Customer Reviews

Wicked Fantasy (The Castle of Dark Dreams, Book 3)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Eight centuries ago, killing Morrigan's favorite warrior netted Connall O'Roarke the curse of immortality and the gaes to always protect the man's descendants until the last one dies. He's been off duty for a few years because his last charge died and the next one hasn't shown up, so he spent his time helping run the Castle of Dark Dreams, Sparkle Stardust's realm of fantasies. Then, he gets word that the last Kavanagh is checking in, so Connall once more has to protect the offspring of the enemy. However, when he meets Gerry, he discovers she's a very attractive woman and a vampire. His duty will now never end, but considering how much he likes her, that is either a blessing or a further curse. Morrigan has also banned him from having relations with a Kavanagh. He might be released sooner than he expects, if whoever is trying to kill Gerry has their way. Between the would-be assassin, Gerry's determination to catch a serial killer, and Morrigan determined to stop them from acting on their desires, life is more interesting than Connall ever wanted it to be.

**** If you need a good laugh, then grab this one posthaste. The secondary plots alone are enough to make it a worthwhile read. Sparkle, Ganymede, Asima, and Fo, the talking cell phone/demon detector, keep you smiling or giggling throughout the story. The main plot is, of course engaging and fun, filled with surprise twists and turns around every corner. I truly look forward to finding out what trouble the cosmic troublemakers will caues next. ****

Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer

I had a hard time reading this last instalment of Nina Bangs trilogy. Although I enjoyed the humour of Sparkle Stardust & Mede in the previous books - this last book was so overdone with one-liners, cliches, smarmy remarks that it left me cold and in the dust! I could not connect with anyone because it seemed that everyone was a comedian. Obviously Ms. Bangs never heard of "less is more". The right balance was found in the first book when Sparkle Stardust made her entrance along with Mede. They were a delightful pair and an oasis of humour amid the dark realm of vampires, etc in the Castle of Dark Dreams. But by this last book she made everyone a comedian which lost it's charm for me after the first few chapters. Ms. Bangs also uses the same storyline in each book of a dowdy dressing heroine whom Sparkle dresses up in sexy clothes in order to seduce our hero. That's enough already! I had to force myself to finish this book. I was sorely disappointed and as bored as hearing the same joke over, and over again.

The 'Wicked' books [of which this is the 3rd] are hilarious with touches of silliness and lots of interesting paranormal characters. A real page turner.

Okay, I'm in love with this one before cracking page one. Connall O' Roarke. Sigh...Nina Bangs tends to conjure devoted acolytes and naysayers equally, and I am not sure why. She always delivers. Very few authors can make me laugh aloud. Lynsay Sands, Katie Macalister, Kate Angell, and Jayne Ann Krentz always tickle my funny-bone. But queen of the giggles is Nina Bangs. She never fails to have my side hurting from laughing so hard. She isn't offering rocket science. Hey, Sparkle, Ganymede and pals are a hoot. Sometimes I don't want heavy heavy hangs over my head, but instead, want to escape into FUN, and Bangs has never failed to do just that for me - take me on a fun adventure, whether it's Castle of Dark Dreams or Woo Woo Inn, check the seriousness at the door, kick back and have a ball.

The third installment for the Castle, this time it's sexy bad boy Connall taking the showcase. He made the bad mistake of offing one of Morrigan's fav fellas, and suddenly in return, he finds himself cursed. Go figure. There's just no pleasing some people! His charge - to protect the descendants of the man he killed, and he won't be released from this middle life until the last one dies. Only, things are getting a bit demanding since the last descendant is a sexy vampire, Gerry. Connall might yet get that one way ticket to lalaland, because someone is out to kill Gerry who is hot on the trail of a serial killer. Connall is just hot for Gerry!

Another book for my Bangs keeper shelf. Her brand of zany humor gave me the perfect escape for an evening. Better than a pound of Godiva chocolate and less fattening.

Paranormal Romance Reviews

I've been waiting for the ending of the Castle Fantasy series for a long time. These "brothers" were just so intriging. Wicked Fantasy had a great set up -- the warrior cursed by a goddess to protect the eldest decendant of a slain enemy. Conall has been under this curse for 800 years and at long last there's only one decendant left. His freedom is in sight, when the last one dies the curse is over. Unfortunately, the last descendant is a vampire.

This book had all the funny elements from the rest of the series and some steamy scenes between Conall and the vamp lady. Unfortunately, when Conall and Gerry finally ditch everyone trying to keep them apart and have a chance to really get intimate, they do it in a fantasy sequence where they are not only not themselves but are strangers to boot. It just wasn't very satisfying.

Still they do get their happily ever after, and its fun to see all the old characters from the other books. So, if you are a series nut like me you have to read it. Also look for the two shorts that go along with the series in anthologies Men at Work (Berkley Sensation) a prequel where you find out who the mysterious owner is and Surf's Up Taurin's story.

Feuding Conall O'Rourke kills Sean Kavanagh, which should have elated the warrior. However, he learns the price of slaying someone cherished by Irish deity Morrigan, Conall. She curses him with the worst punishment he could imagine; to protect the descendants of his despised enemy Sean.

Eight centuries later, Conall remains diligently at his task, but sees an ending coming soon. There remains one Kavanagh left and once this one dies, Conall will be free. At the Castle of Dark Dreams, fate plays havoc with his dream when he realizes that Gerry Kavanagh is a female, when all her protected were stupid guys, but also she is an immortal vampire. Although a rookie bloodsucker having changed less than two years ago, Gerry, she is also a Paranormal Undercover Field Force Agent who is trying to stop an otherworldly serial killer who looks more serpentine than human. Conall reluctantly must assist her to keep her safe even as he finds he is attracted to her; a feeling that has eluded him since Morrigan visited him.

As always the return of Sparkle is a delight, but the tale belongs to Conall and the last Kavanagh, an immortal he must protect. The lead couple is an inspiring teammate as the hero falls in love with his enemy (her surname to Conall is like the Abbot and Costello routine Niagara Falls) while the courageous vampiress finds the hunk irresistible although she cannot understand why he seems upset over her DNA. Readers will enjoy the irony of this fabulously wicked contemporary romantic fantasy with its tongue in cheek (and elsewhere) story line.

Harriet Klausner

This review originally posted at [...]. It can be found in its entirety at that website.

Immortal warrior Conall O'Rourke has been cursed for centuries to protect and serve his bitterest enemies, the Kavanaghs. For 800 years, Conall has endured the curse placed upon him by Celtic War Goddess Morrigan. Morrigan cursed Conall for killing her favorite warrior in battle. The only way Conall will ever be free from Morrigan's wrath is for the last Kavanagh to die. Unfortunately, the curse forbids him from doing anything to harm any Kavanagh. During 800 years, it has been easy for Conall to stoke the fires of his hatred, but that is all about to change.

Paranormal police officer Gerry Kavanagh is the last of her long, diminishing family line. For centuries her family has been disappearing in mysterious ways, leaving no heirs behind. As the last living member of the Kavanagh bloodline, Gerry has now inherited a guardian protector. Unaware of this inheritance, Gerry travels to the Castle of Dark Dreams to capture a criminal with paranormal abilities. An anonymous tip sends Gerry in search of Jinx, a shape-shifting jewel thief. There she meets Conall, a gorgeous hunk who immediately fascinates her. The overwhelming attraction Conall and Gerry share is not dampened by the knowledge that Gerry is the Kavanaugh Conall is cursed to protect and serve until her death. Gerry's death might not happen for a very long time, since she is a vampire.

When someone makes several attempts to kill Gerry, Conall must decide how to save this gorgeous woman who drives him crazy with lust. The terms of the curse state that Conall must keep her alive - or undead as the case may be. Working together, they must find the culprit and ascertain the reason for the attempts on Gerry's life. In the Castle of Dark Dreams, that may be easier said than done. Will Conall be able to defend Gerry from the evil that stalks her family? Will they discover the source of the mysterious events which have thinned the ranks of Gerry's family so thoroughly?

Nina Bangs has written another amazing book! I absolutely love WICKED FANTASY. Conall and Gerry make an unlikely couple who must work through some very sticky situations to overcome the odds stacked against them. The romance between these two fascinating characters does not run smoothly but it is very entertaining. The love scenes are highly erotic and Conall proves to be quite a seductive hero. I, for one, would not mind curling up with this handsome hunk any time of the day or night. The passion is so hot that it left me breathless!

In addition, Bangs has surrounded her hero and heroine with an entertaining and extremely quirky cast of characters. Bangs' fans will recognize many of these loveable characters, including Sparkle Stardust, Ganymede, Fo, and Asima, as well as the couples who starred in the first two books in this trilogy. The supporting characters bring so much humor and realism to the story that each and every one is integral to the overall story. I especially love Sparkle and Ganymede and their continuing presence in Bangs' books. These are two of the most amusing cosmic troublemakers in Bangs' universe. Sparkle's fascination with all things sexy and feminine is laugh out loud funny. Her desperation for the name of a particular shoe designer is absolutely hilarious.

WICKED FANTASY is a fast paced, humorous and highly entertaining book. The situations in which Bangs places her characters are unpredictable and hilarious. The interaction between the main and secondary characters is amusing and fascinating. Each turn of the page reveals something new and amazing in this book. Every lover of paranormal romance should read this fabulous book. It is, unquestionably, a book you will recommend to family and friends time and time again!

Wow! Once again Nina keep the laughs coming while ratcheting up the sexual tension in this third book of her trilogy. This plot has everything: adventure, mystery, suspense, comedy and sex. Hilarious subplots and conflicts you're sure the characters won't be able to overcome make Wicked Fantasy a true page-turner. Nina introduced a new, alpha male character that makes me sweat so I'm secretly hoping this isn't the last of the Castle of Dark Dreams series. Just a HUGE fan. Do yourself a favor and get hooked on Nina's paranormals. Anybody know when her next one is coming out? Sarah Andre

This trilogy was my first taste of Ms Bangs. Will not be my last. Three yummy hero types and three intelligent and interesting mates. Wit and humour and twists on the old stereotypes keep these stories moving. When the trilogy ends you are disappointed because you do not want to let these characters go. Thanks for a great read, Ms Bangs

Ok, this is the third book I have read by this author, and so far, she can't seem to write a bad story. THis was another great one! I loved the characters, especially the heroine. She's tough, she's sassy, and she is no wilting flower waiting for a man to take care of her. Go girl! I just loved the whole deal! Great writing Nina!