The Romanceaholic

Expected Release Date: December 6, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: http://www.ninacroft.com
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 2 Blood Hunter Series
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Steam Level: Steamy

Official Blurb:

Breaking assassin Jonathon Decker out of a maximum security prison on Trakis One seemed like a good idea at the time. Now, pursued across space by the two most powerful factions in the universe, the crew of El Cazador are having second thoughts. They’d like to give him back. Unfortunately, that no longer seems an option.

Jon is used to working alone. Now, he’s stuck on the space cruiser El Cazador until he can work out just what he’s supposed to know that puts him on everybody’s most-wanted-dead list. He s not happy that the crew includes a runaway priestess with designs on his virtue such as it is. Jon likes women, but he gave up the role of protector a long time ago, and Alexia, High Priestess of the Church of Everlasting Life, is an accident waiting to happen.

After twenty-four excruciatingly boring years of doing her duty, Alex is finally having some fun. She never meant to run away it was a rash impulse and she means to go back eventually. But first, she’s going to squeeze enough excitement out of the situation to last her a lifetime. And what could be more exciting than a stunningly gorgeous werewolf?

Meanwhile, the Church are chasing their missing priestess, and the Collective are pursuing their escaped assassin. Being hunted has never been more deadly…or more fun.

What Worked For Me:

• I loved that Jon was a werewolf. I don’t recall that being mentioned in the first novel, so it was a very pleasant surprise.  On the same note, I was actually quite happy that despite being a werewolf, there was no “fated to be mated” situation, even though I normally enjoy that trope.  Instead, Al and Jon developed a deep affection and love for one another outside of some contrived destiny, and it made their relationship far more powerful.
• I really enjoyed seeing Al let her feminine side shine for once.  We met her in the previous novel, and even in the beginning of this one, she was pretending to be a young boy instead of the woman she is.  When she finally allowed herself to dress and act like a female, the transformation was incredible.
• Oh man, Ms. Croft is the Queen of the C-ckblock. Seriously, she’s a master of ramping up the sexual tension and then BAM. Nuthin. She was killing me with the sexual tension, but I have to say, I love her for it.
• The love scenes were incredible. Sensual, tender when necessary and fierce when the scene called for it.  Al’s initial desperation to experience physical love before possibly returning to the Church endeared her to me, and honestly, Jon’s reticence in obliging her made me love him and his honorable nature as well. When they finally stopped leading each other on a merry chase, they were absolutely explosive together.
• More than just the relationship between Jon and Al, I really reveled in the camaraderie between the crewmates of the El Cazador.  Each of the shipmates have distinct personalities that help to balance each other out, and as a fan of the first novel, I of course enjoyed seeing a lot of Rico and Skylar.
• LOVED the twist about Meridian. Loved. And I’m greatly anticipating the next book in the series because of it.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

• As with Break Out, I wasn’t thrilled with the amount of time that the heroine is seen naked by other people without her consent.  Anyone who reads my reviews knows that having the heroine naked in front of people in a way that would embarrass her is a quick way to lose points with me, and poor Alex suffers from this on several occasions.
• Alex needed a good spanking, and I don’t mean the “who’s your Daddy?” kind either.  She was so reckless and constantly acting without thinking, and it caused a lot of trouble for both herself and every other member of her crew.  While once is just fine (hey, we all make mistakes), by the end of the novel I do believe I’d have simply chained her to the wall in her cabin to keep her out of trouble.

I loved BREAK OUT, but no matter how good that book was, this one was even better.  Jon was an absolutely wonderful, tortured hero, and while I wanted to pimp-slap Alex half the time for her reckless behavior, they made a perfect couple.

With tons of action, romance, and plot twists, this book kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.  Not only were Jon and Al interesting, but the rest of the crew added an enormous amount of interest as well.  The intrigues, twists, incredible action, and delicious tension to the story all kept me glued to the pages, and ensured that I quite literally couldn’t put it down.

Recommended for fans of exciting space operas, vampires and werewolves who despite being around for centuries have never quite figured out how to fit in with society, and of a hero and heroine who are perfect for each other despite their differences.

A very solid 5/5 Stars

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