The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter~~DIK Reading Challenge

Publisher: HQN Books (May 1, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0373772467

His powers — Inhuman
His passion — Beyond immortal . . .

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 . . .

My Thoughts:

I have heard a lot of wonderful things about this series, however after reading The Darkest Fire I was not entirely sure that I would even get through this book. I am definitely going to say that my first thoughts were completely wrong. I was gripped and pulled into The Darkest Night almost instantaneously. I can only say that my hesitation and concerns were brought on because of how much I don't like reading short stories/anthologies. To me they just don't give enough of the author's talent for writing and things often progress too quickly between the hero and heroine for my liking. I guess I have to be a big fan of the author's previous works to really enjoy an anthology.

Maddox is one of several Warriors that have been cursed by the Gods for their actions and the part they played in opening Pandora's box releasing some of the most vile and evil demons to grace the planet. The Gods made warrior and demon one. Well I guess not necessarily one, as they are constantly at odds with each other, battling for dominance. Maddox received the most viscous of demons, Violence.

Ashlyn has been blessed, or cursed, with the ability to hear voices/conversation from the past. Anywhere she goes she hears the voices and has no idea how to control this ability. It is slowly driving her mad. As a child her parents, who are at there wits end, turn her over to the Institute. Ashlyn grows up basically as a lab rat with very little human emotion shared. She is desperate to find some way of controlling the voices.

In Budapest she hears of Angels on the mountain and in her desperation defies her boss to beg them for help. On the mountain she is put in Maddox's path. There is an instant connection between them and despite Maddox's warnings Ashlyn refuses to leave, following him instead.

The warriors are hunted by none other than the Hunters. They have in the past used Bait to lure the warriors out and distract them long enough for an attack and hopefully the desired results of killing the warriors. None of the Warriors in the castle trust Ashlyn, she has to be Bait. But for some unexplainable reason Maddox cannot except that she is Bait and looses himself to his demon anytime one of the Warriors verbally attacks her.

I enjoyed the start of LOTU. I was reminded of Rhage in BDB. Both of these men are cursed with an inner demon. The stories are completely different but they have the same outcome, the demon is calmed by a woman. I look forward to reading more LOTU. The Darkest Night did engage me through most of the book, there were some points where it seemed to slow down to a point where I was doing more skimming than reading. My laundry and house definitely suffered while I read this book though.

Rating:4.5 stars

The Darkest Fire by Gena Showalter

He is the guardian of hell, more monster than man. She is the goddess of oppression, more angel than woman. Together they will enter the flames to battle a dangerous horde of demon lords — and discover a passion unlike any other….








My Thoughts:

The Darkest Fire is the prelude to the Lords of the Underworld series. That being said, if you don't read e-books or you are like me and don't like anthologies, you won't miss out on anything by not reading this story.

Geyron traded his soul to the devil to save his wife's life, now he the task of guarding the gates to Hell have been bestowed on him. He is transformed into a hideous beast that with one swipe of his claw can poison any foe.

Kadence is the Goddess of Oppression. The Gods have demanded that she be the keeper of the wall to Hell. For years she walks the wall delicately touching and restoring it, making sure that none of Lucifer's demons are allowed to escape.

When the wall shows sign of tumbling Geyron and Kadence must work together to fix the wall and round up the demons who seek to destroy the wall.

I gave this story a 3 star rating. I am sure it has to do with my bias against anthologies and short stories, but the story progressed much too quickly for my taste. I guess, however that 200 years (I think) of being in each others presence without any communication or physical contact could attribute the desire and attraction that the hero and heroine felt for each other. All in all it is a decent story that sets up the series wonderfully.

Mailbox Monday

I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend!

We had lots of rain, but thankfully the clouds disappeared taking the rain with it for most of Saturday, allowing for a dry day on the football field.

My 6 yr old son started his first year of football. We kicked off the season with a Jamboree, where the Warriors played two half games against two different teams. Sadly, we lost our first game, but we chopped it up to experience and learned from our mistakes. This was not only the boys first game ever, but most of our coaches have never coached a game either. We came back and showed our Warrior pride and won the second game 18-6. I am proud of our little guys on the team, but I have to give my son props... He didn't let anyone past him, he played Offensive tackle, and when his guy fell down he ran along side the kid with the ball making sure he didn't get tackled. I am really looking forward to our first official game this weekend!!

Now it's Monday and the rain is back and we had to get up early...yuck! There are errands to run and dentist appointments to keep. The highlight of my morning was doing some blog hopping and finding out that I won Highland Rebel by Judith James on Anna's blog. Thanks so much to both Anna and Judith James. I will be anxiously awaiting finding this one in my mailbox!

Here are the books I found this week in my mailbox:

I won Possession on Lea's blog during her Devyn Quinn week.

I won Where the Wind Blows on Emily Bryan's blog when Caroline Fyffe was guest hosting.


Thanks again Lea, Devyn Quinn, Emily Bryan and Caroline Fyffe!!









Last week I purchased a few books for my Kindle as well. There is just something about that instant gratification!!!




I broke down and bought the Lords of the Underworld bundle (couldn't beat the price--4 books for 9.99) containing: The Darkest Fire, The Darkest Night, The Darkest Kiss and The Darkest Pleasure.







I have been eying this cover for months now!! For some reason every time I look at it I think about The Last of the Mohicans.












Another one where I couldn't beat the price... Plus this cover is beautiful!







I had to buy an Eve Silver book after Barbara raved about this author.