Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Review: Raine by Elizabeth Amber


RAINE, THE LORDS OF SATYR
(#2 in the trilogy, March 2008)
Erotic Paranormal Historical Romance
Kensington Aphrodisia


Blurb from the back cover of Raine:

The last in a fabled line of otherworldly aristocracy, the Lords of Satyr are born to wealth, power, and a talent for sensual delight that mere mortals only dream of. Commanded to marry, these passionate men will travel to Rome, Venice, and Paris—and along the way will explore desires both shamelessly wicked and blissfully divine…


AS A LOVER, HIS SKILLS ARE LEGENDARY ...
Middle brother Raine is both sensual and stoic. Scarred by a former wife who could not accept his carnal needs, he wants no part in another marriage. But duty commands that he fulfill his promise to wed King Feydon's second daughter, Jordan...

IN MATTERS OF THE HEART, HE HAS MUCH TO LEARN...
This loyal satyr begins a search that leads him from Tuscany to romantic Venice, where his beautiful bride awaits, unaware of what passionate delights fate has planned for her. Raine is careful not to reveal his powerful satyr sexuality, for fear of driving yet another woman away. But unbeknownst to him, Jordan is no ordinary woman and was born with an insatiable appetite for love. And as Raine's heart begins to melt for her, how long will he be able to hide his true nature when Jordan seems to want him so fiercely?
WARNING: This is a REALLY HOT book. (Sexually Explicit)

I am posting this straight from Ms. Elizabeth Amber's site, please go --->>> here.


My Short Review:

Just like his brother, Nicholas, Raine does not disappoint!!!
Raine was once married, but his wife, a human woman, could not accept what he truly was and his carnal nature that was within himself. Marriage, you could say, left a really bad taste in his mouth. So, to be told that he has to take upon a wife and had no choice in the matter... well, you can just imagine how well that sits with him.

Raine's passion lies with vineyards of his family's estate. He consumes himself with finding a cure for the pox virus that is effecting everyone's vineyards but their own. His family crop, because of their own personal magic, will never to be affected by disese. But if something should ever happen to the brother's themselves, their crops will be affected and the gates to Elseworld will open and other things will reek havoc on Earth. Not goo. Raine's desire lies at preserving what is known to him all his life - his ledgency.

Jordan is a very feisty woman. She has determination and a spirit to match. She also has her own secrets... She is... well, if I tell you, it would not surprise you. Let's just say that she is not your normal woman! I do have to admit, this book was a little rougher around the corners... but it's read was definitely worth the read.
Why was it worth it, because these two together make for an awesome couple. Together, they can mend only what others deem as broken.. Raine's heart and Jordan's spirit. Raine and Jordan's journey will embark on some things that most people would find offensive or just not right. But through everything, you will see what is right, their love, their passion, their light within each other.
Will Raine be able to allow his heart love another? Will he find that happy ever after, after being broken through marriage and divorce and town gossip?
Will Jordan's soul be enough to allow her to let it go and be who she was made to be? Will the truth finally set her free, to live the life she truly desires?

I will give you a dictionary lesson, because I will be honest and say I did not know what a satyr was before reading this and it helped me to find out.Satyr: Classical Mythology. one of a class of woodland deities, attendant on Bacchus, represented as part human, part horse, and sometimes part goat and noted for riotousness and lasciviousness.
Coutresy of Dictionary.com

Now, I will skip my normal format for a review because for these books run together (I do advise to read them in order) and the characters go in and out of each book... , I will give you the plot, the main two characters and my thoughts. I don't want the review to be too long.

The Plot:
Raine has to wed one of King Feydon daughters in order to protect her. King Feydon sired three half-human, half-faerie daughters. And each one is in danger of some sorts. So, by the undertaking of the marriage by the Satyr's brother, it gives them protection. Raine's heart has been twisted already. He is a man of conviction, devoted to his purpose of vineyard. He has known to have turned heads of all kinds.
Jordan is looking for an out from her current living conditions. She is put on display once a year for her birthday as a medical study.
What she finds is a man who has seen her for real self and still wants to accept her. Will she allow him to accept her for the true person she desires to be? Will Raine allow himself to open up to yet another woman that he is wed?

The Major Players:
Raine: A Satyr borther, actually, he is a half-brother. His (step) father released him when he was thirteen; when his mother admitted to a long-held secret. He was then sent to the Satyr Estate where he met his real father. Lord Marcus Satyr raised Raine and taught him what being a true Satyr was all about. Raine is a very handsome and determined man. He knew what his purpose was in life... or at least he thought he did, before he knew he was to wed!
Jordan: She is a feisty woman. For as long as she could remember, for her birthday she was to be placed on display for Signore Salerno in the name of science. (Told you, you will have to read to find out what is behind her secret.) She yearned to just be left alone to be what she was - a human. She justed wanted to be left alone. She was never in a serious relationship, never thought she could have one where someone would love her for who she truly was.



My Thoughts:
I said this story was the rougher one for me to read. One of the storylines that I struggled with which I will give you... (no spoilers)... that I came across is the book deals with m/m (which I am not use of), one of them being a man of the clothe. There is greed, envy, lust and everything else you can think of in this book. Raine was a very interesting but erotic book to read. After I got pass the first shock of what people where thinking and what was going on... it was a gut-wretching read!!! Raine story is very emotional due to Jordan's story. These two prove to me that if they could overcome the many obstalces in their life and in their way; then gosh darnit anything is possible!!!!!
The other things you wan to know... SMUT: yes... oh yea... in all ways possible.... Anything Expected... nothing was expected from this story. This has to be the first story that really (and I mean really) had me not knowing what the hell was going to happen next. Displeasing: nothing. I had never read a m/m book before, so eventually there was going to be a first for me... and this was my first. And it left me spellbounded the way Ms. Amber did it. The book never lost sight of the marriage that needed to take place or of the importance of the brothers! I hope I have wet your appitete enough....
I hope you liked the review... I have two more reviews to come!!
If you liked the book review, please stay tune for more...
Please feel free to visit Ms. Elizabeth Amber's web site --->>> here.
To read an excerpt of Raine (click on his name.)
To read an excerpt of Nicholas, go --->>> here.
The next book is ... then Lyon... then Dominic.
And to come in the future is Dane's story...
And if you want to stay in tune with what's going on with Ms. Elizabeth... please go to her Yahoo Group --->>> here!!
And if you missed it, my review of Nicholas is --->>> here.

22 comments:

  1. Great review Cecile!
    But now you have me really curious, why is she put on display? What is "wrong" with her? Arggg the questions are killing me ;)I have yet not ventured into M/M water, but I have to have a first time sometime

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  2. Great review!

    Bodeuedd-- you must read the book. I had not read M/M romance before this, and have only read one since. Raine is not M/M romance by any means, but you do run across a scene or two dealing with the M/M. I just kind of skimmed past it. The book is so worth reading. But as Cecile has said there are some issues that may be uncomfortable for some. This series is awesome!!

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  3. I so feel an echo right now...you've put to words mostly of what I felt while reading the book. How those two so very unique characters fall in love, accept each other in all their facets, give and take and try to make it work. Very good erotica/romance!!

    Great review Cecile, I enjoyed it very much. If I remember correctly this is one of the novels that set me on the path of m/m erotica/romance :D

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  4. Blodeuedd~ Thanks honey!! Curious... good!! **yes, I have an evil smile on my face**
    The main two characters are m/f. But, like Heather said, it is not a book about complete m/m. It does take a couple of turns there. This was my first m/m episode all together. And like you, there has to be a first time.
    And what does she put on display... uhmmm... you will have to read to see!!!

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  5. Heather~ Thanks! Look forward to seeing you here more often!! This is an awesome series!

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  6. Leontine ~ Hey there honey!!
    Oh, these two had my heart strings going. I could not agree with you more... quote you "How those two so very unique characters fall in love, accept each other in all their facets, give and take and try to make it work. Very good erotica/romance!!" YES YES YES!!!
    Thanks for the kind words... I am just telling it like I read it!
    I am just glad that I have friends to share my thougths with!
    I hope you are having a great day!

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  7. OOOH...I want this one now too!! I didn't know there is m/m in it:) Cecile - I need have some books for you if you likey the m/m ;)

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  8. Cecile!

    I'm so lovin' your reviews for this series. It's definitely on my list to buy after your thoughts on Raine. I can't believe I've waited this long to pick up the series!

    Oooo and I see you've dived into 'Deeper'. I have the book but I'm not ready to read it yet. I'm looking forward to your thought!

    ;) VFG

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  9. Thanks Heather, if everyone recommends it then i sure must give it a try one of these days.

    You are truly evil Cecile ;) I can't stop wondering what is wrong with her. I have been coming up with the most absurd ideas since I read your review.

    They are on the list...one day...one day

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  10. Hey Cecile!

    Great review! I read the first one of this series last year and have the others on the shelf. The first one was sexy as hell, but satyrs are very sexual creatures.

    My plan is to do a re-read at some point followed by the rest of the series. You have spurred me on!

    Hope your day is going well...

    L

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  11. Mandi ~ Hey Honey!! You will want all of them when I am done with them!!! **evil grin again**
    I am slowly opening up to the m/m thing. I will email you... to see...

    VampFanGirl ~ Well, I am glad tha tyou are lovin my reviews. That is what I am here for!!! To introduce you to my world of men!!! And what yummy Sex on a Stick men they are!!! When I saw these brothers on the shelf and I had seen her at Lust In Time's blog... I knew I had to have them - all of them!!! You will enjoy, I know!!!
    Especially Nicholas - to me he is pure Alpha ***grrrr, my best tiger impression, lol***
    And yes, I am going to start reading Deeper tonight... I have waited to long!!!! MUST READ!!!

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  12. Blodeuedd ~ Yes, I know I am truly evil ;)... but in such a good way!!! LOL!! Girl... this story line surprised the crap out of me!!! And it was worth every page!!

    Lea ~ Hey there! Thank you!!! Oh, you must re-read and then finish!! I would love to see your thoughts on this series!!!
    OH, I am forever in love with Nicholas!!! HAWT... HAWT... I am glad that I could spurred you on!!!
    I hope you are having a wonderful day my friend!!! =)

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  13. Great review! I really love these brothers, I have their books on my keeper shelf! I'm waiting for your review of Dominic, he is on my wish list.

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  14. Hi Cecile,

    Wow! I didn't know Raine was your first m/m book! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. His story was emotional for me too, partly due to things he suffered early on, but also because of Jordan.

    Although the four books are stand-alones, I agree that it’s best to read them in order. It drives me crazy to read any series out of order. Are you the same way?

    The reason I wrote Raine was because I did some research on individuals with Jordan’s unique physical qualities. I was affected by how they were treated back in the 1800s. It was fascinating reading, and I really empathized with them. I couldn’t get the idea of writing about them out of my mind.

    I love that Raine loves Jordan unconditionally. When he meets her, he has no concern that she’s different. After all, he’s physically unique himself, though few are aware of the fact. He’s drawn to Jordan and eventually comes to love her so deeply that he shares himself physically in a way he’s never done before. These two seemed to belong together so much that I couldn’t see either with someone else.

    It’s hard writing about characters like this sometimes. I get wrapped up in them. Once I finish the book, I miss them. :o)

    Thanks again for reviewing Nicholas and Raine, Cecile!

    ~ Elizabeth

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  15. Hi Cecile!!

    I have a couple of these books in the tbr but I've not read them yet! Great review! :)

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  16. Eva S ~ Hey there!! Glad to see you here honey!!! Oh believe me... they are on my KEEP-HER-NEXT-to her bed shelf!!!! LOL!!!
    Dominic will be coming Saturday if things go right!!!
    I hope I do him justice!!!
    Hope all is well with you and hope you are having a great day tomorrow!

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  17. Hey Ms. Elizabeth!!! ~ Wow! Thanks for visiting me again!!!
    Oh yes ma'am. Raine is the very first m/m book I have read. And oh boy... did I enjoy it! This was the "most" emotional of the stories.
    Oh I agree with you completely about the suffering of Raine's earlier years. I mean to be told that your father is not your father... then for the first wife to despise you... I wanted to take Raine in my heart and tell him it was going to be okay and love him!!! =)

    Oh, yea... I have this OCD thing where I have to read in order. I actually have to collect all the books in the series before I read them. If I happen to read out of order... I have to go back and re-read again. Glad to see I am not the only one that hates to read out of order! lol!

    You are right, the treatment of people being different back then was very difficult to deal with. I mean... just think of that today. It wouldn't seem to be bad, we would just deal with it. That is why I have fallen in love with each of your stories. From Jane being a virgin and that being a "requirment", to Jordan being "different", to Juliet's being and orphan of sorts.
    Well, I for one, am very grateful for you hearing Raine and Jordan's story and writing it!!

    Oh, when Raine knew what/who she was before she even told him and he still wanted her, craved her, desired her and loved her... Oh man!!! The ending is when the love went way deep down for me... he shared with her what no one else (had on him before) would share. Ulitmate trust and love!!

    Thank you again for coming over!!!
    Looking forward to seeing you at Heather's tomorrow.
    Please look on my blog roll... because I am not good with posting things here... but look on my blog roll for Heather... and please go there tomorrow to show your support!!!

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  18. OH Blanche... you have to start reading these!!!! They will definitely spice up your blood!!!

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  19. Hey Cecile!! Great review!! OMG, Raine's cover was my favorite of the series. Sigh...

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  20. Hey Cecile
    that was funny yesterday with the "misplaced" career question.
    Hope you have a good day!

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  21. I haven't read this book before, but the cover is calling to me.

    Great post Cecile!

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  22. Hi Cecile!

    Great review as always!

    This one is going right along side the wish list. I haven't read any books with straight M/M, but plenty with M/F/M, sounds too good.

    I love the whole premise of these books! Can't wait to try them.

    Dottie :)

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I want to thank you for stopping by my place... I hope to see you again!!
I hope you enjoy my little bloggie home as much as I do!
With hugs, love and smiles... Cecile

My Fictional Smutty Boyfriend.... =)

"Quotes"