What do you think?
Rate this book
The Rue Alliance #1
A Devilish Slumber
Inspired by Sleeping Beauty
BEAUTY AWOKE, AND THEN THE TROUBLE BEGAN . . .
Since dealing with the death of her sister, and her abandonment by Sir Phillip Jones—the man who professed to love her—Lady Roselyn Ravenstock has lived as if sleepwalking. Mired in grief, she sequestered herself in her home, avoiding all callers. Then she meets Mrs. Helen Beaumont, and Rose starts to come to life . . . until Helen is murdered. But this time, Rose isn’t going back to sleep. Vowing to avenge her friend, Rose dons a costume and goes out into the night looking for a killer.
Sir Phillip, the Regent’s favored spy, returns from war determined to win back the woman he was forced to leave three years ago. But when he witnesses Rose covered in blood, racing from a brutal scene while gripping the murder weapon, he goes on a desperate mission to unravel what he hopes is a case of mistaken identity.
The investigation leads Rose into a world of enchantment, where people can reshape their features, fires are begun with a snap of fingers, and objects move of their own accord. But the real magic is the blazing attraction that is re-awakened between her and Phillip.
Will Rose ever get her happily ever after? Possibly. But first, she’ll have to convince Phillip of her innocence—before the killer strikes again. . . .
BEAUTY AWOKE, AND THEN THE TROUBLE BEGAN . . .
Since dealing with the death of her sister, and her abandonment by Sir Phillip Jones—the man who professed to love her—Lady Roselyn Ravenstock has lived as if sleepwalking. Mired in grief, she sequestered herself in her home, avoiding all callers. Then she meets Mrs. Helen Beaumont, and Rose starts to come to life . . . until Helen is murdered. But this time, Rose isn’t going back to sleep. Vowing to avenge her friend, Rose dons a costume and goes out into the night looking for a killer.
Sir Phillip, the Regent’s favored spy, returns from war determined to win back the woman he was forced to leave three years ago. But when he witnesses Rose covered in blood, racing from a brutal scene while gripping the murder weapon, he goes on a desperate mission to unravel what he hopes is a case of mistaken identity.
The investigation leads Rose into a world of enchantment, where people can reshape their features, fires are begun with a snap of fingers, and objects move of their own accord. But the real magic is the blazing attraction that is re-awakened between her and Phillip.
Will Rose ever get her happily ever after? Possibly. But first, she’ll have to convince Phillip of her innocence—before the killer strikes again. . . .
222 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2015
8 people are currently reading
1215 people want to read
About the author
Shereen Vedam
41 books365 followersOnce upon a time, USA Today bestselling author Shereen Vedam read fantasy and romance novels to entertain herself. Now she writes heartwarming tales braided with threads of magic and love and mystery elements woven in for good measure.
Shereen's a fan of resourceful women, intriguing men, and happily-ever-after endings. If her stories whisk you away to a different realm for a few hours, then Shereen will have achieved one of her life goals.
FB Page
Instagram
Pinterest
Amazon author page
Newsletter signup
Shereen's a fan of resourceful women, intriguing men, and happily-ever-after endings. If her stories whisk you away to a different realm for a few hours, then Shereen will have achieved one of her life goals.
FB Page
Amazon author page
Newsletter signup
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 13, 2021
Having read the second Rue Alliance book before this one, I must say that A Devilish Slumber takes better advantage of the characters' gifts than the second book. If it's supposed to be a Regency romance fantasy, I like to see a fair bit of magic, and this book delivers that. However, there was a lack of clarity in some of the magic, therefore the reader had to go back and re-read to figure out what exactly was happening.
I'm not going to elaborate on that last sentence since I don't give a synopsis or spoilers in my book reviews, rather, I review the technical elements and how well the author is able to use them to keep the reader engaged. These are elements that many reviewers miss yet are key to reader satisfaction.
I have a problem with the title, since it's not indicative of the book, rather suggestive in a sideways sort of way of a subset of the plot that falls rather late in the story, but does contribute to the climax. There are no devils, though. So it's not that accurate. This book has an unusual plot development where the romance development is smooth yet there are bumps in the road that contribute to mild tension, creating a fairly enjoyable read despite some veritable confusion around roles of characters and their skills. Then a villain is introduced quite late in the story (though hinted at early on) and made especially evil so that the angst is ramped up quite high, taking away from the romance thread for a time. The hero's reveal of the heroine's secrets is credible and not contrived, making it one of the best sections of the book. Romance and sanity both win with a quick denouement and satisfying end for the villain. The extra romance at the end didn't ring true--it wasn't developed well enough early on.
Characterization was not always smooth--Phillip was somewhat mercurial and Rose could go from capable to clingy in a heartbeat. Ben was a nice addition and consistent to his role. Some of the minor characters must have been there to add confusion--there seemed too many of them to keep track of. And they came back, with very little proper contribution to the plot other than to take up space. I was slightly confused, and that's not a good place for a reader to be situated. My solution was to read on and ignore those things that confused me and hope they were explained in the end. I can't say that the minor issues were.
As a Regency romance, the language rang fairly true to the scenario. There were few modern words and phrases to kick the reader out of the feel of the era in comparison to other books of this subgenre. The author used toward (American--Brits say towards), townhouse, French doors, lineup, "unhooked her stays" (stays were tied), and "dots connected." There were few of what I'll call typos, such as missing periods and the word "happing" for "happening." As a nitpicker, IMHO, this is not much, indicating rather excellent editing.
There are vague descriptions of past violence and some mild sexual scenes, though not explicit. I don't think a sensitive reader would have a problem with this book.
Scene setting was excellent, as Vedam put the characters in various places that came alive to the reader. The descriptions made one feel as if they were there. Even the characters' personal features became part of this, which was critical to the plot.
The cover is far too busy, with elements that don't seem to fit the book. Like what's that with the apple on the chain? Is it a watch fob? Or all the clocks? The human element is cold with the silhouettes. At least they aren't the blow-dried polyester prom outfit models on most Regency books these days! This cover might be noticed, but for all the wrong reasons--it makes it look like a steampunk book. In fact, a simpler cover can say "Wow!" in a stronger way.
This is a good book for those who enjoy a Regency romance with a strong fantasy element to it. I would certainly recommend it.
Disclaimer: I am a friend of Shereen Vedam and as such, this review might be considered a conflict of interest. However, I am a reader first, and my reviews are honest and impartial and written for both the reader and the author.
I'm not going to elaborate on that last sentence since I don't give a synopsis or spoilers in my book reviews, rather, I review the technical elements and how well the author is able to use them to keep the reader engaged. These are elements that many reviewers miss yet are key to reader satisfaction.
I have a problem with the title, since it's not indicative of the book, rather suggestive in a sideways sort of way of a subset of the plot that falls rather late in the story, but does contribute to the climax. There are no devils, though. So it's not that accurate. This book has an unusual plot development where the romance development is smooth yet there are bumps in the road that contribute to mild tension, creating a fairly enjoyable read despite some veritable confusion around roles of characters and their skills. Then a villain is introduced quite late in the story (though hinted at early on) and made especially evil so that the angst is ramped up quite high, taking away from the romance thread for a time. The hero's reveal of the heroine's secrets is credible and not contrived, making it one of the best sections of the book. Romance and sanity both win with a quick denouement and satisfying end for the villain. The extra romance at the end didn't ring true--it wasn't developed well enough early on.
Characterization was not always smooth--Phillip was somewhat mercurial and Rose could go from capable to clingy in a heartbeat. Ben was a nice addition and consistent to his role. Some of the minor characters must have been there to add confusion--there seemed too many of them to keep track of. And they came back, with very little proper contribution to the plot other than to take up space. I was slightly confused, and that's not a good place for a reader to be situated. My solution was to read on and ignore those things that confused me and hope they were explained in the end. I can't say that the minor issues were.
As a Regency romance, the language rang fairly true to the scenario. There were few modern words and phrases to kick the reader out of the feel of the era in comparison to other books of this subgenre. The author used toward (American--Brits say towards), townhouse, French doors, lineup, "unhooked her stays" (stays were tied), and "dots connected." There were few of what I'll call typos, such as missing periods and the word "happing" for "happening." As a nitpicker, IMHO, this is not much, indicating rather excellent editing.
There are vague descriptions of past violence and some mild sexual scenes, though not explicit. I don't think a sensitive reader would have a problem with this book.
Scene setting was excellent, as Vedam put the characters in various places that came alive to the reader. The descriptions made one feel as if they were there. Even the characters' personal features became part of this, which was critical to the plot.
The cover is far too busy, with elements that don't seem to fit the book. Like what's that with the apple on the chain? Is it a watch fob? Or all the clocks? The human element is cold with the silhouettes. At least they aren't the blow-dried polyester prom outfit models on most Regency books these days! This cover might be noticed, but for all the wrong reasons--it makes it look like a steampunk book. In fact, a simpler cover can say "Wow!" in a stronger way.
This is a good book for those who enjoy a Regency romance with a strong fantasy element to it. I would certainly recommend it.
Disclaimer: I am a friend of Shereen Vedam and as such, this review might be considered a conflict of interest. However, I am a reader first, and my reviews are honest and impartial and written for both the reader and the author.
July 7, 2015
Sir Phillip Jones is a fun guy who works for the crown. You can't help but love his personality. When he comes across the lady who he has strong feelings. He is conflicted. Lady Roselyn Ravenstock is all alone in the world. When her only friend in the world dies, she has to find out who is her killer is. It is a wonderful story with an interesting paranormal aspects to the book. I received this complimentary book from the Author in exchange for an honest review. (LOP or Lovers of Paranormal on Goodreads)
October 1, 2023
Sleeping Beauty no more … Lady Roselyn Ravenstock vows to hunt down a killer after her best friend Helen is killed, but Phillip spied Rose…didn’t he? He hopes he’s mistaken for both their sakes . Well written and entertaining.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2019
An amazing retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Impossible not to enjoy. Plot and characters work well for each other. Can’t wait to read more by this author.
September 25, 2023
This one's a mystery romance set in Napoleonic London amongst the city's nobility. There's plenty of suspense, a murder who-done-it and a second time around romance that's sweet and a little steamy, plus a whole bunch of shape shifters struggling to guard their existence, let alone their identities.
A very good start to a promising series and an all round good read.
A very good start to a promising series and an all round good read.
May 3, 2015
I received a free copy from Netgalley. I liked this but didn't love it. The characters were well thought out as was the plot but I found it too predictable and the pace too slow.
October 25, 2016
>Book review – A Devilish Slumber
> This is the first book in the Rue Alliance series and ends in an HEA. This book is set in Victorian London. Every unmarried woman must travel with a chaperone. Men have a lot more freedom than women. Rose lost her beloved sister, Eve, and uncle to an accident 3 years prior. Her beau at the time, Phillip, was actually an officer trying to capture Eve and the uncle in a sting. Phillip was kept away from Rose through many different circumstances and unable to really explain that his feelings for Rose were real.
>Rose becomes somewhat of a recluse, until a woman makes her acquaintance. This woman mysteriously writes to Phillip for help and when he goes to the warehouse to meet her, he sees Rose running with a bloody knife and the woman dead by a knife wound. The paranormal enters in to the story as it is revealed that Rose and Eve can shift their features. Rose goes undercover to help in the investigation as a man and ends up working with Phillip. I enjoyed seeing Victorian London through a male perspective. Even though their manners were much more formal in public, in private the men still act like men, betting on when women will give in to temptation, gambling, loose behavior and the like.
>The story is a fun mystery with a paranormal twist. The plot wasn’t too hard to figure out, but seeing how Phillip will figure it all out was fun. Rose and her alter ego, Ben were fun to watch. I especially like Ben’s interactions with Phillip and how Phillip was confused as to why Ben reminded him of Rose. The friends that Rose discovers all have very interesting traits and personalities that will make for great future stories.
>I am a reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock. This book is appropriate for an adult audience. Nothing was specifically described, but there was enough implied to make the romance shine. I give the book 5 stars.
> This is the first book in the Rue Alliance series and ends in an HEA. This book is set in Victorian London. Every unmarried woman must travel with a chaperone. Men have a lot more freedom than women. Rose lost her beloved sister, Eve, and uncle to an accident 3 years prior. Her beau at the time, Phillip, was actually an officer trying to capture Eve and the uncle in a sting. Phillip was kept away from Rose through many different circumstances and unable to really explain that his feelings for Rose were real.
>Rose becomes somewhat of a recluse, until a woman makes her acquaintance. This woman mysteriously writes to Phillip for help and when he goes to the warehouse to meet her, he sees Rose running with a bloody knife and the woman dead by a knife wound. The paranormal enters in to the story as it is revealed that Rose and Eve can shift their features. Rose goes undercover to help in the investigation as a man and ends up working with Phillip. I enjoyed seeing Victorian London through a male perspective. Even though their manners were much more formal in public, in private the men still act like men, betting on when women will give in to temptation, gambling, loose behavior and the like.
>The story is a fun mystery with a paranormal twist. The plot wasn’t too hard to figure out, but seeing how Phillip will figure it all out was fun. Rose and her alter ego, Ben were fun to watch. I especially like Ben’s interactions with Phillip and how Phillip was confused as to why Ben reminded him of Rose. The friends that Rose discovers all have very interesting traits and personalities that will make for great future stories.
>I am a reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock. This book is appropriate for an adult audience. Nothing was specifically described, but there was enough implied to make the romance shine. I give the book 5 stars.
December 28, 2019
Very different shifters.
Sir Phillip Jones is an agent in Her Majesty's service during the Nepolianic wars. He met Rose whil tracking down her sister Eve.
Phillip chased down Eve, who died. Rose's only living relative, her grandmother died. Rose became a recluse and retreated from society.He left the country to seek out spies in France and was gone for three years.
Upon his return to England he is knighted. With his name now prominent he gets many letters requesting help. He gets one letter he hesitates responding to but eventually decides to go meet the lady. When he arrives in the area he hears a screem that is cut short and sees a woman running from a warehouse. A glimpse of the woman appears to be his love, Rose. In the warehouse is the body of the lady he was to meet. He now has quite a challenge to find the person who did the murder because he can not believe that his Rose did the deed.
This is a well written book. It keeps your interest throughout. I look forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sir Phillip Jones is an agent in Her Majesty's service during the Nepolianic wars. He met Rose whil tracking down her sister Eve.
Phillip chased down Eve, who died. Rose's only living relative, her grandmother died. Rose became a recluse and retreated from society.He left the country to seek out spies in France and was gone for three years.
Upon his return to England he is knighted. With his name now prominent he gets many letters requesting help. He gets one letter he hesitates responding to but eventually decides to go meet the lady. When he arrives in the area he hears a screem that is cut short and sees a woman running from a warehouse. A glimpse of the woman appears to be his love, Rose. In the warehouse is the body of the lady he was to meet. He now has quite a challenge to find the person who did the murder because he can not believe that his Rose did the deed.
This is a well written book. It keeps your interest throughout. I look forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 28, 2019
Lady Roselyn feels all alone in the world with the death of her sister and then her grandmother she stays alone hif=dden from the world. She thought she would share her life with Sir Phillip Jones but he disappeared after her sister's death. Roselyn meets Helen while marketing and they strike up a friendship, she starts to feel again and then Helen is murdered. She vows to discover who killed Helen and avenge her death. Disguising herself as a young man she ventures forth into the night to find answers. Instead of answers, she finds Sir Phillip who appears to be searching for Helen's killer also he asked the young man's help in finding answers, never knowing he is talking to the woman he has loved since first meeting her. You see Roselyn has a secret she can shapeshift her body and face to look like anyone, where this will lead, is only the start of this adventure.
discover who took this friend from her and avenge her death.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
discover who took this friend from her and avenge her death.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 15, 2023
I quit it twice
Before I could finish it. Our heroine really is, beside this fantastical talent, a misery and, really, too stupid to live. Her personality is as bland as sick room food and not nearly as healthful. What her hero in the story finds so compelling about her was truly the mystery in this nauseating tale, the fact that her evil, jealous, unkind sister was the baddy certainly wasn't unknown to anyone with half a brain who read it. I noted on page 15 that that was the case and only quit the first time because the story was such PAP that I was too bored to follow through with the full adventure-which, despite overwrought shenanigans, was so alternately awkward and boringly predictable, it fizzled like a wet firecracker. Really. The only fellow halfway interesting was the Butler, Trenton, and if I had any confidence this author could build on his personality and create an exciting backstory along with a tolerable adventure (I do not) I might give that story a look, but to throw good money after bad only makes me tired.
Before I could finish it. Our heroine really is, beside this fantastical talent, a misery and, really, too stupid to live. Her personality is as bland as sick room food and not nearly as healthful. What her hero in the story finds so compelling about her was truly the mystery in this nauseating tale, the fact that her evil, jealous, unkind sister was the baddy certainly wasn't unknown to anyone with half a brain who read it. I noted on page 15 that that was the case and only quit the first time because the story was such PAP that I was too bored to follow through with the full adventure-which, despite overwrought shenanigans, was so alternately awkward and boringly predictable, it fizzled like a wet firecracker. Really. The only fellow halfway interesting was the Butler, Trenton, and if I had any confidence this author could build on his personality and create an exciting backstory along with a tolerable adventure (I do not) I might give that story a look, but to throw good money after bad only makes me tired.
October 1, 2023
Lady Roselyn is convinced that she is a curse to anyone she loves. After losing all her family, she has shut herself off from the world. A chance encounter with Helen Beaumont brings her slowly back to life. But when Helen is brutally murdered, Rose is determined to find her killer. Using her special abilities, she disguises herself as Ben Turner to search for clues. Also searching is Sir Phillip, regency spy, and Rose’s former love. Phillip has evidence that Rose is guilty of the murder. Can these two learn to trust each other and find the real killer before too late?
Ms. Vedam delivers a unique twist on Sleeping Beauty in this richly layered, paranormal Regency romance/mystery. The Rue Alliance series is off to a great start with characters that are easy to relate to and care about. Rose and Phillip’s love story evolves among the search for answers. While I easily guessed the villain, the hows and whys were nicely laid out. Looking forward to more of the Alliance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ms. Vedam delivers a unique twist on Sleeping Beauty in this richly layered, paranormal Regency romance/mystery. The Rue Alliance series is off to a great start with characters that are easy to relate to and care about. Rose and Phillip’s love story evolves among the search for answers. While I easily guessed the villain, the hows and whys were nicely laid out. Looking forward to more of the Alliance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2020
Our heroine has witnessed considerable hardship, but is done taking it lying down. When our hero returns to the scene after an unexplained absence, will he accept what he finds?
This is a mix of a gaslight and paranormal story with a good mystery and a bit of romance to boot. I found the story to be well written and the setting to be rather intriguing. It was generally well described, but there were lots of details I would have liked to known more about. But then, that is the sign of a good setting, isn't it? I rather liked the characters are well, although I would have liked to have delved into the hero a bit more. The plot itself moved at a good clip and had several twists and turns which kept things interesting. Overall, a fun read and I look forward to the next book in the series.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
This is a mix of a gaslight and paranormal story with a good mystery and a bit of romance to boot. I found the story to be well written and the setting to be rather intriguing. It was generally well described, but there were lots of details I would have liked to known more about. But then, that is the sign of a good setting, isn't it? I rather liked the characters are well, although I would have liked to have delved into the hero a bit more. The plot itself moved at a good clip and had several twists and turns which kept things interesting. Overall, a fun read and I look forward to the next book in the series.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
October 3, 2023
I had a little trouble getting started with this book, but once I got into it I couldn't put it down. It starts as a typical regency romance, but, boy it is so much more than that! I love Rose's character! She is smart, spunky, and pretty with an interesting special talent that is the key to this book's story. Phillip is a little "meh", but by the end of the book he is improving. The others in the Rue Alliance are an interesting crew of characters. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series and seeing what happens.
The one downside for me of this book is that I use Play Books read aloud feature and listen to my books while I walk or do housework. This book has it's own heavily accented speech that made it impossible for me to understand what was being said.
That doesn't impact actually reading it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The one downside for me of this book is that I use Play Books read aloud feature and listen to my books while I walk or do housework. This book has it's own heavily accented speech that made it impossible for me to understand what was being said.
That doesn't impact actually reading it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 7, 2020
A Devilish Slumber, The Rue Alliance, Book 1” by Shereen Vedam is a tale of one Lady Roselyn Ravenstock...betrayed by her love ...Sir Phillip Jones when he abandoned her...and almost crippled by her grief...her re-emergence is at first aided by her new friend ...Mrs. Helen Beaumont...until Helen is mysteriously murdered ...and Rose vows to avenge her new friend’s death. But ..Sir Phillip...is a spy for the Crown....and as such cannot confide this to Rose...and yet as their love re-kindles ...and Sir Phillip desperately tries to help Rose solve her friend’s murder...in a deceptive world of magic and peril ...will he and Rose succeed and attain their HEA...Read & see!!
Much enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Much enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2023
This paranormal regency romance / mystery is an intriguing read that draws you in as we meet Lady Roselyn. After the death of her family members and the loss of her love, Lady Roselyn has turned her back on life and hidden herself away from the world until she meets Helen and then She starts to believe that she can live again until one fateful night and Helen is murdered. Instead of shying away, Lady Roselyn decides to enter the night to find the murderer and discovers n incredible world of shapeshifters and magic. It’s an exciting read and the world building is descriptive and enticing as we follow our fmc on her journey and maybe she will get her hea. A wonderful tale of mystery, suspense, romance and the paranormal and I look forward to reading more in this series.
December 18, 2019
There are a lot of authors writing historical romances but Shereen Vedam is the first I have found who can create sweet romances with gentle and quietly feisty heroines and chivalrous heroes. This novel in particular calls to mind Georgette Heyer's "The Masqueraders" with the deft combination of society manners, daring escapades and scandalous goings-on. The touch of the paranormal just adds the author's unique touch to an already lovely romance to make this particular gem stand out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 30, 2019
Rose had not seen her beau in three years - not since his pursuit of her uncle and sister lead to their deaths in a carriage accident.
His sacrifices for the safety of England left her very alone in her grief.
The return of her twisted sister left Rose as a suspect for a number of dark deeds. In the end, Sir Philip nearly seeks to prosecute the wrong sister.
A tangled and suspense filled tale.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
His sacrifices for the safety of England left her very alone in her grief.
The return of her twisted sister left Rose as a suspect for a number of dark deeds. In the end, Sir Philip nearly seeks to prosecute the wrong sister.
A tangled and suspense filled tale.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 10, 2016
I am so glad neither of these MC's were idiots! Well they didn't come across as idiots.
Review:
That Cover, I like the colors and the silhouettes on the front were interesting. But I've seen others I like more, and I wouldn't have bought this book based on what I'm seeing so I guess 3 out of 5 stars.
The main characters. In this story we move from between the perspectives of Rose and Phillip, this didn't bother me. I enjoy seeing things from various characters pov. If I happen to like their voice and if I'm not required to rehash events I just read about. I enjoyed reading about events through Rose and Phillip's eyes. Particularly since I wanted to know what would happen when Phillip found out about Ben. I knew that was going to happen from the beginning I just didn't know when or under what circumstances and what Phillip's reaction would be. First lets look at Rose. I liked her and I felt for her. I get her desire to just shut the world out. There are some days when I just want to be all alone. (Okay not for like years on end but still i get it.) Losing her Uncle, Sister and Grandmother all took their toll on her and then her best friend. I am glad that instead of shutting down completely she actually decided to do something. I don't think I would have liked her as much if she kept wallowing in grief and self pity. Scratch that I know I wouldn't have liked her at all. After her meeting up with Phillip I'm glad she didn't let the past hold her back. Rose through out the story grew and change leaving the past behind and starting to live again. I liked the description of the house. It went from a lifeless tomb to a sparkling colorful place of life. Alright I totally paraphrased there but it described Rose's transition as well. I have to give props to the Author she handles Rose's confrontation with Eve well. I don't know what I'd do if my sister turned evil Anyway it's hard to have your perspective if your family change especially if it's for the bad. To sum up I liked Rose she was a capable heroine who when she decided to relive life stepped up and did so. (Can I just say I liked the face she couldn't handle people well. After being locked away for like years I would not have been able to buy it if she was suddenly a social butterfly at her first ball since she became a recluse.)
Enough about Rose let's talk about Phillip. He's a guy I can get behind. He admitted his mistakes and took responsibility for them. I was ready to pop him when he said he wanted to seduce Rose. However I am glad he was a competent investigator. All to often you read stories where the MC is a top detective/inspector/investigator and you're wondering how the heck they got that moniker when we figured out the villain from page one and they're still blundering around two pages from the end of the book looking like idiots.
Okay I'm running out of time so lets wrap this up.
Side characters. I liked. Except for Trenton, he just rubbed me the wrong way. Okay Trenton was fine with me but he still rubbed me the wrong way. It was cool that he could shift fire though. And what was up with his pinky? All the Mrs. who's names I don't have time to list at the moment since I've got like five minutes left. Awesome. I could totally relate to the researcher, who doesn't love a good library. And the older matriarch she was cool and I loved how she shut down Phillip, Epic! and the third one who became the house keeper she seemed pretty cool from the little I saw of her. and Hope was so cute and brave.
Overall the plot was decent I could have done without the sex scene, but luckily it was the only one. I was really drawn in at the climax and the confrontation with Eve and the ending was satisfactory. I do recommend this book to be read and I'll probably reread this at a later date. And I am getting kicked off the computer. So yeah,
Like this book will probably read the next in the series and I'm out.
Review:
That Cover, I like the colors and the silhouettes on the front were interesting. But I've seen others I like more, and I wouldn't have bought this book based on what I'm seeing so I guess 3 out of 5 stars.
The main characters. In this story we move from between the perspectives of Rose and Phillip, this didn't bother me. I enjoy seeing things from various characters pov. If I happen to like their voice and if I'm not required to rehash events I just read about. I enjoyed reading about events through Rose and Phillip's eyes. Particularly since I wanted to know what would happen when Phillip found out about Ben. I knew that was going to happen from the beginning I just didn't know when or under what circumstances and what Phillip's reaction would be. First lets look at Rose. I liked her and I felt for her. I get her desire to just shut the world out. There are some days when I just want to be all alone. (Okay not for like years on end but still i get it.) Losing her Uncle, Sister and Grandmother all took their toll on her and then her best friend. I am glad that instead of shutting down completely she actually decided to do something. I don't think I would have liked her as much if she kept wallowing in grief and self pity. Scratch that I know I wouldn't have liked her at all. After her meeting up with Phillip I'm glad she didn't let the past hold her back. Rose through out the story grew and change leaving the past behind and starting to live again. I liked the description of the house. It went from a lifeless tomb to a sparkling colorful place of life. Alright I totally paraphrased there but it described Rose's transition as well. I have to give props to the Author she handles Rose's confrontation with Eve well. I don't know what I'd do if my sister turned evil Anyway it's hard to have your perspective if your family change especially if it's for the bad. To sum up I liked Rose she was a capable heroine who when she decided to relive life stepped up and did so. (Can I just say I liked the face she couldn't handle people well. After being locked away for like years I would not have been able to buy it if she was suddenly a social butterfly at her first ball since she became a recluse.)
Enough about Rose let's talk about Phillip. He's a guy I can get behind. He admitted his mistakes and took responsibility for them. I was ready to pop him when he said he wanted to seduce Rose. However I am glad he was a competent investigator. All to often you read stories where the MC is a top detective/inspector/investigator and you're wondering how the heck they got that moniker when we figured out the villain from page one and they're still blundering around two pages from the end of the book looking like idiots.
Okay I'm running out of time so lets wrap this up.
Side characters. I liked. Except for Trenton, he just rubbed me the wrong way. Okay Trenton was fine with me but he still rubbed me the wrong way. It was cool that he could shift fire though. And what was up with his pinky? All the Mrs. who's names I don't have time to list at the moment since I've got like five minutes left. Awesome. I could totally relate to the researcher, who doesn't love a good library. And the older matriarch she was cool and I loved how she shut down Phillip, Epic! and the third one who became the house keeper she seemed pretty cool from the little I saw of her. and Hope was so cute and brave.
Overall the plot was decent I could have done without the sex scene, but luckily it was the only one. I was really drawn in at the climax and the confrontation with Eve and the ending was satisfactory. I do recommend this book to be read and I'll probably reread this at a later date. And I am getting kicked off the computer. So yeah,
Like this book will probably read the next in the series and I'm out.
November 29, 2018
That - was painful. I kept waiting for it to get better, and by the time I realized that it was as good as it was going to get, I was so close to the end that I just dragged myself through to the finish.
It's not the worst thing I've read, but it's disappointing in that it tricked me into thinking it could be better. I kept waiting for character growth, consistency, a sweet romance, anything really ... and instead arrived at the end, unsatisfied and annoyed.
It's not the worst thing I've read, but it's disappointing in that it tricked me into thinking it could be better. I kept waiting for character growth, consistency, a sweet romance, anything really ... and instead arrived at the end, unsatisfied and annoyed.
December 29, 2019
The first book in The Rue Alliance series and I want to read the other books in this series, it is well written and held my interest throughout. Sir Phillip Jones and Lady Roselyn Ravenstock's second chance there is suspense, drama, danger, murder, shapeshifters, evil, a villain, and romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 1, 2020
This is an awesomely-written mystery with paranormal touches. An amazingly original story where an incredibly strong woman finds herself avenging the death of a friend. Lots of twists to keep you guessing. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 30, 2019
Romance, betrayal, patriotic duty, loyalty, society’s rules, and shape shifting all combine to make this an enjoyable read. Can your head and your heart overcome what your eyes see?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 4, 2020
I really liked this book. I found the storyline interesting and well written. The characters are also well written. I would recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 29, 2023
A regency paranormal tale!
What a fabulous blend of paranormal intrigue and regency romance. It strained credibility as any shape-shifting story does and the secondary characters are fantastic !
What a fabulous blend of paranormal intrigue and regency romance. It strained credibility as any shape-shifting story does and the secondary characters are fantastic !
September 9, 2017
This series is a great new find for me.
December 27, 2019
Good story full of romance, magic, and adventure. The characters are well done and the storyline is interesting.
July 30, 2015
4 Stars:
A Devilish Slumber by Shereen Vedam is the first book in The Rue Alliance series, and it is set in a Regency Era paranormal/fantasy version of London. The main characters are Lady Roselyn Ravenstock and Sir Phillip Jones. Rose is a powerful shapeshifter, a gift inherited from her mother's lineage, and Phillip is a love from her past and a covert agent of sorts. When he begins investigating a murder that points right to Rose, they fall back into each other's lives and adventures ensue. The tale was inspired by the story of Sleeping Beauty.
I was immediately whisked away by this book. The intrigue begins immediately and I loved the nature of the murder mystery that is at the heart of the plot. I also quickly found myself drawn to the characters, especially Rose. Having suffered an excessive amount of loss in her life, she gave up on living and merely existed for several years. When her only friend is murdered and Phillip re-enters the picture, it is as though the spell is broken and she reawakens to the world.
Part of this reawakening is an acquaintance with the Rue Alliance. The Rue Alliance is a band of shifters with all manner of talents, including Rose's. Meeting this underground community was by far my favorite part of the book. They are such a lively, loyal, and varied group of people. I can't wait to read more about them!
The one element that kept this from being a higher rating for me was the occasional overly strong presence of stereotypical gender roles. I know this is a pretty subjective area when it comes to enjoying a story (especially in romance novels where "alphas" and the "man's man" run rampant), but there were a few gender-related moments that crossed a line into awkward. For example, "He had shown Ben the worst side of himself. His male side." Huh?
Overall, I really enjoyed this one, and I'm excited to read book two, A Scorching Dilemma. Especially since it tells Daniel Trenton's story, a fire-starter affectionately known as Cinder Fella :)
*** UPDATE ***
Upon finishing this review, I looked up some other works by Vedam and discovered A Beastly Scandal. While not part of the Rue Alliance series, this book takes place in the same setting and with overlapping side characters. Some of its major events are mentioned in A Devilish Slumber. I certainly had no problem enjoying this book never having read the other, but it might be a good idea to start there!
Some Particulars
HEA?
Love Triangle?
Cheating?
Explicit Sex? Almost?
Steam Rating: 1 out of 5
Consent?
Trigger Warning? Nope!
A Devilish Slumber by Shereen Vedam is the first book in The Rue Alliance series, and it is set in a Regency Era paranormal/fantasy version of London. The main characters are Lady Roselyn Ravenstock and Sir Phillip Jones. Rose is a powerful shapeshifter, a gift inherited from her mother's lineage, and Phillip is a love from her past and a covert agent of sorts. When he begins investigating a murder that points right to Rose, they fall back into each other's lives and adventures ensue. The tale was inspired by the story of Sleeping Beauty.
I was immediately whisked away by this book. The intrigue begins immediately and I loved the nature of the murder mystery that is at the heart of the plot. I also quickly found myself drawn to the characters, especially Rose. Having suffered an excessive amount of loss in her life, she gave up on living and merely existed for several years. When her only friend is murdered and Phillip re-enters the picture, it is as though the spell is broken and she reawakens to the world.
Part of this reawakening is an acquaintance with the Rue Alliance. The Rue Alliance is a band of shifters with all manner of talents, including Rose's. Meeting this underground community was by far my favorite part of the book. They are such a lively, loyal, and varied group of people. I can't wait to read more about them!
The one element that kept this from being a higher rating for me was the occasional overly strong presence of stereotypical gender roles. I know this is a pretty subjective area when it comes to enjoying a story (especially in romance novels where "alphas" and the "man's man" run rampant), but there were a few gender-related moments that crossed a line into awkward. For example, "He had shown Ben the worst side of himself. His male side." Huh?
Overall, I really enjoyed this one, and I'm excited to read book two, A Scorching Dilemma. Especially since it tells Daniel Trenton's story, a fire-starter affectionately known as Cinder Fella :)
*** UPDATE ***
Upon finishing this review, I looked up some other works by Vedam and discovered A Beastly Scandal. While not part of the Rue Alliance series, this book takes place in the same setting and with overlapping side characters. Some of its major events are mentioned in A Devilish Slumber. I certainly had no problem enjoying this book never having read the other, but it might be a good idea to start there!
Some Particulars
HEA?
Love Triangle?
Cheating?
Explicit Sex? Almost?
Steam Rating: 1 out of 5
Consent?
Trigger Warning? Nope!
April 14, 2015
This historical mystery romance entertained and delighted me. The idea of shape shifters who shift into other humans rather than animals was a fun change to the usual shifter books I have read. After losing her sister and uncle to an accident due in part by their guilty flight from London and an intelligence officer hot on their trail, Rose shuts everyone out of her life, betrayed by the intelligence officer she believes only paid her court in order to extract information from her. But now she has been implicated in the murder of her dear friend and must rely on this inspector to solve the case without giving him her heart.
I loved Rose and her ability to recognize the disaster her life had taken by shutting the world and everyone out of her life. I had no idea she was going to possess the amazing gift of shifting or that this murder mystery would have a dash of the mystical or supernatural in it. In most scenarios, adding this type of world might not mesh well, but the shifting is written in such a way that as a reader I felt it perfectly within the realm of not only possible but logical. The supporting characters are easy to love and rally behind simply because that is what they do for Rose as she searches for the clues to her friend's murderer.
I think Daniel Trenton is a fascinating character. There is plenty of backstory I would love to learn more about, and even though I understood right from the beginning that he was in love with Rose, but not meant for her, I almost wished that interesting dynamic might have been explored further. It would have added more delicious conflict to the whole situation, though this wasn't meant to be a love triangle. I hope the author tells his story in a future book.
Sir Phillip was everything you could hope for in a hero from the era. I loved his humor, his roguish streak and his devotion to Rose, even when he suspects her of murder. The connection they hold is believable and the setups and payoffs between the two really brought that romantic connection home. I truly enjoyed this murder mystery. Fans of romance, historical fiction and murder mysteries will have their most favorite genres covered in this one wonderfully written novel. A fabulous first installment in The Rue Alliance Series. I am definitely reading the next book in the series.
I loved Rose and her ability to recognize the disaster her life had taken by shutting the world and everyone out of her life. I had no idea she was going to possess the amazing gift of shifting or that this murder mystery would have a dash of the mystical or supernatural in it. In most scenarios, adding this type of world might not mesh well, but the shifting is written in such a way that as a reader I felt it perfectly within the realm of not only possible but logical. The supporting characters are easy to love and rally behind simply because that is what they do for Rose as she searches for the clues to her friend's murderer.
I think Daniel Trenton is a fascinating character. There is plenty of backstory I would love to learn more about, and even though I understood right from the beginning that he was in love with Rose, but not meant for her, I almost wished that interesting dynamic might have been explored further. It would have added more delicious conflict to the whole situation, though this wasn't meant to be a love triangle. I hope the author tells his story in a future book.
Sir Phillip was everything you could hope for in a hero from the era. I loved his humor, his roguish streak and his devotion to Rose, even when he suspects her of murder. The connection they hold is believable and the setups and payoffs between the two really brought that romantic connection home. I truly enjoyed this murder mystery. Fans of romance, historical fiction and murder mysteries will have their most favorite genres covered in this one wonderfully written novel. A fabulous first installment in The Rue Alliance Series. I am definitely reading the next book in the series.
March 26, 2015
A Devilish Slumber is an entertaining blend of fantasy and regency romance with a dash of mystery thrown in.
The central characters and plot are typical regency fare. The beautiful Lady Roselyn (Rose) is an appealing ingenue, both honest and intrepid. Sir Phillip is a dashing intelligence agent for the crown who fell in love with Rose during an assignment. Circumstances and misinformation have torn them apart. Romance is rekindled for the duo three years later when Rose's friend is murdered and Rose is implicated in the crime. Together they must solve the crime, clear Rose's name, and bring the murderer to justice.
Where this novel differs from the norm is the addition of the fantasy element. Rose is able to shift her body and appearance. This talent enables her to disguise herself as a young man and join Sir Phillip in investigating. Other members of the Rue Alliance have different abilities.
What I enjoyed most about A Devilish Slumber were the background characters. The other members of the Rue Alliance were more compelling than Rose and Phillip. I was intrigued by the story of Rufus's romance and the talents shown by his fiancée. From the tantalizing hints given, that would make an interesting novel. It is clear that Vedam is leaving openings for future books.
While not the most unique or memorable novel, A Devilish Slumber is well written and entertaining. Light and sweet, the book will appeal to fans of regency romance more than fantasy or mystery readers.
I received a copy of of A Devilish Slumber from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
The central characters and plot are typical regency fare. The beautiful Lady Roselyn (Rose) is an appealing ingenue, both honest and intrepid. Sir Phillip is a dashing intelligence agent for the crown who fell in love with Rose during an assignment. Circumstances and misinformation have torn them apart. Romance is rekindled for the duo three years later when Rose's friend is murdered and Rose is implicated in the crime. Together they must solve the crime, clear Rose's name, and bring the murderer to justice.
Where this novel differs from the norm is the addition of the fantasy element. Rose is able to shift her body and appearance. This talent enables her to disguise herself as a young man and join Sir Phillip in investigating. Other members of the Rue Alliance have different abilities.
What I enjoyed most about A Devilish Slumber were the background characters. The other members of the Rue Alliance were more compelling than Rose and Phillip. I was intrigued by the story of Rufus's romance and the talents shown by his fiancée. From the tantalizing hints given, that would make an interesting novel. It is clear that Vedam is leaving openings for future books.
While not the most unique or memorable novel, A Devilish Slumber is well written and entertaining. Light and sweet, the book will appeal to fans of regency romance more than fantasy or mystery readers.
I received a copy of of A Devilish Slumber from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
June 4, 2015
I really enjoyed this story and am excited that it is a series (I've already bought the second book). This is a paranormal story, with shapeshifters. I love the exchanges between Sir Phillip and Lady Rose/Ben Turner. I loved seeing how the jaded and suspicious spy, Sir Phillip was able to let his guard down and allow Ben Turner into his life. The book did seem a little rushed and I wish that more time could have been sent on the background and events that led to Lady Rose and Sir Phillip's separation. I hope that since the second installment is based on Trenton, that I won't run into the same problem, because I would love to know his history as well. Hopefully some light will be shed on the questions left unanswered in this book.
I received this book in exchange from an honest review from LoP, Lovers of Paranormal.
I received this book in exchange from an honest review from LoP, Lovers of Paranormal.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews