Jan 25 2009
Sweeter Than Wine
An abused woman has the power to unite werefolk, fey and vampire against an evil that would see them all deadif she can learn to love again. Christy lies near death after a brutal beating by her estranged husband. Her preternatural friends reach a desperate conclusion: The only way to save her is to turn her. Sebastian steps forward to take on the burden of being her Maker. For him its no burden at all. She draws him as no other woman has for centuries. With the help of a werecougar friend, Sebastian teaches Christy about her new life and abilities, making certain she is as strong as he can make her. Only then can she face her abusive ex-husband and put her old life behind her. But Christys ex-husband is involved in something more dangerous than any of them had guessed. Vampire, were, and even a fey knight must work together to put an end to the threatening evil. To overcome her past, help keep the darkness at bay, and fight for a new life with Sebastian, Christy must draw on all of her new-found strength. Will it be enough? Warning, this title contains explicit sex, graphic language, mnage a trois, hot neck biting and werecougar stroking.
Customer Review: 5 Klovers - Courtesy of CK2S Kwips & Kritiques
Christina lies near death in the hospital, the victim of a brutal beating at the hands of her own pitiful excuse for a husband. The extent of damage he caused leaves no hope for recovery - at least none known to mortal man.
As she lies unconscious in ICU, Christy's closest friends make a life-saving decision for her. Having received the gift of vampirism from their own husbands as they themselves hovered near death, they know the only way to save her is to turn her.
Sebastian has wanted the little mortal for himself since he first laid eyes on her, but his sense of morality kept him from acting on it while she was married. With this attack, her husband has forfeited all rights to the lovely creature lying broken in a hospital bed. Sebastian is determined that he will be the one to turn her, and hopes with all his being that she will accept the greatest gift he can offer when she awakens - his love.
But more is at stake than Christy's life. The evil Venifucus have blazed a murderous path to their doorstep, leaving a trail of dead supernatural beings in their wake. It will take a supernatural alliance the likes of which has never been seen before to defeat this threat.
With her latest release, Sweeter Than Wine, Bianca D'Arc joins her shifter series with her vampire series, creating one, big, wonderful paranormal world for her fans! Of course, she doesn't stop at shape shifters and vampires, this delicious universe includes fey and mages as well, and I imagine that we might see still other supernatural creatures as the series progresses and the stories call for it. We also enjoy a bevy of crossover characters from both Lords of the Were and all of her previous vampire tales.
Sweeter Than Wine is the tale of Sebastian and Christina, whose story was first mentioned in Caught by Cupid: Forever Valentine. Bianca D'Arc tantalized us in that book with tidbits concerning this intriguing couple, definitely whetting this reviewer's appetite for more! In the timeline for her paranormal world, Sweeter Than Wine actually would come before Forever Valentine, but was written afterwards and is intended to be read in this order. The author writes both stories in such a way, however, that you will have no trouble following along, no matter which order you read them in.
Sebastian's love and respect for Christina is evident throughout the entire book. Refusing to leave her side as she recovers, he not only helps her regain her strength, but is determined that she build it even more than ever, so she will be strong enough to protect herself from anyone in the future. In true chivalrous manner, he puts his own needs and desires aside until he is satisfied that Christina has what she needs to be strong, and to make decisions concerning him and her future without doubt.
There is a scene in chapter two that I have to admit struck me oddly as I read it. I couldn't help but wonder at why the hero was handling things the way he was. Having long been a fan of Bianca D'Arc, though, I trusted her and continued. My faith in this author was not misplaced. However strange some of the hero's early decisions may seem at first glance, his motivations soon become clear and prove most admirable. Truly, these actions show more than anything how dearly he loves Christy and wants to do right by her.
Through it all, D'Arc interweaves relationships between the various supernatural groups and individuals, laying the groundwork for what promises to be a fascinating ongoing tale in these characters' battle against the evil that threatens the mortal realm. I can say with no hesitation that she left me more than hungry for several of the supporting characters' future stories.
There were so many places where this story surprised me, made me tear up, made me laugh out loud. I couldn't believe it when Sebastian - wait, I can't tell you that! That's such a spoiler... But I laughed out loud when Christy - nope can't tell you that one either... lol Hmm... I suppose you are going to just have to pick up a copy of Sweeter Than Wine from Samhain Publishing and read it for yourself! You will not regret it. Anyone who loves a good paranormal romance with a riveting suspense storyline, a chivalrous hero and a heroine who can stand up for herself when the need arises will adore Sweeter Than Wine!
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