Book Review: Untouched by Sara Humphreys

I absolutely love the warmth and charm of the Amoveo shifters...at least the good guys.  The bad guy  “Purists” are suitably twisted and evil!
  

Untouched 

by Sara Humphreys

Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (April 3, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1402258461

ISBN-13: 978-1402258466

Also available in Kindle and other ebook formats.
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 2012 | Series: The Amoveo Legend

SHE SHOULD BE SEEN, BUT NEVER TOUCHED...

Kerry Smithson's modeling career ensures that she will be admired from afar, which is essential since mere human touch sparks blinding pain and terrifying visions.

EVERY GOOD MODEL NEEDS A HEAVENLLY BODYGUARD...

Dante Coltari is hired to protect Kerry from those who know who she is—or more importantly what she is—and want her dead because of it. Nothing could have prepared him for the challenge of keeping her safe. But, strangely, his lightest touch brings her exquisite pleasure rather than pain, and Dante and Kerry have an otherwordly connection that might just pull them through.

Praise for the Amoveo Legend series:

"Sizzling sexual chemistry that is sure to please."—Yankee Romance Reviews

"A moving tale that captures both the sweetness and passion of romance."—Romance Junkies, 5 Blue Ribbons

"Fascinating...the characters haunted my dreams...I'm dying for the sequel."—Long and Short Reviews Best Book

Review:

Kerry has been an outcast all her life because touching others brings her pain and overload of negative sensation.  Even her adopted parents learned not to share affection with her. The only person she could safely touch is Samantha and whenever they touch Kerry sees a large gray wolf. Now, surprisingly, Kerry discovers that when her persistent and sexy bodyguard, Dante, touches her she feels all sorts of wonderful tingles!

Dante knew from the first time he saw Kerry (see Book 1 - Samantha and Malcolm’s story) that she was his mate, even if she is a hybrid, like Sam, half human and half Amoveo.  Dante isn’t really trying to crowd her but he is anxious to convince her that he wants only her happiness and he needs to protect her from the Amoveo natural human enemies, the Cadeo.  He knows she is also in danger from attack by the “Purists” who object to any human mingling in the clan lines.

Dante (a red fox) knows he can trust Malcolm (an eagle) and Sam (a wolf) but they are trying to celebrate a little honeymoon time.  He is pretty sure he can trust his friends, easy going Steven (a coyote) and stoic William (a gyrfalcon). Beyond that group they are not sure who can be trusted, even those in the Amoveo Council, since Dante’s own father, a Council member was one of the Purists who attacked Sam and Kerry before.

The rolling banter between lonely but confident model Kerry and eager Dante is great fun. He calls her “Princess” and she calls him neanderthal or “Tarzan.”  The setting of her lingerie fashion shoot is a run down plantation in the Bayous of Louisiana. The place is creepy and nearby in New Orleans are Voodoo shops and the purveyors of spells and witchcraft.

The story moves along well with the fun sensual banter, the repeated threats against “the traitors” and finally with the action of the attack and rescue.  There are twists revealing characters as friends and foes.  There are a few bad words but I’m willing to read over those for the sheer joy of the strong love reflected in this series. If you like shifters who are not only hot but romantic, and a romance spiced with danger, this is a perfect series for you! I’m definitely looking forward to William's story and more excitement in the next installment.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Feel the warm glow:

She'd never been the focus of such love, devotion and fierce protection. As a model she'd had total strangers fantasize about her ... but no one--no man -- had every really loved her. Page 226.

Samantha kept saying he was the missing piece to Kerry's puzzle, but the truth was that Kerry was his. They fit. He wouldn't lose her. Not now. Not ever. Page 257.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing this book to read and review. Sourcebooks is also sponsoring a Giveaway of TWO Copies which I have included with the author interview. And don't miss the interview answers from Dante too!

A good part of this story is set in or near New Orleans, LA for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also include this book on my ARC challenge.