TRAILERS TO TEASE: Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Styxx
(Dark-Hunter #23)

Just when you thought doomsday was over...

Centuries ago Acheron saved the human race by imprisoning an ancient evil bent on absolute destruction. Now that evil has been unleashed and it is out for revenge.

As the twin to Acheron, Styxx hasn’t always been on his brother’s side. They’ve spent more centuries going at each other’s throats than protecting their backs. Now Styxx has a chance to prove his loyalty to his brother, but only if he’s willing to trade his life and future for Acheron’s.

The Atlantean goddess of Wrath and Misery, Bethany was born to right wrongs. But it was never a task she relished. Until now. She owes Acheron a debt that she vows to repay, no matter what it takes. He will join their fellow gods in hell and nothing is going to stop her.

But things are never what they seem, and Acheron is no longer the last of his line. Styxx and Acheron must put aside their past and learn to trust each other or more will suffer.

Yet it’s hard to risk your own life for someone who once tried to take yours, even when it's your own twin, and when loyalties are skewed and no one can be trusted, not even yourself, how do you find a way back from the darkness that wants to consume the entire world? One that wants to start by devouring your very soul?

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Night Embrace by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Night Embrace 
(Dark-Hunter #3)

by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Carrington MacDuffie (Narrator)

5 HEARTS

The Blurbs

Dear Reader,

Life is great for me. I have my chicory coffee, my warm beignets, and my best friend on the cell phone. Once the sun goes down, I am the baddest thing prowling the night: I command the elements, and I know no fear. For centuries, I've protected the innocent and watched over the mankind, making sure they are safe in a world where nothing is ever certain. All I want in return is a hot babe in a red dress, who wants nothing more from me then one night.

Instead, I get a runaway Mardi Gras float that tries to turn me into roadkill and a beautiful woman who saves my life but can't remember where she put my pants. Flamboyant and extravagant, Sunshine Runningwolf should be the perfect woman for me. She wants nothing past tonight, no ties, no long-term commitments.

But every time I look at her, I start yearning for dreams that I buried centuries ago. With her unconventional ways and ability to baffle me, Sunshine is the one person I find myself needing. But for me to love her would mean her death. I am cursed never to know peace or happiness— not so long as my enemy waits in the night to destroy us both.

—Talon of the Morrigantes

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Night Embrace spins the story of Talon, an ancient Celtic warrior who killed the son of the god Camulus. Camulus cursed Talon, decreeing death for everyone he loved. Now a Dark-Hunter in modern-day New Orleans, Talon meets Sunshine, who is key to ending his curse once and for all - not to mention helping him to save New Orleans from an ancient god bent on total destruction...

Audiobook Review

Wow oh wow! Night Embrace totally rocked! This book was absolutely fabulous and I have nothing negative to say about it.

First let's talk about Talon. Or Speirr if you want to go by is birth name. And let me tell you, from what the book said he's got quite a spear if you know what I'm saying. Even as a boy Talon was very fierce. As a Dark-hunter he is even more so. Fierce and beautifully brutal in battle. Yet, in his heart he was such a poet. He had some beautifully seductive words to say to Sunshine.

“I’ve always been a firm believer in seizing the moment. In taking what I want when I want it. And right now, Sunshine, I want you. I want to taste every inch of your body. To feel your breath on my neck while I make love to you. To take my tongue and explore every part of you until you beg me to stop.”

And speaking of Sunshine can I just say what a vibrant character she was? As an artist she totally appealed to me. Even her flightiness was something that endeared her to me. She was cute, funny, loyal, inquisitive, had a good heart (as shown by her actions toward the Dark-Hunter Zarek) and stuck to her guns. I love how she hacked away at Talon's resolve trying to get him to open up.

“What’s this?” “Until you come clean with me, you can take the sofa.” “You’re kidding.” “Oh no. Not even a little. I’m not going to let you back into my bed until you let me inside your head.”

There were tons of supporting characters in the book. Among them, of course, was the ever present Acheron. He took up more page time in Night Embrace than he did in Night Pleasures and I really enjoyed the deepening of his storyline. We also saw some of Valerius, the grandson and namesake of one of the villains from Night Pleasures. When he came into the picture I yelled at the book. Kyrian and Julian weren't too happy to see him either as you can imagine. There was also the afore mentioned Zarek. I couldn't help but feel for him. His last scene in the book took me by surprise. Another person that made her regular appearance was Selena.

The sex was frequent and hot. Talon and Sunshine worked amazing well together. The connection between them was soul deep. Sometimes authors have a hard time making me believe that the hero and heroine truly belong together. Not so for these two. Kenyon did a perfect job with their relationship. It was very easy to feel the bond between them.

The world building in this book wasn't as intricate as it was in the last book which I was thankful for. I think it helped that I read Night Pleasures before Night Embrace however Night Embrace can stand alone.

Brilliant world building? Check. Awesome and intriguing characters? Check. Sexy hero? Check. Steamy sex scenes? Check. This book has it all so find a copy of it somewhere and READ IT!

Hotness Rating

4 out of 5

See my review of Night Pleasures (Dark-Hunter #2) HERE

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Night Pleasures 

(Dark-Hunter #2)

by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Carrington MacDuffie (Narrator)

4 HEARTS

The Blurbs

Dear Reader,

Have you ever wanted to know what it's like to be immortal? To journey through the night stalking the evil that preys on humans? To have unlimited wealth, unlimited power? That is my existence, and it is dark and dangerous. I play hero to thousands, but am known to none. And I love every minute of it.

Or so I thought until one night when I woke up handcuffed to my worst nightmare: a conservative woman in a button-down shirt. Or in Amanda's case, buttoned all the way up to her chin. She's smart, sexy, witty, and wants nothing to do with the paranormal-in other words, me.

My attraction to Amanda Devereaux goes against everything I stand for. Not to mention the last time I fell in love it cost me not only my human life, but also my very soul. Yet every time I look at her, I find myself wanting to try again. Wanting to believe that love and loyalty do exist.

Even more disturbing, I find myself wondering if there's any way a woman like Amanda can love a man whose battle scars run deep, and whose heart was damaged by a betrayal so savage that he's not sure it will ever beat again.

Kyrian of Thrace

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In Night Pleasures, Kyrian of Thrace - an immortal who protects humans from vampires - wakes up one morning handcuffed to the one thing that can scare him: a conservative woman in a button-down shirt. But Amanda Devereaux turns out to be his perfect partner for hunting down a deadly foe, and for helping him to regain his soul - and learn that love doesn't have to bite.

Audiobook Review

This is the first Dark-Hunter book that I've read and I really did enjoy it. All the different elements that are embedded in the storyline, like the Greek mythology and the different versions of vampires, just simply amaze me and I applaud Sherrilyn Kenyon for coming up with these ideas.

One of my favorite parts of the story was in the beginning of the book. Amanda had been having a bad day at work and Kyrian "came to her rescue" in a thoroughly satisfying way. It was one of those moments that all women who have been dumped would love to have happen. That's all I'll say about it.

Since for me this was an audiobook it was little hard to understand and retain all the intricate details. A lot of information to set up the world was given to us and at times it could be overwhelming. In truth it felt like I almost needed to take notes in order to keep track of all the intricate details and it was kind of frustrating. I understand the necessity of world building but it was too much for me.

Kyrian and Amanda made a great couple. Right from the very beginning you could tell that there was a connection between them. I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks of Kyrian's past. I liked being able to see what made him the Dark-Hunter that he was. What he went through because of Theone's treacherous behavior was horrifying. I even came up with the perfect theme song for that relationship: Bruno Mars's Grenade.


I was happy with the HEA ending however it was a little cliched. I could see the little surprise coming but it was nice to read anyways.

To sum up this review I have to say that I'm jumping on the bandwagon with everybody else. This series is something that you're definitely going to want to get into!

P.S. Though this is labeled as Dark-Hunter #2 it is the first official Dark-Hunter book that has a Dark-Hunter in it.

Hotness Rating

3.5 out of 5