NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR GENA SHOWALTER
UNLEASHES THE MOST ANTICIPATED LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD TALE YET
THE
DARKEST TOUCH
Now, from USA TODAY bestselling
author Gena Showalter, comes
THE DARKEST TOUCH
(Harlequin HQN, November 2014,
$7.99 U.S./$8.99 CAN. ISBN-13 978-0-373-77891-1), the eagerly awaited story of
Torin—host to the demon of Disease—the most dangerous and wretched of all the
Lords of the Underworld, a legendary group of powerful and seductive warriors
doomed to a cursed eternal existence.
Synopsis
As keeper of the demon of Disease, Torin carries a weight heavier than
any of his ill-fated brethren. Knowing that his merest touch has the potential
to kill untold innocents by infecting any creature with whom he comes in
contact, Torin is forever destined to live a solitary existence, denied that which he craves most—love and
companionship—as he struggles constantly to resist the deadly, lustful
urges of his demon within.
Keeley Cael, better known as the
infamous Red Queen, has a serious grudge against Torin. As one of the most
dangerous beings in existence, with the power to kill armies in a snap, Keeley
gains her strength by forming mystical bonds with people she cares about, like
her friend Mari. But when Mari is unintentionally killed by physical contact
with Torin, Keeley vows to get vengeance by hunting down the deadly demon-host
and destroying him.
After
Keeley finds Torin, however, she too is inadvertently stricken by his diseased
touch. But then Keeley is stunned to discover that Torin is not the
bloodthirsty killer she imagined, but a caring and noble protector who nurses
her through her affliction. Even more surprising is the new invisible bond with
Torin she suddenly feels through her irresistible attraction to him.
Torin,
likewise, is taken aback by the rampant desire he has for the Red Queen, a
desire that has somehow quenched all his other deadly lusts. But Torin knows
there is no happy ending here; Keeley is still an infected carrier and any
further contact with him could prove fatal to her.
When Keeley reveals to Torin knowledge
of his origin, however, and of the existence of an object with the power to
heal her and free him and his brethren of their plight, this accursed Lord of
the Underworld finally allows himself to feel something he has not known in an
eternity…hope.
Excerpt
She appeared in front of him, displaying more tanned
skin than she concealed, her hair falling around her face in lush, golden
waves. Her eyes glittered with remnants of her anger. Her lips were slightly
swollen and pinker than usual.
“Temper much?” she quipped.
His relief was palpable. She hadn’t forgotten him! But
the relief was quickly replaced by concern. “Are you all right? Did someone hit
you?”
She blinked with confusion. “No. Why?”
“Your lips are swollen.”
She rubbed them, color heating her cheeks. “Someone
didn’t hit me, but someone sure did hit on
me.”
Hit on her. As in kissed
her.
Already on edge, Torin. Utterly. Erupted.
He forgot everything he’d planned to do and say and got
in Keeley’s face, snarling, “Who was it?”
Her eyes widened. “Hades. Why?”
“You dare ask why? You belong to me! We agreed.
You do not kiss other men, Keeley. Ever. Have you
forgotten my rules?”
Her jaw dropped, and she gasped out a few
unintelligible words as if she couldn’t quite figure out what to say to him.
He stood in place, breathing too quickly, too heavily,
his throat and lungs burning. He reached for her, but as so many times before,
fisted his hands and dropped them just before contact. This is crazy. I’m crazy.
I have to leave.
“Are you…thinking about touching me?” she asked, her
eyes widening again.
No, she had
to leave. He could not be in public right now. “Go shopping. Buy yourself
something pretty. My treat.” He basically tossed his credit card at her. He
should be calm by the time she finished. “Come back in an hour. Maybe two.
Actually, we’ll reconvene tomorrow.”
“You are,” she said. “You’re thinking… Even craving me.
You don’t like the thought of another man’s hands on me, and you want to
replace the memory with your hands.”
That. Yes. Hades would die, and Torin…Torin would touch
this woman and never stop.
He gnashed his molars. “Last chance, Keeley. I suggest
you take it and leave.” Soon. His control was almost completely shredded.
“No way. You’re the big bad warrior, yet I’ve had to
come on to you time and time again. I’ve had to battle within myself—worth the
price or not worth it. Well, it’s your turn.”
“There is no damn way you just suggested I haven’t done
the same. I’ve battled.”
“When have you ever
caved without prompting from me? You’ve resisted me so easily, always walking
away.
Sure, you’ve snarled while you’ve done the walking, but
still you left me behind. So, tell me. When did you ever—”
“So easily?”
he roared. Had she just said so easily?
She had no clue about the intensity of his need—but he would teach her better.
Torin cupped her by the nape, yanked her close and
smashed his mouth against hers. The kiss was a brutal assault meant to silence
her, to dominate and possess. He held her still, making her take it, take
everything. But the moment she softened against him, welcomed him inside her mouth, the darkness churning inside him
switched gears. From the need to punish and master to the need to seduce and
please.
This was Keeley. His princess. She deserved his best.
He gentled the pressure, rolling his tongue inside her
mouth, learning her all over again, tasting her. Summer berries and melted
honey. So sweet. And mine. All mine.
He framed her cheeks, angled her head and rolled his tongue just a little
deeper. This time, she met him with a roll of her own.
That was his undoing.
~My Review~
!!!Infinity Stars!!!
Tou Tou Tou Tou Tou
Tou Touch Me, I wanna be dirrrrty. Remember that song? Yes? Good, because it is
probably want you will be singing in your head to Torin while you read this
book. Oh yes you will, trust me.
So in the latest
installment of the, oh so fantastically wonderful series, Lords of the
Underworld (LOTU) we finally get Torin's story! Why finally? Well because I
have been literally dying for this book, DYING.
Torin has always
been one of my most favorite Lords. Plagued with being the keeper of the demon
Disease, he has always been isolated and hidden in the shadows of all the other
Lords. Desperate for the things he can't have, the ability to touch, to fight
and to love.
For those who have
not read previous LOTU books, one you must be crazy and two you really need to
read them. But let me give you a quick background. The Lords were once mighty
warriors created by Zeus, these same warriors were responsible for opening
Pandora's box allowing evil and darkness to enter the world. As punishment Zeus
cursed each warrior to be the keeper of a demon they released from the box.
Torin ended up with Disease ensuring that if he ever touched another, skin to
skin, he would sicken them and possible kick start a deathly plague.
Throughout this
series each Lord has a tale, one of love, trust and redemption and Torin's tale
is no different. Each book progresses through a larger plotline, a very very
good one dealing with the goal of recovering Pandora's box and trapping the
evil that was once held within. Each book also focuses on a Lord meeting their
soul mate. One that satiates their desires, challenges their way of life and
changes their hearts. These matches are usually tough, self-sufficient,
stunning, and compassionate individuals. EXCEPT for Torin's leading lady who is
all of these things minus the compassion, but you will absolutely love her for
it and she totally makes up for it with her ferocity.
The Red Queen
Keeley is the most kick-a$$ heroine/villian/heroine you will meet and she is
perfect for Torin in every way. She is stubborn, determined, powerful and
always gets what she wants, and she wants Torin. The relationship between them
in this book is like a rollercoaster you can't and don't want to get off.
She gets Torin to reveal sides of him we never got to see in previous
books and it is deliciously sexy, dark, dangerous and beautifully compelling.
Torin is by far the most complex emotionally of the Lords, he is tormented not
just by his Demon but by his loneliness and guilt. Constantly battling his own
wants, desires and thoughts Torin will make your heart not only break but yearn
for him. For all of you avid LOTU fans, don’t worry as we get some goodies
about some of the other characters as well to include Cameo, Lazarus, Galen,
and Will(LOVE WILL). We see more of the major story progress and even
more secrets revealed some that will have the wheels in your brain churning.
As with all of
Showalter's books, The Darkest Touch fuses together this amazing blend of
humor, thrilling action, creative storylines, witty banter, undeniable hotness,
and the the truest love. You will laugh, cry, get weak in the knees, cry some
more from laughing even harder, and get all hot and bothered. You will
experience every emotion reading Torin's story and come out with a desire
for more. I enjoyed every minute of this book and the continuation of the
Lords story. I cannot express how fond I am of the characters that Showalter
creates; they are complex, magical, dangerous, beautiful and wondrous. They
will weave their way into your heart and continuously thrill you with their
stories. The Lord’s series is like every paranormal lover’s wet dream. There is
a magnificent and imaginative storyline infused with mythology, religion and
urban legend. You will meet a whole host of characters and creatures from
biblical figures to Vampires to Greek gods and fairies. I can't wait to read
the next chapter in the Lords of the Underworld Series. Thank you Gena
Showalter for giving us yet another Lord to fall hopelessly and madly in love
with!
Pre-Order Links
About Gena Showalter
Gena Showalter is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose
books have appeared in Cosmopolitan and
Seventeen magazines, as well as Entertainment Weekly. Her novel Red Handed has been optioned by Sony
Television. Critics have called her books “sizzling page-turners” and “utterly
spellbinding stories,” while Showalter herself has been called “a star on the
rise.” Her mix of humor, danger and wickedly hot sex provides wildly sensual
page-turners sure to enthrall. Official Website * FACEBOOK * TWITTER
The Darkest Touch Pre-Order
Campaign
About the Campaign
If we reach 10,000 pre-orders for The
Darkest Touch before the November 25th release date, Gena Showalter
will:
- Post a never before seen sexy video showcasing
the model of Torin’s cover in live action shots!
- Chance to win a $100 gift e-card from the
bookseller of your choice.
- Gena will share chapter one of The Darkest
Touch before the release date!
- Chance of winning 1 of 10 signed copies of the
backlist book of your choice, just in time for Christmas.
At the end of the campaign, all entrants will
receive a never before published Lords of the Underworld scene.
To enter The Darkest Touch Pre-Order Campaign,
please send an email to Gena's assistant Marie at inquiry@genashowalter.com with the
order number found on your purchase receipt. OpenWorld-wide.
As soon as the first milestone is reached, Gena
will also post a new milestone offering new prizes (and so on and so forth)!
Future prizes will include a never before seen excerpt from The Darkest Touch,
1 of 20 signed posters of the book's cover, an e-reader of choice, a video
conference with Gena to discuss the books and series, and signed books.