THE DEMONESS OF WAKING DREAMS by Stephanie Chong is a gritty, dark urban fantasy slash paranormal romance with a heavy dose of heat between the two primary characters, Brandon and Luciana. It is set in the romantic city of Venice, Italy and the author describes it so well that it is easy for readers to imagine being there. I could vividly picture the characters running through the narrow cobblestone alleyways with its rustic stone buildings and curved ironwork and the gondolas swaying in the aquatic streets of the beautiful and ancient Italian city. With such a splendid scenic background, we get a rich story of two souls seeking their own redemption.

Brandon Clarkson is an edgy ex-cop who was murdered on the job and is now a guardian angel who still fights for justice within a group of other angelic beings. Every night Brandon has nightmares where he relives his death in painful detail. He also isn't mindlessly obedient to his supervisors and still questions why he came back as a guardian angel. Brandon is sent out on an assignment to retrieve Luciana Rosetti, a demoness who has escaped capture in the previous book. Luciana has a reputation as a ruthless demon who seduces men to get what she wants. Brandon may think that his job is as simple as bringing in Luciana to answer for her crimes, but he doesn't expect to see beyond the evil exterior to something soft and vulnerable inside of her.

Luciana Rosetti is a rogue demoness and known among other demons and angels as an expert with poisons. Luciana has created a dangerous concoction that can kill other demons or angels who are normally immortal. This makes her a top priority for capture. She also has the ability to seduce men by entering their dreams and yet she is an extremely beautiful woman with all the physical charms necessary to accomplish such a goal. When Brandon meets Luciana, he is immediately struck by the intensity of her eyes and a connection forms between them. Luciana struggles against this connection and resists the idea that she has any ability to redeem herself. Brandon and Luciana bounce between embracing their supposed destiny and fighting their nature as they learn that love and sacrifice don't always mean you get what you want.

Ultimately, this story is about forgiving yourself for past mistakes, no matter how great or small. THE DEMONESS OF WAKING DREAMS is one of few that I have read in a while that deals with the female character seemingly being of a completely evil nature until the layers are peeled back and you see from where her anger and vengeance originates. Luciana sacrifices a young woman in the book, an unconscionable act, and yet once we learn her history we do see why she has turned so cold. Both Luciana and Brandon share a passion that turns deeper than lust and yet this story doesn't fall into the easy happily ever after story ending. There is no easy way to redemption in this novel and I admire Stephanie Chong for going that route. This book is the second novel in the Company of Angels series. I have not read book one, but found I had no trouble seamlessly flowing into the story as the previous novel focused on two different characters who have minor roles here. I can't wait to learn more about Luciana and Brandon in future books!

Book Summary

COME, SLEEP.

COME, DREAMS.

COME, DARKNESS.

Ex-cop Brendan Clarkson is an angel with an edge. His tough exterior is the perfect camouflage for his job-hunting down the most dangerous criminals on earth. A self-reliant and demanding lone wolf, Brendan is the perfect angel to track and capture demoness Luciana Rossetti.

Beneath the surface of Luciana's cool, green-eyed beauty lurks the heart of a malevolent killer. In the winding streets of Venice, she lures Brendan into her dark world of pleasure.

They are perfectly matched. Angel and demon.

Man and woman. But only one can win the battle

of wills, of strength and of desire.