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Bitten #2
Stolen
When a shackled Ally awakes inside a cold, dank cell, she quickly remembers that her life took a sudden wrong turn. Her friends, also incarcerated, are swiftly brought up to date and now fear for their lives. How could Ally be stuck in a vampiric love triangle? Will they ever be freed? Worst still, Ally was in transformation and she was getting quite… thirsty. Benedict was possibly her only hope.
101 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2011
54 people are currently reading
841 people want to read
About the author
Merrill Gemus
4 books241 followersMerrill Gemus is a Canadian author who creates short stories, novels, and mini-series in her spare time.
She started blogging in January 2009 and found an interest in creating stories. She published her first novella, Bitten, in May 2011, and later published its sequel, Stolen, in August 2011.
Merrill took a small break from writing between 2012 and 2017. During this time, she married her best friend in 2012, had a first child, a daughter, in 2015 and another little girl in 2017.
In 2016, she finalized the outline and completed the Bitten Vampires Series, Unbroken, in February 2018.
She started blogging in January 2009 and found an interest in creating stories. She published her first novella, Bitten, in May 2011, and later published its sequel, Stolen, in August 2011.
Merrill took a small break from writing between 2012 and 2017. During this time, she married her best friend in 2012, had a first child, a daughter, in 2015 and another little girl in 2017.
In 2016, she finalized the outline and completed the Bitten Vampires Series, Unbroken, in February 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
November 13, 2012
This is the second book in a Vampire series written by Merrill Gemus.
Although I liked the book, and have read one and two, I do not feel that they are two books, but more like two parts of a whole book that have been separated for some unknown reason. Both books end with a major cliffhanger and you only get like the first quarter of the story on book one and the second leads up to about the halfway point. I really hate that because looking at her website it says the title of the next part of the story and that she is almost half done writing it, but that was a year ago! I'm finding no information on it ever been published, so here I sit feeling like I had a book stolen from me in the middle of the story.
This section continue in the minutes after Ally was kidnapped, and takes place over the next few days while Benedict and his best friend Gabriel look for her, and ends just as Gabriel finds her.
I'm all for a good series, but the cliffhangers and feelings of unfinished ness leads me to only give this book three stars.
The other thing that drove me nuts was the author writing "than" every time she meant to write "then". Did no one proof this book? I mean really? The only reason I want to read the next is to finish the story.
Although I liked the book, and have read one and two, I do not feel that they are two books, but more like two parts of a whole book that have been separated for some unknown reason. Both books end with a major cliffhanger and you only get like the first quarter of the story on book one and the second leads up to about the halfway point. I really hate that because looking at her website it says the title of the next part of the story and that she is almost half done writing it, but that was a year ago! I'm finding no information on it ever been published, so here I sit feeling like I had a book stolen from me in the middle of the story.
This section continue in the minutes after Ally was kidnapped, and takes place over the next few days while Benedict and his best friend Gabriel look for her, and ends just as Gabriel finds her.
I'm all for a good series, but the cliffhangers and feelings of unfinished ness leads me to only give this book three stars.
The other thing that drove me nuts was the author writing "than" every time she meant to write "then". Did no one proof this book? I mean really? The only reason I want to read the next is to finish the story.
January 31, 2012
Book 2 in the Bitten Mini Series. This is not a stand alone read. I like the story these 3 books are telling, but this book has so many editing errors, and the chapter recapping every details that happened in book was between the characters was a snooze that I just skimmed over.
I intend to read book 3, but I really hope it is free like the first 2. (On a Side Note- I want to Thank Merrill Gemus for providing us with her stories for free- it is appreciated!)
I would like to recommend combining the 3 books into one, clean up the editing, add some more details and character depth, and you (Merrill Gemus) could possibly have a best seller :)
I intend to read book 3, but I really hope it is free like the first 2. (On a Side Note- I want to Thank Merrill Gemus for providing us with her stories for free- it is appreciated!)
I would like to recommend combining the 3 books into one, clean up the editing, add some more details and character depth, and you (Merrill Gemus) could possibly have a best seller :)
December 27, 2019
I hate cliff hangers and here we get another! the story doesn't get resolved and I've lost the will to track down part 3. These 2 are morons, I'm happy to leave them at the edge of their cliff for all their immortal eternity .
March 2, 2012
Just like everyone else has said, this is a step up from the first novella. Do I have the same complaints? Yes. The author's writing is nothing to write home about. Her storytelling sounds a lot like school girl gossip. The characters don't have much substance behind them, except the antagonist. I could describe the bad guy in detail, but the two main characters? No.
The story line itself is decent. That's what makes reading possible. Not just reading, but mild enjoyment. Once again, an editor would have helped with the tense changes, misspelled words, and paragraphs of thought that were placed in there that appeared to be meant as sequences of events. Just spend a little more time on your characters and stop trying to be trendy, and things will work to your benefit.
So, I read on the author's blot that the third book will be called Unbroken, and is halfway complete. With a lot of unanswered questions, and the second book ending abruptly like the first, I'll read it if it crosses my path. As in free, or very cheap.
The story line itself is decent. That's what makes reading possible. Not just reading, but mild enjoyment. Once again, an editor would have helped with the tense changes, misspelled words, and paragraphs of thought that were placed in there that appeared to be meant as sequences of events. Just spend a little more time on your characters and stop trying to be trendy, and things will work to your benefit.
So, I read on the author's blot that the third book will be called Unbroken, and is halfway complete. With a lot of unanswered questions, and the second book ending abruptly like the first, I'll read it if it crosses my path. As in free, or very cheap.
February 3, 2012
continues basically where the first book (Bitten) left off, but what a difference in writing. This one was like a high school kid wrote it. The tenses were off in the same sentence, and constantly in the same paragraph the character was refered to as Ben & Benedict, yet in the first book he was always referred to as Benedict other then when she called him Ben once or twice. The writing was haphazard and made for start & stop reading. Really like the story and again it was too short. Wish that book 1 & 2 were part of one regular size (300 pages or so) book. I look forward to the next book because the overall story has potential & so far so good for it, hopefully the editing is done on the next book. If the editing had been done better I would have given this book a 3 1/2 to 4 stars. It was more about Gabe & less about Benedict, but since the book is so short I looked at it as a few chapters in the story and that these chapters were about finding Ally, which Gabe does.
September 26, 2011
Book two (following Bitten) finds Ally kidnapped by Moira, her vampire's betrothed. Ben enlists his friend, Gabe, to help in his search for Ally. Gabe is sure Moira is involved (her family destroyed his) but Ben won't even think about the possibility.
Was disappointed to find that this was not the end of the story. There will be a 3rd short/novella that, I hope, will finish the tale.
Was disappointed to find that this was not the end of the story. There will be a 3rd short/novella that, I hope, will finish the tale.
April 13, 2012
I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed the first one of the Bitten series. Loved it actually and here I am waiting for book three. ugh. I like short reads and this short read was really nice even with the little grammar errors. MERRILL WHERE IS BOOK THREE????? Worth the read cause it just keeps you interested from page one until the last page.
June 1, 2012
It is hard to say much about this book. I think it is too short to get a general feel for main charcthers. Also Benedict was to navie. He should have seen His fiance doing something like kidnapping. I think this book would have been better off if the whole series was made into one.
October 1, 2011
Love.....Love....Loved this book. I cannot wait for the third installment!!!!!!! I am actually hoping that there may be even a fourth installment!
Want to read
June 6, 2012i got so pissed at the last page!!! moira is a B****!!!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! PLEASE COME OUT WITH THE THIRD BOOK LIKE.....NOW lol i love the bitten books. omg YOU MUST HURRY!!! XD
September 28, 2017
Questa dovrebbe essere una trilogia ma de facto ce ne sono soltanto due.
Dal 2011 che l'autrice ha scritto questi due racconti (talmente corti che potrebbero essere un libro solo) non se n'è saputo più niente.
Sul blog c'è l'annuncio del terzo, con tanto di titolo (Unbroken) e copertina, ma è fermo da allora e gli ultimi commenti in cui chiedono un aggiornamento risalgono a circa un anno e mezzo fa.
L'unica spiegazione è che sia successo qualcosa all'autrice.
Peccato, perché per essere una storia breve sui vampiri aveva del potenziale.
Ora non sapremo mai come finirà. O meglio, possiamo immaginarlo ma non è la stessa cosa.
Dal 2011 che l'autrice ha scritto questi due racconti (talmente corti che potrebbero essere un libro solo) non se n'è saputo più niente.
Sul blog c'è l'annuncio del terzo, con tanto di titolo (Unbroken) e copertina, ma è fermo da allora e gli ultimi commenti in cui chiedono un aggiornamento risalgono a circa un anno e mezzo fa.
L'unica spiegazione è che sia successo qualcosa all'autrice.
Peccato, perché per essere una storia breve sui vampiri aveva del potenziale.
Ora non sapremo mai come finirà. O meglio, possiamo immaginarlo ma non è la stessa cosa.
August 6, 2020
Hmm
I was disappointed. The author spent too much time in unnecessary details. The author is being derivative for no reason.
I was disappointed. The author spent too much time in unnecessary details. The author is being derivative for no reason.
February 12, 2024
There were a lot of spelling errors or wrong words that took away from the book. Overall the story was good and engaging but the editing took away from my engagement in the plot and characters.
January 12, 2025
The story is pretty good, but they could use a better proofreader/editor.
April 18, 2025
Another book that could’ve been great, but for the errors. Please Proofread!!
July 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 2, 2017
Love the concept, but the story is too short - Bitten and Stolen should be 1 book. Also, the book has some other VERY annoying issues. E.g., Characters don't do obvious things like call each other when they need to talk. Duh! Pick up the phone if you need to talk to someone. You don't just pace around their home hoping they'll show up. ALSO - EDIT THE BOOK! Even a casual read out loud after you haven't looked at the manuscript in a day will alert you to many of the problems. When in doubt of your own skills, use the grammar and spell checker on your computer. Repeated uses of THAN instead of THEN, and words in sentences are jumbled up so that they are ridiculously incomprehensible. These things are so distracting that they seriously impede the reading of the story.
June 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Enjoyable and worth picking up!
December 16, 2011
As the 2nd book to this series, this was pretty good - it picked up right away as it left off in the 2nd book.
Benedict was talking to his friend Gabe on the phone just before he noticed Ally was missing.
Gabe never liked Moira and her family. he held a grudge against them and vowed to bring the whole family name down, but with Benedict betrothed to Moira, he had no choice but to grin and bear it.. for now.
when Benedict called Gabe back telling him Ally had been kidnapped, Gabe came over right away to help. Benedict was a mess, he had no idea where to start.
seeing Moira as a villain, Gabe decided to check with her first. After all, she was the only one with the motive to kidnap Ally, with Benedict's mate out of the way, he had no choice but to marry her in 3 days. If Benedict couldn't find his mate, he couldn't put the wedding off any longer, he had no choice but to marry Moira or Ally - either way, in 3 days, Benedict would be married... It was up to Gabe to see that his best friend didn't marry Moira.
I like this story, it was cute and fast paced - I just wish Benedict would have shown a little more backbone - he claimed that Ally was his mate and he'd do anything for her, and yet he went to work???
The story was told a lot from Gabe's perspective, which should be setting up another story between Gabe and his mate (whom he found while trying to rescue Ally)
There seems to be promise there.
Again with the cliffhanger - can't wait for the next book - I am anxious to see how the ending plays out.. Which bride will be at the wedding? lol
Thanks again Jennifer for the recommend :)
Benedict was talking to his friend Gabe on the phone just before he noticed Ally was missing.
Gabe never liked Moira and her family. he held a grudge against them and vowed to bring the whole family name down, but with Benedict betrothed to Moira, he had no choice but to grin and bear it.. for now.
when Benedict called Gabe back telling him Ally had been kidnapped, Gabe came over right away to help. Benedict was a mess, he had no idea where to start.
seeing Moira as a villain, Gabe decided to check with her first. After all, she was the only one with the motive to kidnap Ally, with Benedict's mate out of the way, he had no choice but to marry her in 3 days. If Benedict couldn't find his mate, he couldn't put the wedding off any longer, he had no choice but to marry Moira or Ally - either way, in 3 days, Benedict would be married... It was up to Gabe to see that his best friend didn't marry Moira.
I like this story, it was cute and fast paced - I just wish Benedict would have shown a little more backbone - he claimed that Ally was his mate and he'd do anything for her, and yet he went to work???
The story was told a lot from Gabe's perspective, which should be setting up another story between Gabe and his mate (whom he found while trying to rescue Ally)
There seems to be promise there.
Again with the cliffhanger - can't wait for the next book - I am anxious to see how the ending plays out.. Which bride will be at the wedding? lol
Thanks again Jennifer for the recommend :)
November 14, 2012
Ally is been chained inside a cell and her friends who were at the club with her when she meet Benedict are there also.
Benedict is scheduled to marry a vampire called Moria and the only way he can get out of marrying her is if he bonds with his mate and the Vampire Council ratify it.
Both Gabe and Ben find clues to lead them to the girls... Gabe gets there first....
then the book ends!
I need to know what happens!
This could have been a single book
I really like the characters and I feel invested in the outcome...
Benedict is scheduled to marry a vampire called Moria and the only way he can get out of marrying her is if he bonds with his mate and the Vampire Council ratify it.
Both Gabe and Ben find clues to lead them to the girls... Gabe gets there first....
then the book ends!
I need to know what happens!
This could have been a single book
I really like the characters and I feel invested in the outcome...
May 17, 2012
Ally is stolen from the balconey and she wakes up in a cell cold and alone. Alone no and quite soon enough she is brought up to date by her girl friends that are in the cell next to her. Of course she has some bringing up to date herself to tell the girls. How could this happen she is still in transformation and getting very thirsty plus all this explaining. Well, her new mate could be her last hope, unless what is that there or rather WHO ? ?
This again is another cliff hanger but we have been promised that the final book will be out soon and it will be quite a bit longer to tie up all the loose ends. I highly recomend this book, it is well written and has that page turner quality that we all love. Sitting on the edge is the best isn't it? Also I heard there possibly will be a spin off.....I wonder Who ? ? Again......
5/9/12
This again is another cliff hanger but we have been promised that the final book will be out soon and it will be quite a bit longer to tie up all the loose ends. I highly recomend this book, it is well written and has that page turner quality that we all love. Sitting on the edge is the best isn't it? Also I heard there possibly will be a spin off.....I wonder Who ? ? Again......
5/9/12
March 28, 2015
I've given it a 4 star because I really did enjoy the story, what has put me off of the fact it's not been finished, the third book was never released as far as I can tell......it's bad of an author to grab your attention, take money from you then not finish the series, I wouldn't mind as much if Merrill actually kept her readers updated, but I've read lots of messages asking, and pleading for just some info on the third book, but sadly got no reply, neither her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, or goodreads....
I'm kinda pissed off I spent the last two days reading and getting so involved in this series for it to be unfinished, I'd even made decision to read more from this author if she released more books, but now I don't think I will, unless I know for sure I won't get cut off half way through the story :(
I'm kinda pissed off I spent the last two days reading and getting so involved in this series for it to be unfinished, I'd even made decision to read more from this author if she released more books, but now I don't think I will, unless I know for sure I won't get cut off half way through the story :(
August 16, 2013
I will definitely not be reading the final installment to the series. I am so glad that these books were free because overall, the story is not good. I understand that it is a novella but the characters and the story seem rushed. Also, the grammar mistakes, specifically using the correct verb tenses, is just atrocious. I am a junior in high school and many of the lines had me rereading them repeatedly because they just did not flow together or make sense. I think Ms. Gemus needs to spend more time on her stories or at least get a better editor because the whole book, characters, plot, setting, lines, etc., just seem rushed and it made for a very difficult and disappointing read. However, the story does have potential IF the right author were to write it.
December 16, 2013
When a shackled Ally awakes inside a cold, dank cell, she quickly remembers that her life took a sudden wrong turn. Her friends, also incarcerated, are swiftly brought up to date and now fear for their lives. How could Ally be stuck in a vampiric love triangle? Will they ever be freed? Worst still, Ally was in transformation and she was getting quite… thirsty. Benedict was possibly her only hope
Oh Come on this short length is killing me! I seriously read the book in a hour!! UGH! I want more damn it!
Anyways I love the story line I just want more! and I would like more of a background I was lost for a moments when talking about houses and realms.
Oh Come on this short length is killing me! I seriously read the book in a hour!! UGH! I want more damn it!
Anyways I love the story line I just want more! and I would like more of a background I was lost for a moments when talking about houses and realms.
October 25, 2016
Better than book 1 - slightly
I reviewed Bitten Book 1 in the series, giving it 2 stars. This installment is only slightly better.
Stolen is less about Ally and Ben, more about Gabe. Gabe is Ben's best friend. He is hunting for Ally where Ben refuses to believe she could be.
I like Gabe. He has more sense than Ben, Ally, and Moira combined. He is the only somewhat developed character in the book.
There is still an immature feel to the writing. The English, punctuation, and phrasing errors makes me wonder if English is the authors first language.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
I reviewed Bitten Book 1 in the series, giving it 2 stars. This installment is only slightly better.
Stolen is less about Ally and Ben, more about Gabe. Gabe is Ben's best friend. He is hunting for Ally where Ben refuses to believe she could be.
I like Gabe. He has more sense than Ben, Ally, and Moira combined. He is the only somewhat developed character in the book.
There is still an immature feel to the writing. The English, punctuation, and phrasing errors makes me wonder if English is the authors first language.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
March 4, 2015
I was surprised to see this book given 5 stars by so many people on smashwords...must have been teens reading this book or someone who hasn't read any really good books. To begin with, the book seems so rushed...everything happens so fast, and just when you're getting to the good part...well now you have to wait for the next book...AND there were lots of misused words!
All in all, you still want to read it and finish it. Book leaves you hanging just like book 1, but I love how she ends her books with a certain someone beating the crap outta someone else...haha it's somewhat comical.
All in all, you still want to read it and finish it. Book leaves you hanging just like book 1, but I love how she ends her books with a certain someone beating the crap outta someone else...haha it's somewhat comical.
May 1, 2012
I feel like 5 more pages and then you could have ended the book. there are cliff hangers and there is finishing a sentence with a period.ijust stopped!?! ( She was screaming in a cabin and if was on fire and then he got knock over the head THE END) WTF?!? I had to make sure I downloaded the whole story?? I feel like nothing has been resolved to even try to read the 3rd book. I've never read a book where the main issue isn't solved in the 2 books. but i feel like if I read the 3rd the conflict still wouldnt be complete so why try.
August 26, 2012
I gave this book 4 stars I really liked it and kept turning the pages to see What was going to happen next.The only thing is the author leaves you hanging at the end like she did in the 1st book. Usually I don't have a problem with this because of the next book coming out. Unfortunately the author has not updated her status nor does it look like she has said When the next book will be out and she shows a title called Unbroken but no info as to when. Its a great story line but really does need to be finished.
October 30, 2012
Like the first book in the series this book was also a nice quick read. The story continued where the first one left off and some of the questions that I had after reading the first book were answered. The plot of both books is nice and fast paced.
While the length is short the 'plot problem' is resolved by the end. However I really liked the author's writing style and belive both books that are out have room to be expanded into full novels. Wish the third book was out.
While the length is short the 'plot problem' is resolved by the end. However I really liked the author's writing style and belive both books that are out have room to be expanded into full novels. Wish the third book was out.
August 31, 2016
It was very hard getting passed all the typos. There were added words, wrong tense used. The first book was written well, but it was as if someone who did not fully comprehend english wrote this one. Both books should have been combined into one. Honestly, I wouldn't bother reading it since it looks like there is no chance of another book. Unless you like forever being left with a cliffhanger. This series could have been great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews