Book Review: King of the Damned by Juliana Stone

Title: King of the Damned
Author: Juliana Stone
Source: Edelweiss
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel

Release Date : November 27, 2012

Reviewer: Jasmyn

With darkness all around him, the League of Guardians is his only means of redemption . . .

Azaiel, the Fallen, has been given a second chance to atone for the sins of his past. With demons gathering and threatening the League, he must find out if their circle has been breached. What he doesn’t foresee is a woman—a fierce warrior—who will turn his world upside down and awaken his tortured soul.

Rowan James is a powerful witch out to avenge the death of her beloved grandmother, but she needs an ally. Will she be able to trust a man with secrets as dark as the sorrow in his eyes? Loving Rowan means risking salvation and yet Azaiel cannot ignore the hunger burning hot between them—his one last chance at happiness. With danger all around them, will these two desperate souls finally find love in each other . . .or be forever damned?

October's Paranormal romance characterfest with Juliana Stone

Welcome to Characterfest

Characterfest is a month long event where you’ll find a different character interviews written by the author each day. Each interview has a giveaway(s) make sure the giveaway is open to you and if so add a comment or question along with your email. I will close all giveaways at the end of the week and add the winners to the winners post on that Tuesday. Odds are if you won you’ll be hearing from me.

One thing I will ask is if you could please twitter or hit the facebook likes button on the post so that others can see the interview. I want to get these authors out to as much as I can and you’re my go between in this event.

I hope you enjoy each interview and please try to make it here each day to find out whom or what’s next. If this goes as planned I will be hosting this next year. 

Character Interview: Julian Castille

1. Tell us a bit about who you are and more importantly, what you are.

The name’s Julian Castille. I’m the oldest of three brothers—the others being Jaxon and Jagger—and yes, I guess my mother liked the letter J. Up until recently I ran our families company, Blue Heaven Industries, but then a bunch of shit happened and well, let’s just say I’m not really cut out for civilian life anymore.

What am I? Good question because sometimes I have no clue. Technically I’m a shape shifting jaguar and can trace my family lineage back to the era of the Aztec’s. But ah, after spending six months in hell I’m definitely a new kind of animal.

2. Are you close with your brothers?

Blood means everything to a Castille. I would die for my brothers and I know they would do the same. But do we have tea and cookies together? No.

3. Your brothers are warriors and yet I’ve read that you’re not. Can you explain?

Jaguar Warriors are a certain breed of shifter. Clan tattoos choose us when we’re young men and, well, Jaxon and Jagger both developed them. I did not. Sure they might be a little stronger or faster than me, but as far as I’m concerned the tattoos don’t mean shit. Besides, my woman has them and one warrior in a relationship is more than enough.

4. Ah, yes Jaden DaCosta. Can you tell us a bit about her?

What’s to tell? She’s one hell of a woman, a jaguar warrior in her own right and I thank god every day that she’s in my life. Without her I’d go mad and I don’t mean that figuratively….I mean it in a literal sense.

5. I know you’ve both had to deal with a lot of crazy stuff lately and I’m not sure what happened with your friend Declan O’Hara. Is he all right?

I haven’t seen Declan since Vegas. He and I…well, we both survived hell but unfortunately, his demons are still following him. I just hope he finds what he needs to survive before it’s too late.

Q. Too late?

He’s headed down a dark road and ah, he’s lost hope. So yeah, I’m concerned for him.

Q. What do you and Jaden do for fun?

You really want me to answer that? We’re basically newlyweds so you know, I’m still trying to get to know her and don’t take this the wrong way but I’d rather keep the personal shit out of this interview.

Q. Sure, sorry. So, you didn’t go back to the family business. What do you do now?
I hunt and kill the crap that would hurt the ones I love. The ones I call family. Jaden and I live in Mexico but we’re very much aware of the fragility that hangs over the human realm. Something dark is coming and without us, you humans have no hope.

Q. That sounds ominous. Can you elaborate?

If I did, I’d have to kill you and on that note I need to run.

Q. All right. Thanks for the convo.



Juliana is giving away a copy of His Darkest Salvation. Please leave your email along with your comment or question. International but this book will NOT a signed copy.

ARC review His Darkest Salvation by Juliana Stone

 His Darkest Salvation (Jaguar Warriors #3)
Juliana Stone
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Paranormal romance -shifters
Format: Mass paperback
Authors website
Release date July 26, 2011

In a world on the brink of chaos, passion and vengeance collide …

After six months in hell, Julian Castille has returned to the world a changed man. No longer the calm, powerful CEO, but a shifter fully embraced by the blood of his clan. Julian has one goal: find the key to the portal that stands between the human realm and unprecedented darkness—and win back the pieces of his soul. The last thing he needs is a distraction like the beautiful, enigmatic Jaden DaCosta.

Three years ago, a forbidden night of passion left Jaden forever altered: mated to Julian Castille–bound to a man who despises her. But the temptation to trust this darker, more savage—and more captivating—Julian is overwhelming. And as they fight for their immortal souls, their insatiable desire for each other may prove their fatal undoing…

Rating

Sexual

Juliana Stone knows how to get your emotions stirring, and she brings out all the stops in His Darkest Salvation. I love reading an exciting hot ride between two enemies, so this one really hit the spot for me. This book is nothing but pure action packed and the ending will leave you panting for more.

Jaden is your typical strong female lead, but she is also a romance flip flop one minute she hates and Julian then the next she is in his pants. The thing is the author doesn’t drag this out through the whole book because these two has sense about them they talk it out. Jaden is more of a tortured heroine, but of course, she would be having an evil father, so this is where you’ll find your emotions really stir. I really felt sorry for Jaden being caught in the middle of her father and Julian who doesn’t want her.

Julian is a tormented soul now that he’s been stuck in hell, so be prepared for a fight from him when it comes to mixing with the enemy. At times I didn’t like how he treated Jaden, but with his soul slowly going away you can’t expect anything but a fight with him.

I do wish there would have been a different ending between Julian and Jaden. It a HEA, but I wanted more. After you read the epilogue you’ll be wanting the next book NOW!

This is another hit by Juliana Stone, so if you’re a regular reader of this series don’t miss this story. If you haven’t read this series please start from the beginning or you’ll miss out on way too much or you’ll find it hard to keep up.

Interview with paranormal romance author Juliana Stone

  Please welcome paranormal romance author Juliana Stone.                          

 Laurie-Hello Juliana, thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview. I just love your Jaguar warriors! Would you please tell those who don’t know about them a little about your wonderful Jaguar Warriors?

Juliana-My world is full of otherworld creatures but the story arc featured in my books involve 3 brothers, 2 of whom are jaguar warriors.  The third, the oldest is a jaguar shifter.  They are all fierce, alpha males who love passionately and will defend to the end that which belongs to them, or the ideals that they believe in.  

Laurie-What made you write about Jagguar shape-shifters?

Juliana-When I sat down to write the first book I envisioned a scene where the hero is about to kill his ex lover.  I knew he’d be a dark character and a sleek black jaguar came to mind.  I do love vampires, wolves and sorcerers, so they’ve all managed to find their way into my books!  

Laurie-Do you know how many you’ll write in this series and who is your next warrior?

Juliana-This second book, His Darkest Embrace, is Jagger’s story, the third, His Darkest Salvation is Julians.  The third book ties up the first story arc and set’s up the next story arc that begins with my sorcerer Declan.  Nico, who is a jaguar warrior and is introduced in this second book, is in Declan’s as well.  The ideas are branching out but I will continue to write with a varied pallette bu the shifters will always be in there!
 
 

Laurie-I love the romance added with the Aztec myth that you throw in your books. Would you please tell us a little about the Aztec myth?What made you write about Jaguar Shape-Shifters?

Juliana-The Aztec’s worshipped the jaguars and eagles.  Their fiercest fighters emulated both animals.  They would wear the pelt of a jaguar or the feathers of an eagle.  They were called jaguar warriors and eagle knights.  My heroine in the second book, Skye, is an eagle knight.  The jaguars were linked to the underworld, the darkness and the eagles with the sun.

Laurie-What is the hardest thing you have crossed in writing one of your Jaguar Warriors?

Juliana-I like to write intense, sometimes chaotic battle scenes, or scenes that move fast.  My biggest struggle is slowing down, having more dialogue and letting the characters get to know each other instead of always kicking ass!

Laurie-Do you have a Jaguar that is your favorite or maybe personal to you?

Juliana-I love all my dudes, but if I had to pick a favourite I’d say Julian.  He wasn’t born with the warrior tattoos, so he’s just a regular jag shifter.  He’s always been conflicted and ignored the wild side of his personality.  But when he’s out in the jungle, he can no longer deny what he is and it makes for some intense scenes.

Laurie-How do you come up with the right heroine for the warriors? Is there a process or do they just come while your writing?

Juliana-I’m a total pantser. I don’t plot at all so they really just come to me. I usually have an ideal of who ends up wit who, but Generally just write and go with it.


Laurie-I see you have another series that’s Sci/Fi and time travel, would you tell us a little about that series?

Juliana-I write a series of shorts for Samhain Publishing.  They center around a family of women, sisters who have the ability to time shift.  They are guardians so to speak, keeping others who would shift for dark purposes, to alter events or monetary gain.  In this story arc their enemy, The New Order, have found out who their predestined mates are.  They’re trying to murder these men before the women meet them…thinking this way the Black Opals will never procreate.   So they’re desperately trying to stop them, while saving these men they’re meant to love!

Laurie-Can you tell us a little on what your working on now for us to read next?

Juliana-I just handed in Wicked Road to Hell, which is Declan’s book and am working on ideas for the fifth book.  The series is linked but different so there are different characters.  I’m not sure who will be the hero for my fifth book!  But there are the usual suspects, jag shifters, demons, angelic beings, sorcerers, and vampires!

Fun questions
Laurie-Do you have a favorite restaurant?
Juliana-I’ll eat anywhere that serves great Mexican or Tai food!

What is your favorite color?
Juliana-Green.

Laurie-Do you have any pets? If so what?
Juliana-I have a beautiful golden retriever named Shelby.  She is the sweetest most gentle soul ever!  We tried fish but they kept dying.

Laurie-Do you have a favorite TV show you just can’t miss?
Juliana-A few: Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, Criminal Minds





Check out the video for His Darkest Embrace





Juliana Stone Website
Thanks Juliana!!
Juliana is one of my favorite paranormal romance authors, please check out her books.

Review His Darkest Embrace by Juliana Stone

His Darkest Embrace- book two in The Jaguar Warriors series
Author- Juliana Stone
mass paper back 384 pgs.
genre- Paranormal romance- shape-shifter Jaguar
Authors website
From Netgalley
This book will be released on Nov. 1st 2010


Book description
A solitary hunter with no regard for the human world, Jagger Castille is a shifter living on the edge. It will take the woman who calls him enemy to g ...more A solitary hunter with no regard for the human world, Jagger Castille is a shifter living on the edge. It will take the woman who calls him enemy to give him a reason to live.

Jagger is a creature of the night—Skye Knightly soars in the sun. Natural adversaries, they have been joined by destiny in a mission entrusted to Skye’s family centuries ago: Nothing less than the salvation of the Earth.

Wounded and bitter, Jagger sought escape in the solitude of the jungle, driven by a need to disappear forever… until a mysterious shifter who calls to his soul and feeds a yearning long forgotten, pulls him from his dark path. A courageous warrior, Skye’s passion is equal to Jagger’s own—but can she trust a man on the edge? A man whose secrets are as devastating as her own?

Each is the other’s sole hope for survival. But a dark and twisted truth is leading them toward the ultimate sacrifice for a love they may never live to claim.






My review

Rating-
Sexual-


Awesome read!! I loved the first book in this series, this one picked up where it left off and gave me so much more. It starts off in full force action and just about stays that way through the whole book. I have never read anything like it before, if this wasn’t enough the author tops it with two enemies that has to some how find love, Needless to say I couldn’t wait to get my world done, so I could get back to another world that was highly entertaining and exciting to read. If your looking for excitement, shape-shifting fighting, plenty of different emotions, hot sex, villains, and surprises in just about every corner, you’ll love this one.

light spoilers
You meet Skye and Jagger in the first book.
In this one Skye is a warrior eagle. The eagles have been protectors of an ancient Aztec artifact that is a portal to the demon world for hundreds of years. If its opened all the world as we know it ends. Her father hid it before his death and now its up to her to find it deep in the jungle with the DaCostas hot on her tail. So she has to trust Jaggar and his family in hopes that she can some how save the world. As Skye and Jaggar is fighting their was through the hot Belize Mayan Jungle things starts heating between them, but this is not an easy romance. The last few chapters left me in awe. These two gets their HEA, but the story is far from finished. So be prepared of an intense cliffhanger ending that gives you a peak of who the next book will be about. You'll will also find the chapter for Slavation's book in the back, so you get a little peek. Now I just need that book.......

I loved Skye as the heroine. I don’t think I have ever read a heroine that’s suffered like she did, but she takes it and keeps going. I do think she goes to extremes and causes a lot of suffering on herself. But again if my species was just about wiped out by the jaguars I guess I wouldn’t trust much either.

Jagger is wonderful, at times doesn’t get Skye and keeps hurting them both. He does keep going with his feelings and keeps helping and protecting her even with everything she throws at him. I will say that her kneeing him in his groin was kind of bad.

I would recommend to anyone who love lots of action and hot romance

Book order and I would suggest that you read in order so you can keep up with whats going on.
1. His Darkest Hunger
2. His Darkest Embrace

This book receives Top Bite Award

Review His Darkest Hunger by Juliana Stone

His Darkest Hunger(book one Jaguars Warriors)
Author-Juliana Stone
Paranormal romance- Shape-Shifter
mass paperback- 384 pgs

Authors website

Book description:
Jaxon Castille: jaguar shifter, warrior, assassin. He has long hungered for the chance to make his former lover, Libby Jamieson, pay for her deadly betrayal. After three long years he’s finally found her. The hunt is over…

But the Libby that he finds is not what he expected. She has no memory of their tumultuous affair; of her treachery; of anything beyond her own name. A shadowy and deadly clan has marked them both for death, and in an instant the game changes: the hunter has become the hunted.

On the run, with the ghosts of their past between them and a dark, desperate hunger quickly reclaiming their bodies and souls, Libby and Jaxon must discover the truth behind the dark forces working against them. Together, they must grab hold of a destiny that has the power to either heal them or destroy them.


But the truth is far more shattering than anyone could imagine…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laurie's review
rating 5/5
Sexual- Hot
Wow! What an amazing book, I don’t want to give out to much there is, so many emotional twist and turns in this book and quite a few surprises that I would really hate to give anything out, I myself love to try to unravel things that happing as I read, so this review you will only read a few spoilers sorry, you have to read to find out yourself what happens. If you love PNR please put this in your TBR pile! This is a very fast action packed with hot sex and sexy shape-shifters what else could you ask for. The way this book is written Jaxon and Libby have almost a love hate relationship. I also feel that I do need to warn the tortured Libby went through is not for the faint of heart, but it’s amazing to read how a woman goes through this and in the end shes on top.

Jaxon and Libby have an attraction for each other that cant be stopped. Jaxon thinks Libby has betrayed him and his unit, so he wants nothing to do with her except kill her, but yet he can‘t stop wanting her because she is his always has been. Libby has no memory whatsoever of her life outside of a few months, she has nightmares of being tortured and her body is not in the best of shape form the torture she has been through, plus no memory of it. She finds she cant stop the attraction she has with Jaxon, but he wants nothing to do with her, so she is in a place where she knows not what to do except ride it out. Between these two trying to figure out how Libby betrayed them and trying to give and not to give into there sexual desire made for one emotional ride that I don’t think I will ever forget. Especially when Libby ask Jaxon to “help her remember.” Tissue any one?? I really liked both Jaxon and Libby they were emotional to read, but yet there is so much excitement that you cant put book down you want to keep reading to see what happens next.

Jaxon has two brothers Jagger and Julian they are really hot! Can’t wait to see what Stone is going to write about them…..