Sammy’s review of Devil in Disguise (Bad Things, Book 1) by Cynthia Eden
Paranormal Romance published by Cynthia Eden 28 Jun 16

This book has been lingering on my huge TBR pile. I am trying to read older books mixed in with newer releases. Things are going fine. When I was putting this review together, I noticed that this book is listed for free. I think paranormal romance readers will actually really like this one. I also need to confess that I have never read a Cynthia Eden book and I am happy to report that this book won’t be my last. I really loved this first book in the series and I am looking forward to slowly reading the next seven books.

“One was good…wings spread from his back. Angels bowed to him. And his brother…He had a really fucking good time as he did his very, very bad things.”

Luke Thorne is tired, bored, and irritated. He’s hanging out at a dive bar, drinking his expensive scotch, canvassing who he is going to screw to put him in a good mood. Just when he locates his target, someone has the tenacity to block his view. Mina James is on a mission and that mission is Thorne himself. She gets his attention with her gorgeous eyes and banging body. Luke forgets all about the other woman – he’s intrigued with this new one. Mina is kind of in a hurry, so she uses her powers to seduce him with her voice to get him to do what she wants. Luke, of course, is slightly tipsy and he has no idea that Mina is using magic. It doesn’t take long for Luke to figure things out and turns the table on her. Luke also knows that she’s very afraid and he doesn’t like that.

Mina James is not what she seems. She is not a seducer of men and she’s not evil. But she also has some very powerful and bad people after her, and if she doesn’t get what she is looking for, she’s doomed. Doomed to walk around with this curse, doomed to have a secret government agency after her to use her as a weapon. Her only hope is what Luke Thorne possesses. What she will figure out is that what Luke holds (The Eye of Hell) is for his use only. Luke takes her to his dungeon to kinda scare her into seeing what she’s up to, but now Mina turns the table on him and locks him in the cell and hits the button to release the gas that makes all the creatures of the night go to sleep for twelve hours. Good thing for Luke he’s not like all the creatures he rules. Luke wakes up and he’s seeing things clearly now and Mina’s voice has no control over him. For Mina this is a blessing and not. She needs the Eye of Hell and if she can’t force him to hand it over, she’s screwed. Meanwhile, Luke is in lust.

Agent Garrick McAdams is hot on Mina’s heels and he tracks her to Key West. He enters the dive bar that Luke frequents and takes the bar owner hostage, knowing he’s a paranormal creature, and then burns down the bar. Luke finds out and he puts Mina in a cell until he can figure out what the hell is going on. Garrick is in love/obsession with Mina. He meets Luke and starts asking questions about Mina. Luke is not falling for the story Garrick is weaving and now he’s really interested. Garrick knows that Luke is hiding Mina and Garrick is not having it. Agent McAdams takes a few of his crew and jumps on a helicopter to land on Luke’s Island, looking for Mina. Luke is no man’s fool and threats are thrown back and forth. Garrick is seriously evil. Luke uses his power to hide the entrance to the cells and Garrick and his crew leave pissed off.

“She lifted her hand. And, at first, he thought she was waving good-bye to him. She was only waving with one finger.”

Luke gets to the bottom of what’s really going on with Mina by spiking her wine with a little truth serum. Of course, he drinks some himself. All is fair in love and war. She tells him everything and Luke is more determined than ever to keep her safe. Their chemistry and their interactions are hot and fun. I mean, this is a fast and fun book, even with the evil agents. Mina admits to wanting Thorne and he is more than happy to oblige her and himself. Things are getting dicier with Garrick turning over every stone to find Mina and Luke decides to take the war to him. Enter his twin brother Leo, who protects the humans from Luke. If Luke kills any humans, then the prophecy of the two brothers will come to fruition. Leo gets involved and figures out he’s been too trusting. He’s also pissed, because Mina, who is of the light, is with his brother, who is from the dark, but Luke thinks she’s a Siren. Boy, is he wrong.

Mina and Thorne’s relationship is getting serious. Garrick gets his hands on Mina and does some really horrible things. Luke, with the help of his men and his brother, get Mina back. Secrets are revealed, the bad guys are really bad, some get their due, and there are more where they came from. Leo and Luke need to start rethinking things and try to change the prophecy, because in the end Luke is not all darkness. Mina and Luke have some heartbreaking scenes when Leo saves her life and her true self is revealed. Things work out beautifully for them, and I am looking forward to continuing this series to see where things go and also to get a peek at Luke and Mina. Mina makes some decisions and Luke does not feel worthy and the two of them together are swoon worthy, If you’re looking for a quick read that has a hot, dark angel who is the King of all things that go bump in the night, a sweet yet feisty heroine who is kick ass, throw in some side characters and some witty, funny, banter, this book is for you – plus, it’s free!

Happy reading!

Grade:B

Summary:

Don’t make the devil angry…

Luke Thorne loves having one hell of a good time. As the ruler of every dark creature to walk the earth, he certainly has more than a bit of a bad side. He lives for danger and isn’t the type to lose his heart—mostly because he doesn’t have one. Then she walks into his life.

Mina James is seduction in the flesh, a perfect temptation that the devil himself couldn’t pass up. Too late, Luke realizes he’s let a real siren into his life, a woman who is bent on using his dark powers to free herself from hidden enemies. Since Luke isn’t the type of man to be used, he should walk away from her, but…something about Mina draws him close.

Soon he’s realizing that she isn’t who she appears to be. Not dark and cold, but burning red hot. Mina is a woman fighting for her life—and the Lord of the Dark suddenly finds himself in an unlikely role…hero. Luke isn’t going to let her enemies destroy Mina. He will fight heaven and hell to keep her. But in the end, the secrets they both carry may just rip apart a love that should never have been…

There are Bad Things in the world…very, very bad. Are you ready for them?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Bad Things Series