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You are here: Home / C Review / Review: Forbidden by Christina Phillips

Review: Forbidden by Christina Phillips

September 22, 2010 by Mandi 9 Comments

Forbidden

Forbidden by Christina Phillips
Historical Paranormal Romance
September 7, 2010
Trade Paperback, 324 Pages
Berkley Heat

Reviewed by Mandi

Favorite Quote: Gods, if he didn’t get relief soon, his balls would explode.

Carys, a powerful Druid can’t help herself as she watches a very sexy Roman centurion, her enemy, bathe in a waterfall. She is mesmerized by him, although she she thinks she is being sly hiding, he discovers her watching. It is lust at first sight for both of them, but their lust is complicated. They come from opposing sides – both trying to decimate the other. If she were to become enslaved by the Romans, bloodshed of an extreme magnitude would erupt. But they cannot deny the other and they will soon discover there is a greater evil that lurks out in the beyond, waiting to destroy them all.

What really drew me to Forbidden is the cover. I think it is beautiful, but it also deceived me. This is a Berkley Heat book, and I should have expected erotic sex to be a big part of it – but the pretty, unique, modest cover made me forgot about the “heat” part. So when I read the first few pages of the book, and the hero is bathing in a waterfall as the heroine secretly watches and rubs her boobies on a tree to get off, I was a little taken aback. In fact, the first quarter of the book is all about the hero with his balls about to explode, and an engorged shaft that makes it difficult to walk. It was a little excessive, although damn sexy. However, the hormones do calm down a bit and after I finished the book, I can look back and enjoy the explicit beginning much more.

Christina Phillips gives us quite a fun, adventurous story that I really ended up enjoying. Maximus is described as barbaric by his enemies, but it is actually a pretty accurate term. Maybe I should say he is a “barbaric gentleman.” He has the “she is mine forever” attitude pretty much from the moment he spies Carys, and it takes a lot for him to let her go at the beginning – but he does act with honor. Carys is no virgin and wants at her Roman. I enjoyed her as a heroine – she is not shy in telling him what she wants, and although their people are enemies, and they have a lot riding against them, their love story is pretty straight forward and mature.

Carys has to hide the fact that she is a druid from him, and for as smart as Maximus claims to be, I thought he might have figured it out sooner than he did. There are some big clues he conveniently doesn’t pursue for a good part of the story. I also thought a bigger confrontation between the two of them when he did discover what she truly is should have played out in a more dramatic fashion.

There is an excellent villain in this book, one that you will love to hate. Also, the supporting characters, in particular Maximus’ friend, is set up well and I really want his story, which comes out in the sequel.

Forbidden starts with a bang – literally. Then calms down and there is a nice plot, and still quite steamy action. Christina Phillips has a nice voice and I look forward to more from her.

Rating: 3.5/5

Recent Reviews:
The Book Pushers – B
Goodreads

This series includes:
Forbidden
Captive – February 2011

Author’s Website.

Christina Phillips will be back later this morning for a chat!

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Related

Interview with Christina Phillips and Giveaway

I’m so happy to have Christina Phillips at Smexy today. Her very sexy book, Forbidden came out September 7th. Who is Christina Phillips? Give us the low down. I was born and grew up in the UK, but now live in sunny Western Australia with my husband and our three…

September 22, 2010

In "Christina Phillips"

Forbidden Winner

  The winner of Forbidden by Christina Phillips is: Estella Congrats! Thanks so much to Christina for stopping by!!

September 26, 2010

In "Christina Phillips"

Guest Author Christina Phillips

Thank you, Mandi, for having me back at Smexy books today to chat about my new release from Berkley Heat, Captive. I’m very happy to be here! I write hot historical romances set during the first century AD, with sexy warrior heroes and magical Druid heroines. In the world of…

February 24, 2011

In "Christina Phillips"

Filed Under: C Review, Christina Phillips, Erotic, Historical Paranormal Romance, Penguin, Three and a Half Stars

Comments

  1. Christine says

    September 22, 2010 at 9:23 am

    "rubs her boobies on a tree to get off" – LMAO! I wonder if Druids can get splinters?
    I always enjoy your reviews, Mandi!

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  2. tori aka ggs_closet says

    September 22, 2010 at 9:30 am

    Great review Mandi. "Rubs her boobies on a tree" huh? Oh my goodness. Wouldn't that be sorta "chafing"?

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  3. Blodeuedd says

    September 22, 2010 at 11:48 am

    Lol, finally the getting off with a tree book review ;)
    I do love the cover too, but honestly, I do not think the book is for me

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    Reply
  4. Paranormal Haven says

    September 22, 2010 at 11:51 am

    Hahaha, wow that first part of your review had me cracking up. Once great (and amusing) review.

    Stephanie G
    Paranormal Haven

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    Reply
  5. Lover of Romance says

    September 22, 2010 at 2:40 pm

    I love this review!!! Its already going on my TBR, and I just love historical romance especially this type, thanks for posting!!!

    I have a award for you Here

    Happy Reading!

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  6. Katiebabs/ KB says

    September 22, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    Barbaric gentleman sounds perfect when describing Maximus. But you'd think Carys would have been more careful around him, especially with all the rumors of Romans raping and pillaging.

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  7. Allison('s)Reads says

    September 23, 2010 at 2:07 am

    Hi Mandi, have you seen the cover for Captive? Yums! And love the quote from Forbidden. Now I can't wait even more to read the book :)

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  8. Mandi says

    September 23, 2010 at 7:17 am

    Christine – LOL…she was very happy to see him;)

    Tori – Well..she was clothed…

    Blodeuedd – no? It's might sexy..and a nice story :)

    Stephanie – lol

    Lover of Romance – Great ;)

    KB – True – she had an instinctive feeling she could trust him I think. Plus, she didn't run away with him when he demanded it at first.

    Allison – No, I don't think so – I am off to find it! :)

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  9. Ethica says

    July 2, 2011 at 9:46 pm

    Frankly I think that’s abosultley good stuff.

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