The Darkest Night

The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter
Published by HQN
Why I read this: Gena is an auto buy author for me.

All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member—a man trapped in a hell of his own.

Neither can resist the instant hunger that calms their torments…and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction—and a soul-shattering test of love….

This was an interesting book.
Ashlyn is a mortal woman who has a unique talent. She can stand in any spot, and immediately be able to hear every conversation that has ever taken place there. It sounds like it would be a cool power to have, but she hates it. She hears these conversations all the time, everywhere she goes. It's driving her insane, and when she hears about some men who are said to be angels, she thinks that they can help her.

Maddox and his friends are no angels though. They are cursed warriors who must live with their own unique 'gifts'.

Once Ashlyn and Maddox come together, the attraction is without a doubt. When Maddox is near, Ashlyn no longer hears the voices around her. When Ashlyn is near, Maddox is able to control his own burden--the gift of Violence.

I liked this book. A lot. It has a great JR Ward feel to it, however, it lacks all the leather, questionable sexuality, and gang banger talk. That is a very, very good thing.

Spoiler: Please highlight text to read.
It is my opinion that all those rabid Ward fans (Hey, I like the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, too. I am able to see it's faults though) should read this book. In The Darkest Night, Ashlyn is killed. The way that Showalter worked around that, and kept it a romantic story was brilliant! For all those Warden fans who said that Ward has 'no other choice' but to turn Jane into a transparent ghost... read The Darkest Night.

I give The Darkest night a B+. Showalter was able to write a romantic love story, as well as build an intriguing world.
It's nice to see Maddox and his fellow warriors have a close relationships without wondering when they will jump into the sack together.
These Lords of the Underworld are all man, and all hetero. No question about it.

There are some unanswered questions that I hope will be answered in the next book. The Darkest Kiss is sitting right in front of me now(Yay, HQN, for shipping releases out early all the time)

Check out the website for this series. Looks like there will be many more Lords of the Underworld books in the future :)