by Kresley Cole
Series: Immortals After Dark #4
Narrator: Robert Petkoff
Length: 10 hours and 23 minutes
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Gifted
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
Narration: 4.5 cups
This seductive paranormal series continues with a brutal Highland werewolf and an exquisite young witch, adversaries with a blood vendetta between them.
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?
Not since devouring the Kate Daniel’s series and pining for the next release have I been so addicted to an audiobook series. WICKED DEEDS ON A WINTER’S NIGHT by Kresley Cole is the fourth book in the Immortals After Dark series. The audio books are narrated by the incredibly talented Robert Petkoff. His voices are amazing particularly his ability to make me think the female characters are spoken by a woman. If you aren’t already an addict of this series, I beg of you to grab the audiobooks!
Caffeinated Thoughts on Wicked Deeds on a Winter Night
Cole is a masterful storyteller who delivers a story whose plot keeps you engaged from the very first page. She also commands a brilliant cast of characters where even the secondary ones are memorable. I was so excited when the beginning of WICKED DEEDS ON A WINTER’S NIGHT overlapped the Hie (a competition) from NO REST FOR THE WICKED. Things happened to our hero, and it was fantastic seeing how it all played out and why he was so desperate to win. The whole transition from one book to the next was seamless.
Bowen MacRieve of the Lykae clan is our hero. We know from previous books he lost his mate close to 800 years ago. He has not been with another since. Bowen has been very vocal about his disdain of witches and will even cross the road to avoid them. During the Hia he and Mariketa the Awaited cross paths in their quest for one of the objects. Their encounter had me laughing as these two are shocked at the chemistry sizzling between them. Bowen thinks she is using witchery and Mariketa is confused. But the Hai is on, and Bowen escapes with the prize, but not before locking Mariketa and other contestants in the cave.
Mariketa the Awaited was such a fun and interesting character. She is very powerful but has little control over it making her somewhat of a bumbling witch. She has a tendency to have spells backfire or blow up. Her story was fascinating and when you add Bowen into the mix it became addictive.
Bowen finds he has been cursed by the witch and is unable to heal..but worse he thinks she has cast a spell to trick him into believing her his mate. The tale that unfolds was wonderfully addictive with snark, tempers, heat and twists that will keep you guessing. I loved how Cole addressed the mate bond issue.
While their story is fantastic from the romance to the suspenseful threads that develop it is the secondary characters both in Scotland and NOLA, that set this series about others in the paranormal genre. A lot of times these secondary characters help develop the plot but aren’t developed. Not the case with the cast of the Immortals After Dark series. I crave page time with them, love the humor, banter, friendships and uniqueness of them all. Cole makes me NEED all of their stories. I am particularly fond of a young Valerin who is considered crazy by most. Her wit and abilities as a seer are delightful. She has been instrumental in helping all of the couples thus far. And while all of them have wanted to throttle her a time or too, they cannot help but love her.
The romance had all of the elements I love from banter, growth, and sizzling hot chemistry. The conflict came from a suspense angle and Bowen’s own mouth, making it fun to watch it all unfold. Cole made it all feel very genuine allowing me to become emotionally vested.
Robert Petkoff narrates this series and adds another layer of enjoyment to an already good tale. If he narrated all the books on my wishlist, I would consider listened to everything.
Wicked Deeds On A Winter’s Night By Kresley Cole had all the elements I love in a PNR Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Bookworm Brandee
Haha I loved this one for all the same reasons you did, Kimberly. Bowen and Mari are a hoot together…he’s soooo old and she’s soooo not! Haha But I enjoyed the suspense elements and the darker elements in this one as well. I’ve not listened to them all yet but this one is my favorite or second favorite (so hard to choose!) so far. I’m happy you’re enjoying the series, too. 🙂
Jennifer
This series is amazing on audio! I love how Cole weaves the over all series plot together from book to book.
Lizzy
I might have to give this series a try! I’ve not had the greatest experience with my attempts in finding a paranormal series I could really get behind, but it’s been awhile since I tried. And I am OBSESSED with Scotland.
Lily B
I have not had much luck with audiobooks, but you loving these so much maybe I’ll look to pick one up. Great review kim, the author and the writing and the characters sound so good.
Lampshade Reader
Okay, I need to read this series. Thanks for introducing me to this author. Great review! ~Aleen
Dragonfly
one of the things I wanted to do this year reading wise was trying Kresley Cole again. Her writing style didn’t work for me in the past but you always give her the best reviews 🙂
The Bibliophile Babe
I have got to read something by her!
Tanya
You make me want to listen to this series right now! I loved all the books and this is one of my favorite series ever. I’mean so glad you’re enjoying it!
Michele
This is a series on my list, and I’m so happy it continues to please!
Sophia Rose
I found this series pretty addicting, too. And this pair really had it going on. 🙂 I love all the sarcastic comebacks and how they worked together even with the tension there. Can’t wait until you get to the Sorcerii ones. Those ones were hilarious and fun. 🙂
Angela Adams
This is a snowy day/hot chocolate read! Thanks for the post, and have a great weekend.
Heidi
I have had this series on my list for years and still haven’t read it. I am encouraged that you are enjoying, plus I can’t resist a book set in NOLA. I really need to get to it.
Mary Kirkland
I read one of her other series and loved it. I haven’t started this one yet but this sounds like I would like it so I need to get cracking on these books.
Stormi Johnson
I really need to get to this series someday. 🙂 One of these days….
Debbie Haupt
Wow it’s been non-stop want to read authors lately Kim and another great review!
Thanks
Melanie Simmons
As you know, I love this series so much. I’m really enjoying the revisit through your reviews. I love how the books overlap in the timeline. You would think that would detract from a story, knowing that some things will happen, but Cole writes them so well that it only adds to the story. Great review.
Cyn
I’ve been meaning to check out more Cole, this seems like the perfect series! The setting sounds amazing and I do love great secondary characters! And yay for the romance bring sizziling and bantering! Glad this was such a hit! Awesome review, Kim!
Geybie's Book Blog
Awesome review, Kim. Thanks for sharing.
I really want to try this author since I’ve heard that her paranormal series is one of the best! 😀
Melliane
I’m so late with her books. I did read a few but I still need to get into many
blodeuedd
Cole is always good 😀
Lexxie
*fistpump* IAD is one of my favorite series, too. I love the extremely big cast of paranormals Cole has created here, and there is so much lore that my mythology-geek-heart is always very happy when I have a new installment to entertain me 🙂
Great review, Kim! {{{hugs}}}