Entries Tagged 'Fey / Fae' ↓
March 1st, 2010 — 3 Stars, Fey / Fae, Gentry, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, Highlander, M-O, Rape/Abuse, Time Travel, United States of America
By: Sasha Muradali, guest reviewer
Highlander, Book 1: Beyond the Highland Mist
Flung back in time, Adrienne de Simon got thrust into medieval Scotland from modern day Seattle.
A captive twice over in a century foreign to her, Adrienne became faced with the challenge of dealing with the Scottish laird they called ‘Hawk.’
Described as irresistible, seductive and passionate – Adrienne swore to keep him as far from her as possible.
But how possible, is the impossible, when she’s been forced to marry him via a thick plot to destroy him.
Brought to the sixteenth century by the mighty Black Fae himself, of the mythical Tuatha Dé Danaan race, Adam Black, Adrienne is determined not only to go back to her own time, but to swear off men…that’s how she got into the mess to begin with; she swore off men.
Sounds easy enough? Well no.
While, Beyond the Highland Mist is filled with alluring mysticism, betrayal, mystery and action, it bleeds hyper-masculine eroticisms that are anything but enchanting from the very beginning.
From Adam, to the Fae Queen, Aoibheal, and even Adrienne’s keen sense of humor, nothing quite makes up for Hawk’s soft-abuse of Adrienne that is supposed to be sexy.
Like his name, Hawk, decides to train Adrienne to make her love him, in his eyes, he’s bringing out her love of him. Hawk blind folds her, strips her naked and leaves her in a dark bedroom for unaccounted periods of time. He talks to her as if she is one of his falcons that he’s training to be obedient.
While, Adrienne never suffers physical abuse from Hawk, the mental tauntings are not only freakishly haunting, but disturbing:
She stopped screaming only when her voice gave out.
Stupid, she told herself. What did that accomplish? Not a thing. You’re trussed up like a chicken about to be plucked and now you can’t even peep a protest.
“Just take the hood off, Hawk,” she begged in a gravelly whisper. “Please?”
“Rule number nine. My name from this moment forward is Sidneach. Sidneach, not Hawk. When you use it, you will be rewarded. When you don’t, I’ll permit no quarter.”
No woman in her right mind would choose willingly to stay with a man who treats her that way. Especially, if said woman, has been previously abused by men, has sworn them off and is supposed to be a feisty chick from the 21st century.
It makes no sense.
While, I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of this introduction into the world of Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander series, its opening title falls short of hooking.
The novel’s only true saving grace is the literary universe created and expanded upon by Moning; it is what will have you coming back for more…time and time again.
Rating: 3 of 5 stars.
Buy: Beyond the Highland Mist
Originally posted 2009-06-26 05:15:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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December 5th, 2009 — Alien, Demon, Dragon, Fey / Fae, Ghost, Lycanthrope, Magic Users, Merman/Mermaid, Necromancer, Paranormal, Super Hero, Supernatural, Vampire, Werewolf
Truth or another whiny complaint from males about our reading material? Does paranormal romance hopelessly increase our expectations in a man? Let’s examine the paranormal hero to find out:
- He isn’t human. The paranormal hero is vampire, lycanthrope, demon, shapeshifter, angel, or other. Can a normal man get that irresistible dangerous edge? Yes, and he needn't even have a romantic suspense hero occupation. Role play and grab that Halloween cop uniform! Practice your growl. We love it when men growl their excitement!
- He has otherworldly powers. The paranormal hero is powerful in many aspects from his body to his personality, from his wealth to his influence and even to the impossible. Just because the paranormal hero can enter our minds, doesn't mean a real man can't guess what's in ours. Hint: A glass of wine, and a backrub will give any man superhuman powers.
- He’s ridiculously good looking. It’s our fantasy! Besides have you never heard of a gym? You expect us to be perfectly coiffed, made up with shaved legs, I think a few hours in a gym is not asking too much. Quit complaining and give me twenty! Or two hundred as twenty a six pack does not make.
- He’s an out of this world lover. The paranormal hero is a skilled lover. He’s sex walking and a giver of multiple orgasms. Nervous? Don’t worry. Real men can be phenomenal lovers too. It’s all about the E^E equation: Experimentation ^ Experience = Amazing in Bed.
- He’s too perfect. Not all the time! If the paranormal hero didn’t screw up sometime he wouldn’t be so perfect now would he? Flaws create the perfect character. Real men have flaws too.
Conclusion: Paranormal men sparkle. Real men can sparkle too.
Photo Credits: http://weheartit.com/
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November 22nd, 2009 — 4 Stars, D-F, Fantasy, Fey / Fae, Guest Reviews, Lawyer, Love Triangle, Magic Users, Paranormal, United States of America
By Susan S., Guest Reviewer
Barely Bewitched is a fun, “light,” and entertaining read. I’ve read it twice!
This is Kimberly’s second book belonging to her Southern Witch Series. It stands alone, but if you’re interested in how Mercutio became the heroine’s cat, I recommend starting with Would-Be Witch
. I suggest it simply because Mercutio plays such a “huge” role in the main character’s life.
What I love about this author is her ability to keep me guessing. Oftentimes, we can accurately surmise an upcoming scene, or even predict an ending. Not so, with Kimberly’s novels.
I recommend this novel to cat lovers, anyone who enjoys magic based stories, if you read paranormal romance, or love triangles.
Meet the heroine (Tammy Jo Trask) she’s a Texan witch, an unemployed pastry chef, and a woman who meets trouble at every turn. Her magic also goes awry, “every” single time she attempts to use it. Whoever said rules were meant to be broken, just accurately described the heroine.
In Barely Bewitched (WAM) the World Association of Magic thinks Tammy is a rogue witch. They’ve deemed her guilty of illegally using her magic. She now has only two choices. Enter the challenge which she’s not prepared for, or refuse and face either incarceration/extermination; whichever (WAM) chooses. This time around, Tamara’s life has never been more chaotic. When faery dust causes the entire town to act irresponsibly, and without inhibitions, it’s up to Tammy to set things right. Not an easy thing to do considering she still has to find her Aunt Mel’s emerald earrings, contact the family ghost (Edie), prepare for a challenge she’s sure to screw-up, cheat death repeatedly, and stay away from Bryn Lyons. (Easier said than done.) Tammy’s family insists he should be avoided at all costs, even (WAM) deems Bryn’s a wizard with ulterior motives. So if everyone warns her to run away from him, why can’t she stop kissing him? Maybe, it’s because he’s this gorgeous dark haired, blue-eyed wizard, who also happens to be a very wealthy lawyer.
This novel has several new characters, and two revelations. One, where we “finally” learn why Tammy’s magic always misfires.
Can Tamara save Duvall from themselves? Will she learn to ignore her ever growing attraction to Bryn? Even if he quotes Ovid the Roman poet? I must say, that was very sexy! This wizard has also been known to chant in Gaelic or Latin; temptation indeed!
Perhaps, I should also mention her ex-husband (Zach Sutton) who’s never really left her life. He’s one hunky Sheriff’s deputy, what’s a witch to do?
4 Star Rating
Buy: Barely Bewitched
The Berkley Publishing Group, Paranormal Romance, September 2009, Paperback, 312 pages. ISBN# 978-0-425-22961-3
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August 15th, 2009 — About, Alien, Demon, Dragon, Fey / Fae, Ghost, Lycanthrope, Magic Users, Merman/Mermaid, Necromancer, Paranormal, Succubus, Super Hero, Supernatural, Vampire, Werewolf
This post is in response to a little nugget that I read in Heather’s article at the Galaxy Express entitled Does Science Fiction Romance Need More Alpha Heroes? The specific section that caught my eye was this:
In response to the My Paranormal Malaise post at Dear Author, Lisa Paitz Spindler asked:
"Why is it the paranormal character is so often the hero and not the heroine?"
Yeah, what's up with that?
I can tell you exactly what is up with that as I am a fan of paranormal romance and fiction. So here it goes… six reasons why the paranormal character is always the hero!
- We like our heroes mysterious. What is more mysterious than a mythological creature, be he vampire or lycanthrope or other?
- Strong powerful hero + average heroine = swoon. When an extraordinary specimen of the male gender sits up and takes notice of a rather ordinary female it is easier to place ourselves in the heroine’s shoes. That’s not because we think of ourselves as unworthy, this formula just makes it more accessible for readers. This scenario also tends to fill the tenderness and protectiveness side of the fantasy.
- Strong powerful hero + kickass heroine = hell yeah. When number two’s formula just doesn’t cut it there are the novels about strong heroes and stronger heroines. In this scenario the reader and heroine tend to dominate over the situation. The hero must work around the heroine to get in her good graces and who hasn’t imagine upon at least one occasion a strong sexy male groveling at your feet?
- Angel, Spike, Jean-Claude, Asher, Edward Cullen, Jasper Cullen, Eric Northman, and Bill Compton. Do I really need to go on with this point? I think this pretty much brings it home. Otherworldly men are downright sexy! Especially vampires!
- The desires of the paranormal fit better on a hero. The act of drinking blood is considered highly sexual in vampire romances. It’s become part of the erotic fantasy. Sometimes the heroine likes to pretend to be helpless and the hero’s act of feeding gives her a thrilling rush. Besides, I think I pretty much covered how icky it can be to read a heroine drinking blood.
- Redemption always looks better on a man. Many paranormal stories involve the preternatural lead repenting his past acts dictated by his nature, circumstances, and misinformed beliefs due to change. This makes him now a brooding hero and occasionally puts the heroine in the middle of the path toward his salvation or as his savior.
So there you go—six reasons paranormal stories always feature preternatural heroes.
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July 17th, 2009 — 4 Stars, Fey / Fae, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, Highlander, M-O, Paranormal, Time Travel
By: Sasha Muradali, guest blogger
The Highlander's Touch is the third novel in the series of Highlanders by Karen Marie Moning. It is darker than the rest, but provides the ground work for four of the next novels.
Enter Lisa, a woman from the 21st century who is too nosy for her own good. Touching an ancient artifact, she finds herself stumbling back in time 700 years prior into ancient Scotland. But the thing is, and how romantically-novel-typical, Lisa falls 700 years back into the private bed chamber of Highland Laird Circenn. His nickname is "Sin," believe it or not.
But nothing is as sweaty, sexy and frustrating as it seems, for Circenn has a secret; a very dark, deep secret.
Lisa, torn between anger and lust, left an ill mother behind when she fell back in time and that one factor pushes her not only to push Circenn away, but to find a way back to her century. Not having that Circenn is determined to not only keep her in his century, but help her let go of all the anger and bottled up emotions ready to consume her.
There are two problems: Circenn does not know how to return Lisa to her century and the 'person' that does...well, Circenn isn't speaking to him, as they got into a rather interesting arguement.
Three guesses as to of whom we speak?
Adam Black, ladies, the fabulous Dark Fae himself, Adam Black!
But it gets better - Adam holds the key to Circenn's secret. Actually, Adam is the reason for Circenn's secret and it is worth reading to learn. The story builds up, and the tension between the two lead male characters reaches various levels of intelligence, humor, respect and spite.
What I absolutely love about this novel, is not the typical boy meets girl, girl meets boy, girl hates boy, boy tries to woo girl, girl whacks boy so on and so forth.
No, I dare say my favorite parts are the exchanges, as few as they are, between Circenn and Adam. Not only are they entertaining, but these key conversations, will help readers understand what is to come in the next four books.
The Highlander's Touch is truly a joy to read. Karen Marie Moning is on target and her Highlander novels only get better from here.
Rating: 4 of 5 stars.
Buy: The Highlander's Touch
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June 19th, 2009 — Fey / Fae, Guest Reviews, Highlander, M-O, Paranormal, Supernatural, Time Travel, Warrior
By: Sasha Muradali, guest reviewer
It's been awhile since I've come across a series of books that I can honestly say I love, especially, from a genre that I do not commonly read. But that's the beauty of Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series: it defies the ordinary and jumps head on into the extraordinary.
Set, in mostly, throughout the 1500s shifting in between modern times, the seven books center around seven incredible heroes. From twins Daegus and Drustan, to warriors Grimm, Circenn, Cian and Hawk, to the 'abso-freakin-lutely' stunning black fairy (fae) Adam, the series is full of intense story lines that cut across history, time and space.
Whether you enjoy fantasy, science-fiction, romance, fiction, action, adventure or mystery, there is a little bit of everything. Most book sellers classify the series as "Paranormal/Time-Travel Romance." The series really reminds me of Stardust
and Harry Potter
in the sense that the author takes multiple facets of mythology and history combining them to make her own margarita concoction.
For example, Drustan is a Highlander, yes, but he also has the ability to shift through time, was possessed by the 13 Darkest Druid beings, and is a Druid himself. Sounds more like Joss Whedon's Angel
the more I think about it. Or take for example, Grimm, a Highland warrior with extraordinary powers who has the ability to turn into a Berserk, a raging human beast of exquisitely irreconcilable power bred to destroy.
As a series, the books are mind-blowing, but like everything else in life, there is good and bad. Individually, some of the books are far better than others. Hands-down the best book in the entire series is The Dark Highlander
, the worst is Beyond the Highland Mist and the one that disappoints, for the direction it takes, is the The Immortal Highlander
which brings back Adam Black (aka Puck aka "the Fool" aka The Black Fairy/Fae).
One of the most interesting characters brought to life is Aoibheal, the Queen of the Fae. She's sexy, alluring, smart, wicked, spiteful, playful, yet, very firm in her beliefs and way of life. It's through her and Adam that most of the issues throughout the seven books occur. Well, it's through Adam most of the issues occur, it's through Aoibheal that the problems are fixed. Together, these two characters add a stream of sensual humor that is unique and brands Karen Marie Moning's style as an author.
Each Friday we will be featuring an in-depth review on each of the Highlander books and you can make sure not to miss a single one by keeping tabs on the tag for the author "Karen Marie Moning."
But make no mistake, if you want an easy read, to keep you on your toes and encase your senses in the unbelievable and extremely wanting - this is the series for you!
Book in Order:
Visit Karen Marie Moning website.
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April 8th, 2009 — 4 Stars, Book Review, Fey / Fae, Great Britain, Historical Romance, J-L, Paranormal
When London's best catch of the season - nay the decade - singles you out from across a crowded ballroom you would probably look over your shoulder for the season's beauty. This is exactly was Eve Faraday does, because there is no way on earth any man would ever single her out. She wasn't ugly, in fact she knew she was pretty, but she was not a beauty. She was too short to be in style and not short enough to be a "pocket Venus." Her curly brown locks and brown eyes were lovely but not enchanting. She was not titled and did not possess any great fortune so why was Aubrey Ashford asking her to dance?
Deeply mistrusting, Eve begs him to let her in on the joke. Has he lost a bet? Worse still, had he lost such a bet to her brother? Aubrey is delighted with her skepticism. He begs another dance and at the end of the second tells her he will come calling the next day to get permission from her father to court her... aghast, Eve wonders again what is the punch line? Why would the most handsome, rich, charming, and sought after man practically announce his intention to become engaged to her when he didn't even know her?
Eve is befuddled by Aubrey and thoroughly bespelled by his good looks and smooth manners. She struggles against it, tries to retain her train of thought and her wits to ask him the right questions. She thinks she has learned enough if not all and agrees to marry Aubrey, making him truly ecstatic.
Aubrey has promised to be faithful to her, love her as he can, and to tell her only truth to her, but at the same time he is determined also not to reveal too much because that could prove disastrous. Unfortunately for him, his spiteful sister is eager to ruin him in his new bride's eyes. She feeds Eve three questions to ask of him. Three questions and the life he was hoping to build could be ruined for he promised not to lie outright. Is Eve strong enough for the truth? Is he strong enough to bear the consequences?
This was a very sweet romance, as the male lead never thought he contained any capacity to love. When he fully realizes he's been moved, that he has a heart, that he has given it to her without knowing is truly touching.
Rating: 4 Stars
Buy: Bride Enchanted
Originally posted 2008-12-08 16:36:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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