Review: Tempting the Enemy by Dee Tenorio

Title: Tempting the Enemy
Author: Dee Tenorio
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Carina Press
Series: No.
Review At: ATM, Goodreads, Amazon
Received By: Requested from NetGalley

~*~Synopsis~*~

Detective Pale Rysen, an Alpha, is determined to secretly rebuild the Wolf packs from the ashes of genocide. When a killer starts picking off young fe...moDetective Pale Rysen, an Alpha, is determined to secretly rebuild the Wolf packs from the ashes of genocide. When a killer starts picking off young females looking for sanctuary, it's his job to protect them. Forced to work with a hated enemy, he fears his cover will be blown. Jade-Scarlet's membership in the powerful Order of the Sibile has always been controversial. A half-wolf, Jade's unstable psychic powers are a disappointment to her mercenary handlers. So when the Oracle commands her to work with Pale, Jade must prove herself...even if it means challenging the enigmatic shifter. Yet Pale triggers more than her curiosity. He sends her into Heat, and the intense sexual attraction could mean losing control of her gifts-something she can't allow. As the number of victims rises, so does the danger. A murderous darkness wants them both dead. But even if they stop the killer, how long can they fight each other?

Tempting the Enemy is one of those books that I wasn't sure what to expect with this new-to-me author, however, ended up being very pleased with. To me, it's a combination of CSI, paranormal investigations, and M.Knight Shyamalon's 'The Village'. Okay, I may be a stretching a bit, but you'll see what I mean when you read it! I was hooked from the beginning to the end, following the non-stop action and suspense, and getting all warmed up from the amount of heat being thrown at me that radiated between the hero and heroine!

Pale Rysen is a cop. A wolf in hiding. An alpha in denial. And what a well balanced and sexy alpha he is! He's charged with finding the Woodsman killer, a killer who targets woman of a society that are Rysen's lifelong enemies. What he wasn't prepared for was being forced to work along the side of his enemy, a powerful, but unstable Sibile, to find the serial killer.


She is a half-breed. Part Wolf, part Sibile. A combination of two ageless enemies. Jade, too, is in denial of her heritage and what she could be. Trained to hate the Wolf half of her she knows practically nothing about, she is confused and scared when she goes into Heat in the presence of her sexy detective partner. It's an inconveniently timed event that both Rysen and herself curse. What makes Jade additionally unique is that she has yet to be imprinted by a male. In a time where Wolves are in hiding and declining in numbers do to government induced genocide, Jade is a rare commodity that has just landed herself in the hands of an Alpha! The instinct of succumbing to the Heat threatens to take them both captive, while at the same time, so too, does the Woodsman killer.

Both the hero and heroine are well developed leaving the reader to feel the combination of emotions that they go through. Both are alphas, both have been effected by violent painful pasts, and both are in denial of thinking that destiny has woven their paths together. But, as they continue their investigation and get closer to the truth of the identity of the elusive Woodsman killer, they find out that not everything they've been told may be factual, and some people may not be anything like who they present to be. This leaves the hero and heroine to trust in one another, overcoming the prejudice between themselves, despite their stubbornness to deny their attraction. I give the two of them props for how long they wait before giving into the high amount of sexual tension between them. And when they do..yum!

Ms. Tenorio does a fantastic job at developing a believable relationship between the two which never feels unnatural or too fast. The characters are forced to grow due to external situations that change their perceptions of events and others.This isn't a story where the main characters trip all over themselves in their desperate need of one another. Rather, Tenorio has created a story that is shared equally by romance and storyline, providing readers with a well developed and fascinating plot that brings two people together while maintaining the heart of the characters characteristics.

The secondary characters take more of a back seat in this book and are used to help build events and situations. But those who do make a more obvious presence have been wrote with enough representation to get a feel for their overall character. In addition, the creation of the Sibile species was unique to me and provided a different spin on paranormal powers.

Tenorio's writing style is well paced with just the right amount of description. There are some fantastic one liners and dialogue banter that has landed itself in some of my favorite quotes.

"If there's one thing you should understand better than the humans, it's that females should never be ruled out by virtue of strength. Some of us have ways to equalize the equation." 

On a final note, I was thoroughly pleased with the ending of the story. The HEA is perfect for both the characters and the storyline of the book and, in my oppinion, leaves the opportunity for a sequel if wanted by the author.

~*~Final Thoughts~*~

I highly recommend this book to PNR fans who want action, suspense, and an overall unique tale. You will be highly engaged and swept away in the intense fantasy, action and suspense while being sated with a believable, heart felt, and sexy romance.

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