My first Gena Showalter book was "The Stone Prince" back in 2004. Since then, I'm pretty sure I've read every book she's had published with the exception of her young adult line. And I'm also pretty sure that I've highly enjoyed every one! Her books always contain elements of magic and although her different series may have become darker and more sensual over the last couple of years, I, for one, am certainly happy about that!

"The Darkest Night" is her new series that revolves around the myth of Pandora's Box. In Showalter's world, the guardians who were passed over in favor of Pandora in guarding the Box got pissed...and opened the Box. The demons inside immediately took control of the guardians and the gods cursed them to eternally carry these demons as a result. So Wrath, Death, Sadness, Violence, Disease, Pain, Promiscuity, etc are all now embodied in these guardians. Pretty cool, huh?

Ashlyn Darrow has always heard voices. Put her anywhere and she can hear every conversation that ever took place there and understand it regardless of the language used. While some might consider that a gift, she knows it must be a curse as the voices NEVER leave her alone. Her parents give her to a 'society' when she turns five as her torments and constant crying are just too much for them. She assists the 'society' in hunting out the paranormal things in the world for study...or at least that's what she believes. Unfortunately for her, what she believes and what's really going on could end up killing her!

It's always fascinating to come on a 'new' series that manages to be different. My kudos to Ms Showalter for managing to do that with this new "Darkest" series. If you enjoy sensual stories of paranormal beings and things that go 'bump in the night', hot Alpha men, strong female leads, and scorching sex...then this is a series you need to read! Bok two "Darkest Kiss" is scheduled for a June 2008 release.