Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles, #1) by Kresley Cole

• Title: Poison Princess (Arcana Chronicles, Book 1)
• Classification: Young Adult
• Genre: Paranormal/Dystopia
• Format: Hardcover, 384 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 2, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 1442436646
• ISBN-13: 978-1442436640
• Author's Website: http://kresleycole.com/
• Notes: Under age drinking. 
• Sexual Content: Talk of cashing in one's V-card (virginity), kissing with a bit of heavy petting and talk of doing the deed, but nothing overly graphic.

"The Beginning is nigh..."

Legends, myths...call them what you like, are all usually based from some semblance of truth and hold significance even today. They hold lessons and warnings of what could happen again. Over the years and centuries, however, some of these stories have all but been forgotten, falling through the cracks of time. Such is the case with the Arcana and the true meaning of the Tarot cards. For the cards are more than just a means for telling a person's fortune. They hold the key to an ancient people known as the Arcana who will rise from the ashes of the earth only to once again engage in an ongoing battle so ancient that only a few living souls, the Tarasova (aka the chroniclers of the Tarot), have been able to pass on the information on from one generation to the next. A battle, or game if you will, that all began with the Gods.

Evangeline Greene, Evie to her friends, had been one of the most popular girls in her high school. She was a cheerleader, dating Brandon, a football player who possessed a movie star like grin which left many a girl swooning in its wake. She was friends with pretty much everyone and considered the school her queendom. But during her Sophomore year everything changed. She started having hallucinations. Nightmare like dreams during the day while being wide awake. Brutally disturbing hallucinations of death, destruction, and the end of the world. Dreams which depicted people with unbelievable powers causing gruesome and disturbing death and destruction in their wake. Her mistake had been in confiding what she was experiencing to her mother, and when her mother found her notebook where she had meticulously documented all she saw, it had been the key to her incarceration to the funny farm, aka the Children's Learning Center, a behavioral clinic for kids. When the events from her hallucinations and notebook start to actually take place, however, Evie will need to come to terms with the fact that she might not be just a normal average teenager. She'll set out to find her grandmother who prophesied the events and was locked away years ago, when she attempted to kidnap Evie, so she could "prepare" her for her destiny. A destiny Evie has no clue about.

_________________________

This was such a fun and unique book. It did get a little gory at times with some of the descriptions, but I enjoyed the mystery of what was going on, and who or what Evie truly was. The contrast between Evie and who she ends up being is very interesting, and I look forward to finding out more in future books. 

Evie is a very interesting character. In some ways, Evie feels guilty for not warning her friends about the events she had foreseen in her visions. She had feared she'd loose their friendship if she confided in them and couldn't imagine they'd believe her crazy visions. After all, she had a hard time believing them herself. She's thrust into a seemingly impossible situation. The Flash, as they refer to the event that was triggered by solar flares, destroyed all the vegetation on the planet, evaporated all the water outside, and killed the majority of the population. Only those who took shelter survived unscathed. An additional side affect of the Flash were new zombie-like creatures which Evie refers to as Bagmen. If they don't kill you, a wound can turn you into one of them. 

After months of living alone with her mother, and only a minimal amount of interaction with their few surviving neighbors, Jackson Deveaux, a former classmate from the wrong side of the tracks, rides into town and literally saves her from a horrifying fate. The question is: can and should she trust him with her secrets or her life? According to the boy who haunts her visions, when Jackson helps, he hurts. Will she be able to accept her fate and will the boy she'll come to rely on be able to as well, or is a relationship between the two doomed before it has a chance to truly begin? Will they have to part ways? 

Jackson is a very complicated character. He seems extremely accepting of so many things, but I keep thinking there is more to him than meets the eye. He seems to be the type of guy where actions speak louder than words, which throws Evie a little bit. When we first meet him, I wasn't sure I liked him; he seemed a bit stalkerish in his fascination with Evie. As we get a little bit more of his background and get to know him a little better, however, I started getting a better picture of who he was and began to like him. He's very protective of those he cares about, but is a little rough around the edges and has no sense of tact at times. Evie is different from the girls he's dealt with, and he has no idea how to handle her.

The use of the Tarot cards in the series was very ingenious thing to do. I've always thought Tarot cards were quite beautiful with their intricate designs. Creating a story around them was a very clever idea. While we're starting to skim the icing on the cake with this book, I can't help but feel the real layers of the story have yet to be uncovered. 

Overall, I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. The ending of this one is a cliffhanger, but not the type that makes you want to throw the book and shout a few choice words at the author. It does, however, make you want to know what happens next. A perfect read for this time of year.

Notes to keep you in the know:
There are 22 cards included in the Major Arcana of a Tarot deck. Each is associated with a particular number, so when Matthew refers to himself as "Matthew Mat Zero Matto", we now know why--the fool's card is often considered the zero card. Each picture is surrounded by symbolism. As there are many different decks associated with the Tarot, I can't be certain the following would have all the appropriate symbolism which is used by The Arcana Chronicles series, but I felt it was a good representation/illustration of the Major Arcana cards of the deck. It should be noted there are also Minor Arcana cards as well which we'll have to wait and see if Ms. Cole will incorporate into her series.

(the above picture found on photobucket)

None (0 or 22) The Fool
1 The Magician
2 The High Priestess
3 The Empress
4 The Emperor
5 The Hierophant
6 The Lovers
7 The Chariot
8 Justice
9 The Hermit
10 Wheel of Fortune
11 Strength
12 The Hanged Man
13 Death
14 Temperance
15 The Devil
16 The Tower
17 The Star
18 The Moon
19 The Sun
20 Judgement
21 The World

Lothaire (Immortals After Dark, #12) by Kresley Cole

• Title: Lothaire (Immortals After Dark)
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Paranormal Romance 
• Hardcover: 506 pages
• Publisher: Gallery Books (January 10, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 1439136823
• ISBN-13: 978-1439136829
• Author's Website:  http://kresleycole.com/

"What must you do when you are grown, my prince?"
"Avenge the treachery against us. I will destroy Stefanovich and take his throne."

They say hate is something that is learned. Lothaire learned to hate humans and his father at an early age. Ivana, Lothaire's mother, saw humans as "diseased animals" and as "livestock". It was a human female who displaced Ivana as his father's favored mistress. It was because of his father's human mistress that Stefanovich threw Lothaire and his mother out of the Horde kingdom. Abandoned and left to their own devices, it had been humans who hunted, raped, and killed his mother. Ivana's final act was to sacrifice herself so that Lothaire might live and exact his vengeance on all those that had betrayed them and take his "rightful" seat as King to the Horde.

"When they capture me, the need to protect me will rise up within you. You must ignore it and remain here. Ignore your instincts and rely on cold reason. As I failed to do so with Stefanovich. As I failed to do a thousand times. Vow this!"..."A vow to the Lore that you will not leave this spot until the mortals are gone."..."I will do whatever is takes to protect you." They met gazes. "Lothaire, anything that was worthy in me began with you." 

For hundreds of years Lothaire has plotted to fulfill his vow to exact vengeance on those that had betrayed him and his mother all those years ago. He is called 'The Enemy of Old" and all those in the Lore know and fear him. When the possibility arose that a human might be his fated Bride, he thought fate could not be so cruel. When he returned years later to find his alleged "Bride", a Bride an Oracle had helped him find years earlier, possessed by Saroya, the "Soul Reaper", "the goddess of death and blood, the Vampire Hordes's ancient deity," it all finally made sense or did it?

Elizabeth Peirce (aka Ellie) sure hopes Lothaire is wrong about Saroya, because if he isn't, her soul will be cast out of her body and all her offspring would be raised by Lothaire and his Bride. *shudder* By Lothaire's own estimates she has only days, perhaps weeks until he will find the "Ring of Sums, a tailsman of great power--a wish giver." Lothaire is going to use that ring to cast Elizabeth out of her own body, so that Saroya can take soul possession of it, and then use it to turn Saroya into a vampire. The questions on Elizabeth's mind are what can she do to put a wedge between Lothaire and Saroya, and what can she do to convince him she is his true Bride even if she isn't? They do say that while hate can be learned it can be unlearned, but with the type of time constraints Elizabeth is working with will it even be possible? Plus, she's dealing with a arrogant and conceited immortal who declares, "I'd seek a noon-day sun if I were paired with one such as you."

This book was a little different from the other books in the Immortals After Dark series. Usually they are lighthearted and funny and this one was a bit darker. I'm guessing Kresley decided to take a risk and mix things up a bit and I'm glad she did. I totally disliked Lothaire for about three quarters of the book. At one point I started to wonder if Kresley was not going to make Elizabeth into a 'doormat' type of female that would just forgive and forget at the drop of a hat. Thankfully, she didn't. That was when I let out a sigh of relief and really started enjoying the book.

Lothaire and Elizabeth are about as different as day and night-- a very apt description since she's a sun loving gal and he's a night living Vamp. Lothaire has the blood of royalty running through his veins while Ellie is a hillbilly nobody who runs around barefoot most of the time. Elizabeth has a loving family while Lothaire, with the exception of his mother, was deserted by his. While Ellie is modest and a down to earth type of person, Lothaire thinks a little too highly of himself, not that he doesn't have reason too, and looks down at everyone else. While Ellie tends to quickly make friends, Lothaire has only a few and he'd be the last one to admit that that is what they are. That said, there is a chemistry between them that neither really wants. While each tries to fight it, time after time they keep finding themselves unable to resist the other. I liked how bit by bit Ellie chisels away at the hard shell Lothaire's erected around himself and at the prejudiced he holds. She uses anything she can find to her advantage including playing on any insecurities she picks up on that Lothaire has and instills doubts in his mind about Saroya. Only someone smart and cunning could manage to make the pig headed vamp see reality, and teach him a thing or two about relationships. As the book progresses, we come to know Ellie as a strong individual who is always underestimated. In her own words, "I'm the sucker punch that you never saw coming."

Some (but not all) of my favorite quotes, lines, moments:

- “First of all, I'm not narcissistic." When she opened her lips to argue, he said, "I know Narkissos of Thespiae -- while we might share traits, I came first, so he's Lothairistic, not the other way around.” (Side note: Yep, he's that old)

-  "Have you ever discarded someone and then regretted it?"
   "Never."
   "But you will with me." She ran her forearm over her eyes. "I could make you happy, Lothaire. You're going to realize what you had too late."


- “Lothaire is very much alive.”
   “You swear?”
   "Often. Though not as much as foul-mouthed Regin. I try not to in front of Bertil.” She petted the bat.

- 'Elizabeth,
  With my compliments.
  You will never get your claws into another one of mine.
                                                                          Rot in hell,
                                                                                       L.


Nïx clasped her hands over her chest, sighing, “He gave you his heart. That’s so romantic. So much better   than a candy heart. Those get stuck in the fangs, you know."'


- "Little mortal, you've changed everything."


Also, I liked how at one point, Kresley brought things full circle regarding Lothaire's feelings for Ellie with this moment:
'Before Ivana had gone to meet her death, Lothaire had asked her, "How can you do this?" At last he understood her answer.
Because anything that is worthy in me began with Elizabeth.'

Overall, an enjoyable read that makes me think we will be seeing Furie, the lost Valkyrie Queen who was chained many years ago to the bottom of the ocean, soon. *crosses my fingers* Can you imagine? Plus, I've always maintained that Nix isn't nucking futs as many believe, but crazy like a fox. Yes, she has her quirks and moments, but I think this book shows that even if it doesn't always seem like it, she has plans. Also, who wouldn't occasionally go a tad bit nuts with the weight of the world, or at least the world of the Lore, on their shoulders? I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses.  On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, there is no doubt this one gets a SHOWER rating - a cold shower is necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning - make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol FYI, if this isn't rated as erotic, it probably should be.

Order of the series:

The Lunar Love Giveaway Hop (First Giveaway of Two)

Lunar Love Giveaway Hop

March 8th to 13th

Hosted by the fabulous gals at:

 I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Bookworm Lisa

I am giving away 2 copies of 
Lothaire by Kresley Cole

Description on back of the book :

Installment 12 in the bestselling

Immortals After Dark series 

The Man. The Myth. The Monster.

Evil finally has a name. 

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole continues her electrifying Immortals After Dark series with this thrilling tale, revealing secrets of the Lore, fierce realm of the immortals. . .

ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD 

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER 

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

Giveaway

This will be the last giveaway on my blog to win a copy of Lothaire by Kresley Cole. Originally I was going to do 3 separate giveaways, but decided only on two. Up for grabs 2 signed copies of Lothaire (Immortals After Dark # 12). They were signed by both Kresley Cole and Paul Marron, the male model whose picture graces the cover. FYI, Kresley signed one copy on the page opposite the one she normally signs. She accidentally nicked that side with her sharpie and decided to sign over top of it.

Rules for Eligibility:
 Open to US residents only who are 18 years old or older and follow my blog.  Only one book per winner and per address. If you previously won a copy of this book from my last Lothaire giveaway you are automatically disqualified from winning one of these copies. If you are one of the lucky winners, you will have 48 hours to respond to my email once it's been sent or another winner will be chosen. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway of a Signed copy of Lothaire (Immortals After Dark # 12) by Kresley Cole

Kresley's Website: http://kresleycole.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KresleyCole

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/kresleycole

Paul Marron's (Model on cover of Lothaire) Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/PauL-MarroN/349477195062745

Last week Kresley Cole came to Tampa and did a book signing at Books-A-Million. She is one of my favorite paranormal romance authors. As I state in my rating scale, if I was rich I'd buy everyone I encountered a book from my favorite authors. Well, I'm still not rich, but alas I can occasionally share the love of my favorite authors through giveaways. As you can see from the above photos, a mysterious orb ended up in three photos at the book signing. Kresley was nice enough to agree to do another picture with me because the first was "compromised" by the mysterious orb of light. If the orb had been in just the first photo, I'd have dismissed it as perhaps the light of a flash from a camera or a spotlight, but with three such photos I'm not sure what to think. I snapped another picture shortly after the first three were taken to see if something was off with my camera, but no mysterious orb showed up in that picture. The pictures were not taken by me, but by one of the Kresley Cole crew. The second photo was taken when my camera accidentally took a picture of the lower half of the handsome male model, Paul Marron. The only reason I'm displaying it is so you can see the orb of light which is in the picture. Some have speculated it was an encounter of a "ghostly" kind. I just found it odd the orb seemed to be following me and was in three different photos, in three different places, at three different angles. As far as I know, I'm the only one whose camera displayed this mysterious orb. Speculation was that perhaps it was the ghostly ballerina, Néomi Laress, from 'Dark Needs at Night's Edge' (Immortals After Dark, #5) who stopped in to make an appearance. lol What do you think?

Book Description:

Installment 12 in the bestselling
 Immortals After Dark series

The Man. The Myth. The Monster.

 Evil finally has a name.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole continues her electrifying Immortals After Dark series with this thrilling tale, revealing secrets of the Lore, fierce realm of the immortals. . .

ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

Giveaway

This is the first of three giveaways. Open to US residents only who are 18 years old or older.  Up for grabs 1 signed copy of Lothaire (Immortals After Dark # 12). It was signed by both Kresley Cole and Paul Marron, the male model whose picture graces the cover. Let me say both Kresley and Paul are better looking in person and both were very nice. If you end up being the winner, you'll have 48 hours to respond to my email once it's been sent or another winner will be chosen. Good luck!

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Dreams of a Dark Warrior (Immortals After Dark #11) by Kresley Cole

Publisher: Pocket (February 15, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1439136807
ISBN-13: 978-1439136805
Format: Paperback, 515 pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Classification: Adult Fiction

Years ago Regin met the love of her life and lost him. He vowed that nothing could keep him from her not even death and he would find her again. True to his word every hundred years or so Aidan is reborn and finds Regin only to lose his life once more....

Locked in a facility of the Order (a group of mortals set on exterminating immortals) is the last place Regin expects to find her long lost love. This reincarnation, however, has created a version of Aidan which hates all immortals. In his words, "The only good immortal is a dead immortal." Now Regin must help Declan/Aidan remember who she is and his past lives before he does something he'll regret the rest of his life - killing her.

I love Cole's stories. She has a fun sense of humor that makes you smile as you read her books. Drama, humor, and of course romance are all included in this one. If you love the series this one will not disappoint. I gave this one 5 out of 5 stars.

For those of you who dislike the use of F@ck and other such words they are used in this one, but not overly so.