| Title | : | Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night (Immortals After Dark, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1416547037 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781416547037 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Mass Market Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 359 |
| Publication | : | First published September 24, 2007 |
Her breathless kiss haunts him...
Bowen MacRieve of the Lykae clan was nearly destroyed when he lost the one woman meant for him. The ruthless warrior grew even colder, never taking another to his bed—until a smoldering encounter with his enemy, Mariketa the Awaited, reawakens his darkest desires. When sinister forces unite against her, the Highlander finds himself using all his strength and skill to keep her alive.
His slow, hot touch is irresistible...
Temporarily stripped of her powers, Mari is forced to take refuge with her sworn adversary. It's rumored that no one can tempt Bowen's hardened heart, but soon passion burns between them. Though a future together is impossible, she fears he has no intention of letting her go.
No deed is too wicked for her seduction...
If they defeat the evil that surrounds them, can Mari deny Bowen when he demands her body and soul—or will she risk everything for her fierce protector?
Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night (Immortals After Dark, #3) Reviews
-
I am totally addicted to this series! Each book only serves to suck me into this story further. Who knew that crossing supernatural beings would be so hot!
This fourth book in the 'Immortals After Dark' series, tells the story of Bowen and Mari, a werewolf and a powerful witch. From the start, their relationship is contentious. Bowen's family has a long and bitter rivalry with witches.
When Bowen begins to feel an attraction toward Mari, he assumes that she has cast a spell on him. After all, he's spent years suffering after the loss of his "mate" following a tragic accident. Never in all those years had he felt an attraction to another, so he knows that the witch must be up to something.
Believed to be the most powerful witch in her coven, Mari is just beginning to harness her power. She's led a sheltered life and has been abandoned by everyone she ever loved. She can't deny her attraction to the sexy werewolf, but she refuses to be second-best again.
Eventually, Bowen cannot fight his attraction any longer. He has to choose between the love that was, and the love that could be. Once he sets out to win Mari over, he's got his work cut out for him. He'll have to work doubly hard to undo the damage he's already done.
Just when things start to work out for these two, everything gets turned upside down. There were some pretty big twists that I didn't see coming. In my opinion, this book contains the most surprising plot twists in the series, so far.
Overall, I enjoyed every minute of this story. It was fun and sexy, with a great storyline. More and more, I'm beginning to draw connections between all of the characters from the different books.
I listened to the Audible version and the narration was great. Bowen's Scottish accent was sexy as hell! I highly recommend the audiobook. I'll be starting the next one immediately. -
love this book. Bowen MacRieve: was oh so charming and sexy The way he takes care of Mari. I loved him......
Mariketa the Awaited: She was a super powerful witch that can't control her power. She is funny, and sassy and doesn't let Bowen walk on her but she shows her vulnerability as well.
This book was romantic and action pack and it blew my mind..... What they go through and the Plot twist shock the crap out of my I so didn't see that coming>>>>>>>> The Way Bowen talks and the things he says so sexy always talking about her wee hands and wee little witch
The first time the two of them are together Hott until he says the wrong name lol
“Fuckhead:
The name’s MariKETA.
Go to hell,
The WITCH, doing a creepy spell somewhere right now.”
Mari's Dad made me laugh
"This is the male she's been seeing?"
"He can't even dress himself."
"Aren't you a bit old for my daughter?"
I was a great book and I can't wait to read the next in this series!!!!!!!!!!! -
He crossed to her, clasped her upper arms, and pulled her to her feet.
Gazing down at her, his voice breaking low, he said, "Doona bring me back to life only to destroy me once more."
What a f*cking awesome book!
I swear, this series is just getting better and better!!!!
I loved Bowen in the previous books and I couldn't wait for his own, and it didn't disappoint! It's my favorite from this series so far and I don't think that will change <3
And again, I LOVE this narrator <3 The way he did Bowen had me melting <3 <3 <3 <3 -
“I still don’t see why we couldn’t sleep in that cave,” Mari said as MacRieve led her out into the night.
“Because my cave’s better than their cave.”
I’ve read the first 8 installments of the Immortals After Dark series, and so far Bowen and Mariketa’s book is my favorite.
Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night overlaps the final events of the Talisman’s Hie, from Bowen and Mariketa’s perspective. Bowen traps Mariketa and other immortals in a tomb in the jungle of Guatemala, but Mariketa manages to cast a spell on him before he leaves her there.
As you know from No Rest for the Wicked, Bowen . As his injuries are not healing because of Mariketa’s spell, and the House of Witches threatens the whole Lore with a war because of the missing Mariketa, Bowen soon is on his way back to the jungle to free her.
It is a very exciting part of the series. The world of the Lore is revealed in more details: its inhabitants, rules, myths, and relations. The story represents deep emotions, hard choices, incredible twists, destiny, prophecy, magic, passion, adorable characters, and sparkling dialogues.
I loved Bowen and Mariketa’s (not only) verbal archness with each other. Mariketa is fated to Bowen, and he is also unique for her, because he fulfills the prophecy given to Mariketa. He is a catalyst for her magic, and able to control her power and protect Mariketa, even from herself.
The ending is completely astonishing. I was so engaged in the action of the story, as Bowen and Mariketa continually fight with each other, save each other, and fight for each other, that I simply didn’t see what was coming, and I was just shocked by the limitless cruelty and evil of the antagonist.
I'm totally in love with Bowen, the "shameless, tricksy wolf". He is vehement, ferocious, sometimes surly, but passionate and very gentle. He suffers from his guilt and pain because of the death of his mate, Mariah; struggles with his several centuries-old prejudices toward witches, and his doubt whether he is given another mate.
He was so… wolfy. So teasing. And Mari realized this was kind of fun. She half-expected him to play-trip her and start nipping at her ears. And she suspected she’d love it.
Mariketa, "the wee, bloody witch" is an amazing character. She is a brave, sensual, devious, and a very young woman with infinite but volatile power and strong principles. I admire her bravery, and forgiving attitude. She is also extremely powerful: she is s supposed to have powers from all fives castes of witches – the powers of a warrior, conjurer, seeress, enchantress, and healer.
The secondary characters are hilarious, especially Rydstrom, Nïx, and Carrow."How in the hell could you have gotten here so quickly?"
"Missed you, witch. Ran headlong. Now hang up the bloody phone."
"Oh, great Hekate, is that his voice?" Carrow cried. "I just had an orgasm!"
And the ending is so sweet..."So that’s how we’re tae play this, wife?” Bowen said, when her snowball beaned him squarely in the face. He shook the snow from him in that wolfy way she loved. “You challenge a master at your own peril and have been duly warned.”
She wiggled her gloved fingers at him. “Bring it on, Father Time.”
But her eyes widened as he began piling up the biggest snowball she’d ever seen. She took off, darting back toward the lodge.
Playing in the snow—what an incredible way to end an already wonderful day.
My favorite quotes. -
Bowen MacRieve, Lykae & Mariketa the Awaited, Witch
“You could almost make me forget what I really want.”
1200 years old Lykae Bowen has known exactly what he wants for a few centuries now.
And this is definitely NOT the 23 years old distracting, distrusting and destructing witch Mariketa.
His only goal is getting back to winter of 1827 and save his mate who run away from him during a full moon night when she saw his monster and she was killed by an accident.
His beautiful, fragile, perfect, fae princess Mariah.
Lonely desperate Bowen has spent the last centuries in misery and sorrow, without a purpose in his life until he discovered the Hie competition -where the majority of the Lore factions are represented. The ultimate prize is the key to go back in time and he has to have it. Moreover Nyx has predicted that this competition is the key in order to get his mate.
Mariketa –although she is still young and still not an immortal- wants to have the key as well, mainly to prove a point. There is no way this REALLY OLD, wolf-like, scary Scotish is going to stop her. No matter how much attracted she is to him. Anyway, he mourns for his lost mate. And there is no way Mariketa will be a second choice for anyone ever again! Plus the fact that she hates him since Bowen locked her up with a few immortals and many incubus demons in a dark cave without food and water for weeks.
This is a story of
-deception where even the strongest wolf could be played by a cunning witch
-lost love that can make the strongest wolf weak when it is a fake, but it can also make the strongest wolf even stronger when it is the real thing
-finding yourself and your purpose in life even if it means that you have to destroy someone much stronger than you and that you may destroy yourself at the process and you will never be yourself again.
- the fact that a Lykae/wolf is truly an animal and sometimes this fact can be really handy.
This is surely my favourite book so far in the series. It can be read in so many different levels.
It is passionate (hooray!!! for the wolves), funny, packed with adventure but equally packed with devastating drama and painful truth.
It is a good thing that true love always wins! -
“Darwin says people like you need to die.”
Despite the fact that the whole story of Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night isn't my cuppa after all, I still loved every character Kresley Cole put into this book. Bowen was such a jerk for me when I first met him, he treats Mariketa so bad I wanted to kick his ass then. Mari, on the other hand, is genorous, lovely and tender. She is that type of heroine who is always hurt by a coldhearted hero. I pitied her so damn much and don't understand why I gave this book five stars even though it's not my taste.
“Damn it, MacRieve, if you keep calling me kitten, then I'm going to start calling you something equivalent, like hound dog - and then we'll both be losers.”
Maybe it's because of the dynamic between the main characters that beat me up, or the sex scenes being so damn hot I fanned my face all the time while I was reading. Anyway, the second half of Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night was unexpectedly awesome after the crap of you-are-not-my-mate-but-I-still-want-you plot in the beginning almost bumped me off. The book finally redeemed itself with the conclusion so well I had to give it five stars.
“Bashful? She and her friends made Girls Gone Wild look like a quilting circle.”
Oh ! Have I already told you that I loved Bowen for some parts of him ? He's flat out hot. SO DAMN HOT that I didn't care about his jerky and silly characteristic at all. It's just that. I'm so biased when it comes to Kresley Cole's books.
https://goo.gl/882ndJ -
“I’ll have you know that I am criminally cute…”
I’m gonna repeat this several times throughout what is almost a 20 book series, but I’m having THE best fuckin’ time! -
What can I say that hasn't been said? Loved it, almost as much as the previous book, "No Rest for the Wicked". If you enjoy sexual tension and sexual bantering in your books, this read will not disappoint! And when the H/H FINALLY get down to it--yowza!
Loved the hero, Bowen, although at first it was hard to read the Scottish accent, but I endured, and then the accent became downright sexy! And so far Mari is my favorite heroine of the IAD series. She was funny, brave, and good at putting the often arrogant and cock-sure Bowen in his place! Fabulous ending, too. Made me reach for the next one in the series, and started reading it immediately! -
"For one hundred and eighty years I've no' touched another" …"Have never even given a woman a second look. And it was easy to do so. But now I canna seem to keep my hands off a slip of a witch", he rasped at her ear. "A witch who has me feeling like I'll die if I doona find out what it'd be like to kiss her."…"O' course it's a goddamned spell."
Bowen MacRieve
Bowen is a werewolf that lost his mate one hundred and eighty years ago as she was fleeing him. He blames himself for her death and has lost all desire to live. He's lost weight and drinks too much alcohol. Bowen has not touched nor had desire for another, until meeting Mariketa.
Mariketa the Awaited
Mariketa is a young witch, only twenty-three years old. She hasn't grown into her immortality yet but she has just entered The Talisman's Hie. It's a treacherous scavenger hunt amongst immortals and she wants to represent her coven well. But there is a prophecy that Mari's mate will take her away from her coven and keep her locked away. So she hides herself under a hooded cloak and changes her appearance with a glamour spell.
Yeah, that cloak is a total buzz kill. No one buys her drinks at karaoke night and it's hard to meet men when no one can check you out. Men are so visual. But Bowen can't seem to keep his eyes off her, even under that cloak. And the feeling is mutual. He's a hottie of a werewolf that has been mourning his mate. But he is fine as hell with his dark hair and amber eye and his Scottish accent is delicious.
Bowen has entered the competition in hopes of winning a key that will allow him to go back in time and save his mate. But when Mariketa and Bowen end up trapped in a cave and her cloak is removed, Bowen is unable to resist her any longer.
She suddenly knew two things: He was about to kiss her so fiercely she would never be the same again.
And he would hate himself for it afterward and despise her forever.
These two have a passion that they can not deny. Bowen is feeling guilty for desiring Mari, but he suspects that she has be-spelled him. Mariketa is young, but she is also very powerful. Did she unknowingly place a lust spell on Bowen? Or is there something more sinister going on?
This book was fast paced, full of action, explosions, and a very lusty werewolf. I am enjoying this series tremendously but I hope the next books have more external conflict between the main couple and less internal conflict. The first four books have plotted enemies to fall in love with mortal enemies.
It was fun for a few books but I am getting tired of it. We've had a vampire hating valkyrie fall in love with a vampire, a vampire hating werewolf fall in love with a vampire, and a witch hating werewolf fall in love with a witch. Enough already!!
Thank goodness the next book is about a Vampire and a Ghost. They are not mortal enemies. Should be fun!!!
My Immortals After Dark Reviews:
The Warlord Wants Forever
A Hunger Like No Other
No Rest for the Wicked
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
Dark Needs at Night's Edge
Dark Desires After Dusk
Kiss of a Demon King
Untouchable
Pleasure of a Dark Prince
Demon from the Dark
Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Lothaire
Dark Skye -
4 to 4 1/2 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night, the fourth book in the Immortals After Dark series. I was not as enamored with this story as I was with the third book, but I had fun reading it just the same.
The hero, Bowen, is one of the most tortured heroes I've read, yet he is genuine, likable and charming in a brusque way. His protective, consuming, and voracious nature toward his mate Mariketa, the heroine, was awe-inspiring and endearing. I truly adore Bowen's character.
The heroine, Mariketa (Mari), is a fantastic and fun character. I loved her spunk and determination but also her vulnerability and insecurity. She is my favorite heroine in the series thus far. I loved her.
The plot twist at the end of this book took me by utter surprise. I honestly did not see the turn of events coming. How awesome is that?! I love when an author has the ability to surprise me.
My only complaint about this book–and the series–and reason for the slight drop in rating is the annoying relationship pattern I've noticed in the books I've read thus far. In each book the hero and heroine continually banter with each other, which is fun and would be fine, if they–but mostly the heroine–didn't also continue to fight their attraction and inevitable relationship until the last few chapters of book. Since it's obvious Ms. Cole is a gifted and creative writer I can only hope she rectifies this relationship pattern in future books.
Other than that, I can't seem get enough of this fantastic series, full of colorful, unique, fascinating, and compelling characters. One things for sure, Kristley Cole has created one captivating and exciting mythical world. -
I am stopping half way through Book 5 to write this short 'review' because I was so eager to continue that I failed to say even a few words about this yet another AWESOME story!!
This series is like a book version of Lays potato chips - you can't read just one! I am addicted and I REGRET NOTHING! I've said this before and I'll say it again: Kresley Cole has this uncanny ability to create characters you can't help but fall head over heels in love with! She is the only author that made me want to be BFFs with EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HER HEROINES ... and I am SUPER PICKY when it comes to my female leads! And her Heroes ... 'GAH!' is the only word that comes to mind.
Basically, this series can be summed up by reading the following gushing 'non-reviews reviews' [aka my ramblings] of:
The Warlord Wants Forever (IAD Book 1)
A Hunger Like No Other (IAD Book 2)
No Rest For The Wicked (IAD Book 3)
Cheers!
-
3.5/5 stars
“You could almost make me forget what I really want.”
Yay!! My first ever Kresley Cole book...and it was FANTASTIC! This was a completely addicting book that I flew through. I just couldn't get enough! I admit, I probably should have started at book one so I knew the gist of all the worldbuilding and different creatures; but I still understood the book relatively well. Bowen and Mari's relationship was a rollercoaster of angst, misunderstandings and some serious sexual tension...but I loved it. Apart they were great characters but together, they were near perfect. Now that I've gotten a taste for this series I know that I'm not going to be able to hold myself back!
Mariketa and Bowen are both competing a magical competition, with the prize being the ability to go back in time twice. Mari is a young witch who has been prophesied to have great powers, only she's not quite there yet. She is competing for her Coven, and with the hope of unlocking some of this power that supposedly awaits her. Bowen is competing for a very different reason. He must go back in time to save his mate, the very one that he killed thousands of years before. In this magical and fantastical world, mates are bound so tightly that it is almost impossible to live once a mate dies. This is why Bowen wants to find a way to bring his mate back, in order to stop this agony that is eating him alive. The only problem is, he is feeling attracted to the young witch, even if he believes himself to be faithful to his dead mate.
After an accident during the competition, Mari finds herself with Bowen, the very man that could have caused her death. Now, she must rely on him to help them get back to safety. This is especially hard when Bowen is persistent in treating Mari like his mate, which was his only explanation for the powerful attraction he felt for her. But Mari doesn't want to be used in that way, so she tries to stifle her feelings for Bowen, unless he decides that she is really his mate. However, romance is not the only thing on the table in her life, with a very powerful and evil force trying to destroy the coven and essentially her world. Mari must find a way to unlock her powers, but if she does this, will she still have time for Bowen; a Lykae who hates witches.“Damn it, MacRieve, if you keep calling me kitten, then I'm going to start calling you something equivalent, like hound dog - and then we'll both be losers.”
The romance in this book was downright electrifying. Despite a seriously rocky start and a very adversarial relationship, Bowen and Mira were undeniably attracted to each other. The sexual chemistry between this pair was off-the-charts, and was introduced in the first few chapters of the novel. I was physically pained just wanting these characters to get together already, but let me tell you, it was totally worth it when they did. The characters were totally different, but somehow together they were just perfect. Not only was it a very hot and sexy relationship, but they also had many sweet moments. This greatly contrasted the asshole-ish actions that Bowen showed towards Mari in the beginning, which I didn't exactly appreciate. Nonetheless, by the end of the book, I was fully invested in their romance which was both greatly emotional and very sexually driven.
I admit, there was quite a large portion of the book where I was quite confused as to what was happening. I'm not sure whether this is because I jumped right into the series without reading previous books, or the world building didn't connect to me. I'd say that the whole competition at the start didn't resonate with me. Nonetheless, after this moment I seemed to connect more to the characters and so I was less focused on the direction of the plot. This book was so character driven, and I'd take a guess that the whole series is similar. The plot was interesting, don't get me wrong, but the relationships were what really kept me going. In saying this, towards the climax at the end, I was fully invested in the story and I was dying to know the outcome. This slow connection to the plot did prevent me from enjoying the story early on, but it didn't really ruin my reading experience altogether.
I'm most excited about exploring this series further because there is such an elaborate, fantastical world that I'm just dying to get to know. There are so many different creatures with internal politics, wars, animosity and allies. I saw a little snippet of this in the book, guy I'm sure that it will only get more intense as the series continues. I think this is the most detailed paranormal book that I have ever read, and this is only the beginning.“What’s your favorite place to visit?” He absently answered, “Wherever you are.”
“Bowen, five things about you can’t all be about me.”
But you’re the only good thing that I’ve got.” -
I bought this at a thrift store and it's sending out 2004-era Hot Topic vibes
-
4.5 oh yeah im now going to be obsessed with this series
the more that I think about it the more that I love this book i’m changing my rating to 5 stars -
I loved this book!! I fell in love with Bowe in
A Hunger Like No Other and since then I've wanted him to get his happy ending. I will admit that when we heard others speaking about his dead mate she didn't sound lije the best match for him.
Well this book did not disappoint! It was full of twists and turns, emotion, humor and more great characters!! It picks up where the last one left off and Bowe has to go rescue Mari from the cave he trapped her in so she can lift his curse or he'll die.
As all good, sexy lykae he has a very caveman attitude (yes, he does throw her over his shoulder to a cave to.have his wicked way with her, yum!) But we also get to see a side of him that's been hurting for centuries thinking he lost his mate and he could never have that again.
Mari is an amazing heroine, she's kick ass!! I still love the valkyrie but the witches are so much fun!! She's fun, she doesn't take any *** from anyone and she knows what she wants.
I was pleasantly surprised with the turn of events. I kept wondering is she or isnt she and the resolution at the end was unexpected. Job well done Ms Cole!
Bowe had his "jerk, I'm going to bash his skull to the wall!" moments but Mari always gave it right back! And his lack of judgement was always short lived so I forgive him. He's still my favorite lykae so far. -
3.5s
Kresley's heroes are just... what's the word..."swoon worthy", yes definitely swoon worthy, awe worthy and my kiss worthy !!
And don't even get me started on her style of writing...you don't want me mooning here.
Trust me
+ +
I think my younger self would have loved this. But this present one couldn't ignore the fact how the plot seemed to be stretched to it's max limit. -
Reviewed by:
Rabid Reads.
Until this installment I didn’t realize that many of the plots in this series run parallel to each other, so when I found myself back in the midst of the Hie I was ecstatic. It was interesting finding out what happened to Bowen after Sebastian trapped him, and learning more about the witch who cursed him. The two protagonists played a wonderfully devious game of cat and mouse throughout WICKED DEEDS ON A WINTER’S NIGHT which made their dialogue hysterically funny, and their lovemaking mercurial, especially when MacRieve accidentally screamed his ex’s name. I had a blast listening to this title; Kresley Cole & Robert Petkoff are a powerhouse of audiobook wizardry!
Thus far, we’ve become versed in the intricate Lore surrounding this author’s Valkyries, vampires, and werewolves, so you’d be right to infer that my expectations vis-à-vis her witches were through the roof. Mariketa’s also part fey which means that Cole had heaps of awesome new material to work with, and rest assured that none of it was wasted. I loved discovering the powers related to the five casts, exploring the specifics surrounding the Awaited’s prophecy, and the captromancer powers were just plain cool (and creepy!). Other than a bit of glamour, and a couple of secondary characters, the fey elements were negligible which I’m assuming was intentional, and will be explored in a future installment.
I liked how dissimilar the two protagonists were; Mari is only twenty-two years old, hasn’t been frozen into her immortality yet, and is the embodiment of a modern young woman. In comparison, Bowen is ancient, has already found & lost his mate, and is prejudiced towards witches. Also, their relationship really got off on the wrong foot what with Mariketa cursing the werewolf, and MacRieve entombing her with crazed incubi. Watching these two attempt to bridge the gap was an exercise in futility, but when they finally give in to their baser instincts their chemistry was as clear as day. The twist at the end was exquisite, and I adored how it all came together.
With only three IMMORTALS AFTER DARK installments under my belt, and still ten left to go (plus novellas), I risk repeating myself with regards to Robert Petkoff’s narration; however for the time being I’ve no shortage of positive adjectives to use when it comes to his delivery of this series. His sinfully dreamy Scottish accent was back for a second lap, and in addition to it he unleashed Bowen’s beast with a guttural werewolf voice that succeeded in doing naughty things to my insides. I’m sure that Petkoff captured Mari’s character beautifully as well, but for some strange reason all I can remember is MacRieve. RAWR!
WICKED DEEDS ON A WINTER’S NIGHT’s title is self-explanatory or in other words… hot, hot, HOT! -
Sorry that I have to do this for 2 books in a row, but I couldn't even remotely find anything to get fetish happy about...again. I can promise though that I DO have a plan for book 5's cafe scene. I'm halfway through 5 and it's already ticking off some boxes. So we will be getting back to the cafe. Soon.
In the meantime, you can can get acquainted with the series in
Episode 1 and
Episode 2
First, a disclaimer : I didn't DISLIKE Wicked Deeds. I'm already such a fan of this author's quirky world and characters. The book was entertaining as hell. The story pacing was excellent.
But I didn't like the couple much as a couple. Bowen got on my nerves. The age difference between he and Mariketa was painfully awkward to read. You would think that the difference between innocent Emma and experienced Lachlain in A Hunger Like No Other had to be more of an obstacle, but it never was for me. Emma's sheltering almost helped her fit better into an immortal world. On the flip side, there was something always unmatched between Bowen and Mari that never quite popped into alignment. Mariketa was youthful and modern. Bowen was just cranky and old. I mean, I get it - he WAS old. But I need an author to sell me on the idea of a centuries (or millenia) old being able to keep up with modern times. And if he CAN'T, then I need to see him matched with someone better suited for him.
The Mariketa/Mariah story was a weird pairing. The end twist was clever, but I wasn't sure if the author had planned it that way all along, or if that idea came to her later. Something about the entire setup didn't flow as smoothly as it could have.
The book definitely had me feeling a like/dislike contradiction. But even as I count Wicked Deeds as my least favorite of the series so far, I still liked it better than a lot of books I've read. So we're still on the positive train here. I'm truly enjoying the series and am already zipping through book 5 like a madwoman. -
I could write for the millionth time about how much I love this series but I won't. I'll tell you why this book is one of my favourite three in the series so far...
Bowen
I have a thing for tortured heroes. I can't help loving them but I don't like the destroyed ones. Those who give up are not my favourite. I loved that Bowen never gave up. He fought for what he wanted, whether that was a dead mate back or a certain, pain in the ass, witch. He had his moments of assholiness but he was honest so that never annoyed me. I prefer hard truths to lies. Picturing him like this didn't hurt either!;)
Mariketa
Mariketa has abandonment issues. Her parents both left her at different times so the idea of being passed up doesn't sit well with her. This makes her relationship with Bowen that much more difficult since he is obviously looking for his dead mate. This, combined with the fact that everyone expects greatness from her but so far she has only displayed volatile and uncontrollable powers make her want to prove that she can do better. I liked Mariketa's determination and stubbornness as well as the fact that she focused on her goal, whether attainable or not. She worked to get what she wanted and she let no-one walk all over her.
Bowen and Mariketa together where a time bomb but they were also perfect for each other. The book is of the usual "Cole" pattern, which translates to "Mariketa is a witch, Bowen hates witches more than any other Lore species but he can't resist her". You would think it would get old but to be honest I don't care.
And Nix, my precious...
PS. I want a book on the fairies. Why no fairies so far??:D -
The witch seethed with power. Spells and magicks swirled about her.
I read this for the Witches Halloween bingo square.
I liked this one more than the previous and while it still had the OTT-ness and SEX (that Bowen powerless against the tree scene is all at once sort of uncomfortable and hot), the fun, crazy, and heat between our leads, re-energized me to continue with the series. I find myself liking the witches more than the valykrie, so this focusing on them was better for me.
Under her voice, she said, "Whatever---I jumped you! I started it."
"Aye," he began solemnly, "and that was a highlight of my long life."
Bowen and Mari had a sweet but challenging connection that made them fun to read but again, the whole Bowen being a werewolf and NEEDING to claim his mate made the boners and sex OTT. I know a lot like this but it's a bit out of my realm.
All at once Mari understood why people fought losing battles---because if you want something badly enough, you can't do anything else but fight for it.
My favorite part of the story and what gave it an extra half star was the author's subtle inclusion of the idea that "monsters" are feeling beings too. From the incubi paying Mari to end them to Bowen at full werewolf pausing a moment before breaking down the door. It brought depth and feeling to the characters and world where monsters is definitely a shades of grey word.
Does this series have plans to go on forever because with the insane amount of characters and story offshoots, it feels like it could go on forever.
I cheated and looked ahead through the series to make sure Rydstrom gets a story after being introduced to him here. He does, book #5, and I MUST have it! -
All the stars in the sky for this book
It's been a year since I read the first book in the series. I seriously don't know why I've waited so long. When I read
A Hunger Like No Other, one of the best paranormals I've ever read, I thought that it was the best this series had to offer. The third book wasn't that good so this only confirmed my belief. How could anyone surpass Lachlain? Well, Bowen was just as good!
Silly me! People had told me about the MacRieves in this series! Why do I never listen? I know people will think that I just loved this because the hero is a Highlander. It's true, I adore the Scots, but that's not it. I mean, yes, those Lykae are seriously hot.
And the Scotish brogue? Wow, it's such a turn-on for me. And the things Bowen said to Mariketa? OMG, they will have you all hot and bothered. But this book was just so intense!!This is a typical IAD book, with the enemies-to-lovers theme. Bowen hates the witches, he mistrusts Mariketa, but he wants her at the same time. They fight, they bicker, they play dirty. Their relationship?
And I just adore Mariketa too! This girl is amazing! She's clever, she's funny, she's brave! She won't allow Bowen to push her around. That's my girl!
There are many funny moments! I was listening to this from my phone while walking and I burst into laughter. I had to pretend I was talking on the phone with somebody or people would think I'm crazy! And I love how modern all the heroines are in this series. Even those who are thousand years old.
“Mari began to suspect that this reflection was going to prove to be like that little computer paperclip assistant -- at first it helps, but after a while you just want the paperclip to die.”
It's really funny. Oh and Nix!
“She, too, is one of Regin’s friends. They’re poker buddies, sisters of the Wii, and Mari is a vaunted member of the karaoke contingent. Regin has long acted as the witches’ designated driver.” “BFF?” Lachlain asked, brows drawn. “Sisters of the what?”
Emma supplied, “Best friend forever and a video game.”
Lachlain muttered to Emma, “Your relatives are just no’ right.”
One more reason I was reluctant to read this book was that I was somehow left with the impression that Bowen would be fixated on his first mate and stubbornly refuse to love the heroine until the end. Nope! He wanted Mariketa from the beginning and it didn't take him long to realise that she suited him better than his first mate.
This book was perfect and so sweet.
“What’s your favorite place to visit?” He absently answered, “Wherever you are.”
“Bowen, five things about you can’t all be about me.”
But you’re the only good thing that I’ve got.
I'm really sad to see it end. I don't expect that all the books in the series will be that good, it's not possible, but I'll not make the same mistake again. I'll keep reading and maybe I'll be lucky.
P.S.: The narrator of the audiobook is amazing! He does all the accents perfectly and the females sound natural too! I was drooling over Bowen and I really loved Rydstrom and Cade's accents as well. -
Seriously, he can soooo get it!
Bowen's a Lykae (wolf) and Mari is a captromancer (fancy witch name). They go together like oil and water. Their death-defying matches gave me life. Their hatred and lust for each other gave me joy. I couldn't get enough of their antics. And then I had enough and it was still happening.
I desperately need someone to tell me if ALL of the books in this series deal with enemies-to-lovers. Will I have to put up with the heroines behaving hatefully towards the heroes in every. single. book?
Cuz right now... it's getting kind of ridiculous.
When enemies become lovers, it's always hot. And it was definitely HAWT with these two. However, I could do without Mari and her nonsense. Bowen could be high-handed, but I loved how he was able to acknowledge and accept his flaws. And lets be real, everyone knew that the Lykae were like this. So why was she constantly surprised?
And let's also not forget the fact that for most of the book, the most powerful witch of them all was pretty useless. She was probably the youngest person in the Lore and acted her age.
It wasn't cute.
So I'm hoping beyond hope that the heroines are more receptive and mature in the books to come or I'm about to lose my damn mind!
Beeteedubs... the blurb is hella misleading.
Find more
on the blog
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I just have got to admit it.Now after i have read five books in the "Immortals After Dark"-series i officially consider Kresley Cole on of my all time favourite authors,that`s...that! I have come to crave this series so much and i fall for the books more and more, and "Wicked Deeds on a Winter`s Night" was no exception!
We all got affected by the tortured hottie of a hunk Bowen MacRieve ever since he appeared in "A Hunger Like No Other" and from reading the synopsis of all the books in this series i knew that the supposed "mate" he had lost had sounded shady,cuz his heroine is the one he meets in the earlier book.(as i said in my earlier review,these two had some smolderings looks going on at the GO,KYAAA)And now i FINALLY got their story,their blistering epic love-story!This one was another WOW for me,as it also got me to tears sometimes.Bowen and Mariketa were EVERYTHING together, and they aren`t only mates for life,but so much more than that...so much than mere soulmates, and thats what Kresley Cole so beautifully presented in this story.
Mariketa the Awaited is the heroine i just awfully came to love.Her wits and bravery and bright nature baffled me,and with it her determination to be worthy of the powers she have been given as a witch. Having this strong sassy attitude but proving to have a very vulnerable side of herself,i adore her for even daring to love a Alpha like Bowen.But she were a perfect match for him in every way (to his extreme delight), and the way she teased and infuriated Bowen was so funny.She had him following her around her with her lillfinger-and she didn`t even know it!Haha!
Bowen MacRieve...YUMMI! I could eat him alive,just so yummi he was!Witch his animalistic sexuality and charisma he succeded in making me fall in love with him.I just so cursed the misery that had been thrown upon him all these years, and as Nix had predicted,he does find his mate through the competition,ahh and the journey of it and afterwards...just so wonderful..and grrrr sexy! How he longs and craves Mariketa against his will, and how i LOVED it!Their chemistry are SIMPLY MINBLOWING and fiery as hell!Kresley Cole is a MASTER at writing unforgettable sex-scenes...just Ohooo WOW.!The smoldering steamyness were so hot between Bowen and Mariketa that my pages BURNED!
How Mari and Bowen slowly starts to accept each other as creatures and the powers they have was a wonderful experience for me.Their conversations, teasing, bickering, fighting, playing, the glances and the emotions-especially the consuming love,all were details that tore me apart with dreamy swooness!How Bowen`s life cease to exist in anything but his beloved witch,his Mariketa. How well they got to know each other to the very core and falling in love with each other with all their hearts!Willing to die for each other.!This is love...and its the power within romance that we simply can`t resist.
We get presented to the demonic Woede brothers and they will also have their own books later on. Meeting Lachlain and Emma again was a pleasure, and the meeting with the other valkyries was so funny. The action is high in this book, and simply stimulating with the adventure Bowen and Mariketa had ahead of them, and with the sexual tension and the irresistible connection between them, ahhh it had such a depth that i simply were THERE the whole time, with them, watching them love each other. And the fact that Bowen is her "familiar" which means protecter were another delicious surprise, to Bowens delight also,hihi. The epilogue are so beautiful that i simply closed this book with a dreamy and satisfied sigh...This is Paranormal Romance, and how i love it!
***
“What’s your favourite place to visit?”
He absently answered, “Wherever you are.”
“Bowen, five things about you can’t all be about me.”
But you’re the only good thing that I’ve got.”
-Mari & Bowen
*** -
Re-read Nov 2020
The more I read this book, the more I realize how uneven the story was. Bowen made mistake after mistake and poor Mariketa just kept forgiving him and giving him chances! That said, I understand why she did it...I think I can forgive Bowen everything because of that accent. God almighty! But that accent is hot. *fans self*
Re-read: Jan 2017
This is the third time I re-read this book and it amazes me how my perspective changes between reads. This time, I understand the author gave him lots of opportunities for growth (which he definitely needed.) I mean, who the hell thinks about trying to impregnate a woman the first time he sleeps with her?
Something else I noticed in this re-read was how Mariketa took charge of her destiny. She was the one calling the shots during the mating and she had the big badass fight with the villain. Bowen was almost like her sidekick!
Re-read on audio 10/29/14: This time around, I found Bowen really annoying. It was all about him, him, him and what he wanted. I really don't know how Mariketa kept giving him chances. I felt like stabbing him in the balls several times. Anywho, enjoyed it nevertheless...Petkoff is just too good on audio!
First read on Jun 2012
**3 stars for the story plus 1 bonus star for narration**
I rarely read series books back to back but I was so obsessed with the narration that I couldn't wait any longer. I'm really glad the rest of the audiobooks in the series haven't been produced yet because I would probably be tempted to listen them all!
Anyways, this story is very similar to the previous ones: man chases woman because he thinks she's his mate while the woman doesn't want anything to do with the guy, blah, blah, blah. But unlike the other books, the hero thinks the heroine (a witch) has enchanted him because he had already had a mate (who died) and men of his kind only get to have one. Regardless, he figures he should follow along because it's like he's getting a second chance.
Bowen is really conflicted about his feelings for Mariketa, feeling disloyal to Mariah, his dead mate. I really enjoyed this part of the plot and was pleasantly surprised at how that was ultimately resolved. I only wished the author would have taken this chance to build a book that was a bit different than the others with the heroine chasing the hero for once. She had material to create such a plot.
But my reason to picking this book wasn't really the story but the narration. The voice for Bowen was scrumptious, specially when he was in a charming frame of mind. The first time I heard him, my feelings were very similar to Carrow's:
"Oh great Hekate, is that his voice?" Carrow cried "I just had an orgasm."
I'm still just 'meh' on the series but I'll definitely keep listening as long as Mr. Petkoff is the narrator. -
Edit: ReRead time....*sigh* kresley cole has turned me into a polyamorous person. I mean i fall in love with every hero, I adore every heroine. I can't get enough. I wish i could go back in time and read all her stuff over, like an immortals after dark virgin...but i cant. so i will have to be content with rereads. STILL AMAZING. loved this book, who doesn't love a brooding lykae ...yummmmmmm
Wicked Deeds ona Winter's Night: 5 star read! enjoyment :)
I should review this. However, I devoured this book and it is 4 AM. I don't trust my brain! So here is a short list to suffice until i can be somewhat coherent and intelligent
1. There is something about lykae. I mean, vampires are sex and so are faerie highlanders....but Lykae. So primal. So tortured. They want to provide, protect, and love. They are that simple yet add a blissful complexity to their mate. Bowe did that for me. I'd take a Lykae over a a vamp any day.
2. This was such a fast read. It took me about 3-4 Hours! woooow!
3. I liked how simple it was. The IAD books are so freaking complicated now with the hot mess state of the lore and ascension hooplah. It's fun to go back and read the books when it was just sexual tension and lots o love! :)
4. Honestly, idk how good this book is in terms of literary merit. I'm just realizing that the steam was a teensy bit low, and some other flaws. However, i enjoyed it soooo much. Its like watching a good 80s movie. MAYBE the wardrobe and acting is a little sub par, but don't you just love it. Isn't your day brightened and your smile wide and genuine? At the end of the day, I think that's what makes a book a goodread... its that after glow of happiness that one can only achieve from a bajillion well strung together words and ideas that make up ...books! -
This is my second read of this book, and my first attempt to review it. I couldn’t write a review before, because it had been years since I read it, and my feelings were so all over the place. I didn’t think I could write an honest review at the time unless I did reread it. Don’t get me wrong. I love this book, and it’s definitely a five star read, but it challenged me in ways the first three books didn’t.
Bowen is a character we got to know in A Hunger Like No Other, and we followed up on him in No Rest for the Wicked. I was already emotionally involved with him, so it was exciting for him to get his own story. Despite that fact, Bowen could be a major jerk at times. I mean a serious clod. Some of the thoughtless things he says and does towards Mariketa are just loutish. I really winced at one particular misstep. An epic fail. I was just thinking: Wow, Bowen. You’re like the guy who caught the ball that cost the Cubs their first chance at the World Series in a long time! Yeah, that bad!
Despite the fact that Bowen commits some serious relationship nonos with Mariketa, he also has some heart-meltingly sweet moments where you can’t imagine not being bowled over by a guy like him wooing you. I think that combination of ineptness and fan yourself appealing hotness makes him an unforgettable hero. It means so much that despite the numerous obstacles he faces in his relationship with Mariketa, that he is able to win her heart and keep it, and leave behind all his preconceived notions and reservations about being involved with her. And I can’t blame him for some of those, just about how insensitive he was in addressing or dealing with them.
Mariketa is quite interesting as a heroine. Although she’s younger than Emmaline, she’s a lot more modern-thinking and less sheltered. She embodies the modern twenties-something girl in a more recognizable way than Emmaline, although they both have that dynamic. I liked that she was more street-smart than Emmaline because Bowen really needed someone who could handle him. Now, that’s not to say that he doesn’t wound Mariketa, or sorely challenge her. At times, I could see why Mariketa definitely was not feeling the idea of a relationship with him. She had very good reasons, especially with her abandonment/not measuring up issues and his disdain for witches. On the second read, I was cheering her on a lot more. When she called him on his selfishness, she hit the nail right on the head. I could see why she wasn’t about to let her sexual attraction and maybe a little more feelings for Bowen deter her from the path she’d chosen, especially when Bowen felt like she had to give up something that was so vital to her identity.
It struck me that this book has a lot more relationship drama than the previous books. I think that although this is paranormal, some of the relationship dynamics would feel very familiar to a modern person with an active dating life; and they are trying to decide if someone is the ‘one’ they want to spend their life with. Many readers seem to dislike the ‘love at first/fated to be mated’ concept, but Cole doesn’t use it as a crutch to get out of building a genuine bond between her characters, or as a foregone conclusion. They still have to work out and through the particulars of cementing and committing to that relationship despite their instincts that they belong together. Particularly in this book, I seriously wondered how Mariketa and Bowen would work things out. Their problems are pretty enormous despite their volcanic sexual chemistry and growing love for each other. Since this is a romance, logically I know we’ll get a happy ending, but there is a good haul to get to that destination.
As always, Cole blisters the pages with the powerful sexual chemistry between her characters. She tantalizes and teases the reader so that they are just as highly expectant for the promised consummation as her main characters. And she doesn’t disappoint when it happens. I love the fact that Mariketa doesn’t make it easy for Bowen sexually. She needs his respect as much as the sexual release he clearly can give her. She also needs trust, and that is something a reader can definitely identify with. It just feels right. Even though the reader can love all the hot stuff, you can also get a connection between the main characters that makes sense intellectually and ethically (if that makes sense). You don’t want a character who doesn’t respect herself enough to expect respect from a hero.
Wow, this review turned out pretty long. I guess I did have a lot to say. Everything I love about Cole’s writing is here. She challenges me in ways, but that’s good. While this book has a bit more angst than the first three books, it also has some good humorous bits. The suspense storyline is intense, and it ties together very well. I liked that I didn’t remember exactly how everything goes together, which is a mark of a good book, that you can see more in the story with each read. Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night is a worthwhile read for fans of well-written, sexy paranormal romance.
Final Shoutout: Bowen, I’m glad you finally got your act together. High five! Mariketa, you go girl!
Check out my
Immortals After Dark Pinboard on Pinterest! -
Get out the
men in kilts and the bagpipes and put me on the next plane to Scotland! Bowen MacRieve—good god now there’s an alpha male! This book is even better than book 2—if that’s even possible!
For once I could actually picture a Scotsman speaking without getting irritated at the "accent". I could just hear Mike Myers doing Shrek's voice or Sean Connery—smooth as silk, do what you will I am soooo lost! This book is amazing from the first few pages! Even before the story starts with the little blurb that each of them says about the other really wets your whistle and makes you want to read on! I whipped through this baby! What a fantastic story between angst riddled Bowen and razor sharp tongue Mari. There are so many freak out moments where you’ll be sitting there slack-jawed going “what the ù^$*ù”!!! Some excellent banter between the h/h—very witty and suggestive dialog. And the sex was a 3 alarm fire -- Whoa!!!
Bowen was a beautiful character calling Mari "witchling" and fighting his own preconceptions about witches because he came to realize that he truly loved her. The way he protected her at all costs or whispered suggestive things to her will just make you melt into a puddle. The little puzzles scattered through out the story are also so well done because they seem so simple at the end.
This story was excellent! Fantastic development, incredible tension, spectacular characterization---5 stars, white hot! Keep the SO on hand and available!! Next book is out in April—thank god ;-) -
★★★★★ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Man-oh-man-oh-man-man! This one is so well narrated by Robert Petkoff. I hope he is doing them all. I placed him at the top of my Top Ten Audiobooks for 2011 with his delivery of
A Hunger Like No Other. Looks like he is trying to win that slot again.
Robert Petkoff is wonderful at infusing life and emotions into Ms. Cole’s amazing characters. Oh, he is certainly Delicious with the Scottish accent. Not only that, he differentiates the member of the Lykae clan, all Scottish, so that you’re not confused when Bowen and Lachlain are in a conversation together. Nevertheless, one scene I just marveled at was when Mariketa was mimicking Bowen’s accent. Too funny! How did Mr. Petkoff manage that? LOL!
Mr. Petkoff also made Cadeon Woede, with a lovely English accent, sound yummy, too! I can NOT wait for that one (#6) to be released.
My heart always ached for Bowen MacRieve; having lost his mate over two centuries ago, in the previous installments of this wonderful paranormal series he pretty much didn’t care if he lived or died. However, with an opportunity to bring his intended mate back with a prize won in the Hie, he has a mission. Watch out for a Lykae on a mission!
Then he runs into Mariketa the Awaited – or Mari - a pretty little redheaded witch he is sure has been practicing magic on him, since he is wildly attracted to her. Bowen, believing she has toyed with him, enthralled him, does the unthinkable and traps Mari and a few other Hie competitors in a Guatemalan tomb with some swarming incubi! Eep!
But that is just the start of it. Mari really does put a spell on him just as he is making his exit, and what a spell it is. Oh the twists and turns in this one are great! Only Ms. Cole could write Bowen out of all the mistakes he makes.
The fourth in the Immortal After Dark series is one of my favorite. Love Bowen and Maiketa’s story! If you need a refresher on what happened in the past books, why not listen to it on audio? Pure fun!
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I have tried to go back to this book before and see if i was overly harsh, because the plot is something I would normally gobble with a spoon.
But NO, Bowen is a self pitying douche bag. His bullying and name calling cross the entire book unabated... and it was frustrating and pathetic.
One grudging star for getting my hopes up.
............
Bowen and Mari. Bowen is the third in line to the Lycae throne. He's moody and grumpy and kinda a jerk. Mari is a 23 year old witch who is part Fey. She is smart and confident but also unsure of herself because her power, though immense, is almost impossible to control. They meet during a game where the prize has the power to bring someone back in time twice. Mari wants to win to show her prowess to those who still treat her as a child. Bowen wants to win to go back and stop his Fiance from falling to her death. For a couple centuries he has been true to Mariah's memory, but he finds himself tempted by Mari. It must be a spell because he believes all witches are faithless devious creatures. Then he thinks it's because Mari might be Mariah re-incarnated. God forbid he should be honestly attracted to a witch! He is so over the top prejudiced that it gets tiresome. Even after they get together he can't love her for herself. I can only take a hero being an ass to the heroine so many times. He was the worst kind of boyfriend, always giving her the high-hat and calling her 'Witch' but not as an endearment. Then he'd feel guilty for being such a selfish a-hole, but that didn't stop him from doing it again, and it was always too little too late. I believe the ending was supposed to be ironic, and the author tries to exonerate him with a last minute twist. After all the times he put her down and compared her unfavourably to his 'dead love', the least he could do was tell her why he loved her. I'm still not too clear on that. I liked Mari's character SOOOOOO much more than Bowen. He just seemed like a useless pawn. Poor girl is stuck with him now I guess. -
I have no idea why this one got such a high rating. It sucked ass. It's the worst of the lot. Though, yeah, I skipped the book before it.
The couple in this book just didn't do anything for me. It was a combination of my problem with the first book (ie. the hell I'm going to believe any woman would actually love a man who kidnapped and nearly rapes her every time he sees her) but this one went up a notch from there.
Where to start?
There's no love between them at all. Throughout the whole book. The only time they actually mention love is in the last chapter. Bleh.
We have Bow who is horrible, horrible to her. He accuses her of hexing him because he wants her. After attempting to rape her, he accuses her of this before stealing what she helped him to get and locked him in a place where she almost died (while being surrounded by monsters.)
And you know what the inducement had to be to get him to 'rescue' her? A war that would've killed his entire species.
Oh! Be still my burning heart!
After he rescues her, he then decides that she must be his mate so he insta-loves her again. Insta-love with him absolutely hating everything that she is. This, of course, doesn't change at all until she almost dies and her power saves them.
Wow. That's one for the history books!
And, as if this wasn't all bad enough, you get hit with the cliche 'from weakest character in the world to strongest goddamn thing that can kill gods after training for a week' cliche. I noticed this in the first book but it was more believable because the ubber villain wanted to die. This one, not so much.
There was no love here. The sex was really cringe worthy too. He goes from trying to kill her to 'let's fuck because why not?' in less than a couple hours. It was repulsive.
