Paranormal Romance wasted potential?

I finished The Savior by J.R Ward in April. I'm a BDB fan so I try to stay up to date on the Caldwell scene. This is one of the series I picked up when I was younger, had more time and was really into paranormal romance novels. I really enjoyed series like Immortals after dark, Dark-hunters, and Lords of the Underworld. Paranormal Romances almost always focus mainly on the sex and romance plots which makes sense I suppose. However, some of them have such rich lore and worldbuilding I feel like it's a waste and I end up so disappointed. The plot and world it functions in always ends up submitting to the romance plot.

I did not enjoy The Savior. It was lacklustre and very fluffy. I still enjoyed visiting the world of BDB and the characters. However, it felt very cheesy, lots of new characters and subplots coming in and not for the sake of the story but for the sake of adding more characters and romance plots. The characters and stories just seem recycled.

Immortals After Dark especially has some cool worldbuilding and a bigger story around the romance plot. It was heading to something apocalyptic. However, somewhere down the line, it jumped from paranormal romance to sci-fi with the introduction of new characters...from another planet.

Strong and mysterious characters like Nix  (IAD) and Lassiter (BDB) and Jaden (Dark-hunters) who are intriguing end up getting the short end of the stick because they too will have to submit to the romance angle.

It's such a waste because I feel invested in the story and the characters (esp. Lassiter and Jaden). I want them to get their HEA, not something rushed. I want them to drive the story and world they exist in. Maybe I'm just angry because my favourite characters are being neglected and watered down or maybe I've read too many PR novels and am tired of the same formula. Let me know what you think?

The Shadows by J.R Ward

Trez “Latimer” doesn’t really exist. And not just because the identity was created so that a Shadow could function in the underbelly of the human world. Sold by his parents to the Queen of the S’Hsibe as a child, Trez escaped the Territory and has been a pimp and an enforcer in Caldwell, NY for years- all the while on the run from a destiny of sexual servitude. He’s never had anyone he could totally rely on... except for his brother, iAm.

iAm’s sole goal has always been to keep his brother from self-destructing- and he knows he’s failed. It’s not until the Chosen Serena enters Trez’s life that the male begins to turn things around... but by then it’s too late. The pledge to mate the Queen’s daughter comes due and there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and no negotiating.

Trapped between his heart and a fate he never volunteered for, Trez must decide whether to endanger himself and others- or forever leave behind the female he’s in love with. But then an unimaginable tragedy strikes and changes everything. Staring out over an emotional abyss, Trez must find a reason to go on or risk losing himself and his soul forever. And iAm, in the name of brotherly love, is faced with making the ultimate sacrifice... GOODREADS

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It's been a long time since I've actually been engrossed in a book. A very long time. I'm happy to say that The Shadows was such a good read, so good it reminded me of not only why I so much adore the Black Dagger Brotherhood series but also reading. I was drawn in by the very first chapters, with the simplistic and enjoyably gangsta writing of the Warden. The references to pop culture, the brothers!, especially Rhage. The set up for Ward's upcoming spin-off series, Legacy, centring around the training of new recruits and more of the brothers, as we knew them from the earlier books. 

I was excited that there was a new book coming out because it was a BDB book and not so much because of iAm and Trez. I liked these characters before, but I didn't like the set up in The King (DNF). However, I was very surprised by The Shadows. I loved how there wasn't too much of a spotlight on the back-story, it was done in even portions spread throughout the book. Trez and Selena's story was already set up in The King ( I think), so things pick up very fast and progressed nicely. Although, if this was solely a Trez-Selena love story the book wouldn't have been as enjoyable. It would have been your cliche lover-dying-of-deathly-sickness-story. There was a lot going on in the background with the other characters and, iAm, which made this so amazing.

There were less Lesser-centered conflicts. I like the Lessers as the main villains in the BDB universe, but I found them to have had a too much of a big role in previous books. I'd rather focus on the Brothers than have to be in the minds of dumb evil Lessers because clearly, they're less fun. The Shadows has successfully used the Lessers as a villain without having to give them too much attention.

We also see a mutiny take place in the Band of Bastards (BoB). A failed mutiny, Throe tries to undermine and take over the BoB by arguing that their leader, Xcor has become weak. I.e. Xcor has become whipped because he has become infatuated with a Chosen (Layla). Xcor is very impressive when he tells his men they can choose between him and Dumbass Throe, which to his surprise they all choose to stay with Xcor. This was a nice scene because maybe it means the BoB are turning into good guys ( anti-heroes?). Seeing as Xcor now recognizes Wrath as a democratically chosen leader and no longer wants to take over the throne.  Throe, on the other hand, defecting means we have a new villain (which I highly think is a possibility, the dude is up to no good).

Hollywoooooodddd yeah! Any self-respecting BDB fan loves Rhage. Dude can turn into a dragon and I bet since Lover Eternal, you haven't looked at a tootsie roll the same way. Rhage is experiencing panic attacks and what I think could be PTSD ( then again I'm pretty sure they all have PTSD). What made this all the more interesting was that Trez and Selena's situation resembled his and Mary's. and V and Jane's situation, but could end up like Tohr's and Wellsie. Rhage is having difficulties dealing with all of this and feeling guilty. Feeling bad that this is happening to people he cares about, wishing they can also have a miracle happened to them as it did for him and Mary. But relieved it's not him, which makes him feel guilty. This is great! horrible, yeah for Rhage, but great. I felt like the other similar stories were addressed because as a reader I felt like Trez and Selena's story had already been done. However, I didn't expect the ending to their story.

In the end, it seemed more like iAm's story, even though the bulk was focused on Trez and Selena's romance.  It was a sad ending, I didn't cry but I was moved.....a tiny bit.

Note, Lassiter !! I luv him! He's amazing and the banter between Lassy and the brothers delivers as always.

What are you doing ? Go read this one now!

Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Just when you thought doomsday was over...

Centuries ago Acheron saved the human race by imprisoning an ancient evil bent on absolute destruction. Now that evil has been unleashed and it is out for revenge.

As the twin to Acheron, Styxx hasn’t always been on his brother’s side. They’ve spent more centuries going at each other’s throats than protecting their backs. Now Styxx has a chance to prove his loyalty to his brother, but only if he’s willing to trade his life and future for Acheron’s.

The Atlantean goddess of Wrath and Misery, Bethany was born to right wrongs. But it was never a task she relished. Until now. She owes Acheron a debt that she vows to repay, no matter what it takes. He will join their fellow gods in hell and nothing is going to stop her.

But things are never what they seem, and Acheron is no longer the last of his line. Styxx and Acheron must put aside their past and learn to trust each other or more will suffer.

Yet it’s hard to risk your own life for someone who once tried to take yours, even when it's your own twin, and when loyalties are skewed and no one can be trusted, not even yourself, how do you find a way back from the darkness that wants to consume the entire world? One that wants to start by devouring your very soul?YOU DON'T KNOW STYXX

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If you've followed Kenyon's facebook page and devoured the excerpts and the Styxx related goodies then like me, you've been dying to read this book!...for the bromance!

Sadly it doesn't exceed my expectations, if anything Acheron's book was better. This only by comparison: Styxx's book starts from the beginning like Acheron's . The same beginning and the same story, only now from Styxx's point of view. It pretty much feels like 2/3 of the book is repetition, because everything that happens has already happened in previous books and the other 1/3 of the book with the new stuff is very little and felt rushed.

The writing is at times too detailed and corny! So damn corny! I suppose this is just a pet peeve  of mine.."no, honey"...."it'll be fine darling"...."you're amazing"...

Beth and Styxx, they both lie about who they are when they meet. They're fated to love each other. Bethany's awesome I guess, she's a goddess, a warrior. Has a bad ass father. Then she's all sweet and lovey dovey with styxx. It felt off at times...again this might also just be a pet peeve.

Oh and not to mention the son they "lost". Turns out Apollymi didn't kill their son (Styxx & Beth's).. He's alive....and it's Urian!! The revelation was freaking awkward....most of the emotional scenes at the end just felt awkward.

There are some funny bantering scenes and overly philosophical ones. And (I guess for me) some painfully cute scenes between Styxx and Beth.

Styxx gets Beth a dog: first this just annoys me because the dog adds to this "perfect'-ish lovey dovey picture..but the dog also added some comedy to things.

In the end, Styxx shows us the other side of the story. Now we have the whole picture of what happened to Acheron and Styxx. I found this to be discomforting, because I like Acheron; he's the leader of the dark-hunters and yet he made this major mistake. I get the message, emotions cloud judgement but..this is Ash we're talking about.

The book isn't without its surprises or question marks.

Styxx is a freaking Chthonian! A  godkiller....and he kills Archon.

Another thing that has me very piqued: if Archon  isn't Ash's dad..then who is?.....I'm thinking maybe Savitar? If it is...then there's going to be some more awkward scenes coming.

Waiting on Wednesday # 4

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

I'm sorry but.....I'm still waiting on Dark Skye 

It's almost out! 57 days till Dark Skye is out. 

Eternal Obsession 

As a boy, Thronos, Lord of Skye Hall, loved Lanthe, a mischievous Sorceri girl who made him question everything about his Vrekener clan. But when the two got caught in the middle of their families’ war, tragedy struck, leaving Thronos and Lanthe bitter enemies. Though centuries have passed, nothing can cool his seething need for the beautiful enchantress who scarred his body - and left an even deeper impression on his soul.

Endless Yearning 

Lanthe, a once-formidable sorceress struggling to reclaim her gifts, searches for love and acceptance with all the wrong immortal suitors. But she’s never forgotten Thronos, the magnificent silver-eyed boy who protected her until she was ripped from the shelter of his arms. One harrowing night changed everything between them. Now he’s a notorious warlord with a blood vendetta against Lanthe, hunting her relentlessly.

Can the heat of desire burn brighter than vengeance? 

With their families locked in conflict and battles raging all around them, will Thronos and Lanthe succumb to the brutal chaos that threatens everything they cherish? Or will the fragile bond they formed so long ago spark a passion strong enough to withstand even the darkest doubts? GOODREADS

Expected publication: August 5th 2014 by Gallery Books

Read an excerpt here -> click me to find out what happened after they fell into the cave

What are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday #3

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

I'm waiting on, Son of No One by Sherrilyn Kenyon. It's the 13th Dark-hunter book! I've read them all except for Time Untime (Ren's Book). If you're familiar with Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series ! This book follows new characters Cadegan and Jo (cousin to the  Devereaux's). I'm kind of bummed it's not Jaden's book or Savitar but let's face it ...we're not gonna get their books anytime soon. On the bright side since these are kind of new characters maybe this will be a better book than Styxx.

My favorite thing about this author is that she has a website dedicated to her characters with character profiles and  everything else; curious? go here -> Sanctuary 

Further more that cover is sweet!

Expected publication : September 2nd 2014

What are you waiting on? 

Lothaire (Immortals After Dark # 12 ) by Kresley Cole

First off. I love the cover! That's one of the many  reasons that made me really want to read this book. Other than being an IAD fan. The book trailer is also amazing, Paul Marron is hot! and by that I mean I respect his mind. Also interesting fact:  Did you know that Paul Marron is also the cover model for Lover avenged (BDB # 7 )?

Anyways back to the book, Lothaire. I've always had mixed feelings about his character because I'm never sure if he's the good guy or the bad guy. When I'm convinced he's bad he goes and does something not so bad, yes it might be something that benefits (always) him but it's still neutral ground. Hate this character or love this character. He's insane, selfish, crazy and a douchebag. No, seriously after reading this book (alright halfway into the book) the guy is a douchebag.

So Lothaire finds his bride , Ellie. Ellie is possessed by Saroya, vampire goddess of death. Naturally Lothaire assumes it's Saroya who's his mate/bride because it couldn't possibly be the weak human. Lothaire then lets her get caught by the cops . She ends up in prison (death-row). When Ellie's on the execution table that's when Lothaire shows up to save his bride. He then continues to assume Saroya is his bride and treats Ellie like some kind of vessel/body that has his bride in it. He belittles her, treats her like a possession. What.a.douche bag. He's also bossy and threatens to murder Ellie's family to get her to cooperate with him. douchebag!! While reading this book I couldn't look at the dust jacket. Although Lothaire is attractive he's also scary as hell and intimidating. His character is so frightening and intimidating that the freaking dust jacket bugs me.

I loved Ellie's character and how she kept psychoanalyzing Lothaire. She's from Appalachia. I don't know where that is, but apparently that's the lowest kind of human according to Lothaire and he doesn't forget to remind Ellie about her backwater, low cast roots. What I loved about Ellie is that she didn't feel insulted by all the rude , douche baggy things Lothaire said to her because according to Ellie "Insults only hurt when they come from somebody you respect" (damn straight!) Ellie tries to seduce Lothaire into choosing her over Saroya so she wouldn't have to die. This is where the book gets a bit steamy. But Lothaire is still a douche bag! He still continues to put her down. He hurts her in so many ways. Even when he suspects Ellie could be his Bride he still hurts her!! Douche bag!!

One of the best parts in this book is when Lothaire (after he turns Ellie into a vampire) gets his head cut off by Ellie. Of course this was an accident but he didn't know that. Ellie gets taken by the Valkyrie and Lothaire by the Dacian ( new kind of vampires). Lothaire Hates Ellie now (but not really, he's miserable ) and rips his heart out of frustration and sends it to Ellie. Ellie responds and cuts off her middle finger and sends it with Nix to Lothaire  (you go girl!).

I was looking forward to this book because I really wanted to now what happened to Sabin's sister after she fell or did she get dragged down by the winged guy. Sadly there's only a mention that they're still looking for her  and I wanted to read more about my favorite Valkyrie Nix!

Lothaire gets really desperate and goes to Nix for help. Nix is wearing a shirt that says "why can't we be friends" (I love her shirts) and how fitting for Lothaire seeing as they were once friends. She doesn't really help Lothaire with her cryptic answer but she does piss him off a lot. Then there's the part of the story when Nix enters Dacia to deliver Ellie's "package". Lothaire and Nix have a moment. I loved this part. 

It's a happy ending. Lothaire is still a douche bag but Ellie keeps him straight. Lothaire is going to help Nix find her sister, Fury. The book ends with Lothaire holding a knife to  kristoff's neck with these last lines "hello brother...."


Grade: 
O

The Darkest Seduction ( Lords of the Underworld #9) by Gena Showalter

First of the cover: I love it! The woman can pass as Sienna and ever since I've seen this cover I've been ever wanting to read this book.

This book is full of surprises! and has an awesome but also mushy ending. seriously the last pages are so mushy.

I've never found Sienna's character that interesting. although in this book we get to know more about her. Her character develops from the mousy woman into a more feisty chick. Se has more balls now and newly possessed by Wrath she's rocking those wings...when she eventually learns how to use them.

Paris succeeds in finding Sienna with help from William and Zacharel but trust becomes an issue between them which  they eventually resolve. Sienna and Paris's story develops nicely . This book reminds me of the first LOTU books because Paris was one of the first characters I read about but his character has changed a lot too. He becomes more darker and yet he's still Paris. So reading  his story was interesting. Paris gave up Sienna to save Wrath. Sienna betrayed Paris when she posed as bait. These two have baggage. And Paris is possessed by the demon of sex so there is  a  lot of that going on. angry sex, recovery sex, recreational sex, some more recovery sex, yeah.

There are also other things happening in this book and we  meet  new characters . Sienna kills Cronus and she becomes the new boss-queen and gets all of Cronus's powers. Kane's still trapped in hell being raped by she-demons who want to have his babies. He gets rescued by a mysterious woman. I want to guess that it's the female horsemen but they can't leave hell. The woman who saves Kane said she'd take him  out of hell in return he should end her life. Ashlyn gives birth to her twins who they insanely name "Ever" and "Urban" , well actually they claim the kids picked their own names. Which could be possible seeing as their demon babies!! I preferred Williams suggestions Murder and Mayhem . Those seem like fitting names. Oh and there's  some kind of romance between Galen and legion.

The lords also move from the old castle to the one Cronus kept Sienna in. There she was kept prisoner as well as three other immortals. Interesting immortals I'd love to read more about. there's : Cameron- possessed by obsession , through Sienna we get an interesting glimpse of his past "blood,battle, a woman in  his arm, limp, dead...."  brief description of Cameron : " his bronze, glistening skin,sweat dripping along the sexy ridges of his muscles....' yes very interesting.
Pukinn- I could badger this guy about the weirdness of his name but he'd probably ignore me seeing as he's possessed by the demon of indifference, half beast and half man with an Irish accent. What a weird combination I'm not sure how to feel about this beast-man although I'm very curious.
the there's Winter- possessed by selfishness. Cameron and Winter might be related.

There's also another new immortal : Viola who's possessed by narcissism. MY GOD!! this chick is so self-centered. Even reading about her talking about herself is annoying. I pity the Lords.

Ofcourse I have to mention my favorite angel Zacharel. I can't wait for his book. I really want to read about the woman who  melts his ice.

Things are looking good for the lords at the end of this book. It's a happy ending but a confusing one for  me. Did I miss something is this serie ending? because it feels like that. Cronus dead, Sienna the  new queen, no more trouble from the hunters. I'm confused. What about Kane and Torin?

Envy (The Fallen Angels #3) by J R Ward

Seven deadly sins. Seven souls to save. And a man and a woman treading the lines of danger, desire and deliverance ...As the son of a serial killer, homicide detective Thomas DelVecchio Jr grew up in the shadow of evil. Now, on the knife-edge between civic duty and blind retribution, he atones for the sins of his father. Hired to monitor Veck is Internal Affairs officer Sophia Reilly, whose interest in Veck is both professional and arousingly personal. But Veck and Sophia have a common interest. He's Jim Herron, a mysterious stranger enlisted to save the soul of a killer's latest victim, one precariously hovering between heaven and hell. Before Herron's job is done, Veck and Sophia will be inexorably drawn into a battle of good against evil, where the risk is nothing less than total damnation.


Alright here we go. Do you know this serie? then you're probably familiar with the characters Eddy Blackhawk and Adrian Vogel and of course Jim Heron and their little competition with Devina, le biaatch. 


This time their target is detective Veck Delvecchio, who's father is a serial killer. Veck's been having to deal with his dad's infamy all his life and always having to worry if he has some of his dad's evil in him. I like this characters struggle with his good and bad side. He has an interestingly troubled psychy. Are people born evil? are they their parents to blame? or do you define YOU. I also liked his honesty and that he's a big handsome brute, but not as handsome as Adrian.


The story has a lot of action, drama and steamy scenes. Reilly and Veck are attracted to each other from the get go,and not long after that they get it on.  I hated that Reilly was so easily convinced that Veck was the murderer (which he was being framed for). Althoug it's understandable with the information geven and Veck's parantage to believe that. She makes it right in the end by following up on things. They have a happily ever after.  

Now for the drama. Adrian and Eddy think Jim's too concerned with Sissy and want him to concentrate more on the war. This becomes an issue with the three. They have a big fight and separate. Ad and Ed get drunk and get attacked by a harpy. and fucking shit!! Eddy dies!!! he dies!! why?!! I like Adrian more but come on?!! Devina's plan was to destabilize Jim's team. On the contrary Jim and Adrian just stuck together and it worked in their favour because they won this battle. Jim used Devina's crush on him against her.  Clearly a sexual and disgusting crush .


This book is called Envy because 1. I suppose because it's one of the seven sins 2. because Devina envy's Veck and Reilly's realtionship and love. Yeah, she's a bitter and jealous biaatch aswell.


The next target is apparantly going to be Mathias from the previous book. Crave, Jim lost in that book and in the next book apparantly they get a next chance to save Mathias but the los from the previous book still stands.


Either way this was a wonderful and sad read.


Grade:  E

A Demon from the Dark & Dreams of a Dark warrior by Kresley Cole (Immortals After Dark 10 &11)

So it's Christmas vacation and what I should be doing is getting some studying and school stuff done. Yet this weekend I ended up going on a (book)bender. I'm reading books I shouldn't be reading instead of books I should be reading for school. It's my fault I should have resisted more but I couldn't.  This weekend I read the last 2 books from the Immortals After Dark series: A Demon from the Dark and  Dreams of a Dark Warrior. Both books run parallel with each other so fair warning: if you read  Demon from the Dark you're going to want to read Dreams of a Dark Warrior. The temptation is irresistible.

Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole

 
A DANGEROUS DEMON SHE CAN’T RESIST . . .
 
Malkom Slaine: tormented by his sordid past and racked by vampiric hungers, he’s pushed to the brink by the green-eyed beauty under his guard.
 
A MADDENING WITCH HE ACHES TO CLAIM . . .
 
Carrow Graie: hiding her own sorrows, she lives only for the next party or prank. Until she meets a tortured warrior worth saving.
 
TRAPPED TOGETHER IN A SAVAGE PRISON . . .

In order for Malkom and Carrow to survive, he must unleash both the demon and vampire inside him. When Malkom becomes the nightmare his own people feared, will he lose the woman he craves body and soul?

In Pleasure of a Dark Prince many creatures from the Lore were kidnapped . Carrow Graie and Regin the Radiant being among the ones taken. They're kidnapped by an organisation called The Oder: this organisation thinks the creatures from the Lore are abominations ,who want to destroy mankind . So they go around kidnapping creatures from the Lore to interrogate and study them.

Carrow is taken because the order wants to use her. They want to send her into another plane called Oblivione(hell,dessert like realm) to get a venom( vampire/demon creature) named Malkom  Slain. Carrow is blackmailed into doing this by her captures. If she refuses they will kill her and her niece Ruby and if she does they'll let her and Ruby go free(which they don't do). So carrow has no choice but to accept. She goes to get Malkom, who turns out to be some kind of barbaric caveman because he's been  alone and surviving in the dessert for a very long time. Being a vampire and a demon he recognizes Carrow as his bride and mate,so he can't kill Carrow. At first it was annoying because Malkom and Carrow couldn't communicate with each other . Malkom didn't understand what she said although there is a scene where Carrow explains to Malkom using her hands and a twig that they can't have sex which was very  amusing. Malkom eventually remembers some of the language and his speech improves. It was cute when  he said 'carrow is malkom"s". with little words the venom wins you over. Although Malkom's character is haunting because well his introduction was very barbaric. you'd think he was something from predator vs aliens. but his character develops and you learn to like him. Carrow was right when she said "Malkom is noble".

Just like the other novels in the series the book is told from the hero and the heroins pov. Carrow betrays Malkom and Malkom at first wants to kill her (naturally) but later when they escape the Orders prison he finds out why she betrayed him. Although he understands he still can't trust her.

This was an amusing ,sad and one of the best books in the series. I felt for Malkom. He's had it rough but he's really understanding but not very forgiving , "Those who betray me, only do it once'. When I read that line ,it sent chills down my spine.That was annoying tho, even I thought he wasn't going to forgive Carrow. I thought he was being a really mean jerk but at the same time I understood why. Although Carrow was hurting she wasn't going to give up on him. I liked that about her. 

I loved this book . It leaves you with so many questions . Uileam Magrieve, Lante, Thanatos, Lothaire, and Regin were among the other prisoners. When they escape Lante gets taken by Thanatos. Uileam escapes. but what about Lothaire and Regin??. There was even a centaur in this book!

Carrow and Ruby escape with Malkoms help. They're on some kind of island. It was kind of a dreary setting tho lots of rain and fog. But Malkoms able to find a cabin for them to stay in ( found it by throwing the original occupants out).

This was a great read and  it made me curious about the other characters aswell. We know Milanth, Sabins sister , is being pursued by Thanatos . He gets himself captured aswell, so he can get to Lante. During the escape Lante gets captured by him . Also the warden Declan Chase. he's described as  cold and insane. And something's going on between him and Regin the Radiant. So many unanswered questions I just had to read Dreams of a Dark Warrior!

Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole

This starts off with the narrator telling the tale of

Regin the Radiant and Aidan the Fierce and their curse. Aidan is a beserker who recognizes his mate in the young valkyre  Regin. He then promises to wed her when she's older. Regin is immortal so Aidan tries to achieve ohalla( if he fights 200 battles in the name of Woden he will be immortal too) but he dies before he could achieve that but promises that he will always come for Regin. That's where the curse comes in. Aidan keeps getting reincarnated but with no memory and when he and Regin cross paths, when they kiss Aidan remembers everything and later dies .

In Dreams of a Dark Warrior Aidan comes back as Declan Chase , the warden of The Order . And boy is this book the best I've read from the series! I loved it. Declan is so damaged it's scary. Regin soon finds out it's Aidan's reincarnation and plans to escape by making Declan remember the past but in the end she can't do it.

This was the steamiest, most action packed one ever. Regin is so bad ass and arrogant . You can't help but love her.As  for Declan I was screaming inside for the guy to not be so evil, not to do something he'd regret. As his character develops you feel for the guy.

Then there's Lothaire. My god, the guy is arrogant and evil. and what's the deal between him and Nix?! I don't know if I'm happy his books coming out next year or not. I have mix feelings about him. and I didn't find out what happened to Lanthe.

This was an awesome book I give it 5 stars!

Review: The Guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon

I finally got to read The Guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon after having to wait for 3 long weeks.
Of course because  I couldn't wait and I was going crazy , I went looking for spiolers and other news and found a sneak preview of the first 4 chapters online ( at heroes and heartbreakers.com) well it made me even more impatient. Then I found the extra scene on the same site which made me even more gaga, because my book was delayed by a whole week!!

But of course the book!
What I expected from The Guardian.
1. What Kenyon was gonna do with the Egyptian mythology
2. Who's Seth
3. Getting to learn more about Solin and Jaden
 4. Just the enjoyment of reading another Dark-Hunter (dream hunter novel)

So the guardian wasn't as great as the other DH novels, it is also not one of my favorites but I do like it. I'd give it 4 stars.

The books is about the key of Olympus. Seth is charged with the task of finding the key for Noir. The only person known to be in possession of the key is Solin. Seth kidnaps Solin and tortures him,  but gets nothing out of him. That's when Lydia comes in. She, a dream/werehunter (jackal), somehow finds a way into Azmodea to save Solin, who of course when he sees Lydia tells her what an idiot she is and to leave. But does she listen "of course not". So she ends up getting caught as well  by the guardian (Seth). Who then uses her as leverage against Solin. Solin has to give Seth the key in exchange for Lydia.

Seth is the son of  the Egyptian god Set which makes him a demigod.  We  also find out later that he's Menyara's nephew. We also meet Maahes another Egyptian god, who has hair like a "lions mane". Kenyon didn't really get into the Egyptian mythology, other then the mention of other Egyptian gods (my opinion at first))
After reading the book again (when I should have been studying for exams). I realized I forgot about the swallow and it's significance in Egyptian mythology and how the author incorporated that into the book.Seth has a tattoo of a swallow on his chest. The swallow (according to Egyptian mythology) is associated with death and sorrow. And if you read the book you'll really like what it is to Seth and how he got it.

Seth has a really tortured character. He's suffered a lot, actually too much . I mean come on?!
Although he's suffered so much and tries to be all bad and evil, he's still retained some goodness in him. A lot of goodness in him. Noir and Azura are indeed assholes and like Lydia I can't wait for them to get theirs.

As for Solin, I've learned a lot. He was in love with a were-hunter, who after she finds out what Solin is. Shuns him. Here's the catch. They have a daughter together. Who's the daughter . LYDIA (the heroin).
I can't say if I like her character or not. I can say I find it annoying all the random endearments she used for Seth, but I generally hate that, so maybe that's not an argument.

And Jaden! Lydia did some of us fans a favor and asked him what he was . To which he answered "fubar".
I read that and was like "whats a fubar". If you've read Acheron and know what "BPD' is, then you won't be disappointed. Since I've come across Jaden's character I've been trying to learn more about him. His mismatched eyes intrigue me. And that's one of the mayor reasons I so desperately wanted to read The Guardian. *somebody betrayed him that's why his a slave to Nior? and he can leave, he can kill Noir and Azura but then somebody he cares for will suffer? who damn it?! who?! and this other guy Verilyn, who has the same eyes as Jaden but in reverse. Whats going on??

Overall impression of the book. I liked it. I don't think there are bad/good books. There are stories. and stories are just stories. You either enjoy them or not.   I enjoyed this story with the new characters and the old ones. When Seth and Lydia found some iota of trust between them at the last 50 so pages that did bug me, was the story going to end so fast?! I guess, I now understand what some readers mean by the "rushed ending" thing. and all this time I was thinking they were "annoying crazy people". My apologies.

* if I spelled anything wrong, or bad grammar My bad

Review: Kiss of a demon king

This is my first real try at a book review.

'Kiss of a Demon King" is the 7th book in the Immortals After Dark series and man is it a page turner, well actually you'll burn your fingers turning the pages as you go or possibly suffer a paper cut because it's so damn steamy and hot. and umph.

This is saying A LOT because I just read the ebook .
Anyways "Kiss of a Demon King' runs parallel with the 6th book "Dark Desires After Dusk".
Rydstorm (hero) gets captured by the Queen of Illusions, Sabin. The sister of his mortal enemy Omort.
All Rydstorm wants is to defeat Omort and get his kingdom back. But then he is being held captive by this "wicked female" who torments him every night. Stoking his desire to a certain point and then leaving him dry.
He vows revenge and eventually gets it and some.

I loved Rydstorm he is just so "royally hot" and when he's pissed and loses control, did I mention the page burns?
And Sabin (heroin) was just a badass chick, she knows what she wants, no inhibitions. She has her own idea of justice and her own standard of measuring things you have to respect.
Trust was a major issue between Rydstorm and Sabin but they eventually got over that hurdle.
In the end the guy gets the girl and the kingdom. Happily ever after.

One of my favorites characters, the crazy one ,Nix the all-knowing.
I just love her. She's awesome and I'm always wondering what her shirts gonna say.
And whose bones she wants to jump next. Nix said something about "going down to Budapest" to "investigate" a group of demons who call themselves "The Lords of the Underworld".
Now seeing as I'm also a fan of Gena Showalter's "Lords of the Underworld" series. It just makes me wonder....

The next book is "Pleasure of a Dark Prince" .
Another thing besides the demons with the sensitive horns to like ,are the Lykae. I just love them . They stoke the READERS desire and leave THEM dry.

On a personal note I should probably stop reading' these books. My mind is turning to mush and my heart just depressed. Because there's no chance of it all being real. I don't mean the Lore but the love.