into the dark

The Nymph King
by Gena Showalter
HQN Books

I've taken a cue from some of my friends ::coughJacicough:: and have begun shamelessly begging ARCs of books I just can't wait until release day to read. This one, Gena Showalter's THE NYMPH KING, was my latest score. Lucky for all of you, it's out now and you don't have to resort to begging in order to read it!

TNK is third in the Atlantis series, and while I read and loved Heart of The Dragon (Book 1), I somehow missed the second title, Jewel of Atlantis--which was, I think, Gena's 100th release. Yes, she's prolific, funny, beautiful, and she writes like a house on fire. If she wasn't so nice, I might have to hate her. You're always assured of a good time with one of Gena's books, and with The Nymph King, she pulls out all the stops.

This book is a vivid, delicious fantasy that starts on the very first page, where we meet the sexy nymph king himself. Valerian is a swaggering, sensual alpha male who's used to having everything he wants with nary a curl of his perfect finger. He's gorgeous, fearless, devastatingly carnal . . . and bored. Enter Shaye Holling.

Queen of the cynics, Shaye is not about to get all wobbly kneed over some stunning Adonis who comes traipsing out of the Florida surf with a cadre of similarly gorgeous warriors. And she's really pissed off when she and several other women are captured like prizes and brought into an underwater realm from out of a fairy tale. Things only get worse when Valerian decides he wants Shaye--wants her, as in, forever. She defies him, challenges him, and basically tries to drive him away even though she also wants him terribly--something she fears because in her experience caring only causes pain.

Favorite Line(s) from The Nymph King:

“You are stubborn,” he said. “And you want to be cold.”
She raised her chin. “I assure you, I am cold. I’m a bitch.”
“Given time,” he added smoothly, “I will heat you. I will make you burn.”

And did he ever! :) Gena's vision of Atlantis is a feast for the senses, with glittering architecture, sumptuous palaces, lush living quarters, and a menagerie of fantastical creatures that enhance the awe and wonderment of the mythical setting. I was totally enchanted!

You can read an excerpt of the book at Gena's website, and find links for purchasing online. Up next in the series is Layel, the king of the vampires. Oh, yeah. I am SO there on that book!

Have you already read The Nymph King? Tell me what you think!

Posted by Lara Adrian on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 at 8:47 AM | Permalink