Alysha♥DeShaé

“Snow Crash” by Neal Stephenson

In spite of the fact that I don’t think I ever completely grasped the story, it was a fantastic ride and I think not totally getting it is the point.  Get it?  Yeah, me either, but it’s still worth a read.  As it is, I’ll be Googling some of the stuff mentioned in the book to see what was pure fiction and what was based in reality.  (I’m a nerd like that.) In reality, Hiro Protagonist delivers pizza for Uncle Enzo’s CosoNostra Pizza Inc., but in the Metaverse he’s a warrior prince. Plunging headlong into the enigma of a new computer virus that’s striking down hackers everywhere, he races along the neon-lit streets on a search-and-destroy mission for the shadowy virtual villain threatening to bring about infocalypse. Snow Crash is a mind-altering romp through a future America so bizarre, so outrageous…you’ll recognize it immediately.

“Lothaire” by Kresley Cole

At least in this one the “hero” is legitimately a bad guy. Well, until the end when she takes off some character layers and plays the “he’s just misunderstood” card… And really, if I read the word “shaft” again, it will be too soon! o_O ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience. A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart. CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

“Demon from the Dark” by Kresley Cole

More of the same… From New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole comes this scorching tale of a demon outcast poisoned with vampire blood and the vulnerable young witch he vows to protect—even from himself. A dangerous demon she can’t resist… Malkom Slaine: tormented by his sordid past and racked by vampiric hungers, he’s pushed to the brink by the green-eyed beauty under his guard. A maddening witch he aches to claim… Carrow Graie: hiding her own sorrows, she lives only for the next party or prank. Until she meets a tortured warrior worth saving. Trapped together in a savage prison… In order for Malkom and Carrow to survive, he must unleash both the demon and vampire inside him. When Malkom becomes the nightmare his own people feared, will he lose the woman he craves body and soul?

“Deep Kiss of Winter: Untouchable” by Kresley Cole

I don’t know… I found the “no we can’t touch” thing to be a replay of the one with the ghost. There’s only so many times the different characters can repeat all the same types of actions and phrases before you can’t tell them apart. At least there was no mention of “some-some” or “crayfish” that I can remember. In this novella from the Deep Kiss of Winter anthology, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole delivers a breathtaking tale about a brutal vampire soldier who experiences love for the first time.Murdoch Wroth will stop at nothing to claim Daniela—the delicate Valkyrie who makes his heart beat for the first time in 300 years. Yet the exquisite Danii is part ice fey, and her freezing skin can’t be touched by anyone but her own kind without inflicting pain beyond measure. Can they conquer an agony of frustration and slake the overwhelming desire burning between them?

“Dark Desires After Dusk” by Kresley Cole

Meh… Could have been worse, but it wasn’t anything special. At least they’re quick reads! RITA Award-winning author Kresley Cole continues her bestselling Immortals After Dark series with this electrifying tale of a ruthless demon mercenary and the lovely young halfling who enchants him. A seductive beauty he can never have, yet can’t resist… Cadeon Woede will stop at nothing to atone for the one wrong that will haunt him forever. But once he secures the key to his redemption, the halfling Holly Ashwin, Cade finds that the woman he thought he could use for his own ends and then forget haunts him as much as his past. A tormented warrior she should fear, but can’t deny… Raised as a human, Holly never knew that some frightening legends are real until she encounters a brutal demon who inexplicably guards her like a treasure. Thrust into a sensual new world of myth and power, with him as her protector, she begins to crave the demon’s wicked touch. Surrender to dark desires… Yet just when he earns Holly’s trust, will Cade be forced to betray the only woman who can sate his wildest needs — and claim his heart?

“Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night” by Kresley Cole

Another “some-some” character… Ugh! Also, if you’re going to write about Louisiana, know that we don’t eat “crayfish” – whatever that nasty sounding thing is. We eat crawfish and other weird animals. I get that Louisiana (and New Orleans, specifically) are great settings for mystical and legendary creatures, but at least do some research into our foods before embarrassing yourself with something so blatantly obvious. It’s almost as bad as the “some-some” slang – maybe worse. This seductive paranormal series continues with a brutal Highland werewolf and an exquisite young witch, adversaries with a blood vendetta between them. Her breathless kiss haunts him… Bowen MacRieve of the Lykae clan was nearly destroyed when he lost the one woman meant for him. The ruthless warrior grew even colder, never taking another to his bed—until a smoldering encounter with his enemy, Mariketa the Awaited, reawakens his darkest desires. When sinister forces unite against her, the Highlander finds himself using all his strength and skill to keep her alive. His slow, hot touch is irresistible… Temporarily stripped of her powers, Mari is forced to take refuge with her sworn adversary. It’s rumored that no one can tempt Bowen’s hardened heart, but soon passion burns between them. Though a future together is impossible, she fears he has no intention of letting her go. No deed is too wicked for her seduction… If they defeat the evil that surrounds them, can Mari deny Bowen when he demands her body and soul—or will she risk everything for her fierce protector?

“A Hunger Like No Other” by Kresley Cole

Well, it was difficult to put down (like these books often are), but the constant slang got annoying very quickly. Acclaimed author Kresley Cole introduces a sizzling new series with this tale of a fierce werewolf and a bewitching vampire—unlikely soul mates whose passion will test the boundaries of life and death. A mythic warrior who’ll stop at nothing to possess her… After enduring years of torture from the vampire horde, Lachlain MacRieve, leader of the Lykae Clan, is enraged to find the predestined mate he’s waited millennia for is a vampire. Or partly one. This Emmaline is a small, ethereal half Valkyrie/half vampire, who somehow begins to soothe the fury burning within him. A vampire captured by her wildest fantasy… Sheltered Emmaline Troy finally sets out to uncover the truth about her deceased parents—until a powerful Lykae claims her as his mate and forces her back to his ancestral Scottish castle. There, her fear of the Lykae—and their notorious dark desires—ebbs as he begins a slow, wicked seduction to sate her own dark cravings. An all-consuming desire… Yet when an ancient evil from her past resurfaces, will their desire deepen into a love that can bring a proud warrior to his knees and turn a gentle beauty into the fighter she was born to be?

“Playing Easy to Get” by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jaid Black, and Kresley Cole

Meh… There isn’t really anything that jumps out and says “quality literature right here” of course – they’re romance stories, what did you expect?! But it’s kind of sad when the only story out of the three in the book that seems even remotely likely to end in a good relationship is the one involving a vampire and Valkyrie. The one with the Vikings was kind of fail, too. The author didn’t even try to show how the kidnapper made his victim fall in love. It was just “I will escape” to “bam, we’re pregnant and totally in ooey-gooey love!” And the very first story was the most ridiculous of all. They fall in love and apparently just *know* everything about each other in less than twenty-four hours. “You’re the smartest woman I know.” Really, mafia guy? The smartest woman you know? Considering you know absolutely nothing about her life, you just insulted every woman you’ve ever met including you mom and sister. New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon and rising stars Jaid Black and Kresley Cole unlock the pleasures and perils of embracing the boldest and most powerful of lovers — 100% alpha males — in three sensually erotic tales. Discover the physical rapture of his muscular arms…. Become a prisoner of passion, swept away by an encounter with his primal side…. And get lost in the all-consuming thrill of white-hot pursuit by a relentless stranger who may be your most dangerous foe, the best lover you’ve ever had — or both. Let your fantasies run wild with these unforgettable novellas where bigger is most definitely better — and playing easy-to-get is the only way to go!