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Gargoyles of New York #2
Beauty and the Gargoyle
During the last attack on him and his brothers, Rafael Mansovich was turned into a monster. His face and upper body are badly scarred, and the PTSD of the attack has left him trembling at the idea of being frozen in his Gargoyle form every day. But he has no choice because as soon as the sun rises in the morning, he is transformed into a real, stone beast.
Isabella is the head librarian at the New York City Library, and she loves her quiet life away from the corporate rat race. But when she meets a spectacular man with silver eyes and an attraction she can’t fight, she’s thrown into a world where winged creatures are being hunted, and shifters are a very real thing. Can Isabella’s love reach Rafael, or will her heartbroken beast not care if his attackers find him once more?
Isabella is the head librarian at the New York City Library, and she loves her quiet life away from the corporate rat race. But when she meets a spectacular man with silver eyes and an attraction she can’t fight, she’s thrown into a world where winged creatures are being hunted, and shifters are a very real thing. Can Isabella’s love reach Rafael, or will her heartbroken beast not care if his attackers find him once more?
- GenresShapeshifters
70 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2017
14 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 18, 2018
The writing of Ms. Baker brings the world of the Gargoyles of New York to life and leave the reader looking for more about Rafael’s brothers. I found the story line unique because Rafael is so unexpectedly vulnerable and the staid librarian is so much more than what she is perceived to be. I fell in love with the story and I am eager to read the other books in the series.
Delane
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
Delane
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
October 17, 2017
This is a beautiful insta-live shirt story. A re-adaption of beauty and the beast this book tells the story of the wounded brother with devastating, disfiguring wounds and the attraction of a woman who sees past it. I really enjoyed this book, it is very short, but it makes up for it with content. Theres plenty of action and the emotional roller coaster associated with such a traumatic experience.
February 27, 2018
This book felt very rushed. I liked the concept, but the characters seemed pushed together with no believable chemistry. I would read another in the series before I make a final judgment about it.
October 15, 2017
Rafael is suffering from PTSD ever since he was attacked when he was frozen in his gargoyle form. The bullets left scars that have made him bitter and reclusive. Then his sister-in-law gets a volunteer job in the library they sleep on. When Rafael and his brother go there to find his sister-in-law, he meets Isabella. Sparks fly and Isabella is drawn to Rafael. Rafael almost collapses and suspects he has found his true mate. He doesn't want to claim Isabella because he is afraid that his scars and emotional issues would drive her away.
Isabella has never felt this way before for any man. She is not sure how to handle her strong feelings or the unusual goings on around her. When her new friend and co=worker explains about gargoyles she is relieve and confused. Can Isabella help Rafael over his problems or will he leave her for her own good?
This is a good short story that is stand-alone but probably be better after reading book 1. I loved watching rafael come to terms about his feelings for Bella. I voluntarily received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Isabella has never felt this way before for any man. She is not sure how to handle her strong feelings or the unusual goings on around her. When her new friend and co=worker explains about gargoyles she is relieve and confused. Can Isabella help Rafael over his problems or will he leave her for her own good?
This is a good short story that is stand-alone but probably be better after reading book 1. I loved watching rafael come to terms about his feelings for Bella. I voluntarily received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
October 15, 2017
I was hoping so much for this story. Without reading book 1 I found that I was missing a bit of background, not just on Roman, but on the peril the gargoyle shifters find themselves in. I would recommend reading book 1 first, but that's not exactly necessary, it would just help.
The hunter stuff wasn't the reason for the lower rating, though, it was the complete lack of information about Isabella and then no romantic build other than a bond and some steamy time between the sheets. Now, there's nothing wrong with insta-bonding in the case of shifters an their mates, or Beloveds as they're called here, but when there's no time or inclination given to knowing anything about the person after that. The book is quite short so I know there won't be a ton of background or getting-to-know-you, especially when there are hunters to fear, but even a little wouldn't hurt! We get one small bit of background before the bedroom activities begin, but that's just not enough for me.
Overall, the synopsis promised tenderness, drama, and a really great story. The reality, however, fell far short of the author's capabilities.
Read and reviewed this ARC for the author.
The hunter stuff wasn't the reason for the lower rating, though, it was the complete lack of information about Isabella and then no romantic build other than a bond and some steamy time between the sheets. Now, there's nothing wrong with insta-bonding in the case of shifters an their mates, or Beloveds as they're called here, but when there's no time or inclination given to knowing anything about the person after that. The book is quite short so I know there won't be a ton of background or getting-to-know-you, especially when there are hunters to fear, but even a little wouldn't hurt! We get one small bit of background before the bedroom activities begin, but that's just not enough for me.
Overall, the synopsis promised tenderness, drama, and a really great story. The reality, however, fell far short of the author's capabilities.
Read and reviewed this ARC for the author.
January 20, 2025
"Lei abbassa lo sguardo, portando le mani a coppa sul mio viso. Sussulto al contatto con le mie cicatrici, ma lei china la testa, premendo le labbra sulla curva della mia guancia dove il danno è più evidente. Rimango immobile, paralizzato mentre la sua gentilezza mi avvolge completamente. Bacia le mie cicatrici più e più volte, dalla mascella alla fronte e di nuovo indietro."
Decisamente meglio del primo della serie, grazie anche a due protagonisti più profondi e sfaccettati. Rafe è stato gravemente sfregiato e ferito nell'attacco subito, e ora deve convivere con la paura, la vergogna e l imbarazzo mentre Bella, che si è sempre aggrappata alla sua mente razionale, deve imparare a credere e seguire il suo cuore. Fondamentale l'aiuto dei fratelli e di Chrissy, che daranno una spinta alla nostra nuova riluttante coppia. Purtroppo non facciamo invece passi avanti per quanto riguarda la macrotrama e spero non si riduca tutto a "vogliamo uccidervi perché non siete esseri umani" XD
"«Rafe». La bellissima voce di Bella scivola nel mio orecchio mentre mi prende il viso tra le mani. «Voglio essere qui, con te. Per favore, non arrenderti già con me». Lacrime fredde scivolano sul mio viso, e parte della tensione sulla mia schiena si allenta. Faccio un respiro profondo, e il dolore alle spalle si attenua. Alzo lo sguardo, e i nostri occhi si incontrano. Un amore ardente inonda il mio corpo, e perdo tutte le forze, crollando sul pavimento."
Decisamente meglio del primo della serie, grazie anche a due protagonisti più profondi e sfaccettati. Rafe è stato gravemente sfregiato e ferito nell'attacco subito, e ora deve convivere con la paura, la vergogna e l imbarazzo mentre Bella, che si è sempre aggrappata alla sua mente razionale, deve imparare a credere e seguire il suo cuore. Fondamentale l'aiuto dei fratelli e di Chrissy, che daranno una spinta alla nostra nuova riluttante coppia. Purtroppo non facciamo invece passi avanti per quanto riguarda la macrotrama e spero non si riduca tutto a "vogliamo uccidervi perché non siete esseri umani" XD
"«Rafe». La bellissima voce di Bella scivola nel mio orecchio mentre mi prende il viso tra le mani. «Voglio essere qui, con te. Per favore, non arrenderti già con me». Lacrime fredde scivolano sul mio viso, e parte della tensione sulla mia schiena si allenta. Faccio un respiro profondo, e il dolore alle spalle si attenua. Alzo lo sguardo, e i nostri occhi si incontrano. Un amore ardente inonda il mio corpo, e perdo tutte le forze, crollando sul pavimento."
December 7, 2017
Beauty and the Gargoyle is the second novella in Tamsin Baker’s The Gargoyle’s of New York series. I really enjoyed the first one, so I decided to try this one out as well, and I certainly was not disappointed.
This book is about Raphael, or Rafe who was hurt in book one when the gargoyles were attacked a month earlier by someone wanting to destroy them. The attack has left Rafe with lots of scarring, especially on his face, and has turned him into a hermit when he’s not guarding the library as a gargoyle.
His friend’s mate gets bored and takes a job at the library where Isabella works, and through Krissy, Rafe gets to meet Isabella. They are attracted to each other. Bella turns out to be his beloved, but can she accept him, scars, gargoyle, and all?
This was a sweet, romantic quick read. And proof that beauty is only skin deep. A wonderful story in the series and I certainly hope there is more!
This book is about Raphael, or Rafe who was hurt in book one when the gargoyles were attacked a month earlier by someone wanting to destroy them. The attack has left Rafe with lots of scarring, especially on his face, and has turned him into a hermit when he’s not guarding the library as a gargoyle.
His friend’s mate gets bored and takes a job at the library where Isabella works, and through Krissy, Rafe gets to meet Isabella. They are attracted to each other. Bella turns out to be his beloved, but can she accept him, scars, gargoyle, and all?
This was a sweet, romantic quick read. And proof that beauty is only skin deep. A wonderful story in the series and I certainly hope there is more!
October 17, 2017
"Beauty and the Gargoyle" is book 2 in the series, but I have not read book 1. I don't feel like I needed book 1 to understand what was going on, I just missed the first brother's love story.
This is my first Gargoyle shifter book. It was interesting to think of how vulnerable these creatures are. Their way of finding their mate is a little sudden for me. Neither has a say. They can't deny it and it's extremely painful until they fulfill it...talk about insta love. It was all a little too quick for me to really enjoy it. Not enough character back story or development, good action, but it was still lacking something.
This is my first Gargoyle shifter book. It was interesting to think of how vulnerable these creatures are. Their way of finding their mate is a little sudden for me. Neither has a say. They can't deny it and it's extremely painful until they fulfill it...talk about insta love. It was all a little too quick for me to really enjoy it. Not enough character back story or development, good action, but it was still lacking something.
October 26, 2017
Damn! This story had way more depth than the first. The raw emotion stroke my hard, I loved Rafe and his very real fear of what would have happened next to him. Very rarely do you see that in paranormal books (with men) Bella was pretty good too, I loved her spirit and her persistence. The storyline overall has me hooked I'm itching for the next book! The book may be short but you will LOVE it just the same. If not the characters then the storyline (it did it for me)
July 22, 2018
I think that Rafe has a little crush on christiana at the first chapter of the book. What i find weird was that Isabella never knew (or at least have seen) the brothers until christiana introduced her to them, given that the brothers have been getting off the same elevator in the same building for years...
that aside, i feel for rafe, for what was done to him and his suffering. and isabella is the perfect girl to just heal him with love and acceptance.
looking forward to the upcoming books!
that aside, i feel for rafe, for what was done to him and his suffering. and isabella is the perfect girl to just heal him with love and acceptance.
looking forward to the upcoming books!
August 15, 2018
Having purchased 01 and 02 at the same time my comments are the same as for 01.
Just preferred the cover of 01.
Characters builds and/or any other build for that matter is difficult in a 50 page flick that is sold as an ebook. Sorry am getting a little tired of picking up a book that looks interesting only to find its not a book at all. Instead of leaving you with a feeling of, gee that was well worth the money spent, you are left feeling a little out of pocket, in more ways that one.
Just preferred the cover of 01.
Characters builds and/or any other build for that matter is difficult in a 50 page flick that is sold as an ebook. Sorry am getting a little tired of picking up a book that looks interesting only to find its not a book at all. Instead of leaving you with a feeling of, gee that was well worth the money spent, you are left feeling a little out of pocket, in more ways that one.
September 17, 2018
Short but Sweet!
This was a great quick read. Rafael sees himself as the beast he is forced to change into during the day because of his injuries. He can barely function and doubts anyone would ever love him. Then he meets Isabella. Instant love and lust but he tries to deny their bond. In the end, their love for each other helps them overcome their problems and the danger they face. The struggles of both main characters is well written and I can't wait for more Gargoyle brothers stories!
This was a great quick read. Rafael sees himself as the beast he is forced to change into during the day because of his injuries. He can barely function and doubts anyone would ever love him. Then he meets Isabella. Instant love and lust but he tries to deny their bond. In the end, their love for each other helps them overcome their problems and the danger they face. The struggles of both main characters is well written and I can't wait for more Gargoyle brothers stories!
October 14, 2017
Book a gift from Author.
Book 2 in this series and it's Rafe and Liberian Bella book. He's been hurt by the hunters but finds his beloved who accepts as he is. But this comes with trouble as hunters are still after them. A fun an exciting book -looking forward to reading more in this series.
Book 2 in this series and it's Rafe and Liberian Bella book. He's been hurt by the hunters but finds his beloved who accepts as he is. But this comes with trouble as hunters are still after them. A fun an exciting book -looking forward to reading more in this series.
October 23, 2017
Fun read! This romantic sci-fi is a good afternoon read. I really liked how every shifter has one beloved that cannot be denied or it could kill them both. Danger & romance are a great combination. It's definitely worth the read! I received a complimentary copy of this book.
November 2, 2017
in book 2 this time its rafes turn to find his beloved what happens when bella the librian meets christy and troubke assure does rafe save both bella and christy romans beloved how dies bella deal with the truth worth reading and highly recommended
July 3, 2018
Short, but good story.
Would have liked more story, but what was here was really great! What is left to say...just give me more story!
Would have liked more story, but what was here was really great! What is left to say...just give me more story!
February 22, 2025
Trama bella, qui si parla del secondo fratello, ma ci sono poche pagine e la storia e troppo veloce
October 7, 2023
After being scared for life after the most recent attack on him and his brothers in gargoyle form, Rafael is sure he will never be worthy of a mate. He is hideous to look upon, but Isabella finds his scars endearing and cannot look away from him or stop touching his face.
Is it possible that this library beauty Bella is his Beloved?
Great heart wrenching second book in this great series!
Is it possible that this library beauty Bella is his Beloved?
Great heart wrenching second book in this great series!
January 27, 2018
I NORMALLY AVOID NOVELLAS BUT BECAUSE THIS ONE HAS GARGOYLES IN IT, AND USUALLY AUTHORS PICK TO WRITE ABOUT SEXY VAMPIRES AND ALPHA WOLVES, GARGOYLES ARE USUALLY THE UGLY BAD GUYS. BUT NOT HERE.
BUT WAS IT GOOD THOUGH?
WELL....IT HAD POTENTIAL, BUT THE ENTIRE ROMANCE WAS JUST TOO CHEESY AND SUPERFICIAL.
BUT WAS IT GOOD THOUGH?
WELL....IT HAD POTENTIAL, BUT THE ENTIRE ROMANCE WAS JUST TOO CHEESY AND SUPERFICIAL.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews