Customer Reviews

Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Bayou Gavotte, Louisiana, is much like any other town. However, there a re a few residents who have a gene that has caused them to sprout fangs during puberty. Ophelia Beliveau is one of those vampires. After years of having to deal with guys who are irresistibly drawn to her, due to her allure, and being constantly stalked by those who believe they cannot survive without her, Ophelia has kept her distance from me. However, her self-imposed exile must end when a neighbor vandalizes her precious garden. Normally Ophelia would deal with the problem herself or call upon the aid of the underworlders who often acted as protectors. But this time Ophelia simply calls the cops.

When Gideon O'Toole arrives to deal with the destroyed garden, he is also on his cellular phone trying to convince his sister to have her friend come forward to report that someone is blackmailing her. In fact, blackmail has been spreading all over town, but no one will step forward. Therefore, the police can do nothing. Gideon is drawn to Ophelia immediately - of course. Yet his will is strong enough for him to keep a polite distance and not act like all the other men have. That did not mean he wasn't going to try his best to get the lady to date him - and hopefully more. Soon dead bodies start showing up and someone is trying to frame Ophelia for a rash of crimes. If Gideon cannot clear Ophelia and arrest the real villain quickly, he has no doubt that one of the town's vigilantes will kill him for the failure.

***** FIVE STARS! Definitely one of the best paranormal romances I have read this year. Author Barbara Monajem has made an instant fan out of me. The story grabbed me immediately and never let go. I admit that I did not even try to resist its pull either. The main character of Ophelia came across to me as strong, stubborn, independent, and self-sufficient. However, she showed a bit of vulnerability too. There are also several secondary characters that I could not resist. I hope Zelda (Ophelia's thirteen-year-old niece) and Constantine (a handsome-as-sin vampire rock star) will get their own stories told someday. They managed to steal the spotlight more than once. Downright phenomenal! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Small-town landscaper (and reluctant vampire) Ophelia Beliveau would never willingly deal with the police, but when someone poisons her garden and tosses a dead cat on her porch, she's forced to make the call, bringing hunky detective Gideon O'Toole (definitely not a vampire) to her door and into her life. Quel problème! Within the first chapter, the reader connects to these two strong characters and hopes for a positive outcome--both in solving the mystery and in finding love.

The more Ophelia tries to hide from her vampire nature, the more she's forced into action. Action that includes asking for help from straight-laced Gideon, who isn't immune to her charms, even though she does her best to thwart his desire. Gideon's finally found his equal in a woman. Too bad she claims she wants him only for his detective skills. Blackmail and murder spread throughout Bayou Gavotte, linking Ophelia's vandalism complaint to other criminal activities Gideon is trying to solve and carrying the reader along at a galloping pace. As Ophelia and Gideon work together to solve first a simple case of vandalism and then a full-fledged conspiracy, the repartee the two characters use to distance themselves can't hold back their mutual building desire.

Monajem has created a strong and likable female character in Ophelia. Gideon is a hunk, with intelligence and a heart. Monajem's secondary characters--Constantine, the rock star who hangs out with the underworld, Leopold, the Native American vigilante, and the teen-aged Zelda--all are well developed, intriguing characters. Complex and hilarious teen Zelda deserves her own book.

Who knew a small rural town in Louisiana could have numerous kinky sex clubs, a criminal underbelly, and vampires? Monajem has created a delightful Mayberry setting with a twist in the town of Bayou Gavotte. Bayou Gavotte is the kind of small town where the sheriff stains plywood in the middle of his station, so adding in multiple kinky sex clubs and a realm of vampires may be a bit of a stretch for some, but Monajem deftly weaves these plot lines into the book without compromising the small-town, rural feel. At times both sultry and inviting, then gritty and dark, Monajem's Bayou Gavotte invites the reader in to visit and then doesn't let go.

The dynamic between Ophelia and Gideon is filled with tension, but that tension sometimes gets in the way of the story. Too much reliance on misunderstood communication results in an annoying tension throughout Ophelia and Gideon's interaction. In addition, over-the-top, incongruent reactions on the part of various characters results in a melodramatic feel during many scenes, pulling this reader out of the action to figure out what all the fuss is about. However, Monajam's strength in creating both an environment in which a reader is reluctant to leave and characters a reader is reluctant to let go of smoothes over any rough spots.

A well-paced storyline, engaging secondary characters and a complex setting add depth and interest to a contemporary human/vampire love story. Consider this a good summer read. Monajem's a writer to keep an eye on.

Originally posted at the Long and Short of It Romance Reviews

While reading this book I found myself thinking "and now this happens" and to my amazement, what I predicted didn't happen. This was a nice change to a lot of the paranormal romances out there. The characters, while at some point I found a few of them acting oddly "unrealistic" (if you will) but nothing that really took away from the story or characterization. Explanations behind the plot, her explanations of vampirism in this world, the mysteries of Ophelia were all clearly explained (even if eventually).

This being a vampire romance novel, I will say that I was relieved when Gideon and Ophelia had more going on between the two of them than their wild love making sessions, they had their own lives and personalities outside of each other, which gave them a lot of depth. The conclusion of the book ended with the conclusion of the actual plot, which was more than just Gideon and Ophelia getting together, which was also a nice change.

Barbara's made an instant fan out of me!

After reading the reveiws by other readers I really expected more than I got out of this book. I wasn't expecting the novel of the century, but certainly something that didn't have me looking for a Rod Serling like narrative telling me I'm about to enter The Twilight Zone.

The book is an offbeat take on vampires and has the potential to be humorous. Unfortunately, for me, the flaws of the book were so distracting that is was hard enjoy the positive aspects. The author did more than create a small town feel, it was more a representation of life in a bubbble. There was a lack of flow. Transitions between scenes were rough. Several times I would flip back a page thinking I had misses something, only to find that the author had. Perhaps this was an issue of over editing, I don't know, but did not make for easy enjoyable reading.

There was also the issue of the characters. On the positive side, she had some likeable characters, Constantine and Zelda (whio was protraysed as someone far older thant a 12 year old) being top of the list. However, the majority of the characters were extremely annoying. Their responses were way over the top. They often did things that defied common sense. Ophelia being the biggestg offender. Ophelia's reasoning for her actions seemed to only make sense to Ophelia, no one else. Some things could possibly be explained as a vampire quirk I suppose, but if so that explanation was never clearly given.

I understand the author may have been trying to creat a small, quirky town that we readers would love to escape too. Perhaps in future books she could concentrate on flow and clarity. It's hard to sit back and immerse yourself in the book if you're wondering why characters are responding in a certain way. Overall the book felt like I had missed a previous segment in the book series. The problem with that is this was the first book in the series.

I won't be going out of my way to read another book by this author.

STATS:

Ebook Pages: 264

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Re-Readiblity: NONE

Steam Factor: Steamy

I really like this genre, but I couldn't finish this book. No connection with the characters at all. Didn't really care what happened to them.

I had tried reading two other books the other day and only made it part-way through each. So it was late in the day when I started this one (I really wanted a good book to read, darn it!). Well, I ended up staying up very late to read this all the way through.

It's a little hard to classify this book. Yes, the main character Ophelia is a vampire - but that's just a word for a human with a genetic difference. She could go out in the day and wasn't affected by garlic or crosses. She was not evil or some super-hero. She was simply a woman; although men are irresistably attracted to her. So it's not urban fiction. There was a mystery (I guessed part-way through who the person was but had the reason all wrong). There was some romance. Definitely not enough romance to be considered paranormal romance. Some parts were very funny and others were action/scary. It was just a really interesting, strangely fascinating book.

I really cared about the characters - the cop, Gideon; his sister, Art; Ophelia's sister Violet and niece Zelda. The situations were interesting and several times I was surprised at the direction of where the story headed.

The book did have some flaws - skip the prologue (titled "Protection") as it is very confusing. I thought I was missing part of the book. The prologue is actually from a chapter part-way through the book. Also, Ophelia's niece Zelda was a little too mature and together for an "almost 13 year old". And Ophelia was a little to repetitive in trying to make Gideon stay away from her. However, these were minor quibbles.

Sunrise... is thoroughly enjoyable. The give-and-take dialogue between Gideon and Ophelia is a delight, and the cast of characters from Psyche the cat to the sinister-voiced rock star- Constantine, is unique and entertaining. Constantine, Leopard, Psyche, Plato...their names alone are enough to interest anyone. Bayou Gavotte's vampires aren't the usually skulk-around-in-the-dark sort but are an intriguing blend of Old World myth and New World chutzpah. This is touted as the first in a new series and I, for one, hope there's a long flashback episode in which we learn more about the murder of Constantine's wife, why everyone voted him guilty of the crime, and why Gideon was the only one who thought otherwise. If you want a fast-paced adventure melding into an erotic romance, pick up Sunrise in a Garden of Love and Evil by Barbara Monajem.

Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil by Barbara Monajem

Paranormal Romance - March 30, 2010

3 ½ stars

Sultry and original this is an interesting new take on the vampire mythology.

Ophelia Beliveau is a vampire. She has fangs and a dangerous hypnotizing effect on men that make them want her!

Gideon O'Toole is the handsome detective whom she called into investigate the vandalism in her garden and is attracted to her instantly. Thus begins a dangerous journey. As they try to solve the mystery behind the blackmail and murder which is occurring in their town, Bayou Gavotte.

Monajem created a dark and gritty world. If you enjoy True Blood, I am sure you will enjoy Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil. The author's writing is vivid. Many times, I could almost feel the damp, hot Louisiana sun.

Ophelia is an interesting character. She is spunky and vulnerable at the same time. The sexual tension between her and Gideon is very powerful and you can't help but root for the two of them to get together. There are also a bunch of other memorable characters. I particularly liked Zelda, Ophelia's insecure and precocious teenage niece and Violet, Ophelia's sexually overpowering sister. The characters each had their own personality and it was intriguing to read their different views on life. Ophelia is very uncomfortable being a vampire, since she is blessed/cursed with strong sexual appeal. While, Violet flaunts it.

Monajem has created strong women in her novels, and it was a pleasure to read a book where women are very much in control.

Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

I like to read paranormal books but there are so many vampire stories that it just gets so saturated.

This is a lovely change with a sense of humor. It would be a 5-star with a better 'flow' in certain parts.

I hope to see more books from this author.

In Bayou Gavotte, Ophelia Beliveau is like every female going through puberty. She got boobs, fangs and emitted an overwhelming attraction that males cannot resist. Ophelia's bloodline is that of a vampire.

To escape the male pick-up attempts, Ophelia became somewhat of a recluse. However, recently vandals devastated her beloved garden. She calls the local police; detective Gideon O'Toole responds. However, like every man she has met since she went through puberty, he wants her; this time she is considering reciprocating. Meanwhile at the same time Gideon's sister Artemisia is being blackmailed. Bayou Gavotte is becoming a dangerous place to live as death has come to town.

This is a fascinating southern vampire police procedural with plenty of Bayou atmosphere mindful of Sookie's world. The diverse relationships across species and within species are fully delved into with Ophelia as the center holding the plot together. Although evil has entered the garden at almost the same time as love has, the peril for the most part takes a back seat to the romance between the vampire who has done without and the detective willing to give his all.

Harriet Klausner