Pleasure Unbound: A Demonica Novel

"I'm not exactly evil."

She snorted.  "All demons are pure evil."

"What about half breeds, are they evil, too?"

"They're abominations that deserve to die the same as any other demon."

He turned and looked at her, wearing a grin that was about as evil as any she'd seen.  "This is going to be fun."

Welcome to a world of humans... and an underworld of demons!  There is Tayla, a young woman who works for the Aegis, an organization of demon-slayers bent on destroying every last shred of demonness to protect humankind.  Tayla calls these people home in a way she has never called anything or anyone.  Until she meets Eidolon, a doctor at the hospital where she is sent after a near-fatal mix with a demon that ended up killing her colleague as she watched helplessly, unable to move.  Eidolon heals her wounds, both physical and emotional and offers Tayla pleasures that she has never been able to experience before with other men.  But perhaps men would be the wrong word, because unfortunately Eidolon is an incubus demon.  And not just any incubus demon, but the kind that will mature into his full destructive demon-form unless he can find the perfect mate before it's too late...

Can these two stay together despite the odds?  Will they ever learn to trust each other, or are their differences too great?  And what is it that affects Tayla, causing her body to become numb just when she needs her strength the most?  I'll give you a hint:  it's got plenty to do with her past, notably her parents, only one of which ever knew.  Can Tayla figure out her sudden illness, her relationship with Eidolon and her place in the world before events cause it to come crashing down around her?

Quite a few threads to follow in this, the first paranormal romance novel in Larissa Ione's Demonica trilogy with the mad sexy names (Desire Unchained [2], Passion Unleashed [3]).  The plot moves forward at breathtaking speed, following each of the characters through their respective issues and catastrophes, all coming together at the end to reveal surprising truths about each of them... well, almost all of them.  Otherwise, we wouldn't be so tempted to pick up Book 2, right?  The characters themselves are interesting and funny though a little predictable and too perfect.  There are cheesy moments  here, but not enough to distract from the quick, smart plot threads.  And of course, the steamy scenes are very steamy as they should be, so romance fans will be at home.

Last but not least, I have to thank Ms. Ione for the various Buffy/Angel references!  In the Appendices is a letter from Ione herself citing her influences and obsessions including ER, Grey's Anatomy, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer - which she should be darn proud of, if you ask me!  But you didn't so I'll just recommend the book normally like a nice little reviewer should, and tell you that if you like paranormal, romance or both, you'll read this one in a matter of hours... preferably at bedtime.  :wink: