Mark of the Demon (Kara Gillian Series #1)

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Mark of the Demon (Kara Gillian Series #1) (Mass Market Paperback) Pub. Date: 6/23/2009 Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

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Overview

Cop and conjurer of demons, she's a woman in danger of losing control—to a power that could kill....

Why me? Why now? That’s what Beaulac, Louisiana, detective Kara Gillian was asking herself when an angelic creature named Rhyzkahl unexpectedly appeared during a routine summoning. Kara was hoping to use her occult skills to catch a serial killer, but never had she conjured anything like this unearthly beautiful and unspeakably powerful being whose very touch set off exquisite new dimensions of pleasure. But can she enlist his aid in helping her stop a killer who’s already claimed the lives—and souls—of thirteen people? And should she? The Symbol Man is a nightmare that the city thought had ended three years ago. Now he’s back for an encore and leaving every indication on the flesh of his victims that he, too, is well versed in demonic lore.

Kara may be the only cop on Beaulac’s small force able to stop the killer, but it is her first homicide case. Yet with Rhyzkahl haunting her dreams, and a handsome yet disapproving FBI agent dogging her waking footsteps, she may be in way over her head...

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

A demonic serial killer is on the prowl in Beaulac, Louisiana, and psychic detective Kara Gillian is determined to stop him. Kara's good intentions hit a detour, however, with the arrival of an angelic, sensuous creature named Rhyzkahl. Torn between the exquisite pleasures of the heavenly newcomer's touch and her obligation to find the killer, she discovers that alluring attractions can lead you ever deeper into mortal danger. Sexy paranormal suspense.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780553592351
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Publication date: 6/23/2009
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 384
Sales rank: 102,055
Series: Kara Gillian Series, #1
Product dimensions: 4.14 (w) x 6.96 (h) x 1.02 (d)

Meet the Author

Diana Rowland

Diana Rowland has lived her entire life below the Mason-Dixon line, uses "y'all" for second-person-plural, and otherwise has no southern accent (in her opinion.) She attended college at Georgia Tech where she earned a BS in Applied Mathematics, and after graduation forgot everything about higher math as quickly as possible.

Read an Excerpt

Mark of the Demon

By Diana Rowland

Bantam

Copyright © 2009 Diana Rowland
All right reserved.
ISBN: 9780553592351

Chapter One

I could hear the intruder breaking into my house.

Unfortunately, it was in the same instant that the demon appeared before me.

The sound of shattering glass upstairs disrupted my focus for only a fraction of a second, but it was enough for the arcane portal to shift from my control and leap away from me like an untethered water hose. I made a frantic grasp at the portal, cold sweat breaking out under my arms as I struggled to wrench the power back into place. My heart slammed in my chest as I fought the uncontrolled energy, seizing each strand to bind and anchor it. My technique was raw and inelegant, but I didn't give a crap. I was only interested in surviving, not in how pretty it looked.

It felt like an eternity, but it was merely several frenzied seconds before I had the wildly fluctuating potencies settled and calmed. I cautiously loosened my hold as I took several deep, ragged breaths, struggling to slow the mad galloping of my pulse. That had been far too close for my peace of mind. If that loss of focus had come just a few -seconds earlier, I most likely would have been ripped apart—either by the maelstrom of the arcane portal I'd opened in the basement of my house or by the claws of the demon I'd just summoned through that portal.

I exhaled a shuddering breath, finallyreleasing my hold on the portal as I looked with no small amount of triumph at the massive demon on one knee before me, his head lowered and his wings tucked along his back. He had remained utterly still throughout my battle with the portal, and I silently thanked whatever powers existed that I had already sealed the terms with him before losing control. I could feel a grin spread across my face. I'd done it. I had summoned a reyza, the highest of the twelve levels of demons.

I was officially a -full—fledged summoner.

The sharp crack of more glass breaking spoiled my reverie. My grin shifted to a scowl. A burglar. Just great. If I went upstairs to deal with the idiot, I would have to abandon my ulterior motive for summoning the demon. And summoning a reyza was worth more than a few wordly possessions. Besides, my wordly possessions weren't worth very much.

But the demon snapped his head up at the sound. "Some-one intrudes on your demesne," he growled, deep voice res-onating powerfully through the basement. Before I could take a breath to give a response or command, the demon bounded up the heavy wooden stairs of my basement, bursting through the door that exited into the main hallway of my house.

"Son of a bitch!" I swiftly anchored the potency that I hadn't yet grounded. Well, so much for that plan. My legs shook as I staggered up the stairs after the demon, and I snarled at the fatigue that slowed me down. I was used to feeling somewhat drained after a summoning, but this was more than I'd expected.

I heard a panicked shriek coming from the front of my house and I took off in that direction, forcing my wobbly legs to move. Okay, I managed to summon him. Now can I control him? The shriek of terror abruptly spiraled upward as I lurched down the hall.

"Kehlirik! No harm!" I shouted, commanding the demon with my voice even as I exerted mental pressure on the arcane bindings.

I rounded the corner to the living room, panting for breath and grateful that my house was "cozy" instead of palatial. I wasn't sure if I could have made it much farther without falling on my face. I made a quick mental note: Get more rest before summoning a -twelfth—level demon!

The demon snarled and turned to me, holding a -rail—thin, gibbering man by the collar and looking insanely incongruous against the muted -sage—green walls and cherrywood furniture in my living room. One wingtip brushed the computer on my desk, and I resisted the urge to grab that wing and yank him away. Probably not a good idea when I still wasn't certain if the demon would abide by my will.

"You should let me slay him, summoner," the demon said in a deep voice that sounded like rolling boulders. He held his captive dangling above the floor with no apparent effort and no strain showing in his heavily muscled body. He towered over me, his head topping mine by several feet, with leathery wings the color of burnished copper extending several more feet beyond that. In a house with -eight—foot ceilings, the demon would have been forced to crouch awkwardly and tuck in his wings in order to fit. For-tunately for him, my -Acadian—style house had the traditional -fifteen—foot ceilings designed for the subtropical climate of south Louisiana, where high ceilings helped keep houses cool.

I took a deep, steadying breath. The demon wasn't resisting my control. One less thing to sweat right now. "No, Kehlirik," I said carefully. "Our justice works differently in this sphere. But I thank you for your aid." The demon's captive had ceased his shrieking, at least, now reduced to whimpering moans. I rubbed the sudden gooseflesh on my arms, still horribly unnerved at how close I'd come to disaster. Just a few seconds earlier . . . I threw off a shudder and forced my attention back to the present.

A throbbing growl came from the demon's throat. "He is a thief. Worthless. He has no honor." He crouched and dropped the man to the floor, then pinned the intruder down with one foot. He tucked his wings behind him, clasping wickedly clawed hands together in front of him. A thick, sinuous tail curled around his legs, tip twitching in indication of his mood, and a dark and spicy scent surrounded him, foreign and wild. Crouched, his head was level with mine, and I was relieved that I could stop craning my neck to speak to him. This was only the second reyza I had ever seen, and I was still shocked at how large they were.

"It is . . . different here," I said, even though I heartily agreed with the demon's assessment of his captive. "I'm going to have enough trouble explaining away his talk of winged monsters."

"If I slay him, he cannot speak of winged monsters," Kehlirik replied, with undeniable logic. Then his broad nostrils flared as he snorted, "Not that I am a monster."

I had to smile. "No, reyza. You are no monster." Though the demon was monstrous in appearance—flat nose set in a bestial face, a wide mouth accented with curved fangs, and a thick ridge crest that swept back over his head and down his spine—I knew far too well that he was anything but a monster. "But it would be more difficult to explain a dead body," I continued. "Murder is a serious offense here."

He bared his teeth, lips curling back from the wicked fangs. "No body would be found, summoner. But I will respect your desire." He inclined his head to me, then spread his wings, somehow managing not to knock any of my pictures off the shelves. I looked at him in uninhibited delight. I'd spent almost ten years studying and training, carefully guided by my mentor and aunt through the summoning rituals of each level of demon, gradually working my way up to working solo. A solo summoning of a reyza was considered "graduation," and here I was with one in my living room.

I crouched to get a look at the -wide—eyed man beneath Kehlirik's foot, unconsciously echoing the demon's posture. Pale and skinny with scraggly hair that stood out from his head, the intruder was probably in his early to mid thirties, though I knew that my estimate could be off by about a decade. Heavy drug use tended to age a person, and I could easily peg him as a meth or possibly crack user. He also had the distinct sour odor of someone who hadn't paid close attention to hygiene for quite some time, and I found myself shifting slightly closer to the reyza, whose scent was far more appealing.

"Wow, did you ever pick the wrong house tonight," I said. Then I had to laugh as a realization hit me. "Wait. I bet you're the one who broke into those two houses up the highway last week. Am I right?"

The man whimpered and shook his head, his eyes wild. "No! No, not me! I . . . I thought this was my buddy's house—"

Kehlirik snarled down at the man, causing him to yelp in terror again. "I'm not stupid," I informed my intruder. "Don't insult me again."

The man began to shake with sobs. "OhGodohGod, pplease don't let it eat me! I'll never do it again, I swear. I just needed enough to buy a rock. Oh, God!"

I shifted my regard to the demon. Kehlirik rumbled low in his throat, returning my gaze with eyes full of intelligence and cunning. I was ridiculously tempted to screw with my burglar and ask the demon if he was hungry, but I wasn't completely sure that Kehlirik would realize I was kidding. I was fairly positive that demons had no taste for human flesh, but it was probably best to not test the issue. There were plenty of unknowns when it came to demons.

I stood, shaking a slight cramp out of my leg. I really couldn't allow the demon to kill him. The guy was a drug addict and probably had a rap sheet a mile long, but I doubted that any of his offenses were of the capital variety—most likely nothing more than theft to support his habit. Besides, I was supposed to be one of the good guys.

Oh, well. There was no doubt that he was going to babble about what he saw. I would just have to trust that no one would believe any ravings he might have about winged monsters.

Besides, it was his own damn fault that he'd picked my house to break into, on a night that I'd summoned a demon.

A deliciously wicked compromise occurred to me. "Reyza, I do not wish this one slain, but perhaps you could do me a service."

The demon's eyes glowed a ruddy orange in the dim light of my living room. "Name your desire, summoner."

With effort, I kept my face composed. "I would have him punished for his intrusion, yet he must be returned to me physically unharmed."

The demon inclined his head gravely, but I was fairly sure I could see amusement in his eyes. "It will be done, summoner."

I barely had time to step out of the demon's way before he snatched up the pathetic man and bounded out the front door. I followed, pausing just long enough to grab my cell phone and handcuffs off my desk. I exited onto my porch just in time to see Kehlirik leap into the air with my erstwhile intruder firmly grasped in clawed hands.

I let out a snicker and sat on the front step. I listened as the panicked screams faded into the night sky, then dialed the number for the St. Long Parish Sheriff's Office.

"Hi, this is Detective Kara Gillian with the PD," I said when the dispatcher answered. "Could you please send a patrol unit to my home address? I have a -ten—fifteen on a 62R here." A -10—15 was an arrest, and a 62R was a burglary. Though I worked for the Beaulac Police Department, I lived outside the city limits, which meant that if something criminal happened at my house, it was sheriff's office jurisdiction.

"A 62R . . . Kara, someone broke into your house? Way out there?"

I recognized the woman's voice as a dispatcher who'd previously worked with the PD. Slightly pudgy with harshly dyed red hair, but I couldn't remember the woman's name to save my life. "Yeah, but all he managed to do was break a window by the door."

The dispatcher laughed. "Bad choice of houses!"

You have no idea, I thought. "No kidding," I said instead. "Good thing the noise woke me up."

"All right, I'll get a unit out there."

I set the phone down and clasped my hands lightly around my knees, looking up at the moon that shone full through the barest sheen of clouds. A languid breeze twined through the dark trees, rustling needles and bringing a deep, rich scent of earth and pine to me. I hugged myself against the slight chill, listening to the faint buzz of a mosquito and the song of a nearby cricket. A satisfied peace stole through me, an -almost—Pavlovian response to my environment. I'd lived in this house my entire life—with the exception of one terrible month after my father was killed by a drunk driver. I was eleven and had been placed in foster care until my aunt Tessa could return from Japan to take over as my legal guardian. My mother had passed away three years before that, from ovarian cancer that had gone undetected until it was far too late, and there were no other relatives—or even close friends—to take me in, a fact that had not pleased my aunt at the time, especially since the one time she'd met me before I'd been in diapers. But she'd done what she could to lessen the upheaval for me, despite her reluctance to take on the enormous responsibility of raising a preteen kid. She'd moved into this house with me instead of yanking me out of the only home I'd ever known, knowing that in time I would find more comfort than grief here.

I was nearly thirty now and finally beginning to realize just how important that comfort was to me. I loved it out here, far from town and other houses. I lived on a -seldom—traveled highway, my driveway was long and winding, and the nearest neighbor was well over a mile away.

It was the perfect house for someone who required privacy.

And it wasn't until I was fifteen that I'd learned my aunt's ulterior motive for the decision to raise me in this house. My aunt Tessa was a summoner of demons, and the basement of this house was an ideal place for a summoning chamber.

A few minutes later, the demon swooped down to land neatly in front of me, dangling his -ashen—faced prisoner by one ankle. "I believe he is suitably cowed."

Too bad I couldn't give this treatment to all my arrestees. We'd probably have fewer repeat offenders, I thought as I handcuffed the unresisting man. I left him whimpering softly on the porch with his hands cuffed behind his back, then returned my attention to the demon. "My thanks again, Kehlirik."

The demon slowly sank into a crouch. "Summoner, this was the first time you called a reyza unaided, yes?"

I gave a wary nod. Had I screwed something up?

He snorted, flaring his nostrils. "I did not think that you called me for the sole purpose of thwarting an intrusion. Had you another desire for this summoning?"

Continues...

Excerpted from Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland Copyright © 2009 by Diana Rowland. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5

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CarolynC

Posted July 26, 2009

Six cool things about Mark of the Demon

This book was so entertaining and fascinating! What a great read - I was bummed when it was over.

Charlaine Harris describes Mark of the Demon as a cross between a police procedural and an urban fantasy, and I think that's apt. Main character Kara Gillian is a newbie police detective by day, reclusive demon summoner on certain nights. Much to the dismay of the other detectives, she's been assigned to lead big case--a serial killer!

** 1. Interesting & realistic details**
I enjoy learning new things and getting nerdy little details in books. Rowland spent time as a cop, a crime scene investigator and even in forensics, so she really delivers - not on the dry details, but the way real people behave in that world.

I loved getting the view of a smart, sensitive woman making it in a male dominated profession, how the different people work a crime scene, the way the cops kid each other, the little things they know about each other, autopsy room biz and more.

** 2. The odd involvement of a comic book artist and his work in the plot **
I won't say much about this, except it was cool. And whenever I thought I had the relationship of the comic and the comic artist to the plot figured out, I was wrong.

** 3. Excellent hero/subtle romance balance **
Some people found this book to be a love triangle, some feel it's clearly not a love triangle, and I'm in the 'not a love triangle' category. I felt there was one appropriate hero, and he's evolved through the book in a way that really satisfies me, and also makes me look forward to more from this pair.

** 4. Demon world **
Again, great details. The whole demon thing was well thought out, but not overly labored. One little detail I thought was so charming - Rhysel, a minor, part-animal demon Kara frequently summons, enjoys Barq's root beer as an offering.

** 5. Clothes **
I love the way clothes make Kara feel real and even vulnerable. For example, one time cops come to her home and see her in her demon summoning outfit, and they think she's in her pajamas, and actually, her summoning outfit is sort of like simple silk pajamas. (She doesn't get into the "whole flowing robes thing.")

At another point Kara is feeling vulnerable about the investigation and getting all this push-back from male detectives and handsome Fed Ryan, so she puts on a spiffy-looking detective outfit instead of going with her usual casual look. The highly professional suit is a kind of armor against the flak she's getting, but she also looks good in it.

** 6. Villain backstory **
There's a whole villain backstory, and I rather enjoyed how it made sense when you got to the end. In retrospect, I enjoyed ruminating on his it lined up with the morality/amorality of the demon world.

Rowland's next comes out next spring. I can't wait!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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harstan

Posted June 9, 2009

more from this reviewer

This romantic police procedural fantasy is a fast-paced thriller

On her first homicide case, Beualac police detective Kara Gillian needs help capturing a serial killer who has murdered thirteen taking their souls with him. Instead of other cops, she uses her inherited occult skills as a demon summoner to conjuror up a minor demon to help her stop the Symbol Man. However, the mage is stunned when her ritual brings her demon lord Rhyzkahl.

At the next murder scene the wastewater plant, Kara senses a trace of magic, but before she can follow up, she is stunned when FBI Agent Ryan Kristoff arrives. She needs his help, but also fears the price she will pay to bring in a killer thought dead three years ago; as Kara knows Ryan's touch burns her soul.

This romantic police procedural fantasy is a fast-paced thriller starring two fascinating lead characters who each understands catching the Symbol Man comes before their personal desires. The investigation is top rate as paranormal clues are as important to solving the case as the mundane (poor choice of words with what happens to the victims). Sub-genre fans will welcome Diana Rowland into the fold as the author brings a fascinating twist to forensic science and police work with the exhilarating magic murder mystery MARK OF THE DEMON.

Harriet Klausner

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Wendy33

Posted May 6, 2009

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Mark of the Demon is a keeper!

This is Ms. Rowland's debut book and well, I LOVE IT. For being a first book, it's highly well-written. The characters are wonderful, the plot is tightly-focused and I'm so looking forward to the following book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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jlm548

Posted September 3, 2011

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Amazing

Loved this book. Plenty of suspense and action. The murderer was a complete shock, which is a rare find since i read so many paranormal mysteries. The potential love triagle keeps the book interesting. A must read!
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Cris_Thinks

Posted April 10, 2011

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Total unexpected find

I think the cover it what almost had me walk away for this story. The that old saying came into my head about not judging books by there covers and i went ahead and got it. I am glad I did because this book is really good. In this story we follow Kara Gillian who has just recently been promoted to homicide. She is giving the lead on a serial killer investigation. She also happens to be a summoner of demons but not like we know then. It is an interesting twist to the story. For those of you who like Dexter you will like this one.
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DanatheRed

Posted March 25, 2011

must read buy buy buy!

soooooo great! ive gone on to read the next books and this series rocks. if u love kim harrison, jenna black or caitlin kittredge youlllove this!
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bookfanaticCP

Posted February 18, 2011

Highly Recommended

This series just made my favorites list. I love this book, from the characters to the plot it's great. This book never let me down. And Rhyzkahl could not be more drool worthy. I you try one new series this month, let it be this one.
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PommieMommie

Posted February 17, 2011

Excellent

Excellent book, with an incredibly well written char. development. Highly reccomended. Great ending. Started reading and finished in one sitting. Looking forward to the next two in this series.
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kimba88

Posted January 19, 2011

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Had me from the first chapter

This is a great paranormal detective suspense mystery. I loved the book and intend to read the series. The characters are great and the story was interesting with lots of twists and turns.
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Sassygirl99

Posted December 8, 2010

Highly Recommend-Great Read

I love the book-it is a great book that you cannot wait to see the next event as it unfolds! What will Ryan do, when will Rhyzkahl come into her dreams-or is it a dream...read the next book & see!
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Samantha57

Posted July 16, 2010

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Mark of the Demon

I thought this was a good book and I will reread it probably. My only problem is I find it one of those easily forgotten stories.
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Kloee

Posted May 25, 2010

I Also Recommend:

This paranormal romance has plenty of action and suspense with realistic references to crime scene investigations.

Three years ago, a serial killer known as the Symbol Man, killed mutilated 13 people in different torturous manners and dumped the bodies to be found much later. Each victim was marked with the same symbol connecting them together. Although the mystery was never solved, it was assumed over until another murder occurs that leads Detective Kara Gillian to believe the Symbol Man is back. This mystery has been of personal interest to Kara and her knowledge gains her the lead in the murder investigation. Promoted three months ago from street cop to investigations, Kara's peers are questioning her ability. She's assigned a team of 4, one of which is Ryan Kristoff, a FBI agent who was assigned to the case due to his exposure to supernatural type cases.

Summoning demons is a rare gift/skill that requires several years of mentoring to develop. Mentored by her Aunt Tessa, Kara Gillian has recently completed her 12 levels of training and has become a true 'Summoner of Demons.' Kara is hoping to use her skills and knowledge to find the killer and solve the case.

Kara decides to summon a demon to help with translating the runes found on one of the crime scenes but mistakenly brings forward a Demon Lord, Rhyzkahl. Rather killing her, the Demon Lord seduces her and leaves her wondering what happened.

I felt the relationship between Demon Lord, Rhyzkahl and Kara Gillian was somewhat rushed and left me feeling shallow. However, the author left enough questions left unanswered to continue on with another book. I look forward to seeing how the characters continue to evolve and grow.
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AislinnRose

Posted January 24, 2010

Easily one of the best books I've read in quiet some time

This is a must read for fans of the early Anita Blake series. The storyline will keep you guessing. The characters are interesting. Once I started I simply couldnt put it down until I finished it.... Demons both scary and hot. Murders. Witty heroin. What else could you ask for?
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nicolamattos

Posted January 18, 2010

more from this reviewer

I Also Recommend:

Rowland Gives Readers What They Secretly Crave.a Sinister Love Connection that Smolders.

Mark of the Demon is dark, sexy, fare where the heroine doesn't always get her way and the chase is filled with longing as well as plenty of twists and turns. For those fans of Kim Harrison's Hollows series, Mark of the Demon will instantly be a hit. Guaranteed. And those fans who might hunger for a Rachel Morgan demon "lurve" connection with Algaliarept or Minias, or Morgan Kingsley and Lugh from Jenna Black's series, then feed your desires with Mark of the Demon.

Kara Gillian leads dual lives: that of a homicide detective in her small Louisiana parish, and a demon summoner. When Rhyzkahl, one of the most dangerous demon lords to cross into the earthly plane steps casually out of her summoning portal instead of a lower level luhrek demon, Kara knows she is in trouble. Big trouble. But what could have been an impending gory death for the tricky summoner, morphs into something sensual and extremely dangerous.

As Kara heads the team on the Symbol Man serial killings, she comes to realize that there is a definite connection between Rhyzkahl, the recent ritual mutilations, and a powerful unknown rival summoner who is leaving a trail of bodies a mile-wide. Shackled with an FBI agent she doesn't quite trust and yet is attracted to, Kara finds she has few allies in which to solve one of the grisliest crime sprees to hit her region in years. Stumped, Kara tries to tentatively solicit information from Rhyzkahl with potential devastating consequences. She finally comes to realize what "playing with fire" means when toying with a demon lord.

Rowland gives readers what they secretly crave: wicked non-stop action, diabolical sensuality and danger. As well as a sinister deadly demon force to be reckoned with in Rhyzkahl, and the possible means to tame him through Kara Gillian.

One can only wonder what Rhyzkahl has planned for Kara in BLOOD OF THE DEMON (out February 2010). We hope it's equally good and BAD!
(c)Nicola Mattos www.fiendishlybookish.com
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SeoulPhoenix

Posted October 20, 2009

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Great Pick Up and Read when Bored Book

I've been reading a lot of books lately and wanted something fun and light. I came across this book and liked the cover art, so I opened it up and read the first few pages and felt it was exactly what I was looking for.

I was so right. It wasn't the best book I've read but the way it was written and the character interaction was so well played that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it...twice in a single day. It was a fun book and I have still yet to get my copy back from friends who are circulating it. A couple of which have bought their own copies.

A DEFINITE reccommend it in your permanent library and a great conversational book for a book club or between girlfriends...sorry guys, I fear that not very many men will enjoy this book as much since it definitely has a chick flick feel to it. Enjoy
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Metal_Monkey

Posted September 26, 2009

I read this in 1 day!

What a great read! I liked that the author is writing from experience. Having been a cop as well, she was able to create a level of believability in the police procedural part of the book that I enjoyed (and noticed!). The supernatural parts of the story took some time to get fleshed out, but overall I was happy to go along for the ride. The cast of demons is explained several times in the book, but I would prefer to see a little list or index or something for easy reference... maybe in future novels? I hope there are more! I love Diana Rowland's writing style, I love that the mystery in this book didn't need the supernatural to be solved, and I love the blending of the normal world with the witchy/demon world. And I especially love the heat and chemistry Rowland creates between the characters. Some of these demons are HOT!
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SeaJ

Posted August 31, 2009

more from this reviewer

I Also Recommend:

Mark Me Hooked

I came across this book just because of some I have read in the past. I loved it. I wanted the main charater to get busy with the demon again and hell stay with him in his world. Makes waitin gon the next book hard to do. I loved the story line...cops who can call on demons that might help with cases....now that a demon lord has a fancy with her (the cop) is awesome...in a weird way. I liked the details provided which made it easier to picture the murder scenes in my mind and this story had it all....love...well maybe the starting of love...murder, mystery and good guys.....Look forward to more.
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kitkat3ny

Posted July 30, 2009

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Fantastic Debut to a New Dark Urban Fantasy Series!

I really enjoyed this book. It starts off a bit slow, so stick with it, it gets better. Detective Kara Gillian has a secret; she has been endowed with the natural talent of summoning demons from another plane of existence. Regrettably, her secret is at risk of being exposed by a murderous serial killer known as the Symbol Man. Kara is granted the opportunity to be lead detective on this case and jumps at the chance to solve it. Knowing that demons may be able to shed some light on her case, Kara summons a high-level demon in attempts barter for information on the case. However, during her nighttime activities as a summoner, something goes terribly wrong and instead of summoning a high-level demon, a powerful Demonic Lord comes through instead, fully of wrath and anger at being involuntarily pulled through, he is definitely not happy! With the Symbol Man's savage hunger for death and destruction ever increasing, Kara puts her life on the line to identify the killer before it's too late. With its dark and dangerous demonic intrigue, Mark of the Demon easily became one of the best whodunit novels I've read in a long time. I highly recommend this book to dark urban fantasy readers, and look forward to the next book in the series Blood of the Demon due out 1/26/2010.
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Posted July 27, 2011

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Posted December 23, 2010

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Mark of the Demon (Kara Gillian Series #1)

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Diana Rowland

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Mark of the Demon

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Six cool things about Mark of the Demon

This romantic police procedural fantasy is a fast-paced thriller

Mark of the Demon is a keeper!

Amazing

Total unexpected find

must read buy buy buy!

Highly Recommended

Excellent

Had me from the first chapter

Highly Recommend-Great Read

Mark of the Demon

This paranormal romance has plenty of action and suspense with realistic references to crime scene investigations.

Easily one of the best books I've read in quiet some time

Rowland Gives Readers What They Secretly Crave.a Sinister Love Connection that Smolders.

Great Pick Up and Read when Bored Book

I read this in 1 day!

Mark Me Hooked

Fantastic Debut to a New Dark Urban Fantasy Series!