Twenty-five-year old Aria Night—a victim of rape who lives in meager circumstances with a mother who’s an addict—works long hours at a local small-town Alabama diner in the hope of accruing enough money to go to college. Although a love life is low on her list of priorities, that abruptly changes when she meets Bender Smith, and the two eventually fall in love. A horrific incident lands Aria in New Orleans with Bender and his close-knit family, where all goes well for the couple, until Aria miraculously heals Bender in a near-death situation. As Aria learns the truth about her powerful persona, she has no idea that her new identity will not only affect her relationship with Bender but also place him in grave danger.
E.J. Powell spins an absorbing good-and-evil story in her debut novel. Using contrast to tie her attention-grabbing storyline together, Powell first sets the stage by emphasizing Aria’s dismal life against those who are privileged, like her longtime silver-spoon friend William. Top on the contrast list is the good-versus-evil theme. Powell creates a whole new twist to the Adam and Eve story that includes a colorful and well-defined cast of angels, demons, and Cambions. That last group—demons who mate with humans—include werewolves, vampires, and witches. Of particular interest is the way Powell places all these creatures into roles that are either good or deadly evil.
The contrasting themes are not without their moments of graphic human and nonhuman violence. Yet keeping her narrative balanced, Powell breaks up the tension and gore with all things unexpected—shifting character scenes; sprinkles of light comedy; and, most importantly, plenty of steamy yet tender scenes between Aria and Bender.
The first book in the brand-new Dark Lords series, DARK TOUCH offers paranormal romance enthusiasts a fascinating journey into the realms of good and evil.
~Anita Lock for IndieReader