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Once Bitten
Raised in a convent, Eloisa’s life is an endless cycle of study, prayer, and punishment. In her dreams, she clings to fading memories of the outside world, and the vain hope that she will one day marry.
When a bizarre turn of events wrests her from the convent, Eloisa’s wish is granted in a perverse way. Engaged to a powerful dragon with a wicked reputation, she’s sent to a foreign land where she doesn’t speak the language. More than ever, she wants to hold to her faith and her vow of chastity, but her new husband is not a man accustomed to being denied.
Once Bitten is a full-length novel and a standalone fantasy romance.
When a bizarre turn of events wrests her from the convent, Eloisa’s wish is granted in a perverse way. Engaged to a powerful dragon with a wicked reputation, she’s sent to a foreign land where she doesn’t speak the language. More than ever, she wants to hold to her faith and her vow of chastity, but her new husband is not a man accustomed to being denied.
Once Bitten is a full-length novel and a standalone fantasy romance.
Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 13, 2018
I did enjoy this story but I’m also torn. I loved the main characters but I would have liked to have seen more interaction between the main couple and some of the secondary characters seemed only half explored. Also, it dragged slightly in the middle. Great ending though. Would have liked a longer epilogue.
June 12, 2018
Not a romance
Great story, I only have two complaints:
1. It was too short. It felt like all the built up was for nothing, like the book was cut in the middle of the story, don’t get me wrong, there is an ending an it isn’t abrupt, but in the end I couldn’t help but want more.
2. It was lacking in the romance department. Every single VR book I’ve read is high on romance, not corny or super instantaneous, but there’s lots of it. 50% of the book is about the h’s life and her journey to meet the H, which means he doesn’t appear until 50+%, and most of the time they’re together there’s this huge language barrier, which means they don’t have an actual conversation until 70+% of the story.
However, this is the most beautifully written book by Rivard to date, honestly, I was riveted by Eloisa’s life. Usually I hate romances lacking in romance, but the writing made up for everything.
I feel like she’s wasting an amazing opportunity by making this a stand-alone, she really should write a second book on this couple, and then write a series, because the world building was great and has potential for something bigger.
Great story, I only have two complaints:
1. It was too short. It felt like all the built up was for nothing, like the book was cut in the middle of the story, don’t get me wrong, there is an ending an it isn’t abrupt, but in the end I couldn’t help but want more.
2. It was lacking in the romance department. Every single VR book I’ve read is high on romance, not corny or super instantaneous, but there’s lots of it. 50% of the book is about the h’s life and her journey to meet the H, which means he doesn’t appear until 50+%, and most of the time they’re together there’s this huge language barrier, which means they don’t have an actual conversation until 70+% of the story.
However, this is the most beautifully written book by Rivard to date, honestly, I was riveted by Eloisa’s life. Usually I hate romances lacking in romance, but the writing made up for everything.
I feel like she’s wasting an amazing opportunity by making this a stand-alone, she really should write a second book on this couple, and then write a series, because the world building was great and has potential for something bigger.
July 5, 2018
Holly molly, macanolly, it took me forever to get through this. Jesus! This may be the case when I am a really difficult reader, being in a constant mood, displeased with everything and everyone. I am making a sort of disclaimer, here^.
The idea behind the book is a simple one, a straight line plot, decorated along the way with some sassy talk and packed with eye candy descriptions. It's a fun read for those days when you can't stand to even put one foot outside before coming back to the bed in a hurry. ( because you are tired or something)
But if you don't have the patience for transparent dialogues and predictable events this is not your bell to toll. :)
I got too annoyed with the platitude of some of the things that happens in here and that may be, also,why it took me almost a month to finish it.
Happy reading, happy living.
The idea behind the book is a simple one, a straight line plot, decorated along the way with some sassy talk and packed with eye candy descriptions. It's a fun read for those days when you can't stand to even put one foot outside before coming back to the bed in a hurry. ( because you are tired or something)
But if you don't have the patience for transparent dialogues and predictable events this is not your bell to toll. :)
I got too annoyed with the platitude of some of the things that happens in here and that may be, also,why it took me almost a month to finish it.
Happy reading, happy living.
May 22, 2018
But but... there was no biting!
I could easily read 3 more books about these characters. Even though it wasn't a cliffhanger and I assume its a standalone, I still have tons of unanswered questions...
I could easily read 3 more books about these characters. Even though it wasn't a cliffhanger and I assume its a standalone, I still have tons of unanswered questions...
April 29, 2018
Wow, all of the "feels" are here and so much more...
Once I started reading this story I was entranced and totally engrossed in this tale of an arranged marriage, paranormal style. The characters remind me of Genghis Khan and a soon to be proper nun. The world building is some of the best I've read. No, this is not earth but some mythical world. Unfortunately their rulers have the same problems we have with our leaders, selfishness and little thought for the welfare of their constituents. Though Caleth is ambitious and seemingly power hungry, he like all of the Cal’derache have no patience with wastefulness is their lives as well as their communications. Eloisa is not your normal Atolian though. Her life so far has spent piously. She hasn't had anything to waste which makes her a tempting contradiction to what Caleth expected. And neither was this book, it was so much better.
Once I started reading this story I was entranced and totally engrossed in this tale of an arranged marriage, paranormal style. The characters remind me of Genghis Khan and a soon to be proper nun. The world building is some of the best I've read. No, this is not earth but some mythical world. Unfortunately their rulers have the same problems we have with our leaders, selfishness and little thought for the welfare of their constituents. Though Caleth is ambitious and seemingly power hungry, he like all of the Cal’derache have no patience with wastefulness is their lives as well as their communications. Eloisa is not your normal Atolian though. Her life so far has spent piously. She hasn't had anything to waste which makes her a tempting contradiction to what Caleth expected. And neither was this book, it was so much better.
April 29, 2018
Loved it!
This is the first work I've read by Viola Rivard since she's come back from hiatus and it was so good! Also I felt rather different from her previous works, but definitely in a good way. The story drew me in from the beginning with Eloisa's troubles at the Tower and I didn't put it down until the very satisfying ending. I have to admit I feel like the summary didn't really do the story justice. Its so much better than presented! The world is amazing and intricately expanded throughout the story so it's not all dumped on you at once. Also I loved the progression of Eloisa's character and watching her struggle to combine her past and present conditions and beliefs. Really this is an awesome story and I highly recommend it to all fans of shifter romance, fantasy, and intriguing storylines.
This is the first work I've read by Viola Rivard since she's come back from hiatus and it was so good! Also I felt rather different from her previous works, but definitely in a good way. The story drew me in from the beginning with Eloisa's troubles at the Tower and I didn't put it down until the very satisfying ending. I have to admit I feel like the summary didn't really do the story justice. Its so much better than presented! The world is amazing and intricately expanded throughout the story so it's not all dumped on you at once. Also I loved the progression of Eloisa's character and watching her struggle to combine her past and present conditions and beliefs. Really this is an awesome story and I highly recommend it to all fans of shifter romance, fantasy, and intriguing storylines.
November 18, 2018
Right then.. It wasn't an easy book to get into what with that extremely complicated writing that in any other book would have bored me to tears but I found myself enjoying this story immensely. Had serious feels and I just really liked the chemistry and the whole context. The heroine is a sheltered..what you can say, in makings of being a nun of sorts and then she's whisked away to be married to this dragon shifter (oh yaas) who has his own language which was quite off putting but not entirely displeasing.. All in all, it was good.
May 4, 2018
This was a fascinating tale of dragons and different worlds and bringing them together. Eloisa was raised in such a strict manner, that when she’s whisked away & dropped into a completely different world, the shock is extreme. But she manages to not only exist, but excel in her new world. And who wouldn’t when you have a sovereign like Caleth helping you along. Truly truly enjoyed this!!!
July 8, 2018
I'm still waiting on the story to start. Thats like a preview of the book. Im sooo disappointed.
This story is too interesting to be finish already.
My daughter first read it and say she didn't like how it ended, so I was curious.
I started it and fell in love, jus as the story got interesting it's finish.
This story is too interesting to be finish already.
My daughter first read it and say she didn't like how it ended, so I was curious.
I started it and fell in love, jus as the story got interesting it's finish.
April 30, 2018
Little disappointed
Little disappointed that it spent a lot of time discussing its political background and in depth teaching of the language.. Would have liked more interaction between characters.
Little disappointed that it spent a lot of time discussing its political background and in depth teaching of the language.. Would have liked more interaction between characters.
May 1, 2018
Holy moly. Too good.
Wow, oh, wow! This was an excellent book. The characters are great. The storyline so thought out and thorough, it truly was amazing. I hope to get more of this storyline! Sigh. Now I need to re-read it again.
Wow, oh, wow! This was an excellent book. The characters are great. The storyline so thought out and thorough, it truly was amazing. I hope to get more of this storyline! Sigh. Now I need to re-read it again.
May 4, 2018
I loved this story! I could not put it down and read it in just under three and half hours. The only issues I had were trying to follow the language. Other than that I loved the characters and it was easy to get sucked into.
May 18, 2018
SOOOO... Where is the rest?!?! That it?!
A great buildup, so many details about politic, language, secondary characters and so little story development!
And than it ends...
Really frustrating...
A great buildup, so many details about politic, language, secondary characters and so little story development!
And than it ends...
Really frustrating...
May 21, 2018
Well written
This is not the usual love story from Viola but it is beautifully written. I really appreciate how she creates her characters. I hope she writes more of this style of novel.
This is not the usual love story from Viola but it is beautifully written. I really appreciate how she creates her characters. I hope she writes more of this style of novel.
May 26, 2018
Slow Burn
It took me a bit to get into the book but I enjoyed the world building and the slow burn. I'd love to read more about these two characters as it fells like their story was cut short.
It took me a bit to get into the book but I enjoyed the world building and the slow burn. I'd love to read more about these two characters as it fells like their story was cut short.
June 4, 2018
Took 2 times
I tried to get into this book. The first time I gave up at 3%. I finished it the 2nd time. I think all the background info took place of the love story. I just didn't feel like I knew the characters. Ok read
Not my favorite Viola book
I tried to get into this book. The first time I gave up at 3%. I finished it the 2nd time. I think all the background info took place of the love story. I just didn't feel like I knew the characters. Ok read
Not my favorite Viola book
April 30, 2018
Loved the story....le fleur de mal
I enjoyed the book immensely. I read the book in one sitting; couldn't put it down. I highly recommended it.
I enjoyed the book immensely. I read the book in one sitting; couldn't put it down. I highly recommended it.
May 3, 2018
Great story!
I loved this book, could not put it down...devoured the story!!! The characters were great...cannot wait for the next book.
I loved this book, could not put it down...devoured the story!!! The characters were great...cannot wait for the next book.
June 22, 2020
Well written
Beautifully written story, with a well developed plot and likeable characters. The world and language building were wonderfully executed. A definite keeper.
Beautifully written story, with a well developed plot and likeable characters. The world and language building were wonderfully executed. A definite keeper.
May 1, 2018
Viola always has an interesting way of writing. Fascinating book about a young female Dragon in a Dragon world. Loved it. Looking forward to more from her.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews