Review: Seductive Shadows – Marni Mann

Charlie is a passionate, sensually-inspired art student, desperately seeking an escape from the abusive past that haunts her and a tragic accident that emptied her heart. Scarred and unable to love, her yearning for physical pleasure leads her into a tantalizing, dangerous world of power and seduction. The anonymity of the deal offers security; the money brings financial freedom and the madam is the mother figure she longs for.

But the thrill of the mansion and its arousing dominance quickly fades when she meets renowned-yet-mysterious Cameron Hardy, whose intense baby blue eyes send a nervous flutter through her core. Cameron is sexy, and not in a subtle way. He stimulates Charlie’s art, her intellect and her desires. Just as he begins to break through her emotional boundaries, she discovers a devastating connection between her past and her scandalous work at the mansion, shattering everything she thought to be true.

Provocative, intoxicating and erotic, Seductive Shadows is the unforgettable tale of a young woman’s self-discovery as she learns to forgive, to love and be loved, and to find redemption amidst a remarkable journey that will captivate your mind and stimulate your soul.

Series:
Release Date: July 17, 2013
Publisher: Booktrope
Source: Provided by Publisher
Reviewer: Karen
Rating:

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

SEDUCTIVE SHADOWS is a dark, suspenseful, erotic romance.

This book was an unexpected surprise. It wasn’t the type of story I thought it would be, but I wasn’t disappointed, I was delighted. The story revolves around Charlie. She is a young woman who has spent twenty three years with a disinterested, promiscuous, alcoholic mother. Charlie is an emotionally crippled, strong, complicated woman, who had to deal with a lot of pain in her life. She has few people she can count on in her life. Charlie is only able to relate to others through sex because that is all she knows. She is an art student enrolled at Northeastern University taking a couple classes at a time, because she has to work and take care of her mother. She takes care of her mother, although her mother never had time for her. Most people would only see the bleakness of their life, but Charlie never gives up hope. I admire Charlie, even though I didn’t always agree with her decisions, she has a courageous spirit and is willing to do anything to survive.

Marni Mann slowly reveals information about Charlie’s life through flashbacks. This gives the reader tiny glimpses of Charlie and it kept me reading trying to figure it all out. This book is an emotional rollercoaster.

Most of the characters in this book are flawed in some way. Cameron was my favorite character in the book, because he never expected more from Charlie than she could give. And he was hot. Then there is the doctor, who is full of surprises.

This is a riveting book and the plot has twists and turns I never anticipated. The book’s ending left unanswered questions. I’m not sure if the author expects the reader to come to their own conclusions, or if there will be another book. Marni Mann’s SUDUCTIVE SHADOWS is a well written, gritty story about ordinary people dealing with their issues and their pain. It pulled me in from the first page.