"Lash" is a thrilling read from the jump as a young supernatural comes of age when he is thrust into the dark and gory side of the 1920’s Louisiana Underworld. Here shifters of all sorts and major Kingpins have control of the area. Lash is born into a traumatic shifter family where he is one with extraordinary powers and skills that enable him to track revenge on the creatures who kill his family. He must endure the Vampire Mafia, prostitution and gambling with even the most powerful figures from the underworld. He will become one of that most sought after killing machines at this time, and how he comes about to earn this power will leave you on the edge. The paranormal side of sex is steamy and comes with a twist. One that may even have you not wanting each scene to end. Lash is a kind-hearted soul who loves his family. However, fate has forced him over to the darker side of life. You will learn the dirty secrets of the south during this time as it is infested with the lust, rape and the desire for some demons to control even the most unwilling of souls.

Tara Fox Hall knows how to create real hard core fight scenes to sex scenes as her vivid descriptions take you to that very place in time. Lash is a likable character and you will find yourself rooting all along for him to come out of this alive. This is a high interest read for young adults, and also a broader audience. I found myself not being able to put each page down. Men will admire his strength and ruthlessness. And women will fantasize for the touch from this gentle but powerful creature. I can only hope Lash’s journey will continue on so that he may find the life he is owed.

"Lash" by Tara Fox Hall offers readers a great plot with a unique character. In this book Hall has created a shapeshifter were-snake. Let’s face it; most snakes have a bad reputation, so our sort of hero, Tryst, has the odds stacked against him from the beginning despite the fact that Tryst is a snake he has deep emotions. He has been hurt many times causing him to dislike humans. Lash is an unusual hero. Few authors would create a snake/assassin as their protagonist. While the thought of a snake makes my skin crawl and I certainly don’t want one to touch me, Lash is an exciting character. He is very devoted to his family, unassertive, and caring. The setting is the 1920s. When I think of the 20’s, I think of crime, mobs, prohibition and danger. In "Lash", Tryst is a mob assassin.

This book shows great depth in understanding human emotions. While the plot is definitely original it also has hints of a favorite fairy tale. If this was an older movie I could see James Dean as Lash. Think of a bad boy, poverty stricken with no way to go but up. "Lash" has it all: romance, paranormal, adventure, danger, and betrayal. Hall has included enough twists and turns to make it look like coils of a snake. One of the things I found unusual was Hall’s ability to write from the male perspective. That can be very difficult for females. However, Hall not only did it but she did it well as well.