Many thanks to Maia Gomez and Silver Dagger Book Tours for my spot on this Blog Tour.
This review is dedicated to Barbara Hightower (Babs) as she was the first person to contact me for the Blog Tour at the beginning of the year. And I was shocked and extremely saddened to hear that she had passed away. I didn’t know her other than a few mails, but she was extremely kind and sweet to me.
I couldn’t tag all authors, and I read the stories whose first page caught my eye – apologies in advance.
I find it very difficult to review a anthology, but I am going to try to put my feelings to words.
My journey into 1000+ pages
I started reading this book with the story whose teaser I had read way back in June. I truly wanted to know how it ended.
I Spy A Demon by Keta Diablo
The story started with twins Cecily and Calder staying with the Frost family after the death of their parents. She was best friends with the Frost’s sons Marcel and Elliott, especially Marcel. She had to leave him when her brother begged her to. And years later Calder died, and Cecily returned to uncover the truth of her twin’s death.
My first book by this author where the writing was smooth. I liked Cecily, her determination made me admire her. Marcel was the typical alpha male who wanted to protect her and yet couldn’t stay away from her. I loved the chemistry between them. The story was fast paced, and Cecily took active steps to avenge her brother’s death, some were slightly foolhardy. But I understood her passion. The ending was a shocker, and the story ended in a HEA.
Hex by Gracen Miller
This book was everything I loved in an Urban Fantasy. The hero was Hex, the prince of hell, and the heroine was Nina, a kick-ass warrior who could fight the paranormal creatures.
The plot was intriguing. Nina had to kill every paranormal creature including Hex if she wanted to win the tournament of Oculus Tears to save her sister’s life. I loved everything about this story, I savored every line. Each word produced a delicious bubble of excitement in me.
Nina was simply poetry in motion. She reminded me of me, not the real me but the me in my fantasy. Hex was arrogant, but something about him spoke to my feminity. Oh yeah, it was that kinda book.
And the passion, oh my, I needed a hand fan to cool me down. It sizzled and burned like a lava, rushing into my blood like a fire and causing my toes to curl. Something about the dialogues between them caught my fancy, and I imagined myself to be Nina… Ah well, I couldn’t help the fan-girling. This story was downright my favorite!! Sigh…
The Demon’s Prisoner by Michelle Scott
This was a cute story between Harper, a veterinarian, and Bishop, a man who had escaped 10 years of Hell. I loved that their first meeting occured between dog biscuits, and the story moved on to the fight with the Lord of Hell.
The plot was straightforward, but this had magic in holy relics which was exciting. Harper was proactive, I loved how she thought up ideas to get out of Hell. I liked her swift intelligence and ability to think on her feet. It was sweet to see how Bishop trusted her with his life. There was passion and love and HEA.
The Devil Upstairs by Dariel Raye
An ancient being, Gateway, and a woman with anger issues, Kat who needed his protection. The two had to meet as the fates had ordained. And passion was bound to happen along with ancient rites. The plot was convoluted, could have been better defined. I would have loved more action, but it was a different story filled with passion and fun.
Succubus Unleashed by Muffy Wilson
Sapphira and Brock’s love story was fun. Sapphira was a shape-shifter and it was quite exciting to see her shifting into… No… you have to read it to know what she shifts into. Love and passion was quite instant. But she was a succubus, she knew who was her mate. But their love was forbidden, she was too different. Yet she had to answer his call for her. I loved her protectiveness for her love. The story was quite different, and passion was hot,, and together with the action scenes, it was a fun read.
I did glance through the other stories, they seemed to be sweet and were varied with siren mermaids and vampires and working for the demon.
I could honestly say, all the stories, though short, had enough spiciness to take a bite into. The authors were a talented lot who came together to give a book which had something for everyone. I liked that I could pick and choose any according to my mood, and they were an hour’s read approximately. The heat in them flared, each one was scorching. A completely enjoyable read.
I received a free ARC from Maia and the authors, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.
All my reviews can be read here
A Darker Shade of Evil
A Demon and Devil Anthology
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Deadly demons, diabolical devils and other creatures of the night will hold you spellbound in this one-of-a-kind anthology. In a world of dark delights, they trifle in forbidden passion, suspense, and kick-ass battles. It’s all right here for you in this captivating urban fantasy and paranormal romance anthology!
Brought to you by USA Today and International Bestselling Authors, these stories of sexy alpha heroes and heroines will keep you turning the pages. Devils, demons and their lethal hunters will draw you into their conquests, twisted deceptions, scorching heat, and yes, even love.
USA Today and Bestselling Authors!
Khardine Gray – USA Today Bestselling Author– Alone In The Dark
Dariel Raye – USA Today Bestselling Author – The Devil Upstairs
Lori Titus – USA Today Bestselling Author – Talons
Muffy Wilson – USA Today Bestselling Author – Succubus Unleashed
Keta Diablo – Bestselling Author – I Spy A Demon
Marilyn Harlow – Bestselling Author – Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend
Gracen Miller – Bestselling Author – Hex
Michelle Scott – Bestselling Author – The Demon’s Prisoner
Katherine Smit – Bestselling Author – Siren Descending
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45949506-a-darker-shade-of-evil
Amazon
https://books2read.com/u/mg0OPR
21 Responses
Many thanks to Shalini’s Books and Reviews for your insightful review of several of the stories in A Darker Shade of Evil. We deeply appreciate your thoughtful reviews which will definitely help readers as they choose their next book.
Glad you liked it 💃
Great sample of the stories- a real teaser👍
Thank you so much ❤️
Great review! I know it can be difficult to review an anthology, so I really appreciate you focusing on a selection of stories.
Thank you… I agree it is too difficult
Great review. This does sound like a dark but interesting anthology. I spy a Demon especially sounds great and the author’s name is interesting 🙂
They were fun stories and quite sizzling
Thank you so much ❤️
Hi Diana, thank you so much for your comment! We do explore some dark themes, but all the books have a Happily Ever After or Happily for Now, so things work out in the end for our characters.
I agree…. They are all fun books
Anthologies are definitely hard to review but you did a fabulous job! And hey, is that a book boyfriend I see?! ❤
Oh yes, fuck, sex withHex was like so hot…. Apparently being the prince of hell, he cango on for hours… Holy hell… I wouldn’t survive it… But what a way to go – multiple orgasms 😂😂😂😂
Yikes, luckily Laurence Westwood does not read my posts or comments 🤣🤣🤣🤣
😂😂😂😂😂😂 I’m laughing so hard my dog is looking at me like I have 6 heads and my dad just asked wtf is wrong with me. Oh my god. I can’t breathe. I love you😂😂😂❤❤❤❤
I love you back. I would be sore down there but oh so very satisfied. Fuck, that man loved to go down. Hahaha an ideal boyfriend
😂😂😂 I think I need to read this book.
He did call me little naughty…. 😂 😂 😂 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
😂😂😂😂😂😂 ‘a little’ 🤔😂😂😂😂
Apparently, his mom ordered him not to speak to young girls on the internet so he has wished me goodbye in today’s review. 🤷🏻♀️ Ah well, fickle minded men are so not my type..
Gimme Hex now!! 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂
Oh sheesh. Hahaha yes, Hex is better!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Hehehe Hell yeah🤣🤣