Defeat the Darkness: Demons of the Bayou by Eliza March
[Erotic paranormal romance, MFM, menage] Possessed by evil, ruled by lust, driven by hunger. Can love defeat the ancient demon and turn the darkness into light? Max Hamilton and Shelby Mackenzie go way back to being in diapers together. Over the years, they’ve shared playgrounds and fishing, first dates and first sexual experiences. It wasn’t a surprise when she followed Max to Tulane Medical School where they shared Kyle Lachlan—Max’s new friend and Shelby’s first real love. Before Kyle, something had always been missing in the romance department for Shelby. But when Kyle announces he’s joined Physicians International Charity and is heading out to save innocent lives after the mudslides in Guatemala, Shelby is devastated. Until, he gives her a family heirloom engagement ring. Kyle is determined to make up for his privileged Boston upbringing even if it means being separated from Shelby for a few months while she finishes her residency. But when he arrives in the makeshift medical camp, strange things begin to happen. Local legends inspired by the jungle jaguars tell of men who shift into the form of the large cats. While out searching for a missing boy, Kyle is attacked by a rogue jaguar. His life changes, instantly and so does he. His former beliefs and ideals manifest into the myths and legends of a bad "B" horror flick. Pursued by a demonic vampire, the exquisitely beautiful yet evil, Amyra de la Santiago plans to use him for her own selfish purpose. Kyle is determined to fight becoming the dark demon he senses within her. She will stop at nothing to fulfill her ambitions, and Kyle is the answer she’s been waiting over three thousand years for. Leverage is what she needs to convince him, and who better to use against him than the people he cares about most? Kyle will do anything to protect innocent lives like Max’s and keep the woman he loves safe even if it means sacrificing himself to the demon. What does it matter since his soul is already lost to the darkness? Shelby must learn to believe in Kyle, again, then trust him and finally, she must be willing to fight for him. Later, there will be time to deal with the secret need she developed from the transition he caused. The hunger for sexual satisfaction drives her the way a vampire is driven by the need for blood. Max is always a willing partner, but as relationships change, so do their needs. Will Kyle adjust and accept their new roles? After the danger is past, will Kyle be able to love a sex fae? Shelby holds out hope since she is the light to his darkness. Only she can defeat the demon darkness taking over both Kyle and Max.
If you read it and haven't reviewed my first book in the Hearts of Darkness series, then please do. The next vampire book is due out the end of November. Add your comments to those at Amazon now...
Reviews from AMAZON
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
My virgin read in this genre, August 20, 2013
This review is from: Defeat The Darkness: Demons of the Bayou (Hearts of Darkness) (Kindle Edition)
Eliza March shows that paranormal erotica can be well-written with a compelling plot and interesting characters. I look forward to the sequel.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Steamy and erotic, suspenseful and exotic, August 18, 2013
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This review is from: Defeat The Darkness: Demons of the Bayou (Hearts of Darkness) (Kindle Edition)
Eliza March has written a thrilling, erotic tale that sweeps the reader from ancient Egypt to the jungles of Guatemala and the mysterious bayous of Louisiana. Demons, vampires, jaguars--if you like stories about shape-shifters, then this book is a must-read, with a little something for everyone.
Vampires and Werewolves and Demons...OH MY!, August 17, 2013
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clahain (Las Vegas, Nevada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Defeat the Darkness: Demons of the Bayou (Hearts of Darkness) (Volume 1) (Paperback)
The plot of this erotic paranormal romance is hard to describe succinctly, but I'll give it a try. Though engaged to handsome doctor Kyle Lachlan, Dr. Shelby Mackenzie maintains close ties with her childhood friend (and former lover) Max Hamilton. Max is also a doctor, and he's Kyle's best friend. While on a charitable mission in Central America, Kyle is attacked by both a shape-shifting jaguar man AND and ancient vampire/demon. This causes him to turn into BOTH a shape-shifting jaguar AND a vampire. He's forced to reject Shelby (who has come from the U.S. to find him) for her own protection, which, of course, sends her right into the arms of Max. A bit later, Kyle escapes back to the U.S. and gets involved with a community of paranormal creatures (succubi, vampires, werewolves) living in Louisiana bayou country. They help him come up with a plan to defeat his maker, who has followed him home and targeted Shelby for death.This complicated paranormal universe is one of the best things about the book, but it also causes some difficulties. There are a lot of characters. Each one has a unique history. Some transform into more than one supernatural creature depending on what they were bitten by and what type of supernatural genes they carry. Entertaining though it is, there are places where the plot begins to crack the "suspension of disbelief" of even the most dedicated fan of paranormal fiction. A prime example of this is when we discover that Shelby is a Sex Fae (a type of succubus) and that Max has Berserker blood. Not just any Berserker blood...He just happens to be related to a Vampire-Berserker helping Kyle. It's too much co-incidence.
Author Eliza March's characters are interesting and well developed. I became attached to them. However, this attachment took longer than it should have because we are introduced to Shelby and Kyle during a marathon sex session that goes on and on and on. I get that DEFEAT THE DARKNESS is an erotic romance. But erotic elements need to support plot and character development--not delay them or take their place. If March had placed this same sex session AFTER the couple has dinner with Max, allowing us to meet the three main players right away, the novel would have worked better for me.
Another rough spot is the final confrontation with Kyle's maker. Much of the action happens off stage. Also, it's pretty easy to subdue Amyra de la Santiago. You'd think a powerful vampire/demon who has been causing havoc for thousands of years would put up more of a fight. It's as if she just gives up. This is hard to believe and supremely unsatisfying.
All in all it's a question of balance. March's novel is weighted heavily towards sex and a fictional universe populated by a wide variety of supernatural beings. This throws off the pacing and narrative arc, resulting in an ending that feels rushed and unresolved--even for the first book in a series. Despite these structural issues, I enjoyed the book enough to give it four stars. March's plotting is ambitious and her characters are well-conceived and likable. I'm looking forward to the the next one.
Great story!!!, August 11, 2013
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This review is from: Defeat The Darkness: Demons of the Bayou (Hearts of Darkness) (Kindle Edition)
This book had an unusual story line. I enjoyed reading this book because the characters were enjoyable to read about. Surprise s around every turn.
Addictive read, August 4, 2013
This review is from: Defeat The Darkness: Demons of the Bayou (Hearts of Darkness) (Kindle Edition)
Absolutely could not put this book down once I started reading. If you're a fan of the sookie stack house series or comparable reads, this book is definitely up your alley.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
wow! just wow!, August 4, 2013
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This review is from: Defeat The Darkness: Demons of the Bayou (Hearts of Darkness) (Kindle Edition)
i have to say, i just started reading your book, i am in the first chapter, i am a slow reader sadly and i am loving the details you gave, beautiful i can't wait to get to the end i am so excited! thank you!
Love Vampires!, August 3, 2013
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Lorelei Confer (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Defeat The Darkness: Demons of the Bayou (Hearts of Darkness) (Kindle Edition)
If you love vampires, shifters, faes and sex you'll enjoy this love story between Kyle, Shelby and Max. Colorful and handsome secondary characters have their own stories to tell and keep you turning the pages with lots of twists and turns. This hard-to-put-down book will keep you on the edge of your seat while in the jungles of Guatemala and back to the mysterious, jazzy city of New Orleans. A book you won't forget!
Darkness defeated?, August 2, 2013
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SharronLuvs2Read (Florida) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Defeat The Darkness: Demons of the Bayou (Hearts of Darkness) (Kindle Edition)
When Kyle heads off to S. America, his fiance Shelby goes after him, and finds he's changed. Only she doesn't realize how much, and she finds him in the grip of another woman. Thankfully, hunky Max is waiting to soothe her broken heart. Only, things aren't what they seem, and Kyle has much more at stake than his relationship with Shelby. This book is a hot, fast read. There are surprises around every corner. A lot of familiar mythology with interesting twists. Shapeshifters and vampires. Sometimes one is both. An excellent antagonist - you will love to hate her! I highly recommend this book!
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