Night Pleasures (Dark-Hunter Novels) [Hardcover]

Sherrilyn Kenyon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dark-Hunter Novels | Publication Date: September 15, 2009

The Dark-Hunters are ancient warriors who have sworn to protect mankind and the fate of the world is in their hands. . .

 He is solitude. He is darkness. He is the ruler of the night. Yet Kyrian of Thrace has just woken up handcuffed to his worst nightmare: An accountant. Worse, she's being hunted by one of the most lethal vampires out there. And if Amanda Devereaux goes down, then he does too. But it's not just their lives that are hanging in the balance.  Kyrian and Amanda are all that stands between humanity and oblivion. Let's hope they win.

Editorial Reviews

Review

 “[A] publishing phenomenon…[Sherrilyn Kenyon is] the reigning queen of the wildly successful paranormal scene. . .Just one example of arguably the most in-demand and prolific authors in America these days.” –Publisher’s Weekly

 “An engaging read.”--Entertainment Weekly on Devil May Cry

“Kenyon’s writing is brisk, ironic, sexy, and relentlessly imaginative. These are not your mother’s vampire novels.”--The Boston Globe

From the Inside Flap

Amanda came awake to an awful throbbing in her head. She felt terrible.
What had hap-
She tensed as she remembered the unseen man.
His words.
Terrified, she pushed herself up, and quickly learned she was on a cold concrete floor, in a very small, dust covered room...
And handcuffed to an unknown blond man.
A scream wedged itself in her throat, but she held it back.
Amanda took in her surroundings. There was no furniture or anything else. The only light came from a small bulb in the center of the ceiling.
Okay, so she wasn't in immediate danger.
Still far from comforted, she looked at the body beside her. He lay with his back to her, and he was either dead or unconscious.
Hesitantly, she reached out and placed her hand against his tawny neck to check his pulse. A strong, heavy heartbeat thumped against her fingertips. Relieved he was alive, she tried to shake him.
He moaned low in his throat, then slowly blinked his eyes open.
With a curse, he grabbed her by the shoulders.
Before she could move, he rolled over with her, pinning her against the floor beneath his body as he held her wrists above her head.
Those dark, captivating eyes searched hers suspiciously.
Every inch of him was pressed intimately against her and she became instantly aware of the fact that his arms weren't the only part of his body that was rock hard and solid.
His hips rested dead center between her legs while his hard, taut stomach leaned against her in a way that brought a flush to her cheeks. Made her feel hot and tingly. Breathless.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; Special Edition edition (September 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312593554
• ISBN-13: 978-0312593551
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (182 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #276,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In the past two years, New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon has claimed the #1 spot twelve times. This extraordinary bestseller continues to top every genre she writes. With more than 23 million copies of her books in print in over 30 countries, her current series include: The Dark-Hunters, The League, Lords of Avalon, BAD Agency and the Chronicles of Nick. Since 2004, she has placed over 50 novels on the New York Times list. The preeminent voice in paranormal fiction, with more than twenty years of publishing credits, Kenyon not only helped to pioneer, but define the current paranormal trend that has captivated the world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sherrilyn Kenyon flys to the TOP with her Dark Hunters debut, October 5, 2002

By 

M. Bradley "Mimmi" (Bluegrass State) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Night Pleasures (Dark-Hunter, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Kyrian of Thrace walks the world in the shadows of darkness, in solitude. What other choice could he have after having sold his soul for revenge? Kyrian lives his life searching out those who would steal souls from the innocent; the Daimons. He is a Dark Hunter that hails from Roman times, where he was a Prince, and a Macedonian Commander. He's used to being in command of every situation, and always calling the shots. Then he meets Amanda Devereaux.

Amanda Devereaux is not having the greatest life lately. She's just been dumped by her fiancé-but after her family really laid on the hokey act for him, could she really blame him? And now her twin, Tabitha-whom she was REALLY steamed at-wants her to help her out by running down to her house to once again let the dog out. Sigh. When will she learn? When Amanda gets knocked upside the head upon entering Tabitha's house, and awakens to find herself handcuffed to a "buff stud in black leather", who claims to be a Dark Hunter--kinda like a vampire--she thinks she's learned. Hunter, as he claims that's his name, is one of the most awesome specimens of manhood she's ever seen-why, oh, why couldn't he be normal?

Once Kyrian get himself and Amanda released from the handcuff, he knows he's got to get away from this intriguing woman. He can't trust himself around her, because he's enticed by every little move she makes, every breath. And he can't allow himself to be drawn in by a woman for anything. His life didn't make allowances for that. But he finds himself drawn back to her, again and again, and when he finds out that her life is in danger-what else is he to do except take care of her himself?

Kyrian and Amanda light sparks off one another, and the contest to see who can one up the other makes for fun and lightning fast dialogue that will crack you up. The sexual tension sizzles off the pages, and the story is so fast paced and packed with action you trip over your own fingers getting to the next page. Filled with information and introductions to the Dark Hunter world, you'll find yourself reaching for the next book immediately-only it's not out yet!

Sherrilyn Kenyon has written a keeper and a half. This book is filled with scene after scene that will amaze and tantalize you, and wonder when Sherri visited this world of her creation. She uses humor, and pain, and takes us the whole spectrum of our emotions. Perfection is the only word I can use to describe it, and I don't know that that conveys all that I feel about this book. I've already reread the Advanced Reading Copy three times, and am slobbering in anticipation of the next Dark Hunter novel. This is a MUST read!

80 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner...and I can't wait for the next one!!!, December 28, 2002

By 

Vixenne Victorienne "Kymberlyn Reed" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Night Pleasures (Dark-Hunter, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Sherrilyn Kenyon gets better and better with this first novel in her Dark-Hunter series.

'Night Pleasures' is a great read, full of the spirited characters that have come to be one of Ms. Kenyon's trademarks. She mixes Greek mythology, vampires, and a magickally eccentric family that makes the gals on 'Charmed' look like The Waltons.

Kyrian of Thrace is every woman's wet dream, but Ms. Kenyon infuses him with so much humanity that he doesn't come off as being a typical cardboard romantic hero. I'd have to say that he is a hybrid alpha-beta male. He's charming, loyal, brave, infuriating and sexy as all hell.

Amanda, like her sister Grace (whom hopefully you've met by now from 'Fantasy Lover') is a spunky heroine who believes herself blessedly 'normal', and likes it that way. Of course, it's always the ones who swear they're normal who turn out to be anything but.

I love the fact that Ms. Kenyon's heroines are unashamedly sexual, and they enjoy oogling over gorgeous men. And from the description of Kyrian in the book, I certainly wouldn't toss him out of my bed for eating crackers!

Though at first glance this novel might come off as another vampire romance, Ms. Kenyon creates an entirely new mythos for our favourite undead creatures.

There are gods and goddesses with typical bad attitudes, a psychotic demigod with a serious need to talk with Sigmund Freud, a Squire with a taste for hacking and grunge fashion, who just so happens to drive a Jaguar, and an old woman who makes some rather lethal dolls.

For those of us who loved Grace and Julian, they're back too, with kids. By the way, Julian still hasn't quite figured out how to drive a car.

Oh, and did I mention that this book has some really funny moments, like when Amanda wakes up handcuffed to the insanely gorgeous Kyrian?

Oh, and I forgot to mention that Kyrian is about two-thousand years old and has mastered modern slang. For those of us a little tired of the typical 'old-world' bloodsucker.

A fun romp, and now I eagerly await Talon's story. He's a hunky Celt who could give The Croc Hunter a few pointers.

62 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars paranormal perfection and the beginning of a great series, September 27, 2002

By 

"romance_addict" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Night Pleasures (Dark-Hunter, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Sherrilyn Kenyon gets better and better. This is a shining example of what a paranormal romance should be.

Kyrian of Thrace who I fell in love with while reading Fantasy Lover, is a man who was betrayed so badly by his wife that with his dying breath he sold his soul for vengeance and became a protector of mankind. Now, centuries later, he stalks the evil daimons ("vampires on steroids who have a God complex" [I really love that line]) who prey on humans.

Amanda Deveraux is an accountant who wants a normal life even though her family is beyond strange. When an evil daimon puts them together and aims to kill both Amanda and her sister and any Dark Hunter he can find, Kyrian steps in to protect them.

While they fight the evil baddies, the two of them find love and Amanda helps to heal Kyrian's tortured past and wounded heart.

The story is spectacular, filled with great zingers and comebacks. I loved every character from Nick to Acheron to Talon to even strange Liza. The sex is steamy and hot and the pace fast and furious. I can't wait for the next Dark Hunter book.

If you're looking for a read that you can't put down filled with humor, tenderness and red hot passion, don't miss this book.