Customer Reviews

Conception

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really enjoy Sarah McCarthy's books --- her characters have so much depth and her use of language is lyrical. And while there's hot erotica, there's always a great plot, too. Ok...but Conception was downright weird. Like the first two intimate encounters between Eden and Dusan revolved around feeding, as in feeding via fellatio. Go ahead, call me a prude, but I'd have appreciated a bit more explanation for why in the world she "needed" that particular body fluid in quite such large quantities. Then there's the joining ring he slaps on her with zero warning or explanation. Given exactly where he pierced her with this thing, I expected some kind of strong (likely negative) reaction from her. Nope.

The book grabbed me from the first sentence, but left me hanging and wondering about this version of the Otherworld. It's a long book and I wonder if the editors cut out parts that would've explained some of the action more. It's obviously meant to begin a series and there's definitely lots to work with, I just hope more world-building and custom details are shared.

Sarah McCarty has melded wonderful characters with a story line that is more original and more modern without being futuristic or "vamp hunter"ish.

Eden is both sensual and real. Though she is drawn by the chemestry of the "others", her mothering instincts are first and formost, as would be with (most)real life women. She will do anything, including giving up her mate (not to mention, placing herself in danger)to ensure the safety of her child. This adds a real depth to her character that I had not come across in my vamp reading.

Deuce is totally hot...and then some. But here is the kicker... he's a daddy. A real one, who will do anything to keep his child and her mother safe. As with Eden, this is another layer to the vamp's character. His feelings are tender and genuine, instead of the usual alpha-territorial norm.

The bad guys...bent on immortality will do anything in their power to get what they want. If you want action, hot sex, and vampires, this is a book for you. MEOW!

Although the story line (wicked grandfather, medical experimentation) is different, anybody who has read Christine Feehan's Dark series will find that the Chosen are very much like Carpathians. When either finds their "mate", they bond w/ her, have the ability to read her thoughts, can take away her pain (while undergoing the conversion or otherwise), speak ritual binding words, are sexually "hot" , big, strong, and powerful. Among the Chosen, Deuce's brother is a legendary healer, again reminding me of Gregori (Dark Magic).

Because I really like Ms. Feehan's books, I also liked this one, enough to give it 4 stars although I debated between 3 and 4. Whereas I really have a good background on Carpathians (probably because I've read all of the Dark series), I felt I knew very little about the Chosen. Since this has got to be the beginning of a series, I hope that Ms. McCarty's future books will give us more detaits about both the Chosen and the Others.

In Conception, Sarah McCarty delivers a suspense-filled, emotional romance between Eden, a woman tortured by those seeking to destroy the Chosen, and Dusan, leader of the Chosen. Forbidden and explosive, their love endangers both worlds and nearly costs Eden her life. To heal Eden, Dusan must risk those he loves; to recover, Eden must risk total surrender of her heart to Dusan. Dramatic and heart stopping, from beginning to end this book had me on the edge of my seat, breathless in love and fear.

Fans of the paranormal genre will marvel at the world McCarty builds; suspense fans will ride an adrenaline rush that begins with the first sentence; and romance readers will melt at the hands of Dusan, every woman's dream. A man. Endowed with the power to take your pain, your fear, from you unto himself. Protect you completely.

Awe, suspense and romance. McCarty blends every element in a story that is highly suspenseful and tortuously emotional. I was held-in suspense-by the conflict between Dusan's world and the Coalition. I was gripped by the exchanges between the Chosen and Others, between Dusan and his brother, Bohdan, and-quite exquisitely-between Eden and Dusan.

Conception delivers in a way no other paranormal fiction ever has for me. While it features a world unique and unlike our own, its characters appeal to me in the most human, `daydreams of today' sense. There is fear, beauty, heart-wrenching emotion and humor. The depth of McCarty's characterization is unmatched and the end result is a book that captured my head and my heart, eliciting sensory response throughout-not just here and there. One of those reads that left me feeling "changed". A read that left me longing.

Like previous reviews, anyone who has read Christine Feehans "Dark" series is going to see significant similarities in the Chosen & the Capathians. Frankly, I love the Carpathian males so this doesn't bother me. In fact, for the first several pages, I kept saying to myself, "This book is going to be a keeper." However, about 1/2 of the way through, I just couldn't read anymore. It didn't hold my interest and I was tired. Part of it was that I didn't find myself terribly sympathetic to the female lead, Eden, and I didn't like her much either. She comes off as making this big sacrifice for the child but for all her guilt at her part in Dusan's capture, she is very unaccepting of his acceptance of her. Considering what she'd been through after his capture, you'd think she'd have been a little bit more open to him and his people.

I gave up just after the love scene where she is forced to submit and pay "tribute" to Dusan after trying to escape. I found all this "balance" between mates to be terribly one sided. Don't get me wrong, I am not a new reader to Ellora's Cave books and the erotically charged love scenes are not an issue for me. Neither was Dusan's somewhat irritating alpha male. It was just that at that point, I knew that my dislike for the female lead was stronger than my need to see how the story played out.

Which was sad, as Ms. McCarty is a fantastic writer. She has wonderful command of the written word, and this story really does have a great plot line. If she has more in The Others series, I may even read them, because I love vampire and were romances, and she had some intriguing supporting characters whose stories I wanted to know. I hope though, that if she does, we get more backstory on the Chosen, Pack and Pride.

Sarah McCarty is an auto-buy author for me, and Conception is the perfect example of why. Within the pages of this book she brings gripping suspense and action, heartwarming and heartwrenching tenderness, and through all this delivers one of the best paranormals I have ever read.

Dusan is stoic and formal, yet he loves Eden with everything he has. She is his mate (which he makes sure she knows by telling her every chance he gets *G*) and he will do anything to protect her.

Eden is funny, witty, and I absolutely loved her. She uses sarcasm as a defense mechanism, and it works well for her. She will make you laugh, she will make you cry, and she is one of the strongest heroines I've ever encountered. She's REAL, and she needs to learn to trust her heart and her mate which, understandably, does not come easy for her.

This was the first book in The Others series and it was fabulous! I've enjoyed the world Ms. McCarty shows us within the pages of Conception. The level of characterization within the pages of this book was unlike any I've ever seen in a paranormal, and I am definitely looking forward to reading more about The Others.

Sarah McCarty has come up with a wonderful refreshing paranormal romance.The Others are different from anything I've read before,so many paranormals seem to run the same way.
Eden is my favorite kind of heroine, smart and very sassy! Deuce who I LOVED is strong, stubborn and totally COMPLETELY Alpha. As in all of Ms. McCarty books,she pulls on all of your emotions. I cried,laughed,shuddered with fear and sighed in happiness with the characters.While I'm not a huge fan of paranormal romance, I can't wait for more of this series,Bohdan,Dak,Harley and the rest of the Others.
I'm eagerly waiting for more from Sarah McCarty who is one of my favorite authors!

This is a story whose only fault was the author (or publisher) stopped when a whole series could have evolved. A woman, tortured, betrayed by family, is saved by one of the better stubborn, alpha heroes to come along in a great while, with a whole society which should be further explored, and what happens? Nothing! Nada! A great book, a fantastic concept, an unusual take on the standard paranormal romance, and after the HEA, NOTHING. I know the book has been out for several years, but, please readers, let us push for more in this adventure.

Eden, granddaughter of a really awful, nasty old man, loves, betrays, saves and loves Deuce (silly shortening of Dusen Knight), the leader of the vampires. After all they both endure, saving themselves and their infant daughter, they are left, in bed, loving each other, but, hey, a lot more could have been expected of the story line and the concept. And, many neat, worthy heroes and heroines with stories that deserved telling.

This isn't as bad a cliff-hanger as Anne Rice left us with in The Mummy, but it is almost close.

I, for one, want more. Now.

Dusan Knight is a Chosen, a breed of vampire. Every Chosen has but one mate, and Dusan's mate is Eden Lavery, a human. Tragically, Dusan thought Eden was dead, and they were separated for a year. During that time Eden has been subjected to experiments and torture at the hands of the Coalition. The Coalition has a desperate desire to discover the secret of the Chosen's immortality. Eden escapes the clutches of the enemy and heads directly for Dusan, hoping that he can protect their child from the hands of their adversaries.

Once near her again, Dusan struggles with the overwhelming need to bond with Eden, but she fights the mating for fear of exposing Dusan and their baby to the Coalition. Their child holds the hope of the future for the Chosen race, and Dusan will stop at nothing to protect both his child and his mate. Dusan will need to use everything within his power, as well as the help of his brother and fellow Others to save them.

I thoroughly enjoyed Conception and found the story fascinating. Dusan's concern and desire for his mate is all-consuming, Eden and their child his sole focus. Eden is endearing in her attempts to protect both her baby and Dusan, even willing to forsake herself, if necessary. The joining of Eden and Dusan is highly erotic, and deeply romantic. Conception is a very intense, complex, and arousing book. Moments of tenderness, drama, action, and passion all combine to make it impossible to put Conception down. The secondary characters are also intriguing. As with all of her books, Sarah McCarty's love scenes are more than just sex, they are an experience in love making. I felt sated and exhausted after reading Conception. I very much recommend this book, and look forward to the rest of the Others series.

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I LOVED this book. Sarah McCarty's books are always good. But this was so surprising to me. A paranormal that grabbed me from the very beginning. I was spellbound. I am late reading it. I can tell that the story was meant to continue as if a in a series. The secondary characters could have a great story in a follow up book.
But this book main characters Eden and Deuce are a great Love story that keeps going until the very end. She wants to save him and her child. He wants to save them. And he is so very ALPHA.
The love making between these two are HOT. And lengthy...
Do enjoy this book!!