Review ~ Shadowed Origins by Shyla Wolff

BLURB:

The road to freedom is rarely an easy journey.

Following a lifetime of captivity and torture, fate tosses Kyley into a world of freedom and opportunities, danger and espionage. During her inspirational journey, discovery of life’s offerings shores up her determination to conquer the fears that keep her from exploring a world where romance is more than a fantasy. Her continued hard-won freedom hinges on the abilities of the paranormal group that rescued her. Always looking over her shoulder, she knows Roth must reacquire her to complete his plan for mass annihilation and anarchy.

Taylor’s telekinesis and special-ops training granted him seamless passage to work with Kenner’s paranormal unit. When he rescues a young waif from the clutches of her psychopathic guardian, he’s unprepared for the emotional backlash created by their connection.

The knowledge that her emotional baggage includes years of abuse dictates he help her conquer her triggers and fears. Aware she’s not encountered a kind touch, much less any expression of passion, he represses his own desires in order to teach her that not all physical contact includes pain. He longs to free her adventurous streak and inspire her to achieve emotional as well as physical confidence.

Since being adopted by her psychic warriors as a kid from the streets, Kiera’s never doubted her place in life or the direction of her path. Her unusual upbringing included weapons training, unique fighting skills, and how to maximize her paranormal abilities. After pulling Carlin, a computer prodigy, from death’s grasp, she learns you don’t always get to choose whom you love. Her destiny is twofold. Protect Carlin from the monster who wants to destroy the USA and find her mate—a man who will save her life, more than once.

A chance meeting between Kiera and Kyley sets off a chain of events they couldn’t prepare for and might not survive. Can the girls work together and prevent Roth from destroying the ones they love?

 

Shadowed Origins

Anath series, book 2 

by Shyla Wolff

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Excerpt:

“Well, that was fun. How do you feel?” A rhetorical question. Again, his voice oiled smooth and collected over her skin. Continued nausea and dizziness made her moan.

“Oh, so you want the gag back? That would really be a shame as I love your pillow talk during our sessions.”

Truly in his element, he enjoyed himself. With a few yanks, he untied her feet before securing each to a spreader bar. Padding to the head of the bed, he loosened the binding on one of her hands. Coffee breath renewed her roiling stomach’s objections when he leaned on the mattress to loosen the other binding. She could bend her elbows a little. He smiled at her, evil manifested in human form.

At the foot of the bed, he grabbed the bar. A brutal twist and he flipped her over onto her stomach. Her arms were now crossed over her head. More dry heaves tightened her belly as waves of nausea swamped her again. Tears started to flow as her fingers tightened in the bed sheet until her knuckles bleached white. Matted hair tangled all around her pulled on her scalp, just one more pain to accommodate.

Roth left the room. To let her anticipate the pain to come?

“Please, Kevin, help me.”

A low groan rumbled from Kevin’s throat as she cried. Begging now couldn’t earn her any harsher punishment. She had nothing to lose.

A soft growl from the corner before, “Dear God, Kyley, please forgive me.”

Equal parts compassion and humiliation edged out some of her terror. Her audience showed no desire to watch Roth’s games. No one could stop Roth anyway. Once again, Kevin would witness her shame.

She tried to let her mind drift to a special place. Unlike in the past, she now had a memory she hoped would sustain her for the time being. Taylor’s embrace.

All too soon, footsteps sounded on the carpeted hallway outside her door. She didn’t bother turning to look at the monster enter. Panic swelled from deep inside and seized her mind, the lump in her throat didn’t allow her to swallow. He’s thought of a new way to torture me. Remnants of acid lingered in her throat. She knew the burning there wouldn’t compare to what lay ahead.

Odd how things can stick out as peculiar at the most poignant moments. The wallpaper in her room boasted colorful flowers and vines that had started to peel in two spots. The paper rubbed up by the finials on the bedposts from her years of painful writhing, just a bit of peeling at the edges. She hated it all. If she could burn down the entire house even with herself in it, she would as long as Roth died too.

“Reminiscing, little mouse? Remembering all the fun times we’ve shared in this very bed?”

Bile rose again. She needed slow, calm, breaths. Long ago Kevin told her if she concentrated on her breathing, it would help focus away from pain. Of the few words he’d ever spoken to her, those remained front and center in her mind now.

On the nightstand beside her bed, Roth placed a large bottle of Habanero hot sauce.

Oh God, please just take me now. Please! She didn’t make a sound.

“Well, why don’t we see what toys we have for today’s entertainment?” He ambled over to the closet in the corner of the room. A low drawn-out squeal as he opened the door reminded her of what she would probably sound like in the coming moments.

His selection of canes was a source of pride for him. He bragged how they flew straight, without a single wobble. Recently varnished? A chemical scent drifted to her nose as he made long sweeping motions in the air using his chosen weapon.

“Well, little mouse, shall we begin? The one I have for you today is brand new. It’s particularly small, and as we both know, the smaller the diameter, the more painful. It won’t land with a thud like the larger ones. But that’s not all.

“For your delightful pleasure, I’ve had this one specially modified. Look, see?” He held the cane before her eyes to show off his latest treasure. “This one has a very small slice of aluminum embedded down the length of it. You know—the metal flashing used by building contractors around chimneys and skylights?

“It should be very effective.

Shadowed Horizons

Anath series, book1

Life teaches us many lessons. One of the most important ones Shyla’s learned is to take the time to enjoy family and friends. Our circumstances change on a daily basis. However small the differences may seem, they add up over time. Through a lifetime of various trials and tribulations, she’s discovered the enjoyment of sharing her stories with those that would relish participating in the journey of extaordinary people through their everyday lives.

  

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My Thoughts:

This is the second book in the Anath series. I haven't read the first book yet. :-( I had no trouble reading this one. I do think that I'd have appreciated what Kyley had been through more if I had read Shadowed Horizons first.

Kylie has special talents but has been held captive by a psychotic man for as long as she can remember but finally got free. She has found a group of men who will help to protect her and one certain man who especially makes her feel safe. Taylor would make a woman melt. ;-) He was so patient and sweet with her! I thought he was just awesome. :D

There was two sets of characters and the POV hopped from one to the other. The other leading lady was Kiera and she had her own merry band of warriors.

The two groups eventually find each other and it leads to a special bonding.

I don't want to give anything away. I will tell you that there was plenty of special abilities, a woman learning to trust but afraid of what the future holds, lots of animals, plenty of action, suspense, surprises, some wicked acts that will have you cringing, some gore, some romance and some steam as well.

I was easily committed to the plot and kept reading until the end. I can't wait to read the next book, Shadowed Passage.

I received an ecopy in exchange for my honest opinion. Honestly, I suggest reading book one first. I thought it was super-duper and I look for the next book to be a monumental story as well! I will be reading it for sure. I can't wait to get to know more about the awesome characters and hopefully more of Kyley's back story too!

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