Pleasure of a Dark Prince by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Darker Story Than Others In the Series

FINAL DECISION: This story is a darker than others in the series. I also thought that there were dark secrets that Lucia was keeping that ended up putting both her and Garreth at risk at the end of the book. I was disappointed that the drama of this book turned so much on Lucia keeping a secret that she should have revealed.

THE STORY: Lucia the Huntress (a Valkyrie) is an amazing archer and has a dark and secretive past. When the Lykae (werewolf) Garreth MacRieve scents Lucia, he recognizes her as his mate. Lucia has sworn an oath of celibacy and tries to avoid the determined Garreth. Garreth spends his time watching and protecting Lucia from a distance until she goes on a journey to confront her past and save the future.

OPINION: There was so much that I liked about this book but I did not like it as much as others in the series. My biggest complaint is that it depended so much on Lucia keeping the secret of her past. She doesn’t disclose it until it is too late and Lucia and Garreth almost die because of it. I slowly became annoyed by her continued determination to keep her secrets even when it obviously was necessary to disclose.

Despite this, I really liked these characters. I thought that Lucia was an intriguing character because she funneled her powerlessness into being powerful and yet fair and thoughtful. I felt for her painful past and the fact that she has to confront her pain again and again. Garreth is a sweetheart. I’m a fan of these “wolfy” characters. Affectionate, determined to bring joy and pleasure to their mates in all ways. I loved how he cares for Lucia even in the face of her determination to reject him.

This was a good book but not one of my favorites of the series.

WORTH MENTIONING: By the time this book ends, there are big things afoot.

CONNECTED BOOKS: PLEASURE OF A DARK PRINCE is the ninth book in the Immortals After Dark series. It can be read as a standalone but readers should be aware that these books build upon one another regarding an overarching storyline. I think the books are better read in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Loved the Kresley Cole Novella

DEEP KISS OF WINTER is a winter themed book composed of two novellas.

UNTOUCHABLE by Kresley Cole: This novella is the eighth book in the Immortals After Dark series. Daniela the Ice Maiden is a Valkyrie and the Rightful Queen of the Icere the Fey of the Frozen North. She is a reluctant because the touch of any person other than those from her homeland create terrible pain for both her and the man. Murdoch Wroth is a vampire soldier who was a rake in his human life and is one vampire who doesn’t want to find his Bride (the one woman who can make the vampire’s heart beat again). Of course, Daniela is Murdoch’s Bride and the two begin a contentious difficult on again off again relationship.

I thought this was a great holiday story. It begins at the beginning of the series and then follows the entirety of the series. It ends with the four vampire brothers and their brides. I enjoyed this replay of the series from a different viewpoint. The other part I really enjoyed was the difficult relationship between Daniela and Murdoch because of her touching issues. I liked that the book did not brush that issue aside. These two have a long difficult road to travel for their happiness and I appreciated the complexity and breadth of the story. Rating: 4.25 stars.

TEMPT ME ETERNALLY by Gena Showalter: The story of Aleaha Love a shapeshifter who has taken the identity of Macy Briggs, who is a cop with alien investigations. She ends up going out on a mission for the first time. She encounters Breean Nu, a golden skinned warrior who has come to planet with his men trying to find a new home. When he sees Aleaha, he has an attraction to her and decides that he doesn’t want to let her go. He takes her captive.

This was the first thing I have read by Showalter and I thought the story was strange and interesting, but I didn’t feel the connection between the characters. I believe the story is part of a series and perhaps it would be better if I had read those books first. I did find the shifting heroine to be intriguing and I wish I knew more about her. Rating: 2 stars.

Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4.25 of 5 stars

Good Boy Attracted to a Bad Girl

“Rydstrom was known as upstanding and good, Sabine as treacherous and evil.”

FINAL DECISION: This intriguing story of a good king who has been really tired with being good and having people defer to him finds his mate in a wicked woman who is on the side of evil.

THE STORY: Rydstrom Woede lost his kingdom nine hundred years ago and has spent those years plotting to get it back. Just when he discovers the existence of a sword that can kill his “unkillable” usurper (that story is told in DARK DESIRES AFTER DUSK), Rydstrom is abducted by Sabine, Sorceress of Illusions, a wicked woman who is half sister to the usurper and working with him. Sabine intends on seducing Rydstrom and becoming pregnant with his heir in order to cement control of Rydstrom’s kingdom.

OPINION: What I found most intriguing about this book is the story that begins as a good man and a wicked woman and yet the attraction between the two demonstrates that the good boy has a bad side and the bad girl can also be sympathetic and gentle. The complexity of these characters was refreshing because the book doesn’t have a cop out that Sabine has actually been a good person all along. Her bad acts are explained and can be understood but are not diminished as being bad acts. This book moves beyond the bad/good dichotomy and allows itself to dwell in shades of grey which makes the character more vibrant, more real and more interesting.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book takes place concurrently with the previous book and fills in the gaps of what was happening in Cade’s book since this book is from Rydstrom’s perspective.

CONNECTED BOOKS: KISS OF A DEMON KING is the seventh book in the Immortals After Dark series. This book can be read as a standalone but is better read as part of the series. At least a reader should read the story of Rydstrom’s brother DARK DESIRES AFTER DUSK which occurs concurrently with this book.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.25 stars.

Dark Desires After Dusk by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Immortals Road Trip with a Dark Undertone

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

FINAL DECISION: This book has a fun and sexy roadtrip between Cade and Holly. I loved how Holly was introduced to the Lore, but the book has an underlying dark side as Cade lies to Holly and is willing to sacrifice her and their possible relationship in order to assuage his guilt.

THE STORY: Cadeon Woede is a rage demon and known as the Kingmaker — although he lost his brother his kingdom. Cade has felt that guilt for nine centuries and has been determined to rectify that mistake. He’s offered an opportunity to obtain a sword that will help his brother kill the usurper. All Cade has to do is find the “Vessel” (a female who will bear a child that will be ultimate good or evil) and turn her over. Cade discovers that the vessel is the woman who is his mate. Cade has been watching Holly Ashwin for a year but her humanity has kept him from claiming her. When it turns out that she is the vessel, Cade knows that he will have to lie and trick Holly and sacrifice her in order to rectify his error.

OPINION: A fun and sexy roadtrip of self-discovery for Holly, this book has a dark side. I loved so much about this book — the fun banter and relationship between Holly and Cade, Holly’s neurotic tendencies and her discovery of her true nature, Cade demon sexiness. Boy is this book hot! Having Holly be a human with no knowledge of the Lore allowed the education of her to substitute in the narrative for the reader and thus permitted exposition of some of the important events of the overarching series. Her inexperience also allows for great comedy as she discovers the Lore.

My disappointment with this book is that I didn’t feel that Cade groveled enough after the lies he told Holly. She forgives him too quickly for my tastes. This book is good and a great addition to the series.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book takes places at the same time as KISS OF A DEMON KING which follows.

CONNECTED BOOKS: DARK DESIRES AFTER DARK is the sixth book in the Immortals After Dark series. This book can be read as a standalone although it is better as part of the series since there is an overarching story.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

Dark Needs at Night’s Edge by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

The Complexity and Variety in Cole’s Immortals World Always Surprises

“Two broken souls together in this broken place had found a kind of contentment.”

FINAL DECISION: Cole’s Immortals series always surprises. These characters are different and unique and despite the continuing storyline, this book feels fresh and interesting. Always filled with humor and intense sexuality, this story is also poignant.

THE STORY: Neomi Laress was a famous ballerina in New Orleans in the 1920s and she became a ghost when she was murdered in her own home. For over eighty years, she has been trapped in her home invisible to everyone. Conrad Wroth is a vampire who has been almost driven mad by consuming blood from living beings. Captured by his brothers who want to save him, Conrad is held hostage in Neomi’s house. And he can see her.

OPINION: This was a wonderful story. Conrad is a vampire on the edge. The first time in the series we have seen a red-eyed vampire return from the blood madness. He is also a virgin. His pairing with the free spirited and sexually experienced Neomi is a good combination. I especially liked how both Conrad and Neomi are trapped in her house but that they find in one another a special connection and relationship. The claustrophobic nature of the book with much of it taking place within the house intensifies the relationship between Conrad and Neomi. I also really did love the solution to the problem of a ghost and a vampire which I thought was clever and not just a convenient solution.

WORTH MENTIONING: There are significant appearances by prior couples from the series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: DARK NEEDS AT NIGHT’S EDGE is the fifth book in the Immortals After Dark series. The book can be read as a standalone but is much better when read as part of the series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4.25 of 5 stars

Paranormal Enemies to Lovers Story

FINAL DECISION: This series is amazing. Funny and sexy and filled with adventure, this book is the story of enemies who end up falling in love with one another and overcome many obstacles of their own making.

THE STORY: Bowen Macrieve is a werewolf who has lost his mate over two hundred years ago and has lived only to try and find a way to bring her back. When he enters the legendary race to win the ability to turn back time, he is determined to win and save his mate. He encounters the mortal witch Mariketa the Awakened and is convinced that his attraction to her is caused by her magic. Mari is unable to control her magic well and doesn’t know if she has influenced Bowen’s feelings. The two are competitors and then enemies and their attraction complicates all these.

OPINION: I loved the tone and scope of this book. Bowen and Mari have some serious issues between them. This is not a sweet and gentle romance. There is serious conflict and they hurt one another — literally. Their inability to separate themselves from one another makes this story very interesting. I especially liked the idea that Bowen may have destroyed his own happiness with his lack of contemplation.

The relationship between Bowen and Mari is sexy and funny and sometimes painful. Mari is barely coming into her immortality and as such is going through personal changes discovering who she is. Bowen is having centuries of belief challenged by the young witch. This book is all about growth and change.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book overlaps the events in the previous book NO REST FOR THE WICKED.
CONNECTED BOOKS: WICKED DEEDS ON A WINTER’S NIGHT is the fourth book in the Immortals After Dark series. It can be read as a standalone although the books are interconnected and are better read in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.25 stars.

No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4.25 of 5 stars

Paranormal Romance with an Adventure and an Adorable Hero

“He beseeched with those eyes, and she realized he hungered for an end. He wanted the death blow she’d come to his decrepit castle to deliver.”

FINAL DECISION: Amusing and adventurous, this book is the story of two people who have been alone for a long time. I especially loved how Sebastian is a tough, strong alpha hero but also sweet and a bit innocent around women.

THE STORY: Sebastian Wroth is a reluctant vampire. Turned against his will by his older brothers, Sebastian has spent three centuries fighting against his new nature. One day, Kaderin, the Cold Hearted, a Valkyrie, comes to his castle to kill him. Kaderin has spared the life of a vampire before. That act of mercy cost the lives of her two sisters. Devastated by their deaths, she asked for numbness from her grief and that was granted…but Kaderin now feels nothing — not sadness, not joy, not passion. She has now spent a thousand years killing vampires when she comes to Sebastian’s castle. Failing to kill Sebastian, Kaderin enters the legendary month long contest that is similar to the Amazing Race. Sebastian follows her in the competition intending to win the woman who is his Bride.

OPINION: I love how these two characters bring life to one another. Their story is at times painful because opening up one another emotionally means that they can hurt one another. Sebastian is such a sweet hero. He is a reluctant vampire and through this book comes to accept his own existence. He is almost immediately devoted to Kaderin and spends the remainder of the book chasing her. The adventure really works well with this couple. It brings a lightness and adventure to the story.

The book overlaps the stories of other books and I find it interesting that each book hints at the mysteries of the other books and the motivations of the characters. It makes me interested in continuing to read the series.

WORTH MENTIONING: I love the integration of the modern pop culture world with the paranormal world in this series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: NO REST OR THE WICKED is the third book in the Immortals After Dark series. It can be read as a standalone but is much better after reading the first two books.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.25 stars.

A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Romantic, Sexy, Adventurous Paranormal Romance

“He’d waited a millennium for a helpless parasite.”

FINAL DECISION: Fabulous story between a sexy werewolf and a half vampire/half Valkyrie. There is humor and paranormal adventure and pure sexiness and romance. Loved it.

THE STORY: Lachlain Macrieve has been tortured by vampires for over a century. A werewolf and the leader of the Lykae Clan, Lachlan escapes from his torment when he scents his mate. Having search for her for centuries, her appearance gives him strength. When he discovers her, he is shocked and dismayed to discover that she is a vampire — the mortal enemies of the Lykae. Emmaline Troy aka Emma the Timid, is half vampire and half Valkyrie. Young in immortal years, Emma fears pain and is highly protected by her adoptive family of Valkyrie. Her encounter with the wild Lachlan begins to transform Emma into the woman she was meant to be.

OPINION: I can’t believe that it took me so long to discover the Immortals After Dark series. Sexy, funny and exciting, this novel was a fast read because I couldn’t put it down. Lachlan is very close to his beast side when he meets Emma. He is frightening and demanding and definitely the alpha male. Emma is fragile and innocent and doesn’t believe in herself. Her progression throughout the book is amazing. By the time the ending of the book arrives, she has changed and changed Lachlan.

I like that this book really approaches the issues of the prejudices, lack of understanding, and old emnity between the different immortals groups. The characters are strong and well-defined and each character in the story has a separate identity and I want to know more about each of them. For me the fact that I was satisfied with this book and yet want more is the sign of a great series.

WORTH MENTIONING: Cole has created a very complex world and the overarching story is beginning to play out.

CONNECTED BOOKS: A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER is the second book in the Immortals After Dark series. It can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fresh, Humorous, Sexy and Intriguing

FINAL DECISION: Immediately intriguing, this book begins the Immortals After Dark series by seamlessly introducing a new world and keeping the focus on the relationship between the main characters — all in just over 150 pages.

THE STORY: Nicholai Worth is a vampire general who is searching for his Bride — the woman who can make his heart beat and bring him into his full power. He ends up finding Myst the Coveted, a Valkyrie who taunts him leaving him unfulfilled for five years. When he finally catches up with her, he intends to make her pay for his torment.

OPINION: Many times a first book in a paranormal series will suffer because of the needed time to introduce the world it inhabits — not with WARLORD WANTS FOREVER. The focus here remains on the characters of Nicolai and Myst. They have a seriously combative relationship and their “cross-species” romance is something that must be navigated carefully. A true Romeo and Juliet type story, these two have the world against them and yet are destined to be together. I loved that these two are both warriors and respect one another in the end.

WORTH MENTIONING: These are some sexy unearthly characters.

CONNECTED BOOKS: WARLORD WANTS FOREVER is the first book in the Immortals After Dark series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.