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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Even better then the first one!!, December 16, 2011
This review is from: Night Reigns (Immortal Guardians, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
Ok two days and two books and on the third day, let there be reviews. Yes, I have done nothing but devour these two novels. I have been captured by this amazing new universe and I am officially in love with the characters. They feel like friends that I could cherish forever. Yes, I will admit I love my fictional characters. I know I'm not the only one out there that would love some Hunters or Brothers. If you are like me, you know EXACTLY who I am talking about, so no mocking. Marcus has lived a long time, over eight hundred years. In that time, he has loved only one woman, Bethany, a woman that was destined to never be his, but to eternally break his heart. In his whole existence there has only been her. Having her in his life platonically, not once but twice, was all he could ever have. Now he has lost her for the last time, eight years ago. His chance to ever find love has disappeared forever. All that changed the moment he set his eyes on a fiery red head that had talent with a gun and the ability to set his pulse racing. Not unfamiliar with the world of vampires and Guardians, Amitiska, "Ami", isn't surprised when she comes upon a scene of chaos, an Immortal Guardian taking on eight vampires. What does surprise her is the awestruck brilliance of the man himself; long dark hair, vibrant amber eyes, and full sensual lips. She is left speechless. Too bad it won't be the first or the last time in one night for her. She is shocked again later that night when she is assigned to be his Second, a human personal assistant and guard for an individual immortal. Wow, she didn't see that coming! Attack after attack, Marcus and Ami begin to work together in synchronicity and harmony. Too bad their inner feelings are getting in the way. Both are falling for each other and are unable to control the new urges that are burning within them. Ami is constantly surprising Marcus with her abilities and courage. She is more than she appears, but she is terrified to lose him to the truth. Can they build a relationship that will last forever if she is not able to trust him with who and what she is? Ms. Duvall has actually improved from the first story, and I gave Darkness Dawns a 5 star rating. So what does that make this one, a 5++ star story? She is keeping it exciting by revealing some secrets but not all of them. Truthfully I am not sure if I love that or not. The "long story" still has not been exposed, but a bit more is known. Seth, the leader of the Immortal Guardians, is a mystery that will likely not be uncovered anytime soon too, but we did get a glimpse of his background. Ms. Duvall you are such a tease, but a very good one! This woman can't write fast enough for me. We need to form a posse and catch her and tie her to her desk and make her get busy. You hear that Ms. Duvall - chop, chop. From online posts it doesn't look like we will get another novel until October 2012, *sob*. But please don't let that stop you from reading this awesome series. Just think of how many times you can reread and enjoy the boys by next fall. I mean seriously, this will be a repeat read for me. A keeper all the way!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent new voice in the Paranormal world, January 3, 2012
This review is from: Night Reigns (Immortal Guardians, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
If you haven't read Dianne Duvall yet, you need to add her to your list of Paranormal authors. Darkness Dawns is the 1st book in this series and Night Reigns is the 2nd book in the Immortal Guardian series. In Darkness Dawn we got to meet Amiriska and Marcus who were secondary characters in that story. In Night Reigns we get more details about them and some glimpses back into book one as well. Marcus is over eight hundred years old and is an Immortal Guaridan aka Protector of humanity. Amiriska aka Ami is believed to be human but at the end of book one we discover that Seth, David and Darnell have discovered exactly what she is and are shocked by it. It definitely leaves you on a cliff hanger wondering what has happened and what is Ami if she's not human? As you know from the first book, Seth is basically the leader of the Immortal Guardian group and has powers beyond imagining. He and David are the ones who discovered Ami locked in some horrific testing facility and rescued her and slowly brought her out of her shell. Seth informs Marcus that it's time for him to take a Second. A Second is basically the Guardians backups, they help them out when they can, provide transportation and basically are their Guardians help when they need it. Seth informs Marcus that Ami is his new Second even though Marcus is extremely upset about that choice and pretty insistent that he doesn't need a Second. Ami's pretty surprised herself but she basically rolls through with the verdict. Marcus and Ami have some serious chemistry going on between them and Marcus starts to completely avoid her, hoping that if he's stand offish enough she'll basically abandon her post and want to leave. In the end Ami finds Marcus in a tight spot and they are surrounded by more than thirty rogue vampires. Marcus wants her to run but Ami refuses. The most amazing part about all this is that they actually win the fight and Marcus realizes just how useful and amazing Ami is in a fight, probably enough to take him down. There's a lot of tension in the book but it's definitely a sit down and devour in one night kind of read so try not to start it too late unless you want to miss work the next day. And if you're wondering, yes we do finally discover what Ami is. It's such a wild twist that I could never have imagined it myself and I was taken by surprise (in a good way of course!). This is an intriguing new paranormal world for me and I will continue to follow Dianne's Immortal Guardian Series. I can't wait to see some of the other characters find love. Reviewed by Paranormal Addicts
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping Read, December 12, 2011
This review is from: Night Reigns (Immortal Guardians, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
I enjoy reading about a woman who defies the odds and expectations of others; to not only wow the other characters in a book, but stuns and amazes a reader too. Ms. Duvall does all that and more in the second installment of her hard hitting but cheeky Immortal Guardian series. Night Reigns gave me not only another great tale but a surprising twist at the three quarters mark that knocked my socks off. Never could I have imagined where the story would take me, certainly not what was revealed! Because of this new slant, Night Reigns ends up being a clever, unique, and brilliantly executed book that readers will appreciate. Paranormal fans are going to be thrilled at the novel direction Ms. Duvall has taken because it breathes new life into what we think we know about vampires and their battles, and their origins. When I refer to `cheeky', I'm talking about the underlying sense of humor and fun the main characters have with their friends, amongst themselves and with other secondary characters. The author did an amazing job of infusing personality and emotion into the story and her placement of when she has the protagonist's joking around seemed real, timely and very natural. It made the hero and heroine very likable and insured that I'd be very interested in the secondary characters when their turn to be in the spotlight arrives. Believe me, Ms. Duvall has peppered her tales with secondary characters well-rounded enough to inspire a commitment from me to read about every one of the amazing men who make up the team of Immortal Guardians. There were wonderful hints of conflict, of men who resist love or don't think it'll ever happen to them. Not in their line of `work'. My favorite cheekiness is between the hero, Marcus and the heroine, Ami. Their flirting was thoroughly entertaining and the repartee quick and witty. Even when the drama and suspense had me biting my nails, it wasn't overly dark or depressing. The conflict was solid and well thought out. Ami was the biggest surprise for me. She had been through so much horror in her life that to find her willing to stand by her man, once she admits he is her man, even though it meant facing a fear that practically crippled her, was an amazing journey of growth. One that completely engaged me. Despite all the reasons she has to mistrust people, she doesn't shy away from learning all she can to be the best she can be. Marcus on the other hand, is at first, a jerk. He's not actually written that way but from what I could tell from the other secondary characters, he had a certain reputation. They respected him, thought fondly of him, when they didn't want to whap him upside the head, and they feared for him. He was in a dark place in his life when the story opened. His healing journey and his eventual opening up of his heart was wonderfully done. He certainly was and is an effective Guardian, and I'd trust him to guard me anytime, but he had a long way to go to brush up on his `people' skills. The one person who kept him in line, for the most part, was Seth. He's sort of a father figure, mentor and boss. He's also one of those fascinating secondary characters I referred to earlier. There's something about him that is quite intriguing. He's a mystery. However, in Night Reigns, the author laid the groundwork for some very thought provoking possibilities that begs further exploration. If the author's intentions were to hook a reader on future books, she was successful. Add Roland and Chris into the mix and there's plenty of deliciousness, conflict and interest to go around. On top of that are Darnell and David - more characters that make up the Guardian community. At times, while reading, I felt like I was in a candy store. So many choices to choose from -- who will Ms. Duvall write about next? I can't wait to find out! My immediate satisfaction was guaranteed at least with Marcus and Ami. Before the protagonists hit the sheets, Ms. Duvall seduced my brain earlier on with a wonderful sensual buildup. That's one of the things that were so great about this story. When the heat between the two finally combusted, the author's use of language made it crystal clear how satisfying the physical relationship was between them. Even the happily ever after was romantic and sentimental. But not too sappy; the other Guardians made sure of that. One of my favorite giggles came from what Marcus imagined to make his point with Seth. I had fun. Night Reigns is another jewel from the talented Ms. Duvall. This story is action packed with sultry shenanigans and diabolical bad guys, guaranteeing readers a book filled with adventure and romance. Marcus and Ami are a great couple and watching them fall in love was completely entertaining and fun. The ideas are fresh and the story arc more complex than at first believed. I suspect that Ms. Duvall has more surprises up her sleeve for characters and readers alike. I want to be first in line for her next book because this series is just that good. Originally posted at The long and short of it romance Reviews
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