Darkest Night (Lords of the Underworld #1) - Gena Showalter

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His powers -- Inhuman
His passion -- Beyond immortal . . .

Darkest Night by Gena Showalter

Lords Of The Underworld, Book 1

All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member -- a man trapped in a hell of his own.

Neither can resist the instant hunger than calms their torments... and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction -- and a soul-shattering test of love...
Though they carry an eternal curse, the Lords of the Underworld are irresistibly seductive -- and unimaginably powerful...

I have taken the “Bait” Mrs. Showalter has dangled in front of me.  This is my first read from this author,  and I enjoyed it a lot!!

I wasn’t quite sure in the beginning, but I quickly warmed to it.  Like most first books in a series, the first one bears the burden of set up.  I really like the concept, and meeting all the Lords.

Based on the Greek Mythology of Pandora’s box, Showalter put her own little spin on the story.  Thousands of years ago,  The gods assigned a warrior to guard, and protect the box that held captive all the evil demons in the world, Pandora a fierce female warrior was given the task, however the other warriors of the gods knew she wasn’t the strongest warrior to protect the box.  So, more as to prove a point to  the gods, the other warriors banded together to steal the box from Pandora.  As a result the demons escaped and upon recapture the gods cursed each of the warriors to house a demon within themselves.  Maddox’s demon is Violence,  and after Violence took over him, he went into  a rage, and killed Pandora.  As part of Maddox’s curse he is to die each night at midnight, by the same sword as he used to kill Pandora, in the same manner, 6 stab wounds to the stomach.  And two of his fellow warriors, friends, cohorts in crime are to deliver his death, every night for eternity.  After the Warriors were cursed to house the demons, they struggled to overpower their demons, and war within themselves daily to maintain that control.

Events in Greece split the warriors, some staying behind to fight the Hunters that are after them, and the missing box.  This particular group left Greece and ended up in Budapest, where the locals for centuries have thought them to be angels, some rumors of them being demons, but they’ve established a home there, and given generously to the community, and done their best to keep peace in the city.  Well the status quo routine is about to change for Maddox ( Violence ), Aeron ( Wrath ), Paris ( Promiscuity ), Torin ( Disease ), Reyes ( Pain ), and Lucien ( Death ).

They’ve been content to live and let live, as far as the Hunters are concerned, but The Hunters are coming to Budapest on their hunt for the Pandora’s box to recapture the demons, but if that happens, the warriors die. So they have to protect their demon in order to live, and now it's becoming a race against the Hunters to find Pandora's box first.

When Ashlyn Darrow appears on the property, followed by Hunters,  Maddox is the only one to go after them, because he and Torin are the only ones at home, and Torin’s curse of Disease always keeps him away from everyone.

When Maddox comes face to face in the woods surrounding the warrior’s  home,  they both instantly start to feel a peace they’ve never felt.  Of course there is concern that Ashlyn may have been sent by the hunters as “Bait”,  but Ashlyn is seeking help from the warriors, and she finds peace instantly with Maddox, and is willing to go anywhere with him.

I really enjoyed this story, in the latter part of the story, the warriors that Maddox and company split from all those centuries ago resurface in Budapest.  This adds even more yummies to the series!!  I find myself looking forward to Giddeon, Paris, and Torin most.   This was a great story of love, and soul mate finally found, self preservation, and self sacrifice.  Maddox was delicious, and even though our heroine is a human virgin, she’s strong willed and willing to do anything to save her demon lover, and she isn’t holding on to her virginity for any prudish reasons, she’s quite the horny one. Events along with personal demons of her own have just left her without much contact with many people.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys PNR, and hasn’t read this series.

The Darkest Craving (Lords of the Underworld #10) By Gena Showalter

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter is back with a breathtaking Lords of the Underworld tale about a warrior trapped by darkness and the woman determined to save him 

Having endured weeks of torture in the bowels of hell, Kane wants nothing to do with his beautiful rescuer, Josephina Aisling. The half-Fae female threatens to awaken the demon of Disaster inside him—a beast he’s determined to kill, no matter the price. 

Josephina is hunted by a brutal enemy—her royal family—and Kane is her only source of protection. He’s also the only male to ever set her aflame, and even he succumbs to the heat. But as they navigate the treacherous world of the Fae, they are forced to make a choice: live apart…or die together.

Sam's Review!

The Darkest Craving ..........

It feels like an eternity has passed since I have been able to delve into the realms of the Lords of the Underworld. I feel like this book had a very different feel about it compared to the other LOTU books in the series. 

Josephina aka Tink was our heroine in this story. Tink is the cast off illegitimate daughter of the King of the Fae. In my opinion she was strong and hard headed and fought with the best of them. This poor woman has had a tough life and has been treated as a servant her entire life. For some reason the Fae race adore the LOTU and act as if the Lords are celebrities in their own right. So when Tink meets Kane in Hell and rescues him she is star struck.

Kane the keeper of Disaster, I have not met one of these Lords who despises his demon as much as Kane. He was dead set of ridding himself of the demon regardless of the fact that that meant killing himself. But in retrospect, the demon was a pain in the arse – more so than any of the other demons. He acted against Kane constantly and made his life miserable. Even when Kane meets Tink and feels a connection to her, Disaster retaliates at any time to hurt her. I felt so bad and almost like Kane got the short straw of stories.
The story takes place outside of the LOTU fortress and on a completely different realm. The story is set in Seduire, the land of the Fae. I'm not sure if I liked this as much because we missed out on so much of the banter from the other Lords that I so desperately love. 

We got snippets of things from the other Lords, but not even enough to wet my appetite. My biggest pet peeve? Not enough, not nearly enough of William and Gilly. That story has to be the most anticipated story and Showalter is going to milk that one to the core before giving it to us. 
TORIN! How is Showalter going to get around his Demon? You get what looks like a preview into a happy ending for him, but all I can think is that his demon has to go somehow.

My Favourites:
William – he saves this book. His commentary is just hilarious and quick witted. Love it, also loving the story lines that are happening with Torin and his potential love interest, Mari. Also does anyone remember Lazarus? No? – well you suck. Any way he is back and looking like a pair up for Cameo – how wicked is that going to be!!

What Sucked:

The lack of other Lords present.
The abrupt ending.
Feeling as though Kane was cheated out of a good book.

Over all, the book was a great read it just took some getting into. I'm not giving up on this series yet because I will die before I miss out on the William and Gilly story! Happy reading everyone!

Darkest Seduction (LOTU #9) Gena Showalter

Possessed by the demon of Promiscuity, immortal warrior Paris is irresistibly seductive-but his potent allure comes at a terrible price. Every night he must bed someone new, or weaken and die. And the woman he craves above all others is the one woman he'd thought was forever beyond his reach…until now.

Newly possessed by the demon of Wrath, Sienna Blackstone is racked by a ruthless need to punish those around her. Yet in Paris's arms, the vulnerable beauty finds soul-searing passion and incredible peace. Until a blood feud between ancient enemies heats up.

Will the battle against gods, angels and creatures of the night bind them eternally-or tear them apart?

Sam's Review:

 PARIS – LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD
Wow – where to start? Firstly, I love the Lords, I really do. These guys are my dream men. I have loved every single story from Showalter in this series, and I have looked forward to Paris’s book for what feels like eons.

Anyone who has read this series religiously, like me – knows that Paris has been pining for Sienna for what seems like forever! Sienna is a former Hunter, now turned dead chic who is host to the demon Wrath. Sienna has been held hostage by Cronus (major asstwat).

This was a good read, but it could have been an amazing read. I really didn’t fall into the love trap of the story until after half way and that’s just plain sad for this series. I think I may have built Paris’s story up in my head to be far huger than what it was.

I have loved Paris from the get go, and when Sienna came on the scene all those books ago, the build up was massive. The pair were good together and they did complement each other, I just didn’t become attached or find myself caring for each of them as much as I would have liked. This sounds stupid, but there was far less sex than what I anticipated – I mean, his Demon is SEX!  There are some funny moments, but Paris just isn’t as witty as William or Strider.

All in all I think the story only took place over a space of a week? And Showalter tried to cram so much in it got confusing. There were alot of crossing story lines and pieces thrown in that I’m sure will make sense down the track but at this point in time only aided in confusing me more.

Although this was Paris and Sienna’s book, to me the stars were once again Zacharel – whom is getting his own story!!!! – Gallen and Legion, and my new ALL TIME favourite, William. William is a bag of mystery that I cannot wait to unravel. I’m just hoping that his ultimate story, whom I assuming will be with Gilly will not be a let down.

 I did like this book, like I said the second half had me in that phase where you don’t want to put the book down, it just took a while to get there.  I really want to know the line up of the next books and I cannot wait for the Angels books.

Strider – your still the only man for me.

Don't miss Book One in the

ANGELS OF DARK SERIES – Wicked Night, Starring Zacharel

JUNE 28TH 2012  

 

Cover Revealed! Wicked Nights by Gena Showalter

I'm sure Gena Showalter is SER's Ladies favorite authors. Who will not love her books? (even I'm still a little bit disappointed with The Darkest Surrender, but that's just me :P). Today, as a Halloween treat, Gena just revealed the cover of Wicked Nights, the first book of Angels of The Darks. The spin-off from her famous and fabulous series Lords of The Underworld!


From the New York Times bestselling author who brought you the Lords of the Underworld comes a dark, seductive new series featuring angels poised at the brink of destruction…

Leader of the most powerful army in the heavens, Zacharel has been deemed too dangerous, too ruthless, and if he isn’t careful, he’ll lose his wings. But this warrior with a heart of ice will not be deterred . . . until a vulnerable human tempts him with a carnal pleasure he’s never before known.

Accused of a crime she did not commit, Annabelle Miller has spent four years in an institution for the criminally insane. Demons track her every move, and their king will stop at nothing to have her. Zacharel is her only hope for survival, but is the brutal angel with a touch as hot as hell her salvation—or her ultimate damnation?

My thought about this cover :
Holy Moley Naked Batman!!! When I think The Darkest Seduction is the hottest LOTU cover, Zacharel's book steal the attention!!The background look too simple, just plain black,but the model pose are outstanding! Think if this angel finally find his wicked side? And look of those hot abs. Hubba, hubba!! Zacharel make me yours!
BTW, Pairing of human and angel, I can guess, in the end the heroine will be immortal, or vice versa. Just sayin ;P

So, what is your opinion about this cover? Like it, love it, hate it?  Talk, talk! =D