The Demon King and I

Ok, so I was reading reviews about the 2nd book in this series. It caught my attention and then I realized it was the 2nd book. So in order to be able to read #2, I had to go through #1. I didn't have high expectations. I was kind of imagining Paris and Nicki Hilton as demon hunters. So you can imagine my hesitation. I was pleasantly surprised. The characters were very well developed and not snotty and vapid in the least. They did have a couple girly things about them, like their love of clothes but the main character in this one, Gilly, was a very mature woman. She was a lawyer and art dealer. Some of the lines in the end between her and Arath were a bit cheesy, but overall this has been one of my favorite books in a while. This is definitely one that I will return to the library and then purchase. So, in conclusion, don't be put off by some of the book jacket comments, and the cover - it really isn't Paris Hilton with a sword. And thank GOD for that!

Gillian Caruthers has it all, fame, fortune, beauty, and any man she wants. During the day, she's a high powered lawyer who owns several art galleries through the world. But, she has a little secret. She and her sisters are Guardians. They protect the earth from other dimensions. Gillian's specialty is keeping the world safe from the demons. When she is summoned to meet the new demon king, Arath, she does not expect to find a man that is easy on the eyes. However, she has little time to explore that attraction because the universe goes crazy as darkness tries to take over the world. Gillian and her sisters must track down the source of darkness and stop it before its too late. I have to say, Candace Havens has done it again. Her books just get better and better. She has a new series with the Caruthers sisters. I love reading about the celeb lifestyle that they read and I was never a person to really care about celebrities. But Gillian is just fun. She's made to sound almost like a Paris Hilton, but through the book, the reader gets to know the real Gillian and is offered insight into who she really is. Arath is also an intriguing character. I would have loved to have learned more about him, but Ms. Havens only provides brief glimpses of him, just enough to tease the reader. I have to give this book 5 tombstones. I think that it is a great read and I know I had trouble putting it down. Ms. Havens offers a tantalizing glimpse into the glitz and glamour of living a high profile lifestyle that makes the reader feel as if they are right there next to the main character and meeting these intriguing people. If you have not picked up one of her books yet, I highly recommend The Demon King and I. It is a excellent book and you will be unable to walk away from it. Reviewed at Bitten by Books Paranormal Fiction Review Site by Virginia

Candace Havens has done it again! This is a fast, fun read that will keep you turning the pages long after your bedtime. Run don't walk to get this fab book!

The four Caruthers sisters knew from birth that they were special Guardian Keys protecting humanity from select paranormal killers. Each of the siblings is a specialist with a unique power to fight a specific horde. Gillian, owner of a Sao Paulo, Brazil art gallery and the CEO of the family owned Texas based Caruthers Corporation, caught her boyfriend in bed with one of her art gallery managers. Her talent being super strength she broke the sink. Her super strength comes in mighty handy when Gillian works her other job, the Assassin of dimension hopping demons. So even she is taken back when Arath, the new king of the demons, asks for a truce so they can team up to battle an unknown third force killing human and demon without regard. Even more shocking to the Guardian is her attraction to her temporary ally The first of a new romantic urban fantasy is a piece of haven for sub-genre fans. The lead couple is a delightful pairing of beloved enemies fighting against a sly sinister unknown force killing both sides. The story line is fast-paced from the moment that Gillian kicks the butt of her sink and never slows down until the final confrontation; in between are several super twists. Readers will be whistling a happy tune with this superb paranormal romance. Harriet Klausner

The Caruthers Sisters are the Guardians who protect Earth from the creatures of various other worlds who would do harm to humankind. It is their job to keep demons, dragons, Fey, and more on their side of the portals used to travel between those worlds. Or at least, keep them off of Earth. Gillian Caruthers is known to the world as a lawyer and high-powered business woman, a jet-setting arts dealer and celebrity in her own right. What the world doesn't know is that she is the Guardian who stands between the Demon realm and mankind. When demon butt needs to be kicked it is her responsibility. Then a new demon king comes to town. Arath isn't anything like his predecessors - in fact he looks disturbingly like the most exciting man Gillian has ever lain eyes on. But it could never work between a Demon King and a Demon Slayer, could it? They'll have plenty of time to explore that possibility while trying to ferret out the mysterious threat that brings danger and death to both their worlds, not to mention the people Gillian cares most for. When I saw the blurb for THE DEMON KING AND I by Candace Havens, I knew I had to read this book. Something about it just struck a chord about me. Maybe it resonated with me somewhat because of my love for the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV series and its similarity to that show. Having now read the story, I can say that comparing it to "Buffy" is a more than fair comparison - but only a comparison. While Gillian and her sisters share some qualities with that legendary heroine, this is very much a different world and they are very different characters. Of course, when you have any kick-butt female slayer there will always be some comparison to Buffy. Although this is a paranormal romance complete with the requisite demons, mages, and similar creatures, what makes the world a mite surreal (in a good way) is the way it is set in a contemporary world, lending it a normalcy that makes the paranormal bits even easier to believe, even if just for the story's duration. The story is told in first person, completely from Gillian's perspective, so we get to know this character intimately. We experience her pain, her longings, her dreams, her nightmares and more. We see her hero, Arath, through her eyes, and that isn't a bad thing at all. Truly, both Gillian and the reader would be hard pressed to find any fault with the Demon King. Bold, decisive, strong, caring, and even a little nurturing, he is everything a leader and a hero should be. I know I would fall for him in a heartbeat, so it never surprised me that the demon slayer would also. I have to say that I am hooked on this new series. Having enjoyed every minute of THE DEMON KING AND I, this reviewer is very much looking forward to the next CARUTHERS SISTERS story! **Courtesy of Wild on Books**