Seremela Telemar, medical-examiner medusa & newly employed by retired Vampire Queen Carling/gryphon-Rune in Miami, takes a leave of absence to retrieve her trouble making niece, Vetta (who stole the Tarot deck) from the new lawless "gold-rush" town Devil's Gate. Duncan Turner, Carling's attorney and georgous vampire refuses to let her go alone and they together look for Serrie's incompetent sister Camilla's rebellious/goth daughter. Devil's Gate has no formal law and is currently controlled by a balance of power that recently was disrupted by the poisoning death of Cieran Thruvial, Dark Fae, who controlled the prostitutes & protection. Vetta was held by the Djinn, Malphas who controlled the casinos to be tried and hung tomorrow. Upon meeting Malphas, Duncan realizes Malphas is pariah, unattached to a house and acting rogue, power hungry and greedy without honor. Duncan uses his considerable atty skills and powerful connections to get Vetta released. Upon leaving they get unexpected help from the dark fae Xanthe Tenanye one of Thrivial's Triad Servants. Xanthe has been working undercover to assassinate Thruvaial as he was the last nobleman involved in the conspiracy that killed the Dark Fae Queen's family. W#hen they escape Xanthe takes the Tarot deck with her. Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: A fun story about a medusa and a vampyre going to rescue a girl in a lawless town and eventually finding love that’s set within the world of the Elder Races series.Opening Sentence: Seremela Telemar leaned against the frame of the open balcony doors in her high-rise apartment and looked out at the ocean view.The Review:Seremela Telemar is a medusa working for Carling and Rune (their story is in Serpents Kiss). She must leave her job for a family emergency involving her missing niece and while this is not uncommon thing for Seremela to do, her companion is: Sexy vampyre lawyer, Duncan Turner. While she may entertain naughty thoughts about Duncan, she is more worried about her niece’s location within the famed lawless tent town of Devil’s Gate. Can Seremela and Duncan get Vetta out with all of them alive and unscathed? Is this the perfect opportunity for these two beings to explore the sexual chemistry between them?Seremela and Duncan have been side characters that make bit appearances in most of the recent books of The Elder Races series. Seremela’s character seems extremely intelligent, yet shy and reserved. Duncan, on the other hand, comes across as more confident and aloof. In this novella, we see that there is so much more to the both of them. Out of all the novella’s to date, I have to say that this is my favorite. It is like watching two of your old acquaintances find love in one another. Seremela and Duncan not only work well together, they complement each other. I find myself more attached to these two than the other background characters and I look forward to seeing their relationship progress in future books.Devil’s Gate is a very interesting place. It brings to mind the old West settlements, only with supernatural creatures. There is gambling, shake downs, and no laws but their own. I found the entire place to be a wonderful addition to the Elder Races universe and its strict laws and regulations. It was extremely satisfying to see Seremela “let down her hair” and allow her inner strength to shine through in such adversity.While this novella ties into Natural Evil, it is a wonderful read in itself. I’m glad that my Elder Races fix is supplemented by such witty and heartwarming tales.Notable Scene:“After we park, we’re going to need reliable information. Where?”“Down Main Street, north side,” said the troll. “Look for the pharmacist. Name’s Wendell. He’d sell pics of his mother’s tits to the highest bidder. But they’d really be of his mother’s tits.” As Seremela stared, the troll lifted his rocky shoulders. “What can I say, guy’s got a code. Sort of.”Duncan bit back a smile. “He your boss?”“Yeah.” The troll patted the roof of the SUV, straightened and lumbered back a step. “Now git outta here.”Duncan drove the SUV gently over the rough, pitted ground toward the end of one row of vehicles where a ghoul in an orange reflective vest stood, flashing them with a flashlight.“I brought cash too,” Seremela said. “I’ll pay you back.”“Let’s not worry about that right now,” Duncan said. “It’s unimportant. Let’s just focus on getting your niece.”“Okay.” She stayed silent for a moment as he parked the SUV. Then she said, “Wendell.”“The pornographic pharmacist,” Duncan said, deadpan.“It’s not funny.”“Of course it’s not,” he said.A soft, odd noise escaped her. It sounded a lot like hot air hissing out of a tea kettle. He looked at her suffused face, found her looking back at him, and them they both burst out laughing again.He pulled the emergency brake and killed the engine. “Let’s go see what Wendell has to say for himself.”“Okay,” Seremela said, eyes dancing, “but if he tries to sell me a picture of his mother’s tits, I’m so out of there.”FTC Advisory: Samhain Publishing graciously provided me with a copy of Devil’s Gate. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only payment received came in the form of hugs and kisses from my little boys.
What do You think about Devil's Gate (2012)?
It's a novella what can one say... (just one more to go until I can read the latest book. :-)
—sweetobsessions
2.5 starsA bit disappointed by this story. Duncan and Seremela deserved better.
—Ashley
A nice little interlude... It was nice to see the Medusa get a HEA.
—pll
ok paranormal romance novella (a 2.5/5 stars)
—ana
