As with Air Bound, Earth Bound is also a darker tale involving the abuse of children for Mrs. Feehan. This book is about Lexi and does contain child molestation/pedophilia. However, if you have been following this series since Ilya you know that she has taken the path of sex trafficking for this series. While there is no extreme sexual description regarding the actual acts, you do get a keen sense of what took place, as well as descriptive scenes explaining the punishments doled out for noncompliance. 

Gavriil is the second oldest of the seven Prakenskii brothers. Like his brothers, he is a hired hitman, trained since childhood to commit assassinations. He lives his life in solitude, protecting his youngest brother from afar. Using his real name, Gavriil ventures to Sea Haven with hopes of drawing the attention away from his family—that is until he discovers Lexi in the fields. At this point, our fierce hero knows he will not be going anywhere. His new mission is to protect his soulmate with everything in his arsenal. From the first moment he sets foot on the farm and lays his eyes on Lexi, Gavriil knew without a doubt that she would be his. Every rational thought and action paled in comparison to the uncontrollable need he felt when it came to possessing and branding Lexi with his mark.

Gavriil knew his way around compassion and tenderness. He was a tough mercenary, one who avoided any type of commitment or feels. In order to thoroughly execute carnage he had to be stone cold. The thing his training did not prepare him for was Lexi. Gavriil was so amazing with her. He was patient, loving, and an absolute sweetheart. He had immediately become solely hers, with that came his undivided attention and ultimate protection, whether that was over her emotions or against anyone he perceived as the enemy. Gavriil was truly captivating when it came to his gentleness and perseverance. And while our hero would differ in opinion, that man had one hell of a charismatic personality, including some swoon worthy panting melting scenes. Obviously, like his brothers, Gavriil’s need to control knew no bounds (he wouldn’t be a Prakenskii if he was any other way), and sometimes the intensity of it caused some bold unexpected reactions from Lexi.

I loved Lexi’s personality and spirit. She had an amazing strength about her, even when she perceived herself to be vulnerable and fragile. Lexi lives her life centered on the only means of survival she knows, the farm and her sisters of heart. Lexi feels the most comfort and peace when she is shifting through the sand, or among her crops/flowers. She snagged my heart when she stood up for herself, along with protecting and caring for Gavriil at the same time. Lexi was loving, spirited, and sassy. I thought she handled her initiation to Gavriil inserting himself squarely into her life perfectly. I found her to be extremely brave and courageous. With all the abuse she suffered through, I loved watching her blossom under Gavriil’s soft and assured touch. 

I always love when a book highlights characters that have strong family/friend connections. It can make it easier to slip in to them as a couple. Our protagonists were beautifully developed characters, both damaged with heart breaking pasts, and beyond guarded when it came to the opposite sex—until they found each other. Gavriil and Lexi were made for one another, a solace to each other’s souls. I loved that their friendship and love offered them a sanctuary, a place to be themselves without judgment clouding the way. It also offered a place of safekeeping, allowing Gavriil and Lexi a healthy transition towards freedom and healing. Gavriil was the peanut butter to Lexi’s jelly. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with.

Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW, for the complimentary copy of Earth Bound.

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 50 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, & the Sisters of the Heart Series. All five series hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.

IN HER WORDS:

I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)