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Nocturne Falls #6.5
The Vampire's True Love Trials
Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year. The tourists think it's all a show: the vampires, the werewolves, the witches, the occasional gargoyle flying through the sky. But the supernaturals in town know better.
Living in Nocturne Falls means being yourself. Fangs, fur, and all.
Vampire Sebastian Ellingham wants one thing: to marry Tessa Blythe, the Valkyrie he’s fallen madly in love with. So meeting her parents seems like the natural thing to do. He’s even looking forward to it, until he discovers they’ve already found her a husband. Now the only way to keep Tessa in his life is to complete a series of tests meant for a very different kind of supernatural. And failing means losing her forever.
Living in Nocturne Falls means being yourself. Fangs, fur, and all.
Vampire Sebastian Ellingham wants one thing: to marry Tessa Blythe, the Valkyrie he’s fallen madly in love with. So meeting her parents seems like the natural thing to do. He’s even looking forward to it, until he discovers they’ve already found her a husband. Now the only way to keep Tessa in his life is to complete a series of tests meant for a very different kind of supernatural. And failing means losing her forever.
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
280 people are currently reading
879 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Painter
177 books3,404 followersKristen Painter likes to balance her obsessions with shoes and cats by making the lives of her characters miserable and surprising her readers with interesting twists. She currently writes award-winning paranormal romance, paranormal women's fiction, and cozy mysteries. The former college English teacher can often be found on twitter @Kristen_Painter, Facebook at www.facebook.com/KristenPainterAuthor where she loves to interact with readers and her blog: http://kristenpainter.com/blog/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
November 13, 2021
So cute! Nocturne Falls, where it is Halloween 365 days per year, is one of my favorite PNR series! 🎃🦇👻🧛♀️
Loved seeing vampire Sebastian and valkyrie Tessa again. They are officially now my favorite couple! Tessa's parents, I didn't warm up to immediately, what with making Sebastian fight to win Tessa's hand or else marry her off to a guy she didn't love, but KP has a way of making all her characters or at least most of them sympathetic in some regard, and they have their own side to it. I was happy to see them earn their happy ending together, and I am always eager to have more time with Sebastian!
Loved seeing vampire Sebastian and valkyrie Tessa again. They are officially now my favorite couple! Tessa's parents, I didn't warm up to immediately, what with making Sebastian fight to win Tessa's hand or else marry her off to a guy she didn't love, but KP has a way of making all her characters or at least most of them sympathetic in some regard, and they have their own side to it. I was happy to see them earn their happy ending together, and I am always eager to have more time with Sebastian!
March 22, 2017
All I ever want to read nowadays are comfort reads. *sighhhh*
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Finals Week= Reading this: Romance. Comfort. Fluff. *double sighhhh* This was just the perfect cozy read.
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Finals Week= Reading this: Romance. Comfort. Fluff. *double sighhhh* This was just the perfect cozy read.
August 9, 2017
I found her parents pretty gross, to be completely honest. This is going to be a slightly spoilery review, but there is no huge mystery that I'm going to give away, so I don't think it will be much of an issue.
Her mother is a Valkyrie and her father a Berserker. For them, traditionally, the Berserker completes the 7 feats of strength to win the blessings of her parents and be able to marry the woman he chooses. She is his reward. It's actually stated as such in the book
A chill swept Sebastian. “You can’t be serious. You would expect her to marry a man she’s never met and doesn’t love?”
Magna nodded. “It’s always been our way. If a berserker is willing to sacrifice for a woman, he is rewarded with her hand in marriage.”
Some guy who is never introduced, Gunther, has asked for her hand and completed three trials. Because she isn't like most Valkyries her parents seemed to think that was good enough and he should be rewarded with their daughter. Of course the man she loves, is involved with and WANTS to marry should have to complete all seven, because her opinion of things doesn't mean shit and her parents seem to want him to fail so she can be married off to some guy she doesn't know. Because tradition. They do manage to argue him down to three feats because it's all Gunther did, but since it had to be argued you can tell her parents weren't happy about it.
If Tessa decides to tell her parents to shove it and marries Sebastian without their blessing, her sword will be stripped from her. I don't remember all of what that entails since it's been awhile since I read the previous book, but it's obviously a BIG deal. The sword is a part of her and having it stripped is 'very unpleasant business'. But really, who gives a shit if her sword is forcefully ripped away from her, or if she is torn away from Sebastian and forced to marry someone she doesn't like, love or even know. Because TRADITION!
Honestly Tessa is treated like shit by her parents and nobody really bats an eye. Sebastian makes some halfhearted attempt at it but he doesn't really succeed and it's really gross that at the end everything is all swept under the rug.
I've never given a book in this series under 3 stars, so I clearly like it, but this one was just... gross.
Her mother is a Valkyrie and her father a Berserker. For them, traditionally, the Berserker completes the 7 feats of strength to win the blessings of her parents and be able to marry the woman he chooses. She is his reward. It's actually stated as such in the book
A chill swept Sebastian. “You can’t be serious. You would expect her to marry a man she’s never met and doesn’t love?”
Magna nodded. “It’s always been our way. If a berserker is willing to sacrifice for a woman, he is rewarded with her hand in marriage.”
Some guy who is never introduced, Gunther, has asked for her hand and completed three trials. Because she isn't like most Valkyries her parents seemed to think that was good enough and he should be rewarded with their daughter. Of course the man she loves, is involved with and WANTS to marry should have to complete all seven, because her opinion of things doesn't mean shit and her parents seem to want him to fail so she can be married off to some guy she doesn't know. Because tradition. They do manage to argue him down to three feats because it's all Gunther did, but since it had to be argued you can tell her parents weren't happy about it.
If Tessa decides to tell her parents to shove it and marries Sebastian without their blessing, her sword will be stripped from her. I don't remember all of what that entails since it's been awhile since I read the previous book, but it's obviously a BIG deal. The sword is a part of her and having it stripped is 'very unpleasant business'. But really, who gives a shit if her sword is forcefully ripped away from her, or if she is torn away from Sebastian and forced to marry someone she doesn't like, love or even know. Because TRADITION!
Honestly Tessa is treated like shit by her parents and nobody really bats an eye. Sebastian makes some halfhearted attempt at it but he doesn't really succeed and it's really gross that at the end everything is all swept under the rug.
I've never given a book in this series under 3 stars, so I clearly like it, but this one was just... gross.
January 1, 2023
Two DNFs in one week, that’s terribly, terribly sad to me. But it did mean that I got to hop over to a TBR book that’s been waiting oh so patiently! Thank goodness I have the kindle app! Since I finished book six in Kristen Painter’s Nocturne Falls series yesterday, I thought I would move along to the novella that follows, The Vampire’s True Love Trials!
In this short little story, Sebastian and Tessa are finally done with all the nasty business regarding Sebastian’s ex-wife. It’s all over and done and since they are in Amsterdam, Sebastian thought it would be the perfect time to extend the getaway and even proposing! Just as he’s about to pop the question, Tessa’s parents call to tell her a berserker named Gunther has completed a set of trials and has won the right to propose. Naturally, this doesn’t sit well with Tessa or Sebastian.
It’s a basic meet the parents kind of moment except the only way Tessa’s parents will accept the relationship that Tessa and Sebastian want to have is if Sebastian completes the same set of trials. The only thing is the trials were created with berserkers in mind instead of vampires and if Sebastian were to fail any of them, then it’s game over and Tessa will marry the faceless Gunther.
This was just a fun, short little read that lets you see more of the Nocturne Falls world! Made fun since it let us see a returning couple get a little more complete with their happy ending and oh wow was there a surprise twist at the end! Not so much of a twist, but a surprise all the same!
I almost expected that we’d see this mysterious Gunther, but that wasn’t the case, which I guess makes sense. We don’t need to see who this wannabe contender is since we’re all rooting for Sebastian to win anyway! The read was a fast one and I was just happy to be back with the Nocturne Falls gang! Though not everyone was there, being with just two of them is always enough for me! If you’re already reading the series, don’t skip this novella for anything because that surprise at the end was a fun little one that might have you questioning things in the books ahead!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
In this short little story, Sebastian and Tessa are finally done with all the nasty business regarding Sebastian’s ex-wife. It’s all over and done and since they are in Amsterdam, Sebastian thought it would be the perfect time to extend the getaway and even proposing! Just as he’s about to pop the question, Tessa’s parents call to tell her a berserker named Gunther has completed a set of trials and has won the right to propose. Naturally, this doesn’t sit well with Tessa or Sebastian.
It’s a basic meet the parents kind of moment except the only way Tessa’s parents will accept the relationship that Tessa and Sebastian want to have is if Sebastian completes the same set of trials. The only thing is the trials were created with berserkers in mind instead of vampires and if Sebastian were to fail any of them, then it’s game over and Tessa will marry the faceless Gunther.
This was just a fun, short little read that lets you see more of the Nocturne Falls world! Made fun since it let us see a returning couple get a little more complete with their happy ending and oh wow was there a surprise twist at the end! Not so much of a twist, but a surprise all the same!
I almost expected that we’d see this mysterious Gunther, but that wasn’t the case, which I guess makes sense. We don’t need to see who this wannabe contender is since we’re all rooting for Sebastian to win anyway! The read was a fast one and I was just happy to be back with the Nocturne Falls gang! Though not everyone was there, being with just two of them is always enough for me! If you’re already reading the series, don’t skip this novella for anything because that surprise at the end was a fun little one that might have you questioning things in the books ahead!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
April 12, 2021
The Vampire's True Love Trials is a short story novella and book 6.5 of the Nocturne Falls series. In this book, Sebastian Ellingham and Tessa Blythe get engaged, but Tessa's parents have other plans in mind for their daughter's hand in marriage. Sebastian is forced to undergo a series of tests that were intended for Berserkers to complete, not Vampires. These tests are not stacked in Sebastian's favor, in fact they may be created with the intention that he will fail and be forced away from Tessa, maybe even permanently.
I love this series. I love all of these books and the characters. I recommend them all.
The narration is good. It is the same narrator for the entire series and he has a bunch of voices in his repertoire.
I love this series. I love all of these books and the characters. I recommend them all.
The narration is good. It is the same narrator for the entire series and he has a bunch of voices in his repertoire.
April 17, 2020
The nice CFO vampire just wants to marry his lovely librarian Valkyrie but surprising her parents does not go as planned. After all, they had a nice berserker all picked out for her.
May 15, 2022
I love Sebastian and Tessa. They're as amazing as always.
Tessa's parents though? Not so much. Her parents are hardly in her life and yet they refuse to let her marry Sebastian unless he passes their tests and proves himself to them? All one has to do is see the way Sebastian looks at Tessa, and she him, and know without a doubt that these two were made for each other. *dreamy sigh*
On to the next!
Tessa's parents though? Not so much. Her parents are hardly in her life and yet they refuse to let her marry Sebastian unless he passes their tests and proves himself to them? All one has to do is see the way Sebastian looks at Tessa, and she him, and know without a doubt that these two were made for each other. *dreamy sigh*
On to the next!
January 25, 2020
Listened to this through Audible Escape. We already meet Tessa and Sebastian again, which I was excited about, but I was a little disappointed with this short. They already went through stuff in their own book, and now they face even more obstacles. I just feel it wasn't necessary, and could have been done so much better. I would rather have gotten to know them more.
July 10, 2017
Sebastian and Tessa are ready to get married and move on with their life together. The only problem is that Tessa's parents picked out a husband for her. They agree to let Sebastian attempt as many trials as the other guy completed and if he succeeds then he gets to marry Tessa. If not she will have to marry the other guy and if she doesn't she'll be ostracized and stripped of her sword.
I really did not like Tessa's parents. Ok you picked someone else for your daughter but then you meet the guy she is with...that she loves...and he obviously loves her back....and on top of that is filthy rich and you still insist he has to win her. I just couldn't get past them.
I really did not like Tessa's parents. Ok you picked someone else for your daughter but then you meet the guy she is with...that she loves...and he obviously loves her back....and on top of that is filthy rich and you still insist he has to win her. I just couldn't get past them.
January 8, 2018
This was very short, but I had to take a break from it because of the super macho 'you will do this because I am your father and I said so' attitude from Tessa's father. It was AWFUL. I can't stand to read people that have that much disregard for other people.
July 26, 2018
I would DNF this but it is only 55 pages. I would tell my parents "bye, bye" and never see them again. Tell my dad that these stupid outdated challenges have nothing to do with love and family. "Tradition" wow, and "women are as strong as men", so one test is fighting a woman, yet we can give you away as your father. You as a daughter have no choice and we will take away your sword. Wow, fuck them and fuck them good! Now that they prove themselves, fuck them forever and tell them fuck you. Unluckily this book/series doesn't have cursing or sex. But I pretty much hated this story other than the town of Nocturne Falls which was only in the beginning of this book. I hate her father, I hate her father and I think she should too. This is a horrid, horrible man. I hated this book and I hated her for allowing it. I would kill them first, just take her sword and kill them rather than accept their crap. Sorry never see them again! This forced marriage and forced impossible task, well she left Valkyries behind before and she should leave them again. Also her sister telling the parents and not her that she did, and then the engagement that wasn't good enough. Man bad, this was bad, except the ending with Delaney and the new baby, which is not really part of this story.
One very small, very rusty star. So happy it was short, the only good thing about this story.
One very small, very rusty star. So happy it was short, the only good thing about this story.
June 9, 2017
October in Paris !
It seem that after all the trouble they have been through appearing before the vampire counsel in Amsterdam regarding Sebation's ex-wife, Evangiline, Paris might have been a cheerful distraction. At least it could have been if he and Tessa weren't meeting her parents to try and stop an arranged marriage that was sprung on her without warning. It seems her parents choice of husband is a berserker who has passed a series of seven trials that are traditionslly set by the parents of a Valkyrie. Now Sebation must face the same ordeal. But since he isnt a berserker her father sets a task that could end up with Sebation dead if he doesn't use his magic, Tessa married off to soone she doesn't love if he doesn't, and both of them miserable no matter how it turns out. -What's a guy got to go to do, just to get approal to marry? It's an entertaining read to find out! -
It seem that after all the trouble they have been through appearing before the vampire counsel in Amsterdam regarding Sebation's ex-wife, Evangiline, Paris might have been a cheerful distraction. At least it could have been if he and Tessa weren't meeting her parents to try and stop an arranged marriage that was sprung on her without warning. It seems her parents choice of husband is a berserker who has passed a series of seven trials that are traditionslly set by the parents of a Valkyrie. Now Sebation must face the same ordeal. But since he isnt a berserker her father sets a task that could end up with Sebation dead if he doesn't use his magic, Tessa married off to soone she doesn't love if he doesn't, and both of them miserable no matter how it turns out. -What's a guy got to go to do, just to get approal to marry? It's an entertaining read to find out! -
October 23, 2019
2019 bk 243. Sebastian and Tessa have already fallen in love. Now they are in Europe, having finished testifying at the trial of his former wife and Sebastian plans to formally as Tessa to marry him. However, he had not counted on Tessa's parents putting several roadblocks in his path. They had found a berserker, put him through three of the traditional seven trials and now proclaimed to Tessa that he was the man she should marry. After pleading and threats, Tessa's father agrees to Sebastian going through three trials to prove his worthiness, only he tweaks the trials a bit to make them harder for a vampire. What is a vampire to do?
April 3, 2018
Sebastian meets Tessa's parents and is promptly informed that they have already promised her to someone else - and if Sebastian wants their blessing to marry her instead, he'll have to complete the traditional feats of strength to prove himself worthy.
Much as I enjoyed spending some quality time with the delightful denizens of Nocturne Falls again, I very much wanted to punch Tessa's father with his outdated bullshit.
Much as I enjoyed spending some quality time with the delightful denizens of Nocturne Falls again, I very much wanted to punch Tessa's father with his outdated bullshit.
October 21, 2019
I love our characters in this, but the contrived "we gave your hand away too bad" plot is uh...a choice.
February 1, 2021
A fun, well written vampire and Valkyrie romance. Part of a series I haven't read, but I had no problem following along with the storyline. All romance is behind closed doors. 3.5 stars. This was a novella in a boxed set I have (Taming the Vampire).
January 5, 2017
ANOTHER FABULOUS FUN-FILLED ROMP FROM THE NOCTURNE FALLS SERIES !!!
Title: The Vampire's True Love Trials
Series: A Nocturne Falls Short
Designation: Book 5.5 of Series, Novelette(55 pages), Can Be Read As Standalone, NO Cliffhanger (Originally published Oct 31, 2016 as part of the multi-author Taming the Vampire Collection)
Author: Kristen Painter
Reading Platform: Kindle Edition
My Rating: FIVE DIVINELY ENTERTAINING STARS*****
I read this story when it was originally published as part of the multi-author Taming The Vampire collection and absolutely loved it. I've been a Kristen Painter fan for several years and literally devour everything she writes but her Nocturne Falls Series is one of my all-time favorites. All the releases in this collection, novels as well as shorts, can be enjoyed as standalones but to enrich your experience, I highly recommend reading all the books of the series in chronological order. The series features a large diverse cast of supernaturals as well as humans but each book primarily features one couple finding love. Many of the characters have recurring rolls and even crossover into Painter's Jayne Frost series so I'm sure you can see the benefit of reading the books in order. The Nocturne Falls series is a paranormal romance based on all manner of supernatural beings who live and work among humans in a town aptly named Nocturne Falls where it's Halloween every day of the year. And they celebrate it big time since it's the town's main source of income. How could you not love it with names like The Scream Shop, Hallowed Bean, Howlers, The Poison Apple, Illusions, Insomnia, Ever After, Mummy's Diner and The Black Rose D & B (*snicker* a Dead and Breakfast rather than a Bed and Breakfast *giggle*), and that's only a few of the establishments in this wonderful town Painter has created for us. This woman's talent and imagination are just off the charts! She's bloody brilliant! And did I mention it's located in Georgia. Oh yes, and I live in Georgia which makes me love it even more, not that I need another reason because there are plenty of reasons to love this book solely on its own merit. The story is exceptionally well crafted, well executed, well edited, well developed and beautifully written with a third person naarative. The characters are engaging, endearing and outrageously, laugh-at-loud funny. It's sweet, cute, exciting, imaginative, humorous and romantic with just the right amount of danger, intrigue and suspense. And of course, it wouldn't be complete without a little dollop of angst. I first became hooked on Kristen Painter's work when I read The Vampire's Mail Order Bride which was the first release in the Nocturne Falls Series and the rest, as they say, is history. I was totally addicted for life!
We first met vampire Sebastian Ellingham and valkyrie Tessa Blythe in The Vampire's Fake Fiancee, the fifth release of the series. The Vampire's True Love Trials resumes shortly thereafter and continues Sebastian and Tessa's story. I don't want to give anything away but I will say this... Handsome former reclusive vampire who has found the woman...um...valkyrie... for him and is finally free to tie the knot but must now win her hand as well as her parents' approval-check! Beautiful valkyrie who has finally found the man of her dreams but failed to tell her parents she had a fiance-check! A determined valkyrie mother and berserker father who want to see their daughter married-check! An arranged marriage-check! A set of impossible trials not designed for a vampire-check! Sweet romance, a dollop of angst and, as always, a whole lot of fun-check!
Did I like this book? No, I Loved it! Would I recommend it? You bet and I am! This book does NOT contain profanity nor explicit sex but it is just dreamy! Will I read this author again? Absolutely! Just as soon as she releases her next book! And finally, was I entertained? Completely! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!!!
Title: The Vampire's True Love Trials
Series: A Nocturne Falls Short
Designation: Book 5.5 of Series, Novelette(55 pages), Can Be Read As Standalone, NO Cliffhanger (Originally published Oct 31, 2016 as part of the multi-author Taming the Vampire Collection)
Author: Kristen Painter
Reading Platform: Kindle Edition
My Rating: FIVE DIVINELY ENTERTAINING STARS*****
I read this story when it was originally published as part of the multi-author Taming The Vampire collection and absolutely loved it. I've been a Kristen Painter fan for several years and literally devour everything she writes but her Nocturne Falls Series is one of my all-time favorites. All the releases in this collection, novels as well as shorts, can be enjoyed as standalones but to enrich your experience, I highly recommend reading all the books of the series in chronological order. The series features a large diverse cast of supernaturals as well as humans but each book primarily features one couple finding love. Many of the characters have recurring rolls and even crossover into Painter's Jayne Frost series so I'm sure you can see the benefit of reading the books in order. The Nocturne Falls series is a paranormal romance based on all manner of supernatural beings who live and work among humans in a town aptly named Nocturne Falls where it's Halloween every day of the year. And they celebrate it big time since it's the town's main source of income. How could you not love it with names like The Scream Shop, Hallowed Bean, Howlers, The Poison Apple, Illusions, Insomnia, Ever After, Mummy's Diner and The Black Rose D & B (*snicker* a Dead and Breakfast rather than a Bed and Breakfast *giggle*), and that's only a few of the establishments in this wonderful town Painter has created for us. This woman's talent and imagination are just off the charts! She's bloody brilliant! And did I mention it's located in Georgia. Oh yes, and I live in Georgia which makes me love it even more, not that I need another reason because there are plenty of reasons to love this book solely on its own merit. The story is exceptionally well crafted, well executed, well edited, well developed and beautifully written with a third person naarative. The characters are engaging, endearing and outrageously, laugh-at-loud funny. It's sweet, cute, exciting, imaginative, humorous and romantic with just the right amount of danger, intrigue and suspense. And of course, it wouldn't be complete without a little dollop of angst. I first became hooked on Kristen Painter's work when I read The Vampire's Mail Order Bride which was the first release in the Nocturne Falls Series and the rest, as they say, is history. I was totally addicted for life!
We first met vampire Sebastian Ellingham and valkyrie Tessa Blythe in The Vampire's Fake Fiancee, the fifth release of the series. The Vampire's True Love Trials resumes shortly thereafter and continues Sebastian and Tessa's story. I don't want to give anything away but I will say this... Handsome former reclusive vampire who has found the woman...um...valkyrie... for him and is finally free to tie the knot but must now win her hand as well as her parents' approval-check! Beautiful valkyrie who has finally found the man of her dreams but failed to tell her parents she had a fiance-check! A determined valkyrie mother and berserker father who want to see their daughter married-check! An arranged marriage-check! A set of impossible trials not designed for a vampire-check! Sweet romance, a dollop of angst and, as always, a whole lot of fun-check!
Did I like this book? No, I Loved it! Would I recommend it? You bet and I am! This book does NOT contain profanity nor explicit sex but it is just dreamy! Will I read this author again? Absolutely! Just as soon as she releases her next book! And finally, was I entertained? Completely! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!!!
June 30, 2019
I really love this series... but I was a little dissapointed about this one... As a Scandinavian woman and as a feminist I am dissaponted about that a valkyrie needs approval to wed. As the viking women could choose their own spouse. The approval from the father, first came with christianity... And it doesn't fit with the fierce warrior idea, I mean would a fierce valkyrie let anyone tell her what to do with her life? I think not. As I am really proud of that "we vikings" were more free than our other sisters (because this is how it should be, and I hope that some day this will be a reality for everyone.) Women need more fierce heroines, that can show them that they can do anything. I really can just give this only a 1 star.
December 9, 2017
Meh. It was all right. The "winning the parent's approval" trope is not one I'm a fan of, and it feels especially forced in this case. It didn't really add anything to the characters, or the setting. It just sort of exists.
I might be having series fatigue, but I'm not getting the same enjoyment from the most recent entries as I did from the earlier titles. I am now on a self-imposed break, since that's all that's the last Nocturne Falls story published to date. I'll see how I feel by the time the series updates.
I might be having series fatigue, but I'm not getting the same enjoyment from the most recent entries as I did from the earlier titles. I am now on a self-imposed break, since that's all that's the last Nocturne Falls story published to date. I'll see how I feel by the time the series updates.
January 12, 2017
This book was amazing just like all Kristen's books are. I devoured it. It was so nice to see Tessa and Sebastian again. Boy, they've been through a lot, but don't think it's over because it's just beginning. At first I hated Tessa's parents but soon understood them better. It's so hard not to write without spoiling it so I won't say much. I loved the berserk custom in this story. Kristen's characters always come to life and feel real. I might even want to see more of the parents in future books. The Hugh and Delaney scene was a nice surprise. I just wanted more. Lol
May 23, 2021
Sebastian finally found the woman he thought didn't exist; Tessa is perfect for him! He is planning the perfect moment to propose...and Tessa's parents inform her that they have arranged her marriage. In order for Sebastian to win their permission, he will have to win a competition against a beserker! Vampires don't have exactly the same skill set as a Viking warrior, so how is that going to go down?
Another fun excursion into the world of Nocturne Falls.
Another fun excursion into the world of Nocturne Falls.
May 7, 2024
I felt like the author didn’t know how to move Sebastian and Tessa’s story forward so this is what she came up with. The problem is that it made the Valkyries into medieval damsels who have no agency. These fierce warriors can’t decide who to marry unless they choose to fight for their independence. I just didn’t like it. The author tried to make up for it with the whole ignore the rules and make it work for each other trial at the end, but I just didn’t get it. The whole story seemed off.
May 9, 2017
You know Nocturne Falls books are my candy, but "Daddy needs to give permission to marry or else I face mutilation" thing is a little heavy for lighthearted books, yeah?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2018
I really enjoyed this opportunity to hear more about Tessa and Sebastian's relationship. I particularly love them as a couple because of who they are and what they love in each other. They had both figured they'd be alone for many reasons, but those particular characteristics are the ones they view differently from others and love about each other. (Such as how many saw Sebastian as boring and anti-social, but Tessa found his intelligence stimulating and something she could relate to.) They both looked past the surface and got to know the other as a person and found they were actually quite similar and extremely compatible.
In this story, Tessa gets a reminder that she wasn't the only one who thought she'd be alone forever when her parents promise her hand to a man who isn't desirable, but the best they thought she'd get. In order to save both their relationship and Tessa from a couple of awful fates, Sebastian finds himself facing traditional tests that suitors must complete to gain a valkery's hand in marriage. As those suitors expected to be berserkers, the tests are designed specifically for them, not vampires. However unfair, Sebastian is willing to pass whatever tests necessary to get Tessa's parents' blessing. It is only through the love that they each have for one another that ultimately gains the blessing. While for most of the story I found Tessa's parents (particularly her father) to be unnecessarily unyielding, her father's explanation of the tests and what he and Tessa's mother were looking for wasn't so arbitrary after all. The story features a HEA ending with no cliffhanger.
In this story, Tessa gets a reminder that she wasn't the only one who thought she'd be alone forever when her parents promise her hand to a man who isn't desirable, but the best they thought she'd get. In order to save both their relationship and Tessa from a couple of awful fates, Sebastian finds himself facing traditional tests that suitors must complete to gain a valkery's hand in marriage. As those suitors expected to be berserkers, the tests are designed specifically for them, not vampires. However unfair, Sebastian is willing to pass whatever tests necessary to get Tessa's parents' blessing. It is only through the love that they each have for one another that ultimately gains the blessing. While for most of the story I found Tessa's parents (particularly her father) to be unnecessarily unyielding, her father's explanation of the tests and what he and Tessa's mother were looking for wasn't so arbitrary after all. The story features a HEA ending with no cliffhanger.
December 18, 2020
Series: Nocturne Falls #6.5
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
Vampire Sebastian Ellingham just wants to marry Tessa Blythe, the Valkyrie he is madly in love with. But meeting her parents puts a kink in his plans, especially since they have found her a husband.
So I love that we got another Sebastian and Tessa story but I didn’t love all aspects of this story. With this novella, we get to learn a little bit more about Valkyrie’s and Berserkers and their traditions. I found the trials part of proving their abilities to prospective parents interesting, but at the same time I hated it. It could mean you would have to marry someone who you didn’t love. I definitely did not like Tessa’s parents. They definitely are very set in their ways and see their daughter as less because she doesn’t embrace her Valkyrie side.
Now I did love seeing the bond between Tessa and Sebastian growing with each new challenge and obstacle they faced. You could really feel the love between these two with this one and I was all into that. Overall, I liked this novella even with hating on her parents and the situation they put Tessa and Sebastian in.
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
Vampire Sebastian Ellingham just wants to marry Tessa Blythe, the Valkyrie he is madly in love with. But meeting her parents puts a kink in his plans, especially since they have found her a husband.
So I love that we got another Sebastian and Tessa story but I didn’t love all aspects of this story. With this novella, we get to learn a little bit more about Valkyrie’s and Berserkers and their traditions. I found the trials part of proving their abilities to prospective parents interesting, but at the same time I hated it. It could mean you would have to marry someone who you didn’t love. I definitely did not like Tessa’s parents. They definitely are very set in their ways and see their daughter as less because she doesn’t embrace her Valkyrie side.
Now I did love seeing the bond between Tessa and Sebastian growing with each new challenge and obstacle they faced. You could really feel the love between these two with this one and I was all into that. Overall, I liked this novella even with hating on her parents and the situation they put Tessa and Sebastian in.
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
April 6, 2021
Vampire Sebastian Ellingham wants one thing: to marry Tessa Blythe, the Valkyrie he’s fallen madly in love with. So meeting her parents seems like the natural thing to do. He’s even looking forward to it, until he discovers they’ve already found her a husband. Now the only way to keep Tessa in his life is to complete a series of tests meant for a very different kind of supernatural. And failing means losing her forever.
Heather's Notes
I liked this story. I like seeing a happy side of Sebastian. I would have liked Tessa to be a little more assertive, like maybe fight Gunter if need be, or at least be ready to. Still the story was a good one.
Heather's Notes
I liked this story. I like seeing a happy side of Sebastian. I would have liked Tessa to be a little more assertive, like maybe fight Gunter if need be, or at least be ready to. Still the story was a good one.
November 13, 2024
A short story, 6.5 in the Nocturne Falls magical realism fantasy series, revolving around a town full of supernaturals who live in freedom 365 days a year. The couple focus is on Sebastian Ellingham and Tessa Blythe.
This story carries on from events in The Vampire's Fake Fiancée , 5, and Sebastian, Blythe, and Grandmamma must testify before the council.
My Take
Poor Sebastian . . . Just as he thinks his life will be amazing — after all Tessa recently moved back into the main house after living in the guest house for the last seven months.
Hmmm, there's some confusion in here about cultural "requirements" and what the Blythes' child wants. Fortunately, Tessa is no longer confused that dressing classically has to be boring, lol.
There's a different kind of confusion when Tessa's parents try to "cheat" their way through those Seven Challenges. And Magna and Den's weaseling is incredibly disrespectful of their daughter!
We learn more about Sebastian's personal wealth, including his own island, Ginger Island, in the British Virgin Islands. Naturally we do learn a whole lot more through Painter using third person dual protagonist point-of-view from Tessa's and Sebastian's perspectives.
I gotta agree with Sebastian about barbaric customs! Talk about blinders! We've always done it this way is such a "good" reason . . . not!
For such a short story, it is full-bodied with plenty of action and character with a beginning and several endings. It all depends upon who Sebastian and Tessa are with.
The Story
Tessa's parents have found her a husband. And it's not Sebastian.
If he wants her, Sebastian will have to do battle!
The Characters
Tessa Blythe, a reluctant valkyrie involved with Sebastian, is the new dean of library studies at Harmswood Academy. Duncan is Tessa's cat. Deputy Jenna Blythe is Tessa's valkyrie sister on the Nocturne Falls PD.
Magna and Den Blythe are their parents — a valkyrie and a berserker — with very strict views. They've retired from their position as trainers with the Ragnarok Guard. Gunther Henrikson is a scrawny berserker with a profitable practice in French Lick, Indiana.
Sebastian Ellingham is the CFO for the Ellinghams, controlling the finances for the town of Nocturne Falls as well as the family. Greaves is Sebastian's rook, half-human, half-vampire who can walk in daylight, has a long life span, and most of the strengths of a vampire. And he likes Duncan!
Nocturne Falls was . . .
. . . purchased by the Ellinghams, a family of vampires who created a town where supernaturals would be safe. Elenora Ellingham, a.k.a. Grandmamma or Didi, is the matriarch with three grandsons whom she turned back in the 1600s to save their lives. Alice Bishop is a powerful witch whom Elenora saved back during the Salem witch trials. It's because of Alice that Nocturne Falls exists as it does. Hugh is the second-born grandson and married to the about-to-give-birth Delaney who runs a sweets shop, Delaney's Delectables ( The Vampire's Mail Order Bride , 1).
Willa Iscove is a fae jeweler who owns Illusions. She's married to Nick Hardwin, a gargoyle ( The Gargoyle Gets His Girl , 3). Ivan Tsvetkov is a dragon shifter and MMA fighter. Harmswood Academy is the private school for supernaturals.
The Seven Challenges include the Dreki Run, the Test of Morhildr, the Auor , and Ilmir's Chase.
Evangeline had been Sebastian's first wife.
The Cover and Title
The cover is another graphic cartoon with a gradated violet background that includes a lighter purple full moon in the upper right corner. The Eiffel Tower on the left tells us we're in Paris. The classy Sebastian is in a dark suit and tie, one hand at his jacket button and the other in his pocket. The pouffy blonde-haired Tessa is facing him and wearing a red dress with a white halter neck and white heels. In the immediate background is a periwinkle and black arch with turquoise leaves draping themselves on it. There's a simple black (low) silhouette of buildings just above the periwinkle border at the bottom which forms the backdrop for the author's name that's in white with a thick black shadow. Immediately below that is an info blurb in white with a solid black shadow. The title is at the top in the same white with a thick black shadow. The "traditional" jack-o-lantern is just above the arch of the Eiffel Tower with an oval wooden sign dangling from a wrought iron sign post, showing the series information in a pale yellow.
The title rings true for "The Vampire's True Love Trials" are about to begin.
This story carries on from events in The Vampire's Fake Fiancée , 5, and Sebastian, Blythe, and Grandmamma must testify before the council.
My Take
Poor Sebastian . . . Just as he thinks his life will be amazing — after all Tessa recently moved back into the main house after living in the guest house for the last seven months.
Hmmm, there's some confusion in here about cultural "requirements" and what the Blythes' child wants. Fortunately, Tessa is no longer confused that dressing classically has to be boring, lol.
There's a different kind of confusion when Tessa's parents try to "cheat" their way through those Seven Challenges. And Magna and Den's weaseling is incredibly disrespectful of their daughter!
We learn more about Sebastian's personal wealth, including his own island, Ginger Island, in the British Virgin Islands. Naturally we do learn a whole lot more through Painter using third person dual protagonist point-of-view from Tessa's and Sebastian's perspectives.
I gotta agree with Sebastian about barbaric customs! Talk about blinders! We've always done it this way is such a "good" reason . . . not!
For such a short story, it is full-bodied with plenty of action and character with a beginning and several endings. It all depends upon who Sebastian and Tessa are with.
The Story
Tessa's parents have found her a husband. And it's not Sebastian.
If he wants her, Sebastian will have to do battle!
The Characters
Tessa Blythe, a reluctant valkyrie involved with Sebastian, is the new dean of library studies at Harmswood Academy. Duncan is Tessa's cat. Deputy Jenna Blythe is Tessa's valkyrie sister on the Nocturne Falls PD.
Magna and Den Blythe are their parents — a valkyrie and a berserker — with very strict views. They've retired from their position as trainers with the Ragnarok Guard. Gunther Henrikson is a scrawny berserker with a profitable practice in French Lick, Indiana.
Sebastian Ellingham is the CFO for the Ellinghams, controlling the finances for the town of Nocturne Falls as well as the family. Greaves is Sebastian's rook, half-human, half-vampire who can walk in daylight, has a long life span, and most of the strengths of a vampire. And he likes Duncan!
Nocturne Falls was . . .
. . . purchased by the Ellinghams, a family of vampires who created a town where supernaturals would be safe. Elenora Ellingham, a.k.a. Grandmamma or Didi, is the matriarch with three grandsons whom she turned back in the 1600s to save their lives. Alice Bishop is a powerful witch whom Elenora saved back during the Salem witch trials. It's because of Alice that Nocturne Falls exists as it does. Hugh is the second-born grandson and married to the about-to-give-birth Delaney who runs a sweets shop, Delaney's Delectables ( The Vampire's Mail Order Bride , 1).
Willa Iscove is a fae jeweler who owns Illusions. She's married to Nick Hardwin, a gargoyle ( The Gargoyle Gets His Girl , 3). Ivan Tsvetkov is a dragon shifter and MMA fighter. Harmswood Academy is the private school for supernaturals.
The Seven Challenges include the Dreki Run, the Test of Morhildr, the Auor , and Ilmir's Chase.
Evangeline had been Sebastian's first wife.
The Cover and Title
The cover is another graphic cartoon with a gradated violet background that includes a lighter purple full moon in the upper right corner. The Eiffel Tower on the left tells us we're in Paris. The classy Sebastian is in a dark suit and tie, one hand at his jacket button and the other in his pocket. The pouffy blonde-haired Tessa is facing him and wearing a red dress with a white halter neck and white heels. In the immediate background is a periwinkle and black arch with turquoise leaves draping themselves on it. There's a simple black (low) silhouette of buildings just above the periwinkle border at the bottom which forms the backdrop for the author's name that's in white with a thick black shadow. Immediately below that is an info blurb in white with a solid black shadow. The title is at the top in the same white with a thick black shadow. The "traditional" jack-o-lantern is just above the arch of the Eiffel Tower with an oval wooden sign dangling from a wrought iron sign post, showing the series information in a pale yellow.
The title rings true for "The Vampire's True Love Trials" are about to begin.
July 12, 2022
This isn’t Delaney’s Delectables
And yet this little story is just way too sweet for words. In fact, it’s almost too sweet, but not quite. One more grain of sugar would have killed it. I’ll also admit that I think Kristen missed the mark, here, just a bit.
Kristen Painter has such an incredible imagination that I truly wish she’d done a bit more with this premise (hence the four stars instead of five). Heck, this premise alone could be an entire book on its own. But alas, she didn’t, and I’m still quite happy to spend more time with these much-loved characters. And I’m sure you will be too…. ENJOY!
And yet this little story is just way too sweet for words. In fact, it’s almost too sweet, but not quite. One more grain of sugar would have killed it. I’ll also admit that I think Kristen missed the mark, here, just a bit.
Kristen Painter has such an incredible imagination that I truly wish she’d done a bit more with this premise (hence the four stars instead of five). Heck, this premise alone could be an entire book on its own. But alas, she didn’t, and I’m still quite happy to spend more time with these much-loved characters. And I’m sure you will be too…. ENJOY!
November 1, 2022
Just too Short!
But other wise so good. Like all her books so very good. I really like their story line. This series is so great and all the shorts and the other series Jane Frost and the other Authors who write for the universe too are all so great. You cannot go wrong with this writer. I just wish I had more hours in my day to read. I'm so addicted to her books. Especially the audible ones. I read with them mostly. I have read almost all of them and there are a lot of them. 35 of other author books to go along with hers. But who's counting oh yae my husband the one paying!!!
But other wise so good. Like all her books so very good. I really like their story line. This series is so great and all the shorts and the other series Jane Frost and the other Authors who write for the universe too are all so great. You cannot go wrong with this writer. I just wish I had more hours in my day to read. I'm so addicted to her books. Especially the audible ones. I read with them mostly. I have read almost all of them and there are a lot of them. 35 of other author books to go along with hers. But who's counting oh yae my husband the one paying!!!
July 24, 2018
This was a bite size (see what I did there?) visit into the world of Nocturne Falls.
Vampire Sebastian Ellingham wants to marry his beloved Valkyrie Tessa Blythe but her parents throw a huge spanner in the works. If Sebastian wants to marry her and not lose her to an arranged marriage then he has to take on trials. The problem is that these challenges are designed with Valkyries and Beserkers. not Vampires.
This was a quick listen but Kristen Painter fitted an awful lot into The Vampires True Love Trials.
Vampire Sebastian Ellingham wants to marry his beloved Valkyrie Tessa Blythe but her parents throw a huge spanner in the works. If Sebastian wants to marry her and not lose her to an arranged marriage then he has to take on trials. The problem is that these challenges are designed with Valkyries and Beserkers. not Vampires.
This was a quick listen but Kristen Painter fitted an awful lot into The Vampires True Love Trials.
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