Customer Reviews

What Do You Say to a Naked Elf?

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Fantastic! And even better -- loads of fun.

I was prepared to dislike Jane, the herione, after her introduction (first impression: grating -- and ungrateful to the people who saved her) but I kept on reading. I am so glad I did.

Sterling manages to create an intricate world complete with elves and other magical creatures without a single stereotype (or over-the-top dramatic flourishes that give a fantasy that comic book feel) And she manages to convey a complex universe without sacrificing the story.

Her characters are as good as the story. Even Jane quickly shows that she's determined rather than bratty. She and Charlie are a great match. Sterling's people and her story were lively, interesting and did I mention -- FUN. Exactly the sort of escape one needs during a dreary winter storm. Warming to the core.

Jane Drysdale's life was radically altered when she hit a bunny with her car. At least, it looked like a bunny- but it wasn't, it was an elf who shape shifted into one. Now she' son trial for his murder, with a too die for lawyer as her defense. That is only the tip of the ice berg. Secrets buried since before she was born begin coming to light, making all she knows about the past false, and both her and her stalwart defender's futures something they never imagined.

**** The title would make one believe that this is light weight fluff, but it's much more. Many elements come together, making this a great way to keep your resolution to only read good books this year. ****

Despite its odd title, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO A NAKED ELF is a fun fairy-tale of a romance set in a magical world of elves and fairies that can only reached through a living, thinking portal. And into the portal steps Jane, a modern day gal with a snarky attitude. Well, actually, Jane is kidnapped and dragged through the portal - but only after she runs over a shape-shifting elf disguised as a bunny. Hence begins Jane's adventure as she goes to court (in a castle, no less) to face murder charges.

Jane's lawyer, Charlie, is a gorgeous half-breed with luminous fairy wings. He is a reluctant lawyer and a reluctant hero. That is, when Jane isn't driving him batty, she's driving him wild. Especially when she touches his wings (I never thought of fairy wings as being erogenous!). They make for a cute couple.

I thought this was a fun, tongue-in-cheek story that has as much romance as it does questing adventure. Jane can sometimes over do it on the sly, snide comments (especially in the first chapter), but she is also a strong, confident heroine who follows her heart, no matter what others say. She also plots the Seduction of Charlie, Phases 1-3, which was different. Not many romances feature the girl doing all the chasing.

The resolution of this story didn't make as much sense as I wanted (of course, I finished it at 1 am, so that could have been due to exhaustion), but I think the point of this story was to enjoy the journey. It was rather creative, I have to add.

I recommend this book for those who enjoy fairy tales as much as romance, as well as for pop culture references. If your idea of a true "fantasy hero" is an elf or fairy, read this!

Ms. Sterling's vivid imagination and clever dialogue pull the reader into the story from the very beginning and don't let go until the last page. The world of Lowth and its inhabitants are so richly envisioned, I'd like to find my own portal and go for an extended holiday! Start the new year off right, and treat yourself to the wonder of magic, laughter, adventure and true love and find out just what one does say to a naked elf!

I finished this book with a great feeling of loss - not because I never wanted it to end, but because it had the potential to be quite good and couldn't seem to manage it. The storyline is original, but most of the characters (especially the heroine, who really got on my nerves after awhile) have no depth (excepting the hero - I really wished he could find himself another female interest, because he was much to good for the annoying heroine) and the dialogue (which is filled with pop culture references and what are supposed to be witty quips, but aren't) falls flat in places. This book is worth buying used, but definitely not worth paying full price for.

After a Realms of Pleasure party (kind of like a Tupperware party, but with lingerie, sex toys, and other intimate items instead of kitchen equipment), Jane Drysdale is driving back home when suddenly she sees a rabbit in the road in front of her. Although she can't stop in time to avoid hitting the rabbit, her efforts cause her to lose control of her car, and crash it into the trees at the side of the road. Jane is rescued by five men, who manage to get her out of the car before it catches fire. She is informed that she is under arrest for the murder of the rabbit, and is escorted back to Lowth, the home of the Elves and Fairies, to undergo trial. Jane, understandably, is caught by surprise, and doesn't believe anything they say - that is, until one of the men introduces himself as her lawyer, and shows her his wings...

I was a little dubious at how this book would play out, and was happy to see that, although this romance is a bit unusual in its setting and premise, all is explained in the end. It is a light-hearted romp with overtones of J.R.R. Tolkien. The plot is very complex, and the author did a good job of bringing all the threads together into one cohesive whole. The heroine is a typical American - loud, sure of herself, speaking without thinking, and in many ways thoughtless of other people. However, the hero, an Elf named Charlie, is characterized as uptight and rule bound, and extremely annoyed by and attracted to Jane. The many secondary characters were interesting, although somewhat superficially drawn, and in some parts I had difficulty keeping them straight in my mind. The love scenes are sensuous rather than explicit. I enjoyed this book, and recommend it to fantasy romance fans. -- Jean, Fallen Angel Reviews (courtesy of Fallen Angel Reviews)

I love to read a good, fun book and this one hits the spot dead on! It starts out fast paced and keeps on running. It's about as far fetched as a good fantasy book can get and sometimes you just need that! I laughed out loud so many times throughout this story.
I believe the editors gave the best description of what this story is about, so I'll not try to better it.... but I just wanted to throw in my 2¢ that I think this book is a lot of fun to read.... and the stares you get from other people who see your book cover are quite worth the giggles, too! :o) I highly recommend this!
I can't wait to see the next book that Cheryl Sterling writes. I give this book 5 starz!
JMHO //(*_*)\\

Other than the title being catchy, this story which starts out with a bang becomes very annoying quick. The heroine Jane is the reason the story is so tedious. Jane is one that is so outspoken to the point that you want to tape her mouth up. I suppose it was meant to be funny and cute but after awhile you wish some wizard would make her vanish.
Our annoying heroine accidentally runs over a rabbit, which in actuality is a shift changing elf. A band of elves kidnap her, including the hero Charlie and take her to their land of Sylthia for the crime of running over the little bunny.
Charlie is half elf, sprite, a kitchen sink? He is Jane's lawyer and basic guide to help her become accustomed to her new home. Hopefully Jane will be innocent of the crime so she can help the people of elf land and find some love with stuffy Charlie, who is the only redeemable character in this whole mess.
Again, Jane is beyond annoying. Along with throwing sex parties on Earth, she does the same with the simple elves to help them have children. She is overall brassy and whiney. Why would Charlie want her anyway?
Again, the story is a conviluted mess with sub-plot after mystery unfolding to the point you scratch your head.
Rent or read Lord of the Rings instead.

Katiebabs

This book was funny, well imagined, and hot. I truly cared what happened to the characters. I'd love a sequel.

Jane Drysdale is driving her car when a blowout causes her vehicle to land in a ditch. Before she can call for assistance, elves arrive to rescue her. However, their rescue turns into more of an arrest when they take the bewildered human to the magical land of Lowth where she is on trial for murder.

Jane quickly discovers that on this world she has the ability to use magic. As her hybrid (half human-half elf) lawyer Charlie defends her, Jane learns that she has a mission to save her new world from total destruction. With Charlie at her side (and a few other hovering places- what can you expect with a distant pair of wings?), Jane begins the quest to rescue Lowth, a seemingly impossible mission.

In a sense this fabulous epic romantic fantasy is a coming of age story starring a terrific if somewhat bewildered heroine with her champion (though she does much of the rescuing) at her side. Jane is a terrific protagonist and Charlie brings honor and ethics to the legal profession (lawyers are too easily a fall group for doing their jobs representing people). The mythological species that populate Lowth come across as genuine in this sterling tale that showcases the talents of a delightful imaginative author. Read this fine book to learn how the heroine answered the title question in this It Happened to Jane adventure tale

Harriet Klausner