What happens when a romance writer falls overboard into the North Sea? Get ready for a humorous urban fantasy with Once Bitten!
This was supposed to be the cruise that would reignite the spark in my floundering romance writing career. My life changed with an awful splash into the North Sea.
When hypothermia set in, I never expected rescue in the shape of Nessie – yep that Nessie, a dragon. He saved me, but, boy, what a cost.
The human me would have loved to live in a Scottish castle, in the Highlands no less, but something dark lurks here.
This place is full of magic, other supernatural beings that are loyal to Alistair Campbell, the tall, gorgeous dragon shifter.
But, now someone is after me.
Girls are appearing strangled and drained leaving behind vampire markings.
My housemates are giving me the side-eye, like I’d break the cardinal rule in this world: don’t reveal yourself to humans.
And now someone is trying to make sure that I’m wiped out.
Walking undead or not, if I’m going down again, I’m taking this wretched corner of the supernatural world with me.
Read the USA Today bestselling novel, Once Bitten, which will have you chuckling and rooting for the romance writer who got more from her research than just a plot.
Readers who enjoy vampires, dragon shifters, romances set in Scotland, Norse mythology, and ghosts will get a kick out of this paranormal adventure.
TINA GLASNECK can't imagine a world without books. Her works have been classified in several genres, including mystery, suspense, fantasy and paranormal romance, and new adult.Yet for Tina, it is all about the characters and their journeys.
An avid reader with a love of traveling, meeting new people and exploring her world, her interest in law, religion, history, fantasy, and dragons, made writing about it an “easy” choice. Give her a castle to enchant her, and tell her a funny story to make her snort with laughter, but please don’t serve her cake with red icing.
Tina takes joy in beautiful architecture, lively cities and world travel. She enjoys creating make-believe worlds where she sometimes resides, and is often thinking and tinkering on her next story. Sometimes she feels like a real life Cinderella, without the ashes or the fairy godmother, and at other times, she is just a girl, looking for a chance to tell that next great story.
The Fountain Pen Diva has three hard and fast rules when it comes to reading:
1. I must love the heroine as much as the hero. 2. The hero can HAVE a dick but not BE one. 2. Life is too short for books that suck.
This book violated two of the above rules and therefore has become my first DNF book of 2020.
I got the feeling this series is one of those that cannot stand alone on its own, which means having to read a bunch of other interrelated books in order for this paranormal world to make sense. Not always a deal breaker IF the characters were worth actually caring about.
They're not.
Also not a deal breaker IF the world-building was compelling.
It wasn't.
By all rights and means an epic mash-up featuring Highlanders, dragons, Norse gods, werewolves and vampires should have been more than interesting, but sometimes less is more. There just seemed way too much going on and the characters didn't stay consistent. And the heroine - Leslie - just worked my second to last nerve. I never knew how she would react from page to page. The heroes were meh - then again they annoyed me too.
Also epic fail on the lack of Leslie's description. A "heart shaped face" doesn't flesh her out and in my opinion is erasure to the nth power. Just because there's a Black woman on the cover doesn't mean anything. Even humans turned supernatural beings need moisture lotion and a hair bonnet.
The only saving grace was Gran. She seemed to know how to DO things, despite being a ghost. She also DID things, unlike Leslie who came off as clueless.
This is book two in the Order of the Dragon series and sees Leslie, a New York supernatural romance author, going off on a reader/writer cruise, something already arranged before her agent dumped her out of the blue. Each chapter is told from the POV of one of the main characters. The other main character is Alistair, who was introduced slightly in the prequel, Zero Hour. He has lived for hundreds of years and mainly keeps himself to his isolated castle in the north of Scotland. He has found it difficult to constantly deal with the issues of never aging, whilst having to live amongst humans, without revealing anything about magic.
On the cruise, where she is constantly seasick and not enjoying herself, she is accompanied by her sister, who is more interested in all the front cover models, and her ghostly Gran. One of the cover models who has worked a lot for Leslie on her books, is getting a little too close to acting as a stalker and isn’t happy to learn she won’t be using him anymore, never mind her agent just dumped her. He thinks it is her decision. Whether he has anything to do with Leslie suddenly finding herself overboard, in the dark, cold waters off Scotland, is unclear.
Her Gran sends a clear message for help and Leslie is rescued by a dragon like sea creature, who shouldn’t exist! She is near death and a decision has to be made as to whether to use little known magic of the dragons to save her. This is where she meets Alistair, the owner of the remote castle and where she awakens. Her Gran had a hard choice to make, as Leslie’s chances of survival were slim. What she now has become, is still to be discovered and holds a multitude of surprises.
Her future seems bleak to her. She is now a vampire, who can only eat fish and their blood, and doesn’t know if she can ever go out into the sunshine ever again. Everyone around her is also calling her a seer, but she argues against this label and her current situation is not what she would ever have wanted. She has to embrace her new life or danger will come and over-run her and bring death to those she loves. An interesting read, which leaves me wanting more and looking forward t reading the next book, Twice as High.
Can a book be schizophrenic? This book certainly is. It is confusing and contradictory. One of the major contradictions is that someone tells the hero how to save the heroine but that person is later angry about his actions. That person is antagonistic toward, and suspicious of, the heroine which makes no sense under the circumstances. Then, there are many minor, but distracting, discrepancies. For example, the heroine discusses her dislike of seafood but later fondly remembers eating sushi! There are rogue vampires "after" the heroine but she is the only/main suspect accused when there are vampire attacks. There are even numerous instances when contradictory statements are included in the same sentence (ex. a "quaint abode" has "no character"; the hero thinking about being a "god" and the the next instant thinking he is "just a man", etc.).
And, one of the major plot points is how the hero has to save the heroine by giving her his dragon blood, which turns her into a vampire, but it is not explained how or why that happens . At first I wondered if dragon blood was the source for the original vampires but apparently it is a one- time, "true mate" thing for the dragons.
There were some interesting ideas but the world- building was too vague, contradictory and "sloppy" This is listed as book 1 but it seems like there is a "back-story" that is missing.
Did you read this after you wrote this? Did it make sense to you? Did you have anyone else read it? I’m really disappointed. I liked the premise but yikes. The first twenty percent of the book was promising then the hero appears and the heroine is in danger and not only does he not tell her, he doesn’t protect her. It’s an interesting change of pace to make the hero too stupid to live. That’s a choice. DNF.
All I can say is wow!! Talk about #BlackGirlMagic literally!! Leslie’s character transformation puts the legends and myths we grew up with to shame! Can’t wait for book 2!!
Death by accident, vampire by design! What happens when a romance writer falls overboard into the North Sea? Get ready for a humorous urban fantasy with Once Bitten! This was supposed to be the cruise that would reignite the spark in my floundering romance writing career. My life changed with an awful splash into the North Sea. When hypothermia set in, I never expected rescue in the shape of Nessie - yep that Nessie, a dragon. He saved me, but, boy, what a cost. The human me would have loved to live in a Scottish castle, in the Highlands no less, but something dark lurks here. This place is full of magic, other supernatural beings that are loyal to Alistair Campbell, the tall, gorgeous dragon shifter. But, now someone is after me. Girls are appearing strangled and drained leaving behind vampire markings. My housemates are giving me the side-eye, like I'd break the cardinal rule in this world: don't reveal yourself to humans. And now someone is trying to make sure that I'm wiped out. Walking undead or not, if I'm going down again, I'm taking this wretched corner of the supernatural world with me.
This is a great read and great start to series. The story has everything; we've got mystery, romance, paranormal, some magic and history. Everything has been really well researched and it shows this in the writing. Well written and fleshed out characters that I can't wait to read more about. Story line and plot have been really well written and I look forward to where the series goes. Recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A dash of magic, some supernatural flair, wrapped around a mystery with history and tied up in a romance that may or may not work out hmm, it had me from the very first page...
Cliffhangers are not my things but I do have to say Tina Glasneck does them sooooooo well I am totally hanging out for the next story... Will Alastair pull his head out of his A..? Will Leslie give into temptation once she finds Alastair?
Lot's of questions I'm dying to know the answers to oh and I seriously want more Killian now that sexy wolf seems to know how to treat a woman, his lug head brother not so much.
I love Leslie she is awesome and by the end of the book, I love how she had come into her own more and found her gumption. Myrtle cracks me up for a ghostly grand mother she is super cool.
I was conflicted with rating this one. I feel like there will definitely be an audience that will love it but for me, it kept getting harder and harder to stay focused on it. In the beginning I thought I was going to be hooked but then it just kind of fizzled out for me.
What I did like about the book was that the story was humorous and the plot was certainly a different spin on other paranormal books I've read. It was fresh and different.
What I didn't care for was how I never felt a connection to the characters, and I'm not sure why. The characters were written well, but I never felt the attachment I usually develop for characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love how this author is able to combine historical fact with modern day mystery and pure fantasy. (At least, I think it’s pure fantasy.) I’m so excited to see that we’re coming back to direct interaction with Freya’s dragons and that we get to approach the whole situation from a new direction. I adored Leslie and I loved watching her find her inner warrior and a spine of steel. It felt effortless to learn about this new paranormal society as she experienced it. And as much as I was intrigued by Alistair, I fully support Leslie’s decisions in the end. I cannot wait to see how the author is going to bring everything back full circle. I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.
Once Bitten by Tina Glasneck is the first book in the Order of the Dragon Series. In this book, Leslie Love a paranormal romance writer goes on a cruise that changes her entire life. Leslie is a seer who can see and speak with the dead. Her constant and most beloved companion is the ghost of her grandmother. This story is full of Norse Gods, dragons, vampires, and a host of other unique paranormal beings as well as an interesting life changing trip to a castle on the shores of Loch Ness, Scotland. It is an exciting and very different story that is full of suspense, mystery, compelling situations, and a host of unusual paranormal characters that made this book such an exciting, entertaining read. Once Bitten is a unique and intense paranormal tale.
A story with mystery, drama, supernatural, action, and intrigue all wrapped in a gripping story. It starts right out the box with action and mystery. It continues all throughout the story. Leslie is a feisty and strong lady that speaks her mind. I adored her personality and how she gave as much as she received. Gran was fantastic. She had me laughing with her antics. This story is well written and has fantastic characters. All of their personalities could be felt throughout the story. The flow of the story is superb. It does end in a cliffhanger but boy I can’t wait for the next one. It is a must read!
Tina Glasneck's "Once Bitten" is a humorous story about a romance author, Leslie Love, who falls overboard while on a cruise. With the aid of her ghost grandmother, she wakes up in a Alistair MacLeod's castle. The problem is he had to bite her to bring her back to life, so now she can't go out in the sun and she has a thirst for human blood. One would think romance would come easy in a place on which all her scenes are based, but she puts up a good fight. The ending implies there's more to come.
I have to admit that I was really intrigued and astounded to of read this book. However, to say that about a book... no about an author I've never read anything from prior to this book. I find myself quite smitten to be once bitten by a talented writer. I look forward to seeing more.
I voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout. Any opinions expressed within this review are solely and uniquely written by me and I am happily leaving this review.
A paranormal adventure and romance. Leslie is so much more than an author but too bad she doesn’t understand that. It will take death and a mystery for her to see things differently. The story has a lot going on and can be a little confusing but by the end most of the questions are answered and with this being the first book of the series I would expect even more surprises to come. The book has an interesting heroine and a hero who may need saving. Can’t wait to see what trouble they cause in the next book.
I am so not going to let myself be framed for vamp like murders - and hello! stranded in the amazing castle, how stupid do they give me credit for being!
some human would not top my must kill ist - a certain dragon might bear consideration.... maybe a little mauling - or .........
love and lust are hot, baby - but throw in dragon shifters: inferno! also infernally frustrating!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is fun and exciting! I really enjoyed this story. Tina has given us an unexpectedly humorous paranormal romance that has a well thought out storyline was fresh and different with twists and some mystery that is thoroughly entertaining. A little editing would make this a well-written tale. The characters are well developed and intriguing. This was fun to read. I highly recommend it! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Leslie is a writer but now she’s out of work instead of sitting around sulking she goes on a cruise that she has already booked but she ends up falling over the side. Near to death she is saved by Alistair who’s a dragon he has to bite Leslie to save her life and when she wakes up Leslie has a craving for blood. Fantastic story I enjoyed it immensely and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.
Once Bitten is Book #1or #2 (not sure which) in the Order Of The Dragon series by Tina Glasneck. A lot happens to Leslie in this book. She gets dumped by her agent, while on a cruise finds herself overboard, is saved by Nessie, a sea dragon, but is near death, and becomes a vampire. Very well written and we get some new characters, especially Alistair who we get a glimpse of in Zero Hour. Am anxious to see what Tina has in store for Leslie and gang.
She wanted to be a writer and she is on a cruise but she fall overboard. The water is icy cold and she is just clinging to life when she is saved by him, he is a dragon shifter and gives her his blood. this turns her into a vampire before being recruited by a secret organization. What will happen to her now? Will she come to term of becoming a Vampire? See how she gets on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a well written paranormal mystery with a twist. The author brings humor and spins a different take on the usual paranormal book. She does leave you with a cliffhanger. It's an entertaining story , is well written and I enjoyed reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I found this to be a fun paranormal story to read and the storyline is rather unique. The characters are well written and likable. There is some mystery, magic, humour, and romance, along with a cliffhanger to tease you. I recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Once Bitten by Tina Glasneck is an awesome story to read. This is book number one in this awesome start to a brand new series that I have loved reading. I highly recommedn this story to everyone who loves reading about vampires, mysteries, fantasy and paranormal romances in their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This KU library selection is the story of a romance writer in Manhattan who shares the family apartment with the ghost of her grandmother. She is let go by her publishing house just before she's to leave in a cruise with other authors, cover models and fans. But it's not the end for her, just a different beginning.
I like it fast, intense, and logical. The author of this tale made some huge leaps in telling this tale. It still worked for me. The questions at the back of my mind will need to be answered at some point. Perhaps this is a great strategy to sell books. I'll bite
HFN, with more to come in this beguiling book. History, intrigue, and other mysterious happenings when Leslie is propelled into a world previously unknown. The interactions between Leslie and Alistair are witty, humour tinged and chemistry filled. Looking forward to what happens next.
A intriguing new series that is set in the Dragons universe. There is plenty of secrets revolving around a prophecy, the gods and mates that keep you pulled in and wondering just what will happen to Leslie in the next books. I read this in my purchased copy of Sirens & Scales
Once Bitten Tina Glasneck The first book set in the Dragons universe is a great humorous paranormal read with a storyline filled with dragons, vampires and Norse gods, and of course a Scottish castle!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow what a story. Leslie sure has a lot to learn about her new status and how to get along with Alistair. This story leaves you wanting more and eager for the next book in this series.