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Artistic Vision (Gray Court #3)

by Dana Marie Bell (Goodreads Author)

4.21 of 5 stars 4.21 · rating details · 607 ratings · 44 reviews

Desire is the raw material. Lust is the spark and love will sculpt their destiny.

"The Gray Court, Book 3"

Akane Russo, one of the Hob s top Blades, can t wait for her current assignment to end. She s been tasked with protecting Shane Dunne from the Malmayne clan s scheme to kidnap him once again. But no one not even her Seer half warned her she d have to protect herself fro...more

ebook, 237 pages

Published November 22nd 2011 by Samhain Publishing

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Apr 14, 2013 Dr. Bronwyn Ph.D of Smutology rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dragon, elf-fae, magic, rainbow-challenge

I'm loving this series. It's like a world within a world and so masterly created.

In this instalment we see the mating of Akane (half dragon, half seer) and Shane (no one is really sure). We know he has powers though for the majority of his life he's been underestimated not realising he's the best connected and very well respected by those in power. With visions gifting him with information from the future he knows the world is on a precipice...new alliances are being formed, politics and greed a...more

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Sep 21, 2012 Sabine Honig rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love anything to do with the magical and supernatural world of dragons, fae, vamps, Sidhe, Leprechauns and other creatures. In her series The Gray Court, Ms. Bell has come up with a world that has all of the elements to make me one happy camper. It has magic, good versus evil, love, mating, seers and prophecies and so much more.
I read the first book, Dare To Believe and loved it – it was a lighthearted introduction to the world Ms. Bell has created. I also read the second story, Noble Blood,...more I love anything to do with the magical and supernatural world of dragons, fae, vamps, Sidhe, Leprechauns and other creatures. In her series The Gray Court, Ms. Bell has come up with a world that has all of the elements to make me one happy camper. It has magic, good versus evil, love, mating, seers and prophecies and so much more.
I read the first book, Dare To Believe and loved it – it was a lighthearted introduction to the world Ms. Bell has created. I also read the second story, Noble Blood, which was a much darker epic but a great read none the less. The third book in this series is Artistic Vision and it is the story of Shane, the third of the Dunne siblings and a seer and artist and Akane Russo – a Blade, but more importantly, half Seer and half Dragon. This is a story that is a powerful combination of the first two books – it is light hearted in places and yet in others there is a darkness of impending doom and the knowledge that there is more evil yet to come.
The Dunne family is one interesting family – the children are all hybrids and have special abilities. Shane has already been kidnapped by the Malmayne clan once before, and to prevent this from happening again, Akane is tasked with protecting him. Akane is somewhat aloof not just because of what she does, and who she is, but because she fears connecting to anything. Staying with the Dunnes though she does connect to them and their family and friends and her gradual acceptance of everything/ her ‘downfall’ is interesting to watch. She also has this rather dry sense of humour and I love it when she calls Shane Jethro. It becomes almost an endearment and in some cases you can tell that when she uses the word Akane has become utterly frustrated and annoyed with Shane and that he had better watch out because the dragoness is on the warpath!
Shane has known for a long time that Akane is his mate, yet she refuses to even consider this possibility and he proceeds to drive her crazy – not just with lust, though there is that in spades, but because he grows on her slowly and also because he is frustrating and annoying, and yet oh so sexy and handsome – and when he touches her horns, oh my goodness – get ready with the ice as you will need to cool the temperature somehow!
The mating of the hybrid and his dragoness and the sex is unbelievable – it fits right in with the story and the mating is rather beautiful, even if it was the result of being poisoned with gold. Shane knows just how much rope to give Akane, but there are other things at play that could put a crimp in his plans to win her over and claim her completely. Akane is the one that definitely fits the saying methinks the lady doth protest too much – but it is oh so much fun watching her protest and realizing that as much as she is protesting, she has fallen under the spell of Shane and she just needs to be woman/dragoness enough to admit it! The verbal sparring between these two also adds another dimension to a story already full of twists and turns that keep you hanging on for dear life!
Shane is artistic and creative – those hands of his that create are something to behold, yet his art also reveals the future and some things that he has created are wonderfully beautiful and sensual and yet others are so dark and have an evil to them and also a sense of foreboding that even worse is yet to come and that doesn’t dissipate – it only increases as the story continues. Add to this his visions and you soon won’t know what is around the corner!
Shane is threatened by a black evil sludge that inhabits his body like some alien life form and it is up to Akane to save him, but can she save him? Are her efforts enough or will they lose Shane to the darkness inside of him? Akane is also afraid – will this fear keep her from mating with Shane and will she be the one who will actually help to kill rather than complete him? Add to this her being poisoned by gold and the rather evil and secretive machinations of the Malmaynes, who just won’t say uncle and give up and you have a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I just kept reading and reading. I loved the glimpses of the entire Dunne family and their bonds with each other and the bonds with their friends. When the end came I could have screamed – after all of that it was just getting started! No fair Ms. Bell – now I have to wait!!
This is a great story woven by a story teller who knows just how much to reveal and how much to hold back – there was plenty of gnashing the teeth when the teasers appeared. I don’t do well when I only get glimpses of something and Ms. Bell made sure that we would be left wanting more.
There is so much more to learn and that will be revealed and I cannot wait. I am so intrigued by Robin, The Hob – who/what is he really and when does he get his HEA? His yearning/love for Ruby is quite sad one the one hand and yet also reveals another side of the Hob that isn’t often revealed. Ruby and her friendship with him only serves to make him much more human and accessible. In fact, the entire Dunne family are not scared of the Hob as so many others are and I think that he is grateful for that, but it also serves to highlight the difference between the other characters and the Hob – he is as aloof as is Akane, but she doesn’t have the really dark, dangerous side that you can feel emanating from the Hob when those he loves and calls friend/family are threatened. Add to this Shane and his meddling with Cassie, who helped to save him from the black goop and whatever /whoever he saw in her future, and if anything the next book(s) will be just as great as the others in the series have been! Definitely keep them coming Ms. Bell! One great home run!
Reviewed for Manic Readers at http://www.manicreaders.com/index.cfm...(less)

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Sep 03, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Original Post 9/3/12 at FANGS, WANDS and FAIRY DUST:
Artistic Vision
The Dragon Gets Herself Hot Under the Collar!

ARTISTIC VISION
The Gray Court Book Three
by Dana Marie Bell
Samhain Publications October 2, 2012
E-Book Only: 147 pages, 163 with bonus features
Personal Property. I was able to purchase and download this in August so I don't know about that release date.

Desire is the raw material. Lust is the spark…and love will sculpt their destiny.

Akane Russo, one of the Hob’s top Blades, can’t wait fo

...more

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Dec 31, 2011 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotic, contemporary, m-f, paranormal

Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...

RATED A WHIPPED CREAM BEST BOOK!

Artistic Vision is Dana Marie Bell’s third visit to her Grey Court world, and is the best one so far.

Shane Dunne uses his visions to create magnificent art, and the most beautiful piece he’s ever done is of his mate, Akane Russo. Akane is one of Robin Goodfellow’s Blades, and assigned to guard and protect Shane from the treachery and plotting of the Malmayne clan. She isn’t anyone’s mate, no matter how...more Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...

RATED A WHIPPED CREAM BEST BOOK!

Artistic Vision is Dana Marie Bell’s third visit to her Grey Court world, and is the best one so far.

Shane Dunne uses his visions to create magnificent art, and the most beautiful piece he’s ever done is of his mate, Akane Russo. Akane is one of Robin Goodfellow’s Blades, and assigned to guard and protect Shane from the treachery and plotting of the Malmayne clan. She isn’t anyone’s mate, no matter how gorgeous Shane is. Until danger surfaces and threatens to take Shane away forever-then Akane will do whatever it takes to save him and claim him.

As the Prophecy comes closer to being fulfilled, the danger around the Dunne and Blackthorn clans increases. When Shane is poisoned by someone he looked on as a friend, the only way to save him is something Akane is afraid may take him from her forever. She never wanted a mate, but now that they are together, no one is going to hurt him again. But which of the Malmayne clan is leading this latest round of treachery and betrayal? Can Akane dig deep enough to uncover the guilty party? Can she do what must be done to save the man she has come to love, in spite of her resolve?

I have been looking forward to Shane and Akane’s story for a while, and it did not disappoint. I love the depth Ms. Bell adds to each of her characters, and the many layers of this very magical and mystical realm, with the Black, White and Grey Courts. This is a thrill ride of a story, with passion and danger throughout, but there is a wonderfully wicked sense of humor here at work as well. The characters have such vivid personalities, I expected to look up and see them materialize in front of me.

Akane Russo is loyal, brave and determined to do her job: protect Shane Dunne even if does suffer from a delusion that she is his mate. Her seer half has flashes of insight, while her dragon half is determined to resist. As one of The Hob’s infamous Blades, she has no room in her life for romance, especially with someone as irritating and insufferable as Shane Dunne. I loved watching as her attitude went from bored irritation, to curiosity, admiration and finally love. I loved her determination to save Shane, once she accepted that he was her mate, and the fear that she could destroy him with the cure he needed.

Shane Dunne is a talented artist, creating masterpieces from the visions that rule his future. He is determined to claim Akane for his mate, but he also loves to tease and annoy her, just to see her passion erupt. He is keeping secrets, and knows what is coming, but he also knows he can’t change what has to happen. I loved the playful and silly banter Shane used with Akane, and his “aw shucks ma’am” farm boy persona he adopted just to get a rise from his mate.

There are several threats to the Dunne/Blackthorn clan, and Shane is at the center of more than one. The Malmayne clan, or at least the heads of the clan, have pledged allegiance to the Black Court, and have misinterpreted the Prophecy concerning “a child of Dunne”. These threads were brought together neatly, and the immediate danger has been averted.

The secondary characters play a large role in this story, with every family member being integral to stopping the evil from taking hold and creating chaos. But the main thread, the romance between two of the rarest of supernatural beings, true hybrids, is the centerpiece of this book. This is most definitely Shane and Akane’s book, and everything else takes a back seat to the passion and beauty of the union of these two fantastic characters.

I recommend this for those who like intrigue mixed with magic and passion, but I recommend you read the first two books in the series to get the richness of this world and all its inhabitants.

(less)

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Jul 01, 2012 Jill rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This one was the best one yet!! I really enjoyed the whole book. The only problem I really have with this series and therefore this book is that I want more!!! More background into their powers, there world, the different courts.Sometimes the answers just seem to be skimmed over. I want that information overload. Maybe its just because I do so love the fae world and this one just seems to give you the tip of the iceberg so to speak.
I love Robin Goodfellow or the Hob, his character is wonderful...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Mare rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shane Dunne is just funny. I love the banter between Shane & Akane. I Love that Dana Marie Bell has mixed so many of my favorite things together in one series: dragons, fae (especially Robin Goodfellow), vampires & leprechauns.
In their continuous effort to get their way the Malmaynes clan is pulling out the big guns & attacking all the Dunne family. Akane has to protect Shane on Goodfellow’s orders which irritates her to no end… she is annoyed by the farm boy. Slowly Shane tries to...more

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Dec 25, 2011 Edie rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, it-hit-buttons, skimmed, the-debil-machine

This book started out really promising, with a great heroine, but then she just slowly dumbs down throughout the book. For some kick-arse 'soldier' she is totally out-classed by the hero she is supposed to be protecting, completely drops the ball on her protection job, on several occasions. Then she has a completely TSTL moment with someone who she is supposed to be investigating.
It all FRUSTRATED THE FREAKING HELL out of me, after the TSTL moment, I skipped to the last chapter, which didn't im...more

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Mar 25, 2013 Cassieblakewitch added it · review of another edition

I hate no idea that this book would be perfect
As the title says artistic vision it is totally worth reading. Before this i read noble blood n got interested in akane and shane. It is so beautifully written. I adore the way shane teases her but also serious.he is also not caging her. Letting her the person she always been also totally love sean "u meant harm to my daughter-in-law" .he cares n such loving person. It also shows the side of akane caring,
Vulnerable also strong and totally independen...more

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Dec 07, 2012 Kristin Kinman rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is one scorching hot book. Do NOT read if you want to avoid sex scenes.

It's a fairly common story line for this genre. It's a paranormal romance- one true love, one true bond, no one else can substitute, and they live happily ever after, after life threatening struggle. That's ok. I don't mind the formula and the characters are fun to get to know. This is part of a series- the third book and it was great to watch the characters grow in each book. It made me laugh and smile and that's my id...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Shiran rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dana-marie-bell, dragons, fae-angels, erotica, series, favorites

Holy sweet mother of fantasy! I fricken LOVE this woman!!

I really love the storyline of this series. I tend to find Fae books a bit boring but it's no surprise to me that Dana Marie Bell managed to create a Fae story that I just cannot get enough of.

Shane is an incredible character, his ability to see the future and express it through his art makes him entertaining. He is sexy and cocky, which let's face it we all really love in our fictional men. Akane is a kick ass female and I just loved her...more

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Jan 24, 2012 celticminx (aka: kristi or "k") rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fae, fantasy, pnre, urban-fantasy, shifter-lupine, 5-star

Oh. My. Well this earned its 5 stars in my book. I'm a big fan of The Gray Court series. I was looking forward to reading Shane and Akane's story. Most times that usually marks a doomed read for me. Never intentionally, it's just that I always seem to build the anticipation and expectations up so high while I'm waiting for the book to be released that they seem to fall short for me while other readers rave over them. Obviously such was not the case with this story for me.

I love dragons and Akane...more

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Aug 01, 2012 gremlin added it · review of another edition

Definitely my favorite of the series so far. Though I'm looking forward to seeing who the Hob ends up with!

Akane is a dragon/Seer hybrid, one of Robin's Blades, and been given the job to guard Shane Dunne (at least when she's not off doing other work). Shane is a Sidhe/leprechaun hybrid, and despite his dumb farm boy act he's a talented sculptor, a smart guy, and has visions of the future.

He knows as soon as he meets her that she's his mate, and though he has to go slow to get her used to the id...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Bluecreek rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ir-aw

Even though the heroine, Akane, is of Asian decent (or at least looks), I hesitate to file it as an IR romance because that plays no role in the story. That being said Akane is awesome as a dragon shape-shifting assassin protecting Shane, who is an atypical, yet very alpha, hero in his own right. The two make a great couple even though he has to work at convincing her of that.

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Jun 27, 2012 Nyimah rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This one got a lil confusing for me, I had a hard time visualizing the statues and the visions they described so I felt like I was missing something most of the time. I appreciate the growth in the story; the ratio of actual plot/action/dialog to "getting it on" has increased since the first installment.

looking forward to continuing the series.

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Mar 04, 2012 SassySami rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: owned

This was the longest and most detailed of the Gray Court books so far. And so far, it's my favorite in the series. I love Shane and Akane, their personalities and talents, and their romance. The story furthers the underlying Malmayne plot and sets up further stories in the series. I really enjoyed the whole book and can't wait to read more from Ms. Bell.

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Feb 07, 2013 Lori Meehan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: a-z-challenge-2013

I've looked forward to reading this book, I love the series but this book didn't quite do it for me. I enjoyed the characters, Shane and Akane were great but the book didn't flow well. It felt choppy. I'm looking forward to reading The Hob. I want Robin to find his mate.

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Jan 19, 2013 Blez rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Of all the Gray court series I've read so far, this third book is the best and funniest. And not to mention, very interesting. I can't wait to read Hob's story. He is actually my favorite character in the series.

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Sep 30, 2012 Jolene Tyler rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really love this series. In this book you have a dragon shifter, red caps, and pookas. This is a great continuation to the story. Next book is the Hobs story-out in January 2013-, which promises to be a fun time.

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Jan 13, 2012 Soubhashinee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dragons-magic-prophecy-sweet-hu

Its a very well written book.. LOts of fun and i dnt wanna mate but cant help myself things.. And ah revenge.. Didnt want it to end am really impatient to read about robin.. \one of my favs

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Apr 13, 2013 Alexandra added it · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-romance

The third book in the grey court series, with Akane and Shane! I love this couple, Shane is so fun and Akane is such a kickass chick you cant help there interaction. My favorite so far.

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Jun 12, 2012 Jac Zifos rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

These books keep getting better and better! The firstwas okay, but the second was 10 times better and this one...well, let's just say I was blown away! Can't wait for Robin's story...

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May 03, 2012 Kathryn Reeder rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I like this book. I kind of like the other two in the series more but this one is still really good. I think Shan is great and I do like his fiery mate.

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Oct 30, 2012 Tammera rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dragons, fae, favorites, kindle, paranormal, romance

Dana Marie Bell is a writing genius, she writes with witty humor, action and love, I can't get enough and I love Shane, he is one freaky guy!!

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Feb 14, 2013 Amyd219 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Loved the half-breed dragon and Shane is so interesting. Can't wait for the next one.

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Dec 17, 2012 Toni (U.A.C.) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own-amazon, current-urban-fantasy-pnr, m-f, read-in-2012

These books just keep getting better, but they are suppose to, eh? After three books it's hard to not like the characters.

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Aug 08, 2012 Mairice rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

very good and complex story! cant wait for next book!!

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Feb 18, 2013 Carrie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

this was my favorite so far in this series. Now on to the Hob

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Feb 15, 2012 Janis T.B added it · review of another edition

Great book. Can't wait for Robin story

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Nov 26, 2011 Eva rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr_fae-elves, pnr_dragons, mf-romance-or-erotica, paranormal-and-fantasy-fiction, romance-series-different-couples

All I can say is that I'll be eagerly waiting for the next book.
Again Shane and Akane got their hea, but aside from that the plot is far from over plus we got some new revelations in this book so now there's even more things to sort out. Can't wait.

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Jan 12, 2013 Llwells rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook

Still waters run deep :-]

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About Dana Marie Bell

Dana Marie Bell wrote her first short story when she was thirteen years old. She attended the High School for Creative and Performing Arts for creative writing, where freedom of expression was the order of the day. When her parents moved out of the city and placed her in a Catholic high school for her senior year she tried desperately to get away, but the nuns held fast, and she graduated with hon...more

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Quotes from Artistic Vision

“Man up, Akane. World-wide destruction or talk to your mother.” When she didn’t answer right away, he shook her.
“What? I’m thinking about it.” — 2 people liked it

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Artistic Vision (Gray Court #3)

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