Title: Darkness Rises (Immortal Guardians #4)
Author: Dianne Duvall
Publisher: Zebra, 403 Pages (October 1st, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads
Order online here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Check out my reviews for the first three books in the Immortal Guardians series: Darkness Dawns, Night Reigns, Phantom Shadows

NOTE: This is a Adult novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: Krysta is used to getting the drop on vampires. Her "special abilities" aren't much, but the plan is simple -- she plays helpless pretty young thing to lure them in. Then her shoto swords come out and it's bye-bye, bloodsucker. Until one night she finds herself with an unexpected ally. He's a vampire, all right, but different. Mysterious. Handsome. And more interested in saving her skin than draining it.

Étienne has been an Immortal Guardian for two hundred years -- long enough to know that Krysta is special. He can't stop thinking about her long legs, even more than her short swords. Then he discovers the vamps she's exterminating have friends in high places, and the Guardians are in danger, too. He'll have to accept Krysta's help to save them. The stakes for a mortal are high. But the cost to his heart might be higher . . .

Excerpt:

He bowed as she turned and entered her bedroom.  He expected her to close and lock her door, not that it could keep him out.

Instead, she drew back the covers and climbed into bed.

Étienne turned off the overhead light and attempted to stretch out on the futon.  His feet and most of his calves hung over the arm.  One of the metal bars beneath the cushions dug into his back.

He sighed.  He could always wait until Krysta drifted off, then sleep on the floor.  That would probably be the more comfortable solution.

He heard bedding rustle and closed his eyes, trying not to picture Krysta sprawled across the covers under other, less appropriate circumstances.

She laughed.

Opening his eyes, he glanced at the doorway.

She was leaning over in bed, peeking at him.  “Comfortable?”

“Yes, thank you.”

She shook her head.  “You’re lying.”

“With good intentions.”

Still grinning, she waved him toward her.  “Go ahead and come sleep in here with me.”

His body went rock hard at the notion even though he knew damned well she didn’t mean it the way he wanted her to mean it.

“I . . .” want to rip your clothes off with my teeth, so I don’t think it would be a good idea.  “That’s very kind of you, but . . .” I really do want to rip your clothes off with my teeth and explore every inch of your beautiful body.  “I’m fine.”

“Your legs are hanging off the end by a good foot and a half and I can’t even sleep on that lumpy piece of crap when I’m drunk.”

He smiled.  “I’ve slept on worse surfaces.”

“Have you ever slept in a coffin?”

“Yes, but only as a practical joke.”

“What about in a crypt?”

“More than once when it took me longer than expected to track down a nasty vampire and I couldn’t find any other shelter before the sun rose.”

“Was the crypt more comfortable than my futon?”

He grinned.  “Hands down.”

Again she laughed.  “Then get in here.  We’re adults.  We can do this.”

He couldn’t find the strength to refuse.  “Merci.”  Rising, he strode into her room and circled the bed.  “I’m surprised you trust me enough to sleep beside me.”

“To be honest, I am, too.  You really aren’t going to bite me?”

“No.”  He settled beside her on top of the covers.

“Any plans to cop a feel?”

Her scent enveloped him as he turned his head to stare at her.  “Would you mind if I did?”

“I’m still considering that one.”

Yes.  This was definitely a bad idea.

“What is it about you that makes me want to forget what you are,” she asked softly, “that makes me believe you are what you are and not one of the vampires I hate so much?”

“I don’t know.  Perhaps the same thing about you that makes me want to believe you won’t drive a stake through my heart or chop off my head as soon as I doze off.”

Curling onto her side to face him, she raised one hand and drew delicate fingers down his cheek as her gaze roved his face.  “Truce?”

“Truce.”

“Good night, Étienne.”

Heart racing, he clasped her fingers and brought them to his lips.  “Good night, Krysta.”

She fell asleep holding his hand.

Author Bio: 

Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series.  Her debut novel DARKNESS DAWNS was nominated for the RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance by RT Book Reviews, for Best Paranormal Romance - Vampire by The Romance Reviews, and for Best Book of 2011 by Long and Short Reviews.  NIGHT REIGNS, the second book in her Immortal Guardians series, was declared an "utterly addictive" Top Pick by RT Book Reviews.  PHANTOM SHADOWS, the third book in the series, was deemed a Top Pick by both The Romance Reviews and by Night Owl Reviews.  DARKNESS RISES, Immortal Guardians Book 4, will be released on October 1, 2013.
When she isn't writing, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and once even appeared onscreen as a machete-wielding maniac not unlike the vampires she so loves to create in her novels.

Find Dianne online:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

GIVEAWAY #1!!!

Enter to win a SIGNED copy of Predatory + Swag!!!

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Giveaway ends: October 21st, 2013 (12:00AM EST)

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GIVEAWAY #2!!!

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Click the tour button to check out all the stops for the tour!

Title: Predatory (Immortal Guardians #3.5)
Author: Alexandra Ivy, Nina Bangs, Dianne Duvall, Hannah Jayne
Publisher: Zebra, 384 Pages (May 7th, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository
Review: Darkness Dawns (Immortal Guardians, #1)
Review: Night Reigns (Immortal Guardians, #2)
Review: Phantom Shadows (Immortal Guardians #3)

NOTE: This is an Adult novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: Four of today's most exciting paranormal authors take readers into the thrilling realm of vampires, immortals, and other supernatural beings with a thirst for illicit desire...

Out Of Control by Alexandra Ivy

Ph.D student Angela Locke has a crush on her sexy professor, Dr. Nikolo Bartrev. When she learns he's actually a Sentinel with extraordinary powers, she joins forces with him to catch a psychopath. But soon, their hottest pursuit is of each other...

Ties That Bind by Nina Bangs

Cassie Tyler agrees to sub for her friend at the funeral home where she works. But she gets more than she bargained for when a group of men attack her and a vampire comes to her rescue. . .

In Still Darkness by Dianne Duvall

Immortal Richart d'Alençon can't forget the woman who rewarded him with a sensuous kiss after he saved her from a trio of vampires. While Richart knows that loving a human can only bring trouble, the taste of forbidden lust is too great to resist. . .

High Stakes by Hannah Jayne

When vampire fashionista Nina LaShay's design contest rival is found dead, she's the prime suspect. Sexy photographer Pike is number two. He's the kind of man who makes Nina salivate. But will she have to reveal herself to have him--and to save them both? Or does Pike have a secret of his own?

15 Things You’ll “Overhear” in My Immortal Guardians Series

Thank you, Lisa, for letting me visit A Life Bound by Books again!  I’m so excited to be here today, celebrating the release of PREDATORY, an anthology that contains my Immortal Guardians novella “In Still Darkness”, along with stories by Alexandra Ivy, Nina Bangs, and Hannah Jayne!

“In Still Darkness” features Richart d’Alençon, a two-hundred-and-thirty-year-old immortal warrior who spends his nights hunting and destroying psychotic vampires.  Though his brother and sister are also immortal, Richart nevertheless considers it a lonely existence . . . until he rescues charming single mother Jenna McBride and is rewarded with a scorching kiss.  Unable to resist her lure (or forget that kiss), he daringly attempts what few other immortals have tried:  He attempts to carry on a traditional courtship while keeping his vampire hunting profession, as well as his immortality, a secret.  As you might’ve guessed, it doesn’t go very smoothly.  :-)

If you’re new to my Immortal Guardians series, I thought I’d give you a glimpse of the characters through some favorite quotes.  For those who are already familiar with the series, I included some sneak peeks into “In Still Darkness” and DARKNESS RISES (October 1, 2013):

            1.  “You stabbed me in the ass?” ~ Bastien, DARKNESS DAWNS, Book 1.

            2.  “I’m not antisocial.  I just want to be left alone.” ~ Roland, DARKNESS DAWNS, Book 1.

            3.  “What kind of crack pots have you been dating?” ~ Sarah, DARKNESS DAWNS, Book 1.

            4. “Um . . . is that cat bald?” ~ Ami, NIGHT REIGNS, Book 2.

            5.  “What did you think I would do? Ask her if I could braid her hair after we gave each other facials and painted our toenails?” ~ Marcus, NIGHT REIGNS, Book 2.

            6.  “Are you sure I can't talk you into leaving this old sod and running away with me? I do so love strong women.” ~ Étienne, NIGHT REIGNS, Book 2.

            7.  “All right.  All right.  Settle down.  We're all glad Sarah stabbed Bastien in the ass.” ~ Seth, PHANTOM SHADOWS, Book 3.

            8.  "If you tell me you have two gifts and one of them is X-ray vision, I'm going to have to hurt you." ~ Melanie, PHANTOM SHADOWS, Book 3.

            9.  “Is this going to get weird?  Like kinky weird?” ~ John, PREDATORY, “In Still Darkness”.

            10.  “Wow, you guys really know how to make a girl feel self-conscious.” ~ Jenna, PREDATORY, “In Still Darkness”.

            11.  “I am so smitten with you.” ~ Richart, PREDATORY, “In Still Darkness”.

            12.  “Dude, vampires threaten to feed me my own entrails all the time.  You’re going to have to come up with something better than that.” ~ Sheldon, PREDATORY, “In Still Darkness”.

            13.  “Are you off your nut?” ~ David, DARKNESS RISES, Book 4 (October 1, 2013).

            14.  “Could I just say holy crap again?” ~ Krysta, DARKNESS RISES, Book 4 (October 1, 2013).

            15.  “Great.  There goes our security deposit.” ~ Sean, DARKNESS RISES, Book 4 (October 1, 2013).

Intrigued?  I hope so.  Thanks so much for joining me!

Author Bio: 

Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series.  Her debut novel DARKNESS DAWNS was nominated for the RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance by RT Book Reviews, for Best Paranormal Romance - Vampire by The Romance Reviews, and for Best Book of 2011 by Long and Short Reviews.  NIGHT REIGNS, the second book in her Immortal Guardians series, was declared an "utterly addictive" Top Pick by RT Book Reviews.  PHANTOM SHADOWS, the third book in the series, was deemed a Top Pick by both The Romance Reviews and by Night Owl Reviews.  DARKNESS RISES, Immortal Guardians Book 4, will be released on October 1, 2013.
When she isn't writing, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and once even appeared onscreen as a machete-wielding maniac not unlike the vampires she so loves to create in her novels.

Find Dianne online:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

GIVEAWAY!!!

One lucky winner will receive a signed copy of his/her choice of one of the first three Immortal Guardians books —DARKNESS DAWNS, NIGHT REIGNS, or PHANTOM SHADOWS — plus Immortal Guardians swag.

Rules and how to enter:

Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter this giveaway.
Name & Email Address must be provided. (Easy Entry, just click the form & it does it for you!)
You must be at least 17 years old to enter.
This giveaway is open: INTERNATIONAL!
Giveaway ends: June 10th, 2013 (12:00AM EST)

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Title: Phantom Shadows (Immortal Guardians #3)
Author: Dianne Duvall
Publisher: Zebra, 390 Pages (October 2nd, 2012)
From: the Author
Format: ARC
Add to: Goodreads

NOTE: This is an adult title and is intended for readers 18 years and older.

Synopsis: Dr. Melanie Lipton is no stranger to the supernatural.
She knows immortals better than they know themselves, right down to their stubborn little genes. So although a handsome rogue immortal seems suspicious to her colleagues, Sebastien Newcombe intrigues Melanie. His history is checkered, his scars are impressive, and his ideas are daring. But it’s not his ideas that have Melanie fighting off surges of desire . . .

Bastien is used to being the bad guy. In fact, he can’t remember the last time he had an ally he could trust. But Melanie is different – and under her calm, professional exterior he senses a passion beyond anything in his centuries of experience. Giving in to temptation is out of the question – he can’t put her in danger. But she isn’t asking him . . .

Review: 4 Stars - I have really enjoyed the first two books in Dianna Duvall’s Immortal Guardian series and the third installment – Phantom Shadows was wonderfully fantastic.

Duvall’s series picks up right where we left off in the last book yet focuses on Sebastian and Melanie this time around. Bastian has had a rough time of it, in the first two books we find out more of what his life was like before he was “found” by the Immortals. I’ve been very intrigued to hear more of his story and while I am a huge fan of this series, I was so thrilled to finally read more about this dark character.

Bastian is a dark, dark character as mentioned above, however he doesn’t know much of anything else. He’s been alive for so long and hasn’t known anything good for so much of that time that he doesn’t have much to base anything else on. Some of the horrible things that he’s been part of in the past have made him a black sheep within the Immortal network. He’s hated there to put it lightly. While many of the other Immortals don’t know all the facts, Bastian doesn’t go out of his way to tell them the truth of what really happened either. He’s okay with being the outcast, being hated then friends with the others. He doesn’t trust either, which is part of how he keeps people at such a distance.

Melanie is a doctor that works within the Network of humans who aid the Immortals. She’s very intelligent and caring. She doesn’t judge or hold grudges against others. She a strong female character and knows exactly how to push Bastian to make him see things from a different point of view. She has a way that she’s able to help keep Bastian in check as well, that I loved to watch.

There’s no doubt that these two are attracted to each other. Bastian believes he’s no good for her and continues to push her away, yet wants nothing more than a relationship with her. Melanie has been at some level of captivation with Bastian from their first encounter. While he pushes away, she pulls in closer. Their chemistry is scorching, yet there’s a slow burn to it that was sweet because of who Bastian is and what Melanie sees in him.

There’s some epic battles in this one too that Duvall kicked up about 20 notches from the last two books. Explosions, tranq guns, sunrise, snipers, swords and tons of bullets later and someone’s bound to get hurt.

Duvall has also included characters and couples from past books that give us all a chance to check in and see where everyone is currently at. There was also a bit of back story told and new characters introduced that I’m sure we’ll learn more about in the books to follow.

All in all, I have more than enjoyed reading this series and I think this has to be my favorite book yet! While there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, it’s a set up for what just might be one of the biggest issues the Immortals have yet to face. For those out there who love a great paranormal read, pick up the Immortal Guardians. I know I can’t wait to see what happens next. Enjoy!

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.

Thank you so much for letting me visit A Life Bound by Books!  I’m thrilled to be here, celebrating the release of PHANTOM SHADOWS, the third book in my Immortal Guardians series.  Bastien and Melanie’s story was so much fun to write!  I thought today I would give you a glimpse into their characters through a character interview. 

In case you’re new to my Immortal Guardians, I’ll just take a moment to explain that the vampires and immortals in my series are both infected with a rare symbiotic virus that produces the increased speed, strength, and regenerative properties, as well as the photosensitivity and need for blood, that both possess.  Vampires are humans who have been infected with the virus.  They suffer brain damage that causes them to rapidly descend into madness.  Immortals are gifted ones, men and women born with advanced DNA, who have been infected with the virus.  Their advanced DNA protects them from the madness and bestows upon them special abilities that help them as they hunt the maddened vampires who prey upon humans.

An extensive network of humans aids the immortals.  Chris Reordan, head of the east coast division, will be interviewing Melanie:

Chris:  So.

Melanie:  So?

Chris:  Awkward.

Melanie:  *smiles*  You see me all the time at work.  Things aren’t awkward there.

Chris:  We aren’t alone at work.

Melanie:  So? 

Chris:  So . . . you know.  There’s the whole . . . I-want-the-man-you-love-dead thing hanging between us now with no buffers.

Melanie:  *laughs*  Your desire to kill Bastien or at least see him executed by Seth or David doesn’t bother me as long as you don’t act upon it.  So, shall we begin the interview?

Chris:  *smiles*  I do like you, Melanie, despite your taste in men. 

Melanie:  That’s why you hired me.

Chris:  Actually I hired you for that brain of yours.  I knew if anyone could help us gain a better understanding of the virus that infects vampires and immortals and find either a treatment or cure for it, it would be you.

Melanie:  *grimaces*  No pressure, right?

Chris:  *laughs*  Right.  So, let’s do this.  A lot of changes have taken place in the Immortal Guardians’ world and, by extension, at the network. 

Melanie:  BIG changes.

Chris:  I’ve never asked – and have always wondered:  What was your initial reaction to my asking if you would be willing to work hands-on with the vampires who surrendered during Bastien’s uprising?  You played it very cool when I explained I’d be moving them in across the hall from your office and wanted you to work one on one with them, so I couldn’t gauge your true feelings on the notion.

Melanie:  Well, needless to say I was shocked.  There had never been a vampire on the premises before that night.  And I had never encountered one face to face. 

Chris:  I don’t think anyone at the network had, apart from me.  Few had ever encountered an immortal either, for that matter.

Melanie:  True.  And like the other network employees, I had heard rumors of how vicious and violent and brutal vampires could be.  But you told me these were still young, infected only months earlier in the case of Joe and Cliff.  A little longer with Vince.  So I hoped they would still be lucid or at least would have more lucid moments than they would psychotic breaks.  *shrugs and shakes her head*  It was an amazing opportunity.

Chris:  I don’t think Dr. Whetsman or some of the others would describe it that way.

Melanie:  *laughs*  I believe he said you were off your rocker. 

Chris:  Not to my face he didn’t.

Melanie:  He wouldn’t dare. 

Chris:  Were you afraid the first time you met the vampires?

Melanie:  I was terrified.  But this was the first time a chance like this had ever come along.  Vampires voluntarily aiding us in our research?  Letting us run tests, do MRIs, document the progression of the brain damage, the madness.  For the first time, we have real hope that we may someday be able to slow the damage the virus causes in humans.

Chris:  I can see you’re passionate about this.

Melanie:  I am.  The vampires who live here aren’t lab rats.  They aren’t study subjects.  They aren’t monsters.  They’re my friends. 

Chris:  Friends against whom you have to constantly be on guard, in case they attack you and try to kill you.

Melanie:  I can’t blame them for something they can’t control.  I’ve seen how hard they fight it, seen remorse claim them in their lucid moments.  *swallows*  I don’t want to lose another one.  Not to the madness, and not to . . . 

Chris:  *nods*  I imagine it’s hard on Bastien, too.

Melanie:  *faint smile*  It kills you to offer him sympathy, doesn’t it.

Chris:  *throws up his hands*  I can’t help it!  I can’t stand the bastard! 

Melanie:  *laughs*  Look, I know his past is a little dark . . .

Chris:  *gapes*  A LITTLE?  He raised an army of vampires with the intention of destroying the Immortal Guardians!

Melanie:  *waves a hand*  That’s all in the past.

Chris:  I could name several thousand immortals who say it isn’t.

Melanie:  *frowns*  Well, you could help us with that, you know.  You have a lot of influence with the immortals.  If you could convince them to give Bastien a second chance–

Chris:  I don’t think he deserves a second chance.

Melanie:  Really?  After everything he’s done LATELY?

Chris:  *grumbles something under his breath*

Melanie:  *leans forward*  I’m sorry.  I didn’t quite catch that.

Chris:  I said it’s POSSIBLE . . . if he doesn’t open his mouth . . . and if one examines his actions with a magnifying glass . . . while squinting just so after getting blind stinking drunk . . . that Bastien isn’t ALL bad.

Melanie:  I wouldn’t love him if he were.

Chris:  I’m not even going to–  *fumbles in his pocket when his cell phone chirps*  Reordon . . .  *frowns and mumbles*  Speak of the Devil.  *then louder*  At David’s place, interviewing Melanie, why?  *tosses Melanie a disgruntled look*  WHAT?  How many? . . . Damn it, Bastien! . . . NO, you can’t just leave them there.  What if humans see . . . No, don’t throw them on the roof!  *growls*  All right – all right.  A cleanup crew is on the way.  *ends call*

Melanie:  *jumps and answers her cell phone when it rings*  Hello?  *glances at Chris*  Hi, sweetie.  Everything okay? . . . Uh huh . . . Uh huh . . .  *purses her lips*  Sure.  Pizza sounds great . . . Okay.  Love you, too.  *hangs up and studies Chris*  Wow.  Your face is REALLY red.

Chris:  PIZZA!  Seriously?  He just painted Duke University red with blood!

Melanie:  Not the WHOLE university.  And it isn’t HIS fault vampires like to hunt on college campuses.

Chris:  *rises*  I have to go straighten this out, send a cleanup crew.  And, by the way, we didn’t need a BUS before Bastien came along.  One or two cleaners at a time used to suffice.

Melanie:  *weak smile*  Thanks for the interview?

Chris:  *grumbles some more and dials his phone as he leaves*

I hope you’ll enjoy Bastien and Melanie’s story! Thank you for joining us! 

Dianne Duvall

 

Title: Phantom Shadows (Immortal Guardians, #3)
Author: Dianne Duvall
Publisher: Zebra, 390 Pages (October 2nd, 2012)
Add to: Goodreads



NOTE: This is an adult title intended for readers 18 years and older.

Synopsis: Dr. Melanie Lipton is no stranger to the supernatural. She knows immortals better than they know themselves, right down to their stubborn little genes. So although a handsome rogue immortal seems suspicious to her colleagues, Sebastien Newcombe intrigues Melanie. His history is checkered, his scars are impressive, and his ideas are daring. But it's not his ideas that have Melanie fighting off surges of desire. . .

Bastien is used to being the bad guy. In fact, he can't remember the last time he had an ally he could trust. But Melanie is different--and under her calm, professional exterior he senses a passion beyond anything in his centuries of experience. Giving in to temptation is out of the question--he can't put her in danger. But she isn't asking him. . .

Find Dianne Online:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube | Pinterest

Order The Immortal Guardians Series Online:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository






Book Trailer:

And don’t miss Dianne's big kindle contest.  She's giving away THREE Kindles (or a Kindle Gift Cards if you already have one) to celebrate the release of PHANTOM SHADOWS.  See her website >>>HERE<<< for details. 

GIVEAWAY!!!

Enter to win a SIGNED copy of your book of choice from the IMMORTAL GUARDIANS SERIES from Dianne Duvall 

      *One winner will receive this prize

Rules and how to enter: 

You must be at least 18 years old to enter 
To enter, complete the Rafflecopter form below  
Name & email address must be provided 
Giveaway is open: INTERNATIONAL! 
Giveaway ends: October 18th, 2012 (12:01 EST) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 A HUGE Thank You to Dianne for asking me to be part of the tour for the third book in the series and for asking me to host the giveaway!