A brutal vampire soldier about to know love for the first time…
Murdoch Wroth will stop at nothing to claim Daniela the Ice Maiden–the delicate Valkyrie who makes his heart beat for the first time in three hundred years. Yet the exquisite Danii is part ice fey, and her freezing skin can’t be touched by anyone but her own kind without inflicting pain beyond measure.
A Valkyrie aching to be touched…
Soon desperate for closeness, in an agony of frustration, Murdoch and Danii will do anything to have each other. Together can they find the key that will finally allow them to slake the overwhelming desire burning between them?
Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series has been a hit or miss with me. Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night, Bowen and Mariketa’s story being a big hit, and her last couple especially her latest full length novel, Kiss of a Demon King a big miss. I wasn’t even that excited to read this book, but I am so glad I did. Untouchable has brought my love for Kresley Cole back in a big way.
Murdoch Wroth is a vampire, turned three hundred years ago against his will. He doesn’t know a lot about the Lore and is known very much as a womanizer. He is out in New Orleans one night and by chance, runs into Daniela, the ice maiden. Danii is from Icere, she thrives in the cold, and would literally shatter if she becomes overheated. She can only be touched by those of her kind, problem is, others from Icere want her dead. Her mother, the former Queen was murdered, and the current ruler is afraid Danii wants the throne back and is doing everything in his power to eliminate her. All Danii really wants is companionship and love. She has been untouched for two thousand years.
When Murdoch runs into her, she is being chased by assassins. Something about the ice maiden attracts Murdoch. He in an unblooded vampire, his heart does not beat. Once a vampire finds his “bride” his body comes to life and it is only the bride’s touch that can make his sexual release a reality. As Murdoch finds himself fighting the assassins that threaten Danii, the impossible becomes a reality. His heart starts to beat, he has his first erection in 300 years – he has become blooded by Danii. An aching, sexual need takes over – and Danii is not immune to his attraction either. But – they can not touch each other. One touch and Danii is burned severely and her freezing cold touch is something Murdoch can not handle.
Untouchable is such a good story, and as I mentioned above, I’m loving Kresley Cole again. Murdoch is gruff, and serious and blunders through his relationship with Danii with actions that beg for grace. He is kind of like a big oaf that can’t do or say anything right – but a sexy oaf..let’s not get that wrong. Danii is half Valkyrie and has that lightning quick temper that I have come to love so much from them. Plus Kresley Cole’s humor really shines in this couple. She is very sly and subtle with her humor. As Danii is recovering and slightly out of it, Murdoch asks her:
“How old are you?”
“Two Thousand or so.”
“Two thousand.”
“’m a Pisces”
We need to take a minute as well to reflect on the romance in this book. Dear readers – the romance is SMEXY. The first love scene – after Murdoch has been blooded and desperately needs release is one of the hottest scenes I have read this year. It is definitely making it into my top ten. It’s the best love scene with no touching of the other person. Oh yes.
I did find the that the resolution to the assassins chasing Danii was wrapped up without much “bang.” Towards the end, I realized that part of the story was done, and I felt like it was wrapped up a bit too easily. However, my mind quickly left that subject once we meet Jadian, another Icere. I won’t give much away, but from some of his unanswered actions and responses, I know we have not seen the last of him yet. He left me very intrigued.
Having read all the books in this series, I also liked that this story takes place from the time Emmaline and Lachlain first meet and ends with Conrad and Neomi mated. We also see Nikolai and Myst throughout their relationship and Sebastian and Kaderin. For being a 250 page story, it really encompasses the world well and ties everything together. Great addition, and this definitely makes me look forward to Pleasure of a Dark Prince coming in February.
Rating: Four Stars
This Anthology also includes “Tempt Me Eternally” by Gena Showalter
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Sounds wonderful and I can't wait to read this no touching smex scene.
Great review sweetie!
When Dani gives Murdock Regin's cell phone number message, best scene evah! I enjoyed Kiss of the Demon King, but really who can compare with Bowen and Cadeon.
I'm campaigning for Desh (demon) to get his own book, he's so smexy.
I am a Kresley Cole virgin, I do have her books, really need to get started in this series, it sounds so good… Great review!
I heard there is some slap and tickle with an icicle in this one. Care to explain?
;)
Hi Mandi,
Nice review and yes it does sounds like a pretty good book. I keep wondering about that whole cna't touch thing too
Susi – it is great!
Smokinhot – That was a great scene. I don't know – Murdoch and Bowen share my top space now.
Marissa – She has a fun series..I wasn't super into her first book – but like I said, some I have liked more than others.
KB – oh yes – the icicle scene – you see..Danii is immune to cold..and Murdoch can't touch her..so why not a little rubbing action with an icicle. I'm telling you – this book has some HOT sex scenes. Go Kresley!
Blodeuedd – I thought it was a great conflict…we need to have sex but no touchy touchy. :)
I love this cover. The story sounds great.
Great review! I love Kresley Cole, she writes smexy scenes like no other and the men on her covers are always sinfully delicious.
I so want to read this book!!! :)
I'm – as Marissa so beautifully put it – a Kresley Cole virgin :) I'm honestly not sure if I want to go down this road though – the investment (as in number of books)just seems immense. I think the jury needs to retire and deliberate :)
It is definitely an investment..and like I said..Kresley Cole is total hit or miss with me.But when she is a hit…she is a hit!
This one looks good! I'm a bit behind on my IAD books – the last one I read was where the heroine was a ghost, I think? I would skip ahead to this one but I must read them in order or else I have to be medicated.
The ghost would be Neomi and Conrad..one of my least favorite stories. If I remember correctly you have both two books before this one. I totally feel ya on the reading in order :)
I've got to read this soon! Two of my most favorite authors in one book. :)
Mandi, like you, Cole is also a hit or miss for me with Bowen and Mariketa's story being my absolute favorite in the series. I'm so happy you enjoyed Murdoch and Danii's story. I've read some mixed reviews. I read one where the review felt that Danii should have ended up with one of her ice brethren…
Thanks for the awesome review!
;) VFG
Wonderful review! I will definitely pick this up on my next venture to the bookstore! :)
This is a story I've been waiting for and I'm glad that the novella was so long!! At first, I thought we'd be cheated because it was a novella.
I think the story was very enjoyable. Loved the relationship between Murdoch and Danii. However, as we went along, the storyline went a bit downhill… and the last quarter of the book, story-wise, was a bit of a let down I think compared to its build-up.
Nath – I remember towards the end I was like – oh..I guess the plot has been resolved. It kind of felt like a little set up for Jadian, rather than a smooth finish for Murdoch and Danii. I did like the wrap up of all the previous character story lines though.
Comment got eaten here too by the Halloween monster :)
It sounds like a genuine kresley Cole novella and I can't wait to sink my teeth in it!
That about sums my previous eaten comment up *wink*