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Embrace Me at Dawn
No man will ever define her again.
Anka MacTavish lost everything when Mathias D’Arc captured her, shattered her bond with her mate, and broke both her body and spirit. Determined to heal her bleeding soul, she joins the Doomsday Brethren’s fight to vanquish the evil wizard and seize her revenge. But becoming a magical warrior will require close contact with her former mate, the love who’s never left her heart, Lucan. And she’ll have to explain why she left him and fled to the arms of another lover…
No woman can ever take her place.
Lucan’s world crumbled when Anka escaped Mathias and sought protection from his long-time rival, Shock. Now she has returned, and Lucan must train her to confront a new and terrible danger that threatens magickind. With every punch, blow, and parry, Lucan discovers that Anka isn’t the demure wife he once knew, and his reawakening desire for this woman is a need he can’t control. He vows to do whatever it takes to reclaim her heart and make her his once more. But when the Doomsday Brethren are forced to make an unlikely alliance, it will test Anka’s resolve like never before. To survive, she and Lucan must rely on one another, face their deepest fears…and expose the dark secrets that threaten to destroy everything, including their love.
Anka MacTavish lost everything when Mathias D’Arc captured her, shattered her bond with her mate, and broke both her body and spirit. Determined to heal her bleeding soul, she joins the Doomsday Brethren’s fight to vanquish the evil wizard and seize her revenge. But becoming a magical warrior will require close contact with her former mate, the love who’s never left her heart, Lucan. And she’ll have to explain why she left him and fled to the arms of another lover…
No woman can ever take her place.
Lucan’s world crumbled when Anka escaped Mathias and sought protection from his long-time rival, Shock. Now she has returned, and Lucan must train her to confront a new and terrible danger that threatens magickind. With every punch, blow, and parry, Lucan discovers that Anka isn’t the demure wife he once knew, and his reawakening desire for this woman is a need he can’t control. He vows to do whatever it takes to reclaim her heart and make her his once more. But when the Doomsday Brethren are forced to make an unlikely alliance, it will test Anka’s resolve like never before. To survive, she and Lucan must rely on one another, face their deepest fears…and expose the dark secrets that threaten to destroy everything, including their love.
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Published May 29, 2012
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About the author
Shayla Black
150 books10k followersShayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.
As an only child, Shayla occupied herself by daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and started pursuing a publishing career. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America, her heart was with her stories and characters, so she left her pantyhose and power suits behind.
Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, gaming, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
Follow me on Facebook: http://shayla.link/FBPage
Join me in my Book Beauties group for weekly LIVE chats: http://shayla.link/FBChat
As an only child, Shayla occupied herself by daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and started pursuing a publishing career. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America, her heart was with her stories and characters, so she left her pantyhose and power suits behind.
Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, gaming, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
Follow me on Facebook: http://shayla.link/FBPage
Join me in my Book Beauties group for weekly LIVE chats: http://shayla.link/FBChat
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
June 6, 2012
A definite fave from this series. It certainly didn't disappoint. It's got romance, great characters, PNR elements and sexual tension, that will leave you hot and bothered.
Loved it!
Loved it!
June 1, 2012
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
The Doomsday Brethren is back! I’ve been waiting for Lucan and Anka to get their story told since the horrible events earlier in the series found the mates ripped apart by Mathias. He stole Anka, broke her mate bond with Lucan, raped and tortured her, leaving her broken and a shell of the woman she used to be. When a mate bond is broken the men go into a mourning so intense, they often turn feral and never recover. The women lose their memories, and when Anka had no memory of Lucan she went to the one man she did remember, her childhood best friend Shock. What followed was a test for both Lucan and Anka as she struggled to remember Lucan and Lucan barely managed to stay alive. With sex playing such a pivotal role in magickinds lives, sex equals energy and they need it to survive. Anka turned to Shock, and crushed Lucan even more. These two ex-mates have had such an angsty, sad go of it lately, it was finally time to get their story and find out if they can make their way back to each other.
Even though Anka gets her energy from Shock, as well as much needed support, things aren’t going well between the two at all. Gone is the "perfect" mate Anka used to be with Lucan. She’s hardened, survived a horrible ordeal and she wants to fight with the Brethren. Bram assigns Lucan as her trainer and they have a lot of healing to do. They go through so many ups and down during this story, Anka never believing that she’s good enough for Lucan and he’s never been able to forgive himself for not protecting her and keeping her safe. Add in Shock, who doesn’t hide the fact that he wants to be with Anka and has always wanted her, having given her his mating call over a hundred years ago, prior to her accepting Lucan’s call. This trio has so many issues to work through I started wondering if it would ever happen. I did get a little frustrated with Anka, she’s struggling through much of the story, trying to rebuild herself and become the woman she wants to be. But at times it felt like she was stringing both men along. When it came to her and Lucan, she would take one step forward and two back. Their entire road during this story isn’t easy, but they start to find happiness and come together as two new people.
He hooked a finger under her chin. “Look at me.” He waited until she complied, blinking those amber eyes up at him, now swimming in tears. “Never apologize to me for what you need. Just tell me so I can help.”
“It’s not very…proper.”
A slow grin stretched across his face. “Even better.”
With a tremulous smile dawning, she looked into his eyes. “I’ve missed you.”
“Love, I’ve died every day without you.”
While their romance took time to build, their sex scenes were so emotional and very sexy. Anka is a submissive person and she needs that edge in the bedroom. Lucan doesn’t have much experience with what Anka needs, since she never voiced her opinion to him before about her wants and needs, but he learns fast, because he will do anything to win her heart again and it’s another way they become closer than they ever were during their mating. I never felt like the scenes went into too much depth with regards to the D/s theme, it’s simply something that Anka has needed recently to help her deal with the pain she suffered and it seemed like with Lucan, she was able to let go of that a little bit. The high emotion they have together took away some of the need she had to experience pain with pleasure.
Also along the way…I kind of starting liking Shock. A lot. Not enough to want him with Anka, but there’s something about the guy that’s a little bit vulnerable. He comes off as a total badass, doesn’t give a damn about anyone other than Anka, but there’s much more to him then he lets other people see. I’m most excited to get his story next, but Bram is also a bit of a wildcard. His missing mate is still missing, but Shock has a secret about that. No telling if he’ll actually share that information with the class, but I can’t wait to see how Bram and his mate come back together and who the woman is that will finally steal Shock’s heart.
“Lucan, don’t do this!” Bram shouted after him. “We’ve been friends for too long–”
“We were friends.” Lucan didn’t break stride, just headed for the stairs. “Now we just fight on the same side of the war.”
If Bram had anything to else to say in his defense, Lucan didn’t want to hear it. Didn’t care. Only Anka mattered, and he ran up the stairs to find Shock pacing.
“Impressive,” the leather-clad wizard said. “’Low-down, wretched, motherfucking scumbag’ has quite the ring to it.”
“I wanted to add ‘shitty, back-stabbing arsehole,’ but ran out of breath.”
During all this relationship drama, the Brethren gears up to take down not only Mathias, but Morganna as well. They think they have a way to do it, but it requires Mathias’s cooperation, which he never gives easily. The fight at the end has some satisfying results, left me with more questions (namely: WTH Shock?!) and what I loved most about the ending was the women rose up and were major forces during the battle. Sabelle, Anka, Felicia all play pivotal roles in their plan to finally be rid of Morganna and Mathias.
I finished this story satisfied with Lucan and Anka’s journey. With a couple who has gone through so much and had quite the build up to their book, closing the last page with a happy sigh was a nice moment. I’d have loved to have gotten an epilogue; it does feel like it ends a bit abruptly, a few more pages would have helped me catch my breath before ‘The End’. There’s plenty of humor throughout (the banter between Shock and Lucan was great), sexy and emotional scenes for Lucan and Anka and a few big unanswered questions. I can’t wait to see how it all continues to play out.
The Doomsday Brethren is back! I’ve been waiting for Lucan and Anka to get their story told since the horrible events earlier in the series found the mates ripped apart by Mathias. He stole Anka, broke her mate bond with Lucan, raped and tortured her, leaving her broken and a shell of the woman she used to be. When a mate bond is broken the men go into a mourning so intense, they often turn feral and never recover. The women lose their memories, and when Anka had no memory of Lucan she went to the one man she did remember, her childhood best friend Shock. What followed was a test for both Lucan and Anka as she struggled to remember Lucan and Lucan barely managed to stay alive. With sex playing such a pivotal role in magickinds lives, sex equals energy and they need it to survive. Anka turned to Shock, and crushed Lucan even more. These two ex-mates have had such an angsty, sad go of it lately, it was finally time to get their story and find out if they can make their way back to each other.
Even though Anka gets her energy from Shock, as well as much needed support, things aren’t going well between the two at all. Gone is the "perfect" mate Anka used to be with Lucan. She’s hardened, survived a horrible ordeal and she wants to fight with the Brethren. Bram assigns Lucan as her trainer and they have a lot of healing to do. They go through so many ups and down during this story, Anka never believing that she’s good enough for Lucan and he’s never been able to forgive himself for not protecting her and keeping her safe. Add in Shock, who doesn’t hide the fact that he wants to be with Anka and has always wanted her, having given her his mating call over a hundred years ago, prior to her accepting Lucan’s call. This trio has so many issues to work through I started wondering if it would ever happen. I did get a little frustrated with Anka, she’s struggling through much of the story, trying to rebuild herself and become the woman she wants to be. But at times it felt like she was stringing both men along. When it came to her and Lucan, she would take one step forward and two back. Their entire road during this story isn’t easy, but they start to find happiness and come together as two new people.
He hooked a finger under her chin. “Look at me.” He waited until she complied, blinking those amber eyes up at him, now swimming in tears. “Never apologize to me for what you need. Just tell me so I can help.”
“It’s not very…proper.”
A slow grin stretched across his face. “Even better.”
With a tremulous smile dawning, she looked into his eyes. “I’ve missed you.”
“Love, I’ve died every day without you.”
While their romance took time to build, their sex scenes were so emotional and very sexy. Anka is a submissive person and she needs that edge in the bedroom. Lucan doesn’t have much experience with what Anka needs, since she never voiced her opinion to him before about her wants and needs, but he learns fast, because he will do anything to win her heart again and it’s another way they become closer than they ever were during their mating. I never felt like the scenes went into too much depth with regards to the D/s theme, it’s simply something that Anka has needed recently to help her deal with the pain she suffered and it seemed like with Lucan, she was able to let go of that a little bit. The high emotion they have together took away some of the need she had to experience pain with pleasure.
Also along the way…I kind of starting liking Shock. A lot. Not enough to want him with Anka, but there’s something about the guy that’s a little bit vulnerable. He comes off as a total badass, doesn’t give a damn about anyone other than Anka, but there’s much more to him then he lets other people see. I’m most excited to get his story next, but Bram is also a bit of a wildcard. His missing mate is still missing, but Shock has a secret about that. No telling if he’ll actually share that information with the class, but I can’t wait to see how Bram and his mate come back together and who the woman is that will finally steal Shock’s heart.
“Lucan, don’t do this!” Bram shouted after him. “We’ve been friends for too long–”
“We were friends.” Lucan didn’t break stride, just headed for the stairs. “Now we just fight on the same side of the war.”
If Bram had anything to else to say in his defense, Lucan didn’t want to hear it. Didn’t care. Only Anka mattered, and he ran up the stairs to find Shock pacing.
“Impressive,” the leather-clad wizard said. “’Low-down, wretched, motherfucking scumbag’ has quite the ring to it.”
“I wanted to add ‘shitty, back-stabbing arsehole,’ but ran out of breath.”
During all this relationship drama, the Brethren gears up to take down not only Mathias, but Morganna as well. They think they have a way to do it, but it requires Mathias’s cooperation, which he never gives easily. The fight at the end has some satisfying results, left me with more questions (namely: WTH Shock?!) and what I loved most about the ending was the women rose up and were major forces during the battle. Sabelle, Anka, Felicia all play pivotal roles in their plan to finally be rid of Morganna and Mathias.
I finished this story satisfied with Lucan and Anka’s journey. With a couple who has gone through so much and had quite the build up to their book, closing the last page with a happy sigh was a nice moment. I’d have loved to have gotten an epilogue; it does feel like it ends a bit abruptly, a few more pages would have helped me catch my breath before ‘The End’. There’s plenty of humor throughout (the banter between Shock and Lucan was great), sexy and emotional scenes for Lucan and Anka and a few big unanswered questions. I can’t wait to see how it all continues to play out.
May 30, 2012
OMG!!! I have never written a review before, but I loved this book. Another masterpiece by Shayla Black. The love story between Lucan and Anka was heartbreaking, beautiful and sigh worthy. Seeing a side to Shock that I always knew he had in him, made me love him even more. I can't wait until the next book in this series. Thank you Shayla for sharing your world with us and what a beautiful world it is.
Want to read
June 19, 2011why is this book being released next year instead of this year? any ideas?
....patience is clearly not my strong suit!
....patience is clearly not my strong suit!
June 7, 2012
I'm surprised to find myself giving this book 3 stars seeing all the 4 and 5 star rating's here and knowing how easy I am to please.
I was just really annoyed by the lack of trust the H&h had going on, especially the heroine. She was just too insecure for me. Then when she finally trusted the Hero with why she felt she was not good enough, I did not like what he did to her. This would have been a 2 star rating if not for the final battle happening at the last 20% of the book. Now this part was FANTASTIC! I waited so long for this book, I was really wanting the love story of Lucan and Anka but the stuff that went on and on in this book between them just did not do it for me. Now on the other hand, I loved Shock who played a large part in this book. I've loved all the book's in this series except this one so I will more than likely continue on if the waits not too long.
This was not a bad read, I did like it, I just did not love it.
I was just really annoyed by the lack of trust the H&h had going on, especially the heroine. She was just too insecure for me. Then when she finally trusted the Hero with why she felt she was not good enough, I did not like what he did to her. This would have been a 2 star rating if not for the final battle happening at the last 20% of the book. Now this part was FANTASTIC! I waited so long for this book, I was really wanting the love story of Lucan and Anka but the stuff that went on and on in this book between them just did not do it for me. Now on the other hand, I loved Shock who played a large part in this book. I've loved all the book's in this series except this one so I will more than likely continue on if the waits not too long.
This was not a bad read, I did like it, I just did not love it.
June 3, 2012
Angeline's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
Epic. Bloody brilliant. That sums up my review of Shayla Black’s Embrace Me At Dawn. In short, Book #5 in the Doomsday Brethren series blew me away. I have loved this series from the beginning. It continues to get better and even more ingrained in my heart with each book.
Anka has suffered so much. She fought hard for her happily ever after. She deserves nothing but goodness in her life. Lucan loves her like no other. He will do anything to get her back and keep her. Shock cares deeply for Anka. They have been best friends for centuries and that cannot be easily erased. Two rivals, but only one can be the mate of her heart.
I cannot do any sort of summarization without giving spoilers. I’ve been trying for days. Since, I refuse to give spoilers in a review; I will tell you this. Wow. Just wow.
I know, I know. I gave you nothing. I don’t want to ruin it for you. I fell more in love with Shock, Lucan and Anka with each passing page. So many past hurts were resolved. We get to see all of the Brethren and most of their mates. While, many questions have been answered there is still so much to look forward to.
If you are new to the Doomsday Brethren series, please start at the beginning. The magical world Ms. Black has created is nothing short of magnificent. You will not be disappointed in reading them all in order. Hot wizards and witches fighting evil and saving magickind, what’s not to love? The depth of the characters and their journey’s make this story and series one of the best paranormal series I have ever read. Ms. Black is a very talented author who brings us into her Doomsday world and doesn’t let us go. I love being there!
Epic. Bloody brilliant. That sums up my review of Shayla Black’s Embrace Me At Dawn. In short, Book #5 in the Doomsday Brethren series blew me away. I have loved this series from the beginning. It continues to get better and even more ingrained in my heart with each book.
Anka has suffered so much. She fought hard for her happily ever after. She deserves nothing but goodness in her life. Lucan loves her like no other. He will do anything to get her back and keep her. Shock cares deeply for Anka. They have been best friends for centuries and that cannot be easily erased. Two rivals, but only one can be the mate of her heart.
I cannot do any sort of summarization without giving spoilers. I’ve been trying for days. Since, I refuse to give spoilers in a review; I will tell you this. Wow. Just wow.
I know, I know. I gave you nothing. I don’t want to ruin it for you. I fell more in love with Shock, Lucan and Anka with each passing page. So many past hurts were resolved. We get to see all of the Brethren and most of their mates. While, many questions have been answered there is still so much to look forward to.
If you are new to the Doomsday Brethren series, please start at the beginning. The magical world Ms. Black has created is nothing short of magnificent. You will not be disappointed in reading them all in order. Hot wizards and witches fighting evil and saving magickind, what’s not to love? The depth of the characters and their journey’s make this story and series one of the best paranormal series I have ever read. Ms. Black is a very talented author who brings us into her Doomsday world and doesn’t let us go. I love being there!
June 4, 2012
FINALLY! I have been waiting for Anka and Lucan's book! I don't like to give too much away in my 'reviews' so....
obviously, there's the torment of what Anka endured at the hands of Mathias. I really enjoyed how Shock's personality developed. He's always so cold/harsh..it was nice to actually see a personality. There were sections where my heart just broke. There were also a few places that if she (Anka) showed her insecurities again, I was gonna scream! I thought that Ms. Black did a great job bringing Anka/Lucan's insecurities to the very top before it got to be "just shut up already".
Good story line. Like how lil' nuggets of info were dropped about Bram's mate..and Shock. Great book..quick read. Very much look forward to reading the next! This is one of my favs of the series...
obviously, there's the torment of what Anka endured at the hands of Mathias. I really enjoyed how Shock's personality developed. He's always so cold/harsh..it was nice to actually see a personality. There were sections where my heart just broke. There were also a few places that if she (Anka) showed her insecurities again, I was gonna scream! I thought that Ms. Black did a great job bringing Anka/Lucan's insecurities to the very top before it got to be "just shut up already".
Good story line. Like how lil' nuggets of info were dropped about Bram's mate..and Shock. Great book..quick read. Very much look forward to reading the next! This is one of my favs of the series...
June 3, 2012
Disappointed that it has been put back AGAIN till MAY !!!
But I understand that Shayla has had family issues, so books take a back shelf to the real world.
Personally, I hope the wait will be worth it :-)
Loved Lucan since reading his sad demise.
I can't wait to see what is in store for the couple.
...............................
Getting closer :-)
Can't wait xx
Review to follow
But I understand that Shayla has had family issues, so books take a back shelf to the real world.
Personally, I hope the wait will be worth it :-)
Loved Lucan since reading his sad demise.
I can't wait to see what is in store for the couple.
...............................
Getting closer :-)
Can't wait xx
Review to follow
June 26, 2012
I LOVE this series and have been waiting for Lucan & Anka’s story, but this did not work for me. The whole Lucan/Anka/Shock dynamic was awkward. I should have been sympathizing with Anka for what she went through, but I didn’t feel it. I really wanted to love this book...
July 23, 2012
Ok where to start with this one!? Lucan, he is perfection so sweet and loving and everything a witch can ask for. His suffering broke my heart. Anka? she has got to go!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant stand her whiney -annoying -doesn't know what she wants-hurts Lucan- ways. She really got on my nerves she had 2 guys fighting over her and for what I have no idea because she was playing both of them. Yes I felt sorry for her because she was abused by Mathias but that doesn't excuse her behavior.
Lucan for all he suffered I felt it was for nothing. Anka choosing not to call to him untill the end sucked. Lucan helping her train and get past her trust issues was great. The WHIP scene was amazing. Lucan's story was really a good one but for me Anka ruined it. I felt like she was holding back on him and everytime she opened up I felt is was weak as was the writing at times making everything seem unimportant. The characters and the scenes were weak and the only character that I felt like I loved in this book was SHOCK...love that guy from the moment I met him in the novella. His story was left untold and that made me upset that we never got to know his secret.
Anka and the banshee thing was kinda boring and so were the other characters. When the characters appeared they had no real dialogue and most was nonsense. Lucan really pulled this book through the only person showing any real emotions. Mathias was perfection in the very few parts he was in and so was Shock. I really am confused as to where Anka (ugh) stands and her alliegance to Shock she shocked me by calling to him also. This whole book was just weird and IDK what the Author was trying to accomplish here by having her with the 2 guys and indecisive. I know in the end her true calling was Lucan but geeeez could she have been more annoying? I still dont undrstand her actions but enough about her! I liked the book but I really wish it was stronger like if she wanted Shock just go all out for it and make it more intersting instead of... oh he's a friend... I love him and I have sex with him just to get energy...and I think of you while I do it! Ok rant over.
Lucan for all he suffered I felt it was for nothing. Anka choosing not to call to him untill the end sucked. Lucan helping her train and get past her trust issues was great. The WHIP scene was amazing. Lucan's story was really a good one but for me Anka ruined it. I felt like she was holding back on him and everytime she opened up I felt is was weak as was the writing at times making everything seem unimportant. The characters and the scenes were weak and the only character that I felt like I loved in this book was SHOCK...love that guy from the moment I met him in the novella. His story was left untold and that made me upset that we never got to know his secret.
Anka and the banshee thing was kinda boring and so were the other characters. When the characters appeared they had no real dialogue and most was nonsense. Lucan really pulled this book through the only person showing any real emotions. Mathias was perfection in the very few parts he was in and so was Shock. I really am confused as to where Anka (ugh) stands and her alliegance to Shock she shocked me by calling to him also. This whole book was just weird and IDK what the Author was trying to accomplish here by having her with the 2 guys and indecisive. I know in the end her true calling was Lucan but geeeez could she have been more annoying? I still dont undrstand her actions but enough about her! I liked the book but I really wish it was stronger like if she wanted Shock just go all out for it and make it more intersting instead of... oh he's a friend... I love him and I have sex with him just to get energy...and I think of you while I do it! Ok rant over.
March 3, 2013
3.25stars actually
Both Lucan & Shock have been favorites of mine since they each appeared and I'm glad that they are both at the center now although it is Lucan's star turn. Anka as the object of both desire and misery for both men and she has the same conflicting feelings for both of them as she is still trying to find her footing after the brutality of Matthais and re-gaining her memories and suffering through the emotional blows they bring. I finally get my wish with this installment that they move together or apart but stop the anger dance.
Anka decides that it is time she moves away from Shock and get her revenge by joining the fight so she goes to talk to Bram who is willing to accept her - with conditions. Accepting those conditions, wanting to be away from Shock and mourning Lucan in her own way puts her in the unenviable position of seeming indecisive and as if she is just toying with both men's affections. I kept wanting them to push her over to the other. I confess I found Anka exhausting throughout the book she made it a hard read for me. The other characters were true to what we've seen before and their pieces went well.
The advancements and twists in the war were good and the ending left many unanswered questions and makes me anxious for the next installment.
Both Lucan & Shock have been favorites of mine since they each appeared and I'm glad that they are both at the center now although it is Lucan's star turn. Anka as the object of both desire and misery for both men and she has the same conflicting feelings for both of them as she is still trying to find her footing after the brutality of Matthais and re-gaining her memories and suffering through the emotional blows they bring. I finally get my wish with this installment that they move together or apart but stop the anger dance.
Anka decides that it is time she moves away from Shock and get her revenge by joining the fight so she goes to talk to Bram who is willing to accept her - with conditions. Accepting those conditions, wanting to be away from Shock and mourning Lucan in her own way puts her in the unenviable position of seeming indecisive and as if she is just toying with both men's affections. I kept wanting them to push her over to the other. I confess I found Anka exhausting throughout the book she made it a hard read for me. The other characters were true to what we've seen before and their pieces went well.
The advancements and twists in the war were good and the ending left many unanswered questions and makes me anxious for the next installment.
June 30, 2012
Not really sure why I'm seeing so many posts that this was the best of the series. It was definitely good but no where near as good as Ice's story. I felt like this couple was on, off, on, off. And when they were on it was forced and lacking passion. Still a good read but not the best. Ending was a good twist though. Can't wait for Shock's story.
May 30, 2012
Incredible!! Beyond 5 stars.
May 31, 2012
LOVED it!!! So happy to finally get Anka and Lucan's Story! Lucan has always been one of my favorites :)
June 1, 2012
This was a GREAT book and I hope that we get another installment sooner then later. 2 years is a long time to wait!
July 2, 2012
Lucan barely survived after his bond with his longtime mate Anka was forcibly broken. After seeing her again, he thought he had a second chance to protect the woman he loves but instead he watched as she chose another. Anka experienced firsthand how sadistic the evil wizard Mathias truly is. She's no longer the gentle woman Lucan once called mate and to spare him the darkness that now resides in her, Anka turned to Shock for the protection and life giving energy she needs. Ready to have the revenge she desperately craves, Anka looks to become a member of the Doomsday Brethren, magical warriors who fight to rid the world of Mathias. But when Lucan is chosen to train her, Anka has a hard time keeping him at arm's length and when a power more deadly than Mathias threatens all magickind, Anka and Lucan will need to work past the hurt and dark secrets if they're to survive.
Anka was completely broken by Mathias. She returns a different woman than who we first met in book one and she believes that Lucan will not love the woman, who now craves a certain level of pain, she has become. To protect him from further heartache, she puts distance between them. Lucan believes that it was his inability to protect Anka that has her running to Shock for protection and the sexual energy those of magickind need for survival. There's a lot of miscommunication and misinterpretation of feelings between them. I felt sorry for them because they've been through so much but after several chapters, I felt they kept repeating themselves but little was done to try and improve anything. I became a bit weary of this but thankfully about halfway through the book, after a serious 'oh my freakin' god!' moment, progress and effort started being made towards healing their relationship.
Once they tore down the barriers that were keeping them apart, Anka and Lucan make a really good couple. Both determined and loving people, I was a little surprised at how dark and emotional things got between them but it all made sense to who their characters have evolved into. Anka's unusual relationship with Shock is explained and I have a little more respect now for the man. Not a whole lot because he does have personal motives but I now see him in a new light and have hopes for his character.
Anka and Lucan's personal struggle takes up a large part of the book but there's significant change in the overall plot of the series. In the last book, Morgana le Fay was released from her prison and is now close to exposing magickind to the world. There's been a battle brewing for some time between the Doomsday Brethren and Mathias and with Morgana thrown in, everything finally comes to a head. The last 20% of this book really took off and I had a hard time putting it down. This book did not disappoint when it came down to the final battle. It was just as epic as I hoped it would be and felt just right for the buildup it received. I've read several books that dropped the ball during this crucial end battle, so I give kudos to Shayla Black for getting it right.
I think fans of this series will be happy with this book. It's dark and emotional and has twists I didn't seeing coming that kept me on my toes. The romance is both sweet and heart wrenching. There's a lot of depth and complicated layers to these characters that have them sticking with you long after the ending. I believe fans of the series will find this installment satisfying and if you're new to the series, don't start with this book. To really understand what's going on with the stories and characters, you'll need to go back and start from the beginning. There are some BDSM scenes.
- Stephanie
Anka was completely broken by Mathias. She returns a different woman than who we first met in book one and she believes that Lucan will not love the woman, who now craves a certain level of pain, she has become. To protect him from further heartache, she puts distance between them. Lucan believes that it was his inability to protect Anka that has her running to Shock for protection and the sexual energy those of magickind need for survival. There's a lot of miscommunication and misinterpretation of feelings between them. I felt sorry for them because they've been through so much but after several chapters, I felt they kept repeating themselves but little was done to try and improve anything. I became a bit weary of this but thankfully about halfway through the book, after a serious 'oh my freakin' god!' moment, progress and effort started being made towards healing their relationship.
Once they tore down the barriers that were keeping them apart, Anka and Lucan make a really good couple. Both determined and loving people, I was a little surprised at how dark and emotional things got between them but it all made sense to who their characters have evolved into. Anka's unusual relationship with Shock is explained and I have a little more respect now for the man. Not a whole lot because he does have personal motives but I now see him in a new light and have hopes for his character.
Anka and Lucan's personal struggle takes up a large part of the book but there's significant change in the overall plot of the series. In the last book, Morgana le Fay was released from her prison and is now close to exposing magickind to the world. There's been a battle brewing for some time between the Doomsday Brethren and Mathias and with Morgana thrown in, everything finally comes to a head. The last 20% of this book really took off and I had a hard time putting it down. This book did not disappoint when it came down to the final battle. It was just as epic as I hoped it would be and felt just right for the buildup it received. I've read several books that dropped the ball during this crucial end battle, so I give kudos to Shayla Black for getting it right.
I think fans of this series will be happy with this book. It's dark and emotional and has twists I didn't seeing coming that kept me on my toes. The romance is both sweet and heart wrenching. There's a lot of depth and complicated layers to these characters that have them sticking with you long after the ending. I believe fans of the series will find this installment satisfying and if you're new to the series, don't start with this book. To really understand what's going on with the stories and characters, you'll need to go back and start from the beginning. There are some BDSM scenes.
- Stephanie
November 25, 2012
This review was posted at Under the Covers
There's been too much hearteache, too much history and too much pain for this to be an easy story. I knew that. I got that. Lucan and Anka were happily mated for many years before this series started and then in the first book Matthias D'Arc took her from their home, raped her, forced her to do horrible things, broke her mate bond to Lucan. She has been nothing but a shell for a long time since.
No, their path to a "finally-together-again" was not easy. When Anka escaped Matthias she went to Shock, who had been her childhood friend and always in love with her throughout the years. And Lucan had let her be with him. I was so torn because as much as I love Lucan, I love Shock as well. The only reason I've always been Team Lucan for Anka was the fact that I thought Shock was just fixated on her, and in a way that's how I felt at the end of this book. Yes there was a deep love for Anka, but not the mate love that goes deep in the hearts of these wizards.
So then there is Lucan. Oh how my heart broke for him, not only for his present predicament, having his ex-mate not want him back and still loving her with all his heart. But actually finding out that she was never who she truly was while they were mated. She never truly opened up to him and let him in and only presented the version of herself that she thought he wanted to see. That mated bliss they had so many years was not so. And doesn't that make the whole story so much more real.
Well now Anka's past is coming to haunt her, she can no longer fit into the mold that she thinks would make Lucan happy. And talk about self-doubt and low self esteem. She was broken before Matthias even got to her, and then he just made it worst. But she is now coming into her own and fighting back any way she can.
What can I say? Even though my heart was breaking for every single character involved in this story, I loved how Lucan and Anka got back together, how he is willing to be with her however she is, whatever she needs, even if that means tying her down, spanking her and sometimes giving her pain.
And then there is Bram. I am happy to see a small change in him. He might just be a little crazy like his ancestor Merlin, but he somehow has a great end in mind when he makes his decisions, even when they don't seem to be the best.
I think this might be the best book in the series by far! I couldn't put it down, even as it was breaking my heart and making me cry.
Not a lot of action in this one though, only towards the end. I really don't want to tell you about the main story and what's going on with the war. Just know that Matthias is looking for an alliance with the Brethren against Morganna and now they may have bigger evils to fight. They definitely need to step up their game. I can't wait see what Ms. Black has in store for us!
I love Lucan, I love Shock, I love Bram. This book has plenty of my favorite men!!
PS: I wish Lucan's visit to Club Dominion and Mitchell Thorpe would've been ehem documented in the book. Would've loved to see more of Thorpe!!!
*Review copy provided by author
There's been too much hearteache, too much history and too much pain for this to be an easy story. I knew that. I got that. Lucan and Anka were happily mated for many years before this series started and then in the first book Matthias D'Arc took her from their home, raped her, forced her to do horrible things, broke her mate bond to Lucan. She has been nothing but a shell for a long time since.
No, their path to a "finally-together-again" was not easy. When Anka escaped Matthias she went to Shock, who had been her childhood friend and always in love with her throughout the years. And Lucan had let her be with him. I was so torn because as much as I love Lucan, I love Shock as well. The only reason I've always been Team Lucan for Anka was the fact that I thought Shock was just fixated on her, and in a way that's how I felt at the end of this book. Yes there was a deep love for Anka, but not the mate love that goes deep in the hearts of these wizards.
So then there is Lucan. Oh how my heart broke for him, not only for his present predicament, having his ex-mate not want him back and still loving her with all his heart. But actually finding out that she was never who she truly was while they were mated. She never truly opened up to him and let him in and only presented the version of herself that she thought he wanted to see. That mated bliss they had so many years was not so. And doesn't that make the whole story so much more real.
Well now Anka's past is coming to haunt her, she can no longer fit into the mold that she thinks would make Lucan happy. And talk about self-doubt and low self esteem. She was broken before Matthias even got to her, and then he just made it worst. But she is now coming into her own and fighting back any way she can.
What can I say? Even though my heart was breaking for every single character involved in this story, I loved how Lucan and Anka got back together, how he is willing to be with her however she is, whatever she needs, even if that means tying her down, spanking her and sometimes giving her pain.
And then there is Bram. I am happy to see a small change in him. He might just be a little crazy like his ancestor Merlin, but he somehow has a great end in mind when he makes his decisions, even when they don't seem to be the best.
I think this might be the best book in the series by far! I couldn't put it down, even as it was breaking my heart and making me cry.
Not a lot of action in this one though, only towards the end. I really don't want to tell you about the main story and what's going on with the war. Just know that Matthias is looking for an alliance with the Brethren against Morganna and now they may have bigger evils to fight. They definitely need to step up their game. I can't wait see what Ms. Black has in store for us!
I love Lucan, I love Shock, I love Bram. This book has plenty of my favorite men!!
PS: I wish Lucan's visit to Club Dominion and Mitchell Thorpe would've been ehem documented in the book. Would've loved to see more of Thorpe!!!
*Review copy provided by author
July 29, 2012
I have been waiting so long for this book and was so excited to get to it. I'm not going to spoil a few of the surprises so I will be purposely vague in a few sopts and won't tell you how the book ends. I will however try to give a fair review without spoiling anything.
This was billed as the book about Lucan/Anka/Shock. While that was true on the surface, the truth is that this book is really Anka's book. There is minimal growth (IMHO) for both Lucan and Shock which means that the book really isn;t about them. They are - obviously - key characters and important to the story line, but they are not the focus of the book. At least, not really.
That said, I find that I still can't decide if I like Shock or not and if he is a good guy or a bad guy. This means that Shayla Black is a really good writer and has done a superb job of creating someone who has the potential to be an awesome anti-hero. I really look forward to his book (seriuosly, did you really think for a second that Anka would end up with Shock or that this would end up as a 3-way?). We are sure pretty early on who Anka will end up with even if we don't know for certain how that's going to come about.
Lucan is a character I like andI can certainly sympathize with him. He does finally get with the program and he and Shock even come to an agreemnt and understanding before the book is done. Lucan doesn't grow much in this book, but his character is solid and he resolves some of his issues.
Anka - now here is where I have trouble. Yes she has been through hell and yes she has some very interesting secrets. Yes, she feels that she is undeserving of Lucan for many reasons but her whining and lack of self-confidence get very old, very quickly. No matter what she is told, or by who and how many people, she has decided that they are all wrong and she alone knows the truth. I would have liked the book better if Anka had shown strength in more than her absolute need for vengence. Even in her certainty she was right about everything, she was wishy-washy and whiny.
The story itself (from the perspective of the Doomsday Brethern battle with Mathias) things definately moved forward...A LOT. I was happy to see some changes and forward movement with the story line. I did not like the skip in time line though. Last we saw, Mathias was buried in Morganna's tomb and Morganna was not resurected. At the time of this book, not only is Morganna resurected, but she is terroizing the humans in search of a postion left behind by Merlin that will permenantly kill her. I would have liked to see a lead in for that or know where the short story is that fills this timing in. Even a small prologue or short lead in chapter to "catch us up". Other than this, I was happy with the movement in the overall story line and I am looking forward ot the next installment. We still need to see a resolution for Bram's story as well as an HEA for Shock (and I assume at this point he'll get one). While I didn;t like this installment quite as much as the others (for the two reasons listed above) I still really love the series and highly recommend it to anyone who likes the magical hero instead of the vampire/demon/shifter.
This was billed as the book about Lucan/Anka/Shock. While that was true on the surface, the truth is that this book is really Anka's book. There is minimal growth (IMHO) for both Lucan and Shock which means that the book really isn;t about them. They are - obviously - key characters and important to the story line, but they are not the focus of the book. At least, not really.
That said, I find that I still can't decide if I like Shock or not and if he is a good guy or a bad guy. This means that Shayla Black is a really good writer and has done a superb job of creating someone who has the potential to be an awesome anti-hero. I really look forward to his book (seriuosly, did you really think for a second that Anka would end up with Shock or that this would end up as a 3-way?). We are sure pretty early on who Anka will end up with even if we don't know for certain how that's going to come about.
Lucan is a character I like andI can certainly sympathize with him. He does finally get with the program and he and Shock even come to an agreemnt and understanding before the book is done. Lucan doesn't grow much in this book, but his character is solid and he resolves some of his issues.
Anka - now here is where I have trouble. Yes she has been through hell and yes she has some very interesting secrets. Yes, she feels that she is undeserving of Lucan for many reasons but her whining and lack of self-confidence get very old, very quickly. No matter what she is told, or by who and how many people, she has decided that they are all wrong and she alone knows the truth. I would have liked the book better if Anka had shown strength in more than her absolute need for vengence. Even in her certainty she was right about everything, she was wishy-washy and whiny.
The story itself (from the perspective of the Doomsday Brethern battle with Mathias) things definately moved forward...A LOT. I was happy to see some changes and forward movement with the story line. I did not like the skip in time line though. Last we saw, Mathias was buried in Morganna's tomb and Morganna was not resurected. At the time of this book, not only is Morganna resurected, but she is terroizing the humans in search of a postion left behind by Merlin that will permenantly kill her. I would have liked to see a lead in for that or know where the short story is that fills this timing in. Even a small prologue or short lead in chapter to "catch us up". Other than this, I was happy with the movement in the overall story line and I am looking forward ot the next installment. We still need to see a resolution for Bram's story as well as an HEA for Shock (and I assume at this point he'll get one). While I didn;t like this installment quite as much as the others (for the two reasons listed above) I still really love the series and highly recommend it to anyone who likes the magical hero instead of the vampire/demon/shifter.
June 4, 2012
Embrace Me at Dawn is very much the usual (strong) Shayla Black fare. I rarely read books about magic/witches/wizards but I make an exception for this series as I am a Shayla Black fan. Doomsday Brethren is a good series in general, and book 5 is a more than satisfying addition.
Don’t want to give much away but, basically, this is Anka and Lucan’s story and those following the series know that their mating bond had been previously ripped asunder by the evil Mathias. Lucan went mad with mating mourning and Anka fell into the arms of Shock. EMaD gives further insight into what happened and why. It also sheds light on some issues that may not have been obvious previously, and an interesting secret or two. Anka wants to train alongside the wizards so she can fight Mathias. She is still somewhat broken and bitter about her savage treatment at his hands - when Mathias took her from Lucan, abused her, and broke their mating bond. Obviously Lucan wants to be around Anka, as we know he still loves her, but he is torn – should he help her learn how to fight, better defend herself in future, or should he encourage her to stay out of danger’s way? Quite the conundrum, because it seems he could be damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t.
Mathias is still hanging around as the uber bad-guy/wizard, his evil gal-pal, Morganna, is stirring up the pot and threatening to expose magickind to humans; not to mention the Doomsday Brethren are looking for a potion that will, hopefully, rid them of Morganna for good. As a bonus they just might be able to finally rid themselves of Mathias, so it could be a twofer deal. Of course Shock still appears to be on the fence to most and, while it takes him awhile to get some (meatier) dialogue, apart from “wankstain, wanker” and “fuck off,” he does come off as a sympathetic character here, with the right intentions. He has always been enigmatic, and therefore interesting; but once he dived into the emotional dialogue he made me really want his book. If ever there was a character that needs the right partner to make it work, it’s Shock – high maintenance to the end (me thinks) for the bad boy of the series.
Shayla Black is one of the best writers of erotic angst in the business. There is a lot of miscommunication here between Anka and Lucan, lots of conflicted internal dialogue, and a cement truck of angst poured into the book. Sometimes the angst was OTT, however, given the couple, and their circumstances, I guess it was always going to be an emotion-fest.
This is book 5, so it is advisable to start at the beginning, otherwise it will more than likely become confusing about who has what abilites and why. So....if you like well written high octane angst, hot sex (with some minor BDSM tossed in), lost love being rekindled, and magic/fantasy, then here it is in Embrace Me at Dawn.
Don’t want to give much away but, basically, this is Anka and Lucan’s story and those following the series know that their mating bond had been previously ripped asunder by the evil Mathias. Lucan went mad with mating mourning and Anka fell into the arms of Shock. EMaD gives further insight into what happened and why. It also sheds light on some issues that may not have been obvious previously, and an interesting secret or two. Anka wants to train alongside the wizards so she can fight Mathias. She is still somewhat broken and bitter about her savage treatment at his hands - when Mathias took her from Lucan, abused her, and broke their mating bond. Obviously Lucan wants to be around Anka, as we know he still loves her, but he is torn – should he help her learn how to fight, better defend herself in future, or should he encourage her to stay out of danger’s way? Quite the conundrum, because it seems he could be damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t.
Mathias is still hanging around as the uber bad-guy/wizard, his evil gal-pal, Morganna, is stirring up the pot and threatening to expose magickind to humans; not to mention the Doomsday Brethren are looking for a potion that will, hopefully, rid them of Morganna for good. As a bonus they just might be able to finally rid themselves of Mathias, so it could be a twofer deal. Of course Shock still appears to be on the fence to most and, while it takes him awhile to get some (meatier) dialogue, apart from “wankstain, wanker” and “fuck off,” he does come off as a sympathetic character here, with the right intentions. He has always been enigmatic, and therefore interesting; but once he dived into the emotional dialogue he made me really want his book. If ever there was a character that needs the right partner to make it work, it’s Shock – high maintenance to the end (me thinks) for the bad boy of the series.
Shayla Black is one of the best writers of erotic angst in the business. There is a lot of miscommunication here between Anka and Lucan, lots of conflicted internal dialogue, and a cement truck of angst poured into the book. Sometimes the angst was OTT, however, given the couple, and their circumstances, I guess it was always going to be an emotion-fest.
This is book 5, so it is advisable to start at the beginning, otherwise it will more than likely become confusing about who has what abilites and why. So....if you like well written high octane angst, hot sex (with some minor BDSM tossed in), lost love being rekindled, and magic/fantasy, then here it is in Embrace Me at Dawn.
June 14, 2012
It's been ages since I've read one of Shayla Black's Doomsday Brethren books, but it all came rushing back as soon as I settled into the story. This book has been a long time coming. It was several books back that the evil Mathias kidnapped Anka from the home she shared with Lucan. He tortured her, raped her, and forced her to break her mate bond with the man she loved. When she finally escaped him, she had no memory of Lucan or their life together. She ran to her childhood sweetheart Shock for comfort and protection.
Breaking the mate bond drove Lucan insane. Though Anka eventually remembered him and cast a spell to help him heal, he still is not himself. He misses Anka but believes she has chosen Shock over him. And in a way, she has, but I'll get back to that in a minute.
As this book begins, Anka is on a quest for vengeance. She wants to join the Doomsday Brethren to fight Mathias and repay him for all the things he took from her. The only way that the leader, Bram, will let her in, is if she agrees to train with Lucan. That, of course, makes it even harder to fight her old feelings.
So if he loves her and she loves him... why fight it? The short answer is that she thinks she is unworthy of him. Not just for what happened when she was with Mathias, but also because the trauma brought out some submissive needs from her in the bedroom. Shock has no problem meeting her dark desires, but she fears Lucan will never understand.
It's no secret that I'm not a fan of BDSM, but I felt like (with the notable exception of one scene with a whip toward the end) Lucan approached the issue with care and respect for Anka. So it didn't bother me the way the genre so often does. What did bother me was Anka. Yes, she has been through a horrible ordeal. And it is not her fault that Mathias forced her to break her bond or that she forgot Lucan as a result. Yet I still felt like she jerked Shock and Lucan around in epic proportions. She made an unbearable situation even worse with her selfish behavior. This started long before her kidnapping. Poor Shock has been pulled around on a string for a century. True, he's no gentle flower, but what Anka has done to him is not ok. Her ridiculous hang-ups about social status made me want to shake the stupid out of her. And as the story went on, she just made it worse and worse.
I actually did like the book in spite of Anka. Both Lucan and Shock are great characters. They held up the absurd triangle. In the meantime, there is great movement on the ongoing Mathias and Morganna storyline --with a very big ending.
Reading this reminded me why I like these books. Now I'm pining away for my boy Shock to find a HEA. And to let me in on some of his secrets. Like now.
Rating: B
*ARC provided by author for review
June 10, 2012
This book has been a long time coming - 18 months give or take a week or two.
For anyone worried: the quality has not dropped or in anyway been neglected in the shift from traditional publishing.
Anka and Lucan were mates but in the early days of the Doomsday Brethren Matthias kidnapped her and snapped their bond, making Lucan go almost insane in mate-mourning and Anka lose her memories of him.
There were many things I was afraid of in this story and Black handles them deftly where are weaker author would have gone into territory that annoys me.
For instance Anka thought during their mating that Lucan wanted a gentle submissive doormat and she's changed because of her experiences and is positive that Lucan can never love her. Lucan is genuinely surprised that she felt that way, he influence her clothes, etc because he wanted to ease her worries. Instead of being about what a horrible guy Lucan was, it was about the way their mating hadn't been secure enough that they trusted each other.
Lucan is sure Anka hates him for being crazy with mate mourning and not saving her. Actually it bugged me how many people blamed him - crazy is crazy. Lucan couldn't have saved himself in that state.
Seriously spoilerific stuff:
I won't say it's well worth the wait, but I will say that if the series returns to a six month gap, I'll forgive this anomaly because I do love the series.
I'm hoping for Shock's book next and then Bram's as Shock's mellowing because of love will cause him to tell Bram where Emma is.
I'll bestalking watching Shayla Black's website for news on the next book as she has decided to self-publish this series from now on, which shaved a year off of our wait for Embrace Me at Dawn, and allows her more freedom in where the series goes.
For anyone worried: the quality has not dropped or in anyway been neglected in the shift from traditional publishing.
Anka and Lucan were mates but in the early days of the Doomsday Brethren Matthias kidnapped her and snapped their bond, making Lucan go almost insane in mate-mourning and Anka lose her memories of him.
There were many things I was afraid of in this story and Black handles them deftly where are weaker author would have gone into territory that annoys me.
For instance Anka thought during their mating that Lucan wanted a gentle submissive doormat and she's changed because of her experiences and is positive that Lucan can never love her. Lucan is genuinely surprised that she felt that way, he influence her clothes, etc because he wanted to ease her worries. Instead of being about what a horrible guy Lucan was, it was about the way their mating hadn't been secure enough that they trusted each other.
Lucan is sure Anka hates him for being crazy with mate mourning and not saving her. Actually it bugged me how many people blamed him - crazy is crazy. Lucan couldn't have saved himself in that state.
Seriously spoilerific stuff:
I won't say it's well worth the wait, but I will say that if the series returns to a six month gap, I'll forgive this anomaly because I do love the series.
I'm hoping for Shock's book next and then Bram's as Shock's mellowing because of love will cause him to tell Bram where Emma is.
I'll be
July 8, 2012
I straight up love this series! This was not my favorite but it was still a solid installment. The heroine worked my nerves raw until I finally came to understand her. She has been on the back burner as one of a large cast of characters. Her name is Anka and she is the former mate of one of the Doomsday Brethren. Her mate is Lucan, a wizard, warrior, and alpha male. They were together for 100 years when she was stolen away by the resident bad guy who should have been dead two books back. None the less, he did unspeakable things to her to shatter her bond with Lucan. Once she escaped, she went to her childhood friend Shock and the two began playing house with benefits.
The thing you need to know is that Shayla Black writes very detailed erotica so of course the wizards and witches charge their magic with sex. The more the better apparently. So Lucan has been in mourning for Anka and nearly insane. Shock has been rubbing his face in the fact that Anka is warming his bed and counts on him for her safety.
The story is about forgiveness and healing. Many of the challenges these three characters face were based on secrets. The secrets are not small or insignificant by any means. The result of these secrets nearly destroys the lovers in a very permanent way more than once before they get it together.
The thing I enjoy most about this series is experiencing the fun Ms. Black has with the characters. Yeah, there is angst but when they start the verbal banter, no charcter is safe from a few well placed insults. I also love the energy of the series in that the pacing is good and I don't mind that I don't know who is good or bad cuz Shock and Bram are questionable. As a matter of fact I can't wait for both of their books to come out.
I can only hope Ms. Black starts writing faster than she has in the past.
The thing you need to know is that Shayla Black writes very detailed erotica so of course the wizards and witches charge their magic with sex. The more the better apparently. So Lucan has been in mourning for Anka and nearly insane. Shock has been rubbing his face in the fact that Anka is warming his bed and counts on him for her safety.
The story is about forgiveness and healing. Many of the challenges these three characters face were based on secrets. The secrets are not small or insignificant by any means. The result of these secrets nearly destroys the lovers in a very permanent way more than once before they get it together.
The thing I enjoy most about this series is experiencing the fun Ms. Black has with the characters. Yeah, there is angst but when they start the verbal banter, no charcter is safe from a few well placed insults. I also love the energy of the series in that the pacing is good and I don't mind that I don't know who is good or bad cuz Shock and Bram are questionable. As a matter of fact I can't wait for both of their books to come out.
I can only hope Ms. Black starts writing faster than she has in the past.
October 24, 2012
It was good! Not my most favorite Doomsday Brethren book but it got a 3rd place in my heart (after Ice and Caden's books). This tortured couple keep torturing us readers until the end. And I may have some different opinions about Shock after what he did...
It was a roller coaster and we all know what happened to Anka if you have read all the Doomsday Brethren books in the series so far. Lots of angst, but we can also see betrayal, love and trust. Lucan and Anka had to worked through all these issues from the beginning, to become mates once again. And I'm so happy that The ending were a bit rushed, if the author just prolonged it a bit it will be even better.
I'm always so eager to get back in to this world of warriors and their mates whenever Shayla release a new book from this series. I tried to search for news about wheather there will be a sixth book, and I came up with nothing. We still got two persons that haven't found their mates yet and one already died. Technically, Bram had already found his mate but she left him and haven't been found yet. So there is still some plots that could be written, so hopefully we'll get some news soon about this matter.
PS. Anka is probably a good name in english but since I'm from Sweden, the meaning of Anka is duck. Not a proper name for a girl here xD
It was a roller coaster and we all know what happened to Anka if you have read all the Doomsday Brethren books in the series so far. Lots of angst, but we can also see betrayal, love and trust. Lucan and Anka had to worked through all these issues from the beginning, to become mates once again. And I'm so happy that The ending were a bit rushed, if the author just prolonged it a bit it will be even better.
I'm always so eager to get back in to this world of warriors and their mates whenever Shayla release a new book from this series. I tried to search for news about wheather there will be a sixth book, and I came up with nothing. We still got two persons that haven't found their mates yet and one already died. Technically, Bram had already found his mate but she left him and haven't been found yet. So there is still some plots that could be written, so hopefully we'll get some news soon about this matter.
PS. Anka is probably a good name in english but since I'm from Sweden, the meaning of Anka is duck. Not a proper name for a girl here xD
June 11, 2012
4.5 stars
Love, love, love Lucan in this book! He's trying so desperately to gain Anka back after her abduction and his faiure to keep her safe. He doesn't realize all of the secrets that she's kept from him and knew that his demure wife had forever been changed by the hands of a madman. Anka....poor Anka....all that she's suffered... just horrific... I liked that she came back different and stood her ground and fought back. Her trust issues were so deep that when Lucan finally thought he had her figured out, she threw him for a loop again.
Shock, as always, was as vague as ever, but undoubtedly devoted to Anka. His secret....???....I think he's part vampire. *dies at the thought* omgomgomgomgomgomg....I think this because of something I picked up in Marrok's book. *shrugs* who knows?? *me!! me!! I think I do!!!* ......And he's playing both sides for the greater good and all that jazz....*sigh* Gimme, Gimme, Gimmeeeeeeeee!!!!
The new threat in regards to Morganna is very interesting. Can't wait to see what she has in store as the villain.
*side note* I really liked that Shayla added certain elements in this book other than just magic. It makes me wonder if that is the reason she decided to go the independent route so that she could have more creative control of this series. I commend her for that if she did.
March 28, 2021
This book was a unicorn find for me as it was the self published final book in a series I had really enjoyed that was out of print and not available digitally. However I’ve felt a little let down.... it’s been 9 years since I read the series so maybe it’s time away but this just didn’t grip me and it all started with the fact this book is a LOVE TRIANGLE!!!
Our hero and heroine are witches and wizards who had been mates for a century, until they were broken apart by a villain and it shot our heroine into the arms of another man. Our hero and his brethren are gearing up to defeat the evil villain and our heroine wants to join the cause... putting her within close proximity to her former mate.
So apart from a love triangle being my least favourite trope I remember the hero in this book being so absolutely anguished and tortured in the other books that that’s what I thought I was going into- however I got a hero that was very blah with not much of a tortured soul (and I love tortured heroes). On top of that the pacing was inconsistent with pretty much nothing happening in the first 3/4 of the book and then a lot happening in the last quarter. And then the unthinkable happened..... it has a cliffhanger (for the series not the couple) so it’s not even the final book (however the author never wrote more).
Our hero and heroine are witches and wizards who had been mates for a century, until they were broken apart by a villain and it shot our heroine into the arms of another man. Our hero and his brethren are gearing up to defeat the evil villain and our heroine wants to join the cause... putting her within close proximity to her former mate.
So apart from a love triangle being my least favourite trope I remember the hero in this book being so absolutely anguished and tortured in the other books that that’s what I thought I was going into- however I got a hero that was very blah with not much of a tortured soul (and I love tortured heroes). On top of that the pacing was inconsistent with pretty much nothing happening in the first 3/4 of the book and then a lot happening in the last quarter. And then the unthinkable happened..... it has a cliffhanger (for the series not the couple) so it’s not even the final book (however the author never wrote more).
November 14, 2012
I really liked this one, mostly because it wraps up a lot of what we have been tracking for most of the series. I think most fans of the series have been waiting for this one, for Anka and Lucan to find their way back to each other.
Although I got tired of all the sniping, I did think that a lot of what was said did need to be said. We have Anka and Lucan getting all of their issues out there, many that have been hidden for the entire time they have been together. Anka and Shock, trying to protect each other and Shock trying to hold on to an idea. And Shock and Lucan, who most times devolved to two 5 year olds fighting over a toy, each screaming "Mine". I will admit that some of the one liners between the guys did have me laughing.
With this book I have started to not like Bran. I know he is the leader, but some of the choices he made were just plain mean and didn't take into consideration those he called friends.
I did like the big battle at the end. I was glad that Anka wasn't able to get away and played a large part in it. I think her actions were just what she needed to finally be free of what was done to her.
I am intrigued where this series will go next as so many things were finished.
Although I got tired of all the sniping, I did think that a lot of what was said did need to be said. We have Anka and Lucan getting all of their issues out there, many that have been hidden for the entire time they have been together. Anka and Shock, trying to protect each other and Shock trying to hold on to an idea. And Shock and Lucan, who most times devolved to two 5 year olds fighting over a toy, each screaming "Mine". I will admit that some of the one liners between the guys did have me laughing.
With this book I have started to not like Bran. I know he is the leader, but some of the choices he made were just plain mean and didn't take into consideration those he called friends.
I did like the big battle at the end. I was glad that Anka wasn't able to get away and played a large part in it. I think her actions were just what she needed to finally be free of what was done to her.
I am intrigued where this series will go next as so many things were finished.
July 7, 2014
SPOILERS AHEAD...Totally torn. I love this series, and was thoroughly loving this entry...but why did Lucan have to be such an ASSHAT towards the end. Ok, to be fair, all the men in SB's series have their moments, it makes us love them more when they break through it and become the men we want them to be...but Anka's story is so emotional, tormented and real (aka, transferrable to the real world feelings of so many women) that it is easy to connect with her. More than any other woman in the series! What a great accomplishment for a writer? Right? Everything feel into place with the overall storyline, dots connected, characters flushed out, mysteries still to solve (where is Bram's mate? who is Shocks true mate?)
I really did love this book. and I know I'm late to the party with reading the series, but SPOILER ALERT....I really wish she had ended up with Shock. It made so much more sense. In the end, I really never felt like Lucan loved her as much. He jusdged her and was hypocritical in the end. Only when she saved his life (really - that's what it takes these days?) did he truly want her. I know what was written, but it just didn't sit right. The wrong ending on the right story. Still, give me more Shayla Black! You are a wonderful writer....
I really did love this book. and I know I'm late to the party with reading the series, but SPOILER ALERT....I really wish she had ended up with Shock. It made so much more sense. In the end, I really never felt like Lucan loved her as much. He jusdged her and was hypocritical in the end. Only when she saved his life (really - that's what it takes these days?) did he truly want her. I know what was written, but it just didn't sit right. The wrong ending on the right story. Still, give me more Shayla Black! You are a wonderful writer....
June 10, 2012
Oh it was sooo good. *happy sigh* I want to read it again. I´ve been waiting for Anka and Lucan´s story since they were separated by Mathias cruelty.
The last book ended with Morganna running wild and the triangle with Anka, Shock and Lucan.
Now we start off with Anka wanting her revenge and to joing the Brethren in the fight, of course both Shock and Lucan disagree, they don´t want her near any threat but fate has her own way.
To get rid of Morganna, Merlin has left a potion, but to find it they need three key players, a descendant of Nimue, a blood relative of Merlin and a banshee who´s a mother.
Mathias is Nimues descendant, Bram is Merlin´s and Anka has a secret that is about to come to light.
Wow, this was such a roller coaster, so many feelings. You just don´t know how this will end, twists appear and troubles tormenting them. Just when you think you know, something new comes along and nothing is solved until the last pages. Loved it, and now i can´t wait to see the next installment in the series.
footnote: the only thing that has bothered me since the beginning, and that i´ve learned not to think about, is that Anka means Duck in swedish. =D
The last book ended with Morganna running wild and the triangle with Anka, Shock and Lucan.
Now we start off with Anka wanting her revenge and to joing the Brethren in the fight, of course both Shock and Lucan disagree, they don´t want her near any threat but fate has her own way.
To get rid of Morganna, Merlin has left a potion, but to find it they need three key players, a descendant of Nimue, a blood relative of Merlin and a banshee who´s a mother.
Mathias is Nimues descendant, Bram is Merlin´s and Anka has a secret that is about to come to light.
Wow, this was such a roller coaster, so many feelings. You just don´t know how this will end, twists appear and troubles tormenting them. Just when you think you know, something new comes along and nothing is solved until the last pages. Loved it, and now i can´t wait to see the next installment in the series.
footnote: the only thing that has bothered me since the beginning, and that i´ve learned not to think about, is that Anka means Duck in swedish. =D
August 27, 2021
SPOIL ALERT!!
First of all I would like to say that this book was well written but .... I wanted to slap some of the character's. First shock is manipulating and sooo not a good person. The way he withhold release from Annia is a form of abuse. Then I wanted to slap Ania for her treatment of Lucian and her thought process spells dumb dumb dumb. I had to stop reading this book a few times because it was getting me riled up. I would yell at the book... my husband would look at me like I had lost my rocker. Again the plot was well written even though I wanted to smack some sense into some of them. Oh oh and another pet peeve of mine ..... the story I not finished. Shadow took off, Morgana ran away, so there has to be another book already to tie it all up in a nice bow... with me reading it. I don't care if Ms. Shayla Black writes it in another name or whatever, but there has to be another book. It can't just end in limbo like this. What the heck we now know something very weird is going on with Shock and his way of getting energy, he had something going in when he was younger and the list goes on. I for one want to know more. Finish the story!! PLEASE #SHAYLA BLACK
First of all I would like to say that this book was well written but .... I wanted to slap some of the character's. First shock is manipulating and sooo not a good person. The way he withhold release from Annia is a form of abuse. Then I wanted to slap Ania for her treatment of Lucian and her thought process spells dumb dumb dumb. I had to stop reading this book a few times because it was getting me riled up. I would yell at the book... my husband would look at me like I had lost my rocker. Again the plot was well written even though I wanted to smack some sense into some of them. Oh oh and another pet peeve of mine ..... the story I not finished. Shadow took off, Morgana ran away, so there has to be another book already to tie it all up in a nice bow... with me reading it. I don't care if Ms. Shayla Black writes it in another name or whatever, but there has to be another book. It can't just end in limbo like this. What the heck we now know something very weird is going on with Shock and his way of getting energy, he had something going in when he was younger and the list goes on. I for one want to know more. Finish the story!! PLEASE #SHAYLA BLACK
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2012
If you have been reading this series then like me you have waited to see how Ms. Black would address the elephant in the room with Anka and Lucan. Overall I really liked this book and there were places where you wondered what would happen between these two. They are painfully disfunctional and to me that's just entertaining. I do have to say I expected more actual fighting from Anka in this book and more training which I didn't see much of either, but the end result brings some closure for the series in a few places and opens new possibilities in other places as far as the nemisis or evil factor goes. I am still salivating for Shock's book. Overall, Ice and Sabelle's story is still my favorite of this series so far. I have to recommend this book and this series. To me it has a twist just a little different then so many paranormal series so it's a must read!
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