Review: Layla's Gale by Nicole Pouchet

Life is finally on track for fledgling stage actress Layla Cohen until she realizes her gorgeous new director, Sebastian, is the star of the erotic dreams which she’s been having for months. She could handle the uncomfortable work situation if not for the further evidence she’s losing her mind: The wind suddenly whooshes at her command; memories of a past life emerge; and she’s sure someone is trying to kill her.

Meanwhile, director Sebastian Tawanti is steering his small D.C. theater company into the big-time with his Incan mythology-based play. The culmination of his life’s work, he won’t let anything stand in the way of his play’s success–not his mother’s objections, not the inappropriate heat he feels for Layla, and not even the mysterious, empathic symptoms he’s experienced since meeting her.

As Layla and Sebastian struggle with new love and burgeoning power, a sinister force unravels to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Will they learn the truth behind the Incan script in time to save their lives, the love they’re destined to share, and the future of humanity?

AMAZON  *  B&N

My Thoughts:

I was hyped when asked to review this book. Not because it was another paranormal romance, but because it talked about Incan mythology. Not many works of fiction talk about the culture in South America, so I was looking forward for a change. Fortunately, the Incan aspect in this book did not disappoint.

The story started off a little simple but picked up when the action began. Layla auditioned for a part in Sebastian's play based on the Incan stories that Sebastian's mother told him growing up. However, these stories were much more than just tales: they were true. I loved how the author was able to intertwine the mythology into the real world. It did not feel out of place. I simply enjoyed reading about the legend of Ceiba and learning who Layla and Sebastian really were.

As much as I enjoyed reading the mythology side of the book, I did find myself having a hard time connecting with the main characters. I did not feel motivated by the romance between Layla and Sebastian. It felt a little rushed for my taste. If anything, I found myself attracted more to Sebastian's twin and really wanted to know more about him. I think perhaps my disconnection with the characters made this reading a little slow for me. However, it was still a good read.

Overall, this was a unique book since it involved South American mythology. I really loved reading this side of the book. I just wish that I could have connected more with the main characters to fully love this book. If the second book in the series is about Trystan, the twin, I would be more than eager to continue reading the series. I rate it:

About the Author:

Still amazed to be an adult, Nicole co-owns a marketing agency and writes paranormal romance novels. She has managed to center her life around raising her two small sons and being true to her family (including husband and friends), and is happiest near the water.

Nicole wrote a weekly column about life’s mysterious and mundane moments called “A Discerning Eye” for her local branch of AOL’s news website, Patch. Her poetry and articles have been published in journals including Executive Pie, Sacramento Poetry Corner, Mother Earth Journal, Lummox Journal, Poetry Now, Poetry Motel, and The Duke University Archives.

Nicole holds an English degree from Duke University where she studied poetry under Lucille Clifton and Debbie Pope.

As a former theater hand, Nicole assistant directed Broadway’s Little Women and Broadway’s A Thousand Clowns; served as prop master’s assistant for Broadway’s Birdy; and directed and stage managed a host of regional plays in Durham, North Carolina and Charles Town, West Virginia.

Nicole is a partner at marketing agency BlueTreeDigital, an outsourced marketing department for small-to-medium sized businesses. She lives in Leesburg, Virginia with her husband and two small sons.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads