Ratings Overall: 9 Sensuality: 10 Paranormal Element: 10

This is an Official Review by a contemporary Romance Writer Official Reviewer

Review for Seduce Me in Shadow
Author: Shayla Black
Date of Review: 07/13/09
Reviewed by: Leah

Reviewer Comments: Caden McTavish has resisted becoming part of the magical community that is his family legacy ever since he witnessed magic kill his younger brother. Caden thought that he would be better off without magic and joined the Marines when he was old enough. He was working as a photographer for a Dallas newspaper when word reached him that his brother’s mate was kidnapped, forced to break the mate bond and raped. Now his brother, Lucen, needs Caden to help him through the mate mourning and Caden is drawn into the Doomsday Brethern’s battle against an evil wizard bent on gaining power. He is also coming into his own magical power which is something that Caden is fighting.

Sydney Blair is a reporter for a paranormal tabloid in England. She became suspicious of the war brewing for magickind when she receives information about a battle that took place in the Underground. Her articles on the battle are causing the Doomsday Brethern to become nervous. They suspect that Lucen’s missing mate is Sydney’s source and Caden volunteers to go and try to locate the source of Sydney’s information. He is also to be on the lookout for the Doomsday Book which grants wishes of those who write in it. Caden is not prepared for the instant attraction that he feels for Sydney.

This book is a continuation of Ms. Black’s Doomsday Brethern series. As such, it was difficult at first for me to figure out who all the players were and how all the characters fit together. Fortunately, Sydney is as much in the dark as I was and Ms. Black uses her character to explain to readers new to the series what is happening. I appreciated it and things were explained as I kept reading. If you have read the first book in the series, then I would guess that you will enjoy this one as well since I enjoyed it so much myself.

The relationship between Caden and Sydney is steamy and sexy. These two characters are both strong individuals who have their own views on life and how a relationship will go. Sydney does not let Caden take over her life, but stands up for herself even when she finds herself in danger of a magical kind. I admired her character’s strength in trying to help people for whom she has no prior bond. We feel for Caden’s struggle with magic and understand his rejection of it and all that it symbolizes. These are characters that we want to succeed in life and in love.

Ms. Black blends magic, mystery and romance into a suspenseful tale. From the beginning, we wonder whether or not Caden can overcome his aversion to magic and help the Brethern. Will he be able to find love with Sydney or will his past losses prevent him from accepting love? Ms. Black keeps us reading as we search for the answers to these questions. Her masterful storytelling comes through on every page.