Passion Unleashed Audiobook

By: Larisa Ione

Narrated by: Renèe Raudman

Published by: Hachette Audio 03/2011

Hot – very!

Demonica Series Book #3

12 hrs and 11mins

Sample

FORBIDDEN TEMPTATIONS

Serena Kelley is an archaeologist and treasure hunter-and a woman with a secret. Since she was seven, she’s been the keeper of a powerful charm that grants her health and immortality . . . as long as she stays a virgin. But Serena isn’t all that innocent. And when a dangerously handsome stranger brings her to the brink of ecstasy, she wonders if she’s finally met the one man she cannot resist.

FATAL DESIRES

Wraith is a Seminus demon with a death wish. But when an old enemy poisons him, he must find Serena and persuade her to give him the only known antidote in the universe-her charm. Yet, as she begins to surrender to his seductions and Wraith senses the cure is within his grasp, he realizes a horrible truth: He’s falling for the woman whose life he must take in order to save his own.

Philae Island, Egypt, where the Temple of Isis is located. (Wiki Public Domain Picture)

I was surprised to read some people didn’t like the narrator, Renée Raudman, as I thought she did a nice job. Although, I have only listened to the second book by another reader, not both, so that might have something to do with it. (Sometimes we audiobook aficionados get attached to a narrator doing a certain series.)

Ms. Raudman has a gravely, raspy voice that I thought went well with this story. Sort of like she’s speaking following a shot of whiskey on the rocks, after inhaling a bit of smoke in the air. She does get a little “breathy” at times, but for me, that lent an ambiance that fit the story-line.

In this third installment of Larissa Ione’s intriguing Demonica series Wraith has been poisoned by an assassin. In order to heal himself, he needs to find a Marked Sentinel named Serena Kelley, a human virgin who is charmed keeper of a certain necklace that protects her. The thing is, other than him swearing off humans, he’s got to make her give up her virginity, too; but in doing so, she will die.

As callous as this makes him, he has to consider the fate of others. Since he and his brothers have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into Underworld General Hospital, they are strongly tied into the place. Consequently, his health affects the building and its staff. So, he is off to Egypt to seduce Serena. I just love that setting for a romantic adventure, and there is plenty of action in this story.

I liked the world building and will certainly go on with the series that branch off from this one. The characters have a bit more layering this time around. Ms. Ione has a very creative imagination. I wondered if she had painted Wraith into a corner this time, but she manage to have him win me over surprisingly early, considering I didn’t like him much in the first two books. Kudos!

Update: March 24, 2013

P.S. The author promised a much needed Glossary of Terms on her website, which is a great help to audiobook listeners. She was nice enough to stop by and direct me to its location on her website. It is a free book here and entitled The Demonica Compendium .

4.35 · rating details · 13,016 ratings · 717 reviews on Goodreads