REVIEW: Darkness Revealed by Alexandra Ivy

ISBN 9781420102963

Series: Guardians of Eternity, Book 4

Genre: Paranormal Romance

(c) March 2009, Zebra Books

Alexandra Ivy's website

Rating: 4.5 stars

Buy Link (paper): Book Depository

"An irresistible must-read!"

Anna Randal couldn't forget the man--no, vampire--who'd seduced her, then left her, on that unforgettable night so almost two centuries ago. How could she when she found herself possessed of powers that no human should have? He must have given them to her with his bite and so she searched for him and was elated when she found him in Chicago, only to realize he still affected her strongly and she may be getting more than the answers she wished to have.

As for Conde Cezar, he was forced from the bed that long-ago night to slave for the Oracles, the voice of justice in the demon world. But now he was tasked to protect Anna from an evil that sought to kill her, and he would fulfill his duty or die trying.

If you've read my previous reviews of Alexandra Ivy's books (Darkness Unleashed, Beyond the Darkness, Embrace the Darkness), you'd know that I absolutely love her writing. She has a way of pulling you into her world, and Darkness Revealed is no exception. It could be due to the way she employed only the absolute essential descriptions of the characters and the setting. This serves her well especially when her stories are romance interspersed with lots and lots of action. Magic, mayhem and violence galore! Add to that mix a gorgeous, protective hero and a strong, smart heroine and you've got a book that's an irresistible must-read!

There was, however, a slight flaw in this novel. That I could see, anyway. I don't believe for a moment that the villain would've known of Anna and not kill her right away. I mean, the villain struck me as the type to make sure that any threat wouldn't be left alive for even one second, even if the threat hadn't been fully established yet, whereas Anna was left alive for years while the villain tried to ascertain if she was a threat or not. Such dilly-dallying just isn't consistent with the villain's character. That said, this little detail didn't deter my enjoyment of this story. Whenever I see a book with the name Alexandra Ivy on it, I automatically pick it up, knowing I'm in for a good and enjoyable ride.

By the way, I didn't read the books in this series in sequence but that didn't affect my enjoyment at all. The books are standalones and it was fun to revisit old characters before we saw how the right heroine could fell these tall, strong vamps.

Buy Link (paper): Book Depository

REVIEW: Embrace the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy

ISBN 9780821779378
Series: Guardians of Eternity, Book 2
(c) April 2008, Zebra Books
Alexandra Ivy's website

Rating: 4.5 stars

Buy Link (paper): Book Depository

"A potent combination of danger and passion, friendship and betrayal"

Alexandra Ivy's writing has a way of sucking one in from the first page into the world she created and not letting go until the last page. Gripping with action and magic and interspersed with the sensuality of Viper's and Shay's romance, Embrace the Darkness is a potent combination of danger and passion, friendship and betrayal.

Lady Shay is half human and half Shalott demon, beautiful such that men lusted after her, but being a Shalott, her greater danger is from the vampires, who coveted her blood. In fact, her father was killed by a vampire who craved his blood. Thus, sparks fly and mistrust went deep when Viper, a vampire clan chief, saw her on the slave auction block and bought her.

Viper couldn't forget the beautiful half Shalott who saved his life. Intrigued and haunted by her, he searched for her and when the chance came, bought her to possess her as his own. However, he didn't bargain for the evil presence that sought to kill her or that he would risk his very life to keep her safe.

I love it when those protective male testosterone went into overdrive. Viper is almost as yummy as Jagr (Darkness Unleashed) with his long, silver hair. Especially when his protective instincts for Shay reared up, most especially when he even prepared to die to save her, his one regret being if he died, who will then protect her?  *good shiver*

Back to the physical, somehow, that was the image of Viper that stuck in my head--Slavic features with long, silver hair. Certainly, he may be more beautiful than Jagr, but Jagr struck the heart in a way Viper didn't. Though both have been tortured and Viper was even a slave once, we don't see this manifesting in Viper. It was as though his past had been wiped out, or even if he remembered his past, it was there in a dim corner of his mind, forever locked. Certainly, he conquered them, rising from the bottom of the ladder to the top, where he was no longer in a position to be bullied by anyone. Whereas Jagr showed his vulnerability in his centuries of solitude and when he was caged by the imp.

We also see that there's more to Shay than her blood or physical beauty. Being half human and half demon, she was considered her whole life as a mongrel, fitting into neither world. Strong and a warrior to the core, there's her hunger for female companionship--friends--and her insecurity at being unable to live up to the fierce warrior image of her Shalott ancestors. Yet, when courage was sorely needed, she had it in spades, fighting side by side with Viper. Truly remarkable.

I like that the story is bigger than Shay's and Viper's romance as we deal with vampire politics as well as in the greater demon world, with the werewolf packs struggling to be recognized and seeking to topple the vampires' Anasso (leader) from his thus-far undisputed position as the king of all the demons. I believe it would be better to read the entire Guardians of Eternity series in sequence, however, each book stands alone. I, for one, have no problems reading it out of sequence, as this is my second book after Darkness Unleashed (book 5).

By the way, it is also here that we are also introduced to Levet, the funny gargoyle who provided much needed comic relief! Abby and Dante from the first book also made cameo appearances, making me want to read their story. Certainly, it would be interesting to see how a vampire and a goddess managed to hook up together.

Buy Link (paper): Book Depository

SNEAK PEEK: Beyond the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy

ISBN 9781420102987

Series: Guardians of Eternity, Book 6

Genre: Paranormal Romance

(c) April 2010, Zebra Books, Kensington

Alexandra Ivy's website 

Buy Links (paper): Book Depository, Barnes and Noble 

Excerpt: (Exclusive to The Raving Readers. Thanks, Alex!)

At a glance Harley was the spitting image of a Barbie Doll. 

She stood barely over five feet, her body was slender, her heart-shaped face was delicately carved with large hazel eyes that were thickly lashed and her golden blond hair that tumbled past her shoulders gave the image of a fragile angel.  She also looked far younger than her thirty years.

Anyone, however, stupid enough to dismiss her as harmless usually ended up injured.

Or dead.

She was not only a full-blooded Were, but she took her training in combat skills to a level that Navy SEALS would envy.

 She was working out in the full-scale gym when Caine returned to the vast colonial home.  She continued lifting the weights that would crush most men as she absently listened to his bitter tirade of the ineptitude of his cur pack and the injustice of a world that contained Salvatore Giuliani, the King of Weres.

At last, Harley moved to take a swig of bottled water and wiped the sweat coating her face.  She glanced toward Caine who leaned negligently against the far wall, his jeans and muscle shirt filthy and his short blond hair tousled.  Not that his bedraggled appearance dimmed his surfer good looks.  Even beneath the fluorescent lights that made everyone appear like death warmed over, his tanned skin glowed with a rich bronze and the blue eyes shimmered like the finest sapphires.

He was gorgeous.  And he knew it.

Barf.

Harley’s lips twisted.  Her relationship with Caine was complicated.

The cur had been her guardian since she was a baby, but while he’d protected her and kept her in considerable luxury, she’d never truly trusted him. 

And the feeling was entirely mutual.

Caine allowed her to roam the house and the surrounding lands with seeming freedom, but she knew she was under constant surveillance.  And God knew, she was never allowed to travel away from the estate without two or three of Caine’s pet curs.  Caine claimed he was concerned for her safety, but Harley wasn’t stupid.  She knew his motives were far more selfish.

It might have been tempting to escape her golden cage if the knowledge that a lone wolf, even a pureblood, rarely survived.  Weres were by nature predators and there were any number of demons that would be eager to rid the world of a Were if they could catch them without a pack’s protection.

Besides, there was always the fear that the King of Weres was out there somewhere, anxious to kill her as he had her three sisters.  Caine might be determined to use her for his own purpose, but at least that purpose meant he had to keep her alive.

Tossing aside the towel, Harley sent her companion a mocking smile.

“Let me see if I have this straight.  You went to Hannibal because Sadie created some mysterious mess that you had to clean up and while you were there you brilliantly decided to kidnap the King of Weres, only to drop him like a hot potato when you were nearly caught by a vampire and pack of curs?”

Caine pushed away from the wall and prowled forward, his gaze skimming over her tight spandex shorts and sports bra.  The cur was nothing if not predictable.  He’d been trying to seduce her for years.

“You have it in a perfect little nutshell, sweet Harley.”  He halted directly before her, toying with her pony tail that had fallen over her shoulder.  “Do you want a reward?”

“And your pet jinn?”

“Slipped from her leash.  She’ll be back.” His smile was taunting.  “Like you, she has nowhere else to go.”

Harley jerked from his touch.  Bastard.

“So now you’ve lost half your pack, your demon, and you’ve left behind a trail that will lead the pissed off King of Weres and his angry posse directly to this lair.”

Caine shrugged.  “I’ll call for one of the local witches.  My trail will be long gone by the time the almighty Salvatore manages to get out.”

“Get out of where?”

“I collapsed the tunnel on top of them.”

“God.  Are you even barely sane?”

“Once they manage to heal enough to dig out of the rubble they’ll discover the entrance has been completely blocked.  They will have no choice but to turn back.”

“You’re pretty damned cocky for a cur who has just pissed off your royal master.”

“I don’t have a master,” Caine snarled, revealing a glimpse of his resentment at being a lowly cur instead of a full Were before he was smoothing his expression.  “And besides, the prophecies have spoken.  I’m destined to transform the curs into purebloods.  Nothing can happen to me.”

Harley snorted.  Caine wasn’t a complete loon.  He managed to control his large pack that he had spread throughout the Midwest with an iron hand.  He was a Harvard trained scientist who made a fortune with his black-market drugs.  He regularly kicked her ass at Scrabble.

But at some point in his very long life he claimed he’d been visited by an ancient pureblood who had given him a vision.  Harley didn’t pretend to understand it.  Something about seeing his blood run pure. 

Being a scientist, he naturally assumed this miracle would be performed in a lab, which was why he kept Harley as his permanent houseguest.  He thought by studying her blood he could find the answers he sought.  Moronic, of course.  Visions were the stuff of mist and magic, not glass beakers and microscopes.

“Look, if you want to get yourself killed because of your delusions of grandeur I don’t give a shit.”  She narrowed her eyes.  “But I’m not going to be happy if you put me in the firing line.”

Caine stepped forward, reaching to trail his fingers over her shoulder.  His touch was warm, experienced.  She shook him off.

A woman would have to be dead not to find Caine attractive, but Harley needed more than simple lust.  She needed…hell, she didn’t know what she needed, only that she hadn’t yet found it.

Besides, her skin was suddenly feeling hyper-sensitive.  As if it had been rubbed raw by sandpaper.

“Would I ever put you in danger, sweet Harley?” Caine goaded.

“In a heartbeat if it meant saving your own hide.”

“Harsh.”

“But true.”

“Perhaps.”  His gaze dipped downward, studying her sports bra.  “I need a shower.  Why don’t you join me?”

“In your dreams.”

“Every night.  Do you want to know what we’re doing?”

“I’d rather yank out your tongue and eat it for dinner.”

With a laugh, he snapped his teeth near her nose.  “Naughty Were.  You know how it makes me hard when you threaten violence.”

Spinning on her heel, Harley headed for the door.  “You’d better make that a cold shower or you won’t have to worry about Salvatore Giuliani slicing off your balls.  I’ll already have them dangling from my rearview mirror.”

She ignored Caine’s low laugh as she headed toward the front of the house. 

It was late and she was tired, but she ignored the carved wooden staircase that led to the bedrooms as she entered the paneled foyer.

What the hell was wrong with her?

She felt restless and on edge.  As if there was a looming thunderstorm and she was about to be struck by lightning.

Telling herself it was nothing more than frustration with Caine and the mysterious games that were being played around her, she yanked open the door and stepped outside. 

What she needed was a walk.

And if that didn’t work, then there was always cheesecake in the fridge.

There was nothing in the world that couldn’t be cured by cheesecake.

~ o ~

Review of Beyond the Darkness

Review of Darkness Unleashed

Interview with Alexandra Ivy

We have two giveaways--any book from the author's backlist, which includes the one to be released in April (Beyond the Darkness)! One international and one US residents only. In fairness to everyone, this means there'll be two pools of entrants--one US resident pool and the other non-US resident. Please indicate your country of residence when you comment.

We'll also have Alexandra Ivy popping in and out of the blog, so if you've any questions, feel free to ask! She'll be around to answer and comment.

How to enter the contest?

Answer this question: Go to Alexandra's website and tell us which of her Guardians of Eternity books you'd like to read the most and why.

Extra chances to win:

+ 3 if you're an old follower of this blog
+ 2  if you're a new follower of this blog (start following from this contest/post)
+ 2 if you follow us on Facebook or Twitter
+ 2 if you take our poster (located on the right sidebar) about this contest and post it
              on your blog/website with a link back to us
+ 1 for every time you spread the word about this contest via Facebook, MySpace, Twitter,
              your blog, website or other form of social media. For example, you tweeted about
              this contest twice and also announced it on your Facebook. You also wrote a blog
              post. That's 4 additional chances! However, for these to qualify, be sure to come
              back here and post the links. Like, if you tweeted twice, give me both links.

If you do all of the above, at a minimum, that's 9 chances to win (8 if you're a new follower)! Remember, the more things you do to help us spread the word, the better your chances.

Contest ends on March 24 (Wednesday), 1159pm EST.

Winner will be picked via Randomizer.org and announced on March 25 (Thursday). Instructions will be given then on how to claim your prize. Be sure to come back and check because we won't hunt you down. If prizes are unclaimed after 1 week, new winners will be chosen.

Good luck!

GIVEAWAY & GUEST AUTHOR: ALEXANDRA IVY

Today, we're honored to have Alexandra Ivy, author of the wonderful Guardians of Eternity series, featuring sexy vamps and hunky weres. Yum!

The Raving Readers: Alexandra, thank you so much for joining us today! Your Guardians of Eternity series is so awesome! How did you come upon the idea for this series?

Alexandra Ivy: First I want to thank you so much for having me as a guest!!  I absolutely love talking with readers (I'm an avid reader myself!) and it's always exciting when I find anyone interested in my Guardian series…especially if they happen to like the books :)  My first itch to write the books came from Buffy (of course). I LOVED that show and the way they combined humor with horror!  It was different and funky and just plain fun.  Of course, when I wrote When Darkness Comes, I was writing historicals and I didn't really plan on having it published.

TRR: Not published? Gasp! What a horror that would be! We're glad that didn't happen. In fact, in reading several of your books, we noticed that your series has an overall arc storyline. Did you plot everything before writing the first book? If not, how do you do it?

AI:   No, the first book I wrote just for fun, but as the series has progressed I've found that there are always a few loose ends that I don't have time to clear up, and that the loose ends have become more and more important and are weaving their way through the series…so now I do have an overall idea of where I want the books to go and while the books are still stand alone, there is a growing evil that encompasses the story line that will be resolved in the last book!

TRR: Yes, so we've noticed and that makes it so exciting! Of all the books that you've written thus far, who is your favorite Guardian and why? Which Guardian fascinates you the most and why?

AI: Dante was my first so he'll always have a special place in my heart, but I think Styx is the most fascinating, simply because of the burdens he carries as King.  I also have to admit to having a very large crush on Salvatore…I didn't know if I'd like writing a Were, but he's such a bad boy I couldn't help but fall in love. :)

TRR: Your heroes are all so yummy. I'd have to add Jagr (Darkness Unleashed) to the list. Viper (Embrace the Darkness) too! In terms of couples, which pair is the easiest to write, as in the words just seemed to flow and there was no stopping you, not lunch nor dinner nor sleep? LOL Why do you think this is so?

AI: Absolutely Viper and Shay…their chemistry just seemed to leap off the page and it was also the book I introduced Levet so there was an added dimension of having the tiny demon around to aggravate Viper (who needed to be aggravated!).  And I just liked their love story.

TRR: Oooh, Viper. Yes, definitely! And now we're on book #6, Beyond the Darkness, Salvatore's story, which will be out in April. Do tell us more.

AI: Salvatore has made appearances in the other books…he's the King of Weres and desperate to save his people from the edge of extinction.  Thirty years ago he genetically altered four female pureblooded females so they couldn't shift, which he hoped would help them carry their litters to full term.  During Beyond the Darkness, he discovers there is a darker force hunting the Weres and he also stunned when he finds one of the pureblooded females (Harley) stirs more than his lust.  Ancient powers are stirring and Salvatore realizes Harley is his true mate.  Unfortunately, she's been trained to believe he's the enemy and unless Salvatore can convince her to join their powers, it might very well be the end of the Weres.

TRR: Why are Salvatore and Harley perfect for each other?

AI: Salvatore has always been the strongest, the smartest, and the most arrogant among the Weres.  He needs a female who can stand up to him and be a true partner, not a lapdog (pun intended :)).  There are also wounds that they both carry that can only be healed by each other.

TRR: I LOL at the dog comments. I really like your humor. Have there been instances when your characters refused to do as they're told? How did you deal with them? 

AI: Daily.  Sometimes they don't behave because I'm trying to take them in the wrong direction.  Once a character is fully formed it knows where it wants to go and what it wants to do…I know, it sounds creepy!  I usually have to take a break and truly consider what the scene is about and how I can approach it differently.

TRR: I guess a writer's job is not easy. Now, the question all fans truly want to know the answer to: How many more books do you have planned in the series, assuming your publisher buys them all? 

AI: There will be at least four more (as well as two anthologies that are loosely based on the Guardians).  The next book will be Tane's, who is a vampire Charon (a vampire assassin) and a half-Jinn mongrel…I'm writing the book now and it's soooo much fun!  There others are still fairly vague.

TRR: Oooh, I know about that half-Jinn. Would love to read that. Hope there'll be more about that still unknown sister too. Are you by any chance joining any conferences or do you have any book signing events where fans can meet and talk to you? 

AI: I rarely do conferences…I'm fairly shy and the thought of going alone to a huge conference tends to give me a rash. :)  I do love to do book signings to meet readers (actually it's one of my favorite things!!)  Right now I haven't scheduled any signings but I always keep my website updated!

TRR: Right. I'll be sure to check the website often. Sadly, we're down to our last question. Anything else you'd like to tell us?

AI: You can contact me at any of the below:

http://www.alexandraivy.com/

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/alexandra.ivy?ref=profile

http://apps.facebook.com/twitter/

I hope everyone will drop me a line…I love to hear from readers!!

TRR: Thank you, Alex and it's a real pleasure to have you with us.

~ o ~

We have two giveaways--any book from the author's backlist, which includes the one to be released in April (Beyond the Darkness)! One international and one US residents only. In fairness to everyone, this means there'll be two pools of entrants--one US resident pool and the other non-US resident. Please indicate your country of residence when you comment.

We'll also have Alexandra Ivy popping in and out of the blog, so if you've any questions, feel free to ask! She'll be around to answer and comment.

How to enter the contest?

Answer this question: Go to Alexandra's website and tell us which of her Guardians of Eternity books you'd like to read the most and why.

Extra chances to win:

+ 3 if you're an old follower of this blog
+ 2 if you're a new follower of this blog (start following from this contest/post)
+ 2 if you follow us on Facebook or Twitter
+ 2 if you take our poster (located on the right sidebar) about this contest and post it
              on your blog/website with a link back to us
+ 1 for every time you spread the word about this contest via Facebook, MySpace, Twitter,
              your blog, website or other form of social media. For example, you tweeted about
              this contest twice and also announced it on your Facebook. You also wrote a blog
              post. That's 4 additional chances! However, for these to qualify, be sure to come
              back here and post the links. Like, if you tweeted twice, give me both links.

If you do all of the above, at a minimum, that's 9 chances to win (8 if you're a new follower)! Remember, the more things you do to help us spread the word, the better your chances.

Contest ends on March 24 (Wednesday), 1159pm EST.

Winner will be picked via Randomizer.org and announced on March 25 (Thursday). Instructions will be given then on how to claim your prize. Be sure to come back and check because we won't hunt you down. If prizes are unclaimed after 1 week, new winners will be chosen.

Good luck!

GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Beyond the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy

ISBN 9781420102987

Series: Guardians of Eternity, Book 6

Genre: Paranormal Romance

(c) April 2010, Zebra Books, Kensington

Alexandra Ivy's website 

Rating 4.5 stars






Buy Links (paper): Book Depository, Barnes and Noble 

"Another exciting book in the series! Not to be missed!"

I really love Alexandra Ivy's writing! Her prose flows like smooth, warm honey, the kind you'll never get enough of. I know I've said something to that effect before, but I witnessed it again in this story and in Embrace the Darkness, which I've read but haven't yet written the review.

I have to admit that when I was reading Darkness Unleashed (Jagr's story), I hadn't liked Salvatore Giuliani, King of the Weres, that much. I thought he was too smooth, too slick and let's face it, I hate any man who has a better grasp of fashion than I. In this story, Salvatore is still the same fastidious Were, but his head is by no means only wrapped up in his appearance. There's another side to him--the king who takes his responsiblity and duty to his people seriously, maybe at cost to his own life. The man who would do anything to protect his mate and keep her safe. When Harley itches at his protectiveness, he told her, "There will never be a moment when I won't need to protect you." Happy sigh, and in serious danger of melting! What I like best was his snappy, witty banter with the heroine. I could read on and on. Totally refreshing and never failed to bring a smile to my face.

Harley is a likeable heroine, strong, spunky, smart, an equal partner for Salvatore. I like that when she did finally meet her sister in person, she was wary and that they didn't immediately fall crying into each other's arms. Affection does take time to grow. Though she seemed to resist making any commitment to Salvatore, her reaction when she discovered he might be in danger is a dead giveaway to the people around her. But when she finally accepted her place as Salvatore's mate and queen, she stepped right up to her responsiblities.

In this book, we finally discovered who engineered the kidnapping of Harley and her sisters and the reasons behind! However, the story doesn't stop here. Ms Ivy cleverly dangles another thread before us, one that might have cataclysmic repercussions, and I hope we see this in the next book, which is still a long time coming--December 2010!

Sadly, there's not much about Levet here, except for the first few chapters. But there's a fascinating new character--Harley and Darcy and Regan's sister. There are intriguing bits about her, who is very mysterious and seems to be the catalyst to some world event. And then there's Caine, evil cur turned good guy? I'm sure we haven't seen the last of him. The next book should be plenty exciting!

Buy Links (paper): Book Depository, Barnes and Noble 

~ o ~

We have TWO GIVEAWAYS--any book from the author's backlist, which includes the one to be released in April (Beyond the Darkness)! One international and one US residents only. In fairness to everyone, this means there'll be two pools of entrants--one US resident pool and the other non-US resident. Please indicate your country of residence when you comment.

We'll also have Alexandra Ivy popping in and out of the blog, so if you've any questions, feel free to ask! She'll be around to answer and comment.

How to enter the contest?

Answer this question: Go to Alexandra's website and tell us which of her Guardians of Eternity books you'd like to read the most and why.

Extra chances to win:

+ 3 if you're an old follower of this blog
+ 2 if you're a new follower of this blog (start following from this contest/post)
+ 2 if you follow us on Facebook or Twitter
+ 2 if you take our poster (located on the right sidebar) about this contest and post it
              on your blog/website with a link back to us
+ 1 for every time you spread the word about this contest via Facebook, MySpace, Twitter,
              your blog, website or other form of social media. For example, you tweeted about
              this contest twice and also announced it on your Facebook. You also wrote a blog
              post. That's 4 additional chances! However, for these to qualify, be sure to come
              back here and post the links. Like, if you tweeted twice, give me both links.

If you do all of the above, at a minimum, that's 9 chances to win (8 if you're a new follower)! Remember, the more things you do to help us spread the word, the better your chances.

Contest ends on March 24 (Wednesday), 1159pm EST.

Winner will be picked via Randomizer.org and announced on March 25 (Thursday). Instructions will be given then on how to claim your prize. Be sure to come back and check because we won't hunt you down. If prizes are unclaimed after 1 week, new winners will be chosen.

Good luck!

REVIEW: Darkness Unleashed by Alexandra Ivy

ISBN 978-1-4201-0297-0

Series: Guardians of Eternity, Book 5
(c) November 2009, Zebra, Kensington Publishing Corp
Alexandra Ivy's website

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

"Alexandra Ivy has me hooked on this series, craving it like I would the finest chocolates."

Alexandra Ivy created a winner with this combination of sexy, gorgeous hero, a courageous heroine who's more than a match for him, sly humor, action, magic and hot passion guaranteed to sizzle a page or two.

Regan, kidnapped and abused from young, is a pureblood Were who was finally rescued from her kidnapper, Culligan. However, when Culligan escaped, she vowed not to rest until she has him in her grasp and exacts her revenge. However, she didn't account for Jagr, a smokin' hot vamp who fired her blood the moment she set eyes on him.

Sexy, gorgeous, muscled, virile hero (really, any other description for a hero, anyone?) Jagr, a reclusive vampire who had been tortured for centuries, is sent to bring Regan back home to her sister in Chicago. However, he understood her need for revenge, having undergone the same thing himself years ago. Attracted and unable to help himself, he joined forces with her to track down her ex-kidnapper.

Ms. Ivy's world is one wherein demons (referring to vamps, weres, imps and just about anything non-human) live under the humans' noses in disguises or passed themselves out as humans. I think the premise here is that the humans generally don't know that the demons live among them, except for some special people, such as those who had been in the service of the demons for years as caretakers, housekeepers, etc. Vamps belong to clans and weres to packs, and there exist a sort-of harmony/peace between the two tribes, but it only takes for something to happen and an all-out war would flare between them. There are other demons, of course, such as imps, trolls, gargoyles, etc. Nothing new in this nor in the way both main characters fight their attraction to one another, but the story has more twists and turns than a labyrinth which surprised me in a pleasant way.

There are lots more things I love about this book. There's the strong heroine and her humor and the real issues Regan brought to the relationship. There's the way Regan's character grew and developed over the course of the story, in the way meeting Jagr changed her and the way she suddenly realized how her priorities have changed. There's the way Jagr opened up a bit about himself to Regan early on in the book (about 100 pages into the book) and it is as a result of this that they have their first intimate moment. All too often in some books, sex happened for no reason other than that it's time to have a sex scene. And there's the way Jagr oozed all those protective male testosterone... *melts* He's utterly yummy.

And regarding the descriptions, we have an insight into the way each character viewed the other party toward the middle of the book. Yes, they're still attracted to the other's physical attributes, but there's something more, something deeper.

Regan on Jagr: Icily aloof and yet so terribly vulnerable. Strong and yet tender. Raw, ruthless power with the soul of a scholar.

Jagr on Regan: His tiny Were, with the soul of a warrior and the innocence of an angel.

Apparently, like all the heroines in the series, I also like Levet! I'm sure I'm not the only reader with this sentiment. He provided comic relief, and I'm certain there was once or twice when he stole the scene completely from the main characters. I'm eager to read the other books, if only for Levet, but that's not the entire reason. Ms. Ivy has me absolutely hooked on this series.

I'm happy to say that this book is a standalone and it's not necessary to read the other books in order to understand it, since this is my first Guardians of Eternity book as well. But I'm getting the other books while I wait for Salvatore's story.

Rating: 5 stars

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook