Into the Dark (Lords of the Underworld 0.5 & 3.5) by Gena Showalter

 

                                                                                                     Three otherworldly tales from the master of paranormal romance…and a brand-new Lords of the Underworld bonus guide!
                                                                                               The Darkest Fire—a Lords of the Underworld prequel

Geryon is the guardian of hell, more monster than man. Kadence is the goddess of Oppression, more angel than woman. Together they will enter the flames to battle a dangerous horde of demon lords—and discover a passion unlike any other.                                                                     The Amazon's Curse—a tale of Atlantis                                                                                                        Zane, a fierce vampire warrior, has been enslaved by the Amazons. Nola, a lovely Amazon soldier, has been cursed with invisibility. Now, these two stubborn enemies must overcome the pasts that haunt them and embrace a love that can set them free….

The Darkest Prison—a Lords of the Underworld tale

Once, Atlas, the Titan god of Strength, was the Greek goddess Nike's slave. Now, he is her master. And soon these sworn rivals destined to destroy each other will be forced to risk everything for a chance at love….

This is a must have book for any fan of the Lord of the Underworld series. I loved this book it had three great short novels. The Darkest Fire was a great prequel that explains how the box that contained the demons came about. While it also tells the love story of Kandence goddess of Oppression and Geryon the Guardian of Hell. Geryon isn't your typical looking aphla but he is a aphla male all the same. I fell for Geryon with his fierce loyalty, and his determination to protect Kandence at all cost. Kadence is surprisingly sweet and more caring then you might think the goddess of Oppression would be. The Amazon's Curse is the story of Zane and Nola that we first meet in Vampire's Bride. I enjoyed reading about them and had to know how there story ended. Before you read this story you really need to read Vampire's Bride to understand thier history and how the curse came about. Zane and Nola are perfect for each other. They both have the kind of past only the other can truly understand and help heal from. Zane is a strong but very broken man when we meet him in Vampire's Bride. He feels a instead connection w/Nola. Atlas the Titan god of Strength is irresistible in The Darkest Fire. Atlas and Nike sizzle in this story where the prison guard turns into the prisioner. These three stories are all less than one hundered pages but well worth your time. Into The Dark also feature's an interview with the Lords given by William and an interview with the Lady's of the fortess given by Gilly. Also an interview with Gena Showalter given by Kresley Cole. All three of the interviews made me laugh and were so fun to read. This is simply a must have book and loaded with so many extras you'll be glad you got it.

Virtual Reality by Joey W. Hill

Mark is a reclusive Dominant who confines his sexual interests strictly to the online world. On his routine afternoon ferry ride, he meets a woman who rouses the Master in him, and the line snaps between the virtual and real worlds. She begs for him to take her over, and bring them both fulfillment and healing. He wants to refuse her but he finds himself agreeing to spend one day with her. It is a mistake, because the anger he holds inside is fully capable of destroying a soul as rare and beautiful as Nicole's. But no Master, not even one as strong and disciplined as Mark, can resist the offer of a submissive who wants only one thing-to be his forever.

I feel very conflicted about this book. I really liked Mark and Nicole they had a amazing connection and very good chemistry. Mark is a dominant that meets his on-line sub on a ferry when Nicole seeks him out to meet in person after eighteen months of on-line interaction. I loved Mark he's the kind of man any girl would want as there own. Nicole is the kind of sub any Dom would be lucky to have. Mark uses dressing and vegetables in ways that amaze me and make me blush three kinds of red. I will never see a carrot in the same light again (blushing as I type). Mark is a broken man that Nicole helped to heal when they meet on-line. Once you learn about his past you understand why he never wanted to meet her in real life. The characters were well developed just felt there was more poetic internal monologue than was necessary and not enough plot development. Nicole close to the end was begging for more than one day after Mark said no time after time. Then it takes him about thirty seconds to change his mind after she's almost on the ferry ready to leave. Also for this being a book about a Dom/sub there was only one scence in the end where they had actual intercourse. I got this book in the erotic section in store when other than dirty language, and creative use of vegetables it should be in romance. I have read erotic books and this isn't one. The emotional side of this story was amazing but the book left me wanting more of what not sure. First time to read Joey W. Hill not sure I'll read anymore either.

Dark Taste of Rapture (Alien Huntress #6) by Gena Showalter

                                                                                                        With one caress, he can give unforgettable pleasure . . . or unending pain. . . .

Hector Dean is shaved, tattooed, and totally ripped—and he has a deadly secret. He is a walking weapon, capable of killing with a single brush of his fingertips. Little wonder he’s determined to remain on his own. But Noelle Tremain is a temptation like no other. She is beautiful and rich, with a party girl smile that hides a shocking vulnerability, and from the beginning his sizzling attraction to her is undeniable. For the first time, his stone-cold resistance is tested. But to be with her, he risks destroying her.

When a wealthy businessman is murdered in New Chicago’s seediest district, the two are partnered, and there’s no escaping what they both want: each other. Yet neither Hector nor Noelle knows what to fear more—the killer case, or their own lethal desires. . . .

From the first time I read about Hector Dean I wanted to read more about him. I just love the strong silent type and Hector fit the bill. I couldn't wait to learn more about his past and why he was so closed off to everyone. Hector like most everyone in this series has a dark and tragic past. Hector is a human that can harm or kill with a touch of his hand. We first meet Noelle Tremain in Ecstasy in Darkness Ava's best friend at first look you may think Noelle a spoiled party girl with a pention for violence. Noelle in the first half of the book was rather annoying. Noelle acts like a brainless,flighty spoiled rich girl then is bothered when everyone believes the act. The more you read the more you learn that's not right at all. Noelle may be rich but she's never had someone to love her for who she is until she meets Ava. Noelle may come from money but she definitely knows about pain. Noelle is determined to have Hector and he is determined to stay far away. When they are patnered together that becomes impossible. I was shocked to learn how vulnerable Noelle really is once you see past the image she shows. Hector and Noelle have chemistry that sizzles off the pages. I would only complain that the book starts in the present then you flash to a year before for almost two hundered pages then your back to the present with no mention that your jumping around in time. I found that was really confusing and would have liked for it to state present or year ago. Something to mark your jump in time. I loved reading about Hector and Noelle's story and would recommened this book and series to anyone that loves paranormal romance.