“…with no hope, your past has led to your distruction…”

 

Ok, so it’s no lie, I love Maria Luis. Especially her Blades hockey romance series. She’s definitely been an author that I read whenever a new book comes out or I get the chance to grab something in her backstock and it’s been that way since I discovered her about a year ago. But, FULL disclosure here… I straight up hit up the PR group handing the promo and Maria herself to get my hands on the first book in her newest project Sworn, book one in the Blood Duet. And wow folks. I can not tell you this with enough emphasis… I FLOVED this book. You need this book in your life!!!

I loved Sworn for a host of reasons…but first, let me tell you what I normally prefer to stay away from. Namely duets! Yes, sadly, I am one of those that likes to start and finish a book within the pages of one cover. I understand that sometimes this isn’t possible, and I try to keep an open mind when I read books that just have too much character building, or world building, too much content, etc. It happens a lot, and not all books would be anywhere near as awesome as the final product if there’s more…so an open mind is key right? Well folks… I am here to tell you that’s exactly why something that normally isn’t a favorite of mine, ended up being a favorite read of the week. Yes, I have the cliffhanger ending to endure (until I can get my hands on the next book) and yes, I am DYING for more. But WOW! I can’t even tell you how awesome this book was.

First, I loved the location. The story is set in New Orleans and all the robust history this city and setting has to offer is a bit part of what makes this book so awesome. Luis includes fortune tellers, rogue cops and dirty politician as well as the history of the air rife with magic. It really sets the stage for why Lincoln Asher’s character is the sinner and the saint that he’s portrayed as. And that leads me directly to my second favorite thing about this book that hooked me! LINCOLN ASHER! WOW!!! I mean, when the hero meet’s this description “…he was rugged, too forward, too in-your-face masculine…” and “…his imposing physique-tall, broad, narrow waist. He stood like a soldier or a cop…” what’s not to like, right?!?! Yet it’s the complexity of his character that really drew me in. The duel sides of him – the sinner he was given no choice but to be as an adolescent and the man who became a cop to right his wrongs…to appease his quilt. Seriously, Lincoln Asher fascinated me, and I am excited to see where his character goes with these next books. Asher’s keen insight into people reading served him well. His first thought upon meeting Avery, the heroine in this book, was “who had broken her spirit so badly that her armor was as thick as my own?” and as the story progressed, this single line continued to be at the forefront of my mind. It was a very aptly described Avery and the hell that had been her life. She had seen the worst life had to offer and her distrust of people was both extreme and completely justifiable all things considering. She’s written in a beautifully complex manner, and her story is just getting started with Sworn, so I am equally fascinated by where her character will go with the second installment of this duet, Defied. And let’s be real? For romance, it boils down to the chemistry between the hero and heroine, and with Sworn, Asher and Avery are creating sparks at their every meeting. Maria Luis stepped up the hotness factor for readers and this is certainly something I loved about the story. Like the book itself, the romance has a darker element. It’s not sunshine and rainbows, nor should it be. The pair heats up the pages of this story by incorporating a bit of kink. Honestly, with the sizzle of this first book, Defied is going to be pretty intense if Asher and Avery continue to explore their sexuality within the confines of a relationship.

While the location, characters, and chemistry really set Sworn up for success, it was the excellent plot that really pushed Sworn to a five-star read for me. The inherent darkness and suspense that is built into the story really had me glued to my seat. Sworn is set to a pace that was perfect and keep me very involved in the story. While Sworn ends with an expected cliffhanger, it was a plot twist that I honestly didn’t see coming and ultimately, leaves readers completely invested in the conclusion of the duet. Other noteworthy features of this book that I consider equally important is how well written the story was and the duel perspectives that allowed for deeper connection with the storyline and the characters themselves. I feel strongly in the importance of a well written, well edited book as otherwise, readers can get lost in the mistakes an author makes. Also, not connecting with the full context of a story, as well as it’s primary character’s, can ultimately make or break most books. If I can’t connect with the hero or heroine, I am unlikely to want to read the book again in the future.

 

Overall, I can’t recommend Sworn enough, it’s absolutely worthy of a five-star rating and I am counting the minutes until I can get my hands on Defied, the conclusion to the Blood Duet by Maria Luis. Do yourself a favor and quit reading reviews…just buy the book and get to reading!

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