BETTING ON JULIA by Nina Croft is the follow up to her previous book Operation: Saving Daniel and features many of the characters from that book. I was still able to follow and enjoy BETTING ON JULIA without reading the previous book. This book has werewolves and a sexy warlock tormented by demon shenanigans. I like that the supporting characters don't clutter up the story or take away from the main characters.

BETTING ON JULIA has very intense and drama-filled moments as well as some lighter, sexy ones. Warlock Sebastian Crane and werewolf Julia Melville meet because getting Julia to say "I love you" is Sebastian's way of getting rid of a nasty demon named Dante who is bonded to him. There are a few fun moments because of Sebastian's ruse of appearing to be a slightly geeky, mild-mannered accountant. Sebastian sees himself as a man of dark passions and not really good enough to win the love of a good woman like Julia. This window into his inner thoughts makes him a more sympathetic character. I like that Julia is able to see this other side to him.

The attraction between Julia and Sebastian is immediate and it makes for some very sexy and super steamy scenes. There is a little bit of kink, but I think it's nothing that the average fan of paranormal romance would find unpalatable. Rather than being sinister or sleazy, Sebastian falls hopelessly in love with Julia. I like the dynamic and irony of her trying to get him to go wild, while he tries to control his wilder impulses out of caring for her. I like that they both had an inner struggle going on - him fighting his demon, and her struggling to accept her werewolf self. I think they make a perfect pair and have great chemistry. The action in BETTING ON JULIA adds excitement without obscuring the romance.

BETTING ON JULIA is a red hot romance with some danger thrown in. I look forward to reading more books by Nina Croft. I would also be interested in reading more stories set in the world that Nina Croft has created in BETTING ON JULIA.

Book Summary

Small, blonde, bubbly, and with a penchant for all things pink, Julia Melville has always considered herself a nice girl – until she was attacked by a werewolf. Months later, and still in total denial, Julia spends the time between full moons fantasizing that her life is normal. And who could be better to help her with that than her new neighbor, handsome accountant, Sebastian Crane.

For two hundred years, Sebastian, a powerful warlock, has been possessed by a demon. Each day, his soul grows darker, and he knows that soon he will be beyond salvation. But the demon loves to gamble, and he’s made Bastian one final bet—get a good woman to say the words “I love you” and he’ll be free.

Julia wants a normal guy. Bastian needs a good woman. Maybe together they can find something far more valuable… redemption.

Read an Excerpt