Kiss at Your Own Risk
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By The Demon Librarian
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is a bit of a weird one to review. Part of me really, really enjoyed it, the rest of me thought it was kind of silly.
Let me try to explain.
The things I really liked were the originality of the characters in terms of what they are. There were some great new ideas here- Ms Rowe is clearly a very creative lady and she has written some brilliantly imaginative creatures and beings. Okay, so we've heard of witches before and we've heard of a black widow before, but the four warrior guys in the story and their abilities - they were really interesting. The only way I can think to describe them is as human mutants. They've been tinkered with by the witch who has held them captive for the last century and a half, using Black Magic. The main character we follow in this book, Blaine, is a sort of fire warrior....think of The Human Torch from the Fantastic Four movies and you'll be close.
The other thing I really appreciated was the overall plot. It was a great race against time thrill ride with high stakes and a love story that took place along the way. All good stuff.
What kind of spoiled it for me, I'm sorry to say, was the writing style. It was written in a sort of conversational tone- only it was like a conversation with someone with really weird speech patterns and a hard to understand accent. I found myself having to do the literary equivalent of lip reading for the first 50 or so pages of the book. She would also miss words off the beginning of sentences and substitute words for slang phrases and I had a hard time trying to understand just what the author was trying to convey at times. Also annoying was the overuse of brackets. It was like (Hello? Use brackets much?) every other paragraph. And the Hello? thing would have been annoying all by itself without drawing a circle around it.
Also, she just tried just a little too hard to be funny, to that point that it wasn't. I like humorous books, but it would be better if the humour was limited to the banter and dialogue between characters, rather than the entire prose sounding like some kind of comedy farce. I'm sure some people will appreciate the added humour, and to be fair, it did work in some scenes, but I personally found it was just trying too hard.
In summation, I'd say it's still a good book and people that enjoy light-hearted PNR should definitely give it a go. I just think the author could have made something more of her ideas than this type of paranormal comedy romp. I'd love for her to write a straight up paranormal series one day, with her great ideas and creativity it would certainly be worth a look if she did.
Let me try to explain.
The things I really liked were the originality of the characters in terms of what they are. There were some great new ideas here- Ms Rowe is clearly a very creative lady and she has written some brilliantly imaginative creatures and beings. Okay, so we've heard of witches before and we've heard of a black widow before, but the four warrior guys in the story and their abilities - they were really interesting. The only way I can think to describe them is as human mutants. They've been tinkered with by the witch who has held them captive for the last century and a half, using Black Magic. The main character we follow in this book, Blaine, is a sort of fire warrior....think of The Human Torch from the Fantastic Four movies and you'll be close.
The other thing I really appreciated was the overall plot. It was a great race against time thrill ride with high stakes and a love story that took place along the way. All good stuff.
What kind of spoiled it for me, I'm sorry to say, was the writing style. It was written in a sort of conversational tone- only it was like a conversation with someone with really weird speech patterns and a hard to understand accent. I found myself having to do the literary equivalent of lip reading for the first 50 or so pages of the book. She would also miss words off the beginning of sentences and substitute words for slang phrases and I had a hard time trying to understand just what the author was trying to convey at times. Also annoying was the overuse of brackets. It was like (Hello? Use brackets much?) every other paragraph. And the Hello? thing would have been annoying all by itself without drawing a circle around it.
Also, she just tried just a little too hard to be funny, to that point that it wasn't. I like humorous books, but it would be better if the humour was limited to the banter and dialogue between characters, rather than the entire prose sounding like some kind of comedy farce. I'm sure some people will appreciate the added humour, and to be fair, it did work in some scenes, but I personally found it was just trying too hard.
In summation, I'd say it's still a good book and people that enjoy light-hearted PNR should definitely give it a go. I just think the author could have made something more of her ideas than this type of paranormal comedy romp. I'd love for her to write a straight up paranormal series one day, with her great ideas and creativity it would certainly be worth a look if she did.
By Joanne Dyer
Format:Kindle Edition
I loved this book, I thought it was so funny. If your looking for a light read this is it, but its also got some action in it and I loved the story line can't wait for the next one.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.7 out of 5 stars
42 reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
misses the mark...by miles
25 July 2011
By J. Hill
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Let me start by saying I have read a lot of paranormal romance. With this book I felt like the writing was all over the place and the plot was just plain stupid. One of the other reviews said the plot was so stupid it works....That should be your first sign. The story line is strange in too many ways to list and the writing is subpar. This is one paranormal romance I wish I would have skipped and I am glad it was free.
21 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Book! Read it!
6 Jan 2011
By LAS Reviewer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Read this book if you crave something different, crazy, amazing, funny and totally not your average stereotypical romance. Kiss at Your Own Risk simply blew my mind with its off the wall humor, bizarre and astounding world building and a pace that kept me goggle-eyed.
With this story, Ms. Rowe has fried my neurons because I have no clue how she kept such an intricate, diabolical and convoluted story thread from exploding into chaos. Where do I even start?
Trinity, the heroine, is the most likely place to start. Her life is complicated. I mean totally and completely off the scale complicated. The poor woman can't ever hope to have a normal married life because something happened to her when she was a baby that changed the course of her life. And oh, didn't I get a big shocker about that later in the book. Just wait until readers get a load of that revelation. In the meantime I got to meet Trinity's friend, Reina. She's a friend only a black widow could have and love. That kind of friendship was a stroke of genius on Ms. Rowe's part because it in itself is tricky. It's all in who you know and Trinity is surrounded by some really freaky characters that will a delight a reader who appreciates a vivid imagination. This author delivers that in spades.
Trinity has some well documented conflicts that absolutely keep a reader interested. How in the world can she possibly ever have a happily ever after if every guy meets his demise? Sure puts a damper on her love life and yet, Ms. Rowe found the answer. It's unconventional, a bit morbid and totally perfect for this story. It's so twisted, it's funny.
Blaine is one hot hunk of a guy. Until I read the book through, I didn't realize how true that dishy adjective would be. He's also been tortured in inventive, creative and truly demented ways and yet his mind and strength of character and will has survived. He also does a mean cross-stitch. Sounds funny doesn't it? He's this big macho warrior with skills the military would envy and yet he has these moments where he says things out loud that simply mortified him. Of course, that had me laughing out loud and snickering because the dichotomy was simply genius. Blaine is also tortured from within with issues of trust and abandonment. In fact there's a heartfelt revelation with a righteous dark turn that has the last shattered shard of his heart healing which helped make the happily ever after that much more poignant. Blaine is complicated too. And a reader can see that the torture after all those years did break him in a way, but it remade him too and that added incredible depth to his character. It also added some very interesting talents far beyond the powers of mortal men. Go Blaine!
As for villains, there is more than one. The guy who smelled like bananas grossed me out. And here's the thing that threw me. Ms. Rowe tells the story from three people's point of view - Blaine's, Trinity's and the villainous treacherous witch, Angelica. Here's where I really got bowled over. At first I did what the author intended - I disliked the evil witch who has done some really bad things to Blaine and his buddies. Then the author pulled the rug out from under me and actually had me liking Angelica in a really macabre moment of genius mind play. How in the world can I possibly feel sympathy for a character that is totally without mercy? And yet I did, but by the same token I wanted her dead. How weird is that? Honestly, I never knew which way this book was going to go and it kept me on my toes trying to second guess the author. I never succeeded.
The happily ever after is unique to this story and it works for both Blaine and Trinity. It's romantic, happy, and true to the characters and very well done.
Kiss at Your Own Risk is hands-down the most highly energetic romance adventure I've ever read with twists and turns a roller coaster would envy. Did I forget to mention the dangerous Schnoodles? I had to re-read that twice when I first came upon it and even after reading this book I still dissolve into horrified giggles. Truly, where in the world did Ms. Rowe come up with such fiendish delights? I have to give this story a Best Book because the sheer scope of the world building, creative characters and the fact that I really do want to read about Blaine's three companions has me thinking beyond this one tale. Whoever's story the author comes out with next, Nigel, or Jarvis or poor Christian, will be an auto-buy for me. It has to be. If the quality of writing is as good as what's in Kiss at Your Own Risk then it will be money well spent. I am a very satisfied reader. Thank you, Ms. Rowe for a reading experience that truly was extraordinary.
Originally posted at The Long and Short of It Romance Reviews
With this story, Ms. Rowe has fried my neurons because I have no clue how she kept such an intricate, diabolical and convoluted story thread from exploding into chaos. Where do I even start?
Trinity, the heroine, is the most likely place to start. Her life is complicated. I mean totally and completely off the scale complicated. The poor woman can't ever hope to have a normal married life because something happened to her when she was a baby that changed the course of her life. And oh, didn't I get a big shocker about that later in the book. Just wait until readers get a load of that revelation. In the meantime I got to meet Trinity's friend, Reina. She's a friend only a black widow could have and love. That kind of friendship was a stroke of genius on Ms. Rowe's part because it in itself is tricky. It's all in who you know and Trinity is surrounded by some really freaky characters that will a delight a reader who appreciates a vivid imagination. This author delivers that in spades.
Trinity has some well documented conflicts that absolutely keep a reader interested. How in the world can she possibly ever have a happily ever after if every guy meets his demise? Sure puts a damper on her love life and yet, Ms. Rowe found the answer. It's unconventional, a bit morbid and totally perfect for this story. It's so twisted, it's funny.
Blaine is one hot hunk of a guy. Until I read the book through, I didn't realize how true that dishy adjective would be. He's also been tortured in inventive, creative and truly demented ways and yet his mind and strength of character and will has survived. He also does a mean cross-stitch. Sounds funny doesn't it? He's this big macho warrior with skills the military would envy and yet he has these moments where he says things out loud that simply mortified him. Of course, that had me laughing out loud and snickering because the dichotomy was simply genius. Blaine is also tortured from within with issues of trust and abandonment. In fact there's a heartfelt revelation with a righteous dark turn that has the last shattered shard of his heart healing which helped make the happily ever after that much more poignant. Blaine is complicated too. And a reader can see that the torture after all those years did break him in a way, but it remade him too and that added incredible depth to his character. It also added some very interesting talents far beyond the powers of mortal men. Go Blaine!
As for villains, there is more than one. The guy who smelled like bananas grossed me out. And here's the thing that threw me. Ms. Rowe tells the story from three people's point of view - Blaine's, Trinity's and the villainous treacherous witch, Angelica. Here's where I really got bowled over. At first I did what the author intended - I disliked the evil witch who has done some really bad things to Blaine and his buddies. Then the author pulled the rug out from under me and actually had me liking Angelica in a really macabre moment of genius mind play. How in the world can I possibly feel sympathy for a character that is totally without mercy? And yet I did, but by the same token I wanted her dead. How weird is that? Honestly, I never knew which way this book was going to go and it kept me on my toes trying to second guess the author. I never succeeded.
The happily ever after is unique to this story and it works for both Blaine and Trinity. It's romantic, happy, and true to the characters and very well done.
Kiss at Your Own Risk is hands-down the most highly energetic romance adventure I've ever read with twists and turns a roller coaster would envy. Did I forget to mention the dangerous Schnoodles? I had to re-read that twice when I first came upon it and even after reading this book I still dissolve into horrified giggles. Truly, where in the world did Ms. Rowe come up with such fiendish delights? I have to give this story a Best Book because the sheer scope of the world building, creative characters and the fact that I really do want to read about Blaine's three companions has me thinking beyond this one tale. Whoever's story the author comes out with next, Nigel, or Jarvis or poor Christian, will be an auto-buy for me. It has to be. If the quality of writing is as good as what's in Kiss at Your Own Risk then it will be money well spent. I am a very satisfied reader. Thank you, Ms. Rowe for a reading experience that truly was extraordinary.
Originally posted at The Long and Short of It Romance Reviews
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A must read!! A very talented author!
8 Feb 2011
By A. Pohren
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Devilishly divine. Kiss At Your Own Risk is brilliantly fun, fast-paced and delightful.
Stephanie Rowe is to paranormal what Janet Evanovich is to mystery; laugh-out-loud fun and a non-stop tilt-a-whirl ride of excitement. I cannot express how much enjoyment Kiss At Your Own Risk brought to me. I literally found myself laughing out loud in the nice quiet library, while I read. Yes, for me, it was that humorous. I do have to admit that when I began reading the first few pages, I was thinking to myself "What in the world is this?!" The idea of men obsessed with cross-stitching and all things girly was a bit out there, even for me. However, once I read a bit further, I had no doubts that I was going to love this book. So, be warned, the very beginning may make you step back, but hold on, it is awesome.
Men, sex slaves, torture, the goal to make every one of the male species perfect and worthy of a woman. Yes, that is the goal of Angelica (the wicked witch, if you will). This is what Blaine Underhill and his friends have had to endure for the past century and a half. After coming together with a plan to escape, they finally find themselves free from the torture chamber of hell. However one thing went terribly wrong, Blaine's best friend did not make it out and is still left enslaved by the diva witch of all things unholy. Blaine will stop at nothing until he is able to rescue his friend and set him free.
Trinity Harpswell has had to live with a curse her entire life - if she falls in love, she has to kill the man she loves. Not such a great thing for a long term relationship. Trinity is a Black Widow and will remain so permanently after her fifth kill. However, she has managed not to kill a man for three years and if she can hang on another week, the curse will be broken and she will be free. Little did she know that final week would test every one her skills in resistance.
When Blaine realizes the the only way to kill Angelica is with the use of a Black Widow, he goes in search of Trinity. Trinity, however has problems of her own - her father has been turned into pink dust and will die if she doesn't kill the Smut Monster. However, if she kills Smutty, her soul will be lost forever. This doesn't stop her, however, and she will do anything to save her father.
Needless to say, Blaine and Trinity strike up a bargain - and what a bargain it is. These two characters are fiery, feisty and combustible. I have to say that I think they are one of my favorite character couples. Blaine is hot - literary and figuratively. Trinity is saucy and a spitfire - though very human in terms of insecurities and worries (she reminds me a lot of Stephanie Plum in the Evanovich series). The secondary characters are also great - Reina, Trinity's best friend, is delightful and it would be great to see her with a story of her own.
Overflowing with dark underworldly fun, Kiss At Your Own Risk is a book that I highly recommend to readers who enjoy paranormal and just want to lose themselves in laughter, a bit of romance and a whole lot of fun. Excellent writing and storytelling, great character development; Stephanie Rowe is an author I can't wait to read more of!
Stephanie Rowe is to paranormal what Janet Evanovich is to mystery; laugh-out-loud fun and a non-stop tilt-a-whirl ride of excitement. I cannot express how much enjoyment Kiss At Your Own Risk brought to me. I literally found myself laughing out loud in the nice quiet library, while I read. Yes, for me, it was that humorous. I do have to admit that when I began reading the first few pages, I was thinking to myself "What in the world is this?!" The idea of men obsessed with cross-stitching and all things girly was a bit out there, even for me. However, once I read a bit further, I had no doubts that I was going to love this book. So, be warned, the very beginning may make you step back, but hold on, it is awesome.
Men, sex slaves, torture, the goal to make every one of the male species perfect and worthy of a woman. Yes, that is the goal of Angelica (the wicked witch, if you will). This is what Blaine Underhill and his friends have had to endure for the past century and a half. After coming together with a plan to escape, they finally find themselves free from the torture chamber of hell. However one thing went terribly wrong, Blaine's best friend did not make it out and is still left enslaved by the diva witch of all things unholy. Blaine will stop at nothing until he is able to rescue his friend and set him free.
Trinity Harpswell has had to live with a curse her entire life - if she falls in love, she has to kill the man she loves. Not such a great thing for a long term relationship. Trinity is a Black Widow and will remain so permanently after her fifth kill. However, she has managed not to kill a man for three years and if she can hang on another week, the curse will be broken and she will be free. Little did she know that final week would test every one her skills in resistance.
When Blaine realizes the the only way to kill Angelica is with the use of a Black Widow, he goes in search of Trinity. Trinity, however has problems of her own - her father has been turned into pink dust and will die if she doesn't kill the Smut Monster. However, if she kills Smutty, her soul will be lost forever. This doesn't stop her, however, and she will do anything to save her father.
Needless to say, Blaine and Trinity strike up a bargain - and what a bargain it is. These two characters are fiery, feisty and combustible. I have to say that I think they are one of my favorite character couples. Blaine is hot - literary and figuratively. Trinity is saucy and a spitfire - though very human in terms of insecurities and worries (she reminds me a lot of Stephanie Plum in the Evanovich series). The secondary characters are also great - Reina, Trinity's best friend, is delightful and it would be great to see her with a story of her own.
Overflowing with dark underworldly fun, Kiss At Your Own Risk is a book that I highly recommend to readers who enjoy paranormal and just want to lose themselves in laughter, a bit of romance and a whole lot of fun. Excellent writing and storytelling, great character development; Stephanie Rowe is an author I can't wait to read more of!
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3.7 out of 5 stars
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