The Mythica series interweaves Greek mythology in a present day setting, where quite a few surprising twists keep the reader totally spellbound. Stephanie Draven has created a superb paranormal story of unexpected love, strong-willed determination and combustible passionate desires.

Although her father is Ares the war god, Kyra wants no part of the life he wishes her to follow, and she is unwavering in her resolve to do whatever she can to lessen the effects he thrives on causing. When she hears about a Greek man who illegally sells weapons which results in more deaths from fighting, she devises a plan to keep him from ever joining up with her father. When Kyra intentionally meets up with Marco Kaisiris, her intention to seduce and then kill the mortal man does not go well, as she discovers he has a hidden characteristic. Since his poisonous blood could be fatal to even an immortal like her, she must try to stop his dealings in some other way.

The life he previously led changed Marco into a hydra who can shape-shift, and becoming an arms dealer was the way he chose to cope. When a mysterious woman tries to kill him, he is furious yet also intrigued by the female. The next time their paths cross, reasons behind their actions are gradually made known and feelings grow. Marco and Kyra may have been at odds when they first met, but the feelings between them are difficult to deny, even when they know death might be a consequence if they become too close.

Stephanie Draven packs her stories with emotional intensity. The depth of emotion behind any reaction or verbal discussion is profoundly strong and often insightful into motivations. Convincing feelings abound all through POISONED KISSES, and each revelation by Marco and Kyra makes for a deeper connection. Seeing what drove these two to respond as they did to any arising situations not only touched my heart, but it also had me admiring them for their commitment to make a difference. There are several scenarios where your heart rate cannot help but rise, as how an event will conclude is definitely in doubt. Kyra is keeping secrets from Marco at first, and this leads to scenes where how they perceive each other becomes conflicted when truths are disclosed. My own feelings became immediately involved in the lives of this couple, as they seemed so genuinely realistic in every way. Even though they both possess supernatural traits, they still come across as particularly likable individuals when their inner nature is divulged, especially in how they react to the multitude of unpredictable incidents which just keep cropping up. Dangerously edgy circumstances physically threaten Marco and Kyra, while sexual longing jeopardizes them emotionally when they surrender and take pleasure in passionately heated encounters. So many honest feelings fuel their desire when they are together, and this causes the moments to be truly credible as they come to understand one another. The innovative blending of any paranormal aspects with the real world and some of its problems is handled with clever originality by Ms. Draven, and a couple of these dilemmas thoroughly captured my thoughts. There is not an instant where every detail does not seem believable, and I am eager for more books in the unique Mythica world. POISONED KISSES is an imaginative and magically notable read.

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