Venan

After accidentally causing the death of Elder Kharid during the apprehension of a crazed Novai, Venan is still blamed and hated by many of his people. He was cleared of the charge of killing Kharid, whom he was actually protecting, and was appointed as Kharid’s replacement. But even that wasn’t enough to clear his name in the eyes of many who continued to blame him for taking Kharid away from them. Now he was attending his twin brother’s wedding. He was encouraged by one of the guests to ask her friend to dance, but when his exiled sister appeared, he left Octavia standing alone on the dance floor and dragged his sister outside to reprimand her for coming to the wedding uninvited.

Three days later, Venan invited Octavia to the castle for dinner. They were attracted to each other, but neither made a move beyond polite conversation.

Venan and several of the other Elders went to talk with Pentaban Elder Sevani for a Council update on the Novai situation. The Novai survivors of the sun-sickness had apparently undergone surprisingly drastic physical changes after their illness! The Elders were surprised to find that the Novai -- instead of being pale, eyeless blobs -- now had hair, scales, visible eyes, and their speech was almost pleasant-sounding instead of their usual high-pitched squeals. The changes in them were amazing. Then Sevani asked the Novai male to change into his new “other” form! Amidst a loud roar, they watched as Belor changed into a dragon before their eyes!

I thoroughly enjoyed the last book of the series! We have a mystery about whether Octavia and Venan will ever begin a lasting relationship. We are told about the shocking physical changes in the volatile Novai that could mean serious trouble in the future. And we see how hostile some of the A’li-uud people are to Venan, even vandalizing the palace with black paint to disrespect him. How will the author tie up all of these issues to give the reader the HEA that all of these characters deserve? The wonderful story line will capture the reader’s imagination and take him or her on an adventure to bring everything together, but we know things are never simple. Grab your copy and see what happens! You’ll be very glad you did!

reviewed

Mandy

4,912 reviews46 followers

September 20, 2017

Octavia is a hairdresser on Albaterra and part of her job is to make people feel good about themselves. Venan is the latest Elder to join the council and is finally at the head of the kingdom he has devoted his life to protecting - that would be great apart from the controversial death of his predecessor, his previous imprisonment for his murder, and subsequent clearing. However he still feels criticism and disgust from the people he now leads. All that changes when he meets Octavia with her dark hair, dark eyes and open mind. So he asks her to dance and is even more captivated. She helps him onto a journey of self discovery as he learns about the priorities in life and how to get confidence again in his worth and his abilities, even though she unwittingly ends up in the middle of a family crisis which could prove deadly.

Wow - LOVED this story. It had so much romance and tenderness, which is a lovely surprise considering the serious and boring nature of Venan in the previous book about Zunan and the start of this book. It was very enjoyable how their relationship slowly built into friendship, respect, a form of partnership before it moved to a state of love and certainty of their feelings for each other. Everything was well written and the thoughts and emotions of the characters were easy to understand and feel. I loved the ending, I'm just very sad that it is the last story.

Rebecca Grove

3,492 reviews26 followers

Venan is now an elder of his people which has been a dream of his for a long time. the problem is that his subjects are not happy to have him as their leader and still blame him for the death of the previous elder. Venan is heartbroken by his elder's death by his hand and is suffering from a lot of guilt. Everything in his life is wearing him down until he meets Octavia. Octavia is a human hair stylist who catches Venan's eye at his brother's wedding. Venan enjoys being with Octavia until he spots his estranged sister skulking around the wedding.
Octavia only came to the wedding and reception as a "date with her best friend" who doesn't want to go alone. Meeting the elder Venan is an honor and a temptation. She is very drawn to him but he's too important to spend time with a hair stylist. It seems like Venan has a different opinion. He keeps coming back to Octavia.
Venan is surprised how spending time with Octavia settles him down. Her tact and insight helps him to overcome paralysis due to brooding and over thinking. The self confidence he gains from talking to Octavia makes him into a better man and leader. She teaches him it is okay to please yourself sometimes. Listening to her advice helps him deal with the negative opinions others have of him.
This is a great book with some surprises. I willingly volunteered to read this book and give an honest retreat to everyone I passed time.

Leslie Sanchez

1,774 reviews2 followers

When we catch up with Venan, he's at Zuran and Phoebe's wedding. He's having a hard time settling in as the new elder. He still dealing with his demons and trying to do it all on his own. Octavia is one of the colony hairstylists and a guest at the wedding. While there Venan asks her to dance and then leaves her standing alone on the dancefloor. She has no idea why. There friendship starts out really strange, Venan not being one to share feelings much, but slowly grows. She sees Venan's turmoil and is concerned and wants to help. Ola, Venon and Zuran's sister, appeared at the wedding and wants Venan to order the family to accept her back. She's lost most of her marbles and threatened Venan if he doesn't help. Meanwhile, the Novai are running low on resources and need to know if they can stay or if they must leave. During this time, Venan makes some decisions that will change his life and everyone around him. Edie is still the bubbly and bouncy bit of fresh air for Phoebe and Octavia. I thought Zuran's story was the best, but I was wrong. This one is the best. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Karen Nastasio

2,661 reviews19 followers

September 24, 2017

I really enjoyed this book, Octavia is hair dresser who now lives on Albaterra after leaving earth to start a new life, her days are spent at the salon and a night she reads her books in her hut from earth and she is happy or so she thinks, attending a wedding to help a her friend out she meets Elder Venan and is quite taken with him then he asks her dance she is happy to do so and finds herself enjoying it but as quickly as it started he leaves her not knowing what to do she leaves the wedding and returns to her hut. As she try’s to sleep she carn’t get him out of her mind. Venan really likes Octavia and has asked her to join him for dinner the next evening and she agreed. The dinner went well they talked and learned a lot about each other when she was leaving she hoped he would kiss her but he didn’t but still she had fun, once Octavia left he felt sad he liked being with her but didn’t feel worthy enough for her. Will they get together, and will Venan feel worthy enough for her and his people and will there be a HEA read this book to find out you will love it just as I have. I voluntarily reviewed an arc copy of this book for an honest review. Thanks Karen N

Mom2three

2,029 reviews16 followers

I hate endings! I will be honest, if I had realized that this would be the last book in the series I would have savored the reading a little bit more. Instead, I devoured it in one sitting. I wasn't sure what to expect with Venan because, unlike the other guys in the series, he wasn't someone I clicked with. I was very pleasantly surprised with the way his character and the sweet way his romance with Octavia developed. The chemistry between the two was very HOT!
Ashley L. Hunt writes some of the best sci-fi romance out there. She has a wonderful way of connecting the reader with the characters. She pulls you into the setting by slowly unfolding the world. She adds enough detail to make it easy to see the world, without getting stuck in the descriptions. There is also a nice adventure and drama that balance out the romance. I loved every minute of this series and I can't wait to see what the next series will be.

Rickie

457 reviews2 followers

I voluntarily read this Advanced Reader Copy from Hunt and so glad I continued to follow this series. Each had a heartfelt story between a Albaterran and a human who relocated from Earth. Each was spellbinding in each individual story. No more so than this book about Venan, the twin from Zuran. Two such unlikely men who are twins, but who's personalities are completely different. Venan is still reeling from the death of the previous Elder, and even more so now that he is the one who was cleared of the murder and now replaces him as the new Elder. He is a very stoic personality, but that changes when he Octavia at his brother's wedding. She is just as intrigued by Venan and is key to his life changing.

I don't believe in giving to much away as it spoils the read. You really need to check out Ashley Hunt and her Albaterra Mates series. You won't be disappointed. It definitely has the "awwww" factor with the HEA ending.

Tamara

508 reviews8 followers

September 17, 2018

This book was so good I found it hard to put down. Venan is the newest Elder of Albaterra and his appointment is not without contention. He feels like he doesn't have the approval of his city and that everyone is against him. He struggles with his new life until he meets the charming Octavia. As a hairdresser, she is a bit of an armchair psychologist and sees the trouble with Venan. While their chemistry is off the charts she also seeks to heal him. Lots of personality in both these characters and Ashley Hunt does a great job portraying Venan's struggles. I loved these two together. You also get a look into the A’li-uud culture and how it differs from human customs in this book. You see some old friends also. In the end, Venan and Octavia get their HEA. I can't wait for her new series and anxiously await the Novai Dragon Shifters series!

Anita Hanekom

568 reviews4 followers

I am a little heart-sore that the series has reached completion but it could not have ended on a higher note. The characters, are as ever, fantastically well written and delightful, especially Octavia. She is one of those people who are just truly good, now don't be deceived, that does not make her weak or boring, she has an inner strength that is admirable and is really captivating. She and Venan are the perfect foil for each other. Their relationship is a thing of beauty but not without its roadblocks. Their journey is definitely one you will not to miss, because if you do, you'll never know whether they make it through or not.

Darcy

2,152 reviews22 followers

Venan is another amazing story by Ashley L. Hunt. Her writing is amazing and beautiful together all in one. The story is always extremely well thought out and written. Her stories never disappoint. Venan was a slow build relationship with Octavia. I loved his character very much so. He a by the book kind of guy that is very serious and straightlaced, but with Octavia he is has the perfect mate for him. This one won't disappoint as the rest don't. It is a fantastic series that you will want to read the all. I voluntarily review an advanced reader copy of this book.

Andrea

412 reviews

September 26, 2017

Sadly this is the last book in 'Albatera Series', but what a fantastic book it is! As always Ashley manages to write a story that is easy to picture in your mind. The detail of the areas the characters live in are described with the right amount of detail. The characters themselves have depth and are strong willed as individuals. The chemistry between the characters is always great and written very well. The story flows and you don't want the book to end or put it down. I look forward to more!
I volutarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Suzanne Withers

693 reviews4 followers

I loved reading this book. The storyline and the characters were well written. The main characters of Octavia and Venan have a strong romantic relationship which develops throughout the story with many twists and turns. Octavia helps his personality mature by helping him to allow his inner child to surface. She helps him to focus more on what makes him happy and less on what makes everyone else happy. I volunteered to read an advanced reader copy and post a review without any pressure to do so.

Patricia Kearns

688 reviews

A beautiful love story

This is not just a beautiful love story about alien and human.
It's a story of learning your true worth.
It about an Elder who doesn't believe he is worthy or respected enough to lead his people,
And it's about a human woman who helps him to break out of his shell and see his own worth.
There is danger and conflict.
Plain and simple it's a bloody good read. Well done.🎉

Lynda

582 reviews

A'li-uuds and Humans continue to live together to create a new world for all. The tragedy that resulted by the conflict caused by the third species on the planet is still plaguing the newest Elder. The council is once again approached to make a life altering decision for the planet and its residents. This book is longer than some of the others in the series, but well worth the read. This book very interesting and hard to put down. I enjoyed it very much, as I have the entire series.

Sandi

1,448 reviews3 followers

October 3, 2017

Venan

Ms Hunt has written a fantastic ending to a series that has given much pleasure to many readers. If you're new to her writings then you are in for a real treat. Ms Hunt keeps her stories interesting,intriguing and flowing through each and every book. There's some humour, Hot sex and enough Intrigue to keep you on the edge of you seat. Next thing you know you can't wait for the next book. Definitely a must read.

Cindy Hardegree

1,242 reviews7 followers

September 24, 2017

Once again it was a wonderful experience reading the magic Ashley Hunter presents in the last of the series Venan! Passion, integrity, compassion, trust are a few of the traits of the characters. A fantastic story of discovery, not only of their selves but each other.
I received this arc and voluntarily present my review.

SouthernAngel

1,618 reviews9 followers

A gripping, adventurous read filled with action, chemistry, amazing characters and romance. We've come to the end of a thrilling and exciting series, it makes you want to start from the beginning again.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

Barbara

19.2k reviews8 followers

Last book in the series and I enjoyed it very much, I hope in away there will be more books in this series as I have enjoyed everyone of them. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

the_bibliophagist

746 reviews10 followers

September 20, 2017

I voluntarily reviewed for ARC.
I love this book. I can really feel what the characters are feeling.
I like the way Ashley writes her stories. The naughty scenes are especially naughty.

Ola Adamska

2,881 reviews26 followers

September 20, 2017

Venan is a newest Elder on Albaterra. He was accused of murdering previous Elder. His life is not easy due to it.
Octavia - a hairdresser, they met by accident on Zuran and Phoebe's wedding. Something Small started between them. Fascination. Being intrigued. Will it bloom into something more?
Each characters was great Great and full. I can Tell i hated Venan in some parts! And that made this read even better! Join them in their journey find each other inner truth.
Add to it sisters that loo k for redemption from her family. Will he accept her?
This read was exiting!

reviewed-2017

Denise

3,727 reviews