This banner contains elements of the first three books of the series. Tell people you like the series by adding the little banner to your website or Facebook page. Please link back to me at www.VictoriaDanann.com.
Code to embed.
<ahref=”https://victoriadanann.com”><img border=”0″ src=”../../Victoria/BlackSwan/BlackSwanMiniBannerR.jpg” width=”230″ height=”30″></a>
Review from Jenna Lynne at Between the Bind Blog POSTED 6/26/12
She gave me 4 1/2 stars on Amazon, but, I’m still proud enough of this review to post it because she took SO much time on the analysis and went so deep into her personal reactions. As an author, you can’t help but be moved when someone is emotional engaged by the characters of an otherworld that originated in the strangeness of imaginescape. Thanks Jenna. Not just for this review, but for promoting the genre of Paranormal Romance. – Victoria
Unique and Captivating – 4.5 Stars,June 26, 2012This book was a RIDE! I simply cannot say enough great things about Victoria Danann and the genius that is My Familiar Stranger. Danann’s writing style is uniquely honest and captivates her audience with both plot and characters in a well-developed and thoughtful world (or “worlds” as it seems).
The Love Nest:
Elora Liaken is the perfect meshing of kick-butt-ness and vulnerability. Literally dropping into an alternative dimension after watching her family be assassinated, Elora is saved by Storm, the de facto leader of the elite B-Team in the paranormal military unit, “Black Swan.” All Elora remembers of Storm is his delicious smell and comforting words while drifting in and out of consciousness. Well, that and another voice saying, “We should kill it.”
After healing, Elora distinguishes the latter from B-Team’s resident womanizer, Ram, who immediately recognizes Elora as his elven mate. Showing more brains than brawn, he doesn’t try to force his culture on Elora, knowing that humans rarely mate for life. Ram is crude at best while competing for Elora’s affection – but he is unaware that the competition is with not just one other man, but instead, two! The last in this triad being the ancient, overtly sexy, and repentant vampire, Istvan Baka.
These relationships seem to be straight forward at first, but progress interestingly enough and actually? One of my initial complaints is now my most favorite piece of Danann’s puzzle. I really did want Elora to choose each one of the men depending on the page I was on, to the point of being extremely frustrated that said gentleman was taking time away from my current fav, but, in what I’ve come to know as classic Danann style, this was exactly the point. As a reader, you are physically but moreover, emotionally pulled in several directions – just like Elora.
There is not one clear stand out mate until a choice is made and you’re like WHAT?! HIM?! Wait…but what about…?! These relationships develop organically, taking ample time before jumping into any sexual relationship. I enjoyed the flirting so much! Most writers do not give enough attention to the simple act of flirting. *sigh*
**SPOILER** The major qualm I had with this trio of suitors was that Baka wasn’t really ever in the running for me. Even though he was sexy as all get out, he was never a true contender for Elora’s heart. So this “trio” is really just a “duo” with a super sexy friend involved. **END SPOILER**
Our Heroine: The premise of a woman not needing protection from her man also brightened the read. I loved how competent Elora was in all aspects without being an unobtainable heroine or perceived as perfect – well from anyone but her men!
The Awesome: Danann’s world building is quite astounding. She has a knack for detail and can write such vivid imagery that I could recount to you with reasonable accuracy what rooms and buildings looked and felt like. I could not however tell you just what all three of our male characters looked like…well except some inappropriate details. 😉
This book had a slow first few chapters but once I understood Danann’s style and relaxed into her flow I enjoyed every page turn. I will be waiting ever-so-patiently (HA!) for the next installment, The Witch’s Dream to be released in Fall 2012.
In response to a comment from a reader received this morning, I decided to write a quick update on Book Two: The Witch’s Dream.
My target for release is mid October, but, if I enter into a contract to publish in print form as well as electronic, there might be a slight delay. I will post developments on this blog.
To Jen – I hope you always finish reading my books tapping foot impatiently for the next one. Thank you for the feedback. It keeps me typing.
Update to my announcement a couple of weeks ago that we are going with Amazon.com exclusively. For those of you who want to read My Familiar Stranger on devices other than Kindle… here’s the solution.
Patience is the main thing I’m supposed to be working on in this lifetime and I don’t think I’m gaining on it. I rush to the Amazon.com website first thing every morning to see if there are any new reviews. I don’t get nearly as many as I would like, but so far every one is a priceless treasure that inspires me to get busy on finishing the Book Two manuscript.
There is no better feeling in the world than thinking there are people out there who are reading and enjoying my book. Today it is very good to be me. Reviews are posted chronoligically here.
What can I say, from the first few pages I was completely sucked into this story, and it only got better the further along I got. Victoria Danann, has a true gift, she brought the story alive for me, I swooned, I squee’d , I pouted and got downright angry with the characters in this book and then fell in love all over again, but mostly it entranced me and carried me along for the ride, and I was almost heartsick when I finished the book, If you are a fan of Paranormal Romance, then you will Love, Love this book, I am anxiously awaiting the next installment of the Black Swan (series) and I’ve become a complete fan of the world Victoria Danann has created for us.
You may feel like other people have already said it all, but people often buy books just by the total number of positive reviews without even reading any. It’s the standard for recognition and Amazon gives it a lot of weight in ranking. If you loved My Familiar Stranger and want to see more adventures with these characters, please give an assist.
If you’ve already left a review, thank you. It’s very much appreciated.
My Best,
Victoria
Today My Familiar Stranger made it to ebooks #41 in the entirety of the genre of ROMANCE – not just Paranormal Romance. It’s impossible to say how gratifying that is.
The first person to read My Familiar Stranger was my daughter, Kelly. The next day after I gave it to her she called and simply said, “I want more.” My first thought was that I had accidentally sent her a chapter, or maybe three chapters, instead of the whole manuscript which is 111,378 words as opposed to the typical 80,000 words for paranormal romance novels.
As it turned out, she read through the day and through the night without stopping. As an avid reader of fiction, she said I should be very flattered that this is only the second book – in her life – that she couldn’t put down. Naturally I thought she was being supportive and encouraging. Now that reviews are starting to trickle in, and others say the same thing – that they couldn’t put it down – I’m beginning to believe that she wasn’t just being kind.
If you enjoyed My Familiar Stranger, please click here and leave your review.
You may feel like other people have already said it all, but people often buy books just by the total number of positive reviews without even reading any. It’s the standard for recognition.
If you’ve already left a review, thank you. It’s very much appreciated.
NEW REVIEW from Carole Dee of the Bitten by Paranormal Romance blog.
FIVE STARS. My Familiar Stranger was a wonderfully engrossing paranormal romance with just a dash of science fiction that grabbed me from page one and didn’t let go!
Ms. Danann absolutely knows how to get a series going. My Familiar Stranger created a captivating new world with so many possibilities. With elves, beserkers, fairies, vampires and who knows what else running around a society parallel to our own there is so much potential! The world building was awesome. Through Danann’s vivid descriptions I felt like I could actually see The Order’s lavish headquarters and the creepy but whimsical Romanian stronghold.
I don’t want to give too much away, but watching the relationships build between Elora and the B-Team was magical. This is no “wham-bam, I’m instantly in love with you” book. The relationships progress over time which makes it that much more heartbreaking when you realize that Elora will have to choose between honoring a debt, true love, or true lust. But fear not, Elora gets her happily ever after just like in her favorite fairy..um….er….I mean elf tales.
My Familiar Stranger quickly turned into the kind of book that left my husband and son eating pizza for dinner. Who has time to cook when you could be reading a great book instead?
Go ahead and get your pizza coupons handy and start reading My Familiar Stranger now, you won’t be disappointed.
