Primal (Berkley Sensation) [Paperback]

Lora Leigh (Author), Michelle Rowen (Author), Jory Strong (Author), Ava Gray (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 1, 2011 | Series: Berkley Sensation

Four all-new stories of primitive desire- with a never-before- published novella of the Breeds.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh returns to her sensual world of the Breeds in an all-new novella that explores just how savage, and how far, a man is willing to go in the name of desire. Plus three other stories of irresistible passions from three masters of hot paranormal romance.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lora Leigh is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her intense erotic romances.
Michelle Rowen is a paranormal romance author of vampire novels for Grand Central who resides in Southern Ontario.
Jory Strong has had twenty-two romances published by Ellora's Cave and has won numerous awards for her writing. She lives in California.
Ava Gray is the pseudonym for author Ann Aguirre. She lives in Mexico.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; Original edition (February 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425239055
• ISBN-13: 978-0425239056
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #477,946 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 76 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Vampires/Angels/Psychics and Breeds...Oh My! February 2, 2011

By Jackie-the-Greyhound TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had only read one of the authors before picking up this book...and she writes one my favorite, most guilty-pleasure type series. I 'forced' myself to read the other stories first...and what a treat. Basically, these are four novellas in the 'paranormal' or urban fantasy genres, with varying degrees of hotness between the characters. All the stories have personal interactions at their core, with the varying types of paranormal type trappings.

All four of the stories here use characters/worlds that have been previously established by their authors. For me to enjoy something like this the stories have to be well written, with compelling characters, and give me the ability to jump right in without feeling like I was missing something by not having read the previous books. Happily, I enjoyed each and every one of these, and the authors all did a great job.

The first novella was "Bleeding Heart" by Michelle Rowan. The characters are introduced in another book Nightshade and this one picks up not too long after that one ends. I was most worried about 'getting' this story but I have to say I felt the details were perfect and the characters were so well drawn I felt no lack by not reading the previous work. HOWEVER, it was good enough that Nightshade is now on my TBR list. Excellent and more of an urban fantasy feel to it, with Vampires and 'half vampires' being the flavor of the day, so to speak. Not so sparkly vampires I would like to point out and not so much on the 'hot' aspects of a relationship.

The second story was "Skin and Bone" featuring a character from Ava Gray's Skin Tight book, which I think is partway through her "Skin" series. This one I REALLY liked and these are now the top of my 'go back and read' list. The paranormal parts were focused around modified humans with various psychic (?) type abilities. Enough depth was given to the back story to make it hugely intriguing, yet the main characters in this story really drove it forward. This one progressed to a little higher on the relationship heat scale. I think this one stradles the paranormal romance/urban fantasy with romance line a little more--I would have to read the other books to decide.

The third tale is "Angel-Claimed" by Jory Strong and set in her (see if I get this right) post-apocolyptic world populated by djinns, vampires, weres, witches, angels (fallen and otherwise) and the surviving humans of 'The Last War'. I did like this one...maybe more of a 4 star though. This one was the hardest of the four stories for me to follow--she has several other books set in this world (Ghostland is the first in this series) and there has been some serious world building going on which was harder to grasp in this novella format. If you are a fan of this series though I think you will very much enjoy it. This one climbs higher on the 'adult reading scale' and I notice on her website the author calls the genre 'urban fantasy romance'.

The fourth is a Lora Leigh Breeds story, "Primal Kiss". I'm not as sure how this is as a stand alone as I have read her series previously (The full series and reading order for the Breeds can be found on her website...one of my favorites is Elizabeth's Wolf). Sigh...I have to say this is the one story that falls into my guilty pleasure category. That would be because my favorite way to describe these is as 'paranormal porn'. These are hot. Explicit and detailed and hot. Also, the series can be confusing at times as she has gone between publishers and it can be a little spotty in quality, but I really think the novella format is the author's strong suit and this story is much better than the last I read. However, despite any issues with writing/continuity issues, somehow the plight of the Breeds just compels. Plus they are hot. "Primal Kiss" advances the overall story arc that has been going on in the series, while focusing on a specific pair, and she goes into her usual detail about their adult activities (A LOT).

To sum up (finally), I really enjoyed this anthology--three new authors to explore, particularly Ava Gray. Plus a fabulous addition to one of my favorite series, Lora Leigh's Breeds.

Highly Recommended!

JTG

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars This anthology is a mix of action pack to ultra sexy stories. February 6, 2011

By Bookaholics Reviewer

Format:Paperback

Primal- Anthology
Paranormal Romance - Feb. 1st 2011
4 stars

This anthology is a mix of action pack to ultra sexy stories. It features a short urban fantasy which is part of Michelle Rowen's new Nightshade series. It also includes a new Breed story by Lora Leigh and has a story that is part of Eva Gray's Skin. And finally, the anthology also has a novella by Jory Strong featuring vampires and angels. Each author has their own voice which makes this anthology an uneven if good mix.

Bleeding Heart by Michelle Rowen is a fast paced Urban Fantasy that really got me interested in her Nightshade series. The heroine is named Jill. She is on the run, because she was injected with a secret formula. This formula is deadly because it has changed her blood and made vampires crave it. However, her blood is poisonous to them. The other problem is that the formula is unstable and is slowly killing her. Jill is living on borrowed time unless she can find a cure. Thank goodness she has a cool and ruthless guardian named Delcan to protect her.
-This was an exiting read. The hero fascinated me. He is a scarred man who is half vampire. The story is fast and had me wanting more. Plus the heroine was very likeable. Great start. 4 ˝ stars

Skin and Bone by Eva Gray introduces us to a man named Silas who was experimented on and gained super powers. He wants to be left alone and wanders the world trying to hide himself and his powers from everyone. Silas is in Ecuador when a disaster occurs and he happens to find and help an American teacher. They form an unlikely bond. She accepts him for who he is, but will he let her?
-This short story is a little strange because it doesn't have a real paranormal storyline and lacks action. It is more about the relationship that grows between two unlikely main characters. I enjoyed the characters' growing feelings for each other. I think this novella is more of a companion or addendum to the author's Skin series. As such, it does not feel like a complete story by itself because of the rather abrupt ending. Plus the author throws in glimpses of new characters that left me hanging. I kept thinking, where is the rest of the story?! Still, strong writing. 4 stars

Jory Strong's novel Angel-Claimed is set in an apocalyptic world where warring races fight and maintain their territory. Saija is a human who works for a powerful vampire family. When her young charge, Corinne, goes missing, Saija is commanded to find her or else. On her hunt she meets a handsome angel who tries to woo her but she is wary of his motives after living in fear all her life. Can she trust him when he says she is his reincarnated love? Or is it a trap?
-This story is a dark fantasy. Very edgy and atmospheric. It reminded me a bit of Joey Hill's novels except lighter on the BDSM. 4 stars

In Primal Kiss, Kita Claire Engalls is a poor little rich girl. Unfortunately, her father and uncle have been up to their noses in shady business that involves the Breeds (Men and women who were genetically engineered with animal DNA and experimented on.). To protect her from the savage Breeds, her father has hired tight security around Kita at all times but Kita wants a life, even if it means giving up eye-candy like tough guy Creed Raines. But what Kita doesn't know is that Creed is a Breed who has infiltrated her father's house to spy on them. Nor does she realize that her attraction is reciprocated. But can these two enemies have a chance at love?
-Because this is a novella, the story and characters are not as developed as the author's full length books so the relationship between them seemed a bit forced and rushed. But readers who love the series will enjoy this short story. 4 stars

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars - A diverse collection of authors and stories- mild and hot, naughty and nice February 5, 2011

By melindeeloo TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Primal instincts fuel many of the love connections in this collection which pulls together four stories that vary greatly in sensuality, as well as showcasing a pretty diverse group of authors. Most of the stories are related to the authors' series - Rowen's and Gray's standalone pretty well - Leigh's requires at least some familiarity with her Breeds, and Strong is a new to me author, so I am not sure about whether or not it fits in with her other books.

Bleeding Heart by Michelle Rowen ~*~ A woman now carries a deadly drug in her blood. The drug turns vampires to ash with just a taste, but it is also slowly killing her, so she and her dhampyr ally are hoping to find a cure. ~*~ This first story is a short connected to Rowen's new Nightshade series - it was the mildest of the romances and an interesting tease to Rowen's new series - in which she has supposedly left her trademark humor behind - it does fall in time after the first book, so I suspect it may be mildly spoilerish if you plan on reading Nightshade.

Skin & Bone by Ava Gray ~*~ When an earthquake hits in Ecuador, a man with much to atone for saves a woman caught under the rubble and finally finds someone who doesn't fear him, a woman who sees him as a hero instead of the monster he considers himself to be. ~*~ Connected to Gray's 'Skin' series, this was my favorite of the stories, I really liked both of the leads: the huge scary man who can be so gentle, and the free spirited woman who finally finds a connection she's willing to keep.

Angel Claimed by Jory Strong ~*~ An immortal seeks to reclaim the woman he lost centuries ago, despite his dreams of how their reunion will play out, he will not simply force her to submit to his claim but will first help her to keep a vow to the vampire family she is bound to. ~*~ I liked this one the least of the stories, the world building is interesting but confusing and I am not really into the dominance stuff (whipping, spanking, bondage). There are angels, djinn and vampires, this is my first story by this author so it may be connected to her other stories.

Primal Kiss by Lora Leigh ~*~ Breed enforcer Creed is undercover protecting the daughter of one of the Breed's enemies, she's a potential pawn just waiting to be used - by the Breeds or by their enemies - to force her father's cooperation. But Creed's priorities may well be tested if - as he has come to suspect - she is his mate. ~*~ My sense of this one is that if you follow the Breeds there is a revelation tied to the series arc that you will not want to miss. For me, I've read all of Leigh's stories in anthologies but only a few of her novels, so this didn't end up supplanting my favorite Breed short (I liked the one in Magical Christmas Cat the best), since - and I can't believe I am saying this - there was too much story and not enough of the romance even though there is still plenty of hot clenching, drenching, and throbbing for those who like Leigh's more explicit love scenes.