I honestly planned to skip these, I'm not a super fan or anything, just enjoying the series. But I decided to check them out, and they looked very short, so it was a small risk of my time. And they were solidly worth reading. Really just an extra scene or two, life as parents and their growing families mostly, but with a nice mix of cute, sweet, and steam. ( )

If you’ve ever wondered what comes next after the HEA, these short stories are a great way to catch up with your favorite Demonica characters.

Wraith & Serena – This short update on Wraith and Serena takes place at an unspecified time, following their story in Passion Unleashed. This vampire couple are seen out on a hunt for prey, along with the heated aftermath that follows. I loved this brief update that demonstrates how they’ve bonded, both as a couple and with their child, and it shows a playful side to their pairing, while also being smokin’ hot. This was a really fun, little read. Star Rating: *****

Tayla & Eidolon – This brief update on Tayla and Eidolon takes place between Sin Undone and Eternal Rider. It shows Eidolon coming home after a long day of work at Underworld General Hospital, more than ready for some action in the bedroom. This couple is also trying to get pregnant and we get to see how that goes. This was an intensely sexy story that was a deliciously steamy read. Star Rating: *****

Luc & Kar – This little story about Luc & Kar takes place eight months after the events of Sin Undone and shows the birth of their child. Based on their part in that book, I’d thought perhaps their story would play out as a secondary romance in future books of the series, but it looks like I may have been wrong. This story shows them happily living together and preparing for their future with a new little one. Up to this point, Luc has been so intensely alpha that he can be a bit of a jerk sometimes, so he hasn’t been one of my favorite characters. But I really enjoyed this story, because he basically turns into a puddle of mush with worry over Kar as she gives birth and then over their baby afterward. This story really helped me to appreciate Luc more as a character and I very much enjoyed it. Star Rating: *****

Kaden & Andrea – This is basically a two-chapter epilogue to Kaden and Andrea’s story. If you’ve read the stand-alone ebook version of Eternity Embraced, you’ve already read this story, but if you read Kaden and Andrea’s novella in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance in which it was first published, then you won’t want to miss this update. It shows how this couple avoid punishment for Andrea and death for Kaden at the hands of their own Aegis Guardian cell by transferring to Tayla’s cell in New York and wraps up with an ultra-sexy scene for them at the end. I’m glad I was able to read the story in its entirely the first time around, but for those readers who didn’t, I think this will be a welcome update. Star Rating: *****

Shade & Runa: Oh, Christmas Hells, Oh Christmas Hells… - This short story is less than four pages and takes place between Rogue Rider and Reaver in the Demonica/Lords of Deliverance series chronology. As the title suggests it’s a Christmas-themed read and it focuses on Shade and Runa. It’s Christmas Eve and the couple are getting ready for a party at Underworld General. Formerly being human, Runa loves the holidays, but Shade is in a rather grumpy mood. Since it’s their third Christmas together where this has happened, Runa wants to know what’s going on. Shade finally fesses up to having an unusual reason for not liking Christmas, and the two of them find common ground that will please them both moving forward. I really enjoyed this cute, slice-of-life story for Shade and Runa. I loved getting a glimpse of their mischievous triplets and Reaver volunteering for baby-sitting duty while Shade and Runa have their talk shows that he has the makings of a good father. I also like how Shade and Runa talk things out to find a solution. Overall, this was a fun, little story. Star Rating: *****

Reaver: O Come, All Ye Horsemen (and Angels) - This is another short story that’s less than four pages and takes place between Rogue Rider and Reaver in the Demonica/Lords of Deliverance series chronology. This one follows Reaver who has just recently discovered that he’s the father of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Feeling guilt over not being there for the first five thousand years of their lives, he wants to give each of them the perfect Christmas gift, but just can’t seem to find anything they don’t already have or that doesn’t seem cheesy. He goes to have a talk with Eidolon who inadvertently gives him the inspiration he’s been looking for. Reaver was a watcher of the Horsemen for years, not knowing that they were actually his children, and now that he does, I love that he wants to be a real father to them. Between this story and the previous short, “Oh, Christmas Hells, Oh Christmas Hells…” where he babysits Shade and Runa’s triplets, I can tell he will be a great dad, so I hope he gets another chance in his own book to do just that. Overall, this was a sweet, heartwarming story that really embodies the Christmas spirit. Star Rating: *****

*Revenant: Epilogue - This is a short story of only approximately five pages that occurs nine months after the events in Revenant. It mainly covers the birth of Idess and Lore’s baby and the reveal of which of Lore’s brothers is the baby’s biological father. It also shows Revenant and Blaspheme happy and looking forward to seeing what the future holds. I loved this little slice of life from the Demonica world. I’d been looking forward to this event and was glad to see it wasn’t overlooked. However, Larissa Ione wrote a note in which she explained that this epilogue was originally intended for the novel, but it ultimately wasn’t included because her editor thought it would be too confusing for new readers. This is one of those cases where I have to disagree. I personally felt it was kind of disrespectful to long-time readers, like myself, who’ve been with the Demonica series from the beginning, to not include it. Sure, it’s available on Ms. Ione’s website for free, but not all readers frequent author websites to even realize it’s there. So I believe having it in the book would have been a better way to show appreciation for loyal fans, but in any case, I’m happy we got to find out this little tidbit. Overall, I thought it was a fun wrap-up to the story. Star Rating: ***** ( )

I honestly planned to skip these, I'm not a super fan or anything, just enjoying the series. But I decided to check them out, and they looked very short, so it was a small risk of my time. And they were solidly worth reading. Really just an extra scene or two, life as parents and their growing families mostly, but with a nice mix of cute, sweet, and steam. ( )

I've been intrigued for quite some time about the Demonica series. After reading this I know it's right up my alley and I can not wait to read more. ( )

Great little shorts on the Demonica series ( )