Night of the Jaguar
ISBN 0-7582-1485-5 (Trade Paperback)Kensington Aphrodisia
When Mara Galas finally takes her dream trip to the Amazon, she never imagines it will end in tragedy. Wounded and alone, Mara's mind is stalked by a dark, sexy male - sometimes man, sometimes jaguar - she inexplicably craves with every inch of her body. When she wakes to find herself in his powerful arms, he stirs something deep inside her - an ancient, hedonistic desire clawing to be set free ...
A great wind blew through the jungle, shaking trees and ripping leaves from the quivering branches. The sound of the screaming wind drowned out the deep mewls coming sporadically from the beast writhing on the forest floor. Leaves, sticks, and debris swirled around in a large dust devil.
Just as quick as the wind erupted, it died. Eerie silence encased the jungle. No other animal stirred in the surrounding trees or the low dirt burrows. Time stood still for a few brief moments.
Movement from the shadows disturbed the air and the scattered leaves on the ground. A form crawled into a ray of light. It no longer a beast with midnight fur and yellow glowing eyes, but a man. Stretching out his rangy limbs, he stood. His long black hair was sweat-soaked and he pushed it back from a sharp angular face. Eyes that still glowed amber searched the jungle with a keen awareness.
Taking a step forward, his lean muscular body rippled with the effort. Sweat dripped down the golden skin of his defined chest past his naval and into the dark coarse hair between his powerful legs. Two jagged black markings, like lightening bolts, lined his hips on either side, diagonally swooping down to a point just above his groin.
He was as sleek and powerful as the black jaguar, a warrior protecting his land.
Mara ...
He crooked his head, as if to listen. Lifting his nose, he scented the air.
Mara ...
A low snarl rumbled in his throat as he took another step forward. The two spotted jaguars behind him stood and came to his call, rubbing up against his slick glistening thighs. Turning his head, he stared straight in front of him as if something or someone lurked there in his path.
His lips twitched and he growled, "I see you."
Fear invaded her body, while Mara struggled against the ropes binding her wrists and ankles to the two trees. Spread apart in the shape of an X and naked, she felt laid out as if in sacrifice to an ancient god. Which was possible. For whom could the golden-skinned man be but a god?
She'd never seen a man such as him. Long, lean, and darkly sexy. The sight of him naked and glistening with sweat, with the two beasts at his sides took her breath. Despite her fear, she quivered in awe.
He stopped a foot away and scrutinized her with an intense stare. As his gaze traveled from her feet to her head, she had the distinct feeling of being caressed expertly by firm rough fingers. Her fright soon abated, and shivers of pleasure radiated over her body to collide into a ball of heat right at her center.
Mara reasoned she should be afraid and not aroused. Held captive and bound to the trees, with no way of escaping, she was at the mercy of the man in front of her. He could do anything he wanted to her and she couldn't stop him. Part of her, the primal and unexplained element that raged through her, didn't want to stop him.
He took another step forward until he stood in front of her. She could smell him. Wild and earthy, like a thunderstorm. Involuntarily, she licked her lips, tasting sweat on her tongue.
Without touching her, he sniffed her skin. Starting with her hair, he worked down to her shoulder. Her eyes fluttered shut as his hot breath on her flesh sent shudders of delight over her. Goose-bumps rose on her skin and her nipples tightened into aching rigid peaks.
When she felt him pull back, she opened her eyes. She watched as his eyes dilated in lust and he licked his lips as if the scent of her had made him hungry. Swallowing down the saliva pooling in her mouth, she gasped when he dropped to his knees.
Desire hearty and hot gathered deep within her sex as he sniffed at her feet and then traveled up her legs. When he neared her knees, she let her head fall back in rapture. He wasn't touching her, but the mere thought of him doing so sent her spiraling into bliss.
A far corner of her mind whispered to her that she should be scared, that she should scream for help. But the hushed sounds couldn't be heard over the hammering of her heart and the thundering throb in her sex.
The teasing was driving her insane. She hungered for him to touch her, even wanted to beg him to caress her skin, to trail his tongue over and into her flesh. The scent of her own lust floated to her nose like musk perfume. She was hot and wet, anticipating him to reach her center and feast of her juices.
Mara gasped when she looked down her body and saw him between her legs, gazing at the soft sprinkling of dark hair over her mound. She could feel his hot breath brush over the intimate folds of her flesh. Her clit swelled in response, aching for attention. Please, she wanted to beg. Please touch me, taste me, take me. But the words would not come. All she could do was moan her encouragement.
5 KISSES! NIGHT OF THE JAGUAR
"WOW, WOW, and WOW! This story blew me away. Hot and steamy, the plot is fascinating; it pulls you in and suddenly you are at the end. I was so disappointed when I flipped that last page. The talented Vivi Anna is now on my must read list. I hope she has plans for writing the stories of the other two jaguar knights."
- reviewed by Paige Brown, Romance Divas
Rosemary's Romance Books - Rated: 9/10
"Very very hot, but if you've ever spoken with Vivi Anna that wouldn't surpise you. This book ooozes sensuality with a fantastic plot that will sucker punch your gut and hold your attention until you finish at, if your anything like me, 1am."
- reviewed by Megan
JERR - 4 1/2 Stars - Heat level: O - Orgasmic
"Where can I get dreams like this? If the dreams were hot, the reality of Xalvador and his pack mates was even better. That scene with Xalvador, Kemen and Mara was a scorcher. The whole story reminded me of an old adventure film, but with modern settings and sex like they never put in old movies. The story flows smoothly as adventure and tension build throughout it. The action is engaging on a number of fronts: there are dreams which may hint at memories from a previous life, there is a very bad shape changer after what Mara has, and there are the changes to Mara's body and nature that follow the jaguar attack. Mara's sister Lena and Xalvador's pack mates Kemen and Tito also make wonderful additional characters that I would like to see more of. An adventure ride from start to finish this was my first story from Ms. Anna, but it won't be my last."
- reviewed by Kirra Pierce
Romance Review Today
"Night of the Jaguar by Vivi Anna is a fascinating story with shapeshifters, danger, and a ménage a trois. Xalvador is the epitome of an alpha male and he is just so damn sexy it's funny. Mara is an intelligent woman who knows something is going on but isn't sure she really wants to know the truth of what's happening to her. Ms. Anna also has a rude, arrogant bad guy that you just want to slap silly.
Three very talented ladies come together and give readers stories that will tantalize, entice, and a flash of heat, in the anthology SEXY BEAST. Each story has a voice of its own and is spicy hot. If you're in the mood for something stimulating, pick up a copy of SEXY BEAST today."
- reviewed by Sinclair Reid
Romance Junkies
NIGHT OF THE JAGUAR is Vivi Anna's contribution to the SEXY BEAST anthology and weaves a sensual spell on readers. Mara must not only cope with the loss of her cousin but with the changes that are upon her and her undeniable attraction to a stranger, all this conflict and desire make for a compelling tale. Vivi Anna does a fantastic job of captivating readers and really knows how to heat up her stories.
- Alexis, Romance Junkies