As America tries to forget the horrors of the Great War by embracing jazz, flappers, and the speakeasy, the Watchers remain vigilant by protecting the innocent and maintaining order among the Immortals—including a powerful line of Seers who are all but extinct. But the real horror is just beginning.
When George Yates is ordered to escort the beautiful Rosemond Le Clair to safety, he finds himself in the middle of an ancient feud that demands her blood. Without the Watchers’ help, he must struggle to protect the last remaining daughter of the Le Clair family from these dark powers, even as he defies fate itself.
Robin Woods is a former high school and university instructor with two and a half decades of experience teaching English, literature, and writing. She earned a BA in English and an MA in Education.
In addition to teaching, Robin Woods has published six highly-rated novels, eight creative writing workbooks, and has multiple projects in the works.
When Ms. Woods isn’t teaching or writing, she is chasing her two kids around and spending time with her ever-patient husband.
Set in the late 1920's young Rosemond's sheltered life shatters in a single night. She must flee her childhood home as her mother faces grave danger and trust a reserved and somewhat stiff George. Through George, Rosemond learns of her superordinary lineage and understands why her life will never, ever, be normal.
Rosemond and George must turn to George's best friend Ethan for help. His humor and charm ease the tension of the duo's desperate flight to safety. Between their own wits, Ethan, the slayers,and other watchers George and Rosemond confound their preternatural pursuers in an effort to escape to sanctuary.
Within the adventure, Rosemond, George and Ethan must each face their personal demons to learn that life is messy and that love has many beautiful faces.
A great read for a quiet weekend - you won't be able to set it down!
The Watcher Series's prequel, Allure, makes an excellent addition to the saga. The novel itself provides great insight into some characters in the other books, as well as a fun, romance-filled atmosphere. The three leads' personalities just play so well with each other throughout, it's hard not to love them. Behind it all though, readers will find a true grit and reality to the story. The bitter-sweetness of the novel feels like the nostalgia of falling in love for the first time. Overall, Allure is a book that truly encompasses what authors should strive for in a prequel: insightful and something that really adds to the rest of the series. I hope for more side stories to the Watcher Series in the future and can't wait to see what Ms. Woods brings us next.
CAN NOT express how much I loved it!! I thought Aleria was an amazing protagonist, and she clearly got it from her Grandmother! Rosemond is equally amazing!! You'll love this book whether of not you have read the Watcher Series (and will have you desperate to read it if you haven't!!)
You don't need to be a fan of vampire literature (I'm not!) to fall under the spell of "Allure." Chapters 1 and 2 set the scene (1920s, which adds to the dark mystery of the story) and characters of Slayers and Watchers... and these are the "good guys." The vampires are sly, powerful, and suitably sexy in their Jazz Age disguises. The chapters are short and punchy, and by the start of Chapter 3 I was hooked. A fast read, this page turner will keep you up too late, and keep you guessing until The Epilogue. Now I'm looking forward to reading "The Unintended: The End is the New Beginning."
LOVE this book! It's such a great prequel to the series. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and could not put it down.
Allure is set in the 1920's, which is always a fun time period for literature. The characters and depictions are true to that time in American history. Ms. Woods has done a fabulous job in researching the decade and it shines through her work.
Allure follows the great grandmother of Aleria, from The Unintended, The Nexus, and The Sacrifice. The story explains many things that unfold in the modern day series, but holds its own gusto as a novel. The characters Rosemond, George, and Ethan are so diverse, likeable, and...well, REAL. I felt like I was right there with them, experiencing all the joys, dangers, and heartbreak.
Woods's prose is often poetic and it's easy to fall in love with Allure. Be on the lookout for its official release date in September 2013. This is a read you don't want to miss!
When I entered to win, I knew it was a prequel, which is good - I never read any novels in the Watcher series and it sounded quite interesting with paranormal beings in the past.
There are Seers, who are also Sirens (Rosemond) Watchers (George) who help protect Vampires who really don't have much pull in the story even though they ARE the antagonists Slayers who are like angels but not really
Because Rosemond is a Siren, George and his human friend Ethan both fall in love with her. So does a major vampire Cadeyn. It happened quickly, though there was some passing of time.
I felt confused with the story, even though it wasn't unclear. When there was action it was portrayed well, but the "love" didn't feel terribly real through words.
It's a nice premise of a story but I felt like "Allure" was lacking a lot of depth. And I wouldn't consider it a YA story. It's just a story that can appeal to all.
Allure is such a fun read. Taking place in the magical time that was the Roaring 20's, Allure is a nice change of pace from the modern day tale of the Watcher Series. This stand-alone period piece really has some beautiful visuals and moments in it. Being a prequel, you can read Allure in whatever order in the Watcher Series that you like, and it will add to the story over-all. It’s not quite as heavy as the Watcher series ends up, but still has the great story telling you've come to expect from Robin Woods. It’s not the epic conclusion to a trilogy like The Sacrifice, but I liked it just as much, in a different way. It holds its own and brings new depth and flavor to the Watchers’ world. Definitely pick it up!
Allure, a prequel of the Watcher Series by Robin Woods, is a amazing book that perfectly explains the origins of Aleria Hayes. Rosemond Le Clair, a Seer and the Great-Grandmother of Aleria, and George Yates are two characters that are very easy to fall in love with. In summary, George is ordered by his father to protect Rosemond. After a rocky start, they seek the help of Ethan Kendrick, George's friend from school. They stick together through temptations, vampire attacks, and utter chaos. The book is ended in a shocking way that leaves you asking, "How did this happen?" I hope that this review has helped you make up your mind to read this excellent book.
My friend was trying to text me about this book after I finished reading it. I told her that I needed a few minutes to collect my shattered emotions, and it was not a lie! This is probably my favorite book of this series--although I think that I just have a thing for prequels. I love the time period, characters, and twists throughout the story. Sometimes prequels can end up being disappointing because the author ran out of ideas or didn't make characters original enough, but that is not the case here! While some of the characters from the Watchers series make appearances (which is actually pretty great!) the story is completely different.
A thrilling taste of the 1920's, Allure offers a little bit for everyone--romance, vampires, speakeasies, charm, laughter, tears. The two perspectives add a depth to both main characters that endears them to the readers, and it does not take long before you care deeply about both (and the third character, of course!).I cannot imagine anyone disliking this beautiful story; it is my favorite of the Watcher Series.
This book was easily one of the best books I have ever read. This author continues to write amazing stories that can make you both laugh and cry. Never have I been more interested in reading about vampires. This book is thrilling, daring, and has some twists you will never see coming. If you haven't read it yet, you really need to. Her other books are just as amazing as this one. You will immediately fall in love with her books and will just be begging for her to write more. Love them!
This series just gets better and better. I started with The Unintended, not realizing there was a prequel. It didn't matter - this book can stand alone. At first I wasn't sure about the character point of view switching, but I quickly changed my mind. The author developed the characters well, and the action had me at the edge of my seat. I was sad at the end! I'm starting The Nexus which will surely keep me hooked! Thank you, Mrs, Woods
I read this over the span of one weekend because I could not put it down. I fell in love with the characters and became immersed in the unfolding love story. The story is wonderfully descriptive and the characters developed in a very real way. Fantastic plot with an ending that left me wondering when she would be publishing her next book.
Other reviewers rave about the Watcher series which I've never read. This is a prequel and perhaps if I'd read others I would have liked more. It was an interesting story with fun characters and if you like YA with a light dose of vampires, this would be good for you. It left me wanting a good book.
It's a great prequel to first three books and is set in the 1920s. It's a real page turner just like the other books in the series. Once you start reading it's very hard to put down. I don't have a favorite character as there is something special in each one.
Allure was everything I hoped it would be and more! It was a beautiful story about love and loss. I laughed, I cried, and sat on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book! Thank you, Robin Woods, for taking us further into your world!