Beauty Awakened

Author: Gena Showalter 

Release Date: Feb. 26, 2013

Publisher: Harlequin HQN

Angels of the Dark #2

ISBN: #978-0373777433

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Format(s): Paperback (448 pgs), e-book

Book Source: Publisher

His name is Koldo. He is scarred, powerful, his control legendary-and he lives only for vengeance, determined to punish the angel who viciously removed his wings. But if he yields to the forces of hatred, he will be kicked from the heavens, eternally damned. 

She is his last hope. Nicola Lane was born with a defective heart, yet this fragile human shows surprising strength as demons stalk her every move, determined to end her. She is the key to Koldo's deliverance...and his downfall. Though he fights duty, destiny and his first addictive taste of desire, his toughest battle will be the one for Nicola's life-even if he has to sacrifice his own...

Beauty Awakened opens with brief prologue that offers a slice of life from our hero, Koldo’s childhood. The images aren’t pretty. His mom is a Sent One (like an angel) and his dad is a Nefas, a barbaric, demon-esque race. Koldo’s mother physically, emotionally, and mentally abused him, culminating with the cutting off of his wings at the age of seven. Then she sent him to his father where he was brutally tortured for eleven years.

Flash forward to present day where Koldo is one of the members of the heavenly “Army of Disgrace,” a group of desperate and dangerous beings known as Sent Ones, each whose status with the heavenly plane is in serious jeopardy. Koldo is dispatched on a mission to kill a specific demon tormenting a man in a hospital when he sees and becomes captivated by Nicola Lane, a woman who has two demons attached to her. Nicola is visiting her very ill twin, who has been infested by a demon. One look and he knew he had to help save her. 

There is a lot that happens within the course of Beauty Awakened. First, there is Koldo and Nicola’s budding romance and his attempts to save Nicola and her sister. Then there is Koldo’s desire for revenge against his mother and the sudden reappearance of his father’s people--messing with Koldo and those he cares about. Finally, the story follows a handful of the other members of the “Army of Disgrace” as they try and track down some very nasty killers. Although it feels like a lot to keep straight, Ms. Showalter does a pretty good job of keeping the story moving forward, with most of the pieces coming together for a satisfying conclusion. The one exception to this is the side story centering on three of the Sent Ones: Thane, Xerxes and Bjorn. While I felt that the events surrounding the trio will ultimately prove critical to the overall story arc and future stories, it felt out of place in Koldo’s story.

I enjoyed watching Koldo and Nicola grow as individuals and witness their budding romance. Koldo has a clear plan for Nicola... teaching her to live with joy and not focus on negativity. He tells her all about demons and the Sent Ones. (In fact, there is a rather lengthy explanation of the series mythology, which has its roots in Christianity.) Yet for most of the book, he walked a fine line himself, and he didn’t seem to realize it. It was Nicola that helped him learn to love and forgive just as much as he helped her - which made reading about their relationship very enjoyable.

Koldo is completely open and honest, and isn’t too wise when it comes to dealing with human emotions. Again, this actually makes the book better when Koldo and Nicola have a heart-to-heart. In one particular instance, Nicola had agreed to go on a date with a coworker, more for the benefit of getting her sister out and about. Instead of it ending up as a huge misunderstanding and a contrived way to introduce conflict, Nicola and Koldo were honest about their budding feelings. It gave me hope and allowed me to care for them and become emotionally invested.

As I mentioned earlier, there is a lot happening in this book. One key plot line centers around Koldo’s mother. In the previous book, Wicked Nights, Koldo hunted down and captured his mother. This storyline continues in Beauty Awakened, and Koldo must decide if his revenge is worth his own happiness. Although the story played out fairly predictably, it was Nicola’s reaction and actions that stood out and made the journey more intimate in the end.

There are other excellent character interactions, with my favorite being between Koldo and Axel. The pair learned how to have fun and be lighthearted during serious times. And speaking of Axel... there is a hint about a potential reveal dealing with one of my favorite Lord of the Underworld characters, William! And William isn’t the only LotU character to make an appearance in this story.

Overall, I enjoyed Beauty Awakened, but the ending kind of ruined it some. The whole battle scene was just too easy. And, while I have no issues with what happened to Nicola (spoiler-free), things happened way too quickly. (Nicola was always a fighter throughout her life, so it was good to see that manifest in her new role established at the end of the book.) Then toss into the mix a scene referencing Kane (LotU) and the “extra” scenes dealing with Thane, Xerxes and Bjorn (which left the reader with a bit of a cliffhanger ending). Finally, I felt let down with how things ended involving Axel because I felt his importance throughout the story was diminished by the final scenes.

Overall, I enjoyed Koldo and Nicola. Their romance was sweet, and I liked the pace, which was on the slower side, but appropriate given the circumstances. I loved how honest they were with each other. I admired the message of joy defeating the "toxins" from the demons. Honestly, we could all use some happiness! 

Liked it - recommend (B+)

Beauty Awakened (Book 2)

Reviews in the Series:

Wicked Nights (Book 1)

A Jaguar’s Kiss

Author: Katie Reus 

Release Date: Oct. 1, 2012

Publisher: Harlequin Nocturnal Cravings

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Novella

Format(s): e-book

Book Source: Author

Owen Wright, alpha of his wolf pack, hasn’t seen jaguar shifter Gabriela Segura in nearly ten years. She was his first love—until he did something to drive her away just as their relationship was heating up. Now Gabriela has returned to Montana, and his craving for her is stronger than ever.

But a recent string of brutal attacks on humans have the wolves suspicious of the jaguars, threatening the tenuous peace between the packs. Before he can claim Gabriela as his mate, they must join forces to prove her family’s innocence and track down the true predator.

Gabriela Segura left her small town of Bear Mountain, Montana almost five years ago. Secret work for the government and a broken heart has kept her away. But after losing her entire team, it was time for Gabriela to head home and regroup, hoping to avoid the man, Owen Wright, who hurt her ten years ago. When she arrives in town, she is almost immediately taken against her will by Owen’s little brother, who thinks he can use her as leverage to find out who’s been killing innocent humans in town.

Thankfully, once Owen finds out what Ethan did, he orders Gabriela freed. The couple reunite and sparks fly, now that the two are both consenting adults and clearly ready to pick up where they left off all those years ago. Although uncertain of what their passion will lead to, the pair agree to work together to solve the mystery of the human deaths.

A Jaguar’s Kiss is an entertaining addition to Ms. Reus' HQN Nocturnal Cravings novella series. In this third story, the setting moves from Alabama to Montana, where we are introduced to the Jaguar shifter species, as well as a new wolf pack. Although the setting and characters are all new, the story takes place in the same world as the first two novellas. This book is completely stand alone.

I like that the reader is given information about Gabriela and Owen’s past in small doses throughout the story, rather than one large information dump at the beginning. For example, we learn that although she’s only been away for four (plus) years, Gabriela has not seen or spoken with her childhood best friend and first love, Owen in a decade. For a while, the reader isn’t privy what happened just at the cusp of a relationship moving beyond friends when the pair were teens. Yet in time, the truth comes out, but only when the couple is ready to deal with the past and determine if there will be a future. It is enjoyable to see how both individuals have grown and matured in their time apart.

I thoroughly delighted in the easy nature of this novella. We are given just enough history to allow for us to care about the couple and cheer on their success. And wow! are they are hot together - years of pent up sexual frustration explode. I admire that Owen and Gabriela didn't even ask "who were you with while we were apart," or get hung up on past actions. And although she is determined to stay mad - Gabriela realizes it's not worth her happiness, and she takes a risk with her heart. 

The mystery of who/what is behind the killings is dealt with quickly, but satisfactorily. It's not the drive of the novella - but provides reason for the pair to work together. Additional side stories such as involvement of Gabriela’s brother and Owen's sister serve to add some depth to the shortened-length story. 

After reading three of her novellas, I have to say the Ms. Reus excels at the shortened format. She understands how to give the reader just enough background to understand the situation and care for the characters. She provides a conflict that can be wrapped up by the end without feeling contrived. If you are looking for a sexy, entertaining afternoon read, look no further than A Jaguar’s Kiss.

Liked it - recommend (B+)

Purchase Info:

A Jaguar's Kiss

Reviews in the Series

Destined Mate 

Protector’s Mate 

*Note: The first two books are related and are better read in order. The third book, A Jaguar’s Kiss, is stand alone.

Wicked Nights

Author: Gena Showalter 

Release Date: June 26, 2012

Publisher: HQN

Angels of the Dark #1

ISBN: #978-0373776986

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Format(s): Paperback (416 pgs), e-book

Book Source: Publisher

Wicked Nights is the first book in Ms. Showalter’s new Angels of the Dark series - a spin off from her wickedly delightful Lords of the Underworld series. The new series follows a group of desperate and dangerous angels, each whose status with the heavenly plane is in serious jeopardy. This “Army of Disgrace” is lead by Zacharel - a cold and unfeeling warrior angel we met in the LotU books. Due to his lack of compassion for life, Zacharel has displeased his Deity and has been assigned to lead this band of misfits - sharing their fate as his own. A true “all for one and one for all” situation.

Wicked Nights opens with sweet Annabelle waking from a wonderful dream on her eighteenth birthday, only to feel her eyes burning (and changing color) and witness her parents’ murder by a demon. She spends four years locked away, being horribly mistreated by both the demon and human population. 

Zacharel’s army is charged with ridding the institution where Annabelle is locked up of the demons trying to break in. Curious to understand why the demons are there, he follows one to Annabelle. We learn that Annabelle is a high demon lord’s consort, and soon Zacharel cannot stop himself from wanting to help her.  

This book throws the reader right into the thick of things. The opening chapters are raw and not for the light-hearted. When it appears Zacharel leaves Annabelle to be abused by her human doctors, I thought I couldn’t take any more. But Zach comes through and my heart was safe. Note: Annabelle’s torture and molestation are written non-graphically, yet it is far more painful to imagine than reading specific details. 

Although Annabelle has been through hell and back, she is tough and will not rest until she kills the demon who caused her so much grief. She seems to still see the good in the world, and although she needs things to move at a slow pace, she continually moves forward with her feelings for Zacharel.  And Zach - he is so clueless when it comes to emotions, especially human ones. He realizes he desires Annabelle, but doesn’t know how to address his feelings. When the pair share their first kiss it was full of such joy and then such sadness. It started so delightfully-sending butterflies to my belly. But then Zacharel didn’t understand how to deal with the overwhelming sensations, and he went too far. My heart broke.  Luckily, the pair recognize their true feelings, and soon they continue to explore things each thought that they’d never experience. I felt their romance was sweet - not tainted by previous relationships, and although their world was in constant danger, they found time to just be.

There are several minor characters that make up Zacharel’s team. Ms. Showalter does a superb job introducing each and giving us just enough information to pique interest. We know enough about them to get a feel of how they will react within the storyline, but we are left with questions about their personal history. The characters are complex, each with issues that caused them to be on this "Army of Disgrace,” and I for one am looking forward to finding out more.

I really enjoyed Wicked Nights both in plot development and character creation. The world building was done at the perfect pace-giving the reader lots of information, but not cramming it into tight spaces. Whether or not the fact that I have read all of the LotU books leading up to this story helped me jump into the this world so easily, I cannot say. However, the development of characters and world was smooth. 

And for fans of LotU, we do get glimpses of some of the boys and their mates. The characters didn't overrun the story nor were they awkwardly placed. Their appearances served the storyline, and the world created in this book is still all its own. One does not need to have read LotU to enjoy this book. 

For fans of Meljean Brook's Guardian series, I think you will enjoy as well. I was constantly reminded of her amazing world while reading Wicked Nights. Not because they are identical (their mythologies are very different), but because both series have well-developed, exciting and interesting angel-demon storylines. 

Overall I really enjoyed this book. Meeting the "team" and learning just enough about each to keep me interested and wanting to know more was definitely a highlight.  I loved Zacharel's transformation as he went from cold, heartless warrior to a man capable of love and able to see goodness in and learn to respect others. 

All-in-all a fantastic start to a "newish" series that can be enjoyed by new Gena Showalter fans and longtime readers alike. The pace flows well, the action intense. The overall story arc is appealing, and I am looking forward to more. 

Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)

Wicked Nights (Angels of the Dark #1)

The Darkest Seduction

Author: Gena Showalter 

Release Date: Feb. 28, 2012

Publisher: HQN

Lords of the Underworld #9

ISBN: #978-0373776573

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Format(s): Paperback (512 pgs), e-book

Book Source: Publisher 

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?

My head is still spinning after reading this 500 plus page story. I, like many, have been waiting for Paris’s story for a very long time. We met his “HEA” back in the second Lords of the Underworld book, The Darkest Kiss. That was a long time ago and poor Paris has been to hell and back - searching for Sienna’s spirit, giving into and battling his ambrosia addition, fighting and killing anyone (especially Hunters) that got in his way. We’ve had book after book of the degradation of Paris, and now it’s finally his time.

The book picks up where The Darkest Surrender ends. Things have been building to this point, and I do not recommend newcomers to the series start here. There are a lot of plot points that come together. Paris is still hot on the trail of tracking down human spirit-turned keeper of the High Demon Lord, Wrath. She is a former Hunter and current prisoner of the Titan god king, Cronus. She is also the one woman that Paris’s demon, Promiscuity, was able to “get it up for” more than once. He is obsessed and this has lead to his near destruction.

The first half or so of this book is dedicated to detail and background - fitting the pieces in place for the rest of the tale. Paris isn't quite the same ruined man he has been of late. He's kicked his ambrosia addiction, and although he is still killing and is violent, he's focused on finding Sienna. His friends still support him which indicates he hasn't gone too far into the deep end. 

Sienna seems like a lost child. She still seems so innocent. But she'll put her own life on the line to protect those she cares about. She is trapped and nearly broken by Cronus, but when Paris arrives, her internal drive kicks into high gear. I really like Sienna.

The primary bad guys in this book are Cronus and Rhea, and they are ... interesting. Cronus is an ass of the nth degree. Rhea is equally evil. The scene in which Cronus kills someone Sienna loves is just wicked. They make for excellent villains, however Cronus begins to degrade over the course of the book, leaving him less sharp and witty. But in the end, long time readers are rewarded with a satisfactory conclusion to the current story-arc.

Did I mention that there is a lot going on in this book, other than Paris/Sienna and the battle with Cronus and Rhea? There are a few side stories, that in my opinion could have been cut to shorten the length of the book. This is my biggest issue with The Darkest Seduction -- there is just too much going on. 

Some side stories were fun, like new Lord Keeper/goddess, Viola and her pink-haired fallen angel suitor. She had her place in the story, so I didn’t mind the additional characters, although the battles between Paris and Pinky weren't all that necessary. But others, like the three mysterious Lord Keepers trapped with Sienna - really could have been cut and have them introduced in a later book.

We do get more about Kane, who was left in the Underworld in the last book. I’m not really sure what is up with Kane. He seems to be the only Lord who is actively tormented by his own demon. There is no self-preservation for Disaster (his Lord). It was hinted at in previous books that Kane may bring about the end of the world, but I’m not sure how I feel about mixing up his storyline into this book - it was too little and too vague - and in the end, unnecessary for this story to be told. 

We also had more about Legion, the demon minion-turned-human. She has a connection to our other bad guy - Galen (Keeper of Hope and ??). Again, things were tossed about and hinted at, but it was too much for this story. It may have been better to pick only a couple of the side stories and bulked them up than trying to tell the reader a little about everyone.

Finally, the warrior angel Zacharel plays a bigger part in this story than he has in the past. He is yet another elusive character. We really don’t know much about him, and it started to drive me a bit crazy. He and Paris would go head-to-head and I just didn’t feel the reasons behind the conflict. It was only after I finished reading the book did I find out that Ms. Showalter has a spinoff series planned for the warrior angel. I’m not a fan of introducing a character just to spin him off to another series (JR Ward... grrrrr), but in this case, it didn’t bother me quite as much.

The Darkest Seduction is a romance, and the love story at the heart of this book was perfect for me. Paris and Sienna are a quintessential match. Even the angels, who sought to keep them apart, agree that Paris and Sienna complement each other perfectly. I adore the time that they take to become friends and learn about each other. And the smex (per usual Showalter fashion) is smokin’! 

Finally, Ms. Showalter adds everything into this story that makes the LotU series one of my favorites. The humor is fantastic - even when things are down, the band of brothers and their mates are cracking jokes. The less obvious wit and the blatant jokes are equally welcome. There is plenty of intense action, which is violent at times. The camaraderie of the Lords is deeper than ever. They are connected in ways that run deeper than blood, so even if one makes a mistake, they are right there to help each other out.  And to top it off, there are deeply touching and emotional moments and events, reminiscent of the first few books in the series. The nuggets are there - you just have to wade through the excess to find them. And when you reach page 396, please enjoy Paris and Strider as much as I did (yes, it is what you think!)

In the end, yes, there were things that bugged me about this book. I have listed a few, and there were others. BUT the overall storyline and romance at the center of the book far outweigh my nit-picking criticisms. The current story arc ends, and we are left with a few surprising twists that change up the game and pave the way for more LotU books and the spinoff Angels of the Dark series. I enjoyed the ride with all the bumps and detours, and look forward to continuing the journey!

Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)

(for readers of the LotU series)

Purchase Info:

The Darkest Seduction (Lords of the Underworld #9)

Ms. Showalter kicks off her eight full-length Lords of the Underworld (LotU) book with a little history of harpy, Kaia. We’ve seen Kaia around - twin sister to Bianca (Lysander’s mate) and big sister of Gwen (Sabin’s mate). (For my LORDS primer post, click HERE). When she was only 14 years old and full of untested confidence, Kaia unknowingly released a prisoner who decimated a large percent of the Harpy population. He also happened to be the consort of a fellow harpy who to this date, waits to seek her revenge on Kaia.  Kaia was named “The Disappointment,” and while she never let it show, she was deeply hurt. Now Kaia and her sisters have the opportunity to prove their worth at the Harpy Games, a deadly “warrior Olympics” of sorts.

The first thing I want to say about The Darkest Surrender is WOO-HOO!! I am a huge fan of LotU, and felt the last two books have been mediocre. So it is with great pleasure for me to say GENA IS BACK! Surrender gets back to the basics, and showcases all that I adore about this great series. HUMOR, check. SEXY HERO, check. KICK-ASS HEROINE, check. FUN PLOT, check. LOTS OF ACTION & SMEX, check, check! Fans of this series will not be disappointed!

Kaia and Strider are perfect for each other! Both are egotistical and funny, each thinks that they are at the top of the food chain, and both have the skills to prove it. Right from the start, I was chuckling out loud at Kaia's wit and humor. She knows fun. She can dish out the sarcasm and put-downs, but take it as well. Ms. Showalter does a wonderful job with Kaia's character. One example of this is that Kaia's mind would constantly wander - even while making out with her hottie, Strider. Instead of jumping straight from her inner monologue back to present without an acknowledgement of passing time, Strider calls out Kaia on her lost train-of-thought.

Strider is equally entertaining. He refers to his demon, Defeat, as "dude," calls himself Stridey-Monster, and makes quips like "Don't forget Mission One. The Rod -- and not the one in your pants."  Together the two have amazing chemistry, and they are just plain fun.

The primary story of Kaia and the harpy games provides for moments of intense (and bloody) action. However, it also creates a platform for the reader to witness Kaia's true courage. She has been scarred by her past and abandoned by all of her kind. Although she has doubts, she manages to dust herself off when knocked down. She is feisty, but knows when to lie low - even if she chooses not to!

Tangled into the main plot line are hints and clues about the Hunters, the Gods and Goddesses and the never-ending battle that has consumed the Lords' lives. Ms. Showalter does a superb job of hiding little cookies to peak the reader's interest and come back for more. One side story involves the keeper of Promiscuity, Paris, and his continual quest to find the woman he believes is his one true match. We see a darker side of Paris and I so look forward to the next book - The Darkest Seduction, which is Paris' story. It is LONG overdue. We also find out some interesting tidbits about Kane, the keeper of Disaster, and extremely entertaining side-kick, William. I just hope Ms. Showalter doesn't make us wait long to find out what happens to these two.

Darkest Surrender is a fantastic addition to one of my favorite series. Ms. Showalter does a great job of weaving a tale without telling you the facts. Although a newcomer could enjoy this as a stand alone, I highly recommend you start at the beginning!