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Series Read: Psy-Changeling, #2: Visions of Heat ("Buddy Reads" DQs) Start Date: Start Date: Feb. 6, 2012
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Phoenix (Online Elf), Moderator
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Dec 03, 2011 06:20PM

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My kids keep telling me I need to get up and get dressed for church. I've told them we're skipping Sunday School and just going to service ROFLOL


I want to go on to the next book in the series too, Sandra. I think we picked the wrong series to do as the groups "every other month" book, LOL!




Lisa Kay’s Question for Prologue to Chapter 6
1. What is your first impression of Sascha? Did it change? Most romance authors try to match up opposite to create some heat, but Ms. Singh seems to have gone the extra mile here, yet add a twist in that Sascha has a yearning or compulsion to “let go” and get in touch with Lucas’ more sensual nature.
2. Does Sascha’s dilemma and self-doubt endear her to you? Or are you neutral? Or turned off.
3. What about Lucas? Is he rocking your world? What about his violent history? On a scale of 1-10, how dangerous is he?
4. Am I the only one who is suspicious that there is more to Sascha’s paternity? I’m wondering if her mother, Nikita, really went to a sperm bank and “chose her father with great care to the mixing of our genes”??? There is something there, isn’t there?
5. How cold IS Nikita? Do you believe her rumored history that Vaughn revealed? Would she institutionalize her daughter?
6. Is Sascha really as deficient as she thinks? I’m seeing the cliché “underestimated heroine who blossoms,” but I don’t mind. Do you? But this only leads me to another question. Was her mother trying to get something unique in her daughter? Or was it possibly just a “slip” in her own lustful history?
7. Speaking of 1-10, how hot was that sex dream at the end of Chapter 5? Did you like the subtle humor emanating from Lucas? Or don’t you like laughter in your Romancelandia bed?
8. Eek! Councilman Enrique! I didn’t like his whole conversation with Sascha. Icky. Is he the Big Fuc#er in this book? Or only a little one? I mean, he HAD to have known Sascha would report to her mother, right? Or was that a test of some sort? Was he trying to mess with her mind and it didn’t work?
9. Are we going to have resolution of this serial killer in this book, or is it going to continue on into the series. Hmmm. Maybe just the repercussions, I hope. I don’t like cliffhangers and that’s pretty risky to do in the first in the series.
10. What about NS’s world building? Enough info? Too much? Just right? Are you understanding the whole PsyNet?

How about we just post whatever range we want – even if it is only 1 chapter. We have a whole month to get through this book, we could just be laissez-faire about it and just go with the flow.
What do you ladies think?

1. My first impression of Sascha was favorable. I knew that this was a different world and I couldn't expect her to behave as those people around me do. This was definitely an opposites attract plot and I usually enjoy those. I liked reading the "cultural" differences and I liked how we were fed just enough info to get to the heart of the story without going overboard and getting bored over all the details.
2. Endears her to me.
3. I get that he's the alpha and all but I didn't find him overly intimidating. I'd give him a 6 on the danger scale. Though I believe the author probably wanted him to appear more towards 10 on the scale.
4. Not to give any spoilers but, yes, I thought there would be more to the paternity issue.
5. Also, not wanting to give any spoilers but I don't believe Nikita is as cold as we are led. I think Nikita is aware of the world they live and would do what is necessary to keep her daughter safe.
6. Who is to say who is deficient? Sascha may not conform to her culture's terms but she is not deficient by any means. She only knows what she has been taught and she has been taught that Psy's do not feel emotions. This is a flaw. I think Mom hammers this into her mind to ensure she understands how dangerous it is to be otherwise.
7. Hmmm, pretty hot for me, maybe an 8ish.
8. He is scum. I don't like him. I disliked him at first sight (Uh, I mean read). I think he suspects something is up with Sascha.
9. Not saying. haha
10. Just right I think.

#1 – I really liked Sascha from the first and that has only “deepened.”
#2 – Ditto.
#3 – I agree. I might rate him a point higher, to 7, but I think he’s not as dangerous as the author wanted. Still, the potential is there.
#4 & 5 – Interesting. Very interesting.
#6 – Excellent points, P. Who are those invisible arbitrators?
#7 – Mind meld! ☺ Loving the humor. I felt I was smiling right alongside (don’t I wish!) Lucas.
#8 – Again, “eek & ick!” Ah! Interesting.
#9 – LOL! Okay. ☺
#10 – I think so too. Holding my interest, but not overloading me. Also feeding me the info at the appropriate pace.
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Susan (susayq ~), Moderator
(last edited Dec 04, 2011 12:49PM)
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rated it 4 stars

Susan's answers to Lisa Kay’s Question for Prologue to Chapter 6
1. What is your first impression of Sascha? Did it change? Most romance authors try to match up opposite to create some heat, but Ms. Singh seems to have gone the extra mile here, yet add a twist in that Sascha has a yearning or compulsion to “let go” and get in touch with Lucas’ more sensual nature. I've liked Sascha from the beginning. I like that she's unsure of how to present herself cause she has to keep making sure no one realizes she's "different".
2. Does Sascha’s dilemma and self-doubt endear her to you? Or are you neutral? Or turned off. HAHA I just answered that...I like it.
3. What about Lucas? Is he rocking your world? What about his violent history? On a scale of 1-10, how dangerous is he? I like Lucas. LOTS. he does have a violent history, but I don't think he's as dangerous as the author wanted him to be. I'd rate him about a 6.5 - 7. I love alpha males like him that are dangerous but show a tender side.
4. Am I the only one who is suspicious that there is more to Sascha’s paternity? I’m wondering if her mother, Nikita, really went to a sperm bank and “chose her father with great care to the mixing of our genes”??? There is something there, isn’t there? Yeah, I feel there's something going on with her father who was absent. I wonder if maybe Nikita didn't do some experimenting of her own ;)
5. How cold IS Nikita? Do you believe her rumored history that Vaughn revealed? Would she institutionalize her daughter? I've read a little farther than ch 6 and I do think she's cold from the interactions I've seen between her and Sascha and super creepo Enrique. Especially when (view spoiler) But that could have been her way of protecting her child. But until I know anything else - COLD
6. Is Sascha really as deficient as she thinks? I’m seeing the cliché “underestimated heroine who blossoms,” but I don’t mind. Do you? But this only leads me to another question. Was her mother trying to get something unique in her daughter? Or was it possibly just a “slip” in her own lustful history? I don't think she's deficient at all. Just not like the rest of the psy. I totally agree with Pamela's answer. As for paternity and mom, like I said, I'm undecided.
7. Speaking of 1-10, how hot was that sex dream at the end of Chapter 5? Did you like the subtle humor emanating from Lucas? Or don’t you like laughter in your Romancelandia bed? HOT! I love the humor. I LOVE a hero who can tease and giggle and still be all "mine" and in charge.
8. Eek! Councilman Enrique! I didn’t like his whole conversation with Sascha. Icky. Is he the Big Fuc#er in this book? Or only a little one? I mean, he HAD to have known Sascha would report to her mother, right? Or was that a test of some sort? Was he trying to mess with her mind and it didn’t work? He gives me the creeps! Since he wasn't at the meeting that Sascha mind invaded, I wonder if he's not the bad guy here
9. Are we going to have resolution of this serial killer in this book, or is it going to continue on into the series. Hmmm. Maybe just the repercussions, I hope. I don’t like cliffhangers and that’s pretty risky to do in the first in the series. I honestly don't know.
10. What about NS’s world building? Enough info? Too much? Just right? Are you understanding the whole PsyNet? Every time I read PsyNet, I think of Terminator and their SkyNet that was all computers ROFLOL I do understand their world. I also read the story in


#1 & 2 – Mind Meld! ☺
#3 – I love an alpha that is like that too; who shows his tender side to the ones he loves.
#4 – Glad I’m not alone.
#5 – Very interesting. You could be on to something about Enrique. Time will tell.
#6 – Yeah, Pamela gave a great answer. ☺
#7 – **hee hee**
#8 – Creepazoid!

11. Yet another hot dream. The clues are pretty obvious to me that Lucas knows where they are coming from, but Sascha is not getting it. Do you think this makes her appear TSTL, too naïve, is a flaw in the book, or just that she’s not “wired” that way?
12. Lucas almost forgot the tragic anniversary of his parents’ death. Have you ever had a date slip from your memory that you thought you’d never forget? Does time heal all wounds? Or does it is it just a process of scar formation?
13. Did it touch your core a little when, at the beginning of Chapter 8, he “had no heart to play with her tonight” – only to see her appearance? A bit of a surprise for me there.
14. What did you think about what Sascha did for Dorian? What does this mean in terms of her abilities?

1. What is your first impression of Sascha? Did it change? Most romance authors try to match up opposite to create some heat, but Ms. Singh seems to have gone the extra mile here, yet add a twist in that Sascha has a yearning or compulsion to “let go” and get in touch with Lucas’ more sensual nature.
I liked her. She felt more human as compared to the other robotic Psy.
2. Does Sascha’s dilemma and self-doubt endear her to you? Or are you neutral? Or turned off.
I kept thinking what she must have gone through all her life..being different as she is!
3. What about Lucas? Is he rocking your world? What about his violent history? On a scale of 1-10, how dangerous is he?
He's cute, lets see if I really start to like him as i read ahead. He must be something higher on the scale since the changelings may be humanoid but they still aren't humans.
4. Am I the only one who is suspicious that there is more to Sascha’s paternity? I’m wondering if her mother, Nikita, really went to a sperm bank and “chose her father with great care to the mixing of our genes”??? There is something there, isn’t there?
Yep, definitely!
5. How cold IS Nikita? Do you believe her rumored history that Vaughn revealed? Would she institutionalize her daughter?
Totally!
6. Is Sascha really as deficient as she thinks? I’m seeing the cliché “underestimated heroine who blossoms,” but I don’t mind. Do you? But this only leads me to another question. Was her mother trying to get something unique in her daughter? Or was it possibly just a “slip” in her own lustful history?
I think the "unique" part was just a story her mom thought after her indiscretion. She is deficient, no doubt about that but its good to be different.
7. Speaking of 1-10, how hot was that sex dream at the end of Chapter 5? Did you like the subtle humor emanating from Lucas? Or don’t you like laughter in your Romancelandia bed?
Quite hot and a good sense of humor is one of the things I like in my guy.
8. Eek! Councilman Enrique! I didn’t like his whole conversation with Sascha. Icky. Is he the Big Fuc#er in this book? Or only a little one? I mean, he HAD to have known Sascha would report to her mother, right? Or was that a test of some sort? Was he trying to mess with her mind and it didn’t work?
I think he wants to discover what Sascha's been hiding. (view spoiler)
9. Are we going to have resolution of this serial killer in this book, or is it going to continue on into the series. Hmmm. Maybe just the repercussions, I hope. I don’t like cliffhangers and that’s pretty risky to do in the first in the series.
Dunno!
10. What about NS’s world building? Enough info? Too much? Just right? Are you understanding the whole PsyNet?
Its not enough. I'll have to read ahead before I can say I get all of this.

12. At my age I forget dates all the time. lol I think time does heal to a degree. It makes it easier to keep going.
13. *sniff*
14. It definitely gives one a clue I think. Since I've already read the whole thing I won't comment any more on it.

11. Yet another hot dream. The clues are pretty obvious to me that Lucas knows where they are coming from, but Sascha not getting it. Do you think this makes her appear TSTL, too naïve, is a flaw in the book, or just that she’s not “wired” that way?
I think she believes them to be just dreams she's conjured up.
12. Lucas almost forgot the tragic anniversary of his parents’ death. Have you ever had a date slip from your memory that you thought you’d never forget? Does time heal all wounds? Or does it is it just a process of scar formation?
I have forgotten important dates before...for the longest time I couldn't remember if I was married on the 28 or 29, since we started dating on one of those numbers, and married on the other LOL I do think time makes a difference. It may not completely take away the pain, but helps it to not hurt as badly all the time.
13. Did it touch your core a little when, at the beginning of Chapter 8, he “had no heart to play with her tonight” – only to see her appearance? A bit of a surprise for me there.
It made me like him more. He's not as alpha as he thinks himself ;)
14. What did you think about what Sascha did for Dorian? What does this mean in terms of her abilities?
I was surprised by what she did for Dorian. Not that she did it, but that she could.

11. Yet another hot dream. The clues are pretty obvious to me that Lucas knows where they are coming from, but Sascha not getting it. Do you think this makes her appear TSTL, too naïve, is a flaw in the book, or just that she’s not “wired” that way?
I don't think she thinks this is even possible.
12. Lucas almost forgot the tragic anniversary of his parents’ death. Have you ever had a date slip from your memory that you thought you’d never forget? Does time heal all wounds? Or does it is it just a process of scar formation?
All the time. Time lessens the pain.
13. Did it touch your core a little when, at the beginning of Chapter 8, he “had no heart to play with her tonight” – only to see her appearance? A bit of a surprise for me there.
Yep!
14. What did you think about what Sascha did for Dorian? What does this mean in terms of her abilities?
That there's a lot more where that came from.


Question: Should I make a separate thread for the questions for



Lisa Kay’s Questions for “Madness” through Chapter 7
1. There wasn’t too much recap from the previous book/novella; I imagine it would be hard to pick up this volume and jump into the story, wouldn’t you say? Are you remembering everything? Do you have any questions? Comments? This is an excerpt from “Beat of Temptation,” the short story in An Enchanted Season :
The (Silence) Protocol itself arose out of the overwhelming incidence of insanity and serial killing in the Psy populace. Driven to the edge, the Psy made a choice. They conditioned their young to feel nothing—not jealousy, not rage, and definitely not joy at the thought of Christmas morning.”2. What do you think of Faith NightStar so far? Doesn’t her childhood just break your heart? I like my solitude, but she has been isolated; there’s a difference, wouldn’t you say? Were you surprised she jumped the fence – literally! Do you believe a lot of her coldness is conditioning or just innate to her species? Back in our Real World, Elephants have started to be born without tusks and many scientists believe this is a survival technique, since they have been hunted to almost extinction b/c of them. In Romanclandia, it has been decades since the Silence was imposed. So, my “nature vs. nurture” question is this: how long does the evolutionary change take to occur? Has it already happened with most of the Psy? With Faith?
3. The members of the Psy-Council are considering Faith for replacement Councilor. Will they come after her if she doesn’t return in time? Even if she gets back in time, will her “escape” make them reevaluate her as a candidate, or make them want to “recondition” her all the more?
4. It is early days yet; however, which part of Vaughn is more attracted to Faith: the jaguar or the man? Or is it both, equally? What do you think of him “pushing” her by touching her so frequently and sensually?
5. I really like that Lucas and Sascha have more than “walk-on” parts to play in this episode of the series. You? So many authors have favorite characters from previous books just make an appearance, or sometimes, act in a completely different manner (at least, IMHO). This is like a little part of the continuation of their story. Or does this bug you? Comments.
6. At first I thought Faith was picking up on our hero, Vaughn D’Angelo, but quickly realized there was more to it. This “darkness” seems to be able to manifest into physical form. Whatever the hell it is, do you predict it will be Psy, changeling, human, or other?
7. The whole scene with the coffee made me laugh, showing Faith as a bit of a “princess.” I wonder when Vaughn will stop indulging her—or will he? Do you have a favorite scene or quote yet?
8. How do you feel about Vaughn calling Faith “Red”? Have you ever had a nickname that you did or didn’t like?

1. There wasn’t too much recap from the previous book/novella; I imagine it would be hard to pick up this volume and jump into the story, wouldn’t you say? Are you remembering everything? Do you have any questions? Comments? This is an excerpt from “Beat of Temptation,” the short story in An Enchanted Season :
"(Silence) Protocol itself arose out of the overwhelming incidence of insanity and serial killing in the Psy populace. Driven to the edge, the Psy made a choice. They conditioned their young to feel nothing—not jealousy, not rage, and definitely not joy at the thought of Christmas morning.”
It's been longer for me since I last picked up this world, but I got into it pretty quickly. I would agree with you on needing to read something (a prequel or book #1) before picking this one up, just so you know you haven't missed something as she doesn't go into a lot of recap.
2. What do you think of Faith NightStar so far? Doesn’t her childhood just break your heart? I like my solitude, but she has been isolated; there’s a difference, wouldn’t you say? Were you surprised she jumped the fence – literally! Do you believe a lot of her coldness is conditioning or just innate to her species? Back in our Real World, Elephants have started to be born without tusks and many scientists believe this is a survival technique, since they have been hunted to almost extinction b/c of them. In Romanclandia, it has been decades since the Silence was imposed. So, my “nature vs. nurture” question is this: how long does the evolutionary change take to occur? Has it already happened with most of the Psy? With Faith?
I personally believe that some people in Psy can give up emotions and others cannot. Those who cannot block emotions have it bottled up and then it slowly leaks or explodes. This would explain the high number of people going mad or into insanity, especially a F-Psy. I think this related to Sascha and Faith. Too much bottling of emotions and now its being released and they have no way (initially) to relate or understand it as they are told/conditioned to think that feeling is the worst kind of evil/harm to oneself. Faith's childhood was very sad and I just wanted to hug her, if I didn't think it would send her into a coma. =)
3. The members of the Psy-Council are considering Faith for replacement Councilor. Will they come after her if she doesn’t return in time? Even if she gets back in time, will her “escape” make them reevaluate her as a candidate, or make them want to “recondition” her all the more?
I think they will try to control her further with this consideration. I also think they will want more safeguards watching over her, including her room and possibly more cameras/guards.
4. It is early days yet; however, which part of Vaughn is more attracted to Faith: the jaguar or the man? Or is it both, equally? What do you think of him “pushing” her by touching her so frequently and sensually?
I think both parts are equally intrigued with her, the man just has no idea what that means yet. lol Why is it that the males can push and push and generally always be right at the end? His theory is spot on so far, though she has blacked out a couple of times I think that's herself giving permission to vacate the premises rather than an actual side-effect of the touching.
5. I really like that Lucas and Sascha have more than “walk-on” parts to play in this episode of the series. You? So many authors have favorite characters from previous books just make an appearance, or sometimes, act in a completely different manner (at least, IMHO). This is like a little part of the continuation of their story. Or does this bug you? Comments.
I love it. I like stories where we get more with characters we've become attached to, or just plain like. I like that this gives us more insight into Sascha and her blending with the Cats, but still being able to work with her past in whatever capacity that turns out to be.
6. At first I thought Faith was picking up on our hero, Vaughn D’Angelo, but quickly realized there was more to it. This “darkness” seems to be able to manifest into physical form. Whatever the hell it is, do you predict it will be Psy, changeling, human, or other?
I think it will be Psy again. It goes back to blocking/hiding emotions and actions from others. After too much time doing so, it manifests in other strange ways.
7. The whole scene with the coffee made me laugh, showing Faith as a bit of a “princess.” I wonder when Vaughn will stop indulging her—or will he? Do you have a favorite scene or quote yet?
Now see, I didn't get that at all. I sorta took it as it as something being exposed to all new things and testing the waters. I personally like how much Vaughn enjoys Faith's "cat-like" moves. lol
8. How do you feel about Vaughn calling Faith “Red”? Have you ever had a nickname that you did or didn’t like?
I grew up with the nickname of Monkey as its so close to my maiden last name. Hated it when I was younger, but it became a fun thing in high school.

#2 – ”I just wanted to hug her, if I didn't think it would send her into a coma. =)”
LOL! Ditto!
#3 – Yeah, I agree on both. They’ll want to keep her and “beef-up” security. Ah! More of a challenge for Vaughn. ☺
#4 – I was thinking, at first, that his beast was more interested. But the more I read, the more I see she is fascinating to the man. Good point about the mini “vay-kay” – yes, I think it is allowing her to do that, now that you mention it.
#5 – Ditto! I really like Sascha. I hope I end up like Faith as much.
#6 – I think it will be too. I’m kinda torn here, b/c I don’t want it to be a repeat of the first book.
#7 – Maybe “princess” is too finite a word, but she is definitely used to getting what she asks for. Wonder what will happen when she asks for “freedom” from the Psy? Not going to be good.
#8 – Monkey? Oh, I can see how you wouldn’t like that as a kid. Great that you turned it around and had fun with it. I remember once I was pissed at my mom (pre-adolescence, phew! glad that is over with) and

I read the first book last week so I remember everything but I guess if there was a gap between reading them I'd have needed to go back and read a little bit of the previous book to understand what's going on.
2. What do you think of Faith NightStar so far? Doesn’t her childhood just break your heart? I like my solitude, but she has been isolated; there’s a difference, wouldn’t you say? Were you surprised she jumped the fence – literally! Do you believe a lot of her coldness is conditioning or just innate to her species? Back in our Real World, Elephants have started to be born without tusks and many scientists believe this is a survival technique, since they have been hunted to almost extinction b/c of them. In Romanclandia, it has been decades since the Silence was imposed. So, my “nature vs. nurture” question is this: how long does the evolutionary change take to occur? Has it already happened with most of the Psy? With Faith?
I like her so far . About the coldness , I don't think the Psy are (or at least were )cold by nature at all . The coldness for all them is caused by the conditioning ,some of them accept it easier than the others.
3. The members of the Psy-Council are considering Faith for replacement Councilor. Will they come after her if she doesn’t return in time? Even if she gets back in time, will her “escape” make them reevaluate her as a candidate, or make them want to “recondition” her all the more?
The nomination was unexpected , because as far as I remember all the member of the council were ruthless and got the position by killing or something close.
Anyway I think this nomination will put her in some kind of danger from the council.
4. It is early days yet; however, which part of Vaughn is more attracted to Faith: the jaguar or the man? Or is it both, equally? What do you think of him “pushing” her by touching her so frequently and sensually?
I have to say the jaguar.
why the males have to be always right ?!I know it will turn out that this touching thing is exactly what she needs.
5. I really like that Lucas and Sascha have more than “walk-on” parts to play in this episode of the series. You? So many authors have favorite characters from previous books just make an appearance, or sometimes, act in a completely different manner (at least, IMHO). This is like a little part of the continuation of their story. Or does this bug you? Comments.
I always like to see characters from previous book play a part in the books as long as they don't take over the whole book!
6. At first I thought Faith was picking up on our hero, Vaughn D’Angelo, but quickly realized there was more to it. This “darkness” seems to be able to manifest into physical form. Whatever the hell it is, do you predict it will be Psy, changeling, human, or other?
That's what I don't understand (the physical form).I'm pretty sure it's a Psy and I might have a guess who it is. (view spoiler)
7. The whole scene with the coffee made me laugh, showing Faith as a bit of a “princess.” I wonder when Vaughn will stop indulging her—or will he? Do you have a favorite scene or quote yet?
I like it how Vaughn appreciate her moving like a cat
"Smooth as a cat." It was the highest compliment Vaughn knew how to give and I like it how she can surprise him with her abilities. (the lamp thing , ...)
8. How do you feel about Vaughn calling Faith “Red”? Have you ever had a nickname that you did or didn’t like?
I've had a lot nicknames (shosho and frog are two of them) I almost liked all of them.
I believe if someone bothers to give you a nickname , it simply means they care.
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