Sara's Review: Ruby Shadows (Born to Darkness #3) by Evangeline Anderson
Reviewer Purchase Publisher: Self-Published Released: May 29th 2015 Genre: Paranormal, Erotica Length: 424 pages Format: Ebook, Audio Add to Goodreads Buy Links
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Nothing is for free when it comes to demons…a fact that Gwendolyn LaRoux finds out the hard way when she summons Laish, a minor demon from the Shadow Lands to help her cook up a little black magic. Unfortunately black magic has a way of growing and soon Gwendolyn finds herself drowning in darkness. Still, she’s determined to clean up her own mess. But when a creature from the Abyss enters our world and threatens her beloved grandmother, Gwendolyn has to admit she needs help—which means summoning the infuriating Laish, even though she swore never to call on him again.
Answering Gwendolyn’s incantations in a moment of boredom was a mistake for a demon who keeps what little heart he has left under lock and key. Laish immediately fell for the Creole beauty with jade green eyes and creamy, café au lait skin and now he’s determined to have her—no matter what the cost. And thanks to Gwendolyn’s sticky dilemma, the price just went up.
When it turns out that the intrepid witch must travel through the Shadow Lands and close the door she left open to the Pit, she knows at once she can’t make the dangerous journey on her own. Of course Laish is more than willing to act as her escort and bodyguard…
for a not-so-small fee. Gwendolyn doesn’t want to use her body as a bargaining chip but the lustful demon will accept no other form of currency. And since her grandmother’s life is at stake, she has no choice. Little by little she must give in to his demands. As Gwendolyn and Laish travel further and further into the interior of Hell, will he be able to keep her safe? And will she be able to keep her innocence? Or with they lose themselves and each other among the… Ruby Shadows? Three Boundless Stars
I purchased the Audible version of Ruby Shadows, after getting a brief glimpse of Gwen and Laish’s story at the end of Scarlet Heat. I was really looking forward to it. A witch and a gorgeous demon... yummy!
Unfortunately, I was left disappointed, again. I am not sure what it is with this series, but Gwen is the second female lead I couldn’t stand. I didn’t hate her as much as Addison, from Crimson Debt, but I didn’t like her AT ALL!
I will say that Mackenzie Cartwright and Jeremy York did a brilliantly fantastic job bringing the story to life. However, I am not sure if I liked the way the dialog was read. I think I would have enjoyed it more if Mackenzie took all the female roles, and Jeremy took all the male roles, instead of narrating based on the POV of the chapter.
I am not sure why Evangeline heroines are always so sexually naïve, and thrown with males they are reluctant to be with. This story reminded me very much of her “Brides of Kindred Series.” In that, the males are gung-ho and the females are hesitant, but eventually coaxed into every sexual situation, culminating in sex almost towards the end of the book.
In Ruby Shadows, Gwen has to venture to hell to close a door to the abyss she left open in book two, Scarlet Heat. Laish, a demon, volunteers to guide her and protect her on her journey. The reason why I can’t stand Gwen is; Laish is incredibly sweet and caring and willing to help her, however, Gwen is nothing but an obnoxious bitch to him. She treats Laish like his is a piece of filth, I can’t stand it. It’s so obvious that he cares for her greatly, but she has got her head so far up her own ass, she can’t see it.
Even when she starts to realize all the things he has done, and is doing for her, she still doesn’t treat him the way she should. Gwen is also clueless and naïve; she is in Hell, yet she is acting like she is walking through regular streets. Her constant defiance and distrust in Laish keeps getting her into trouble. Thus, forcing Laish to repeatedly have to save her. I just want to slap her! If I had not paid so much for the Audiobook, I would have stopped halfway through, due to my complete disgust with her!
Gwen somewhat redeems herself towards the end and the book improved. But it's hard for me to love the book when I can’t stand the female lead. Due to this, I give Ruby Shadows a 3. It was good, but not my favorite from Evangeline.