Promo - The Demon Hunt by Kris Greene

The Demon Hunt
The Dark Storm, Book 2
Kris Greene
St. Martin's Press/Macmillan
ISBN# 978-0-312-94423-0
Release Date: August 3, 2010

About the Book:
Soul-sucking demons. Half-human killers. Doomsday prophesies. No, this isn’t a late-night movie on cable TV. This is Gabriel’s life—or least, what’s left of it—ever since he discovered his true destiny as a warrior knight in the battle against darkness. Once an ordinary college kid studying lost legends in books, Gabriel now finds himself face to face with actual demons. As a warrior, he has no choice but to fight them. And if he screws it up, the world is toast…

A dimensional rift has opened between worlds. Which means more demons—and more death—than you could shake a proverbial stick at. Luckily, Gabriel has just the stick for the job, an ancient trident that gives him awesome demon-bashing powers. To watch his back he has the butt kicking half Demon De Mona and several unlikely heroes who he’s picked up along the way. To make matters more complicated two of Gabriel’s college buddies wind up dead and he finds that the demons aren’t the only ones who want a piece of his hide. The cops want him too—for murder…

About the Author:
In the 3rd grade a teacher once asked Kris what she wanted to be when she grew up, to which she responded ‘A witch.’ Growing up under not so pleasant conditions she often depended on her imagination to escape her day to day hardships and dreamt of a way to make her fictional escapes real and when she stumbled across a tattered copy of Interview with the Vampire she knew just how she would go about it, which led her to start keeping journals full of short stories which would eventually grow into action packed tales of sex, power and magic set in the New York City underworld.

Kris is the award winning author of several urban-fantasy novels, with the Dark Storm series being her first major releases. Kris resides in New York City where she spends her time writing and working in her herb garden.

To learn more about Kris and her titles please visit: http://www.mistresskris.com/

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen

A new review has been posted on the website for Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen. The is the first installment in the Demon Princess series, and is geared towards young adults.
http://darquereviews.com/12612/266833.html

You can also visit the author's page:
http://darquereviews.com/14912/62533.html

Please feel free to share any comments on this book here on the blog post. :)

Kimberly Swan, DarqueReviews.com

Review - Demon Inside by Stacia Kane

A new review has been posted on the website for Demon Inside by Stacia Kane. This is the second installment in the Megan Chase series.
http://darquereviews.com/12612/207733.html

You can also visit the author's page:
http://darquereviews.com/14912/207775.html

Please feel free to share any comments on this book here on the blog post. :)

Kimberly Swan, DarqueReviews.com

Review - The Highwayman by Michele Hauf

A new review has been posted on the website for The Highwayman by Michele Hauf. This is the first installment in the Wicked Games series.
http://darquereviews.com/12612/183159.html

You can also visit the author's page:
http://darquereviews.com/14912/183222.html

Please feel free to share any comments on this book here on the blog post. :)

Kimberly Swan, DarqueReviews.com

Review - Eve of Darkness by S. J. Day

A new review for Eve of Darkness by S. J. Day has been posted to the website. This is the first release in the Marked series. :)

You can find the full review: HERE

Feel free to stop back and leave comments here on the blog, or comment directly to my mailbox through the contact page on the website.

Happy Reading!

Kimberly

Review - Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

Red-Headed Stepchild
Sabina Kane, Book 1
Jaye Wells
Orbit
March 31, 2009
ISBN# 978-0-316-03776-1

Book Blurb:
In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she's on. She's never brought her work home with her---until now.

This time, it's personal.

My thoughts:
Sabina Kane was born the mixed-blood daughter of a vampire and a mage. It was a forbidden pairing, and one that Sabina has paid for since the day she was born.

Raised by her vampire grandmother, the alpha of the Dominae, and forced to suppress any mage power she might possess, Sabina has been delegated to the position of assassin. The night she carries out the order to kill her longtime friend David, her life begins to change.

Clovis Trakiya, born a mix of vampire and demon, has gathered followers whose intention is on bringing the supernatural world together. At the top of their list are the mages and the vampires. Sent to infiltrate the group, Sabina is about to have an eye-opening experience that will have her questioning further the way that she was raised. Life as she knew it can never be the same.

This is the first book in the Sabina Kane trilogy. Ms. Wells takes readers on a young woman’s journey with deceit, betrayal and obstacles to overcome at every turn. Well-written with easy to visualize detail, Read-Headed Stepchild is a fantastic opening to this trilogy and should be at the top of every urban fantasy reader’s wish list.

To learn more about Red-Headed Stepchild, please visit Ms. Wells’ website: HERE

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - The Devil's Due by Jenna Black

The Devil’s Due
Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist, Book 3
Jenna Black
Dell – Spectra
November 25, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-440-24492-9

Book Blurb:
Possession was never this much fun

Trust me or die…That’s the choice Morgan Kingsley, exorcist, is given by the gorgeous rogue demon who’s gotten inside her. The truth is, Morgan has dozens of reasons not to trust anyone, from the violence that torched her house and killed her father to a love life that’s left her questioning her relationship with her erstwhile boyfriend, Brian. But Lugh, a king among demons, won’t take no for an answer. He’s prying into her body, her mind, even her sex life. And he’s just pulled Morgan into a power struggle that could have devastating consequences for both the human and demon worlds.

But Morgan still has a job to do: investigating the highly bizarre possession of the son of a wealthy Philadelphia couple. That hunt leads Morgan into a realm of sexual depravity, then a terrifying kidnapping.… Now a woman who makes her living prying demons from their hosts finds her day job colliding with the night: a darkness that is attracting demons of the damnedest sort, including the one who’s about to demand his ultimate due.…

My thoughts:
Possessed by the king of the demon world, Morgan Kingsley fights to stay in control. The longer Lugh remains within her, the more apt he becomes at breaching her defenses and taking over her body. She refuses to give in without a fight.

When a distraught mother pleads with Morgan to exorcise the demon who possessed her son, she finds herself investigating the case. Exorcising Tommy Brewster when the evidence points to it being a legal possession would have Morgan brought up on the charge of murder. As she gets deeper into the case, what she discovers is much more than she ever bargained for.

This is the third installment in the Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist, series. As the storyline moves steadily forward, Ms. Black fills the pages with more deliciously dark and dangerous action than ever. There’s rarely a pause as readers follow Morgan’s latest adventure in The Devil’s Due, it makes for an intensely wild ride. Fan's won't want to miss this newest release.

To learn more about the Morgan Kingsley series, please visit Ms. Black’s website: Here

You can read Chapter 1 of The Devil’s Due: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - The Darkest Touch by Jaci Burton

The Darkest Touch
Demon Hunters, Book 3
Jaci Burton
Dell
October 28, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-440-24454-7

Book Blurb:
Ryder. The man was just as sexy as she remembered him: tall, lean, and dangerous, a demon hunter with the body of a god.…

But archaeologist Angelique Deveraux has little time for lust. She’s been hiding a gleaming black diamond, a prize everyone wants—including Ryder—and now she’s running for her life. Hot on her trail is Ryder, a legendary demon hunter she desires but can’t quite trust, a man with an insatiable need for danger and a few dark secrets of his own.

As sparks ignite between the rogue hunter and his latest prey, Angie’s world is rocked again when her twin sister vanishes, stolen away by the same dark forces stalking Angie and the black diamond. With Ryder offering protection—and more—suddenly a woman who’s never trusted anyone is falling for a man who isn’t afraid of anything…except losing his heart. Now, as an all-out demon war erupts and Angie’s family secrets unravel, Ryder’s demon hunt and Angie’s quest to save her sister are about to collide. And when they do, it’ll send these two wary hearts on the wildest adventure of their lives—and maybe even save humankind in the process.…

My thoughts:
Angelique Deveraux was hired to find a specific black diamond, and once she did things went terribly wrong. When Ryder and his fellow demon hunters from the Realm of Light showed up and saved her, Angie not only ran she took the diamond with her. The Sons of Darkness want it back, and they’ll do anything in their power to get it. They also believe that they need her twin sister Isabelle in their possession, and Angie plans to stop that from happening. She just has to find her first.

It took Ryder two months to track Angie down, he’s not about to lose sight of her now. A demon hunter with the Realm of Light, he’s done his fair share of fighting the demons, but there appears to be a new breed of demon facing them now. Ryder is determined to keep Angie safe, even if he has to face his own dark past to do it.

This is the third story in the Demon Hunters series, and the main focus is on Ryder and Angelique. Ms. Burton works her writing magic by drawing the reader in with a dark and danger filled plot, well-defined characters, and a sizzling romance. The fast-moving action throughout The Darkest Touch will satisfy fans and have them eagerly awaiting the next installment. While this is part of a series, the author does a wonderful job of filling in back-story for those who have decided to begin with this release.

To learn more about The Darkest Touch, please visit Ms. Burton’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Demon's Hunger by Eve Silver

Demon’s Hunger
Compact of Sorcerers, Book 2
Eve Silver
Forever
November 25, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-446-61893-9

Book Blurb:
The Compact of Sorcerers, a brotherhood sworn to protect the wall between the human and demon realms, is thrust into battle with an unseen evil that threatens to destroy them all...

A DESIRE FOR PASSION

Forensic anthropologist Vivien Cairn fears she's losing her mind. Her libido has kicked into overdrive, and she's blacking out, leaving hours of her life unaccounted for and no memory of where she's been or what she's done. But when a sexy stranger rescues her from a demon attack, Vivien realizes there's more than just her sanity at stake.

A TASTE FOR MURDER

A seductive killer is luring victims, and Sorcerer Dain Hawkins finds himself walking a dangerous line between ancient duty and sizzling desire when the brotherhood--and Vivien herself--begins to suspect that her mysterious symptoms may connect her to the crimes. Can Dain save Vivien from the evil that threatens to claim her? Or will they both succumb to...

DEMON'S HUNGER

My thoughts:
One moment Vivien Cairn is staring out her window at the dark night, and the next daylight is shining in. Another block of time lost, and she fears there must be something terribly wrong with her. Then a handsome man arrives at her door seeking her expertise in anthropology, but all Vivien can think about is getting a taste of him.

Dain Hawkins is a sorcerer looking into some recent murders while he continues to uphold his vow to protect humans and destroy demons. His attraction to Vivien is a puzzle, and it’s one that he plans to solve. When Dain witnesses her strange behavior he begins to worry that she may well have a connection to the murders, but his interest in Vivien will have him doing everything he can to prove her innocence and keep her by his side.

This is the second novel in the Compact of Sorcerers series. Dain has met his match in Vivien and for the first time in centuries he’s found something more important than killing demons. Ms. Silver weaves together a combination of supernatural elements that make her fictional world an intriguing visit for readers. Demon’s Hunger dishes-up a well-paced and suspenseful plot, with a side of steamy romance. The author provides the background needed to easily read this installment as a stand-alone.

To learn more about Demon’s Hunger please visit Ms. Silver’s website: Here

To read an excerpt from Demon’s Hunger: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Living With the Dead by Kelley Armstrong

Living with the Dead
Women of the Otherworld, Book 9
Kelley Armstrong
Bantam
October 21, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-553-80664-9

Book blurb:
They’re smart, sexy, and supernatural. They’re the men and women of the Otherworld—a realm of witches, ghosts, and werewolves who live unseen among us. Only now a reckless killer has torn down the wall, trapping one very human woman in the supernatural cross fire.

Robyn Peltier moved to Los Angeles after her young husband’s sudden death, trying to put some distance between herself and her memories. Though she’s still grieving, the challenges of her new life as the PR consultant to Portia Kane—the world’s most famous celebutante wannabe—can sometimes be amusing, even distracting. But when her client is gunned down in the back room of a nightclub, Robyn is suddenly on the run as the prime suspect in the murder. And as more bodies pile up around her, it seems like only Hope Adams, Robyn’s best friend, and Hope’s somewhat spooky boyfriend Karl are on Robyn’s side. Hope Adams follows the kinds of stories whose headlines scream from supermarket checkout lines. But the difference is that Hope’s stories are even weirder—and they’re all true. Though determined to help Robyn, Hope knows it’s only a matter of time before her friend is caught. But it’s not the police Hope is worried about. For Robyn has gotten herself in the middle of a turf war between two powerful Otherworld cabals who’ll spill any amount of blood—human and inhuman—to protect what they consider theirs for all eternity. And the only way Hope can keep her friend alive is by letting her enter a world she’s safer knowing nothing about.

My thoughts:
Widowed early in her marriage, Robyn Peltier moved to L.A. and took on a public relations job for a young celebrity, Portia Kane. When Portia suddenly turns up dead during a night they’re out clubbing, Robyn becomes a suspect in the murder. With the help of her friend Hope, and Hope’s boyfriend Karl, she’ll have to evade Detective John Findlay long enough to clear her name.

Discovering the truth is far from easy work when someone is out to eliminate Robyn as well, but she soon learns that there’s more than a murder involved. There’s a supernatural world all around her and they’ll stop at nothing to keep their existence a secret.

This is the ninth book in the Women of the Otherworld series. Hope and Karl play a large role in this installment as they help Robyn track down a killer and keep her safe from those who’d like to see her dead. Ms. Armstrong is a talented author and doesn’t disappoint in this latest tale from her meticulously built Otherworld. The characters are believable, and the action they bring to the story is exciting and rarely predictable. New paranormal elements, a well executed storyline and a continued romance all add to making Living With the Dead a great read. I’m looking forward to the next release, Men of the Otherworld.

To learn more about Living with the Dead and the Women of the Otherworld series, please visit Ms. Armstrong’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Brimstone Kiss by Carole Nelson Douglas

Brimstone Kiss
Delilah Street, Paranormal Investigator, Book 2
Carole Nelson Douglas
Juno
October 29, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-8095-7304-2

Book Blurb:
Paranormal Investigator Delilah Street, in her quest to identify the embracing skeletons she and ex-FBI guy Ricardo Montoya discovered in Las Vegas’s Sunset Park just after she hit town (and just before town hit her back, hard), has to deal with a lecherous vampire, a ghoulish producer, celebrity zombies from classic films, a mysterious albino
rock star who bestows addictive kisses on his groupies, and a dead girl — and those are just her clients! Post-Millennium Revelation Las Vegas is teeming with supernaturals and run by a werewolf mob, but even the unhumans can’t conceive of what Delilah discovers hidden under its damnable desert sands: unspeakably powerful evil rooted in ancient Egypt . . .

My thoughts:
After leaving her job as a reporter in Kansas behind, Delilah Street has settled in to her life in post-Millennium Revelation Las Vegas as much as someone in her position can. She and her dog Quicksilver remain guests in the Enchanted Cottage on Hector Nightwine’s estate. She continues the search for her mysterious double, Lilith Quince, and dodges those trying to kidnap or kill her when they mistake her as such. Taking on the role of Paranormal Investigator with her partner and lover, Ric Montoya, keeps life interesting, but it also keeps her surrounded by danger.

The skeletons that Delilah and Ricardo uncovered in Sunset Park continue to occupy much of their time, and the investigation is drawing more unwanted attention to them both. Ancient Egyptian beings are among those interested in the couple, and what they have in mind can only bring darkness and pain. It’s lucky for Delilah that she has Quicksilver, along with Snow and his familiar helping her out of scrapes, or she and Ric might not live to see another day on the glittering strip.

This is the second installment in the Delilah Street, Paranormal Investigator series and it’s as enjoyable as the first. Carole Nelson Douglas centers much of the action on a decades old mystery that comes together piece by intriguing piece. Brimstone Kiss has all of the dark, dangerous, and unique paranormal elements readers seek, along with the passion, love and exciting temptations that add spice to the mix. Much of the secondary mysteries continue with an ending that will have me eagerly awaiting the next release, but in the meantime I’d be more than happy to read this keeper a second time.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Mysteria Lane - Anthology

Mysteria Lane
Anthology
MaryJanice Davidson, Susan Grant,
Gena Showalter, P. C. Cast
Berkley Sensation
October 7, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-425-22294-2

Book Blurb:
Return to a town of bewitching seduction and sensual demons. There’s a spellbinding witch of love who wants to make one man hers; a vegan having trouble adapting to vampirism; Satan’s emissary, who is looking for steady work in Colorado; and angelic triplets feeling a wee touch of the devil.

My thoughts:
In Disdaining Trouble by MaryJanice Davidson the Desdaine triplets tend to be the terrors of the town. When a mishap sends Withering into the town’s wishing well and returns her all grown-up just a few minutes later, Thad is happier than ever that he made to choice to move back to Mysteria.

In The Nanny from Hell by Susan Grant a demon is sent to destroy Harmony and Damon’s baby boy, but before she reaches them an accident changes things. A future with Quel, the town’s demon hunter, suddenly sounds much more appealing to Shay than returning to her life ruled by Lucifer.

In A Tawdry Affair by Gena Showalter a witch who wants revenge enlists her sister’s help in providing her with a bit of magic to make a man pay for his actions. Glory’s in for a surprise when the tables are turned, and she realizes how wrong she’s been about Falon.

In It’s in His Kiss by P. C. Cast a school teacher with faulty magic returns to Mysteria with designs on a certain fairie, but meeting Colin, could change her mind. Only problem is, Summer is a vegetarian and Colin is a vampire.

In this follow-up anthology, four talented authors are brought together for another visit to the town and residents that readers were introduced to in Mysteria. With just as much humor and romance as the first, Mysteria Lane will keep readers engaged from the first page to the last. Each author provides readers with a well-detailed short story that’s filled with magic, passion and wit. I hope to see another visit to this mystical town in the future.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Hunter's Prayer by Lilith Saintcrow

Hunter’s Prayer
Jill Kismet, Book 2
Lilith Saintcrow
Orbit Books
September 1, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-316-00176-2

Book Blurb from the author’s website:
Another night on the Nightside…An ancient evil looms over Santa Luz. Prostitutes are showing up dead and eviscerated. And Jill Kismet just might be able to get her revenge against an old enemy.

There’s just one problem. Someone wants Jill dead–again. And if they have to open up Hell itself to kill her, they will.

Sometimes, even when you’re Jill Kismet, you don’t have a prayer…

My thoughts:
Jill Kismet is a hunter who exorcises Santa Luz of the dark and deadly. Her job and debts bring her to Perry at the Monde Nuit, a hangout for the damned Traders and hellbreed. It’s a place where even Saul, her partner and lover, would prefer not to visit, but it’s among the places she can usually find some answers. With something on the loose killing prostitutes, Jill needs answers that she believes Perry can give her. It’s a good thing he sees her as an investment, or she might not survive.

Saul Dustcircle is the were-cougar who remains by Jill’s side in the hunt and also in her bed. Sorrows, who worship the Chaldean Elder Gods, have managed to slip into town undetected until now. As something big begins to unfold it’s clear that the mystery behind it won’t be easy to solve, but Saul may know the best place to look for an answer. It’s no place to take Jill and as much as he hates to do it he’s about to trust that Perry will keep her safe. Soon they’ll face a showdown that could end up destroying them all.

This is the second book in the Jill Kismet series. Jill is hunting a killer that police aren’t equipped to handle and soon the hunter becomes the prey. When she’s stripped of her control she’ll have to rely on someone else to be the hero. Ms. Saintcrow does a fabulous job of creating a heroine who has the strength to stand on her own, but has enough flaws to keep her believably human. The action in Hunter’s Prayer is fast-moving, the world is well-defined, and while the romance is always present it never over-powers the dark edge of the storyline. This installment can be read without having read Night Shift, but in order to know more about Jill’s relationships with both Saul and Perry the series should be read in release order.

To learn more about Hunter’s Prayer and the Jill Kismet series, please visit Ms. Saintcrow’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Insatiable Desire by Rita Herron

Insatiable Desire
The Demonborn, Book 1
Rita Herron
Forever Books
August 26, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-446-19947-6

From the back cover:
Can she dare to trust her heart…

Plagued by graphic visions and the desperate cries of murder victims, psychic Clarissa King will do anything to stop the brutal killer targeting her hometown--even work alongside the dangerously sexy FBI agent who thinks she's a fraud. He's the one man who sparks a hunger she never imagined possible--and the one man she should fear...

-
When his soul belongs to the dark?

Vincent Valtrez knows how to get inside a serial killer's mind. But with a dangerous past and a secret to keep, he wants nothing to do with this gorgeous psychic--especially since just the thought of her luscious body ignites a dark, irrepressible desire he's determined to keep at bay. When the killer they seek turns out to be demonic and otherworldly, Vincent learns his connection to the murderer is more than just hunter and prey. Will the darkness inside Vincent claim him...or will he save Clarissa--and himself--from the evil that threatens them both?
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My thoughts:
Clarissa King’s psychic abilities have brought her the truth about recent deaths in her small Tennessee town. Originally believed to be accidental deaths, the reality of what’s going comes to her for the ghostly visits of the victims. Driven to make thinks right and stop the evil, she’s fortunate that their local law enforcement believes in the gift that has been passed on through the generations to Clarissa. Help from the FBI arrives in the form of a man who once experienced his own share of darkness in the otherwise quiet town. She once knew and cared for a young Vincent, and now his presence brings conflicting emotions for Clarissa.

Special Agent Vincent Valtrez was less than thrilled to be put on the serial murder case in his old hometown. Twenty years after losing both of his parents, he fights his own darkness each day. It’s an evil that threatens to win because of a long dead demon of a father, something dark that’s growing stronger and drawing Vincent in. He hadn’t counted on seeing Clarissa again, or for feeling the need to protect her. Vincent has his own strict conduct when it comes to women, and he was determined not to allow her to break through that wall he has carefully erected through the years.

This is the first book in The Demonborn series and reunites Clarissa, a psychic, with Vincent, the son of a Dark Lord and an Angel of Light. Ms. Herron blends an entertaining dark fantasy with paranormal romance in the battle of good and evil. Insatiable Desire scratches the surface of the Demonborn world through Vincent’s tortured background and Pan, an evil minion with his own agenda. I hope to see more presence of the dark fantasy in future releases. This installment should appeal more to the fans of paranormal romance. Dark Hunger, the next story of the Demonborn, is currently scheduled for release in the summer of 2009.

To learn more about Ms. Herron and her books, please visit her website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

The Devil You Know by Jenna Black

The Devil You Know
Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist, Book 2
Jenna Black
Dell – Spectra
July 29, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-553-59045-6

From the back cover:
The beautiful. The bad. The possessed.

-

Some people worship them. Some people fear them. And some people—like Morgan Kingsley—go up against them toe-to-toe, flesh to flesh, and power against power. An exorcist by trade, Morgan is one of the few humans with an aura stronger than her possessor, even though her demon can tease her body senseless. She’s also a woman who has just discovered a shocking truth: everything she once believed about her past, her identity, may have been a lie.

-

With a family secret exploding around her and a full-scale demon war igniting, Morgan is a key player in an unsettled world. Then a rogue sociopathic demon enters her life with a bang. His name is The Hunter. And since she is the prey, Morgan has only one choice: to hunt The Hunter down—no matter what heartbreaking truths she uncovers along the way….
-
My thoughts:
Morgan Kingsley is an exorcist with a dilemma. She’s not only been possessed, it’s the demon’s king, Lugh, who has made himself at home. Unlike most, Morgan has the strength to prevent a demon from taking over her body, unless of course she’s asleep and then she can only guess at what he’s been up to. With a demon out to get her and no idea of whose body he’s slipped into, she may be left with no choice but to accept Lugh’s help. For Morgan, that means giving up control and that’s something she’s far from comfortable with.

Possessed by a demon of his own, Adam is also the Director of Special Forces in a department of the Philly police force that’s responsible for investigating demon related crimes. He’s not one of Morgan’s favorite people, but luckily his lover, Dominic, often steps in as a buffer in their abrasive relationship. Adam is also loyal to Lugh, and he’s the best chance of physical protection she has until the demon currently stalking her can be apprehended and destroyed.

This is the second book in the Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist series and is every bit as exciting as the first. Ms. Black crafts a well-detailed storyline and keeps readers fully engrossed while she exposes the heroine’s strengths and weaknesses. The secondary characters return to share in the chaos, bringing along confrontation and revelations of their own. Amidst the intense action, the romance, and the fight to survive, The Devil You Know will endear many of its engaging characters and have readers looking forward to the next demonic adventure.

To learn more about the Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist series, please visit Ms. Black’s site: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Immortals: The Redeeming by Jennifer Ashley

Immortals: The Redeeming
Immortals, Book 5
Jennifer Ashley
Love Spell
August 26, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-505-52745-5

From the back cover:
For centuries they have walked among us—vampires, shape-shifters, the Celtic Sidhe, demons, and other magical beings. Their battle to reign supreme is constant, but one force holds them in check, a race of powerful warriors known as the
IMMORTALS

-

He is going to take her. And it won’t be gentle. After all, the last 700 years of torture and captivity haven’t been gentle on Tain. This woman, this half-demon who leaves him burning with desire, is pretty tough herself. She needs to be, for the world is not safe for demon-kind these days. A violent backlash has disrupted the balance of power, and now Tain finds he may have to rescue the dark ones instead of fight them. He feels compelled to protect the alluring Samantha—whether she wants him to or not—but all he can think of is seduction. Ultimately, she’ll either destroy him or bring exactly what he needs most…
THE REDEEMING
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My thoughts:
Samantha Taylor is half-demon and works with a werewolf partner, Logan, for the LAPD. She’s been under-cover trying to stop a demon related date rape drug from circulating in the clubs. Just as she’s about to make a bust everything goes wrong and the immortal warrior, Tain, makes his presence known once again. Samantha’s part in his rescue a year earlier has never really been far from her mind, despite him leaving without a backwards glance. Her life is rapidly changing with the involvement of her clan, and her allies may be her only chance for survival.

After years in captivity Tain was free, but memories of the centuries spent at the torturous hands of a demon have continued to haunt him. His job is to protect humanity from those like the demons who would hurt the innocent. Samantha may be half-demon, but he knows she’s nothing like the monster who imprisoned him. By her side is where he longs to be, but keeping a tight reign on his sanity and the power that runs through him must come first.

This fifth book in the Immortals series, The Redeeming, is Samantha and Tain’s story. While this was the first Immortals book I’ve had the opportunity to read, I had no trouble with picking-up the storyline about Tain, his immortal brothers, and the women they love. Ms. Ashley is a passionate writer, her characters are well-defined and the chemistry between them sizzles with every encounter. Readers are taken on an emotional journey where power comes in many forms, surprising allegiances are formed, and sometimes love really can conquer all. A compelling read that will leave fans looking forward to future tales of the Immortals.

To read an excerpt of Immortals: The Redeeming, please visit Ms. Ashley’s site: Here


Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione

Pleasure Unbound
Demonica, Book 1
Larissa Ione
Forever
July 7, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-446-40103-6

From the Publisher’s site:
In a place where ecstasy can cost you your life . . .

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She's a demon-slayer who hungers for sensual pleasure-but fears it will always be denied her. Until Tayla Mancuso lands in a hospital run by demons in disguise, and the head doctor, Eidolon, makes her body burn with unslakable desire. But to prove her ultimate loyalty to her peers, she must betray the surgeon who saved her life.

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Two lovers will dare to risk all.

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Eidolon cannot resist this fiery, dangerous woman who fills him with both rage and passion. Not only is she his avowed enemy, but she could very well be the hunter who has been preying upon his people. Torn between his need for the truth and his quest to find his perfect mate before a horrific transformation claims him forever, Eidolon will dare the unthinkable-and let Tayla possess him, body and soul . . .

My thoughts:
Tayla Mancuso witnessed the death of her mother at the hands of a demon and has commited her life to ridding the world of as many as she can. Working with The Aegis as a Guardian, Tayla and her partner, Janet, come up against a Cruentus demon. Janet loses her life and Tayla finds herself in Underground General Hospital, owned and operated by demons. It’s too bad she’s instantly attracted to her doctor, because while he’s definitely the most gorgeous demon she’s ever seen, he’s still the enemy.

Eidolon is a Seminus demon, an incubus nearing one hundread years old. He’s also an emergency room doctor at Underground General Hospital, a hospital he runs along with his brothers Shade and Wraith. With the end of his first century comes a change in his life that will force him into mating with any female he can, demon or human. A mate of his own could curb those urges and help him through his change with his sanity and the ability to continue his job as a doctor intact. Meeting someone like Tayla, who’s an enemy to all demons, was not what he had planned, but now walking away may not be a possibility.

The first in the Demonica series, Pleasure Unbound is an engaging read. Tayla is commited to her job, but something underhanded is going on in the ranks of the Aegis and it could cost her life. With the change coming on, Eidolon’s attraction to Tayla is not the best timing, but she’s about to find her life changing and he may be the only one who can keep her alive. Ms. Ione has created a dark fantasy world that’s filled with intriguing characters, entrancing suspense and fast-moving action. I enjoyed the uniqueness of each demon dependant on their parentage, loved the chemistry that sizzles between hero and heroine and was captivated by the black market mystery unfolding. Pleasure Unbound has found its spot on my keeper shelf and I’m looking forward to Shadow Lover adding more detail to the shadowy world of demon and vampire society. Book two is currently scheduled to release in March 2009.

To read an excerpt and learn more about Pleasure Unbound, visit Ms. Ione’s site: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Review

The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox

The Accidental Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer, Book 1
Angie Fox
Love Spell
July 29, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-505-52769-1

From the back cover:
It’s never a good day when an ancient demon shows up on your toilet. For Lizzie Brown, that’s just the beginning. Soon her hyperactive terrier starts talking, and her long-lost biker-witch Grandma is hurling Smuckers jars filled with magic. Just when she thinks she’s seen it all, Lizzie learns she’s a demon slayer—and all hell is after her.

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Of course, that’s not the only thing after her. Dimitri Kallinikos, a devastatingly handsome shape-shifting griffin, needs Lizzie to slay a demon of his own. But how do you talk a girl you’ve never met into going straight to the underworld? Lie. And if that doesn’t work, how dangerous could a little seduction be…?
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My thoughts:
All Lizzie Brown wanted for her thirtieth birthday was a night out with her friends. What she got instead was a surprise visit from a spell-casting grandmother she never knew, and Xerxes, the demon who appeared on her toilet. If that wasn’t the shock of her life, finding out that she’s a demon slayer coming into her powers was enough to make Lizzie want to run in the opposite direction.

With demons hot on her trail, Lizzie has little choice but to hop on the back of her grandmother’s Harley with her dog, Pirate, and ride for the safety of grandma’s coven. Unfortunately, the road becomes a very dangerous place and they’re forced to take the help of Dimitri, a gorgeous man who has been making plans of his own when it comes to Lizzie.

Dimitri Kallinikos is a shape-shifting griffin in desperate need of Lizzie’s help, a fact he doesn’t share with her when he offers training and protection. Training is slow going and often dangerous for anyone in the general area, but Dimitri isn’t about to give up when it’s the lives of people he cares about on the line. What starts out as a plan to seduce the slayer into helping him, quickly changes the griffin’s life as the two join forces and stand against a whole lot more than they bargained for.

This is the first book in the Demon Slayer series, and a fabulous beginning it is. From a demon slayer with ties to a coven with a penchant for road-kill, to a shape-shifting griffin, there is non-stop action from page one. Ms. Fox details her world with colorful characters that have mysterious pasts, and keeps readers engaged with humorous mishaps, blossoming romance and spells gone awry. The Accidental Demon Slayer is a fast moving good time that will quickly gain fans looking for book two.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Bound by Shadow by Anna Windsor

Bound by Shadow
The Dark Crescent Sisterhood, Book 1
Anna Windsor
Ballantine Books
June 24, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-345-49853-3

From the back cover:
Falling for a demon can be hazardous to your heart.

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Riana Dumain is a fully trained Sybil, a warrior priestess battling evil whose practical magic keeps her grounded in earthly science–and desires. She knows that gorgeous NYPD detective Creed Lowell is dangerous, and possibly a foot soldier of the evil Legion cult, using his badge and drop-dead looks to consolidate demonic power.

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Creed’s low-profile Occult Crimes Unit pulls Riana and her two sister Sybils into the case of a politician’s son, murdered in a ritualistic sacrifice. Soon, Riana’s instincts prove true. Creed, the hottest half-human she’s ever known, a demon in bed and out, is guarding a trapdoor to hell. And unless Riana can find a way to tame her mystery man’s treacherous inner self (and her heart), all of Manhattan may be enveloped by darkness.
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My thoughts:
Riana Dumain was raised as a Sibyl in the fight against the Legion, a dangerous group after power at any cost. She and her triad sisters, Cynda and Marilee, spend much of their time battling Asmodai, demons created by the Legion. When a fellow Sibyl finds herself arrested for the death of a young boy she was there to protect, they all pull together to discover the truth behind the murder in order to get her freed.

Creed Lowell and his partner Andrea ‘Andy’ Myles work for New York’s Occult Crimes Unit, OCU. Having become friends with Riana, Andy believes she could help with a case they’re currently investigating and takes Creed along to meet her. The women sense that Creed is something other than human and he soon finds himself a forced guest of the triad while Riana studies him to discover what exactly he is.

As the Legion closes in and an evil plan for control is revealed, the Sibyls will need all of the help they can get to stand against the wave of Asmodai that’s been unleashed on them. More powerful beings have been created, and because of Creed’s Other, his help becomes invaluable. He only hopes that when the danger has passed he’ll learn control over the Other he carries within, and his feelings for Riana will be returned.

This is the first book in The Dark Crescent Sisterhood. The chemistry between Riana and Creed crackles from the moment they meet, but Sibyl training prevents Riana from fully trusting in him while he continues to battle his beast within. Ms. Windsor begins her series with a light introduction to her warring characters and fills the pages with supernatural action. Bound By Shadow takes readers on a mystery packed journey to expose the murderous members of the Legion, and softens the darkness with a sizzling romance that blossoms from lust. I’ll look forward to future stories with Riana and her triad sisters. Bound by Flame will release on July 29th, followed by Bound by Light on August 26th.

You can learn more about The Dark Crescent Sisterhood and read excerpts by visiting Ms. Windsor’s site: http://www.annawindsor.net/

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Dragon Wytch by Yasmine Galenorn

Dragon Wytch
Sisters of the Moon, Book 4
Yasmine Galenorn
Berkley
July 1, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-425-22239-3

From the back cover:
We’re the D’Artigo sisters: savvy—and sexy—operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But being half-human, half-Fae short-circuits our talents at all the wrong times. My sister Delilah shapeshifts into a tabby cat whenever she’s stressed. Menolly’s a vampire who’s still getting the hang of being undead. And me? I’m Camille, a wicked-good witch, trying to juggle faulty magic, gorgeous men, and the demonic war in which we're embroiled. Sometimes, it’s hard to know just who we can trust…

The Equinox is coming, and mayhem rules. A crown-prince unicorn offers us a legendary gift, but it vanishes. Goblins and trolls swarm the streets of Seattle. And now Smoky, the sexiest dragon alive, decides to stake his claim--on me. Overshadowing it all, the third spirit seal surfaces and Shadow Wing's after it. But I've discovered a secret that could change everything. A new power is rising—a dangerous force from the past--one that intends to restore balance to the worlds…whether we like it or not.

My thoughts:
Searching for a way to battle the unwelcome Otherworld denizens that are pouring through the portals into Seattle, Camille D’Artigo has been offered a way to help boost her talents by adding a different type of magic. As she struggles to manage her own unpredictable gifts with her mixed human-fae blood, she’s happy to accept the offering from Feddrah-Dahns, a crown price unicorn. The third spirit seal is about to become known, and they’ll need every advantage they can manage to stand against those who side with their demon lord enemy, Shadow Wing.

Smokey is collecting on the bargain he struck with Camille for a week to do with her what he pleases. He’s patient for a dragon, but even he has his limits, and while Camille feels protected in his presence she still has a level of fear. As the battle heats up all around them, and the D’Artigo sisters find themselves in the midst of OW and Earthside chaos, Camille will find that bargains may be all that can save everyone she loves.

As readers have learned in the previous Sisters of the Moon installments, Ms. Galenorn has a great gift for spinning a compelling story. The supernatural action is a great blend of both fresh and familiar, the characters are each charming in their own way, the heroine’s love-life is scorching and the worlds they all live in are well-defined. Dragon Wytch is the fourth book in this urban fantasy series and while some threads in the storyline are wrapped up, many more will emerge to keep fans in suspense.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews