Rating:  Summary: Not my cup of tea.... Review: I picked up this book eagerly, but had to force myself to finish it. I won't get into the plot because I still can't really tell what the plot was supposed to be. I don't understand how Sarah and Julien fell in love when they barely spent any time together. That was confused me about the whole book. The end was good though, as were some parts throughout. If this is your first step into the vampire genere, I wouldn't read this one!
Rating:  Summary: Not my cup of tea.... Review: I picked up this book eagerly, but had to force myself to finish it. I won't get into the plot because I still can't really tell what the plot was supposed to be. I don't understand how Sarah and Julien fell in love when they barely spent any time together. That was confused me about the whole book. The end was good though, as were some parts throughout. If this is your first step into the vampire genere, I wouldn't read this one!
Rating:  Summary: Should this really be touted as a Gothic Romance? Review: I really hate it when I'm mislead into believing that a romance novel I've picked up turns out to be a work of general fiction. I can definitly see this as gothic fiction -it has vampires, dark secrets, and a certain forboding atmosphere- but it's majorly lacking in romance. The story itself isn't bad, but it's not what I expected. I can say this in its favor, when the plot starts to lose its momentum, Squires always brings forth some new development to get it moving again. Sarah Ashton, Lady Clevancy, arrives in London to find the forbooding Julien Davinoff is trying to contest her claim on the land of her family estate, Clershing. The deed to her property is missing and she suspects Davinoff is behind it. Davinoff, on the other hand, has more to destract him on this trip into town. He must deal with a vampire murderess whose been terrorizing the populace, as well as the unwanted attentions of Sarah's best friend Corinne, a wicked widow who won't take no for an answer. Here are my complaints about this alleged romance: 1. No developement for Julien. He's old, he's a vampire, we are only given his point of view a handful of time. He's basically a bored rake whose traveled the world. Somehow.. there should be more to him. 2. Corinne, the evil best friend, and Sarah's relationship needed more a element of dependency to make it really work. Sarah has other friends and is content with being in the background. I don't see why she'd hang around with her especailly after what Corinne did to her in Italy. 3. More developement no the vampire angle. Squires rules about the vampires are original and intriging, but they played so such a small part in the story that it could have been left out entirely. Where told Julien isn't human in the second chapter, but this isn't dealt with, hinted at, or mentioned again until halfway through the book. 4.They needed to talk more about his feeling towards her, and her feelings towards him. While Sarah does better than Davinoff I really didn't get the feeling that they were attracted towards each other. I definitly felt Sarah was intimidated yet curious but it wasn't until I read an interview with Squires that I found out she was attracted. Now, I don't require a lot of raging lust but I at least need to know that the main character have thought about each other in that way. The way these two are brought close makes love between them a realistic possiblity, I needed to know more about there emotions regarding each other to make it work. They both just kind of have an epiphany about each other, and this really doesn't seem to warrant the obsessive need they have for each other in the last three chapters. Final Word: Interesting but not a romance novel. I'd like to read her upcoming 'Body Electric', but I hope she works more to develope the romance element more or stop touting the books as romance.
Rating:  Summary: Unusual and engrossing Review: I'm not usually a big fan of the vampire romance genre so I almost didn't pick up this book because of its lurid bodice-ripper cover and the vampire story. Glad I didn't judge this book by its cover! This is definitely not your typical romance novel. The dark tone may turn off those who like their romances sweet or fluffy. Sacrament is subdued, yet intense and a pleasure to read--Ms. Squires resists using the overblown prose so often utilized in this genre in an attempt to convey passion and depth of character. Sarah and Julien's characters unfold as the story progresses and their developing respect and love for each other is subtle and believable--although Julien's feelings are for most of the story, far from obvious. I have to agree however, that Corina's character and actions were so over-the-top that it was a bit jarring and detracted from an otherwise excellent story. A keeper! I'll definitely be looking for more of Ms. Squires' stories.
Rating:  Summary: Truly one of the worst! Review: If you must read anything with a vampire in it, then go ahead. If you like Harlequin Romances, ok. If your only criteria is that the author be able to construct a reasonable sentence, maybe.... If you are looking for a steamy vampire novel, this isn't it!!! Try I burn For You by the other Susan, Susan Sizemore or maybe something by Laurell K. Hamilton. When I lost this book part way through, I was thrilled I didn't have to finish it; but sadly, someone found it and returned it to me. Don't find yourself in that situation. ;-)
Rating:  Summary: Truly one of the worst! Review: If you must read anything with a vampire in it, then go ahead. If you like Harlequin Romances, ok. If your only criteria is that the author be able to construct a reasonable sentence, maybe.... If you are looking for a steamy vampire novel, this isn't it!!! Try I burn For You by the other Susan, Susan Sizemore or maybe something by Laurell K. Hamilton. When I lost this book part way through, I was thrilled I didn't have to finish it; but sadly, someone found it and returned it to me. Don't find yourself in that situation. ;-)
Rating:  Summary: enjoyable supernatural historical romance Review: Lady Sarah Ashton loves her estate Clershing and would do just about anything to keep it. However, her solicitor informs Sarah that Julien Davinoff has disputed ownership of the property. Sarah is unable to produce the original deed to Clershing and no other proof has surfaced to prove she owns the estate. Desperate Sarah confronts Julien, who surprises himself by feeling empathy towards her. This is astonishing because Julian is a vampire and has felt nothing but tedium for what seems as if forever. As Julien and Sarah become acquainted and begin to fall in love, her friend Corina makes it clear she wants him and will do whatever it takes including abduction to attain her desire. Fans of vampire romances will enjoy Susan Squires' supernatural historical tale starring two strong lead characters. Julien is a brooding hunk while Sarah is a caring individual who gains not only the vampire's admiration but also that of the reader. Though Corina makes a poor egomaniac villainess with no redeeming qualities, the story line of star-crossed lovers moves forward at a rapid pace. Though quite than DANEGELD, SACRAMENT will entertain the audience due to the lead couple starring in a lively tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating:  Summary: Fresh Perspective Review: Sacrament by Susan Squires is a great book. Fresh, interesting, and dark. Love Spell books are uneven in quality. Many of the books that they come out with are fantastic but there are just enough really bad ones to come out that I am always wary. I will say that I appreciate their willingness to take chances on new authors with fresh storylines.
Rating:  Summary: Squires second novel is a must read!! Review: Susan Squire's second book proves she is here to stay!! Danegeld was a gritty medieval; this time her talent it turned toward a vampire tale. It is moody, dark, gothic, and captivates the reader in a story that is far from the normal vampire tale. Her lead characters are extremely well drawn, though I really really want to just smack Corrine really HARD!!! Squires maintains the brooding darkness, the duality we find in ourselves, vampire or not, and the question of how far are we willing to go for love. He is Julian Davinoff, the dark lord always in black, and he has come to claim Sarah's beloved and ancient home. She suspects he is so determined to gain possession of the family home that he has bribed to have the deed stolen so she cannot prove her claim. From the first, despite the legal entanglement, Sarah is pulled toward this man, scare of him as much as she is fascinated by him. Unfortunately for Sarah and Davinoff, Sarah's "friend' becomes suddenly obsessed with him as well, a friend already bordering on madness, a friend rumoured to have tastes for dark and evil for perversions, with the obsession pushing her into complete insanity. She will destroyed them both if not stopped. Squires paints extremely complex characters, hardly stereotypical, in a moving story that will haunt you long after you put it down. WISE WRITERS AND READERS Book of the Month May 2002
Rating:  Summary: Another Powerful Offering Review: Susan Squires shows with this book that the strength of voice she used on Danegeld was not some happy fluke. Sacrament is a powerful read. Those who are used to the light regencies of Georgette Heyer will be fascinated at this dark look at this era-- add to that a string of mysterious murders, a facinating vampire, a woman who will take a chance on love to save a soul, and you have an amazing dark romance.
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