Dream Chaser (Dark-Hunter Series, Book Twenty-four): Sherrilyn Kenyon

“HADES DOESN’T OFTEN GIVE SECOND CHANCES…

“Xypher has one month on Earth to redeem himself through one good deed, or be condemned to eternal torture in Tartarus. But redemption means little to a demigod who only wants vengeance on the one who caused his downfall.

“UNTIL ONE DAY IN A CEMETERY…

“Simone Dubois is a medical examiner with a real knack for the job. Those who are wrongfully killed appear to her and help her find the evidence the police need to convict their killers. But when a man appears and tells her that she;d more than just a psychic, she’d convinced he’s insane.

“NOW THE FATE OF THE WORLD HANDS IN HER HANDS…

“It was bad enough when just the dead relied on her. Now there’s the seductive Dream-Hunter Xypher who needs Simone’s help in opening a portal to the Atlantean hell realm to fight insatiable demons. The future of mankind is at stake—and so is her life. The only question now is: Who is the bigger threat? The demons out to kill her? Or the man who had left her forever changed?”

***Technically, you’re supposed to read the Dark-Hunter Companion before you read this book, but I’m about half-way through the Companion and picked this up and just COULD NOT put it down long enough to go back to the other book. Sorry for my weakness!***

Readers are initially introduced to Xypher in an earlier book with Katra and Sin titled Devil May Cry. It’s difficult to care for a man (or should I say, god?) with such an acerbic personality and grim outlook, but even then I was able to tell that there really was more to Xypher than Sherrilyn Kenyon was letting on. Obviously, I couldn’t wait to read more. When I got this book and saw that its hero was in fact Xypher, I was so excited! The more I read, the more I fell for the battered man. It was really difficult not to, seeing as how he’d been so wrongfully tortured.

Xypher is truly the epitome of a beaten being—as are most of Kenyon’s characters—but Xypher was made even more interesting by the fact that he is a Dream-Hunter. It was nice to see the world from the eyes of a Dream-Hunter once more. I’ve only read another book and a short-story by Kenyon that were from this p.o.v. and it was really great to see again. However, I will say that I miss the Dark-Hunters a little…

Anyway, this story was full of really GREAT twists and turns and I look forward to reading more, as always!!!

Upon the Midnight Clear (Dark-Hunter Series, Book Twenty-two): Sherrilyn Kenyon

“EVER THINK SCROOGE HAD IT RIGHT BEFORE THE GHOSTS RUINED HIS LIFE? MEET AIDAN O’CONNER.

“At one time he was a world-renowned celebrity who gave freely of himself and his money without wanting anything in return…until those around him took without asking. Now Aidan wants nothing to do with the world—or anyone who’s part of it.

“WHEN A STRANGER APPEARS ON HIS DOORSTEP, AIDAN KNOWS HE’S SEEN HER BEFORE…IN HIS DREAMS.

“Born on Olympus as a goddess, Leta knows nothing of the human world. But a ruthless enemy has driven her from the world of dreams and into the home of the only man who can help her: Aidan. Her immortal powers are derived from human emotions—and his anger is just the fuel she needs to defend herself…

“ONE COLD WINTER’S NIGHT WILL CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOREVER…

“Trapped together in a brutal winter storm, Aidan and Leta must turn to the only power capable of saving them—or destroying them both: trust.”

Yay! I finally got to read another Sherrilyn Kenyon book! This one was short and sweet with fantastic characters and an interesting—yet simple—plot. It was one of the easier books of Kenyon’s to follow and it was nice (not that I don’t enjoy her more complicated books!).

Aidan was entertaining. His angst made for a captivating plot and back-story and Leta was the perfect counterpart for him. Overall, it was well-written and a fun read—not to mention that I REALLY enjoyed the little short story at the end of the book. It was cool to see so many different views.

The Dream-Hunter (Dark-Hunter Series, Book Twenty): Sherrilyn Kenyon

“IN THE ETHERIAL WORLD OF THE DREAM-HUNTERS

“Condemned by the gods to live eternity without emotions, Arikos can only feel when he’s in the dreams of others. For thousands of years, he’s drifted through the human unconscious, searching for sensation. Now he’s finally found a dreamer whose vivid mind can fill his emptiness.

“THERE ARE CHAMPIONS WHO FIGHT TO PROTECT THE DREAMER….

“Dr. Megeara Kafieri watched her father ruin himself and his reputation as he searched to prove Atlantis was real. Her deathbed promise to him to salvage his reputation has now brought her to Greece where she intends to prove once and for all that the fabled island is right where her father said it was. Instead, she finds a stranger floating in the sea—one whose face she’d seen many times…in her dreams.

“AND THERE ARE DEMONS WHO PREY ON THEM.

“What she doesn’t know is that Arik holds more than the ancient secrets that can help her find the mythical isle of Atlantis. He has made a pact with the god Hades: In exchange for two weeks as a mortal man, he must return to Olympus with a human soul—Megeara’s.”

I was really excited about reading this book! This was a book all about the Dream-Hunters and it was a very interesting change-up. Sherrilyn Kenyon has done it again! She’s managed to suck her readers in with her fantastic plots and captivating characters. However, I have to admit that there were a lot of characters (the other Dream-Hunters) that were a bit difficult to keep straight, but I managed with a little effort. I liked how Kenyon explained more about the world of the Dream-Hunters because it made the entire story easier to follow. It was really neat to see more of Olympus and the other gods as well. I think I would have liked to have learned more about the background of certain characters, but it was still a good book nonetheless.

***SPOILER***

I didn’t know until the very end, but this book took place even before Kyrian’s story! It was cool to see a bit more of some “behind the scenes” type things, though it did make me a little choked up when I got to the part about Nick and his mother…

Midnight Peasures (Conatins Dark-Hunter Series, Book Six): Amanda Ashley, Maggie Shayne, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Ronda Thompson

“Handsome and sensual, surrounded by an aura of danger, mystery, and the forbidden, a lover steps from the shadows. But is he mortal? Or is he an ancient god, a sorcerer, or a mythical beast who can possess a woman’s heart…and her very soul?

“Four of romance’s most popular authors have created this spellbinding collection of stories filled with dark passion and desire. Under the cover of darkness, their heroes inhabit worlds haunted by ageless hungers and deadly forces stronger than any seen by day…and vanquished only by the power of love.

“Now travel into realms where dazzling wonders roam the night, where magic replaces reason, and where a kiss unleashes a raging fire in the blood. And here, if you dare, discover the seduction that begins at the bewitching hour when a man and woman partake in…Midnight Pleasures”

“DARKFEST BY AMANDA ASHLEY

“The price of saving her dying mother is Channa’s promise to spend a year at the castle of tormented nobleman, Lord Darkfest…to obey him as his servant or, as his secrets are revealed, to become his salvation. And her own.”

This was different from what I’ve read of Amanda Ashley in the past. Though this had a completely different plot, it stayed true to her unique style of writing. I enjoyed the storyline a lot and the characters were well-written. I tend not to read stories with magic in them, but this kept me captivated. Darkfest was an interesting character and I would have even maybe liked to see him in a full-length book. He had so much depth and mystery to his character that I found myself wanting to read more to find out what made him so special.

There was mention of a tapestry in the story and it was described in such detail that I thought it was some sort of foreshadowing (you’re going to have to read the story to find out what happens!) I really liked how Darkfest was able to shape-shift and had seemingly boundless powers. It was really creative and it made me want to read more. The descriptions were beautiful and they had the power to transport me that only really good writing can—though it was less than 100 pages. I’ll be sure to read more of Ashley’s work in the future!

“PHANTOM LOVER BY SHERRILYN KENYON

“Haunted by recurring nightmares of terrifying beasts, Erin McDaniels is afraid to sleep—until a hero arrives in her dreams to save her…and makes erotic, incredible love to her. But can she find him again when she is awake?”

Again, Sherrilyn Kenyon has worked her magic! She has a knack for making the readers fall in love with her characters in only a few pages. That takes some serious talent and I’m thoroughly impressed. This plot was a change-up from the other books of hers that I have read and I liked it. The characters were real and I really loved V’Aidan. He was a fun character to watch as he developed. I don’t want to give too much away, but as the plot takes a HUGE turn the readers just can’t hate V’Aidan—Kenyon did such a fantastic job at making him seem so touching and real that you can’t help but feel for him. As always, I will most definitely be reading more of Kenyon’s work as I go on to read the rest of the Dark-Hunter series.

“UNDER HER SPELL BY MAGGIE SHAYNE

“A consultant for a TV series about one gorgeous witch, “white witch” Melissa St. Cloud plans to make the show authentic. But once on the set she is pulled into the arms of a man who opens up a doorway to the dark side and chilling peril.”

Maggie Shayne was an author that I’ve never read before and it was refreshing. I liked the general plot behind this story a lot. Again, this was filled with magic, but it kept me captivated. I liked the characters and the background behind the story was interesting. I learned a lot about witchcraft that I didn’t know before and that was fascinating. There was some gruesome violence, but it really enhanced the climax of the story. Overall, I liked it and will probably read more of Shayne’s work in the future.

“A WULF’S CURSE BY RONDA THOMPSON

“Running away from an arranged marriage, Elise steals aboard a wagon in a traveling circus and finds herself in the bed of the Beast Tamer, Sterling Wulf, who is something other than he seems…and suddenly all Elise desires.”

I’ve never read Ronda Thompson before and this was a really good start for me. The characters were real and the situations were enthralling. I loved how the emotions of the characters were so well-written that it kept the story moving without becoming boring or too sappy. Sterling was very interesting to watch as he grew and changed because of his time with Elise. There was a new twist on an old tale—which I am NOT going to give away, so you’re just going to have to read it!—and that made it all the more fun to read. The only difficulty I had was with some of the dialogue/inner-dialogue. Sometimes it was difficult to comprehend what the characters meant or what was going on inside of their heads without reading and rereading the lines a few times. Other than that, it was a fun read. I liked Thompson’s work a lot and will most likely read more.