapters, our heroine, Eva, did nothing but sleep mostly, but I wasn't bored or deterred at all.

I enjoyed Eva as a character, but it's Luca who truly shined, for me, Of Blood and Bone. Even though I usually only enjoy reading from the heroine's perspective, I enjoyed reading from Luca's perspectives, because it let me see the real motivations behind his reactions to Eva. It's always nice to know what a man is REALLY thinking, haha. My heart did go out to Luca in this book though, for many different reasons. The first being, his relationship to his parents (more so his mother) she suffers from Dementia, so she can be cruel, un-intentially at times, after watching my mother go through the same thing with her mom, I know these moments between Luca and his mother are difficult, and my heart went out to him. Although to be fair, Luca and his mother have an unusual relationship of a paranormal nature :).The second, Luca has a lot of emotional baggage. His guilt is eating him alive, and he can't control the Beast inside of him. He wants to be the good guy, but finds it impossible- which is why he's always so hesitant to start anything with Eva.

The Beast adds an element of murder mystery. We're not given many chapters through his eyes, but when we are, passion and chaos unwind, and the reader is left to wonder who this evasive Beast is?

There's a little bit of a love triangle in Of Blood and Bone, as Adrian plays the part of the charming, friendly rogue against the reclusive, enigmatic Luca. Of course these two are childhood friends, which makes the triangle all the more awkward and interesting. But I believe Eva knows which she wants to be with from the get go. The chemistry between her and Luca is electrifying and steamy to say the least. Cole knows how to write some good steam scenes! And I really enjoyed the international setting of Cole's work, I really want to go to Italy and find myself a man and some good food! Haha

Overall, I would categorize Of Blood and Bone as Romance novel, but I think that fans of Urban Fantasy would definitely enjoy this steamy series as well!

Bring on book 2!

Happy Reading!!!