Jana Downs

There are lots of stories about temptation, the vast majority deal with what happens if a good person is tempted to sin or do something bad. What I loved about this book is that it turns this around, and asks what happens if a bad guy (or supposed bad guy) like, say, a demon, is tempted into being good? A very interesting and fun twist on the morals of Heaven and Hell, and one that is written with lots of humor to boot.

Dante is a human rock musician who is tempting enough to have the demons show more of hell after him – literally. They wish to ‘recruit’ him and, in the tried and proven way well-known since ‘The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus’ (by Christopher Marlowe, later reworked by Goethe), all they need to do is get Dante to sell his soul.

Eroc is the lust demon entrusted with this mission. He is in deep trouble before the story even begins. Being on probation because he was too nice is not a good place to be, and he is willing to do anything to prove that he is a worthy demon. Until he meets Dante in the flesh and discovers there is more to life than having a good time in Hell. His road isn’t easy, his decisions are tough, but the reward, if he can make it work, is true love.

This book made me laugh about the ‘upside-down’ morality which had a logic all its own, I loved the characters and how they interacted, and watching them struggle with the realization of what they really wanted was very entertaining. If you like books about demons, if a slightly different perspective on good and evil doesn’t bother you, and if you think you can stand, maybe even enjoy, the heat a lust demon and his new favorite human can create between each other, you will probably like his book. show less

In a cute and unexpectedly dramatic continuation of Gideon and Evan's story, I didn’t just get to see the newly mated couple again, I also got a wonderful insight into their relationship now that they've been going for a while, their friends, and some pack problems that both Evan and Gideon are going to have to deal with. The story starts a little idyllic (and a lot hot) with Gideon and Evan getting ready for Christmas, but quickly changes into dramatic chaos, posing and posturing from a show more multitude of paranormals, and a delightful explanation for everything that happened.

Gideon , former homeless rent boy, may have mated Evan, become a werewolf when he was bitten, and be practically living at the Cajun King's big mansion, but his insecurities have only retreated about skin deep. There are a few things he really wants, but hasn’t received, and while he looks forward to having a big party with both his friends and Evan's pack members, he is also scared of embarrassing himself and not being accepted. The surprises in store for him not just from the two groups of friends but also from some unexpected outsiders were very entertaining.

Evan was the big surprise for me. I didn’t get to see his point of view in 'Pet du Cajun', so I loved peeking inside his head in this second story. He is as insecure about some things as Gideon, and the interplay with his pack was fun as well as enlightening. With his thoughts now out in the open I have to say, I like him a lot more. He handles himself pretty well, for a big, bad Dominant, and his love for Gideon is as deep as I'd hoped. His unwilling promotion was hilarious, and the way he handles the interlopers (and especially the kid) made me smile.

If you liked the first book, you will probably love this continuation (but you should read them in order). If you want to find out what Gideon and Evan are up to, if you prefer your Christmas parties to be a little on the chaotic side, and if you're looking for a read that is funny, suspenseful, and very hot, the you will probably like this novella. show less

This is a story about making a new start after being abused in a place you used to call home. Unfortunately this is very true for too many people, especially young people who have no choice but to pick up the pieces and try to build a life elsewhere. It's risky, but what do you do if it's your only choice? It's neither fast nor easy, and Gideon experiences some very tough times before he decides what he wants and goes after it. THAT is what separates those who succeed from those who end up show more just drifting along or, worse, become the victims of people waiting to exploit them.

Gideon comes to New Orleans, a new city for him, with high hopes. Like many people desperate for a new start for one reason or another, he finds out new starts aren’t all they are made out to be. He ends up as a rent boy and learning whom to trust and what to believe is hard but he is lucky to find a group where members look out for each other. When he gets his big break in the form of a night with the Cajun King, he doesn’t hesitate.

The Cajun King of New Orleans, Evan St. Germaine, knows what he's looking for in a sub. He may not admit it, but he has a big heart and falls for Gideon almost immediately. I can't be for sure, since we never hear from him, but his behavior is pretty clear. And when he does decide there may be long-term potential, he enables Gideon to make the decision in a way that empowers him. Very cleverly written, and extremely emotional to boot.

If you like stories about rent boys 'making good', if you enjoy a good 'battle' between a new sub and an extremely strict but loving Dom, and if you're looking for an emotional and touching path to growth, then you will probably like this book. show less

In what feels like the final volume of this series, at least for now, the two main characters go into their new relationship with very different expectations. Neither of them ends up being right, and the confusion that follows takes them quite a while to untangle. I enjoyed their struggle for understanding what was going on, and, while the solution seemed obvious to me in many ways, I could also see why it would take them a lot longer to figure it out. Let me explain.

Jack is a human who show more ended up in prison despite his innocence. As if this weren't bad enough, he is then selected by an extra round of the Eoean lottery. Since he figures life as a slave cannot be much worse than being locked up in prison, he goes willingly, promising to tell nobody he is a convicted criminal. Jack expects to be a sex slave, but nothing could be further from the truth. It derails him for a while, since the sexy alien he ends up with inspires all kinds of fantasies in him, but as soon as he gets his bearings, he goes after Kelr with all he has.

Kelr is a half-Eoean and half Renka. The Renka are new to the series, and quite an interesting alien species. They can influence the universe on a quantum level, resulting in their ability to reshape matter, influence people's emotions, and all kinds of interesting stuff. However, as a consequence, they do not deal well with touch. Kelr grew up believing he could never become physical with a lover, and the few times he tried were painful enough to want him to never try again. As he gets to know Jack, though, things change and Kelr understands that he may have to reconsider.

The process of both men figuring out what they want, in Jack's case, and what they think they cannot have and still want it, in Kelr's case, was absolutely fascinating. Jack is desperate to seduce him, yet understands about the pain and backs off. Kelr is too afraid to try touching Jack, but does want to be his friend. So, long before they solve their issues, each already acts in the other's best interest. And if that isn’t love, I don’t know what is! Beautifully done!

If you like science fiction stories with men from two different cultures who each think they cannot have what they need most but want to make sure the other has what he needs, if you want to find out more about the background to the Eoean's history and the lottery, and if you're looking for a hot read full of smoldering heat and a relatively slow-building romance, then you will probably like this novella. show less