Sam hasn't been one of my favorite Walshes throughout my binge read of the series, especially since I'm a Shannon-stan 100%. That said, I did enjoy his and Tiel's romance, especially in the beginning, and that was more because of Tiel than because of Sam.

But, as the story wore on I just wanted these two to TALK and say what they were feeling. The drama between them was the least convincing or fulfilling to me as a reader. Also, I didn't really like how Tiel called Sam a whore. Felt yucky.

But, this series as I come to the end of available books is just entirely compelling, written so beautifully, and just captivates my ears.

A fascinating glimpse into a woman's experience exploring her boundaries while learning the ins and outs of being a Switch in an LA dungeon.

I have a bit of a crush on Jenny Nordbak after hearing her speak on a variety of podcasts, and this was a super illuminating read.

I had some wide-eyed moments, and definitely learned about a new kink (or three). Definitely worth picking up!

Lily, twice-widowed and only in her mid-twenties, longs to understand her desires and why she yearns for carnal pleasure. It is sinful and not becoming a lady, as her last husband informed her before freezing her out of the marriage bed. She records her fantasies in a diary, pondering her passions as she serves as a Lady's companion.

Her desires become reality after encountering a mysterious stranger in a hidden passageway during a ball and what she thinks will only be one night of passion, turns into so much more.

With delightfully naughty scenes including voyeurism, this is a fantastically smutty historical that also explores what it means to love someone not of your class.

My only quibble is hidden behind the spoiler:

Lily is convinced she's barren as she's had two husbands and no children. Of course she and her Marquis end up pregnant with twins. I understand the importance of having the aristocracy having heirs, but I thought it would make for a bit more interesting of a twist if these two could have just lived HEA without children. But, still a great, fun story!

Free copy received in exchange for a fair review.

Move over Naomi and Conrad, I have a new favorite IAD book! Sabine, immortal Sorceress of Illusions and Rydstrom, dethroned King of the Rage Demons are hot as hell and I loved every minute of this angsty, bananas, and fun romance.

Taking place concurrently with Rydstrom's brother Cadeon and Holly's story in [b:Dark Desires After Dusk|2003625|Dark Desires After Dusk (Immortals After Dark, #6)|Kresley Cole|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327887013s/2003625.jpg|2007518], we pick up a bit before Sabine kidnaps Rydstrom and see the aftermath.

Sabine is so badass. She's a technical "virgin" but by choice and by troth because if she remains virgin no one can rape her or use her sexually without her permission, which keeps her safe from her perverted and evil half-brother, the sorcerer Omort and current ruler of Rothkalina. She wants to finally give it up to Rydstrom as she wants to be in control of his heir, the true heir to the throne of Rothkalina. She's a temptress, but a bit of an experienced one.

This book reminded me of a historical I found hidden under my mother's bed back in the day. Has anyone else read Johanna Lindsay's [b:Prisoner of My Desire|774060|Prisoner of My Desire|Johanna Lindsey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348501614s/774060.jpg|1299871]? It has a similar plot line where the female heroine traps a "stud" male in her room to force him to impregnate her, but then is flipped when he is able to do the same to her in revenge. Felt reminiscent in a fun way of a totally bananas book I read way too young.

I'm loving reading these stories along with the Immortals After Dark podcast, Fated Mates!

Cadeon Woede knows his fated mate is a human, thus he can never have her. As a demon, the claiming would kill her. But he looks after Holly Ashwin, tiny, beautiful, and whip-smart from afar while also continuing to try and fix the big mistake he made centuries ago, the mistake which lost his brother Rydstrom his crown and kingdom.

But, Holly the mathematician with OCD is way more than she seems. In fact, it turns out she may not be quite mortal after all and may be The Vessel, fated to give birth to a child of complete evil or complete good.

But while it now seems Cadeon CAN claim Holly for his own, it also turns out she is the one thing that he can trade to get the information he needs to finally gain back his brother's crown. And Holly has no idea.

A rollicking road trip paranormal that is just banana pants, I had so much fun being introduced to my first demon! There's a lot of debate about the sexiness of horns, but I think I'm kind of in to it. I imagined Cade as kind of a Tom Hardy with horns, so that works for me!

I felt I had to take a few more "leaps of faith" with some of plot points here, but whatever. Also super looking forward Rydstrom and Sabine's book (it is next) because Rydstrom totally gets kidnapped in this one.

Loving this Fated Mates podcast read-along!

Néomi Laress was a renowned ballerina in the 1920s. She lived life to the fullest until a spurned lover she refused to marry stabbed her in the heart. In her own New Orleans mansion.

Her desire to live left her spirit haunting her beloved mansion, a mansion that is sometimes full of life but now decades later is crumbling and empty. Empty until now, when a crazed vampire is brought in in chains.

Conrad Wroth, once a renowned Vampire hunter, was turned into the thing he hated most by his own brothers. Now centuries later Conrad is close to finally losing his mind forever, a victim of the memories of all those who's blood he's drained to kill and survive.

So, when he sees an enchanting woman no one else can see, he's sure it is just a remnant of his madness.

But Néomi is definitely not one of Conrad's memories, and she's determined to find out more about the sexy Vampire and convince him to stop destroying her home. Both are wildly attracted to the other, and Conrad begins to fear she may in fact be his Bride, a Bride he will never be able to become blooded with because well, she's dead.

This book kept me on bated breath as I had no clue how the author would make the HEA work. And let me tell you, Cole makes it work plus some. Also, this may be the sexiest shower scene I've ever read where the characters could not touch one another. Damn.

SPOILERS STOP HERE

Conrad is VIRGIN! That is my catnip. Devilish laugh. I was excited to see Néomi fully embrace her history, her elan for love making. She isn't sorry she's experienced and she delights in making Conrad wild. That's my kind of lady.

This is my favorite so far i the Immortals After Dark read-a-long with the Fated Mates Podcast!

Last we met Bowen MacRieve, the Lykae was having his butt kicked by Kaderin the Cold-Hearted and losing his chance to reunite with his long dead mate.

We meet back up with Bowen in the midst of this story and as he is tempted by Mariketa the Awaited, a witch he wants to hate but lusts after with a desire strong enough to finally make him unfaithful to the memory of Mariah.

For Mariketa, the brooding Lykae is hot as sin, but she knows she must protect herself from him, as she is prophesied to be the ultimate witch and has much she needs to learn. Only 23 and not yet ascended to her immortality, she competes for the same prize as Bowen, but finds herself trapped by him in a terrible cave.

After the events of the last book unfold, Bowen returns to free Mariketa from her imprisonment and so she can end what he thinks are enchantments on him, one to stop him from being able to regenerate, the other must be a love spell. But as Bowen and Mariketa struggle to get out of the jungle, it seems she may be the reincarnation of his long dead mate. Or is she?

For one who has been spurned before, by her parents and her first love, Mariketa doesn't trust that she will ever be Bowen's first choice.

Watching these two find their HEA was so much fun, if a bit bananas. Still lots of limbs being ripped off, lots of lusty sexy times, and overall a super fantastic romp. I found the ending to be a bit rushed, after all the build up, but I'm now firmly entrenched in this series.

Nya Jerami left her home in Thesolo for New York in the hopes of forging a new path, one separate from her father, now in prison for trying to overthrow the monarchy and poison her, and one separate from being the sickly girl not capable of doing anything.

Reluctantly returning for the royal wedding, she is put into the path of bad boy Prince Johan von Braustein, the literal red-haired step-child of the King of Liechtienbourg.
Nya would much prefer to date the fictional Johan on her favorite romance dating game, but finds it increasingly difficult to avoid his charm.

For it seems Johan has been captivated by Nya, only feigning indifference as he doesn't think he's good enough for this beautiful, intelligent, and kind-hearted woman. But when they are caught in an unintentionally compromising position, it turns out pretending to be engaged in real life may actually be to Johan's benefit, especially since the fate of the monarchy hangs in the balance as a referendum looms.

What starts as a fake relationships grows into true love as Nya and Johan come into their own, while helping out their friends and family along the way.
Alyssa Cole's Reluctant Royals series comes to an epic close with these two, and I'm only sad we won't be getting more tales set in this world.

The inclusion of a gender-fluid prince and other timely topics are an excellent addition to an already ground breaking romance series. Highly recommend!

Shut up, Garreth MacRieve. You are a dream boat Lykae and I love you.

With what may be my favorite of the Immortals After Dark books yet, I adored this journey into the heart of the Amazon with Garreth and his fated mate, the best archer in the world Lucia the Huntress. Garreth is just the best, from his attempts to stop himself from claiming Lucia with a bewitched cuff of silver, to his attempts to protect her despite also trying to chase her down.

Again Cole plays with edging, as Lucia refuses to break her vow of chastity to the goddess who helped save her life from a mortal wound, as doing so will mean she loses her archery skills. What these two get up to in the mean time is whoa, hot.

I'm interested to see where the series goes from here, as while Garreth and Lucia receive their happily ever after, other characters we've met along the way have been kidnapped...by humans?!


This series is just so much fun, and I'm enjoying every minute of reading it and hearing it discussed on the Fated Mates podcast.

Also, I'm so glad I live somewhere that freezes every winter, because hard pass on the giant piranhas, spiders, and SNAKES. No thank you.

Alas, while this story had my catnip written all over it (blue collar, brothers, veterans), there were just a few things that kept me from fully embracing this story.

I love the concept of veterans forming a company to help their own, and I'll be interested to read more in the series to see if it tightens up.

Some of my content issues are hidden behind the spoiler:

Spoiler

fatphobic comments from both Reid and Naomi - Reid says Naomi needs to eat more because she's too skinny. Naomi wishes that her ex has gotten fat as revenge.
Lots of declarations of needing to be professional, but with characters that consistently act unprofessional, including Naomi and Reid

.