Mini - Comments

I've recently read two books, part of series I've started in the past, which were alright but not outstanding. 

Both had characters that were captivating and who seemed to be part of promising plots, but the execution wasn't as well done as I hoped for.

Mac Argeneau knows all too well: immortals can be killed. Not with holy water or silver crosses, but by decapitation or being set on fire. So when Mac’s house bursts into flames—with him inside—he’s sure it was no accident. But who would want to kill a scientist specializing in hematology? There is a silver lining: a blonde investigator appears on the scene and sparks feelings in him that have been dormant for centuries.
CJ Cummings is in town on a special investigation, but she’s been waylaid by the local police to deal with this arson case. The biggest mystery is how this sexy scientist with silvery blue eyes has emerged from a blazing inferno without a burn mark on him. He’s clearly hiding something. Sure, she’d love to see him without his lab coat, but she’s got a job to do—despite his insistence that he needs a bodyguard and...he wants her.

But when a second attempt on their lives puts CJ in harm’s way, it’s Mac who will do anything to safeguard the woman who’s destined to be his life mate.

Meant to Be Immortal by Lynsay Sands is book #32 in her long Argeneau series. This time, the story is focused on Macon Argeneau, brother to Katricia, from a novella (#15.5) released years ago and, to be honest, a character I remember badly. I won't repeat what I have said regarding the most recent books in the series I've read, for the same issues continue, namely the same ideas and situations without real depth into characterization and plot as the first books used to have. Macon and his love interest CJ were interesting characters, both had a good base for a solid development but I think the author was focusing on the wrong details. These books are now, basically, just a check on the list, but somehow I still find myself going back to them from time to time, who can understand why.

Grade: 6/10

* * *

As a child, Sierra Brighton traveled the world. She swam with the baby whales, danced in storm funnels, and lived in complete magical freedom. And then Momma died and Sierra ended up in foster care, an unhappy and very secret witch.
Fetched by Nell's spell, she'll no longer need to do magic on lonely beaches - but can Sierra learn to use her power safely? Or will her reckless blood put Witch Central at risk?

A Reckless Witch by Debora Geary is the third installment in the Modern Witch series. I was utterly fascinated by the first book, which I loved, even though it was a sugar fest. the second book wasn't as addictive, but most of the elements I liked were still there. There was a focus on a certain character, though, someone I wasn't too interested in, honestly. The same thing happened here, Sierra is a young woman who has a greater power than she imagined and she needs help to control it. I liked the community, the group of characters who are a huge family and I liked that this had a very mild angst content. Sadly, I think the most wonderful little things I loved in the first book weren't here. I still have hopes for the next story, though... fingers crossed it will be more similar to the first book.
Grade: 7/10

Lynsay Sands - Immortal Angel

For almost a century, Ildaria Garcia has been on the run, a trouble magnet with a knack for taking down bad guys. Lately, her vigilante tendencies have drawn unwelcome attention to her fellow Immortals. Forced to relocate, Ildaria is supposed to lay low in a new town. Instead, she quickly entangles herself with six and a half feet of muscular, tattooed trouble.
Joshua James Simpson Guiscard, aka G.G., knows a lot about Immortals—enough to make him wary. Yet from the moment Ildaria walks into his club, he feels desire stronger than anything he’s known. Accepting the fact that they might be life mates is disconcerting. But when her past catches up to them, G.G. faces a choice—confront his demons at last, or lose a passion that’s hot as hell.

Comment: It's been two years since I've read a book by this author. Now, I've finally got into book #31 in the Argeneau series, which I'm still reading because of what it means, not much because of how great the series still is.

In this new adventure, Ildaria Garcia is a vampire who went vigilante on her area and the immortal council decided to relocate her for her own safety. She's looking for to study and is attending night school when her actions to help women being targeted once again calls attention to her and now even Lucian Argeneau himself comes to talk to her. In the meantime, she's staying with Marguerite and she is the one who suggest to Ildaria to have a job, recommending G.G.'s bar. Although he is human, he is aware of immortals since his mother was turned years ago to become a life mate but G.G. isn't too keen on the idea. Now, interacting with Ildaria starts making him think since they do seem to be possible life mates. The problem is that someone from Ildaria's past is still looking for her...

Apart from the fact the series should have ended years ago, when the main characters of the first books got their HEA, I must say the allure is no longer the same, and not only due to the change in the story's vibe. The early books were fun and focused on the silliness of the romance, but from a certain point on, everything became different, with an emphasis on more serious themes. This wasn't bad and I actually liked the change, but at the same time other elements were brought up.

For several books now, the immortals' pasts, which had been vaguely addressed in the early books, or sometimes made to be a comedy or not that important, have gotten a slightly darker tone, and some of the immortals are quite old in age and that means they went through complicated issues while they were human or at the time of their transformation. Ildaria is one of those cases, and as the story evolves, she mentions several factors which are, to be honest, problematic, and it feels as if being now surrounded by well intended people is enough to overcome what was wrong.

There is also a huge focus in all books that finding a life mate seems to be a solution for most the immortals' issues and, for the most part, that is so. However, there have been stories in which this only happens at the expanse of something. Ildaria went though traumatic events while she was a child and teenager and she is still dealing with the emotional aspects all this time after. The plot also includes a specific situation which kind of exacerbates this and, still, it feels as if the author uses these things as if they aren't big deals. I think that, if these subjects/issues are used for plot purposes, then different tactics should be used to address them and to allow the characters to have proper help in dealing with things. Even if they are meant to be immortals.

The most obvious problem in this novel, to me, is related to Ildaria and I won't spoiler it by giving examples, but the hero, G.G., also went through a trauma because in a past book - forgot which one - he was there when his mother was transformed and this affected him to the point he doesn't want to become immortal. Of course, this has always been quite the issue because immortals live longer and don't get old in physical appearance. In the early books it was fun and romantic to have one person choose to change so the love would be eternal and so on. I liked this option, it allowed the romanticism of the situation to be easily solved.

Now, while I still prefer this at the same time it makes the stories feel repetitive, G.G. here had another POV. How could this work if he weren't to change his mind, but the way this was done was incredibly dreadful not only because of how he was "manipulated" in what felt like a silly tactic but also because of how quickly this happened in the story. I understand why and I have read several books now so this isn't a big deal to me in the big scheme of things but makes me think it's an easy way out...

I cannot say I'd prefer things to go back to how they were and the author does repeat most of the information about how immortals came to exist in every single book, but these stories really don't feel rich enough if one hasn't read previous one for context. Ildaria and G.G. will not stay as favorite characters and also not as a particularly vibrant couple. I really should stop reading these books, they no longer work out completely for me...if I had time I'd re-read the ones I liked best, but... it must be a personal flaw, to still try...

Grade: 5/10

Lynsay Sands - Immortal Born

A simple promise to protect her friend’s infant son has turned Allie Chambers’ existence upside down.
Caring for—and feeding—an orphaned vampire baby has been tricky enough. But as little Liam grows, so does his appetite. He needs more blood than she can personally supply. And when her attempts to steal from a blood bank go awry, Allie wakes up surrounded by doctors, cops…and the gorgeous, mesmerizing Magnus, who she can neither trust nor resist.
Magnus never expected to find his life mate breaking into a blood bank. Clearly, Allie is already entwined with his world—in deeper, more dangerous ways than she realizes. A band of vicious rogue immortals is in pursuit, and Magnus’ first task is to keep her safe. His second: to awaken her to mind-blowing pleasure, and hope she’ll accept the life, and the passion, that only he can offer.

Comment: This is the 30th installment in the Argeneau series by Lynsay Sands. Once in a while, I dive into another book, for it seems the series will only end when the author cannot write them anymore...

In this story we meet Allie Chambers, whose life changes once more when her friend Stella asks her help to take care of Liam, her son. Stella was turned and believes herself to be a vampire and she doesn't want the man who turned to take her child but she could not guess the villain and his puppets were so close to grab her. Allie escapes with Liam and has been on the run for years but desperation forced her to attempt a burglary at the blood bank where she works because she simply doesn't have any more strength to feed Liam herself anymore. Thankfully, hunters were nearby and could help her but can Allie deal with all the things she learns, especially when Magnus is in the picture as well? Although he is good looking and apparently a good guy, she doesn't want a relationship... or does she?

I actually found myself quite entertained by this novel, in a way I wasn't by some of the ones I considered less appealing. I think the combination of plot and characters here somehow worked out quite well to make this a more interesting story and while I tend to enjoy all the stories simply because the world and the formula are familiar and predictable, some do have an extra interesting appeal to make them more enjoyable.

Allie isn't a traditional type of heroine in these Argeneau stories because she is aware of immortals but she isn't interested in having a relationship with someone. Her role of potential life mate is more than expected, but this time the author developed her character in a way which isn't the norm. I would not say Allie is reluctant or determined to avoid a relationship but it isn't a goal of hers and I found this to be quite a novelty. Obviously, she changes her mind but not immediately for the usual reasons; instead, Allie wants to protect Liam, whom she considers her own child, and she will do what she can to be part of his life.

Allie also is conveniently a lonely person, we discover she had a complicated childhood, but I must say the author sometimes does seem to exaggerate the drama, especially when the purpose is, or seems to be,  the justification why this person is at a right place to become immortal or part of the immortal community. I also found it to be a less than adequate choice to only add this and other information at the last third of the novel, when things happened at a much quicker pace. This made certain situations to be rushed and I don't think the author had to do this this way, there was plenty of time to fix the pace. 

Magnus is the immortal Allie is paired with but if he had been mentioned more times before, I admit I can't remember. Sometimes this doesn't really matter, for the author introduces characters at any time and other times writes things as if it was already a given readers would know that happened or that specific character. Since the plots are often so similar since the series went towards a more dramatic setting and the couples become so in such repetitive ways (unlike the more comedy toned first books of the series), I don't think this is such a big deal, for those familiar with the series it's easy to get back on track.

Back to Magnus, he is of Nordic origin, quite old, and the only explanation why he is there is that he used to be an enforcer too, I think. he is a classical hero, with sadness and devastation in his past, but this time less than the heroine's despite the huge gap between their existences. His relationship with Allie follows all the usual patterns from the moment they decide to turn Allie, for her safety. Before that, I was actually entertained because she seemed to not mind being alone... well, I think the ideas weren't that badly done here, but it seemed as if things had to be quickly finished from a certain point on.

In regards to Liam's situation, it's not that hard to know how things were solved. 

I was surprised by how the villain's were dealt with, one of the bad guys who has been the focus lately was killed and I can only assume others might start to be mentioned, but at the same time, I expected a bit more content about this or at least more conversations by the characters interested in his demise to reinforce the importance of what finally happened.

All in all, this was engaging in a way other novels had not been, but to me the consistency of the writing wasn't the same throughout the book. Still, I liked this one better than some others, so here's hoping the following ones, when I finally get to them might be surprising somehow too.

Grade: 7/10

Lynsay Sands - The Trouble With Vampires

For close to three thousand years the imposing, impossibly handsome Santo Notte has fought in armies across the world and battled his own, more personal enemies. Of all the places he might expect to encounter his life mate, a quiet corner of upstate New York doesn’t seem likely. But as soon as he makes contact with history professor Petronella Stone, while hunting down a suspected rogue immortal, he knows that she will be the greatest adventure of his eternal life.
He expects her to be surprised, confused, even overwhelmed. What he doesn’t expect is that Pet has a secret history of her own. There’s no mistaking the mind-blowing, mutual pleasure they share. But as Pet struggles to protect her nephew from a danger lurking too close to home, Santo realizes there’s another threat to her safety—him. And claiming their passionate future will be impossible until he leaves his past behind, forever…

Comment: This is installment #29 in the Argeneau series. This PNR series focuses on the Argeneau family and how they find their life mates. The first book (not in chronological order) was published in 2003 and it's still ongoing. 

In this book we have Santo Notte's story. He is one of the multiple cousins we keep hearing about and who has been in several books as a secondary character, only now it's his time to find his life mate. While investigating something with Marguerite, Julian and others, Santo meets Petronella, who is babysitting her nephew. He realizes she is his life mate and is quite thrilled, but she is hiding a secret, which can both work for and against the possibility of her accepting a possible relationship with him. At the same time, the investigation points to the fact perhaps dr Dressler, the enemy on the run for a few books so far, might be near. Could it be they will finally have enough to catch him?

After so many past installments and other comments on previous books and even available information in several sites about this series, I won't go into it again, but let it be said that nothing really changes from what one would expect of this series in terms of formula and development. I suppose that, at this point, a new reader won't be truly impressed and a fan would like it anyway or read it out of dedication/familiarity. Still, I did find one little element which made this romance slightly different, but at the same time I don't think the execution was as well done as it could.

Usually the formula goes very simply: immortal character meets human life mate, has to convince that person to love them and to accept turning immortal as well, and most of the plot is about this, with some bad guys causing problems and being hunted to add drama or move things forward. In here, I was surprised that although Petronella is human she is aware of the immortals existence and doesn't even assume they are vampires, as anyone might do.

It's indeed refreshing but the way this information is given to us seems to happen at a weird time, way after Petronella got aware of the immortals and since the narrator is third person, the reader would have been made aware of this fact way before. But this didn't happen so when Petronella shares this with Santo I was a little surprised with the timing, it felt very off. I suppose the author had other plans and then wanted to write other scenes before this had to happen but I feel it wasn't the best choice because it made the sequence of events a little nonsensical.

Apart from the disjointed elements, I also think the romance between Petronella and Santo wasn't as alluring as it could. In the beginning, the stories were pure comedy and the romance cute and funny. Then some stories started to have stronger or darker elements, which would obviously add those tones to the overall effect, and I don't mind it really, but there was a shift in how the author conducted things. The (several) past installments have things so obviously divided into romance and plot that some romances just seem to go through the motions, like this one, even considering their personal backgrounds being different from what other couples faced.

Petronella has a truly bad experience in her childhood, regarding her biological parents' fate, and Santo is an immortal who had a lot of tragedy....of course it's good to see they kind of moved on but the only personal developments to speak of between them was when they shared some details and all the sex stuff we came to expect about life mates. I don't think there's a true advance in why their personalities matter to a good dynamic between them or why they work as a couple and can be life mates.

At the end, more sudden and life altering things happen to more than one character, more characters certainly will pop up in future books because of this or linked to this situation and the cycle is never ending. 

I guess it wouldn't matter that much of the romances kept on feeling like inevitable. As soon as we know they can be life mates that's it, I guess it would be more interesting to develop characters beyond that as why they would work as a loving couple.

Grade: 6/10

Lynsay Sands - Vampires Like it Hot

“Vampires...”
When Raffaele Notte pulls a barely dressed, disoriented woman from the ocean, the last thing he expects is for her to utter that word. The immortal has come to the island resort to help his cousin, but now, it seems, there are rogue vampires dining on unsuspecting tourists. And he soon realizes that not only is Jess a target, she’s also the life mate he’s been waiting for…
Vampires are real. Jess would’ve never believed it until she saw them with her own eyes. She knows she has to get off the island, and her gallant rescuer has offered to help. There’s something about Raffaele that’s unlike any man she has ever met, and his touch sends pleasure through her that is beyond all imagining. But when Jess discovers who he really is, will she risk life as she knows it for a chance of forever by his side?

Comment: This is installment #28 in the Argeneau series. I must have said before, this is a series best read in order so, if a new reader wants to try one of the books, my advice is to try at least one of the earlier books.

In this installment, heroine Jess is spending some less than pleasant time in Punta Cana, for a cousin's wedding. However, her roommate cousin Allison, the family's disagreeable member and the terrible humidity and heat everywhere outside of the hotel make for a really tiring experience. Things get worse when Allison convinces her to go see sharks being fed but the boat just keeps on putting distance and something shady has to be going on, especially when a crew member attacks a tourist. At the same time, the boat's captain has this weird but unstoppable magnetism and she sees herself somehow unable to resist him. With some effort, after she sees another weird scene, Jess decides to escape and is eventually rescued by Raffaele Notte, whose holidays with Zanipolo and Santo aren't really that fun, because of the heat. Finding Jess and realizing she is his life mate changes this but what about the other immortal who made Jess feel so attracted?

I must applaud the author for her dedication to the series and the imaginative ways she has found to keep adding family members to the cast of characters, so that the series is still titled Argeneau... however, it is also true the stories are often repetitive and as the series goes on, the less impact they have. I mean this in the sense that, since the comedy aspect has become less and less from several books ago, now the focus is on how quick the life mates can be together and the fun part of the romance also seems to have been lost for that. Besides, there are only so many ways the human life mates can know about/interact with immortals...

This book was also a little stressful at first! The situations Jess goes through felt rather horrific before we got to have the big picture and I can't tell if this is just artistic creativity or the author might be tired too, of having the same things happening all the time? I just know it felt Jess went through a not so fun/cute experience by discovering the truth about immortals...

I believe this is one reason why this is yet another installment where some readers have been disappointed. The comedy factor isn't what it used to be, this is more than obvious, but the stories could still be light and cute even if the humor wouldn't feel the same, but it seems the idea was to turn things into simple PNR romance. I don't really mind this, to be honest, but I think the execution shouldn't have to be affected wither and the truth is that, sometimes, the characters aren't that likable or their romances not great.

Jess seems to be a responsible woman but she is put under a lot of stress. Although I liked her, I also felt a little frustrated by her decisions, but if such a thing were to happen to me, how realistically would one not react in a crazy manner? I just think that the plot, the whole idea of life mates has taken over the series so much that Jess has to be placed in close proximity to Raffaele, so they can become aware of their connection. The effort to make this happen makes the plot feel rushed and too silly, too focused on how quickly they can be intimate. I feel there's a lack of romance, of anticipation, of natural situations which would make the romance feel better or authentic.

I also felt Raffaele wasn't characterized that good. I don't think we actually got to know much about him, he was certainly one of the heroes I'll remember the least. I mean, he is a good guy, within what one can expect from them in the series, but he was very two dimensional and I feel that were he to be any other character, nothing would be lost, because he isn't that memorable. I suppose that in part, this is the negative of too many characters, they start blending and becoming too similar, but it still felt like a wasted or misused opportunity.

It is true there are some details which aren't seen much, like the fact Jess could be a life mate to Raffaele and Vasco, a secondary character. This did offer a few scenes which make one think about the life mate issues, but I don't think this was enough to "elevate" this story. There were also things which were left off too easily and some scenes jumped from one situation to another too quickly.

In sum, this wasn't the best, I'd say, and it all depends on how the reader looks at each book, but many probably are like me: reading for the sake of memories and some emotional investment, hoping the next one brings back the good parts.

Grade: 5/10

Lynsay Sands - Twice Bitten

For someone who’s been around for over a hundred and forty years, immortal Elspeth Argeneau hasn’t done a whole lot of living. Now that she’s moved away from her controlling mother, she’s tracking down rogue vampires and enjoying some overdue freedom. A fling would be fun. A life mate can wait. Yet to Elspeth’s surprise, her landlady’s hot grandson checks both boxes.

Wyatt fell instantly in love with Elspeth four years ago. He’s stunned to run into her again, especially as she has no memory of him. Then again, there are a lot of things about Elspeth that don’t make sense, like the miraculous speed with which her wounds heal. And the chemistry that transforms every touch into an explosion of desire. But with mysterious “accidents” besieging Elspeth, the ex-Special Forces soldier appoints himself her bodyguard. But time is running out to uncover the truth about her enemies—and rediscover the man determined to love her for eternity.

Comment: This is installment #27 in the Argeneau series. I think, unless someone has been following the series from the start, to pick a random book from the series out of order would not be a good idea. On the other hand, some fans have not enjoyed the last books as much as they liked the early ones so... I suppose it's that same old saying: to each their own.

In this book the main character is Elspeth, a young immortal (for their patterns) who has finally been able to leave home and her smothering mother to live and work in Canada. However, one day she arrives home and there her mother is, along with her twin sisters. What follows is a plot full of shenanigans, weird coincidences and a man Elspeth doesn't remember meeting before but who thinks of her as someone special. Something is not right but before Elspeth can go to the bottom of it, there's also someone trying to kill her...

I sometimes feel indifferent to the path the author has led the series into and I'll even say I'm not that bothered by less positive aspects. To me, the elements that annoy me keep being more often related to the characters' personal lives/choices, etc., therefore I read each book as it is without much investment. These are great books to let your focus go, to be entertained. I can understand the more negative opinions, though. I have read all the books so far and yes, there's a distinct difference in tone and style from the early stories to the last ones.... too much repetition, too many established rules now forbiding things from changing too radically...?

Anyway, this is how things are and I think for those who can think of the family relationships and characters' connections this can still be rewarding. I also think the author does try to come up with enough changes from book to book so that there seems to be some novelty but I can also understand why many don't think this is happening.

Reaching this book, there have been some threads on going, some sub plots developing and although there wasn't a lot of moving on on those in this book, I think the main plot was interesting enough. The author inserted the "controlling mother" issue here and thinking on the rules of this world, I think it provided a new way of looking at the immortals lives and what flaws there can be in their existence. I still think there were too many coincidences but that didn't distract me from simply reading and appreciating the book.

Elspeth is a good enough heroine, I suppose, her circumstances were... special and with so many secondary characters on scene, it was a little difficult to get an idea of her personality. Wyatt, her love interest seemed more intriguing, but again I felt he wasn't as fully developed with so much going on. What irony, I often think authors don't develop the main characters and their romance enough when too much is around them at the same time I like how they don't focus only on them, as if they could be islands without other people near. 

Elspeth and Wyatt as a couple have a refreshing story, that's for certain. I don't remember this tactic being used exactly the same way before (although another couple's romance has similar elements) but I don't think the author was successful in making me be convinced they really were the perfect match. We know they are, the rules of this world make it so, but I kind of wish there was more romance before they acknowledge their feelings. I'll be honest, I don't think the words they say to one another at the end can be heartfelt, they barely had time to process what was happening...

All in all, this wasn't a bad story, certainly not my least favorite... but since book #6, no other has grabbed me to a point I couldn't not think of it. More hope for the next book!

Grade: 6/10

Lynsay Sands - Immortally Yours

One hundred and twenty-five years is a long time to nurse a crush. That’s how long it’s been since Beth Argenis first met Cullen “Scotty” MacDonald and he instantly became the star of her most X-rated dreams. Back then, he was rescuing her from a Rogue Immortal. Now Beth’s a Rogue Hunter—a damn good one. She doesn’t need saving anymore, despite what Scotty thinks. What she does need is the fierce, wild desire that finally erupts between them.
Scotty has hesitated to claim Beth as his own. But one explosive kiss confirms what he’s long suspected: She’s his life mate. But Beth is tough, fearless, beautiful…and in immortal danger. Unless he wants to lose her forever, he’ll have to rethink everything he once believed about love and destiny as well as confront an enemy who’s terrifyingly close.

Comment: This is installment #26 in the Argeneau series by author Lynsay Sands. I have been following the series for a long time now, although not continuously. Still, I have a somewhat notion of the (very long) cast of characters and although the stories no longer entice me as much for their plot, I still feel curious to see what the characters are up to and how many more connections can be made.

In this story the protagonists are Beth, who at her turn was somehow "adopted" into the Argeneau family and Cullen "Scotty" McDonald, an immortal who met Beth soon after her turn but never claimed her because he wanted to give her tie to settle and adapt, even if that meant trying to keep her out of danger, something she never understood and actually thought he didn't care much for her.

Now they are joining forces along with other team members, to catch some rogues but it's the apparent repetitive attempts on Beth's life, disguised as freaky accidents, that catch Scotty's attention. Will he be able to finally talk to Beth and explain? Will he save her as he feels he needs to even though she is a hunter on her own right?

I've repeated in each commentary to the books in this series that since there are so any books, some are hit or miss. I'd say this one is, for me, in the middle of the road because although it does contain interesting elements, the pace just wasn't properly adjusted to the seriousness of the themes.

The installments in this series can be read as stand alones, I suppose, but to be honest, I can't understand how these stories can make much sense to a new reader if some notions hadn't been previously gotten by reading some of the other books. Besides, every fan knows, there is an obvious difference between the first, say 12 books the the rest? For me that's where I make the division but I'm certain other readers think differently. The first books felt part of a whole, had a certain flavor, even though I liked some more than others. From then on, it just felt like the author had to keep up with finding HEAs to every known character and some new ones. Yes, it's great the series are still on going and if that happens, it's because people get them. However, the series started off as being funny and cute, with an original premise for the "supernatural" elements.

Not all books were as hilarious, that's to expect in such a long series, but some are definitely on the serious side. I don't feel bothered by that, I actually like when characters are more than just a comic relief prop.

I think what bothers me a little is that, just as it happened with this book, the funny and serious elements don't mesh as well as in the first books and the pace isn't suitable for the kind of issues sometimes presented.

The plot of this story is rather predictable it ends up being quite basic, bordering on the silly but that, to me, can be put aside if the characterization of the protagonists (and secondary characters if it happens) is well done.  I just didn't end up convinced that Beth and Scotty really did suit one another nor that their relationship could evolve into love territory based on what we learn about them in this book.

Both of them have a hard past, Beth more so. And, unlike some other stories where the passage of time for the immortals is almost glossed over by the cute elements, I don't think that was achieved here. Beth, for instance, is a calm and laid back heroine, she is as down to earth as she could but when we learn about her past, I can only conclude the incredible passage of time since she was a mortal until now is why she is such a balanced person for what happened to her was awful.

Scotty had it bad too but not as much, and not in the same way. However, we are to believe they are destined soul mates who can so easily fall in love, even knowing about the effect of the detail that makes them a forever couple.

I struggled to believe this, not because of the paranormal stuff, not because of the secondary issues that usually contribute for a couple to establish themselves as such but because they had a damaged past that should have affected their personality in a more serious manner and the whole thing seemed to be solved with a conversation and the life mate knowledge. Considering how at odds they had been, but not in an adorable sort of way, it should have taken longer for them to really become more in sync with one another. I get why, but then, such a type of romance shouldn't happen in just one book or in a fast paced one.

Due to these little - but important - things, I just couldn't appreciate the story as much as it deserved. I liked knowing things about other characters, I can see where the author can be going with how to prolong the series but sometimes if feels like a task to be done, not as much as if the stories really had to be told, you know. Not all of them feel as if they matter as much....

Nevertheless, I'll still read the next book. Hopefully, it's a good one for my own perception!

Grade: 5/10

Lynsay Sands - Immortal Unchained

Ever since Domitian Argenis recognized Sarita as his life mate, he’s been waiting for the perfect moment to claim her. Those fantasies did not include him being chained to a table in a secret lab or both of them being held hostage by a mad scientist. Somehow, they have to escape…
Sarita has seen some crazy things as a cop, but nothing to rival Domitian. A vampire? Seriously? But his healing ability, incredible powers, and their mind-blowing physical connection—none of it should be possible, yet her body knows differently.
Now, not only do they have to save each other, but other innocent lives are at stake. Failure is not an option, for Sarita intends that Domitian show her exactly what an eternity of pleasure feels like...

Comment: This is the 25th installment in the Argeneau series by author Lynsay Sands. The stories follow a very large family, since they are immortals, similar to vampires in some regards, and they have very long lives which includes several family bonds and many members.

In this book we meet Domitian Argenis, from a Latin branch of the family and Sarita Reyes, the woman he has known would be his life mate.

Domitian has let himself be kidnapped by the enemy, dr Dessler, because many immortals have disappeared recently and it is feared they might be tortured and experimented on. However, Domitian didn't count on dr Dessler deceiving Sarita and bringing her to his island too so he could use them, as life mates, to do some experiment by observation.

The problem isn't so much their connection for it is true they are life mates, but the fact there are more people in danger and whatever they do, there are cameras everywhere. The moment they find a way to escape, they stumble on something even more unexpected which they can't simply ignore.

Will there be a way to finally stop the crazy scientist?

After so many books wit so many types of plots, it's no wonder the stories start to feel the same and characters are mixed up or forgotten. This means it's not really advisable to read these books out of order, for the world makes more sense if there's some background.

It's also to be expected the tone, the overall sensation of these stories changes with time. The series begun as a fun and sexy PNR and now is more angsty, a little darker, not as giggle enticing anymore and the romance isn't as cute as it used to be.

Why would old readers keep reading, then? Well, many didn't and many complain. I like some books more than others but that's also to assume, after so many stories. It's just impossible, considering the premise of these books, to really run that much from some implicit expectations.

Still, I must agree the romances are quite lacking since the love story stopped being the focus of the plots. With this I mean to say that although the main couple still has to deal with what happens between them, that situation is a given but it's not longer such fun to see it develop for the focus is on the sex and on the secondary things as it happened a little bit in this book.

The sex is to exist, after all this is romance, but I keep thinking the amount of time spent on sex scenes could be used instead to further advance the emotional connection between the protagonists. For several reasons, they usually bond very quickly but I think it would be funnier, more exciting, more special if that part of the relationship could be more...build up, like a reward the characters could have after their mutual emotional connection. Here, despite a vocal no at first, the heroine immediately changed her mind and had sex with the hero in the first chapters because of how strong their connection. It's the way things are between life mates but... it was still lacking novelty.

Therefore, I read these books mostly for the family members and to see how characters are doing, etc. 

The plots can develop for a few books until a new enemy/situation happens and I'm mostly OK with that tactic but yes, some stories just feel like dragging, others are rather boring, others focus on stuff I don't find interest in and it's a pity because looking at our world today and all the problems it has, these stories could have quite a large amount of possibilities.

The plot of this book was OK because it read like a mission to be accomplished ad we discover new things about the bad guy and what he has been doing.

By the blurbs of future books it doesn't seem much will be develop in this regard but...oh well. At least in this installment it was exciting to see something new when it came to plot devices.

All things considered, this was an OK read, some elements were compelling enough to make me keep reading and it is good to see "old" friends. But yes, the story could be so much better, in my POV, were some details to be changed.

Grade: 7/10

Lynsay Sands - Immortal Nights

Abigail Forsythe’s life hasn’t been easy lately. Still, if there’s one thing guaranteed to take her mind off an empty bank account and abandoned dreams, it’s a naked man locked in a plane’s cargo hold. A very big, incredibly gorgeous naked man. And when instinct prompts her to free him, Abigail must rely on this stranger for survival . . . a stranger who leaves her thrumming with need every time they touch.
Tomasso Notte knows he’s found his life mate in Abigail. Now he just has to hold on to her. They’re miles from civilization, hunted by his kidnappers. Abigail has no idea of Tomasso’s abilities, or of how intensely pleasurable their unique connection can be. But he’s about to show her, beginning with one wild, hot, immortal night . . .

Comment: This is the 24th installment in the Argeneau series by Lynsay Sands. As I have said in previous comments here, the appeal of the series is to heck on family bonds, friendships and possible original ways to develop a new plot although this last element has been quite disappointing lately.

In this story we follow Tomasso, the twin brother of Dante, the hero from the previous book, as he goes on about saving himself from the kidnappers we knew had him. He has the help of Abigail, his obvious intended life mate but he, being immortal, manages to save them both until they safely land on an island after jumping from the plane that was carrying Tomasso to a hidden place where a scientist is doing experiments on immortals.

Abigail doesn't know what to think about her instant and practically irresistible attraction she feels for Tomasso and vice-versa, to the point if they make out they pass out as well. However, while in the island, Abigail gets sick and Tomasso must make a decision.

How will they deal with what Tomasso hasn't yet told her about who he is?

Will they find the mad scientist and help others already imprisoned?

After so many books, it does get a bit repetitive to have certain information again and again, but I suppose for new readers, it comes in handy. I'd say this is one small issue regarding these stories nowadays and why they don't feel like always bringing something new to the table.

However, the biggest issue for me is that despite the different settings and characters, there doesn't seem to exist any intention in creating amazing new scenarios nor situations to present how the characters meet and how their relationship develops.

Tomasso and Abigail form a pretty much standard couple: he is the immortal who protects her and informs of of who he is and she is a mortal woman who must deal with the sudden new information and change in reality. In between they have sex, they "fall in love" - of course this is never realistically done.

The best novels are the ones where this formula doesn't happen. I wish the author would create different situations, would, perhaps, stress out the change in circumstances of the newcomers, would focus more on the technical aspects of this instead of giving us just sexy scenes and repetitive situations.

The last book, for instance, felt a little different just because of how Mary reacted to her new status.

I like these books for the escapism and because things tend to be fixed and an HEA is guaranteed. I can understand the rules of the world created but I think there would be interesting ways to change things a bit while keeping up with what is expected but still innovate.

In this book, for instance, I'd have preferred to see how Abigail's life was after her change and what it would have meant for her state of mind. We just get the notion everything will be well and easy... I'd like to see a book focus on that instead of just the before.

Some people also comment on how the books have lost humor as the installments piled up. I don't mind this but at least those funnier books explained why the plots and situations were lighter and sillier. Adding drama and some darker situations here and there should develop alongside a more complex setting, more complex characters... the way it is, everything feels just more of the same.

I would say that something interesting to add to this series would be creating situations/plots where the main characters would interact more before the life mate acknowledgement happens. This might give us a better notion of who they are outside of the bigger group of immortals. Apart from a few details, most characters are quite similar, good/bad, more/less confident... I'd say things got to a very static point. 

This considered, I can't say this was one of the best books in the series. Even when some elements aren't as well done in some of the other books, there was always something specific that made it intriguing or interesting to read....

What I'm curious to see in future books now is mostly if the relationship has some sort of conflict or not because everything else is pretty much expected to happen anyway.

Grade: 5/10

Lynsay Sands - Runaway Vampire

Dante Notte has heard it said that love hurts. He just wasn't expecting it to run him over in an RV. Still, a punctured lung and broken ribs are nothing compared to the full-body shock he feels whenever he's near the vehicle's driver, Mary Winslow. He needs to keep her safe from their pursuers while he rescues his brother. Most challenging of all, he needs to claim this smart, stubborn woman as his life mate.
The naked, injured, insanely gorgeous younger man who clambered into her RV insists they belong together. If Mary wasn't feeling their incredible connection in every inch of her being, she wouldn't believe it. But now that the men who took Dante's twin are after her too, trusting her gut means risking her life for an immortal who's the very definition of a perfect stranger. 

Comment: This is the 23rd installment in the Argeneau series by author Lynsay Sands. 

It's true that it's a recognizable feat the series is still being published after so many books, after so many Argeneau's coming out of everywhere as the series evolve and even more amazing is that the author still has ideas to keep this going. 

There are flaws as anyone can imagine but one thing is certain, at least for me, the series is entertaining even if some books aren't as good in general.

In this story we have Dante Notte as protagonist. When he escapes from a kidnapping attempt, he is run over by a RV but decides to recover using the owner of the RV, Mary, as his helper for a while, especially because he can't read her and he knows that it might mean she can be a life mate for him.

After getting help from the family but still worried about his brother, who had been kidnapped too, Dante wants to keep going but it seems the enemies are still after him and other immortals they could find.

Mary is a 62 year old just traveling to some vacation time in the same spot she has traveled with her husband when he was alive. She was not counting on running over anyone, much less a younger guy that tells her incredible and unlikely things. Will she be able to be  believer?

 

Dante and his twin Tomasso have been secondary characters in the recent books, usually playing the part of helpers when something has to be done ore when a new life mate needs to know things about being immortal and such.

They have been characterized as laid back guys but, of course, still cherished by others or wouldn't they just be part of the Argeneau family tree somehow. I confess I was not especially interested in these guys but since this story was so easily read, just for plot fluidity this was better for me than some of other books before.

The biggest detail here to consider is, obviously, the age difference between Dante and Mary while she is not yet aware of the life mate status. He might be older because he is an immortal but he doesn't look so and Mary is and looks older than him. Readers of the series know that is isn't an impediment for a romance in this "world" but I admit when this age difference situation happened before in the series it just was too awkward to be believable and the behavior of those older often seemed ill-suited.

The story developed in a way that was not a surprise, for some it might even be considered a bit too formulaic. The main couple meets, we get to discover that Mary's marriage wasn't as perfect as it seems at first but I liked that it was not made into something too negative that it would be too obvious how her connection with Dante could end up being, but that, somehow, is to be expected. After all, the main premise here is precisely that the couples are a good match and the fun it to see how that happens.

The plots do seem to get a bit repetitive. I can understand this idea being the biggest critique but at the same time, if everything was too different how much would we criticize the "rules" wee being dismissed? It's difficult to imagine a proper balance in everything, that is for certain.

The first books also had a bit more intentional tone of humor and the latest ones do not. I, personally, don't miss that as I prefer to focus on the stories and not be distracted by my deficiencies sometimes in getting the jokes or envisioning the scenes.

All in all, the romance between Dante and Mary doesn't get out of the expected, the secondary characters were interesting, specially Francis and Russell but what a pity they didn't get their own story, which I'd loved to read. The story doesn't feel finished, though, since it's obvious the main elements are going to keep on through the next one, Tomasso's.

Grade: 7/10

Lynsay Sands - About a Vampire

With immortal good looks and scorching charisma, Justin Bricker has yet to meet a woman he can't win over. His potential life mate should be no different. But instead of falling into his bed, Holly Bosley runs away and ends up mortally wounded. To save her, he has to turn her. And then Bricker learns the shocking truth: Holly's already married.
Holly wakes up with a bump on her head, a craving for blood, and a sexy stranger who insists they belong together. She needs Bricker's help to control her new abilities, even as she tries to resist his relentless seduction. Choosing between the world she knows and the eternity he offers is impossible. But Justin is fighting for his life mate—maybe even his life—and he'll break every rule to do it . . .

Comment: This is the story #22 in the long standing Argeneau series and although sometimes I wonder why I keep with it, I don't think this is one of those that I'd actually give up on despite the less than appealing installments...

In this book we finally have Justin Bricker's story, he has been a recurrent character known for his impatience in finding his life mate while not being that understanding when it comes to those around him in the same situation.

His story begins when he and Decker and Anders (previous protagonists) are dealing with a situation at a crematorium and a part time employee sees them and while running stabs herself in an accident.

Since Justin can't read the woman he is ecstatic she might be a life mate but in his attempts to get on with what he feels is finally his due, he is quite surprised to discover she is already married...

If there is any other series installment that wouldn't seem as out of order as this story is, I don't know. I can totally undertand why it would feel like Justin would be deserving of a romance at last but the way this story was achieved seems to be a little under done for me, especially because there are good ideas but the exection felt very flat for me.

Justin is a character that feels he can't wait for a life mate and his behavior does come across as without patience nor understanding but I confess I felt a little pity for him. He gets a life mate but she's married which, according to the immortal rules, makes it impossible for him to claim her or seduce her as other characters have done in other books.

Personally, I'd say the series has evolved too much into a repetitive method and the romances no longer feel like destined but something the readers have to endure just to have them classify themselves in the end as "in love". There are books where I feel the plot is too much centered around the idea of a character getting a life mate and bringing that new character into the fold, even if both protagonists are already immortals. I just think the stories are all alike and although part of their appeal is precisely how different details work within the same general idea, some stories are getting just too much redundant.

Justin, I felt was put in a very unfair situation. Not because of the married heroine, that was actually a new element that could have been used better too, but because he was put in the position of being considered too juvenile, especially by how his "friends" took revenge on him. I thought this didn't add the comedy side that the author probably aied for and instead it looked forced.

Holly, the heroine, being married could offer interesting drama scenarios in how she would deal with the fact she was Justin's life mate and for Justin to deal with her not being easily available for him to claim. However, i feel both things were misused and there was quite a loss of a great plot but well...

The romance itself was too quick, their interactions not that much beyond the basics and I don't think we really got to know a lot about each of them. As a couple, everything happened in the plan of the dreams that the end felt completely out of sync with the rest of the story and the secondary characters were way much more interesting.

I'd have preferred Justin's story to have happened mater or differently...

Hopefully, the next one will be back to a better place.

Grade: 6/10

Lynsay Sands - The Immortal Who Loved Me

A few hours ago, Sherry Carne would have sworn that vampires didn’t exist. That’s before rogue immortals rampage through her store, leaving bloody chaos (literally) in their wake. The kicker comes when Sherry learns that one of the vamps on the bad guys’ trail may be her life mate. Her head says it’s impossible. The rest of her takes one look at Basileios Argeneau and has much more interesting ideas.
Whatever Basil expected in a life mate, funny, outspoken Sherry isn’t it. But mind-blowing chemistry and instinct don’t lie. They tell him something else, too—that Sherry’s connection to the immortal world goes deeper than she knows. And that she’s in the kind of danger only Basil can save her from—if she’ll just trust him, now and forever . . .

Comment: This is the 21st installment in the life long Argeneau series by author Lynsay Sands, about a vampire family and all the connected characters. This has been quite successful for the first book included in the series was published in 2003 (with a heavier comedy tone) and after sixteen years, it's still on going even if some installments aren't as funny or "light" as some of the initial ones were.

In this story we meet Basileios Argeneau, one of Lucien's brothers from Atlantis, someone who has been pretty low profile but now got center stage.

His heroine is Sherry, a woman that got into the middle of things after villain Leo ans his sons entered her store, where they thought they saw Stephanie (a secondary character we met a few books ago) go in there.

While trying to understand Stephanie's weird behavior, Sherry talks to her and sees Leo behave in an even more weird way. Somehow Stephanie makes a go at solving their situation and also finds the time to realize Sherry could be a potential life mate to Basileios because of their similar "energy".

As one can imagine, adventure and confusion follows...

After so many books, it's a wonder the author can still keep up with the expectations of those who read this series, namely because of the fascinating take on the vampire notion, even if that isn't exactly the description the author likes to use or that the characters are seen as using. I think the overall concept of how these different types of people, whose features often are compared and alike those of the vampires often found in fantastic literature, is quite amazing and that explain several things very well. I also like how the author decided to use the "family" concept here, which means all characters are somehow connected and that makes things more interesting, especially if we need to have recurrent characters not being too weirdly participating in other couple's main stories.

This book has all the above and I must say it got to a point that it is necessary to look at the family tree the author has on her website because after so many books and couples, everything starts to be very confusing...

What I probably liked the best about this book is how it  focused on the central plot of looking for and trying to apprehend the villain Leo. For that, the romance took a little step back and we were able to still see characters interact but it wasn't distracting from the main issue. It also provided interesting insights regarding the heroine, the "new" character in this.

Often these books focus on one of the Argeneau family members or other immortals in their connection network and a new person, the usually new life mate that comes on scene to form the romantic bond. In this case Sherry is the mortal woman who is discovered to be the possible life mate of Basileios.

Basileios is certainly an interesting character and we get to understand him a bit but he has never been crucial for the other stories so I must say I wasn't that impressed by his personality of his role as protagonist.

Sherry, on the other hand, is more fascinating because of her past, of who she really is in terms of allowing the reader to consider a new situation regarding how mortals and immortals are connected.

The relationship between them was more of the same with the change that they both met knowing others already assumed they could be life mates. It looked like as if they were expected to be on a blind date and figure out if they "matched". Of course they did, which we already knew, so their relationship developed in an interesting cautious way and that was different enough for me to appreciate it.

At least until intimacy came to happen and as any reader knows, the sex between life mates can be too consuming. I think bringing that into the equation is always a must but to be honest it just made the small steps they took before lose all impact.

After so many books it can be a little too repetitive how the romance is portrayed and I miss the expectation of having a different type of romance development. Still, this had a few funny situations, some advancement and I was entertained enough for certain.

Grade: 7/10

Lynsay Sands - Vampire Most Wanted

For Basha Argeneau, anything is better than facing her estranged family. Even hiding out in sweltering southern California. But when a sexy immortal in black shows up determined to bring her back to the clan, she'll do anything to keep far, far away from the past she can't outrun.
Marcus Notte isn't here to play games—especially not with someone as crazy as the infamous blonde. Asked by Lucian Argeneau to bring her back for questioning, Marcus is determined to carry out Lucian's request—no matter how the seductive little mind-reading vamp feels about it.
Basha doesn't mind fighting fire with fire, especially with a hot immortal involved. But if he wants to take her away, he'll have to catch her first . . . 

Comment: This is the installment #20 in the Argeneau vampire series by author Lynsay Sands. As always, it follows the way a specific couple finds love while several of the previous characters play a secondary part somehow.

This one was different enough for it focused on a plot line that hasn't been developed properly for some books now although it started several books ago.

The main couple is Basha and Marcus Notte.

Basha is one of those characters mentioned here and there but who we never really think about, except now her story is up and suddenly lots of characters remember/mention/discuss her at some point. Basha is a niece of Lucien, who he took care of after her parents died until the day she disappeared. Bash has had a very traumatic life until she escaped an enemy of the Argeneaus and reinvented herself as a gypsy though the centuries. Now, somehow mentions of her have reappeared and a unoccupied Marcus is charged with making certain this person is really her.

As one can imagine, at first they are wary of each other but as with every lifemate couple, it gets to a point they just can't pretend there's something between them...

The main focus of this installment is definitely Basha and her actions. We slowly discover several things about her past and I must say this isn't one of those silly cookie cute stories that often populate the series. As it sometimes happens, this is definitely a more serious story due to the elements it exploits, namely how difficult Basha's life has been.

This is probably the reason why some long life fans have not liked it, the tone is very different from those more humorous stories of the fist years and while I agree to a point, I don't exactly dislike the path of the series, only that it's a very irregular one.

It's a fact this story was darker than most of the others. The author went towards a darker path when it came to Basha's experiences mostly because it discussed some whereas in some others, the most difficult situations were often just referenced or summarized without much drama or descriptions. I liked things weren't glossed over but at the same time, it does clash with the other stories that the tone is very different, almost not resembling the same series. I can understand why it's confusing and why several aspects seemed contrary to other stories in the past (basically some "rules" of the world felt different here). This is why, for me, this was more average than what I imagined.

As for the plot itself, of course Basha is who Marcus thought and of course both are found amazed they are each other's lifemate. Their adventures follow some of the same premises other stories have had (the knowledge of who they are to each other but the sense they still need to ensure they can be a couple romantically, for instance) with the distinction of the tone like I said.

Marcus is a more simplistic character, his personality and behavior don't change much from beginning to end and his past doesn't have much conflict besides what all immortals usually face by having long lives.

I liked having the secondary characters show up.. as always it's nice to keep up with some of the characters who already had their stories or who will be the protagonists in the future and, to be honest, part of the fun is precisely that, to see their interactions now that the romances have become very predictable in how they develop.

All in all, this was what i consider to be another average story. It was different enough in tone and in following a plot that has started several books ago and it was obviously good that we got to see some developments but since these developments take quite a while to develop - obviously, if this is book #20 - and to be solved in the story, it's also a game of chance to guess when something can feel good or innovative again if not simply just "there". 

Nevertheless, it was good enough to have another installment in the lives of these characters.

Grade: 6/10

Lynsay Sands - One Lucky Vampire

Luck be a vampire tonight . . .
When Nicole Phillips agreed to hire a housekeeper, she pictured someone a little frumpy and almost certainly female. Instead, she gets gorgeous, unmistakably male Jake Colson. The man is proving indispensable in the kitchen—and everywhere else. Except Jake might not be a mortal man at all.
. . . and every night
Who wouldn't want to be a tall, dark, powerful vampire? Jake, for one. He's barely had time to adjust to his new state before he's roped into a family favor. Still, secretly playing bodyguard to sweet, sexy Nicole is turning out to be the wildest ride of his life. First he'll put a stop to whoever's targeting her. Then he'll prove that this kind of love, and luck, happens only once in an eternity.

Comment: This is the 19th installment in the Argeneau series and such a long lived series has stories that one can enjoy or read with more eagerness and others that aren't as interesting. 

This one, for me, is a little bit in the middle. I didn't dislike the story but it wasn't one I'd wish to re-read in the future either.

In this book we have the story of Nicole Phillips, a new character to the series and Jake Colson, the name used by Stephano Notte after his transformation. Apparently this happened in a scene somewhere in a past book - that is why I didn't remember it!

Jake didn't want to be an immortal and he has had this feeling since that happened but he is still somehow led by Marguerite, the series matchmaker and his sort of aunt, to protect Nicole because she has had a lot of bad luck situations lately and Marguerite thinks Nicole's ex husband is behind the accidents.

Of course, eventually Jake realizes Nicole is his life mate and that changes his attitude towards the while immortal life, leading him to also change his behavior among his family, who has always wanted him to be happy. But the problems continue and they even escalate which means something must be done.

This read as a sort of classic romance/adventure: the main couple discover their attraction and bond while trying to solve a complicated situation with the help of some meddling secondary characters.

Jake and Nicole meet and very quickly become mates. I mean, for fans of the series, this being mates situation has some "rules" and it's not as sexual as it sounds (despite having that too, of course) and things are always quite fair. However, the way the couple meets and bonds and accepts what's happening feels very rushed. There are some elements to simplify this quickness (pheromones exchanged by the two people, some paranormal feel between them, the circumstances of why they are meeting one another, the fact one element of the couple knows more about the situation that the other, etc) but for me it always feels as if it could happen differently.

I mean, Jake is a fascinating character, he has an attitude towards the whole immortal scene quite different from the usual and this was probably what made me like the story, he was different.

I liked how Jake struggled with his own self, with what he thought about what he was doing, why he was like this...very interesting dilemmas but it was a little sad he changed his POV so quickly because of the life mate.

Nicole was a very bland character. Nothing about her made me like her in any specific way, she was just there.

The plot has some interesting moments and there's even a little twist closer to the end regarding the attacks on Nicole. It was good that the author has included some new elements to sort of move things a bit. But the overall read wasn't as amazing. Nicole was too static for me to cheer for her as a love interest for Jake.

Also, before it was fun and cute to see how unaware characters would move around the immortals or how they acted in situations they couldn't really understand. Now, after so many stories, it just feels boring and repetitive and sometimes even silly.

If some of the tone and details of this world have evolved into more serious things, then everything should too. That is, if this isn't primarily a comedy series anymore, than more details need to be updated within the premises, otherwise some things just won't matter anyway.

Grade: 7/10

TBR Challenge: Lynsay Sands - Immortal Ever After

Valerie Moyer doesn’t believe in vampires—until she is kidnapped by a fanged psychopath! After escaping her bloodthirsty captor, she’s through with creatures of the night. Until she finds herself under the protection of the darkly handsome Anders. Not only is she expected to accept that Anders is immortal, but also that she is the woman destined to be his life mate!
Anders felt a connection to Valerie from the moment he cradled her bruised body in his arms. But before he claims her, he must destroy the vampire who almost stole her from him forever. His job would be easier if Valerie didn’t fight him every step of the way. Still, Anders loves a challenge, and the green-eyed beauty is worth fighting for!

Comment: And here we are again, at the time for another TBR Challenge post. August is a month dedicated to the theme Series, which can be quite broad. I took it as I did in previous editions (which had the add on catch-up, and that meant to read a book part of a series not finished) and that is why I picked a series I'm behind on, like the Argeneau Series by author Lynsay Sands. I've started reading the series years ago, then I stopped for a while and now I'm trying to keep going again.

In this 18th installment (with already ten other books published after this one) we keep following the adventures of the Argeneau family members, including close and distant relatives.

This is Anders' story, one of the enforcers tasked with hunting rogue immortals that don't live by the rules of those who want to stay protected and safe as the readers have tended to consider the "good guys". In this world vampires exist due to nanos in the blood, a sort of technology with several explanations behind.

Anders has had a long life and the day he helped a woman who saved herself and others from the clutches of a rogue seemed to be just one like the others but when he realized he couldn't read Valerie's thoughts, he wondered if she could be his life mate as all the clues indicated...

With such a long series, it's no wonder I no longer remember much from the beginning of each individual plot and to be very honest I'd need a re-read in order to be fair to some books again. However, the main themes remain the same so I was quite surprised to see this story felt very engaging to me after so much of the same and even more so after some books being a little et down after some time without reading.

The plot of this book is very simple: Anders and other enforcers help Valerie and other kidnapped females after a difficult ordeal and because Anders can't read Valerie's mind, Lucien (hero from book #6) as the head of the family decides Valerie can recuperate in his and Leigh's house so that Valerie could get to know Anders better. The story then focuses on their developing relationship and the steps to catch the rogue guy.

I liked this story because the romance felt well paced. Yes, a little quick at some point considering Valerie's recent negative experience but I still think the details around them were done well enough to give us the impression things were believable, romantically.

Anders had always been a mysterious character mostly because he was just like any other secondary character but I liked having more clues about his past, how he ended up being an enforcer and all that.

As for Valerie, as often (understandably) happens, she is an only child, has no close family and some of her future choices can be done more easily. She seemed to be a good character, a lot of heroine potential and I liked how the author played out their relationship.

I also liked this story better than some because the plot felt full, as if all elements had been considered before being added and the character's interactions, instead of being obviously - an lamely - made to be fun, were simply there and that made a lot of different. I liked being able to just enjoy the story without feeling I should look at it through different styles or types. It was also amazing that Lucien and Leigh (probably my favorite story overall) were a prominent couple here and so much a part of the plot.

I do think some situations are too repetitive and perhaps we could have more than one main story in each book ( the family has a lot of cousins and distant relatives) but I get why this happens like this, while the interest exist in these books. Unlike with other books, the flaws in this one were merely about elements regarding personal taste and choices so this is not a perfect book but not that bad either, if moreover predictable and usual in the series.

But I can say I'll keep reading nevertheless.

Grade: 8/10