Review: This box set has 5 novelettes and each one is a different stage in Dane and Korah's building relationship.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 25, 2014
THE STORY:INTOXICATING PASSION brings us the story of Dane and Korah. Both have had experiences in their pasts that caused them to protect their hearts from loving again. Korah protects hers by keeping to herself and not dating, while Dane protects his by living the playboy lifestyle, sleeping around with any woman willing, and not feeling a thing but the pleasure the act brings. But when these two meet, something is different. There is an undeniable attraction, luring them to each other. The big question is, as their feelings start growing stronger, will they open their hearts to the possibility of love or keep their hearts closed forever?This box set has 5 novelettes and each one is a different stage in their building relationship. Masked Encounters is the story of how Dane and Korah met at a Halloween party hosted by his fraternity. Unveiled Ties happens months later and Dane has been searching for her ever since. It's his lucky day when she is assigned as his Biology lab partner, but she doesn't recognize him as her Zorro until he reveals the truth to her. In Daring Dane, when he tells Korah that he's not lying to her about caring for her, she dares him to prove it, to show her that he really cares. Actions speak louder than words. Pursuing Korah is perhaps the most pivotal novelette to their love story. All I'm going to say about this one is that Dane really proves himself and his feelings to Korah. And Unexpected Consequences brings the conclusion to their story. Will they make their relationship official and finally admit how they really feel, or will outside events ultimately keep them apart?Domestic abuse is talked about in INTOXICATING PASSION with Korah being the victim of a previous abusive relationship, that is still haunting her now. Some of the scenes are really terrifying and made be feeling really sad and angry for Korah, but seeing her work through it and become a stronger and more confident person was great.THE CAST:The Guy: Dane Davidson has immersed himself in the playboy lifestyle, only seeking the pleasure of release. After witnessing his mother's infidelity as a kid and then his girlfriend's in high school, he's sworn off opening his heart to anyone. But he knew the first time he saw Korah that she was different. The feelings has has for her confuse and terrify him, but he can't stop thinking about her, and sets out to prove to her that he's sincere and trying to change for her.The Girl: Korah Daniels is a victim of an abusive relationship that has made her insecure and have low self-esteem. Ever since the incident that caused her to leave her abusive ex-boyfriend, she has closed herself off from feeling anything for another guy. She never goes on a date willingly, although her best friend, Leela, sets her up on blind dates regularly. It isn't until a masked Halloween party at one of the fraternities that Korah lets her inhibitions down and lets herself feel with the masked Zorro who helped her fix her cut up feet. Learning months later, that her new Biology lad  partner, Dane, was Zorro angers her but she can't help feeling drawn to him.THE VILLAIN:Korah's ex-boyfriend Christopher is the villain of this story. He just won't leave Korah alone and insists, rather violently, that she return to him. He not only attacks her once, but twice, and the second time was a lot worse. He pays no heed to Korah's court-ordered protections, and keeps coming after her.THE ROMANCE:INTOXICATION PASSION is not your typical romance. Dane and Korah are both broken people who have been hurt by love in the past. Both are reluctant to ever love someone again and risk the pain to their hearts if something goes wrong. There is absolutely no insta-love in this book. They test the waters. The attraction is there and there are feelings emerging, but they take everything one step at a time. They both have their own demons to fight and conquer before they can open their hearts completely to each other. This romance was intense, passionate, heartbreaking at times, and even joyous. Just as Dane's best friend, Cale, said; I really believe that Dane and Korah are good for each other, exactly what they each needed.