Book Review and Arc Giveaway: Demons Like it Hot

This author writes fun characters and crazy plots.

Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed)

by Sidney Ayers

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (December 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402251777
• ISBN-13: 978-1402251771

      Genre:  Paranormal Romance
      My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Series: Demons Unleashed | Publication Date: December 1, 2011
Serah SanGermano runs a successful catering company in a Midwestern town. After she inadvertently helped her friend unleash a legion of demons, she's been trying to hide her own newly discovered powers. Matthias Ambrose, a mysterious demon mercenary sent to protect her, has his own secret- one that will embroil them both in the scandal from hell.

Review: This is a fun story but I think it could have been better.
Serah recently helped her best friend, Lucy, unleash a chestful (plus) of demons (book 1, Demons Prefer Blondes).  During that crisis Serah learned she has some powers she is intent on keeping secret.  She is able to smell evil demons and if her emotions get too intense she can effect things around her even by accident.  The truth is that Serah has even more secrets in her family past and in her own identity that she has yet to learn.

Matthias met Serah during Lucy’s adventure but wiped her memory clean of that previous encounter. Now he has been assigned to protect her as she is a pure blood who could  save the world.  Matthias has tragedy in his past and doesn’t think he would be worthy of someone like Serah. That doesn’t stop him from wanting her.

Serah may not remember their previous kiss but she knows that being around Matthias has a serious effect on her libido. She doesn’t recognize her own beauty and is sure that this hunky bodyguard would never be interested in her.  Right now she is concentrating on her cooking talents and getting ready to be filmed on the reality show, American Chef.

The first third of the book seemed to bounce back and forth between insecurities and fantasies of the hero and heroine as they ogled each other but tried to keep their distance.  I was at a point of “Enough already!  Please get on with the story!”  Finally the author moved into the substance of the plot with the added character element of the American Chef moderator, Daniel, which created some jealousy issues. The plot thickens as it is discovered who the real power behind the show is, Matthias’ history is revealed and there is plenty of action with a battle plan to defeat the threat of the evil demons.

I felt there was too much focus and time spent on the characters’ repressed desires. I had some unresolved questions (like where Serah got her money that she keep spending so easily) and some confusion regarding Serah’s lineage and just how she was to serve to save the world. I think some of this got lost in the effort to make the story sexually interesting which in my opinion was dragged out too long in the early part of the book so it may have distracted me from the plot.  I think a good 50 pages of repetitive feelings could have been cut and would have improved the story. There is craziness and fun in the characters and the plot.  Once I got to the action part of the story it was much more engaging.

I would recommend that you read the first book so you will understand the backstory of the characters otherwise you may feel confused.  If you like the sexual tension and anticipation you may enjoy this story more than I did. As I noted, there is fun in the characters and dialogue and if you press through the beginning the story does become engaging.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there.  This is required for entry.

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(Four total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 30, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 31. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.