What do you think?
Rate this book
Affinity
In the wrong hands, Jenna Thomas's legacy could be a curse--in her mind it already is.As a child, a routine x-ray awakened an abnormality in Jenna's DNA, giving her the ability to "call" creatures and take on their attributes. Labeled a freak since then, Jenna's learned to keep everyone at a distance. But all that changes the day she saves a young boy from drowning and the story goes viral.Nick Hawke, an off-duty policeman, witnesses part of the drama. Captivated by Jenna's exotic beauty, he decides to investigate, not sure what to believe. Jenna puts his cynicism to the test--even as the attraction between them grows.As word of her extraordinary rescue spreads, a dangerous man who will stop at nothing to control Jenna's abilities draws near. With her feelings for Nick putting him in danger too, can Jenna risk everything to protect them both?
113 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2012
23 people want to read
About the author
LaVerne Clark
4 books61 followersI'm a Kiwi (New Zealander - not the flight-less bird or strange, hairy fruit!) writing stories of romance, fantasy and suspense. I'm a keen reader and love to relax with a good book when I'm not plotting murder and mayhem; or running around after my two children, rescued greyhound and husband. I love to hear from readers or writers alike, so feel free to drop me a line anytime.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 23, 2012
I've had this book on my ereader since it was released in June. I finally got around to reading it this weekend.
The story opens with a little girl getting an x-ray. She called the technologist a nurse--one of my pet peeves--but then, this story is set in New Zealand and for all I know, nurses take x-rays in other countries. The opening scene is also told from a little girl's POV, so she probably thinks of all female medical personal as nurses. But then the child felt the x-rays, and I thought Ms. Clark had lost her mind. But the writing was crisp and the pacing quick so, I kept reading. And realized Ms. Clark hadn't lost her mind. She had a unique and clever plot with wonderful characters.
Jenna Thomas is an Asian American with a gift inherited from her grandparents--a gift that grew from mutated DNA--a gift of affinity with nature, energy, and living things. She has the ability to connect with animals and adopt their abilities.The explanation not only made science fiction sense, it's told in a way that tugs at the heart strings.
Jenna views her legacy as a curse and it makes her vulnerable.She's been labeled a freak all her life so she avoids close contact with others, keeping everyone she's ever met at arm's length. But when drives up on a car accident, she risks exposing her gift to save a little boy's life. And draws the attention of off-duty policeman, Nick Hawke.
Nick is drawn to Jenna's exotic beauty but curious as to how she saved the child. What witnesses describe seems impossible. So, he decides to investigate. But Nick isn't the only one whose attention Jenna has attracted. She's come to the attention of a dangerous man bent on revenge, and he'll stop at nothing to use Jenna's gift to destroy a nation. And Nick will do anything to keep Jenna safe. But will her gift come between them? Or draw them even closer?
There's action, romance, and some laugh out loud moments that kept me glued to my e-reader until the very last page. If you're looking for something different but wonderful, you'll love this book.
The story opens with a little girl getting an x-ray. She called the technologist a nurse--one of my pet peeves--but then, this story is set in New Zealand and for all I know, nurses take x-rays in other countries. The opening scene is also told from a little girl's POV, so she probably thinks of all female medical personal as nurses. But then the child felt the x-rays, and I thought Ms. Clark had lost her mind. But the writing was crisp and the pacing quick so, I kept reading. And realized Ms. Clark hadn't lost her mind. She had a unique and clever plot with wonderful characters.
Jenna Thomas is an Asian American with a gift inherited from her grandparents--a gift that grew from mutated DNA--a gift of affinity with nature, energy, and living things. She has the ability to connect with animals and adopt their abilities.The explanation not only made science fiction sense, it's told in a way that tugs at the heart strings.
Jenna views her legacy as a curse and it makes her vulnerable.She's been labeled a freak all her life so she avoids close contact with others, keeping everyone she's ever met at arm's length. But when drives up on a car accident, she risks exposing her gift to save a little boy's life. And draws the attention of off-duty policeman, Nick Hawke.
Nick is drawn to Jenna's exotic beauty but curious as to how she saved the child. What witnesses describe seems impossible. So, he decides to investigate. But Nick isn't the only one whose attention Jenna has attracted. She's come to the attention of a dangerous man bent on revenge, and he'll stop at nothing to use Jenna's gift to destroy a nation. And Nick will do anything to keep Jenna safe. But will her gift come between them? Or draw them even closer?
There's action, romance, and some laugh out loud moments that kept me glued to my e-reader until the very last page. If you're looking for something different but wonderful, you'll love this book.
June 30, 2013
I have to confess that I don't usually read this genre of romance. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I'm so glad that I picked up this book! I loved the really unusual story concept. I particularly liked that the reason behind the heroine's mutation was grounded in history, it made the story more believable and therefore more enjoyable for me. The heroine's unique gift of 'borrowing' the attributes of animals gets the imagination going, it made me wonder 'what if?' quite often. Jenna's vulnerability was well portrayed too. Her fear of exposure, and the abuse that would go hand in hand with that, was something you could totally understand. Jenna was a lovely well rounded character and a joy to read. I especially loved the scene where she rescued the boy and blew her cover. It was nail biting. I found I was holding my breath while I read it, willing her to breathe under water! It was made all the more poignant because you knew she was risking her safety to rescue a child.
The romance in the story is wonderful too. Jenna and Nick suit each other beautifully and the attraction between them builds in such a lovely way. I really loved the way Nick coped with Jenna's gift, it made him even more lovable. Nick came across and a capable and sexy guy, someone you would want in your corner in a crisis. There's also some delightful banter between the two of them that lightens the drama of the story and gives the reader a moment's ease from the tension that Clark so masterfully builds. The New Zealand setting was particularly lovely, and a nice change from the many books I've read lately set in the USA. I have to say this book ended too quickly for me. I really wanted there to be more! It was clever, believable and very well written. Such an unusual and enjoyable story. I'm off to track down her other books now!
The romance in the story is wonderful too. Jenna and Nick suit each other beautifully and the attraction between them builds in such a lovely way. I really loved the way Nick coped with Jenna's gift, it made him even more lovable. Nick came across and a capable and sexy guy, someone you would want in your corner in a crisis. There's also some delightful banter between the two of them that lightens the drama of the story and gives the reader a moment's ease from the tension that Clark so masterfully builds. The New Zealand setting was particularly lovely, and a nice change from the many books I've read lately set in the USA. I have to say this book ended too quickly for me. I really wanted there to be more! It was clever, believable and very well written. Such an unusual and enjoyable story. I'm off to track down her other books now!
September 24, 2013
This is a quick, action-packed read that will hook you from the opening pages! I enjoyed heroine Jenna's ability to connect with animals in her mind--it's a fresh twist to the shape-shifter idea. Of course, Jenna's affinity makes her different, and therefore wary of others--for good reason, it turns out. But she risks exposure to save the life of a little boy, and draws the attention of Nick, a sexy, jaded cop. Unfortunately, she also draws the attention of someone with much more evil intentions...
Jenna makes a strong heroine, and I really liked that she was often the pursuer in the romantic relationship developing between her and Nick. The hero, Nick, seemed to have some secrets of his own, and I found myself wanting to know more about him. Without spoiling anything, I will say the ways Jenna's power could have been used to devastate entire communities never even occurred to me, so that passage made it all the more believable a vengeful person would want to get their hands on her. Fun New Zealand setting as well!
Jenna makes a strong heroine, and I really liked that she was often the pursuer in the romantic relationship developing between her and Nick. The hero, Nick, seemed to have some secrets of his own, and I found myself wanting to know more about him. Without spoiling anything, I will say the ways Jenna's power could have been used to devastate entire communities never even occurred to me, so that passage made it all the more believable a vengeful person would want to get their hands on her. Fun New Zealand setting as well!
October 11, 2012
I loved Laverne Clark’s first book ‘Guardian of the Jewel’ and ‘Affinity’ is even better!
The paranormal elements are very interesting and unique, and the historical connection to Hiroshima and WW2 definitely sets-up a great basis for a series.
Jenna is a beautiful, strong woman with just the right amount of vulnerability; Nick is a very sexy, heart-felt guy, dedicated but a bit jaded by his job. Together, they are probably my favorite romance couple from TWRP. And, I personally love Asian heroines and want to see more in romance novels.
I also really like the New Zealand settings; Laverne has a real knack for descriptive elements that create depth and tone to the story. Her love of NZ and the landscape really shows in both her novels.
I look forward to a sequel too – hopefully full length!
The paranormal elements are very interesting and unique, and the historical connection to Hiroshima and WW2 definitely sets-up a great basis for a series.
Jenna is a beautiful, strong woman with just the right amount of vulnerability; Nick is a very sexy, heart-felt guy, dedicated but a bit jaded by his job. Together, they are probably my favorite romance couple from TWRP. And, I personally love Asian heroines and want to see more in romance novels.
I also really like the New Zealand settings; Laverne has a real knack for descriptive elements that create depth and tone to the story. Her love of NZ and the landscape really shows in both her novels.
I look forward to a sequel too – hopefully full length!
August 14, 2012
LaVerne Clark has written another strong and engaging romance. Affinity is an unusual story with paranormal aspects that are both innovative and chilling. Jenna and Nick make a wonderful couple, once they get over their resistance to each other - she, afterall, feels like a freak with her special abilities, and he is a cop hardened by his job who has lost sight of the kinder gentler side of life. Jenna has a super special gift that stops the evil villain and his henchmen before they can ruin all that is dear to Jenna, namely Nick. I've said it before, but I'll say it again - for such a short book - Ms. Clark has managed to write a full bodied romance. I only wish she had more time to delve a little deeper into the h/h. Highly recommend, and I really liked it!
June 27, 2012
Wonderful read, so hard to put down... Something that I will happily enjoy reading again.
December 2, 2012
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...
Will Jenna put her life on the line for a man she’s just met?
Jenna is a very easy character to like. Even though she knows she’s risking exposing her abilities to the world, she still saves a young boy from drowning. That alone says volumes about the type of woman she is, but I still would have liked to know more about her past and how she learned to control her abilities. Not only does Jenna have a good heart, but a bold one as well. I expected someone who has spent a good deal of her life alone and trying to hide to be much more timid. However, Jenna has quite a bit of spunk in her. Her display of attitude after chasing some bad guys off her property is especially entertaining.
Jenna’s unique powers make for a thought provoking story that left me wondering what would happen if such a thing were really possible. In Jenna’s case, she becomes a target for a very evil man, but I also couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if those powers resided in someone who didn’t have Jenna’s morals to begin with. The thought is truly terrifying.
Jenna and Nick have an intense connection from the moment they meet. The chemistry between them practically sizzles. Jenna hints that other people have been less than accepting about her powers, so I thought it a bit odd that she was so quick to not only trust Nick, but pursue a relationship with him. Their relationship moves a bit fast for my taste, but the connection between them seems genuine. I also enjoyed the twist added to their bond after they make love.
I thought the conflict with the man who was after Jenna was resolved a bit too quickly. Just as the story was picking up speed and the tension was mounting, everything ended. I just wasn’t ready for the story to be over yet. I also have to question why Jenna and Nick didn’t take more precautions for her safety in the first place. Nick and Jenna knew she was a target, yet they didn’t take much action to prevent another attack. I would have thought Nick would have at least insisted on moving her to a different location. Despite this issue, the plot flowed well and had a satisfying conclusion.
Affinity is a fun, fast paced story sure to get the blood flowing. Anyone looking for a good paranormal suspense filled with spicy romance should give Affinity a try.
Will Jenna put her life on the line for a man she’s just met?
Jenna is a very easy character to like. Even though she knows she’s risking exposing her abilities to the world, she still saves a young boy from drowning. That alone says volumes about the type of woman she is, but I still would have liked to know more about her past and how she learned to control her abilities. Not only does Jenna have a good heart, but a bold one as well. I expected someone who has spent a good deal of her life alone and trying to hide to be much more timid. However, Jenna has quite a bit of spunk in her. Her display of attitude after chasing some bad guys off her property is especially entertaining.
Jenna’s unique powers make for a thought provoking story that left me wondering what would happen if such a thing were really possible. In Jenna’s case, she becomes a target for a very evil man, but I also couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if those powers resided in someone who didn’t have Jenna’s morals to begin with. The thought is truly terrifying.
Jenna and Nick have an intense connection from the moment they meet. The chemistry between them practically sizzles. Jenna hints that other people have been less than accepting about her powers, so I thought it a bit odd that she was so quick to not only trust Nick, but pursue a relationship with him. Their relationship moves a bit fast for my taste, but the connection between them seems genuine. I also enjoyed the twist added to their bond after they make love.
I thought the conflict with the man who was after Jenna was resolved a bit too quickly. Just as the story was picking up speed and the tension was mounting, everything ended. I just wasn’t ready for the story to be over yet. I also have to question why Jenna and Nick didn’t take more precautions for her safety in the first place. Nick and Jenna knew she was a target, yet they didn’t take much action to prevent another attack. I would have thought Nick would have at least insisted on moving her to a different location. Despite this issue, the plot flowed well and had a satisfying conclusion.
Affinity is a fun, fast paced story sure to get the blood flowing. Anyone looking for a good paranormal suspense filled with spicy romance should give Affinity a try.
October 3, 2015
This was an interesting read.
Jenna discovers she has special powers when she's but a child. She grows up pretty much isolated as she's afraid of people finding out. She doesn't want to be looked upon as a "freak". She's succeded at keeping her secret from everyone until destiny decides to throw her a curve ball.
Nick is a cop with a somewhat dark soul. He stumbles upon a would be tragedy, and discovers Jenna. He knows she hides something, as nothing can explain how she converts an almost fatal accident into a successful rescue. He makes it his mission to find out what Jenna is all about. Never does it cross his mind his heart will be part of the mission.
Overall, this was an ok read. I have some mixed thoughts about it, as according to the story Nick has a dark soul, although there are some clues given, it led me to believe something would come up to explain why he doesn't want to love. The thing is the explanation I'd hoped for never really comes up. The story was engaging at the start, there were times that it slowed, and then it picked up again. I thought roles were reversed in the story, nothing wrong with that; Jenna was the pursuer, Nick the pursued. This would've worked perfectly but some of the actions Nick took may not have been the best.
This is an OK read for anyone who likes paranormal romance.
Blurb:
In the wrong hands, Jenna Thomas’s legacy could be a curse—in her mind it already is.
As a child, a routine x-ray awakened an abnormality in Jenna’s DNA giving her the ability to “call” creatures and take on their attributes. Labeled a freak since then, Jenna’s learned to keep everyone at a distance. But all that changes the day she saves a young boy from drowning, and the story goes viral.
Nick Hawke, an off-duty policeman, witnesses part of the drama. Captivated by Jenna’s exotic beauty, he decides to investigate, not sure what to believe. Jenna puts his cynicism to the test—even as the attraction between them grows.
As word of her extraordinary rescue spreads, a dangerous man who will stop at nothing to control Jenna’s abilities draws near. With her feelings for Nick putting him in danger too, can Jenna risk everything to protect them both?
Jenna discovers she has special powers when she's but a child. She grows up pretty much isolated as she's afraid of people finding out. She doesn't want to be looked upon as a "freak". She's succeded at keeping her secret from everyone until destiny decides to throw her a curve ball.
Nick is a cop with a somewhat dark soul. He stumbles upon a would be tragedy, and discovers Jenna. He knows she hides something, as nothing can explain how she converts an almost fatal accident into a successful rescue. He makes it his mission to find out what Jenna is all about. Never does it cross his mind his heart will be part of the mission.
Overall, this was an ok read. I have some mixed thoughts about it, as according to the story Nick has a dark soul, although there are some clues given, it led me to believe something would come up to explain why he doesn't want to love. The thing is the explanation I'd hoped for never really comes up. The story was engaging at the start, there were times that it slowed, and then it picked up again. I thought roles were reversed in the story, nothing wrong with that; Jenna was the pursuer, Nick the pursued. This would've worked perfectly but some of the actions Nick took may not have been the best.
This is an OK read for anyone who likes paranormal romance.
Blurb:
In the wrong hands, Jenna Thomas’s legacy could be a curse—in her mind it already is.
As a child, a routine x-ray awakened an abnormality in Jenna’s DNA giving her the ability to “call” creatures and take on their attributes. Labeled a freak since then, Jenna’s learned to keep everyone at a distance. But all that changes the day she saves a young boy from drowning, and the story goes viral.
Nick Hawke, an off-duty policeman, witnesses part of the drama. Captivated by Jenna’s exotic beauty, he decides to investigate, not sure what to believe. Jenna puts his cynicism to the test—even as the attraction between them grows.
As word of her extraordinary rescue spreads, a dangerous man who will stop at nothing to control Jenna’s abilities draws near. With her feelings for Nick putting him in danger too, can Jenna risk everything to protect them both?
March 1, 2014
A well-written, thought provoking, story. Great, believable characters. Right from the start, Jenna's selfless act of saving a little boy verse the risk of exposing herself to the world's scrutiny and possibly ending up in a lab being experimented on had me rooting for her. The jaded, broody and very sexy Nick, makes for sizzling chemistry between the pair. The way in which the sexual tension builds between the pair is well done, and like Jenna I wanted to throw something at Nick too. Love it. The descriptive scene setting is great, it felt like I was watching a movie.
I was disappointed that the story ended quickly as I was hooked and wanted more, more, more...
A very talented writer,and a story worth reading. Thanks LaVerne.
I was disappointed that the story ended quickly as I was hooked and wanted more, more, more...
A very talented writer,and a story worth reading. Thanks LaVerne.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews