Review Demon Bait by Moira Rogers

Title: Demon Bait (Children of the Undying #1)
Author: Moira Rogers
Source: Self purchase
Genre: post apocalyptic, sci-fi, paranormal romance
Length: novella

 His mark could bind her forever—or finally set her free.

Fifty years after a demon apocalypse devastated the world, summoners still bear the bulk of the blame. Marci lives in secret, hiding the gifts that could cost her a secure spot in one of humanity’s underground cities, and access to their virtual world.

The bastard son of a terrifying incubus, lust heats Gabe’s blood and sex fuels his magic. Innate charm and charisma help him navigate the cultural gap between the outcast town he calls home and the human settlements he infiltrates for trade. His latest mission nets him an unexpected asset—a summoner strong enough to soothe his darkest needs.

Trust a half demon, especially one who uses a lock-down to trap them together? Not in this lifetime. Yet Marci can’t resist Gabe’s offer to see her safely to a selective outcast settlement where she can live without fear. The journey alone is as dangerous as the way Gabe makes her heart race, but it could be her one hope of a real life.

If only she could be sure Gabe’s telling her the whole truth… 

 

.5

Post apocalyptic, sci-fi, paranormal romance? Yeah, it's a mouthful.  While cruising around goodreads I was drawn to this novella with its promises of a sexy half demon and an adventure, and am I glad it delivered.

   Marci is a summoner, a descendant of the people who held the power to summon demons.  In their shallow grasps of power they unleash demons they can't control that cause widespread death and destruction.  All summoners are blamed, even those like Marci that had no part in the original outbreak (sins of the father and all that jazz).  Which leaves Marci hiding in plane sight in one of the underground human strongholds.  If she's discovered through any of the random DNA tests they will throw her top-side to the mercy of the demons. 
 

  Gabe is a half-demon who gathers supplies for the open community where he lives.  Humans, summoners, and half-demons all co-exist happily in Rochester (thanks to some strict rules enforced by a pretty scary guy.)  While making a supply run at the facility where Marci works all hell breaks lose and the security network that defends against the demons goes down.  They find themselves in lock down together and things start to heat up.  But can Gabe talk Marci into staying with him?

   The beginning was a bit difficult to get into.  I was thrown into a post apocalyptic world without much explanation of how things became so messed up.  Thankfully, things were explained pretty  quickly and I started to really get into the story.  I felt for Marci.  She's had to live her entire life blending into the background because of her genetics.  Gabe's character is constantly warring with his two natures.  His demon side is telling him to use all of his powers to make Marci his, but his human side knows that it would kill any kind of relationship he could have with her.  I don't want to give too much away, so I'll just say that I enjoyed Demon Bait and now, that I fully understand the "new world", I look forward to reading the second in the series, Hammer Down.