Archive for the ‘Larissa Ione’ Category

I did like this book, but I did not bond as much as I thought I would. After book one, I was certain Shade would be my favorite brother. Hot biker look,  long black hair, black leather, tattooed, rugged and sexy! While I felt there was emotion clearly depicted, I found myself somewhat disconnected throughout the story. I blame Shade’s “curse”! It held him back from loving, which in turn, held me back from completely *feeling* the connection between the two main characters. Never fear, it is worthy of reading, integral to the continuing storyline, and anyway, book #3 brought me back front and center!

Shade, a promiscuous Seminous Demon, with seemingly no regrets towards his sexual deviant nature, is cursed. A misdeed from his past, has cursed him with the threat of becoming invisible, and painfully starved, if he is to ever fall in love. He avoids any emotional connection (while continuing to indulge in his sexual nature), and finds himself inadvertently involved with a human female (you’ll remember Runa from book 1 – she was getting too *needy*, and Shade felt it time to cut the ties – ugh! Stupid boys!)

Shade rediscovers Runa in book 2, while they are imprisoned together in a cell. Something is different about Runa…She is just as beautiful, yet, stronger…angrier…(and has her own life changing event which affects her very existence).

“So that made what you did okay? When did you start screwing around on me?”

He propped an elbow on his knee, somehow managing to look casual, as if he got captured by Ghouls all the time and maybe enjoyed it little. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want to know the answers to.”

“Oh I want to know.”

“I don’t think you do.”

“You’re an ass.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

“I was in love with you.” Silence fell like an executioner’s ax. Oh, God. Had she just said that out loud?

Shade and Runa find themselves working together against their captors, while continuously protecting each other from potential harm. As events unfold, Shade and Runa develop a new found appreciation for each other, and re-discover the meaning of friendship. While Runa learns to trust Shade, and overcome her apprehension towards him,

Her heart did a little flip, that he’d have suffered for her, and dammit, it shouldn’t be flipping for him for any reason. It seemed to be looking for any excuse to fall for him again. Clearly, it had a very short memory.

Shade fights any further emotional connection to her, that could potentially doom his fate.

“Damn you,” he said, in a voice that had been scraped over sandpaper. “Damn you for making me burn like this. For you.”

We also get glimpses into the developing connection (read: sexual tension) between a half-breed “Soul Shredder” (Gem) and a demon hating Aegis guardian (Kynan). This storyline is almost as absorbing as that of the main characters.

“What are we talking about? Sex?”

Her mouth went dry, and a shiver of both desire and anxiety race through her. “I- I don’t know. I just…could you see yourself with one?”

One long finger trailed along her jaw, the most intimate contact they’d ever had. “Never.”

With that, he stalked out of the room.

I loved how the author cleverly re-depicted many scenes from book one (that were originally overlooked as part of the environment, seemingly, unimportant to the events in book one), and, in perspective to book two, everything becomes much clearer, and crucial to the continuing story line.

While I found myself somewhat detached throughout a portion of the book, the ending was wrought with emotional discord, as alliances were forged (and not just between male and female).

“I would take your pain away if I could, human.” The words were spoken so softly Kynan barely heard them, and then Wraith was stalking away as though his feet were on fire.

I rode every twist and turn with tenacity, wanting to know more (and relieved to know I could lose myself in book# 3 and continue the ride!) I love these characters! Each and everyone is interesting, and likeable, and while I may have not bonded as intensely to the main characters of this particular novel, I have bonded to the series as a whole.

• Pleasure Unbound: A Demonica Novel
• Desire Unchained: A Demonica Novel
• Passion Unleashed (The Demonica Series)
• “Eternity Embraced” as found in the The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 anthology
• Ecstasy Unveiled (The Demonica Series)
• Sin Undone (The Demonica Series) (expected release date: Sept. 2010)

I am already loving this series. With just one book, I have bonded with the characters, and I’m as intrigued by the other two brothers, as I was with the main character. I care for every potential developing relationship, and can’t wait to see how they play out.

This book is about a demon underground world that is merged but well hidden within the human world. Demons, in this series, can be a multitude of creatures (from vampires to ghouls, to Incubi to shape-shifters). The Demon world has it’s own set of rules, and laws, and while the different species do not always get along, there is one place where all species are safe and treated without prejudice. Eidolon, a handsome, skilled doctor, and also a “Seminus Demon”, has set up a special hospital (identical to any human hospital – equipped with doctors and nurses, ambulances, and EMT professionals) for the underworld.

All demons are hunted and killed by human warriors (Guardians) that are part of a group called the “Aegis”. They are trained highly skilled fighters, and have an enormous arsenal of weapons to aid in their killing quests. They believe they are killing for the good of mankind, and protecting the human race, and kill any and all demons indiscriminately.

A wounded human Aegis fighter named Tayla is erroneously brought into the demon ER. The hospital staff are concerned and want to dispose of her (considering she IS the enemy), however Eidolon’s fair nature and indiscriminate need to save lives, protects her from being killed, and instead, he heals her. Not realizing that she is in an actual demon hospital, and unaware of the true nature of her doctor, she finds herself deeply attracted to Eidolon. She soon discovers the truth however…

“What’s your true form?”

“This is it.”

She gaped. “Your species looks like Playgirl models? It’s not fair.”

“What’s not?”

“You. You’re a demon. Evil should look…evil. Ugly. Wouldn’t hurt if you smelled bad either.” Heck she’d be happy if he just didn’t smell good. The air around him smelled faintly of spiced dark chocolate and man, making her mouth water and her libido kick into high gear.

“I’m not exactly evil.”

She snorted. “All demons are pure evil.”

“What about half-breeds. Are they evil, too?”

“They’re abominations that deserve to die the same as any other demon.”

He turned and looked at her wearing a grin that was about as evil as any she’d seen. “This is going to be fun”.

Sparks fly (whether they are entwined in a lusty encounter, or whether they are battling  each other). A few instances force Tayla to interact directly with Eidolon and his entourage. Her loyalties are put to the test as she begins to acknowledge that not all demons are evil, and finds herself caring for those of a different world. Tayla also discovers that her Warrior entourage are not all that they seem, and may not have the noble intentions she thought she was fighting for.

Eidolon’s own anger flared bright and hot as he rounded on the cause of the tension between them. “You came here to lead your Aegis colleagues to my hospital.”

“Yes.”

The betrayal streaked through him, and he had no idea why. They were enemies. He’d expected something like this. But for some reason, the knowledge that she’d wanted to destroy what he’d worked so hard for tore at him.

“I don’t need to ask why. That you hate us is obvious-”

“I don’t hate you.” she said hoarsely. Her gaze cut to him, full of misery, slicing him like a scalpel. “God help me, I don’t hate you.”

For some reason, this is one of my favorite scenes (kind of fiery but sweet at the same time). Tayla needed protection, and Eidolon took her in:

“This is your room,” she whispered. “I saw a guest room back there…”

He dropped the bags on the polished wood floor and in a flash, framed her face in his warm hands. “We’re beyond that.” He brought his head down to her neck, his lips caressing her skin. “You sleep with me.”

Like a real couple. Way too intimate. “I don’t want to.”

He inhaled deeply. “Don’t lie to me Tayla. I can smell your desire”

God, that sense of smell of his was a pain in the ass.

What I love about this book, is that we are introduced to many different characters, their feelings, their struggles, and while Tayla and Eidolon are the main focus, there are many short but deeply focused side stories that allow us to bond with all the characters and their world, and to understand them on a larger level. Each character has its own personal struggles and revelations, all seemingly real, and valid. While the main love story brings it’s own angst, each character (including Tayla) has a deeper issue that is more personal then just that of a potentially doomed love story.

Vampires may not be the focus in this book, but it captured my attention and I had a hard time putting it down. While the romance and intimacy is prominent, this book is also action packed, and a great read! I’m still quite exhausted from my late night of reading (but this story was well worth the lack of sleep).