She was tortured for having powers she was born with
and made to question any form of relationship.
She believed herself impervious to love…
Until four Supernatural men entered her life...
and she realized… She was so very wrong.
She won’t take this lying down…
Or maybe that is exactly what she’ll do.
This is a dark PNR Why Choose novel andpart of the Monstrous Hearts series but it is a stand-alone. You do not have to read the other books to enjoy this one, but I highly recommend that you do.
Payne Craven is a poet and an author of paranormal and Paranormal Reverse Harem Romances. Her books have Sexy badass shifters and Heroines who save themselves. They are all endangered or extinct animal species or Monsters, myths, and legends. She writes about many sexual orientations and situations. She lives in the Pacific Northwest on a Horse Ranch, in a mini home that her husband built. Spending a lot of time at home, she is surrounded by love from her handsome husband Tom, sweet daughter Wynter, and their four rescue cats. Payne is also a licensed hairstylist, and esthetician. When she has free time, Payne enjoys cooking with her daughter, playing games, crafting, and reading. Payne is a nerdy, geeky goth at heart. Zombies and bright green are a few of her favorite things. In fact, she loves zombies so much, she had a zombie wedding. How awesome is that?
Payne Craven BURSTS into a her latest dark PNR story, Serving Absynthe.
Birthed in a time when sorcery of any kind was cause for concern, Absynthe is abused and discarded. When she is finally able to break away from her captors, she seeks revenge.
Many, many years later, she is a queen of darkness. What she doesn’t have is passion and love. As she is introduced to a quartet of fine looking shifters, her life becomes something more complicated than she ever expected.
Can a queen with a frozen heart be thawed? Craven takes you down Absynthe’s journey, so be prepared for the adventure.
I’ve read several of Payne Craven’s books, and it’s clear to see that she continues growing as a writer, taking her tales of shifters to a new level. This book melds mythology and magic, which is always a combination that can lure me in.
Absynthe is a phenomenal lead character, complex and nuanced. I’m glad the book started with her childhood, as knowing her story helps with understanding the why’s of her reactions to things. It’s rare to read a book where the necromancer is the hero (or heroine), but in this case, I’m fully behind Absynthe. I especially loved that, despite her obvious toughness, she could allow herself to be vulnerable with the right people. It made her more than just one dimensional.
As for the guys… just wow. Loved their shifted forms. And as for hotness levels, they pretty much took the bar and shot it into space. But even more, I loved the fact that they could be both dominant and submissive as the situation called for. They didn’t take over, they let Absynthe do her thing, but they also weren’t wimps who just rolled over when she told them to. That’s a tricky line to walk, and Payne Craven executed it well.
As for spice levels, this one isn’t for the faint of heart. Definitely not safe for the workplace, and I’d recommend bit of alone time, because this one turns into a sauna.
The world Payne Craven creates is beyond interesting, and I really, really want to know more. Can’t wait for the next book.
I have read every book by Payne. Each book she's written I felt like I was having a cuppa with a friend and getting the latest goss. Serving Absynthe: Monstrous Hearts by Payne Craven made me sit down and pay attention! What got me was the first chapter! Wait! What? Now, I'm not really into dark books, but this was written in a way that wasn't cofrontational, where you're drawn in and feel for the FMC. I love the setting! The location was brilliant, and the characters are rich or dark or complex or just downright interesting. And the sex scenes? Mmm hmm. I need to calm down! I can't wait to read what comes next from this delicious author.
Payne Craven Serving Absynthe: Monstrous Hearts Part of: Monstrous Hearts (9 books) Absynthe and her men WOW! What a hawt read! I needed a fan to wave at my body while I read this hawt book! Wait...did I mention that this story is hawt? It's flaming! I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She has lived a long time she is a necromancer and does not seem like a nice person in the beginning. She has zombies and pets. She has visitors and 2 she does not want. It has drama, action and is very steamy. She ends up with four mates.
I voluntarily agreed to review this product. My review is entirely my own opinion.
2.5. Read as part of the Dark/Bully Reader Challenge for August/September.
At one point, I described this a Monster High slash fiction, and well, I think that still best describes it. For a 300-year old necromancer, Absynthe dresses and acts like one of the characters from the cartoon — this may sound negative, but it’s not, it’s just the best way I can describe it.
This entire book is kind of absurdist, and generates a lot of “wtf” moments and statements, either because of the things characters say or the places where the author chooses to linger or skip. But, it does blend for a unique style that is distinct and all her own.
OMG this books was incredible, anyone who like a dark reverse harem will LOVE this book. Absynthe is one kick butt woman and with 4 hot as heck guys as mates this book keeps you turning the pages needing the next page. Lots of action, tons of hot sex and very unusual penis in the process. This book needs to be a 10. You won't be able to put it down.
This series just keeps getting better with every book. I love Absynthe and all of her mates, makes for some hot reading. Love the zombie animals and want them all. This is an amazing series, give it a try you won't regret it.
Payne Craven has once again given us dimensional characters that are not the typical cookie-cutter that you see in so many paranormal books. Absynthe is a kick-ass heroine and she has 4 mythical monstrous mates that are her perfect match! I love that her stories are out of the box and keep me enthralled to the end! I am so excited to see where Payne takes us next!
This book captured my emotions as I devoured its content. Absynthe is a necromancer. She was told from childhood she is a monster, so that is what she has become. She keeps her enemies close and had no living friends. Her zombies keep her life running. One day that all changes when two tedious and onerous men arrive at her door with their entourage including four men, Amaranthis, Kaius, Zaph and Trebien, their security. One scent of Absynthe and they all know she is their mate. Now they just need to convince her. Immediately following her orders against there employers is a good start. A fast paced, well detailed story kept me engrossed. And don't let me get started on the Shibari. Hot hot hot. I highly recommend this book and author. Her writing gets better and better.
@paynecravenauthor wrote a short little something something here. The shifters were creatures you dont see alot in the shifter world. I enjoy a good change and when an author goes "out of the box". Payne is really a unique author not only in most of her writings are her creatures different, but she NEVER gives anyone a cookie cutter name lol and Im loving this lol. Absythne??? I mean its legit the perfect name for a Zombie Queen Necromancer.
I enjoyed this quick read and wouldn't mind an expansion on more of the harem later on in life.
A fantastic story about Absynthe, the bad guy from the Endangered Mates series! Based 100 years after the Endangered Mates series, Serving Absynthe shows us that growth, maturity, and redemption are possible for even some of the worst villains! I’ve been reading them as they come out, and Absynthe is a horrible psycho in those books. In this one, I can’t help but love her! She’s sassy, she’s spicy, and she’s funny!! Her mates are the sexiest hunks of men I’ve read yet, and I can’t wait to see what comes next! Another perfect example of Payne’s creativity and wit!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I really enjoyed this book. I read it all in one day. The characters are great. The spice is on fire. It seemed fast paced to me. Lots of action and good times between the characters. If you love books with mythological characters then this book is right up your alley. Absynthe is a necromancer. She lives up in the mountains with her zombie staff. Her world gets turned upside down when four guys enter her life. She didn’t think she could love or be loved. These four men changed her.
This book is fire. A necromancer, zombies, post apocalyptic, mythical creatures, and more. It's quite the story with a rather interesting set of characters. I loved the storyline and the descriptive wording used in specific scenes. I mean when you read this, this will make sense. It's a page turner that'll have you hooked from the beginning. Absynthe and her harem are sure to keep you entertained. I couldn't stop reading this once I started. An excellent book that I recommend reading.
Hot and sexy, who knew monster shifters and zombies could be such a good read. Everyone deserves to be loved even if they accidentally cause a zombie apocalypse in the process. Payne has done it again a quirky sweet story, great writing and a great story with heaps of steam🥰
HotchyMotchy! This book is 🔥! Absynthe is a necromancer who has an army of zombie servants and is a queen in a post apocalyptic world. She meets her mates, who are four mythical shifters with interesting... Endowments. Smexy times ensue. Pretty quick read with plenty of sizzle.
Those evil jerks got exactly what the deserved. I don’t understand how the hells bells fallowed those two idiots. I understand they owed a debt but they made a wrong choice.
I don't read a lot of reverse harem books but this story about a necromancer queen and her shifter mates was five alarm fire HOT! If you're looking for a story that will have you looking for a cold shower, this one's for you.