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The Hunters
Belonging
This story is part of The Hunters series.Being a vampire sucks. Just ask Cori Lewis. The “Change” didn’t change her enough. She’s still shy, quiet and she never feels as though she belongs anywhere. Not even with the people who took her in after the vampire attack that left her near death. But other things have changed a lot. Cori needs sex—now!She goes in search of a one-night stand—hot sex with an anonymous man in a dark alley—and her life changes yet again. He’s a connection to the past she thought was lost and he’s everything she’s ever dreamed. But when he finds out who she is, he might never be able to forgive her.
Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2009
7 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
About the author
Shiloh Walker
202 books2,435 followersHello... thanks for swinging by. I don't log into Goodreads much, so if you have questions, please visit my website to email me through my site.
Thank you!
My other me.... J.C. Daniels
And an experimental me that I put to sleep. J. Dallas
Bio...
Shiloh Walker has been writing since she was a kid. She fell in love with vampires with the book Bunnicula and has worked her way up to the more...ah...serious vampire stories. She loves reading and writing anything paranormal, anything fantasy, and nearly every kind of romance. Once upon a time she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest.
To contact the author, please visit her website!
Thank you!
My other me.... J.C. Daniels
And an experimental me that I put to sleep. J. Dallas
Bio...
Shiloh Walker has been writing since she was a kid. She fell in love with vampires with the book Bunnicula and has worked her way up to the more...ah...serious vampire stories. She loves reading and writing anything paranormal, anything fantasy, and nearly every kind of romance. Once upon a time she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest.
To contact the author, please visit her website!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 31, 2012
According a blurb promoting this ebook, "being a vampire sucks." IMHO, so does "Belonging."
I read this novella over the weekend anticipating a sexy, exciting paranormal erotic romance. Instead I was bored and annoyed to death. "Belonging" is Book #8 in Walker's Hunters series. I can't imagine what the technical and creative quality of the previous installments in this series are like, but I hope "Belonging" doesn't reflect them.
My overall impression is that "Belonging" was written as "filler" for the series. Technical writing is poor, structure and pacing are awkward, and characterizations are bland. Romance itself is nonexistant. The HFN ending struck me as completely implausible because I absolutely do not believe anybody could love Corinne Lewis, the insipid, childish anti-heroine of this fracas.
Corinne is a standard Mary Sue heroine. She is supposed to be pretty, smart, and likeable. Readers know this because EVERYBODY in the story says or thinks Corinne is likeable/loveable/sexy. Characters go out of their way to defend her to characters deviant enough not to like her. Unfortunately, Walker can't be bothered to SHOW readers Corinne's alleged likeability. In fact, Corinne does nothing but demonstrate adolescent angst, misplaced anger, and poor decision-making. She is supposed to be a librarian, but the story doesn't demonstrate her thinking like a librarian. I get the feeling Shiloh Walker is completely ignorant of the level of education necessary to be a librarian.
Storytelling and structure of the story is terrible. The first two chapters are a boring, lengthy prologue portraying Corinne as this miserable, suffering woman forced to break up with Owen, her fiance of several years because being content and well-settled with him isn't good enough, she wants "real happiness." Not to mention she's got the hots for Owen's cousin and best friend, police detective Levi Marcum, ever since luckless Levi kissed her under the mistletoe during a recent Christmas party. Levi and Corinne have insta-love, Corinne breaks up with Owen because Owen's "not enough" for her and she feels horribly guilty and sorry for herself. This doesn't prevent her from seeking out Levi, equally guilty for his cousin's pain and determined to "do the right thing" by avoiding romantic involvement with Corinne. In Chapter 2 (less than 2 pages long,) Levi regrets his decision to do right. Corinne has been attacked, kidnapped, and presumed dead. Owen was also attacked but recovers and insists to one and all their assailant was a vampire type monster. Everyone thinks he's deranged due to emotional strain of losing his fiancee. Levi feels responsible for Corinne's disappearance and presumed death since, if he'd only spent the night with Corinne instead of driving her home, she would never have been attacked and presumably killed... From here, chapter 3 jumps ahead 4 years where Owen, who never got over his ex-girlfriend's death has now been mauled to death in a brutal animal attack. Levi, depressed and lonely, has taken to drinking heavily, so heavily he manages to indulge in back-alley, anonymous sex with Corinne (now a vampire on the prowl for "sexual feedings.) Amazingly, the two former lovebirds manage to do the deed without ever recognizing each other.
If you feel your eyes glazing while your brain shuts down after reading the previous paragraph,this novella isn't for you. The storyline suffers more for how it's written than its generic quality. Information is too frequently fed back to the reader as forlornly recalled backstory. The bulk of this novella is angst-ridden pity-partying with occassional bouts of pointless anger hurled in for contrast.
One brief action scene features pretty clumsy supernatural violence.
This author also seems to love repetition. The same words and phrases echo throughout the story, sometimes in a single sentence. The author loves the term "weight of his/her stare/gaze." Given the story's brevity, there are too many editing mistakes. Compound words are separated ("into" appears as "in to") and expressions are misspelled (a character exclaims "Viola" instead of "Voila.")
The biggest let-down, though, is the lack of any genuine romantic content and resolution. Although Corinne and Levi have sex several times and the erotica is decently written, I felt completely detached from it because, honestly, this was a story of two desperate, confused people using each other for sex. They never fell in love or developed any kind of loving relationship.
I'm guessing this book is the author's first draft and, at best, minimal effort went into polishing it up for publication. I resent spending money on it, but I really resent reading it at all. This is not the work of a professional author who cares about providing her audience with a quality reading experience.
I read this novella over the weekend anticipating a sexy, exciting paranormal erotic romance. Instead I was bored and annoyed to death. "Belonging" is Book #8 in Walker's Hunters series. I can't imagine what the technical and creative quality of the previous installments in this series are like, but I hope "Belonging" doesn't reflect them.
My overall impression is that "Belonging" was written as "filler" for the series. Technical writing is poor, structure and pacing are awkward, and characterizations are bland. Romance itself is nonexistant. The HFN ending struck me as completely implausible because I absolutely do not believe anybody could love Corinne Lewis, the insipid, childish anti-heroine of this fracas.
Corinne is a standard Mary Sue heroine. She is supposed to be pretty, smart, and likeable. Readers know this because EVERYBODY in the story says or thinks Corinne is likeable/loveable/sexy. Characters go out of their way to defend her to characters deviant enough not to like her. Unfortunately, Walker can't be bothered to SHOW readers Corinne's alleged likeability. In fact, Corinne does nothing but demonstrate adolescent angst, misplaced anger, and poor decision-making. She is supposed to be a librarian, but the story doesn't demonstrate her thinking like a librarian. I get the feeling Shiloh Walker is completely ignorant of the level of education necessary to be a librarian.
Storytelling and structure of the story is terrible. The first two chapters are a boring, lengthy prologue portraying Corinne as this miserable, suffering woman forced to break up with Owen, her fiance of several years because being content and well-settled with him isn't good enough, she wants "real happiness." Not to mention she's got the hots for Owen's cousin and best friend, police detective Levi Marcum, ever since luckless Levi kissed her under the mistletoe during a recent Christmas party. Levi and Corinne have insta-love, Corinne breaks up with Owen because Owen's "not enough" for her and she feels horribly guilty and sorry for herself. This doesn't prevent her from seeking out Levi, equally guilty for his cousin's pain and determined to "do the right thing" by avoiding romantic involvement with Corinne. In Chapter 2 (less than 2 pages long,) Levi regrets his decision to do right. Corinne has been attacked, kidnapped, and presumed dead. Owen was also attacked but recovers and insists to one and all their assailant was a vampire type monster. Everyone thinks he's deranged due to emotional strain of losing his fiancee. Levi feels responsible for Corinne's disappearance and presumed death since, if he'd only spent the night with Corinne instead of driving her home, she would never have been attacked and presumably killed... From here, chapter 3 jumps ahead 4 years where Owen, who never got over his ex-girlfriend's death has now been mauled to death in a brutal animal attack. Levi, depressed and lonely, has taken to drinking heavily, so heavily he manages to indulge in back-alley, anonymous sex with Corinne (now a vampire on the prowl for "sexual feedings.) Amazingly, the two former lovebirds manage to do the deed without ever recognizing each other.
If you feel your eyes glazing while your brain shuts down after reading the previous paragraph,this novella isn't for you. The storyline suffers more for how it's written than its generic quality. Information is too frequently fed back to the reader as forlornly recalled backstory. The bulk of this novella is angst-ridden pity-partying with occassional bouts of pointless anger hurled in for contrast.
One brief action scene features pretty clumsy supernatural violence.
This author also seems to love repetition. The same words and phrases echo throughout the story, sometimes in a single sentence. The author loves the term "weight of his/her stare/gaze." Given the story's brevity, there are too many editing mistakes. Compound words are separated ("into" appears as "in to") and expressions are misspelled (a character exclaims "Viola" instead of "Voila.")
The biggest let-down, though, is the lack of any genuine romantic content and resolution. Although Corinne and Levi have sex several times and the erotica is decently written, I felt completely detached from it because, honestly, this was a story of two desperate, confused people using each other for sex. They never fell in love or developed any kind of loving relationship.
I'm guessing this book is the author's first draft and, at best, minimal effort went into polishing it up for publication. I resent spending money on it, but I really resent reading it at all. This is not the work of a professional author who cares about providing her audience with a quality reading experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2017
4.25 overall stars
Couple 4.0
Plot 4.5
Story 4.5
Sex 4.0
Series 4.5
Couple 4.0
Plot 4.5
Story 4.5
Sex 4.0
Series 4.5
July 27, 2011
Shiloh Walker has become a favorite author of mine over the last couple of years. I always find myself pulled into her stories, intrigued by her characters, and enjoying myself immensely.
This is a story of wrong timing for all the characters involved. They grew up together, Cori and cousins Levi and Owen. It’s Owen and Cori who find a love match, Levi doesn’t declare his intentions when he should. During Owen and Cori’s engagement one Christmas when caught under the mistletoe, everything changes for Cori and Levi after they exchange a quick kiss. Cori knows she truly doesn’t love Owen and Levi can’t do a thing about his feelings without hurting Owen. But Cori calls off the wedding leaving Owen devastated. But she and Levi know they still can’t be together because that would only wound Owen further.
They can ignore their want for each other for only so long and nearly take what’s between them to the next level, until a call from Owen disrupts the moment and sends Cori to his side to talk things over. Things go from bad to worse, though, when they are attacked by vampires later that night, Owen left for dead and Cori nowhere to be found, later assumed to be dead also. Owen is never the same, always talking about the monsters who have Cori and how he has to save her. Guilt wracks Levi when Owen is killed in another mysterious attack years later, more guilt to go with that he’s harbored when he let Cori leave him on that fateful night.
In a haze of grief and alcohol Levi goes to the rescue of a woman in an alley, only to find she can take care of herself. But there’s something familiar about her, something that calls to him. Cori is in a haze of her own. Now a vampire, she’s been teaching at the school where she learned how deal with her new life. She’s still the shy, introverted woman she’s always been, but when she doesn’t feed on a regular basis, the need in her grows too strong. Stumbling around in the night to find anyone to ease her sexual ache, she and Levi come together and fiercely slake their need. But once again she must leave him, and that only makes him hungrier for the mystery woman he can’t get out of his mind.
Though a short story, this book has so much packed into it. This is only a small part of it. And then there’s all those secondary characters from throughout the series that I didn’t even touch. But it’s a very satisfying read whether you’ve read any of that series or not. I’ve only read a couple of books from the series, I’m not that familiar with all the characters, and I still enjoyed this one quite a bit.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
This is a story of wrong timing for all the characters involved. They grew up together, Cori and cousins Levi and Owen. It’s Owen and Cori who find a love match, Levi doesn’t declare his intentions when he should. During Owen and Cori’s engagement one Christmas when caught under the mistletoe, everything changes for Cori and Levi after they exchange a quick kiss. Cori knows she truly doesn’t love Owen and Levi can’t do a thing about his feelings without hurting Owen. But Cori calls off the wedding leaving Owen devastated. But she and Levi know they still can’t be together because that would only wound Owen further.
They can ignore their want for each other for only so long and nearly take what’s between them to the next level, until a call from Owen disrupts the moment and sends Cori to his side to talk things over. Things go from bad to worse, though, when they are attacked by vampires later that night, Owen left for dead and Cori nowhere to be found, later assumed to be dead also. Owen is never the same, always talking about the monsters who have Cori and how he has to save her. Guilt wracks Levi when Owen is killed in another mysterious attack years later, more guilt to go with that he’s harbored when he let Cori leave him on that fateful night.
In a haze of grief and alcohol Levi goes to the rescue of a woman in an alley, only to find she can take care of herself. But there’s something familiar about her, something that calls to him. Cori is in a haze of her own. Now a vampire, she’s been teaching at the school where she learned how deal with her new life. She’s still the shy, introverted woman she’s always been, but when she doesn’t feed on a regular basis, the need in her grows too strong. Stumbling around in the night to find anyone to ease her sexual ache, she and Levi come together and fiercely slake their need. But once again she must leave him, and that only makes him hungrier for the mystery woman he can’t get out of his mind.
Though a short story, this book has so much packed into it. This is only a small part of it. And then there’s all those secondary characters from throughout the series that I didn’t even touch. But it’s a very satisfying read whether you’ve read any of that series or not. I’ve only read a couple of books from the series, I’m not that familiar with all the characters, and I still enjoyed this one quite a bit.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
April 6, 2012
This book is in Shiloh Walker's Hunter series, I've been trying to get my hands on this whole series but some are out of print and sometimes I end up buying them way out of order for the series. One good thing about this series until the last few books it really wasn't a big deal if you read them out of order the books gave away no secrets, but the more I've read the more characters I'm getting to know and if I'd read the last few out of order the characters interact enough to ruin the plot of the previous book. Since I read her newest release before I bought this book I thought it might ruin the story for me but these main characters are really only introduced for the first time here and don't seem to be involved in much of the later stories not that I've read them all to say for sure but I have read a lot. This was an interesting story more about what happens to the ones left behind by the tragedy that has fallen on their loved one or relative after being attacked and possibly turned by a supernatural creature, this isn't the normal way that we look at the hunter's story usually the main character is a hunter and not a human but this one was a little different and it was refreshing. Not many paranormal romance even touch on the one's that have been left behind and have to assume their loved one is dead even if they have been turned. The emotion behind this story and the mystery made it a hard book to put down I don't think I actually did put it down until I had finished it. I recommend this book for any paranormal romance lover, yes it does get emotional but never fear you still get your happily ever after ending.
June 3, 2015
Four years ago, Corinne Lewis broke off her engagement to Owen Marknum, her best friend. A person she felt content with but didn't love and an innocent kiss under the mistletoe by Owen's cousin Levi, ignited feelings she didn't know existed.
Four years ago they had a chance but Levi would not betray his cousin. Four years ago, after leaving his home, Cori and Owen we're attacked outside the hospital. There was too much blood loss for Corinne to survive. For four long years, Levi has regretted that day, for not taking the opportunity to tell the woman he loved, how he really feels.
Following the death of his cousin after a feral wolf attack, Levi drunkenly witnesses a woman being attacked in a small dark alley and immediately runs in to help.
Cori Lewis is an empty shell only surviving her night to night life as a vampire by following Kelsey's feeding rituals. She was empty before she was attacked and her trust in males are now only a means to an end. Blood keeps her heart still beating, but a vampire can only be antsy for so long before she'll need release. Which is why Cori talked herself into coming out tonight but at the last minute instantly regretted it after two men followed her.
Being rescued wasn't something Cori expected in this darkened alley but the instant attraction to this man is something she's only felt once before.
Coincidences or a chance encounter. Regardless it seems the past is catching up to both of them. They will have to forget the guilt, the grief and accept the change if they are to survive.
Four years ago they had a chance but Levi would not betray his cousin. Four years ago, after leaving his home, Cori and Owen we're attacked outside the hospital. There was too much blood loss for Corinne to survive. For four long years, Levi has regretted that day, for not taking the opportunity to tell the woman he loved, how he really feels.
Following the death of his cousin after a feral wolf attack, Levi drunkenly witnesses a woman being attacked in a small dark alley and immediately runs in to help.
Cori Lewis is an empty shell only surviving her night to night life as a vampire by following Kelsey's feeding rituals. She was empty before she was attacked and her trust in males are now only a means to an end. Blood keeps her heart still beating, but a vampire can only be antsy for so long before she'll need release. Which is why Cori talked herself into coming out tonight but at the last minute instantly regretted it after two men followed her.
Being rescued wasn't something Cori expected in this darkened alley but the instant attraction to this man is something she's only felt once before.
Coincidences or a chance encounter. Regardless it seems the past is catching up to both of them. They will have to forget the guilt, the grief and accept the change if they are to survive.
March 12, 2014
"Belonging" by Shiloh Walker. A stand alone novella in The Hunters series.
**NOTE** Some recurring characters are mentioned in this novella but the story works as a stand alone. If you're reading it in the series, it should be read between "Hunter's Salvation" and "Hunter's Need".
I really really liked this story! Cori and Levi were just meant to be together! A trial of emotions is felt for the characters. They go through so much emotional termoil!
Cori is not happy. She's content. And she can't stand it! She should be happy. She's has a good job, good friends, is engaged to her childhood friend Owen. So what's the problem? She loves Owen, but she's not in love with him anymore. And she just won't think about what happened this past Christmas with Owen's cousin, Levi....
Ever since Christmas, Levi can't get Cori out of his head. But it's just not ment to be. She's with Owen, his cousin and his very best friend. But after one horrible night, all their lives change....
I don't really want to say to much about the storyline because it would really ruin the whole thing for you! I think the storyline was really excellent. And the chemistry between Cori and Levi! Off the charts HOT! Very well written. I enjoyed so much. Really good.
**NOTE** Some recurring characters are mentioned in this novella but the story works as a stand alone. If you're reading it in the series, it should be read between "Hunter's Salvation" and "Hunter's Need".
I really really liked this story! Cori and Levi were just meant to be together! A trial of emotions is felt for the characters. They go through so much emotional termoil!
Cori is not happy. She's content. And she can't stand it! She should be happy. She's has a good job, good friends, is engaged to her childhood friend Owen. So what's the problem? She loves Owen, but she's not in love with him anymore. And she just won't think about what happened this past Christmas with Owen's cousin, Levi....
Ever since Christmas, Levi can't get Cori out of his head. But it's just not ment to be. She's with Owen, his cousin and his very best friend. But after one horrible night, all their lives change....
I don't really want to say to much about the storyline because it would really ruin the whole thing for you! I think the storyline was really excellent. And the chemistry between Cori and Levi! Off the charts HOT! Very well written. I enjoyed so much. Really good.
April 4, 2016
I really liked that we had a heroine who is a vampire but NOT badass; and that through this story she somewhat comes into her own.
She's a timid human thrust into literally a different world - and the hero who was SO into her - and had loved her from even before, and it's hot and sexy and ... well basically I only regret it was published by EC :P
B+
She's a timid human thrust into literally a different world - and the hero who was SO into her - and had loved her from even before, and it's hot and sexy and ... well basically I only regret it was published by EC :P
B+
June 8, 2011
Glad I read this one. I liked that the character actually expressed anger and pain over what happened to him ... this one feels really emotional, not just hot sex. 8-)
October 13, 2013
light enjoyable read
September 24, 2012
Wasn't feeling this one. But I was intrigued enough by the series that I eventually will get around to reading one of the full length books.
July 2, 2016
3.5 rounded up to 4*'s
October 19, 2016
Although Corinne is not a Hunter she works and is sheltered at the Hunter's underground safe house/school/foster home Excelsior. This is just her story of her lost love.
Want to read
June 11, 2011Really good so far....!!!!!
July 12, 2016
I didn't like this book. DNF. :(
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews