Mini reviews: A Dark Kiss of Rapture and Crossing The Line

A Dark Kiss of Rapture by Sylvia Day
Of all the Fallen, Raze's hungers are some of the darkest and most insatiable. His brazen seductions cost him his wings, leaving him soulless and immortal, the most dangerous of seducers. He has roamed the earth for eons, hunting the rogues of his kind and protecting the humans who provide him with blood and sex. He is content with his life and the transient pleasures that flow through it... until one night and one woman change everything.

Kimberly McAdams is smart, beautiful, and wealthy. She can have any man she wants, but the moment she sets eyes on the lethally stunning Raze she knows he's the man she needs. As one searingly erotic night burns into something deeper and far more vital than either of them expected, an adversary from Raze's past sees a chance for revenge. Twisted by hatred, she will take from Raze what was taken from her—the precious gift of love.

I picked this ebook up because I love paranormal - didn't realise it was so short and a prequel to a series, but it's still good! And because it's so short (72 pages) world-building was brief and minimal. This left me a little confused but it was easy to pick up the flow of the characters and their life stories. 

Basically, Raze and his gang are a bunch of fallen angels punished by becoming vampires. He is a bit of a player and after a tough day at work hunting down a jackass vampire person - ok, so I didn't completely understand it, but whatever - he goes to a bar looking for a playmate for the night. In walks Kim and Raze is instantly attracted, not just because she's beautiful but also because she has wicked banter and can hold her own in the world.

This was a short story setting up their romance and their world, which I found believable and likeable. 

Crossing the Line by Katie McGarry
Lila McCormick first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters-or that she'd fall for the boy she's only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him for the most.

Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he's never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila's forgiveness-and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.

A mini-story in the world of Echo and Noah? I'm there! 

So, this is about Lila and new boy Lincoln. First off, I really liked the premise that they only communicated through letters and fell in love that way. It's a dying form of communication and I love the personality and depth that the snippets we got to read conveyed about both of them. I also loved their face-to-face relationship, as adorable and charged as it was. They had really bonded through the letters and each desperately wanted to please the other, which was really sweet. Sorry, hopeless romantic over here!

I really sympathised with Lila - her fear of moving away from home is one I have and I could completely understand how betrayed she felt when Lincoln let her down. But I was moved and actually kind of proud that he didn't let her stay mad at him and came all the way over to her to apologise and rescue her. 

Finally, I liked the ending. It was short and sweet, with a little hope in there at the end for a budding love, as I think they both deserve it after all the crap they've been through.