Larissa Ione's fourth novel in her Demonica series, Ecstasy Unveiled, has just hit the shelves, and Underworld General Hospital is about to get very, very busy. To earn his freedom, Lore, an enslaved half-demon assassin, has to make only one more kill: Kynan, a human who he brought back to life so he could fulfill an important destiny. Of course when Lore refuses, he learns there's a catch: if he doesn't kill Kynan, his sister Sin will die.
Idess is a beautiful half-angel trying to earn her way into Heaven, and part of the job is to protect a few special humans like Kynan. She also has to remain pure of heart, chaste of body and otherwise worthy of the wings. When she discovers Lore preparing to kill Kynan, she intervenes, and ends up capturing the handsome, reluctant assassin. She doesn't want to kill Lore, who is as wildly attracted to her as she is to him, but she will if she has to. At least until Heaven sticks her with the job of also protecting Lore.
This was a lightning-speed TGV of a book; I don't think the pace let up for a second. I certainly couldn't put the book down long enough to get anything done that night, so clear your schedule for this one. I also really enjoyed how the author explored the themes of loyalty and temptation, and what happens when the two collide. As a series author I can assure you that weaving in multiple-novel backstory becomes more difficult with each progressive book, but Larissa actually makes it look effortless. This is a great addition to the series, and I'm looking forward to the next book, which will have Sin's story (and there's a tantalizing preview of Sin Undone in the back pages.)
As always, you don't have to take my word for it. In comments to this post, name the last book you read that you couldn't put down (or if you haven't read anything riveting lately, just toss your name in the hat) by midnight EST on Friday, February 5, 2010. I'll draw five names at random from everyone who participates and send the winners an unsigned copy of Ecstasy Unveiled by Larissa Ione. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.
Best book in the last couple weeks: a Blaze named The Sweetest Taboo. Interesting setup, had me laughing, and I'm SO coveting the shower.
ReplyDeleteLover Awakened by J.R. Ward
ReplyDeleteWow. Ecstasy Unveiled sounds amazing on all fronts. I hate to admit that it makes me feel a touch of envy towards such an obviously talented writer.
ReplyDeleteThe last book I couldn't put down was 'Sins of the Flesh' by Caridad Pineiro. The stakes just kept building in that one, and that kept me in my chair reading. :)
jmfictionscribe at gmail dot com
I finally read Flowers from the Storm and was swept away even when Maddy really annoyed me I kept reading!
ReplyDeleteI just read Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! I was desperate to find out what had happened.
ReplyDeleteSoulless by Gail Carriger
ReplyDeleteThe last book I couldn't put down was probably Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. It's the sequel to the Hunger Games and those books are so fast-paced you can't stop 'em once you start.
ReplyDeleteNothing that stands out lately, so I'm just tossing my name in.
ReplyDeleteLia
I love anything by Dean Koontz, but I have not picked up anything from him in a while. Recently a book I really loved was Bitten and Smitten by Michelle Rowen. She makes paranormal romance very fun to read.
ReplyDeleteEcstasy unveiled sounds amazing!
The last book I couldn't put down was Kresley Cole's KISS OF A DEMON KING.
ReplyDeletePatricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series--I didn't stop until I had read them all. And now I'm impatiently waiting for the next one.
ReplyDeleteArchangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh
ReplyDeleteBe easier to list books I COULD put down.
ReplyDeleteOne I couldn't - Gaiman's "Coraline."
Hmm, maybe not last but I did just re-read it, Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh. I love the world she created around angels and vampires.
ReplyDeleteLast book that stands out was Lili St. Crow -Betrayals. This was my second YA novel I ever read, and I was blown away. (The first being Straing Angel, book 1, which was just as good.)
ReplyDeleteThe Unseen by T.L. Hines. Started reading around 8:00 p.m. and finished at 11:40 p.m. I tried putting it down three separate times and each time I was back within a minute.
ReplyDeleteI've already read this book (can we say anxiously awaiting its arrival even?). It was just as fabulous as you say. Lore...oooh Lore. I luv me some Lore!! *cough* Please don't enter me in the contest since I already have a copy, I just had to comment about the book since I couldn't put it down either!
ReplyDeleteNo Mercy by Lori Armstrong was my most recent can't-put-down read.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little behind on my reading right now but I have read all of Larissa's other demonica series books and they have all affected me the same way. I usually end up re-reading the book a second time right after the first time just to make sure that I didn't miss anything.
ReplyDeleteI read two books last weekend I couldn't put down - Finding the Lost by Shannon Butcher, and Original Sin by Allison Brennan.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion, Lynn. I'll definitely have to pick up a copy. (If I don't win one here, that is.)
I've actually read a ton of great books lately, not the least of which was Evermore - thanks Lynn for that book! Loved it - was a great way to spend my Saturday, I have to say. City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare, was my very last "couldn't put this book down" read. I'm looking forward to getting the next two installments of that.
ReplyDeleteI just recently discovered your blog and absolutely adore it. What a treasure between this and your books!
A co-worker gave me First the Dead by Tim Downs. Little did I know it was in the middle of the series... sigh... I had to go and get them all! Then the boys I babysit for were reading the Percy Jackson books at night before bed. I started reading to them towards the end of the first book and couldn't put it out of mind... once again, got the whole series and finished in less than 48 hrs. This was last week, I'm exhausted.
ReplyDeleteI just finished a book yesterday Called 'Pirate Latitudes' by Michael Crichton. I had a hard time putting it down. I have never read any of this books but i loved the cover and I love anyting pirate. It was a great read and I am glad I picked it up.
ReplyDeleteLauraineD
Blood Ties by Kay Hooper. A late, late night to finish that one.
ReplyDeleteThe most recent book I couldn't put down was HEART'S BLOOD by Gail Dayton. Very enjoyable book, and I loved the hints of steampunk in the story.
ReplyDeleteThe last one I could not put down was Promises in Death, J.D. Robb. I wish I could shed my requirement that all of the books in a series have to match, because then I would not have to wait for the PB. ;-)
ReplyDeleteArchangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh, the follow-up to Angels' Blood.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Elena and Raphael is still true love balanced on a knife's edge. Loved it. :)
Don't enter me Lynn...I ate this book up on Thursday and you're SO right, I couldn't stop once I started. The entire series is awesome. Ione does such an amazing job of building impossible romance.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't put down Gena Showalter's Catch a mate last night when i was unable to sleep.
ReplyDeleteI'm also totally in love with an ARC i got of Shiloh Walker's Broken!
Rita Herron's Don't Say a Word.. I had to just finish it and stayed up late just to get more read.
ReplyDeleteLast non-stop book I read was probably Regenesis by C J Cherryh (I just know I'm spelling that wrong). Sequel to Cyteen, my all-time fav. book.
ReplyDeleteAnother book to add to the ToBeRead List.
ReplyDeleteDuke of Shadows by Meredith Duran. This is an older book that I finally got around to reading. Half the book takes place in India - great setting. I currently reading book two of Joss Ware's post-apocalyptic series.
ReplyDeleteSkin Game by Ava Gray.
ReplyDelete((((((Lynn))))))
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I'm so thrilled that you liked the book...praise coming from an author of your caliber is one of those things that makes me get all teary-eyed.
This is so generous of you -- but then, you're generous with everything, including your time. I know damned good and well that I wouldn't be even published if not for you.
Thank you.
I just finished Elizabeth Moon's Engaging the Enemy. I couldn't put the book down until I finished, which was somewhere around 4am. I can't wait to start the next one in the series.
ReplyDeleteDear John by Nicholas Sparks, read it in one sitting!
ReplyDeleteHey Lynn! Thanks for the book/author tip. Sounds right up my ally.
ReplyDeleteNot to be a (well you know) the last book/series I absolutely (stay up all night even though I have to go to work the next morning) couldn't put down was yours; Private Demon and Dark Need being my favs. Man, do I miss the Darkyn.
Anyway, a far distant 2nd would be David Baldacci's ‘Split Second’.
Nina, looking forward to Dreamveil
I read an ebook in one sitting last night: Hemovore by Jordan Castillo Price. Loved how the book dealed with vampirism as a contagious disease that was a very real problem for the characters.
ReplyDeleteFire by Kirsten Cashore
ReplyDeletePrince of Twilight
ReplyDeleteA Veiled Deception by Annette Blair-a little more fluffy than I like normally, but I love her style.
ReplyDeleteThe last book I couldn't put down was Kylie Brant's "Waking the Dead."
ReplyDeleteMoon Called was great!
ReplyDeleteInsomnia by Stephen King. Slow start and if you skipped to the middle of it, you'd wonder what crack he was on, but the gradual introduction of weirdness somehow worked for me.
ReplyDeleteHmm... Last book I couldn't put down was THE MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner.
ReplyDeleteAs it turns out, it was Ecstasy Unveiled. I don't need a copy...just wanted to be a complete fangirl and say - holy good read, Batman!
ReplyDeleteIt was stupendous! Eidolon is hands down my fave brother but Lore sure gives him a run for his money. Then again, this book just proved how great E really is.
Robyn Carr - Forbidden Falls
ReplyDeleteDeep Kiss of Winter by Gena Showalter and Kresley Cole. I'm still recovering from lack of sleep because of that one. : )
ReplyDeleteThe last book I couldn't stop reading... I haven't gotten to read for fun since December, but I just had to read The Maltese Falcon for a class, and I loved it.
ReplyDeleteLover Avenged by JR Ward.
ReplyDeleteOOh I love the Demonica series. I snarfed through the first three books :) As for the last book I read that I couldn't put down, there were two recently. Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare and Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan.
ReplyDeleteWith a toddler I only get about 10 minutes at a time to read, hours and hours of solid reading is only a fond memory these days. But I'm reading and trying to learn to walk and read, so maybe I can get 12 minutes of reading at a time.
ReplyDeleteI really like Larissa's series, and I'm looking forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteI've just read Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas. I read the series all out of order, but it didn't matter. Each of the books kept me up late at night. ;)
The last book that I just couldn't put down was Too Hot to Handle by Robin Kaye.
ReplyDeleteLynn,
ReplyDeleteI currently can not put down Katie MacAlister's "Steamed". Love the new series she is introducing. And I don't need a copy of "Ecstasy Unveiled". I snapped it up at Wal-Mart over a week ago!
Tami
Jacksonville