Wicked Road to Hell: A League of Guardians Novel [Mass Market Paperback]

Juliana Stone (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 24, 2012 | Series: League of Guardians

"Juliana Stone rocks!"
--Ann Aguirre, bestselling author of Doubleblind and Blue Diablo

"Stone is on her way to becoming a paranormal favorite."
--Sherrilyn Kenyon

Already one of the most exciting and acclaimed authors of shapeshifter and paranormal romance, Juliana Stone now spins off from her sensational Jaguar Warriors series to introduce a breathtaking new supernatural band of heroes and heroines: the League of Guardians. In Wicked Road to Hell, vampire Ana comes back from the dead with vengeance on her mind--and sexy magician Declan in her heart. Fans of Nalini Singh and Pamela Palmer will adore Stone's League of Guardians--as the incomparable storyteller expands and darkens her extraordinary world, and sets it ablaze with phenomenal paranormal passion.

With the legions of the underworld gathering and chaos close at hand, Sorcerer Declan O'Hara's deadly skills will be tested. But nothing will sway him from his duty...
Rescued from eternal darkness, vampire Ana DeLacrux owes her life to a mysterious stranger who asks for only one thing--her absolute allegiance. She serves this master without question until Declan, the one man who can make her forget her vow, returns. His magic is stronger, darker...more compelling than ever. His blood awakens a hunger she must resist, or risk deadly consequences.As Ana and Declan join forces, the streets of New Orleans become a dangerous place for both humans and the otherworld. And the most dangerous place of all is a road Declan's traveled before...the wicked road to hell.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

With the legions of the underworld gathering and chaos close at hand, sorcerer Declan O'Hara's deadly skills will be tested. But nothing will sway him from his duty . . .

Rescued from eternal darkness, vampire Ana DeLacrux owes her life to a mysterious stranger who asks for only one thing—her absolute allegiance. She serves this master without question until Declan, the one man who can make her forget her vow, returns. His magic is stronger, darker . . . more compelling than ever. His blood awakens a hunger she must resist, or risk deadly consequences.

As Ana and Declan join forces, the streets of New Orleans become a dangerous place for both humans and the otherworld. And the most dangerous place of all is a road Declan has traveled before . . . the wicked road to hell.

About the Author

Juliana Stone lives with her family and dog somewhere in Canada. Her passion for music and the written word has been a lifelong addiction, which explains her love of romance books and '80s rock. Juliana is currently at work on the next book in her League of Guardians series.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon; Original edition (April 24, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062022644
• ISBN-13: 978-0062022646
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.2 x 6.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,006,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Juliana Stone's love of the written word and 80s rock, have inspired her in more ways than one. She writes both paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance and will debut her young adult contemporary in 2014. She spends her days navigating a busy life that includes, a husband, kids, a dog and a cat and lives somewhere in the wilds of Canada.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Overly Angsty April 24, 2012

By Dianne E. Socci-Tetro TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

A Wicked Road to Hell by Juliana Stone *ARC Supplied by Publisher*

As a first novel in a new series, I felt that even though I had never read this author, why would I have any problems---new series right? Wrong. Ms Stone has incorporated many characters from her past books and just expanded on them and gave Ana a Vampire her "own" story. I feel that if you are going to enjoy this novel you must have some understanding of the past ones. I didn't have that understanding of the past so therefore I did not enjoy this book at all.
Another problem I had is the fact that the characters do a lot of inner dialoguing; there is not much conversation between Declan (the main male love interest and a sorcerer) and Ana (female love interest-Vampire) to back up whatever is going on with them. They just think they know what is best for the other. The level of angst they both carry around and the self-recrimination they both had went beyond the pale and into the realm of annoying. I found myself more than one rolling my eyes at these two supposed mature adults.

The fact that this book is filled with all sorts of otherworldly creatures is fascinating. And give the idea that a powerful Demon along with the Seraph, Sorcerers, shape-changers, Vampires etc, could all work together to keep things on an even keel between worlds is a fairly novel one.

If you are not new to this author and have read her other series in which some of these characters have been introduced, and you have no problems with her past works, then this will most likely be a book you love. However, if you are like me and never read anything by Ms Stone, then I would be cautious and make sure you have plenty of patience. As I said, it IS the first in a new series so perhaps other readers will find no problems with this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed everything about the book except Anna August 12, 2012

By AdminDiva

Format:Kindle Edition

The story was interesting and i would have given this 4 stars if it wasnt for Anna. This story hit one of my pet peeves. I like a book where the girl need to be rescued and LOVE bookes with a kick *ss heroine. But a story that the girl is suppose to be kick*ss but needs contant rescuing because she overestimates her skills drives me nuts. I read 4 new books this one , sylvia day A Hunger So Wild: A Renegade Angels Novel christine feehan Samurai Game and maya banks Echoes at Dawn (A KGI Novel). The other three really pointed out how much anna annoyed me. In the first 2 the girls had emotional issues and were vulnerable but when it came time to fight they were an asset. Even echoes at dawn where Grace needs rescuing she still helps and even saves rio by shooting someone. Anna is useless. I think she killed 1 demon without help and that was only because a necro gives her a knife. WhAt moron goes into battle or to hell without weapons?! Declan is constantly trying to leave her behind and she keeps following him saying "he needs me" and he really doesnt. She is beaten by every creature she fights. She couldnt even kill a hellhound without having to beg declan to blast it. Because of her lack of plannimg she almost killed declan and of course has him doing the nasty when he should be completing his mission. And going into the vampire house with no plan of how she would get out just shows another example of her tstl actions in this book. And could she just be an adult and be honest instead of hurting the man shes so attached to. Hey i really like you and if i try to feed from you i dont think i can stop and might kill you. I just couldnt respect her or like her. That being said if that aspect doesnt bother you the story was exciting and i am looking forward to the next book which hopfully will have a better female lead.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved the romance. Already looking forward to book two! April 24, 2012

By Stephanie G

Format:Mass Market Paperback

After enduring months of torture at the hands of the demon Lilith, sorcerer Declan O'Hara was rescued from the bowls of Hell by the powerful and mysterious Seraph Bill. Now a soldier for the Seraphim, Declan is sent on a mission to locate and retrieve a target and if necessary, eliminate his protector. But Declan is in for a shocking surprise when he learns who the target is and that his protector is the woman he loved and thought he lost. Two years ago, Declan watched as vampire Ana DeLacrux was staked. Now she stands before him, a servant like himself, looking as fierce and sexy as ever.

No time in her centuries of existence has Ana ever craved anyone like she does Declan. He stirs feelings inside of her, ones that are forbidden by vampire law. When Declan learns Ana's charge is just the beginning of what could tip the power scales of good and evil, he will be forced to take a trip back into Hell and Ana plans to be along for the ride whether he likes it or not.

Declan is a big reason I decided to read this series. He was great as a supporting character in the Jaguar series and I think he's even better now that he's taken on the lead role. He had an evil father and spent months in Hell where Lilith took a special liking to him but he manages to hold it all together with an admirable strength. He has plenty of attitude and power that will have most people thinking twice before taking him on. As a lover of alpha characters, I'm a fan of his macho side and I liked that he could also be sweet (his sweet leans more towards the naughty side) and caring when it came to Ana. There hasn't been a good opportunity for these two to be together but after seeing Ana again after thinking she was dead for 2 years, he's decided to make it happen no matter what.

Physically, Ana may not look like the most intimidating person but she was easily able to hold her own in the military like group she and Declan were both part of in the Jaguar books. She's spent years ignoring what could be between her and Declan and now that he's back in her life, she's worried about where their relationship will lead. I never really invested much in her character before starting this book and I was pleasantly surprised by the end. She shows more emotions then she ever has before when it came to her charge, a teenager named Kaden, and Declan. Although, she did do the 'I'm going to protect you by being cold and distant so you'll go away even though I actually love you' routine that after a while drove me crazy.

The romance between them was really hot and it gave us a chance to get to know each character better. All their secrets are revealed and everything is eventually out in the open for the other to see. Under their hard exteriors, there's a vulnerability to both of them that I think added intensity to their relationship and love making that took everything to another level. Whether they're battling demons or heating things up between the sheets, Declan and Ana make for a really solid couple.

Declan and Ana meet up again after so long because of the boy Kaden she is protecting. He's just part of a small group that holds the power to be a tool for good or evil and everyone is out to get them. There's kind of a mystery surrounding these select individuals and I look forward to learning more about who they are and what they're capable of doing. Also in this book, we're introduced to the League of Guardians, an unlikely group of supernatural beings that keep the balance of power between good and evil. This was a very impressive bunch and I can already think of a few I'd like to see get their own book.

Juliana Stone writes some wickedly awesome paranormal romance and I think she outdid herself with Wicked Road To Hell. So many times I've waited for a destined couple to finally have their book, only to be disappointed but I was very satisfied with how Declan and Ana's story was told. The plot was interesting and just enough was given about the League to wet my appetite and keep me satisfied while I wait for book two. Keep in mind, this is a spin-off series so already developed characters and relationships exist. There is recapping so a newcomer wouldn't be completely lost but I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if I didn't read the Jaguar Warriors series first.