Review: Dark Cravings - A fabulously erotic urban fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 28, 2014
"A breeze stirred the air, teasing the fragrance of rust and honey closer.  The bittersweet aroma of blood surrounded me.  I froze.  As if savoring the first bite of a favored delicacy, I drew in another slow, deep breath and let my eyes fall shut.  I struggled not to moan."And so begins the fabulously erotic urban fantasy that is Dark Cravings.  The main character, Ella Grey, is a half-breed vampire and a Shadow Hunter, who kills demons for a living.  Her sexy- yet frustrating- partner, Micah, keeps his distance, but Ella feels drawn to him from the beginning.During a hunt in a creepy cemetery the two are pulled under the spell of a succubus and become lit up by a passion that they are helpless to resist.  The consequences are more dangerous than they realize and the impact of the prophecy that they awaken makes them both targets to some of the most powerful demons in the city.  As they try to find a way to reverse what has happened, many old secrets are revealed.  Secrets that damage their families, their city, and a kingdom, as well.I first read this novel two years ago, when it was published under the title Blood Lust Rising.  I enjoyed it so much that I rated it five stars and convinced as many of my friends, as possible, to read it, too.  And then I waited for the sequel.  And waited.  And waited some more.  I had given up hope of reading any more about these fabulous characters, when Madeline Pryce contacted me to announce that the book had been edited, polished, and new content had been added.  It, also, had been published by Ellora's Cave and was given a new name- Dark Cravings.I read Dark Cravings in one day.  The new content is woven into the storyline seamlessly and some of the secondary characters have more detailed backstories.  I could tell that they will become very important in future books from this series.  Also, the ending no longer "needs" any sequels to come to a satisfying conclusion.  That being said, openings are left, so that Ella and Micah's story can be continued.I loved this novel and truly feel that Madeline has grown immensely, as an author, in the past two years!  I am looking forward to reading all of her future novels.  If I could give it more than five stars, I definitely would!