Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for The Darkest Touch by Gena Showalter! Today I have a great excerpt from the book to share with you along with my review!
The Darkest Touch (Lords of the Underworld #11)
Author: Gena Showalter
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Release Date: November 25, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Description:
From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes the long-awaited story of Torin, the most dangerous Lord of the Underworld yet…
Fierce immortal warrior. Host to the demon of Disease. Torin’s every touch causes sickness and death—and a worldwide plague. Carnal pleasure is utterly forbidden, and though he has always overcome temptation with an iron will, his control is about to shatter.
She is Keeley Cael. The Red Queen. When the powerful beauty with shocking vulnerabilities escapes from a centuries-long imprisonment, the desire that simmers between her and Torin is scorching. His touch could mean the end for her, but resisting her is the hardest battle he’s ever fought—and the only battle he fears he can’t win.
Fierce immortal warrior. Host to the demon of Disease. Torin’s every touch causes sickness and death—and a worldwide plague. Carnal pleasure is utterly forbidden, and though he has always overcome temptation with an iron will, his control is about to shatter.
She is Keeley Cael. The Red Queen. When the powerful beauty with shocking vulnerabilities escapes from a centuries-long imprisonment, the desire that simmers between her and Torin is scorching. His touch could mean the end for her, but resisting her is the hardest battle he’s ever fought—and the only battle he fears he can’t win.
They would be a couple, she decided. Touch—pleasure—had been denied her for far too long. A fact his presence had never allowed her to forget. He’d had other girlfriends so he knew how to handle a romantic relationship. They could do this, could make this work. And they would be vigilant, cautious, never courting danger.
All she had to do was get him to agree.
There was no better time to try. “I’m dirty,” she announced. “Absolutely filthy, and I’m going to take a bath.”
“Good for you.”
So mocking.
So unaware of his coming fall.
“Be a dear and help me remove my dress,” she said.
A strangled sound left him. “It has no ties, no zipper. You tug it on and off.”
“Well, good news, then. As strong as you are, you shouldn’t have any problems.”
His gaze swept over her and heated. He licked his lips, as if he could already taste her. “What game are you playing, princess?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes. And why the hell are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m a hero. I’m not a hero. I’m a villain.”
Did he not realize that only made her want him more? “Well, be a good little villain and help me out of my dress.”
“No.” His tone dovetailed into guttural as he added, “I’m not going near you.”
He’s definitely tempted. How thin was his control?
“Very well. I’ll near you.” Hips swaying, she closed the distance between them. She reached out.
He jerked away only to return—closer.
She wrapped her fingers around his wrists and guided his hands to her hips.
He resisted. At first.
“Relax, warrior. We’re protected by our clothes.”
His fingers clenched around her and held on tight. Did he think she would float away like a forgotten balloon?
“What’s...next?” he gritted.
Not exactly surrender, but close enough.
She leaned forward, careful as her breath fanned over his ear. “All you need to do is feel good.”
“I can do that.” He tugged her against him. Suddenly they were flush, the softest parts of her cradling the hardest parts of him. A growl rose from low in his chest as if, in this stolen moment, he’d regressed into little more than an animal. “I’m doing it right now.”
The pleasure...thoughts of being careful evaporated like mist. “Would you like to do more?”
“More. Yes.” His lips parted as he fought for breath. Eyes glazing with a wildness she’d never seen from anyone other than condemned prisoners, he squeezed her hard enough to bruise. “I’m going to take more, and you’re going to like it.”
This is the first book in the series that I have read and jumping into it so late gave me a definite disadvantage. You can read the book as a standalone novel, but since I was unfamiliar with the rest of the characters and storylines, I found myself a bit confused now and then throughout the book. I also don't normally read romance novels of any sort, but I've heard nothing but high praise about the author and decided to give it a try. I wasn't sure what to expect but I wasn't left lacking in the end. The book was exceptional on several different levels - the worldbuilding, characters, backstories, and the sexual tension were all very well written with intense details and vivid descriptions. I felt like I was inside the book myself watching all of the events unfold. Torin and Keeley were fantastic main characters for the book. Each had distinct personalities with flaws and strengths, which made them realistic and enabled me to identify with them. It was a bit cliched how their characters were so different and clashed at the beginning only to later fall in love (or at least give in to the sexual tension between them). I enjoyed watching Torin and Keeley's relationship grow and develop throughout the book. There were definitely steamy sex scenes in the story - so much that I think I found myself blushing a few times. The author's writing style is very natural and completely pulls the reader into the story from the beginning of the book. The book was magnificently done in every way and I've already decided that I have to read the rest of the series now that I've had a taste of it. I very highly recommend this book to fans of paranormal romance and readers who enjoy fantasy and romantic fiction as well.
Gena Showalter is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author whose books have appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazines, as well as Entertainment Weekly. Her novel Red Handed has been optioned by Sony Television. Critics have called her books “sizzling page-turners” and “utterly spellbinding stories,” while Showalter herself has been called “a star on the rise.” Her mix of humor, danger and wickedly hot sex provides wildly sensual page-turners sure to enthrall.
The Darkest Touch Pre-Order Campaign:
If we reach 10,000 pre-orders for The Darkest Touch before the November 25th release date, Gena Showalter will:
· Post a never before seen sexy video showcasing the model of Torin’s cover in live action shots!
· Chance to win a $100 gift e-card from the bookseller of your choice.
· Gena will share chapter one of The Darkest Touch before the release date!
· Chance of winning 1 of 10 signed copies of the backlist book of your choice, just in time for Christmas.
To enter The Darkest Touch Pre-Order Campaign, visit http://members.genashowalter.com/page/the-darkest-touch for details.
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