A Demonica Novel (Demonica series Book 2) - Desire Unchained

Summary:
When Shade wakes up chained with a woman nearby, he is not surprised, what is surprising is that he is in a dungeon and not a comfy bed. When he opens his eyes and sees the woman nearby is Runa that delectable human he briefly dated almost a year ago until she caught him in bed with two demon women... Hey she was supposed to be busy and what is a Seminus demon supposed to do? Runa is PISSED!!! Not only is she in a dungeon but she's chained up next to the man she hates more than any other. In the past year everything bad that has happened to her has been related to Shade the man (or so she thought) she once loved. First she catches him in bed with not just one woman but two and then as she is fleeing his apartment she is attacked by a werewolf and is turned, so now she gets furry at least once a month, and now when she went back to Shades apartment to have it out with him she is captured and thrown in a dungeon and she just knows she is going to die. When Shade is taken out to be tortured he finds out that Roag his supposed to be dead brother is still alive and behind capturing him and Runa as well as the harvesting of demon organs that has been occurring over the last couple of years. Shade doesn't know how he is going to get himself and Runa out of this mess alive but he knows he has to do it somehow. As a torture tactic Roag gets into Shade's and Runa's heads and they wake up mated. Shade is terrified, he is cursed and he can't fall in love, if he does than he will lose his physical form and be a phantom for eternity, and never has he been tempted to fall.... Until Runa... The more time he spends with her the closer he comes to the curse kicking in and he doesn't know what to do. Now not only does he has Roag to contend with he has this damn curse hanging over his head!

Review:
Again Larissa Ione does not disappoint! There is non-stop excitement in this book; you will be entertained from beginning to end. Runa has the right amount of compassion/ level headedness to feisty ratio, she certainly doesn't let Shade plow over her like she had in the past. It didn't really come as a surprise to me that Roag wasn't dead, I did kind of see that one coming but even though it wasn't a surprise it was still a good twist. And of course all your favorites from the previous book make an appearance in this one as well.

"Desire Unchained" is the continuation and second book in the entertaining Demonica series. Werewolves are the main focus in this action-packed, fun and crazy paranormal romance. Shade, brother to Eidolon and Wraith, is the central main character this time around. It Shade's turn to find his true-love to help him through his s'genesis. And it is quite entertaining to read. I enjoyed this book a tiny bit more then the first one, "Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, Book 1)" ~ 4 1/2 stars. This story is great and has a lot more characters introduced and involved in this story-line. It was very exciting and hard to lay down. The pacing is very good and this story is a steam-fest! "Desire Unchained" also focuses on Kynan, a human who is working as a Doctor for the demon run hospital, Underworld General. A very interesting revelation is discovered about Kynan at the end of this story. Wraith the Vampire is the main character in the following book, and his character is featured throughout this story. If you enjoy Fantasy-Paranormal-Romances with Werewolves, Shapeshifters, Vampires, Demons, and secret branches of the government trying to find Underworld General for their own agenda...look no farther. This book is for you. Highly recommended and a keeper. Enjoy! ;}

Grade: A

This series makes for quick reading. I enjoyed this book more than the last one simply because the characters in this book (the male and female leads anyway) weren't as colossally stupid as the ones in book 1.

Shade is a demon, Runa is a werewolf. Shade's brother is insane. Shade will fade into transparency for all eternity if he falls in love, so of course Shade's brother Roag tricks him into a mating ritual with Runa and he eventually starts falling for her.

There was some easy to spot plot points here where the foreshadowing could have been murkier (because I don't always like knowing what's coming), but overall, it was well done. I really liked the interplay between Runa and Shade, as both were written as strong characters, and the ending was very satisfying. As with the first book, there's a crumb of the central mystery that's teased out here as well, but we still don't know what's going on, so of course that increases the chances that the next book will get read.

Beach reading, a decent amount of sex, good characters.

Runa Wagner's life hasn't been easy. Her childhood was not a walk in the park by any means and her bad luck has followed her into adulthood. She's had one bad thing after another happen to her. Then she meets him. He's hot, sexy and amazing in bed. Just what Runa needs to get her mind off her problems. He's also more than just a gorgeous guy on a Harley. Runa finds out the hard way that Shade is not looking for a long term relationship. After getting her heart broken she's thrown into another world she had no idea existed.

The second helping of Larissa Ione's Demonica series is even better than the first. Pleasure Unbound got the series off to a good, solid start but Desire Unchained cemented the demon world into one of substance and realism. Yes, this is paranormal and fantasy but the way Ione has created her world she's given it a strong flavor of realism. While most of the characters may be demons and mythical creatures they have such powerful presence and emotions you can't help but believe they just might be real. If Mulder read these books he'd probably say "See, told ya Scully."

The heroine in Desire Unchained is a woman just trying to live her life and pursue her dreams. She's someone many of us could relate to. Then her life takes a dramatic change and she's left trying to pick up the pieces. Runa is a wonderful heroine. She's smart, self sufficient with strong survival instincts. No TSTL heroine here. Which is a good thing considering the hell she's been through and still more on the way before she and Shade are safe. She doesn't spend much time complaining about her situation, except to Shade. She does seem to enjoy giving him a hard time. Otherwise she has taken her future in hand and done what she could to make her new reality the best it could possibly be. Runa is also not afraid to fight and prefers to stand at Shade's side in a fight. She's a really good match for Shade because she doesn't let him get away with crap. He tries to giving her the brush off when she's asks about Underworld General Hospital (UGH), his brothers and his curse. She keeps after him and wears him down. Not willing to simply take his lame excuses.

Shade makes no excuses or apologizes for who and what he is. I like that. He's a Seminus Demon. Driven to give females what they need when it comes to sex. It's simply a fact of his life and he deals with it. He may not like all the aspects of it but it's something he can't change so why fight it. His loyalty to his brothers, Eidolon and Wraith, is what gives him strength. His job as an EMT for UGH gives him a purpose in life. Like any EMT, be they human or demon the job gets to him at times. The senseless loss of life he sees. Another example of Ione giving these demons humanity. But don't make the mistake of thinking they are tame creatures. Shade's got his demon instincts in spades. Shade's an alpha male all the way and has a need to protect Runa. But he does come to realize that she is far stronger than he first believed. Not only physical strength but emotional and mental strength.

Shade and Runa have no choice but to work as a team after they are tricked into bonding. And while Runa still cares about Shade, he's determined to keep her at a distance. This proves very difficult because of his overwhelming desire for her. Shade and Runa get very physical and tend to wear each other out. So if you enjoy hot sex scenes Ione without a doubt delivers. Ultimately, Shade's curse lays heavy on his mind and he is left with a terrible decision to make.

There's also Shade's brothers, E and Wraith, who are heavily involved in the story line and yet don't overwhelm the pages. The book is definitely Shade and Runa's story. Ione is able to create a blend of the primary and secondary characters without leaving the reader feeling shortchanged on the HEA. That blend gives us plenty of the continuing world and character development while still maintaining focus on the hero and heroine. And we get to see more of Gem and Kynan from the first book. I'm really hoping they get their own book. There are also more new characters introduced in Desire Unchained which gives this reader hope for many more books in the series.

One thing I want to mention is that I have a pet peeve when it comes to antagonists. I can't stand it when the protagonists are so overwhelmingly stronger and better fighters than the primary antagonists. If you're going to have a big-bad, then have a BIG-BAD. Don't wimp out. With Ione I've got no worries on that score. The antagonists she writes are sick, evil bastards and not easily defeated. The good guys really do have to work at outsmarting and out fighting the bad guys. And things don't always go in favor of the good guys. Terrible things happens and it happens to them. But that's okay. It makes for much better story-telling. And in the end that's what it's all about.

So, the Demonica series, IMO, is a must read for any paranormal fan and for anyone who's looking for a good story.

As a brief recap, the main setting of the stories centers in Underworld General Hospital, a facility that cares for all manner of demons, vampires and ghoulies. UGH was founded by three brothers Eidolon, Shade and Wraith, who are Seminus demons. Each of the brothers has the same father but different mothers. The reason for this is that at one hundred years of age, Seminus demons reach their final maturation cycle and essentially go though a metamorphosis called the S'genisis that results in them being able to reproduce. If their sexual urges are not satisfied they lose control to the point that they will rape without care because of their intense sexual needs. If they are bonded, it is only their lifemate that can satisfy their enormous sexual requirements. Seminus demons are incubi, these guys have sex on the brain 24 hours a day. They are huge in stature, and have tattoos or 'dermoires' that shimmer and writhe depending on their mood or state of arousal. They also have a unique marking that is specific to the seminus demon on their neck or throat that sort of activates when they are mated. Their have amazing eyes that change color in anger or lust. The sems are just majorly HOT.

Shade is the head paramedic at Underworld General and as he wakes up in a dungeon chained to a wall, laying on cold concrete, the last thing he remembers is be called out on an ambulance run with his sister and fellow paramedic Skulk. On the other side of the cell, also chained to the wall is his previous lover Runa who he hasn't seen in over a year.

Runa Wagner was a sexually inexperienced human when she became intimately involved with Shade. She fell in love with him only to have her heart broken when she walks in on him in bed with two demons in a very compromising situation. Runa runs away in grief stricken and horrified that night and is attacked by a werewolf and badly injured during the mauling. She nearly dies but is rescued by her brother who is with the military and taken to a secret government instillation where she heals. However, she contracts the lycan infection and becomes a werewolf. Runa is not a happy camper. She blames Shade for her condition because of the events prior to her attack. Runa has also been tasked with infiltrating UGH and passing information to the government agency that was instrumental in saving her life.

Shade is surprised to learn from Runa that Ghouls who are harvesting body parts to sell on the underworld black market are their captors. The antagonist in this novel is a demon and a sociopath, he is absolute evil incarnate. I was completely taken by surprise when the identity of their capture and torturer is revealed. I will say that this creature has one maniacal goal and that is the painful destruction of all three brothers

Seminus demons are very conflicted by nature, they are demons after all, and have a dark side. However, Eidolon, Shade and Wraith (even though he would never admit it), also possess an inherent goodness. All Sems are born pureblood males but inherit minor traits from their mother. In Shade's case, he has the ability to accelerate the healing process in the injured. Shade was born and raised by demons who are a deeply nurturing species, and secretly he wants to be mated and have a family. However, Shade is under a love-curse that prevents him from ever mating, because if he falls in love, he will die and suffer torturous anguish for all eternity. Shade also has another issue that you will have to read about in the book that has caused him great emotional pain over his long existence.

After Shade endures physical torture, their captor manipulates his and Runa's minds so they bond while essentially in a dream state. The consequences are the same however; Shade is bonded to Runa, physically, and telepathically. Seminus demons need sex, a lot, or they die and once they are bonded, their mate is the only one that can fulfill that need. Then there is the additional problem that Shade cannot allow himself to fall in love with Runa.

Following a harrowing escape from their captor's lair. Shade takes Runa to his secret hideaway in Costa Rica where they become reacquainted. Shade also discovers something new and unforeseen about himself when he leaves Runa for a brief visit to Underworld General.

As their relationship intensifies, Runa confesses she has never been out of love with Shade. His feelings eventually become reciprocal. I was chewing my fingernails wondering what the outcome of their love story was going to be in what seemed an untenable situation. The bond between these creatures isn't only sexual; it is an emotional, physical and a telepathic linking. The desire literally pulses between them. It is a soul deep connection that they cannot deny.

The climax to this story is absolutely riveting when all three of the brothers are captured and imprisoned in the lair of the same psychopath that had Runa and Shade. My heart was sitting right up in my mouth reading and turning pages as swiftly as possible to find out how their story would be resolved.

There is a bittersweet romantic subplot written between half demon physician Gem (Tayla's sister), and Kynan the former human Aegis warrior. My heart broke for this couple, however Ms. Ione penned a cliffhanger to their story, so I am hoping for a happy resolution in "Passion Unleashed".

Ms. Ione expanded the Demonica world in Desire Unchained introducing all manner of interesting and on occasion frightening creatures. The stage is also set for Wraith's story, "Passion Unleashed", which is to be released on March 31, 2009.

"Desire Unchained", now has its place next to "Pleasure Unbound", on my keeper shelf and I will, I'm sure be reading it again.

Ladies, if you loved 'Pleasure Unbound,' as much as I did, fasten your seat-belts for this, the second in the series, 'Desire Unchained.' You will find the characters you grew to love growing and developing in ways you might not have imagined, plus a proliferation of creatures/demons and, even darker, world building.

This book is sinfully and powerfully erotic---but very dark. It literally 'vibrates' with wicked lust, torture and danger. You may have to pick a 'safe' word :-), if you become over saturated with the BDSM, or if this is something that repels you, because there is a lot of it here, which I feel may attribute to some of the less than stellar *stars*, by a few. Because, otherwise, this book accomplishes ALL one could desire for hardened PNR, and even UF fans, because it does straddle genres.

Don't be put off by the darkness. You need to let this book evolve around you, and enter the zone. I know, it's a little scary and new territory, for many, because this is not the typical romance story. But, you will discover that each link in Shade's character development is integral; even his darkest, Seminus Demon, Id. We have to remember that his instinctive drives are not that of a human and sometimes this is where it is hard to make the disconnect, particularly when animalistic lust takes over between he and Runa, affectionately referred to as 'Little Wolf.' And, that's because she is---she's a werewolf. So, we get what one might expect from a 'were' and sex demon---not to mention that nasty little love-curse.

This book is filled with twists and turns, that verges on sensory overload---literally, not a dull moment. I thought it would be impossible for Ione to carry it through to a plausible conclusion, with Shade one step from destruction, and other primary characters' writhing in death throes, but her creativity brought forth a crashing, bloody crescendo, that was most satisfying.

I've focused on Shade and Runa, here, because this IS their story. However, the full cast is present and they all have significant roles, from Edilon and Tayla, to Gem and Kynam, and of course, Wraith. Shade's maniacal, breed-brother, Roag, is reminiscent of 'The Phantom of the Opera,' only nastier and ghoulish. He, too, hides behind many masks, as he sets out to destroy all that the brothers' cherish. Talk about a Demon seed!

Some have said this book can be read as a stand-alone. It could, but I wouldn't recommend it. This series is so layered in development, that much would be lost in the cohesiveness and connection to the characters.

I know I'm waiting for Wraith's book, 'Passion Unleashed.' Ione has set the stage beautifully, for his story to come to life. And, while he was not always one of my favorite brothers, I've begun to fall for some of his softer side, even if he can be a stinker :-). I can't wait to see where Ione takes us with him. I suspect it will be quite a journey. And, we don't have to wait long...it's coming out soon. Yea!

Hot sexy demons, sarcastic vampires, Slayers, organ harvesting, and werewolves...although it took me a few minutes to 'read' myself back into Larissa Ione's Demonica world, I was caught and fascinated by her latest tale. "Desire Unchained" is her second book in this series and tells Shade's story. He's a pleasure demon who is cursed to suffer unending hunger as a fade once he finds his true love. Ione's world is complex and unique, with dozens of different demon races and other creatures that 'go bump in the night'. It's also very sexy, especially when you consider that her demons are sex demons.

Runa suffered the hurt of an abusive alcoholic father and an uncaring mother so when she busted her boyfriend 'en flagrante' with not one, but two other women--well, she learned to deal with that pain too. But while running from his apartment, she was attacked by a werewolf. Quite the introduction to the paranormal world, eh? So she's managed to deal with everything life's thrown at her so far...until she wakes up...chained to a dungeon wall...and her fellow prisoner is none other than her ex.

Shade drove Runa away rather than risk falling for her and activating the curse that neither he nor his brothers have found a way to cure. So when he wakes up chained to a dungeon wall with Runa, he's not sure what's going on--but is pretty sure it can't be good. When he discovers his captor is none other than the deranged brother he thought was dead...well, he KNOWS that can't be good. And the icing on the 'not good' cake is when his enforced intimacy with Runa results in their mating. I'm thinking Shade will have a bit of explaining to do--and to a woman scorned no less!

Once I immersed myself back into Ione's world, I became caught up in Runa and Shade's story. The insanity and evil of the mad brother was enough to make my skin want to crawl away on its own and hide in some dark corner. But for some reason, this book didn't grab me quite like "Pleasure Unbound" did. I didn't feel as connected to Runa and Shade and I still can't pinpoint exactly why. I still enjoyed the book, and I can hardly wait for "Passion Unleashed", Wraith's story which should hit stores in April 2009.

Pleasure Unbound was one of my favorite books of 2008, so I been looking forward to Desire Unchained, 2nd in the Demonica Series, from the second that I finished the first book. Even with those hard to live up to expectations I enjoyed Desire Unchained, but there are elements to the book which kept it from being the five star read of the first book.

First the good: I loved Runa. The strength that she gained from her new life as a werewolf makes her a more than worthy mate for a demon, yet her caring nature and willingness to risk a second round of heartbreak make her a very appealing heroine. And I loved Shade once he got over his initial cockiness, and started to fall for Runa. Also once we started to get a sense of his inner pain for not being able to protect his mother and sisters, he becomes very interesting and actually ends up to be a pretty good hero. I also liked the brothers' relationships. I still love Eiodolan and I really liked that Ione started to show the beginnings of the transition for Wrath from his anti-hero status.

Now for my nits: I was less thrilled about Shade's `play room' and his method of purging of Runa's inner darkness, the whole gags and whips and BDSM stuff is not my cup of tea. Though to be fair, Shade doesn't really get off on exercising his brand of `therapy' (though why then does he need all the equipment? Community service?) and there was really only one scene. I also was a bit disappointed in the thread with Kynan and Gem. After the first book I was hoping to see some sparks between them, but Gem's `first time' here is not nice and it was sad considering how her long time unrequitted love for Kynan and the fact that she had 'saved herself' for him. Their story is apparently running through the series and Kynan did actually start getting past some of his demon prejudices and betrayal-baggage toward the end of the story so there's still hope for them in future books.

Nits aside, I still liked Desired Unchained - I like Ione's writing style, and I really really liked the ending. So now I am champing at the bit for Passion Unleashed, fortunately there's not such a long wait this time.

Shade is a Seminus demon (aka incubus minus the soul sucking but ramp up the raunchy arousal) and a paramedic at Underworld General. He's also a brother to the main character we met in Pleasure Unbound. Runa, an ex-girlfriend of Shade has had her heart trampled over by Shade and was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Shade and Runa wake to find themselves kidnapped and chained together in a cell by a cloaked assailant. This nefarious captor has been capturing demons and while the victim is still alive, cutting them up to harvest and sell their valuable body parts on the black-market. The dungeon they are trapped in permeates with screams of despair and pain. Despite bad blood between Shade and Luna, they rely on each other to survive. Shade's genetic perversions threaten to be the death of him. When Seminus demons reach a certain maturity, they transcend into a violent being who is obsessed with gorging on sex and impregnating women by any means necessary, unless they are mated before the change takes effect. Sounds like the answer to the change would be to mate, right? One problem, Shade has been cursed. If he mates and falls in love, his curse will subject him to eternal torment. Unfortunately for Shade, his captor is aware of this secret and deceives him and Runa into mating. Time is running out for Shade. As much as Shade tries not to, he's falling for Runa (always has been falling for her) but the only thing that will save him requires Shade to be unselfish for the first time in his life. As the mate bond strengthens and the chemistry between Shade and Runa heat up; at every turn, Shade's future looks bleak. I really loved this story but just couldn't tolerate Shade at all. He's a total nincompoop! Runa is a strong-willed heroine, who seems doomed to attract one devastating event after another. She is admirable and should be commended for putting up w/ Shade's self-hatred tantrums. She plays the cards life's dealt her and soldiers on as only a strong women can. I would characterize this story as a hybrid between dark urban fantasy and dark paranormal romance. I am a dark urban fantasy reader but this book was malicious and twistedly-deviant enough to keep me fascinated and interested. Frankly, more often then not, I found myself glued to my desk at work trying to steal just a few more pages of reading before my lunch ended; I was simply incapable of putting it down. Strictly urban fantasy readers need not be afraid. I recommend this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series Passion Unleashed.

I also recommend:
Succubus Dreams (Georgina Kincaid, Book 3)
Ravenous: The Dark Forgotten
The Devil Inside (Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist, Book 1)
Hotter Than Hell (Hell on Earth, Book 3)
Personal Demons

Desire Unchained: A Demonica Novel by Larissa Ione

The last thing Shade remembered was climbing in the ambulance with his sister, and then all went black. Upon waking he found himself in a dungeon, chained to wall, but there was someone else in the room... someone he thought he disconnected himself with nearly a year earlier. Oh and it looked like she was about to rip him to shreds, it wasn't his fault she caught him with two other females in bed.

Runa wanted revenge on Shade, not for screwing around on her, but for what she was now. Once a human, now a werewolf, Runa had been working with the military and was on a mission to discover more about the demon hospital UG. She had to make a stop to exact her revenge and was captured. Oh man was Shade going to pay. Ummm, not so much, you see the brother Roag that was supposed to be dead, was back in singed flesh and bone and had a pretty nasty plan. A plan that is about to backfire and heat up the blood in both Shade and Runa.

Shade is cursed, he can not love another woman. If he does for instance fall in love, he will fade away into a life of torture. When Roag messes with Shade and Runa's minds, Shade thinks killing Runa will save him from the curse. But what will save his heart from falling in love with the woman that wanted to kill him?

Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione rocked! It was the hottest book that I've read so far this year! I'm usually not into the BDSM but if it makes sense, Ms. Ione made it tasteful and highly erotic. I loved the teaser at the end, and will make sure to read the next book in the Seminus brothers series. 5 Hearts

When I received my copy of Desire Unchained in the mail, I literally stopped, right on my doorstep, and did a dance. Yes, a dance! I know, that sounds so odd and childish, but ever since I read the first novel, Desire Unbound, last year, I've been hungry for more! And believe me when I say that Desire Unchained delivered on all accounts!

In the first book, we were dropped straight into Ione's world, modern Earth, except for we're not alone. Shapeshifters, Witches, Demons, Vampires, and all sorts of other fantastical characters live in our world. For the most part, humans know about them, but they still don't flaunt themselves. Instead, they stick to the "Underworld's" of the area, tunnels and such below the city or hidden from the humans. The hospital that Shade and his two other brothers founded exist in one such area, hidden from the prying eyes of humans.

While the plot line, the intriguing characters, and the complex story development are a great part of the book, it's not the only part that made my fall in love with the series. It's also the very intense, sometimes graphic, but always satisfying *no pun intended, of course!*, sex. Along with the equally tender romance. Don't get the wrong impression-- it's not ALL about the sex in their relationship, though that part is definitely a big part of it. Personally, I enjoy the more erotic touches like this in my romances, but I know that some do not. If you fall into the later category, I'm sure that you could still enjoy this book, even if you have to flip through a few scenes.

The romance is fantastic, but it's not the only element that sticks out. There's a plot to it, a point besides just watching the H/Hr have hot sex 24/7. The suspense and action makes the reading interesting, not just sexy. I'm anxious for the next book, not only to find out Wraith's fate and story, but also to see what more could happen in this compelling paranormal world that Ione has created. I promise you-- just when you think that you have the story 100% figured out, nothing could possibly surprise you, a new twist in the story pops out, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end. And even then, it will only let you go, but it won't leave you entirely. You'll still find yourself thinking about the story, the characters and the world, anxious to return to it, but upset that you have to wait until the next book to do so.

4.5/5 stars! I can't stop raving about this amazing book! Heck, not just this book, but Ione's entire series! They're sexy, passionate, mysterious, action packed, humorous... I could go on and on! In short, they have everything you could possible ask for in a romance! I can't wait for her future books-- Ione is definitely an automatic author in my book!

Quick & Dirty: A delightful romp with gripping world building, fully fleshed-out characters and pulse-pounding action.

Opening Sentence: "He's gone. Let's call it."

The Review:

Runa Wagner will never be able to forgive Shade for what's he's done to her. His betrayal haunts her and now she's out for vengeance. Unfortunately for Runa, on her mission to bring Shade down a peg or two, she ends up caught in a dangerous game of revenge fueled by Shade's darkest enemy. Shade thought that he dodged a bullet when his relationship ended with Runa the first time around. Between his curse and his demon nature, he didn't have the time to get tangled up in a relationship with a mere mortal. This time around things have changed. Something about Runa has changed, and when Shade wakes up to find himself shackled to Runa in a creepy dungeon, all hell break loose. Shade and Runa need to fight their way out to escape their captor, and try not to kill each other in the process. The story continues with a journey to discover more about the black market organ harvesting, demon torture and ultimately love.

Desire Unchained, the second installment in the Demonica series, continues to captivate readers with a fascinating demon world. Shade's story takes center stage in this installment, which is worthy of high praise. Ms. Ione delivers another incredible romance with witty banter and explosive sexual chemistry. Desire Unchained is a well-written, fast-paced story that will have your heart racing. Ms. Ione does a fantastic job crafting characters with such passion and courage. You'll be on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

I really enjoyed reading Shade's story. He's not as "agreeable" as his brother Eidolon, but I like the fact that he's rough around the edges. His brothers mean everything to him and he will do anything to protect them. Runa and Shade share such great chemistry. They connected in such a beautiful way, even when you were ready to count them down for the count. Their conflict is real and heartbreaking. I also like the fact that nothing comes easy for any of the characters. Nothing about this world is picture perfect.

I was continuously surprised by the twists and turns in this book. The big bad is a stroke of genius. I love it when an author completely captures the essence of a villainous character. Meaning their goals and motivations were purely evil, and not some trumped up or poorly constructed conflict/plot device. It also helps when the villain actually does something evil, instead of skirting around the issue. The main villain brings so much excitement and fear to the story.

Overall, this sophomore effort delivers on every level. The characters are highly sensual, complex, and have great emotional depth. The plot remains riveting, and these demons prove that they aren't controlled by their desires, but their hearts.

Notable Scene:

He burst out the side entrance and braced himself for a confrontation with the Nightlash and Seminus he's seen earlier. No doubt they'd have hellhounds as well, and those beasts loved a good fight. Well-trained Carceris hounds wouldn't kill their target, byt they'd fall just short of it. Worse, they were perpetually horny, and what they did to a demon when it was down amounted to a lot more than a little leg-humping.

With Wraith and Eidolon on his heels, he charged down the path to the south side of the cliffs where the waterfall met the pool, not bothering with stealth. Ahead, in the clearing, Runa lay on the ground, her body crumpled next to a tree.

"Son of a-" Something struck him in the head, and pain exploded in his skull. He wheeled toward the source, a slimy Drec demon holding a cudgel.

Wraith struck with the bullwhip. How he'd managed to grab the thing while on the run was a question for later. His brother wielded it as if it was an extension of his arm, and the Drec's face split open, sending blood and teeth flying.

A massive four-winged creature dropped in front of him. A demon he'd never seen before, a hideous black beast that smelled-and looked-like rotting flesh. Its head was little more than a gaping mouth full of rows upon rows of razor-sharp teeth.

The Demonica Series:

1. Pleasure Unbound

2. Desire Unchained

3. Passion Unleashed

4. Eternity Embraced

5. Ecstasy Unveiled

6. Sin Undone

FTC Advisory: I purchased by own copy of Desire Unchained. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don't receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.

Runa Wagner has wanted revenge on Shade, the Seminus Demon who broke her heart and left her life forever changed. But she never thought she'd end up imprisoned with Shade! Shade is determined to stay away from Runa because he fears she could be the one to trigger his curse... a curse that promises him an eternity of anguish if he falls in love. Shade and Runa will have to face a mountain of obstacles if love stands a chance, however, as deadly foes want them destroyed.

DESIRE UNCHAINED is a bit darker than the first book, PLEASURE UNBOUND. While it can be read as a stand alone, the plethora of characters and their various connections may be a bit overwhelming without the solid foundation of the first book. Characters from the first book do play pivotal roles in DESIRE UNCHAINED but Ms. Ione does provide sufficient background history for newcomers. I can't imagine not wanting to read PLEASURE UNBOUND, though!

Readers should be warned that Larissa Ione takes readers on a dark journey as Shade's world isn't an easy one. Don't let this deter you from reading DESIRE UNCHAINED, however, as Larissa Ione has so many diabolically clever plot twists in store! It took every inch of my spoiler-loving little heart to not peek at the ending as there were just so many moments I thought Shade and Runa were thoroughly doomed, only to see such a logical and splendid twist appear.

World building and character development are critical to the success of DESIRE UNCHAINED and Larissa Ione does a spectacular job with both aspects. Neither is sacrificed for the other but instead each enhances the other. Runa is a likable heroine, and her anger and feelings of betrayal are easily understood. Shade, on the other hand, would be a difficult hero to love but Larissa Ione portrays his dilemma so well that it's hard not to fall in love with him.

DESIRE UNCHAINED is a steamy but oh so intricately developed tale that should have cross-genre appeal. Larissa Ione shows that without a doubt she is one of the hottest authors out there. Her combination of a scorching romance, gut wrenching emotional punches, and superb characters all mixed together in a richly developed supernatural fantasy world is perfect. Highly recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

The second book in Larissa Ione's Demonica series holds its own against the first, Pleasure Unbound, yet complements it completely and continues a wonderful series. Ione is very talented at slowly transforming bad boys into good men, which is the entire point of a romance book.

Shade, one of three brothers who are seminus demons (an off-shoot of incubus) is sexy and tough. He works as a paramedic at Underworld General, can fade into shadows, can relieve people of pain, and is a major ladies man to boot. All seminus demons have women constantly approaching them, and when Shade's girlfriend, Runa, catches him in bed with two other women, it sparks a series of events that will have lasting repercussions for everyone around them.

Runa was a sweet girl, though a total pushover, and Shade grew tired of her constant obedience and desire to please. He likes his women with more moxy, so when Runa caught him cheating and broke up with him, it wasn't a big deal. Where it gets sticky is that when Runa was running away from Shade's house, she was bitten and turned into a werewolf.

After Shade is ambushed during an ambulance call, he wakes up chained in a dungeon. Runa is in there too, and she's not weak anymore. She's incredibly mad at Shade, and it gets worse when their captor tricks them into bonding. When two people bond, they must stay close to each other. They cannot take any other sexual partners, and as Shade is a seminus demon, he needs sex or he will die. After Runa and Shade escape, he keeps her close, at first because he'll die without her. He begins to want her close for more than that though when he sees how courageous and determined she's become.

Complicating this further is Shade's curse. If he falls in love, he'll fade out ... literally becoming invisible. He'll be alive but completely alone and undetectable to everyone. The curse scares him badly, especially since he's developing strong feeling for Runa. Mixed in with this is more demon organ selling, a bad guy with a grudge and a deep desire to destroy the three brothers, and Shade's side effects from being bitten by Runa. Kynan and Gem get more story in this book, which is great.

Desire Unchained takes the reader on an exciting ride. Full of lust, sensuality, action, and an well-developed world, Larissa Ione has once again written a wonderful book that is well worth reading.

Runa Wagner met the sexiest man she had ever seen one day. He took her outside her coffee house and gave her the most amazing orgasm ever. She never thought she would see him again till he came back a again and again. Till she felt as though they were a couple and she was falling in love with him till one day she thought to surprise him by going to his house only to find him in bed with a Vampire and another being she had no idea what it was. She was so upset and hurt she did not see the monster she ran straight into till it attacked her and left her for dead. But she did not die no she became the monster herself. Now she wants Shade to pay for her broken heart and the monster she has become she goes after him only to be taken by his worst enemy.

Shade knew he was getting to close to the human female Runa he knew he was going to have to let her go. But he did not want her to see him with other women but once she did he thought well at least it was a clean break. Only to find himself chained up in a dungeon with her, by an enemy he thought long dead. Then to make it all worse he finds himself bonded to her as his mate. Even though she is no longer human and could mate with him it is still a bad idea. He cannot fall in love with any one due to his curse that states that if he finds love he will fade away till he is no longer visible and will never be able to sate his cravings and will eventually go mad. But this woman brings out feelings in him he should not be feeling and now with her as his mate how will he keep her at a distance when all he wants to do is bring her closer.

I love shade also. I think his smart ass comments and comebacks are great. This book is great because you still get to see Eidolon and you learn soo much more about the other side characters and start to like them to. But this book is where I really liked Wraith he tries to be all hard ass but he loves his brothers and tries to do right by them. Shade loves Wraith and wants to keep him safe even if it is form himself. I love the closeness that those two share. I absolutely love the ending of this book. What Shade does to be with Runa is WOW.. Its great I think its very romantic in a paranormal way, Just my type of romance.

This is book #2 in Larissa Ione's utterly imaginative world of Demonica, full of demons vampires, werewolves, ghouls, humans and every combined half version of them. And I have to say that while I enjoyed book #1 (PLEASURE UNBOUND) this one is even better. Ione's world at UGH (underworld general hospital) just seems to get more awesome the further in we go and here we really get a feel for those sexy Seminus demon brothers and the bond they share with one another.

DESIRE UNCHAINED is Shade's story which is sinfully dark and erotic (hello BDSM) however theres also a ton of action along the way and the witty between brothers banter is better then ever. Ione also serves up some very clever storylines, a great heroine, introduces new characters and gives our hero an interesting curse as well as one demented villain to overcome on his way to a HEA.

Runa is determined to make Shade pay; not only for making her fall in love with him but for cheating on her with a couple of vampires and indirectly causing the transformation that's forever changed her (especially under a full moon) Shade's been trying to avoid Runa as he was starting to develop feelings for her. That just can't happen when you've been given a curse that states you'll become invisible and plagued by insatiable thirst, hunger and lust for eternity should you happen to fall in love.

But first things first Desire Unchained opens up with Runa and Shade trapped in a madman's dungeon, when he casts a spell that binds them together as lifemates they'll have to stop fighting each other and work together to get out alive and before Shade starts to disappear.

Of course this only scratches the surface of this multilayered story and what a ride it is. With Shade's curse triggered we have the (not so) small issue of him or one of his brothers killing Runa to break it. (Badboy Wraith seems up for the task) Speaking of which, we're given plenty of interaction with both him and Eidolon, with Wraith showing a whole new side of himself here. We're also introduced to the very cool means of travel through 'Harrowgate' and subsequently get some scorching hot love scenes at Shade's love shack in South America, complete with an exclusive sex chamber and one domination scene I could have done without. Theres also a very touching side romance between the human UGH Doctor Kynan and nurse Gem which I enjoyed almost as much as our hero's and hope to see completed somewhere down the line.

Here's the beginnings of one of one of the love scenes I can't seem to shake, it will either have you grinning or blushing next time you order coffee from your local barista; He stepped in front of Rena. "Coffee" The word rolled off his tongue as if he'd said "I'd like to give you an orgasm" "Yes" she whispered because he could give her...oh, right coffee.

Yup this is a very addictive ride, mixing the perfect combination of paranormal romance and urban fantasy and I can't wait to see where things take us next with demon brother Z...I mean Wraith in PASSION UNLEASHED. Yeah you fans of Ward's BDB might want to check this series out too, there`s some fascinating similarities.

With Pleasure Unbound, new paranormal author Larissa Ione introduces us to three demon brothers, Eidolon, Shade, and Wraith. She crafts a world that centers around a demon hospital, Underworld General, the first of its kind, complete with demons, vampires, werewolves, fallen angels, and shapeshifters. Book 2 Desire Unchained continues the series with Shade's story.

The book opens with Shade chained in a dungeon with former lover, human Runa. They are held by the madman who has been behind the black market ring butchering otherworldly creatures for valuable body parts, and they're shocked to learn that it's the three brothers' long-thought dead other brother, the truly draconian Roag, behind the kidnapping and the brutal chopping and killing. The other problem is that Runa hates Shade for cheating on her, which led to her own unfortunate attack and transformation into a werewolf. There's plenty here without the fact that Shade and Runa are forced into bonding as mates during their captivity and that Shade must keep himself from falling in love or a horrific curse will take his life - it will cause him to fade into nothingness, lost to the hospital, his brothers, and Runa forever. Trouble is that he is falling, falling hard for Runa and fast.

Shade was the brother that could have easily been overshadowed in the first book since it was eldest brother Eidolon's story and youngest brother Wraith is a force all his own. But his history is so carefully told, his past so completely heartbreaking, that I came to love him immensely. He's dealing with so much, trying to protect Runa as well as his own heart before everything collapses. Runa is a perfect heroine - as she's trying to learn to trust again as well as reconcile her new life as a werewolf, she displays the perfect amount of loyalty and vulnerability that makes us love her.

Shade and Runa spend a portion of the book in a Costa Rican hideway that's as sexy as it is primitive and called to mind images of Adam and Eve in their own world. And this villain is so darkly evil, so wholly heinous, with a burned, decrepit body he is trying to restore, that I was reminded of the terrible Voldemort from Harry Potter legend. Any author that can bring about such powerful allusions is one to watch.

The story once again encompasses wonderful supporting characters - beloved, star-crossed couple Gem and Kynan have more of their story fleshed out here as their angst is upped another degree and we hope for their satisfying conclusion. And of course final brother Wraith's story will follow in Passion Unleashed, and it is sure to please. The final battle scene in Desire Unchained is so awesome and powerful it leaves the heart pumping a mile a minute and amps an already exciting story even more.

This is a fantastic entry in a marvelous new series. It's surprising, never safe, always taking chances, and it is carving its own deserving place in the annals of paranormal romance.

Reviewed at Another Look Book Reviews

I liked book 2 Desire Unchained more than the first book, Pleasure Unbound. I was more comfortable with the characters and basically all around I preferred the story plot line better.

The beginning immediately delivered action and angst. I was right there in the dungeons with Shade and Runa. Excellent villain ploy. I also loved that the entire dungeon hostage situation was not over and done with quickly. It was far better for character development to have Runa and Shade be held captive for a bit just as Larissa Iona wrote.

I'm in love with Shade's cave home in Costa Rica. Brilliant creative mind of the author to describe the dwelling and speaking of creative, I love the Harrowgate transportation method.

As much as I loved the story line premise of the horrible curse that was placed on Shade, I couldn't help but be constantly reminded of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel's "don't be content curse or you'll lose your soul". They just seemed so closely related. Granted the curse in Desire Unchained held up well the entire story line. I was worried that it was going to feel old but it was not over used and it added lots of sympathy and angst.

The one thing I love about a book series is that there is usually action from the moment you start the book right to the end. There are loose dangling carrots that were left over from the previous book you are dying to dive right into. Then of course at the end of the book a carefully placed angsty cliffhanger is left teasing the readers for the next book.
So off to read Passion Unleashed book 3.

Teasers - strange bug bite on Runa unexplained, Shade's sexual torture chamber, waterfall shower, Kynan mystery

Almost a year has past since the human Runa Wagner caught her boyfriend Shade with two vamps. She fled from him, which, though he misses her, was for the best as a demon breed Seminus has no future with a mortal; worse if he should ever find his bond mate, the curse will torment him for eternity.

Runa's ire over what she saw has grown into outrage with a thirst for vengeance for Shade destroying her innocence. However, her plan falls apart when Shade's breed brother Roag, who loathes him more than she does, captures him and Runa. They awaken chained together in Roag's dungeon. Shade's insane sibling's scheme is diabolically brilliant as he believes she is his brother's love bond and plans to expedite his "loving" concept.

The latest Demonica erotic romantic urban fantasy (see PLEASURE UNBOUND), DESIRE UNCHAINED, is a fabulous tale of love hurts. The story line is fast-paced from the opening sequence of three years ago when a despondent Shade thinks his brother died and never slows down as Roag spellbinds them as lifemates to destroy his sibling. Sub-genre fans will relish a visit to the Ione realm through the Harrowgate to and from New York and Sheoul demon world.

Harriet Klausner

It started off a little sad--"sad" as in upsetting, not as in "poor." And frankly, 50% of the way through, I was trying to figure out what else the author could do to make Shade's life just a bit more miserable or complicated. But she had already covered all the bases on that one. It was like she sat down and said, "Now, how can I make Shade's predicament multiple times more serious than Eidolon's predicament was in the last book?" I know: I'll kill a loved one. Bring a vengeful relative back to life. Torture him. Bond him to a woman he may fall in love with, thereby triggering that pesky eternal-suffering curse. And of course, let's not forget the internal torment from a childhood misstep that destroyed his family. Summary: Dear Shade, your life sucks the big ones.

Luckily, things did get better. But the sad beginning took some of the enjoyment out of the book for me, so I can't give it a glowing 5 stars like I gave Pleasure Unbound. But still, I enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed most, if not all, of the other books to which I have given 4-star ratings this year.

When this book got good, i.e., less depressing, it got really good. Great action sequences. A believable and sufficiently scary and psycho bad guy. I loved seeing more of Wraith, who I can't wait to read even more about in the next book. Wraith is aaawwwwesooome! And of course, the sex scenes were steamy, as expected based on the first book in the series. (I think that Pleasure Unbound had slightly better sex scenes--but only slightly.)

I was pleased that author took a demon of the same breed, and even from the same family, as the demon featured in the first book and managed to create a completely different set of issues for him. Instead of the whole book leading up to the mating, as the first book did, the mating in this book happens toward the beginning. Neither party intended to mate, so a good portion of the book is devoted to the problems that arise when Shade, who is cursed to never fall or in love or to suffer for all eternity, is forced to get his sex from only a single female. Stage right: Enter the tortured, broody lover/hero. Throw this in the mix with that vengeful relative that I mentioned earlier, and we've got a angry, reluctant lover trying to protect himself, his brothers, and the mate he claims he wants nothing to do with. Lots of shape-shifting, demon-fighting, and love-making. In the end, I can't complain.

The twists and turns of Larissa Ione's books always keep me engrossed and on the edge of my seat. The fact that she has the characters of her varying series' interconnected is something that I enjoy from novelists. Also, she gives her characters depth with emotional scars that enable them to be loved, even as you struggle with their ego's and alpha mentality. And I'm always a sucker for a happy ending.

Walking in on her lover Shade with two other women, Runa Wagner ran from his apartment and into the arms of immortality. Runa was bitten by a warg (werewolf) and she spent over a year in hiding while her brother, a part of the US Army's paranormal unit, searched for a cure.

Long ago the Seminus (sex) demon Shade was cursed to never know love. If at some point he were to fall in love he would slowly fade away to nothing yet fully aware of his surroundings, never able to interact with anyone or fulfill his endless sexual desire. He used this curse as an excuse to never form attachments to women.

As Runa sets out to find a supposed traitor she is captured by the Ghouls, demons who harvest organs for money. When she's brought to the dungeon to await her fate she comes face-to-face with none other than Shade. Together they fight for their lives and despite their reasons for not wanting to get close they can't help turning to each other regardless of the danger for both.

This was a smoking hot book that I really liked but it's my least favorite of the series so far. It may be due to the fact that some of this book's sex scenes have hints of S&M and while I might like a naughty spanking every now and then I was a bit turned off by some of it.

Other than that I loved Runa and Shade as characters. Runa is a strong female and Shade has a tender side. Together they made a great couple and I enjoyed the way the book ended.

In this book also is the beginning of the relationship between two characters Gem and Kynan that finishes up in book three, Passion Unleashed my favorite book in the series so far. This is another must read and I can't wait for the next installment Ecstasy Unveiled due out in February 2010.

Author Larissa Ione grew up reading Stephen King and Dean Koontz. She began writing horror and fantasy, but soon learned to love romance. She is able to combine her two loves into one genre- paranormal romance. She also writes under the pen name Sydney Croft. Titles include: Seduced by the Storm, Pleasure Unbound, Hot Nights Dark Desires, Unleashing the Storm, Wet Dreams, Snow Bound, Riding the Storm, Flesh to Fantasy, and Shadow Play. Her title, Pleasure Unbound was named Best Paranormal Romance of 2008 in the First Annual Reviewers Choice Awards at Romance Novel TV. She was born in Oregon but resides now in Virginia .

Last year, when Runa Wagner walked in on her boyfriend and two vampires doing something unimaginable, she fled as fast as she could. Unbeknownst to her, that act would change the course of her life. Determined to make Shade pay for that horrid night and what it transformed her into, Runa searches for him, only to be taken prisoner by his darkest adversary. A Seminus Demon, Shade also has a love curse hanging over him, to which he will be threatened with eternal torment if he ever falls in love. Runa walking out on him last year had saved him from the unthinkable. But when he wakes in a dark dungeon, chained next to none other than Runa, all those old desires flare up again. When their captor casts a spell on them, bonding them as lifemates, Runa and Shade find themselves fighting for their hearts and their lives...Because the alternative is indescribable.

I had a difficult time connecting to these characters, not for a lack of good writing on the author's part, but because of the nature of what they were. As I got half-way through the book, this began to fade and I found them more relatable.

This book is, I believe, part of a trilogy, with Pleasure Unbound preceding this and Passion Unleashed following it. As a paranormal romance, this also has a lot of erotica instilled in it. Torture, Werewolves, Vampires, Demon Hospitals , Love Spells- it has everything a paranormal romance lover could want. The plot flowed smoothly and the author's eye for body language made this a captivating read. Credit to Larissa Ione for an imaginative, dark world that haunts you as much as it intrigues you.

Desire Unchained, by Larissa Ione, is a raw, edgy, and enthralling read- Sure to scorch every inch of you.

Kelly Moran,

Author and Reviewer

The second in the series, Shade is the brother that seems to get along with everyone. His laid back attitude sort of a shield to keep his heart removed from any kind of relationship he could possible fall in. His 100 years is almost up and he doesn't WANT to become the emotionless demon that is simply out to create little babies where ever possible. He would prefer to have a mate, but his curse prevents him from doing so.

This one was full of surprises as far as Shade's heartbreaking past, his emotional side that wants and needs love, and his inner turmoil of protecting those he cares about but helplessness in attempting to do so. I really have been enjoying this series of books. If you don't mind the heavy and hot sex scenes and the dark side of the brothers and the culture they come from, I would highly recommend you read them.

Shade works with his brothers in the demon hospital, Underworld General. He also works his way through the nurses and other unattached females around, as he is a Seminus Demon, a succubi demon that needs sex to live and lots of it. Good thing they come with a lot of charm. Shade is about to come in to his maturity and being unmated that can be dangerous time for the Seminus'. Shade knows he will never be able to mate because he just cannot afford to love anyone due to a love curse placed on him. All was fine until he woke up chained in a cell with an old flame, Runa.

Runa Wagner fell for Shade a few years ago, only to discover that he was not what she thought, found him cheating on her and had her heart crushed. Normally that would be enough for anyone for a night, but that was not the end of Runa's eventful evening. Now years later, Runa wants revenge for everything she has had to deal with because of Shade's betrayal. And low and behold she wakes up next to him, chained.

Shade can tell something is different about Runa now but he can't quite put his finger on it. She is much stronger and more determined about what and who she is. The soft and pliable Runa seems to be a thing of the past. Might be a good thing as Shade and Runa are forced to mate and deal with a mysterious thing that wants to destroy them and those around them. Question is who and why. While the mating was forced on Shade and Runa, they soon know that their passion has turned into love and they will need to destroy the threat to them in order to find out just what their hearts already know. Oh and find a cure for that pesky curse that Shade has.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned - words to live by for Runa until she comes face to face with Shade again. Desire Unchained brings one-time lovers back together with challenges they never expected. Shade's misspent youth has left him with a curse that can affect his near future. Runa has been looking for two men in order to have her revenge - for very different reasons. Runa and Shade have been brought together for murderous intentions, however neither of them like that plan and decide on one of their own. I found Shade to be loving and caring for a sex demon that should only be interested in his own pleasure. Runa pulsed with her need to get back at Shade, but you know I saw that her hate was really hidden love. When they came together it was hot, passionate and erotic. But what really had me melting was the deep understand they both had for the other and how their love only made it stronger. Ms. Ione has created some of the sexiest demons around and you can't help but love them. Desire Unchained displays humor and erotic passion in a new and exciting world. It is also Joyfully Recommended by me.

Jo
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Introduced in Pleasure Unbound, Shade is the brother with the brooding bad-boy manners and a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. Branded with a love curse thanks to his Seminus Demon nature he can never fall in love, lest he fade away. When an evil figure from his past comes back to haunt him he winds up imprisoned with former girlfriend Runa Wagner. Once naive and sweet, his betrayal has left her jaded and with more than one bone to pick with her former flame.

Suffering under a curse of her own the last thing Runa wants is to fall in love with the man she blames for her curse. But when Shade's enemy bespells them, forcing the two into a mating that binds them eternally both begin to finds things in one another worthy of love. Shade has to find a way to break his own curse and defeat the enemy or fade away forever.

Oh how I wanted to love this one. The storyline was good. The villain was nicely brought in and made a terrific enemy for the brothers. Runa was a likable heroine, once timid and innocent she's become angry and bitter in a way most women who've been burned by love can relate to.

What didn't work for me and makes me actually feel a little guilty is that I don't like Shade. Didn't like him in Pleasure Unbound and don't like him any more now than I did then. I read somewhere that he is the authors favorite and I think to some extent maybe that is why I kind of felt like she was trying to put too many eggs in one basket with him. Originally I thought he was supposed to be the mysterious, brooding one and Wraith was supposed to be the bad-boy but it came across like she was trying to make Shade brooding, mysterious, charming, snarky, the bad-boy, the rebel, all of these things in one. If you are a Shade fan I think you'll love this one. Unfortunately he just didn't work for me and it's tough to love a romance when you wanna trade the hero for another one.

That said it sets us up nicely for Wraith's story which is the one I have been looking forward to. If you enjoy subcharacters and side stories there's more of Kynan and Gem's back and forth attraction and Luc (I love Luc!!!) pops up a little. If this series continues beyond the books of the three brothers it looks like there is potential for some enjoyable urban fantasy storylines with a romance blended in smoothly. I may not have loved this one but I definitely look forward to seeing where this series goes.

Demon Male/Werewolf Female -
Shade, a dominant male Seminus demon who never lacks for female companionship and is often very tied up with one or two :-) and because of his nature and an old curse he never looks for a companion longer than a night or two, so when an old lover walks back into his life or rather is forced back into his life things begin to get intense real fast.
Runa and Shade have history, a not so fondly remembered history as far as Runa is concerned, but there is no denying she wants him as much if not more than she ever did and whether Shade wants to admit it or not he a craves the newly turned werewolf female more than he ever did.
Desire Unchained (Demonica, Book 2) is a must read for serious paranormal romance fans. Letha's "Romance Read Scale" - (2) Dark & Steamy

I agree with other reviews that this book is darker than Pleasure Unbound. But to me it was still every bit as good as the first one. Shade is not my favorite brother, Wraith is, so I read this book with a more critical eye, as the first book was all so new, and this book wasn't Wraith's. Yet I still loved it.

As I read I kept thinking, what else can happen to these two? They had practically every calamity thrown at them. But as others have said, the genuine bond between the brothers really carried the book. I also love the growing friendship between Wraith and Kynan. Interesting.

Runa is an awesome heroine, very strong. I didn't connect that much with Shade, but that's not the author's fault, he simply didn't do it for me. But the storytelling is first-rate, the action fast but not over the top, and overall this series is a total auto-buy for me. In the crowded field of paranormal romance, this series is fresh and very, very involving.

I agree with the other reviewers this is a darker side to Shade and his sexual fetishes. That being said - I LOVED IT! I literally couldn't put this one down - forget the weekend chores I read this on a Saturday afternoon cover to cover!

Shade the tortured bad boy and Runa found more than she went looking for.

Runa is someone we can all relate to, having been rejected in a relationship. Life experiences make her stronger and she returns a year later to meet Shade in an dark dungeon.

Shade has a sexual appetite that can't be suppressed by the standard vanilla he has to take it to the extreme - pain and misery for his partners only. No emotional contact and he is always the one in control until he meets Runa in the Dungeon...

Desire Unchained is the second book in Larissa Ione's Demonica series. Larissa arrived with quite a bang with her first book, Pleasure Unbound last year. What makes Larissa's books so different from the other paranormal reads is that her storytelling is fierce.

This is a dark, gritty, sexual world and heroes who are such bad, bad boys. Larissa's heroes are walking a very fine line where one wrong step would put them into villain territory. They make no excuses for the way they do things. These are men who won't apologize. You take them as they are.

Pleasure Unbound first introduced us to the three demon brothers who work at the mystical Underworld General Hospital. Pleasure Unchained is Shade's tale. Shade is a Seminus demon who has the ultimate sex pheromones. Shade has incubus like traits where he can sense a woman's need, no matter how dark and hidden she keeps them. And because of his uncontrollable desires, he hurt the one human woman he began to care for. Runa Wagner was a simple coffee girl he began to have feelings for. But since things between them couldn't be more than just sex, he made sure she found him not only with one woman, but two in his bed. Shade is cursed. If he falls in love, he will literally fade away. So instead he uses women for pleasure without having any emotional attachment with them.

Runa fled in tears and then was attacked by a werewolf. She is changed into one and feels like a monster. Desire Unchained begins where Shade and Runa have been captured by the Ghouls. The Ghouls have been harvesting demon organs and parts. And the reason Shade and Runa have been captured is because of Roag, Shade's brother who is in charge of the organ harvesting. He wants revenge against Shade and of Wraith, their demon-vampire brother. Roag was caught in a fire at a club and was believe to be dead. It has been three years since his alleged death and he is now a burned out husk. Shade assumed the fire was an accident. Actually Roag was set up to be killed by someone very close to them both. If Roag can torture Shade mercilessly, Wrath and Eidolon will come to his aid because they can feel each other's pain.

Runa is stuck in the same cell as Shade and despises him because she feels he is responsible for her unfortunate circumstances. She also feels so naïve and stupid because she cared for Shade. He used her cruelly and now she wants him to suffer. And when Shade suffers brutally by Roag's hands, she changes her mind. Her tenderness and love for him comes out. Shade does like Runa, but because of his curse, he can't care for her. Well, Roag has something else up his sleeve. He knows of Shade's curse and forces Shade's hand so to speak. He drugs both Shade and Runa, and as they are sleeping, they have sex with each other thinking it is a dream. Shade bonds with Runa and is now screwed in so many ways, both literally and figuratively.

Shade has no choice but to break them out of the dungeon. After a most excellent action sequence, he hides Runa away in his jungle lair where he has quite the nice cave set up. Runa is so scared and uneasy because Shade may be very protective towards, but he acts as if she is to blame for all the problems that have rained down upon his head. Now he has to put up with a woman he has bonded to unwillingly and help her with her the small problem of becoming furry three times a month. Also these two can't keep their hands off of each other. Shade thought his sexual needs were bad before. They are nothing compared to his lust that only Runa can cure. Shade is also a wreck because he is afraid his curse has been activated. The only way to stop it is by killing Runa. But every time he thinks of any harm against Runa, he rages. He is also concerned because Runa doesn't have the bonding marks on her body that usually accompanies bonded mates. That means she could leave him where he would go insane.

Shade has to figure out a way to kill Roag, keep his sexual urges at bay, which is nearly impossible, and keep Runa safe. Even with Eidolon and Wrath as backup, Shade really has no clue how to fix things because he is falling for Runa who is willing to give into his dark side. Runa wants to embrace everything Shade is.

Larissa is one hell of a storyteller. Her world building is so intense and every single character who makes an appearance is very important to the story. In the first fifty pages alone, the action was so in your face and ferocious that I needed to put down the book and take a few breaths. Larissa's world is definitely not a happy go lucky place. It is disturbing and wicked. Larissa is not afraid to let the blood flow freely here.

Shade and Runa are an interesting pair, just as Eidolon and Tayla were. If only Eidolon and Tayla could have had more screen time together in this book. I found myself missing them. Larissa can take two total opposites and make it work between them. I didn't really care for Shade during the first part of the story because he comes across as a cocky S.O.B. who feels he is entitled to whatever he wants. Perhaps it is my own dark nature, but I did get a thrill seeing him in the dungeon. That experience humbled him. I had no qualms with Runa in the least. She acts as I would expect, especially if I found the man I was falling in love with, getting down and dirty with two women. But Runa is a kind soul who can't stay angry for too long. She cares about those who don't really deserve it, such as Shade. Even when Shade was a bit prickly with her because of his fear of vanishing into thin air, Runa was there to keep him calm. She sacrifices herself and basically gives Shade free range over her body because it is what he needs to overcome his demons. One such scene that may make you squirm is when Runa wants Shade to make her submit to him. Runa is also hiding from herself because of something that happened in her past.

Everything comes down to Shade and Runa beating the odds. At one point I wasn't so sure they would succeed. But Larissa makes sure these two get their HEA. Isn't it great knowing that after all the horror, love can set you free? And not only do we see it between these lovers, but the relationship Shade, Eidolon and Wrath have is one of the best sibling relationships I have read in recent memory. These demon brothers remind me so much of J.R. Ward's vampire brothers in arms. No man will be left behind is the motto of Larissa and Ward. Larissa shows that men can be in loving relationships with other men because of the bond they have as friends, and in this case because of blood. If Shade had lost, both Eidolon and Wrath would have followed him into the afterlife.

Pleasure Unchained is not a book for everyone because the subject matter again is very dark, violent and sexual. Reading a Larissa Ione novel is like a rollercoaster where your stomach drops one minute, then the next you are screaming because you are having so much fun.

Katiebabs

Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, Book 1)

This series has me completely hooked. I really liked the first book, Pleasure Unbound, but Desire Unchained is even better. The main character, Shade, is definitely not your typical "hero" but by the end you are swooning over him. And Runa is just awesome in the way she develops throughout the story. I have the same praise I had for the first book - great pacing, action, love scenes - these books really have it all and are very entertaining. I also love the way Ione weaves in little clues and small events that turn out to be very important to the next book. I'm sure others were shocked to find out that something that seemed so minor in PU turned out to be VERY important to DU! It definitely makes me want to go back and re-read!

Larissa Ione has done it again, after reading her 1st Demonica book Pleasure Unbound, I didn't think she could do better...But I was Wrong!!! This book has it all, love, betrayal, revenge, loyalty, and action with a twist...Once you read this book you would not be able to put it down. Even though you can read this book as stand alone, you should read the Pleasure Unbound because the characters in the book ties with one another and so much twist and interconnect with one another. Larissa has given her characters life and involvement with each other. I gave it a 4 star instead of 5 because I felt that the heat between Shade and Runa could have been more intense, but other than that it was fantastic, worth the money I paid for. I can't wait for Wraith's story!!!

I liked Runa and Shade's characters, well written and well rounded characters, you wanted to root for them. Book stood well as a continuation of the series and it could stand on its own as well. The villan shocked me & I cannot remember the last time that happened. :-) That was a pleasant surprice. The only issued I had was with the BDSM. That is an issue with the Paranormal Romance genre as a whole, they are going that route a little too much, takes away from the Romance part if that is not what you are interested in. Good solid book.

Desire Unchained fell right in line with the first book in this Demonica series. The interaction between the brothers was great. There were amazing twists and turns that had me saying "no way!" I loved how Ione wove the events in this book with events from the previous book. It seemed to add a new understanding to everything that was going on. While I didn't like this one as much as the first, I still really enjoyed it, and as always I'm eager to keep on reading, especially after the Kynan cliffhanger!

I love this series & I recommend it. The seminus brother E, Shade and Wrathe together is a delicious combination. My favorite is Wrathe. I definitely love Wrathe. He's just so full of fire and humor and so cute at the same time. Love the first and the second. Just got third, looking forward to it.

A friend recommended this series to me.

So, when I came across this book at the store I figured I'd give it a try, as this particular friend and I, usually, have the same taste in reading material.

I hated it from the first chapter, but, as it takes a lot for me to not finish a book, once I start reading it, I forced myself to finish it.

Not a one of the characters was likable. First we find out that the 'Hero' cheated on the Heroine, because she was getting too clingy, as he put it, and he wanted to break things off with her. Later though he changes his tune and informs us that he hadn't wanted let her get too close because he knew she was The One...however, he still plans to let his brothers kill her to save his own skin.

That was a large part of my problem with this; the constant contradictions, not just from the Hero but the Heroine as well.

First she hates him and holds him responsible for her life being ruined, but, then in the next second she's in love with him all over again. Frankly, I wanted to reach into the book and slap some sense into her.

As to their past relationship, there really wasn't one. Apparently the time they spent together consisted of meeting somewhere and having sex, before they each went off on their merry, separate, way.

It started off a little sad--"sad" as in upsetting, not as in "poor." And frankly, 50% of the way through, I was trying to figure out what else the author could do to make Shade's life just a bit more miserable or complicated. But she had already covered all the bases on that one. It was like she sat down and said, "Now, how can I make Shade's predicament multiple times more serious than Eidolon's predicament was in the last book?" I know: I'll kill a loved one. Bring a vengeful relative back to life. Torture him. Bond him to a woman he may fall in love with, thereby triggering that pesky eternal-suffering curse. And of course, let's not forget the internal torment from a childhood misstep that destroyed his family. Summary: Dear Shade, your life sucks the big ones.

Luckily, things did get better. But the sad beginning took some of the enjoyment out of the book for me, so I can't give it a glowing 5 stars like I gave Pleasure Unbound. But still, I enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed most, if not all, of the other books to which I have given 4-star ratings this year.

When this book got good, i.e., less depressing, it got really good. Great action sequences. A believable and sufficiently scary and psycho bad guy. I loved seeing more of Wraith, who I can't wait to read even more about in the next book. Wraith is aaawwwwesooome! And of course, the sex scenes were steamy, as expected based on the first book in the series. (I think that Pleasure Unbound had slightly better sex scenes--but only slightly.)

I was pleased that author took a demon of the same breed, and even from the same family, as the demon featured in the first book and managed to create a completely different set of issues for him. Instead of the whole book leading up to the mating, as the first book did, the mating in this book happens toward the beginning. Neither party intended to mate, so a good portion of the book is devoted to the problems that arise when Shade, who is cursed to never fall or in love or to suffer for all eternity, is forced to get his sex from only a single female. Stage right: Enter the tortured, broody lover/hero. Throw this in the mix with that vengeful relative that I mentioned earlier, and we've got a angry, reluctant lover trying to protect himself, his brothers, and the mate he claims he wants nothing to do with. Lots of shape-shifting, demon-fighting, and love-making. In the end, I can't complain.

Desire Unchained: A Demonica Novel (The Demonica Series)
This is a great book in this series. I would recomend it to every one who like the underworld.

Larissa One has become one of my newest authors to read . Her Demonica novels are exciting and just make you want to keep on reading , even when your eyes want to close !!! This is a thrilling and enjoyable series . You definately do NOT want to miss it .