The Darkest Surrender- Gena Showalter

Possessed by the demon of Defeat, Strider cannot lose a challenge without suffering unimaginable pain. For him, nothing stands in the way of victory. Until Kaia, an enchanting Harpy, tempts him to the razor’s edge of surrender.

Known among her people as The Disappointment, Kaia must bring home the gold in the Harpy Games or die. Strider is a distraction she can’t afford because he as an agenda of his own – steal first prize, an ancient godly artifact, before the winner can be named. But as the competition heats up, only one prize will matter – the love neither had thought possible…

Funny, Witty, Sexy, and Powerful are just a few words I would use to describe this book, I have loved this series since I picked up the first book over a year ago. This one is like the first few in the series, the storyline and the writing to me is better than the previous book in this series. Strider is tall, blond and just all around sexy but he also has an ego to go with all of that. We met him many books back but really just got to know him in the book before this one, but since this is his story we get to know him even better and honestly I liked every part of him. In the beginning he is just an arrogant ass but to read about him getting "self" pulled down a notch or two was great. Sometimes it just takes a woman to make a man open his eyes and heart for them to realize what they really need in their life.

Like Strider, we met Kaia a few books back, she has a few sisters in previous books, one married to a Lord and another to an angel. I really liked her from the beginning, she is a kick ass chick that doesn't come across as too hard or even too obnoxious especially since she can wipe the floor with just about anyone she is up against. She is a Harpy and is naturally strong but Kaia has a soft side that not many people get to see. She knows Strider is her consort but he denies her at every turn until he learns that she really does need him by her side during the dangerous Harpy Games. Not only is love on the line but so is her life. We have a few of the old troublemakers in this story but we also get s few new ones.

My Rating: 5   Wendy