The story of the Monère and their newest Queen continues.  Mona Lisa and her inner circle move from Manhattan to her new Louisiana territory and into her new home, Belle Vista.  Her subjects number in the hundreds.  These are the people who are left behind from the previous Queen’s reign.  Mona Louisa had been stripped of this territory by decree of the High Council and it was awarded to her intended victim.                     

Jostling for position immediately results in a challenge against Amber, Warrior Lord and one of Mona Lisa’s lovers.  The attending fray shows a frightening power held by new subject Dontaine Fruge.  His ability horrifies this queen and has the power to call to her tiger form; a form she has not been able to accept fully. 

She discovers that her power to heal is not something she can bring forth without the catalyst of sex and yet she is unwilling to heal all who come across her path in this way. 

Her other lover Gryphon serves his Queen to the best of his ability though they frequently disagree on what is acceptable.  They are often at cross purposes but their love shines through. 

Enemies, however, lurk closer than our powerful Mixed Blood thinks and an audacious attack comes when it is least expected.  Even Mona Lisa’s friend and suitor Halcyon, the High Prince of Hell is caught unawares.  

This can be read as a standalone work but the experience is enriched for having read the first work in the series Mona Lisa Awakening and there is also a short story called “Mona Lisa Three” within the anthology titled Over the Moon. 

The span of time discussed in the book is relatively short for the length of this novel.  However, a fast pace and thoroughly detailed and lush scenes sweeps the reader away into this dark erotically charged world where we learn yet more about “the Children of the Moon” and the demon dead. 

Our heroine is as strong and compelling as ever.  It is all the more appealing that though she holds so much power, she does not lose her compassion for those who are weaker.  That she has sensitivities and squeamishness of her own make her personable.  Mona Lisa is also learning that she has not found the limits to her abilities and that certainly intrigues the reader for what will come in future. 

All of the characters populating the book are well fleshed out with backgrounds, feelings, and motivations.  They become so real that you expect them to step off of the page and into the room.  

The build-up to and the pulse-pounding excitement of battle are written with a deft hand.  One can almost see the flash of a silver blade, hear the non-human cries of anger, and smell the metallic scent of blood. 

Sex scenes range from the wildly animalistic to the tenderest of lovemaking.  Fans of the erotic will be able to absolutely wallow in the prose.  The surprising thing is that emotion is somehow incorporated into all of these scenes. 

The males of particular note are Amber, Gryphon and Halcyon.  Each is very different from the other and each is devoted to this Queen.  Sunny’s ability to show us the cores of these relationships is what makes them feel so irreplaceable. 

We are fascinated by the play before us of new allies made, old alliances deepened, the tragedy of loss and how enemies are dealt with.  MONA LISA BLOSSOMING is an enthralling page turner.  For all of the action and adventure it is also an emotional roller coaster ride. 

This is sumptuous writing to sink one’s senses into. 

Please be aware that this work encompasses very graphic scenes of sex and violence.

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