Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Some deadly designs can right the wrongs of the past…


Years ago, Erik Mortale loved and lost Monique when he chose his path. He wanted to make a difference, to change the mages’ perspective of Other casters. Erik made great strides until a death tore them apart.


Monique DeSandre has been burned repeatedly by the Silver Council and their misconceptions of Enchanters. The designer has made a name for herself as the leading supplier of magically enhanced clothing. As much as she’s tried to leave Erik in the past, she can’t let go, no matter their differing views.


The new magister has created a new Diverse Special Forces program. Once again Erik has been brought back as one of the high-ranking Enforcers as well as a trainer. However, an elitist mage wants to destroy the group and has chosen Erik as the scapegoat.


With tensions rising, Monique will fight for the man she’s pushed away for years. But is it too late to fix what’s broken? And can they prove Erik isn’t the one behind the ritualistic murders?

309 pages, ebook

Published October 24, 2016

13 people are currently reading
55 people want to read

About the author

Brandy L. Rivers

59 books661 followers

I've always loved books, especially about monsters and magic, so I started writing. I'm working on a prequel and the next few books in the Others of Edenton series, and I have a head full of stories to share.

I'm a stay at home mother with a wonderful husband who lets me write and write to my hearts content.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
74 (64%)
4 stars
29 (25%)
3 stars
9 (7%)
2 stars
3 (2%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Ruthie Taylor.
3,723 reviews40 followers
December 18, 2016
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is the ninth book in the series - and whilst it is a good story on its own, it would make a lot more sense in the context of the series.

There is something really lovely about having a new Edenton book to read, because you can guarantee to meet up with a lot of old friend again, and that is no exception here. The story starts off over 50 years ago, and sets the scene very clearly for what is happening in the present day. This book concentrates more than anything on Erik and Monique's relationship and the plot is the key to its fractured state. I found it much more emotionally driven than many of the books, which often have a lot more tension due to evil forces. There are still factions that need controlling, but for me it was the difficulties of these two people that took centre stage. Given that most of us would find a wait of just a few months or years difficult to tolerate, Erik's patience has to be admired!

Another good episode in the series, and a really interesting change in pace and intensity. Look forward to seeing what comes next.

Wicked Reads Review Team
Profile Image for Novel Grounds.
1,519 reviews79 followers
May 26, 2017

 /></p><br /><p style= Amazon: http://amzn.to/2oUEwIH


Goodreads


I LOVED getting to take this journey with Mon and Erik. You get to start all the way back when they were kids and see how there lives unfold and how the darkness that follows them started back then. Once you get to current times you get to see them real y come into their own and challenge the fears they have both been avoiding.



Monique grew up with one parent wanting the world for her and the other living their life by fear. This led to so much damage that even as the reader you didn't see the ramifications of some characters actions until year down the road. Throw into that all the devastation that Monique has to face in her young adulthood and it isn't a shock that she runs.  In running though, Monique finds herself. She gains the necessary history to kick some bad guy right along with the rest of our crew. But once she finally makes peace and comes back to fight for what she wants, is it to late?


I went both ways with Monique. I realize that certain things led her to perceive and react to situations in a way, but still I wanted to reach through the book and smack her. She made for a good heroine that I wanted to see heal.


Then we have Erik. I was TOTALLY shipping for Erik. really, I loved everything about him. Even when he is scared of his own abilities, he always has other people's lives in him mind. He makes the safest choices for those around him. Or so he believes. He was great, and in the end I was totally TEAM ERIK!


Throw in some family vengeance and HARP rearing their head again and this book got to be quite the wild ride at the end. I can't wait to see where Brandy takes us next! her options are as always, limitless.



Synopsis:

Some deadly designs can right the wrongs of the past…


Years ago, Erik Mortale loved and lost Monique when he chose his path. He wanted to make a difference, to change the mages’ perspective of Other casters. Erik made great strides until a death tore them apart.

Monique DeSandre has been burned repeatedly by the Silver Council and their misconceptions of Enchanters. The designer has made a name for herself as the leading supplier of magically enhanced clothing. As much as she’s tried to leave Erik in the past, she can’t let go, no matter their differing views.

The new magister has created a new Diverse Special Forces program. Once again Erik has been brought back as one of the high-ranking Enforcers as well as a trainer. However, an elitist mage wants to destroy the group and has chosen Erik as the scapegoat.

With tensions rising, Monique will fight for the man she’s pushed away for years. But is it too late to fix what’s broken? And can they prove Erik isn’t the one behind the ritualistic murders?
Profile Image for Mary.
1,051 reviews21 followers
December 2, 2016
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This is really two stories in one. The first half of the book tells the story of Erik and Monique's beginnings - two kids who were friends who grew up to become lovers against her mother's wishes. During this time, Monique's father is accused of a crime and is imprisoned by the Silver Council. Her mother blames the mages - all mages - for that has injustices that have been perpetrated against them.

After her mother's death, Monique leaves Erik believing that he will be better off without her since he appears not to trust her. Erik doesn't understand why Monique is acting this way, but he believes that it has a lot to due with her mother and her violent death.

Fast forward to today and Erik is finally ready to move on and leave Edenton. Monique has finally decided that she has been scared long enough and wants a life with Erik. Not knowing how much more he can take, he doesn't believe Monique's sudden role reversal.

During this time, the Monique comes under fire from the Council and the Others must come together to save Monique and Erik.

Once again a solid read and I can't wait to see what happens next in Edenton.

~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
Profile Image for Lydia's Bookshelf.
1,018 reviews188 followers
November 7, 2016
BY FAR MY FAVORITE INSTALLMENT IN THE SERIES!!
Erik.
Man, what a swoony guy!!!! I loved, loved, loved him and I absolutely LOVED how much he loved Monique. He did anything for her, even if it meant putting himself in not-so-pleasant situations. I loved his parents too and Monique's dad. Her mom? Meh. Not so much! She got on my last nerve! Not that I could blame her for the attitude and hatred she seemed to feel all the time towards mages, but ugh—she pissed me off a lot! I found myself telling her time and time again to back off!

The dead people part of this story was slightly (not-so-slightly) creepy!! I can't imagine living with that gift like Erik did...but he was pretty bad-ass!

There's suspense, drama, action, hotness, and everything a must-read paranormal romance novel should have! Brandy L Rivers truly hit a home-run with DEADLY DESIGN. FIVE STARS!
1,265 reviews
March 4, 2019
WARNING - ENTIRE PLOT SUMMARY AHEAD (used for me to keep track of series events)
REALLY - DON'T READ THIS; IT SUMMARIZES BOOK.

some content may be copied from other reviews


bookmarks in order

This is really two stories in one. The first half of the book tells the story of Erik and Monique's beginnings - two kids who were friends who grew up to become lovers against her mother's wishes.
her mother knew of Erik's gifts and didn't want her daughter near it. Monique's mother hated people like him so she concocted a spell to not let them really connect. (Took Erik a while to figure out that spell kept them from forming a bond, which was why M was able to walk away.)

During this time, Monique's father is accused of a crime and is imprisoned by the Silver Council. Her mother blames the mages - all mages - for that has injustices that have been perpetrated against them.

After her mother's death, Monique leaves Erik believing that he will be better off without her since he appears not to trust her. Erik doesn't understand why Monique is acting this way, but he believes that it has a lot to due with her mother and her violent death. When Monique's mother is killed Monique tries to talk Erik into going against his beliefs to allow her mother to use him to speak to her but Erik knows how hateful her mother is being so he refuses.

Fast forward 40 years to today and Erik is finally ready to move on and leave Edenton. Monique has finally decided that she has been scared long enough and wants a life with Erik. Not knowing how much more he can take, he doesn't believe Monique's sudden role reversal.

“Doesn’t matter. Nothing I’ve done has made you understand why I chose the Council. Why I still stand by your side when you need help. Or why my heart is lying on the floor in a million fucking pieces because nothing gets through to you.”
"We're different ppl. You're always going to hate Council. I'm always going to want to help them change. We can't work."

During this time, the Monique comes under fire from the Council and the Others must come together to save Monique and Erik. Being set up for murder with her clothes, just like her dad was.

Erik has some special powers that frighten the Council because he is different but he is determined to change their opinion.

Erik meets Consuela, a Crimson Witch. She is very creepy, absorbs blood. Creepy, but means well. Does dumb things, but wants to help Erik. Summons vamps, including Declan. She is brought in to be witness to prove that Monique couldn't have done kills she was being framed for. Raises dead ppl to show what happened; it was investigator Tarek who killed - at direction of a dark mage, Kjell Emmalyn.

Nigel, Monique's exBF, loves Bianca, who stalked Erik in past. Nigel makes Bianca possess Monique; Erik saves her. Erik stops Nigel/Kjell's plot to scare humans with zombies - he summons 40K bodies from cemeteries!

Erik doesn't want to put Monique in danger again, so he leaves her. Monique chases him, tells him she is target anyway because of her magic clothing killing bad mages.

Proposal, baby on the way.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Risa Lynn.
204 reviews4 followers
November 1, 2016
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Deadly Design (Others of Edenton book nine)

Brandy L. Rivers

Erik Mortale is on the road to being one of the first Other Enforcers for the Silver Council. Monique DeSandre is an accomplished designer and enchanter. The two are fated to be together, but when someone Monique holds dear meets a tragic end, the following events rip the two lovers apart initially with pride and misconceptions keeping them apart for decades.

Years later, Erik is finally ready to move on after chasing Monique for most of his life while Monique is finally ready to give in to Erik’s advances and their fate. Mistrust clouds the relationship even though Erik can’t resist his love for Monique. When Erik is framed for murder, the two are forced back together. They must figure out who is framing Erik and fight to keep the Others safe while managing their tumultuous bond that is growing stronger by the day.

Standalone paranormal romance with a HEA. Mature audiences only.

I loved getting to read about how Erik and Monique fell in love when they were younger. The way Brandy handled the chapters starting over fifty years prior to the main story line was different, but I ended up really enjoying it.

The story does take a little bit to get into the main plot, but the path to get there has details pertinent to story. I did feel that the last chapter ended too quickly, but maybe I just wasn’t ready for the story to be over. I very much look forward to reading Declan’s story.

5/5 Stars

This review can also be found on Wordy Wonderland and My Trending Stories.
891 reviews5 followers
November 9, 2017
Another story to keep me and my mind captivated.
Erik Mortale loved and lost Monique when he choose a a path that she did not agree with. His wish had been to make a difference to change the mages way of thinking about how some casters were.
Erik was making great in his intentions but death tore them apart.
Monique DeSandre has been burned more then once by the Silver Council and how they thought of Enchanters. She finally made a name for herself as she was making clothing that was weaved with magic to protect the one that wore it. And as much as tried to leave Erik in the past she just could not let go of him no matter how they view things.
The new magistrate has created a new Diverse Special Forces program. Once again Erik has been brought back as one of the high-ranking Enforcers as well as a trainer. However, an elitist mage wants to destroy the group and has chosen Erik as the scapegoat.
As tensions rise Monique has to fight for the man she pushed away for so many years, but is she too late to fix things between them, and can she prove that Erik is not the one behind the ritualistic murders that are happening.
1 review
October 17, 2016
This book does not disappoint. It is full of action, steamy and otherwise, and never slows its pace. I favorite thing is the idea that love can always have a second chance. It was definitely a book I couldn't put down til the end
808 reviews
November 19, 2016
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.

Brandy has done it once again. This had me from the start the love Erik and Monique have for one another is amazing. Even when they have to overcome all their differences and an over baring mother only to have a tragedy tear them apart.

Erik has to deal with the dead on a daily basis some help him and others he helps. Monique is a talented enchantress. Erik is trying to pave the way for others to be accepted in the council only some don’t want him there and will do whatever it takes to stop this.

To be able to see everyone from Edenton is always a plus. I love all these characters and so enjoy seeing them again. There were so many good scenes in this book. My emotions were everywhere in this one. There was love, heartbreak and deceit. It was so heartwarming to see Erik and Monique’s love build but so heartbreaking when she walks away. My heart when out to Erik watching him chase Monique but you can only chase someone so long before you give up. I enjoy this series so much and cannot wait to see where the next book takes us.

A few of my favorites:

“Doesn’t matter. Nothing I’ve done has made you understand why I chose the Council. Why I still stand by your side when you need help. Or why my heart is lying on the floor in a million fucking pieces because nothing gets through to you.”

“Was always yours, no matter what I told myself I wanted.”

“I want you to remember who owns your heart. I want to see it in your eyes when you come apart. I want my name on your lips when I push you over the edge.”

“What do you feel?” “Love. Stronger than ever. No more barriers. Just you and me.”

“Without you, I’m always lonely. Doesn’t matter how many others are in a room. You left a hole in my heart, in my soul.”
Profile Image for Linda Rea.
2,189 reviews15 followers
November 24, 2016
Erik and Monique have been best friends and lovers since they were little but her mother knew of Erik's gifts and didn't want her daughter near it. Monique's mother hated people like him so she concocted a spell to not let them really connect. When Monique's mother is killed Monique tries to talk Erik into going against his beliefs to allow her mother to use him to speak to her but Erik knows how hateful her mother is being so he refuses. Monique couldn't deal with that so she left and traveled to avoid Erik but her heart wouldn't let her stay away but after 40 years Erik has given up which makes Monique more convinced to prove how much she loves him. Erik has some special powers that frighten the Council because he is different but he is determined to change their opinion. It's so sad how people influence Erik and Monique because you can see how perfect they are for each other. This is book 9 in the series but you can read it as a standalone it will just make you curious about the rest.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
Profile Image for Denise.
4,119 reviews12 followers
November 12, 2016
I have read others in this series and I am always happy to return to this one. In this one she is going to give a second chance for us to view and experience in. At one time there was a Erik and Monique but that was lost until now. Interesting concept of profession that Monique has too. So big wall in this will be stubbornness in that it must be climbed. Now when faced with each other again there is a trust factor missing with magic being a basis in this story too. A murder mystery will be abound with Erik being a target for it to be pinned on. All lovely ingredients for intense intrigue with romance that will simmer paranormal style in only a way that this author can deliver. Her writing style is also such that when her characters come off the pages taking you with them to overcome and defeat what is in their path the edge will be thrilling feeding the need. The two as they grow will reach out and touch you only letting go at the end of their story.
Profile Image for Patricia.
92 reviews
November 20, 2016
Deadly Design (Others of Edenton) is the ninth installment in this series by Brandy L Rivers. Erik Mortale is determined to change the perception that mages have towards other casters. Unfortunately for him, it cost him the love of his life. Monique DeSandre has been burned by the Silver Council and does not trust them. Deadly circumstances bring back these two lovers together once again and neither one of them can deny the attraction they still feel for one another.

Brandy L Rivers once again brings the characters of Edenton to life. Love, magic and danger surround Erik and Monique as they try to figure what they still mean to each other. A must read for anyone who loves paranormal romance!
Profile Image for Brandy Steeley.
4 reviews
October 18, 2016
Erik and Monique are very different, from their magical talents, their families views on the Silver Council, to their faith in Others. Despite their differences they have a soul deep connection that's sweet in adolescence and grows more passionate as they battle the influences of prejudice and ignorance. At times they even stood in their own way of happiness, but their desire to protect each other from being framed from crimes they couldn't commit brings them together. We see familiar faces like Liz, Robert and Tremaine as well as new faces with interesting stories of their own, love the ghosts! Their story is not to be missed.
Profile Image for Emery LeeAnn.
Author 80 books572 followers
October 23, 2016
Monique and Erik were in love from the very start. Even when all odds, or more accurately, her mother, was against them.
When a tragedy happens after a farce of charges, a trial at the Silver Council, then a spirit is dead set on breaking them apart.
Will true love stand the test of time? And can Erik clear his name in time to forgive Monique? The ending will blow you away!
Another amazing installment in The Edenton Saga! Bravo Brandy Rivers!
Profile Image for Amanda Jane  Williams.
96 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2016
Ms.Rivers has done it again! She NEVER disappoints. The only problem I have is the lose of sleep I get when she comes out with a new story. If you have read the rest of her series you will not be disappointed in this one. I do recommend that you read the ones that come before this or the different characters could be confusing. Can't wait to see what happens next.



***RECEIVED A COPY FOR A HONEST REVIEW****
Profile Image for Rose.
1,452 reviews14 followers
October 24, 2016
Another fantastic book from the Others of Edenton series!!!!

Were there ever two characters ever more destined to be together? Even with the tricks Monique's mother tried to pull, even when they managed to be their own worst enemies, destiny still kept stepping in!!! This story is a testimonial to true love and how, no matter what gets in it's way, it will win out!!!
Profile Image for sue .
182 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2016
Once again here is another great book from Brandy L Rivers....Love this story line with Monique and Erik, this had me changing my thoughts and where it was going to go often and I like stories like that. Best of all was the ending I don't think my emotions could take much more. Great addition to the series, can't wait for the next couple that will be an interesting one but fun to read for sure.
Profile Image for Staci Hunsinger.
4 reviews1 follower
October 26, 2016
Once again I am amazed at how awesome Brandy L Rivers is. She has captivated her audience once again with another great book in an equally great series!! I love how she took us back to the past to really get a good understanding of who Erik and Monique are. Passion, Love, Heartache, Hurt it all comes together in this book. I can't wait for the next one!!
2,226 reviews4 followers
November 14, 2016
What a ride

The story is so heart wrenching, you find yourself in tears. Things are really good in the beginning, just an overbearing mother. But looks are deceiving and trouble breaks apart our fated pair. Just when things are at their most bleak, fate steps in and the rewards are sweet.
5 reviews
November 6, 2016
Love this it was awesome.., the other of Edenton is my favorite books

Great series... Can wait until the next book hopefully soon I hope the next has Liz and the babys and Fallon too well all of them really lol
Profile Image for Becki.
99 reviews
November 25, 2016
This book, just as all the other "Others" books is awesome!

So in-depth, you actually feel that you right there. Very realistic characters and descriptions. I couldn't put it down! Looking forward to the Others of Seattle!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.