Review: Wicked Whispers by Nina Bangs

Posted October 8, 2012 by B. in 4.5 stars, Paranormal Romance, Rating A Tags: , , ,

Wicked Whispers
Author: Nina Bangs 
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Castle of Dark Dreams #6
ISBN: #978-0425253137
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (304 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
All Ivy had ever wanted was a safe, secure life with no drama. Now she was working in an adult theme park where visitors came to role-play their wildest imaginings. She reminded herself to stay focused on her job and to ignore everything else. The reminders didn’t work. One man drew her. Murmur was every erotic dream she’d tried to repress, every deliciously dangerous temptation she said she didn’t need. Her instinct suggested that this was a man who walked in darkness. She ignored the warning.
But Murmur was more than what he seemed. A powerful demon, he used his demonic gift to destroy as well as seduce. In desiring him, Ivy had opened herself to a menace born centuries ago—one that would risk both their lives and betray the promises made with every one of his wicked whispers.
What B is talking about:
Ivy Lowe doesn’t want much: just an absolutely normal, suburban, white-picket fence life. While taking a job as the personal assistant to the owner of an adult theme park called “Live the Fantasy” could certainly be considered a departure from her ultimate goal, the money is too good to pass up. But, no matter how in control she thinks she is, impossible happenings in her new home and a dance on the beach with a stranger she can’t deny quickly prove that things will never be “normal” for Ivy again.
Obligated to stay in the Castle of Dark Dreams because of his only friend’s request for help, Murmur bides his time causing trouble where he can and trying to keep his unused powers from making him insane. As a demon of music he is destruction incarnate, yet the temptation he finds in one demanding, stubborn human woman not only tests the limits of his control, it may even lead to his own annihilation. 
Wicked Whispers is an excellent mix of humor, action, and sexual attraction. I laughed most of the way through this story; the unexpected bursts of humor both caught me off guard and lightened up the overall tone of the story. Most of the characters have unpredictable, yet wickedly entertaining personalities, which are combined with an array of impressive powers and usually leads to some hilariously funny situations (like a group of fairies that ends up fighting with one another over who gets to grope a tree in the midst of battle). 
Ivy and Murmur are about as incompatible as two characters can be, but they make a wonderful couple because of it. As common a device as this situation may be, it works very well in Wicked Whispers, and both characters’ inability to resist one another are a real pleasure to read. Murmer also happens to be one of the sexiest male leads I’ve read in a long time. He’s a work in progress, to be sure, but he’s got a sense of purpose that keeps him from ever seeming weak. The things he does to Ivy with his gift are awfully hot, too. 
This is the first novel I’ve ever read by Nina Bangs, and I’m very happy to say that all the good things I’ve heard about her writing so far seem to be true. Wicked Whispers was, very simply, a lot of fun. From the plot, to the relationships between the characters, Ms. Bangs delivers a solidly good, entertaining read. There still seems to be a lot of potential for this series, and while I’m looking forward to seeing what else might be in store for the denizens of the Castle of Dark Dreams, I’m eager to catch up on the other novels in the series now, as well.
B’s Rating:
Loved it – enthusiastically recommend (A)





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