Sandy M’s review of Dare to Believe (The Gray Court, Book 1) by Dana Marie Bell
Paranormal Romance ebook published by Samhain 28 Jul 09
I’ve been waiting for this book since I discovered Ms. Bell and her Halle Pumas earlier this year. I’ve had fun reading about those shifting cats and the humor in those books is terrific. I knew I wouldn’t be getting cats in this first book in her new series, but I figured I’d get her humor, something which she’s very good at.
But I sure didn’t get any. But Ms. Bell made up for that lack with an intense and intriguing story. The book starts out with the hero and heroine coming together at a company Halloween party, Leo finally determined to corner Ruby and make her his after waiting so long once he knew she’s his mate. Things go well, Ruby decides why not this one night with the man she’s been dreaming about.
But after a night full of loving, Leo finds out his brother has been kidnapped, knows he has to head home to Nebraska, but he doesn’t want Ruby out of his sight. He talks her into going home with him while he and his family rescue Shane, and that’s where the fun for Ruby really begins. Leo’s not what he seems, and though his story of being a Seely Shidhe lord sounds outrageous, what the man can do with making fantasies feel real, plus a lot of other crazy, paranormal things, is something else.
Everything hinges on an ancient marriage contract that began with Leo’s mother and now has descended to him because a rival family’s daughter wants Leo. Not even his bonding with Ruby will sway the woman to look elsewhere. Once Ruby trusts Leo, however, and as dangerous as things may get to resolve the whole mess, nothing can stop them because she’s dared to believe. And there’s some doozies that he asks her to believe in.
I like how Ms. Bell has gone the extra distance and given us little tidbits of the paranormal not seen before. I also like the family aspect of the story, though my one disappointment is there really isn’t any interaction between Leo and Shane once Shane is free of his captors; that’s the reason Leo came home in the first place and just seems logical there should be something more there. But that’s only a little nitpick. I’m looking forward to the other books in the series, one featuring Shane and also their sister, Moira.
Grade: B+
Summary:
Leo Dunne has been searching his entire life for the one person born just for him. He finds her working in his
own company, but the shy little Ruby Halloway constantly hides from him. He hatches a devilish plot with her
best friend to bring her out of her shell, and the result proves her desire is more than a match for his own.Ruby has had the hots for her boss for some time now, but she knows business and pleasure shouldn’t mix.
While that can’t stop a girl from dreaming, she sticks by her guns and does her best never to be alone with the
handsome CEO. Until the company masquerade party, where she discovers a passion with him that leaves a
mark on her soul.A family emergency calls Leo away, and rather than spend one night out of Ruby’s arms, he convinces her to
go with him. With his brother’s life on the line, it’s vital she learn how to deal with who, and what, her new lover
really is…before it’s too late.Read an excerpt.
