Review: Love, Love, Love
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 30, 2012
Destiny Unchained is the third book in the Shadows of Destiny series by Leia Shaw.  This is by far my favorite of the series.  Once I started reading, I didn't want to put it down.  I know I lost a few hours of sleep reading Destiny Unchained, but it was worth it.Destiny Unchained is the story of Cristian, the Alpha werewolf and pack leader for several states, and Natalia, the Huntress Vampire who tracks and kills rogue werewolves.  If you have read Destiny United, you know that Natalia is the wife of Marcelo.  Cristian and Natalia's paths cross as Natalia is hunting The Slayer, a rogue werewolf who has been kidnapping and killing children.  Natalia is extremely head strong and persistent in tracking The Slayer which leads her into Cristian's territory.  Since Cristian knows of Natalia's reputation, he captures her in hopes of finding out why she has ventured into his territory.  Thus our story begins and Cristian and Natalia's relationship starts off with some kick ass action.Destiny Unchained was definitely one kick ass story.  The past experiences of Cristian and Natalia provide great conflict as their relationship develops and changes.  Both Cristian and Natalia have emotional pain and grief to overcome and find that they need each other to do so, Natalia more so than Cristian.  Cristian proves to be the undoing of Natalia as he does not let her run from him and uses his Alpha status any way he can in his pursuit.  Natalia is definitely the strong, hard heroine that Cristian needs to balance his Alpha maleness.In addition to the development of the relationship of Cristian and Natalia, they must pursue The Slayer.  The Slayer not only kidnaps and kills children, he also toys with Natalia.  He knows how to manipulate and string her along.  He seems to enjoy the game as much as the end result.  It takes both Cristian and Natalia to pursue The Slayer.Destiny Unchained has a great story line, steamy sex with meaning, not gratuitous, lots of emotional demons to overcome, and action, action, action.  Destiny Unchained is a good paranormal story with two very strong characters.  In addition to the action, there are also some very tender, touching moments between Cristian and Natalia as they connect.  I even teared up a few times.  I could definitely read Cristian and Natalia's story again.There are more characters introduced in Destiny Unchained which provide a lead in to the next couple of books in the series.  There are witches, sorcerers, fae, more vampires and werewolves, and dragons to be seen. Sorin, the Beta Wolf, has a story, For the Love of Harmony (book 2.5) which is also tied into Destiny Unchained.  I am anxious to start book four, Destiny Bewitched.  I can't wait to see what action will be next.