Surviving Demon Island

Demon Hunters #1

by Jaci Burton

What’s America’s top female action star doing on a tropical island shrouded in secrecy? To Gina Bliss, competing in a survival-type reality show is a nice change from fending off on-screen villains. Until she meets real-life action hero Derek Marks. A survival specialist in a tight black T and sexy stubble, he’s arousing every bad-boy fantasy she’s ever had . . . and testing her survival skills to the max.

Martial arts, jungle warfare—Derek’s done it all. But his latest mission is more dangerous than a stick of dynamite. Try telling that to the sexy, adrenaline-pumped actress who’s got his libido racing off the charts. As the heat rises between them and real-life violence erupts, suddenly Derek and Gina are on the run . . . and when they uncover a secret so explosive it could blow the lid off their so-called reality show, these two unlikely heroes are about to discover what surviving’s really about. . . .

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Ebooks

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 26, 2006

About the author

Jaci Burton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of over 85 books. She lives in Oklahoma and when she isn’t on deadline (which is often), she can usually be found wrestling with her uncooperative garden, wrangling her dogs, watching an unhealthy amount of television, or completely losing track of time reading a great book. She’s a total romantic and longs for the happily ever after in every story, which you’ll find in all her books.. Visit her website at www.jaciburton.com for excerpts, book information and contests.

Reviews

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars – Paranormal Romance

A unique premise, a sexy-as-sin alpha military hero, a kick-ass Angelina Jolie-esque action heroine, nasty demons, a tropical island location, and lots of smokin’ hot sex...good times! Jaci Burton pens some panty-dropping-hot alpha heroes and writes some seriously steamy sex scenes, and this one is no exception. For some reason though, it started out a little slow for me, and I got a bit bored (or maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood at first). Fortunately, things started picking up about half-way through and both the action and sex heated up rather nicely, and I’m glad that I stuck with it. It was entertaining and hot enough to keep my interest in reading the rest of the Demon Hunters series. 4 stars!

I laughed my ass off at this internal thought/quote (on page 237) by Derek after he opens up too much to Gina in bed: “Whoa. Derek couldn’t believe he’d just said that. Why not just purr for her and complete the utter pussy transformation?”

[Miss Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a few years ago, and remember thinking “wow” that was really cool. It was my first paranormal romance, and I’d never read anything like it. Since then I’ve read several, and while this one is good, and I’m looking forward to the next two, it didn’t seem as awesome to me the second time around. It is hard, but I try not to compare all PR to Sherilyn Kenyon…my personal PR queen. LOL.

The premise of this story is neat, and I’ve never come across it before. A group of people, including a famous action actress, Gina, are all invited to an island to participate in a reality show. They have fight and kill “demons”, gaining points, etc. However after a few days, they realize that is all just a hoax to get them there. There ARE real demons threatening humanity, and they’ve been chosen by their special abilities.

Gina falls for one of the other Hunters, Derek. Ahhh Darek. Dark brooding, sexy, man. Oh—excuse me—where was I? Derek is not what he appears to be either. There is a cool twist at the end, that I didn’t see coming.

There is a lot of hot and detailed sex, in this one.

I don’t want to give anything way. I just want you to read it!

[Ann (Noumena12) · Rating 4 out of 5]

About half way through the book I had decided that I would finish this one but I wasn't going to read the next in the series. I picked up #2, Hunting the Demon, immediately and upon completing it went straight to #3, The Darkest Touch.

[Blodeuedd Finland]

Blah blah blah
Blah blah Blah
me kick ass woman
Blah Blah Blah

Called it quits at 70

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of a new series that began I believe in 2007. It was touted as a "fabulous read" and "Over the top"...well, it was indeed excellent as a story and I was very happy with the placement and how the intimacy played into the story, what I wasn't real happy about was the lack of character development on all fronts. I was introduced to our hero and he was surrounded by a proverbial "brick-wall" and the reasons behind his getting together with the heroine were relagated to some mysterious "je ne sais que" sorry, that type of "break through" is getting cliche. Come on, have her save his ass or something, anything! I'm tired of reading how these wounded alpha's are shedding their protective barriers for no reason other than they can't help it...I want a fight, I want the hero to hang on to his shield and fight letting it go...he's an alpha, come on!
Anyway, other than that...I highly recommend the storyline. I'm looking forward to the next one - it is on my list to read. I gave this one a four but really I'd give it a three and a half stars.

[Joanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, so this wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Not that it was great, but it was okay. The premise is a group of people are brought to an island to compete in a Survivor type show where they have to kill "demons." After a few days they realize that the "demons" are real and that there is no reality show but that they have a similar connection.

As ridiculous as the premise is it's made even more ridiculous by the fact that all the characters have no trouble accepting the fact that there are real demons and they all willingly agree to leave their lives behind to become full time demon hunters. On top of that the main characters keep stopping between demon battles to have sex. I give the author credit though, at least she had an original story line going on in between sex scenes.

[Nonieღserenity2bliss · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story leaves me confused and annoyed yet I'm looking forward to the next one...
I have to say that I don't like the writer's style of writing. It lacks the maturity and seamless flow that I found and loved in other writers. And it shows in the lack of depth of the leading characters. I find them lacking in emotional maturity and their characters were poorly developed, which made their relationship unconvincing.

[May Mostly Romance · Rating 2 out of 5]

หนังสือที่ชื่อเรื่องเหมือนหนังสือแนวโหด แต่ดันเป็นโรแมนซ์เล่มนี้มาจากเรื่อง Surviving Demon Island ของเจซี เบอร์ตัน นักเขียนของอีลอร่าอีกคนที่ได้ดีถูกสำนักพิมพ์หญ่ายจับเอาไปพิมพ์

แม็กซ์สนใจเรื่องนี้ตั้งแต่แรกที่ได้ข่าวคราวเมื่อเกือบสองปีก่อน ที่มีสำนักพิมพ์หลายแห่งพากันให้ความสนใจกับเรื่องนี้ถึงขนาดเกิดสงครามราคา เพื่อแย่งลิขสิทธิ์ของเรื่องนี้ คนที่รวยไปก็คือคนเขียน เพราะราคาคงพุ่งกันไปสูง และสุดท้ายก็คือแรนดอมเฮ้าท์ที่ได้ไป

แม็กซ์น่าจะจำได้จากประสบการณ์นะว่า ครั้งสุดท้ายที่แม็กซ์จำได้ถึงสงครามราคาเพื่อแย่งชิงลิขสิทธิ์โรแมนซ์ก็คือ เรื่อง Once a pirate ของซูซาน แกนต์ ที่หลายคนคงได้อ่านในฉบับแปลไป แล้วคงยังส่ายหัวโยกหัวคลอนตามสไตล์แฟนเพลงร็อคด้วยความเสียดายเงินไม่ หายอยู่

เรื่องนี้ไม่ได้เลวร้ายขนาดนั้นหรอกนะคะ เพียงแต่มันควรจะดีกว่านั้นได้ต่างหาก

หนังสือชุดแนวพารานอมอลยอดฮิต (โดยเฉพาะของนักเขียนอีลอร่าที่ขึ้นมาเขียนให้สำนักพิมพ์นิวยอร์ค) เป็นสูตรสำเร็จที่เจซีใช้ เรื่องราวของดาราสาวที่ถนัดเล่นหนังบู๊ชื่อดังที่ได้รับคำเชิญให้ไปเข้าร่วม เล่นรายการเรียลลิตี้ที่มีเนื้อหาคล้ายคลึงกับรายการเซอร์ไวเวอร์ โดยให้ใช้ชีวิตบนเกาะ และมีภารกิจในการปราบปีศาจ (ที่คิดกันว่าเป็นของปลอม)

ความจริงก็คือ ปีศาจมีจริงในโลก และรายการที่เชิญเธอไปร่วมแข่งขันนั้น แท้จริงแล้วเป็นองค์กรพิทักษ์โลก (ที่ถ้าดูจากหนังสือแล้ว คิดว่ามีเป็นพันองค์กร) ที่เรียกตัวนางเอกและผองเพื่อนมาเพื่อทดสอบฝีมือการต่อสู้ว่าจะไหวไหมในการ ใช้ชีวิตเป็นนักล่าปีศาจ

พระเอกของเราก็เป็นหนึ่งในมือล่าปีศาจตัวเก่งขององค์กร และตามสไตล์หนังสือยุคใหม่ที่เมื่อพระเอกนางเอกเจอกัน อาการปากว่ามือถึงก็เกิดขึ้นในทันใด ดีกรีความร้อนแรงในเรื่องนี้ไม่เป็นรองเรื่องไหน แม้จะสู้หนังสือของอีลอร่าที่เจซีเคยเขียนไม่ได้ก็ตาม

ทั้งพระเอกและนางเอกล้วนแต่เคยสูญเสียบุคคลอันเป็นที่รักให้แก่ปีศาจ พระเอกเสียน้องชายไปในคืนนึงเมื่อปีศาจลักพาตัวไป ส่วนนางเอกก็เสียมารดาที่ถูกปีศาจพาตัวไปใช้ทำเป็นแม่พันธุ์ในการผลิตปีศาจ น้อย ๆ แต่ไม่น่ารักออกมารังควาญชาวโลก (ที่ไม่ใช่ควาย แต่เป็นคนค่ะ)

คำจำกัดความของเรื่องนี้ก็คือ ฉากบู๊และเซ็กส์ เพราะมีอยู่สองอย่างจริงจริง ถ้าพระเอกนางเอกไปออกไปสู้กะปีศาจ ก็จะ... นะ คงนึกกันออก เรื่องมันมีเท่านี้จริงนะ อ่านไปสักพักก็เลยเบื่ออ่ะ ขนาดฉากเซ็กส์ยังเปิดไปข้ามไปเลย

Too much sex is not good for the heart na ka

ตอนใกล้จบก็เผยเรื่องมาอีกนิดนึงว่าน้องชายพระเอกน่าจะยังมีชีวิตอยู่ แล้วพออ่านต่อบทนำเล่มหน้าที่เขาเอามาโฆษณาก็เลยเจอว่ามีชีวิตอยู่จริง และดูท่าจะน่าสนใจกว่าพี่ชาย

โดยรวมก็คงติดตามอ่านต่อไปล่ะค่ะ เพราะไม่ได้เลวร้ายอะไร เพียงแต่มันไม่หนุกเหมือนอย่างที่คิดไว้เท่านั้นเอง

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books where I can't really decide if I liked it or not. Around half way through, it sort of jumped the shark for me.

This book has an interesting premise to start. You basically immediately know that things are not what they seem. That makes for a quick link to the story and read once you get started.

The reality show angle was a different one, which is what hooked me into reading it initially. You are introduced to a number of characters by mostly name only, which gets a little confusing in keeping people differentiated. They weren't throw away characters, so it remains a bit unclear as to why they were introduced the way they were; although, it was clear to understand why there was a need for so many of them. You do learn a bit more about the "new" hunters versus the old hunters, but all of the characters except for the main three are pretty one dimensional.

The action was fine throughout. It was nice that it wasn't totally one-sided. However, the "reveal" of one of the main characters is where the story jumped the shark for me. I saw it coming, and I was hoping I was going to be wrong. Then, throwing in the "why" for the relationship just made it worse. It just undermines the whole light versus dark scenario they have going on through much of the book. Does it totally destroy the story? Probably not for most readers. For me, I found it annoying, especially as it really appears to have been more of a gimmick in order to continue the story into a series rather than having a really strong singular book.

Overall...it was a quick read, but just an okay one.

[Al · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off, this is NOT a Paranormal Romance like it was touted to be. Although "technically" demons made a brief cameo, this book is just a formulaic romance. There is very minimum world building and almost no actual paranormal. This would be like an author mentioning the girl lives in a castle and wears a medieval dress and calling it historical romance. The so called demons could have been anything (a gang, terrorists, a barbershop quartet) and the story would have been exactly the same.

Also for a kick ass, take names sort of hero, this hero is pretty much a wuss. You go into this book thinking Lara Croft and you get Olive Oyl.

So please do not let the PNR tag make you think you will be reading a PNR, this is Harlequin Romance in all but name. As a Harlequin Romance it was exactly what you would expect it to be (short and heavy on the sexy stuff).

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this story. It is different from many other fantasy stories I have read. Good strong hero and heroine. Great plot, lots of action, humor, and very sexy hot scenes.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little corny for the seriousness of the story.

[Paschalis]

elibrary

[Athena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m more of a harlequin girl and a better built world. Fun though and light. A bit ridiculous though

[Megan]

DNF’d at about 70%

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Setting: Demon Island: great bungalows; jungle paradise; demon strong hold; yacht; movie set;

Theme: pain in youth; growing strong; evil vs good; love; acceptance;

Characters:
Gina Bliss (stage name, never get given name): action movie actress; fighter, warrior; competitive; as child, woke up one night and mother gone… cut herself off from feelings and poured herself into fantasy of movie making once 18 years old; does own stunts – very physically fit and into martial arts; intrigued by reality show, and agrees to participate;

Louis: Keeper of the Realm of Light: from time of Christ; one of 12 with special powers to defeat demons; lost wife and children to demons; big heart; can sense the demons, and direct the team;

Olivia (San Francisco) / Ryder (Texas) / Jake (New York) / Shay (Georgia) / Trace (Australian):
Others like Gina – lost loved ones to demons, into physical activities (one into tech and lazers), invited to be contestants;

Derek Marks: brother taken by demons when they were children but no one believed what he saw; mother took him on the run, and eventually he took responsibility of caring for her; joined navy; on leave accidently saw Louis and team chasing demons… and he signed on… actually half demon – son of one of the Lords; tough;

Dalton / Linc / Mandy / Rafe / Punk / Rico: part of Louis’ team, to test the new possible recruits;

Master – one of the Sons of Darkness aka Ben: Derek’s demon father; laying trap for Derek, and to use Gina, his mate; confident he will not turn his back on the power he’d have as a demon, and what he can give him.

Nic : Derek’s brother; apparently in Australia; the Master told Derek he is so like him, and so not… hmmm

Summary:
Demons have taken much from the Keepers, and need more warriors; invited those with strength and touched by demon’s evil to test on island – with plans at end of dismissing the too weak, to never know the truth, and then explaining truth to those that have what it takes – offering them release and memory wipe if they don’t want to join… or further training if they do…

But on 2nd night out, real demons attack – taking two of the seasoned warriors; and all but Gina commit to fight.. and Gina defers decision; along the way we learn the mythology of this story… and Gina and Derek cannot resist one another – both on a physical level, as well as a cautious, one step forward, one step back, emotional level… but both figure out they love, in spite of their best defenses not to;

After a few nights, they take Gina underground… Derek, whose senses have been changing, follows… finds out truth of demon half – starts to change to demon, and Gina’s gentle touch and words bring him back… the rest track and join them… they fight the demons… and together Gina and Derek kill Ben/Master – while he is choking Derek, Gina takes a sword against the wall (blessed and taken from Louis when his family killed) and decapitates him.

Derek, not ever wanting his demon half to rule and change him thinks he must kill himself in the explosion of these caves/portals that he is setting… Gina reluctantly walks away… but finds a fax saying Nic in Australia… and convinces Derek he must track him down, and find out if there is a way to control the demon…

And she fully trusts Derek, and loves him… and does not fear the demon side, that makes him more powerful… ahhh

[Hey Hey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay the more I think about this book the better it gets. It was a strange concept for a book. Although it was a super fast and easy read for 336 pages of demon hunting.

It's story line has a sexy alpha, kickass movie star, nasty demons, realm of light, and paradise. Oh can't forget the steamy mating sex.

Gina Bliss. Broken. Kickass. Demon hunter in training.
Gina's mom is taken while Gina slept when she was 8 years old. Since then she has not allowed anyone close to her. She has her movie career doing action flicks that she does her own stunt work for. When she is approached about a survival reality series she's instantly on board. What Lou and Derek didn't tell the contestants was they were actually bing recruited into daemon hunters. That each of the players had a mom stolen from them by the demons. After a surprise attack from the demons they have no choice to explain to the players and let them choose to stay or go.

Derek Marks. Broken. Kickass. Alpha. Demon hunter. 1/2 demon.
Derek has been fighting the demon war for a long time. He needs the best recruits he can get in order to keep the demons away. Derek and Gina have a instant attraction that is very animalistic. When Gina is taken by the demons to their underground lair Derek goes in after her. Only to find that his father who has been MIA since before Derek's brother Nic was taken by e demons is one of the 12 demon lords. He wants his son to take his place in the underworld. He can keep Gina but must turn her into a demon.

Derek fights the demon that is so very close to the surface. He is not going to give in. Gina takes his fathers head. And then Derek decides he is going to destroy himself so that he isn't loose. Gina finds a fax about Nic and talks Derek into searching for him in Australia.

I'll read the next in the series. It's Nic's story.

[PepperP0t · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5stars actually

A very different story that at first seems to be taking off the current spate of reality shows. Then things move from the realm of imagination to actual reality and Hollywood's top female action star Gina Bliss finds herself right in the middle of not only a demon hunt but falling for actual action hero, Derek Marks.

The unusual premise is fun and I liked the other reality show candidates as they established their personalities rather quickly and the chemistry between Gina & Derek simmered from their first meeting keeping to the course of paranormal romances.

While not glaring, there were a couple of gaps for me where things weren't clarified sufficiently or ignored (i.e. Gina never said yes and; who gave what excuse for their "real" lives comes to mind). There was a lot of action and it was on target - but the sexual situations seemed contrived and or a filler as if there weren't any words to write. The final action piece seemed a bit pit and conveniently resolved but was enjoyable nonetheless.

It's not great and it's not perfect, but it is fun from start to finish, an unusual premise and is a good origin for a new series. I will definitely try the 2nd book to determine if I want to finish the trilogy.

[CraftyBirdies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the action in this book. It was a fun read and decently sexy! I did put this in erotica-romance instead of my paranormal erotica shelf because although there are demons, the sex itself isn't really paranormal. That is why I thought I wouldn't enjoy this as much but I did. And I liked all the characters, which bodes well for future books in the series with those characters. So although it's not as good as some of the paranormal series out there, it was fun and interesting and a quick read. I already have the second one from the library and I will definitely continue!

[Mindy (Book Snitch) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, pretty cheesy but a good start to a series. Very interesting with the reality show start which turns into real life paranormal demon hunters/life and death situation. I loved Derek and his alpha personality and how he feels compelled to claim Gina. Hes hot, smart, sexy in bed and just full of asskickery. Gina is a beautiful Hollywood action hero who is lured into this so called “reality show” which is a nice vacation from her Hollywood life. She dabbles in martial arts, weapons and does all her own stunts. She aint no punk! The sex is ok, the action is ok and overall it was an ok book. I will continue with the series to see where it goes.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kicks off Burton's Demon Hunters series. Her premise for the underlying story was unexpected and fun blending our current fascination for reality shows with the paranormal. I could wish she would be more consistent in her writing-she develops some scenes while others appear to be quite sparse as though she had to fit the story into so many pages. I'm curious enough to continue on with the series.

[❀ Crystal ✿ - PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a refreshing change from all the typical romances I read and not just because of the paranormal aspect. It was GREAT!!! I expected Sam and Dean (from the TV show Supernatural) to show up at any moment so fight some creatures, but it never happened.
The demon take was very simple and easy to grasp unlike some of the confusing paranormal books that require you to learn about too much. Everything about it was great, from the demon fighting weapons to the kick-ass characters.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of this book. I guess I just don't enjoy reading explicit sexual scenes. If they would have left them out I would have enjoyed them better. I think I'll give Jaci Burton's book a break for a while and get back to mysteries as soon as I finish the Julie Kenner books I'm reading now. (teenage vampires)

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It had a good, strong hero and heroine. There were hot sex scenes. I look forward to the second book in the series. (I hate the cover! It looks like some trashy romance with a sunset and lovers kissing and running on the beach. This was a book about hunting actual demons using kick-ass weapons. The cover should have represented this.)

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This caught my interest because it's different from anything I've read. Demon hunting as part of a reality TV show? K...

It took awhile to get in to but I ended up enjoying it. Lots of action, sexy scenes, a touch of humor. It's one of those books that I actually ended the plot of the story maybe even more than the romance.

[E.v. Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had an interesting concept, a new twist on an old idea. I liked the unexpected elements that came up as I read. Fast paced, with lots of action, the plot was good, but my one complaint was the lack of character development. Not as many love scenes as Jaci Burton fans expect, but if you enjoy paranormal ass-kicking, you will enjoy this book.

[Frances McNeal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book from the beginning and looking forward to picking up the rest of the series. I like how it started as a reality show competition and reminded me of survivor and then turned into a true adventure story. I love Derek and Gina as a couple. Can't wait to read about Nic.

[Dee Haddrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It took awhile to really get going but once it did, it was great! The storyline was good and opened up a whole new world of demons and I look forward to the next one.

Good story, hot sex scenes, nice realistic romance... definitely one I would recommend.

[Stoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I'd read the 2nd and 3rd in this series awhile ago, liked this one better? Almost wish it had been a Hunger Games type plot rather than urban fantasy with demons; would have liked it more than a 3 star. Great sex scenes throughout and kept on plot.

[Amberkatze · Rating 4 out of 5]

www.amberkatze.blogspot.com