Title: Chained by Night
Series: MoonBound Clan Vampires Book #2
Author: Larissa Ione
Genre: Paranormal
Blurb: THE FUTURE OF HIS TRIBE…Leader of the vampire clan MoonBound, Hunter will do what he must to save his people from extinction—or worse, a torturous eternity as vampire slaves and subjects of human experimentation. To keep his enemies at bay, he has agreed to mate a rival clan leader’s daughter in return for peace between the clans and an ally in the looming war with the humans.
THE LOVER OF HIS SOUL…But survival comes at a price. First, Hunter must break an ancient curse by successfully negotiating three deadly tests. Then he must resist the searing passions of the gorgeous vampire warrior he despises but is bound to mate. Will Hunter stay true to his word? Or will he risk everything for the woman he really loves: the vampire seductress’s identical twin sister?
Thoughts: This is the second book in this series, and I must say it is an exceptional one! This one just blew me away with how much I enjoyed it, especially compared to the first book. The first book, Bound by Night was good (I rated it a B+, and you can catch that review here: http://wp.me/p2LShB-2qH) but I just fell in love with this one – the story, the characters, really just – everything! It was such an intriguing adventure, that I stayed up way too late because I simply could not put it down. But then – I expected nothing less from Larissa Ione. She is an amazing author, and you certainly see that with this book. What the first one lacked for me definite came back with a vengeance in this one.
I felt bad and sympathized with Hunter completely – to have to do something and sacrifice for the good of his whole clan is difficult enough. But to be betrothed to Rasha? Let’s just say the guy has my sympathy for that alone. But to deny the mating is to start a war between their clans, so like it or not he has to make this mating work. To discover his new mate makes his skin crawl – and that he is far more attracted to her twin sister, is just a disaster of epic proportions. The situation is made even more difficult when Rasha consistently disappoints him – and Aylin does nothing but impress him with her bravery, honor, and generosity of spirit. When faced with such a dilemma, what is a guy to do?
Aylin was a constant source of amazement for me. She is one of the strongest female characters I have come across in a long time, and it was a joy to read her story. I hope to see glimpses of these characters in future books in the series (there were quite a few appearances from Riker and Nicole in this book who were featured in Bound by Night), as well as some of the other characters. Still waiting for Myne’s story…;)
This is easily a stand alone, if you missed the first book in the series – enough backstory is filled in that you can easily jump right into this story – yet not enough to be monotonous for followers of Ione. Being a fan of Ione’s books, this is one of my favorites of hers – and I definitely recommend it! I have no doubt that it will appear on my list favorites for 2014!
Rate: A+
Interview
TBRG: I understand you are an Air Force veteran and your husband is in the Coast Guard – what were some of the places you travelled to and which has been your favorite?
Larissa: Ooh, there are lots! We’ve lived all over the U.S., but my very favorite assignment was in England. I lived there for a year when I was in the Air Force, and it was one of the best experiences EVER. Although I have to say that we traveled to Europe this spring, and we both fell in love with Bruges, Belgium. I could live there. Easily.
TBRG: Is there one place that you have wanted to travel to or visit and you haven’t made it to yet? If so, where would it be?
Larissa: I’d love to see Egypt, but with all the turmoil going on, I doubt it’ll happen. But that’s okay, because there’s always Rome!
TBRG: With your prior Air Force experiences, and your husband’s experiences in the Coast Guard, how often do you find yourself drawing off of those experiences for your books?
Larissa: Quite often, really, but mostly I draw on the settings. Since we’ve been all over the country and the world, I have a lot to tap into!
TBRG: You have written so many amazing book series’ (Demonica/Lords of Deliverance, Sydney Croft, and the new MoonBound Clan) – which has been your favorite to write and why?
Larissa: As strange as this sounds, I really can’t pick a favorite. Each series has been a very different experience. I’d say the most FUN has been the ACRO series I write under the pen name Sydney Croft with my partner Stephanie Tyler. We really have a good time writing those books. The energy between us is just amazing!
TBRG: Where do you get inspiration for your characters?
Larissa: From all over, really. They kind of just pop into my head, but I do take some inspiration from both history and current events/real life situations. For example, the government is notorious for (in the past, anyway,) secretly experimenting on its own citizens and military members, so I made the hero of the Bound By Night, Riker, a product of that very thing.
TBRG: As an author, do you like to concentrate on one book at a time when you are writing, or do you find yourself bouncing back and forth between multiple books that are ‘in the works’?
Larissa: I prefer to concentrate on one book at a time, but because of deadlines, I’m often juggling two or three. The exception to the preference is when I’m working on a Sydney Croft book – Stephanie and I can work on that, and while the story is in her court, I work on my own stuff. It works very well for us!
TBRG: What was your reaction to the very first “official” review of one of your first book?
Larissa: Well, since the VERY first review of my VERY first novel, Pleasure Unbound, was less-than-stellar, I was, um, upset. But what’s funny is that when I go back and look at that review, I realize that it wasn’t that bad. No, the reviewer didn’t like it, and at the time it was traumatic, but I’ve since developed a lot of scar tissue, and that review now seems very tame to me now!
TBRG: You’ve hit multiple bestseller lists – what was your reaction to your very first one and how did you celebrate?
Larissa: Oh my gosh, I still remember the exact moment. The book was Desire Unchained, and I was looking through the USA Today bestseller list. I wasn’t expecting to see my book on it, so when it was there…I screamed. Seriously. Then I hyperventilated a little. And cried. After much excitement, my husband opened a bottle of bubbly and I drank myself into the best headache of my life!
TBRG: What is the one thing your readers would be the most surprised to know about you?
Larissa: I’m not romantic. At all. I can’t stand weddings, and I’m not one for Valentine’s Day. So it might seem strange that I write romance…but the thing is, I love relationships, just not the mushy stuff!
TBRG: What surprising hints can you give us regarding your upcoming works (without giving anything away of course)?
Larissa: Hmm…well, in the MoonBound Clan Vampires world, expect a surprising relationship revelation, and in the Demonica/Lords of Deliverance series, some bad guys will get what’s coming to them in a way I doubt readers will see coming. Hee.
