Monthly Archives: January 2012

Clockwork Prince

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CLOCKWORK PRINCE  is a review by Sandy

Clockwork Prince is the second installment in The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare. Written as a prequel to Clare’s popular and continuing YA (Young Adult) series- The Mortal Instruments , Clockwork Prince once again takes place in Victorian England, following closely, on the heals of Clockwork Angel. Tessa Gray, Jem Carstairs and Will Herondale return to heat up their relationship triangle, as well as the introduction of a few new characters.

16 year old Tessa’s ongoing presence at the Institute has placed Charlotte and the other Shadowhunters in a precarious position. Benedict Lightwood, aiming to replace Charlotte as head of the Institute issues an ultimatum- they have 2 weeks to find the notorious Mortmain (aka Magister) or face eviction. Not willing to fall victim to the Magister’s attempts at kidnapping Tessa, she volunteers to help Will and Jem locate the mysterious Ravenscar Manor, the last know address for Mortmain. But Tessa’s abilities as a shifter are not the only thing that drives the Magister. He blames the Shadowhunters for a tragedy that all but destroyed his life.

Upon arrival at Ravenscar, Will’s life takes an abrupt turn, when he spies his younger sister entering the Manor-his sister, long thought dead. To complicate matters, the trio is attacked by an automaton, who warns Will and the others, not to proceed further with their search for the Magister, or fear repercussions against Will’s family. Upon their return to London, Will makes a quick exit followed by a drug induced foray into the world of self-pity and humiliation, only to be rescued by his best friend and addict Jem.

Meanwhile, Tessa and Sophie must be tutored in the fighting ways of the Shadowhunter, so Benedict Lightwood volunteers his sons Gideon and Gabriel. Realizing the young men are probably spies for their father, Tessa soon discovers that Gabriel’s attitude towards her, is in direct response to his hatred for Will and a long-ago encounter between the two, and Gideon’s handling of Sophie soon develops into something more than friendship.

Over a period of several nights, Tessa spies Jessamine Lovelace leaving and returning to the Institute, disguised as a young boy. Tessa’s warning to the others regarding Jessie’s behavior and the discovery of an invitation, from Tessa’s estranged brother Nathaniel to Jessie, finds Tessa ‘shifting’ into the persona of Jessamine, to attend a masquerade affair. Dancing with his sister, Nate reveals to Tessa (Jessie) his alliance with the Magister, but not before Will and Tessa witness Benedict Lightwood and his sons in attendance. Back at the Institute, Jessamine is handed the “Sword of Truth” and confesses to her relationship with Nate and her betrayal of the Shadowhunters. She is taken into custody by the Silent Brothers.

A message from Nate to Jessie, soon has the Shadowhunters, on a mission. Jessie is to meet Nathaniel at a pre-determined destination to discuss their relationship, but Tessa will be the one to meet her brother. The Shadowhunters agree to trail Tessa on her mission to the warehouse, only to find out it was a trap. Nathaniel had known that is was Tessa all along, and not Jessamine, who attended the ball. The Shadowhunters are stalled by a werewolf in the throws of an overdose, but are soon overpowered by a rather large prototype automaton. Will and Tessa are seriously injured, but not before Nathaniel reveals a startling truth and succumbs to his own injuries.

Following a lengthy period of healing and adjustment for both Tessa and Will, Jem surprises Tessa with his own declaration of love, asking for her hand in marriage. But her heart is torn between her love for Jem and the love she has for Will. But Will has a few secrets himself, that he reveals to Tessa, including his reasons for so often pushing her away. But it may be too late for everyone.

When Benedict declares that the Shadowhunters have not honored their end of the bargain to find Mortmain, the Clave calls a hearing to determine whether Charlotte should remain in the position as head of the Shadowhunter Institute. But a surprise visit, by the Shadowhunters to Benedict, results in his ‘renouncing’ his claims of poor leadership against Charlotte, and the Clave finds for the defendant. Charlotte will maintain her position at the Institute, but only so long as they continue to search for the elusive Magister.

Clockwork Prince is a very detailed storyline. We are introduced to Woolsey Scott (werewolf) and Ragnor Fell, as well as Gideon and Gabriel Lightwood. Magnus Bane is not without his usual comedic retorts and many of the Shadowhunter surnames are recognizable from The Mortal Instruments series.

The love triangle between Tessa, Jem and Will passes smoldering into blatant declarations of love from both young men, but in the end, only one will win the girl. Jem’s declining health due to addiction only fuels the fires of love or guilt (whichever you choose to believe), and Tessa must chose to which man her heart belongs. She loves both men equally, but differently. And in the end, only Cassandra Clare knows in which direction her heart will follow.

The fight to keep the Institute out of the hands of Benedict Lightwood, will continue into Clockwork Princess. And there appears to be a developing storyline between Sophie and Gideon Lightwood. It is hoped that whatever happened between Will and Gabriel, all those years ago, will finally be revealed in the next book.

As for the Young Adult Storyline…I am not a big fan of the teen angst drama. I found myself anxious and not extremely pleased with the many directions of the love triangle between the 3 young characters, knowing where Tessa’s heart really belonged. But all YA storylines follow a particular outline, and Clockwork Prince did not fail. I look forward to Clockwork Princess. I created a fan, in my niece, who is a regular on Cassandra’s website. I leant her my books, and she has been addicted ever since. Christmas, brought with it, a new set of the Mortal Instrument series, to replace her dog-eared set, that I had previously purchased, along with a copy of Clockwork Prince and City of Fallen Angels. And it was refreshing, to be able to carry on a conversation with a 13 year old girl, knowing, I understood, exactly what she was talking about.

Review by Sandy

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Warrior’s Redemption

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Warrior’s Redemption

Warrior’s Redemption is a spinoff from Melissa Mayhue’s Daughters of the Glen series. I was totally surprised that this book was not a continuation of the Daughters of the Glen series, as the hero in this book, was from an earlier book in that series (A Highlanders Homecoming). But Mayhue wins you over very quickly. Pretty much everything in this new storyline is similar, with a wonderful Highlander hero; his soulmate from the future, and the story taking place in old time Scotland.
Warrior’s Redemption is about Malcolm MacDowylt, the Scottish laird, and Danielle (Dani) Dearmon, a girl in present day, who believes in faeries. Dani Dearmon, is a spunky and vivacious young girl, who spent 15 years waiting for the faeries to claim her for her destiny. On Halloween night, she creates a circle in her living room, and when she wakes up, she is in 1294 Scotland.
Malcolm is having his issues, and it seems to be getting worse by the day. His sister and youngest brother are held captive by his half brother Torquil, who wants everything that Malcolm owns in exchange for their freedom. Then Elesyria, a faerie, who is Isabella’s mother comes to visit Malcom. Yes the same Isabella, who escaped from MacDowylt , only to go back to the future with her soulmate Robbie and her ward Jaime. Though Malcolm blames himself for Isabella’s ‘death’, Elesyria knows she is alive in another time. With that, she offers to give Malcolm a gift, something that would make him happy. His soulmate…..who happens to appear out of nowhere…from the future….enter Dani………..
It is Elesyria who convinces Malcolm to find and save the young girl who was destined for him. When he finds her, she awakens frightened, and smacks him with a fearsome punch to his jaw, he then brings Dani back to his laird, with the help of his good brother, Patrick. It is there that they find his younger brother Dermid waiting for them. Dani, who catches on quickly, about Malcolm’s problems, suggests that she be introduced as his betrothed, so no one would suspect anything.
Dermid has come to collect on Torquil’s request for the freedom of their sister. Malcolm knows how evil and powerful Torquil is, and he refuses to allow Dermid to go with them, when they will travel to rescue Christiana, their sister. Christiana plays a major role in helping Malcolm and Dani, as she is also powerful in her own right, with the gift of vision.
Dani and Malcolm made a nice couple, though I thought it was pretty quick that they ended up having sex. But I really liked them together, and it wasn’t much longer that you could see them falling in love, and discovering the true meaning of being soul mates. But throughout the story, and the forthcoming battle to rescue Christiana, you are aware that Malcolm does not have enough manpower to fight Torquil. To stand up against him, he would have to make an alliance with another clan, which would force him to marry into that clan.

The story gets very exciting, when Malcolm is captured and tortured by Torquil. It is Dani and Elesyria, who try to rescue him, with Christiana’s help. As the battle between the powerful brothers comes to a climax, a few twists nearer to the end keeps this story open ended. However, just when Dani is willingly ready to return to future to save Malcolm, you get your happy ending. Mayhue does a wonderful job writing this story. It is light reading, fun, action filled and danger. You end up liking most of the characters….Dani, Malcolm, Elesyria, Patrick, and Christiana. But as much as I enjoyed Malcolm, I loved Dani. She turns out to be a wonderful female character, and Mayhue does have a few good ones. Since this story ended with a lot more to come, I suspect Christiana will be in the next book.

That being said, I worry that Mayhue, who is continuing this “Warrior” series, will let go of Daughters of the Glen. I hope not…..I loved that series…loved the feeling of family, friendship between the two time zones (future and past). I want to know more about Dallyn, Pol, Wynn, Dair, Sim, Rosie, as well as to hear more about the friends we have come to love. Please Melissa, do not abandon them.

Barb

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Hidden

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Hidden

Hidden by Kelley Armstrong is a novella, based on two of her major characters in her Women of the Otherworld series.

This book belongs to Elena and Clay, part of the werewolf pack that we got to know starting in the first book of this series. Though the first two books in the Woman of the Otherworld series concentrated on the werewolves, this series has different types of supernatural major characters in her books, such as werewolves, witches, necromancers, demons and vampires. But to me, I loved the werewolves….Elena, Clay and Jeremy. So knowing this was about them, I couldn’t wait to read “Hidden”

It is a week before Christmas, and Elena and Clay take their two 4 year old twins, Kate & Logan, to a cabin in Canada to get a much needed vacation, and to enjoy Christmas alone with just the four of them. Elena arrives at the cabin with the children, ahead of Clay. As she watches her twins play, she studies them and worries that they are far ahead of other children their age. Their senses, reading people, even reading books is very advanced. Elena has struggled with her decision not to allow anyone to tell the children that they are werewolves, though Clay feels maybe it is better to tell them early, so they get used to it as they grow up. There is no certainty that the children will become werewolves when they get older, though Logan is more probable then his sister, Kate.

Shortly after Clay arrives, the appearance of a rogue mutt, threatens their holiday. When investigating who he is, they discover that the town has had some disappearances and a strange death by an animal. Elena, who is now the Alpha elect of their Pack, has a responsibility to investigate rogue wolves (wolves not part of a pack), and if harm has come to humans, the mutt may have to be be killed, as they have broken the laws of werewolves. Clay is the second in command, the protector to both Elena and Jeremy, the Alpha; he calls in reinforcements to come to the cabin and protect the kids, while they go investigate. Especially as the signs do point to two mutts who live nearby, one being the person who visited them on the first day.

It was great to be back into this world, not only to see Elena and Clay, but to see Nick, as well as the two young new pack members from previous books, Reese and Noah. Kate and Logan were precious children, and it was so enjoyable to see their interaction with Elena and Clay. Kate, sensing whether people were lying or dangerous , was an added element that Elena began to notice. In this book, you can see the change in Elena, being groomed to be the Alpha, as her strength and confidence becomes more apparent, and as she handles the crises and deals with her pack. She is happy in her life, so different then when it all began in “Bitten”. She accepts responsibility, is very much in love with Clay, and adores her two children.

The adventure was exciting; as the danger increases the closer they come to finding the truth, as well as the possibility of danger to the children, especially to Kate. It was a great short story, with everything…..Mystery, family, romance, danger, and fun. Just to watch Elena and Clay, with their passion for one another, and how much fun they are as parents. We have known them from the beginning, when Elena hated Clay, their love that brought them together, and her acceptance that she is a werewolf, and now one happy family. The end was awesome, as Elena also comes to a decision about the children.

Very soon, Kelley Armstrong will end this series, with the release of “Thirteen” later this year. I hope after that last book, she revisits the Danvers, and the werewolves again. Fans of the series have been letting Kelley know that they want her to keep this series alive, even if she just does short stories on them. I know I will miss them.

Barb

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A Lover’s Bite-Poem

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A LOVER’S BITE


A poem based on the characters created by author Kelley Armstrong and her Women of the Otherworld series.

Clayton was a child lost. His heart was far from home.
He wanted something from the man, a curse to call his own.

A bite to change the fair-haired boy, forever he would be.
A shifter bold, with power strong. A werewolf was the key.

Alone the boy hid in the marsh, his changes were abrupt.
Time and time, he knew the wolf, would never get enough.

A starving child needing food, he wandered from his lair,
He found another of his kind, but one who did not care.

The time had come, he knew his fate, was in the hands of men,
Soon rescued by a kindly face, a wolf without a den.

The story tells of funny tales, of lessons learned and taught.
Of chasing wind, and running free, of rabbits, deer and fox.

Clayton grew into a man, a father would be proud.
Defender of the alpha male, his demons rode him hard.

He knew a wolf had just one mate, Forever he would stay,
But to find the female of his heart, a rule he’d disobey.

A lover’s bite, a gentle nip, was all that broke the skin,
Elena knew her life had changed. A wolf now lived within.

Clayton lost his love that day.  He howled out her name.
A banishment from upper ranks.  He would not play their game.

The years go by, a lonely wolf, keeps waiting for his mate.
Hoping soon she would return.  He waited at the gate.

Revenge for something long ago, took Clayton from the Pack,
But a lover’s heart will always know, just how to get him back.

Elena knew the time had come.  She loved the wolf, her man.
Declaring life, he could not win, without his lover’s hand.

Clayton knew he’d done her wrong, but fairy tales are told.
Of loving mates, and sharing dreams and werewolves to behold.

The magic of the bitten mate, lives stolen from the start.
Their future flies on broken wings, now hidden in their hearts.

The werewolf is a man, a beast, His limits not curtailed.
A story written, you will find-in Women of the Otherworld.

Written by Sandy

 

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Divine by Mistake

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DIVINE by MISTAKE


Divine by Mistake is the first book in P.C. Cast’s Divine series featuring Shannon Parker and Clanfintan set in the mythical world of Partholon. With the release of the first book in 2001,  the Divine series is the adult companion to PC’s YA (Young Adult) Partholon novels including Elphame’s Choice and Brighid’s Quest.  Many of you will recognize P.C Cast.   She co-authors the House of Night novels with her daughter, Kristin.

Shannon Parker, a 30 something English teacher from Tulsa, Oklahoma sets out on the last day of the school year to attend an estate auction featuring unique and strange antiquities.  Little does she know, she is about to be swept into a magical world of centaurs, Goddesses, muse nymphs, shamans and the evil Fomorians.

With her sights set on a strange Celtic vase embossed with her image, Shannon faces off in a bidding war for the urn that seems to generate an intriguing force, a compulsion to be owned.  But, while driving home, Shannon suddenly becomes ill when the vase emits an energy field that causes her to crash her car, then waking up in a world of castles and mirror images of everyone she knows.

Shannon wakes to finds herself in Partholon, in the role of Lady Rhiannon, High Priestess and beloved of the Goddess Epona, and betrothed to Clanfintan, a Shaman and shapeshifting centaur. Rhiannon’s slave Alanna, and soon to be best friend of Shannon, explains that she is the identical likeness of the Lady Rhiannon, who has used a magic wall of fire and crossed the divide between worlds, to escape her handfasting with Clanfintan.  But Shannon soon realizes that Rhiannon was no lady.  She was  a sexually promiscuous and self-centred woman who despised and mistreated everyone around her, except her father. And Clanfintan was not the only thing she was escaping, but an escalating war between the people of Partholon and an evil, unlike anything seen by humans.

Shannon’s gift of the ‘magic sleep’ sends her dreaming of worlds and events happening all around, that will send her on a trek to rescue Rhiannon’s father and save the people of Partholon from Nuada and the bird-like creatures known as Fomorians. Along the way, Shannon must make amends for Rhiannon’s past behavior, including her horrific treatment of Clanfintan, which allows the couple to get ‘re-acquainted’ and fall in love.  But their love relationship is not without a few problems.  Clantfintan’s ability to shapeshift into human is constrained by time and energy, so the newly mated couple must adapt to each other’s needs.

Shannon’s use of modern-day Oklahoma English and her ability to tell stories of adventure and love, adds to the allure of the new Lady Rhiannon.  But a case of mistrust and hatred between the Lady Rhiannon and Alanna’s beloved fiancé Carolan, results in her confessing her true identity to her closest companions, including her new husband, Clanfintan.  Acceptance of his new mate and a realization that their world is better without Rhiannon, the centaurs embark on a quest to stop the advance of the Fomorians and prevent a potential disaster.  With an outbreak of smallpox rendering many of the humans too ill to fight, Shannon must assist Carolan with the sick and dying.  Because Shannon had been vaccinated against smallpox back in Oklahoma, she is immune to the effects of the smallpox and becomes a valuable asset in the war against the outbreaks.

The confrontation with Nuada and the Fomorians fast approaches, and to stem the tide of invasion, Clanfintan and his centaur warriors escort Shannon and an army of humans away from Partholon to the Temple of the Muses, only to find, another outbreak of smallpox.  But the invading Fomorians are not immune to the disease and their numbers are soon tainted and weakened.  Fighting to save the life of his beloved Shannon, Clanfintan destroys Nuada in a fight to the death, when Nuada stakes a claim against the Lady Rhiannon.

Divine by Mistake is the introduction to the Divine Trilogy (excluding an ebook Divine Beginnings).  It is filled with magical creatures including male and female centaurs, a love story, humorous anecdotes and Oklahoman idioms.  Shannon’s true friends in Partholon are the identical images of the people in her life back home, including everyone she loves in both worlds, but doesn’t yet know.  I found this series by mistake.  I recognized the author P.C. Cast from her writings in the House of Night series.   I enjoyed Divine by Mistake, as well as the next in the series Divine by Choice and Divine by Blood. Divine by Choice offers new revelations and answers many questions about her life back home, and Divine by Blood showcases the next generation of Partholon’s royalty.

Sandy

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Dark Predator

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DARK PREDATOR – A REVIEW BY MIRANDA H.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I sat down to read “Dark Predator” by Christine Feehan, I took into consideration every insight Christine expressed to her readers on the fan forum; about Zacarias. Upon shedding all my pre-conceived notions on how I imagined the great Zacarias De La Cruz would be, it was then that I opened this long awaited book–and simply allowing these two personalities to take me on their journey, wherever it may lead, and however it may end. Upon completion I found this to be the most surprising, and emotional book to date. I tend to become long winded in my thoughts when a novel has resonated so deeply within me. So, at risk of being unable to accurately express my thoughts and feelings, I will begin my review with one sentence. After nearly ten years of reading the Dark series….finally, at long last I can say confidently that I have a favorite.

From the very beginning I was utterly moved, and enthralled by the journey playing out before my eyes. Although fully aware that Zacarias De La Cruz returned to Peru seeking the peace of an honorable death after his endless, brutal existence, I was completely unprepared for the delivery of his salvation. The book had barely begun, and tears stung my eyes with the emotion this phenomenal author dragged from me, witnessing Zacarias’s reactions to the last sight he would see before he would meet the dawn. The beauty of Marguarita’s spirit as she rode atop one of the horses she loved. I found this scene so emotionally profound….for this lone, battle weary warrior to be shown first hand, that of which he had suffered endlessly in order to protect. Although he had only ever known duty and had never truly lived, in this moment he was shown life. What was to follow this moment of poignant beauty….I found to be one of the most exciting first meetings between a Carpathian and his life mate, I have ever had the pleasure to read. Zacarias De La Cruz, ruler of all in his world, had come to die….and yet someone dared to disobey him so that he may live.

As Christine previously expressed, Zacarias is truly a terrifying predator, born within a legacy of violence and death. A natural killer, with the makeup, and instincts of one. Deeply intense, darkly brutal, and wholly merciless in what he believes in, once he has set upon a path–yet I fell hard for his character regardless. After those rare glimpses of vulnerability, hidden so far beneath the surface not even HE knew it was there….I can say that I completely, emphatically adore all that is Zacarias. Truly, he is one of those once in a life time characters, in a sea of greats, that have grabbed hold of my heart, never to let go.

There were many moments in this book of which I was staggered by emotion for this fictional character. Yet none more so then when he laughed for the first time in his existence, or after Marguarita’s presence returned to him a long suppressed memory, and he awoke from the experience choked with long forgotten grief, and blood red tears dripping from his eyes.

Without giving too much away of the happenings in this brilliant work of literature, I will say that I can now fully understand Christine’s comment of Zacarias being unlike anything she had ever encountered, even in the Carpathian world. I was equal parts fascinated, and equal parts saddened by the difference of him from other males whom have found the other half of their soul, but I am comforted by the fact that this exceptional warrior now has found someone to love. Which brings me to Marguarita.

Unlike the Ghostwalker, and Leopard novels…I very rarely connect with the females of the Dark series as much as I connect with some of the males. Many of them I love, and appreciate, but I have never before had a favorite heroine…until now. Without being the typical quote un-quote, warrior chick, or the damsel in distress…at long last I received in this book what I have wanted to see much more throughout the entirety of the series. A woman whom, in my opinion is the true equal of a Carpathian male….not in power, or strength perhaps…but a true partner of the heart and soul. A woman as fiercely loyal, as furiously protective, as maddeningly stubborn in the love of her mate, as the male is for her. Marguarita is my all time favorite heroine in the Dark series so far….because she equally gave Zacarias as good as she got. Cherishing HIM, and placing HIS needs above her own.

A bonus of all this insane emotion, and the wild journey to love between Zacarias and his lady, at long last….was the pulse pounding demise of Ruslan Malinov. I never would have thought ten years ago when I began this series, that a Carpathian could ever defeat a vampire in such a way. Outstanding. Once again, in this novel, we readers are awarded with that perfect formula of emotion, romance, mystery, and action that few authors can achieve with the same finesse, and integrity as Christine.

In closing…putting it far more simply, and shorter than all I said above…I loved every single word of Dark Predator from beginning to end. Bravo Christine Feehan for writing what I believe to be the greatest Dark book so far.

Miranda

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DRAGON’S OATH by P.C and Kristin Cast-a review

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DRAGONS OATH by P.C. and Kristin Cast-  a review by Sandy

Dragons Oath is a House of Night YA (Young Adult) novella written by the mother-daughter writing duo of PC and Kristin Cast.  Set in the early 19th century, the storyline, featuring vampyres Bryan ‘Dragon’ Lankford and Professor Anastasia, is a prequel to the current day HON series.  The novel begins in the present, shortly after the ‘murder’ of Dragon’s beloved mate Anastasia, but quickly flashes back to the early 1800s where the storyline continues.

When I sat down to read this novella, I was pleasantly surprised.  Although the YA genre is sometimes filled with teen angst and broken hearts, this storyline did not have any of the usual …’whoa is me’.  Perhaps, the characters were a little older or more mature, because I was reading a prequel to the series but I was pleased with the Cast’s departure from the recent HON novels.

Bryan is high spirited, physically gifted with beauty, a talented swordsman and a sexually promiscuous young man, when his father cast him aside and out of England. As the middle and smallest son, of the Earl of Lankford, Bryan had never considered his lifestyle a detriment to his family, but soon realized that no amount of pleading or begging, would invoke sympathy or forgiveness from the one man who despised his existence.  Before setting sail, Bryan is ‘marked ‘ as a fledgling vampyre and escorted aboard the ‘dragon’ ship bound for the Americas.

Three years later, Professor Anastasia, a well loved and respected professor of magic and spells, at the House of Night campus, summons the High Priestess and her mate, to discuss the rumors regarding one-Dragon Lankford and his rambunctious and dynamic entreaties with both the male and female students at the HON. With  the blessing of the High Priestess, Anastasia casts a ‘drawing’ spell to reveal the ‘dragon’s ‘ true nature to all those who feel the need to express their love and admiration to the gifted swordsman.  But the reveal shows more to Anastasia than she is willing to admit.  The ‘older’ Bryan comes forth, a shadow from the future, to reveal his true nature-one heart/one soul with Anastasia for all eternity.

Dragon’s Oath is a quick and easy read.  Background information is always a welcome bonus for a reader such as myself, and allows those who follow a particular series, insight about the characters we know and love.  Although, this particular storyline is not necessary or required to understand the series thus far, it is a short story that added a little something extra about two characters, who will no longer grace the pages of the House of Night series.

Released July 2011

LENOBIA’S VOW to be released January 31

Sandy

 

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Dark Curse Review

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DARK CURSE – A REVIEW BY TRICIA K

I love Christine Feehan’s writing. I’ve loved every story I’ve read. Reading her books helped me through a devastating time in my life. I had not read anything for years and decided one day while at the store to pick up a book because I thought it would be a nice distraction from the real world. Burning Wild and Shadow Game was what I purchased that day. Needless to say…..I was HOOKED!! I’ve read all of her books and look forward to each and every new release.

Dark Curse is my favorite Dark Series book, which was a surprise for me because I’m not normally an “alpha” male type of gal. But there is somethingabout Nicolas that is just too irresistible.

Lara being tortured by Razvan and Xavier was terrible. How her Aunts did everything to teach her and protect her was amazing, considering the condition they were in. They were basically starved, given just enough sustenance to keep from dying. The Aunts could have been bitter and cranky, teaching Lara how to hate and seek revenge, but instead they expressed their love, and told her stories about the Carpathians. The Aunts even helped her escape so she could try to live a normal life. They instructed her to keep her magical powers a secret to protect her from Xavier and his minions.

Fast forward and Lara is grown, returning to the ice caves, the scene ofher childhood nightmares. Then, in walks Nicholas. Mr. Man. Chest poundingTarzan. Typical knuckle dragging caveman. I love him so! Here are a fewparts of the book that I loved:

Who knew that telling your future lifemate “Let go of me, you bastard” would make him fall in love! That’s when Nicolas’ emotions hit him like a freight train…..that was very unique!

Romantic moment #2 – she knifes him in the side. Wow, that’s love. He starts claiming her after she sticks him. Maybe it was the blood that gave him the warm fuzzies???

And when he stood before her with his arms wide, telling her it was her choice, she could stab him if she wanted….or accept his claim, his life was in her hands……*sigh* She tells him “You deserve to die for being stupid. Now heal yourself!”

When he’s asking about her research and she says it’s mostly sexual research…..he says “very funny” She said “you deserved it. You had a tone.” He says “I had a tone??”

He claims her before he even knows her name! He just does it, so sure of himself and he tells her straight up! AWESOME!

I also like how the aunts had described lifemates to her as a child, how the love story had been so beautiful to her.

Tarzan, oops I mean Nicholas, meeting with Mikhail was hilarious.
Here’s a recap in my own words:
Tarzan tells his lifemate: “This is Mikhail, prince of our people.”
Mikhail: “Who is the lovely woman with you?”
Tarzan (roaring and pounding his chest): “This is…..my woman”
Mikhail: “What’s her name? You don’t know her name?”
Tarzan: “Name?…….Um, um, Lifemate is all you need to know! She restored my emotions and colors, no vampire turning for me!”

Back to the review:
Lara and Nicolas had to learn to trust each other. Both had suffered far too much. Lara suffered because of Xavier, and Nicolas suffered because of his centuries of hunting vampires and losing his emotions. Reading how they learned to trust one another and to rely on each other was a great story.

Lara’s determination to save her Aunts was remarkable. Her love and devotion for them was so strong, she faced the horror of her childhood so she could rescue them.

I think one of the things that captivates me with Nicolas and all of the Carpathian men is how they enjoy their lifemate’s happiness. You have this dominant, headstrong males, who want to be the dictator and protect the little woman from harm. But then we get to see the male experience his own joy at seeing his lifemate happy. For example, when Lara is able to fly as a dragon for the first time, Nicolas was overjoyed at her happiness. He realizes how much he adores her and sees the happiness within her. I love those parts.

Tricia

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