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Of Blood And Bone (The Minaldi Legacy #1) by Courtney Cole

Author: Courtney Cole

Publication: September 16, 2012

By: Lakehouse Press

As a little boy, Luca Minaldi was told he was a monster.
As an adult, he knows it is true.

He lives in Malta, a fairytale-like place filled with sunshine and sea, beauty and secrets. And Luca’s darkest of secrets is the best kept of them all.

Eva Talbot arrives in Malta for the summer to finish up her doctoral dissertation. When she meets Luca, a mysterious and handsome shipping tycoon, there is an instant attraction, a disturbing and beautiful energy that she has never felt before. But she senses the darkness that lives within him.

Eva is hired to care for his mother, who suffers from dementia, but it is Luca who Eva will eventually risk everything to save. Her life becomes a swirling chaos of darkness and romance, of secrets and mystery. And the question that emerges will become the most important answer of all.

Can she save Luca from the darkness that plagues him without losing herself?

The answer is a matter of life or death.

Review*:
*There are a few things mentioned that could be viewed as "spoilery" but I will do my best not to get too detailed with those.

Dark, mysterious and hauntingly romantic are the first words that come to mind when I think of this book. It's a story that draws you in and holds you captive until the last page, if for no other reason than wanting to solve the mystery surrounding Luca Minaldi. It's well written, the characters are engaging and the setting makes me want to book a trip to Malta TODAY! (I just need to have some of that "Spawn of Satan" spray on hand. *shudders*) 

Like any romance, there are pros and cons to this one. The fact that both Eva and Luca are willing to look past each other's shortcomings is good and Luca's devotion to his mother is commendable, all things considered.  The downside is the co-dependency that seems to arise as a result of what they're dealing with and the physical side of their relationship certainly pushes the limits. There are a couple of scenes that are very graphic and violent in nature and some readers may have trouble with them, especially if they've ever lived through a similar experience. 

I found the mystery of "Luca" intriguing and thought I'd figured it out but there are enough plot twists to keep you guessing. I enjoyed the alternating POV's and the lighthearted banter between Eva and Luca especially in the beginning. It will be interesting to see where this new series heads next!

You can find out more about Courtney Cole and her books at the following links.

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Find Of Blood And Bone (The Minaldi Legacy #2) on Goodreads