PJ Review: Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione

Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Paranormal Element: Demons
Series: Demonica Series #1
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Twitter
Purchased audiobook through audible.com

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
After the tenth “You haven’t read the Demonica series yet? *Gasp*” I realized that maybe this was something I should get into. I was not disappointed. One of the most original paranormal romances I’ve read in awhile, Larissa Ione isn’t afraid to show you what’s in the deep recesses of her brain. The author pulled no punches with the story of Eidolon and Tayla. This was one of the grittiest paranormal romances that I’ve ever read and that's why I loved it.

REVIEW:
A member of the feared demon-slayers, Tayla is a kill first, ask questions later kind of slayer. A member of The Aegis, they have one purpose: Kill Demons. When she is injured in a fight with a very nasty demon she is taken to the secretive demon ER and even though they are tempted to just let her die, the Head-Doc-In-Charge, Eidolon sticks with his code of ethics and treats and saves Tayla’s life.

While elbow deep in Tayla’s innards, Eidolon notices some strange make-up in Tayla’s biological system. Tayla is half-demon herself and he is captivated by the rarity that is her heritage…and a few other things. It doesn’t help that she is sexy as Hell and tough as nails which gets his motor going. Tayla is the first woman in a really long time to accomplish this. But, she’s a demon-slayer and everyone at the hospital wants to kill her and to make matters worse, demons are being hacked up all over town and sold for their organs and all clues point to the Aegis.

Fast-paced and full of romantic tension, PLEASURE UNBOUND is a gem among the paranormal romance genre books. Ione has a way of spinning a tale, creating tension and still maintaining interest without suffering the usual plot-tricks that romances usually revert to. She did not apply what I term the “Romance Algorithm1” and I applaud her for it. So many authors do this and while their ideas might be original they are usually based on the same foundation like so many that have come before them, hence the tale smells a bit stale. Ione’s PLEASURE UNBOUND was none of those things. Fresh. Gritty. Intense. Eidolon and Tayla went at each other like you would expect a slayer and demon to go at one another. They fought, they (insert another f work here) and they flipped back and forth in their convictions. Love or Hate? It was wonderful. Most of the novel I was like “This will never work!” But, in the end Ione pulled it all together and I was left with that wonderful after-glow. It was quite a ride.

My one misgiving was in the end. I thought one of the baddies at the end was a little too off and the plot point that was tied up with her was just a little thrown in there. I’m sure Ione will expand upon it in later books in the series, so it’s not that big of a deal. But, I like my mysteries to end with an “Oh I see it now!” instead of a “Huh?”

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommended for paranormal romance fans. Black Dagger Brotherhood lovers should really get into this one. I do not recommend this one as a first time Paranormal Romance. If you are looking to transition this one might be a bit overwhelming for you.











Like this Like That

1. Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1)
2. Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter)

1Parajunkee's Romance Algorithm - Boy meets girl. Boy is hot for girl and girl is hot for guy, but something separates the two. Maybe a past love that went wrong - the fact that one of them is a werewolf and the other is a werewolf hunter - just insert "not ready for love" problem here. Yet, even though they are separated by a huge chasm, they still engage in hot, blow your mind sex. Yet, the secret has not been revealed and doesn't get revealed until after they've had sex at least three times. Once the secret is revealed they separate and think all is lost. They usually realize that they are in love during this separation. A traumatic event - chick getting kidnapped by the big baddie, or some other such thing will lead to the guy or sometimes the girl swooping in and saving the day -- and then our couple when reunited, confess their love and have more sex -- then off to their HEA.

The basics of this is the MEET + STAY AWAY + ATTRACTION + SEX + REVEAL + BREAK-UP + CLIMAX + REUNITE + HEA

Guest Post & Giveaway Larissa Ione

The Horsemen cometh...Pause for a PJV freakout...guess who is stopping by the blog today for Paranormal Spring break? Non other than one of the Queens in the Paranormal Romance genre. Well not that kind of Queen...but you know, like Queen, ruler, leader, rocking sauce of awesomeness type of author...

Ok, put your hands together for Ms. Larissa Ione here to introduce her hot new series...

Title: Eternal Rider (Lords of Deliverance #1)

Author: Larissa Ione
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Fantasy Element: Demons
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Twitter | Blog

Hi everyone!

First, I want to thank the Parajunkee's View site for having me. I'm thrilled to be here!

Rachel asked me to stop by and talk about something, and, well, since I've got a new book out April 1st (Eternal Rider), I figured I'd talk about it.  But you know, I usually talk about the hero and heroine. Or the plot. Or the setting. I want to do something different, so I'm going to talk about some of the supporting characters...who happen to be horses. *grins*

Yep, this new series, which is a spinoff of the Demonica series, is about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, so naturally, the Horsemen have horses, and these stallions are all individuals with their own personalities, just like their owners.

In Eternal Rider, our hero is Ares, who will be War if his Seal breaks, unleashing evil upon the world. His horse, a blood bay warhorse named Battle, is a grumpy thing, but he has a sense of humor. Sure, it's a sick and twisted sense of humor, but he has one. And he likes sugar cubes.

Limos, the only female Horseman, and the one who will be Famine upon the breaking of her Seal, has a unique mount -- her horse is a jet=black hell stallion with a nasty temper and a nearly uncontrollable nature. Oh, and he's a carnivore. Bones is not a nice horse. You'll see more of him in Immortal Rider (December 2011).

And then there's Styx, the dun beast belonging to Thanatos, who gets to be the infamous Death when his Seal breaks. Styx is quiet, watchful, and when you aren't looking, he's protective of those who can't protect themselves. He's such a cutie-pie!

Reseph, whose Seal has broken, has a white horse, who, before he became evil upon his master's Seal breaking, was a pretty happy guy. He was playful, like his master, and he loved to nip people and run. Of all the horses, he was freed the most often (the horses exist as glyphs on the Horsemen's skin when not in physical form.) *sniffs* I miss poor Conquest...

So there we have it. The Four Horses of the Apocalypse. Thanks again, Parajunkees, and to all you readers out there, remember...save a horse, ride a Horseman! :)

Contest Deets ONE WINNER:
1 Copy of Larissa Ione's Eternal Rider (Lords of Deliverance) 

Requirements:
Following is not required but is appreciated!
US Only

Comment to win, mount up for this one: What would you name your horse? And what kind would he/she be?

Please Spread the Word
1. Tweet: WIN! Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione hosted by @parajunkee & @Tynga #ParanormalSpringBreak #giveaway http://bit.ly/e8BJw9 PLZ RT

Please Donate to help with shipping expenses:

Legal Stuff:

1. Parajunkee's View or Tynga's Reviews is not responsible for items lost in shipping or items shipped from 3rd party sponsors. 
2. Winners are chosen using a random number generator based on the comment number.
3. You do not have to be a follower to participate.
4. Winners will be announced on this blog on April 6th and by email if one is provided either in comments or on your profile.
5. There is no limit to the amount of giveaways you can enter during Paranormal Spring Break but you can only enter each giveaway once (main entry and any extra entries available), if it is found that a person has entered the same giveaway more than the allotted entries those entries will be disqualified.
6. If it is not stated, it should be assumed that giveaway items have been provided by a 3rd party as a donation to Parajunkee's View.

Waiting on Wednesday: Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione

My selection for this Wednesday is an author I've actually never read before (I think maybe a short at most), can you believe it? *ducks* So I figure this is a good place to start...

They are here.
They ride.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him.

Yet there is one last hope. Gifted in a way other humans can't-or won't-understand, Cara Thornhart is the key to both this Horseman's safety and his doom. But involving Cara will prove treacherous, even beyond the maddening, dangerous desire that seizes them the moment they meet. For staving off eternal darkness could have a staggering cost: Cara's life.

Title: Eternal Rider
Series: Lords of Deliverance

Author: Larissa Ione

Release Date:  March 29, 2011

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing