Title: Pure Healing

Author: Aja James

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy Romance

 

Synopsis:

Enter the world of Pure Ones, a race of immortal, supernaturally powerful beings who protect humankind, where sexual relations with anyone other than one’s Eternal Mate leads to a slow, painful death within thirty days.

The Healer of the race, Rain, is the only exception to this rule. To harness and accumulate enough energy to heal severe wounds, especially as the war between her people and the vampire hordes accelerates, she must take a Consort once every ten years and draw strength from his blood and body. But as the war wears on, few Pure-males who are strong enough to serve as her Consort remain. Valerius, Protector of the race, is the strongest candidate.

Despite their instant attraction ten years ago when they first met, Valerius has staunchly avoided applying to be the Healer’s Consort. The brutality and violence he suffered as a Roman sex slave in his human life ate away at his soul, leaving a dark abyss of torment and self-doubt.

Now, as Rain’s strength drains with every healing act, Valerius cannot escape the fact that he may be the only one who can save her, and in so doing, afford his people greater hope for the future as battles intensify.

Will Rain and Valerius find their way to each other as the struggles between good and evil evolve?

 

My review:

This book is engrossing, consuming, page turning awesomeness. It is angst-filled and action packed. It even made me teary-eyed. The world Aja James builds is intricately woven. So different from what I have previously seen and read.

Valerius is absolutely yummy. He was tortured and abused in his past but he is so strong! He spent 10 years as a vassal where he was atrociously and violently abused. He eventually frees himself but the emotional scars remain.

Val now shuns and fears touch since he has only even been handled and cared for in a negative and detrimental way. Never has he been loved or kissed by any female safe his mother and sister. He does not believe he is good enough for Rain. He feels dirty and used.

Rain is a wonderfully strong healer and person. She uses her gift to heal human and Pure alike. She is filled with guilt for past failures. Twice before, she believed she was in love. Both times she was wrong and both the men she thought she loved died. Now, she is adamant that none of her consorts fall in love with her. Val, however has loved her forever even before he himself knew. There is a strong spark and awareness between them from the moment they meet.

Although I absolutely adore this book, I found the beginning was a little difficult to understand because there was a lot of terms I did not know. There is a Glossary at the end of the book, however, I believe it would have been better served at the beginning. Sometimes, it was difficult to know whose view was being narrated as it would switch from one to another without any indication.

This aside, Pure Healing is an intriguing and captivating story. I loved the plot line and twists as well as all the characters. The story flowed well and kept me wondering what would happen next. Cannot wait to read the next instalment!

I recommend this to anyone who loves paranormal romance as well as a tortured hero.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

 

 

This guest post was contributed by Sue’s Romance Reviews.