Historical Paranormal Romance Novel Review: It Happened One Bite, by Lydia Dare

I must first start off by saying, I am a fan of the writing duo that is Lydia Dare, and have previously enjoyed reading her books, and It Happened One Bite was no exception.

Book Info:

He’s lost, trapped, doomed for all eternity…


Rich, titled, and undead, gentleman vampyre James Maitland, Lord Kettering, fears himself doomed to a cold and lonely existence—trapped for decades in an abandoned castle. Then, beautiful Scottish witch Blaire Lindsay arrives, and things begin to heat up considerably…

Unless he can persuade her to set him free…

Feisty Blaire Lindsay laughs off the local gossip surrounding her mother’s ancestral home—stories of haunting cannot scare off this battle-born witch. But when she discovers the handsome prisoner in the bowels of the castle, Blaire has no idea that she has unleashed anything more than a man who sets her heart on fire…

Available now from Sourcebooks in ebook and paperback
ISBN: 9781402245077


Review:

Fast paced, action packed, filled with emotion, sensual tension and intrigue, I read It Happened One Bite, in a day, which is saying a lot for me! I couldn't put it down.

I liked the idea of a battle-born witch hooking up with a vampyre, and in the Scottish Highlands no less. Blaire and James have an instant connection, in which they both tease each other, and clash at the same time--but its a good clash, its that tension that we all seek out in romance novels and can't wait to watch the story of their love unfold.

There is a wonderful twist at the end, which I won't give away, that makes this romantic vampyric/witch story quite memorable, and solves all the issues of a happy ending between two lovers without them both being damned to walk the earth for eternity.

There was one glaring problem that I had through the majority of the book--and be warned this may be considered a spoiler alert to some--and it was the ring Blaire kept around her neck.  For as much as James is kissing and nibbling her neck, he never notices the necklace that she keeps hidden in her bodice until just past the mid-point of the book.  There is even a scene where he takes her clothes off--and doesn't notice the necklace that holds his ring. Now, this sort of thing wouldn't normally have bothered me so much, except every time he kissed her I thought--"Here it is! He will surely see that his ring rests on her necklace!" And then he wouldn't see it...

But, besides this issue, I did enjoy the book. I liked the connection, the paranormal elements and the historical setting.  I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Guest Author Lydia Dare on Legends

Please join me today in welcoming debut author Lydia Dare! Yesterday, I had the pleasure of posting my review of her novel, A Certain Wolfish Charm. Today, she's visiting with us to discuss the always fascinating topic of legends... Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of her novel, A Certain Wolfish Charm. (2 winners, US and Canada Only)

Research is a funny thing, especially when dealing with history. I’m never quite sure what I’m going to find – which is actually why one researches, but I digress. Since my novels merge the genres of Regency and Paranormal romance, the type of research I have to do has changed. In fact, my Google searches would probably scare someone if they ever sat down at my computer and went through my browser history.

Legends of werewolves, vampires, and other creatures have been passed down for centuries, and they so resonated with those who heard them, they’re still talked about today. And since we readily accept vampires and werewolves in a contemporary setting, logic would only dictate that they existed in the past as well. At least that is the basis on which I build my world.

Still, I wanted to use local legends where I could, and that ended up being a bit more difficult than I’d initially anticipated. The last three books in this series (so far) are set in Scotland in 1817 and the heroes are honorable, gentlemanly vampires. Eastern European vampire lore was well established by this time, but finding something of Scottish legend was an exercise in futility, even for the most dedicated researcher. Apparently the Scots had enough legends of their own, and they didn’t feel the need to pilfer any from their continental counterparts. The only solid creature I could find was the Baobhan Sith, who were beautiful, seductive, fairy-like women. After nightfall they would entice men to dance with them and then drain them of their blood.

Thinking about the origins of this legend makes me giggle. I can just see some ancient Scot trying to explain to his wife why he didn’t return until the morning. He couldn’t tell her he’d been out all night drinking whisky. And he couldn’t tell her who he actually spent the evening with. So the Baobhan Sith was born. “It’s no’ my fault. I was on my way home, bringin’ ye the flowers I ken ye love, and the fog came up and this creature appeared and I couldna move. And then it started dancin’ and before I could run, it had drained me of most of my blood. I only barely got away, but I lost yer flowers in my escape.”

I am teasing of course. It was probably the other way around. Scottish women must have created the myth to keep their husbands and sons at home, and sober, where they should be. “Doona go out at night. The Baobhan Sith will get ye.”

Needless to say, that bit of research will go un-used by me. I can’t envision my vampire hero dancing like a seductive fairy to capture my heroine’s blood and then her heart. But the image does make me laugh. For some reason the movie trailer for Tooth Fairy with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson just popped into my head. That’s so not the image I want to base my hero upon. I chose to stick to the more commonly-known vampire myth we all know and love with a few twists of my own thrown in for good measure.

What about you? Have you ever wondered about the origins of any myths or legends? And if so, what did you come up with? Did anything truly surprise you?

Lydia Dare is an active member of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, where she sits on the board of directors. She lives in a house filled with boys and an animal or tow (or 10) near Raleigh, North Carolina. Visit Lydia: http://www.lydiadare.com/

Book Review: A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare

I admit that Lydia Dare’s debut, A Certain Wolfish Charm (releasing April 6, 2010) is the very first Lycan (werewolf) book I’ve read and I really enjoyed it. Part of what makes this book so much fun is the setting. Ms. Dare takes the prim and proper Regency era and turns it on its ear with a rake-hell hero, Simon, Duke of Blackmoor (perfect name by the way) who is not only a hot, intense and intriguing man, but also a werewolf. Our heroine, Lily, is a feisty, smart and independent woman, whose last thought is of marriage, when she finds herself as the new Duchess of Blackmoor. Together they embark on a journey in which they discover each other, and ultimately themselves.

The book was sensual, emotionally riveting, and well-written. The characters jumped off the pages.

As always with my love of history, I find it quite enjoyable when an author takes us back in time. Ms. Dare did so not only with her setting, characters, wardrobe and entertainment, but ensconcing us in real Regency life. I speak in particular of our characters visiting Drury Lane for a Shakespeare play (my favorite playwright!). Well done!

The secondary characters were also intriguing and fun. And I secretly admit to laughing each time Lily’s nephew was referred to as a pup. There were actually many parts in this book that had me laughing. I’m definitely a Dare fan.

I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series! Tall, Dark and Wolfish (May 2010) and The Wolf Next Door (June 2010).

Here’s the back-cover blurb for, A Certain Wolfish Charm…

He gets crankier and crankier as the moon gets full… A woman whose charm is stronger than the moon…

The rules of Regency Society can be beastly--especially when you’re a werewolf. Simon Westfield, the Duke of Blackmoor, has spent his entire life creating scandal and mayhem. It doesn’t help his wolfish temper that since he’s rich, powerful, and sinfully handsome, the town is willing to overlook his outrageous behavior. Lily Rutledge has a wild streak of her own and when she turns to Simon for help he falls for her immediately. Simon finds himself drawn to the fearless Lily more powerfully than the moon…

Available 4/6/10 from Sourcebooks!
ISBN: 9781402236945

Available for Pre-Order at Amazon!

About the author…

Lydia Dare is an active member of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, where she sits on the board of directors. She lives in a house filled with boys and an animal or tow (or 10) near Raleigh, North Carolina. Visit Lydia: http://www.lydiadare.com/

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for Lydia’s blog post and a chance for two people to win a copy of the book!