Gargoyle's Mate

Gargoyles #1 - 2

by Nia K. Foxx

For Lorn De LaRue, Gargoyles have always been as common place as the humans they are sworn to protect. It's up to Lorn to make sure their existence is preserved -- by any means necessary. Right now the means would appear to be Dr. Fatima Smith, an ebony beauty who never imagined her interest in Gothic folklore would force her into a world she had never known exist. Time is running out, and Lorn is determined Fatima will come to terms with her new life as his mate.

Fatima finds herself thrust into a reality that includes Gargoyles, Elves, Succubae... oh my! Unsure of the new world around her, she's torn between her new lover, old friend and the beasties threatening the very existence of the human race. Who can she trust?

Genres: Interracial Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Fantasy, Contemporary, Fantasy Romance

153 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2005

About the author

What can I say, I love to read and write. I have 3 beautiful children who keep me active and happy, if not for them I'd probably be a recluse surrounded by zillions of books, a few tablets and several laptops. I love getting all feedback since my goal is to improve on my craft. I haven't written my best work yet. Hope to hear from you.

Happy Reading!

Reviews

[Monica **can't read fast enough** · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fun and quick interracial/paranormal romance very much. This is the first in a series of gargoyle stories. This first story revolves around Dr. Fatima Smith who has a fascination with gargoyles and after presenting a paper on gargoyle mythology finds herself up close and personal with one Lorn De LaRue who just so happens to be a very old French gargoyle. Lorn, believing Fatima to be a fledgling, a human woman who is able to mate with a gargoyle, lures her to his home in France with the promise of giving her access to information that could prove the existence of gargoyles. I won't give away any more of the story because it really is a short read. There are some editing, spelling, and grammar hiccups in this book but I still enjoyed the story and it is a great escape read with an interesting take on gargoyles.

Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monica Is Reading*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @monicaisreading
Instagram: @readermonica
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase

[Robin L · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it's official, I don't like alpha males. This Lorn guy wasn't the least bit sexy or alluring. And as far as the writing goes, it's good and the plot is interesting, but neither of those things were the focus in this book. If so much time hadn't been spent on the sorry sex, it would have been a good book. I wish authors understood that readers are looking for good stories that are well written with interesting characters. And yes, we like some sex appeal but don't let the sex detail the story.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good. I felt the end was a little rushed, but the storyline was great. I liked both lead characters. I liked how Fatima was depicted as a strong and smart female. Lorn was way Alpha, I really couldn't feel love from him but rather ownership. Good read. I will definitely read something else by Foxx.

[SheReadsALot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gargoyle! A gargoyle as a hero! This is totally unique. I really like this story and thought the author did an excellent job of introducing her own twist of paranormal lore.

I liked Lorn and Fatima as a couple. I felt it was believable. I'm not a stickler for typos but there are a few. Also I wanted to know a little bit more about the gargoyles existence, other than just being a protector. Are they demon? Shifters? Also I think sharing what Laurel wrote exactly to Krail that helped change Fatima's mind ultimately might have gave this story that little extra

Other than those minor issues...the story is quite good. I read it in a day.

[Jooniebug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely smoking!!! Too interesting to put in words! Get the book! I am looking forward to the rest in the series.

[Brittany Beckford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where is the story?!!! *rips hair out in bloody patches*. Interesting concept, great start, great legible writing, but it's all wasted bc this thing turned into purely an erotica. In the scenes that things are supposed to be resolved, when they are supposed to have actual meaningful dialogue it's all been replaced by sex scenes. *Screams in epileptic convulsive inducing frustration*. I thought this was going to be so good. I can't imagine how much time and effort goes into writing a book, and I hate to bash an author... But come tf on!! Stop wasting good concepts on written pornography. Authors note to self ppl want well written fleshed out plots AS WELL as a good sex scene or two, the two aren't mutually exclusive. AND THE H IS A DICK! I did not like him not one bit. The whole exchange between them at some points seemed stockholmy, bullyish and rapey. Also for a so called prodigy she sure made some questionable decision, especially for a woman in the 21st century. No precautions when having multiple sexual encounter with a stranger ppl? Virginal doesn't mean stupid right? She also LETS him bully her, what happened to the strong, independent minded woman from the beginning of the story? The hero is also just as perverse as the second love interest that we're supposed to hold in contempt, but noooo " he's different bc he's dweeeamy and di hewooow of dis aye stowy." If I roll my eyes any harder they'll fall out of my head and if I write any more this thing will be way too long *it is already😳🤷 oh well*. It's just a long distorted rant anyways. So... Breakdown three stars for writing, one for story, zero for *this man can suck his own dick* H, two for "the dick ate all my smarts so who's the prodigy now?" h. Just my unwarranted, unasked for opinion anyways, a lot of ppl seemed to have loved it. Maybe not my cuppa? *Sigh* no need to walk me I'll see my self out...back to the dungeon I go. Wish me luck fellowreaderswhopeopledon'tconsiderreadersbecausewereadbookswherethetwomaincharactersbumpuglynastiesonoccation😁 Annyeong!🙏👋.

[Shannon J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice Gargoyle

Oh how I wish there were more gargoyle books with Black women as their love interests. This was my first book that I read and overall, it was good. I did feel as the book was rounding the corner to its end, the storyline started to be rushed-murder unsolved, no speaking of why Fatima left in the first place, or what Lorn didn’t get a chance to say to Fatima once he brought her back. However, sex/romance was Fire and I would have liked a little more of the storyline to continue after the birth of their child or even if they got married, but I guess I now have to buy book 2 to maybe find out.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair

Getting a bit tired of all the cliches found in this genre.
"Holding a breath they didn't know they were holding"
Looks charming so quickly the person isn't sure if what they saw.
The woman who is all.innocent but sleeping with the hero the next day.
The "treasonous body response
The idea that kissing makes a woman's lips swell
If there is a problem just solve it with sex mentality.

Seriously considering not reading any more of these ir romance novels. Becoming too predictable

[joan robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

This was a good read. I love Pork and Fatima relationship. I was hoping to find out more, about if this author . if she is still writing? I would like for the authors to let us know if they are not going to continue to write or not for awhile so that we will not be waiting on a another book in the series

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...


I’m always looking for unique and fascinating romances and I found it with the gargoyles in this story. Except for the usual flying and having the sun be a bad thing and looking pretty intimidating, this author added her own special twist on what it’s like in gargoyle society. Certainly there aren’t enough books that tackle falling in love with one of these beasties but I found this one enjoyable and worth spending time with.

The heroine, Fatima, is a smart cookie. She has an IQ that’s off the charts but has some serious relationship issues – she’s all work and no play. She has dreams and fantasies like every woman but hers tend to be a bit more fantastical than the norm. Readers will find out why that is, eventually. She’s also independent, feisty, and untapped. And despite all that intelligence, the heroine does make some rather hasty decisions that didn’t sit well with me. I understood that her following through with them were integral to the plot movement, but I wish she hadn’t come across as so easy to manipulate. Some of the things she brushed off made me pause and think. Would someone really not question such a dramatic change in a person? After certain revelations, would a woman in love really be so easily lured?

And that leads me to one of the secondary characters. At one point I guessed he might be a stalker with a deviant nature. Then the author had him acting in a noble manner, yet, not. The only thing that I can share with readers about him is that he should have been wearing a “red shirt”, if you know what I mean. Men can easily become victims when they think with their little brain instead of the one between their ears, and this story proved it.

As for the hero, Lorn, he has the word ‘alpha’ dripping off him like a downpour. He’s commanding, dominant, firm and extremely well proportioned. The author did a marvelous job of describing a very virile man adept at pleasing a woman. It was also very clear that what’s his is his and he doesn’t share well with others. He’s possessive and wants to keep Fatima close but he never really gets it that she’s a 21st Century woman. As far as I’m concerned, what happens later in the story was his own fault. He-Man tactics don’t foster great communication and poor Fatima pays for that lack. However, on the plus side, he knows how to show a woman a good time and is capable of very romantic gestures and allows the heroine to see the softer side of his nature. However, when he is overcome with passion for the heroine, Lorn is as sexy as they come. Those scenes were written quite well.

In fact, when Lorn and Fatima do get together in the physical sense the author had their experiences all over the place. I don’t refer to location, I mean there is a bit of forced seduction with gentle but firm restraint, one incident of spanking and a whole lot of teasing and touching to get readers ready for the big moment. I also noticed he liked to throw her on the bed a lot. I wonder if it was because Lorn enjoyed seeing her bounce. Oh, and there is one point where Lorn watches Fatima unbeknownst to her and he gets both an eyeful and an earful. Obviously theirs is not a tame relationship and the author made that clear, much to my delight.

The villain is a bit unusual as well. Motivation is cleared up during a couple of scenes in the story so eventually everyone is on the same page as to who or what is causing all the trouble. The set up was a bit choppy and the delivery came across as sporadic but nonetheless it was effective and interesting. What I don’t understand is why did it go to the extreme that it had in the past. It’s that part of the motivation that eludes me and doesn’t get explained by the other revelation. It’s almost like there are two agendas going on but the author only fleshed out one for this book’s purposes. I guess that’s okay because I did enjoy myself.

One of the drawbacks about this book was the editing. For readers who like gargoyles and who might pick up their own copy of the book, be aware that “coca meme” is actually “cockamamie” and that they’ll find some words missing in sentences or some words that should be plural but are not. Taken individually, they were not enough to bump me from the story. The character interaction, the unique take on the paranormal world and the interesting courtship between Lorn and Fatima guaranteed my undivided attention and the other glitches didn’t slow me down at all.

Gargoyle’s Mate was fun, fascinating and filled with the kind of men romance readers love to see redeemed. There is a sense of urgency to their romance because there is a figurative clock ticking and Fatima is the first ray of light in an otherwise dark tunnel of existence. I enjoyed Ms. Foxx’s interpretation of gargoyle life and drama and am interested in reading more. I wonder who the next man to be saved will be. This story has certainly whetted my appetite to find out more.

[S.B. Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Associate Professor, Dr. Fatima Smith, meets Lorn De la Rue, mystery businessman at a Myth, Legend, and Folklore Conference. Soon after she finds herself working with him in researching the possible existence of Gargoyles.

While working together they discover that they’re fated mates: Lorn a centuries old Protector/Gargoyle and Fatima a Fledgling; a human female capable of bearing a Gargoyle after mating with one, a breed thought to have been extinct.

I enjoyed this story very much. The man was gorgeous, sexy, and strong, which didn’t prevent him from being tender and vulnerable. I didn’t relate much to the woman. Even though she was supposed to be very intelligent, she behaved like a goofy teenager at times. Regardless, the chemistry was off the charts and the love scenes were intense, graphic, and mildly emotional.

The idea that a man’s/species’ whole existence depends on finding and mating with a genetically matched female is a pretty big concept. It is precisely its largeness which can account for the quickness and intensity of the emotions between Fatima and Lorn.

Granted that Fatima doesn’t know she’s a fledgling and doesn’t understand how important she is to Lorn, nor how her existence is inevitably tied to his from the moment they unite until their deaths, but that Lorn is aware and that he has so much riding on her acceptance gives an interesting conflict to the story.

I’m not into supernatural romances much, so the surrounding supernatural intrigue doesn’t do much for me, but the love story and the fact that you’re rooting for the Gargoyles/Protectors to save their species, have me tied to this series.

There are typos and a lot of cliched phrases for the lovemaking but in bearable measure, so it doesn’t distract from what’s taking place at the time.

Because of the role of mating and the finding of the one, true mate, the love scenes are front and center and of pivotal importance to the story. "Gargoyle's Mate" is a steamy and fast-paced read filled with its own particular supernatural mythology and intrigue.

[Chaeya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the interaction between Lorne and Fatima, and Lorne is a Class A Alpha, maybe a little over the top to the point where you expect the word "Ug" to come out of his mouth. But I can forgive him that and the sex was hot. If you like gargoyles or are at least intrigued, this a quick fun read.

My only issue with this story was that the ending seemed rushed and the situation with the villain wasn't appropriately handled, even if left off for a later book, it wasn't finished properly. Also, there were times I think Fatima should have stood up to Lorne more, and she seemed to be too easily swayed--first, with a guy friend and then with Lorne, when she should have been demanding more answers from both of them. That was my only issue with the book, but since most of the book kept me satisfied, I'll keep this at four stars.

[Mspraise50 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author. This is Lorn and Fatima's story.

So many people have recommended this book to me and again I have had it on my kindle since October 2014.

Although I enjoyed the story, I am sorry but for all the build up this story got I was expecting something spectacular!!! I find it hard to connect to Fatima because after all the loving Lorn showed her, she was able to just run off with that traitor and was not concerned that Lorn was losing his mind looking for her. She did not spare him a thought whilst he was searching high and low for her for weeks, whilst she hid from him and for what????? Sorry but I was not feeling the love at all.

I will read book 2 and see how I feel about the next couple!

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fatima is an expert on folklore especially concerning gargoyles, but when she runs into Lorn she might just discover something she never knew about them. That they exist and Lorn happens to be one of them. Lorn is attracted to Fatima and in order to gain her attention hires her for a year but really plans to seduce her instead which isn't too hard since she's attracted to him too. But could Fatima turn out to be what Lorn has been searching for? Proof that Fledglings still exist and the gargoyles aren't doomed to die out? You'll have to read and find out. >_<

[Rebecca Stigers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Gargoyles

Well what can I say? I loved this story! The author did a great job with the characters and the explaining of the back story. She let us know who the women were " Fledglings" and why they were important to the gargoyles. The story of the "demon" and why she did what she did. The love between Lorn and Fatima was tender and believable. I definitely recommend this if you like rock hard hot men, beautiful women, sex and lot's of love!

[Debra Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected a different reaction from Fatima because she did study Gargoyles and she was dreaming about one.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better paranormals, I was pleasantly surprised.

[Glenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out kind of slow, however I stuck with it and it paid out in the end. Pretty good story, but short.

[Niccole E.]

I loved this novel. It was my first ever fictional-romance about Gargoyle's. I'm excited to read more. Nia K. Foxx is definitely on my I-spy list.

[AKA · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF...

[Debs]

After reading this book, I've fallen in love with Gargoyles. What a story!

[Icy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book and I loved it. It's s short read but there is a lot in it. I wish there was just a little more focus on Fatima's work and herself.

[Jackie Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Very good story. Loved the fact that it ended well. Will read others by this writer. Not many gargoyle books out there

[Eunita Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed