Bowen’s book was, to me, just as riveting as book #2. Bowen was introduced to us in Book#1 (Lachlain’s lykae cousin, in mourning over his dead mate), and appeared again in Book #2 as one of the ruthless competitors in the Hie (a contest for preternaturals, akin to “The Amazing Race” but much more deadly).

Bowen, hoping to win the prize in Book# 2 (a “key” that would allow him to time travel twice), shows himself as a cutthroat unyielding competitor. Desperate to win the key, and go back in time to save his mate, he even goes so far as to seal some competitors in a cave together. Unfortunately for him, his biggest competitor, still in the game (Sebastian the vampire in Book# 2) defeats him, because he too, is fighting for his mate’s life.

Book 3 opens in the middle of the game, right at the section where he entraps the competitors. While he is unwittingly attracted to a mortal witch (Mariketa), and experiences a little one on one time with her in a tunnel, the intensity between them make him suspicious that she might be casting some sort of spell on him.

He cupped the back of her neck, staring down at her. As she gazed up in fascination, the amber of his eyes turned to ice blue. He seemed desperate to recognize something in her, and when he clearly didn’t find it, his hand on her began to shake. “Damn you, witch, I donna want another.”

Oh right, I forgot to mention, he’s Scottish

He has his eye on the prize, and quickly rejects her, determined to continue on with his goal. Intent on keeping as many people out of the competition as possible, he traps six of the competitors (including Mariketa) in what appears to be an abandoned cave. Assuming that they will find a way our of the cave eventually (via the strength of the demon competitors, or the magic of his little witch cutie), he forges on.

Appalled with his sudden change in demeanor towards her, and realizing he is locking her in (with the strangers), Mariketa casts a quick and dirty spell on him as he escapes the cave.

Mari glanced away from the entrance when met with silence. “He won’t regenerate from injuries,” she explained. “Unless he returns to me to have it reversed, the hex will eventually destroy him.”

The spell causes Bowen to be unable to heal from any injuries (essentially turning him mortal). He is weakened significantly, costing him the win. As they say…payback’s a bitch

Weak, and also entrapped elsewhere, he is finally rescued, but informed that the six he has sealed away (now a few weeks later) have not returned. Because of his ruthlessness, an unrest amongst the immortals is brewing, and unless the members are returned safely (especially the witch as it is prophesied that she is destined to be the most powerful), a war against his kind will ensue.

He returns to the “scene of the crime”. Despite his extreme weakness, he manages to unseal the cave, allowing the others to escape. While all of the trapped immortal competitors are in bad shape, his witch is dying (from repeated attacks by tortured incubi that were also trapped in the cave for centuries).

The majority of the book takes place as he helps bring her back to health, develops an unmistakable connection with her, and an understanding with the other competitors. Together, they trek their way out of the jungle, day after day, escaping danger, confiding in each other, and becoming friends (well some of them do…let’s just say Bowen’s competitive streak lives on, as a certain demon has his own personal intentions with the witch).

“Doona ever doubt my desire for you – if I truly was in a contest for the right to have you, I’d have bitten his goddamned throat free, then laid it at your feet in offer!”

Mmmmm…nice….Ok wait! Why do I find that sexy? LOL!

Realizing he is jealous of any male looking at her, and acting as though she is his mate, he becomes confused as to the nature of their connection. A mate is a once in a lifetime occurrence, and since he has already met his, it is impossible that there could be another. Or is it?

Her ruby lips were slightly parted as she slept. An exquisite, if small, female.

And, gods help me, she might be…mine.

Unable to stop himself, he eased down behind her. When he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her soft, wee body against his, she sighed. As a test, he nuzzled her neck. Her ear twitched again, and she curled into him closer. Even in her sleep she responded to him as if she were his.

A part that had me giggling, when he finds her special…ahem…”pocket lipstick” in her purse.

“I’m lookin’ forward tae touchin’ you there again.”

“Ha! Why would you think I would ever let you?”

“I happen to ken that you’re a lusty one. And I’ve taken away your wee alternative. Tossed it into a river.” As she gasped, he said, “Took me a minute to figure out what it was – a minute more to believe you actually had it. Then imagining you using it? Had me in such a state. I could scarcely run without tripping over my own feet.”

Mariketa, a sweet, good natured young and inexperienced mortal (awaiting to “turn” into an immortal) has her own issues. Despite being prophesized that she will be the most powerful witch, she’s actually not very good at all. Having also been abandoned as a child, and then again by the love of her life, she questions Bowen’s feelings for her. While she is extremely attracted to him, her insecurities, and his hang-ups (over his “mate”) cause them both much angst.

“What if we somehow worked through all the obstacles between us and were together for a couple of years or so, and you were given another chance to go back to your mate? There could be another key. Would you ignore it if it was handed to you?”

Emotions seemed to pass over his face. He scrubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “I could lie, but I will no’. I’d use it.”

Oh NO he didn’t!!

One step forward, two steps back with this couple. That, along with the number of times she is almost killed (she has got to be the unluckiest being on earth), turns this tale into an extreme roller coaster ride. You think it’s fixed…you think all is well again, and BAM! Another tragedy, another twist. And those pesky prophesies? No one ever actuality “gets” them until the damage is done….grrrr! Fantastic thrill ride!

It was also a great intro into new and exciting characters, and we even get better acquainted with past characters. Oh and Bowen…YUMMY!! He is domineering, he is ALL ALPHA, he is arrogant, but everything he does, and everything he says (well… almost), made me melt.

He stood and paced. Almost to himself he said, “Or what it’s like to know you’re no’ whole and never will be.” He ran his fingers through his hair then stopped to meet her eyes. “then with you everything looks different – feels different – and I…damn it, Mariketa, I want it. So bloody much.”

He crossed to her, clasped her upper arms, and pulled her to her feet. Gazing down at her, his voice breaking low, he said, “Doona bring me back to life only to destroy me once more.”

*sigh* I’m normally a vampire girl…but those werewolves….they are really…yeah…

Whoa!!! Why didn’t anybody tell me this series was so good??!! Tee hee! – joke! Had to be silly from the start. This is a series that has been recommended to me so often, and many have encouraged me to keep going despite my not so enthusiastic review of Book#1. I thank you all, really, from the bottom of my heart. This series ROCKS!!

Ok so book #2 is about Kaderin the Coldhearted (a Valkyrie that has suffered a terrible loss and has in turn, lost the ability to feel any emotions). A brutal calculating warrior, she is sent to slay Sebastian, an Estonian vampire (and Nicolai’s brother). Once she finds him however, she is at a loss on how to kill an already defeated, heartbreakingly sad but incredibly sexy man…

He cleared his throat. When she jerked her gaze to his face, he raised his eyebrows.

Caught ogling the prey! The indignity! What is wrong with me?

…and instead, they find a moment of compassion in each other’s company, and make out! Hot stuff!

He’d found his Bride – the one woman he was meant to be with for eternity – in this hauntingly fine creature.

And his body had awakened for her.

"You know what is happening to me?" he asked.

She swallowed, backing away farther. "You’re changing." Her blonde brows drew together, and in barely audible whisper, she added, "For…for me."

"Yes. For you." He crossed to her until she stared up at him. "Forgive me. If I had known this was true, I would have searched for you. I would have found you somehow-"

Quickly coming to her senses, and dreading ruining her reputation by bedding a leech (vampire), she leaves him (alive) yet unsatisfied. Recognizing that she is his mate, he learns to "trace" to her location, discovering that she has entered a dangerous contest (a la "Amazing Race" for preternaturals).

The book leads us through adventure after adventure as Kaderin hunts for artifacts, fights dirty and races against powerful creatures including her own very determined vampire admirer (who is really only in the contest to be near her and protect her, trying to work with her, and not against her). Awwwww…I adore him…I do.

"Why would I put time and effort into attempting to forget you when I could spend that same time and effort to win you?"

"Because winning me is impossible. The other option may not be."

"I have to try." There was no way to rethink this. "I want you. In my life."

Sebastian proves himself to be one of the most wonderful vampires I have had the pleasure of crushing on. Strong and determined, a sexy alpha male all the way, but yet, he can be as gentle and patient as an angel, with a fierce loyalty that is beyond measure.

Kaderin continuously tries his patience, with her arrogant sense of superiority, and determination not to fall in love with her "enemy". Confused about her own changes (she is now feeling again, especially for him) she refuses his help, mostly rejects his affections (although, sometimes she gives in). She loves him one moment and practically rips his heart out the next. Even the sweet Sebastian can only take so much, and she eventually brings out an authoritative and highly irritated side of him (which in all honesty, turns Kaderin – okay – all of us – on!).

The part that hooked me solid: Kaderin attempts to seduce a male in a bar to eventually take the ring he wears (one of the contest tasks required is to get that ring), and poor Sebastian walks in just as the groping begins;

"So that’s it, then? You’ve told me you’re going home with another man? And I’ve already seen him touching you." He looked like he wanted to throttle her.

When she put her chin in the air, his eyes narrowed. "You may have your feelings back, but you’re still a cold woman, Kaderin. Heartless."

and as the confrontation escalates, she continues to deny Sebastian’s wishes, determined to play the game her way…

Because she was his Bride, he would be seduced into wanting her again and again, seeing things in her that didn’t exist. Then her true nature would betray his hopes like this in an endless cycle.

He could not win her.

I’ll be fighting with her for eternity.

That’s what faced him. The thought exhausted him.

"I’m weary of this. Of you." He put his hand above her against the wall, leaning over her. "You’re right. About everything. There’s no reason for you to accept me. And you were right in saying that I’ve been compelled to want you simply because you’re my Bride. My desire for you has been forced on me. I’ve had no choice in the matter.

"You act as if I gave you reason to think differently," she said. "I told you all along that you shouldn’t bother with me."

He clutched the back of her neck, forcing her to face up to him. "You also told me on more than one occasion that you never wanted to see me again. I’ll oblige you. I was the first vampire to trace to a person – and I’ll be the first to forsake my Bride."

So the race is exciting, the relationship tumultuous, and the entire book, extremely satisfying. Lots of romance, some tear-jerking moments and the side-characters were pretty great too (I got a kick out of Riora, and my heart wept, even for Bowen). This is yet another that had me up late, and in fact, I immediately jumped to the third book as soon as I was done.

Bowen’s book was next (remember Lachlain’s disheartened cousin who was in mourning over his dead mate?)… I finished it this morning and loved it just as much! But here’s the thing…I’m desperately missing the Immortal crew, so I intend to do a little late night reading tonight (I will be starting book# 4). Looks like Bowen’s review will have to wait until the morn

See you then!

So I’ve ventured back into the "Immortals After Dark" series. I’ve just started book two (No Rest for the Wicked), and the tone is very much like the first.

Again, I’m slightly creeped out by the Valkyrie females. They’re just scary weird. Sweet, and beautiful like angels but dangerous and each quirky in their own way. Anger them and beware of the lightening wrath that may strike you down. Freak them out, and their high pitched screeching might just deafen you, and will most certainly shatter all the glass in their vicinity.

And imagine when they all start shrieking at once (which, quite comically seems to happen every time their vampire brother-in-law, Nicolai, walks in the room). They still haven’t gotten used to him yet (they naturally HATE and hunt vampires), and scare the bejeezus out of him each time they see him.

Sometimes Nicolai Wroth really hated his in-laws.

He exhaled wearily as he accompanied his Bride, Myst the Coveted, to the expansive front porch of her former home. They’d just made it to the front steps when the first shriek sounded.

He wasn’t surprised having already learned that his mere vampiric presence would be enough to provoke the nest of Valkyrie.

LOL…that’s just plain funny! Okay. So maybe I’m warming up to their eccentricities.

Anyway, this book is off to a similar start. The vampire (Sebastian) realizes that his Bride – Kaderin (the one he *should* be mated to), is a Valkyrie. She naturally hates him (but can’t deny the basal connection between them). While she denies him, every time he is near, she can barely resist his draw.

Seemingly helpless to stop herself, she inched closer to him, enjoying the hell out of his scent. Now he bent his arm back to bring her into his body.

And Sebastian so far? He is the sweetest, most courteous, protective vampire, and I can’t help but love him already (and I’m only on page 76!).

So, all in all, I’m off to a good start.

Pooooor silly, sweet and sinfully sexy Sebastian…all befuddled because he can’t stop thinking about the off-beat waitress that now works for him. Not his usual cup of tea (he prefers the super-model types), the klutzy, overly pale (even for a vampire) messy haired, bespeckeled female has definitely caught his attention.

"Nadine, I appreciate your decision, but I’m not sure she’s cut out for a job here. I mean look at Greta." He gestured to the leggy blonde, , leaning on the end of the bar chatting with Crystal, a curvy brunette. "And Crystal. Our cocktail waitresses are part of the allure of the place. They are supposed to be a draw for the patrons."

"Give her a chance. This is where she needs to be," Nadine said, certainty in her husky voice.

Sebastian studied his right-hand woman and friend. Finally, he nodded. Nadine was a good judge of character, another trait of werewolves. Animal instincts and all that. And he’d trusted her for years with all his hiring. It didn’t make much sense to question her now.

Still, while there was something that intrigued him about the vampiress, there was something that made him uncomfortable as well. His gut told him he should bypass Nadine’s opinion and give the little waitress her walking papers.

Wilhelmina Weiss (Mina) is an unskilled, bashful and easily frightened "young" vampire. She gets hired to work at his bar, but with the intention of putting Sebastian (and his fangs) permanently out of business. Hateful of her kind, she joins a "Society for Preternaturals" that focuses on integrating with humans. Their goal: to stop all of their normal (yet unacceptable) behaviors that would frighten humans. Sebastian, known for being a wild child and glutton for sexy human females (and their blood) MUST be stopped!

As she botches multiple sabotage attempts (did I mention she was unskilled especially in the paranormal aspect), Sebastian quickly realizes what his new waitress is trying to do.

Suddenly her irritation with his cavalier behavior was too much. For the first time since she’d met him, Wilhelmina did something clumsy that she fully intended. As she picked up another glass, she clanked the stem against Becky’s full cocktail. The glass soared over and pink liquid splashed down the front of Sebastian’s pale blue designer shirt.

Sebastian jumped up as what appeared to be a Mai Tai with extra cherries soaked into the material of his shirt and the crotch of his trousers.

The women in the booth handed him their drink napkins as he attempted to pat away the worse of the spill.

"Oh no," Wilhelmina said, "I’m so sorry."

Sebastian looked up from the wet splotches to see something akin to a smirk on Wilhelmina’s lips. As soon as she realized he was looking, the smile faded into an expression of innocent dismay.

But Sebastian knew what he’d seen.

Despite his aggravation towards her treachery, he is even more astonished that a female could actually NOT want him. Also grasping that she is yet another self-loathing vampire, he is determined to find out what her problem is and makes a deal with her. No biting any humans for one month, if she allows him to teach her how to be (and love being) a vampire.

Inevitably, their close proximity forces them to open their eyes and see beyond the exterior shell protecting an innermost being that one cannot help but to love. But they struggle…boy do they struggle…

One of my favorite parts (when Mina sees Sebastian with another woman, not realizing it his interior designer):

"I want to end the deal," she said flatly.

No. No way. But he didn’t say that. "Why?"

She looked up at him, misery clear in her blue eyes. He was the one making her this unhappy. The idea killed him.

"Baby," he murmured, touching her cheek. "Tell me what’s going on, please."

She closed her eyes, then straightened her spine against his soft, rich voice. Then she met his gaze directly. "If you are meeting women, mortal women, then how do I know you aren’t biting them? There’s no way for me to know. You could have bitten evert woman every night since we made the deal. I’d be none the wiser. And – I just can’t…I just can’t do," she gestured to them, "this. The deal is done."

Sebastian digested her words. "You’re jealous, aren’t you?"

She didn’t answer, but she was sure her miserable expression said enough.

Despite her obvious angst, the idea made him feel like giving a triumphant whoop.

"Why are you smiling?"

He tried to be sober, but he couldn’t.

"It’s cruel to enjoy someone else’s distress," she informed him primly.

"Oh baby," he said sincerely, "I’m only enjoying it because this is a major breakthrough."

She eyed him as if she thought he was mad.

"If you are jealous, then you must like me a little bit."

"Yes," she admitted, with a begrudging roll of her eyes.

"I’m really glad about that. Because I have to admit, I like you a little bit too."

See? Fun!! Kathy Love is all about the preternaturals residing in a human world. They do human activities (some…a touch more on the "animalistic" side *blush*), they interact with the mortals, they go watch live bands, get into fistfights, have insecurities, hug and cry, but yet they have that powerful ethereal aspect that we crave so much!

And…it’s yet another provocative installment, but again, the author makes you work for the "prize".

Never fear however, as she has the ability to turn a simple *kiss* scene into a steam inducing, mind blowing, highly satisfying moment, so it’s all good

He made a noise somewhere between a chuckle and a groan as his mouth caught her again.

Go slow, he told himself and managed to maintain gentle, brushing kisses. Velvet against velvet. He continued his tender onslaught until the need inside him swelled to the point that he had to touch more if her.

She groaned as if she was reading his mind and moved closer to him.

"Are you okay?" Sebastian asked, his lips not fully leaving hers, even though he didn’t sense fear.

"I want…more."

"I want to give you more."

My one embarrassing moment? When a major twist in the end smacked me in the forehead…I shoulda seen it coming, and am quite distressed actually that I didn’t, not even one time, clue in. How? Was I that enthralled with Sebastian that I saw nothing else? Not even one of the numerous clues that she dropped throughout the chapters (and one extra clue that I had simply because I’m a latecomer to the series).

Looking back…I’m just…it’s shameful really . I find that I do that alot. While people are busy picking apart a storyline to discern what’s to come, I nonchalantly bumble along for the ride with no concern as to what I might run into. But it does make for some impact when the realization hits, so that’s always fun!

• Skin Game (Berkley Sensation)
• Skin Tight (expected release date: June 1, 2010)
• Skin Privilege (TBA)
• Skin Dive (TBA)

A blurb from the author’s website:

Sirantha Jax is a “Jumper,” a woman who possesses the unique genetic makeup needed to navigate faster than light ships through grimspace.

• Grimspace (Sirantha Jax, Book 1)
• Wanderlust (Sirantha Jax, Book 2)
• Doubleblind (Sirantha Jax, Book 3)
• Killbox (expected release date October 2010)
• Aftermath (expected release date September 2011)
• Endgame (expected release date September 2012)

• Some Girls Bite: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel
• Friday Night Bites: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel
• Twice Bitten: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel (expected release date: July 6, 2010)
• Hard Bitten (release date TBA)

First off…how clever are these book titles?? I just figured out that the neat little play on words actually hints at what the story will be about. Fangs for the Memories (book one) was about a vampire who gets amnesia…get it?

This book clued me in because Christian (the evil vampire brother from book#1), gets his conscience back in this story by attempting to become more human.

Due to devastating circumstances in book 1, Christian is determined to get a sense of his humanity back. He decides to move away from his luxuries, live closely amongst the human population (a trailer park seemed appropriate), and connect with others. Determined not to bite, he restricts his feedings to bagged blood, and even feeding is restricted to small portion sizes. He drinks just enough to allow him to “live” while diminishing his powers, essentially forcing him to become more human – even his fangs fail him, no longer reacting to stimuli. Fangs But No Fangs…get it? He’s a vampire, but not really…sorta.

As he lives his new life in a run-down trailer home, he become friends with his pretty neighbor, Jolee.

“I haven’t had many friends,” he admitted. None, to be exact. “I suppose I don’t know how to react at times. But I think you could help me.”

Hadn’t he just told himself that he needed to stay near this woman to protect her? Now he was the one asking for help. From a mortal. He waited for the rush of disdain for himself. For being weak and pitiful. But the flood never came. he only felt hopeful, and maybe a little uncertain.

Owner of a local karaoke bar, she too, is escaping her past, and her family’s questionable moral character.

Crushing on each other, Christian resists his feelings for her.  Considering his destructive past, he doesn’t feel he deserves to be happy. He runs hot and cold throughout the entire novel, rudely rebuffing Jolee just as she considers getting to know him…

Here she’d been thinking her neighbor seemed attracted to her, and he essentially told her how unattractive he found her. Man, was she that clueless?

…yet always coming to her rescue (whether it be saving her from her knife wielding brother to helping her bartend, for free, at her bar).

Cooler heads do not prevail in this book. The passion is hot (and Kathy Love is a genius at teasing but not quite giving it up until later, especially in this installment), and their potential is promising.

Quick excerpt from a quick shopping trip for condoms (not necessary considering he’s a vampire, but if you’re gonna play the part of a human, you gotta go all the way, before going all the way )

“Do you have a favorite?” he finally asked.

“No,” she said , then smiled slightly. “But even if I did, it wouldn’t matter, because you’ve only got one choice, big boy.”

She pulled a box labeled ‘Maximum” off the hook and handed it to him.

A-hem *blush*…no further explanation necessary

But as these things go, the whole “Hey, by the way, I’m a vampire…no, I’m not crazy, I’m really a vampire” section puts their whole relationship in a tailspin (I always love that part!). Especially considering the fact that his “fangs” no longer show up at will. Now how’s he gonna prove anything without those?

So this is yet another satisfying read from Kathy Love, with passion, but mostly, an amazing sense of self discovery and connecting.

She infuses Christian with quirky yet endearing qualities (such as his strange fascination with – completely useless to him – infomercial gadgets), and opens up their world with charming secondary characters.

By the way, my favorite brother, Sebastian, we don’t get much of until the end, but when he did show up, his reactions were hilarious.

“See.” Sebastian shook his head. “Loon. Total loon.”

I think his book is next. Ok, so let me try and figure out what it’s gonna be about by the title alone:

“I Only Have Fangs For You”

…well that’s obvious enough, he’s gonna find his one and only mate….wait, maybe there’s more to it? Okay off I go to immerse myself in his wonderful-ness.