Review: A Very Short Read Detailing Second Chance Romance Amidst Potentially World Ending Circumstances
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 15, 2014
TAMED is a paranormal novella that explores a second chance romance amidst potentially world ending circumstances.  Set in a somewhat unique paranormal world that still bears enough resemblance to a panoply of other paranormal romances that it feels vaguely familiar, TAMED is a relatively quick and easy read.  Additionally, Rebecca Zanetti does a good job of explaining the series background, and the central romance is fully resolved in this book.  So notwithstanding that its the 6.5 book in its series, it can still be read as a stand-alone book.The Dark Protectors series takes place in a world full of vampires, demons, and  Kurjans ("a white-faced, creepy race of killers"), and each such species is at war with the others.  Adding complexity to this "Realm" are prophets (who have visions of the future) and mates (females).  TAMED takes place at a point in time when the three species are convening for peace talks to potentially settle their ongoing wars.The heroine, Lily, is one of three prophets attending the peace talks.  Three centuries ago, Lily passed on an opportunity to become the mate of her first love, Caleb.  Instead, Lily chose duty and married a prophet.  Her vampire husband died just a couple of weeks after they were married and passed along the prophet's mark to her.  She has always wondered what could have been with Caleb had she chosen him instead.As fate would have it, Caleb, a vampire who is also known as the Realm Rebel for his rebellious soldier ways, has now also become a prophet.  He has never forgotten Lily.  As soon as they meet again, sparks fly even if they don't agree on how best to handle the peace talks.  When they both start having, arguably treasonous visions, they begin confiding in one another, and soon they are unable to avoid the passion that flames between them.  Is there a HEA in store for them this time, and will they be able to agree on, and execute, a winning strategy to make sure that the Realm continues to exist as they know it?All in all, TAMED is a decent paranormal novella which I would rate a 3.5 star read, but have rounded up to 4 stars.  As is frequently the case with novellas, the romance is a little quick to ignite, but the heat of the passion somewhat makes up for it, and the underlying suspense is intriguing.  So if you are looking for a quick paranormal read with equal parts romance, passion and action, TAMED may just be the right book to satisfy your desires.Source:  I was provided with a review copy by the Publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.