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Annwyn Chronicles #1
Velvet Haven
The first in a brand new series about a world of shapeshifters, from the author of Hot in Here .
Hidden from mortals for eternity, Annwyn, the Otherworld, is home to shapeshifters, wraiths and dragons. On the border with the mortal realm stands a nightclub called Velvet Haven. The shapeshifter king of Sidhe, Bran, comes there searching for his brother, Carden, who's ensnared in a centuries-old curse. He looks to Mairi, a mortal woman with an unusual aura, for help. He usually just uses humans for sexual pleasure in order to restore his magic energy, but Mairi's lush curves and teasing caresses inflame him like no Sidhe ever has. He has no idea that the woman he's falling for holds the key to his destruction-or his salvation.
Hidden from mortals for eternity, Annwyn, the Otherworld, is home to shapeshifters, wraiths and dragons. On the border with the mortal realm stands a nightclub called Velvet Haven. The shapeshifter king of Sidhe, Bran, comes there searching for his brother, Carden, who's ensnared in a centuries-old curse. He looks to Mairi, a mortal woman with an unusual aura, for help. He usually just uses humans for sexual pleasure in order to restore his magic energy, but Mairi's lush curves and teasing caresses inflame him like no Sidhe ever has. He has no idea that the woman he's falling for holds the key to his destruction-or his salvation.
326 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
6 people are currently reading
1065 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Renwick
7 books216 followersI'm an erotic romance writer, (I also write as Charlotte Featherstone) who loves to cook, look through recipe books, read and daydream!
I'm not a domestic goddess, and usually avoid housework like the plague!
I enjoy hearing from readers and talking about great books.
Some of my favorite authors are JR Ward, Shayla Black, Lisa Kleypas, Laura Lee Gurhke and Mary Balogh.
I'm not a domestic goddess, and usually avoid housework like the plague!
I enjoy hearing from readers and talking about great books.
Some of my favorite authors are JR Ward, Shayla Black, Lisa Kleypas, Laura Lee Gurhke and Mary Balogh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 20, 2010
Velvet Haven
4 stars!!
I don’t read very many PNR’s so when I accepted an April Challenge read that included at least one PNR, I had to try to find something that I thought I might enjoy. I had just recently found out about Sophie Renwick, and since I really LOVE her books under her pseudonym, I decided to try Velvet Haven and I’m so glad I did! I was not disappointed at all, I really, really enjoyed it! There are so many super sexy, fascinating and interesting characters in this story and I LOVED Bran and Mairi!! The mystery and intensity of their story was captivating and kept my interest throughout the book, and the chemistry and sex scenes between Bran and Mairi sizzle! I especially enjoyed the phone sex!! That was really HOTTT!!!! I will definitely be waiting for book 2 in The Immortals of Annwyn to find out what happens with some of the other very interesting characters like Suriel, and to find out what has become of Bran’s brother, Carden! Well done Sophie!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2011
I’ve read my fair share of paranormal romance novels as well as urban fantasy and, for the most part, I’ve enjoyed the majority of them. Midnight Breed, Demonica, Night Huntress, etc, have all been series that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. For me, the series that I always come back to in comparison, and I know I probably shouldn’t, is J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood novels. To me, there is just no contest, no comparison, nothing really holds up to that standard for me; until now. I didn’t think it was possible to get swept up into a world and characters like I did with BDB, but, I was WRONG. Velvet Haven got my attention starting at page one with the magnificent story telling that put me right inside the world of Annwyn and left me eager for more when I finished the last page.
Annwyn, is a world to a host of paranormal beings; shape-shifters, wraiths, goddesses, nymphs, and dragons. The passageway into this mystical place rests beneath a night club, Velvet Haven, that brings mortals and immortals together driven by astounding desire.
Bran, a Sidhe (type of fae), is the shape-shifting king of Annwyn. Centuries ago, Bran was betrothed to marry an evil nymph-goddess, Morgan. Bran and his brother Carden developed a plan to have Carden go to Morgan and seduce her with his special powers and convince Morgan to marry Carden and not Bran. When their plan fails, Morgan not only takes Carden and hides him away where he cannot be found, she also curses Bran to never love, nor have the love of any woman; mortal or immortal. Finding Carden becomes Bran’s focus in life, determined not to rest until his beloved brother is found.
When a member of Bran’s kingdom is brutally murdered and marked with symbols of that of his own language, it becomes necessary for Bran to go over to the mortal world. Bran’s co-ruler, Cailleach, seeks a special book that will help them stop the inevitable war that is about to begin in their kingdom. Not only is Bran in search of answers regarding the gruesome killing, his magic and strength levels are weakening and can only be fed by having sex with mortal women. , Bran is used to the meaningless sex he engages in, and has never been affected by a mortal woman; in fact, he’d much rather lie with a woman of his own kingdom. He prepares for another evening of hours of empty sex when he sees Mairi, and his desire to be with her is not just physical.Mairi, is unlike any mortal woman Bran has ever encountered. Mairi has a white aura about her that Bran is drawn to and cannot stay away from.
Mairi is a nurse in the E.R. at the local hospital. She also counsels troubled teen girls at her church on a regular basis. Together with her friend Rowan, they go into a library full of antigue books and artifacts. Mairi is immediately drawn to a book that is more of a journal than a novel where a dark lover comes to her and fulfills her every desire in explicit ways.
After getting special VIP tickets to go into the exclusive Velvet Haven, Mairi and Rowan head out for an evening of fun. When Mairi meets Bran, she is overwhelmed with the intense arousal she feels towards this man, and she notices that he mysteriously resembles the man from her dreams. Mairi immediately starts to fall for Bran and his exceptional sex appeal. What neither of them know is that Mairi alone holds the power to destroy him or save him.
I adored this book and gobbled it up in a day! To me, the biggest seller in a paranormal romance is the world building and character development. This book took the cake in both areas. Sophie Renwick establishes a magical world full of magical enchanting forests with tranquil lakes and magnificent castles, while on the other side of that world, there exists an urban city full of modern day luxuries that mortals are accustomed to. Ms. Renwick introduces us to an array of fascinating characters that I cannot wait to read more about. There are fallen angels, wraiths, goddess’s, half mortal half immortals, all of whom are jumping off the pages and waiting for their stories to be told.
Bran is tall, dark, and deliciously sexy. This man is sinfully hot and so incredibly masculine and “alpha-like”. Bran’s quite the dirty talker, and oh does he have a naughty mouth. Good grief this man likes to please his lady with his mouth. Often. Regularly. Seriously….like all the time.
I loved that Ms. Renwick made Mairi a lush curvaceous lady. She’s confident in her body and when she reveals her sexual confidence to Bran, it’s explosive. Great stuff.
And now, a tribute to Bran’s delicious mouth:
“Weep for me, Mairi. Let me smell it.”
“Waiting for tonight.Wanting you to open for me like these flowers.”
“You flow heavy for me Then he brought his finger to his mouth and licked. “And you taste so right for me.”
“that’s how I want you, free and wild, writhing as I go down on you.”
“Do I have feelings like a man? Do I feel pleasure? Passion? Pain? Yes. Do I feel for you the way a man feels for a lover? Yes. Do I want to part your thighs, sink into you, and crawl up inside you? Yes.”
“Watch me between your thighs,” he demanded. “I want you to know who is giving you this pleasure.”
YOWZA!!! Make sure you’ve got some water near, or at least a fan or a good working AC because this book has some HOT HOT HOT scenes!! I highly suggest this book and series to any lover of fantastic paranormal romance novels. Five stars!!
BTW, the guy on the cover of this novel is all kinds of yummy, but I just couldn't help picturing a guy whose picture I've seen on here several times. Here's my Bran:
mmm, mmm, mmmm
Annwyn, is a world to a host of paranormal beings; shape-shifters, wraiths, goddesses, nymphs, and dragons. The passageway into this mystical place rests beneath a night club, Velvet Haven, that brings mortals and immortals together driven by astounding desire.
Bran, a Sidhe (type of fae), is the shape-shifting king of Annwyn. Centuries ago, Bran was betrothed to marry an evil nymph-goddess, Morgan. Bran and his brother Carden developed a plan to have Carden go to Morgan and seduce her with his special powers and convince Morgan to marry Carden and not Bran. When their plan fails, Morgan not only takes Carden and hides him away where he cannot be found, she also curses Bran to never love, nor have the love of any woman; mortal or immortal. Finding Carden becomes Bran’s focus in life, determined not to rest until his beloved brother is found.
When a member of Bran’s kingdom is brutally murdered and marked with symbols of that of his own language, it becomes necessary for Bran to go over to the mortal world. Bran’s co-ruler, Cailleach, seeks a special book that will help them stop the inevitable war that is about to begin in their kingdom. Not only is Bran in search of answers regarding the gruesome killing, his magic and strength levels are weakening and can only be fed by having sex with mortal women. , Bran is used to the meaningless sex he engages in, and has never been affected by a mortal woman; in fact, he’d much rather lie with a woman of his own kingdom. He prepares for another evening of hours of empty sex when he sees Mairi, and his desire to be with her is not just physical.Mairi, is unlike any mortal woman Bran has ever encountered. Mairi has a white aura about her that Bran is drawn to and cannot stay away from.
Mairi is a nurse in the E.R. at the local hospital. She also counsels troubled teen girls at her church on a regular basis. Together with her friend Rowan, they go into a library full of antigue books and artifacts. Mairi is immediately drawn to a book that is more of a journal than a novel where a dark lover comes to her and fulfills her every desire in explicit ways.
After getting special VIP tickets to go into the exclusive Velvet Haven, Mairi and Rowan head out for an evening of fun. When Mairi meets Bran, she is overwhelmed with the intense arousal she feels towards this man, and she notices that he mysteriously resembles the man from her dreams. Mairi immediately starts to fall for Bran and his exceptional sex appeal. What neither of them know is that Mairi alone holds the power to destroy him or save him.
I adored this book and gobbled it up in a day! To me, the biggest seller in a paranormal romance is the world building and character development. This book took the cake in both areas. Sophie Renwick establishes a magical world full of magical enchanting forests with tranquil lakes and magnificent castles, while on the other side of that world, there exists an urban city full of modern day luxuries that mortals are accustomed to. Ms. Renwick introduces us to an array of fascinating characters that I cannot wait to read more about. There are fallen angels, wraiths, goddess’s, half mortal half immortals, all of whom are jumping off the pages and waiting for their stories to be told.
Bran is tall, dark, and deliciously sexy. This man is sinfully hot and so incredibly masculine and “alpha-like”. Bran’s quite the dirty talker, and oh does he have a naughty mouth. Good grief this man likes to please his lady with his mouth. Often. Regularly. Seriously….like all the time.
I loved that Ms. Renwick made Mairi a lush curvaceous lady. She’s confident in her body and when she reveals her sexual confidence to Bran, it’s explosive. Great stuff.
And now, a tribute to Bran’s delicious mouth:
“Weep for me, Mairi. Let me smell it.”
“Waiting for tonight.Wanting you to open for me like these flowers.”
“You flow heavy for me Then he brought his finger to his mouth and licked. “And you taste so right for me.”
“that’s how I want you, free and wild, writhing as I go down on you.”
“Do I have feelings like a man? Do I feel pleasure? Passion? Pain? Yes. Do I feel for you the way a man feels for a lover? Yes. Do I want to part your thighs, sink into you, and crawl up inside you? Yes.”
“Watch me between your thighs,” he demanded. “I want you to know who is giving you this pleasure.”
YOWZA!!! Make sure you’ve got some water near, or at least a fan or a good working AC because this book has some HOT HOT HOT scenes!! I highly suggest this book and series to any lover of fantastic paranormal romance novels. Five stars!!
BTW, the guy on the cover of this novel is all kinds of yummy, but I just couldn't help picturing a guy whose picture I've seen on here several times. Here's my Bran:
mmm, mmm, mmmm
March 10, 2010
Bran, the shape-shifting Sidhe king awaits his own murder. He knows his killer is out there, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. But Bran is willing to die because he carries the Legacy Curse. His mistake was not marrying Morgan, the Sidhe witch. She cursed him where he’ll be brought down by a female mortal. Even worse, an evil and dark magic is killing immortals of his world, close to the Cave of Cruachan, a passageway, known as veil that allows Bran to enter into the mortal realm of Earth, hidden under the Victorian Gothic dance club, Velvet Haven. Bran will walk through the veil, not only to find this Black Magick that’s running free, but also feed his curse. In order to keep his magic alive and strong, Bran must mate and give pleasure to the human females he loathes because their sexual energy allows him to remain powerful.
Mairi MacAuley rather spend her free time reading old dusty manuscripts than date. She doesn’t care if people think of her as a nerd. She works as a nurse and Crisis Worker at St. Michael’s Hospital and has a hard time getting close to people, mainly due to her very tough childhood, but ever so thankful for the nuns at Out Lady of Perpetual Sorrow who protected her, and her mother from her abusive father. Mairi is in for a shock when someone she knew, a once troubled teenage girl is found dead and brought into the ER covered in knife wounds with symbols carved into her skin, Mairi has been having dreams of these same symbols that includes a strange man who oozes sex and awakens her body’s desires.
Her tarot card reading Rowan produces two tickets to the Velvet Haven. Mairi decides to go with Rowan even though she has some reservations about the Goth club. These two women are very unaware of what lies inside the Velvet Haven and how most of the men working there are immortal. Bran is there that night aching to fill a human female. When he spots Mairi, he tries to introduce her to the sexual delights he can offer her that no other mortal man can. But Bran stops from going too far because he can sense all that is good and innocent in her. He doesn’t want to steal Mairi’s energy and would love nothing more that to enjoy pleasure just for pleasure’s sake.
Fate has decreed that Bran and Mairi are meant to be for one another. As Bran hunts an immortal killer is on the loose, his most hated enemy tries to bring him down where he must protect Mairi. He will come to her in her dreams and give her the pleasure he longs to give her in the flesh. Bran has become her midnight lover, who plagues her every thought. But there is another who is looking over Mairi and thinking of her well being, as well as try in separating the two. Mairi has no idea she could be the possible key to Bran’s salvation as well as the one who maybe bring forth his death.
Velvet Haven is a dark and erotic paranormal tale with larger than life men who barely have control of their alpha tendencies, especially when it comes to the kind hearted and innocent women they desire. There are many complicated storylines within this book and characters that bring life in the pages. This may sound all well and good, but Velvet Haven is a pale comparison to those much better and well written dark fantasy erotic romances out there. Sophie Renwick tries to bring forth an atmospheric and angst filled gothic fantasy. Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep my concentration and at times wanted to roll my eyes because every piece of dialogue and action was just so shocking and tension filled to the point it all became too ridiculous. I felt like Ms. Renwick was just trying too hard to make Velvet Haven larger than life and something more than it is. And because of that, it fell flat.
It’s not bad enough that the hero Bran is so tortured and his biggest shame is that he must engage in so much hard core, passionate, mind numbing sex with human females and make sure they are pleased just because he jilted some crazy witch with incredible magic. Bran is pimping out himself because of his horrible curse that consumes his every being, where death would be more preferable than life. And isn’t it ironic that the one woman he desires above all others is a potential sad sack who doesn’t have much to recommend for her. We are told in great detail how Mairi loves reading old books, and is honest with others, which by the way isn’t show in anyway because she comes across more timid and shy than a woman who can stick up for herself. I felt insulted for Mairi because the way Ms. Renwick introduces her doesn’t really give me a good enough and valid reason why Bran would even look at her, let alone want her as his mate.
Bran’s compatriots in arms walk around in all their sulky sexy glory, but also don’t bring anything to the overall plot. The sex scenes between Bran and Mairi have some merit, but nothing I haven’t read before already. They failed to stimulate in any way and if you’re look for something darker and more explicit, Velvet Haven fails in that aspect.
Velvet Haven has too much telling, not enough showing, and Ms. Renwick has written her characters in such a way where they annoy more than excite. Due to the one-dimensional characters, rehash of a plot I’ve read countless times before, and lack of originality, I’d say that Velvet Haven gets a pass.
Mairi MacAuley rather spend her free time reading old dusty manuscripts than date. She doesn’t care if people think of her as a nerd. She works as a nurse and Crisis Worker at St. Michael’s Hospital and has a hard time getting close to people, mainly due to her very tough childhood, but ever so thankful for the nuns at Out Lady of Perpetual Sorrow who protected her, and her mother from her abusive father. Mairi is in for a shock when someone she knew, a once troubled teenage girl is found dead and brought into the ER covered in knife wounds with symbols carved into her skin, Mairi has been having dreams of these same symbols that includes a strange man who oozes sex and awakens her body’s desires.
Her tarot card reading Rowan produces two tickets to the Velvet Haven. Mairi decides to go with Rowan even though she has some reservations about the Goth club. These two women are very unaware of what lies inside the Velvet Haven and how most of the men working there are immortal. Bran is there that night aching to fill a human female. When he spots Mairi, he tries to introduce her to the sexual delights he can offer her that no other mortal man can. But Bran stops from going too far because he can sense all that is good and innocent in her. He doesn’t want to steal Mairi’s energy and would love nothing more that to enjoy pleasure just for pleasure’s sake.
Fate has decreed that Bran and Mairi are meant to be for one another. As Bran hunts an immortal killer is on the loose, his most hated enemy tries to bring him down where he must protect Mairi. He will come to her in her dreams and give her the pleasure he longs to give her in the flesh. Bran has become her midnight lover, who plagues her every thought. But there is another who is looking over Mairi and thinking of her well being, as well as try in separating the two. Mairi has no idea she could be the possible key to Bran’s salvation as well as the one who maybe bring forth his death.
Velvet Haven is a dark and erotic paranormal tale with larger than life men who barely have control of their alpha tendencies, especially when it comes to the kind hearted and innocent women they desire. There are many complicated storylines within this book and characters that bring life in the pages. This may sound all well and good, but Velvet Haven is a pale comparison to those much better and well written dark fantasy erotic romances out there. Sophie Renwick tries to bring forth an atmospheric and angst filled gothic fantasy. Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep my concentration and at times wanted to roll my eyes because every piece of dialogue and action was just so shocking and tension filled to the point it all became too ridiculous. I felt like Ms. Renwick was just trying too hard to make Velvet Haven larger than life and something more than it is. And because of that, it fell flat.
It’s not bad enough that the hero Bran is so tortured and his biggest shame is that he must engage in so much hard core, passionate, mind numbing sex with human females and make sure they are pleased just because he jilted some crazy witch with incredible magic. Bran is pimping out himself because of his horrible curse that consumes his every being, where death would be more preferable than life. And isn’t it ironic that the one woman he desires above all others is a potential sad sack who doesn’t have much to recommend for her. We are told in great detail how Mairi loves reading old books, and is honest with others, which by the way isn’t show in anyway because she comes across more timid and shy than a woman who can stick up for herself. I felt insulted for Mairi because the way Ms. Renwick introduces her doesn’t really give me a good enough and valid reason why Bran would even look at her, let alone want her as his mate.
Bran’s compatriots in arms walk around in all their sulky sexy glory, but also don’t bring anything to the overall plot. The sex scenes between Bran and Mairi have some merit, but nothing I haven’t read before already. They failed to stimulate in any way and if you’re look for something darker and more explicit, Velvet Haven fails in that aspect.
Velvet Haven has too much telling, not enough showing, and Ms. Renwick has written her characters in such a way where they annoy more than excite. Due to the one-dimensional characters, rehash of a plot I’ve read countless times before, and lack of originality, I’d say that Velvet Haven gets a pass.
March 9, 2010
** 3 1/2 stars**
This book is hard for me to rate, while I really liked some parts other parts just didn’t give me that knock my socks off impression I wanted for a dark erotic romance. This is a good start for a series, Sophie has created lots of hot characters to continue this series. You’ll find lots of good elements of the dark side with magic and excitement and lots of different religions mixed together. There is mention of God, falling angles, of course shape-shifters, Druids, Sidhe even Gabriel the angel makes an appearance.
**Spoilers below**
Mairi and Rowan are the best of friends and have no ideal about the whole otherworld of that’s in the fetish night club called Velvet Haven. Mairi is great she has had a hard life and she ends up with a ability that is very interesting and very powerful. Rowan is very interesting she adds quite a bit to the story with her ability and she has something else going for her, but you have to figure this one our yourself. Mairi, Rowan and the other Otherworld men made this story enjoyable for me to read. Bran I just didn’t care for. It seemed to me like there was to much other things were going on for Bran and Mairi to get a good connection for me to enjoy, this is also in sex its good but they just didn’t make the connection I would have like to have read.
What I didn’t like was there is no mention of Rowan at the end hope she is still alive, the murder is uncaught and no mention on if they are any closer to getting him. I didn’t care for Bran as a hero he just left Mairi high and dry to many times for me, here is two things that got me most was the first time he got her all hot then he pretty much had her to leave, then another time after sex he left her in the shower all by herself just high and dry. The more I keep thinking the more I want to take downs stars, so I will quit before I get to picky. This maybe a better read for anyone else, I just found things not explained as well as I would have liked and some things explained to much where it took up to much time. Also there is just to much in this book to be able to iron it all out the first time, so you will be looking forward for the next.
This book is hard for me to rate, while I really liked some parts other parts just didn’t give me that knock my socks off impression I wanted for a dark erotic romance. This is a good start for a series, Sophie has created lots of hot characters to continue this series. You’ll find lots of good elements of the dark side with magic and excitement and lots of different religions mixed together. There is mention of God, falling angles, of course shape-shifters, Druids, Sidhe even Gabriel the angel makes an appearance.
**Spoilers below**
Mairi and Rowan are the best of friends and have no ideal about the whole otherworld of that’s in the fetish night club called Velvet Haven. Mairi is great she has had a hard life and she ends up with a ability that is very interesting and very powerful. Rowan is very interesting she adds quite a bit to the story with her ability and she has something else going for her, but you have to figure this one our yourself. Mairi, Rowan and the other Otherworld men made this story enjoyable for me to read. Bran I just didn’t care for. It seemed to me like there was to much other things were going on for Bran and Mairi to get a good connection for me to enjoy, this is also in sex its good but they just didn’t make the connection I would have like to have read.
What I didn’t like was there is no mention of Rowan at the end hope she is still alive, the murder is uncaught and no mention on if they are any closer to getting him. I didn’t care for Bran as a hero he just left Mairi high and dry to many times for me, here is two things that got me most was the first time he got her all hot then he pretty much had her to leave, then another time after sex he left her in the shower all by herself just high and dry. The more I keep thinking the more I want to take downs stars, so I will quit before I get to picky. This maybe a better read for anyone else, I just found things not explained as well as I would have liked and some things explained to much where it took up to much time. Also there is just to much in this book to be able to iron it all out the first time, so you will be looking forward for the next.
June 26, 2010
For those of you who don't know...Sophie Renwick is Charlotte Featherstone! So...nuff said! This book was off the charts hot, steamy, awesome. Take JR Ward's Brotherhood series and add some tongue licking, skin sweating, panty soaking sex scenes and you have yourself the hottest paranormal to date. No kidding, I read this book in one afternoon and by the evening I was texting my husband the sexiest words I could think of. Raven is a hot hero with a smooth talking, dominating, naughty tongue. His dialogue made my nether-regions tingle! His blatant masculinity was refreshing. This is not your typical paranormal. Finally, something fresh and satisfying in all of the demon-wolf-vamp silliness. The scene where Mairi tends to Bran's wing was so cute and sensual. Every scene was scorching and sincere. And, because Charlotte/Sophie loves her readers :-), she created Mairi as a lush, curvy heroine. I so love this author! And, Sophie understands a woman's anatomy. Raven loves to kiss his woman, well...down there and whhooaaawwww is he good at it. She creates love scenes that are realistic for a woman's needs. I hope JR Ward is watching her P's and Q's because this series is going to be a force to be reckoned with! Thank you Ms. Renwick for giving me the paranormal I've been waiting for.
March 1, 2011
I loved this book!
... but I'm kinda biased when it comes to Sophie Renwick/Charlotte Featherstone
I like her broken alpha male characters and the strong women that will 'literally' do anything to save them.... awwh the perfect 'soul-mate' story!
... but I'm kinda biased when it comes to Sophie Renwick/Charlotte Featherstone
I like her broken alpha male characters and the strong women that will 'literally' do anything to save them.... awwh the perfect 'soul-mate' story!
February 24, 2010
4 1/2 Stars!!!!
VELVET HAVEN is the Black Dagger Brotherhood meets "The Matrix" and the showdown happens at an erotic fetish club catering to an exclusive clientele that's renowned for satisfying every physical delight known to mortals and immortals alike. Whether you're a naughty school girl, sexed-up metal head, or leather-wearing hulk, all walks of life are welcome. And while mortals think they're the only beings to own the night, immortals emerge from the shadows to partake in their misguided offerings. It's a culmination of leather-clad sin and gothic mysticism tossed with dark sex magic and ancient deities that aren't the least bit chaste. Basically its a chocolate covered erotic fantasy just waiting to be read and I feel like I've been waiting an eternity to enter this mysteriously delicious club known in both worlds as Velvet Haven. Let me give you taste.
It would be the understate of the year to deem the men of Sophie Renwick's VELVET HAVEN as brawny. These guys are huge - larger than life really - each with a magnetism of rhythmically pulsing erotic magical powers, beckoning the enamored like the lulling beauty of a Venus Flytrap. However, in this case, one doesn't mind being devoured. The king of these luscious hunks of man-meat is Bran, King of the Night Sidhe and co-ruler of Annwyn, and he houses a wonderfully dark and festering soul. Over a century ago he sacrificed his eternal happiness for another and in doing so, he became shackled to a goddess he hates and a couple of nasty curses, all of which fan the flames of his hatred for both mortals and immortals alike. Now, with the inability to harness and create the power he was born with, Bran must feed off the energy of the beings he despises most: Humans. Human females to be more exact. To top off his dark existence, Bran has recently been plagued by visions, visions of his own murder by one female mortal that's about to turn his entire world upside down.
But Bran's personal problems aren't the only recent happenings to plague his black existence. Wrapped up his own bleak affairs, Bran has shirked in his duty to protect the world of Annwyn and in doing so, has carelessly allowed dark magic to seep past the veil that separates immortals from the mortals of Earth. Recently, victims have been found gruesomely marked with dark magic and angelic symbols alike. The bodies were meant to be found as a warning and as a billboard, announcing that a new power is growing with alarming force. Its also the catalyst that forces Bran to put aside his own endeavors and protect the world he has neglected. First place to start: Velvet Haven. Residing literally on top of the very gate that opens from the mortal world into Annwyn, its the idyllic location for sinister and deadly magic. Its also the location where Bran meets his delectable murderess.
Mairi MacAuley embodies a piercing intellect, distrusting skepticism and an overall prickly nature that keeps nearly all people at a distance. Conversely, she's fiercely protective of the very few she loves which really only consists of her friend Rowan and one large and lovable Irish wolfhound named Clancy. For these two, Mairi would gladly walk through Hell and back. Its a trait that isn't necessarily mentioned but rather one that's intrinsically felt by the reader. You just know this about Mairi and beyond that, you believe this about Mairi. Sadly, Rowan, Mairi's friend - sister really, is dying and to bring a smile to her face, Mairi agrees to go with her to Velvet Haven despite the fact that she has major reservations about the goth club. Her reluctance isn't unfounded either, especially after a carved up woman landed at the hospital where she works as a nurse mere hours before with possible connections to the mysterious club. Mairi has seen some baffling things pass through the hospital doors in her time, but this particular corpse could ignite a tableau of eternal nightmares if she wasn't made of sterner stuff.
When Bran and Mairi meet, its a moment for females everywhere to rejoice. Immediately taken with Mairi, Bran is frustratingly confused by his effect on her. For the first time in his three centuries, he's unable to melt his human quarry. Instead, he's being grilled on his player antics and it's not until a fallen angel muddles up Mairi's head before he finally gets the chance he's been doggedly trying to capture. Even then, Mairi compels him to talk and it's probably the most words he's spoken to a mortal in his entire lifetime. It's in these moments that Mairi discovers a scintillating mystery in Bran that strangely has her trusting every word falling from his mouth. He's safety personified and while she's never before been the center of some one's universe nor had she thought to be deserving of that type of attention, Mairi finds herself druggingly special in Bran's eyes. On the other hand, Bran sees a surprisingly interesting person in Mairi, one that he's never met or ever thought he would meet. Immediately he's struck by her bravery and her balanced soul but also perplexed by the emotional and physical scars she bears. Such pain she's endured but yet she's also emerged that much stronger for it and it's at this realization that Bran decides that Mairi is too good for him. Too good for his perverse motives which was to have sex with her, restore his energy and leave her as he's done with every other female mortal.
Despite Bran's determination to maintain distance and Mairi's nervous uncertainty, Fate isn't about to let these two go their separate ways. There's a higher plan for them both, one that's being orchestrated by the most unlikely of characters - the fallen angel, Suriel. For the dark plot underfoot doesn't only hope to destroy Annwyn, it wants to crush the mortal world into oblivian as well and there are those that will not allow this to happen. So when dire circumstances and circling enemies force Mairi to face the realization that her instincts had been right along, that magic and immortals do in fact exist, that Bran is her lover and protector, she's finally capable of embracing a previously unknown gift. A gift that will forever link her to Bran, Annwyn and the eventual fall of those those who seek to destroy this magical world and her inhabitants. There's also the pesky business of killing Bran that needs to be dealt with as well...
VELVET HAVEN is a dark and sinfully erotic paranormal romance that has you tumbling head first into a mysterious and complicated world, one that magically stole my reader heart. I do feel compelled to mention, however, that while I very much enjoyed the explicit eroticism, I really would have loved to read more about the world of Annwyn. For how complicated the rules of Annwyn are, Ms. Renwick did an amazing job immersing the reader quickly but there is that want and the tug for more and I happened to feel it.
Bran was an intriguing and deliciously dark hero and his reasons for his darkness are extremely justified which drew immediate sympathy from me. But Bran isn't the only male character in VELVET HAVEN that draws the reader. There's a stunning mosaic of intense men and each one is sexier than the last. One character in particular who stole the show every time he walked on stage was Suriel. As a fallen angel, Suriel is somewhat consumed with trying to get back into God's good graces but in the meantime, he doesn't mind being a bit bad. He's a magnetic character and he tended to overshadow the rest of the cast but trust me, it's no hardship at all to be consumed by Suriel.
As a heroine, Mairi ranks as one of my favorites. Not only did I immediately connect with her strong and guarded personality, but her protectiveness of those she loved was very endearing and I truly believed her capable of that trait. I also fell in love with her amazingly unique gift. Unfortunately I can't tell you what that gift is because the unveiling of it is rather special and I don't want to spoil anything but it truly was remarkably original and left me in drop-jawed wonder.
For paranormal readers that love intriguing and complex worlds with the added bonus of explicit eroticism, VELVET HAVEN should not be missed. Its a rich tapestry of dark words and sinful delights that leaves the reader wanting for nothing.
VELVET HAVEN is the Black Dagger Brotherhood meets "The Matrix" and the showdown happens at an erotic fetish club catering to an exclusive clientele that's renowned for satisfying every physical delight known to mortals and immortals alike. Whether you're a naughty school girl, sexed-up metal head, or leather-wearing hulk, all walks of life are welcome. And while mortals think they're the only beings to own the night, immortals emerge from the shadows to partake in their misguided offerings. It's a culmination of leather-clad sin and gothic mysticism tossed with dark sex magic and ancient deities that aren't the least bit chaste. Basically its a chocolate covered erotic fantasy just waiting to be read and I feel like I've been waiting an eternity to enter this mysteriously delicious club known in both worlds as Velvet Haven. Let me give you taste.
It would be the understate of the year to deem the men of Sophie Renwick's VELVET HAVEN as brawny. These guys are huge - larger than life really - each with a magnetism of rhythmically pulsing erotic magical powers, beckoning the enamored like the lulling beauty of a Venus Flytrap. However, in this case, one doesn't mind being devoured. The king of these luscious hunks of man-meat is Bran, King of the Night Sidhe and co-ruler of Annwyn, and he houses a wonderfully dark and festering soul. Over a century ago he sacrificed his eternal happiness for another and in doing so, he became shackled to a goddess he hates and a couple of nasty curses, all of which fan the flames of his hatred for both mortals and immortals alike. Now, with the inability to harness and create the power he was born with, Bran must feed off the energy of the beings he despises most: Humans. Human females to be more exact. To top off his dark existence, Bran has recently been plagued by visions, visions of his own murder by one female mortal that's about to turn his entire world upside down.
But Bran's personal problems aren't the only recent happenings to plague his black existence. Wrapped up his own bleak affairs, Bran has shirked in his duty to protect the world of Annwyn and in doing so, has carelessly allowed dark magic to seep past the veil that separates immortals from the mortals of Earth. Recently, victims have been found gruesomely marked with dark magic and angelic symbols alike. The bodies were meant to be found as a warning and as a billboard, announcing that a new power is growing with alarming force. Its also the catalyst that forces Bran to put aside his own endeavors and protect the world he has neglected. First place to start: Velvet Haven. Residing literally on top of the very gate that opens from the mortal world into Annwyn, its the idyllic location for sinister and deadly magic. Its also the location where Bran meets his delectable murderess.
Mairi MacAuley embodies a piercing intellect, distrusting skepticism and an overall prickly nature that keeps nearly all people at a distance. Conversely, she's fiercely protective of the very few she loves which really only consists of her friend Rowan and one large and lovable Irish wolfhound named Clancy. For these two, Mairi would gladly walk through Hell and back. Its a trait that isn't necessarily mentioned but rather one that's intrinsically felt by the reader. You just know this about Mairi and beyond that, you believe this about Mairi. Sadly, Rowan, Mairi's friend - sister really, is dying and to bring a smile to her face, Mairi agrees to go with her to Velvet Haven despite the fact that she has major reservations about the goth club. Her reluctance isn't unfounded either, especially after a carved up woman landed at the hospital where she works as a nurse mere hours before with possible connections to the mysterious club. Mairi has seen some baffling things pass through the hospital doors in her time, but this particular corpse could ignite a tableau of eternal nightmares if she wasn't made of sterner stuff.
When Bran and Mairi meet, its a moment for females everywhere to rejoice. Immediately taken with Mairi, Bran is frustratingly confused by his effect on her. For the first time in his three centuries, he's unable to melt his human quarry. Instead, he's being grilled on his player antics and it's not until a fallen angel muddles up Mairi's head before he finally gets the chance he's been doggedly trying to capture. Even then, Mairi compels him to talk and it's probably the most words he's spoken to a mortal in his entire lifetime. It's in these moments that Mairi discovers a scintillating mystery in Bran that strangely has her trusting every word falling from his mouth. He's safety personified and while she's never before been the center of some one's universe nor had she thought to be deserving of that type of attention, Mairi finds herself druggingly special in Bran's eyes. On the other hand, Bran sees a surprisingly interesting person in Mairi, one that he's never met or ever thought he would meet. Immediately he's struck by her bravery and her balanced soul but also perplexed by the emotional and physical scars she bears. Such pain she's endured but yet she's also emerged that much stronger for it and it's at this realization that Bran decides that Mairi is too good for him. Too good for his perverse motives which was to have sex with her, restore his energy and leave her as he's done with every other female mortal.
Despite Bran's determination to maintain distance and Mairi's nervous uncertainty, Fate isn't about to let these two go their separate ways. There's a higher plan for them both, one that's being orchestrated by the most unlikely of characters - the fallen angel, Suriel. For the dark plot underfoot doesn't only hope to destroy Annwyn, it wants to crush the mortal world into oblivian as well and there are those that will not allow this to happen. So when dire circumstances and circling enemies force Mairi to face the realization that her instincts had been right along, that magic and immortals do in fact exist, that Bran is her lover and protector, she's finally capable of embracing a previously unknown gift. A gift that will forever link her to Bran, Annwyn and the eventual fall of those those who seek to destroy this magical world and her inhabitants. There's also the pesky business of killing Bran that needs to be dealt with as well...
VELVET HAVEN is a dark and sinfully erotic paranormal romance that has you tumbling head first into a mysterious and complicated world, one that magically stole my reader heart. I do feel compelled to mention, however, that while I very much enjoyed the explicit eroticism, I really would have loved to read more about the world of Annwyn. For how complicated the rules of Annwyn are, Ms. Renwick did an amazing job immersing the reader quickly but there is that want and the tug for more and I happened to feel it.
Bran was an intriguing and deliciously dark hero and his reasons for his darkness are extremely justified which drew immediate sympathy from me. But Bran isn't the only male character in VELVET HAVEN that draws the reader. There's a stunning mosaic of intense men and each one is sexier than the last. One character in particular who stole the show every time he walked on stage was Suriel. As a fallen angel, Suriel is somewhat consumed with trying to get back into God's good graces but in the meantime, he doesn't mind being a bit bad. He's a magnetic character and he tended to overshadow the rest of the cast but trust me, it's no hardship at all to be consumed by Suriel.
As a heroine, Mairi ranks as one of my favorites. Not only did I immediately connect with her strong and guarded personality, but her protectiveness of those she loved was very endearing and I truly believed her capable of that trait. I also fell in love with her amazingly unique gift. Unfortunately I can't tell you what that gift is because the unveiling of it is rather special and I don't want to spoil anything but it truly was remarkably original and left me in drop-jawed wonder.
For paranormal readers that love intriguing and complex worlds with the added bonus of explicit eroticism, VELVET HAVEN should not be missed. Its a rich tapestry of dark words and sinful delights that leaves the reader wanting for nothing.
November 14, 2010
Wow what a great start to a promising series. One hot read. I loved the both the main and secondary characters. Great pace without going over the top with explanations, just the right amount of balance between discribing the Otherworld and telling a story. And check out the cover....
Really good read; highly recommend.
Really good read; highly recommend.
April 18, 2010
I would rate this book between a 3 1/2 and 4 stars. There was a lot of things I really liked about this book and some I thought were just ok. To me this is a good start to what could be a fantastic series. The ground work is all laid out now we just have to wait and see where Sophie takes us next.
Read
December 14, 2021DNF at around 20%
Maybe I’m not in the mood because I just finished another PNR, but I felt the first few chapters were just so sloppy. Some much information and new characters are thrown at your face with barely any explanation or time to digest wtf is actually going on. It left me dizzy and annoyed.
The prose is good and the story itself has a lot of potential, it’s just the execution I’m having trouble with, and normally, if I’m not hooked within the first 2-4 chapters, I tend to lose interest.
Guess that’ll teach me to not pick books up just cause they are reputed to be sexy lol.
(I’m not writing it off completely, it’s just that I have better books on my tbr right now, but if I happen to finish it, I’ll update this).
Maybe I’m not in the mood because I just finished another PNR, but I felt the first few chapters were just so sloppy. Some much information and new characters are thrown at your face with barely any explanation or time to digest wtf is actually going on. It left me dizzy and annoyed.
The prose is good and the story itself has a lot of potential, it’s just the execution I’m having trouble with, and normally, if I’m not hooked within the first 2-4 chapters, I tend to lose interest.
Guess that’ll teach me to not pick books up just cause they are reputed to be sexy lol.
(I’m not writing it off completely, it’s just that I have better books on my tbr right now, but if I happen to finish it, I’ll update this).
January 22, 2020
Als in Annwyn schreckliche Morde geschehen beschließt Bran, der König der Sidhe die Welt der Menschen auf zu suchen ,denn auch dort geschehen ähnliche Morde . Eine Vision sagt ihm vorraus das er dort die Frau finden wird ,die ihn von seinem Fluch befreien könnte.
Im Nachtclub Velvet Haven ,dem heißesten Club zwischen Diesseits und Jenseits ,wo sich Menschen, Gestaltwandler, Geister und Feen treffen da sieht bran die Krankenschwester Mairi, die ihn sofort verzaubert.
Doch Mairie umgibt ein Geheimnis und auch Bran ist nicht ganz ehrlich ihr gegenüber,doch beide verbindet ein überaus starkes Band .Zwischen den beiden besteht so eine Anzoiehungskraft ,der beide sich nicht entziehen können.
Mairie hat schon lange erotische Träume von eimen sexy Mann und Bran ähnelt ihm ungemein.Er mus sMairie haben obwohl sie sein Untergang sein könnte.Mit allem hat er gerechnet und mit allem kommt er klar doch die Liebe ist etwas was den König der Sidhe fast vernichten könnte.
In der Geschichte geht es um die Liebe zwischen Mensch und dem König der Sidhe,einer Abfuhr und der daraus resultierenden Verkettung tragischer Umstände, den Bran wird verflucht weil er die Göttin verschmähte ,sein Bruder verbannt .
Es ist spannend und geht heiss her ,denn die erotischen Szenen sind nicht ohne ,jedoch sehr schön geschrieben .Man wünscht sich mehr als einmal an der Stelle von Mairie zu sein.
Ich fand es sehr schön den Wandel von Bran mit zu erleben ,der Frauen anfangs nur als Werkzeug zur sexuekllen Befriedigung betrachtete und dann die wahre Liebe fand ,die ihn völlig veränderte.
Im Nachtclub Velvet Haven ,dem heißesten Club zwischen Diesseits und Jenseits ,wo sich Menschen, Gestaltwandler, Geister und Feen treffen da sieht bran die Krankenschwester Mairi, die ihn sofort verzaubert.
Doch Mairie umgibt ein Geheimnis und auch Bran ist nicht ganz ehrlich ihr gegenüber,doch beide verbindet ein überaus starkes Band .Zwischen den beiden besteht so eine Anzoiehungskraft ,der beide sich nicht entziehen können.
Mairie hat schon lange erotische Träume von eimen sexy Mann und Bran ähnelt ihm ungemein.Er mus sMairie haben obwohl sie sein Untergang sein könnte.Mit allem hat er gerechnet und mit allem kommt er klar doch die Liebe ist etwas was den König der Sidhe fast vernichten könnte.
In der Geschichte geht es um die Liebe zwischen Mensch und dem König der Sidhe,einer Abfuhr und der daraus resultierenden Verkettung tragischer Umstände, den Bran wird verflucht weil er die Göttin verschmähte ,sein Bruder verbannt .
Es ist spannend und geht heiss her ,denn die erotischen Szenen sind nicht ohne ,jedoch sehr schön geschrieben .Man wünscht sich mehr als einmal an der Stelle von Mairie zu sein.
Ich fand es sehr schön den Wandel von Bran mit zu erleben ,der Frauen anfangs nur als Werkzeug zur sexuekllen Befriedigung betrachtete und dann die wahre Liebe fand ,die ihn völlig veränderte.
June 29, 2011
Where do I begin with this review? Let's start with the cover, because that seemed to be about the only thing I really enjoyed about this book. Hubba-Hubba! Look at that man on the cover! Tattoo's, long hair, drool worthy ab's and tight leather pants! Eye candy that you can drool over for hours! I loved the blue and black misted background as well.
Unfortunately, that is where my thrill of excitement for this book ends. The author created so many different characters in this book that I was left with a feeling of dizziness! The main character of Bran was sexy, but tortured as most hero's are in books. He is cursed and he must pimp his body out to please women in order to receive his magical gifts when needed. Please! What man wouldn't want this curse? Every man would jump on the chance to get to have sex as much as possible. So, I will move past this point in the book.
We have Mairi as the heroine and she wasn't much at that. She is suppose to be a bookworm, but she also is suppose to be mated with Bran according to fate. The author had Mairi coming across as wimpy and boring. I am a bookworm, but I sure as heck have a lot more excitement to offer than Mairi! I couldn't even stand to read about her character being with Bran as it felt to forced.
I actually had to force myself to finish this book and I have no desire to read the rest in this series. Would I ever read another book by this author? The answer is yes, but it would have to really knock my socks off in reviews to get me interested. I understand that this is the first book in a series, and maybe the author was trying to set up the scenes with all of the characters, but to me it was overload that could have been better paced with more books.
Unfortunately, that is where my thrill of excitement for this book ends. The author created so many different characters in this book that I was left with a feeling of dizziness! The main character of Bran was sexy, but tortured as most hero's are in books. He is cursed and he must pimp his body out to please women in order to receive his magical gifts when needed. Please! What man wouldn't want this curse? Every man would jump on the chance to get to have sex as much as possible. So, I will move past this point in the book.
We have Mairi as the heroine and she wasn't much at that. She is suppose to be a bookworm, but she also is suppose to be mated with Bran according to fate. The author had Mairi coming across as wimpy and boring. I am a bookworm, but I sure as heck have a lot more excitement to offer than Mairi! I couldn't even stand to read about her character being with Bran as it felt to forced.
I actually had to force myself to finish this book and I have no desire to read the rest in this series. Would I ever read another book by this author? The answer is yes, but it would have to really knock my socks off in reviews to get me interested. I understand that this is the first book in a series, and maybe the author was trying to set up the scenes with all of the characters, but to me it was overload that could have been better paced with more books.
April 3, 2010
Overall a great read as there was a lot of mystery, romance and supernatural beings -- all my favorite things rolled into one. Velvet Haven begins by giving the reader a glimpse of a prophecy that will be the basis for all that occurs in the book. This prophecy speaks of nine warriors that will save Annwyn from Darkness. However, the prophecy suggests that the leader of these nine warriors will yield great power and can save all of Annwyn or bring about its destruction. Unfortunately, the seer who prohecied of these warriors is dead and in this book we are introduced to several supernatural beings who have the potential to be one of the nine warriors. The most intriguing and challenging aspect of this book was figuring out which of the supernatural characters to trust especially when someone (most likely of Annwyn) is using the dark arts to kill humans and citizens of Annwyn alike.
Sophie Renwick keeps the reader wanting more. I can't wait for the next installment of the Annwyn Chronicles!!!
Sophie Renwick keeps the reader wanting more. I can't wait for the next installment of the Annwyn Chronicles!!!
August 10, 2010
"Hidden from mortals for eternity, Annwyn, the Otherworld, is home to shapeshifters, wraiths and dragons. On the border with the mortal realm stands a nightclub called Velvet Haven. The shapeshifter king of Sidhe, Bran, comes there searching for his brother, Carden, who's ensnared in a centuries-old curse. He looks to Mairi, a mortal woman with an unusual aura, for help. He usually just uses humans for sexual pleasure in order to restore his magic energy, but Mairi's lush curves and teasing caresses inflame him like no Sidhe ever has. He has no idea that the woman he's falling for holds the key to his destruction-or his salvation."
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. The storyline didn't grab me and take hold. I got a severe case of MEGO (my eyes glaze over) during the beginning before Bran came through Velvet Haven to the mortal world. Actually, I got MEGO every time the book veered towards Annwyn and away from Bran and Mairi. They were a sizzling couple, but the not so interesting story kept getting in the way.
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. The storyline didn't grab me and take hold. I got a severe case of MEGO (my eyes glaze over) during the beginning before Bran came through Velvet Haven to the mortal world. Actually, I got MEGO every time the book veered towards Annwyn and away from Bran and Mairi. They were a sizzling couple, but the not so interesting story kept getting in the way.
January 29, 2018
Well I think I am good as not needing to read any more of the series. There is definitely an interesting story line that could happen here an interesting characters. I felt it was rushed over and really could have been something great.
January 10, 2024
I have no idea if this book actually gets good. I read about a chapter and I was rolling my eyes and bored as hell. Not worth it to stick around, I don't think.
Read
December 5, 2011I'm not rating this one because I actually started it back in November and finishing it was like wading through molasses. The plot was drowned under layers of sex and I'm still not entirely sure what happens. In addition, nothing actually gets resolved, aside from the relationship between the hero and the heroine. We don't know where Rowan came from or what she is. The serial killer isn't stopped. What or who the Oracle is remains a mystery. The tangled threads of religion are never properly sorted out. It appears that there is one Goddess who rules over Annwyn, but she hates Bran, the hero. Then there is a nameless God with origins in the Christian faith and he has dominion over Mairi's, the heroine, world. This is evident by the repetitive Christian themes and the presence of angels, fallen and otherwise, who flat-out acknowledge they report to a higher being.
I have to say, I'm really surprised this is a Berkley publication. If I was going to rate it, I'd give Velvet Haven two stars, but I can't determine if that rating is based on the quality of the book or my own displeasure over how the book was written. If I'd been this author's beta reader, I would have told her to cut all the sex scenes, make sure the thread of actual plot was rock solid, and then judiciously add the sex scenes back in. While I'm curious about the characters of Rowan and Kieran, I don't think I'm going to make an effort to find the next book.
I have to say, I'm really surprised this is a Berkley publication. If I was going to rate it, I'd give Velvet Haven two stars, but I can't determine if that rating is based on the quality of the book or my own displeasure over how the book was written. If I'd been this author's beta reader, I would have told her to cut all the sex scenes, make sure the thread of actual plot was rock solid, and then judiciously add the sex scenes back in. While I'm curious about the characters of Rowan and Kieran, I don't think I'm going to make an effort to find the next book.
March 23, 2010
This book was a sizzling, sexy and dramatic book. Definately for the adult reader. Its based on the Fey World and a cursed King that is in search of his brother. While the dark forces threaten his world as well as the human world, Bran sets out to find and destroy the evil force. His curse forces him to be with human women and in the processes he meets a mortal who's life entwines with his in more ways then he can imagine.
A lot of sexual content in the book which I didn't expect. But then as I thought about this, many of the mythical stories are more teen related whereas this one is not it is geared for adults so with passion comes the sex. With teens - its always just the sexual tension.
This story pulls together an aray of characters from fallen angels, the fey, oracles and there is reference that they Nephiluim will enter into the series. Many references of the power of 3 - Bran, Mairi and the Raven; Mairi, the oracle and the nephlium and the cicle of 9. There are religious undertones as well and how some of the things that came to be were His (God's) will. I found even through the sexual content that the story was very good and can't wait until the next book comes out.
A lot of sexual content in the book which I didn't expect. But then as I thought about this, many of the mythical stories are more teen related whereas this one is not it is geared for adults so with passion comes the sex. With teens - its always just the sexual tension.
This story pulls together an aray of characters from fallen angels, the fey, oracles and there is reference that they Nephiluim will enter into the series. Many references of the power of 3 - Bran, Mairi and the Raven; Mairi, the oracle and the nephlium and the cicle of 9. There are religious undertones as well and how some of the things that came to be were His (God's) will. I found even through the sexual content that the story was very good and can't wait until the next book comes out.
July 31, 2010
I definitely have mixed feelings on "Velvet Haven" by Sophie Renwick. On one hand, it was a totally original story plot and on the other it sort of dragged on until the last thirty or so pages. The story focused on a shapeshifting king from another realm seeking energy "boosts" from mortal women as part of a curse for helping a family member years before, and a lonely and troubled mortal nurse. When the two meet, neither would be the same. In the backdrop, strange murders have been happening in the mortal realm as well as the magical realm of Annwyn that seem to have been committed by the same individual.
The passion between the main characters was intense for the most part, but still a little standard and unremarkable. I did like the idea behind the story and I liked all the different characters that were introduced, but I think there was just too much going on in this opening book to the Annwyn Chronicles series. There seems to be a lot more discover in future books and so many different questions arose throughout the book that I will most likely read the next installment.
The passion between the main characters was intense for the most part, but still a little standard and unremarkable. I did like the idea behind the story and I liked all the different characters that were introduced, but I think there was just too much going on in this opening book to the Annwyn Chronicles series. There seems to be a lot more discover in future books and so many different questions arose throughout the book that I will most likely read the next installment.
August 13, 2014
It was...not exactly what I expected. Too much plot and development for a PNR but also way too much angsty romance for a UF and I either expected one or the other and not this convoluted mess. So, while I did enjoy it enough to read it 'till the very end and to admit being slightly curious to know what'll happen later on, I don't think I enjoyed it enough to actually grab the next book and suffer through it. And I can't even say the sex was hot because it was not. It was about as angsty as the rest of the romance between the two main characters and annoyed the living shit out of me. I'm sorry but I simply couldn't put behind me the use of "clenching wombs", "clawing backs", "pink quims" and a vajayjay that "squeezed him like a choking fist" among other lovely visuals. Sorry. Not my thing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2012
This book was not what I thought it was going to be. It was good but as I read it, it kept surprising me. I thought there was a lot of fantasizing about sex going on...It was good but a little much. Bran was a tasty half shifter/King of the Sidhe. It does not really show him doing much kingly duties but he's described definitely kingly ;) There are a few others in the story that I hope get their own book. The story line and mystery going on is what held my interest. It's book one in a series and it ends great leading into the next book. I like the story line and I'd like to see what happens next.
Want to read
January 25, 2010This one I've just added to my "gotta have" basket after reaing the excerpt on Sophie Renwick's website.
Looks like a fabulous mix of shape-shifters Gargoyles included (big claps - I heart Gargoyle characters in books!!!) I love the thought of a "black thoundercloud of a man" mysterious, dangerous and sexy! and Mairi's dream .... so very hot! and if the story isn't hot enough to get you reaching for the air conditioner remote the character gallery on Sophie's website is sure to fan the flames...my, oh, my!!!
Looks like a fabulous mix of shape-shifters Gargoyles included (big claps - I heart Gargoyle characters in books!!!) I love the thought of a "black thoundercloud of a man" mysterious, dangerous and sexy! and Mairi's dream .... so very hot! and if the story isn't hot enough to get you reaching for the air conditioner remote the character gallery on Sophie's website is sure to fan the flames...my, oh, my!!!
June 5, 2016
Das Buch gehört definitiv nicht in die Fantasy-/Vampir-Roman-Ecke (wohin ich es der Cover-Beschreibung zugeordnet habe), sondern zu den Softpornos für weibliche Singles oder 60-jährigen Witwen.
Habe nach ca. 70 Seiten aufgeben, da ich es - trotzt prinzipiell guter storytechnischer Ansätze - irgendwie schwachsinnig fand.
Wer bitteschön kommt auf die blöde Idee, dass der unsterbliche König der mythischen Wesen durch einen Fluch seine magischen Fähigkeiten nur duch die Orgasmen der von ihm aus rassistischen Gründen verhassen Menschenfrauen erhalten / erwerben kann???
Habe nach ca. 70 Seiten aufgeben, da ich es - trotzt prinzipiell guter storytechnischer Ansätze - irgendwie schwachsinnig fand.
Wer bitteschön kommt auf die blöde Idee, dass der unsterbliche König der mythischen Wesen durch einen Fluch seine magischen Fähigkeiten nur duch die Orgasmen der von ihm aus rassistischen Gründen verhassen Menschenfrauen erhalten / erwerben kann???
May 2, 2011
An interesting start to a new series filled with immortal shape-shifter's, godesses, fallen angels and magic.
The wall between our world and Annwyn is failing, in this book we meet Mairi a perceptive nurse who starts fitting pieces of a puzzle together that she shouldn't know the answers too. Can she really be hearing voices? are her dreams really coming true and why does she feel a connection to a Raven?
The wall between our world and Annwyn is failing, in this book we meet Mairi a perceptive nurse who starts fitting pieces of a puzzle together that she shouldn't know the answers too. Can she really be hearing voices? are her dreams really coming true and why does she feel a connection to a Raven?
April 20, 2011
this was a good story and i do look forward to the next one in the series. this was one of those books listed HOT and cost $15. i am not saying the book was not hot but i don't know what makes it any hotter than some of gena showalter or kresley coles books. i don't like to pay that much for a book that isn't what it is supposed to be. but if i have to i will to read the next one. it really is an excellent paranormal romance.
September 2, 2012
I want more books like this. No, I need more books like this! I'd highly recommend this to anyone who loves their paranormal romance with buckets load of sexiness. I have to pace myself whilst reading this because I don't want it to end. I savored every page because I couldn't get enough. It was captivating from the first page.
And Suriel, I have to say, is one of those characters that I'm going to remember for a very long time. I hope he'll stick around in the next book.
And Suriel, I have to say, is one of those characters that I'm going to remember for a very long time. I hope he'll stick around in the next book.
March 22, 2010
This is the best book ever I give it a "10" I didn't want it to end, can't wait till the one comes out!!! Velvet Haven caught my attention right from the beginning and kept it, the romance is HOT mixed with mystery keeps you right on the edge, not able to put it down. It's diffidently a MUST READ!!!
May 13, 2010
A complicated book that takes some "getting into" before the story begins to emerge. But Renwick has crafted some unusual characters that are vibrant and filled with color and mystery. There are twists and turns galore and before it is all over, the reader has been dragged from place to place, in this world as well as the Otherworld. A good read for lovers of romantic fantasy.
dnf
November 5, 2013Two back to back DNFs!
I'm bored and this book is stupid. Around page 7, after having a vision of his DEATH, he gets aroused. Nice and appropriate for the situation, huh? In addition, Bran, hates people. Oh, they're okay when he wants to get it on, but otherwise, no use for them. I didn't read far enough to learn what species, etc Bran is. I didn't care.
I'm bored and this book is stupid. Around page 7, after having a vision of his DEATH, he gets aroused. Nice and appropriate for the situation, huh? In addition, Bran, hates people. Oh, they're okay when he wants to get it on, but otherwise, no use for them. I didn't read far enough to learn what species, etc Bran is. I didn't care.
February 28, 2011
I thought that this was quiet good for a first book. Hopefully I will enjoy the next book too. But time will tell. It was something a little different but still in the paranormal romance type. I thought that it would be much different that it ended up being.
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