Book Review: Raphael/Parish (Bayou Series) by Alexandra Ivy & Laura Wright

Raphael / Parish
By Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright

Synopsis:
RAPHAEL

The brilliant and dangerous diplomat of the Pantera shapeshifters, Raphael has devoted his life to discovering the key to the infertility that is threatening the extinction of his puma race. Creating a vast network of spies worldwide, he never expected to discover that the answer might be beneath his very nose. But when Ashe, a beautiful human female, crosses his path, his most primitive instincts are stirred. Unable to resist, he takes her to his bed, and is shocked when she becomes pregnant with his child. It’s a miracle that might prove to be the salvation of his people, but only if he can keep her safe from the mercenaries determined to kill her.

PARISH

Untamed and undeniably sexy, Parish, leader of the Pantera hunters, rarely leaves the magic of the Wildlands to deal with the humans he despises. But with the prized and risky Pantera birth on the way, puma shifter, Parish must travel to New Orleans to find and bring back a human doctor. The moment he sees the lovely, talented and all too human Dr. Julia Cabot he cannot resist the wild, potent drive to make her his. Betrayed and destroyed by love, Julia will not let her heart choose her path again. But as she and Parish fight to save the life of an unborn child, a fierce and overwhelming bond develops between them, threatening her frozen heart with the secret hope and ultimate temptation of love and family.

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Viviana's Review:

Holy Cow! WOW! These women can write!! I’m a huge fan of Laura Wright and have read all of her "Mark of the Vampire" series books and some of her contemporary novels. Totally LOVE Laura Wright!! This was the first time reading Alexandra Ivy! Now I LOVE Alexandra too!!!


This book contains two novellas written by Alexendra (Raphael) and Laura Wright (Parish). They wrote them individually but follow the main arc of the story. The transition between stories is smooth making it an easy read! You get action from the very beginning and the fast pace continues throughout both novellas. However, you won’t get that feeling that something is missing as the authors have done a fantastic job of providing the readers with all the necessary background and world building information. How the feck do they do this? They write a novella, yet make it as if it’s a full length novel. You get a full story! The reader is left wanting more. However, this wanting of more is the good kind. We want more stories! We want to get to know these characters more!!

Raphael:
When I couldn't put this down, I knew! I KNEW! Freaking awesome! Draws you in and doesn't freaking let you go!

Raphael was pure Alpha! Sexy as hell and determined! As the synopsis states, Raphael is a diplomat of the Pantera shapeshifters and his race is facing extinction. The moment he meets Ashe, he knows. She’s different and cannot resist his inner beast’s desire for her. When they get together its HOT and STEAMY!! It’s a complete surprise when she learns she’s pregnant. A surprise for him because up until this moment, there hasn't been any successful pregnancy between Panteras and humans.  A surprise for her because she doesn't remember their encounter thanks to Raphael scrubbing her memory. Six weeks have past and their paths cross again. When he approaches her, he anticipates she will fear him and run as other human women have reacted to him and his kind. When she confronts him and stands her ground not only is he surprised and impressed, he is intrigued and the urge to mate with her is undeniable.

Ashe has always been strong. She’s had no choice, with an alcoholic mother and no father she’s always had to be the one in charge. That’s not about to change now that there’s a strange man in her life stating she must let him protect her. Yet, a part of her knows him and wants to be taken care of.

Placing her trust, her life and the life of their baby on Raphael’s hands, they begin a new journey together. Enter some bad guys and well, don’t want to spoil things for you, you’ll just have to read it to learn more.

Parish:
Book 2 picks up more or less where Book 1 left off. With Ashe being pregnant, human and considering this is the first pregnancy for the Panteras in many years, they need a human doctor to help with the pregnancy and delivery of the baby. Raphael sends Parish, Leader of the Pantera Hunters, to speak with Dr. Julia Cabot and convince her to assist Ashe and Raphael. Parish is also the wildest of the Hunters and has isolated himself from other Panteras for many years. His hatred of humans is also well known. He is completely caught of guard when from the moment he sees Dr. Julia he has the urge to protect her and something else he won’t admit to.

Julia has had her heart broken by the man she loved and trusted. Her whole life has been turned upside down because of him. She will not break though. She will start over, she just doesn't know where. When she is approached by Parish, who informs her that her services are needed and must go with him to a place she’s never heard of, she finds it hard to believe his story.

She awakes in a strange place, in a room filled with strangers. She finds out that Parish had brought her to the Wildlands and is told of the Pantera race. Ashe, who has gone through this revelation recently aides Julia to understand what is going on and fast become friends. However, because Julia is human, she must be protected while in the Wildlands. Parish will have no other Pantera guard her other than himself.

Their chemistry is undeniable but both are guarded due to their past. They get to know each other and she opens up her heart to him and Parish opens himself Julia.

I loved Parish from the beginning! That wild, ferocious way he had but you knew there was something more. Something that caused him to be the way he is now.

Though both were the same length, Parish felt shorter. That’s because I wanted more! So it’s a good thing.

Again, I’m a HUGE fan of Laura Wright! So I shouldn't have been surprised by the ending!! Yes, Laura LOVES her cliff hangers and man, she’s great at them. As I read the last sentence and “the end” I literally said aloud “Are you Fecking Kidding Me? Laura!!!” Knowing her, she’s smiling at this part right now!! (Love you!!)

Overall – a great read! A fantastic start to a new series and cannot wait for the next installment.

Rating: 5 Stars - Perfection