"Vampire Fight Club" by Larissa Ione - When a wave of violence forces shapeshifter Vladlena to go undercover, her first stop is a haven of vice---with a dangerously sexy vamp in charge. Both Vladlena and Nathan are hiding something, but they can't conceal the lust that simmers between them.
"Darkness Eternal" by Alexandra Ivy - After being held captive by one vampire for four centuries, Kata had no intention of taking another one to the underworld with her. Yet even in the pits of hell, there's no ignoring the intoxicating desire awakened by his touch.
"Kane" by Jacquelyn Frank - Kane knows Corrine was meant to be his . . . just as he knows that truly possessing the lovely human is forbidden. But on the night of the Samhain moon, the beast in every demon is stronger than reason, and Kane's hunger is more powerful than any punishment.
"Dragon on Top" by G. A. Aiken - Escorting the highborn Bram through deadly Sand Dragon territory will try Ghleanna's patience . . . and her resolve. For Bram is determined to enhance the journey with a seduction no female could resist.
Supernatural is an anthology of four novels with shap shifter, vampire, demon, and other underworld characters from four outstanding authors. Each novella is detailed below.
"Vampire Fight Club" by Larissa Ione – 5 stars
After the unexplained death of her beloved brother, Vladlena decides to put her life on the line and go undercover into an underworld night club where she believes a fighting ring is taking place. After all, for a shape shifter who is yet to shift, her life expectancy is quickly diminishing. If she can avenge her brother’s death before her time comes then she’ll at least be at peace.
Nathan is a rare day walking vampire with a dark past and a need for vengeance. Allying himself with his biggest enemy he agrees to run the night club and underworld fighting ring in hopes that he will find the perfect moment to strike and avenge his wife’s death. Her death killed something inside him and has left him cold and unfeeling for centuries. All that is about to change when a beautiful and warm young shape shifter with a secret of her own applies for the open job as medic.
Both Vladenlena and Nathan have secret agendas. Both are about to get in way over their heads as they fight some powerful forces in the underworld. However, neither can deny the growing the spark between them. As the risk to their lies grows greater, so does the risk to their hearts. Will they be able to team up together to beat the dark forces or will they destroy each other?
For a short story, both characters have depth and captivating backgrounds. The plot is exciting, the action is intense, and chemistry is real. This was an enjoyable novella which leaves me wanting to read the entire series.
"Darkness Eternal" by Alexandra Ivy – 4.5 stars
After being tortured for centuries by her twin sister turned evil vampire, Kata awakes from her coma to find herself locked away in a strange place with nothing but, who else, another vampire to help rescue her. She’s had all she can handle of vampires, and her rescuer, Uriel, is equally unpleased to be required to fetch her to safety. Unable to refuse his boss, Uriel fights demons and traps to rescue the captured Kata and bring her home. What was supposed to be a quick grab and go mission takes a dangerous turn when a curse plummets Kata and her rescuer into the pits of hell.
Refusing to fail his mission, Uriel is determined to fight whatever evil forces he must to bring Kata to safety. What he doesn’t expect is that the greatest danger to him may be losing his heart.
This is an interesting novella with some turns that took me by surprise and some characters that I wasn’t quite sure if they were good or evil. Great character development, steamy interludes, and an engaging and interesting story.
"Kane" by Jacquelyn Frank – 3 stars
Demons are forbidding to touch humans, but Kane cannot resist the force that is pulling him to Corrine. Although his brother tries to stop him, the damage is done and Corinne begin to weaken as the connection to Kane is made and then he is separated from her. With her life on the line, Corinne must be brought back into close contact with Kane in order to heal.
On the night of the Samhain moon, the forces for mating are stronger than the will power of the demons to resist them. To protect Corinne in her weak state, Kane is shackled to the bed so he cannot have his way with her. He somehow must control his urges and explain to the newly kidnapped Corinne that she was taken for her own good and that they were meant to be.
This novella was super steamy, but without much of the background and character development that it takes to really make a novel memorable. It’s a hot and intense, but lacks a detailed plot.
"Dragon on Top" by G. A. Aiken – 3 stars
Ghleanna is a warrior dragon who thinks incredibly highly of herself. After a bad breakup she is grumpy and impatient so the last thing she needs is an order from the Queen to babysit a peace keeper dragon on his mission to establish a treaty. Bram the peacekeeper has loved Ghleanna for years, but the obstinate dragon barely knows he exists. She is busy in battle getting scars and fighting with her brothers. When they are attacked on the way to the mission and Ghleanna is injured, Bram will do anything in his power to save her life including breaching the ocean to request the help of the Fins with whom he has a difficult past.
As Ghleanna heals, she and Bram find themselves stuck in an underground world far away from their kin. The Queen of the sea world wishes to make Bram hers, but he only has eyes for Ghleanna. What follows is a series of steamy encounters between two dragons who can morph into humans and a battle for control of the sea world.
I had a hard time sensing the chemistry between the characters in this novel. Many of their actions, as well, seemed unrealistic like the way Ghleanna was able to influence and move around so freely in the underworld, and many of the dynamics between the dragons. I also had a hard time with their romance while in dragon form (nuzzling muzzles and holding tails). This was a difficult novella to get into.
Justine Eyre narrated the entire series and for the most part was outstanding. The voice for Ghleanna was a little difficult to listen to, but for the dozens of other characters she was perfect. She has a great sense of style and a beautifully lyrical voice. The flow was even and smooth and the dialogue was excellent. I would listen to any novel she narrates.
NARRATED BY: JUSTINE EYRE
LENGTH: 13 HRS AND 36 MINS
SERIES: DEMONICA, BOOK 5.5
RELEASE DATE: 9/26/11
PUBLISHER: TANTOR AUDIO