What do you think?
Rate this book
Bewitched and Bewildered #7
My Champion
Declan Lionhart has been running interference between the Founding Families and the citizens of Noctem Falls since the day he arrived in the city. His hopes of being a simple unit warrior crumbles in the face of their troubles and it looks like he will always be bound by his family’s political legacy. But with current tensions skyrocketing to unimaginable levels, Declan’s laid back persona and easy smile are needed now more than ever.
Kari Delaney has finally achieved everything she’s ever wanted. The business she created from scratch is booming and she has her dream custom built condo in the heart of the small town where she was raised. But all that changes the day she gets her evacuation notice.
Despite being a vampire, Kari hates Noctem Falls and the politics that permeates every aspect of life within the city. Under protest she and her younger brother leave for the City of the Night.
Declan is smitten with his little general and the strength she exudes. But when it’s just the two of them he begins to break down her carefully constructed walls and shows her that even though he’s easy going, he is still an Alpha, and his lion is demanding her heart.
When the entire city erupts into chaos with matings being dissolved and Founding Families making alliances, Declan realizes it will take every trick he learned at his father’s knee to maneuver through the murky political waters swirling around them. Both he and his mate race against time to keep the people of the city safe, despite homesick children, disastrous dinners, Meryn’s wacky revenge plans and an unexpected pairing.
Kari Delaney has finally achieved everything she’s ever wanted. The business she created from scratch is booming and she has her dream custom built condo in the heart of the small town where she was raised. But all that changes the day she gets her evacuation notice.
Despite being a vampire, Kari hates Noctem Falls and the politics that permeates every aspect of life within the city. Under protest she and her younger brother leave for the City of the Night.
Declan is smitten with his little general and the strength she exudes. But when it’s just the two of them he begins to break down her carefully constructed walls and shows her that even though he’s easy going, he is still an Alpha, and his lion is demanding her heart.
When the entire city erupts into chaos with matings being dissolved and Founding Families making alliances, Declan realizes it will take every trick he learned at his father’s knee to maneuver through the murky political waters swirling around them. Both he and his mate race against time to keep the people of the city safe, despite homesick children, disastrous dinners, Meryn’s wacky revenge plans and an unexpected pairing.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2016
347 people are currently reading
1094 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
May 29, 2023
3.5 not as good as some of the others Stars
reread 5/29/23
My Champion was a decent read. I liked the on going plot but, I didn't really get into this book like I have past books. I'm not really sure what was off for me but I just didn't connect as well to this couple. I liked them okay but they just didn't stand out like the other couples did. Here is hoping the next one really does it for me.
reread 5/29/23
My Champion was a decent read. I liked the on going plot but, I didn't really get into this book like I have past books. I'm not really sure what was off for me but I just didn't connect as well to this couple. I liked them okay but they just didn't stand out like the other couples did. Here is hoping the next one really does it for me.
February 9, 2017
I hate to say it but this is the first time that I didn't like a book by this author. I'm so disappointed by this weak plot, it's not even funny. Where did the smart twists go, where did the no OW drama go, where did the action go and so many more things... :'(
By the end, I just wanted to finish the story and be done with it. Even Meryn, who I actually really like, got on my nerves, since she wasn't as smart as usual and at times she came across even more immature and bitchy. Everyone said how she's a genius but I really didn't see her actions as something special.
At the beginning I liked the way the story unfolded. I always love to see the characters from previous books, so that is always a plus. But after the main characters of this story found each other, the plot went downhill. The unnecessary details from Declans sexual past (and right before they mated, might I add) made this story impossible for me to enjoy. I love Alder's books because she doesn't do drama but in this story I felt like I was reading a book by a whole different author. Kari was a great character and made the whole story a bit better, but still...
That's just how I felt about this book, so that doesn't mean you won't enjoy it. Try it and see for yourself, you might end up liking it more than me. :)
By the end, I just wanted to finish the story and be done with it. Even Meryn, who I actually really like, got on my nerves, since she wasn't as smart as usual and at times she came across even more immature and bitchy. Everyone said how she's a genius but I really didn't see her actions as something special.
At the beginning I liked the way the story unfolded. I always love to see the characters from previous books, so that is always a plus. But after the main characters of this story found each other, the plot went downhill. The unnecessary details from Declans sexual past (and right before they mated, might I add) made this story impossible for me to enjoy. I love Alder's books because she doesn't do drama but in this story I felt like I was reading a book by a whole different author. Kari was a great character and made the whole story a bit better, but still...
That's just how I felt about this book, so that doesn't mean you won't enjoy it. Try it and see for yourself, you might end up liking it more than me. :)
July 4, 2017
2.5 stars. This felt like a filler book, something to read in between books about the main characters. It didn't feel like a full length novel, more novella in terms of the character depth and development.
The author has moved the series from Lycaonia to Noctem Falls and I find that's downgraded it for me. I know, mixing it up and all, but it lost a lot of what I loved about the previous books and it hasn't been replicated in this new setting. The other issue is setting the books around Meryn so heavily and sidelining the main couple. That was my problem with the previous book as well. Even Aiden, Meryn's mate, has decreased in his character to a kind of standby husband. I'm happy to see previous characters again, but not to the detriment of the main couple's story. Having so much Meryn focus reduced the couple's progression and made it feel like everything they did was a reaction to Meryn vs their own actions.
My hope for the next book is that it either leaves the Noctem Falls setting or we finally get Keelan's book. His really should've been next. Each of the books after Kendrick (#5) has been about other unit warriors we haven't previously met & I don't find them interesting. So time for Keelan's book.
The author has moved the series from Lycaonia to Noctem Falls and I find that's downgraded it for me. I know, mixing it up and all, but it lost a lot of what I loved about the previous books and it hasn't been replicated in this new setting. The other issue is setting the books around Meryn so heavily and sidelining the main couple. That was my problem with the previous book as well. Even Aiden, Meryn's mate, has decreased in his character to a kind of standby husband. I'm happy to see previous characters again, but not to the detriment of the main couple's story. Having so much Meryn focus reduced the couple's progression and made it feel like everything they did was a reaction to Meryn vs their own actions.
My hope for the next book is that it either leaves the Noctem Falls setting or we finally get Keelan's book. His really should've been next. Each of the books after Kendrick (#5) has been about other unit warriors we haven't previously met & I don't find them interesting. So time for Keelan's book.
November 13, 2018
I can't believe I'm dropping this series...and I can't believe this author resorted to the OW drama for characters we have fallen in love with.
June 2, 2017
~~~ 2.5 "not impressed" stars~~~
I love B&B series, they usually made me laugh to tears, but unfortunately not this book.
I was looking forward to read it when it came out and right when I start reading it, I saw one of the GR buddy's update post. I put it aside for five months and thought maybe time will help. Nope.
The H is one of those pussies I hate, the not alpha, crying type. He wasn't possessive of his mate and when she got hurt he held her hand looking pale, not enraged. Declan is a lion shifter, who I imagined like
Because he cried everytime she told him she loves him.
I thought he was disrespectful to the h. H and h had interviews with other paranormal women and half of them were H's ex-sex buddies. h didn't know that and when one of these women started yapping about their sex and suggesting another round, what does the H do? Nothing. He winces. Winces like a little pussy that he is and says you know I don't involve with the mated ones. This OW tries to kiss him and she probably would if the h hadn't stepped in.
Soon after this they went to his house to mate and this is the major turn off from his bedroom conversation:
..."I wanted something special for my mate."
"And yet you brought other women here?"
He shrugged. "I never had sex with them in the bed," he stopped and looked up at the ceiling as if counting. "No not in the bed. Against the bed, one under the bed, one on the nightstand, in the closet, on the bathroom floor, in front of the fireplace..."
To sum it up: zero chemistry between MCs, no funny dialogues, not an alpha hero, too many characters with the similar names, not enough development... I enjoyed some of the parts and the h was really likable. There were two scenes in the book where H acted like he should, but it was too late for moi.
The B&B series is still one of my paranormal fave ones and I look forward to read the next installment.
I love B&B series, they usually made me laugh to tears, but unfortunately not this book.
I was looking forward to read it when it came out and right when I start reading it, I saw one of the GR buddy's update post. I put it aside for five months and thought maybe time will help. Nope.
The H is one of those pussies I hate, the not alpha, crying type. He wasn't possessive of his mate and when she got hurt he held her hand looking pale, not enraged. Declan is a lion shifter, who I imagined like
Because he cried everytime she told him she loves him.
I thought he was disrespectful to the h. H and h had interviews with other paranormal women and half of them were H's ex-sex buddies. h didn't know that and when one of these women started yapping about their sex and suggesting another round, what does the H do? Nothing. He winces. Winces like a little pussy that he is and says you know I don't involve with the mated ones. This OW tries to kiss him and she probably would if the h hadn't stepped in.
Soon after this they went to his house to mate and this is the major turn off from his bedroom conversation:
..."I wanted something special for my mate."
"And yet you brought other women here?"
He shrugged. "I never had sex with them in the bed," he stopped and looked up at the ceiling as if counting. "No not in the bed. Against the bed, one under the bed, one on the nightstand, in the closet, on the bathroom floor, in front of the fireplace..."
To sum it up: zero chemistry between MCs, no funny dialogues, not an alpha hero, too many characters with the similar names, not enough development... I enjoyed some of the parts and the h was really likable. There were two scenes in the book where H acted like he should, but it was too late for moi.
The B&B series is still one of my paranormal fave ones and I look forward to read the next installment.
February 4, 2017
This book is so problematic that I will not be continuing the series, So first, we have the Keeland situation that has not progress at all in the last 2 books. Avery (Kari's "adopted" little brother) reads more like a 6 year old child even though he is less than a year from being able to claim his mate. Avery and his mate seems like a check on the author's checklist of today's social issues that she wants to address -- and address it she does over and over and over again. This falls flat for me... While Kari was great at organizing and creating a system for businesses and organizations and she loved her condo, I truly knew nothing more about her. Also, I have been over Meryn for the last couple of books. She is the only person that has been totally fleshed out which I believe is why AA always allow Meryn to play a significant role in each book. It is so bad now that Aiden, who I loved in book #1 is now a shell of himself that is just a yes man. Kari's "adopted" older brother Law has absolutely no role in this book even though he is the closest thing to a family for her excluding Avery. This book was such a disappointment and I feel cheated with the antics to stretch out the series. I no longer care if I do not find out who is killing the paranormals. I don't care about who these invisible things are and who is controlling them and making them. I no longer care if Keeland will return. I no longer care about who is trying to gain power over the paranormals. None of these things have been answered in the last 3, yes I said 3 BOOKS. There have been no new conflict nor answers and /or progression in the old conflicts.
March 19, 2017
Not a lot of depth in the series. but an easy light read. Appreciate the world building, you can see the author's experience strengthen with each book. When I first started with this series, I wasn't sure but now I am in. I am excited to see further expansion of Noctem & for the other 2 pillar cities. I hope each city gets several books as there is tons of potential. I am more excited about Storm Keep & Eire Danu than any other, she could write 10 books about each of those magical cities & it wouldn't be enough.
December 28, 2016
Kari Delaney didn't want to follow her adopted brothers orders of leaving with her little brother Avery and head to the protection of Noctem Falls, but he felt the threat was real and they needed protection from the ferals. Kari doesn't expect to meet her mate or that he is been injured enough he is on the brink of dying.
Declan Lionhart is thrilled to find his mate, he has to wait to claim her until he is feeling better but whle they wait for their big event he bides his time spending time getting to know Kari. Kari is a natural organizer and has earned a position with Prince Magnus, she is also finding that Noctem Falls is not as she remembers, yes there is still prejudice but Magnus is doing his best to eliminate it. The threats are revealing themselves in Noctem Falls and with Kari's astute observation and the help of Meryn's troops all should be safe as long as they can figure it out who is behind the hidden threats.
Another delightful story by Alanea Alder. I liked the characters in this one, Kari enjoys the amusement of watching others. Had a few laugh out loud moments that had me cracking up. Everyone is great, anxious to see what is next for the Bewitched and Bewildered crew.
Declan Lionhart is thrilled to find his mate, he has to wait to claim her until he is feeling better but whle they wait for their big event he bides his time spending time getting to know Kari. Kari is a natural organizer and has earned a position with Prince Magnus, she is also finding that Noctem Falls is not as she remembers, yes there is still prejudice but Magnus is doing his best to eliminate it. The threats are revealing themselves in Noctem Falls and with Kari's astute observation and the help of Meryn's troops all should be safe as long as they can figure it out who is behind the hidden threats.
Another delightful story by Alanea Alder. I liked the characters in this one, Kari enjoys the amusement of watching others. Had a few laugh out loud moments that had me cracking up. Everyone is great, anxious to see what is next for the Bewitched and Bewildered crew.
May 1, 2017
I'm rating this book 2 stars. I first want to say this is my 7th book in this series I've read. And honestly I feel like this book series has been slowly downgrading/getting worse. The first thing I want to say was the problem with Merlyn the whole book it was all about Merlyn......Merlyn.........Merlyn. I'm so sick of Merlyn's character, not in a I hate her character kinda way but I'm so tired about reading about her. I felt like this book was all about Merlyn and that would be okay if this was Merlyn's book. I also want address the other characters from past books. It was nice but again it was too much. It's a romance book its not supposed to be about everyone else but the couple. I was really annoyed while reading this and I just wanted the book to end. The romance was majorly lacking. Declan and Kira were just very uninteresting. The plot has been continually dragging in this series. And now sadly it's just boring. This book had so much penitential. It just failed to hit the mark. I was missing the humor too. One thing I did like about this book was Avery. I don't know if i'll continue this book series much farther.
December 29, 2016
Paranormals are being murdered in increasing numbers.
With no other option open, lone paranormals are being told to seek temporary residence in pillar cities for their own safety. Kari Delaney (vampire) & her brother Avery (shifter) are to be relocated to Noctem Falls, a stronghold overseen by Prince Magnus, who has a reputation of hard line enforcement of law and intolerance for interspecies bigotry.
Declan Lionhart comes from a prestigious political blood line though he chooses the lifestyle of a simple unit warrior. Respected for his diplomacy and skill, it's ironic that he should meet his mate when bloodied, torn up, and internal organs exposed. No matter, his mate HAS entered his life. Details are not important.
Kari & Declan are about to experience their own HEA. With Meryn's help, it's sure to be a very interesting journey indeed ....
All while paranormals continue to be targeted by an unknown. The killer thought to be one of Noctem Falls own.
* * * *
As a big time fan of this author and series (sorry Ms Alder for going all fan girl on you at the Lori Foster convention but in my defense it was a dream come true to meet you), I was totally excited to get my grubby little hands on this new installment.
Of note for anyone wondering if they could read this book if they haven't already read any previous in the series. Nope, this is a series that builds off previous installments so absolutely zero ability to read it as a stand alone. In fact, for those who have already read the series and are now looking to read this one - do a quick over of previous installments to re-familiarize yourself with past characters and roles they play. Side note to author: please consider including a glossary and/or map of the different characters and relationship dynamics for future installments.
This is an author who has a totally different writing style than what I'm used to. I liken her writing to the Broadway musical Hamilton. Boring US history, infused with rap and hip hop music scores and an awesome screenplay, made it relevant and interesting. It's become one of the biggest hits of modern Broadway for a reason. In the case of Ms. Alder, she's included geekdom, gaming, Dr. Who, Lord Of The Rings and other millennial interests that I haven't seen many other authors infuse in their characters so inclusively. Meryn (series central heroine) is the girl I could see creating mayhem and chaos because she's that good. Intelligent, devious, loyal, with a strategic vindictive mind, Meryn is the girl you really don't want to piss off. That includes harming those she considers 'hers' because no one hurts anyone she considers family without consequences.
On to this book/story. Kari is another strong female lead character in the series. She is a vampire so the whole concept of mating is nothing new. Her mate, Declan, is a lion shape shifter. Finding his mate has always been something he's desperately wanted but knows it can't be forced and is willing to wait. Their initial meet up is quite the drama but does give the reader a hint of things to come. This includes interacting with characters from previous installments including Meryn.
The actual adult content romance between the two main characters is less intense and graphic than I'd like but still has some heat. My take is that fans of low intensity adult content scenes will enjoy these scenes while those fans who are looking for the toe curling five alarm scenes will be disappointed.
As for the world building. This mythical pillar city is just that - mythical. It has no basis of reality and therefore cannot be taken as such. Yet, there's a magical feeling that drew me in wishing there COULD be.
The story line itself is non stop action adventure with a side of urban fantasy/paranormal. There is a suspense/mystery sub plot that will tease the reader but I really didn't get much in the way of this being more than a side item. In other words, no Sherlock Holmes detective skills required. sigh
The biggest part of the story though is the interaction between characters. Reading an installment in this series is like going home to check on how all my favorites are doing and who the 'new guy' (or girl as the case may be) is. It can get confusing with all the comings and goings but isn't that just the way family get togethers are anyway? Enjoy them while you can because you never know....
I didn't want to end my review without mentioning problem areas I had with this story. The first is that I did encounter several proof/editing issues that threw me off (because I do notice them). Second is the lack of actual love and affection. Aiden & Meryn. Gavriel & Bethy. Adriel & Eva. My own personal opinion is they acted more like affectionate brother/sister combos than mates.
I also realize that Meryn is central to the series and rightly so.. but.. the author needs to be more cognizant that the featured couple in an existing story need to be the stars. I wanted more Kari and more Declan to have come through to give me the knowledge that were important and not just a side show for Meryn and her ongoing scheming and plans to conquer the paranormal world.
Bottom line is that I do love the series and can't wait for Avery/Merrick, Law/????, Rex/???, to find their HEA, but I also need to know how the whole Keelan issue is going to play out. That and Ryuu.
ps.. Does it make me a douche bag if I ask when or if Dennis will ever come back?
;)
With no other option open, lone paranormals are being told to seek temporary residence in pillar cities for their own safety. Kari Delaney (vampire) & her brother Avery (shifter) are to be relocated to Noctem Falls, a stronghold overseen by Prince Magnus, who has a reputation of hard line enforcement of law and intolerance for interspecies bigotry.
Declan Lionhart comes from a prestigious political blood line though he chooses the lifestyle of a simple unit warrior. Respected for his diplomacy and skill, it's ironic that he should meet his mate when bloodied, torn up, and internal organs exposed. No matter, his mate HAS entered his life. Details are not important.
Kari & Declan are about to experience their own HEA. With Meryn's help, it's sure to be a very interesting journey indeed ....
All while paranormals continue to be targeted by an unknown. The killer thought to be one of Noctem Falls own.
* * * *
As a big time fan of this author and series (sorry Ms Alder for going all fan girl on you at the Lori Foster convention but in my defense it was a dream come true to meet you), I was totally excited to get my grubby little hands on this new installment.
Of note for anyone wondering if they could read this book if they haven't already read any previous in the series. Nope, this is a series that builds off previous installments so absolutely zero ability to read it as a stand alone. In fact, for those who have already read the series and are now looking to read this one - do a quick over of previous installments to re-familiarize yourself with past characters and roles they play. Side note to author: please consider including a glossary and/or map of the different characters and relationship dynamics for future installments.
This is an author who has a totally different writing style than what I'm used to. I liken her writing to the Broadway musical Hamilton. Boring US history, infused with rap and hip hop music scores and an awesome screenplay, made it relevant and interesting. It's become one of the biggest hits of modern Broadway for a reason. In the case of Ms. Alder, she's included geekdom, gaming, Dr. Who, Lord Of The Rings and other millennial interests that I haven't seen many other authors infuse in their characters so inclusively. Meryn (series central heroine) is the girl I could see creating mayhem and chaos because she's that good. Intelligent, devious, loyal, with a strategic vindictive mind, Meryn is the girl you really don't want to piss off. That includes harming those she considers 'hers' because no one hurts anyone she considers family without consequences.
On to this book/story. Kari is another strong female lead character in the series. She is a vampire so the whole concept of mating is nothing new. Her mate, Declan, is a lion shape shifter. Finding his mate has always been something he's desperately wanted but knows it can't be forced and is willing to wait. Their initial meet up is quite the drama but does give the reader a hint of things to come. This includes interacting with characters from previous installments including Meryn.
The actual adult content romance between the two main characters is less intense and graphic than I'd like but still has some heat. My take is that fans of low intensity adult content scenes will enjoy these scenes while those fans who are looking for the toe curling five alarm scenes will be disappointed.
As for the world building. This mythical pillar city is just that - mythical. It has no basis of reality and therefore cannot be taken as such. Yet, there's a magical feeling that drew me in wishing there COULD be.
The story line itself is non stop action adventure with a side of urban fantasy/paranormal. There is a suspense/mystery sub plot that will tease the reader but I really didn't get much in the way of this being more than a side item. In other words, no Sherlock Holmes detective skills required. sigh
The biggest part of the story though is the interaction between characters. Reading an installment in this series is like going home to check on how all my favorites are doing and who the 'new guy' (or girl as the case may be) is. It can get confusing with all the comings and goings but isn't that just the way family get togethers are anyway? Enjoy them while you can because you never know....
I didn't want to end my review without mentioning problem areas I had with this story. The first is that I did encounter several proof/editing issues that threw me off (because I do notice them). Second is the lack of actual love and affection. Aiden & Meryn. Gavriel & Bethy. Adriel & Eva. My own personal opinion is they acted more like affectionate brother/sister combos than mates.
I also realize that Meryn is central to the series and rightly so.. but.. the author needs to be more cognizant that the featured couple in an existing story need to be the stars. I wanted more Kari and more Declan to have come through to give me the knowledge that were important and not just a side show for Meryn and her ongoing scheming and plans to conquer the paranormal world.
Bottom line is that I do love the series and can't wait for Avery/Merrick, Law/????, Rex/???, to find their HEA, but I also need to know how the whole Keelan issue is going to play out. That and Ryuu.
ps.. Does it make me a douche bag if I ask when or if Dennis will ever come back?
;)
April 18, 2020
The series gets better and better. I loved Declan's and Kari's story. It was engaging, hilariously funny (I laughed so much, I had tears in my eyes) and it's unputdownable.
I can't wait for the next books.
I can't wait for the next books.
Read
October 29, 2020Bu seriyi çözemedim. Üç gün, daha üç gün olmadan kadınlar hamile kalıyor birde bunu öğrenebiliyor. Tıbben mümkün olduğunu bile sanmıyorum 😂 Ama işin içine sihir giriyor. Ona da okey ama bu seri iyice tavukların kuluçka kümesine döndü 😂Paranormal ırklarda hamilelik çok önemli. Kadını el üstünde tutuyorlar. Ama bazen fazla abartıyorlar. Ayağa kalkmalı mısın? Yürümeli misin? Birde nefes almasın isterseniz😂😂
Bu hikayemizde, aslan shifter Declan ve yine kendini tehlikede hisseden gelsin bildirisine uyanlardan Kari'nin tanışma hikayesini okuyoruz. Ve bilin bakalım ne? Evet! Onlarda birbirinin eşi 😂
Noctem Falls seviyelerden oluşuyor. Kurucu aileler, soylu aileler, birlik savaşçıları, esnaflar vs. 6. Seviyede pazar yeri diye tabir edebileceğim genel kalabalığın olduğu bir yer var. Declan orada meydana gelen bir arbedede yaralanır. Vampir kızımız da kan kokusuna tepki verir ve eşi ile tanışması oldukça kanlı bir sahneyle başlar. Declan rüyalarında Kari'yi bir yangının ortasında görür. Bu yüzden onunla tanışmaktansa kendinden uzak olsun ister. Geçen ki kitapta olduğu gibi bir inkâr bekledim ama hemen kabullendi.🤔 İyi mi kötü mü onu da bilemedim 😂
Çiftimiz hemen kendilerini bir birine kaptırdı. Seride bu birleşme olayını hiç yokuşa sürmüyor yazar. Bu pek odak noktası bile değil. Bu durumu atlattıktan sonra şehirde cirit atan vahşiye odaklanıyorlar. Kari ve kardeşi Avery bir yandan Prens Magnus'un ofisini de ele geçiriyorlar. Kari bir asistanlık şirketine sahip. Bu yüzden organize konusunda bayağı kolaylık sağlıyor.
Hikaye daha çok yeni gelenler ve vampirler arasında arayı bulmakla , yeni düzenlemeler ve vahşiyi avlamakla geçiyor. Bir de Meryn'i boğuyor, takip ediyor gibi hissettiren gölgeler var. Ryuu bir şeyler düşündü ama bir sonuç elde edemedik. Konu neydi acaba?🤔
Ben artık seride düşman kim, amacı ne, nereye gidiyor bu konu diye çok merak ediyorum. Elimizde organize olmuş bir vahşiler var. Ama şuana kadar sadece saldırıyorlar. Eeee sonra?
Ah seride çok fazla eşcinsel çiftte var. Yazar bu konuyu seviyor mu acaba diye baktım bu türe ait başka kitapları da var gibi 😂 Sevmeyen yada rahatsız olanlara uyarı mahiyetinde yazayım. Ama gayet masumane ve sadece sözel olarak yazılıyor. Bilemedim 😂
Sonuç olarak yarısını okudum. Bitsin diye devam edeceğim ama hala çok saçma bulduğum bir seri 😂
Bu hikayemizde, aslan shifter Declan ve yine kendini tehlikede hisseden gelsin bildirisine uyanlardan Kari'nin tanışma hikayesini okuyoruz. Ve bilin bakalım ne? Evet! Onlarda birbirinin eşi 😂
Noctem Falls seviyelerden oluşuyor. Kurucu aileler, soylu aileler, birlik savaşçıları, esnaflar vs. 6. Seviyede pazar yeri diye tabir edebileceğim genel kalabalığın olduğu bir yer var. Declan orada meydana gelen bir arbedede yaralanır. Vampir kızımız da kan kokusuna tepki verir ve eşi ile tanışması oldukça kanlı bir sahneyle başlar. Declan rüyalarında Kari'yi bir yangının ortasında görür. Bu yüzden onunla tanışmaktansa kendinden uzak olsun ister. Geçen ki kitapta olduğu gibi bir inkâr bekledim ama hemen kabullendi.🤔 İyi mi kötü mü onu da bilemedim 😂
Çiftimiz hemen kendilerini bir birine kaptırdı. Seride bu birleşme olayını hiç yokuşa sürmüyor yazar. Bu pek odak noktası bile değil. Bu durumu atlattıktan sonra şehirde cirit atan vahşiye odaklanıyorlar. Kari ve kardeşi Avery bir yandan Prens Magnus'un ofisini de ele geçiriyorlar. Kari bir asistanlık şirketine sahip. Bu yüzden organize konusunda bayağı kolaylık sağlıyor.
Hikaye daha çok yeni gelenler ve vampirler arasında arayı bulmakla , yeni düzenlemeler ve vahşiyi avlamakla geçiyor. Bir de Meryn'i boğuyor, takip ediyor gibi hissettiren gölgeler var. Ryuu bir şeyler düşündü ama bir sonuç elde edemedik. Konu neydi acaba?🤔
Ben artık seride düşman kim, amacı ne, nereye gidiyor bu konu diye çok merak ediyorum. Elimizde organize olmuş bir vahşiler var. Ama şuana kadar sadece saldırıyorlar. Eeee sonra?
Ah seride çok fazla eşcinsel çiftte var. Yazar bu konuyu seviyor mu acaba diye baktım bu türe ait başka kitapları da var gibi 😂 Sevmeyen yada rahatsız olanlara uyarı mahiyetinde yazayım. Ama gayet masumane ve sadece sözel olarak yazılıyor. Bilemedim 😂
Sonuç olarak yarısını okudum. Bitsin diye devam edeceğim ama hala çok saçma bulduğum bir seri 😂
September 10, 2019
I am uncertain what is happening at the moment with me and my new favorite series....
Since the setting for the series has moved to Noctem Falls I have found the MC and FMC to be a bit bland compared to books set in Lycaonia. Meryn is present which is the only major plus for books 6 and 7. On one hand I can see why Alder has made the shift in writing because no two places can be the same, but I miss the characters and style of writing from the Lycaonia setting.
Declan was a strongly written lion shifter, however IMO he wasn't the center of attention in this book. I believe if he had been it would have been a better read for me. We have read in the series plenty about vampires, bear shifters, and witches....would have like to dig a bit further into the lion shifter aspect. Due to his character being well written not only due to power and charisma his story would have been more appealing
Kari seemed to be the main point of the novel. There were attempts at making her badass but they were attempts not successes. She reminded me to much of Bethy (whom I love, so we do not need another Bethy).
I am hoping the series picks back up in book 8. Afraid it will still be based in Noctum Falls leaving this reader feeling a smidge sad.
Happy Reading! DD
Since the setting for the series has moved to Noctem Falls I have found the MC and FMC to be a bit bland compared to books set in Lycaonia. Meryn is present which is the only major plus for books 6 and 7. On one hand I can see why Alder has made the shift in writing because no two places can be the same, but I miss the characters and style of writing from the Lycaonia setting.
Declan was a strongly written lion shifter, however IMO he wasn't the center of attention in this book. I believe if he had been it would have been a better read for me. We have read in the series plenty about vampires, bear shifters, and witches....would have like to dig a bit further into the lion shifter aspect. Due to his character being well written not only due to power and charisma his story would have been more appealing
Kari seemed to be the main point of the novel. There were attempts at making her badass but they were attempts not successes. She reminded me to much of Bethy (whom I love, so we do not need another Bethy).
I am hoping the series picks back up in book 8. Afraid it will still be based in Noctum Falls leaving this reader feeling a smidge sad.
Happy Reading! DD
May 10, 2017
3.25 stars. I hate to admit it, but I didn't love this one... :(
January 27, 2025
I love a lion shifter
I truly enjoy how this series is filled with family, both blood and chosen. The support shown by all of the characters is another of my favorite parts. Through in some Meryn moments, the baby boom and the ever building story line and I am all in. I can’t wait to read read the next book.
I truly enjoy how this series is filled with family, both blood and chosen. The support shown by all of the characters is another of my favorite parts. Through in some Meryn moments, the baby boom and the ever building story line and I am all in. I can’t wait to read read the next book.
July 15, 2022
4,5 / 5
April 18, 2021
Okay so saying I love the series, but this just felt like filler from start to finish. The instalove was not believable and I didn't really feel like they connected. That being said I'm off to read the next one to see if the author works her magic again from the rest of the series.
October 5, 2022
3,5***
I have mixed feelings about this book.
I liked it, but many "somethings" were still missing!!
There are even more new people (my head is about to explode in confusion), OK, new city, different people I get it, but still...
I miss the "old" people...
There were still no new revelations about the bad people, no new insights to who is running the "baddies" show, only more questions...
The murder/feral from book 1 wasn´t caught, so that sense of accomplishment is still empty in my mind, ok, they did caught this book feral, but it only brought more questions instead of revelations.
To me, the main characters of this book were better explored, but Alanea, if you want to keep showing Meryn's doin' (and yes i want u to, because obviously fate wants u to tell her story, she is the chosen one) I think is time to introduce several pov's instead of only dual, because if you keep pushing the plots around Meryn... I think eventually it'll burn you, book 6 almost did.
I don't know about the epilogue, is book 8 telling both Grant and Etain story's??
UGHHHHHH
I have mixed feelings about this book.
I liked it, but many "somethings" were still missing!!
There are even more new people (my head is about to explode in confusion), OK, new city, different people I get it, but still...
I miss the "old" people...
There were still no new revelations about the bad people, no new insights to who is running the "baddies" show, only more questions...
The murder/feral from book 1 wasn´t caught, so that sense of accomplishment is still empty in my mind, ok, they did caught this book feral, but it only brought more questions instead of revelations.
To me, the main characters of this book were better explored, but Alanea, if you want to keep showing Meryn's doin' (and yes i want u to, because obviously fate wants u to tell her story, she is the chosen one) I think is time to introduce several pov's instead of only dual, because if you keep pushing the plots around Meryn... I think eventually it'll burn you, book 6 almost did.
I don't know about the epilogue, is book 8 telling both Grant and Etain story's??
UGHHHHHH
February 5, 2017
I really enjoyed this series, however, once they switched up locations and brought in the new characters I felt like it was missing something.
Maybe it was the trips to the drug store or maybe it was how Meryn began to grate on my nerves (which really sucked because she was hysterical in the first books).
I was also a little peeved because I didn't feel as if there was a conclusion with the main running plot and it looks like there will be a new series starting next. Wondering if the answers will be given in that series, as some of the possible new characters have been introduced.
Hoping the loose end will get cleared up because I really want to find out the reason for all the drama that has been going on since the first book.
Maybe it was the trips to the drug store or maybe it was how Meryn began to grate on my nerves (which really sucked because she was hysterical in the first books).
I was also a little peeved because I didn't feel as if there was a conclusion with the main running plot and it looks like there will be a new series starting next. Wondering if the answers will be given in that series, as some of the possible new characters have been introduced.
Hoping the loose end will get cleared up because I really want to find out the reason for all the drama that has been going on since the first book.
December 30, 2016
Something is different
This series has been a favorite of mine. However, this particular book is off. First of all there is very little character development with Kari. I honestly can't tell you what she even looks like, it was never explained. The relationship between her and Declan happens instantaneous. Literally. The story line runs a very mundane and familiar route that doesn't reveal hardly anything about the ongoing plot. Add all of these things with the grammatical errors and the less than realistic cadence of conversations and you get a hard to read book. Hoping this was just a slump and not a preview for the next books.
This series has been a favorite of mine. However, this particular book is off. First of all there is very little character development with Kari. I honestly can't tell you what she even looks like, it was never explained. The relationship between her and Declan happens instantaneous. Literally. The story line runs a very mundane and familiar route that doesn't reveal hardly anything about the ongoing plot. Add all of these things with the grammatical errors and the less than realistic cadence of conversations and you get a hard to read book. Hoping this was just a slump and not a preview for the next books.
December 18, 2024
I love it all. This book is good, and I love the new characters. I really want to see Etain or Micah get their mates in the next book.
Reread on July 18, 2018, and finished in on July 18, 2018, August 19, 2018, and finished August 24, 2018.
December 27, 2018, to December 28, 2018. Reread June 17, 2019, and Finish it June 17, 2019. November 25, 2019, and finish it on November 26, 2019. Reread June 28 2018, and finished June 29 2018
Reread on April 9th, 2018- APRIL 9TH, 2108
Reread on July 18, 2018, and finished in on July 18, 2018, August 19, 2018, and finished August 24, 2018.
December 27, 2018, to December 28, 2018. Reread June 17, 2019, and Finish it June 17, 2019. November 25, 2019, and finish it on November 26, 2019. Reread June 28 2018, and finished June 29 2018
Reread on April 9th, 2018- APRIL 9TH, 2108
June 14, 2021
Perfect book for a long plane ride... but I really like the first book in the series. (I think Alder does too, since she spent so much time with her first characters.)
March 25, 2018
Como não poderia ser diferentes, livro gostoso de ler,Leve na medida certa com humor que não poderia falta.
May 28, 2018
SIMBA STOLE MY HEART!!!
Title: My Champion
Series: Bewitched & Bewildered
Author: Alanea Alder
Designation: Book Seven of Series, Full-Length, **Can Be Read As Standalone, No Cliffhanger #paranormalromance #fantasy #shifters #vampires #fae #witches #sprites #adultcontent
My Rating: Five Delightfully Entertaining Stars*****
**Each book of the Bewitched and Bewildered series features a different couple finding love along with their very own happy ending and can technically be read as a standalone. However, there are recurring characters and an underlying interconnected conflict that play a major part in all the books, therefore to avoid spoilers, I highly recommend reading the books sequentially.
OMG! I loved, loved, loved My Champion. Alder's books are like crack for us paranormal romance junkies! I can see it now: Room in a church basement, a circle of chairs, surrounded by a group of grim faces, and I stand and say, "Hello, my name is Judy and I'm an Alanea Alder paranormal romance addict!" lol... All joking aside, Alder's books really are addictive. They're like potato chips; you can't stop with just one! This is the seventh book of the series and each story gets better and better! I can hardly wait to dive into the eighth! lol... I love unique paranormal romance, addicted to danger, action, adventure & suspense, completely smitten with sexy, alpha heroes, adore sassy, courageous heroines, and there's nothing I enjoy more than a few mind-bending plot twists along with a generous infusion of laugh-out-loud humor, but when I can get it all in one exceptionally well-crafted and beautifully written book, I'm in absolute heaven! And that's exactly what Alanea Alder delivered - AGAIN - in My Champion, the seventh full-length paranormal romance in her riveting and highly imaginative Bewitched & Bewildered Series. Did I like this book? No, I LOVED it! Was it perfect? No, but it was perfect for me. There were a few little boo-boos missed in the editing process, but nothing that distracted me from the story. Would I recommend it? You bet, and I am but only for adult readers since it does contain explicit language, some violence, and steamy, dreamy sex. Will I read this author again? Absolutely which is probably the best recommendation I can give! As a matter of fact, after completing the first book of this series, I raced back to Amazon and purchased the remaining nine books and signed up for her newsletter, which speaks volumes as to how much I enjoyed this author's work! And finally, was I entertained? Completely! I was glued to my chair, white-knuckling my ereader, my heart fluttering wildly in my chest as the pages flew as quickly as the time!
The series takes a bit of a turn in Book 6 when Unit Commander Aiden McKenzie and his firecracker mate Meryn leave Lycaonia to visit vampire pillar city Noctem Falls, Naturally, they are accompanied by Meryn's squire Sei Ryuu and, of course, Felix the sprite along with former Noctem Falls resident Elizabeth Monroe and her mate Gavriel Ambrosios. Aiden, Meryn, Ryuu, Felix, Beth and Gavriel are all recurring characters readers have gotten to know in the previous books of the series and always add so much to each story. We're introduced to an entire new cast of intriguing characters but the primary couple in this story is unit warrior lion-shifter Declan Lionhart, aka call sign Simba (yes, that's a nod to one of Meryn's and my favorite movies, The Lion King), and vampire Kari Delaney, personal assistant trainer, corporate organizer extraordinaire, and very successful business owner. I fell in love with the handsome, happy-go-lucky Declan, though he's also a bit of a mystery. But once again, wait until you find out his family connections! Shhh... No spoilers from me. And the lovely Kari is the epitome of grace, efficiency, keen intelligence, and heartwarming devotion to those she loves, like her adopted brother, sweet fox shifter Avery Therian. Kari and Declan were perfect for each other! Kari was just the woman to tame Noctem Falls' very own Don Juan and she didn't even have to use a whip! Sigh... So dreamy! And naturally, Meryn, her minions Jaxson and Noah, along with her two newly adopted twin 'baby Keelans' provide loads of laughter and shenanigans galore! And once again, this story ripped my heart out of my chest! I snickered, snorted, sniffled, snuffled, chuckled, and outright ugly cried through the entire story! But just a little warning, folks, don't start this book unless you have plenty of time; you will not want to stop until you reach the last page. I should know; I've spent the last week binge-reading the entire series! lol... Alanea Alder, you're killing me! If you enjoy perilous danger, intense drama, agonizing angst, pulse-pounding action, nail-biting suspense, side-splitting humor, heartwarming romance, and a few mind-blowing plot twists that you'll never see coming, then this book is screaming your name. Extraordinary world building, exceptional character introduction/development, along with highly intelligent, skilled plot progression make this series a fabulous, can't-put-down read! Thanks for the recommendation Fran Zoch!
Title: My Champion
Series: Bewitched & Bewildered
Author: Alanea Alder
Designation: Book Seven of Series, Full-Length, **Can Be Read As Standalone, No Cliffhanger #paranormalromance #fantasy #shifters #vampires #fae #witches #sprites #adultcontent
My Rating: Five Delightfully Entertaining Stars*****
**Each book of the Bewitched and Bewildered series features a different couple finding love along with their very own happy ending and can technically be read as a standalone. However, there are recurring characters and an underlying interconnected conflict that play a major part in all the books, therefore to avoid spoilers, I highly recommend reading the books sequentially.
OMG! I loved, loved, loved My Champion. Alder's books are like crack for us paranormal romance junkies! I can see it now: Room in a church basement, a circle of chairs, surrounded by a group of grim faces, and I stand and say, "Hello, my name is Judy and I'm an Alanea Alder paranormal romance addict!" lol... All joking aside, Alder's books really are addictive. They're like potato chips; you can't stop with just one! This is the seventh book of the series and each story gets better and better! I can hardly wait to dive into the eighth! lol... I love unique paranormal romance, addicted to danger, action, adventure & suspense, completely smitten with sexy, alpha heroes, adore sassy, courageous heroines, and there's nothing I enjoy more than a few mind-bending plot twists along with a generous infusion of laugh-out-loud humor, but when I can get it all in one exceptionally well-crafted and beautifully written book, I'm in absolute heaven! And that's exactly what Alanea Alder delivered - AGAIN - in My Champion, the seventh full-length paranormal romance in her riveting and highly imaginative Bewitched & Bewildered Series. Did I like this book? No, I LOVED it! Was it perfect? No, but it was perfect for me. There were a few little boo-boos missed in the editing process, but nothing that distracted me from the story. Would I recommend it? You bet, and I am but only for adult readers since it does contain explicit language, some violence, and steamy, dreamy sex. Will I read this author again? Absolutely which is probably the best recommendation I can give! As a matter of fact, after completing the first book of this series, I raced back to Amazon and purchased the remaining nine books and signed up for her newsletter, which speaks volumes as to how much I enjoyed this author's work! And finally, was I entertained? Completely! I was glued to my chair, white-knuckling my ereader, my heart fluttering wildly in my chest as the pages flew as quickly as the time!
The series takes a bit of a turn in Book 6 when Unit Commander Aiden McKenzie and his firecracker mate Meryn leave Lycaonia to visit vampire pillar city Noctem Falls, Naturally, they are accompanied by Meryn's squire Sei Ryuu and, of course, Felix the sprite along with former Noctem Falls resident Elizabeth Monroe and her mate Gavriel Ambrosios. Aiden, Meryn, Ryuu, Felix, Beth and Gavriel are all recurring characters readers have gotten to know in the previous books of the series and always add so much to each story. We're introduced to an entire new cast of intriguing characters but the primary couple in this story is unit warrior lion-shifter Declan Lionhart, aka call sign Simba (yes, that's a nod to one of Meryn's and my favorite movies, The Lion King), and vampire Kari Delaney, personal assistant trainer, corporate organizer extraordinaire, and very successful business owner. I fell in love with the handsome, happy-go-lucky Declan, though he's also a bit of a mystery. But once again, wait until you find out his family connections! Shhh... No spoilers from me. And the lovely Kari is the epitome of grace, efficiency, keen intelligence, and heartwarming devotion to those she loves, like her adopted brother, sweet fox shifter Avery Therian. Kari and Declan were perfect for each other! Kari was just the woman to tame Noctem Falls' very own Don Juan and she didn't even have to use a whip! Sigh... So dreamy! And naturally, Meryn, her minions Jaxson and Noah, along with her two newly adopted twin 'baby Keelans' provide loads of laughter and shenanigans galore! And once again, this story ripped my heart out of my chest! I snickered, snorted, sniffled, snuffled, chuckled, and outright ugly cried through the entire story! But just a little warning, folks, don't start this book unless you have plenty of time; you will not want to stop until you reach the last page. I should know; I've spent the last week binge-reading the entire series! lol... Alanea Alder, you're killing me! If you enjoy perilous danger, intense drama, agonizing angst, pulse-pounding action, nail-biting suspense, side-splitting humor, heartwarming romance, and a few mind-blowing plot twists that you'll never see coming, then this book is screaming your name. Extraordinary world building, exceptional character introduction/development, along with highly intelligent, skilled plot progression make this series a fabulous, can't-put-down read! Thanks for the recommendation Fran Zoch!
July 16, 2018
I LOVE MERYN!
"Now [that I] have minions and mercenaries, I can take over the world."
Rating - 4 ✰
One Word Rec.: Buy
Alder, Alanea; MY CHAMPION [Bewitched & Bewildered, #7]
Ebook; genre: {paranormal romance} ; shelves: |rating: 4* - Great Book, will re-read more than once or twice = when released in theater|
|author: Alanea Alder |
|paranormal, shifters: bear, canine, feline, other|
|paranormal, magic: witches |
|paranormal, vampires|
|paranormal, fae |
|humorous read|
|fan/geek references|
Personally, I don't enjoy giving "SPOILERS" as a rule, so I believe the general synopsis above or on the book flap if it's a hard copy should give you all the information you need. I do include the basics under synopsis though. If you'd like to know my overall thoughts & feelings about the book or author, please check the "Personal Opinion" section. Also, if this is a book in a series, under "Characters," you'll most likely find a fu-bo list. While reading, authors tend to introduce us to numerous characters and I find I wonder if they will get their own book, so I decided to include this in my review. I will try not to include "SPOILERS" if there are any. And now to my review:
I know this book has for some reason received less than stellar reviews, so I ask anyone who might be interested to check out my PO section, where I address some of the concerns I saw in other reviews.
General Synopsis:
This is the seventh book in Alanea Alder's [Bewitched and Bewildered] series, focusing on the romance between Kari Delaney, a vampire and Declan Lionheart, a lion shifter. We also have some unexpected matings happening in this book, so that is something to look forward to. Also my fangirl meter skyrocketed through the roof while reading this book . . . so many new fu-bos, plus LAW and I am totally worshiping at the alter of Alanea Alder AGAIN. Did I mention we finally get to formally meet LAW in this book, because if I didn't, we get to meet LAW! ♡✧( ु•⌄• )
Characters/Fu-bo:
Noctem Falls
Ryuu (I keep hoping he finds a mate)
Magnus
Grant Douglas, My Defender
Etain Vi'Aerlin, My Angel (NRY)
Micah Sages
Neil & Nigel Morninglory
Dimitri Romanov (Theta)
Godard Kipling (Kappa)
Leif Grassfield
Travis Hickory
Warrick & , My Champion
Stefan Bolivar
Cristo Bolivar (member of the Vanguard series)
Law Ashleigh
Rex Lionheart
Emeric Foret
Gidan Campbell
Idris Li'Mierlen
Previous books
Aidan & Meryn, My Commander
Gavriel & Beth, My Protector
Colton & Rheia, My Healer
Darian & Amelia, My Savior
Kendrick & Anne, My Brother's Keeper
Adriel & Eva Mae, My Guardian
Back in Lycoania . . . and still waiting for a possible book in the future
Keelan
Adam
Adair
Ben
Sascha
Lennox (yes, I know he's only "just an adult" in paranormal years, but …)
Jaxon (same as above)
Personal Opinion:
So, I know a lot of people have had issues with Avery Therian, Kari's adopted brother, mentioning he is very childish, etc. In paranormal years, he is a child still. He has not reached his 100th year, which is kind of like 18-21 years of age for us humans. Also, Kari herself admits "Because Avery is special. He has a genius level IQ, but the naiveté of a child. I have had to protect him ever since I found him ten years ago." To be honest and I am not sure if this is a spoiler, but I believe Avery is a fennec fox and reminds me of Ashby from Fated for Forever Kindred of Arkadia 3 .
There is also some growth to the series in my opinion, and I am not just talking about my every growing fu-bo list and wherein Ms. Alder might come to hate me as yes, I will keep hoping someday they will ALL have their very own HEA. In this book I felt we are beginning to see a little more of the political unrest in Noctem Falls, as well as actual growth of the various different pillar cities. I see lots of threads which are being woven in and make me want to continue to read the series so I might see where they will go. Both Storm Keep and Eiru Danu are mentioned in this book again, which encourages me, as a reader, to hope Meryn & co. will be going there in the future to try and help out the paranormal world found within this series.
There ARE a few grammatical errors, but this has been true in a majority of the books in this series, but I'd like to point out two things. #1) They are not serious errors and if anything, they mainly remind me of that paper that gets passed around, you know the one I am talking about, the one that shows you your brain replaces words or misspelt words as you're reading. & #2) I am not 100% sure, but I believe this series is self published, so yes, maybe we should ask the beta readers to take a little more time reading the book so those little errors can be found, but at the same time (and I am completely jealous of them, because HEY, they get to read this amazing series before you or I), sometimes a reader who is enjoying the series, just wants to read the book, to immerse themselves back into this amazing world, so a few grammatical errors might not been seen.
Now for totally ME!, because let's be honest, it's about my thoughts . . . sometimes. And before you worry that all I am going to do is gush on Law, and I totally AM when I talk about it to people, because I have been waiting for Thane, Justice, & Law Ashleigh since we heard about them back in My Savior! So yeah, we meet Law in this book and he is totally a BA!
So, you are probably getting bored and your eyes are getting glazed over reading this long, long review, but I just need to add 3 quotes and a little information as to why they made this review.
"The world is a darker place. How could this happen! It's a conspiracy! Evil has taken root in the world!" Meryn ranted. I cannot help it, this happens when Meryn finds out Netflix no longer has "Doctor Who." I completely understand, as this was my response to when Netflix and Hulu stopped streaming it. & when I found out you can watch it on Amazon Prime, I was upset because my Apple TV does not have that option. So Meryn, I feel your pain.
"Toss it. I only wrote that it was urgent because the person making the complaint was watching. Anything on a green Post-it note can go in the garbage, the truly important notes are always on cream paper." - Magnus to Kari, who is training him as his new PA.
& lastly, Meryn shrugged. "It can't possibly be a bad idea if my future self hasn't traveled back in time to stop me." Eva's mouth twitched. "Is that the basis for your decision making?" - I have decided I might adopt this philosophy in the future. I hope that is ok with with Ms. Alder.
"Now [that I] have minions and mercenaries, I can take over the world."
Rating - 4 ✰
One Word Rec.: Buy
Alder, Alanea; MY CHAMPION [Bewitched & Bewildered, #7]
Ebook; genre: {paranormal romance} ; shelves: |rating: 4* - Great Book, will re-read more than once or twice = when released in theater|
|author: Alanea Alder |
|paranormal, shifters: bear, canine, feline, other|
|paranormal, magic: witches |
|paranormal, vampires|
|paranormal, fae |
|humorous read|
|fan/geek references|
Personally, I don't enjoy giving "SPOILERS" as a rule, so I believe the general synopsis above or on the book flap if it's a hard copy should give you all the information you need. I do include the basics under synopsis though. If you'd like to know my overall thoughts & feelings about the book or author, please check the "Personal Opinion" section. Also, if this is a book in a series, under "Characters," you'll most likely find a fu-bo list. While reading, authors tend to introduce us to numerous characters and I find I wonder if they will get their own book, so I decided to include this in my review. I will try not to include "SPOILERS" if there are any. And now to my review:
I know this book has for some reason received less than stellar reviews, so I ask anyone who might be interested to check out my PO section, where I address some of the concerns I saw in other reviews.
General Synopsis:
This is the seventh book in Alanea Alder's [Bewitched and Bewildered] series, focusing on the romance between Kari Delaney, a vampire and Declan Lionheart, a lion shifter. We also have some unexpected matings happening in this book, so that is something to look forward to. Also my fangirl meter skyrocketed through the roof while reading this book . . . so many new fu-bos, plus LAW and I am totally worshiping at the alter of Alanea Alder AGAIN. Did I mention we finally get to formally meet LAW in this book, because if I didn't, we get to meet LAW! ♡✧( ु•⌄• )
Characters/Fu-bo:
Noctem Falls
Ryuu (I keep hoping he finds a mate)
Magnus
Grant Douglas, My Defender
Etain Vi'Aerlin, My Angel (NRY)
Micah Sages
Neil & Nigel Morninglory
Dimitri Romanov (Theta)
Godard Kipling (Kappa)
Leif Grassfield
Travis Hickory
Warrick & , My Champion
Stefan Bolivar
Cristo Bolivar (member of the Vanguard series)
Law Ashleigh
Rex Lionheart
Emeric Foret
Gidan Campbell
Idris Li'Mierlen
Previous books
Aidan & Meryn, My Commander
Gavriel & Beth, My Protector
Colton & Rheia, My Healer
Darian & Amelia, My Savior
Kendrick & Anne, My Brother's Keeper
Adriel & Eva Mae, My Guardian
Back in Lycoania . . . and still waiting for a possible book in the future
Keelan
Adam
Adair
Ben
Sascha
Lennox (yes, I know he's only "just an adult" in paranormal years, but …)
Jaxon (same as above)
Personal Opinion:
So, I know a lot of people have had issues with Avery Therian, Kari's adopted brother, mentioning he is very childish, etc. In paranormal years, he is a child still. He has not reached his 100th year, which is kind of like 18-21 years of age for us humans. Also, Kari herself admits "Because Avery is special. He has a genius level IQ, but the naiveté of a child. I have had to protect him ever since I found him ten years ago." To be honest and I am not sure if this is a spoiler, but I believe Avery is a fennec fox and reminds me of Ashby from Fated for Forever Kindred of Arkadia 3 .
There is also some growth to the series in my opinion, and I am not just talking about my every growing fu-bo list and wherein Ms. Alder might come to hate me as yes, I will keep hoping someday they will ALL have their very own HEA. In this book I felt we are beginning to see a little more of the political unrest in Noctem Falls, as well as actual growth of the various different pillar cities. I see lots of threads which are being woven in and make me want to continue to read the series so I might see where they will go. Both Storm Keep and Eiru Danu are mentioned in this book again, which encourages me, as a reader, to hope Meryn & co. will be going there in the future to try and help out the paranormal world found within this series.
There ARE a few grammatical errors, but this has been true in a majority of the books in this series, but I'd like to point out two things. #1) They are not serious errors and if anything, they mainly remind me of that paper that gets passed around, you know the one I am talking about, the one that shows you your brain replaces words or misspelt words as you're reading. & #2) I am not 100% sure, but I believe this series is self published, so yes, maybe we should ask the beta readers to take a little more time reading the book so those little errors can be found, but at the same time (and I am completely jealous of them, because HEY, they get to read this amazing series before you or I), sometimes a reader who is enjoying the series, just wants to read the book, to immerse themselves back into this amazing world, so a few grammatical errors might not been seen.
Now for totally ME!, because let's be honest, it's about my thoughts . . . sometimes. And before you worry that all I am going to do is gush on Law, and I totally AM when I talk about it to people, because I have been waiting for Thane, Justice, & Law Ashleigh since we heard about them back in My Savior! So yeah, we meet Law in this book and he is totally a BA!
So, you are probably getting bored and your eyes are getting glazed over reading this long, long review, but I just need to add 3 quotes and a little information as to why they made this review.
"The world is a darker place. How could this happen! It's a conspiracy! Evil has taken root in the world!" Meryn ranted. I cannot help it, this happens when Meryn finds out Netflix no longer has "Doctor Who." I completely understand, as this was my response to when Netflix and Hulu stopped streaming it. & when I found out you can watch it on Amazon Prime, I was upset because my Apple TV does not have that option. So Meryn, I feel your pain.
"Toss it. I only wrote that it was urgent because the person making the complaint was watching. Anything on a green Post-it note can go in the garbage, the truly important notes are always on cream paper." - Magnus to Kari, who is training him as his new PA.
& lastly, Meryn shrugged. "It can't possibly be a bad idea if my future self hasn't traveled back in time to stop me." Eva's mouth twitched. "Is that the basis for your decision making?" - I have decided I might adopt this philosophy in the future. I hope that is ok with with Ms. Alder.
May 7, 2018
MY CHAMPION is the seventh book in the Bewitched and Bewildered series and was another enjoyable read. The story continues on from MY GUARDIAN and follows the mating of Declan (lion shifter) and Kari (vampire), and we’re still in Noctem Falls. With twenty books planned for this series, I assume that each of the four pillar cities will get five books apiece, and that only the highest ranking Unit Warriors for each city will have stories written about them.
I’ll be honest, I don’t remember much about Declan at all. Kari was a bit more memorable with her take-charge-and-get-things-done personality, but I can’t say much else about her either. Why? Because unlike the first five books in this series, the couple and their relationship hasn’t been the main focus of the story for books six and seven. Instead, the focus has shifted to Meryn and trying to figure out what’s going on in the paranormal world. While I’m very interested in the conspiracies that have been going on for centuries, I’m disappointed that it’s at the expense of the romance side of things.
On top of the lack of romance, there are a few other minor issues. I agree with what others have said about Meryn becoming more childish as the series progresses. I’m hoping we’ll see the old Meryn again in future books, especially when she seems to be connected to everything that’s going on. Quite a few conversations felt disjointed and hard to follow, with topics changing at random before turning back around to a previous topic. Finally, with so many new characters being introduced, they’re all starting to blur together. I found myself having to stop quite a few times and saying to myself “Who is this person again?”.
If you’re still reading this review, you might be wondering why I’ve given MY CHAMPION 5❤ when it sounds like I didn’t enjoy the book. Well, it’s because despite what I’ve said above, I did enjoy it. There were scenes that had me laughing out loud and the story arc has me chomping at the bit for the next book.
MY CHAMPION is told in dual POVs, with the epilogue being told in Grant’s POV as he’ll get the next book. While each book is about a different couple, the books in this series cannot be read as a stand-alone and must be read in order.
For more reviews, please visit our website: http://romancebetweenthesheets.com/re...
I’ll be honest, I don’t remember much about Declan at all. Kari was a bit more memorable with her take-charge-and-get-things-done personality, but I can’t say much else about her either. Why? Because unlike the first five books in this series, the couple and their relationship hasn’t been the main focus of the story for books six and seven. Instead, the focus has shifted to Meryn and trying to figure out what’s going on in the paranormal world. While I’m very interested in the conspiracies that have been going on for centuries, I’m disappointed that it’s at the expense of the romance side of things.
On top of the lack of romance, there are a few other minor issues. I agree with what others have said about Meryn becoming more childish as the series progresses. I’m hoping we’ll see the old Meryn again in future books, especially when she seems to be connected to everything that’s going on. Quite a few conversations felt disjointed and hard to follow, with topics changing at random before turning back around to a previous topic. Finally, with so many new characters being introduced, they’re all starting to blur together. I found myself having to stop quite a few times and saying to myself “Who is this person again?”.
If you’re still reading this review, you might be wondering why I’ve given MY CHAMPION 5❤ when it sounds like I didn’t enjoy the book. Well, it’s because despite what I’ve said above, I did enjoy it. There were scenes that had me laughing out loud and the story arc has me chomping at the bit for the next book.
MY CHAMPION is told in dual POVs, with the epilogue being told in Grant’s POV as he’ll get the next book. While each book is about a different couple, the books in this series cannot be read as a stand-alone and must be read in order.
For more reviews, please visit our website: http://romancebetweenthesheets.com/re...
August 1, 2020
This series continues to make me smile gosh I love it!!!
Declan is literally the Noctem Falls version of Colton so of course I loved him!! And Kari?! That girl could run her own country she is brilliant!!! Also she is BADASS!!!!
As for my main girl Meryn. Of course she didn't disappoint in this book either. The moment between her, Nigel, Neil, Noah and Jaxson made my heart MELT OMG!!!!!! That quirky girl continues to inspire me.
I almost forgot to mention Avery and Warrick....they were SO FUCKING CUTE GAHHHH!!!!!
Declan is literally the Noctem Falls version of Colton so of course I loved him!! And Kari?! That girl could run her own country she is brilliant!!! Also she is BADASS!!!!
As for my main girl Meryn. Of course she didn't disappoint in this book either. The moment between her, Nigel, Neil, Noah and Jaxson made my heart MELT OMG!!!!!! That quirky girl continues to inspire me.
I almost forgot to mention Avery and Warrick....they were SO FUCKING CUTE GAHHHH!!!!!
March 14, 2018
When Kari Delaney -vampire & her adopted brother Avery -shifter are forced by their friend Law to relocate for safety reasons to Noctem Falls they both believe that will be for some months... Declan - lion shifter is stabbed and his blood is everywhere.... Till the medical arrives help him, Kari finds that he is her mate...
Not so strong story but i really like the series! So keep reading the next one!
Not so strong story but i really like the series! So keep reading the next one!
March 3, 2019
Brilliant
This series just gets better and better with each book i read.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
This series just gets better and better with each book i read.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
February 10, 2017
Yet another great read in this series. We are still in Noctem Falls in this one and Declan and Kari this time are the ones to be mated.
Kari is strong, organized, and a take charge kind of woman, something that all the female leads in this series seem to have in common which I love. She is protective and so very loyal to those around her.
Declan is the one that can put everyone at ease and everyone also seems to love him. The friendly warrior I will call him.
Together these two meet in almost an unconventional yet comical way. As we get more into this series we continue to learn more about Noctem Falls. This book also has some very light hearted moments that will have you smiling for days as the Vampire city starts to loosen up a bit. Of course we have some of the original characters Aiden, Beth, Gavriel and Meryn who are quite prominent in this book as well.
Meryn does give us those antics of hers that we are just can't do without at the most inappropriate moments of course which makes you burst out laughing.
I will say though that I do really miss some of the original gang from Lycaonia and wish I could see more of them.
Kari is strong, organized, and a take charge kind of woman, something that all the female leads in this series seem to have in common which I love. She is protective and so very loyal to those around her.
Declan is the one that can put everyone at ease and everyone also seems to love him. The friendly warrior I will call him.
Together these two meet in almost an unconventional yet comical way. As we get more into this series we continue to learn more about Noctem Falls. This book also has some very light hearted moments that will have you smiling for days as the Vampire city starts to loosen up a bit. Of course we have some of the original characters Aiden, Beth, Gavriel and Meryn who are quite prominent in this book as well.
Meryn does give us those antics of hers that we are just can't do without at the most inappropriate moments of course which makes you burst out laughing.
I will say though that I do really miss some of the original gang from Lycaonia and wish I could see more of them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews