"Night Pleasures: A Dark Hunter novel" by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Book Description:

Dear Reader,

Have you ever wanted to know what it's like to be immortal? To journey through the night stalking vampires that prey on humans? To have unlimited wealth, unlimited power? That is my existence, and it's dark and dangerous. I play hero to thousands, but am known to none. And I love every minute of it.
Or so I thought until one night when I woke up handcuffed to my worst nightmare: a conservative woman in a button-down shirt. Or in Amanda's case, one buttoned all the way up to her chin. She's smart, sexy, witty, and wants nothing to do with the paranormal -- in other words, me.
My attraction to Amanda Devereaux goes against everything I stand for. Not to mention the last time I fell in love it cost me not only my human life, but also my very soul. Yet every time I look at her, I find myself wanting to try again. Wanting to believe that love and loyalty do exist.
Even more disturbing, I find myself wondering is there's any way a woman like Amanda can love a man whose battle scars run deep, and whose heart was damaged by a betrayal so savage that he's not sure it will ever beat again.

- Kyrian of Thrace

Review:

"Night Pleasures" is the second novel in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. And if you remember correctly, I was not a fan of the first installment, "Fantasy Lover". While "Night Pleasures" did seem to have a better character development (I did like Kyrian's character A LOT more than Julian), the story was still plagued by all the disappointments of the first novel.

While reading this novel, I didn't feel a strong attachment to the story. Most of it seemed forced; there wasn't the right flow to keep my enthralled. Plus, I'm not a fan of how something terrible has to happen before the characters can live happily ever after....I'm also not a fan of how sex seems to always be the answer to ending whatever terrible thing is happening. I've read many Paranormal Romance novels, and it's rare that I find one that seems to think that sex is the answer.

Now, like I did say earlier, I really did like Kyrian's character. He's a tortured, conflicted soul (pardon the pun) who is only trying to do right by the world. Essentially, he's a good vampire who hunts down the bad vampires that prey on humans. I won't go into the finer points of what he actually is, I'll just stick with saying he's a vampire, it's just easier. Of course, if you want to understand what Kyrian is, I would actually recommend reading the book. The story of how dark hunters came into existence is actually quite interesting and I commend Sherrilyn Kenyon for creating a series around that idea.

While I did enjoy "Night Pleasures" more than "Fantasy Lover", I don't think I'll be reading anymore from the Dark Hunter series. Unless I need a form of escapism one day. Substance wise, it's definitely not the best series I've ever read, but if you're just sitting around one day and need something to read that you don't really feel the need to commit to, I'd recommend this book.

So in short, "Night Pleasures" is better than the first in the series, but it's not good enough to make me want to read the rest of the series.

"First Drop of Crimson" by Jeaniene Frost

Book Description:

The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows -- her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield -- and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family's past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness -- and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who lusts for a taste of her.
He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human -- even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they fight they nightmare together...

Review:

Now this is the style of book I like! Strong female lead, vampires that aren't afraid to rip someone to shreds (not to mention, they don't sparkle), and a story line that prevents me from putting the book down!

"First Drop of Crimson" is the first book in a "new" series by Jeaniene Frost called Night Huntress World, which is actually just a spin-off of her Night Huntress series. I'm already a huge fan of the the Night Huntress series, which so far has four books in print about half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her lover, Bones, who is a vampire. "First Drop of Crimson" is about Denise, Cat's best friend, who gets cursed by a demon who as some bad blood with one of her ancestors. Denise then enlists the help of Spade, Bones's best friend from when they both were turned in vampires back in the 1800's.

At first, I was a little sceptical of this book, just because I've never been much of a fan of spin-off novels. They always seem like such a money grab, like the author can't come up with any new material. Well, I didn't have to worry about that with this book, it was actually quite good. It's a good vampire romance with a good plot to carry it along with only a few steamy scenes throughout.

Since I have already mentioned that this is a spin-off novel, I would like to point out that you don't need to read the Cat and Bones novels to know what is going on. It may help a bit, just to become familiar with the characters, but it's not required. And since it's a spin-off, nothing that happens affects what happens in the Cat and Bones novels either, so no fear there if you never plan on reading "First Drop of Crimson".

Like all of Jeaniene Frost's novels that I've read up to this point, it's well written, the characters are well developed and there is actually a plot that goes along with the story, the romance seeming somewhat secondary at times, which is awesome.

I also liked how the narrative was split up between Denise and Spade. For the most part, we saw the story from Denise's view, but occasionally, we were blessed with seeing it from Spade's view. Personally, I think I liked Spade's point of view more than Denise's, but I've always kinda liked his character from the Cat and Bones novels. (This is where I'd insert a winky face, if you catch my drift.)

I would definitely recommend "First Drop of Crimson" to anyone who likes reading good vampire novels. You won't be disappointed. Though, I remind you, it is a romance novel, so if you are someone who can't overlook that fact, you may want to push this one to the side. But, if you want a good read, don't mind some steamy scenes, and love adventure, definitely pick this book up.

"You Slay Me: An Aisling Grey, Guardian novel" by Katie MacAlister

Book Description:

I'm Aisling Grey, and I have the job from Hell....literally. My prior career as a courier began and ended when I traveled to Paris to deliver a six-hundred-year-old golden dragon statue and learned I was a Guardian. That's a Keeper of the Gates to Hell to you mere mortals. This I found out from Drake Vireo, a scrumptiously sexy (in human form at least) real-life dragon. Then he stole my artifact out from under my nose -- and from under the dead body of the person I was supposed to deliver it to.
After tracking Drake down to a local bar, I discovered I'm also a wyvern's mate. And wouldn't you know Drake is a wyvern? He couldn't just be some underling -- he had to be head dragon. But the fact that he's the prime suspect behind the murders in Paris's immortal underworld --murders I must solve in order to clear my suddenly soiled name -- means it will take some convincing to get me to partake of the sensual pleasures he offers. Just because I'm naive, doesn't mean I'm easy.
Other than being a murder suspect, conjuring up a demon in the form of a shaggy Newfoundland, and fending off the advances of a horny dragon, I'm having a wonderful time in Paris.
Wish you were here....

Review:
Well, what to say about "You Slay Me"? First, I must point out that I read this on a recommendation of a friend. While I have no issues with the Paranormal Romance genre, I actually read that type if stuff quite frequently, I have to say that a novel about DRAGONS is not something I would normally pick up off the shelf. That being said, I LOVED IT!
"You Slay Me" tells the story about your average girl, who just got a job for her uncle with his courier business. Her first assignment is delivering a dragon statue to a woman in Paris. Aisling Grey, our heroine, does not speak a word of French and upon arriving at the house of Mme. Deauxville, finds her dead body suspended from the ceiling in a representation of one of the Three Demon Deaths. Oh yes, Aisling is also quite versed in demon lore, it's one of her hobbies. Coincidence? I think not. After finding the body, not only does Aisling become suspect numero uno with the police, she also gets pulled into the immortal underworld of Paris where she finds out she is a Guardian, a wyvern's mate, and (eventually) a demon lord. She has to deal with this news, try to clear her name, and try to keep her primal urges in check around the very sexy Drake Vireo.

First, just a quick lesson for anyone reading this that doesn't know the difference between Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy: there isn't really any. The only difference I've ever been able to decipher is that Paranormal Romance just has a slight more emphasis on the romantic element of the story...and slightly steamy-er love scenes. I have read many Urban Fantasies that have had love interests as the main plot point over anything else while some Paranormal Romances that have focused more on the outside plot than the actual romance. Weird, I know. But hey, I don't write the books, I just read them. Now, back to my review!
While the plot followed a generic path, I liked it all the same. I was able to lose myself in the story and keep on reading for hours. The fact that it was about dragons didn't even seem as cheesy as I thought it would be.
Aisling is a hilarious character. She's strong, but at the same time, not the brightest bulb you've ever met. Though, to be fair, if I was suddenly thrust into a world that I only thought existed in books and movies, I'd probably be a bit slow on the uptake as well. That being said, I still loved her to death. My favourite character interaction would have to be between Aisling and Jim, the demon in the form of a shaggy Newfoundland. (By the way, a Newfoundland is a dog, it's not referring to the province). Jim is so sarcastic and condescending to the poor girl, though he seems to be doing it out of genuine like for her. As their relationship evolves, we can tell that Aisling actually feels some love for her dog shaped demon, even though she doesn't show it and more often than not, threatens to have him neutered.
Katie MacAlister seems to have a great way with words. Her writing is very, laugh-out-loud funny. And from talking to the friend that recommended the novel to me, all of her novels are very witty. I definitely look forward to reading more of her novels.
"You Slay Me" is the first in a series, the "Aisling Grey, Guardian" novels. Based on the first one, I plan on reading the rest of the novel and hope that they are all as good as this one.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good laugh. And believe me, the dragon plot line is not as cheesy as it sounds. I was pleasantly surprised.