East of Ecstasy by Laura Kaye (Hearts of the Anemoi #4)

Genres: Adult, Fantasy/Mythology, Romance
Publication Date: April 22nd 2014
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 7 out of 10
My Rating: 4 out of 5

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Annalise Fallston made peace with postponing her big-city dreams to care for her ill father, but lately she’s been filled with a restlessness not even her beloved painting dispels. Worse, the colors don’t speak to her as they always have, and all her efforts produce dark, foreboding images of a dangerous man and a terrifying future.

Devlin Eston, black-souled son of the evil Anemoi Eurus, is the only one who can thwart his father’s plan to overthrow the Supreme God of Wind and Storms. But first, Dev must master the unstable powers he’s been given. Distrusted and shunned by his own divine family, he never expected to find kindness and passion in the arms of a mortal.

But Devlin’s love puts Annalise in the path of a catastrophic storm, and in the final Armageddon showdown between the Anemoi and Eurus, sacrifices will be made, hearts broken, and lives changed forever…or lost.

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I think this one has got to be my favourite in the series. It was just packed full of action and was the climax of the whole series as Eurus' madness, which has been building for 4 books, was finally stopped.

Devlin is by far the most damaged and tragic of the heroes. My second favourite would be Owen because he is just so sweet and his story with Megan secluded in a cabin together was just amazing. And then Chrys because he is so much fun. And then Zeph who is hot too but I preferred his brothers. Although I do find him much more appealing now that his is god of storms and keeper of the winds.

I really loved Anna and Devlin's story because Devlin needed someone absolutely gentle and patient and selfless like Anna to undo all his father's damage and he found just the perfect woman for him in Anna. And Devlin was amazing and it makes me sad to think that the Anemoi never saw his potential before. They only saw his father's son. He risked so much and never stopped fighting his father and trying to make up for what he felt responsible for, even though it was never his fault. He had such a strong sense of duty and loyalty. He was the best of Anemoi in my opinion..along with Boreas and Owen. Sorry, even when I try I just cant forget about those Northern guys. I love them too.

Although this had by far the most action and mythology of the four books, it still had a large focus on the romance, on Anna and Devlin's relationship. But it was a bit less smutty than the other three I think. But it is still my favourite in the series because of the action, and the introduction of Devlin, and the HEAs.

But the book ends with the words "And all the hearts of the Anemoi were finally, totally in love and at peace." But they aren't! There is still Alastor! He is an Anemoi now and he is not in love or at peace. I demand an Alastor book! At least a novella! Please? Please! Please! Please Laura Kaye! I feel so bad for him and he sounds so sweet as he has become so close to Zeph and Ella and Anna. And he looks like Devlin and is jumpy and insecure like Devlin was in the beginning and that just breaks my heart! I need an Astor novella, please!

“Perfection is the absolute right word. And you could never ruin it," she said in a low, calm voice. "Not when it was perfect because of you."

Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Novella
Smut-O-Meter: 8 out of 10
My Rating: 4 out of 5

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Makenna James thinks her day can't get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.

Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he's terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he's trapped in his own worst nightmare.

To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

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This was my very first erotic read. But the premise sounded very interesting, and I was really curious to see what kind of relationship two people could build from one night together in an elevator. Of course we had the advantage of hearing the thoughts of both ppl, so it was easier for us to believe the relationship that was developing. We knew they were both being honest. But they didnt know. Its hard to imagine two ppl who are so trusting. But I guess that is inevitable in this premise and perhaps I am nitpicking a bit.

I was still very impressed with the result. I was able to accept what was happening, and enjoy it. Logically I question whether someone could fall in love after a few hours talking in an elevator, but Laura Kaye convinces me. MaKenna and Caden were so perfect for each other, and needed each other so much that fate brought them together. The book never claimed it was fate, but I am, because it was just too perfect of a coincidence. Their bond grew at a pace that was believable and beautiful, and led to an amazing climax (pun totally intended).

I usually dont read erotica, and those scenes are usually not important enough for it to matter to the story. But in this it was the climax of the story and it was really important to MaKenna and Caden. It was everything that their talking and the whole of the book had been leading up to. It revealed so much more about them through all their thoughts, and a bit of conversation. Most importantly it revealed what they really wanted from each other, and it wasnt just sex.

“I love...that elevator,” she said. 

With a sleepy smile and a full heart, he turned his head and kissed into her soft hair. “Aw, Red. I love that elevator, too.”