Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole

Bowen McRieve and Mariketa the Awaited's book




Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night 
(Immortals After Dark book 4)

By Kresley Cole

Book Blurb: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?

I think that Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night is my favourite so far. I got totally into the story and was disappointed when it was all done. I love that feeling. 

Bowen was introduced to the readers in the second book, A Hunger Like No Other. I liked that we learned a bit about his back story early on. It helped understand where his mindset was from book 3, No Rest for the Wicked (which is based around a Lore type of Amazing Race, the Talisman Hie). I totally loved that this book started off Bowen's storyline set back in that previous book and then carryed on from there. I am such a fan of continuity in stories. This Immortals After Dark series is just full of it. 

In No Rest for the Wicked, Bowen is as close to desperate as he can get with his obsession to win the time travelling grand prize, Thrane's Key. Reading the books in order, you know the poor physical shape Bowen was left in at the end when the race finished so when Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night takes the reader back to a bit earlier in the race, I was so excited. I wanted to read how Bowen arrived in the shape he ultimately ended up when that book was finished. I tell you, these series is taking me on such an adventurous ride. 

Mariketa is a delight. I loved that she was supposed to be an all powerful being but she was so clutsy that she wasn't even sure if she could pull off a minor spell without blowing up something. On top of all that, she knew this deficiency about herself and really didn't try to hide it. When Bowen accused Mari of placing a type  of mating charm on him, she couldn't really deny it because she wasn't sure if she did do it or not. 

I could also see in Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night that the various Lore groups seem to almost forming alliances due to some of the recent couple pairing offs. Lykae with Valkyrie, Lykae with witches, Forebearing Vamps with Valkyrie and even the friendships that seem to build between demons and fey during the race. Kresley Cole seems to be slowly building up for an amazing Accession showdown where alliances are built and the Vampires are going to be hit hard. I'm loving it. 

Bowen and Mari had a great romance story build up and the reader really didn't know what to base it on. Was it really the beginning of love? Was it just a spell? Was he just using her? So many puzzling questions that just played out in a perfect pace that was finished with a spectacular finish. What a great battling finish! 

Teasers: Trapped!, bloodbath guerrilla warfare, mirrors and apples, deception sorceress, spell overload