I think I’m going to need a new Kindle. After reading Dark Cravings, my Kindle was in danger. Now that I”ve finished reading Dark Innocence, my Kindle is charging up again. I just hope the CPR works or I’ll be shopping for a new one!
I didn’t think I was a reader of erotic books, but I’ve changed my tune. I can’t imagine not meeting Madeline’s characters or immersing myself in their stories. Erotic it may be, but that’s only the icing on the cake. There’s so much happening in these books, you’ll be hoping for some hot sex to relieve the tension!
Check out my review of Dark Innocence. And I’ve also reposted my review of the first book, Dark Cravings, so you’ll see how much I loved these books!
My Review
I had so much fun reading Dark Cravings that I was’ over the rainbow’ thrilled to get Dark Innocence!
In Dark Cravings I met Hannah and Dante, but they were not the main characters. In this second book, they are the stars and boy do they shine.
Hannah has a photographic memory and she’s so haunted by the memories of her abduction, rape, and torture. She feels worthless, so she drowns out her memories with booze, drugs, and loveless sex.
Her rescuer, Dante, is older than her, and dates super models. She can’t imagine he’d be interested in her.
When she desperately needs help, she reaches out to Dante, and the sexy lion shifter comes to her rescue again.
The sexual tension between the two could burn down a house, and it’s up to Hannah to seduce the lion, show him she’s stronger, more the girl she used to be, not a wounded lamb anymore.
They don’t get to savor their newfound passion for long. A vampire intrudes on their lives and Hannah’s enemies gather to strike again. She’ll have to draw on her new courage and strength if they are going to survive what’s coming.
When I read this was an erotic novella, I was thinking it would be a ‘wham bam, thank you maam’ read. Not so. Each time I thought it was safe to come up for air, I was sucked back in by several events that ripped out my heart, stomped on it, and left me begging for relief.
Dante’s travails had me crying and Hannah’s courage had me yelling, ‘give it to em!’
I’m giving you a heads up. This is not intended for young readers. There’s steamy sex scenes, violence, and strong language. If you don’t mind that, like me, you’ll love Madeline’s writing. Her characters aren’t perfect, which, to me, is a requirement if they are going to read as genuine. Without flaws, they’d feel flat, like paper dolls, and I wouldn’t be able to connect with them or care what happened to them. I cared so much it hurt.
Now, I’m bereft. Wanting more so badly. And I’ll have it. Madeline has a couple new releases coming very soon. Be sure to get started on this series now so you’ll be ready too.
5 Stars +
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Synopsis
Hannah Grey will do anything to escape the tortured memories haunting her. Every breath brings back the pain, the fear and the unbearable knowledge that she’ll never be the once-perfect girl everyone thought her to be. When the self-destructive fog of drugs, alcohol and meaningless sex starts to clear, Dante, a lion shifter sexier than sin itself, emerges through the darkness ready to rescue her for the second time in so many weeks.
In the safety of Dante’s embrace, Hannah allows herself to become the woman she’s always wanted to be—smart, sexy, capable and empowered. His every touch electrifies. His hot, hungry kisses set her senses ablaze. As Dante masters her body, Hannah finally finds the strength to master her fears.
Perfection shatters as a mysterious vampire escalates from anonymous phone calls to violent encounters. When Hannah’s enemies unite, placing both her and Dante in mortal peril, it’s going to take all of her newfound strength to face the coming darkness and save the man she loves.
A Romantica® paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave.
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I don’t normally rereview (is that even a word?) a book but when I heard about Dark Cravings I couldn’t resist. I adored this book when it was titled Blood Lust Rising and when I learned it was being released by Ellora’s Cave Publishing with a new title and new content, I had to read it.
I’m going to get right to it!
Dark Cravings
By Madeline Pryce
MY REVIEW
I reviewed this story when it was titled Blood Lust Rising. Since then it has received a new title and cover art, the author has a new pen name, Madeline Pryce, and she’s added a whole bunch more to this story.
I mentioned in my review how the sex was so steamy it fogged up my Kindle! Well it did it again and yes, my Kindle survived round two! LOL
The characters are a bit older which makes it more appropriate as the sex is even steamier, more erotic. Don’t let that fool you though. There’s one hell of a lot of action and danger, much more to this than just romance.
The ending is different too but I can’t talk about it as it’ll spoil things and I don’t think you’d appreciate that much.
Here are my previous review comments:
This is one of the best first chapters I have read. I am not one to blush easily, but my whole face was rosy before I finished it.
You don’t have to kneel down and peek through the keyhole because the author leaves the bedroom door (or any door) wide open. The intimate, arousing sexual scenes fogged up my Kindle screen, they were that HOT!
About the story
They don’t get along at all. Micah and Ella are partners, working for the Shadow Agency. Their job, hunt vampires and demons.
A late night chase after a succubus through the cemetery does not go as planned. The Demon hits them with a spell that changes everything.
They awaken in a hotel 4 days later with no memory of how they got there. Both are exhausted and dehydrated, weak from a marathon of sex. Separating them is out of the question. The demon’s spell has awakened a yearning that can’t be ignored, an intense sexual need that was already there, just beneath the surface.
As their sexual desire deepens into something more, they join together, battling vamps, weres and numerous types of demons, while delving into Micah’s mysterious origins and fending off the unwanted and lethal attention of Julian, Ella’s sire.
What I felt
I feel a strong physical and emotional connection to Micah and Ella. I want them to be safe and I want a happy ending for them.
Characters
Ella starts out as a self-contained, don’t need anybody, kick-butt slayer. The author is able to show me Ella’s transformation, making me see all sides of her character, including her flaws. Ella is still tough as nails, but her fierce loyalty to family and friends, and her deepening love for Micah make her very real to me.
And Micah. I was already attracted to his oozing sexuality and sarcastic personality. As I read more, I was able to see his tender side, his love for family and his passion for and commitment to Ella.
Scenes to share – I want you to feel what I felt.
The green glow emanating from Micah’s eyes lit the night. Micah threw himself at Julian. The two men collided and rolled in the mud, a tangle of blood-smeared fists. They were both wearing black and, the more they coated themselves in mud, the harder it was to tell them apart.
Micah pulled his fist back, drove it into Julian’s face again and again. Crack. Crack. Crack. Julian threw Micah to the side, straddled his body. Blow after blow, they rolled and cursed, jockeyed for position. They pounded the holy living hell out of each other.
A body melting scene – Micah to Ella
“If you go upstairs with me. I’m not going to be able to stop from touching you, from stripping you naked. You’re tired and hurt and I can’t promise to be gentle. The Darkness.” He drew in a breath and corrected himself. “The demon wants you tied to my bed, wants you screaming and so drunk with pleasure you won’t be able to walk away from us. You are ours. The man and the demon. We need to claim you.”
Thoughts
It had to have been really challenging for the author to put her characters into very dangerous and compromising situations and make the conclusions believable and satisfying. She has shown that she can and has what it takes.
Blood Lust Rising took me by surprise. My connection to the characters was deep. The story was flush with sexual tension, grueling fighting scenes and compelling dialogue. I found myself immediately engaged and immersed in the book without even trying.
Quotes I loved. You will understand it’s significance once you read the book.
Slaughter. Defend. Obliterate.
Murder. Guard. Destroy
Something Funny:
I had Vampire ED, on top of everything else!
Something tender:
Micah pulled back, gave Hannah a smile that melted solid objects.
Warning:If your kindle starts smoking while you are reading this book, don’t be alarmed. Mine still works fine!
There you have it. I swear my Kindle was overheating. Either that, or I was!
When you think a book can’t get any better, think again. Dark Cravings did!
5 STARS Again!
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Synopsis
As a half-breed vampire, Ella Grey’s life sucks. She does her best to pass the time killing demons and secretly admiring her Shadow Hunter partner, Micah. He’s hot, dangerous and knows it. He’d be just Ella’s type if he weren’t likely to kill her the moment she put a toe out of line.
A chance encounter with a succubus changes everything. From the second the succubus’s spell washes over them, Ella and Micah are helpless to keep their hands off one another. The sex, when it’s not leaving them on the verge of death, is earth shattering and for the first time in ages Ella is connected with someone on a level she’d feared lost forever. But a dangerous prophecy has been set into motion, and if Ella’s not careful it’ll pull her straight from Micah’s arms and into the deepest bowels of the underworld.
A Romantica® Paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
Publisher’s Note: This book was previously published under the title Blood Lust Rising. It has been revised and expanded for EC.
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And the newest release by Madeline!
Claiming Ecstasy
I’ll be reading this soon.
Synopsis
Jolie Dupree is prophesized to bring an end to the deadly war waging between the vampires and the Seelie court. Groomed from birth by a vicious mother, Jolie knows her future can only end in blood—and the murder of the one man she can’t resist. Consumed with guilt, Jolie can’t fight the lure of Nicolas Larkin, the vampire king. She returns to him over and over again, every caress of pain and every stroke of pleasure drawing her deeper into the darkness. She must decide between the concrete and the chaos, the light and the dark, for her choice will tip the scales between good and evil, and quite possible, cost Jolie her soul.
A Romantica® paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
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About Madeline Pryce and her books
Madeline Pryce wrote her first novel when she was ten, penned with neon-pink ink in a loose-leaf binder. Captivated by romantic literature, yet intrigued by the paranormal, she continues to develop her own voice, writing the kinds of stories that inspired her as a teen.
Blog ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Madeline Pryce on Facebook ~ Madeline Pryce – Author on Facebook
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!
Busy, busy, busy. So many delicious reads! Some I’ve read and will be posting my reviews soon.
