Monday, March 22, 2010

GIVEAWAY and REVIEW: Beyond the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy


ISBN 9781420102987
Series: Guardians of Eternity, Book 6
Genre: Paranormal Romance
(c) April 2010, Zebra Books, Kensington
Alexandra Ivy's website

Rating: 5 stars

Buy Links (paper): Book Depository, Barnes and Noble 

"Another exciting book in the series! Not to be missed!"

I really love Alexandra Ivy's writing! Her prose flows like smooth, warm honey, the kind you'll never get enough of. I know I've said something to that effect before, but I witnessed it again in this story and in Embrace the Darkness, which I've read but haven't yet written the review.

I have to admit that when I was reading Darkness Unleashed (Jagr's story), I hadn't liked Salvatore Giuliani, King of the Weres, that much. I thought he was too smooth, too slick and let's face it, I hate any man who has a better grasp of fashion than I. In this story, Salvatore is still the same fastidious Were, but his head is by no means only wrapped up in his appearance. There's another side to him--the king who takes his responsiblity and duty to his people seriously, maybe at cost to his own life. The man who would do anything to protect his mate and keep her safe. When Harley itches at his protectiveness, he told her, "There will never be a moment when I won't need to protect you." Happy sigh, and in serious danger of melting! What I like best was his snappy, witty banter with the heroine. I could read on and on. Totally refreshing and never failed to bring a smile to my face.

Harley is a likeable heroine, strong, spunky, smart, an equal partner for Salvatore. I like that when she did finally meet her sister in person, she was wary and that they didn't immediately fall crying into each other's arms. Affection does take time to grow. Though she seemed to resist making any commitment to Salvatore, her reaction when she discovered he might be in danger is a dead giveaway to the people around her. But when she finally accepted her place as Salvatore's mate and queen, she stepped right up to her responsiblities.

In this book, we finally discovered who engineered the kidnapping of Harley and her sisters and the reasons behind! However, the story doesn't stop here. Ms Ivy cleverly dangles another thread before us, one that might have cataclysmic repercussions, and I hope we see this in the next book, which is still a long time coming--December 2010!

Sadly, there's not much about Levet here, except for the first few chapters. But there's a fascinating new character--Harley and Darcy and Regan's sister. There are intriguing bits about her, who is very mysterious and seems to be the catalyst to some world event. And then there's Caine, evil cur turned good guy? I'm sure we haven't seen the last of him. The next book should be plenty exciting!

Buy Links (paper): Book Depository, Barnes and Noble 


~ o ~

We have TWO GIVEAWAYS--any book from the author's backlist, which includes the one to be released in April (Beyond the Darkness)! One international and one US residents only. In fairness to everyone, this means there'll be two pools of entrants--one US resident pool and the other non-US resident. Please indicate your country of residence when you comment.

We'll also have Alexandra Ivy popping in and out of the blog, so if you've any questions, feel free to ask! She'll be around to answer and comment.

How to enter the contest?

Answer this question: Go to Alexandra's website and tell us which of her Guardians of Eternity books you'd like to read the most and why.

Extra chances to win:
+ 3 if you're an old follower of this blog
+ 2 if you're a new follower of this blog (start following from this contest/post)
+ 2 if you follow us on Facebook or Twitter
+ 2 if you take our poster (located on the right sidebar) about this contest and post it
              on your blog/website with a link back to us
+ 1 for every time you spread the word about this contest via Facebook, MySpace, Twitter,
              your blog, website or other form of social media. For example, you tweeted about
              this contest twice and also announced it on your Facebook. You also wrote a blog
              post. That's 4 additional chances! However, for these to qualify, be sure to come
              back here and post the links. Like, if you tweeted twice, give me both links.

If you do all of the above, at a minimum, that's 9 chances to win (8 if you're a new follower)! Remember, the more things you do to help us spread the word, the better your chances.

Contest ends on March 24 (Wednesday), 1159pm EST.

Winner will be picked via Randomizer.org and announced on March 25 (Thursday). Instructions will be given then on how to claim your prize. Be sure to come back and check because we won't hunt you down. If prizes are unclaimed after 1 week, new winners will be chosen.

Good luck!

19 comments:

Erotic Horizon said...

I have read the first two books in this series - I am not sure why I stopped or why the author fell off my radar....

Must have been a shift in my reading genre - I am glad her voice is still strong and fresh - I do remember reading right through her books...

This 6th book sound so good..

E.H>

vslavetopassionv said...

I would like the first book since i havent read these yet.

+ 3 if you're an old follower of this blog

Jase
vslavetopassionv(at)aol(dot)com

Robin K said...

I have started collecting this series to read. I think I would choose the newest book as I have some of the inital books.

+ 3 old follower of this blog
+ 2 follow us on Twitter (@intensewhisper)
+1 Tweeted (http://twitter.com/IntenseWhisper/status/10874594933)

robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

Sunny G said...

Love the review. Thanks, Silver! Makes me want to read this book NOW. LOL I've been awaiting this latest book for like forever. I'm on 6 months assignment in Japan. Does that count me as international? LOL

Alexandra, I've got a question. I love Levet! And I'm sad that Silver said in her review that there's not much of Levet in Beyond the Darkness. But that's okay, as long as he features a bigger role in the next book. LOL My question would be: Would Levet find his own match sometime down the road? Oh I hope he does!

Victoria said...

I'm looking forward to Salvatore's story because I really hated him at first. Then I pitied him and now I just want him to be happy and make things good.
+2 new follower
+2 Twitter follower

4 total

Diana (Book of Secrets) said...

I'd like to read WHEN DARKNESS COMES the most because I want to start for the beginning! Right now I think I have all of the books in my to-be-read pile except for BEYOND THE DARKNESS, so that's the one I'd most like to win!

+2 New blog follower
+2 Follow on Facebook and Twitter (@bookofsecrets)
+1 ReTweet: http://twitter.com/bookofsecrets/status/10879712544
+1 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/bookofsecrets?v=feed&story_fbid=110928268922571&ref=mf
Total = 6

Diana (USA)
bookofsecrets(at)yahoo(dot)com

Alexandra Ivy said...

First I want to say how incredibly delighted I am to be invited to join in on the fun!!! I love this website! And I promise Levet is front in center in the book I'm currently working on :) I haven't decided about his happy ending...hmmm, it's going to take a special woman for sure.

marian said...

I would love to read Salvatore's story because I didn't really like him in Darkness Everlasting but then changed my mind about him in Darkness Unleashed. So I would love to see him being the hero and falling in love

mariannguyen16(AT)gmail(DOT)com

CallMeKayla said...

would like to read the first book in the series so I am up to date with the current when I get to them!

+3 old follower
+2 twitter follower- bookluver09

sexywomenread@yahoo . com

corty60 said...

I loved Viper's character, but then I read Jagr's story and I think I like him better. It seems each character gets better and better. I can't wait until the new books comes out in April. Please keep up the good work. Love the series.

blackroze37 AT yahoo.com said...

2
2
2
2


8


please enter me

joyremsonjohnson said...

I have read all the books up to Darkness Unleashed so that is the book I pick that I want to read the most. I am so enjoying this series and have been lending my books out to freinds to get them on the Guardians of Eternity fan bandwagon:)

+2 new follower
+2 follower on facebook
+1 spreading the word

Silver @ TRR said...

Victoria, I have the same feeling as you, but in my case, I didn't much like Salvatore. However, I totally love him in Beyond the Darkness. I bet you'll love him too!

It's great to see other Guardians lovers! Yes, let's get this series onto the fan bandwagon so we'll have more stories! LOL You have the right idea there, joyremsonjohnson!

Alex, thanks for dropping by!

And yes, Sunny G, as long as you're not US resident at the time of this giveaway, you're considered international. To all, pls indicate the country you're in if you're not in the US, else it'll be assumed that you live in the US. Thanks!

Sue A. said...

The Guardian of Eternity books I'd like to read the most is Salvatore Giuliani (Beyond the Darkness).
He sounds like a moody, intense, SOB alpha, who's had his own way for much too long and I'd like to see him taken down a few notched by Harley, the heroine of the story.

Extra chances to win:
+ 3 if - I'm an old follower of this blog

Non-US resident pool

Cecile said...

Oh wow this is easy for me... I want this one!!!!! I have alll her other books!!!!
alliwantandmorebooks@ gmail.com

Katelyn said...

Too easy...Beyond the Darkness without a doubt. I've read and re-read all of her books in the series and just love them, I can't wait until her new one comes out.

+2 for new follower

Alexandra Ivy said...

Salvatore was different to write from the vampires. He was a little more hot blooded and swift to anger, but Harley does bring out a new side of him :)

Spav said...

I read the first book and loved it, but somehow I forgot to order the next one, so I would like the 2nd book, Embrace the Darkness.

+3 Old follower
+2 Twitter follower

I live in Spain

spav05(at)gmail(dot)com

Alexandra Ivy said...

Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

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