The latest Goodreads giveaway ARC, Seduced by Innocence, this pedometer geek read was written by the husband and wife team of Kimberly Kinrade and Dmytry Karpov. Writing under Karpov Kinrade (or in some versions Alex Lux–as it has recently changed, but I digress), this is the first in The Seduced Saga, a paranormal romance series. Here’s the extended review.
Seduced by Innocence
By Karpov Kinrade
Published by Daring Books, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-939559-35-7
This is the first of three books that make up this paranormal romance. This one is based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and it is told through the perspective of three characters: Rose, Derek, and Blake, a young man in love with Rose. Rose and Derek are featured as the star-crossed lovers. Rose is a witch, the daughter of the leader of her coven; Derek is a shape-shifting Druid. Like the aforementioned play, unbeknownst to them, there is some sort of feud between their families.
It becomes an all-out war when Derek’s younger brother, Dean, is destroyed by the powerful touch of Rose. Despite the fact that this event happened as a protective response to his attack on her mother, Rose is still shaken as she fears the power of her touch, the power to destroy, the power to kill.
Just as Rose is shaken, so too is Derek. After several years away, because of the attack, he regretfully returns home, back to his family’s fold. Yet, there is a continued streak of independence in him, and he returns to his old job as a martial arts trainer rather than go into the family business.
There he meets Rose and her friend Ocean. After the attack on their coven, both young women wish to learn how to defend themselves. When they meet, however, there is an instant connection between Rose and Derek that can’t be denied.
Going against her mother’s wishes, Rose agrees to see Derek again. With Ocean’s help, they secretly meet. While their love may be innocent, the behind-the-scenes machinations of her (and his) family and friends is anything but, and this could be their downfall.
Like all of Shakespeare’s tragedies, there is strong emotion and betrayals throughout the tale. Each chapter title is based on from a quote from the play, which is fully attributed.
Although the story can stand on its own, there is a cliff-hanger ending that begs to complete the story of the young lovers, leaving this reader wondering what next for these lovers and their respective families.
A few typos and misused words can be found in the text, but overall, for those who enjoy paranormal romances, they should be able to overlook them. A teaser chapter of the next book in the series, Seduced by Pain, was included. If the author remains true to the pattern set in Seduced by Innocence, from the chapter title and its quote, this one will be based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream.
Perhaps this reader needs to brush up on her Shakespeare.