Gothic Books

Acheron (Dark-Hunter, Book 12)

Sherrilyn Kenyon

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 230 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Slow start 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I ended up enjoying the book, but it began very slowly. The book really floundered through about the 1st half and then began to pick up as it moved toward the end. Glad I read it.

Editorial Review:

The most anticipated story in the blockbuster Dark-Hunter series. The never-before-revealed story of the Dark-Hunter leader, Acheron. He was made human in order to escape death, but in death he was reborn a god. . .

Eleven thousand years ago a god was born. Cursed into the body of a human, Acheron spent a lifetime of shame. However, his human death unleashed an unspeakable horror that almost destroyed the earth. Then, brought back against his will, Acheron became the sole defender of mankind.

Only it was never that simple. For centuries, he has fought for our survival and hidden a past he’ll do anything to keep concealed. Until a lone woman who refuses to be intimidated by him threatens his very existence.

Now his survival, and ours, hinges on hers and old enemies reawaken and unite to kill them both.

War has never been more deadly... or more fun.

The Pagan Stone: The Sign of Seven Trilogy

Nora Roberts

Amazon Price: $7.99 List Price: $7.99 Not yet published By: Jove

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One Silent Night (Dark-Hunter, Book 13)

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Amazon Price: $6.99 List Price: $6.99 Not yet published By: St. Martin's Paperbacks

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Editorial Review:

While the world carries on unawares, Stryker, who leads an army of demons and vampires, is plotting an all out onslaught against his enemies—which, unfortunately for us, includes the entire human race. To avenge his sister, Stryker prepares to annihilate the Dark-Hunters. But things go awry when his oldest enemy returns. Enter his ex-wife. Zephyra. Just when he thought nothing could stop him, he’s now embroiled in a centuries old war with a shrew who gives new meaning to pain.

Fantasy Lover (Dark-Hunter, Book 1)

Sherrilyn Kenyon

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 204 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

There's nothing fantastic about this book 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

In a word, boring..
It follows the story of a man, who is cursed to be a love slave forever...ends up with a woman in present day, who sees him for more than his love slave talents...
It's a romance, yes...it's a mediocre romance. The story wasn't deep/strong/good enough...and neither were the characters. It's a very very very very light read..if you're looking for that.
I'd recommend Kresley Cole, or Elizabeth Vaughan..if you want something that's more stimulating..

Editorial Review:

Dear Reader,

Being trapped in a bedroom with a woman is a grand thing. Being trapped in hundreds of bedrooms over two thousand years isn't. And being cursed into a book as a love-slave for eternity can ruin even a Spartan warrior's day.

As a love-slave, I know everything about women. How to touch them, how to savor them, and most of all, how to pleasure them. But when I was summoned to fulfill Grace Alexander's sexual fantasies, I found the first woman in history who saw me as a man with a tormented past. She alone bothered to take me out of the bedroom and onto the world. She taught me to love again.

But I was not born to love. I was cursed to walk eternity alone. As a general, I had long ago accepted my sentence. Yet now I have found Grace--the one thing my wounded heart cannot survive without. Sure, love can heal all wounds, but can it break a two-thousand-year-old curse?

Julian of Macedon

No Rest for the Wicked (The Immortals After Dark, Book 2)

Kresley Cole

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 88 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

How the mighty has fallen! 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Centuries ago, before she earned the appelation " Kaderin the Coldhearted", she spared the life of a young vampire and lost her twin sisters because of that act of mercy. Blaming herself for that one act of weakness, she made an oath to never let her emotion sway her judgment ever again. To atone for her sisters' brutal death, she dedicated her existence in annihilating their enemies and promised to rid the earth of vampires. Thus, Kaderin the Coldhearted became the Valkyrie's most prolific assassin. And as per her vow, an unknown power ensured she was able to follow her oath, promising surcease from the pain, thereby blessing her for eternity. Yet, was it truly a blessing, or a curse? For while she might have found relief from her sorrow, her emotions have been dead ever since.

For a thousand years, Kaderin has withered away in her cold existence void of emotions. Then just as she was gearing up for the Talisman Hie, Kaderin accepted a mission to kill a vampire in a remote Russian village. There, for the second time in her immortal life, Kaderin was unable to kill an enemy. For inexplicable reason, she was drawn to him, stupefied to meet a vampire who was begging to be killed. And as she stood watching him, Kaderin the Coldhearted began feeling once again. Oh, how the mighty has fallen!

As the readers are told of Kaderin's initial meeting with Sebastian Wroth, the author begins the tale of a lonely vampire who's been turned by his brother against his will. The reader sees through Kaderin's eyes the anguish of a man who has felt nothing but weariness for what he considers an abominable existence. Unlike the first book, the chemistry sizzles between Kaderin and Sebastian from the word go leaving you waiting the next time their paths would cross. As the readers read on, Kresley Cole continues to build her world of fantasy where we learn of the immortals' version of the Amazing Race in which creatures of the Lore compete for the ultimate prize to take back to their faction. Cole introduces more fascinating characters and creatures that beg for their own story. We learn more about the difference between the two vampire factions, the Horde and Forbearers. And as the Talisman Hie begins, we are taken on a venturous journey where a magical key is not the only coveted prize for our hero and heroine, but the once in a lifetime chance to find happiness.

If you like fantasy and are fascinated by alternate reality where faeries, vampires, lykae, elves and other interesting creatures co-exist with humans, Kresley Cole has granted your wish with her Immortals After Dark Series. I admit that I wasn't exactly captivated by A Hunger Like No Other (The Immortals After Dark Series, Book 1) but still decided to continue with the series. I am glad that I did as I found NO REST FOR THE WICKED utterly entertaining and enjoyed being taken on an exciting journey around the globe (yes, I'm a huge fan of the Amazing Race!) and reading about Kaderin and Sebastian.

Editorial Review:

here is the sequel to the hot bestselling a hunger like no other!in this scorching series there is passionate sex&fascinating characters!

Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 1)

Jeaniene Frost

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 84 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

must read!!!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a must read for fans of Kim Harrison's and Charlaine Harris' heroes. It is not as deep as the Rachel Morgan and Sookie Stackhouse novels, but my guess is that this was because it was the first in the series. This book reminded me of the original Anita Blake before she became obsessed with sex. This story has a simple plot with expected twists and turns, yet it made me feel great while reading it and afterwards. I cannot wait to buy book 2 in the series.

Editorial Review:

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father—the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.

In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner—are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfound status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

Dark Desires After Dusk (The Immortals After Dark, Book 5)

Kresley Cole

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 52 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

RITA Award-winning author Kresley Cole continues her bestselling Immortals After Dark series with this electrifying tale of a ruthless demon mercenary and the lovely young halfling who enchants him.

A seductive beauty he can
never have, yet can't resist...

Cadeon Woede will stop at nothing to atone for the one wrong that will haunt him forever. But once he secures the key to his redemption, the halfling Holly Ashwin, Cade finds that the woman he thought he could use for his own ends and then forget haunts him as much as his past.

A tormented warrior she
should fear, but can't deny...

Raised as a human, Holly never knew that some frightening legends are real until she encounters a brutal demon who inexplicably guards her like a treasure. Thrust into a sensual new world of myth and power, with him as her protector, she begins to crave the demon's wicked touch.

Surrender to dark desires...

Yet just when he earns Holly's trust, will Cade be forced to betray the only woman who can sate his wildest needs -- and claim his heart?

The Redeeming (Immortals)

Jennifer Ashley

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Captivating! 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

After 700 years of torture and captivity, the Immortal Tain is back. Born from a goddess and a human, Tain had protected the earth from the Old Ones, powerful vampires and demons. With the help of Samantha, Tain escaped the Old One Kekhsut, after endless torture, a torture that inspired him to try to end the world to relieve the pain. Within him lives a memory of darkness, so deep within himself, that Tain is not the man he once was. Samantha may have helped restore his freedom back then, but can she help him discover love, a love that heals rather than destroys? On assignment with the paranormal division of the LAPD, Samantha sits in Merrick's, a demon bar, trying to bait the owner into offering her Mindglow, a drug used by lesser demons to render their victims helpless to resist the taking of their life essence. Into the bar walks Tain with plans of his own, not only interrupting her undercover operation but setting off a powerful attraction in Samantha. Tain seeks her help. Four demon prostitutes have gone missing. The nature of the disappearances makes Tain suspect some kind of anomaly in the system, a threat more serious than isolated crimes or the girls disappearing of their own free will. Together Tain and Samantha must work together on a mission to discover whether these disappearances are crimes, and if so, the culprit. Together, they must face warring demon clans, anti-demon hater groups, an encounter with a clan matriarch and dangerous adventures at ever corner.

Jennifer Ashley's fifth book in the series, IMMORTALS: THE REDEEMING is packed full of passion, dynamic action, and suspenseful clues as Tain and Samantha uncover more and more layers of connections beneath the initial mystery. Samantha is the perfect romance heroine for Tain. Intelligent, yet patient and accustomed to working within the law rather than acting on impulse to achieve justice, she alone has the inner strength to bring Tain back, to heal the healer himself deep from within. Tain, an Immortal, is none too fond of demons after being captive to one, but something about Samantha, half demon and half human, is different. As they work together, Samantha's life opens up in ways she never expected. Jennifer Ashley writes an emotional moving romance that brings two opposing forces, a half-demon and an Immortal together, so that each comes into the richness of their being. Tain and Samantha's love transforms them on the deepest level and puts choices before them that call them from within to be what they are meant to be. Jennifer Ashley presents a detailed emotional vision as fate and free will play out in her characters' lives.

IMMORTALS: THE REDEEMING is my kind of book! With its intricate world building, rich characters, universal moral codes set within a new unfamiliar environment, and an opposites-attract romance that enlarges the characters as individuals through love, IMMORTALS: THE REDEEMING has all the fine ingredients that make me love the paranormal genre itself. The background history of the demon world and the look at the changes in the demon world as modernity challenges traditional, conservative demon beliefs add a richness and depth to this romance that creates a legendary history. The world building is intricate and beautifully constructed --- and revealed in just the right measure throughout the story. Jennifer Ashley creates a beautiful balance in her portrayal of life and death magic in an intricate network of beings and their connections to one another. IMMORTALS: THE REDEEMING with its fine portraits of fanatical villains upped the level of suspense with each page. The careful plotting of clues kept me guessing (and glued to the pages!) until the very end with a trail of exciting twists. I never suspected who was behind everything, and yet, the trail made perfect sense. THE IMMORTALS are back, and does this one ever captivate!

Editorial Review:

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

He is going to take her. And it won't be gentle. After all, the last 700 years of torture and captivity haven't been gentle on Tain. This woman, this half-demon who leaves him burning with desire, is pretty tough herself. She needs to be, for the world is not safe for demon-kind these days. A violent backlash has disrupted the balance of power, and now Tain finds he may have to rescue the dark ones instead of fight them. He feels compelled to protect the alluring Samantha--whether she wants him to or not--but all he can think of is seduction. Ultimately, she'll either destroy him or bring exactly what he needs most...THE REDEEMING

Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 2)

J.R. Ward

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 222 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

I loved the ending, but I was annoyed with most of the middle of the book. 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The beginning was very good and kept me interested. I didn't want to put it down. Most of the middle of the book was annoying because the conflicts between Rhage and Mary were created through vague communication and inaccurate assumptions - my pet peeve. Mary thought Rhage didn't like her. He was withdrawing because he was afraid the beast within him would hurt her, but he didn't tell her about the beast. He wanted to be with her and help her through her illness, but she didn't believe him and told him she didn't want him in her life. So he left. Another event happens that Rhage does not explain to Mary. She assumes the wrong thing and leaves him. Because of these inaccurate assumptions, I wanted to give the book 2 stars, but I gave it 3 stars for two reasons. I love the parts of the story about the beast, and I love this family of characters and their war against the lessers.

Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: seven. Setting: current day Caldwell, NY. Copyright: 2006. Genre: paranormal romantic suspense.

The books need to be read in order because stories start in early books and continue in the sequels. For a list of my reviews of other J.R. Ward books in this series, see my 5 star review of "Dark Lover" posted 1/09/08.

Editorial Review:

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetite. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns a ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin.

Possessed by this dark side, Rhage fears the times when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him. When Mary Luce is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world, she must rely on Rhage's protection. Knowing that Mary feels the same intense animal attraction, Rhage must make her his alone...

Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 3)

J.R. Ward

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 221 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Good story and family of characters, but because I wanted it to be over, I gave it 2.5 stars. 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I was surprised that I wanted it to be over, because I love the family of characters and the conflicts with the bad guys. I'm having a hard time trying to define what I would change. I was impatient with Z's actions. Bella loved him and wanted him, but he kept refusing her throughout almost the entire book. He told her she deserved better than he, and he did mean things to her to break things off between them. Finally she moved away. This frustrating romantic development was a little too drawn out for me.

I don't mind the author switching around among three different stories, as long as she finishes each scene before switching to another. Most of her scene switching was ok, but there were a few that annoyed me. Two of them follow. On page 118, O stabs himself, and then the author immediately goes to two other stories. Ten pages later the author returns to tell what happened to O after the stabbing. This happens again on page 310. Phury is shocked at Z's appearance and tries to tell Z what is different, but Z walks away. We don't learn what is different until eleven pages later.

Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: nine. Setting: current day Caldwell, NY. Copyright: 2006. Genre: paranormal romantic suspense.

For a list of my reviews of other books by this author, see my 5 star review of "Dark Lover" posted 1/09/08.

Editorial Review:

Even within the vampire brotherhood, Zsadist is feared. Still bearing the scars from a tortured past, he is renowned for his unquenchable fury. Anger is his only companion, and terror is his only passion-until he rescues a beautiful female from the evil Lessening Society.