Sweet Ruin by Kresley Cole

I first read a book by this author in February of these year with a fabulous book in her Game Maker Series called The Master. It was an awesome read that I actually gave a five star rating to… rare for me. So when I was sent this new release from her Immortals After Dark series, I knew I was getting an indepth story with plenty of heat and spice to liven things up. You have to read:

Sweet Ruin by Kresley Cole
Series: Immortals After Dark (Book 16)
Publisher: Gallery Books (December 1, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1451649970

An immortal assassin is caught between desire and duty in this sizzling new novel from Kresley Cole’s #1 New York Times bestselling Immortals After Dark series.

A foundling raised in a world of humans:
Growing up, orphaned Josephine didn’t know who or what she was—just that she was “bad,” an outcast with strange powers. Protecting her baby brother Thaddeus became her entire life. The day he was taken away began Jo’s transition from angry girl…to would-be superhero…to enchanting villain.

A lethally sensual enforcer on a mission:
Whether by bow or in bed, archer Rune the Baneblood never fails to eliminate his target. In his sights: the oldest living Valkyrie. Yet before he can strike, he encounters a vampiric creature whose beauty mesmerizes him. With one bite, she pierces him with aching pleasure, stealing his forbidden blood—and jeopardizing the secrets of his brethren.

A boundless passion that will lead to sweet ruin…
Could this exquisite female be a spy sent by the very Valkyrie he hunts? Rune knows he must not trust Josephine, yet he’s unable to turn her away. When Jo betrays the identity of the one man she will die to protect, she and Rune become locked in a treacherous battle of wills that pits ultimate loyalty against unbridled lust.

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My Thoughts:
This book is the 16th in a series from her Immortals After Dark lineup of books. Now, I am not one for the paranormal romance for the most part. I read them mainly due to the authors that I enjoy more so than for the paranormal situations. So when this Kresley Cole book landed in my lap, I knew I was in for a treat in terms of her awesome writing and storytelling ability.

This is the first book I have read in this series, believe it or not. I was a bit cautious about diving in with 15 other publications before it. I thought for sure I was going to be lost and confused. However, I was so happy that this can totally be read as a stand alone.

What I love about this authors books is the amazing character development and her innate ability to create highly descriptive works that you can totally transport yourself into and disappear. Especially when reading a paranormal story, being sucked into another time is totally doable and even expected.

The two main characters that the author creates in this story, Rune and Jo, are strong yet soft. Tough yet loving. Invincible yet vulnerable. Trusting yet leary. Tender yet forceful. There are so many more adjectives and descriptive words I could use but suffice it to say these two are opposite in so many ways and yet in many in-depth ways, they are made for each other. A true ying and yang that balance each other. A team for the ages.

I loved this book. Kresley Cole is a master at telling a story and crafting something so unique in such a way that it reads fresh time and again. For one to be able to create 16 stories with more to come in a series and still knock it out of the park, you become those characters and tell a story in a way like none other.

A must read for not only the hot romance, but also the highly skilled storytelling ability to take you light years away and keep you entranced throughout.

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.