Deep Kiss of Winter (Includes: Immortals After Dark, #8; Alien Huntress, #4.5)

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Deep Kiss of Winter (Immortals After Dark #8)

by Kresley Cole (Goodreads Author), Gena Showalter

4.13 · rating details · 5,587 ratings · 395 reviews

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR KRESLEY COLE delivers a breathtaking tale of a brutal vampire soldier about to know love for the first time . . . and a Valkyrie aching for his touch.

Murdoch Wroth will stop at nothing to claim Daniela—the delicate Valkyrie who makes his heart beat for the first time in three hundred years. Yet the exquisite Danii is part ice fey, and

...more

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published October 13th 2009 by Pocket (first published 2009)

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May 05, 2010

Mel rated it

Shelves: short-stories-anthologies, pnr

A Deep Kiss of Winter combines two stories from paranormal romance writers Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter.

Untouchable - Kresley Cole: 4 stars

This story is like an Immortals After Dark-megamix! Except for the Woede, we see (or hear about) just about everyone in the series! And it was so much fun to catch up.
In Untouchable we witness Murdoch “man-whore” Wroth and Danielle the Ice Maiden (and Valkyrie) fall in love. People who’ve never read a book of the IAD-series might...moreA Deep Kiss of Winter combines two stories from paranormal romance writers Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter.

Untouchable - Kresley Cole: 4 stars

This story is like an Immortals After Dark-megamix! Except for the Woede, we see (or hear about) just about everyone in the series! And it was so much fun to catch up.
In Untouchable we witness Murdoch “man-whore” Wroth and Danielle the Ice Maiden (and Valkyrie) fall in love. People who’ve never read a book of the IAD-series might not like the story. The romance is sweet and hot –even while the heroine is literally untouchable- but the action part of the plot is a little thin and one might get confused with Cole’s Lore creatures and their rules, ideas and relationships.
For an IAD-fan however, this feels like coming home. The story evolves over a period of time and we return to several moments and conversations from the previous books in the series, this time from Murdoch’s POV. The cherry on the cake is the epilogue, in which we witness Christmas Eve with all the Wroth brothers and their females. (*sigh*)
As always, Cole delivered an entertaining, sexy and fun story. She combines just the right amount of drama and humor, never taking herself too seriously. Her bff Gena Showalter could learn a thing or two from her…

Tempt me eternally – Gena Showalter 2,5 stars

I know enjoying a PNR novel requires a little suspension of belief and cynicism, but when the major characters’ actions defy all logic, secondary characters up and disappear without proper explanation and the heroine tries to kill the hero and wants him to feel guilty about it… I don’t know: it gets a little too much. The story promises action but doesn’t deliver. Well, except for bedroom action. Because there is a lot of that. And it was quite graphic. But good.
Even though I had many eye-rolling moments I’m still interested in Bride’s story. So I guess Showalter’s mission is accomplished.
Still: Gena Showalter: mweh, Kresley Cole: you rock! (less)

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Dec 18, 2010

♥ Sarah ♥ rated it

Shelves: favs, vampires, anthologies, ilb, paranormal-romance, own

*As of now, this rating is based only on Untouchable because I haven't read Tempt Me Eternally yet.*

Untouchable by Kresley Cole: (5 stars)
(Immortals After Dark, #8)
Solid 5 stars! This has got to be my FAVORITE book in the series so far. I think, mainly because it literally spans from the very first short story that started the Immortals After Dark Series, The Warlord Wants Forever to the very latest in the series at the time (#7). It's so cool to see the stories of ...more

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Jul 19, 2011

Megan/Meggerfly~TS rated it

· review of another edition

Recommended to Megan/Meggerfly~TS by: Kresley and Gena lovers as well as anybody who loves PNR

Shelves: vampires, paranormal-romance, shape-shifters, bdsm

Untouchable by Kresley Cole is found in Deep Kiss of Winter.

Untouchable is the 8th book in Kresley Cole's Iad series and is the story of Daniela and Murdoch Wroth

Daniela the Ice Maiden was a Valkyrie and part ice fey so she could only be touched by her own people or she would feel major pain. Murdoch Wroth was a vampire in the Forbearer Army and had been blooded by Daniela but how was he to claim her if he couldn't touch her?

The thing that I really loved about...moreUntouchable by Kresley Cole is found in Deep Kiss of Winter.

Untouchable is the 8th book in Kresley Cole's Iad series and is the story of Daniela and Murdoch Wroth

Daniela the Ice Maiden was a Valkyrie and part ice fey so she could only be touched by her own people or she would feel major pain. Murdoch Wroth was a vampire in the Forbearer Army and had been blooded by Daniela but how was he to claim her if he couldn't touch her?

The thing that I really loved about this was that though Murdoch was a notorious player in his human life, he continuously screwed up with Daniela. I loved that! Though it's small of me to take pleasure out of someones pain, even if they are a fictional character! Another great thing was that at the end we are able to see all four of the brothers with their Brides as a big family celebrating the Holiday. The cool thing about this series is that each book/love story is happening at the same time. The characters are all connected to each-other in some way or another.

Tempt Me Eternally by Gena Showalter is found in Deep Kiss of Winter

This book is the 5th in Gena Showalter's Alien Huntress series

Aleaha Love can change her appearance at will, however she cannot be her real self so she has taken on the identity of an AIR (alien investigation and removal) agent. That would be a great job if she had any idea what to do. That was what she was thinking as she found herself in the middle of a mission in which she and her team were to stop an alien invasion. In this invasion comes Breean, a Rakan. A gorgeous male with an even better scent. Breean has brought what remained of his people to Earth because their home planet had been over run by the Schon.

This was the second book of the Alien Huntress series that I've read and I must say that I loved it. I had thought that I wouldn't because the other book in the series that I had read didn't exactly float my boat. Though Breean was totally full of himself (I can understand the reasoning behind that) I couldn't help but to admire that he wanted the "real" Aleaha. While all she wanted was to be herself, he wanted the same thing. The fact that he didn't stop wanting her when she shifted to other forms was awesome.

This book was majorly filled with hotness. Something I always love in a book. The sexy scent attraction thing that the Rakan males had going on made me want to dive into their world and do some sniffing of my own.
(less)

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Feb 15, 2010

Zeek rated it

Shelves: favorites-all-time, favorites-pnr, pnr, favorite-author, pnr-kitchen-sink, vamps

People had issues with the hero in Untouchable, Kresley Cole's entry in this duology. I guess I wasn't as hard on Murdoch because I have SO dated him. (I.E.- at my age, all I ever run into is commitment phobes!) So I totally got Murdoch. Why then would I like him? Because he overcomes his fears, changes, and sticks with her. THAT is the heart of a good love story, imo. I LOVED both Dani and Murdoch and I loved them together. As another person observed- Cole knows how to write winning characters...more

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Sep 05, 2010

Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~* rated it

Shelves: romance-paranormal, author-kresley-cole, reviewed, owned-read

This review is just for Untouchable (#8 Immortals After Dark series) by Kresley Cole in this anthology Deep Kiss of Winter.

(4 Stars)

I really enjoyed this. This is the 8th story in the Immortals After Dark series. It is about Murdoch Wroth, a.k.a "The Manwhore” (this really irks him LOL), one of the Wroth vampire brothers, and Daniela the Ice Maiden, the half Valkyrie, half ice fey. I really felt for Daniela whose Iceren blood means she cannot be touched as it burns h...more

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Oct 20, 2009

Auntee rated it

Recommends it for: Fans of the series; fans of vampire romance

Shelves: paranormal-romance, anthologies-novellas, 2009_reads, made_me_cry

This review is for the Kresley Cole story, "Untouchable", only.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record regarding this series...I loved this book! Yes, when it comes to paranormal romances, I have a soft spot in my heart for vampires, so it stands to reason that I would enjoy this story about renowned sexy rake Murdoch Wroth (last of the unattached Wroth vampires) and his 'Bride', the beautiful Daniela the Ice Maiden. I won't get into the plot, since there's a nice sy...moreThis review is for the Kresley Cole story, "Untouchable", only.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record regarding this series...I loved this book! Yes, when it comes to paranormal romances, I have a soft spot in my heart for vampires, so it stands to reason that I would enjoy this story about renowned sexy rake Murdoch Wroth (last of the unattached Wroth vampires) and his 'Bride', the beautiful Daniela the Ice Maiden. I won't get into the plot, since there's a nice synopsis that goes with the book details, except to say that of all the books in the series, it's probably the easiest one to follow and understand. The book is only 256 pages long, yet it doesn't read like a short story or novella. There's plenty of character development and a fast paced plot, and it's written very lean and tight, but still has a bit of the trademark humor and pop culture references that are sprinkled throughout the books in the series. (Funniest bit is when Daniela gives the arrogant Murdoch her phone number, which is actually the name of a well known song.) I will warn that it's best that you've read all the books involving the Wroth vampires before you start this one, which would include all the way up to Dark Needs at Night's Edge, which is book #5 in the series. This book actually takes place during the months that books 1-5 occur, which was a bit confusing for me at first. And since it's been a while since I read those books, I was second guessing myself when during the first part of the story it was mentioned that Sebastian (No Rest for the Wicked) and Conrad (Dark Needs at Night's Edge) hadn't been 'blooded' (finding their mates) yet. But gradually as the story goes along, Murdoch has some interaction with all his brothers and then you get a sense just where this book falls chronologically.

Now, as far as the hero and heroine? I fell in love with both of them! Sometimes I have a little problem with the heroines of this series--some of those valkyries are hard to take! But I loved part valkyrie/part ice fey, two thousand(?) year old virgin Daniela from the get-go. I felt sorry for her and her lonely existence. Imagine not being able to touch or be touched without feeling pain--what kind of life is that? And the lengths she had to go to just to be able to live with her half sisters (who thought of her as a 'broken doll') in hot and humid New Orleans--living in a room that was equivalent to a walk-in freezer, constantly having to be on guard that she didn't get overheated and go into thermal shock, making sure she didn't accidentally touch someone and get scalded...talk about tortured heroine! All she wanted was to be loved, and she was desperate to be touched by a man, but the chances of that happening were practically nil, unless she wanted to be with someone of her own kind. And that couldn't happen because she had Icere assassins hunting her, sent by the Icere king to make sure that she couldn't come back to her people and take over her rightful place as their queen. And when those assassins finally caught up with her as she was walking through the French Quarter, that's when she met the man who would save her and ultimately change her whole existence--Murdoch Wroth.

Murdoch--ah, what a guy! Tall, striking, mid-thirties, longish dark hair, fantasy worthy face, with a strong masculine jaw and chin, big and muscular--gorgeous...and he knows it. A different-woman-every- night 'manwhore' in his pre-vampire life, and now without a woman (and liking it) for over 300 years. Until he sees the beautiful Daniela...and saves her from attack...and then his heart starts beating...and he's been 'blooded'...to a woman he can never touch...or have. How ironic.

I just loved Murdoch and Daniela together. Even though they were deeply attracted to each other, Murdoch, with his love 'em and leave 'em mentality, wasn't entirely on board with being 'blooded' to Daniela. To him it was bad enough being blooded, but to a woman he could never touch or have sex with (without scalding her and causing her immense pain)? He just didn't see how that could work. Ah, but gradually as they spent time together they found creative ways to be together, which helped somewhat but also frustrated both of them. I loved when Murdoch took Daniela to his cabin in frozen Siberia--what better place for her? I loved seeing him fall under her spell, even though he wasn't aware that he was. I loved seeing him struggle over his feelings over wanting to be with her, yet not wanting to be tied to anyone. I loved when he finally realized that he loved her and just what he was willing to give up to be with Daniela for eternity. I just loved all the growth and maturity he went through while he fell in love with her. And what he was willing to do to be with Daniela (and what she gave up for him) in the end brought tears to my eyes. Of course you know after all that there's going to be a way for them to be physically intimate, and let me tell you--it's worth the wait. Scorching hot is all I'll say.:)

There's a nice, touching little epilogue where all the Wroth vampires and their brides get together on Christmas Eve, and it leads the reader to believe that we haven't seen the last of this family. I would love that, and I hope Ms. Cole has that in the works.

Fans of the series--I don't see how you can be disappointed in this one. This one had more pure romance, and less adventure, but that was okay with me. Daniela and Murdoch were real sweethearts, and are now probably my favorite couple of this whole wonderful series. What can I say, another 5 star read!(less)

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Feb 09, 2010

Yz the Whyz rated it

Shelves: kresley-cole, 2010-reads

Love Danii and Murdoch's story. A novella that spans the time from Nikolai and Myst storyline up to Conrad and Neomi's book, so it is fun to read tidbits from a different perspective of events that have happened in the previous books. As usual Cole's story is funny and poignant at the same time, as she gives her h/h almost insurmountable obstacles to their path to true love. A great addition to the Immortals After Dark stories.

The second novella is my first introduction to Showalt...more

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Dec 25, 2011

Lady Vale rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: antologies

My rating only goes to Kresley Cole's story.

OMG, this story was amazing. I absolutely adore it,couldn't put it down for even a single second. I was missing this series terrible, only I hadn't realized it until I got to read another book in this terrific series again.

I loved this story. Both characters were amazing and perfect for each other. The hole time I was going nuts because they could not be together but I got so thrilled once they did.

But what I loved...more

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May 30, 2011

Missyb rated it

I really like the Wroth brothers, but this book was a little confusing. I felt like it was taking place before all the other books in the series, but then it was also taking place at the same time as Conrad's book. It was a good story, and I liked the interaction with the other Lore characters, it was just confusing to read about certain things that happened in early books. Ex. - Emma being the only Vampire the Valkyrie liked & her not knowing who her father was & Lothaire being with Ivo when i...more

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Oct 30, 2009

Penny Watson rated it

Untouchable by Kresley Cole

First of all, I have not read Gena Showalter's story yet. This review is only for Kresley Cole's novella, Untouchable. Second, I am an idiot. I did not realize as I was clicking that fun little button for primetime customers at Amazon that this was a freakin' hardcover. So, I am doubly irked that I did not like this story, and I paid out the wazoo for it.

Okay, I am seriously disappointed. Lots of folks loved this story, and I was all jazzed up....more

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Dec 11, 2009

Natalie (Mindful Musings) rated it

Deep Kiss of Winter was the first time I've read authors Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter (though Showalter's Intertwined is sitting in my TBR pile). Deep Kiss of Winter actually contains two books: Untouchable and Tempt Me Eternally.

I found the mythology in Untouchable to be interesting. The story combined lore from the worlds of the fae, vampires, Valkyrie, demons, and more. I learned things about mythical creatures that I hadn't known before, and I thought the story was extremely w...more

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Nov 20, 2009

Kaleigha rated it

This is just for the Kresley Cole entry. I am waiting to get the first three of the Alien Huntress series before I tackle the Gena Showalter entry. I will update when I get the series done...

Updated since I have now read the Showalter entry, and I would go 3.5 stars now.

Murdock Wroth is a General in the Vampire Forebearer army. As less-than-welcome members of the Lore, the Forebearers live their lives without drinking directly from a human source, and battle their evil...moreThis is just for the Kresley Cole entry. I am waiting to get the first three of the Alien Huntress series before I tackle the Gena Showalter entry. I will update when I get the series done...

Updated since I have now read the Showalter entry, and I would go 3.5 stars now.

Murdock Wroth is a General in the Vampire Forebearer army. As less-than-welcome members of the Lore, the Forebearers live their lives without drinking directly from a human source, and battle their evil brethren, the Horde. After 300 years, the last thing Murdock expected was to find his destined Bride in the form of a beautiful Valkyrie / Icere queen.

For thousands of years, Daniela has been on the run from Icere assassins. As rightful heir to the throne of her mother's people, the usurping King will stop at nothing to remove the threat to his rule. Daniela has spent most of her life with her Valkyrie coven, living a life without touch. Because of her Icere heritage, she cannot tolerate heat...and the touch of anyone not Icere causes Dani agony. When Dani realizes that she has blooded the fierce warrior Murdock, causing his heart to beat for the first time in centuries, she believes that she may have found the man for her. Too bad Murdock doesn't think the same...

I have been anxiously waiting for this one, just to dive into the next installment of the Immortals After Dark series. And, for the first time in this series, I was a bit disappointed. Most of it for me came down to the hero, Murdock. Usually I adore Cole's heroes, but Murdock just fell flat for me somehow. I wasn't a big fan of his, and as such I didn't feel too much connection between Murdock and Dani. What I enjoyed most about this entry was the introduction of some very interesting new characters, and the review of some events we have already seen in previous books (due to the overlapping timelines), but from a different perspective. Both of those made the book worthwhile. Now, just have to wait for Pleasure of a Dark Prince...

--------------------------------------------------------------------

I do enjoy the writing of Gena Showalter, but for some reason her Alien Huntress series was never something I had any interest to read. Maybe it was the cheesy covers, but something just didn't work. But that old addage never judge a book by its cover is true, since I really enjoy the series. While I was dying to read the Kresley Cole stsory, I was a bit annoyed when I found out that Gena's story in this book was Alien Huntress rather than LotU or Atlantis. Turns out, I wasn't that fond of the Cole story, but loved the Showalter. Who knew?

Aleaha Love can shape-shift into anyone she has had contact with. In the guise of new AIR agent Macy, Aleaha is on one of her first assignments when they are overrun by a group of golden skinned Raka warriors. Aleaha, Dallas and Devyn, among others, are taken hostage. The warrior's leader, Breean, is one of the most stunning men Aleaha has ever seen...but also the most dangerous. When he finds out about her secret ability to shift, Aleaha is scared that she will be revealed and have to run - assume a new identity, a new life. Not only does Breean keep her secrets, but protects and helps her. Even while Aleaha falls in love with Breean, the capitivity of the other AIR agents stands between them. She has no choice but to betray the man she loves to save them all.

Breean's world was destroyed by the Schon...carriers of a deadly plague that wiped out his family and home planet. In search of a new home, he and his band of warriors come to Earth. They capture the group of AIR agents to use as political leverage, wanting to join in the battle against the Schon. At least, that is the plan until Breean sees Aleaha. His attraction for her is like nothing he has ever felt before, and he knows he can't give her up. But neither can he betray his men and change their plans.

I liked Breean and Aleaha. Breean goes against everything he knows, everything he feels, to be with Aleaha. Aleaha is not the superwoman of the first few Alien Huntress novels. She isn't the killer they all brag to be. She gets scared and makes mistakes. And she is a better character because of it. The ending was a bit rushed, I found, but that is pretty much always the case with anthologies. The ending was a bit...off...too. It was a bit hard for me to believe that the characters I have gotten to know over the previous four books would take their capture with a shrug and a "no hard feelings" that quickly. I still love Dallas, and Devyn is a, well, devil. Looking forward to the next one in the series, coming out sometime next fall. (less)

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Dec 14, 2010

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" rated it

Recommends it for: Fans of paranormal and science fiction romance

Shelves: short-story-collection, paranormal-romance, part-of-a-series, favorite-or-autobuy-author, owned-copy, alien, fated-to-be-mated, winter-cold-setting, christmas-reads-2010, modern-virgin-heroine, shapeshifter, captive-kidnapped, spinster-old-maid, the-lost-heir, family, favorites, futuristic, science-fiction-romance, hot-and-steamy-romance, duology, possessive-and-or-jealous-hero, love-wary, in-disguise, vampire, valkyrie, outcast, reformed-rakes-make-the-best-hubbie, hero-i-loved, hero-in-pursuit, hero-or-heroine-gravely-ill, heroine-i-loved, nursed-back-to-health, faerie, royalty, warrior, norse-mythology

I'm rounding my rating up on this one, because I loved the Kresley Cole story enough on its own for five stars. The Gena Showalter story was a fairly solid four stars.

First of all, lets talk about how awesome "Untouchable" was. I liked Murdoch before I read this story, because the Wroth brother are four times hot! But, I didn't love him as much as Nikolai (swoon), Conrad (thud), and Sebastian (sigh). I'm not fond of womanizers. But somehow, I fell in love with Murdoch. ...moreI'm rounding my rating up on this one, because I loved the Kresley Cole story enough on its own for five stars. The Gena Showalter story was a fairly solid four stars.

First of all, lets talk about how awesome "Untouchable" was. I liked Murdoch before I read this story, because the Wroth brother are four times hot! But, I didn't love him as much as Nikolai (swoon), Conrad (thud), and Sebastian (sigh). I'm not fond of womanizers. But somehow, I fell in love with Murdoch. I could see that his fear of giving himself away and losing himself in love with a woman was the reason why he was so love 'em and leave 'em. Truth be told, I don't think he really broke any hearts. He found woman who just wanted sex and he made sure he gave them what they wanted very well. I don't know that he held any more fondness for them than they did for him. As always, Kresley Cole does the devoted male very well. This Wroth courtship was very different in that Murdoch didn't want to be Blooded. He was rather unhappy with the fact that Daniela was his Bride, and she had brought his body back to life. This story is a good metaphor for the relationships that some women face with the reluctant bachelor, who doesn't want to give up his freedom, out of fear that he's going to miss out on something. Murdoch had to go through the process of realizing that he might no longer be fancy free, but he had found the love of his life, and he would have been miserable without her--she made his life better, just by being in it. Daniela also had her issues. Because of her Icere heritage, she couldn't be touched by anyone. She'd spent two thousand years of celibacy, as a chaste (other than self-pleasure) virgin, seeing her Valkyrie sisters have their love affairs and live a full life, while she felt she was on the shelf. When she meets Murdoch and realizes she is his Bride, she's willing to give him a chance. At times, I felt bad for Daniela. She really put herself out there to be hurt by Murdooch, and he did hurt her more than a few times. Yet, at the same time, he did care about her and tried to do right by her. He is probably the most like a real guy out of the heroes I've read about in paranormal romance. Not to pigeonhole men, but he had a lot of the fears and insecurities of a modern guy in relationships, instead of the slavish devotion and adoration that I've seen (and I freely admit I like) in a lot of paranormal romances. He fought the bond between him and Daniela. But, when he gave into it, boy did he! The love scenes were tres steamy! I was curious how Ms. Cole would pull off having lots of sexy encounters with a couple who couldn't touch each other, but I must say she did it well.

I love this world of the Lore. It's funny, fascinating, exciting, interesting, and very entertaining. The Immortals After Dark series is tied for my favorite paranormal series (with the Black Dagger Brotherhood) for a good reason--it's awesome. I was happy to see that this was a fairly long short story, just under 300 pages. And Ms. Cole used the time she had to excellent advantage. I totally ended up loving this story, and it more than earned its five star rating. I loved how well Ms. Cole wrapped up the Wroth brothers' stories. I think that she found the perfect mates with them, and I was very happy with how she resolved Daniela and Murdoch's prickly situation. And can I just say that I think I might be part Icere? I sure do love the cold, and I truly enjoyed the scenes in which Daniela gets settled into Murdoch's icy hunting lodge in Sibera, and the couple frolicking in the snow and ice. This story was fantastic!

"Tempt Me Eternally" by Gena Showalter had a tough job to accomplish, following an Immortals After Dark story. I have to say that it did it fairly well. I will always choose supernatural over science fiction. It's just the way I'm wired. However, I thought the concept behind this story was pretty interesting. The Rakans have come to Earth to settle down and rebuild after their world and peoples are devastated by an invasion by the Schon, a race of beings who have sex with and infect other races with a virus that causes the the females to turn into cannibals. All the females were killed, and they decimated many of the males of the Rakan world. The lone survivors have found Earth, and intend to live here peacefully. However, they encounter a force of AIR, an agency that protects Earth from hostile aliens. Things don't go well, and some of the AIR agents are killed by a rogue Rakan, and their leader Breean sees and kidnaps AIR agent Macy (who is actually Aleaha-a shapeshifting woman who has assumed the identity of Macy). Breean can actually see the real Aleaha under the mask of Macy. He sees and decides he has to have her. He takes her and some of the other AIR agents back to his hideout, biding his time to try to make an exchange with AIR and bargain for the right to live on Earth peacefully, but he's already determined that he will keep Aleaha. Aleaha is a pretty tormented heroine. She has an ability that has caused her a lot of trouble, because she morphs in moments of extreme emotion (including sex). She's tired of pretending to be someone else. When Breean seems to see and like the real her, as well as accepting her morphing abilities, she feels a real bond, not to mention he's sex on legs, and she's incredibly attracted to this tall, well-built, sweet-tasting, golden man. She doesn't want to be his captive, but he makes captivity very enticing as he seduces her body and soul into loving him and wanting forever with him. But, Aleaha has her loyalty to AIR to deal with before she can jump off the deep end into passion with Breean.

This was a good story. It was also very steamy. I ended up enjoying the science fiction elements very much. Ms. Showalter focuses more of the sensuality, but she does that very well. I knew the characters enough to care about them, and root for their happy ending, and I was pretty engaged. As I said, I was so blown away by the IAD story, it was hard to love this one quite as much. But it was good and entertaining. It easily earns a four star rating. And it was nice to revisit the Alien Huntress storyline, in which I am way behind.

I don't tend to buy very many hardcovers, because I'm cheap and they are harder to store, but this was way worth my money, even if just for the Immortals After Dark story. I think of the Alien Huntress story as a nice bonus, since I've been more interested in reading science fiction lately, and I really do like Gena Showalter's writing. This was a great read for the holidays. Although the stories weren't heavily focused on Christmas, I thought that the authors used the holiday theme to good effect. I especially loved the frosty moments in IAD. Oh to have a sexy guy to play in the snow with!(less)

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Nov 07, 2009

Sabrina rated it

I am thrilled with Kresley Cole's latest installment in this series. The last outing in this series wasn't up to par, but Cole is definitely back to form with a novella featuring Daniela and Murdoch. I wish other paranormal romance authors would take a note or two from Cole. Your heroines don't have to be vulnerable, sniveling, simps who are in desperate need to be saved in order to attract a big strong vampire. The Valkerie in this series are strong, smart, sexy, and and sharp-tongued. The...more

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Apr 20, 2010

Cynthia (aka Artemis) rated it

Shelves: immortals-after-dark-series, paranormal-romance, favorites, anthology, own

Kresley Cole's "Untouchable": Murdoch Wroth and Ice Queen Daniela's story was a wonderful and well written tale. Also, it is good to see that the Wroth brothers are now all together with their Brides. As always Ms. Cole spins great dialog with intriguing characters. I liked the way she developed this story within the background of finding the other brothers.

Gena Showalter "Tempt Me Eternally": This one on the other hand seemed forced. Aleaha Love is colorful a...more

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Nov 01, 2009

Kris H. rated it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, vampires-werewolves-shifters-o-my

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the Kresley Cole story!!! The five stars is for that one. Really didn't care for the Gena Showalter story at all. It just wasn't for me. That story alone I would give 2 stars, maybe.

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Oct 14, 2009

Laurie (Bitten by Paranormal Romance) rated it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, keepers

Kresley Cole Immortals After Dark.. 5 stars

Murdock and Danii story. Kinda of like Bad Moon rising by Kenyon going back through a few of the other books But this one is a lot better Cole keeps up and I didnt get the feel of story lines being repeated as in Bad Moon Rising..

I Really like Danii at times I felt sorry for both Murdock and Danii.. I think Cole done a great job with this story.

I will be back to rate this whole book when I get Alien Huntress...more

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Jan 23, 2012

Myvampfiction rated it

Reviewed by Victorian Vamp

*Warning: possible spoilers ahead.*

In this installment of Kresley Cole’s Immortals after Dark series, we meet Murdoch Wroth again and find out exactly what is going on with him and his bride, Danii, lost queen of a hidden ice world. She is half Valkyrie and half ice queen, needing ice and cold to heal and live. If you’ve been following the series, then you will recognize that the events in this novel begin during the sequence of events that take...moreReviewed by Victorian Vamp

*Warning: possible spoilers ahead.*

In this installment of Kresley Cole’s Immortals after Dark series, we meet Murdoch Wroth again and find out exactly what is going on with him and his bride, Danii, lost queen of a hidden ice world. She is half Valkyrie and half ice queen, needing ice and cold to heal and live. If you’ve been following the series, then you will recognize that the events in this novel begin during the sequence of events that take place No Rest for the Wicked. Murdoch Wroth has accompanied his brother, Nikolai, to New Orleans where Nikolai seeks his Valkyrie bride. Once Nikolai takes flight after Myst, Murdoch follows a strange female through the streets, rescuing her from a particularly brutal attack. As these two begin to fall in lust with one another, Murdoch becomes blooded, a condition that occurs when a vampire meets his bride and his once still heart begins to beat again. The desire that builds inside of them both can only be released fully through bodily contact; unfortunately, however, any contact with skin causes Danii extreme pain. As Danii and Murdoch struggle to find a way to survive as life mates, Danii tries to deny the fact that she is his bride, isolating herself in the wilds of Siberia. When Danii manages to make it to her hidden realm and her rightful throne, Murdoch must attempt to find a way to her, realizing that he may finally have a solution to their, um, intimacy issues.

Out of the entire series, this is probably my least favorite tale. I like Danii and I found the whole ice thing intriguing, but Murdoch did not grab me the same way his brothers managed to do. Nikolai, Sebastian, and Conrad were all so complex and well-drawn, but I just could not connect with Murdoch in the same way. Don’t get me wrong: the story is still decent, but it just wasn’t my favorite. The format of this book is perplexing to me, too. I don’t really understand why it was published this way (along with Gena Showalter’s story). Untouchable isn’t a novella or short story—it is a full-length novel (though probably a bit shorter than some of Cole’s other books). Anyway, it does not add a lot of information to the plot, in my opinion. I mean, the other books seem to lead readers into a bit more information about the Accession, but I felt that this book stalled the action a bit. Still, if you always wanted to know Murdoch’s story, then you probably will enjoy it a lot.

Rating: 3.5
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Jan 18, 2012

Nawnee rated it

Recommends it for: Friends

Recommended to Nawnee by: Amazon

The first story in this book is written my Kresley Cole, This being the first book I've ever read by her I have to say I was impressed, I couldn't put it down.
Her story is about a half breed Valkyrie and Ice Fey Daniela, whose heritage has made it impossible for normal human contact. When Murdoch, a vampire follows her he finds himself involved in a battle for a kingdom and it's crown. Without meaning to Daniela blooded her self to Murdoch making her his bride. With her skin burning when ...moreThe first story in this book is written my Kresley Cole, This being the first book I've ever read by her I have to say I was impressed, I couldn't put it down.
Her story is about a half breed Valkyrie and Ice Fey Daniela, whose heritage has made it impossible for normal human contact. When Murdoch, a vampire follows her he finds himself involved in a battle for a kingdom and it's crown. Without meaning to Daniela blooded her self to Murdoch making her his bride. With her skin burning when ever she is touched it made for an interesting romance, they become invested in each other but driven mad by the lack of skin to skin contact. I found myself reading in one sitting just to find out if they figured out how to get past the skin issue. the story kept me engrossed she introduces you to the these four vampire brothers,each with their own turmoil going on over their brides. It left me wanting to know more about the immortals after dark series and some of the minor characters stories. I was very impressed with her writing style it she drew me into her world and left me wanting more.

The second story is by Gena Showalter who I discovered over last summer and have bought every book I could get my hands on. All of her series are all encompassing, they draw you in and don't let you go even at the last page I find myself looking for more. This short story was no exception being a part of her alien hunter series we get to find out more about a character that was introduced in one of her later books, Aleaha Love who can change her appearance to anyone she's had skin to skin contact with. I loved watching her character unfold, it was also like visiting old friends with the secondary characters being the main characters from the alien hunter series, so we get a different perspective on a few of their personalities with this short story. I would put more about the story but for those of you that haven't read the series it would contain to many spoilers, needless to say this is her usual paranormal romance with all the hotness that comes along with that. If you haven't read Gena Showalter you are missing out, something about the way she writes that makes the characters come to life for you.
Plus her Lord of the Underworld series is so hot it should be illegal. Before reading this short I would suggest reading the alien series though this short does happen a few book into the series and can ruin some plot lines in the other books for you, to that I would say buy them all and start at the beginning lol.(less)

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Dec 18, 2011

Lynda Tatad rated it

I loved the 2 stories by these 2 authors! Both have some sizzling, steamy scenes that would fog up your glasses (if you wear glasses while you read)! ;-) Kresley Cole's "Untouchable" is an Immortals After Dark story featuring the fourth Wroth brother Forebearer vampire Murdoch Wroth. We get a little overlaps with his brothers (Nikolai, Sebastian and Conrad) and what wa...moreI loved the 2 stories by these 2 authors! Both have some sizzling, steamy scenes that would fog up your glasses (if you wear glasses while you read)! ;-) Kresley Cole's "Untouchable" is an Immortals After Dark story featuring the fourth Wroth brother Forebearer vampire Murdoch Wroth. We get a little overlaps with his brothers (Nikolai, Sebastian and Conrad) and what was going on in their lives while Wroth was dealing with a doozy of a conumdrum. He had met his Bride, the one female who got his undead heart to beat again, and his body felt desire again for the first time in centuries. His problem: his Bride is Daniela the Ice Maiden. She is half Valkerie and 1/2 Icere. If her skin is touched by someone of normal temperature, she burns and blisters and is in excrutiating pain. Her room at the Valkerie Coven is an icebox... the colder it is, the stronger she feels. Murdoch's other problem, he was never one to commit himself to one woman when he was human (he was dismayed to discover that the history books portray him as a "manwhore"), and doesn't know how he feels about discovering his Bride, and then finds out that he can't touch her. Poor Daniela would love to be able to be touched by this sexy vampire... and eventually they figure out who to make it work, but still can't touch. Her heritage comes seeking her in more ways than one ... her step-father had stolen her mother's Throne, and is constantly sending assassins after her (which is how Murdoch meets Daniela). I loved how these two keep trying to make things work, even with the problems facing them. I also loved the overlapping stories with his brothers and the other Valkeries that have come before in other books by the author. Gena Showalter's "Tempt Me Eternally" is a story set in her Alien Huntress series, and features Aleaha, a woman who can take on someone else's shape just by touch. She had assumed the identity of an agent who helps to capure alien invaders, and finds she's in way over her head! Expecting plague ridden aliens with their Queen coming in on the next wormhole, they get warriors from a different planet who've come to earth to find a new home after that other plague ridden race had decimated their planet. Exuding pheromones to make the agents desire them, they quickly subdue and capture the earth agents. The leader Breen, though, is amazed by how this one human female can resist him, and how she was able to take on his shape and powers. He also can see another form underneath her assumed identity, and she intigues him! ALeaha has been feeling guilt over assuming other people's identities, but she's afraid to find out what would happen if the agency she works for thinks that she might be an alien, too! She finds the opportunity to just be herself after her captivity turns out to be Bree finding a way to seduce her and get her to want to be with him, and of course, she also wants to find a way to free her friends from the agency. This too was a fun story, and there's a cute little nod to one of Kresly Cole's characters as well.(less)

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Nov 04, 2011

Yvonne Boag rated it

Shelves: supernatural

Deep kiss of winter is a combination of two books. Kresley Cole's story is about Murdoch Wroth, a vampire and Daniela, a Valkyrie who literally can't be touched. It is a very on again off again relationship for this reason with both of them resenting the relationship and lots of misunderstandings. Too many in my opinion. It became very frustrating and I was long over it before the book ended. I think most of my problems with the book came from only having read one book in the series. All these c...more

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Oct 24, 2011

Karen rated it

Shelves: fiction, paranormal, romance

I've had this sitting in my to be read pile for a while now, thinking it was a holiday book and I'd wait until winter to read it, but I needed a vacation book in October and it was handy, so I grabbed it. It turns out it's not especially Christmas-y, so that worked out fine. The Kresley Cole story fits into the Immortals After Dark series, though trying to recall what happened in the other books this story overlaps with was making my brain hurt so I just ignored that issue after a while and en...more

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Sep 15, 2011

Suzainur K.A.R. rated it

Shelves: i-could-do-without-reading-this

I read this, hoping against hope that I'd find 2 new authors to read. Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter are prodigiously productive, but alas, it was not to be.

I've read Kresley Cole before and found her world build up too complicated and unnecessarily messy. But hey, it could be a book debut thing. Maybe I'll like her books now. But no.

It doesn't help that her time line and plot flow is weird (probably due to the need to synchronise with events from other her other books). But...more

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Jun 01, 2011

Jamie rated it

I really liked Cole's story in the book and would give it 4 stars alone. I'm just disappointed that it even shares a book with another story. I really enjoyed reading about all the Wroth brothers and seeing them all together and happy at the end. I enjoyed catching up on the other couples in her past books. I enjoyed both of the main characters ... I love strong female leads. It was a wonderful story that kept me guessing as to how Danii and Murdoch were going to be able to be together as we...more

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Feb 17, 2011

Peep (Pop! Pop!) rated it

Shelves: just-okay, read-in-2011, what-the-heck, adult-cravings

At some point in the middle of reading this, I forgot that it was actually two books.

For the first book, the Kresley Cole one, I give it 2 stars. I thought that things were moving extremely fast between Murdoch and Danii, but I kind of liked it since it meant that I didn't have to wait for the formula. Not that I don't like the formula, it's just that sometimes I want the H/h to just get together already! I did like how things turn out. There were a few weird scenes but it'd be a spoi...more

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Jan 14, 2011

Jen (Red Hot Books) rated it

Shelves: immortals-after-dark, alien-huntress, pararnormal-romance

"Deep Kiss of Winter" contains two stories, one from Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series and one from Gena Showalter's Alien Huntress Series.

The AH story focuses on Aleaha Love, a shapeshifter posing as Alien Investigation and Removal agent Macy. She doesn't know if she is alien or human. She grew up on the streets and is trying to make a life for herself. She took over Macy's identity after discovering her dead body. Anyway, she is working with AIR, when a group of...more"Deep Kiss of Winter" contains two stories, one from Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series and one from Gena Showalter's Alien Huntress Series.

The AH story focuses on Aleaha Love, a shapeshifter posing as Alien Investigation and Removal agent Macy. She doesn't know if she is alien or human. She grew up on the streets and is trying to make a life for herself. She took over Macy's identity after discovering her dead body. Anyway, she is working with AIR, when a group of super-hot warrior Aliens show up. A fight ensues but she instantly has a connection with the leader, Breean. The Rakans are good aliens... they're just trying to make a life for themselves on Earth. Their planet has been taken over by the Schon sex-cannibal folks we met in Savor Me Slowly. But they hope to use Aleaha/Macy and a handful of other AIR agents to secure their safe passage on our planet. As Breean and his men hold them captive, his relationship with Aleaha blossoms.

It's not a long story, but it's a good one. And Aleaha's stories about her childhood and old friend Bride help set up Seduce the Darkness. A nice love story, with some wonderfully steamy scenes.

The IAD story finally shows us who Murdoch Wroth's mysterious bride is: Daniela the Ice Maiden. We learned way back that Murdoch had been blooded but he said his bride did not want to be revealed. The story takes us back to the events of Playing Easy to Get, where Nickolai was searching for his beloved Myst. It seems that back on that fated night in the French Quarter, when he finally caught up to her, Murdoch met up with Daniela and his heart began beating again.

The big obstacle between the two is the fact that Daniela is an Ice Maiden and can not touch another person without it burning her skin. I'll tell you, they find some very creative ways to deal with this problem.

It felt like there was a lot of rehash in this story, but I wouldn't have missed it. I love the Wroth brothers. I just wish Murdoch would have had a fleshed out version of a story that was all his own.

4 stars. (less)

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Nov 13, 2010

Nikki Brandyberry rated it

First and foremost, let’s talk about the hunky eye candy on the front of this book. I know they say not to judge a book by its cover (and I recently found out authors have little or no control over that, which explains a lot of bad covers) but YOWZERS. Where is this guy in the middle of my Ohio’s winters? I have never seen him walking through the snow around my house. If those jeans sink any lower I won’t even need my imagination….*le sigh*….

This was my first read by Kresley. I broke m...more

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Jul 28, 2010

Lana rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: public-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I can count on Kresley Cole to write believable paranormal fiction and really hot sex. The first story in this duo definitely hits the money.

There are references to what I think is an event from a previous book, but it's been long enough ago that I read it, it's more than vague. The setting - the world, is familiar though.

Interaction between the two leads is funny and human, without regard to their non-human existence, which is part of what makes her characters and wor...more

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Mar 30, 2010

Lina rated it

Deep Kiss of Winter is an interesting read, containing two almost full length stories from Kresley Cole (Immortals after Dark) and Gena Showalter (Alien Huntress series). Two of my favorite authors in one package. This time, however, my joy was diminished by the disappointment I experienced reading one of these stories.
Kresley Cole’s Untouchable proved to be entertaining, sensual and able to move me. Not to mention raise the room temperature. It is a great addition to the IAD series finall...moreDeep Kiss of Winter is an interesting read, containing two almost full length stories from Kresley Cole (Immortals after Dark) and Gena Showalter (Alien Huntress series). Two of my favorite authors in one package. This time, however, my joy was diminished by the disappointment I experienced reading one of these stories.
Kresley Cole’s Untouchable proved to be entertaining, sensual and able to move me. Not to mention raise the room temperature. It is a great addition to the IAD series finally giving us an opportunity to find out more about the last of the Wroth brothers – Murdoch and his destined Bride Daniela, the Ice Queen.

And what a pair they make. A rake, who used to seduce and leave women and a beauty, his heart starts to beat once again for, but cannot be touched. The irony of life. Fate has certainly played a trick on Murdoch and enriched the story with interesting twists.

As for the characters themselves – simply adored them. It was entertaining to watch as a true Casanova with apparent issues of commitment was turned into a babbling oaf at the mere sight of her. Or how Danii’s uniqueness set her apart from other Valkyrie.I loved the vulnerability in this strong female. The part where she secretly wishes for him to be an arrogant, possessive Neanderthal and state his claim over her, touched my heart, even though it is something I could rarely bare earlier. At the first sign of a hero trying his domineering tripe, I’d immediately want the heroine to bring him to his knees.

Untouchable, however, made it work beautifully. Showing us both, strengths and vulnerabilities of the characters, letting us feel the passion boiling just beneath the surface.

Now the other part of Deep Kiss of Winter, Tempt Me Eternally, is actually another story. Meaning, I never thought I would say this about Gena Showalter, but she disappointed me.

The storyline, even romance was overshadowed by constant physical needs and the mindless dialogs between Aleaha and Breean. The first capture scene seemed to be going on for ages with it’s annoying banter repeating the same “let me go” and “no” words. Irritating me to the point where I had actually closed the book and resumed reading only the next day (something that had never happened to me with G. Showalter’s books before).

Another thing to turn me off was Aleaha’s and Breean’s sex scenes. Strange, since I like erotic, steamy encounters. Tempt Me Eternally, however, was bordering the line of porn. Leaving nothing for imagination and describing every raw detail there was to describe. I didn’t feel any anticipation, or sexual tension. Found myself even skipping pages, looking for something interesting. Unfortunately, nothing grabbed my attention. At least not in a way it should have. It only managed to irritate me further.

Couldn’t even find anything heroic about Breean. He was simply a powerful, stubborn male. And the heroine – a weak female to melt at every right word. It was ridiculous how her opinions changed, how from arguing with him one moment she ended up sympathizing the next only because he revealed an awful fact about his family. Suddenly the fact that he kidnapped her and kept her friend locked away – irrelevant.

But reading lines like, “I really am a monster (…) He’d only given her joy, and this is how she repaid him.” was the last straw. In what alternate reality kidnapping a woman and her friends, even killing a few of those, locking them in a cell and making her a sex slave (cause I wouldn’t call it any other name), no matter how gorgeous the man is, or how much pleasure he gives her in bed, is considered normal? Just because it is not technically a rape (the potent scent he generates to arouse her I could compare with drugging, thus the victim is influenced and not thinking straight), doesn’t mean it is something admirable.

If this is not a Stockholm syndrome, then I have no idea what that is.

And for the end I would only wish to say, that Tempt Me Eternally was resolved so quickly and simply, it didn’t seem the story had a real climax. But even though it failed to charm me, Deep Kiss of Winter is worth the time simply because of Kresley Cole’s exhilarating Untouchable.
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Mar 21, 2010

Andrea rated it

Two fun stories by two authors that I enjoy.

Untouchable, by Kresley Cole, is the story of Danii, an Iceran with a need for cold and ice and an intolerance of heat, and Murdoch, a vampire that can't touch her without burning her skin. This story is typical Cole: amusing and action-packed with a creative cast of beings in her Lore world. I enjoyed most of it (with the exception of some cameos and status updates for characters from previous books that seemed thrown in without any par...more

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About Kresley Cole

Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, as well as five award-winning historical romances.

Before becoming a writer, Cole was a world-ranked athlete, coach, and graduate student. She has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. Two of her...more

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Books by Kresley Cole

A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark, #2)

No Rest for the Wicked (Immortals After Dark, #3)

Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night (Immortals After Dark, #4)

Dark Desires After Dusk (Immortals After Dark, #6)

Dark Needs at Night's Edge (Immortals After Dark, #5)

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“And if you don’t think I can hold my own against all those eighteenth-century mortals you were out tagging, then you’re a fool, Casanova.” ... “Oh, yes, I know all about you.”

He went still. “What are you talking about?”

“I was alive back then. And all the Lore heard about the ruthless warlord brothers from Estonia. The general, the scholar, the enigma, and . . . the manwhore.” — 23 people liked it

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Deep Kiss of Winter (Immortals After Dark #8)

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