Helpful Score: 7
I really liked this book. Holly Carver is a witch that busts ghosts for tuition money. Her business associate is a super sexy vampire Alessandro Caravelli. Although there is a romance happening in the story, it doesnt take over the storyline. There is alot of action, and many suprises in the plot. A bit of romance & sexy sex scenes. Lots of magic, demons, werwolves, vampires & other spookies! I will surely read the next one.
Helpful Score: 3
I'm a bit disappointed with this book b/c it had so much potential. It appears this is a series that will deal with a different character in each book. It has definite UF characteristics but ultimately it ended up being a romanced (hence my disappointment). It was not as hokey as some but you know about 50 pgs in what will happened at the end as far as the relationship is concerned. The story is both character and relationship driven BUT I thought they could have easily turned this book/character into a series and developed Holly so much more and teased us along w/ the relationship. She was a compelling and likeable character, along w/ her Vamp! Where they came up w/ the cover for this book is rather confusing as well...it certainly didnt fit the story!
Helpful Score: 3
It took me a while to get into this book. It wasn't bad but I wasn't stuck to it trying to finish it in one sitting like some other books. I don't know if thats why I kinda didnt care for it, or if it was just a little different. If it turns into a series I would get the second one to see if its a little better, and see what happens to the characters.
Helpful Score: 3
A promising beginning for a new author and a new series. The premise was original and the plot kept me reading even when the characters' romance did not. The dynamics between the two lead characters did not grab me, and in truth left me wanting. I hope that this will change in the next story. The story arch, however will draw you in. This initial installment is fast paced and will get you hooked. The heroine has room for growth, so it will be interesting to see where the next story takes us.
Helpful Score: 1
Maybe it's not fair to give a review if you haven't finished it but the book just didn't do it for me and I have so many to read that it's not worth it to force myself. I actually ended up putting it aside, grabbing one I had already read (and loved) and reading that instead.
The female lead was very likable. The writing was good. I'm not entirely sure why I didn't care for it, it just didn't grab hold and make me want to come home, drop everything and pick it up. Again, because I didn't finish it, its probably unfair of me to criticize the Alessandro, but he just didn't come off as "alpha male" enough for me.
There was a lot of promise so I wouldn't dream of saying "don't read it." Win some, lose some.
The female lead was very likable. The writing was good. I'm not entirely sure why I didn't care for it, it just didn't grab hold and make me want to come home, drop everything and pick it up. Again, because I didn't finish it, its probably unfair of me to criticize the Alessandro, but he just didn't come off as "alpha male" enough for me.
There was a lot of promise so I wouldn't dream of saying "don't read it." Win some, lose some.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a first title in this series and I really liked it. The characters were engaging and the plot line was not just erotica. It was interesting and kept my interest through the whole book. I'm really looking forward to the 2nd book called Scorched due out in 12/09.
Helpful Score: 1
This book has lots of different PNR elements - vampires, ghouls, demons, changelings, witches, werewolves and even humans. : )
Lots of action and multiple elements to keep track of. Very enjoyable read. Can't wait for book 2 which ought to be interesting.
Lots of action and multiple elements to keep track of. Very enjoyable read. Can't wait for book 2 which ought to be interesting.
It's not The Dresden files and It's Not Laura Hamilton either this book tries to find a middle of the road niche between Full fledged Modern Fantasy and Vampire erotica.
I was able to complete the book and that tells me it had enough fantasy to get me past the Vampire erotica and it had enough story line to make this an acceptable milder Vampire Erotica story, without too much detail.
The mythos has potential, and based on that I'll be looking towards the second book to see if Sharon Ashwood can continue to pull off her balancing act between the two Genera. I hope she can with the fairly recent up surge in Vampire fascination the audience should be there to support the sales.
Without becoming a spoiler its your typical Witch with problems meets several men of her dreams only to find out two of them are tainted, and one is well damaged. The fantasy elements move the romantic parts long and the romantic parts support the slower fantasy elements, which only serves to keep your pulse up one way or another.
If you like either fantasy, romance, or vamirica give it a try if you like two of the above you like it a lot and if you love all three then this book was written with you in mind.
I was able to complete the book and that tells me it had enough fantasy to get me past the Vampire erotica and it had enough story line to make this an acceptable milder Vampire Erotica story, without too much detail.
The mythos has potential, and based on that I'll be looking towards the second book to see if Sharon Ashwood can continue to pull off her balancing act between the two Genera. I hope she can with the fairly recent up surge in Vampire fascination the audience should be there to support the sales.
Without becoming a spoiler its your typical Witch with problems meets several men of her dreams only to find out two of them are tainted, and one is well damaged. The fantasy elements move the romantic parts long and the romantic parts support the slower fantasy elements, which only serves to keep your pulse up one way or another.
If you like either fantasy, romance, or vamirica give it a try if you like two of the above you like it a lot and if you love all three then this book was written with you in mind.
I loved this book! Can't wait for the next one, will read it as soon as it comes out!
I hated Ben and was a bit surprised at how that plot line developed. I was annoyed with Holly- she was a little too man-crazy. She's starting school, which it mentions means a lot to her, only to have trouble with concentration because she thinking about Alessandro. She was also TSTL at times- She know a certain someone was not exactly safe and she invites him into her house?! I didn't like the "vampire mark" issue and the taking away of free will, but I thought Holly resolved that perfectly on her own. Alessandro also irked me at times. Many times he would deliberately keep information from Holly instead of sharing with her what he found out/knew/ blah, blah, blah. The main story is a HEA, but there are several unresolved plot points. Said plot points are resolved/further investigated in books 2 through 4 (I assume). I'm on the fence about whether or not to read the rest of the series. I did like it, it kept me entertained, and (overall) I liked both main characters. I'm just not sure it I liked it *enough*
Great book, good characters and a good plot. I enjoyed this one very much.
A book of potential, much of it unrealized.
Sharon Ashwood does a good job of creating her world where vampires and other supernatural beings are out, where witches aren't just people who conjure spells but who have innate supernatural powers, and where people still must work, go to school, and pay parking tickets. She gives us enough insight into vampire society, through Allesandro's eyes, that this new world is interesting and full if intriguing characters. Unfortunately, the heroine, Holly, isn't really one of them.
The story jumps off in the middle of things, where Holly is in a relationship with one guy and has a small attraction to another guy. The story takes place over about a week, during which time Holly makes out with three different guys, feels in love with at least two of them, and contemplates a long term relationship with two of them. This makes her seem fickle, and so her HEA true love at the end seems a little suspect. Fortunately the point of view jumps back and forth between Holly and Allesandro and Allesandro makes up for many of Holly's weaknesses.
Ashwood tells us much of what is going on but doesn't quite SHOW us how the characters are in love, how they are deeply bonded, and that there is more to this than just lust. Because the characters have known each other for a year at the start of the book, they never have deep conversations and most of the exposition occurs when they are separated.
The book is full of potential and there is some decent writing mixed in. One hopes future books can deliver what this one can quite reach.
Sharon Ashwood does a good job of creating her world where vampires and other supernatural beings are out, where witches aren't just people who conjure spells but who have innate supernatural powers, and where people still must work, go to school, and pay parking tickets. She gives us enough insight into vampire society, through Allesandro's eyes, that this new world is interesting and full if intriguing characters. Unfortunately, the heroine, Holly, isn't really one of them.
The story jumps off in the middle of things, where Holly is in a relationship with one guy and has a small attraction to another guy. The story takes place over about a week, during which time Holly makes out with three different guys, feels in love with at least two of them, and contemplates a long term relationship with two of them. This makes her seem fickle, and so her HEA true love at the end seems a little suspect. Fortunately the point of view jumps back and forth between Holly and Allesandro and Allesandro makes up for many of Holly's weaknesses.
Ashwood tells us much of what is going on but doesn't quite SHOW us how the characters are in love, how they are deeply bonded, and that there is more to this than just lust. Because the characters have known each other for a year at the start of the book, they never have deep conversations and most of the exposition occurs when they are separated.
The book is full of potential and there is some decent writing mixed in. One hopes future books can deliver what this one can quite reach.
