Evi Rhodes

The second instalment in the Warrior's Promise series gives the reader a lot. Rhodes built the world quite well in [b:Wicked Night|43062626|Wicked Night (A Warrior's Promise #1)|Evi Rhodes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1543613943l/43062626._SX50_.jpg|66851157], and this novel brings the reader a lot more of that world, both the familiar, but Rhodes wisely adds a lot of dimension as well.

I wasn't initially sure where the entire Wicked/Gwen/Thorne triangle was going, but I will say right up front, I didn't expect the outcome. A brave and interesting path that definitely ups the game.

Once again (and yeah, I'll likely keep pointing this out), I am pretty much the polar opposite of the target audience for this type of story, but Rhodes has an easy, engaging style, and knows when to bring both the sex and violence, and writes both very well.

I have to say, I'm quite interested in where Rhodes is taking all this.… (meer)

A couple of things right up front:

First, I know the author, and was given a copy of this novel as a gift (yes, I'm the "Uncle Tobin" mentioned in the thank yous at the beginning...seriously, how many Tobins are out there?).

Second, I am so not the target audience of this book, being an old, curmudgeonly male who doesn't read any sort of romance stuff without wincing slightly.

That being said, I still will be honest about my thoughts on the book.

A first novel in a series has a lot of work to do. It has to introduce the main characters, as well as their world. It has to show the motivations of those characters, and give the reader a solid sense of not only who they are, but who they want to be. At the same time, it has to introduce the opposing forces to those characters, and allow the reader to understand what could prevent them from succeeding.

And, through all of that, the novel still has to be entertaining, interesting, engaging, and pull the reader in so they want more.

I can say that Rhodes absolutely accomplished all of this with this first entry into the Warrior's Promise series.

Much of this novel is the inevitable push/pull love story of Gwen and Wicked. Now, like I said, I'm not a big romance guy, so I will admit to some wincing throughout their story, but that's more due to me than to the story, or Rhodes' ability to write it.

Throughout the novel, however, Rhodes does sprinkle in some fun action sequences, ranging from Gwen's training and learning of her oncoming abilities, to Wicked and his band of vampire warriors going up against the wraiths.

And, along the way, Rhodes successfully lays the groundwork for additional stories to come in subsequent entries to this series.

Do I have some quibbles? Of course. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of the machinations of those pulling the wraiths' strings, though I'm sure they'll show up soon. I also would have liked to have learned a bit more about Gwen's father, but again, I'm sure that's coming soon.

The biggest concern I have is not necessarily with Rhodes, but with her editor. I'm guessing most readers won't even notice, but I'm insanely nitpicky to spelling or grammatical errors, and there's the odd one sprinkled throughout the novel. Not enough to ruin it, but enough for me to want to kick the editor's ass.

However, if you're looking for a book that has a healthy dose of action, hot vampires, romance, and some fairly explicit (and well-written) sex, along with a strong female lead, then look no further. This first novel in the Warrior's Promise series does indeed deliver on its promise.… (meer)

Wicked is his name. He watched her from the dark, barely able to control himself.

Gwen saw him approach from the dark, tall, heavily armed and looking like the warrior he is.

At first I had trouble figuring out who was talking, him or her. It took a moment to catch the shift.

How she becomes a vampire is a bit different and so are these vampires. I am always on the lookout for an author that represents them in a new to me light. They are accepted as part of the human world.

When I heard Gwen say, “Well, hurray for me. Don’t I feel special?”, I knew I was going to love this character. LOL I love her sarcastic wit. She is a Halfling, half vampire and half human.

We have other supernatural characters visiting and, in my book, we can never have too many.

Have you ever felt like…one minute I was attracted to him and wanted him to kiss me and the next I wanted to punch him in the face and watch him bleed.

As Gwen sits at his beside, tears rolling down her face, I came close to crying with her. I love a story that evokes emotions.

He met his match in her, but will she be his mate? In the supernatural world, love and romance is on a different timeline and I love to go with it, letting the author take me where they will.

Kayden…I laughed and worried about him. He is a great warrior, but, deep in his soul, who is he really?

Great and a bit gory fight scenes and sweet lovin’. This is not erotica, but I highly recommend it for adults only. The sex scenes are more sweet and loving than erotic.

As I saw the end coming, I knew what would happen, with 500 pages left, I was racing through the pages as I see the story undold right before my eyes. I worry so much more for Kayden than I do for Gwen and Wicked. After all, they are the stars of the show and can’t be killed off…can they?

Whew…no cliffhanger, unless you count the tease, which did its job and hooked me. I have to know more and this is one of those series that I want to read to the very end.

I am hooked on the characters, the vampire warriors, and Evi’s ability to spin a tale that captured me totally, completely. I was afraid I would have to wait for the next book in the series, but, no worries. It has been written. The only problem I see is there is no Kindle version available. Hey, Evi, help a girl out, please. I have to know more!!!!!!!

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Wicked Night by Evi Rhodes.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com… (meer)