Happy Halloween!

Review - Night Secrets by Cherry Adair

Night Secrets
T-FLAC/psi Trilogy, Book 2
Cherry Adair
Ballantine Books
October 28, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-345-49991-2

Book Blurb:
Sydney McBride is writing a profile on a plastic surgery spa in Rio that caters to celebrities, and she’s going under the knife herself–all to revive her sagging career. But then she gets wind of an even bigger story. Among the nips and tucks she discovers a mysterious and devastatingly attractive man claiming he’s come to Rio to foil a plot that has the potential to unleash worldwide horror. Lucas Fox is Sydney’s ticket to a comeback–one that could relaunch her into the limelight. All she has to do is gain his trust.

But Lucas Fox trusts no one. He’s a drop-dead gorgeous T-FLAC operative whose paranormal powers are flickering–but whose powers in bed rocket Sydney to a place she didn’t know existed. Now, with the astounding secrets that she and Lucas have uncovered at the spa, Sydney is willing to take on her most risky career move of all. She’ll work side by side with a world-hopping wizard–stopping only for the most forbidden pleasures along the way.

The night sizzles to new heights in these novels of romantic suspense.

My thoughts:
After her writing career takes an extreme turn for the worst, Sydney McBride agrees to undergo surgery for the sake of a new book she’s been contracted to write. While finishing up her interviews and notes on site at Novos Começos Medi-Spa in Rio, Sydney seizes the opportunity to follow a much more exciting lead when a gorgeous man shows up in need of help. Her curiosity will nearly get her killed.

Chasing down a lead brings Lucas Fox to Rio just as his powers fail him. With no choice but to seek help, he finds himself relying on Sydney and revealing himself as a wizard. The danger soon escalates, and Lucas has his hands full trying to complete his mission and keep Sydney safe while his powers flicker off and on.

This is the second book in the T-FLAC/psi Trilogy. This installment follows Lucas Fox as he tracks down a lead with possible terrorist ties, and falls for a woman too curious for her own good. With a great flair for the unexpected, Ms. Adair takes readers on an edge of your seat adventure with passion and romance along the way. Night Secrets is a fast moving and magical tale with witty characters and a plot you won’t want to miss. While this story is part of a trilogy and a larger series, it can also be read as a stand-alone.

To learn more about Night Secrets, please visit Ms. Adair’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Book Trailer - T-Flac/psi Trilogy by Cherry Adair

Review - Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur

Destiny Kills
Myth and Magic, Book 1
Keri Arthur
Dell Spectra
October 28, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-553-58960-3

Book Blurb:
Desire calls. Danger Lurks.
But...

When Destiny McCree wakes up beside a dead man on an Oregon beach, she knows only this: she has to keep moving, keep searching, and keep one step ahead of the forces that have been pursuing her from the heart of Scotland to this isolated spot. Why? The death of her lover has left her alone, with little memory of her past. A glimmering serpent-shaped ring is the one clue she has—and a bargaining chip in a most dangerous game.

Enter Trae Wilson, a master thief with a sexy, knowing grin and a secret agenda of his own. Destiny and Trae both have powers far beyond the human—and both are running for their lives. Together they’re riding a tide of danger, magic, and lust…but with killers stalking their every move, they must use any means necessary, even each other, to survive—until the shocking secret of one woman’s destiny finally unravels.…

My thoughts:
Destiny McCree was captured for the power she holds that’s tied to the sea. With the help of her cellmate and lover, Egan, she has finally escaped a decade of captivity. Egan isn’t so lucky, and it’s his body she wakes beside on the beach. After saying her good-byes and collecting the serpent ring he left behind, Destiny sets out to accomplish two main goals. She needs to see her father once more, and to rescue those who remain imprisoned by the scientists. She doesn’t get far before trouble finds her, but rescue comes in the form of Trae, a man who stirs her blood like no other. He too has an agenda and Trae works to convince her that only together will they achieve their goals.

Trae Wilson has considerable power of his own, and he’s willing to follow through on his promise to Egan to help Destiny in whatever way he can. There is something Trae wants in return, and while it’s not something Destiny wants to give up, she’ll have to be willing in order to have any hope of rescuing those she cares about most.

This is the first installment in the exciting Myth and Magic series. Ms. Arthur gives her readers exactly what they’re looking for in a strong heroine, and pairs her with a sexy man who can easily hold his own. Destiny Kills has a fresh storyline with all of the danger filled action and thrills needed to make a fantasy read impossible to set down. The chemistry and subsequent romance between characters is scorching, and combined with myths made believable it will leave readers eager to see where the author takes us next.

To learn more about the Myth and Magic series, please visit Ms. Arthur’s site: HERE

You can read an excerpt of Destiny Kills: 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 - All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire
Love at Stake, Book 5
Kerrelyn Sparks
Avon
October 28, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-06-111846-3

Book blurb:

Toni Davis's Christmas wish list

1. Springing my best friend from the psych ward.

2. Living somewhere that doesn't have coffins in the basement. Occupied coffins.

3. Finding Mr. Right. Please make him tall, dark, handsome, and alive.

This Christmas isn't so merry for Toni. Her best friend's been locked up in a mental hospital ever since she told the police she was attacked by vampires, and the only way for Toni to get her out is to prove that bloodsuckers really do exist. So she's taken a job as a bodyguard for the Undead, but she gets more than she bargained for, especially when she meets Ian MacPhie, a Scottish rascal looking for Ms. Right.

Although Ian's nearly five centuries old, he looks and acts like a twenty-seven-year-old hunk.

How can a dead man be so damn sexy? Could Mr. Wrong be Mr. Right? One forbidden kiss could lead to an eternity of passion—and all it takes is one moment under the mistletoe . . .

My thoughts:
After centuries spent looking like a fifteen year old boy, Ian MacPhie has aged in appearance thanks to the help of a vampire drug. Now that he looks like a man of twenty-seven he plans to find his one true love. He’d prefer her to be a vampire that he can be truthful with about his past, but things don’t always work out the way they’re planned. As the Malcontents continue to kill mortals and cause the Vamps trouble, Ian finds himself drawn closer to Toni, one of their daytime guards.

Trying to track down the men who landed her roommate in a psychiatric hospital, Toni Davis is attacked by vampires, the Malcontents, and saved by a Vamp before they had the chance to drain her. Now she works as guard for the good Vamps during the daylight, and tries to gather proof that her friend isn’t crazy. Meeting Ian was not in her plans, and falling for a Vamp was the last thing on her mind. As she gets deeper into their world, Toni finds that she may no longer want to expose the savage Malcontents, because to do so would endanger them all. For the first time in her life she may actually be on the road to achieving her goals and finding happiness.

This is the fifth book in the Love at Stake series and follows Ian in his search for the perfect woman to spend eternity with. Ms. Sparks shares a fast-paced and entertaining tale that’s difficult to set down. Strong chemistry between Ian and Toni is there from the start and is a fun blend of humorous banter and romance. All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire is a must read for fans who’ve followed this series, you don’t want to miss Ian’s story.

To learn more about the Love at Stake series, please visit the author’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Book Trailer - Moonstone by Marilee Brothers

Bell Bridge Books was kind enough to send me a link to this fabulous book trailer for Moonstone by Marilee Brothers. I'm thrilled to have a Darque Reviews quote included!



You can read the full Moonstone review: Here

Learn more about Ms. Brothers and The Unbidden Magic series: Here

Visit Bell Bridge Books: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - New Tricks by John Levitt

New Tricks
Dog Days, Book 2
John Levitt
ACE
November 25, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-441-01656-3

Book blurb:
Former enforcer Mason would normally be concerned with finding ghosts and vampires stalking the Castro section of San Francisco. Fortunately, Halloween provides the perfect explanation for the abundance of ghouls. But someone is trying to possess his old flame, Sarah. Now, with the help of his magical dog Louie, Mason must uncover the black magician responsible.

My thoughts:
Mason is a magic practitioner who’s still learning and exploring his abilities. He’s also a talented musician with an Ifrit named Lou by his side. When local practitioners start showing up mentally vacant he’s eager to get to the bottom of this disturbing mystery.

Rolando and Josephine have been called to San Francisco to help track down the cause of the damaged practitioners. They experienced the same trouble in Portland and seem to have more of an idea of what they’re looking for. They’d like to pin it on Byron, a dark practitioner who has recently left Portland, but Mason’s not so sure he’s responsible.

This is the second installment in the Dog Days series, and Mason continues to learn new ways to utilize his magic by combining it with his creativity as a musician. Mr. Levitt weaves a suspenseful tale that’s supported by strong characters and a delightful infusion of magic and mystery. New Tricks is well-detailed, and easy to follow. The storyline progresses at a steady pace giving readers a chance to absorb all that takes place. New Tricks is easy enough to follow if you’ve missed Dog Days, but as with most books in a series it’s best to read them in order.

To learn more about New Tricks, please visit Mr. Levitt’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

Promo - Blood Lite - edited by Kevin J. Anderson

Blood Lite
Edited by Kevin J. Anderson
Pocket Books
October 21, 2008
ISBN# 978-1-4165-6783-7

Book Blurb:
The Horror Writers Association Presents
BLOOD LITE
...a collection of entertaining tales that puts the fun back into dark fiction, with ironic twists and tongue-in-cheek wit to temper the jagged edge.

Charlaine Harris reveals the dark side of going green, when a quartet of die-hard environmentalists hosts a fundraiser with a gory twist in "An Evening with Al Gore"...In an all-new Dresden Files story from Jim Butcher, when it comes to tracking deadly paranormal doings, there's no such thing as a "Day Off" for the Chicago P.D.'s wizard detective, Harry Dresden...Sherrilyn Kenyon turns a cubicle-dwelling MBA with no life into a demon-fighting seraph with one hell of an afterlife in "Where Angels Fear to Tread"...Celebrity necromancer Jaime Vegas is headlining a sold-out séance tour, but behind the scenes, a disgruntled ghost has a bone to pick, in Kelley Armstrong's "The Ungrateful Dead." Plus tales guaranteed to get under your skin -- in a good way – from:

Janet Berliner, Don D'Ammassa, Nancy Holder, Nancy Kilpatrick, J. A. Konrath and F. Paul Wilson, Joe R. Lansdale, Will Ludwigsen, Sharyn McCrumb, Mark Onspaugh, Mike Resnick, Steven Savile, D. L. Snell, Eric James Stone, Jeff Strand, Lucien Soulban, Matt Venne, Christopher Welch.

So let the blood flow and laughter reign -- because when it comes to facing our deepest, darkest fears, a little humor goes a long way!

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Promo - Fallen Angel by Margaret and Lizz Weis

Fallen Angel
Margaret and Lizz Weis
Avon
October 28, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-06-083333-6

Book blurb:
New York Times bestselling author Margaret Weis teams up with her daughter for the second book in this paranormal romance featuring good but flawed Guardian Angels and the women who would change their lives forever.

He has fallen from Heaven, but he will risk all for the woman he loves . . .

Matthew once died for his faith, but was cast from Heaven when he began to question those beliefs. For three centuries now, he has roamed the mortal world, dissatisfied, empty, and angry. Posing as a traveling priest, he performs staged exorcisms, until the night he actually encounters a demon - on national television.

Natalia is as stubborn as she is beautiful, and having grown up with little, she'll do anything to make a success of her life -- even put up with her rock star of a client. Then someone gets the bright idea to stage an exorcism, and who better than the priest they just saw on tv. But Natalia has a strange feeling about Matthew, even as she succumbs to his charms.

But there is more at stake then either Matthew or Natalia realize as the battle rages between the angels of Heaven and the demons from Hell . . .

To take a peek inside this book, please visit the publisher's website: Here


Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Promo - Fortune and Fate by Sharon Shinn

Fortune and Fate
A Novel of the Twelve Houses
Sharon Shinn
ACE
November 4, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-441-01636-5

Book Blurb:
The compelling new novel in the national bestselling "superior fantasy series" (Publishers Weekly).

National bestselling author Sharon Shinn's "lyrical and entertaining" (Kirkus Reviews) Twelve Houses books have captivated readers and critics alike with their irresistible cocktail of fantasy, romance, and adventure. Now Shinn returns with a new novel set in the same world, where a troubled Warrior Rider named Wen faces her greatest challenge in the last place she ever expected: behind the walls of a great family estate known as Fortune, where Wen has been hired to guard the young heiress. Once there, she will find that fate has other plans for her...


To learn more about Fortune and Fate, please visit Ms. Shinn’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Promo - The Black Ship by Diana Pharaoh Francis

The Black Ship
The Crosspointe Series, Book 2
Diana Pharaoh Francis
ROC
November 4, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-46242-8

Book blurb:
Thorn is a member of the Pilot’s Guild—those who possess the magical ability to navigate Crosspointe’s deadly seas. When a malevolent master within the Guild bans him from the sea, it seems his life is over. Then he is kidnapped and forced to serve aboard the rogue ship Eidolon—pitch black from bow to stern—and Thorn finds himself battling a mad captain, a mutinous crew, and the terrifying magic of the sea.

But there is a saboteur on board, trying to make sure the Eidolon never arrives safely in port. Thorn begins to realize his kidnapping may have been no mere chance— and that the cargo the black ship carries may seal his doom…


To learn more about The Crosspointe Series, please visit the author’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Too Far Gone by Marliss Melton

Too Far Gone
Marliss Melton
Forever
October 28, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-446-50926-8

Book Blurb:
Ellie Stuart's life ended the day her children were stolen from her. Driving on a Virginia backroad, Ellie was ambushed by two men who violently pulled her from her car and drove off with her three sons inside. Devastated, Ellie begs the police to bring her babies home. But the authorities wonder if this stressed-out single mom may not be telling the whole truth about what happened that day...

Navy SEAL Sean Harlan agrees to help Ellie find her children, but vows to keep their relationship professional. He's got no room in his life for a woman and her kids--no matter how beautiful she is, or how desperate their situation. But when a sinister organization begins pulling strings behind the scenes, the investigation suddenly targets Sean. Can he and Ellie rescue her children and save themselves? Or are they already...

My thoughts:
When Ellie and her children needed an affordable place to stay, it was Sean Harlan who gave them a break. Waiting tables, caring for three young children and studying for classes leaves little time for a social life. That suits Ellie just fine, but her landlord is a temptation that’s increasingly more difficult to resist.

Sean Harlan is a Navy SEAL and set in his ways as a bachelor. While he loves Ellie’s kids, being a father to them is beyond what he’s ready for in his life. Still, when someone kidnaps them he’ll do everything in his power to find them and reunite the family. His skill and connections may be the only chance they have.

Too Far Gone is a story that is sure to touch your heart. When her children are ripped away from her, Ellie finds the strength to go on and accept the help of the people around her who care. Ms. Melton takes readers on an emotional roller coaster ride as fear, hope and love come together in her character’s darkest hours. The growing suspense will keep readers at the edge of their seats as the danger increases and surprising information is revealed. A sizzling romance adds just the right touch to this dark edged mystery.

To learn more about Too Far Gone, please visit the author’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Bite Me by Parker Blue

Bite Me
The Demon Underground, Book 1
Parker Blue
Bell Bridge Books
September 30, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-9802453-8-

Book Blurb:
My kid sister shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "Dad might not like it if you get vampire blood in his trunk."

I slammed the trunk shut. "He's used to it. Besides, the blood will disintegrate along with the rest of the body when sunlight hits it."

Barely eighteen-year-old heroine Valentine Shapiro got a raw deal in the parent lottery. Her father was part incubus demon, and her mother's never forgiven her for that.

Life after high school is tough enough without having to go 15 rounds with your inner demon. Thrown out of the house by her mother, Val puts one foot in front of the other and does the only thing that seems to make any sense--she takes aim at the town vampires. A stake a day, keeps the demon at bay. (But don't call her Buffy. That makes Lola, her demon, very cranky.)

Her dark side makes everyday life a roller coaster, but means she's perfect for her night job as a bounty hunter. San Antonio's vampires are out of control, and it's up to Val, her faithful hellhound Fang, and her new partner, a handsome San Antonio police detective, to get the deadly fangbangers off the city streets.

Soon enough she finds herself deep in the underbelly of the city, discovering the secrets of the Demon Underground and fighting to save those she loves. Whether they love her back or not.

My thoughts:
Val Shapiro is just turning eighteen and is having one of the worst birthdays ever. Born a mix of human and demon has given her family the excuse to toss her out on her own. Left with no place to call home and no job to support her, Val seeks employment with a branch of the local police department. The one thing she has learned well is killing vampires, which is exactly what the team needs.

With her hellhound sidekick, Fang, and the help of her hunky new partner, Val is about to discover more than she ever knew about her past. In the process she’s learning just what it takes to keep the succubus part of her satisfied without draining the men around her. Her family is in trouble, and it’s a good thing that Val doesn’t hold a grudge, because the background her mother hates so much may be the very thing that saves them.

This is the first book in The Demon Underground series. Ready or not, Valentine Shapiro is on her own as far as her family is concerned. Lucky for her she’s about to land her perfect job, find a great roommate, pair up with a handsome partner, and adopt a pet that’s so much more than he seems. Ms. Blue entertains readers with a sharp young heroine ready to take on anything life throws her way. Bite Me is well-paced, the paranormal action is plentiful, and the characters are nicely defined. Val’s new life is just beginning, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes her next. This is a young adult read that centers on an eighteen year old who’s just beginning to spread her wings as she transitions into adulthood.

To learn more about Bite Me, please visit the author’s website: Here

Read an excerpt: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Promo - Dark Temptation by Allison Chase

Dark Temptation
A Novel of Blackheath Moor
Allison Chase
Signet Eclipse
November 4, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-22552-8

Book Blurb:
Exiled to Cornwall, Sophie St. Clair knows that something is wrong in the village of Penhollow. Mysterious lights, phantom ships—are smugglers once again plying their illegal trade? Or have the spirits of long-dead pirates returned?

The answers will lead her to both danger an desire, as the tortured Chad Rutherford, Earl of Wycliffe, returns to his family estate near Blackheath Moor. Will the spirits of darkness hold them both forever—or can Chad and Sophie vanquish the evil and claim their future together?

To learn more about Dark Temptation, please visit the author’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Promo - Monica Ferris Contest

Monica Ferris is looking for a boyfriend for her sleuth, Betsy Devonshire. If you’re familiar with the Needlecraft Mysteries now’s your chance to be a part of it!

Here’s what Monica has to say:
You have until November 15 to invent a fictional male boyfriend for my sleuth, Betsy Devonshire. He needs a name, a physical description, and a solid outline of his character. Add any details you like, such as how they meet – though that’s not necessary. Oh, I need to like him, too. Winner gets his/her choice of one of the five prizes – plus a copy of Blackwork (in which the new boyfriend will appear), suitably autographed.

For more details on rules, prizes, and how to enter, please visit her website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Promo - The Twilight Companion by Lois H. Gresh

The Twilight Companion
The Unauthorized Guide to the Series
Lois H. Gresh
St. Martin’s Griffin
October 28, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-312-38705-1

Book Blurb:
Everyone's in love with vampires, and if his name happens to be Edward Cullen, then readers of the wildly popular Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer can't help but be crazy about him. For all those who adore Bella Swan, Edward, and the rest of the Cullen family and can't get enough, this companion guide is a must-read and a terrific gift. The series follows an unlikely couple: Bella, a teenager, and her boyfriend Edward, a vampire that has sworn off human blood. But their love is ill-fated--being a vampire, Edward must keep his passion in check, lest he is driven to suck Bella's blood.

With legends, lore, and myths about everything from vampires to werewolves to immortality, a bio of the author, and a ton of insight into the four-book series, this companion guide will give millions of readers the information that they've been waiting for since book one.


To learn more about Ms. Gresh and her writing, please visit her web page: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - The New Annotated Dracula - edited by Leslie S. Klinger

The New Annotated Dracula
Bram Stoker, edited by Leslie S. Klinger
Introduction by Neil Gaiman
W. W. Norton
October 13, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-393-06450-6

From the publisher:
Edited with a foreword and notes by Leslie S. Klinger

Introduction by Neil Gaiman

Cause for international celebration—the most important and complete edition of Dracula in decades.

In his first work since his best-selling The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, Leslie S. Klinger returns with this spectacular, lavishly illustrated homage to Bram Stoker's Dracula. With a daring conceit, Klinger accepts Stoker's contention that the Dracula tale is based on historical fact. Traveling through two hundred years of popular culture and myth as well as graveyards and the wilds of Transylvania, Klinger's notes illuminate every aspect of this haunting narrative (including a detailed examination of the original typescript of Dracula, with its shockingly different ending, previously unavailable to scholars). Klinger investigates the many subtexts of the original narrative—from masochistic, necrophilic, homoerotic, "dentophilic," and even heterosexual implications of the story to its political, economic, feminist, psychological, and historical threads. Employing the superb literary detective skills for which he has become famous, Klinger mines this 1897 classic for nuggets that will surprise even the most die-hard Dracula fans and introduce the vampire-prince to a new generation of readers.

My thoughts:
Leslie S. Klinger has taken Dracula and forever changed the way readers will remember it in the generations to come. From an amazing number of notes that offer both his own thoughts and proof of inconsistencies in the story, to fascinating photos and illustrations from Stoker’s time to present-day, it’s easy to find yourself sidetracked from the overall story and dwelling solely on each of Mr. Klinger’s research finds.

Sharing Dracula as a factual account, and based on the assumption that Dracula did not lose his undead life to the hunters, Mr. Klinger considers the idea that either the Harkers or Stoker were persuaded in some way to change enough of the story to prevent it leading to his discovery. That would be a slightly unnerving, but intriguing thought if you lean towards believing Stoker’s story to be nonfiction.

The New Annotated Dracula is a treasure trove of information for anyone captivated by vampire tales, and more importantly for those who have a keen interest in the story of Dracula. There’s an astonishing amount of gathered facts to take in, and Mr. Klinger has done a phenomenal job of organizing them in the easiest possible way for readers to follow. This is worth every minute it takes to read, and I can’t imagine ever needing any other Dracula on your bookshelf.

To learn more about The New Annotated Dracula, please visit the author’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Shadow Kiss
Vampire Academy, Book 3
Richelle Mead
Razorbill
November 13, 2008
ISBN# 978-1-59514-197-2

Book Blurb:
WHAT IF FOLLOWING HER HEART MEANS ROSE COULD LOSE HER BEST FRIEND FOREVER?

Rose Hathaway knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa-the last Dragomir princess-must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken . . .

But since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling right. Something dark has begun to grow in her mind, and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. And now that Lissa and Rose's sworn enemy, Victor Dashkov, is on trial for his freedom, tensions in the Moroi world are higher than ever.

Lying to Lissa about Dimitri is one thing, but now there's way more than friendship at stake. The immortal undead are prowling, and they want vengeance for the lives that Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmares, Rose will have to choose between life, love, and the two people who matter most . . . but will her choice mean that only one can survive?

My thoughts:
Classes at the academy are back in full swing and graduation is quickly approaching. As a future Guardian to Lissa, part of Rose’s training is to learn to protect any Moroi. Though she’s less than thrilled with her charge during this exercise, Rose makes the best of the situation. Still, something strange is going on and as much as her life has changed since the day she made her first Strigoi kills, this is something more. Rose may be seeing ghosts.

While Lissa works on her magical skills and shares her ups and downs, Rose finds that keeping her feelings for Dimitri from Lissa is becoming increasingly difficult. When the Academy is threatened, Rose will have to make a difficult decision that may lead to her best friend discovering the truth. Serving as a protector to Lissa has always been Rose’s future, but her relationship with Dimitri has become nearly as important to her. The decisions she makes now could change everything she believed in.

This is the third book in the Vampire Academy series. As the battle against the Strigoi continues, some Moroi stand up for using their skills to fight alongside the Guardians, and Rose finds herself forced to make a life altering choice that could cost her someone she holds dear. Ms. Mead balances the battle of good and evil with an emotionally intense romance that will keep readers at the edge of their seats. Shadow Kiss moves the series into new territory with the character’s growth in power, and captivates its audience to the shocking end. This is a young adult title best suited for more mature teens, and can easily be enjoyed by adults as well.

To learn more about Shadow Kiss, please visit Ms. Mead’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Moonstone by Marilee Brothers

Moonstone
The Unbidden Magic Series, Book One
Marilee Brothers
Bell Bridge Books
August 1, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-9802453-4-9

Book Blurb:
The girl voted least likely to save the world may have to do just that.

A sickly mom. A crappy travel trailer. High school bullies and snarky drama queens. Bad-guys with charming smiles. Allie has problems. And then there's that whole thing about fulfilling a magical prophecy and saving the world from evil.

Welcome to the funny, sad, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her act together (not to mention her mom's) in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. A zap from an electrical fence sets off Allie's weird psychic powers. The next thing she knows she's being visited by a hippy-dippy guardian angel, and then her mysterious neighbor, the town "witch," gives her an incredible moonstone pendant that has powers only a "Star Seeker" is meant to command. "Who, me?" is Allie's first reaction. But as sinister events begin to unfold, Allie realizes she's got a destiny far bigger than she ever imagined.

If she can just survive everyday life, in the meantime.

My thoughts:
Allie Emerson is introduced to her psychic powers when she fiddles with the TV antenna and takes an unexpected tumble against an electric fence on her way down. Life isn’t always easy for a teen, but for Allie living in a trailer on her uncle’s property with a mom who insists that she’s too sick to work gives their neighbors that much more to talk about.

Kizzy, a friend and a woman the locals call a witch, passes on a special moonstone necklace to Allie. The stone helps her to focus the new power she’s acquired, but once she possesses it her life is suddenly in danger. Someone wants the necklace at any cost, and Allie’s best hope of survival comes in the form of a friend she never would have expected to be her hero.

This is the first book in The Unbidden Magic series, and it will easily entertain teens and adults alike. Dealt a rotten lot in life, Allie does her best to survive her teen years with a mother who’s reluctant to accept her role, and a father she’s never met. Ms. Brothers blends an engaging story of hardship, hope, friendship and the paranormal into an exceptionally human tale that’s lightened with a touch of humor. Moonstone is filled with emotion, made more so for the reader as we watch this well-balanced young woman cope with a very unbalanced life. You can’t help but respect Allie for stepping up and taking charge of her future, and the surprising hero is sure to worm his way into your heart. I’ll be looking forward to seeing how Allie’s changed world grows in the next installment. This is a young adult story intended for age 14 and up.

To learn more about Moonstone, please visit the author’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland

Any Given Doomsday
The Phoenix Chronicles, Book 1
Lori Handeland
St. Martin’s Paperbacks
November 4, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-312-94919-8

Book Blurb:
Elizabeth Phoenix once used her unique skills as a psychic to help in the Milwaukee Police Department’s fight against injustice. But when Liz’s foster mother is found viciously murdered—and Liz is discovered unconscious at the scene—her only memory of the crime comes in the form of terrifying dreams...of creatures more horrific than anything Liz has seen in real life. What do these visions mean? And what in the world do they have to do with her former lover, Jimmy Sanducci?

While the police question Jimmy in the murder, Jimmy opens Liz’s eyes to a supernatural war that has raged since the dawn of time in which innocent people are hunted by malevolent beings disguised as humans. Only a chosen few have the ability to fight their evil, and Jimmy believes Liz is among them. Now, with her senses heightened, new feelings are rising within Liz—ones that re-ignite her dangerous attraction to Jimmy. But Jimmy has a secret that will rock Liz to her core…and put the survival of the human race in peril.

My thoughts:
Elizabeth Phoenix has always felt her intuition and used it to guide her. Then one fateful day during her time as a police officer something goes terribly wrong and Liz has never forgiven herself. Leaving that chapter of her life behind, Liz is tending bar when she has an urgent need to see Ruthie, the foster mother who has always been there for her. Discovering her near death, and listening to Ruthie’s last words, Liz finds herself thrown into a new role in life and she’s given a new look at the world around her.

Jimmy Sanducci, fellow foster child and former lover, is by Liz’s side to keep her from harm. He’s a demon killer (DK), whose allegiance to fight the evils around them now binds him to Liz. He’s kept another secret hidden for all of these years, and while getting past a broken heart was never easy, and no longer loving him was next to impossible, the Jimmy she’s about to be exposed to may destroy any small chance Liz thought they could have together.

It’s up to another man from Liz’s past to help her realize her power. Sawyer is likely as dangerous as the evil they’ll battle, but he’s her best and only option if there’s to be any hope of surviving.

This is the first book in The Phoenix Chronicles, and it pulls readers feet first into the fray. The plot moves at a quick pace, the characters are intriguing, and Ms. Handeland’s writing is sure to have you captivated from the first chapter. With a leader in training, two powerful men at her side, and scenes that are often tender and always passionate, Any Given Doomsday was impossible to set down. A thoroughly enjoyable read that I’d happily recommend. I’ll be looking forward to the next in the series, Doomsday Can Wait, that’s currently scheduled as an April 2009 release.

To learn more about The Phoenix Chronicles, please visit Ms. Handeland’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Book Trailer - Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland

Visiting Ms. Handeland's site I just had to check out the trailer for Any Given Doomsday:

Review - Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home by Michele Bardsley

Wait till Your Vampire Gets Home
Broken Heart, Oklahoma, Book 4
Michele Bardsley
Signet Eclipse
November 4, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-22550-4

Book Blurb:
To prove her journalistic chops, Libby Monroe ends up in Broken Heart, Oklahoma, chasing down bizarre rumors of strange goings-on—and finding vampires, lycanthropes, and zombies. She never expects to fall in lust with one of them, but vampire/single dad Ralph Genessa is too irresistible. Only the town is being torn in two by a war between the undead—and Libby may be the only thing that can hold Broken Heart together…

My thoughts:
Chasing down a lead for Paranormal Research and Investigation Services (PRIS), Libby Monroe travels to Broken Heart, Oklahoma and finds more than she ever imagined she would. Her mother has had books published on everything from werewolves to aliens and Libby believes those stories are true. Still, she’d like to experience the paranormal first hand.

Hiding in the cemetery and spying on a man tending to a grave may have been wrong, but it leads to Libby meeting Ralph Genessa. Their introductions have to wait as vampires, werewolves, zombies, wraiths and dragons are soon added to the mix leaving Libby and Ralph to fight for their lives. While the cemetery battle may be short lived, the war within the community continues.

Ralph Genessa is not only a vampire, he’s a single parent of twin boys. From what Libby sees he’s doing a pretty good job of taking care of them considering his condition. What starts out for Libby like a prison sentence within the town of Broken Heart changes when Libby’s forced to face her feelings. Life as she knew it will never be the same.

This is the fourth book in the Broken Heart, Oklahoma series, and the first that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Ms. Bardsley pens a paranormal tale that’s an enjoyable mix of humor and romance. Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home is fast-paced, steamy and an all-around entertaining read. If you’ve missed any of the previous books and run into a question of who or what someone is, the author has provided a handy list of the Ancients as well as two glossaries at the back of the book

To learn more about the Broken Heart, Oklahoma series, please visit Ms. Bardsley’s site: Here


Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk

Magic to the Bone
Devon Monk
ROC
November 4, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-46240-4

Book Blurb:
Everything has a cost. And every act of magic exacts a price from its user--maybe a two-day migraine, or losing the memory of your first kiss. But some people want to use magic without paying, and they offload the cost onto an innocent. When that happens, it falls to a Hound to identify the spell's caster--and Allison Beckstrom's the best there is.

Daughter of a prominent Portland businessman, Allie would rather moonlight as a Hound than accept the family fortune--and the many strings that come with it. But when she discovers a little boy dying from a magical offload that has her father's signature all over it, Allie is thrown back into the high-stakes world of corporate espionage and black magic.

Now, Allie's out for the truth--and the forces she finds herself calling on will overturn everything she knows, change her in ways she could never imagine...and make her capable of things that powerful people will do anything to control.

My thoughts:
Refusing to live under her wealthy father’s influence, Allison Beckstrom has been on her own for years. Allie’s a Hound, able to sniff out a magic user’s signature and trace it back to the source. Hers is a talent that comes in quite handy when someone illegally offloads the price to be paid for magic use on someone else. When she’s hired to find the identity of a spell caster that sent their debt on to a young boy, Allie’s reluctant to share the name of the source, but she’s not about to let them get away with it.

Confronting her father on his company’s illegal practices isn’t Allie’s best move, but it’s necessary for her own peace of mind. She soon learns that a helpful man who’s been stalking her every move was actually hired by dear old dad, and with magical technology on the line not even his efforts will be enough to keep her safe.

This is the first installment in this new urban fantasy series featuring Allie Beckstrom. Ms. Monk makes a grand entrance with her debut novel, captivating readers with a well-imagined tale of magic and suspense. Magic to the Bone delves into a dark edged magic and adds a touch of romance that keeps the heroine more human than those around her. I’m looking forward to seeing where the next portion of Allie’s journey takes her.

To learn more about Magic to the Bone, please visit Ms. Monk’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Promo - Better Off Undead - edited by MartinH. Greenberg & Daniel M. Hoyt

Better Off Undead
Anthology
Edited by Martin H. Greenberg & Daniel M. Hoyt
DAW
November 4, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-7564-0512-0

Book Blurb:
Eighteen original stories about the “lives” of the undeadFrom vampires to mummy con artists, this lively collection explores the many forms the undead can take in stories that range from the chilling to the hysterical. There are those who people the Afterlife, others who wander the lands of the living in ghostly form, and even those who walk about in the flesh.For anyone who’s ever wondered if the grass is greener on the other side of this mortal coil, this collection will provide a wide range of intriguing answers from those who are undead...and loving it!

*Authors included in this anthology: Sarah A. Hoyt, Dave Freer, Laura Resnick, Esther M. Friesner, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Alan Dean Foster, Carrie Vaughn, Irene Radford, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Fran LaPlaca, Jay Lake, Devon Monk, Robert A. Hoyt, Kate Paulk, Rebecca Lickiss, Charles Edgar Quinn, Amanda S. Green, and S. M. Stirling.

To learn more about Better Off Undead, please visit DAW’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

I Love Your Blog

Rachael, Wendy, SciFiGuy and Marta nominated me for the ‘I Love Your Blog’ award, and now it’s my turn to nominate 7 of my favorite blogs to visit. Don’t forget to follow the rules and do the same!The rules for this award are that you need to:

1) Add the logo of the award to your blog

2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you

3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4) Add links to those blogs on your blog

5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs!

So, here are some of my favorite places to visit (hopefully none have already been chosen):

1. Fantasy Book Critic

2. Temple Library Reviews

3. Urban Fantasy Land

4. Fantasy Debut

5. Angie

6. SciFiGuy

7. Scooper Speaks

*I tried to chose some of my favs that weren't listed by anyone yet, but I have to mention Vampire Wire, because it's always at the top of my list. :)

Promo - The Chosen Sin by Anya Bast

The Chosen Sin
Anya Bast
Berkley – Heat
October 7, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-425-22356-7

Book blurb:
In this sensuous and lust-filled otherworld, the Chosen are vampires fighting for their very existence.

It is Daria’s destiny to become one of them…

Daria Morris is a special forces agent with one obsession: to wreak vengeance on the brutal vampire who nearly destroyed her. Now she’s finally about to get her chance, on one condition. She must become something she detests: a vampire.

Her fate rests upon one man’s lethal bite. His name is Alejandro Martinez, and he can help her infiltrate a highly guarded group of the Chosen. But Alejandro is also a distraction for Daria. Because thirteen years ago, they shared a scorching night of passion neither has forgotten.

Now, while Daria struggles against her newfound bloodlust, the two must slip into the shadows to bring a monster to justice—even as their desire threatens to consume them. But under the cover of night, they’ll discover that it’s the darkness within that may stand in the way of their hunger for retribution…


To learn more about The Chosen Sin and other books by Ms. Bast, please visit her website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - HBO - True Blood - Episode 5 - Sparks Fly Out

True Blood
Sparks Fly Out
Season 1, Episode 5
HBO
October 5, 2008
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. ET/PT

Episode Blurb:
Spurned by an exasperated Sookie, Bill ends up winning over Adele's church audience with his vivid recollections from the Civil War, though Andy and Bud remain suspicious. Sam tries to make the most of his opportunity with Sookie, though she's clearly not ready to commit. Ignoring Tara's rebuff, Lafayette convinces Jason to give vampire blood, a.k.a. "V juice," another shot. Alone at home, Bill remembers the painful wartime incident that changed his fate forever. (TVMA) (AC,AL,BN,V)

Director: Dan Minahan

My thoughts:
While Sookie has put on the brakes where her relationship with Bill is concerned, she has no intention of disappointing her grandmother and attends Bill’s talk at the church. For Bill, it’s a night of reliving memories and viewers get their first glimpse at how his life as a vampire began.

Sam’s interest in Sookie is as evident as ever. He’s encouraged by Sookie’s agreement to a casual date, but when he pushes issues he shouldn’t she has no trouble putting him in his place.

After a nightmarish ER visit, Jason has far from learned his lesson where V-juice is concerned. Tara is angry at both Jason and Lafayette, but she can’t seem to give up her weakness when it comes to Jason’s charm.

This is the fifth episode in HBO’s True Blood series, and the plot deepens. With a murderer on the loose and no real suspects, Bon Temps is on edge. The characters continue to entertain, and the story moves forward at a steady pace with intriguing questions developing along the way. Sparks Fly Out ends with the biggest shocker to this point in the season, and there’s no doubt that it will leave viewers with much to think about for the upcoming week.

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