Dark Deeds at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole
Immortals After Dark #5
Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
Release Date: November 1, 2012
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased on Audible
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #TravelingtoTerminus
Goodreads
Synopsis
A RAVEN-HAIRED TEMPTRESS OF THE DARK... Neomi Laress, a famous ballerina from a past century, became a phantom the night she was murdered. Imbued with otherworldly powers but invisible to the living, she haunts her beloved home, scaring away trespassers -- until she encounters a ruthless immortal even more terrifying than Neomi herself.
A VAMPIRE WARRIOR CONSUMED BY MADNESS... To prevent him from harming others, Conrad Wroth's brothers imprison him in an abandoned manor. But there, a female only he can see seems determined to drive him further into madness. The exquisite creature torments him with desire, leaving his body racked with lust and his soul torn as he finds himself coveting her for his own.
HOW FAR WILL HE GO TO CLAIM HER? Yet even if Conrad can win Neomi, evil still surrounds her. Once he returns to the brutality of his past to protect her, will he succumb to the dark needs seething inside him?
I was rather looking forward to Conrad Wroth's story. A fallen vampire, I was curious how and if he could be "saved". Despite his story not being a favorite in the series, because of the lack of action, I was nonetheless happy with Conrad's tale.
Conrad has had a difficult vampiric life as he'd sworn his human life to hunting and killing vampires so becoming a thing he hated didn't sit well. Particularly when the group he'd sworn allegiance to turned their sights on him. In his 300 years as a vampire, he's become a highly skilled and feared assassin. And because of the lives he's taken, he's on the brink of madness - a state his brothers are determined to keep at bay. If only they could help him find his Bride.
Enter Neomi. Neomi is a ghost having been murdered in her hoe by a scorned lover. She's "lived" 80+ years in her home unable to leave and unable to speak to anyone...until Conrad. Conrad can see and hear her. At first, neither can understand why, but Conrad eventually determines it's because she's fated for him. Now, I don't typically enjoy a romance where part of the couple is a ghost. However, Kresley handled this situation in a way that worked. Well.
As for the lack of action, well, it made sense of course since Neomi was a ghost and couldn't leave her home. So I was forgiving of the lack of action, especially when we got some towards the end. I also delighted in seeing favorite characters from previous installments, getting hints as to what will come next, and of course, the humor provided through them - especially Nyx.
Robert Petkoff's narration is, as always, top notch and I'm sure a large part of the reason I'm enjoying this series in audio so much. His voices and accents, both male and female, are simply incredible. He keeps the pacing perfectly and he's able to convey emotions so well, he can give me goosebumps.
So even though I missed the action and was leery of a ghost as a love interest, Dark Deeds at Night's Edge was still an excellent installment. I'm anxious to dive into the next!
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole
Immortals After Dark #4
Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
Release Date: June 5, 2012 by Simon and Schuster Audio
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: Audible credit
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #ShelfLove
Goodreads
Synopsis
Her breathless kiss haunts him...
Bowen MacRieve of the Lykae clan was nearly destroyed when he lost the one woman meant for him. The ruthless warrior grew even colder, never taking another to his bed--until a smoldering encounter with his enemy, Mariketa the Awaited, reawakens his darkest desires. When sinister forces unite against her, the Highlander finds himself using all his strength and skill to keep her alive.
His slow, hot touch is irresistible...
Temporarily stripped of her powers, Mari is forced to take refuge with her sworn adversary. It's rumored that no one can tempt Bowen's hardened heart, but soon passion burns between them. Though a future together is impossible, she fears he has no intention of letting her go.
No deed is too wicked for her seduction...
If they defeat the evil that surrounds them, can Mari deny Bowen when he demands her body and soul--or will she risk everything for her fierce protector?
This series just keeps getting better and Robert Petkoff's narration plays a huge role in my enjoyment! He's amazing - keeping all the voices separate and distinct as well as keeping the pace perfect - he's at the top of the list of my favorite narrators.
I was thrilled right off the bat when I started Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night not only because it's Bowen's story but also because it went back to The High - the Lore's version of The Amazing Race - which was the setting for the previous book. Here, rather than seeing only the repercussions, we got to see what actually went down between Bowen and Mari during The High and afterwards.
The intensity and suspense Cole created with the race to return Mari as well as solving a few mysteries - like is Mari really Bowen's mate? - was superb. I went right along thinking one thing and was shocked to find out the truth and to see the layers/levels of deceit that had convoluted Bowen's long life as well as Mari's much shorter one. I also appreciated the importance placed on words - you must be paying attention to every word - especially when Nyx is the speaker. ;)
Being witness to Bowen shaking off the rust on his charm and wooing skills was entertaining. Mari was not easily swayed with words along though watching her fight her attraction to Bowen was fun. But hearing the hurt in her voice when he let her down was heartbreaking.
I think this couple fought hardest for one another - in the series so far - and the payoff was worth it. They each battled insecurity, prejudices, and outside elements like magic. They fought hard and bravely though.
Bowen and Mari might be my favorite couple so far. But I've enjoyed them all. And I really like how Cole seems to be delivering an underlying message about prejudice. I'm extremely eager to get to listening to the next in the IAD series. It's Conrad Wroth's story. :D
No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole
Immortals After Dark #3
Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
Release Date: March 20, 2012
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: Audible
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #ShelfLove 2015
Goodreads
Synopsis
Centuries ago, Sebastian Wroth was turned into a vampire - a nightmare in his mind - against his will. Burdened with hatred and alone for ages, he sees little reason to live - until an exquisite, fey creature comes to kill him, inadvertently saving him instead.
When Kaderin the Cold Hearted lost her two beloved sisters to a vampire attack long ago, a benevolent forced deadened her sorrow - accidentally extinguishing all of her emotions. Yet whenever she encounters Sebastian, her feelings - particularly lust - emerge multiplied. For the first time, she's unable to complete a kill.
The prize of a month-long contest is powerful enough to change history, and Kaderin will do anything to win it for her sisters. Wanting only to win her, forever, Sebastian competes as well, taking every opportunity - as they travel to ancient tombs and through catacombs, seeking relics around the world - to use her new feelings to seduce her. But when forced to choose between the vampire she's falling for and reuniting her family, how can Kaderin live without either?
No Rest for the Wicked is my favorite in the IAD series so far. The action and suspense was gut-wrenching, and the interactions between Kaderin and Sebastian were by turns smoldering and humorous. This series keeps getting better.
Kaderin and Sebastian only meet because she heard of a vampire haunting a castle. Since Kaderin is Valkyrie and the Valkyerie have made it a mission to rid the world of vampires, she doesn't mind gong out of her way to dust one. Too bad the one she'd thought to dust is her mate.
Sebastian has lived secluded for centuries so knows nothing of the Lore or the modern world. Kaderin pulls him into the present quickly. Lucky for him, he's a quick study.
That Ms. Cole had Kaderin and Sebastian competing in a Lore contest, The High, was brilliant. Here Sebastian, and the reader, meet other species in the Lore. We also got a glimpse at the lengths some within the Lore would go to in order to win the prize - Kaderin included. The competition added much tension with the danger the contest tasks represented as well as the danger the other contestants posed. And then, of course, there was Sebastian fighting to prove himself worthy of his Bride while she did everything possible to thwart him.
The other Valkyrie once again provided a lot of comic relief, Regin in particular. I enjoyed getting Kaderin's and Sebastian's history as well as watching them fall for one another despite the draw of being mates. I think that, along with the intense action of The High, are what made this my favorite of the series so far.
Robert Petkoff is amazing. All his accents are spot on. I knew he could rock a Scottish brogue but he nails a Russian accent as well. His pacing and the emotion he conveys had me covered in goosebumps, gasping aloud, crying, and laughing. He's amazing.
I believe the next story is Bowen's and I'm eager to hear it. I know I'm really late to the IAD party but I'm so happy I finally arrived! :D
The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole
Immortals After Dark #1
Release Date: November 22, 2011
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased ebook on Nook
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Goodreads
Synopsis
The Warlord
Nikolai Wroth, a ruthless vampire general, will stop at nothing to find his Bride, the one woman who can "blood" him, making his heart beat and filling him with strength. Coldly interested only in the power his Bride will bring, he can hardly believe when Myst the Coveted awakens him body--and soul.
The Seductress
Famed throughout the world as the most beautiful Valkyrie, Myst has devoted her life to protecting a magical jewel and to fighting the vampires. Wroth provides her with the perfect opportunity to torment her sworn enemy--for with his new heartbeat comes a consuming sexual desire that can only be slaked by her. Denying him, she flees, struggling to forget his searing, possessive kiss.
The Hunt is on...
She eludes him for five years, but he has finally chased her to ground and stolen her enchanted jewel, giving him absolute power over her. Now that she's his for the taking, he intends to make her experience first-hand the agonizing, unending lust she subjected him to for half a decade. Yet when Nikolai realizes he wants far more than vengeance from Myst and frees her, will she come back to him?
I began this series out of order, listening to A Hunger Like No Other first, not that it mattered. When I met Myst and Wroth, I was eager to know their history and backstory.
I read The Warlord Wants Forever, rather than listening to it, because I already owned it in ebook format. For some reason, I had a little trouble getting into the story. I think it was because I felt there were some details I was expected to know that I didn't. However, after that initial bump, I quickly fell into Myst and Wroth's story. And it was a quick read.
Myst meets Nikolai Wroth while playing at being a captive of the Hoard. Apparently, this is something she and her sisters do in order to gather information on the Hoard - oh, and kill vampires.
Because of some Valkyrie history, Myst and her sisters have set about cleansing the world of vampires. So it is rather bothersome that Myst would be the Bride of Nikolai. He is a forbearer, meaning he doesn't take blood from the source in order to maintain his sanity. Myst, having had a crush on Nikolai via stories of his valor and bravery on the battlefield when he was human, doesn't immediately kill him. This gives Nikolai time to woo her. Things don't go according to plan though...
As I said, this is a quick read wherein Myst tries to deny her feelings for Wroth and he attempts to win her. I enjoyed the banter between them and how each didn't throw any punches in trying to get what they wanted.
One thing I'm enjoying about this series is the humor Ms. Cole injects via the eccentricities of the Valkyrie. I'm also eager to learn more about the impending war.
This story wasn't as complex at A Hunger Like No Other but I was happy to know some history on Myst and Wroth as well as their story. And I'm anxious for more.
Dark Deeds at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole
