Review: Dual POV rocked the chemistry but hinder the plot
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 21, 2012
Overall:  Hainted made me a fan of erotica - I actually enjoyed reading the sex scenes between Dan and Leif, since they felt so organic and realistic.  I liked the small details that were used to emphasis the need for safe sex.  I don't think I've ever read a romance where the characters religiously used condoms - well, people do in real life so I don't get why they wouldn't in fiction (I'm looking at you, Fabio...you should of had 26 kids by now!).  Also, it pleased me that despite the m/m tag, these men acted like men.  They talked like men and thought like men.  I actually thought this book was written by a guy while I was reading.  Surprise, surprise, when I saw a chick pictured in the author's profile.  My only gripe about this book was the use of dual POV.  It emphasized the chemistry between Dan and Leif, but it killed the suspense when it came to the story.  As a reader, I knew how things would unfold before they unfolded because I knew the backstory of both guys.  Leif discovered Dan's secrets - but we already knew them.  Dan discovered Leif's secrets - but we already learned that from the narrative too.  It made the story very predictable in certain sections and I know that told in a single POV, this story would have SHONE.  Damn.Will I read the next book this author writes?  Definitely.  Hainted isn't perfect but its pretty awesome for a debut novel.Characters:  Can I please give this couple an award?  They were so cute together and I felt like it was so easy to connect to both Dan and Leif.  I like how Dan pretends to be straight for the sake of his siblings.  He really felt like an average guy - and someone easy to relate to.  He was poor, pretends to be what he's not, and has guilt over things he cant' control.  Leif on the other hand dresses goth and frequents the bar to pick up guys.  He's more exotic and loaded with money and yet he has a personality.  Him and Dan might like each other from first meeting, but they definitely take their time getting to know each other.Runar doesn't have near enough screen time to show the full scope of his personality.  Most of what we know about him is from Leif's past experiences and Runar remains a one-dimensional villain.  Bea and Virgil (Dan's siblings) were okay but Taryn deserved more loving.  I wish I discovered more about her backstory because she definitely knew how to steal the limelight with her attitude.Plot:  As I said before, the plot suffered from the dual POVs.  The action scenes were pretty badass and I was happy that this novel had a high body count.  BUT, I wish that less was discovered from the narrative and more discovered when the actual characters found out.  It felt like deja vu with the double dose of information.Also, it drove me absolutely nuts that both Dan and Leif kept leaving their magical slaying weapons in random places when these undead haints show up.  If I killed haints for a living, I'd keep my magic wand in my pants at all times (haha, pun intended).  If you like a little bit of gore in your paranormal, this book is great for that.  It doesn't quite cross into the horror genre with the descriptions but it comes very close.  As a lover of horror, I relished in this.Ending:  Three words that made me happy:  NOT A CLIFFHANGER.  Thank God.  I wish there had been more twists near the end, but the action was good and the ending bloody, so I enjoyed it.This is a great book for those who love paranormal romance.*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review