Night Unbound (Immortal Guardians #5) by Dianne Duvall

☆☆☆☆☆

Published
September 2, 2014
Publisher
Zebra Books
Pages
433
Author’s Page
http://www.dianneduvall.com/

I was given Night Unbound for an honest review by Net Galley

Lisette d’Alencon has fallen hard for Zach, and elder like Seth, but she was ordered to stay away from him and never mind that she hasn’t seen him for weeks, except in her dreams. When he shows up injured she has to save him even if it angers Seth.

Zach is as old as Seth who had at one time been his friend, and not matter what he does he seems to piss off Seth, who thinks he is guilty of bringing mercenaries back to Seth door. Only now there is a new group and they have learned a thing or two and are transforming their own men to vamps and there is a traitor but it is not Zach and he isn’t about to stay away from Lisette to prove it.

Together, Lisette and Zach prove that they both never betrayed the Immortal Guardian or Seth but it will come at a very steep cost. Hopefully they find the betrayer before anyone else has to die, please tell me no one else will die, that just broke my heart.

I am finished, where is the next one? Dianne, please finish it before Roland and Sarah start bugging me to read their story again, pleeeease 😉 Thank you for giving me a chance to get to know Seth, Zach and all the Immortal Guardians; imagine my surprise that we learned some of Seth secrets, that was very much worth reading. Although I wish that the next book was available as I was sad to finish this book and patience between books in not one of my strong points.

I think the best part of all of Dianne Duvall’s book that even thought the main story is about the current couple in question (Lisette and Zach), she still manages to include everyone else’s story as well for example Marcus and Ami. It’s interesting how they sort fall to the background but are still front and center in a lot of ways and I think that is what makes the Immortal Guardian series such a three-dimensional world unto itself.

My favorite quotes were rather easy to pick this time as one was rather split up I decided to beg forgiveness and share the whole thing and the other, well, who would have thought Sheldon had it in him.

“I don’t know about you,” one of the new vamps said in his room, “but I’m pretty sure even total mind-fuck madness wouldn’t make me risk that guy chasing me down and tackling me while he’s naked and has a hard-on.”—New Vampire

“Standing around, snickering like a group of ten-year-old boys looking at a dirty magazine for the first time. Grow the fuck up and leave her alone.”—Sheldon

Book’s Blurb
Dianne Duvall’s Immortal Guardians protect humanity from unspeakable horrors–but their hearts are as fragile as any mortal’s. . .

For centuries, Lisette d’Alençon has been a warrior against the dark. She fights alongside her brothers and comrades. But when the dreams start coming, she can’t bear to confess them to the Immortal Guardians’ command. Dreams of a dark-haired man with soft eyes and brutal wounds, a man her heart aches for–and a man she knows has been declared a traitor.

Zach is an exile, a loner. He won’t defend himself against false accusations or grovel to those who should have faith in him. But he’ll damn sure defend the woman who kept him sane against a plague of super-vamps that seems to have appeared from nowhere. The Guardians will blame him, and that will make Lisette suspect, too. With life, death and eternity on the line, who can they really trust?

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Darkness Rises (Immortal Guardians #4) by Dianne Duvall

☆☆☆☆☆

Published
October 1, 2013
Publisher
Zebra Books
Pages
417
Author’s Page
https://dianneduvall.blogspot.com/

I wonder how many times a person can say “Wow” about a series but all I can say is Wow just Wow.

Krysta Linz is a mortal who spends her free time hunting vampires. She and her brother, Sean are both gifted ones but neither one knows this or about Immortal Guardians and Seconds, until one night Krsyta bite off more then she can chew and Etienne just happens to be on the same campus doing the same thing she is doing. And now he has her convinced there are good vampires too.

Etienne is an Immortal Guardian who has been hunting vampires for two hundred years and finds Krysta a mystery he wants to solve then add to that her being a warrior really turns him on. The down side is she thinks he’s a vampire and may slice and dice him before he can tell her his secret that is if the vampires don’t get her first.

I am sitting here waiting for the team I transported and trying to decide where to start with my thoughts. I just loved some many parts of Darkness Rises and I can’t for the life of me decided which ones I liked best. The bedroom scenes, though not very graphic, were fun and I loved all the teasing between Etienne and Krysta and I really liked how close the Immortals are. I was angry about someone betraying Seth and his Immortals and I hope they find the S.O.B. and do what they do best. And then of course I got really excited when I found a Twilight moment where he told her he had been waiting for her, he is so romantic.

Favorite Quotes
Just like her previous books there were so many awesome quotes and I really had a hard time deciding which ones to share since using them all is not allowed, I think, but I managed to come up with three that might entice you all.

“That’s quite a quest. I’ve been killing vampires for two hundred years and have barely made a dent.”—Etienne

“This is better than a soap opera. Maybe we should start an Immortal Guardians reality show and air it on theimmortalguardians.com.”—Sheldon

“Hug him and I’ll have to kill him.”—Bastien

On the down side, if you can call it that, I only found one spot the seemed to have escaped the editing process and that was in chapter 16 and it seemed that a “the” was missing. Other than that Darkness Rises was flawlessly written and so worth reading.

I swear I am really looking forward to reading this series again and again, if I hadn’t switched to e-readers, I be in big trouble because I would be replacing the Immortal Guardians series about every two years, so thank you to who ever created reading apps and e-readers.

Book’s blurb
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. . .

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Phantom Shadows (Immortal Guardians #3) by Dianne Duvall

☆☆☆☆☆

Published
October 24, 2011
Publisher
Zebra Books
Pages
400
Author’s Page
https://dianneduvall.blogspot.com/

Sebastien Newcombe spent years thing he was a vampire only to find he is really one of those he swore to he would destroy. No one trusts him except the leaders of the Immortal Guardians and Ami. But there is Doctor Lipton, he can’t stop thinking about her and thinks his taint will rub off on her and they will fire her.

Melanie Lipton is a gifted one who works for the network caring for the humans that work with the Immortal Guardians and the vampires that don’t want to go mad because of the virus that changed them. She sees a different side to Sebastien and she could care less about the consequences he presumes will occur if they pursue their developing feelings for each other. She wants what she wants and she wants him.

We were first introduced to Sebastien in Darkness Dawns where it is assumed that he is a vampire. In Phantom Shadows you can feel how much it hurts that he is not accepted by most of his peers even as he tries to shrug it off with indifference and snarky comments. His desire to protect Melanie and Tanner from other’s opinions because of their association to him shows how deeply his loyalties go for those he cares for and I find it hilarious when he tries to push them away and they blow him off.

I really enjoyed reading this book and it was made even better by reading In Still Darkness in tandem since they were both happening at the same time. I am so glad that Dianne gave Sebastien his own story, and I agree with Seth about the similarities between Sebastien and Roland 😉

Favorite Quotes
“And both of you need to remember one thing: I’m a grown woman and can take care of myself. If someone has a problem with my feelings for Bastien and thinks I shouldn’t get involved with him because they don’t like him, they can kiss my merry mortal ass.” —Dr. Lipton

“If you’re wise, you’ll put your wee willy away now.”—Bastien

Book Cover Rating
I like the cover but I think that the feminine element is missing but that has been consistent throughout the Immortal Guardians series.

Book Blurb Rating
The Blurb is a well written with the hook needed to get the buyer to buy.

Book’s Blurb
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. . .

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In Still Darkness (Immortal Guardians #3.50) by Dianne Duvall

☆☆☆☆☆

Published
August 1, 2014
Publisher
Zebra Books
Pages
106
Author’s Page
https://dianneduvall.blogspot.com/

I was given In Still Darkness for an honest review by NetGalley.

Richart d’Alençon a 230-year-old Immortal Guardian out hunting one night when he comes across four vamps attacking a woman leaving her work. When she kisses him after he rescues her Richart finds he can’t get her out of his head but she doesn’t remember the incident thanks to the bite from one of her attackers, never mind the huge secret he is keeping from her, how will she ever accept him?

Jenna McBride is a single mother of a college aged student who doesn’t have a lot of time for dating. But when Richart starts coming into to the store she works at she finds herself really attracted to him, but most men run for the door when they discover she has a son in college.

Finally, I have read one of the books I am supposed to be reading although Bastien was making it very difficult, so I was reading In Still Darkness and Phantom Shadows in tandem to resolve this hilarious issue I have developed since I delved back into the Immortal Guardians series.

Jenna and Richart’s story is being told in the same time frame as Melanie and Bastien’s story so reading them in tandem was fairly easy as they fit so well together and reading them a lot of fun, although I am not yet done with Phantom Shadows. I wish I could say I had a favorite character or part in every book but the truth is every time I get into one book in the series I fall in love with every character. May favorite part of this particular book was when Richart teleported into Jenna’s apartment by accident I could almost see the absolute shock on hers and John’s face even as they got a repeat performance when he tried to go back for Ami.

Favorite quotes
“Okay, I see we’re going to have to have a little talk, John. Here’s the thing. Since Richart is planning to explore the Kama Sutra with your mom, if she forgives him . . .”—Sheldon

“You can’t threaten a man’s balls, dude. A man’s balls are off limits. Even vampires don’t fuck with a man’s balls. That’s just . . . mean.”—Sheldon

Its official Dianne Duvall is now one of my favorite authors, I just this series.

Book Cover Rating
The cover is definitely different than the previous covers in that it has a darker more intense feeling to it.

Book’s Blurb
In Dianne Duvall’s world of Immortal Guardians, the stakes for mortals are high, but the cost–especially to the heart–might be higher…

It’s not the first time Immortal Guardian Richart d’Alençon has saved a human life from eternal damnation. Usually, he moves on, a nameless savior like a ghost in the night. But this time he can’t seem to forget the woman who rewarded him with a sensuous kiss after he rescued 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…

Jenna never imagined she’d end up a single mom working overtime to put her son through school. But she might have daydreamed once that a devastatingly gorgeous Frenchman would sweep her off her feet. Now that a package of tall, dark, and handsome seems intent on doing just that, doctors are telling her she may not have long to live. But Richart is telling her just the opposite. All she has to do is abandon her humanity…

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Night Reigns (Immortal Guardians #2) by Dianne Duvall

☆☆☆☆☆

Published
December 1, 2012
Publisher
Zebra Books
Pages
401
Author’s Page
https://dianneduvall.blogspot.com/

Marcus Graden lost some one he has loved for longer than he had been an immortal. When Seth tells him that he will have a second and that he will be kind and look out for her, he isn’t happy and plans to take a note out of his mentor’s page and chase her off. That is until he meets his new second and now, he has to fight his attraction and chase her away.

Ami has a big secret she has to protect and Seth appoints her as Marcus’ new second to get her used to other. Her immortal clearly doesn’t want her around but she is determined to proof her worth, so she will not be scared off that easily. As their relationship changes, she come to fear what his reaction to her secret will be. What if he sees her as a monster?

I am supposed to be reading In Still Darkness and Night Unbound but no, the characters are whispering in my ear and what are they saying ‘you have to go back and read Night Reigns again’. What else can I do Marcus and Ami were calling my name? So it looks like I am reading the whole series. Dianne Duvall, I apologize for taking so long to read the ones I checked out from Net Galley but you can only blame the characters in your books, they are demanding 😉 In fact as of last night I am swapping between Phantom Shadows and In Still Darkness which is a first. I had a very hard time putting Night Reigns down and was reading it every spare second because I could wait to see what would happen next. I was actually really mad and sad when I finished reading it Wednesday night.

I love how strong Ami and Sarah are and how they not only stand up to their men but to everyone else as well. I also love how Roland really tries to placate Sarah when she shows up after Roland punched Marcus. I hope they become best friends, I think that will be an interesting duo and I can already see Marcus and Roland cringing every time the women get together hehehehe. I am really looking forward to reading this book again someday.

Book’s Cover Rating
The cover is interesting but I would kind of like to see more, like maybe Dianne’s idea of what Ami might look like after all she is also a lead character.

Book’s Blurb Rating
The books blurb fits with the story and doesn’t give too much away just the way I like a good blurb. I am ready to go out and buy this book again, from reading it again.

Book’s Blurb
Dianne Duvall portrays a world of temptation, loyalty, and heartbreak . . . a world where danger and desire walk hand in hand . . . Ami isn’t much for trusting strangers. She has a hard time trusting anyone. But she’s no coward, and she’s no pushover in the protection department either. So when she comes across a mysterious warrior taking on eight deranged vampires on his own, she doesn’t hesitate to save his bacon. Of course, that was before she realized what one little rescue would get her into . . . Marcus Graden has been an Immortal protector of humanity for eight hundred years, and he’s not interested in backup. From the moment Ami arrives in his life, he can’t deny that she’s strong, smart, and extremely skilled at watching his back. But she’s also destroying his protective solitude and stirring desires he can’t bear to awaken. After all, whatever her secrets—how can she defeat death itself?

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Darkness Dawns (Immortal Guardians #1) by Dianne Duvall

☆☆☆☆☆

Published
February 1, 2011
Publisher
Zebra Books
Pages
353
Author’s Page
https://dianneduvall.blogspot.com/

Sarah Bingham is a teacher and a break and all she wants to do at the moment is plant her vegetable garden. She ran over by what she thinks is the world fastest bear until she hears noises that sound more human than animal. Her life changes for ever when she goes to investigate.

Roland Warbrook is an Immortal Guardian whose only goals in life are to left alone and kill lots of vampires to protect the innocent. He has no interest in forming lasting relationships since he has been betrayed one too many times. Those that love him most tease him about being ‘antisocial’ and go out of their way to bring him out of his shell. All that changes when a set up leads him to being rescued by Sarah Bingham.

Seth is the leader of the Immortal Guardians tries his best to look out for all those he holds dear, the Immortals and the Gifted Ones and the innocents but has recently learned that he is not infallible. I mention him because he should be mentioned and he is my favorite character.

Sebastian ‘Bastian’ Marston is the misguided vampire who has a serious need for revenge against Roland but keeps missing his target.

I was supposed to be reading Dianne Duvall’s to latest books that I got through NetGalley and somehow ended up reading this book again (3rd time). So, Dianne, I apologize for going back to the beginning but I just couldn’t help myself because once I started reading this book, I was hard pressed to stop reading. I will get to those other books though, I promise.

There were so many parts of this book that I really enjoyed and I would tell you about all of them but then you wouldn’t want to read the book because I would have basically recited the whole book. The characters grab you from the beginning and keep you glued to every page so recommend finding a locked room in an empty house to reduce the aggravation of being interrupted while reading this book.

Favorite Quote (Haven’t had any of those in a while):

“It was unintentional and he regrets it. He expected her to come along docilely, not shoot him in the hamstrings and stab him in the ass.”—Seth

Book’s Cover Rating
I have to say that it was the cover the caught my eye and go me to even explore this because I almost past on this book because the title sounded kind of boring and uninteresting.

Book’s Blurb Rating
The Blurb is a great teaser for a well written sneak peak of this book and the finale selling point for me.

Book’s Blurb
In this dazzling, sensual novel, Dianne Duvall beckons readers into a world of vampires, immortals, and humans with extraordinary gifts. . .where passion can last forever, if you’re willing to pay the price. . .

Once, Sarah Bingham’s biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she’s landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control. . .

In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible–when it means forfeiting the world she’s always known, and the life he would do anything to protect. . .

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