Sherrilyn Kenyon Reviews

Added Novemer 11, 2002

Night Pleasures

A Dark-Hunter Novel

Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, Inc
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: October 2002
Genre: Romance: Paranormal
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.50
ISBN: 0-31297-998-3
Author Email/Website: www.sherrilynkenyon.com
Reviewer: Cyndi Witkus

Night Pleasures is the first book of the long awaited Dark-Hunter series. It begins with Amanda Devereaux doing a favor for her vampire hunter twin, Tabitha. Knocked out by someone waiting for Tabitha, Amanda wakes up handcuffed to tall blonde hair man. She can't believe the reaction she has just looking at him while he's unconscious. Once he, Kyrian Hunter, awakes, things take on a decidely different turn.

Amanda considers herself the oddball of a family filled with psychic abilities and gifts. But being handcuffed to Hunter gives her a slight walk on the wild side. It seems that a Daimon named Desiderius thinks that for some reason that she's Tabitha. He informs them both they've got 24 hours before he begins to hunt them both. Once they're on the run, Amanda finds out that this Hunter guy is in fact not quite human himself. In order to remove these handcuffs forged by Hephaestus, they must be opened by the key or by a god. Amanda knows someone who might in fact be able to help them out of the handcuffs. She takes him to her friend's house. Once there, Kyrian is reunited with his friend, Julian of Macedon, who was introduced in the book Fantasy Lover Julian's mother, Aphrodite, releases Kyrian and Amanda.

Amanda finds out later the history of how the Dark-Hunters were started and what Daimons are. She also overhears on how Kyrian was betrayed by his own wife, which led to him becoming a Dark-Hunter. Kyrian is fascinated with Amanda and finds himself trying to protect her and to be near her. Even though he doesn't think that he'd ever have a chance with her, he can't help himself from helping her as Desiderius comes after Amanda. They both are trying to resist the pull of the other until the night Amanda shares Kyrian's nightmare. After she relives the betrayal that led up to Kyrian becoming a Dark-Hunter, she goes to Kyrian. They both give in to their passion and desire. Afterwards, something happens. Somehow, the final act of their lovemaking renders Kyrian without his Dark-Hunter powers.

Incident after incident occurs with Desiderius closing in on both Kyrian as well as Amanda. Even when Amanda finds out more about the secret world of the Dark-Hunters through Kyrian's smart mouthed, but loyal Squire, Nick Gautier, she doesn't shy away from him or his job. In fact, Amanda doesn't treat Kyrian's life as if it was any different from anyone else's. Such behavior is rewarded when the truth comes out about Desiderius' parentage. When Kyrian realizes how much is at risk, he asks the unofficial leader of the Dark-Hunters, Acheron Parthenopaeus, to look after Amanda while he's in town. Acheron, however, has plans of his own. He tells of the outclause that would let Kyrian become mortal again to Amanda.

Amanda knows she loves Kyrian and would do anything to help him. She helps him deal with his past in a unique way that even amazes Kyrian. Amanda meets up with Desiderius unbeknownst to Kyrian. When Kyrian comes home to Amanda, little does he know what will happen as Amanda seduces him. When she's finished, Kyrian is once again mortal. Then Desiderius shows up. Has Amanda betrayed the man she loves? Or is there another reason for what she's done? I won't spoil the ending for you. You'll have to read if for yourself to find out what happens next.

I've waited 18 months for Night Pleasures to be released. I loved Fantasy Lover by Sherri and finally being able to be immersed in the Dark-Hunter universe was like coming home to family. To anyone who's new to Sherri's work, welcome to the madness-sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. From Nick's acerbic wit to Kyrian and Acheron sharing some moments of humour online and then in person, this was a journey of friends and family for those who've waited so long for this book. Sherri's characters are so alive it's like watching home movies.

The world of daimons and Dark-Hunters were brought to life in such a way, when things go bump in the night, you find yourself wishing for a Dark-Hunter to protect you. Sherri has created a universe that integrates the pantheon of gods of myth and legend with a whole new twist on the vampire legends of old. Sherri rocks with her witty dialogue and her intense emotional scenes that tug at your heart and soul until you're completely enveloped in the Dark-Hunter world. You'll find yourself laughing as Nick harasses Kyrian for a night off and where Acheron informs Kyrian in an instant message that he's flipping the General off. Your heart will ache as you find out how Kyrian was betrayed by his wife and the torture he went through. This book runs wrings all emotions from you and leaves you clamoring for more.

Sherrilyn Kenyon's world of Dark-Hunters, Were-Hunters, and Dream-Hunters rocks with its unique style. This universe holds something for any paranormal romance fan as well as any fantasy fan. Sherrilyn has said how she wrote the first Dark-Hunter story almost twenty years ago. Since that time, Sherri's expanded that universe to what is now shown in Night Pleasures, the first book of the series. If you like your romance with something unique, I highly recommend the first book of the Dark-Hunter series.

If you'd like to explore more of Sherrilyn's Hunter Universe and read some excerpts of upcoming books, I recommend taking a look at her site at www.hunterlegends.com. Just make sure you have plenty of time, a ice cold drink, and a towel to wipe up the drool once you see this wonderful and exciting universe.

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Added February 9, 2002

Fantasy Lover

Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, Inc
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: February 2002
Genre: Romance: Paranormal
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.50
ISBN: 0312979975
Author Email/Website: www.sherrilynkenyon.com
Reviewer: Cyn Witkus

What do you do when you're cursed for 2,000 years to be a love slave? You get found by a woman that doesn't need a sex slave since she's a sex therapist. Grace Alexander, sex therapist, was given Julian's book by her best friend, Selena. Julian was promised to Grace for 30 nights of bliss. She refuses to engage in sex play and instead shows Julian of Macedonia the wonders of the world.

This book shows the gods and goddesses in a whole new light. Never before have you ever seen Cupid as a biker. Julian's relationship with the gods makes this book really tug at the heart strings. Julian, child of Aphrodite herself, has been blessed by her with looks that attract any and all women. It's a mixed blessing as Grace discovers her growing attraction to be not just on the physical plane.

Julian has never been treated as well as he has in over 2,000 years. Grace has turned his world upside down. He hopes there is a way to break this curse as this woman has stamped on him the joy of being human.

I laughed, I cried, I smiled along with the book as Julian and Grace's tale unfolded. If you like your men alpha and with a humour that can't be denied, then this is truly a book to place on the keeper shelf for regular reading. Speaking about keeper shelves, the keeper shelf in Grace's closet is guaranteed to make Sherrilyn's fans smile. If you have ever been to her website or played in her HunterLegend world, then you will love the keeper shelf Grace has.

Sign me up for the next book in the series. I can't wait to meet the Dark Hunters and their brethren in the upcoming books from St. Martin's Press to be released this year.

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