Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night (Immortals After Dark)

This is Bowen and Mari's story and they were hilarious to read about. They are on The Hie each for their own reasons when they encounter each other and Bowen thinks Mari has cast a spell on him that is making him want her because he thinks his only mate died a couple hundred years ago.

This one has a bit of everything passion, magic, adventure, wickedness, and I love the mix of witch and werewolf. The characters are strong and work good together and although I had a love/hate relationship with them at first, I felt the sparks flying in just the first couple of pages! I wasn't liking Mari's angle of wanting to "prove herself" and Bowen was just a bit overly mean and full of anger but everything starts coming together quickly and I got a better grip and understanding on them and so far this is my most favorite book of this series hands down!

Bowe and Mariketa... I loved them!
After reading about Bowen in the last 2 books I felt so sad for him, especially when he lost the Hie.
So when this book begin with him being interested in the little witch, I was so happy!

Of course Bowen had to mess everything up big time, it wouldn't be Bowen if he didn't muck up a few times and put his foot in it.
But even then Mari didn't seem to be able to resist his rugged charms.

I loved the 2 handsome rage-demon brothers, Rydstrom and Cade, especially Rydstorm (I hope I got his name right).
I really hope I'll get to read about them further along the series.

The turn of events and revelations near the end really took me by surprise, I didn't expect that to happen!

4.5 stars for the story - but I hate the hero - so 3 stars total.

In a race around the world to find mystical objects and win a tournament with the ultimate prize - the means to go back in time and save his mate - immortal Lykae Bowen MacRieve is infuriated when a witch called Mariketa the Awaited challenges him...and causes him to feel lust unlike any he's ever known. Trapping Mari as well as several other demons and fey in an ancient Mayan tomb Bowen continues on his merry way. But not before Mari hexes his immortality, preventing him from regenerating injuries.

Bowen always hated witches to begin with but he blames Mariketa for his loss of the tournament. When her faction, the House of Witches, and their allies threaten the Lykae with war if she is not returned Bowen sets out to retrieve her. When his long deadened Instinct causes him to suspect she is his mate Bowen is confused. Lykae only get one mate - and his died over two hundred years ago. A desperate trek through the rain forest with the threat of time, warring humans and the rain forest itself all conspire to keep Bowen and Mari from each other. And even if they can overcome that what about Bowen's miserable past and his overwhelming prejudice toward witches? Especially in the face of fun and freedom-loving Mari.

Mariketa is a female lead to admire. Her birth was foretold, and although she's only 23 and not yet frozen into her immortality the House of Witches expects big things from her. Unfortunately Mari's power doesn't work quite right. She is the most powerful witch ever born...yet she is still 'awaiting' her fickle powers. Mari's exuberance and tenacity was wonderful. She puts up with a lot of flak from Bowen. Meanwhile, I couldn't stand Bowen. He definitely has his charming moments and I appreciated his efforts to do right by Mari (eventually). However, his alphahole moments at the beginning and especially over Mari's magic I just couldn't get over.

It doesn't take long for Bowen to start falling for Mari. He sees all her finer points but hates that she's a witch despite her status as a witch being the heart and soul of who she is. Bowen's feelings and motivations were fleshed out very well. I understood where he was coming from but I just didn't like him. Except for his need for Mari there wasn't anything of substance about him. He's sexy but he's also mindblowingly boring.

The exciting parts of this books are really exciting, particularly the witch's culture. Mari's powers are so unique. In a lot of ways the Immortals After Dark witches are a lot like your stereotypical Halloween witch. But then add a penchant for partying hard, playing video games and pop culture references. They are irresistible. I also really enjoyed the supporting characters. The rage demon brothers, Rydstrom and Cade, were very strong personalities, and the dynamic between the brothers is quite interesting.

This series is one of my favorite paranormal romance series. Unfortunately Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night is my least favorite installment. Except for a few parts where Mariketa works her power it got a titch slow in places. I also didn't feel like Bowe and Mari had as much chemistry as other IAD couples. This book can be read stand alone, of course, but if you are thinking about trying this series don't start here. It's a decent installment but the books before and after it are much better.

I totally enjoyed this book, and wait with baited breath for the next one, but I have to say that I was a little disappointed. Now that we're three books into the series it would be nice to learn a little more about the creatures and cultures of the Lore. There was a bit of that when Mari was explaining about the Witches' culture to the others, but I definitely would like to hear more.

The creativity that Ms. Cole is showing in her world-building is one of the reasons I like these books so much, as well as her willingness to buck convention. The heroine is a Norse Pagan? (Or Wiccan, in this case?) Thank goodness! It's really nice to read something other than the same old watered-down stuff for the conservative Mid-Western mindset. It's a romance novel; it doesn't need to be approved by the Kansas School Board to make sure the content is sufficiently mainstream.

I'd like to know more about Lykae culture, and perhaps a little less emphasis on the whole 'soul-mate' thing that is so pervasive in fantasy romances. All in all, better than most of what's out there in this genre, but weaker than the last two.

The Immortals After Dark series is one of my new fav paranormal romance series. I've read the first six books, and after A Hunger Like No Other, this is my second favorite. Bowen MacRieve made his first appearance in the first book, and after his struggles in the second I was totally jazzed for his book. And oh boy it did not disappoint. I love reading a series that builds upon itself and I was wondering how the author was going to create Bowen's HEA after he was unable to bring back his lost love. The author surprised me and created an interesting setting for the match up of Bowen and Mari. It was something I could not see coming and I loved that about it.

Bowen's distrust and initial hatred of Mari paired with his lust and desires for her created a great alpha male who I started off not liking very much, similarly to Mari. I felt like as her feelings for him grew, so did my love of his character. It was like I was right there in the scene. I did not know where the plot was taking me, and the whole mirror thing threw me off as to what its importance overall in the story. Mainly, and most importantly, this book was entertaining and I could not put it down. (which is the mark of a great romance IMO)

Lastly, I loved the sex scenes. In some books (especially series) the author gets complacent in their love scenes and they seem repetitive. When that happens I often catch myself skimming through them. But not this book! I hung on every word, wondering where they were going, and how far they were going ;)

This book had everything I look for in a paranormal romance, LUST, LOVE & GREAT STORY!!!

I was very disappointed with this one. There was nothing that really kept me from putting it down and I got annoyed and frustrated with Bowe and Mari's relationship. For over 3/4 of the book there was nothing but childish fighting. This is supposed to be a romance book but I'm not feeling any of it. There are no changes in plot and it drags on and on. As soon as I start to have some hope that a relationship is actually going to start between the two something happens to bring them back to zero. It bounces back and forth like this THE WHOLE BOOK! UGH! It also bothered me that Bowe seemed to have to do all the changing to have Mari, while she did nothing. It wasn't fair to him or the reader. Mari really annoyed me. And Bowe just tolerated her. She was one of those selfish, annoying female leads (there's nothing heroine about her).

I had to force myself to thumb through the last few chapters to see if anything would happen but...nope.

Also, having read Cade's book before this one, I am very disappointed that I didn't get to experience not one "yeah?" from him. Conrad and Cade were wonderful. Bowe was whipped and Mari was, literally, a witch.

I was thoroughly impressed with Bowen and Mariketa's story. I knew he had a tortured past and a long wait on finding his true mate. I enjoy the way the alpha hero will change anything to be with her. I thought the mortality of Mari and her not fully into her powers made her that much more dear. So much on her shoulders and all she could do was wait. The reader is not disappointed with this story as there is action at every turn. Always love keeping up with the other players involved.

After the slightly disappointing No Rest for the Wicked, Kresley Cole comes back strong in the Immortals After Dark series with this book. In my opinion, Mariketa the Awaited is the most endearing heroine we've seen in this series, and Bowe is by far the best hero (though, second would of course be Lachlain).

The book begins in the midst of the Lore's Hie - their Amazing Race - where the prize is a key that allows the winner to go back in time twice. Lykae Bowen wants it to save his mate who was killed 180 years ago. Witch/Druid Mari wants it to prove that she can be just as mercenary and powerful as any of her coven. If you've read NRFTW you know who wins, but the scenes between Mari and Bowe during this time are excellent. They both are wary and disdainful of each other, but the attraction is definitely there - even though Bowe can't even see Mari because of her scarlet cloak. They go out of their ways to impeed each other, though Mari doesn't do quite as well until her back is up against the wall.

After the Hie, certain that Mari has enthralled him, Bowen sticks by her side relentlessy. I have to admit, I did skip ahead to see how Ms. Cole would explain the dead mate/new love interest storyline and it was WONDERFULLY done. If your reservations about this book hinge on this, do yourself a favor and read it before judging it.

There were only a few things that kept this from being a five-star rating: 1: At one point, Mari claims to have loved sex since before the coming of her immortality, but then claims that her one and only partner left her a little unmoved. 2: Why was Emma - who was 80 years old, a virgin when Mari, 23, wasn't? That doesn't make sense to me. 3: All of the teasing. It was like FINALLy they're going to make love, then Bam another argument.

All in all, a great investment of my time and money.

My favorite romance authors are Diana Gabaldon, Stephanie Meyer (so far), and Jane Austen. I've now added Kresley Cole to that list, although she obviously takes the story further ;-) She doesn't use slang or fashion that dates the characters, unless it is a historical romance. Her historical romance accuracy has been brought up in comments, but I didn't find any errors distracting. The heroes sound like real men, whereas some authors write the hero in such a way that I can't tell the difference between him and the heroine. Her heroes don't seem to cross the line into being misogynists either. Her heroines are relatable, usually strong, and never painfully oblivious or dumb. Some of her books are better than others, but compared to other authors in this genre they are all worthy of 5 stars.

I really enjoyed the main characters love hate relationship. Mariketa is a witch of great power, only she's a bit of a klutzy witch and often ends up blowing stuff up by accident. So, why not join a deadly immortal race?

Bowen lost his mate in a tragic accident long ago and has been slowly withering as the years pass, until he hears about the Talisman's Hie; an immoral race where the prize is a key that can take you back through time to right a wrong. Well, what do you think Bowen wants that for?

He is determined to win the race, but from the start is attention is drawn to Mariketa. Bowen despises witches due to past history that I will not go into. Just know that he hates them a lot. So when he finds himself in a sexy embrace with the little witch, he instantly accuses her of enchanting him. At first Mariketa thinks she might have enchanted him by accident, because she's so clumsy with her magic.

Bowen winds up locking her inside a dangerous cavern where a clan of trapped incubi attack her and the others that are trapped with her. The group fights for their lives for three weeks, while Bowen loses the race. If you read the previous book then that wasn't a surprise.

Later, when Bowen learns that Mariketa has not made the transition into immortality he races off to save her, finding himself more worried than he should. Gee, I wonder why.

And that's when the fun really begins. If you don't know about Kresley Cole and her immortals after dark series, then you have been living under a rock. Read it, you won't be disappointed.

I almost didn't read this book when I found out it was about Bowen, because I didn't particularly like him in the other two novels. I found him whiney and annoying, and too brutal to be liked in the previous books, but in Wicked Deeds..., he was charming and endearing, while still being sexy and brutish.

More than that, this book brings something that the other two novels lacked -- interesting, funny, and witty banter between characters. Mari and Bowen have flirty dialogue that makes me crack up and makes me love their relationship (Emma was too afraid of Lachlain in the 1st and Kaderin is too prideful with Sabastian).

Again, my favorite character Nix (or Nucking Futs Nix) makes an appearance and she always makes me giggle.

Best book in the series, don't neglect it!

Love the series, love this book. Kresley Coles' sexy and wicked imagination once again delivers a fantastic, fun and sexy romance with her trademark strong, passionate alpha-male hero and a smart, feisty heroine. I agree that this one is equal to `A Hunger Like No Other', and I can see why many think it's better. (For me, I'll call it a tie.) Even if you are tired of the deluge of mediocre paranormal romances of recent months, don't pass up this series. This is one the best - if not the best - within the genre.

I would recommend reading these in order, especially book 2 & 3. If you haven't read book 2, you may have a bit of trouble following the first part of book 3. However, they are stand-alone and can be read separately.

You can't get enough of all the male hotness in this book, and Mariketa is a bombshell. She's a witch and Bowen's a Scottish Lykae. She's early twenties, he's roughly a thousand, and they're both immortal, so hot. He has past baggage, she has huge future responsibilities. How does it end? You'll just have to read and see. :)

Kresley Cole just keeps getting better and better in her Immortal After Dark Series. This third books is excellent and actually takes place during part of the last story. This tells a wonderful story about Bowen...a very sexy and powerful Lykae ( a werewolf) and Mariketa the Awaited ( a witch). Although fierce compeditors for the Hie ( an immortal verisons Amazing Race)these two heat up! Mari is witty, funny and a smart mouth witch who was more than a match for a sexy Scottish werewolf!

We get a great deal of other loveable characters of LachIan the King Werewolf and his Vampire Bride, Emma. Of course my favorites are the Valkyrie who are not only sexy self assured women, but warriors willing to take on any immortal. From the lovable confusing seer of Nix...to the car throwing Reign, they are so funny as they battle and come together as the Horde, Lykae, Vampires, Deamons, Nyphs, Sirens, Valkrie, Wraiths, Furies and others await for the Accension. I cannot wait for another installment espcially of the story of Reign and her Besserker.

Young still-mortal witch, Mariketa the Awaited, feels the need to prove herself in a dangerous contest between the immortals to find a powerful talisman. Sparks fly between her and Bowen MacRieve, a Lykae (lycanthrope) who happens to hate witches. He believes she's cast a spell on him--and indeed she has, but only when he seals her and other contestants in a cave full of dead but extremely upset incubi who immediately set upon them. To Bowen's credit, he didn't think they'd be stuck in the cave for long--and he's just too intent on winning the prize which will enable him to go back in time and save the one love of his life who died nearly two centuries before. Eventually, of course, these two get together and sparks still fly...

I have to admit that I have a pet peeve about characters who speak in a strong accent, and Bowen's speech is a "Scots burr" replete with "no' ," "doona,"dinna,"o'," "lass," "canna," etc. I have nothing against accents (I find a true Scots accent quite fine--I've lived there and had a boyfriend there, etc.). But dialog that attempts to incorporate accents can be extremely annoying to me, and somewhat demeaning, since to the speaker, it's not an accent but the ordinary way of speaking--it's everyone else with the accent!

Then there's the set-up of this tale... I'm not sure about most people, but even if some guy didn't intend to trap me forever in a cave/tomb for weeks with ghost incubi that captured me--particularly just after he'd kissed me... I'm pretty sure that'd be a deal-killer. Plus the fact that he hates witches and magic, which is what the heroine is and does. Plus the fact that he'd rather have his dead love back than start up a relationship with her... Doesn't anyone have a healthy dose of self-esteem these days? Why does love conquer that, too? OK, he's hot and he eventually comes around... I was happier with the two after that was all out of the way and the rest of the adventure and their relationship continued. But the way it was set up and the way the pair of lovers came around to an understanding just bothered me. I felt it could have been set up better and more convincingly.

I realize these elements are totally personal, but as I am the one reviewing, I can't really ignore commenting on them. Overall, it wasn't bad. It kept my interest despite the little annoyances, and I did enjoy reading it.

Alright, first thing is first: if you are capable of listening to a song while reading, listen to Coldplay - What If with this book. It's as though the lyrics and the book's words were branded into each other. Secondly, well, I'm sorry, but Bowen's love for the woman that was his mate in the past gave him this whole depressed, dark atmosphere and of course the women love that. I didn't feel Mari's character that much at the beginning, but I trusted Kresley whole-heartedly (basically couldn't wait until she made me feel Mari's character). As usual, Kresley solved the problems in this book cleverly and blah blah--there really is no need for me to continue. We all know Kresley goes beast mode times twelve, so what's the point in leaving a too lengthy review? No one has rated the book a one star book. Bottom line, just buy it. (Andddd, the street saying "Ballin'!" has been changed to, "Bowen!")

Loved it. Made me go from smiling to flat out laughing out loud. The ADULT romance is there and superbly done. There is suspense and twist throughout the story that keep you wondering. You can't help but to really like both Bowen & Mariketa. Their personalities are both strong, well defined and loads of FUN! Their chemistry is off the charts.
I HIGHLY recommend this book!

I can't believe so many liked this book?! What a slog! Nothing -literally- happens for a great majority of it, nothing besides immortals bickering like childish, selfish high school kids. The usual borderline "I love you/I hate you/I love you... ad nauseum ad infinitum" romance novel tennis match is here as well.

The book also suffered from the usually laundry list of (Paranormal) Romance Tropes and Cliches (which I won't retread), and two truly annoying lead characters: a chauvinistic anachronism/male (all powerful, ripped like a god, wealthy and hung like a sperm whale) lead and your "typical" selfish/whiney uber-horny "Plain Jane Every Woman."

Ultimately, I'm deeply disappointed by this book because A) I think Kresley Cole is a talented writer, with a knack for writing humor and pretty snappy dialogue; and world building; and B) said world building is both deep and intriguing, but is used mostly as a backdrop and little else, which is a shame. Cole's world was one I want to explore more of.

I think Cole's considerable talents are wasted here, writing the same derivative romance drivel that millions of romance writers churn out, the difference being her dialogue and humor are better. Again, she's got talent, but it's wasted here.

I'd love to see Cole try her hand at something Scifi/fantasy or UF.

Mariketa The Awaited, is half fey-druidess and half warlock. A powerful combination. At twenty-three, she is one of the more crafty, powerful, and ruthless witches in her coven. When she decides to work for something she works hard. She is willing to do what it takes to win the Hie competition and prove herself.

Bowen MacRieve, Bowe, lost his mate almost 200 years ago. Since then he has searched for a way to bring her back. The years have turned him into a hard, ruthless killer, willing to do whatever it takes to complete his self-imposed goals. Women still lust after him as he is the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. The only women truly safe from him are witches. The proto-Valkryie Nix has told him that he will get his mate back if he enters the Hie competition.

As competitors in the Hie competition, both will do whatever it takes to win. But will it be what they want? Is not losing yet another way of winning?

A fast-paced, amusing, passionate, steamy novel of stubbornness versus lust. From the beginning of Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night, the reader is drawn into the tale of two strong personalities striving to balance their own love and lust with preconceived notions of their families and friends. The attraction between the two is sultry and intense.. Ms. Cole keeps the reader's attention from the first chapter and does not let it go. When I found myself on the last page, the only thought running through my head was "more, please, more". I recommend this book highly.

Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night is Book 4 of the The Immortals After Dark Series but can be read alone.

Barb
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I've liked the books I've read so far in this series and this is no exception. The leads are a witch and a werewolf, no vampires here. Wasn't sure I'd get into the werewolf, but I did quite easily. Like the previous books in this series, the characters are likable, easy to identify with as they struggle with very human-like issues, and easy to cheer for as they overcome their issues and find true love. A dash of adventure also helps. While I liked the book very much, I can't quite give it a 5 star rating, but if you're into paranormal romance, this is definitely worth your time.

I love Cole's books and love the immortals after dark series!! I just wish they had all of the books in audio, it's just so much easier and simpler to listen to while driving back and forth hee hee
Well, I loved the characters, the way the story developed, and I loved Bowen :)
Mr. Petkoff has done a super great job with the narration! I love the accent, the intonation, the voices.... I wish he could narrate a lot of the females books that I've been getting. I've not been lucky, but I haven't found any female one that I thought did a good job yet :/

Another one of my absolute favorite books in the IAD series!

Bowen and Mariketa's story is one that I will never forget and one of the first ones I think of when I think of Kresley Cole's books.

My heart seriously feels for Bowen. He's lost his mate nearly two centuries ago and believes his feelings for the 'little witch' Mariketa has enchanted him to make him feel for her.

Mariketa, the young and adorably quick-witty MORTAL witch is just starting to come into her powers. Hello!! She's not even hit her immortality yet!!! She's not exactly a pro with her powers yet, and she just wants someone to actually want her and not have them bail on her. She's a little stinker and seriously keeps you entertained!

Their attraction and romance sizzle (hot hot hot) while they navigate their way out of the jungle back to civilization.

Thankfully this book is more remniscent of a Hunger Like No Other and not No Rest For the Wicked. Thankfully the ridiculous Talisman's Hie (an Immortal version of The Amazing Race) is only a tiny portion of the storyline, and thankfully this story does not focus on a member of Valkyrie race.

This story focuses on Bowen who was a fascinating secondary character in A Hunger Like No Other. He is mourning the loss of his mate when he comes across Mariketa who is a witch and wonders how he can be so entranced by this witch when his mate is dead.

Bowen makes this book. He is extremely likable, devoted, protective, tough, and lovable. The ending is one that you'll never guess, and I was happy to see these two likable characters find love.

4.5 stars

OH MY!

I loved this book. I am a sucker for a good paranormal romance and I loved this one. I loved Bowen and the CHEMISTRY he had with Mariketa. The book had an interesting plot, exciting action, and plenty of hot werewolfy sex! ::yowza:: I read this book all day and didn't want to put it down. I liked it much more than book 3 of the series and am hopeful the next one will be just as good. These books are very addictive- BRAVO Kresley Cole!

Mariketa the Awaited, a mortal mercenary foretold to be one of the best witches ever born, if she can learn to control her power.
Bowen MacRieve, a heartbroken Lykae. Searching the earth for a way to bring back his mate, Mariah, who died centuries before. Bowen joins the Talisman’s Hie, an immortal version of The Amazing Race. The winner will receive a key to travel back in time. This is Bowen’s last hope. He will stop at nothing to win. Mariketa set to prove herself worthy also joins.
Bowen is drawn to Mariketa. Everything about her screams HIS. She’s perfect for him, seems to be made for him, only she’s not Mariah. Bowen will not let her distract him from winning, no matter how much he is attracted to her.

So much deliciousness happens in this book! This is an amazing series, one of my all-time favorites.

This was a fantastic book to read with two engaging, complex characters. I guess a major reason why I love this book so much (other than the magic and romance mix) is because the all the characters are incredibly engaging and easy to connect with. Mariketa is similar to my age and has the kind of sense of humor and outlook that I can understand. Bowen is precisely the kind of man that I would love to have! He's fierce and protective...and a little bit broken, which make him all the more intriguing. The secondary characters are also just as engaging...Carrow, Regin, and even Nucking futs Nix are all characters that I REALLY hope to read more of in their very own books! Can't wait to read the next in the series!!

Okay, this is my 3rd read in the Immortals after Dark Series. LOVED LOVED LOVED the first book, the 2nd "ech" not so much. Bowen and Mari's story brought the series back to life for me. In the second book I had no interest in the "amazing race" parrallel, skipped over a lot of those pages, however in this 3rd installment the race came to life for me because of Bowen and Mari and also the comraderie shared between Mari's 6 protectors whilst on their amazing journey. There were so many twists and turns and treats in this book, the fate of Mari's parents, Mariah and her story, and the return of beloved characters.

Yes there were a few slow points but they didn't last long and the wait was rewarded. I am starting on the 4th book at the gym this evening. Its about one of the other vampire brothers of the horde.

I must confess though that I do like the Lykae men a lot more than the Vampire men.THEY CAN CHASE ME ANYTIME THEY WANT TO!

I have read quite a few of the Immortals After Dark series and I think this one is my favorite. I am in love with Bowen and Mari. They are so fun together and you really get caught up in their lives. I absolutely loved this story and would read it over and over again. I suggest everyone read this one, and the rest of the series.

Also, did you notice how there weren't any 1-star ratings?? There's a reason for that.

OH Man oh man oh man!! If you haven't already order yourself a copy...WAT are you DOING sitting here reading theses reviews?!?!? GO out there and get ur owwwn copy cause this book is worth it all!!
It not so hard to find a steaming hot book now-a-days but it is definitely hard to find one with such a great romance attached!!
I dont believe kresley cole could have written this book any better. Ever since reading A hunger like no other i've been craving for bowen's story..wondering if he'll ever get his mate back or if he would find a new one!! WELL the ending for this book is much much much better than anything you can imagine!! I'm usually really good at guessing the ending but man did this blow me away!! COle does an AMAZING job and if your stuck on the fact about a male giving up his mate..no worries!! Just read it i will bet my bottom dollar it is worth everrything!!
okay...i dont believe i can stress it any more!! JUST DO IT!!
Yeah i knoe..this review doesn't help a dang bit...JUST DO IT..dont worry about the reviews, atleast borrow it from the library if your really doubtful about buying it..you'll see!!

We last left Lykae Bowen armless and burned in a fire-filled cave, grieveing the loss of his mate. Those of us who waited on pins and needles for A YEAR will be more than pleased with this latest installment in Cole's Immortals After Dark series. Bowen is tragic but comes off as strong and not brooding, an impressive feat in a genre that seems knee-deep in whiny heroes. The witch Mari is a breath of impowered female air and manages to hold her own against Bowen. What's great about Cole's books is that none of her characters are perfect, and their flaws make them more interesting to read about. Even with complicated backstories, the reader can easily get lost in the plot and not come up for air until they've devoured the whole thing. My only question now is: HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE?!

I'm in love. I'm in love and it's horrible. I will forever be trapped like Bowen for so many centuries, miserable without the thing I need. Which is Bowen. Yeah. Definitely Father Time. I thought Sebastian had ruined me. Actually, they ALL have. I'm doomed. So doomed. And more afraid than ever to go onto the next book. But am I going to? Hell yeah! Let Kresley destroy me, it's ok. This is one hell of a sweet a*s death. *sighs*

This is the second of Kresley Cole's books that I've read and once again, you gotta love the folks of the Lore! Another fast paced read with interesting characters. It's hard to put it down. Bowen the tormented Lykae cousin to Lachlain from "A Hunger Like No Other", seeks to win a contest so he can go back in time and save his long lost love. But a witch gets in his way and in his heart-- Mariketa -The Awaited. The characters are exciting and you won't be able to put this one down! I highly recommend it! Good reading! It's a keeper!

Finally, after a year of waiting the next Immortals book is out! And to everyone's delight the hero is the depressed werewolf Bowen who we've been tracking through the last two novels and simply drooling for. Since other reviewers have already given an overlook of the story I'll simply give my pros and cons of this new edition to a totally kicking series.

Though I have been tapping my foot in antisipation all year waiting for this book and figured I would devour it in one sitting like I have the last three, I was a little miffed to find the first few chapter kind of a dredge to get through. Not that they were not wonderfuly written, but we had to get through the backtracking. In the first chapter our werewolf Bowen and the witch Mari meet and have a little sexual interlude that ends with him trapping her in a cursed cave. From there we pretty mutch had to reread the fire scene from the last book, but this time from Bowen's perspective and not Sebastions. Then we go back to the cave to check up on Mari and the five other immortals that Bowen trapped. It get a little boring I suppose because after the first chapter the two potential lover's do not meet up again for another ten chapters (or until page 80). Maybe it was just me, but I was a little impatient to get on with the story. Anyway, after Bowen saves Mari and the others from the cave they have to trek miles through the jungle to get word out the very angry witched that thier future leader, Mari, is alive before an all out war starts. During this trip Bowen takes the turn from angry depressed guy to sauve, charming seducer. And although there are a few exchanges between the two to be lovers that had me giggling, I was a little sad to find this story not as hot as the last three. Kresley usually sets fire to the pages, but this one was a little luke warm in that department.

The pro on this book is the ending, wich I will not spoil, but will say surprised even me who can usually can guess what's going to happen in a story line before it does. Brava on that! But, over all, I have to say this one didn't top my shelf as I hoped it would and Sebastion still remains my favorite Immortal hero. Still, I was pleased to see Kresley bring in a round of new characters including two rage demons whom I am really rooting for a story for!

Can't wait for the next one...

I'm not a werewolf lover, anyone who reads my own work or knows me knows I despise them and think they have been done to death. For this book alone, I retract that hatred. Bowen is... captivating, sexy and just all around stunning. He's the kinda hero we have to see more of in romance, the alpha with his issues but not so many that he isn't blind to what could be. I love this series and this book makes it even better! I'm anxiously awaiting the next, and all the smaller stories hinted at in this one.

Kresley Cole is exactly the kinda writer i love, one that is true to the character and the vision and doesn't change what shes writing to suit whats "hot" for that point in time. everything she writes is an auto buy!

I am still a fan of Kresley Cole and the Immortals After Dark series. But this was not my favorite book in the series. I found it was a little light on the witch lore and I thought it was a pretty jumbled tale once another dimension through mirrors and parents...oh my! I am also finding that as the males in the series, I prefer the vampires over the lykaes (although I do love the Scottish brogue). I am happy that Bowen got his HEA and will continue reading.

If you've read the first 2 books and they've left you begging for more, Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night (Immortals After Dark, Book 3) will not fail to deliver. From Bowen's first appearance, I was hoping he'd get his own book. In many other series the character I liked most would have disappointing stories but Bowen's exceeded my expectations!!! I recently just finally finished (after starting and stopping a lot) Kiss of a Demon King (Immortals After Dark, Book 6) Rydstrom's book, and wanted to revisit my lovable Lykae and I was firmly reminded why I love this story so much!! My favorite in the series by far. Now I'm off to explore the series further with Pleasure of a Dark Prince (Immortals After Dark, Book 7). Happy reading fellow IAD fans!!!

I LOVE the IAD and highly recommend it. I have read every book Kresley has written, I think it's official, she is my favorite author and I would never say that lightly, I love to read. Way to go Kresley : )

I was so surprised at how much I loved this book. Yes, I liked the first 2 of the series very much and it is rare to get to the 3rd and like it even better, but I absolutely did. I couldn't put it down. The story between Bowen and Mariaketa is very complicated and challenged by a man who is haunted by his past and his lack of ability to censor what comes out of his mouth.

It makes the story that much better, because he realizes how much he is willing to do to make things work with Mari and it's endearing to see the inner turmoil as he battles his own predjudices for the woman he has come to love and admire.

I've read reviewers complain about the "teen lingo" etc. ridiculous!! If you can understand a generational gap while speaking with your children or a teenager in a supermarket, it is not too complicated to understand it 2 or 3 times in a book.

Okay, this is the 3rd book from Ms. Cole's Immortals After Dark series. I've read the first 2 and liked both giving them 4 star ratings. But this book is way better than the first two books. This book is my favorite out of the 3. The book is a page turner, can't put down kind of book. The attraction between Bowen and Mari is intense and sexy. The book has you guessing all the time about what's going to happen next. Can't wait for the 4th book.

What I loved about this book was that the story overlapped a bit with the story in Book 2. I thought it was interesting to hear about Bowen's and Mari's experiences in the Hie. I liked Mari's sassiness with Bowen. Their banter was fun to read. I got worried as the story seemed to reach a high peak so close to the end, and it did seem a rushed. All in all, I thought it was a good book, and worth reading if you enjoyed the others in this series.

In 1827 Mariah of the Three Bridges is murdered in the shadow of the full moon. Her last sight is watching her beloved Bowen MacRieve of the Lykae Clan howl at the full moon in rage.

In 2007 Bowen remains angry, frustrated and acrimonious as he has over the past nine score; and he has become a bit of a hermit. When offered a chance to participate in the treacherous and grueling Talisman's Hie, he immediately accepts. Bowen believes the risk is nothing only his life; but the prize is everything as winning enables him to go back to 1827 and correct the pivotal tragedy that has shaped his life since

Mariketa the Awaited leader of the House of Witches has strong reasons to win the contest hosted every two and a half centuries by the Goddess of Impossibilities Riora. Though the Witch is prepared for any contingency, the revolting acrid Lykae fools her and ensnares Mari in a deadly cave; Mari in turn casts a death spell on Bowen. He realizes he must save her to save himself if he is save Mariah. However, he is confused as he reacts to Riora as if she is his soulmate, not Mariah.

When Kresley Cole writes a romantic fantasy, there is NO REST FOR THE WICKED or readers as fans finish her exhilarating complex tales in one wonderful sitting. WICKED DEEDS ON A WINTER'S NIGHT may be the best entry in the Cole Lore as the lead couple is deadly rivals who over the course of the competition turn from enemy combatants into beloved enemies. Readers will relish this powerful entry as the mythos of the sentient races not human entertainingly expands leaving the audience with a HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER for the next saga.

Harriet Klausner

This one hit its mark! I truly stayed up til 4 am to finish this. I was so engrossed with the characters and the what next?. It has been some time since I've read a book where I connected with both hero and heroine and enjoyed the villain and enjoyed the secondary's AND enjoyed the slower spots. Thank you! Finally a book that I could sink into!

With every book Kresley gets better and better. Although I loved Book 2, Book 3 has a more developed plot and characters. It's amazing how Kresley spins the plot and then connects it all at the end. And the issues confronted is very satisfying for me. Although the first three have this "I hate you but I want to have sex with you and later I can fall in love", I'm getting more used to that style. Of the first three books, this was my favorite because I was rooting for both the guy and the girl. And I've been known to do a Pagan ritual or two!

Bowen's story was a great read. He was so tormented, guilty and loney and I felt it. I loved his travel through the games and after dealing with his feelings for Mariketa. I liked how strong Mariketa was and felt their journey was authentic. The twist in the end was fabulous and made for great and intense reading. I really enjoyed this entry in the series.

In the mystical world of the Lore, no faction is more abhorred than the House of Witches. Known for their avaricious nature, the witches are the Lore's mystical mercenaries distrusted by most of the Lorekind. Led by Mariketa the Awaited, she was predicted to be the most powerful born to the House of Witches long before she was born. Indeed, everyone in the coven anticipated her to do something of epic proportion. So great was the hype about the Awaited that other factions in the Lore kept track of her. It's been said that Mariketa was the only witch to ever possess the strengths of all five castes of witches - healer, conjurer, seeress, warrior and enchantress. Yet deep inside, Mariketa knew that she was more famous for being famous. Or, as she liked to refer to herself: all hype, no substance. Desperately seeking to meet everyone's expectations, she entered the Talisman Hie, hoping to be the first witch to win the immortal scavenger hunt version of the Amazing Race. She knew how vicious the game was, but she never expected that she would be out of the competition only three days into the game after being imprisoned in a Guatemalan cave by a Lykae.

Nearly two centuries ago, Bowen Graeme MacRieve buried his mate Mariah and has been in mourning since. The once revered and feared warrior became a shadow of his former self who walked around like the living dead in existence of nothing but pure longing and excruciating pain. He vowed to do everything to bring his mate back and has spent his life looking for the key to go back in time. After receiving a cryptic advice from a powerful Valkyrie, he entered the Hie thinking that the prize will bring his mate back, never anticipating what awaited for him. For inexplicable reason, he found himself enchanted with Mariketa from the moment he laid eyes on her. But his hatred for her faction made him suspicious of her. Has he found himself under the enchantment of the witch? Or has fate finally taken pity on him after all those wretched years of barren existence and sent him the reincarnation of Mariah?

WICKED DEEDS ON A WINTER'S NIGHT continues on from No Rest for the Wicked (The Immortals After Dark, Book 2). While it is not critical to read that book, it would give the reader a more in-depth background on the Talisman Hie, adding the fact that reading about what the competitors went through was a real joyride. I liked Bowen from the time he was introduced in the first book. The pain, guilt and angst he has gone through for more than a century is finally unravelled in this book. But therein lies my predicament. As good as it was to finally read about him, I found him too whiney. I could appreciate the author wanting to delve deeper into his inner struggles, but I felt the depiction of Bowen as a tortured hero became a bit tiresome after a while. I was not drawn to Mariketa either. I agree that her immaturity is befitting for a mortal woman her age but the constant "I want him/I hate him" struggle made me yawn. There was nothing in their interaction that I felt like gushing over.

In summary, this was mediocre in comparison to the second book. I guess I'm in the minority here. While I enjoyed some parts, I had such high hopes for Bowen's story that I felt let down overall. I should have known that I was in for a disappointment after rolling my eyes at the cover.

I was very much looking forward to this book, and I wasn't disappointed. I loved the characters and it had a good twist at the end that I wasn't expecting. As usual with Kresley Cole books, the love scenes were great!
I liked that Bowen was a caveman type and that the heroine could take care of herself and kick some butt when needed. This is the third book in the series and you are missing out on some great reads if you don't go out and snatch them up. Can't wait for the next one.

I won't repeat what the other reviewers said, hopefully.

This book was very long awaited by me and I couldn't wait to read it. I bought it early through ebooks.com

There is a lot of action and attraction going on here of the hairy, befanged, and witchy variety.

I do believe you need to read the first 2 in order to get all of this book as some of the characters and concepts from those books reappear here. You can read it by itself, but I think you'd get more from it by reading the first 2 books.

If you haven't read this series, you need to. I started reading the series this summer and got hooked. I have been waiting for this book to come out and I was not disappointed. It's a great book! Cole does a phenomenal job in making her scenes rich with sexual tension, adventure, and humor. The book is steamy and will keep you on the edge of your seat. I found that I was holding my breath anticipating what would happen next. To top that off, I found myself giggling and laughing throughout the book. All in all, Cole did a super job and I would highly recommend this book to anyone...READ THE SERIES!!! You won't be disappointed. You'll love it and want more!

Third installment of The Immortals After Dark series. Kresley Cole writes great paranormal romance and she did not disappoint here. You will fall in love with the tortured and guilt-ridden Bowen. Mariketa is strong without becoming one of those cliche stubborn heroines. I enjoyed this book through the end, and was even suprised by a few plot twists. I recommend this entire series.

I really enjoyed this book. I still like the 1st book (A hunger like no other) the best but I did like this book better than the second, it had more passion. I LOVE how Kresley Cole integrates just enough of the other characters we've seen the other books and her timeline of events flows and coordinates so smoothly with the other books. I can't wait for the next one!!

So far, my favorite in the series, Cole is really starting to fully develop her characters and the stories of previous books are all coming together. Loved loved loved the heroine, Mariketa, and the interaction between her and her man, Bowen, is wonderful. Cole has made both into full 3-D characters, with their internal demons, humor, tastes, weaknesses and strengths. I especially love the funny, strong women Cole is writing from the various factions of the Lore. It makes the series, and especially after reading this installment, a must read!

I have read every Kresley Cole novel and I have to say, she is definitely my favorite romance writer. She is masterfully adept at all the facets which make a perfect romance novel; she always puts out a book that has decent writing, creative plot and hot, I'm-not-writing-chaste-sex-scenes-because-this-is-a-ROMANCE-novel sex. I was a literature and philosophy major in college (obviously with a certain guilty pleasure), so it always annoys and disappoints me that most romance novels are written so poorly and with such a formulaic structure. Kresley Cole, however, knows that a romance novel doesn't have to be trash; in my opinion, she has single-handedly turned a genre which is usually the butt of jokes into one of legitimate fiction. I hope she continues to write with such quality and has much success!

I enjoyed this book a lot, read it in one sitting, however, it was my least favorite in the series so far.

It seemed like Bowen and Mari were looking for excuses to hate each other... Maybe the author could have elaborated more on the horrors of being trapped in the cave, for example. That whole thing was not really fleshed out, yet it's the central reason Mari can't trust Bowen.

Looking forward to more in this series!

So many reviews already, just want to add my rating to overall score.

One of those that I hate to admit to liking because it is just total romantic smut and so enjoyable.

Didn't get the whole mirror apple thing but logic isn't really the selling point anyway.

I'd like to think that men in books really do exist. Unfortunately we all know that is not the case. This book was very fun, and was the first in the series that I've read. I actually bought the first 2 after reading this one. I am not normally a fantasy/romance reader, but I bought this to pass the time. The characters had character, and the story was very interesting. I didn't put it down, and that's what I like about a book.

Kresley Cole's third in the series and she didn't dissapoint! Her characters in this book seemed to have even a bit more depth than the others. I also like her style of paranormal. The werewolves don't fully change into wolves, but become very bestial (they're not running around on all fours!) I also love the Scottish brogue dialogue...ooh baby!

I really loved the first two books of INMORTALS AFTER DARK, but this one was a disappointment. First, the whole book just seemed and excuse for having those two together. I mean, for me there wasn't an essence of a plot as in the previous two, where there was a plot and the characters interacted with it. In this one, the trek through the jungle was a way of having Mariketa and Bowen talking and doing things, but it doesn't feel real to me.

Then there's the problem of the characters: I liked Bowen and Mariketa far more on the previous book than in this one. In this book they spend their time as follows:

- Mariketa thinks about Bowen, whether she likes him or not, deciding that she hates him but that she likes him, but she wants someone to say "I chose you". Then she thinks about her missing parents and her ex boyfriend who left her for another. Then she climaxes on Bowen's hands, and you think they are going at it, but then she remembers she hates him and proples him away with some magic. Then Mariketa begins to think anew whether se likes Bowen or not... You get the idea. All the book is like that for her. But then there's him.
- Bowen thinks about Mariketa, whether she likes her or not because she's a withc and he hates witches. Mariketa has probably put a spell on him, making him love her, because he's still in love with his lost mate. Yeah, that's it. But the witch is hot! Yeah, but the guil for his lost mate... But wow, the witch is hot and he wants to claim her... but he must be ensorcelled, because he can't love a witch. Besides he would likely chose his lost mate... or not? Yeah, the withc is hot, now he wants to claim her and he will.

More or less the book is like this for every page. I hated Mariketa for all her "Now Io want, now I don't" and Bowen for not letting go of the past. But do not worry, at the end of the book, there's some little surprises that gives a little more of deep to the story.

Anyway, this book wasn't for me, I found it extremely boring. I hope the next one is better than this one!!!

Loved this book. If you haven't read the two previous books you are going to be lost. Bowen is a great character although I was beginning to get tired of his waffling back and forth over which woman was actually his mate. Marikita was wonderful too very spunky. All around a great book just like the two before.

I absolutely loved this book, it is the 3rd in the series and what a great read it was, it did not dissapoint. I find it was the best so far, and its got me wanting more! Ive already bought the next book, and I cant wait to get it. I loved how different the main characters(Bowen and Mariketa) stories were, but how well they meshed together. This book will pull many emotions from the reader, one minute I was smiling and laughing, and the next minute I was on the verge of crying, and not to mention the romance was toe curling!! This was a great read and I recommend Kresley Coles immortals after dark series to any paranormal romance lover like me!!

K. Cole's fans will not be dissapointed when reading Bowen & Mari's story. Intrigue, adventure, action, and romance...this one has it all. A total delight for your imagination and emotions. You can't help feeling totally connected to Mari thru out the entire story. Make sure you add this one to your collection, stat!

I was looking for a series to read after reading JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series and after reading a very helpful review on the store.com, I bought this series. The Immortals After Dark is my current favorite paranormal romance series. The stories are great and the "butt-kicking" heroines/mates are interesting and lovable. I also recommend JR Ward's the BDB series and Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire Series.

This is my favorite book in the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole. I just really love the Lykaes that Kresley writes about, they are so likeable. Mari, the heroin was so cool! Talk about some great love scenes too, mmmm mmmm good! This was Kresley's last really great book in the series. Dark Needs at Nights Edge and Desires After Dusk were just ok. I think she is cranking out to many books now and isn't able to take the care with her writings. I don't like the new covers either.

Kresley Cole has done it again. I read this book, frantically between moments of real life - in one day. It was excellent in character and plotting. The twists and turns in this book were quite amazing, and Mari and Bowen are hot, hot, hot. I'm going to reread the first two, and then read this one again. Just a first rate job.

I love Kresley Cole's series and this is my favorite book in the series. Bowen and Mari are HOT together and I love each of their characters. In many books I like either the h or H but I really liked both in this one. I've read it over and over.

This is the 3rd series of the The Immortals After Dark..

A definate must buy if you have purchased the books, A Hunger Like No Other and No Rest for the Wicked. The epic story continues in a different way. See the links below

A Hunger Like No Other (The Immortals After Dark Series, Book 1) and No Rest for the Wicked (The Immortals After Dark, Book 2)

Highly recommended to buy if you love paranormal romance books.. I enjoyed the book tremedously of the non stop action along with the sizzling romance included..

Way to go Kelsey... Waiting for your next one to come out.

I loved this book. One I could not put down. It will be re-read over and over. It is nice to get started with another Paranormal series with different twist to it. The characters were so interesting and unique it really kept my attention, and I enjoyed meeting them!!!

These are good books to read... They are really well written, better books to read are the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Nightwalker,Gaurdians of Eternity, or the Midnight Breed Series, but if you have read all these series then these are a great place to go next.

I don't normally read paranormal stuff, but I came across this and decided to go for it. So glad I did! I think it completely changed my mind about the genre. The book itself was so good and the characters really compelling. A must, must read. I also recommend, for just regular erotica Girls On Top: Explicit Erotica For Women.

...and I tried. For almost three weeks. There were a few paragraphs here and there that got me going, but this story never pulled me in. It's hard to pinpoint what it was that didn't compel me to read Wicked Deeds. In fact, I picked up Dark Needs (the best in this series,imo) intending to just scan through it and found myself reading it in two nights--for the second time--because I needed a break from Wicked.

I never got a strong sense that this couple liked each other or fell in love with each other in a gradual, believable way. I think the fact that Bowen wasn't convinced Mari was his mate until late in the book, and even then it didn't have an epic tone kind of left me lukewarm.

Somehow the characters and the coupling felt flat compared to Hunger Like No Other and Dark Needs. I wanted to like this book but it left me indifferent. And I'm probably in the minority, but I find Nix a bit cartoonish at times.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I didn't really like this book. This is kind of surprising, considering I really enjoyed the first two books in the series. I just found it very hard to get through this story. It took me at LEAST two weeks to read it. And this was with me forcing myself to read a few pages a night. It was truly a struggle. Towards the middle of the book, I just started scanning the remainder of the story.

A few things just kept bugging me: first, the language. Bowen is supposed to be hundreds of years old, and while Mariketa was relatively young, she's been around immortals all of her young life. It seems that everyone in this book spoke like, well...teenagers. Everyone in the book spoke like teenagers, including the other immortal secondary characters. They kept using slang, and I found it hard to imagine these REALLY OLD people using that language. It was just a little disconcerting, and made me want to toss the book across the room. Second - it was Bowen & Mariketa, themselves. What boring characters they were. Their interactions seemed silly, and honestly, I had a real hard time feeling a connection between them. Plus, Bowen's internal struggles just seemed tedious. For me.

This book is a stand alone read, but, it is part of a series. I do recommend reading the previous books before you get this one, although you really don't have to. I hope the next book in the series prove more satisfying for me.

This book is one of my favorites of the entire series. I love all the books in this series, but I usually just read each one once and be done with it. This book however, I felt the need to read it multiple times, not sure why, but I do know I loved it.

I just love the action, drama, romance and occultism that this story possesses. I was very intrigued by the power that a witch and a sorceress may possess. Very cool stuff! With so much action going on, it's hard not to become enthralled yourself! I absolutely loved the ending because everything works out as it should... just like a fairy tale. :)

I am a huge fan of the IAD series and was very surprised that I didn't love Bowen's story. Mariketa was a little on the boring side and the chemistry between her and Bowen wasn't there for me. There were parts that I really liked and that seemed promising but overall it felt like something was lacking. Bring back the Valkyries!

Ok, I didn't enjoy the book quite as much as book 1 & 2 in the series but I still thought it was great and can't wait to get my hands on the next one.
My biggest problem is that Kresley Cole doesn't write enough books!

I love the other IAD books and was surprised that Wicked Deeds was not very exciting. The characters were kind of blah and the chemistry just wasn't there in my opinion. For an exciting and hot witch/vampire paranormal romance try Jen Holling's My Immortal Protector.

Kresley Cole has managed to top herself in her newest IAD installment! Not only is the romance between Bowen and Mariketa believable (and hot!), but the surrounding plot is well developed and highly creative. A wonderful read for those looking for hot romance, serious humor, and some great imagination!

This book really does just feel out of place in the Immortals After Dark series. Bowen is significantly more of an ass to Mariketa than other male leads, especially once he's been freed of that enchantment. To tell the truth, I found it hard to believe that she could forgive him for what he did. I actually was better able to believe that Holly (in book 5) would forgive her lover. Bowen is, quite frankly, a disgrace to the Lykae, despite his excuse of having been enchanted, he was just too often an ass, to regularly unable to claim his mate and let her down. This is one I'd say Kresley could and should rewrite so that it doesn't mar the series as a whole.

I liked this book. I liked from the moment I opened it, it was a page turner. I loved the characters. The only thing I did not like is the female characters family (for lack of a better term). To me when they spoke about her side of the family I got lost between all the characters and who was who.

I thoroughly enjoyed this Wicked Deeds read. It was everything I wanted and more. I really got into the story and never wanted it to end. A must, must read for any fan of the genre, as well as, Dark Consent (Vampire) (erotica) (kindle) (Dark Vampire Series).

What an incredible book. Once you start reading it, you won't be able to set it down. I even got yelled at by my boss for reading the book on company time. I've read it 4 times and each time is like the first time. There is alot of information to process so get ready be blown away. It's awsome. Also, if you missed reading Tino Georgiou's masterpiece--The Fates, go and read it.

I know a lot of people really liked this book, but I liked the other three stories better. I didn't really think Mari was as likable as Myst, Emma, or Kaderin. She wasn't as quirky as they were, in my opinion at least. I did like this book though and the series is by far better than the other paranormal series out there.

This is the best book so far.Bowen is kind of the 'underdog' after losing his lifemate and losing the hie trying to get her back in the last book.He deserves to find some happiness, and you root for him the whole time in this book.Loved the sweet romance he finds.You will too.

After reading the superb "A Hunger Like No Other, I could not wait to rush out and buy Bowen's book. The MacRieve men are so sensuous, dark, and dangerous and I was excited to read Bowen's story. Man was he gypped with his HEA. Oh, and the cover was embarrassingly cliché.

To start with, I am not at all fond of witches but I was hoping that Mariketa would be the exception, that her character would be compelling and engaging, similar to Emmaline's. Instead, she came across more like one of the raging Valkyries and kinda skanky with her slangy speech and birth control patch. Not to mention she was thoroughly nasty to Bowen for most of the book, even contemplating sleeping with the demon Cadeon just to get back at and hurt Bowen for the outcome of the contest. It was always clear the Ascension was a no-holds barred, down and dirty race to the finish, so I kept thinking "get over it, you all lost". Plus all the sexual tension wears thin with the numerous almost-sex scenes that by the time they do get to it, it's all mindless sex and little story until the end.

Bowen got played twice, first by the machinations of Mariah, then 180 years later by the conniving, mean-spirited witch Mariketa. Bowen deserved so much better for his HEA. I felt very little satisfaction when I finished this book and not inclined to re-read it. I treasure Emma and Lachlain's story and re-read it often.

I skimmed through the two demon brothers books (got them from the library) because I just do not find horned demons to be believable or desirable male leads. I will not give up on the Lykae men just yet. I am crossing my fingers and hope that Garreth's book is better.

I really love this whole series! I like the humor and the pace. This book started off with a bang and kept going till the last page. I would recommended this book to anyone who wants a fun and interesting read! If you like the rest of this series you will enjoy this one also.

Kresley Cole can write very entertaining and sexy books whether they are paranormal or historical romances. Perhaps my expectations were too high for Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night, (handful of a title you got there) because this title falls a bit short of her past releases in this series favorite.
Bowe, the angsty (beyond angsty) Scottish werewolf hero has entered this immortal "Amazing Race" and seems to be the most prize hungry of them all. He can't get over the loss of his mate from many years ago and believes if he wins this prize, he will be able to go into the past and bring her back to life. But what this alpha male wasn't expecting was the witch Mari.
Mari is till a mortal but a witch never the less and has entered this race for the same prize Bowe and the other creatures want. But when Bowe and Mari meet, the sparks fly. Well, they both can't stand each other but they can't understand why the keep lusting after each other. Bowe thinks Mari has put a spell on him to make him want her. Mari has no clue and just goes with the flow.
Bowe ends up almost killing Mari and then saving her. Of course he wants her more than ever, at least in the elemental sense, and has the yearnings for her that only a mate can provide. But what about his deceased love who he thought was his true mate? And what is it with Mari's reflection that every time she looks in a mirror her reflection wants to either enthrall her or perhaps kill her?
The sex between Bowe and Mari is scandalous and hot but every time they seethe with anger and disgust for each other, the story becomes tedious. Cole's trademark humor and wit seems to be missing also and the action becomes mundane after awhile. Some may enjoy the antics of Bowe and Mari, their lusts and trek through the jungles and evil that tends to come their way. I on the other hand wish Bowe would get over it and leave Mari alone. Angst filled characters can be put up to a point, but when the hero continues to whine (and I wanted to smack him to stop) and goes "woes me!" till the very end, I was ready to close this book and look for another.

Katiebabs

A Hunger Like No Other (The Immortals After Dark Series, Book 1)
No Rest for the Wicked (The Immortals After Dark, Book 2)

as my husband says not another Vampire, Werewolf ... paranormal romance novel. But truly fantastic & a pleasure to read.
I'm an addict when it comes to Kresley Cole novels. I have not been disappointed yet....

Besides the explicit sexual content, the story is incredibly good and it will have you wanting more and more, therefore, forcing one to lay-off other responsibilities.
I have to say, this is one of my favorites so far from the series. This book is a complete sexual torture to those reading. If you're not into literature-porn, then put the book down.

I love Kresley Cole's writing style and I was sucked in from the very beginning of this book. It was quite captivating and yet I didn't want to read it too quickly because I didn't want it to be over. Great story! Can't wait to dive into the next one.

It's a good thing that, without fail, all of the male protagonists in the Immortal After Dark flock of books have literally no choice but to love the heroines because it would definitely take a metaphysical compulsion to make me or any other sane man desire any of them.

Every last heroine in this series of books is a cruel, cruel woman. Needlessly, pointlessly cruel. In every book of this series that I have read so far, each male protagonist has been wallowing in misery and suffering for centuries, being subjected to endless torture and soul crushing loneliness and misery as the very essence of their self dies away with the passage of time. Does this matter to any of the women they have been compelled to love? NOPE.

And if by some chance that ISN'T true and they don't happen to have a tortured past, then that male protagonist simply gets tortured during the period in which the story is written, usually at the hands of the female love interest herself!

The "I am woman hear me roar" factor in this series is terribly overbearing. Apparently the author feels that showing compassion for the men and their unimaginable suffering is akin to showing weakness. That is the only reason I can think of for why the women give these tortured men absolutely no slack whatsoever despite the fact that they are clearly damaged goods due to circumstances well beyond their control. Any misstep by these men, no matter how slight, is met with the woman throwing her hands up in the air and getting ready to call it quits, which in all cases would mean consigning the men to a tortured lonely existence as they are completely incapable of wanting anyone else and apparently their entire existence revolves around having this relationship.

Here's a hint Kresley Cole: Yes, moaning the name of another woman in the middle of sex is certainly bad for any mortal man. It would be a serious issue that might end a relationship. However none of these men are mortal and none of them are even remotely normal. If you moan out the name of another woman because she was your one true mate and you've been agonizing over her tragic death (that you felt responsible for) for 180 frikkin years a little understanding might not be TOTALLY out of line on the part of the female protagonist. Maybe one of these women might see their way clear to move the center of the universe slightly off its usual coordinates (wherever they themselves happen to be) for a few seconds and treat these men like the sentient, complex and deeply damaged beings they unquestionably would be if these stories had been written by anyone else.

The things these men have to put themselves through just to get a little tail is ridiculous. Normally that would be their own fault, but the author has made it so that they have absolutely no choice. In every story the male protagonist has the unfathomable misfortune of being magically bound to love and desire only one woman and that woman invariably hates and despises them. Only through a long, tortured courtship and with a heavy dose of porn star sized genitalia do these poor men just barely eke out a relationship with the women who, for 90% of the book want absolutely nothing to do with them except for the parts where they are trying to maim, hurt, kill, castrate or emotionally abuse them.

Only after a fated night of intense sex that happens almost by accident do these women grudgingly accept their horrible fate of being married to a man that wants absolutely nothing else in this world but to please them in any way they can. Oh the horror. Those poor ladies. Its no wonder they would struggle as hard as they possibly could to avoid that unspeakable fate.

If Cole treated these men like human beings these stories would be infinitely better. Instead they come across like a snuff film with some romance and an unlikely happy ending thrown in.

This is an excellent series. I hope it continues. I found myself not being able to put it down. It is definitely worth reading. I like the way the book touches on the characters from the first books.

I want to live next door to Nix. Again a solid story, strong characters, and attention to details.
I really enjoy this series. I'm rereading the earlier ones to prepare for the new one. Get them all.
Join the immortals After Dark.

I was hoping for more, or I just am not into this genre. I was waiting for the lead female character to say, "Dude, your fangs are uber sharp and it's just not my thing." I know the author tries to mix old stuff with modern things in society, but it doesn't work for me. "Dude, it's just too uber weird."