Run, Red, run

OMG, what an exciting book! Very fast paced, nice and dark. Garrett certainly had some issues, and Elise was very curious. Definitely a good read. ( )

OMG, what an exciting book! Very fast paced, nice and dark. Garrett certainly had some issues, and Elise was very curious. Definitely a good read. ( )

Take 2 on this review.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
4.25 Stars

“Nothing here is untouched. Everything is spoiled, ruined.”

Told from Elise's point of view, readers follow the hard-headed, determine young woman as she begins the process of locating archaeological dig sites on the Blackwood land. The dig stands for far more though, it's a chance to uncover her future. Right away, it is apparent that Blackwood is going to hold within its pages a dark mystery, but Celia Aaron is known for giving a story so much than just one thing to build upon. Soon, readers are captured by the erotic, dark romance brewing between the brooding, bearded Garrett and young Elise. In a moment of weakness, the two are thrown together, despite both wanting nothing to do with one another. They each carry secrets, the kind that weigh them down, but for some reason neither finds fear in having the other close to them.

"Blackwood's secrets were mine to discover and I would find them all.."

I found myself forgetting the mystery at hand and falling head over heels in love with these two. Their chemistry is alive, it's apparent that neither has felt the same way before. Garrett and Elise are both headstrong characters and I was beyond pleased by how their pasts tied to one another. As Garrett comes to care for Elise he assists her on her search, but that trust puts them both in danger from the mysteries that lay inside, and outside, the Blackwood estate. The mysteries in this book are layered, you won't expect them. They weave together as tangled, bloody lines that readers won't be able to figure out. There's no guessing the ending in this novel and I have to give Celia a round of applause for that one, I was shocked as each mystery was revealed. It's unexpected, it's horrifying, but it brings Garrett and Elise closer, providing closure on the pasts that have forced their hand in life.

"...I'm the wolf. That day you showed up on my front porch in your red coat, if you'd known the thoughts I'd had, the things I'd wanted to do to you- you would never have come back here."

Yes, I ended up rating Blackwood 4.25 stars even though I was totally in love with it and wanted to squeeze myself in between Elise and Garrett. It took me until 30% to even get into the story line, that's a long time for me. I think the combination of several sub-genres and the necessity of world building made for a slow start, but I also think it was worth pushing through. Celia Aaron's prowess as a writer is very apparent from start to finish, my problems with reading were more due to my style and preference. I think readers, whether they jump right in and love it or take some time to warm up to it, will still find that Blackwood is the kind of book you can't walk away from once you're immersed in the world of erotic chemistry, deceit, and mystery.

"I wanted him angry, hungry, and past all reason. And I wanted to be caught."

Blackwood is a must read, there's a bit of something for everyone. Filled with dark romance, mystery, and suspense, Celia Aaron has written a standalone that will keep you on your toes, have you falling in love, and definitely leave you all heated up. ( )

I wanted more romance and less of the side plot about Elise's dad. Garrett was a rough, tough, super hot guy and I liked his character a lot. Elise was a bit annoying at the beginning. She gets hurt on Garrett's land while trespassing and I felt like, that's what you get! haha. Garrett helps her heal and they grow closer as Elise gets past Garrett's cold exterior. I think there was potential for a lot more romance, but the author really wanted the father's disappearance to be the main feature. Not bad overall, just not quite what I was hoping for. ( )