Praise for the novels of New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author
Gena Showalter
“A fascinating premise, a sexy hero and nonstop action,
The Darkest Night is Showalter at her finest, and a fabulous start to an imaginative new series.” —New York Times bestselling author Karen Marie Moning
“Showalter delivers another smart and sexy romance
brimming with hilarious pickup lines, fiery banter
and steamy sensuality. A wickedly well-matched hero
and heroine mix with an entertaining, creative and
tremendously fun premise.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews, 4½ stars, on Catch a Mate
“Smart-alecky, wicked, and hilariously funny…
sure to please the most jaded reader.”
—Contemporary Romance Writers on Catch a Mate
“A world of myth, mayhem and love under the sea!”
—New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward on The Nymph King
“I want to visit Atlantis! Deliciously evocative and
filled with sexy men, The Nymph King is every woman’s fantasy come to sizzling life. A must read.” —Award-winning author P.C. Cast
“Wow…Gena Showalter always takes us on
a fantastic ride.”
—USA TODAY bestselling author Merline Lovelace on Playing with Fire
“The versatile Showalter takes the nail-biting elements
of her exciting paranormals…and blends them with
the wit and humor of her contemporary romances…
to make a delicious offering spiced with the best
ingredients of both.”
—Booklist, starred review, on Playing with Fire
“Charming and hilarious…
I was hooked from page one.”
—New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson on Playing with Fire
“Another sizzling page-turner from one of the premier
authors of paranormal romance. Gena Showalter
delivers an utterly spellbinding story!”
—New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole on Playing with Fire
“Showalter writes with a sparkling humor that keeps
the story light without losing poignancy.”
—Booklist on Animal Instincts
“Bold and witty, sexy and provocative,
Gena Showalter’s star is rising fast!”
—New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips on Animal Instincts
“Shines like the purest gem.… Rich in imagery
and evocative detail, this book is a sterling example
of what makes romance novels so worthwhile.”
—A Romance Review, 5 stars, on Jewel of Atlantis
“Lots of danger and sexy passion give lucky readers
a spicy taste of adventure and romance.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews on Heart of the Dragon
“This couple is dynamite and Tristan’s intense sensuality
will have you sweating. [The Pleasure Slave] is definitely going on my keeper shelf.” —The Romance Studio
“Sexy, funny and downright magical! Gena Showalter
has a lyrical voice and the deft ability to bring
characters to life in a manner that’s hilarious and
absorbing at the same time.”
—New York Times bestselling author Katie MacAlister on The Stone Prince
Dear Reader,
I’m thrilled to present The Darkest Pleasure, the third installment of my brand-new paranormal trilogy, Lords of the Underworld, which began with The Darkest Night and continued with The Darkest Kiss. In a remote fortress in Budapest, six immortal warriors—each more dangerously seductive than the last—are bound by an ancient curse none has been able to break. When a powerful enemy returns, they will travel the world in search of a sacred relic of the gods—one that threatens to destroy them all.
Join me on a journey through this darkly sensual world, where the line between good and evil blurs and true love is put to the ultimate test. And stay tuned for further adventures from the Lords of the Underworld as the stakes get higher, the quest more dangerous and the romance hotter!
Wishing you all the best,
Gena Showalter
THE DARKEST PLEASURE
Gena Showalter
This first Lords of the Underworld trilogy could not
have been possible without the following amazing,
wonderful, kick-ass people
(whom I adore):
Donna Hayes
Loriana Sacilotto
Dianne Moggy
Randall Toye
Tracy Farrell
Margo Lipschultz
Keyren Gerlach
Kathleen Oudit
Juliana Kolesova
Diana Wong
Stacy Widdrington
Marianna Ricciuto
Pat Muir-Rand
Melissa Caraway
Kristin Foti
Kim Elliott
Vicki So
Josh Hilburt
Nancy Fischer
Sally Noonan
Brian McGroarty
The Harlequin Sales Group
Deidre Knight
Patricia Rouse
Susan Grimshaw
Kathy Baker
Max Showalter
Matt Showalter
Roy Showalter
Destinee Showalter
Sheila Fields
Jill Monroe
To Kemmie Tolbert, an amazing woman who
loves books as much as I do
CHAPTER ONE
REYES STOOD on the roof of his Budapest fortress, five stories up, his feet balanced precariously on the highest ledge. Above him, moonlight seeped red and yellow from the sky, blood mixed with fickle