Unchained

Men in Chains #3

by Caris Roane

ABDUCTED

Stalked by a vampire. Stolen in the night. Seduced by a lover. Anthropology student Shayna Prentiss wakes up to find herself trapped in a world she never knew existed—with a man she cannot escape…nor resist.

ENSLAVED

Drawn to her beauty. Driven by lust. Doomed by his destiny. The vampire Marius knows he must bond with this captivating mortal with hidden powers…or both their races will be destroyed forever.

UNCHAINED

Bound by a blood chain that seals their fates together, Marius and Shayna must stand and fight the ultimate enemy—a madman hell-bent on destruction who will test every ounce of their strength, their power, and their passion. When the final weapon is unleashed, will their love remain unbroken? Or will darkness shatter their chains…for eternity?

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Paranormal, Erotica, Romance, Urban Fantasy

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 25, 2014

About the author

I confess I've had a love affaire with vampires for several years now, especially warrior vampires, the kind found in the books of Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lara Adrian and JR Ward. Though I've been published in Regency Romance under the pseudonym Valerie King--and yes one of my Regency Novellas features a vampire--one day I woke up knowing I had to create my own contemporary world of the warrior vampire.

For some mystical, magical reason, early in the process, my vampires appeared with enormous beautiful wings and it has been the most amazing experience to include flight in my novels, in both battle scenes and scenes involving spectacle. My special vampire world, published by St. Martin's Press, is introduced in the first book called, ASCENSION (12-28-2010). The second book, BURNING SKIES (May of 2011), opens up the world a little bit more. And even as I write this, I'm on the final draft of my third novel, WINGS OF FIRE (September of 2011). What a thrill it has been to live with my ascended vampires through the creation of this extraordinary, multi-dimensional world!

For more information about my unique take on the vampire mythos, check out my website at carisroane.com and my book release video on YouTube by putting in the search phrase, Caris Roane Ascension.

With every hope you'll enjoy reading my books set in the World of Ascension, All my best, Caris Roane

Reviews

[♡ Sassy ~ Amy ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This bound thing went way too quick. Like they looked at each other & had to have one another... the constant draw. Then there was that typical push & pull of yes, I want him, no I have to go home.

Marius finds Shayna & drags her with him in this alternate universe/plain and gives her a tour of his fathers constant torture of human women caverns in his cave... Yes, the rape & torture of women is dark, but the description of what was really going on besides passing through & seeing what was happening seemed very light, so it was not a hard to read section. In fact, I found that too light. It didn't seem as bad as what she wanted us to believe...


This book was pretty good, but it seemed to be lacking some depth. The above description is only one that I am specifically siting. There were a few more areas that seemed shallow, but over all it was ok.

This book only... not her others I read, really reminded me of Christine Feehan, so if you like Caris Roane, you may want to check out Christine Feehan or vice versa....

I will read a few more of these, but it really isn't one of my autobuy series.

[Shauni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally Reviewed for Tea and Book

I fell in love with author Caris Roane the first time I picked up one of her Guardian of Ascension books. She has a gifted way of world building that takes the unbelievable and makes it believable. Her characters are usually multifaceted, strong and interesting. Either good or evil it doesn't matter there is just something special about them. Sadly, for whatever reason, I have missed her last few books and finally am playing catch up. With UnChained I am of course starting at the end..

UnChained is book three in her Men in Chains Series where she tells the story of Vampires that live on an alternate earth. Similar to her Ascension Series and yet totally different.

Shayna Prentiss was pretty much your average grad student, immersed in her plans for the future, getting ready to go for a year long on site anthropology dig in Malaysia and then finishing her doctorate. A bit geeky, a bit socially awkward and all the way brilliant. What she wasn't was one of the girls who fell for just about any line. So when this blurry vision of a man (no she hadn't drunk that much) starts telling her that he needs her to help save his world, let's just say she scoffed a bit. All the while sure he was just a hallucination. What she didn't expect was for a small team of flying men to try and attack her and to be carried off by said hallucination.

Marius is youngest of five. Each brother has chosen sides in the war. Either with their father (who just happens to be powerful, evil and just a tad insane) who is attempting a coup that will leave him as supreme ruler of both the Vampire Earth and the Human one. Marius and two of his other brothers have chosen the side of good. To destroy their father at all cost. And in order to do that he needs a certain type of woman who can help him track and destroy a weapon of Vampire destruction. Shayna Prentiss fits the bill. What Marius hadn't expected was to fall so hard for her, so very fast.

Shayna having an anthropological mind was pretty accepting of the entire Vampire Species. In fact after their initial meeting she pretty much accepted it as fact. Accepting her part in it took a little bit longer. Realizing that she could belong in this world.. now that took a long time.

Marius might be the youngest, might be riddled with guilt about choices he made as a very young man, barely on the brink of adulthood, but he is also the most powerful in his family. Only he needs to realize his powers and accept them. For reasons unknown his connection with Shayna brings out those powers.

See wonderful world building and unique characters. BUT this time Ms. Roane has missed something. Her premise is fantastic, her characters have what it takes and yet the dialogue is two dimensional and missing something. At times I felt I was reading a much better written version of a Twilight genre type book. I expect more from Caris, I expect fire and sizzle. This time I got fizzle... Yes this was the third book in the series and maybe had I started at the beginning.. but I don't think so. Even if the other books are spectacular, this one, this time was just out of sync.

I know this review was harsh. I feel bad writing it but Caris has such a spectacular talent, I honestly feel she just missed the mark with this one. Of course it's just my opinion.

Shauni

This review is based on the ARC of UnChained, provided by netgalley schedule to be released on November 25, 2014

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This the latest instalment of the Men in Chains series features Marius a vampire who has recently escaped from his evil father Daniels clutches. Daniel wants nothing more than to rule the world both human and vampire and cruelly tortures even his own children in an effort to gain their cooperation. Marius is set on preventing his father from gaining even more power and the only way seems to be to prevent Daniel finding and using a devise that has the power to destroy vampires. Marius will need help in locating the weapon and to that end seeks out a human with the latent power to pair up with him and share visions. The race is on but how will Marius convince a simple minded human to help him?
Shayna is an anthropologist with an insane curiosity to discover secrets of lost civilisations . What she hadn't expected was to start seeing hallucinations that fly and talk to her! When the all too real illusion reveals himself to be a vampire what on earth is Shayna supposed to think? No time for introspection though as Marius is not the only apparition on the street and when they are attacked Marius does the only thing he can, he takes Shayna away to his secret lair . Slowly but surely Shayna starts to come round to the idea that vampires are very much real and the more time she spends with Marius the more she learns about their fascinating culture but there's a bond forming between them and if they are to stop Daniel they need to act quickly. Marius has never wanted to use all his vampiric powers but there's no doubt his power level is escalating and what he does not want is to become a monster like his father. Shayna wants nothing more than to explore what's between them but even if they survive Marius knows Shaynas place is amongst her fellow humans . Can they stop Daniels attempt at world domination and even if they can win this battle what does the future hold?
I have really enjoyed this series with it's strong world building and fast paced plots. These books are not for those easily offended though as they are quite raunchy with lots and lots of steamy moments. Marius has truly had an awful life but he stands firm and I admired his steadfast belief that cruelty should not be tolerated. Yes he is in many ways a tortured hero but he definitely has a very sensitive side that Shayna brings out. As for Shayna well she's not one to let the grass grow under her feet and that's for sure. More than happy to jump Marius almost from the moment they are alone together although to be fair on her his vampire blood and the magical chains they share are partially responsible for the rapid coupling . I think this is where I felt a little let down by this book. In previous story's the brothers have been uber alpha and experienced and yet here I had trouble believing that Shayna would physically want Marius as quickly as she does. He to this reader felt quite "young" in many ways and I was unconvinced that their romance would start at such a rapid pace . I do love this authors work but I didn't fall for the hero Marius which was a shame really. Will I read the next book? Oh most definitely yes as this author has a wonderful imagination and the skill to bring her stories to life and Im always keen to see what Ms Roane will dream up next.

[Crystal Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book 3 stars because it seemed free of mistakes. That’s basically all the good I can say about it. I found Unchained boring, her vampires annoying, and that the human wins all trite and kind of unforgiveable.
Anyone who writes a paranormal book knows they need to create their paranormal entities to be true to the universe they are creating. Instead, I found Caris Roane’s vampires to be too magical to be vampires. If she wanted a magical creature, she should have chosen another being besides a vamp. Seriously – these vamps levitate, fly (no, they aren’t bats), and travel long distances in short amounts of time. As if that wasn’t bad enough? A the end of the book, the two protagonists have sex – boring sex – and he splits himself into two people and they have a ménage with her in the middle. Did I mention it was a very boring ménage? It almost felt like if a circumstance came up that needed to be navigated, the author decided to create a new thing the vamp could do.
Now, if the vamp-weirdness wasn‘t enough to turn me off, and the book itself ultra-boring, the heroine irritated me. Okay, so she’s an anthropologist. So that suddenly makes her okay with the whole vamp thing, and makes her question everything with interest which is annoying. Can I say annoying some more? Because this book was really annoying. But at the end, who kills the bad guy? She does. Yep, that’s right. I don’t care that Marius shared his power with her (I’m not going into that piece of magic), there was no way a human should have been able to win. None. It was trite. Why can’t the bad vamps win from time to time? Especially against puny humans? It only makes sense.
And the worst part? When Marius asks her to stay in his world, she says no. And, that alone isn’t bad – hey, she should have some time to think about it after having been kidnapped, etc. But her reasoning made me gag. Basically? It went to the tune of, “I’m an anthropologist and it’s a calling. I can’t leave it.” Say what?
This was a part of a series and this book can be read as a standalone, but for me, after reading this, I won’t be reading any of the others.

Reviewed by a-nony-mouse for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*

[Eva Millien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marius Briggs has one chance to stop his father from gaining control of an extinction level weapon but that means he has to bring Shayna Prentiss from the human world into the vampire world in this spectacular paranormal romance.

This exciting and fascinating world just gets better and better with lots of suspense, excitement, passion and a fast paced and smooth flowing plot full of captivating characters that I just can't get enough of. Marius' emotional issues hold him back but that doesn't stop him from being a sexy, strong and determined warrior and with Shayna by his side - this couple takes the world by storm and their attraction is out of this world hot which of course leads to some hot and steamy sex scenes including some very inventive ones.

Lots of action and excitement builds spine tingling tension throughout the story keeping the reader on pins and needles waiting for what will happen next while unexpected twists courtesy of the author and the maniacal evil mastermind ensures that readers are surprised throughout the story. Additionally, the learning curve for Shayna's hidden powers adds some spice while the time crunch that the couple is under send the tension level skyrocketing and ensures that there is never a dull moment. The well written scenes and details paint vivid images that bring the story to life while the well planned events ensure that the reader can't put the story down.

Once again, Caris Roane spins a spell binding web of entertainment with a complex and sexy world full of unique and delightful elements and sexy vampire warriors that just want to steal my heart and I can not wait to find out what happens next.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shayna does not want anyone else touching her man, "the hell with anyone else is feeding you. I'll do it. You saved my life. My blood is yours." Marius he's a demanding lover, "look at me." His voice was barely more than a hoarse whisper. "And keep looking. I want to watch you come, then I'm going to fill you with all I have to give." When the boy devotes his love it's in a very manly nature, "in a goddamn, righteous, effing heartbeat. I'm in love with you, Shayna, all that you are, not just how you might fight into my life. I know how important getting your doctorate is to you, your education, and your hope one day to teach." I enjoyed this book, I loved Marius.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marius is a hot alpha male with an attitude, the match between him and Shayna was a bit of a stretch at the beginning and I wasnt feeling it much. But after reading more into the book I started to love the story line and the characters. This is a perfect book three to the series and well worth the read.

[Hbeebti · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good but I didnt njoy it as much as the previous two books.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unchanined is the final installment in the series and we have the third brother Marius. Daniel is closer and closer to finding the extinction weapon and he needs Shayna to help locate it.

Meeting her will change his life. She may be human but her latent powers are off the charts. Together on their journey new powers come to light. Old enemies are back stronger than ever and their plans are worse than anyone could imagine. Add in mysteries the brothers never knew and you have one exciting book.

[Liz F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review copy courtesy of the publisher.

I'm on a roll with this Men in Chains series by Caris Roane so I figured I continue on when I received this book which is Book 3 in the series. I did not finish Book 2 (Chains of Darkness) but it didn't really seem to matter too much.

Shayna was an okay heroine. She's a graduate student in Seattle, going about her daily life when a stranger stops her outside her apartment building and changes her worldview. I think she was supposed to be likable because she was a fish out of water in this vampire world and I think we were supposed to feel like she did. But I didn't like her for probably at least half of the book, though because I thought she seemed very selfish. The vampires need her help because she has some kind of latent abilities and they think she can help locate a device that could destroy the vampire world and then eventually the human world. The man who wants to do the destroying is a major player in the human trafficking and sex slave business. When Marius, a vampire, shows her the HUMAN women who are abducted and then tortured and forced into sex slavery, she was still mostly concerned with getting back to Seattle...to continue on with her education. I mean, I can see how maybe taking care of a sick parent or being the guardian to a young sibling would make a person hesitate if someone were to ask for help in saving lives... saving worlds. But a degree? And of all things, a degree in cultural anthropology?! I mean, it's not like she was going to cure cancer! In addition to her hesitation, she was also REALLY hung up on a relationship that ended over a year ago and that only lasted six months! I understand that she was traumatized by something he did in the bedroom, I totally get it. But why then was she not more moved by the plight of the women that she saw who were bound, tortured and/or raped right in front of her?!? Obviously, she eventually agrees to help but after all that, I just didn't care and I definitely didn't like her.

Marius was a little better than Shayna. At least he seemed to have his priorities a little more straight. He was strong and handsome and everything great. He cared for Shayna and regretted that he had to take her away from Seattle before she could actually think it over or agree. He felt like he had taken away her right to choose for herself and he hated that. I really liked that he felt so adamant about it. But then, he never really let it go. Sure, Shayna never made it easy for him to let it go but his guilt was so oppressive that it was just really depressing. In fact, I'm trying to think of some other aspects to his character that I really liked and I can't pluck anything out of my brain that isn't a spoiler or something about him feeling so damned guilty. Guilt for what happened before he was imprisoned by his father, guilt for taking Shayna, guilt, guilt, guilt. It was a little too much for me.

Eventually, Shayna and Marius were a pretty decent couple. They were definitely very hot in the Sexy Time area, for sure. One thing that I saw that I thought was pretty cool, if sad, was that they had this one significant thing in common: They both have extremely negative self images/self esteem. Shayna's problem is due to that six month relationship, where the guy belittled her and criticized her. He did it often enough that she started believing some of what he said, without realizing that she was believing it. Does that make sense? Because I thought it was brilliant. And Marius's issue is because of his past deeds, which I don't really want to say anything about in case its a spoiler...sorry! But both Shayna and Marius manifest that negativity by subconsciously blocking their inherent powers, or their specialness (in Shayna's case). Which is sort of doubly weird because they each ARE special and have unique powers but those powers never emerged clearly because of the self doubt!! I mean, talk about a vicious circle!

This wasn't a bad book but I'm on the fence about whether or not I'd recommend it. I didn't really have issues with the story but I just couldn't get over my problems with Shayna. No matter what good deeds she did later in the book, nothing ever made up for her selfish behavior at the start. And I think it pretty much ruined the book for me. Also, I feel like the writing style is a little strange. I haven't been able to put my finger on it and really, I still can't quite pinpoint what I mean. The best way I can describe it is that the characters maybe say some things that people just wouldn't normally say. And they say them in a way that people wouldn't normally say them. Maybe like they were overly poetic? Like, there were A LOT of times that it felt like they were making these grand declarations - super dramatic - and it just sounded/read very strange. And they said things that didn't need to be said. Re-stating things over and over again. Like I said, I can't put my finger on it and I had felt this a little in the previous books but it was much more noticeable here. It's entirely possible that my dislike of the heroine had a part in noticing it but I'm not sure. I guess if you've enjoyed this series up to this point, you'll like this book just as much. But I would not recommend starting this series here.

[TBA66 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my least favorite of the series. I didn't connect with Shayna. She annoyed me. While I liked Marius, the "I can't embrace my power because I'm afraid I'll become like Daniel" shtick was really getting old. Gabriel was an extremely powerful ancestral, proof that vampires could be both powerful and good. Why did none of the brothers think about that?

Still, it had plenty of steamy moments, quite a bit of action, and an HEA ending. Just felt a little repetitive at times.

[Kea · Rating 5 out of 5]

UNCHANINED, final book of Men in Chains Series by Caris Roane, is her enthralling, sexy, and dangerous thriller filled with sexy vampire warriors and courageous women caught in a web of dangerous intrigue that brings to an epic conclusion of the series. UNCHANINED is a complex world standing on the edge of disaster where formidable vampires battle for survival.

[felessia golatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why was this ebook so expensive?

Funny story, I love paranormal romance and I actually downloaded books one and two when they where released but I had so much content they were lost but I found them, and I have to say I wish I hadn't . BDSM play isn't my thing and I felt it was longer than it needed to be it was just not well built to me.

[Charice Lind mehring · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional ending to a great paranormal romance series. The twists and turns throughout the story make it a great read. The author creates a unique setting that brings two worlds together with a common goal. Well worth reading.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marius Briggs was the last of Daniel's three imprisoned sons to escape he still isn't free from the feeling of guilt and sense of responsibility that he's carried with him far longer than the year he spent in the hellhole where he and his brothers were tortured incessantly. Now, he's trying to focus his energy on putting an end to his father and everything that he stands for plus finding yet another extinction weapon that Daniel is after. The thing is, in order to track the extinction weapon, he's going to need the help of a human.

Shayna Prentiss is getting read to head over to Malaysia as part of her anthropological studies, but when a vampire abducts her and takes her back to his world to help him on his mission that will save not just vampires but humans as well, Shayna's plans change. Her curious nature sees how fascinating the world of vampires is but her curiosity appears to be most piqued by the one she's now bound to with blood chains. The anthropologist in her can't fully comprehend what it is that's going on between the two of them.

Like his brothers Adrien and Lucian and their tracking, and now lifetime, partners, Lily and Claire, Marius and Shayna experience the bond between them because of the blood chains, except that theirs appears to be on a higher and more powerful plane. With their powers and feelings even more magnified, Marius and Shayna need to work together to figure out what Daniel's endgame really is and if they're prepared to risk everything to finally put a stop to the greatest threat that both their worlds will ever have to face.

Unchained is the third novel in the Men in Chains series by bestselling author Caris Roane. I'm not sure if this is the final book in the series since all three Briggs brothers now have their stories told. I would be interested to read stories on the supporting characters that were featured in all three main novels, but am still satisfied if this is truly the end for the series. I enjoyed reading about Marius and Shayna, especially since it appears that their particular combination was much more potent compared to the first two.

I'm going to honest and say that Shayna was not my favorite heroine and that I found her chemistry with Marius a bit lacking at times. Of course, Lily and Claire (and even Angelica from the novella compilation) set the bar high, and while Shayna did shine a great deal, it still took me awhile to warm up to her. Marius, on the other hand, was a strong but sensitive hero, someone who loved his brothers unconditionally and had unbelievable potential to be greater than he thought possible if he would only see himself as worthy.

I truly did enjoy reading the four books in the Men in Chains series and devoured them in less than two days. The books were highly addictive and now I feel myself going through yet another series hangover, something that only happens when I've fallen in love with an entire series instead of just one particular book. If you're looking for paranormal romance books that take the stories and characters up a few notches, I recommend you check out this series. Four stars for Unchained and 4.5 stars for the series! ♥

[Book Review Diva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review Of “Unchained” by Caris Roane

Shayna Prentiss has dreams of becoming a Anthropologist and touring the World to study Anthropology. While on her way home one evening, Shayna feels something strange. It’s like something or someone is following her but she can’t seem to put her finger on it. Out of nowhere a beautiful man all dressed in black appears and tells her she is in trouble and she must go with him. Shayna’s first thought is that this must be a really lame pickup line. Secondly, she just broke up with some jerk who ruined my life, and doesn’t need to deal with another man right now. Before Shayna can argue, she is whisked up into the air and passes out from the shock of what just happened. When she awakens, she’s in a strange guys bed, the guy who kidnapped her.

Shayna has no idea the world she has just entered. She will discover Anthropology on a whole new level when she discovers vampire history. Shayna also is going to asked to give up her life (as she has known it) to help the vampire race from becoming controlled and possibly killed by the man who kidnapped her evil father. Will Shayna want this life? Will she trust this man she hardly knows? Will she help a vampire out and give her dream up of being a Anthropologist?

Marius has lived a life of hell. He has now escaped years of torture by his sadistic father who is determined to rule. Who plans to kill off the human and vampire races. Marius has been told that there is a women named Shayna who he must convince to help him track down the extension weapon that his father has, and stop his father from using it at all costs. First though, he must find Shayna before his father does. Will Marius find Shayna in time, and if he does, will she agree to help find the extension weapon and give up her Anthropology dream? Find out what happens in this exciting twists and turn novel “Unchained” by Caris Roane.

If you love a novel that keeps you on edge right from page one all the way to the end with added fireworks of passion, then this is the novel for you. I loved the excitement and the chase that was written into the this novel of trying to catch Daniel and stop him from using the extension weapon. I also loved how Marius was fighting his own problems and never opened up to anyone but let Shayna help him beat his inner demons, and likewise for Shayna. Marius helped Shayna find her confidence again. Both Shayna and Marius have endured mental and physical torture by people they trusted and loved, and now they will learn to love and trust one another. Wonderfully written novel and I cannot wait to read another novel by Caris Roane in this wonderful exciting series.

[Angela Goodrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read the Savage Chains serial novel, I was really excited about reading this book. While I liked Unchained, I did not enjoy it as much as I did Savage Chains. Despite liking the characters, I failed to connect with Shayna and Marius and I think this more than anything is what relegated Unchained to be a good read instead of a great read.

I both enjoyed and detested Shayna’s scientific mind. The upside was that it enabled her to accept Marius’s presence and several events throughout the book logically rather than freaking out over the seriously scary stuff she was confronted with. The downside was that her ability to approach a situation scientifically made her hesitate in certain situations that I felt she should have agreed to assist with immediately. While I liked Marius a great deal, I found his overriding guilt to be a tad too much of a martyr complex for me, especially as it had gone on for 400 years. I appreciate that it spurred him on in the battle against their father, but for an individual as emotional as Marius seemed to be I didn’t find his allowing 400 years to pass without bringing the incidents up to be believable. Thank goodness for nosey women! Even though I may have not fully connected with Marius and Shayna, that doesn’t mean they didn’t connect with one another – which resulted in some pretty steamy sex scenes.

Although I have not read Born in Chains or Chains of Darkness, I was able to read this book as a standalone. There may have been some overlap as conversations in Unchained indicate that Marius’s brothers Adrien and Lucian each battled their father Daniel much as Marius did, but there were no statements that left me confused as if I had missed a crucial detail for the storyline. Unchained was an action-packed book and while I did find it to be lagging in places – again, likely due to my inability to connect to Shayna and Marius – it was an enjoyable read and I do intend to go back and read the other two books in Ms. Roane’s Men in Chains series.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

[Book Reading Gals · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts: I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. This was my first book by the author, but I enjoyed her take on vampires and her creation of this ‘world’, as well as the development of the characters. I liked the new twists she put on things, although the book won’t be for everyone. There are some things that aren’t explained fully, some things about the characters that have you just questioning their actions, and then some things that are just so far-fetched that even I had a hard time overlooking it. While I usually don’t like to spoil things for anyone, I felt it pertinent to at least share this detail: Marius at one point uses one of his vamp skills to separate his self into two ‘selves’ (usually a skill reserved for battle, enabling him to fight and be in two places as once) – but in this instance he separates and engages in a ménage with Shayna. While on one hand, I found it kindof weird, on the other I also had to admire the author’s creativity….so, I was a little on the fence about it. Far-fetched, and definitely not for all readers….but definitely a sign of a creative writer.
Is it perfect? No. But overlooking the imperfections, I still immensely enjoyed this title. Something about it was just so compelling – so much so that I was willing to overlook the imperfections and just enjoy the story. The characters, the creativity, and the story are well worth the read. I am curious to read more from this series, and more from this author.
Rate: A-/B+
Reviewed by: Sarah
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com

[Tamra LeValley · Rating 2 out of 5]

NetGalley Free Book

Shayna, an anthropology student, is kidnapped by a Vampire that just cannot seem to resist. Marius is that vampire that needs Shanya's help to save the human race as well as all the vampires. His evil father wants to rule them all and will kill any and everyone who tries to stop him. When Shayna and Marius team up they get more they bargained for but neither one is compaining.

The plot was fantastic but the writing left alot to be desired. There seemed to be no natural flow between chapters. The characters were written in such a way that it was hard to visualize them or get attached to them.

The love scenes just turned me off. The way the author had Marius constantly asking Shayna if he could do certain acts on her became a redundant. Just when I thought I could really enjoy a scene, Marius would speak up and spoil it. It was quite confusing once you realize that Shayna wanted some BDSM in her life and she was a bottom and then Marius never took lead.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unchained is the third book in the Men In Chains paranormal/romance series. It is decently written and well edited.

Shayna is just a normal anthropology graduate student recovering from a failed romance with one of her professors. Or so she thinks until a handsome vampire warrior appears and kidnaps her. It seems she possesses special abilities that, linked with his, will allow them to overthrow a sadistic vampire ruler intent on conquering two civilizations, vampire and human.

The world building and character development in Unchained is extremely well done. The plot is fast paced and original.
So, why only a three star rating? Because the dialogue, both between characters and internal, is stilted and unbelievable. At times, it was even laughable (during the sex scenes).

Unchained read well as a standalone, even though it is part of a series. It ends with a HFN.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

[Firstpella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sigh. I adore Roane but each time I read a Roane-Not-Guardian story I have to question: Do I love Roane or do I just love the Guardians.
Because while I really liked the 1st book in this Chained Series, I didn't much like the 2nd...and with the 3rd...just a general sense of "it's ok".
I think the issue with these brothers is the aren't alpha-enough for me...and the h's are not interesting enough for me...maybe because they are young women vs the women in the Guardian Series who are often more mature (or for some, immortal already).
I found myself skimming the story here of the H/h because they simply didn't hold my interest enough...and even the bad guy was one dimensional.
Without "The Little Peach" and of course the Great Endell, while nicely written and generally enjoyable, this Series all in all didn't hold up.

[norcalgal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can a novel move any slower? [Feel free to inject your own Chandler accent here] By the time I reached the quarter point of this novel, very little forward momentum had been made. OK, so the heroine is kidnapped by the hero and they fly around to the main male character's homes (caves, actually). Then, they finally give in to their sexual tension and have sex. Then, just more rambling.

I finally had to give up. The synopsis of this novel made it seem the story would be better than it actually was. The characters were boring, the story telling mundane (and boring for an urban paranormal romance) and the pace glacial. You'd think at least the sex scene would be rocking but even that was fairly muted imho. So, thanks but no thanks. With more books waiting for me in my "to be read" pile, I just had to pull the plug on "Unchained".

[Debbie Chittenden · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sweet sassy molassy!" Caris Roane knows how to write them. Being the final book in this series, Marius might as well be a God instead of a vampire who was chained and blood starved for the last year. Let's just say that Shayna is his Goddess. She is powerful in her own right. There is no mistake that these two belong together; and what they can accomplish is nothing short of a miracle. Their love and passion for each other, as well as their sacrifices, make them a very formidable team. I too, am very pleased to see that Lucian and Adrien make an appearance to help Marius & Shayna. Of course where would they be without Gabriel and the notorious Rumy? Hot and steamy finale!!!!! I loved it!!!!

[Shanna Hurd · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the final book in this vampire romance series. Featuring the final brother, vampire Marius and his human lover Shayna. This was my least favorite book of the three. Not only was it fairly repetitive after the other two, but Shayna, a young anthropology student, was annoying to me. And Marius' magical powers seemed a bit too convenient and extreme, along with his refusal to acknowledge his own strength. Like the other two books in the series it features action, paranormal adventure, romance, and a large number of sex scenes, including some involving bondage.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the quickest way to purify gold is to just throw it straight in a fire. It is that way with the book. Because of the abrupt start of the book, I was confused for atleast two chapters. But once I found my footing, I enjoyed every bit of the ride. #wildride

[Frances Dunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond EXCELLENT

I can't believe this was the last book. These three books were unbelievable. I love the story the characters and would love to read more. Caris did an unbelievable job of capturing you in book one

[Jamie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh, good lord. It was just so bad. The writing was hoaky to the extreme, the plot terrible, the character development non-existent. I enjoyed her Ascension series. This ... Was more joke than actual book. Probably turned me off the author for good.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the first part I got tired of hearing constant whining but then she finally help out. I'm sorry to see the series end, would have loved to see more of the other vampires find love.

[mer]

RD: Nov 25, 2014

[Michelle the Romance Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. a fully great read with lots of action and drama along with passion and love. wondering if there will be future novels in this world. Full review coming to my blog soon.