Desire Unchained (Demonica Series #2)

Deliciously Wicked!

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.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Loved It!

The first book in this series was awesome and this one was on par. The plot is fast paced and has so many twists and turns readers will never see coming. I didn't want to put it down but I also didn't want it to end. There are subplots and characters that keep the story from being one-sided. Readers get to see what's up with Gem and Kynan and learn about Roag. Just finished last night and can't wait to read about Wraith, I know it will be fast paced and memorable.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Not What I expected!

So I am a heavy Vampire book reader, and I was recommended this book. I'm not into demons, and in the first few pages, realized this book was not necessarily a vampire book. One of the brothers is a vampire. I almost gave it up...SO GLAD I DIDN'T! Wow, it has the same feel. It has great romance of the explicit rating! So if you want something alittle different, have a open mind, and would like some steamy, hot and erotic romance with a great character plot, then pick up this series!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Don't let the number of reviews fool you!!!

I used to search for books that way... the books with high number of reviews. This one might not be as popular as J.R. Ward, Lara Adrian, or Sherrelyn Kenyon...But they are as good or better. The writing is skillful, there's no dull moments, it's back to back. The characters are amazing. So if you love those authors you will love theses! I do. It's definitely one of those books you got to have on your bookshelf. For me Eidolon is my favorite of the brothers.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Must Read!

After reading the first book in this series there was no way to not read the second and third. The characters are great, the plot is new. Dive right into a fun, new world you have no chance of not loving.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The best for sure

I couldn't have expected less from this book. Is utterly amazing. The plot flows naturally and you just can't stop reading. I couldn't put the book down, I was completely hooked.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!

I thought the first book in the series, Pleasure Unbound, was good but this one was even better! The hero of the story is sexy and heroine is someone you can relate to. The book kept me interested throughout the whole thing. I had to make myself put it down and go to bed. I wanted to stay up all night reading it. I'm very excited about the third book in the series, Passion Unleashed. You get a foretaste of the third brother in this book that will keep you wondering how his story is going to turn out. Plus the secondary characters still have issue unresolved and you have to wonder what's going to happen next wirh them.
If intrested in this writer she also writes books with another author under the pen name, Sydney Croft, which is another great paranormal series.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Delicious Paranormal Series Continued!

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 DU 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!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Paranormal Meets Erotica

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

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

So good!

If you like supernatural books then this series is great!

Love this Series

I am so loving this series. 2nd book as good as the 1st. Can't wait to read Wraith's story.

Entertaining!

Really enjoyed the story. Lots of action. Somewhat dark, but held my interest. So much so, that I read it in one day - thank God for snowy days! Loved the characters.

Love it.

Another one to the series :)

Great Read!

I really do enjoy this series. She does a great job and draws you into the characters and what they go through. I look forward to reading the next book. If you like the paranormal then you will enjoy this series by Larissa Ione.

MUST READ

A MUST READ SERIES. I LOVED HOW EACH ONE FOUND HIS OR HER MATE! HARD TO PUT DOWN!

loved

Love how sexy these guys are reminds me of the Blackdaggerhood series by J. R ward and know I have another author favorite larissa Ione

Very good & fun read...

Good story and had a hard time putting it down...

No text was provided for this review.

Well written but cannot recommend

My goal was to explore the use of sensuality in writing specifically with characters who are vampires, werewolves etc., as I try to complete my first novel. I was disappointed the books continued use of graphic sex was unnecessary. If you enjoy this type of writing then it should have a 3 or 4 star because it was well written. Unfortunately for me It was like watching reruns of the TV show "Angel" with a mismatch of demons, werewolves, hospital gore, and insane demons.