Posts Tagged ‘kresley cole’

<——- Woooohooo *hot*! Book six in the series takes us on a journey through Rydstrom Woede’s struggle to get his crown back (he’s a Demon King…or was…), and the one woman who intends to derail his plans.

This story takes place at exactly the same time as Cadeon and Holly’s did. While those two travelled together to retrieve a special sword, Rydstrom was tricked and being held captive by a beautiful, but evil, witch (woops – excuse me…that should be “Sorceress”…they’re different… I don’t know… ).

Sabine is in cahoots with the very demon that stole Rydstrom’s crown, and while she knows she is his true mate, she doesn’t intend on letting their feelings get in the way of her goals.

So pretty much, you can imagine how this one goes. Two very focused, goal-oriented “go-getters”, that are hotter than hell (literally). Both (one good, one evil) with the intention of ruling, trying to overcome and resist this pesky “attraction”. Lots o’ trickery going on here! But they keep tripping up over their own “li’ol schemes” (<— I’m sayin’ it with an british accent) as they keep taking turns kidnapping each other!

“…how do I know you haven’t given me some potion to make me feel drawn to you? You could deceive me into thinking you’re mine.”

She released him, going up on her knees, then leaned forward until their faces were inches apart. “Look into my eyes, Rydstrom. See me clearly. You know it’s me.”

The book is fun. The steamy scenes are scalding hot…

To reward him, she ran her lips over his horn. His massive body shuddered beneath her, rattling the chains.

(Yeah you know I had to get a demon “horn” scene in…) *blush*  
Even my husband asked me if I got any “horn action” in this one…wait!?? Did I actually mention the horns to my husband? Woops!! lol!! Ahhh well…at least he’s a good sport

And yes, you read that right. He rattled his “chains”. This one’s a little less flowers and romance and a little more mmmmmm…let’s say….BDSM-ish? Ok well, not hard core or anything, but he’s pretty insistent that she call him master! tee hee!!

…and the adventure gets pretty exciting at times. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect to this couple as intensely as I did to Cadeon and Holly (it’s kinda hard to like a conniving witch), and while there were many memorable scenes, this book was not my favorite in the series. There’s an interesting part in the book that reminded me of a strange “Stargate” style episode…you know when O’Neill and Carter end up in a medieval style world…It’s still cool,  but the feel of the story “shifts” a bit.

All in all, read it! It is a well rounded. There are interesting character backgrounds, lots of action, twists and turns, secrets and turmoil, interesting powers, and something even more powerful than magic, the power of family. And of course…Rydstrom’s sex appeal is certainly worth exploring…

His sexy side…

“So this is what my demon likes.”

Sabine found herself secretly flattered by this. Of all the fantasies a male could have – multiple women and men, fetishes or even deviancies – his dreams were centered only on her. Only her.

His possessive side…

“And Sabine, I can wait as long as it takes. You will lose if you match swords with me in a battle of wills.”

“As long as it takes? Exactly how long are you planning to keep me? When will you release me?”

He gave her a strange expression-part possessive, part aggressive. His eyes turned sharply from green to jet-black. “I won’t.”

Ok I couldn’t resist some more possessive:

He ran his lips over her ear, nuzzling it as he said, “I’ve waited a long time for my female. Fifteen centuries I’ve gone without her.” He gently ran his horns against her neck. “Without you. No longer.”

Oh and I found another totally hot “Rydstrom being possessive” part..what’s with me today?

He rubbed his face against hers, inhaling her scent.

“I’ve never felt things like this, and I want more,” he growled at her ear. “You are my obsession, Sabine. I’ve heard every male has one in his life. And you are mine.”

and finally, last but not least, his protective side…

And each night, he still held her tightly in bed. Because she was sleeping five or six hours a night, she had multiple nightmares. Whenever she woke, he was there tenderly stroking her hair.

Last night, he’d rasped, “Shh, baby. I’ve got you.”

That made her toes curl every time she recalled it.

*sigh*

The demons in this series are quite something. Some of the hottest scenes are contained in the Woede brothers books. Hot I tell you! We were teased with promises of potential “horn licking”  (don’t look at me like that, you know you’re curious)! But teasing aside, this demon’s horns only got a little *rub* here and there…LOL!

Okay so we know Cadeon Woede to be the “black sheep” of the rage demon duo (Cade and Rydstrom). Cade managed to lose Rydstrom’s crown (Rydstrom was king) in a past battle, and is forever trying to make up for it.

“If you train me, I won’t stop until I have his head,” he vowed. “And once I do, I’ll pluck your crown from it and return it to you.”

Offered an opportunity to retrieve a sword that will kill the current king, Cade accepts the job, and sets out to find the female “Vessel” that he must trade for the sword. What is a Vessel you might ask? It is a rare female that comes around, ohh….every few hundred (or more?) years. Basically she will bring an immortal warrior into the world, and depending on who impregnates her, the warrior will be good or evil.

Cade quickly realizes that the human female that he has always believed to be his mate (Holly Ashwin), is the “Vessel” that he is required to hand over. While in the past, he has never acted upon his need to “attempt” Holly (human’s cannot survive a demon’s “way” of binding a relationship – uhhh yah you get the picture ), he realizes that Holly is part Valkyrie and quickly changing into her immortal status.

Just hours ago, she’d been living as a normal human – or near normal with some eccentricities. Now she had become something he never could have predicted. A Valkyrie. Or half one. he hadn’t know she’d possessed this latent potential. The shock of the ritual must have triggered the transformation.

Holly is freaked out! Here she is, a content, incredibly intelligent math genius, in a stable (unsexual – she’s still a virgin) relationship with only a “few” small quirks (her main one is that she suffers from an obsessive compulsive disorder – you know the typical germ issues, counting issues, re-arranging the furniture issues…).

One evening, she is kidnapped, stripped naked and tied down to an alter (all sacrifice-like), and about to be “taken”. While she has no idea that she has ties to the “immortal” world, or even what a “Valkyrie” is, because of her incredible fear, her Valkyrie powers and physical changes manifest themselves. Cade steps in just in time, and rescues her.

Cadeon hurdled the line of bullets to get to her. Scooping  her up in his arms, he tucked her against his chest. Just as shots reached them, he pressed her against the wall until his body covered every inch of hers.

He gritted his teeth when the first bullet hit him, unable to turn to run without risking her, She burst into tears. Two bullets, three, four…

He stared down at her, those jet eyes seeming to consume her, and grated, “No more…running from me. Yeah?”

“Y-yeah,” she whispered brokenly, crying harder every time his big body jerked from the impact.

Over his shoulder, he roared at them, a furious warning growl, and she whimpered. His voice a harsh rasp, he said to her, “No, no female. Shh.” He petted at her tears with huge fingers tipped with short black claws.

Cade is really suffering now. Here he is, next to the mate that he has been waiting for all his life, protecting her as he is naturally meant to do. He can even officially “attempt” her now, since she is strong enough for him (due to her unexpected immortal status). However, he has a terrible choice to make.

She equaled the crown he’d worked for nine hundred years to reclaim – the unyielding pursuit that had given him a reason to go on living.

Never had it been so close…

All he had to do was use and betray the woman he’d waited just as long to possess.

He either hands her over to potential evil in trade for the sword (to redeem himself in his brother’s eyes), or he once again renigs his responsibilities, and runs away with her for good to live in love for the remainder of forever.

This book is hilarious, exciting, anguished and extremely satisfying. I didn’t want to put it down. There’s a funny bar scene, Nix is her usual crazy and charming self, and the Valkyrie are on their game! 

Holly is as sweet as can be, and her OCD just adds to the funny in the book.  

He pulled a bottle of water from the space behind her seat, handing it to her. My favorite brand.

“Thanks.” She carefully twisted the cap, determined not to touch -

Crap! She’d touched the bottle rim. With a sigh, she put the cap back on and placed the bottle at her feet.

“Something wrong with the water?”

She debated not answering, but figured he’d encounter all her quirks over the next couple of weeks anyway – the eating difficulties, the germophobia, the endless arranging.

“I touched the rim.” She put her chin up. “There was transference. I can’t drink it now.”

On a long road trip together, both have many lessons to learn, and ideals to overcome (or at least re-evaluate). Cade proves himself to be loyal and gentle, protective and fierce and deliciously cunning. Sarcastically witty, he will have you both grinning and blushing at the same time:

“”You’re not going to distract me from this. We had a deal.”

“Maybe under duress. Did you ever think that I might be morally opposed to watching pornography?”

He snorted. “You’re not the good girl you used to be. You get drunk and carouse with demons, sitting on their laps and giving them horn jobs in front of an audience. You went rock star on this poor mom-and-pop motel room, you got me to show you my goods, though I was vulnerable and weak from a bullet wound.” He shook his head sadly. “Face it, Holly, you’re a bad girl.”

And yes…you read that right…horn jobs…tee hee! I don’t know why I love those horns so much, but the author is quite clever with that That bar scene was sweetly adorable and just plain naughty (but of course…all in a “Holly” innocence).
I heart Cade as much as Sebastian and Bowen. I can’t choose. I  just can’t.

I read this one (Book#4) while "watching" the Superbowl ("watching" is used loosely, here). Yup, I’m that behind in my reviews again. I’m tellin’ ya…this series is really good, and quite hard to put down.

So my question was…how in the world was an entire story about a vampire falling in love with a ghost going to work? No biting? No touching? Nooooo…well, you know

As I expected, this book did not contain a ton of that, but one thing it did do is recount a beautiful tale of two completely different beings overcoming their physical issues, to ease each other’s suffering and forge an unbreakable bond.

Conrad Wroth, the evil "other" vampire brother, is captured by his siblings; Sebastian, Nicolai and Murdoch, and brought to a newly acquired, empty manor. Strapped down for his own good, the brothers intend to reverse Conrad’s bloodlust and avoid his potential execution.

He fights them with everything he has. Full of contempt for his brothers, and all beings, he hates his undead life, and loves to hate.  But his brothers are optimistic that he might come around, and join them once again.

He soon realizes he is not alone when he catches glimpses of a beautiful female ghost (Néomi, a famous ballerina murdered at the height of her career). He’s curious but fears he might be going crazy, and she is thrilled that finally, someone can see her.

I don’t want to be alone. Not tonight…

At twilight, she found herself making her way to him as if pulled by an invisible string. When she hesitated just outside his door, he said, "Ghost, come to me!"

Enjoy the interaction, she commanded herself. Just don’t get used to it.

"I know you’re there." His voice sounded weary. "Are you frightened of me now?’

Despite her inexperience with communicating as a ghost (she has never had anyone see her, or talk with her in the past), she tries to speak to him, and keeps him company. As they forge a friendship she gets stronger and better at interacting, and his hatred dissolves into compassion and hope.

While she helps ease him back into sanity, he fears his brother’s (who don’t see her) might not interpret his interaction with this "ghost" as sane:

Nikolai exhaled wearily to find him moving about freely. "How did you  get loose?"

"Dislocated my shoulder."

Almost at the exact same time, all three raised their brows at the collection of papers. "You dislocated your shoulder to get to the newspapers on the road? You could have asked one of us if you wanted to read-"

"No. that’s not it." Why not tell them? They already thought him mad. What if one of them encountered a ghost? What if they believed him? "I got them for a female who lives here." He was sane enough to recognize how this sounded. "She likes to read them."

"The house is abandoned, Conrad." Nikolai pinched the bridge of his nose. "You know this."

He ran his palms over his pants. "I’m the only one who can see her. She’s lying on this bed right now."

To a man, they got that anxious expression as though they were wondering whether madness was catching.

"If there is truly a ghost there, get her to move something," Murdoch said. "Can she make a door slam? Or rattle something in the attic?"

"Yes, she can move things with her mind."

Sebastian waved him on. "Then by all means…"

Conrad glanced from them to her, and back again. "She’s…asleep." And he couldn’t shake her to get her to wake.

"Of course she is," Sebastian muttered. He’d always been the most skeptical of the brothers. Conrad figured that after three centuries, that hadn’t changed.

"Damn it, I’m telling the truth."

"Yet you can’t rouse her?"

Conrad considered explaining why she was so exhausted, but thought that would only make things worse.

Murdoch asked, "Why would we believe your seeing a ghost rather than another hallucination? You’re supposed to be bombarded with delusions."

"I was. Constantly. I’m not anymore. She’s real." Right at her ear, he said, "Néomi, wake up!" No response. "Wake up!" he said louder, aware that he appeared to be yelling at a sheet.

Murdoch had a look on his face as if he couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry over Conrad’s actions.

While there are many sweet moments, they even manage to have a few "steamy" situations, somewhat akin to…ohhh i dunno…phone sex? A "tamer" moment during their exchange…

"Would you want to bite me?"

"Yes," he hissed. "Would you let me?"

If he needed, she would give. "I’d deny you nothing."

"Then I’d take your neck and your breasts. I’d bite your white thighs right above your stockings."

Intense male. She stifled a whimper. "We’re doing it again, exchanging comments, bandying."

"Like dancing."

She shook her head and whispered, "Like sex."

He stared down into her eyes, making her feel like she was drowning in fire. "Néomi, you make me want to be blooded. But only by you."

Their situation proves to be a tough one as Conrad suspects Néomi would have been his mate had she been alive.

"Would you want to be with me? If you could? For more than sex?"

She gave him a sad smile. "You have a destined Bride out there awaiting you."

"Néomi, you might be…mine."

The benefit of Néomi as a ghost, is that she is safe from Conrad’s enemies, but could it be possible to have a fulfilling future with a someone that has no physical form?

Néomi, headstrong and passionate about life, love and Conrad, is determined to make something of her undead self. Tired of being alone and restricted to her manor, she makes a decision, taking this story on an exciting turn. Forever or for just a moment in time…she is determined to experience Conrad for real.

I liked it! While it wasn’t my favorite in the series (Sebastian and Bowen’s, and even Cade’s stories are hard to beat) I did enjoy all the turmoil, angst and sexy moments, and well, I’ll be honest…the cover model portraying "Conrad" sure didn’t hurt either…

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.

This is the official Book#1 in the “Immortals After Dark” series. The series has been recommended to me over and over, and I was very happy to receive it for Christmas.

While I enjoyed quite a few parts of book #1, overall, I’d say it was just “okay”. I didn’t connect to the characters much. The heroine (Emma) went from a childlike innocence to hard-headed and irritating. While most of these stories evolve where the heroine inevitably becomes stronger, Emma’s personal growth transition was so quick that it didn’t seem natural. Her hunky alpha male (Lachlain) was great in some ways, however, I found myself cringing at many of his demands, from his insistence in keeping her against her will (for fear she’d never come back to him if he let her out of his sight) to his sexual advances, despite her resistance.

“You would hurt me that way?”

“Without a second thought.” His lips curled. His gaze seemed intent on her face, but his eyes were still vacant. “And that’s just the beginning of the things I’ll do to you, vampire.”

Eventually he sees the error of his ways, but really, it’s too late to have regrets once the monstrous acts are committed. Never fear, he never *quite* reaches that level.

Her Valkyrie aunts were all over the place, and I couldn’t ever fully comprehend what they were doing, who was getting mad, who was plotting or who was happily accepting Emma’s fate. I’m wondering if the short story preceding this one would have given me a better understanding into their family history, allowing me to like them more in this one.

So basically the story goes like this. Lachlain (a Lykae/werewolf) was held prisoner and tortured for centuries by the vampires. Realizing (smelling) that his “mate” was in the city where he was being held captive, he gnaws his way out of his chains, and escapes. While he doesn’t know who she is, he has been waiting for her forever, and refuses to risk the chance of losing her forever by remaining imprisoned.

Half mad from being tortured, he lacks the proper social skills of today’s society. Desperate to finally have her, he pretty much demands that his woman heed him, causing her much confusion and panic.

He pointed a shaking hand at her. “You,” he growled.

She jerked glances over both of her shoulders looking for the unfortunate you he was addressing. Her. Holy shite, this madman had settled on her.

Thinking she is being stalked by a raving lunatic she runs (exciting him more)! He chases, catches and essentially kidnaps her. Unfortunately for her/him?, she is half vampire (his most hated enemy), and he cannot fathom how to handle his need for her as his mate, and his hatred of her kind.

He’d waited a millennium for a helpless parasite.

The story evolves from one of mistrust and resentment (on both sides) to one of acceptance and bonding. While his brusque mannerisms rub her the wrong way, his alpha male sex appeal and eventual sweetness (she seems to tame him) make up for all his archaic ideologies (you know…rubbing her the right way ) tee hee!

He rolled over in his sleep, tucking her into his side. He put his knee over her to pull her close and then crooked his arm around her head. Protectively. All around her. Better. Maybe just surrender.

“Mine,” he growled softly. “Missed you.”

Yes. Apparently she’d missed him, too.

They trick each other, lie to each other, barter with each other, resist each other and come together so many times, one wonders how a relationship with such a rocky start could ever possibly work. While they struggle with their acceptance of each other’s differences, they also need to contend with their family’s expectations of the “ideal” mate (which neither of them conform to). Emma, half vampire, half fae (and enemy of the Lykae) would become queen of his Lykae clan, and she would essentially be bringing a “dog” into the family. Fun times…fun times…

And of course, the important battles, not just of wits, but of strength as enemies stalk them for purposes that eventually explain both of their pasts.

We also get a little glimpse into the characters and potential romantic interests to come in the series, and I hear the next few books are fantastic. So I’m very anxious to get to know them all better. BTW… Some of the covers for the books are just gorgeous. Too bad I don’t get those covers with my e-books!

• The Warlord Wants Forever as found in the Playing Easy to Get anthology (this is a short story introducing us to the series).
• A Hunger Like No Other (The Immortals After Dark Series, Book 1)
• No Rest for the Wicked (The Immortals After Dark, Book 2)
• Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night (The Immortals After Dark, Book 3)
• Dark Needs at Night’s Edge (The Immortals After Dark, Book 4)
• Dark Desires After Dusk (The Immortals After Dark, Book 5)
• Kiss of a Demon King (The Immortals After Dark, Book 6)
• A Deep Kiss of Winter 
• Pleasure of a Dark Prince (Immortals After Dark)