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"USA Today" bestselling author Nina Bangs once again tempts readers to enter the wickedly sensual Castle of Dark Dreams--a playground where private pleasures and devilish fantasies come true, where the men who breathe life into women's ultimate desires burn with their own supernatural fire...

As an angel, Passion prides herself on perfection. But some mischievous part of her always goes against the godly grain. After one too many attempts to enliven the heavenly halls, she's sent to earth to tame her naughty nature. While human, she has to bring goodness and light to the most sinful of places, the Castle of Dark Dreams. Once there, she finds herself in the role of a virgin used as bait to trap a marauding demon. Passion thinks the game is harmless until she sees the man playing the demon. His name is Edge, and Passion senses darkness in him beyond any she's ever dreamed.

Edge may play a demon, but he is something much worse. His past is littered with pain and destruction and that's the way he likes it. Now he must prove to himself and others that he is what he's always been cold and emotionless. But as danger threatens and his need for Passion heats up, he finds himself balanced on love's...

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 6, 2012

16 people are currently reading
663 people want to read

About the author

Nina Bangs

43 books673 followers
Talk about misspent youth. What did I do during those lazy summer days of childhood when I could’ve been honing my writing skills? Nothing. Okay, so I spent a lot of time dreaming I was a cowgirl with a trusty black stallion. Oh, and I read every Walter Farley horse novel. I was an only child so I relied on my imagination to supply the excitement in my life.

By high school, I’d decided to trade in my lariat for a trench coat. I was into dark and dangerous. As an intrepid foreign correspondent, I’d stalk the mean streets of the world. Did I actually write anything? No, but I did read all of Agatha Christie’s mysteries.

I worked at a department store during college. My short stint in the accounting department taught me a lot about math. Three hundred-dollar shortages plus hysterical tears equaled instant move to gift-wrap. A career in math was not in my future. I didn’t care because I’d discovered “real” literature. I plowed through James Joyce’s Ulysses and Tolstoy’s War and Peace. If it didn’t make my eyes cross then it wasn’t worth reading. Yes, I admit it, I was a literary snob.

Nina and best buddy, Barbara Joyce.
Folk singers extraordinaire.

But there’s just so much “real” literature one person can take. I graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in English Literature and a determination to avoid books that induced eye crossing or had tragic endings. The only things I managed to write during those years were research papers.

I taught second grade for several years then spent two years in Dublin, Ireland. A friend and I supported ourselves by singing folk songs in Irish pubs. We weren’t great, but we were young, enthusiastic, and wore short skirts. It was obviously my destiny to be the next Judy Collins. I spent a lot of time poring through music books.

Returning to New Jersey and reality, I taught elementary school until I grew restless again. My cross-country odyssey included stays in Arizona, California, and Texas. Along the way, I indulged my love of horses. No black stallions, but I did have several beautiful Arabian mares. I read tons of books on breeding and showing.

Somewhere between California and Texas I grew addicted to romance novels and cats. The cat’s independent attitude was exactly the quality I admired in my romance heroes. And once I decided to try writing my own romances, I made sure a cat crept into each story.

Texas is my permanent home. I’ve come full circle. Born in San Antonio, I spent most of my life in New Jersey. Maybe the Texas in my blood accounts for my attachment to strong men, fast horses, and wide-open spaces. My love of cats? Haven’t a clue.

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5 stars
254 (47%)
4 stars
176 (32%)
3 stars
83 (15%)
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18 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Hc.
2,361 reviews35 followers
November 29, 2014
There's probably been a time in all of these books that I'm just not quite following. True to form, a moment or two here also but...

Still a good read! There's just a LOT going on, with a cosmic takeover trying to happen. Finally an intro into the Big Boss.. Not sure at the end of the day if that was a wise choice. He's seen as a guy (actually all of them) with some wack powers but not like a supreme type being. Like.. extra special human. And didn't get a full disclosure on Passion. Where did she come from, etc. The only real question left is with any possible job shuffling, how in fact will that effect Edge and Passion?
Profile Image for Rin.
3 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2012
I made a huge mistake! I had no clue there was a series involved with this novel and jumped in at the middle when all the characters had been developed in previous books.

That being said- I did enjoy it as a quick, light read. And I appreciated how it had a plot and not just smut.

Rin
Profile Image for Gerry Bartlett.
Author 32 books917 followers
March 11, 2012
Bangs delivers another laugh out loud read. This latest addition to the Castle of Dark Dreams series is fun and sexy. Edge is a hero to die for. Enjoy!
1,367 reviews3 followers
October 26, 2016
Always love a trip back to the Castle of Dark Dreams! Really enjoyed Edge and Passion!
Profile Image for Amber Daulton.
Author 40 books548 followers
April 23, 2018
In the fifth book of the Castle of Dark Dreams series, Edge, a seriously HOT cosmic troublemaker, deals in death but is bored with his job. He follows the rules for the most part, but a strange urge forces him to lash out and hurt people. He can’t stop it. Ganymede and Sparkle, two other troublemakers who live and work with him at the Castle of Dark Dreams, a role-playing attraction at the Live the Fantasy theme park, are suffering the same unexplainable urges.
Passion is an angel sent to earth in her human form as punishment for trying to have fun and liven up bland, boring Heaven. She’s tasked with saving the corrupt souls at the castle, but all the irredeemable creatures overwhelm her. Especially Edge. He’s the darkest, deadliest, and sexiest man she’s ever met, but beneath his cold exterior, she finds the heart of someone worth saving.
Though I figured out who the villain was early on, a few other characters surprised me. Most of the regular cast is back (with the exception of Eric, Brynn, Conall, and their ladies) and some new characters appear. Zane the Sorcerer, Bain, and Murmur were very compelling, and Zane connection to Holgarth is awesome. We finally get to meet the Big Boss, Bourne. Totally awesome!
The twist at the end didn’t surprise me, but the battle leading up to the “Ahhhhh, that makes sense!” moment kept my eyes glued to the page. The scenes flow smoothly despite the head hopping. I enjoyed the story (my second favorite in the series), and I’m glad I read it.
4 Stars

Disclaimer – I won a print copy of this book in a contest and volunteered to review it. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.
Profile Image for Rachel Fuente.
Author 5 books72 followers
December 1, 2017
Wow, you get to meet all sorts of important people in this one. I don't want to give too much away, but the ending leaves you with some exciting possibilities. The inclusion of "angels" was interesting, and makes me wonder if we'll see any more of them. I very much enjoyed the times the cosmic troublemakers lost control and the resulting chaos. You get a good sense of just how powerful they are. Sparkle's loss of control is especially hilarious.
Profile Image for Kim Otis.
1,065 reviews5 followers
Read
July 8, 2021
This has to be one of my favorite Nina Bangs books. I love the way she writes, it's the characters that make her books best-sellers. The hero & heroine are multi-faceted and flawed. Secondary characters are less complex and add fun to the stories. Previous heroes & heroines show up with the secondary stories, so that each new book makes the reader an insider. Nina Bangs knows how to entertain. This series never ceases to make me want to curl up and read it cover to cover in one sitting.
Profile Image for Annie.
586 reviews7 followers
September 8, 2023
The Castle of Dark Dreams is home to such a fun hodgepodge group of supernatural characters, all waiting to help humans have a magical fantasy experience (in Texas no less, LOL!)! It is so fun & riddled with fantasy both theatrical and everyday, adventure, humor, and sinful delights. I never knew who I was going to meet (goddess, demon, vampire, angel, cosmic troublemakers, the Big Bad, or wizards) or what fantasy would be served up or where the story was going at times. It was wickedly enjoyable and the characters interactions were cozy together. I can’t wait to see what other dark wicked fantasies Nina Bangs has in store for us with her opposites attract romantic magic.
Profile Image for Ellie.
686 reviews13 followers
June 10, 2012
Wicked Edge, Castle of Dark Dreams #5, by Nina Bangs
Grade: B-

“So where did that leave Passion, the angel-slut of heaven?”

Passion’s boss, Archangel Ted, has had enough of the rebellious angel and has sent her to Earth to get her head back in the saving souls game. Castle of Dark Dreams is a fantasy paradise for people looking to escape reality and fulfill their deepest desires and Passion has just checked in as their new guest. Passion soon finds the people of the Castle may be irredeemable and on the top of that list is sexy, soulless Edge. Edge sparks lust in Passion for the first time and it will take every ouch of her strength to resist the chemistry between them .

Edge has spent centuries being Death and he never had a problem with it until he meets Passion the maybe-angel-turned human who sparks his interest as no woman ever has. As soon as Passion arrives at the Castle strange things start happening and Edge and his friends are being taken over and used to reek havoc on the world. Edge’s boss doesn’t trust Passion but Edge believes she can help but if he’s wrong it could mean the loss of both his and his friends lives.

I finished this book last night and usually I rush right to the computer to do my review but with Wicked Edge I found myself staring at the cover trying to figure out how I felt about everything I just read. Now ten hours later I can honestly say I liked the book but I didn’t love it. I also struggled with grading this book because it’s not a horrible book but there were times when it got very slow and I had a hard time wanting to keep reading.

Passion and Edge are good characters but I don’t love either of them and I certainly wouldn’t want to read another book with them as the main characters. I felt like there was too much time spent on them dancing around their attraction for each other and they kept repeating over and over why they can’t be together. They are both horrible at communicating and that really drove me crazy because they both spent way to much of my time being upset over something stupid instead of having an adult conversation or just being honest.

The best parts of the book are when all of the side characters like Sparkle, Murmur and Ganymede are around. These three characters saved the book in my opinion and provided all of the humor and real entertainment. Sparkle and Ganymede are hilarious together and apart and if they have their own book I will read it in a heart beat. Murmur is a demon who loves to dance(hilarious) and his book is the next in the series so I will defiantly be reading it just for him.

There was a lot going on in this book and I felt that there was almost too much going on at times. I felt that the book could have been shorter or not have drawn out so many parts. As the fifth book in the series I was pleasantly surprised that I could jump right in and not feel lost at all. I did really enjoy most of this book and am hoping that with a different hero and heroine I will enjoy my time at the Castle of Dark Dreams a little more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Marina.
617 reviews29 followers
March 30, 2013
Found this beauty at the library.I thought this series was finished.I really wanted more! Now I am thrilled to learn there is more.This is so exciting. I devoured the book of course. It was delicious. I can't wait to read the next one. Great characterization and awesome chemistry between characters. Loved loved the new characters and back stories. Never want this series to end!
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Spoiler
Note to self:
Passion McBride(cosmic do gooder of life)+"Edge" Finis(cosmic troublemaker Death,new political chaos,fantasy role player),Hope(cosmic do gooder of peace/calm,ex heavenly executive secretary), Sparkle Stardust(cosmic troublemaker of sexual chaos,castle owner,new Big boss replacement in training)+Ganymede("Mede", cosmic troublemaker of chaos),Holgarth(role playing fantasy manager, sorcerer,new dad,ex),Zane (sorcerer,son),Isis(goddess,mom,ex),Dacian(vamp,fantasy role player)+ Cinn,Bain(demon,fantasy role player,pal),Murmur(demon of music,pal),Bourne(Big Boss),Canis(cosmic troublemaker of political chaos,new Death),Kemp Hardiway(cosmic do gooder).
Profile Image for Brandie.
11 reviews22 followers
February 24, 2012
The blackness surrounding his soul will make her mission more difficult.

As an Angel, Passion is charged with redirecting misguided souls. But due to her antics in Heaven she is sent to earth as a human and can not return until her mission is complete.

At the Castle of Dark Dreams , she meets Edge, the Bringer of Death, posing as an evil demon. At once, Passion knows that he's unredeemable.

But that doesn't stop her from wanting to embrace the wickedness that shines in his amber eyes. Not good if she needs to stay emotionally detached.

When dark forces invade the castle and cause Edge's power to become uncontrollable, Passion must work with him before he destroys the earth. They must fight not only the evil that may consume them, but their growing desire for each other.

In her newest release, Wicked Edge, Nina Bangs reintroduces the world of the adult theme park - The Castle of Dark Dreams. This book is full of action, sexual tension and, of course, humor.

Profile Image for TINNGG.
1,238 reviews20 followers
June 23, 2013
Hmmm...it's been a while since I've read any from this series (mostly because the author had publisher issues so most everything was put on hold for a bit). But...I was under the impression that Edge was young. Apparently not. Apparently all the cosmic troublemakers are the same age.

So if I understand this correctly, there were opposites of each troublemaker created - opposites who were well, not prone to losing control. And... a fallen angel scooped them up. Still doesn't explain what the Big Boss known from here out as Bourne is. Then again, he wasn't inclined to explain either.

Something that puzzled me - what happened with the three original inhabitants of the CODD? And their spouses. No mention was made of them.

I must comment about the cover. Why do we have a petulant 15 year old representing our H?
Profile Image for Carisa.
405 reviews
June 24, 2012
This was a good read (not as funny as I expected), with an original world building (not a complex one), cute romance, very simple writing. But I’m going to read the next book because I’m curious about what the author will do next with such a string of varied and eccentric paranormal characters.
HERO is a Warrior, a cosmic troublemaker in charge of death –ok, he only kills bad people-, very strong, doesn’t know where he comes from and is tired of his job. When a beautiful –and maybe angel- visits his place of work, he falls in love for the first time.
SCENES/CONTENT: few/hot
GENRE/TONE: paranormal/light
LENGTH: 300 pages
Profile Image for Natalie.
703 reviews15 followers
September 25, 2014
I have to admit to being a HUGE Nina Bangs fan, us both being Texans and her being an awesome author. This is book 5 in the Castle of Dark Dreams series. I know these characters so well at this point that I actually looked for the Castle and the candy store on my last trip to Galveston. Well not really, I know it's fiction. Still, you have to love Sparkle and Mede! This book was mainly about Edge and his mate-to-be Passion but, as always, the other characters in this "family" were ever-present. If you've enjoyed this series so far then you won't be disappointed with this one AND there are more than a few surprises along the way.
Profile Image for Coreen.
7 reviews2 followers
June 10, 2013
Part of the castle of dark dreams series. Nina bangs provides the reader with an escapist book, that is paranormal, funny and unexpectedly romantic. I really enjoy Her style of writing, and this series. It follows a cosmic troublemaker Edge, who is a death demon, and Passion who is an angel sent to the castle of dark dreams to redeem the souls of the wicked, which this castle has plenty of. Edge finds himself in unchartered territory when he meets and falls for the angel sent to redeem him. Passion is torn between her duty as an angel, and falling for Edge, the darkest man she's ever encountered. Throw in two other cosmic troublemakers, and the chaos ensues!
Profile Image for Melody.
47 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2013
Enjoyable read.

Perhaps a little too reminiscent of Acheron and his (or rather, Sherrilyn Kenyon's) Dark-Hunters in places, what with the emphasis on the "Big Boss" and his control over the Cosmic Troublemakers.

Still, I enjoyed the storyline and the characters and, even if the ultimate "twist" wasn't such a shocker (I mean, really!), I'll be continuing on with the series.
Profile Image for Cornelia.
Author 87 books142 followers
April 15, 2013
Edge is a cosmic troublemaker who deals in death. After Passion talked her fellow angels in her department into painting their cubicles lime green, she is sent to earth to live as a human for a still to be determined length of time as punishment and she's staying at the hotel Edge works at,The castle of Dark Dreams on Galveston Island. The characters are not all what they seem to be or say they are. This paranormal romance is well written and filled with magic, fantasy, adventure, passion and love. I highly recommend it.
1,501 reviews9 followers
August 2, 2013
How I love to visit the Castle of Dark Dreams. Things are getting a bit ominous at the Castle in this book though, but I guess it would figure . . . since this book revolves around the cosmic troublemaker Death.

Edge and Passion are a great couple, and it was great to see Cinn & Dacian again. I missed a bit of the humor that this series usually has, but again . . . there's a whole lot of bad stuff fixing to happen throughout the book.

I'm looking forward to where the next book is going.
Profile Image for Deanna.
2,736 reviews65 followers
March 31, 2012
I love the Castle of Dark Dreams and it's outrageous inhabitants. They are powerful, funny and sexy. Demon and angel. Death and life. A match made in heaven or hell? Where ever it was made, it is a great match. The only bad thing about this book was its cover. Not sexy. The model was not strong enough. His look was insipid. Change the cover!
Profile Image for Rexanna Ipock-Brown.
Author 2 books8 followers
May 12, 2012
I love Nina Bangs and this book is no exception. I am in awe of the beings she creates and the situations they end up in. She keeps me cheering for the hero and heroine to get together all through the book and satisfies my need in the end. I can't wait for her next book.
Profile Image for Christine.
48 reviews2 followers
September 28, 2012
Totally ridiculous, but enjoyable enough. I had a number of giggle fits throughout, especially right at the beginning and after the hump. Better than 1/3 or 1/2 of the Sookie Stackhouse novels I've read. If I rated on plot alone, it would be only 2 stars, but I laughed so much it gets another!
Profile Image for Ann Lorz.
1,707 reviews22 followers
April 19, 2013
Another hit by Nina Bangs. She does a great job of keeping you wanting more of her Castle of Dark Dreams. I'm so happy Edge finally got his happy ending. I also enjoyed the past characters that came out to visit.
Profile Image for Audrianna.
107 reviews
June 22, 2014
With every book I read in the series, I come to love the characters even more. Wicked Edge really added depth to the characters of the Castle of Dark Dreams and I'm eager to read more of Bangs' books and love those characters as well.
Profile Image for Marie33 .
680 reviews30 followers
February 26, 2014
enjoyed edges story, its the one I've been waiting for
Profile Image for Tina.
134 reviews
May 4, 2012
I have loved every book in this series! As with the last book Wicked Fantasy, I finished this one in one sitting. I could'nt seem to put it down. Now I am impatiently waiting for Wicked Whispers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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