Kade's Dark Embrace

Immortals of New Orleans, Book 1

By: Kym Grosso

Narrated by: Ryan West

Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

After a series of girls are ritualistically murdered on the cold streets of Philadelphia, seasoned detective, Sydney Willows, is forced to work with sexy, alpha vampire, Kade Issacson. While working the case, Sydney finds herself inexplicably drawn to Kade, fighting the passion she feels towards him.

Kade, determined to solve the case and mete out justice, is captivated by the independent, fiery detective. As he attempts to protect her from a very real murderer, Kade grows concerned that the beautiful, but very human detective, could easily end up dead should she tangle with supernatural forces that are beyond her control.

The investigation leads them into a dark and dangerous world, deep in the heart of New Orleans, where together, they search for the perpetrators of the Voodoo killings. Sydney soon becomes the target of the killer and ends up fighting for her life and love in the Big Easy. Will she eventually give into the intoxicating desire she feels for Kade if she makes it out alive? 

*Recently optioned for film by DreamStreet Entertainment*  

©2012 Kym Grosso (P)2014 Kym Grosso

Critic Reviews

"This is a fast paced read that had me hooked from the beginning. Ms. Grosso grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. Sex scenes are steamy and well written.... If you are looking for a great new series I hope you will consider Kade’s Dark Embrace, you will not be disappointed!” (Night Owl Reviews)
 

HATE the heroine

Rest of the storyline and story telling was good the lead female was supposed to be tough and independent just came off as bitchy and stupid. He says don't go out alone you have no idea how dangerous this black magic is. She says oh yeah? Don't tell me what to do I'm a bad ass cop. She sneaks off alone and of course gets caught and hurt. Rinse repeat. And he falls madly in love with her. Why exactly? She is arrogant judge mental and rude and mostly irresponsible and rude.

Hours I can never get back!

So...I’m not sure how this has a 4 star rating. The story was terrible. I skipped through a quarter of it and still knew exactly what was going on. The characters are poorly written and developed. Kade is supposed to be this super old vampire, but has an extremely limited vocabulary/range. Sydney is supposed to be a modern feminist but instantly goes from independent woman to bending to the dominant rule of an overly controlling borderline misogynist.
I get that this is a vampire book, so realism is obviously not entirely expected, but a little bit of realism is nice. The whole thing was so unbelievably far fetched.
My last thing is that the narrator sounded exactly like the voice of the dude who narrates movie trailers. I kept waiting for him to say “coming this fall” or “critics are calling it the film of the year”...
Okay one more thing. The love scenes. Oh. My. God! That’s not a positive exclamation. Every. Single. One. Was exactly the same, with the exception that BJs and fingers were interchangeable. Sometimes it was both, but it was the same thing over and over with the WORST dialogue...the whole book had terrible dialogue, but it was especially bed during the love scenes.
I don’t know, maybe I missed something in the overall tone, but I thought it was through and through terrible.

DO NOT MISS THIS FAST-PACED PARANORMAL ROMANCE

Wow, what a brilliant start to a brand new series as this has everything a PNR lover should want..... a sexy gorgeous Alpha Vampire Hero and a strong sassy independent Heroine whose instant sexual attraction nicely developed into a tender romance that had some sexy love scenes that were just right. There's a tense plot involving Werewolves, Witches, Mages, revenge, greed, magic and ritualistic murders and a host of interesting secondary characters.

Then, as if that wasn't enough, Ryan West easily tackled every accent needed and brought each character to life so, at all times, you knew exactly who was talking out of the multitude of characters.

Worth a credit? It's well-written, flowed nicely from various POV's, was an addictive 'action in every chapter' listen and the romance was oh so good..... so ABSOLUTELY worth a credit and I can't wait for the next instalment which will be an auto download for me.

Women Can't Do Everything

Women Can't do everything. Neither can men. Or vampires.

This heroine gives feminists a bad name... it was painful to watch her go headlong into problem after problem. Why? Because she's a woman and a cop and she just HAS to prove herself. Even when faced with beings more powerful than her both physically and magically, she just plows right into trouble then yells at the man who has to bail her out.

Sigh. I'm too tired to write a review of this. It's just... not credit worthy. Sorry. She's just too annoying.

Loved It!

Sydney is a sassy spitfired detective from Philadelphia who has a mouth on her that would make any sailor proud! Kade is a sexy Alpha vampire from New Orleans who has made the trip to Philly to help investigate the murders.
When it becomes obvious that hints of magic are involved in the deaths, Kade soon realizes it is someone from his past. When Sydney gets attacked at her home, Kade takes her to his home in NOLA to keep her safe. Kade must enlist all of his allies to find Simone before too many more people have to die.

I absolutely loved hearing this on audio! It reminded me why I fell in love with The Immortals of New Orleans and Kym Grosso!

Ryan West did an amazing job narrating this! I am starting on Logan's book next and cannot wait to hear him on it!

Did I read a different book?

Dull, flat, one dimensional characters, laughable dialogue, and a very unpleasant female protagonist made this a dull, flat, one dimensional read.

The hyper melodramatic narration didn't help either.

Although others are buying into this, I couldn't get past the first seven chapters.

Sydney is a tough female cop. We know this because she says it over and over again. Kade is a vampire called in on a supernatural serial murder case where another vampire is suspected. They meet at a vicious crime scene where a young woman, who has been tortured and drained, has been tossed into the river. Sydney simultaneously falls into insta-lust and insta-hate with Kade.

Sydney is incredibly rude and unpleasant to Kade and gets in the vampire investigators face, telling him he isn't going to take her case -- even though he has automatic jurisdiction. (I'm thinking, ok, she has a problem with vampires, or supernaturals. That could be triggering her reaction.)

Sydney leaves the crime scene and decides she NEEDS sex with her werewolf boyfriend- with-benefits, and needs it NOW, to feel better. (What? Why was she such a bitch to the vamp she just met if she's cool with supernaturals? That doesn't make sense. And what's her psychological damage that she uses sex to feel better?)

Just when they were starting to get busy on the dance floor, Sydney and her were-toy are interrupted by Kade (who gets jealous -- really? They just met and she was a stone cold bitch to him!) Then we hear his thoughts where he 'feels' she is meant to be his. (Huh.)

After Kade puts a damper on the sexcapades, he and Sydney decide maybe they should just go do some investigating of the murders. They go to the morgue, check out the vic's tatoos, go to a tatoo parlor and get a tip from the owner that not only did the guy who did the tatoo used to work for her, but she has his name and address!!! Got it in one!

Kade and Sydney go to the guy's house, but when they get there, she tells Kade this is her case and she's a cop, and she's going in alone. Kade reminds her that the killer is a vampire and she's no match for him, but despite this sage advice, and his vow to protect her with his life, she of course, is determined that he isn't going to take her case away from her because -- wait for it -- she's a cop.

He caves to her stupidity with little resistance, I guess because he's blinded by his attraction to her. She goes in the front door, while he goes around the back. But just in case anything goes wrong, he tells her to scream if anything bad happens and he'll come in.

Of course she's immediately attacked in the house, and falls into a big puddle of blood, but being too stupid to live, she doesn't scream. She has time to talk to the guy after he hits her on the back with a club and pulls out the duct tape, but being a tough cop, she still doesn't scream for help.

Instead, she shoots wildly into the dark and ends up killing the guy, their one and only lead.

But nobody thinks this is a problem. There isn't a moment of self reflection on her part that maybe, just maybe, her pride cost them a witness. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. (This is the point where I'm thinking maybe the reviews were wrong.)

The worst part is, she then leaves the grisly, blood-coated crime scene, where young women have been ritually murdered, and offers Kade "coffee" in her apartment. It's made clear that both of them know this is a euphemism for sex. He declines, deciding to continue the investigation. There's no explanation given as to why she doesn't feel the need to investigate as well. All we're told is she needs sex, NOW. To feel better.

She stops long enough to shower the young women's blood off, and hurries back to the supe club, for a second time, to have sex with the werewolf. He feels her need, he knows what she needs, yada, yada. But the much talked about hot and heavy sex scene that we've been told repeatedly is something she desperately needs in order to feel better amounts to a quickie hand job (on her) and a blow job on him. It's furtive and silly and takes place in his room which is described as being "painted royal blue with a cherry desk and a black leather sofa." That's it. That's all the description we get. No wait. We know there is a rug on the floor because that's where they have "sex." After she tells him that that was what she needed -- (Really?) -- they go back downstairs to the club where she sees Kade and is immediately drawn to his side. He smells the were on her and goes ballistic.

Really? This all happens in one or two chapters, but the other five are just like this.

I don't get it. Admittedly, I'm also reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which is a classic, so perhaps my standards are a bit on the high side. Still, there are things one expects in any kind of good book, such as a plot that makes sense, characters whose actions are plausible and driven by understandable motivations -- not just random words strung together where we are TOLD who a character is simply by declarative statement, but shown, through action, who they are, what they feel and why they do the things they do.

In this regard, this book is an absolute failure. Five star reviews notwithstanding.

Holy Hotness Batman!!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Not only would I recommend this audiobook I already have!! This book has everything a Paranorm reader is looking for. Vamps, Wolves, Witches an OMG hot sex.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kade's Dark Embrace?

Id have to say my favorite part of this story is the first bar scene....I loved the way Sydney was able to blend right in an fight of an attacker and then the scene on the dance floor was very very hot.

Have you listened to any of Ryan West’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes...I really really liked his character voice's in this book compared to the last one of his audibles I listened to. He really did an amazing job with the different accents. His Luca accent is amazing!!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh yes!! and I would have if I didn't have to sleep. This is my favorite thing about audiobooks I can still cook, clean, do laundry & walk the dogs all while enjoying the story.

Any additional comments?

Kym Grosso has done a very good thing for her readers by putting The Immortals of New Orleans on audio.....it doesnt get any hotter then having these stories read to you by a man with a very sexy voice. Well done Kym...very well done.

What is up with the narrator?

I get it it’s a “spy” book.... but he’s like a movie trailer voice and it’s okay for a 30 second spot. A whole book is too much. I guess my review doesn’t mean much because I stopped listening.

Stubborn women

I am all for strong women and for a women to know what she wants and is willing to get it. but in this story Sydney is probably the most stubborn female lead character I have ever read/listened to. Instead of accepting that she is human and that is is no match for the supernaturals she insists that she be kept in the know with the investigation. And when hard evidence of just how fragile she is, is thrown in her face she refuses to acknowledge that she may be out of her element.

Apart from a female lead who makes me want to shoot her, the story was mediocre at best. At times I could not tell if it was the story that was just bad or the narrator. It is a tough and dragging read/listen. It is a good story if you have nothing better to do and are willing to stop and restart when you have the time but, not for one that you listen to in one straight shot.

Kade's Dark Embrace ~ Rocks!

This story rocked! It's a well-developed, faced paced, full of suspense, and had lots of smokin hot sex scenes that had me craving more.

The characters, a sexy mix of vampires, wolfs, and witches, were well developed and the attraction between Kade and Sydney was electrifying. Even though this story was about Kade and Sydney, we are introduced to other sexy immortals, and I can't wait to listen to their stories. No cliffhangers; however, it does set the stage for Luca's story.

Ryan West did an awesome job narrating and made the story even more enjoyable!

Kim Grosso is now in my top ten favorite authors!

most enjoyable

really liked this book. about to buy the next one. story and narrator both excellent.

Wonderful

What did you like most about Kade's Dark Embrace?

I read the book and loved it, listing to it brought it to life. Kade was wonderful as was the narrator Ryan West.

Action Packed Vampire Advneture

What did you like most about Kade's Dark Embrace?

I loved the different twists and spins going through out the book it kept you hooked and wanting to know what was going to happen next !!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kade's Dark Embrace?

I just loved the whole story it was one of adventure, exploration of the unknown as well as battling evil that is around threatening their futures .

What does Ryan West bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I love the smoothness and flow of the way he told the book and also with him saying some of the names and other unusual names you get to hear it how the author want's to be said!! also much more imagination is used when describing some scenes

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No i wish i could but listened to it snippets while getting on with daily life !!

Total drivel

This is the worst book I have ever had the misfortune to listen to. I have no idea what book everyone else downloaded but it couldn’t have been the same book I did.
The narrator had an inflection in his voice that made everything sound like a question. That may be because he was wondering what the hell he was reading and considering if he was paid enough. He had a lovely timbre to his voice and a simple read would have been much more entertaining.
I also have to say that his South African accent was impressive- if the character hadn’t have been Australian, he’d have been spot on.
The lead female character is extremely unlikable and although she is described as a badass detective at every available opportunity, she rushes in head first into every dangerous situation and she loses her weapon every bloody time. Someone should have superglued the f***ing thing to her hand.
Also she must be a supermodel with fairy dust in her knickers because she is instantly lusted over by every man who sets eyes on her, even though she is an ill mannered shrew. I am all for strong female characters but this one is just argumentative for the sake of it. Darwin’s natural selection would have killed her off years ago for simple stupidity.
I liked the male lead character but you are left wondering how can he be arsed with this nightmare of a woman.
Sorry. Definitely not for me and I will not be following the story arc into the next books.
This author was recommended to me as I am a big fan of Kresley Cole. Not even in the same league. Please don’t waste a credit.

highly entertaining

This was a dramatic, action packed supernatural romance with lots of danger and untruigue thrown in along with the hot steamy action.
love Sid and Cade and im looking forward to the best book in the series.
highly recommended.
Brilliant narration

Cheesy!

Really thought I’d like this book, but the detective mystery was lame, and the romance and steam was cringe worthy and cheesy. The narrators performance I think added to the cringe worthiness and his Australian accent was atrocious. Just his accent alone would put me off listening to the next book about Luca the Aussie vampire. It’s a shame as I wanted to like this book and the author, but her style of writing just did not gel with me. Sentences such as “please kade, please kade, I’m coming, I’m coming, I’m coming dont stop.” Just made me cringe and not feel all hot and steamy. If you want some insta love cheesy sex scenes with a lacking plot of a story, them this is the book for you.

Superb!!!

I have read and listened to this book. I love Kym Grosso's books. This is the one which started all of it. Totally loved it. Would Definately recommend.xx

good but could be better

the problem is that the plot is good , i like the character.. but they fall in love too quickly only one week . is too mutch of a short time to fall deeply in love.

Just didn't do it for me.

I'm not sure if it was the narration or the book on a whole :-( but I found the female lead was annoying and that there was not enough detail in Kades background or in anything to be honest. I love my vampire/ werewolf/ supernatural goings on books but this just didn't cut it for me.