** spoiler alert ** I can count on Kresley Cole to write believable paranormal fiction and really hot sex. The first story in this duo definitely hits the money.

There are references to what I think is an event from a previous book, but it's been long enough ago that I read it, it's more than vague. The setting - the world, is familiar though.

Interaction between the two leads is funny and human, without regard to their non-human existence, which is part of what makes her characters and world more believable to me.

The title couple cannot have sex, cannot even touch each other. There's no shortage of sexy interaction, though, so don't write this one off. The foreplay, for lack of a better description, is VERY well written - tantalizing and satisfying at the same time.

The plot is settled to my satisfaction, though some of the B characters and stories were a little more throwaway than I like.

The second part of the duo, by Gena Showalter, is a shorter story, set in her own world, of course. I don't think I've read any in this particular setting, and it's interesting enough that I might look at the library for more of her stand-alone titles. The lead female has an interesting "superhuman" trait that scares her and leaves her scared that others will find out. Who ever wants to share their deepest, darkest secret, after all? Her trait, and others referenced in the story, are explained in an offhand conversation in a way that has just enough science to satisfy the nerd in me.

I enjoyed the first story a lot more than the second story, and recommend them both to paranormal romance fans.