Review: 4.5 stars - "Caressed by a Crimson Moon" by Amanda J. Greene
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 28, 2013
"Caressed by a Crimson Moon" is the third installment to the Rulers of Darkness and it is about Hadrian Lucretius and Eve Maldonado.Hadrian is the King of the Validus Clan, but he denounced his claim to the throne when he went mad after killing his twin brother, Titus.  Now he is back to become ruler again and to do that, he has to control the demon inside that has plagued him since the dreadful night that he chose to take a life instead of save it.His second in command, Falcon goes to Brazil to claim their ward from the Silveria Shifter Pack that they made in a treaty with them.  Instead of getting a full-blown shifter, they choose to give them their half-breed who they have treated poorly since the day her father, the alpha, kidnapped her from her home.  Eva Maldonado is glad to leave her father and his pack, but she's not sure what to think about her temporary home in a castle with a mad and crazed vampire.The minute she comes in contact with him, he is all she can think of.  For some reason she is drawn to him and vice versa.Hadrian is trying everything to come his feelings for the half-breed, but she is unique and he is determined to find out why he wants her.The truth of what she really is, makes him realize why the alpha wanted to keep her hidden and also why her mother never told her she was.Now he has to make a choice to save her for what she is to become or watch her die a painful death.Amanda J. Greene gives another gripping tell of two lovers who need each other to survive.  Hadrian has been dealing with his inner demon for so long, he needed someone to tell him, he is so much more than a terrible person and to let go of his past.  Eva needed someone to save her and realize the truth on what she is.  Both characters were determined though to fight their urges...but Hadrian was more stubborn than Eva.  In fact, I adored Eva more than I did Hadrian in the story.Eva was a strong female character who spoke her mind and was determined to fight for what she wanted.  Hadrian needed some guidance along the way.  I'm glad though, he had his second in command, Falcon to help him on certain matters.  He needed someone else to realize his potential of being a great rule of his kind.I love how Amanda ties in the previous characters from the first two books and also gives you potential characters who deserve to have their own stories as well.  I was really intrigued with Queen Sonya and Falcon from the previous book and how they have been fighting feelings for each other, but now I am more curious with Silvie and Gannon.I love also how Amanda keeps the paranormal creatures for what they really should be like, dark, twisted, and evil at times...but they still have a very romantic and caring soul as well, especially when it comes to the person they love.The ending was really quick especially when it came to Hadrian claiming his place back, but Amanda gives you a cliffhanger at the end and makes you want more.I look forward to reading who gets their next story in the Rulers of Darkness.I give this book 4.5 moons and highly recommend it to paranormal romance readers out there.You could read the first two as standalone, but I definitely recommend you read in order.  You will love each of the characters and want to find out how they got their happily ever after also.