When Darkness Comes (2007) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 5 stars

“This is a perfect start for a new series and has become one of my favorite series of Paranormal heroes that lurk in the shadows.

In this book comes the story of sweet and funny Abby and the dark, seductive vampire Dante.

Abby has had a disastrous and abused upbringing and after all this time she still survives on a thin line. But with her job at Selena's she's content and even though everyday she eyes the beautiful man that lives with her boss, she tries to carry on as nothing happens.
When the spirit of the chalice is incorporated in her and she becomes all of a sudden a goddess what is she to do with all that power ...

Dante has been around for centuries and has been chained to the spirit of the chalice.
A dark and attractive man, a vampire, lethal in its kind, Dante has been evil for so long that when he eyes Abby he feels the innocence in her soul and he falls in love.

When the spirit of the chalice is in danger and it passes itself to Abby, Dante will do anything to save and protect Abby, but after all this ends, will their love have a future ...

This book is one of my favorites and this series became one of the best things that I read.
There is a lot of things that I like in this dark universe, and also there is a point that for me glued me to the book, the way that the hole environment is described and written, the pace that the story takes on from the first page, the fantasy elements that surprise you at every corner.
Really, M. Ivy's imagination and her skill to write fabulous story's, is something that I find irresistible to say no to.

Abby and Dante couldn't be better characters to follow on.

Abby is sweet and funny, she is a spit fire heroin, sometimes afraid but able to overcome the difficulties of her journey and the fear she feels. Her pureness of heart is something that I find very beautiful and heartbreaking, even after all she's been through she still believes in what her heart feels and is willing to take a risk at being happy.

Dante would be the perfect vampire, at least for me, I do love vampires, and with all his seduction and good looks, I wouldn't say no to.
But don't get me wrong, he is not shallow, he is intelligent and fierce, a lethal enemy when it's needed but also a warm loving man to Abby, and I have to believe in my heart that even if Abby wouldn't be the receptor of the chalice in the end, he wouldn't leave her.

Now about the story, first the pace. It's a roller coaster from the start, it's fast and full of creatures that live in our shadows, away from our eyes, but right by our side. Demons that try to lead us on, vampires that try to save us, it's a never ending list of things that fill up our imagination.

Second, the magic. The Witches with their spells come to freshen our mind and spill a little suspense and danger to our story.
Being greedy for the ultimate power and wanting to destroy for a belief, is an aspect that is shared by all demons but also by some witches, and all bought together is a package that I just can't say no to.

Overall, this is a great book, a true universe of dark and seductive individuals, that after reading the first book, the only option is to go on to the second one.
At least I am .... again.”

• Rated 3 stars

“I give this a 3.5. I think it's the start of a very good series. I am hoping in her 2nd book some of the writing kinks and slumps will have ironed out. I enjoyed the characters. I didn't enjoy the repeating of actions and phrases. Good book with some kinks in the writing that need ironing out.”

• Rated 5 stars

“I loved WHEN DARKNESS COMES. I loved the characters, the pace, and the ending outcome.

Abby Barlow accidentally takes in the Phoenix, a powerful entity that keeps the Prince, or the darkness suppressed in the world.

Along with Dante, the vampire witches have trapped, forcing him to act as protector to the Chalice (Phoenix) they attempt to find the witches and get them to remove the Phoenix from Abby.

It’s during their search that they find in the other what they’ve found in no one else: love, acceptance, and true passion. It doesn’t take long before they light up the sheets and are protecting the other from all the evil demons who are using the opportunity where Abby still hasn’t learned to control her powers fully to attack.

They battle evil wizards who wish to rise the Dark lord from the ground, they find friendship in Viper who lends his aid, and lastly they battle witches that use to be on their side before power when to their head.

When it’s all said and done, Abby can now spend eternity traveling with her mated partner while keeping the world safe and away from darkness.
”

• Rated 4 stars

“Dante is hot! Love he and Abby's chemistry. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“The first book in this series was actually a re-read for me. I read this book when it came out. I think I liked this book the second time around better. Abby lives with Selena and Dante. When Selena ends up dead and Abby ends up with a very special gift and Dante as a side kick. When Abby finds out that Dante is a vampire she doesn't quite believe it, until a few supernatural things go bump in the night. When Abby finds herself in danger, she finds herself having super powers. Pretty good book.”

• Rated 3 stars

“2.5 stars”

• Rated 3 stars

“Sadly, this is a very weak three stars. It was sooo hard to read this book. It just didn't keep my interest. My attention kept wandering, until there would be an appealing snippet that caught it, and then it would be off again.

Honestly, this is not a bad book. It's just underwhelming to a die-hard paranormal fan who has some favorite series that Bring It. I know that it's First Book Syndrome, because there are some ideas that I like about this series, that will make me keep reading (which is a good thing since I bought the subsequent books). I know some of my friends who have similar tastes enjoy this series, so that makes me hope I will find the next books appeal better.

What I liked:

*I liked Abby a lot. She has had a tough life, and she's very down to earth, adaptable, and strong-minded without being annoying. She has an everyday, regular girl appeal that I liked. She is the type of woman who can take it on the chin and doesn't throw herself into a sobbing heap when things get hairy. I admire her for what she overcame with her abusive father and two parents that were alcoholic. And she didn't stay in denial too long when her life got weird. She saw the evidence and adjusted her worldview accordingly.
*Dante was also likable. He had that sexy old world vampire vibe that I liked a lot. I appreciated that he really cared about Abby and had been half-way in love with her since the book started.
*Viper. Oh my! I really liked him. I can't wait to read his book! I liked that he was Boy Scout prepared. He had a solution to most situations, and that made it fun to see what relics he had to deal with various situations. And I liked his loyalty to Dante. He was a good friend.

What could have been better:

*The worldbuilding felt...unfinished to me. There were some mildly tantalizing elements that made my interest perk, but they teetered off too often. I do think she introduced some interesting characters in the PNR world of this story that make me want to keep reading, so that's a plus.
*Paper Tiger villain. The main villain was lame....He was the type to get others to do his dirty work and he just didn't impress me. I did like that she turned things around and gave a more intense climatic situation. But things still fizzled a bit on that score.
*Although I felt that Abby and Dante had good chemistry, the love scenes didn't really enthrall me. I guess I just have high standards for paranormal. I don't want to compare, but when you read some of the other top series, you do have a benchmark that you expect from books in that genre.


Final Thoughts:


I admit I was disappointed with this one. It was so hard to keep reading at times, but I persevered. At the end, I was glad I finished it, not just because I hate dnf'ing books. At least I got to meet some pretty cool characters like Abby, Dante, and Viper (who is kinda droolicious) But I still have hope that the next books can turn it around. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“Abby Barlow's entire world has changed in just a few hours. She has survived an explosion, watched her employer die, had a mysterious and frightening dream, and just found out that the sexy Dante is actually a vampire charged with protecting the chalice: The human vessel of the Phoenix, a powerful goddess, of which Abby has just become (sorry if my grammar sucks.) Now Abby and Dante must survive the demons and warlocks that would do anything to kill the Phoenix and bring the Prince of Darkness back into the world, while trying to find the witches who can free Abby of the burden of carrying the Phoenix.

I loved this book. The strength of Abby despite all the hardships she has and continues to endure and the power and love of Dante. The story is exciting and I couldn't put the book down (all the times I have read it which is more than once.) However, I have read the second book in the series and didn't like it as much. I hope to read passed the second book and hopefully the series has some other winners.

It's been a hell of a day for Abby Barlow. In just a few hours, she's survived an explosion, watched her employer die, had a startling dream, and now she finds herself in a seedy Chicago hotel with the sexy, unearthly Dante, a man she both desires and fears. For 341 years, Dante has stood as guardian to The Chalice, a mortal woman chosen to hold back the darkness. A terrible twist of fate has now made Abby that woman. Three hours ago, Dante would have used all his charms to seduce her. Now she is his to protect. And he will do so until his very death. A terrifying plan has been set in motion, one that will plunge Dante and Abby into an epic battle between good and evil - and a desperate race to save their love...”

• Rated 1 stars

“Lots of typos in my edition. Written like an 8th grade love-smitten schoolgirl. ”

• Rated 2 stars

“Worst book ever. No character development. Too much cheesy language....."cripes", "holy crap", "Lover". What kind of vampire is this?? More of a bumbling hot guy with fangs. And how many times must we be told that he is beautiful?”