The Deception Dance Series by Rita Stradling

After a year of preparation, eighteen year old Raven Smith has researched and planned out every detail of her summer vacation in Europe; those plans DO NOT include boys, romance, or falling in love (definitely not the last one). But, even before the plane touches-down her well-laid plans go dreadfully off-course... moreAfter a year of preparation, eighteen year old Raven Smith has researched and planned out every detail of her summer vacation in Europe; those plans DO NOT include boys, romance, or falling in love (definitely not the last one). But, even before the plane touches-down her well-laid plans go dreadfully off-course. While still airborne, Raven finds a letter in her carry-on suitcase that her senile neighbor broke into her house to stash in her bag; the letter tells Raven to turn back, not to go to Europe, that an “evil agent of Hell” is looking for Raven and he will find her if she disregards the letter’s message. But Raven does disregard the letter… Almost as soon as Raven steps foot onto Rome’s streets, dark, seductive Andras starts showing up at nearly every site Raven visits; Raven finds herself drawn to Andras in a way she’s never been drawn to anyone, while at the same time… he terrifies her. Then in comes Nicholas, an impossible-not-to-like Swedish guy, who is determined to keep Raven away from Andras... The two guys share a dark secret. Both are determined that Raven never learns the truth. She doesn’t know who to trust, or if she should trust anyone. If Raven frees herself from the deception twined around her… the most horrifying secret she could uncover, might be her own… her past… who she really is…and how the forces of Hell plan to use her to destroy the future… less

Last summer, with the help of demon-killer Stephen Tapper, Raven Smith faced Hell on Earth to stop the demon-apocalypse (or more like, put it on hold). Raven made a deal with the Grand Marquis of Hell: he would not open the gates of hell if she promised not to fall in love with anyone until he returned for her. Almost a year has passed, and summer has come again... Raven is safe. Relatively. She's protected. Doggedly. She's away from the demons, the hell, the madness... moreLast summer, with the help of demon-killer Stephen Tapper, Raven Smith faced Hell on Earth to stop the demon-apocalypse (or more like, put it on hold). Raven made a deal with the Grand Marquis of Hell: he would not open the gates of hell if she promised not to fall in love with anyone until he returned for her. Almost a year has passed, and summer has come again... Raven is safe. Relatively. She's protected. Doggedly. She's away from the demons, the hell, the madness. Until she falls asleep. When the earth-witch Madeline shows up in Raven's hometown (aka her prison), calling in Raven's life-debt, Raven shouldn't even listen to Madeline's proposal. But she does. Madeline tells her that months ago, Stephen traveled to Thailand to track down a magician called The Spider; but within days of arriving, Stephen vanished. Every person (be they witch or demon-killer) Madeline sent to find Stephen was hunted down, overwhelmed and murdered by demons. The message Madeline received after all attempts failed was clear: send in Raven Smith or Stephen dies. Going to Thailand might possibly be the stupidest decision Raven could ever make...there are 1,000 reasons why Raven should stay guarded, protected, safe; only one reason why she shouldn't. Stephen. This is the second edition. There are substantial editing changes but no plot changes. The first edition was published in December 2013. less