Rating:  Summary: Fun, frisky Dark-Hunter fun, but not deep reading... Review: I'm a big fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon's -- I love the nonfiction books she's published for writers, and I fell in love with 'Fantasy Lover' and 'Night Pleasures'. While 'Night Embrace' was quite possibly the weakest book she's ever written, it still manages to carry through with aplomb and kept me entertaining.'Night Embrace' is all about Talon of the Morrigantes, a doomed Celt and familiar to those that read 'Night Pleasures'. I should say that it's the story of both Talon AND his ladylove Sunshine, but honestly Sunshine is more of a supporting role in this book rather than a main character. She's weak, fruity, and somewhat silly and I found her hard to like in the beginning. But that's okay, because Talon is so wonderfully complex and fun to read about that you won't be able to put the book down. The storyline starts out as just romance between Talon and Sunshine, but about the middle of the book, it turns from just a simple love story to an out and out adventure and a save-the-world climax, something the Dark-Hunters are always having to do. Kenyon sets her series in New Orleans and it's obvious it's an area she's very familiar with -- the setting is very rich. Returning in this book is the huge cast of characters that Kenyon has populated her series with (and that can be seen on the Dark-Hunters.com website). My personal favorite is Nick, the Squire, but Acheron plays a very large part in this and there's even a cameo by Eros and Psyche (whom I love as well). My complaints about this book--Kenyon has made such a rich, detailed, and fantastical world that she plans on outlining that she seems to feel necessary to throw it all into every book. Not just that, but she spends a lot of time 'explaining' rather than just telling the story. I'd have preferred a little less explaining and a little more character or story development. Still, her supporting characters are so fun (Vane, Artemis, Zarek) that you can't help but forgive her this flaw. The only other thing that began to irritate me was that every man was described as 'sexual' or 'bottled sex' or 'powerfully sexual' or 'all about sex'. You get the idea. While I'm like any other woman out there, not every man I meet screams blatant sex and is amazingly gorgeous, and if New Orleans was truly populated with such a bevy of gods, I'd move there tomorrow. It just got a little over the top after a while. The flaws in this book are still not enough to tell you not to get it. It's definitely going on my keepers shelf along with Kenyon's other books. Fans of Christine Feehan's Carpathian books will adore this, but you don't have to like her writing to enjoy Sherrilyn Kenyon's stories. She may not be the deepest writer, but she's certainly the most fun to read, and the stories are truly funny and fantastical and sexy at the same time. If this is your first Kenyon book, I'd recommend 'Fantasy Lover' first.
Rating:  Summary: Awesome! Review: Sherrilyn Kenyon is truly becoming a master of *hot* paranormal romances. Having waited impatiently for the release of NE I was not dissapointed. The relationship between Sunshine and Talon was a nice change from most romances; its refreshing to find a heroine who is mature and knows what she wants. She's frank and unapologetic about her needs and sexuality. While I enjoyed the sweet romance and hot sex between Talon and Sunshine; what I truly loved was the glimpse into future DH stories. I have to admit that I'm very partial to Zarek and Acheron; these guys made me laugh, they made me cry, and they made me need a cold shower *grin*. I can't wait for Zarek, Wulf, and most definitely Acheron's stories. SK excels at tragic, tug-on-your-heart heros and plucky, laugh-your-butt-off heroines. The Dark Hunter series is truly an imaginative and unique combination of vampires, weres, magicians and greek and celtic mythology. My only complaints are that the stories aren't long enough (I'm greedy) and that I can't go buy the other DH stories *right now*. If you can't wait till December (Zarek's story, Dance with the Devil) for your next DH fix, SK also writes as Kinley Macgregor -the heros are just as tragic and sexy as the DH.
Rating:  Summary: Funny Review: I thought this one was pretty funny. The pink apartment and this manly man were a riot. I was glad to see the same characters come back from previous books. The Dark Hunter Series is fast becoming one of my favorites.
Rating:  Summary: Over the Top but a Great Read Review: Sherrilyn Kenyon has created an alternate world of the paranormal. For those readers who enjoy the vampire/action/love story, this series is quite refreshing. The author uses Greek Mythology to create the Dark Hunters a group of men and women who defend humanity from the things that go bump in the night. Dark Hunters surrender their souls to the Greek goddess Artemis when they die and in turn become immortal with all sorts of powers. Each book can be read on its own although there are recurring characters from previous books and broad hints about what is to come with others. Talon, the main character in Night Embrace, appeared as a side kick for Kyrian in Night Pleasures. Talon was a Celtic tribal chieftan and warrior who was killed by an evil cousin who wished to take over the tribe; in the process his younger sister was slaughtered in front of him. To make matters worse, the Celtic war god cursed Talon for killing his son in a battle. Therefore, Talon is doomed to have any human that he loves die. For centuries he fights Daimons (evil soul stealing descendents of Atlantis) and is very much satisfied with his life. Naturally, he meets his soul mate and all his carefully buried emotions come roaring back at a very inopportune time for a being whose career is defending humanity. While the characters are what could only be called ultra-alfa males they all have crippling weaknesses and the author uses humor very, very effectively to relieve the horrendously sad existence that most of the Dark Hunters live. Kenyon's world is totally outrageous and great fun. It is a tribute to her judicious use of humor and mythology that the reader buys into the fantasy. Furthermore, she really knows her mythology because a quick check on some of her inferences and references revealed that Kenyon had done her homework. And finally the world of the Dark Hunter appears to be very complete in the author's mind. The back story is clear so she avoids the problem of dates that don't match or inconsistent myths to support the story. Finally, these are hot books not meant for children although the entire love story is about redemption and finding THE one person that completes the hero and heroine. Definitely a five star keeper.
Rating:  Summary: Lots of attitude Review: The third installment of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series returns in fine style. Talon of Morrigantes meets his match in the form of spunky artist Sunshine Runningwolf when his nemesis Calamus hunts him down for revenge. An intense struggle begins when the cursed Talon discovers Sunshine is his reincarnated lover and she becomes unwittingly an innocent target. Ms. Kenyon's imaginative spin blends authentically Greek myths and gods like Artemus and Ero while keeping the romance fiery with the sassy Sunshine who charms with energy and the tortured Talon as her protector. The dialogue crackles with fast humor and along with Ms. Kenyon's other endearing characters like the enigmatic Acheron, Kyrian and the embittered Zarek (featured in the upcoming Dance with the Devil), Night Embrace is a blast and departs from the current vampire fare cluttered with sex. Yes, it has lots of hot sweaty sex, but Ms. Kenyon sculpts her characters so well that they come leaping off the pages with emotions and scarred pasts in a fascinating scope of vendetta, rivalry and doomed romance. They are the ones who give this zesty and enchanting dark spiel heart and soul - and lots of attitude.
Rating:  Summary: Just average. Review: I'm becoming increasingly disappointed with the books in this series. I don't know how long Ms. Kenyon has been writing, but she needs a lot of improvement. Yes, she has come up with a novel, engaging fantasy world. But it is as if she used up all of her creative energy in the conceiving. As with the second book, I feel as if she is making this stuff up as she goes. The result is a confusing hodgepodge of characters who seem very comic-book like. This author is particularly inept at writing dialogue (there wasn't a single line of dialogue that would have come out of a real person's mouth) and fight scenes. Essentially, every male in this book is complete comic book caricature: tall, gorgeous and [tough] with too much attitude. They were all too busy spouting one-liners to say anything intelligent or compelling. On top of that, the Talon/Sunshine love story was not the least bit compelling. I have no idea why the issue of reincarnation was placed in this story, because it completely killed the little romantic potential that already existed. I guess reincarnation explained how Talon and Sunshine could fall in love in one day, but why was that necessary? Because they fell in love so quickly, the rest of their story consisted of them repeating the same angst-ridden thoughts over and over and over. Finally, I'm getting tired of the "poor me" attitude of the lead male characters. Will there ever be a happy Dark Hunter? Or at least one who has a healthy mental attitude? Is that too much to ask? The whole [I was severely mistreated in my past so I've remained angry for centuries] schtick is getting really old. I keep wanting to tell these Dark Hunters, "Get over yourselves!"
Rating:  Summary: If only five stars wasn't the maximum... Review: All I can say is Oh dear LORD... Excellent, superb, amazing writing is here. Sherrilyn Kenyon is such an awesome writer, I can't get over it - and I'm DYING for the Zarrick tale to get out. This story was great, just absolutely phenomenal, as were the other books (I haunt the book stores, waiting for the next novel to come out, buying it the first day - I'm insane like that), and I'm ALWAYS left wanting more! I finish one of her books and then turn it over and begin again. Very humourous, mixed with serious feelings and plenty o' action, nothing's lacking. I've found Talon incredibly sexy since he was introduced in previous novels, and I was SO glad when this one came out. (And I could totally relate to his love for chicory coffee and beignets! YUM!) Talon's ego in the beginning was so hilarious, especially his tripped-up thoughts on Sunshine's nonchalant attitude after their hot christening of every available surface in Sunshine's apartment. Another thing I loved about this novel was Sherrilyn's descriptions of her characters - Sunshine being a "real woman with curves" instead of the slender sticks I usually read about, and the wolf's amazing attraction to the "plus-size model" woman. Of course, her description of Talon's nicely sculpted body wasn't bad either ;-). I'm also glad Talon recognized his weakness of not being able to leave Sunshine... Okay, I have NO idea what I'm trying to say but that the Dark-Hunter series is absolutely AWESOME!! If you EVER get a chance to read it, please do so, it's not a waste of time. I am also a very huge fan of Nora Roberts - and if you are, too, you're tastes probably run along the same lines so... you'll probably agree with me when I say sherrilyn kenyon is one of the best.
Rating:  Summary: I wish there were 4.5 stars to give Review: I give this book 4.5 stars, just because Dance with the Devil was so much better. I really loved this book though. The love story is so beautiful, and I love the concept of the dark hunters. The characters are awesome, although I think that the heroine keeps on being two dimensional until the ending of the book. She is not as fleshed out as Talon, the hero. I read somewhere that you can see that when the writer falls in love with a character, that character sparks off the page. Well, for this novel that is certainly true. Talon is too big for the pages of this book. All in all a very good read!
Rating:  Summary: Like Yummy Leather Guys? Well...Here ya Go!! Review: Tall, Blond, & In Leather...He's Talon, a Man who love's his beignets & chicory Coffee. This is a funny Story about Mr. One night Stand Meeting Hippy Love child, Sunshine...who happens to be a daughter of a Shaman & Friends with a certain Fortune Teller (can you guess what Other novel She's From?) This book is the Book Before "Dance With the Devil" & allows you to see Zarek from the Rest of the Dark Hunter's View points. You've gotta read this one before you read "Dance with the Devil" to get the "Whole" picture of What's going on. Paired with Steamy Love Scences & Lot's of Laughs, this is the page turner you can't set down until you're done!
Rating:  Summary: Dark Hunter #2 Excellent! 4 1/2 Stars! Review: This is the second book in the 'Darkhunter' series that officially began with 'Night Pleasures' and even before that started out in "Fantasy Lover". This is the tale of Talon of Morrigantes. A nearly 1500 year old Darkhunter and former Celt Chieftain. He hasn't thought about that horrible night he became one of the undead, but now after meeting a woman named Sunshine in an alley after getting run down by a Mardi Gras float, he is thinking back to that fateful night. She is everything that is good and pure and everything he has to avoid. All he ever wanted since his cursed fate was chicory coffee, which is adores and warm tasty beignets and his best friend to chat with on his cell phone. what he DOESN'T need is this newest complication. Yes, the eccentric woman saved his life from the float and helped him when he needed it badly, but she can't remember where she put his pants and now he is stuck in her apartment until sundown....with alfalfa sprouts and tofu to eat! She seems to forget everything and is a bit flighty at times too. Talon still can't find enough reason to run from her...and this is disturbing. The more Talon is around her, the more he yearns for his former life...what he had. Why does he feel like he's known her forever? Nothing makes sense anymore. Funny as usual and packed with action and soulwrenching romance. Kenyon sure knows how to pack a punch in this department and her creativity and imagination are really to be commended. We meet some new Darkhunters and more history is revealed and explained. Talon can take me away anytime on his Harley, lol....... Tracy Talley~@
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