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On a Texas night twelve years ago, Vic Vargas kissed Delaney West so deeply that she almost came apart. Later that same night, evil crept into Delaney’s room as she slept – and everything in their world fell apart. Now Vic is a rancher living a half-empty life punctuated by one-night stands and a strained relationship with his 11-year-old son.
Then Delaney returns to San Julio, and the past comes rushing back… along with the dark echoes of that night so long ago. Livestock are dying. Some say coyote, but others whisper another darker word. Chupacabra. Bloodsucker.
The past hasn’t disappeared – nor has the instinctive desire that snaps and crackles between Delaney and Vic. And as those emotions ignite, so does the evil that hibernated for the last twelve years. The evil that waited for Delaney to return to San Julio… and to Vic Vargas.
A heart-pounding suspense with melting romance!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 30, 2013
Loved this story--passionate, hot, romantic, and thrilling. Highly recommend!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DesertJules
Posted May 18, 2013
Twelve years ago, Delaney West and Vic Vargas planned to meet at the Chain Tree, at 3:45am, and elope. But he decided she deserved better than a runaway wedding and, without telling her why, didn't show up. By the time Vic got to the West's ranch, to formally ask for Delaney's hand, she was gone. For good.
After waiting for 2 hours, Delaney gave up and went home. Somewhere in the early hours, a monster crept in through her window and changed her life forever. When she ran to Vic, needing the love and security he'd always provided, she found him in the arms of another woman. More than she could bear, after the trauma of the previous night, she fled San Julio. For good.
Now, traumatized by nightmares of that night and plagued by episodes of sleepwalking, Delaney has come back, hoping that returning to the root of her demons will vanquish them. But if anything, things are worse: The man she loved now has a son, her nightmares and sleepwalking have escalated, and someone or something is killing local livestock. And draining all their blood.
~*~*~
Frankly, this book takes on a lot: unrequited love, imagined betrayal, post-traumatic stress, animal mutilations, a soothsaying old woman, and El Chupacabra. All great elements for a romantic suspense. Especially when you add in the lies and half-truths that continue to keep Vic and Delaney from understanding and forgiving each other.
Some of tropes are more effective than others. Though Delaney's trauma and her terror over the sleepwalking was really believable, I just never felt the fear or threat of a chupacabra. And Vic was almost whiny, to me. He constantly complained about how hard parenting was, but every time he had time with his son, he wasted it by daydreaming about Delaney.
Though I didn't get much from some of the secondary characters, I did enjoy watching Vic and Delaney drop their walls and learn how to trust each other again. The ending was great, despite the fact that I was so totally wrong about whodunit. All in all, a nice way to spend a few hours.
~*~*~
Disclosure of Material Connection: I won a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
grandmareads102
Posted March 15, 2013
I had not read any of Melissa Bourbon Ramirez stories so when I received a ARC of this book I was excited. The romance of Delaney West and Vic Vargas has been filled with pain and misunderstanding but their love and desire still burn hot. When Delaney returns to her childhood home to reclaim her life, the killing of livestock begins. Now the chupacabra, a mythical beast, prowls the land. Esperanza, a healer, has told Delaney that she will die if she is not careful. As she fights her fears, Vic struggles to foster a relationship with his newly discovered son, Zach. As the lovers find each other, death comes nearer. The story is fantastic. Once I started reading their story, I couldn't stop. The ending surprised me. If you enjoy a sexy romance filled with suspense. You will love this book!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Author: Melissa Bourbon Ramirez
Published By: Entangled Publishing
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 5
Review:
"Sacrifice of Passion" by Melissa Bourbon Ramirez was of mystery, paranormal and romantic read. This novel had so many twist and turn that it keep me steadily reading till the end to find out just who this bad guy was. I really like the hero and the heroine...both were simply off the chart good! I don't want to leave out the rest of this novels characters who were all well developed giving us a wonderful interesting read from Delaney, Vic, Derek, Ray, Esperanza, Jasper, Red, Zach, Dr. Clinton, Chris, Landon, Alan, Maldano, Sheila (pig), Carmen to name a few of this well written script. We find from this novel that Delaney has returned to San Julio to live after twelve years to get answers...Will she get them? We also have Vic who had been very close to Delaney twelve years ago however, Delaney had left him...Will he find out the answers to why she really had left him? Now, Vic life has changed in that he now owned a ranch,part owner of bar and a eleven year old son. Would their be room in his life for her? OK, I will not give any more because there will be a lots more in this read so get ready as you pick up the read "Sacrifice of Passion" to see what this author has in store for the reader.
"Sacrifice of Passion" was a intriguing mystery with chupacabra, sleepwalking and steamy sex and would I recommend this novel? Yes!
Anonymous
Posted February 23, 2013
As a fan of the Lola Cruz mystery series I really was excited to see more from Melissa B Ramirez. Wasn't disappointed. Loved the characters and getting so caught up in the book I kept thinking about the characters and who was really causing the mystery. I don't want to share too much, but really recimmend you read thus book if you enjoy slight romance/steam w/ a lot if mystery. Still pissed at Sheila though, the woman not the piglet ;op
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.bandmama
Posted February 23, 2013
Wowsa. I inhaled this book. How do I love this book? Let me count the ways. Well actually there are too many to really list here but 1)the romance is smokin' hot; 2)Vic is one of the good guys - the kind everyone can relate to and fall in love with; 3)there is a nice mystery here that you won't figure out until it's over and 4)it contains a wonderful sense of family and small town life. The banter between the leading characters is witty and enjoyable. I don't normally read too many romance books but I fell in love with Melissa Bourbon Ramirez when I read her Magical Dressmaking Series. At this point, in my opinion, the woman can write no wrong and I for one plan on reading everything she publishes. Really, it is a truly awesome book. If you enjoy romance and mystery you will love it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 12, 2012
I really enjoyed the mystery element in the story. The tension between the characters was very believable. I look forward to more stories from this author.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.AnjV
Posted June 27, 2012
Wow. This is one of those times when I don't even know where to begin.
I've known Misa for a while now as the awesome, super nice publicist from Entangled Publishing and ever since I found out that she's a writer as well, I've literally been dying to get my hands on one of her books. Sacrifice of Passion definitely didn't let me down.
The story begins in a ranch where one of Vic's goats is killed and drained of its blood. Understandably, he calls the cops but no one has any clue about what happened and they have nothing to go on except the ramblings of an old woman named Esmeralda, who's known as a witch among the locals, claiming that it was the work of a chupacabra. She also mentions one more thing; Delaney was back in town.
Sacrifice of Passion entirely different from what I expected, in a seriously good way. I thought it'd be a predictable romance with some sort of fight/history stopping the hero and heroine from getting together but this book went way beyond my expectations. Vic and Delaney have a past; they were in love when they were 18 and planned to elope but things didn't work out. That night went really wrong for both of them, each unaware of what really happened to the other. Now it's 10 years later - Vic is a single father and Delaney has intimacy issues.
So many things drew me in about this book! I loved the romance between Vic and Delaney; it's the kind that's flawed, bruised, faced betrayal and shows that there's still hope. The chemistry/passion and history between them was intense and powerful. Delaney and Vic are quite honestly, two of the most real characters I've ever come across, they're both imperfect and yet you can see what makes them special. I couldn't help but admire Delaney's strength through the entire novel, sure she has her weak and scared moments but she shows that you can make your way back from anything.
Misa couldn't have written this in a better way; I felt the emotions right alongside the characters in the book and the mystery/storyline kept my intrigued the entire time. I've said this before and I'll say it again, I like my stories with a touch of darkness, they're the ones that really give you a happy ending and what's better than overcoming a scary beast and emotionally damaged protagonists? I wasn't aware of chupacabra(s) until this book and the legend completely fascinated me while also spooking me out a bit.
Misa's writing is witty and so engaging. Maybe it was just me but I highlighted so many conversations between Vic and Del, the ones at the beginning were especially amusing, she threw in some humor in between a serious story and made it work.
'He still hadn't gotten over the fact that Zach had named the potbelly after his mother. Sheila had to be cringing, even six feet under.'
Oh and in case I didn't say it earlier - Vic is HOT. I love his attitude/cockiness. He oozes sexiness, believe me.
'She narrowed her eyes. "You work here?"
"I own here. With Ray." '
It's probably just me but I loved that line.
I don't know what else to say about Sacrifice of Passion except that it's definitely one of the best adult romance-mystery novels that I've read so far. If you're a fan of romance with a hint of paranormal, you'd enjoy this for sure.
Kimberly_Quinton
Posted June 18, 2012
Loved it! The romance was hot and the suspense and folklore will keep you turning the pages. I can't wait for more like this!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Tracy_in_Texas
Posted June 17, 2012
I LOVE this book and devoured it in a day! You'll be rooting for Vic and Delaney through all the twists and turns of this exceptional read!!
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Posted October 22, 2012
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Overview
Something waits in the shadows…
On a Texas night twelve years ago, Vic Vargas kissed Delaney West so deeply that she almost came apart. Later that same night, evil crept into Delaney’s room as she slept – and everything in their world fell apart. Now Vic is a rancher living a half-empty life punctuated by one-night stands and a strained relationship with his 11-year-old son.
Then Delaney returns to San Julio, and the past comes rushing back… ...