What do you think?
Rate this book
Sanguis Noctis #2
Blood in the Sand
Sequel to Blood HowlSanguis Book Two When David, an old contact and sometimes friend, hires Jed Walker to look into a series of seemingly unrelated disappearances in Cairo, Jed jumps at the chance to show his partner, Redford Reed, more of the world he’s been missing. David’s boyfriend, supernatural expert and resident stuffy professor Victor Rathbone, joins them in their journey to Egypt, which holds many more dangers and mysteries than Jed ever expected. Hidden natures resurface, relationships collide, and instincts are stretched to their breaking point. What seems to be a simple case turns out to be anything but. David may have called for help, but he has his own suspicions about who’s behind the kidnappings―suspicions that, along with clashing personalities, make getting to the bottom of the mystery difficult. While Jed and Redford grow more intimate and trusting with each new obstacle in their path, David and Victor struggle not to lose their trust in each other in the face of their differences. As the four close in on the kidnappers, David is forced to face the one thing more dangerous than the mastermind behind the himself.
350 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2012
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
May 22, 2012
4.5 stars. Excellent urban fantasy series that continues on from one of my favourite m/m novels in 2011, Blood Howl. Jed and Red have been hired by David (Jed's mysterious fellow assassin) to investigate a series of missing persons in far away Egypt. The three men, accompanied by David's friend Victor, set off together but the mission is shrouded in dangerous secrets and surprises.
There are so many things going on in this book that really ratchet up the tension. Red has changed since the attack by Filtairn. He hears voices that cause him to lose control and act aggressively. Red continues to grow and develop from the fearful, empty person he used to be and becomes more confident in his human skin and more deadly as a wolf. The sex scenes in this book are very hot as Red starts to dominate Jed sexually. Of course Jed is right on board for that development!
Neither David nor Victor are what they appear. David has an ulterior motive for the trip and his past almost destroys all of them. The affection that he and Victor share is severely tested and the outcome is not what I was expecting and quite bittersweet, .
Jed is the only constant in the story. He doesn't change no matter what he faces. Fiercely devoted to Red, uncouth, obnoxious, and trigger-happy. His interactions provide most of the comedy in the story. And there is plenty of humour.
I felt like the arc of this book was a big pendulum that swung from Jed and Red and their problems in the first half, to David and Victor and the action in Egypt in the second. And then at the very end I felt like I was dropped right back at the beginning with practically no questions answered and lots of new ones arising. But I loved it. The writing is great and the characters show enormous depth and growth. It's by turns suspenseful, scary, funny and sad. But it's also a romance so even when things were going really bad I still felt confident the Jed and Red would be OK. This series is shaping up to be on a par with any mainstream Urban Fantasy series you could buy. I absolutely CAN'T WAIT till the next book although these authors only seem to publish once per year so it might be a long wait. *sighs* Definitely start with Blood Howl.
There are so many things going on in this book that really ratchet up the tension. Red has changed since the attack by Filtairn. He hears voices that cause him to lose control and act aggressively. Red continues to grow and develop from the fearful, empty person he used to be and becomes more confident in his human skin and more deadly as a wolf. The sex scenes in this book are very hot as Red starts to dominate Jed sexually. Of course Jed is right on board for that development!
Neither David nor Victor are what they appear. David has an ulterior motive for the trip and his past almost destroys all of them. The affection that he and Victor share is severely tested and the outcome is not what I was expecting and quite bittersweet, .
Jed is the only constant in the story. He doesn't change no matter what he faces. Fiercely devoted to Red, uncouth, obnoxious, and trigger-happy. His interactions provide most of the comedy in the story. And there is plenty of humour.
I felt like the arc of this book was a big pendulum that swung from Jed and Red and their problems in the first half, to David and Victor and the action in Egypt in the second. And then at the very end I felt like I was dropped right back at the beginning with practically no questions answered and lots of new ones arising. But I loved it. The writing is great and the characters show enormous depth and growth. It's by turns suspenseful, scary, funny and sad. But it's also a romance so even when things were going really bad I still felt confident the Jed and Red would be OK. This series is shaping up to be on a par with any mainstream Urban Fantasy series you could buy. I absolutely CAN'T WAIT till the next book although these authors only seem to publish once per year so it might be a long wait. *sighs* Definitely start with Blood Howl.
June 1, 2012
Very good paranormal m/m romantic suspense in which Jed and Redford are hired by Jed's friend David to travel with he and Victor to Cairo to rescue some people that David believes have been kidnapped by an old associate of his. More, please. :)
September 15, 2012
4.5 stars
This is very good paranormal M/M romance that follows on from Blood Howl. In some series, it doesn't matter if the novels are read out of sequence, but for this one, it is definitely necessary to read them in order.
Jed and Redford are now working Jed's jobs together, with Redford taking over the planning and logistics. Redford has come a long way from what he was in the first novel, yet there is still an air of naivety about him despite all that has happened to him. After the completion of a retrieval, Jed and Redford are flying to Cairo, for another job, but this time, it's a personal favor for David (a source of Jed's who appeared in the first novel), who has joined them, along with David's lover Victor.
I admit I found the start of the novel heavy going. It had been some time since I had read the first novel, so I struggled to remember how people connected with other (mostly David and Victor) while trying to make sense of what was going on. Yet upon arrival in Cairo, everything seemed to fall into place (whether due to my memory kicking in or due the story hitting its stride, I'm not certain) and I was totally hooked.
I really liked the interesting plot, with its links to Eygyptian gods, but I loved the relationship between Jed and Redford. There was tenderness, humor, protectiveness and love, and it was obvious both characters had benefited from their relationship. Redford showed much more strength and confidence, while Jed was more vulnerable and tolerant, while still retaining his cocky brashness (and ability to annoy people, lol). Victor showed to be much more interesting than I had thought, and his and David's relationship turned out to be quite different too. Overall, it proved to be a different story than I expected, but one I really enjoyed just the same.
This is very good paranormal M/M romance that follows on from Blood Howl. In some series, it doesn't matter if the novels are read out of sequence, but for this one, it is definitely necessary to read them in order.
Jed and Redford are now working Jed's jobs together, with Redford taking over the planning and logistics. Redford has come a long way from what he was in the first novel, yet there is still an air of naivety about him despite all that has happened to him. After the completion of a retrieval, Jed and Redford are flying to Cairo, for another job, but this time, it's a personal favor for David (a source of Jed's who appeared in the first novel), who has joined them, along with David's lover Victor.
I admit I found the start of the novel heavy going. It had been some time since I had read the first novel, so I struggled to remember how people connected with other (mostly David and Victor) while trying to make sense of what was going on. Yet upon arrival in Cairo, everything seemed to fall into place (whether due to my memory kicking in or due the story hitting its stride, I'm not certain) and I was totally hooked.
I really liked the interesting plot, with its links to Eygyptian gods, but I loved the relationship between Jed and Redford. There was tenderness, humor, protectiveness and love, and it was obvious both characters had benefited from their relationship. Redford showed much more strength and confidence, while Jed was more vulnerable and tolerant, while still retaining his cocky brashness (and ability to annoy people, lol). Victor showed to be much more interesting than I had thought, and his and David's relationship turned out to be quite different too. Overall, it proved to be a different story than I expected, but one I really enjoyed just the same.
June 13, 2012
This is a sequel to Blood Howl, and it’s recommended to read Blood Howl first. You’ll get a lot more out of the characters of Jed and Redford and understand their progression more.
I enjoyed this book a lot, but I also enjoyed Blood Howl. The one has more plot and is much longer, which is a nice change since many books in this genre rarely get over 250 pages.
I love the dynamic between Jed and Redford in both books. I’ll admit--they’re pretty "schmoopy"/internally gushy in this one. It felt like 85% of their thoughts were about each other, but to be honest, I didn’t mind at all. (Even Jed gets to his version of schmoopy, which still involved lots of swearing and lewd comments, but that’s just his rough and often hilarious façade.) It’s nice to read more “established” couples or couples shifting towards establishment as they sort out their issues beyond the “Let’s get together” decision. And both have their issues and growth, especially Redford who is growing more comfortable in his skin and communicating. (I heart Redford’s POV and how he registers and interprets new things.) Jed and Redford’s relationship, and how they interact and learn to lean on each other are my favorite parts of both books.
In comparison to the schmoopiness of Jed and Redford, David and Victor’s relationship seemed more pale and way more emo. (Which was by intention. At times, David looked upon J&R’s closeness and felt both pangs of annoyance and jealousy for the intimacy they so easily shared.) Because one pair was so more intensely felt than the other, I felt less connected to David and Victor and their progression, so some events later in the book didn’t cut as deeply for me.
Recommended if you enjoyed Blood Howl, and I look forward to any further adventures with Jed and Redford, especially as they iron out more their working partnership dynamic along with their relationship. And my guess from the breadcrumbs in this book, we may see further developments on the David and Victor front as well in future installments.
I enjoyed this book a lot, but I also enjoyed Blood Howl. The one has more plot and is much longer, which is a nice change since many books in this genre rarely get over 250 pages.
I love the dynamic between Jed and Redford in both books. I’ll admit--they’re pretty "schmoopy"/internally gushy in this one. It felt like 85% of their thoughts were about each other, but to be honest, I didn’t mind at all. (Even Jed gets to his version of schmoopy, which still involved lots of swearing and lewd comments, but that’s just his rough and often hilarious façade.) It’s nice to read more “established” couples or couples shifting towards establishment as they sort out their issues beyond the “Let’s get together” decision. And both have their issues and growth, especially Redford who is growing more comfortable in his skin and communicating. (I heart Redford’s POV and how he registers and interprets new things.) Jed and Redford’s relationship, and how they interact and learn to lean on each other are my favorite parts of both books.
In comparison to the schmoopiness of Jed and Redford, David and Victor’s relationship seemed more pale and way more emo. (Which was by intention. At times, David looked upon J&R’s closeness and felt both pangs of annoyance and jealousy for the intimacy they so easily shared.) Because one pair was so more intensely felt than the other, I felt less connected to David and Victor and their progression, so some events later in the book didn’t cut as deeply for me.
Recommended if you enjoyed Blood Howl, and I look forward to any further adventures with Jed and Redford, especially as they iron out more their working partnership dynamic along with their relationship. And my guess from the breadcrumbs in this book, we may see further developments on the David and Victor front as well in future installments.
May 23, 2012
The bad thing about reading a long anticipated book immediately upon release is finishing it too soon. Now I am back to waiting for the next new book from these authors. Sigh.
I adored Blood Howl and loved spending time with Jed and Redford again. It was wonderful to watch their relationship continue to grow and I'm thinking that we will be seeing more of them in the future as we try to figure out what's going on with Redford. While I struggled a bit with the angst between David and Victor (I want a HEA for everyone, no matter what!), I dealt with it by convincing myself that this was a story about Jed and Redford. (This is how I deal with anything I don't want to hear or deal with...stick my fingers in my ears and sing "la la la" so I can't tell what's going on. Okay, I'm five. That's the way it is.) Anyway, I loved the book, it was definitely worth the wait and hopefully the authors will hurry up with the next book! =)
I adored Blood Howl and loved spending time with Jed and Redford again. It was wonderful to watch their relationship continue to grow and I'm thinking that we will be seeing more of them in the future as we try to figure out what's going on with Redford. While I struggled a bit with the angst between David and Victor (I want a HEA for everyone, no matter what!), I dealt with it by convincing myself that this was a story about Jed and Redford. (This is how I deal with anything I don't want to hear or deal with...stick my fingers in my ears and sing "la la la" so I can't tell what's going on. Okay, I'm five. That's the way it is.) Anyway, I loved the book, it was definitely worth the wait and hopefully the authors will hurry up with the next book! =)
August 5, 2017
Because I hadn't read Bk 1, I was quite lost at the beginning and nearly dnf'd. However about 1/4 through I warmed to Jed and began to enjoy the story. I will definitely have to go back and read the first book. A different style of writing and yet another different take on the supernatural world. Surprised the hotel didn't object to them coming in disheveled and blood covered most of the time - but then it was fantasy.
4 stars for some great entertainment.
4 stars for some great entertainment.
February 28, 2017
da www.sognipensieriparole.com
4,5 - Il primo episodio di questa serie mi era parso promettente, ma un po' lento nella narrazione e affrettato nel finale.
Questo secondo episodio è stata invece una vera sorpresa.
C'è sempre una forte componente hot, ma è meglio dosata con le scene d'azione e soprattutto con l'elemento paranormale, e con le ambientazioni esotiche (siamo al Cairo, e le autrici rendono bene l'atmosfera calda e caotica del luogo).
Ritroviamo la coppia di Jed e Redford, ovvero il pazzo ex-corpi speciali/sexy/egocentrico/possessivo e il suo adorabile lupone mannaro, che alla fine sono sempre più presi l'uno dall'altro, nonchè fracassoni e... monotematici (prendetevi una stanza, una tenda, un box doccia, qualcosa.... eh).
Ma il vero cuore del libro per me sono stati David e Victor.
OMG, David e Victor.
Una coppia non-coppia, due che stanno insieme per opportunità-convenienza-paura della solitudine-qualcosa che ci lega-anche se non è importante.
Insomma, due personaggi fascinosi e strazianti allo stesso tempo.
Che dire di David?
Io saltavo le pagine dei soliti due fracassoni (il pazzo e Fido), per tornare a bearmi di questa figura tragica, ovvero dei tormenti di David, del suo resistere alla propria natura sanguinaria e violenta, del suo annichilirsi per non cedere, del suo essere perfetto nella sua corrotta imperfezione.
Quando David si muove nella stanza (e di solito se ne stava in silenzio, accigliato),persino Jed con le sue sbruffonate finisce in ombra.
Mi è piaciuta l'idea di inserire due maschi alpha in competizione tra loro, perchè l'atmosfera ne è risultata ancor più elettrizzante.
Ma è inutile dire a quale dei due andava la mia vera simpatia. Ed è anche inutile aggiungere che quando ho chiuso il libro i miei pensieri erano tutti per David e per la ricerca (in ogni senso) che ancora lo attende.
Quindi un'altra serie di cui bramo l'episodio successivo.
4,5 - Il primo episodio di questa serie mi era parso promettente, ma un po' lento nella narrazione e affrettato nel finale.
Questo secondo episodio è stata invece una vera sorpresa.
C'è sempre una forte componente hot, ma è meglio dosata con le scene d'azione e soprattutto con l'elemento paranormale, e con le ambientazioni esotiche (siamo al Cairo, e le autrici rendono bene l'atmosfera calda e caotica del luogo).
Ritroviamo la coppia di Jed e Redford, ovvero il pazzo ex-corpi speciali/sexy/egocentrico/possessivo e il suo adorabile lupone mannaro, che alla fine sono sempre più presi l'uno dall'altro, nonchè fracassoni e... monotematici (prendetevi una stanza, una tenda, un box doccia, qualcosa.... eh).
Ma il vero cuore del libro per me sono stati David e Victor.
OMG, David e Victor.
Una coppia non-coppia, due che stanno insieme per opportunità-convenienza-paura della solitudine-qualcosa che ci lega-anche se non è importante.
Insomma, due personaggi fascinosi e strazianti allo stesso tempo.
Che dire di David?
Io saltavo le pagine dei soliti due fracassoni (il pazzo e Fido), per tornare a bearmi di questa figura tragica, ovvero dei tormenti di David, del suo resistere alla propria natura sanguinaria e violenta, del suo annichilirsi per non cedere, del suo essere perfetto nella sua corrotta imperfezione.
Quando David si muove nella stanza (e di solito se ne stava in silenzio, accigliato),persino Jed con le sue sbruffonate finisce in ombra.
Mi è piaciuta l'idea di inserire due maschi alpha in competizione tra loro, perchè l'atmosfera ne è risultata ancor più elettrizzante.
Ma è inutile dire a quale dei due andava la mia vera simpatia. Ed è anche inutile aggiungere che quando ho chiuso il libro i miei pensieri erano tutti per David e per la ricerca (in ogni senso) che ancora lo attende.
Quindi un'altra serie di cui bramo l'episodio successivo.
May 29, 2012
(Note to self: Stop jumping on the book page on Goodreads right as you are sitting down to read the book. Don't mark it as "currently reading"... don't read other reviews or comments... just read the book.)
I only recently discovered these authors. I only discovered the first book in this series, Blood Howl, last week. So my timing on this one was perfect. I was able to literally jump from one book to the other without having to go back and refresh my memory of what happened in the first one. Considering how many books I read, this was a major plus for me.
Right off I will say that Jed and Redford rank up there for me as one of my all time favorite couples regardless of the genre of books I've read. Jed is such a bad ass but he melts when it comes to Red, who is about as opposite from Jed as one could get. They are absolutely perfect for each other and together. Jed is hilarious and Red is a sweetheart. I should also point out that I hate (seriously HATE) series that focus on one couple throughout. I want my happy ending after the first book. With Jed and Red, I would be perfectly fine reading book after book about these characters. That has only happened with one other series for me. Normally I get bored with a couple if their story is allowed to play out too long and I give up on the series completely. I can't see myself getting bored with Jed and Redford. Ever.
With that being said....
Jed is hired by David (who was introduced in Blood Howl) to go to Cairo to investigate disappearances there. He and Jed aren't exactly friends but they have worked together in the past. Redford is along for the ride as well as Victor, David's current boyfriend? friend? bed mate? ... not sure show to describe what Victor is to David. David is not forthcoming with all he knows about the disappearances so Jed is basically going in blind.
A lot happens in this book. Redford has changed as a result of things that happened to him in Blood Howl. He is hearing voices and behaving aggressively at times. While he is still shy and somewhat naive, he takes a bigger role not only with the job Jed was hired to do, but in the bedroom as well (watching him go from little innocent to all dominant was sexy as hell). Jed, while still the bad ass mercenary, goes all mellow and sweet when it comes to Red. David is an enigma. He is very secretive and that secrecy has the ability to destroy not only him but the others as well. Victor (also introduced in the first book) is a stuffy professor who has a couple of secrets of his own.
The journey to Cairo and back is full of action and emotions for all involved. I hate doing reviews with spoilers so I won't say what all happens before, during and after the trip. But I will say that something happens that had the ability to totally piss me off but it didn't because I saw this coming early on. I wasn't happy about it and it bothered me to an extent but not enough to put me off from what I hope will be more books in the series. The authors make a point in setting this up throughout the book so it seriously should not come as any kind of surprise to anyone.
This book is an emotional roller coaster. One minute I was laughing (Jed... the cat lady... I laughed so hard my kid came in the room to see if I had lost my mind), the next I was ... I won't say sad... frustrated maybe? I felt for all the characters. I love how the authors kept Jed funny even when serious stuff was going on. The comedy relief is needed for such a serious story.
I rarely give books from a series a 5 star rating because I am always left with unanswered questions. Trust me, there are tons of things left unanswered in this one. It's rare for me to give ANY book a 5 star rating. But Jed and Redford sealed this one for me. I will be one of the first to buy the next book in this series. I can't wait to jump back into Jed and Red's world again.
Final note: I would not recommend anyone reading this without reading Blood Howl first. You will probably still enjoy the story but you will not get the feel for the characters. You have to see where they came from before you can go forward with this one. That's my opinion.
I only recently discovered these authors. I only discovered the first book in this series, Blood Howl, last week. So my timing on this one was perfect. I was able to literally jump from one book to the other without having to go back and refresh my memory of what happened in the first one. Considering how many books I read, this was a major plus for me.
Right off I will say that Jed and Redford rank up there for me as one of my all time favorite couples regardless of the genre of books I've read. Jed is such a bad ass but he melts when it comes to Red, who is about as opposite from Jed as one could get. They are absolutely perfect for each other and together. Jed is hilarious and Red is a sweetheart. I should also point out that I hate (seriously HATE) series that focus on one couple throughout. I want my happy ending after the first book. With Jed and Red, I would be perfectly fine reading book after book about these characters. That has only happened with one other series for me. Normally I get bored with a couple if their story is allowed to play out too long and I give up on the series completely. I can't see myself getting bored with Jed and Redford. Ever.
With that being said....
Jed is hired by David (who was introduced in Blood Howl) to go to Cairo to investigate disappearances there. He and Jed aren't exactly friends but they have worked together in the past. Redford is along for the ride as well as Victor, David's current boyfriend? friend? bed mate? ... not sure show to describe what Victor is to David. David is not forthcoming with all he knows about the disappearances so Jed is basically going in blind.
A lot happens in this book. Redford has changed as a result of things that happened to him in Blood Howl. He is hearing voices and behaving aggressively at times. While he is still shy and somewhat naive, he takes a bigger role not only with the job Jed was hired to do, but in the bedroom as well (watching him go from little innocent to all dominant was sexy as hell). Jed, while still the bad ass mercenary, goes all mellow and sweet when it comes to Red. David is an enigma. He is very secretive and that secrecy has the ability to destroy not only him but the others as well. Victor (also introduced in the first book) is a stuffy professor who has a couple of secrets of his own.
The journey to Cairo and back is full of action and emotions for all involved. I hate doing reviews with spoilers so I won't say what all happens before, during and after the trip. But I will say that something happens that had the ability to totally piss me off but it didn't because I saw this coming early on. I wasn't happy about it and it bothered me to an extent but not enough to put me off from what I hope will be more books in the series. The authors make a point in setting this up throughout the book so it seriously should not come as any kind of surprise to anyone.
This book is an emotional roller coaster. One minute I was laughing (Jed... the cat lady... I laughed so hard my kid came in the room to see if I had lost my mind), the next I was ... I won't say sad... frustrated maybe? I felt for all the characters. I love how the authors kept Jed funny even when serious stuff was going on. The comedy relief is needed for such a serious story.
I rarely give books from a series a 5 star rating because I am always left with unanswered questions. Trust me, there are tons of things left unanswered in this one. It's rare for me to give ANY book a 5 star rating. But Jed and Redford sealed this one for me. I will be one of the first to buy the next book in this series. I can't wait to jump back into Jed and Red's world again.
Final note: I would not recommend anyone reading this without reading Blood Howl first. You will probably still enjoy the story but you will not get the feel for the characters. You have to see where they came from before you can go forward with this one. That's my opinion.
June 3, 2012
4 Hearts
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Warning: Scenes of blood during sex (David), extreme violence (Jed), extreme possessiveness (Redford) and extreme tea drinking (Victor).
Review: Jed and Red are hired by David to dig into the disappearances of people in Cairo. Jed jumps at the chance and now, along with Red, David and Victor, it’s time to find out the truth of what is happening in Cairo. Red is fascinated by Cairo, but Jed’s behavior is putting a downer on his enjoyment. Will Jed finally notice that his behavior is upsetting his little wolf? David is keeping secrets which could have an adverse effect, especially when Jed finds out what they are really up against. Victor’s secrets come out and his relationship is rocky, as David finds it hard to resist the allure of his past.
Wow. This is a really well-written novel that has a lot of twists and turns and at the end you sit there thinking ‘after all that, there’s no real answers? But damn it was good.’ This story is written from Jed, Redford, David and Victor’s POVs so there is switching back and forth between them. As we get to see everything, from each person, we begin to really see into each personality. David is laid back, cool and sophisticated, but it is all a façade that begins to crumble when he sets foot in Cairo. Victor is quiet, bookish and intelligent, but it hides a kinky heart. Redford is shy, innocent and sweet, but he is now also conflicted with a wolf that is possessive and dominates. Jed is brash, sexually out-going and a hard case to crack, but he also likes to be submissive in bed and is completely devoted to Red and he really loves to blow things up.
This story is quite complex in its weaving as nothing is quite what it seems and the ending is not what you’d want. It’s quite bittersweet as we follow the relationship of Victor and David, and their feelings for each other. Red and Jed’s relationship is a great one, but Jed really should curb his flirting, unless he wants an angry wolf on his hands. The actual storyline seems quite simple, David has noticed a pattern of kidnappings in Cairo and wants Jed to investigate and stop the culprits… the only problem is David hasn’t been forthcoming with the full details, and the truth shocks the shit out of Jed, before his attitude embraces it that is.
In this book we see both Jed and Red’s relationship, as well as David and Victor’s… which means twice the sex *squee*. We find out the truth about David and about Victor as their secrets get spilled. We see Red struggling with the after effects of Filtiarn’s (from Blood Howl) experiment and we see Jed’s absolute trust and belief in Red. And we see David’s weakness in the face of an old lover, as the doubts about himself seep in.
So we have secrets, doubts, violence, explosions, blood and guts galore, rescues, hunting, surprises, hot, hot sex, lots of showers to wash off all the blood, more explosions and an ending that has you wondering what will happen next. So really I can’t think of anything more enjoyable than grabbing some drinks, some nibbles and this book, and having a good read that would rival any Hollywood blockbuster for explosions.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Warning: Scenes of blood during sex (David), extreme violence (Jed), extreme possessiveness (Redford) and extreme tea drinking (Victor).
Review: Jed and Red are hired by David to dig into the disappearances of people in Cairo. Jed jumps at the chance and now, along with Red, David and Victor, it’s time to find out the truth of what is happening in Cairo. Red is fascinated by Cairo, but Jed’s behavior is putting a downer on his enjoyment. Will Jed finally notice that his behavior is upsetting his little wolf? David is keeping secrets which could have an adverse effect, especially when Jed finds out what they are really up against. Victor’s secrets come out and his relationship is rocky, as David finds it hard to resist the allure of his past.
Wow. This is a really well-written novel that has a lot of twists and turns and at the end you sit there thinking ‘after all that, there’s no real answers? But damn it was good.’ This story is written from Jed, Redford, David and Victor’s POVs so there is switching back and forth between them. As we get to see everything, from each person, we begin to really see into each personality. David is laid back, cool and sophisticated, but it is all a façade that begins to crumble when he sets foot in Cairo. Victor is quiet, bookish and intelligent, but it hides a kinky heart. Redford is shy, innocent and sweet, but he is now also conflicted with a wolf that is possessive and dominates. Jed is brash, sexually out-going and a hard case to crack, but he also likes to be submissive in bed and is completely devoted to Red and he really loves to blow things up.
This story is quite complex in its weaving as nothing is quite what it seems and the ending is not what you’d want. It’s quite bittersweet as we follow the relationship of Victor and David, and their feelings for each other. Red and Jed’s relationship is a great one, but Jed really should curb his flirting, unless he wants an angry wolf on his hands. The actual storyline seems quite simple, David has noticed a pattern of kidnappings in Cairo and wants Jed to investigate and stop the culprits… the only problem is David hasn’t been forthcoming with the full details, and the truth shocks the shit out of Jed, before his attitude embraces it that is.
In this book we see both Jed and Red’s relationship, as well as David and Victor’s… which means twice the sex *squee*. We find out the truth about David and about Victor as their secrets get spilled. We see Red struggling with the after effects of Filtiarn’s (from Blood Howl) experiment and we see Jed’s absolute trust and belief in Red. And we see David’s weakness in the face of an old lover, as the doubts about himself seep in.
So we have secrets, doubts, violence, explosions, blood and guts galore, rescues, hunting, surprises, hot, hot sex, lots of showers to wash off all the blood, more explosions and an ending that has you wondering what will happen next. So really I can’t think of anything more enjoyable than grabbing some drinks, some nibbles and this book, and having a good read that would rival any Hollywood blockbuster for explosions.
May 23, 2012
I've Read it!!
And I've loved it!!!
There are laughs (a lot of!) and there are tears (I've cried like a baby on chapter 15!!). There is tender love and very hot sex. There is action, there is blood, there are explosions. There are a lot of things, all that I can search in a book!
Like the previous book, I've loved Jed (expecially him!) and Red! The way that their relationship is growing in tenderness and in trust, it's moving and really realistic.
I've loved that, despite the fact that both the two love stories are an essential part of the book, there is a story beyond that! A very addictive story!
The characters are quite unique, and despite that, they fit perfectly each other!
I don't think that David falls in the classical stereotype of the sad, emo, blood addicted vampire, like someone can say. He is something more. Someone in some way, more fragile than any other.
I liked the medusa thing, too. It's new, and has a lot of potentials for the next books (because there will be more books, there not?)! And, what about the other wolf...??? I think we'll see him again, don't you?
The "leather Daddy", too, is a character that i would like to see again, and I think we will!
What I had considered the only possible defect of the last book, a setting that lack a bit in details and interactions with the marginal characters, in Blood in the sand has greatly improved. You can see how much Robin and Alex have improved in their writing! And if I really have to find a defect, maybe are the too few scenes with Knievel!! That cat rocks!
In the end of my too prolix opinion, I wanna say again how much I enjoyed this book! And I hope, HOPE, that there will be soon a new one! I'm waiting for that!!
Five stars, and an applause for Robin and Alex!! Go girls!
P.S. I'm sorry if my english is barely comprehensible. I know how to read it, but when it comes to write it... I'm in open war with English grammar!!!
And I've loved it!!!
There are laughs (a lot of!) and there are tears (I've cried like a baby on chapter 15!!). There is tender love and very hot sex. There is action, there is blood, there are explosions. There are a lot of things, all that I can search in a book!
Like the previous book, I've loved Jed (expecially him!) and Red! The way that their relationship is growing in tenderness and in trust, it's moving and really realistic.
I've loved that, despite the fact that both the two love stories are an essential part of the book, there is a story beyond that! A very addictive story!
The characters are quite unique, and despite that, they fit perfectly each other!
I don't think that David falls in the classical stereotype of the sad, emo, blood addicted vampire, like someone can say. He is something more. Someone in some way, more fragile than any other.
I liked the medusa thing, too. It's new, and has a lot of potentials for the next books (because there will be more books, there not?)! And, what about the other wolf...??? I think we'll see him again, don't you?
The "leather Daddy", too, is a character that i would like to see again, and I think we will!
What I had considered the only possible defect of the last book, a setting that lack a bit in details and interactions with the marginal characters, in Blood in the sand has greatly improved. You can see how much Robin and Alex have improved in their writing! And if I really have to find a defect, maybe are the too few scenes with Knievel!! That cat rocks!
In the end of my too prolix opinion, I wanna say again how much I enjoyed this book! And I hope, HOPE, that there will be soon a new one! I'm waiting for that!!
Five stars, and an applause for Robin and Alex!! Go girls!
P.S. I'm sorry if my english is barely comprehensible. I know how to read it, but when it comes to write it... I'm in open war with English grammar!!!
May 21, 2012
Another book that hits the wall. I can't seem to connect with the story. I liked book #1 but I truly struggle with this one and only with determination I can actually. Though I also have to be honest that I skim A LOT after I reach half-part.
On the good side, I think Redford is still adorable. He has flair of innocence in him, which I love. Although it seems that the wolf in him is scratching to the surface, especially in trying to make Jed his. I love the story from Redford's main perspective. Love him being so protective of Jed.
David's real identity and Victor's ability are to two intriguing twists in this story. It brings the story more into the urban fantasy genre, more than just the werewolf in Redford.
So what is my issue? Maybe the writing? Or uhm, I think it's Jed. Yeah, probably Jed. He's just too, I don't know, "busy"? I find his thoughts too scattered and seems to be everywhere, and his snark or nicknames don't work after awhile. He becomes a bit annoying, actually. Unfortunately, there's quite a lot of him (since he's one of the main characters), which makes the writing that involves him just drive me away from focusing on the story.
ALTHOUGH, the writing is also consistent with each of the character. You just know whose perspective it is, because they're all different. So that should be an achievement from the authors, right?
On the good side, I think Redford is still adorable. He has flair of innocence in him, which I love. Although it seems that the wolf in him is scratching to the surface, especially in trying to make Jed his. I love the story from Redford's main perspective. Love him being so protective of Jed.
David's real identity and Victor's ability are to two intriguing twists in this story. It brings the story more into the urban fantasy genre, more than just the werewolf in Redford.
So what is my issue? Maybe the writing? Or uhm, I think it's Jed. Yeah, probably Jed. He's just too, I don't know, "busy"? I find his thoughts too scattered and seems to be everywhere, and his snark or nicknames don't work after awhile. He becomes a bit annoying, actually. Unfortunately, there's quite a lot of him (since he's one of the main characters), which makes the writing that involves him just drive me away from focusing on the story.
ALTHOUGH, the writing is also consistent with each of the character. You just know whose perspective it is, because they're all different. So that should be an achievement from the authors, right?
February 3, 2014
1.5 Stars
So I didn't like this book. If I had to choose one word to describe this story and the characters in it, it would be callous. Aside from Jed and Red, there was little warmth, love, or caring. The book was chock-full of acerbic personalities that bickered constantly. Jed was obnoxious and only Red found it endearing. (I vehemently disagree.) Plus, I kept wondering why David didn't go back to Gabriel. David must kill people IN ORDER TO SURVIVE (something which Jed does FOR MONEY and without compunction), so what's the beef? Seriously. More importantly, what did David gain by staying away and living as he does? He's miserable because his life is wretched. He has no friends, no lover, and he's CONSTANTLY STARVING. Who can live like that? Who would want to? The authors make his existence so bloody agonizing it was depressing.
Bottom line: I was extremely frustrated with this overly long and rambling book. Although I'd really like to read about David's HEA (if he ever gets one), the drawbacks for this series easily outweigh what little desire I have to continue on.
So I didn't like this book. If I had to choose one word to describe this story and the characters in it, it would be callous. Aside from Jed and Red, there was little warmth, love, or caring. The book was chock-full of acerbic personalities that bickered constantly. Jed was obnoxious and only Red found it endearing. (I vehemently disagree.) Plus, I kept wondering why David didn't go back to Gabriel. David must kill people IN ORDER TO SURVIVE (something which Jed does FOR MONEY and without compunction), so what's the beef? Seriously. More importantly, what did David gain by staying away and living as he does? He's miserable because his life is wretched. He has no friends, no lover, and he's CONSTANTLY STARVING. Who can live like that? Who would want to? The authors make his existence so bloody agonizing it was depressing.
Bottom line: I was extremely frustrated with this overly long and rambling book. Although I'd really like to read about David's HEA (if he ever gets one), the drawbacks for this series easily outweigh what little desire I have to continue on.
July 6, 2012
I've loved this book!!! Jed always make me laugh and I'm definitely in love with him. Action (a lot! you can't live without a Jed's blast :-D), love, sex. I've laughed and cried (chapter 15...). Can't wait to read more about Jed&Red.
April 19, 2018
Eccoci di nuovo in compagnia di Jed e Red che fanno ormai coppia fissa. Jed con le sue solite spacconate, e Red con la sua timidezza dovuta al suo passato da recluso e al suo essere un licantropo.
In seguito al rito rimasto incompiuto da Filtirian nel capitolo scorso Red ha acquisito la capacità di trasformarsi a comando, ma ha anche acquisito una sorta di coscienza appartenente al lato selvaggio del Lupo che si manifesta soprattutto durante i sogni (e in generale quando la coscienza di Red è molto bassa); tale coscienza lo spinge a far emergere il lupo che è in lui e lo preoccupa molto, tanto che lo spinge ad andare in terapia. Red, tenta di essere un fidanzato attento e pur non essendo d’accordo con l’idea del terapista, tenta di supportare le scelte di Red e soprattutto di essergli vicino per dimostrargli che di lui non ha paura e che lo ama.
Jed continua con i suoi lavoretti mentre Red lo aiuta gestendo il lato finanziario. Il nuovo lavoro che gli viene commissionato li porta al Cairo per fare luce su alcune sparizioni. Il committente lo abbiamo già conosciuto in precedenza: è David, l’informatore di fiducia di Jet, che non solo lo paga profumatamente per i suoi servizi, ma pretende anche essere parte della comitiva che partirà per il Cairo. Comincia così l’avventura che ci permette di approfondire la conoscenza di David e Vicktor, che avevamo conosciuto solo marginalmente. Tante sono le novità, che riguardano David soprattutto…
Il libro è ben scritto, mai noioso, sempre vivace. Le scene di sesso non mancano mai, ma non monopolizzano l’attenzione.
Quello che mi è rimasto di questo libro è la consapevolezza dell’amore che lega Jed a Red che non perdono occasione per ribadirselo a vicenda, l’insicurezza che spesso affiora dai comportamenti di Red e la profonda attenzione e dedizione che Jed ha nei confronti del suo compagno, che traspare sia dalle sue parole che dalla cautela che si insinua nei suoi metodi al fine di tenere al sicuro Red, che per lui viene prima di tutto. In contrapposizione all’estrema attenzione che J. presta in tutto quello che fa per rispetto di Red, c’è la sua estrema stupidità che si manifesta nel rifiutarsi di approfondire la conoscenza di tutto quello che non è umano e strettamente necessario, nonostante il suo compagno sia un licantropo e nella missione in corso abbia a che fare con altre creature non umane. Jed non si rende conto che essendo lui umano è in terribile svantaggio nei confronti dei suoi avversari, e la sua non-voglia di approfondire determinati argomenti lo mette nella condizione di non sapersi difendere nella maniera appropriata.
Il libro è veramente bello, direi quasi che mi è piaciuto più del primo anche se alla fine mi ha lasciato un po’ con l’amaro in bocca per via della coppia David-Vicktor o più precisamente per David. Ma questa è un’altra storia…. Spero!
In seguito al rito rimasto incompiuto da Filtirian nel capitolo scorso Red ha acquisito la capacità di trasformarsi a comando, ma ha anche acquisito una sorta di coscienza appartenente al lato selvaggio del Lupo che si manifesta soprattutto durante i sogni (e in generale quando la coscienza di Red è molto bassa); tale coscienza lo spinge a far emergere il lupo che è in lui e lo preoccupa molto, tanto che lo spinge ad andare in terapia. Red, tenta di essere un fidanzato attento e pur non essendo d’accordo con l’idea del terapista, tenta di supportare le scelte di Red e soprattutto di essergli vicino per dimostrargli che di lui non ha paura e che lo ama.
Jed continua con i suoi lavoretti mentre Red lo aiuta gestendo il lato finanziario. Il nuovo lavoro che gli viene commissionato li porta al Cairo per fare luce su alcune sparizioni. Il committente lo abbiamo già conosciuto in precedenza: è David, l’informatore di fiducia di Jet, che non solo lo paga profumatamente per i suoi servizi, ma pretende anche essere parte della comitiva che partirà per il Cairo. Comincia così l’avventura che ci permette di approfondire la conoscenza di David e Vicktor, che avevamo conosciuto solo marginalmente. Tante sono le novità, che riguardano David soprattutto…
Il libro è ben scritto, mai noioso, sempre vivace. Le scene di sesso non mancano mai, ma non monopolizzano l’attenzione.
Quello che mi è rimasto di questo libro è la consapevolezza dell’amore che lega Jed a Red che non perdono occasione per ribadirselo a vicenda, l’insicurezza che spesso affiora dai comportamenti di Red e la profonda attenzione e dedizione che Jed ha nei confronti del suo compagno, che traspare sia dalle sue parole che dalla cautela che si insinua nei suoi metodi al fine di tenere al sicuro Red, che per lui viene prima di tutto. In contrapposizione all’estrema attenzione che J. presta in tutto quello che fa per rispetto di Red, c’è la sua estrema stupidità che si manifesta nel rifiutarsi di approfondire la conoscenza di tutto quello che non è umano e strettamente necessario, nonostante il suo compagno sia un licantropo e nella missione in corso abbia a che fare con altre creature non umane. Jed non si rende conto che essendo lui umano è in terribile svantaggio nei confronti dei suoi avversari, e la sua non-voglia di approfondire determinati argomenti lo mette nella condizione di non sapersi difendere nella maniera appropriata.
Il libro è veramente bello, direi quasi che mi è piaciuto più del primo anche se alla fine mi ha lasciato un po’ con l’amaro in bocca per via della coppia David-Vicktor o più precisamente per David. Ma questa è un’altra storia…. Spero!
June 22, 2017
Recensione a cura di Raksha per Feel The Book
La storia s’infittisce!
Ho apprezzato molto il primo romanzo della serie, ma questo secondo è decisamente un passo avanti.
All’inizio della storia, ritroviamo i nostri eroi quattro mesi dopo la morte di Fil, il grande lupo cattivo che aveva assunto il nostro amato assassino Jed per rapire il lupacchiotto Red e averlo tutto per sé. Liberi da quel problema, come prevedibile, non se ne sono rimasti a casa buoni a cucire tendine e li troviamo impegnati in carini e pericolosi lavoretti molto illegali.
La situazione è molto cambiata pur restando molto simile.
Jed è sempre un esuberante, a tratti fastidioso, assassino pieno di sé, però non è più solo. Follemente innamorato, ha una nuova splendida caratteristica che lo accompagna, una fiducia cieca nel suo compagno.
E di fiducia, accanto ad un licantropo, ce ne vuole tanta!
Redford infatti, non è più un semplice mutaforma che una volta al mese, con la luna piena, si trasforma in un grosso lupo. Grazie al sangue che Fil ha iniettato in lui, per attivare un sorta di processo di evoluzione, ora Red è in grado di trasformarsi quando vuole, ma è anche costretto a sopportare una presenza dentro di sé che vuole prendere il sopravvento. Il suo lupo è sempre più vicino alla superficie.
Dopo i capitoli iniziali ritroviamo altre due figure che già avevamo incontrato in “Luna di sangue”: David e Victor. Posati e silenziosi, sempre composti e perfetti, in questo romanzo rivelano la loro vera natura. Entrambi infatti hanno molto da nascondere.
Per un lettore esperto del genere, è abbastanza semplice svelare ciò che nasconde David già nei primi capitoli. L’uomo non mangia, si ripara per non essere colpito direttamente dalla luce del sole, mostra occhi gialli… voi cosa dite?
Per leggere la recensione completa venite sul nostro sito https://www.feelthebook.com/recension...
La storia s’infittisce!
Ho apprezzato molto il primo romanzo della serie, ma questo secondo è decisamente un passo avanti.
All’inizio della storia, ritroviamo i nostri eroi quattro mesi dopo la morte di Fil, il grande lupo cattivo che aveva assunto il nostro amato assassino Jed per rapire il lupacchiotto Red e averlo tutto per sé. Liberi da quel problema, come prevedibile, non se ne sono rimasti a casa buoni a cucire tendine e li troviamo impegnati in carini e pericolosi lavoretti molto illegali.
La situazione è molto cambiata pur restando molto simile.
Jed è sempre un esuberante, a tratti fastidioso, assassino pieno di sé, però non è più solo. Follemente innamorato, ha una nuova splendida caratteristica che lo accompagna, una fiducia cieca nel suo compagno.
E di fiducia, accanto ad un licantropo, ce ne vuole tanta!
Redford infatti, non è più un semplice mutaforma che una volta al mese, con la luna piena, si trasforma in un grosso lupo. Grazie al sangue che Fil ha iniettato in lui, per attivare un sorta di processo di evoluzione, ora Red è in grado di trasformarsi quando vuole, ma è anche costretto a sopportare una presenza dentro di sé che vuole prendere il sopravvento. Il suo lupo è sempre più vicino alla superficie.
Dopo i capitoli iniziali ritroviamo altre due figure che già avevamo incontrato in “Luna di sangue”: David e Victor. Posati e silenziosi, sempre composti e perfetti, in questo romanzo rivelano la loro vera natura. Entrambi infatti hanno molto da nascondere.
Per un lettore esperto del genere, è abbastanza semplice svelare ciò che nasconde David già nei primi capitoli. L’uomo non mangia, si ripara per non essere colpito direttamente dalla luce del sole, mostra occhi gialli… voi cosa dite?
Per leggere la recensione completa venite sul nostro sito https://www.feelthebook.com/recension...
April 11, 2017
I really love this couple. Jed is the fast-talking mercenary and Redford is the shy, bookish werewolf. Their relationship is not normal by any means, but somehow it works. They're hired by an old acquaintance of Jed's, David, to investigate a series of kidnappings in Egypt. While Jed is in it for the money and excitement, Red is almost bouncing on his feet because he gets to take a plane for the first time and because he wants to see a city that he's only read about before.
May 29, 2012
Five stars for Jed and Redford. I like to see them together, I like their relationship (yeah there are issues, but it is still awesome). The rest of the story would get a three probably. There were just so many little things that threw me. How about that non-bottled water, to start with?
Victor and David. I just don't really like them. Victor I am pretty much indifferent to, but the more of David I had to read the more he moved into pretty firm "I do not like this character" territory. Vampires and I have a difficult relationship. I hate, hate, HATE angsty vampires. If your life is so miserable and you are such a monster...let me show you a sunrise. Really. (Now, I would never say something like that in real life, but...vampires...so, not real life.) Did I mention how much I hate whiny vampires? Either embrace it, whether that means killing people indiscriminately (where I will hate you for being evil - or maybe not, depending on how you are written - but I won't despise you for whining), find some sort of balance (like multiple donors so you don't kill anyone, something like that), or just go crispy critters (please, I really hate whining). You are immortal, no getting sick, no getting old, extremely hard to kill, more powerful...and all you can do is sit around and pout because of how tragic your life is. Dude...just...no, stop and look at people who really have tragic lives through no fault of their own, and then look at yourself and the choices you have made and for the love of all sparkly unicorns, STOP WHINING. *growl*
At the end it is made clear that David knew there was no way they could defeat whathisname, David's sire. What a craptastic person David is, bringing three (relatively) innocent people in to be killed doing an impossible job and of course not giving them all the info, especially the part about, y'know, it BEING IMPOSSIBLE. *beats head on wall*
Victor...could conceivably be cool but he just bores me and sometimes vaguely annoys me with his superior, snotty attitude. I really hate superior snotty people. They are right up there with whiners. (Unless I am the one whining or being snotty. That is totally different. *nods*) But Victor, out of all of them, really has the right to be angsty, with Redford being second. Redford had a crappy life before Jed and has out of control instincts. Victor can expect to go crazy someday instead of having a happily ever after. Things neither one of them can really control or change. Not to the degree that David has control of his issues. Yet they don't spend the entire book thinking about how awful their lives are and blaming everyone around them for everything.
I...really didn't like David. *sigh* Moving on, the whole premise was rather convoluted and messy and didn't quite work for me. Here is David's all powerful sire and he resorts to stupid little tricks and such to draw David back and then just lets everyone run around and do what they want? I guess it just didn't fit with how he was supposed to be. Convoluted games, okay, sure, but he is supposedly so evil and all-knowing and brilliant that I really expected more from him. It makes me sad when the bad guy fails his evil test. *sad face*
Jed. Stop the flirting. Thanks. Also, how is he such an expert, etc, and how has he managed to stay alive when he just doesn't bother to listen or learn or anything. You can't have it both ways. He can't be this super duper assassin/thief/whatever and NOT bother to listen when someone is trying to tell him how to kill a vampire. *beats head on wall* I feel like this was only there so that they could fail to kill Big Baddie at the end. I mean, he knows that the supernatural exists now, he knows that werewolves can't be killed by regular means. He isn't stupid, but every so often, for what seems to be the sake of story convenience, he completely loses the ability to use his brain. At all. He wants to protect Redford. They want to maintain a low profile. But they just come and go from the hotel and roam all around and take NO precautions. Just...how is he still alive? *frustration*
I know, that's a lot of griping for four stars. There were so many things that bugged me, but I really loved Jed and Redford together, so they trumped the bad.
Victor and David. I just don't really like them. Victor I am pretty much indifferent to, but the more of David I had to read the more he moved into pretty firm "I do not like this character" territory. Vampires and I have a difficult relationship. I hate, hate, HATE angsty vampires. If your life is so miserable and you are such a monster...let me show you a sunrise. Really. (Now, I would never say something like that in real life, but...vampires...so, not real life.) Did I mention how much I hate whiny vampires? Either embrace it, whether that means killing people indiscriminately (where I will hate you for being evil - or maybe not, depending on how you are written - but I won't despise you for whining), find some sort of balance (like multiple donors so you don't kill anyone, something like that), or just go crispy critters (please, I really hate whining). You are immortal, no getting sick, no getting old, extremely hard to kill, more powerful...and all you can do is sit around and pout because of how tragic your life is. Dude...just...no, stop and look at people who really have tragic lives through no fault of their own, and then look at yourself and the choices you have made and for the love of all sparkly unicorns, STOP WHINING. *growl*
At the end it is made clear that David knew there was no way they could defeat whathisname, David's sire. What a craptastic person David is, bringing three (relatively) innocent people in to be killed doing an impossible job and of course not giving them all the info, especially the part about, y'know, it BEING IMPOSSIBLE. *beats head on wall*
Victor...could conceivably be cool but he just bores me and sometimes vaguely annoys me with his superior, snotty attitude. I really hate superior snotty people. They are right up there with whiners. (Unless I am the one whining or being snotty. That is totally different. *nods*) But Victor, out of all of them, really has the right to be angsty, with Redford being second. Redford had a crappy life before Jed and has out of control instincts. Victor can expect to go crazy someday instead of having a happily ever after. Things neither one of them can really control or change. Not to the degree that David has control of his issues. Yet they don't spend the entire book thinking about how awful their lives are and blaming everyone around them for everything.
I...really didn't like David. *sigh* Moving on, the whole premise was rather convoluted and messy and didn't quite work for me. Here is David's all powerful sire and he resorts to stupid little tricks and such to draw David back and then just lets everyone run around and do what they want? I guess it just didn't fit with how he was supposed to be. Convoluted games, okay, sure, but he is supposedly so evil and all-knowing and brilliant that I really expected more from him. It makes me sad when the bad guy fails his evil test. *sad face*
Jed. Stop the flirting. Thanks. Also, how is he such an expert, etc, and how has he managed to stay alive when he just doesn't bother to listen or learn or anything. You can't have it both ways. He can't be this super duper assassin/thief/whatever and NOT bother to listen when someone is trying to tell him how to kill a vampire. *beats head on wall* I feel like this was only there so that they could fail to kill Big Baddie at the end. I mean, he knows that the supernatural exists now, he knows that werewolves can't be killed by regular means. He isn't stupid, but every so often, for what seems to be the sake of story convenience, he completely loses the ability to use his brain. At all. He wants to protect Redford. They want to maintain a low profile. But they just come and go from the hotel and roam all around and take NO precautions. Just...how is he still alive? *frustration*
I know, that's a lot of griping for four stars. There were so many things that bugged me, but I really loved Jed and Redford together, so they trumped the bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2013
‘Blood in the Sand’ is one of those rare sequels that offers not only more surprises than the first book, but deepens the story to a new level in terms of the external conflict, the relationship between the main characters, and does all of it while setting up an overarching story arch connecting all the books that certainly has me curious. The layer of mystery around Redford’s werewolf heritage only deepens as he begins to experience the effects of Filtairn’s manipulations, there is more details about vampires in this world (and the picture isn’t pretty!), and the number of shooting scenes and explosions definitely increases. Jed and Redford fascinated me even more than before with their trying to balance the deep love they feel for each other with absolute inexperience of how to behave in a relationship. It lead to some funny situations, some worrying on my part if they’ll get it right, and an overall roller-coaster like emotional up and down that had me reeling and quite certain that I won’t forget this story any time soon!
While I liked Jed in book one, still torn between bafflement about how any one man can be so conceited about his abilities yet totally capable, I learned to love him in this second volume. He does try so hard to protect Redford, but he also begins to see the man has real value to him as a business partner. I loved the joking about their expense accounts and Redford now “doing the books” of Jed’s mercenary business. I also adored Jed’s ability to be incredibly protective yet letting Redford do his part, then being there for the physical (very hot) and emotional cleanup. The guy is simply amazing, and even if he doesn’t listen for sh*t when people try to tell him how to kill a vampire, he somehow muddles through and manages to get stuff done. With the usual explosions and bloodshed, but that is just part of who he is. And anyway, as he would tell you, it’s the bad guys who suffer, so that’s okay.
Redford has been through a lot: his grandmother cruelly isolating him from the world, making him feel less than human, the disgusting and forced experimentation Filtairn inflicted on him, and the increasingly loud voice of his wolf inside him, wanting out and demanding certain things happen in a certain way. On the other hand, Redford has the curiosity of ten men, and this childlike innocence when he sees and experiences new things. Their trip to Egypt, vampires or not, offers ample opportunity for him to explore all the places he’d previously only read about. And as his love for Jed deepens, his self-confidence in being helpful grows, even if he still isn’t quite sure what to do with the “woolfy” side of himself that is in such stark contradiction to the rest of his very civilized nature.
David, the vampire, and stuffy professor Victor Rathborne, who also isn’t quite as human as he looks, have their own set of problems. I like how their relationship was woven into the story with out detracting from the primary one between Jed and Redford. While there is no love between them, the heat they generate is considerable and the danger they are both in had me turning the pages.
If you like action/adventures of the supernatural kind, if you enjoy solving mysteries and finding the guilty party in a set of horrific kidnappings, and if you want to know how Jed and Redford are doing now that they are a “real couple”, then you should read this novel. It had me totally fascinated and looking forward to the next sequel. I am very grateful it’s already been written!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
While I liked Jed in book one, still torn between bafflement about how any one man can be so conceited about his abilities yet totally capable, I learned to love him in this second volume. He does try so hard to protect Redford, but he also begins to see the man has real value to him as a business partner. I loved the joking about their expense accounts and Redford now “doing the books” of Jed’s mercenary business. I also adored Jed’s ability to be incredibly protective yet letting Redford do his part, then being there for the physical (very hot) and emotional cleanup. The guy is simply amazing, and even if he doesn’t listen for sh*t when people try to tell him how to kill a vampire, he somehow muddles through and manages to get stuff done. With the usual explosions and bloodshed, but that is just part of who he is. And anyway, as he would tell you, it’s the bad guys who suffer, so that’s okay.
Redford has been through a lot: his grandmother cruelly isolating him from the world, making him feel less than human, the disgusting and forced experimentation Filtairn inflicted on him, and the increasingly loud voice of his wolf inside him, wanting out and demanding certain things happen in a certain way. On the other hand, Redford has the curiosity of ten men, and this childlike innocence when he sees and experiences new things. Their trip to Egypt, vampires or not, offers ample opportunity for him to explore all the places he’d previously only read about. And as his love for Jed deepens, his self-confidence in being helpful grows, even if he still isn’t quite sure what to do with the “woolfy” side of himself that is in such stark contradiction to the rest of his very civilized nature.
David, the vampire, and stuffy professor Victor Rathborne, who also isn’t quite as human as he looks, have their own set of problems. I like how their relationship was woven into the story with out detracting from the primary one between Jed and Redford. While there is no love between them, the heat they generate is considerable and the danger they are both in had me turning the pages.
If you like action/adventures of the supernatural kind, if you enjoy solving mysteries and finding the guilty party in a set of horrific kidnappings, and if you want to know how Jed and Redford are doing now that they are a “real couple”, then you should read this novel. It had me totally fascinated and looking forward to the next sequel. I am very grateful it’s already been written!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
July 22, 2012
I have really enjoyed both of these two books (Blood in the Sand, and its predecessor Blood Howl). Both of them make use of appealing characters and strong prose to grab readers and keep them hooked.
I said it in my review of Blood Howl, and I'll say it again -- I love these characters! They may start out with "typical" PNR fare -- the ex-military mercenary, the werewolf, the vampire filled with regrets -- but then the authors bring us new and exciting *people* to fill those standard roles. These guys aren't just cardboard cutouts. They are complicated, and imperfect, and multi-faceted. And the relationships between the characters are likewise many-layered and ever-changing. Great work there.
And also as in the first book, Saxon and Kidwell write with good, strong, evocative prose. Definitely a step or two above the normal erotic romance/PNR fare. It's much easier to get involved in both the action and the drama of a story, when the authors actually know how to use the English language.
Unfortunately, ALSO as in the first book, the authors haven't worked out all their plotting problems. The plot is better here, with fewer obvious plot holes and fewer Really Dumb Things done by the main characters. But the problems are still there. IMHO the characters and prose make up for the inadequacies of the plot, but that will depend on your personal tastes to decide.
All in all, a very enjoyable read. Do read Blood Howl first. This is not one of those romance "series" that uses different main characters every time, this is very much an ongoing story with ongoing characters. If you like great character work, you'll enjoy these.
edited to add -- After reading someone else's review, I thought I should add another line or two. Specifically: this story is NOT all sunshine and roses. If you want a typical "romance" where everybody comes out smiling in the end, this isn't the book for you. This book doesn't mangle the plot just to give everyone instant HEAs; even though this is paranormal, these authors are much more "realistic" than that. And, also, this is a series -- so there's no telling what might happen in future books. So adjust your expectations before purchasing!
I said it in my review of Blood Howl, and I'll say it again -- I love these characters! They may start out with "typical" PNR fare -- the ex-military mercenary, the werewolf, the vampire filled with regrets -- but then the authors bring us new and exciting *people* to fill those standard roles. These guys aren't just cardboard cutouts. They are complicated, and imperfect, and multi-faceted. And the relationships between the characters are likewise many-layered and ever-changing. Great work there.
And also as in the first book, Saxon and Kidwell write with good, strong, evocative prose. Definitely a step or two above the normal erotic romance/PNR fare. It's much easier to get involved in both the action and the drama of a story, when the authors actually know how to use the English language.
Unfortunately, ALSO as in the first book, the authors haven't worked out all their plotting problems. The plot is better here, with fewer obvious plot holes and fewer Really Dumb Things done by the main characters. But the problems are still there. IMHO the characters and prose make up for the inadequacies of the plot, but that will depend on your personal tastes to decide.
All in all, a very enjoyable read. Do read Blood Howl first. This is not one of those romance "series" that uses different main characters every time, this is very much an ongoing story with ongoing characters. If you like great character work, you'll enjoy these.
edited to add -- After reading someone else's review, I thought I should add another line or two. Specifically: this story is NOT all sunshine and roses. If you want a typical "romance" where everybody comes out smiling in the end, this isn't the book for you. This book doesn't mangle the plot just to give everyone instant HEAs; even though this is paranormal, these authors are much more "realistic" than that. And, also, this is a series -- so there's no telling what might happen in future books. So adjust your expectations before purchasing!
November 23, 2012
This is a good sequel to Blood Howl, which I also enjoyed.
It took a while to get moving, but once the plot kicked in, it was pretty un-putdownable. I'm definitely going to buy more in this series, if the authors care to write them.
Great world-building and good settings; lots of action once they get going and good fantasy elements. I loved Jed calling Redford Fido! They're pretty adorable as a couple.
The cover is as good as its contents. It got commendable far in the Rainbow awards cover competition, and I voted it along as far as I could. The red colouring makes you feel the shimmering heat of Egypt and the contents keep the heat in :)
Great work by Anne Cain (again) and DSP.
It took a while to get moving, but once the plot kicked in, it was pretty un-putdownable. I'm definitely going to buy more in this series, if the authors care to write them.
Great world-building and good settings; lots of action once they get going and good fantasy elements. I loved Jed calling Redford Fido! They're pretty adorable as a couple.
The cover is as good as its contents. It got commendable far in the Rainbow awards cover competition, and I voted it along as far as I could. The red colouring makes you feel the shimmering heat of Egypt and the contents keep the heat in :)
Great work by Anne Cain (again) and DSP.
May 22, 2012
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, love the Jed and Red characters and all the wisecracking and explosions. Felt rather sorry for David in this one I hope he gets to resolve his issues if there are any more stories to come. I hope there are plans in the pipeline for more books!
glbt-to-read
May 25, 2012Have no idea what this is about but that COVER - I want!!!
August 12, 2012
Oh so good! I really loved both of these books! Can't wait for the third one!
June 16, 2012
Love it.
October 1, 2013
This is a hard book to review because there were a lot of things that bothered me about it and yet I loved it. As a result, I'm going to make this review more of a list of things because it's hard to keep it all coherent in my mind.
What I loved:
The action and suspense. The danger and excitement and intrigue. The mortal peril.
The characters and characterization. Every person was unique and I could picture what individual was speaking even without dialog tags or any other direction. Each had his own voice. (Yes, there weren't any important female characters but when one showed up, it wasn't in a sexist way.)
Jed in particular is different from other alpha males. I loved that he's touchy feely and all gooey lovey dovey with Redford and about Redford and then macho "I don't care about anything" with everyone else. The part that's different is that he doesn't hide his intense feelings for Redford and will be all mushy with others around including strangers. He'll sit in Redford's lap and bottoms even more than tops.
He's also an asshole. Sometimes this is really funny but I couldn't help but noticed that sometimes it wasn't so much funny as just mean. The scene where he calls home to talk to his cat was one of these where parts were hilarious and parts had me cringing and wanting to slap him. So I guess this is one of those both love it and hate it pieces.
But his relationship with Redford is beautiful and just got me right here (hand on my chest). I love Redford's innocence and it take's Jed's breath away. I love that they want to touch each other all the time (and that it bugs the hell out of Victor and David). I wish I got a little more from Redford's perspective, but I got enough to know that the intense love is mutual. And it's really wonderful that they both want to defend each other, that although Redford sounds like he's subservient to Jed's alpha maleness, he's not at all. Redford often defers to Jed because he's so ignorant of so much and hasn't been exposed to enough to have an opinion. But when it's something he does know about, they both realize that they're equals (except that Jed's main goal is to protect Redford and is so terrified that something might happen that he isn't always as open and honest as he should be at times).
The relationship, though, is a beautiful juxtaposition with Victor and David's. As the story progresses, we see more and more the differences and what makes a relationship stronger and what hurts it. This comes from both sides, but the things Jed and Redford learn are so different from what Victor and David need to learn. I'm not saying anything here that isn't in the blurb. As J & R just get stronger and stronger together, V & D (oh, that's an unfortunate combo...) start falling apart faster and faster. I think the whole thing is really well done with it's subtlety in that the comparisons are inferred rather than blatant and in your face.
Although I had already figured out from the last book why David was doesn't smell like a human, I didn't understand what was up with Victor outside of his relationship with David. I really liked where that went and where what we found out might be handled in the next book. (How's that for vague?)
The plot was good, too. I wasn't convinced at any point that anyone was right about what was happening. My take on the mystery changed every chapter or so. While there wasn't any new ground broken here, it was still entertaining and the twists usually took me by surprise. There were some parts where clues were left for the reader to figure out stuff at the same time as the MCs, but not completely spoon fed, either.
One of my favorite parts, though was the humor. There were some very funny moments. This one is Jed being absolutely serious:
In this book more than most others, I really got what a horror it is to be a vampire. So many have a protagonist saying they don't want it for their loved ones but it doesn't make any sense because they are almost invincible, can survive on animal blood just fine, and live forever. The only drawback is not being able to go out in the sun and even that is sometimes changed. Here, though, the life is terrifying to think of and dark and dank. I would never want to be a vampire in this world, even if I were faced with immediate death.
(major spoiler related to plot)
What I didn't love:
The pacing was inconsistent. Some sections were just too long, especially with description. Some things felt unnecessary. (I don't know what was up with the prologue--it didn't fit with the story at all.) I felt that there were too many times we saw David's interactions with that which made him crazy.
A psychologist holds a pen and notepad when he's talking to a client. At least when they start to get something important he puts it aside. But seriously, it's distancing so no decent mental health professional would use one. They'd tape if necessary.
I hate Jed's nicknames for Redford, particularly "Fido." It sounds like an insult.
Jed's flirtations. There's no doubt he's head over heels in love with Redford from page one, so this crap pissed me off. True, (medium spoiler)
I think Jed has a drinking problem and it's not addressed. I hope it will be in the next book.
Jed and Red (sounds like the start of a redneck joke) hold hands and more in public. They're in Egypt where homosexuals are routinely arrested and beaten and tortured. Thinking that you're immune to that because you're strong or because you're not Egyptian is just insanity, especially when you're trying to not attract attention to yourself.
At a restaurant where the menu is in Arabic and therefore for locals, they poor a glass of water out of a jug. Only someone who is not used to traveling to developing nations would write this. It is almost never safe to drink water in any country that is not your own except ones that have exceptional filtration systems. It's not just that it might not be clean, it's also that the microbes in it may mess you up even if they're fine for locals. Even fruit picked from a tree can be harmful. It works the other way around, too. An Egyptian coming to the US can also get terrible diarrhea and stomach aches. On top of that, Egypt is not one of the countries with said exceptional filtration systems. People who live there can get sick, too. All in all, BAD idea. Take it from someone who knows first hand, microbial infections are something you never want to get (and I had been very careful!)
There were lots of continuity errors like twice the characters sat in a booth and then Jed put his arm over the back of Redford's chair. Another time someone was sitting in an armchair and is punched in the face which knocks him backward and then has to pick himself of the ground and brushes off the front of his pants. Then someone went to bed fully clothed and a few sentences later woke up in just his boxers.
There's lots of visual confusion, too. I just don't know how the living area of the hotel suite was configured. There were two couches, at least two armchairs, a table that more than one person could sit at, a large TV, a large window with a view across from the entryway, and a door on each of the other walls plus a kitchen that can be scene from the living room with some kind of bar/counter separating it from the living room. This has to be the biggest hotel room in the history of hotel rooms. This is just one issue, though. There were many times that it didn't make any sense how someone could be in one place and then in another place. There was a time when two people stood toe to toe arguing about something on the table between them. Huh?
I also have an issue that isn't just related to this book but to many vampire stories. If vamps have to eat regularly (especially a body every day or two as here) and there are dozens in a city, how would people not notice? Even if only the people who wouldn't be missed are taken, very soon there wouldn't be a homelessness issue because they'd all have disappeared.
At one point the werewolf went back to a scene and said that he couldn't smell anyone other than the victims that had been there. He couldn't smell investigators or rescue workers?
Many times is TSTL. People try to give him tips in working with the supernatural, a whole new world for him, and he just cuts them off or ignores them. He can't be very good at his job if he doesn't get all the info he can before he goes into a situation. Even if he's amazing, there are always surprises and knowledge is key, sometimes the difference between success and death.
The beginning was all about Redford and his (low medium spoiler)
At the end, (huge major big ass don't read if you want to read the book and want to be at all surprised spoiler)
So see my dilemma? I have so many problems with it that it sounds like this would only be a 3 or 3.5 star read, but it was still so fabulous, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Hopefully this review will help you see if you would agree with me or if these less appealing things would drive you crazy.
I loved it so I'm only docking half a star for them making a 4.5 star rating rounded back up to 5.
What I loved:
The action and suspense. The danger and excitement and intrigue. The mortal peril.
The characters and characterization. Every person was unique and I could picture what individual was speaking even without dialog tags or any other direction. Each had his own voice. (Yes, there weren't any important female characters but when one showed up, it wasn't in a sexist way.)
Jed in particular is different from other alpha males. I loved that he's touchy feely and all gooey lovey dovey with Redford and about Redford and then macho "I don't care about anything" with everyone else. The part that's different is that he doesn't hide his intense feelings for Redford and will be all mushy with others around including strangers. He'll sit in Redford's lap and bottoms even more than tops.
He's also an asshole. Sometimes this is really funny but I couldn't help but noticed that sometimes it wasn't so much funny as just mean. The scene where he calls home to talk to his cat was one of these where parts were hilarious and parts had me cringing and wanting to slap him. So I guess this is one of those both love it and hate it pieces.
But his relationship with Redford is beautiful and just got me right here (hand on my chest). I love Redford's innocence and it take's Jed's breath away. I love that they want to touch each other all the time (and that it bugs the hell out of Victor and David). I wish I got a little more from Redford's perspective, but I got enough to know that the intense love is mutual. And it's really wonderful that they both want to defend each other, that although Redford sounds like he's subservient to Jed's alpha maleness, he's not at all. Redford often defers to Jed because he's so ignorant of so much and hasn't been exposed to enough to have an opinion. But when it's something he does know about, they both realize that they're equals (except that Jed's main goal is to protect Redford and is so terrified that something might happen that he isn't always as open and honest as he should be at times).
The relationship, though, is a beautiful juxtaposition with Victor and David's. As the story progresses, we see more and more the differences and what makes a relationship stronger and what hurts it. This comes from both sides, but the things Jed and Redford learn are so different from what Victor and David need to learn. I'm not saying anything here that isn't in the blurb. As J & R just get stronger and stronger together, V & D (oh, that's an unfortunate combo...) start falling apart faster and faster. I think the whole thing is really well done with it's subtlety in that the comparisons are inferred rather than blatant and in your face.
Although I had already figured out from the last book why David was doesn't smell like a human, I didn't understand what was up with Victor outside of his relationship with David. I really liked where that went and where what we found out might be handled in the next book. (How's that for vague?)
The plot was good, too. I wasn't convinced at any point that anyone was right about what was happening. My take on the mystery changed every chapter or so. While there wasn't any new ground broken here, it was still entertaining and the twists usually took me by surprise. There were some parts where clues were left for the reader to figure out stuff at the same time as the MCs, but not completely spoon fed, either.
One of my favorite parts, though was the humor. There were some very funny moments. This one is Jed being absolutely serious:
...[He] picked up a souvenir he thought Redford might like to start a collection with. Nothing said class like a shot glass with the pyramids on it. Memorable and practical!and one more (I hope your humor is like mine and that you're not rolling your eyes saying, "That is so not funny, maybedog.")
"Learn to see everything," Jed said, almost under his breath. "Don't lose the sight of the forest for the trees." First advice he'd been given, on his first sniper run. Well, after don't jam that gun up your ass and spin, Walker, we need a hit. That was less advice, though and more of a general rule of thumb.and at one point when Redford is upset with Jed for doing something macho and stupid, and Jed is trying to defend himself, David says:
As fun as this is going to be to watch," he said with a low smirk, "I've had quite enough bonding togetherness time. Besides, watching someone dig their own grave is just boring after the first six feet."(Although, what the hell is a "low smirk"?)
In this book more than most others, I really got what a horror it is to be a vampire. So many have a protagonist saying they don't want it for their loved ones but it doesn't make any sense because they are almost invincible, can survive on animal blood just fine, and live forever. The only drawback is not being able to go out in the sun and even that is sometimes changed. Here, though, the life is terrifying to think of and dark and dank. I would never want to be a vampire in this world, even if I were faced with immediate death.
(major spoiler related to plot)
What I didn't love:
The pacing was inconsistent. Some sections were just too long, especially with description. Some things felt unnecessary. (I don't know what was up with the prologue--it didn't fit with the story at all.) I felt that there were too many times we saw David's interactions with that which made him crazy.
A psychologist holds a pen and notepad when he's talking to a client. At least when they start to get something important he puts it aside. But seriously, it's distancing so no decent mental health professional would use one. They'd tape if necessary.
I hate Jed's nicknames for Redford, particularly "Fido." It sounds like an insult.
Jed's flirtations. There's no doubt he's head over heels in love with Redford from page one, so this crap pissed me off. True, (medium spoiler)
I think Jed has a drinking problem and it's not addressed. I hope it will be in the next book.
Jed and Red (sounds like the start of a redneck joke) hold hands and more in public. They're in Egypt where homosexuals are routinely arrested and beaten and tortured. Thinking that you're immune to that because you're strong or because you're not Egyptian is just insanity, especially when you're trying to not attract attention to yourself.
At a restaurant where the menu is in Arabic and therefore for locals, they poor a glass of water out of a jug. Only someone who is not used to traveling to developing nations would write this. It is almost never safe to drink water in any country that is not your own except ones that have exceptional filtration systems. It's not just that it might not be clean, it's also that the microbes in it may mess you up even if they're fine for locals. Even fruit picked from a tree can be harmful. It works the other way around, too. An Egyptian coming to the US can also get terrible diarrhea and stomach aches. On top of that, Egypt is not one of the countries with said exceptional filtration systems. People who live there can get sick, too. All in all, BAD idea. Take it from someone who knows first hand, microbial infections are something you never want to get (and I had been very careful!)
There were lots of continuity errors like twice the characters sat in a booth and then Jed put his arm over the back of Redford's chair. Another time someone was sitting in an armchair and is punched in the face which knocks him backward and then has to pick himself of the ground and brushes off the front of his pants. Then someone went to bed fully clothed and a few sentences later woke up in just his boxers.
There's lots of visual confusion, too. I just don't know how the living area of the hotel suite was configured. There were two couches, at least two armchairs, a table that more than one person could sit at, a large TV, a large window with a view across from the entryway, and a door on each of the other walls plus a kitchen that can be scene from the living room with some kind of bar/counter separating it from the living room. This has to be the biggest hotel room in the history of hotel rooms. This is just one issue, though. There were many times that it didn't make any sense how someone could be in one place and then in another place. There was a time when two people stood toe to toe arguing about something on the table between them. Huh?
I also have an issue that isn't just related to this book but to many vampire stories. If vamps have to eat regularly (especially a body every day or two as here) and there are dozens in a city, how would people not notice? Even if only the people who wouldn't be missed are taken, very soon there wouldn't be a homelessness issue because they'd all have disappeared.
At one point the werewolf went back to a scene and said that he couldn't smell anyone other than the victims that had been there. He couldn't smell investigators or rescue workers?
Many times is TSTL. People try to give him tips in working with the supernatural, a whole new world for him, and he just cuts them off or ignores them. He can't be very good at his job if he doesn't get all the info he can before he goes into a situation. Even if he's amazing, there are always surprises and knowledge is key, sometimes the difference between success and death.
The beginning was all about Redford and his (low medium spoiler)
At the end, (huge major big ass don't read if you want to read the book and want to be at all surprised spoiler)
So see my dilemma? I have so many problems with it that it sounds like this would only be a 3 or 3.5 star read, but it was still so fabulous, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Hopefully this review will help you see if you would agree with me or if these less appealing things would drive you crazy.
I loved it so I'm only docking half a star for them making a 4.5 star rating rounded back up to 5.
August 14, 2017
I really enjoyed this grand adventure to Cairo. Lots of action, suspense, humor and great chemistry. And we get two romances going, Jed and Redford, and David and Victor. Of course my favorite are Jed and Redford. I love, love Jed. He's a foul mouth, dense, stubborn crazy killer, who goes all soft and mushy for Redford. He made me laugh so many times. How can you resist someone who only has 3 loves in his life, Redford, his cat Knievel, and his toys that make things go boom!
September 26, 2022
Not as good as the first book, simply because I couldn't warm up to David and Victor. The relationship felt doomed from the beginning and it's quite rocky at times. The whole mission to Cairo is a little strange and David keeps acting like an ass.
What saved the day is Jed's amazingly snide humor and Redford's dependability. These guys are the best kind of couple and they just keep getting better.
What saved the day is Jed's amazingly snide humor and Redford's dependability. These guys are the best kind of couple and they just keep getting better.
July 4, 2017
una prima parte ( almeno il 35% ) troppo lenta e noioso .. nel seguito si riprende e mi ha fatto ridere e piangere
May 10, 2018
Very much like the first one, though not a repetition.
February 20, 2017
Romance and Fantasy for Cosmopolitan Girls
In questo nuovo libro ritroviamo Jed e Red, più innamorati e affiatati che mai anche se alle prese con nuovi problemi “lupeschi” e un nuovo lavoro che li porterà in Egitto. Loro sono i veri protagonisti della storia anche se i capitoli con pov alternati permettono di conoscere meglio anche David e Victor che sono i “mandanti” del nuovo incarico al Cairo. La completa faccia tosta di Jed, la sua parlantina, il suo vizio di dare soprannomi a tutti e il suo fare rozzo e sboccato lo fanno sempre spiccare tra i personaggi e rendono la lettura molto più godibile.
Questa volta, oltre ai lupi mannari incontrati precedentemente e con cui ormai fa i conti quotidianamente, Jed scopre l’esistenza anche dei vampiri con tutti i loro annessi e connessi. Per un uomo abituato a fare affidamento su pistole ed esplosioni è difficile credere che queste sue armi non siano la risposta ad ogni male.
Il fulcro della storia è rappresentato dal mistero legato a dei rapimenti che avvengono al Cairo e di cui David vuole scoprire l’origine. Poiché lui e Victor pagano bene per il lavoro, all’inizio Jed non vede il motivo di indagare sul perché queste sparizioni interessino così tanto al suo contatto e alla “principessina” inglese, ma poi scoprirà che non avere tutti i pezzi del puzzle, spesso, può essere molto pericoloso.
Parallelamente all’intrigo su cui si sviluppa la narrazione, viene approfondita anche la psicologia del dolce lupetto Red che deve fare i conti con i suoi istinti, più forti che mai. Si affida anche alle cure di uno psicologo dopo alcuni episodi dove la sua parte animale è riuscita a prendere il sopravvento su quella umana senza ricorrere alla mutazione di forma. La più grande paura di Red resta quella di poter fare del male alle persone che ama, a Jed in particolare.
Insomma una storia paranormal ricca di suspance, ma anche di emozioni e sentimenti, il tutto condito da uno stile fresco e frizzante e una caratterizzazione perfetta dei personaggi. L’unica “pecca”, secondo il mio parare di romantica senza speranza, è la storia tra David e Victor che non ha alcuna pretesa di romanticismo, nonostante i due siano indubbiamente legati da una forte amicizia ed intimità, non vi è tra loro alcun sentimento travolgente e si capisce da subito che non andrà a finire bene.
Ad ogni modo, si tratta di un perfetto sequel di “Luna di sangue” e chi ha apprezzato il libro precedente non potrà non amare anche questo con l’irriverenza di Jed, l’innocente stupore di Red, l’essere saccente di Victor e la rassegnazione di David.
In questo nuovo libro ritroviamo Jed e Red, più innamorati e affiatati che mai anche se alle prese con nuovi problemi “lupeschi” e un nuovo lavoro che li porterà in Egitto. Loro sono i veri protagonisti della storia anche se i capitoli con pov alternati permettono di conoscere meglio anche David e Victor che sono i “mandanti” del nuovo incarico al Cairo. La completa faccia tosta di Jed, la sua parlantina, il suo vizio di dare soprannomi a tutti e il suo fare rozzo e sboccato lo fanno sempre spiccare tra i personaggi e rendono la lettura molto più godibile.
Questa volta, oltre ai lupi mannari incontrati precedentemente e con cui ormai fa i conti quotidianamente, Jed scopre l’esistenza anche dei vampiri con tutti i loro annessi e connessi. Per un uomo abituato a fare affidamento su pistole ed esplosioni è difficile credere che queste sue armi non siano la risposta ad ogni male.
Il fulcro della storia è rappresentato dal mistero legato a dei rapimenti che avvengono al Cairo e di cui David vuole scoprire l’origine. Poiché lui e Victor pagano bene per il lavoro, all’inizio Jed non vede il motivo di indagare sul perché queste sparizioni interessino così tanto al suo contatto e alla “principessina” inglese, ma poi scoprirà che non avere tutti i pezzi del puzzle, spesso, può essere molto pericoloso.
Parallelamente all’intrigo su cui si sviluppa la narrazione, viene approfondita anche la psicologia del dolce lupetto Red che deve fare i conti con i suoi istinti, più forti che mai. Si affida anche alle cure di uno psicologo dopo alcuni episodi dove la sua parte animale è riuscita a prendere il sopravvento su quella umana senza ricorrere alla mutazione di forma. La più grande paura di Red resta quella di poter fare del male alle persone che ama, a Jed in particolare.
Insomma una storia paranormal ricca di suspance, ma anche di emozioni e sentimenti, il tutto condito da uno stile fresco e frizzante e una caratterizzazione perfetta dei personaggi. L’unica “pecca”, secondo il mio parare di romantica senza speranza, è la storia tra David e Victor che non ha alcuna pretesa di romanticismo, nonostante i due siano indubbiamente legati da una forte amicizia ed intimità, non vi è tra loro alcun sentimento travolgente e si capisce da subito che non andrà a finire bene.
Ad ogni modo, si tratta di un perfetto sequel di “Luna di sangue” e chi ha apprezzato il libro precedente non potrà non amare anche questo con l’irriverenza di Jed, l’innocente stupore di Red, l’essere saccente di Victor e la rassegnazione di David.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews