Seduce Me in Shadow by Shayla Black

Genre: Paranormal Romance; Magic, Immortals, Arthurian Legend, Doomsday Brethren

Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: When a villainous wizard escapes from exile, the devastatingly sexy Doomsday Brethren must defend all magickind in the spellbinding second book in bestselling author Shayla Black's seductive new paranormal series. Ex-marine Caden MacTavish has shunned his magical heritage all his life, but he will do anything to heal his desperately ill brother, a Doomsday Brethren warrior in mourning for his missing mate. Posing as a photographer, Caden must convince firecracker tabloid reporter Sydney Blair to reveal the source of her recent exposé on a supernatural power clash. Unfortunately, keeping his hands off the sizzling redhead proves as hard as getting them onto the potent and mystical Doomsday Diary he discovers at her bedside. A bloody rebellion led by an evil, power-hungry wizard is imminent. If Sydney divulges the book's existence, she will jeopardize magickind's most deeply guarded secrets and become the ruthless wizard's number one target. Caden has never trusted magic's cruel and dangerous powers, but he will protect Sydney with his life and magic -- even if it means risking his heart.

This is the second book in the Doomsday Brethren series. Caden has been running from his magical heritage all his life. He just wants to be human. But after his brother loses his mate and then his mind, he comes back to try and help him. He is given a mission to silence the reporter Sydney and find her source. Sydney is a very good report who wants to prove herself. She just chose the wrong topic to write about. Caden is fighting himself in every way while Sydney is trying to seduce him. These two are electric together. The story picks up right where the first book finished, which makes for great storytelling. There are many twists within this story that you don’t see coming. I liked this book and can’t wait to read the next one in this series, Possess Me at Midnight.

Publisher: Pocket

ISBN: 1416578447

Pages: 400

Series: Doomsday Brethren

Volume: 2

Tempt Me With Darkness by Shayla Black

Genre: Paranormal Romance; Magic, Immortals, Arthurian Legend, Doomsday Brethren

Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: He's an immortal knight hungering for satisfaction.... As soon as Marrok sees Olivia Gray's dark windswept hair and burning violet eyes, he's sure they've met in eons past. He's felt her soft gentle curves writhing in pleasure beneath his own hard powerful body...Morganna! For centuries, towering Marrok, once the mightiest of King Arthur's warriors, has endured a terrible curse cast upon him when he spurned the witch. She's a modern woman about to discover ancient magic.... Olivia shares a mystical — and irresistible — connection with brooding Marrok. Soon after the sexy warrior appears in her erotic dreams, he abducts her, demanding she uncurse him. Their intense passion is more powerful — and intimate — than either of them has ever known. Olivia may be the key to unlocking the diary that will break Morganna's hold on his life. But in the wrong hands, the book also holds the power to destroy all magickind. As they search for answers, a ruthless wizard returned from exile is building an army of evil. When he discovers Marrok and Olivia have the diary, only their love — with the help of a powerful group of magical Brethren — can save them.

This is the first book in the Doomsday Brethren series. Marrok may not be magickind but he has lived for centuries. He was one of the greatest knights of King Arthur’s court. But he made Morganna very made and has been cursed ever since. Olivia has recently moved to London in search of her father. Only to find out that she is magickind and that she has a connection to Marrok. The relationship between the two of them is a little thin at first but grows quickly. And I have to say the supporting characters really make this story sore to new heights. I really liked the whole book and am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, Seduce Me In Shadow.

Publisher: Pocket

ISBN: 1416558586

Pages: 384

Series: Doomsday Brethren
Volume: 1

Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Genre: Fantasy; Magic, Arthurian Legend

Sub Genre: Romance

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Down from the high hill of Camelot, across the lake and through the mists, lies the shrouded isle of Avalon. It is here that the mystical story of King Arthur begins… In Marion Zimmer Bradley’s brilliant reworking of the powerful Arthurian epic, we see the tumult and adventures of Camelot’s court through the eyes of the women who bolstered the king’s rise and schemed for his fall. There is Morgaine, an intense woman gifted with the Sight, who has sworn to keep the old religion alive against the growing tide of Christianity that threatens her way of life – even if it means fighting a deadly battle against her beloved brother. And the devout Gwenhwyfar, married to Arthur out of a sense of duty, determined to bring Britain into the light of her God. From their childhoods through the ultimate fulfillment of their destinies, we follow these women and the diverse cast of characters that surrounds them as the great Arthurian epic unfolds stunningly before us. As Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar struggle for control over the face of Arthur’s kingdom, as the Knights of the Round Table take on their infamous quest, as Merlin and Viviane wield their magics for the future of Old Britain, the Isle of Avalon slips further into the impenetrable mists of memory, until the fissure between old and new worlds – and old and new religions – claims its most famous victim.

This is a great retelling of the Arthurian Legend, told from a women’s perspective. The story shows each of the woman as they grow into the powerful characters that we know. I don’t want to go too much into as the twists to this are very well written. And even if you know the legend there are surprises that will keep you reading for more. I love this book. I’ve read it so many times that I really feel like I’ve been there. This is one of those books you have to read. I look forward to reading the next book in this series, The Forest House.

Publisher: Del Rey

ISBN: 0345441184

Pages: 912

Series: Avalon

Volume: 1