“Myla by Moonlight” by Inez Kelley

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Genre: Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 978-1-60504-660-0
Length: Novel (E-Book)
Price: 5.50
Publication Date: September 8, 2009
Cover art by Natalie Winters

Cover Summary:
Magic bites…

Created at Prince Taric’s birth, Myla is a spell, an enchantment designed to appear and protect him when he needs it most. She has always been content to do her duty…until one night of forbidden passion leaves her longing to experience life—and love—as a mortal woman. Yet the risk is too great. Even if her blood runs as red as his, she can never give him the one thing he needs: a child.

Taric’s blessing—and his curse—is knowing the kingdom’s future depends on his producing an heir to continue the bloodline. His bond with Myla has always been that of protector and protected. When it suddenly becomes something much more, he unwittingly sentences his people to certain death.

An old enemy is plotting to destroy all he holds dear: his lands, his people, his father, and his lover. And this time, even if they fight tooth and blade, their shared magic may not be enough to save them…

Warning: This book contains a shape-shifting bodyguard, sizzling sex scenes, supernatural lilac mist, swordfighting and heartbreaking sacrifices. No jaguars were harmed in the writing of this story.

Leontine's Review: MYLA BY MOONLIGHT is my introduction to author Inez Kelley and she delivered a calling card for an endearing, passionate romance with a different twist. The fantasy element is light and easy to understand, the story gradually increases in intensity and a battle becomes utterly personal for the Segur men.

Taric is crown prince of Eldwynn by birth, he is without a doubt charming in every way but also fierce as the warrior he is to protect the country he loves. Responsibility and duty due to his station alters with humorous bantering and an innate sensuality. The interaction he has with those around him and the choices he makes all speak of his in-charge attitude, his compassion and his ferocity. Every aspect of his character made Taric the kind of hero I could instantly like. He emanates the good qualities of a future king which didn’t surprise as I got to know his father who raised him, Balic.

Myla has been Taric’s magical guardian from the moment he was born. Her loyalty and protection lies first and foremost with Taric. There isn’t much, if nothing, she wouldn’t do for Taric. Her warrior side clashes with her blooming feminine side as new feelings stir. Myla is fierce as she can be gentle, she is curios and playful but never underestimate her, she would kill in order to protect the center of her world; Taric.

The intriguing twist in MYLA BY MOONLIGHT is definitely the origine of Taric and Myla’s relationship. Myla is created from a spell Taric’s mother casted at his birth to protect him. Myla can fight like a warrior, shapeshift, turn in to purple mist and return to Taric’s body where her conscience resides in a scar. They’ve known each other throughout Taric’s whole life and what niggled me the first part of the story was the fact that there is no reason given why Taric and Myla’s feelings change from charge and guardian in to that of sexual attraction and love. While Taric questions himself too no true answers were given and it was something I really missed at the conception of this romance. It felt like the balance between them as man and woman was off. Still, those niggling moments were mostly experienced in the beginning and short-lived because whatever the reason for this change of the emotions blooming between Taric and Myla was, it's undeniable present. This was also due to the writing style of Inez Kelley, her prose often sucked me in to the moment of passion, angst, humor or the friendly bantering between friends.

I couldn’t and wouldn’t deny the pull of Inez Kelley’s, at moments, lyrical voice; her world isn’t complex and her cast of characters small but so very likable. Yet what shined through were the times she could describe sceneries or emotions vibrating between people which made me completely surrender to moment. The struggles of an impossible love raises the stakes considerable with all the dangers and feelings that go with it. This is what matters most to me, whether or not I can feel the love blooming between two people, and Taric, together with Myla, gave me their sweet passion, their pain and tears but also their strength. The erotic moments increased along with the intensity of romantic feelings and in the end there was an erotic scene that blasted sensual heat and singed the pages.

When I think of the supportive characters two immediately come to mind; Balic, the king and father, and Bryton, the friend and captain. They are the kind of characters who enrich a tale because of their ties and their love for the main couple. Bryton infuses this story with his teasing humor, friendship and loyalty. Balic gives his unconditional love of a father, his support and wisdom, aside from the fact he is also king with all the joys and worries that come with the territory.

One of those worries is the battle that rages, a villain seeks revenge and it festers in his heart and soul. He will do all in his power to extinguish the Segur line. Again, the plot isn’t intricate but the evil actions and back story, the unfolding events that take place, it all drives towards a conclusion where I could only feel! I was there in that tower with the key characters turning the pages in bated breath how it would all solve and Inez Kelley held nothing back in the end. Gradually the author pulled me in to her world, had her characters tug at my heart strings and it emanated undiluted love in the end. An ending where everything culminates and I had to reach for the tissues as I lived and breathed every moment with them.

With MYLA BY MOONLIGHT the love shined in all its facets, that of a parent for his child, the love between two friends and at the center of it all the encompassing love of two heartmates, the love off Taric and Myla. I inhaled it all as the voracious romance reader that I am!

Quote:
I want. I burn. I love. She had always loved him but now, now she knew the difference between a woman’s love and the love of duty. One was a pale shadow of the other. A single thrust joined them. Her gasp echoed into his kiss and her eyes flew open. Burning. Filling. Possessing. Her body shuddered at the invasion, gripping tightly. Taric’s own gasp locked his eyes with hers. One word reverberated from his spirit and into hers, an unbreakable link between them. It brushed her essence in a whispered baritone. “Mine.”

~~~~~The Giveaway~~~~~
Inez Kelley has been so generous to add a giveaway to this review!! *woohoot* All you have to do is leave a comment to win an e-copy of MYLA BY MOONLIGHT. The winner will be randomly drawn on June 18th 2010.