Author Fan Letter Blog Crawl: Dear Larissa Ione

A big thank you to Kassa for extending an invite to join the Author Fan Letter Blog Crawl again this year. It’s been inspiring for someone who has been a faltering blogger to follow along and read all the well crafted letters to authors whose work has become special to each of us for a variety of reasons. This year’s Blog Crawl is significant for me not only because it allows me to express my admiration and love of the work penned by an author I respect, it’s also jump started my enthusiasm for blogging again. I have to admit to feeling a little intimidated after reading all the exceptional letters published thus far but here goes!

Dear Larissa:

In 2008, when I first ventured into the realm of online discussion about books I chatted with a fellow romance reader through the Amazon.com loop. We shared a commonality in that we both enjoyed paranormal romance and she led me to a book called Pleasure Unbound. I read Eidolon and Tayla’s story non-stop and have to admit to being gobsmacked. We all have sub genres in romance that resonate more to our individual reading tastes than others. One of mine is dark erotic paranormal romance that doesn’t spare the graphic gritty details in a fast paced, action packed narrative. You not only set bar in the genre for me, but have maintained and surpassed it with each novel as you continue to develop and expand your Demonica world. The passionate and conflicted romances that you plot for heroes and heroines who have often lead long, tortured lives always leave me breathless. Many readers talk about a series that is their crack when discussing connected stories penned by favorite authors. My crack is the Demonica novels penned by Larissa Ione. Each time I finish one of your novels I’m left panting for the next story, we now have the Lords of Deliverance, and I can’t wait to see where you take the horsemen next!

You have always made a point of engaging your readers who post reviews and share comments about your work online. After reading Pleasure Unbound and “chatting” with you at the Amazon forum I found your website and linked with a Yahoo Readers Group you frequent. It was through this venue that I discovered blogging and created closetreader. Blogging has been an enriching experience that allowed me to connect with some amazing and intelligent people from all over the world. So you see Larissa, your novels have not only enriched my reading life you were instrumental in introducing me to a worldwide community of people who share a passion for romance novels, no matter what the genre. Further, through you I learned of the work of authors Jaci Burton, Beth Kery, Stephanie Tyler, Lara Adrian and most recently Virna De Paul. Their books all share special places on my keeper shelf.

Lastly, thank you for your friendship over the past 3 years and I am so looking forward to meeting you in New York next week! I am and will remain your devoted fan. 😉

Warmest Regards
Lea

Yesterday’s Author Fan Letter was posted by Stacy at: http://www.trelainastarblazer.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow Kaetrin at: http://www.kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com/ will be posting her letter!

Interview: Larissa Ione + Giveaway

Please join me in giving a warm BLI welcome to New York Times & National Bestselling Author Larissa Ione today. Larissa published the first in her Demonica series “Pleasure Unbound”, to rave reviews in 2008, she subsequently penned four more books in a series that is loved by her legions of fans the world over. Eternal Rider, the eagerly anticipated first novel in her “Lords of Deliverance” series, a spinoff of Demonica hits the stands tomorrow March 29th.

Lea: Larissa! Welcome to BLI, it’s such a thrill to talk to you today.

Larissa: Thank you! It’s always nice to be able to chat with you!

Larissa can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

Larissa: Um…big Star Trek fan, animal lover, gamer-geek, and anglophile. Oh, and I also write books!

LOL! I loved the newest Star Trek movie, I sure hope they make a sequel!

Describe a typical day of writing? Are you a planner or pantser?

Larissa: Sort of both. I plot a little, but not much. It’s sort of like planning a trip with no real time constraint. I know I want to drive from Seattle to New York, and I know I want to stop in Denver and Chicago, but how I get to those places is completely on the fly.

So anyway, I get up in the morning at around 6:30 to get my son off to school. Then I sit down, catch up on emails and do a little tweeting, and then I get down to business. I usually quit around 4:00 when the kid and husband get home, and then I might start up again while watching TV in the evening.

What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?

Larissa: Hmm…I’d consider my husband a reader, and I’m a book lover. He reads casually…maybe a couple of books a month, and he doesn’t really collect books. I collect them by the dozens every month. I love to just pet my books when I don’t have time to read!

They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him.

Yet there is one last hope. Gifted in a way other humans can’t-or won’t-understand, Cara Thornhart is the key to both this Horseman’s safety and his doom. But involving Cara will prove treacherous, even beyond the maddening, dangerous desire that seizes them the moment they meet. For staving off eternal darkness could have a staggering cost: Cara’s life.

Excerpt
BLI Review

What can we expect of Eternal Rider?

Larissa: Well, since it’s the first in a new series, there’s a bit of up-front worldbuilding. There’s not as much sex in this book as there was in any of my Demonica books, because the hero and heroine just didn’t work that way. (Next book though…whew! *g*) So anyway, this book is dark, maybe scary at times, and full of apocalyptic action. There are battles, blood, and the return of a lot of favorite characters from the Demonica novels. Reaver and Kynan play especially large roles!

I want to quote a short snippet from Eternal Rider in a scene at the beginning of the book where the Aegis meet to discuss the Horsemen:

“The Horsemen are the most powerful underworld beings in existence, next to Satan himself. They will virtually rule the Earth if the Final Battle goes in favor of evil.”

I felt those two sentences spoke volumes with respect to the Horseman, they do have unspeakable power don’t they Larissa? While Eternal Rider is certainly a paranormal romance, you build an amazing mythos surrounding the Horsemen, and integrate them into the Demonica world. Without revealing spoilers, can you talk a little bit about their history and the power they wield?

Larissa: Hmm…well, these guys are half demon/half angel, so they were born immortal, though they didn’t know it at the time. (One did…Limos, who was raised in hell with their demon mother…the boys were raised by humans.) So they were always super strong, fast, and had amazing healing abilities, but when they learned the truth of what they were, they went kind of crazy, starting wars with demons. They were punished by angels, cursed to become the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and now each has a different ability and different curses.

Ares, is the second horseman of the Apocalypse and like his siblings is millennia in age. He has this aura of power surrounding him but has seen unspeakable horror over his long lifetime I felt despite his strength, presence and outward confidence, he is conflicted and rather lonely. Would you describe him as a tortured hero?

Larissa: Yes…but he’s not as bad as some I’ve written. I think Shade from Desire Unchained was more tortured, and maybe Lore from Ecstasy Unveiled too. Ares is just…hard. He’s kind of turned that torture into a shell that protects him from harm. Of all the Horsemen, I think Thanatos is the most tortured.

Cara Thornhart, the reluctant heroine of Eternal Rider, is a human with special gifts that she tries very hard to mask. She, through no fault of her own is thrown into Ares’ world. Can you tell us a little about Cara’s background and why you characterized her as Ares’ love interest in the story?

Larissa: Ares needed someone gentle but strong, because he’s so hard. He needed someone who could penetrate his shell without completely smashing it. A full-on assault on him would never work, because he’d see it coming. She had to work her way past his defenses slowly and stealthily. I adored writing her, because although I enjoy writing kick-ass females, I really love the gentle ones too, the ones that are velvet over a core of steel.

Eternal Rider as you mentioned above is the first in The Lords of Deliverance series and a spinoff from Demonica. What was the impetus behind the creation of the Horsemen as the next addition in the Demonica world?

Larissa: Well, I’d been wanting to write about the Horsemen for a long time…I’ve always been fascinated by apocalyptic prophecies, and with 2012 coming (and the biggest prophecy of all,) I decided it was time to let my riders loose. Bringing them into Sin Undone was perfect, because with Sin being all disease-spreading, it opened the door for the breakage of the first Horseman, Pestilence’s, Seal. Fun! *g*

And, it’s your dark wit that makes it fun. Damn! LOL

Eternal Rider is the first in a four book series, which Lords of Deliverance story can we look forward to next? What is next on your schedule?

Larissa: Immortal Rider is next, coming at the end of November. It’ll be Limos’s story (the female Horseman.) I’m currently working on revisions to it, and also working on the third book, which has no title yet, but which will be Thanatos’s book. My next release though, is Taken By Fire, the sixth and final book in the Sydney Croft ACRO series.

I’m very behind in the ACRO series, I’ve got to get caught up before Taken By Fire releases!

Now can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read your books?

Larissa: Sex. Violence. Hot alpha males. 🙂

Sounds good to me!! lol Larissa, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us today and good luck with the Horsemen. 😉

Where to find Larissa:

Website
Twitter
Facebook
<ahref=”http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/features/demonicadesk/index.html”>Larissa’s Interactive Desk

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~*~*Giveaway*~*~

Larissa has generously offered one copy of Eternal Rider to be won by one lucky commenter!

AND…I have two brand spanking new copies of Sin Undone, and (courtesy of Larissa) two special bookmarks and a bookplate personally signed by Larissa Ione to be won by two lucky commenters!

So, this is how it is going to work: 

• Winner #1 has their choice of one of the three prizes. 
• If winner #1 doesn’t pick Eternal Rider, then winner #2 will have their pick of the two remaining prizes. 
• Winner #3 will receive the remaining prize! 😀

All you have to do is leave a meaningful comment about the interview.
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)

Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).

This giveaway is open worldwide!

Giveaway ends on Saturday, April 9, 2011; and we will announce the winner on Sunday.

Good luck!

Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

Review: “Eternal Rider” by Larissa Ione

Format Read: e-ARC submitted by author for review
Length: 432 Pages
Series: Lords of Deliverance Book #1
Release Date: March 29, 2011
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Formats Available: Mass Market Paperback, Kindle, Nook
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Goodreads, Amazon Canada, Book Depository, Amazon.com, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Powell’s, IndieBound, Chapters, Kindle, Nook

Book Blurb:

They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him.

Yet there is one last hope. Gifted in a way other humans can’t-or won’t-understand, Cara Thornhart is the key to both this Horseman’s safety and his doom. But involving Cara will prove treacherous, even beyond the maddening, dangerous desire that seizes them the moment they meet. For staving off eternal darkness could have a staggering cost: Cara’s life.

Excerpt
Watch the Eternal Rider Book Trailer

My Thoughts:

“The Horsemen are the most powerful underworld beings in existence, next to Satan himself. They will virtually rule the Earth if the Final Battle goes in favor of evil.” ….Valeriu, Elder of the Aegis

Eternal Rider © Larissa Ione

In developing and integrating the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse into her Demonica world, IMHO Larissa Ione has added a new dimension to the series. Eternal Rider is the first book in a spinoff from the original series, and I feel it offers everything fans of Demonica have come to expect; action, dark wit, sensuality, well developed characters – both good and evil, and exceptional world building.

I think the snippet above, says it all, and the horsemen wield their incredible power with a might that I found staggering. The line between good and evil is thread thin for the horsemen and they straddle it precariously, each has a trigger that if discovered and sprung (so to speak) means they turn evil ushering in the beginning of the end. And…they can fall, like dominoes.

Eternal Rider is Ares’ story and it is a complex one. Make no mistake, this is a paranormal romance but Ms. Ione has developed an entire mythos surrounding the horsemen that runs like a current through the main romance plot. She introduces the four horsemen Reseph, Ares, Limos, and Thanatos, and explains how they came to be. While siblings, they are also inexorably joined, for a variety of reasons. They are millenniums in age and over their long lifetimes have endured and seen much.

Ares, is the second horsemen of the apocalypse and he is an extraordinary character. His aura is strong, powerful and drips sensuality, I felt it to be palpable while reading his story. Along with experiencing heartbreaking tragedy, and physical pain over his long life, Ares has also witnessed man’s inhumanity–I found him to be quite tortured. Ares is always battle ready, he thrives on the rush of engaging in combat and astride his great stallion Battle, is nothing short of lethal. Ares avoids humans as sexual partners, preferring demons, for a good reason. Then along comes lovely delicate human Cara Thornhart.

Cara is a gentle, reclusive woman who lives alone in her father’s home. Prior his death, Cara assisted her veterinarian father and learned much about animal care. She also has special gifts that she fears. When a knock comes to her door in the wee hours of the morning Cara finds one of the townspeople with what she belives to be a critically wounded dog in tow. She takes the animal in and cares for him which results in a chain of events that forever changes her life. Cara is thrust kicking and screaming into Ares dark world.

The love story in this novel is a slow burn, Ares and Cara’s relationship is initially extremely adversarial. (See the excerpt posted on Larissa Ione’s website.) There is sexual tension and attraction aplenty in this story and Ares’ fights his growing attraction to Cara tooth and nail. It makes for sexually explosive union. I also thought the contrast between a delicate human woman and the fearsome horseman was brilliant.

In the background of their relationship is Ares brother who’s trigger has been sprung and he is wreaking havoc all over the world. In addition, he is plotting against Ares, by relentlessly pursuing his trigger so Ares’ fall to darkness will be initiated. The narrative of this story is sexy, action packed, thrilling, dark and some scenes are downright scary and bloody, but it is also laced with Ms. Ione’s signature acerbic dark wit that had me chortling with laughter on numerous occasions. There are a number of well developed secondary characters, both demonkind and human introduced which assisted to advance a plot that was full of surprising twists and turns.

I wasn’t sure what to expect of Eternal Rider, I’ve been a dedicated fan of the Demonica series since 2008 when Pleasure Unbound was published. This novel did not disappoint. Eternal Rider was a thoroughly enjoyable fast paced thrill ride and I hope if you choose to read it you will enjoy it too. I’m so looking forward to seeing where Ms. Ione takes her horsemen next.

Larissa Ione will be here at Book Lovers Inc. this coming Monday for an interview and there will be a Giveaway so please stop by if you would like to!

I give “Eternal Rider” 5 out of 5 bookies.

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

“Ecstasy Unveiled”, by Larissa Ione – Review

A Demon Enslaved…

Lore is a Seminus half-breed demon who has been forced to act as his dark master’s assassin. Now to earn his freedom and save his sister’s life, he must complete one last kill. Powerful and ruthless, he’ll stop at nothing to carry out this deadly mission.

An Angel Tempted…

Idess is an earthbound angel with a wild side sworn to protect the human Lore is targeting. She’s determined to thwart her wickedly handsome adversary by any means necessary—even if that means risking her vow of eternal chastity. But what begins as a simple seduction soon turns into a passion that leaves both angel and demon craving complete surrender.

Torn between duty and desire, Lore and Idess must join forces as they battle their attraction for each other. Because an enemy from the past is rising again—hellbent on vengeance and unthinkable destruction.

Ecstasy Unveiled

Lore is a halfbreed Seminus demon/human and Eidolon, Shade and Wraith’s half brother. He is an assassin who has a slave bond to demon master “Deth” until he satisfies a debt owed to the creature. If you have read the Demonica series, you will know that Lore’s assignment was to assassinate Eidolon, Shade and Wraith as part of the evil antagonist’s plan in the previous two novels, “Desire Unchained” and “Passion Unleashed”. Lore, of course did not fulfill his contract. “Ecstasy Unveiled”, opens 3 weeks following the riveting conclusion of “Passion Unleashed”, and Lore is having to ‘pay the piper’ as it were regarding his failure to succeed in his assignment.

Lore is an enigma because unlike full-blooded seminus demons in the Demonica world his mother was a human which causes the genetics to go awry. What does this mean? Instead of having a gift that can be used for good (Eidolon for instance, can heal with his touch) Lore can kill by touching any creature, human or demon with his right hand. In addition, his dermoire markings, or glyphs are faded snaking from his right shoulder to finger tips. Conversely full-blooded sem’s dermoires are much darker and they have a personal glyph around their neck. Lore also has the ability to resurrect the dead in certain circumstances but because of the slave bond, Deth suffers as a result of that intervention. The penalty for using his gift of resurrection or if he does not accomplish a ‘contract’ is exceedingly unpleasant.

Lore learned soon after his S’genesis (final maturation cycle) that intimate relations with a female as with his touch causes death, he therefore has had to find other ways to satisfy the sexual requirements inherent to Seminus demons. Lore is a lonely conflicted character, he doesn’t particularly like killing, but he has been left with little choice. When Deth gives him the assignment to assassinate a close friend and family member of the Sem brothers, Lore is again in a catch 22 situation. Oh, and Lore? He is HOT…

Memitim or ‘angel in waiting’ “Idess” is eager for her ascension to heaven and she feels it is close. She has spent centuries in solitude and loneliness and has missed her brother “Rami”, her mentor, terribly. Memitim are ‘Primori’ guardians, which means they have charges to keep safe until they fulfill a destiny important to the world. If a Memitim doesn’t keep their Primori safe then their time on earth is extended. Idess is an ancient, wields considerable power, she is beautiful, and lethal in battle. As fate would have it Lore’s ‘target’ is one of Idess’s Primori and so the hero and heroine of this novel meet under extremely adversarial circumstances.

Lore and Idess’s relationship develops slowly over the course of the story from literally battling each other into a soul deep love. Idess has been celibate for centuries but she is not a virgin which I found refreshing and unusual given her “angelic” status. I became completely invested in Idess and Lore’s story and could not put this book down for wanting to find out how their tumultuous and at times bittersweet story would conclude.

Ms. Ione introduces Lore’s fraternal twin sister “Sin” who is an anomaly because Seminus demons are always born male. Sin’s gift is even more lethal than Lore’s and she is a character with a giant chip on her shoulder due to a history of torture and abuse. Sin also has a razor sharp tongue, and an attitude to go with it, as Eidolon indicates in the story she is “like a female Wraith”. Sin like her brother is an assassin and bonded to the same master as Lore, she has an extremely dark past.

Eidolon, Shade, Wraith and their families have significant roles in the plot. A mysterious “aura” has permeated Underworld General causing staff tensions to rise and two of the Sem brothers in particular to be at each other’s throats. In addition, ghosts have infested the hospital and equipment failures are happening daily. Even an exorcist hired to do a “cleansing” runs for the hills.

Readers also meet a very hot dhampire (a vampire/werewolf) who I hope we will see in future Demonica stories. Lets just say, he and Sin have an ‘encounter’. (lol)

In “Ecstasy Unveiled”, Ms. Ione takes readers through the Harrowgates (demon portals) deep inside the Sheoul or “demon realm”. The amazing graphic imagery and prose brings the Demonica world to life.

IMHO, Larissa Ione continues to build the Demonica world with just the right amount of momentum. As part of this, the world and hierarchy of angels is expanded and integrated. “Ecstasy Unveiled” is full of exciting plot twists, turns, surprises, and action packed scenes that get the heart pounding. There are two main antagonists in the story, the identity of one in particular will completely surprise you and is revealed during a riveting climax. In addition, readers are treated to Ms. Ione’s signature dark humor that had me chortling with laughter.

If you have enjoyed the Demonica series thus far, I don’t think you will be disappointed. There is a good foundation to Demonica series written into the narrative and I think the book could be read in isolation. However, IMHO it would be far better to read the series in sequence.

Heat Level: It boils! (Includes a tad of bondage and some “spectator sport”.)

My Rating: ~Keeper~

Excerpt and pre-order information available by clicking the buttons on the widget in my right sidebar. 🙂

Special Thank You to Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group ) for submitting “Ecstasy Unveiled“, for review.

“Passion Unleashed”, by Larissa Ione – Review

Over the past couple of weeks a few of my blogger and Internet chat friends have commented, how lucky I was to have received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. I have felt extremely lucky and grateful for Larissa Ione’s generosity. As I finished the last pages of “Passion Unleashed”, yesterday though, I actually felt bereft. For me, it was one of those reads that was so good that you hate to see it end. It is now I that am envious of those of you who intend to read this story because IMHO it is just awesome…

I experienced every emotion possible while reading Wraith’s story. The writing flows perfectly, the plot and sub-plots are thrilling, heartwarming, frightening and suspenseful, and the dialogue is witty as well as brilliant. With each page I turned and read, I was kept on a razor’s edge, not knowing how the intricate storyline was going to be resolved, let alone how Wraith and Serena Kelly were going to achieve their HEA.

Passion Unleashed

Wraith has been poisoned and is dying, slowly. Underworld General is literally crumbling and falling apart bit by bit. Staff is deserting the hospital. And, as war between human and demonkind looms, the apocalypse seems a tangible reality.

Eidolon and Shade try to find an antidote for Wraith and discover the only cure is for him to procure a charm from Serena, a beautiful, sweet archaeologist who has a zest for life. I loved this heroine, while she has lead a “charmed life” as it were, and you will understand my meaning if you read the book, she is independent and curious about all things historical. She goes to almost any lengths to recover a relic, something like a Lara Croft type of character, except Serena is a virgin and must remain so or lose her health.

There is extraordinary irony in the love story between Wraith and Serena because he, as you know if you have read the series thus far, has always done what he wants, uncaring about the consequences of his actions on others. Wraith is a selfish, hedonist demon with a death wish, however I’ve always liked him. Why? He is funny, cocky, brutally honest (most of the time – lol), he is an amazing warrior and he does have a certain code that he lives by with respect to satisfying his sexual needs. Wraith never has sex with human or vampire women because of a horrific past that is really fleshed out in this story.

So, the irony you see is that the woman who holds the cure for Wraith’s affliction is human and a virgin, and he must seduce her to take the charm that will save his life. Their romance is one of the more bittersweet stories I’ve read and while rest assured they do have their HEA, I wept for them on more than one occasion. As is the way with the seminus demons in Larissa’s novels, Wraith falls hard and for the first time in his life he is forced to come to terms with deep feelings for another. The erotic scenes penned between Serena and Wraith are boiling hot, but also tender and sensuous, ladies, get ready!

The backdrop to their love story, as I mentioned above is complex, but the metamorphosis of Wraith’s character is deeply embedded into an absolutely riveting story that will leave readers hyperventilating until the closing pages.

If you thought the antagonist of Shade’s story was a malevolent scary creature, wait until you read the one written for Wraith’s. This creature is an unequivocal hells spawn whose goal is the total destruction of earth. The graphic imagery and prose written surrounding the final battle between the Aegis army and demons took me right into the thick of the fray. Although, Larissa has a very different writing style, and the scenes are not as comprehensive I was reminded of the “Battle of Pelennor Fields” in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Return of the King” (minus the horses of course – lol). Others may well disagree, but different scenes in books, I think, spark different reading memories for each individual.

Gem and Kynan’s story continues to be a roller coaster ride. Their angst and heartache also brought me to tears. I will say Kynan’s future is tied to a prophecy referenced in the “Daemonica” tome that will surprise you.

Reaver’s character is also fully developed and he plays an integral part in the plotline and final battle.

Larissa has cleverly introduced a new and very interesting character to the storyline who is given a pivotal role in one of the subplots of Wraith’s book. I’m sure this character will be the hero of the fourth Demonica novel, and we will again have the story of another tortured hero to look forward too.

I’ve given a great deal of thought to this series over the past couple of days. What makes it so special for me? What keeps me engaged? Why am I literally addicted? As with any series there is not a singular reason, but I think it is that the heroes are so tortured that when they find their HEA it is that much more satisfying. Secondly, these characters are so unique and well developed; you cannot help but become invested in them as a reader. Then there is the humor, OMG, the dialogue that comes out of Wraith’s mouth especially had me cackling with laughter! And lastly, from my perspective, the Demonica world becomes more amazing with each story and Larissa is expanding it with just the right amount of momentum. The other issue is that these books, at around 400 pages are good hearty reads, which allows for a wonderful in-depth storyline.

I have to comment that I think reading these stories in order is a must, because the plots do interconnect, each book builds on the previous.

Thankfully Larissa Ione has been contracted to write two more novels but it is going to be another long wait because I don’t think they are due out until 2010. Maybe she will leave a comment and confirm this.

The Demonica novels I’m sure will be my favorite series of 2009.

Larissa, I am, undone. Thank you.

Warm Regards
L

“Desire Unchained” by Larissa Ione – Review

If you’ve been visiting my blog for a while you will know that “Pleasure Unbound”, was my favorite book of 2008, I have read it more than once and it holds a special place on my keeper shelf. Needless to say it’s been a very long wait for the publication of “Desire Unchained”, and I was a little worried that I would be disappointed. I’m happy to report, that I had nothing to be concerned about. Once I started reading ‘Desire Unchained’, I could not put it down. In fact, I read until the wee hours of Sunday morning even though I knew I was losing an hour sleep that night because of the time change. I love dark paranormal erotic romance mixed with urban fantasy and a touch of horror, and for me that is exactly what Larissa Ione’s Demonica series offers. The stories are laced with dark wit, that had me hooting with laughter, the world building is thorough and wonderful, and the plot is thrilling with twists and turns at every corner.

As a brief recap, the main setting of the stories centers in Underworld General Hospital, a facility that cares for all manner of demons, vampires and ghoulies. UGH was founded by three brothers Eidolon, Shade and Wraith, who are Seminus demons. Each of the brothers has the same father but different mothers. The reason for this is that at one hundred years of age, Seminus demons reach their final maturation cycle and essentially go though a metamorphosis called the S’genisis that results in them being able to reproduce. If their sexual urges are not satisfied they lose control to the point that they will rape without care because of their intense sexual needs. If they are bonded, it is only their lifemate that can satisfy their enormous sexual requirements. Seminus demons are incubi, these guys have sex on the brain 24 hours a day. They are huge in stature, and have tattoos or ‘dermoires’ that shimmer and writhe depending on their mood or state of arousal. They also have a unique marking that is specific to the seminus demon on their neck or throat that sort of activates when they are mated. They have amazing eyes that change color in anger or lust. The sems are just majorly HOT.

While UGH provides the main setting for the stories, the essence of the Demonica world IMHO is explained in “Pleasure Unbound”, the first book of the series and certainly expanded in “Desire Unchained”.

On page 233 of “Pleasure Unbound”, ‘Eidolon’ explains the “Daemonica”, a tome that reveals how the demons came to be in Larissa Ione’s fictional world thus:

“Basically, demon lore says that after Satan was banished from Heaven, he was allowed to create his own races. But, because humans are born good and can be turned evil, God insisted that the same, but opposite, should apply to creatures born evil. Satan created some species from his own twisted imagination, and others…he used animals as foundations for some, humans for the rest.”

Desire Unchained

Shade is the head paramedic at Underworld General and as he wakes up in a dungeon chained to a wall, laying on cold concrete, the last thing he remembers is be called out on an ambulance run with his sister and fellow paramedic Skulk. On the other side of the cell, also chained to the wall is his previous lover Runa who he hasn’t seen in over a year.

Runa Wagner was a sexually inexperienced human when she became intimately involved with Shade. She fell in love with him only to have her heart broken when she walks in on him in bed with two demons in a very compromising situation. Runa runs away grief stricken and horrified that night and is attacked by a werewolf that mauls and badly injures her. She nearly dies but is rescued by her brother who is with the military and takes Runa to a secret government instillation where she heals. However, she contracts the lycan infection and becomes a werewolf. Runa is not a happy camper. She blames Shade for her condition because of the events prior to her attack. Runa has also been tasked with infiltrating UGH and passing information to the government agency that was instrumental in saving her life.

Shade is surprised to learn from Runa that Ghouls who are harvesting body parts to sell on the underworld black market are their captors. The antagonist in this novel is a demon and a sociopath, he is absolute evil incarnate. I was completely taken by surprise when the identity of their capture and torturer is revealed. I will say that this creature has one maniacal goal and that is the painful destruction of all three brothers

Seminus demons are very conflicted by nature, they are demons after all, and have a dark side. However Eidolon, Shade and Wraith (even though he would never admit it), also possess an inherent goodness. All Sems are born pureblood males but inherit minor traits from their mother. In Shade’s case, he has the ability to accelerate the healing process in the injured. Shade was born and raised by demons who are a deeply nurturing species, and secretly he wants to be mated and have a family. However, Shade is under a love-curse that prevents him from ever mating, because if he falls in love, he will die and suffer torturous anguish for all eternity. Shade also has another issue that you will have to read about in the book that has caused him great emotional pain over his long existence.

After Shade endures physical torture, their captor manipulates his and Runa’s minds so they bond while essentially in a dream state. The consequences are the same however; Shade is bonded to Runa, physically, and telepathically. Seminus demons need sex, a lot, or they die and once they are bonded, their mate is the only one that can fulfill that need. Then there is the additional problem that Shade cannot allow himself to fall in love with Runa.

Following a harrowing escape from their captor’s lair. Shade takes Runa to his secret hideaway in Costa Rica where they become reacquainted. Shade also discovers something new and unforeseen about himself when he leaves Runa for a brief visit to Underworld General.

As their relationship intensifies, Runa confesses she has never been out of love with Shade. His feelings eventually become reciprocal. I was chewing my fingernails wondering what the outcome of their love story was going to be in what seemed an untenable situation. The bond between these creatures isn’t only sexual; it is an emotional, physical and a telepathic linking. The desire literally pulses between them. It is a soul deep connection that they cannot deny.

The climax to this story is absolutely riveting when all three of the brothers are captured and imprisoned in the lair of the same psychopath that had Runa and Shade. My heart was sitting right up in my mouth reading and turning pages as swiftly as possible to find out how their story would be resolved.

There is a bittersweet romantic subplot written between half demon physician Gem (Tayla’s sister), and Kynan the former human Aegis warrior. My heart broke for this couple, however Larissa penned a cliffhanger to their story, so I am hoping for a happy resolution in “Passion Unleashed”.

Larissa certainly expanded the Demonica world in Desire Unchained introducing all manner of interesting and on occasion frightening creatures. The stage is also set for Wraith’s story, and I feel very fortunate because I was sent an advance review copy of “Passion Unleashed”, and while time hasn’t allowed me to read a great deal of it yet, I can tell already I will likely be undone.

“Desire Unchained”, now has its place next to “Pleasure Unbound”, on my keeper shelf and I will, I’m sure be reading it again.

If you are interested please look for my thoughts with respect to “Passion Unleashed” next week.

Don’t forget about Larissa Ione’s “Spread The Word Contest” which runs until April 3, 2009. 🙂

Pleasure Unbound and Snowbound by Larissa Ione

I owe Larissa a debt of gratitude because after reading and loving her book “Pleasure Unbound”, and posting a review on Amazon.com I visited her website. It was through her site that I found Writeminded_Readers, a yahoo group where authors and readers join in discussions about books, reading and life. I had been scouting around for an online reading group for a long time and when I noticed that the majority of the cornerstone authors at Writeminded had written books I read and thoroughly enjoyed I immediately joined and have since made my ‘online home’ there.

Since joining Writeminded I’ve had the opportunity to chat with Larissa online on many occasions and I can tell you she is gracious, grateful to her readers and has a wonderful sense of humor. I feel she is a kindred spirit in a way, she has similar reading tastes to myself and told me recently she is a vegetarian (not that that has anything to do with my author picks – lol). Larissa has an amazing imagination and a gift for taking a simple idea and spinning it into a wonderful story.

Which brings me to my review of “Pleasure Unbound”.

“Pleasure Unbound”, is IMHO one of the best books I’ve read of it’s genre to be published in 2008. Larissa has woven erotic romance, suspense, and treachery into a great storyline in an original setting. The story is laced with dark wit and the action scenes are explosive. The book opens at “Underworld General”, a hospital created for the treatment of demons and all manner of paranormal creatures. It is here we meet the main protagonist of the book, “Eidolon”, a charismatic (and I mean charismatic), demon physician who has endured many losses in an ongoing war with a society of demon hunters and exterminators. Practicing medicine is Eidolon’s passion, however he is struggling to control dark impulses that are raging within him as part of a transitional phase inherent to his species.

Enter “Tayla Mancuso”, a tormented human demon hunter who Eidolon reluctantly saves from certain death, only to find that she alone awakens powerful desires within him. Tayla is a tough, determined and highly trained warrior that resists an overwhelming attraction to Eidolon. The conflict and barriers between these two unlikely lovers seem insurmountable. However, the sensuality that erupts between them is volcanic, literally sizzling off the pages.

There is a cast of well-developed and endearing supporting characters introduced in the book woven into sub-plots that don’t overtake the overall storyline but keep the entire read exhilarating and entertaining. As a reader I cannot help but want to know what happens to the other characters Larissa has skillfully introduced in this, the first book of her Demonica series.

If you enjoy a good dark erotic paranormal romance, “Pleasure Unbound” is well worth the money spent and the reading time. I am eagerly looking forward to the next books in the series. “Desire Unchained”, will be available near the end of February 2009, and “Passion Unleashed”, available at the end of March 2009. I have mine pre-ordered. Do you?

“Snowbound” is a heartwarming contemporary romance story about Robyn Montgomery a career driven radio station manager and Sean Trenton a previous Olympian skier turned ski patroller.

Robyn is forced to return to her home near a world famous ski resort for a reunion where many traumatic memories from her high school years await.

Sean loves his work as a ski patroller but is haunted by repercussions from a very unfortunate illness he endured 2 years previously. This hero is drop dead gorgeous (just look at the book’s cover art and you will see what I mean – lol) and epitomizes everything women find so attractive about snow patrollers.

What made this book a keeper for me was that I could identify with the characters, especially Robyn. Larissa spins a beautiful romance surrounding Robyn and Sean filled with conflicts and difficulties. The attraction between them is electric and the love scenes are sensual and gentle.

Snowbound is one of my favorite contemporary romance stories this year and I highly recommend the read.

Rock on Larissa!

Larissa Ione’s website is: http://www.larissaione.com/