Caffeinated Reviewer

Diane Duvall is an autobuy for me, and the Immortal Guardians is one of my favorite paranormal romance series. I was both excited and nervous to get my EARs on Cliff’s story. Cliff is not an immortal, but one of the many vampires they have tried to help. Find out why this story tugged at my heartstrings and kept me listening in to the wee hours.

For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers a novel--set in the "fast-paced" (Publishers Weekly) and "totally addictive" (RT Book Reviews) world of the Immortal Guardians--that revolves around a vampire... one who has become a friend and trusted ally of the powerful warriors.

Every mortal who works at network headquarters knows that vampires reside below them. They were the first to surrender to the powerful Immortal Guardians who hunt them. And they did so, hoping they can be saved, that the doctors and scientists the Immortal Guardians employ can halt the progressive brain damage that robs all vampires of their sanity. Though curious, Emma never thought she would meet any of the vampires who remain under heavy guard several stories beneath her office. Then mercenaries strike, bombarding the building with heavy artillery. The vampires are freed to join the fray... and Cliff saves her life.

From that moment on, she can't stop thinking about him regardless of the restrictions placed on interactions with vampires. When Emma discovers a way to speak to Cliff at network headquarters, she becomes even more fascinated by him. He's smart, charming, and honorable to his core despite the darkness that lies ahead. And he seems to crave her company as much as she does his. Aware of the eyes that watch them, they keep their encounters innocent, limiting them to those of mere acquaintances. Nevertheless, their attraction grows and she soon falls in love with him even as the madness begins to claim him.

Cliff realizes his future is dark. As one vampire friend after another succumbs to insanity, hope that network doctors will be able to find a cure in time to keep him from meeting the same fate begins to dwindle, leaving him little to look forward to... until he meets Emma. Just speaking to her brings him a happiness and contentment he hasn't experienced since before his transformation. And when they finally find a way to be alone together, everything changes. Emma burrows her way right into his heart and quiets the voices. She sparks dreams of a future with her that strengthen his determination to beat back the madness. But as time passes, the voices grow louder and insanity begins to chip away at him until he fears it will eradicate every part of him she fell in love with.

Will the two of them find a way to defy the odds and find their happily-ever-after? Or will Cliff's descent consume him?

Thank you, Diane Duvall. Cliff deserved his own story, and I loved every minute of its telling. At headquarters, below the human staff, vampires that surrendered to the Immortals reside. These vampires have not gone insane yet or given into bloodlust. The Immortals and humans are working on a cure and conduct tests with the vampire’s permission. When a vampire finally succumbs to the virus, they are given a noble death of their choosing. Cliff has been in residence the longest and has the respect of the guards, researchers, and several Immortals whom he calls friends.

In Cliff’s story, we explore his friendships with his Immortal friends and watch a romance between him and a gifted one named Emma unfold. The two become friends after he saves her and other humans when there is an attack on headquarters. It’s a slow-burn that was sweet, sexy, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and so dang beautiful.

I love how Duvall allowed their story to unfold. She allowed us to see the good, the bad and how noble Cliff truly is. Events that occur showed different responses to the vampires themselves and how fear makes us respond. Duvall rounds out her stories, touching on relevant topics and developing the story to its fullest.

While we are witness to a few battles, this story was different in that most of the story is truly focused on Emma and Cliff without the suspense thread. It definitely tugged at my heartstrings and held me emotionally.

I laughed, swooned, and cried. Would they get a happily ever-after? Could I bear to listen as they said their goodbyes? Well, you’ll have to find that out for yourselves. All I will say is whether you read it or listen to it, Cliff’s Descent will not disappoint. Grab some chocolate, maybe a glass of wine and dive in!

Kirsten Potter out did herself with this performance. The emotions, particularly Cliff’s and his Immortal friends, were so well done. I love listening so much. I am going back and collecting the ones I read on audio.

Amazon | Audible

About Dianne Duvall

Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series. Her debut novel Darkness Dawns, Book 1, was nominated for the RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance by RT Book Reviews and for Best Paranormal Romance - Vampire by The Romance Reviews. Night Reigns, Book 2, was declared an “utterly addictive” Top Pick by RT Book Reviews and was nominated for Best Paranormal Romance 2011 by The Romance Reviews. Phantom Shadows, Book 3, was named a Top Pick by both The Romance Reviews and Night Owl Reviews. Her Immortal Guardians novella "In Still Darkness" was released in the Predatory Anthology in May 2013. Darkness Rises, Book 4, was also nominated for the RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance. Night Unbound, Book 5 in the series, will be released on September 2, 2014. When she isn't writing, Dianne loves all things creative. When her nose isn't buried in a book, she is very active in the independent film industry and once even appeared onscreen as a machete-wielding maniac not unlike the vampires she so loves to create in her novels.

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About Kirsten Potter

Kirsten Potter, a graduate of the Boston University School for the Arts, has performed on stage, film, and television, including roles on Medium, Bones, and Judging Amy. An award-winning audiobook narrator, Kirsten has won AudioFile Earphones Awards for her reading of The Snowball by Alice Schroeder and her performance as Barbara in George Bernard Shaw's Major Barbara. Her other titles include The Unthinkable by Amanda Ripley, Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson, Sammy's House by Kristen Gore, and Madapple by Christina Meldrum, which was a Booklist Editors' Choice for Best Audiobook 2008. Kirsten has received recognition from the American Academy of Achievement and the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, as well as numerous regional awards.

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

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