Summary:
--- There can be no shadow without the man to cast it. ---
Gray. Lost his twin. Will never be complete. Works alone.
Shadow. Monster? Human? Exists to be Gray’s one true companion.
After losing his twin brother, Gray has devoted his life to the Kings of Hell MC. He will do anything to protect his family and that means anything.
Even sell his own shadow to the devil.
Following a fire that left him without one arm, Gray feels pushed to the sidelines. In order to prove to his club that he is still capable of completing dangerous tasks, he will have to team up with the strange creature from the Other Side. Tall, inhumanly strong, and menacing despite the handsome exterior, Shadow is just the tool Gray needs.
The moment Shadow lays his eyes on Gray, he wants to crawl under Gray’s skin and make the human his.
Gray on the other hand isn’t willing to get attached to a monster destined to do the devil’s bidding and disappear once his time is up. Rejected, Shadow has to do everything in his power to convince his human that they belong together.
But as the clock ticks away precious minutes of Shadow’s existence, Gray will have to choose between his loyalty to the Kings of Hell MC and responsibility for the creature he brought into this world.
*****
“Do you feel me running through your veins?”
Gray nodded.
*****
POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Themes: motorcycle club, alternative lifestyles, demons, monster, tattoos, secrets, crime, gothic, grief, mourning, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fish out of water, opposites attract, demisexuality, gentle giant
Genre: Dark, paranormal M/M romance
Erotic content: Scorching hot, emotional, explicit scenes
Length: ~150,000 words (Book 4 in the series)
WARNING: This story contains scenes of violence, offensive language, and morally ambiguous characters.
Summary:
--- The real demons live within ---
Laurent. Time traveller. Devoted husband. Stubborn as the devil himself.
Beast. Kings of Hell MC president. Will stop at nothing to protect his family.
After everything Baal put them through, neither Laurent nor Beast considered ever making another pact with a demon, but in the spur of the moment, temptation becomes too great, and they decide on one more deal.
This time, with Mr. Magpie.
But the gift might prove to be more than they can handle. The danger to the human world has already strained their relationship, but Magpie’s offering brings out the worst in both Laurent and Beast. Confronted with each other’s flaws, they need to decide if, despite all they’ve been through together, perhaps they’re just not meant to be.
With the world on the brink of collapse, and their pact binding them in new and unexpected ways, they have to put their differences aside to stand a chance at saving their family.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Themes: motorcycle club, alternative lifestyles, demons, tattoos, secrets, crime, gothic, opposites attract, biker, commitment, family, sacrifice, relationship issues, established couple
Genre: Dark, paranormal M/M romance
Content: Scorching hot, emotional, explicit scenes
Length: ~105,000 words (Book 5 in the series)
FINAL BOOK IN THE SERIES. NOT A STANDALONE.
WARNING: This story contains scenes of violence, offensive language, and morally ambiguous characters.
Original Review August Book of the Month 2018:
Gray's had a bit of a rough time lately: he lost his twin brother, his arm, and made a pact with the demon, Baal. Because of Gray's pact, Shadow has been given the chance to live inside a human form but does that make him human or monster? Gray has devoted his entire life to the Kings of Hell but now with only one arm he finds himself having to prove he is still worthy of his position. Reluctantly Gray finds that Shadow may be his chance to keep his place amongst his brothers but will he be willing to give his heart to him nowing the clock is ticking against Shadow?
OMG!!! I say that with complete honesty because I am so NOT an OMG-kind-of-a-gal. I enjoy a good motorcycle club story but I'm the first to admit they aren't exactly what I'd classify as my go-to-trope so when I first had the opportunity last year to read Laurant & the Beast I thought it sounded interesting so I decided to give it a go. It was amazing and one of the best books I read in 2017. Each entry in the Kings of Hell MC series has been amazing and although I don't think any of the pairings quite reached me as much as Laurant and Beast, I have loved them all. Well, Gray and Shadow are no different.
So lets take a look at our two main guys. I knew Gray's story was going to be emotional just because he seemed to be a bit of a conundrum throughout the first four. You could tell he had a warm loving heart but he was also ruthless and determined when it came to getting the job done. Having formed that opinion of him already I knew he was going to be a tough one to find happiness especially with what he lost. I wanted to hug him and tell him he was still the same Gray he always was and having lost his arm didn't change that but then I also wanted to kick his ass with how he first treats Shadow. Okay that's not entirely true because Shadow is here because of Gray's pact with Baal and that makes him suspect and he does some not-so-good stuff but he's also new to his human form and needs guidance. I guess what I'm saying is even though I wanted to give Gray a knuckle-rap to the head more than a once I also understand his thought patterns.
As for Shadow, well I won't give too much away but I will say that his innocence is endearing even if some of his early actions are not. I have read vampires, shifters, demons of all kinds who survive on pretty much anything imaginable but I have never read a character(demon or otherwise) that survives on rats, creepy crawlies, and rotting, moldy food and still want to wrap him up in a huge bear hug because he's so adorable. Yes, you read that correctly. Shadow is adorable. How Gray is able to stay away for so long is beyond me.
In Gray's Shadow, we get to see the characters that we have come to love in the previous installments, to see where they are and how they are adjusting to their situations which sometimes can take away from the main story but not in this series. KA Merikan has created a world with Kings of Hell MC that is unforgettable and will grab you from the very first page. If asked whether you can start with Gray's Shadow, I would have to say no. Yes, each entry features a different couple with their own troubles but each one is a part of an ongoing journey but personally, I would not recommend starting anywhere but the beginning, not too mention these are some of the most amazing and well written stories I've ever read, you don't want to miss them. If you haven't started Kings of Hell yet but don't like to wait between books than you might want to wait until the concluding story, In the Arms of the Beast, is released but I highly recommend placing this series on your TBR list and near the top, but if you are like me and have been reading them as they come out then you don't want to wait another minute to read Gray and Shadow's journey. This is literally an edge-of-your-seat kind of story.
In the Arms of the Beast #5
Original Review March Book of the Month 2019:
When a pact with Mr. Magpie is made, both Laurent and Beast have differing reactions and they are both determined and stubborn towards the pact. Will this be one too many pacts for the Kings of Hell?
HOLY HANNAH BATMAN! I warred with myself whether to read In the Arms of the Beast, not because I didn't want to but because I didn't want to say goodbye to this series and knowing this was the finale made me want to prolong it as long as I could. HOWEVER, my need to know what happened to my favorite motorcycle club won out and in I jumped. Boy am I glad I did because as I already stated: HOLY HANNAH BATMAN!!!
Now, I won't touch on the plot but I will say if you have been reading Kings of Hell MC as I have from the very beginning this is definitely one you don't want to skip because you already know how amazing this group of people are and if you haven't started or you were waiting for it to be completed to begin, well now you can and trust me you will not be disappointed. This one starts off from where Gray's Shadow ended which means it truly grabs the readers attention from page one. There's love, hate, twists, turns, good, bad, hope, defeat, wins. losses . . . well I think you get the idea that Arms has a little bit of everything that we've come to expect from the Kings and their enemy, Baal. That's all you're going to get from me about the plot as everything is important and I refuse to ruin anyone's adrenaline rush that I know you'll experience as I did when reading.
Now as for Laurent and Beast, well it was a no-brainer that the series should end with the same couple we first met but don't think that doesn't mean they are the same as they were in Laurent and the Beast. Beast is still gruff, straight forward, and takes no BS from anyone but he's also got a side that is, well I refuse to use the word "soft" because no one is going to accuse Beast of being soft and live to tell the tale, but he definitely lets his heart show more but the tough guy we've come to know and love is certainly his goto side. As for Laurent, well he's still a bit naive when it comes to life in the 21st century but he is learning more and more every day. One thing I found to be interesting with Laurent in book one was his love of everything plastic(don't ask me why other than its the last thing I would have thought of in a time travel story😉) and though he still loves plastic, circumstances cause him to learn that not all plastic is a good thing for the future. This is a minor element but for me it showcases the authors' talents for making the little things more than just a plot device to fill in pages and that even when characters grow they always retain a small bit of who they were.
Who knew such a dark and twist filled series good be so inviting? Who am I kidding, of course it would be inviting. Kings of Hell MC has a little bit of everything and I can honestly say "everything" because since book one started with some time travel it even has a little sci-fi factor(okay that might be stretching it because its down to demonic elements that the time travel occurs but I'm sticking to the "has everything" statement😉). In the Arms of the Beast is a fitting end to the series, although after reading it I have to be honest that I don't think we've seen the end of this group of guys(or at least some of them) but I won't elaborate on what made me come to that decision because you'll have to discover that on your own just as I did.
In the Arms of the Beast is a win-win from beginning to end but it is definitely not a standalone. Sure, you'd still enjoy the book if you started here without reading the first four but you'll be scratching your head and going "huh, wonder what that's about" a lot so I highly recommend reading Kings of Hell MC in order, you won't be sorry.
RATING:
Gray's Shadow #4
Shadow opened one eye, watching the water as if it were toxic waste, but in the end he followed Gray’s request, and stepped in with one foot. His slouching shoulders rose at once, and the ruby eyes glinted in wonder. “It’s warm,” he said and packed his massive body into the tub with no lingering hesitation.
Gray shut his eyes when scented drops hit his face. “Well, yeah. And it smells nice, doesn’t it?” he asked before mentally chastising himself for talking to the creature as if he were a child.
Shadow gathered the water into his hands and poured it over his head time and time again until his thick hair ran straight down and into the water. He seemed to love splashing about, but while soaking in scented water was a good start, he still needed a wash. “It does. I was scared it would be freezing like last time,” he said with a genuine smile.
Right. Last time. When Gray had blasted Shadow with an icy shower as punishment for the attack. Being alone with Shadow had Gray on pins and needles, but he had since decided Shadow’s behavior shouldn’t be measured against that of humans. Still, it was hard to comprehend that a creature who killed two men less than an hour ago could be ‘scared’ of a cold bath.
“Back then, I was angry at you. Needed you to cool off,” Gray said.
The red eyes were pinned to Gray’s face, hungry for knowledge. “Why?”
Gray leaned on the edge of the tub, watching the strands of hair float close to the surface. He was glad he’d chosen to use the bath milk, because it gave the water a tint that obscured details of Shadow’s anatomy that he shouldn’t be wanting to see.
In the Arms of the Beast #5
A hot flash pierced Laurent and trailed all the way to his toes when Beast’s blue eyes met his. The red neon above the entrance shed a colorful glow on his powerful figure, but his face, scarred as it was, softened with tenderness. Beast hadn’t expected Laurent’s presence, but he’d appreciate it nevertheless. Laurent might not be competent at using guns or fighting, but he would support Beast as best as he could on the difficult path his man needed to walk.
When Gray started talking to Beast outside, taking away his attention, Laurent refused to wait any longer. He put his notebook away and went straight for the door, itching to put his arms around his man. He doubted thinking of Beast in such a way would ever grow old. His. Man. A concept unthinkable in year 1805, the time Laurent had left behind.
“How did it go?” he asked when Beast had finished the hurried conversation.
Beast didn’t answer at first, instead sweeping Laurent to his chest until Laurent’s feet left the asphalt. Relief was like warm water splashing down Laurent’s back, and he circled the thick, warm neck with his arms, bumping their foreheads as tenderness took root in his heart.
“We have it,” Beast whispered into Laurent’s ear.
Laurent kissed Beast with a smile, itching to see the jewel. “But are you not injured?” he asked when he spotted dried red dots on Beast’s vest.
Beast shook his head and gave Laurent another peck on the lips. If the blood wasn’t Beast’s, Laurent didn’t need to know who it belonged to.
Shadow opened one eye, watching the water as if it were toxic waste, but in the end he followed Gray’s request, and stepped in with one foot. His slouching shoulders rose at once, and the ruby eyes glinted in wonder. “It’s warm,” he said and packed his massive body into the tub with no lingering hesitation.
Gray shut his eyes when scented drops hit his face. “Well, yeah. And it smells nice, doesn’t it?” he asked before mentally chastising himself for talking to the creature as if he were a child.
Shadow gathered the water into his hands and poured it over his head time and time again until his thick hair ran straight down and into the water. He seemed to love splashing about, but while soaking in scented water was a good start, he still needed a wash. “It does. I was scared it would be freezing like last time,” he said with a genuine smile.
Right. Last time. When Gray had blasted Shadow with an icy shower as punishment for the attack. Being alone with Shadow had Gray on pins and needles, but he had since decided Shadow’s behavior shouldn’t be measured against that of humans. Still, it was hard to comprehend that a creature who killed two men less than an hour ago could be ‘scared’ of a cold bath.
“Back then, I was angry at you. Needed you to cool off,” Gray said.
The red eyes were pinned to Gray’s face, hungry for knowledge. “Why?”
Gray leaned on the edge of the tub, watching the strands of hair float close to the surface. He was glad he’d chosen to use the bath milk, because it gave the water a tint that obscured details of Shadow’s anatomy that he shouldn’t be wanting to see.
In the Arms of the Beast #5
A hot flash pierced Laurent and trailed all the way to his toes when Beast’s blue eyes met his. The red neon above the entrance shed a colorful glow on his powerful figure, but his face, scarred as it was, softened with tenderness. Beast hadn’t expected Laurent’s presence, but he’d appreciate it nevertheless. Laurent might not be competent at using guns or fighting, but he would support Beast as best as he could on the difficult path his man needed to walk.
When Gray started talking to Beast outside, taking away his attention, Laurent refused to wait any longer. He put his notebook away and went straight for the door, itching to put his arms around his man. He doubted thinking of Beast in such a way would ever grow old. His. Man. A concept unthinkable in year 1805, the time Laurent had left behind.
“How did it go?” he asked when Beast had finished the hurried conversation.
Beast didn’t answer at first, instead sweeping Laurent to his chest until Laurent’s feet left the asphalt. Relief was like warm water splashing down Laurent’s back, and he circled the thick, warm neck with his arms, bumping their foreheads as tenderness took root in his heart.
“We have it,” Beast whispered into Laurent’s ear.
Laurent kissed Beast with a smile, itching to see the jewel. “But are you not injured?” he asked when he spotted dried red dots on Beast’s vest.
Beast shook his head and gave Laurent another peck on the lips. If the blood wasn’t Beast’s, Laurent didn’t need to know who it belonged to.
K.A. Merikan are a team of writers who try not to suck at adulting, with some success. Always eager to explore the murky waters of the weird and wonderful, K.A. Merikan don’t follow fixed formulas and want each of their books to be a surprise for those who choose to hop on for the ride.
K.A. Merikan have a few sweeter M/M romances as well, but they specialize in the dark, dirty, and dangerous side of M/M, full of bikers, bad boys, mafiosi, and scorching hot romance.
EMAIL: kamerikan@gmail.com
Gray's Shadow #4
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