Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night [Mass Market Paperback]

He lost his mate over 180yrs ago. The depressed Lykae, Bowen MacReive, enters the Talisman's Hie (similar to the amazing race) determined to win the prize. A key which will allow him to go back in time and save his mate from her certain death. Meanwhile, there are other players just as determined. A beautiful witch, Mariketa the Awaited, is desperate to prove herself and her powers to the House of Witches by garnering the prize. Bowen's and Mariketa's attraction is immediate, but to him it is unwelcome (he despises witches). He mustn't lose his focus even if his mind is telling him one thing and his heart and senses are telling him another. Mariketa is sick of being on the B -team (always second choice). No Lykae is going to mess with this witch and then dump her when he gets back his 'real' mate. Oh no! He's got another thing coming. She's not supposed to be the most powerful witch for nothing.

This is the third in the series (OK technically the fourth if you count the anthology) and my favorite so far. If you haven't read the other two then STOP RIGHT NOW! Your doing yourself a serious injustice by not reading them. Although they are stand alone books, your missing out -a lot- if you don't read them first. 'No Rest For The Wicked' (the prequel to Wicked Deeds) is particularly important in that it centers around the same race (Talisman's Hie). Which will give you a better understanding of the race and its characters (and Sebastian is yummy too ;)).

That being said, if you loved the other books then you'll love this one. Your in for a great ride (literally). The characterizations are wonderful and rich. The H/H chemistry is sizzling. A fast paced paranormal that grabs you from the get go. There are many surprises! Cole's really got a knack for keeping her readers on their toes! I must have said OMG! at least a half a dozen times. But my lips are sealed! No spoilers here.

Another great book from a wonderful series.

What a delightful wonderful read. I loved it, we have a werewolf who thinks he has lost his only mate, find that there is a witch who pushes all his buttons and if she is his mate what does that say about the princess who died 200 yrs ago.

Kresley Cole has to be one of my favorite new writers, her myth based stories are wonderful and I have waited for this one since her last one was released. Bowen is the werewolf from NO REST FOR THE WICKED, who was on the Hie to get the key of Thane, which turned back time. He wanted to save his mate who died two centuries ago.

Mari is a witch, she is called the Long Awaited. She is very powerful but cannot control her power. She is still mortal and can die so it is very dangerous to her to go on the Hie, but she feels she needs to assert herself.

When the two come togather there are fireworks, anger, rage, and passion. Bowen finds himself compelled to desire her and has to decide if she is his mate or if his mate was lost yrs ago. Mari finds him very desireable and she has gotten tired of everyone she loves leaving her. First her father and then her mother, now she might loose the one man she has come to need.

I love the adventure, the romance, and the fantasy in these books. It is a journey of joy to spend the time reading them. Do not miss this book or any of the others in the series. All are complete in themselves and the wonder and delight are indescribleable. I love these stories.

The Immortals After Dark Series:

A Hunger Like No Other

No Rest for the Wicked

Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night

"A Hunger Like No Other" is one of my personal top 5 favorite books, which makes it a tough act to follow. (I've read hundreds.) "No Rest" was really good, but I liked "Wicked Deeds" almost as much as "A Hunger". This book, like the first two, sweeps you up into a world of magic and super sexy paranormal species. The entire story is an adventure. No slow points, no annoying dialogue, and no weak characters.

Bowen is a member of the Lycae werewolf clan. For 180 years, he has been in mourning for his dead mate. Worse than the loneliness is the guilt he carries over how she died. When she watched him change in the moonlight, Mariah of the fae was terrified. Running away in her fear, she fell over a ledge and was impaled. Bowen has lived as an empty shell ever since. A Lycae can have only one mate in his lifetime, and a male can only make children with his mate. Any dreams of having a family died with Mariah.

Every 250 years, members of every species are invited to participate in the "Talisman's Hie", a scavenger hunt that only the most powerful and ruthless beings can play to the finish. The prize for this hunt is a magic key that grants it's holder the ability to time travel twice. If Bowen can win the key, he can go back and save his mate. However, he has several competitors who want the key for themselves. One is a young witch named Mariketa.

Mariketa is prophesied to be one of the "Queens" of witchcraft. At only 23 years of age, she has not yet mastered her powers. While her species waits to see how her powers unfold, Mari wants to prove that she is worth their wait. Winning the Hie is the perfect opportunity. She is holding her own in the hunt until Bowen traps her in a cave. Believing her to be a powerful witch, Bowen is sure Mari will soon free herself. Trapping her will only give him a head-start to the next round. As he drops a boulder over the cave's only exit, Mari throws one of her few successful spells at him. Bowen doesn't realize that he has trapped her for weeks with 6 undead incubi.

At the end of the Hie, Bowen is one of the last two competitors. He is devastated when he loses at the last second. For the past weeks, his body has been unable to heal itself. He is sure the witch put a spell on him. His body has literally fallen apart. Being immortal, his injuries can't kill him. But they have weakened him to the point that he cannot win the final round. When he gets his hands on the witch, he'll destroy her for stealing his chance to save his mate. But first he must force her to remove the spell.

Bowen is shocked to learn that Mari never escaped the cave. Something is making him desperate to save her. His need to rescue her is as keen as that of a mate. He is certain the witch enchanted him. Having already lost his mate, he knows Mari can't be the one and only chosen for him. When he finds himself desperate to free her, Bowen begins to believe she must be his mate reincarnated. After she has suffered torture at the hands of the incubi, he faces his greatest challenge in convincing her to forgive him and give him a chance to win her. While escorting her back to civilization, Bowen will hunt for her, care for her, and keep her safe from the elements. He'll do whatever it takes to impress her and make her happy. Believing he has his mate back, Bowen could not bare to lose her again. When they discover that an evil sorceress is attempting to kill Mari and steal her powers, Bowen feels utterly useless. Such evil magic is the one thing his strength cannot defeat.

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