Embrace the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity Book 2)

Embrace the Darkness is a passionate romance that takes up the story several weeks after the end of When Darkness Comes (Guardians of Eternity, Book 1). If you remember nothing else from the previous book, you will remember Viper. Vampire clan leader, Viper was the bored and beautiful fallen angel surrounded by hedonistic decadence, who in aiding Dante and Abby, came into contact with the beautiful demon Shay who saved Viper's life. This brief encounter marked them both and they are both haunted by dreams of the other

Unable to forget Shay, Viper has searched for her and finding her for sale at a demon auction he knows he must possess her. Shay the last living Shalott demon, a race of assasins whose blood is powerful aphrodisiac and a prized delicacy to vampires, is enraged to have been purchased by Viper. Some thanks for saving his life. She figures that Viper's just out for a tasty snack and she's not thrilled to be on the menu. But blood is not what Viper wants from Shay, he wants her in his bed so that he can free himself from the obsession she inspires.

Viper surprises Shay, he treats her reverently and is willing to use his immortal patience to gain her willing surrender. Shay has been a slave for years. She is surprised to be treated with kindness and finds herself unable to resist this magnetic and sensual vamp. And as Shay finally surrenders to the passion that Viper stirs within her, Viper finds that instead of purging his obsession, bedding Shay only strengthens his need for her. He finds himself even more addicted to her and not just in bed. He loves holding her and even just watching her sleep.

But even as the relationship develops between Shay and Viper, a powerful evil seeks Shay for her magical blood. Viper is willing to suffer torture and even to sacrifice his race and his own immortal existence to keep Shay safe, but it looks like that may not be enough. And should he fail, Shay will be sacrificed so that evil may flourish. But in the final climatic battle it will takes everyone's skills and then some to beat the bad guy and save Shay and Viper.

Author Alexander Ivy has really hit her stride with Embrace the Darkness. Though it was difficult to work into the summary here, she did a great job of fleshing out Shay and Viper - who can relate to what Shay suffered as a slave more than you would imagine from the power he holds now. For a romance focused book, Ivy managed a surprising amount of substance in the background plot and the final battle was actually well done and not just some easy toss off. In addition to taking advantage of characters Dante and Abby who return from the previous book, Ivy has again created several wonderful supporting characters. There is Levitt a height and courage challenged gargoyle whose fierce loyalty to Shay ends up allowing him to rise up past his limitations to make him a powerful ally. And then there is Styx, second in command of the Ravyns, a group that has brought the vampires out of savagery and Styx has dedicated himself to maintaining the balance necessary to preserve his people. A powerful warrior, Styx's honor is being corrupted by a vow of loyalty as he tries to hold true to his people and his leader, as the leader degenerates into madness and evil. And like she did with Viper in the last book, Ivy left me wanting more of Styx who will be the hero in her next book.

I really enjoyed Embrace the Darkness, even though I am not a vampire fanatic, and I am really looking forward to her next book.

Viper was a secondary character in Ivy's first book in her new Guardian series- When Darkness Comes and made quite an impression. He is one of these sexy undead men who is a smooth talker like the best things in life and when he meets his mate and true love Shay, well he becomes a changed man.
Shay was also briefly shown in the first book. She is part Shallot, a demon whose blood is an aphrodisiac to vampires. Poor Shay is cursed and has no free will. She is being sold at an auction and Viper ends up buying her and will become her master. But Viper doesn't want to abuse Shay or even really control her. Ever since he met her, he can't get her out of his mind and wouldn't mind having her in his bed. And if she welcomes him to drink from her, all the more better. But Shay is one tough cookie and even though she is very attractive to Viper she won't give in because of what he is.
There is a constant battle of wills between these two that include the constant fear of Shay being taken away from Viper. Not even Viper's skill and power can protect her. Something wants Shay and her blood and won't take no for an answer.
Embrace the Darkness is an overall fun read. There are witty conversations between Viper and Shay and they both lust after each other constantly. Plus there is an enjoyable secondary character for comic relief called Levet a gargoyle and he is almost takes over the story.
Embrace the Darkness is a light read and fans of paranormals, especially of vampires and demons would not want to miss this book and series.

Katiebabs

When Darkness Comes (Guardians of Eternity, Book 1)

This is an enchanting addition to Alexandra Ivy's first book WHEN DARKNESS COMES. I hadn't read #1 when I picked up EMBRACE THE DARKNESS. So, I had no clue why the terrifying but sexy Viper was in the club of despicable trolls on the night the half-Shalott demon female Shay was sold by auction.

Shalott demons are virtually extinct on Earth having been hunted by vampires for their blood which can heal a vampires' mortal wounds and has the lovely side effect of being highly erotic. Also, Shalott demons are the best asassins of the Underworld. Shay has never been fully trained, having been kept as a slave for most of her life. She's been caged and kept in rags, forced to hunt for vermin to survive. But the night Viper walks back into her life, she is going to be sold to someone new and possibly more deadly than any of her former masters.

Viper, the head of the Chicago vampire Clan is known to be deadly but his heart was stolen by Shay long months before in EMBRACE THE DARKNESS when she saved his life. Shay, of course, as no idea that Viper loves her. She is terrified of vampires because one of them killed her demon father.

Viper ends up buying Shay for a ridiculous amount of money but before he can get her out of the auction house someone else tries to buy her. Viper says no..and almost dies when someone else attacks trying to steal Shay from Viper.

Viper finally gets Shay home to his remote estate outside of Chicago. But his lovemaking plans are put on hold indefinitely due to Shay's fear of becoming Vipers midnight snack. When that doesn't happen, she is fed, shown to a real bedroom, and given her own clothes. Shay is reluctant to believe this is all for her. Poor Viper, his love for Shay is deep and true but he can barely romance Shay due to all the people trying to keep them apart.

As it is, Viper and Shay eventually find another despite all the distractions including a jealous pint-sized gargoyle. The love story is magically handled, and the reader totally buys into it.

The introduction of Styx, the Aztec vampire and subject of the next Guardians of Eternity installment is exciting. Styx sounds yummy enough to keep him in bed with crackers. I am eagerly awaiting the release in May '08.

I agree with the prior reviews, these novels should be read in order.

They brought the sexy in this book...

This book is the best of the series hands down. Shay was a unique creation, and not the usual same ole.. Not a same ole >>>>fill in the blank here>>>... .vampire, witch, werewolf.. blah blah. Romance novels have chinging bitchy silly whiners at times. No whiner here. She had serious battle skills and was a gifted assassin.

Even tho Viper was a vampire, his story was not trite. He had menace, beauty of an angel, sexual magnetism on a planetary scale, rich as sin, and bored until he encountered Shay. He was not a boring cutout. Her species had been hunted to extinction by vampires because of their aphrodisiac and healing abilities to vampires.

There was every natural reason any dynamic between them would naturally end in her death. The sexual tension surrounding them was credible and intelligent. Every reason for her to avoid him at all costs and for him to pursue her at all costs. Any action on it would naturally lead to her death. There was humor between them. And also with her little gargorgle stunted sidekick with pansy girly wings quite added the fun.

Villian: 5
Plot: 5
Creativity: 5
Humor: 4
Bringing the sexy: 4.5
Passion: 5 stars
Laughs & Amusement factor: 4.5

I just started reading this genre (paranormal, sci-fi) from my historical romances...whose plots were starting to run together, so a friend recommended paranormal as a new genre and gave me the Mercy series by Patricia Briggs. Boy, compared to my normal novels, these authors have amazing imaginations!! Alexandra Ivy included.
I picked this up when I was picking up Briggs, even though I hadn't read the first book in the Guardian of Eternity series, cause I thought the plot sounded intriguing. Excellent book!
I was biting my nails as I waited to see what would happen! And coming in on book 2 was not confusing in the least. Ms. Ivy does a wonderful job with the characters and I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I read the third book (LOVED it) and finally managed to pick up book 1 (currently reading).
I would highly recommend this entire series!!

The second book of the Guardians of Eternity series really stands out for me. Why you ask? Could it be the smooth-tongued vamp warrior who can talk his way through anything, with anyone? Yeah, I'd say that helps. His playboy exterior helps hide his tightly-guarded, wounded soul, so the intrigue is there. Every man should have a bit of his poise & charm, and the good looks don't hurt. Once he obsesses with the world's only Shallot, he comes to realize the reasons behind it are not what he, or she, expected. As an ex-slave, Shay finds it hard to believe anyone, including Viper, has any interest other than their own when it comes to her. The battles they share to discover the truth are pure fun to behold.

Even though Dante was the main character in When Darkness Comes, Viper is the one who stood out in that book for me. Ms. Ivy made my day when his story was next in the Guardians of Eternity Series. If you were like me and needed your fix of Viper, this book will do it for you. From the time that Viper buys Shay from the auction house till the end where they are fighting the evil that is pursuing her, this book kept me enthralled the whole time. The only thing I wished that Ms. Ivy did not include in this book were the two Egyptian vamps we met in Dante's book. If you don't remember them, go back and read the first book. They were droolicious. Nothing is better than a good book.

Among the best of Alexandra Ivy's Guardians of Eternity series. Lady Shay is half human and Half Shalott demon. Since her adventures in book 1 Viper has taken an interest in her. When she is put up for sale as a slave Viper buys her. Not as a slave but to convince her to become his mate. Convincing her is the least of his problems as another who was bidding on her will stop at nothing to get hold of her. Even break every vampire law in existence and face the wrath of The Pheonix.

While I really liked the first book in this series, this one was absolutely a better read! More chemistry between the main characters, more humor, especially where Levett was involved, and a quicker pace in the story telling all combined to make this a very quick, and very enjoyable read. And then there's Viper...Wow. The next book is going to have to be some read to compare with Embrace the Darkness. I can hardly wait to find out!

Viper--the Vampire in this was delicious, sexy and absolutely perfect. I love the interaction between the hero and heroine, the suspense in the story, the constant action and equal balance between romance and adventure. I thought "When Darkness Comes" was spectatcular---but Embrace the Darkness was totally engrossing....and it has made me hungry for Styx's story that is to follow ......

I loved Viper's lavish lifestyle and tremendous patience. I accidentally read this book before I read the first one so I was a little confused in the beginning. Then I read the first one and had to come back to this one to understand some parts of it but overall Alexandra does great with giving each couple their own story although they are all interrelated. Oh and I love Levet... he is my favorite character in this book, gives us some good humor lol.

With the landslide of paranormal romance lately it's easy to find cookie cutter story lines and boring plots. Not this book. It had a great story line and the characters were vivid. I was at a disadvantage having not read any prior books in this series but was able to catch on and enjoyed this a lot.

Okay, I really must start reading something other than vampire porn, but until that time comes this series is great fun. Viper is obviously just the perfect character for this genre, and the writing and plot line are very good.

While I had the same downloading issue (no page breaks) which made me double take a cpl of times, the book itself was well written and enjoyable. I do plan on giving the next one a shot. I do hope that the charcters are just a bit more dynamic however.

I love the characters Viper and Shay. They're amusing, sexy and interesting. the store actually suggested I get this book and I am so happy I did. I can't wait to read "When Darkness comes" and "Darkness Everlasting". I already LOVE Styx and can't wait to see how the book goes. I love Alexandra Ivy and am so happy that I found her. Thanks!