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AS A LOVER, HIS SKILLS ARE LEGENDARY ...
The middle brother, Raine, both sensual and stoic. Scarred by once taking a wife who could not accept his carnal needs, he wants no part in another marriage. But duty commands that he fulfill his promise to wed King Feydon's second daughter, Jordan ...
BUT IN MATTERS OF THE HEART, HE HAS MUCH TO LEARN ...
The loyal satyr begins a search that leads him to Tuscany to romantic Venice, where his beautiful bride awaits, unaware of what passionate delights fate has planned for her. Raine is careful not to reveal his powerful satyr sexuality, for fear of driving yet another woman away. But unbeknown to him, Jordan is no ordinary woman and was born with an insatiable appetite for love. And as Raine's heart begins to melt for her, how long will he be able to to hide his true nature when Jordan seems to want him so fiercely?
The middle brother, Raine, both sensual and stoic. Scarred by once taking a wife who could not accept his carnal needs, he wants no part in another marriage. But duty commands that he fulfill his promise to wed King Feydon's second daughter, Jordan ...
BUT IN MATTERS OF THE HEART, HE HAS MUCH TO LEARN ...
The loyal satyr begins a search that leads him to Tuscany to romantic Venice, where his beautiful bride awaits, unaware of what passionate delights fate has planned for her. Raine is careful not to reveal his powerful satyr sexuality, for fear of driving yet another woman away. But unbeknown to him, Jordan is no ordinary woman and was born with an insatiable appetite for love. And as Raine's heart begins to melt for her, how long will he be able to to hide his true nature when Jordan seems to want him so fiercely?
313 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
74 people are currently reading
1305 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Amber
18 books513 followersHi, I'm Elizabeth Amber, author of The Lords of Satyr series of hot historical paranormal romance novels: Nicholas, Raine, Lyon, Dominic, Dane, Bastian, and Sevin (2012). I'm a museum junkie and love history and archeology. When I was an art history major at university many years ago, I became fascinated with Greco-Roman artifacts. I’ve visited many archeological sites and museums in Italy and Greece. All those ancient urns, frescoes, and amphorae decorated with lusty satyrs, maenads, and Bacchus (or Dionysus) celebrating the annual grape harvest inspired The Lords of Satyr novels.
--Elizabeth Amber
--Elizabeth Amber
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
June 2, 2009
And I thought the first book was odd! Add a hermaphrodite into the mix, and this book tops the first. It definitely makes for a unique type of story that you won't come across often.
Now that Nicholas has found and married his FaerieBlend wife, it is Raine's turn. He's not so anxious to me married...again. His first try imploded when his human wife could not handle his extreme sensuality and he vowed never to marry again. Or to sire children that would have to face the life he has as a half-Human, half-ElseWorlds creature. But the King has ordered that he find one of the FaerieBlends he sired and marry her. So that's what he sets out to do.
Jordan Cietta has no idea that ElseWorlds blood flows in her veins. She just knows that she is a freak of nature...born with both male and female genitalia. But she has lived her life as a male because it was the only way for her mother to inherit the family fortune. The doctor who delivered her went along with it with a promise that he could use Jordan as a medical marvel and show her at lecture's once a year every year on her birthday. It's at one such lecture that Raine first sees her.
Fate throws them together and Jordan is delighted to realize Raine sees her as a woman and is attracted to her. She agrees to be his "companion" for a time, but decides to do whatever necessary to hide her true nature. Little does she know that Raine already knows. As they spent time together, Raine fights his true feelings, but as danger threatens Jordan, he must face his fears of relationships if he hopes to protect Jordan and make her his.
I've got to give the author super bonus points for such a unique character dynamic in using a hermaphrodite as one of the lead characters. That's definitely not something I've encountered in another story before...and probably not one I'll encounter again. It certainly lends a different air to the story. If the hero had been anyone other than a Satyr character, I don't think the hermaphrodite aspect would have worked. But it does seem to fit the type of story this is. I did wish the author had prodded a little more into Raine's acceptance of Jordan's nature and his willingness to explore Jordan's dualistic sexuality. It seemed kind of glossed over.
I thought it was interesting how the author had Jordan being used as a medical specimen in the beginning of the story. A bit sad to think that things like that really happened to people who had something extremely different about them. So I thought it was a good inclusion into the story.
The Bishop obsessed with Raine was kind of odd and did little for the story. Especially since Raine never found out exactly what the deal was there. It made that part rather superfluous.
Like the first book in this series, it's hard for me to say exactly what I thought of the book. It's odd, unique, kind of freak-show interested. It had parts I enjoyed and other parts that dragged a little. The romance was somewhat good. And the originality was excellent. Overall, the book is a weird, sex-filled curiosity. It's definitely meant for the more open minded, though.
WARNING, this book contains: explicit sex and language, males who grow a second penis during Moonful and who use both on a woman at once, anal sex, a hermaphrodite "heroine", sex with a statue, m/m scenes involving a secondary character, m/m(hermaphrodite) scenes involving the H/H, some violence, experimentation on a hermaphrodite, references to fisting...and if you've gotten through all that and not run off screaming, then you have a good idea of what else might pop up in this book.
Now that Nicholas has found and married his FaerieBlend wife, it is Raine's turn. He's not so anxious to me married...again. His first try imploded when his human wife could not handle his extreme sensuality and he vowed never to marry again. Or to sire children that would have to face the life he has as a half-Human, half-ElseWorlds creature. But the King has ordered that he find one of the FaerieBlends he sired and marry her. So that's what he sets out to do.
Jordan Cietta has no idea that ElseWorlds blood flows in her veins. She just knows that she is a freak of nature...born with both male and female genitalia. But she has lived her life as a male because it was the only way for her mother to inherit the family fortune. The doctor who delivered her went along with it with a promise that he could use Jordan as a medical marvel and show her at lecture's once a year every year on her birthday. It's at one such lecture that Raine first sees her.
Fate throws them together and Jordan is delighted to realize Raine sees her as a woman and is attracted to her. She agrees to be his "companion" for a time, but decides to do whatever necessary to hide her true nature. Little does she know that Raine already knows. As they spent time together, Raine fights his true feelings, but as danger threatens Jordan, he must face his fears of relationships if he hopes to protect Jordan and make her his.
I've got to give the author super bonus points for such a unique character dynamic in using a hermaphrodite as one of the lead characters. That's definitely not something I've encountered in another story before...and probably not one I'll encounter again. It certainly lends a different air to the story. If the hero had been anyone other than a Satyr character, I don't think the hermaphrodite aspect would have worked. But it does seem to fit the type of story this is. I did wish the author had prodded a little more into Raine's acceptance of Jordan's nature and his willingness to explore Jordan's dualistic sexuality. It seemed kind of glossed over.
I thought it was interesting how the author had Jordan being used as a medical specimen in the beginning of the story. A bit sad to think that things like that really happened to people who had something extremely different about them. So I thought it was a good inclusion into the story.
The Bishop obsessed with Raine was kind of odd and did little for the story. Especially since Raine never found out exactly what the deal was there. It made that part rather superfluous.
Like the first book in this series, it's hard for me to say exactly what I thought of the book. It's odd, unique, kind of freak-show interested. It had parts I enjoyed and other parts that dragged a little. The romance was somewhat good. And the originality was excellent. Overall, the book is a weird, sex-filled curiosity. It's definitely meant for the more open minded, though.
WARNING, this book contains: explicit sex and language, males who grow a second penis during Moonful and who use both on a woman at once, anal sex, a hermaphrodite "heroine", sex with a statue, m/m scenes involving a secondary character, m/m(hermaphrodite) scenes involving the H/H, some violence, experimentation on a hermaphrodite, references to fisting...and if you've gotten through all that and not run off screaming, then you have a good idea of what else might pop up in this book.
June 12, 2011
The heroine is a hermaphrodite that can climax with sperm. Or some other ejaculate. Not that I care because that was just disturbing.
And I do not scare easily.
And she...you know...her husband in the end.
The eeew factor was...1000% there.
And I do not scare easily.
And she...you know...her husband in the end.
The eeew factor was...1000% there.
March 28, 2009
What do I say about this one?? This is the most erotic, weirdest book I have ever read. Okay that being said it was a good story don't get me wrong but...... Whoa!!! Yes I agree the cover needs to be red but really flaming, scarlet red. It actually took me 4 days to read this and I am still wondering about what the other 2 would be like. If you are not into heavily, descriptive erotic novels, do not buy this book. But if you are, you will enjoy it
June 17, 2022
TW: graphic depictions of sexual assault, rape, violent torture and death. Unchallenged anti-trans sentiments and anti-intersex slurs.
Have you ever started read an unconventional romance novel that you genuinely like only to have it ruined by a graphic depiction of a brutal rape and murder? This happened before the two romantic leads have even had a chance to kiss. Talk about a mood killer.
The best way I can describe the issues I had with this book without spoilers* are by describing them as the deplorable treatment of a leading female (not by the leading male) and the overwrought theme of “this is as good as it gets.” It was obvious that the leads both perceive themselves to be freaks and feel trapped in their lives, and that will be what ultimately connects them. However, the treatment of the theme of "being different" was clumsy and heavy handed.
Despite all this I found both the quirky lead characters compelling enough to keep reading, that is until reached the first sex scene. That turned out to be the last straw for me. While the language utilized in the scene does remind me of actual victorian erotica (hilariously vulgar descriptors and all), it was also so laughable revolting I just couldn't bring myself to finish the book.
Maybe if I had been better prepared to read this story, if it was billed are a gritty historical drama or a horror erotica, I wouldn’t have been repulsed. But the graphically detailed abuse, objectification and violence didn’t ring true for an erotic, fantasy romance. Then again, I don’t think I could ever get over the message that people who are born “different” should be thankful for any scrap of affection that happens to be tossed their way.
*Note: The death of said male sex worker seemed to have little to no bearing on the overall plot, which angered me even more. Using something so horrific to show that an already obviously despicable character is bad felt gratuitous and lazy. Though, it was on par with the overall graphic nature of the abuse depicted in the first part of the story.
The rest of this review contains spoilers, incoherent ranting and snort-worthy quotes. Read on at your own risk.
In summation, great idea and cool characters, but shitty execution.
Have you ever started read an unconventional romance novel that you genuinely like only to have it ruined by a graphic depiction of a brutal rape and murder? This happened before the two romantic leads have even had a chance to kiss. Talk about a mood killer.
The best way I can describe the issues I had with this book without spoilers* are by describing them as the deplorable treatment of a leading female (not by the leading male) and the overwrought theme of “this is as good as it gets.” It was obvious that the leads both perceive themselves to be freaks and feel trapped in their lives, and that will be what ultimately connects them. However, the treatment of the theme of "being different" was clumsy and heavy handed.
Despite all this I found both the quirky lead characters compelling enough to keep reading, that is until reached the first sex scene. That turned out to be the last straw for me. While the language utilized in the scene does remind me of actual victorian erotica (hilariously vulgar descriptors and all), it was also so laughable revolting I just couldn't bring myself to finish the book.
Maybe if I had been better prepared to read this story, if it was billed are a gritty historical drama or a horror erotica, I wouldn’t have been repulsed. But the graphically detailed abuse, objectification and violence didn’t ring true for an erotic, fantasy romance. Then again, I don’t think I could ever get over the message that people who are born “different” should be thankful for any scrap of affection that happens to be tossed their way.
*Note: The death of said male sex worker seemed to have little to no bearing on the overall plot, which angered me even more. Using something so horrific to show that an already obviously despicable character is bad felt gratuitous and lazy. Though, it was on par with the overall graphic nature of the abuse depicted in the first part of the story.
The rest of this review contains spoilers, incoherent ranting and snort-worthy quotes. Read on at your own risk.
In summation, great idea and cool characters, but shitty execution.
March 3, 2008
There’s a reason this book has a red cover – it SIZZLES HOT enough to burn my fingers. In my review of Amber’s first book NICHOLAS I remarked that I hoped she would let her imagination loose. She definitely DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
Be warned if your tastes in erotica don’t run to the abnormal skip this book. On the other hand if you enjoy reading about double phallused satyrs and their hermaphrodite FaerieBlend brides, then you’re in for a real erotic treat.
I’m definitely NOT going to say anything more and spoil it for you.
Amber just gets better and better. She gets 10 out of 10 Stars on my erotica scale. It’s going to be hell waiting for July 29, 2008 when book #3 LYON hits the shelves. I hear there’s a 4th book titled VINCENT AND EMMA coming out as well.
Be warned if your tastes in erotica don’t run to the abnormal skip this book. On the other hand if you enjoy reading about double phallused satyrs and their hermaphrodite FaerieBlend brides, then you’re in for a real erotic treat.
I’m definitely NOT going to say anything more and spoil it for you.
Amber just gets better and better. She gets 10 out of 10 Stars on my erotica scale. It’s going to be hell waiting for July 29, 2008 when book #3 LYON hits the shelves. I hear there’s a 4th book titled VINCENT AND EMMA coming out as well.
September 3, 2008
Wow! Talk about an unusual book! I am actually surprised that I enjoyed this one so much, but I recommend reading it if you read Nicholas (the first book) already. Its way better than the first one!
Raine is the middle brother of the 3 Satyr brothers. The are part human, part creature from ElseWorld (an alternative world to Earth). They hear from they kind of the Fey, whom they have an alliance with, that he has fathered 3 daughters by Earth woman. These 3 daughters need the protection and the marriage of the Satyr brothers to keep the bad guys from ElseWorld from capturing them and taking them away!
Nicholas found his bride, now its Raine's turn. When he goes to Italy to find his woman, he finds Jordan. She smells like Fairy so he knows its her, but when he takes a closer look, he realizes she is a hermaphrodite. I know. Its weird right? However Raine is unusually attracted to Jordan and they have sex right off the bat. Jordan tries to hide her "abnormality" by only having sex in certain positions etc. but she doesn't know that Raine already knows about her, and doesn't care.
At this point the story becomes a little bit murder mystery and a little bit romance. I thought some of the secondary story lines were a little ridiculous, however I still really enjoyed this book. Its a lot hotter than the first book in the series, and the romance between Raine and Jordan is sweeter. Overall I would recommend this book, especially if you liked Nicholas- even a little ;)
XO
Raine is the middle brother of the 3 Satyr brothers. The are part human, part creature from ElseWorld (an alternative world to Earth). They hear from they kind of the Fey, whom they have an alliance with, that he has fathered 3 daughters by Earth woman. These 3 daughters need the protection and the marriage of the Satyr brothers to keep the bad guys from ElseWorld from capturing them and taking them away!
Nicholas found his bride, now its Raine's turn. When he goes to Italy to find his woman, he finds Jordan. She smells like Fairy so he knows its her, but when he takes a closer look, he realizes she is a hermaphrodite. I know. Its weird right? However Raine is unusually attracted to Jordan and they have sex right off the bat. Jordan tries to hide her "abnormality" by only having sex in certain positions etc. but she doesn't know that Raine already knows about her, and doesn't care.
At this point the story becomes a little bit murder mystery and a little bit romance. I thought some of the secondary story lines were a little ridiculous, however I still really enjoyed this book. Its a lot hotter than the first book in the series, and the romance between Raine and Jordan is sweeter. Overall I would recommend this book, especially if you liked Nicholas- even a little ;)
XO
April 30, 2009
A good friend of mine recommended this book, knowing that I'm always looking for something out of the ordinary when it comes to stories. She also knows I've lost a lot of interest in the paranormal romance genre because few authors have done anything new. When she mentioned the premise of this novel, I decided to give it a shot.
Raine is the second book of Elizabeth Amber's Lords of Satyr series. Normally I don't mind series books when written by authors I know and trust, but I don't particularly like feeling that I HAVE to read a previous novel in order to understand the next one. My reading habits tend to be all over the board and I may be in a mood for something else.
I give Ms. Amber major kudos (and three stars) for creating probably one of the most arresting heroines in romance fiction--a female hermaphrodite named Jordan who has lived her life as a male in order to save her mother and herself from poverty. Jordan also happens to be half-fae, the daughter of King Feydon (no pun intentional I hope). I found Jordan's transition between her femininity and her masculinity fascinating--she liked being a woman, wearing all the fripperies and frills and being viewed as desirable, and yet attempting to understand all the social strictures forced upon women. Over time, she also learned to accept her maleness and to celebrate it.
My three big issues with the book: The first two chapters could have been so much better had they been less graphic. They totally detracted from the true horror of Jordan's predicament, which the author cited as her inspiration for Jordan's character. Every year as payment, Jordan is subjected to the equivalent of a medical sideshow, in which the scientifically curious and the downright prurient can witness firsthand what a female hermaphrodite looks like. The "examination" was written like a cross between a teen sex flick and a really bad gynocological exam. There was nothing the least bit erotic about such a display; the wince factor was quite high. I think back to Anne Rice's Cry to Heaven--the reader didn't get the full treatment of how the castrati were made, but all the same, the horror, anger and pain were skillfully conveyed. Sometimes, less is more, though my guess is the author wanted to make the reader sympathetic to Jordan's plight.
Second issue: Raine as uber-alpha is boring. He's rich, he's handsome, got lots of land in which he and his brothers raise some of the best wines in Italy. He's well-equipped, ad nauseum. He's also the second brother out of three who has to marry one of Feydon's faerie daughters. Oh, and he turns into a satyr during the full moon, which gives him an extra piece of equipment which is also well-favoured. Other than that, he scowls a lot and makes love like a male stud on overdrive. However, his one BIG saving grace is that he accepts Jordan's difference without question and one scene in particular gave me nice goosebumps, since he didn't seem to mind pleasuring Jordan's other appendage (although the last dream sequence in which he *bottoms* for Jordan is a complete cop-out). Still, there's precious little depth to him as a character.
Third issue: The oversexed priest who lusts after Raine and is also a venereal-disease carrying serial killer. An over-the-top mix of Jack the Ripper and Freddy Krueger dressed in a cassock, this guy deserved his comeuppance just because he spent so much time being a thoroughly annoying villain who couldn't quite get it together. It seemed the author didn't quite know what to do with him, so at the last she made him the mysterious "cousin" Jordan's mother cheated out of his inheritance.
Overall, this isn't a bad book, though the hermaphrodite heroine isn't going to be a traditional romance reader's cuppa.
Raine is the second book of Elizabeth Amber's Lords of Satyr series. Normally I don't mind series books when written by authors I know and trust, but I don't particularly like feeling that I HAVE to read a previous novel in order to understand the next one. My reading habits tend to be all over the board and I may be in a mood for something else.
I give Ms. Amber major kudos (and three stars) for creating probably one of the most arresting heroines in romance fiction--a female hermaphrodite named Jordan who has lived her life as a male in order to save her mother and herself from poverty. Jordan also happens to be half-fae, the daughter of King Feydon (no pun intentional I hope). I found Jordan's transition between her femininity and her masculinity fascinating--she liked being a woman, wearing all the fripperies and frills and being viewed as desirable, and yet attempting to understand all the social strictures forced upon women. Over time, she also learned to accept her maleness and to celebrate it.
My three big issues with the book: The first two chapters could have been so much better had they been less graphic. They totally detracted from the true horror of Jordan's predicament, which the author cited as her inspiration for Jordan's character. Every year as payment, Jordan is subjected to the equivalent of a medical sideshow, in which the scientifically curious and the downright prurient can witness firsthand what a female hermaphrodite looks like. The "examination" was written like a cross between a teen sex flick and a really bad gynocological exam. There was nothing the least bit erotic about such a display; the wince factor was quite high. I think back to Anne Rice's Cry to Heaven--the reader didn't get the full treatment of how the castrati were made, but all the same, the horror, anger and pain were skillfully conveyed. Sometimes, less is more, though my guess is the author wanted to make the reader sympathetic to Jordan's plight.
Second issue: Raine as uber-alpha is boring. He's rich, he's handsome, got lots of land in which he and his brothers raise some of the best wines in Italy. He's well-equipped, ad nauseum. He's also the second brother out of three who has to marry one of Feydon's faerie daughters. Oh, and he turns into a satyr during the full moon, which gives him an extra piece of equipment which is also well-favoured. Other than that, he scowls a lot and makes love like a male stud on overdrive. However, his one BIG saving grace is that he accepts Jordan's difference without question and one scene in particular gave me nice goosebumps, since he didn't seem to mind pleasuring Jordan's other appendage (although the last dream sequence in which he *bottoms* for Jordan is a complete cop-out). Still, there's precious little depth to him as a character.
Third issue: The oversexed priest who lusts after Raine and is also a venereal-disease carrying serial killer. An over-the-top mix of Jack the Ripper and Freddy Krueger dressed in a cassock, this guy deserved his comeuppance just because he spent so much time being a thoroughly annoying villain who couldn't quite get it together. It seemed the author didn't quite know what to do with him, so at the last she made him the mysterious "cousin" Jordan's mother cheated out of his inheritance.
Overall, this isn't a bad book, though the hermaphrodite heroine isn't going to be a traditional romance reader's cuppa.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2015
18/1 - Well! I can safely say, without even thinking about it, that I've never read the 'heroine is a hermaphrodite' trope. Add that to the 'hero is a sex beast who grows a second penis on the full moon' trope and you've got a very interesting romance.
I spent the first few chapters feeling a driving need to punch someone. Specifically the inhumane asses who thought it was perfectly okay (perhaps even normal) to be invited to a private (as private as a theatre with around 200 spectators in the audience can be) viewing of this woman who was unfortunate enough to be born in the 19th century to a woman whose husband has died and has no source of income other than using her daughter (Jordan's been forced to live as a man, but identifies as a woman) as a medical curiosity to be displayed for all to see, for a price. All her life men, especially the 'doctor' who delivered her and identified her condition, have been poking and prodding her (quite literally poking their fingers and metal implements inside her in order to identify prostates or uteruses, or whatever other internal organs might be found through digital examination), and staring at her naked body. In pretty much everyone's eyes she's not a person, she's a medical monstrosity that needs to be studied, in great depth.
Thank goodness Raine accidentally stumbles upon Jordan's latest 'birthday lecture' (every birthday a lecture is held and an artist is brought in to document any changes in her body, externally and internally where possible). He can immediately see that she is a woman (something Jordan's always wanted, for someone to see her as she sees herself), and instead of being horrified by her extra appendage he's interested. Through good luck and coincidence Jordan manages to escape a horribly humiliating and painful internal examination at just the right time to bump into Raine, who's roaming the streets looking for a companion, but unsatisfied with the average prostitutes' offerings.
He's in Venice to find the woman he's fated to marry who he will know by her faerie smell (what was he supposed to do if he hadn't seen Jordan, wander the streets of Venice sniffing the woman until one of them had the faerie smell he was told to look for?). She's in mortal danger from some unseen foe and he was sent to Venice by her father's dying words, to find her before the foe does. Once Jordan has been accepted into the Satyr family she will no longer be in danger from this hidden foe because the family's protection will cover her, but of course she doesn't know that and Raine's decided that the best course of action is to not give Jordan any kind of heads up regarding her vulnerable situation. Why do 'heroes' do that so often?! All it does is extend the story where it's not necessarily natural for it to be extended. To be continued...
20/1 - Finished this last night/this morning. Summary? Heavy on the kinky sex (when there's three penises and a vagina and only two people involved, what can you expect?), light on the plot and I don't even think Raine ever straight out told Jordan that he loved her. He called her 'my love', but that's really not the same is it? Nothing really happened plotwise, except for Raine finding his fated wife. I don't think there's any need to read these in order, I certainly didn't feel like I was missing a big part of the story not having read Nicholas first. Only recommended for the more unshockable readers out there.
PopSugar 2015 Reading Challenge: A Book Based Entirely on its Cover
I spent the first few chapters feeling a driving need to punch someone. Specifically the inhumane asses who thought it was perfectly okay (perhaps even normal) to be invited to a private (as private as a theatre with around 200 spectators in the audience can be) viewing of this woman who was unfortunate enough to be born in the 19th century to a woman whose husband has died and has no source of income other than using her daughter (Jordan's been forced to live as a man, but identifies as a woman) as a medical curiosity to be displayed for all to see, for a price. All her life men, especially the 'doctor' who delivered her and identified her condition, have been poking and prodding her (quite literally poking their fingers and metal implements inside her in order to identify prostates or uteruses, or whatever other internal organs might be found through digital examination), and staring at her naked body. In pretty much everyone's eyes she's not a person, she's a medical monstrosity that needs to be studied, in great depth.
Thank goodness Raine accidentally stumbles upon Jordan's latest 'birthday lecture' (every birthday a lecture is held and an artist is brought in to document any changes in her body, externally and internally where possible). He can immediately see that she is a woman (something Jordan's always wanted, for someone to see her as she sees herself), and instead of being horrified by her extra appendage he's interested. Through good luck and coincidence Jordan manages to escape a horribly humiliating and painful internal examination at just the right time to bump into Raine, who's roaming the streets looking for a companion, but unsatisfied with the average prostitutes' offerings.
He's in Venice to find the woman he's fated to marry who he will know by her faerie smell (what was he supposed to do if he hadn't seen Jordan, wander the streets of Venice sniffing the woman until one of them had the faerie smell he was told to look for?). She's in mortal danger from some unseen foe and he was sent to Venice by her father's dying words, to find her before the foe does. Once Jordan has been accepted into the Satyr family she will no longer be in danger from this hidden foe because the family's protection will cover her, but of course she doesn't know that and Raine's decided that the best course of action is to not give Jordan any kind of heads up regarding her vulnerable situation. Why do 'heroes' do that so often?! All it does is extend the story where it's not necessarily natural for it to be extended. To be continued...
20/1 - Finished this last night/this morning. Summary? Heavy on the kinky sex (when there's three penises and a vagina and only two people involved, what can you expect?), light on the plot and I don't even think Raine ever straight out told Jordan that he loved her. He called her 'my love', but that's really not the same is it? Nothing really happened plotwise, except for Raine finding his fated wife. I don't think there's any need to read these in order, I certainly didn't feel like I was missing a big part of the story not having read Nicholas first. Only recommended for the more unshockable readers out there.
PopSugar 2015 Reading Challenge: A Book Based Entirely on its Cover
May 16, 2010
This is the perfect book to show that nothing, and I mean NOTHING is scared. A story better suited for Literotica.com if anything.
Raine is the second story in her Lord of Satyrs series. This is an erotic historical paranormal romance from the Kensington Aphrodisia line that likes to push the envelope. And when it comes to erotic, especially paranormal, lines are crossed. But there are some things you just don't touch and Raine crosses so many lines that I couldn't decide to laugh or gasp in horror at what I was reading.
Raine is the middle brother out of three who must find his mate and bride. Raine has been married before and it was so disastrous that he really doesn't want to do it again. Me thinks his first wife may have been a tad uncomfortable when she found out Raine has two willy wee-wees for her pleasure. See, Raine's mother was a bad woman who had an affair with Lord Satyr, some sort of fairy king. Raine must travel to Venice to find one of the Faerie daughters of King Feydon. So off to Venice Raine goes.
In the first chapter we meet Jordan, our half fey heroine who is being drawn by an artist. She is naked and must undergo this every birthday.
She must do this for a doctor because she and her mother are basically being blackmailed. Jordan is not a normal woman. She has a big, big secret and does not live her life as a woman, but rather as a man. Jordan is a hermaphrodite!
Raine is the second story in her Lord of Satyrs series. This is an erotic historical paranormal romance from the Kensington Aphrodisia line that likes to push the envelope. And when it comes to erotic, especially paranormal, lines are crossed. But there are some things you just don't touch and Raine crosses so many lines that I couldn't decide to laugh or gasp in horror at what I was reading.
Raine is the middle brother out of three who must find his mate and bride. Raine has been married before and it was so disastrous that he really doesn't want to do it again. Me thinks his first wife may have been a tad uncomfortable when she found out Raine has two willy wee-wees for her pleasure. See, Raine's mother was a bad woman who had an affair with Lord Satyr, some sort of fairy king. Raine must travel to Venice to find one of the Faerie daughters of King Feydon. So off to Venice Raine goes.
In the first chapter we meet Jordan, our half fey heroine who is being drawn by an artist. She is naked and must undergo this every birthday.
She must do this for a doctor because she and her mother are basically being blackmailed. Jordan is not a normal woman. She has a big, big secret and does not live her life as a woman, but rather as a man. Jordan is a hermaphrodite!
July 13, 2012
Actual Rating: 3.5
Warning: Contains Spoilers
This book was better than the first. Definitely. As much as I did like the introduction to the Lords of Satyr series, Nicholas and Jane were such a bore, that when I read about Raine and Jordan I was pleasantly thrilled. I knew Raine would fall the deepest, and Jordan was fun, sassy, and humorous. That she had both male and female genitals came as a shock to me. I really wasn't expecting that little development, I had to reread the paragraph just to make sure I'd actually read it correctly. And Raine's attraction to her despite what she was? I was expecting him to be wary of this news, but apparently not! D:
It was an okay read, better than the first, but could have been better! Still, I liked reading it, and I can't wait to pick up Lyon's book and finally get to read about him! He seems to be the fun brother! x] Lol
To see the full review visit Darkest Addictions' Book Reviews
Warning: Contains Spoilers
This book was better than the first. Definitely. As much as I did like the introduction to the Lords of Satyr series, Nicholas and Jane were such a bore, that when I read about Raine and Jordan I was pleasantly thrilled. I knew Raine would fall the deepest, and Jordan was fun, sassy, and humorous. That she had both male and female genitals came as a shock to me. I really wasn't expecting that little development, I had to reread the paragraph just to make sure I'd actually read it correctly. And Raine's attraction to her despite what she was? I was expecting him to be wary of this news, but apparently not! D:
It was an okay read, better than the first, but could have been better! Still, I liked reading it, and I can't wait to pick up Lyon's book and finally get to read about him! He seems to be the fun brother! x] Lol
To see the full review visit Darkest Addictions' Book Reviews
December 24, 2007
I read this as a reviewer and loved it. It's book 2 in this trilogy about half-satyr (in myth, satyrs were followers of the wine god Bacchus) brothers who own a vineyard in Tuscany and receive a letter that sends them in search of fairy brides.
Nicholas went to Rome, but Raine finds his VERY UNUSUAL bride in Venice.
Very sexy, explicitly erotic, great historical and winemaking details included. Good detail and an interesting, dramatic story.
Nicholas went to Rome, but Raine finds his VERY UNUSUAL bride in Venice.
Very sexy, explicitly erotic, great historical and winemaking details included. Good detail and an interesting, dramatic story.
August 10, 2012
Content note: many different kinds of nonconsensual sexual activities.
This is a novel about two people who really, really suck at communicating with each other and never actually learn better, but it's okay because it's also an erotic novel, so they can just have lots of sex instead!
I read Raine at Oreotalpa's request (she won a charity auction in which I was offering to review a romance novel). When she emailed me my assignment, she included a list of caveats, saying she'd totally understand if I wanted to review a different book instead. But actually, I was pleased (if trepidatious -- those were some caveats) -- while I knew there are plenty of paranormal erotic romances, I'd thought they all had the same gritty-contemporary-urban setting, which isn't really my cup of tea. I hadn't known there are also historical paranormal erotic romances -- instant interest!
Raine and the other books in its series (which I haven't read -- yet) are set in early-nineteenth-century Italy. They follow the adventures of the Satyr brothers (one of whom is Raine), who are ... satyrs. Sort of. They are definitely in the Bacchanalian satyr tradition: wine is very important to them (the family estate has famous vineyards), they have periodic revels, and they really know how to debauch. They don't have backwards-jointed legs or tails (well... tails come into it. I'll let you discover how if you read Raine yourself) or horns, but during their periodic revels, which occur one night every full moon, they do undergo certain physical changes. To wit: their legs become very hairy, they must have sex all night long, and they sprout a second penis, which, Amber notes, is well-designed for anal penetration.
The paranormal activity doesn't stop with providing retractable secondary penises for the hero and his brothers. That's only a side-effect of their family being the ancient guardians of the passage between Fairyland and Earth. The safety of this portal is somehow connected to the health of the Satyr family's vineyard, and constantly threatened by malicious supernatural beings who want to pass through to Earth and make chaos there. Inhabitants of Earth who have supernatural as well as fairy ancestry are sensitive to threats from Fairyland: they can work against them or be manipulated by them.
The premise of Raine and, I think, the other books in the series, is that the Satyr brothers have been instructed by the late King of the Faeries to find, protect, and marry his three half-fairy, half-human daughters, who will otherwise be vulnerable to the malicious forces of Fairyland.
For some reason Amber decided that the names which the Satyr brothers should use for Earth, Fairyland, and half-fairy, half-human people, respectively, are EarthWorld, ElseWorld, and FaerieBlend. Did I mention this book is set in 1823? Of all the weird things in this very weird book, EarthWorld, ElseWorld, FaerieBlend, and a few other such names are the weirdest to me. I do not believe spelling and capitalization happened like that in 1823. (Never mind how everything would also have been in Italian. TerraMondo?) I just do not believe it. I can imagine the retractable secondary penises but not that. It sounds like 21st-century brand names; there's probably a FaerieBlend herbal shampoo out there somewhere. It is ridiculous. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Onward! It is time to meet the heroine, Jordan.
The first thing to know about Jordan is that she doesn't know any of the stuff I just told you. She doesn't know she's the FaerieBlend daughter of the King of Faerie: to her, fairies are just the kitschy decorating motif overused by her mother. She doesn't know about magic or ElseWorld, or about the Satyrs -- definitely not about their interesting sexual properties.
Most of what's left to learn about Jordan is gradually revealed during the first five chapters of the novel. However, if you don't fancy reading about humiliating, nonconsensual, sexualized medical exhibition, but you still want to read the rest of the book, you should skip those chapters -- so I'll give you the basics here. Jordan is intersex. (Raine, perhaps in an attempt to be historically accurate, although given FaerieBlend et al. I don't know why, uses "hermaphrodite.") She has a functioning penis and vagina. Although she has always identified as female, when she was born her mother and doctor conspired to proclaim her the family's male heir. Her widowed mother thereby had access to the family fortune; her doctor's reward for keeping the secret was permission to exhibit Jordan (wearing a mask) every year to medical researchers and anyone else who could pay for a ticket. So Jordan has been raised as a boy for her entire life -- never being allowed to express any kind of femininity in public, although she wants to -- and has been violated annually in this exhibit. The first five chapters are from Jordan's point of view during this ordeal.
I thought this section was written rather strangely. As erotica, clearly it's meant to be a thoroughly-detailed fantasy of public, medicalized exposure and sexual humiliation. Careful descriptions of the behavior of the exhibiting doctor and the audience members contribute to this effect. However, there is nothing whatsoever erotic about this experience for Jordan. She's constantly thinking about how much she hates the whole situation and how she can subvert its depersonalizing effects by talking back to people in the audience, forcing them to perceive her as a person with wit and opinions instead of as a naked, faceless specimen. If the exposure-and-humiliation kink requires any passivity or submission from its subject, Jordan keeps interrupting. The result was that I was quickly and thoroughly delighted by Jordan, but confused about the intended role of these chapters in an erotic novel.
Anyway, at the end of this passage, Jordan finally manages to escape, and she runs into Raine. Raine (having accidentally walked into the wrong room when he was trying to find a lecture about diseases of grapevines) has already had an eyeful of Jordan's genitalia and thinks they're awesome. But Jordan doesn't know he knows. (You should be seeing a pattern here. In fact, the only thing that Jordan knows and Raine doesn't is that Jordan was raised as a gentleman.) Then, of course, they fuck! It is awesome despite only involving one penis. (Jordan's is tied up because she's trying to hide it from Raine; it's not the right time of month for Raine's secondary retractable one.) Raine figures out that Jordan is the FaerieBlend daughter he's supposed to marry, and persuades her to come back to the Satyr estate with him. Jordan is so happy to be treated like a woman that she agrees, even though she's afraid how Raine might react if he finds out about her penis.
There is so much going on at this point (you might think I am telling you too much but in fact I'm leaving quite a lot out -- for example, the murder-mystery, and also the role of what Oreotalpa accurately described as "magical Real Dolls") that it's easy to lose track of the fact that Jordan still doesn't know a single thing about EarthWorld, ElseWorld, and the importance of being FaerieBlend. It doesn't seem to occur to Raine that it might be helpful or polite or ethical or entertaining to enlighten Jordan about anything. Well, I think he tells her about his grapes. That's it. She shows up at the estate and Raine's brothers and sister-in-law all say "Oh, you must be Raine's fiancee! Nice to meet you!" and he still doesn't explain anything, although this event does prompt him to propose.
Apart from a half-hearted attempt to show that Raine was traumatized by a bad first marriage, Amber doesn't explain why Raine is so monumentally bad at communication. (Also, I know that trauma isn't always logical, but if your first marriage was bad because you forgot to warn your wife that you had a secondary retractable penis and periods of compulsive sexual activity and she now hates you forever, does it make sense to respond by not warning your second wife, either? NO. It also means I don't care about your trauma because you are a rapist.) In fact, I'm not certain that she's always aware that the imbalance of information exists and is a problem. Jordan has a lot of angst because she thinks that her genitalia and her past life as a young gentleman are Terrible Dark Secrets, so she's afraid to reveal them to Raine in case he rejects her. But this in no way balances out the information that Raine fails to share with Jordan, because we know all along that Raine likes all of Jordan's sexy bits, and the narrative gives the reader absolutely no reason to think that he could possibly blame her for the way her mother forced her to live.
I think Raine could have been a much better novel, structurally and emotionally, if Amber had really recognized how much of a problem bad communication was for Raine and Jordan's relationship, and made their gradual learning to trust and talk to each other a focus of the story. This doesn't happen. And I don't mean "eventually they talk to each other, but it's not really a big deal for the narrative." I mean that they never voluntarily have an important conversation with each other, because all of their secrets are revealed by the action of external forces.
Yes, that means that Jordan doesn't learn about the secondary retractable penis or Raine's compulsive sexual activity until it's the full moon and they're naked in her bedroom. And after he's given her an aphrodisiac drink so that she can keep up with him.
That's rape, y'all. Nobody in the book thinks so, because it turned out to be really great sex! But if Person A tells Person B to drink a mind-altering substance (without even telling her what it will do!) while Person B thinks they're going to have the ordinary kind of sex they already have, and after it takes effect Person A reveals his surprise! extra penis and surprise! all-night-long stamina ... if Person B says "Hooray! No second thoughts! Into bed with you!" that does not mean Person B has just consented to sex. Couldn't it have been even sexier if he told her about it beforehand and she liked the idea and had to wait and wait for the full moon?
Here are some other things that Amber doesn't present as rape:
- The King of Faerie producing his FaerieBlend daughters by impregnating human women in their sleep
- Raine's treatment of his ex-wife
- Sex that Raine has with Jordan while she is magically hypnotized by evil entities from ElseWorld. This is also sex that impregnates Jordan -- a possibility she had never had the opportunity to consider and agree to. (Followed by two other disturbing things that are not rape, but which you may wish to be warned about, under the spoiler cut: )
- Sex that Jordan has with Raine after she drugs him to sleep, ties him up, and scolds him about his inability to surrender control when he's woken up and saying "let me go, I don't want to have sex like this"
- Probably something I'm forgetting about because there is a lot of rape in this book!
Here are things Amber does present as rape:
- What happens to Jordan when she's being exhibited
- Rapes committed by one of the bad guys, who is in the last stages of syphilis, a hypocritical priest, obese, sadistic, and gay. (Note: I don't think Amber really wants to be one of those writers whose only gay male character is over-the-top evil. Which is unfortunate, because oops! That is what she did in Raine)
- Sex magic that the evil entities from ElseWorld perform on Jordan while she is hypnotized (I think. It's hard to tell because this is immediately followed by Raine having sex with her while she is still hypnotized)
I would like to think that erotica can be just as erotic without all that rape! (Or even, with rape or rape fantasies that are actually acknowledged as such.) And in fact, I see no reason why Amber couldn't write that kind of erotica herself.
What I've failed to say so far is that, despite some bizarre naming choices and despite very serious problems with the structure of the story, I actually really, really enjoyed Amber's writing. Once I got past the first five chapters, I might have paused a moment -- frequently -- to marvel at some bizarre new revelation, but I rarely wanted to put Raine down. Amber's writing is imaginative and fluent and fun.
Best of all, Amber is responsible for Jordan, whom I loved. Jordan is brave and saucy! She knows who she is and insists on her personhood even in the most dehumanizing, oppressive situations! Despite some believable anxieties, she has confidence in herself! She is way too good for Raine, but since Raine is whom she wants, I want her to have him! (Until she starts healing from her lifelong traumas, her communication skills naturally improve, and she realizes that Raine is never going to get any better at talking to her. At that point, she is more than welcome to message me on OKCupid.)
If you're still with me (whew) and you think Raine sounds interesting and that you can handle the rape scenes and other problematic bits, then yes, I recommend it! It may be hard to believe, but I haven't told you about all the bizarre and silly things in this book, and there's lots more plot. You could say that what I have described is only the tip of the ... secondary retractable penis. (groan!)
This is a novel about two people who really, really suck at communicating with each other and never actually learn better, but it's okay because it's also an erotic novel, so they can just have lots of sex instead!
I read Raine at Oreotalpa's request (she won a charity auction in which I was offering to review a romance novel). When she emailed me my assignment, she included a list of caveats, saying she'd totally understand if I wanted to review a different book instead. But actually, I was pleased (if trepidatious -- those were some caveats) -- while I knew there are plenty of paranormal erotic romances, I'd thought they all had the same gritty-contemporary-urban setting, which isn't really my cup of tea. I hadn't known there are also historical paranormal erotic romances -- instant interest!
Raine and the other books in its series (which I haven't read -- yet) are set in early-nineteenth-century Italy. They follow the adventures of the Satyr brothers (one of whom is Raine), who are ... satyrs. Sort of. They are definitely in the Bacchanalian satyr tradition: wine is very important to them (the family estate has famous vineyards), they have periodic revels, and they really know how to debauch. They don't have backwards-jointed legs or tails (well... tails come into it. I'll let you discover how if you read Raine yourself) or horns, but during their periodic revels, which occur one night every full moon, they do undergo certain physical changes. To wit: their legs become very hairy, they must have sex all night long, and they sprout a second penis, which, Amber notes, is well-designed for anal penetration.
The paranormal activity doesn't stop with providing retractable secondary penises for the hero and his brothers. That's only a side-effect of their family being the ancient guardians of the passage between Fairyland and Earth. The safety of this portal is somehow connected to the health of the Satyr family's vineyard, and constantly threatened by malicious supernatural beings who want to pass through to Earth and make chaos there. Inhabitants of Earth who have supernatural as well as fairy ancestry are sensitive to threats from Fairyland: they can work against them or be manipulated by them.
The premise of Raine and, I think, the other books in the series, is that the Satyr brothers have been instructed by the late King of the Faeries to find, protect, and marry his three half-fairy, half-human daughters, who will otherwise be vulnerable to the malicious forces of Fairyland.
For some reason Amber decided that the names which the Satyr brothers should use for Earth, Fairyland, and half-fairy, half-human people, respectively, are EarthWorld, ElseWorld, and FaerieBlend. Did I mention this book is set in 1823? Of all the weird things in this very weird book, EarthWorld, ElseWorld, FaerieBlend, and a few other such names are the weirdest to me. I do not believe spelling and capitalization happened like that in 1823. (Never mind how everything would also have been in Italian. TerraMondo?) I just do not believe it. I can imagine the retractable secondary penises but not that. It sounds like 21st-century brand names; there's probably a FaerieBlend herbal shampoo out there somewhere. It is ridiculous. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Onward! It is time to meet the heroine, Jordan.
The first thing to know about Jordan is that she doesn't know any of the stuff I just told you. She doesn't know she's the FaerieBlend daughter of the King of Faerie: to her, fairies are just the kitschy decorating motif overused by her mother. She doesn't know about magic or ElseWorld, or about the Satyrs -- definitely not about their interesting sexual properties.
Most of what's left to learn about Jordan is gradually revealed during the first five chapters of the novel. However, if you don't fancy reading about humiliating, nonconsensual, sexualized medical exhibition, but you still want to read the rest of the book, you should skip those chapters -- so I'll give you the basics here. Jordan is intersex. (Raine, perhaps in an attempt to be historically accurate, although given FaerieBlend et al. I don't know why, uses "hermaphrodite.") She has a functioning penis and vagina. Although she has always identified as female, when she was born her mother and doctor conspired to proclaim her the family's male heir. Her widowed mother thereby had access to the family fortune; her doctor's reward for keeping the secret was permission to exhibit Jordan (wearing a mask) every year to medical researchers and anyone else who could pay for a ticket. So Jordan has been raised as a boy for her entire life -- never being allowed to express any kind of femininity in public, although she wants to -- and has been violated annually in this exhibit. The first five chapters are from Jordan's point of view during this ordeal.
I thought this section was written rather strangely. As erotica, clearly it's meant to be a thoroughly-detailed fantasy of public, medicalized exposure and sexual humiliation. Careful descriptions of the behavior of the exhibiting doctor and the audience members contribute to this effect. However, there is nothing whatsoever erotic about this experience for Jordan. She's constantly thinking about how much she hates the whole situation and how she can subvert its depersonalizing effects by talking back to people in the audience, forcing them to perceive her as a person with wit and opinions instead of as a naked, faceless specimen. If the exposure-and-humiliation kink requires any passivity or submission from its subject, Jordan keeps interrupting. The result was that I was quickly and thoroughly delighted by Jordan, but confused about the intended role of these chapters in an erotic novel.
Anyway, at the end of this passage, Jordan finally manages to escape, and she runs into Raine. Raine (having accidentally walked into the wrong room when he was trying to find a lecture about diseases of grapevines) has already had an eyeful of Jordan's genitalia and thinks they're awesome. But Jordan doesn't know he knows. (You should be seeing a pattern here. In fact, the only thing that Jordan knows and Raine doesn't is that Jordan was raised as a gentleman.) Then, of course, they fuck! It is awesome despite only involving one penis. (Jordan's is tied up because she's trying to hide it from Raine; it's not the right time of month for Raine's secondary retractable one.) Raine figures out that Jordan is the FaerieBlend daughter he's supposed to marry, and persuades her to come back to the Satyr estate with him. Jordan is so happy to be treated like a woman that she agrees, even though she's afraid how Raine might react if he finds out about her penis.
There is so much going on at this point (you might think I am telling you too much but in fact I'm leaving quite a lot out -- for example, the murder-mystery, and also the role of what Oreotalpa accurately described as "magical Real Dolls") that it's easy to lose track of the fact that Jordan still doesn't know a single thing about EarthWorld, ElseWorld, and the importance of being FaerieBlend. It doesn't seem to occur to Raine that it might be helpful or polite or ethical or entertaining to enlighten Jordan about anything. Well, I think he tells her about his grapes. That's it. She shows up at the estate and Raine's brothers and sister-in-law all say "Oh, you must be Raine's fiancee! Nice to meet you!" and he still doesn't explain anything, although this event does prompt him to propose.
Apart from a half-hearted attempt to show that Raine was traumatized by a bad first marriage, Amber doesn't explain why Raine is so monumentally bad at communication. (Also, I know that trauma isn't always logical, but if your first marriage was bad because you forgot to warn your wife that you had a secondary retractable penis and periods of compulsive sexual activity and she now hates you forever, does it make sense to respond by not warning your second wife, either? NO. It also means I don't care about your trauma because you are a rapist.) In fact, I'm not certain that she's always aware that the imbalance of information exists and is a problem. Jordan has a lot of angst because she thinks that her genitalia and her past life as a young gentleman are Terrible Dark Secrets, so she's afraid to reveal them to Raine in case he rejects her. But this in no way balances out the information that Raine fails to share with Jordan, because we know all along that Raine likes all of Jordan's sexy bits, and the narrative gives the reader absolutely no reason to think that he could possibly blame her for the way her mother forced her to live.
I think Raine could have been a much better novel, structurally and emotionally, if Amber had really recognized how much of a problem bad communication was for Raine and Jordan's relationship, and made their gradual learning to trust and talk to each other a focus of the story. This doesn't happen. And I don't mean "eventually they talk to each other, but it's not really a big deal for the narrative." I mean that they never voluntarily have an important conversation with each other, because all of their secrets are revealed by the action of external forces.
Yes, that means that Jordan doesn't learn about the secondary retractable penis or Raine's compulsive sexual activity until it's the full moon and they're naked in her bedroom. And after he's given her an aphrodisiac drink so that she can keep up with him.
That's rape, y'all. Nobody in the book thinks so, because it turned out to be really great sex! But if Person A tells Person B to drink a mind-altering substance (without even telling her what it will do!) while Person B thinks they're going to have the ordinary kind of sex they already have, and after it takes effect Person A reveals his surprise! extra penis and surprise! all-night-long stamina ... if Person B says "Hooray! No second thoughts! Into bed with you!" that does not mean Person B has just consented to sex. Couldn't it have been even sexier if he told her about it beforehand and she liked the idea and had to wait and wait for the full moon?
Here are some other things that Amber doesn't present as rape:
- The King of Faerie producing his FaerieBlend daughters by impregnating human women in their sleep
- Raine's treatment of his ex-wife
- Sex that Raine has with Jordan while she is magically hypnotized by evil entities from ElseWorld. This is also sex that impregnates Jordan -- a possibility she had never had the opportunity to consider and agree to. (Followed by two other disturbing things that are not rape, but which you may wish to be warned about, under the spoiler cut: )
- Sex that Jordan has with Raine after she drugs him to sleep, ties him up, and scolds him about his inability to surrender control when he's woken up and saying "let me go, I don't want to have sex like this"
- Probably something I'm forgetting about because there is a lot of rape in this book!
Here are things Amber does present as rape:
- What happens to Jordan when she's being exhibited
- Rapes committed by one of the bad guys, who is in the last stages of syphilis, a hypocritical priest, obese, sadistic, and gay. (Note: I don't think Amber really wants to be one of those writers whose only gay male character is over-the-top evil. Which is unfortunate, because oops! That is what she did in Raine)
- Sex magic that the evil entities from ElseWorld perform on Jordan while she is hypnotized (I think. It's hard to tell because this is immediately followed by Raine having sex with her while she is still hypnotized)
I would like to think that erotica can be just as erotic without all that rape! (Or even, with rape or rape fantasies that are actually acknowledged as such.) And in fact, I see no reason why Amber couldn't write that kind of erotica herself.
What I've failed to say so far is that, despite some bizarre naming choices and despite very serious problems with the structure of the story, I actually really, really enjoyed Amber's writing. Once I got past the first five chapters, I might have paused a moment -- frequently -- to marvel at some bizarre new revelation, but I rarely wanted to put Raine down. Amber's writing is imaginative and fluent and fun.
Best of all, Amber is responsible for Jordan, whom I loved. Jordan is brave and saucy! She knows who she is and insists on her personhood even in the most dehumanizing, oppressive situations! Despite some believable anxieties, she has confidence in herself! She is way too good for Raine, but since Raine is whom she wants, I want her to have him! (Until she starts healing from her lifelong traumas, her communication skills naturally improve, and she realizes that Raine is never going to get any better at talking to her. At that point, she is more than welcome to message me on OKCupid.)
If you're still with me (whew) and you think Raine sounds interesting and that you can handle the rape scenes and other problematic bits, then yes, I recommend it! It may be hard to believe, but I haven't told you about all the bizarre and silly things in this book, and there's lots more plot. You could say that what I have described is only the tip of the ... secondary retractable penis. (groan!)
April 21, 2011
One-word review: Wat.
Extended review: Admittedly, I read this for the trainwreck value. I read the excerpts on Amber's website and went, "Wait, they're half-satyrs... who grow another penis when the moon is full... and there's another world called 'ElseWorld'... and they have to find wives that are 'FaerieBlend'? WAT." I thought it sounded incredibly bizarre, but for some reason, I needed to read it.
Good things: The heroine, Jordan, was a very fleshed-out character. Her struggle to find her gender identity after being forced to pose as a male all her life was well-written. Raine's immediate acceptance of her condition made me feel warm and fuzzy. The two work really well together.
Not-so-good things: The existence of the word "cumslit." The eeevilllll bishop having syphilis, as well as raping and murdering random prostitutes, just to drive home how eeevilllll he is. Jordan finding out what happened to her mother, and then the book skipping to the end. When one Satyr brother playfully punched the other, making me go "Wait, what time period is this... ?" and cringe.
Overall: Not terrible, but not very good. Also: wat.
Extended review: Admittedly, I read this for the trainwreck value. I read the excerpts on Amber's website and went, "Wait, they're half-satyrs... who grow another penis when the moon is full... and there's another world called 'ElseWorld'... and they have to find wives that are 'FaerieBlend'? WAT." I thought it sounded incredibly bizarre, but for some reason, I needed to read it.
Good things: The heroine, Jordan, was a very fleshed-out character. Her struggle to find her gender identity after being forced to pose as a male all her life was well-written. Raine's immediate acceptance of her condition made me feel warm and fuzzy. The two work really well together.
Not-so-good things: The existence of the word "cumslit." The eeevilllll bishop having syphilis, as well as raping and murdering random prostitutes, just to drive home how eeevilllll he is. Jordan finding out what happened to her mother, and then the book skipping to the end. When one Satyr brother playfully punched the other, making me go "Wait, what time period is this... ?" and cringe.
Overall: Not terrible, but not very good. Also: wat.
September 26, 2021
I thought I had read it all and then I read this. Holy hellfire. It is only 4 stars because the lack of action. There wasn't a big fight scene, or jail break or action when I kept thinking there was going to be. The bad guys got what was coming to them but passively. The sex and relationship were really well. I loved Jordan ambiguous nature and how easy Raine accepted her. Will definitely read the last brothers book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2018
Improvement over the first but still f*cking bizarre
June 2, 2012
May contain a few spoilers!
I devoured this entire book in one day!
I think it was (for me) Jordan who made such a massive difference between this book and the previous one, Nicholas. Within the first few pages you get unexpectantly sucker punched with the fact that Jordan is a hermaphrodite. I know you didn't expect that either, right? LOL
But surprisingly what made me immediately fall in love with Jordan was the quick spark of humour we get to see...
"I've been sitting here so long I'm as stiff as a sailors cock." You know when you burst out laughing so early into a book, that you're onto something great.
Although Jordan has suffered greatly throughout her young life, I don't recall hearing her complain even once. Of course we saw the fact that she hated the way she was being/had been treated but she never made it a big deal. She just tried to live her life as best she could and I really respected her for that.
I had already kind of decided that Raine was going to be this miserable asshole that would begrudgingly take Jordan as his wife. But I was so happy to be proven wrong. I loved the way that from the very beginning Raine cared about Jordan and her feelings. He wants to please her and for her to be happy.
Another thing I liked about Raine was the fact that he was so open to experimenting... Although he had never even considered being with a man before, he wanted to pleasure Jordan in the same way she would always please him. He really was an incredible guy.
I loved this little scene right at the end of the book, showing us just how far Raine has come in their relationship, trusting his wife to give her comeplete control!
'A gold ribbon. When she looked at him in question, Raine had held his hands out to her, with the insides of his wrists pressed together. In the pitch velvet of night, he whispered to her. "Happy Birthday, my love."'
I think I may have actually stopped breathing!
As much as I loved this book, it was considerably darker than Nicholas. There were many times when I was so horrified, I had to really push myself to make it through those soul crushing scenes... mostly involving 'The Bishop'.
The Bishop:
Wow, where do I even start? If I had thought Jane's aunt was desipicable and disgusting, well I really hadn't seen anything yet. I honestly have no words to describe this guy. The graphic detail we got from him about his sexual disease, the way he killed that poor boy and proceeded to rape Salerno, handing him his death sentence. Well let's just say he was one of the most awful men I have ever read about.
This book was constantly moving and changing, pulling me in from the very beginning and keeping me totally enthralled to the very last page. The author did an incredible job of making me feel so many separate emotions...
I have had a soft for Lyon from the first book so I have very high hopes for his book.
I devoured this entire book in one day!
I think it was (for me) Jordan who made such a massive difference between this book and the previous one, Nicholas. Within the first few pages you get unexpectantly sucker punched with the fact that Jordan is a hermaphrodite. I know you didn't expect that either, right? LOL
But surprisingly what made me immediately fall in love with Jordan was the quick spark of humour we get to see...
"I've been sitting here so long I'm as stiff as a sailors cock." You know when you burst out laughing so early into a book, that you're onto something great.
Although Jordan has suffered greatly throughout her young life, I don't recall hearing her complain even once. Of course we saw the fact that she hated the way she was being/had been treated but she never made it a big deal. She just tried to live her life as best she could and I really respected her for that.
I had already kind of decided that Raine was going to be this miserable asshole that would begrudgingly take Jordan as his wife. But I was so happy to be proven wrong. I loved the way that from the very beginning Raine cared about Jordan and her feelings. He wants to please her and for her to be happy.
Another thing I liked about Raine was the fact that he was so open to experimenting... Although he had never even considered being with a man before, he wanted to pleasure Jordan in the same way she would always please him. He really was an incredible guy.
I loved this little scene right at the end of the book, showing us just how far Raine has come in their relationship, trusting his wife to give her comeplete control!
'A gold ribbon. When she looked at him in question, Raine had held his hands out to her, with the insides of his wrists pressed together. In the pitch velvet of night, he whispered to her. "Happy Birthday, my love."'
I think I may have actually stopped breathing!
As much as I loved this book, it was considerably darker than Nicholas. There were many times when I was so horrified, I had to really push myself to make it through those soul crushing scenes... mostly involving 'The Bishop'.
The Bishop:
Wow, where do I even start? If I had thought Jane's aunt was desipicable and disgusting, well I really hadn't seen anything yet. I honestly have no words to describe this guy. The graphic detail we got from him about his sexual disease, the way he killed that poor boy and proceeded to rape Salerno, handing him his death sentence. Well let's just say he was one of the most awful men I have ever read about.
This book was constantly moving and changing, pulling me in from the very beginning and keeping me totally enthralled to the very last page. The author did an incredible job of making me feel so many separate emotions...
I have had a soft for Lyon from the first book so I have very high hopes for his book.
September 7, 2008
Raine is the second book of the trilogy of The Lords of Satyr by Elizabeth Amber and one I had been anxiously awaiting. This book was definitely worth the wait! Each story focuses on one of the three brothers, the last Lords of the Satyr and the trials they go through to find their half fairy mates in an effort to protect their secrets and their lives.
After a horrific first marriage the last thing Raine wants is another wife. But he must follow the wishes of King Feydon and find his mate. He travels from his home in Tuscany to Venice for a conference on a disease affecting Europe’s grape vines but inadvertently comes across a glorious enigma. Of course she turns out to be the one for whom he has been searching, he just doesn’t know it yet.
Jordan dreads her birthday. Every year she spends it suffering and away from her loved ones and every year she hopes it will be different. She gets her wish when she meets up with Raine. After she experiences a night of passion beyond her wildest imaginings she finds that her entire world has changed.
Raine takes Jordan to the Satyr Estates in Tuscany and brings her to his home intending on marrying her as is duty but he tries to ensure she doesn’t get too close. Jordan would like nothing more than the love of this man and a family but she can’t bring herself to subject him to the scandal if her secrets are revealed. Raine is tormented by his sexual feelings – thinking them too savage to unleash upon anyone.
True to Nicholas, the first book in the series, Raine and Jordan go through much adversity to find their way to love and it is one amazingly erotic trip. None of the Satyrs will ever need a “little blue pill” and Jordan is Raine’s equal in sexual appetite.
Jordan is an incredibly strong female lead and can hold her own against the dynamic Raine. The suspense, erotic love scenes and magic of this book will not disappoint.
Set in the Regency Era it is fantasy and erotica all rolled into one splendid package tied with a huge red bow. So pour yourself a glass of wine, sit back and relish the opening of this present delivered by Elizabeth Amber. You won’t want to miss one passionate word.
Though it is the second book in the series and can stand one its own I would encourage you to read Nicholas as well. Lyon the third brother’s story will be out in October of this year and I can’t wait. The Lords of Satyr series will find a permanent place on my bookshelf to be read and re-read, these characters too wonderful to let loose.
After a horrific first marriage the last thing Raine wants is another wife. But he must follow the wishes of King Feydon and find his mate. He travels from his home in Tuscany to Venice for a conference on a disease affecting Europe’s grape vines but inadvertently comes across a glorious enigma. Of course she turns out to be the one for whom he has been searching, he just doesn’t know it yet.
Jordan dreads her birthday. Every year she spends it suffering and away from her loved ones and every year she hopes it will be different. She gets her wish when she meets up with Raine. After she experiences a night of passion beyond her wildest imaginings she finds that her entire world has changed.
Raine takes Jordan to the Satyr Estates in Tuscany and brings her to his home intending on marrying her as is duty but he tries to ensure she doesn’t get too close. Jordan would like nothing more than the love of this man and a family but she can’t bring herself to subject him to the scandal if her secrets are revealed. Raine is tormented by his sexual feelings – thinking them too savage to unleash upon anyone.
True to Nicholas, the first book in the series, Raine and Jordan go through much adversity to find their way to love and it is one amazingly erotic trip. None of the Satyrs will ever need a “little blue pill” and Jordan is Raine’s equal in sexual appetite.
Jordan is an incredibly strong female lead and can hold her own against the dynamic Raine. The suspense, erotic love scenes and magic of this book will not disappoint.
Set in the Regency Era it is fantasy and erotica all rolled into one splendid package tied with a huge red bow. So pour yourself a glass of wine, sit back and relish the opening of this present delivered by Elizabeth Amber. You won’t want to miss one passionate word.
Though it is the second book in the series and can stand one its own I would encourage you to read Nicholas as well. Lyon the third brother’s story will be out in October of this year and I can’t wait. The Lords of Satyr series will find a permanent place on my bookshelf to be read and re-read, these characters too wonderful to let loose.
February 4, 2012
I never know how to review these books. They're so cracktastic and bizarre in the fantasy-erotica way, that I'm still surprised I like them so much. Then again, if you "survived" the first book in this series, then you're probably already along for the crazy, crazy ride of crazysauce on the crazytrain. I mean, I've been in a month-long reading slump, and the one book that snaps me out of it is an erotic romance involving a double-cocked half-satyr and a half-fae hermaphrodite*? WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT ME?
In all seriousness, though, I'm once again amazed at how Ms. Amber takes such an "out-there" premise and makes it work, mostly. You'd think that the only appeal in something like this would be the fetish-value, but there's actual plot and character development here. I absolutely loved how she handled Jordan and the whole hermaphrodite plot. It was done really well, touching on the incredibly uncomfortable (massive understatement) aspects of being "scientifically observed," as well as the emotional conflicts *and* the erotic aspects of having fully-functioning male and female sexual anatomy (hey, it's an erotic fantasy series - emphasis on fantasy). I love that she was such a strong, well-rounded character - that really took something that would have otherwise come off as a kink/fetish and made it into a true character, if that makes any sense.
Unfortunately, much like the first book in this series, the story sort of meandered a little too much, then failed to really cash in on the plot potential. And there was a LOT of plot potential. The deranged, syphilis-ridden, stalk-tastic bishop? The sudden random cameo of Raine's mother? Jordan's off-kilter mother? The doctor? All of these things seemed to be leading the reader down a very plotty, dark road. And then... it just kind of fell apart and got hand-waved in the end. Ultimately, it felt like the author had too much going on and had to rush the ending to either fit it within a wc limit, or meet a deadline.
That said, I'm totally going to keep reading this series.
*While I realize that the "real-world" correct term is "intersex," in the case of this fantasy series, "hermaphrodite" is arguably referring to the mythical creature. Not to mention, the term is historically-appropriate for the setting of this book.
In all seriousness, though, I'm once again amazed at how Ms. Amber takes such an "out-there" premise and makes it work, mostly. You'd think that the only appeal in something like this would be the fetish-value, but there's actual plot and character development here. I absolutely loved how she handled Jordan and the whole hermaphrodite plot. It was done really well, touching on the incredibly uncomfortable (massive understatement) aspects of being "scientifically observed," as well as the emotional conflicts *and* the erotic aspects of having fully-functioning male and female sexual anatomy (hey, it's an erotic fantasy series - emphasis on fantasy). I love that she was such a strong, well-rounded character - that really took something that would have otherwise come off as a kink/fetish and made it into a true character, if that makes any sense.
Unfortunately, much like the first book in this series, the story sort of meandered a little too much, then failed to really cash in on the plot potential. And there was a LOT of plot potential. The deranged, syphilis-ridden, stalk-tastic bishop? The sudden random cameo of Raine's mother? Jordan's off-kilter mother? The doctor? All of these things seemed to be leading the reader down a very plotty, dark road. And then... it just kind of fell apart and got hand-waved in the end. Ultimately, it felt like the author had too much going on and had to rush the ending to either fit it within a wc limit, or meet a deadline.
That said, I'm totally going to keep reading this series.
*While I realize that the "real-world" correct term is "intersex," in the case of this fantasy series, "hermaphrodite" is arguably referring to the mythical creature. Not to mention, the term is historically-appropriate for the setting of this book.
July 20, 2021
Overall: 4 stars*. Mythology/paranormal/historical erotica with more interesting and better developed characters than the first book in the series (and, yep, lots of sex scenes).
*4 stars for what it is: which is a bonkers, self-indulgent sexy romp
To give you a quick summary so you don’t necessarily have to check my review of the prequel, Nicholas: this book is about men in 1820s Italy who shapeshift into double-dicked half-goat satyr men during the full moon. Yep. There’s an “ElseWorld” of Greco-Roman creatures trying to invade Earth, and our hero, Raine is one of the satyr brothers protecting Earth. The plot is bonkers and silly and, in my opinion, a great deal of fun, but YMMV.
I rated this entry in the series higher than the first because I think the characters are more vividly drawn. Jordan, an intersex woman (technically a magical hermaphrodite in the Greco-Roman sense: she’s not fully human and has magical powers, in addition to mixed genitalia), is our heroine, and I loved her courage and how the story really gives her a lot of agency and control in her sex life, once she escapes her abusive captors at the story’s opening. There’s also discussion of gender identity and roles, as Jordan has been forced to masquerade as a man due to her genitalia, despite her identity as a woman: the hero, Raine, is wonderfully accepting and loving, so no worries there (all misgendering and exploitation come from villains). I wish there had been a liiiitle bit more exploration of this theme, but still I think it was well-incorporated for a historical setting.
The hero, Raine, feels less well-developed compared to Jordan, but I enjoyed him as an example of the “cold and grumpy, obsessed with protocol” Mr. Darcy sort.
Overall, I think readers who enjoy Ice Planet Barbarians and werewolfy sorts of paranormal romance will enjoy this book, but please do know that the heroine is intersex and don’t go in with hatred glasses on, mmkay?
Heat Level: Super explicit. Mostly vanilla consensual scenes but the hero is a were-satyr man with funky junk, so yeah.
CW: Rapey villains (plural), exploitation, misgendering, and abuse of intersex character (by the villains), forced sex work/sex trafficking
*4 stars for what it is: which is a bonkers, self-indulgent sexy romp
To give you a quick summary so you don’t necessarily have to check my review of the prequel, Nicholas: this book is about men in 1820s Italy who shapeshift into double-dicked half-goat satyr men during the full moon. Yep. There’s an “ElseWorld” of Greco-Roman creatures trying to invade Earth, and our hero, Raine is one of the satyr brothers protecting Earth. The plot is bonkers and silly and, in my opinion, a great deal of fun, but YMMV.
I rated this entry in the series higher than the first because I think the characters are more vividly drawn. Jordan, an intersex woman (technically a magical hermaphrodite in the Greco-Roman sense: she’s not fully human and has magical powers, in addition to mixed genitalia), is our heroine, and I loved her courage and how the story really gives her a lot of agency and control in her sex life, once she escapes her abusive captors at the story’s opening. There’s also discussion of gender identity and roles, as Jordan has been forced to masquerade as a man due to her genitalia, despite her identity as a woman: the hero, Raine, is wonderfully accepting and loving, so no worries there (all misgendering and exploitation come from villains). I wish there had been a liiiitle bit more exploration of this theme, but still I think it was well-incorporated for a historical setting.
The hero, Raine, feels less well-developed compared to Jordan, but I enjoyed him as an example of the “cold and grumpy, obsessed with protocol” Mr. Darcy sort.
Overall, I think readers who enjoy Ice Planet Barbarians and werewolfy sorts of paranormal romance will enjoy this book, but please do know that the heroine is intersex and don’t go in with hatred glasses on, mmkay?
Heat Level: Super explicit. Mostly vanilla consensual scenes but the hero is a were-satyr man with funky junk, so yeah.
CW: Rapey villains (plural), exploitation, misgendering, and abuse of intersex character (by the villains), forced sex work/sex trafficking
May 3, 2010
Ok, This was a book that I wasn't sure I would like. Mainly because the fact that the heroine was a hermaphrodite and I was a bit uncomfy about it. I'd read reviews too so everything was pointing to a book I'd miss out.
Boy was I wrong. This book surpassed the first one and I really did care about both leads in this book.
I really felt for Jordan and the perdiciment she was in. In order to keep the doctor who declared her male at birth and therefore able to keep her fathers inheritance, she had to allow the doctor to show her in a medical display on her birthday every year.
The actual showing was degrading and demeaning, but Jordan had the steely resolve to get through it and then live the rest of her life for the reminder of the year, all be it as male though she thought herself as male.
Until the day that Raine and a creepy bishop (who was just your stereotypical baddy) accidently walked in on the presentation. the bishop, who is lusting after Raine sees the instant attraction he has to Jordan (whose face is hidden by a mask to keep her identity secret) so he plans to make an offer to the doctor.
Now its during this discussion that Jordan decides enough is enough, when the doctor decides he wants to experiment with her ability to reproduce. She makes her escape and bumps into Raine who, knowing that she is the person from the theatre, hides her.
From then on we see how both parties are trying to fight their attraction and love for each other due to being hurt in the past. Raine because his ex-wife found out he is half man and half beast and Jordan her history as being male.
The first book wasn't a keeper as I felt that the ending was a bit all wrapped up in a nice bow and kind of went off tanget. This one is a keeper and the ending was brilliant. It didn't seem rushed ant the twist at the end with regards to a character was intresting.
I can't wait to read Lyons book now.
Boy was I wrong. This book surpassed the first one and I really did care about both leads in this book.
I really felt for Jordan and the perdiciment she was in. In order to keep the doctor who declared her male at birth and therefore able to keep her fathers inheritance, she had to allow the doctor to show her in a medical display on her birthday every year.
The actual showing was degrading and demeaning, but Jordan had the steely resolve to get through it and then live the rest of her life for the reminder of the year, all be it as male though she thought herself as male.
Until the day that Raine and a creepy bishop (who was just your stereotypical baddy) accidently walked in on the presentation. the bishop, who is lusting after Raine sees the instant attraction he has to Jordan (whose face is hidden by a mask to keep her identity secret) so he plans to make an offer to the doctor.
Now its during this discussion that Jordan decides enough is enough, when the doctor decides he wants to experiment with her ability to reproduce. She makes her escape and bumps into Raine who, knowing that she is the person from the theatre, hides her.
From then on we see how both parties are trying to fight their attraction and love for each other due to being hurt in the past. Raine because his ex-wife found out he is half man and half beast and Jordan her history as being male.
The first book wasn't a keeper as I felt that the ending was a bit all wrapped up in a nice bow and kind of went off tanget. This one is a keeper and the ending was brilliant. It didn't seem rushed ant the twist at the end with regards to a character was intresting.
I can't wait to read Lyons book now.
July 8, 2012
This is the second book in the Lords of Satyr series and it is just as good or better than the first one, Nicholas. As with the first one, this one is definitely not for just anyone. If you don't enjoy the strange and unusual then I suggest you look elsewhere. Personally, I love the strange and unusual and therefore I loved this one.
Raine is the second Satyr brother who travels to Venice seeking his Fairieblend wife. He finds Jordan who is an hermaphrodite that has lived most of her life as a male so that her mother could inherit her dad's fortune. He finds her on display as a medical oddity and does his best to take her away from that life. Jordan fights against it vowing never again to be another's property. She loses sight of the fact that marriage wouldn't mean ownership but instead would be care and protection. The relationship between Raine and Jordan is a difficult one that shows alot of strain at time from both partners. The presence of an evil bishop and the controlling doctor adds to the strain on Jordan and her wish not to bring shame to Raine.
This is a wonderful erotica (definitely only recommended for those over 18) filled with magical creatures including the Satyrs with two phallus during Moonful and now complimented with an hermaphrodite. These characteristics are woven wonderfully into the story and adds to it rather than detracts from it. Although I know that these points alone will not appeal to everyone, if you are a little adventurous I would say give this series a try.
Raine is the second Satyr brother who travels to Venice seeking his Fairieblend wife. He finds Jordan who is an hermaphrodite that has lived most of her life as a male so that her mother could inherit her dad's fortune. He finds her on display as a medical oddity and does his best to take her away from that life. Jordan fights against it vowing never again to be another's property. She loses sight of the fact that marriage wouldn't mean ownership but instead would be care and protection. The relationship between Raine and Jordan is a difficult one that shows alot of strain at time from both partners. The presence of an evil bishop and the controlling doctor adds to the strain on Jordan and her wish not to bring shame to Raine.
This is a wonderful erotica (definitely only recommended for those over 18) filled with magical creatures including the Satyrs with two phallus during Moonful and now complimented with an hermaphrodite. These characteristics are woven wonderfully into the story and adds to it rather than detracts from it. Although I know that these points alone will not appeal to everyone, if you are a little adventurous I would say give this series a try.
August 19, 2008
So - book two didn't really make this series any less "icky" with certain elements. I felt the story still felt short of it's potential and Raine was so aloof until the very end that it was hard for me to really like him. Sure, he had sexual magnetism and his lust was constant but why? Are Satyrs just sexual by nature? Jordan on the other hand? I found it interesting that she wanted to live life as a woman but still have sex (on occasion) as a man with her own penis. To me that was just strange. She could experience orgasm as both sexes which leads you to wonder if she could get pregnant and get someone else pregnant.
Jordan's cousin, the bishop, totally grossed me out in all aspects of his character. Just eeeewwww. No redeeming qualities at all. Salerno, well I hated them but then he got his in the end I guess although I wouldn't wish what happened to him on anyone.
This story left so many unsolved storylines. Who killed Jordan's mom. I know it said suicide but why? Why did the bishop lust so badly after Raine? Why was Raine so accepting and turned on by Jordan and her body with both sexes, even willing (according to Jordan's dreams) to allow her to have sex with him using her "man parts?" Why were Morpheus and his brothers so intent on getting Jordan?
It's unfinished storylines like this that keep unable to put the damn books down even if I read half the scenes through my fingers because they are just a little too slimy. Now I'm reading Lyon's book which I thought would be the last but oh no - I see she has another coming out next year. Damn.
Jordan's cousin, the bishop, totally grossed me out in all aspects of his character. Just eeeewwww. No redeeming qualities at all. Salerno, well I hated them but then he got his in the end I guess although I wouldn't wish what happened to him on anyone.
This story left so many unsolved storylines. Who killed Jordan's mom. I know it said suicide but why? Why did the bishop lust so badly after Raine? Why was Raine so accepting and turned on by Jordan and her body with both sexes, even willing (according to Jordan's dreams) to allow her to have sex with him using her "man parts?" Why were Morpheus and his brothers so intent on getting Jordan?
It's unfinished storylines like this that keep unable to put the damn books down even if I read half the scenes through my fingers because they are just a little too slimy. Now I'm reading Lyon's book which I thought would be the last but oh no - I see she has another coming out next year. Damn.
July 4, 2011
Love Jordan! Love her!
I actually liked this book better than the first in the series: Nicholas. There were a couple reasons. First, I thought the story was better put together. Everything flowed and it didn't feel like anything was stuck in only for its content - in Nicholas, some of the more unconventional sex scenes felt like they were added just to have the content and not to actually develop the story. This book still had those types of scenes, but they all had their purpose.
Second, I really liked Raine, Jordan, and their story. It was the perfect love story. Each had personal worries and issues they had to overcome and they were able to help each other to do that. They became stronger together and throughout the story, as each struggled and made decisions they thought were for the best, they didn't stop thinking of each other.
There is a lot of great sex scenes in this book. Many of them unconventional. So if that's not something you enjoy, I would not recommend this book. Otherwise, anyone looking for a really great love story, look no further.
I actually liked this book better than the first in the series: Nicholas. There were a couple reasons. First, I thought the story was better put together. Everything flowed and it didn't feel like anything was stuck in only for its content - in Nicholas, some of the more unconventional sex scenes felt like they were added just to have the content and not to actually develop the story. This book still had those types of scenes, but they all had their purpose.
Second, I really liked Raine, Jordan, and their story. It was the perfect love story. Each had personal worries and issues they had to overcome and they were able to help each other to do that. They became stronger together and throughout the story, as each struggled and made decisions they thought were for the best, they didn't stop thinking of each other.
There is a lot of great sex scenes in this book. Many of them unconventional. So if that's not something you enjoy, I would not recommend this book. Otherwise, anyone looking for a really great love story, look no further.
February 17, 2012
Raine redeemed Ms. Amber for me. I didn't like the first book, Nicholas so much. Raine, I enjoyed because he's a better male than his brother. Raine is actually a stoic satyr with scientific leanings. I like him. The fact that he doesn't mind his fated female to have both a dick and pussy, well, that has me happily humming. Yes, I rated this book 3.5 out of 5 because of the sex. So sue me. This time around, Jordan is the one who is a "sexual freak". She has testes in her pussy lips! Yes, you read this correctly. I don't know how Ms. Amber comes up with these deviant thoughts, but she does. While Jordan's dick may not be that long at 5 and a quarter inch, it does work and ejaculates. Are you intrigued? I'm intrigued. I want to watch these two have sex. Forget about the plot. Forget about the Elseworld trying to break into Earthworld. Forget about Morpheus trying to seduce Jordan. I want to see Raine and Jordan fuck in every single combination possible. Yes, you guessed it, I wanted to see Raine getting fucked in the ass by Jordan. Basically, this book was hot for me in a masturbatory sense. While the plot was decent, I was more focused on Jordan's ability to be fucked in the ass and pussy at the same time as she could stick her dick in another whole. Oh the glorious combinations that could happen!
August 20, 2010
This series is Paranormal and takes you back to the 1800's and into the world where magical beings and happenings exist, but are hidden from those whom are merely human.
Magical gardens, vineyards of life and gateways to otherworlds.
In book 2, Raine, the middle Satyr brother must travel to find his predestined bride in Venice. Time is of the essence and a threatening plague upon the family's vineyard weighs heavy on his mind. His journey to Venice is to attend a lecture regarding the disease affecting the vineyards across Europe.
Call it fate or coinsidence, Raine stubbles into the wrong door, at the right time. A lecture on a shocking abnormality and displayed right there before him on the stage is a naked human, riveted; he dare not look away. Raine has just met his bride to be...
Magical gardens, vineyards of life and gateways to otherworlds.
In book 2, Raine, the middle Satyr brother must travel to find his predestined bride in Venice. Time is of the essence and a threatening plague upon the family's vineyard weighs heavy on his mind. His journey to Venice is to attend a lecture regarding the disease affecting the vineyards across Europe.
Call it fate or coinsidence, Raine stubbles into the wrong door, at the right time. A lecture on a shocking abnormality and displayed right there before him on the stage is a naked human, riveted; he dare not look away. Raine has just met his bride to be...
December 28, 2010
The second installment in the series moves along reasonably. The downsides are that Raine's pain and character are not suitably fleshed out (although there is plenty of other sorts of fleshing out).
Jordan's big secret is that she is a hermaphrodite, with all that this entails for 'concupiscent relations' and there is also some unpleasant M/M action which took the gloss off things a bit for me.
However, the dour nature of this book may also be influenced by the dour nature of Raine himself. We have enough hints that his brother Lyon (Book 3) is a lascivious flirtatious troublemaker to make moving on to the next book a pleasing proposition.
Can anyone tell I am gunning for my 100 books-in-2010 now?
Jordan's big secret is that she is a hermaphrodite, with all that this entails for 'concupiscent relations' and there is also some unpleasant M/M action which took the gloss off things a bit for me.
However, the dour nature of this book may also be influenced by the dour nature of Raine himself. We have enough hints that his brother Lyon (Book 3) is a lascivious flirtatious troublemaker to make moving on to the next book a pleasing proposition.
Can anyone tell I am gunning for my 100 books-in-2010 now?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2008
This book pushes the erotic boundaries in that the heroine is one of the most unusual ones I've read. Once again, this author has surprised me and she continues to write well.
The story is about acceptance and has a good plot complete with bad guys from ElseWorld trying to get the heroine, and it continues the storyline about the grapevines being under threat.
If you just want a lightly sexy read, look elsewhere. This book is steaming HOT. The main romance and sex scenes are between the heroine and hero. There's some m/m and some menage with paranormal guys and the heroine (hard to explain w/o spoilers).
I loved it.
The story is about acceptance and has a good plot complete with bad guys from ElseWorld trying to get the heroine, and it continues the storyline about the grapevines being under threat.
If you just want a lightly sexy read, look elsewhere. This book is steaming HOT. The main romance and sex scenes are between the heroine and hero. There's some m/m and some menage with paranormal guys and the heroine (hard to explain w/o spoilers).
I loved it.
March 17, 2011
Oh, this one's a keeper. I enjoyed Raine & Jordan's story so much more than that of his brothers. Would recommend reading this one first, even if it is second in the series. I think the reason I enjoyed this one more was because regardless of what all had been done to Jordan and how different she was, Raine loved her. I guess that's what drew me to them, because isn't that what true love is about? Loving each other regardless of our faults, be they emotional or physical? Recommend this one to anyone who enjoys paranormal erotica, and who is VERY OPEN MINDED!!! The Lords of Satyr have a very interesting way of pleasing their mates, and Jordan is very similar to their nature...
August 19, 2008
I picked up this book and finished it the same night I started it. It is an excellent follow-up to Nicholas - it's probably better, at least IMHO. Thought the ending had some weird elements that could potentially spoil the third book, but I'll just have to read it to see...
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