Shadow's Claim
Authors: Kresley Cole
#1
NEW YORK TIMES
BESTSELLING AUTHOR
KRESLEY COLE
LOTHAIRE
“I think this is one of the few series that is actually getting better as it progresses. . . . My favorite thing about these books is that Cole lets the characters act like immortals. They are so violent, so cunning and evil. And yet they are hilarious and smart and, of course, amazing in bed.”
—
USA Today
“How do you make the crazy, arrogant, and ruthless archvillain of a series a hero? With great difficulty! Yet Cole pulls it off splendidly.”
—
RT Book Reviews
(Top Pick)
DREAMS OF A DARK WARRIOR
“Fast-paced, engaging, and captivating. . . . The perfect getaway.”
—
Examiner.com
“Sex scenes so hot there is a danger the pages could spontaneously combust. . . . Still fresh, still thrilling. . . . Phenomenally awesome!”
—
LoveVampires
DEMON FROM THE DARK
“A dangerously sexy story infused with pathos and hard-edged passion!”
—
RT Book Reviews
“Intense danger mixes with insatiable desire to create a scorching hot romance that plays out against a fast-paced backdrop of thrilling supernatural adventure. Addictively good reading.”
—
LoveVampires
PLEASURE OF A DARK PRINCE
“Consistent excellence is a Cole standard!”
—
RT Book Reviews
“There are few authors that can move me to tears. Kresley Cole is one of them.”
—
Book Binge
KISS OF A DEMON KING
“Kresley Cole knows what paranormal romance readers crave and superbly delivers on every page.”
—
Single Titles
“Cole deftly blends danger and desire into a brilliantly original contemporary paranormal romance. She neatly tempers the scorchingly sexy romance with a generous measure of sharp humor . . . simply irresistible.”
—
Reader to Reader
DARK DESIRES AFTER DUSK
“Cole outdoes herself. . . . A gem.”
—
RT Book Reviews
“A gifted author with a knack for witty dialogue, smart heroines, fantastic alpha males, and yes, it has to be said, some of the hottest loves scenes you’ll read in mainstream romance. . . . You’re in for a treat.”
—RomanceNovel.tv
DARK NEEDS AT NIGHT’S EDGE
“Poignant and daring. You can trust Cole to always deliver sizzling sexy interludes within a darkly passionate romance.”
—
RT Book Reviews
“The evolution of this romance is among the most believable and engrossing I’ve ever read. Cole’s Immortals After Dark series continues stronger than ever.”
—
Fresh Fiction
WICKED DEEDS ON A WINTER’S NIGHT
“Leave it to the awe-inspiring Cole to dish up a combustible mix of sorcery and passion. One for the keeper shelf!”
—RT Book Reviews
“Kresley Cole . . . effortlessly delivers heart-wringing romance, likable heroines, hot heroes, and hotter sex . . . set against an original and exciting paranormal mythology that keeps both the story and the reader speeding along from one high point to another.”
—
LoveVampires
NO REST FOR THE WICKED
“Sizzling sex and high-stakes adventure are what’s on tap in mega-talented Cole’s sensational new paranormal release. . . . One nonstop thrill ride. Brava!”
—
RT Book Reviews
(Top Pick)
“Kresley Cole writes another spine-tingling, adventurous, and passionate romance. . . . I recommend readers grab a copy today. It’s a definite keeper.”
—
Romance Reviews Today
A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER
“Intense action, devilishly passionate sex, and fascinating characters . . . leads readers into an amazing and inventive alternate reality. . . . Hot stuff!”
—
RT Book Reviews
(Top Pick)
“Rich mythology, a fresh approach, and excellent writing make this vampire tale superb.”
—
Fresh Fiction
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Don’t miss an exclusive excerpt from
POISON PRINCESS
The Arcana Chronicles
By
KRESLEY COLE
October 2012 from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Warmly dedicated to Lauren “The Rock” McKenna. Nineteen books down, one hundred to go . . .
My deepest appreciation goes out to Louisa Edwards, Beth Kendrick, Kristen Painter, Gena Showalter, and Roxanne St. Claire, all fabulous friends who happen to be incredible writers (keep doing like you do).
GLOSSARY OF TERMS FROM
THE LIVING BOOK OF LORE . . .
The Lore
“. . . and those sentient creatures that are not human shall be united in one stratum, coexisting with—yet-secret from—man’s.”
• Most are immortal, can regenerate from injuries, and can only be killed by mystical fire or beheading.
• Their eyes change to a breed-specific color with intense emotion.
The Vampires
“In the first chaos of the Lore, a brotherhood of vampires dominated by relying on their worship of logic and absence of mercy. They sprang from the harsh steppes of Dacia and migrated to Russia, though some say a secret enclave, the Daci, live in Dacia still.”
• Each adult male vampire seeks his
Bride,
his eternal wife, and walks as the living dead until he finds her.
• A Bride will render his body fully alive, giving him breath and making his heart beat, a process known as
blooding
.
•
Tracing
is teleporting. A vampire can only trace to destinations he’s previously been or to those he can see.
• Three vampire factions exist: the Forbearer Army (turned humans), the Horde (flesh-takers), and the Dacians . . .
The Dacians
“Whispered to have vast intellects and stony hearts, the vampires of mist and legend observe the Lore with dispassionate eyes. Cursed with unending strife until the House of Old rises. . . .”
• Dacia’s closed kingdom, the Realm of Blood and Mist, is said to be hidden within a hollowed-out mountain range.
• Do not drink blood from the flesh.
• The Daciano royal family consisted of five arms, each with a sacred duty to the realm.
• Upon the old king’s death, and the rightful heir’s disappearance, the family fractured into warring houses.
The Sept of Sorceri
“The Sept forever seek and covet others’ powers, challenging and dueling to seize more—or, more darkly, stealing another’s sorcery. . . .”
• Born with one innate power, their
root power.
• One of the physically weaker species in the Lore, they used elaborate armors to protect their bodies. Eventually they held metals—and especially gold—sacred.
The Demonarchies
“The demons are as varied as the bands of man. . . .”
• A collection of demon dynasties.
• Most demon breeds can teleport to places they’ve previously been.
• A male demon must have intercourse with a potential mate to ascertain if she’s truly his—a process known as
attempting
.
The Death Demons
“Violent, warlike, and ruthless, they constantly hunger for their next kill—and the strength it brings. . . .”
• A demonarchy located in the plane of Abaddon, once famed for its blood sport tournaments.
• Harvest power with each kill they make.
The Vrekeners
“Death descends on swift wings. The righteous reckoning of the Lore, they strike like a plague from the heavens, their wings blocking out the light of the sun, casting the land in shadow.”
• Mortal enemies of the Sept of Sorceri, who they consider wicked and unclean.
• They live in the air territories. Their royal seat is Skye Hall.
The Accession
“And a time shall come to pass when all immortal beings in the Lore, from the Valkyrie, vampire, Lykae, and demon factions to the phantoms, shifters, fey, and sirens . . . must fight and destroy each other.”
• A kind of mystical checks-and-balances system for an ever-growing population of immortals.
• Two major alliances: the Pravus Rule and the Vertas League.
• Occurs every five hundred years. Or right now . . .
“Wrong an assassin’s woman—and he will make you pay.”
—
TREHAN CRISTIAN DACIANO,
PRINCE OF DACIA,
LAST SCION OF THE HOUSE OF SHADOW
“I thought gold was the most precious and beautiful thing on earth. Until I met
him.”
—
PRINCESS BETTINA OF ABADDON,
KINGDOM OF THE DEATHLY ONES
