Review: Wicked Nights by Gena Showalter

                                            Wicked Nights (Angels of the Dark #1)
                                                           Gena Showalter
                                                   Published June 26,2012
                                                     Harlequin  HQN books
                                                              411 pages
                                                       Paranormal Romance
Synopsis (from Goodreads) :

Leader of the most powerful army in the heavens, Zacharel has been deemed nearly too dangerous, too ruthless--and if he isn't careful, he'll lose his wings. But this warrior with a heart of ice will not be deterred from his missions at any cost...until a vulnerable human tempts him with a carnal pleasure he's never known before.

Accused of a crime she did not commit, Annabelle Miller has spent four years in an institution for the criminally insane. Demons track her every move, and their king will stop at nothing to have her. Zacharel is her only hope for survival, but is the brutal angel with a touch as hot as hell her salvation--or her ultimate damnation?

Where to start....I LOVED this book. I am a fan of Gena Showalter's having read most of the Lords of the Underworld series and I think this book is one of her best yet. It is the start of a new series, Angels of the Dark,  that you can read as a stand alone title. If you have not read the Lords of the Underworld you will not be lost, but if you have read them some of the Lords do make an appearance. This story centers on the tortured angel Zacharel, who must lead an army of "misfit angels" who are all close to becoming fallen angels. Zacharel is being taught a lesson, the hard way, by his Deity and he is responsible for his army. If his army should break any of the rules it is Zacharel who will receive the punishment. Zacharel just wishes to run from his past and slay demons.  He can not stand to be touched and has never understood the needs of others for relationships/companions. Along comes a sad and tortured human Annabelle. Annabelle was locked up in an asylum for a crime she did not commit and  everyday is  tortured/taunted by demons and she has no idea why. She is the only one who can see the demons so obviously no one believes her. Zacharel's army is sent to destroy an army of demons that is attacking a hospital and his curiosity is piqued as to why they are at this hospital and why the demons are after this human girl. When they meet sparks fly and man oh man the chemistry.  Annabelle had been thru a lot and her spirit never died. She is such a fighter and I just adored her. It was dun to watch Zacharel evolve from this frigid angel with no cares for anyone to an angel that would die for Annabelle and how he became to care for the men he leads.  One of the things I loved most about this book is the banter. Here is an example: 

          "My apologies. How much more time would you like?"

      "A hour, maybe. Possibly two." Though no amount of time could prepare her for such a frigid dipping. 

     "Very well. But I must admit, taking care of a female is more difficult than even I imagined."

      "Hey! I am not high maintenance. I'm spunky."

  His gaze met hers for a protracted second. "To a man who has spent centuries seeing to only his own needs, you are indeed high maintenance, but I'm finding I do not mind maintaining you."

I will say I was surprised at how the story twisted and who ended up being the one that picked Annabelle and why. It takes a lot to surprise me and I look forward to reading the next in the series. If you want a hot paranormal read that will keep you turning the pages this is definitely the one to buy. 

Wicked Nights :  5/5  stars

Cover:                 5/5 stars

                                                                ~~~~~Tanya~~~~~