Customer Reviews

Nicholas: The Lords of Satyr

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Half-man, half-satyr, but undeniably all male, Nicholas is the eldest of the three Satyr brothers, who have long tended the vineyards to which their very lives are bound. Protectors of the secret joining place between ElseWorld and EarthWorld, the brothers are no strangers to duty.

And so when, from his deathbed, King Feydon charges the Satyr brothers to find the three half-human, half-faerie daughters he secretly fathered almost twenty years ago and then to marry them in order to protect them, the brothers find themselves unable to refuse the Elder's dying wishes.

With little trouble, Nicholas finds his bride nearby in Tivoli, and secures their marriage contract with little obstacle. But marriage to the lovely and determined Jane proves more of a challenge than he ever expected.

Jane hasn't the faintest idea why the handsome and powerful Nicholas Satyr chose her as his intended, but she is quick to recognize the marriage as her best way out of a bad situation and negotiates terms that will assure her security and ability to care for her younger sister. But escape from her diabolical aunt and wastrel of a father is not without a price - she must give herself unconditionally to her strange new husband, all the while protecting the secrets that threaten to destroy her.

In June of 2007, Amazon.com recommended an intriguing book to me by an author I had not previously heard of. The book was not yet available, and I added it to my wish list at Amazon with the intention of ordering it later. Imagine my delight when the author of that very book emailed me the next month and asked if I would consider reviewing it! While I was indeed honored by her request, I was even more excited to read a book I was already itching to get my hands on, and I responded with a resounding `Yes!' that must surely have broken Elizabeth Amber's eardrums, even though it was in email format! LOL

Nicholas: The Lords of Satyr, Book 1 arrived in the mail the following week, and after I finished drooling over the cover, I started reading it - even though I had little spare time with a trip out of town that week followed by family visiting me the following week. I found myself enthralled by both the characters and the story itself, and squeezed in reading time anywhere I could find it to consume this book - lunch hour, waiting in the car for the train to pass, and then toting it along on my trip so I could finish it in the hotel room before bed. I can tell you honestly, had it not been for a manic schedule that week, I would have finished Nicholas in one sitting.

Nicholas is as lusty a hero as you would expect from a Satyr, and delivers some rather titillating surprises in the boudoir sure to make even the most jaded of erotica readers squirm in their seats a little! His devotion to duty and family is admirable, but his passion and caring for his unexpected wife will melt the stoniest of hearts.

It would be exceedingly difficult to not like Jane. Her straightforward honesty coupled with her tender heart serve well to endear her to both Nicholas and the readers. Although born into a time when women had few rights, she has a backbone that would rival most men, and the ability to save not only herself, but those she loves when necessary.

Although arranged marriages are not atypical for the time period this story is set in, the romance between our couple definitely begins in a most unconventional manner. Bound by the strictures of a society that deems it unseemly for a husband and wife to enjoy their marriage bed, the pair share rather perfunctory sexual episodes at first, until both are quite frustrated by the unfulfilled passions brewing inside each of them. Casting off the social mores that have left them unsatisfied, they begin to explore their passion without boundaries, heating up both their bedchamber and the story quite nicely!

I have to admit, Nicholas left me wanting - wanting the next book in this wonderful new series, that is! And I have to say, I'm already a little disappointed at the thought that with only three brothers, the series may end with that number of books. I know I'll be hoping for some cross-over characters to continue these sexy romances with when we've come to the end of the three Satyr brothers' stories! If you enjoy Paranormal/Fantasy Romances set in a Historical period, then you will definitely want to pick up a copy of this one very soon!

Series Order:
Nicholas: The Lords of Satyr
Raine: The Lords of Satyr
Lyon: Lords Of Satyr

I was surprised several times, which is unusual for me. Story brief: The king of faery is dying, and his last wish is for the three Satyr brothers to find and marry his three illegitimate daughters who are half human and half faerie. This book is about Nicholas who finds and marries Jane. She doesn't know that she is half faerie and thinks she is deformed somehow. When they marry, she tries to hide her faerieness from Nick. He in turn thinks wives are not supposed to enjoy sex. They eventually change their opinions. Two subsequent books are about the other two brothers (Raine and Lyon) finding and marrying their half-faerie brides. Sexual language: erotic. Number of sex scenes: about twenty-nine. Setting: 1823 Tuscany, Italy. Genre: erotic paranormal romance.

It took me a while to decide what to say in this review. This is an interesting story. I was torn on a rating, it needed to be more developed to get a 5 but it was certainly erotic way beyond a 5. So I settled for a 4. I was not sure what I expected, but without a doubt the story and characters were more than I expected. Nick was much kinder and likeable than I expected him to be in the beginning and Jane was tougher and funnier.

While I don't want to spoil the book, some parts tied to sex were for me just a little too unexplained. It was not the ideas that bothered me, but, I felt a bit like Jane and was rather tired of the "satyr way" being the excuse for so much action without more explanation. There needs to be a little more background, just to flesh out the whys and whatfors.

The book is certainly hot and lots of fantasies are played out. Worth a read, but look out for who might be looking over your shoulder, cuz it could be embarrassing...I will probably read the books for the other brothers too, but right now, I am not sure I really like the brothers, they were such a tiny part of this book, I found my self more iterested in Jane's little siste. I would read another book by Ms. Amber again.

Nicholas is not simply a handsome man, a rich man. He is a half-human handsome man! His other side is a satyr, a creature that is given to sexual excesses that are near animalistic. He and his brothers give themselves over to rituals that slake their lust, which takes place once a month at their villa in Tuscany, Italy. Most people only see the three men as exceedingly attractive males, little guessing the dark secret they protect on their vast estate. Everything is just the way they want it, until a messenger comes.

Actually, it's more than a message - it's a demand the three brothers locate and marry three very specific women who are half-faerie and half-human. The women in question are not fully aware of their nature, and all three are in danger. They need a protector. From time's beginning the Satyrs protect the Faeries, as human women cannot bare a Satyr's child, only Faerie's can. In order to insure the continued existence of their line, the brothers must marry and produce an heir. Thus, Nicholas sets out to find Jane.

Jane is becoming aware of her fey abilities, yet cannot control them, and remains
totally unaware she is the target of true evil. From the start, Nicholas and Jane are attracted to each other, but their natures push against their desires, both carnal and spiritual.

The loosely base mythology tale is the launching pad for the highly charged, sensual novel that is a cut above general erotica. They character of Jane and Nicholas are very well drawn, coming alive for the reader as real people. Amber delivers hot sexual encounters, but as an integral part of the plot, not for pushing-buttons sake.

An excellent debut, that leaves you eager for the story of the next two brothers.

Very highly recommended.

Also recommend Lord of the Deep by Dawn ThompsonLord of the Deep (Aphrodisia) Book 1 of The Elementals

Very very hot book that has a believable love story and plot. The sex is mostly between Nicholas and Jane and that's where the love story is.

Good to read a female villain for a change--and what a fascinating villain she is!

This is not your average erotic romance. It has more heart and weight, meaning a more substantial story/setting. It's not perfect, but pretty damn close.

On my keeper shelf to be read again. Definitely!

Cannot wait to try other books by this author.

The three Satyr brothers, Nicholas, Raine and Lyon, are heirs to a successful winery in Tuscany. The brothers are not what they appear to be, however. They are half-human, half-Satyrs, born from the ElseWorld and living in the EarthWorld.

One day they receive a letter from King Feydon telling them that he is dying. The King informs them that he sired three daughters who are half faerie, and that the brothers must find them and marry them in order to protect them. Reluctant at first, the brothers decide that they must do their duty. Nicholas goes in search of his bride while Raine and Lyon stay and take care of the winery.

Jane Cova knows that she is different. She's able to heal plants, and can feel things that others are feeling. And she has these strange things that are growing from her shoulders. She seeks a way to cure her "abnormalities," but so far has been unsuccessful.

When Nicholas Satyr asks for her hand, Jane is stunned. Why would this gorgeous, successful man want to marry her? She sees it as a way out of her house, where her father and her aunt Izabel rule. Maybe, just maybe, she can find a way to cure her problems. Then, she can leave her husband and then she and her sister, Emma, can disappear from their family and live alone.

When Jane arrives on Satyr land, she realizes that not everything is as it seems. She also realizes that being different is not a bad thing.

Nicholas kept me captivated from the first page to the last. Nicholas and Jane fascinated me, separately and together. I felt for both characters. Nicholas is strong and loyal. Jane is the same way. Both of them have things they are keeping from the other, but they find themselves drawn to each other. Together they find that they can love, and live as they want, and not as others want them to.

The sexual aspects of this book are highly erotic, and kept me spellbound and wanting more. Ms. Amber has created highly provocative scenes that made me shiver.

Elizabeth Amber has drawn a world that pulls you in and keeps hold of your heart and mind. Nicholas is a definite Joyfully Reviewed Recommended Read for me.

Amelia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Ok, I am not going to go into detail. I see this has been done already.
Nicholas and his brothers (half human/half satyr) are ordered by the king of Elseworld to find and marry his illegitimate daughters (who are half human/half fairie) because they may be in mortal danger so the author has decided on 3 tales, one for each brother and his pursuit of his own girl. This is Nicholas's story. On Nicholas's hunt he first mistakes one girl for his bride because she smelled of faerie magic. Nicholas takes the girl to see a furtune teller, only to be surprised to find that the fortune teller (in age altering costume) is his true conquest, Jane. Determined to fulfill his duty he sets up a meeting with his lawyer and her guardians for a speedy marriage so he can return to his home. After quick, and brutally honest, negotiations they are married and off to Nick's home.
Once home Nick is more than pleased with his new wife. He expects no more of her than to bear his touch so she can have his children. But when Jane realizes that Nick has mistresses she confronts him. Once more Nick is brutally honest, he will either continue with his mistrisses, or she is to take their place (in all circumstances). While finding the idea daunting, Jane agrees because she does not want Nick in the arms of other women. Together the passions rise and spark. Can Jane handle what Nick dishes out? Will Nick reveal what happens to the Satyr when the full moon comes? How will he keep her safe from the mortal danger her real father disclosed in the letter? Read this book and see how this all comes together.

I want to start off by saying I have not been impressed with Aphrodisia books in the past. I have considered them more FANTASY PORN genre then romance/erotica genre.
Well, the bar has risen with this book. I thought the story was compelling, the characters indepth and believable...not to mention it was HOT erotica. But it wasn't too much, it more or less built up to the steamy pages which we all know, the journey is half the pleasure. I was a little thrown off by the physical changes that overcome the Satyr during the full moon, but luckily the story was not too focused on those changes so it did not alter my overall rating too much. I would recommend this book and I will be checking out Raine's story.

Congrats Aphrodisia, you have done well with this one.

OMG! What can I say? Enthralling, catching, highly erotic and satisfying to the very core of your being! When you start reading this novel you're being pulled into the story and a world which you just cannot put down till you finished reading the last word written. I compare it to the forbidden fruit which you secretly do eat and afterwards enjoying the fact you can still lick the juice of your fingertips! And still Nicholas is whispering to me. This is definitely a story that will stay with you a while after you finished reading it.

The story-lines of the Lords of Satyr are refreshingly new to me. I can't really say what kind of genre it falls into apart from the Erotic one - and Erotic it is - but it's holding a genre in the likes of fantasy/paranormal/historical. Never before have I read such scene's filled with wickedly delightfulness, described in a way it really comes across as erotical, and making you feel tingled up, nearly longing for Nicholas to cuddle up next to you, showing you what he's all about.

In my opinion some books in this genre are very graphic: the story being more about the erotic scenes instead of the story. But when, like Elizabeth Amber, you are able to write Erotica Novels where you forget the genre and being pulled into a story filled with such passion, rituals, magic and love, then to me you are top-notch A list quality!

Nicholas and Jane both are in their own way perfect for each other. It was so touching to see Jane needing to get used to what she was, trying so desperately all her life hiding her abnormalities and Nicholas just accepting her straight upfront for who she is. And Nicholas... - just purring perfect as a great man. Of course I had to put my own self aside when he had to relief himself in a way I would never accept it from my man, but all things set aside, it did perfectly fit in with the story. And because it totally fit in the story and was described in such a way that you could clearly see the logic in it I was able to fathom it and accept it for what is was and needed to be for him.

There was this amazingly perfect balance between the characters; the story and the world Elizabeth has created. I can hardly wait for the next novel to be released. After reading this novel, Elizabeth left me eager to read along and see what will happen with Raine en Lyon and not to forget Emma of course! Elizabeth Amber, straight away in this first novel, was able to set the strongly different characters of the Lords of Satyr to paper and to be honest - I just love Lyon! I'd say he's the rake in this bunch, the one who does as he pleases and does not feel like settling down really! I so am curious to see what he'll do once his time has come! I mean, this all came to me, especially after that one scene with him, a waterfall, and sex - that's all I'll say but once you read this novel you'll just know what I mean.

Honest to say, Elizabeth Amber has totally baffled me with this novel, making it reach above all my expectations. Daring to shift things around, but not losing the fact it's still about two people emerging with each other in sacred vows and growing towards loving each other. To me this novel held everything I needed/longed to see back in a story and knowing as soon as Raine is out I'll be the first to dive into his story. Can't wait to see if he finally is able to find his bride - he had a somewhat more difficult time with seeking her out than Nicholas did and I say he's a bit frustrated about that! Elizabeth - don't make him wait too long - that'll be torture (wickedly grinning)!

A slamming debut for an author that shoots straight up to my A-list shelf!

Reviewed by Ashleagh

Courtesy of Realms on our Bookshelves

Nicholas is one of the most sexually intriguing characters I've ever come across. He's one of those romantic heroes I wish were real and in love/lust with me.

Nicholas and Jane marry, but don't start off in love or even in lust. The first lovemaking scene between them is one of the best I've ever read because I feel like I'm inside Jane's head and body as she experiences sex for the first time, sees an aroused male body for the first time, and isn't sure what to do with her feelings as this magnificent alpha male visits her bed. All the book's love/sex scenes seemed unusually believable and real to me. This author is able to get into the characters skin and head more than most.

When Nicholas eventually becomes completely enthralled with Jane and she with him, I cared about them by then and was touched by their growing happiness together as man and wife. The sexual tension along the way and the lovemaking between them is beyond hot. Not only that, it's not the same old thing. The villain and plot aren't the same old thing either. I've read many romances, both erotic and traditional, and this one stood out as something fresh.

(One little teeny thing - there's mistake on page 145 -- an extra word in the 6th line. Who cares? This is a still great five-star-worthy book! LOVED IT !!

The last in fabled line of otherworldly aristocracy, the Lords of Satyr are born to wealth, power and a talent for sensual delight that mere mortals only dream of. Commanded to marry, these passionate men will travel to Rome, Venice and Paris - and along the way will explore desires both shamelessly wicked and blissfully divine.

HE HAD SWORN TO TAKE A PROPER WIFE, HE HADN'T BARGAINED ON MEETING HIS MATCH...

Nicholas looks very much like what he is - the handsome successful heir to a vineyard in Tuscany. But Nicholas is much more, for he is one of the last in an ancient line of satyr men. And the dying king of ElseWorld wants him not only to marry, but to wed one of the kings's own daughters - a half-human, half-faerie woman unaware of her heritage. Nicholas won't shirk his duty to produce heirs to guard his race's legacies, but he never plans to make his bride his only lover. A satyr's sexual hunger and sensual skills are legendary. One woman will never satisfy him.

Or so Nicholas believes until he meets Jane. As spirited as she is fey, as beautiful as she is innocent, she is nevertheless determined to make her new husband hers alone - and she's eager for him to teach her every deliciously carnal secret he knows...

************

This was definitely a good book. Lots of explicit sex. And I mean lots. As a debut (I think this was her first novel), Elizabeth Amber did an EXCELLENT job!

Lots of description, extremely likable characters, and somewhat evil (but not quite as bad as they could've been) villains.