ARC Review: Shades of Desire by Virna DePaul

Posted by The Jeep Diva on May 12, 2012 in Shades of Desire, Special Investigations Group, Virna DePaul | 1 comment

Shades of Desire (goodreads.com)

By: Virna DePaul (author website)

Paperback, 384 pages

Expected publication: May 22nd 2012 by HQN Books

ISBN 13: 9780373776351

Source: Author, for the purpose of an honest review

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Series: Special Investigations Group

Stars: 4

Flames: 3

Mac is the leader of the Special Investigations Group “SIG.” His latest case may turn into his most frustrating yet. He is simply following up on a missing person turned murder victim. This seems simple enough. Go question the woman who was attacked by his suspect and get a description of her attacker. The problem is that the witness/victim has omitted a vital piece of information. She is blind.

Natalie seems to think that she is handling the progression of her disease well. She copes well enough to get by. The disease that took her sight has left her feeling like she has a weakness that often times leaves her feeling helpless. She still tries to hide all of this. It makes her interesting to read, while wanting to knock some sense into her. I enjoyed reading Natalie. Her contradictions and her incredible will make her very unique.

I liked the development of Mac and Natalie’s relationship. He knows himself and what he is and is not capable of. He knows that once he admits to his attraction to Natalie that he can never give her what she needs. He knows what he lacks due to a failed marriage and his drive to be the best at his job. He still tries to be the rock that Natalie doesn’t realize that she needs. Natalie definitely wants the detective with the sexy voice and alluring smell that she is drawn to, but she doesn’t want to be appear as needy or a disabled. She is still trying to find a comfortable place in her recently changed life.

The suspense element is mild compared to the couple of other romantic suspense books that I have read. This is not a bad thing or a good thing, I’m just pointing out what I noticed. The overall story flows well and the romance is beyond sweet. Mac tries for professionalism where Natalie is concerned. He just can’t (doesn’t want to) fight the attraction. The characters are realistic, their emotions very real, and the situation that Natalie has found herself dragged into is believable.

Virna introduces her readers to the other members of the Special Investigations Group. Shades of Desire is the first in a new series. She gives us enough details of each character to let us know just a tiny bit about them. Jase and Carrie had large enough roles that I am definitely curious about them.