Customer Reviews

Edge Of Hunger (Primal Instinct)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ian Buchanan is haunted by the darkness threatening to break through his formidable control. Nightmares plague him where fangs spring from his gums and blood cascades down his throat from the willing neck of a brunette gypsy. Terrified and soaked with sweat, Ian fears the dreams where he ceases to be human. But one little brown-eyed woman is about to make him face the darkness, whether he wants to or not.

Molly Stratton has finally given in to the demands of Ian's deceased mother, Elaina. Molly has been able to communicate with ghosts since high school. Coming to her in her dreams, these determined spirits hound Molly into complying with their last wishes such as "Tell so and so this", or "Give so and so that". Generally trivial stuff, but Elaina wants Molly to pass information to her eldest son, Ian, that very well could save his life. Now, if only she can get him to believe her.

It's never been a secret to anyone whose ever been in contact with Ian, that he's quick to judge and generally just an all around belligerent jerk. From the moment Ian spots Molly, he knows she's trouble and trouble in any form is something that Ian wants to stay as far away from as possible. When the little blond starts talking ghosts and the whisperings of his deceased mother, Ian strives to keep himself from grabbing the woman and shoving her beautiful butt back into her car and back to where ever it is she hails from. But when Molly makes mention of the darkness within him, Ian is stupefied and even more determined to get away from her.

But Molly follows Ian right into his nightmares except this time instead of the brunette gypsy, it's Molly he's thrusting into and indulging in his primal craving - sinking his fangs into her neck and drinking the sweetest nectar he's ever tasted. Amazingly enough, his dream Molly isn't afraid of his beastly nature but in fact smiles coyly at him. When the darkness begins to boil beneath his skin, Ian panics in fear that he'll hurt her and rips himself from the nightmare. Heaving and soaked in sweat, Ian is relieved to be awake but his relief is short lived. When pounding on his door reveals Molly, Ian can't dispel the denial churning in his gut when Molly sweeps aside her blond curls to reveal two throbbing puncture wounds in her neck, the same exact place that he sank his fangs into in his nightmare.

Malcolm DeKreznick is a Casus, an immortal and evil race of beings that were imprisoned centuries ago in the Meridian, a metaphysical holding cell by the ancient rival tribe of Merricks. Malcolm knows that Ian's Merrick is awakening and he plans on killing him. The power Malcolm would gain from killing the Merrick would allow him to bring another Casus across the gate and into the modern world. While he waits for Ian's Merrick to fully awaken, he'll take pleasure in raping and murdering Ian's old lovers.

Ian and Molly soon get help from the Consortium, an ancient organization charged with the task of watching the supernatural happenings around the world. They've kept track of the Buchanan bloodline for centuries, awaiting the day when the Merrick genes would awaken. They figure that with the centuries long absence of the Casus, the Merrick has not been needed and thus has remained dormant in the bloodline.

Meanwhile, the Consortium informs Ian that his Merrick needs to feed in order to be strong enough to defeat the immortal Casus and send it's soul back to the Meridian. Ian is still terrified of the beast trying to crawl it's way to the surface and he can't help but think that he'll tear Molly apart while draining her dry. Molly knows that the Merrick won't hurt her. Ian would never let any harm come to her and the desire burring between them is becoming nearly unbearable. Although they've come together twice in their shared dreams, nothing compares to reality and Molly hopes that she'll succeed in seducing Ian but all she gets is heartache.

As the murdered women begin to pile up and Ian still refuses to drink blood from Molly, the Consortium tries to interfere. Ian must feed and strengthen the Merrick if he has any hope of walking away from the Casus alive. But the plan backfires horribly. Still determined not to feed and to protect Molly at all costs, Ian decides to draw the Casus onto his own ground and vacates Henning, Colorado for South Carolina and his childhood home. Leaving instructions with the Consortium members to inform Molly that she's to go home, her job is done and Ian basically no longer has use for her. It was the coward's way out but Ian fears that being within any visible proximity of Molly will bring the Merrick forth with the unsatisfied desire for her blood.Enraged, Molly takes off after Ian. She knows that he needs her help and this time she's not going to back down.

Ian's a difficult hero to like and certainly doesn't make it easy for the reader to understand his emotions. I found that I had to step out of the picture a few times and think about why Ian is behaving so stubborn and so hateful toward Molly. He's a man terrified by the realities of his dark nature. He fights admirably to keep the Merrick deep down and locked inside of him, hating the terror that it may overcome him and he'll be no better than the Casus. Ian does feel guilty at times for shutting Molly out and sending out hurtful barbs to drive her away. He thinks that this will protect her, not only from him but the Casus as well. In truth, he responded like a man - stubborn til the very end. It also takes Ian a long time to realize his love for Molly. His lust, he gets, but this driving need to protect her is something wholly unfamiliar to him.

I thought Ian was very lucky that Molly understood not only the secret to his defenses, but also that she loved him. She recognized his caring soul beneath the harsh facade when she witnessed Ian's remorse over his past lovers' and their horrific deaths. She understands his need to protect her. Molly's decision to wear her heart on her sleeve in hopes of getting through to Ian was crazy as it was perfect. The girl sucks up her pride more times than I could ever hope to count. It took a lot of bravery on Molly's end to expose herself so intimately to Ian knowing that he'll attack her verbally and break her heart time and again in an effort to force her away. Knowing myself, I could never hand my heart over to man like Ian. I'm too prideful but Molly certainly is fearless and she's definitely earned my respect.

I decided to try Byrd's book because it sounded promising. Unfortunately, the book never really gelled for me. Ian seemed to be a very whiny hero who kept getting on my nerves by denying "the beast" within. Who wants to read a paranormal romance where the shape-shifting hero not only denies his nature but does it until the very end of the book. The heroine really didn't strike me as someone he'd be absolutely wild over either. She was very placid and almost seemed to disappear from the book as we focused on Ian's inner dialogue. I really didn't know why the two of them were together at all and the "falling in love" just didn't seem believable to me. The world building was o.k. but a lot of the pieces just seemed randomly thrown together. How the bad guys came to Ian's dimension was a little strange and at one point the bad guys multiplied but without any ensuing mayhem. Why didn't the "watchmen" or guardians with special powers know what was going on? Also, if the Merrick was so all powerful why don't they know anything about themselves. The hero was way too vulnerable to be effective. Maybe the next story will be a little more developed.

I RAN ACROSS THE EDGE SERIES WHILE SEARCHING FOR ANOTHER BOOK..I ENJOYED THIS SERIES EMINCELY!
IAN AND MOLLY WERE A QUAINT COUPLE, ALTHOUGH MOLLY SPOKE TO DEAD PEOPLE( SUCH AS IAN'S MOTHER) IN HER DREAMS, AND IAN RAN FROM HIS MERRICK ABILITIES, EVERYTHING KIND OF SMOOTHED ITSELF ALONG THE WAY OF THEM GROWING CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER.I CANT WAIT TO READ THE NEXT BOOK!..IM SURE ITS JUST AS GOOD AS THIS READ!..I TOTALLY RECOMMEND IT!

Molly Stratton is never sure how people will take her when she tells them she is psychic and has a message for them. This time she really isn't sure how she will be accepted when she states just who sent her. Ian's deceased Mother who he was estranged from, and why, it is time for his destiny. Molly learned long ago to pay attention when she is contacted with a message; it's the delivery that can be touchy.

Ian Buchanan left home very young to try and live a normal life. Ian knew that his mother always told him that there was something special about his family. She also wanted him to deal with understanding it as a child, which was not what Ian wanted. He knows there is something dark in him and lately his dreams have shown wild gatherings and sex. Ian is determined to not let that darkness out, much less learn how to live and work with it like his mother always wanted him to.

Molly and Ian don't exactly have a meeting of the minds when they first meet, but Molly is not going to let his stubborn denial stop her from delivering the entire message. Ian doesn't want anything to do with it, no matter how sexy the messenger is. That is until part of the message comes true, a deadly part. Ian and Molly have to figure out where the danger is coming from and how to deal with it - fast. Help is offered but is it from friend or foe? Ian and Molly will need to make correct and fast decisions if they are going to live long enough to discover their newfound love.

Do you believe in the unseen? Molly has learned to and she will have to convince Ian in Edge of Hunger. Molly has spent her adult life never knowing when a spirit will appear needing something from her. Ian has led a rough and tumbled life since leaving home young. Together they discovered that more often then not, legends are based on fact. Molly and Ian had me almost from the time they met and I only became more engaged as I turned the pages. Molly and Ian's struggles to learn and accept an unknown danger and an equally unknown love were full of suspense and eroticism. If you are a lover of or even if you haven't tried Ms. Byrd yet, I think you will find that Edge of Hunger is a must read. In fact, Edge of Hunger is a Joyfully Recommended Read in my opinion. I will be waiting, not so patiently, for the other two siblings books and I bet you will be too.

Jo
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Before his mom Elaina died five months ago, Ian Buchanan and she were somewhat estranged as she wanted him to be a perfect southern gentleman and he preferred being a rebel without a cause. He does not hide the fact he is not grieving her.

In Henning, Colorado psychic Molly Stratton informs Ian that his mother has contacted her because she wants to speak to him. Ian is scornful of Molly's claim that his mom sent her to warn him someone close to him will die if he fails to heed her. He also tells Molly he has no reason to listen to his mom when he didn't pay attention to her when she lived. Ian's mom is worried about her son as she failed to warn him about his Merrick supernatural blood that he must accept without any doubts. Several centuries ago, his ancestor fought, defeated, but could not kill so he exiled the evil Casus. However, Casus escaped banishment and has returned with the intent of killing Ian and his loved ones. Ian's girlfriend Kendra is killed and the culprit targets a feisty psychic whom he recently met through his dead mother while he dreams of discussions with his mom.

The first Primal Instincts urban fantasy romance will grip the audience from the moment Molly accosts Ian and never slows down as the heroine struggles to persuade Ian of the danger. The keys to this fine opening tale are Byrd land seems genuine as evil arrives due mostly to Ian's initial reactions of being attracted to a psychotic and the romantic subplot simmers with attraction, but never supersedes the danger. EDGE OF HUNGER is a terrific thriller starring a reluctant hero, a fascinating psychic, and a chilling malevolence who calmly kills as if he is biting into a sandwich.

Harriet Klausner

OMG!!! The opening chapter in this book is the best thing I've ever read. Right from the start, you're hooked on the hero, Ian Buchanan. He may be rough around the edges but he's absolutely delicious and utterly irresistible. His leading lady, Molly, is gentle but has an inner core of steel. The sexual tension that runs throughout this story is tight! You can't wait for these two lovers to get together.

As the dangerous Casus threaten Ian & Molly's world and the story unfolds, other characters and forces are introduced, making the plot richly complex. Despite this intricate detail, Byrd's grasp of simple but beautiful language makes the story easy to follow.

A great start to the primal instinct series. I can't wait for the next two books!!!

So as a long time paranormal reader I'm pretty sure I've seen all the cliches, loved them and hated them. I've seen some really great original ideas, too. Usually the later fall in the category of prefered reading for me. I thought this book was sounded unique, but in fact it was disappointingly familier and predictable.

The premise is interesting enough. A women with psychic ability, Molly, hears the voice of Ian's dead mother telling her to warn Ian that his loved ones are in danger. Ian has a secret darkness inside him he fights to repress. He's inclined to push Molly away, ignoring her words of advice and warning even as he shares dreams of sensuality and horror with her. The dreams manifest themselves in reality, Ian's bitemarks showing up on Molly's neck when she awakens. An evil enemy pursues them in the dreams and in reality.

All this was enough to hold my attention at first. However, it takes a really long time for anything to actually happen. Mostly Ian and Molly argue over whether or not she's crazy. I found the slow plot pretty frustrating. I could have overlooked that if the characters were a little more likeable. Ian irritated me the most. He's brooding to the point of pathetic, rude to the point of mean. And Molly kind of deals with his poor treatment of her, meek and emotional. She's a bit more likeable though. She's persistant and caring, so her initial wimpiness is forgiveable. I was really waiting for them both to start to develope as characters and...they didn't. It was just predictable plot and mindless conversation after that. What a disappointment.

A good start to a new series. Molly was a likeable heroine, sweet yet strong when she needed to be. Ian's struggle with his destiny went on just a bit too long for my taste. But all in all a good story. The world Ms. Byrd created was interesting and I'll read more in this series. If you like your romance filled with emotion and intense passion, you should enjoy this book.

Great read. I've read some of her erotica and then her Blood Runners series. I generally enjoyed the Blood Runners more as I like action oriented plots and she has a FINE way with shifters. I think her Edge of Hunger surpasses them. It has action, suspense, a tortured hero and heroine trying to overcome their pasts, and a densely crafted paranormal world. I have the second book which I will be story ASAP, and Edge of Desire is going on pre-order...

Primal Instinct
1. Edge of Hunger (2009)
2. Edge Of Danger (2009)
3. Edge of Desire (2009)

Blood Runners
1. Last Wolf Standing (2008)
2. Last Wolf Hunting (2008)
3. Last Wolf Watching (2008)

Usually I would give reviews for the books that I've already read and enjoyed when I am through reading them. Unfortunately, this book just made me feel like I have to tell someone of my feelings without finishing the book as of yet.

I am tired of the hero's whining!
I am tired of the hero's stubborness!
I am tired of the hero's jackass attitude!
I am tired of the hero's simple mindedness!
I am tired of the hero PERIOD!!!!

This books makes me tired just reading it just because of all the frustrations and annoying attitude. I have to actually drag myself off the train to work because I had this feeling of tiredness.

I am at pg 258, hero continues with his annoying attitude and constant whining.

In plain, the book is very tiresome!