Supernatural

Lords of Deliverance #1.5 included

by Larissa Ione, Alexandra Ivy, Jacquelyn Frank

In this tantalizing collection, four New York Times bestselling authors invite you into the alluring worlds they've created in the Demonica, Guardians of Eternity, Nightwalkers, and Dragon Kin series. Each mesmerizing page will leave you craving more. . .

"Vampire Fight Club" by Larissa Ione

When a wave of violence forces shapeshifter Vladlena to go undercover, her first stop is a haven of vice—with a dangerously sexy vamp in charge. Both Vladlena and Nathan are hiding something, but they can't conceal the lust that simmers between them . . .

"Darkness Eternal" by Alexandra Ivy

After being held captive by one vampire for four centuries, Kata had no intention of taking another one to the underworld with her. Yet even in the pits of hell, there's no ignoring the intoxicating desire awakened by his touch. . .

"Kane" by Jacquelyn Frank

Kane knows Corrine was meant to be his. . . just as he knows that truly possessing the lovely human is forbidden. But on the night of the Samhain moon, the beast in every demon is stronger than reason, and Kane's hunger is more powerful than any punishment. . .

"Dragon on Top" by G.A. Aiken

Escorting the highborn Bram through deadly Sand Dragon territory will try Ghleanna's patience. . . and her resolve. For Bram is determined to enhance the journey with a seduction no female could resist. . .

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Anthologies, Fantasy, Vampires, Demons

353 pages, ebook

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Air Force veteran Larissa Ione traded in a career in meteorology to pursue her passion of writing. She has since published dozens of books, hit several bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today, and has been nominated for a RITA award. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her retired U.S. Coast Guard husband, her son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhounds, a King Shepherd named Hexe and a Belgian Malinois named Duvel.

Reviews

[Maida (Medley of Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 3.5-4 A Solid Story for a Novella Hearts!! :)

***Only read Vampire Fight Club by Larissa Ione***

[Lady Jaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

**NB: The rating is only for Dragon on Top by G.A. Aiken**

Throughout the Dragon Kin series, a recurring thread has been how much Ghleanna hated her father's past as 'Ailean the Whore.' His reputation fared well for their sons, she always said. People ascribed prowess to them, while expecting that his daughters must be whores.

Well, in Dragon on Top, Ghleanna, who had always thought she'd be alone as a result of these assumptions, gets to find her soul mate. And surprise, surprise, he's been staring her in the face all this while. Bram the Peacemaker, as he's known, is the truce maker for Rhiannon's court. He's nothing like the fierce warrior Ghleanna is. He's quite beta, actually, and has been in love with her for ages. I think everyone knew but her.

I loved it! Loved the contrast of these two! So far, this is the only pairing I've read in this series where the two partners weren't both 'dominant,' 'alpha' characters. I love the sense of calm and purpose that surrounded Bram; I loved the calm and rationality he brought into the mix of this crazy family.

I loved seeing Ghleanna realize her chance for love stood right in front of her, albeit in a different package than she expected. I loved seeing Ghleanna herself in action, maneuvering her way around Helena's court with a stratagem worthy of any politician.

And best of all, I loved the tenderness that underpinned the whole novella. From the obvious love Ghleanna's family have for her and each other, Bram's gentle love, the younger brothers' appearances, straight through to Ghleanna's realization that her father was so much more than his past. Awesome.

Perfect little novella!

[Beate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only read Vampire Fight Club by Larissa Ione. And boy am I glad I did. I was going to skip this story, thinking it wasn't important to the overall story arc - and I was would have missed out on one heck of a story. My only gripe with this story, is that it is entirely too short. But I'm greedy like that. I always want more of my favorite books/stories/authors. :)

[Vashti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read Kane by Jacqueline Frank,okay read which seemed to me like an HFN ending.My favorite book in this series was Jacob,loved that one.

[Sophia Triad · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This review is only for Vampire Fight Club by Larissa Ione)

Shapeshifter Vladlena aka Lena and the daywalker vampire Nathan.

Vladlena has lost her brother at an underground supernatural fight club. A very illegal club underneath the dance club, Thirst, where Nathan is working as a manager. Vladlena is working as a nurse at UG and she will most probably die soon because she cannot shift.

Vladlena and Nathan will meet when Vladena goes undercover to expose the illegal club and those who killed her brother.
Nate has also his own agenda and his own plan of revenge for personal reasons.

A short story that takes place in Demonica world. Our favorite Seminus brothers are present as the Vladlena’s bosses and lots of the characters from Demonica are doing quick appearances.
This story is the first reference about the daywalker vampires.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this group of supernatural/paranormal romances. I suppose it would be supernatural as most of the heroes are decidedly not human. (Paranormal probably refers to humans with extra powers.)

I'm used to vampire romances, but this book also had shifters, dragon shifters, and demons that weren't evil. The dragon shifter one was so good I may just read more in that particular series.

I originally got this for the story by Jacquelyn Frank. I'd read two in that series that I really liked, however I didn't care for the one in this volume.

[Monty Cupcake ☠ Queen of Bloodshed ☠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rating is only for Dragon on Top.

I loved Ghleanna & Bram together. Perfection.

[Melindeeloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It's a supernatural delight”

Four popular paranormal authors offer up four sexy stories connected to their long running series - so lots of fun for fans - and most are nice little samplers for those looking for a new series to try. There's no dancing in the moonlight but there's lots of supernatural delight.

In the order I read them (I am such a rebel:)

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***** G.A Aiken - "Dragon On Top" (Dragon Kin ) -- 4 stars (liked it)
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Bram Merciful has lusted after the blood thirsty Ghleanna and her lovely scars for almost a century, but when Ghleanna task to protect Bram on a very important journey runs a fowl of some traitorous dragons, Bram's going to show them all that he is really not all that merciful after all.

With a fair amount of her trademark insane humor (and just a touch of her trademark crass too), this is a great little taste of Dragon Kin series. I love that the 'blood and guts' heroine has hidden depths in the sneaky strategy department and the cerebral hero shows no mercy in the bedroom. The start of the story was a bit confusing since there are so many character with weird names and I was struggling to remember who we've met before, but I was soooo excited to get to see another of the dragon species.<> The story falls time wise between shorts "Flames and Chains" from About a Dragon and "Can't Get Enough" from Everlasting Bad Boys, Dragon on Top stars the aunt of the dragon siblings from the series, with appearances by the grandparents and the parents from the other prequel shorts

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***** Larissa Ione's "Vampire Fight Club" (Demonica) -- 4 stars (liked it)
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A dying shifter goes undercover to expose the supernatural fight club that cost her brother his life, but catches the eye of her jaded vampire boss

I enjoyed this short, which works fine as a standalone, but Ione's Demonica/Four Horsemen fans will appreciate cameos by the UGH crew.

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*****Alexandra Ivy's "Darkness Eternal "(Guardians of Eternity) -- 4 stars (liked it)
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When cursed vampire Uriel is sent to rescue a woman held captive for centuries, he discovers the mate he must not claim - the mate for whom he will walk through hell to protect

While I like this story and it worked fine as a short, it had all of the makings of a really good longer novel (no Levit though) so I would have loved more. <> Connected to events from Ivy's short in "Taken by Darkness" from Yours for Eternity this short follows on the tails of Devoured by Darkness.

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***** Jacquelyn Frank's "Kane" (Nightwalkers) -- 3 stars (ok)
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Having broken a taboo, the aftermath of Kane's touch nearly took his mate's life, and now he will pay the price - suffering the sensual demands of Samhain, chained close enough to share his healing energy with his comatose mate but unable to fully claim her to relieve his torment.

Frank takes a very sexy step back to the first book in her series to Corrine and Kane's imprinting, though it doesn't add much to the pair personalitywise - the story is pretty much an extended sex scene - but since Mind Demon Kane is explaining his world to Corrine who still believes that she is human, it is a refresher on the Nightwalker world in preparation for Frank's upcoming Adam (who is mentioned briefly in passing). This would work as a standalone but there is not enough story here to give those new to Nightwalkers a real feel for the series.

[Lynsey A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is only based on the Larissa Ione story. I haven't read any of the other authors offered in this book.

What a spectacular new look into the Demonica and Lords of Deliverance series. It made me hungry for the next Lords of Deliverance book and had me wanting to re-read the entire Demonica series.

Even though this was quick 100+ pages story it was still a shining star. I didn't feel that anything was rushed between Lena and Nate and in fact thought their story was very hot and sweet. It was a little predictable that Lena would eventually shift in order to protect Nate but it didn't take away from the story at all. I liked that Lena wasn't a hyena because they aren't really the sweetest or prettiest of animals.

I loved the ending when our beloved characters from the Demonica Series came to save the day. I especially loved that it also included other UG staff coming to help out too.

Great addition to the Demonica and Lords of Deliverance series. It makes me oh so eager for Limos's book which is just around the corner! Well, almost. :)

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

Note: Have only listened to "Dragon On Top" by G. A. Aiken... Justine Eyre as usual did a very good job as the narrator, so I would think the other stories would be narrated just as well. Again, another crazy she-Dragon with a peacemaker hero. Very funny!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can also read this review at Reflections on Reading Romance

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Purchased at Target

I’ve read and enjoyed books by all these authors, but my favorites are easily Larissa Ione and G.A. Aiken, and their stories in this collection are also my favorites. I feel like this is one of the stronger anthologies I’ve seen lately, as all four of the novellas are well done.

My only criticism of the collection as a whole is of the cover. When I saw the early review of Supernatural at The Fiction Vixen, I assumed that the book was either self-published or only being released in eBook form, because the cover is NOT attractive. I was stunned (but in a good way) when I saw in Target in mass market paperback. Hopefully the cover won’t turn you off, because these four authors have written engaging novellas that fit in nicely with their different series.


Larissa Ione “Vampire Fight Club” Set in the world of Ione’s Demonica and Lords of Deliverance series, this is my overwhelming favorite of the stories. Nathan Sabine is a daywalker, a vampire who can walk in the sun. He runs Gladius, a blood arena for supernaturals, and when a hyena shifter dies in the arena, Nate thinks nothing of it. Unfortunately for him, the hyena survives his trip to Underground General long enough to tell his sister Vladlena (Lena) Paskelkov the name of the vampire club Thirst, the front for Gladius. Lena goes undercover at the club to avenge her brother, but she and Nate find themselves fighting their attraction to one another. The first few pages into the novella I wasn’t sure how it fit into Ione’s series, but that was quickly resolved and the rest was smooth sailing. Ione mentions in a short note to the reader that we’ll learn more about Nate’s Daywalker state in future Lords of Deliverance books. I can’t wait!

Alexandra Ivy “Darkness Eternal” I’ve read several of Ivy’s books in the Guardians of Eternity series, but it’s been a while and I’m not caught up on the series, so this novella was at times a bit difficult to follow. However, I enjoyed the story of Kata, trapped in a dark room for over 200 years by her evil vampire sister Marika. Kata’s daughter, Laylah, has convinced the vampires that Kata must be rescued, and the vampire Uriel does just that. When Uriel finds Kata, they learn that the two will need to travel to hell to save her life. While Kata has no desire to spend time with a vampire after being imprisoned by one for centuries, her time with Uriel convinces her otherwise. This was the most convoluted of the novellas, no doubt because I’m a little out of touch with the series.

Jacquelyn Frank “Kane” This novella takes place at the same time as Frank’s first book in the Nightwalkers series, Jacob, my favorite in the series. Unlike Ivy’s novella, however, you can easily follow along without having read any of the series. Kane is a mind demon, and Jacob’s younger brother. When Kane begins to stalk a human woman, Corrine, and then uses his abilities to manipulate minds to talk to her, demon enforcer Jacob intervenes, as demons are strictly forbidden from touching humans. Unfortunately, it turns out that Corrine is part druid, and Kane’s touch has begun the imprinting process, which requires that the two remain in contact to exchange energy. Kane’s enforced absence nearly kills her, but the two are reunited in time to save her life. My only complaint about this novella is that almost the entire story takes place in bed, with the two conversing. It drags a bit, but if you’re a fan of the series, you’ll enjoy learning how Kane and Corrine met.

G.A. Aiken “Dragon on Top” Shelly Laurenston writes about dragon shifters under the pseudonym G.A. Aiken, and her books always crack me up. This novella focuses on dragon shifter Ghleanna the Decimator, sister to Bercelak the Black. As a member of the Cadwaladr clan, Ghleanna is majorly kick-ass, but she’s recently been dumped by a less than worthy dragon, and she’s been wallowing in self-pity ever since. When Ghleanna’s sister-in-law, the queen of the Fire Dragons, decides to send negotiator Bram to arrange a treaty with the Sand Dragons, she decides that Ghleanna should accompany him. Bram has had a crush on Ghleanna for centuries, but she barely notices him, and she’s not thrilled to be babysitting another royal dragon. Bram manages to win her over, though, and the two make an interesting pair. You don’t usually see a beta male in the role of the hero, but Bram is a great example of one and a real sweetheart. Ghleanna is pretty rough and tumble, and the interaction between her and her brothers is a hoot. I think you can read this story without having read any of the books in the series, but you’ll definitely enjoy it more if you have.

[Francesca the Fierce (Under the Covers Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was posted at Under the Covers

This has been a highly anticipated anthology for me. Yeah, that's saying something considering I usually don't care much for short stories. But how often can I say 2 authors I love are in it and the other 2 are also supposed to be really good? My point exactly! I'll review them individually but just know that if for nothing else, I'd recommend this book for Ione and Aiken's stories!!

Vampire Fight Club by Larissa Ione
4.5 Stars

I loved this story! Set in the Demonica/Lords of Deliverance worlds. We have cameos from our favorites from both series. Of course this story involves UGH because that's where Vladena originally works. After her brother comes into UGH pretty beaten up and dies they all start an investigation into where this all happened. As it turns out, there's a secret Fight Club, and no, it's not only vampires, there are plenty of shifters who fight in these underground events. That's what Vladena is, and her brother was. But she has a disadvantaged, she can't shift. And that is genetically a death sentence. She's almost come to terms with that. And now she wants revenge for the death of her brother.

Nathan is a vampire and leader of the Fight Club, but he's not the head honcho. He's someone else's puppet. And he has a lot of anger and resentment for things that were done to him that destroyed his soul. He's seen it all, nothing entices him anymore. Except when he sees Vladena, he wants her.

We get cameos from Eidolon, Shade, Wraith and even Con! As well as a BIG revelation at the end which I'm sure will play a part in the Lords of Deliverance series. See, Nathan is a day-walking vampire, and the key to that is who made him.

Darkness Eternal by Alexandra Ivy
3.5 Stars

I'll be honest I have not read Guardians of Eternity, and this was actually my first read by Alexandra Ivy. I did like it, but I wasn't glued to the pages for it. Uriel is a vampire warrior and he hates jinns because one put a curse on him years ago during a battle and told him he would be his instrument in defeating his enemy. So he's lived thinking he can't be trusted around his own people in the event he will betray them.

Kata has actually been imprisoned by her sister and her mate, and when her sister finally dies and she believes herself to be free and able to search for her child. But Uriel is sent for her. And the attraction is immediate.

Except they are not home free yet, as it turns there's a trip into hell in their future. Along with some pretty hot sex.

This story was interesting, I liked the writing style, there was some romance, some steam, some action. I will definitely be reading more of her work soon.

Kane by Jacquelyn Frank
3 Stars

OK... I have not read the Nightwalkers series but I have read Ms. Frank before, and I feel that in this story she did not get my interest. At all. I found myself even skimming through parts of it. *hangs head in shame*

Kane is one of the young ones, he is not 100 years old yet so he's still considered a child. They are not allowed to touch humans, but his desire for Corrine brings him to barely touch her one night. Just a soft caress. He is immediately forced to wipe her memory, he is punished and she is left alone. Except that touch started a change in her and she now needs to be close to him to live, and being forced apart for so long has made her very sick.

Now, having him shackled to a bed might not be a bad way to wake up, but she does have a lot to understand, and in a short period of time. They manage to do it mostly through his mind powers and her ability as his mate to read some of his thoughts.

Not bad... just mehhh

Dragon On Top by G.A. Aiken
4.5 Stars

Oh the wonderful world of Ms. Aiken's writing! I am currently reading the Dragon Kin series but even though this is #4.5 it really could be read right after book 1 as this goes back in time not to the current set of brothers we are reading about, but their parents. In this case their aunt Ghleanna the Decimator.

She is the ultimate warrior chick, nobody mess with her. She knows she should need a mate that is as strong as her. But when she is tasked with escorting and protecting Bram, the smart and peacful dragon who writes up all the peace treaties that end her wars, she finds herself reconsidering that.

Ghleanna and Bram are just adorable, funny, sexy, hot and so damn entertaining! You can't help but love them! This story might just be my favorite in this anthology!

[Sandy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is for DRAGON ON TOP by G.A.Aiken and DARKNESS ETERNAL by Alexandra Ivy:


DRAGON ON TOP is a prequel storyline in G.A.Aiken’s adult Dragon Kin paranormal, fantasy series. This is Ghleanna the Decimator, and Bram the Merciful’s storyline. For fans of the series, Ghleanna is Bercelak’s sister.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Ghleanna and Bram) DRAGON ON TOP follows our duo as they enter enemy territory. Bram is to negotiate a treaty with the Sand Dragons , on behalf of Queen Rhiannon ,while Ghleanna has been sent to protect and guard the Queen’s peacemaker. What ensues is an attack against our couple by traitors to the Queen; and the imprisonment of Ghleanna and Bram by Empress Helena and the Sea Dragons beneath the ocean’s waters. While Ghleanna heals from the mortal wounds inflicted by the traitors, Bram must begin a new round of treaty negotiations between the Empress and Queen Rhiannon.

Bram is a merciful dragon who prefers peace treaties to war, but our hero is also a male in love with a warrior who has barely acknowledged his existence for hundreds of years. Ghleanna’s brothers and Queen Rhiannon are well aware of Bram’s attraction to their sister and sister-in –law, but Ghleanna is oblivious to the male’s wants and needs. While under ‘house arrest’ at the bottom of the ocean, Bram and Ghleanna’s relationship becomes sexual wherein our couple soon realize that mating is not far behind.

DRAGON ON TOP is a story with all of G.A.Aiken’s humor and snark; witty banter and family dysfunction that only dragon shifters and their kin are capable of doing. Their love for one another, their fierce protective natures, their interactions with other dragons and humans, as well as their need to defend family and friend is equal to the antics and ability to kill anyone who betrays the Royal line. We get a glimpse at Ghleanna’s family dynamics including her relationship with her infamous father Aileen the Whore; and her embarrassment and humiliation with her father’s reputation and past.


If you are a fan of G.A.Aiken’s DRAGON KIN series, DRAGON ON TOP is an extra storyline that focuses on the previous generation of dragon shifters. If this is your first DRAGON KIN read, I would suggest going back and reading the series in order as so much family history builds throughout the storylines and each successive novel.

•••••••••••••

3.5 stars--For fans of the series, DARKNESS ETERNAL is Vampire Uriel and Gypsy Kata’s storyline. DARKNESS ETERNAL falls into the series at book 7.5 adding some additional information to an already established storyline. At this particular point in the series timeline, Kata’s daughter Laylah has just recently become protector and guardian to a baby thought to be connected to the Dark Lord.

NOTE: DARKNESS ETERNAL can be read as a stand alone for those readers who enjoy fast paced, paranormal romance storylines. Its’ connection to the Guardians of Eternity series will not be a hindrance to the reader’s enjoyment. If you are a follower and fan of Alexandra Ivy’s Guardians of Eternity series, DARKNESS ETERNAL adds some background information, not previously revealed, which will connect to the final installment-WHEN DARKNESS ENDS.

The storyline follows the angelic looking vampire Uriel as he is tasked, by his clan chief Victor, to find a missing gypsy woman held prisoner in the Underworld for four hundred years. Uriel has no desire to find the human female, as she is the mother of the half-breed Jinn Laylah (Devoured by Darkness 7) who currently guards a most precious child in the hopes of preventing a supernatural war. What ensues is a trip between portals and worlds for Uriel and Kata as they battle Kata’s vampire turned twin in their search for a way home.

Alexandra Ivy adds a little bit of mischief with Yannah, Levet’s demonic and future ‘girlfriend’, as she plays tour guide and matchmaker between Uriel and Kata. Kata wants nothing to do with another controlling or manipulative vampire, but Uriel recognizes that Kata is his mate and will do everything to protect the woman with whom he will fall in love.

DARKNESS ETERNAL is a quick read; a fast paced storyline of insta-love between two unlikely people that adds a little bit of color, humor and history to the series as it approaches the final installment. With the introduction of Kata, Laylah and the child’s purpose in the final battle will come full circle as the Dark Lord seeks his ultimate goal in WHEN DARKNESS ENDS- book 12.

[Neyra ♦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will only be reviewing one of the anthologies, Vampire Fight Club. Not for lack of enthusiasm, but because I've only read Larissa Ione's series. I'm not exactly familiar with any of the worlds from the varying authors in the book, so until I do I will only review the first story :) So with that...

Welcome to the wonderful world of Demonica! ^-^ One of my favorite of the Adult PNR genre. If you've never read the Demonica and Lord of Deliverance series, I'll try to quickly recap before I continue with the characters in this book. Demonica starts off with Pleasure Unbound, where we are introduced to Eidolon and his two brothers, Shade and Wraith, sex demons also known as Seminus demons. Their world is mostly focused in Underworld General Hospital, more specifically, a demon hospital, where any species can go to get treated where they otherwise couldn't in the human realm. The brothers not only work at UGH (yes, I know, I know :P), they own Underworld General, built it themselves. In the world of Demonica, humans live alongside demons of all kinds (though they're oblivious to any of them, unless they're in the know of course) ; not only that, but there's also vampires, weres, cat shifters, and canine shifters as well.

Well, I hope you have an idea of what Demonica is now :) The reason I brought it up, is because Vampire Fight Club introduces us to Vladlena, or rather, allows us her POV in the world of Demonica. She is a nurse at Underworld General, and hyena shifter, who has difficulty shifting to animal form. Also, we are introduced for the first time to Nate, a special kind of vampire who manages the Vampire Club. He's what's called a "daywalker" because he is the only vampire, that he knows of, who can walk in the sunlight.

Now, the actual name of the club where Nate works at is called Trust. Here, vampires and humans, mingle, dance, have sex, that sort of stuff. But unbeknownst to the humans, vampires, as well as most of the staff at Trust, underground, there is an arena where fights are held, and the bloodier and deadlier, the better. Anyone dies there, their bodies get tossed to a back alley elsewhere.

Nate's character was hilarious, I lol'ed throughout his entire POV. He's cold, and ruthless, but in comes Vladlena and he verges on sarcasm and wry humor. She rekindles his love of life and heart he'd long since thought was no longer a part of him. Vladlena is a strong, determined, if a bit naive female. I thought she'd get on my nerves for being a snoop, but she had strong reasons for doing so, Her brother, Vaughn, gets killed during one of the matches at the club and she had backbone, so that helped. Lol We are also reacquainted with the sem-brothers, and that's always fun :)

I enjoy reading Larissa's books. She has a way of making you feel like you're a part of that world, like her characters are real. This story was an integral part of her Lords of Deliverance series. And with Lethal Rider coming out soon, I'm sure there'll be more answers to the story behind Nate's sire. Though, by the description he gave when he'd first seen him, one can guess who it is, but not how he's able to create vampires.

For now, that's all, but I will continue to read the other stories in Supernatural, once I've learned more of the authors' worlds.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads

Anthologies tend to be hit or miss for me. Normally, I’ll be familiar with only 1 or 2 of the authors and the series their individual short story relates to. In this case, it was 3 for 4, I’m a big fan of 3 series that are included and I couldn’t wait to see what the authors offered up.

Vampire Fight Club – 4/5
I love this world that Larissa has created and we get a little taste of Underworld General as well as a reference to her new Lords of Deliverance series. I really enjoyed Lena, and her attitude of having nothing left to lose as she tries to figure out who murdered her brother. Nate comes off very hard initially, working undercover himself, but when Lena shows up his protective instincts hit overdrive and they ended up having a sweet and sexy story. There was a lot packed into 100 pages, and I was left wanting more. Not a bad feeling, but certainly a curse of the short story.

Darkness Eternal – DNR
I’m not rating this one. I started out reading it, but it just didn’t hold my attention. I haven’t been following this series and honestly, it didn’t grab me from the start, so I passed it.

Kane – 2.5/5
The Nightwalkers series is a favorite and with a new full length book coming up, I was excited to read this one. It’s really just ok. There wasn’t much depth to the story, there was a lot of explaining about the Nightwalkers, who they are, what imprinting is – which I get is important if you haven’t read any of the books in the series, but it just ate up pages and didn’t offer anything new for this specific story. It was good to get back into this world, but I ended up being a bit underwhelmed with the story.

Dragon on Top – 4.5/5

“We all make mistakes, Ghleanna. The point is not to dwell on them.”

“Easy enough for you. You probably never make mistakes. When you fart, I bet rainbows shoot out your ass.”

This was the stand out of the book for me – this story read like a mini-novel. It’s the longest story in the collection and it was packed. I do wonder how people who have never read the series will catch on to the world and characters, there’s not much in the way of background given, but since the story focuses primarily on Bram and Ghleanna, there’s not much that needs to be known outside of what’s directly impacting them. I love Bram. Love him. Maybe it’s his way of losing all sense of time when he’s reading or writing, or his deadly fire breathing ability, that he only brings out when it’s most needed. Which just proves he might come off as a non-violent peace maker, but don't ever, ever cross him. On the outside they’re the ultimate odd couple, but they click and their banter (as is the case in any Dragon series book) drives the story and makes me laugh out loud.

Overall, I give the book a 3.5/5 – The first three stories come in at around 100 pages each, while Dragon on Top is the longest, at just shy of 200 pages. For the most part, these stories can be read by any fan of paranormal romance, but fans of each individual series will get a little bit more out of the stories.

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

Supernatural was a fun read for me because I am a Larissa Ione fan and like Demonica and Lords of Deliverance as well as Jacqueline Frank’s Nightwalker series. I was not familiar with either Alexandra Ivy or G.A. Aiken. This proved to be a great introduction to their series, and I’ll certainly add them to my to-read list.

In Vampire Fight Club called Thirst the action begins where Nate, a day walker vampire, is seeing blood, violence, sex, and cheering crowds as he witnesses the death of a hyena shifter that didn’t shift in a blood fight ring. Nate is a legend himself in the blood pit, but has refused to fight for a number of decades. Lots of scantily clad females are sexing it up in this club.

Lena is a nurse in the emergency area of Underworld General Hospital. We get to meet Eidolon an incubus, and his brother Shade at UGH. Lena reports the status of a recently deceased from trauma, relays a quote from Shade:
Hell’s fking rings! The dude looks like he went through a wood chipper.”

Lena learns that her brother was killed at Thirst where the club is hiring medics. Nate has to get injured before he will hire her to tend to his injuries. Many twists and turns in this short story was very in intriguing as Larissa is known for. You have to read it to learn more. This story of the four was for me the best.

I have not read Alexandra Ivy series, but Darkness Eternal whetted my appetite to seek out more. Uriel and Kata’s story was most enjoyable and I was introduced to the jinn, genies living in an unseen world in dimensions not visible by humans.

Uriel’s powers and Kata’s history of imprisonment unfolded into a very fascinating story. I guarantee to put Guardians of Eternity on my to-read stack.

Jacquelyn Frank’s Nightwalker series is one of my favorites, and Kane follows Jacob who plays an important part in this story as an enforcer. There are rules and consequences within the Nightwalkers code of conduct Uriel is at odds with these rules as he endeavors to release Corrine.

I loved their story as it fit well in my love of the Nightwalker series.

The Dragon on Top introduced me to G.A. Aiken and her Dragon Kin series. I loved it, since I’m a dragon story aficionado of Anne McCaffrey. Dragon shifters are so unique to me I was drawn into this story by Ghleanna the Decimator being bashed by her aunts. The conversations were hysterical as they tried to sober her up and get her cleaned up. She’s instructed by her queen to escort Bram, The Royal, to negotiate with other kings. Now, here’s role reversal with the alpha Ghleanna being the fierce warrior and Bram being the Peacemaker beta.

“Do us both a favor and don’t piss me off” , Ghleanna shouted to Bram as they were preparing to embark on their journey.

I laughed all the way through this story and the opposites becoming attracted to each other was stormy, but amusing.

These are all good stories to entice readers to fetch more of the authors’ series.

[ᴥ Irena ᴥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vampire Fight club is set in Demonica world. A shapeshifter UG nurse is trying to find her brother's murderer, so she goes undercover as a nurse at an underground fight club. You don't have to know anything from Demonica world, but it is more interesting if you do. I liked the story. - 4 stars

Darkness Eternal: Uriel is supposed to protect a gypsy from her crazy vampire sister and they end up in hell. - 2 stars

Kane is not a very good introduction to Nightwalkers. At least, not for me. Kane, a Demon, is stalking his future mate. He touches her while she is hypnotized and her Druid DNA awakens and now she can't survive without him. Yes, it's exactly the way I wrote. - 1 star

I've never read anything from The Dragon Kin series, but if it is as funny as the story from this anthology then I'll try the rest too. Bram is really funny with his absent-mindedness (he doesn't notice anything while he is working) and books.

“The Battle of Fychan has been outside your door for at least eight months. Everyone else in the nearby town as well as your servants, have abandoned the area except for you and poor Charles, who didn’t want to leave your precious books and papers unattended. I do hope you pay that lad well.”
“You know . . .” Bram gazed out over the battlefield. “Thought I heard some screams . . . a few times."

When he meets Ghleanna's brothers, who will accompany them to the Desert Lands, one of them introduces the rest:
“These are my brothers,” Addolgar said. “Cai the Green, Hew the Black, Adain the Yellow.”
“It’s gold, you bastard. I’m Adain the Gold.”

And some more:
“See?” she asked. “I’ve got it all under control.”
“You head-butted your brother,” Bram noted.
“Aye.”
“Your brother.”
There are lots of moments like these. These two couldn't have been more different. - 3.5 stars (Epilogue was not necessary).

[Shannon C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vampire Fight Club: 4 stars - Lena is a nurse working at Underworld General Hospital (we know it well from the best selling Demonica series). When her brother is killed under mysterious circumstances, she goes undercover at a vampire club to find his killer. Is her new boss Nathan behind her brother's death? This is a very good dark PNR anthology. Given the short lengths, I'm usually left waning more in anthologies. It's tough for an author to fully flesh out a story plus develop a relationship--and Ione pulls it off.

Dragon on Top: 3.5 stars - Set in Aiken's popular Dragon Kin world (before the truce with the Lightnings), this story focused on the kick a$$ heroine Ghleanna of the infamous Calawaldr clan and Bram, a diplomat working for Queen Rhiannon. This was a good, funny little read--full of bawdy and slapstick humor. I usually prefer alpha male heros, but I still liked this story. The H/h seemed to fit well together and it was an amusing, light read.

Darkness Eternal: 3 stars - Uriel, a highly ranked vampire, is ordered by his clan chief Victor to rescue Kata (Laylah's mother). But when they are sucked into the Underworld by an enemy's spell, will they ever get out again? I had a hard time following some parts of this one--I missed the last book in Ivy's Guardians of Eternity series so maybe that's why. I also missed the comic relief that we usually get during the scenes between Levet and the vampires. I liked the story, even though it was a bit short.

Kane: 2.5 stars - We met Kane and Corrine in book one of Frank's Nightwalkers series. This didn't seem like a fully fleshed out story to me, but rather a glimpse at their first interactions (when they first met, explaining the fated mate bond, and sex.) Some parts were repetitive to what we already read in 'Jacob. The story also felt a bit too short and didn't bring closure.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Vampire Fight Club " by Larissa Ione

When a wave of violence forces shapeshifter Vladlena to go undercover, her first stop is a haven of vice—with a dangerously sexy vamp in charge. Both Vladlena and Nathan are hiding something, but they can't conceal the lust that simmers between them . . .

"Darkness Eternal " by Alexandra Ivy

After being held captive by one vampire for four centuries, Kata had no intention of taking another one to the underworld with her. Yet even in the pits of hell, there's no ignoring the intoxicating desire awakened by his touch. . .

"Kane " by Jacquelyn Frank

Kane knows Corrine was meant to be his. . . just as he knows that truly possessing the lovely human is forbidden. But on the night of the Samhain moon, the beast in every demon is stronger than reason, and Kane's hunger is more powerful than any punishment. . .

"Dragon on Top" by G.A. Aiken

Escorting the highborn Bram through deadly Sand Dragon territory will try Ghleanna's patience. . . and her resolve. For Bram is determined to enhance the journey with a seduction no female could resist. . .

Larissa Ione's contribution is great. I love seeing the characters from UGH, and there's a hint about one of the horsemen. 5 stars

Frank's story was OK, but I simply never liked Kane much, and there's no plot to keep me focused. 4 stars

Alexandra Ivy's story is the weakest link. Her writing is good, but the stories are simply not memorable. 3 stars

And my favorite from this anthology: G.A. Aiken's story. Those dragons are awesome. We get to see the bloodthirsty Cadwaladr clan. :-) 5 stars

Rating for the whole anthology:

4.25 stars

[AL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating and review is based on Vampire Fight Club by Larissa Ione.

Very interesting story! This story is about Nate, a daywalker vampire and Vladlena, a nurse at UG who is dying due to the inability to shift. Nate is manager of a club called Thirst and secretly manages a fight club for his boss who is a demon named Fade, lost his fire and will to enjoy living but then he met this new nurse for his club that has her own secret. It all started when Vladlena saw her brother dying due to the injuries he suffered in the arena and made a vow to find who killed her brother. The Seminus brothers found her a way to enter the club as a medic and find the arena. That's when she met the manager, Nate, and things got a little heated. Nate with his agenda to kill his boss and to find his sire who turned him into a daywalker got what he wanted in the end. Lena with her revenge plan got more what she came for. Shifted into wolf/hyena. A halfbreed apparently, made her very special. Loved the ending. Nate is perfect for her and she him. Finding out who turned Nate without giving him/exchanging blood was a shocker. Who knew Thanatos could turn people into a vampire with just a bite. Can't wait to learn more.

[The Window Seat]

Vampire Fight Club -
This one, I couldn't even finish. I cared not one whit for Nathan or Vladlena and her undercover mission to the Vampire Fight Club. This is the story that proved to me it was the Sem Brothers that made me like the Demonica books. As short as it was, it still wasn't something I wanted to take the time to read.

For the full review, please go to http://thewindowseat13.blogspot.com/2...

Dragon on Top -
Dragon on Top is from the Supernatural anthology and it deals with Bercelak's sister Gleahanna.


For the full review, please go to http://thewindowseat13.blogspot.com/2...

[Arzu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This rating is only based on the Jacquelyn Frank story. I haven't read any of the other authors offered in this book. I will probably read the other books in the future. Once I have read them, I will adapt my rating.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only read the Aiken story and it's so freaking awesome! Coming back to read the others at a later date.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a re-read. Probably one of the best anthologies I've read because it's got short stories from some of my favorite paranormal series. And they were all pretty good reads.

[Julianna]

Reviewed for THC Reviews
When reading anthologies, I usually pick up one novella here and there to fill in gaps between longer books and rarely read them straight through. With that being the case, I've decided to post reviews of each story as I finish it. Reviews on the remaining novellas and the overall book rating will be forthcoming.:-)
*newest review for this anthology

Vampire Fight Club by Larissa Ione - “Vampire Fight Club” is a novella in Larissa Ione’s Demonica/Lords of Deliverance series that falls between Eternal Rider and Immortal Rider in the series chronology. It tells the story of Vladlena, a nurse at Underworld General Hospital, who is also a shifter who can’t transform into her animal self. As a result, she’s doomed to die shortly after her twenty-fourth birthday, which is rapidly approaching. When her brother is brought in torn to shreds and she discovers that he’d been participating in some sort of arena death match, she’s determined to infiltrate the fight club and take it down as her last act. To that end, she gets a job as a medic at the legitimate nightclub that caters to supernaturals and acts as a front for the underground operation. There she meets club manager Nathan, a vampire who stirs her desires but who she doesn’t know if she can trust. As their attraction ramps up, she eventually comes to realize that they have similar goals, but the club owner isn’t so easy to eliminate.

Nathan was turned vampire two centuries before, and soon after, he accidentally turned his beloved wife, whom he thought he’d killed. Mourning her loss, he wandered Europe for decades before finally finding her alive and in the arms of another supernatural known as Fade. After seducing her away from Fade, he hoped they’d finally have a future together only to have that cut short when Fade captured her and put her in the fighting area where she was killed. Filled with rage over losing her again, Nathan intended to infiltrate Fade’s organization and take it down from the inside, but the longer it’s taken, the more apathetic he’s become until he hates himself for not doing more. When Vladlena comes into his club, she stirs something inside him that he hasn’t felt in ages, and when Fade presents a threat to her, Nathan discovers that he’ll do anything to keep her safe.

Overall, “Vampire Fight Club” was a good addition to this series. It was an interesting novella that presented a story of two characters who fit together very well. The characterizations were quite good for this shorter format and I generally enjoyed the story. I have only two small complaints. The first is that Nathan can be a bit of a jerk in the beginning, which made me want to smack him silly, but during the final third or so of the novella, when he rediscovers his purpose in life, he turns into a much nicer and more admirable person. It was at that point I finally fell for him. The second issue is that Nathan and Lena tend to lead with their sexual chemistry right out of the gate, which didn’t work well for me. Even though they don’t actually have sex until the end, they do other things, and I just wasn’t feeling enough of a connection between them to make such intimacies appealing to me. This was probably because Nate rubbing me the wrong way, made it hard to discern what Lena saw in him at that point. Despite all that, though, the ending was great, an action-packed showdown that really engaged by attention, and once Nate and Lena actually began communicating, I finally felt that all-important emotional bonding between them that put paid to their romantic relationship. Nate also has an intriguing connection to one of the Four Horsemen, which the author says in her endnote will be explored later in the Lords of Deliverance series, so I look forward to seeing more of Nate and Lena in future books. “Vampire Fight Club” was originally published in this anthology, but was later re-released as a stand-alone ebook. Star Rating: ****

Darkness Eternal by Alexandra Ivy -

Kane by Jacquelyn Frank -

*Dragon on Top by G. A. Aiken - “Dragon on Top” is a long novella that falls between Last Dragon Standing and The Dragon Who Loved Me in G. A. Aiken's Dragon Kin series, as per the author's recommended reading order, although chronologically it's the fourth story of the series. Ghleanna the Decimator is a brave warrior who isn’t afraid of anything, but after getting dumped by a jerk of a dragon who thought she was nothing but a whore like her father used to be, she’s been drowning her sorrows in ale. Then she’s summoned to Queen Rhiannon’s court and tasked by Her Majesty to escort and protect Bram the Merciful on his journey to secure an alliance with the Sand Dragons. She enlists the help of her wacky family, but along the way, they’re accosted by traitors to the queen and Ghleanna is badly wounded. With her brothers fighting off the attackers, Bram must act quickly to save Ghleana’s life, and with their backs against the ocean, he sees no other option but to take her to the home of the Sea Dragons, someplace he never thought to return. The Fins reluctantly help, but their empress demands Bram secure a truce with Rhiannon in exchange for their safety, something that Bram isn’t sure he can accomplish even with his superior diplomatic skills. During their sojourn under the sea, Bram finds it difficult to fight his long-standing affection for Ghleanna, while she finally gets acquainted with the dragon she’d previously barely known existed. She comes to realize that in order to achieve the true love she’s looking for, perhaps it’s time she tries a different kind of dragon. And if they can get out of their situation alive, maybe she and Bram can have a happy ending after all.

Ghleanna is the ultimate warrior woman, a soldier born and bred, like most of the members of the Cadwaladr clan. Since her brother, Bercelak, is the queen’s consort, Ghleanna is familiar with the court, but as commoners, she and her family spend most of their time on the battlefield, which suits her just fine. Ever since she was dumped by a dragon who made her look bad in front of her troops, she’s been holed up in her cave drinking ale to forget. Then Rhiannon calls upon her to escort Bram to the land of the Sand Dragons. Ghleanna isn’t very happy about what she views as a babysitting mission that’s beneath her skills, but she can’t exactly say no to the queen. Then they’re attacked and she’s nearly killed, awakening in the Sea Dragon kingdom with Bram as the only familiar face. She can’t deny that he’s easy on the eyes, but not her usual type. She’s always gone for her fellow warriors, while Bram is a bookish diplomat, but after sharing a kiss with him, she starts to think that maybe she’s been looking in the wrong places for love all along. Overall, I thought Ghleanna was a pretty good heroine. She’s definitely a tough girl, which doesn’t always work well for me in a romance heroine, but I like that she actually seemed to want love and didn’t fight the idea of being with Bram even though he was different than other dragon males she’s been with. She’s also happy to relinquish the reigns in the bedroom. I thought it was cute as well how she earned the respect of the Sea Dragon soldiers.

Bram is a high-born noble in Queen Rhiannon’s court and her most trusted diplomat who has secured many a peace treaty. He’s been head-over-heels in love with Ghleanna from afar ever since he met her decades ago, but she barely seems to know he exists, something that she, in her blunt honesty, keeps reminding him of, until he’s about ready to throw in the towel. Because of his attraction and her seeming indifference, he isn’t much happier about the queen pairing them together for the journey, and when she includes several of her other wacky family members, he’s even less enthused. But when Ghleanna is mortally wounded and Bram is the only one who can save her, he risks everything to go back to the Fins’ territory, a place where he had a very bad experience in the past, in hopes of getting her help. The empress isn’t happy to see him, but reluctantly agrees to assist in exchange for a truce with Rhiannon. It’s something Bram isn't sure he can manage, but for Ghleanna he’ll do anything. While there, he’s thrilled when Ghleanna finally starts to see him for who he really is. I adored Bram. He’s so smart and cultured, and generally all about promoting peace, which makes him about as close to a beta hero as we’ve seen in this series. He bears some similarity to Ragnar (Last Dragon Standing), but unlike Ragnar who is both an intellectual and a warrior, Bram is mostly just an intellectual. He’s not without defensive capabilities that he’s not afraid to use to protect Ghleanna, but his brain is his primary weapon. While I wouldn’t characterize him as a dominant in the bedroom, he’s definitely not averse to taking charge in his own sweet way, showcasing what a generous and thoroughly delicious lover he can be.

I have to admit that “Dragon on Top” didn’t turn out entirely the way I expected. I honestly thought Bram and Ghleanna were going to take a trip to the land of the Sand Dragons but then they instead end up in Sea Dragon territory, a place that couldn’t be more opposite. It was kind of cool, though, to learn about a new group of dragons. However, I couldn’t help feeling like the plot was a little unfocused. A lot happens for a novella, when I thought that tighter storytelling would have been better for this shorter format. I loved Bram and liked Ghleanna, but their characterizations aren’t particularly deep. I honestly wasn’t feeling a connection between them for about the first third or so of the story. Ghleanna just doesn’t seem to have any interest at all in Bram until he saves her life, which kind of put a damper on the romance for me. It did improve later in the story, but they still didn’t have many genuinely romantic moments together. While I understand the nature of the Cadwaladr Clan as being slightly crazy but lovable goofballs, I felt like there was a little too much zany bantering and lack of respect for personal space early on. I know it was supposed to be funny, but in real life, it would drive me batty and it wasn’t much different in book form. This improved somewhat once Bram and Ghleanna were away from her family in the underwater kingdom, but even then a couple of characters kept walking into their bedroom without even knocking first which was annoying. While there were only a couple of steamy scenes, they were very well done, so those and my love for the main characters helped to keep this novella from falling below four stars for me. It definitely wasn’t perfect, but overall not a bad little read. “Dragon on Top” was originally published in this anthology, but was later re-released as a stand-alone ebook.

Note: This novella contains a small amount of explicit language that is typically reserved for the erotic subgenre and which sensitive readers may find objectionable, but the content of the love scenes are on par with most steamy romances.

[Jess the Romanceaholic · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.

Expected Release Date: September 1, 2011 (Available Now)
Publisher: Kensington Books
Imprint: Zebra

Vampire Fight Club - Larissa Ione

Author’s Website: http://larissaione.com
Part of a Series: Yes, Demonica 5.5/Lords of Deliverance 1.5
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Steam Level: Steamy

Official Blurb:

When a wave of violence forces shapeshifter Vladlena to go undercover, her first stop is a haven of vice—with a dangerously sexy vamp in charge. Both Vladlena and Nathan are hiding something, but they can't conceal the lust that simmers between them . . .

While newcomers to the series will likely not appreciate the cameos and references of minor characters from the series, as a fan, I thoroughly enjoyed them. The pacing was well done, though of course, the relationship was a bit rushed, but that's the case in almost every novella you'll ever read, so that didn't bother me at all.

Recommended for fans of shifter heroines with nothing to lose, of vampire heroes consumed by the need for revenge, and of taking down a malicious criminal boss with explosive action.

4/5 Stars

Darkness Eternal - Alexandra Ivy

Author’s Website: http://www.alexandraivy.com
Part of a Series: Yes, Guardians of Eternity 7.5
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Steam Level: Steamy

Official Blurb:

After being held captive by one vampire for four centuries, Kata had no intention of taking another one to the underworld with her. Yet even in the pits of hell, there's no ignoring the intoxicating desire awakened by his touch. . .


A neutral point, I'm still unsure how I feel about the Jinn's actions in the end. I can't say more without being a spoiler, just suffice it to say on one hand it was bittersweet and on the other, it seemed totally effed up.

While I don't think this story will work well as a standalone, I definitely recommend it for fans of the series (if for nothing more than the fact that it will likely feature somehow in the next novel).

3/5 Stars

Kane - Jacquelyn Frank

Author’s Website:
Part of a Series: Yes, Nightwalkers 1.5
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Steam Level: Steamy (?)

Official Blurb:

Kane knows Corrine was meant to be his. . . just as he knows that truly possessing the lovely human is forbidden. But on the night of the Samhain moon, the beast in every demon is stronger than reason, and Kane's hunger is more powerful than any punishment. . .

This one was a huge disappointment to me, because I love Jacquelyn Frank's novels. Drink of Me, Seduce Me in Dreams, Seduce Me in Flames, those have long been favorites on my PNR list. I admit, I've never read the rest of the Nightwalker series (which, I think this is more like a prequel to some of the stories already out?), but to be honest, if this story is typical of it, I'm glad I've avoided it thus far.

The mind reading and mind control just didn't appeal to me, as it seemed too invasive and too much like rape (physical and psychological). Perhaps it's simply because I'm such a private person, but I just can't find anything sexy about it.

To be perfectly fair, it may simply be a matter of needing to have read the rest of the series first. The other stories in this anthology all felt to me as though they wouldn't stand as well on their own, so I imagine this one is no different. Having not read the original series, I think that may have put this story at a slight disadvantage with me.

As such, fans of the Nightwalker series will probably enjoy it, simply because it's a side story involving what is apparently a major character from the series. For me, however, this was a big fat DNF.

Dragon on Top - G.A. Aiken

Author’s Website: http://www.gaaiken.com/
Part of a Series: Yes, Dragon Kin 4.5
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Steam Level: Steamy

Official Blurb:

Escorting the highborn Bram through deadly Sand Dragon territory will try Ghleanna's patience. . . and her resolve. For Bram is determined to enhance the journey with a seduction no female could resist. . .

While neither a positive or negative point, readers unfamiliar with the series should realize that there is an enormous amount of very casual violence in this series, and this story is no exception. There is near-constant blood and gore and fighting, treated as though it were nothing at all. While this doesn't bother me, I do think some readers may be put off by it.

I admit, G.A. Aiken's Dragon Kin series is a guilty pleasure for me. I don't typically like bold, brash, and frankly, bitchy heroines, but these stories always have a way of beautifully blending casual violence and roughened edges with something slightly vulnerable and turning it into a thing of wonder.

Recommended for fans of brash heroines, beta heroes with a penchant for scars, and of dragon shifters finally opening their eyes to see what's been right in front of them all along.

4/5 Stars


---



All four of these stories, I felt, would not work well as a standalone. Even having read three out of four of the series before, I was slightly lost on occasion, especially with Dragon On Top, even though that was one of my favorites.

Overall, this anthology was a bit of a let-down for me. While I of course greatly enjoyed Larissa Ione's Vampire Fight Club, if for no other reason than I'm a fangirl of the entire Demonica Universe, and I also enjoyed G.A. Aiken's Dragon on Top as a total guilty pleasure, Darkness Eternal by Alexandra Ivy was a bit of a disappointment, especially since I have read and enjoyed the entire series. Rounding it out with one of the rare DNF's for me was Kane by Jacquelyn Frank, which was incredibly disappointing as a fan of her other novels outside of the series Kane is set in.

In the end, I would recommend this anthology only for fans of a specific series. I personally consider myself a fan of all four authors, and of three out of four of the series, and even I couldn't really get full enjoyment out of the collection.

Technically my rating is going to be an average of 2.75, but as I always round up, final rating 3/5 Stars.

[Dark Faerie Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick & Dirty: This anthology delivers four very steamy stories from some very talented authors.

The Review:

I originally read this book for one story, “Vampire Fight Club” by Larissa Ione. I can’t seem to get enough of the Lords of Deliverance series. Those guys plus the Sem brothers, originally from the Demonica series, equals supernatural sexiness. I suppose there is nothing wrong with reading only one story in an anthology. In this case, I must request that you try all of them on. Well worth your while. You may even find a new favorite series out of it.

“Vampire Fight Club” by Larissa Ione (Demonica Book 5.5/Lords of Deliverance Book 1.5)

What would you choose to do if you knew you had only a short time to live? Why, solve the mysterious death of your brother and then avenge him, obviously! Vladlena, known to her friends as Lena, is a shapeshifter that cannot shift. She’s tried everything, knowing that if she can’t shift, she will die in a matter of weeks. After the body of her brother is found in an alley by a well-known night club, and a not so well known fight club, she decides that she will discover who killed him and why in the short time she has left. She gets a job at the club, as a medic, so she can snoop around. She finds Nathan. Nathan is the manager of the club, and one sexy vampire. He too once sought revenge against the club owner, but finds that he no longer cares. Let’s just say that Lena and Nathan have a lot in common, and it’s not just sexual chemistry. Will Nathan be able to shake off his lethargy when Lena’s life is at stake? Will Lena finally find something worth living for other than revenge? This novella does not require you to know the series before hand. It may, however, entice you to pick it up.

Rating: 5/5

“Darkness Eternal” by Alexandra Ivy: (#7.5 of the Guardians of Eternity series)

This is Uriel’s and Kata’s story. Uriel is charged by Victor, his vampire king, to find and retrieve Laylah’s missing gypsy mother, Kata. Little did Uriel know all that awaited him on this seemingly simple assignment. Kata is the twin to Marika, evil vampire extraordinaire, and has been held captive for the last two centuries. Now that Marika is dead, she is free from the spells that held her, right? Wrong. Marika has bound their twin souls together so that when she dies, so does Kata. By the time that Uriel finds Kata, the two of them are transported to Hell to await the pleasure of Marika’s madness. In the midst of all of this drama, Uriel and Kata fall in love. Will their past prejudices get in the way of their future happiness? But how long will they be allowed to enjoy their new-found love when they are being hunted by the invincible Marika whom wishes to see them both suffer for eternity in hell with her? I have yet to read the Eternity series, but this novella is a great read on its own.

Rating: 4/5

“Kane” by Jacquelyn Frank (#1.5 of the Nightwalkers series)

Kane is a mind demon that has broken one of his race’s greatest laws, he wants a human. His desire to make Corrine his own has overwritten his better judgment. In his world, demons don’t mate with humans; they are not even allowed to interact with them. So when Kane finally approaches Corrine and goes to claim her, the punishment for violating the laws is immediate. Kane is erased from her mind and taken away, and Corrine will be left alone. But by Kane touching her, Corrine’s dormant druid DNA is awakened and the two Imprint on one another. Imprinting is a phenomenon that makes the two parties part of a symbiotic relationship where one can no longer live without the other, literally. Corrine’s separation from Kane is now the reason she is dying. They are brought back together but it’s during a dangerous time for demons. It’s a time when demons are savage in their lovemaking and unable to control themselves with their mates, something that a fragile female could die from. There is a bunch of back story included but it boils down to two unlikely people forced together and then fall in love.

I hate to say this, but this is my least favorite of all the stories. Even though it gives a tantalizing glimpse of the Nightwalkers series, the whole story mostly takes place in a bed. With Kane tied up. I know; yum right? Corrine, on the other hand, vacillates between being afraid of Kane and trying to ravage him. I don’t know, maybe I would like the books more because they are longer and have to ability to add in more stuff, like a plot.

Rating: 3/5

“Dragon on Top” by G.A. Aiken: (#4.5 of the Dragon Kin series)

Oh my, I’m going to need to read this series, like, right now. Dragons and fighting and loving, what a combination! Captain Ghleanna Cadwaladr is not a she-dragon others are willing to mess with. She’s strong, ruthless, and has the training to back up her loud and tactless mouth. After getting dumped and humiliated in front of her troops, her queen assigns her to accompany and protect a group going to negotiate a treaty with a neighboring dragon clan, the Sand Dragons. Bram the Merciful is the queen’s top negotiator and more known for his brain than his brawn. But when his queen tells him he will have an escort to the Sand Dragon’s domain, he is torn. Bram has been in love with Ghleanna for years but she doesn’t even know he exists. Can he take the chance of being distracted by her when he has such an important job to do? But when Ghleanna is mortally wounded by a band of traitors, Bram must decide if the life of the one he loves is worth the risk to go to the one place he’s vowed never to return. Can the gentle male tame the fierce, but oblivious, female and make her his own? Can two so very opposite dragons make it work?

Rating: 5/5

FTC Advisory: Kensington Books provided me with a copy of the Supernatural Anthology. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only things I receive for payment are hugs and kisses from my little boys.

[Tawnya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read the one section for Larissa Ione’s book and I really enjoy this series. My only complaint was how short the book was.

[edge of bubble · Rating 4 out of 5]

just read dragon on top.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I LOVE ANTHOLOGIES! I don't buy all that many and it's really a shame. I truly believe they are a great way for a newer reader, such as myself, to get a taste of authors that someone has recommended without shelling out big bucks. Or you can discover new authors by finding an anthology with an author whose style you like. The other authors included should be in the same style. Score! New authors to follow.

I was extremely lucky to receive this book from a Goodreads giveaway - yep, people actually win those! It took quite a bit of time to actually receive my book but I think that just made me look forward to it that much more.

"Vampire Fight Club": Already being a fan of Larissa Ione and knee deep into the Demonica and Lords of Deliverance series, I read Larissa Ione's story right after I finished her book Sin Undone. I loved Vladlena's story because I remembered the character from the series and I think I remembered her "affliction". All the Demonica series regulars make appearances (yay!) and there's even a nice taste of LOD in case you haven't gotten into that series yet. 5/5

"Darkness Eternal": Alexandra Ivy is an author I'm not familiar with. I liked that characters from this story and the world seemed pretty unique in it's own ways. I just really had a problem following the p.o.v. as it changed back and forth between Kata and Uriel. Call me simple minded but I do better when there are chapter breaks or some sort of delineation in the chapter to show the p.o.v. is changing. This story didn't do that and I got confused at times. If there weren't really changes of p.o.v., then color me thoroughly confused! The story just wasn't very strong, either. 2/5

"Kane": Another author that was completely new to me is Jacquelyn Frank. I will be adding her to my looming TBR pile. This was a unique love story set in a world I'm really interested in learning more about. I'm not all that big on demons but the way their world seems to be structured different than anything else I've seen before has me intrigued. The story between Kane and Corinne is more cerebral than "hot and heavy" but it's done really well with very little lagging. 4/5

"Dragon on Top": I absolutely enjoyed this fun read!! Another series I'm adding to my TBR mountain! G.A. Aiken writes a quick, sweet love story about opposites attracting. I think I liked this story so much because I used to work in a male dominated field and I loved working with the "boys". You'll just have to read the story to know what the heck I'm talking about. Anyways, it was one of those stories that when I had to put it down, I was eagerly looking forward to picking it back up. 5/5