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