This is a special thank you to the wonderful fans who have written poetry honoring the Dark-Hunters. You are truly great and we appreciate you more than you'll ever know. Thank you so much for your support!

If you would like to participate in fanfiction, please join the Dark-Hunter After Dark or the Dark-Hunter yahoo groups. More information is found by clicking on the underlined titles.

In January, we held a contest for a free copy of Fantasy Lover. To win, readers had to submit 10 reasons to read a Dark-Hunter Book. The winner was Elizabeth Benway whose entry is below. Then Sherrilyn was flummoxed by so many incredibly great responses that narrowing them down to 10 was impossible, so we now have 18 Top Reasons to Read a DH Book.

Elizabeth's entry:

1. I really enjoy paranormal books.
2. Vampires are utterly sexy, erotic & tempting as hell! *g*
3. The Dark Hunters will truly be the most sought after....
first & foremost by women then as readers.
4. The promos have been AWESOME!!!
5. I love continuing sagas & I hope the Dark Hunters are endless!
6. Just from seeing Fantasy Lover I have faith the cover art for the books will be fantastic!
7. The heroes' profiles have sucked me right in!! *giggle*
8. The Dark Hunters are insatiable for more than just one thing. *wink wink*
9. Oh yes....I LOVE the heroes names!!!
10. And last but not least......I find myself nearly insane with impatience to read book one. Then maybe I can wait for each story thereafter but I doubt it!!

The Top 18 REASONS TO READ A DH BOOK:

18. Sherri can take me out of my world and into another with every book

17. These are THE Bad Boys of the Century 

16. Heroes to break your heart and fall in love with over and over!!!

15. To stay abreast of current Dark Hunter terminology such as "Bite Me".

14. Did I mention the Hunters?

13. To learn how other squires cope with cranky boss syndrome.

12. Because each book counts as one credit in Nicky's School of Superior Squiring.

11. The love scenes will make you wiggle.

10. You want to know who holds the Daimon killing record amongst the Dark-Hunters

9. You want to find out what Ash's hair color is in the newest Dark-Hunter book.

8. Stories about totally hot, hunky, funny, sweet, tender, tall, bodacious guys who wear black leather, ride Harleys and hang out at night have a strange appeal to me!

7. Because Miss Cleo told me to "buy them now"...that tall men were in my future!

6. Don't worry about the dark.  There is nothing more dangerous than a Dark Hunter.

5. Originality, always breaths new life into an appreciative reader.

3. Love a little comedy in romance books.

2. You're stranded on a deserted island and need to entertain yourself until someone rescues you. WARNING: You may have an urge to throw coconuts at your rescuer because you want to keep reading instead of leaving the island. However, staying on the island would mean missing the next Dark-Hunter book.

1. BECAUSE THEY ARE WRITTEN BY THE BEST DAMN AUTHOR IN THE WORLD!!!! (and the nicest!!)

These were done by Marilyn and I loved them so much, I had to add her list!

The ten best reasons to read a Dark Hunter Book is:

1.  Gorgeous Alpha male heroes
2.  Passionate Alpha male heroes
3.  Protective Alpha male heroes
4.  Dark & Tortured Alpha male heroes
5.  Powerful immortal Alpha male heroes
6.  Intelligent heroines
7.  Self-assured heroines
8.  Strong-willed heroines
9.  Sassy heroines
10. Brave heroines

11. An unlimited supply of Gorgeous bad boys
(extra credit) 

These were Lisa's and they were great too.

10  Reasons to Read a Dark-Hunter book.......

1.  Because they are written by Sherrilyn Kenyon...do you need any more reasons?

2.  They are hot

3.  They are romantic and enticing

4.  You will fall in love with the hero's (the hunters)

5.  Did I mention...cause they are written by Sherrilyn Kenyon?  :)

6.  The hunters are dark and compelling...makes you want to take one home for your very own.

7.  It will leave you breathless 

8.  It will hold you and not let you go until the very end.

9.  It's magical and exciting

10.  Makes you believe that dreams sometimes do come true.

11.  Oh yeah...and just for the record... The BEST reason....cause they are written by Sherrilyn Kenyon.  I don't need any other reasons than that to make me buy the books.  (Love ya, Sherri)

The night speaks its own language
it pulls and tugs at the hearts
of a select few.

It whispers its secrets much
as Lovers do...
Soft, Silent, Intimate...
Can you hear it..

The night releases it scents
and sounds... Ahh to walk in
Moonlight to dance to the music
the light breeze makes as it flows
through the trees

Dark Hunter... Come share this gift of night
with me...After your roaming and you are weary
from your travels..
Come to me and share the beauty of the night
I await you..

--Sweet

A Longing For My Love

I see your face
in the stars,
Hear your song
in the wind,
Taste your kiss
in the morning dew on my lips

The mist on my skin
replaces your touch.

I miss you when you're gone.

I pushed you
too far,
I tried to fight
my feelings,
Tried to deny
my love.

I counted the hours
in your absence.

You drew me to the haven of your arms.

We'll walk along
the water's edge,
Your spell cast
over me,
My heart forever
yours.

Thinking of you brings
sweet memories.

I await your return.

--Wendy

Blessing:

May the Goddess grant you always
a star to guide you
a lover's smile to warm you
sheltering arms
so nothing may harm you
laughter to cheer you
faithful friends near you
and whatever you seek
the heavens to hear you.

--Tamar Soleil

they're here
lurking
in the shadows
in the night
watching
waiting
hunting
the only thing that stands
between us and an evil
we cannot begin to grasp
soulless.
they stand alone
needing nothing
seeking compassion and understanding
Artemis' loyal guards
they ask for nothing
yet do so much
they watch
they wait
they hunt
daimons beware
the hunters are loose.

--Lissa P.

In the dark of the night,
One can feel the silkiness of the Hunter, the man.
Sliding skin against skin without needing sight.
Knowing the danger that he faces each time.
Daimon hunting without remorse.
This desire is the driving force.
Guarding him from the mortal world.
Watching him sleep, desire curls...
His kiss catches you by surprise.
He plays with your hair and your lips.
No one but he can hear your cries...
Hunter by name, Hunter by creation.
Capturing his desire with a word and a caress.
Making you his without one doubt.
Knowing that tonight will never be repeated.
Taking this passion as only a Hunter can.
A roar escapes from you both.
Now satisfied, you both rest from the daylight.
Knowing that in the end,
He will go off to finish the Hunt again.
Day has gone, night now breaks.
How the heart, once melted, now aches.
Serve the Goddess, serve her well.
In the end, know that there is no hell.
Eternal darkness can only be turned.
By the truest love given unreserved.
Rest Dark Hunter, for now day falls.
Know that one day, the curse shall fall.

--Cyndi Witkus

Ode to the Dark Hunter 

They are the night; pulsing, hot and close
Enveloping all and touching none
Each with a purpose; Each in torment
As dusk falls
The night wind calls for the hunt
The Goddess of the moon bathes them in glory
Her siren song of destiny beckons them
Into battle; swift, fearless, dangerous
As brutal as they are beautiful
Pray, ye mortals, for their victory
With their darkness comes the light of your salvation

Dark Hunters, Dark Warriors, Dark Gods

--Carla

After a weekend without their Dark-Hunters on the darkhunter loop, it seems the Ladies of Sanctuary have kindly written out a list of Dark-Hunter withdrawal symptoms. 

DARK HUNTER WITHDRAWAL SIGNS

#1.1 Typing a post to yourself.
#1.2 Editing drafts of possible posts.
#1.3 Writing posts in your head when you should be listening to your teacher / boss / mother.
#1.4 Trying to come up with a good post for Monday.

#2.1 Watching your computer screen and hopelessly waiting for an email to pop up.
#2.2 Not being able to turn off your computer for more than 15 minutes (max. 1 1/2 hours in emergency) before you have to check your mail again.

#3.1 Trips to Heaven (Mama's name for her ice cream freezer), with a spoon in hand! ICE CREAM HEAVEN!!
#3.2 Eating a Sara Lee Cheesecake -- from the freezer.

#4 Tilting your head and eating whipped cream straight from the can.

#5 Premature posting.

#6 Rereading old posts from your DH.

#7 Reading all the posts from the first one to the last to remember everything every DH has ever said. Then rereading every private e-mail that any of the DH's sent you.

#8 Printing out the picture of your DH and looking for a nice frame for it.

#9 Listening to lyrics trying to decide if they're meaningful in your situation and wondering if you could sing the song to your DH... even if you're tone-deaf.

#10 Listening to non-stop head-banging 80's metal, to remind you of your DH, even though you feel like your ears are going to bleed.

#11 Tracing the picture of your DH on screen with your mouse arrow for over 10 minutes.

#12 Pretending to be Martha Stewart and baking homemade chocolate cakes covered with chocolate icing for your DH honey so the time doesn't seem so long without him.