Showing posts with label Atlantis Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atlantis Series. Show all posts
April 14, 2009
10:22 AM |
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Back Cover copy:Zane, a fierce vampire warrior, has been enslaved by the Amazons. Nola, a lovely Amazon soldier, has been cursed with invisibility.
Now, these two stubborn enemies must overcome the pasts that haunt them and embrace a love that can set them free...
This story continues where we left it at the end of THE VAMPIRE'S BRIDE. It's the story of the vampire Zane and the amazon Nola. Four months after they were imprisoned by the gods on an island and forced to compete in a ridiculous contest to provide entertainment for the fickle gods, they are both back in Atlantis. Zane as a prisoner of the amazons, Nola cursed not to be seen, heard or felt by those around her, totally unnoticeable. Until that changes and she can be seen and heard but still not touched. She helps Zane escape and he promises to come back for her. Every time Nola admits her love for Zane to herself she gets one part of herself back, first they can see her, then they can hear her and finally they can touch her again.
Nola hates men because of her past, being sold of by her mother to any willing male. She is fierce and a keeps a bit to herself because of her distrust of other people. She is very confused by the feelings Zane ignites in her.
Zane hates women and can't stand to be touched because of his past as a sex slave for the demon queen. He has once sacrificed himself for love and his efforts were thrown back in his face. Therefore, he too is reluctant to trust others and his feelings for Nola. He is powerful and headstrong. His determination giving him the strength needed to fight for his king.
Nola and Zane are very much alike. They are full of pride and possess a similar defiant streak. Despite their convincing intolerance of other people's touches Nola does not find Zane's touch repulsive and Zane allowes Nola to touch him and even enjoys it.
There are a few secondary characters, which have small parts in the story. Because of the shortness of the story there was no room for more and I was glad because it would have taken away from the story between Nola and Zane.
With only 54 pages this short novella, leaves little room for depth or true plot but I thought it was a nice extended epilogue to THE VAMPIRE'S BRIDE, giving Nola and Zane their happily ever after in a delightful and quick read. It contained everything I love about Gena's writing and I can add another notch to the Atlantis collection, which is proving to be a great series with lots of potential. I am curious which characters Gena will be tackling next in this series.
Quote:
In that moment his entire existence made sense. He'd been born to be this woman's mate. He'd given himself to a demon to better understand this precious woman's pain. He'd been chosen for the gods' cruel game to ensure this woman's survival.
April 11, 2009
9:16 PM |
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Back Cover copy:He is Layel, king of the vampires, a master seducer no woman can deny. But since a rogue horde of dragons killed his beloved over two centuries ago, Layel has existed only for vengeance…until he meets Delilah.
Wary of love, the beautiful Amazon wants nothing to do with the tormented vampire. Yet there’s no denying their consuming desire every time he nears her.
Neither trusts the other—nor can they survive alone. For in an impossible game of the gods’ devising, they’ve been trapped on an island, about to face the ultimate challenge: surrender to the passion that will bind them forever…or be doomed to an eternity apart.
Two hundred years ago dragons tortured and killed Layel's beloved mate, Susan, and ever since he has been on a single-minded mission to erase the dragon race from existence. There's no room for women, no room for pleasure and certainly no room for emotions such as love. That is…Until his encounter with Delilah, an amazon who secretly wants love and a man for her own, to have and keep, contrary to the amazons' ways.
When they are forced to battle each other in a silly competition devised by the gods, they discover that not even the gods can interfere with destiny and true love.
Layel is the vampire king. He is cold and ruthless but inside he's hurting. He is punishing himself for failing his mate and not being able to safe her.
Delilah is an amazon warrioress. She is loyal, fierce and quick-witted.
Both of them are very proud, strong and full of determination. They fight each other both literally and figuratively and when they are not doing that they are fighting their feelings for one another. Delilah soon tries to accept and embrace her feelings for Layel, the only man who has ever made her feel these feelings. Layel on the other hand does everything to deny and reject his feelings for Delilah. He sees it as betraying Susan and fights them with all he has, hurting Delilah emotionally in the process. Winning Layel's love turns out to be a very difficult and emotionally draining task for Delilah. She has to fight not only his love for and devotion to his former mate but also his determination to never love again.
There are many secondary characters: gods, creatures of Atlantis in all forms and sizes but also main and secondary characters from previous books. Some of the supporting cast were more important than others but all were well drawn without taking too much of the attention. Parallel to Layel and Delilah's romance there are two secondary love stories. One is completed during the book, that of the nymph Shivawn and the vampire/demon Alyssa. Their story began in THE NYMPH KING (book 3). Although it was one of the secondary storylines in the book, it was no less in its intensity or beauty. It definitely was an added treat to this already excellent book.
The other romance is that of the vampire Zane and the amazon Nola. They have ultimately gotten their own story in the series by way of a short novella, THE AMAZON'S CURSE, which I also read and which has been reviewed separately.
With THE VAMPIRE'S BRIDE I loved going back tot the world of Atlantis, created by Gena Showalter, with all its magical beings and creatures and the constant battles between them. And Gena gave this book a twist that was right up my alley, it was Survivor meets Paradise Hotel meets Gena Showalter's Atlantis series. As an avid TV and reality shows watcher and a big fan of Gena Showalter's work I took this book in and enjoyed it immensely. For me this was the best in the Atlantis series so far. Everything from romance to action and from dialogues to emotions, fell into place perfectly.
I must firstly admit that it was strange to see the dragons, a race that I loved in the previous books in this series, in a different light through Layel's eyes. To me the dragons have always been the good guys in this series and Layel truly the bad guy, at least up until the third book (THE NYMPH KING). But when given the facts about what happened to him and his mate in the past I could not blame him his behavior and even became sympathetic to his actions. I really resented the dragons in the prologue of this book.
The semblance of aggressiveness, desires bordering desperation and an abundant amount of self-reproach linger throughout the entire book among several characters both primary and secondary. This gave the book that little edge I've come to like and appreciate in Gena Showalter's books.
With this one Gena has delivered yet another winner to my bookshelves.
The book captivated me to the point of not wanting to put it down and enraptured me with its fast-paced and action-packed plot that was interlaced with small intriguing side plots. The romance was passion-filled and imperative. Showalter’s writing comprises humorous, witty dialogues that are simply brilliant, action sequences that leave me breathless and descriptions of emotions that are so vivid they touch my own. Her compelling writing style was displayed in every aspect of this book: the characters, the plot and the romance. By now it's clear to me that everything by Gena Showalter has the ability to mesmerize and fascinate me, this book was no exception.
Quotes:
For years he'd assumed his heart was withered, dead. And yet, hearing the excitement in her voice, the foolish organ sped to life, nearly beating through his ribs.
That bloodsucking fiend. That black-hearted warrior. That...man! He had no conscience, no sense of fairness. And she...liked it. A sigh slipped from her, and she nearly melted to the ground in a boneless heap of feminine delight.
October 27, 2007
8:42 PM |
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Enter a mythical world of dragons, demons and Nymphs…enter a world of dark seduction and powerful magic…enter Atlantis…
Females young and old, beautiful and plain crave Valerian’s touch. None can resist his blatant sensuality and potent allure…until he steals Shaye Holling from a Florida beach and holds her prisoner in his underwater kingdom.
The cynical Shaye wants nothing to do with the mighty warlord, but she’s inexplicably drawn to him. For underneath the the warrior’s arrogant beauty lies a complex and powerful man. A man whose caress is like fire…
Now Valerian must fight for the privilege of claiming her as his own. Because ther’s one thing Shaye doesn’t know…That when a nymph discovers his true mate she’s his for life.
I don’t know how she does it but Showalter did it to me again:
She enchanted me with another story of Atlantis.
The Atlantis of the Nymphs this time, creatures of sexual desires and power and Valerian being their king is an exquisite specimen.
Valerian is self-assured and a bit arrogant but Shaye hold’s her own with him and they both have their reasons for their attitudes.
Valerian enjoys his freedom to enjoy the females he entrances and doesn’t have any need to find his mate so finding her knocks him off his feet.
Shaye certainly is not interested in men or love because loving someone only means rejection and hurt.
But they both get what they want the least anyway and they grow to accept it after some struggling.
Shaye is as endearing as she is cynical and Valerian finds out that the tables are turned on him now that he is left craving and wanting in stead of being craved and wanted.
With this change of roles Valerian is the one instantly accepting Shaye as his lifemate and Shaye is the one fighting this to the bone, determined not to give an inch of leverage.
Determined not to give in to the lure and temptation of the physical attraction Valerian poses for her at first and the emotional attraction as the lovestory unfolds.
The more Shaye gives Valerian the cold shoulder, denying her attraction to him in order to protect herself from getting hurt or rejected, the more Valerian shows patience and gentleness, killing her coldness with kindness.
I laughed, I cried, I empathized, I got angry, I got hot and bothered, in short, covered the whole spectrum of emotions again.
The interactions and dialogues between Valerian and Shaye were delightful and sizzling. Both Shaye’s resistance and Valerian’s determination were never annoying or irritating.
Next to their lovestory we also have the love triangle between Shiwavn, Joahim (Valerian’s cousin) and Brenna, a secondary storyline just as intense as the main one but never taking over the focus.
And of course let’s not forget the plot of the wars between the different “people” of Atlantis, in this book especially the on between the Nymphs and the Dragons after the Nymphs took over one of the portals to the surface meant to be guarded by the Dragons.
The secondary characters were again complementary and as well-written as the primary.
Showalter has a way with dialogues and characters that is very appealing to me. Fluently, well-developed, well- written, fun and entertaining.
She is definitely at the top of my favourite list with all her series and not in the least this Atlantis series.
She kept me flipping the pages until I closed it and left the world of Atlantis eager for the next installment, which will be the story of Layel, king of the Vampires.
Gena Showalter delivers another lovestory oozing with sensual pleasure, a fierce heroine, a scrumptious hero and an action-filled plot!
Quote
All six the warriors were suddenly looking at her as if she’d make a tasty meal, no silverware required. Strangely enough, she wanted to splay herself on a table, naked, offering her body as the dinner buffet. All you can eat. No charge.
September 20, 2007
6:28 PM |
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All Atlantis seeks the Jewel of Dunamis,
which legend claims can overcome any enemy. Grayson James, human agent of the ultra-secret Otherworld Bureau of Investigation, has orders to keep it from the wrong hands -- or destroy it. What he doesn't know is that Jewel is a woman, not a stone! But once he meets this precious gem, destroying her is the last thing on his mind . . .
Jewel, part goddess, part prophet, is a pawn
in Atlantis's constant power struggles. She needs Gray's help to win freedom and uncover the secrets of her mysterious origins. Gray needs her wisdom to navigate monster-ridden Atlantis. But need blossoms into passionate love as they fight demons, dragons, vampires -- and a prophecy that says the bond between them could destroy them both.
Before I started reading this book I thought it was purely one in the Atlantis-series but as it turns out to be one that connects this series with the Imperia-series, the hero Gray(son) James being Katie’s brother. And Katie is the heroin in The Stone Prince (Imperia book 1).
With this book Showalter shows me once again why I love her books so much. She mixes an action-filled plot, witty characters and sparkling sensuality and paranormal magic in a way that doesn’t fail to hit home with me. It’s a perfect blend of the normal human world and the magical world of Atlantis.
Jewel and Gray are bound to meet and answer to a bond that was pre-destined for them a lifetime ago. Jewel has had visions of Gray for as long as she can remember and Gray has had dreams of Jewel not knowing who or what she is.
Given this fact, you feel their bond from the start. A bond that Jewel accepts from the start but Gray fights because he’s convinced there’s no place for love in his life.
Gray is the star of the show, the stronger character, carring the story for the most part, but Jewel is a pretty good side-kick who stands her ground firmly, both against Gray as against their enemies. Gray is so funny he’s downright adorable but still very alpha and manly. He has a cocky arrogant streak that is more endearing than it is annoying. But Jewel is the perfect woman to bring him to his knees. She’s a character who’s a joy to read. Strong, willful, brave, loving and as lovely and innocent as heroins come accepting her life’s destiny but not without a fight knowing she’s supported by her mental bond with Gray.
The secondary characters were very intriguing too. I was introduced to a number of magical creatures and beings unknown to me but I was most intrigued by the Nymph King Valerian and the Vampire King Layel. Valerian already has his own book and it’s waiting to be read in my TBR-pile. And Layel will have his own book in 2009 (The Blood King).
And off course it was a pleasure seeing Darius and Grace again, playing pretty important secondary roles in the book.
In short, Gena Showalter didn’t fail to sweep me of my feet on a magical and witty journey through the heart of Atlantis, revealing a bit more of this intriguing world beneath the waves of the sea.
Quotes:
Jewel: “There will be no dying on your part, promise me.”
Gray: “Off course there won’t. You might have missed the memo, but I’m invincible.”
Jewel: “Everytime you touch me, I feel flames licking me, burning me.”
Gray: “It’s my job—no, my privilege—to make the fire become an inferno.” As he spoke, he traced his name on her thigh. She was his, that’s all there was to it. Only his.
June 3, 2007
5:17 PM |
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Grace Carlyle's world was about to change . . .
Searching for her missing brother, Grace Carlyle never dreamed she would discover a secret world populated by mythological monsters—or find herself facing a sword-wielding being whose looks put mortal men to shame. But there he was, Darius en Kragin, one of a race of shape-shifting warriors bound to guard the gates of Atlantis and kill al travelers who strayed within its borders.
Their forbidden love would either bring their worlds together—or tear them both apart…
Now Grace’s life was in his hands, and Darius had to choose between his centuries-old vow and the woman who had slipped beneath his defenses and stolen the heart of Atlantis’s fiercest dragon.
I’ve embarked on a for me new series by Showalter: Atlantis
And after a doubtful start I have to say I loved it.
The first three chapters weren’t what I’m used to by Showalter and I was really fearing that her Atlantis-series was going to be a disappointment after her terrific Imperia-series.
I missed the humour and sparkles I’ve grown to love in her books.
But after chapter four I began to have that familiar smile plastered on my face again as humour, sparkly retorts and sensuality emerged from the pages.
Grace is a lovely woman, missing excitement and pleasure in her life but making the best of it nonetheless.
She’s very funny and strong-willed and a perfect match for Darius, Guardian of the Mist of Atlantis. He lost his family to human travelers to Atlantis who slaughtered them and has since then learned to still his every emotion. Until he meets Grace who makes him feel and experience everything on the emotional scope, from anger and irritation to love and admiration. He in return proves to be the answer to everything Grace was missing in her life.
His feelings for Grace make him far more likeable for he turns into the kind of hero Showalter always reels me in with.
The book has the feel and touch of the Imperia-series but in a different setting: the world of Atlantis with all it’s mythical creatures and history.
With this first book in the series I was not as enthralled as with the Imperia-series or her contemporary but it certainly hasn’t disappointed me and Showalter stays on my auto-buy list and who knows maybe the next installments will have me raving and ranting again.
Quote:
He was a man of contradictions. With his swirling, ice-blue eyes, harsh, demanding tone and rocksolid muscles, he personified everything cold and callous, even incapable of offering warmth. And yet, when he touched her, she’d felt molten lava run through her veins.
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- 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.
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