A Kiss of Shadows

My name is Meredith Gentry, but of course it's not my real name. I dare not even whisper my true name after dark for fear that one hushed word will travel over the night winds to the soft ear of my aunt, the Queen of Air and Darkness. She wants me dead. I don't even know why...

I fled the high court of Faerie three years ago and have been in hiding ever since. As Merry Gentry, I am a private investigator for the Grey Detective Agency: Supernatural Problems, Magical Solutions. My magical skills, scorned at the courts of Faerie, are valued in the human world. Even by human standards, my magic isn't flashy, which is fine by me. Flashy attracts attention and I can't afford that.

Rumour has it that I am dead. Not quite. I am Princess Meredith NicEssus. To speak that name after dark is to call down a knock upon your door from a hand that can kill you with a touch. I have been careful, but not careful enough. The shadows have found me, and they are going to take me back home, one way or another.

So the running is over. But the fighting has just begun...

Rich, sensual, brimming with dangerous magic, A Kiss of Shadows is a dazzling tour-de-force where folklore, fantasy and erotically charged adventure collide.

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Fantasy Urban Fantasy

Release date: 2000

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Laurell K. Hamilton

Laurell K. Hamilton is a name that has become synonymous with paranormal fantasy and urban fantasy, captivating readers worldwide with her bold, intricate storytelling and unforgettable characters. Born in the heart of the Midwest, Hamilton’s journey into the world of supernatural fiction started with a fascination for the darker, more complex sides of human nature, a theme that permeates her work. Her most iconic creation, Anita Blake, the sharp-witted, morally complex necromancer and vampire hunter, has become a beloved figure in urban fantasy, a genre Hamilton helped shape and redefine.

From a young age, Hamilton’s imagination was fueled by a love of horror, mythology, and the supernatural. What began as a quiet passion for reading soon transformed into a relentless drive to create her own stories. With a degree in English and an unyielding desire to weave together complex plots and multifaceted characters, Hamilton embarked on her writing career, blending elements of horror, fantasy, and romance in a way that was both fresh and deeply engaging.

Her Anita Blake series debuted in the early '90s and quickly became a phenomenon. The series explores a world where vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural beings are as real as the humans who co-exist with them. The mix of action, mystery, romance, and emotional depth resonated with readers, cementing Hamilton as a key voice in paranormal fiction. The strength of Hamilton’s writing lies in her ability to create morally ambiguous characters, including Anita Blake herself, a strong, vulnerable, and conflicted protagonist who challenges traditional norms of heroism and romance.

Beyond Anita Blake, Hamilton's Meredith Gentry series also showcases her talent for blending sensuality with supernatural intrigue, introducing readers to a world of fae politics, power struggles, and intense, unforgettable relationships. These series have not only captivated fans but have also garnered critical acclaim, making Hamilton a staple in the urban fantasy genre.

Hamilton’s writing is both daring and fearless, often delving into themes of power, identity, and personal growth. Her characters, complex and multifaceted, confront the boundaries of good and evil, love and loss, with raw authenticity. The rich world-building she weaves into her novels provides readers with a universe that is both dangerous and seductive—where every twist and turn is unexpected, and no one is ever truly safe.

In a career spanning decades, Hamilton has published numerous books, short stories, and novellas, earning accolades and a devoted following of readers. With her uncanny ability to blend dark themes with deep emotional complexity, Hamilton has created a world where fantasy, horror, and romance coexist, offering readers a ride they’ll never forget.

As she continues to evolve as an author, Laurell K. Hamilton remains one of the most influential voices in the realm of paranormal fiction, never shying away from the darker aspects of the human (and supernatural) experience, but always providing her readers with a compelling, immersive escape into the unknown.