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Brimstone #1
Brimstone Seduction
BETWEEN DESTINY AND DESIRE
Damnation is John Severne's inheritance, and stalking the accursed his legacy. Kat D'Arcy has her own ill-starred birthright. The strange gift that runs along her maternal line dooms her to a life trapped between daemons and those who pursue them. But Severne is unlike any daemon hunter she's ever known. The Brimstone in his blood arouses every fiber of her being.
For Severne, Kat is the key to his salvation…until she becomes much more than that. As the ultimate danger closes in on them both, Severne must decide if he can abuse Kat's trust—and betray his own heart.
Damnation is John Severne's inheritance, and stalking the accursed his legacy. Kat D'Arcy has her own ill-starred birthright. The strange gift that runs along her maternal line dooms her to a life trapped between daemons and those who pursue them. But Severne is unlike any daemon hunter she's ever known. The Brimstone in his blood arouses every fiber of her being.
For Severne, Kat is the key to his salvation…until she becomes much more than that. As the ultimate danger closes in on them both, Severne must decide if he can abuse Kat's trust—and betray his own heart.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2016
About the author
Barbara J. Hancock
41 books104 followersComing in July 2023, writing as Willa Reece, WILDWOOD MAGIC from Orbit/Redhook. Were the Ross women really witches? A magical tale about coming home when the only home you’ve ever known is gone. Also be sure to check out the first book set in a mystical mountain wood, WILDWOOD WHISPERS.
For Harlequin Nocturne, I've written as Barbara J. Hancock, a Faustian series featuring men who've sold their souls and the women who save them--Brimstone Seduction, Brimstone Bride, and Brimstone Prince. And a fairytale shifter series featuring three Russian wolf shifters-- Legendary Shifter, Legendary Wolf and Legendary Beast. Also a YA Gothic Thriller for Entangled Publishing. When I'm not writing, I'm the adopted mom to many rescued pets. I live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia with my soulmate where ghost stories are often told on a dark side porch in the flicker of firefly light.
For Harlequin Nocturne, I've written as Barbara J. Hancock, a Faustian series featuring men who've sold their souls and the women who save them--Brimstone Seduction, Brimstone Bride, and Brimstone Prince. And a fairytale shifter series featuring three Russian wolf shifters-- Legendary Shifter, Legendary Wolf and Legendary Beast. Also a YA Gothic Thriller for Entangled Publishing. When I'm not writing, I'm the adopted mom to many rescued pets. I live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia with my soulmate where ghost stories are often told on a dark side porch in the flicker of firefly light.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 23, 2017
**I won this book as part of a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway**
I love romance. Especially paranormal romance. I love getting out of the every day normalcy of life, and suspending disbelief. I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. I was unfamiliar with the author. I was VERY pleasantly surprised! It takes place in an opera house in the south. Now, I've never been to the opera, but I've been told I should go. I'm a woman who wears her heart on her sleeve, and I've heard that opera would be right up my alley. The main female character plays a cello (which sets her apart from her sister and mother, who are both singers), and I've always wanted to learn a string instrument. (But I've always leaned toward the viola.) There are a lot of twists and turns, and unexpected happenings. The book kept me guessing (though - in fairness - I'm really bad at mysteries). I finished reading it on lunch yesterday, and nearly cried, because I don't get paid for another 4 days, and I REALLY WANT TO ORDER THE SEQUEL!
Well done, Barbara J. Hancock! You've gotten a lifelong reader off this one book!
I love romance. Especially paranormal romance. I love getting out of the every day normalcy of life, and suspending disbelief. I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. I was unfamiliar with the author. I was VERY pleasantly surprised! It takes place in an opera house in the south. Now, I've never been to the opera, but I've been told I should go. I'm a woman who wears her heart on her sleeve, and I've heard that opera would be right up my alley. The main female character plays a cello (which sets her apart from her sister and mother, who are both singers), and I've always wanted to learn a string instrument. (But I've always leaned toward the viola.) There are a lot of twists and turns, and unexpected happenings. The book kept me guessing (though - in fairness - I'm really bad at mysteries). I finished reading it on lunch yesterday, and nearly cried, because I don't get paid for another 4 days, and I REALLY WANT TO ORDER THE SEQUEL!
Well done, Barbara J. Hancock! You've gotten a lifelong reader off this one book!
February 22, 2021
Full of cheese and corn.
Not enough intimacy for a romance novel, they barely even kiss halfway through the book. The sex scenes were lackluster, the author wastes all the sexual tension she builds in the "forbidden" kisses.
If I had known the main character, Kat, was a virgin before I read it - I wouldn't have bothered. The author mentioned often that the sisters were too busy being on the run to have any kind of relationship. Then when it finally came down to the sex, nothing was mentioned. Not even a "Hey Severne, I've never done this, be gentle." Nah, they just go at it like she's been doing it forever. Not only that, but after one night and less than a week - she's pregnant!
And then she names her baby after the organization that hunted her down all these years. She might as well have named him Reynard.
Not enough intimacy for a romance novel, they barely even kiss halfway through the book. The sex scenes were lackluster, the author wastes all the sexual tension she builds in the "forbidden" kisses.
If I had known the main character, Kat, was a virgin before I read it - I wouldn't have bothered. The author mentioned often that the sisters were too busy being on the run to have any kind of relationship. Then when it finally came down to the sex, nothing was mentioned. Not even a "Hey Severne, I've never done this, be gentle." Nah, they just go at it like she's been doing it forever. Not only that, but after one night and less than a week - she's pregnant!
And then she names her baby after the organization that hunted her down all these years. She might as well have named him Reynard.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2017
Love love LOVED it!! Dark, moody, haunting, and satisfying. Barbara is a great author and was also kind enough to allow me to interview her about her writing and her modern Gothic romances. Great author, great books!
October 9, 2016
Kat D'Arcy is a Cello player who has an affinity for demons which the Order of Samuel - a fanatical religious order of demon hunters exploit. On the run and in search of her missing sister - Kat ends up at a famous opera hose where she catches the eye of its brooding owner Severne, the descendant of a man who sold his soul and that of his entire bloodline... for wealth and power.
This is a deliciously gothic paranormal romance with a decadent setting - Think Phantom of the Opera, Masquerade balls, glitzy costumes. I ADORE the setting and the mythology used here we have a demon civil war (Lucifer's Army vs the Council) as well as the priestly order of demon slayers - there's loads going on here.
What was lacking for me was the characters - they're magical and beautiful but feel like something out of a fairytale rather than real people you can interact with. Perhaps it's me, not having any point of connection with a wealthy, beautiful cellist - but for me the plot and setting really overshadowed the romance.
Over all though, enjoyed this one and it's great to have this level of gothic NOT featuring vampires.
This is a deliciously gothic paranormal romance with a decadent setting - Think Phantom of the Opera, Masquerade balls, glitzy costumes. I ADORE the setting and the mythology used here we have a demon civil war (Lucifer's Army vs the Council) as well as the priestly order of demon slayers - there's loads going on here.
What was lacking for me was the characters - they're magical and beautiful but feel like something out of a fairytale rather than real people you can interact with. Perhaps it's me, not having any point of connection with a wealthy, beautiful cellist - but for me the plot and setting really overshadowed the romance.
Over all though, enjoyed this one and it's great to have this level of gothic NOT featuring vampires.
February 11, 2017
This book hooked me from the beginning. I love the idea of Kat being a magnet for demons and someone trailing her to kill them. I've never read anything like that before, very refreshing.
February 6, 2017
Overwrought, Gothic melodrama with all the Gothic thrills, chills, and frills. Has some great plot and worldbuilding--loved the concept of brimstone, the daemons' imprisonment, and Grim the hellhound. Thoroughly enjoyed all the nods to Phantom of the Opera. Will cheerfully read more of the world. Hoping for deeper, less repetitive characterization and interaction for the main couple in the next book.
October 3, 2016
Great plot! Kat is cursed/gifted being drawn to daemons. Johns & his fathers souls are on the line. Can he break her heart to save his family or will he condemn them all?
The story did seem a little long in spots but overall a good book
The story did seem a little long in spots but overall a good book
August 25, 2016
3.5 stars-NCT #242
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April 17, 2017interesting read
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews