I've been enjoying Zoe Archer more than I thought I would. This book starts a new series (historical paranormal romance), and it's a good kickoff with an interesting premise .... 5 friends unwittingly release "The Devil" from a two thousand year imprisonment, and are rewarded with their deepest heart's desire.

What I like: Archer writes a very strong heroine without being "too" contemporary (although she does not avoid contemporary mores completely, which some might dislike in a historical); the romantic relationship develops based on the personalities of the characters (rather than falling in love with the face); and the paranormal plot is dynamic, interesting, and integral to the story (rather than being stuck onto the book, or an afterthought).

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My 3 is generous.
Whit and his 4 friends are "The Hellraisers." They participate in all kinds of vice. They are at a gypsy encampment when they hear of Roman ruins close by. Their interest sparked, they go to check it out. They end up finding an underground cavern and a mysterious box. Surprise- they opened it and released the devil himself. The devil gives each a gift that they readily accept: Whit gets an ability to control the odds, Bram the gift of persuasion, Leo the knowledge of the future (financially), John gets knowledge, and Edmund gets a women names Rosalind (he is in love with her and she married another). Zoe was one of the Roma at the encampment and she followed them hoping to stop them. She was too late and gets bond to Whit.
It was impossible to truly like and want a HEA for Whit. He was not a good person (IMO). Zoe on the other hand was so much better and I thought she deserved more. Take away my strong dislike of Whit, this was entertaining, interesting, and well written. Am I interested enough to read the next 2? Nope.

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