Book Description
On a splendid August afternoon Susanna Osbourne is introduced to the most handsome man she has ever seen . . . and instantly feels the icy chill of recognition. Peter Edgeworth, Viscount Whitleaf, is utterly charming—and seemingly unaware that they have met before. With his knowing smile and seductive gaze, Peter acts the rake; but he stirs something in Susanna she has never felt before, a yearning that both frightens and dazzles her. Instantly she knows: this brash nobleman poses a threat to her heart . . . and to the secrets she guards so desperately.
From the moment they meet, Peter is drawn to Susanna’s independence, dazzled by her sharp wit—he simply must have her. But the more he pursues, the more Susanna withdraws . . . until a sensual game of thrust-and-parry culminates in a glorious afternoon of passion. Now more determined than ever to keep her by his side, Peter begins to suspect that a tragic history still haunts Susanna. And as he moves closer to the truth, Peter is certain of one thing: he will defy the mysteries of her past for a future with this exquisite creature—all Susanna must do is trust him with the most precious secret of all. . . .
Customer Reviews:
I was sorry to have it end.......2007-09-19
which is ironic when you consider that, first, I hesitated in buying it and, then had it for two months before getting around to starting it!
I was turned off by some of the lukewarm reviews which sort of echoed annoyances I felt with previous books (the never-ending presence of the Bedwins, the ever-recurring use of the the ducal quizzing glass, etc.) Yes, they were there but they didn't detract from the book at all. An imperfect Mary Balogh is still so much better than a perfect any-other-regency-novelist that it doesn't matter at all.
As is usual in her novels, the characters are completely believable: in character development, in their actions and reactions, in their time and place, in the balance between their imperfections, virtues and motivations, and in their passage through the plot from beginning to end.
Nothing wildly dramatic happens in the plot. This isn't an adventure, a mystery, a conflict, a comedy or a drama, at least not any more or any less than a slice of real life is any (or all) of the above. The plot is character driven and well-paced. It is not psycho-babble, but insights into the thoughts and feelings of intelligent and imperfect human beings who make and admit mistakes and try, as all of us do, to grow from our experiences and to try to do what is right when confronted with the temptations, challenges, and opportunities that this particular moment of their lives present.
It is sometimes hard to believe that these are not real people which explains why, after reaching into yourself and relating--with genuine interest, empathy, and warmth--to some part of each of them, it is so hard to let them go.
Misleading Reviews.......2007-08-31
As a long-time Balogh fan, I was hesitant to buy this book after some of the extremely negative reviews. I'm glad I did. A self-effacing, kind, charming, cheerful hero and a buoyant, energetic, loving heroine, both intelligent and striving towards maturity, are lovingly portrayed in all their insights and lack thereof. Granted, the book is more a study of individual emotional evolution than action, but the couple is charming, their development believeable, and, as always, Ms Balogh brings it all together with the most complete of happy endings--something THIS reader of romances truly appreciates. Unless you just have to have serious threats, conflicts, crimes and mayhem in your romances, you'll enjoy it!
unreadable.......2007-07-18
I am a long-time fan of Mary Balogh--but about three or four books back something went terribly wrong. So--got this from the library instead--and stopped about 30 pages in. Back it goes.
Read her old Signet paperbacks if you want to know why people love(d) her, not this wince-inspiring mishmash of recycled themes she did better 10 or 15 years ago.
Another magical story from Mary Balogh.......2007-07-13
Mary Balogh's consistently high standard of writing is once again shown in "Simply Magic", the third of her 'Simply' Quartet ("Simply Unforgettable," and "Simply Love" precede this book). The events in this book take place largely at the same time as those in "Simply Love" and in fact some scenes are the same as we see the story from Susanna Osborne's view.
Susanna Osborne is a teacher at Miss Martin's School For Girls in Bath, having first attended the school as a pupil from age 12 when her father died unexpectedly and she ran away from being a burden to the family for whom he worked. Susanna's whole life has revolved around the school but when Frances, the Countess of Edgecombe and a former teacher (whose story is told in "Simply Unforgettable") invites Susanna to stay with her for two weeks Susanna agrees. On her first day at the Countess's estate she meets up with a group from the neighbouring house which includes a visitor, Viscount Whitleaf. The name Whitleaf is anathema to Susanna because of events in her past (which aren't initially explained) and so she treats him rather rudely. Besides, Peter Whitleaf is clearly a rather shallow young man, always flirting with young ladies and paying them lavish compliments but without too much between his ears.
However Whitleaf finds Susanna interesting, partly because she isn't flirting with him, and he strikes up a friendship with her. However at the end of the two weeks she returns to the school having turned down his offer to become his mistress and she and Anne Jewell, another teacher, tell each other about their love lives (this scene is also in "Simply Love"). Anne Jewell has to have a shotgun wedding and when the delayed wedding breakfast takes place Susanna is shocked to discover that Viscount Whitleaf is attending it. He stretches out his time in Bath, meeting Susanna on a number of occasions, and eventually persuading her to visit her original home.
Once again this story delves deeply into the emotions and histories of our characters. Whitleaf and Susanna are both attractive people who are much loved and yet their lives aren't as carefree as they might seem. Whitleaf has never been able to take mastery of his own house since his majority, being under his mother's thumb; Susanna has not been able to deal with the grief following the suicide of her father and her feeling of rejection. The two of them find that their stories entwine and their histories are significantly linked and work together to bring about some kind of resolution.
This is an excellent read, as usual with Mary Balogh. Perhaps the subject matter isn't quite as in depth as she sometimes offers (for example in "Simply Love") and the characters seem in some ways less complex but it is still a beautiful story with a genuinely kind hero.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, www.curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2007
Regency Mystery.......2007-06-23
If you like a well-told tale, open your mind and enjoy the mystery rather than just the romance here. If all heroes must be dark and disturbing, try another author.
Book Description
In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.
The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.
Customer Reviews:
Its better on the dark side.......2007-10-09
This book is the first in an excellent series. It is technically in the romance aisle (and let me tell you it is VERY explicit) but it leads with the vampire fantasy world and doesn't deviate an inch the whole way through. You will get sucked into the world of the brotherhood and wont be able to turn it down. I read the book straight through in a day and a half and then immediately went out and bought the rest. There is a solid story line and graphic-no-holds-barred sex that could be a cameo in basic instinct. I loved this book and I know you will too. J. R . Ward has the skills to draw you in with well defined characters that make you care about them, then blows your mind and makes you tingly with what goes on behind closed doors!
Definately a Keeper!!!! One of my Absolute Favorites!.......2007-09-20
I have three words for you.....OH. MY. GOD!!!!!!I could not turn the pages fast enough. What an amazing series...amazing story....amazing book! I highly recommend this for anyone who likes Kenyon or Knight the writing and character development in this is a step above. If your thinking twice about buying this series, just buy it, you won't be disappointed.
AMAZING!!!.......2007-09-16
This is one of my all time favorite romance novels. Before meeting the Black Dagger Brotherhood, I had absolutely no interest in paranormal romance. I'd always seen the characters in other books of this genre as being creepy, to say the least. My sister forced me to read this book while on vacation.
WoW!! J D Ward's protagonists are so well-written, so engaging and have such gut-wrenching appeal, I was hooked after chapter 2. She has created a completely unique vampire culture - complete with language (each book has a "glossary of terms"), social traditions and even anatomical/biochemical details unique to her brand of vampire.
If you have never been a fan of this genre...please give this book and the others in the series a try. You will NOT regret it!!
BEST in paranormal romance.......2007-09-13
J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series knocks everything else in the paranormal romance subgenre out of the water. Her characters are, hands down, the most rounded, most complex, most magnetic out there. Ward is concise and well-written where Sherrilyn Kenyon rambles and falters. Her plotline is amazingly intricate, original, and well-executed. Tales of the brothers are always fun and funny, easy to fall into. Where Angela Knight's style can be too technical and too slow, not quite self-confident enough, J.R. Ward's books are easy to read and fast-paced, giving you plenty without giving you too much. Even Kresley Cole, my second-favorite author, doesn't do the world-building and character exploration J.R. Ward does. The one down spot, for me anyway, is the lessers. I have trouble making myself read those parts, but then again, I can at times be a lazyish reader who won't deviate from the main characters' storyline. Overall, I'd give this an A+.
Oh heck yeah!.......2007-09-11
Great series - totally worthy of my time and money. Absolutely could not put them down.
Book Description
Chicago Stars quarterback Dean Robillard is the luckiest man in the world: a bona-fide sports superstar and the pride of the NFL with a profitable side career as a buff billboard model for End Zone underwear. But life in the glory lane has started to pale, and Dean has set off on a cross-country trip to figure out what's gone wrong. When he hits a lonely stretch of Colorado highway, he spies something that will shake up his gilded life in ways he can't imagine. A young woman . . . dressed in a beaver suit.
Blue Bailey is on a mission to murder her ex. Or at least inflict serious damage. As for the beaver suit she's wearing . . . Is it her fault that life keeps throwing her curveballs? Witness the expensive black sports car pulling up next to her on the highway and the Greek god stepping out of it.
Blue's career as a portrait painter is the perfect job for someone who refuses to stay in one place for very long. She needs a ride, and America's most famous football player has an imposing set of wheels. Now, all she has to do is keep him entertained, off guard, and fully clothed before he figures out exactly how desperate she is.
But Dean isn't the brainless jock she imagines, and Blue—despite her petite stature—is just about the toughest woman Dean has ever met. They're soon heading for his summer home where their already complicated lives and inconvenient attraction to each other will become entangled with a charismatic but aging rock star; a beautiful fifty-two-year-old woman trying to make peace with her rock and roll past; an eleven-year-old who desperately needs a family; and a bitter old woman who hates them all.
As the summer progresses, the wandering portrait artist and the charming football star play a high-stakes game, fighting themselves and each other for a chance to have it all.
Natural Born Charmer is for everyone who's ever thought about leaving their old life in the dust and never looking back. Susan Elizabeth Phillips takes us home again . . . and shows us where love truly lives.
Customer Reviews:
One of her best..........2007-08-31
I am a fan of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and this book did not disappoint! It was funny, and the characters were, as always, well-developed. This is one of her best books, in my opinion.
Deja Vu.......2007-08-14
I felt like I was reading Heaven, Texas, one of my fav by this author, all over again while reading this. Moreover, Heaven, Texas was a better novel then this book by far. And this is why I felt this book only deserved 3 stars by me.
There was no freshness to this story, it all seemed the same. So beware SEP fans, if you've read her other novels, you'll feel like you wasted your money if you bought the hard cover edition. However, if you've never read other works by this author, you'll enjoy this witty, love story.
Natural Born Charmer.......2007-08-12
Another 10 stars!! If I could give it that rating I would. This is the last in the series *I think* about the "Chicago Stars" football team. I just discovered SEP's series about the fictional team late last year, and promptly devoured each one. They are all on my "keeper shelves"....This story is about Blue & Dean, and in my humble opinion...it was just the perfect story to end things. Blue grew up being shuffled around, due to her mother being a peace activist & her father dying before she was born. I can certainly identify w/that nomadic existence as I had somewhat of a "gypsy" childhood myself, growing up. As for Dean, he was the bastard child of a rockstar & a groupie. Not planned or wanted & basically denied a relationship to said "dad"...which made a definite impression on Dean. He grew up to be a fantastic QB for the "Chicago Stars"...and to see what his son grew up to become, humbles the now aging rock star. I even have some elements of this story in my own life...just not w/famous people. So I enjoyed this theme. Someone not being treated the way they should/yet overcoming/and becoming better for it...is such a great story to me. Underdog wins!! Only now the underdog is now on top!! I want to tell you...the potential next buyer/reader about every juicy, incredibly satisfying detail of this book. But at the same time I don't want to ruin the fun of you discovering these rich, amazing, totally genuine people. Sometimes the characters in SEP's books are so incredible, you feel like you know them. These two fractured people find each other, entertain us, and manage to fall in love at the same time. The cast of various supporting characters were great too. Riley was my mom's favorite! Did I mention she's falling in love w/all of SEP's books too? Please buy this book!! I promise you'll love it as much as I did!!
One of her best.......2007-06-01
I love all her Chicago Stars books and think this is one of the funniest. The dialogue and interaction between Blue and Boo made me laugh out loud. I hated to finish it but will listen to this one on audio and recommend it to all my friends who are avid readers.
thanks susan - keep writing and i'll keep reading.
Trying too hard to be hip.......2007-06-01
I generally enjoy this author, but I am getting tired of the Chicago Stars football team and their stories. If you have read "It Had to Be You" or "This Heart of Mine" you might as well skip this one. It is a retread of the same formula she has used before - with a few new innovations - this time Phillips sprinkles the f-word around pretty liberally. I don't really care to read that and it is not necessary to the story or to the character development. All I can think is that her editor told her she needed to do that to appeal to a younger audience. I have been reading her books for almost 20 years. Guess I'm done now.
Customer Reviews:
disappointing.......2007-09-16
If you're looking for a little escapism with a guaranteed "happily ever after" this is a okay book for that.
I was greatly disppointed in the production quality of the audio, though. Major direction shifts (which character is now narrator) were separated by nothing. It felt like the producers sped up the speed of the narration overall, the read was quite fast & the indistinguishability of character changes made it less than appealing.
It was also very predictable for me. I foresaw the scenarios of Colette's former boss, the wedding twist, even Colette's resolution at end. It was all very much just like a fairy tale. Maybe the original book was, too, but this one was transparent to me.
Great Story.......2007-08-14
I love the Blossom book series of stories. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. I love the different stories going on in one book.
Love Blossom #3.......2007-08-07
I've read all of Debbie's knitting books and love each of them. Debbie draws you in and takes you through the Blossom Street area with her writing. I feel like I am part of the Blossom Street knitting community and look forward to the next project as well as what is taking place in the lives of Lydia, Susannah, Alix and the rest of my new "knitting friends."
back on blossom street.......2007-08-04
cant get enough of her books on blossom street, she captures your interest from page one....strongly recommend whole series
Six stars for Debbie Macomber.......2007-07-27
Debbie Macomber has written another wonderfully glorious book about the knitting friends. She has such a welcoming way of writing that the reader feels like an active participant in the group - that these women are her best friends too! I find myself laughing, crying and anguishing right along with them.
Book Description
From the exotic splendors of India to the elegant ballrooms of Regency London, celebrated author Gaelen Foley pens the enthralling tale of a luscious beauty who has sworn never to call any man her master, and the powerful marquess whose passion threatens to conquer her. . . .
Born into the wealthy British ruling class of India, Georgiana Knight is as unconventional as she is beautiful. She has sworn not to marry till she meets a man who will treat her as an equal–but that vow doesn’t appease her sensual curiosity. When Ian Prescott, the Marquess of Griffith, arrives on a mission to defuse the threat of war, she is immediately drawn to the mysterious and darkly handsome diplomat, and cannot resist provoking the hidden lust that smolders beneath his cool surface.
Ian is mesmerized by Georgie’s alluring mystique but burdened by a dark secret. And she is a temptation he cannot afford. But when she becomes entangled in his mission, she must be secreted away to England for her own safety. Georgie finds herself in the unfamiliar world of aristocratic London, where Ian becomes her guide, her confidant . . . her seducer. His incendiary kiss sets her soul on fire, and Georgie knows she will never be satisfied until she has made this magnificent man her own.
Customer Reviews:
Great.......2007-08-27
This is a great book...seems to be in "classic" Foley style. I can't wait for the next two.
luv it!.......2007-08-13
I love all G.F. books. If you love battle of the sexes, wit, charm and intense emotion, Gaelen Foley is the author you've been waiting for. I just finished all of her books and have proudly cried through each one. I'm not a cryer and to read a book and cry at the same time is a world record for me, but I did it and I'm not ashamed of it because her books are worth it!!!!!
Loved it!!.......2007-08-11
This is a well written, fast paced romance. Lots of drama and excitement as well as the romantic part of the story.
Wonderful.......2007-07-30
This is yet another wonderful story by Gaelon Foley. Her attention to detail along with the sparks between the characters make this book hard to put down.
Nice read.......2007-07-21
Gaelen Foley did a nice job with this book. The first part of the book takes place in India, and it's very detailed and easy to visualize the scenes. The remainder takes place in England. Some of the storyline is a little unbelieveable, but for the most part, it is an excellent story and a fun read.
Book Description
For no gentleman is this more true than Charles Morwellan, the eighth Earl of Meredith. Although he's seen the many successful unions of his Cynster connections, he has also watched his father's obsessions nearly destroy their family and fortune, a mistake Charles will not repeat. But as Lord Meredith he must marry, so he offers for Sarah, the daughter of his neighbors Lord and Lady Conningham. She's intelligent enough to run his social life, beautiful enough to grace his arm, and old enough to know the value of his offer.
For most young ladies of the ton, the right marriage is the culmination of years of training, perfect deportment, and intricate plans that would impress a general. But as a lady of independent means with a life of her own, Sarah is unwilling to wed unless it is for unbounded love.
But Charles always gets what he wants. He convinces Sarah to give him two weeks to win her; if he succeeds, they will marry immediately. And so begins an intense courtship. By day, Charles and Sarah are models of decorum indulging in innocuous walks, polite conversation, sedate waltzes. Each night they steal away to the lush, moonlit gardens, where sensual embraces turn to searing kisses, and much, much more. Both are swept away on a tide of passion and feeling neither can resist.
And yet, after the wedding, despite nights of insatiable passion, Charles remains aloof, as if the near-sinful sweetness of their nights exists only in a dream. Sarah battles to prove that true love is a force that can't be contained, a gift worth fighting for, but it's only when she's engulfed in a web of increasingly dangerous incidents that Charles discovers how much he's willing to surrender to protect . . . the taste of innocence.
Customer Reviews:
I really liked this book..........2007-09-13
...Until they got married and Charlie revealed his true immaturity. I think the way he treated Sarah was shoddy and I lost all respect for him at that point. In my book, real men shouldn't be afraid to "admit" that they care for someone, and saying "I love you", (if you mean it), does not diminish ones masculinity. Charlie comes off as damaged goods and as someone with control issues in this novel and Sarah is the only grown-up in their relationship. This is a turn-off to me.
Yes, they do have a happy ending, but I feel sorry for Sarah and hope that he is there for her (emotionally and physically) when the babies start coming and afterward.
Later: Goodness! I was kind of harsh when I rated this book. The end does get better and Charlie and Sarah do resolve their differences. Maybe their anguish makes the resolution sweeter? If I can identify that much with the characters so that I (as the reader) feel emotionally involved, that may be a good thing. At least I am reacting to the story, and not bored.
Sorry Charlie, but you didn't cut it........2007-06-26
I really tried to give Charlie the benefit of the doubt but come on. How long did Charlie think he was going to have a hot time in the bed at night while he treated his new wife like dirt during the day? And the "I'm afraid to love" was a real turn-off. He never even seemed man enough to me to rate as a hero. At least the Cynster men could kick some serious a** so their struggles with love seemed macho. Charlie just seemed like a whining baby. Just because his father made bad decisions hadn't a thing to do with love in my book. He was just a weak man and left Althea to run the family. Sorry, Charlie, you just aren't grown up enough for me to lust after.
And what was it with this book saying that Portia and Simon aren't married yet? The Perfect Lover (their book) came out FOUR years before this book. That was an editing mistake that really bothered me.
I love the Cynsters but maybe this series is just tired.
Fourteenth in the Cynster series.......2007-06-10
This is the fourteenth novel in the Cynster series but it works very well as a standalone book with just occasional glimpses of characters from the other books. It gives an interesting insight into the wooing and the early days of a marriage between an Earl and a woman whom he has known his entire life. Sarah Conningham is a 23 year old woman who is part of a happy family and whose nature is warm and loving. However the reason that she has turned down several offers of marriage in the last few years is because she believes that marriage without love isn't worth it - she's only going to marry for love. The inconvenient attraction she feels for Charlie Morwellan, eighth Earl of Meredith, is something she has to ignore as he has no interest whatsoever in her.
When Charlie offers for Sarah it is because he knows she will make the perfect countess. They have grown up together and although they don't know each other well he knows that she is just what he needs. However he's surprised to find that she doesn't instantly accept his proposal but instead asks for two weeks to get to know him. Charlie decides to use the time to persuade her into the marriage and goes about this with traditional wooing mixed up with sensual experience. A lot of the first section of the book is details of their kissing and more but it's well written and it gives an idea of the characters, their thoughts and how they are getting to know each other.
The second part of the book follows their early days of marriage when Charlie realises he has fallen in love with his wife but is afraid it will cause him to make bad decisions, as his father did, and so he tries to withdraw. Although whilst reading the story this makes some kind of sense, subsequently it all seems a bit unlikely. However, Charlie and Sarah's relationship has its troubles and there are also some unfortunate events taking place at an orphanage of which Sarah is the patroness. Is there a deeper plot against the owner of the orphanage? Will Charlie come to his senses? What is the link with the railway scam and their troubles?
Stephanie Laurens' writing style is very good. Although there's a fair amount of sex in this book it's written in a pleasant and loving style and it is part of the overall plot. The characters grow and change as the story progresses, Sarah coming into her element as countess and understanding more about her husband than perhaps he does, Charlie realising that his priorities in life up to now haven't been right. The 'baddie' in this story is a rather half-hearted one and it was fairly easy to guess who it was but the plot about the attacks on the orphanage added some interest to the story. Overall it was a very enjoyable read and although sometimes Charlie seemed to speak in a rather modern American manner about emotions, it was good to have a happy ending without too much heartache in the middle.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, www.curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2007
disappionted fan.......2007-06-09
Let me start by saying that I am a true Laurens fan. I have every book she has written and this is the first time that I was truly not interested. The characters were really boring and almost seemed like robots to me because they had no depth. The plot was fine, I know people complain about the similarity to her other books, but I find comfort in the familiarity.
Now the reason I am truly not happy is because this book lacks passion. There I said it and I am not ashamed! I read Stephanie Laurens books because they tell a story about characters that usually have a sizzling heat between them. Her books are always well written, rich with detail, and that only adds to the romance. However, this book is all detail and very little romance....much less passion.
By the end of the book I felt like I was reading about my grandparents. I feel like Mrs.Laurens has grown almost clinical in her writing. I wish she would go back and read some of her older books like "A Rakes Vow", "All about Passion", or even more recently "A Gentleman's Honor". Not only do the characters really really like one another in those books.....I know why they do.
I have seen a trend in her most recent books leading to this one and I do not like it. I want my romance back, I want to know why the main characters like one another. There was internal dialog in this book, but that was the problem....I did not know what they were thinking because it was basically completely internal.
Most of all I want my passion back, the fiery discourse. I have always loved the exaggerated interactions in her older books....romance novels are fantasy and they give so much inspiration!
Not that Bad!!!.......2007-04-25
The other reviews were a little harsh. Even though this book was a little longer than Laurens previous cynster novels, I still liked it. It was a love story with a mystery thrown in. If this is your first Lauren's title, I wouldn't recommend it, but it was a great continuation of the Cynster stories!!!
Book Description
Weddings are never easy. But when you're Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor, they can become downright deadly...
In the days leading up to The Big Day, Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor seems to have a full house and the wedding guests have yet to arrive. Along with her human buddies, there's a ghost, a werewolf, and a Fiend crashing at her place. And though her fiancŽ, Vampire King Eric Sinclair, conveniently disappears when the conversation turns to seating charts and flower arrangements, he does manage to make his oh-so-sexy presence known at other moments.
Cold feet are no surprise, especially with an undead groom. But when Sinclair truly goes missing-and not just to avoid wedding preparations-along with most of her friends and loved ones, Betsy is frantic. Alone and afraid for the fate of everyone she loves, Betsy can't trust anyone as she tries to find them and whoever is behind all the disappearances. And what happens next will shake the foundation of the vampire world forever.
Customer Reviews:
Strange edition in the series.......2007-10-08
This book, seems to wrap up many of the loose ends and bring in the Wyndham wolves. The problem is that this book just doesn't seem like it really wraps up many of the issues. Why does Betsy survive so much damage? What's with the librarian? Interesting, but I think I'll stick with paperback in the future.
Undead and Uneasy.......2007-09-03
Betsy Taylor, the Queen of the vampires, is getting married to her wonderful Eric Sinclair. But all is not coming up roses.
There's the issue of the dress, since white doesn't exactly suit a vampire's coloring, her best friend is battling cancer and Sinclair is less than thrilled about helping with the wedding plans.
And then, things go really bad. Betsy's father and stepmother are killed in an accident, Sinclair disappears, as do several of her friends, and Betsy is left to plan the wedding by herself, and wonder where everyone is. Add in some visiting werewolves who are looking for a missing pack member and you've got a wedding that is to die for.
Despite the turmoil in the book, Undead and Uneasy was an interesting and entertaining read. I've always liked Betsy and the way she deals with things. This volume of the series allows her to grow and shows that, while she's a relatively young vampire, she's the queen, and not to be messed with.
Lovers of the Undead series will enjoy this latest installment as much as I did. Seeing Betsy come to grips with things was enlightening and entertaining. My only complaint would be that the yummy Sinclair wasn't around enough. Undead and Uneasy is a great addition to the Betsy series.
Amelia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
Betsy grows up.......2007-09-02
Ms. Davidson has done it again. Betsy gets just what she wants, and then has to learn how to deal with it. Betsy actually grows up while dealing with the issues in this episode. Without giving away anything to do with the outcome of the story, I think it is safe to say that you should always be careful what you wish for. All in all a worthy edition to the series.
Vampire Vows.......2007-08-13
Betsy Taylor, Queen of the Vampires, is down to the wire on the wedding plans; she has just two weeks to the big day and she has yet to pick out a wedding dress. Her groom isn't being very helpful, Sinclair feels that the wedding is unnecessary as the Book of the Dead already recognizes them as married. He is getting grumpy and Betsy and he are not getting along.
While she finalizes the plans she faces one of her biggest obstacles to date. Unfortunately when Betsy needs everyone the most, no one is there for her; everyone has disappeared, leaving the Queen of the Vampires alone. Betsy is forced to fend for herself for the first time since she woke up Undead.
The best part of this book to me was the visiting Werewolves. While Betsy struggles through her days solo, we get an unexpected visit from Antonia's Werewolf family, the Wyndhams. The initial meeting between Betsy, Michael, Jeannie, Lara and Derik, was hilarious and fun. I hope they make a habit of appearing as I have missed them.
While I enjoyed this book, I couldn't love it like I have all the other Undead books. With Betsy's eclectic entourage MIA, the story was missing a lot of the laughs and action each of them usually draw. I really felt the void each character's absence left.
The ending was a bit anticlimactic to me and I couldn't help muttering "duh!" when Betsy finally put the pieces together. There was also a bit of unfinished business; Derik has an odd reaction to BabyJon and we never find out why. This is still very good read but not quite the great read I am used to by Ms. Davidson or this series. I gave this a 4 star rating, but I would say it is more 3 ½ stars.
Story gets better & Better.......2007-08-13
Sixth book in the series and it's as fresh as ever. Betsy the vampire queen is definately a journey you want to go on.
Average customer rating:
- A Hunger Like No Other
- So So
- Sexy, Daring, but Something's Missing
- My first paranormal romance and ....I loved it!!
- Fabulous
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A Hunger Like No Other (The Immortals After Dark Series, Book 1)
Kresley Cole
Manufacturer: Pocket Star
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1)
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ASIN: 1416509879 |
Book Description
Acclaimed author Kresley Cole introduces a sizzling new series with this tale of a fierce werewolf and a bewitching vampire -- unlikely soul mates whose passion will test the boundaries of life and death.
A mythic warrior who'll stop at nothing to possess her . . .
After enduring years of torture from the vampire horde, Lachlain MacRieve, leader of the Lykae Clan, is enraged to find the predestined mate he's waited millennia for is a vampire. Or partly one. This Emmaline is a small, ethereal half Valkyrie/half vampire, who somehow begins to soothe the fury burning within him.
A vampire captured by her wildest fantasy . . .
Sheltered Emmaline Troy finally sets out to uncover the truth about her deceased parents -- until a powerful Lykae claims her as his mate and forces her back to his ancestral Scottish castle. There, her fear of the Lykae -- and their notorious dark desires -- ebbs as he begins a slow, wicked seduction to sate her own dark cravings.
An all-consuming desire . . .
Yet when an ancient evil from her past resurfaces, will their desire deepen into a love that can bring a proud warrior to his knees and turn a gentle beauty into the fighter she was born to be?
Includes an excerpt from Kresley Cole's next romance novel, No Rest for the Wicked.
Download Description
"Acclaimed author Kresley Cole introduces a sizzling new series with this tale of a fierce werewolf and a bewitching vampire -- unlikely soul mates whose passion will test the boundaries of life and death. A mythic warrior who'll stop at nothing to possess her . . . After enduring years of torture from the vampire horde, Lachlain MacRieve, leader of the Lykae Clan, is enraged to find the predestined mate he's waited millennia for is a vampire. Or partly one. This Emmaline is a small, ethereal half Valkyrie/half vampire, who somehow begins to soothe the fury burning within him. A vampire captured by her wildest fantasy . . . Sheltered Emmaline Troy finally sets out to uncover the truth about her deceased parents -- until a powerful Lykae claims her as his mate and forces her back to his ancestral Scottish castle. There, her fear of the Lykae -- and their notorious dark desires -- ebbs as he begins a slow, wicked seduction to sate her own dark cravings. An all-consuming desire . . . Yet when an ancient evil from her past resurfaces, will their desire deepen into a love that can bring a proud warrior to his knees and turn a gentle beauty into the fighter she was born to be?
Customer Reviews:
A Hunger Like No Other.......2007-09-19
Although I found this book to be enjoyable, it did not require or engage my entire attention. I was able to read it at work between calls and was able to keep up with what was happening. This book to me seemed to drag at times and at other times moved along. I am not yet certain if it is going to stay in my collection or be passed on. I have not yet started the second book in the series although I will read it and have purchased the third book. It just did not reach out and grab me.
So So.......2007-09-14
I liked the start of the book but after a while it was a little fustrating. It took for ever for them to have sex. The theme was good and the charters are enjoyable. I think the charter Emma went a little overboard by playing really had to get. Took her for ever to come around. However, I still plan to read the rest of the series.
Sexy, Daring, but Something's Missing.......2007-09-01
I could hardly put this book down, especially the spicy scenes, which were written perfectly! And the plot of the book was believeable, and well-written.
But when Emmaline and Lachlain finally come together, the book immedietly goes downhill. Even when they finally have sex, the scene is too short, and not nearly as descriptive as previous scene. From there on is just plot, we don't get any more sexy situations!
And perhaps this is just me, but Emmaline's Valkyrie family were the MOST obnoxious characters I have EVER read in a book. Their logic, tactics, and personalities were grating and flat.
However, I still give the book 4 stars because all other aspects were amazing, and I definitely intend to read more in the series!!!
My first paranormal romance and ....I loved it!!.......2007-08-25
I usually read historical romances (medieval, Georgian, regency & Victorian), but the trend in romance seems to be going in the paranormal direction so I figured I'd give one a try. I was seriously afraid of what I call "rolling eyes syndrome" ; some things are just unbelievable and I was hoping that this wasn't going to be just a bad B-movie read.
I am so surprised! I love this book! It reminds of some of my fav Scottish romances, but MUCH more intense and WAY edgier/darker! The alpha male hero is totally hot Scottish highlander hunk (a real treat for this Julie Garwood fan) and the heroine is this a shy little thing who eventually turns into a kick a*s woman. There's werewolf's, vampire's, Valkyrie, witches, wraiths etc., and Cole (author) does a excellent job introducing and giving background information on each one of these. She does this so well that I became instantly engrossed in the book and simply couldn't put it down. There are tons of really cool secondary characters that each have their own unique powers and personally I can't wait for those sequels!
So if you like historical romance or contemporary for that matter, this is a great place to start checking out paranormals. As for me, I have a feeling this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Fabulous.......2007-08-20
This is a great book. The character's are so well developed. You really feel like you know these people.
Book Description
For Maggies Sake by Lora Leigh: Maggies ex-lover thinks shes hiding information about the deaths of some Navy SEALs. But when a member of a notorious crime family captures and holds her hostage at gunpoint, he realizes hes wrong, and only he can save her life.
Customer Reviews:
Tempting SEALS novella and some filler.......2007-07-30
I bought this for the Tempting SEALs continuation. Although it was just a novella, I didn't want to miss reading Maggie's story. Lora Leigh continues to heat up the pages even with a much shorter story than Dangerous Games. The rest of the short stories were just some filler material which really didn't do much for me.
"For Maggie's Sake" by Lora Leigh.......2007-07-23
The third Tempting SEALs is a novella, "For Maggie's Sake". Maggie, a new widow who was introduced at the end of "Dangerous Games" (Tempting SEALs #2), had once dated Joe Merino, the top DEA agent who led Morganna's team in "Dangerous Games". After months of recently divorced Joe telling Maggie that he would never commit to or love a woman again, she finally took him seriously when he showed up at a society event she was covering for her newspaper with a stacked blonde female stranger on his arm. Maggie hadn't even known he was planning on attending. She got the message, and removed herself completely from his life -- even though he wasn't done with her yet. But she stood fast, trying to protect her broken heart, and six months later she got married, even though she doubted the wisdom of that step when her fiance told her a couple of days before the wedding that Joe Merino was his best friend. She was very lonely, though, and she felt she could come to love the nice man her fiance had portrayed himself as, so she went through with it.
It was the biggest mistake she ever made. She couldn't even leave her husband; she found that out three months into the marriage when she tried to and discovered he had damaging information about her father from his youthful years, and her husband was more than willing to blackmail her into staying with him. Now, two years later, with her husband dead and proven to be a U.S. traitor, she found herself under suspicion of being her husband's accessory -- because he had left journals behind saying that she was. Unfortunately, not only was Maggie completely innocent of all the suspicions being held against her, she also discovered, after a week in Joe's company in a remote safe house, that not only did she still love Joe, but she had never stopped. And Joe was one of the agents who thought she was lying about her lack of involvement with her husband's treacherous activities. To put the icing on the cake, the cartel to whom her husband had been feeding information thought she was lying, too...and they desperately wanted to get their unfriendly hands on her.
Note: Although, as usual, this is a sexually explicit Lora Leigh story, Joe is not into BSDM, unlike Clint in Tempting SEALs #2.
Check out the others in the Tempting SEALs series: The novella "Reno's Chance" in Honk If You Love Real Men (Tempting SEALs, Book 1); the novel Dangerous Games (Tempting SEALs, Book 2) and the novel Hidden Agendas (Tempting SEALs, Book 4).
Real Men Do It Better.......2007-07-05
Loved this and I really liked the lora leigh book. She writes some very steamy scences.
Four Wonderful Stories by four great Authors!.......2007-05-12
All four of these stories are wonderful. I bought the book because of Lora Leigh. Love the Tempting Seals Stories, Love her books. The other 3 stories were an added bonus, all great.
four fun lighthearted contemporary romances .......2007-02-11
"His Body Electric" by Carrie Alexander. The storm shut down Karen's phone sex business Cock-A-Doodle. It also brought Tomzak to her farmhouse seeking shelter. The attraction is electric.
"Bed and Breakfast" by Susan Donovan. High strung corporate executive Kate left Los Angeles for a spiritual retreat in the New Mexico desert. However, she arrives just before a torrent occurs only to find the Windwalker Lodge closed for renovation. Jorey allows her to stay, but he soon teaches her more on the impact of the spirit of the flesh has on the mind.
"For Maggie's Sake" by Lora Leigh. Joe believes the woman he loved and lost two years ago is involved with a dangerous drug lord who has killed some Navy SEALs. He reassesses his belief when his Maggie is abducted.
"Siren's Call" by Lori Wilde. When her grandfather broke his hip, Annie comes home to St. Augustine to keep his dive shop afloat. As she expects to return to Manhattan, diving instructor Duncan enters the shop. He knows he made the mistake of his life when he decided he was not good enough for his beloved Annie and ended their fling. Now he has a second chance to rectify his error.
These are four fun lighthearted contemporary romances starring reasonably developed likable protagonists.
Harriet Klausner
Book Description
Four never-before-published paranormal tales from a quartet of top-tier talents.
In the realm between the living and the undead, between human and immortal, four of today's most thrilling authors explore the delight that ensues when opposites come together...
New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson challenges a charlatan exorcist with a sexy dead woman-and an unnatural romance.
USA Today bestselling author Emma Holly introduces a beautiful scientist to the realm of the Demon World...and an irresistible male she has experimented on.
National bestselling author Vickie Taylor throws a hell-bent man into the arms of a beautiful dark angel who is driven by ethereal desires of her own.
And award-winning author Catherine Spangler gives a vampire prostitute a last chance at redemption when an angelic hunk offers her a night of divine lovemaking.
Customer Reviews:
not bad.......2007-10-06
This is a decent anthology and Holly and Davidson do a decent job. I would buy this again. About half of the stories were pretty good, the other half were pretty pedestrian. More romantic erotica with a veneer of paranormal romance than paranormal or fantasy. Using 'demon' in the title is rather misleading.
A very mixed bag, with very few demons.......2007-07-16
Of the four stories in this collection, there's one that's completely worth it, one three-quarters worth reading, one half-worth, and one not worth bothering with, in my opinion. So, a total of 2 and a quarter stories out of 4, that's 56%, which is not a passing grade, most places.
The first story, "Witch Way," is by Mary Janice Davidson, and she's always funny. Even when the premise is lightweight and more than a little silly, her characters have such snappy dialogue that it's enjoyable. This story doesn't involve any of her regular series characters, no werewolves or vampires. It also doesn't have much to do with demons; the only demons are the ones Chris Mere, the witch, vanquishes. There is a cute little kid.
The second story, "Street Corners and Halos" by Catherine Spangler, has nothing at all to do with demons. It's vampire prostitute meets angel, and while the moral of the story is as subtle as a brick, the interesting twists to the usual vampire stuff make this worth reading, even if you can see the ending coming a mile away. The background of Jewish religion - which doesn't really have angels in the way that the Christian religions do - meeting up with a Christian-type angel, except that he refers to his Goddess, She, rather than a male god, makes for a nice contrast, and does offset the overly saccharin goodness of the angel. As a paranormal story in general, it's not bad at all, as a vampire story in particular, there's not enough of it to really characterize it. Oh, there is a cat, which is always a plus in a story.
The third story, "The Demon's Angel" by Emma Holly, is apparently based on a concept that the author has also put into a couple of novels, where the demons are some sort of mutant humans living in an alternate world, where they have genes and chromosomes and all, and are doing genetic research, for which they need human subjects. I found this premise to be so offputting that I didn't finish the story. My own preference is that people keep science fiction and fantasy separate; trying to put a science fiction veneer onto demons and a lot of sex winds up, to my mind, bringing out the worst aspects of both science fiction and of the paranormal. The romance was, as far as I could tell, nonexistent, unless by romance you mean plain lust. Other people who don't mind completely illogical squishing of science fiction over fantasy with neither making any sense, may like this story better than I did.
The fourth story, "Angel and the Hellraiser" by Vickie Taylor, was another angel one - again, no demons whatsoever. It was full of cliches, but it was not totally bad, and the ending was not quite as saccharin as the second story, the other angel one. So this is the half-okay one.
In short: a book with demons in the title has more stories with angels than with demons; one humorous, two that take their paranormal elements a little too seriously, and one that does a bad job of trying to turn paranormal into scientific. You decide whether it's worth it; if you already like one of the authors, then you probably want to read this book just so that your collection of that author is complete.
disappointing read.......2007-06-02
One story was okay but the rest were just blah. I was very anticipatory about this book and then was extremely disappointed when I got it.
I've read better..........2007-05-22
This is more something to read if you have some time to kill. I bought the book only for MJD and Emma Holly's contributions, which were good. The others didn't deliver, but then I didn't expect them to. They weren't horrible, but I've read better.
demon's unsatisfaction more like it.......2007-05-14
very boring stories.. did not capture my interest at all
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