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Companion #3
The Burning
Award-winning, bestselling author Susan Squires brings you into a world of erotic temptation that comes alive at night and thrives on our darkest secrets and longings. Take the journey to an unforgettable place in the heart of darkness and desire...
A FORBIDDEN TEMPTATION...
It is 1821, and all who know the beautiful, mysterious Ann Van Helsing believe she is insane. Yet Ann's curse is the deep psychic ability that allows her to know everything about another human being--their history, thoughts, and desires--simply by touching them. Overwhelmed by a power she can barely control, Ann roams the woods and caves near her estate, searching for an elusive peace. Here she encounters the man who will change everything...
LEAVES HER YEARNING...
To atone for an unforgivable transgression against his own kind, vampire Stephen Sincai has become a vigilante who must hunt and kill those whom other vampires have made. When Ann discovers Stephen bleeding in the woods, she reaches to touch him before she can stop herself. In an instant, Ann knows every fiber of Stephen's being--and the knowledge is at once frightening and irresistible...
FOR ETERNAL FULFILLMENT...
Ann and Stephen are drawn together by a powerful force. As Stephen and Ann fight against the evil surrounding them, an enemy bent on destroying them will make them choose between what they love and fear the most...
A FORBIDDEN TEMPTATION...
It is 1821, and all who know the beautiful, mysterious Ann Van Helsing believe she is insane. Yet Ann's curse is the deep psychic ability that allows her to know everything about another human being--their history, thoughts, and desires--simply by touching them. Overwhelmed by a power she can barely control, Ann roams the woods and caves near her estate, searching for an elusive peace. Here she encounters the man who will change everything...
LEAVES HER YEARNING...
To atone for an unforgivable transgression against his own kind, vampire Stephen Sincai has become a vigilante who must hunt and kill those whom other vampires have made. When Ann discovers Stephen bleeding in the woods, she reaches to touch him before she can stop herself. In an instant, Ann knows every fiber of Stephen's being--and the knowledge is at once frightening and irresistible...
FOR ETERNAL FULFILLMENT...
Ann and Stephen are drawn together by a powerful force. As Stephen and Ann fight against the evil surrounding them, an enemy bent on destroying them will make them choose between what they love and fear the most...
376 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 4, 2006
24 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Susan Squires
41 books203 followersSusan Squires is a NYT bestselling author known for breaking the rules of romance. Whatever her time period or subject, some element of the paranormal creeps in. She has won multiple contests for published novels and reviewer's choice awards. Publisher's Weekly named Body Electric one of the ten most influential mass market books and One with the Shadows a Best Book. Time for Eternity received a starred review.
Susan has a Masters in English literature from UCLA and once toiled as an executive for a Fortune 500 company. Now she lives at the beach with her husband, Harry, a writer of supernatural thrillers, and three Belgian Sheepdogs, who like to help her write by putting their chins on the keyboardddddddddddd.
Susan has a Masters in English literature from UCLA and once toiled as an executive for a Fortune 500 company. Now she lives at the beach with her husband, Harry, a writer of supernatural thrillers, and three Belgian Sheepdogs, who like to help her write by putting their chins on the keyboardddddddddddd.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 2, 2008
This was horrible! I read it several years ago, but I remember a lot of it. Is that a good thing? Get ready. This one was more of an abusive erotic book. What a whacked out theme! Here goes:
Stephen is a vampire, in training to be a "great vampire hunter." His culture used sexual frustration/release to build upon this "greatness." There were three sisters who kept Stephen chained to a cement bed and had sex with him--I forget how long...years? Ugh! There is an awful "greasy" splat on the wall where the last (failed) trainee...met his untimely fate because he could not hold his "release."
Save yourself and the tree. Skip this one.
Stephen is a vampire, in training to be a "great vampire hunter." His culture used sexual frustration/release to build upon this "greatness." There were three sisters who kept Stephen chained to a cement bed and had sex with him--I forget how long...years? Ugh! There is an awful "greasy" splat on the wall where the last (failed) trainee...met his untimely fate because he could not hold his "release."
Save yourself and the tree. Skip this one.
December 17, 2013
Reviewed for THC Reviews
"4.5 stars" Susan Squires has done it again with yet another story in the Companion series that I thoroughly enjoyed. Ms. Squires has a lyrical writing style that I find very beautiful. She also knows how to create heroes and heroines who are imperfect yet highly relatable, starring in character-driven stories in which true love and sensuous passion overcome the torments of the past. In some ways, I'm surprised I haven't heard more about this series, because I've been thoroughly entranced by it. On the other hand though, I can see why some readers possibly may not be thrilled with it. There is some repetition in character types with each of the heroes in the series so far having suffered great physical and sexual abuse at the hands of sadistic women, but then finding healing and happiness in the arms of the one woman who is perfect for him. I don't mind this overly much, because the stories are always enthralling and each of the heroines is different in her own way, as are the plots. The hero and heroine always share a tender and passionate love that is exactly what I read romance for, so I'll definitely be eagerly continuing on with the series.
Stephan is a two thousand year old vampire who was born not made. He bears a tremendous amount of guilt over things he's done in the past, not the least of which was flaunting the Rules set by the Elders by trying to prove that made vampires and born vampires are equal. Centuries ago, he took Beatrix ( The Hunger ), a born vampire, and Asharti, a made vampire, and tried an experiment in which he attempted to treat both as equals. However, his feelings got in the way when he fell in love with Beatrix but was unable to love Asharti in the same way. Asharti ended up leaving the shelter of Stephan's home and going on rampages, during which she tortured, killed and turned many humans into vampires in an attempt to create a vampire army to take over the world. Stephan blames himself for all the evil Asharti spread in the world and believes he is unforgivable. His only desire is to return to Mirso Monastery in the Carpathians Mountains, where he grew up, and take a vow to remain there for all eternity. Unfortunately, when he arrives, he finds anything but the refuge he was hoping for. The Eldest, Rubius, insists that Stephan atone for his mistakes by learning the control that will increase his power. Then he alone must go after the creatures Asharti made and kill them all before he will be accepted at Mirso permanently. The “training” Rubius' daughters put him through is bordering on rape. The only reason I hesitate to call it such is that Stephan initially submitted to their tutelage voluntarily, although at the time, he had no idea what he was in for. They compel him to maintain his erection for long periods of time and to prevent him from reaching orgasm, believing that bottling up his sexual energy is the way to build up his vampire powers. They basically torture him with sex to the point that it becomes nothing more than a compulsory chore in which they're using him for their own pleasure while giving him little or nothing in return. They also torture him physically when he dares to deviate from their rules. Stephan probably could have chosen to leave, but he desperately wanted to prove himself worthy of the refuge of Mirso. He truly believed this was the only way, so he suffered through the torment day in and day out, thinking that he somehow deserved it for his misdeeds. Still, at the same time, he experiences a sense of revulsion both at what the Daughters are doing to him and at the cold, soulless creature he's becoming because of it. He also feels a sense of shame when the memories assault him. When Stephan meets Ann, he tries to keep his emotions locked down, but even though he attempts to convince himself that Ann is not important, he can't help caring about her. It's simply part of his nature and something the Daughters couldn't torture out of him. Underneath it all, Stephan is an idealist who prefers peace and harmony to killing and strife. In an emotional sense, he tortures himself every bit as much as the Daughters did physically. Even in the end, he still has trouble forgiving himself and is uncertain of his worthiness of a pure, innocent woman like Ann. While some readers may think this calls into question their HEA, I appreciated it for its realism. People simply can't overcome such deep-seated emotional turmoil overnight, so leaving it as a process that Stephan will have to work through for a long time to come rang more true to me than an easy fix would have.
Ann is a really sweet young woman who looks like a small, fragile porcelain doll on the outside, but who has the courage of a lion inside. She possesses a psychic gift that allows her to see the entire history of an object or person simply by touching them. Doing so, however, causes her great distress. Her mother possessed the same ability and went mad the one and only time she had sex with her husband, which was also when Ann was conceived. Because of her gift, the people in the village believe she is a witch or possessed by an evil spirit, which has made her an outcast. Between that and Ann not wanting to accidentally touch anyone, she spends most of the time in her familiar nursery at the top of the house. The only time she ventures out is through the secret passageways late at night. It was during one of these jaunts through the countryside that she found a cave that has become her special place. Since her parents died, the only person she could count on was her uncle, but now, he is dying and wants to see her married and taken care of before he passes on. To that end, he invites their distant and ultimately distasteful cousin, Erich Van Helsing, who is a caricature loosely based on the vampire hunter Van Helsing from the Dracula legends, to visit. He's nothing but a fortune-hunter who thinks he was cheated out of his rightful inheritance and plans to marry Ann to get it back, caring nothing about her possibly going insane from touching him. In fact, he welcomes it, so that he can place her in an asylum and be done with her. Unfortunately, Ann's ailing uncle has the wool pulled over his eyes with regards to Erich and gives the other man his blessing, leaving Ann with no idea how she's going to escape her fate. Ann is a very gentle, peaceful person who is quite loving and forgiving of others. She has no desire to see anyone hurt, no matter how bad they might be, and is always ready to help someone in need if she can which is how she ended up meeting and falling in love with Stephan. I think it was wonderful how Ann's love for Stephan gave her the courage and insights she needed to take matters into her own hands on more than one occasion, and how she refused to let Stephan face his enemies or his emotional demons alone.
In the beginning, Stephan and Ann's relationship seemed to move a tad slowly, although I realize it was probably necessary to tell the story the way Ms. Squires did. At first, Stephan's emotions were so closed off, it made it difficult for me as the reader to sense the budding romance, but his desire to take care of Ann was admittedly very sweet. Also, Stephan and Ann have minimal interactions when one of them isn't unconscious until about a third of the way into the story. At that point, they begin to talk, but each is afraid of what the other must think of them. Stephan fears that Ann knowing everything about him will make her view him as a monster, while Ann worries that Stephan thinks her a witch like the people in the village. Even as they slowly overcome those fears, they are only able to talk. There is still the barrier of her not being able to touch him, because the one time she did, it sent her into a three day coma. Once they figure out the answer to the puzzle which allows them to become more physically intimate, then the connection between them is unmistakable.
The lack of emotional connection and the somewhat slow pace of the first half of the book are the only reasons I knocked off a half star. Otherwise, The Burning was a great story that drew me in and kept me guessing as to how Stephan and Ann would overcome the many obstacles in their path to happiness. Readers are introduced to Callum Kilkenney, a made vampire, who is purportedly following in Asharti's footstep, raising a vampire army, and whom Stephan is sent to kill. As it turns out, there is some surprising depth to his character, and he will become the hero of the next full-length novel in the series, One with the Night. One of the Daughters, Freya, isn't as bad as the other two. She is redeemed to become the heroine of the novella Beyond the Night from the anthology Dead After Dark. I'm definitely looking forward to reading those stories and continuing with the series soon.
Note: The sensual scenes between the hero and heroine are only moderately steamy, but Stephan's time with the Daughters is definitely not for the faint of heart. They subjected him to all manner of eroticism and sexual stimulation, including multiple partners, anal play, and BDSM.
"4.5 stars" Susan Squires has done it again with yet another story in the Companion series that I thoroughly enjoyed. Ms. Squires has a lyrical writing style that I find very beautiful. She also knows how to create heroes and heroines who are imperfect yet highly relatable, starring in character-driven stories in which true love and sensuous passion overcome the torments of the past. In some ways, I'm surprised I haven't heard more about this series, because I've been thoroughly entranced by it. On the other hand though, I can see why some readers possibly may not be thrilled with it. There is some repetition in character types with each of the heroes in the series so far having suffered great physical and sexual abuse at the hands of sadistic women, but then finding healing and happiness in the arms of the one woman who is perfect for him. I don't mind this overly much, because the stories are always enthralling and each of the heroines is different in her own way, as are the plots. The hero and heroine always share a tender and passionate love that is exactly what I read romance for, so I'll definitely be eagerly continuing on with the series.
Stephan is a two thousand year old vampire who was born not made. He bears a tremendous amount of guilt over things he's done in the past, not the least of which was flaunting the Rules set by the Elders by trying to prove that made vampires and born vampires are equal. Centuries ago, he took Beatrix ( The Hunger ), a born vampire, and Asharti, a made vampire, and tried an experiment in which he attempted to treat both as equals. However, his feelings got in the way when he fell in love with Beatrix but was unable to love Asharti in the same way. Asharti ended up leaving the shelter of Stephan's home and going on rampages, during which she tortured, killed and turned many humans into vampires in an attempt to create a vampire army to take over the world. Stephan blames himself for all the evil Asharti spread in the world and believes he is unforgivable. His only desire is to return to Mirso Monastery in the Carpathians Mountains, where he grew up, and take a vow to remain there for all eternity. Unfortunately, when he arrives, he finds anything but the refuge he was hoping for. The Eldest, Rubius, insists that Stephan atone for his mistakes by learning the control that will increase his power. Then he alone must go after the creatures Asharti made and kill them all before he will be accepted at Mirso permanently. The “training” Rubius' daughters put him through is bordering on rape. The only reason I hesitate to call it such is that Stephan initially submitted to their tutelage voluntarily, although at the time, he had no idea what he was in for. They compel him to maintain his erection for long periods of time and to prevent him from reaching orgasm, believing that bottling up his sexual energy is the way to build up his vampire powers. They basically torture him with sex to the point that it becomes nothing more than a compulsory chore in which they're using him for their own pleasure while giving him little or nothing in return. They also torture him physically when he dares to deviate from their rules. Stephan probably could have chosen to leave, but he desperately wanted to prove himself worthy of the refuge of Mirso. He truly believed this was the only way, so he suffered through the torment day in and day out, thinking that he somehow deserved it for his misdeeds. Still, at the same time, he experiences a sense of revulsion both at what the Daughters are doing to him and at the cold, soulless creature he's becoming because of it. He also feels a sense of shame when the memories assault him. When Stephan meets Ann, he tries to keep his emotions locked down, but even though he attempts to convince himself that Ann is not important, he can't help caring about her. It's simply part of his nature and something the Daughters couldn't torture out of him. Underneath it all, Stephan is an idealist who prefers peace and harmony to killing and strife. In an emotional sense, he tortures himself every bit as much as the Daughters did physically. Even in the end, he still has trouble forgiving himself and is uncertain of his worthiness of a pure, innocent woman like Ann. While some readers may think this calls into question their HEA, I appreciated it for its realism. People simply can't overcome such deep-seated emotional turmoil overnight, so leaving it as a process that Stephan will have to work through for a long time to come rang more true to me than an easy fix would have.
Ann is a really sweet young woman who looks like a small, fragile porcelain doll on the outside, but who has the courage of a lion inside. She possesses a psychic gift that allows her to see the entire history of an object or person simply by touching them. Doing so, however, causes her great distress. Her mother possessed the same ability and went mad the one and only time she had sex with her husband, which was also when Ann was conceived. Because of her gift, the people in the village believe she is a witch or possessed by an evil spirit, which has made her an outcast. Between that and Ann not wanting to accidentally touch anyone, she spends most of the time in her familiar nursery at the top of the house. The only time she ventures out is through the secret passageways late at night. It was during one of these jaunts through the countryside that she found a cave that has become her special place. Since her parents died, the only person she could count on was her uncle, but now, he is dying and wants to see her married and taken care of before he passes on. To that end, he invites their distant and ultimately distasteful cousin, Erich Van Helsing, who is a caricature loosely based on the vampire hunter Van Helsing from the Dracula legends, to visit. He's nothing but a fortune-hunter who thinks he was cheated out of his rightful inheritance and plans to marry Ann to get it back, caring nothing about her possibly going insane from touching him. In fact, he welcomes it, so that he can place her in an asylum and be done with her. Unfortunately, Ann's ailing uncle has the wool pulled over his eyes with regards to Erich and gives the other man his blessing, leaving Ann with no idea how she's going to escape her fate. Ann is a very gentle, peaceful person who is quite loving and forgiving of others. She has no desire to see anyone hurt, no matter how bad they might be, and is always ready to help someone in need if she can which is how she ended up meeting and falling in love with Stephan. I think it was wonderful how Ann's love for Stephan gave her the courage and insights she needed to take matters into her own hands on more than one occasion, and how she refused to let Stephan face his enemies or his emotional demons alone.
In the beginning, Stephan and Ann's relationship seemed to move a tad slowly, although I realize it was probably necessary to tell the story the way Ms. Squires did. At first, Stephan's emotions were so closed off, it made it difficult for me as the reader to sense the budding romance, but his desire to take care of Ann was admittedly very sweet. Also, Stephan and Ann have minimal interactions when one of them isn't unconscious until about a third of the way into the story. At that point, they begin to talk, but each is afraid of what the other must think of them. Stephan fears that Ann knowing everything about him will make her view him as a monster, while Ann worries that Stephan thinks her a witch like the people in the village. Even as they slowly overcome those fears, they are only able to talk. There is still the barrier of her not being able to touch him, because the one time she did, it sent her into a three day coma. Once they figure out the answer to the puzzle which allows them to become more physically intimate, then the connection between them is unmistakable.
The lack of emotional connection and the somewhat slow pace of the first half of the book are the only reasons I knocked off a half star. Otherwise, The Burning was a great story that drew me in and kept me guessing as to how Stephan and Ann would overcome the many obstacles in their path to happiness. Readers are introduced to Callum Kilkenney, a made vampire, who is purportedly following in Asharti's footstep, raising a vampire army, and whom Stephan is sent to kill. As it turns out, there is some surprising depth to his character, and he will become the hero of the next full-length novel in the series, One with the Night. One of the Daughters, Freya, isn't as bad as the other two. She is redeemed to become the heroine of the novella Beyond the Night from the anthology Dead After Dark. I'm definitely looking forward to reading those stories and continuing with the series soon.
Note: The sensual scenes between the hero and heroine are only moderately steamy, but Stephan's time with the Daughters is definitely not for the faint of heart. They subjected him to all manner of eroticism and sexual stimulation, including multiple partners, anal play, and BDSM.
November 15, 2010
My standards tend to be pretty low with romance novels, because honestly, I'm not reading it to "better" myself, but this book is just silly. (3 stars for the many varieties of sex - f/f/f/m, f/f/m, f/m) Now on to my complaints: (contains spoilers)
In atonement for making a bad vampire, the main guy gives himself over to 3 women to be sexually tortured until he can explode blocks of ice with the force of his ejaculations. One of the three goes mad when he loses control and cums in her. You read correctly, Dude is a loaded sex weapon! Let's call him the Sexterminator.
The main female has a cool affliction, which did make the story more interesting, but I just didn't like her by the end. "Making Love" with the Sexterminator finally gives her the self confidence to stand up for herself, oh and the 2 years of sexual torture at the hands of 3 vampires has in no way affected his performance in bed. He can wear out several-thousand-year-old vampires, but is gentle enough to take care of a human virgin.
Her serial-rapist cousin is actually the Van Helsing of myth, and therefore, despite anally raping a side character and trying more than once to rape the main character, is allowed to go free. His punishment? When he thinks about hurting others, he becomes impotent. Really?! Great, now he's just going to become a serial killer because he can't live out his depraved fantasies.
On the subject of rape, the Sexterminator is captured and raped (almost to death) by the 2 remaining vampire b*tches. That's right, they plan to screw him to death! Luckily, the plan is foiled by the conscience of one vampire, and the main female.
And they all live happily-ever-after, on the run from the leader of all vampires I suppose. I mean, if the head vampire sends his daughters out to kill you, is he going to stop at the command/request of his remaining daughter? He has centuries to think of another plan.
In atonement for making a bad vampire, the main guy gives himself over to 3 women to be sexually tortured until he can explode blocks of ice with the force of his ejaculations. One of the three goes mad when he loses control and cums in her. You read correctly, Dude is a loaded sex weapon! Let's call him the Sexterminator.
The main female has a cool affliction, which did make the story more interesting, but I just didn't like her by the end. "Making Love" with the Sexterminator finally gives her the self confidence to stand up for herself, oh and the 2 years of sexual torture at the hands of 3 vampires has in no way affected his performance in bed. He can wear out several-thousand-year-old vampires, but is gentle enough to take care of a human virgin.
Her serial-rapist cousin is actually the Van Helsing of myth, and therefore, despite anally raping a side character and trying more than once to rape the main character, is allowed to go free. His punishment? When he thinks about hurting others, he becomes impotent. Really?! Great, now he's just going to become a serial killer because he can't live out his depraved fantasies.
On the subject of rape, the Sexterminator is captured and raped (almost to death) by the 2 remaining vampire b*tches. That's right, they plan to screw him to death! Luckily, the plan is foiled by the conscience of one vampire, and the main female.
And they all live happily-ever-after, on the run from the leader of all vampires I suppose. I mean, if the head vampire sends his daughters out to kill you, is he going to stop at the command/request of his remaining daughter? He has centuries to think of another plan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2010
This is the second book I read of Squires, I didn't read the books in order but given the high expectations I had from the previous book I read (One with the Shadows) this one was a huge let down for me. Not at all what I expected to get. I felt Squires was focusing too much on the flashbacks and memories Stephen had of the torture he endured by the three Vampires which got to be too much at times. I mean I don't mind it but to a certain point--- and if it's necessary, which I didn't think it was at times. I was expecting some of the graphic scenes given the genre and the author's style of writing and tone but this was extreme and too much. Some parts I felt were OTT and really pushing it and kind of convoluted. Some of the torture scenes in particular were just ridiculous to me and were dragged out way too long. I felt Squires spent more time on those scenes then other parts of the book which really threw me off. I wish the story focused more on Stephen and the love he found. That's what I was expecting to get after reading the small description on the back of the book. But more than half the book I would say was more focused on Stephen's tortured soul and what he went through with those female vampires. The writing is great but this particular story I wasn't fond of.
October 15, 2019
DNF.
I KNOW MANY PEOPLE RAVED ABOUT THIS ONE AND WHILE I ENJOYED THE FIRST BOOK, I SEE COMMON REPETITIONS OF HOW THE HERO IS ALWAYS SEXUALLY TORTURED. AT ONE POINT I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF HE LOVES IT OR HATE IT.
ANYWAY LIKE WHAT I SAID FOR THE FIRST BOOK, I HONESTLY DETEST WATCHING THE HERO HAVE SEX WITH SO MANY WOMEN EVEN IF IT WAS FOR TRAINING.
FUCK THAT. What kind of training that supposedly gives you power must be attained by having sex with three women? Like for 2 years? That's just bullshit and frankly gross. By the time Stephan was done with it all...there wasn't much of him left except a shell. And his past with Asharti and Beatrice just totally grossed me out. Normally I'm not a prude, but when a vampire has lived 2000 years, I guess he's bound to have done some fucked up shit.
The HEROINE? Too weak for my taste. I like em' innocent but I wished she had more spunk and backbone, and would have used her powers for pretty cool stuff.
This was a disappointment and I'm going to DNF the whole series because I can see a sure pattern that the author likes to write about the HEROES going through SEXUAL EROTIC TORTURE that didn't sound much like torture NO MATTER HOW EROTIC they were. It was like she focused so much on the past, that the present didn't hold much meaning and the relationship between the MCs were weak.
I KNOW MANY PEOPLE RAVED ABOUT THIS ONE AND WHILE I ENJOYED THE FIRST BOOK, I SEE COMMON REPETITIONS OF HOW THE HERO IS ALWAYS SEXUALLY TORTURED. AT ONE POINT I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF HE LOVES IT OR HATE IT.
ANYWAY LIKE WHAT I SAID FOR THE FIRST BOOK, I HONESTLY DETEST WATCHING THE HERO HAVE SEX WITH SO MANY WOMEN EVEN IF IT WAS FOR TRAINING.
FUCK THAT. What kind of training that supposedly gives you power must be attained by having sex with three women? Like for 2 years? That's just bullshit and frankly gross. By the time Stephan was done with it all...there wasn't much of him left except a shell. And his past with Asharti and Beatrice just totally grossed me out. Normally I'm not a prude, but when a vampire has lived 2000 years, I guess he's bound to have done some fucked up shit.
The HEROINE? Too weak for my taste. I like em' innocent but I wished she had more spunk and backbone, and would have used her powers for pretty cool stuff.
This was a disappointment and I'm going to DNF the whole series because I can see a sure pattern that the author likes to write about the HEROES going through SEXUAL EROTIC TORTURE that didn't sound much like torture NO MATTER HOW EROTIC they were. It was like she focused so much on the past, that the present didn't hold much meaning and the relationship between the MCs were weak.
August 10, 2021
Terzo libro della serie e forse quello che ho apprezzato di meno a causa delle troppe (e inutili) scene di sesso. Non solo, ma non riesco a sopportare questo continuo sadismo nei confronti del genere maschile (potevo sorvolare sul primo volume ma se al terzo le cose diventano sempre più brutali e degradanti...).
Continuo a pensare che le idee c'erano ed erano buone soprattutto per quel che riguarda il mondo vampiresco ma avevano bisogno di uno sviluppo diverso.
I due protagonisti hanno suscitato in me simpatia (in particolar modo per quel che riguarda la loro storia personale) ma di romanticismo c'è davvero troppo poco.
Ann è gentile, generosa, estremamente vulnerabile ma molto intelligente e dotata di buon senso. Stephan è devastato da un grande senso di colpa (non so quante volte l'autrice lo ha ripetuto) e ne ha subite davvero tante (mi meraviglia che sia ancora sano di mente).
Nonostante tutto l'ho letto tutto perché ero davvero interessata a scoprire come sarebbe andata a finire.
L'autrice con questo romanzo si è soffermata molto sul tema del Controllo (Ann non controlla il suo potere e la sua vita mentre Stephan ha cercato d'imparare a controllare le sue emozioni).
Forse leggerò altri libri o forse no.
Continuo a pensare che le idee c'erano ed erano buone soprattutto per quel che riguarda il mondo vampiresco ma avevano bisogno di uno sviluppo diverso.
I due protagonisti hanno suscitato in me simpatia (in particolar modo per quel che riguarda la loro storia personale) ma di romanticismo c'è davvero troppo poco.
Ann è gentile, generosa, estremamente vulnerabile ma molto intelligente e dotata di buon senso. Stephan è devastato da un grande senso di colpa (non so quante volte l'autrice lo ha ripetuto) e ne ha subite davvero tante (mi meraviglia che sia ancora sano di mente).
Nonostante tutto l'ho letto tutto perché ero davvero interessata a scoprire come sarebbe andata a finire.
L'autrice con questo romanzo si è soffermata molto sul tema del Controllo (Ann non controlla il suo potere e la sua vita mentre Stephan ha cercato d'imparare a controllare le sue emozioni).
Forse leggerò altri libri o forse no.
July 10, 2020
Sinceramente questo libro alle 4**** stelline tonde no ci arriva e vi dico il perchè.
Al contrario dei due precedenti dove la parte romanzata assumeva connotati particolari oscuri e miscelati ad una trama forte, in questo la componente sessuale la fa da padrone rendendo inappropriata la trama restante.
Potenziamento sessuale o no, violenza sessuale o no questa volta i due personaggi ricevono più demeriti che altro per via di una perversa visione combattiva e allenatoria a cui sono sottoposti.
Peccato perchè Ann è un personaggio interessante fino alla sua conversione e Stephan stava acquisendo un certo fascino e spessore per poi diventare una pezza nelle mani delle Figlie!
Questa volta non ci siamo proprio, speriamo nel prossimo che è meglio.
Al contrario dei due precedenti dove la parte romanzata assumeva connotati particolari oscuri e miscelati ad una trama forte, in questo la componente sessuale la fa da padrone rendendo inappropriata la trama restante.
Potenziamento sessuale o no, violenza sessuale o no questa volta i due personaggi ricevono più demeriti che altro per via di una perversa visione combattiva e allenatoria a cui sono sottoposti.
Peccato perchè Ann è un personaggio interessante fino alla sua conversione e Stephan stava acquisendo un certo fascino e spessore per poi diventare una pezza nelle mani delle Figlie!
Questa volta non ci siamo proprio, speriamo nel prossimo che è meglio.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2023
Sooooooo, I enjoyed the concept of how they have a companion in their blood. Interesting and different from your average vampire But my goodness, tantric sex power boost and torture, killer ejaculate and betrayal. Really rollercoaster!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2019
Rated 4.3 Stars
September 5, 2015
Title: The Burning
Author: Susan Squires
Genre: Paranormal Historical Erotic Romance
Rating: 4.5 ♥‘s
Ah, to be reacquainted with my first true love! The Burning was both a unique and a nostalgic read for me, taking me back to my teenage years where I first fell for the allure of the lone, brooding vampire. Not to mention, anyone who’s ever read Bram Stoker’s Dracula will absolutely appreciate the details the author merely alludes to – just enough – to have your mind wandering down familiar connections. Susan Squires has no problem transporting her readers to another time and place with the perfect amount of detail, authentic dialect and an exquisite vocabulary. Most importantly, she knows how to keep the plot revving up and up, so you’re constantly on the edge of your seat!
This story has a well-rounded, fully-fleshed-out cast of characters ready to be loved, hated or just felt sorry for. Truly, the main characters were a blessing. I loved Ann Van Helsing like I haven’t loved a female protagonist in a very, very long time! She was an absolute joy to spend time with, watch flourish and follow through all of her trials and victories. Stephan Sincai… what can I say? He is not your typical vampire. In fact, I found him refreshingly accepting of his immortal needs. Yet, he bears all of the hallmarks of the classic, Victorian undead we’ve come to know and love. Despite being born a vampire, rather than turned into one, the author still found a way to make him struggle with eternal damnation, guilt, humanity and the quest for atonement.
The Burning is a true Victorian era novel in the respect that it’s full of inescapable feelings of constriction, oppression, frustration, loneliness, betrayal and utter helplessness that often feels too heavy to wade through. This has always been a double-edged sword for me as a reader and reminds me of why I no longer rush out to buy this particular time-period book. On one hand I loathe the stifling negativity, yet on the other hand, it’s the very essence that gives those plot points such an impact. Regardless, the author really nailed the Victorian era down pat, especially in the lack of freedom and choices women, particularly well-bred women, had during that time. I did find the constant interruption of flashbacks quite daunting, though. One or two would’ve been understandable, but if there’s that much backstory to tell, I feel it should have its own section, so it can be read in its entirety, rather than continuously disrupting the energy of the present plot.
In short, I would highly recommend The Burning to any reader. Susan Squires seamlessly introduces a unique, paranormal element into a spot-on historical and never shies away from the graphic details, whether it’s carnal, horrific or the facts of daily life in the 1800’s, the combination offers a suspenseful, erotic romance with political fringes and the intensity of a thriller all wrapped up into one amazing story. It’s one of those rare jewels sure to stick with you long after you’ve finished reading!
♥Reviewed for My Family's Heart Book Reviews♥
Author: Susan Squires
Genre: Paranormal Historical Erotic Romance
Rating: 4.5 ♥‘s
Ah, to be reacquainted with my first true love! The Burning was both a unique and a nostalgic read for me, taking me back to my teenage years where I first fell for the allure of the lone, brooding vampire. Not to mention, anyone who’s ever read Bram Stoker’s Dracula will absolutely appreciate the details the author merely alludes to – just enough – to have your mind wandering down familiar connections. Susan Squires has no problem transporting her readers to another time and place with the perfect amount of detail, authentic dialect and an exquisite vocabulary. Most importantly, she knows how to keep the plot revving up and up, so you’re constantly on the edge of your seat!
This story has a well-rounded, fully-fleshed-out cast of characters ready to be loved, hated or just felt sorry for. Truly, the main characters were a blessing. I loved Ann Van Helsing like I haven’t loved a female protagonist in a very, very long time! She was an absolute joy to spend time with, watch flourish and follow through all of her trials and victories. Stephan Sincai… what can I say? He is not your typical vampire. In fact, I found him refreshingly accepting of his immortal needs. Yet, he bears all of the hallmarks of the classic, Victorian undead we’ve come to know and love. Despite being born a vampire, rather than turned into one, the author still found a way to make him struggle with eternal damnation, guilt, humanity and the quest for atonement.
The Burning is a true Victorian era novel in the respect that it’s full of inescapable feelings of constriction, oppression, frustration, loneliness, betrayal and utter helplessness that often feels too heavy to wade through. This has always been a double-edged sword for me as a reader and reminds me of why I no longer rush out to buy this particular time-period book. On one hand I loathe the stifling negativity, yet on the other hand, it’s the very essence that gives those plot points such an impact. Regardless, the author really nailed the Victorian era down pat, especially in the lack of freedom and choices women, particularly well-bred women, had during that time. I did find the constant interruption of flashbacks quite daunting, though. One or two would’ve been understandable, but if there’s that much backstory to tell, I feel it should have its own section, so it can be read in its entirety, rather than continuously disrupting the energy of the present plot.
In short, I would highly recommend The Burning to any reader. Susan Squires seamlessly introduces a unique, paranormal element into a spot-on historical and never shies away from the graphic details, whether it’s carnal, horrific or the facts of daily life in the 1800’s, the combination offers a suspenseful, erotic romance with political fringes and the intensity of a thriller all wrapped up into one amazing story. It’s one of those rare jewels sure to stick with you long after you’ve finished reading!
♥Reviewed for My Family's Heart Book Reviews♥
August 15, 2025
Ann has lived her life afraid her fate will be what her mothers was - losing her mind because her
gift. So she's secluded herself away in her uncles home, living in her old nursery and only
having books and the servants for company. The towns people think her a witch and wish to have
her committed or imprisoned and she fears that when her uncles passes, which very well may soon
as he is in poor health, she will have no one to protect her or care for her.
Stephen has lived his long life seeking redemption and if it comes with suffering or death then
so be it. He's in the small town hunting vampires, those who have broken their laws and created
prodigies whom have gone on the kill humans - drawing attention to their kind. While he waits,
he comes to be in the company of a beautifully fragile human girl who is truly battling her own
set of demons. The last think he should be doing is caring for her as his mission must come first
and the girl is a distraction.
As time passes, Stephen realizes that forgetting Ann is bound to be impossible. She is kindness
and understanding, a creature whose goodness and love for him far exceeds anything he thinks
himself worthy of and for her, he will change his world if he survives the battle to come.
What I truly appreciated about this book is its rationality. That's odd to say when referenced to
a paranormal romance novel but I said it anyway. The heroine, while fragile and meek in a lot of
ways didn't require at any point for the hero to rescue her. Sure he gave her tools to use
in her battle for freedom and would kill if asked to but he was no a knight in shining armor.
And the hero, was a kind man who only tried to do right all the while being lied to. Yet he was
reasonable and open to see the truth when it was laid out before him. Together, they man a lovely
pair of misfits - both lost in the world- both seemingly without option for control of their
own lives. My one issue? The excessive and horrifically detailed scenes of rape and torture the
hero experienced in her life. I understand it was somewhat needed to build the character's history
and explain his reasons but I actually skimmed a lot of them to be honest.
gift. So she's secluded herself away in her uncles home, living in her old nursery and only
having books and the servants for company. The towns people think her a witch and wish to have
her committed or imprisoned and she fears that when her uncles passes, which very well may soon
as he is in poor health, she will have no one to protect her or care for her.
Stephen has lived his long life seeking redemption and if it comes with suffering or death then
so be it. He's in the small town hunting vampires, those who have broken their laws and created
prodigies whom have gone on the kill humans - drawing attention to their kind. While he waits,
he comes to be in the company of a beautifully fragile human girl who is truly battling her own
set of demons. The last think he should be doing is caring for her as his mission must come first
and the girl is a distraction.
As time passes, Stephen realizes that forgetting Ann is bound to be impossible. She is kindness
and understanding, a creature whose goodness and love for him far exceeds anything he thinks
himself worthy of and for her, he will change his world if he survives the battle to come.
What I truly appreciated about this book is its rationality. That's odd to say when referenced to
a paranormal romance novel but I said it anyway. The heroine, while fragile and meek in a lot of
ways didn't require at any point for the hero to rescue her. Sure he gave her tools to use
in her battle for freedom and would kill if asked to but he was no a knight in shining armor.
And the hero, was a kind man who only tried to do right all the while being lied to. Yet he was
reasonable and open to see the truth when it was laid out before him. Together, they man a lovely
pair of misfits - both lost in the world- both seemingly without option for control of their
own lives. My one issue? The excessive and horrifically detailed scenes of rape and torture the
hero experienced in her life. I understand it was somewhat needed to build the character's history
and explain his reasons but I actually skimmed a lot of them to be honest.
April 14, 2013
Wow. Just wow. I gave this book two stars for the sheer gonzo insanity of the set-up, in which our hero, a vampire who offs misbehaving vamps, achieves his superpowers by controlling and denying his ejaculations. No, I am not making this up - giant chunks of the book involve some seriously serious (and graphic) BDSM training of him by three ladyvamps so he'd be able to be horny and yet not achieve orgasm, which he can then channel into power. If you are into dudes being branded or made to jerk off into blocks of ice, this book is for you.
At one point, bad vamps capture the hero and decide to kill him by having sex with him until he literally explodes from unreleased lust.
I...don't even know what to say to be honest. I spent giant chunks of it giggling. I can suspend my disbelief a lot, but even I have limits (more importantly, none of these characters react to events in any even vaguely recognizable or realistic fashion).
Anyway, the plot (are you really reading this for the plot?) involves our hero, an ancient and guilt-ridden vamp named Stephan coming (this book ruined this verb for me, ruined! LOL) across our heroine, who is a human who can read everything about a person through a single touch. Tbh, there is a rather sweet love story in this book between our protagonists, and I wish the book focused more on that instead of our hero jerking off into bowls under duress. But then I got this book expecting a romance novel not a BDSM erotica book, so I suppose I have nobody but myself to blame.
At one point, bad vamps capture the hero and decide to kill him by having sex with him until he literally explodes from unreleased lust.
I...don't even know what to say to be honest. I spent giant chunks of it giggling. I can suspend my disbelief a lot, but even I have limits (more importantly, none of these characters react to events in any even vaguely recognizable or realistic fashion).
Anyway, the plot (are you really reading this for the plot?) involves our hero, an ancient and guilt-ridden vamp named Stephan coming (this book ruined this verb for me, ruined! LOL) across our heroine, who is a human who can read everything about a person through a single touch. Tbh, there is a rather sweet love story in this book between our protagonists, and I wish the book focused more on that instead of our hero jerking off into bowls under duress. But then I got this book expecting a romance novel not a BDSM erotica book, so I suppose I have nobody but myself to blame.
September 5, 2015
Another Erotic Vampire story? No it was so much more.
Stephan is a vampire who has lived 2000 years, his life consisting of torture, pain and agony. He finds one true love, Beatrice, who for a short time he believes loves him also, but its her first love and soon her feelings change. He vows after she leaves, to never love again and commits to a life of destroying made vampires, as they threaten the existence of his people, natural vampires.
Ann is a woman who has a power at touch, to see the past of ones life, a gift that she feel has been cursed upon her. She lives her life behind the confines of her home, never traveling out unless necessary. As she is taking a walk out on her property, she hears a scream and rushes to it, to see a man bent over another woman, literally sucking the life out of her. The man looks up at Ann and she can see his elongated canines and blood dripping from him.
While hunting made vampires, Stephan hears the scream and rushes over to it. It is when Ann and Stephans paths cross for the first time and their lives will forever change.
I have to first state this was a very well written novel and had me fully engaged from the beginning and end. I sympathized with Stephans character, very much and wished only that he could find peace. If you are looking for an engaging story filled with thrills, shrills and romance, this is definitely the one for you.
Stephan is a vampire who has lived 2000 years, his life consisting of torture, pain and agony. He finds one true love, Beatrice, who for a short time he believes loves him also, but its her first love and soon her feelings change. He vows after she leaves, to never love again and commits to a life of destroying made vampires, as they threaten the existence of his people, natural vampires.
Ann is a woman who has a power at touch, to see the past of ones life, a gift that she feel has been cursed upon her. She lives her life behind the confines of her home, never traveling out unless necessary. As she is taking a walk out on her property, she hears a scream and rushes to it, to see a man bent over another woman, literally sucking the life out of her. The man looks up at Ann and she can see his elongated canines and blood dripping from him.
While hunting made vampires, Stephan hears the scream and rushes over to it. It is when Ann and Stephans paths cross for the first time and their lives will forever change.
I have to first state this was a very well written novel and had me fully engaged from the beginning and end. I sympathized with Stephans character, very much and wished only that he could find peace. If you are looking for an engaging story filled with thrills, shrills and romance, this is definitely the one for you.
April 17, 2018
Continuation of "The Hunger"
Vampire Stephen Sinclair, the former teacher of Beatrix - is torn by self-reproaches because he has helped the evil vampire Asharti and is looking for penance. To become a special warrior he is trained by 3 daughters of the "Elder Vampire" (his training including sexually abuse and torture.
His mission is to kill the vampire rebel Callan Kilkenny. In England he meets Ann van Helsing. She suffers from the illness of not being able to touch anyone because she then knows his most secret thoughts and history. She finds him injured and thereby the thoughts transfer. He falls in love and tries to protect her from her evil cousin who wants to force her into marriage. In addition, Ann is threatened by the village, which considers her a witch. In the fight with the Callan, Stephen does not kill him because of Ann's intervention but gives him his freedom.
Like all other Companion books, grim and with much violence and an SM part. I liked the extraordinary heroine, as she has a special gift, and is in a way equal to Stephen which is not the case with most of the other partners of the vampires in the previous novels. A little annoying are Stephen's the constant self-reproaches. Like all Squires heroes, he does not feel worthy enough for the heroine's love and can only be convinced of it at the very end.
Vampire Stephen Sinclair, the former teacher of Beatrix - is torn by self-reproaches because he has helped the evil vampire Asharti and is looking for penance. To become a special warrior he is trained by 3 daughters of the "Elder Vampire" (his training including sexually abuse and torture.
His mission is to kill the vampire rebel Callan Kilkenny. In England he meets Ann van Helsing. She suffers from the illness of not being able to touch anyone because she then knows his most secret thoughts and history. She finds him injured and thereby the thoughts transfer. He falls in love and tries to protect her from her evil cousin who wants to force her into marriage. In addition, Ann is threatened by the village, which considers her a witch. In the fight with the Callan, Stephen does not kill him because of Ann's intervention but gives him his freedom.
Like all other Companion books, grim and with much violence and an SM part. I liked the extraordinary heroine, as she has a special gift, and is in a way equal to Stephen which is not the case with most of the other partners of the vampires in the previous novels. A little annoying are Stephen's the constant self-reproaches. Like all Squires heroes, he does not feel worthy enough for the heroine's love and can only be convinced of it at the very end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2008
Stephan Sincai is the tortured hero (and I do mean tortured) trying to atone for his sins. Because of his past, intimacy with anyone could be fatal. Ms. Squires does the most exquisite torture I have ever read.
Ann Van Helsing cannot touch another being without being overwhelmed by every facet of their life. But when she finds Stephen alone and bleeding, she helps him. In an instant, she knows everything about him and his kind...
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books for the review of The Burning in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
Ann Van Helsing cannot touch another being without being overwhelmed by every facet of their life. But when she finds Stephen alone and bleeding, she helps him. In an instant, she knows everything about him and his kind...
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books for the review of The Burning in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
December 18, 2007
I quite enjoyed reading this novel. Though it was not the first in the series, i wasn't left wondering what was going on. I didn't even realize that there was a novel written before this one. I liked Ann's character and how she developed into a strong women. The sex scenes were hot and steamy.
July 29, 2012
I give this 3.5-4.0 stars.It was a smooth read.Nicely paced. Slightly twisted erotic regency romance. I am pleased with the happy ending. I hope there will be books about some interesting characters that appeared in this one.
If you would like to get this book please check out booksfreeswap.com.It is available for swap!
If you would like to get this book please check out booksfreeswap.com.It is available for swap!
January 1, 2009
The main girl's last name is Van Helsing. Hmmm.... the idea is for the story was good, but that killed it right there. Everyone needs to move on from Dracula, which honestly was not that interesting. Everyone knows Lestat is the true immortal. And way to much silly abusive sex.
February 16, 2011
It was ok, you didn't really connect with the characters at all, the story was lacking and you couldn't even get wrapped up in the vamp out sections. I would suggest Cynthia Edens The Vampire Kiss if you like sexy vampire novels but give this one a miss.
Read
May 22, 2012"Nello sguardo di Stephen c'erano meraviglia, sollievo e pace. Lui l'amava. (...) Ann gli stava chiedendo di credere in lei abbastanza da permetterle di amarlo."
Saga rosa paranormale carina, ma non nelle mie corde... preferisco gli storici ai paranormali perciò l'ho letta e scambiata...
Saga rosa paranormale carina, ma non nelle mie corde... preferisco gli storici ai paranormali perciò l'ho letta e scambiata...
December 18, 2012
Not what I would normally read, but this is the first time I have read a Susan Squires book.
The characters were interesting, however the plot seemed predictable at times.
If you like historical/vampire/paranormal book then its worth a read!
The characters were interesting, however the plot seemed predictable at times.
If you like historical/vampire/paranormal book then its worth a read!
Read
May 19, 2008It is good, stands on it own for a series book, but way to erotic for me. I am skipping lots of Stephens dialogue with his three vampire teachers.
February 25, 2008
This was my first Susan Squires book. I really liked it, but, it took me a while to get into. I think it was just something about her writing style that made me take so long.
September 5, 2009
Holy hotness Batman! Left me breathless.
February 7, 2011
extremely crude
March 10, 2011
It gets a rating of two stars because it was just so RIDICULOUSLY FUNNY!
April 10, 2012
Sequel to the Companion. Decent story featuring a young, virginal woman who sees people's lives when she touches them and the haunted vampire who saves her. Not as good as the Companion.
September 21, 2015
review coming soon!
May 3, 2016
A waste of time..
August 14, 2011
i did finish it but couldnt get into it i skiped lots of it
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