Review - Shadowfae by Erica Hayes

A new review has been posted on the website for Shadowfae by Erica Hayes. This is the first installment in The Shadowfae Chronicles.
http://darquereviews.com/12612/269975.html

You can also visit the author's page:
http://darquereviews.com/14912/270017.html

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

Kimberly Swan, DarqueReviews.com

Review - Succubus Takes Manhattan by Nina Harper

Succubus Takes Manhattan
Succubus series, Book 2
Nina Harper
Del Rey
November 25, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-345-49507-5

Book Blurb:
WHEN YOUR JOB IS DISPATCHING CREEPS TO THE HEREAFTER, A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND.
Lily loves working for Satan. Being one of Her Chosen means a gig filled with fashion, food, and the best supernatural gal pals a succubus could imagine. Still, being dumped by the first mortal she’d fallen in love with in centuries has put Lily in a serious funk.

IF THINGS GET ANY HOTTER, LILY MIGHT GET BURNED. . . .
Nathan Coleman bolted because he couldn’t handle Lily’s inner demon, but blond, buff, blue-eyed Marten is a delicious distraction, and he’s one of her own kind. Only Lily’s not sure she can trust him–especially when her best friend’s demon boyfriend is kidnapped, the ranks of the Hierarchy of Hell are gunning for her downfall, and Lily’s dashing P.I. beau is back on the scene, rekindling flames. Two men, too much temptation, and assassins closing in–if Lily survives, who claims her heart?

My thoughts:
As one of Satan’s Chosen, Lily has obligations to uphold, but her day job keeps her just as busy. She’s just returned from a trip to Aruba where she met Marten, a ceremonial magician and she's back to trying to keep her job on track as the accessories editor for Trend magazine. Lily soon finds herself stuck trying to placate an obnoxious coworker whose suddenly set his sites on turning her career upside down.

Her doorman has disappeared and Lily has reluctantly asked Nathan, the ex she’s still in-love with, to investigate. This is difficult enough for her, but when Marten comes to town on business it’s all Lily can do to hold her emotions in check.

This is book two in Ms. Harper’s Succubus series. Readers are taken deeper into life among the denizens of Hell, as well as Lily’s passion filled love life. Succubus Takes Manhattan is a suspenseful adventure that’s topped-off with the sizzling charms of a succubus and the inner battle she’s engaged in over two men. I’ll be watching for more of Lily’s escapades.

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

Succubus in the City by Nina Harper

Succubus in the City
Nina Harper
Del Rey
March 25, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-345-49506-8

Lily is a Succubus in the employ of Satan, otherwise known as Martha. She’s good at what she does, but seducing men to send to Hell is getting old. She knows what’s missing from her life, but finding a man to love her despite her job description isn’t an easy task. Her friends warn her against falling for a man, sure that he’ll betray her if she dares tell him truth, but when Lily meets Nathan all rational thought is out the window.

Nathan Colemen is a P.I. working a missing person case that leads him to Lily’s door. The absent man in question had Lily’s personal information, and Nathan plans to find out why that is. It isn’t until later that Lily realizes that while she didn’t recognize the man’s name or picture there may be a connection to her life suddenly being threatened.

In the midst of danger, Lily’s thoughts are with Nathan. Intelligent, handsome and sweet, he’d be perfect for her if it turns out that he’s a generous lover. Lily’s life as a sex demon is a secret she plans to keep until the day she decides to risk everything for love.

Succubus in the City moves ahead at a leisurely pace introducing readers to Lily and the various aspects of her life. I had a difficult time warming up to Lily in the beginning, but Nathan’s introduction into the story adds interest and uncovers more of Lily’s unique origins. While Lily is a Succubus, the sex scenes are well-spaced and don’t overwhelm the other facets of the storyline. Ms. Harper reels readers in by the end of this installment and provides a solid start with good friends, the possibilities of love and a whirlwind tour of Hell.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Bending to Break by A. J. Hampton

Bending to Break
A. J. Hampton
Cacoethes Publishing House, LLC.
January 31, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-9799015-7-7

While Kayden Gray was once seduced by a vampire’s lies, she continues the hunt to eliminate the demons. Bitten but not fully turned, she’s a half-breed. Caught between two worlds, Kayden is seen as an abomination to be destroyed. Her sire, Jullian, insists she belongs to him. Her only hope for freedom is he’s final death.

Being saddled with a partner, Micah MacKenzie, is the last thing Kayden wanted. While he may be decent back-up, and a treat on the eyes, she finds him completely infuriating.

On a routine hunt, Kayden and Micah stumble upon something more than their usual target, and find themselves battling a succubus that has set her sights on Micah. This brand of demon has one thing on her mind, and she’s powerful enough to get what she wants. Forcing Micah and Kayden to act on the lust and deeper feelings they’ve repressed may kill them unless their families can find a way to stop her in time.

Bending to Break is an erotic paranormal romance that starts out in high gear and continues the fast pace throughout the story. Kayden and Micah love to argue and hate to admit they’re wrong, but with a succubus using her lust filled powers there will be no more denying the way they feel. Ms. Hampton pens a story of supernatural seduction, dark passion and the joys of newfound love. Readers looking for a steamy paranormal tale where the storyline is enticing and the characters are given the green light to explore their lust filled urges, you need look no further than Bending to Break.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Succubus On Top by Richelle Mead

Succubus On Top
The Georgina Kincaid Series, Book 2
Richelle Mead
Kensington Books
December 18, 2007
ISBN# 978-0-7582-1642-7

Life as a succubus is a never-ending job for Georgina Kincaid, especially when all she really craves is a little human normalcy. With a boyfriend that even a kiss could drain, her love life is difficult to say the least, but Seth is hanging in there and dealing with their strange arrangement.

A longtime incubus friend, Bastien, has come to town on a mission to cause the compromising position that will destroy the image of a local talk radio star. After moving in next door to his target, Bastien ropes Georgina in to help him achieve his goal. That’s an arrangement that makes even the easygoing Seth a little nervous.

Meanwhile, Georgina’s co-worker Doug is acting stranger by the day. His band is taking off with the help of a new drummer, but something more seems to be affecting each of the guys. Georgina’s not about to watch Doug destroy his life, and she’s the best chance he has to stop it.

Succubus On Top is the second installment in The Georgina Kincaid Series. Between taking on extra hours at work, keeping up her agreement as a succubus, and helping an immortal friend with his latest task, Georgina has little time left over for her very mortal boyfriend, Seth. He has been more than a little understanding, but with Bastien in town even Seth may have to question their relationship. Ms. Mead picks up the story where Succubus Blues left off and adds to the growing turmoil in Georgina’s life. This is a fast-moving read with plenty of action to keep fans riveted. There are several delicious plot twists that lead to some very sizzling sex scenes. Readers will be curious to see where Georgina and Seth’s relationship heads in the next installment.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews