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Cin Craven #1
Wages of Sin
Dulcinea Craven descends from a long line of witches, and she has just inherited wild, untrained magical powers that she has no idea how to control. Now a ruthless vampire and an age-old demon are determined to enslave Cin and steal her power for their own. Her only hope is The Righteous, a band of warrior vampires who slay the rogue undead. Among them is Michael, a fierce swordsman who inflames Cin’s most primal hungers. Showing her a sensual pleasure beyond anything in the mortal realm, she must choose between the human existence she has always known, and immortality as a vampire—a new life filled with forbidden urges, dark yearning, and unearthly passions…
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
30 people are currently reading
1721 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Maclaine
11 books204 followersJenna Maclaine has a BA in history from North Georgia College & State University. When she isn't writing she spends her time caring for the 80+ animals that share her family farm in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
November 18, 2010
I didn't quite know what to think about this series going in.
It's been rated highly by most everyone, and by all of my friends,so I was pretty sure I'd like it. BUT I'm not a huge fan of Urban Fantasy. I am very selective in the type that I do like (the Fever series, Mercy Thompson, Stormwalker). This book had every element that I like in an Urban Fantasy series: Love, magic, vampires, werewolves, and a likeable heroine. I am incredibly thrilled that I have the other 2 books in the series so that I can get a jump on it tonight.
The main reason I don't love the UF genre is that I enjoy the romance aspect of paranormal romance more than the mystery, or the drama, or whatever plot device is being used. I don't need a happy tidy little bow on my ending, but I do want to know that there is real emotion/love between the love interests. My biggest complaint with UF is the sex. And don't go thinking I'm a prude, because Hello?! Have you met me? It's just that unless it's an erotica menage story, I want a likeable hero/heroine who have sex with each other, not 50 other side characters (*ahem* Merry Gentry). Not that I don't mind a good love triangle, but I just don't want a slutty heroine.
Now, moving on from my rant, I loved this book.
I love the fact that Cin and Michael were so instantly drawn to each other. There was no beating about the bush-they wanted each other, and that was that. Oh, Michael tried to keep her human (and a virgin) thinking he wasn't good enough for her (he was a gardener in his former life. She's the daughter of a viscount). But Cin usually gets what she wants.
Her name is Dulcinea MacGregor Craven.
Her mother called her Dulcie, her magic was genetic from the MacGregor line of witches, and her father was Craven. All of this lends itself to Dulcie being a very powerful witch. But she is very new at having all that power since it all came at once the night her parents died. I felt so so awful when they died. But she handles it wonderfully...in fact when she "weaseled" Sebastien (she turned him into a weasel) it was beautiful. The banter, the way it was written, I just loved it all.
But Sebastien was a suitor of hers (an unwanted one, but a suitor nonetheless), and he was turned into a vampire by someone very strong and powerful in order to bring Dulcie to his master. His master was several thousand year old Kali.
So she called up the Righteous. A group of vampires who enforce their laws...at the end of a sword.
Enter Michael. He is so wonderful. He is the reason Dulcie changed her name. The two of them decided to become lovers, and he moaned her name while his mouth was, well, take a guess ::lecherous eyebrow waggle:: and she freezes, saying,
"My mother called me Dulcie. It doesn't seem right somehow to hear it from you as you're doing...that."
"What should I call you?" he murmured, and licked my cleft in one long stroke.
I shivered. "Give me a new name, Michael, I've chosen you. You choose my name."
"Dulcinea," he whispered and kissed my thigh. He looked up at me and I watched him as he rose over me, his hands moving over my generous hips. "Cin, he said, "for God knows you've a body made for it."
At one point he is leaving to hunt, and Cin was worried about him. Michael's comment?
"Don't worry," he said with a grin, patting the huge sword, "Ophelia has yet to fail me."
"Ophelia? You named your sword?"
"All men name their swords," he said laughing. I had the feeling I was missing something there but I let it go.
"Why 'Ophelia'?" Had he named it after a former lover?
"Have you never read Hamlet?" he asked.
"Oh. Of course. But why choose a name from Hamlet?"
He shrugged. "It seemed like an appropriate play."
I laughed, bemused. "Why?"
"Because," he said, looking down at the sword with pride and affection, "everyone dies at the end."
In the end, the evil Kali was bound and it was great! And I'd love to see more about "Woof," and I can't wait to see how Cin's powers grow.
I know I skipped a lot of plot in this review, but as I went over other reviews, I realized most of them contain summaries, so mine is more along the lines of what I loved about this book.
So, if you've got this one on the shelf, read it. If you love Urban Fantasy, read it. If you prefer paranormal romance (like I do), read it anyway-it's soo worth the read. In fact I'm starting the second book tonight.
It's been rated highly by most everyone, and by all of my friends,so I was pretty sure I'd like it. BUT I'm not a huge fan of Urban Fantasy. I am very selective in the type that I do like (the Fever series, Mercy Thompson, Stormwalker). This book had every element that I like in an Urban Fantasy series: Love, magic, vampires, werewolves, and a likeable heroine. I am incredibly thrilled that I have the other 2 books in the series so that I can get a jump on it tonight.
The main reason I don't love the UF genre is that I enjoy the romance aspect of paranormal romance more than the mystery, or the drama, or whatever plot device is being used. I don't need a happy tidy little bow on my ending, but I do want to know that there is real emotion/love between the love interests. My biggest complaint with UF is the sex. And don't go thinking I'm a prude, because Hello?! Have you met me? It's just that unless it's an erotica menage story, I want a likeable hero/heroine who have sex with each other, not 50 other side characters (*ahem* Merry Gentry). Not that I don't mind a good love triangle, but I just don't want a slutty heroine.
Now, moving on from my rant, I loved this book.
I love the fact that Cin and Michael were so instantly drawn to each other. There was no beating about the bush-they wanted each other, and that was that. Oh, Michael tried to keep her human (and a virgin) thinking he wasn't good enough for her (he was a gardener in his former life. She's the daughter of a viscount). But Cin usually gets what she wants.
Her name is Dulcinea MacGregor Craven.
Her mother called her Dulcie, her magic was genetic from the MacGregor line of witches, and her father was Craven. All of this lends itself to Dulcie being a very powerful witch. But she is very new at having all that power since it all came at once the night her parents died. I felt so so awful when they died. But she handles it wonderfully...in fact when she "weaseled" Sebastien (she turned him into a weasel) it was beautiful. The banter, the way it was written, I just loved it all.
But Sebastien was a suitor of hers (an unwanted one, but a suitor nonetheless), and he was turned into a vampire by someone very strong and powerful in order to bring Dulcie to his master. His master was several thousand year old Kali.
So she called up the Righteous. A group of vampires who enforce their laws...at the end of a sword.
Enter Michael. He is so wonderful. He is the reason Dulcie changed her name. The two of them decided to become lovers, and he moaned her name while his mouth was, well, take a guess ::lecherous eyebrow waggle:: and she freezes, saying,
"My mother called me Dulcie. It doesn't seem right somehow to hear it from you as you're doing...that."
"What should I call you?" he murmured, and licked my cleft in one long stroke.
I shivered. "Give me a new name, Michael, I've chosen you. You choose my name."
"Dulcinea," he whispered and kissed my thigh. He looked up at me and I watched him as he rose over me, his hands moving over my generous hips. "Cin, he said, "for God knows you've a body made for it."
At one point he is leaving to hunt, and Cin was worried about him. Michael's comment?
"Don't worry," he said with a grin, patting the huge sword, "Ophelia has yet to fail me."
"Ophelia? You named your sword?"
"All men name their swords," he said laughing. I had the feeling I was missing something there but I let it go.
"Why 'Ophelia'?" Had he named it after a former lover?
"Have you never read Hamlet?" he asked.
"Oh. Of course. But why choose a name from Hamlet?"
He shrugged. "It seemed like an appropriate play."
I laughed, bemused. "Why?"
"Because," he said, looking down at the sword with pride and affection, "everyone dies at the end."
In the end, the evil Kali was bound and it was great! And I'd love to see more about "Woof," and I can't wait to see how Cin's powers grow.
I know I skipped a lot of plot in this review, but as I went over other reviews, I realized most of them contain summaries, so mine is more along the lines of what I loved about this book.
So, if you've got this one on the shelf, read it. If you love Urban Fantasy, read it. If you prefer paranormal romance (like I do), read it anyway-it's soo worth the read. In fact I'm starting the second book tonight.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2011
I just could not put this book down. Wages of Sin was a fantastic read. Set in London in the early 1800’s, it had that historical feel mixed in with paranormal elements and a touch of romance.
Cin Craven comes from a long line of powerful witches. She has not yet come into her powers – she is a bit of a late bloomer. Cin is being aggressively courted by a childhood friend Sebastian, Lord Montford. Cin realizes that Sebastian is a vampire and manages to escape by turning him into a weasel. Vowing to rid herself of the fanged menace, she travels to London to meet with the apothecary Mr. Pendergrass for help. His assistant Archie tells her about The Righteous, a group of vampires that slay the undead.
And so begins a fascinating tale that includes vampires, demons, witches, a werewolf, and some pretty incredible magic…
I loved Cin’s character. Yes, it is possible to have a strong female character. It’s refreshing to see a character that is so level headed, brave, and strong. Cin understands her limitations as a young witch. She is not averse to asking for help.
The idea of having a group of vampires known as The Righteous policing their kind was intriguing. Devlin, Justine, and Michael were fierce fighters and well suited to help Cin fight off Kali.
I liked all the characters, even the villains. Kali was over the top wacko crazy, power hungry and just wickedly evil. Sebastian, equally power hungry, made a good errand boy for Kali.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I hope that there is more about Woof, the very helpful werewolf.
Cin Craven comes from a long line of powerful witches. She has not yet come into her powers – she is a bit of a late bloomer. Cin is being aggressively courted by a childhood friend Sebastian, Lord Montford. Cin realizes that Sebastian is a vampire and manages to escape by turning him into a weasel. Vowing to rid herself of the fanged menace, she travels to London to meet with the apothecary Mr. Pendergrass for help. His assistant Archie tells her about The Righteous, a group of vampires that slay the undead.
And so begins a fascinating tale that includes vampires, demons, witches, a werewolf, and some pretty incredible magic…
I loved Cin’s character. Yes, it is possible to have a strong female character. It’s refreshing to see a character that is so level headed, brave, and strong. Cin understands her limitations as a young witch. She is not averse to asking for help.
The idea of having a group of vampires known as The Righteous policing their kind was intriguing. Devlin, Justine, and Michael were fierce fighters and well suited to help Cin fight off Kali.
I liked all the characters, even the villains. Kali was over the top wacko crazy, power hungry and just wickedly evil. Sebastian, equally power hungry, made a good errand boy for Kali.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I hope that there is more about Woof, the very helpful werewolf.
February 15, 2011
I really loved this book it has been on my shelf for a while, but for some reason I didn't read it, which was a BIG mistake. It was fantastic, it is set in the 1800's and is about Cin Craven, a woman from an ancient line of witches and also a viscounts daughter. When a vampire starts hunting her, she calls the Righteous a trio of vampires sworn to kill all evil vampires and that is when we are introduced to Michael, Devlin and Justine.
What I liked most about this book was the character of Cin, it was told from her perspective, and I liked her practical but fun personality. What stopped me from giving it 5 Stars was that although I liked the relationship between Michael and Cin it didn't seem to get much page time and I didn't feel their connection as intensly as it seemed to imply, I also didn't think you really go to know Michael that well. I loved the story though, and I liked that Cin mananged to save the day herself without too much help from her big strong man!
I am going on to the next in the series and I can't wait to find out what happens next!
What I liked most about this book was the character of Cin, it was told from her perspective, and I liked her practical but fun personality. What stopped me from giving it 5 Stars was that although I liked the relationship between Michael and Cin it didn't seem to get much page time and I didn't feel their connection as intensly as it seemed to imply, I also didn't think you really go to know Michael that well. I loved the story though, and I liked that Cin mananged to save the day herself without too much help from her big strong man!
I am going on to the next in the series and I can't wait to find out what happens next!
May 2, 2021
I read this book the first time more than 10 years ago and I think I gave it 3 stars. I read it again yesterday and realised why I never kept reading this series (and I almost forgot about it, it wasn’t even recorded on my GR).
It’s really bland, superficial with no gripping power. The lack of world building and of a believable characterisation were the main faults, but not the only ones.
We are in the regular time so if you introduce witches, vampires and werewolves you need to make a credible effort to frame the fantasy elements. But everything was fake, including the insta-love with the hero. She literally dies for him (well no, she dies to “save the world”, snort) without a blink.
Meh
The absurd price of 12$ for the other books were the final nail in the coffin. How can you expect readers to pay 12 bucks for a 15 yo book is unfanthomable. Add to the price factor the fact the series was cut off at book 3...
It’s really bland, superficial with no gripping power. The lack of world building and of a believable characterisation were the main faults, but not the only ones.
We are in the regular time so if you introduce witches, vampires and werewolves you need to make a credible effort to frame the fantasy elements. But everything was fake, including the insta-love with the hero. She literally dies for him (well no, she dies to “save the world”, snort) without a blink.
Meh
The absurd price of 12$ for the other books were the final nail in the coffin. How can you expect readers to pay 12 bucks for a 15 yo book is unfanthomable. Add to the price factor the fact the series was cut off at book 3...
April 17, 2011
Check out my review at http://shamelessromancereviews.blogsp...
After seeing numerous 'OMG this book is fantastic , I thought I would take this baby for a whirl.
So those of you that read my reviews often may know that I have a tendency to balk about some of the things on the cover of a book, the incorrect way things have been misinterpreted and so forth. Which is exactly what I going to do now.
Starting with the cover. This book is set is the very early 19th century. Where if my history is correct, dress wear was far from what we are seeing on the cover and reading about in Wages of Sin. We see a very derogative dress revealing much more than what should be revealed.
The speech within the book was more like I was reading a modern day PNR. I easily forgot that we were meant to be in an era of Dukes, Earls and Viscounts. Where status is what you are defined by. And woman were far beneath that of man.
So now that my rather small rant is over I will now praise how much
I
THIS BOOK
When Dulcinea casts a spell to locate 'THE RIGHTEOUS' to come help her track down a friend turned vampire, who is out to kill her, she never expected Michael.
Cue Michael - who by the way is smokin hot. Michael is one third of 'The Righteous' along with Devlin and Justine. They arrive and within moments the romance starts to sizzle.
Cin and Michael were just adorable. Their romance was a whirlwind but you were still able to connect with the hero and heroine. Michael tried to keep poor little Cin a virgin and was under the impression that he was to far below her for a relationship. Cin of course thought otherwise.
During their first bout of love making this was my favorite paragraph;
- ' He was magnificent. He was all long, lean muscles and rigid planes and angles. His manhood stood out proud and terrifying. I sucked in my breath and stared. He had to be joking; there was no way this was going to work. I reached out one hand to touch him, my fingers skimming the length of his manhood before I closed my hand over it. I reach my other hand up and placed it next to the first,and I still couldn't encompass him completely. He was hard as marble and throbbing in my hands. I looked into his eyes with grave uncertainty.'
This book had all my favorite aspects that one could imagine. There was romance, there was action, there were demons, vampires and witches and to top it off it was set in my favorite genre of the season - historical.
I have bought my ticket and hoped on board the Cin and Michael train. This is going to be an awesome ride!
After seeing numerous 'OMG this book is fantastic , I thought I would take this baby for a whirl.
So those of you that read my reviews often may know that I have a tendency to balk about some of the things on the cover of a book, the incorrect way things have been misinterpreted and so forth. Which is exactly what I going to do now.
Starting with the cover. This book is set is the very early 19th century. Where if my history is correct, dress wear was far from what we are seeing on the cover and reading about in Wages of Sin. We see a very derogative dress revealing much more than what should be revealed.
The speech within the book was more like I was reading a modern day PNR. I easily forgot that we were meant to be in an era of Dukes, Earls and Viscounts. Where status is what you are defined by. And woman were far beneath that of man.
So now that my rather small rant is over I will now praise how much
I
THIS BOOK When Dulcinea casts a spell to locate 'THE RIGHTEOUS' to come help her track down a friend turned vampire, who is out to kill her, she never expected Michael.
Cue Michael - who by the way is smokin hot. Michael is one third of 'The Righteous' along with Devlin and Justine. They arrive and within moments the romance starts to sizzle.
Cin and Michael were just adorable. Their romance was a whirlwind but you were still able to connect with the hero and heroine. Michael tried to keep poor little Cin a virgin and was under the impression that he was to far below her for a relationship. Cin of course thought otherwise.
During their first bout of love making this was my favorite paragraph;
- ' He was magnificent. He was all long, lean muscles and rigid planes and angles. His manhood stood out proud and terrifying. I sucked in my breath and stared. He had to be joking; there was no way this was going to work. I reached out one hand to touch him, my fingers skimming the length of his manhood before I closed my hand over it. I reach my other hand up and placed it next to the first,and I still couldn't encompass him completely. He was hard as marble and throbbing in my hands. I looked into his eyes with grave uncertainty.'
This book had all my favorite aspects that one could imagine. There was romance, there was action, there were demons, vampires and witches and to top it off it was set in my favorite genre of the season - historical.
I have bought my ticket and hoped on board the Cin and Michael train. This is going to be an awesome ride!
June 18, 2008
Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release August 08
It always gives me a thrill to discover a book by a new author…especially if after I finish their book I want to read MORE. Happily, this was the case with “Wages of Sin” by Jenna Maclaine. The author managed to strike just the right chord to create a fascinating historical tale of magic, vampires, and demons (oh my!) without leaving me feeling like I’d read it all before! I can hardly wait to see where she goes from here and I certainly plan to be taking that journey with her new characters.
She used to be Dulcinea. Dulcinea was a hereditary witch with loving parents living the life of the privileged titled in 1815 England. She enjoyed her life…flirting with potential beaus at lavish ton balls dressed in beautiful gowns. Life was simple and pleasant. Then, in one night, she lost her parents, gained her magic, and was almost killed by a former-childhood-friend/suitor-turned-vampire. So Dulcinea is dead now. My name is Cin and Dulcinea’s death is where my story begins…
I thought Dulcinea rocked!! Although a bit spoiled, it wasn’t in a bad way. Throughout this story, she deals with some very tough situations, makes some very hard decisions, and still maintains her integrity. I truly admired her for that. She became a real person to me…someone I’d like to sit down and talk with, maybe while having lunch or shopping. Did she make some mistakes? Absolutely. Did she try to fix it? You bet. Did she learn from those mistakes? Oh yeah. Hard times make for quick personal growth and maturity…or it just kills you. That was the choice Dulcinea/Cin had to make.
Her ‘hero’ is Michael. He is dashing, handsome, protective, and strong. He’s also a vampire. He also has a bit of a ‘thing’ because she has a title, and he was a peasant when he lived. Did he make some mistakes? Yepper. Did he try and fix what he screwed up? Yes. Did he learn from his mistakes? Definitely. Did these two have to do some compromising? In spades! I would characterize Michael as a Beta Alpha, can I do that? Alpha because he has many of those traits. Beta because he’s also smart enough to know he’s not the strongest/oldest and therefore must sometimes follow. Is that a great guy or what?
I can’t say enough good things about this book. I enjoyed the hero, the heroine, the plot, the secondary characters, the setting, the pacing…you name it, I liked it. Is this the next great American novel? Uh, no. Then again, I probably wouldn’t like it if it was. For a first book by a new author, I was stunned at how few problems there were. This is a solid, tight, engrossing read. Do yourself a favor…if you’re looking for something different in the paranormal or historical romance arena, pick up “Wages of Sin” by Jenna Maclaine. If you don’t like it, send me a nasty gram. For myself, I’ve already put her next book “Grave Sins” (late 2008/early2009) on my ‘to-buy’ list.
It always gives me a thrill to discover a book by a new author…especially if after I finish their book I want to read MORE. Happily, this was the case with “Wages of Sin” by Jenna Maclaine. The author managed to strike just the right chord to create a fascinating historical tale of magic, vampires, and demons (oh my!) without leaving me feeling like I’d read it all before! I can hardly wait to see where she goes from here and I certainly plan to be taking that journey with her new characters.
She used to be Dulcinea. Dulcinea was a hereditary witch with loving parents living the life of the privileged titled in 1815 England. She enjoyed her life…flirting with potential beaus at lavish ton balls dressed in beautiful gowns. Life was simple and pleasant. Then, in one night, she lost her parents, gained her magic, and was almost killed by a former-childhood-friend/suitor-turned-vampire. So Dulcinea is dead now. My name is Cin and Dulcinea’s death is where my story begins…
I thought Dulcinea rocked!! Although a bit spoiled, it wasn’t in a bad way. Throughout this story, she deals with some very tough situations, makes some very hard decisions, and still maintains her integrity. I truly admired her for that. She became a real person to me…someone I’d like to sit down and talk with, maybe while having lunch or shopping. Did she make some mistakes? Absolutely. Did she try to fix it? You bet. Did she learn from those mistakes? Oh yeah. Hard times make for quick personal growth and maturity…or it just kills you. That was the choice Dulcinea/Cin had to make.
Her ‘hero’ is Michael. He is dashing, handsome, protective, and strong. He’s also a vampire. He also has a bit of a ‘thing’ because she has a title, and he was a peasant when he lived. Did he make some mistakes? Yepper. Did he try and fix what he screwed up? Yes. Did he learn from his mistakes? Definitely. Did these two have to do some compromising? In spades! I would characterize Michael as a Beta Alpha, can I do that? Alpha because he has many of those traits. Beta because he’s also smart enough to know he’s not the strongest/oldest and therefore must sometimes follow. Is that a great guy or what?
I can’t say enough good things about this book. I enjoyed the hero, the heroine, the plot, the secondary characters, the setting, the pacing…you name it, I liked it. Is this the next great American novel? Uh, no. Then again, I probably wouldn’t like it if it was. For a first book by a new author, I was stunned at how few problems there were. This is a solid, tight, engrossing read. Do yourself a favor…if you’re looking for something different in the paranormal or historical romance arena, pick up “Wages of Sin” by Jenna Maclaine. If you don’t like it, send me a nasty gram. For myself, I’ve already put her next book “Grave Sins” (late 2008/early2009) on my ‘to-buy’ list.
August 29, 2011
I read this when it was self-published, so maybe some of the things that drove me crazy are better now that it's made it through an editor. (Although, when I tried to give it another chance in its revised form, I found too many of the same problems, so I didn't ever finish the re-read).
Anyway, the sheer number of WTF? moments specifically related to the sociocultural context in which it was set made it almost completely nonsensical. (i.e., the world-building was crap. Those characters in that time would not have known that, and they certainly wouldn't have talked about it like that. That = many different things. The one "that" that stands out most in my memory relates to the goddess Kali.)
The characters were... unfinished? It was like watching stick-figure cartoons set against a nonsensical backdrop. I can see how some people might find that enjoyable in a zany sort of way, maybe, but I got the sense that it wasn't deliberate or intentional on the author's part. That may be why this book drove me so batty. Or it could be that the characters were so here! there! all over the place I never got a good understanding of why they behaved as they did.
I liked the concept, but the finished product didn't really pull together for me.
Anyway, the sheer number of WTF? moments specifically related to the sociocultural context in which it was set made it almost completely nonsensical. (i.e., the world-building was crap. Those characters in that time would not have known that, and they certainly wouldn't have talked about it like that. That = many different things. The one "that" that stands out most in my memory relates to the goddess Kali.)
The characters were... unfinished? It was like watching stick-figure cartoons set against a nonsensical backdrop. I can see how some people might find that enjoyable in a zany sort of way, maybe, but I got the sense that it wasn't deliberate or intentional on the author's part. That may be why this book drove me so batty. Or it could be that the characters were so here! there! all over the place I never got a good understanding of why they behaved as they did.
I liked the concept, but the finished product didn't really pull together for me.
August 4, 2023
Very poorly executed, I'm afraid.
From a certain point on it became ridiculous enough that it reminded me of a inconsequential comedy and, therefore, endurable.
From a certain point on it became ridiculous enough that it reminded me of a inconsequential comedy and, therefore, endurable.
July 27, 2011
3.5 Stars!!!
This wasn't a bad book but it wasn't a 5 Star OMG booky either. At least not for me... but you all know how Picky Picky I am ;)
I'm kind of thinking its because it the girly wasn't American. I know... I'm awful ;) I just kinda think that girls back then who are English were snobs. I know Dulcie wasn't a snob but you know how it is.
I wish they all could be California GIRLS!!
Dulcie comes from a long line of girl-power witches when one day her parents kicketh the cauldron. She then finds herself in mourning when all of the sudden there's a knock on the door and her crazy neighbor has become a vampire and wants to get his fang on. She screams and runs out towards this wizardy dude that her mom was buds with and he tells her to call Vampire-busters that is run by 3 vampires that totally won't suck her blood (unless she wants them to. *hubba hubba)
The 3 vampires seem kinda huffle puffle about being summoned to a non-Hogwartsy castle but they soon get over it and tell Dulcie the story of why they go all Buffy on their own race.
The story goes from there.
It's not a bad story but again... I'm not a big fan of Jolly Old England. I did however very much enjoy the Scottish Broody that was Michael. I did kinda wish that he was a bit more Kresley Cole like a "THROW YOU DOWN AND MAKE YOU LIKE IT" and not "Yes Dear" about stuff. Ya know? I wanted him to go all RAWR!! But lmao! He kinda did when he was all paint can about things ;) I mean.. my gawd!! Both hands couldn't get around it? LOLZ! Eek!
I recommend it to anyone who wants a good witchy story mingled in with other paranormally things. It promises to keep you entertained and leave you wondering what will happen next.
This wasn't a bad book but it wasn't a 5 Star OMG booky either. At least not for me... but you all know how Picky Picky I am ;)
I'm kind of thinking its because it the girly wasn't American. I know... I'm awful ;) I just kinda think that girls back then who are English were snobs. I know Dulcie wasn't a snob but you know how it is.
I wish they all could be California GIRLS!!
Dulcie comes from a long line of girl-power witches when one day her parents kicketh the cauldron. She then finds herself in mourning when all of the sudden there's a knock on the door and her crazy neighbor has become a vampire and wants to get his fang on. She screams and runs out towards this wizardy dude that her mom was buds with and he tells her to call Vampire-busters that is run by 3 vampires that totally won't suck her blood (unless she wants them to. *hubba hubba)
The 3 vampires seem kinda huffle puffle about being summoned to a non-Hogwartsy castle but they soon get over it and tell Dulcie the story of why they go all Buffy on their own race.
The story goes from there.
It's not a bad story but again... I'm not a big fan of Jolly Old England. I did however very much enjoy the Scottish Broody that was Michael. I did kinda wish that he was a bit more Kresley Cole like a "THROW YOU DOWN AND MAKE YOU LIKE IT" and not "Yes Dear" about stuff. Ya know? I wanted him to go all RAWR!! But lmao! He kinda did when he was all paint can about things ;) I mean.. my gawd!! Both hands couldn't get around it? LOLZ! Eek!
I recommend it to anyone who wants a good witchy story mingled in with other paranormally things. It promises to keep you entertained and leave you wondering what will happen next.
March 26, 2010
Sometime it's wonderful when you find a book or series by chance. This was the case when I stumbled across Jenna Maclaine's Cin Craven series. I offered to read and judge some books for the upcoming RomCon and actually received Book 3 in this very series. Well that wouldn't do, I cannot read them out of order! I would have to get books 1 & 2.
So I started the journey with Wages of Sin and dove into the world of Cin Craven and 18th century England. Her name wasn't always Cin; in fact she was named Dulcinea Cravin at birth as well as handed down a very rare talent. Dulcinea is a witch, descended from a long and powerful lineage of MacGregor witches. She, like her mother before her, was born with the magic inside her, not merely taught the art of witchcraft. In this first novel and through a series of events Dulcinea will come into her full power, lose the ones she holds dearest, find the man of her dreams and conquer unimaginable evil.
This novel is filled with wicked lust, true love, intoxicating adventure, unbelievable fantasy and of course a werewolf, a demon and vampires, Oh my! It was a pleasure to take this journey back in time with the author and a delight to know there’s more to come.
Please add this to your To-Read list as well as her other 2 novels; Grave Sins & Bound in Sin.
They do not disappoint.
Also look for more review on my blog:
http://demonloversbookreviewsmore.blo...
So I started the journey with Wages of Sin and dove into the world of Cin Craven and 18th century England. Her name wasn't always Cin; in fact she was named Dulcinea Cravin at birth as well as handed down a very rare talent. Dulcinea is a witch, descended from a long and powerful lineage of MacGregor witches. She, like her mother before her, was born with the magic inside her, not merely taught the art of witchcraft. In this first novel and through a series of events Dulcinea will come into her full power, lose the ones she holds dearest, find the man of her dreams and conquer unimaginable evil.
This novel is filled with wicked lust, true love, intoxicating adventure, unbelievable fantasy and of course a werewolf, a demon and vampires, Oh my! It was a pleasure to take this journey back in time with the author and a delight to know there’s more to come.
Please add this to your To-Read list as well as her other 2 novels; Grave Sins & Bound in Sin.
They do not disappoint.
Also look for more review on my blog:
http://demonloversbookreviewsmore.blo...
July 22, 2012
Review at my Blog
A vampire witch as a main character just sounds soooo cool, so I decided to give this one a try.
For some reason I thought the whole 18th century thing that was going on would only be a prelude. I really thought it would change to the present. I guess because there wasn't really a mention of the time it was set in, so I presumed ... wrongly. Bugger.
I would put this between books the likes of How To Charm a Rake and My Gentleman Thief or what not (I made these up), because this was really all out love-at-first-sight-oh-my-i-am-soo-powerful-and-gosh-look-at-my-beauty stupid. *Sigh* It wasn't bad, but I was disappointed, especially considering it's good overall ratings at Goodreads...
Cin at times seemed so mature and knowing, like a good 22 year old young lady even, but sometimes she behaved more like a 14 year old girl with a crush. Which she had, alright, but come oooooon ... falling in love after meeting each other once is a bit fast, isn't it? And , gaaah, that scene where they stood together going all Power Rangers "We are The Protectors" one after another standing next to Cin made me just plain laugh. *sigh* ... and sigh ...
I think if you know what awaits you, you might like it, but I found it to be lacking and I'm not interested in following this Series anymore.
February 6, 2016
This book is plain stupid. However, I liked it. A bit.
On the one hand, the mere idea of the plot is interesting and rather original. I started reading it because I like strong female characters, them being "badass" as in - being powerful and strong, not weaklings and submissive. I thought it would be something new to read a book with the main character being a powerful witch AND a vampire. The idea I enjoyed.
On the other, this is so badly written that I sometimes laughed out loud. Not only the characters were all perfect looking and powerful, but the way they spoke, behaved or fought - it was absurd. The novel started with a bang - parents die, she gets attacked by a vampire, she summons then other vampires, she realises she is dealing with an ancient demon, she becomes a vampire, she kills the demon. "An ancient demon, so intelligent and powerful and beautiful" - and she killed it so easily. Her behaviour was so obvious and the demon was ought to have few millenia of experience, but was cheated so easily, I mean, seriously?
(And I'm not going to even mention the romance)
You have to read it to understand it.
But I doubt I'll find anything similar to this so I give it three stars. It was fun reading it, just to kill the time.
At the end, do books like this really get printed? I mean, what a waste of paper...
On the one hand, the mere idea of the plot is interesting and rather original. I started reading it because I like strong female characters, them being "badass" as in - being powerful and strong, not weaklings and submissive. I thought it would be something new to read a book with the main character being a powerful witch AND a vampire. The idea I enjoyed.
On the other, this is so badly written that I sometimes laughed out loud. Not only the characters were all perfect looking and powerful, but the way they spoke, behaved or fought - it was absurd. The novel started with a bang - parents die, she gets attacked by a vampire, she summons then other vampires, she realises she is dealing with an ancient demon, she becomes a vampire, she kills the demon. "An ancient demon, so intelligent and powerful and beautiful" - and she killed it so easily. Her behaviour was so obvious and the demon was ought to have few millenia of experience, but was cheated so easily, I mean, seriously?
(And I'm not going to even mention the romance)
You have to read it to understand it.
But I doubt I'll find anything similar to this so I give it three stars. It was fun reading it, just to kill the time.
At the end, do books like this really get printed? I mean, what a waste of paper...
February 1, 2011
It's been awhile since I read this one.
This one has a witch, vampires, demons turned vampires, vampires hunting other vampires. Usually, a whole bunch of what I like to read. This one was just missing something, though. The romance was all right, but I didn't really feel any big connection other than they were lusting after each other. I think that's what I was missing the most - more of a connection between the characters.
This one has a witch, vampires, demons turned vampires, vampires hunting other vampires. Usually, a whole bunch of what I like to read. This one was just missing something, though. The romance was all right, but I didn't really feel any big connection other than they were lusting after each other. I think that's what I was missing the most - more of a connection between the characters.
March 10, 2012
I had a hard time getting into this one, my mind kept wandering, thinking about all the chores around the house I should do. Dulcinea annoyed me, her antics and thoughts turned me off. In the end this one just wasn't for me.
March 25, 2019
I had no idea this was historical, because of that modern dress she's wearing. They didn't wear anything like that in the 1800s. She failed at writing historically. She used modern phrasing like "give them my best," called her mom Mama, and said Cin's childhood with Lord Montford came to a header.
She said her dad came from a long line of men who married Macgregor women. So the men of his family kept marrying into the same family??? Ew. Cin explained that her family intermarried at an astonishing rate and Craven men are taken with Macgregor women. But she said that the Macgregors are such a big family that her mom's side is in the Craven line of ancestors distantly. Still creepy.
There was a Macgregor woman, married and the first to receive power. Her husband was killed and she went to the court for some reason and seduced the king. So every new generation names the firstborn girl in that generation after her. I didn't like that history at all.
Her parents were killed when she was 22, having been run off the road by the coach-a-bower, the death coach. All of the staff left except for 5 people because they thought she was unnatural and a witch because she'd already known what happened to her parents before she was told, and the flowers in the garden had all grown in out of season when her mother's spirit came to her and gave Cin her power.
I can't even say how bad she looked when on the night of her parents' deaths, she said she was now an extremely wealthy young lady and she could do whatever she wanted once the mourning period was over; she could wear scandalous dresses and ride in gondolas. She said she couldn't bring herself to care, but why even say that? Why list all the things you can do now that your parents are out of the way if you don't care about them? You look as sorry as crap even thinking what you can do without them.
Sebastian came and got mad when she didn't want to marry him. He bit her neck and she realized he was a vampire. She accidentally used her magic and turned him into a weasel for a short while. That night he started calling to her inside her head and she couldn't resist. Mrs. Mackenzie, her mom's cousin, and her daughter Fiona, were trying to restrain her and Cin was trying to break free, throwing furniture around and saying she'd hurt Fiona. I liked Fiona much better than her. It was funny when she told Cin that if she turned her into an animal she'd never forgive her. And I liked when Fiona knocked her out with a vase to put a stop to Sebastian's enthrallment.
In town someone she knew had a relative who was a vampire hunter, and he wrote about meeting the Righteous, 3 vampires who killed those of their kind who kill humans. There's Devlin, the Dark Lord, his mate Justine, and Michael, a Scot who he saved from death in a battle.
It got more interesting as she prepared to summon the Righteous. She set about making a circle and then felt the raven searching the city for them. I loved the moment when she felt the female and the older male. He was strong and resisted her power, mad at her, and when she set her sights on his mate, he held her to him.
When Michael answered her summons, she noticed his shirt was tucked messily into his breeches and wondered if he'd come from a lover's bed. Wtf? It was never brought up again so Idk the author would put that thought in our heads.
Once Michael came into the story, it was the dreaded and ever-annoying instant lust. Things went way too far too fast and irritated the crap out of me. Here is a virgin with very little experience. She is 22 and has only been attracted to 2 men in her entire life--hah!--and the minute she laid eyes on him she wondered what his lips would feel like, imagined touching him, and didn't like the thought of him with a lover. She was also wearing a courtesan's dress with a plunging neckline, and she wanted to use that to her advantage, so she shrugged out of her cloak to let him look at her. She was blown away by the sexiness of Justine, because women, mates to the male side characters, are always universally sexy and instant allies. Cin was asking if Michael had some power to make her feel attracted to him, and Justine confirmed that was just plain, old human lust. While Justine and Devlin went to hunt Sebastian, Michael stayed alone in the room with her. He tied her up to prevent her from giving in to Sebastian's compulsion, and she told him to either hit or kiss her. Next thing you know, he's getting in between her thighs and she has the feminine instinct of knowing she needs to wrap her legs around him. He raised her skirt and pressed himself to her and I'm like what the heck is the rush? I HATE when authors have virgins have knowledge they would not have, and make them suddenly go so far and fast, so hot and heavy, with the first sexy guy who comes their way. I put it down and wasn't interested in picking it back up.
The way Devlin spoke to Justine was not ok. She came back injured and he grabbed her face and said "You willful little bitch! When I tell you to run, you run! Do you understand?"
Oh h no. You don't call your mate a bitch.
Devlin was no longer cool after he spoke to her like that. That's having no respect for her. Fiona was like a breath of fresh air. I was irritated at Cin for offering to give Justine blood. Who does that when they were so recently afraid? Fiona went to help her out of her scandalous dress, and Devlin offered to help because Fiona couldn't handle Cin's dead weight. Fiona told him not to look, and he said he's 400 and has seen plenty of naked women and she told him that he hasn't seen this one.
It got increasingly more ridiculous and unrealistic from there, so much so that I was rolling my eyes. They realized Sebastien had a powerful, ancient master, because he was too young to be able to telepathically speak to and compel her. Justine stabbed him but they encountered Kali, a demon vampire. Cin came to the realization that she could either run for the rest of her life until Kali found and killed her, or break the spell and put people in danger. Either way she'd die. So she had the proposal that one of the Righteous would have to kill her...I had to put the book down at that point because I was so massively aggravated. She was willing to be killed! I HATE when characters have this lightning-quick turnaround to where they're okay with things they were previously afraid of in the blink of an eye, with no transformation.
Later Michael offered to protect her when she was old and wrinkled and didn't remember her own name or his. He also pledged to fight Kali, and he was okay with dying because he'd already lived a long life and it would be for a good cause. He told her she made him wish he was human and she wished she wasn't. WTF?! $%! #^~$@!
Then a kitten randomly popped in, because, you know, it fit in this story. Cin childishly named her Prsicilla K. Pussycat. She described her purring and feeding and paying the stable boy extra to feed her and Mrs. Mackenzie talking about her tufty ears. "Kittens are good for the soul." Okayy...I wondered why I was reading about a kitten...and was more annoyed.
I loved the sordid details about Devin's history with Kali. I knew it wouldn't be good but it was way worse than I expected. And I love details! When he was human he was celebrating a victory in battle at a brother where he took a woman upstairs to bed and it was Kali's lieutenant. She turned him and brought him to join Kali's harem. Kali is lesbian but she fed from young men. Kali would choose 2 men each night to have sex with while Kali watched. Then some day Kali was going to kill all the men and the woman chose to free Devlin if he made love to her not out of fear but like he would to an English lady. So he did and she turned him into a vampire. Oh please be as gross as you can. I love sick shit.
Devlin was Carlisle, Michael was Edward, and Justine was Rosalie. It was like déjà vu. 5 vampires attacked her and bit her all over her body. Once she learned to fight she hunted down her attackers and killed them, just like Rosalie. And they only feed on animals because it's forbidden to kill a human. Eye roll! Anyway, her history was interesting because she killed vampires and was so feared among them that the Regent sent an assassin to kill her. It was Devlin and she said their fights around the city were incredible. Then she fast-forwarded from them fighting to being in love with him and him offering to make her a vampire. Would have been nice to get more details.
So there she was explaining that she had the choice to be a vampire while they didn't and they can't understand what it takes to choose. Then they had to run through the customary "Do vampires have a soul?" spiel and it was oh so boring because it's been done a million times.
Cin asked him to date her once she became a vampire and Michael never thought he'd have a woman like her for his own. She was as gung-ho about losing her humanity as Bella. Edward, I mean Michael, tried to talk her out of it after she'd spoken to his family members, I mean partners. This literally played out just like it. First Cin had to question Devlin and Justine about vampirism, while Michael was dead-set against it and wanted her to stay human and grow old. It was sickening. I don't respect people who want to change their lives so drastically a day after they learn vampires exist, for a man they met hours ago. That reeks of desperation and ignorance.
I was so turned off when Cin went to her room and found Michael there, holding a bowl of dirt with a flower in it. He looked vulnerable and uncertain and I was so scornful of him. How lame. He's 100 years old and acts like a schoolboy. Ew. He also said how wrong and unworthy he was of her. And then Cin invited him to have sex with her because she didn't want to die a virgin. He rejected her and she warned him she's a spoiled viscount's daughter and she gets what she wants. Throwing herself at him just like Bella!
Cin is a dumbass. When the Righteous were out hunting, the kitten came to the window and Fiona went to the door to let it in, but Sebastien grabbed her and put a gun to her head. In order to let her go, Cin had to come with him. As Cin traded herself for Fiona, she looked back and the cat looked panicked while she snatched a pork chop. So there Cin was laughing about it and Sebastien told her she shouldn't laugh because her magic wouldn't save her. "There was no sense in trying to explain a kitten to Sebastien." Funny? Not even close. Was it a good time to have a stupid escapade of the kitten right after your cousin was held at gunpoint, right before you're about to be taken? And was it even funny to begin with? No. I didn't understand this stupid attempt--and fail--at humor at a time like this.
The lesbianism turned into sexual assault and it was disturbing. Kali ripped Cin’s bodice, licked her breast and bit her, drinking blood from her breast, her hips grinding into her.
During the fight they discovered that the undead weren't dying. Michael told her to run away but she wouldn't leave him. "Woman, do as you're told!" Oh I love that line! It's like sexy demeaning! But I did respect Cin for telling him not to take that tone with her.
Cin stupidly never even thought of drinking blood, like that part of being a vampire wasn't even an issue. She didn't think it through, was so willing to turn into a vampire so Kali couldn't hurt her. I really didn't like that turning into a vampire was the solution to getting out of something. Just like in Twilight...Mrs. Mackenzie brought up marriage and I'm like they've known each other for like 2 days!
She stood naked to entice Michael into having sex with her and turning her. Boy she really moves fast. Then of course she was handling his penis because virgins are always knowledgeable about that. And he looked at her with maybe love in his eyes. Love, after just days of knowing each other. The only thing she knows about him is his first name and a bit of his history, and that he's hot. Definitely love!
And then the dreaded and completely asinine discussion about his past right after they had sex. Do ruin her first time with talk of other women. Do you want to discuss past sexual partners after you've just had sex with a man for the first time? He was telling her that blood drinking during sex causes you to feel your partner’s emotions and it's more powerful with two vampires. Of course the dumbass had to comment that he must have done this a lot and then we had to hear that he hadn't been a monk in his 70 years as a vampire.
The intro had had Cin looking back on how she had gotten that name. During sex he called her the nickname her mom called her and she told him to give her a new name, so he was the one to call her Cin.
Just like Bella, Cin said that if he didn't change her she'd get Devlin to. She also worried that he didn't really want her...Make me gag. It played out exactly the same way as Twilight! Except Michael disgustingly and irritatingly decreed that no other man would lay a finger or fang on her. I love that total domination and possessiveness. Go ahead and teach her her place in life, doing whatever you say.
And to rip Twilight off even more, Devlin and the whole household, and probably neighbors for miles around, felt the earthquake of them having sex. She even copied the explosive vampire sex Meyers created.
I did like when Michael pretended to be dying when a vampire plunged a sword through his stomach. Cin was all worried and Devlin kicked him for teasing her.
Kali and Sebastien went to abduct her cousins and Cin sent the staff away to save them. She had a strong line: "If I hear even a whisper of this night's events in Town, I'll sack every last one of you just so I know I got the right one."
Things got soo disturbing and sick. Cin changed into Justine's breeches and Kali came up behind her and pressed against her, saying she liked it. Then at the inn Kali made Cin come into her room, where Sebastian was having sex with a barmaid. He was on the bottom and she was on top of him. Kali took her clothes off and somehow got underneath the woman with Sebastien still inside her, and the woman started sucking Kali's nipples. The author described in sickening detail Kali licking her neck and sucking her earlobe and then lifting her curls into the woman's. Sebastien came out and somehow with one hand put his thumb inside the woman and 3 fingers into Kali, at the same time. Kali is a succubus and gets power from sex. Because this is a sick novel, Sebastien grabbed Cin's hand and held it as he made her give him a hand job. Then he ran her hand over his balls too. Some really sick shit, one of, if not the, sickest crap I've ever had the misfortune to read.
The girl wasn't even willing but Cin made it sound unimportant because it looked like she was. "Her eyes were glazed over, not bespelled because he wasn't old enough for that yet, but drugged perhaps. Still, she looked like she was enjoying herself."
Oh, well, as long as she's enjoying it! It doesn't matter if she wanted to be there! And they killed her, but as long as she had fun, that's all that matters.
The author thinks rape/sexual assault is okay if it’s 2 women because it’s “sexy.”
The next day Kali mentioned doing it to Cin again, and Cin threw her across the coach, came over her and grabbed her neck, threatening her. Kali was turned on by it. And at Stonehenge for the spell, Cin needed to drink Kali's blood so she could see inside her head for what the crown looked like, so Cin told Kali that's what Kali had wanted to do the whole time. She fed roughly and at the end Kali swayed into her; eyes lustful.
Kali said virginity is highly overrated, and spoke of gods who promise to supply men with as many virgins as they want in heaven. "Can you imagine anything more tedious? An experienced woman in your bed is undeniably more satisfying." There was a definite scorn for virgins, or women with morals, I'll say...
Stonehenge wasn't utilized in any cool way. Cin made her circle there, projected a fake image of Kali's crown at one of the stones, and when Kali reached for it she trapped her in the stone. That sucked.
The mysterious man from the building, who was chained up and who she let free and escaped, came back as a wolf. He killed Sebastien and then transformed back to a man. He was really cool and the best character in here.
Michael was going to kill Sebastien but Cin stopped him, couldn't let him do it because she thought of the boy he'd been. That seemed like a stupid and foolish thing to do that would come back to bite her. And weirdly misplaced compassion considering she spent the entire book despising him, at one point ready to kill him. And he threatened to kill her and her cousins, but all that was forgotten in one instant when his eyes looked like the boy's. WHAT?
It was nice that Devlin had a pentagram added to his crest on the carriage to represent her, and a phrase in Latin that said "I am not what I used to be."
It was also nice that she was leaving the property and a lot of monkey to Mrs. Mackenzie and Fiona. Fiona would now be a lady and not a servant.
I didn't enjoy this book, will never read it again, and don't care what happens to the characters, but I was hoping Fiona got her own book because she was a likable character. And I wanted to read the werewolf, who remained nameless until Cin stupidly called him Woof. But the next glimpse into the series ruined all that. It took place years later with Fiona married with kids. A vampire from the Council came and Cin was attracted to him and thinking of sex. And Michael's history with him had to be about a woman because he didn't want to talk about it with her. Thank you authors for your inability to stop bringing up the hero's sexual past, even in subsequent books in a series! From an eternally grateful reader who loves being bashed over the head with sordid details! Cin said she'd long since stopped asking about the women before her, and she was grateful to them for making him a good lover. You dumbass. Here we go again. If I read this damn line one more time I think I'm going to pitch the book into the trash on principle. You're a f'ing dumbass if you're grateful to his past lovers. Nobody really f'ing feels that way.
He stole a woman from Michael and Michael's pride was bruised so now he's going to try to steal Cin. I see sordid details on the way, a whole lot of jealousy, and a whopping love triangle. Fortunate for me I'm not going to suffer through it because I'm not reading it.
A boring love interest, so shallow and not developed, instant love and a lifelong relationship commitment after a matter of days, one crummy sex scene, and a disgusting plot involving nasty side characters. She's obsessed with courtesans. That fact kept coming up again and again, how Justine had been a courtesan. Cin bought a whore dress and imagined herself a courtesan like that's a worthy occupation. A lesbian with a bi woman watching her have sex with men, a threesome involving 1 man and 2 women. Everything about it was a fail. Unrealistic, boring, rushed romance, lame action, and Cin alone vanquished the most powerful enemy with no magical training, by summing an illusion! And worse, Kali will get free one day, but Cin can bide her time by training and getting stronger. What a crock!
No. This book is sick, contains truly disturbing situations, and treats sexual assault and rape like casual things. I will be getting rid of this book. 1 star for the very, very brief moments that I actually enjoyed.
I kept trying to figure the title out and I have no idea why it was named that. A play on her name with Sin, surely, but as far as the wage part, no one made or took any wages. What were they wagering?
She said her dad came from a long line of men who married Macgregor women. So the men of his family kept marrying into the same family??? Ew. Cin explained that her family intermarried at an astonishing rate and Craven men are taken with Macgregor women. But she said that the Macgregors are such a big family that her mom's side is in the Craven line of ancestors distantly. Still creepy.
There was a Macgregor woman, married and the first to receive power. Her husband was killed and she went to the court for some reason and seduced the king. So every new generation names the firstborn girl in that generation after her. I didn't like that history at all.
Her parents were killed when she was 22, having been run off the road by the coach-a-bower, the death coach. All of the staff left except for 5 people because they thought she was unnatural and a witch because she'd already known what happened to her parents before she was told, and the flowers in the garden had all grown in out of season when her mother's spirit came to her and gave Cin her power.
I can't even say how bad she looked when on the night of her parents' deaths, she said she was now an extremely wealthy young lady and she could do whatever she wanted once the mourning period was over; she could wear scandalous dresses and ride in gondolas. She said she couldn't bring herself to care, but why even say that? Why list all the things you can do now that your parents are out of the way if you don't care about them? You look as sorry as crap even thinking what you can do without them.
Sebastian came and got mad when she didn't want to marry him. He bit her neck and she realized he was a vampire. She accidentally used her magic and turned him into a weasel for a short while. That night he started calling to her inside her head and she couldn't resist. Mrs. Mackenzie, her mom's cousin, and her daughter Fiona, were trying to restrain her and Cin was trying to break free, throwing furniture around and saying she'd hurt Fiona. I liked Fiona much better than her. It was funny when she told Cin that if she turned her into an animal she'd never forgive her. And I liked when Fiona knocked her out with a vase to put a stop to Sebastian's enthrallment.
In town someone she knew had a relative who was a vampire hunter, and he wrote about meeting the Righteous, 3 vampires who killed those of their kind who kill humans. There's Devlin, the Dark Lord, his mate Justine, and Michael, a Scot who he saved from death in a battle.
It got more interesting as she prepared to summon the Righteous. She set about making a circle and then felt the raven searching the city for them. I loved the moment when she felt the female and the older male. He was strong and resisted her power, mad at her, and when she set her sights on his mate, he held her to him.
When Michael answered her summons, she noticed his shirt was tucked messily into his breeches and wondered if he'd come from a lover's bed. Wtf? It was never brought up again so Idk the author would put that thought in our heads.
Once Michael came into the story, it was the dreaded and ever-annoying instant lust. Things went way too far too fast and irritated the crap out of me. Here is a virgin with very little experience. She is 22 and has only been attracted to 2 men in her entire life--hah!--and the minute she laid eyes on him she wondered what his lips would feel like, imagined touching him, and didn't like the thought of him with a lover. She was also wearing a courtesan's dress with a plunging neckline, and she wanted to use that to her advantage, so she shrugged out of her cloak to let him look at her. She was blown away by the sexiness of Justine, because women, mates to the male side characters, are always universally sexy and instant allies. Cin was asking if Michael had some power to make her feel attracted to him, and Justine confirmed that was just plain, old human lust. While Justine and Devlin went to hunt Sebastian, Michael stayed alone in the room with her. He tied her up to prevent her from giving in to Sebastian's compulsion, and she told him to either hit or kiss her. Next thing you know, he's getting in between her thighs and she has the feminine instinct of knowing she needs to wrap her legs around him. He raised her skirt and pressed himself to her and I'm like what the heck is the rush? I HATE when authors have virgins have knowledge they would not have, and make them suddenly go so far and fast, so hot and heavy, with the first sexy guy who comes their way. I put it down and wasn't interested in picking it back up.
The way Devlin spoke to Justine was not ok. She came back injured and he grabbed her face and said "You willful little bitch! When I tell you to run, you run! Do you understand?"
Oh h no. You don't call your mate a bitch.
Devlin was no longer cool after he spoke to her like that. That's having no respect for her. Fiona was like a breath of fresh air. I was irritated at Cin for offering to give Justine blood. Who does that when they were so recently afraid? Fiona went to help her out of her scandalous dress, and Devlin offered to help because Fiona couldn't handle Cin's dead weight. Fiona told him not to look, and he said he's 400 and has seen plenty of naked women and she told him that he hasn't seen this one.
It got increasingly more ridiculous and unrealistic from there, so much so that I was rolling my eyes. They realized Sebastien had a powerful, ancient master, because he was too young to be able to telepathically speak to and compel her. Justine stabbed him but they encountered Kali, a demon vampire. Cin came to the realization that she could either run for the rest of her life until Kali found and killed her, or break the spell and put people in danger. Either way she'd die. So she had the proposal that one of the Righteous would have to kill her...I had to put the book down at that point because I was so massively aggravated. She was willing to be killed! I HATE when characters have this lightning-quick turnaround to where they're okay with things they were previously afraid of in the blink of an eye, with no transformation.
Later Michael offered to protect her when she was old and wrinkled and didn't remember her own name or his. He also pledged to fight Kali, and he was okay with dying because he'd already lived a long life and it would be for a good cause. He told her she made him wish he was human and she wished she wasn't. WTF?! $%! #^~$@!
Then a kitten randomly popped in, because, you know, it fit in this story. Cin childishly named her Prsicilla K. Pussycat. She described her purring and feeding and paying the stable boy extra to feed her and Mrs. Mackenzie talking about her tufty ears. "Kittens are good for the soul." Okayy...I wondered why I was reading about a kitten...and was more annoyed.
I loved the sordid details about Devin's history with Kali. I knew it wouldn't be good but it was way worse than I expected. And I love details! When he was human he was celebrating a victory in battle at a brother where he took a woman upstairs to bed and it was Kali's lieutenant. She turned him and brought him to join Kali's harem. Kali is lesbian but she fed from young men. Kali would choose 2 men each night to have sex with while Kali watched. Then some day Kali was going to kill all the men and the woman chose to free Devlin if he made love to her not out of fear but like he would to an English lady. So he did and she turned him into a vampire. Oh please be as gross as you can. I love sick shit.
Devlin was Carlisle, Michael was Edward, and Justine was Rosalie. It was like déjà vu. 5 vampires attacked her and bit her all over her body. Once she learned to fight she hunted down her attackers and killed them, just like Rosalie. And they only feed on animals because it's forbidden to kill a human. Eye roll! Anyway, her history was interesting because she killed vampires and was so feared among them that the Regent sent an assassin to kill her. It was Devlin and she said their fights around the city were incredible. Then she fast-forwarded from them fighting to being in love with him and him offering to make her a vampire. Would have been nice to get more details.
So there she was explaining that she had the choice to be a vampire while they didn't and they can't understand what it takes to choose. Then they had to run through the customary "Do vampires have a soul?" spiel and it was oh so boring because it's been done a million times.
Cin asked him to date her once she became a vampire and Michael never thought he'd have a woman like her for his own. She was as gung-ho about losing her humanity as Bella. Edward, I mean Michael, tried to talk her out of it after she'd spoken to his family members, I mean partners. This literally played out just like it. First Cin had to question Devlin and Justine about vampirism, while Michael was dead-set against it and wanted her to stay human and grow old. It was sickening. I don't respect people who want to change their lives so drastically a day after they learn vampires exist, for a man they met hours ago. That reeks of desperation and ignorance.
I was so turned off when Cin went to her room and found Michael there, holding a bowl of dirt with a flower in it. He looked vulnerable and uncertain and I was so scornful of him. How lame. He's 100 years old and acts like a schoolboy. Ew. He also said how wrong and unworthy he was of her. And then Cin invited him to have sex with her because she didn't want to die a virgin. He rejected her and she warned him she's a spoiled viscount's daughter and she gets what she wants. Throwing herself at him just like Bella!
Cin is a dumbass. When the Righteous were out hunting, the kitten came to the window and Fiona went to the door to let it in, but Sebastien grabbed her and put a gun to her head. In order to let her go, Cin had to come with him. As Cin traded herself for Fiona, she looked back and the cat looked panicked while she snatched a pork chop. So there Cin was laughing about it and Sebastien told her she shouldn't laugh because her magic wouldn't save her. "There was no sense in trying to explain a kitten to Sebastien." Funny? Not even close. Was it a good time to have a stupid escapade of the kitten right after your cousin was held at gunpoint, right before you're about to be taken? And was it even funny to begin with? No. I didn't understand this stupid attempt--and fail--at humor at a time like this.
The lesbianism turned into sexual assault and it was disturbing. Kali ripped Cin’s bodice, licked her breast and bit her, drinking blood from her breast, her hips grinding into her.
During the fight they discovered that the undead weren't dying. Michael told her to run away but she wouldn't leave him. "Woman, do as you're told!" Oh I love that line! It's like sexy demeaning! But I did respect Cin for telling him not to take that tone with her.
Cin stupidly never even thought of drinking blood, like that part of being a vampire wasn't even an issue. She didn't think it through, was so willing to turn into a vampire so Kali couldn't hurt her. I really didn't like that turning into a vampire was the solution to getting out of something. Just like in Twilight...Mrs. Mackenzie brought up marriage and I'm like they've known each other for like 2 days!
She stood naked to entice Michael into having sex with her and turning her. Boy she really moves fast. Then of course she was handling his penis because virgins are always knowledgeable about that. And he looked at her with maybe love in his eyes. Love, after just days of knowing each other. The only thing she knows about him is his first name and a bit of his history, and that he's hot. Definitely love!
And then the dreaded and completely asinine discussion about his past right after they had sex. Do ruin her first time with talk of other women. Do you want to discuss past sexual partners after you've just had sex with a man for the first time? He was telling her that blood drinking during sex causes you to feel your partner’s emotions and it's more powerful with two vampires. Of course the dumbass had to comment that he must have done this a lot and then we had to hear that he hadn't been a monk in his 70 years as a vampire.
The intro had had Cin looking back on how she had gotten that name. During sex he called her the nickname her mom called her and she told him to give her a new name, so he was the one to call her Cin.
Just like Bella, Cin said that if he didn't change her she'd get Devlin to. She also worried that he didn't really want her...Make me gag. It played out exactly the same way as Twilight! Except Michael disgustingly and irritatingly decreed that no other man would lay a finger or fang on her. I love that total domination and possessiveness. Go ahead and teach her her place in life, doing whatever you say.
And to rip Twilight off even more, Devlin and the whole household, and probably neighbors for miles around, felt the earthquake of them having sex. She even copied the explosive vampire sex Meyers created.
I did like when Michael pretended to be dying when a vampire plunged a sword through his stomach. Cin was all worried and Devlin kicked him for teasing her.
Kali and Sebastien went to abduct her cousins and Cin sent the staff away to save them. She had a strong line: "If I hear even a whisper of this night's events in Town, I'll sack every last one of you just so I know I got the right one."
Things got soo disturbing and sick. Cin changed into Justine's breeches and Kali came up behind her and pressed against her, saying she liked it. Then at the inn Kali made Cin come into her room, where Sebastian was having sex with a barmaid. He was on the bottom and she was on top of him. Kali took her clothes off and somehow got underneath the woman with Sebastien still inside her, and the woman started sucking Kali's nipples. The author described in sickening detail Kali licking her neck and sucking her earlobe and then lifting her curls into the woman's. Sebastien came out and somehow with one hand put his thumb inside the woman and 3 fingers into Kali, at the same time. Kali is a succubus and gets power from sex. Because this is a sick novel, Sebastien grabbed Cin's hand and held it as he made her give him a hand job. Then he ran her hand over his balls too. Some really sick shit, one of, if not the, sickest crap I've ever had the misfortune to read.
The girl wasn't even willing but Cin made it sound unimportant because it looked like she was. "Her eyes were glazed over, not bespelled because he wasn't old enough for that yet, but drugged perhaps. Still, she looked like she was enjoying herself."
Oh, well, as long as she's enjoying it! It doesn't matter if she wanted to be there! And they killed her, but as long as she had fun, that's all that matters.
The author thinks rape/sexual assault is okay if it’s 2 women because it’s “sexy.”
The next day Kali mentioned doing it to Cin again, and Cin threw her across the coach, came over her and grabbed her neck, threatening her. Kali was turned on by it. And at Stonehenge for the spell, Cin needed to drink Kali's blood so she could see inside her head for what the crown looked like, so Cin told Kali that's what Kali had wanted to do the whole time. She fed roughly and at the end Kali swayed into her; eyes lustful.
Kali said virginity is highly overrated, and spoke of gods who promise to supply men with as many virgins as they want in heaven. "Can you imagine anything more tedious? An experienced woman in your bed is undeniably more satisfying." There was a definite scorn for virgins, or women with morals, I'll say...
Stonehenge wasn't utilized in any cool way. Cin made her circle there, projected a fake image of Kali's crown at one of the stones, and when Kali reached for it she trapped her in the stone. That sucked.
The mysterious man from the building, who was chained up and who she let free and escaped, came back as a wolf. He killed Sebastien and then transformed back to a man. He was really cool and the best character in here.
Michael was going to kill Sebastien but Cin stopped him, couldn't let him do it because she thought of the boy he'd been. That seemed like a stupid and foolish thing to do that would come back to bite her. And weirdly misplaced compassion considering she spent the entire book despising him, at one point ready to kill him. And he threatened to kill her and her cousins, but all that was forgotten in one instant when his eyes looked like the boy's. WHAT?
It was nice that Devlin had a pentagram added to his crest on the carriage to represent her, and a phrase in Latin that said "I am not what I used to be."
It was also nice that she was leaving the property and a lot of monkey to Mrs. Mackenzie and Fiona. Fiona would now be a lady and not a servant.
I didn't enjoy this book, will never read it again, and don't care what happens to the characters, but I was hoping Fiona got her own book because she was a likable character. And I wanted to read the werewolf, who remained nameless until Cin stupidly called him Woof. But the next glimpse into the series ruined all that. It took place years later with Fiona married with kids. A vampire from the Council came and Cin was attracted to him and thinking of sex. And Michael's history with him had to be about a woman because he didn't want to talk about it with her. Thank you authors for your inability to stop bringing up the hero's sexual past, even in subsequent books in a series! From an eternally grateful reader who loves being bashed over the head with sordid details! Cin said she'd long since stopped asking about the women before her, and she was grateful to them for making him a good lover. You dumbass. Here we go again. If I read this damn line one more time I think I'm going to pitch the book into the trash on principle. You're a f'ing dumbass if you're grateful to his past lovers. Nobody really f'ing feels that way.
He stole a woman from Michael and Michael's pride was bruised so now he's going to try to steal Cin. I see sordid details on the way, a whole lot of jealousy, and a whopping love triangle. Fortunate for me I'm not going to suffer through it because I'm not reading it.
A boring love interest, so shallow and not developed, instant love and a lifelong relationship commitment after a matter of days, one crummy sex scene, and a disgusting plot involving nasty side characters. She's obsessed with courtesans. That fact kept coming up again and again, how Justine had been a courtesan. Cin bought a whore dress and imagined herself a courtesan like that's a worthy occupation. A lesbian with a bi woman watching her have sex with men, a threesome involving 1 man and 2 women. Everything about it was a fail. Unrealistic, boring, rushed romance, lame action, and Cin alone vanquished the most powerful enemy with no magical training, by summing an illusion! And worse, Kali will get free one day, but Cin can bide her time by training and getting stronger. What a crock!
No. This book is sick, contains truly disturbing situations, and treats sexual assault and rape like casual things. I will be getting rid of this book. 1 star for the very, very brief moments that I actually enjoyed.
I kept trying to figure the title out and I have no idea why it was named that. A play on her name with Sin, surely, but as far as the wage part, no one made or took any wages. What were they wagering?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2011
I usually give the first book of the series 4 stars (rarely I give 5 stars)I do that because, even though the story was good, there still need more explanation which tell at the next book.
Dulcinea Macgregor Craven, or Dulcie,is a daughter of a Viscount, and she inherited magic from her mother, the famous Macgregor Witch.At one night, her parents got accident, and because of that Dulcie 's magic is awakened.In her mourning stage, her childhood friend, Sebastian come and want to marry her. When she refuse, Sebastian show his true color, a vampire. He bites Dulcie, and threatened Dulcie and her servants. If Dulcie doesn't want to join with him, he will kill her servants and friends.
Dulcie panic and then ask help to Mr Pendegrass, her mother's old friend, and an apothecary. His shop is service Witch's need for their magic and spell. When Archie, Mr Pendegrass's student, tell her there are a vampire band, call The Righteous, whose annihilated vampire that broken their law (kill human), Dulcie decided to ask for their help.
Dulcie call The Righteous, with her spell, and then one of The Righteous,come to her home. His name is Michael, called Devil's Archangel. He's so handsome, with his dark blonde, and Dulcie began attract to him, like never before. Then, the other members come, Devlin, their leader, called Lord Dark, and his consort, Justine, called Devil's Justice...
Later, they know, Sebastian's master is Kali, Goddess of Destruction, a vampire, that Devlin know, she so dangerous, and impossible to beat her. Kali need Dulcie's magic to free her from her binding, so she can rules this world with her bloodthirsty... (sound familiar).Dulcie know if she still become human, she can beat Kali, so she ask Michael to take her virginity, and then make her a vampire. She tell Michael to give her a new name. Despite her scarlet hair (that hide under glamor, and become a copper colored hair), and her voluptuous body, Michael called her Cin..
And after that, Cin Craven is born, the vampire with witch power, that will do anything to stop Kali from her ambition...
I love with the story in this book. Dulcie's change from a mere viscount daughter to become Cin, a vampire, was written well.
My problem in this book is Kali's sex preference. She choose women than men, and the scene in Inn, when she have a menage with Sebastian and barmaid - and it involved Cin too!- make me cringed, and I almost skip that part.
Cin and Michael' s relationship is too new in this book. I want to
know, how their relationship will develop, and how Cin dealing with her new life as vampire, when she never get old, people that she love is dying and left her.
This series is interesting, and I continue reading
If you love historical romance with paranormal aspect, first person POV, vampire, ass kick heroine, hot men (Michael, ehm). Just read this book! ;D
Dulcinea Macgregor Craven, or Dulcie,is a daughter of a Viscount, and she inherited magic from her mother, the famous Macgregor Witch.At one night, her parents got accident, and because of that Dulcie 's magic is awakened.In her mourning stage, her childhood friend, Sebastian come and want to marry her. When she refuse, Sebastian show his true color, a vampire. He bites Dulcie, and threatened Dulcie and her servants. If Dulcie doesn't want to join with him, he will kill her servants and friends.
Dulcie panic and then ask help to Mr Pendegrass, her mother's old friend, and an apothecary. His shop is service Witch's need for their magic and spell. When Archie, Mr Pendegrass's student, tell her there are a vampire band, call The Righteous, whose annihilated vampire that broken their law (kill human), Dulcie decided to ask for their help.
Dulcie call The Righteous, with her spell, and then one of The Righteous,come to her home. His name is Michael, called Devil's Archangel. He's so handsome, with his dark blonde, and Dulcie began attract to him, like never before. Then, the other members come, Devlin, their leader, called Lord Dark, and his consort, Justine, called Devil's Justice...
Later, they know, Sebastian's master is Kali, Goddess of Destruction, a vampire, that Devlin know, she so dangerous, and impossible to beat her. Kali need Dulcie's magic to free her from her binding, so she can rules this world with her bloodthirsty... (sound familiar).Dulcie know if she still become human, she can beat Kali, so she ask Michael to take her virginity, and then make her a vampire. She tell Michael to give her a new name. Despite her scarlet hair (that hide under glamor, and become a copper colored hair), and her voluptuous body, Michael called her Cin..
And after that, Cin Craven is born, the vampire with witch power, that will do anything to stop Kali from her ambition...
I love with the story in this book. Dulcie's change from a mere viscount daughter to become Cin, a vampire, was written well.
My problem in this book is Kali's sex preference. She choose women than men, and the scene in Inn, when she have a menage with Sebastian and barmaid - and it involved Cin too!- make me cringed, and I almost skip that part.
Cin and Michael' s relationship is too new in this book. I want to
know, how their relationship will develop, and how Cin dealing with her new life as vampire, when she never get old, people that she love is dying and left her.
This series is interesting, and I continue reading
If you love historical romance with paranormal aspect, first person POV, vampire, ass kick heroine, hot men (Michael, ehm). Just read this book! ;D
September 17, 2012
Ok, so I decided to get into another series after catching up on Karen Chances Cassie Palmser series. First I have to say this book started out promising. I found Cin to be a witty and interesting heroine. The premise of the book is Cins's childhood friend has come home changed and not for the better and Cin cannot figure out what it is. But once he attacks her and tries to turn her into a vampire we know what that change was. To keep him from turning her into a vamp she goes to enlist The Rightous, a vigilante vampire crew who wipes out their own kind when they harm human, by magically summoning them to her side. She finds that not only does she need protection from her childhood friend but protection from a Demon Vampire who wants to take over the world and use Cin magic to release her crown from another realm to do so. Great premise if The Rightous wasn't the most boring group of vampire three musketeers I ever met. Devlin, the leader didn't come across as much of a leader, but the author tries to convince you that he is by constantly reminding us of how huge he is. Michael the somewhat third wheel and Cin future love interest is only described as beautiful, constantly, and Justine, Devlins consort and sidekick seems to just look good in mens clothing and carrying around hidden knives. Even though we learn a lot about these three, like their life before they were turned and how they were turned they still came across as one demensional characters and as you read further didn't seem all that necessary to the story. The most interesting person in the book was the Villianess Kali. She was evil just a like a villian should be. Other than having someone turn her into a vampire I didn't feel having the Rightous around all that necessary since with help of her apothercary friend and mysterious werewolf (I wish we could have learned a little more about him)Cin was able to vanquish the villain on her own. In fact as I think through the book The Rightous wasn't much help to Cin. Other than advice that they gave her, Cin managed to take care of her own problem. I started book two and I can already see the series just going downhill from here.
February 25, 2012
This is the first book in the Cin Craven series by Jenna Maclaine. I read a short story in an anthology that featured this vampire witch and the Righteous, a group of vampires that enforce the rules of vampires and protect the innocent. This book had come reccomended by a member of the Witches, Weres, Vampires and and more group, so I had to give it a try. I loved it!
Dulcinea Macgregor Craven grew up in the early 1800's in Surrey, England. A Viscount's daughter, she is descended from the Macgregor witches from her mother's side, and is late in coming to her powers. She's been receiving lessons from family members with limited success. A family tragedy brings her fully into her powers and she doesn't fully know how to control them. A childhood friend undergoes a radical change and now a ruthless vampire and a demon are in pursuit of her and her powers.
Her only hope is the Righteous, a group of vampires who hunt and destroy those vampires who break the rules of vampire society and protect the innocent. With help from a family friend, she is able to "call" them to her with a spell. The first to answer her summons is Michael, a fierce swordsman and vampire that she is instantly attracted to, and inflames desires she's never felt before. Devlin and Justine are the other 2 members of the Righteous, and luckily for Dulcie, they are willing to help her.
Events happen that bring about a change in her life that she never would have thought of, but it's a choice she's willing to make to save others close to her that come into peril.
There's plenty of action, mystery and intrigue, and romance to enjoy in this story. Great characters, and as in most paranormal romance - instant attraction (lust at first sight) and danger makes love blossom between Dulcie (soon to be Cin Craven) and Michael - though he doesn't feel worthy to love a Viscount's daughter. Luckily for him, what Dulcie wants, she usually gets. ;-P Looking forward to reading more in this series!
Dulcinea Macgregor Craven grew up in the early 1800's in Surrey, England. A Viscount's daughter, she is descended from the Macgregor witches from her mother's side, and is late in coming to her powers. She's been receiving lessons from family members with limited success. A family tragedy brings her fully into her powers and she doesn't fully know how to control them. A childhood friend undergoes a radical change and now a ruthless vampire and a demon are in pursuit of her and her powers.
Her only hope is the Righteous, a group of vampires who hunt and destroy those vampires who break the rules of vampire society and protect the innocent. With help from a family friend, she is able to "call" them to her with a spell. The first to answer her summons is Michael, a fierce swordsman and vampire that she is instantly attracted to, and inflames desires she's never felt before. Devlin and Justine are the other 2 members of the Righteous, and luckily for Dulcie, they are willing to help her.
Events happen that bring about a change in her life that she never would have thought of, but it's a choice she's willing to make to save others close to her that come into peril.
There's plenty of action, mystery and intrigue, and romance to enjoy in this story. Great characters, and as in most paranormal romance - instant attraction (lust at first sight) and danger makes love blossom between Dulcie (soon to be Cin Craven) and Michael - though he doesn't feel worthy to love a Viscount's daughter. Luckily for him, what Dulcie wants, she usually gets. ;-P Looking forward to reading more in this series!
January 8, 2012
Dulcinea Craven's world literally changed overnight when she found herself suddenly on her own and hiding from a childhood friend and now turned vampire. At a loss for what to do, she discovers the existence of a group of vampire slayers called The Righteous and, using her powers as a witch, summons them to her home. Dulcinea has an immediate attraction to one of the three who show up, Michael, referred to as the Archangel of the group.
I enjoyed the story but was troubled by some of the inconsistencies with the characterizations. Devlin, the oldest of The Righteous, was introduced as an extraordinarily powerful and menacing force but never showed up that way beyond the initial skirmishes. Once he faced Kali, he seemed to retreat meekly to a corner and was never again a force in the story. Justine, his French mate, showed more moxie than any of them. Michael has a lot of heart but this team never impressed me. Early on, they made it clear that Dulcinea was pretty much on her own, which I found absurd.
Dulcinea and Michael's relationship also went from nowhere to action very quickly. It was hard to get invested in them as a couple since it just seemed to be borne of lust. They are both very likable as individuals but I had no basis to root for them as a couple.
The most exciting aspect of the story was the final confrontation with Kali and Sebastian. However, the events leading up to it were very curious. The scene at the inn the night before the ritual at Stonehenge was just disturbing...I had no clue where it fit in with the events before or after.
I don't regret reading this book but am unsure if I want to move forward with the rest of the series. I'm rating this 3.5 stars.
I enjoyed the story but was troubled by some of the inconsistencies with the characterizations. Devlin, the oldest of The Righteous, was introduced as an extraordinarily powerful and menacing force but never showed up that way beyond the initial skirmishes. Once he faced Kali, he seemed to retreat meekly to a corner and was never again a force in the story. Justine, his French mate, showed more moxie than any of them. Michael has a lot of heart but this team never impressed me. Early on, they made it clear that Dulcinea was pretty much on her own, which I found absurd.
Dulcinea and Michael's relationship also went from nowhere to action very quickly. It was hard to get invested in them as a couple since it just seemed to be borne of lust. They are both very likable as individuals but I had no basis to root for them as a couple.
The most exciting aspect of the story was the final confrontation with Kali and Sebastian. However, the events leading up to it were very curious. The scene at the inn the night before the ritual at Stonehenge was just disturbing...I had no clue where it fit in with the events before or after.
I don't regret reading this book but am unsure if I want to move forward with the rest of the series. I'm rating this 3.5 stars.
October 5, 2014
Cin Craven is a hereditary witch, living in England during the 1800s. After her parents die in an accident, her power surfaces and she is finally able to use her magic which has been lying dormant for most of her life. Soon Sebastian, an estranged childhood friend shows up, proposing marriage to her which she refuses. Sebastian doesn't take no for an answer and tells her he will stop at nothing to make her his own, not even murder and Cin realizes that he has changed in more ways than one... In order to save herself and her loved ones, she summons The Righteous, three vampires that keep up the laws in the vampire world and kill all evil vampires. With their help she hopes to be able to defeat Sebastian, but they soon realize that there is a much bigger thread on the loose.
This was a lovely story with a great heroine. Cin is able to look after herself, has a fun personality and knows what she wants. The secondary characters are all very likeable and charming and the hero is also rather dashing. The romance developed a little bit too fast for me, but was all up still very sweet. I think it is one of my personal issues I have with a lot of PNRs, that the heroine and hero just need to look into each others when meeting for the first time... and that's it... they're an item on page 2. I like a bit of development and tension and getting to know each other before declaring everlasting love. But hey, despite that little rant, in the end of the day I still enjoy my PNRs, and this one was no exception. I will certainly go on with this series as I'm very interested in what's going to happen next.
This was a lovely story with a great heroine. Cin is able to look after herself, has a fun personality and knows what she wants. The secondary characters are all very likeable and charming and the hero is also rather dashing. The romance developed a little bit too fast for me, but was all up still very sweet. I think it is one of my personal issues I have with a lot of PNRs, that the heroine and hero just need to look into each others when meeting for the first time... and that's it... they're an item on page 2. I like a bit of development and tension and getting to know each other before declaring everlasting love. But hey, despite that little rant, in the end of the day I still enjoy my PNRs, and this one was no exception. I will certainly go on with this series as I'm very interested in what's going to happen next.
March 24, 2011
I really liked this book. I enjoyed the main character, Cin, and the 3 vampires called The Righteous, Devlin, Josephine and Yum Yum, er I mean Michael.
Cin is originally a witch and not just any witch but she is a part of a line of very, very powerful witches. This little tidbit makes her attractive to the nieghborhood demon. She has to get help because she is only human, even thought she is a witch she has only recently come into her powers and has a little trouble controlling them. So she summons The Righteous to her home for help. Romance, action, friendship and introduction to some very interesting characters occurs. By the end Cin is a vampire witch, she has total control over her powers and she has discovered how much fun sex with a very well endowded vampire can be.
The fun is in the writing and the journey Cin takes from being a simple human with a witch heritage to becoming a powerful vampire witch with a hung lover and new group to belong to. She seems timid at first, but don't be fooled, she packs a punch and a serious attitude that is entertaining to read.
I know I'm not supposed to, but I liked Kali and I wish some how she could have not been so far gone down funny farm lane, i.e. bat shit crazy. Guess that's what happens when you've lived thousands of years as a demon goddess trapped in the body of a very sexy vampire. Now for Sebastian, I wish Cin would have pulled his dick off when she had the chance, that's all I'm saying about him.
I'm glad I picked up this series, I will def be reading on with it.
Cin is originally a witch and not just any witch but she is a part of a line of very, very powerful witches. This little tidbit makes her attractive to the nieghborhood demon. She has to get help because she is only human, even thought she is a witch she has only recently come into her powers and has a little trouble controlling them. So she summons The Righteous to her home for help. Romance, action, friendship and introduction to some very interesting characters occurs. By the end Cin is a vampire witch, she has total control over her powers and she has discovered how much fun sex with a very well endowded vampire can be.
The fun is in the writing and the journey Cin takes from being a simple human with a witch heritage to becoming a powerful vampire witch with a hung lover and new group to belong to. She seems timid at first, but don't be fooled, she packs a punch and a serious attitude that is entertaining to read.
I know I'm not supposed to, but I liked Kali and I wish some how she could have not been so far gone down funny farm lane, i.e. bat shit crazy. Guess that's what happens when you've lived thousands of years as a demon goddess trapped in the body of a very sexy vampire. Now for Sebastian, I wish Cin would have pulled his dick off when she had the chance, that's all I'm saying about him.
I'm glad I picked up this series, I will def be reading on with it.
November 24, 2010
This books is set in the early 1800's and is a fantastic PNR book for those who love the Genre.
Dulcinea Macgregor Craven aka Cin, is a natural witch and one of a long line of Macgregor witches on her mother's side. She has hasn't exactly bowled over anyone with her abilites. It's not until her parents are killed in a carriage accident, that Dulcie finally gets her powers. Now, 22, she inherits a legacy that she has no clue how to handle.
When a former suitor named Lord Sebastian Montford returns to the country a little bit differently (he's working with a demon and has been turned into a vampire) he vows that nothing will stop him from possessing Cin and her magic.
In a desperate attempt to save her life, Dulcie uses her new found magic and summons a trio of vampires called The Righteous to her aid. The Righteous are Michael, Justine, and Devlin and they are responsible for executing wayward vampires at the behest of the King.
The only way to stop Sebastian, is to allow Michael to turn her into a vampire. Yes, this is a historical romance with a twist of magic and vampirism thrown in. It is a very good story and I highly recommend that you read this book if you can find it.
Dulcinea Macgregor Craven aka Cin, is a natural witch and one of a long line of Macgregor witches on her mother's side. She has hasn't exactly bowled over anyone with her abilites. It's not until her parents are killed in a carriage accident, that Dulcie finally gets her powers. Now, 22, she inherits a legacy that she has no clue how to handle.
When a former suitor named Lord Sebastian Montford returns to the country a little bit differently (he's working with a demon and has been turned into a vampire) he vows that nothing will stop him from possessing Cin and her magic.
In a desperate attempt to save her life, Dulcie uses her new found magic and summons a trio of vampires called The Righteous to her aid. The Righteous are Michael, Justine, and Devlin and they are responsible for executing wayward vampires at the behest of the King.
The only way to stop Sebastian, is to allow Michael to turn her into a vampire. Yes, this is a historical romance with a twist of magic and vampirism thrown in. It is a very good story and I highly recommend that you read this book if you can find it.
April 28, 2025
Mourning the death of her parent’s and shutting herself up in her room, it’s the last thing she needs to have her life endangered by a vampire who wants to possess her wild and uncontrollable powers. She finds herself and her servants imprisoned in her own house, knowing the evil is waiting just outside to capture her or worse. Her only hope is the mythical band of vampire warriors who kill evil vampires and they arrive when summoned and bring with them the hero who develops a deeper relationship with the heroine.
It was an alright book but really nothing special or groundbreaking. It was really geared more towards the fantasy genre than romance so it didn’t intrigue me as much. Also, the story is based in historical England yet modern phrasing more often than naught crept in and ruined the setting. If your book is set in the past, it’s laziness when you can’t keep the speech in the period. Also, I didn’t much like the heroine or hero mainly because they weren’t memorable. I won’t read the other books in the series.
It was an alright book but really nothing special or groundbreaking. It was really geared more towards the fantasy genre than romance so it didn’t intrigue me as much. Also, the story is based in historical England yet modern phrasing more often than naught crept in and ruined the setting. If your book is set in the past, it’s laziness when you can’t keep the speech in the period. Also, I didn’t much like the heroine or hero mainly because they weren’t memorable. I won’t read the other books in the series.
February 14, 2010
*Interesting premise. A powerful witch turned vampire joins leagues with fellow do-gooder vamps to overcome an evil demon and save the world. The vampire-slayer theme is definitely not an original one but I thought the witch theme thrown in with it was a bit different.
*Good pacing but despite this I thought it was too wordy in spots. Like dialogue that tended to drag and over-description of irrelevant things.
*Character development was my main issue with this book, especially the development (or lack there of) in the relationship between Cin and Michael. No tension or build up. They were practically announcing their love within 2 days of knowing each other. Their relationship was sappy and boring from the get-go. I also thought the bad guys were kinda cheesy.
Overall it was a fairly decent read but I won't be reading further into this series.
*Good pacing but despite this I thought it was too wordy in spots. Like dialogue that tended to drag and over-description of irrelevant things.
*Character development was my main issue with this book, especially the development (or lack there of) in the relationship between Cin and Michael. No tension or build up. They were practically announcing their love within 2 days of knowing each other. Their relationship was sappy and boring from the get-go. I also thought the bad guys were kinda cheesy.
Overall it was a fairly decent read but I won't be reading further into this series.
May 10, 2013
3.5 Stars
Book one in the Cin Craven series brings a great mix of historical, paranormal, and romance. Jenna MacLaine has a knack for stirring things up and creating a fun easy read.
MacLaine introduces you to the characters, Cin and the evil vamp right along with a tragedy. What a way to start a book! The pace is kept up throughout, you meet Michael and the Righteous. Some kick ass fighters that are fun to read about and come in rather handy for Cin when she finds herself in the thick of things.
There were some issues with this book, some of the writing may pull you out of the story and certain phrases may not quite fit in with the setting. But the delightful characters that keep popping up and the magic keep you flipping through the pages.
A great paranormal series that will be entertaining to follow!
Book one in the Cin Craven series brings a great mix of historical, paranormal, and romance. Jenna MacLaine has a knack for stirring things up and creating a fun easy read.
MacLaine introduces you to the characters, Cin and the evil vamp right along with a tragedy. What a way to start a book! The pace is kept up throughout, you meet Michael and the Righteous. Some kick ass fighters that are fun to read about and come in rather handy for Cin when she finds herself in the thick of things.
There were some issues with this book, some of the writing may pull you out of the story and certain phrases may not quite fit in with the setting. But the delightful characters that keep popping up and the magic keep you flipping through the pages.
A great paranormal series that will be entertaining to follow!
June 19, 2016
Dulcinea Craven is a proper English lady until her parents are killed and her ex-suitor, Sebastian decides to chew on her neck. Then all hell breaks loose and she invites the Righteous into her home. The Righteous are a band of warrior vampires who enforce the rules of the vampire counsel. Devlin, the Dark Lord; Justine, the Devil's Justice; and Michael, the Devil's Archangel. With their assistance, Dulcinea is going to fight and hopefully defeat Kali, the demon queen who has enraptured Sebastian.
I certainly didn't expect a Victorian vampire romance when I picked this up. What a total surprise. I loved Dulcie and Michael together. This is action from page one though it does start out rather like a Victorian romance.
I certainly didn't expect a Victorian vampire romance when I picked this up. What a total surprise. I loved Dulcie and Michael together. This is action from page one though it does start out rather like a Victorian romance.
November 23, 2010
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I have a few issues, but they are mostly minor. It was a quick and easy read. Uncomplicated. I adored Michael and Devlin and Justine. The Righteous :) Cin and Michael? Eh. I didn't really believe it. It was just too fast, too love at first sight, too much deflowering :P and then Poof, the change. It worked for the story, but I just didn't feel it.
3.5/5 but I'm rounding generously up, these vampires don't sparkle, and are set in 18th century with corsets and breeches oh, and magic, so that's worth another star :D
3.5/5 but I'm rounding generously up, these vampires don't sparkle, and are set in 18th century with corsets and breeches oh, and magic, so that's worth another star :D
December 11, 2012
I love Buffy as much as the next person, so I don't mind when writers let the series influence their books. I am a little put off when it's transparently done. I mean, here we have two handsome vampires on a redemptive mission against other vampires: one older, burly, dark, and pensive; the other younger, wiry, blond, and frisky. It was distracting, quite frankly, and I spent a few moments rolling my eyes just a little. Moreover, Cin wasn't all that likable. This wasn't a bad book by any means, but nothing encouraged me to keep up with the series.
January 1, 2019
one of my very favourite series that i can read time and again. i absolutely love every story and the audio books are some of the best i have listened to - the voice seems to perfectly encapsulate the stories. the novellas add so much background and are definitely not just filler. a really great combination of witch, vampire and demon with just a little werewolf, some ghosts and gods .. plenty of action, plenty of romance and a lot of family
1/1/19 - one of the best and a brilliant audio
1/1/19 - one of the best and a brilliant audio
January 27, 2013
Books starts with very boring sad rant which tries to explain premise, but success only weakly.
Characters are typical, hot female lead, super hot male lead, evil villain. And romance goes typical railroad way, uh he/she is hot, but we can't have relationship -> but maybe it ok to try -> this is best kind ever -> evil villain throws shadows over main characters love.
Book didn't have anything interesting keep my interest up.
Characters are typical, hot female lead, super hot male lead, evil villain. And romance goes typical railroad way, uh he/she is hot, but we can't have relationship -> but maybe it ok to try -> this is best kind ever -> evil villain throws shadows over main characters love.
Book didn't have anything interesting keep my interest up.
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