Elumi warrior Raphael has suffered under the weight of exile from his home world, Pearthen.  Forbidden to ever return, Raphael searches for a life mate to carry his child.  From the moment he spots Isabel, he knows she is perfect for him.  Once Isabel learns that the hot guy she’s spent an amazing night with isn’t human, she’s eager to send him packing because he’s drawing a truck load of trouble into her life.  The last thing she wants or needs is danger, no matter how strong her feelings are for him.

Dark Thrall was originally part of The Fallen anthology, and it’s certainly just as humorous, well-written and sensual, complete with a feisty heroine and a to-die-for Elumi hunk.  Isabel is assertive, tough and an all around city girl type with bayou origins.  It made her likeable, although I didn’t quite always agree with her choices regarding Raphael.  Wherever the Elumi are involved there’s action and danger, which adds an element of suspense and thrills. That’s enough to put any relationship-in-progress on edge.  Raphael’s self-conscious stumbling and vulnerability balanced out his aggression and dismissal of Izzy’s freedom to choose. The sex is addictive enough to make her forget and forgive his transgressions while she slows down to listen to her heart.