Showing posts with label Anna Windsor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anna Windsor. Show all posts
September 21, 2008
9:36 PM |
Edit Post
Edit Post
Back Cover:
As the broom end of her Sibyl triad, Merilee Alexander has the sacred duty as a warrior of taking out the trash. Lately, though, she’s been a little overwhelmed: Manhattan is a mess. And her prophetic end-of-the-world nightmares aren’t helped by the waking fantasies of love. Or the fact that the object of her affections, gorgeous Jake Lowell of NYPD’s Occult Crimes Unit, is playing it so cool.
Actually, Jake wants Merilee desperately, every luscious inch of her. Still, he’s holding back. He’s got secrets. Dark, dangerous, demonic secrets. But as Jake and Merilee trawl the city’s supernatural underbelly to out a demonic kingpin who, disguised as a charismatic leader, is amassing dark power, it’s make-or-break time. For their lives, their love, and the world are about to be sucked into the undertow of the tides of an unstoppable evil.
Merilee Alexander is the air Sybil of her triad. She is the broom, the one who keeps an overall view of things and is the source of knowledge, research and archiving within the Sibyls. She has elemental control over wind and air and she has a bubbly personality, she's witty and intelligent but also accurate, thorough and confident. Though she may seem gentle and angelic because of her kindness, she is a fierce warrior, ready to do battle with anyone or anything threatening those she loves and cares about.
Jake Lowell is different from his brothers in a very elementary way. Where Nick and Creed are half-demons, Jake is an Astaroth, a full-blooded demon and he doesn't want to be. After he helped the Sybils and his brothers in their fight against an enemy of the Sibyls he turns to the Motherhouses to help him find a ritual to reverse the process that turned him into this demon he is forced to be, a ritual to make him permanently human.
The only Motherhouse that doesn't turn him down right away, saying it's impossible, is Motherhouse Greece but not even mother Anemone and her extensive archives and libraries can help him.
Jake is a smart and a take-charge kind of guy. He has a hard time accepting that he's a demon and not human and therefore not able to give Merilee what a he thinks she needs in a man. His desperation is palpable. It shows both his determination and his vulnerability. It's heartrending to see how he deals with his dilemma of being a demon and wanting to be human.
Merilee accepts all aspects of Jake quicker than Jake can. Her acceptance helps him overcome his fears and insecurities about himself.
Where in the other two books it was the triad sisters and Motherhouses fighting and disapproving the attraction between the Sybil and the (half) demon. In this one it's Jake. Mother Anemone of Motherhouse Greece actually approves and thinks he would be a good match for Merilee but he disagrees and doesn't want Merilee risking everything to be with him when he can't be everything he wants to be for her. Merilee luckily sets him straight early in the story.
Due to special circumstances Riana and Cynda aren't able to fully perform their triad duties so Merilee has to rely on the OCU, Andy and Jake for back up in the fight against evil in this book and if you thought evil was bad in the previous books, think again! The bond between the Sybils is still strong and very much present but the change in the dynamics gives a different vibe to the book compared to the previous two. A good one because with the triad not being able to work in full capacity it gives room for Merilee and Jake's relationship to develop in a very strong way and fitting their romance perfectly and effortlessly into the plot.
I couldn't wait to get my greedy hands on this third book of the series and my anticipation was met in a most satisfying way. Again Anna Windsor deepened and expanded her already astounding world filled with magic and intrigue. Voodoo gods and a very ancient evil demon now join the Sybils, demons and OCU-officers.
And again she created characters that have conquered an everlasting place in my book-loving heart. Again she gave me humor in different forms and in unexpected places: from brotherly teasing and sisterly banter in the midst of thrilling action to sarcastic self-views and witty intelligence in during heartfelt emotional moments.
Again the love scenes excel in quality over quantity. There aren't many hardcore love scenes but those that are there are magical, intense and erotic, exuding the mutual attraction between Jake and Merilee.
I'm probably repeating myself but the plotting is exquisite again. Storylines from different angles come together to explain mysteries and answer all questions.
Anna Windsor has a one-of-a-kind and unique way of setting up plotlines and bringing them together in a culmination that takes your breath away and almost makes your heart stop! I really didn't want this book to end because I knew it would be the end of something really, really good and who knows how long it will take until Anna Windsor will blow me away again with a story of these proportions. She has kept me enthralled, spell-bound and captivated throughout these three books with a perfect mix of characters, plot, action, romance, magic, humor and emotions. I went through the whole scope of grief, fear, doubt and pain but also laughter, trust, love and determination.
Just when I thought I'd seen it all in the previous two books I was confronted by a new kind of evil in the mix to embody the Legion, giving the plot some surprising twists I really didn't see coming. In this installment I discovered who (or what) was the driving force behind the Legion and its motivation comes down to the mother of motivations for evil: power and world domination, obtained by causing chaos and anarchy.
Cohesion runs both through each book separately as throughout the set of books. Plotlines that seemed completed in books 1 or 2 are deepened out in books 2 or 3, creating a coherent whole that's perfectly dosed and layered throughout all the books.
There's nothing she doesn't tackle the right way in both this book and the other books of this trilogy. Her writing is truly compelling and addictive. She kept me glued to the pages and totally absorbed in the story with another action-packed plot and a sensual and emotional love story.
For me there just aren't enough words to praise Anna Windsor's imagination and writing skills. She is one of the best I've come across since I've been reading in this genre and I hope she'll grace my bookshelves with many more books to come because I know I want more of this!
Quotes:
I want to taste you, his mind whispered to the beautiful woman he had once vowed never to touch. I want to take my time with each slow, delicious bite.
Jake demanded trust and surrender with each thrust of his tongue, his hips, and Merilee knew she would never be able to resist him. She wanted him so badly, and she didn't think the desire screaming and bellowing inside her would ever be satisfied.
Rating: 10 out of 10
August 26, 2008
8:25 PM |
Edit Post
Edit Post
Back Cover:
Gorgeous flame-haired Cynda Flynn knows fire—its heat, its power, its magic. A fully trained Sybil warrior priestess, Cynda’s weapon is flame. But she’s unprepared for the passion ignited by Nick Lowell, an undercover cop in the NYPD’s Occult Crime Unit. He’s half human, half demon, and hotter than hell, with fathomless black eyes that ignite something buried deep inside Cynda, making her melt in all the right places.
Luckily, Nick has found a way to control his dark side, but he’s done it old-school—through steel-willed self-control. And after five years working secretly within the deadly Legion cult, he’s unbreakable. Or he was, until Cynda came along. Now it’s personal—and even his big bad love may not be enough to halt a terrible new evil snuffing out fire Sybils like Cynda. It’s nasty. And if it can’t be stopped, they’re all going to fry.
Four months after the battle with the Legion members who were out to destroy the Sibyls, a carefully planned and coordinated attack with invisible demons takes out a big part of the Fire Sibyls all over the world. Afterwards the triads are faced with a challenge. They have to find out who is targeting the Fire Sibyls and why. In New York City they have the help from the Occult Crime Unit (OCU).
Cynda Flynn, the Upper East Side Triad's Fire Sibyl is paired up with Nick Lowell, her triad sister's brother in law.
They face an enemy other than the Legion trying to destroy the Sibyls and as if that isn't enough they also find themselves fighting the attraction they have for each other because while Motherhouse Russia was lenient in allowing Creed to marry Riana, Motherhouse Ireland doesn't accept a half-demon as a partner of their most promising Fire Sibyl. But Cynda and Nick follow their hearts regardless of the severe threats from both their enemy and their friends.
Cynda learned at a young age that she could only rely on herself and she's very picky as to who she loves and trusts. Her Sibyl Mother Keara and her fellow Sibyls are the only ones worthy of her affections. Until she meets Nick and though she fights it with a vengeance, she can't deny her feelings for him. They confuse her at first but when she acknowledges them, she is willing to sacrifice everything for his love.
The chemistry between Nick and Cynda is flammable and I mean that in the literal sense too. Cynda is a Fire Sibyl so any emotion; anger, joy, pleasure, sorrow, causes her to burn both herself and others. Nick's boldness has cost him several pairs of boots and items of clothing. But Cynda's clothes also need to be made fire resistant.
Actually Nick is the only one who has some measure of control over her explosive character. It's small but it's there. He can absorb her flames and he has the ability to calm her down. Nick accepts the attraction between them better than Cynda does. But he understands that Cynda has to be the one to make the first move in their relationship, that's the only way she can accept it fully.
And when she does she has a terrible choice to make. The choice between her loyalty to her Sibyl family and her love for Nick.
The most important secondary characters are Cynda's triad: Riana and Merilee. Their bond is strong and their love for each other is unconditional. They stand behind each other no matter what.
But there are also Nick's brothers Creed and Jake. Jake a minor but crucial character in book 1 and he is the hero of the next book but in this book he won my heart with his actions. Of the three brothers he is the one who has gone through the most and his story is yet to come.
And of course Andy, Creed's partner, is a recurring secondary character. I really can't wait for her full story, especially after the revelations in this installment and her sarcastic wit just cracks me up! Though it was missing for the greater part of the book, for a very good reason, it returned at the end and I had a few laughs courtesy of Andy.
In this book the Legion who are the Sibyls' archenemy, played a slightly smaller role than in the first book. There is another enemy out to destroy the Sibyls, Fire Sibyls in particular. At the end this enemy is used by the Legion to deliver a blow that could change the balance between the Sibyls and the Legion. But luckily reinforcement from unexpected allies comes to the rescue but this it is far from over. This battle was won but the Legion isn't done with the Sibyls yet.
After BOUND BY SHADOW I couldn't wait to throw myself back into the world of Sibyls, demons, the OCU and the Legion again and BOUND BY FLAME appeased my craving in the most satisfactory way. From the prologue to the last word I was captivated yet again by Anna Windsor's writing skills and her creative imagination.
With this installment of the series she provides a deeper look into the world she created. She takes it up a notch, giving more and specific information about the Sibyls and the Legion. She expands the initial world and plot by delivering a layered and extensive novel that appeals to readers who like action-filled urban fantasy as well as emotional paranormal romance.
Against a background of battles between Sibyls and demons, Anna Windsor also manages to create a beautiful and intriguing love story between Cynda and Nick. The romance build-up is natural, even-paced in the midst of a thrilling and action-packed plot. I did have a feeling that for me it was less emotional and more action-driven but this doesn't take away the quality of the book or its place in the series. It fits the main characters that are very different from Creed and Riana from book 1.
Again Windsor does a great job with the storylines. She combines small and enticing side stories with the main plot, setting them up to come together in a grand finale with a undeniably heart-stopping battle of battles.
Along with the suspense, action and steamy sensuality the book is sprinkled with wit, from subtle sarcastic banter to playful, laugh-out-loud humor. And it's this combination of and balance between these components that makes it a great read.
If I go by what I'm used to in romance novels, relatively speaking, there aren't many love scenes (only three) but Anne Windsor makes them count. Each one is fiery (literally), steamy and intense and they fit Nick and Cynda's personalities and the development of their relationship.
Anna Windsor sure knows how to light my fire because this book is flammable and explosive, both in figuratively and literally. I was melted to the pages, taking it all in like sweet candy. I am really enjoying this new voice in the paranormal genre and she has made her way to my favorite list after only two books. My anticipation is cranked up sky-high waiting for book number 3!
Quotes:
"Back...off," she said through her teeth.
Nick's smile was so sensual it sent ripples of liquid desire through her entire body.
"If that's what you really want," he murmured in that unbelievable sexy bass, "make me."
After everything they'd just been through at the Sweetbriar house, if Nick's inner demon was going to hurt her, then let it show up and swallow her whole. She hoped she gave the friggin' thing indigestion.
July 28, 2008
4:59 PM |
Edit Post
Edit Post
Back cover:
Falling for a demon can be hazardous to your heart.
Riana Dumain is a fully trained Sibyl, a warrior priestess battling evil whose practical magic keeps her grounded in earthly science--and desires. She knows that gorgeous NYPD detective Creed Lowell is dangerous, and possibly a foot soldier for the evil Legion cult, using his badge and drop-dead looks to consolidate demonic power.
Creed's low profile Occult Crimes Unit pulls Riana and her two sister Sibyl into the case of a politician's son, murdered in a ritualistic sacrifice. Soon, Riana's instincts prove true. Creed, the hottest half-human she's ever known, a demon in bed and out, is guarding a trapdoor to hell. And unless Riana can find a way to tame her mystery man's treacherous inner self (and her heart), all of Manhattan may be enveloped by darkness.
Riana Dumain is the leader of her Sibyl triad fighting the evil "Legion" in New York, an enemy who is out to destroy all Sibyls. The Sibyl triads form the Dark Crescent Sisterhood, female warriors of the Dark Goddess. They are blessed with elemental powers. Riana is the mortar and the earth Sibyl, she is specialized in research and investigation. Cynda is pestle and the fire Sibyl, specialized in communication through wind chimes and mirrors. Merilee is the broom and the air Sibyl, specialized in the gathering of information and archiving. They come from their respective Motherhouses where the eldest and wisest Mothers trained them. Riana comes from the Russian motherhouse, Cynda from the Irish and Merilee from the Greek.
They protect the New York Upper Eastside against any supernatural evil that may threaten them. When a break-in in a museum and the brutal murder of a Senator's young son brings up more questions than the Occult Crimes Unit officers Andrea (Andy) Myles and Creed Lowell can answer, they seek Riana's triad's help. Soon they discover that the Legion is behind both crimes and they are turning up the heat for the Sibyls and everyone associated with them.
This is the start of a cooperation that will reveal more than the ones responsible for the crimes. It's the start of an action-packed battle filled with unexpected twists and turns and in the middle of it all Creed and Riana have to fight more than the enemy in order to have their HEA.
The attraction between Creed and Riana is instant and hot. Both characters are fleshed out very well, along with the secondary characters.
It's clear very early in the story that Riana and Creed want each other and this desire grows into a deep love but they have a lot of obstacles to overcome before they can be together: The Legion, Creed's "other" demon half, Riana's triad-sisters who disapprove of Creed, the crimes they have to solve.
Both Creed and Riana have a healthy dose of self-mockery. They are not afraid to question their own sanity in some circumstances, especially concerning each other.
I truly adored Andy (Creed's partner). She really held her own, being the only "normal" human between all these supernatural and elemental beings. I loved her attitude and her sharp-edged wit. She had some lines at exactly the right moments that put a smile on my face. I hope she will have an even bigger part in the next books of the trilogy.
When this trilogy was mentioned as a suggestion on the RealmsOnOurBookshelves-messagebord it appealed to me right away because of the combination of suspense, paranormal/supernatural and romance it promised. I can honestly say that Anna Windsor certainly delivered on that promise. This is the kind of book that keeps you reading and won't let you go, even when you're not reading it.
I have this big weakness for emotional and character-driven books and this book that's very plot-driven and action-filled has given me the best of both worlds. I can't mention a single thing that bothered me or didn't sit well with me. I can only praise Anna Windsor for her hero and heroine, her plot and world building, her secondary characters, her pace and conclusion and her writing style and timing.
It has everything I want and need in a book and everything forms a harmonious entirety. Suspense, conflict, humor, passion, the paranormal elements, pain and sex, all of them are mixed in the right proportions. Every element on its own intrigues and entices but put together they utterly captivated me like few books have been able to do.
Though the basic components for the book are well known and written by many authors before her, Anna Windsor manages to be refreshing with her contribution to this genre that is being overflowed with new authors and new series.
This is not the first book I've read where the hero has an "other" inside him (think J.R. Ward's Rhage or Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld, or Grimm of Moning's Highlanders) but Windsor gives it an amazingly different twist, which I won't give away here due to the spoilerish nature, you'll have to read it for yourself.
The world Anna Windsor builds up in this first book of the DARK CRESCENT SISTERHOOD-trilogy is an intriguing one to say the least. She has managed to create a world of supernatural beings and kick-ass female warriors. She combines this world with witty banter, steamy love scenes and thrilling suspense. She held me entranced from the first page to the last and in the end had me craving the next book like nothing else.
This first taste of the DARK CRESCENT SISTERHOOD has left me hungry for more, craving the next installment, which I'm sure will grace my bookshelves shortly and will be read as soon as it arrives.
If you're looking for an escape into a refreshing paranormal world of demons, half-demon cops, female warriors with elemental powers and a battle against an enemy that is utterly evil, you won't regret picking up BOUND BY SHADOW. It has it all and then some. I have the utmost admiration for what sprouts from Anna Windsor's imagination. This is top-notch storytelling, leaving me completely spellbound and awaiting the next book by her hand with eager anticipation.
Quotes:
Russian mustard. So sweet you want the whole jar, so fiery it'll burn you inside out if you eat it. Figures. Just like her.
God, but she was killing him, stroking that contraption and talking about power, and tasting and smelling and feeling...Any second now, his aching c**k would give up and just fall the hell right off his body.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Nice to meet you!
- Pearl
- Netherlands
- 39, married to my real life romance hero, addicted to TV shows, reading romance novels and Twitter. I'm a chronic (e)book hoarder and my absolute favorite genres within romance fiction are contemporary romance and romantic suspense, but I don't shy away from historical, paranormal or erotic romance either. Even the occasional (urban) fantasy romance, futuristic and sci fi romance may make it to my Mount TBR. This is my corner of the world wide web where I let you know what books I'm hoarding, reading and reviewing.
Fellow Bloggers
-
BLOG HAS MOVED!3 years ago
-
Recent Read3 years ago
Grab My Button!
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments
You're from...
The ROOB Posse
