Book Review: Poisoned Kisses by Stephanie Draven

Poisoned Kisses by Stephanie Draven

Publisher: Harlequin

Publish Date: October 1, 2010

Paperback, 288 pages
Paranormal Romance (Mythology), Mythica series

My Review:
Why I read this: I was invited to be a part of the Poisoned Kisses blog tour and thought the book sounded very interesting.

How is the novel driven:  It's a romance at heart so the characters are very important, but there is action and intrigue in this one as well.  I would say it is very well-rounded with character development and plot development.

My thoughts: I had a slightly hard time getting into this book.  To be honest I did not get Kyra.  But then all of a sudden the book became one I couldn't put down.  The hard part was about the first 35 pages.  Then things started happening and I got a better glimpse of Kyra and very steamy hot Marco.  Kyra changed and her motives became more evident.  I learned more about Marco and why he does what he does as well.

After the first bit of set-up, the book really comes into it's own.  Weaving the mythology of Kyra's world into the real world of war was fascinating.  I loved getting the glimpse at different mythological entities.  It's a fascinating world and I haven't visited many like this in books.

The romance is steamy in this one.  The sparks fly between Kyra and Marco, but neither one can figure out what they are feeling or if the other one feels the same. This drives the book along with the plot line.  I liked watching their relationship develop and each character develop as well.  They were fascinating characters, both flawed, both hurting and both trying to find a purpose in life.

The plot is also exciting, war gods battling for Marco, Kyra battling for Marco and Marco battling himself.  As the plot neared it's climax I was on the edge of my seat.  Very exciting and different.

Two things - this one isn't for the faint of heart - violence and steamy sex abound, but if you don't mind those things then this book is a winner.  My only complaint, the ending was slightly rushed but I hope to see more of these characters in future books.

My Rating: 4.0/5.0

About the Book:

Daughter of the war god Ares, Kyra had been born into darkness—a darkness she'd vowed to annihilate. Just as she'd destroy the notorious Greek arms dealer Marco Kaisiris for feeding the bloodlust she despised. She'd use her nymph's carnal powers to seduce him, then slay him. But Kyra wasn't prepared for Marco's secret weapon.

For millennia Kyra had avoided mortal men, but she couldn't resist Marco's magnetism, his raw sexuality. Time and again his sculpted body took her to heights to which only the gods soared. That he was a shape-shifting hydra she could forgive, but not his one fatal flaw—his poisoned blood could kill her. Kyra had fallen for the only being who could destroy her…. Yet how could she spend eternity without him?

About the Author:

Stephanie Draven is currently a denizen of Baltimore, that city of ravens and purple night skies. She lives there with her favorite nocturnal creatures-three scheming cats and a deliciously wicked husband. And when she is not busy with dark domestic rituals, she writes her books.

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FTC Information: I received this book for a blog tour and review.  All opinions expressed are my own and they are my honest opinions, I am not compensated anything beyond receiving the book for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.