Customer Reviews

Veiled Truth (Intrigue Nocturne)

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

 

 

Veiled Truth is the third novel in the Valorian Chronicles and focuses on the witch end of the OCU CSI unit formerly focused on vampire Caine in Blood Secrets and lycan Jace in Dark Lies. I fell into Caine and Jace's stories right away but for some reason it took me a little bit to get into Lyra's story. But when I did, boy, was I hooked. I was interested in getting to know more about Lyra particularly because of her frequent conversations with her deceased grandmother and it was nice to be on the other fence in this story.

Lyra's love interest Theron was pretty hot and I loved to read his complex past unfold. The first few chapters set up their push and pull sexual tension leading up to the dramatic suspenseful moments that took the reader into the main crime scenes. There's one scene after an explosion that I wondered if it was a little awkward considering how heated things were getting at a time like that. But it was all worth it for Lyra's sarcastic mention of it when Theron backed away after getting her all hot and bothered. I could see that punchline being said during a trailer if this series would ever be turned into a big or small screen adaptation (one can only hope). I'd surely tune into a supernatural CSI and with the current crop of vamps, werewolves, and other creatures gracing our screens, that's not such a bad investment for a network to dip into.

As always Vivi Anna does a wonderful job of meshing romance with the suspense and I found myself holding off from reading at times because I didn't want to finish it too fast. Her characters are believable with snappy lines that really emphasize their personality. It was great seeing characters from the other books interact here and to read their futures at the end of this book.

If you haven't read the previous two, I suggest you pick them up before reading this one. Although you won't be lost per se, there are some events that are set up in the previous two (particularly Blood Secrets) that play out to the end here. I'm eager to read Mahina's story and to see what crime scene we'll get next month. Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be worth it because Vivi Anna always delivers a great read.

Other books in the Valorian Chronicles:

Blood Secrets
Dark Lies
Mahina's Storm (Nocturne Bites)

A RARE FIND!(at least for me)
Imagine an author who actually moves forward with the plot, unencumbered by useless verbage, develops each character intelligently and maintains an interest level throughout the entire book!

I must admit that I have never read Vivi Anna before this, but I will surely remedy that situation. The purchase of this book was hastily done in an airport without any thought on my part and by the time I had reached my destination I was 'hooked'.

To summarize the action: Five years ago, virginal Lyra Magice had fled powerful dhampir Theron LeNoir's advances. But now an ancient text he possesses holds the key to solving murders that have plagued Lyra's home town. Lyra works for Caine Valorian, a vampire, who is director of an otherworld forensic crime solving unit. He orders Lyra to work with Theron (against her will) but that soon changes. And so the story goes on in a fast paced manner and to the exciting ending.

In my long and vast reading experience to discover an author that I enjoy
is a refreshing experience. If you too are not familiar with her, and you enjoy the paranormal etc. go for it!

Can the killings be stopped?

Lyra Magice is determined to have the grimoire, no matter what Theron LeNoir says! After all, she recognizes the symbols in it from a recent spate of murders in Necropolis and San Antonio. Surely the grimoire is the key to solving the motive behind the murders. Soon, Lyra finds herself forced into working closely with Theron but will she find herself in the role of potential victim? Just who is behind these murders?

Vivi Anna never disappoints as her books are always a must-read-immediately for me. VEILED TRUTH is yet another fantastic story in The Valorian Chronicles! Readers already familiar with the series will be as thrilled as I am to see Lyra get her own book. Who hasn't wanted to read about this magical witch who talks to her grandmother's spirit? Lyra has long been a character I've loved and Vivi Anna outdid herself with VEILED TRUTH!

Lyra is exactly the sort of heroine who captivates the reader. She is funny, intelligent, and determined to seek the truth. Theron is an interesting hero for her as he has a dark side, one he's reluctant to share with Lyra. The sparks fly between these two characters!

VEILED TRUTH can easily be read as a stand alone. However, I can't imagine anyone wanting to read just one book in The Valorian Chronicles as frankly this series just rocks! Vivi Anna perfectly meshes a phenomenal paranormal story with her signature heat to create one spectacular book in VEILED TRUTH. Highly recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Vivi Anna is so talented and she just gets better and better!

The first book is an adventure read, the second makes you tingle and this one's just great, it's hard to put down. Find out who's responsible for the crime in all the other books with this one. Blood Secrets (Silhouette Nocturne)Dark Lies (Silhouette Nocturne)

Young, powerful witch Lyra Magice, a resident of the mystical "Otherworld" city of Necropolis, has enough problems with being an investigator in an ongoing string of murders without finding herself reconnecting with Theron LeNoir, a dhampir she'd left behind five years earlier. However, when a grimoire he possesses may hold the key to the very murders she is investigating, their paths become inseparable. What follows is a wild ride through vampiric-investigated crime scenes and maneuvering through a tangled web of dark-natured Necropolis hierarchy -- and a desperate race for survival.

Having not read the earlier "Valorian Chronicles" books, I must say that I was impressed at how easily the author introduces the world to her readers. It's well-fleshed out and enjoyable, and I plan to read the novels that developed her supporting cast. However, while the plot kept me hooked and I thoroughly liked the book, I felt as though the villains and their motives were a bit two-dimensional, something that might be explored in further books.

On the whole, however, I would recommend Veiled Truth, and look forward to seeing more of the author!

I love Viv Anna's Valorian Chronicles to pieces, and of the three books so far, this one is the best overall. The series has matured in terms of quality of writing: there's fewer instances of awkwardly chosen words and the world-building has continued to develop incredibly, so that we get an even better sense of the political and social web that makes up Necropolis and which governs the lives of its paranormal denizens. The scenes in Mistress Jannali's mansion made me think a lot of a setting in World of Darkness's Vampire: The Masquerade roleplaying games, and I'd like to see more scenes like it in future books!

From the moment she first appeared in the series, I was curious about Lyra Magice, one of the supporting characters so far, and it was great to get to know her better. I love the way that she and Theron, the dhampir hero of the story, dance around their deep affection for each other and how their two very strong personalities bounce off each other. It's like seeing two strong-minded romantic in a late nineteenth-century operetta verbally sparring with each other in a bid to try and keep each other at arms length. But the power of love conquers their inhibitions toward each other, and it is this love that helps them stay strong as they work to help Necropolis's CSI solve the string of strange murders that have claimed the lives of several young women who bear a strong resemblance to Lyra.

I loved this book. The series is great. It is a book and series to get.

A serial killer is terrorizing Necropolis. Police detective witch Lyra Magice investigates the homicides and begins to fear a powerful predator is murdering people. Dhampir Theron LeNoir agrees to help Lyra end the killing spree and what each believes is a systematic attempt to take control of the city.

Lyra is grateful for his assistance because she knows Theron owns an ancient tome that might provides answers to ending the terror that is crippling the city. She also knows he should hate her; she fled her attraction to him several years ago. Instead Theron still loves his bewitching cop; however he also strongly believes she is the key sacrifice to open hell's door, which would enable evil demons to cross over.

The latest Necropolis romantic suspense urban fantasy (see BLOOD SECRETS and DARK LIES) is a strong police procedural that works on two levels: the demonic serial killing investigation and the romance between the lead couple. The latter strengthens the inquiry as Theron's fears grow with what they are learning about the adversary seems to lead to his beloved being the foci. Sub-genre fans will shout Vivi Anna.

Harriet Klausner