Monday, April 4, 2011

Review + Giveaway - Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione


TITLE:    Eternal Rider
AUTHOR:    Larissa Ione
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 402 pages
PUBLISHED:   Grand Central Publishing, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for review and Blog Tour

FROM GOODREADS:   
They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.


His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him.

Yet there is one last hope. Gifted in a way other humans can't-or won't-understand, Cara Thornhart is the key to both this Horseman's safety and his doom. But involving Cara will prove treacherous, even beyond the maddening, dangerous desire that seizes them the moment they meet. For staving off eternal darkness could have a staggering cost: Cara's life.

MY TAKE:    I have to admit that I have been waiting anxiously for this book to hurry up and get here.  When I reviewed Larissa Ione's "Sin Undone" last year, I was hooked BIG TIME.  While I was bummed that Sin Undone was the final Demonica book, I was jazzed to hear about her upcoming Lords of Deliverance series starring War, Famine, Pestilence and Death.  You know..The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!  I have always been fascinated by The Four Horsemen and when I read an excerpt for Ms. Ione's then upcoming Lords of Deliverance series, I was impatient. Let me tell you, the wait was WELL worth it. 

There are many surprises and fun twists in this first book about Ares/War.  Larissa Ione is a genius when it comes to creating fascinating characters that you are drawn to.  Ares is no exception:  he's hunky, funny, smart and loves his horse!  (Sorry, that's a huge requirement for any man for me.)  It's fun to watch his character grow from a rather oblivious immortal that has little use for humans to a fierce protector of the race ~ one lady in particular.  Especially since her death could bring the end of life as he knows it.

Cara is a great match for Ares.  Her growth and journey are a perfect foil for that of Ares.  She's an animal lover which comes to play in various important places of the story.   It's fun to have such a strong woman who is also soft and caring.  The contrasts and bond between her and Ares make for an exciting story that is full of steam and adventure.  Lots of steam :)

I don't want to give anything away as this is one of those stories that you will savor and not want to put down ~ even after it's over. There are surprises aplenty and a great foundation has been laid for the rest of the Horsemen's stories.  This is one of those that I will re-read; especially when the second book "Immortal Rider" comes out in December.  It tells the tale of Limos/Famine and it's going to be another can't-put-downable.  
Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon and The Book Depository

About the Author ~ Larissa Ione:

I began writing the way so many writers do—the moment I learned to wield a pencil. But even as a child, I didn't write "kid" stories. I preferred something more dramatic. Something that didn't include Dick, Jane, and a dog named Spot. I wanted my characters to be named Dracula and my dogs to have names like White Fang or Cujo. I'll always have my parents to thank for that. They never censored my reading material (though I suspect that if they had truly known what was between the covers of some of the books, they'd have been a little more careful,) so when other girls my age were reading Laura Ingalls Wilder and Judy Blume, I was immersing myself in Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

Later, after I'd joined the Air Force and was in dire need of something to read between shifts at the weather station, I continued to read horror, but I'd branched out into fantasy, and then, finally, romance (though I admit I went kicking and screaming to the latter.)

Turned out that I loved romance! So I started writing it, but again, my style and voice leaned toward the dark, paranormal side. Fortunately for me, paranormal romance, as a sub-genre, was booming. I let my imagination fly, and soon I'd sold a series of dark, sexy paranormal romances to Grand Central Publishing.

I still read a lot of horror, science fiction, and fantasy, and in fact, one of my all time favorite books about writing is On Writing, by my favorite childhood horror author, Stephen King. If you're an author or a reader, I highly recommend this book for an insight into an author's mind—which can sometimes be a very scary place.

Go ahead; Seduce your dark side.

Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, Book 1) Desire Unchained (Demonica, Book 2) Passion Unleashed (Demonica, Book 3)
 Ecstasy Unveiled (Demonica, Book 4) Sin Undone (Demonica, Book 5)
Eternal Rider (Lords of Deliverance)

Five Fun Facts from Larissa Ione

1. Like the Demonica series, the new Lords of Deliverance series sports a defining symbol on the front of the book. As I always say, publishing a book is a team effort, and with this new series, my husband was part of the team—he designed the symbol!

2. Cara, the heroine in Eternal Rider, loves flannel pajamas. I gave her blue penguin pajamas after seeing a set I liked in a catalog...and then I sent the same pair to my editor for Christmas, so my heroine and editor have the same PJs!

3. The Bed and Breakfast in York, where Cara stays while in England, is the same one I stayed in during my last trip to the U.K. Ares lives on an island based on a small Greek island I once visited, and Limos lives on a remote Hawaiian beach area I've been to. Clearly, I like to write settings I know!

4. It seems like I can never write a book while in a single state, and Eternal Rider was no different. The first Lords of Deliverance book was written in Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.

5. The Lords of Deliverance series has been in the works since before the first book in the Demonica series was even written—I've been fascinated by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse since I was young, but although I had the characters in my head for years, it took Sin from Sin Undone to bring their stories to life.

For more about Larissa:  Website, Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook


The lovely Larissa and her publisher, Grand Central have generously offered to provide a copy of Eternal Rider for THREE of you lucky readers!  How cool is that?  So...
  • Have you read Sin Undone or any of the Demonica series?  Or are you familiar with The Four Horsemen?  Leave a comment WITH your email.
  • Must be 13 years old or older.
  • Open to US and Canadian residents
  • NO PO Boxes
  • Drawing closes 4/18/11.
  • Winners will have 48 hours to respond to email notification
Good luck everyone!

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~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

51 comments:

  1. I've read "Pleasure Unbound", the 1st book. I am working on getting to the other books. Loved what I read so far and wish I had found this series way before now but I will catch up. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.

    LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com

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  2. I have the entire series at home but I haven't had a chance to read them yet. they are next on my list! Great giveaway

    kristen_babygurlAThotmailDOTcom

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  3. I just finished reading Sin Undone. I can't wait to read more about the Four Horseman in Eternal Rider. Thanks for the giveaway.

    rjofusATgmail.com

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  4. I just finished Desire Unchained yesterday. Shade is probably going to be my favorite character from that series. I need to get the rest of the books because I am loving them!

    Thanks for the contest!

    henderkd(at)email(dot)sc(dot)edu

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  5. I have read Sin Undone as well as Pleasure Unbound. I love these books but I like to wait until I ahve the whole series and then read it all at once. I'm just weird that way. I would love to win this book!

    miztik_rose@yahoo.com

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  6. Great giveaway.I really want to read this one.
    I have not read nay of the Demonica books yet but do have them all.
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

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  7. I have read Sin Undone, and it's my favorite of the Demonica series. I enjoyed the rest, but that one was just AWESOME. To say how much I loved (still do love) the Demonica Series . . my mom got a Nook for Christmas, and after getting it up and running . . she was looking for a few books to download. The Demonica Series were the first books for her to download to her nook!

    Stephanie Overton
    ladybug07999 at yahoo dot com

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  8. I have read all of Larissa's Demonica series except Eternal Rider. She is awesome. Thank you for the chance at the giveaway. carrieab77@hotmail.com

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  9. I have read the whole demonica series and I will be reading all of the horsemen..I love Larissa's writing...She is one of the best authors out there...I will read everything that she writes!! I loves me some Larissa Ione :) :)

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  10. Forgot my email..It is mrsworldwidewebb@cox.net...Sorry!!!!

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  11. I havent got a chance to read any of them as of now..But i am looking forward topicking them up and reading them.herd lots of good things:)

    elliott2668@yahoo.com

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  12. I have read the first book of the Demonica series and loved it. have not had a chance to get anymore of the books. picked the first one up and loved it and will be going out soon to get the others. The four hoursemen have been discussed in a lot of shows including Supernatural. They are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and they are conquest, war, famine, and death. Keep on writing all the great books and also thanks for the book giveaways.

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  13. Forgot to post my email:
    christinebails@yahoo.com

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  14. Yes I have read all of the Demonica books and am anxiosly waiting till I finish my budget (I hate fiscal years) at work to read this new book!

    Please include me in this fantastic giveaway! Thank you! mmafsmith(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. I've read the novella ebook of Eternity Embraced. I really enjoyed it. I think Eternal Rider and the rest of the series sounds awesome!

    user1123 AT comcast DOT net

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  16. I have read all of the books. In fact I held off reading Sin until this weekend so that I could flow right into ETERNAL RIDER.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. Hi

    I have read ALL the Demonica series and love them. Looking forward to reading this new series about the Four Horsemen!!

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    Pam

    pbrew12@gmail.com

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  18. I read all of the books in the Demonica series and absolutely love them. I can't wait to see what she does with this new series.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    smccar1 at hotmail dot com

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  19. YES. I LOVE the Demonica series. I just read the short, Eternity Embraced last night. I can't wait to get my hands on Eternal Rider. If it's anything like the Demonica series it's going to be great and interesting characters.

    thebooknympho at gmail dot com

    Cheap Plug: (LOL)

    I actually just post a mini-review of Eternity Embraced on my blog.

    http://thebooknympho.blogspot.com/2011/04/mini-review-eternity-embraced.html
    http://thebooknympho.blogspot.com/

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  20. I'm familiar with the story of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. I really love that Larissa is using this as the base of her new series. Thanks for hosting the giveaway. (email in profile)

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  21. I have read all of the Demonica series and loved every minute of it. Wraith and his smart ass attitude is my favorite character.

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  22. I have not read anything by Ione before, but I love being able to start a new series at the beginning.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

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  23. I haven't read any of your books but I know I need to start doing so! What could be more perfect than to start with the 1st book in a new series? Congrats on your new release AND your new series! Great Give-a-way!
    Linda T.
    lindalou@cfl.rr.com

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  24. I actually first got my taste of Larissa's writing reading the ACRO books she did with Stephanie Tyler... and I'm starting the demonica series in two weeks when the semester ends!! SO excited!!
    ErikaFotis@hotmail.com

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  25. I have not read the Demonica series but I own the first book! I was told it is great so I'm going to start the series over the summer.
    Thanks for the giveaway
    apk1princess(at)live(dot)com

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  26. I have read all the Demonica series and loved every one. Thanks for the giveaway.


    1trouble@cox.net

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  27. I love Larissa Ione and her books. She is an amazing Author. Wraith is my favorite character. I just love his personality.

    Thanks for the contest.

    jwimberly(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  28. Haven't read any of the Demonica series.

    snifflykitty@gmail.com

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  29. I'm new to this series! Sounds great though and can't wait to read it!!
    shannonjean14(at)gmail(dot)com

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  30. I have read the Demonica series and loved it! Can't wait to read Eternal Rider!

    angeldream3[at]gmail[dot]com

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  31. I have not read the Demonica series yet. It is on my wishlist though :) Eternal Rider sounds like a great book!
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

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  32. Believe it or not I read only the last two Demonica books in the series. But I am going to be reading the rest.After reading all the blurbs for Eternal Rider I cannot wait to read the Four Horseman. Ares sounds too delicious. Please enter me. GFC follower under Lucky47. mail subscriber.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750@aol.com

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  33. I'm quite familiar with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse....nothing like those weekend CCD classes!!

    I look forward in reading Larissa's take on them.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

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  34. I have not read anything yet by Larissa Ione but this book sounds very interesting since I know the stories of the four horsemen. I wan't to know her take. Thanks for sharing with us today!

    evjohcum[AT]aol[DOT]com

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  35. Love Larissa Ione and the Demonica series, thanks for the giveaway!
    folksohana at gmail dot com

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  36. I am not all that familiar with the four horsemen mythology, but it does sound intriguing from the sound of the book so it'll be interesting to see where Larissa takes it.

    Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

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  37. I've read all five books in the Demonica series and I really enjoyed them. I was very excited when I found out about this new series of hers.

    cwilliams127 at gmail dot com

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  38. I haven't read any of the books in the series yet, but I would love to.

    marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

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  39. I haven't had the chance to read any of her books but I keep hearing great things about it which is making me curious.

    bookflamereviews@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I have not read any of these book yet but looking forward to it.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    jenhedger at hotmail dot com

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  41. I have read the Demonica series and loved it. I would love to read Eternal Rider.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot}com

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  42. Yep I've all the demonica series and they all rocked. Can't wait to read this one too
    scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com

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  43. I've read all of them! Hooked cannot describe how much i love them!!

    Taylor Z
    Lovemusicgirlx94@aol.com

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  44. I have read all of the demonica books I haven't read the short stories that go along with the series but i am working on those now. I love them all very much!! I can't wait to start this new series especially since it is set in the same world. I know that i will not be able to wait between books...
    amanda.smyth@att.net

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  45. I've read the first 3 books of the Demonica series and can't wait to read the rest so I can start Eternal Rider.

    spettolij AT gmail DOT com

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  46. Yes I loved the Demonica books alot so good can't wait to read more of her books! Great giveaway thank you so much!
    tishajean@ charter.net

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  47. I have the Demonica series in my TBR pile. I really want to read about the 4 horsemen. I enjoy tales about them. I liked the Supernatural episodes about the 4 horsemen, and I know the ones in this series look way better.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  48. I have not read the Demonica series. But I am familiar with who the Four Horsemen are and think they are going to make a great series.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  49. I haven't read Sin Undone, or any of the Demonica series. Not familiar with the Four Horsemen. But I would enjoy reading this book. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  50. I haven't read Sin Undone yet,but I have a copy waiting once I finish reading "A Discovery of Witches".
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

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  51. I've read the first four books of the Demonica series and look forward to reading Sin Undone as well. I found the Demonica books to be very refreshing compared to other romance novels out there. I'm definitely psyched to check out her new series!
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    amongstories@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete

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