ARC Review: Dark Alpha's Caress (Reaper #10)

Dark Alpha's Caress (Reaper #10)
by Donna Grant 

Blurb:

There is no escaping a Reaper. I am an elite assassin, part of a brotherhood that only answers to Death. And when Death says your time is up, I’m coming for you…

Reborn to serve, I have never once questioned Death’s directives. Until my mission leads me to a Halfling who stirs things within me that I’ve never felt before. Sorcha’s past intrigues me, but not as much as the gorgeous and stubborn Halfling herself. Though the Others are no more, our enemies still lurk around every corner. I can feel it. But for her, I will battle whatever comes my way—be it present dangers or ghosts of the past.

Themes:  Paranormal, Fae

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

So it is the dawn of an all new world for the Dark Kings and their friends, including the Reapers, in this tenth installment of the Reapers subseries set in the larger Dark Kings series. The previous story in the series saw a lot of changes including the end of one monarchy and the reuniting of one of the most powerful couples in the world as Con and his Queen Rhi finally found their HEA.  This story picks up shortly after that story ends, but there are several loose ends to take care of and the Reapers are the first to pull and snip a thread it seems.  If you are a fan of the series, then this story will definitely thrill you in so many ways as it is a bit of a return to the original stories, while giving a bit of an intro into the new arc for the Dark series we have coming soon.  I Loved every moment and am dying for more of the Reapers as well as the Kings and their other friends.  Donna Grant has lost none of her magic and the love of her readers is well warranted as she reminds us why we love her so much.

Cathal has been a Reaper since one of the most horrendous betrayals a person can imagine put him into Death’s sights, but he has spent that time proving that he is a better man than his enemies and showing that he is worthy of his second chance.  When he stumbles upon a Halfling in an unexpected and unwelcome moment, he is instantly intrigued and confused about her, but the more he learns the more concerned he becomes.  Sorcha hasn’t left her home on the Isle of Skye for almost a decade, but when her cousin asks for her skills in tracking a dangerous and possibly deadly group of Druids that have a clandestine meeting, she travels to Ireland to fulfill her promise.  On her return to Skye, her world quickly begins to change as she finds herself confronted with Fae at every turn, including the sexy and captivating Cathal, who has more secrets than even she does.  Then they are pulled into a dangerous situation and Cathal is determined to protect the Druid Halfling, not just because of her uniqueness or magical strengths, but because she draws him like no woman ever.  Soon they are undeniably connected and they have to decide if they are willing to sacrifice everything they know to have a future together or risk being separated forever.

I really enjoyed getting to know Cathal, as well as more of his team, as we haven’t met as many of the second team of Reapers to this point, but the best part of seeing how sweet he was to Sorcha and understanding when things just got too overwhelming to her. His strength and deadly skill in protecting her was never in doubt, nor was his willingness to give his life for her safety, but watching him slowly fall in love and come to understand how much he needed Sorcha softened him and allowed us to see the man he was before his betrayal and death.  He has been alive and bitter for so long, that Sorcha’s ability to soothe and calm the beast showed how much he needed her to make his life complete.  Sorcha has been living in guilt and fear for almost a decade, since the death of her mother and sister, but the self-isolation has led her to underestimate her own worth to the world.  Her skill and strength with magic, her intelligence and wit, and of course her willingness to jump right in and protect her friends show how good she is even if she doesn’t understand it herself.  Seeing Sorcha come to terms with her past and her understanding of her own identify was a reminder that sometimes we don’t even know the full story of ourselves and can learn more each and every day.  Seeing her come into her own, with Cathal’s help, and learning about her family and the love that she had for her family, showed her to be the perfect complement to Cathal’s fierceness and battle-hardened personality.

Dark Alpha’s Caress is a beginning to an all new world for these folks, but at the same time we get to see that there is always carry over and unhappiness no matter how hard you try to give everyone what they want or need.  The drama and intrigue that remains in the Fae as well as the Druid populations show that they are just as human as the rest of us and can never truly embrace peace without first pushing back a bit.  Cathal is a dangerous and deadly warrior that is faced with the most intriguing woman he has ever met and he is unable to resist her draw when he gets deeper into her world.  His willingness to do just about anything to get her the safety and peace she craves and deserves shows that he truly is a great mate and a good man.  Sorcha has been so isolated for so long, trusting anyone is a major challenge, but once he begins to break down her walls, the darkness inside her is washed away by the light of love that Cathal inspires in her.  The heat between them burns intensely from the very beginning, though they both denied it, even to themselves, until the point that it was no longer deniable.  I am dying to find out what happens next in this arc and see where this world will take us next, but I know that no matter what happens Grant will not let her readers down and we will enjoy every moment of the adventure.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.