“When you feel his allure, you will submit to his will.”Venai men have a power over women: they can compel our behavior. We don’t know where it comes from or how it works, but when we obey, we feel an otherworldly bliss. They call it allure.My blossoming ceremony, when I officially become a woman and experience allure for the first time, is supposed to be a celebration. Instead, it turns into a … celebration. Instead, it turns into a nightmare. Allure doesn’t work on me like normal women. It does something terrible, and when I can’t take it anymore, I run.
Defying a man’s allure could ruin me. People will call me a shrike. They’ll cast me out – or do much worse. Needing protection, I turn to the notoriously seductive Sir Cassian. He was there at my blossoming, and I could sense he was different too.
His help comes at a cost, one I find myself eager to pay: his dominance and passion unleash the bliss I’ve always craved. However, his desire to help me leads us down a dangerous road. Someone out there knows the truth about allure, and will kill to keep it secret.
Cassian and I can’t hide forever. To save our love, we’ll have to fight, even if that means paying the ultimate cost…
For a dark romantic adventure you can’t put down, read Allure today!
Publisher’s note: “Allure” is a dark romantic, paranormal thriller with erotic content, no cliffhangers, no cheating and a HEA. It contains material some may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
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This was definitely a different kind of story from Sansa, but it still had those amazing and hot and steamy sexy times and the suspense will have you flipping pages to find out what happened next.
Inara isn’t your average young woman she has a mind of her own and she’s been dreading this blossoming that all women go through to becoming a woman. She just has to get through this “Allure” men put out to attract women and then she see’s him Sir Cassian who stands out above the rest and decides to take her chances with him.
This will definitely have you trying to figure out what’s with this Allure? Why is Inara different than the rest as they run from people trying to kill them.
You need to one click and find out.
A thought provoking story
This is a new-to-me author, but I’m glad that I took a chance on reading Allure. The setting is somewhat middle ages, possibly in a dystopian Earth future or based on some other planet. I found it difficult to place in a sub-genre or trope, though it felt more fantasy than paranormal.
I enjoyed the story, finding the plot easy to follow and liking the main characters. Whilst the idea of the heroine (or hero) being an ‘outsider’ is not new the world the author created, along with the detail of the heroine’s resistance to allure and subsequent issues, made this feel quite an unusual read. The writing is good, the story entertaining and the relationship between Cassian and Inara ultimately being very believable.
It may have been me, but at the beginning the story did feel a little directionless. I appreciated that the author didn’t do a huge information dump to world build, but I did find myself waiting for something to happen. Personally I would have liked this time to have been spent building the connection between Inara and Cassian. I’m not a fan of insta-anything, so the fact that their physical relationship went from 0 to 60 in the blink of an eye felt a little jarring.
I quite liked that the book didn’t portray virginity as a feminine virtue BUT how this juxtaposed with women being very much the voiceless submissive in any relationship perhaps could have done with being elaborated on a little more. Some really innovative world building but it just needed developing/expanding on a little more to help me understand why sex was ok but then they had to be SO submissive.
There are some quite deep messages within this book around how we judge others and how it is easy to abuse power, and as a result abuse those who are weaker than us. Cassian and Inara are both very different to the norm, but it is easier for Cassian given the patriarchal nature of their society. I loved that he didn’t want to change Inara in any way but that he wanted to forge a partnership with her, you could genuinely sense his respect for Inara..
What a powerful, emotional, thought-provoking, and chemistry filled ride!!! Sansa Rayne has given us a story that will make your emotions run the gambit while your mind tries to catch up. I don’t want to give anything away in my review because I know you’re going to want to read every delicious word for yourself. Read the teaser. Know that’s only a fraction of what the book and Ms. Rayne will take you through. And finally, acknowledge you have allowed the story, the characters, the words, and the emotions to completely take you away to a small village created by Sansa Rayne.
Steamy, futuristic story of Inara, a woman who is immune to the Allure of the men in her village. The hypnotic Allure allows the men to control the women. Inara accepts the suit of Cassian, a powerful, handsome knight who does not use his Allure. Together they try to discover the secret of Allure, but there are powerful men trying to stop them. I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book, but I was more than pleasantly surprised. Great story – romantic, sexy with a unique plot.
It was ok. A bit slow from start to middle. Only picked up the pace near the end.
I really enjoyed this novel. I love books where whole worlds are created. These were great characters, too. I just wish we could’ve had more time with them. This is the first in a series. Recommended.
What a unique storyline! I love unique, which translates to so not boring! I loved everything about this book, I just can’t say enough!
This is my first book by these authors! It will not be my last. I was captivated by this story. I was so intrigued with the story I read it straight thru. A very good book! Strong characters! Plenty of heat! Check it out for yourself and see what I am talking about. I am voluntarily leaving my review after reading an advance reader copy from the authors. I can not wait to read more!
Allure is something out of my normal read, a fantasy, with a lot of steam, kink and evil lurking. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend you pick up a copy. Our heroine is a strong willed women who most definitely is a pioneer for her cause.
What is Allure? It gains our attention, it’s how we are drawn towards something or someone.
How does Allure work? We are all different, it may be the sound of a voice, the way someone holds themselves or perhaps it’s the way they look.
Navira isn’t much more than a village, on the surface it seems normal but if you look a little closer it’s not. It’s normal for the women to be fettered and bound, public flogging is used as punishment and to absolve one from their crime.
Cassias is a knight and a lady killer, he has bedded many women only to move on to the next. He’s not even sure that he wants to find himself a wife. There is something about Inara that allures him, she’s different, unique and very easy on his eyes.
Inara is the youngest daughter and is coming of age. She has a ceremony to attend, however she finds it overwhelming and realises just how different she is from most women. This story is a journey of acceptance, love and revealing hidden secrets. Although she is alone she is not, she just needs to realise it. A saying comes to mind “It takes a village.”
This book is what I call gray. Not really dark, but not so innocent either. Cassian and Inara are well written, interesting characters. The premise that men control women with there “allure” was compelling. There were times this story bogged down, but overall the book was well paced, had some interesting twists and turns. A solid read.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
Inara isn’t a normal girl and she won’t be a normal woman. This becomes painfully obvious to her on the day of her blossoming. Thankfully, she has a knight come to her rescue. Cassian has resisted marriage for years but he is so drawn to Inara that he’s ready to change that. Her difficult blossoming is just the beginning of their problems and they have many more to get through before they can hope to get their HEA.
I really liked this book and hope it sparks more stories in this world. I received an ARC and am leaving my honest opinion.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this as an ARC
Sansa Rayne has winning read with this darker romance. Inara and Cassian are different from the other members if their village. Inara’s difference puts a target on her head and her life in danger. Cassian is the only male she has any trust in. As they attempt to find answers their passion will melt your kindle.
This was intriguing and so very unique the characters were so well developed i felt like I was there with them.
The story line and world were well thought out and kept me entertained the whole way through.
“Allure” is a dark Sci-Fi romantic adventure filled with surprises, intrigue, twists and turns. The story starts off slow and easy, as you think maybe this isn’t going anywhere – POW! Stella Rising, Sansa Rayne delivers the shocker and you are bound and tied to continue reading this book to learn the conclusion!
Inara is coming of age and will attend her Blossoming Ceremony to choose her future husband. She is a strong woman who has always felt that she was different from those around her and has tried to hide her feelings because it could cause her to be shunned or worse. During the Ceremony, the men use their “Allure” to attract her. This is the man who will dominate her and she will follow him due to his use of the “Allure.” Inara is confused by this concept and during her Ceremony she becomes fearful and runs away in terror. Cassian, a Knight with battle skills, follows her and offers her refuge. She doesn’t fear him and discovers that he has never used the “Allure.” They decide to find answers about the “Allure” and any others who are like Inara. Cassian promises to keep her safe and protect her from those who would harm her for thinking and feeling different. He likes her, just the way she is and the chemistry between them is electric! Will Inara need to hide to protect those she loves or fight with Cassian to expose the secret of Allure, while the Inquisitors try to silence them??
The characters are well developed and we see their growth in understanding themselves and accepting who they are throughout the story and their dilemma about exposing the truth and going against the rules of Society.
Stella Rising/Sansa Rayne did an awesome job. The suspense, intrigue and mystery continue throughout, the sexual scenes are HOT, and there are BDSM elements. They deliver an awe-inspiring message to men and women! I had no idea how the story would end…..But, it is perfect ending!!
A very unusual and well written book. I did not know what to expect, but when I realized it was the year 8919, I was expecting a lot of modern out of this world stuff, but found out it goes back to a time with no cars, phones or electricity. This was a beautiful love story and how a family and town bonded together. A must read. Enjoy
What an original story.
I thought it was very unique and I’ve never come across a storyline quite like this.
I really liked Cassian and Inara.
Both are strong characters on their own.
And together each one brings out the inner strength of the other.
Ms. Rayne wrote a very intriguing sexy story.
The journey of Cassian and Inara is filled with ups and downs.
As well as a whole lot of sizzling hotness.
*Spoiler Alert*
Inara (FMC) has brought up in a society where Allure (a means to control women) is used as a way to find a husband. By mind altering means. Something that Inara wants no part of but has no choice about to take part in. Coming to an agreement with Sir Cassian (a Knight and a womaniser) to have him pose as her husband but things dont go exactly as planned amd they start to rely on each other more than they wanted too. Loved these two characters and the way they played off against each other. Plus the steam from these two left my kindle smoking, lol. It was hot! A great book and a great read too
Interesting and Intense Story!
This was a very interesting and intense story that had me totally captivated and entertained from beginning to end. I had no idea what to expect when I started reading it. The concept of allure is fascinating and the story is well written. The main characters, Inara and Cassian, together are a wonderful couple and they mesh together perfectly. They are both fierce, independent and strong, but there were times when Inara made me very frustrated with her innocence and stupidity. But Cassian tamed her somewhat and brought out her strength more. The sex between these two was hot and steamy and very intense.
It was a good story with lots of interesting issues and ideas that really made you think about it long after you finished the book. Sansa and Stella are new authors to me and I can’t wait to read more of their books.
This was such an engrossing tale, something completely different, and I loved it! Inara, who always felt a little different, is having her blossoming, her entrance into womanhood. The ceremony is supposed to be this fascinating coming together of her and her future husband that she’ll pick and know who he is by the “allure”. But things don’t go that way for her. After running off, the knight Cassian, whom all the woman love, follows and offers his help so that she may get through the ceremony. He loves the women, but not for wives, for fun. She decides to pick him, and they go off and have an amazing night. That amazing night turns into an amazing adventure, amazing and some seriously sexy times together, scary danger, and quite a heckuva a couple together. I wrote and erased this a couple of times because I don’t want to give anything away. So just know, it’s quite a fascinating tale!!
Thoughtful treatment of an idea made tangible
—>>> ALLURE: the quality of being attractive, interesting, or exciting” (Dictionary.cambridge.org) – This uniquely crafted romance begins amongst the people of the distant-future dystopian culture of Navira, a culture steeped in traditions and expectations handed down from the Ancients. Inara’s personal experiences compound the mystery of allure and is the impetus for her quest for information as to why she is different and the raising of still more questions when Sir Cassian, one of Navira’s knights, makes it known he is finally ready to settle down with her as his wife. Thoughtful treatment of an idea made tangible within a culture. “Submitting to his allure… it’s true pleasure.”