Pure Healing by Aja James
Release - May 4, 2012
Genre - Paranormal Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5 / several scenes
Format/Source - borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Page Count - 274
Publisher - Indie
In the world of Pure Ones, where sexual intercourse with anyone other than one’s Eternal Mate leads to a slow, painful death within thirty days, love comes with the warning label “fall at your own peril”…
Rain: the Healer
From the first time she beheld him, she yearned to soothe his pain and torment and nurtured a secret, selfish desire – to have him for her very own…
Valerius: the Protector
Despite their instant attraction, he has staunchly avoided applying to be the Healer’s Consort, haunted by the brutality and violence of his past…
As the decadal Phoenix Rite draws near, as threats from their vampire nemesis intensify, Rain and Valerius must decide whether they let their histories and duties dictate their destiny or whether they risk all for a chance at everlasting love.
Buy it here: Amazon
This book, or rather this series, is about exquisite fallen angels and their battle to defend and protect humankind. I loved it!!
The World-Building: while their base was in Boston, the Pure Ones got around. In existence for millenia, they've lived together, fought together, and loved together. I enjoyed the mythos that served as the history to this wonderful group of characters. From ancient Rome to ancient China to Amazons and humans... it was impossible not to become engrossed in the texture the author created with her imaginative embellishments.
The Characters: Rain and Valerius were the main characters, but everyone got a piece of the shine and I'm intrigued by them all. I wish some of them didn't have to die so I could get to know them better and see them get their very own happy endings. Anyhoo, what developed between Rain and Valerius was surreal. It was sensual and captivating and an ethereal feel to it. I got so much of them and still craved more.
The Plot: it was obvious to me that there are many moving parts to this story and while I'm unsure how the author keeps track of it all, it was never confusing. For every question answered, every secret revealed, more clues are left behind hinting at something more to come. So I may not know everything yet, but I'll be having a blast trying to learn it all!
And this review wouldn't be complete if I didn't share my notes/questions/frustrations with you all, so here goes:
⭐ Why was Sophia's character such a brat? Am I not supposed to like her? With the many books to come, I'm sure her character will grow and evolve and hopefully I won't hate her in the end.
⭐ Cloud... I can't be the only one looking forward to finding out more about this male.
⭐I really thought something was brewing (romantically) between Xandros and Wan'er. Was I the only one who thought so? Why tease us with something so sweet only to obliterate any chance of it ever happening???
⭐ What is happening between Jade and Seth? Can Dark Ones be with Pure Ones? There's definitely something there.
⭐ Who and/or what is the entity that has been toying with them for the entire book? That shapeshifting thing was freaky. Who was the final shape they took that pushed Dalair to confess his heart's desire?
⭐ Is it just my imagination or does Ere seem to have something to do with the darkness building in this book? Is he the shapeshifter manipulating everyone?
I have absolutely no patience so I'm off to find out what happens next in Dark Longing.
Valerius’ eyes were immediately drawn to the feminine outline behind the curtains.
Contrary to his training and protocol, he barely registered the surrounding area, the ornate yet elegant furniture, the walls covered entirely with natural scenery that looked just as real and alive as the scrolls in the outer passageway, the whimsical splattering of multi-colored round paper lanterns across the ceiling, giving the chamber a cheerful glow.
To his utter confusion and dismay, his heart doubled its tempo, and every nerve in his body became overwhelmingly sensitized. He suddenly felt drugged by the faint, elusive fragrance of lilies and jasmine, and in reaction, blood rushed to his groin, hardening him in an instant. His neck and face got what was left as he flushed deeply in mortification and anger at his total loss of discipline.
In his two thousand plus years of existence as a Pure One, he had never, never, lost control. Why his self-restraint deserted him now he couldn’t begin to fathom and didn’t have the luxury to even try, for he suddenly found himself not two feet before the Healer, sitting above him on the dais on a soft pedestal of pillows. He executed a bow by rote, as if his body had developed a mind of its own.
Valerius stopped short of raising his gaze to meet hers, however. He knew that keeping his eyes lowered was a sign of submission which he’d never before allowed in himself, no matter the odds he faced. But he swallowed his pride and locked his jaw, because somehow, somewhere deep within, he knew that meeting her gaze would change his world forever.
Instead, he peered through the filter of his lashes at the shape of her chin, and the enigmatic, fleeting smile that tilted the corners of her full, sensuous mouth.
“Warrior,” she greeted him softly, pausing a heavy beat after greeting Sophia and Ayelet.
When he continued to withhold his gaze, the corners of her lips tilted ever so slightly more, as if she were amused by his reticence.
But it wasn’t shyness that kept Valerius’ eyes lowered; it was self-preservation.
Aja is now working on her new series, Dragon Tails, because dragons are her favorite shifters of all!
4 comments
What a premise! This sounds really interesting and your review has me even more curious about it.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun when I find a new series to binge on :D Thanks Deanna! xo
DeleteLove seeing these 5 star reviews popping up, so glad this one was a winner too!!
ReplyDeleteI hope I can find more. This series is definitely worthy :) Thanks Kat!
DeleteThank you for taking the time to leave a comment because I absolutely love getting and giving them!