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Bayou Gavotte #2
Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil
A flowering hunger...
And a taste of violence to come...
Being irresistible sucks. Ophelia Beliveau learned that at puberty. When her friends developed breasts, she sprouted fangs as well. The effect on boys was even more dangerous.
Ophelia's peril has only increased. As a woman, there's been only one solution. But she can't avoid men forever. Solitude satisfies no craving, and now her self-imposed exile must end. A vandal has destroyed her garden. A web of blackmail and murder is being woven across town, with her at its heart. And then there's Gideon O'Toole, a detective sworn to uncover more secrets than she thirsts to bare...
And a taste of violence to come...
Being irresistible sucks. Ophelia Beliveau learned that at puberty. When her friends developed breasts, she sprouted fangs as well. The effect on boys was even more dangerous.
Ophelia's peril has only increased. As a woman, there's been only one solution. But she can't avoid men forever. Solitude satisfies no craving, and now her self-imposed exile must end. A vandal has destroyed her garden. A web of blackmail and murder is being woven across town, with her at its heart. And then there's Gideon O'Toole, a detective sworn to uncover more secrets than she thirsts to bare...
317 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2010
14 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Monajem
66 books646 followersBarbara Monajem wrote her first story in third grade about apple tree gnomes. After dabbling in neighborhood musicals and teen melodrama, she published a middle-grade fantasy when her children were young. Now her kids are adults, and she's writing historical and paranormal romance and mystery for grownups. She lives in Georgia with an ever-shifting population of relatives, friends, and feline strays.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 8, 2010
This new book would be good for anyone who likes the sookie stackhouse series. Ophelia is a born vampire living in the south trying to make a living landscaping and keeping the allure sick men off of her teeth.
Ophelia and the other characters you meet are very likable, even when Ophelia is a prickly as a porcupine. So when your taking a break from sookie sit down and sunrise in a garden of love and evil a try. You'll finish it quickly just to see how it ends.
Ophelia and the other characters you meet are very likable, even when Ophelia is a prickly as a porcupine. So when your taking a break from sookie sit down and sunrise in a garden of love and evil a try. You'll finish it quickly just to see how it ends.
April 9, 2015
I've already said this a few times, but I'm still saddened by the quality decline in the Southern Vampire Mysteries [aka True Blood] book series. So when I read the description for SUNRISE IN A GARDEN OF LOVE AND EVIL I thought that the hole in my heart about to be filled in, with a new hit of vampires, sex and murder. But was it?
Lets start with the biggest annoyance; Ophelia is bitchy and tantrum-prone, even though the other characters constantly tell me what a kind-hearted and gentle, peace loving delight she is. She's the most hideous character I've come across in recent memory, so I actually began skimming the scenes which featured her. I'm not exaggerating, these are the first words that she says to the hero:
"Who the the hell are you?"
Rude, but not so bad. But now let me set the scene; this takes place minutes after she calls the police to report that someone has just vandalised her garden, and he is the officer who turns up in response. And she is also brandishing a shotgun at him. Then just a few pages later she's merrily accusing him of being corrupt for no reason, ordering him to do certain tasks whilst he processes the scene, then sending him away because she can't be bothered to answer simple questions. Again; he is a police officer, responding to a call that SHE placed, in order to help her.
Another big problem for me is that a big deal is made over how much Ophelia hates being a vampire. She hasn't drank blood from a human for over two years, because of a mysterious Past Trauma. But blood-drinking isn't actually the worst thing about being a vampire for her. No, the biggest trauma for her is actually that she has a strong allure, to help draw in her dinner. I could understand how that may not be pleasant to draw desire from every Tom, Dick and Harry - what if they were married, a childhood friend, a distant relative or something like that?
The thing that infuriates me is that she knows full well that if she drank human blood on occasion this allure she has would weaken, so I just don't understand why she is forever moping and whining about how horrible it is for her. The solution for her problem is right there and is easy for her to do, so there is no real point for spending a big part of the book moaning.
As for the hero; Gideon doesn't actually act like a cop should, so I can't take him or his blackmail and murder investigation seriously. For instance he discusses the ongoing murder case in public with the heroine and her criminal friends, just because they demand answers to questions that they have no right asking in the first place. And when a women frets that her missing husband is dead, he just shrugs and more-or-less tells her "not my case, not my problem".
OK, so he doesn't seem professional to me, but personality wise he seems alright - apart from the way he allows Ophelia to treat him and butt her nose in places it doesn't belong.
The book was originally released by Lovespell, so the romantic angle is meant to be the book's biggest strength, but it is actually the biggest weakness for me; I just don't believe that Gideon is in love with Ophelia. She shows no respect for him or his job, so what is there to attract him to her? She has this allure, so gives him an erection the first time he meets her, so it's happy ever after?
The author has failed to show me anything that suggests Ophelia evens likes Gideon, and everything suggests that Gideon is thinking with his penis when it comes to his feelings for Ophelia.
The mystery sub-plot should be enjoyable, except that the reasons that people are being blackmailed are really tame. If we'd got to read some juicy secrets then maybe I'd have been a little more invested in the characters, but no.
Plus; the identity of the blackmailer becomes very much obvious from the first murder onwards. Yes - it's a romance book, so the development of that plot-line is the author's first priority. But still, does the author think readers won't notice the big giveaway? She mustn't think much of her readers observational skills.
The secondary characters should be interesting, but most of them haven't been fleshed out; the criminal underworld members are the worst. The author just calls them underworld members, throws in a couple of rumours that are making the rounds about them, then informs the readers that these rumours are false. So why are they 'criminal underworld members'? Are they drug-dealers, hitmen, thieves, con artists, or do they share MP3s online?
Just an observation; are the residents of Bayou Gavette meant to be aware that vampires exist? The quote from SPNSMB [The Society For Protection Of Not-So-Mystical Beings] at the beginning of the book implies that no, they're not - so then why are there so many underground clubs and bars catering to vamps and sexual deviance in such a small, bible-belt town?
Also; no-one seems shocked or scared when they do find themselves face to face with a vampire, it's just like "Yeah, cool. Whatever".
***
Good points? The author's take on vampirism is new to me; it is the result of a genetic mutation, that reveals itself during puberty. There is no super-speed or strength, no burning in sunlight, no shape-shifting, bout from the fangs everything is quite realistic. And because they don't have special abilities, readers don't assume that the vamps are going to merrily breeze though obstacles.
Othella's vampiric sister Violet is one of the more developed characters. I like that she accepts what she is and makes it work for her. I'd much rather read a book about Violet's life, rather then the one we got.
However, the standout character for me is Zelda, Ophelia's 13 year niece, who is waiting to see if she has inherited the vampire gene. She is much more mature then any of the other characters and doesn't spend the book worrying about things that she has no power over; the most interesting plot thread to follow is whether she is a vampire of wholly human.
Lets start with the biggest annoyance; Ophelia is bitchy and tantrum-prone, even though the other characters constantly tell me what a kind-hearted and gentle, peace loving delight she is. She's the most hideous character I've come across in recent memory, so I actually began skimming the scenes which featured her. I'm not exaggerating, these are the first words that she says to the hero:
"Who the the hell are you?"
Rude, but not so bad. But now let me set the scene; this takes place minutes after she calls the police to report that someone has just vandalised her garden, and he is the officer who turns up in response. And she is also brandishing a shotgun at him. Then just a few pages later she's merrily accusing him of being corrupt for no reason, ordering him to do certain tasks whilst he processes the scene, then sending him away because she can't be bothered to answer simple questions. Again; he is a police officer, responding to a call that SHE placed, in order to help her.
Another big problem for me is that a big deal is made over how much Ophelia hates being a vampire. She hasn't drank blood from a human for over two years, because of a mysterious Past Trauma. But blood-drinking isn't actually the worst thing about being a vampire for her. No, the biggest trauma for her is actually that she has a strong allure, to help draw in her dinner. I could understand how that may not be pleasant to draw desire from every Tom, Dick and Harry - what if they were married, a childhood friend, a distant relative or something like that?
The thing that infuriates me is that she knows full well that if she drank human blood on occasion this allure she has would weaken, so I just don't understand why she is forever moping and whining about how horrible it is for her. The solution for her problem is right there and is easy for her to do, so there is no real point for spending a big part of the book moaning.
As for the hero; Gideon doesn't actually act like a cop should, so I can't take him or his blackmail and murder investigation seriously. For instance he discusses the ongoing murder case in public with the heroine and her criminal friends, just because they demand answers to questions that they have no right asking in the first place. And when a women frets that her missing husband is dead, he just shrugs and more-or-less tells her "not my case, not my problem".
OK, so he doesn't seem professional to me, but personality wise he seems alright - apart from the way he allows Ophelia to treat him and butt her nose in places it doesn't belong.
The book was originally released by Lovespell, so the romantic angle is meant to be the book's biggest strength, but it is actually the biggest weakness for me; I just don't believe that Gideon is in love with Ophelia. She shows no respect for him or his job, so what is there to attract him to her? She has this allure, so gives him an erection the first time he meets her, so it's happy ever after?
The author has failed to show me anything that suggests Ophelia evens likes Gideon, and everything suggests that Gideon is thinking with his penis when it comes to his feelings for Ophelia.
The mystery sub-plot should be enjoyable, except that the reasons that people are being blackmailed are really tame. If we'd got to read some juicy secrets then maybe I'd have been a little more invested in the characters, but no.
Plus; the identity of the blackmailer becomes very much obvious from the first murder onwards. Yes - it's a romance book, so the development of that plot-line is the author's first priority. But still, does the author think readers won't notice the big giveaway? She mustn't think much of her readers observational skills.
The secondary characters should be interesting, but most of them haven't been fleshed out; the criminal underworld members are the worst. The author just calls them underworld members, throws in a couple of rumours that are making the rounds about them, then informs the readers that these rumours are false. So why are they 'criminal underworld members'? Are they drug-dealers, hitmen, thieves, con artists, or do they share MP3s online?
Just an observation; are the residents of Bayou Gavette meant to be aware that vampires exist? The quote from SPNSMB [The Society For Protection Of Not-So-Mystical Beings] at the beginning of the book implies that no, they're not - so then why are there so many underground clubs and bars catering to vamps and sexual deviance in such a small, bible-belt town?
Also; no-one seems shocked or scared when they do find themselves face to face with a vampire, it's just like "Yeah, cool. Whatever".
***
Good points? The author's take on vampirism is new to me; it is the result of a genetic mutation, that reveals itself during puberty. There is no super-speed or strength, no burning in sunlight, no shape-shifting, bout from the fangs everything is quite realistic. And because they don't have special abilities, readers don't assume that the vamps are going to merrily breeze though obstacles.
Othella's vampiric sister Violet is one of the more developed characters. I like that she accepts what she is and makes it work for her. I'd much rather read a book about Violet's life, rather then the one we got.
However, the standout character for me is Zelda, Ophelia's 13 year niece, who is waiting to see if she has inherited the vampire gene. She is much more mature then any of the other characters and doesn't spend the book worrying about things that she has no power over; the most interesting plot thread to follow is whether she is a vampire of wholly human.
December 31, 2019
Ophelia Beliveua wohnt in Bayou Gavotte, einer kleinen Stadt in den Südstaaten. Sie und ihre Schwester Violet sind Vampire wie noch einige andere Bewohner der kleinen Stadt auch, nur weis das so gut wie niemand. Die Geschichte fängt damit an, dass Ophelias Garten (sie hat eine Gärtnerei) verwüstet wird und sie die Polizei ruft, die in des sexy Detectiv Gideon O'Toole erscheint. Später kommen noch ein paar Morde dazu, und irgendwie scheint Ophelia damit in Verbindung zu stehen.
Das Buch hat ich positiv überrascht. In der Welt, in der Ophelia lebt, hält man Vampire für eine Legende. Die Vampire bei Barbara Monajem unterscheiden sich kaum von den Menschen, sie können essen, in die Sonne und können sogar Kinder bekommen. Hier ist Vampirismus eine Genveränderung, die vererbt wird. Alle Vampire wirken auf andere Menschen sehr sexy, außerdem verfügen die Vampire über besondere Fähigkeiten.
Am Anfang fand ich die Geschichte etwas verwirrend, es gibt viele Nebenfiguren und man weis am Anfang überhaupt nicht in welchem Verhältnis sie zu Ophelia stehen und wer sie sind. Deshalb habe ich etwas gebraucht um in die Geschichte zu kommen. Trotz alledem war das Buch wirklich genial. Die Figuren sind alle ein wenig schräg und haben alle ihre Leichen im Keller.
Es gibt eine interessante Liebesgeschichte zwischen Gideon und Ophelia. Ophelia ist am Anfang sehr kratzbürstig zu Gideon und macht ihm seine Arbeit nicht einfach, weil sie sich ständig in die Ermittlungen einmischt.
Also, wer eine schräge und romantische Vampirgeschichten mit einem netten Krimi und einer schönen Liebesgeschichte lesen will, dem kann ich das Buch nur empfehlen.
Von mir gibt es 5 von 5 Punkten.
Das Buch hat ich positiv überrascht. In der Welt, in der Ophelia lebt, hält man Vampire für eine Legende. Die Vampire bei Barbara Monajem unterscheiden sich kaum von den Menschen, sie können essen, in die Sonne und können sogar Kinder bekommen. Hier ist Vampirismus eine Genveränderung, die vererbt wird. Alle Vampire wirken auf andere Menschen sehr sexy, außerdem verfügen die Vampire über besondere Fähigkeiten.
Am Anfang fand ich die Geschichte etwas verwirrend, es gibt viele Nebenfiguren und man weis am Anfang überhaupt nicht in welchem Verhältnis sie zu Ophelia stehen und wer sie sind. Deshalb habe ich etwas gebraucht um in die Geschichte zu kommen. Trotz alledem war das Buch wirklich genial. Die Figuren sind alle ein wenig schräg und haben alle ihre Leichen im Keller.
Es gibt eine interessante Liebesgeschichte zwischen Gideon und Ophelia. Ophelia ist am Anfang sehr kratzbürstig zu Gideon und macht ihm seine Arbeit nicht einfach, weil sie sich ständig in die Ermittlungen einmischt.
Also, wer eine schräge und romantische Vampirgeschichten mit einem netten Krimi und einer schönen Liebesgeschichte lesen will, dem kann ich das Buch nur empfehlen.
Von mir gibt es 5 von 5 Punkten.
October 8, 2011
I hate rating books lowly because I root for authors but this book was bizarre and not in a good way. I kept feeling that there were details we as readers would have benefited from yet she was giving us a lot of things we didn't need to know in other ways. Yes, living in such a small town should have gauranteed that the protagonist had met the LI in some way. Also what is up with the protagonist saying to herself near the end of the book something akin to, literally, "I want that garden! zomg!" in reference to the LI? This is supposed to be a love story I suppose and she comes off as supremely selfish even though the author tries to paint her as charitable by jonesing for her bf's freaking garden like a lottery winning.
April 3, 2011
A little choppy and disjointed, and the mystery story line ended up being a lot more interesting than the romance. Many people think romance novels are easy but they're not. Achieving a balance between creating two characters meant to be together, but held apart by some secret or conflict, is tougher than it looks, and I think Monajem might've made their attraction a little too much of a foregone conclusion, especially with everyone they know conspiring in its support. There are some great secondary characters, too. It's sort of Sookie Stackhouse-light in a way. Two and a half stars might be more accurate for my rating - it was pretty well written overall, just not quite my cup of tea.
January 30, 2011
Barbara Monajem has a smooth, easy style that never distracts or jars. I like her writing and will look for more by her. I’m not a vampire fan, but I won this book so I wanted to read it. I’m really glad I did. Ophelia is a delightful character whom I enjoyed getting to know. I wish she lived nearby. She’s a lot of fun. I wouldn’t mind if Gideon lived next door either. This is just a fun and entertaining story. I expect more stories about the characters in this book—they’re too good to let disappear. I recommend this book.
September 16, 2010
Don't know how anyone wouldn't love this book. Love the characters, the setting. You just want these two to get it on constantly there is so much sexual energy and tension. The plot was secondary to the relationship, which is what I always enjoy in a satisfying book. I love all the misunderstandings - the minefield that was the rocky start of a relationship that was going to bloom rockets, but they themselves couldn't see it. I will read everything she writes. My kind of voice!
March 6, 2010
Sunrise in the Garden of Good and Evil is a frolic in a zany town catering to vampire seeking tourists This small Louisiana township is not far from New Orleans, Anne Rice territory. As it turns out vampires do exist here, but for the most part keep it secret from normals.
Read full review
Read full review
July 31, 2011
First let me say I'm not one for reading vampire novels but Barbara is a friend so I had to read it. I began reading for my friend but was quickly drawn into the story of Ophelia and Gideon. What a fun book! There is one particularly HOT scene between the two! Good storyline, interesting characters! I'm ready to be converted to vampire reading but only if Barbara is writing the books.
November 6, 2011
I loved the quirky characters Barbara Monajem creates. I read this book almost in one sitting and anxiously awaited her second I am reading now. The setting is as rich and textured as the characters. The fictional Bayou Gavotte makes a wonderful backdrop to this thriller, laced with humor. A truly delightful read. I'm properly fanged!
February 15, 2010
Liked this first title - similar to Charlaine Harris, perhaps Kim Harrison in style. Plot moved nicely, with several touches of humor which made this an enjoyable book. Will be looking for the next one by this author...
January 20, 2017
Very unorganized
This book had me captured in the beginning but turned out to be a very erratic and juvenile piece of work. I couldn't stop reading because I hate not finishing a book but I kept rolling my eyes with every moronic interaction I had to read. Not recommended.
This book had me captured in the beginning but turned out to be a very erratic and juvenile piece of work. I couldn't stop reading because I hate not finishing a book but I kept rolling my eyes with every moronic interaction I had to read. Not recommended.
October 30, 2017
Interesting
It was an interesting story but overall just very confusing keeping up with everything and all the characters. I felt like maybe I missed a book at times.
It was an interesting story but overall just very confusing keeping up with everything and all the characters. I felt like maybe I missed a book at times.
December 8, 2017
Fast read of what I categorize as "garbage books" - not for you if you are looking for anything beyond mindless entertainment
January 17, 2018
read this down in playa del Carmen it was dumb she's a hitch he's idiot cop in a small town Louisiana her friends are self indulgent violent and trampy and she's stupid for a crime
October 7, 2023
Dead cat on porch.
March 8, 2011
SUNRISE IN A GARDEN OF LOVE AND EVIL is a rare read, only in this case it's not said in the most positive sense of the word. I do not often come by my five star reads but neither do I encounter the two star reads very often. Unfortunately this novel was the latter for me, one of those rare reads that didn't work for me on a multitude of levels. One book that took me eleven days straight to go through 316 pages and I ended up being a very frustrated reader. I think what lay at the foundation was my disconnection with the main characters.
Ophelia Beliveau is a gardener for a living and due to a rare gene she changed into a vampire when puberty hit her. Now she has a sensual allure for men, sports fangs and of course, needs to drink blood. At one hand she has this spunky attitude and cut-and-dry humor, that I of course didn't get, yet on the other hand she can whine to friends and get blurry eyed because she had to deal with obsessed lovers in the past. The relevance for these pouty bouts are that she is falling for Gideon, and since he also reacts to her allure she's scarred history will repeat itself. Gideon O'Toole is a cop at the Bayou Gavotte police, an average but good looking man with a nice demeanor whose everyday life gets ruffled up by on very sexy lady, Ophelia.
I felt that the attraction for quite a while was largely leaning on just the fact that Ophelia as a vamp has this allure. There just wasn't all that much depth to be found in the growing connection between the main couple. In three days they went from their first meeting, to Gideon professing his love, asking Ophelia to move in and basically ask her to marry him. If I could've felt the love lightning strike, the absolute need pouring from their souls to be with one another, that scintillating desire to touch, kiss and do more with each other, I perhaps would've believed it. Instead I got this yes/no game where I felt Ophelia was picking a daisy telling herself: Have sex with Gideon, Not to have sex with Gideon, Have sex with Gideon...etc. With Gideon I had little quarrels with but he is a beta man and not the kind of hero I completely fall head over heels with.
Then the plot, it started with somebody harassing Ophelia with a dead cat and destroying her garden which leads to a blackmail scheme which was another thing I didn't really get. People were blackmailed with pictures that were taken, and I'm talking about a mother who nurses her baby naked, a teenage girl experimenting naked in front of a camera, an art teacher who poses naked, well you get the picture, lots of nudity involved. It weren't some deep, dark secrets that were threatened to be exposed, I personally didn't see the threat in those pictures, okay I wouldn't like to be exposed naked either but to give large sums of money for these pics, nah, not really. Half way the book the plot thickens with a murder and lots of pages went in to unravel the whodunit which left lots in the romance development to be desired.
I'm crunching my brain here to say something good, something positive but in the end the characters fell flat for me. The plot didn't do its job save it had a nice even pace, the chemistry between Ophelia and Gideon didn't work for me. As I read this book I felt very disconnected, I had to finish this story on sheer force of willpower and this is a huge sign for me this novel wasn't working for me. I know in my mind it probably isn't a bad book, perhaps the factor that I'm no fan of Charlaine Harris isn't working in my favor here either. An author quote on the cover states; "In the spirit of Charlaine Harris's DEAD UNTIL DARK." It just didn't work for me, it was too simple, to shallow in emotions, the humor I didn't get, the secondary characters who were nice but only spirited Zelda perked my interested once in a while.
As all these low points for me started to add I got frustrated and making SUNRISE IN A GARDEN OF LOVE AND EVIL a chore to read. I don't think it is Barbara Monajem's objective to make reading a chore with her book but nonetheless it still was for me.
Sometimes the magic isn't happening and I can only hope that other readers will find more enjoyment in SUNRISE IN A GARDEN OF LOVE AND EVIL than I did.
Ophelia Beliveau is a gardener for a living and due to a rare gene she changed into a vampire when puberty hit her. Now she has a sensual allure for men, sports fangs and of course, needs to drink blood. At one hand she has this spunky attitude and cut-and-dry humor, that I of course didn't get, yet on the other hand she can whine to friends and get blurry eyed because she had to deal with obsessed lovers in the past. The relevance for these pouty bouts are that she is falling for Gideon, and since he also reacts to her allure she's scarred history will repeat itself. Gideon O'Toole is a cop at the Bayou Gavotte police, an average but good looking man with a nice demeanor whose everyday life gets ruffled up by on very sexy lady, Ophelia.
I felt that the attraction for quite a while was largely leaning on just the fact that Ophelia as a vamp has this allure. There just wasn't all that much depth to be found in the growing connection between the main couple. In three days they went from their first meeting, to Gideon professing his love, asking Ophelia to move in and basically ask her to marry him. If I could've felt the love lightning strike, the absolute need pouring from their souls to be with one another, that scintillating desire to touch, kiss and do more with each other, I perhaps would've believed it. Instead I got this yes/no game where I felt Ophelia was picking a daisy telling herself: Have sex with Gideon, Not to have sex with Gideon, Have sex with Gideon...etc. With Gideon I had little quarrels with but he is a beta man and not the kind of hero I completely fall head over heels with.
Then the plot, it started with somebody harassing Ophelia with a dead cat and destroying her garden which leads to a blackmail scheme which was another thing I didn't really get. People were blackmailed with pictures that were taken, and I'm talking about a mother who nurses her baby naked, a teenage girl experimenting naked in front of a camera, an art teacher who poses naked, well you get the picture, lots of nudity involved. It weren't some deep, dark secrets that were threatened to be exposed, I personally didn't see the threat in those pictures, okay I wouldn't like to be exposed naked either but to give large sums of money for these pics, nah, not really. Half way the book the plot thickens with a murder and lots of pages went in to unravel the whodunit which left lots in the romance development to be desired.
I'm crunching my brain here to say something good, something positive but in the end the characters fell flat for me. The plot didn't do its job save it had a nice even pace, the chemistry between Ophelia and Gideon didn't work for me. As I read this book I felt very disconnected, I had to finish this story on sheer force of willpower and this is a huge sign for me this novel wasn't working for me. I know in my mind it probably isn't a bad book, perhaps the factor that I'm no fan of Charlaine Harris isn't working in my favor here either. An author quote on the cover states; "In the spirit of Charlaine Harris's DEAD UNTIL DARK." It just didn't work for me, it was too simple, to shallow in emotions, the humor I didn't get, the secondary characters who were nice but only spirited Zelda perked my interested once in a while.
As all these low points for me started to add I got frustrated and making SUNRISE IN A GARDEN OF LOVE AND EVIL a chore to read. I don't think it is Barbara Monajem's objective to make reading a chore with her book but nonetheless it still was for me.
Sometimes the magic isn't happening and I can only hope that other readers will find more enjoyment in SUNRISE IN A GARDEN OF LOVE AND EVIL than I did.
October 19, 2018
Bravo! A good fast read! now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
June 9, 2010
Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil is Goodreads author Barbara Monajem's debut novel. Vampires aren't quite out in the open in her world, and yet, are not dismissed as a possibility. Barbara's first lines describe her vampires best:
"Vampire: a human being with a genetic mutation characterized by, among other things, the appearance of fangs at puberty, and intense craving for human blood, and an irresistible magnetism for the opposite sex. Judging by legend, this particular mutation has existed for millennia, but is still sufficiently rare that most people don't believe such beings exist."
D. Tull, Society for the Protection of Not-So-Mystical Beings
Bayou Gavotte is a really small town in Louisiana where order is dealt out from two different factions. You have boys in blue there to protect and serve, but they also have a deal with the clubs, as long as they stick to there own respective territories the leaders of the underworld, Leopard and rock-n-roll star Constantine, can do as they choose.
Ophelia Beliveau is a vampire just trying to run her landscaping business and keep to herself. One morning she comes out to her front yard and sees it's destroyed. Now she has several options on what to do with the offender. Ophelia searches mentally through her list of choices and comes up with the one option she thought she would never do, she called the cops. Hoping for a deputy, Ophelia is angry when they send the extremely good looking detective Gideon O'toole instead. Ophelia survives off of blood and sex, and she's been starving herself of both. So, now she's not only trying to cool down her own hormones and instincts, but trying to keep Gideon from falling prey to her allure.
Gideon O'toole is a good and honest cop. He knows there's something more to Ms.Beliveau and he can't wait to find out what it is. He plays along with her charade, but after learning of more threats to her safety, he becomes more persistent in helping Ophelia whether she wants his help or not. Someone has it in for Ophelia and he's furious that she refuses to take things more seriously. Though, why would she be? She's a vampire with the protection of both Leopard and Constantine! Soon, however, Gideon finds out it's not just Ophelia with a problem, but the whole neighbor-hood has a blackmailer and he's just graduated to murder.
I had really high hopes for Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil, but in the end, it just wasn't for me. I have to say that I'm actually surprised I was able to complete it. Sure it has it's good parts, the writing was actually really wonderful and I had a few moments when I chuckled to myself. However, the story was really slow on starting and I was half-way through it before the real plot emerged. Of course by then, I had already figured out who the real murder was. I also found it hard to believe, that in such a small town, this was Ophelia and Gideon's first meeting. He's lived there his whole life and a detective no less. She may have only been in residence for three, but surely that's enough time? Also, I find it strange that this back-woods town would have so many of the fetish-type industry clubs. Maybe one in an underground, hush-hush kind of way, but three? In the open? There are a couple of more, but I can't give those without spoiling. I'm really sad to say that this is just not one that I can recommend.
"Vampire: a human being with a genetic mutation characterized by, among other things, the appearance of fangs at puberty, and intense craving for human blood, and an irresistible magnetism for the opposite sex. Judging by legend, this particular mutation has existed for millennia, but is still sufficiently rare that most people don't believe such beings exist."
D. Tull, Society for the Protection of Not-So-Mystical Beings
Bayou Gavotte is a really small town in Louisiana where order is dealt out from two different factions. You have boys in blue there to protect and serve, but they also have a deal with the clubs, as long as they stick to there own respective territories the leaders of the underworld, Leopard and rock-n-roll star Constantine, can do as they choose.
Ophelia Beliveau is a vampire just trying to run her landscaping business and keep to herself. One morning she comes out to her front yard and sees it's destroyed. Now she has several options on what to do with the offender. Ophelia searches mentally through her list of choices and comes up with the one option she thought she would never do, she called the cops. Hoping for a deputy, Ophelia is angry when they send the extremely good looking detective Gideon O'toole instead. Ophelia survives off of blood and sex, and she's been starving herself of both. So, now she's not only trying to cool down her own hormones and instincts, but trying to keep Gideon from falling prey to her allure.
Gideon O'toole is a good and honest cop. He knows there's something more to Ms.Beliveau and he can't wait to find out what it is. He plays along with her charade, but after learning of more threats to her safety, he becomes more persistent in helping Ophelia whether she wants his help or not. Someone has it in for Ophelia and he's furious that she refuses to take things more seriously. Though, why would she be? She's a vampire with the protection of both Leopard and Constantine! Soon, however, Gideon finds out it's not just Ophelia with a problem, but the whole neighbor-hood has a blackmailer and he's just graduated to murder.
I had really high hopes for Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil, but in the end, it just wasn't for me. I have to say that I'm actually surprised I was able to complete it. Sure it has it's good parts, the writing was actually really wonderful and I had a few moments when I chuckled to myself. However, the story was really slow on starting and I was half-way through it before the real plot emerged. Of course by then, I had already figured out who the real murder was. I also found it hard to believe, that in such a small town, this was Ophelia and Gideon's first meeting. He's lived there his whole life and a detective no less. She may have only been in residence for three, but surely that's enough time? Also, I find it strange that this back-woods town would have so many of the fetish-type industry clubs. Maybe one in an underground, hush-hush kind of way, but three? In the open? There are a couple of more, but I can't give those without spoiling. I'm really sad to say that this is just not one that I can recommend.
March 2, 2014
Book 1
Title: Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil
Author: Barbara Monajem
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Published by: Montlake Romance (March 30, 2010)
Story Setting: Bayou Gavotte, Louisiana, has a post office, a city hall, and an active PTA. It has magnolias and passion vine. It also has fetish clubs. And vampires.
ASIN: B003FS0KJU
About the Story: Ophelia Beliveau a resident and vampire of Bayou Gavotte, has a landscaping business. Now this isn’t like any other vampire book you’ve read. From the first sentence I was entranced, or should I say enthralled? “Ophelia Beliveau jammed her fangs back up where they belonged, puncturing her thumb, so the goddamned things slotted right back down.” I could tell that this wasn’t an ordinary vampire story and I was hooked! Have you read a vampire story that the vampire is trying to shove his fangs back into his gum? That was hilarious!
Those in Bayou Gavotte had no problem with the sun and they ate food, albeit the meat a little raw. They could also have children, and only those carrying the gene with their families became vampires. Only at puberty would the individual know if they had the vampire gene.
Ophelia had a problem. Someone was out to get her and framed her for murder. Her property was damaged, a dead body shows up in her pick-up truck, and she’s suspect to a killing, no make that two killings. Oh, a couple of things about these vampires. They police their own, live amongst humans and drink blood by drawing their victim through alluring them -- particularly males—but they don’t kill.
Ophelia avoided alluring men like the plague. She hated alluring men, even when she didn’t want to, they were allured. The longer she was without drinking blood and sex, the stronger the pull the individual felt toward her. So she avoided everyone in town and kept to her plants, her landscaping, her passion in life. Until…Gideon O’Toole. He was the police investigator who answered her call when her garden was vandalized.
My Thoughts: I had such fun reading this story. These vampires were pretty benign, although since they were vampires, I was expecting the worse. NOT! They were so lovable and extraordinary in handling their existence with humans and making a place for themselves in Bayou Gavotte—yet still dangerous. I don’t believe we’ve seen the extent of their abilities. The story will continue to unfold in books two and three.
I expected no less than what I received from Barbara. Her writing in the Regency historical romances that I’ve read was exquisite. No less here. Characterization is well developed, increasing tension and conflict throughout the story until all hell breaks loose and details of the story and believability are right on.
Gideon and Ophelia struggled to create a happy ever after ending for us. Each have their own special demons and each their strengths along with outside forces that pull them apart. The secondary characters were well-developed to engage the reader for further stories within the series. I think an author has succeeded when a reader just has to read the next book in the series. I will be doing just that in another week. So stay tuned.
I know this particularly book is at Amazon.com for only $2.99, regular $6.99, so now’s a really good time to start the series.
Title: Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil
Author: Barbara Monajem
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Published by: Montlake Romance (March 30, 2010)
Story Setting: Bayou Gavotte, Louisiana, has a post office, a city hall, and an active PTA. It has magnolias and passion vine. It also has fetish clubs. And vampires.
ASIN: B003FS0KJU
About the Story: Ophelia Beliveau a resident and vampire of Bayou Gavotte, has a landscaping business. Now this isn’t like any other vampire book you’ve read. From the first sentence I was entranced, or should I say enthralled? “Ophelia Beliveau jammed her fangs back up where they belonged, puncturing her thumb, so the goddamned things slotted right back down.” I could tell that this wasn’t an ordinary vampire story and I was hooked! Have you read a vampire story that the vampire is trying to shove his fangs back into his gum? That was hilarious!
Those in Bayou Gavotte had no problem with the sun and they ate food, albeit the meat a little raw. They could also have children, and only those carrying the gene with their families became vampires. Only at puberty would the individual know if they had the vampire gene.
Ophelia had a problem. Someone was out to get her and framed her for murder. Her property was damaged, a dead body shows up in her pick-up truck, and she’s suspect to a killing, no make that two killings. Oh, a couple of things about these vampires. They police their own, live amongst humans and drink blood by drawing their victim through alluring them -- particularly males—but they don’t kill.
Ophelia avoided alluring men like the plague. She hated alluring men, even when she didn’t want to, they were allured. The longer she was without drinking blood and sex, the stronger the pull the individual felt toward her. So she avoided everyone in town and kept to her plants, her landscaping, her passion in life. Until…Gideon O’Toole. He was the police investigator who answered her call when her garden was vandalized.
My Thoughts: I had such fun reading this story. These vampires were pretty benign, although since they were vampires, I was expecting the worse. NOT! They were so lovable and extraordinary in handling their existence with humans and making a place for themselves in Bayou Gavotte—yet still dangerous. I don’t believe we’ve seen the extent of their abilities. The story will continue to unfold in books two and three.
I expected no less than what I received from Barbara. Her writing in the Regency historical romances that I’ve read was exquisite. No less here. Characterization is well developed, increasing tension and conflict throughout the story until all hell breaks loose and details of the story and believability are right on.
Gideon and Ophelia struggled to create a happy ever after ending for us. Each have their own special demons and each their strengths along with outside forces that pull them apart. The secondary characters were well-developed to engage the reader for further stories within the series. I think an author has succeeded when a reader just has to read the next book in the series. I will be doing just that in another week. So stay tuned.
I know this particularly book is at Amazon.com for only $2.99, regular $6.99, so now’s a really good time to start the series.
March 14, 2011
Small-town landscaper (and reluctant vampire) Ophelia Beliveau would never willingly deal with the police, but when someone poisons her garden and tosses a dead cat on her porch, she’s forced to make the call, bringing hunky detective Gideon O’Toole (definitely not a vampire) to her door and into her life. Quel problème! Within the first chapter, the reader connects to these two strong characters and hopes for a positive outcome—both in solving the mystery and in finding love.
The more Ophelia tries to hide from her vampire nature, the more she’s forced into action. Action that includes asking for help from straight-laced Gideon, who isn’t immune to her charms, even though she does her best to thwart his desire. Gideon’s finally found his equal in a woman. Too bad she claims she wants him only for his detective skills. Blackmail and murder spread throughout Bayou Gavotte, linking Ophelia’s vandalism complaint to other criminal activities Gideon is trying to solve and carrying the reader along at a galloping pace. As Ophelia and Gideon work together to solve first a simple case of vandalism and then a full-fledged conspiracy, the repartee the two characters use to distance themselves can’t hold back their mutual building desire.
Monajem has created a strong and likable female character in Ophelia. Gideon is a hunk, with intelligence and a heart. Monajem’s secondary characters—Constantine, the rock star who hangs out with the underworld, Leopold, the Native American vigilante, and the teen-aged Zelda—all are well developed, intriguing characters. Complex and hilarious teen Zelda deserves her own book.
Who knew a small rural town in Louisiana could have numerous kinky sex clubs, a criminal underbelly, and vampires? Monajem has created a delightful Mayberry setting with a twist in the town of Bayou Gavotte. Bayou Gavotte is the kind of small town where the sheriff stains plywood in the middle of his station, so adding in multiple kinky sex clubs and a realm of vampires may be a bit of a stretch for some, but Monajem deftly weaves these plot lines into the book without compromising the small-town, rural feel. At times both sultry and inviting, then gritty and dark, Monajem’s Bayou Gavotte invites the reader in to visit and then doesn’t let go.
The dynamic between Ophelia and Gideon is filled with tension, but that tension sometimes gets in the way of the story. Too much reliance on misunderstood communication results in an annoying tension throughout Ophelia and Gideon’s interaction. In addition, over-the-top, incongruent reactions on the part of various characters results in a melodramatic feel during many scenes, pulling this reader out of the action to figure out what all the fuss is about. However, Monajam’s strength in creating both an environment in which a reader is reluctant to leave and characters a reader is reluctant to let go of smoothes over any rough spots.
A well-paced storyline, engaging secondary characters and a complex setting add depth and interest to a contemporary human/vampire love story. Consider this a good summer read. Monajem’s a writer to keep an eye on.
Originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
The more Ophelia tries to hide from her vampire nature, the more she’s forced into action. Action that includes asking for help from straight-laced Gideon, who isn’t immune to her charms, even though she does her best to thwart his desire. Gideon’s finally found his equal in a woman. Too bad she claims she wants him only for his detective skills. Blackmail and murder spread throughout Bayou Gavotte, linking Ophelia’s vandalism complaint to other criminal activities Gideon is trying to solve and carrying the reader along at a galloping pace. As Ophelia and Gideon work together to solve first a simple case of vandalism and then a full-fledged conspiracy, the repartee the two characters use to distance themselves can’t hold back their mutual building desire.
Monajem has created a strong and likable female character in Ophelia. Gideon is a hunk, with intelligence and a heart. Monajem’s secondary characters—Constantine, the rock star who hangs out with the underworld, Leopold, the Native American vigilante, and the teen-aged Zelda—all are well developed, intriguing characters. Complex and hilarious teen Zelda deserves her own book.
Who knew a small rural town in Louisiana could have numerous kinky sex clubs, a criminal underbelly, and vampires? Monajem has created a delightful Mayberry setting with a twist in the town of Bayou Gavotte. Bayou Gavotte is the kind of small town where the sheriff stains plywood in the middle of his station, so adding in multiple kinky sex clubs and a realm of vampires may be a bit of a stretch for some, but Monajem deftly weaves these plot lines into the book without compromising the small-town, rural feel. At times both sultry and inviting, then gritty and dark, Monajem’s Bayou Gavotte invites the reader in to visit and then doesn’t let go.
The dynamic between Ophelia and Gideon is filled with tension, but that tension sometimes gets in the way of the story. Too much reliance on misunderstood communication results in an annoying tension throughout Ophelia and Gideon’s interaction. In addition, over-the-top, incongruent reactions on the part of various characters results in a melodramatic feel during many scenes, pulling this reader out of the action to figure out what all the fuss is about. However, Monajam’s strength in creating both an environment in which a reader is reluctant to leave and characters a reader is reluctant to let go of smoothes over any rough spots.
A well-paced storyline, engaging secondary characters and a complex setting add depth and interest to a contemporary human/vampire love story. Consider this a good summer read. Monajem’s a writer to keep an eye on.
Originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
February 10, 2012
After reading the reveiws by other readers I really expected more than I got out of this book. I wasn't expecting the novel of the century, but certainly something that didn't have me looking for a Rod Serling like narrative telling me I'm about to enter The Twilight Zone.
The book is an offbeat take on vampires and has the potential to be humorous. Unfortunately, for me, the flaws of the book were so distracting that is was hard enjoy the positive aspects. The author did more than create a small town feel, it was more a representation of life in a bubbble. There was a lack of flow. Transitions between scenes were rough. Several times I would flip back a page thinking I had misses something, only to find that the author had. Perhaps this was an issue of over editing, I don't know, but did not make for easy enjoyable reading.
There was also the issue of the characters. On the positive side, she had some likeable characters, Constantine and Zelda (whio was protraysed as someone far older thant a 12 year old) being top of the list. However, the majority of the characters were extremely annoying. Their responses were way over the top. They often did things that defied common sense. Ophelia being the biggestg offender. Ophelia's reasoning for her actions seemed to only make sense to Ophelia, no one else. Some things could possibly be explained as a vampire quirk I suppose, but if so that explanation was never clearly given.
I understand the author may have been trying to creat a small, quirky town that we readers would love to escape too. Perhaps in future books she could concentrate on flow and clarity. It's hard to sit back and immerse yourself in the book if you're wondering why characters are responding in a certain way. Overall the book felt like I had missed a previous segment in the book series. The problem with that is this was the first book in the series.
I won't be going out of my way to read another book by this author.
STATS:
Ebook Pages: 264
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Re-Readiblity: NONE
Steam Factor: Steamy
The book is an offbeat take on vampires and has the potential to be humorous. Unfortunately, for me, the flaws of the book were so distracting that is was hard enjoy the positive aspects. The author did more than create a small town feel, it was more a representation of life in a bubbble. There was a lack of flow. Transitions between scenes were rough. Several times I would flip back a page thinking I had misses something, only to find that the author had. Perhaps this was an issue of over editing, I don't know, but did not make for easy enjoyable reading.
There was also the issue of the characters. On the positive side, she had some likeable characters, Constantine and Zelda (whio was protraysed as someone far older thant a 12 year old) being top of the list. However, the majority of the characters were extremely annoying. Their responses were way over the top. They often did things that defied common sense. Ophelia being the biggestg offender. Ophelia's reasoning for her actions seemed to only make sense to Ophelia, no one else. Some things could possibly be explained as a vampire quirk I suppose, but if so that explanation was never clearly given.
I understand the author may have been trying to creat a small, quirky town that we readers would love to escape too. Perhaps in future books she could concentrate on flow and clarity. It's hard to sit back and immerse yourself in the book if you're wondering why characters are responding in a certain way. Overall the book felt like I had missed a previous segment in the book series. The problem with that is this was the first book in the series.
I won't be going out of my way to read another book by this author.
STATS:
Ebook Pages: 264
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Re-Readiblity: NONE
Steam Factor: Steamy
June 6, 2010
Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil by Barbara Monajem
Paranormal Romance - March 30, 2010
3 ½ stars
Sultry and original this is an interesting new take on the vampire mythology.
Ophelia Beliveau is a vampire. She has fangs and a dangerous hypnotizing effect on men that make them want her!
Gideon O'Toole is the handsome detective whom she called into investigate the vandalism in her garden and is attracted to her instantly. Thus begins a dangerous journey. As they try to solve the mystery behind the blackmail and murder which is occurring in their town, Bayou Gavotte.
Monajem created a dark and gritty world. If you enjoy True Blood, I am sure you will enjoy Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil. The author’s writing is vivid. Many times, I could almost feel the damp, hot Louisiana sun.
Ophelia is an interesting character. She is spunky and vulnerable at the same time. The sexual tension between her and Gideon is very powerful and you can't help but root for the two of them to get together. There are also a bunch of other memorable characters. I particularly liked Zelda, Ophelia's insecure and precocious teenage niece and Violet, Ophelia's sexually overpowering sister. The characters each had their own personality and it was intriguing to read their different views on life. Ophelia is very uncomfortable being a vampire, since she is blessed/cursed with strong sexual appeal. While, Violet flaunts it.
Monajem has created strong women in her novels, and it was a pleasure to read a book where women are very much in control.
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Paranormal Romance - March 30, 2010
3 ½ stars
Sultry and original this is an interesting new take on the vampire mythology.
Ophelia Beliveau is a vampire. She has fangs and a dangerous hypnotizing effect on men that make them want her!
Gideon O'Toole is the handsome detective whom she called into investigate the vandalism in her garden and is attracted to her instantly. Thus begins a dangerous journey. As they try to solve the mystery behind the blackmail and murder which is occurring in their town, Bayou Gavotte.
Monajem created a dark and gritty world. If you enjoy True Blood, I am sure you will enjoy Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil. The author’s writing is vivid. Many times, I could almost feel the damp, hot Louisiana sun.
Ophelia is an interesting character. She is spunky and vulnerable at the same time. The sexual tension between her and Gideon is very powerful and you can't help but root for the two of them to get together. There are also a bunch of other memorable characters. I particularly liked Zelda, Ophelia's insecure and precocious teenage niece and Violet, Ophelia's sexually overpowering sister. The characters each had their own personality and it was intriguing to read their different views on life. Ophelia is very uncomfortable being a vampire, since she is blessed/cursed with strong sexual appeal. While, Violet flaunts it.
Monajem has created strong women in her novels, and it was a pleasure to read a book where women are very much in control.
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
March 29, 2013
I would like to say this was a four star book but I feel as thought I had to hold that back. The reasons for this is very simple:
This book tries to be a mystery. IT ISN'T!
I would also have to give the book a "zing" for its back and forth POV's. I do not mind this at all in most stories, in fact I usually enjoy the different perspectives if the characters are developed well. With that being said, the reason this was a negative in this novel? There was not any warning or distinction when the switch was made. At least space the paragraphs apart, and never do it in the middle of one!! It was frustrating and found I was having to back up a couple of sentences at times to figure out the POV change.
The last point that held me back was too many POV's. Please just stick to the main characters. I understand that in this story there had to be a part from the childs POV, so there needed to be a precedence for this earlier in the novel. But a more creative writer could have found other ways to do so, unless her (the author) intention was for the child to be a main character...that just makes for a whole new list of things I would not have liked so I will chose to believe the other.
Please do not misunderstand my opinions on this novel, they are just that, opinions. I really did like the book and the story despite the opinions above. If you like a good mystery don't look for it here but if you like a well told story with some interesting side characters this is the one for you.
This book tries to be a mystery. IT ISN'T!
I would also have to give the book a "zing" for its back and forth POV's. I do not mind this at all in most stories, in fact I usually enjoy the different perspectives if the characters are developed well. With that being said, the reason this was a negative in this novel? There was not any warning or distinction when the switch was made. At least space the paragraphs apart, and never do it in the middle of one!! It was frustrating and found I was having to back up a couple of sentences at times to figure out the POV change.
The last point that held me back was too many POV's. Please just stick to the main characters. I understand that in this story there had to be a part from the childs POV, so there needed to be a precedence for this earlier in the novel. But a more creative writer could have found other ways to do so, unless her (the author) intention was for the child to be a main character...that just makes for a whole new list of things I would not have liked so I will chose to believe the other.
Please do not misunderstand my opinions on this novel, they are just that, opinions. I really did like the book and the story despite the opinions above. If you like a good mystery don't look for it here but if you like a well told story with some interesting side characters this is the one for you.
October 10, 2011
Sunrise… is thoroughly enjoyable. The give-and-take dialogue between Gideon and Ophelia is a delight, and the cast of characters from Psyche the cat to the sinister-voiced rock star- Constantine, is unique and entertaining. Constantine, Leopard, Psyche, Plato…their names alone are enough to interest anyone. Bayou Gavotte’s vampires aren’t the usually skulk around in the dark sort but are an intriguing blend of Old World myth and New World This is touted as the first in a new series and I, for one, hope there’s a long flashback episode in which we learn more about the murder of Constantine’s wife, why everyone voted him guilty of the crime, and why Gideon was the only one who thought otherwise. If you want a fast-paced adventure melding into an erotic romance, pick up Sunrise in a Garden of Love and Evil by Barbara Monajem.
April 12, 2013
An extremely light and fun read. This is the type of book you take on vacation, to the pool, while traveling. The plot is well drawn out, and yes, very, very predictable. But that's the beauty. Sometimes you just want to indulge in good ol' fashioned junk reading!
The characters are quirky, and all the females have fantastic names (Ophelia, Violet, Zelda), The men are all strong and handsome.
One review on the paperback compares this to Charlaine Harris' Dead until Dark. I wouldn't make that leap, as I feel the characters of Bon Temps are a completely different world from this book.
There are a couple of well written sex scenes in the book (but you'll have to get up to around page 190 or so - for those who really want to get to the 'juicy parts').
Would I read other books by this author? Sure, when I'm in the mood to read something light.
The characters are quirky, and all the females have fantastic names (Ophelia, Violet, Zelda), The men are all strong and handsome.
One review on the paperback compares this to Charlaine Harris' Dead until Dark. I wouldn't make that leap, as I feel the characters of Bon Temps are a completely different world from this book.
There are a couple of well written sex scenes in the book (but you'll have to get up to around page 190 or so - for those who really want to get to the 'juicy parts').
Would I read other books by this author? Sure, when I'm in the mood to read something light.
February 3, 2013
Monajem offers an interesting take on vampires that does not involve the end of the world or anything that comes close. Monajem portrays a South I would love to be a part of, but even though I liked the chemistry between the couple, the relationship dynamic seemed repetitive and the outcome a bit unrealistic for the time span given. Marriage after only three days is a bit fairy tale material. And I consider Artimisia to be a character created as a plot device. She seemed less fleshed out and her actions served the purpose of swapping information between Ophelia and Gideon in order for them to warm up to each other again.
Review: [HERE]
Review: [HERE]
March 12, 2017
Ophelia Beliveau eine Vampirin aus dem verschlafenen Nest Bayou Gavotte und leidenschaftliche Gärtnerin (ja, sie ist ein Vampir der gärtnert und sie verdient sich so ihren Lebensunterhalt *lach*) gerät in das Visier eines Erpressers. Der gutaussehende Detective Gideon O Toole macht es sich zur Aufgabe die (oft zickige) Ophelia - im Zweifel auch gegen ihren Willen - zu beschützen und den Fall aufzuklären. Das Buch ist eine Mischung aus Paranormal Romance, Chick-Lit und Krimi. Ich habe sehr viel gelacht und werde Buch 2 in jedem Fall lesen - im Zweifel auf Englisch falls die Deutsche Ausgabe zu lange auf sich warten lässt.
September 26, 2011
This was an ok read. I liked the story, the characters, and the mystery. It was interesting and a little different take on vampires. Typical cop/suspect love story. Now this may only be on my part, but it was a little easy to predict. Therefore it lacked the suspense and seemed majorly anti-climatic towards the end. There were some parts that didn't transition well either. I think this is mostly format though ... such as not leaving a few lines to let the reader know she's moving onto a different character. It's a nice fun mystery/paranormal romance for a free read though.
October 2, 2011
The book is very fast paced, too fast for my taste. People meet, fall in love and want to marry within three days, as if that was the normal pace for things. Everyone is extremely suspicious of everyone else, yet they entrust their lives willingly to virtual strangers.
The whole story felt a bit like it was only the means to get to the sex scenes (which are written quite well).
All in all I'd classify this as a "mindless" read, if you skip some pages you wouldn't notice it, as the story is confusing as hell anyway.
The whole story felt a bit like it was only the means to get to the sex scenes (which are written quite well).
All in all I'd classify this as a "mindless" read, if you skip some pages you wouldn't notice it, as the story is confusing as hell anyway.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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