ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ DARK SKYE BY KRESLEY COLE

Author: Kresley Cole
Publisher: Gallery Books
Series: Immortals After Dark, Book 14
Expected Release Date: August 5, 2014
Genre: Paranormal

 Pages: 384
Format: eARC, Netgalley

















In this highly anticipated novel in the Immortals After Dark series, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole spins a sultry tale of a mighty warrior scarred inside and out and the beguiling sorceress with the power to heal him - or vanquish him forever.

Eternal Obsession 

As a boy, Thronos, Lord of Skye Hall, loved Lanthe, a mischievous Sorceri girl who made him question everything about his Vrekener clan. But when the two got caught in the middle of their families’ war, tragedy struck, leaving Thronos and Lanthe bitter enemies. Though centuries have passed, nothing can cool his seething need for the beautiful enchantress who scarred his body - and left an even deeper impression on his soul.

Endless Yearning 

Lanthe, a once-formidable sorceress struggling to reclaim her gifts, searches for love and acceptance with all the wrong immortal suitors. But she’s never forgotten Thronos, the magnificent silver-eyed boy who protected her until she was ripped from the shelter of his arms. One harrowing night changed everything between them. Now he’s a notorious warlord with a blood vendetta against Lanthe, hunting her relentlessly.

Can the heat of desire burn brighter than vengeance?

With their families locked in conflict and battles raging all around them, will Thronos and Lanthe succumb to the brutal chaos that threatens everything they cherish? Or will the fragile bond they formed so long ago spark a passion strong enough to withstand even the darkest doubts?

Book Review

Kresley Cole continues to amaze me. After fourteen books in her Immortals After Dark series, Cole knocks it out of the ballpark -- AGAIN.

I am simply amazed and blown away with Cole's ability to make her books in her IAD series flow seamlessly as they do. As a reader, and a writer, she has me gobsmacked at how she jumps from story to story and keeps up with all the character ARCs and timeline.

This time around her hero is Thronos, Lord of Skye Hall. For centuries he has been searching for his mate, Lanthe. But he doesn't know whether to kill her or kiss her. Their factions are sworn enemies--but as children, they developed a friendship. Thronos knew the little sorceress was to be his mate.

But a dark betrayal will break them apart.

Lanthe has spent centuries avoiding her mate. But after escaping from being imprisoned on an island, she runs into the very man she wishes never to see again.

As both Thronos and Lanthe try to find their way back to their respective worlds, lies and misconceptions from the past begin to unravel.  And just when they start to find forgiveness and a possible future within their grasp, a powerful Sorceri obliterates Thronos's memories.

But the unrelenting Lanthe is determined to find Thronos and show him just how strong their love is...it is more powerful than magic...and forever always.

Dark Skye is filled with plot twists and the occasional WTF moments you don't see coming. Just when you think you know what's happening, Cole slips a few surprises along the way. It has everything fans of Kresley's books will appreciate and relish with every page.

Keep 'em coming, Kresley.

BOOK REVIEW ~ THE PROFESSIONAL: PART THREE BY KRESLEY COLE

Title: The Professional: Part Three ( The Game Maker) 
Author: Kresley Cole
Publisher: Pocket Star
Release Date: January 20, 2014
Genre: Erotic Romance

ARC provided by NetGalley

Book Blurb

Are you ready to play?
Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy's reach, Sevastyan spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, the two lovers will discover that even their darkest - and most forbidden - fantasies can come true…


Book Review

Kresley Cole has written a dark, highly erotic, thriller mixed with an intense love story that borders on obsession. 

Sevastyan has brought Natalie to Le Libertin, a sex club in Paris, and ultimately opened her eyes to a world where the sins of the flesh are not only acceptable--they are relished. 

Natalie has pushed Sevastyan to accept his darker side...his primal needs, and how she responds to it will determine if Sevastyan will continue to feed those darker urges.

But will Sevastyan finally open up to Natalie--bare all for the sake of the survival of their relationship? Something that can leave him more vulnerable and possibly even destroy their fragile relationship? 

Or is it already too late when--once again--Sevastyan closes up after an explosive sexual encounter that leaves Natalie wanting more?

After reading this new series from Cole, I can honestly say that I need more. More Sevastyan. More Maksim. And more Jesse. Seriously, I want to see how Jesse reacts to the cold winters of Russia and I need her to fall...hard...for her own sexy Siberian. 

I love how Cole fuses sex, romance, drama, and humor into a compelling story that has you panting like you've been shot up with an overdose of endorphins. The Professional is a thrilling ride that I wish I could experience for the first time...over and over...until I'm exhausted from the rush.

BOOK REVIEW ~ THE PROFESSIONAL: PART TWO ~ KRESLEY COLE

Title: The Professional: Part Two (The Game Maker)
Author: Kresley Cole
Expected Release Date: January 6, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Erotic Romance/BDSM
eBook format, 120 pages

ARC provided by NetGalley

Book Blurb

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole comes The Professional—the second scorching installment in her Game Maker series, an erotica collection that has readers asking: How hot is too hot?

He makes the rules...
Mafiya enforcer Aleksandr "The Siberian" Sevastyan’s loyalty to his boss is unwavering, until he meets the boss’s long-lost daughter, a curvy, tantalizing redhead who haunts his mind and heats his blood like no other. Ordered to protect her, Sevastyan will do anything to possess her as well—on his own wicked terms.

Rules are made to be broken...
PhD student Natalie Porter had barely recovered from her first sight of the breathtakingly gorgeous Sevastyan before the professional hit man whisks her away to Russia, thrusting her into a world of extreme wealth and wanton pleasures. With every day she spends under his protection, she falls deeper under his masterful spell.

Are you ready to play?

Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy’s reach, Sevastyan spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, the two lovers will discover that even their darkest—and most forbidden—fantasies can come true...


Book Review

Kresley Cole has my full, undivided attention--AGAIN--with The Professional: Part Two. She left me hanging with Part One and swearing a blue streak as I realized I was at the end of her novella. 

My exact words as I finished part two: 

"Kresley, you are one crafty witch. I adore your brain, woman." 

The Professional: Part Two picks up with Sevastyan and Natalie alone and sheltered from the storm...a perfect seduction scene where Natalie's senses are heightened by the very attentive and dominant Siberian. Cliche? Yes...but it works. And what follows is a sizzling scene of epic proportions. I still need time to recover from it. 

It is then that Sevastyan makes his claim and their erotic encounter leaves Natalie reeling. This man, practically a stranger, has marked her, altered her, and nothing will ever be the same.

But the dark and dangerous Siberian refuses to open up to the woman who has become his obsession. And Natalie is left confused and wondering if their relationship can ever be something more permanent when he refuses to answer her questions.  

An unexpected and horrific tragedy has Sevastyan and Natalie fleeing to Paris where their already fragile connection starts to unravel. Sevastyan starts to treat Natalie differently. This tender, more docile lover is not the man Natalie needs. 

Natalie pushes her Siberian to give in to his darker desires and ends up playing a dangerous game that could break the fragile bond between them. 

The Game Maker series is a dark and sensual romance amidst a dangerous backdrop of assassins and the Russian mafiya. Kresley Cole gives erotic romance a swift kick in the teeth with The Professional and leaves the other wanna-be's in her dust. 

Sheer brilliance. 

ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ THE PROFESSIONAL: PART ONE BY KRESLEY COLE

Title: The Professional: Part One (The Game Maker)
Author: Kresley Cole:
Expected Release Date: December 16, 2013
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Erotic Romance
Format: eBook, 120 pages

ARC provided by NetGalley












Book Blurb

ARE YOU READY TO PLAY? 

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole comes The Game Makers; a scorching new erotica series about a young woman desperate to uncover the mysteries of her past and the hit man bound to protect her.

From an opulent palace in Russian, to the wicked playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, to the sultry beaches of Spain, the two lovers will discover that even their most intimate—and forbidden—fantasies can come true…


Book Review

Kresley Cole has done it again. No matter what this woman writes, she knows how to get to you. The Professional: Part One is a winner! 

I admit to having very high hopes when starting this book and I was not disappointed. At. All. 

Natalie Porter and her gal pals are laughing it up at the local campus bar, as they look for potential hook-ups. 

"Mommy issues. Serial cheater. Humor void. Two-pump chump"

But Natalie has a remarkable ability to sift through the guys and she finds all of them lacking.

All but one.

When he walks in, Natalie's" manaylzer" goes berserk and she is sorely tempted. 

There is SO MUCH I can say about this book, but since it is only one hundred and twenty pages, I must zip my lips and let the reader experience the ride for his or herself. Just note that if you are familiar at all with Kresley's writing, you will get EVERYTHING  you expect and then some. 

I have no freaking clue how this woman does it--but she brilliantly distributes humor, sex, and suspense in a tale that is just way too freaking short. I seriously hit my kindle arrow button like six times before I realized THERE WAS NO MORE. 

Amazingly played, Kresley. I bow to your epicness. Is that even a word? 

Meh, I don't care. I am envious of your talent and I want to be you when I grow up. 

BOOK REVIEW ~ ENDLESS KNIGHT BY KRESLEY COLE

Title: Endless Knight (The Arcana Chronicles, Book Two)
Author: Kresley Cole
Release Date: October 1, 2013

Reviewer purchased own copy of ebook for review


In this seductive follow-up to Poison Princess, #1 New York Timesbestselling author Kresley Cole takes us deeper into the dark world of the Arcana Chronicles.

Shocking Secrets

Evie has fully come into her powers as the Tarot Empress, and Jack was there to see it all. She now knows that the teens who've been reincarnated as the Tarot are in the throes of an epic battle. It's kill or be killed, and the future of mankind hangs in the balance.

Unexpected Allies

With threats lurking around every corner, Evie is forced to trust her newfound alliance. Together they must fight not only other Arcana, but also Bagmen zombies, post-apocalyptic storms, and cannibals.

Gut-Wrenching Treachery

When Evie meets Death, things get even more complicated. Though falling for Jack, she's drawn to the dangerous Endless Knight as well. Somehow the Empress and Death share a history, one that Evie can't remember—but Death can't forget.

Book Review

Holy Shitcakes!

I love it when you are sucked into a book--another world, basically--and you don't want to emerge from your kindle in order to go to bed. To eat. To feed your kids. 

Kresly Cole has done it again. Her unique Arcana Chronicles kicks ass. 

It's definitely a book to be read in order, as the world can be a tad confusing. There are so many layers, players, and twists and turns, you practically have to read it twice (Ahem, I plan on doing just that myself) so as to not miss any important details. 

Endless Knight starts off where The Poison Princess leaves off--on a bloody battlefield. Jack has just witnessed Evie turn into the Empress and take another life. Creatures called Bagmen are gaining on Finn, Matthew, Evie, Selena and Jack. With time running out, the small group form an alliance, their solitary goal to kill Death. 

Before he kills them.

Expect to sit on the edge of your seat during high-adrenaline action scenes, so tense you're afraid to blink your eyes, least you miss something.

Expect your toes to curl as Jack seduces me...er, the reader...with his sexy Cajun accent and expressions:

"Doan you dare talk like that, bebe." He gripped my nape, a move that was at once protective and possessive. "I'm not goan to let anything happen to you, no."  

"Mercy me, Evie."

"Up you go, bebe." 

"I'm all in, peekon." 

Expect to fall for Finn's charms, as his sense of humor takes away some of the building tension and provides some much needed comic relief:

"So three Bagmen and a slaver go into a bar..."

"You guys humming my balls, right?" 

"Checking perimeters? Is that what the Louisiana kids are calling it these days? Hey, Lark, can I check your perimeter?"  

And expect to confused as hell. I seriously thought I could never be swayed to feel sympathy for Death. But Cole has made me see Death in a totally different light. So who the hell do I root for now?

"I stroked your face, intending to end you. Yet you never fell ill. I can still remember how shockingly soft your skin was. How warm." He seemed to get lost in the memory. Voice gone hoarse, he said, "I shuddered to feel it against mine." 

 

And expect a major cliffie, while totally freaking out because you have to wait another year until the next book in the Arcana Chronicles.

Kresley Cole, I loathe and love you at the same time.

BOOK REVIEW ~ POISON PRINCESS BY KRESLEY COLE

Title:  Poison Princess (Book One, The Arcana Chronicles)

Author: Kresley Cole

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Blurb from Goodreads

She could save the world—or destroy it.

Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can’t do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?
Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side….

Holy Hell!

This book sucked me in and grabbed me by the ovaries and shook me hard. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it.

It is official, Kresley, baby ~ You now have penned 2 books as my all time favorite reads for 2012.

First, you sucker punched me with Lothaire, (still recovering, thank you very much) and now--Jack has blown me away with his Cajun accent, dark looks, and intensity that left me breathless. I want my own Jack Deveaux.

One thing that confuses me is that I found this book in the Young Adult section. Um....I am not so sure about that. Maybe 17 or 18...definitely NOT 10 -12 year olds. There is swearing and sexual overtones that put this in a much older young adult category in my honest opinion. And the hottest almost nekked pool scene I have read in quite awhile...

When his gaze dipped, his lids went heavy and his Adam's apple  bobbed. In a hoarse voice, he said, "Mercy Me."

I'd never been looked at like this, had never been utterly certain that a boy was gazing my body--while imagining how he wanted to touch it.

I really don't know where to start with this review-I was so blown away. But I think that quote about sums it up for me, lol.

Okay, first off--this is refreshingly different. The characters of Cole's book are supposed to represent  key characters found in Tarot cards used by fortune tellers. We are introduced to The Fool, The Moon, The Hermit, The Magician, and The Empress in her first book, Poison Princess. How friggin cool is that? Not a were, vamp, or fae in sight! 

Evie Green is the popular cheerleader at a very posh school, where the rich mingle and drive their fancy-smancy Porsches, Bennies, and what have you.  She has the pretty boy football hero as her beau and life is grand, right?

Meh...not so much. Evie is keeping a secret. She has just returned from Atlanta where she was a patient at Child's Last Chance-- a behavioral clinic for children. Evie had horrible visions that she drew in a journal that depicted violent and disturbing images that spilled over into her nightmares until Evie couldn't tell real from delusions.

Returning to school, Evie hoped to put all that behind her, with her friends never the wiser to where she really spent her summer. All she wanted was her life to return to normal. To be normal.   

But five new kids show up the first day of school at Sterling High, riding in on their motorcycles, and so very different from their richer class mates. They are from the bayou; Cajun, poor, and with attitude a plenty. One of them, Jackson Deveaux, stirs conflicting emotions inside Evie with his sarcasm,rudeness and potent sexual charm -- as well as sigh-worthy sexual innuendos.

He wrapped one of his arms behind my back, cupping my chin with his free hand. "Evangeline, I'm goan kiss you until your toes curl, until we're breathing for each other." ---fave line EVER!

 

Swoon.

And Evie's visions come back with a vengence. Bloody, dark visions that cause Evie to question her sanity.

When she's faced with just how real her visions are and their link to what has happened and WILL happen, will Evie finally lose everything she has strived so hard for?

Kresley has created an original new world in the paranormal genre that has an engaging plot line, a supremely interesting ( and very sexy ) hero, and a relatable heroine to totally root for while you bite your nails to the quick to see what happens next. Oh, and some FREAKISHLY AMAZING secondary characters that just tickled my funny bone:

Some of my most memorable and funniest quotes:

"But if they're together, then why does he keep staring at you? Like he hasn't deposited enough mental images into his spank bank by now?" --Mel

"I finally understand who buys vajazzling kits."--Mel

"Dude. It is raining hot ass today. --Finn

"Smoking body on that one--but shy a few teeth. Still, I'd do Hickette with a flag over her face." --Finn

SECRETLY CRUSHING ON...

Hello Lovelies. Secretly Crushing On is a weekly feature that is held on Thursdays, hosted by me from Wickedly Delicious Book Blog. This is a blog hop geared towards book lovers preferably ages 18+ with the objective to find and visit other blogs that share the same interest as you... a love for Sexy Reads with a Hot Hero your are Secretly Crushing On. It can be an old book or new read.


How to join:


Make a separate post for the Secretly Crushing On hop on your blog.


Copy the button above or place your own (as long as you link back to Wickedly Delicious Book Blog) on top of your post.


Pick your Secretly Crushing On candidate with an old book or current read. Give a reason for your pick or give a little teaser or both.


Place your name and blog title in the linky over at Wickedly Delicious's Blog Post, as well as the URL for a direct link to the post.


Visit other blogs on the list and make some new friends!




My Secret Crush:

Okay, this book has been out for a bit--but I cannot seem to be able to stop talking about it...especially the audio version.

Title:  Lothaire

Author: Kresley Cole

Release Date: January 2012

ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.
CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

Most times than not, when are REALLY DYING for a book about a specific character (like I was for Lothaire), you sometimes are a wee bit disappointed in the outcome...you just have such high hopes for a juicy book and then...you find it...lacking.


Lothaire totally met and surpassed ALL my expectations. Kresley deserves a freakin' medal for this book-and a happy slap on the ass for whoever picked the guy to narrate her Lothaire.


OMG---I still hear the man's voice in my head. I could listen to him all damn day...
It must be said here that I am not big on audio...I would rather read it than listen to it. But DAMN---I will need more of this man's voice.


BTW--this sinfully sexy reader is Robert Petkoff and he rocked my world, people. I squeed aloud while listening and had to fan myself on several different occasions. Sweet Baby Jesus, can the man do things with just his voice alone.

Here is the link to audible and Rober Petkoff.  To me, he is and was Lothaire.

So maybe I'm secretly crushing on good 'ol Rob? Mmm....I think both!

Robert Petkoff

DIRTY LITTLE SECRET

Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by us at Under the Covers. Every Thursday we get to know other bloggers and our readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets. We hope that you will all join us!

To participate in the meme all you need to do is:


1. Be a follower of Under the Covers.


2. Create a post in your blog taking the meme image above and copy instructions.


3. Answer the question we propose! This can be done in any way you like, post a video, write a post etc.


4. Then add your link on UTC's blog post.


Non-bloggers: We want to hear from you as well!!! Let us know your answer in the comments!

We hope you join us and let us know your Dirty Little Secrets!

This week's question:

Who is your favorite flawed hero and/or heroine and why do you still love them despite their faults?

Ohhhhh....I so do love a flawed hero. There is just something about a man who isn't so damn perfect. Who needs perfection, right? Especially when it's a smexy vamp with red eyes, blonde-stubble, strong jaw, and has a snarky mouth...of course, I am talking about Lothaire.

I love the fact that Kresley didn't try to "change" him. He stays perfectly flawed but still delicious. He's the ultimate bad boy that I don't wanna tame. I just want to chain him to my bed and have my wicked way with him. Of course, knowing Lothaire, that would so NOT happen; I'd be the one chained to the bed, and I wouldn't mind that one bit.

Now it's your turn.

BOOK REVIEW ~ LOTHAIRE BY KRESLEY COLE



Title: Lothaire ( Immortals After Dark, Book 12)

Author: Kresley Cole

Hardcover: 468 pages

Published:  January 10th 2012 by Gallery

ISBN1439136823

Book Blurb

ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD

 Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But blood lust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.


A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER


Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED


Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennium-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her.
 

 
Book Review
 
I spent my weekend reading what I know will be in my Top Ten Reads of 2012-Lothaire by Kresley Cole.


As an avid reader, you have those books during the year that you are looking forward to reading. Last year, for me it was Shadowfever. Could.Not.Wait.

And if we’re lucky-the sweet anticipation is greatly rewarded by a fantastic story that makes you literally hum as you read it. After its conclusion, you utter a sigh…wish that you read it a little slower, because now it’s over.

Lothaire was like that. I closed the book with a sigh…still lost in the world of the Lore and in my happy place. And extremely excited about the secrets that Kresley spilled in the last lines.

I wanted his story since the beginning of the series, A Hunger Like No Other. He was the villain. The bad boy-- And I was smitten.

I purchased the hardback version of this book—no kindle version for me. The cover had to be fully appreciated, lol. There aren’t many covers that get it right; the vision that I have in my head about how the hero looks, but this one is spot-on. Straight blond hair hanging over intense red eyes that seem to penetrate your soul. A plus goes to the cover design peeps.

I used post-it notes to flag parts of the story that really caught my attention; things that I wanted to talk about in my review. My book is very colorful—blues, yellows, oranges—a rainbow of favorite moments.

Let’s start with the hero, shall we?

Lothaire- The Enemy of Old and ancient foe of the Lore. He has an endgame with seven critical pieces that he is determined to make happen. And if you’re not with him, you’re against him. He swings precariously near the edge of madness-the countless thoughts of his victims pushing him one inch closer to the rocky border.

He is resolute to have his Bride by his side, no matter the consequences….

Which lead us to Ellie Pierce, our heroine.

Ellie struggles to fight Saroya, The Soul Reaper, whose spirit inhabits her body and has murdered innocent victims with her blood-thirsty compulsions. She would rather die than let Saroya continue her murderous rampage. She accepts her fate on death row and is just minutes from the fatal does that will end her life, when Lothaire rescues his Bride.

Their tumultuous beginning makes for an entrancing read. Verbal insults are slung, countered with witty retorts. Lothaire’s acerbic retorts barely penetrate the thick-skinned Appalachian heroine-her tenacity and intellect a perfect match for our egocentric vampire.

Ellie’s hate for Lothaire slowly changes during her time in captivity. She sees a side of him never witnessed by anyone in the Lore. And the heady attraction between the two cannot be denied, despite their best laid plans.

“Lothaire, you’re looking at my nipples…still wantin’ to bite me?” She lowered her hands, released the dark waves of her hair, then clutched his shoulders.
“Lean forward, pet. I’ll only use my tongue on them.”
She shivered. “That’s what you want?”
“Yes.”

She leaned back.

Though her boldness attracted him like a font of fresh blood, his anger couldn’t be denied. “You want me to suck them.”

“Aching for you to.”

Annnnnd I needed a cold shower. This was the best grinding scene I have ever read; one where I was panting along with the characters. As Ellie would say, “Hoo!”

I’m not gonna lie here, folks-the sex is HAWT—and borders on the more erotic side. It also pushes the envelope on what some consider non-consensual. Did I think Kresley took it past that limit? Nope. It was spot-on for how I perceived Lothaire and stayed true to his character. So if you aren’t into that sort of thing, you might want to skim those parts, just sayin’. For me, I devoured every word of the book and relished them.

Lothaire resists the slow revelation of his true Bride-Ellie. How could a backwoods Appalachian with no royal connection be his true Bride. Ego much, Leo? He starts to crave Ellie’s presence, and not that of the cold-hearted Saroya. Even after being sucker punched with the realization that Ellie is indeed his true Bride, Lothaire has some major work to do. But the aged immortal fails miserably-- His bullish demands, excessive pride, and his lack of apology for his past treatment of Ellie lead to the destruction of their fragile relationship.

What I loved about this book? The fact that Lothaire’s underlying character still remained intact without turning into some sappy love-sick moron. Thank you, Kresley Cole. My ultimate bad-boy is still a little bad-ass-- And I like it that way.

Where you can find Kresley Cole
 
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
 
 

About The Author

Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, as well as five award-winning historical romances.

Before becoming a writer, Cole was a world-ranked athlete, coach, and graduate student. She has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. Two of her favorite places to visit include the rain forests of Central America and the Far North Queensland area of Australia (where, by the way, she would not recommend swimming outside of the stinger nets--at night).
Cole’s trademark action, sensuality, and humor are best exemplified in her Immortals After Dark Series, which revolves around the Lore, a secret stratum of hundreds of immortal creatures--ranging from Vampires to Lykae, Furies to Shifters, and Fey to Valkyrie--that each have their strengths, weaknesses, and age old prejudices against the others. Though they secretly live among humans, they constantly war among themselves, which gives her a lot of material.
Her IAD books have been translated into seventeen foreign languages, garnered two RITA awards, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.

Cole lives in Florida with her family and “far too many animals.” She spends any free time traveling and enjoys all things related to boats and water.

Her Books

From Pocket Books/ Simon & Schuster

~The Immortals After Dark Series~

PLAYING EASY TO GET Anthology February 2006

A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER April 2006

NO REST FOR THE WICKED October 2006

WICKED DEEDS ON A WINTER'S NIGHT October 2007

DARK NEEDS AT NIGHT'S EDGE May 2008

DARK DESIRES AFTER DUSK June 2008

KISS OF A DEMON KING February 2009

DEEP KISS OF WINTER Duology October 2009

PLEASURE OF A DARK PRINCE February 2010

DEMON FROM THE DARK August 2010

DREAMS OF A DARK WARRIOR February 2011

~The MacCarrick Brothers Trilogy~

IF YOU DARE May 2005 (reissue March 2007)

IF YOU DESIRE April 2007

IF YOU DECEIVE May 2007

~The Sutherland Brothers Series~

THE CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES July 2003

THE PRICE OF PLEASURE July 2004