Review: Lothaire- Kresley Cole

Title: Lothaire

Author: Kresley Cole 

Series: Immortals After Dark - Book 12

Release Date: January, 2012

Publisher: Gallery Books      

Genre: Paranormal Romance 

Rating: 5 Hoots

Reviewer: Karia 

ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD 

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience. 

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER 

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart. 

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED 

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her? (Goodreads)

Where to begin and still hold fast to my commitment of no spoilers...First let me say that if you have not yet discovered the Immortals After Dark(IAD), you need to go pick up Playing Easy to Get (or The Warlord Wants Forever in re-release).  While I read this series out of order, I have re-read it in order and it is much better.  The long connected threads through all the books have been Lothaire and Nix.  Both are millennia old and as the last of the truly ancient ones, they have the most delightful love:hate relationship.  Many (and I mean many) IAD fans were shocked and upset when Ms Cole announced that Nix was definitely not Lothaire's HEA.  The boards were full comments regarding what potential woman could not only attract Lothaire but keep him distracted from his endgame long enough to make a love connection.

Well...that woman was Ellie.  A backwoods, hillbilly from a trailer in the mountains, who co-incidentally was possessed by one of the most powerful vampire goddesses of all time...Soroya, The Queen of Divine Death.  Cursed to live her existence in mortals, Soroya sees her chance in Lothaire and convinces him to help her keep this "body".  Ellie, however is not the sit back and let her soul be extinguished kinda gal!  She is spunky, feisty, wicked smart and most importantly cunning.  To survive as possessed mortal in prison or a bounty-marked Vampire bride in the Lore, Ellie needs to keep all her cards close to her chest and bluff like her life depends on it.  Because it does!

Lothaire…ahhh.  Where to begin?  At many points in the story he was vicious and lethal, like the Lothaire we know and love.  But then, there were times of such vulnerability and hope that my heart literally broke for him.  He and Malkom (Demon from the Dark) need to start a men's support group for emotionally stunted husbands.  That would be a great scene!  All sitting around the coffee shop explaining how they made their women a cape of human skin only to have the women not appreciate the fine workmanship…Seriously, Lothaire has had no role models of functional healthy relationships.  Even with his long life, he has never loved, never been loved (except by his Mother who often made very poor choices due to her own pride) and doesn't even know how to be a friend.  Ellie is patient, but with Lothaire's arrogant attitude, dominant personality and self-righteous reasoning, Ellie is going to need to fall in love with him to tolerate a lifetime with Lothaire.

This instalment was fast paced in most places, but then the story seemed to arc and slow right before the climax...it was at this point that the much awaited Lothaire and Nix scene appears.  I loved this point in the story, and so much detail was given.  I re-read these pages a few times to ensure I had it all right.  I cannot wait for Nix to find her man, but I know logically it will be a very long time.  As the story closes, much of what we know to be true is revealed and leaves us asking when Kristoff and Fury will have their story.  Personally, I am hoping for Thronos and Lanthe.  I loved Sabine and Ryd and I loved Sabine and Lanthe.  Sisters are some of the best parts to this series.  Yes, I want Nix to find her sister Fury, but Kristoff and Lothaire need to be in position to rescue her.  Perhaps Thronos and Lanthe's book will give them time to assemble their forces.