A Novel with Thoughts and Ponderings

THE DARKEST SURRENDER

Author: Gena Showalter ISBN: 9780373775811 10/2011 PARANORMAL Publisher: HQN

The Darkest Surrender by Gena Showalter
The Lords of the Underworld return in this enthralling tale of an immortal warrior determined to win and the beautiful seductress he can’t resist.
 
Possessed by the demon of Defeat, Strider cannot lose a challenge without suffering unimaginable pain.  For him, nothing stands in the way of victory.  Until Kaia, an enchanting Harpy, tempts him to the razor’s edge of surrender.
 
Known among her people as The Disappointment, Kaia must bring home the gold in the Harpy Games or die.  Strider is a distraction she can’t afford because he as an agenda of his own – steal first prize, an ancient godly artifact, before the winner can be named.  But as the competition heats up, only one prize will matter – the love neither had thought possible…

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS: 4 Rose Read

Readers were informed about Strider in Amun's book, THE DARKEST SECRETS.  As hinted in the previous novel, Strider's heroine is the harpy Kaia, sister to Bianka and Gwen.  Kaia is a sweetheart.  She believes that Strider is meant to be her consort, and no other will do. She also thinks that success at the harpy gathering will make everyone realize how worthy she is, Strider included.  Unfortunately, thanks to a bad decision in her youth, the other harpies only want to make her pay.  Strider stands by Kaia's side during this tournament and begins to see beyond her rough exterior, and soon finds himself falling in love with Kaia.  

I wasn't sure how this pairing would work, when Strider is the keeper of defeat and harpies are known for their prowess in anything they attempt. But Gena Showalter once again knocks it out the park.  From the very first pages, Kaia had my sympathy as she lusted for Strider to no avail.  While Strider admits he is over Haidee, he thinks that a relationship with Kaia would keep his demon in a state of challenge.  All he wants is peace with the mate of his choice, not the strife that would come along with his perceived relationship with a combative harpy.  But her constant ability to challenge him actually sooths his demon’s need to compete and constantly win.

Christina Baker

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