Sunday, April 29, 2012

Book Giveaway and Toni's Review of Demon's Bride by Zoe Archer ***4 Stars***


Hell to Pay

Leo Bailey may have been born to poverty, but ruthless business sense and sparkling intelligence have made money worries a thing of his past. It doesn’t hurt that the Devil himself has granted Leo the ability to read the future.

But even infallible predictions are a déclassé commoner’s trick to some members of the ton. They’ll never see Leo as their equal—one good reason to prove himself their better. And a noble marriage is an obvious start.

Bookish Anne Hartfield, daughter of a baron, is hardly the flashiest miss on the marriage market. But her thoughtful reserve complements Leo’s brash boldness in an attraction neither can deny. A whirlwind courtship sweeps Anne and Leo into a smoldering marriage before either can believe their luck. But happiness built on Leo’s dark powers can’t last. Soon, Anne will have to save her husband…or lose her heart…


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When I read the first installment of the series, I could see the building blocks being laid and set.  Since Ms. Archer had accomplished that task so well in Devil’s Kiss, she released the second installment of the Hellraisers series; Demon’s Bride, full steam and doesn’t look back.

Leo Bailey was gifted from the Devil, the ability to see the future by.  All he needs is an item from a person and he can see the disasters that will plague the owner.  He then uses that knowledge for evil and personal gain.  Either pushing that person towards their inevitable disastrous future or plainly betting against them.  Leo’s passion is the exchange market and he uses his talent to control every aspect of it.  Because of his cunning and skill, he is simply known as Demon.

While Anne Hartfield may be the daughter of a baron, she knew from the very beginning her marriage to Leo was not a love match.  He dutifully wooed and courted her, but the love spark was never there.  All her hopes blossomed on her wedding night to only be crushed just as quickly.  Now she is determined to make the best of her marriage.  She will do everything in her power to win her husband’s heart.

From the first “I Do’s” things begin to change for these two people.  Neither expected what was in store for them and quickly things begin to turn.  Good, evil and other forces are converging to shape the future.  It’s too bad Leo can’t see what is ahead for himself, because he never expected to fall in love with his wife and that very well may ruin his life forever.

In my opinion, Ms. Archer has improved on the series.  I loved how Demon’s Bride had more of a sinister feeling to it.  You can’t help but hate the Hellraisers.  They are marvelously evil, encompassing all of man’s sins.  While their power may focus on one attribute, you can feel the lust, greed, wickedness and power radiating off of all them.  Ms. Archer did an outstanding job writing them with malevolence and still make them all seem human.

I enjoyed how Anne was so willing to make the best of her circumstances and didn’t cower.  She showed such strength throughout the story, when most women of that time would have crumbled.  The turmoil that she put Leo through was just as delightful.  Everyday his reserve was crumbling as he fell for Anne.

I was utterly shocked at some of the sad developments in the story.  In an odd way, I can agree with the choices that were made, though they must have been hard decisions to make for the storyline.  I am absolutely bewildered and have no idea which direction the series will take now.  This new development has thrown me and I actually find it wonderful.  Ms. Archer has removed the predictability that some series encounter and she has made me want the next story even the more.

Demon’s Bride is a remarkable historical paranormal that has a familiarity feel to it right along with an unpredictability too.  Zoe Archer has written an innovative novel that is sexy, beautiful and suspenseful.  


My review of the first book in the Hellraisers series:



Thanks for reading!! - Toni
Book Giveaway


Kensington is giving away one (1) copy of the first in the Hellraisers series!


Thank you to our sponsor - Kensington!  Be sure to friend them on Facebook and check out their website.  

You can also visit their Facebook app to find some great contests and excerpts, along with polls and quizzes about their books. The direct link to the apps are here:

http://bit.ly/xGzDj5 (Kensington)

Happy Reading!!

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23 comments:

  1. Thanks for the chance :)

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  2. No I would never be able to marry without love--even if the guy was gorgeous. I'd rather have a dog as my faithful companion and keep trying to find someone to love.

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  3. I could easily marry without love...then just have a lot of affairs. LMAO. I am bad!

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  4. I guess it would depend on the circumstances. If we had a relationship built on mutual respect and friendship it might grow into love.

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  5. I don't think I would marry without love or some serious lust going on! LOL I'd rather be by myself than with someone I really did not want to be with.

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  6. Ideally I would like to say NO because marriage is a hard thing sometimes, I don't see how you would keep it together if you didn't love each other.

    April K.

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  7. Yes I would as long as Im secure in my future and my hubby doesn't catch me. LOL...damn I at least hope the guy is attractive!

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  8. i dont know... i think i would have to say no, because it would be extremely difficult to live without love in any time...

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  9. Well if I lived back in 1800's and didn't have any other choice I would marry without love.Why because in good marriage love is not enough there should be trust, respect, friendship.

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  10. If it was back then---I would have to saY yES--Thats just how they used to do it!
    Thanks for the chance :
    kristinaparmenter51(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. Well if I lived back then than it would be a common ideal to marry or have arranged marriages to further your status, so yes I would, but I would not like it. I would hope that eventually we would fall in love.

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  12. I would have to say yes. Things were so different back then and I think I would have to.

    Laura
    cardinoles (at) gmail (dot) com

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  13. Knowing my luck I wouldn't have the choice but if I did probably not unless it was to secure my families future more so then my own! Who knows though, you could always fall in love after your marriage, if not then there's always poison or a tragic fall down the stairs after you've secured your future through the marriage! Lol!

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  14. yes i would to make sure that i was taken care of...

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  15. I guess if my options were few, marrying a man for security would not be out of the question. Women needed to make decisions based on solid thinking not for love

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  16. It's hard to say for sure, but I probably would. It was a much different time, and I think I'd place security over the remote possibility of finding true love.

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  17. in the 1800s where most people were poor, heck ya I would marry for money and live the rich life while having a hot affair with the stable boy!!!

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  18. I probably would because most women didn't ave te rights back then

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  19. love love love Zoe! :D

    miabama at gmail.com

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  20. no i wanna be loved...so love would have to be a big part of the relationship.

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  21. Instant answer, which you told me not to do, would be no....I would marry for love.
    But logically,, to secure mine and my family's future, if the guy was kind and dependable...Then yes. In that time period, I probably WOULD marry for security- it's assumed that I wasn't in love with someone else already, however.

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