Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Adrienne by D. Renee Bagby

Mandy: It's not often that Denise and I both get the pleasure of reviewing the same book, but it worked out that way for Adrienne- with Denise reviewing it for PNR, and myself for Rogues and Romance. We have had a lot of fun discussing the characters and storyline, and the consensus is: we both LOVE it!

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Adrienne
D. Renee Bagby

Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
1-59998-523-3
E-book
362 pages
Fantasy Interracial Romance
A Bron Universe Novel

Malik’s 25th birthday is nearing, and if he doesn’t find his perfect mate soon, he must surrender his kingdom. On top of that, the man who would take over his kingdom is his arch rival and the person Malik suspects behind the assassination of his parents many years ago. Thankfully, his mage has finally found his intended bride with a locator spell, and not a moment to soon it seems!

Adrienne is a college student, and is finishing up helping a professor when she is accosted outside her school by two men intent on raping her. Suddenly, the man just about to assault her is pulled off of her, and she sees a huge stranger quickly dispatching the two attackers.

The next thing she knows, she is waking up in a strange bed, in a strange place, with the strange man, who introduces himself as King Malik. She is shocked when he tells her not only is she on an alternate Earth called Bron, but that she is to be his queen and live in their kingdom, Ulan- whether she likes it or not. If the fact that Malik is keeping her captive in another world isn’t enough to be disconcerting, the news of her impending marriage- and the assassination attempts that come with being queen are enough to drive her to despair! Besides being demanding and basically her kidnapper, Malik didn’t exactly make the best first impression by lopping off a man’s head right in front of her- attacker and rapist or not!

But whether Adrienne accepts it or not, the fact is: she is King Malik’s equal and the perfect queen for Ulan, or the spell wouldn’t have located her. Will she allow herself to be the perfect queen for Malik as well?

Let D. Renee Bagby transport you into a fascinating new world in Adrienne. There you will find intrigue, swordplay, and magic enough to delight any paranormal lover! Not only was this one fantastic, magical futuristic, but it was one that had a fabulous message as well! Adrienne has lived a sheltered life, and it was wonderful to get to see her develop from a scared, slightly immature girl, into a strong, take-charge woman. After losing his family at a young age, Malik was thrusted into a leadership position that has left him to be hard, demanding, and unyielding. That soon changes when he finds his perfect mate in Adrienne, and he finds out how important the happiness of the one you love is. Adrienne is the first book in the Bron Universe novels, and let me make a plea to D. Renee Bagby: Please, keep them coming!

-Mandy
Rogues and Romance


*Heat Rating: *3- Cupid’s Ardor Arrow
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Violence Rating: *3- Steel Arrow
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Denise: Well, my fall break was last week. So, I got to crank out a bunch of reviews. Though, not as many as I would have liked, as my computer was on the fritz...AGAIN! lol. But, I did get to review Adrienne, and it was absolutely wonderful. I've never read a time-travel quite like this one, and it was great! I definately recommend this one, AND it's part of a series! :-)

Adrienne
D. Renee Bagby

Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
E-book Release: July 10, 2007
Print Release: May 2008
1-59998-523-3
E-book
362 pages
Paranormal erotica (time-travel)
A Bron Universe Novel

Malik is the future King of Ulan, and Adrienne is just a college student, but Adrienne appears to be much more than she knows. She’s also Malik’s bride. Hundreds of years ago, a spell was cast over Malik’s family so that they would be able to find their brides, and thus, continue their blood-line. So Malik has traveled through dimensions, literally, to claim his bride, and lucky for Adrienne, he claims her just in time…

One night as Adrienne is leaving school, getting ready to head home for a much needed Spring Break, she’s ambushed by two men. One of whom is infuriated with Adrienne for, in a sense, having him expelled his senior year of college. He and his friend have decided to show Adrienne just how “big and bad” they can truly be by attempting to have their way with her on campus. Just as Adrienne is thinking they’re going to win, Malik steps out of his portal and saves her… by killing them!

After that night, Malik whisks Adrienne off, and the next morning she awakens to find herself in Ulan. From there Malik tries to explain their destiny, but Adrienne is having none of it. Then, she starts to realize that some of the feelings she has are not her own, but rather Malik’s, yet another confusing aspect of this whole new lifestyle for Adrienne. As it turns out, as a destined pair they are able to feel each other’s feelings, but none of what Malik has to say, or how Adrienne is feeling makes her want to stay in Ulan…

Malik then informs Adrienne that she is no longer on Earth, but rather, on Bron. Bron is still in the same solar system, and is still the third planet, and in Bron lays Ulan. They have different days, months, and years, as well as magick! He then explains to Adrienne the history of Bron, and just how she is to be his bride. It is 3 months until Malik’s 25th birthday, at which time he MUST be married or forfeit the throne. After hearing all of this, it is up to Adrienne as to whether or not she will marry him willingly or unwillingly, because either way Malik will have her.

D. Renee Bagby has written a highly intensified novel. You can truly relate to the characters, and more importantly to their emotions. All of the emotions in the novel, in my opinion, truly help to make Adrienne as great as it is. When Adrienne is feeling sad, you really want to reach out for her, and when Malik is laughing or feeling amused, you know exactly why and want to laugh along with him. With Adrienne being a college student from our world, it is much easier to relate the country of Ulan, and what she is thinking and feeling, as she is there. Unlike other time travels, we, the reader, can actually and more realistically place ourselves into Adrienne’s shoes. She is living the fact that she is no longer here on our Earth and can do nothing about it. The novel also flowed absolutely wonderful, and you just have to continue reading to see just where these two will go, as well as what is on the next page.
Warning: sex scenes, nothing too erotic

--Denise Kivett
PNR Reviews
October 15, 2007

Official Blurb:
He crossed dimensions to claim her as his queen—but her reign may destroy his world.

A Bron Universe novel

Adrienne Backett wants two simple little things this spring break: rest and relaxation. After nearly four years of slaving away for her college education, she deserves a holiday. What she gets is pulled into another dimension by a man who claims she’s his rightful queen.

Malik, King of Ulan, has until his birthday to find his bride or he must forfeit his throne. When a spell reveals her location, he will do anything, even cross dimensions, to claim her as his own.

As if fending off a lusty king isn’t enough of a headache, Adrienne finds herself a pawn in a rival monarch’s plot to bring Malik’s world to its knees. But is the real danger being stuck in the middle of a power struggle between rival kingdoms? Or the damage Malik could do to her heart?

Visit D. Renee Bagby's Website

Buy Adrienne from My Bookstore and More!

Read an excerpt online

Check out the Official Review post at Paranormal Romance.org

Happy Reading!
*Mandy and Dee*
Rogues and Romance

3 comments:

Denise said...

The "double review" turned out nicely! I was wondering how long it would look and such, but this looks wonderful! Way to go us! :-)

D. Renee Bagby said...

Thanks you two. HUGE HUGS!! Don't worry, I am working hard on the next novel. It's not Bron Universe, but I think you'll like it any way. :)

Anonymous said...

Very cool idea to review the same book. Hope you guys continue to do this every once in awhile!