Review: Edge of Darkness - Lara Adrian

New York Times bestselling author Lara Adrian is back with Edge of Darkness, the latest sizzling, spellbinding novel in the Hunter Legacy series of vampire romances set in the darkly seductive Midnight Breed paranormal story world.

As a survivor of the horrific Hunter program, Breed vampire and former assassin Knox is a solitary man, closed off to the pain of love—and loss. A loner by choice, Knox deals in death and dark justice, expecting nothing in return. Until one snowy night he drifts into a remote town in northern Maine, where a determined beauty enlists his lethal assistance, tempting not only his hunger, but his wounded heart as well.

Lenora Calhoun has lived in tiny Parrish Falls all her life. Owner of the local diner that’s been in her family for generations, Leni’s as stalwart and stubborn as the tall pines that surround her. That unshakable resolve doesn’t sit well with everyone, least of all the most powerful family in the logging town. Leni’s been the target of their animosity for years, but with their escalating threats now putting an innocent child’s safety at risk, she takes a desperate chance on a dangerous stranger—a man who is something more than human. Knox’s deadly skills and turbulent gaze should be warning enough for Leni to guard her heart, yet she cannot deny the yearning he stirs in her blood. For the merciless Breed male is the only man she can trust in a town full of secrets, and where taking a stand could rip away everything she holds dear.

While this novel is Book 3 in the Hunter Legacy series, each story in this Midnight Breed spin-off series can be read as a complete standalone with HEA and no cliffhangers.

The Midnight Breed Series:
A Touch of Midnight (Novella included in The Midnight Breed Series Companion, now also available separately)
Kiss of Midnight
Kiss of Crimson
Midnight Awakening
Midnight Rising
Veil of Midnight
Ashes of Midnight
Shades of Midnight
Taken by Midnight
Deeper than Midnight
A Taste of Midnight (Novella)
Darker After Midnight
The Midnight Breed Series Companion
Edge of Dawn
Marked by Midnight (Novella)
Crave the Night
Tempted by Midnight (Novella)
Bound to Darkness
Stroke of Midnight (Novella)
Defy the Dawn
Midnight Untamed (Novella)
Midnight Unbound (Novella)
Midnight Unleashed (Novella)
Claimed in Shadows
Break the Day

Hunter Legacy Series:
(A series of standalone romances set in the Midnight Breed world)
Born of Darkness
Hour of Darkness
Edge of Darkness

Visit Lara Adrian's website for more information about the Midnight Breed series you will find excerpts from each of the books. Lara can also be found on Facebook & Twitter where she posts regular updates or you can join other fans to chat about the books over at the LAMB (Lara Adrian Midnight Breed) Forum

Review:
Edge of Darkness is the third book in Lara Adrian's Hunter Legacy series and although it's a spin off from the Midnight Breed series (and fans of that series will appreciate the cameo appearances from a few familiar faces) these books have all been designed to work as stand alone stories that can be read in any order. They each focus on a different couple and I'm really enjoying seeing some of the lethal Gen One Hunters from Dragos's awful breeding program finally find their own happily ever afters.

Knox has loved and lost once before and in his grief he walked away from his brothers and the only people he cared about. He's spent months living a solitary existence travelling across the country trying to run away from his pain. While he goes out of his way to keep to himself and avoid getting involved that doesn't stop him from standing up for people around him and when he sees Leni being bullied he immediately steps up to her defence.

Leni has spent her life living in a small town in the middle of nowhere and she's been raising her young nephew Riley ever since her sister disappeared 6 years ago. She will do whatever it takes to keep Riley safe and if that means going up against the most powerful family in town then that's what she'll have to do. She's secretly living in fear though, worrying about how she'll keep custody of the boy when his father is released from prison. When she recognises that Knox is one of the Hunters she turns to him for help but as the attraction flares between them the price may include her heart.

This was another fabulous instalment of the series, Leni and Knox had fantastic chemistry, the romance is slow build but well worth waiting for, Riley was adorable plus there's a ton of action and danger that kept me on the edge of my seat. Throw in a couple of familiar faces from the Midnight Breed series and a fight against a dangerous criminal gang defended by corrupt police officers and you have another unmissable read from Lara Adrian. I honestly can't get enough of these books and I'm already eagerly anticipating the release of the next one!

Source: I received an ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
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Review: Break the Day - Lara Adrian

Lara Adrian's New York Times and #1 international bestselling Midnight Breed vampire romance series continues with Break the Day, an adrenaline-laced, passionate new novel of paranormal adventure.

After a shocking betrayal nearly killed him and the people he cares about the most, what Breed warrior Rafe wants more than anything is revenge against the insidious brotherhood called Opus Nostrum. But to achieve that goal, he must turn his back on the Order and infiltrate a dangerous gang with ties to Opus. Risking everything to redeem himself and carry out his deep-cover mission, Rafe will let nothing stand in his way--least of all his desire for one of the loyalists he should despise, a mysterious, dark-haired beauty named Devony Winters.

But Devony has secrets of her own to protect, as well as a personal duty she will do anything to fulfill. And as a daywalker passing herself off as human to the gang she's been embedded with for months, the last thing she needs is a dangerous former member of the Order unraveling all her hard work. Her plans depend on keeping Rafe at arm's length, but if she surrenders to the dark need he stirs within her, it will be her heart that pays the ultimate price.

The Midnight Breed Series:
A Touch of Midnight (Novella included in The Midnight Breed Series Companion, now also available separately)
Kiss of Midnight
Kiss of Crimson
Midnight Awakening
Midnight Rising
Veil of Midnight
Ashes of Midnight
Shades of Midnight
Taken by Midnight
Deeper than Midnight
A Taste of Midnight (Novella)
Darker After Midnight
The Midnight Breed Series Companion
Edge of Dawn
Marked by Midnight (Novella)
Crave the Night
Tempted by Midnight (Novella)
Bound to Darkness
Stroke of Midnight (Novella)
Defy the Dawn
Midnight Untamed (Novella)
Midnight Unbound (Novella)
Midnight Unleashed (Novella)
Claimed in Shadows
Break the Day

Hunter Legacy Series:
(A series of standalone romances set in the Midnight Breed world)
Born of Darkness
Hour of Darkness
Edge of Darkness

Visit Lara Adrian's website for more information about the Midnight Breed series you will find excerpts from each of the books. Lara can also be found on Facebook & Twitter where she posts regular updates or you can join other fans to chat about the books over at the LAMB (Lara Adrian Midnight Breed) Forum

Review:
I was so excited when I found out this was Rafe's book. I love his parents (Tess and Dante from book 2 in the series, Kiss of Crimson) and I've liked what we've seen of his character in the last few books so I was curious to meet the woman who would steal his heart. Rafe is still reeling from the betrayal he suffered in the previous book and it's made him more determined than ever to help the Order bring down the Opus Nostrum terrorist group. So much that he's agreed to go undercover and he's even let his entire team believe that he was kicked out of the order and has gone over to the dark side to do it. Rafe's task is to infiltrate a group of criminals that the Order believe has ties to Opus and to try and get more information.

Rafe immediately suspects there is something off about one of the gang's members. Devony just doesn't quite fit the profile and that has nothing to do with how attractive he finds her. Devony actually has her own reasons for infiltrating the gang, she lost everything in the London attacks organised by Opus and she's going to do whatever it takes to avenge her family and stop the terrorists from destroying more lives. When secrets are revealed the two agree to work together but Rafe is still holding back and it could end up costing him everything.

Break the Day was another fab instalment in this series, lots of action and some progress made against Opus Nostrum but more than anything I loved the steamy romance between Rafe and Devony. I also really like that we now have female breed members too and I love that Devony is a Daywalker like Caris and Aric. Devony never had any formal training so it was a little hard to believe she'd managed to infiltrate the criminal group but she did have a lot of her father's old notes and she's obviously really smart so I was able to push that to one side easily. I enjoyed seeing her work together alongside Rafe and I think she's going to be quite an asset to the Order in the future. The fight is definitely hotting up and I'm looking forward to seeing Opus Nostrum destroyed once and for all.

Source: I received an ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review

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If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: Hour of Darkness - Lara Adrian

New York Times bestselling author Lara Adrian returns with a pulse-pounding new novel in the thrilling Hunter Legacy series of vampire romances set in the darkly seductive Midnight Breed paranormal story world.

Born and raised as an assassin in the notorious Hunter program, Breed vampire Cain has since put his specialized skills to use as a mercenary willing to clean up any problem for a price. Or so he thought. After a job in Las Vegas strains even his dubious code of honor, Cain pulls up stakes and lands in Miami for a much-needed break. All he wants is time away to clear his head and regroup, but then a beautiful young woman is nearly killed in front of his eyes and the ruthless former Hunter becomes the only thing standing between her and a sniper’s bullet.

Marina Moretskova is no stranger to dangerous men. As the niece of a Russian organized crime boss, she’s grown up around killers and criminals. But her uncle wants out now, and he’s enlisted Marina’s help in buying his freedom by delivering valuable intel to a secret contact in exchange for protection. Not even Marina’s bodyguards are aware of her mission, so when an attempt on her life is averted by a handsome, steely-eyed vampire, as grateful as she is for Cain’s intervention, the last thing she needs is the shrewd Breed male nosing around for answers. Cain’s cold, haunted gaze and merciless abilities attest to his brutal nature, yet the rough, solitary Hunter stirs a powerful longing in Marina—a darkly seductive hunger she can neither afford nor resist. With a target on her back and covert enemies closing in from all sides, trust is a risk that can prove deadly . . . and the safest shelter she may find is in the arms of the most lethal man she’ll ever know.

The Midnight Breed Series:
A Touch of Midnight (Novella included in The Midnight Breed Series Companion, now also available separately)
Kiss of Midnight
Kiss of Crimson
Midnight Awakening
Midnight Rising
Veil of Midnight
Ashes of Midnight
Shades of Midnight
Taken by Midnight
Deeper than Midnight
A Taste of Midnight (Novella)
Darker After Midnight
The Midnight Breed Series Companion
Edge of Dawn
Marked by Midnight (Novella)
Crave the Night
Tempted by Midnight (Novella)
Bound to Darkness
Stroke of Midnight (Novella)
Defy the Dawn
Midnight Untamed (Novella)
Midnight Unbound (Novella)
Midnight Unleashed (Novella)
Claimed in Shadows
Break the Day

Hunter Legacy Series:
(A series of standalone romances set in the Midnight Breed world)
Born of Darkness
Hour of Darkness
Edge of Darkness

Visit Lara Adrian's website for more information about the Midnight Breed series you will find excerpts from each of the books. Lara can also be found on Facebook & Twitter where she posts regular updates or you can join other fans to chat about the books over at the LAMB (Lara Adrian Midnight Breed) Forum

Review:
Hour of Darkness is the second book in Lara Adrian's Hunter Legacy series but these books have all specifically been written to work as standalone stories so you can read them in any order. If you did read Born of Darkness then you'll recognise Caine as the Breed Hunter who was working in the casino and who had made more than a few questionable choices before he came through and helped Asher and Naomi in the end. He's the only character we've met previously though and through him we get to meet a whole new group of Gen One Breed males who survived the Hunter program.

Caine has been living in Miami since leaving Las Vegas trying to decide what direction he wants his life to take now, he's not happy with the things he did for money recently and is trying to clear his head. He gets pulled into Marina's orbit when she is nearly assassinated right in front of him. Caine can't just sit back and watch her die but when he realises she's a Breedmate he knows he has to help her find safety.

Marina's uncle is part of the Russian mafia but she has finally convinced him to change his ways and leave the criminal underworld behind him. She has travelled to America to bring valuable information to his contact and help buy their freedom. Unfortunately for her someone seems determined to stop her mission, and they don't care if murdering her is the only way to do it. Caine is the only person she can trust to help keep her safe but she's determined to do what she came to do and meet with her uncle's contact.

I'm really enjoying the Hunter Legacy series, so far it's been great getting to meet some of the Hunters who were raised in a lab by a madman and I loved meeting Caine and the brothers who he is closest to. There is a small group of them who created a home and a family and although Caine has kept himself apart from them for the last few years they welcomed him back with open arms and made space for Marina in their little family. It kind of reminded me of the very early days of the Midnight Breed series when most of the members of the Order hadn't paired off yet and I'm really hoping that all of these characters are going to get books soon! The romance was just what I look for in a Lara Adrian book, Caine was tough as nails on the outside with a warm gooey centre, Marina was strong, confident and knew exactly what she wanted, they had brilliant chemistry from the beginning but their romance took time to develop and there was plenty of action too. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Source: I received an ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: Born of Darkness - Lara Adrian

New York Times bestselling author Lara Adrian introduces the first novel in a thrilling new vampire romance series set in the darkly seductive Midnight Breed paranormal story world.

As a former assassin in the Hunter program, Asher is one of a small group of Gen One Breed vampires who survived the horrors of a madman’s laboratory and the cruelty of the training that made him one of the most lethal beings in existence. Now, twenty years after his escape from those hellish origins, Asher is a loner whose heart is as cold as his skills are merciless. But when he thwarts a killing under way in the middle of the desert outside Las Vegas, Asher meets a beautiful woman who draws him into a deadly game against powerful enemies—one that will test both his skills and his tarnished honor.

Naomi Fallon is used to getting out of dicey situations. Orphaned as a child after her mother’s murder, she didn’t survive twenty-six years on the street without using up most of her nine lives. But when her latest caper lands her in the Mojave against a Vegas gangster’s henchman, she’s certain her number is up. Then he appears—immense, brutal, and far from human. Naomi’s never needed anyone’s help, least of all one of the Breed. But after one risk too many, only a man with Asher’s skills can keep her safe. Yet the solitary, seductively handsome vampire has enemies of his own, and a secret that will not only shatter her faith in him but her heart, proving what she’s feared all along—that trust is only an illusion and love may be the sharpest weapon of all.

The Midnight Breed Series:
A Touch of Midnight (Novella included in The Midnight Breed Series Companion, now also available separately)
Kiss of Midnight
Kiss of Crimson
Midnight Awakening
Midnight Rising
Veil of Midnight
Ashes of Midnight
Shades of Midnight
Taken by Midnight
Deeper than Midnight
A Taste of Midnight (Novella)
Darker After Midnight
The Midnight Breed Series Companion
Edge of Dawn
Marked by Midnight (Novella)
Crave the Night
Tempted by Midnight (Novella)
Bound to Darkness
Stroke of Midnight (Novella)
Defy the Dawn
Midnight Untamed (Novella)
Midnight Unbound (Novella)
Midnight Unleashed (Novella)
Claimed in Shadows
Break the Day

Hunter Legacy Series:
(A series of standalone romances set in the Midnight Breed world)
Born of Darkness
Hour of Darkness
Edge of Darkness

Visit Lara Adrian's website for more information about the Midnight Breed series you will find excerpts from each of the books. Lara can also be found on Facebook & Twitter where she posts regular updates or you can join other fans to chat about the books over at the LAMB (Lara Adrian Midnight Breed) Forum

Review:
Born of Darkness is the first book in Lara Adrian's new Hunter Legacy series, a spin of set in the same world as her bestselling Midnight Breed books. Each of these stories are going to be standalone paranormal romances so you don't have to be familiar with the original series to enjoy them but longtime fans will appreciate the chance to spend more time in this world and to find out what happened to the many Gen One Breed Hunters bred and trained by Dragos.

It's been 20 years since Asher escaped from his hellish upbringing in the labs and he prefers to live a pretty solitary existence in an isolated home in the middle of the desert. He's never really forgiven himself for the things he was forced to do as a child and he's barely kept in contact with any of his siblings. Naomi lost her family when she was only a child, her mother was murdered and her time in the system ended with her living on the streets fending for herself. She does whatever it takes to survive and help protect the other children she cares about but her latest scheme has left her in more danger than ever before. When Asher comes to her rescue he plans to just drop her at the nearest hospital and be done with her but when he realises she is a Breedmate he is honour bound to protect her until the danger has passed.

This was the perfect blend of romance, action and suspense and a brilliant start to a new series. Both main characters were great they may have had difficult backgrounds but with work they were able to turn their lives around. Asher is a loner who is wary of letting anyone get close because he worries they'll blame him for his past but Naomi is open and warmhearted and does everything she can to help others who are in a similar situation to her. It takes a while for Asher to open up but inside he's just as protective as Naomi and he has brilliant instincts. They're both strong characters who refuse to back down so there are plenty of fireworks between them but I think that just made their romance even more passionate.

I love the Midnight Breed world so it was a joy to dive into this story even though we don't actually see any characters from the main series. I'm looking forward to getting to know more of the Hunters and I hope we'll see more of Asher and Naomi again too, I'd like to see him rebuild his relationship with his brothers a little and I think Naomi is the perfect person to help him do that. I have a feeling we've already met at least one half of the next couple and I'm definitely looking forward to their story too.

Source: I received an ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: Claimed in Shadows - Lara Adrian

In this pulse-pounding new Midnight Breed vampire romance novel from New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Lara Adrian, passion explodes between a daywalking member of the Order and a fiery female warrior whose shadowy past will test the bonds of both duty and desire.

As the son of a formidable Breed warrior, Aric Chase has been devoted to the Order all his life. With his training completed, all he needs is one successful mission before he can join the fight to destroy the Order’s chief nemesis, Opus Nostrum. His rare ability to daywalk lands Aric an assignment in Montreal, where he learns he’s to be teamed with another new recruit, a beautiful, but tough-as-nails Breedmate named Kaya Laurent.

Independent and driven, Kaya wants nothing more than to become a full-fledged member of the Order. Having grown up in squalor and neglect on the streets of Montreal, she longs for the close-knit family she’s found during her training to be a warrior. Eager to prove herself, she is thrilled to be given the chance at a key operation—even if she must share the mission with an arrogant, far-too-seductive Breed male who’s practically Order royalty.

Their unwanted partnership soon erupts into a desire neither of them can resist. But when Kaya’s past reaches out from the shadows to call her back, she must decide between protecting a dark alliance that could shatter her dreams of joining the team and a truth that could not only forfeit Aric’s faith in her, but bring the enemy right to the Order’s door.

The Midnight Breed Series:
A Touch of Midnight (Novella included in The Midnight Breed Series Companion, now also available separately)
Kiss of Midnight
Kiss of Crimson
Midnight Awakening
Midnight Rising
Veil of Midnight
Ashes of Midnight
Shades of Midnight
Taken by Midnight
Deeper than Midnight
A Taste of Midnight (Novella)
Darker After Midnight
The Midnight Breed Series Companion
Edge of Dawn
Marked by Midnight (Novella)
Crave the Night
Tempted by Midnight (Novella)
Bound to Darkness
Stroke of Midnight (Novella)
Defy the Dawn
Midnight Untamed (Novella)
Midnight Unbound (Novella)
Midnight Unleashed (Novella)
Claimed in Shadows
Break the Day

Hunter Legacy Series:
(A series of standalone romances set in the Midnight Breed world)
Born of Darkness
Hour of Darkness
Edge of Darkness

Visit Lara Adrian's website for more information about the Midnight Breed series you will find excerpts from each of the books. Lara can also be found on Facebook & Twitter where she posts regular updates or you can join other fans to chat about the books over at the LAMB (Lara Adrian Midnight Breed) Forum

Review:
I'm a huge fan of the Midnight Breed, it's been my favourite PNR series for a long time now and in my opinion Lara Adrian's books just keep getting better and better. The last few novellas have been great but they were about some of the European Order members so this is our first chance to catch up with the core order members in a while. I hadn't actually realised how much I missed them until I started reading this but it was absolutely wonderful to see so many old familiar faces and I'm loving getting to know the next generation too.

The Order has been trying to put a stop to Opus Nostrum for a while now, this terror group wants to wipe the Breed off the face of the planet and now that they have access to UV weapons they're an even more dangerous enemy. Every lead the Order get seems to reach a dead end and Opus Nostrum are always one step ahead so they really need to work fast to get information from their latest suspect. Aric is Sterling and Tavia's son and twin to Carys, his rare daywalker abilities make him the ideal Order member to go undercover at a high class wedding where they might have a chance to interrogate their mark. He has been teamed up with Kaya, a breedmate who has worked hard to prove herself a valuable asset to the Order. Both Aric and Kaya are desperate to become fully fledged members and this assignment is the perfect time to show off their skills. Kaya's unique breedmate ability to read people's mind with a touch, combined with Aric's ability to wipe memories should make it easy to get information on Opus Nostrum without tipping their hand but field jobs hardly ever go exactly as planned and if things go wrong they'll be on their own.

Kaya was such an easy character to like, she has worked so hard to prove herself to the Order and although she's no match for a member of the Breed in physical strength she holds her own pretty well and brings her own set of skills to the party. Kaya had a difficult upbringing and there are things about her past that she's incredibly ashamed of so she's keeping some pretty big secrets because she's terrified of being kicked out if the Order learns the truth. She would never do anything to hurt the Order, they've become the family she always dreamed of, but when you've been hiding something for so long it just gets harder and harder to come clean.

Aric initially comes across as a little self centred and arrogant but once you get to know him you realise he's not a bad guy. His parents have always given him and his sister everything they could ever want but they both had to earn their place in the Order - there are no free rides given no matter who your parents are. In fact, having such important family members have only made him feel like he has even more to prove to live up to their reputation. He is drawn to Kaya immediately but they're both reluctant to start any kind of official relationship, partly because he doesn't plant to stay in Montreal for very long but also because Kaya knows her secrets will come out eventually and she doesn't want to lie to to him. What starts as a fairly antagonistic relationship soon grows into mutual respect and that allows them both to give in to the simmering attraction that was there all along. I loved their romance and found it very easy to root for them as a couple.

We also get the chance to catch up with some of the original couples, Nikolai and Renata are in charge of the Montreal chapter of the Order and they have some exciting things going on in their lives so we see a fair amount of them both along with their adopted daughter Mira and her mate Kellan, but we also get a glimpse of Lucan, Gabrielle, Rio, Dylan, Chase, Tavia, and some of the others. I loved getting to know Rafe (Tess and Dante's son) and really hope we get a book for him but I don't think he's going to be ready for a relationship just yet so we might have to wait a while. This series is just getting better and better, the fight against Opus Nostrum is heating up, the danger to the Breed is increasing and the Order's task to protect Breed and humans alike is just getting more complicated. I love where Lara Adrian is taking these books and and can't wait to get my hands on the next instalment!

Source: I received an ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: Midnight Unleashed - Lara Adrian

Return to New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Lara Adrian’s “addictively readable” (Chicago Tribune) Midnight Breed vampire romance series with a pulse-pounding novella of paranormal seduction and dangerous thrills, where an icy immortal beauty and a lethal Gen One Hunter must confront a powerful enemy while struggling to deny the irresistible calling of their blood.

The Midnight Breed Series:
A Touch of Midnight (Novella included in The Midnight Breed Series Companion, now also available separately)
Kiss of Midnight
Kiss of Crimson
Midnight Awakening
Midnight Rising
Veil of Midnight
Ashes of Midnight
Shades of Midnight
Taken by Midnight
Deeper than Midnight
A Taste of Midnight (Novella)
Darker After Midnight
The Midnight Breed Series Companion
Edge of Dawn
Marked by Midnight (Novella)
Crave the Night
Tempted by Midnight (Novella)
Bound to Darkness
Stroke of Midnight (Novella)
Defy the Dawn
Midnight Untamed (Novella)
Midnight Unbound (Novella)
Midnight Unleashed (Novella)
Claimed in Shadows
Break the Day

Hunter Legacy Series:
(A series of standalone romances set in the Midnight Breed world)
Born of Darkness
Hour of Darkness
Edge of Darkness

Visit Lara Adrian's website for more information about the Midnight Breed series you will find excerpts from each of the books. Lara can also be found on Facebook & Twitter where she posts regular updates or you can join other fans to chat about the books over at the LAMB (Lara Adrian Midnight Breed) Forum

Review:
I love the Midnight Breed series, I've been reading these books for so many years that getting a new instalment is always like going to visit with old friends, there's just something comforting about diving back into a world I'm so familiar with! I've really been enjoying these novellas surrounding the Order's Italian team so I was really pleased to finally get my hands on Trigg's story.

Trigg is one of the First Gen Hunters born and raised in Dragos' labs, he was trained from childhood to be a ruthless killer and to follow orders without question. The order saved him when they managed to release all of the Hunters when Trigg was just fourteen years old but that wasn't the end of his tortured past, I'm not going to say any more than that but you'll find out more about his tragic backstory in the novella. When Trigg was finally able to choose his own path he joined the Order willingly and he's spent years protecting both humans and breed alike from anyone who is trying to cause discord between the two races.

Sia is a full blooded Atlantean who was exiled from her home due to a tragic series of circumstances, she never meant to hurt her friends and family but putting her trust in the wrong person got someone she cared about killed and she hasn't been able to forgive herself for that. She can't make amends on Atlantis so she's focused all her energies on helping human women and children at a refuge and she's slowly building a new life for herself. Sia's paths cross with Trigg when a woman under her care is murdered by a member of the breed, Sia is determined to find out why the woman was killed and it looks like Trigg is the only one who might have the answers she needs.

This is a novella so you have to go in expecting the romance to happen quite quickly but I think Lara Adrian does a great job of bringing these two characters together in a believable way. They both have darkness in their pasts and that puts a few obstacles in their way but their romance is quite a sweet one once they both give into what they are feeling for each other. There is plenty of action in here too so I flew through this story, we catch glimpses of a few other members of the Italian branch of the Order which is always nice but I'm really looking forward to getting back to Boston in the next full length novel too. Another great instalment to one of my favourite series!

Source: I received an ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: Midnight Unbound - Lara Adrian

A lethal Breed warrior is called upon by his brethren in the Order to bodyguard a beautiful young widow he’s craved from afar, in this new novella in the "steamy and intense" (Publishers Weekly) Midnight Breed vampire romance series from New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Lara Adrian.

As a former Hunter bred to be a killing machine in the hell of Dragos's lab, Scythe is a dangerous loner whose heart has been steeled by decades of torment and violence. He has no room in his world for love or desire--especially when it comes in the form of a vulnerable, yet courageous, Breedmate in need of protection. Scythe has loved--and lost--once before, and paid a hefty price for the weakness of his emotions. He's not about to put himself in those chains again, no matter how deeply he hungers for lovely Chiara.

For Chiara Genova, a widow and mother with a young Breed son, the last thing she needs is to put her fate and that of her child in the hands of a lethal male like Scythe. But when she's targeted by a hidden enemy, the obsidian-eyed assassin is her best hope for survival . . . even at the risk of her heart.

The Midnight Breed Series:
A Touch of Midnight (Novella included in The Midnight Breed Series Companion, now also available separately)
Kiss of Midnight
Kiss of Crimson
Midnight Awakening
Midnight Rising
Veil of Midnight
Ashes of Midnight
Shades of Midnight
Taken by Midnight
Deeper than Midnight
A Taste of Midnight (Novella)
Darker After Midnight
The Midnight Breed Series Companion
Edge of Dawn
Marked by Midnight (Novella)
Crave the Night
Tempted by Midnight (Novella)
Bound to Darkness
Stroke of Midnight (Novella)
Defy the Dawn
Midnight Untamed (Novella)
Midnight Unbound (Novella)
Midnight Unleashed (Novella)
Claimed in Shadows
Break the Day

Hunter Legacy Series:
(A series of standalone romances set in the Midnight Breed world)
Born of Darkness
Hour of Darkness
Edge of Darkness

Visit Lara Adrian's website for more information about the Midnight Breed series you will find excerpts from each of the books. Lara can also be found on Facebook & Twitter where she posts regular updates or you can join other fans to chat about the books over at the LAMB (Lara Adrian Midnight Breed) Forum

Review:
I have been looking forward to Scythe and Chiara's story ever since we met them both in Midnight Untamed and Lara Adrian didn't disappoint. The Order are currently busy dealing with a Rogue issue so when Chiara is attacked in her own home they turn to Scythe and ask him to protect her. Scythe is a Gen One Hunter, raised in Dragos' labs he is a lethal killing machine and his unique skill at detecting danger make him a perfect bodyguard but he's used to living alone and isn't keen on spending time with a young breedmate, especially one he hasn't been able to stop thinking about since they first met several weeks ago.

Like all the Hunters Scythe has a pretty heartbreaking backstory, no-one who was raised in those labs came out without both mental and physical scarring but it was an event that happened after his escape that left him most emotionally damaged. I don't want to talk about what that event was but it left Scythe feeling completely unworthy and pretty terrified of having someone under his protection, he doesn't feel worthy of Chiara and he's worried that he will let her down when she needs him the most.

We already know a bit of Chiara's backstory from the previous story, she is a widow with a young son and has pretty much had to rely on herself for the last three years. Her husband was utterly useless and ended up getting both Chiara and her sister-in-law into a lot of trouble, thanks to the Order and Scythe Chiara should now be free to live her own life but now a stalker has put her in danger again. Chiara is determined to deal with this latest threat so that she and her young son Pietro can live their lives without fear but she needs Scythe's help.

I thought Scythe and Chiara were incredibly sweet together, he's so damaged and convinced he doesn't deserve love but Chiara sees the man inside and she won't let him walk away from her. She has had one useless mate and she's not about to let the one man who makes her feel safe and loved walk away from her. Add in little Pietro, who is utterly adorable, and there are some really heart melting moments here, especially in that epilogue.

I love the Midnight Breed novellas, they usually take a step away from the core characters of the series and I enjoy spending time with the Order's Italian team. They don't focus as much on the series story arc so work well as stand alone stories (although fans of the series will enjoy seeing a few familiar faces) and they're more tightly focused on the romance which is nice. There is still plenty of action as Scythe and Chiara try to figure out who her stalker is and what he wants with her but we also get plenty of focus on getting to know the characters so even though the romance plays out fairly quickly it never feels rushed. I'm incredibly excited that we're going to get Trygg's story later on this year but we also have Aric Chase's full length book coming this summer which I just know is going to be fantastic. This series is still going strong and I'm looking forward to many more books set in this world!

Source: I received an ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Midnight Untamed - Lara Adrian

The mission was supposed to be simple. Infiltrate an enemy’s stronghold outside Rome and eliminate its leader. For a Breed warrior as lethal as Ettore Selvaggio, AKA “Savage”, stealth assassinations are only one of his many cold-hearted specialties. But the last thing Savage expects to find behind enemy lines—in his target’s bed—is a woman he once adored.

It’s been years since Savage last saw beautiful Arabella Genova. Years he’s strived to banish to his past, along with the fierce desire he once felt toward Bella . . . and the irresistible calling of her blood that stirs in him even now, despite the fact that she belongs to another male.

But when fate throws Savage and Bella together again in a race for their lives, will his long-lost love prove to be the one woman he can’t live without, or the perfect weapon to destroy him?

The Midnight Breed Series:
A Touch of Midnight (Novella included in The Midnight Breed Series Companion, now also available separately)
Kiss of Midnight
Kiss of Crimson
Midnight Awakening
Midnight Rising
Veil of Midnight
Ashes of Midnight
Shades of Midnight
Taken by Midnight
Deeper than Midnight
A Taste of Midnight (Novella)
Darker After Midnight
The Midnight Breed Series Companion
Edge of Dawn
Marked by Midnight (Novella)
Crave the Night
Tempted by Midnight (Novella)
Bound to Darkness
Stroke of Midnight (Novella)
Defy the Dawn
Midnight Untamed (Novella)
Midnight Unbound (Novella)
Midnight Unleashed (Novella)
Claimed in Shadows
Break the Day

Hunter Legacy Series:
(A series of standalone romances set in the Midnight Breed world)
Born of Darkness
Hour of Darkness
Edge of Darkness

Visit Lara Adrian's website for more information about the Midnight Breed series you will find excerpts from each of the books. Lara can also be found on Facebook & Twitter where she posts regular updates or you can join other fans to chat about the books over at the LAMB (Lara Adrian Midnight Breed) Forum

Review:
With the help of Vito Massioni Opus Nostrum have been spreading their reach out across Europe and they're now starting to import larger quantities of the dangerous new drug, Red Dragon. Just one hit of the drug turns members of the Breed into blood-addicted Rogues who are completely unable to control their appetites and we've all seen how that usually ends in a very public bloodbath. Lazaro Archer's team has been tasked with eliminating Massioni and the key members of his gang and Ettore "Savage" Selvaggio is on a solo mission to blow up his mansion in the middle of a large gang meeting.

Savage is all set to complete his task when he spots a familiar face inside the building, a blast from the past and the one woman he's never quite been able to get over. He has no idea how Arabella could be involved with Massioni but there's no way he's going to let her get hurt, even if it means going against the order and failing at his mission. Arabella had her heart broken when Savage left her ten years ago, she never understood why he walked away and her life has gone downhill fast since he did thanks to her gambolling addict brother. She's in an impossible situation and hasn't been able to find a way out but perhaps with Savage's help she might be able to fight her way to freedom.

I love the Midnight Breed novellas, obviously the romances move much faster than in the full length books but they're just perfect for when you're in the mood for a fast, fun read that you can finish in one sitting. Lara Adrian always does a brilliant job of making the romances believable even when she's working to a relatively small page count and Midnight Untamed is no exception. I love second chance romances and getting to know about Savage and Arabella's background helps to make the speed they reconnect at much more believable. They have unfinished business and it's very quickly obvious that the attraction the felt 10 years ago has only grown stronger while they were apart.

I liked that the story continued the Opus Nostrum story line from the main books in the series, it meant we got a nice amount of action without needing too much new background information. I'm also enjoying getting to see more of the Rome based members of the order and hope we're going to get a story about Trygg soon. What I REALLY want is more about Scythe though, his character is introduced here and I can't wait to learn more about what happened to him in the past and meet the rest of his brothers!

Source: I received an ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review but I also purchased a print copy for my favourites shelf!

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Review: Defy the Dawn - Lara Adrian

Daywalker Brynne Kirkland survived a hellish upbringing as a product of a madman's lab. Tough, driven, and devoted to her work in law enforcement, Brynne has never dared to risk opening her heart to anyone - least of all a handsome immortal from a world on the verge of war against hers.

Atlantean warrior Zael left the intrigue of his realm several lifetimes ago, along with the battles he fought as one of the queen's legion. As a free-spirited loner walking the fringe of two worlds - that of his secretive and powerful people, and the outside world belonging to mankind and the Breed - it was never his intention to return to combat and bloodshed. Nor had he imagined that he might ever be tempted into anything stronger than desire . . . until he meets Brynne.

Thrust together as allies of the Order in the fight against a diabolical enemy, Zael and Brynne embark on a mission that will ultimately force them to decide between duty to their people, and a passion that defies all bounds.

The Midnight Breed Series:
A Touch of Midnight (Novella included in The Midnight Breed Series Companion, now also available separately)
Kiss of Midnight
Kiss of Crimson
Midnight Awakening
Midnight Rising
Veil of Midnight
Ashes of Midnight
Shades of Midnight
Taken by Midnight
Deeper than Midnight
A Taste of Midnight (Novella)
Darker After Midnight
The Midnight Breed Series Companion
Edge of Dawn
Marked by Midnight (Novella)
Crave the Night
Tempted by Midnight (Novella)
Bound to Darkness
Stroke of Midnight (Novella)
Defy the Dawn
Midnight Untamed (Novella)
Midnight Unbound (Novella)
Midnight Unleashed (Novella)
Claimed in Shadows
Break the Day

Hunter Legacy Series:
(A series of standalone romances set in the Midnight Breed world)
Born of Darkness
Hour of Darkness
Edge of Darkness

Visit Lara Adrian's website for more information about the Midnight Breed series you will find excerpts from each of the books. Lara can also be found on Facebook & Twitter where she posts regular updates or you can join other fans to chat about the books over at the LAMB (Lara Adrian Midnight Breed) Forum

Review:
There aren't many authors who can keep a series fresh and exciting for 14 books (and 6 novellas!) but Lara Adrian is one of them and I'm loving the Midnight Breed series more than ever. The series is constantly evolving and the world building has expanded so much in the last few books since the human population have been made aware of the Breed's existence. They aren't the only ancient race though and it looks like the queen of the Atlanteans is also planning on making a comeback so things are about to get even more interesting.

Zael is a warrior who left the Atlantean realm centuries ago, he knows his queen has started to lose herself to madness and he has worked hard to help the colony of escaped Atlanteans remain hidden from the queen's guard as well as from the Breed and humanity. For centuries the Atlanteans fought the Ancient beings that were the forefathers of the Breed but Zael has seen first hand that members of the Order are very different from the beings who sired them and he's become friends with several of the Order's warriors. Opus Nostrum have increased their terrorist activities and are trying to cause chaos between the Breed and humanity but the Order can't afford to be too distracted because the Atlantean queen is also making threats so they're facing enemies on all sides. They are in desperate need of allies and they have asked Zael to step in and try to build ties with the colony of escaped Atlanteans.

Brynne was created in a madman's lab and spent her childhood being experimented on and tortured. She has never opened up to anyone about the ordeal she suffered or the long term effects that they had on her. She only recently discovered her half-sister Tavia and was welcomed by the whole Order but she doesn't really know how to be part of a family and always holds herself at a distance. She is just too afraid to let anyone close to her because she's terrified they'll discover her darkest secret and no matter how attracted she is to Zael she knows there can be no future for them. Zael isn't one to be put off so easily though, he sees through Brynn's prickly exterior and wants nothing more than to get to know the woman hidden deep inside. There is no denying the sparks that are flying between them but Zael is going to have to work hard to convince Brynn they have something worth fighting for.

I absolutely loved these two, they have so much going against them from the start but Zael is determined not to give up and it's not hard to understand why Brynn finds him so hard to resist. Her whole world has been turned upside down thanks to Opus Nostrum but she wants to do something meaningful so she agrees to help Zael liaise with the colony on behalf of the Order. I've been wanting to know more about the hidden Atlanteans ever since we first met Zael in the previous book and this is the first chance we've had to get a proper look at them. We're introduced to some interesting new characters and I think we've only just touched the surface of the group's abilities so they're definitely going to bring a lot to the series over the next few books. Along with the fabulous romance we get a chance to catch up with some of our favourite original characters from the series and I'll never have enough cameo appearances from people like Lucan, Gabrielle, Gideon and the others. I love this world that Lara Adrian has created and I can't wait to see where she takes the story next.

Source: Purchased

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If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: Stroke of Midnight - Lara Adrian

Born to a noble Breed lineage steeped in exotic ritual and familial duty, vampire warrior Jehan walked away from the luxurious trappings of his upbringing in Morocco to join the Order’s command center in Rome.

But when a generations-old obligation calls Jehan home, the reluctant desert prince finds himself thrust into an unwanted handfasting with Seraphina, an unwilling beauty who’s as determined as he is to resist the antiquated pact between their families.

Yet as intent as they are to prove their incompatibility, neither can deny the attraction that ignites between them. And as Jehan and Seraphina fight to resist the calling of their blood, a deadly enemy seeks to end their uneasy truce before it even begins . . .

The Midnight Breed Series:
A Touch of Midnight (Novella included in The Midnight Breed Series Companion, now also available separately)
Kiss of Midnight
Kiss of Crimson
Midnight Awakening
Midnight Rising
Veil of Midnight
Ashes of Midnight
Shades of Midnight
Taken by Midnight
Deeper than Midnight
A Taste of Midnight (Novella)
Darker After Midnight
The Midnight Breed Series Companion
Edge of Dawn
Marked by Midnight (Novella)
Crave the Night
Tempted by Midnight (Novella)
Bound to Darkness
Stroke of Midnight (Novella)
Defy the Dawn
Midnight Untamed (Novella)
Midnight Unbound (Novella)
Midnight Unleashed (Novella)
Claimed in Shadows
Break the Day

Hunter Legacy Series:
(A series of standalone romances set in the Midnight Breed world)
Born of Darkness
Hour of Darkness
Edge of Darkness

Visit Lara Adrian's website  for more information about the Midnight Breed series you will find excerpts from each of the books.  Lara can also be found on Facebook & Twitter where she posts regular updates or you can join other fans to chat about the books over at the LAMB (Lara Adrian Midnight Breed) Forum

Review:
I've been hoping we'd get to see more of Jehan ever since we met him in the previous 1001 Dark Nights novella Lara Adrian wrote (Tempted by Midnight) so I was incredibly excited when I saw the blurb for Stroke of Midnight! I'm actually hoping she might continue the trend because there are a few other members of the Rome branch of the Order that I'd like to get to know better so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for a few more novellas in the not too distant future!

Stroke of Midnight is a bit different to the other stories in the Midnight Breed series, I don't think we've ever had an arranged mating before so I was interested to see how that would change the dynamic between the main couple. Centuries ago Jehan and Seraphina's families were at war but that all changed when a member of each side fell in love. Since that day it has become a tradition that each generation tries to find a love match to strengthen that bond between the two families.

When Jehan's father tells him it's his turn to shoulder the burden he is horrified, he loves his life fighting with the Order and the last thing he needs is a mate. Luckily he only has to show willing and agree to a hand fasting ceremony with Breedmate Seraphina. They will then be sequestered together for eight days and nights in the hope that they'll fall in love and choose to take a blood bond but as long as he keeps his distance he'll be able to return to his normal life at the end of it and the task of uniting the families will fall to someone else's shoulders. Seraphina has no intention of accepting Jehan as a mate either, she loves her job helping refugees and has no interest in giving it all up to mate with a member of the Order. What neither of them counted on was the scorching hot attraction that burns between them the moment they set eyes on each other. Surely it shouldn't be too hard to resist acting on it though? After all they only have to spend eight days alone together . . .

I absolutely loved this novella, Jehan and Sera were both fantastic characters and even though their relationship developed quickly I was totally on board with everything that happened between them. Their connection never felt forced and I thought they were really sweet together. One of the things I love so much about the Midnight Breed series is that we have characters spread out across the globe so although most of the series is set in America we do get to visit other locations as well. Jehan is based in Rome but this particular story is set in Morocco and I loved the descriptions of the desert we are treated to. I was also surprised by how much action Lara Adrian managed to fit into this novella, I wasn't expecting so much to be going on considering the couple were supposed to be alone for eight days. I'm not going to tell you what actually happens so you'll have to read the story for yourself but there was a perfect blend between the romance and action and I liked how things tied back into the main series story arc.

My only complaint is that I'm now caught up with the series again so I'm going to have to wait for something new to be published. I think it might be time for a series reread though, it's been a while since I spent much time with the original warriors so I should probably do something about that!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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