REVIEW: A Soul to Heal (book) by Opal Reyne

A Soul to Heal is a fantasy erotic romance. It's the second book in Reyne's Duskwalker Brides series. I bought my copy new.

Review:

Delora used to be a happy young woman who enjoyed painting. Being sent to a new town to marry Hadith left her with few social connections or friends, but it wasn't a bad marriage, at first. Then Delora struggled to get pregnant, gained weight, and started shrinking in on herself as Hadith emotionally abused her and blamed her for their childlessness. Her last straw was when she caught Hadith in their bed with another woman. In a fit of rage, she killed them both. Now, as punishment, she's being taken to the Veil to be eaten alive by demons.

Instead, she literally lands on top of Nameless, the young Duskwalker Orpheus met in the first book. Nameless had been thinking about how he'd love to have a Bride of his own, but he'd figured it was unlikely considering his current existence and level of development. He's pleased and pleasantly surprised when Delora agrees to give him her soul before he can succumb to his instinctual hunger and rage caused by her fear. Delora, for her part, is deeply depressed, thinks she's just agreed to die at Nameless' hands, and considers it a just punishment for the lives she took.

Nameless (who Delora eventually names Magnar) is thrilled to have a Bride of his own. He has no idea what's wrong with her or how to make it right, but he's determined to create a home for them both where she'll be happy.

REVIEW: A Soul to Keep (book) by Opal Reyne

A Soul to Keep fantasy romance (ok, specifically monster romance). I bought my copy new.

Review:

Since the day her family members were slaughtered by demons when she was a child, Reia has been viewed as unlucky and shunned by others in her village. Years later, Reia reluctantly allows herself to be prepared as an offering to the Duskwalker that will be arriving soon. Duskwalkers have the power to cast a spell that can protect a village for a whole ten years. This particular Duskwalker always asks for a pure and willing human companion in exchange for the spell. No one knows what happens to all its previous companions, but it probably isn't anything good. Duskwalkers may not be demons, but they aren't human either.

Reia is initially more angry than afraid, feeling like she has no choice but to act as one of her village's offerings. She hopes for an opportunity to escape and live her own life somewhere else, but as the Duskwalker, whose name turns out to be Orpheus, takes her to his home, it becomes clear that escaping will be difficult. Orpheus doesn't want to kill Reia - didn't want to kill any of his prior companions - but he can't stop the instinctual bloodlust that overwhelms him if his companions run from him or fear him like prey.

Thankfully, Reia continues to be less fearful than most. As the two of them come up with a daily routine and get to know each other, they both struggle with their emotions - Orpheus, with his hope that he might finally have found a truly willing companion, if not the bride he has always wanted, and Reia, with her warring desires to either run away or stay with this surprisingly caring and lonely being.