Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Z by Larissa Ione - Review and Excerpt


 

Z is the latest in Larissa Ione's incredible Demonica Underworld Series brought to you by the amazing team at

  1001 Dark Nights

Be sure you grab your copy of this sexy new novella toady!

  Z- cover

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Author: Larissa Ione
Publication Date:  26 April, 2016
Publisher: 1,001 Dark Nights
Series: Demonica Underworld, book 11.5
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Age Recommendation: 18 and up
Rating: 5 stars
~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 


Book Description:

Zhubaal, fallen angel assistant to the Grim Reaper, has spent decades searching for the angel he loved and lost nearly a century ago. Not even her death can keep him from trying to find her, not when he knows she’s been given a second chance at life in a new body. But as time passes, he’s losing hope, and he wonders how much longer he can hold to the oath he swore to her so long ago…

As an emim, the wingless offspring of two fallen angels, Vex has always felt like a second-class citizen. But if she manages to secure a deal with the Grim Reaper — by any means necessary — she will have earned her place in the world. The only obstacle in the way of her plan is a sexy hardass called Z, who seems determined to thwart her at every turn. Soon it becomes clear that they have a powerful connection rooted in the past…but can any vow stand the test of time?



    My Review:

 You've given up everything you've ever know, everything you ever believed you wanted, You're a Fallen Angel, you fell for love.  Zubaal has spent his life after his fall searching for his one true love, the angel he fell for in all senses, his soul mate.  He's become the right hand man of the Grim Reaper in hopes that he would never miss her soul which he knows was reborn in case she dies, again.  He's spent any free hours he has roaming the world searching, he's kept her in his heart and on his mind and he's kept every vow he ever made to her.

Vex, an Emin the child of two fallen angels, is essentially a soul stealer.  An involuntary, in a sense, soul stealer  As an Emin any time a death occurs near her the soul is sucked into her body.  Vex has turned this undesirable ability into a profitable business and becomes a collector and dealer.  All is going well until suddenly the well of buyers dries up.  In her need to not only earn her living but also get rid of a rather nasty soul that she's unfortunately collected Vex finds herself calling on the Grim Reaper and crosses paths with Z who immediately recognizes that Vex carries the soul of his beloved, Laura.

So, with this being a novella it leaves me not to be able to say too much with out spoiling the story. What I can say besides that I love Larissa's writing style, her story line, her character's development is that I love this couple.  I love that they stay true to who they are even through the toughest situations.  That they fight for their individuality as well as for what will be them as a couple.  That they are generous with their hearts, dedicated to their friends and family, and honorable in their 'missions'.  I love that Z is this pillar, a rock.  He is faithful to a fault, he is the strong quiet type that melts your heart even when you want to smack him over the head for not being more bendable to new ideas, people, thoughts.  Vex is a fun breath of fresh air. She is who she is and no one will guilt her or make her feel as though she is less than.  She will fight to be accepted for herself or even if it is the hardest thing she will ever do she will walk away.  She's a wonderful heroine for that reason because she's not willing to change just to make someone else happy. That isn't to say she can't adapt, but that she isn't willing to loose herself wholly to another person.  I also loved that we got glimpses of a few key characters from past books, particularly a favorite of mine Azagoth and a glimpse at what may be coming in the future with our anonymous angels.

I am a huge fan of Larissa Ione's Demonica Underworld series.  You expect when you get into such a long series (Z is #11.5) that there will be so many players, so many side stories, so many plots and developments that you will end up lost in the mire and needing charts and diagrams to keep up. Larissa however does an amazing job at making each book it's own story while keeping true to the original plot line.  Her characters are straight forward and relatable (even if they are Angels, Fallen Angles, Demons, etc) and her books, while I of course as usual recommend reading in order, can be read individually and you won't be lost if you start here at book 11.5.  This is also a trait of 1,001 Dark Night's novella's that I have found.  The way the authors put these books together for this publisher makes it easy to find a new series through these novellas with out having spoiled any previous books.  If you are a paranormal fan this is a MUST series to read!

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

EXCERPT:

“What’s your name? And what is your business with Azagoth?” Stepping closer, he lowered his voice and looked down at her from his extra foot of height. “And keep in mind that I’m his gatekeeper. You will tell me or you won’t get off this platform.” 

She coyly fingered the plunging neckline of her top and batted her jewel-toned eyes. “I’m Vex, and I have a proposition for your boss.” 

“I’m Zhubaal, and I need a little more than that.” He narrowed his eyes, refusing to be charmed or seduced. But damn, she really did have nice breasts. “What kind of proposition?” 

For a long moment she stared up at him, her ruby lips pressed together in a stubborn line of silence. Just as he was about to send her back to whatever realm she’d come from, she gave up the seductress BS and held out her right arm. 

“See these glyphs?” She traced the outline of one of five squiggly black circles with the tip of one amethyst-painted fingernail. “Touch one.” 

“If this is a trick––” 

“How stupid do you think I am?” she snapped. “If Azagoth is really the Grim Reaper, he’s one of the most powerful beings in the universe. Do you honestly think I’m here to piss him off by screwing with one of his griminions?” 

Well, that was insulting. “I’m not a griminion,” he ground out. “Griminions are ugly little freaks who collect souls when a demon or evil human dies. I’m just your standard everyday minion.” 

She rolled her eyes. “I know. I was being funny. You’re the Grim Reaper’s minion. Griminion.” She nudged him with her arm. “Come on. Touch me.” 

Anxious to be rid of this obnoxious female, he gripped her wrist and pressed his fingers against two––or maybe three––of the circles. 

He had no idea how many of the things he touched because the moment his skin came into contact with them, the powerful burn of sheer evil shot through him and knocked the breath from his lungs. Holy hell, what were those glyphs? Malevolence seared his skin and forced superheated blood to flow like lava through his veins as he released her and stumbled backward, his head spinning. 

“They’re souls,” Vex said, her voice cutting through his agony. “That’s what you’re feeling. They attached themselves to me, and I think Azagoth might want to take them off my hands.”


 



Larissa Ione - headshotAbout Larissa Ione: Larissa Ione is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. An Air Force veteran, she traded in a career as a meteorologist to pursue her passion of writing. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.      

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~

 1001 Dark Nights




Larissa Ione’s Z – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:
April 27th
A Fortress of books – Review
Booklovers For Life – Review & Excerpt
April 28th
Milky Way of Books – Review
Extreme Bookaholics – Excerpt
April 29th
I Smell Sheep – Review
Oh My Shelves – Review
April 30th
Smokin' Hot Reads Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Barbara Book Reviews – Excerpt
May 1st
Angelika blogja – Review
Sultry, Steamy Reading – Review & Excerpt
Deluged with Books Cafe – Review & Excerpt
Coffee-Books-Life Blog – Review & Excerpt
May 2nd
Bridget's Book Bungalow – Review & Excerpt
Books-n-Kisses – Review & Excerpt
May 3rd
Reads All the Books – Review & Excerpt
Diane’s Book Blog – Review
Alpha book club – Review & Excerpt
May 4th
The Romance Reviews – Review
Ashley Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
KatyaRath – Review & Excerpt
May 5th
Hike2Forty and beyond – Review & Excerpt
KT Book Reviews – Excerpt
A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia – Review & Excerpt
May 6th
Hart's Romance Pulse – Excerpt
Book Lovin' Mamas – Review & Excerpt
Evermore Books – Review & Excerpt

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2 comments:

  1. Thank you so much! ~Jessica, InkSlinger PR

    ReplyDelete
  2. So glad you liked Z! Thank you for the review and taking the time to read! :)

    ReplyDelete