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Blood Coven #2

The Demon's Fire

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He’s not her type at all…

He’s a barbarian. Despite his sexy smile and hot body, nothing can smooth the brutish man’s ragged edges. Besides, demons need a daily dose of sex to live. Skyler Maxwell has no intention of becoming his food source.

She’s not his type at all…

She’s a buttoned-up, prissy human with frost in her veins. But Kole is stuck playing tour guide for the chief legal officer while she’s on Scath as a representative of the Alliance. He was told to “play nice.”

They are fire and ice…

With a bullseye on Skyler’s back, Kole is her best chance to stay alive. Trapped in a hostile environment, they survive mystical monsters and treacherous attacks. Despite the perils and their differences, their romance ignites, proving fire and ice are perfect together.

437 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2023

6 people are currently reading
2434 people want to read

About the author

T.M. Smith

18 books45 followers
After retiring from my career in education, I settled in to write something more creative than lesson plans on split infinitives and inner-school memos on noise in the hallway.

My first novel was the romantic mystery comedy romp Affection for Crime. I am now living with vampires, demons, ylves, mages, and other magical beings who keep me awake at night with their tales of love and adventure. Taking great interest in their lives, I began a paranormal romance series (or maybe what is now called romantasy) with alpha males who aren't always nice and females who have no problem keeping them in line. The Firebrand is the first book in the completed Blood Coven Series. The new series is the Blood Coven World.

Here are more orts, scraps, and fragments from my life. (Thank you, Virginia Wolf and Shakespeare.) I moved from sunny Las Vegas to the less-than-sunny Pacific Northwest. Here I have adventures with my daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters who also moved to the area. I also enjoy my membership at Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN), a local organization that supports the arts and offers classes and events in eleven different studios. It was at BARN where my critique group began. With equal time given to in-depth comments on each other's works, snarky remarks, and laughter, we have now been together over five years.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books).
2,811 reviews117 followers
June 28, 2023
The Demons Fire is a wonderf Multi-layered story in a world full of magic, and creatures of every kind. The story is interesting and very addictive , the romance is gorgeous and full of connection. I really did love reading this

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Jay myrandomspace2023.
316 reviews10 followers
May 9, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Please remember this is MY personal opinion:

I sadly did not like this book as well as I thought I would, I honestly would rate this a 2.5 at the best. I don't know if it was because of the multiple stories happening at one, or the lack of division between them. This book (FOR ME) was boring to read.

However, I did enjoy the world building in this book and the different cultures learned within the book. There was a lot of skimming done while reading this, but I still want to read the next book.
Profile Image for Debbie Eyre.
5,951 reviews116 followers
November 17, 2023
Skyler and Kole's Story is an exciting one, a thrilling one and is overflowing with adventure, danger, drama and a whole lotta steam. She’s a buttoned-up, prissy human with frost in her veins and he’s a barbarian, a demon who needs to feed on carnal pleasure, so they couldn’t be more different but together they ignite! Secrets, lies, betrayal, there’s so much going on that you will find yourself gripping the edge of your seat.
Profile Image for  Patricia Kieffer.
857 reviews4 followers
June 19, 2023
The Demon's Fire by T, M, Smith

The Blood Coven Series: Book 2

This was a great read, I already read the first book so I knew most of the people in the story. This is the continuing story of the Firebrands. The book is about Cole and Skylar and their advantages together. They are very stubborn in their own ways and when they are together the claws come out. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
162 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2023
I loved this story with plenty of action, adventure, suspense, danger, drama, passion and so much more to keep you entertained and turning the pages, I loved the characters Skyler who is chief legal officer for the Alliance and Kole a demon and commander who plays tour guide for Skyler they both clash a lot but there’s also hot attraction. Loved this story and I highly recommend this book.
2,219 reviews28 followers
June 17, 2023
I enjoyed reading the relationship between Skylar and Kole. Opposites do attract, especially in this case. This story was amazing with that action, and the steam that this couple was giving off. This is one action packed, steamy story that hooked me and I did not put it down until I finished it! Fantastic second book! I Love It!!! No Spoilers! I recommend if you love action and steam!
I received an ARC and I am Leaving this Totally Honest Review because I Choose to and think that it is a Great Steamy Read!!!
281 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2023
Really great book. Loved the world and characters. Sweet moments with some twists and turns and mystery involved. Absolutely loved it.

I received an arc and voluntarily leave a honest review
6,168 reviews58 followers
July 8, 2023
Skyler is only dedicated to her career. She Chief Legal Officer of the Alliance Security Agency. She finds after being pushed off the subway platform an email revealing the Alliance's secrets of paranormals, vampires, demons, and satyrs. Kole is a Demon and Commander of the Firebrands and he's been assigned to escort Skyler around. Skyler has a mind of her own and dismisses warnings about what to wear and talking too much. Skyler ends up dragging Kole into all kinds of trouble. Kole and Skyler find that they have a connection with each other. There is lots going on in the plot, violence, sex, betrayals, secrets, suspense, and a quest to find the Blood descendants. I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book. It was well written and outstanding book.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Esther T.
182 reviews2 followers
July 7, 2023
What an amazing and fantastical read!!! Skyler aka Frisca is the Chief Legal Officer who requested a tour of Scath following her father’s four step. Commander Kole is the animus demon who is her tour guide. The chemistry between Skyler and Koke is off the charts just straight heat. Both had past traumas and like they say opposite attracts. She’s ice where he’s fire. I got hooked from page 1 until the end with action, heat, portal jumping, mages, witches, demons, vampire oh my lol. This is my first book by T.M. Smith and certainly won’t be my last well worth the read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Mg Meredith.
516 reviews3 followers
July 5, 2023
It was a good paranormal romance with strong willed interesting matched characters who must learn to embrace their difference's and realize they are stronger when working together plenty of twist and turns with a little suspense involved.
I received a advanced reader copy and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,509 reviews21 followers
May 29, 2023
In book one introduced to the Firebrands and in this one get to see more of them and enjoy their craziness. Basically Skylar the new Chief Legal Officer of the Alliance Security Agency decides to tour Scath and poor Kole the Commander of the Firebrands is her tour guide. Queue the fun and entertaining journey they go on. Add in the usual trouble from the first book and danger that seems to be following Skylar and get an entertaining story Plus the hunt of the Blood Coven descendants is still going strong. Just full of steam, danger, adventure, mystery, bad guys and the hot Firebrands. Loved it all and could not put it down.
67 reviews
June 1, 2023
The story was not what I expected from the cover of this book (I thought it'd be heaps upon heaps of smut, smut, and more smut). Instead, it is an action-filled, enchanting story. Loved it.
Profile Image for booksbymonth.
395 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2024
Interesting. Multiple storyline which left me a little confused at times but I liked it.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,319 reviews207 followers
May 28, 2023
4.25 stars--THE DEMON’S FIRE is the second instalment in TM Smith’s contemporary, adult THE BLOOD COVEN erotic, paranormal/fantasy series. This is human and Chief Legal Officer for the Alliance Skyler Maxwell, and demon Commander Kole’s story line. THE DEMON’S FIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: Thousands of years earlier, a powerful group of witches and warlocks, in an effort to protect the human race, divided the world creating three realms: Earth, Scath and Darque. The Blood Coven series focuses on the fight to keep the worlds physically separated in the face of some powerful people hoping to control one or all. The Aeternals are the overarching collection of breeds and supernatural species that inhabit the Scath and Darque realms, and the Alliance are the group of humans that monitor all supernatural activity on Earth.

Told from third person perspective, following several paths, and a recitation of journal entries, THE DEMON’S FIRE follows Skyler Maxwell, the Chief Legal Officer for the Alliance since the death of her father, a woman who wants to trace her late father’s journey between Earth and Scath. Requiring a ‘guide’, Skyler is assigned a reluctant male, Commander Kole, the man with whom Skyler will fall in love but a missing page from her father’s journals reveals a questionable journey in the Darque, a journey that will threaten our story line couple.

Meanwhile, the Alliance is continuing to search for any and all descendants of the Blood Coven Ancestry in the hopes of protecting those who may be targeted for their untapped powers. Someone is hoping to use the Blood Coven ancestors to open the portals between Scath and Earth, while someone else is hoping to destroy the Aeternals (the supernaturals) using the powers of the human hybrids. What ensues is the building but contemptuous relationship between Skyler and Kole, and the potential fall-out as betrayal and manipulation place Skyler and Kole in the direct line of fire.

The relationship between Skyler and Kole begins acrimoniously as Kole doesn’t want to play tour guide, and Skyler believes she is capable of journeying on her own but Skyler is completely oblivious to the rules, regulations and laws of the supernatural realms, laws that Skyler is often too quick to disobey. As Skyler and Kole begin their journey through Scath and the Dargue, someone else is hunting for our story line couple. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense.

Like the first book, THE FIREBRAND, there is a large and inordinate number of named and titled secondary and supporting characters: each realm has their own cast of creatures and breeds: vampires, harpies, nymphs, Amazons, witches, warlocks, elves, shifters, beserkers, demons, satyrs, djinn , humans and those humans who have descended from the original Blood Coven. An excel spreadsheet would be required to keep track of the names, character types, titles, and geographical areas.

THE DEMON’S FIRE is another complex, multi-levelled and layered storyline wherein the reader is pulled into a complicated world, divided by magic, portals and creatures of all sorts. The premise is detailed, elaborate, and intricate-the copious number of powerful and dynamic characters, geographical places and titles is often confusing; the romance is dramatic and provocative.

www.thereadingcafe.com
Profile Image for Cyrene Olson.
1,413 reviews17 followers
February 28, 2024
Uncaged Review: In present day Chicago Illinois, Chief Officer Skylar Maxwell was standing on the platform of Chicago Fullerton Station. The next moment Skylar was no longer on the platform and in the path of an oncoming train. Luckily, Skylar was pushed back onto the platform by somebody but still suffered a nasty fall. While on Scath soldier animus demon, Kole, is assigned to take Skylar back to Scath and babysit and also being her personal tour guide. Kole isn’t happy about the job but unwillingly takes Skylar back to Scath as ordered. As Kole breaks through Skylar’s prissy demanding nature, he can’t help but fall for her even though it is forbidden for demons and high-ranking officials to mix. Still love between Skylar and Kole could forge their two races or end up destroying them both.
The second installment of the blood coven series that is almost as good as the first! We are brought back to the three realms of Scath, Darque and Earth with another couple Kole and Skylar who are about as opposite as ice is to fire yet manage to find some common ground. The tale is still as riveting as the first book and can even be read as a stand-alone even though you will want to read the first book anyhow to learn the background of the other characters. There is enough background without getting lost too. I loved the first book so of course it wasn’t any stretch to include reading this book too. The flow of this story is much better than the first and there isn’t a whole lot of realms jumping either. Kole is not an easy hero to like but is better than Skylar who it took forever to warm up too until she started to have feelings for Kole. Will I read the next book in the series most definitely! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst
Profile Image for Roxie's Reviews.
1,162 reviews23 followers
May 7, 2024
" An Incredible Paranormal Romance series "

The series is super exciting, and unique. You will love all the main characters. These stories will keep you wanting more!
In this series the world had been divided into three realms. There is earth the human realm, Scath the supernatural realm, and Darque the realm for dangerous supernaturals and predators.
An evil supernatural and his followers want to reunite the realms. So they can enslave the humans. They believe it only takes the descendents of the first witches and warlocks. So they set out to find and kidnap them.
Firebands are they keepers of peace on Scath and Darque. When they discovered the kidnappings. They know they must stop them. This leads to several Firebands finding their fated mates among the descendents!
Skylar is the spunky chief legal officer of the Alliance. The Alliance is a go between for Scath and Earth. Skylar is new to the job so she believes she needs to visit Scath.
Kole is the commander of the Firebands. He is a mixed breed supernatural. He is informed he has to act as tour guide to Skyler! Kole had never before liked humans. But he feels very drawn to Skyler. At first Skyler is as icy as a snow queen.
Then as their travels progress Kole, and Skyler grow closer together. Skyler also learns a dark secret about her heritage. As they face many dangers, and trials together. Could fate have led them to meet?
You will love this five star plus series!
Profile Image for Jd.
671 reviews3 followers
January 28, 2026
As romance goes, this was meh. The fmc Skyler was not a likeable character. She treated everyone, including the firebrands,like they were beneath her. Sure the author tried to reason it out by blaming it in her childhood but that was a poor excuse. Kole was a growly good guy.
It seemed like the author forgot this was supposed to have romance. It was all stuffed into the last 10% of the book. By that time, I more interested in the other conflict that took up most of the book. This was a clue I didn't want to see together.
As far as world building goes...the author was on point. There were great visuals without dragging on. The premise of the series is a conflict the Aetherals have with a hidden enemy. There is a lot of jumping around between different things occurring with many different groups of people. I think a little too much with no segue. It makes t difficult to follow the logic of where the author is going.
I will have to go into the other books of this series looking at it as a fantasy series, not romantasy.
Profile Image for Ines Gray.
Author 1 book10 followers
December 5, 2023
I’m really enjoying this series by T.M. Smith. She does a great job with world-building and she’s a strong writer. I love a PNR with hot demons. They tend to be morally grey by nature, loyal to those they love (though it may take them a bit to get there), and are always entertaining. What more could you ask for in paranormal romance? T.M. Smith does a great job with all this. As in the first novel, the story has a lot of elements of fantasy, but once you settle into the series, all those elements and the vocabulary become familiar. In the second book you also get to see secondary love stories develop. (I can’t wait to see what happens with Sabine and Nico.) Kole and Skyler’s tropes include enemies to lovers - fighting against one another, as well as their own undeniable attraction to one another; slow burn - prolonged building of emotion; and forced proximity. If you enjoy PNR, fantasy romance, or action romance, you’ll likely enjoy this series.
Profile Image for Hillary.
80 reviews
October 25, 2023
To me, this book was a slow burn. From the beginning, it was hard for me to pay attention as there were so much going on and yet, I didn't feel there was any progress. Personally, the first few pages explaining where everything is and who everyone was was too much. Id rather have the book explain who and where everything is as the story goes along. But that is just my opinion. I really like the relationship between Kole and Skyler though. I'm a sucker for enemy to lovers situations and this definitely fits the category. The bickering and the hated heat between them and then the absolute "I want to tear your clothes off" mindset is fire.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
1,434 reviews11 followers
June 6, 2023
What An Engaging Storyline!

Full of action, this storyline keeps you glued to every page!

I loved Kole’s character, he stormed into her life, barbaric, sexy, sinful temptation, I had to laugh at the numerous times he teased her with his sexy ways and yet neither would give in!

A steamy, sexy read full of suppressed passion and a slow burn into love!

The action is second to none, just brilliant! It keeps you on your toes and guessing what will happen next and of course the secondary characters just add extra fun to the book.

Recommended read, loved it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Carole.
2,097 reviews16 followers
June 28, 2023
I so enjoyed this second book of the Blood Coven Series, The Demon’s Fire.
A Paranormal Romance stand-alone that lights all the fires in the right places with its excellent writing, detailed world building and super delicious Demon Commander Kole who is unwillingly teamed up with a frosty Alliance Representative Skyler, a female who is in definite need of a little thawing.
An immersive action-adventure filled with intrigue, spice and twists soon has the narrative flowing at a fast clip leaving no doubt in this readers mind that this was going to be a REALLY good read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews363 followers
August 2, 2023
Having Her Way . . .

Kole is an Animus Demon who is to escort Skylar Maxwell in this unfamiliar environment. Not happy with his assignment, he finds Skylar Maxwell to be unreasonably stubborn and choosing to ignore most of his suggestions. She wears the wrong clothing for the places she will go, insisting on following the dress code despite the practical advice from Kole (like not to wear high heels over rocks). She also speaks out when silence is what is needed, needlessly putting them in danger. Basically, she ignores all of his expert advice to do things her own way. Will Skylar and Kole learn to rely on each other to survive this environment?
Profile Image for Sara.
1,852 reviews14 followers
July 21, 2023
The writing was good but it was hard to get into from the beginning.
Multiple Povs and a lot of explaining, information dump and was rather confusing.
Almost half way through and I was beyond bored, closed it multiple times and nothing exciting got my attention. So much details to the point of repetition.
I liked the chemistry between the MCs but I’m constantly skimming the other characters pov because it was just too much. Nothing transitioned or flowed nicely.
I hope this goes on audio because as of now I am done reading this DNF 40%
6,148 reviews17 followers
August 10, 2023
This is the second story in the creative and intriguing "Blood Coven" series. It can be read in as a stand alone read but you may get more out of the story if you read the prior ones first. It is a paranormal story that is full length and very intriguing. I really like the characters and how the story builds and develops. It is fast paced and action packed. I enjoyed every bit of this read. The author did a great job with this one offering adventure, subterfuge, steam, passion and some vulnerabilities. I loved it!!! Cole and Skylar are dynamite together!
1,304 reviews2 followers
June 11, 2023
Book 2 was as good as the first one. Kole and Skylar could not be anymore opposite but compliment each other perfectly. Being a blood convent descendent, Skylar is being hunted and Kole is determined to keep her safe despite her knack of putting herself in danger. I could not put it down and I cannot wait to read the next installment.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Priscilla.
1,034 reviews
June 22, 2023
Skylar needed Kyle to give her a tour of the realm. While on the tour, they end up battling enemies and their feelings for one another. The reference in the beginning was quite intimidating. There are a lot characters in this book and it can hard to track. This is an enemies to lovers trope and it was well d9ne.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Danee.
4,921 reviews
June 30, 2023
This is part two of the Blood Coven series. Skylar is being hunted because she is from a blood monastery and Kole does his utmost to protect her. Skylar only has the disadvantage that she has a gift for always getting herself into trouble or danger. There's plenty of suspense, a bit of drama, danger but also a lot of romance and steam. I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series.


I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
Profile Image for Jeanéva Christie.
Author 2 books111 followers
July 13, 2023
Epic.
This book in the series gives us a double whammy of danger, action, adventure, and romance. Not only is it the tale of Kole and Skyler, but Margo and Chay as well. Interwoven the two romances fall in line with the overall series plot moving things onward toward prophecy realized or thwarted as the case may be. There is a lot going on and many plotlines to follow, making this a truly epic series. I can't wait to see what the next in the series has to offer.
73 reviews
January 24, 2026
ok it took me a few chapters to get into it because i wasn't sure what the premise was but overall its a good book. This book is about what happens when a human officer meets a demon. A lot of weird things start happening around Skylar that she assumes are coincident. that and the fact that she died. I really recommend you all read this if you are looking for a good plot twisting what's going on type book.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Christine Jooris.
25 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2023
How great can this series get? Just when I thought it would be impossible to write something like the first book, the second was even better! Yet again I was glued to the pages and it was impossible to put the book down! ( Got some catching up to do on my household 😅) I cant wait to see what happens next! 100% recommend!
I received an ARC of this book and leave this review voluntarily
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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