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Fallen Siren #1
Cursed
Meet FBI Agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong.
She's cursed. He's damned. Together, they make one hell of a team.
Emma Monroe is a Siren, cursed by the gods and bound to earth to atone for an ancient failure. She’s had many names and many lives, but only one mission: redemption. Now that she works missing persons cases for the FBI, it could be just a rescue away. Unless her new partner leads her astray.
Special Agent Zack Armstrong just transferred into the San Diego Field Office. He’s a werewolf, doing his best to beat back the demons from his dark and dangerous past. As a former Black Ops sniper, he’s taken enough lives. Now he’s doing penance by saving them.
Emma and Zack’s very first case draws them deep into the realm of the paranormal, and forces them to use their own supernatural abilities. But that leaves each of them vulnerable, and there are lines partners should not cross. As secrets are revealed and more women go missing, one thing becomes clear: as they race to save the victims, Emma and Zack risk losing themselves.
She's cursed. He's damned. Together, they make one hell of a team.
Emma Monroe is a Siren, cursed by the gods and bound to earth to atone for an ancient failure. She’s had many names and many lives, but only one mission: redemption. Now that she works missing persons cases for the FBI, it could be just a rescue away. Unless her new partner leads her astray.
Special Agent Zack Armstrong just transferred into the San Diego Field Office. He’s a werewolf, doing his best to beat back the demons from his dark and dangerous past. As a former Black Ops sniper, he’s taken enough lives. Now he’s doing penance by saving them.
Emma and Zack’s very first case draws them deep into the realm of the paranormal, and forces them to use their own supernatural abilities. But that leaves each of them vulnerable, and there are lines partners should not cross. As secrets are revealed and more women go missing, one thing becomes clear: as they race to save the victims, Emma and Zack risk losing themselves.
294 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
62 people are currently reading
4206 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Harper
5 books546 followersS.J. Harper is the pen name for the writing team of Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein, two friends who met at Comic-Con in San Diego and quickly bonded over a mutual love of good wine, edgy urban fantasy, and everything Joss Whedon.
Samantha Sommersby left what she used to call her “real life” day job in the psychiatric field to pursue writing full-time in 2007. She is the author of more than ten novels and novellas including the critically acclaimed Forbidden series. She currently lives with her husband and cocker spaniel, Buck, in a century old Southern California Craftsman. Sam happily spends her days immersed in a world where vampires, werewolves, and demons are real, myths and legends are revered, magic is possible, and love still conquers all.
Jeanne Stein is the national bestselling author of The Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles. She also has numerous short story credits, including most recently the novella, Blood Debt, from the New York Times bestselling anthology, Hexed. Her series has been picked up in three foreign countries and her short stories published in collections here in the US and the UK. She lives in Denver, CO where she finds gardening a challenge more daunting than navigating the world of mythical creatures.
Samantha Sommersby left what she used to call her “real life” day job in the psychiatric field to pursue writing full-time in 2007. She is the author of more than ten novels and novellas including the critically acclaimed Forbidden series. She currently lives with her husband and cocker spaniel, Buck, in a century old Southern California Craftsman. Sam happily spends her days immersed in a world where vampires, werewolves, and demons are real, myths and legends are revered, magic is possible, and love still conquers all.
Jeanne Stein is the national bestselling author of The Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles. She also has numerous short story credits, including most recently the novella, Blood Debt, from the New York Times bestselling anthology, Hexed. Her series has been picked up in three foreign countries and her short stories published in collections here in the US and the UK. She lives in Denver, CO where she finds gardening a challenge more daunting than navigating the world of mythical creatures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
September 15, 2015
I just can’t remember how I came across this series but I thought the premise was intriguing and decided to give it a try. I first read Captured which was written after Cursed but is actually a prequel to the series. Captured showed such great potential that I just couldn’t resist reading Cursed. And here we are :)
My biggest concern when I started reading this book was the writing. I usually hate present tense/first person narratives. I tend to find them awkward, unnatural and unpleasant to read. Surprisingly enough, it wasn’t the case here and I actually enjoyed the writing.
I love Emma’s narrative voice. Well, I just love Emma. She is complex, conflicted and makes for a very intriguing character. But I think what I like best about this series is Emma’s being a Siren. The mythology, Demeter, Persephone, the curse, the redemption… It’s just fantastic. My only regret is that the authors didn’t go further into that part of the story. Demeter makes a few appearances but I would have loved to have more detailed information about Ligea and her sisters. I hope we learn more about them in instalments to come.
Strangely enough, the siren - werewolf - vampire mix works quite well here and it makes for an interesting, original world. Most humans are unaware of the sups surrounding them but their worlds inevitably collide, with Emma and Zack in the middle of it all. The world-building still needs to be worked on but as this is only the first instalment in the series I’m hoping the world will be better defined in books to come.
Now, about the whole Emma + Zack situation. I love that when the book starts they already have “unfinished business” together, it really does spice things up. I love Emma, I love Zack and their character dynamics. Great interactions and lots of chemistry there! Zack is quite the werewolf although he isn't too Alpha-ish. I like the mystery surrounding him. We get to know more about him throughout the book but I think there is a lot more to him that the authors reveal in this first instalment. A mysterious, sexy, fun, loyal and thoughtful werewolf? Yes please! In a perfect world Emma and Zack would have made the perfect couple but that’s not counting on Demeter…
The plot itself is engaging and successfully mixes "regular" investigating, the supernatural and a mad scientist of sorts… A strange but winning combination, with lots of twists and turns that make Cursed quite a page-turner. The resolution of the mystery is satisfying and I have to say I really enjoyed the final face-off and the many surprises in its wake .
Cursed is a pretty fantastic read and I can’t wait to get my hands on Reckoning!
♦ Captured (#0.5) ★★★★
♦ Reckoning (#2) ★★★★★
♦ Forsaken (#2.5) ★★★★
My biggest concern when I started reading this book was the writing. I usually hate present tense/first person narratives. I tend to find them awkward, unnatural and unpleasant to read. Surprisingly enough, it wasn’t the case here and I actually enjoyed the writing.
I love Emma’s narrative voice. Well, I just love Emma. She is complex, conflicted and makes for a very intriguing character. But I think what I like best about this series is Emma’s being a Siren. The mythology, Demeter, Persephone, the curse, the redemption… It’s just fantastic. My only regret is that the authors didn’t go further into that part of the story. Demeter makes a few appearances but I would have loved to have more detailed information about Ligea and her sisters. I hope we learn more about them in instalments to come.
Strangely enough, the siren - werewolf - vampire mix works quite well here and it makes for an interesting, original world. Most humans are unaware of the sups surrounding them but their worlds inevitably collide, with Emma and Zack in the middle of it all. The world-building still needs to be worked on but as this is only the first instalment in the series I’m hoping the world will be better defined in books to come.
Now, about the whole Emma + Zack situation. I love that when the book starts they already have “unfinished business” together, it really does spice things up. I love Emma, I love Zack and their character dynamics. Great interactions and lots of chemistry there! Zack is quite the werewolf although he isn't too Alpha-ish. I like the mystery surrounding him. We get to know more about him throughout the book but I think there is a lot more to him that the authors reveal in this first instalment. A mysterious, sexy, fun, loyal and thoughtful werewolf? Yes please! In a perfect world Emma and Zack would have made the perfect couple but that’s not counting on Demeter…
The plot itself is engaging and successfully mixes "regular" investigating, the supernatural and a mad scientist of sorts… A strange but winning combination, with lots of twists and turns that make Cursed quite a page-turner. The resolution of the mystery is satisfying and I have to say I really enjoyed the final face-off and the many surprises in its wake .
Cursed is a pretty fantastic read and I can’t wait to get my hands on Reckoning!
♦ Captured (#0.5) ★★★★
♦ Reckoning (#2) ★★★★★
♦ Forsaken (#2.5) ★★★★
November 26, 2013
I enjoyed this book, and stayed up way too late finishing it, but it ended up a little flat for me. I liked Emma (and I really liked Zack) but I just couldn't buy her background as written.
First, the Greek mythos setup simply doesn't jibe. Demeter as a cold, heartless bitch just doesn't work for me. I'm sorry. Demeter is goddess of hearth and harvest. Spreading frost everywhere just doesn't work and maintaining such a devastatingly harsh grudge for thousands of years doesn't, either. I don't mind changing the Siren lore wholesale so much, but basic stuff like Demeter's portfolio? Not so much.
Second, Emma doesn't feel like she's thousands of years old. She seems more like a mildly sheltered mid-twenties, rather. I liked her as the main protagonist, don't get me wrong. She's caring and driven and is reasonably smart. And she even works as an FBI agent, though that could use better support in detail. But Emma has been laboring for thousands of years under a singularly vindictive curse--one that not only denies her love, but that works counter to her very nature. That needs to leave a mark. A mark that goes beyond merely being a little awkward and conflicted with Zach.
Finally, the curse as motive for finding missing women turns what should be a noble motivation into a selfish one. Instead of finding missing women because it's a good thing to do with a life that spans millennia, she's doing it in the hope that someday it may be enough to get Demeter off her back. That's a subtle, but very important, distinction and one that would, should, carry weight in Emma's character. Unfortunately, it doesn't. It's like both authors (SJ Harper is a pseudonym for a collaboration) missed this very important part of their main character, and that's a real missed opportunity.
Okay, all of that said, it's still an engaging novel. I'm not sure I'll bother with sequels (I'm enough of a romantic that I want love to conquer all, or at least try to do so), but this story was a solid one with a good mystery and fun leading characters. Emma may not bear the weight of her stated background, but I still enjoyed her as protagonist. And Zach is just all kinds of yummy. Indeed, he's almost enough to make the book worth it all on his own. Actually, if the next book turns out to be about giving Demeter a good thrashing and/or ending the curse, I'd probably pick it up. That'd take some bravery on the part of the authors, though, as it fundamentally changes their setup. I think there's a lot of potential in Emma turning from selfish to selfless motivations, though, so I really hope they take the chance.
A note about Steamy: This was actually on the light side with only two explicit scenes, and short ones at that. Indeed, both seemed to cut short after the initial climax (heh). I found this a welcome restraint when the main character is an explicitly sexual being. It's just enough to support the story without devolving into the excuse for soft-core porn lesser authors may have gone for.
First, the Greek mythos setup simply doesn't jibe. Demeter as a cold, heartless bitch just doesn't work for me. I'm sorry. Demeter is goddess of hearth and harvest. Spreading frost everywhere just doesn't work and maintaining such a devastatingly harsh grudge for thousands of years doesn't, either. I don't mind changing the Siren lore wholesale so much, but basic stuff like Demeter's portfolio? Not so much.
Second, Emma doesn't feel like she's thousands of years old. She seems more like a mildly sheltered mid-twenties, rather. I liked her as the main protagonist, don't get me wrong. She's caring and driven and is reasonably smart. And she even works as an FBI agent, though that could use better support in detail. But Emma has been laboring for thousands of years under a singularly vindictive curse--one that not only denies her love, but that works counter to her very nature. That needs to leave a mark. A mark that goes beyond merely being a little awkward and conflicted with Zach.
Finally, the curse as motive for finding missing women turns what should be a noble motivation into a selfish one. Instead of finding missing women because it's a good thing to do with a life that spans millennia, she's doing it in the hope that someday it may be enough to get Demeter off her back. That's a subtle, but very important, distinction and one that would, should, carry weight in Emma's character. Unfortunately, it doesn't. It's like both authors (SJ Harper is a pseudonym for a collaboration) missed this very important part of their main character, and that's a real missed opportunity.
Okay, all of that said, it's still an engaging novel. I'm not sure I'll bother with sequels (I'm enough of a romantic that I want love to conquer all, or at least try to do so), but this story was a solid one with a good mystery and fun leading characters. Emma may not bear the weight of her stated background, but I still enjoyed her as protagonist. And Zach is just all kinds of yummy. Indeed, he's almost enough to make the book worth it all on his own. Actually, if the next book turns out to be about giving Demeter a good thrashing and/or ending the curse, I'd probably pick it up. That'd take some bravery on the part of the authors, though, as it fundamentally changes their setup. I think there's a lot of potential in Emma turning from selfish to selfless motivations, though, so I really hope they take the chance.
A note about Steamy: This was actually on the light side with only two explicit scenes, and short ones at that. Indeed, both seemed to cut short after the initial climax (heh). I found this a welcome restraint when the main character is an explicitly sexual being. It's just enough to support the story without devolving into the excuse for soft-core porn lesser authors may have gone for.
October 17, 2013
Before I started this book I told a friend, "I'm expecting Mulder and Scully, only he's a werewolf and she's a siren - so I know I'll be disappointed."
Am I glad to be WRONG.
The comparison is even brought up jokingly in the book itself, but it's not exactly true. Other than both couples being FBI agents and the actual plot taking precedence over the romance, there's little else in common. But Cursed was still amazing!
It's become so rare to find characters who act rationally and behave like adults, without petty drama clouding their decisions! All the characters were fully developed, I felt for them and there was never a moment I went, "That is so stupid!" - I know I'm repeating myself, but do you know how rare that is in UF?!
So, Emma (formerly known as Ligea) is a siren working for the FBI to atone for letting Persephone be taken by Hades - Demeter will only let her get her life back if she doesn't fail in her job of finding and saving women - the way she failed with Persephone. Not only that, she's denied love - any man she loves and who loves her back is doomed to die.
Enter Zack, her werewolf FBI partner, with whom she'd had a fling and now is back for good - and Emma can tell they're both falling for each other and that is obviously a problem.
But don't be fooled by this PR description, the plot was solidly UF - emphasis on the case: a missing artist, followed by several other missing women (and men). And Emma and Zach have to find them before it's too late.
I really, really!, enjoyed the mystery! I usually can tell who the villain is, but this one took so many twists and turns - I was extremely happy to be surprised!
Also I should mention I hate love triangles with a burning passion which will never be extinguished, so I was absolutely blown away when there's a hint of a love triangle in this book... and I cheered for it. I know, I know, but it's so well written and it makes so much sense - and the characters are so vividly written and they are so normal (despite being supernatural beings) and reasonable that when the love triangle shows up (and I don't know if I can even call it a love triangle, a triangle possibility, maybe?), I just went, "Yeah, that makes sense, and it would probably be for the best."
So - to all you love triangle haters (and I know there are a lot of us!), read this because it'll just amaze you how love triangles can be done right and not fill you to the brim with bile (as love triangles tend to do).
Only one quibble with this: Emma mentioning Nero being responsible for burning Rome. That guy had obviously ran backwards into a wall of crazy, but that's one thing historians have managed to disprove - probably the one thing he didn't do.
That aside, I highly recommend this to all UF readers, or any readers who enjoy a great book!
March 4, 2015
3.5 stars. Interesting beginning to a series.
Strengths:
1. Although the mystery wasn't unique, I was easily drawn in. There is good storytelling with a good balance of mystery to romance.
2. The characters are likable. Emma's story is a bit tragic and that gives her an edge. Zack is also appealing as a shifter FBI agent.
3. Growing up in region, I'd be very surprised if one of the authors isn't from San Diego There is a level of detail that for the average reader may not be necessary, but is wholly appreciated by those of us who are from there.
Weaknesses:
1. This story needs more world-building. I did not feel there was a solid foundation to the relationships and I found myself wanting to know a lot more about their world - how does everyone fit in, who knows one another, what is their environment like? Like Emma, who is alienated from the supernatural power structure, I also feel that we could use some more backstory.
2. The relationship between Emma and Zack, though filled with heat, lacks context. Having said that, I know that there is a prequel and maybe I will get a better buy-in once I read it. As it is, it feels like we are dropped into the middle of a chemical reaction.
Strengths:
1. Although the mystery wasn't unique, I was easily drawn in. There is good storytelling with a good balance of mystery to romance.
2. The characters are likable. Emma's story is a bit tragic and that gives her an edge. Zack is also appealing as a shifter FBI agent.
3. Growing up in region, I'd be very surprised if one of the authors isn't from San Diego There is a level of detail that for the average reader may not be necessary, but is wholly appreciated by those of us who are from there.
Weaknesses:
1. This story needs more world-building. I did not feel there was a solid foundation to the relationships and I found myself wanting to know a lot more about their world - how does everyone fit in, who knows one another, what is their environment like? Like Emma, who is alienated from the supernatural power structure, I also feel that we could use some more backstory.
2. The relationship between Emma and Zack, though filled with heat, lacks context. Having said that, I know that there is a prequel and maybe I will get a better buy-in once I read it. As it is, it feels like we are dropped into the middle of a chemical reaction.
June 3, 2013
Okay, you guys. Mark this one as "to-read". This was an awesome, awesome urban fantasy, and I can't wait for the next book!
That's all for now, because I have to put my thoughts together (when I haven't had a glass and a half of wine) and email some folks. More on this book later, though. But seriously, right now click the little "I want to read" button. You won't regret it. In October. Because that's when the book releases. :-)
That's all for now, because I have to put my thoughts together (when I haven't had a glass and a half of wine) and email some folks. More on this book later, though. But seriously, right now click the little "I want to read" button. You won't regret it. In October. Because that's when the book releases. :-)
February 17, 2015
What a pleasant surprise. I have to thank the PKC Feb recommends group because this book was not on my radar at all.
FBI agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong are investigating a series of missing persons. The only connection seems to be the missing persons are closet vampires (the public is unaware of vampires).
Emma is a Siren and Zack is werewolf. So they have to rely on the supernatural nature to solve this crime but it is definitely a complicated case. Then throw in the fact that you have a sexy seductress with a carnal shape-shifter and sparks are flying everywhere.
I found the writing to be smooth and the story very interesting. It wasn't heavy on romance at all, but focused on the solving the crime. Emma was a likable heroine who did her best to act like a human and respect the human way of life. Zach was also likable as he tried to find his place in both the human and shifter worlds. I like how the author didn't make Book 1 overly complicated and heavy with world building. Some authors use book 1 as an information dump and it makes the book boring. I think after introducing us to characters, the authors can then use book 2 to give us more background and delve more into their past. I will definitely be continuing this series.
*Set in San Diego, CA
FBI agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong are investigating a series of missing persons. The only connection seems to be the missing persons are closet vampires (the public is unaware of vampires).
Emma is a Siren and Zack is werewolf. So they have to rely on the supernatural nature to solve this crime but it is definitely a complicated case. Then throw in the fact that you have a sexy seductress with a carnal shape-shifter and sparks are flying everywhere.
I found the writing to be smooth and the story very interesting. It wasn't heavy on romance at all, but focused on the solving the crime. Emma was a likable heroine who did her best to act like a human and respect the human way of life. Zach was also likable as he tried to find his place in both the human and shifter worlds. I like how the author didn't make Book 1 overly complicated and heavy with world building. Some authors use book 1 as an information dump and it makes the book boring. I think after introducing us to characters, the authors can then use book 2 to give us more background and delve more into their past. I will definitely be continuing this series.
*Set in San Diego, CA
November 27, 2025
The writing team of S.J. Harper creates this fabulous story that contains a strong and intriguing female heroine, a hot alpha werewolf, an ex-lover as our heroine's FBI partner, and a wonderfully difficult mystery that is brilliantly solved. Emma Monroe is a cursed Siren who will capture your heart. Zach Armstrong is a gloriously hot, dream-worthy love interest, causing lots of conflict in Emma and her desire to keep Zach safe from her curse. The mystery of the missing vampires is magnificently executed. Keeping us guessing till the end but giving us the perfect conclusion and closure. I can't finish without mentioning the witty character byplay. Cursed is a marvelous story, and what a start to a fantastic new series.
S.J. Harper is the team of Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne Stein. Two marvelously talented writers have come together to start this fabulous new series.
I received this copy of Cursed from PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW - Roc in exchange for an honest review. This book published October 1, 2013.
S.J. Harper is the team of Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne Stein. Two marvelously talented writers have come together to start this fabulous new series.
I received this copy of Cursed from PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW - Roc in exchange for an honest review. This book published October 1, 2013.
January 6, 2015
I am so pleased I read the prequel to this book before I ventured through these pages, it definitely set the pace, past and characters and, beyond a shadow of a doubt, set this up to be the fantastic book it is!
Emma, a Siren, paying the penance for not saving the daughter of a God in her past. Her sentence? To live as a mortal but without ever falling in love, or her love will meet a bad ending.
Zack, a werewolf, worked on a case in the FBI with Emma. He comes to Emma's neck of the woods after being out of her life for just over a year. His new role is her partner and together they are to look into a missing person's case.
Both are trying to save people to atone for their pasts...
This story, written in the first person POV, is fabulous, I loved 0.5 and this one is even better! I love the way it is written and how I can walk the pages through Emma's eyes...
A mystery, a case to solve, a past that is complicated, a future that can never be... All add up to Cursed and I can't wait to see how this story continues because the ending to this was just heartbreaking!
Emma, a Siren, paying the penance for not saving the daughter of a God in her past. Her sentence? To live as a mortal but without ever falling in love, or her love will meet a bad ending.
Zack, a werewolf, worked on a case in the FBI with Emma. He comes to Emma's neck of the woods after being out of her life for just over a year. His new role is her partner and together they are to look into a missing person's case.
Both are trying to save people to atone for their pasts...
This story, written in the first person POV, is fabulous, I loved 0.5 and this one is even better! I love the way it is written and how I can walk the pages through Emma's eyes...
A mystery, a case to solve, a past that is complicated, a future that can never be... All add up to Cursed and I can't wait to see how this story continues because the ending to this was just heartbreaking!
February 10, 2016
2 stars (maybe). DNF at p. 185 of 288.
Before anything else, I think it's important to know that the "J." portion of S.J. Harper is Jeanne C. Stein. I read the first several books of her Anna Strong series before I quit them out of boredom years ago. If I had known she co-wrote this book, I probably wouldn't have gotten it. But I did. And it was supported by my favorite author's website (the reason I ordered it in the first place) so I decided to give it a shot anyway.
CURSED might have been an okay read if it wasn't written in first-person, extreme present tense. It moved quickly and was fairly interesting, but the obstinate refusal to leave the present was both distracting and annoying.
For example, the MC asks her partner a rhetorical question then follows it with:
"If he has any answers, he keeps them to himself."
Maybe that doesn't bother anyone else, but it drove me up the bloody wall.
A secondary problem was the surplus of cliches.
Growing up in the South helped me appreciate the tension being as thick as the air in Charleston in the summer, but nothing could stop the eye roll at some-other-random-thing being thick enough to spread on toast. And those are just two off the top of my head.
Add to that the heroine's penchant for lamenting how she can't let herself love anyone, blah blah, it's too dangerous, blah, *wrings hands* and, well . . . I had to call it quits.
Before anything else, I think it's important to know that the "J." portion of S.J. Harper is Jeanne C. Stein. I read the first several books of her Anna Strong series before I quit them out of boredom years ago. If I had known she co-wrote this book, I probably wouldn't have gotten it. But I did. And it was supported by my favorite author's website (the reason I ordered it in the first place) so I decided to give it a shot anyway.
CURSED might have been an okay read if it wasn't written in first-person, extreme present tense. It moved quickly and was fairly interesting, but the obstinate refusal to leave the present was both distracting and annoying.
For example, the MC asks her partner a rhetorical question then follows it with:
"If he has any answers, he keeps them to himself."
Maybe that doesn't bother anyone else, but it drove me up the bloody wall.
A secondary problem was the surplus of cliches.
Growing up in the South helped me appreciate the tension being as thick as the air in Charleston in the summer, but nothing could stop the eye roll at some-other-random-thing being thick enough to spread on toast. And those are just two off the top of my head.
Add to that the heroine's penchant for lamenting how she can't let herself love anyone, blah blah, it's too dangerous, blah, *wrings hands* and, well . . . I had to call it quits.
October 30, 2014
Emma and Zack are FBI Agents working missing persons. I know the FBI do get involved in kidnappings but I didn't think they did missing persons. Luckily their current case is a kidnapping even if they don't actually know that so a possible plot flaw has been averted.
Anyway she's a siren, he's a werewolf, vampires are getting kidnapped yada yada yada.
Honestly I don't know why I'm feeling so blasé. The story is reasonable. The characters are OK. I just didn't really like it...and I don't know why.
Anyway she's a siren, he's a werewolf, vampires are getting kidnapped yada yada yada.
Honestly I don't know why I'm feeling so blasé. The story is reasonable. The characters are OK. I just didn't really like it...and I don't know why.
October 13, 2013
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
It’s a tricky business placing an immortal character in the modern world, and incarnations of Greek deities have been especially problematic in the past. That makes it all the more satisfying to read a book that gives gravitas and reasonable boundaries to the issue. I loved how Emma’s curse shapes her profession, proscribes her love life, and constrains where and when she can unleash her Siren’s magic.
CURSED is very well set up and executed, though I would have liked less drama in the romance department and more magical and criminal focus. Initially, Emma’s honest and practical approach to her situation was refreshing. Of course, rules are made to be broken, and it does not take long for circumstances to drive Emma off the straight and narrow. I would have found these aspects of the story so much more satisfying if Emma had found clever ways to mitigate her risks, but her romantic struggles and repeated use of siren abilities quickly lost emotional impact through overuse. Given that Zack’s life was at stake, the few times Emma wasn’t upfront and honest seemed unforgivable. As her control slips and her choices become more and more emotional, I became less invested in what was clearly going to become a protracted “Will she/ Won’t she” situation. Even worse, Emma can’t control when the goddess releases her from her curse, which made me that much less interested in an integral part of the romance dynamic in this series.
S. J. Harper’s CURSED does a great job with both it’s procedural and supernatural elements. Emma Monroe is believable as both an FBI agent with a crusade, and as a mystical creature hiding her identity. Emma and Zack are quite literally star-crossed lovers, kept apart by fate, and fans of that dynamic will really enjoy this well written blend of romance, magic, and police procedure.
Sexual content: Sex scenes, references to sex.
It’s a tricky business placing an immortal character in the modern world, and incarnations of Greek deities have been especially problematic in the past. That makes it all the more satisfying to read a book that gives gravitas and reasonable boundaries to the issue. I loved how Emma’s curse shapes her profession, proscribes her love life, and constrains where and when she can unleash her Siren’s magic.
CURSED is very well set up and executed, though I would have liked less drama in the romance department and more magical and criminal focus. Initially, Emma’s honest and practical approach to her situation was refreshing. Of course, rules are made to be broken, and it does not take long for circumstances to drive Emma off the straight and narrow. I would have found these aspects of the story so much more satisfying if Emma had found clever ways to mitigate her risks, but her romantic struggles and repeated use of siren abilities quickly lost emotional impact through overuse. Given that Zack’s life was at stake, the few times Emma wasn’t upfront and honest seemed unforgivable. As her control slips and her choices become more and more emotional, I became less invested in what was clearly going to become a protracted “Will she/ Won’t she” situation. Even worse, Emma can’t control when the goddess releases her from her curse, which made me that much less interested in an integral part of the romance dynamic in this series.
S. J. Harper’s CURSED does a great job with both it’s procedural and supernatural elements. Emma Monroe is believable as both an FBI agent with a crusade, and as a mystical creature hiding her identity. Emma and Zack are quite literally star-crossed lovers, kept apart by fate, and fans of that dynamic will really enjoy this well written blend of romance, magic, and police procedure.
Sexual content: Sex scenes, references to sex.
February 1, 2016
No other way to say it other than- I loved this book. This was my first time reading anything from these two authors. It is also the first book they have authored together. Well guess what ladies? You hit it right out of the park! It was captivating and fresh. I very much enjoyed the writing style. It moved well and made you feel a part of the story. I found the back-story to be very original. It was a new premise to me and with the amount I read that’s saying something.
Emma, the Siren, works missing women cases and has a new partner. An agent she worked with in the past and had what pretty much sums up as a one night stand over a year ago. It may have been one night but this man has stuck in her mind. Can she figure out how to keep it a working relationship?
There is more at play here than just FBI cases. This is a world of hidden supernaturals. Werewolves, vampires and much more are always watching and always listening. Emma has to atone for mistakes in her past. Part of her punishment is that she can never give her heart away and receive happiness. So how can she keep her heart safe when any wrong move can kill those she loves the most?
There was a bit of world building as there always is with any book one in a series This is a fantastic start to a new series by an incredible writing duo. I can’t wait to see what happens next! Side note- It kind of reminded me of a supernatural J.D. Robb.
4.5 STARS!
**Given via the authors/Book Monster Promotions
Check out the blog tour 26 OCT 2013
www.ktbookreviews.com
Emma, the Siren, works missing women cases and has a new partner. An agent she worked with in the past and had what pretty much sums up as a one night stand over a year ago. It may have been one night but this man has stuck in her mind. Can she figure out how to keep it a working relationship?
There is more at play here than just FBI cases. This is a world of hidden supernaturals. Werewolves, vampires and much more are always watching and always listening. Emma has to atone for mistakes in her past. Part of her punishment is that she can never give her heart away and receive happiness. So how can she keep her heart safe when any wrong move can kill those she loves the most?
There was a bit of world building as there always is with any book one in a series This is a fantastic start to a new series by an incredible writing duo. I can’t wait to see what happens next! Side note- It kind of reminded me of a supernatural J.D. Robb.
4.5 STARS!
**Given via the authors/Book Monster Promotions
Check out the blog tour 26 OCT 2013
www.ktbookreviews.com
April 27, 2018
I needed something light for my vacation read, and this filled the bill. It's fairly standard fare for urban fantasy, though I wished the authors had fleshed out the world more. And Emma, for that matter--she's supposedly been cursed for millenia, but there wasn't often that sense of depth to her that I expected from such a long life. Not a bad book, just not one that won me over.
September 25, 2013
I received this early copy in pdf format from the author in exchange for an honest review, I was in no way compensated for this review.
S.J. Harper's Cursed was phenomenal! Authors Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein team up to create this totally fantabuously amazing read! I am always blown away when authors team up and write a book together. For the most part, the book reads like it's told by one voice! At times I like to think I might know when Jeanne was writing, having never read Samantha before, but it's hard to tell as a reader. All I can say is that S.J. Harper is now a favorite author of mine!
One of the most amazing things about this read is how it combines Greek mythology and modern day supernatural creatures! There's not a lot of Greek mythology going on, but Emma is definitely at the center of it. She's a Siren, one of three who failed to save Persephone from Hades and Demeter has punished all three of them. As to what her sisters are up to, we don't know...yet, maybe S.J. will let us know in future reads! Emma has been spending centuries on earth trying to right the wrongs she committed and save other young women from terrible fates. Working in the missing persons department at the FBI definitely fits the bill in that area. Life is simple for her.
Until Zack Armstrong walks back into her life. Zack is a werewolf, she knows this due to her Siren nature. She knows a lot of things like that regarding the supernatural world and can recognize when someone is other than human. But Zack doesn't know she knows. A year ago the two worked a case in Charleston, SC together and things got intimate. But since Emma was leaving, she thought that would be the end of it since they agreed to let things go and not contact one another, but when Zack comes into her San Diego office and she is told he's her new partner...well, things aren't exactly looking sunny.
For Emma has learned that if she indulges in having happiness with a man...find someone she ends up caring for and loves...Demeter kills them. It's always best to keep people away and not form loving relationships. As Demeter puts it, Emma is not meant for happiness until she is forgiven and she won't be forgiven until Demeter feels like it.
Trying to avoid any romantic thoughts or feelings is hard, because there was something about Zack that Emma just couldn't shake off. It only makes it worse when it's clear that Zack feels the same way. But there is work to be done and that involves finding a missing person. Which then leads to two missing people and then three! Most shocking of all is that these three people all have something in common.
I really, really enjoyed this read! It was like the perfect Urban Fantasy read for the Urban Fantasy reader! There's a good dose of action, a mix of supernaturals, action, a feisty heroine and smoldering, sexy hero! There are definitely go to be some challenges for Emma and Zack and that doesn't even include the main threat of Demeter. Zack's ex-girlfriend happens to be in town, who's also a werewolf. And then Emma ends up catching the eye of an unlikely fellow. Trouble is what's going to happen!
I am most eager to see where this series goes! I love a good mystery and S.J. definitely delivers that in this read! Trying to find the missing persons seemed like a clear-cut case, but then so many other issues came up in the case that it made it not so easy to deal with anymore. I shudder to think how Emma and Zack will have to handle the legalities of other cases that they will deal with in the future, for in this world, the supernatural peeps are still in hiding, they live among us yes, but we feeble humans do not know of their existence.
The Fallen Siren series promises to be one helluva Urban Fantasy read and I so look forwarded to seeing what adventures there are to be had! And of course the fate of our starcrossed lovers!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
S.J. Harper's Cursed was phenomenal! Authors Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein team up to create this totally fantabuously amazing read! I am always blown away when authors team up and write a book together. For the most part, the book reads like it's told by one voice! At times I like to think I might know when Jeanne was writing, having never read Samantha before, but it's hard to tell as a reader. All I can say is that S.J. Harper is now a favorite author of mine!
One of the most amazing things about this read is how it combines Greek mythology and modern day supernatural creatures! There's not a lot of Greek mythology going on, but Emma is definitely at the center of it. She's a Siren, one of three who failed to save Persephone from Hades and Demeter has punished all three of them. As to what her sisters are up to, we don't know...yet, maybe S.J. will let us know in future reads! Emma has been spending centuries on earth trying to right the wrongs she committed and save other young women from terrible fates. Working in the missing persons department at the FBI definitely fits the bill in that area. Life is simple for her.
Until Zack Armstrong walks back into her life. Zack is a werewolf, she knows this due to her Siren nature. She knows a lot of things like that regarding the supernatural world and can recognize when someone is other than human. But Zack doesn't know she knows. A year ago the two worked a case in Charleston, SC together and things got intimate. But since Emma was leaving, she thought that would be the end of it since they agreed to let things go and not contact one another, but when Zack comes into her San Diego office and she is told he's her new partner...well, things aren't exactly looking sunny.
For Emma has learned that if she indulges in having happiness with a man...find someone she ends up caring for and loves...Demeter kills them. It's always best to keep people away and not form loving relationships. As Demeter puts it, Emma is not meant for happiness until she is forgiven and she won't be forgiven until Demeter feels like it.
Trying to avoid any romantic thoughts or feelings is hard, because there was something about Zack that Emma just couldn't shake off. It only makes it worse when it's clear that Zack feels the same way. But there is work to be done and that involves finding a missing person. Which then leads to two missing people and then three! Most shocking of all is that these three people all have something in common.
I really, really enjoyed this read! It was like the perfect Urban Fantasy read for the Urban Fantasy reader! There's a good dose of action, a mix of supernaturals, action, a feisty heroine and smoldering, sexy hero! There are definitely go to be some challenges for Emma and Zack and that doesn't even include the main threat of Demeter. Zack's ex-girlfriend happens to be in town, who's also a werewolf. And then Emma ends up catching the eye of an unlikely fellow. Trouble is what's going to happen!
I am most eager to see where this series goes! I love a good mystery and S.J. definitely delivers that in this read! Trying to find the missing persons seemed like a clear-cut case, but then so many other issues came up in the case that it made it not so easy to deal with anymore. I shudder to think how Emma and Zack will have to handle the legalities of other cases that they will deal with in the future, for in this world, the supernatural peeps are still in hiding, they live among us yes, but we feeble humans do not know of their existence.
The Fallen Siren series promises to be one helluva Urban Fantasy read and I so look forwarded to seeing what adventures there are to be had! And of course the fate of our starcrossed lovers!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
September 29, 2013
4.5 stars - My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2013/09...
Emma Monroe is cursed – literally. Centuries ago, she was stripped of her wings and bound to Earth for her failure in rescuing Persephone from Hades. Any man she falls in love with is doomed to die at the hands of the goddess Demeter. Now Emma’s an agent for the FBI, hiding her true nature as a siren while working toward redemption by finding missing persons. Her latest case involves a missing artist who may be more than she seems, but that isn’t what’s throwing Emma for a loop.
Emma’s new partner, Zack Armstrong, is an agent with supernatural secrets of his own. Zack’s a werewolf whose past has him searching for salvation as well. The pull between he and Emma is undeniably strong…not to mention dangerous. When their case takes an unexpected turn, both Zack and Emma are left vulnerable by their growing connection. And to save the victims and each other, both werewolf and siren might have to sacrifice the unimaginable.
Cursed cursed is a paranormal adventure worthy of the name. With Cursed , S. J. Harper has delivered a dynamite beginning to the Fallen Siren series.
Zack and Emma have the kind of chemistry that can’t be beat. Though Cursed is written entirely from Emma’s point of view, she and Zack are equally strong leads and I can’t wait to delve deeper into their characters in future books. Their easy working relationship contrasts perfectly with the troubles of their burgeoning romantic relationship. Regarding the latter, S. J. Harper throws some surprising curveballs in their path, one of which literally had my jaw dropping.
Relationships aside, the world building of Cursed should delight any Urban Fantasy fan. The twist on the sirens of Greek mythology, combined with the intriguing glimpses into this world’s vampire and werewolf mythos, have me begging for more Fallen Siren novels. Though I won’t spoil what I learned (that would ruin much of the fun of the novel), suffice it to say that S. J. Harper does a fantastic job of introducing a marvelous world without going overboard and slowing down the story.
An intriguing mystery and a host of fascinating secondary characters round out Cursed , making the book impossible to put down. I admit, I have a love/hate relationship with the ending of this story. There’s a punch-you-in-the-gut cliffhanger for anyone attached to Emma and Zack, but it’s organic to the story and ensures that I’ll definitely be picking up the next Fallen Siren book.
Cursed is a wickedly sirenic story that will have you reading late into the night. Authors Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein (the writing team that is S. J. Harper) have created something wonderful with the Fallen Siren series and I can’t wait to see where they take readers next!
Emma Monroe is cursed – literally. Centuries ago, she was stripped of her wings and bound to Earth for her failure in rescuing Persephone from Hades. Any man she falls in love with is doomed to die at the hands of the goddess Demeter. Now Emma’s an agent for the FBI, hiding her true nature as a siren while working toward redemption by finding missing persons. Her latest case involves a missing artist who may be more than she seems, but that isn’t what’s throwing Emma for a loop.
Emma’s new partner, Zack Armstrong, is an agent with supernatural secrets of his own. Zack’s a werewolf whose past has him searching for salvation as well. The pull between he and Emma is undeniably strong…not to mention dangerous. When their case takes an unexpected turn, both Zack and Emma are left vulnerable by their growing connection. And to save the victims and each other, both werewolf and siren might have to sacrifice the unimaginable.
Cursed cursed is a paranormal adventure worthy of the name. With Cursed , S. J. Harper has delivered a dynamite beginning to the Fallen Siren series.
Zack and Emma have the kind of chemistry that can’t be beat. Though Cursed is written entirely from Emma’s point of view, she and Zack are equally strong leads and I can’t wait to delve deeper into their characters in future books. Their easy working relationship contrasts perfectly with the troubles of their burgeoning romantic relationship. Regarding the latter, S. J. Harper throws some surprising curveballs in their path, one of which literally had my jaw dropping.
Relationships aside, the world building of Cursed should delight any Urban Fantasy fan. The twist on the sirens of Greek mythology, combined with the intriguing glimpses into this world’s vampire and werewolf mythos, have me begging for more Fallen Siren novels. Though I won’t spoil what I learned (that would ruin much of the fun of the novel), suffice it to say that S. J. Harper does a fantastic job of introducing a marvelous world without going overboard and slowing down the story.
An intriguing mystery and a host of fascinating secondary characters round out Cursed , making the book impossible to put down. I admit, I have a love/hate relationship with the ending of this story. There’s a punch-you-in-the-gut cliffhanger for anyone attached to Emma and Zack, but it’s organic to the story and ensures that I’ll definitely be picking up the next Fallen Siren book.
Cursed is a wickedly sirenic story that will have you reading late into the night. Authors Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein (the writing team that is S. J. Harper) have created something wonderful with the Fallen Siren series and I can’t wait to see where they take readers next!
October 8, 2013
It's not real often that I really, really like the first book in a new UF series. Getting use to a new world is often mind boggling and complicated. This book managed to have a fantastic world but it wasn't at all mind boggling or complicated, and the characters were simply fantastic!
Emma is unique because she's a Siren and she's an FBI agent. She's a character that's easy to like and I immediately felt an attachment to her. We don't get a lot of information about her Siren background until later, so we meet her and get to know her and then learn more about the Siren aspect. But it was never complicated or too much to understand.
Zack is also a great character, and I loved that him and Emma have a past together as they had worked a case together in the past. So the immediate attraction and somewhat fast fall into romance territory worked fine for this book. I could have used some slow burn romance instead, but it was fine as went and worked for this book, so I won't complain. Zack clearly has a past, but it's not until a bit later that we find out more about it and understand why he thinks the way he does.
The paranormal aspects in this one were really easy to understand. The paranormal creatures are hidden from the general population, they aren't 'out'. The vampires, werewolves, witches, etc are your normal fare, but it didn't feel worn and used. As a matter of fact this book felt fresh and new to me. That might partially be because Emma is a Siren and that aspect is new. There's a reason why she's working in missing persons and a reason why she shouldn't be with Zack.
One of my most favorite aspects of this one was the mystery. The case that they are working is a big part of the book. They have to find these missing women. I loved being with them as they found the various clues and began to piece them together. I felt we got the right amount of clues to be able to make guesses, but it's not so obvious that we can easily figure it out. I didn't figure it out at all, I had no idea who could be responsible. I felt this aspect was extremely well done.
This is a great place to start for those ready to dip their toes in the urban fantasy genre. It's simple enough to understand, but is still fresh and new. While there is adult content, it's quick and doesn't drag on. It's also a fast read. I tend to slack on reading my urban fantasy books because YA is just a much quicker read. This one I read in the amount of time it takes to read the average length YA book.
I highly recommend this to people who enjoy urban fantasy, mysteries and a good romance without the whole 'romance' vibe and drama.
You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com
Emma is unique because she's a Siren and she's an FBI agent. She's a character that's easy to like and I immediately felt an attachment to her. We don't get a lot of information about her Siren background until later, so we meet her and get to know her and then learn more about the Siren aspect. But it was never complicated or too much to understand.
Zack is also a great character, and I loved that him and Emma have a past together as they had worked a case together in the past. So the immediate attraction and somewhat fast fall into romance territory worked fine for this book. I could have used some slow burn romance instead, but it was fine as went and worked for this book, so I won't complain. Zack clearly has a past, but it's not until a bit later that we find out more about it and understand why he thinks the way he does.
The paranormal aspects in this one were really easy to understand. The paranormal creatures are hidden from the general population, they aren't 'out'. The vampires, werewolves, witches, etc are your normal fare, but it didn't feel worn and used. As a matter of fact this book felt fresh and new to me. That might partially be because Emma is a Siren and that aspect is new. There's a reason why she's working in missing persons and a reason why she shouldn't be with Zack.
One of my most favorite aspects of this one was the mystery. The case that they are working is a big part of the book. They have to find these missing women. I loved being with them as they found the various clues and began to piece them together. I felt we got the right amount of clues to be able to make guesses, but it's not so obvious that we can easily figure it out. I didn't figure it out at all, I had no idea who could be responsible. I felt this aspect was extremely well done.
This is a great place to start for those ready to dip their toes in the urban fantasy genre. It's simple enough to understand, but is still fresh and new. While there is adult content, it's quick and doesn't drag on. It's also a fast read. I tend to slack on reading my urban fantasy books because YA is just a much quicker read. This one I read in the amount of time it takes to read the average length YA book.
I highly recommend this to people who enjoy urban fantasy, mysteries and a good romance without the whole 'romance' vibe and drama.
You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com
October 1, 2013
This is the first book in a new urban fantasy series. We all know first books can be a little rough around the edges for many reasons that normally get ironed out in the second book. Cursed experienced very little of this. SJ Harper is the pen name for the writing team of Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein and I was surprised to discover this because it reads like one voice.
Cursed has all the standard urban fantasy elements such as: supernatural female investigator, sexy ex-lover she must work with but not get involved and both with dark pasts. But a few things set Cursed apart from the rest of the urban fantasy out there, such as the Greek mythology the authors incorporated into the heroine, Emma. She is a siren, but not the cliché one. Her and her two sisters were banished to earth because they didn’t stop Hades from abducting Demeter’s daughter Persephone. They are to stay there helping find missing women until they redeem their selves in Demeter’s eyes. And we all know the gods love to hold a grudge so she has been there a long time. We don’t meet Emma’s other two sisters in this book. I wonder if they will get their own books or eventually worked into Emma’s story. At present Emma is a FBI agent who tracks down missing persons. We get a full picture of what Emma’s life has been like since being cast out and the authors do a good job of getting her emotional turmoil across to the reader.
The hero, Zack is a werewolf, and is also trying to atone for brutal acts he committed in his past. A nice twist on the story is Zack hides his nature from Emma, but he doesn’t realize that she already knew what he was the first time they met, but never let on. We get to know a little about Zack, but there are many things about his past and why he left his pack that I am sure will unfold in the following books.
The book also has a strong mystery that is solved by the end and some witty dialogue. We get a nice taste of the many different supernaturals in this world with the possibility of delving further into them as the series progresses such as the powerful vampire that has his eye on Emma and the scorned female werewolf gunning for her. I would classify this as dark urban fantasy. There isn't a happy ever after for our heroine, and the sacrifice she makes to keep Zack safe is heart-breaking. It was a quick read and satisfying for this dark urban fantasy lover. I will be reading the next one.
4 “advocating equal opportunity love” Sheep
http://www.ismellsheep.com/2013/10/bo...
Cursed has all the standard urban fantasy elements such as: supernatural female investigator, sexy ex-lover she must work with but not get involved and both with dark pasts. But a few things set Cursed apart from the rest of the urban fantasy out there, such as the Greek mythology the authors incorporated into the heroine, Emma. She is a siren, but not the cliché one. Her and her two sisters were banished to earth because they didn’t stop Hades from abducting Demeter’s daughter Persephone. They are to stay there helping find missing women until they redeem their selves in Demeter’s eyes. And we all know the gods love to hold a grudge so she has been there a long time. We don’t meet Emma’s other two sisters in this book. I wonder if they will get their own books or eventually worked into Emma’s story. At present Emma is a FBI agent who tracks down missing persons. We get a full picture of what Emma’s life has been like since being cast out and the authors do a good job of getting her emotional turmoil across to the reader.
The hero, Zack is a werewolf, and is also trying to atone for brutal acts he committed in his past. A nice twist on the story is Zack hides his nature from Emma, but he doesn’t realize that she already knew what he was the first time they met, but never let on. We get to know a little about Zack, but there are many things about his past and why he left his pack that I am sure will unfold in the following books.
The book also has a strong mystery that is solved by the end and some witty dialogue. We get a nice taste of the many different supernaturals in this world with the possibility of delving further into them as the series progresses such as the powerful vampire that has his eye on Emma and the scorned female werewolf gunning for her. I would classify this as dark urban fantasy. There isn't a happy ever after for our heroine, and the sacrifice she makes to keep Zack safe is heart-breaking. It was a quick read and satisfying for this dark urban fantasy lover. I will be reading the next one.
4 “advocating equal opportunity love” Sheep
http://www.ismellsheep.com/2013/10/bo...
September 19, 2013
Cursed is authored by two authors who collaborated together. I have never read anything by S.J. Harper before, but I am really looking forward to what comes next.
Emma Monroe has been around for centuries, she has been cursed by Detemer because she let Hades take Persephone. Emma seeks redemption and she thinks that by being an FBI agent who works missing persons that one day she will have her life back. Her redemption could be just one rescue away. I found Emma to be a very strong character, even though at times I felt her loneliness. She knows from experience not to let her heart get involved with anyone, but she can't help her attraction to Zack. Detemer has made it clear to Emma what could happen, as she did it many years ago.
Zack Armstrong, is a werewolf and he is apart of the FBI's Missing Person Unit because he feels that maybe he can atone for his past misjudgments. He use to be a Black Ops sniper and has taken a lot of lives and he hopes that maybe he can do his penance by saving lives now. Zack has recently moved to the San Diego Field Office, but it wasn't just to get away from his old life and pack. Zack and Emma have a history, they worked a case back in his home town. There was chemistry back then and there is chemistry now.
Zack and Emma start working a case about an artist who has gone missing and as they put the pieces together they find another woman missing. They find a connection to the paranormal, but it isn't until Emma's friend's boyfriend goes missing that they are sure they are on the right track. Time is of the essence and they need to keep their heads in the game, but with the sparks flying between them it some times causes distractions.
Emma knows she must keep her relationship with Zack platonic as it is to dangerous to fall in love with him. In the end Emma must make choice and though it doesn't really leave a cliffhanger like most you know there is still want to know what is going to happen next.
If you like paranormal type books then I really think you will like this start to a new series!
Emma Monroe has been around for centuries, she has been cursed by Detemer because she let Hades take Persephone. Emma seeks redemption and she thinks that by being an FBI agent who works missing persons that one day she will have her life back. Her redemption could be just one rescue away. I found Emma to be a very strong character, even though at times I felt her loneliness. She knows from experience not to let her heart get involved with anyone, but she can't help her attraction to Zack. Detemer has made it clear to Emma what could happen, as she did it many years ago.
Zack Armstrong, is a werewolf and he is apart of the FBI's Missing Person Unit because he feels that maybe he can atone for his past misjudgments. He use to be a Black Ops sniper and has taken a lot of lives and he hopes that maybe he can do his penance by saving lives now. Zack has recently moved to the San Diego Field Office, but it wasn't just to get away from his old life and pack. Zack and Emma have a history, they worked a case back in his home town. There was chemistry back then and there is chemistry now.
Zack and Emma start working a case about an artist who has gone missing and as they put the pieces together they find another woman missing. They find a connection to the paranormal, but it isn't until Emma's friend's boyfriend goes missing that they are sure they are on the right track. Time is of the essence and they need to keep their heads in the game, but with the sparks flying between them it some times causes distractions.
Emma knows she must keep her relationship with Zack platonic as it is to dangerous to fall in love with him. In the end Emma must make choice and though it doesn't really leave a cliffhanger like most you know there is still want to know what is going to happen next.
If you like paranormal type books then I really think you will like this start to a new series!
August 11, 2016
2.5 stars
Did i like this?
Parts of it, yes. The idea of the story. The concept of having two supernaturals working as "regular" law officers was interesting.
The way the characters are portrayed in the synopsis, bound to caught the readers interest:
She's cursed. He's damned. Together they make one hell of a team.
The thing is, i didn't feel this intensity in the story.
The characters are somewhat bland. There's nothing wrong with them. But they're not that great.
It's not that i want big dramas and angst to fill plots, but as urban fantasy, this was kind of weak. Emma as a siren, and as someone as ancient as she is, i was expecting a little more...something.
Depth and intensity.
Then i just couldn't feel the romance between those Emma and Zach. Their attraction, yes. But romance not so much. This for me would have been the perfect excuse to "let things follow as they were, and avoid forgetting spells"(this will only make sense for those who have read this).
The setting is contemporary, and most of the characters, leading and secondary are paranormals.
Then maybe i'm just being naive, but with a siren and a werewolf as leading characters, i was not expecting that in the end the species that would end up getting more more attention would wear fangs...
I've read my share of paranormal romances featuring vampires, and honestly i'm kind of tired of them.
And i won't even mention the "what i'm guessing" will be a future love triangle.
The writing is fluid and to the point. Its adequate to the type of story.
In the end, although there's nothing wrong with it, this was a story that _for me_ ended up feeling a little lacking.
Did i like this?
Parts of it, yes. The idea of the story. The concept of having two supernaturals working as "regular" law officers was interesting.
The way the characters are portrayed in the synopsis, bound to caught the readers interest:
She's cursed. He's damned. Together they make one hell of a team.
The thing is, i didn't feel this intensity in the story.
The characters are somewhat bland. There's nothing wrong with them. But they're not that great.
It's not that i want big dramas and angst to fill plots, but as urban fantasy, this was kind of weak. Emma as a siren, and as someone as ancient as she is, i was expecting a little more...something.
Depth and intensity.
Then i just couldn't feel the romance between those Emma and Zach. Their attraction, yes. But romance not so much. This for me would have been the perfect excuse to "let things follow as they were, and avoid forgetting spells"(this will only make sense for those who have read this).
The setting is contemporary, and most of the characters, leading and secondary are paranormals.
Then maybe i'm just being naive, but with a siren and a werewolf as leading characters, i was not expecting that in the end the species that would end up getting more more attention would wear fangs...
I've read my share of paranormal romances featuring vampires, and honestly i'm kind of tired of them.
And i won't even mention the "what i'm guessing" will be a future love triangle.
The writing is fluid and to the point. Its adequate to the type of story.
In the end, although there's nothing wrong with it, this was a story that _for me_ ended up feeling a little lacking.
October 6, 2013
UF at its most intriguing. Book like Cursed had me hooked on the genre. It may not be perfect, it's not, but then, as one of the characters says in it, "Perfection is boring".
Its grace is understatement. The story is a classical mystery intertwined with paranormal. The heroine voice resounded true to me, a woman fighting for redemption for a "crime" she didn't really commit. Emma is believable, both as FBI agent, as a supe hiding her identity, as a woman.
The ending is sad if you are a romance fan, but again so coherent. This is UF and doesn't try for pnr. Yes, there's a romantic thread, but it doesn't dissolve plot and characters. It goes the way it should. Whether it'll become something different in the future, I do not know. But I know I'm not going to judge this book for what it might happen in the future.
The only flaw I found in Cursed is the lighter side of world-building. The Greek mythology is sound, Greek gods are well known for their pettiness, but I would have liked to know how vampires and werewolves get into this image.
I'm only sorry I have no idea when the next book is out.
My usual personal note at the end. Any classical studies fan out there?To me Kallistos isn't a male name. (Actually I link it definitely with a woman, and a very peculiar kind). Any thoughts?
Update: Eh, I'm getting old. I'm confusing names: Kallistos and Kallipygos The Eye Of Cybele. Sigh
Thanks you Ms Harper for the link.
Its grace is understatement. The story is a classical mystery intertwined with paranormal. The heroine voice resounded true to me, a woman fighting for redemption for a "crime" she didn't really commit. Emma is believable, both as FBI agent, as a supe hiding her identity, as a woman.
The ending is sad if you are a romance fan, but again so coherent. This is UF and doesn't try for pnr. Yes, there's a romantic thread, but it doesn't dissolve plot and characters. It goes the way it should. Whether it'll become something different in the future, I do not know. But I know I'm not going to judge this book for what it might happen in the future.
The only flaw I found in Cursed is the lighter side of world-building. The Greek mythology is sound, Greek gods are well known for their pettiness, but I would have liked to know how vampires and werewolves get into this image.
I'm only sorry I have no idea when the next book is out.
My usual personal note at the end. Any classical studies fan out there?
Update: Eh, I'm getting old. I'm confusing names: Kallistos and Kallipygos The Eye Of Cybele. Sigh
Thanks you Ms Harper for the link.
October 19, 2013
A very enjoyable read...fresh and different with an interesting premise. The characters were very likable with a strong, quickly advancing plot. We get to know a lot about what makes Emma tick, but I'd like to see more emotional depth from Zack. Or maybe, because he is a man, it is just that simple?! Warning... sad cliffie for an ending. I really want book 2!
June 4, 2017
Emma Monroe, the main character of Cursed, is a Siren. She searches for misses persons as an FBI agent, because she must atone to the gods for her past failure. I’ve never encountered a Siren in a story before, so I was intrigued. Emma has a new partner in Zack Armstrong, a werewolf that has transferred into the San Diego office from the south, which is where Emma first met him while working a case together. They are drawn together with an attraction that can’t be denied, but Emma can’t afford to fall for anyone since Demeter, the god keeping watch over her will not allow it. I found that very sad, and Emma is very strong willed to be able to deny herself happiness to prevent harm to her partner. The case they work is an interesting one, and gets more intriguing the deeper they go in the investigation. I loved the conclusion of the investigation, but wonder if Emma will ever be allowed redemption by Demeter for her past transgression. Her situation is heartbreaking and tragic and I look forward to more stories in the series, because I want to see what happens next for Emma.
November 12, 2013
Three and a half stars.
This was not bad for a first book. It was shelved in the PNR section of my bookstore but it definitely read like more UF to me. One of the reasons that I chose it was because the lead character, Emma Monroe, is a siren and I haven't come across many sirens in my UF reading. In fact, the only other siren I've read about was the sexy Hank in the severely underrated Charlie Madigan Series by Kelly Gay.
I thought the pacing of the book was pretty consistent throughout, with no obvious slow parts and not a lot of heavy exposition. If you're looking for flowery prose however, you won't find it here. The writing style is very basic, with sentences that are efficient and to the point. In a way I think it hindered the emotionality of the book though because I never really felt terribly invested in the story on any deep emotional level, with the exception of one of the secondary characters. I did enjoy the story, I just didn't feel it.
We have the usual paranormal species here with vampires, witches, and werewolves but with some Greek mythology thrown into the mix. We also get introduced to some sympathetic characters, both the main ones and secondary characters as well. I would like to see some fleshing out of the secondary characters as the series goes on, namely Emma's witchy BFF, as they feel a little one dimensional at this point.
I liked Emma, the main female character and an FBI Special Agent in the Missing Persons Office. She's smart, has a sense of humor, is independent but doesn't feel the need to thumb her nose at everyone who crosses her path. She's been alive for centuries and she comes across as the mature person one would expect from someone so long lived. Her newly assigned partner is Zach, an agent (and werewolf!) she worked a case with several months ago in his home state. Their newly minted work partnership is made more awkward by the fact that the two shared what was supposed to have been a no-strings-attached one night stand upon the successful conclusion of their case - complete with a mutual agreement that there would be no emails, no phone calls, no contact of any kind once Emma returned home. Suffice it to say that the attraction between the two is still there but Emma has some pretty clear cut reasons for why she can't let it go any farther than that. Some of her methods for keeping deeper feelings at bay didn't make a lot of sense to me however and, in fact, seemed destined to backfire on her but she wouldn't be the first person to be highly competent in her professional life but bumble around in her personal life. For his part, Zach has his own secrets and his own reasons for coming out west to California and I'm not sure we've heard the last from his past. There seem to be some loose threads left there that he will have to attend to at some point.
While I liked Emma and Zach both individually and as a potential couple, I'm going to take a minute to mention another character that intrigued me, both with his late appearance and his manner. Without spoiling anything I'll just refer to him as the Man in Black. I really hope to see more of him in subsequent books. There is the possibility of a love triangle which, I'm not going to lie, won't make me happy BUT I can't say that I'd be 100% against it in this case either. I like Zach, I do, but he also seemed a bit TOO normal for a werewolf so I wouldn't mind if Emma at least flirted with someone who is on more equal footing with her regarding power levels. But we'll see, her feelings about Zach seem pretty clear at this point.
Overall this was an enjoyable read with likeable characters and interesting character dilemmas. There was no cliffhangar ending which was nice but I'm not sure there was enough of a hook to get readers to read more should the series move forward. This could really almost work as a stand alone book. There's not even an identifiable long arc Big Bad unless Demeter counts, though I didn't really see her as a villain. If anything, this felt like the first episode of any long-running television procedural where the cops are basically solving the same cases week in and week out. If this series is going to consist of Emma and Zach solving the weekly missing persons case, it's going to lose its shine with me sooner rather than later. For now though, I'm in.
This was not bad for a first book. It was shelved in the PNR section of my bookstore but it definitely read like more UF to me. One of the reasons that I chose it was because the lead character, Emma Monroe, is a siren and I haven't come across many sirens in my UF reading. In fact, the only other siren I've read about was the sexy Hank in the severely underrated Charlie Madigan Series by Kelly Gay.
I thought the pacing of the book was pretty consistent throughout, with no obvious slow parts and not a lot of heavy exposition. If you're looking for flowery prose however, you won't find it here. The writing style is very basic, with sentences that are efficient and to the point. In a way I think it hindered the emotionality of the book though because I never really felt terribly invested in the story on any deep emotional level, with the exception of one of the secondary characters. I did enjoy the story, I just didn't feel it.
We have the usual paranormal species here with vampires, witches, and werewolves but with some Greek mythology thrown into the mix. We also get introduced to some sympathetic characters, both the main ones and secondary characters as well. I would like to see some fleshing out of the secondary characters as the series goes on, namely Emma's witchy BFF, as they feel a little one dimensional at this point.
I liked Emma, the main female character and an FBI Special Agent in the Missing Persons Office. She's smart, has a sense of humor, is independent but doesn't feel the need to thumb her nose at everyone who crosses her path. She's been alive for centuries and she comes across as the mature person one would expect from someone so long lived. Her newly assigned partner is Zach, an agent (and werewolf!) she worked a case with several months ago in his home state. Their newly minted work partnership is made more awkward by the fact that the two shared what was supposed to have been a no-strings-attached one night stand upon the successful conclusion of their case - complete with a mutual agreement that there would be no emails, no phone calls, no contact of any kind once Emma returned home. Suffice it to say that the attraction between the two is still there but Emma has some pretty clear cut reasons for why she can't let it go any farther than that. Some of her methods for keeping deeper feelings at bay didn't make a lot of sense to me however and, in fact, seemed destined to backfire on her but she wouldn't be the first person to be highly competent in her professional life but bumble around in her personal life. For his part, Zach has his own secrets and his own reasons for coming out west to California and I'm not sure we've heard the last from his past. There seem to be some loose threads left there that he will have to attend to at some point.
While I liked Emma and Zach both individually and as a potential couple, I'm going to take a minute to mention another character that intrigued me, both with his late appearance and his manner. Without spoiling anything I'll just refer to him as the Man in Black. I really hope to see more of him in subsequent books. There is the possibility of a love triangle which, I'm not going to lie, won't make me happy BUT I can't say that I'd be 100% against it in this case either. I like Zach, I do, but he also seemed a bit TOO normal for a werewolf so I wouldn't mind if Emma at least flirted with someone who is on more equal footing with her regarding power levels. But we'll see, her feelings about Zach seem pretty clear at this point.
Overall this was an enjoyable read with likeable characters and interesting character dilemmas. There was no cliffhangar ending which was nice but I'm not sure there was enough of a hook to get readers to read more should the series move forward. This could really almost work as a stand alone book. There's not even an identifiable long arc Big Bad unless Demeter counts, though I didn't really see her as a villain. If anything, this felt like the first episode of any long-running television procedural where the cops are basically solving the same cases week in and week out. If this series is going to consist of Emma and Zach solving the weekly missing persons case, it's going to lose its shine with me sooner rather than later. For now though, I'm in.
October 28, 2013
3.5 Stars
Originally reviewed on Romancing the Dark Side:
An immortal heroine on a journey for redemption and an unlikely forbidden romance!
Emma Monroe is an FBI agent working missing persons cases with one little secret. As one of three immortal sirens she’s been cursed by the ancient Greek gods until she can right a wrong committed ages ago. Each new case puts her one step closer to redemption, which means she can finally open her heart to love again but only with Demeter’s blessing. Emma is put to the test when a former flame and fellow special agent Zack Armstrong is assigned to be her new partner. When their first case leads them straight into the dark world of the supernatural, Emma and Zack must reveal their true identities to each other in order to solve the case ,but working together ignites a long lost spark that can have dangerous consequences.
I always love a book that introduces a new to me supe and Cursed did just that with its heroine. Emma is quite unique as a siren and while we don’t get to much of a background in the beginning of the story I was intrigued by her character. That being said, I tried my best to connect with her but found it a bit difficult. I get the whole siren thing: beautiful woman with the power of influence, but a lot time was spent on talking about how beautiful she was and how she has to keep her glamour up to avoid seducing everyone around her, not much was revealed regarding her personality or flaws, which made her a little too perfect for my taste in heroines. The fast paced romance between Emma and Zack was justified due to their past history, but I would have liked a little less conflict when it came to them getting together, mostly on Emma’s part. She gave Zack a lot of slack when it comes to telling the truth about himself but she was more than hesitant to share her truth, that was a bit annoying to me.
Zack is a pretty charismatic character and while I wouldn’t exactly label him an alpha werewolf, he’s still all sorts of yummy. I enjoyed his laid-back demeanor and that he gave Emma her space. He isn’t afraid to be with a strong woman and even let Emma take the lead during their investigation. Zack has a bit of a past but eventually comes clean with Emma and lets down his guard which made for some sweet moments. Emma and Zack have great chemistry, but when a sexy vampire by the name of Kallistos makes an appearance towards the end of the book I knew Zack had some major competition. He’s not around long but definitely makes an impression. I won’t give too much away but I enjoyed every moment with him and Emma and look forward to getting to know more about him.
The world in this book includes a variety of supernatural beings including vampires, witches and werewolves still “in hiding” from humans. The paranormal aspects blend really well into the story and the world isn’t complex which is refreshing, sometimes less is more. The mystery and suspense element to the story is the shining star in my opinion. The small clues revealed along the way keep you turning the pages as Emma and Zack put the pieces of the puzzle together and was never predictable. I was shocked by the book’s ending and the emotional cliffhanger that came with it, but hope to get some closure in the next installment.
Cursed is a solid urban fantasy debut with an intriguing story and sprinkling of romance. The playful humor and tension between the characters makes for an enjoyable read. If you’re in the mood for a mystery with a little magic and a forbidden romance this is the book to curl up with on a chilly weekend afternoon!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Originally reviewed on Romancing the Dark Side:
An immortal heroine on a journey for redemption and an unlikely forbidden romance!
Emma Monroe is an FBI agent working missing persons cases with one little secret. As one of three immortal sirens she’s been cursed by the ancient Greek gods until she can right a wrong committed ages ago. Each new case puts her one step closer to redemption, which means she can finally open her heart to love again but only with Demeter’s blessing. Emma is put to the test when a former flame and fellow special agent Zack Armstrong is assigned to be her new partner. When their first case leads them straight into the dark world of the supernatural, Emma and Zack must reveal their true identities to each other in order to solve the case ,but working together ignites a long lost spark that can have dangerous consequences.
I always love a book that introduces a new to me supe and Cursed did just that with its heroine. Emma is quite unique as a siren and while we don’t get to much of a background in the beginning of the story I was intrigued by her character. That being said, I tried my best to connect with her but found it a bit difficult. I get the whole siren thing: beautiful woman with the power of influence, but a lot time was spent on talking about how beautiful she was and how she has to keep her glamour up to avoid seducing everyone around her, not much was revealed regarding her personality or flaws, which made her a little too perfect for my taste in heroines. The fast paced romance between Emma and Zack was justified due to their past history, but I would have liked a little less conflict when it came to them getting together, mostly on Emma’s part. She gave Zack a lot of slack when it comes to telling the truth about himself but she was more than hesitant to share her truth, that was a bit annoying to me.
Zack is a pretty charismatic character and while I wouldn’t exactly label him an alpha werewolf, he’s still all sorts of yummy. I enjoyed his laid-back demeanor and that he gave Emma her space. He isn’t afraid to be with a strong woman and even let Emma take the lead during their investigation. Zack has a bit of a past but eventually comes clean with Emma and lets down his guard which made for some sweet moments. Emma and Zack have great chemistry, but when a sexy vampire by the name of Kallistos makes an appearance towards the end of the book I knew Zack had some major competition. He’s not around long but definitely makes an impression. I won’t give too much away but I enjoyed every moment with him and Emma and look forward to getting to know more about him.
The world in this book includes a variety of supernatural beings including vampires, witches and werewolves still “in hiding” from humans. The paranormal aspects blend really well into the story and the world isn’t complex which is refreshing, sometimes less is more. The mystery and suspense element to the story is the shining star in my opinion. The small clues revealed along the way keep you turning the pages as Emma and Zack put the pieces of the puzzle together and was never predictable. I was shocked by the book’s ending and the emotional cliffhanger that came with it, but hope to get some closure in the next installment.
Cursed is a solid urban fantasy debut with an intriguing story and sprinkling of romance. The playful humor and tension between the characters makes for an enjoyable read. If you’re in the mood for a mystery with a little magic and a forbidden romance this is the book to curl up with on a chilly weekend afternoon!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2018
I may have enjoyed this novel more than most other readers would because it has abundant local color that's accurate in both the details and the atmosphere of the place (San Diego). It's a well-constructed mystery involving several kinds of supernaturals who must avoid exposure in a society that knows nothing of such things, and it has a strong subplot of romance under a curse that defines the main character but never intrudes seriously in the main action. The writing takes the form of a satisfying police procedural--if there were clues to the reader as in a classic mystery I missed them--but when the investigators finally pull everything together, it shifts suddenly into explosive action.
Besides many normal humans, the cast includes vampires, two werewolves, and a witch, all of whom are pretty standard-issue for urban fantasy fans, but the main character (and first-person narrator) is a minor figure from one version of the Ancient Greek myth of Persephone and Demeter. In this version, when Persephone was abducted by her uncle Hades, her mother Demeter gave wings to Persephone's three companions so they could fly over the countryside searching for her and then, when they couldn't find her, Demeter took their wings off and put a curse on them for failing to protect her daughter. The three companions are called the Sirens (Seirenes), which may mean "entanglers," and this is the story of one of them, Ligea (aka Ligeia), unchanged into the 21st century and still seeking to lift her curse.
In this story Ligea's powers and her curse are different from Homer's version of the Sirens in the Odyssey. The curse is twofold: (1) because she failed to rescue Persephone she must rescue girls again and again until Demeter decides her penance is complete, and (2) she can have all the sex she wants but no romance or her lover dies (and this has happened to her). Instead of the famous mournful singing that lures men to their death, her power is to enter people's minds and compel them to do things, especially to speak the truth. Now Ligea investigates kidnappings as Special Agent Emma Monroe of the FBI, but if she uses her power on a suspect she has to hope Demeter isn't paying attention or she'll be punished.
So can Ligea aka Emma Monroe have sex with her new werewolf partner Zack Armstrong and avoid the romance that means death for him and grief once again for her? Thankfully, they stay thoroughly professional as they investigate a series of kidnappings that leads them "deep into the realm of the paranormal" as the blurb promises; the solution to the case certainly surprised me, and the cover-up of its paranormal component was an adventure in itself. I thought the authors' handling of both the main plot and the romantic subplot was masterful, but I have a few quibbles.
For one, the scant references to Ligea's life over the millennia since ancient times left me wondering how she fit into the social roles of women before they could be, you know, FBI agents; how about classical antiquity, when a woman was a legal minor all her life--how would she rescue girls to satisfy the curse? For another, Ligea/Emma's best friend Liz needed more development, I thought--both her life as a witch and what her powers were. And
Besides many normal humans, the cast includes vampires, two werewolves, and a witch, all of whom are pretty standard-issue for urban fantasy fans, but the main character (and first-person narrator) is a minor figure from one version of the Ancient Greek myth of Persephone and Demeter. In this version, when Persephone was abducted by her uncle Hades, her mother Demeter gave wings to Persephone's three companions so they could fly over the countryside searching for her and then, when they couldn't find her, Demeter took their wings off and put a curse on them for failing to protect her daughter. The three companions are called the Sirens (Seirenes), which may mean "entanglers," and this is the story of one of them, Ligea (aka Ligeia), unchanged into the 21st century and still seeking to lift her curse.
In this story Ligea's powers and her curse are different from Homer's version of the Sirens in the Odyssey. The curse is twofold: (1) because she failed to rescue Persephone she must rescue girls again and again until Demeter decides her penance is complete, and (2) she can have all the sex she wants but no romance or her lover dies (and this has happened to her). Instead of the famous mournful singing that lures men to their death, her power is to enter people's minds and compel them to do things, especially to speak the truth. Now Ligea investigates kidnappings as Special Agent Emma Monroe of the FBI, but if she uses her power on a suspect she has to hope Demeter isn't paying attention or she'll be punished.
So can Ligea aka Emma Monroe have sex with her new werewolf partner Zack Armstrong and avoid the romance that means death for him and grief once again for her? Thankfully, they stay thoroughly professional as they investigate a series of kidnappings that leads them "deep into the realm of the paranormal" as the blurb promises; the solution to the case certainly surprised me, and the cover-up of its paranormal component was an adventure in itself. I thought the authors' handling of both the main plot and the romantic subplot was masterful, but I have a few quibbles.
For one, the scant references to Ligea's life over the millennia since ancient times left me wondering how she fit into the social roles of women before they could be, you know, FBI agents; how about classical antiquity, when a woman was a legal minor all her life--how would she rescue girls to satisfy the curse? For another, Ligea/Emma's best friend Liz needed more development, I thought--both her life as a witch and what her powers were. And
October 5, 2013
Cursed by S.J. Harper is the first book in their Fallen Siren series. S.J. Harper is the pen name for the writing team of Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein. Cursed is urban fantasy, with a Greek Goddess, a Siren, a Witch, and a Werewolf.
Emma Monroe is our heroine, and she is an FBI agent. But what most people do not know is that Emma is a Fallen Siren, punished by the Greek Goddess, Demeter, for allowing her daughter, Persephone to be kidnapped. Emma has been cursed and banished to live among mortals on earth; she spends these never ending years determined to save those in trouble, mainly other woman, hoping for redemption in the eyes of Demeter. Since thousands of years have passed, will she ever be forgiven?
Emma knows that Demeter watches her every move from afar. She has unique powers, such as reading a person’s mind, but rarely uses them in fear of repercussions from Demeter. Emma is an excellent FBI agent. We meet our hero Zach, who ends up becoming Emma’s new partner, and she is not a happy camper. Her and Zach worked together on a case awhile ago, which ended up with a one night stand. Zach is determined to win over Emma, as he has not forgotten her.
Zach has his own issues, as he is a werewolf, something Emma has known. However, Zach knows something is different about Emma, but he does not know why.
They are assigned a case of some missing women, which involves murder, vampires, and stolen organs. They work very closely together, with Emma determined not to become involved with Zach. She always knows that if she chooses to become romantically involved with any man, Demeter is very vindictive and would think nothing of killing him. Emma and Zach do get off to a bumpy start, but as the case gets more complicated and dangerous, their attraction to one another becomes difficult to ignore.
Cursed is an excellent mystery, and does show vampires in a somewhat different light, as they live normal lives among the mortals. S.J. Harper has created a great couple, and also some good secondary characters, which I am sure we will learn more about in future books. Liz, is Emma’s friend, and a powerful witch. Kallistos is an ancient vampire, who is extremely powerful, and takes an interest in Emma, when he helps them solve the case.
Harper does a great job with this world building; an exciting last half of the book, with many twists and surprises. This was also wonderful romance that is destined to fail. Will Emma and Zach stay together? We have had books on Fallen Angels, but this is my first book on Fallen Sirens. There are two more Sirens that we have not met yet. I really enjoyed the characters and the story, and look forward to the next book in this series.
Barb
The Reading Cafe>
Emma Monroe is our heroine, and she is an FBI agent. But what most people do not know is that Emma is a Fallen Siren, punished by the Greek Goddess, Demeter, for allowing her daughter, Persephone to be kidnapped. Emma has been cursed and banished to live among mortals on earth; she spends these never ending years determined to save those in trouble, mainly other woman, hoping for redemption in the eyes of Demeter. Since thousands of years have passed, will she ever be forgiven?
Emma knows that Demeter watches her every move from afar. She has unique powers, such as reading a person’s mind, but rarely uses them in fear of repercussions from Demeter. Emma is an excellent FBI agent. We meet our hero Zach, who ends up becoming Emma’s new partner, and she is not a happy camper. Her and Zach worked together on a case awhile ago, which ended up with a one night stand. Zach is determined to win over Emma, as he has not forgotten her.
Zach has his own issues, as he is a werewolf, something Emma has known. However, Zach knows something is different about Emma, but he does not know why.
They are assigned a case of some missing women, which involves murder, vampires, and stolen organs. They work very closely together, with Emma determined not to become involved with Zach. She always knows that if she chooses to become romantically involved with any man, Demeter is very vindictive and would think nothing of killing him. Emma and Zach do get off to a bumpy start, but as the case gets more complicated and dangerous, their attraction to one another becomes difficult to ignore.
Cursed is an excellent mystery, and does show vampires in a somewhat different light, as they live normal lives among the mortals. S.J. Harper has created a great couple, and also some good secondary characters, which I am sure we will learn more about in future books. Liz, is Emma’s friend, and a powerful witch. Kallistos is an ancient vampire, who is extremely powerful, and takes an interest in Emma, when he helps them solve the case.
Harper does a great job with this world building; an exciting last half of the book, with many twists and surprises. This was also wonderful romance that is destined to fail. Will Emma and Zach stay together? We have had books on Fallen Angels, but this is my first book on Fallen Sirens. There are two more Sirens that we have not met yet. I really enjoyed the characters and the story, and look forward to the next book in this series.
Barb
The Reading Cafe>
October 21, 2013
I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I have to admit that the first night I started reading Cursed I started it late at night and kept getting thrown out of the story. Why? The speech tags (all those he said, she replied, etc.) that we’re so used to seeing and generally skip over are written in present tense (he says, she replies). In most books I read they’re written in past tense. I wasn’t used to it or maybe I was just sleepy, but it threw me. But by the time I picked it back up on day 2, I had adjusted, became completely engrossed in the story, and went right back to not noticing them anymore.
When I say I became engrossed in the story, I flew through it. The action is well paced, broken up with a bit of smexy fun times, and has a mystery that keeps you circling back on suspects. A plus for me too, is that Emma is a Siren and I’ve not read anything with Sirens so yay! a new paranormal entity. Don’t go thinking that the Sirens in Cursed are the whole mermaid type, nope, Emma is one of three mythological sisters cursed by Demeter. Sure she has certain seductive and suggestive powers that can have a certain , erm, effect on men but she’s not luring them to a watery grave.
Rounding out this UF cast so far, we have werewolves, in the form of hunky Zack Armstrong, witches, and vampires. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters, particularly Emma and Zack as they try to figure each other out. Emma knows Zack’s a werewolf but doesn’t know his past and Zack? He just knows that Emma is….other, and has no idea what.
I wish there was a little more world building and more of Emma and Zack’s histories, but that hopefully that means we’ll be finding out more as the series progresses. That gives us all something to look forward to because Cursed definitely needs to be on your TBR.
I have to admit that the first night I started reading Cursed I started it late at night and kept getting thrown out of the story. Why? The speech tags (all those he said, she replied, etc.) that we’re so used to seeing and generally skip over are written in present tense (he says, she replies). In most books I read they’re written in past tense. I wasn’t used to it or maybe I was just sleepy, but it threw me. But by the time I picked it back up on day 2, I had adjusted, became completely engrossed in the story, and went right back to not noticing them anymore.
When I say I became engrossed in the story, I flew through it. The action is well paced, broken up with a bit of smexy fun times, and has a mystery that keeps you circling back on suspects. A plus for me too, is that Emma is a Siren and I’ve not read anything with Sirens so yay! a new paranormal entity. Don’t go thinking that the Sirens in Cursed are the whole mermaid type, nope, Emma is one of three mythological sisters cursed by Demeter. Sure she has certain seductive and suggestive powers that can have a certain , erm, effect on men but she’s not luring them to a watery grave.
Rounding out this UF cast so far, we have werewolves, in the form of hunky Zack Armstrong, witches, and vampires. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters, particularly Emma and Zack as they try to figure each other out. Emma knows Zack’s a werewolf but doesn’t know his past and Zack? He just knows that Emma is….other, and has no idea what.
I wish there was a little more world building and more of Emma and Zack’s histories, but that hopefully that means we’ll be finding out more as the series progresses. That gives us all something to look forward to because Cursed definitely needs to be on your TBR.
September 30, 2013
Emma is a very very old Siren. She has walked the earth cursed by the Goddess Demeter for failing to her daughter Persephone. She is not allowed to love a man or he will die at the Goddess' hands and she must save woman until Demeter considers her debt paid.
Emma is an agent with the FBI. Being a Siren lets her solve missing person cases faster but of course nobody knows that. She worked with Zack on an out-of-state case in the past. She knew he was a werewolf right away, they got very close and she made it clear that she did not want a relationship with him. She thought about him often but thankfully he was states away. That is until he shows up as her new partner. No matter how much she tries to keep their relationship professional it just is not happening. They have electric chemistry and are drawn to each other. This is strictly because I am a romantic at heart but I was disappointed with the ending events. *sad face* Just not fair. I know the events will be revisited and it's not anywhere near over but Demeter is a uber biatch and I want to punch her. Sorry, books make me violent.
I enjoyed the case they worked on together. The case came together at a nice pace and the paranormal elements of the missing made it even better when all was revealed. Emma's best friend was a great supporting character that I know will continue to be a breath of fresh air in the middle of any disaster that is thrown Emma's way. There is a bit of Greek Mythology going on but not as much as I thought there would be so I am interested in seeing if the authors will dive into that more. I think any Urban Fantasy Fan will enjoy CURSED and I will picking up book 2 when it comes out.
Emma is an agent with the FBI. Being a Siren lets her solve missing person cases faster but of course nobody knows that. She worked with Zack on an out-of-state case in the past. She knew he was a werewolf right away, they got very close and she made it clear that she did not want a relationship with him. She thought about him often but thankfully he was states away. That is until he shows up as her new partner. No matter how much she tries to keep their relationship professional it just is not happening. They have electric chemistry and are drawn to each other. This is strictly because I am a romantic at heart but I was disappointed with the ending events. *sad face* Just not fair. I know the events will be revisited and it's not anywhere near over but Demeter is a uber biatch and I want to punch her. Sorry, books make me violent.
I enjoyed the case they worked on together. The case came together at a nice pace and the paranormal elements of the missing made it even better when all was revealed. Emma's best friend was a great supporting character that I know will continue to be a breath of fresh air in the middle of any disaster that is thrown Emma's way. There is a bit of Greek Mythology going on but not as much as I thought there would be so I am interested in seeing if the authors will dive into that more. I think any Urban Fantasy Fan will enjoy CURSED and I will picking up book 2 when it comes out.
December 16, 2014
meh...
This was quite a disappointment. For one Emma was supposed to be an ancient Siren and yet her mannerisms, her personality didn’t reflect that. I get that she’s meant to blend in but this is written in the first person and in her own inner monologues, if it hadn’t been explicitly stated that she’s ancient, I would not have known. Eternity is a very very very long time and it must weigh heavily on the person who’s been alive for centuries and none of that is apparent. This should have been even more pronounced considering she’s been punished to a life where she’s forbidden from falling in love and the punishment to flouting that is even more painful.
Zack was a nice guy and seemed genuinely sweet but there was nothing very interesting about him. Frankly, I just didn’t care about Emma and whom she got together with. There’s even an hint of a love triangle with a Vampire, I wish I cared...
The world building is also a little remiss; Emma has been around since the age of the Greek gods so what happened to those gods? Where do they live. We know that Demeter hangs around but what about the other gods? There was absolutely no mention of them. There were also other paranormal creatures like the Vampires and the Werewolves (and granted that the series is not about them per se) but they just seemed to pop up (especially the Vampires) and it seemed a little abrupt almost like the authors made that up on the spot.
This was quite a disappointment. For one Emma was supposed to be an ancient Siren and yet her mannerisms, her personality didn’t reflect that. I get that she’s meant to blend in but this is written in the first person and in her own inner monologues, if it hadn’t been explicitly stated that she’s ancient, I would not have known. Eternity is a very very very long time and it must weigh heavily on the person who’s been alive for centuries and none of that is apparent. This should have been even more pronounced considering she’s been punished to a life where she’s forbidden from falling in love and the punishment to flouting that is even more painful.
Zack was a nice guy and seemed genuinely sweet but there was nothing very interesting about him. Frankly, I just didn’t care about Emma and whom she got together with. There’s even an hint of a love triangle with a Vampire, I wish I cared...
The world building is also a little remiss; Emma has been around since the age of the Greek gods so what happened to those gods? Where do they live. We know that Demeter hangs around but what about the other gods? There was absolutely no mention of them. There were also other paranormal creatures like the Vampires and the Werewolves (and granted that the series is not about them per se) but they just seemed to pop up (especially the Vampires) and it seemed a little abrupt almost like the authors made that up on the spot.
August 21, 2015
I read the prequel story and while I liked the idea of it I had a few issues that I hoped might change in a full length novel version. I didn't like the fact that our heroes were a werewolf and a Siren who are afraid to use their powers to solve crimes in case it reveals them to the wrong people. That is STILL the case in this book.
I mean, what is the POINT in having a werewolf with all those abilities that could trace missing women...yet he's too scared to sniff the ground in case he outs himself? What is the point in a Siren being our MC and having all her cool powers discussed...yet she can't use any of them or she might get into trouble? Seriously, you'd be better off just reading about two ordinary FBI agents hunting for a kidnapper the old fashioned way-as that is pretty much what you will read here anyway!
This is just a crime novel, with lots of talk and interviewing people and looking around, with very little in the way of paranormal interest. Crime novels do not excite me as I find we have the same things being asked to countless characters as the police seek to solve a crime-and I got the same feelings reading this one. It was just a lot of talk and angst over why this pair could not sleep together.
It did not keep my interest and I decided not to finish the book or read on with the series.
I mean, what is the POINT in having a werewolf with all those abilities that could trace missing women...yet he's too scared to sniff the ground in case he outs himself? What is the point in a Siren being our MC and having all her cool powers discussed...yet she can't use any of them or she might get into trouble? Seriously, you'd be better off just reading about two ordinary FBI agents hunting for a kidnapper the old fashioned way-as that is pretty much what you will read here anyway!
This is just a crime novel, with lots of talk and interviewing people and looking around, with very little in the way of paranormal interest. Crime novels do not excite me as I find we have the same things being asked to countless characters as the police seek to solve a crime-and I got the same feelings reading this one. It was just a lot of talk and angst over why this pair could not sleep together.
It did not keep my interest and I decided not to finish the book or read on with the series.
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