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The Devil's Bargain #1
Devil Without a Cause
Idle hands are the devil's workshop.
Temptation and seduction are the tricks of the Devil's trade, and when offered the chance to regain his wings by playing guardian angel, he's hell-bent on doing things his way...
Faith McFarland is in need of a miracle. So desperate to save her sick child, she's willing to make a deal with the Devil: steal a ring worn by Finn Payne, the bad-boy rockstar who long ago sold his soul for rock 'n roll. Temptation and seduction become necessary evils, yet Faith's salvation means Finn's damnation...because the ring is all that stands between him and Hell. Falling in love was never part of the bargain, but now that they've tasted heaven in each other's arms, can they convince the Devil to give up his due?
Temptation and seduction are the tricks of the Devil's trade, and when offered the chance to regain his wings by playing guardian angel, he's hell-bent on doing things his way...
Faith McFarland is in need of a miracle. So desperate to save her sick child, she's willing to make a deal with the Devil: steal a ring worn by Finn Payne, the bad-boy rockstar who long ago sold his soul for rock 'n roll. Temptation and seduction become necessary evils, yet Faith's salvation means Finn's damnation...because the ring is all that stands between him and Hell. Falling in love was never part of the bargain, but now that they've tasted heaven in each other's arms, can they convince the Devil to give up his due?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2011
24 people are currently reading
2651 people want to read
About the author
Terri Garey
12 books415 followersA Southern girl with an overactive imagination, Terri Garey writes award-winning and critically-acclaimed urban fantasy. Her novels have been described as "smoldering" by Publishers Weekly, and "sultry and upbeat" by Library Journal. Even though she's a big scaredy-cat who can't watch horror movies or visit haunted houses, she loves moonlit graveyards, moss-covered headstones and the idea that life goes on even after it's over. You can visit her on the web, friend her on Facebook and occasionally find her on Twitter.
Represented by Spencerhill Associates, Ltd.
Represented by Spencerhill Associates, Ltd.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
February 6, 2011
Read an early copy and wow!
November 16, 2011
When the Devil pays a visit to Faith McFarland, her life takes another horrible blow, her sons life for a ring he has coveted for years. The owner of the ring is Rock Star Finn Payne who years ago made his own deal.
Finn is tired of the women who throw themselves at him like an offering, when Faith makes a blatant pass at him he knows there is something different about her, an innocence that shines through making him want to uncover what is hidden beneath.
Intense story, loved every minute of it. It has a back story with that humanizes the Devil and brings a few chuckles along the way. Would reread this one, a rare treat.
Finn is tired of the women who throw themselves at him like an offering, when Faith makes a blatant pass at him he knows there is something different about her, an innocence that shines through making him want to uncover what is hidden beneath.
Intense story, loved every minute of it. It has a back story with that humanizes the Devil and brings a few chuckles along the way. Would reread this one, a rare treat.
August 18, 2015
What a bore. This was one of those books where you supposed to feel bad for the characters but aren't. On the one hand, you have the heroine, making a deal with the Devil to save her child's life and in the other hand, you have the hero, who sold his soul to be famous. The heroine is more sympathetic, of course, but still, roasting in hell for eternity seems like a steep price to pay, even for your child's life. And who says the Devil will keep his bargain? She accepts everything he says as gospel and doesn't even question anything.
The Devil was probably the most interesting character in the book, even if he got a bit emo at times and the author worked too hard to show to show that he wasn't so bad. One thing I HATED was the author's attempt at series baiting - the Devil spends half his time pining for the main character of the author's other series. It didn't make me curious, it made me mad. How do I care how that character is doing?
Definitely not reading anything else by this author.
The Devil was probably the most interesting character in the book, even if he got a bit emo at times and the author worked too hard to show to show that he wasn't so bad. One thing I HATED was the author's attempt at series baiting - the Devil spends half his time pining for the main character of the author's other series. It didn't make me curious, it made me mad. How do I care how that character is doing?
Definitely not reading anything else by this author.
June 7, 2011
Wow wee! I had no idea what to expect from this book. This is a new author for me and I promise you I will be adding her name to my list of "must have authors"!
This book had it all for me...hot hero...hot sex....great characters...great love story (it happened a little fast but that's okay it's "romancelandia") .... and keep some kleenex nearby for the ending.
Really a terrific story and I'm glad I took the chance!
This book had it all for me...hot hero...hot sex....great characters...great love story (it happened a little fast but that's okay it's "romancelandia") .... and keep some kleenex nearby for the ending.
Really a terrific story and I'm glad I took the chance!
June 20, 2011
Wow! Devil without a Cause left me wanting more. This book is a very good start to a new hot paranormal romance series. I would have never dreamed I would like this book, but with the storyline and seduction I found I couldn’t put it down. This is a very quick and well explained read that no PNR reader should go without.
Who would have ever thought the devil could be sexy and have just a bit of compassion? Not me, but then this authors imagination is very vivid and different.
The blurb tells you about one storyline. But it doesn’t go into the devils storyline. Yep, there are two different stories in this book that flows together. The Devil and Gabriel has to work together to help one little boy and in the process they help one couple to find love. The devil has a lot of issues to take care of. You’ll have to read to find out more about his issues. I myself can’t wait for the next book to see what all he gets into.
Faiths son doesn’t get into the way of the storyline as a matter of fact, he adds to it. I enjoyed Faith and Finn. Finn is supper hot and Faith needs a little pick me up, so when the devil sends Faith to seduce Finn sparks fly and they find they can’t get enough of each other, so they have to work together to save all of their lives.
This is a spin off from Terri Nicki Styx series, but you don’t have to read it to start this series. I highly recommend this series to any paranormal romance reader.
Who would have ever thought the devil could be sexy and have just a bit of compassion? Not me, but then this authors imagination is very vivid and different.
The blurb tells you about one storyline. But it doesn’t go into the devils storyline. Yep, there are two different stories in this book that flows together. The Devil and Gabriel has to work together to help one little boy and in the process they help one couple to find love. The devil has a lot of issues to take care of. You’ll have to read to find out more about his issues. I myself can’t wait for the next book to see what all he gets into.
Faiths son doesn’t get into the way of the storyline as a matter of fact, he adds to it. I enjoyed Faith and Finn. Finn is supper hot and Faith needs a little pick me up, so when the devil sends Faith to seduce Finn sparks fly and they find they can’t get enough of each other, so they have to work together to save all of their lives.
This is a spin off from Terri Nicki Styx series, but you don’t have to read it to start this series. I highly recommend this series to any paranormal romance reader.
June 15, 2011
Wowee, I really enjoyed this one. It was a little dark, but it also had the human side of it, which was nice too. Definitely worth a read!
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January 7, 20166 January 2016: $0.99 on Kindle
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18 December 2015: $1.99 on Kindle
9 June 2015: $2.99 on Kindle
March 19, 2012
Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A new take on the fall of Satan.
Opening Sentence: “You went to the wedding, didn’t you?”
The Review:
I have a secret. If you promise not to tell anyone else, I will let you in on it. I love books about religious tales, even though I am not religious myself. Why, you ask? I guess it’s because I LOVE it when authors put their own particular twist on well known stories. I will read it just for the joy of seeing something I know through another’s eyes. Devil Without a Cause, though it reminds me of a James Dean movie title, is one such tale. It is a story of the biblical fall of Satan. What were his true motives and feelings of being cast out of Heaven? Can the Devil be redeemable after all? The Archangel Gabriel thinks so.
Gabriel seeks out the Devil, Sammy Devine, to offer him a job; be a guardian angel for Faith MacFarland. He hopes that if Sammy can prove that he has changed for the better, then the One, their father, will accept him back into Heaven. Of course, Sammy chooses to help but on his own terms. Is there redemption for the Devil, or is Gabriel looking at Sammy as he would have him be and not as he is? Does Sammy truly care about returning to his maker’s side, or is he just playing with Gabriel?
Sammy approaches Faith in a hospital chapel while she is praying for her very sick little boy, Nathan. He has cancer and the outlook for him looks grim. The bargain that Sammy offers is this: He cures her son in return for a favor. Being a good mom, she agrees before learning all the details. Remember, the devil is in the details! She must steal a ring from a very sexy rock star, legend Finn Payne, and give it to Sammy, or her son’s cancer will end up killing him. Her needs and the needs of her child are making it hard on Faith. She develops feelings for Finn but believes that her son must always come first. Can she find a middle ground that makes all parties involved happy? Must she sacrifice her own happiness for Nathan to be happy?
Sammy also has a bargain with Finn Payne. Finn has a magical ring, The Ring of Chaos, that aids his musical career, making him a superstar. All he has to do is keep the ring with him and stay sane. The spirit within the ring, Chaos, tends to be hard on its wearer’s mental stability. If he does lose it, his career and life are over and his soul will belong to Sammy. When he is seduced by Faith and realizes that she stole his ring, he is rightly upset. But is he more upset that his ring is gone, or that he started to think that Faith was someone special? He has a weekend to change her mind about giving the ring to the Devil and instead give it back to him. Is he really willing to do whatever it takes to get his ring back, even if it hurts an innocent little boy in the process? Does he dare allow his feelings for Faith and her son take precedent or his life and career? Is love worth it?
Well, that’s the question isn’t it: Is love worth it? Finn and Faith barely know each other but they are willing to defy the Devil, Sammy, for each other. I don’t believe in love at first sight, but I do think that love can start with a single glance. But will that be enough to get them off the hook with Sammy? Can love truly conquer all?
Sammy has his own drama going on. Apparently, he has a nine-year-old son named Cain and now is in charge of him. This is the part of the book I really enjoyed: The Great and Mighty Satan, raising a little boy. This side story is what really made the entire book for me. Sammy’s lethargy toward his own existence is the start of his change in his perspective. Losing the mortal he loved, Nikki Styx, to another man has left him wanting a change in his life. This is also the reason Gabriel confronted Sammy in the beginning. With the knowledge of a son, Sammy’s life is about to change, for good or bad, just as any child changes the lives of their parents. Can the Devil learn mercy and forgiveness? Can a little boy’s presence have a good effect on him? Or will he just continue on his selfish path without deviation? Will this new development in his own life affect how he deals with his “bargains?”
Ms. Garey has delivered a compelling story. An interesting take on a well-known literary figure in literature, she strives to humanize a very inhuman being. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys stories about angels and their ilk. I look forward to the rest of The Devil’s Bargain series. Terri Garey is definitely an author I will be keeping my eye on from now on and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. I must say that she has allowed me to feel “sympathy for the devil!”
Notable Scene:
“If you’re trying to provoke me, it’s not going to work.”
“Ah. Lost your sense of humor somewhere in the darkness, I suppose. ‘Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused,’ ” Gabriel quoted. “One of the unrecorded Beatitudes.”
Not for anything would he show his amusement, so Sammy turned away, strolling toward another fresco. Gabriel followed, for all the world as though they’d come here to offer their joint opinion on man’s conception of the heavens.
“I never took you for a Catholic,” Gabe said idly, as they perused scenes from the life of Moses. “Yet here you are at the Vatican. Something to confess?”
“Your sarcasm is wasted on me,” Sammy returned, though it wasn’t. “I enjoy beauty in all its forms, whether in be in a chapel, in a field, or in the arms of a woman. You, on the other hand, are limited by the narrowness of tunnel vision. You see everything as black or white, good or evil, with no shades of grey.”
“I am limited by nothing,” Gabriel replied, “save my love for you.”
“Careful, Gabriel,” he mocked. “The church frowns on such things.”
“You know exactly what I mean, and don’t pretend you don’t.”
“Love,” Sammy scoffed, peering into the eyes of a painted saint, virtuous ad pure. “How can you believe in love after all these years?”
“I needn’t experience it physically to know it exists. I see in the wondering eyes of a new mother or the steady, peaceful gaze of a faithful spouse. Surely you remember our early teachings, Samael. ‘And there remain these three: faith, hope, and love… and the greatest of these is love.’ ”
The Devil’s Bargain Series:
1. Devil Without a Cause
2. A Devil Named Desire
FTC Advisory: HarperCollins/Avon provided me with a copy of Devil Without a Cause. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. I get paid only in hugs and kisses from my little boys.
Quick & Dirty: A new take on the fall of Satan.
Opening Sentence: “You went to the wedding, didn’t you?”
The Review:
I have a secret. If you promise not to tell anyone else, I will let you in on it. I love books about religious tales, even though I am not religious myself. Why, you ask? I guess it’s because I LOVE it when authors put their own particular twist on well known stories. I will read it just for the joy of seeing something I know through another’s eyes. Devil Without a Cause, though it reminds me of a James Dean movie title, is one such tale. It is a story of the biblical fall of Satan. What were his true motives and feelings of being cast out of Heaven? Can the Devil be redeemable after all? The Archangel Gabriel thinks so.
Gabriel seeks out the Devil, Sammy Devine, to offer him a job; be a guardian angel for Faith MacFarland. He hopes that if Sammy can prove that he has changed for the better, then the One, their father, will accept him back into Heaven. Of course, Sammy chooses to help but on his own terms. Is there redemption for the Devil, or is Gabriel looking at Sammy as he would have him be and not as he is? Does Sammy truly care about returning to his maker’s side, or is he just playing with Gabriel?
Sammy approaches Faith in a hospital chapel while she is praying for her very sick little boy, Nathan. He has cancer and the outlook for him looks grim. The bargain that Sammy offers is this: He cures her son in return for a favor. Being a good mom, she agrees before learning all the details. Remember, the devil is in the details! She must steal a ring from a very sexy rock star, legend Finn Payne, and give it to Sammy, or her son’s cancer will end up killing him. Her needs and the needs of her child are making it hard on Faith. She develops feelings for Finn but believes that her son must always come first. Can she find a middle ground that makes all parties involved happy? Must she sacrifice her own happiness for Nathan to be happy?
Sammy also has a bargain with Finn Payne. Finn has a magical ring, The Ring of Chaos, that aids his musical career, making him a superstar. All he has to do is keep the ring with him and stay sane. The spirit within the ring, Chaos, tends to be hard on its wearer’s mental stability. If he does lose it, his career and life are over and his soul will belong to Sammy. When he is seduced by Faith and realizes that she stole his ring, he is rightly upset. But is he more upset that his ring is gone, or that he started to think that Faith was someone special? He has a weekend to change her mind about giving the ring to the Devil and instead give it back to him. Is he really willing to do whatever it takes to get his ring back, even if it hurts an innocent little boy in the process? Does he dare allow his feelings for Faith and her son take precedent or his life and career? Is love worth it?
Well, that’s the question isn’t it: Is love worth it? Finn and Faith barely know each other but they are willing to defy the Devil, Sammy, for each other. I don’t believe in love at first sight, but I do think that love can start with a single glance. But will that be enough to get them off the hook with Sammy? Can love truly conquer all?
Sammy has his own drama going on. Apparently, he has a nine-year-old son named Cain and now is in charge of him. This is the part of the book I really enjoyed: The Great and Mighty Satan, raising a little boy. This side story is what really made the entire book for me. Sammy’s lethargy toward his own existence is the start of his change in his perspective. Losing the mortal he loved, Nikki Styx, to another man has left him wanting a change in his life. This is also the reason Gabriel confronted Sammy in the beginning. With the knowledge of a son, Sammy’s life is about to change, for good or bad, just as any child changes the lives of their parents. Can the Devil learn mercy and forgiveness? Can a little boy’s presence have a good effect on him? Or will he just continue on his selfish path without deviation? Will this new development in his own life affect how he deals with his “bargains?”
Ms. Garey has delivered a compelling story. An interesting take on a well-known literary figure in literature, she strives to humanize a very inhuman being. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys stories about angels and their ilk. I look forward to the rest of The Devil’s Bargain series. Terri Garey is definitely an author I will be keeping my eye on from now on and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. I must say that she has allowed me to feel “sympathy for the devil!”
Notable Scene:
“If you’re trying to provoke me, it’s not going to work.”
“Ah. Lost your sense of humor somewhere in the darkness, I suppose. ‘Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused,’ ” Gabriel quoted. “One of the unrecorded Beatitudes.”
Not for anything would he show his amusement, so Sammy turned away, strolling toward another fresco. Gabriel followed, for all the world as though they’d come here to offer their joint opinion on man’s conception of the heavens.
“I never took you for a Catholic,” Gabe said idly, as they perused scenes from the life of Moses. “Yet here you are at the Vatican. Something to confess?”
“Your sarcasm is wasted on me,” Sammy returned, though it wasn’t. “I enjoy beauty in all its forms, whether in be in a chapel, in a field, or in the arms of a woman. You, on the other hand, are limited by the narrowness of tunnel vision. You see everything as black or white, good or evil, with no shades of grey.”
“I am limited by nothing,” Gabriel replied, “save my love for you.”
“Careful, Gabriel,” he mocked. “The church frowns on such things.”
“You know exactly what I mean, and don’t pretend you don’t.”
“Love,” Sammy scoffed, peering into the eyes of a painted saint, virtuous ad pure. “How can you believe in love after all these years?”
“I needn’t experience it physically to know it exists. I see in the wondering eyes of a new mother or the steady, peaceful gaze of a faithful spouse. Surely you remember our early teachings, Samael. ‘And there remain these three: faith, hope, and love… and the greatest of these is love.’ ”
The Devil’s Bargain Series:
1. Devil Without a Cause
2. A Devil Named Desire
FTC Advisory: HarperCollins/Avon provided me with a copy of Devil Without a Cause. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. I get paid only in hugs and kisses from my little boys.
December 16, 2022
I liked this book, but some of Samuel’s POVs were a bit boring.
I liked Faith and Finn, but I thought that the book could have shown more of their lives and what would happen after they got off the island. Nathan seemed like a nice character, but he wasn’t shown enough so you don’t really see his interactions with Faith and Finn.
I liked the last few scenes that were told from Samuel’s POV, but it felt like his story wasn’t finished yet.
The plot was a bit annoying, specifically the ring.
I don’t think that I’ll continue with this series as I’m not too interested in reading more about this world, but I might try some other books by this author.
I liked Faith and Finn, but I thought that the book could have shown more of their lives and what would happen after they got off the island. Nathan seemed like a nice character, but he wasn’t shown enough so you don’t really see his interactions with Faith and Finn.
I liked the last few scenes that were told from Samuel’s POV, but it felt like his story wasn’t finished yet.
The plot was a bit annoying, specifically the ring.
I don’t think that I’ll continue with this series as I’m not too interested in reading more about this world, but I might try some other books by this author.
May 31, 2011
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2011/05/30/...
Publisher: Avon
Publish Date: May 31st
How I got this book: NetGalley
Garey’s 1st book in her new series, The Devil’s Bargain, is an interesting mix of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance story lines woven together. Although this is a very interesting and new concept for me, I found that it left some of the story lacking for me. There were essentially two books going on at once, and I felt like there was so much more that could have been told in the story if we had focused on one or the other.
For the Urban Fantasy portion of the book, we follow the Devil himself, Samael. The story starts with him pining over the woman he loved and lost. We find there is so much more to the devil than just pure evil, and although Samael is a bit of a bastard, he still has an amazing amount of depth to him as well. Throughout the book we follow Samael on his wicked path to trying to take both Faith and Finn’s souls and get back a ring that Finn is keeping close.
Along the way we discover the Devil has a son, and although there isn’t much page time devoted to Cain, we do get to see a little bit of interaction between the two. We are also invited into to see a little bit of Samael’s feelings towards his son, and those few moments are some of my favorite parts, especially seeing him struggle with the love of a father and the evil of his nature.
I was pretty split on my feelings for Samael throughout the entire book. He had moments when I really enjoyed him, thought him to be an admirable character even. But he also had times when I wanted to hate him with every fiber of my being. I hope that he might have a chance to redeem himself completely, but at the same time the dichotomy of good warring with evil within his own soul is interesting to follow.
For the Paranormal Romance aspect of the book, we get to focus on the relationship between Faith and Finn. When we first meet Faith she is in the hospital chapel praying for the life of her young son. Instead of the Almighty answering, she finds herself making a deal with Samael. She is forced to have to steal a ring from Finn the rock-star she had a teenage crush on. Not wanting to do it, but desperate to do anything to save her child, Faith finds herself in bed with Finn and stealing the all important ring. Little does Faith know that the ring is tied directly to Finn’s soul as well. The two are both desperate to possess the ring, but the pull between them leads to face the fact that they might be willing to sacrifice anything for the other.
I didn’t find myself really invested in Faith and Finn’s relationship until late in the book. Being that the plot was continuously flipping back and forth between Samael and Faith and Finn, for me there was a lot of romance that was missing. They really only spent about three days together in the book, I’m not usually a fan of couples who fall in love after one night in bed together. The fact that both Faith and Finn find themselves ready to give up everything after just a few short days just didn’t really feel all that real to me.
However, I really liked both of their characters. Faith was this incredible noble and dedicated mother, willing to do just about anything for her child. She reminded me of my mother, always ready to do whatever needs to be done to keep me and my siblings safe and happy. While I found Finn to be somewhat selfish and egotistical at in the beginning, once he saw the dynamics between Faith and her son, he really took a hard look at his life and realized what was important. He really endeared himself to me that way.
I found some of the book to be somewhat redundant, especially when it came to certain phrases. It seemed like every time Samael was mentioned in the book, he was also assigned a zillion different titles typically associated with the Devil. It was interesting to see just how wide spread the good versus evil mythology is, but it also got old and trying to wade through.
All in all I enjoyed my first read by Garey. I enjoyed the world she built, the characters multiple layers of depth, and the overall good versus evil plot lines. I’m very interested to see where she takes the Devil on his next journey and to see what happens with his son and kingdom.
I give Devil Without a Cause a Cause a C+
Publisher: Avon
Publish Date: May 31st
How I got this book: NetGalley
Garey’s 1st book in her new series, The Devil’s Bargain, is an interesting mix of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance story lines woven together. Although this is a very interesting and new concept for me, I found that it left some of the story lacking for me. There were essentially two books going on at once, and I felt like there was so much more that could have been told in the story if we had focused on one or the other.
For the Urban Fantasy portion of the book, we follow the Devil himself, Samael. The story starts with him pining over the woman he loved and lost. We find there is so much more to the devil than just pure evil, and although Samael is a bit of a bastard, he still has an amazing amount of depth to him as well. Throughout the book we follow Samael on his wicked path to trying to take both Faith and Finn’s souls and get back a ring that Finn is keeping close.
Along the way we discover the Devil has a son, and although there isn’t much page time devoted to Cain, we do get to see a little bit of interaction between the two. We are also invited into to see a little bit of Samael’s feelings towards his son, and those few moments are some of my favorite parts, especially seeing him struggle with the love of a father and the evil of his nature.
I was pretty split on my feelings for Samael throughout the entire book. He had moments when I really enjoyed him, thought him to be an admirable character even. But he also had times when I wanted to hate him with every fiber of my being. I hope that he might have a chance to redeem himself completely, but at the same time the dichotomy of good warring with evil within his own soul is interesting to follow.
For the Paranormal Romance aspect of the book, we get to focus on the relationship between Faith and Finn. When we first meet Faith she is in the hospital chapel praying for the life of her young son. Instead of the Almighty answering, she finds herself making a deal with Samael. She is forced to have to steal a ring from Finn the rock-star she had a teenage crush on. Not wanting to do it, but desperate to do anything to save her child, Faith finds herself in bed with Finn and stealing the all important ring. Little does Faith know that the ring is tied directly to Finn’s soul as well. The two are both desperate to possess the ring, but the pull between them leads to face the fact that they might be willing to sacrifice anything for the other.
I didn’t find myself really invested in Faith and Finn’s relationship until late in the book. Being that the plot was continuously flipping back and forth between Samael and Faith and Finn, for me there was a lot of romance that was missing. They really only spent about three days together in the book, I’m not usually a fan of couples who fall in love after one night in bed together. The fact that both Faith and Finn find themselves ready to give up everything after just a few short days just didn’t really feel all that real to me.
However, I really liked both of their characters. Faith was this incredible noble and dedicated mother, willing to do just about anything for her child. She reminded me of my mother, always ready to do whatever needs to be done to keep me and my siblings safe and happy. While I found Finn to be somewhat selfish and egotistical at in the beginning, once he saw the dynamics between Faith and her son, he really took a hard look at his life and realized what was important. He really endeared himself to me that way.
I found some of the book to be somewhat redundant, especially when it came to certain phrases. It seemed like every time Samael was mentioned in the book, he was also assigned a zillion different titles typically associated with the Devil. It was interesting to see just how wide spread the good versus evil mythology is, but it also got old and trying to wade through.
All in all I enjoyed my first read by Garey. I enjoyed the world she built, the characters multiple layers of depth, and the overall good versus evil plot lines. I’m very interested to see where she takes the Devil on his next journey and to see what happens with his son and kingdom.
I give Devil Without a Cause a Cause a C+
February 20, 2012
Devil Without a Cause was a breathtaking story of a young woman named Faith and her willingness to sell her soul to the Devil to save her son. I found this to be an intriguing story because of the twists that occurred in the story and how things played out and the reasons why.
Faith has to get the "Ring of Chaos" from rock legend Finn and return it to the devil in order to save her son. However, Finn has made a deal with the devil himself many years ago. The ring gives him fame and fortune and in exchange for the ring the Devil will take Finn's soul once he loses possession of it.
I was mesmerized by how the author built the world surrounding Sammy aka the Devil. The description of his fall, his current existence, his loneliness and his interactions with others including the archangel Gabriel. Even though Sammy and Gabriel serve two different realms, Gabriel still sees Sammy as his brother and sees the good in him and the potential for him to redeem himself. Gabriel offers the chance of redemption to Sammy by being Faith's guardian angel and helping her. As Gabriel stated it is his chance to show to God that there is still something good inside him. I found this to be a very touching moment when Sammy remembers what lead to his fall and his fear and crying before God asking for mercy and forgiveness. It was a very moving moment to hear Sammy's anguish at wishing he was told what he was doing with Eve was wrong, why didn't God stop him (the author presents that Sammy as an archangel was tempted by Eve to have sex with her in the Garden of Eden and that Eve was the temptress).
Finn on the other hand feels jaded with life and when he comes across Faith and spends a fantastic night with her he thinks he has finally found someone who is different and special. The hot passion that they share is beautiful and I wish there were more sexy scenes. However Faith steals the ring from him and tries to avoid him to no avail. When Finn finds out she stole the ring Faith finally comes clean and tells him why she had to steal the ring. Finn is torn between his love for Faith, her son's life and his own life and the moments leading to the end are heartbreaking. The scenes of love and sacrifice are heart warming and surprises everyone including the devil.
I have to say I LOVE SAMMY! He is one sexy beast that I had an emotional connection with him and wish for his HEA if possible in future books. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
5 Stars
Faith has to get the "Ring of Chaos" from rock legend Finn and return it to the devil in order to save her son. However, Finn has made a deal with the devil himself many years ago. The ring gives him fame and fortune and in exchange for the ring the Devil will take Finn's soul once he loses possession of it.
I was mesmerized by how the author built the world surrounding Sammy aka the Devil. The description of his fall, his current existence, his loneliness and his interactions with others including the archangel Gabriel. Even though Sammy and Gabriel serve two different realms, Gabriel still sees Sammy as his brother and sees the good in him and the potential for him to redeem himself. Gabriel offers the chance of redemption to Sammy by being Faith's guardian angel and helping her. As Gabriel stated it is his chance to show to God that there is still something good inside him. I found this to be a very touching moment when Sammy remembers what lead to his fall and his fear and crying before God asking for mercy and forgiveness. It was a very moving moment to hear Sammy's anguish at wishing he was told what he was doing with Eve was wrong, why didn't God stop him (the author presents that Sammy as an archangel was tempted by Eve to have sex with her in the Garden of Eden and that Eve was the temptress).
Finn on the other hand feels jaded with life and when he comes across Faith and spends a fantastic night with her he thinks he has finally found someone who is different and special. The hot passion that they share is beautiful and I wish there were more sexy scenes. However Faith steals the ring from him and tries to avoid him to no avail. When Finn finds out she stole the ring Faith finally comes clean and tells him why she had to steal the ring. Finn is torn between his love for Faith, her son's life and his own life and the moments leading to the end are heartbreaking. The scenes of love and sacrifice are heart warming and surprises everyone including the devil.
I have to say I LOVE SAMMY! He is one sexy beast that I had an emotional connection with him and wish for his HEA if possible in future books. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
5 Stars
May 2, 2011
I loved Terri Garey’s Nicki Styx Series because of its quirky characters, spooky mysteries, descriptive writing and… Samael also known as Sammy Divine! He is one smexy devil. No, really, he is the Devil . I fell in love with this bad boy and was thrilled to find out Terri was giving him his very own series (The Devil’s Bargain).
This book has a much darker and sexier tone than the Nicki Styx books. We are dealing with Hell after all. There are two stories going on in Devil Without a Cause. First we have Sammy’s world (Hell). He has to deal with the politics of running an Underworld filled with back stabbing power hungry minions as well as an unexpected development
read rest of review here! :)
http://www.loveromancepassion.com/rev...
This book has a much darker and sexier tone than the Nicki Styx books. We are dealing with Hell after all. There are two stories going on in Devil Without a Cause. First we have Sammy’s world (Hell). He has to deal with the politics of running an Underworld filled with back stabbing power hungry minions as well as an unexpected development
read rest of review here! :)
http://www.loveromancepassion.com/rev...
Want to read
October 17, 2011May 31st. Recommended by Jeaniene Frost.
April 3, 2011
As posted on GeekSpeakBlog 4/3/11
Terri Garey's RITA-award winning Nicki Styx series has been haunting my bookshelves for years. Wild, wacky, and original, those tale have delighted me from the first chapter of Dead Girls are Easy; the first book in the Nicki Styx series. However, my goal wasn't to tempt you with tales of Nicki's shenanigans. (At least, not directly tempt you - by all means, giving in to temptation is the theme of this article.) I wanted to give center stage to my favorite fallen Angel, Sammy B. Divine, aka Samael, Shaitan, Son of Morning, Prince of Darkness and Lord of the Underworld. Yep. I spent the weekend with the Devil, himself.
Devil Without a Cause brings Sammy center stage, where he belongs - as he'd tell you, I'm sure. He first pops up in the Styx books, playing havoc with Nicki's head and heart. This is not your run of the mill "summon up the Devil and get your fingers burned," story. Terri Garey unveils Samael's inner angel through small cracks in his veneer, in her first series. she applies a crowbar and elbow grease to those cracks, in the new spin off trilogy. As always, I refuse to spoiler our readers in reviews, but you only have to read the descriptive blurb on Terri or HarperCollins' sites to know that along with the crowbar, Terri brings a monkey wrench to the table, to throw into Sammy's plans.
Per HarperCollins' book description:
Idle hands are the devil's workshop
Temptation and seduction are the tricks of the Devil's trade, and when offered the chance to regain his wings by playing guardian angel, he's hell-bent on doing things his way . . .
Faith McFarland is in need of a miracle. So desperate to save her sick child, she's willing to make a deal with the Devil: steal a ring worn by Finn Payne, the bad-boy rockstar who long ago sold his soul for rock 'n roll. Temptation and seduction become necessary evils, yet Faith's salvation means Finn's damnation . . . because the ring is all that stands between him and Hell. Falling in love was never part of the bargain, but now that they've tasted heaven in each other's arms, can they convince the Devil to give up his due?
The set up for the trilogy revolves around Sammy and how he deals with the souls of three lost women. This first book also indicates this trilogy will - at its heart - deal with Sammy's own millennia-old Abandonment issues, trust issues, and finding his inner angel, again. To me, this is the most tempting element of the book. I'll admit, with no shame, that I fell for Sammy when he first appears in the Styx stories, and he quickly became an anti-hero I could really get behind. I guess you could say I'm Team Sammy. While humanizing angels, demons, gods and legends is nothing new to classic or contemporary fiction, it's still a balancing act that not all authors can navigate without a few stumbles - or pratfalls, for that matter. In this newest book, Ms. Garey proves, once again, that she's earned her place on the high wire. Sammy is very human - and therefore, accessible - and through this, we can also more easily examine our own responses to the concepts of Good, Evil and all the shades of gothic grey in between. That said, you never really forget that Sammy is The Devil, with all the powers and slippery ethics that involves. Putting The Lord of Lies in charge of saving a soul is a crap shoot, at best, and a nuclear missile strike, at worst.
We also meet the first lost soul - Faith McFarland (I can't help but wonder, too...does Faith come first, because when all is lost, all that remains is Faith, Hope and Love....but I digress.) She's a single, working mother who must deal with a very real world monster - cancer. Her four year old son, Nate, has brain cancer, and is on the precipice of Life and Death, when the book opens. Anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer, or other methods of demise, will relate to the desperation and willingness to cut a deal with the Devil, himself, to save one small boy. At the other end of the spectrum, we find Finn Payne; the 36 year old Prince of Rock 'n Roll Darkness. Finn cut his deal a long time ago, and makes a fine pawn in Sammy's game. Faith and Finn come together through dark circumstances; truly, caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Both are likable characters - and while they could have been very cookie cutter, they escape that trap. I suspect it may be due in large part to Ms. Garey's own love of music and the rockers who make it. She crafts an immediately believable world, for her paranormal permutations. Conversely, when we visit Sammy in his own realm, we get glimpses of a very dark, scary Hell. If you linger too long on those descriptions, you'll find yourself jumping at anything that goes bump in the night, while reading this book.
In between Faith and Finn's interactions, we get to find out more about Sammy's own past, and the future he may be turning to - we even get a few glimpses in Ariadne's Pool, to see where Nicki is heading. This leads me to another important point; you can still read this book without spoiler'ing yourself, too badly, if you haven't read the Nicki Styx books, yet. As Nicki has survived four books in her own series, so far, it's not giving much away to know she's still kicking. And knowing about what is "probably" coming in the near future isn't the same thing as nailing it down, casting it in cement and calling it a day. After all, we are talking about the Father of Lies.
If you are one of Ms. Garey's myriad fans, you won't be let down by Devil Without a Cause. She includes the same tongue-in-cheek dialog I've come to expect from all of her writing, along with twisty plotting, and some devilishly steamy love scenes. Another thing she always seems to slip in, under the cover of urban fantasy, are one or two "for your consideration" moments. what I mean is that her stories challenge the reader to really think about one or two elements that play outside the boundaries of fiction, in the real world. In one of the Styx books, she addresses the issues of faith, religion, choices, open minds and challenges readers to see beyond the labels to the people underneath them. In a similar vein, she drops the gauntlet, again. For myself, I could not read the book without examining my own preconceptions about Good, Evil and how the choices we make can compound as we make our own history, every day. I love a book that can tell me a great story, introduce me to characters I genuinely like AND makes me think.
Devil Without a Cause hits bookstores on May 31, 2011, so if you'd like to tip toe into temptation, now, you should check out the Nicki Styx series. Either way, you must give in to temptation and accept this Devil's invitation to come out and play - because I can guarantee that this is one "yes" you won't regret. Devil Without a Cause left me bewitched and bedeviled and begging for more.Terri Garey
Terri Garey's RITA-award winning Nicki Styx series has been haunting my bookshelves for years. Wild, wacky, and original, those tale have delighted me from the first chapter of Dead Girls are Easy; the first book in the Nicki Styx series. However, my goal wasn't to tempt you with tales of Nicki's shenanigans. (At least, not directly tempt you - by all means, giving in to temptation is the theme of this article.) I wanted to give center stage to my favorite fallen Angel, Sammy B. Divine, aka Samael, Shaitan, Son of Morning, Prince of Darkness and Lord of the Underworld. Yep. I spent the weekend with the Devil, himself.
Devil Without a Cause brings Sammy center stage, where he belongs - as he'd tell you, I'm sure. He first pops up in the Styx books, playing havoc with Nicki's head and heart. This is not your run of the mill "summon up the Devil and get your fingers burned," story. Terri Garey unveils Samael's inner angel through small cracks in his veneer, in her first series. she applies a crowbar and elbow grease to those cracks, in the new spin off trilogy. As always, I refuse to spoiler our readers in reviews, but you only have to read the descriptive blurb on Terri or HarperCollins' sites to know that along with the crowbar, Terri brings a monkey wrench to the table, to throw into Sammy's plans.
Per HarperCollins' book description:
Idle hands are the devil's workshop
Temptation and seduction are the tricks of the Devil's trade, and when offered the chance to regain his wings by playing guardian angel, he's hell-bent on doing things his way . . .
Faith McFarland is in need of a miracle. So desperate to save her sick child, she's willing to make a deal with the Devil: steal a ring worn by Finn Payne, the bad-boy rockstar who long ago sold his soul for rock 'n roll. Temptation and seduction become necessary evils, yet Faith's salvation means Finn's damnation . . . because the ring is all that stands between him and Hell. Falling in love was never part of the bargain, but now that they've tasted heaven in each other's arms, can they convince the Devil to give up his due?
The set up for the trilogy revolves around Sammy and how he deals with the souls of three lost women. This first book also indicates this trilogy will - at its heart - deal with Sammy's own millennia-old Abandonment issues, trust issues, and finding his inner angel, again. To me, this is the most tempting element of the book. I'll admit, with no shame, that I fell for Sammy when he first appears in the Styx stories, and he quickly became an anti-hero I could really get behind. I guess you could say I'm Team Sammy. While humanizing angels, demons, gods and legends is nothing new to classic or contemporary fiction, it's still a balancing act that not all authors can navigate without a few stumbles - or pratfalls, for that matter. In this newest book, Ms. Garey proves, once again, that she's earned her place on the high wire. Sammy is very human - and therefore, accessible - and through this, we can also more easily examine our own responses to the concepts of Good, Evil and all the shades of gothic grey in between. That said, you never really forget that Sammy is The Devil, with all the powers and slippery ethics that involves. Putting The Lord of Lies in charge of saving a soul is a crap shoot, at best, and a nuclear missile strike, at worst.
We also meet the first lost soul - Faith McFarland (I can't help but wonder, too...does Faith come first, because when all is lost, all that remains is Faith, Hope and Love....but I digress.) She's a single, working mother who must deal with a very real world monster - cancer. Her four year old son, Nate, has brain cancer, and is on the precipice of Life and Death, when the book opens. Anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer, or other methods of demise, will relate to the desperation and willingness to cut a deal with the Devil, himself, to save one small boy. At the other end of the spectrum, we find Finn Payne; the 36 year old Prince of Rock 'n Roll Darkness. Finn cut his deal a long time ago, and makes a fine pawn in Sammy's game. Faith and Finn come together through dark circumstances; truly, caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Both are likable characters - and while they could have been very cookie cutter, they escape that trap. I suspect it may be due in large part to Ms. Garey's own love of music and the rockers who make it. She crafts an immediately believable world, for her paranormal permutations. Conversely, when we visit Sammy in his own realm, we get glimpses of a very dark, scary Hell. If you linger too long on those descriptions, you'll find yourself jumping at anything that goes bump in the night, while reading this book.
In between Faith and Finn's interactions, we get to find out more about Sammy's own past, and the future he may be turning to - we even get a few glimpses in Ariadne's Pool, to see where Nicki is heading. This leads me to another important point; you can still read this book without spoiler'ing yourself, too badly, if you haven't read the Nicki Styx books, yet. As Nicki has survived four books in her own series, so far, it's not giving much away to know she's still kicking. And knowing about what is "probably" coming in the near future isn't the same thing as nailing it down, casting it in cement and calling it a day. After all, we are talking about the Father of Lies.
If you are one of Ms. Garey's myriad fans, you won't be let down by Devil Without a Cause. She includes the same tongue-in-cheek dialog I've come to expect from all of her writing, along with twisty plotting, and some devilishly steamy love scenes. Another thing she always seems to slip in, under the cover of urban fantasy, are one or two "for your consideration" moments. what I mean is that her stories challenge the reader to really think about one or two elements that play outside the boundaries of fiction, in the real world. In one of the Styx books, she addresses the issues of faith, religion, choices, open minds and challenges readers to see beyond the labels to the people underneath them. In a similar vein, she drops the gauntlet, again. For myself, I could not read the book without examining my own preconceptions about Good, Evil and how the choices we make can compound as we make our own history, every day. I love a book that can tell me a great story, introduce me to characters I genuinely like AND makes me think.
Devil Without a Cause hits bookstores on May 31, 2011, so if you'd like to tip toe into temptation, now, you should check out the Nicki Styx series. Either way, you must give in to temptation and accept this Devil's invitation to come out and play - because I can guarantee that this is one "yes" you won't regret. Devil Without a Cause left me bewitched and bedeviled and begging for more.Terri Garey
October 5, 2016
A really REALLY rantastic review coming sooooooooon.
June 18, 2011
There way too many tacky ways to start this review and I just can’t help myself. The Devil went down to Georgia. Yep, setting is Atlanta, GA. I like this one too; Samael is one Devil I would love to give a cause to. Talk about a hottie, Samael is scorching hot. He is a bad boy that is walking a fine line between evil and serving his own agenda. I think that is one of the things that I liked most about Sam’s character. He is not portrayed as a nice guy in any way. He is the Devil, he does cruel things, he lies, he is not sugar coated in any way, but you still find yourself fascinated by him, at least I did. I have not read Garey’s Nicki Styx series. There are a few references to Nicki in Devil Without a Cause, but not enough that you have to read one series to have an understanding of the other. Although I must admit, I am curious about Sam and Nicki’s relationship enough that may have to read that series now.
The angel Gabriel approaches fallen angel Sam about offering guidance to a lost soul. Sam sees this as an opportunity to manipulate a situation to see to his own “wants.” Sam wants Faith to seduce her way into Finn’s life to steal a ring. Sam led Finn to the ring through a deal with the him 20 years prior. Sam loves his careful wording to go along with all of these deals he is making with Faith and Finn. He is very specific and extremely elusive at the same time. While the Devil is playing games with Faith and Finn, they are falling in love with each other. Faith and Finn have a sweet and very brief courtship. The couple of sex scenes are mild in their explicitness, yet very touching and romantic. They have both made various deals with the Devil and their one bad decision seems to be getting both of them in deeper debt to Sam.
While Faith and Finn are dealing with all of the issues of the ring and their deals with the Devil Sam is dealing with a stressful situation at home. It seems that some of his minions are beginning to question his evilness and commitment to them. Sam’s minions are thinking of an upheaval of power. This is a highly entertaining book that keeps the pages turning. What’s not to like you got a rock star, sexy Devil, kidnapping, blackmail, pissed off woman with a blade, a bad guy you have to like, and sweet romance. I liked this book and LOVED Sam, definitely looking forward to the next in the series. Can't wait to see what type of mischief Sam will stir up next.
The angel Gabriel approaches fallen angel Sam about offering guidance to a lost soul. Sam sees this as an opportunity to manipulate a situation to see to his own “wants.” Sam wants Faith to seduce her way into Finn’s life to steal a ring. Sam led Finn to the ring through a deal with the him 20 years prior. Sam loves his careful wording to go along with all of these deals he is making with Faith and Finn. He is very specific and extremely elusive at the same time. While the Devil is playing games with Faith and Finn, they are falling in love with each other. Faith and Finn have a sweet and very brief courtship. The couple of sex scenes are mild in their explicitness, yet very touching and romantic. They have both made various deals with the Devil and their one bad decision seems to be getting both of them in deeper debt to Sam.
While Faith and Finn are dealing with all of the issues of the ring and their deals with the Devil Sam is dealing with a stressful situation at home. It seems that some of his minions are beginning to question his evilness and commitment to them. Sam’s minions are thinking of an upheaval of power. This is a highly entertaining book that keeps the pages turning. What’s not to like you got a rock star, sexy Devil, kidnapping, blackmail, pissed off woman with a blade, a bad guy you have to like, and sweet romance. I liked this book and LOVED Sam, definitely looking forward to the next in the series. Can't wait to see what type of mischief Sam will stir up next.
March 1, 2012
Devil Without a Cause introduces us to Finn Payne, a rock star who's success is due to a ring and a deal with the Devil; Faith McFarland, a single mother who is caring for her son, who has a brain tumor; and reintroduces fans of Terri's Nicki Styx series with the Devil himself, Samael, the Fallen (AKA: His Satanic Majesty, Son of Morning, Prince of Darkness, Lord of the Underworld, etc, etc, etc). The lives of these three collide when Gabrielle comes to Sam(my B. Divine) with "a chance for redemption. A chance to show the One that {he} regrets {his} disobedience, that {he} still wants forgiveness." He's still sore over the whole Eve (Lilith) fiasco.
The offer, made by Gabrielle, is to help a mortal woman (Faith) who needs guidance. Sammy takes him up on the offer, but twists it to fit his agenda, no surprise there - he is the Father of Lies, after all. He decides to kill two birds with one stone. See, Sammy desperately wants Finn's ring back. Finn hasn't succumb to the pressures of the Ring of Chaos, as the wearers before him have, and has instead survived 20 years. Sammy will get Finn's soul once he loses the ring, but Sammy cannot take it from him. He also sees this "chance" as an opportunity to gather another soul - again, why not? So, he offers to save Faith's son, cure his cancer, if she seduces Finn, steals the ring, brings it him and he gets her soul when she dies. What would you do to save the life of your son? What about the life of the man you think you might love? The despicable idea of seducing a man and spending eternity in Hell present challenges for Faith, but things get confusing for her when Finn does whatever necessary to stop her from handing over his ring.
This was a very quick read for me. I enjoyed it much more than I was expecting. Even though Finn and Faith's story should've been the spotlight, Sammy really made the book for me. He's a hoot. He's experiencing some changes in his life that he never expected and is still trying to let go of his mortal love, Nicki, who has married and moved on. That said, I did enjoy Faith and Finn. I connected a bit more with Finn, but Faith's desire to save her son at all costs is certainly one that pulls at the heartstrings.
I look forward to starting book 2, A Devil Named Desire later tonight.
The offer, made by Gabrielle, is to help a mortal woman (Faith) who needs guidance. Sammy takes him up on the offer, but twists it to fit his agenda, no surprise there - he is the Father of Lies, after all. He decides to kill two birds with one stone. See, Sammy desperately wants Finn's ring back. Finn hasn't succumb to the pressures of the Ring of Chaos, as the wearers before him have, and has instead survived 20 years. Sammy will get Finn's soul once he loses the ring, but Sammy cannot take it from him. He also sees this "chance" as an opportunity to gather another soul - again, why not? So, he offers to save Faith's son, cure his cancer, if she seduces Finn, steals the ring, brings it him and he gets her soul when she dies. What would you do to save the life of your son? What about the life of the man you think you might love? The despicable idea of seducing a man and spending eternity in Hell present challenges for Faith, but things get confusing for her when Finn does whatever necessary to stop her from handing over his ring.
This was a very quick read for me. I enjoyed it much more than I was expecting. Even though Finn and Faith's story should've been the spotlight, Sammy really made the book for me. He's a hoot. He's experiencing some changes in his life that he never expected and is still trying to let go of his mortal love, Nicki, who has married and moved on. That said, I did enjoy Faith and Finn. I connected a bit more with Finn, but Faith's desire to save her son at all costs is certainly one that pulls at the heartstrings.
I look forward to starting book 2, A Devil Named Desire later tonight.
May 31, 2011
The cost of a child’s life: one soul. Seems a small price for any parent to pay. But what about a total stranger?
Faith just wants what most parents do: a happy, healthy child with a lifetime of promises ahead. But fate has dealt her son a cruel hand. When the Devil himself offers her the opportunity to give her child a second chance, she finds the offer too tempting to pass up. Little does she know she’ll not only be giving up her soul, but lose her heart as well. Satan is the master of deceit; his promises are laced with loopholes and lies. She soon finds out that the deal for saving her son is more complicated than what she bargained for.
Since his own pact with the Devil many years before, Flinn has lived the life he wanted: rock-n-roll stardom, money, and all the chicks he could want. Or so he thought. Twenty years of fame have taken their toll, and despite the never ending hordes of faithful fans, he’s tired and lonely. Despite his growing melancholy and his waning pact with Satan, he’s not ready to give up his life. Or is he?
Devil Without a Cause started out with a catchy bang, and it just kept getting better from there. The author does a wonderful job of developing all of the key players; quite a feat when there’s more than just the typical two. Secondary characters added enough depth to the plot to keep you interested and turning the pages. While the story doesn’t end for all the characters quite the way a reader might expect, it’ll certainly leave you with a pleased smile at the end. Faith’s plight with her son will likely bring some tears to your eyes, but never fear; Ms. Garey doesn’t disappoint with her witty and devilishly delightful tale. On a personal note, I’d love to read more about Sammy the Deceiver and sure hope there’s a sequel in the works.
For a funny, heart-wrenching, memorable story that will make you laugh, make you cry, and leave you with warm fuzzies tingling your insides, grab a copy of Devil Without a Cause by Terri Garey, it’s definitely a worth-while read.
originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
Faith just wants what most parents do: a happy, healthy child with a lifetime of promises ahead. But fate has dealt her son a cruel hand. When the Devil himself offers her the opportunity to give her child a second chance, she finds the offer too tempting to pass up. Little does she know she’ll not only be giving up her soul, but lose her heart as well. Satan is the master of deceit; his promises are laced with loopholes and lies. She soon finds out that the deal for saving her son is more complicated than what she bargained for.
Since his own pact with the Devil many years before, Flinn has lived the life he wanted: rock-n-roll stardom, money, and all the chicks he could want. Or so he thought. Twenty years of fame have taken their toll, and despite the never ending hordes of faithful fans, he’s tired and lonely. Despite his growing melancholy and his waning pact with Satan, he’s not ready to give up his life. Or is he?
Devil Without a Cause started out with a catchy bang, and it just kept getting better from there. The author does a wonderful job of developing all of the key players; quite a feat when there’s more than just the typical two. Secondary characters added enough depth to the plot to keep you interested and turning the pages. While the story doesn’t end for all the characters quite the way a reader might expect, it’ll certainly leave you with a pleased smile at the end. Faith’s plight with her son will likely bring some tears to your eyes, but never fear; Ms. Garey doesn’t disappoint with her witty and devilishly delightful tale. On a personal note, I’d love to read more about Sammy the Deceiver and sure hope there’s a sequel in the works.
For a funny, heart-wrenching, memorable story that will make you laugh, make you cry, and leave you with warm fuzzies tingling your insides, grab a copy of Devil Without a Cause by Terri Garey, it’s definitely a worth-while read.
originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
June 16, 2011
I have never read any previous books by this author even though the character of the Devil is in a previous series. This book branches off the Nicki Styx series that the author created, focusing on the Devil's story of betrayal and love. That being said though, I didn't have a hard time figuring out what was going on since this book was set as a separate story series. Yes, there was mentioning of the character Nicki, but it left me with no confusion and actually had me interested in buying that series as well.
The Devil is portrayed a little differently than usual in this series. Yes he is still the fallen angel Lucifer, but he goes by different names and he is sexy as hell. He dresses with the current fads, and he even likes mingling with humans as well. While I enjoyed his conversations with Gabriel the Angel, and his devious nature of lies and seduction, the character of Finn was my favorite by far! A rock star who has sex appeal and a heart of gold is perfect for the single mother Faith. They had chemistry and he stole the focus of the book! While Faith seemed a little wishy-washy to me, I still liked her enough to keep reading the story! When she makes a deal with the Devil to save her son from cancer, she has no idea the task he set her on will lead to love and completion. When Finn figures out what is going on, he has secrets of his own that he needs to tell Faith so they can defeat the Devil at his own game.
What I enjoyed the most is how the author made you feel sympathy and empathy for the Devil even though he is suppose to be a bad guy. He actually seemed to be in the gray area instead of always black and white. Pretty bad when you fall for the bad guy in the story and start cheering for him! I wanted the Devil to have a happy ending as well.
All in all, a great new series by a great author. The story building was great and paced nicely. The romance was nice, even though it felt a little rushed at times. The characters held my interest for the entire story. I also found an author who I am thrilled to add to my auto buy list! I have even ordered the Nicki Styx series now so I can get more of the back history on the Devil!
The Devil is portrayed a little differently than usual in this series. Yes he is still the fallen angel Lucifer, but he goes by different names and he is sexy as hell. He dresses with the current fads, and he even likes mingling with humans as well. While I enjoyed his conversations with Gabriel the Angel, and his devious nature of lies and seduction, the character of Finn was my favorite by far! A rock star who has sex appeal and a heart of gold is perfect for the single mother Faith. They had chemistry and he stole the focus of the book! While Faith seemed a little wishy-washy to me, I still liked her enough to keep reading the story! When she makes a deal with the Devil to save her son from cancer, she has no idea the task he set her on will lead to love and completion. When Finn figures out what is going on, he has secrets of his own that he needs to tell Faith so they can defeat the Devil at his own game.
What I enjoyed the most is how the author made you feel sympathy and empathy for the Devil even though he is suppose to be a bad guy. He actually seemed to be in the gray area instead of always black and white. Pretty bad when you fall for the bad guy in the story and start cheering for him! I wanted the Devil to have a happy ending as well.
All in all, a great new series by a great author. The story building was great and paced nicely. The romance was nice, even though it felt a little rushed at times. The characters held my interest for the entire story. I also found an author who I am thrilled to add to my auto buy list! I have even ordered the Nicki Styx series now so I can get more of the back history on the Devil!
July 6, 2011
Terri Garey has taken a popular character from her Nikki Styx series and given him the starring role in her newest - The Devil's Bargain. Samael B Devine is the Prince of Darkness but that doesn't mean he does not mourn his impossible relationship with Nikki. Hurt and bitter he nevertheless responds to Gabriel's goading and promises happiness for Faith, a single mother whose son is dying from a brain tumour. In his own unique way, Samael manipulates Faith into a bargain promising to save her son at the return of a ring. Finn made his own bargain with the Devil as a teen and the Ring of Chaos he wears assures him of his successful rockstar career. When Faith steals it after a night of passion, Finn is as determined to save himself as he is to save her, from making the same mistake that damned his soul.
Faith has always done the right thing but her prayers for her son's recovery have gone unanswered and her four year old son, Nathan, is dying from an aggressive brain tumour. To save his life, she succumbs to the Devils offer placing her in the path of Finn. It's insta-love PNR style, but romantic (and lustful) enough to satisfy.
While naturally the storyline focuses on the relationship between Faith and Finn, Garey brings something a little different to the PNR genre, as Samael's storyline has almost equal billing. Even if you aren't familiar with his character from the Nikki Styx series you will find it intriguing. Garey has her own original take on the Underworld realm and the Devil's motivations. The Fallen has a heart after all it seems, and while he hasn't lost his taste for violence and mayhem, he is not entirely adverse to the possibility of redemption.
Devil Without A Cause is a tempting start to a fresh new series from Terri Garey with the ultimate bad boy playing cupid. Sexy and sinful, it's a fun read for PNR fans.
Faith has always done the right thing but her prayers for her son's recovery have gone unanswered and her four year old son, Nathan, is dying from an aggressive brain tumour. To save his life, she succumbs to the Devils offer placing her in the path of Finn. It's insta-love PNR style, but romantic (and lustful) enough to satisfy.
While naturally the storyline focuses on the relationship between Faith and Finn, Garey brings something a little different to the PNR genre, as Samael's storyline has almost equal billing. Even if you aren't familiar with his character from the Nikki Styx series you will find it intriguing. Garey has her own original take on the Underworld realm and the Devil's motivations. The Fallen has a heart after all it seems, and while he hasn't lost his taste for violence and mayhem, he is not entirely adverse to the possibility of redemption.
Devil Without A Cause is a tempting start to a fresh new series from Terri Garey with the ultimate bad boy playing cupid. Sexy and sinful, it's a fun read for PNR fans.
July 12, 2011
Gabriel, the Archangel, comes to meet Samuel (Prince of Darkness/Devil/Satan) and offers him a chance at redemption. If he can save the soul of one female then Gabriel may be able to put a good word for him in heaven. Gabriel is trying to save Samuel's soul since he cares for his "brother".
Samuel has to save Faith McFarland. Faith has a son, Noah who has been recently diagnosed with brain cancer. In order to save his life she strikes a deal with the Devil. Her job is to steal a magical ring from a famous rock star, Finn Payne. What Faith doesn't know is that the ring belongs to the Devil and it is the reason why Finn became famous in the first place.Without the ring Finn will loose his soul to Sammy who has been waiting for twenty years.
When Finn stays at the hotel where she works she takes this opportunity to meet him, takes him to his room and is able to spend the night with him. In the morning she takes off with the ring but Finn discovers this promptly. He finds Faith and kidnaps her as well as her son. They are taken to his private island where he tries to seduce her and make her give up the ring.
Who will win at the end, a desperate mother trying to save her son's life by loosing the man she loves or the Rock star who doesn't want to give up his soul to the Devil but has fallen in love with a woman and her child?
I enjoyed this story, the devil is not so bad after all. I found myself rooting for him at times. His interaction with Gabriel was amusing.
After reading this book, I learned that this author has another series where Sammy was mentioned. It will be interesting to read.
Looking forward to a second book.
3.5/5 Fangs
cross posted at my blog http://mrsleifs.blogspot.com
Samuel has to save Faith McFarland. Faith has a son, Noah who has been recently diagnosed with brain cancer. In order to save his life she strikes a deal with the Devil. Her job is to steal a magical ring from a famous rock star, Finn Payne. What Faith doesn't know is that the ring belongs to the Devil and it is the reason why Finn became famous in the first place.Without the ring Finn will loose his soul to Sammy who has been waiting for twenty years.
When Finn stays at the hotel where she works she takes this opportunity to meet him, takes him to his room and is able to spend the night with him. In the morning she takes off with the ring but Finn discovers this promptly. He finds Faith and kidnaps her as well as her son. They are taken to his private island where he tries to seduce her and make her give up the ring.
Who will win at the end, a desperate mother trying to save her son's life by loosing the man she loves or the Rock star who doesn't want to give up his soul to the Devil but has fallen in love with a woman and her child?
I enjoyed this story, the devil is not so bad after all. I found myself rooting for him at times. His interaction with Gabriel was amusing.
After reading this book, I learned that this author has another series where Sammy was mentioned. It will be interesting to read.
Looking forward to a second book.
3.5/5 Fangs
cross posted at my blog http://mrsleifs.blogspot.com
August 18, 2011
I enjoyed the characters in this story. Faith is a true mother. One who will do anything for her son. Finn has already done anything for his muse to express itself through music. And then there is a horny (not so little) devil at the center of it all. Hard choices, interesting tasks with rules, and things that they find out not only about each other, but about themselves. Even the secondary characters were interesting. Plus, there is a back story there I can't wait to find out about! Oh and before you scold me for reading this one in the middle of the series, this book is #1! (nah nah NAH nah nah) Now, I understand it is a spin off of her Nicki Styx novels which I now want. Oh and no, you do not have to read the Nicki series before to enjoy this book.
Now in a way the story is quite straight forward. Making bargains with the devil for either selfish or unselfish reasons, the devil trying to get his due, trying to get out of the deal. However, the story that weaves around that simple story is very captivating. A romance, a sweet little boy who captures everyone's heart, and a few surprises for that blue eyed devil himself. The story is complete and does not end in a cliffie, but you will want the next book in the series to continue your hellish visit with "Sammy". You will want to know what he does next with his little surprise. Oh you will have to read it to find out just what that was. Okay, you know it's coming... *evil laugh* ;D Hey, it really fits here!
I give this book 4 stars and can't wait for the next installment! I'm just not making a deal with that devil to get it. ;D
Now in a way the story is quite straight forward. Making bargains with the devil for either selfish or unselfish reasons, the devil trying to get his due, trying to get out of the deal. However, the story that weaves around that simple story is very captivating. A romance, a sweet little boy who captures everyone's heart, and a few surprises for that blue eyed devil himself. The story is complete and does not end in a cliffie, but you will want the next book in the series to continue your hellish visit with "Sammy". You will want to know what he does next with his little surprise. Oh you will have to read it to find out just what that was. Okay, you know it's coming... *evil laugh* ;D Hey, it really fits here!
I give this book 4 stars and can't wait for the next installment! I'm just not making a deal with that devil to get it. ;D
June 25, 2011
There are really two separate stories going on here: The first and baddest of the fallen angels and now ruler of Hell itself, the Devil aka Sammy Devine, is feeling lonely since the woman he loves has found her HEA with someone else, when his brother angel Gabriel sets a challenge for Sammy - an opportunity for earning a chance for redemption by playing guardian to a human woman. Sammy takes the challenge but on the condition that he is allow to do it 'his way' with no heavenly intervention.
Enter Faith and Finn, two people who both soon find themselves each caught in a no win scenario due to Sammy's machinations - both have made deals with the devil and both need the same ring, so someone is going to lose their soul.
I liked Sammy Devine as a side character in the Nikki Styx series, and even though I have some leftover childhood issues that made it hard for me to read about the devil - especially late at night - his part of the book was my favorite of the two threads. (For Nikki fans, we get a couple little glimpses of Nikki.) The romance between Finn and Faith had its moments but ended up just okay, it was not incredibly romancey - lying, stealing, kidnapping and more lying with some steamy stuff in between for good measure - and the final resolution is sort of predictable.
Devil Without a cause is supposed the first of three romances with Sammy playing guardian 'angel' - and apparently cupid - but if there really is redemption in Sammy's future, he's got a long way to go.
Enter Faith and Finn, two people who both soon find themselves each caught in a no win scenario due to Sammy's machinations - both have made deals with the devil and both need the same ring, so someone is going to lose their soul.
I liked Sammy Devine as a side character in the Nikki Styx series, and even though I have some leftover childhood issues that made it hard for me to read about the devil - especially late at night - his part of the book was my favorite of the two threads. (For Nikki fans, we get a couple little glimpses of Nikki.) The romance between Finn and Faith had its moments but ended up just okay, it was not incredibly romancey - lying, stealing, kidnapping and more lying with some steamy stuff in between for good measure - and the final resolution is sort of predictable.
Devil Without a cause is supposed the first of three romances with Sammy playing guardian 'angel' - and apparently cupid - but if there really is redemption in Sammy's future, he's got a long way to go.
June 30, 2011
Full review from my Smitten with Reading blog....
My Review:
What a fabulously written premise- I never thought that I could feel sympathy for the Devil, but I really liked and felt for the Devil in this book. I need to read the Nicki Styx series so that I can get more of his backstory, but I have a feeling that his story hasn't ended yet.
Overall, though, this book was about Faith and Finn- both of whom have made a deal with the Devil. Finn's deal was made 20 years ago when he was 16 seeking fame and glory through his rock career. Faith is simply trying to save her 4 yo son, Nathan, from brain cancer. Now Faith's deal with the Devil has brought her across Finn's path since she has to steal his ring which houses his creative muse and his deal with the Devil. Part of the deal is that she also has to seduce him, which takes her on a path that no one except maybe the Devil could predict, toward love.
I really loved this book. All of the characters involved have had to make really hard choices that should have made them unlikable, but Terri Garey has written this book so brilliantly that you feel empathy for ALL of them regardless of the choices that they have made. I was at the point of only 15 pages left to read and still couldn't see how things were going to work out. I love a book that keeps you guessing and your heart rate racing because of the suspense about how it's going to end.
A really fabulous book with a riveting story line. I can guarantee you right now that you will be seeing more of Terri Garey's books in my TBR pile!
My Review:
What a fabulously written premise- I never thought that I could feel sympathy for the Devil, but I really liked and felt for the Devil in this book. I need to read the Nicki Styx series so that I can get more of his backstory, but I have a feeling that his story hasn't ended yet.
Overall, though, this book was about Faith and Finn- both of whom have made a deal with the Devil. Finn's deal was made 20 years ago when he was 16 seeking fame and glory through his rock career. Faith is simply trying to save her 4 yo son, Nathan, from brain cancer. Now Faith's deal with the Devil has brought her across Finn's path since she has to steal his ring which houses his creative muse and his deal with the Devil. Part of the deal is that she also has to seduce him, which takes her on a path that no one except maybe the Devil could predict, toward love.
I really loved this book. All of the characters involved have had to make really hard choices that should have made them unlikable, but Terri Garey has written this book so brilliantly that you feel empathy for ALL of them regardless of the choices that they have made. I was at the point of only 15 pages left to read and still couldn't see how things were going to work out. I love a book that keeps you guessing and your heart rate racing because of the suspense about how it's going to end.
A really fabulous book with a riveting story line. I can guarantee you right now that you will be seeing more of Terri Garey's books in my TBR pile!
June 28, 2011
Faith McFarland has a little son named Noah. Noah has been diagnosed with cancer. While in the hospital chapel, Faith is approached by the last person she would ever expect. It is the Devil. The Devil wants to make a deal with Faith. If Faith will retrieve an item for him than the Devil will cure Noah. This is too good a deal for Faith to pass up. She agrees.
Long ago, rocker, Finn Payne made a deal with the Devil for his soul. Now the only thing keeping the Devil from taking Finn is a ring that he wears. Faith had every intention of taking the ring from Finn but that was before she got to know the real Finn. Now, these two much try to bargain with the Devil.
I have not read anything by author, Terri Garey. After literally devouring this book, I will be check out more of more of Terri Garey’s books. Devil Without a Cause is book one in the Devil’s Bargain series. While the music was good, Finn and Faith were even better together. They rocked and are meant for each other. Even their first name’s both start with the letter “F”. In the beginning it may not have been destiny that brought these two together but in the end destiny is what would keep them inseparable. The Devil in this book is 99% evil and 1% good. I hope to get to know more about the Devil’s love interest Nicki. I made a deal with the Devil and it all starts with Devil Without a Cause. This book is sinfully delightful!
Long ago, rocker, Finn Payne made a deal with the Devil for his soul. Now the only thing keeping the Devil from taking Finn is a ring that he wears. Faith had every intention of taking the ring from Finn but that was before she got to know the real Finn. Now, these two much try to bargain with the Devil.
I have not read anything by author, Terri Garey. After literally devouring this book, I will be check out more of more of Terri Garey’s books. Devil Without a Cause is book one in the Devil’s Bargain series. While the music was good, Finn and Faith were even better together. They rocked and are meant for each other. Even their first name’s both start with the letter “F”. In the beginning it may not have been destiny that brought these two together but in the end destiny is what would keep them inseparable. The Devil in this book is 99% evil and 1% good. I hope to get to know more about the Devil’s love interest Nicki. I made a deal with the Devil and it all starts with Devil Without a Cause. This book is sinfully delightful!
June 30, 2011
I have loved Sammy from the first time we met him in Nicki Styx series so I was super-excited that he got his own series!! This book did not disappoint. And it is worth buying just for the gorgeous cover :-)
In order to save her son´s life, Faith is forced to make a deal with the Devil. Yes, the Devil we know :-) Sammy is still the bad boy as usual (which is why we love him) and of course he has his own agenda in mind and so the play begins :-)
Faith´s task is to steal a magical ring from the rock star Finn. But what Sammy didn´t tell her is that without the ring, Finn´s soul is Sammy´s to take because the ring was the only thing keeping him away.
The book covered both Faith and Finn´s love story as well as Sammy´s life in his hellish kingdom. I have to admit that even if the love story was really good, what I really LOVED about this book was Sammy´s part. We see more of his background, his memories of the Paradise as well as a BIG surprise (which I hadn´t expected at all!!). Because of what he did for Nicki Styx in her last book, he is now given a chance for redemption. Will he take it or will he stay the King of Lies, the Devil himself?
This book can absolutely be read as solitary but you will enjoy it much more if you have read Nicki Styx series first.
In order to save her son´s life, Faith is forced to make a deal with the Devil. Yes, the Devil we know :-) Sammy is still the bad boy as usual (which is why we love him) and of course he has his own agenda in mind and so the play begins :-)
Faith´s task is to steal a magical ring from the rock star Finn. But what Sammy didn´t tell her is that without the ring, Finn´s soul is Sammy´s to take because the ring was the only thing keeping him away.
The book covered both Faith and Finn´s love story as well as Sammy´s life in his hellish kingdom. I have to admit that even if the love story was really good, what I really LOVED about this book was Sammy´s part. We see more of his background, his memories of the Paradise as well as a BIG surprise (which I hadn´t expected at all!!). Because of what he did for Nicki Styx in her last book, he is now given a chance for redemption. Will he take it or will he stay the King of Lies, the Devil himself?
This book can absolutely be read as solitary but you will enjoy it much more if you have read Nicki Styx series first.
Want to read
June 6, 2011I won this book and was so excited to read this and had it on my radar as soon as I saw the fab cover before it's release. I started the first chapter and was already hooked, but then I realized Nicki Styx was mentioned and I realized that Sammie Devine has played a part in the Nicki Styx series and I groaned when I realized that I couldn't continue reading when I might be missing some pertinent information. Though I really didn't want to, I put the book down and am now going to do what I can to get the Nicki Styx series. I sometimes read books out of order, but it's never on purpose and I hate doing that and I hate feeling like I am missing any information at all
December 15, 2014
Faith McFarland's son has brain cancer and the devil appears and gives her a deal -- steal the "Ring of Chaos" from rocker Finn Payne and he'll cure Nathan's cancer. Sounds simple right? Well it's not and the story is heartbreaking and touching at the same time. Love really does conquer all...even the devil. Though the devil wasn't totally bad either. And who new Satan had a soft side. It'll be interesting to see where Ms. Garey takes Samael and Cain next.
August 23, 2011
Damn the Devil is evil...it's something you just know but when you read his interactions with people whose soul he's after...well damn!
Fast and furious read.
I LOVE the cover...check out those abs...
Recommend.
Fast and furious read.
I LOVE the cover...check out those abs...
Recommend.
February 26, 2016
Cool book
Nice idea for a subject line.
Would recommend to anyone for a good late night read
Will give another read.
Nice idea for a subject line.
Would recommend to anyone for a good late night read
Will give another read.
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