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Pyte/Sentinel #1
Tall, Dark & Lonely
Tall, Dark & Lonely
Pyte/Sentinel, Book 1
Things are finally looking up for Madison. After years of scraping just to get by she lands her dream job and finally has a decent down payment for a house so she can move her brother and sister into a real home. It's too bad nothing ever goes the way it's supposed to. When the mother that abandoned them years ago suddenly shows up and moves them to New Hampshire Madison has no choice but to go or lose her brother and sister. Shoving her dreams aside yet again, Madison tries to make things work. It's really cold, her fifteen year old sister acts like a hooker in training, men act funny around her, her boss is a real jerk, she feels like an outsider, her best friend turns out to be a sixteen year old punk, and the incredibly handsome guy renting the room adjoining hers not only hogs the bathroom, taking three showers a day leaving her with cold water, but he also has a secret. A secret that she becomes a bit obsessed with and can't let go no matter how many times she's warned off.
Detective Ephraim Williams learned long ago not to show any emotion or allow himself to get attached to humans. What was the point? They came and went and he remained. This time wouldn't be any different or so he thought. When his landlady told him her grandchildren were moving in he didn't expect much, well other than to be left alone. What he didn't expect was to have to fight bloodlust every time he so much as caught a whiff of his delectable neighbor's scent or her bombarding him with questions every time she cornered him.
If that's not bad enough a Master from his past has found him once again and is demanding his blood and is willing to do anything to get it, even using the exasperating neighbor that makes him feel more than pain for the first time in centuries.
Pyte/Sentinel, Book 1
Things are finally looking up for Madison. After years of scraping just to get by she lands her dream job and finally has a decent down payment for a house so she can move her brother and sister into a real home. It's too bad nothing ever goes the way it's supposed to. When the mother that abandoned them years ago suddenly shows up and moves them to New Hampshire Madison has no choice but to go or lose her brother and sister. Shoving her dreams aside yet again, Madison tries to make things work. It's really cold, her fifteen year old sister acts like a hooker in training, men act funny around her, her boss is a real jerk, she feels like an outsider, her best friend turns out to be a sixteen year old punk, and the incredibly handsome guy renting the room adjoining hers not only hogs the bathroom, taking three showers a day leaving her with cold water, but he also has a secret. A secret that she becomes a bit obsessed with and can't let go no matter how many times she's warned off.
Detective Ephraim Williams learned long ago not to show any emotion or allow himself to get attached to humans. What was the point? They came and went and he remained. This time wouldn't be any different or so he thought. When his landlady told him her grandchildren were moving in he didn't expect much, well other than to be left alone. What he didn't expect was to have to fight bloodlust every time he so much as caught a whiff of his delectable neighbor's scent or her bombarding him with questions every time she cornered him.
If that's not bad enough a Master from his past has found him once again and is demanding his blood and is willing to do anything to get it, even using the exasperating neighbor that makes him feel more than pain for the first time in centuries.
424 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2010
About the author
R.L. Mathewson
75 books15.5k followersNew York Times Bestselling author, R.L. Mathewson was born in Massachusetts. She’s known for her humor, quick wit and ability to write relatable characters. She currently has several paranormal and contemporary romance series published including the Neighbor from Hell series.
Growing up, R.L. Mathewson was a painfully shy bookworm. After high school she attended college, worked as a bellhop, fast food cook, and a museum worker until she decided to take an EMT course. Working as an EMT helped her get over her shyness as well as left her with some fond memories and some rather disturbing ones that from time to time show up in one of her books.
Today, R.L. Mathewson is the single mother of two children that keep her on her toes. She has a bit of a romance novel addiction as well as a major hot chocolate addiction and on a perfect day, she combines the two.
In 2019/2020, R.L. Mathewson will be publishing Devastated, the first Anger Management novel, Tall, Dark & Furious, the 6th installment to the Pyte/Sentinel series, Irresistible, the long anticipated novel for the Neighbor from Hell Series as well as many more books throughout the year, paranormals, contemporaries, and YAs.
Growing up, R.L. Mathewson was a painfully shy bookworm. After high school she attended college, worked as a bellhop, fast food cook, and a museum worker until she decided to take an EMT course. Working as an EMT helped her get over her shyness as well as left her with some fond memories and some rather disturbing ones that from time to time show up in one of her books.
Today, R.L. Mathewson is the single mother of two children that keep her on her toes. She has a bit of a romance novel addiction as well as a major hot chocolate addiction and on a perfect day, she combines the two.
In 2019/2020, R.L. Mathewson will be publishing Devastated, the first Anger Management novel, Tall, Dark & Furious, the 6th installment to the Pyte/Sentinel series, Irresistible, the long anticipated novel for the Neighbor from Hell Series as well as many more books throughout the year, paranormals, contemporaries, and YAs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,102 reviews
August 25, 2014
Where do I begin? I really enjoyed the first part of the novel. I could identify with the heroine - young woman abandoned by her mother has to take care of her younger siblings while mom is screwing around. The whole family ends up moving in with the grandmother, who runs a boarding house. The young heroine, Madison, is determined not to be anything like her mother. She's hard working, chaste, and has a hard time trusting.
Things quickly go off the rails as far as plot and character. Madison degenerates from a strong woman to a an indecisive, irrational mess. I understand that she's supposed to have commitment issues - but this is pushing believability.
Speaking of believability - who does our strong, level-headed heroine fall in love with? Why, a controlling, dismissive, irrational vampire-like creature that lives next door, of course! Who wouldn't love a man that single-handedly decides what's best for all involved? Throw in a few angsty paragraphs about how he now owns Madison, and we're just chugging right along.
So our virgin heroine decides she's going to get frisky with Control Freak next door. One problem - he'll lose his shit when they have sex because that will tear her hymen, cause her to bleed, and he'll have to suck her blood. The only logical thing to do at this point is get a sex toy, crouch in the bathtub, and break her own hymen. Ephraim surprises her in the middle of all this, she slips and falls, and causes damage to herself. They discover later she has a super-hymen that is too thick to break and requires a doctor.
Let's just pause here a moment. There is so much wrong with this little scene. First, a woman's hymen is barely inside the vagina. She doesn't need to use a sex toy and go digging for gold to find it. Second, the author has to make sure you understand that Madison is different from her floozy of a mother in every way, and what says "not a slut" better than a super-thick hymen?
The crazy-train keeps rolling, they screw like bunnies at every chance, pick up a few more stray children, and add a few more supernatural beings. We've had two plot shifts so far - we started out concentrated on Madison and her relationship with the family, and now we've tossed the family to the periphery so Madison and Ephraim can get busy.
The plot changes again. Out of nowhere comes the sudden realization that Madison is being blackmailed by the father of her brother and she's broke and can't pay her bills. At this point, we've spent some substantial time in the head of Madison. We even go with her into the shower. But we never find out or get even a hint that she's sending her entire salary to pay blackmail until we find out that the blackmailer is being videotaped having sex with a pre-op transsexual in Ephraim's bedroom?
Things get even better when we find out Grandma, like every other woman in her family, can't control her finances and needs to be bailed out. So super-controlling Ephraim buys the house and lets them all continue to live there. All why giving off super-creepy, Now I Really Own You vibes.
And then it just gets worse... Our heroine, that has a really hard time trusting anyone, gets knocked up. So what does our loving vampire knock-off do? He forces her into becoming a vampire, because he knows best and just wants to protect her. At this point, I really expected him to start hitting her and saying it was for her own good. Totally in line with the rest of the story at this point.
This book is so all over the place, I can't even remember what plot twist we're on before the other vampires show up and start trying to kill everyone.
I wish they had been successful.
Things quickly go off the rails as far as plot and character. Madison degenerates from a strong woman to a an indecisive, irrational mess. I understand that she's supposed to have commitment issues - but this is pushing believability.
Speaking of believability - who does our strong, level-headed heroine fall in love with? Why, a controlling, dismissive, irrational vampire-like creature that lives next door, of course! Who wouldn't love a man that single-handedly decides what's best for all involved? Throw in a few angsty paragraphs about how he now owns Madison, and we're just chugging right along.
So our virgin heroine decides she's going to get frisky with Control Freak next door. One problem - he'll lose his shit when they have sex because that will tear her hymen, cause her to bleed, and he'll have to suck her blood. The only logical thing to do at this point is get a sex toy, crouch in the bathtub, and break her own hymen. Ephraim surprises her in the middle of all this, she slips and falls, and causes damage to herself. They discover later she has a super-hymen that is too thick to break and requires a doctor.
Let's just pause here a moment. There is so much wrong with this little scene. First, a woman's hymen is barely inside the vagina. She doesn't need to use a sex toy and go digging for gold to find it. Second, the author has to make sure you understand that Madison is different from her floozy of a mother in every way, and what says "not a slut" better than a super-thick hymen?
The crazy-train keeps rolling, they screw like bunnies at every chance, pick up a few more stray children, and add a few more supernatural beings. We've had two plot shifts so far - we started out concentrated on Madison and her relationship with the family, and now we've tossed the family to the periphery so Madison and Ephraim can get busy.
The plot changes again. Out of nowhere comes the sudden realization that Madison is being blackmailed by the father of her brother and she's broke and can't pay her bills. At this point, we've spent some substantial time in the head of Madison. We even go with her into the shower. But we never find out or get even a hint that she's sending her entire salary to pay blackmail until we find out that the blackmailer is being videotaped having sex with a pre-op transsexual in Ephraim's bedroom?
Things get even better when we find out Grandma, like every other woman in her family, can't control her finances and needs to be bailed out. So super-controlling Ephraim buys the house and lets them all continue to live there. All why giving off super-creepy, Now I Really Own You vibes.
And then it just gets worse... Our heroine, that has a really hard time trusting anyone, gets knocked up. So what does our loving vampire knock-off do? He forces her into becoming a vampire, because he knows best and just wants to protect her. At this point, I really expected him to start hitting her and saying it was for her own good. Totally in line with the rest of the story at this point.
This book is so all over the place, I can't even remember what plot twist we're on before the other vampires show up and start trying to kill everyone.
I wish they had been successful.
September 19, 2019
First things first, I LOVE CHRIS~ Like seriously, fuck me boy ;)
Pulled an all nighter for this, so damn worth it :D
THE BOOK WAS AH-MAZING, If you haven't read it yet.. please do so asap!!
The humor, the story, the drama and the sex, everything was EPIC ;)
Ok, So here goes..
Best prologue I've ever read, Appart from Walking Disaster
Hahaha, I find it absolutely adorable how Ephraim burps after he feeds on excessive blood :P
Loved him to bits and bits.. Such a sweet man, fuck! :')
I loved Madison character, Absolutely brilliantly written.
Chris, I loveeeeeeeeeeed him! Best best friend and son one could ever want ;)
Joshua, Ah my little man! LOVED HIM MORE
Jill, Bitch.. glad there wasn't much about her or I would have been seriously pissed
Candy, You bitch.. I'd burn alive and then pour wax on you after that! Whore
What did he mean by when she was his? Did he expect her to become his cow? - LMFAO.. You stupid chick
She found the roll basket and picked it up quickly, hugging it to her chest. She began throwing rolls at him while she retreated away from him. “Get back!” He ducked out of the way easily. “Or what? You’ll throw butter at me?” he teased.
“Wow! Can I get contacts, too?” Joshua asked excitedly. “That is so cool!” “Maybe later, little man.” Chris tried to play it off. “Oh, fangs too! Cool!” “Oh no,” she mumbled, wincing at her brother's excited expression.
Off to bed at 8:30am after my all nighter!
Pulled an all nighter for this, so damn worth it :D
THE BOOK WAS AH-MAZING, If you haven't read it yet.. please do so asap!!
The humor, the story, the drama and the sex, everything was EPIC ;)
Ok, So here goes..
Best prologue I've ever read, Appart from Walking Disaster
Hahaha, I find it absolutely adorable how Ephraim burps after he feeds on excessive blood :P
Loved him to bits and bits.. Such a sweet man, fuck! :')
I loved Madison character, Absolutely brilliantly written.
Chris, I loveeeeeeeeeeed him! Best best friend and son one could ever want ;)
Joshua, Ah my little man! LOVED HIM MORE
Jill, Bitch.. glad there wasn't much about her or I would have been seriously pissed
Candy, You bitch.. I'd burn alive and then pour wax on you after that! Whore
What did he mean by when she was his? Did he expect her to become his cow? - LMFAO.. You stupid chick
She found the roll basket and picked it up quickly, hugging it to her chest. She began throwing rolls at him while she retreated away from him. “Get back!” He ducked out of the way easily. “Or what? You’ll throw butter at me?” he teased.
“Wow! Can I get contacts, too?” Joshua asked excitedly. “That is so cool!” “Maybe later, little man.” Chris tried to play it off. “Oh, fangs too! Cool!” “Oh no,” she mumbled, wincing at her brother's excited expression.
Off to bed at 8:30am after my all nighter!
February 22, 2012
Warning: This book will make you squirm, laugh, vomit, gasp, swoon, and bang your head on hard objects.
3.5 stars. A campy, nutty, off-the-wall blood-lite vampire romance not recommended for the serious PNR lovers or those with delicate sensibilities.
I almost DNFd this one a half dozen times, but something about Ephraim and the weirdness of the story kept me reading. It was full of absurd plotting, a motley crew of nutty characters, all mixed with some off-the-wall world building. WTFery on nearly every page. At times it was so disturbingly weird (and not always in a funny ha-ha kind of way), but I found myself fascinated all the same so I couldn't stop reading it. Parts of it were hilarious, and other parts were hot, but the vast majority of it was just off-the-wall. I shake my head asking myself "what the F did I just read?!" It was soooooo over-the-top.
And no, I don't know if I will read more of this series. For now, this book was quite enough. Glad I read it, but it will be a long while before I will be in the mood for more. It was like riding a roller coaster with no seat belt, and trying with all my might to stay in my seat.
3.5 stars. A campy, nutty, off-the-wall blood-lite vampire romance not recommended for the serious PNR lovers or those with delicate sensibilities.
I almost DNFd this one a half dozen times, but something about Ephraim and the weirdness of the story kept me reading. It was full of absurd plotting, a motley crew of nutty characters, all mixed with some off-the-wall world building. WTFery on nearly every page. At times it was so disturbingly weird (and not always in a funny ha-ha kind of way), but I found myself fascinated all the same so I couldn't stop reading it. Parts of it were hilarious, and other parts were hot, but the vast majority of it was just off-the-wall. I shake my head asking myself "what the F did I just read?!" It was soooooo over-the-top.
And no, I don't know if I will read more of this series. For now, this book was quite enough. Glad I read it, but it will be a long while before I will be in the mood for more. It was like riding a roller coaster with no seat belt, and trying with all my might to stay in my seat.
July 7, 2021
A Vampire but better!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧
Romance: 💋💋💋💋💋
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📙📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌎🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 👨🏻👱🏻♀️🧔🏻👩🏻
The heroine: Madison - her mother never acted like a mother so Madison was always in charge of her siblings. Though when her mother needs a place to stay and threatens to take the kids away to New Hampshire to live with their Grandma at her boarding house, Madison has no option but to go with or lose her siblings from her life.
The Hero(es): Ephraim - he is a Pyte, which is basically a vampire that can walk in the daylight. He has more power than a vampire and can’t be killed. He was born in nineteenth century England and was tortured when his family and the local magistrate found out what he was.
The Story: Ephraim lives at the boarding house that Madison and her siblings move to. He is a detective with the local police department and is quite the loner. He and Madison share the side of the house that has a separate entrance and they share a bathroom.
Ephraim is good at controlling his cravings for blood, but when he gets a whiff of Madison’s blood he struggles to control his blood lust. I liked that aspect of the story as well as the whole bit about the Sentinels, which are a group of people born with angelic blood whose job it is to protect humans from Vampires.
The Sentinels want Ephraim to join the fight against Vampires. The romance between Ephraim and Madison was steamy, the supporting characters were great, especially Chris. As for the narrator, she was ok but not great. I would rather have had a few narrators. Though I liked the family theme and I can’t wait to hear more of this series.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧
Romance: 💋💋💋💋💋
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📙📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌎🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 👨🏻👱🏻♀️🧔🏻👩🏻
The heroine: Madison - her mother never acted like a mother so Madison was always in charge of her siblings. Though when her mother needs a place to stay and threatens to take the kids away to New Hampshire to live with their Grandma at her boarding house, Madison has no option but to go with or lose her siblings from her life.
The Hero(es): Ephraim - he is a Pyte, which is basically a vampire that can walk in the daylight. He has more power than a vampire and can’t be killed. He was born in nineteenth century England and was tortured when his family and the local magistrate found out what he was.
The Story: Ephraim lives at the boarding house that Madison and her siblings move to. He is a detective with the local police department and is quite the loner. He and Madison share the side of the house that has a separate entrance and they share a bathroom.
Ephraim is good at controlling his cravings for blood, but when he gets a whiff of Madison’s blood he struggles to control his blood lust. I liked that aspect of the story as well as the whole bit about the Sentinels, which are a group of people born with angelic blood whose job it is to protect humans from Vampires.
The Sentinels want Ephraim to join the fight against Vampires. The romance between Ephraim and Madison was steamy, the supporting characters were great, especially Chris. As for the narrator, she was ok but not great. I would rather have had a few narrators. Though I liked the family theme and I can’t wait to hear more of this series.
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February 21, 2016
It's time to give up, this isn't going to get any better and even if it did, I'm so over the female mc. Someone said this was like sexed up Twilight, and it sorta is, but Twilight did it better. That's right, I said Twilight did it better. Twilight didn't annoy me and there was the excuse of it being a high school setting.
Why I'm kicking this book to the curb: the female mc. It's all her fault. She is one contrary and whinging bitch. Yeah, it sucks her mom is an irresponsible whore (fact), and Madison (female mc) has had to raise her young siblings, but she won't allow anyone to help her. She's going for that martyr Girl Scout badge. She already has the contrary bitch, hypocrite, whinging wonder, and TSTL badges.
Madison has this hottie neighbor, who's a vampire, and is all Edward Cullen "your scent arouses my bloodlust. You're my blood song" nonsense going on for her. He's super nice to her and a model gentleman courting her. But she pushes him away constantly and acts like a giant brat, all the while bemoaning everything. How does he stand her?
Ephraim, the male mc, with the super unsexy name, is a broody vampire that lives in Madison's grandmother's boardinghouse. Once he decides to court Madison, he pulls out all the stops and puts up with her chatter. Each time he helps her, she flips out and throws a shit storm tantrum; ungrateful wretch. His vampire-ness is that of a day walker, but his eyes go red when he vamps out. He also goes into these bloodlust berserker modes where he's kind of comatose. I found this vampire mythos to be boring.
The only mildly interesting parts of this book were the steamy times, of which there are only two, not enough to distract me from the rest of this boring book. Also, the reason it's 2 stars instead of 1. Definitely not reading anything else in this series. These vamps are lame +++++. Ephraim should leave being a day walker to Blade, he does it best and with a sword.
P.S. (For Sarah's peace of mind) I would murder all these characters by sealing all the exits and pumping nitrogen in through the vents, or maybe go WWI old school and use chlorine gas. They're too boring for a bloody end, they get asphyxiation.
Why I'm kicking this book to the curb: the female mc. It's all her fault. She is one contrary and whinging bitch. Yeah, it sucks her mom is an irresponsible whore (fact), and Madison (female mc) has had to raise her young siblings, but she won't allow anyone to help her. She's going for that martyr Girl Scout badge. She already has the contrary bitch, hypocrite, whinging wonder, and TSTL badges.
Madison has this hottie neighbor, who's a vampire, and is all Edward Cullen "your scent arouses my bloodlust. You're my blood song" nonsense going on for her. He's super nice to her and a model gentleman courting her. But she pushes him away constantly and acts like a giant brat, all the while bemoaning everything. How does he stand her?
Ephraim, the male mc, with the super unsexy name, is a broody vampire that lives in Madison's grandmother's boardinghouse. Once he decides to court Madison, he pulls out all the stops and puts up with her chatter. Each time he helps her, she flips out and throws a shit storm tantrum; ungrateful wretch. His vampire-ness is that of a day walker, but his eyes go red when he vamps out. He also goes into these bloodlust berserker modes where he's kind of comatose. I found this vampire mythos to be boring.
The only mildly interesting parts of this book were the steamy times, of which there are only two, not enough to distract me from the rest of this boring book. Also, the reason it's 2 stars instead of 1. Definitely not reading anything else in this series. These vamps are lame +++++. Ephraim should leave being a day walker to Blade, he does it best and with a sword.
P.S. (For Sarah's peace of mind) I would murder all these characters by sealing all the exits and pumping nitrogen in through the vents, or maybe go WWI old school and use chlorine gas. They're too boring for a bloody end, they get asphyxiation.
September 7, 2012
I had it at 3 stars and as I kept on reading it, but it just kept on getting more and more senseless; until it hits its absolut low. There is something about a virgin turned nympho. She is also sooo modest it's almost patronizing. To fix that the author gives you a list of ridiculous things that really make this angel less than perfect. Except that list is composed of things like cheating while playing candyland (rolling my eyes here)
The male swoops in on a metaphorical white horse (i.e. check book in modern days) to fix all her problems. Ta da - it's short for ta da ta da da. Also, he's in celibacy for like a hundred years and she giggles, because it's so special and he's been waiting for her all his life and now everything is exceptional and better than ever. He also has a serious problem with sub-psychotic rage episodes, but it's all cool because the ex-virgin will solve that with some sexy time. He also loves her so much he is willing to kill her. ??? She might hate him for it, but she doesn’t because hey he did it for love right? How romantic. (He doesn't ask her about it, becasue it's not her business if she wants to take the risk or not. It's not like it concerns her.) Strait jacket anyone?
They adopt kids like people take in stray cats.
There is a lot of spatial inconsistencies. Perhaps the author doesn't know that the nape is in the back of a person's neck. So if you are standing in the front there is no way of reaching it with your mouth unless you're a fucking giraffe.
The reader gets sentances like: "Candy snapped with the knowledge that she lost whatever control she had over Madison was gone" Did anyone even read this book before publishing. This is one exaple how this author wants to emphasize something in a incorrect sentance and abuses redundancy. Not to mention that most of the book is dialog and when it's not this is the shit you get.
I see people say the sex is so amazing and not for anyone's delicate sensibilities. I thought it was just tedious and absurd.
The story lacks tension and is built around the sex instead of incorporating it in an actual plot.
I also hate that she has to tell the readers what everyone is feeling and thinking (removing any possible suspense and uncertainty). For example; we find out that the male protagonist while being "mistreated" at the beginning of the book (torture, experiments etc.) lost any more will to fight. He basically doesn't care. And if you didn't get that, you should have because the author tells you that "he doesn't care" about 15 times. Just in case you missed the first 5. I'm not stupid and hate when I'm being treated like an idiot. 3 is my absolute limit and this one is really pushing it.
All in all by the end of the book I was banging my head against the desk. Because, that is where all the stupid piles up:
- Madison's reaction to her lovers forced feeding and involuntary transformation – “I will kick your ass” Justifiable right?!
- Grandma putting her foot down and telling the raging lunatic to marry her granddaughter. I really enjoyed the part when she says “you’ve forced my hand”. Yeah…Listen Lady! First of all he owns you (You came as a package deal with the house). Secondly, the role of a Control Freak is already taken.
- Male Protagonist saying that he will drag her to the JP before she changes her mind. After all I read I wouldn’t expect him to ask. Gradma also offers to guard the door. Yes, I know it’s a joke, but believe me by this point it’s not funny.
-And check this sentence out: “The fetus inside her womb somehow filtered her blood and turned her” Like totally cool.
- There is more of she looked more beautiful, never smelled greater than …whatever. .
-The conversation and events that follow transformation: The chick has her life altered against her will and without asking, but that’s ok because she looks cool. So Little Miss sunshine starts throwing things (like socks). Very mature approach. Isn’t it good she doesn’t behave like her 15 year old sister? Then she gets informed that he didn’t ask because he panicked. Two-hundred-year-old –whatever-he-is panicked? You’d think that after the life story he had panic is unlikely, but then again he never had any self-control and did what he wants against whatever anyone has to say so it’s pretty much in character.
- There is more threat and force “I’d have a hundred Sentinels here to hold you down while we took it out of you” comes from some guy that no one asked for opinion. Because, apparently woman can’t decide on their own.
- And, of course let’s not forget it’s all in good faith cause our hero wants to keep Madison forever. That is why he knocked her up. Simon says Jerry Springer PNR Style.
-Ephraim goes into another episode of rage and everyone backs down becasue well their a bunch of pussies. So they leave a pregnant woman with a control, volitile maniac. Then they bicker like little children, throw pillows, do some dirty talk and make up Ahhhh love.
-We also get lost of "I hate you-s" from our strong female that turned apparently 13.
-I ended it on the point when our raging control freak announces marriage without accually asking the bride and she forgives him all becasue taking one more decision away is exactly the kind of appology she was looking for.
You also get a bunch of add-ons that have no place and use such as the protagonist talking about someone eating her chocolate while her and her hubby argue.
Some people will ask why I didn’t put Spoiler Alert. Simple – There is nothing to spoil. See for something to spoil it would have to be good or mildly digestible. This is not. Whoever thought this dude is great and this book is terrific is either a teenage girl or needs a psychologist. You have some serious self-esteem issues.
I did like Chris. The dialog was funny. I must say I can almost bet the next book will be on how he finds his eternal mate. (Rolling my eyes again)
In summary I hated this book so much I was not able to finish the last 15 pages. With every sentance I wanted to put the book on the floor piss on it and then burn it.
The male swoops in on a metaphorical white horse (i.e. check book in modern days) to fix all her problems. Ta da - it's short for ta da ta da da. Also, he's in celibacy for like a hundred years and she giggles, because it's so special and he's been waiting for her all his life and now everything is exceptional and better than ever. He also has a serious problem with sub-psychotic rage episodes, but it's all cool because the ex-virgin will solve that with some sexy time. He also loves her so much he is willing to kill her. ??? She might hate him for it, but she doesn’t because hey he did it for love right? How romantic. (He doesn't ask her about it, becasue it's not her business if she wants to take the risk or not. It's not like it concerns her.) Strait jacket anyone?
They adopt kids like people take in stray cats.
There is a lot of spatial inconsistencies. Perhaps the author doesn't know that the nape is in the back of a person's neck. So if you are standing in the front there is no way of reaching it with your mouth unless you're a fucking giraffe.
The reader gets sentances like: "Candy snapped with the knowledge that she lost whatever control she had over Madison was gone" Did anyone even read this book before publishing. This is one exaple how this author wants to emphasize something in a incorrect sentance and abuses redundancy. Not to mention that most of the book is dialog and when it's not this is the shit you get.
I see people say the sex is so amazing and not for anyone's delicate sensibilities. I thought it was just tedious and absurd.
The story lacks tension and is built around the sex instead of incorporating it in an actual plot.
I also hate that she has to tell the readers what everyone is feeling and thinking (removing any possible suspense and uncertainty). For example; we find out that the male protagonist while being "mistreated" at the beginning of the book (torture, experiments etc.) lost any more will to fight. He basically doesn't care. And if you didn't get that, you should have because the author tells you that "he doesn't care" about 15 times. Just in case you missed the first 5. I'm not stupid and hate when I'm being treated like an idiot. 3 is my absolute limit and this one is really pushing it.
All in all by the end of the book I was banging my head against the desk. Because, that is where all the stupid piles up:
- Madison's reaction to her lovers forced feeding and involuntary transformation – “I will kick your ass” Justifiable right?!
- Grandma putting her foot down and telling the raging lunatic to marry her granddaughter. I really enjoyed the part when she says “you’ve forced my hand”. Yeah…Listen Lady! First of all he owns you (You came as a package deal with the house). Secondly, the role of a Control Freak is already taken.
- Male Protagonist saying that he will drag her to the JP before she changes her mind. After all I read I wouldn’t expect him to ask. Gradma also offers to guard the door. Yes, I know it’s a joke, but believe me by this point it’s not funny.
-And check this sentence out: “The fetus inside her womb somehow filtered her blood and turned her” Like totally cool.
- There is more of she looked more beautiful, never smelled greater than …whatever. .
-The conversation and events that follow transformation: The chick has her life altered against her will and without asking, but that’s ok because she looks cool. So Little Miss sunshine starts throwing things (like socks). Very mature approach. Isn’t it good she doesn’t behave like her 15 year old sister? Then she gets informed that he didn’t ask because he panicked. Two-hundred-year-old –whatever-he-is panicked? You’d think that after the life story he had panic is unlikely, but then again he never had any self-control and did what he wants against whatever anyone has to say so it’s pretty much in character.
- There is more threat and force “I’d have a hundred Sentinels here to hold you down while we took it out of you” comes from some guy that no one asked for opinion. Because, apparently woman can’t decide on their own.
- And, of course let’s not forget it’s all in good faith cause our hero wants to keep Madison forever. That is why he knocked her up. Simon says Jerry Springer PNR Style.
-Ephraim goes into another episode of rage and everyone backs down becasue well their a bunch of pussies. So they leave a pregnant woman with a control, volitile maniac. Then they bicker like little children, throw pillows, do some dirty talk and make up Ahhhh love.
-We also get lost of "I hate you-s" from our strong female that turned apparently 13.
-I ended it on the point when our raging control freak announces marriage without accually asking the bride and she forgives him all becasue taking one more decision away is exactly the kind of appology she was looking for.
You also get a bunch of add-ons that have no place and use such as the protagonist talking about someone eating her chocolate while her and her hubby argue.
Some people will ask why I didn’t put Spoiler Alert. Simple – There is nothing to spoil. See for something to spoil it would have to be good or mildly digestible. This is not. Whoever thought this dude is great and this book is terrific is either a teenage girl or needs a psychologist. You have some serious self-esteem issues.
I did like Chris. The dialog was funny. I must say I can almost bet the next book will be on how he finds his eternal mate. (Rolling my eyes again)
In summary I hated this book so much I was not able to finish the last 15 pages. With every sentance I wanted to put the book on the floor piss on it and then burn it.
October 4, 2012
Loved every page of this book and didn't want it to end. I am so happy I decided to read a paranormal romance. It has gotten me back on the horse again. R.L. Mattewson is an excellent author and I would recommend this book as well as her others to everyone.
February 24, 2012
I loved it. A light paranormal with a heavy dose of smexings, what not to love right? Ephraim just about melted me to puddles. He was such a sweet, sweet Pyte. Pytes are like vampires, they drink blood but they can walk in the daylight unlike the vampires. So, I would say that every vampire wanna be just like Ephraim.
I will definitely check out his son's, Chris book next. I felt all kinds of wrong for crushing on Chris. He was just sixteen here but he was very hilarious and I hope he will be a bit older in his book. YA story is definitely NOT my cuppa.
January 21, 2016
Nah, didn't enjoy this one.
The heroine was such an inconsistent character. She started out so strong and likeable, but that didn't last long. In the end, I was just annoyed by her immaturity and stubbornness.
I liked the hero throughout most of the book, until he
I hated Candy. Not because she was a bitch, but because she was portrayed too OTT and totally unbelievable, and I couldn't keep my eyes from rolling every time she said or did something.
Chris and Joshua were cool, but they couldn't make up for all the other characters.
There were too many redundant side plots. The boyfriend ? The 'virginity issue' and Madison's consequent accident? The short-lived drama around her sister? Joshua's father ? There are probably more, I just can't think of any right now. They were nothing more than fillers that didn't do anything for the actual story. No wonder this book was so long!
I couldn't warm up to the writing, either. The sex scenes were plenty but rather awkward, and this book could really use an editor (seriously, has the author every heard of the past perfect tense?).
This wasn't the worst book I've ever read and I'm surprised I was never tempted to DNF. In fact, the whole Pyte/Sentinel history was quite intriguing. But it could have been soooo much better.
February 5, 2017
3 3/4 "Pytes are super cool" Stars!
I enjoyed this story very much. The prologue was very gripping. It had me very curious about Ephraim from the beginning. This was a much more complete story than I thought it would be. Both main characters, Ephraim and Madison were both good characters that I enjoyed meeting and I was happy to read their story.
The first part half of the book was mostly relationship building between Ephraim and Madison. You were also introduced to Madison's family- the immediate side characters. We also met Chris, who was a HS student (Madison was a teacher) who became a big part of the story. Chris was actually my favorite character in the story.
The second half of the book is all about the series world building and set up. This will be a classic good vs evil type of series it seems. I think I'm hooked. I'm certainly in for book 2 because Chris will be the main character. I'll try and get to it very soon. Happy reading!
PS- There were some pretty strong TWILIGHT similarities... :/
I enjoyed this story very much. The prologue was very gripping. It had me very curious about Ephraim from the beginning. This was a much more complete story than I thought it would be. Both main characters, Ephraim and Madison were both good characters that I enjoyed meeting and I was happy to read their story.
The first part half of the book was mostly relationship building between Ephraim and Madison. You were also introduced to Madison's family- the immediate side characters. We also met Chris, who was a HS student (Madison was a teacher) who became a big part of the story. Chris was actually my favorite character in the story.
The second half of the book is all about the series world building and set up. This will be a classic good vs evil type of series it seems. I think I'm hooked. I'm certainly in for book 2 because Chris will be the main character. I'll try and get to it very soon. Happy reading!
PS- There were some pretty strong TWILIGHT similarities... :/
January 8, 2017
3.5 stars
Re read via audible
I read this book awhile ago and remember liking it. Upon this re read, I still liked it overall but it definately was not perfect. I enjoyed the MCs (although the heroine did get annoying at times and the Hero could be too high handed) and felt there was strong chemistry but I am not sure why they loved each other. They really did not get to know each other and seemed to go from her being scared of him, to jumping into bed. Overall, this book had A LOT going on. There was world building and lots of secondary characters. For the most part I felt it all worked but it may have taken away from the MCs having time to really get to know each other or have some romance. There were also some moments of drag and I felt the MCs took too long to get together. Most of the time the humor worked for me, but sometimes it was a bit much. I know my comments are cryptic, but not wanting to recite the entire book or give away the entire plot, I feel I need to be.
The evil vamps were persistent and caused lots of drama. (Minor om drama and OW vamp drama counts as exception, but is really not anything worth worrying over)
Re read via audible
I read this book awhile ago and remember liking it. Upon this re read, I still liked it overall but it definately was not perfect. I enjoyed the MCs (although the heroine did get annoying at times and the Hero could be too high handed) and felt there was strong chemistry but I am not sure why they loved each other. They really did not get to know each other and seemed to go from her being scared of him, to jumping into bed. Overall, this book had A LOT going on. There was world building and lots of secondary characters. For the most part I felt it all worked but it may have taken away from the MCs having time to really get to know each other or have some romance. There were also some moments of drag and I felt the MCs took too long to get together. Most of the time the humor worked for me, but sometimes it was a bit much. I know my comments are cryptic, but not wanting to recite the entire book or give away the entire plot, I feel I need to be.
The evil vamps were persistent and caused lots of drama. (Minor om drama and OW vamp drama counts as exception, but is really not anything worth worrying over)
March 25, 2015
I loved the Neighbors from Hell series, but this just didn't work for me :S It was interesting enough, but I didn't get caught in the story, or the main characters. I hope I'll read the other 2 books sometime later, maybe they'll be better.
May 2, 2013
What a surprise this book was! Just reading the synopsis had me hooked. Tall, Dark & Lonely is one of the best PNR stories I’ve read in a while and Ephraim…
Ephraim:
Madison:
"For as long as you want me, Madison, I am your man."
Madison has been in charge of taking care of her siblings for most of her life. But now, she’s finally got a good job and is ready to give her brother and sister a better life.
Then their mother shows back up and a change of plans has them moving to New Hampshire where they plan to stay with their grandmother in her boarding house. Things are still looking down with a slutty sister, no hot water, and an sexy, yet obnoxious, neighbor.
Ephraim has learned the hard way that nothing ever last so why go through the trouble of caring? It’s a wasted effort when they end up dying and he’s left behind.
He stopped caring about everything years ago. The pain didn’t bother him, the hunger even less. They had become his friends, his companions. In an odd way he’d come to depend on the pain to make him feel alive.
He makes it a point to keep people out but a run-in with Madison has him testing his control. He’d love nothing more than to sink his teeth into her (and some other things)*cough* and when she learns he’s hiding something, she becomes determined to stick by him and uncover his secret.
For the first time in his life he didn’t just want sex with a woman. He wanted all of her.
Let’s start off with the family situation. I hated the mom. Hated, hated, hated her. I swear, I just wanted to shove my head through a wall every time I heard one of her sob stories.
Madison was a favorite of mine. She was a strong, independent woman who really cared about her family. They always came first for her and that was something I respected.
One thing I was surprised that I liked was the little game that she played with Ephraim. Usually, I just want to through the characters together and get the good stuff going but in this instance, I enjoyed the teasing and all that sexual tension.
Ephraim…
Oh my, what an alpha male! I couldn’t get enough of him. There was a perfect balance of bossy, alpha male-ness, and the sweet, caring side of him. He was hot, hot, hot, which made for some steamy scenes.
“The first thing you should know, once I put my cock in you I’m not going to stop fucking you until my dick explodes inside of you.”
“And the second?”
“The second thing, Madison, is that I am head over heels in love with you,”
Onwards…
From the romance to the drama and humor, I loved every second of this book. Everything that I was looking for was here and I couldn’t have been more pleased.
“You are mine, Madison. You’ve always been mine. You just didn’t know it and neither did I, but you’re mine, sweetheart, all mine and I’m never going to let you go.”
Ephraim:
Madison:
"For as long as you want me, Madison, I am your man."
Madison has been in charge of taking care of her siblings for most of her life. But now, she’s finally got a good job and is ready to give her brother and sister a better life.
Then their mother shows back up and a change of plans has them moving to New Hampshire where they plan to stay with their grandmother in her boarding house. Things are still looking down with a slutty sister, no hot water, and an sexy, yet obnoxious, neighbor.
Ephraim has learned the hard way that nothing ever last so why go through the trouble of caring? It’s a wasted effort when they end up dying and he’s left behind.
He stopped caring about everything years ago. The pain didn’t bother him, the hunger even less. They had become his friends, his companions. In an odd way he’d come to depend on the pain to make him feel alive.
He makes it a point to keep people out but a run-in with Madison has him testing his control. He’d love nothing more than to sink his teeth into her (and some other things)*cough* and when she learns he’s hiding something, she becomes determined to stick by him and uncover his secret.
For the first time in his life he didn’t just want sex with a woman. He wanted all of her.
Let’s start off with the family situation. I hated the mom. Hated, hated, hated her. I swear, I just wanted to shove my head through a wall every time I heard one of her sob stories.
Madison was a favorite of mine. She was a strong, independent woman who really cared about her family. They always came first for her and that was something I respected.
One thing I was surprised that I liked was the little game that she played with Ephraim. Usually, I just want to through the characters together and get the good stuff going but in this instance, I enjoyed the teasing and all that sexual tension.
Ephraim…
Oh my, what an alpha male! I couldn’t get enough of him. There was a perfect balance of bossy, alpha male-ness, and the sweet, caring side of him. He was hot, hot, hot, which made for some steamy scenes.
“The first thing you should know, once I put my cock in you I’m not going to stop fucking you until my dick explodes inside of you.”
“And the second?”
“The second thing, Madison, is that I am head over heels in love with you,”
Onwards…
From the romance to the drama and humor, I loved every second of this book. Everything that I was looking for was here and I couldn’t have been more pleased.
“You are mine, Madison. You’ve always been mine. You just didn’t know it and neither did I, but you’re mine, sweetheart, all mine and I’m never going to let you go.”
April 14, 2012
Very enjoyable, very different PNR! I had one or two issues with the storyline, but other than that this is well-written and quite unique. Ephraim...wow, my goodness, did I love him or what?! Yeah, I LOVED him...big time. His tragic past made me hurt so bad for him, but now he has hope in this rag-tag family that invades his space at the boarding house he lives in. I liked Madison ALOT. She was protective, strong, quirky, funny and she had no hope at all when it came to her attraction for Ephraim. How she tries to "pop her own cherry" was sort of odd, and where I found myself rolling my eyes! When they gave in to their attraction and desire for each other, Madison and Ephraim burned up the sheets...HOT! R.L. writes one heckuva of a love scene...she shines very very brightly. My Kindle was on fire!!
Everything that Ephraim thought was lost to him is there for the taking, and he grabs hold of it and doesn't let go. He is not going to miss out on having a family and a home, and that's what adds such sweetness to this story. Madison, her siblings, Jill and Joshua, Chris, Madison's student with a tragic story of his own, and Grandma Eleanor all need saving, and it's Ephraim to the rescue!
The best part...this book is only .99 and well worth every penny and then some! So you might find some typos, and grammatical errors, but the story outshines it all.
Everything that Ephraim thought was lost to him is there for the taking, and he grabs hold of it and doesn't let go. He is not going to miss out on having a family and a home, and that's what adds such sweetness to this story. Madison, her siblings, Jill and Joshua, Chris, Madison's student with a tragic story of his own, and Grandma Eleanor all need saving, and it's Ephraim to the rescue!
The best part...this book is only .99 and well worth every penny and then some! So you might find some typos, and grammatical errors, but the story outshines it all.
December 4, 2020
A good listen...
I'm on holidays at the beach with PERFECT weather, so, unfortunately, my eagerness to write reviews at the moment are a wee bit low. So, without further ado, I would like to say that listening to Tall Dark and Lonely was good.
I'm a sucker for a paranormal series, especially with a growly, super-powered hero falling for the strong and independent heroine. This one ticked my boxes, left me satisfied and I will go on with the series.
And there you have it ... if you have the Audible Plus catalogue available to you, then I highly recommend for paranormal romance readers/listeners.
I'm on holidays at the beach with PERFECT weather, so, unfortunately, my eagerness to write reviews at the moment are a wee bit low. So, without further ado, I would like to say that listening to Tall Dark and Lonely was good.
I'm a sucker for a paranormal series, especially with a growly, super-powered hero falling for the strong and independent heroine. This one ticked my boxes, left me satisfied and I will go on with the series.
And there you have it ... if you have the Audible Plus catalogue available to you, then I highly recommend for paranormal romance readers/listeners.
June 22, 2016
Loved this!
March 8, 2016
TALL,DARK AND LONELY
was not only surprising but a very different read from Mathewson's usual plot line.
I found the characters to be light and humorous adding up to the story in there own unique way hence fitting into the plot seemlesly.
With that being said,initially when I started out I found the lead character,Ephraim,(pyte) resembed Stephanie Meyer's Edward Cullen,(in her debt novel Twilight) to a certain extent.
Now I'm not saying Ephraim and Edward are Twinies.NO.I mean other than the fact that they both share their starting letter,'e'.
Character wise they're hardly similar but in physical attributes well .. that's when the similarity kicks in ,for example the fact that they could both walk in the sun,not get staked,live for eternity,lusted for their human mate's body and blood for half of the book :p (yeah)
but seriously,at one point I even found a couple of scenes to be similar to the book previously mentioned.
I shook my head and a cascade of white drifted of my hair.I pinched one soft white bit between my fingers. "Why am I covered in feathers ? "
Edward exhaled impatiently, "I bit a pillow.Or two.But that's not what I'm talking about...."
-Breaking dawn,Twilight.
"I'm sorry."
"shh...,it's okay"she gentley rubbed his damp back."Its okay."
"I'll replace it."She watched as a feather slowly drifted towards her face.She blew out a stream of air,sending it back up."It's just a pillow."He kissed her neck."Thank god"
-Tall,dark and lonely.
But then the similarities end there all together, the plot in TD&L is more paranormal than pure romance with characters much more demanding and hilarious.
I would recommend this read to anybody wanting a light paranormal read with loveable characters and good plot.
A definite one time read and yet a rather good one :)
I found the characters to be light and humorous adding up to the story in there own unique way hence fitting into the plot seemlesly.
With that being said,initially when I started out I found the lead character,Ephraim,(pyte) resembed Stephanie Meyer's Edward Cullen,(in her debt novel Twilight) to a certain extent.
Now I'm not saying Ephraim and Edward are Twinies.NO.I mean other than the fact that they both share their starting letter,'e'.
Character wise they're hardly similar but in physical attributes well .. that's when the similarity kicks in ,for example the fact that they could both walk in the sun,not get staked,live for eternity,lusted for their human mate's body and blood for half of the book :p (yeah)
but seriously,at one point I even found a couple of scenes to be similar to the book previously mentioned.
I shook my head and a cascade of white drifted of my hair.I pinched one soft white bit between my fingers. "Why am I covered in feathers ? "
Edward exhaled impatiently, "I bit a pillow.Or two.But that's not what I'm talking about...."
-Breaking dawn,Twilight.
"I'm sorry."
"shh...,it's okay"she gentley rubbed his damp back."Its okay."
"I'll replace it."She watched as a feather slowly drifted towards her face.She blew out a stream of air,sending it back up."It's just a pillow."He kissed her neck."Thank god"
-Tall,dark and lonely.
But then the similarities end there all together, the plot in TD&L is more paranormal than pure romance with characters much more demanding and hilarious.
I would recommend this read to anybody wanting a light paranormal read with loveable characters and good plot.
A definite one time read and yet a rather good one :)
February 22, 2012
Not her best work, there were things that grossed me out, like the mother and what she made the youngest daughter do, then even the whole hero & blood & menses thingy. I also didn't feel the world-building was explained properly, he says I am Pyte and there is that no explanation when in the ends some psycho decides it is time for a history lesson. Chris the sixteen year old was good.
The heroine spent most of time getting angry at the hero(for no good reason IMO). It ended up being an average read.
The heroine spent most of time getting angry at the hero(for no good reason IMO). It ended up being an average read.
October 25, 2016
I loved it!
I also loved that the paranormal stuff wasn't that complicated. That's a big plus for me.
Madison and Ephraim <33333 Also, Ephraim was just.. YUM. lol. :D
Can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series!
I also loved that the paranormal stuff wasn't that complicated. That's a big plus for me.
Madison and Ephraim <33333 Also, Ephraim was just.. YUM. lol. :D
Can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series!
October 20, 2012
This book actually caught me by surprise. The fact that it was a free download on Barnes & Noble didn't hurt either. However, since I have to base all my reviews on honesty, the cost of a book won't sway me either way.
This story begins in early 1800's London. "Ephraim," the story's hero, who also happens to be a 10 year old boy, is transforming into a vampire. After a month in a coma, Ephraim now looks like a fully grown man of 25. His family is stunned into disbelief only adding to the chaos and confusion. However, Ephraim's father knew his wife had relations outside the marriage, resulting in her pregnancy, which subsequently kills her upon childbirth. Unfortunately, once Ephraim's transformation is complete, he spends the next 20 years in a dungeon due to his family's need for secrecy and thinking he is an evil, blood-sucking monster.
Fast forward to present day as the author swithces gears and introduces the reader to our heroine, "Madison." She's the member of a terribly dysfunctional family to put it mildly. Her two siblings, Jill and Joshua are much younger and her strong sense of responsibility only enhanced her need to independently raise them. (Mostly due to their mother's selfish "me first" lifestyle, her lust for any man with a pulse and money; along with her sub-zero heart.) One disater after another finds Madison and her family, including her good-for-nothing mother, moving into their grandmother's boarding house. There, our heroine meets one of the boarders, "Ephraim."
The writing style of Mathewson's was impressive, including her incredibly unique storyline. She would also tell parts of this story through the eyes of Ephraim and then swtich to the same scene through the point of view of Madison...all the while keeping it in 3rd person. I was intrigued by that alone! The book had so much humor as well which only added to my enjoyment...not to mention some very steamy scenes! I must admit, however, the story seemed a little choppy in the middle, but as I kept going, I was thoroughly entertained by several action-packed scenes and surprises towards the end! This was a fun, sexy and sometimes macabre read and I've come to enjoy everything I've read by this very talented author.
This story begins in early 1800's London. "Ephraim," the story's hero, who also happens to be a 10 year old boy, is transforming into a vampire. After a month in a coma, Ephraim now looks like a fully grown man of 25. His family is stunned into disbelief only adding to the chaos and confusion. However, Ephraim's father knew his wife had relations outside the marriage, resulting in her pregnancy, which subsequently kills her upon childbirth. Unfortunately, once Ephraim's transformation is complete, he spends the next 20 years in a dungeon due to his family's need for secrecy and thinking he is an evil, blood-sucking monster.
Fast forward to present day as the author swithces gears and introduces the reader to our heroine, "Madison." She's the member of a terribly dysfunctional family to put it mildly. Her two siblings, Jill and Joshua are much younger and her strong sense of responsibility only enhanced her need to independently raise them. (Mostly due to their mother's selfish "me first" lifestyle, her lust for any man with a pulse and money; along with her sub-zero heart.) One disater after another finds Madison and her family, including her good-for-nothing mother, moving into their grandmother's boarding house. There, our heroine meets one of the boarders, "Ephraim."
The writing style of Mathewson's was impressive, including her incredibly unique storyline. She would also tell parts of this story through the eyes of Ephraim and then swtich to the same scene through the point of view of Madison...all the while keeping it in 3rd person. I was intrigued by that alone! The book had so much humor as well which only added to my enjoyment...not to mention some very steamy scenes! I must admit, however, the story seemed a little choppy in the middle, but as I kept going, I was thoroughly entertained by several action-packed scenes and surprises towards the end! This was a fun, sexy and sometimes macabre read and I've come to enjoy everything I've read by this very talented author.
December 21, 2015
5 Amazing Stars
I love this book. R.L. is the master at making cry and then laugh at the same damn time. I love it.
“The second thing, Madison, is that I am head over heels in love with you”
“When this is all over and Chris is better, be prepared to have the spanking of a lifetime for not listening to me and scaring the hell out of me!”
“His expression softened. “Because I absolutely love and adore you, Madison.”
“I love you too, Ephraim. So much.” He took her mouth in a searing kiss.”
I love this book. R.L. is the master at making cry and then laugh at the same damn time. I love it.
“The second thing, Madison, is that I am head over heels in love with you”
“When this is all over and Chris is better, be prepared to have the spanking of a lifetime for not listening to me and scaring the hell out of me!”
“His expression softened. “Because I absolutely love and adore you, Madison.”
“I love you too, Ephraim. So much.” He took her mouth in a searing kiss.”
March 16, 2023
**re-read**
LOVED IT(thats me singing with joy) I have always loved R.L. but held back on this series and then I decided that I was finally going to dig in and start this series. And boy am I kicking myself for waiting so long to read this book. R.L. Mathewson has a way with words that pulls you in and holds you till the last word of her books and this book is no exception. I could not put this book down I read till the words blurred together with exhaustion from staying up so late to read this book. I ignored texts and everything else I could when I was reading this book it is simply put amazing.
Madison is a young woman who should be care free instead she is raising her two younger siblings and dealing with a mother who not only doesn't put her and her sister and brother first but won't even put them on the list of importance. So when her mother decides she will be taking the kids to move in with Madison's grandmother hoping for a free ride Madison knows she has to follow. Ephraim is a Pyte a natural born vampire who can live forever and who isn't effected by the son and he lives with Madison's grandmother in her boarding house, he has lived a long time and has been alone for almost that entire time but finds himself close to Madison's grandmother. When Ephraim see's Madison he thinks she's just a tomboy but when he smells her he is drawn to the smell of her blood like nothing else. And then he see's what she really looks like and finds himself drawn to her more and more.
After Ephraim saves Madison from making the biggest mistake of her life she finds herself wanting more and they both have to decide what risks they are willing to take to be together or if their differences are to much. This book was so rich with stories I felt like I was not only getting a book about Madison and Ephraim but about everyone. I loved everyone of the characters in this book and loved how many details R.L.Mathewson put into each and every character in this book. I could write and write about the stories in this book and about how much I liked the book but it would be quicker for you to just read the book because I could not stop writing about this book and the characters and the story line and emotions that were so obviously painstakingly written in this book. But I will save my fingers and end with read this book, then pick up book two and then book three(and who knows maybe book four and five and others will be available soon, lets hope)
LOVED IT(thats me singing with joy) I have always loved R.L. but held back on this series and then I decided that I was finally going to dig in and start this series. And boy am I kicking myself for waiting so long to read this book. R.L. Mathewson has a way with words that pulls you in and holds you till the last word of her books and this book is no exception. I could not put this book down I read till the words blurred together with exhaustion from staying up so late to read this book. I ignored texts and everything else I could when I was reading this book it is simply put amazing.
Madison is a young woman who should be care free instead she is raising her two younger siblings and dealing with a mother who not only doesn't put her and her sister and brother first but won't even put them on the list of importance. So when her mother decides she will be taking the kids to move in with Madison's grandmother hoping for a free ride Madison knows she has to follow. Ephraim is a Pyte a natural born vampire who can live forever and who isn't effected by the son and he lives with Madison's grandmother in her boarding house, he has lived a long time and has been alone for almost that entire time but finds himself close to Madison's grandmother. When Ephraim see's Madison he thinks she's just a tomboy but when he smells her he is drawn to the smell of her blood like nothing else. And then he see's what she really looks like and finds himself drawn to her more and more.
After Ephraim saves Madison from making the biggest mistake of her life she finds herself wanting more and they both have to decide what risks they are willing to take to be together or if their differences are to much. This book was so rich with stories I felt like I was not only getting a book about Madison and Ephraim but about everyone. I loved everyone of the characters in this book and loved how many details R.L.Mathewson put into each and every character in this book. I could write and write about the stories in this book and about how much I liked the book but it would be quicker for you to just read the book because I could not stop writing about this book and the characters and the story line and emotions that were so obviously painstakingly written in this book. But I will save my fingers and end with read this book, then pick up book two and then book three(and who knows maybe book four and five and others will be available soon, lets hope)
April 13, 2012
Ugh. as much as I liked the first one I read by this author, Playing for Keeps, I thought for sure i'd enjoy Tall, Dark & Lonely, considering it's paranormal and all.
Yeah not so much.
Scatter brained and srsly lacking in focus, I'm guessing this was her first attempt at writing? Anyway, I actually made it about 53% of the way in because I srsly loved the hero and to a lesser extent the heroine. But when the author went a total different direction for like the third time in the story- I threw in the towel. Plus the heroine started workin on my nerves with all her denials. hate that.
That said, I'm gonna try the next in this series. :P What the heck- it's only .99 cents and I know she has it in her. Why not?
Yeah not so much.
Scatter brained and srsly lacking in focus, I'm guessing this was her first attempt at writing? Anyway, I actually made it about 53% of the way in because I srsly loved the hero and to a lesser extent the heroine. But when the author went a total different direction for like the third time in the story- I threw in the towel. Plus the heroine started workin on my nerves with all her denials. hate that.
That said, I'm gonna try the next in this series. :P What the heck- it's only .99 cents and I know she has it in her. Why not?
December 11, 2012
Hmmm, not really what I was expecting.
I usually love anything PNR, but for me, this didn’t have the feel of a great PNR. The paranormal element wasn’t really explained, and was still unwinding in the final pages of the book. And there didn’t seem to be a strong storyline. There were lots of little tangents that go off for seemingly no purpose at all , but there was not one, strong plotline to pull it all together.
Madison is a likeable character. 23 years old and having taken on the role of parent to her two siblings, she is dedicated and responsible. After watching her slutty, useless mother fall in love over and over again, she is determined to be nothing like her and swears off all men. Until she meets her mysterious new neighbour, Ephraim
You’ve gotta hand it to RLM, she can write a leading man - and anybody who can make the name ‘Ephraim’ sexy, deserves a big cheer. I really loved Ephraim’s backstory, but putting him in modern times was a bit hit and miss. He is a very successful Detective, can organise his life, and seemingly the lives of everyone around him when needed (the man has some serious control issues, but strangely, people don’t really seem to mind), but he can’t clean a bathroom for three years? Nevertheless, I did like him as a character, and once the love story between him and Madison picked up, he was full of swoon.
“I’m not asking you to love me. I’m asking you to let me love you. I’m fine if you never say it. I just want you, Madison.”
…
“For as long as you want me, Madison. I am your man. “
Their relationship starts off with them practically ignoring each other for the first part of the book, barely exchanging conversation. But all of a sudden Ephraim starts getting all possessive and growly, booting out the competition in sensational style.
David held the knife up with a shaky hand.
“Get that damn thing out of my face, boy.”
David shook his head. “No, you’re going to hit me!”
“Of course I am and you’re only pissing me off more with that damn knife!”
Madison is surprisingly accepting of Ephraim’s supernatural-ness once it is exposed, and it doesn’t take long for them to act on the strage pull they have to each other. There is a bit of start and stop, with some attitude and weirdness going on, but when they finally get together properly, it’s on hot and heavy (and insanely steamy) straight away, and all very intense.
The story of their romance is definitely the focus of the book. There is a little bit of action and paranormal-ness going on, but it comes out of the blue, had me wondering what the hell was going on, and then disappears just as fast, only to return later. Primarily it’s a story about Ephraim and Madison (and Madison’s extended family) coming together, and that part of it was nicely done.
The characters are a bit clichéd – the nurturing Grandma, troubled and impressionable teen sister, adorable 10 year old brother and a loser mother who is the epitome of all things selfish and disgusting in motherhood. Shout out to Chris though, I loved his character, he was very funny, and a definite highlight of the book for me.
“Why does he get to sit in front?” Jill whined.
“Because my mommy doesn’t love me and you won’t stop bitching. Now sit back and let me enjoy shotgun.” Chris gently pushed Jill back with a finger to her forehead.
“Jerk.”
“You know it.”
I’m a massive RLM fan, but this book didn’t have the same feel for me that her other books do. Still, I liked it and will probably continue on with the series – especially as the next book is about Chris, and I’m interested to see where his story goes.
3 stars.
I usually love anything PNR, but for me, this didn’t have the feel of a great PNR. The paranormal element wasn’t really explained, and was still unwinding in the final pages of the book. And there didn’t seem to be a strong storyline. There were lots of little tangents that go off for seemingly no purpose at all , but there was not one, strong plotline to pull it all together.
Madison is a likeable character. 23 years old and having taken on the role of parent to her two siblings, she is dedicated and responsible. After watching her slutty, useless mother fall in love over and over again, she is determined to be nothing like her and swears off all men. Until she meets her mysterious new neighbour, Ephraim
You’ve gotta hand it to RLM, she can write a leading man - and anybody who can make the name ‘Ephraim’ sexy, deserves a big cheer. I really loved Ephraim’s backstory, but putting him in modern times was a bit hit and miss. He is a very successful Detective, can organise his life, and seemingly the lives of everyone around him when needed (the man has some serious control issues, but strangely, people don’t really seem to mind), but he can’t clean a bathroom for three years? Nevertheless, I did like him as a character, and once the love story between him and Madison picked up, he was full of swoon.
“I’m not asking you to love me. I’m asking you to let me love you. I’m fine if you never say it. I just want you, Madison.”
…
“For as long as you want me, Madison. I am your man. “
Their relationship starts off with them practically ignoring each other for the first part of the book, barely exchanging conversation. But all of a sudden Ephraim starts getting all possessive and growly, booting out the competition in sensational style.
David held the knife up with a shaky hand.
“Get that damn thing out of my face, boy.”
David shook his head. “No, you’re going to hit me!”
“Of course I am and you’re only pissing me off more with that damn knife!”
Madison is surprisingly accepting of Ephraim’s supernatural-ness once it is exposed, and it doesn’t take long for them to act on the strage pull they have to each other. There is a bit of start and stop, with some attitude and weirdness going on, but when they finally get together properly, it’s on hot and heavy (and insanely steamy) straight away, and all very intense.
The story of their romance is definitely the focus of the book. There is a little bit of action and paranormal-ness going on, but it comes out of the blue, had me wondering what the hell was going on, and then disappears just as fast, only to return later. Primarily it’s a story about Ephraim and Madison (and Madison’s extended family) coming together, and that part of it was nicely done.
The characters are a bit clichéd – the nurturing Grandma, troubled and impressionable teen sister, adorable 10 year old brother and a loser mother who is the epitome of all things selfish and disgusting in motherhood. Shout out to Chris though, I loved his character, he was very funny, and a definite highlight of the book for me.
“Why does he get to sit in front?” Jill whined.
“Because my mommy doesn’t love me and you won’t stop bitching. Now sit back and let me enjoy shotgun.” Chris gently pushed Jill back with a finger to her forehead.
“Jerk.”
“You know it.”
I’m a massive RLM fan, but this book didn’t have the same feel for me that her other books do. Still, I liked it and will probably continue on with the series – especially as the next book is about Chris, and I’m interested to see where his story goes.
3 stars.
October 5, 2013
✞ ✞ ✞ 3 1/2 Bloodlust Stars ✞ ✞ ✞
Tall, Dark & Lonely is the story of a young woman named Madison who has raised her two younger siblings most of her life, while her mother runs off with her newest low-life boyfriend leaving Madison to put herself through college while simultaneously having to take care of two kids.
However, when Madison's mom comes back demanding that they move to New Hampshire Madison doesn't have much of a say, and instead of leaving her siblings in the neglectful care of their mother, she goes with them instead, moving into her grandmothers boarding house.
Thus Madison meets Ephraim, her possessive-growly bathroom sharing neighbor who seems almost painfully private and mysterious..he also happens to be an extremely handsome detective. Though Ephraim generally avoids Madison at first, an attraction soon begins to blossom and he finds himself having a harder time staying away from her. He has his reasons for doing so as well. You see, Ephraim is a 200+ year old vampire and he finds himself in blood-lust every time he comes into contact with Madison. Soon however, Madison and her family are dragged into his vengeful filled world.
I was a little disappointed with this one! I normally love anything by R.L. Mathewson so I was expecting a book that would blow me out of the water. That didn't happen with this one, and while I did enjoy it, I just didn't love it. I found the story-line lacking as it seemed to jump around from plot point to plot point never settling on one topic. While this is a paranormal romance, I found it lacking in knowledge of the paranormal aspect. We didn't even have the hero, Ephraim, talk to Madison about his past life and some of the horrible torture that still plagues him to this day. That being said the story was extremely steamy, and I loved some of the erotic scenes! *fans self* I also loved the tattoo that Ephraim got, sexy much?!)
P.S. What was up with that bathroom? Did I skip over an explanation for why the bathroom was like that?! #TRAUMATIZED.
***I would recommend this novel to PR readers***
Tall, Dark & Lonely is the story of a young woman named Madison who has raised her two younger siblings most of her life, while her mother runs off with her newest low-life boyfriend leaving Madison to put herself through college while simultaneously having to take care of two kids.
However, when Madison's mom comes back demanding that they move to New Hampshire Madison doesn't have much of a say, and instead of leaving her siblings in the neglectful care of their mother, she goes with them instead, moving into her grandmothers boarding house.
Thus Madison meets Ephraim, her possessive-growly bathroom sharing neighbor who seems almost painfully private and mysterious..he also happens to be an extremely handsome detective. Though Ephraim generally avoids Madison at first, an attraction soon begins to blossom and he finds himself having a harder time staying away from her. He has his reasons for doing so as well. You see, Ephraim is a 200+ year old vampire and he finds himself in blood-lust every time he comes into contact with Madison. Soon however, Madison and her family are dragged into his vengeful filled world.
“I’m not asking you to love me. I’m asking you to let me love you. I’m fine if you never say it. I just want you, Madison.”
I was a little disappointed with this one! I normally love anything by R.L. Mathewson so I was expecting a book that would blow me out of the water. That didn't happen with this one, and while I did enjoy it, I just didn't love it. I found the story-line lacking as it seemed to jump around from plot point to plot point never settling on one topic. While this is a paranormal romance, I found it lacking in knowledge of the paranormal aspect. We didn't even have the hero, Ephraim, talk to Madison about his past life and some of the horrible torture that still plagues him to this day. That being said the story was extremely steamy, and I loved some of the erotic scenes! *fans self* I also loved the tattoo that Ephraim got, sexy much?!)
“For as long as you want me, Madison. I am your man.”
P.S. What was up with that bathroom? Did I skip over an explanation for why the bathroom was like that?! #TRAUMATIZED.
***I would recommend this novel to PR readers***
February 3, 2012
Another thoroughly enjoyable read by R.L. Mathewson! Ephraim was hot, grumpy, brooding, dangerous - everything you'd want in a gorgeous vampire who also is a cop. This again had everything from humor, suspense, to yummy adult sexual situations with a great supporting cast of well-defined secondary characters. I'm looking forward to reading Chris's story in this series. He had that quick sarcastic humor I love so much. This is a 4.5 stars read(minus a half star because unlike her novel, Perfection, this one didn't have me crying like a baby.)
February 10, 2017
This was pretty good, definitely an interesting story and the characters were well written.
July 7, 2016
3 It was great until it... wasn't Stars
" “If you bled while I was inside you, while I’m already out control (sic) I would probably fuck you until you were drained properly.”
Synopsis: A paranormal romance about a quasi-vampire who falls in love with his new neighbour, Madison, a modern-day virgin who has been raising her younger siblings, until she moves in to her grandmother's boarding house.
The best bits: Mathewson started this off with an AMAZING prologue. One of the best I've ever read. She has created a vampire world so fascinating and dark and I literally could not pull myself away. Absolutely awesome.
If anything, this book is just fascinating. It's fun and somewhat reminiscent of another vampire who suffered from a bloodlust that sang to him. But no matter how much I squirmed or got grossed out, I just felt compelled to keep reading. I couldn't help myself!
The worst bits: This is not for serious lovers of paranormal romance. The plot suffers from too many gaps and ilogical storylines which will undoubtedly annoy serious fans of the genre.
Also, for me, the worst thing about this book was the squirm factor. There is quite a lot of detail about Ephraim's pull towards Madison's blood. A cut on her hand is tempting enough but he is driven crazy just at the thought of her sanitary liners or her periods. Additionally, his fear of breaking her hymen is one of the main obstacles in this love story because Ephraim is convinced that he could not stop himself from feasting on the mixture of her blood and womanly juices (a preference he's had with previous partners) until he has drained all the blood from her limp body.
Its gross but kind of funny that not only can he smell when her 'courses' are due, but he can accurately tell her what time of day they'll arrive. This is better than an app for your phone ladies... but somewhat more moody and posessive too. Also he can smell her virginity just by running his nose along her backside. It's all very detailed in the book.
There is a lot of crazy in this book. Weird-ass characters who add ridiculous amounts of drama Madison's mother is hateful. In fact, I think Mathewson tried a little too hard to counteract the slutty mum with a virginal daughter when she gave Madison a "super-hymen". A bit too much for me.
Recommended for: lovers if posessive men who repeatedly stalk and claim women as things they "own." Lovers of vampire/human love stories because although this cannot be taken too seriously, it's fascinating in its own quirky, squirmy, weird ass way.
" “If you bled while I was inside you, while I’m already out control (sic) I would probably fuck you until you were drained properly.”
Synopsis: A paranormal romance about a quasi-vampire who falls in love with his new neighbour, Madison, a modern-day virgin who has been raising her younger siblings, until she moves in to her grandmother's boarding house.
The best bits: Mathewson started this off with an AMAZING prologue. One of the best I've ever read. She has created a vampire world so fascinating and dark and I literally could not pull myself away. Absolutely awesome.
If anything, this book is just fascinating. It's fun and somewhat reminiscent of another vampire who suffered from a bloodlust that sang to him. But no matter how much I squirmed or got grossed out, I just felt compelled to keep reading. I couldn't help myself!
The worst bits: This is not for serious lovers of paranormal romance. The plot suffers from too many gaps and ilogical storylines which will undoubtedly annoy serious fans of the genre.
Also, for me, the worst thing about this book was the squirm factor. There is quite a lot of detail about Ephraim's pull towards Madison's blood. A cut on her hand is tempting enough but he is driven crazy just at the thought of her sanitary liners or her periods. Additionally, his fear of breaking her hymen is one of the main obstacles in this love story because Ephraim is convinced that he could not stop himself from feasting on the mixture of her blood and womanly juices (a preference he's had with previous partners) until he has drained all the blood from her limp body.
Its gross but kind of funny that not only can he smell when her 'courses' are due, but he can accurately tell her what time of day they'll arrive. This is better than an app for your phone ladies... but somewhat more moody and posessive too. Also he can smell her virginity just by running his nose along her backside. It's all very detailed in the book.
There is a lot of crazy in this book. Weird-ass characters who add ridiculous amounts of drama Madison's mother is hateful. In fact, I think Mathewson tried a little too hard to counteract the slutty mum with a virginal daughter when she gave Madison a "super-hymen". A bit too much for me.
Recommended for: lovers if posessive men who repeatedly stalk and claim women as things they "own." Lovers of vampire/human love stories because although this cannot be taken too seriously, it's fascinating in its own quirky, squirmy, weird ass way.
November 6, 2015
I absolutely adore R.L. Mathewson!! I've read the NFH series a while ago and when I needed a new book to read, I thought I'd try one of the other series. I am so happy that I tried this one! I LOVE Ephraim!! I don't normally read paranormal romance but his story, from beginning to end, has made me a convert. His love for family. His love for Madison. His loyalty, honour and devotion. His sarcasm. His wit. He was just a truly spectacular character.
I read a phrase in the book that gave me a great belly laugh of surprise:
“The woman, no, the human whose blood attracted him like no other would be
bleeding once a month next to his room and discarding blood soaked cotton in the trash can. This was hell. Pure hell. It would
take every bit of control not to suck on those discarded pads. Even to him that sounded disgusting.”
How can you not find him utterly charming?!
In most books, there is a character I love to hate and in this instance it was Emma/Candy. She was horrible! Mathewson did a remarkable job depicting the most disgusting, vile, nasty, waste of space, and sorry excuse for a mother there is. I'm glad karma bit her ass.
The hilarity in this book isn't as obvious as say a book from the NFH series but it most definitely exists. Just think of the scene with Trevor and Paula lol.
I'm excited to read more about Christopher. On to book 2!!
I read a phrase in the book that gave me a great belly laugh of surprise:
“The woman, no, the human whose blood attracted him like no other would be
bleeding once a month next to his room and discarding blood soaked cotton in the trash can. This was hell. Pure hell. It would
take every bit of control not to suck on those discarded pads. Even to him that sounded disgusting.”
How can you not find him utterly charming?!
In most books, there is a character I love to hate and in this instance it was Emma/Candy. She was horrible! Mathewson did a remarkable job depicting the most disgusting, vile, nasty, waste of space, and sorry excuse for a mother there is. I'm glad karma bit her ass.
The hilarity in this book isn't as obvious as say a book from the NFH series but it most definitely exists. Just think of the scene with Trevor and Paula lol.
I'm excited to read more about Christopher. On to book 2!!
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