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Dark Enchantments #1
Familiar Stranger
Recruited by a secret paranormal organization to hunt demons, Jack Harris never guessed the revenge he sought for his partner's death would be this complicated. Jack's worldview is black-and-white--until he is ordered to follow Mersey Bane, a beautiful woman who is also a familiar with shape-shifting abilities. Mersey belongs to the Cadre--a peaceful hermetic order that captures and studies Otherworldly Entities--which is at odds with Jack's organization. As Jack delves deeper into the inner workings of the Cadre, he finds himself drawn to Mersey like a moth to a flame. She may challenge all his beliefs, but she brings color and passion to his world. Jack doesn't know whether what he feels for Mersey is love or lust. But if he doesn't figure it out soon, they may become the hunted instead of the hunters.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2007
6 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Michele Hauf
209 books939 followersMichele has been writing romance, action-adventure and fantasy stories for over twenty years. Her first published novel was DARK RAPTURE.
France, musketeers, vampires and faeries populate her stories. And if she followed the adage 'write what you know', all her stories would have snow in them. Fortunately, she steps beyond her comfort zone and writes about countries she has never visited and of creatures she has never seen.
Michele also writes as Michele Renae, and you can find her erotica, chick lit, and Harlequin Romance titles at your favorite online retailer.
--From the author's website bio
France, musketeers, vampires and faeries populate her stories. And if she followed the adage 'write what you know', all her stories would have snow in them. Fortunately, she steps beyond her comfort zone and writes about countries she has never visited and of creatures she has never seen.
Michele also writes as Michele Renae, and you can find her erotica, chick lit, and Harlequin Romance titles at your favorite online retailer.
--From the author's website bio
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 17, 2019
Eh good scene or two. But don't waste your time
January 22, 2020
Read these awhile ago. Comments and review to follow.
You can find me over on Facebook at My Open Book at the Dragonfly. Come over and say hello.
You can find me over on Facebook at My Open Book at the Dragonfly. Come over and say hello.
March 21, 2020
I didn't know why I enjoy this book. Hahaha
June 24, 2015
I don't know why I couldn't warm to this book. It has so many of the elements that I like - urban fantasy theme, a setting that I enjoy (London), a tortured hero, a warm and affectionate heroine with her own secrets - but they just never came together for me. I got to page 120 and then put it down for a week, only to come back and skim-read the next hundred pages. I feel bad about doing this, because since I joined Goodreads I've only had to do it with two other books (one of which was Fifty Shades of Grey), but I really couldn't slog through Familiar Stranger any longer, and I HATE not finishing a book.
I'm disappointed, mostly in myself, because when I read Michele Hauf's bio-blurb she sounded like such an awesome person and I really thought I was going to love her book. I'm not sure why I didn't. It's rated quite highly on here, so perhaps the fault is with me rather than the book.
There were a couple things I found annoying and distracting. Firstly, I'm guessing that Ms Hauf hasn't spent too much time around English people. I've lived most of my life (23 out of 29 years) either in London or just outside it, and we don't talk like the characters in this book. Ms Hauf seems obsessed with the words "snog" "shag" and "arse" (as well as words derived from these) and uses them on what feels like every other page. While these are words that Brits use, some more than others, we don't use them exclusively past the age of 13 or 14. Even the least educated of us have a more extensive vocabulary than that. I know it probably sounds like nitpicking, and maybe it is, but it was annoyingly monotonous, to the point that I was mentally blocking out any conversation between hero and heroine. I expect novels - and particularly genres like paranormal romance - to be vibrant things full of vocabulary that's both colourful and extensive. Ms Hauf may have managed the colourful - at least to the eyes of those who weren't born in London - but somehow the repetitiveness of the word choices made parts of the book read less like a novel and more like a droning educational text.
I realise that this is something that not all readers, particularly American readers, will be bothered by. Plenty of people don't read a book for its sparkling prose, they read it for the story.
The story itself was fine. I have no real positive or negative comments about it. I did like the idea of the parallel realms and two opposing factions hunting otherworldly creatures, and if I'd enjoyed this book more I'd probably have wanted to read more about P-Cell and the Cadre.
The characters were okay, if you can get past the annoying language issues. But I sensed no real emotional bond between them. I couldn't understand why they were attracted to each other, probably because *I* wasn't attracted to either of them. They felt flat to me. Mersey had more personality than Jack, IMO, but neither of them had much to speak of.
So I guess this book just isn't for me. I don't mean to massacre it totally (although I know that's how this review reads - sorry) because it's not awful. Believe me, I've read far worse. But the lack of any emotional bond would have made me rate it 3-star, and the irritating obsession with those few words pushed it into 2-star territory for me.
I'm disappointed, mostly in myself, because when I read Michele Hauf's bio-blurb she sounded like such an awesome person and I really thought I was going to love her book. I'm not sure why I didn't. It's rated quite highly on here, so perhaps the fault is with me rather than the book.
There were a couple things I found annoying and distracting. Firstly, I'm guessing that Ms Hauf hasn't spent too much time around English people. I've lived most of my life (23 out of 29 years) either in London or just outside it, and we don't talk like the characters in this book. Ms Hauf seems obsessed with the words "snog" "shag" and "arse" (as well as words derived from these) and uses them on what feels like every other page. While these are words that Brits use, some more than others, we don't use them exclusively past the age of 13 or 14. Even the least educated of us have a more extensive vocabulary than that. I know it probably sounds like nitpicking, and maybe it is, but it was annoyingly monotonous, to the point that I was mentally blocking out any conversation between hero and heroine. I expect novels - and particularly genres like paranormal romance - to be vibrant things full of vocabulary that's both colourful and extensive. Ms Hauf may have managed the colourful - at least to the eyes of those who weren't born in London - but somehow the repetitiveness of the word choices made parts of the book read less like a novel and more like a droning educational text.
I realise that this is something that not all readers, particularly American readers, will be bothered by. Plenty of people don't read a book for its sparkling prose, they read it for the story.
The story itself was fine. I have no real positive or negative comments about it. I did like the idea of the parallel realms and two opposing factions hunting otherworldly creatures, and if I'd enjoyed this book more I'd probably have wanted to read more about P-Cell and the Cadre.
The characters were okay, if you can get past the annoying language issues. But I sensed no real emotional bond between them. I couldn't understand why they were attracted to each other, probably because *I* wasn't attracted to either of them. They felt flat to me. Mersey had more personality than Jack, IMO, but neither of them had much to speak of.
So I guess this book just isn't for me. I don't mean to massacre it totally (although I know that's how this review reads - sorry) because it's not awful. Believe me, I've read far worse. But the lack of any emotional bond would have made me rate it 3-star, and the irritating obsession with those few words pushed it into 2-star territory for me.
February 23, 2012
He’d witnessed the extraordinary, again. This time Jack Harris was an agent with MI5 in England, and the monster, demon, devil had just sucked the living heart out of his partner; the partner Jack thought he was in love with. The anger within Jack made him a perfect agent for the P-Cell, a special super-secret group within MI5 that killed the demons, or the OEs, (otherworldly entities). He wanted revenge for his partner; carrying the guilt that he couldn’t save her and the guilt from his childhood when he’d made a child’s wish. Mersey Bane is a familiar with the uncanny ability to shift into a black cat. She’d been trained from little to be a capture specialist; she traps the demons for later return to the dark realm or for permanent storage. Crossing paths with Jack while he’s on a hunt is far too much of a coincidence. From the moment Mersey sets eyes on him, she has the strongest urge to kiss him. And much to Jack’s surprise she does! But they work for rival groups; Mersey for the Cadre that captures the demons and Jack for P-Cell that destroys them. Yet they have a connection to one another that goes back to when Mersey was still in the womb and Jack had been a wide-eyed brave little boy.
This is my very first Nocturne and my first in the paranormal genre. It took me a bit to get into this book, until I realized that the teeny tiny print was my hold up and I reached for the 1.5 readers. Then the story took hold and I was introduced to the world of demons and familiars. I loved Ms. Hauf’s Jack; he’s one delectable hero and I wouldn’t mind snogging him for awhile! Mersey believes with all her heart that she’ll find “the one” that is for her. But in the meantime she’s lonely, and she doesn’t want to hold back her intense attraction to Jack. They have some really hot scenes! And being privy to their naughty thoughts is a real treat! This book had an unusual ending that I found surprising but actually very fitting. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience with the dark realm.
December 13, 2013
I really wanted to like this, it has so many elements that I like and Michele Hauf is one of my favourite paranormal writers, however something just didn't gel for me with this one.
I think my major gripe is the fact that its set in England and the author has tried to use English slang such as "snogging" and "shagging" which is majorly off putting. It immediately made me dislike the hero.
Didn't particularly warm to either character - this was very much from Jack's POV and I think I'd much rather it have been from Mersey the heroine's, because as it stands I just didn't 'feel' her.
The plot is this book's strongest point. I liked the story and really liked the paranormal world set up here with the two rival groups dealing with the paranormal - one killing indiscriminately, the other capturing and interrogating. I liked the set up too of the lovers being from rival groups.
Wasn't too convinced by the romance. It was very sudden and just because Mersey's mum had decided he was going to be her daughter's mate way back when wasn't enough for me. I think again the problem stems from us not seeing enough of Mersey's POV.
This is a nice quick read with an engaging story, but ultimately let down by the characters and language.
I think my major gripe is the fact that its set in England and the author has tried to use English slang such as "snogging" and "shagging" which is majorly off putting. It immediately made me dislike the hero.
Didn't particularly warm to either character - this was very much from Jack's POV and I think I'd much rather it have been from Mersey the heroine's, because as it stands I just didn't 'feel' her.
The plot is this book's strongest point. I liked the story and really liked the paranormal world set up here with the two rival groups dealing with the paranormal - one killing indiscriminately, the other capturing and interrogating. I liked the set up too of the lovers being from rival groups.
Wasn't too convinced by the romance. It was very sudden and just because Mersey's mum had decided he was going to be her daughter's mate way back when wasn't enough for me. I think again the problem stems from us not seeing enough of Mersey's POV.
This is a nice quick read with an engaging story, but ultimately let down by the characters and language.
January 1, 2011
I loved this book! It was fantastic, and delved into so many excellent otherworldly things, that I wish there was going to be another Mersey and Jack story. Although, this is the first book in the Dark Enchanments series, which spans four books by four different authors.
This was a fantastic start into the mysterious world of the Cadre. And once you get to the end of the book, you realise just how perfect this title is. Perfect and clever.
Both Mersey and Jack (gotta love a hero called Jack! I know I do) were very likeable characters that learn a lot about themselves and each other throughout the story. While leading the reader further into this intriguing world of demons, faeries and so much more that I know we'll meet along the way...
Anyway, as you can tell I really, really, really enjoyed this book and will definitely be checking out the next books. Michele's such a great writer.
This was a fantastic start into the mysterious world of the Cadre. And once you get to the end of the book, you realise just how perfect this title is. Perfect and clever.
Both Mersey and Jack (gotta love a hero called Jack! I know I do) were very likeable characters that learn a lot about themselves and each other throughout the story. While leading the reader further into this intriguing world of demons, faeries and so much more that I know we'll meet along the way...
Anyway, as you can tell I really, really, really enjoyed this book and will definitely be checking out the next books. Michele's such a great writer.
February 29, 2016
My rating for this book probably says more about me right now than it does about the book itself, but I found myself nit-picking everything as I read. I keep picking up romances, only to be reminded that I’m not really into romance anymore. I don’t buy the explosive immediate relationship (seriously, you run into a man holding a big f**king gun in a dark abandoned warehouse and your first thought is to KISS him?!), and the conflict between them seemed manufactured and far-fetched. I just couldn’t suspend my disbelief enough to get into this one to the level I would have needed to in order to give it a higher score. I finished it, but I must admit I skimmed the last few chapters and I was glad when I turned the last page.
August 1, 2011
Well I have to say this wasn't one of Michelle Hauf's best books, but it was okay and did keep my interest to get me to the end. I like this authors style of writing, and as usual it was clear, to the point, descriptive and quite 'sweet' in places. There was some action and intrigue, and a nice little romance going alongside, but for me it just lacked something that I can't quite put my finger on, and hence didn't have a 'WOW factor'. I also felt the ending seemed a bit rushed and suddenly 'crept up on you'! It's not a book I would read again, but it was worth reading and would give paranormal romance fans a nice filler if you are not sure what to read next!
March 4, 2012
Story and idea good. Plot was in there somewhere, but to many side tracks. Way to much slang, took away form the story. She was raised fairly cloistered and he was in the secret service? They talked teenage "trash". Didn't sound believable and he was way too much "Queen of Denial" for me. I've read and enjoyed many of her books, this was just not a best effort.
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May 22, 2008This was about a woman who is a familiar and can turn into a black cat. The guy is a P Cell member - they track demons. The demons are using him for a portal to enter earth but he does not realise it. The familiar can see that this is occurring and tries to help him fight the demons.
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September 11, 2010i loved it!
August 10, 2014
very cheesy. The only chapter I liked was the last one.
December 20, 2015
i didn't realize that this was a series. nevertheless the book was good. it has so many supernatural/fantasy elements on it. it's just that the story didn't stayed long in me. i don't know..
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews