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Court of Angels #1
Out of Body
Born of an ancient family of clairvoyants, Marley Millet finds that her psychic gift is both unsettling and incredibly dangerous. She never wants to "travel" again—but the choice is not hers to make.
After glimpsing the fates of two missing New Orleans jazz singers, Marley knows she has no choice and must speak up before more women disappear. Flinty cop-turned-writer Gray Fisher, who interviewed both chanteuses before they vanished, takes a special interest in Marley's incredible story—and in Marley.
Scouring the wild clubs of the French Quarter, Marley and Gray make an unlikely and uneasy team. But their determination is matched only by the heat between them…and the evil they have uncovered.
After glimpsing the fates of two missing New Orleans jazz singers, Marley knows she has no choice and must speak up before more women disappear. Flinty cop-turned-writer Gray Fisher, who interviewed both chanteuses before they vanished, takes a special interest in Marley's incredible story—and in Marley.
Scouring the wild clubs of the French Quarter, Marley and Gray make an unlikely and uneasy team. But their determination is matched only by the heat between them…and the evil they have uncovered.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2010
82 people are currently reading
1137 people want to read
About the author
Stella Cameron
106 books420 followersStella Cameron is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. With over fourteen million copies of her books in print, Cameron is now turning her pen to mysteries and independently publishing COLD, Introducing Alex Duggins. She draws on her English background for this new, already critically acclaimed mystery series. Atmospheric, deeply character and relationship driven, COLD reveals the power of old secrets to twist the present. Cameron’s reputation for using her backgrounds to add tension and allure to her stories is heightened again.
Cameron is the recipient of the Pacific Northwest Achievement Award for distinguished professional achievement and for enhancing the stature of the Northwest Literary community. She lives in Washington with her husband Jerry, her Papillon Millie, black cat Zipper, and a cheeky little tabby named Jack.
Cameron is the recipient of the Pacific Northwest Achievement Award for distinguished professional achievement and for enhancing the stature of the Northwest Literary community. She lives in Washington with her husband Jerry, her Papillon Millie, black cat Zipper, and a cheeky little tabby named Jack.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
April 20, 2020
Recently, I have read too many very average books that did not really interest me, which is why I completely lost my patience with this one. I decided to abandon it in about half.
I wasn't interested in neither the characters nor the storyline. Gray and Marley are not interesting characters. And even their psychic abilities can’t help it. To be honest, all I can say about Marley except that she has visions is that she is quite annoying. Gray is completely dull to me. I didn't care about them at all.
These two are apparently absolutely fascinated with each other and are attracted to each other at first sight. In my opinion, there is nothing to justified that. But it can also be a light play on the idea of star-crossed lovers. But it goes a lot more like insta love. I didn't care if they were together in the end. I couldn't find any real feelings between them except lust. In one of the last scenes I read - the scene of the first kiss - Gray states that although he has known Marley for only several days, he is not only fascinated by her, but also begins to care for her very much. I couldn't sense it either.
Unfortunately, the suspense thread does not save that either. It may be a bit interesting, but not so much as to encourage me to read the whole book, which is not among the shortest. The story doesn't move very fast. And something is missing ... I can't even say exactly what. It's just not interesting to me.
I needed this book for two of my reading challenges and I really regret it turned out not to be as good as I had hoped. I know this is only one book in the series, but I'm not sure if I want to read other books in the series now.
I wasn't interested in neither the characters nor the storyline. Gray and Marley are not interesting characters. And even their psychic abilities can’t help it. To be honest, all I can say about Marley except that she has visions is that she is quite annoying. Gray is completely dull to me. I didn't care about them at all.
These two are apparently absolutely fascinated with each other and are attracted to each other at first sight. In my opinion, there is nothing to justified that. But it can also be a light play on the idea of star-crossed lovers. But it goes a lot more like insta love. I didn't care if they were together in the end. I couldn't find any real feelings between them except lust. In one of the last scenes I read - the scene of the first kiss - Gray states that although he has known Marley for only several days, he is not only fascinated by her, but also begins to care for her very much. I couldn't sense it either.
Unfortunately, the suspense thread does not save that either. It may be a bit interesting, but not so much as to encourage me to read the whole book, which is not among the shortest. The story doesn't move very fast. And something is missing ... I can't even say exactly what. It's just not interesting to me.
I needed this book for two of my reading challenges and I really regret it turned out not to be as good as I had hoped. I know this is only one book in the series, but I'm not sure if I want to read other books in the series now.
October 22, 2011
Out of Body
2 Stars
Synopsis:
Born into an ancient family of clairvoyants, Marley Millet is no stranger to the unsettling aspects of the psychic world but now she has encountered a dangerous foe. After witnessing the fate of two missing women, Marley teams up with former cop turned writer, Gray Fisher. Can these two unlikely allies uncover the truth before it is too late and an unspeakable evil takes hold in the world?
Review:
Psychic phenomena are one of my favorite premises but Out of Body fails dismally in this area. The book would probably have been better as a straight serial killer/romantic suspense story without the paranormal aspects.
The plot moves at a snail’s pace and the writing is overly descriptive with some confusing jumps both in content and logic. The nature of the supernatural creature allegedly responsible for the victims’ disappearances remains unclear as does the identity of the actual perpetrator. Moreover, the supposed twist at the end is neither surprising nor exciting.
The romance is lackluster and it is difficult to care about either of the characters. Marley and Gray are supposedly fated mates but their chemistry is non-existent and the explanation of their connection completely illogical. Marley is too independent and secretive. She doesn’t even trust the members of her own family and never asks for help even though she is in desperate need of it (definitely TSTL). Gray’s characterization is better. He has a traumatic past and it is interesting to see his developing abilities but the reason he is drawn to Marley remains unexplained.
Out of Body is disjointed and confusing, and the secondary characters are not interesting enough to compel me to continue with the series.
2 Stars
Synopsis:
Born into an ancient family of clairvoyants, Marley Millet is no stranger to the unsettling aspects of the psychic world but now she has encountered a dangerous foe. After witnessing the fate of two missing women, Marley teams up with former cop turned writer, Gray Fisher. Can these two unlikely allies uncover the truth before it is too late and an unspeakable evil takes hold in the world?
Review:
Psychic phenomena are one of my favorite premises but Out of Body fails dismally in this area. The book would probably have been better as a straight serial killer/romantic suspense story without the paranormal aspects.
The plot moves at a snail’s pace and the writing is overly descriptive with some confusing jumps both in content and logic. The nature of the supernatural creature allegedly responsible for the victims’ disappearances remains unclear as does the identity of the actual perpetrator. Moreover, the supposed twist at the end is neither surprising nor exciting.
The romance is lackluster and it is difficult to care about either of the characters. Marley and Gray are supposedly fated mates but their chemistry is non-existent and the explanation of their connection completely illogical. Marley is too independent and secretive. She doesn’t even trust the members of her own family and never asks for help even though she is in desperate need of it (definitely TSTL). Gray’s characterization is better. He has a traumatic past and it is interesting to see his developing abilities but the reason he is drawn to Marley remains unexplained.
Out of Body is disjointed and confusing, and the secondary characters are not interesting enough to compel me to continue with the series.
April 10, 2020
When a Nancy Drew quickie from the mid-90s is the best thing you've read in recent memory, there's a problem! I will concede that Out Of The Body had some okay ideas going for it, but the execution is totally incompetent. This is one of the most badly written books I have encountered in some time. Events are confusingly described, and the dialogue is just utterly atrocious. The plot barely manages to hang together, and I had to read it in small patches to avoid me giving up and throwing the book at the wall!
The heroine is Marley Millet, who comes from a long line of psychics. All her family members have different sorts of powers. Although described as psychic, Marley's abilities more resemble astral projection, where she is able to leave her body. During one of these times, she gets visions of female singers who have gone missing in the French Quarter of New Orleans. This brings her into contact with Gray Fisher, a cop-turned-journalist who has interviewed a couple of the missing women as part of an ongoing story about those singers only just managing to eke out a living.
It sometimes felt as if I had been dropped into the middle of an ongoing storyline, even though this was the first book in the series! It seems the Millet family are the arch nemesis of a species that lives deep underground called the Embran. Only one Embran is allowed to the Earth's surface at a time in order to find a cure for an illness killing their breed after a Millet married an Embran centuries ago. There's also some nonsense about all the Millets having red hair, but if one of them is born with black hair, something bad will happen. It also throws in talk about The Mentor, who was the one who originally married an Embran, causing the curse in the first place. Then there's The Bonding, in which a Millet is preordained to be with another person. In Marley's case, obviously, this refers to Gray.
None of the various themes raised in the book are explored in any deep fashion, remaining vague at best. As mentioned previously, events are confusingly described. There was also the problem, I guess, that I was never invested in the material! When I picked up a book that mentioned it involved psychics, I wasn't expecting it to include a species of creatures that live underground and possibly resemble Komodo dragons and able to take human form! Not the sort of thing I really go after in my reading pursuits, especially if the book is supposed to be a romance!
Ultimately, the biggest sin was boredom. The plot consisted of little more than either Marley or Gray wanting to go somewhere and do something and arguing about if the other should go with them. It got SO tedious. The terrible dialogue is further hampered by Marley's brother Sykes stepping in and having telepathic conversations with her while other conversations are going on. It all made for a confusing, badly written, yawn-inducing mess of a book.
There are two more books following this, and though I have no intention whatsoever of reading them, their titles are apt: Out Of Sight and Out Of Mind, two things I hope this book will be, as soon as possible.
The heroine is Marley Millet, who comes from a long line of psychics. All her family members have different sorts of powers. Although described as psychic, Marley's abilities more resemble astral projection, where she is able to leave her body. During one of these times, she gets visions of female singers who have gone missing in the French Quarter of New Orleans. This brings her into contact with Gray Fisher, a cop-turned-journalist who has interviewed a couple of the missing women as part of an ongoing story about those singers only just managing to eke out a living.
It sometimes felt as if I had been dropped into the middle of an ongoing storyline, even though this was the first book in the series! It seems the Millet family are the arch nemesis of a species that lives deep underground called the Embran. Only one Embran is allowed to the Earth's surface at a time in order to find a cure for an illness killing their breed after a Millet married an Embran centuries ago. There's also some nonsense about all the Millets having red hair, but if one of them is born with black hair, something bad will happen. It also throws in talk about The Mentor, who was the one who originally married an Embran, causing the curse in the first place. Then there's The Bonding, in which a Millet is preordained to be with another person. In Marley's case, obviously, this refers to Gray.
None of the various themes raised in the book are explored in any deep fashion, remaining vague at best. As mentioned previously, events are confusingly described. There was also the problem, I guess, that I was never invested in the material! When I picked up a book that mentioned it involved psychics, I wasn't expecting it to include a species of creatures that live underground and possibly resemble Komodo dragons and able to take human form! Not the sort of thing I really go after in my reading pursuits, especially if the book is supposed to be a romance!
Ultimately, the biggest sin was boredom. The plot consisted of little more than either Marley or Gray wanting to go somewhere and do something and arguing about if the other should go with them. It got SO tedious. The terrible dialogue is further hampered by Marley's brother Sykes stepping in and having telepathic conversations with her while other conversations are going on. It all made for a confusing, badly written, yawn-inducing mess of a book.
There are two more books following this, and though I have no intention whatsoever of reading them, their titles are apt: Out Of Sight and Out Of Mind, two things I hope this book will be, as soon as possible.
July 6, 2022
More a 2.9
The idea is great and some scenes were proof of the author's wonderful imagination.
However, the romance and the execution in general felt rather boring most of the time.
Another one I probably would have appreciated more had I read it in 2010, when I bought it.
The idea is great and some scenes were proof of the author's wonderful imagination.
However, the romance and the execution in general felt rather boring most of the time.
Another one I probably would have appreciated more had I read it in 2010, when I bought it.
April 5, 2010
Little bit weak and disjointed in the telling. Not as interesting as I had hoped it would be. Obviously set up to be continued in the next two books. Marley and Gray are fated to be with one another but the road to each other is lame and so is their adversary. So there is this unknnown ancient enemy who is immortal but for the fact that it is infected with "something" that makes it rot and it has to find a portal back to the place where it can be revitalized. Alot of women are kidnapped and some of dead and no one knows why. Well, its the ancient enemy of course and his connections. Why does the enemy have to be komodo dragon like with no identifyable dna? This is all too confusing and not very interesting at all. I had to struggle to finish this book. It was not worth it. Disappointing since I have read some very good books by this author
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2011
Marley Millet is a clairvoyant who travels outside her body (hence the title) where she is trying to decipher who is killing singers in New Orleans. Ex-cop turned journalist, Gray Fisher was investigating two of the four missing women and seems to be a suspect. When Marley and Gray team up, it is a strained relationship since Marley doesn't trust Gray. On the other hand, Gray is instantly attracted to Marley and wants her assistance in solving the mystery among other things.
This is a totally unique take on demons and dragons. The psychic elements were a little different too. The Millet family is a unique group of psychics with varying specialties. The family curse is not a new element but having the only non-red haired family member being the potential ruiner of the family is interesting. Being the non-red head in question, Sykes (who isn't the hero but is featured in this book) was definitely an anomaly. Unfortunately before I can get to his story, I need to read Willow's first. Willow wasn't a character that I particularly enjoyed but she's part of the family and I'm sure her book will be good too.
The only thing that I found disconcerting was that events were mentioned where it seemed that you should know what they were. They the details were revealed in visions or dreams afterwards. It kept me thinking I'd missed something or that this really wasn't the first book in the series.
The suspense portion of this book was great. The identity of the serial killer is a total surprise and a well kept secret right up until the end. Even with the killer's perspective (which was really cool), there were not enough clues to figure out the who or why.
This is a totally unique take on demons and dragons. The psychic elements were a little different too. The Millet family is a unique group of psychics with varying specialties. The family curse is not a new element but having the only non-red haired family member being the potential ruiner of the family is interesting. Being the non-red head in question, Sykes (who isn't the hero but is featured in this book) was definitely an anomaly. Unfortunately before I can get to his story, I need to read Willow's first. Willow wasn't a character that I particularly enjoyed but she's part of the family and I'm sure her book will be good too.
The only thing that I found disconcerting was that events were mentioned where it seemed that you should know what they were. They the details were revealed in visions or dreams afterwards. It kept me thinking I'd missed something or that this really wasn't the first book in the series.
The suspense portion of this book was great. The identity of the serial killer is a total surprise and a well kept secret right up until the end. Even with the killer's perspective (which was really cool), there were not enough clues to figure out the who or why.
November 28, 2020
Well written but the subject matter takes some getting used to. Add to that I seldom like books that are set in New Orleans. I'm not sure why. I've been there several times and love the music and the food. The books set there seem to have a drab overcast though. I feel like the color is washed out somehow. Since the writing is good, I will try the next in this series and probably a stand-alone novel before I give up on this author. She was mentioned in a JAK book, so I thought I'd give her a try.
March 22, 2010
The Millet family has always been different. But their gift of paranormal powers is also their curse, thanks to Jude Millet marrying the wrong woman, resulting in the family’s exile first from Belgium and then from London. Now, three hundred years later, the Embran, the dark creatures living deep underground, the same race Jude’s wife was from, are back, trying to find the cure to the disease the woman has brought into their domain. And the Millets are the only ones that can stop them. Again, thanks to Jude Millet, the Mentor, living in the attic of the Millet house, supervising and guiding them…Thus begins this story, the first in an exciting new series of paranormal thrillers.
The first story introduces the reader (a little) into the history of the Millet family (and the supposed curse brought on by Jude, the only dark-haired, blue-eyed male in the family of redheads) and the race of dark beings, called the Embran, that seek the cure to the disease on of their own brought upon them from her journey to the surface (Jude’s wife). Apparently the only way they can survive on the surface is by killing and feeding of their victims, which results in a couple of jazz singers (female) missing and a floater found in the river with no water in he lungs and multiple puncture wounds on her body (was it really a gator attack?).
Marley Millet has had close contact with the missing women – as close as an out-of-body experience can get her – and she knows she’s the only one who can find these woman and help them. Pity she cannot go to the police and tell them of their experience, since everybody in New Orleans knows of her woo-woo family. But as things start to escalate and her guides keep begging her to save the women Marley knows she has no choice. She needs to do something. Lucky for her, the detective in charge has some prior experience with the "woo-woo stuff" and his friend, ex-cop turned journalist, Gray Fisher, that interviewed the missing women, seems to be a latent psychic…And also her Bonded partner (the Millet family variation on soul-mate).
Soon Marley and Gray find themselves immersed in a race against time to find the missing women, prevent more killing and keep the creature away from Marley, all the while dogging her family members (especially her nosy – and sometimes invisible – dark-haired, blue-eyes brother, second in the family) determined to protect Marley from Gray (because he terrifies her, but not for reasons they think), then determined to find out if they’re really Bonded, and of course fighting the attraction between them that’s becoming more painful with each passing moment.
I cannot tell you how much I ended up enjoying this book. I read the prologue, I was hooked, and my interest didn’t wan until the very end. The premise was intriguing and nicely executed, the pacing was even at the beginning and increased with each page toward the end. What would otherwise be a gripping thriller was nicely sprinkled with paranormal elements, that sounded fresh and intriguing, and a good, well-developed romance.
The characters were wonderful, nicely-layer and well-developed, I loved both Marley (despite her annoying habit of never needing anyone and keeping everybody at a distance) and Gray (one of my favorite heroes out there, quirky and serious, professional and funny, and all in all a hot tamale, though I don’t particularly like blondes ;)), and the supporting cast was just wonderful, with Gray’s detective friend Nat Archer and Marley’s quirky family. I’m looking forward to Sykes’ book in May.
A wonderful start to the series, making the reader want to know more…Quickly. 5 stars
The first story introduces the reader (a little) into the history of the Millet family (and the supposed curse brought on by Jude, the only dark-haired, blue-eyed male in the family of redheads) and the race of dark beings, called the Embran, that seek the cure to the disease on of their own brought upon them from her journey to the surface (Jude’s wife). Apparently the only way they can survive on the surface is by killing and feeding of their victims, which results in a couple of jazz singers (female) missing and a floater found in the river with no water in he lungs and multiple puncture wounds on her body (was it really a gator attack?).
Marley Millet has had close contact with the missing women – as close as an out-of-body experience can get her – and she knows she’s the only one who can find these woman and help them. Pity she cannot go to the police and tell them of their experience, since everybody in New Orleans knows of her woo-woo family. But as things start to escalate and her guides keep begging her to save the women Marley knows she has no choice. She needs to do something. Lucky for her, the detective in charge has some prior experience with the "woo-woo stuff" and his friend, ex-cop turned journalist, Gray Fisher, that interviewed the missing women, seems to be a latent psychic…And also her Bonded partner (the Millet family variation on soul-mate).
Soon Marley and Gray find themselves immersed in a race against time to find the missing women, prevent more killing and keep the creature away from Marley, all the while dogging her family members (especially her nosy – and sometimes invisible – dark-haired, blue-eyes brother, second in the family) determined to protect Marley from Gray (because he terrifies her, but not for reasons they think), then determined to find out if they’re really Bonded, and of course fighting the attraction between them that’s becoming more painful with each passing moment.
I cannot tell you how much I ended up enjoying this book. I read the prologue, I was hooked, and my interest didn’t wan until the very end. The premise was intriguing and nicely executed, the pacing was even at the beginning and increased with each page toward the end. What would otherwise be a gripping thriller was nicely sprinkled with paranormal elements, that sounded fresh and intriguing, and a good, well-developed romance.
The characters were wonderful, nicely-layer and well-developed, I loved both Marley (despite her annoying habit of never needing anyone and keeping everybody at a distance) and Gray (one of my favorite heroes out there, quirky and serious, professional and funny, and all in all a hot tamale, though I don’t particularly like blondes ;)), and the supporting cast was just wonderful, with Gray’s detective friend Nat Archer and Marley’s quirky family. I’m looking forward to Sykes’ book in May.
A wonderful start to the series, making the reader want to know more…Quickly. 5 stars
August 14, 2010
From the beginning, I had a hard time reading this book. It was as if huge chunks of the mythology were left out and the reader was supposed to already know about the Millet family. But, even as more of the story started to unfold, I still felt like I was a step behind. I ended up reading the other two books I'll read because they've already been mailed, but this series is definitely not Cameron's best.
Marley Millet is psychic. She can see what's happening in other places, right now what's going on with women who are being kidnapped in New Orleans, singers specifically.
Gray Fisher has been writing a story about the women musicians and is suspicious when Marley comes into his ex-partner's office and describes how the abductions happened. He decides to stick around this weird lady and ends up uncovering his own psychic potential.
Not really loving this, I feel like his character wasn't really well developed, we only got little snippets of what made him the man he is today. The same was true for Marley. The second book got a little better, but only marginally.
Marley Millet is psychic. She can see what's happening in other places, right now what's going on with women who are being kidnapped in New Orleans, singers specifically.
Gray Fisher has been writing a story about the women musicians and is suspicious when Marley comes into his ex-partner's office and describes how the abductions happened. He decides to stick around this weird lady and ends up uncovering his own psychic potential.
Not really loving this, I feel like his character wasn't really well developed, we only got little snippets of what made him the man he is today. The same was true for Marley. The second book got a little better, but only marginally.
August 10, 2010
This book has it all, a love story, magic, and good old fashion horror. This is the story of Marly Millet of the "woo woo"crazy Millet family in,where else, New Orleans. The whole family has different paranormal talents and you do get a good look at her family also. They are trying to find out about the Millet curse, mom and dad in Europe leaving the family in the hands of Uncle Pascal.
This is Marley and Grey's story of how they fell in love while trying to solve some murders. It kept me interested from the beginning and did wrap up this part of the saga nicely, leaving you to look forward to the next book. I do recommend this book, it has something for all. Not just a wham bam thank you ma'am, the story will leave you page turning until all hours of the night.
This is Marley and Grey's story of how they fell in love while trying to solve some murders. It kept me interested from the beginning and did wrap up this part of the saga nicely, leaving you to look forward to the next book. I do recommend this book, it has something for all. Not just a wham bam thank you ma'am, the story will leave you page turning until all hours of the night.
March 2, 2014
I'm not usually a mystery fan, but this seems doable. Maybe it is a paranormal elements that made me more comfortable? When I started I had some trouble getting into the story. It felt like I was missing a large chunk of the history and that chunk was needed to understand. As I read on I realized that the chunk is also missing from the characters. A prevalent story line is about the family finding out who they are and if the curse is real. It's much easier to feel lost when the characters are unsure as well. I just hope the next two novels continue addressing this.
tbr-later
November 5, 201529 June 2015: $2.99 on Kindle
September 3, 2011
I can't believe I wasted my time reading this crap.
May 27, 2023
Additional reviews available on my blog. https://lifeaskatherine.blogspot.com/
This book looked exciting. It has all the elements that would make it a thrilling ride for me.
Then it just... wasn't. Frankly, I grew bored with it and debated whether to even finish it.
For me, the characters were pretty flat. There was no inner struggle for Marley, and Gray's didn't appear until the end of the book, and then it was barely mentioned again. Not much of an inner conflict. The author tried to make the characters interesting with psychic powers, but while that is an interesting aspect, it doesn't layer the character for a deeper look into who they are. It's all surface information, and that doesn't make for a compelling character.
The chemistry between the two main characters was nonexistent. They were supposed to have some exceptional bond, beyond that of a normal pairing between people, but I didn't even feel a regular attraction between them. It was difficult to root for them as a romantic couple when I couldn't feel their attraction to begin with.
The plot had a little more going for it with a fast pace and fascinating antagonist, but with flat and uninteresting characters, even an interesting plot can't save the novel.
Overall, this was a novel that, for me, was fatally flawed with uninteresting, flat characters that made even an interesting plot boring because I didn't have an interest to read about the characters.
This is the first book in a trilogy that I will not be continuing.
This book looked exciting. It has all the elements that would make it a thrilling ride for me.
Then it just... wasn't. Frankly, I grew bored with it and debated whether to even finish it.
For me, the characters were pretty flat. There was no inner struggle for Marley, and Gray's didn't appear until the end of the book, and then it was barely mentioned again. Not much of an inner conflict. The author tried to make the characters interesting with psychic powers, but while that is an interesting aspect, it doesn't layer the character for a deeper look into who they are. It's all surface information, and that doesn't make for a compelling character.
The chemistry between the two main characters was nonexistent. They were supposed to have some exceptional bond, beyond that of a normal pairing between people, but I didn't even feel a regular attraction between them. It was difficult to root for them as a romantic couple when I couldn't feel their attraction to begin with.
The plot had a little more going for it with a fast pace and fascinating antagonist, but with flat and uninteresting characters, even an interesting plot can't save the novel.
Overall, this was a novel that, for me, was fatally flawed with uninteresting, flat characters that made even an interesting plot boring because I didn't have an interest to read about the characters.
This is the first book in a trilogy that I will not be continuing.
January 2, 2025
I liked the story line and concept of the book. It was not fully what I was anticipating based off of the original description though. The writing took some getting used to in order for me to follow along at times about what was going on, because of the fact that I was not expecting "other worldly creatures" to be involved. So this being said, it took a bit for me to understand what was going on when they were introduced. Also, the background story of Gray seemed to have been thrown in there. His story wasn't really incorporated until the last 60 pages or so... due to this it seemed kind of like an after thought, but did give a bit more clarification to the character.
I actually did not finish the rest of this series after reading this because it was not really my cup of tea... I even sold the books after.
I actually did not finish the rest of this series after reading this because it was not really my cup of tea... I even sold the books after.
October 31, 2019
I don't know if I can truely give an honest review of this book. It took me almost 3 months to read and it wasn't because of the book, I just had a lot going on in my life and I read another book inbetween. So with that bit of information please take this review with a grain of salt. I liked the story line idea. I wish I could have learned more about Gray's back story. It sounded so interesting. We get a few snippets here and there. I also wished for more information about the Embran and the Millet family curse. Maybe that will come into play in the following Court of Angels books. Sometimes the story jumped or skipped a bit. When you read a part and all of sudden your back reading that same part because it just doesn't make sense.
March 18, 2019
Out of Body was okay. It wasn't great because there was lots of repeat garbage about "Bonding" that despite being mentioned in every chapter is never really explained. Why harp on it if your not going to explain it.
Things not explained:
1) bonding
2) some kind of trial
3) curse
4) Mentor
5) embran
Seriously this is 4 things too many to not be explaining in your own work.
I'm truly sorry but hopefully this makes your books way better in the future. Because as the reader it is not my job to be explaining your concepts and/or completing your book for you.
Things not explained:
1) bonding
2) some kind of trial
3) curse
4) Mentor
5) embran
Seriously this is 4 things too many to not be explaining in your own work.
I'm truly sorry but hopefully this makes your books way better in the future. Because as the reader it is not my job to be explaining your concepts and/or completing your book for you.
April 26, 2018
I loved the concept but immediately, from the start I could tell Marley was just another Mary Sue. I don't like stories where the main character/female isn't intelligent enough see "the bad thing" coming. Authors should be able to write better than that. I like strong capable women who can take care of themselves and don't need to be rescued.
April 17, 2024
I only finished this book to find out what happened with the big, bad Embran. What a lame ending. It felt rushed just to make room for future books. Marley was a weak protagonist. Some of us like a Romance with 'a little character', not 'little character'. Let's just make being Psychic like being Hypoglycemic! Ugh!
December 27, 2018
I liked it
I want to read the rest of the series. The romance isn't that great, not bad but not exceptional. Dialog was good. There seem to be some aspects that are missing. Hopefully the next book will clear them up.
I want to read the rest of the series. The romance isn't that great, not bad but not exceptional. Dialog was good. There seem to be some aspects that are missing. Hopefully the next book will clear them up.
February 9, 2021
I persevered until end of ch. 11. I was perfectly fine with the premise/plot but what defeated me was the writing, and the character development. Meh. Maybe I should have given it longer but it was too juvenile, pedestrian and boring.
July 14, 2023
Just a ridiculous story of a family with different psychic powers who leaves each other to work alone and along comes Gray a supposed journalist who is "coming into" his powers. I wasted too much time on this story of monsters from other places in New Orleans.
November 26, 2018
Paranormal mystery first. Romance second. Ruthless villain. Mysterious powers. Fun people. Just my thing and well written - glad to have found this one!
Read
April 6, 2021Wow!!
Hold on to the edge of your seat intense story!! I'm very excited to read the next ebook in the series. 😁
Hold on to the edge of your seat intense story!! I'm very excited to read the next ebook in the series. 😁
June 23, 2025
This book was a bit strange
June 20, 2011
Half-way through this book I was convinced I had read it before. My memory is bad, but not bad enough to forget a book I read in 2010, the date of the copyright. So it was just 'one of those books I felt like I had read before'.
Out of Body is one of those typical cliché stories about a psychopath who kidnaps and brutalizes women. The only variation is that the psychopath is of the supernatural variety. He or 'it', is a member of the 'Embran family', but little information about this family is ever provided.
The main character is Marley. She is an antiques restorer. She is very close to her family. They all have their own psychic supernatural abilities and most of them have red hair, which is mentioned a multitude of times. I did not find Marley to be a believable character. This was not due to her 'abilities'. For one thing she seemed much older than her given age of 30. For another thing I found it odd that she has lived in New Orleans all her life, yet she appears to have no friends other than her family. I did not catch a mention of former love interests, or a best friend that calls every once in awhile... nothing. This is just yet another example of the lack of character development in this story.
For a paranormal romance there is also a lack of paranormal psychic activity, which would have been understandable if the writer wanted the story to be seeded in reality. I believe in 'real life' there are psychics or at the very least people whom are more perceptive than most. The story is already pushing the boundaries of reality with its transgressor, a 'supernatural creature', who doesn't share human DNA. Why not make the character's abilities seem a little more active and interesting ?
This story skips around a lot which kept me from getting completely bored. But this did little to mask the fact that very little happens.
One good thing I can say about this book is that the dog doesn't die. While Winnie was not my favorite fictional canine pooch, I was relieved she wasn't introduced to the story to be the hapless animal sacrifice like many other thriller stories seem to include.
Based on other reviews about this story, which mentioned this is not the author's best work, I am willing to try other books by this author. It is unlikely that I will read the rest of this series.
Out of Body is one of those typical cliché stories about a psychopath who kidnaps and brutalizes women. The only variation is that the psychopath is of the supernatural variety. He or 'it', is a member of the 'Embran family', but little information about this family is ever provided.
The main character is Marley. She is an antiques restorer. She is very close to her family. They all have their own psychic supernatural abilities and most of them have red hair, which is mentioned a multitude of times. I did not find Marley to be a believable character. This was not due to her 'abilities'. For one thing she seemed much older than her given age of 30. For another thing I found it odd that she has lived in New Orleans all her life, yet she appears to have no friends other than her family. I did not catch a mention of former love interests, or a best friend that calls every once in awhile... nothing. This is just yet another example of the lack of character development in this story.
For a paranormal romance there is also a lack of paranormal psychic activity, which would have been understandable if the writer wanted the story to be seeded in reality. I believe in 'real life' there are psychics or at the very least people whom are more perceptive than most. The story is already pushing the boundaries of reality with its transgressor, a 'supernatural creature', who doesn't share human DNA. Why not make the character's abilities seem a little more active and interesting ?
This story skips around a lot which kept me from getting completely bored. But this did little to mask the fact that very little happens.
One good thing I can say about this book is that the dog doesn't die. While Winnie was not my favorite fictional canine pooch, I was relieved she wasn't introduced to the story to be the hapless animal sacrifice like many other thriller stories seem to include.
Based on other reviews about this story, which mentioned this is not the author's best work, I am willing to try other books by this author. It is unlikely that I will read the rest of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2023
The heroine is plagued constantly by disturbing and haunting images of kidnapped woman and she can't ignore them. She goes to the police to report the information she's received during one of her out of body experiences. There she meets the hero, a retired cop who left the force to pursue a career in crime writing. He's on the case regarding missing New Orleans singers and when he realizes that he and the stunning red head are after the same thing, he insists that they team up. Not only because he worries about her habit of looking for answers in places likely to get her hurt or worse, but also because he is instantly and hopeless attracted to her.
But she's cold at first-distant. She's so independent and self-reliant that she comes off as harsh sometimes. At first, she does everything in her power to distance herself from the hero because of her overwhelming and powerful attraction to him. She knows it's her family's bond- making him her true mate but she also knows that she doesn't want to burden him with her family’s drama. But the hero is nothing if not tenacious. He sticks with it, both in their hodgepodge detective work as well as whatever it is that's growing between them bringing them closer and closer together.
I liked certain aspects of this story but others I found lacking. The positives were liked the hero. He was charming, easy going & he obviously would do anything for the heroine. I also enjoyed the heroine despite the fact that she was horribly stubborn and at times pretty ungrateful for the hero's assistants. But she grew on me as she began to warm up to the hero. The negative parts of this story were actually the story itself. I found it lacking in drama, suspense or anything remotely interesting. 3 singers from the quarter go missing. One turns up dead, and the heroine dreams of the others in pain. But it dragged its feet getting around to anything remotely interesting. The characters just kept going back to one of the singers again and again to ask the same stupid questions that didn't help in the first place. There was zero spark and it made for such a boring 'suspense' romance.
But she's cold at first-distant. She's so independent and self-reliant that she comes off as harsh sometimes. At first, she does everything in her power to distance herself from the hero because of her overwhelming and powerful attraction to him. She knows it's her family's bond- making him her true mate but she also knows that she doesn't want to burden him with her family’s drama. But the hero is nothing if not tenacious. He sticks with it, both in their hodgepodge detective work as well as whatever it is that's growing between them bringing them closer and closer together.
I liked certain aspects of this story but others I found lacking. The positives were liked the hero. He was charming, easy going & he obviously would do anything for the heroine. I also enjoyed the heroine despite the fact that she was horribly stubborn and at times pretty ungrateful for the hero's assistants. But she grew on me as she began to warm up to the hero. The negative parts of this story were actually the story itself. I found it lacking in drama, suspense or anything remotely interesting. 3 singers from the quarter go missing. One turns up dead, and the heroine dreams of the others in pain. But it dragged its feet getting around to anything remotely interesting. The characters just kept going back to one of the singers again and again to ask the same stupid questions that didn't help in the first place. There was zero spark and it made for such a boring 'suspense' romance.
May 15, 2012
Alright, I'm on the fence on this one. I enjoyed the story, but there was something missing. I have no idea what it was, but this book just didn't have that memorable flair to it. The premise is interesting, we have a family of red-haired green-eyed preternaturally gifted people, of course there is the one black-haired brother who's supposed be a 'curse' to the family. This story revolves around Marley who can 'travel' outside of her body, and can communicate psychically with her family. We find out she has 3 sisters and a brother (the cursed one) but only Willow and Sykes are really involved at this point in Marley's life. Also she has an interesting dog...not sure what to think of it. Anyway, Marley has these spirit like things that direct her to victims and she has to figure out where they are and how to help them, all while trying not to get it on with the hot reporter/ex-cop (Gray), who she just met. So...it's kind of set up like any other paranormal fantasy/romance books that are out there. I will say that there were a lot, a LOT of things left unexplained, and this kind of contributed to the flatness of the story BUT it does have the twist of a mystery, and I admit that aspect is pretty good.Putting together the mystery of how everyone was connected, why these girls were taken & who did the taking, wall all cleverly done. The hunt for clues was a big part of the story, I guess, and the sex/avoiding the sex was a big part too. We have multiple points of view, Gray, Marley & the Bad Guy. The characters are ok, the story is ok, but everything just felt ... bland. Not bad, not great, just ok. I did find the brother (Sykes) to be the most intriguing side character, and he does have his own book in this trilogy. Book 1 (this one) is Marley's story, Book 2 is Willows and Book 3 is Sykes. I'll pick up #2 eventually, I'm not in too big of a hurry though.
May 15, 2015
I am a bit torn on how to review this book. There were definitely things I liked about it, but overall it didn't blow me away. It was a little closer to three stars than two, so I went for three.
Things I liked:
This is set in New Orleans, which is one of my absolute favourite places. I'm always predisposed to read a book set there, although the book didn't really use the city as much as I feel it could have to add more flavour to the story.
I liked the family with powers scenario - don't we all wish we had "powers"?! Again, though, the story barely even touched on what the situation is with the Millets [I assume this is going to be a series and that this aspect will be more detailed in future books so I'm cutting the author some slack on this for a first book].
What didn't really grab me:
I wanted to like Marley, but for some reason I can't even quite put my finger on, I was sort of ambivalent about her. There is no reason I shouldn't connect to her, because her storyline is a good one. I really liked Gray and HIS backstory was very interesting, although we only get the barest information about his history.
The actual "villain" in this story is not something I particularly gravitate to. Without giving spoilers it's kind of hard to explain why, but the story surrounding who the baddie is, and what/why they are doing what they're doing - I was kind of "meh" about it. And since that turns out to be the major plot point, my overall reaction to the story was "eh".
That's not to say the story wasn't well written with plenty of suspense and action [and a handful of somewhat explicit sex scenes - for those who either like or don't that sort of thing you probably want to be aware of that]. All of those things are in this story. I think it just wasn't the best fit for me. But not a bad read at all.
Things I liked:
This is set in New Orleans, which is one of my absolute favourite places. I'm always predisposed to read a book set there, although the book didn't really use the city as much as I feel it could have to add more flavour to the story.
I liked the family with powers scenario - don't we all wish we had "powers"?! Again, though, the story barely even touched on what the situation is with the Millets [I assume this is going to be a series and that this aspect will be more detailed in future books so I'm cutting the author some slack on this for a first book].
What didn't really grab me:
I wanted to like Marley, but for some reason I can't even quite put my finger on, I was sort of ambivalent about her. There is no reason I shouldn't connect to her, because her storyline is a good one. I really liked Gray and HIS backstory was very interesting, although we only get the barest information about his history.
The actual "villain" in this story is not something I particularly gravitate to. Without giving spoilers it's kind of hard to explain why, but the story surrounding who the baddie is, and what/why they are doing what they're doing - I was kind of "meh" about it. And since that turns out to be the major plot point, my overall reaction to the story was "eh".
That's not to say the story wasn't well written with plenty of suspense and action [and a handful of somewhat explicit sex scenes - for those who either like or don't that sort of thing you probably want to be aware of that]. All of those things are in this story. I think it just wasn't the best fit for me. But not a bad read at all.
January 12, 2011
This review was originally posted on my review blog : http://fallingofftheshelf.blogspot.com
Marley Millet and her entire family are each gifted with a different ability. As for Marley, she can 'travel' to different places and glimpse things that she would rather not see. In this case, she's been witnessing the deaths of local New Orleans jazz singers. She can't very well go to the cops, and tell them what she has seen without looking like a crazy person. Against her better judgement, she does just that, but the only person who believes her is an ex-cop, turned writer named Gray Fisher.
The premise of this book sounded really appealing to me, so I made sure that I got my hands on a copy. After finishing it, I came to the conclusion that it wasn't nearly as good as it could have been. Marley's character was okay, but she didn't strike me the way I wished she had. I understand that the Millet family is very secretive, and don't trust the outside world, but I personally think Marley was far too shy.
I enjoyed the bit of romance between Marley and Gray. Especially the little surprise about their romance that you'll have to wait to learn when you pick up the book for yourself. I expected something along the lines of what was exposed, because of some information strewn along the way. I however, didn't expect what was revealed about Gray toward the end of the book, and it made me understand more about him as a character.
I read this book a few months ago, but have yet to pick up the second installment to this series, Out of Mind, where we learn more about the next Millet sibling, Willow. I'm looking forward to reading about her, as she sparked my interest in the first book.
Marley Millet and her entire family are each gifted with a different ability. As for Marley, she can 'travel' to different places and glimpse things that she would rather not see. In this case, she's been witnessing the deaths of local New Orleans jazz singers. She can't very well go to the cops, and tell them what she has seen without looking like a crazy person. Against her better judgement, she does just that, but the only person who believes her is an ex-cop, turned writer named Gray Fisher.
The premise of this book sounded really appealing to me, so I made sure that I got my hands on a copy. After finishing it, I came to the conclusion that it wasn't nearly as good as it could have been. Marley's character was okay, but she didn't strike me the way I wished she had. I understand that the Millet family is very secretive, and don't trust the outside world, but I personally think Marley was far too shy.
I enjoyed the bit of romance between Marley and Gray. Especially the little surprise about their romance that you'll have to wait to learn when you pick up the book for yourself. I expected something along the lines of what was exposed, because of some information strewn along the way. I however, didn't expect what was revealed about Gray toward the end of the book, and it made me understand more about him as a character.
I read this book a few months ago, but have yet to pick up the second installment to this series, Out of Mind, where we learn more about the next Millet sibling, Willow. I'm looking forward to reading about her, as she sparked my interest in the first book.
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