Deep Kiss of Winter [Large Print] [Paperback]

I was so excited about the next installment of the Immortals After Dark series and I have to say 'Untouchable' by Kresley Cole did not disappoint. Kresley manages to make Murdoch the player sweetly sexy, and Daniela's character one emphasises with (which is pretty impressive I initially thought I'd be thinking "shut up wingeing about not being able to make skin contact-miserable cow")I found the plot well thought out- throughout the story I had no idea how it was going to end; furthermore the conclusion was one which satisfied without having to rely on some random act of luck/wizardry etc. My personal highlight was how the romance developed- many of the sexy scenes are implicit or rather imaginative. Before reading this story I had had a long break from Cole and I had forgotton how genuinely refreshing it is to have female characters (including main leads) who truly kick arse. Go team. I am not sure about this as a stand alone if you are intending on reading the series do start at the beginning- 'Untouchable' will give too much away of a couple of the other stories which benefitted much from Murdoch's air of mystique.

Now onto Showalter- this was my first taste of Alien Huntress series and it did seem to work well as a stand alone. I did find this read very entertaining, however I just could not buy into the plotline- it felt a little "oh come off it". For anyone new to Showalter try the Lords of the Underworld series- and yes I know "you can believe in demons but not aliens?" is a little hypocritical.

I think the Immortal After Dark series is amazing, and was really looking forward to this one, but I found that for me personally, I just couldn't warm to Murdoch and so didn't enjoy it overall as much.

This could well be because I have already given my heart to Sebastian (as soon as he dumps Kaderin natch), but I just found Murdoch annoying and seriously lacking in charm. The heroines story was interesting, as she is not able to stand the touch of anyone outside her own species.

Overall though, I found this story less exciting than others in that, for the most part, there were certain events I was already expecting to happen. I know, I know, different point of view rah rah rah. Like I said, it depends on what you like. It just felt like Murdoch was slotted into the lives of his three more interesting and engaging brothers to me (where as the other brothers did not suffer this fate. Completeness I suppose). I don't think it would detract from my collection to not keep this one, though I am still waiting to see what happens to Lucia and Garreth regardless.

As far as the Alien Huntress novel goes, I am not an alien romance fan. It just doesn't sit well in my fantasy world. As such, I had no idea who was who when I read this story. I did read Dervyn and Brides story to try and make sense of this one with it, but am still not involved in what was going on. Regardless, I enjoyed the humour and interaction between the characters, on balance enjoyed the development of this romance far more.

I think I should have waited for the paperback.

Writing buddies KC and GW contribute to this two story "anthology". These two authors prove why they are both currently so popular in the fantasy romance genre; however whilst GW's story is very good, KC's offering is fantastic.

Untouchable by Kresley Cole
Although a valkyrie Daniela the Ice Maiden is unable to tolerate the touch of any but her own kind; which proves somewhat annoying that the Ice Fae (Icere) are so intent on killing her. Murdoch Wroth believes fate must be laughing at him. A notorious womaniser prior to his turning, this vampire has spent over three centuries celibate; unable to become aroused until meeting his Bride. Yet who has heard of a vampire with a Bride he is unable to touch, a woman unable to touch him in return and sate the lust she has aroused?

I liked that this book spans a time period which incorporates events that occur in the first four books of this series and also the short story (and official start of the IAD series) found in the anthology "Playing Easy To Get". The unlikely union of ice maiden/valkyrie and vampire blooms whilst Myst is captured by her own vampire, Emmy is hunted, Karedin takes part in a deadly competition, Mariketa the Awaited comes into her monumental power and another of Murdoch's brothers falls in love with a ghost.

This short story is definitely on par with the other full length novels found in the "Immortal After Dark " series with all the entertaining elements expected from this author; sharp verbal sparring, battles aplenty and some hot nekked action. 5 stars

Tempt Me Eternally by Gena Showalter
AIR agent Macy, aka Aleaha Love; the shape shifter able to assume the form of anyone she touches makes her first (but brief) appearance in book 4 of this series "Seduce the Darkness" (although this book starts prior to the events which take place in book 4). As part of the AIR team assigned to track a group of aliens arriving on Earth, Aleaha is way out of her league; having only recently assumed Macy's face and life but obviously lacks the training.

The enemy she and her team face are not the expected Schön but a group of Rakan; a golden race universally believed to be peaceful (well that is until they start killing AIR agents). The Rakan prove far more aggressive than assumed; whilst their leader Breean is positively predatory, going as far to claim Aleaha as his victor's prize.

I enjoyed this short story but throughout it I couldn't understand why GW didn't include Eden, the Raka female lead from "Enslave Me Sweetly". So despite the action and passion plus the significant presence of other AIR agents in this story, I found myself wondering at odd moments why Eden wasn't involved in the plot line at all. 4 stars