carmenakamasi's review
2.0
I did not realise things could get this bad... Let's just say, even more weirdly unerotic smut (this might just be me though, reviews online suggest I'm not the only one thinking so, but also not everyone agrees with me - it's a mixed bag is what I'm saying) and Devereux somehow became more stupid and inept than he was in the first book. (Kismet being insufferable and just tiring as a person has been a constant since book 1.)
The story is meant to be set between the first and second book of the series, just as a little teaser until the second installment got published about a year later. But it very much feels like Hilburn either forgot who Devereux was and how he sounded, or she decided that additionally to her vampire-fetish, blood kink and assault phantasies, she now also wants nothing more than be sexually intimate with a socially inept nitwit. I miss Alan; sure, he was a himbo too, but at least he had a bit more brains and wasn't just riding the "I'm sexy and I know it" wave of ambiguous ancient european sex-appeal. (There is actually a fair bit of fetishisation of Europeans going on, but that's honestly a common trope for American romance and erotica novels, especially due to the class-phantasies "European culture" offers - this sounds terribly wrong, I'm just trying to find a way to say Americans seem get off on the idea of a European prince coming to elevate them from their boring regular life.)
Also, there was just so much pointless violence and murder in a obviously forced erotic setting (not forced as in coerced, but it felt forced upon me as the reader to acknowlegde that all the blood spilling is meant to be "sexy" ). There is this constant reminder that Kismet fears Devereux and his dangerous and violent nature while at the same time this is what makes him sexy - which would be ok, if she weren't so judgy towards people finding arousal in fear. It's just ... I don't know, it doesn't feel like the author realises what she's writing. Hey, that's another point this series has in common with R. L. James' 50 shades. Creativity truly is dead, huh.
The story is meant to be set between the first and second book of the series, just as a little teaser until the second installment got published about a year later. But it very much feels like Hilburn either forgot who Devereux was and how he sounded, or she decided that additionally to her vampire-fetish, blood kink and assault phantasies, she now also wants nothing more than be sexually intimate with a socially inept nitwit. I miss Alan; sure, he was a himbo too, but at least he had a bit more brains and wasn't just riding the "I'm sexy and I know it" wave of ambiguous ancient european sex-appeal. (There is actually a fair bit of fetishisation of Europeans going on, but that's honestly a common trope for American romance and erotica novels, especially due to the class-phantasies "European culture" offers - this sounds terribly wrong, I'm just trying to find a way to say Americans seem get off on the idea of a European prince coming to elevate them from their boring regular life.)
Also, there was just so much pointless violence and murder in a obviously forced erotic setting (not forced as in coerced, but it felt forced upon me as the reader to acknowlegde that all the blood spilling is meant to be "sexy" ). There is this constant reminder that Kismet fears Devereux and his dangerous and violent nature while at the same time this is what makes him sexy - which would be ok, if she weren't so judgy towards people finding arousal in fear. It's just ... I don't know, it doesn't feel like the author realises what she's writing. Hey, that's another point this series has in common with R. L. James' 50 shades. Creativity truly is dead, huh.
jeanz's review
5.0
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I think its fair to say I approached this novella with fairly high expectations after having read some of Lynda's other novellas and book one and two in the series too. Having loved all so far I did expect a certain level of romance with some humour thrown in too.
MY REVIEW
I purchased and downloaded an e-copy of this one from Amazon.co.uk.
So the book begins with Kismet and Devereux up close and personal in a rather deluxe sounding coffin. Apparently Kismet had wondered what it was like to be inside a coffin and of course Devereux instantly indulges her curiosity.
Devereux is in his own style romancing and courting Kismet. He desperately wants her to trust him and is hinting he will tell her much more about himself very soon. Devereux has also been tied up with work a lot recently so had decided to whisk Kismet away with him to send some quality time together and is keeping the destination a "surprise".
Two of Devereux's "off spring" want to meet Kismet, they are old, old vampires with a kind of slapstick comedy thing going on with each other. though they do take things a little too far and end up seriously scaring Kismet much to Devereux annoyance.
So after the "misunderstanding" Kismet & Devereux do spend some quality time together and Kismet feels like she can trust the ancient Vampire but still has her doubts as to whether their strange relationship will stand the test of time and grow stronger, or will Vampire politics, and drama's come between them. Is Kismet getting too involved in all thing Vampire? Having a relationship with one, working with them, and socialising with them too.
So did I enjoy the novella? Yes, I was ready for a little more Kismet & Devereux!
Would I recommend the novella? Yes, though you don't have to read them for the books to make sense they are a great addition to the series. The novellas help pass the wait for the next book!
Would I read more books and or novellas of Kismet & Devereux? Yes please! I certainly intend to.
Would I read other books by Lynda Hilburn? I wuld certainly give other books by Lynda a read though I'm not sure if I could love other characters as much as I do Kismet & Devereux!
I think its fair to say I approached this novella with fairly high expectations after having read some of Lynda's other novellas and book one and two in the series too. Having loved all so far I did expect a certain level of romance with some humour thrown in too.
MY REVIEW
I purchased and downloaded an e-copy of this one from Amazon.co.uk.
So the book begins with Kismet and Devereux up close and personal in a rather deluxe sounding coffin. Apparently Kismet had wondered what it was like to be inside a coffin and of course Devereux instantly indulges her curiosity.
Devereux is in his own style romancing and courting Kismet. He desperately wants her to trust him and is hinting he will tell her much more about himself very soon. Devereux has also been tied up with work a lot recently so had decided to whisk Kismet away with him to send some quality time together and is keeping the destination a "surprise".
Two of Devereux's "off spring" want to meet Kismet, they are old, old vampires with a kind of slapstick comedy thing going on with each other. though they do take things a little too far and end up seriously scaring Kismet much to Devereux annoyance.
So after the "misunderstanding" Kismet & Devereux do spend some quality time together and Kismet feels like she can trust the ancient Vampire but still has her doubts as to whether their strange relationship will stand the test of time and grow stronger, or will Vampire politics, and drama's come between them. Is Kismet getting too involved in all thing Vampire? Having a relationship with one, working with them, and socialising with them too.
So did I enjoy the novella? Yes, I was ready for a little more Kismet & Devereux!
Would I recommend the novella? Yes, though you don't have to read them for the books to make sense they are a great addition to the series. The novellas help pass the wait for the next book!
Would I read more books and or novellas of Kismet & Devereux? Yes please! I certainly intend to.
Would I read other books by Lynda Hilburn? I wuld certainly give other books by Lynda a read though I'm not sure if I could love other characters as much as I do Kismet & Devereux!
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