Book Review: Hell's Belles

Hell's Belles

By:  Jackie Kessler

Publisher:  Kensington/Zebra Books

Publish Date:  January 2007

Format:  Paperback (pocket sized)

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Series: 1st book in Hell on Earth series.

Recommendation:  Yes, this is definitely a romance paranormal book.  So if you like some steam and fire with your paranormal you would enjoy this one.

Book Synopsis:
Once upon a time, Jezebel was a powerful succubus, capable of seducing men and sucking out their souls.  But that was before Hell put a bounty on her head.  Now her only chance to escape a fate far worse than death is to live as a mortal, losing herself in a sea of unfamiliar humanity, in a place where sinners walk hand-in-hand with saints - a place like New York City.

Working as an exotic dancer is a piece of cake for a former demon who once specialized in sex.  But she hadn't counted on meeting sexy Paul Hamilton, a man haunted by his past. Good-bye, succubus; hellp, lovestruck.

But Hell hasn't stopped looking for her.  The secrets Jezebel holds are the most dangerous of all, the kind every demon in the Underworld would do their worst to protect.  Demons are closing in, which is enough to make Jezebel shiver in her G-string.  But it's her love for Paul that's going to have deadly consequences...

First Sentence:
On the night the Underworld put a contract out on me, a crescent moon dangled overhead like a celestial fishhook and stars bobbed in the sky.

My Review and Summary:
The story starts right off with Jezebel on the run looking for the witch who can help her become mortal to keep her off the radar of the underworld creatures who will be out to take her back in, one way or another.  Jezebel, a succubus who feels is good no great at her job and loves it, now is mortal.  What was the horrible thing happened in the underworld to make her feel she has to leave the life she loves so much?  Through the book you get hints but in the end you get all the pieces connected together.

The story started off with the action right away.  Even though there was movement forward in the book, I had felt it was a little slow moving.  But, by the time I hit half way through the book we were of full speed forward.  This is a great start to a series.  The world is set, both in mortal earth and in hell.

I enjoyed the connection with Jezebel and Paul.  The teasing and tension between them was great from the moment they met.  There is definitely romance in this story, as Jezebel takes a job as a stripper and with the feel from her and Paul.  There are a few great secondary characters added in the book whom could be expanded on greatly in future books and I look forward to seeing more of.  There is a complete story here and there are setting planted for the future books.  Very nicely done.

However, in the end of the book I felt there was a moral to be seen.  I felt there are things we have done in which maybe as a whole we could change and there is hope for us all.

I am looking forward to reading more of this series to see where Jezebel will be and what she will do.



This book qualifies for two of my challenges - Speculated Fiction at Book Chick City, and Mini-Challenge of New Authors: The League at Literary Escapism.