Book Review - WICKED NIGHTS by Gena Showalter

BOOK REVIEW

Wicked Nights 

by Gena Showalter

ANGELS OF THE DARK series, Book #1

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

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Leader of the most powerful army in the heavens, Zacharel has been deemed nearly too dangerous, too ruthless--and if he isn't careful, he'll lose his wings. But this warrior with a heart of ice will not be deterred from his missions at any cost...until a vulnerable human tempts him with a carnal pleasure he's never known before.  Accused of a crime she did not commit, Annabelle Miller has spent four years in an institution for the criminally insane. Demons track her every move, and their king will stop at nothing to have her.  Zacharel is her only hope for survival, but is the brutal angel with a touch as hot as hell her salvation--or her ultimate damnation?

Carla's Review:

Gena Showalter is one of my favorite all time authors.  I own every book she's ever written and pre-order her books as soon as they are available.  I was super excited to get an ARC of Wicked Nights and could not wait to read it, although I hesitated reading it for a few days because I did not want it to end so quickly.

Wicked Night's is the first book in Gena's new ANGELS OF THE DARK series, which is a spin-off of the LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD series.

We've met Zacharel, the hero of this book, in previous LOTU books and we know him to be a cold-hearted and ruthless Angel.  Zacharel is in danger of losing his wings and falling.  As punishment, his Deity has tasked him with leading a group of misfit outcast angels who are also in danger of falling due their lack of sympathy and care towards humanity.   They are now tasked with protecting humanity against demon attacks.  If a one of the Angels kills a human during the battle, Zacharel is severely punished for it. If Zacharel can't get his army to listen and follow his lead, they are all in danger of falling together.  Only problem is, Zacharel thinks the same way as his Angels and cares not for humans.  That is…..until he finds Annabelle Miller tied to a gurney in the mental asylum he and his Angels are tasked with protecting from the swarm of demons attacking it.

Annabelle,  the heroine of the book has endured many horrors.  She’s spent the last four years of her life locked up in an asylum for the criminally insane because she was blamed for the heinous  act of violence on her family.  Only Annabelle knows that demons are the ones that attacked her family on her 18th birthday, and that's because she's the only one that can see demons.  She has spent the last 4 years of her life abandoned by her remaining family and friends because they believe she committed the crime.  She has endured horrible abuse at the hands of the doctors and staff at the hospital and from the constant attacks on her by the demons, but her spirit and will to live never die.  She fights with all that she has left and that's what make Annabelle a kick-ass heroine.  She does not wine or cry.  She always fights and never gives up hope.

Zacharel and Annabelle together are the perfect combination for the two balance each other.  Zacharel has never felt much emotion and has never felt desire.   Annabelle has an amazing survival instinct and her will to never give up despite the odds, impresses Zacharel.   Zacahrel makes Annabelle feel safe and protected which is what she needs most right now.  Being that Annabelle faced some sexual abuse in the asylum, their getting together sexually was slow in process but, the chemistry between the two throughout the book was electrifying.

I am also intrigued by all of the other Angels in Zacharel's army.  I am looking forward to Koldo's book which is scheduled to be released in February 2013.  And I can't wait to learn more about these tortured Angles.

If you're a fan of the LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD series you will be happy to know that Paris and a few of the other Lords make an appearance to help Zacharel, along with some of their mates.

Wicked Nights is a dark paranormal romance with all of the awesomeness that Gena puts into every book.  It has strong alpha heroes, kick-ass heroines, smokin' hot romance, secondary characters that will leave you clamoring for the release of their books and a crazy twist of an ending that leaves you with your mouth hanging open. 

Gena amazes me in how she has written so many books and they never get dull or boring.  EVERY book is better than the last and she blows me away with every book she writes.  She never disappoints me and I can't wait for the next installment of the ANGELS OF THE DARK.

I give WICKED NIGHTS 5 out of 5 stars!!