REVIEW - LORD OF THE ABYSS

"As the dark Lord who condemns souls to damnation in the Abyss, Micah is nothing but a feared monster wrapped in impenetrable black armor. He has no idea he is the last heir of Elden, its last hope. Only one woman knows—the daughter of his enemy."

Author: Nalini Singh
Pages: 288 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne
Published: November, 2011
Form: E-book (review copy from the NetGalley for an honest review)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: The Royal House of Shadows #4
Amazon: Buy / $5.50 (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $5.50 (Paperback) 
The Book Depository: Buy / €5.50 (Paperback)
Excerpt: 1st Chapter


Liliana - the abused daughter of the Blood Sorcerer who conquered Elden twenty years ago, killing the King and the Queen and cursing the four children who only nearly escaped the battle - has had a vision, so she escaped her father to find the youngest of the four siblings, Micah. The only problem is she will have to get him to remember who she is because she only has a week before it will be too late.

Micah is fascinated by the woman who dropped out of nowhere to his castle and isn't afraid to meet his eyes. Eventually he agrees that she may cook for him, but the outspoken Liliana is so much more than meets the eyes and it doesn't take long before he begins to be tempted by the woman who seems oblivious to how she makes him feel.

     "He was the most beautiful monster she had ever seen.
     It was the first thought Liliana had as she lay weak and drained across the black marble of the floor, her face reflected in its polished surface. As she watched, the one they called the Lord of the Black Castle rose from his ebony throne at the head of the room and walked down the ten steps with a lazy grace that spoke of power, strength…and death.
     Trying desperately to close her hand into a fist, she attempted to push herself up onto her knees, unwilling to meet him at such a disadvantage. But her body was debilitated beyond bearing by the blood she had spilled to make the crossing, her wrists spotted with it, though her magic had sealed the wounds. Her father would’ve sacrificed another without a thought to the life he took, would call her a fool for using her own blood.
     “Weak.” He had spit the judgment at her more than once. “I took a beautiful witch to wife and got a hatchet-faced mewling brat in return.”
     Sensing the vibration of the monster’s boots getting ever closer, she took a deep breath, able to feel it rattle in her throat. It wasn’t meant to be like this. The spell should have deposited her in the forests beyond his domain, not in the midst of his great hall, where he stood as the lone, lethal shield against the vicious beings beyond. She could feel eyes on her, hundreds of them. And yet no one made a sound.
     The boots were almost to her now."

I loved this book, Liliana and Micah make a sizzling hot couple! Both completely new to the other genre one because of his duty and one because of her lacking outer appearance. Of course Liliana's hidden mission to make Micah remember who he is, after all he was only 5 when his parents cast a spell on him to save him from the Blood Sorcerer, might but a damper on their budding romance.

I loved how arrogant and possessive and cave-man Micah was, but he also had a deliciously wicked sense of humor after her got to know her. Liliana I loved because she was not a norm beauty, but was "ugly", eyes too close to each other and too small, hooked-nosed, hair like straw but she still didn't pity herself, she accepted what she looked like and when Micah begins to show interest on her she becomes baffled.

I haven't read Nalini Singh before but I'm a FAN now! This story was great! The plot, the characters, the weird creatures, burning hot romance, tension, fantasy and truly great finish for the Royal House of Shadows series! I suppose this could be a stand-alone, but at least read 1st and 2nd book before reading this, because they are just GOOD and the siblings from all the books make an appearance in the end battle. But like I said this can be read alone because a lot is explained about thing got to this point (and without spoilers! because it does not ruing the other books, so you can read these in mixed order!).

You'll like this if... you like fantasy, paranormal romance and like your heroes bit on the domineering side. ;)

Rating :

KHANTARA REVIEW AND INTERVIEW WITH MICHELLE FRANKLIN

"Khantara is a Haanta conqueror, meant to wage war and rule over the enemy nation of Thellis, but after vanquishing Thellis and occupying a construction of a Haanta outpost, he meets Anelta, a woman enslaved by her own people bearing a brand of servitude on her neck."

Author: Michelle Franklin
Pages: 97 pages
Publisher: Red Willow Publishing
Published: September, 2011
Form: E-book (review copy through the tour for an honest review)
Series: Haanta Series Novel; Khantara #1
Genre: Fantasy
Amazon: Buy / $5.74 (Kindle)
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $2.99 (Nook)
Excerpt: from Chapter 4

As Thellis attacks the Haanta people, they are left to meet their assult by conquring the coast line city and set up their own settlement. Khantara their highly decorated commander has always had a kind and quiet nature where other Haanta men battle with their rage, their curse, he desires to understand the Thellissian people and when one evening he sees a woman scorned by her husband he end talking to her and finds out that she's a Marked, a slave with very few rights and even more obligations.

Khantara can't get her out of his mind, her abusive keeper, her frigthtened nature and her kindness and innocent joy. He decides it's his obligation having witnessed her blight to help her, but how?

I really, truly, enjoyed this novel! The language and the way it's written is beautiful and poetic, I loved reading this book for the simple pleasure of reading the writing.

The plot was interesting, and definitely shed light on the history of the Haanta people, their customs and their habits, which I found very interesting. And true to the Fantasy genre this novel was colored with Haanta's original words, and they were beautiful, reminiscent of quenya ( Tolkien's elvish ) in its smooth and solid phrasing. Loved it! The conqueror becomes involved in the life of a slave, and ends up feeling more for her than just his duty, even if he would like to deny there is more to his actions than kindness.

Anelta was a beautiful character, not a victim even living as suppressed as she does, she has inner strength and innocence that was so easy to read - you can't help but like her.
Khantara, a nine foot tall giant, gentle, caring, efficient and plenty scary when he wants to be was a joy to read! I've never met a giant before and I have to tell you I'm quite smitten. ;) I think I have to go buy the first book in the Haanta series! Because I absolutely loved the world created by Michelle Franklin! It's old fashion, entail brute strength, gentleness, weaknesses and determination - wow, loved it!

The supporting cast was great as well, I loved the three warriors who Khantara teaches but I also loved the birds who Khantara could communicate with! ( Learn more about one especially funny bird incident on the Interview below! )

Of course this is Vol. 1 and now I have to wait until Vol. 2 to see how Anelta takes to living in the Haanta settlement and if their romance blossoms in to something more than a kiss, look and embrace!

Rating : 

Photo by Nicole at NGP

Niina : Welcome to For The Love of Reading, Michelle! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Michelle Franklin : I am am award-winning fantasy and romance author who writes six to ten-thousand words a day, loves classic literature and chocolate.

Niina : Now can you tell us a little about Khantara?

Michelle : Khantara is a conqueror and the father of the Den Asaan Rautu. Though he was bred for war, he ends up falling in love with one of the conquered. In consequence of his love with Anelta, the Thellisian slave, Khantara then decides to free her and begins to devise a way to free all Thellisian slaves without starting war.
 
Niina : Khantara tells the story of the Den Asaan Rautu's mother and father, but can you tell us about the Haanta series?

Michelle : The Haanta series is a blend of high fantasy and literary romance. It begins with the meeting of the commander and Den Asaan. They ally their two nations and share a relationship that is condemned by his people, which leads to the ultimate saving of both their nations. The series is about thirty books long, six of which are already published by Red Willow Press. It follows more humourous and romantic fantasy and spans across the world of the Two Continents.

Niina : So, how much fun is it create a whole new world?

Michelle : I'm not really creating it so much as I am visiting it. I learn about the world as the reader does, I just happen to spend about ten to sixteen hours a day there. I'm just thankful that they allow me to see as much of their world as they do.
 
Niina : What chapter of Khantara did you most enjoyed writing and why?

Michelle : I think the Bird's Eye View chapter, only because I enjoy seeing the world how Khantara's wren sees it. He thinks everyone is a tree, and I find that rather amusing.
 
Niina : Now, what is your writing style? Do you follow from beginning to end or write a chapter here and one there?

Michelle : I write in story arcs. An arc is usually one volume, and once I finish it, I return to the beginning to add anything I've left out.
 
Niina : So, why did you pick Fantasy genre?

Michelle : It's always been fantasy with me. My mind doesn't go anywhere else.

Niina : Now little more mundane questions… What's a typical day like for you?

Michelle : That is mundane indeed. My day is rather boring to most: I write from the moment I wake up. I take a walk for two hours when my eyes are tired, and then I come back to the computer to continue writing for the rest of the day.

Niina : Before we finish her are some Quick Fire Questions!

Cats or dogs? Cats.
Beach or forest? Forest.
Night or day? Night.
Bad boys or good cops? Both.
Brunettes or Blonds? Redheads.
Vampires or werewolves? Giants.
Romance or erotica? Whips and ropes.
Men: Alpha-male or submissive? Master.
Male POV or female POV? Both.
Pick-up or Mini-van? Feet.
Beer or Wine? Coffee.
Coffee or tea? Tea.
Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? The answer is always dark chocolate. 
Cake or Donuts? I think you mean to say 'and'.
TV or DVD? Neither.
Halloween or Midsummer? I will dress-up for both.
Times New Roman or Courier? Calibri.
Crayons or markers? Pencils.
Pens or pencils?  Keyboard.
Books or e-books? Hardback. I'm a purist.
Kids or pets? Some would argue they are the same.
 
Niina : I like Calibri too! ;) Thank you for stopping by Michelle, this was fun!

Michelle : Thanks for having me! Enjoy the Haanta Series!

Michelle Franklin is a woman of moderate consequence who writes many books about giants, romance and chocolate.

I am a small woman of moderate consequence who writes many, many epic fantasy books involving giants, romance, and chocolate. I'm a rather boring woman in life, but that only gives me permission to be more interesting on the page. I'm meant to be read and not seen anyway. I am also excessively sarcastic, but never serious, and I do my utmost to be as quiet and polite as possible when being forced to leave the commons. I adore people, but am not fond of the public. Such is an author's burden: to be a hermit and a crone, blessed with all the joys of unquietness.

Twitter: @MrsDenAsaan

REVIEW - THE CHAMPION

"Yet the only woman who intrigues him is Tiberia the Younger, who now needs his help. Protecting Tiberia places Alexius in the greatest danger he has ever known..."

Author: Carla Capshaw
Pages: 282 pages
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: August, 2011
Form: E-book (review copy through NetGalley)
Genre: Historical Romance
Harlequin: Buy / $4.60
Amazon: Buy / $5.75
Book Depository: Buy / €3.83
Excerpt: Chapter 1

"Sworn to protect, compelled to love... 

Triumphs in the Coliseum—and society bedchambers— made gladiator Alexius of Iolcos famous for his brutal skill and womanizing ways. Yet the only woman who intrigues him is Tiberia the Younger, who now needs his help. Protecting Tiberia places Alexius in the greatest danger he has ever known—from her vengeful father and his own heart…"

Tibi knows what she wants, and she's aware of her worth much to the disappointment of her father, who finally snaps and orders Tibi to the temple of Obis to be a priestess and out of his way. Tibi feels she's destined to marry for Love and not for the political gain of his father, not wanting to go to the temple she escapes to the friend of their family, a gladiator Alexius, a know womanizer.

Alexius had sworn to his friend, cousin of Tibi, that he was to not take Tibi into his bed, she's off limits, which is one of the reasons he feels so stongly about her, but now that she's at his gladiator school he can't help but fall just a little harder for the strong willed, chamelon like girl.

I loved this book! I love historical Rome, so this was a perfect match for me! The city and the customs are colored on to the page in a way that you don't for once forget where you are at and with who.

I loved Tibi's charcter even though she was still little green around the ears, but she was lovely, quick witted and brave, a very good match for Alexius who was smooth, suave and powerful - and um former gladiator. Yum. ;)

This was more of a sweet love story than a hot steamy read, there was plenty of forbidden touches, forbidden emotions and temptation, it was really all about the seduction and not the act itself.

If you love historical romance and Rome then this is for you, a beautiful love story definitely not lacking in passion, lust and expectations of the time.

Rating :

Excerpt:

Rome, AD 84

"You're useless, Tibi. You've been nothing but a disappointment since the day you were born."

Numb to her father's constant condemnation, Tibi stared out the open window of her family's Palatine home. Except for a few distant cook fires dotting the nearby hills, darkness covered Rome like a thick, heavy blanket. The night was still and silent as though it waited to learn Tibi's fate.

"Lepidus was the last man of good family willing to wed you," Tiberius continued to rant. "If he wanted to sample you before the wedding, who are you to object? Instead of welcoming his advances, as you should have done, you reaffirmed your willful reputation and denied him at every turn. Little wonder he stormed from here with no wish to see you again. No man wants a disobedient wife. Not even when her father is willing to pay a fortune to be rid of her."

Tibi winced, but remained silent. She'd stopped defending herself years ago when she realized that her father always sided against her.

"Why the gods cursed me with two daughters and took my adopted son is beyond my ken, but at least your sister over there had the decency to bring political connections to this house when she wed Senator Tacitus three years ago. As for you, you're a disgrace."

In the face of her father's condemnation, she'd forgotten that Tiberia, her elder, more winsome sister, sat in an alcove near the inner courtyard. Closing her eyes, Tibi breathed in deep to ward off an onslaught of total humiliation. The sweetness of her perfume mocked her earlier decision to forgo the formless linen tunics and comfortable shoes she preferred in favor of feminine silks and the bejeweled sandals now pinching her toes. Despite her father's belief that she went out of her way to foil all his plans for her, she'd prepared for tonight with care in an effort to please her family and make a good impression on her intended groom.

Shivering from the cool night air, she rubbed the tender spot on her upper arm where Lepidus had grabbed her. He'd cornered her in the shadows of one of the garden columns, then tried to force himself on her while the other guests cheered the gladiatorial contest her father had arranged for their entertainment. She'd narrowly escaped Lepidus's mauling by biting his lip and refusing to let go until he released her. Neither he nor her father had considered her self-defense justified. Lepidus had stormed from the house, vowing revenge on her shameless behavior and leaving her to bear the brunt of her father's wrath.

"Four broken betrothals, Tibi. Four. I'm at the end of my patience with you."

Tibi tightened her jaw to keep from scoffing. When had he ever been patient with her? As a child she'd wondered why he tolerated her elder sister, Tiberia, yet ignored her. She'd tried to gain his love by being quiet and obedient, two traits her mother assured her would lead to his affection, but he continued to regard her as less important than the rugs he trod upon.

As she'd grown older, she realized that she disappointed her father simply by being a girl. The knowledge killed any hope of winning his affection. Instead, she'd worked to earn his respect and shone in areas traditionally reserved for boys. She'd studied history, astronomy and philosophy. She knew how to read and write Latin, as well as speak Greek. She excelled at archery and practiced athletics at the bath's gymnasium. But she remained a failure in his eyes.

"Look at me," Tiberius demanded sharply.

Tibi forced her feet to comply and turned around to face him. Aware of the bitterness oozing from her soul, she avoided looking at him directly and studied the lantern-lit room beyond his shoulder. A whiff of incense was the last trace of the disastrous banquet held earlier. Slaves had cleared the colorful room of dishes and swept the mosaic tiles clean. The low couches the diners reclined on while eating had been restored to their proper places against the frescoed walls.

"Your mother coddled you, insisting I waste coin on tutors that gave you the mistaken impression that your opinion counts the same as a man's," he sneered. "However, if you were wise, you'd understand that at eighteen years old, you're well past a ripe marriage age. A girl is a drain on her family if she doesn't marry for connections. Since no acceptable man will have you, I'm taking you to the temple of Opis tomorrow—"

Both girls gasped in unison. Tibi's heart kicked with alarm. Her appalled gaze darted to her father's angry visage. As she expected, his narrowed eyes radiated his antipathy.

"Father, please." Tiberia, silent until now, rose elegantly from a bench placed beneath one of the archways leading to the garden. "Isn't that a bit extreme? Perhaps Antonius—"

"Quiet! If I want your counsel I'll ask for it, daughter. Your husband has already done all I can expect of him by arranging this gathering tonight. Even with his far-flung and lofty contacts, Tibi's reputation for humiliating men precedes her. It was no simple task for him to snare Lepidus's interest."

Like Jupiter condemning mankind from the summit of Olympus, Tiberius jabbed his index finger in Tibi's direction. "That…that girl has embarrassed me for the last time. If she won't bring honor to this house through marriage, I'll see that she fulfills her duty to this family another way and buy her a position as a priestess. Who better for her to serve than the goddess of abundance and fertility? She can attempt to garner blessings for all of us. Who knows? She might even be able to correct your failure as a wife and wrangle a child for you in the bargain."

Tibi's stomach churned. The threat of having to perform fertility rites caused her palms to begin to sweat. The room seemed to swirl. "No—"

REVIEW - FANTASY LOVER

"Being trapped in a bedroom with a woman is a grand thing. Being trapped in hundreds of bedrooms over two thousand years isn't. And being cursed into a book as a love-slave for eternity can ruin even a Spartan warrior's day."

Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Pages: 337 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: January, 2002
Form: Paperpack
Series: Dark Hunter #0
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Amazon: Buy / $7.99
Book Depository: Buy / €4.87
Excerpt: 1st Chapter

Grace is a therapist, a sex therapist to be exact, her best friend a tarot reading gypsy-blooded Selena has decided Grace needs to heal from her first disastrous time with a total tool and she tricks Grace to summon a Greek Love-Slave from an old book.

Julian of Macedon, a Spartan general, has spent near two thousand years in the book, cursed there by his half-brother, and summoned out only by women who want him for his body - and what a body! Being a demigod he's a sight aphrodisiac to human women, so much so that he is irresistible. As Grace summons him he figures out something is different this time, first Grace doesn't want to sleep with him, and second her treating him like a man awakens weird feelings in him.

As more of who Julian is revealed feelings blossom between the couple but neither one wants to admit them, better yet acknowledge them - but as it comes out that there might be a way for Julian to be free from the book things take turn to worse. It's not easy to choose life after over 2000 years of emotional torture.

❝She laughed. “There’s a lever under the seat. Pull it out and you can move the seat back.”

He tried, but he was crammed in so tightly that he couldn’t reach it.

“Here,” Grace said. “I got it.”

Julian threw his head back as she leaned over his thigh, pressing her breasts to his leg while she reached between his knees. His body snapped to attention, instantly hot and hard.

When she put her cheek against his groin as she struggled with the release, he thought he would die from it.

“You know, you’re in the perfect position to-”

“Julian!” she snapped. She pulled back and saw the bulge in his jeans. Her face turned bright red. “Sorry.”

“Me, too,” he breathed.

Unfortunately, she had yet to move the seat, so he was forced to endure the position one more time.

Grinding his teeth, Julian reached one arm over his head to grab the headrest and clench it tightly. It was all he could do not to yield to the fiery lust inside his body.

“You okay?” she asked once she released the seat and returned to her own.

“Oh, yeah,” he said sarcastically. “I’m just fine considering the fact I’ve walked through burning huts that hurt less than my groin does right now.”

“I said I was sorry.”

He just looked at her. ❞

I loved this book! It sure is a hot read! I can't help but love books where the hero sets out to seduce the heroine, especially when the hero is rugged gorgeous Spartan Warrior! *SWOON* Alright let me get it together... there we go... no wait, okay, I got it.

I loved the plot, sure it was simple but with great twists! It was easy flowing to read and Kenyon writes in a way that you feel close connected to the characters, which helps so much to see the world and get immersed in it.

Fantasy Lover was deliciously sexy, dark and tempting and a surprise very funny quick read! Julian's out-of-place-ness, if one can use that as a word is hilarious, but at times heartbreaking, and this book is a perfect mix of both.

I loved Julian, he was so dark and conflicted, but sexy as hell. I loved that he didn't like public places where women swooned over him, it gave him just what the doctor ordered to be a great male lead.
Could not help but to love Grace as well, she saw Julian as a human being and not as a mystical creature, a love-slave. She wanted to help him adjust to where he was, and this is bit heartbreaking; she was the first women in 2000 years who wanted to give him the dignity to wear clothes, which he didn’t know how to handle…

I did not expect this book to be so good! I was very pleasantly surprised! This book works well for you if you want a break from vampires and werewolves, but still want your Paranormal Romance kick!

Rating :

REVIEW - DARK PROTECTOR

Author: Alexis Morgan
Pages: 322 pages
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: June, 2006
Form: Paperback
Series: Paladins of Darkness #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy
Amazon: Buy / $6.99
Book Depository: Buy / €4.67
Adlibris: Buy / €6.90

Paladins are warriors fighting to keep the Others from entering our world through the barriers at all major fault lines across earth when they move - the warrior can die but also be revived by their Handlers. Toughest Paladin to date is Devlin Bane, and he is coming towards the end of his life, even though they cannot die, every revivement brings them closer to turning into the Others.

Dr. Young is Bane's Handler, she revives him and tries to find out just what makes these men special why they can be revived and why they are losing their humanity - but besides that she's attached to Bane, the warrior attracts her and soon they ignite flames that should not exists, after all when he does loose what’s left of his humanity she will be the one putting him down.

With the attraction burning between the two Bane also has to come to grips that what killed him the last time wasn't an Other but a human, as weird details keep piling up it becomes evident that some is out to kill Bane and now that he's hanging around Laurel she's on under fire as well.

Wow! This was new! I haven't seen anything like it in PNR before, completely unique! Super-soldiers, meet the Wraith! Yes, I know, that was a Stargate reference. ;)

This book start the series of with a smack load of details which makes it perhaps a little slow, but not any less entertaining! The Paladins all get somewhat introduced and I can't wait to read their books as well. Especially Trahern's as he's pretty much the most "gone" of them all, least human.

I would have liked to have given this book a half a star more but it didn't quite earn it, I would have wanted more continuance in some parts and while there was  plenty of sex it should have lead into something or held something up ( no bun intended, or maybe it  was ;) ) so that it would have not been just "filler". Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I wanted something behind it as well. Oh, shoot! I just sounds like a total double entendre all the time! Enough.

This is for all Paranormal Romance lovers and people who want something new out of the shifter and vampire inhabited genre!

Rating :

REVIEW - THE DARKEST NIGHT

Author: Gena Showalter
Pages: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN (Harlequin)
Published: May, 2008
Form: Mass Market Paperback
Series: Lords of the Underworld #1
Amazon: Buy
Adlibris: Buy

Maddox is a warrior, created at the dawn of men by the Greek gods, he and his warrior brothers become angry when Pandora was given the guardianship of The Box which held all the demons of mankind - they opened the box releasing the demons. For their insolence the Greek gods cursed one demon to one warrior’s body and Maddox... was fused with Demon of Violence.

Having to try and control the demon living inside him is hard but not as hard as his curse for taking Pandora's life, for that he has to die every night like Pandora did and spend the night in Hell. This doesn't make for one fun and easy going guy, so when he meets Ashlyn he doesn't know what to make of the mysterious woman who is hiding something from him.

Ashlyn has come to Budapest to listen on what the people of the town know of the inhabitants of the castle, the stories wary from demons to angels, but most of all they are said to help and help is what Ashlyn needs. Her clairaudient powers have bothered her since childhood, she can hear everything ever said in a building, and the voices are a constant companion she is desperate to silence - and she hopes the demons or angels in the castle can help her.

Maddox stops her approach of the castle and Ashlyn experiences what she has always wanted - silence. The man's presence supresses all the voices and she is hooked. He tries to get her to leave but she insists staying following him, because she can't imagine voices after the silence she gets to experience with him.

Maddox doesn't know what to make of her is she a bait send by the Hunters who are bent on killing all of them or is she innocent - it doesn't really matter as the biggest battle is wither to touch her or not, bed her or not, and midnight and his death is fast approaching. He eventually gives in and grabs her and imprisons her in the castle.

She ran her tongue over her lips. His gaze followed the movement and his nostrils flared.
She didn't mean to, but she started babbling. "Look, there are all kinds of unusual creatures in the world. No one knows that better than me. Did I mention I know firsthand that demons exist? I just want to know what I'm dealing with here." Shut up. Stop talking. If only he would respond. She'd never had to fill a silence before. Never thought silence could be uncomfortable.
He eased down a step, the action measured and precise as it closed the small distance between them; she eased down a step in response, widening it again.
"No more questions. I want you bathed, fed and resting within the hour. You're covered in dirt, wavering on your feet because of hunger and there are dark circles under your eyes. Afterward, we can… talk."
Again that hesitation. It disconcerted her, and she gulped. "If I asked you to take me back to the city, what would you say?"
"Unequivocally no."
I thought so.

So starts Book 1 of The Lords of the Underworld Series "The Darkest Night". The relationship with Maddox and Ashlyn is front and center, but the relationship with the old gods and the new gods affect the whole castle full of demon filled warriors. Where Maddox is torn to understand who Ashlyn is and wither he can have her as his own, he also has his demon to wrangler and his curse to fulfill each midnight.

I very much enjoyed the concept of Pandora's Box releasing demons into the men as punishment, and all they have to handle while trying to control the demons.

I'm looking forward to reading the stories of Reyes/Pain (2008) and Paris/Promiscuity (2012)!

I like the idea of the Hunters but they didn't make too big of an appearance in the book to be considered a real threat to the warriors. The shift in the power of the Gods was very interesting but that also was sort of on the back burner - if these two had been stronger in the book it would have been more interesting to read.

Very good book nonetheless and worth a read for the sexy warriors, interesting new world created and a nice break from the vampire populated Paranormal Romance genre. (don't get me wrong I still wholly love Vampire PNR books!)

Rating :

Started Reading : 19th of Aug. 2011
Finished Reading : 20th of Aug. 2011