#TravelingtotheTerminus Review ~ The Undead Pool ~ Kim Harrison

The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison
The Hollows #12
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased Hardcover
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #ShelfLove, #TravelingtoTerminus
Goodreads

Synopsis
Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering.

Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils.

The Hollows is one of my favorite urban fantasy series so I can't believe I've consistently stayed behind in it. I love the characters and their development - evolution - over the course of the series. I enjoy the action and mystery in each installment. And I admire Harrison's take on social issues such as discrimination. The Undead Pool was quite a ride and I'm happy, and maybe a little sad, that there's only one book left in the series!

In The Undead Pool, Rachel, Trent, and the gang have to figure out why the master vampires are sleeping and therefore are letting the living vampires run amok. They also have to determine the what kind of magic is being used and who all is involved. On top of that, Trent and Rachel are trying to determine what, if anything, is between them. And the elves are putting a lot of pressure on Trent to do what they want. Should Rachel and Trent follow their hearts or do what's expected of them?

It was all very exciting. Every moment! The way Rachel can bring everyone together - even if she worries about their safety - is special. There were moments where I ooh'd, teared up, gasped. It was fantastic.

I want to mention that I had listened to the last two installments and although I adore Marguerite Gavin's narration, I feel like I had some holes - can't remember all the details. So I was thrilled to go back to reading this one. I'm a slow reader when it comes to Harrison but I savor every page. 

I'm arguing with myself over continuing on to the last book. I think I've decided to read something else but I *will* be read the final installment by year's end.

New Release Review ~ Possessed by a Dark Warrior ~ Felicity Heaton

Possessed by a Dark Warrior by Felicity Heaton
Eternal Mates #9
Release Date: April 9, 2016
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease
Goodreads ~ Amazon

Synopsis
A powerful warrior and commancer of the dark elf legions, Bleu is a loyal and devoted male, and one who has never failed in anything--except one thing. Love. When an elusive female dragon shifter surfaces in Hell again, giving him a mission to hurl himself into, he gladly returns to his hunt for her and the deadly blade she stole from his prince seven centuries ago, but as he closes in on his prey, fate reveals she is far more than his enemy.

Having escaped from the black market arena and her life as a slave, Taryn sets her sights back on the task she began seven hundred years ago when her brother stole a precious sword, but in the three centuries she's been captive, everything has changed. Corrupted by a craving for power, her brother has become dangerously obsessed with finding the blade and using it to claim the ultimate treasure--the position of King of Hell.

Faced with having to end her beloved twin brother to stop him from bringing all of Hell to its knees before him, will Taryn be strong enough to use the very blade he seeks against him? And when Bleu finally catches his elusive prey, will he listen to his head as it demands he complete his mission or his heart as it demands he claim his eternal mate?

Finally, finally we got Bleu's story. It's been a long time coming and it's a story I was eagerly anticipating. One I must say was worth the wait.

Possessed by a Dark Warrior is the 9th in the series, and I've reviewed the previous 8, I'm finding it difficult to create new ways to express my appreciation of elements I feel Heaton excels in. She never disappoints me in:

• characterization
• setting
• choreography of action scenes

I was thrilled to get to spend time with some of my favorite characters from previous installments - even if only briefly. I liked how Vail's plot line was further developed as well as the advancement of what I see as the over-arching plot line. The camaraderie between Bleu, Loren, and Vail (yes, Vail) further developed the characters of these males. They are strong warriors but are first and foremost loyal friends. The romance, while maybe not quite as exciting as I was hoping for, was satisfying nonetheless. And the battle was pretty epic. The pacing of Bleu's story was a bit smoother - it kept me eagerly flipping through the pages.

As anxious as I'd been for Bleu's story, I had no idea what direction Heaton would go. It was the ultimate irony that the thing Bleu most long for - love and his mate - had been in his life for a long while. The circumstances of his acquaintance with Taryn were unfortunate. Had those circumstances not arisen, they'd both been spared much pain. However, they might not have crossed paths either, so...

I admired Taryn's strength - both physical and mental. She'd survived so much and knew she still had a major undertaking ahead of her. That she took it upon herself to save all of Hell was admirable - especially since it meant facing off with her twin.

The romance between Bleu and Taryn, despite the fact they were mates - felt almost slow-burning as they both had thick walls surrounding their hearts. And maybe it's cliche - each of them afraid to love and lose - but it felt genuine in their case. I do think they would have a bit more to overcome with regards to the apparent PTSD Taryn suffers but I liked where they ended up and appreciated being along on the journey.

#ShelfLove Review ~ Tempted by a Rogue Prince ~ Felicity Heaton

Tempted by a Rogue Prince
Eternal Mates #3
Release Date: August 9, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased on Amazon
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads ~ Amazon

Synopsis
An elf prince on the verge of losing himself to the darkness, Vail is maddened by the forty-two centuries he was under the control of a witch and forced to war with his brother. Now, he roams Hell seeking an escape from his terrible past and the heads of all who bear magic. When demons on the Fifth Realm capture him, he sees a chance to end his existence, but when he wakes in a cell to a beautiful female, he finds not death but his only shot at salvation--his true fated mate.

Captured by the enemy of the Third Realm when the war ended, Rosalind has spent months in the cells of the Fifth Realm with her magic bound, forced to heal the new king's demon warriors, and haunted by the lives she has taken. When she's brought to heal an unconscious man, she discovers her only hope of escape has come in the form of her worst nightmare and the first part of a prediction that might spell her doom--a devastatingly handsome and dangerous dark elf prince.

Unwilling to fall under the control of anyone ever again, Vail must escape before the Fifth King can use him as a pawn in a deadly game of revenge, but he cannot leave without Rosalind, the woman who looks at him with dark desire in her stunning eyes and awakens a fierce hunger in his heart. A witch who drives him made with need even as the darkness within whispers she will enslave him too.

Can Rosalind escape her fate as they embark on a journey fraught with danger and resist the temptation of her rogue elf prince? And can Vail overcome the memories that madden him in order to seize his chance for salvation and the heart of his fated female forever?

Heaton satisfies once again with Vail and Rosalind's story. In Tempted by a Rogue Prince the battles fought are primarily emotional ones -- but they are equally as charged as those on the battlefield.

Vail has lived over 4000 years as the puppet of an evil witch. It's cost him his family, his home, his people, his sanity. He feels like he's destined to wander Hell - alone and battling the darkness that wants to consume him - in an attempt to escape it all.

Rosalind is a prisoner in the Fifth Realm having been captured while fighting for King Thorne. She's a light witch but King Bruan has taken all her powers save those he needs her to use to heal. It's her healing abilities that land her at Vail's bedside.

Heaton is excellent at conveying the pull between darkness and light, madness and sanity, hate and love. Much of the story is spent watching as Vail battles himself. Rosalind, because she's a witch, sets him off -- calling his darkness forth as Vail's memories invade his present. But Rosalind, as Vail's ki'ara, also has the power to soothe him...heal him. It wasn't always easy to witness but apparently love does heal all wounds -- eventually. Of course, Rosalind does have that pesky prediction to contend with.

Tempted by a Rogue Prince wasn't as action-packed as its predecessor and its hero and heroine didn't have the same spunk as Thorne and Sable, but I did enjoy this darker story. Vail will always hold a special place in my heart as his soul was truly broken. I wanted to see him healed after all he'd suffered. And Rosalind was truly courageous, battling her fear of both Vail's darkness and the prediction, to reach Vail and help him heal. The story isn't over, of course. It remains to be seen whether or not Vail can gain back all he lost. But I do know who'll be by his side.

#COYER Review ~ Claimed by a Demon King ~ Felicity Heaton

Claimed by a Demon King
Eternal Mates #2
Release Date: February 22, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Won @Fantasy Is More Fun
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
The moment the demon King Thorne of the Third Realm set eyes on the mortal huntress Sable, he knew she was his fated one. The fiery, dangerous female awakened hungers he had never experienced before, a dark craving and passion that has consumed him in their time apart. As the lunar cycle wanes, she enters his world again and nothing will stand in the way of him claiming his forever with her - not the relentless assault from the Fifth Realm or the dark elf male determined to seduce her out of his grasp.

Intent on achieving the coveted position of commander at Archangel, Sable leads her small team into the dark underworld and the Third Realm, to a war where her allies are the very creatures she normally hunts - vampires, werewolves, and demons. Her eagerness to lead the deadly mission has everything to do with winning her promotion, and nothing to do with the kingdom's brash, lethally seductive demon king - a king who stirred fierce desire and wildfire heat in her with just a look and an innocent touch when they first met, and has been in her wicked dreams ever since.

As the gathering storm between rivals unleashes irresistible passion that flares white-hot and the heat of the battle brings life-shattering realisations, can Sable place her duty before her heart? Or will she surrender to her deepest desires and be claimed by a demon king?

Holy goodness! I think I enjoyed this second installment even more than the first!

Claimed by a Demon King reunites us with characters we've already met and introduces a few new ones. There are a few reasons I think it made more of an impression on me. One -- since Sable is a hunter for Archangel, she can fight. I love a heroine who kicks ass. Since she can fight, there was more action. More action made for more drama. Two -- Sable is strong-willed, hard-headed, and a smartass. This made for more fun because she always had a sharp barb, a smart comeback for every situation. This also meant the play between her and Thorne was more fun - AND set up for more steam between them. And three -- Thorne. I like this alpha demon. A. LOT. He knew he had his work cut out for him with Sable and he didn't shy away from the challenge. He also didn't go complete caveman on her. He observed and learned what it would take to win Sable -- then executed. Perfectly.

The conflict in this installment -- the battle for Thorne's kingdom -- placed multiple species together fighting for a common goal. Demons, vampires, werewolves, elves, and humans -- species that, in Heaton's world, don't always play well together. That upped the tension and made for exciting and sometimes humorous encounters. I'm anxious to see what Heaton has in store for all these alpha males!

**OctobeRec Fest Review #3 ~ Kissed by a Dark Prince ~ Felicity Heaton**

I won Kissed by a Dark Prince from Berls @Fantasy is More Fun during her Blogoversary giveaway. I'd been meaning to start the Eternal Mates series because Berls loves it so much (as does Traci @Mad Hatter Reads) so when I won the first two books, I was ecstatic!! 

***

Kissed by a Dark Prince
Eternal Mates #1
Release Date: November 30, 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Won an ecopy from Berls
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis
Olivia thinks it's her lucky night when a dangerously handsome unconscious fae ends up on her inspection table. He's her change to redeem herself with her employer, the demon-hunting organisation, Archangel. But when the tall, dark and deadly immortal warrior awakes, she gets much more than she bargained for...

Attacked by his enemy in the elf kingdom, the last thing Prince Loren expects when he comes around is a beautiful angel watching over him and medical technology of the mortal realm. Hazy from his injuries, all he can focus on is the pulse ticking in her throat and the sweet allure of her blood.

One single bite reveals she is his eternal mate, triggering a bond between them that will leave him weakened until it is complete...or broken, and pulling Olivia into the crossfire of his ancient feud.

To protect his people and his mate from the machinations of a madman, Loren must risk everything by working with Olivia at Archangel to find a way to break the bond blossoming between them.

But will Loren be strong enough to place duty before desire and give up the one thing he has waited millennia for and craves above all others -- his eternal mate? And will Olivia be able to resist the incredible heat that burns between them and the temptation of her dark prince's kiss?

After having read Berls' and Traci's reviews of Kissed by a Dark Prince, I was eager to get started on this series. My only regret upon finishing? That I waited this long!

Kissed by a Dark Prince not only chronicles the lives of Olivia and Loren following their fateful meeting but also sets up the world this series inhabits, as well as explaining how the bond between eternal mates works. We learn that the world is inhabited by shifters, vampires, fae, and demons. Oh, and elves. Vampires are essentially evil but everyone else seems to co-exist relatively peacefully. There is a human organization, Archangel, that hunts supernaturals. I'm not sure their mission exactly, but Olivia seeks knowledge of the others in order to better relations between species. When Loren surreptitiously lands on Olivia's doorstep, a species Olivia has never seen, she's excited.

Olivia is a doctor and as such studies the other species brought into Archangel. She has had a few bad experiences though and feels a desperate need to redeem herself with her colleagues. Loren seems like the perfect place to start - until he bites her and sets into motion something that will change her life forever.

Loren is an elf prince and comes around with no recollection of how he got to Archangel. What he does know is that he's in need of blood and this beautiful woman hovering over him will suit just fine. But the first taste of her blood unleashes something he was unprepared for...something he'd stopped hoping he'd find.

I liked both Olivia and Loren. Olivia is smart, tenacious and stubborn. She's always thinking, calculating, considering - and I liked that about her. Of course, I wished she'd stopped over-thinking at a few points and had just gone with her heart. But I understood her reasoning. Loren is strong, loyal almost to a fault, kind, and protective. He's sacrificed so much to protect  his people, never giving up hope of finding his mate. He and Olivia share compassion for others and complemented one another well. It took awhile for Olivia to see their link wasn't just about the bond.

We also meet Loren's brother, Vail, his second in command, Bleu, Olivia's best friend, Sable, and others. Each character is well defined and I'm anxious for their stories. They added depth, and often humor, to the story.

I will admit that parts of the story dragged for me. I tired of Olivia's waffling on whether or not she wanted to complete the bond with Loren. Of course, the waffling enabled them to better get to know one another and realize they had developed real feelings, so it had purpose. The last 25% though, the action and tension really ramped up and I was flying through the pages. I was shocked at the turn of events - and just as relieved by them as Loren and Olivia were.

Kissed by a Dark Prince was every bit as good as I was hoping it would be. I'm looking forward to losing myself in this world again and seeing who's up next in finding their eternal mate.