Kiss of Twilight (Dark Bonds #2) by Loribelle Hunt

Title: Kiss of Twilight
Author: Loribelle Hunt
Publisher: Carina Press
Source: NetGalley
Age Group: Adult 
Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥

 Dupree Jackson is everything a senior soldier of the Order of Templar should be. Cold. Unbreakable. A master at arms in the fight against demons. But as a hybrid, Dupree is beginning to lose himself to the demon half of his soul. One woman has the power to save him. If he lets her.
Kara Stone wants two things in life: to be merged with a demon so that she can become a full member of the Order; and Dupree Jackson. She knows they are meant to be together, if only Dupree would love her back.
Though his desire for Kara is undeniable, Dupree's need to protect her is stronger. Not wanting to see her merge, to face the internal struggle he deals with every day, he refuses to bond with her. But when Kara becomes a target and uncovers a dark secret about her past, Dupree may no longer have a choice.

I was pining for this novel so much after reading Kiss of Darkness, which I loved insanely. Kiss of Twilight starts where the first novel left off and I was sucked into the story all over again.

Dupree and Kara have known each other for a long time and both feel that they are meant to be with each other, but Dupree denies his feelings out of fear for her. This is both hard on her and him and their story focuses on their struggle.
Then there is the fact that Gia, one of the closest friends of Dupree and Winter (she was the main character in Kiss of Darkness) is still missing. Winter has the strong feeling that Gia was kidnapped, but they have no idea where to look for her.

What I love most about this series is that the characters, who were introduced in the first novel, are still as present as in the second one. I loved Winter and Marcus and I was so glad to see both of them again and I was absolutely thrilled when I was able to read a whole chapter from their POV.

Dupree´s and Kara´s story was not as interesting and intriguing as I anticipated, but that was mostly because I found that Gia´s relationship with Luke - Marcus´ brother - was way more intriguing. I was actually surprised to find out that the second novel focuses on Dupree rather than Gia, but it all makes sense if you consider the storyline.

All in all I can say that I enjoyed reading Kiss of Twilight just as much as I hoped for and even though Dupree and Kara are not my favourite couple I still loved reading about their relationship. 
The series promises to get even better with the third novel, which will focus on Gia and Luke. Their relationship is probably the most thrilling one and I am already waiting for it to hit the digital shelves. I´m so thrilled to find out how they will find Gia and her abductors...

Unfortunately author Loribelle Hunt is not thinking about continuing this wonderful story in the next year, which is so frustrating! There is a huge cliffhanger at the end that leaves me unsatisfied and -by now- disappointed.This is why I can only give 4 hearts for this book. It´s so frustrating not to know if the author decides to continue this series...

The Yearning Mermaid says: "This is a series you NEED to read if you´re a fan of Jeaniene Frost and Nalini Singh. Hot romance and a good paranormal twist. Pick it up if you don´t mind waiting for the continuation of the series!"

Kiss of Darkness (Dark Bonds #1) by Loribelle Hunt

Title: Kiss of Darkness
Author: Loribelle Hunt
Publisher: Carina Press
Source: NetGalley
Age Group: Adult
Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥

 Winter, a hybrid, has spent her life at war. A group of humans who are part demon, the hybrids, along with the lupines and nightwalkers, have dedicated their lives to defeating demons and protecting humanity. Yet, despite their united cause, the three groups share an uneasy alliance. When hybrid military compounds come under attack from demon insurgents, Winter has no choice but to turn to the lupines and nightwalkers for assistance. It's a partnership based on necessity and she has no intention of letting down her guard with either group. Marcus, the nightwalker Lord, has other plans. The immediate attraction between him and Winter promises a passion he can't ignore. To claim her as his own, he'll not only have to fight the demons who seem hell-bent on destroying her, but her own misconceptions about him and the nightwalker race. It's a battle he refuses to lose.

A wonderful book that I devoured in no time! I fell in love with Marcus, Winter and so many other side characters in this book. I´m glad I have the next book in this series already on my kindle!

Hunt created a world in which nightwalkers (psychic vampires), lupines (werewolves), hybrids (half demon, half human) and demons exist. It is not the most unique idea, but nowadays, what is? 
Winter is the perfect heroine. Beautiful, strong and yet vulnerable. She has had a hard past and joined her soul with a demon in order to avenge her husbands death. Winter climbed up the ladder fast, but 60 years after the Joining she is close to giving in to her demon side. Only a mate can save her from the abyss and there might be a nightwalker who is more than willing to share her burden. 
Marcus, the Nightwalker Lord is strong, gorgeous, charming and I fell for him instantly. 
When he meets Winter he feels that both of them have a special connection and he will do everything to make her his mate. 
Then there is the war with the demons, who are getting stronger and stronger each day. Either the hybrids, lupines and the nightwalker join forces in order to fight the demons, or they will loose the battle that decides who lives and who dies...

Winter and Marcus have great chemistry and it´s so much fun to see their relationship develop. I´ve had enough of those women, who turn down awesome men, even though they want them just as much. If you want them, go get them!
Hunt found the perfect balance and it left me very satisfied, because it neither went too fast, nor took it to long for those two to accept their feelings.
The main plot focuses on the fight with the demons and it was thrilling to see the characters in action. Especially Winter is a strong and intend fighter and I adored her strength and will.
 
The book also follows Winter´s best friends Gia and Dupree. Both of them have their own problems and it´s refreshing to read chapters where the book focuses on them instead of Winter and Marcus. 

The next book will follow Dupree and Kara. Both of them were introduced in Kiss of Darkness and their story promises to be just as thrilling.
I really enjoyed reading about this world, because it was entertaining and had a great mix. Filled with humor, tragedy and suspense it is the perfect series for me. 

The Yearning Mermaid says: "This book is a mixture of Nalini Singh´s Psy/Changeling Series and Jeaniene Frost´s Night Huntress series and thus was made for me! I loved it and really,really recommend it!"

Caressed by Ice (Psy/Changeling Book #3) by Nalini Singh

Title: Caressed by Ice
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Source: Purchased
Age Group: Adult
Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥

As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now he is a defector, and his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins - cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna...

Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted - and had her mind violated - by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives...

When I finished reading Visions of Heat I hoped that in Caressed by Ice I would meet a couple I´d love yet again and Singh did not disappoint me: Brenna and Judd touched my heart with their unbelievable strong will to fight for their love.

Caressed by Ice is in no way an easy novel. Singh writes about a few really difficult topics like abuse and rape and I was curious how she would choose to deal with it. I was glad that she did not get to much into detail and mostly concentrated on Brenna´s mental state. It was so easy to connect to Brenna and her pain, because she is a lovely person one just has to admire for her strength and will to stay sane.  She is a really strong-minded female and I felt with her all the time. I exactly understood her longing to be free and her fear of loosing herself in the process.

Judd is not what Brenna needs, as she has to recover from the physical and emotional wounds she suffered. She knows it and he knows it as well. Judd is cold, merciless and conditioned to not feel anything. She needs touch and affection to not loose herself to insanity. However, both feel that there is more to them and are willing to risk everything in order to find out what that is - even their own lives.

This is the first novel that features the SnowDancer den and not the DarkRiver´s. I was surprised to find myself enjoying this "family" just as much and came to love a lot of characters. Brenna´s brothers are exactly like you picture big brothers: overprotective and prejudiced when it comes to potential boyfriends. Yet, their criticism doesn´t stand a chance, because Brenna got one mind of her own and her abduction showed her when to leash out. She does not want to be caged ever again, but her brothers are slowly crushing her with their need to keep her safe.

The plot this time concentrates on finding the evil person who sold out Brenna to the sociopath councilor. The reader is also introduced to another rebel Psy, who is still hooked to the Psynet. I know it will be one hell of a surprise to find out who the Ghost actually is...

It´s both funny and frightening to follow Brenna´s and Judd´s story. There are so many horrific elements that kept me reading and reading, but there are just as much lovely situations when Judd actually shows signs of affection and love. 

Their story is a beautiful one and I think their love is one of the most purest in the whole series. I really loved to see them interact and the ending is so stunningly beautiful that it brought me to tears. 

The Yearning Mermaid says: "Book #3 in the Psy/Changeling series introduces the reader to the Snow Dancers and the new characters will touch your heart! I know for sure they touched mine!"

Visions of Heat (Psy/Changeling Book #2) by Nalini Singh

Title: Visions of Heat
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Source: Purchased
Age Group: Adult
Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥ 

Used to cold silence, Faith NightStar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous - aching need...exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the very emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her.
Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo can take the form of either man or jaguar, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar's instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith's sight for their own purposes. They must keep her silenced - and keep her from Vaughn.

Nalini Singh is one my favourite authors. Nothing can change my mind on that. I absolutely adore her Psy/Changeling series, but of course I like every book in this series in a different way. Since Slave to Sensation is my one and only star, it´s only natural that the second book in the series doesn´t quite catch up to it. And that is okay, because even though I didn´t love Visions of Heat as much as Slave to Sensation I still enjoyed it quite a lot.

Faith Nightstar lives - due to her abilities - in an isolated area. She is the best foreseer in the world, but suddenly she starts getting dark visions, which is disturbing for a normal F-Psy. Those visions are signs of madness and the result of that is rehabilitation.

For me, Faith is a difficult character and at first I found it quite hard to identify with her. In the beginning she is so cold that as a reader I was repelled by her and her constant denial of feeling anything.  But as the story progresses she develops into this beautiful and warm woman that I liked. Not loved, but liked.

Changeling Vaughn D´Angelo feels something is up and starts observing Faith´s house in the middle of nowhere. He has a complicated past and a quiet and dangerous character. After reading Visions of Heat I still have the feeling that I don´t get Vaughn completely. To me he remains this mysterious changeling, who doesn´t open up to anyone, but his own woman. I guess this makes him special to many readers out there, because I´ve heard the second book in this installment is their favourite. I personally can´t really understand that, but I can accept it. Every person has different tastes.

I remember reading Visions of Heat right after finishing Slave to Sensation, which I think was a huge mistake. Those two books are so different that I remember feeling annoyed reading about Faiths and Vaughn's story. It was just so much different, because at some point it lacked this deep passion that I loved in the first novel so much.
I changed my mind about Visions of Heat when I reread the book again after some time had passed. I felt like I finally understood the motives and intentions of this strange couple.

I´m also always thrilled to read those short and rare chapters featuring Sascha and Lucas. Another central point why I love Singh´s work. She always keeps the reader updated on how the other characters develop that she focused on in previous books.

Also the conflict between Psy and Changeling gets more and more intense. I find it quite refreshing to get to know the Psy Council. Each member is a mystery and their secrets are dark and plenty. I always had a thing for the villain, and now there are so many!

The Yearning Mermaid says: "Psy/Changeling fans will be thrilled to read he second book in the series. Everyone else should read book #1 first."

See the review of Slave to Sensation 

Slave to Sensation (Psy/Changeling Book #1) by Nalini Singh

Title: Slave to Sensation
Author: Nalini Singh 
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Source: Purchased
Age Group: Adult 
Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥ 

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of "rehabilitation" - the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was...Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several changeling woman. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion - and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities - or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation...

Slave to Sensation is one of my favourite - if not THE favourite - book in my shelf. I absolutely love this book and I guess I´ve read it 9 times already. I never grow tired of it!
I picked up Singhs´ series after reading that Jeaniene Frost is really fond of her work.  If you think Frosts´ work is amazing...then you should read THIS series. The Night Huntress series made me breathless, but Singh makes my heart skip a beat every time I just think about her wonderful characters and the unique world she created.

Sascha Duncan is a Psy, born into a race that forbids emotion, but she is flawed. She has to face the fact that she actually feels emotions and that those are not only dangerous for her, but may change her life forever.

Lucas Hunter is a changeling and very much capable of feeling and loving. When he meets Sascha he is intrigued and repelled at the same time, but soon he realises that there is more to this Psy than her outer,cold appearance. Will he be willing to sacrifice everything for this woman, even his own pack?

Lucas and Sascha are the first  couple which I loved in every situation. Lucas is a dream of a man and Sascha is the fitting woman. I´ve never felt so connected to a heroine before and I loved Sascha from the very beginning, which is quite rare for me. She is such a truly good person that you have no other chance but to love her, truly love her.

Even though their relationship is a central point in this novel, I found it really refreshing that the plot itself is in no way an empty shell, but intriguing, taking up a huge part. Sascha and Lucas have to find the merciless Psy-Killer that seems to have taken a liking to changeling women. In the end Sascha has to decide on which side she stands and has to make the ultimate sacrifice: either give up the man she loves, giving in to insanity and thus rehabilitation or embracing the strong feelings that are threatening to destroy her.

The Yearning Mermaid says:  "This is a must-read for every paranormal romance fan out there! There is no way around Singh´s work!"