Reviewed for Bit'N Book Promoters; also posted on Ink of My Heart book blog. See full review at links below.

http://azgreen786.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/book-review-nightmares-of-caitlin.html
http://bitnbookpromoters.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/bite-on-this-book-review-for-boo...


I'll tell you one thing: these novels gave me mixed feelings. And signals. It was all up in the air from the start. Is that a good thing? Abso-bloody-lutely.

I loved these two novels and can't wait for the third in the trilogy. One of the fab things about these books is that they need to be read together to work. More so than any other series I've ever read.

Book one, Nightmares of Caitlin Lockyer was good. It was decent. But confusing. I read it feeling a bit disappointed to be honest. Not because of the quality of the writing, just the shading of the truth; the smoke screen which was very evident every time Nathan (whose point of view it is from) started thinking of something and then shifting his thoughts. It was like someone starting a sentence and then trailing off. Repeatedly. I kept thinking, But this is supposed to be his deepest, intimate thoughts. So why are we left hanging? It drove me nuts at times and I was left confused and frustrated by his inability to get to the damn point. I mean he was certainly direct. The dude liked to swear. A lot. And think about women and sexy-time. Too much. But he couldn't face his own thoughts.

And then it hit me. He's hiding it from himself. Like a post-traumatic stress patient. And I began to understand more as soon as I started Necessary Evil of Nathan Miller. Book one hinted at events, and you saw Caitlin as a victim, a damsel in distress, in need of Nathan's affections but not in an OTT sort of way that you couldn't comprehend or sympathise with. It felt natural. But it was fuelled by Nathan's point of view.

In Necessary Evil we see what Caitlin is really thinking, and my is it surprising. You understand scenes from both points of view. It requires you to have a good memory (or both books at hand) as to how a scene was interpreted from Nathan's perspective, and then Caitlin's. It's intriguing, fascinating and at times, shocking. Necessary Evil makes up for what was lost in Nightmares: solid foundation, directness and truth. None of which are in Nightmares. Because Nathan is broken.

The truth is that, yes, Caitlin does have nightmares brought on by trauma from her kidnapping, confinement and physical and sexual abuse. She was treated in the most vilest of ways and we can certainly empathize with her night terrors. But what we don't realize is that half of the bold passages in the beginning of each chapter of Nightmares are actually Nathan's. Now that was really clever and I loved it. Like my friend has said (who has also read them), it encourages you to go back and read Nightmares again so you can truly absorb everything that is happening.

I liked how in Necessary Evil we see a creative, musical side to Caitlin. Something of which is not mentioned at all in Nightmares because Nathan isn't aware she is in a band, or her bargain with his boss to get a recording contract. Something I thought was rather interesting and frankly, funny, within the grand scheme of this dark thing.

The writing is raw and unforgiving. It exposes everything, especially in Necessary Evil. We are witness to every beating, rape and horror Caitlin experiences and we understand Nathan all the more. I knew in the first book that he was there in that room with her. That he was 'Chris'. And I love how we were finally allowed to see the truth.

I did get a bit confused, mainly because I had all these wild conspiracy theories in my head clouding me from the truth, but it didn't affect my enjoyment of these two novels. I loved them. And despite my previous uncertainties with book one, after reading book two, I finally understand why it felt so erratic and misaligned. Demelza Carlton did a fabulous job of shoving us headfirst into the mind of a man broken by grief, trauma and guilt. Nathan is a complex, flawed but equally admirable character. The truth is that he is the victim, not Caitlin. She's so strong and defiant and never wanted to feel like a victim, or allowed people to treat her like one. There's no shame in being a victim, and she shows that, but she chooses not to fall into that fold. And I respect her strength. She stole the show.

Oh and FYI, the sexy scene is brilliant. It'll make anyone hot under the collar.

So here's a little tip for y'all: this ain't fluffy or light-hearted. It's graphic, gritty and downright dark. But it also gives the reader hope and we become attached and emotionally invested in the characters. Especially Caitlin and Nathan.

You must read this with an open mind, particularly when reading book one. Things aren't what they seem and it's like reading through a thick haze. But book two is where the haze clears and all is revealed. It's worth the wait. And just like Caitlin couldn't be without Nathan (and visa versa) Nightmares of Caitlin Lockyer cannot be without Necessary Evil of Nathan Miller... and visa versa.

I can't wait to see what book three brings. I'll definitely be reviewing that bad boy and Demelza's other works. Stay tuned for more from this wonderful author, and great friend.

I give Nightmares 4 out of 5 stars and Necessary evil 5 out of 5 stars. But together, they get 5 out of 5.

No doubt. ( )