What happens to Vee and the Four Horsemen after Reckoning? Their story isn't over yet. The end of Chaos brings a new beginning.
The Four Horsemen experience Christmas, and the holiday season is a bigger challenge than they expected. The parties are hell, the traditions confusing, and the angel they encounter is more dangerous than the one Vee places on top of their Christmas tree.
The immediate threat to the world is over, and the group manage to persuade a reluctant Xander to take time out for Christmas. But that might not be possible as the repercussions from their confrontation with Chaos--and the angels--reverberate through their new life.
Following a mysterious death at a Christmas party, the group discover a new type of monster is in town and killing people. They've no idea what it is or where the creature came from. With the killer one step ahead of them, the five need to stop it before anybody else dies.
The Four Horsemen are determined to make everything perfect for Vee, and there's no way they'll let a skinstealing creature ruin their first Christmas together.
The events in Bright take place shortly after the end of Reckoning. The original series must be read first.
LJ Swallow is a paranormal romance and urban fantasy author who is the alter-ego of bestselling contemporary romance author Lisa Swallow.
Giving in to her dark side, LJ spends time creating worlds filled with supernatural creatures who don’t fit the norm, and heroines who are more likely to kick ass than sit on theirs.
It's not that I didn't enjoy it - I did. But there's not much of a plot. It feels more like an extended epilogue to the rest of the series, for the most part. That's to be expected - it is a transition book, and it starts setting up where Vee and the Horsemen go, story-wise, after the Apocalypse was averted in Reckoning.
I'm definitely all in for the new journey. Just wish we got more juicy details in this book, because it was mostly a tease.
The Pony Boys will do almost anything for their fifth but the Holiday season is testing their limits. Christmas parties, decorations, ugly sweaters, present buying, and eggnog. Vee wants the perfect Christmas for the five of them and as much as they want her to be happy, they just don't understand why some of it even matters. However, they are willing to go along with her enthusiasm if it keeps a smile on her face after the terror that Chaos put them through. However, when a Christmas card arrives with a cryptic message about a new threat and an angel approaches Vee, their holiday may be derailed.
Bright is just what you would expect a Horseman Holiday to be. Hysterical with a touch of terror. My heart went out to Vee wanting to create a perfect family Christmas. I loved how overboard she went with everything. Each first-time bride does the same thing just maybe not quite as desperately. And the guy's reactions were priceless! Joss's childlike glee, Heath's desire to make it exactly what Vee wants, Ewan's displeasure with everything except the unlimited alcohol, and Xander's near panic over the odds of him ruining everything with his War-ness. The guys blended moments of hilarity with vulnerability. Their love for Vee has never been more on display and I adored them more for it!
The angel storyline has me wanting more. Dmitri opens up a new story arc as far as I am concerned. Past history, current dangers, unknown future. I thought that the series was over with the end of chaos and the dweller storyline would be picked up by Syv and her men. I loved that we got a couple Holiday bonuses. This signals that I was wrong or at least it better! The Horsemen and Vee still have challenges to face. After the New Year, of course.
Getting Bright so soon after Sinister/Tricked (the Halloween novellas) is a delightful treat. I love every visit back to Vee and the Horsemen's world...a world which SHOULD have been much more peaceful, now that Seth is gone.
For me, the main purposes of Bright seemed to be opening up the arc for a new string of books and showcasing the way Vee's relationships with her men are evolving.
The "villains" of Bright are a little preview of what's to come. However, not all of the Dwellers that came through to Earth are looking to peacefully exist. Some of them have far darker goals in mind, and the Horsemen just can't catch a break. As much as they (minus Xander) are wishing for peace, they still have a job to do in order to keep Earth safe.
Bright goes very quickly, just a small story to help leapfrog to bigger things, but it's easy to follow and still has a main story arc. Swallow is very good at crafting this novellas that leave you both feeling fulfilled and definitely wanting more at the same time.
It's fun watching Vee shove Christmas down the guys' throats, almost obsessive in her need to bring festive cheer to their home. I love the holidays, so I can totally relate. It brought a lot of smiles to my face to see the guys' reluctance lose out in the face of Vee's manic cheer. Heath and Joss take some big steps in their relationship with Vee, and there are some hints about steamy fun that might get a lot more adventurous in their next adventure. Xander is moody, broody, and conflicted, as always, but we continue to get those little moments where he softens up for Vee, and it's so sweet that he truly cares about her. I love the connection the two of them have; it's actually one of my favorites.
My only complaint is that Ewan felt more like a side character. Understandably, Bright is just a novella, so there's not a lot of time/pages to divide up among everyone, but it felt like everyone got to progress a little bit except for him.
Crossing my fingers that he gets more of a spotlight next time! In any case, as always, enjoyed the latest adventure with Vee and her boys.
As a fan of this series of books, I am always up for another installment in the lives of Vee and her horsemen, and this does not disappoint. How do Vee and the guys spend Christmas, you might ask? In a very interesting manner. Vee is all set for a quiet Christmas at home with her guys doing all the traditional Christmas things, including putting an Angel on the top of the tree much to Xander's dismay. This, however, is not how things work out as interesting encounters at a shopping mall, a Christmas party at Vee's former office, and elsewhere draws Vee and the guys in to , what I hope, is going to be their next adventure. I have truly come to love this series and the characters in it, and I cannot wait for the next installment.
I loved this book! It’s such an ordinarily human and cute book for the Horsemen’s Christmas!! Their Christmas Day was absolutely perfect. I loved their gifts to each other, and especially for Vee! The snowball fight to Christmas feast to ugly Christmas sweaters and all, it was so normal and utterly ridiculous for such powerful supernaturals, but exactly what they needed to find themselves this Christmas! I really can’t wait for their new series to begin because I’m loving this new take into the angels! I’m so ready to learn more about the Horsemen and angels, and I really hope the Horsemen can help Dmitri and his family! So excited for more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I am so happy that Ms. Swallow is continuing this series. I love reading about Vee and her Four Horsemen. Vee and her guys are getting ready for their first Christmas and Vee is going all out. There’s Christmas parties, shopping, sweaters (jumpers) the guys are expected to wear, and lots of decorations. In the meantime, Dwellers are causing problems and some old enemies show up. I laughed so hard at some parts. Vee’s expectations for the guys and their responses to those requests are hilarious.
First off, eyyy, another author going by LJ; high five! *gives myself the high five*
Good start, I suppose; it could’ve been worse. The characters were decent enough, not that terrible; that may change in the future, though. I could, however, do without all the guys instantly liking the main girl, though; it made me think of Ouran High for a moment.
…And is that Lindsey Lohan on the cover? Or am I seeing things?
Trying to find were they belong in the world. This is the second story of the Horsemen I have read. I like the stories so far. They have a lot of truth in them, about living together. Five people put together and try to live together can be H**l if you don't try very hard to be happy. I like the story. It is a different way to see the Horsemen. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
I absolutely love reading about Vee and the Horseman. I am so happy their story hasn't ended. This Christmas book doesn't disappoint. All Vee wants is a normal human Christmas; but can the horseman put away all of their business and relax? There is always something new out there just waiting to intrude. I really like the introduction of the new character and am anxious to see where things lead with him. I really enjoyed this story.
It was fun to see the Horsemen and Vee at Christmas time! I also liked getting to see how they are handling things after the defeat of Chaos. This story did bring some mystery and questions of interest like introducing Dimitri. I am definitely interested in learning what will happen next after that epilogue!
Always great to hear from the guys and see what they have been up too. Another great read, really enjoyed it and hoping there is more to come. Always kept wanting more, hope the pony boys and Vee come back again soon with lots more adventure and of course banter. Was a nice change seeing them trying to be human dealing with a normal Christmas.
I love this whole series! This book was just as good as all the others and was an amazing addition I never get bored reading about Vee and the four horsemen. It always leaves me wanting more . Can't wait for the next one. I am really looking forward to more.
I love the Pony Boys! This holiday novellas are awesome and give us glimpses in to their lives after Chaos/Seth. I can't wait for the new books and the new storyline. I miss Vee and the guys. This Christmas story is entertaining and steamy and I love how they are trying to do some of the human things for Vee. Great Christmas story for Vee and her Horsemen.
Loved this extra story for vee and the horseman and getting to see them have some normal human time. Can't wait for the new storyline with them. It said it comes out this year but i can't find anything out. Such an amazing series!
I got so sucked into the story I forgot it was the Christmas novella, lol. Watching the pony boys and Vee grow and adapt has been an amazing ride. To get a glimpse of more to come and answers to my questions about their past has me itching for the next book.
This is a good read. I love Vee and the four horsemen but it's not as exciting as it once was. It's time to move on. I want more of Syv and the huntress books.
I need more Ver and Xander!!! The past few stories only have teasers but no follow through! I am happy that there will be more stories so hopefully I get my wish!
I was just ready to be done with the series honestly, I liked the series but it felt dragged out, even with the books being so short <200 pages. Couple mistakes in previous books
I love these quick additions to this series from LJ Swallow. They give us more of an insight to what is going on with Vee and her guys, especially how Xander is coping with the ‘normal’ life! This short story is full of action and mystery and it had me attention from page one until the very last page! I am super excited to see what happens in this next story! Highly recommended like all of Lisa’s books!
I love the Four Horsemen and was excited for this. It was fun to see them and Vee at Christmas time and catch up with them after defeating Chaos. There was mystery and intrigue introduced and I am left want more