Lothaire by Kresley Cole

Lothaire
(Immortal Afters Dark Series, Book #12)
by Kresley Cole

Genre: Paranormal Romance

ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

Elizabeth (aka Ellie) has had an interesting life. She's grown up deep within the Appalachian Mountains in a back-woods type of family while becoming possessed by a blood loving goddess who has been committing horrendous murders while within her teenaged body. Then upon meeting an evil vampire, ends up on execution row in prison for five years without any family contact. So ... "interesting life" is really a nice way of putting it. On the other hand, Lothaire (aka LEO of Lothaire: Enemy of Old) is torn in his loyal commitment to this Bride, the cursed vampire deity Saroya, and in his intense attraction to Ellie, a lowly insignificant human. Since both female obsessions share the same body, duties & emotions get very confusing for Lothaire and his endgame. With detailed plans set in motion many many many years in advance for Lothaire to gain a kingdom and win back his royalty status, this new relationship really begins to throw everything out of place -- as if fate is truly giving him the finger! Is it even possible for intimacy and understanding to grow when both share such dark pasts and, more importantly, what are they both willing to give up in order to get it?

I've been a long time fan of Immortals After Dark and can honestly say there have been many up and down books for me in the overall series, but Lothaire really brought the story line back into being a delicious read! I am a lover of stories that focus on the character relationship development without burdening the reader with too many frustrating side-plots or trying to incorporate insane amounts of additional characters within too many detailed settings (i.e. to build a longer series). Thus, this book really went back to the basics and revolved around the growing connection between the two lead protagonists. Lots of focus on the various outcomes and turmoil of ending up together as well as being tragically separated - LOVED IT! The tension caused by both the sexual side and suspenseful side of the tale really drew me in and the humor throughout made it even more enjoyable. Expect lots of egotistical comments from Lothaire and silly stubborn actions from Ellie, but overall buckle up for a juicy sensual ride (with lots of past characters popping in throughout)!!!!!

Likes: {{SPOILER}} I appreciated that Ellie was a human at the beginning of the story and loved comparing that to Holly in the beginning of Dark Desires After Dusk (one of my favorite books). The humanization of the female lead characters really makes the story somewhat more relatable and realistic . . . excluding the full-body possession and vampire interactions and ability to trace to different destinations, etc. etc. etc. . . . so maybe NOT "realistic", but at least a lot more comparable than being some witch, demon, or valkyrie.

Dislikes: {{SPOILER}} What really happened to Mariketa's hand!?!? Also, not really a fan of Thaddesu. The whole Friday-Night-Lights small town Texas boy doesn't really work on me since I'm really small town Texas girl and need something more exciting/different in male lead. Thus, Thaddesu is too boring for me . . . Blah!

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