Sandy M’s review of Midnight Sins (Midnight Trilogy, Book 2) by Cynthia Eden
Contemporary Paranormal Erotic Romance published by Brava 1 Dec 08

I guess being six months behind on reading a series is better than years like most others in my TBR pile. The third book, Midnight’s Master, in this trilogy just released last month, so at least I’m up to date to get started on it now and hopefully not in six months. Honestly, though, I have no idea why I waited so long to read this book. I loved the first book, Hotter After Midnight and even lamented in my review that I had to wait too long for Midnight Sins. But it’s finally read and, just as with Hotter After Midnight, I had a time of it.

I noticed in rereading the previous review that I started out doubting how much I would like the book based on the first few pages. Is it Ms Eden who teases the reader or is it just me? I had the same thing happen this time around too. Maybe it’s me. Demons aren’t my favorite read, so it took a minute or two for the heroine, Cara, to grow on me. But once the sparks started flying between her and the hero, Todd, I became a very happy reader.

Cara is a succubus and she’s decided to give up on sex. Is that even possible? Cara just doesn’t have it in her to be a predator like other succubi; she’s left empty and lonely after a night of carefree sex with whoever. So for her having no sex is better than those feelings. She’s a singer at a local club where a lot Other congregate for their nocturnal activities and she draws enough power from them when she sings, at least enough to get by. Then she’s hauled in to the local PD station, questioned in the death of a man she’d previously had a relationship with. That’s where she meets Todd. A human. And does that human do something to her. Big time.

Thinking he’s found his woman, Todd’s case just became open and shut. Good thing he jumped the gun in thinking Cara could have killed the string of dead men he and his partner have come across recently. She’s definitely his woman, just in a totally different way. Todd is still having a hard time accepting his partner is a shifter and that the world is not as he imagined with such creatures roaming around his city. And now Cara. He knows she’s different, but when she’s in his arms, in his bed, he doesn’t care. He just wants her. Even finding out she’s a demon doesn’t make him flinch. Knowing she’s being set up for the murders he’s investigating makes him all the more determined to find the real culprit. He’ll protect her life with his own.

Once I got to know Cara, I really liked her, especially her vulnerability when it comes to Todd and what she may be able to have with him. They both have secrets, her more so because of what she is, and I enjoyed how those were revealed through the book, interspersed with the investigation elements that were also revealed. And, of course, I loved Todd. He may not be an Other, but the man is alpha and hot to the core, just the way I like them.

As usual, Ms. Eden’s love scenes are smoldering and intense and burn through the pages as you read. The secondary characters, most of which we met in the first book, are all very well written. I also liked the relationship between Captain MacNeil and Dr. Smith, the ME for the department. I was thinking they might be the main characters for the next book, but it’s Niol, a super powerful demon, and Holly, the local news reporter, who get that honor. I hope the captain and the doctor are included in Midnight’s Master so we get a conclusion there too.

I really enjoy Ms. Eden’s writing. She gives us a well-rounded story, a little bit of everything, and you can’t ask for anything more in a book. I have other books of hers in the TBR. I’m going to have to make sure I don’t wait six months to get to them, because I know I’ll be in for some great reads.

Grade: A-

Summary:
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Cara Maloan doesn’t look like a monster. In fact, the gorgeous blond nightclub singer possesses heavenly attributes that make Atlanta detective Todd Brooks sure there’s a higher power somewhere. But a twisted killer is leaving a trail of bodies in seedy hotel rooms across town. The male victims show no wounds–it’s as if the life was simply drained from them. And right now, mysterious Cara is Todd’s only suspect.
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Cara knows it’s foolish to be so drawn to a man who thinks she’s a murderer. She also knows Detective Brooks would find the truth even harder to swallow. Cara is one of the Other, a race of powerful, paranormal creatures who live among humans. Cara’s particular abilities make men putty in her hands–all except this rugged, sexy-as-hell detective. But now someone, or something, has singled Cara out for serious payback…
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As uneasy trust gives way to mind-blowing desire, Cara and Todd will go head-to-head with a killer whose mission is deeply personal, and who’s determined to serve up revenge that’s hotter than hellfire, and just as deadly…
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Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: