I did a happy dance when I received an ARC of The Darkest Night, the first book in Gena Showalter’s new Lords of the Underworld series. I’ve read several of Gena’s books and have loved them all, but after reading The Darkest Night, I think she’s outdone herself.

Maddox and Ashlyn’s first meeting is dynamic and sets the tone for the rest of the story. This is a world where intrigue, longing, passion, and myth are beautifully interwoven to create something truly special. This is also a world populated by a cast of memorable characters, including several heroes, whose future adventures promise to be as mesmerizing as this one.

Here’s the back cover blurb on the ARC of The Darkest Night:

HIS POWERS–Inhuman
HIS PASSION–Beyond Immortal…

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….

*May 2008 - The Darkest Night
(Lords of the Underworld - Book 1)

*June 2008 - The Darkest Kiss
(Lords of the Underworld - Book 2)

*July 2008 - The Darkest Pleasure
(Lords of the Underworld - Book 3)

My favorite performances from week two were:

• Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas (Mambo)
• Marlee Matlin & Fabian Sanchez (Quick Step)
• Jason Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska (Mambo)
• Shannon Elizabeth & Derek Hough (Quick Step) 

Raising a cyber toast to Rinda Elliott. Last week on her blog, she announced some fantastic agent news!

Congrats, Rinda!!!

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My favorite performances from last night’s episode of American Idol were:

• Carly Smithson (She sang Come Together)
• Brooke White (She sang Let It Be)
• Chikezie (He sang She’s A Woman)
• Amanda Overmyer (She sang You Can’t Do That)

The snowstorm over the weekend was something else. Yesterday, I went to take my dog for a walk, and we pretty much had to stay by the front door. Cars were halfway buried by the snow and the sidewalks were non-existent. It’s a good time to stay indoors and drink some hot chocolate!

It will be interesting to see who makes it into the top twelve on American Idol tonight. There were a lot of excellent performances this week.

I recently took some time off of working on my manuscript to fill the creative well.  When I read through the manuscript the other day, I found myself quite pleased with what I had written. 

We had a big snowstorm yesterday, and apparently are due for another one. While it’s not fun before the sidewalks have been plowed, it does look pretty outside.