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Dante's Circle #1
Dust of My Wings
Humans aren’t as alone as they choose to believe. Every human possesses a trait of supernatural that lays dormant within their genetic make-up. Centuries of diluting and breeding have allowed humans to think they are alone and untouched by magic. But what happens when something changes?
Neat freak lab tech, Lily Banner lives her life as any ordinary human. She’s dedicated to her work and loves to hang out with her friends at Dante’s Circle, their local bar. When she discovers a strange blue dust at work she meets a handsome stranger holding secrets – and maybe her heart. But after a close call with a thunderstorm, she may not be as ordinary as she thinks.
Shade Griffin is a warrior angel sent to Earth to protect the supernaturals’ secrets. One problem, he can’t stop leaving dust in odd places around town. Now he has to find every ounce of his dust and keep the presence of the supernatural a secret. But after a close encounter with a sexy lab tech and a lightning quick connection, his millennia old loyalties may shift and he could lose more than just his wings in the chaos.
Warning: Contains a sexy angel with a choice to make and a green-eyed lab tech who dreams of a dark-winged stranger. Oh yeah, and a shocking spark that’s sure to leave them begging for more.
Neat freak lab tech, Lily Banner lives her life as any ordinary human. She’s dedicated to her work and loves to hang out with her friends at Dante’s Circle, their local bar. When she discovers a strange blue dust at work she meets a handsome stranger holding secrets – and maybe her heart. But after a close call with a thunderstorm, she may not be as ordinary as she thinks.
Shade Griffin is a warrior angel sent to Earth to protect the supernaturals’ secrets. One problem, he can’t stop leaving dust in odd places around town. Now he has to find every ounce of his dust and keep the presence of the supernatural a secret. But after a close encounter with a sexy lab tech and a lightning quick connection, his millennia old loyalties may shift and he could lose more than just his wings in the chaos.
Warning: Contains a sexy angel with a choice to make and a green-eyed lab tech who dreams of a dark-winged stranger. Oh yeah, and a shocking spark that’s sure to leave them begging for more.
140 pages, ebook
First published August 14, 2012
321 people are currently reading
3547 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Ann Ryan
268 books6,396 followersCarrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Talon Pack, Promise Me, and Elements of Five series, which have sold millions of books worldwide. She's the winner of a RT Book of the Year and a Prism Award in her genres. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.
The Montgomery Ink World contains the following series, though each series is a stand alone and can be read in any order. Feel free to hop around:
The Montgomery Ink Series
The Gallagher Brothers Series
The Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs Series
The Whiskey and Lies Series
The Fractured Connections Series
The Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series
The Less Than Series
The Promise Me Series
Her Elements of Five Series is her Young Adult Romance series while her other series are all adult.
Her Talon Pack series is set in the same world as the Redwood Pack series, only 30 years later.
The Dante's Circle, Holiday, Montana, and Branded Packs series are all individual series as well.
The Montgomery Ink World contains the following series, though each series is a stand alone and can be read in any order. Feel free to hop around:
The Montgomery Ink Series
The Gallagher Brothers Series
The Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs Series
The Whiskey and Lies Series
The Fractured Connections Series
The Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series
The Less Than Series
The Promise Me Series
Her Elements of Five Series is her Young Adult Romance series while her other series are all adult.
Her Talon Pack series is set in the same world as the Redwood Pack series, only 30 years later.
The Dante's Circle, Holiday, Montana, and Branded Packs series are all individual series as well.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
March 18, 2023
Angel dust and a brownie?
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚💜❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘
World building: 🌎🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 😤😠🙃😍
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Solo Narration
The Hero: Shade - he is an angel with a long life and nobody to share it with. He had all the money, titles, glory and privilege that a warrior of his caliber could want, so why did he want more? He answers to the council and will do what they say, no matter what. Shade has black wings and recently they seem to leave blue dust everywhere he goes. Though he has to make sure not to ever leave any trace of the supernatural on Earth, so that means he has to pick up the dust wherever it was left.
The heroine: Lily - she is on the bottom of the totem pole at work and she hated her job. She had a chemistry degree but wasn’t doing anything with it. So she worked as a lab tech at a soils testing lab for a company and boss she hated. She had changed her whole life for her ex fiancée Bryce who cheated on her and felt unfulfilled.
The Story: Lily’s boss came into the office and gave her a vial of dust to test. She had many other tasks to do first, so she put the dust aside and went to meet her girlfriends at their favorite watering hole, Dante’s Circle. She also knows Dante and likes him quite a bit. While there, Lily fantasizes about a dark haired man who has nice abs and tastes like chocolate, when all the sudden the bar door opened with a gust of wind and lightning struck Lily and her friends, knocking all of them out, yet none of them were hurt badly.
Shade and his friend Ambrose both think that something strange is going on, both with this assignment and the fact that someone found the angel dust. They both felt the weird energy and strange lightening. They decide the best course of action is for Shade to go to Lily and try to sway her into giving him the dust, as they don’t know if it had been tested yet by her company. Shade also wants to explore the attraction he feels for her.
The story was quite original. I have to admit, I love when a normal girl gets involved in the paranormal world and this one had a premise that I couldn’t have imagined. I also like the theme of Angels on Earth, and Shade is quite a handsome specimen. Though I do think the dialogue sounded a bit forced or fake at times, not like natural conversation.
The story is told in multiple points of view via solo narration and was narrated by Gregory Salinas and I like his voice, though it isn’t quite as deep as some of my favorite male narrators, he shows a lot of emotion through his voice. I always hate when men do women’s voices and vice versa, but that is the case in most books and Gregory’s female voice doesn’t bother me as much as some.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚💜❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘
World building: 🌎🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 😤😠🙃😍
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Solo Narration
The Hero: Shade - he is an angel with a long life and nobody to share it with. He had all the money, titles, glory and privilege that a warrior of his caliber could want, so why did he want more? He answers to the council and will do what they say, no matter what. Shade has black wings and recently they seem to leave blue dust everywhere he goes. Though he has to make sure not to ever leave any trace of the supernatural on Earth, so that means he has to pick up the dust wherever it was left.
The heroine: Lily - she is on the bottom of the totem pole at work and she hated her job. She had a chemistry degree but wasn’t doing anything with it. So she worked as a lab tech at a soils testing lab for a company and boss she hated. She had changed her whole life for her ex fiancée Bryce who cheated on her and felt unfulfilled.
The Story: Lily’s boss came into the office and gave her a vial of dust to test. She had many other tasks to do first, so she put the dust aside and went to meet her girlfriends at their favorite watering hole, Dante’s Circle. She also knows Dante and likes him quite a bit. While there, Lily fantasizes about a dark haired man who has nice abs and tastes like chocolate, when all the sudden the bar door opened with a gust of wind and lightning struck Lily and her friends, knocking all of them out, yet none of them were hurt badly.
Shade and his friend Ambrose both think that something strange is going on, both with this assignment and the fact that someone found the angel dust. They both felt the weird energy and strange lightening. They decide the best course of action is for Shade to go to Lily and try to sway her into giving him the dust, as they don’t know if it had been tested yet by her company. Shade also wants to explore the attraction he feels for her.
The story was quite original. I have to admit, I love when a normal girl gets involved in the paranormal world and this one had a premise that I couldn’t have imagined. I also like the theme of Angels on Earth, and Shade is quite a handsome specimen. Though I do think the dialogue sounded a bit forced or fake at times, not like natural conversation.
The story is told in multiple points of view via solo narration and was narrated by Gregory Salinas and I like his voice, though it isn’t quite as deep as some of my favorite male narrators, he shows a lot of emotion through his voice. I always hate when men do women’s voices and vice versa, but that is the case in most books and Gregory’s female voice doesn’t bother me as much as some.
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October 14, 2012
I enjoyed the plot and the characters of Dust of My Wings but it lost a star for not having been copyedited - "vile" and "vial" are NOT interchangeable and that's just one of the most egregious examples. I have come to terms with the fact that books are going to have a typo or two in them - if bestsellers have them then midlist books will as well. Fine. But Dust of My Wings didn't seem to have been professionally edited at all and it kept throwing me out of the story. I wanted to be immersed in this world of angels and other immortal races as they hide from humans but I couldn't because every time I started to sink into it, I flinched at the errors in spelling, grammar, etc. Which is really too bad because the plot and characters seemed great. I love Carrie Ann - I think she's funny, sweet, and has great stories in her head that I'd love to read but no author is perfect and everyone needs editing. As a reader, it's frustrating to read a book that hasn't been through that most basic process on the journey to being published.
July 6, 2025
April 2016 Prolific Works
Dust of My Wings (Dante's Circle, #1) Carrie Ann Ryan
New Adult Paranormal Romance Suspense
Very disappointing. Highly repetitive. Slow moving with very little action.
The concept and the main characters have a lot of potential. But it all falls flat. I am really sorry to say this because I really wanted to like this story. In truth, it barely hits New Adult level. It seems more like a Young Adult book that was revised to be New Adult or Adult at the last minute. And have I mentioned the repetition! Every time I started to get interested I was hit with repetition or a maturity level that was aggravating.
If this was my only connection to Carrie Ann Ryan's writing I would probably never read another of her books. This is the only book in this series I have read. I checked the rating for the other books in this series and they seem high, but now I am leary......
I have read a couple of her other books years ago. I remember liking them, but I can't find them on my kindle. Which means I probably read her in an anthology. I have some of her other books and will read them soonish, but I am in no hurry to continue this series.
Started Reading June 28, 2017
Finished Reading July 1, 2017
Dust of My Wings (Dante's Circle, #1) Carrie Ann Ryan
New Adult Paranormal Romance Suspense
Very disappointing. Highly repetitive. Slow moving with very little action.
The concept and the main characters have a lot of potential. But it all falls flat. I am really sorry to say this because I really wanted to like this story. In truth, it barely hits New Adult level. It seems more like a Young Adult book that was revised to be New Adult or Adult at the last minute. And have I mentioned the repetition! Every time I started to get interested I was hit with repetition or a maturity level that was aggravating.
If this was my only connection to Carrie Ann Ryan's writing I would probably never read another of her books. This is the only book in this series I have read. I checked the rating for the other books in this series and they seem high, but now I am leary......
I have read a couple of her other books years ago. I remember liking them, but I can't find them on my kindle. Which means I probably read her in an anthology. I have some of her other books and will read them soonish, but I am in no hurry to continue this series.
Started Reading June 28, 2017
Finished Reading July 1, 2017
April 29, 2017
Shade and Lily. Well I almost DNFed this one out of boredom, but it suited what I was doing to listen to an audio book that was lackluster and predictable. It does get a bit more interesting in the last third, but really, I've grown to expect better from this author.
Shade is an angel but Angel's aren't harbingers/right-hand-men of God in this book-world. Instead they are the top of the paranormal pyramid and rule/police the rest of the paranormal community with an antiquated system of justice. That all sounds pretty interesting, but it isn't. Instead we get the usual cookie cutter villain I expect from this author and the lack of appeal between MCs. Why is Shade drawn to Lily??? No idea really. Why is Lily drawn to Shade other than his fantastic Abs??? No idea. Maybe she likes guys with so little self confidence? I've no interest in Ambroses' story because I HATE stories where the Hero pines for his dead wife and kids. Especially when she died centuries ago. I mean really... how many eons does it take to get past that and start dating again??? I know I sound like a snarky bitch, but it's not romantic, it's creepy and weak-minded.
The only thing that interests me after all is said and done, is what Lily's friends have turned into from the freakish lightening strike...
Shade is an angel but Angel's aren't harbingers/right-hand-men of God in this book-world. Instead they are the top of the paranormal pyramid and rule/police the rest of the paranormal community with an antiquated system of justice. That all sounds pretty interesting, but it isn't. Instead we get the usual cookie cutter villain I expect from this author and the lack of appeal between MCs. Why is Shade drawn to Lily??? No idea really. Why is Lily drawn to Shade other than his fantastic Abs??? No idea. Maybe she likes guys with so little self confidence? I've no interest in Ambroses' story because I HATE stories where the Hero pines for his dead wife and kids. Especially when she died centuries ago. I mean really... how many eons does it take to get past that and start dating again??? I know I sound like a snarky bitch, but it's not romantic, it's creepy and weak-minded.
The only thing that interests me after all is said and done, is what Lily's friends have turned into from the freakish lightening strike...
July 22, 2012
Take one incredibly gorgeous angel, stir in one human woman with expressive emerald-green eyes and curves to die for and you have the recipe for a very hot explosion. Shade was a very old angel with honey colored skin, long blue and black hair, well built muscles all over his body and midnight black wings edged with deep blue. Lily was an average looking 27 year old lab technician with medium length chestnut brown hair, emerald green eyes and not too skinny but not too fat body. Average was how Lily saw herself. Average enough that no one paid any attention to her or so she thought. Shade had been given an assignment from the council of angels to find a human woman who was known to have possession of some of Shade's wing dust. Shade's orders were to take care of the situation before the human race found out about their existence. When Shade saw Lily there was no average about her. She was gorgeous and he was smitten with her. He knew that this was going to be a problem for him but he didn't care. Lily had a chemistry degree and worked in a lab for a boss that she hated more than her job. He was a demanding and sleazy man but she needed the job. He brought her a vial containing a powdery substance that was black with deep blue hi-lights. Her assignment was to analyze the substance and tell him what it was. She would start her assignment the next day because tonight she needed to meet with her close friends that she considered like family for dinner and drinks at her favorite bar, Dante's Circle. But tonight there was a storm brewing, a storm that would change all of their lives forever. Carrie Ann Ryan has written a wonderful love story of a gorgeous Warrior Angel named Shade and Lily, a young woman who has no idea of her abilities, true worth, and how others truly see her. Carrie Ann takes us on an amazing journey through their lives as they experience adventure, heartache, discovery, surprises, character growth, loyal friendships, power hungry angels, and a love that will outlast eternity. Their loving is so intense it will satisfy the most avid erotic paranormal romance reader. Carrie Ann knows what is hot and she spins it into a wonderful, exciting story. I absolutely loved the story of Shade and Lily. I will definitely read it again and again. I am anxiously waiting for the story of Ambrose next in this new series.
July 8, 2012
Fantastic introduction to new paranormal series by Carrie Ann Ryan! The angel, Shade, is in trouble. The secret that supernatural beings exist is in danger of being exposed and it's all his fault - or is it?
Passionate romance and action packed intrigue will keep the pages turning. My only complaint was that I wanted it to be longer....so as usual, Ryan has left us begging for the sequel! Prepare to become a Carrie Ann Ryan addict :-))
Passionate romance and action packed intrigue will keep the pages turning. My only complaint was that I wanted it to be longer....so as usual, Ryan has left us begging for the sequel! Prepare to become a Carrie Ann Ryan addict :-))
September 5, 2012
Slow start, but I still thought the story was ok. I'll probably read Ambrose's story.
Found some typos in the Kindle version (angles for angels, rouge for rogue, etc.), so this book needs more polish.
Found some typos in the Kindle version (angles for angels, rouge for rogue, etc.), so this book needs more polish.
July 22, 2012
This was a good 1st book in Carrie Ann Ryan’s new series. I really enjoyed the twist Carrie puts on the paranormal world in this book. I loved the cast of characters that Carrie creates and am looking forward to more books to learn more about them. I really want to know more about Dante. But I am getting ahead of myself. Dust of My Wings is Lily and Shade’s story.
Shade finds himself tasked with protecting the supernatural worlds secret. Because if it was not for him a mere human would not have her hands on evidence that there other things out there besides humans. Should be a simple smash and crap task. But Shade learns very quickly that nothing involving Lily will ever be simple.
Lily might hate her boss but she loves her work. Her newest project is to identify a strange blue powder that her boss demands she gets done now. But after running many test Lily is still not able to identify what it is. Little does Lily know just how much that little vial of blue powder will forever change her life.
As I said earlier I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the world that Carrie created and am looking forward to more books in this series.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Shade finds himself tasked with protecting the supernatural worlds secret. Because if it was not for him a mere human would not have her hands on evidence that there other things out there besides humans. Should be a simple smash and crap task. But Shade learns very quickly that nothing involving Lily will ever be simple.
Lily might hate her boss but she loves her work. Her newest project is to identify a strange blue powder that her boss demands she gets done now. But after running many test Lily is still not able to identify what it is. Little does Lily know just how much that little vial of blue powder will forever change her life.
As I said earlier I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the world that Carrie created and am looking forward to more books in this series.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2019
I felt like I'd stepped in something foul almost from page 1 as I commenced reading this book... and yup, I had. Things only got worse from there. The robotic type delivery of the story was only one of its many, many problems. But the characters? That was really where this book let itself down. The h, you sensed the author wanted her to be feisty and quirky, except she missed the mark totally and was just kind of boring and limp.
And there was a domino match between the lead characters - um... why not just have them do a 1000 piece puzzle whilst I wait.
It wasn't a long story - and if you cut out all the repetitive crap it would have been lucky to rank novella status.
This book didn't seem to know what it wanted to be - action, drama, funny, sexy - it had a stab at everything and failed to hit the target again and again.
I felt kind of bad for the author, and then for me, since I'd wasted my time on this drab mess.
And there was a domino match between the lead characters - um... why not just have them do a 1000 piece puzzle whilst I wait.
It wasn't a long story - and if you cut out all the repetitive crap it would have been lucky to rank novella status.
This book didn't seem to know what it wanted to be - action, drama, funny, sexy - it had a stab at everything and failed to hit the target again and again.
I felt kind of bad for the author, and then for me, since I'd wasted my time on this drab mess.
April 1, 2016
First time reader of this author's work. Glad it was free as would have been seriously peeved had I spent money. It drives me crazy and destroys any pleasure in reading when there are really basic errors, for example 'vile' instead of 'vial', one of the main characters is called both 'Jamie' and 'Jaime', poor grammar and I could go on. Not good! As much as I enjoyed the premise of this new series which seemed to have a good blend of humour and action (hence the solitary star) this was totally ruined by the obvious lack of any attempt at proofreading and general carelessness in execution of this work. Cannot recommend. Shame.
July 31, 2012
Really enjoyable first book in a series, can't wait to see what will happen next! Full review @ http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2012/...
April 8, 2018
The gist of the book- a bad angel wants total power over everyone-including humans-and has to take out his biggest challengers, two warrior angels he knows could bring down his nefariously ridiculous plans. So he plants evidence of a supernatural existence with humans and voila.
I think this was an okay tale. It’s got a variety of supernaturals hidden on earth, a tough angel with a lonely heart, the woman who captures his attention, and a romance of true mates. I should have been set, but there were just enough spelling typos to make it difficult to really sink in and enjoy.
I think this was an okay tale. It’s got a variety of supernaturals hidden on earth, a tough angel with a lonely heart, the woman who captures his attention, and a romance of true mates. I should have been set, but there were just enough spelling typos to make it difficult to really sink in and enjoy.
July 23, 2017
Exciting, action packed, heart pounding emotional, dangerously sexy paranormal romance with a engaging and intriguing new world view. Enjoyed every twist and turn in this exciting introduction to the awesome series, excited to read the next adventure.
Shade Griffin is a hot as all get out sexy protective warrior angel in trouble for accidentally leaving his angel dust where it can fall into the hands of a human. Lily Banner is a sexy, sweet, supper organized lab tech and is completely fascinated by a strange blue dust she recently found and a sexy stranger she just ran into. So entertaining could not put it down.
Shade Griffin is a hot as all get out sexy protective warrior angel in trouble for accidentally leaving his angel dust where it can fall into the hands of a human. Lily Banner is a sexy, sweet, supper organized lab tech and is completely fascinated by a strange blue dust she recently found and a sexy stranger she just ran into. So entertaining could not put it down.
May 30, 2018
Great start to the series.
September 17, 2012
Dust Of My Wings
As an warrior angel Shade had many responsibilities. Keep the secret of the paranormal community and keep other angels from spilling that secret. When another angel messes up, Shade delivers punishment. He receives a summons from the council to fix a problem. A women has obtained a vile of dust. Not just any dust and not just any women. The women is a scientist, whose job it is to find out what it is and where it comes from. The problem is, it comes from Shades wings. He doesn't know how she has gotten the dust but he has to find out why and fix the problem. Lily Banner, a scientist is working as a technician in a lab, has just been given a vile of dust.. Her boss is a jerk has told her she has to figure out what it is. On her off time she plays board games in the park and hangs with her friends at Dante;s bar. One afternoon she meets someone. A man approaches her and sees her alone waiting for a friend in the park. They play a couple games and get to know each other. Shade knows that he must be careful and find out what she knows and destroy the sample, but is drawn to this women like no other. Lily is extremely attracted to Shade and decides a date may be fun. So they meet at Dante's Bar where Lily's friends can also meet Shade. As they women are waiting and drinking together, lightening strikes the bar. No one is hurt just banged up and bruised. Lily soon realised something has changed. Something in her is different. Shade and best friend Ambrose show up to the bar and know something happened. Shade and Lily, becoming closer as time goes on and Shade soon realises Lily is more than just human. How can that be because she was just a human when they met? As Shade and Ambrose try to figure out how Lily has been changed, how the dust got into Lily's hands, and try to keep her is the dark to keep her safe because Shade is falling in love. Lilly is trying to figure out what the dust is, getting sick because something happened when the lightening hit, and falling in love. With all this going on they soon realise someone in the council or high in the ranks of the angels is a traitor and is setting up Lilly to be killed. Who would want her killed and why?
This a 1st book in the Dante's circle series by Carrie Ann Ryan. In this story Shade and Lily are so drawn towards each other and there is so much working against them. The lightening strike was very cool and unexpected. it changes Lily and the other women. It starts and explains what and who are in the books to come. The story was very well written and has action galore. The love story is touching and you are really rooting for the two to get together. A great start to a new series. I am really looking forward to see what is in store for Ambrose. Awesome start to what will be a great series.
come see this review and more on juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
As an warrior angel Shade had many responsibilities. Keep the secret of the paranormal community and keep other angels from spilling that secret. When another angel messes up, Shade delivers punishment. He receives a summons from the council to fix a problem. A women has obtained a vile of dust. Not just any dust and not just any women. The women is a scientist, whose job it is to find out what it is and where it comes from. The problem is, it comes from Shades wings. He doesn't know how she has gotten the dust but he has to find out why and fix the problem. Lily Banner, a scientist is working as a technician in a lab, has just been given a vile of dust.. Her boss is a jerk has told her she has to figure out what it is. On her off time she plays board games in the park and hangs with her friends at Dante;s bar. One afternoon she meets someone. A man approaches her and sees her alone waiting for a friend in the park. They play a couple games and get to know each other. Shade knows that he must be careful and find out what she knows and destroy the sample, but is drawn to this women like no other. Lily is extremely attracted to Shade and decides a date may be fun. So they meet at Dante's Bar where Lily's friends can also meet Shade. As they women are waiting and drinking together, lightening strikes the bar. No one is hurt just banged up and bruised. Lily soon realised something has changed. Something in her is different. Shade and best friend Ambrose show up to the bar and know something happened. Shade and Lily, becoming closer as time goes on and Shade soon realises Lily is more than just human. How can that be because she was just a human when they met? As Shade and Ambrose try to figure out how Lily has been changed, how the dust got into Lily's hands, and try to keep her is the dark to keep her safe because Shade is falling in love. Lilly is trying to figure out what the dust is, getting sick because something happened when the lightening hit, and falling in love. With all this going on they soon realise someone in the council or high in the ranks of the angels is a traitor and is setting up Lilly to be killed. Who would want her killed and why?
This a 1st book in the Dante's circle series by Carrie Ann Ryan. In this story Shade and Lily are so drawn towards each other and there is so much working against them. The lightening strike was very cool and unexpected. it changes Lily and the other women. It starts and explains what and who are in the books to come. The story was very well written and has action galore. The love story is touching and you are really rooting for the two to get together. A great start to a new series. I am really looking forward to see what is in store for Ambrose. Awesome start to what will be a great series.
come see this review and more on juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
April 27, 2016
THE WORST WRITING EVER! REALLY TERRIBLE. Not so good narration either (audible whispersync review)
OMG! If it wasn't for the sex scenes I would have thought an 8th grader wrote this book? I am telling you it was so bad and cheesy the SMH was constant. This has to be one of the worst stories I have ever read\listened to. I do not understand any of these 5 star reviews at all. I am SMH at that too.
I don't even know how to review this terrible story, other than to say DO NOT WASTE your money if you enjoy reading\listening. I am sort of embarrassed I admittedly finished it. some of the worst juvenile, cheesiest, terrible writing ever. Terribly written sex scenes and thoughts. Just bad.
How did this even get published? let alone narrated and on audible. Seriously it is just that bad. There are so many good books out there that don't make it audible and this one did.
The narrator was not the best by no means. There wasn't anything he could do save this story even if he was the best narrator ever.
Luckily, I got this book free on amazon and the audible for 1.99.
I do not recommend this book at all. I do not recommend the narrator either. His sing song reading voice is annoying.
SAVE YOUR CREDITS MONEY AND TIME. UGH!!!!!
OMG! If it wasn't for the sex scenes I would have thought an 8th grader wrote this book? I am telling you it was so bad and cheesy the SMH was constant. This has to be one of the worst stories I have ever read\listened to. I do not understand any of these 5 star reviews at all. I am SMH at that too.
I don't even know how to review this terrible story, other than to say DO NOT WASTE your money if you enjoy reading\listening. I am sort of embarrassed I admittedly finished it. some of the worst juvenile, cheesiest, terrible writing ever. Terribly written sex scenes and thoughts. Just bad.
How did this even get published? let alone narrated and on audible. Seriously it is just that bad. There are so many good books out there that don't make it audible and this one did.
The narrator was not the best by no means. There wasn't anything he could do save this story even if he was the best narrator ever.
Luckily, I got this book free on amazon and the audible for 1.99.
I do not recommend this book at all. I do not recommend the narrator either. His sing song reading voice is annoying.
SAVE YOUR CREDITS MONEY AND TIME. UGH!!!!!
September 8, 2015
Dust on My Wings by Carrie Ann Ryan
Book 1 of Dante's Circle.
A weird energy storm blows through the local bar where Lily Banner and her friends hang out. Lightening strikes and they are all hit. Fortunately no one is hurt. Now Lily feels like she's both wired and exhausted at the same time and her skin is the color of a goldfish. Shade tells her that she is a brownie. How does he know? Well, he's an angel. And the supernatural world must be kept a secret.
A quick and easy, sexy paranormal romance with a touch of intrigue. Lily is cute with her OCD tendencies that all her friends accept in her. They don't care, just love her for who she is. Nice start of a series. I can't wait to find out what the rest of the friends turn into. I've heard they are all different.
The paperback copy I read had quite a few editing or proofreading errors.
Book 1 of Dante's Circle.
A weird energy storm blows through the local bar where Lily Banner and her friends hang out. Lightening strikes and they are all hit. Fortunately no one is hurt. Now Lily feels like she's both wired and exhausted at the same time and her skin is the color of a goldfish. Shade tells her that she is a brownie. How does he know? Well, he's an angel. And the supernatural world must be kept a secret.
A quick and easy, sexy paranormal romance with a touch of intrigue. Lily is cute with her OCD tendencies that all her friends accept in her. They don't care, just love her for who she is. Nice start of a series. I can't wait to find out what the rest of the friends turn into. I've heard they are all different.
The paperback copy I read had quite a few editing or proofreading errors.
July 22, 2012
cute,sexy, and funny! great book to open the series with. I am super excited to read the next Dante's Circle book. Lily is absolutely adorable with all her quirks and Shade is so soft hearted but a rock at the sametime. Loved this one Carrie!!!
November 29, 2015
I liked the concept of the book, but good lord the writing felt very juvenile. I skimmed most all of it just to see if it would improve to move on with the series. Nope.
October 18, 2022
When lab tech Lily Banner gets a vial with a mysterious dust to examine from her boss as a rush order, she has no idea she has the secret of the supernatural races in her hands. So when she and her girlfriends are struck by lightning in the same week, she doesn't connect the dots. But when the gorgeous stranger from her dreams comes into her life, and he is so much more than she could have imagined, the mysterious dust is starting to make sense.
The first half of this book is great, explaining the world and luring us into Lily's world and her friends. There is the potential for a really fun, supernatural series, but the writing in the second half of this book was a bit cheesy and boring. Yes there were sexy times, yes there were fights, but it always stayed very superficial and short. So I will keep reading because I am intrigued, but this book fell off for me half way through.
The first half of this book is great, explaining the world and luring us into Lily's world and her friends. There is the potential for a really fun, supernatural series, but the writing in the second half of this book was a bit cheesy and boring. Yes there were sexy times, yes there were fights, but it always stayed very superficial and short. So I will keep reading because I am intrigued, but this book fell off for me half way through.
January 4, 2026
DNF @ 25% as the author used the phrase "I'm a bit OCD" 3 times in 5 minutes regarding cleanliness and order, which feeds into harmful and stereotypical OCD portrayals in the media (and yes, some sufferers do have compulsions related to cleanliness and order, but the phrasing is problematic). As someone diagnosed with OCD, this has irritated me so badly I had to stop reading.
December 3, 2017
This is a great introduction to a series. Shade and Lily are great together. Ambrose is a great best friend to Shade. I look forward to read the rest of the series and see what happens with the rest of Lily's friends. I am sure that Jamie and Ambrose have a future together.
August 10, 2025
A quick read
August 1, 2018
This was a different take on the paranormal world that made this book unique. It didn't quite grab me and suck me in but I found it intriguing and would have liked more depth into the details of the paranormal species. The love story was sweet and the back story of our resident Angel, Shade added suspense and intrigue. I am interested in seeing where book two takes us!
November 16, 2017
62pgs, DNF. I really should have put it down when it irritated me on the first page! I suspect I just don't get along with CAR's writing style as I've tried and DNF at least one of her others too.
First, everyone who's bad/evil/slightly annoying is below average looking. Everyone who's good is a smoking hot.
The h has OCD in a fairly big way. Normally I'm fine with reading about mental issues of whatever variety, but she is just nails an chalkboard to me between the OCD and the WHINING, oh so much whining. In every scene with her so far is just her whining.
The H is a whiny ass too. Plus, he's a WARRIOR ANGEL (and if I have to hear that the WARRIOR ANGEL is a WARRIOR ANGEL one more time I'm am gunna go WARRIOR ANGEL on his WARRIOR ANGELS ass. Did you get that he's a WARRIOR ANGEL, cause CAR is much more insistent on letting you know that the WARRIOR ANGEL is a WARRIOR ANGEL who plays a WARRIOR ANGEL in the book with his WARRIOR ANGEL friend doing WARRIOR ANGEL stuff when they aren't WARRIOR ANGELS on downtime doing downtime WARRIOR ANGEL stuff), on a super mission to stop the secret of the supernatural world getting out after he is told that 'his angel dust' has gotten into the hands of a human, so he goes and watches her for DAYS... and only just (days later) gets informed that she's a lab tech. Please, his WARRIOR ANGEL ass should have known that shit by the time he got to town. So now he's all 'a lab tech has my WARRIOR ANGEL dust and I don't know if I want to do what's needed to get it back'. And then we have the WARRIOR ANGEL and his WARRIOR ANGEL boss FINALLY asking 'how exactly did this dust get into a humans hand?' I mean at the VERY least they should have been able to tell if the WARRIOR ANGEL had come into her vicinity to dribble (and yes, this is a bit of a 'quick off the mark' problem for the WARRIOR ANGEL) his WARRIOR ANGEL dust. And since he obviously hasn't, how and where and how much does she have?
This brings us to the ugly bad guy who is even more of a caricature that the rest of them. Incase you didn't get the connection, bad is ugly and because he's ugly he wants world domination so spoiler if you actually managed not to figure it out in the original scene that HE collected the WARRIOR ANGELS dust and handed it over to the lab owner in an effort to bring the WARRIOR ANGEL and his WARRIOR ANGEL boss down in his bid to clear the path to his *evil cackle here* total domination! *I'd like to put an eyeroll here, but I seem to have strained my eye muscles*
In 60pgs, there really is more I could bitch about, which is sad, cause the general idea is ok but was wasted on this book and characters.
First, everyone who's bad/evil/slightly annoying is below average looking. Everyone who's good is a smoking hot.
The h has OCD in a fairly big way. Normally I'm fine with reading about mental issues of whatever variety, but she is just nails an chalkboard to me between the OCD and the WHINING, oh so much whining. In every scene with her so far is just her whining.
The H is a whiny ass too. Plus, he's a WARRIOR ANGEL (and if I have to hear that the WARRIOR ANGEL is a WARRIOR ANGEL one more time I'm am gunna go WARRIOR ANGEL on his WARRIOR ANGELS ass. Did you get that he's a WARRIOR ANGEL, cause CAR is much more insistent on letting you know that the WARRIOR ANGEL is a WARRIOR ANGEL who plays a WARRIOR ANGEL in the book with his WARRIOR ANGEL friend doing WARRIOR ANGEL stuff when they aren't WARRIOR ANGELS on downtime doing downtime WARRIOR ANGEL stuff), on a super mission to stop the secret of the supernatural world getting out after he is told that 'his angel dust' has gotten into the hands of a human, so he goes and watches her for DAYS... and only just (days later) gets informed that she's a lab tech. Please, his WARRIOR ANGEL ass should have known that shit by the time he got to town. So now he's all 'a lab tech has my WARRIOR ANGEL dust and I don't know if I want to do what's needed to get it back'. And then we have the WARRIOR ANGEL and his WARRIOR ANGEL boss FINALLY asking 'how exactly did this dust get into a humans hand?' I mean at the VERY least they should have been able to tell if the WARRIOR ANGEL had come into her vicinity to dribble (and yes, this is a bit of a 'quick off the mark' problem for the WARRIOR ANGEL) his WARRIOR ANGEL dust. And since he obviously hasn't, how and where and how much does she have?
This brings us to the ugly bad guy who is even more of a caricature that the rest of them. Incase you didn't get the connection, bad is ugly and because he's ugly he wants world domination so spoiler if you actually managed not to figure it out in the original scene that HE collected the WARRIOR ANGELS dust and handed it over to the lab owner in an effort to bring the WARRIOR ANGEL and his WARRIOR ANGEL boss down in his bid to clear the path to his *evil cackle here* total domination! *I'd like to put an eyeroll here, but I seem to have strained my eye muscles*
In 60pgs, there really is more I could bitch about, which is sad, cause the general idea is ok but was wasted on this book and characters.
July 29, 2012
This review can also be found on my blog.
Dust of My Wings had a straightforward plot: Angels live among unsuspecting humans, and their existence must remain a secret at all costs. When a Lily, a lab tech and a human poses a threat to that secret, the angel warrior Shade is dispatched to make sure she can't go through with her job. But Shade falls in love with her. Their happiness is short-lived when a traitor amongst the angels threatens the peace but also targets Lily. However, Lily has a secret of her own.
This was my first book by Ms Ryan, and I found many aspects of it very enjoyable. The plot may not have been anything new, but it was definitely engaging, and all the different characters pulled me in and made me care for them. Strangely enough, I found myself liking the secondary characters, Faith and Ambrose, more than the main characters. Not that Shade wasn't a great hero, but I loved the mysterious leader of the warrior angels.
Shade and Lily definitely had chemistry, and the plot made the pacing of their attraction believable, as did their unique connection. The love scenes were hot, especially my particular favorite - up in the air. I am just not a fan of heroines who are very insecure, or who get melodramatic that they inadvertently put themselves in grave danger. When she finds out the truth about Shade's reason for being on earth in the first place, she quickly draws the right conclusion, but allows her anger to overrule logic. I did like the fact that she was destined to be different, but I still giggle over the name of her particular species. There were a few grammar mistakes, but overall the story was engaging and made for a fun read. I look forward to the next book and Ambrose's story.
Dust of My Wings had a straightforward plot: Angels live among unsuspecting humans, and their existence must remain a secret at all costs. When a Lily, a lab tech and a human poses a threat to that secret, the angel warrior Shade is dispatched to make sure she can't go through with her job. But Shade falls in love with her. Their happiness is short-lived when a traitor amongst the angels threatens the peace but also targets Lily. However, Lily has a secret of her own.
This was my first book by Ms Ryan, and I found many aspects of it very enjoyable. The plot may not have been anything new, but it was definitely engaging, and all the different characters pulled me in and made me care for them. Strangely enough, I found myself liking the secondary characters, Faith and Ambrose, more than the main characters. Not that Shade wasn't a great hero, but I loved the mysterious leader of the warrior angels.
Shade and Lily definitely had chemistry, and the plot made the pacing of their attraction believable, as did their unique connection. The love scenes were hot, especially my particular favorite - up in the air. I am just not a fan of heroines who are very insecure, or who get melodramatic that they inadvertently put themselves in grave danger. When she finds out the truth about Shade's reason for being on earth in the first place, she quickly draws the right conclusion, but allows her anger to overrule logic. I did like the fact that she was destined to be different, but I still giggle over the name of her particular species. There were a few grammar mistakes, but overall the story was engaging and made for a fun read. I look forward to the next book and Ambrose's story.
November 13, 2012
I am so mad at myself. I had this book sitting on my Kindle since the beginning of September and just read it now. I am a huge fan of Carrie Ann Ryan and this book did not disappoint. Here are some of the things I loved about it:
*The whole concept of a circle of girlfriends who are all completely different but somehow are this amazing circle of friends is wonderful. I wish I had one. So often you read books and the heroine is all alone or has one or two good buddies. This opened up a whole new dimensionality to the characters (yes, I make up words).
*The premise is stinkin' awesome Seriously! I have absolutely no idea what will happen next.
*Lily is a science geek with a bit of OCD. She is not they typical heroine. I so love it when stories embrace the geek. Actually, she was not that geeky, but it still tickled my inner nerd. Ok, my outer nerd ;).
*This was a hot, fun, and at times funny adventure as Lily discovers who she has become and who the mysterious stranger of her dreams is.
I can not wait until the next book in this series comes out! I saw it posted somewhere that book 4 will feature the dragon shifter. You can only guess who will be first in line for that puppy. If you love your paranormal with a bit of heat, check out this series. It has something in it for every para fan. This book is definitely not for the under 18 crowd.
*The whole concept of a circle of girlfriends who are all completely different but somehow are this amazing circle of friends is wonderful. I wish I had one. So often you read books and the heroine is all alone or has one or two good buddies. This opened up a whole new dimensionality to the characters (yes, I make up words).
*The premise is stinkin' awesome Seriously! I have absolutely no idea what will happen next.
*Lily is a science geek with a bit of OCD. She is not they typical heroine. I so love it when stories embrace the geek. Actually, she was not that geeky, but it still tickled my inner nerd. Ok, my outer nerd ;).
*This was a hot, fun, and at times funny adventure as Lily discovers who she has become and who the mysterious stranger of her dreams is.
I can not wait until the next book in this series comes out! I saw it posted somewhere that book 4 will feature the dragon shifter. You can only guess who will be first in line for that puppy. If you love your paranormal with a bit of heat, check out this series. It has something in it for every para fan. This book is definitely not for the under 18 crowd.
October 4, 2013
The first book in the Dante’s Circle series is a unique world of intrigue, greed, betrayal, romance and the supernatural. The story is fast paced and a quick and enjoyable read.
Shade is a warrior angel that enforces angel law. Lily is a lab tech that is told to analyze some blue dust. When his dust falls into the hands of the humans, Shade is sent to correct the problem and protect the supernatural secret, but his mission is complicated by suspicions that all is not what it seems and he finds himself very attracted to Lily.
Lily is really attracted to Shade and is falling fast and then her life is turned upside down and she is introduced to a world she never knew existed. The chemistry between the two is hot and the sex is even hotter. The author conveys the emotions of the characters in such a way that the reader finds themselves completely connected to them.
The author has created a supernatural world with some unique, surprising and refreshing elements that add depth to this very entertaining and magical read. The plot flows smoothly throughout the book and has characters with strong, engaging personalities that captivate the reader and leaving them wanting more. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
Shade is a warrior angel that enforces angel law. Lily is a lab tech that is told to analyze some blue dust. When his dust falls into the hands of the humans, Shade is sent to correct the problem and protect the supernatural secret, but his mission is complicated by suspicions that all is not what it seems and he finds himself very attracted to Lily.
Lily is really attracted to Shade and is falling fast and then her life is turned upside down and she is introduced to a world she never knew existed. The chemistry between the two is hot and the sex is even hotter. The author conveys the emotions of the characters in such a way that the reader finds themselves completely connected to them.
The author has created a supernatural world with some unique, surprising and refreshing elements that add depth to this very entertaining and magical read. The plot flows smoothly throughout the book and has characters with strong, engaging personalities that captivate the reader and leaving them wanting more. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
July 28, 2012
4.5 Drops Review
I don’t know where to start with Dust of My Wings by Carrie Ann Ryan. The story of Shade, angel, and Lily, human (to start), has a lovely cast of characters that makes it easy to fall into the story and into their world.
Dust of My Wings is the first book in the Dante’s Circle series and WOW, what a start! In this case, it all starts with a vile of angel dust – specifically the dust from the angel Shade’s raven-like wings. Enter Lily, OCD chemist that has said vile of dust... Oh, and she kick-starts his heart and libido from the moment he sees her – Oh to be Lily.
As the story progresses there are many other kids of paranormal introduced, a lightening strike that changes ‘things’, and a secret plot against Shade and all angels to unravel... all while trying to deal with lust, love, and changing DNA.
The story is well written and the characters come to life as you read them, a rare treat, sadly. This is a love story, a mystery, an action story that combines love, loss, passion, pain, and hope. The next story is Ambrose’s, Shade’s BFF and the leader of the warrior class of angels. I can’t wait!
I don’t know where to start with Dust of My Wings by Carrie Ann Ryan. The story of Shade, angel, and Lily, human (to start), has a lovely cast of characters that makes it easy to fall into the story and into their world.
Dust of My Wings is the first book in the Dante’s Circle series and WOW, what a start! In this case, it all starts with a vile of angel dust – specifically the dust from the angel Shade’s raven-like wings. Enter Lily, OCD chemist that has said vile of dust... Oh, and she kick-starts his heart and libido from the moment he sees her – Oh to be Lily.
As the story progresses there are many other kids of paranormal introduced, a lightening strike that changes ‘things’, and a secret plot against Shade and all angels to unravel... all while trying to deal with lust, love, and changing DNA.
The story is well written and the characters come to life as you read them, a rare treat, sadly. This is a love story, a mystery, an action story that combines love, loss, passion, pain, and hope. The next story is Ambrose’s, Shade’s BFF and the leader of the warrior class of angels. I can’t wait!
July 6, 2016
I liked 'Dust of My Wings' and may read the following stories in the series.
While there were some engaging scenes between Lily and Shade, and the gatherings at Dante's bar, the story seemed rather flat overall.
The whole fuss over the angelic feather dust wasn't explained - especially as it was never detected via scientific methods. I didn't get why the paranormal world had to be kept secret.
And, the introduction of... brownies...? In Ryan's world here, there is no such thing as vampires, but many other paranormal creatures exist...including brownies.
Each paranormal group had their own set of life rules, and worked with the others to keep the peace. I had to laugh when an old female brownie basically threatened to kick Shade's ass if he ever hurt Lily. Apparently, brownies are bad-assed...
In 'Dust of My Wings' angels are just another one of several other paranormals. To me - angels - and vampires - should be at the top of the paranormal totem pole. lol
Anyway - I'm thinking - hoping that the many unanswered questions in this book will be resolved in the following books of the series.
While there were some engaging scenes between Lily and Shade, and the gatherings at Dante's bar, the story seemed rather flat overall.
The whole fuss over the angelic feather dust wasn't explained - especially as it was never detected via scientific methods. I didn't get why the paranormal world had to be kept secret.
And, the introduction of... brownies...? In Ryan's world here, there is no such thing as vampires, but many other paranormal creatures exist...including brownies.
Each paranormal group had their own set of life rules, and worked with the others to keep the peace. I had to laugh when an old female brownie basically threatened to kick Shade's ass if he ever hurt Lily. Apparently, brownies are bad-assed...
In 'Dust of My Wings' angels are just another one of several other paranormals. To me - angels - and vampires - should be at the top of the paranormal totem pole. lol
Anyway - I'm thinking - hoping that the many unanswered questions in this book will be resolved in the following books of the series.
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