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Seven Deadly Sins #3
The Taking
My Immortal and Fallen showed Erin McCarthy at her provocative best...
Now she takes paranormal romance one step further with The Taking
Heiress Regan Henry knows that passion can be an illusion, and she keeps her emotions in check-until she falls under the spell of the beguiling Felix LeBlanc. He knows that the rumors that her mansion is haunted are true, and that he's the only one who can save her from the spirits residing there. But the only way he can do it is to sacrifice his last chance at redemption...or risk a love that could consign them both to an eternity of evil.
Now she takes paranormal romance one step further with The Taking
Heiress Regan Henry knows that passion can be an illusion, and she keeps her emotions in check-until she falls under the spell of the beguiling Felix LeBlanc. He knows that the rumors that her mansion is haunted are true, and that he's the only one who can save her from the spirits residing there. But the only way he can do it is to sacrifice his last chance at redemption...or risk a love that could consign them both to an eternity of evil.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
8 people are currently reading
821 people want to read
About the author
Erin McCarthy
217 books4,829 followersUSA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has since written over a hundred novels and novellas in teen fiction, new adult, and adult romance. Erin has a special weakness for high-heeled boots, beaches and martinis. She lives in Ohio with her family, two grumpy cats and a socially awkward dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 2, 2010
What I like about these books is seeing how the guy reaches for more than he should and damns himself. It is then great to see how they work back to what they have then realized what is important them. Felix is no different. The ties between Regan and Felix seem to be more than usual, but with the choices that they make the end up happy in the end.
October 14, 2011
Third in the Seven Deadly Sins paranormal-romance series. The couple focus is on Felix Leblanc and Regan Henry and is based in New Orleans.
The Story
Greed. The anger of a young mulatto boy for his father's family. For the humiliation his mother must endure to put a roof over their head, food in their mouths. Felix Leblanc jumps in without thought in a deal with the devil, Alcroft Tradd, to save his mother and provide him with the pleasures of life, an immortal life. What matter if some portion of everything he acquires must be given to the demon?
Until Camille Comeaux appears in his life, or rather, disappears from it. In the few months remaining in her life after Camille loses her family to yellow fever, Camille spirals downward until that fatal night. A night in which Felix realizes that money does not bring happiness. That his greed has condemned a young woman. A night for which he pays year in and year out, decade after decade. Realizing that all he can do is take, all any woman has ever done for or with him has been take.
Until Regan Henry. A passionate, caring woman who seems to want him. Now if only he can escape the notice of her about-to-be-ex-husband, his master. The demon.
The Characters
Regan Henry Alcroft starts as a married woman. Married to a man who puts her down constantly. Felix Leblanc is over 150-years-old with long history as a voodoo priest and a desire to please women. Beau Alcroft is an attorney and a demon. Felix's master. And he has an ulterior motive for marrying a woman for whom he has so little regard. Chris Davidson is Regan's best friend and sounding board and in his own relationship with Nelson. Camille Comeaux is the last surviving member of the Comeaux family. Her desperate desire to be reunited with her family causes her to shake off societal expectations and satisfy her own needs. It is Camille's home that Regan buys after her separation.
My Take
Well, third time around...I'm finally noticing that each of the stories in this series involves some sort of written communication with the last half of the 19th century in New Orleans. In Taking, the communication is a journal kept by Camille Comeaux for the last few months of her life.
This was an enjoyable read although not as exciting as the first two. I think I kept expecting Beau to be more aggressive in his anger since he was such an ass while they were married although I am surprised that Regan would accept his chocolates...I'd'a trashed 'em. And I'm a chocoholic! It was also just too easy for Regan and Felix to get together. We never do learn what it is that Regan does other than raise funds to restore cemeteries; that she has a fascination for the tombs, headstones, and statues that provide an homage to dead loved ones. I did enjoy Felix's attitude toward security and business; I think I envied him.
The Cover
The cover is an interpretation of Camille naked and looking out through the french door in her bedroom at a brooding, gray sky, her lower half swathed in the purple drapery hanging alongside the doors. The title is appropriate as Felix is resigned to an eternal future of everyone Taking and never giving.
The Story
Greed. The anger of a young mulatto boy for his father's family. For the humiliation his mother must endure to put a roof over their head, food in their mouths. Felix Leblanc jumps in without thought in a deal with the devil, Alcroft Tradd, to save his mother and provide him with the pleasures of life, an immortal life. What matter if some portion of everything he acquires must be given to the demon?
Until Camille Comeaux appears in his life, or rather, disappears from it. In the few months remaining in her life after Camille loses her family to yellow fever, Camille spirals downward until that fatal night. A night in which Felix realizes that money does not bring happiness. That his greed has condemned a young woman. A night for which he pays year in and year out, decade after decade. Realizing that all he can do is take, all any woman has ever done for or with him has been take.
Until Regan Henry. A passionate, caring woman who seems to want him. Now if only he can escape the notice of her about-to-be-ex-husband, his master. The demon.
The Characters
Regan Henry Alcroft starts as a married woman. Married to a man who puts her down constantly. Felix Leblanc is over 150-years-old with long history as a voodoo priest and a desire to please women. Beau Alcroft is an attorney and a demon. Felix's master. And he has an ulterior motive for marrying a woman for whom he has so little regard. Chris Davidson is Regan's best friend and sounding board and in his own relationship with Nelson. Camille Comeaux is the last surviving member of the Comeaux family. Her desperate desire to be reunited with her family causes her to shake off societal expectations and satisfy her own needs. It is Camille's home that Regan buys after her separation.
My Take
Well, third time around...I'm finally noticing that each of the stories in this series involves some sort of written communication with the last half of the 19th century in New Orleans. In Taking, the communication is a journal kept by Camille Comeaux for the last few months of her life.
This was an enjoyable read although not as exciting as the first two. I think I kept expecting Beau to be more aggressive in his anger since he was such an ass while they were married although I am surprised that Regan would accept his chocolates...I'd'a trashed 'em. And I'm a chocoholic! It was also just too easy for Regan and Felix to get together. We never do learn what it is that Regan does other than raise funds to restore cemeteries; that she has a fascination for the tombs, headstones, and statues that provide an homage to dead loved ones. I did enjoy Felix's attitude toward security and business; I think I envied him.
The Cover
The cover is an interpretation of Camille naked and looking out through the french door in her bedroom at a brooding, gray sky, her lower half swathed in the purple drapery hanging alongside the doors. The title is appropriate as Felix is resigned to an eternal future of everyone Taking and never giving.
Read
January 8, 2021"his voice had a quality when he was displeased that regan had come to think of as humming. it sounded normal, pleasant, teasing, to most people, but when it took on that light singsong quality, she knew he was unhappy with her, and god, she was so tired of having her every move, every word, every decision scrutinized and found lacking."
"it was nothing, something a thousand husbands might say to their wives as mere flirtation or playful pouting, but to regan it was the latest in a litany of disappointments, accusatory glares, and criticisms veiled as suggestions from the man she was supposed to recognize was so much wiser than her. patronizing words he dropped one by one, like stones of the puritan punishment, that settled onto her chest, robbing her of breath, crushing her slowly and painfully. word after word had pressed, piled on top of one another, paralyzing in their heaviness, rendering hre incapable of speech, or protest and unable to defend herself, until she knew it was time to leave or lose her voice in her marriage forever."
"never right. she would never do it right. and he was always in control, of her, of her life."
"felix had no concept of how long he had been suspended in nothing... whether a day or a month or a year he coulndt say, only that he was slowyly and increasingly going mad, like camille had in the torture of her grief, every second an agonizing suspension of time, every moment endless in its nothingness.
there was no food, yet he wasnt hungry. no water, never thirsty. he had no need to relieve himself and no sexual desire, a strange physical lethargy coupled with acute discomfort stretching each minute that much longer. he was awaare of every inch of his body as a heavy, crushing burden, simply struggling to hold himself upright as weighty as balancing a tree trunk on his shoulders for months on end. no longer attempting to move, he hung, suspended, like a ham in the slaughterhouse, swaying."
"why do you always assume that anyone else's discomfort is your fault or responsibility?"
"it was nothing, something a thousand husbands might say to their wives as mere flirtation or playful pouting, but to regan it was the latest in a litany of disappointments, accusatory glares, and criticisms veiled as suggestions from the man she was supposed to recognize was so much wiser than her. patronizing words he dropped one by one, like stones of the puritan punishment, that settled onto her chest, robbing her of breath, crushing her slowly and painfully. word after word had pressed, piled on top of one another, paralyzing in their heaviness, rendering hre incapable of speech, or protest and unable to defend herself, until she knew it was time to leave or lose her voice in her marriage forever."
"never right. she would never do it right. and he was always in control, of her, of her life."
"felix had no concept of how long he had been suspended in nothing... whether a day or a month or a year he coulndt say, only that he was slowyly and increasingly going mad, like camille had in the torture of her grief, every second an agonizing suspension of time, every moment endless in its nothingness.
there was no food, yet he wasnt hungry. no water, never thirsty. he had no need to relieve himself and no sexual desire, a strange physical lethargy coupled with acute discomfort stretching each minute that much longer. he was awaare of every inch of his body as a heavy, crushing burden, simply struggling to hold himself upright as weighty as balancing a tree trunk on his shoulders for months on end. no longer attempting to move, he hung, suspended, like a ham in the slaughterhouse, swaying."
"why do you always assume that anyone else's discomfort is your fault or responsibility?"
December 30, 2014
The Taking
4 Stars
Series Note: As with the previous books in the series, The Taking can be read as a standalone. There is no connection between the books aside for the setting.
Regan Henry is at a crossroads in her life. After leaving her manipulative husband and purchasing a historic house in New Orleans, she discovers a journal in an antique bureau that sets her on a path that will either lead her to true love or to an untimely death.
The romance in this third and final installment of McCarthy’s Deadly Sins series is definitely the best. Although the first half is drawn out with a great deal of backstory, the second half is steamy and action packed.
Regan and Felix’s romance has the emotional and physical intimacy that was lacking in the first two books, and seeing their development of their relationship from attraction to love makes the story resonate all the more.
This time the secondary plot takes the form of flashbacks into the live of Camille Comeaux as seen through her journal entries. Camille is a troubled young woman - petty, jealous and unlikable. Any resemblance between her and Regan is exceedingly superficial, which makes the connection between them somewhat illogical. Nevertheless, the ex-husband/demon storyline creates a great deal of tension and suspense as the reader is constantly on the alert waiting for him to make his move. The climax is exciting and the resolution satisfying.
All in all, an entertaining conclusion to the series and it is worth reading this book even if you skip the first two.
4 Stars
Series Note: As with the previous books in the series, The Taking can be read as a standalone. There is no connection between the books aside for the setting.
Regan Henry is at a crossroads in her life. After leaving her manipulative husband and purchasing a historic house in New Orleans, she discovers a journal in an antique bureau that sets her on a path that will either lead her to true love or to an untimely death.
The romance in this third and final installment of McCarthy’s Deadly Sins series is definitely the best. Although the first half is drawn out with a great deal of backstory, the second half is steamy and action packed.
Regan and Felix’s romance has the emotional and physical intimacy that was lacking in the first two books, and seeing their development of their relationship from attraction to love makes the story resonate all the more.
This time the secondary plot takes the form of flashbacks into the live of Camille Comeaux as seen through her journal entries. Camille is a troubled young woman - petty, jealous and unlikable. Any resemblance between her and Regan is exceedingly superficial, which makes the connection between them somewhat illogical. Nevertheless, the ex-husband/demon storyline creates a great deal of tension and suspense as the reader is constantly on the alert waiting for him to make his move. The climax is exciting and the resolution satisfying.
All in all, an entertaining conclusion to the series and it is worth reading this book even if you skip the first two.
January 11, 2017
DOWN AND DIRTY QUICKIE REVIEWS!
One Sentence Summary:
An immortal demon slave hero Ghostbusts a divorcee human chick’s house.
What part made you fangirl squeal:
Every time he angst-pantsed it up with his I CAN’T HAVE HER feels.
Favorite Character:
Heroine’s non stereotypical, hilarious gay BFF.
How smexy was the smex?
Memorable-ish.
Name That Trope:
Shhh He’s Got a Secret
Whose Line Is It Anyway:
Chris: “Everyone’s grandmother has a liquor stash. It’s the American way.”
Got any bitching to do?
Visually Depict Yo Book Feels:
Famous last words:
BOOK GOOD, NOT GREAT, BUT STILL WORTH IT! Got a cool ghost story and a hella nuanced heroine.
———————————————————————————————————–
(For a more in depth and LOL-fest discussion on romance novels, HERE BE MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL)
Fangirl Musings: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6fO...
One Sentence Summary:
An immortal demon slave hero Ghostbusts a divorcee human chick’s house.
What part made you fangirl squeal:
Every time he angst-pantsed it up with his I CAN’T HAVE HER feels.
Favorite Character:
Heroine’s non stereotypical, hilarious gay BFF.
How smexy was the smex?
Memorable-ish.
Name That Trope:
Shhh He’s Got a Secret
Whose Line Is It Anyway:
Chris: “Everyone’s grandmother has a liquor stash. It’s the American way.”
Got any bitching to do?
1. Focus on heroine POV made connecting with Hero Face kinda impossible.
2. Lack of hero connection made the romance kind of underwhelming.
Visually Depict Yo Book Feels:
Famous last words:
BOOK GOOD, NOT GREAT, BUT STILL WORTH IT! Got a cool ghost story and a hella nuanced heroine.
———————————————————————————————————–
(For a more in depth and LOL-fest discussion on romance novels, HERE BE MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL)
Fangirl Musings: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6fO...
May 14, 2011
After being disappointed in the second book of this series, I wasn't in a big hurry to read the third; happily it turned out to be much better, though didn't punch me in the gut the way the first one did. If you like dark, delicious, protective romance heroes who are being punished for their sins and find redemption, this is for you. It stands alone just fine.
June 2, 2025
This paperback romance is a product of its time. From the mention of cucumber melon body wash to the subtle mentions of fatphobia, it's no surprise this was published in 2010. I may be a little harsh for a novel that was meant for entertainment only, but that's why I only gave it 2 stars instead of one. The plot was intriguing, and the little plot twists really keep the audience (AKA me lol) wanting to continue reading. The characters felt a little cardboard to me, mostly because the dialogue made everyone in the book sound like a douche.
January 29, 2019
Nota Geral: 2.9/5
Escrita: 3
Cenário: 3
Originalidade: 3
Personagens: 2.5
Suspense: 3
Humor: 3
Romance: 2.5
Capa: 3
Aditivo: 3
Previsível: 2.5
Escrita: 3
Cenário: 3
Originalidade: 3
Personagens: 2.5
Suspense: 3
Humor: 3
Romance: 2.5
Capa: 3
Aditivo: 3
Previsível: 2.5
December 17, 2019
1 ½ stars: Not bad, but not good either.
A half historical novel, with a few paranormal aspects included. The intermingling of the 2 time lines breaks up the narrative, & stops bk from being as tedious as it could have been otherwise. But the supernatural angle has little to no impact or importance overall, & the ‘scary’ demon, seems to have little power & is definitely not all knowing. MC's are uninteresting stereotypes who weirdly seem to fall in 'love' instantly, given their 'baggage'. Unfortunately the story is also weak & melodramatic.
A half historical novel, with a few paranormal aspects included. The intermingling of the 2 time lines breaks up the narrative, & stops bk from being as tedious as it could have been otherwise. But the supernatural angle has little to no impact or importance overall, & the ‘scary’ demon, seems to have little power & is definitely not all knowing. MC's are uninteresting stereotypes who weirdly seem to fall in 'love' instantly, given their 'baggage'. Unfortunately the story is also weak & melodramatic.
February 2, 2013
“The Taking,” set in New Orleans, is the fervent story of past and present love. Erin McCarthy’s characters combine Southern propriety and pure evil in a way that make for an erotic history lesson.
Heiress Regan Henry decides to divorce, Beau Alcroft—a pretense of the perfect man, after a year of marriage; following an enchanted encounter with what appears to be an entertainment psychic. She begins her new life by purchasing an historic French Quarter Home. As soon as she discovers the hidden journal of the late Camille Comeaux, in a piece of the original furniture, things began to heat up.
Her attraction to the psychic, who is actually an immortal voodoo priest imprisoned into evil by Regan’s ex-husband who is the embodiment of the demon Greed, leads to Regan’s discovery of the events leading to Camille’s insanity and eventually her death and puts Regan’s own life in danger. The relationship with the priest progresses to a lust of supernatural proportions. Beau begins to feel his power over Regan and the voodoo priest weakening while Camille’s spirit attempts to posses Regan’s body.
Heiress Regan Henry decides to divorce, Beau Alcroft—a pretense of the perfect man, after a year of marriage; following an enchanted encounter with what appears to be an entertainment psychic. She begins her new life by purchasing an historic French Quarter Home. As soon as she discovers the hidden journal of the late Camille Comeaux, in a piece of the original furniture, things began to heat up.
Her attraction to the psychic, who is actually an immortal voodoo priest imprisoned into evil by Regan’s ex-husband who is the embodiment of the demon Greed, leads to Regan’s discovery of the events leading to Camille’s insanity and eventually her death and puts Regan’s own life in danger. The relationship with the priest progresses to a lust of supernatural proportions. Beau begins to feel his power over Regan and the voodoo priest weakening while Camille’s spirit attempts to posses Regan’s body.
August 14, 2025
Stuck in a subtly abusive relationship the heroine, who's meek and polite but filled with secret fire meets an absolutely gorgeous voodoo practitioner who tells her to leave her husband. She does and a few months later hunts him down to thank him and to gain his help with a ghost who haunts her new house. The hero has been cursed and bound to the demon husband a hundred years ago for his greed and selfishness but will do everything and anything to save the heroine. The hero is calm, direct with his feelings and repentant for his sins. He's not the typical tortured hero as he accepts his faults and works to change himself. The heroine gradually changes from a push over to a confident woman throughout the book. She is a little frustrating in that she refuses to believe the hero's an immortal though he's been right about everything else and she knows about the spirit world. It was a nice easy and passionate book that didn't exaggerate the problems but instead worked to solve them. The husband was super gross what with sending over chocolates with his semen inside to bind the heroine to him again....eww.
March 22, 2012
This was definitely the best of the series. This had the most going on. While I enjoyed reading the other two books, I also found them lacking. The Taking had more going on to keep my interest.
Ragen meets a voodoo priest at her husbands firm's Chrismas party who is scarry in reading her. Soon after leaving her husband she can't resist the urge to see him again. After finding a hidden journal from the past weird things start happening in her new home she contacts Felix for help. What is Regan to do with an ex-husband demon desperately trying to get her back, any way possible. A voodoo priest who is a demon servant she is fast gaining feelings for and a ghost that seems to be trying to kill her? Is all this really happening or is Regan losing her mind?
Ragen meets a voodoo priest at her husbands firm's Chrismas party who is scarry in reading her. Soon after leaving her husband she can't resist the urge to see him again. After finding a hidden journal from the past weird things start happening in her new home she contacts Felix for help. What is Regan to do with an ex-husband demon desperately trying to get her back, any way possible. A voodoo priest who is a demon servant she is fast gaining feelings for and a ghost that seems to be trying to kill her? Is all this really happening or is Regan losing her mind?
July 26, 2011
Demons, Voodoo, Ghostly entities sounds good, like the fist 3 in the series..it just wasnt enough! "Master Demon" isnt in much of the book and when he does show up he's a controlling, greedy all around PITA Husband..yep Husband. Poor Sweet Regan, she mustered up enough courage to change her undomestic bliss to be ensnared in a love-triangle..lol won't add any other characters to spoil anything, the story did keep me interested but alot of it was repetitive and weird(think chocolates laced with semen) not HOT. :)
June 19, 2016
This book has it all sex, greed, hot demons, evil demons, ex husbands, ex-girlfriends, ghosts, voodoo and it's set in New Orleans! What more could you want in a paranormal romance? I really liked Felix and felt beyond sorry for him. Alcroft is such a snake and totally gets what he deserves.
May 18, 2010
Really liked Felix and was very glad things worked out. Alcroft was an ass and got exactly what her deserved. I liked that you were never sure who was helping and who was hurting. Camille, I thought, was going to cause her Reagan the most trouble but she was just as trapped as her. Can't wait for the next book...
September 23, 2014
This turned out to be a pretty good read for me even after the odd chocolates.
Yeah. THAT was gross even though I understood it's purpose.
I love the mixture of past and present coming together in a mess as such.
My only issue is that I wish the book had been looked into more and used better in Felix's reveal.
Yeah. THAT was gross even though I understood it's purpose.
I love the mixture of past and present coming together in a mess as such.
My only issue is that I wish the book had been looked into more and used better in Felix's reveal.
October 30, 2010
I really didn't like this one as much as the first two books in this series. The characters just didn't resonate with me and there wasn't much of a suspensful plot. But the writing is still excellent and it makes me want to go to the French Quarter and find myself a hot voodoo man. :)
February 8, 2010
I enjoyed this book a lot. I really liked liked Regan and Felix. I thought the story was unusual from others I have read and I really liked the start of the romance between Regan and Felix. Very sweet ending. Would recommend it.
June 2, 2010
Greed is the sin. I loved how the book went back to the former inhabitant of the house Regan bought and today. There is an eerie feel to The Taking because of the voodoo spells that were practiced in the house. Enjoyable.
July 15, 2010
Didn't realize this was the third in the series; but you don't need to read them in any order. Interesting theme. Interesting storyline. Don't think I'll be reading the others in the series, though.
September 30, 2010
I really enjoyed the whole ghost/voodoo aspect of the story. The relationship between Felix and Regan seemed more realistic and they didn't jump immediately into bed. But when they did, wow...it was good stuff!!
I think this was my favorite story of the three that are out so far.
I think this was my favorite story of the three that are out so far.
January 19, 2015
Contemporary paranormal with unprotected sex. #3 in the series, but it's totally stand alone.
This was a really good paranormal set in New Orleans. Others have gone through the story. Better than I could probably. I enjoyed it! EM at her best.
This was a really good paranormal set in New Orleans. Others have gone through the story. Better than I could probably. I enjoyed it! EM at her best.
March 19, 2016
This story had a whole different twist with ghosts from the past playing a role in the present. It is also interesting to read about the social classes in New Orleans in the past. This was an interesting and adventurous book.
April 14, 2010
I skipped ahead a couple times while reading this book, only because I have kind of a short attention span at the moment and was more interested in the progression of the story than the detail.
January 11, 2010
I enjoyed this book, and yet felt as though I had read it before. Not that it is that predictable, but I'm sure it's been written before, maybe under a different name
February 20, 2010
Weird -- This is the third book in the Seven Deadly Sins series. The review was much better than the book!
February 2, 2010
Just as good as the other two in the series. For those looking for a walk on the demon side.
September 26, 2010
Intoxicating!!
July 5, 2010
a good book enjoyed it
August 18, 2010
Book 3 is just as good as book one in this serious and I can not wait for the next book. I love Erin McCarthy...its chick lit but its fun and sucks you in
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews