Anchorage, Alaska

The vampire population may have created an economic boom in Alaska, but their altered energy field fries most technology. They rely on hard-living—and short-lived—couriers to get business done…couriers like Sydney Kildare. Sydney has survived to the ripe old age of twenty-six by being careful. She’s careful when navigating her tempestuous clients, outrunning hijackers and avoiding anyone who might distract her from her plan of retiring young to a tropical, vampire-free island.

Her attitude—and immunity to vampires’ allure—have made her the target of a faction of vampires trying to reclaim their territory. Her only ally is Malcolm Kelly, a secretive charmer with the uncanny habit of showing up whenever she’s in trouble. Caught in the middle of a vampire turf war, Sydney has to count on Malcolm to help her survive, or the only place she’ll retire is her grave…
This blurb came from the author’s website here.

I was looking at Carina Press’ weekly new release e-mail when I noticed the title which was rather intriguing. Then I looked at the blurb and thought that I would enjoy this different take on vampires and humans so I decided to get it. Overall I really enjoyed reading this with a few quibbles and when I stated that on Goodreads I was asked if I was going to review it, which I wasn’t but decided I would. As a result this will be a shorter review then my usual ones .

I enjoyed how Ms Summers pulled different aspects of vampire legend together. For example the mind control and also that their blood could possess healing properties that didn’t always work as planned. I liked how the couriers were considered fair-game by the vampires instead of being off limits so they were forced to develop methods of self-protection and disguise. The couriers had their own rules and tried to mentor the new ones yet each was responsible for their own survival. I found it fascinating that even though the courier companies were independent it almost seemed like certain individual couriers were considered property of certain vampires. And given how vampire politics tends to operate that could contribute to the shortened life expectancy of the couriers.

As much as I liked Ms Summers’ idea I still noticed some things that bothered me. It is mentioned in the blurb that vampires and technology don’t mix well but I didn’t get to see that in action and I wanted to. Even with that limitation it seemed they still had ways of finding out information that was kept hidden. I did think that the couriers would have a closer finger on the “political” pulse of their area since they went everywhere making their deliveries. No, they might not know what was in the messages they delivered but the overall feel/tone should have told them something. Looking back over what I have written so far I really haven’t talked about Sydney or Malcolm. Sydney is pretty much as described in the back-cover blurb and I never really got a feel for Malcolm. I was enthralled by the world and the action and not as much with the characters. I think if Don’t Bite the Messenger had a longer word count the main characters could have been fleshed out more while maintaining the same level of action.

I really hope that Ms Summers continues to write in this world because I do want to see more and I liked the ideas she presented. I give Don’t Bite the Messenger a B-

Links to purchase

Nook | Kindle eBook

Review – Don’t Bite the Messenger by Regan Summers is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

Fallen angels… They rule Moscow’s seedy underworld, promising untold pleasure to the females who dare to mate them. That promise – and Brends Duranov’s own raw sexual power – has hopefuls mobbing the velvet rope outside his elite club G2’s.

But Mischka Baran has no intention of hooking up with one of the Fallen. Not even after Brends gives her an unforgettable taste of the sin and seduction he can deliver with those wicked lips. She’s after information, not a stint as some Goblin’s toy of the month. What she doesn’t know is that with a sadistic killer carving up his brethren, Brends is playing for keeps, hunting the one woman whose bloodline can end the mayhem, whose bond can restore his lost wings.
This blurb came from the author’s website here.

Back in August 2010 I had just finished reading Claire Delacroix’s Eyes of the Republic trilogy and was in the mood for more books that had apocalyptic settings and involved fallen angels when I found Bond with Me. It looked like it fit those requirements so I decided to give it a try. Well it certainly met those requirements and delivered more! Ms Marsh developed a really fascinating world that took some rather interesting twists on the reason for and what happened after the War in Heaven.

After the War in Heaven things drastically changed for the Fallen, like the insatiable desire to feel although they lost the capacity to create their own feelings. They could temporarily appease that need by feeling vicariously through a human, which required consuming part of the human’s soul through a bargain called a bond. But if they allowed the need to satisfy that hunger to rule them, they would become hunted and imprisoned rogues loosing all chance of redemption. Each Fallen did have a chance to return to heaven, which involved a special woman, however after thousands of years had passed none of them had regained their wings so they stopped believing. The loss of that hope caused more and more of the Fallen to succumb to their hunger. I will just say that Angelic politics certainly played a role in that…

Ms Marsh took a different approach with Bond with Me by including two couples in different stages of their relationships. One had been slowly building over years so was more of a friends to lovers while the other was closer to a physical relationship that turned into love. I enjoyed the dichotomy between the two because I think it highlighted just how dangerous stereotypes and hasty decisions can be. I also got to see just how determined the Fallen could be in their pursuit of one particular woman even with throngs of others clamoring for their attention. Each of the Fallen had their own distinct personalities with some more dominate then others but all of them would certainly be considered the Alpha type.

Brends was certainly something else. He was such a contradiction as he kept his word, played by the rules and yet seized every advantage to get what he wanted. The catch was that Mischka had to be willing in order for the bond between them to actually happen. Watching the interplay between Mischka, Brends, and his conscious as he maneuvered, manipulated and ultimately fell in love was very entertaining. Mischka made him work for every single thing he gained which I loved.

During my re-read for this review I was captivated all over again. It was great seeing that a couple of years and hundreds of books later I still had the exact same urge to rush out and find the next book. This time I can actually get His Dark Bond because it released this Tuesday.

I give Bond with Me an A

Links to purchase:

Amazon Book | Kindle eBook | Barnes & Noble

Review – Bond With Me by Anne Marsh is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

James and Olivia Forster have been happily married for many years. A harmless kink here or there spices up their love life, but they can’t imagine the kinks they’ll encounter while sneaking off to their beach house for a long hot weekend.

Anso Vitul has ruled the wereseals for one short month. He hardly needs his authority questioned because he’s going crazy from mating heat. Anso’s best friend and male lover Ty offers to help him find the human mate his genes are seeking. To Ty’s amazement, Anso’s quest leads him claim not one partner but a pair. Ty would object, except he too finds the Forsters hopelessly attractive.
I got this blurb from the author’s website here.

Hidden Depths is the second in Ms Holly’s Hidden world following after Hidden Talents which I reviewed here. Unlike the majority of other series I read, which are set in the same world and have some reoccurring characters or events that provide continuity, this seemed much more of a standalone novel. Yes, it was set in the same world but dealt primarily with a different species and environment not to mention an entirely different theme. I will admit when I read the blurb and saw that this featured a married couple I had my doubts but I should have trusted that Ms Holly would make it work.

Ms Holly does not pull any erotic punches with the main characters coming on scene and pretty quickly enjoying an intimate moment with their respective partner. Those encounters displayed not only what types of things the characters enjoyed but also the emotional trust and caring they had within their relationships. I think their caring relationships were the key that allowed the merging of the couples to work. If any individual had been less committed to their partner’s happiness I think the outcome would have been entirely different. I liked that while Ms Holly did use the ‘fated mate’ trope she did not use that trope as the final solution but as the reason for meeting. I also liked how both James and Olivia experienced what the wereseals could give them at the same time but in separate locations. That continued to keep them on an even level with their relationship with each other.

The inclusion of several twists in this story helped elevate it above the increasingly more familiar multi-partner erotic romance. The woman scorned, while determined to get her own back, did not go down the typically well-worn path. As I mentioned earlier the idea of fated mates was not the ultimate answer. Ms Holly also did not make the focus of this as three close male friends/relatives all interested in sharing a single female but more about four people initially two separate couples building a relationship with each other. And then there was the setting…I have always be fascinated with the sea and this certainly fed my imagination. The wereseal world was full of some pretty intriguing creatures and seascapes. I wish we could have explored it and some of the wereseal culture a bit more.

My only quibble is that it seemed some things were accepted a bit too easily not just by the main characters but by the entire ensemble as a whole. Aside from the group of dissenters, which included “the woman scored”, everyone else went along with and loved what James and Olivia brought to their world.

I give Hidden Depths a B

Links to purchase

Barnes & Noble | Kindle eBook

Review – Hidden Depths by Emma Holly is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

While we, The Book Pushers, might appear mild-mannered unless we are engaged in the business of pushing books but when it comes down to picking sides well lets just say the more badass the better! We introduced Moira Rogers’ Children of the Undying in our New Series Spotlight and we also reviewed Demon Bait the novella that started it all. In Demon Bait we got to meet some of the Outcasts and heard mention of the Truckers. Going along with our preference for badasses in Team Truckers vs Team Outcasts debate we are on Team Outcast FTW! In fact we are so firmly on Team Outcast that we are going to give you our one on one showdown so you can join us.

First up are the two leaders: From Team Outcast Zel, “It’s too bad his demon nature is more suited to savagery than statesmanship.” From Team Trucker Devi, “She’s loyal to her people, but fully capable of throwing you to the demons if you threaten those she cares about.” Given their personalities Zel would have no mercy if you got in his way or posed a potential threat while Devi would only react if you threatened someone she cared about. Judges response: Zel wins unanimously!

Second match: In the Outcast corner we have Hailey, “Hailey knows if you’ve been bad or good, and will make you regret it if you try to lie to her.” Representing the Truckers is Tanner, “Speaking of secrets… Tanner is the original man of mystery.” Unlike the first match up which was mostly about leadership styles this one is about the greater good for their group. Hailey solves problems and keeps people together by cutting through all of their BS. Tanner on the other hand starts problems and spreads unrest wherever he goes. Judges decision: Hailey wins 2 to 1.

Third match: Coming up for the Outcasts is Lorenzo, “He’s also the iron fist that will crush any halfblood caught using magic to cross the line between seduction and coercion.” Warming up for the Truckers is Juliet, “As Devi’s resident weapons expert, she’s at the front of any battle–and is usually the one to end it.” Now we get to the enforcers…Lorenzo takes care of anyone who breaks the Outcasts’ most important rule separating them from the true demons. Juliet ensures she is always where the fighting is the most ferocious and is the reason Devi’s crew wins any battles they encounter. Judges after fierce deliberations declare this one a tie.

Match Four on your cards tonight goes straight into the communications lifeline. The Outcasts’ connection to the rest of the world is Trip, “Whether it’s security, communication or entertainment, he’s the final word on computing in virtual reality among the outcasts.” Cache, who is only really comfortable on the Truckers’ network, “If you get on her bad side, she might just hack your brain.” Trip does what he can to keep the Outcasts connected but he still has things to learn. Cache has been forced to find ways to make the network compensate for what she has lost so she can make it do anything she wishes. Judges remarks: Cache wins this one 2 to 1.

For the final match tonight we have two “ordinary” team members: Closing the ticket for the Outcasts is Jai, “but Jai has done his best to adjust to a life with human rules, even if he’s more demon than man.” The Truckers last contestant is Shane, “If it runs on electricity, Shane can build it, fix it or enhance.” Jai, well he really isn’t going to play by the rules and ensure that Shane has anything electrical to use. Shane has to have electricity and it isn’t always available outside of protected enclaves. Judges decision: Jai wins!

So as you can see while Team Truckers put up their best effort and actually won one of the matches the overall winner is Team Outcast. If you think you have the skillz to join Team Outcast bring your best to the match!

This post is part of Moira Rogers’s Post-Apocalyptic Trucker vs Outcast Showdown. A comment on this post will enter you to win your choice of a NOOK Simple Touch, or a Kindle Touch or Kobo Touch with special offers. For rules, details on more ways to enter or information on how to pick your own side, visit the contest page at Moira Rogers’s website.

Team Outcast FTW! is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

Jaines Cord plans to kill the man who murdered her husband, even though killing a Bounty Hunter is said to be impossible. One bullet took away her livelihood, her home and her love. One bullet made by her. Fired from the gun she completed for the Arcane Bounty Hunter.

Obsidian wears the scars of disobeying the powerful Arcane Union. He barely escaped with his life and now lives quietly, in a town the lawmen forgot. When Jaines arrives asking too many questions, he’s faced with a decision. Help her or run…again. Obsidian knows that if he flees he’ll always be looking over his shoulder. His name is one of the first on the Bounty Hunter’s death list.

Yet when Obsidian is offered an opportunity to stop the stone taking over his body in exchange for retrieving the gun, he asks Jaines for her help. Now Jaines must choose: a dead man’s vengeance or a living man’s hope?
This blurb came from the author’s website here.

I was browsing on Net Galley a while ago and saw this book. I really liked both the cover and what the blurb said and thought that the world-building could be rather interesting given the use of words like Arcane, Bounty Hunter, dead man’s vengeance or a living man’s hope.” I can only say two negative thins about Dark Vow. The first is why did it take me so long to get around to reading and writing this review? And the second is that I can’t go out and get the sequel (hint…hint).

Ms Husk has developed a really interesting world that appears in some ways to be post apocalyptic, others alternate history with magic that features a strong capable heroine, a damaged almost anti-hero, secrets, and a fascinating religion that governs all aspects of life including the time of the day and what your occupation is or can be. There are 10 Gods or Lords and each has a segment of the day that belongs to them. Depending on their name they are also the patron god for particular trade. For example The Smith Lord would govern smithies and anything else that fell within the metal working area to include the craftsmen themselves. Women aren’t formally admitted to any of the trade unions although they can assist in some.

Jaines was one of those rare women who actually knew and practiced a trade. She was a smith although she had to work under the supervision of a Master Smith. Jaines learned the trade from her father alongside her four brothers. She married a man who was a Master Smith so they worked together. As the blurb states Jaines’ husband was killed by a bullet she made fired from a gun she had just finished. Faced with the difficult situation of having to find a living without husband or legitimate work Jaines vows that she will avenge her husband’s death. It is along her travels that she encounters Obsidian.

I will admit that I have a weakness for anti-heros and their path to love or at least partial redemption. Obsidian fit that perfectly. When he was first introduced I will admit I had my doubts that he would have any heroic tendencies but as their journey after the Arcane Bounty Hunter continued Jaines was able to get beneath Obsidian’s callused exterior and drag out the person he tried to be before.

I really enjoyed how Ms Husk developed her characters and showed that things are not always how they seem regardless of how much you think you know about them. I also liked how the Ten Lords were incorporated seamlessly; I really got a sense of exactly how much religion ruled everything without inciting fanaticism. The main trope used to establish the story I have seen only a few times before in short stories I had enjoyed so it was extremely gratifying to see it used to good effect again.

Like I said at the beginning of this review I really hope that Ms Husk continues to write in this particular world. I really want to know what happens next. Ms Husk is a new to me author but after reading Dark Vow I believe I need to go check out her backlist. I give Dark Vow an A.

Links to purchase:
Kindle eBook | Barnes & Noble

Review – Dark Vow by Shona Husk is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

Meeting your soulmate? Great. Preventing your possible murder? Even better.
Alice Clark, a Wyr and schoolteacher, has had two friends murdered in as many days, and she’s just found the body of a third. She arrives at the scene only minutes before Gideon Riehl, a wolf Wyr and current detective in the Wyr Division of Violent Crime—and, as Alice oh-so-inconveniently recognizes at first sight, her mate.
But the sudden connection Riehl and Alice feel is complicated when the murders are linked to a serial killer who last struck seven years ago, killing seven people in seven days. They have just one night before the killer strikes again. And every sign points to Alice as the next victim.
Warning: This book contains a hot police detective, a violent murderer on the hunt, and a heroine that can blend in anywhere…
This blurb came from Samhain Publishing here.

True Colors is a novella set in the Elder Races series following Dragon Bound, Storm’s Heart, and Serpent’s Kiss. I was excited when I heard that Ms Harrison had an upcoming novella and became really excited when I found out it was part of her Elder Races series. Ms Harrison graciously agreed to visit us last Saturday and provided a wonderful guest post along with a giveaway. If you haven’t read it yet take a look Guest Post & Giveaway with Thea Harrison and don’t forget to comment so you can enter.

Just like many of today’s cultures the Wyr have their own set of religious traditions for the holiday season. Those traditions provide both a complex backdrop for the novella and an integral role in the actions themselves. I think Ms Harrison’s very detailed world-building was very evident in this novella because she was able to add to the framework established in her previous novels while using enough fresh material as the basis for True Colors so I felt that those new to the Elder Races series would be able to start with this one. I really enjoyed the tactic that Ms Harrison employed to explain the Wyr celebration, which brought to my mind a combination of fictional accounts of Twelve Nights in the Middle Ages and Carnival/Mardi Gras. I am going to stop there *grin* so you can read and enjoy it for yourself.

I found it extremely fascinating to catch a glimpse in the lives of the more “ordinary” Wyr. Ordinary in terms of job occupation and who they usually tend to associate with because neither Riehl nor Alice is exactly run of the mill. My one quibble is that I figured out who the bad guy was before the big reveal, I used to read a lot of murder mysteries so that might have helped. While True Colors was complete story in itself I was so sucked into Riehl and Alice’s lives that I kept hitting the next page button on my reader hoping for more. I give True Colors a B+.

Links to purchase:
Amazon eBook | Barnes & Noble 

Review – True Colors by Thea Harrison is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

The signs are everywhere…disastrous world events. Evil rising up, unleashed upon the innocent. The prophecies were there…but no one listened. Until now. The time has come for those who can either usher in Doomsday…or prevent it. They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Arik Wagner, a soldier with the U.S. Army’s paranormal unit, the R-XR, kissed a girl and liked it. And then he went to hell as punishment. Where he’s spent weeks being tortured…and plotting revenge.

Limos, Horsewoman of the Apocalypse, isn’t your average girl. She’s immortal, dangerous, and her fiancé is Satan himself. In a moment of weakness, she gave in to her desire and kissed Arik, triggering her fiancé’s wrath – and his claim on her. In order to save Arik, and the world, Limos must make a dangerous pact with her recently turned evil brother, Pestilence. A deal that might just cost her her soul…and her heart.
*Blurb from Goodreads*

I’m a huge fan of Ione, and when she announced her Horsemen series I was so psyched. After reading the first book in the series, I was so excited to see what Ione had in store for us for Limos. I absolutely fell in love with her in the first book, and couldn’t wait to see where her story would lead.

Limos is the only woman of the Horsemen, and unlike her brothers, she was raised in hell by demons. As a girl she was betrothed to the one and only Satan. Her engagement came with stipulations though, and any man she gives her affections to will be pulled into hell and tortured. When Limos kisses Arik in a moment of weakness, he is pulled into hell  and potentially lost to her forever.

Arik has always wanted Limos, but he didn’t know that kissing her would send him straight into hell. When he finally gets out, he and Limos will have to put aside their feelings to save not only Arik’s soul, but  they also need to find a way to stop Limos’ seal from breaking and stop Pestilence from claiming the world in the name of Sheoul.

While I did really enjoy this book, I didn’t connect to it the way I usually do with Ione’s books, and I’m not completely sure why. I loved both Limos and Arik, and I thought that their romance was genuine. I’m not sure if it’s just that there are now so many different characters in both the Horsemen and Daemonica series that I have a harder time keeping track of everyone, or if the plot just seemed to drag in places…

One of the things that I loved the most about Limos was that despite the fact that she was raised by demons and is the only female of the horsemen, she is still a woman first and foremost. Every time she talked about what color to paint her nails and how strongly she feels everything, it brought out just how much she’s had to endure. At one point she is thinking about how her brothers have been building walls against their feelings, while all of her walls have been breaking down, allowing her to feel and live. That simple revelation was the single moment that I knew Limos would be a heroine I could root for and cry with and re-read over and over again.

Poor Arik, I felt so bad for him. All he wanted was to be sweet on Limos and instead he gets dragged into hell, tortured in ways that were just horrible and then even once he’s rescued, his mind is stuck in the hell hole. When he finally came out of it, I just wanted to wrap my arms around him. Although I understand why Arik had an easier time dealing with the emotional fall out of his captivity, I kind of wish that he had struggled with it a bit more. Instead, he seemed to fall back into the fold of demons and the supernatural a little too easily for me.

I’m very anxious to see where the next book leads, especially since all the build up for it at the end of this book. There was one scene with Than that broke my heart a little, and isn’t for the faint of heart, but didn’t bother me as much as I expected. I also can’t wait to see what happens with Reseph. I loved that we got the chance to see a little bit more of him, and I can’t wait to see if his seal can be restored, and how he will deal with his actions.

All in all this continues to be an amazing series with in-dept world building and a wonderful cast of characters (even though I have a difficult time keeping them straight). Limos and Arik were so perfect together, and I really enjoyed their romance and build up to the sexy times. I’m excited to see where the series is headed, because it felt as if Ione left a lot open after this book.
I give Immortal Rider a B-

Review – Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

Audrey Callahan left behind her life in the Edge, and she’s determined to stay on the straight and narrow. But when her brother gets into hot water, the former thief takes on one last heist and finds herself matching wits with a jack of all trades…

Kaldar Mar-a gambler, lawyer, thief, and spy-expects his latest assignment tracking down a stolen item to be a piece of cake, until Audrey shows up. But when the item falls into the hands of a lethal criminal, Kaldar realizes that in order to finish the job, he’s going to need Audrey’s help…
*Blurb from Goodreads*

 

I have a total fangirl crush on all things Ilona Andrews. Kate and Curran are probably my favorite paranormal/urban fantasy couple of all time. Plus, the books from the Edge series has some of the best one-liners I’ve ever read mixed in with incredible story telling and awesome adventures.

Kaldar is looking to get revenge for his family, and working for the Mirror is the best way to do it. When he is sent on a mission to recover a priceless magical that was stolen by a band of thieves who achieved the impossible heist, Kaldar runs into the mysterious Audrey.

Audrey did one last job for her family, and now she wants nothing more than to live her quiet life in the Edge. When Kaldar comes looking for her and she gets pulled into the middle of his mission, she knows she needs to do everything she can to stop the hand. But along to way Kaldar wins her over and more than the lives of the Edgers are at stake.

I spent an entire day thinking about what I wanted to say in this review, and for more of the time all I could come up with was: This book is awesome, go buy it. Because really, the book is awesome and you should go buy it.

The world building in this entire series is absolutely incredible, and the fact that we got to spend so much time going back and forth between the Broken and the Weird was awesome. I always love seeing life in the Weird, and I wished that there was more page time there. (I’ll have to keep my fingers crossed for more Weird time in book 4) I especially loved the plot of this book, the whole adventure and thieving and life on the run aspect. Once I started the book I had a hell of a time putting it down.

Unlike most Edge fans, I am a huge fan of Declan and Rose and the first book in this series remains my favorite. BUT, being that there was so much page time with George and Jack, this book is a close second. One of the things I really respect about Andrews is that they have such amazing characters that always play such a crucial role to the story. George and Jack were favorites for their childish antics in the first book, and having the chance to watch them grown into young men is such a nice treat. I can only hope we see more of these two (maybe even as adults?)

While most people classify the Edge series as a paranormal romance, I find that the romance tends to take a backseat to the rest of the story, and being a (mostly) romance reader that sometimes bothers me. However, this book was chalked full of sexual tension between Audrey and Kaldar. There were sexual innuendos left and right, as well as an attraction between the two of them that just blew me away. I loved the interactions between these two and once they finally got together it was absolutely magical. Even when the two weren’t together and they were off doing their own thing I loved them. As individuals they were amazing, both had so much more depth than the other knew about, and yet they were so similar it was crazy. I think that although these two fought like cats and dogs for most of the book, they are one of the best suited pairs I’ve ever read.

I think anyone who likes fantasy, paranormal romance, young adult speculative fiction or urban fantasy will absolutely love this book. There was a little bit of everything that had me smiling page after page.

All in all the third Edge book is another must read. The characters are all fun and incredible. The plot moves constantly and is engaging and exciting at each and every twist and turn. The Andrews writing team just keeps getting stronger and stronger with each book, and I for one would read anything they write.
I give Fate’s Edge an A

Barnes & Noble | Amazon Book
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Review – Fate’s Edge by Ilona Andrews is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

As an angel of death, Keenan’s job is to collect the souls on his list. He’s carried out his duty for two thousand years and never faltered once. Until he meets Nicole St. James. When the moment of death comes, Keenan hesitates, and instead of taking Nicole, Keenan touches the vampire who’s attacking her.
Cast out of heaven for disobedience, Keenan plummets to earth. Six months later, he finally manages to track Nicole to a bar in Mexico. He’s stunned to discover that the woman he remembers has undergone a dramatic change—she’s become a vampire. And when he realizes that she’s the target of all manner of enemies—other vampires, demons, even shifters—he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, even if all hell breaks loose…
This blurb came from the author’s website here.

Ms Eden has written in several different genres from her paranormal romances to romantic suspense to some paranormal e-novellas. I have enjoyed her writing style in all of them although I prefer her paranormal romance because her romantic suspense scares the living daylights out of me. I found Ms Eden’s world-building in her previous paranormal series to be extremely interesting as well as populating that world with complex characters so I was looking forward to seeing what she was going to provide in this story.

After reading the beginning of ANGEL OF DARKNESS I started to wonder if Ms Eden was pulling some of what she used in her romantic suspense because I have never read such a descriptive vampire attack including the victim’s trauma. I could almost feel the mental struggle that Keenan experienced as he watched that attack and then his total shock when he discovered Nicole six months later.

Both Nicole and Keenan had serious emotional healing to do. Nicole due to the attack and its aftermath while Keenan was trying to come to terms with becoming one of The Fallen. They both blame each other for the abrupt change in their lives but end up having to rely on one other to survive. As the plot thickens Nicole and Keenan discover that not everyone is how they seem including themselves.

Ms Eden has this way of providing additional information to the reader so you know a little bit more about different characters’ motivation then the hero and heroine but not enough so that you have all the answers. I was carried on the same journey as Nicole and Keenan. I think that technique serves to make me more invested in the story because now I want to see what will happen when/if those bits of information are discovered by the characters. I knew this would have a Happily Ever After (HEA) but I was not expecting all of the complications that the characters had to survive, literally, to get their HEA. I think Nicole and Keenan certainly fit the saying that, “you value what you have to work for.”

I think my favorite subtle surprise was finding out that this book is set in the same world as her other paranormal romances. Makes me wonder about how much more is still unrevealed in her world. I can’t say much more about the parts I really enjoyed because I think the discovery of the various twists and turns is part of what made this read so wonderful.

I give ANGEL OF DARKNESS an A.

Links to purchase:

Kindle eBook | Amazon Book | Barnes & Noble

Review – Angel of Darkness by Cynthia Eden is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

A HANDSOME DEVIL

1762. James Sherbourne, Earl of Whitney, is a gambling man. Not for the money. But for the thrill, the danger—and the company: Whit has become one of the infamous Hellraisers, losing himself in the chase for adventure and pleasure with his four closest friends.

Which is how Whit finds himself in a gypsy encampment, betting against a lovely Romani girl. Zora Grey’s smoky voice and sharp tongue entrance Whit nearly as much as her clever hands—watching them handle cards inspires thoughts of another kind…

Zora can’t explain her attraction to the careless blue-eyed Whit. She also can’t stop him and his Hellraisers from a fiendish curse: the power to grant their own hearts’ desires, to chase their pleasures from the merely debauched to the truly diabolical. And if Zora can’t save Whit, she still has to escape him…
This blurb came from the author’s website here.

I have read other books in the past that have used the idea of a person or several people making a bargain with evil to satisfy their short term desires. What I find interesting about that trope is the combination of what the desire was, who inspires or guides them towards redemption, and the path they take. I had read and enjoyed several of Ms Archer’s previous works so I was really curious about how she would address those three areas.

Devil’s Kiss, the first of Ms Archer’s new The Hellraisers series, introduced me to five rather dissolute friends who make a habit of trying to find new entertainment. Never is this entertainment in the form of anything good or wholesome but usually involving what could be considered a sin. What I found fascinating about the five is that each of them was primarily interested in a particular method of entertainment. As a result initially they appeared to be bound together more by boredom then by common interests.

I really enjoyed the incarnation of evil that Ms Archer created. He didn’t follow many of the common stereotypes like requiring a contract signed in blood, worship or rituals just something that belonged to them. He was a quite sinister evil. He used several different tactics to attempt to keep Whit either through fear or by fulfilling his desire. The reader knows that Whit and his friends have just done something rather ill-advised so aatching Whit’s realization of what he got himself into, who, and what he was against was very entertaining. Despite his bargain Whit was not completely lost from the beginning just mostly lost.

Zora was a treat as well. I really liked how Ms Archer was able to portray a Romani girl who didn’t quite agree with all the traditions but still valued her family and her freedom. While she matured, her actions throughout the book stayed true to what we saw in the beginning. I think my favorite scene with her was when she took enjoyment in the fact that Whit’s servants thought she was a ghost. She was also determined that she would do whatever it took to try to save the goodness and spirit she initially saw in Whit.

I think Ms Archer used the interplay between the five friends to really establish exactly how evil the villain was along with setting up future books. Whit’s journey was hard enough but I think she is going to put the other four (hopefully) through all sorts of misery before they reach their redemption. She did give a glimmer of hope for Whit’s closest friend but it was such a slight glimmer. I am looking forward seeing their journeys.

I give Devil’s Kiss a B+

Links to purchase

Barnes & Noble | Kindle eBook | Amazon Book

Review – Devil’s Kiss by Zoe Archer is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter