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Always a Witch (Witch, #2) by Carolyn MacCullough | Goodreads Jump to ratings and reviews Want to read Shop this series Rate this book Witch #2 Always a Witch Carolyn MacCullough 3.94 6,854 ratings 647 reviews Want to read Shop this series Rate this book The adventures of Tam and Gabriel continue with more time travel, Talents, spy work, and of course, the evil Knights. Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice. Genres Young Adult Fantasy Witches Paranormal Magic Time Travel Romance ...more 276 pages, Hardcover First published August 1, 2011 Book details & editions Loading interface... Loading interface... About the author Carolyn MacCullough 13 books 688 followers Carolyn MacCullough received her MFA in creative writing from the New School and lives with her husband in Brooklyn. Ratings & Reviews What do you think? Rate this book Write a Review Friends & Following Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book! Community Reviews 3.94 6,854 ratings 647 reviews 5 stars 2,161 (31%) 4 stars 2,560 (37%) 3 stars 1,750 (25%) 2 stars 314 (4%) 1 star 69 (1%) Search review text Filters Displaying 1 - 30 of 647 reviews Ahmad Sharabiani 9,564 reviews 155 followers June 28, 2019 Always a Witch (Witch #2), Carolyn MacCullough Since the gripping conclusion of Once a Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother’s prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady’s maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice. تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز بیستتم ماه جولای سال 2016 میلادی عنوان: همیشه یک ساحر: جلد دوم سری روزگار یک ساحره؛ ا. شربیانی Like Comment ☆ ĄňŊǡƂėƮĦ ☆ ŞŧŎŋė 154 reviews February 6, 2016 I was a little hesitant going into this book because all I remember saying to myself the first time I read it, was that it wasn't as good. After reading, I've decided that it was pretty good. I still think that Ms. MacCullough could've just written a longer and single book instead of two. Since the ending of the last book, Tam and Gabriel realize that they have to time travel and find the Knights, the family that is trying to ruin their own. Tamsin is still thinking about the prophecy that her grandmother has told her about; that she will have to make a very important choice. Tam, while going after the Knights in the 19th century New York, is concerned about this. To spy on Alistair and the other Knights, she disguises herself as a lady's maid and works in the heart of the evil family. She has to pretend that she is Talentless, hide from La Spider, the head of the family, and to ignore Liam's dangerous advances on her. Toward the end, Tam realizes her horrific choice and protects herself against the Knight's with a lot of Talent. There were many things about this book that I liked. One was the action. Tam was always hiding or using different personalities to stay in the house with her fake name of Agatha. Tam was also a strong leading women. Instead of whining, giving up, and loving other men, she is determined and very level headed. The ending of the book definitely continued to how her character. One of the things that I didn't like was that there wasn't more development of the characters. The reader just went on the what they learned about her peculiar family and Gabriel. I would've liked to see more of Gabriel or more love between Tam and him. Gabriel was one of my favorite characters so that would have been good. Another weakness that I saw was how adjusted Tam seem to being in the 1880's New York. She blended right in and talked the same as everyone else. This wasn't that believable. The ending was not what I expected and I was a little disappointed. I felt bad for Tam but I sort of did like the outcome. Overall, Ms. MacCullough did write a very good historical fiction novel as the second installment of this series. re-read young-adult 13 likes Like Comment oliviasbooks 782 reviews 533 followers March 5, 2011 I confidently predict that readers who loved Once a Witch will also love the second half of the story about the seemingly talentfree, teenaged witch Tamsin Greene, her wacky, magic family, her hot and talented boyfriend Gabriel and their joint fight against the super evil and humans-hating Knight clan, because it is basically composed using the same elements: - an imperfect and insecure but likable, courageous and strong teenaged heroine. - a cute and devoted love interest and side-kick. - a slightly nutty familiy of bickering but well-meaning witches who provide both surprise elements and entertainment. - physically dangerous time travel. - action and a little thrill. - throroughly evil black witches lacking a conscience and compassion but filling the gaps with cool calculation, greed and gruesome practices like human sacrifice. - decent writing. For me personally, „Always a Witch“ dropped half a star from the 3.5 stars I doled out to Once a Witch (out of a total of 5), maybe mainly because the sequel is exactly that: The second part of the story, one which did not add new elements, take the romance to a further level, or make the heroine’s otherness stand out – apart from her developing quite angelic traits in the end. All in all, a sequel that is almost as good as its precessor is an unexpectedly positive thing, for the nature of paranomal sequels seems to have this natural gravitation thing, that drags them down, built in. Still, I nonetheless irrationally hoped for - Tamsim to have more difficulties to adapt to her life in the past (the struggle of nowadays’ people with the customs and the mechanisms of everyday life in past centuries is what makes time travel stories so attractive to me. But Tamsin takes over the life and the tasks of a lady’s maid within a day and without blinking an eye or getting scolded for being clueless.) - Tamsin’s and Gabriel’s shared time not to be wholly consumed by witchy business matters (i.e. saving the Greene family) instead of occasionally letting some hot sparks fly. (I really expected Tamsin, who is different from her family, not to be so hesitant and/or old-couplish. Apart from one misunderstanding Gabriel interprets Tamsin’s invitation to her room as taking the initiative to a good rolling in the hay , all of the young couple’s actions consist of heroically saving each other, planning together, trying to exclude each other from overly dangerous acts. „Always a Witch“ is a paranormal targeted at girls. And in the end I could not even remember what Gabriel looks like.) - the villains (members of the Knight family) to be less than 100% evil.( Yes, there are some specimen that turned out to belong to the good side, but those who didn’t, were painted a shiny black without any hints of gray.) - Tamsin’s heroics to be a little more real and believable. (Sure, Tamsin did the right thing and it is consistent to show her being courageous, but I expected her to be more afraid, more desperate to find an alternative solution in the end and to be a little more spunky and inconventional altogether.) I really did enjoy reading „Always a Witch“, but I have to summarise that I am a little disappointed and that I did not feel compelled to write a review in order to persuade all my friends not to miss this book. On the contrary: I shoved writing the review from day to day, getting a worse and worse conscience, because I had been kindly provided with the opportunity to read the book before it was published by NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcout, the publisher. e-version historical-fiction love-story-romance ...more 12 likes Like Comment Vinaya 185 reviews 2,113 followers February 18, 2011 Wow. Just wow. I did NOT see that coming. After I read Once a Witch , I remember saying that MacCullough's writing was pretty decent. Now I'm forced to swallow my words. It's not just decent, it's pretty damn good! In this sequel to Once A Witch, Tamsin must journey back in time to the New York of the 1880s to stop her family's enemies from regaining their power and destroying what the Greenes have spent a hundred-odd years building. MacCullough seems to have a talent for historical fiction. The story moves much more smoothly in Always A Witch. The pacing is fast, the writing is tight and the plot is absorbing. I'm not saying that this book is a great work of literature. But I am saying that it's a worthwhile read. Tamsin is a likeable heroine who doesn't whine or angst or fall in love with multiple men at the same time. For someone who is supposed to have great powers, she seems remarkably level-headed. Also, on a side note, can I mention that, apart from Rowena, who does a good job of being the sister from Hell, Tamsin's family is adorable. I would actually have loved it if this book had taken a few extra pages and focused a little deeper on Tamsin's family dynamics. I want more Uncle Morry! Gabriel, however, seems to be strictly supporting cast, as in the first book. In fact, that is one of my minor complaints with regard to Always a Witch. In the interests of fast pacing, MacCullough seems to have sacrificed a certain amount of characterization, so we see very little of the family, or the conflict that Tamsin's super-powers are causing, and there is no fleshing out or deepening of her relationship with Gabriel. There are several aspects of this book that are a little too smooth to be believable. Deus ex machina plays a big role in Tamsin's fortuitous entry into the Knights' house and her subsequent discoveries. "Of all the gin joints in all the world..." as Bogey would say. Also, her transition from modern-day New York to the New York of the 1880s is practically seamless. Please. If someone moved me from the city into a village, I would have trouble adjusting, but our heroine just breezes into another era and faces no constraints? Overall, however, this is a book I would recommend for anyone looking for a well-written, fast paced read that's not too taxing on the brain. It all wraps up neatly, tied with a big, shiny bow and the reader is left feeling satisfied and positive. MacCullough's second offering trumps her first hands down. I received this ARC from the publishers via Net Galley. No monetary or other considerations ahve affected this review, yadda yadda. arc-galley books-i-liked ya-fantasy 10 likes Like Comment Kate 171 reviews 49 followers March 16, 2024 More reviews can be found at my blog Nomalicious Reads Always A Witch was a thrilling, sigh worthy read; a fantastic conclusion to Once a Witch. Carolyn MacCullough tied all the ends off very nicely, and I'm sad that Tamsin's journey is now over :( But it ended so well that I can't complain. Tamsin dealing with the social norms and bad guy,s in the nineteenth century definitely had its amusing moments as well as its heartwarming and shocking ones. The bad guys, La Spider and Liam were amazingly, chillingly evil; Carolyn did an amazing job with them. At some moments, she had me on the edge of my seat anticipating what would happen next, hoping that Tamsin would survive working in their lair. Gabriel.. is just so yummy! I would have loved to have seen even more of him and Tamsin, but really that's just me fangirling. And Tamsin? She's just an amazing, down to earth, kick-ass heroine. I'm really sad to see this book come to an end, but I'll be eagerly awaiting Carolyn's other books, she's won me over as a fan for life. I give Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough 5 noms. own reviewed 8 likes Like Comment Patty 1,601 reviews 102 followers June 25, 2011 Loved this even more than the first book in this series...my question is...will there be a book three? I am not quite ready to say good bye to Tamsin and Gabriel. Always A Witch By Carolyn MacCullough From The Book… Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother’s prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision---one so terrible that it could harm everyone she loves. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian Era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady’s maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight, As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice. My thoughts… This book was fabulous. The author managed to write a sequel that I thought was even better than the first book. The danger and mystery and fear were accented by Tamsin’s offbeat 16 year old mannerisms and sarcasm. Tamsin loves second hand clothes and her BFF Agatha and lattes and fun…her hair is pretty much always a mess…she is irreverent to say the least and has a typical 16 year old disregard for any and all authority. So she finds herself in practically medieval times (for her) trying to secure pins in the hair of the daughter of her family’s evil enemy. She knows she is the only one who can fix all of the awful things that the Knight family has done to innocent people and to the Greene family. And because of her grandmother’s warning…she knows that she may not come out of this unscathed. So…it was a breathtaking reading experience for me…nail biting even. I literally finished it overnight. I cheered Tamsin. She is a fun and an amazing heroine… Now…I yearn for book three. 6 likes Like Comment ~Tina~ 1,092 reviews 158 followers December 2, 2010 It took the return of an old family enemy, two episodes of time travel, and one very dangerous love spell that nearly killed my sister before I learned three things. First, I can stop anyone from using there Talents to harm me. Second, I can absorb a person's Talent if they attempt to use it against me three times. Third, I apparently have a choice ahead of me. Since this book isn't released till Aug 2011, I don't want to say to much since I want others to just read.this.book. Always a Witch is such a quaint, engaging and genuine story filled with so much spirit, magic and heart. I love these stories and it's characters. It's just a really fun book. I loved going back in time with Tam and Gabriel and meeting new villains along the way. I love that Tam doesn't always have the answers, but it doesn't stop her from trying. What she did for her family was amazing, such an incredible character and I simply adore Gabriel! Bottom line, Great adventure, lots of twists I didn't see coming and lovable character that will keep you entertained from minute one. I adore this book to pieces and I can't wait to get a copy to treasure always! I'm pretty sure this is the ending to this series which makes me sad, but I can't wait to see what MacCullough comes up with next. Her books will always have a special place on my shelf;) Thanks to Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcout for giving me the opportunity to view an early copy! arc hocus-pocus netgalley-edelweiss ...more 6 likes Like Comment Annie ⚜️ 511 reviews 21 followers February 26, 2020 I really didn’t like the end at all and the lack of sense, common or otherwise, in this story was a big reminder of why I shy away from YA. That being said, it was a quick, pleasant enough read and I do like a witch family story. It’s only a duology not a trilology so at least it’s short. fantasy magic ya 6 likes Like Comment Wendy Darling 1,804 reviews 34.2k followers June 10, 2011 What started out as a cute book became a really good one in the end. Full review to come. 2011-favorites paranormal-general pn-witches ...more 6 likes Like Comment Lauren 143 reviews 20 followers July 13, 2012 Always a Witch is the sequal to Once a Witch . In Once a Witch, Tamsin Greene grew up in a talented family of witches believing herself to be ordinary. Her own family were rather awful to at her times considering their deception. We find out part of the reason why they treated her this way in Always a Witch. Her Grandmother knew that Tamsin would have to sacrafice her own talent; stopping others from using their talent on her, so she wanted her to learn to live without having one. Her family still could have treated her more kindly. Her dad was obnoxious. I found that ending too pat so the sequel was much needed. Both novels handled the complicated matter of time travelling rather well. Tamsin has to go back to 1889 New York to stop Alistair Knight from preventing her own ancestors from defeating the Knights. Tamsin goes undercover as a ladies maid. This could have had much more potential. Tamsin had it much too easy maneuvering her way around a time she did not belong in. She missed breakfast once, but the hardships of the times weren't felt by her character. The Dark Shadows revival came to my mind. Victoria was accused of being a witch because her clothing said machine wash on them. Tamsin was prepared somewhat with an outfit but, she didn't plan her excursion into the past all that well. She should have fallen on her face some. Tamsin from Once a Witch made a few mistakes and lied. Perhaps, if the writer had borrowed a page from Iva Ibbotson's The Countess Below Stairs things might have been more compelling. Life as a ladies maid was hard. She could have been expected to actually use the equipment of those times and burned someone's hair off. Liam was creepy lite. He hit on her and murdered people but again, the missing maid was not utilised as it could have been. She found out straight away that Rosie and Horace had lied. I will overlook that it was too convenient she met Horace who got her the job in the first place. The book would have been bogged down with detail if everything was explained. Liam wasn't used to his full potential as a pervert. She never wanted him. There just wasn't much tension or stakes in this book. Alistair was more insidious in Once a Witch when he put a love spell on her sister. If she had been a governess instead to the weird child Edmund things could have had more drama. No romantic feelings towards the perverts? Oh well, Gabriel is a nice love interest. I can't blame MacCullough for keeping their relationship intact. I kept thinking of Hugh Jackman in Kate and Leopold during her excursions in 1889 New York. "This sir, is not New York!" Always a Witch shared more in common with Kate and Leopold's New York than Gangs of New York. blood-suckers fantasy supernatural ...more 5 likes Like Comment Gonca Özgül (Evetherneyse) 104 reviews 122 followers October 4, 2016 Ne olduğunu hatırlamıyorum lakin kitabın sonu beni çok üzmüştü, o yüzden 2 puan... 5 likes Like Comment Kate McMurry Author 1 book 109 followers August 9, 2011 Book 2 of the Witch Urban-Fantasy Series for Teens Note: Please do not read this review if you have not read Book 1 of the Witch series, Once a Witch, because there will inevitably be spoilers for that book. Once again 17-year-old Tamsin Greene’s life is strongly influenced by one of her grandmother’s prophecies, in this case that she will soon have to make a huge decision that could affect her family’s very survival. After the events of Once a Witch, Tamsin has become fully aware of her enormous Talents as a witch. Other witches’ magic has no affect on her (a common motif in many traditional fantasy novels, as well as an ability of Bella in Twilight, but still quite intriguing here), and if other witches use their magic against her three times, she absorbs, but does not steal, their ability (much like Peter Petrelli in the TV series, Heroes). She also knows that the evil witch family, the Knights, have a long-time blood feud with the Greenes, because the Greenes found a way to inhibit their magical power. The Knights are determined to get their magical power back, and they will stop at nothing, including murder, to accomplish their goal. The action begins in Book 2 when Tamsin discovers that the villain from Book 1, Alistair Knight, has traveled through time to Victorian-era New York in order to help his ancestors wipe out Tamsin’s before they can halt the Knight family’s magical crimes. Tamsin is determined to go back in time just prior to Alistair’s arrival and cut off his scheme, but she refuses to let anyone else get involved. If someone is going to be killed in this overwhelming mission, she is determined that the only loss of life will be her own. Unfortunately, without her boyfriend Gabriel along as he was in Book 1, she can only manage a one-way trip to the past. She also doesn’t have the assistance of his other crucial Talent of being able to find anything in her quest to locate and warn her Greene ancestors about Alistair Knight. As a result, Tamsin has no luck in her search for the Greenes, but she stumbles on the Knight family when she is offered a job as a lady’s maid in the Knight mansion in New York City. Tamsin quickly shifts direction and sets herself up as a mole within the Knight family in order to prevent the vicious matriarch of the Knight family, La Spider, from connecting with Alistair. Unfortunately, her task is made much more difficult when she is forced to resist the seductive charisma of the magnetically handsome and magically compelling Liam Knight, the eldest son of the family. This book is not only a worthy successor to Once a Witch, but actually in many ways even better. Tamsin continues to be a dynamic heroine who is extremely sympathetic because of her willingness to sacrifice herself for the greater good. She is also a true survivor, as evidenced by her willingness to improvise and persist against overwhelming odds as she deals with the horrible Knight family in the 19th century, completely out of her element, cut off from all support. The writing throughout this book is very well done, both as to the actual words on the page and the content of those words. The urban fantasy world-building continues to be well executed, the time travel element in particular. Tamsin’s relatives and magical enemies are very convincingly portrayed, particularly Liam Knight. He is the best kind of villain, a multilayered one who is both attractive and repulsive at the same time. In this book, unlike Book 1, Tamsin doesn’t smoke, and though she does drink a beer that is offered to her in the 19th century, it is more as a thirst quencher rather than a mood-altering substance. However, Liam’s sexually seductive attitude toward all females, including Tamsin, may cause some parents to judge this book less suitable for pre-teens and younger teens than Book 1. The age range for YA extends from age 11-19 according to YALSA (the YA portion of the American Library Association), and I would personally peg this book as appropriate for the more mature end of that range, for teens 16 and above. I grade the novel this way: Heroine - 5 stars Subcharacters - 5 stars Fantasy World-Building - 4 stars Writing - 5 stars Magical Thriller Plot - 4 stars Romantic Subplot - 4 stars Overall – 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars witch witches ya-fantasy ...more 4 likes Like Comment Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids 1,952 reviews 209 followers July 30, 2011 Reviewed by Sophie for MM's- Well established weaknesses for me include: time travel, magic, stubborn girls and boys who always, but always do the right thing. Need I go on to add that yes, Carolyn, hit them all. Let me start by saying that I completely admire Carolyn's ability to plot a two story arc and then gracefully execute it until the very last page when that one thing mentioned in the first book (that was oh so important) comes back full circle. Yes, I'm trying hard to keep this spoiler-free so forgive a true, fan-girly moment here. But this is not just a well written story with characters I want to spend time with in real life (remember the fan-girl warning) but it packs an unexpected action plot line and draws in characters from the first book with new ones from the second in such an elegant way that I couldn’t help finishing the book in a day. I think the only word I had left when I closed the cover was “whoa”. I was in shock at how Carolyn brought all these wonderful, detailed elements from Once A Witch around to the sequel and quietly led me down the path of her plot until piece by piece every single thing made sense to Tamsin and well, to me. And don’t worry, Mundie Moms, one of my favorite fictional boys ever, Gabriel, is still there. In fact here he is from page 12 when he and Tamsin are tempted to taste some of the sweets her mother is preparing for Rowena’s wedding: “Mhmm,” I say, licking the icing from the corner of my mouth. “It’s good. Even if it’s probably poisonous. Go on, I dare you.” Gabriel narrows his eyes a me, then takes the remainder of the cake from my fingers and eats it in one gulp. “Some of it,” my mother answers, inspecting a fork. “And stop hanging on the door,” she admonishes absentmindedly. “It’ll break again and I’m tired of having Chester fix the refrigerator. The last time he fixed it, it sang ‘I’m a Little Teapot’ every time opened it. It drove me insane.” Gabriel inhales on a laugh, then begins choking on cake crumbs. Alarmed, my mother whirls aroud. “Which one did you eat?” she cries. “The chocolate flower one,” I say, “Will he live?” I help myself to another cake, this one covered in sugar violets. “Is this one okay?” I ask, and then pop it into my mouth. My mother closes her eyes briefly, “Yes.” “Yes I’ll live or yes the second cake that she just ate is okay? It’s kind of important that you be specific here,” Gabriel says. This quote also illustrates how much of this book is about family – past and present. They are all around Tamsin. They are part of who she was and is and well, they’re definitely her mystery to solve. I can’t emphasize how much I love them and their fierce loyalty to one another. It reminds me of my own family and I swear we have an Uncle Chester, too. If you haven’t picked up this series, don’t wait, you’ve got to meet Tamsin, Gabriel, Rowena and yes, even the Knights. A huge thank you to Carolyn for making this Mundie Mom stay up way past her bedtime. It was worth every hour of lost sleep. 2011-release arcs books-i-own ...more 4 likes Like Comment Sandy 291 reviews 190 followers May 14, 2011 More like 3.5...better than the first with a thriller of an ending. Fans of Carolyn MacCullough's Once a Witch will absolutely devour this sequel, Always a Witch. MacCullough has upped the action and the plot, and the second half of this novel is utterly gripping. It's one of those sequels that's better than the first with an absolute thriller of an ending. In Always a Witch, Tamsin must travel back to the 1880s to stop Alistair and the Knights from destroying her family. Readers who love time travel stories will enjoy Tamsin's adventures in nineteenth century New York. I personally would have no idea how to be a Victorian-era lady's maid--how do you do those complicated up-do's?? no clue--so it would have been nice to see Tamsin struggle with acclimating to the past, not to mention things were a little too coincidental at times. But Tamsin? She's the strong, loyal, independent heroine we met in Once a Witch, but now she's on a dangerous quest to save her family...will she be willing to make a devastating choice and face the consequences? Paranormal romance fans who like their books with more PARANORMAL and less ROMANCE will enjoy this series. Gabriel is present and supportive in both books, but his romance with Tamsin definitely takes a back seat. I personally wish there could have been a few more swoony moments, but those wishing for more kicking and less kissing will like the de-emphasis of the romance. Two things really set this series apart for me: that zany family and the uniqueness of the "talents". Tamsin's loving family is always entertaining, and some of the best scenes of this series include moments with her wacky family. Such a present, supportive family is refreshing for YA literature. The concept of a "talent" opens the way for such creativity and surprise in the story, and I loved seeing everyone's talents and how they affect the conclusion. And that ending? So did not see it coming. It made me want to use one of Tamsin's Grandma's "Ah"s once everything was revealed. All of a sudden, it all made sense...the predictions, the secrets, the choices. The real driving force of this sequel is the sequence of events barreling towards that harrowing conclusion, and WOW the conclusion delivered. What a thrilling end to this series! (At least, I think it's the end? We'll see!) add-some-stars-endings read-in-2011 4 likes Like Comment Kelly 616 reviews 156 followers August 24, 2011 Alone among her relatives, Tamsin Greene grew up believing the family’s Talents had skipped her over, and learned to get by without magic. But in Once a Witch , Tamsin learned that she was far from powerless. Rather, she was one of the strongest of the Greene witches. Always a Witch concludes her story. Tamsin is still getting used to having magic, and her sister Rowena is annoying her with her bridezilla antics. These concerns take a backseat when the family learns that the sinister Alistair Knight has altered the past and restored his ancestors to power. Tamsin travels back to the Victorian era to set things right, excluding her boyfriend Gabriel from her plans because she believes he’ll die if he comes along. Once there, Tamsin is hired by the decadent, sadistic Knights as a lady’s maid, a position that gives her an inside view of their schemes but also puts her in great danger. The time-travel element here is stronger, in two senses of the word, than in the previous book. There’s more of it (Tamsin spends the vast majority of the book in 1887), and it works better. And the Knight house, though populated by creepy people, is a fun setting filled with secret passages — and maybe a few new allies as well. Tamsin works out what needs to be done to stop the Knights once and for all. She learns the nature of the terrible choice that was prophesied in Once a Witch. This did lead to a slight “how did that happen?” moment, since according to the spell’s logic, I think it should have affected all of Tamsin's blood relatives too . Yet the scene is an effective dramatic moment, heroic and bittersweet. Afterward, we learn the real reason the family kept Tamsin’s Talents a secret. Though I was occasionally confused by the way some of the magic worked, I would gladly recommend Once a Witch and Always a Witch to young adult readers. This is an enchanting, quick-moving, spooky duology with a likable heroine. Originally written for FantasyLiterature.com 4 likes Like Comment Tarryn 165 reviews 45 followers August 13, 2023 This has been such a nice little surprise of a random decade old duology! It makes me really wish the author was still writing. adventure-is-out-there body-swapping-fun great-ends-for-great-series ...more 3 likes Like Comment Andrea at Reading Lark 955 reviews 84 followers April 1, 2013 Review Posted on Reading Lark 6/24/11: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2011/... I read Once a Witch awhile back after it was first released and remembered really enjoying it, but this one blew it out of the water. It may be cheesy to say that this book put a spell on me, but that is exactly what it did. I was unable to put this book down for long. Every time I closed it to do something other than read, my Kindle kept whispering my name urging me to pick it back up and dive into the story. This edition in the series is so fast paced that there are hardly any lulls in the action. My heart was pounding as I read chapter after chapter. Tasmin and Gabriel are back for more adventures of the witchy variety. In the first book, they have to travel back in time to find a family heirloom that left in the wrong hands can spell disaster for the Greene clan. In this follow up novel, Tasmin and Gabriel will once again have to use their Talents to track down Alistair Knight as he seeks to protect his family from losing their magic. Will Tasmin and Gabriel be able to stop him a second time OR will Alistair prevail and destory the Greenes once and for all? I love Carolyn MacCullough's take on magic and witches. Each of her characters has a special talent that they can wield for both good and evil purposes. Some have the power to heal, others have the power to manipulate the weather, and some can even steal the bodies of others to use for their own purposes. Tasmin is more special than all the rest - she has the power to resist Talents and if someone uses a Talent against her three times then she takes on their powers. Just like they say in Spiderman - with great power comes great responsibility. Tasmin must use her unique Talents to save her family before the Knight family erases them for all time. Fans of witch novels and historical fiction are sure to be delighted by this tale. The writing is solid and the characters come to live as the story unfolds. I have to admit that I have quite the crush on Gabriel at this point. He sacrifices everything to make sure that Tasmin is safe. That is pretty swoon worthy if ya ask me. I also enjoyed getting a break from the whole love triangle plot strand that seems to be dominating YA books these days. One Last Gripe: I didn't like that the ending left me feeling hollow. I am just not happy with how things were left for Tasmin. I just didn't get a strong sense of closure with this one. My Favorite Thing About This Book: The fast paced action that begins as soon as Tasmin goes back to the 1800's - the momentum rolled through the novel and kept me enthralled First Sentence: I was born on the night of Samhain. Favorite Character: Gabriel Least Favorite Character: Liam 5-stars arc fantasy ...more 3 likes Like Comment Kristi 944 reviews 242 followers August 3, 2011 THE FAERYS VIEW After Tamsin Greene’s horrific encounter with the wicked Alistair Knight in Once a Witch, Tamsin is just starting to get comfortable with her new found Talent and finding her place within her extraordinarily Talented (magical) family. Tamsin’s happy and relieved to have found her Talent yet struggling with her grandmother’s prediction that she will soon make a decision, a decision so vital it will affect her entire family’s future. Life has finally settled down a bit for Tamsin; her sister, the lovely Rowena is getting married, she has Gabriel, the boyfriend of her dreams and she’s back at school in her dorm room with BFF, Agatha. She deserves a little peace, right? Well-- not quite yet—there’s a bit of a problem with the future. It seems that Alistair did indeed travel back to the Victorian era; warning his ancestors of the Greene’s intent to compile the Knights power into the Domani thus disabling them from causing harm and doing ‘blood magic’. It’s up to Tamsin to travel back in time and stop Alistair from warning the Knights of the Greene’s intent. When Tamsin travels back to Victorian era New York ahead of Alistair she finds a position in the Knight household as a lady’s maid for Jessica Knight; daughter of the cruel calculating matriarch La Spider and sister to charming Liam Knight. The Knights are powerful witches and along with their extended family, they use their Talents for increasing wealth and personal gain at any cost. Add Alistair to the picture and things start to get a little hairy. Tamsin finds herself caught between her wary ancestors and the vicious Knights in a struggle to save her family--past, present and future, all while trying to protect the innocent’s that are caught in between. It’s through other’s love and sacrifice that she learns how every move she makes and every word she utters impacts the fateful decision her grandmother predicted. She can only hope and pray that she doesn't lose her future along with that of her friends and family along the way. Carolyn MacCullough spins a spellbinding story of magic, time-travel, suspense and adventure. The story flows fluidly from chapter to chapter and the characters are richly defined. The history of Victorian era New York is fascinating and visually descriptive. witches 3 likes Like Comment kari 851 reviews October 10, 2011 Well, now I kind of wish that I hadn't wished for a sequel to Once a Witch . I hate to say it, but nothing much happens in this one until the very end and the evil person is eliminated off-screen and without any fanfare. Although there are plenty of other evil people, I'm not sure that the villain should meet his end without it being shown. That feels like it's unfinished in some way. Also, most of what I enjoyed in the first book is completely missing here. There is very little interaction between Tamsin and her family (that quirky bunch were such fun in the first book) and hardly more than that with Gabriel who I'd have liked to know more about. Tamsin is an interesting heroine. She's been kept in the dark a great deal about her own life and abilities and we finally get to learn why. I'm not quite satisfied with the ending, but I wasn't quite satisfied with the whole book. If you've read the first one, you'll likely want to read this one. I think it would be somewhat confusing if you haven't read the first book. It's an okay read. 2011 ya 3 likes Like Comment Saf ST 106 reviews 6 followers June 5, 2020 3.5 rounded to 4 ✨ I liked this second book very much. It grabs the attention and the plot has so much action, I couldn’t let it go. Perhaps there wasn’t a need to make it a duology. Since the two parts are short, I would have liked it to be one single book. They probably decided to publish it in two parts because it was a debut novel. I think it would have worked better as a whole to balance out the slower first part and the non-stop action in the second. This second part is fast and follows Tamsin in her time-travels in order to save her family. As characters go, there are new ones that appeared in the past, but I didn’t care for any of them. I wished there were more of Gabriel, since he was my favorite character. I understand as the MC, Tamsin should be the one fixing the problem, but I missed her side kick for pretty much the whole book. Overall, it was a nice quick read! Let’s not forget though, I am biased as I’ve loved this kind of stories about witches and covens since I was a little girl. 3 likes Like Comment Crystal 449 reviews 95 followers December 3, 2010 I have to say that I really enjoyed this one. Tam and Gabriel continue on in their quest to stop Allistair from his plot to save the Knight family from destruction. I really liked the time travel aspect of this one. I haven't read many books with that in it and it is refreshing twist to the story. I missed Gabriel in the first part and would have liked to have seen Tam reach out a little more for help even though I know why she didn't. I was very sad in the end but it was expected and completely the right choice for Tam. I don't want to say too much as this one doesn't come out until August so I will leave with if you enjoyed the first one you should definitely pick this one up and if you haven't read either these are quick fun reads so give them a try. Thanks Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcout=) 2010 3 likes Like Comment Kiki Z 1,055 reviews 53 followers October 11, 2019 I still don't like Gabriel or his so-called romance with Tamsin. In fact, it makes even less sense in this book. There's also absolutely no reason why this book and the first one couldn't have been one book. It would have flowed better AND easily explained why Tamsin's gift was truly kept a secret instead of the ridiculous reason that we're given in the first book. It genuinely feels like book one was an entire prequel event rather than part of the main action when you're finished with this one. 2-5-stars underwhelming 2 likes Like Comment Sarah 62 reviews 16 followers November 22, 2018 2.5/5 2 likes Like Comment Shelley 5,358 reviews 482 followers January 6, 2011 Synopsis: Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmothers prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision - one so terrible that it could harm her family's future. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian Era New York, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the 19th century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice. This is is the follow-up story to Once A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough which I truly enjoyed. Tamsin comes from a long line of very powerful witches. During the previous book, it was revealed that she had Talent all along, but it was hidden from her by her mother, father, sister, and Grandmother. Her sister Rowena can compel anyone to do their bidding just by mesmerizing them with her voice. Her father compels the weather, while her mother and grandmother offer up spells. Her grandmothers sister can freeze someone by simply touching that persons head. Gabriel, her bff, can find any object anywhere. Tamsin found out in Once A Witch, that if someone uses magic on her, she is uneffected. She also has the ability to steal that persons abilities; like fire from her hands, or the ability to freeze someone just by touching them. When we open the story, Tamsin is reading herself for Rowen's (her sister) wedding and refusing to wear the gawd awful dress Rowena has picked out. Then a mysterious man disguised as her Uncle Morris shows up and Tamsin is unable to use her powers of fire. He then gives her a dire warning for her boyfriend Gabriel. Her grandmother realizes that her powers are good for three days only, which is why she couldn't use fire against the intruder. She can, however, still use her ability to freeze people. Tamsin and her Grandmother soon realize that she has to travel back to 1887 and find Alistair and save her family. Tamsin travels back in time and finds herself in a park in New York 1887. She runs into a man named Horace in a bar who offers her a job at the Knight household as a lady's maid. Using the name Agatha Smithsdale, she runs into Liam Knight, the same person who showed up in her house under the guise of Uncle Morris. Alas, who should also show up at the same time? Alistair Callum himself. Tamsin becomes a lady's maid to Jessica Knight who is so unlike the rest of her family. She seems not to care for the Talent that she has, and dislikes the choices her mother La Spider has tried to set for her. Jessica is in love with a William Finnegan, but she is also to be married to another man who she dislikes. Tamsin soon discoves that the Knights, especially Liam, have been experimenting with their maids and using their blood as drinks to extend their powers and their longevity. One of those experiments ends up being Alistair himself. Gabriel makes an appearance and is not too happy with Tamsin. He shows up and becomes Jessica's new music teacher. After they reunite, they escape from the Knight household and end up at the Greene's ranch where they tell her thanks for the warning, but be gone with thee! When Tamsin and Gabe reach the Greene's, they are unwilling to help her and want her to go back to where she came from. The proble is, Gabe can't locate any of Tam's family. It is as though they have never been born. In the final battle between the Greene's and the Knights, Tamsin sacrifices herself, and her Talents to save Jessica Knights life. In doing so however, she also created the Domani and took away the Knights Talents. After traveling back home, she is distraught over losing her powers, but her grandmother calls her the Family Beacon. Thoughts: I love this story. I love the fact that the author takes us back to 19th century New York, and does a wonderful job of world building. She has a really good character in Tamsin Greene, and it will be interesting to see if this series continues. This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers. Show full review favorites witches young-adult-fiction 2 likes Like Comment Alisha Marie 897 reviews 91 followers July 21, 2011 I loved Once A Witch. Seriously, it was one of my favorite books read last year (or was it the year before?) and not only was it the PERFECT Halloween read, but it was also a fairly unique read. You don't see many YA novels written about witches (or at least many that have been done well...or at least I haven't). Therefore, I have been anxiously awaiting the sequel, Always A Witch. While I didn't think the sequel was as good as Once a Witch, it was still a really entertaining novel. Always a Witch had more thrills, adventures, wit, and sarcasm then it's predecessor, Once A Witch. And I loved the whole Elizabeth Bathory type of storyline that it used. Tamsin is still a strong heroine that never grates. In fact, NONE of the characters in Always a Witch grate (and that has to be an absolute first for me). In fact, Always a Witch is as much fun as Once A Witch was. It might even be more fun as Tamsin stays in the past more than a matter of minutes (like she did in Once A Witch). The sense of danger was also more prevalent in this novel, so that made it that much more intriguing to me. So why the four stars while Once a Witch got five full stars? I felt that Always a Witch was a bit...rushed. While I did feel that sense of urgency as Tamsin did in wanting to accomplish her goals and destroy the Knight family, I felt like we got to that point extremely quick. I didn't feel that there was enough development in the first few chapters for Tamsin to decide that she has to go right at that particular moment. I would have liked more build up to that. Also, a huge reason why I loved Once A Witch is because I loved Tamsin's wacky, zany, and endlessly entertaining family. Unfortunately, in Always a Witch, Tamsin's family is barely a footnote. They are there for a few pages in the beginning and a bit in the end. That really wasn't enough for me. So, in the end, I really did like Always a Witch. I just didn't think it surpassed the awesomeness that is Once a Witch. I am, however, still saddened that this seems to be the last in this series. While some authors take their series to the extreme and keep churning one novel after the other even though it's clear to everyone that the series should have came to a close some novels ago, I feel Carolyn MacCullough should at least write one more novel to wrap the series up. Anyway, I recommend Always a Witch. Like it's predecessor, it is an amazing, light read. arc-s books-i-own-that-i-ve-read fantasy ...more 2 likes Like Comment Rashika (is tired) 976 reviews 713 followers January 13, 2014 *This mini review has also been posted on Tangled in Pages This year I want to get the reading I've been avoiding done. I want to complete series' that I refuse to finish and read sequels I once awaited eagerly. I thought this would be a good place to start seeing that I read the first book in this duology back in 2012. I cannot remember exactly what put me off but I decided not to read the sequel and let things be. Perhaps it was fear of a love triangle (how I hate those) but I have to say, whatever the reason, my fear was unfounded because the sequel turned out to be rather pleasant. It was not particularly special but there is something satisfying about it. Tam is a refreshing female lead. She does make some stupid decisions but she is also mature. Of course, she also happens to be a teenager so she does have certain insecurities but it worked out just fine. It's never bothered me. Her love interest, Gabriel, was adorable. The romance between the two is nice and doesn't overshadow the plot. In fact, it's more in the background than anything else. The plot was actually decent too. This plot basically flies by so I cannot say much about it but it all ties back nicely. As someone who loves time travel and the science behind it, I must say, it was done pretty damn well in both books. I haven't felt this satisfied by a conclusion in a while. I really did enjoy this book and it's nice that it flew by. Sometimes you just need a book that flies by instead of one that makes you think a lot. I recommend this series to anyone who just wants to take a break and read a nice slow book. cute-love-interests decent-female-leads pnr-witches ...more 2 likes Like Comment JeanBookNerd 321 reviews 40 followers December 14, 2011 Always a Witch is a marvelous and pleasing continuation to Carolyn MacCullough’s Once a Witch. It started right where it left off and another adventure began. The outline of the story was planned out well and MacCullough definitely knew how everything was going to happen. This time around, Tamsin must make a choice that can change the fate of her family’s entire future. Usually when a story involves time traveling, it can tend to be confusing and get the reader out of place, but I found it to be easy to follow. It takes the reader to the 1800’s in which the author does a wonderful job describing what New York looked like. You can definitely tell that she has done her research. It was a quick read but it was full of fantasy and magic. I thought the plot was wonderful. Tamsin takes the reader into an adventure where she is thrown back in time to save her family. The characters, old and new, are brilliantly crafted and it was fun reading how Tamsin playing a different person back in time. The process of her time traveling reveals many secrets about not only the Knight family, but her family as well. Tamsin has become an incredible and tough main character that isn’t afraid to do what is right and what needs to be done, however how difficult it is. All of the characters seemed to be well written and fleshed out. The Talents each character introduced were fascinating and amazing. The setting mainly occurred in the 1800’s but the outlook was different inside the mansion. The story was fun, carried enjoyable dialogue, built interesting characters, created likeable protagonists, and produced a fulfilling ending. reviews 2 likes Like Comment Kristy 598 reviews 92 followers December 15, 2011 Dare I say I enjoyed this one more than ?? Yep, I enjoyed this one more. It had a clean historical fiction vibe going that I completely enjoyed. It is very much age appropriate for the YA crowd. Spoilers and complaining ahead: I want more relationship between Gabriel and Tasmin. I love that their love-story is not the main element in the book, but I feel like the scenes they do share could have been a bit more romantical..... Honestly, I feel like this was super-fast paced and over too quick. I needed just a bit more information and time to process what was going on. I would like to have seen Tasmin use her powers more. I feel like she just got them and BAM, now they are gone.... really?!?!?!? And, I really did not like Rowena in the beginning of the book. Why was it even neccessary to have all that about her wedding in there? And, why is she SUCH a diva? What does that have to do with anything?!?!? Props to the author for creating a completely different witchy world. They're not the voo-doo, warty or cackling kind. They are just different and all their talents are interesting. I would like more of that. Bottomline: People who enjoyed the first installment will probably like this one. I did enjoy it more than book #1, but I am not frothing at the mouth for me. I'm not blown away, but I'm not put-off either. I'm a couple notches above meh. 3 stars And, yes... I am aware this is a sham of a review... supernatural 2 likes Like Comment Ferdy 944 reviews 1,247 followers May 29, 2012 The plot centers on two family of witches, the Greenes and the Knights. Every witch has a talent be it speed, fire or being able to find lost things. Tamsin always believed she had no talent but recently found out that she does in fact have a powerful talent, she is immune to all other talents and can take other peoples talents if it used on her three times. The Greene family in the 1800's discovered the Knight family using their talent for evil so they created the Domani, the Domani stops the Knights having any talents. So Alistair Knight travels back in time to try and destroy the Greene family. When Tamsin finds out about Alistair's plans she also travels back in in time too stop him destroying her family. I like that Tamsin was focused on trying to save her family, instead of thinking about boys and other angsty nonesense. Her relationship with Gabriel was pretty good,it's not front and centre in the book like most YA novels - where the heroine obsessesively obsess about their love interests and nothing else matters to them except having the hot, mysterious, powerful boyfriend at their side. Tamsin and Gabriel aren't really like this, they both have their own lives but are still committed to one another. Tamsin's relationship with her perfect older sister Rowena and her grandmother was what I liked most, I liked that her family was a big and ever present part of her life..most YA novels suffer from absent parents/families. The ending had a surprise twist of a sort but I ok with the way it end that way, everything was more or less resolved by the end. 2 likes Like Comment Amber 349 reviews 110 followers January 5, 2011 I'm going to start off by saying that I am so so lucky not to have a sister like Rowena...aka Bridezilla!! The protaganist in Always A Witch, (aka Tamsin Greene) is faced with many challenges and finally pieces together the path she was chosen for. I admire the courage throughout the story she exudes and the selflessness that leads her on her journey back in time to when it all began. I really enjoyed Always A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough. At times I felt it was a little slow but when it started to regain my interest it didn't back down. I was very pleased with how well the story flowed and the little pieces that weren't left unfinished such as making the promise to "Cook" to change back "Mary". Don't want to give it away, but more importantly the author took the time for small details. I think the story really started to evolve once Gabriel entered the scene. There's something about him, but it's totally something good ;) and once again that connection between Tamsin and Gabriel was fresh and exciting once again. I love that you can feel the love between them. I would really like to see more of those two together in the future. Overall, a very clean and enjoyable read. Thank You Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt! arc netgalley witches-sorcerer-ess 2 likes Like Comment Displaying 1 - 30 of 647 reviews More reviews and ratings Join the discussion 1 quote 7 discussions 2 questions Can't find what you're looking for? 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Vita Brevis (Gaius Petreius Ruso #7) by Ruth Downie | Goodreads Jump to ratings and reviews Want to read Shop this series Rate this book Gaius Petreius Ruso #7 Vita Brevis Ruth Downie 4.12 1,341 ratings 150 reviews Want to read Shop this series Rate this book Ruso and Tilla and their new baby daughter have left Roman-occupied Britain for Rome, but their excitement at arriving in the city is soon dulled when they find that the grand facades of polished marble mask an underworld of corrupt landlords and vermin-infested tenements. There are also far too many doctors – some skilled, but others positively dangerous. Ruso takes on a reputable medical practice only to find that his predecessor, Doctor Kleitos, has fled, leaving a dead man in a barrel on the doorstep and the warning, "Be careful who you trust." Distracted by the body and his efforts to help a friend win the hand of a rich young heiress, Ruso makes a grave mistake, causing him to question both his competence and his integrity. With Ruso's reputation under threat, he and Tilla must protect their small family from Doctor Kleitos's debt collectors and find allies in their new home while they track down the vanished doctor and find out the truth about the unfortunate man in the barrel. Genres Historical Fiction Mystery Historical Mystery Fiction Historical Crime Roman ...more 371 pages, Hardcover First published July 12, 2016 Book details & editions Loading interface... Loading interface... About the author Ruth Downie 18 books 739 followers Ruth is the author of nine mysteries* featuring Roman Army medic Gaius Petreius Ruso and his British partner Tilla. The latest is a novella, PRIMA FACIE. She lives in Devon, England. A combination of nosiness and a childish fascination with mud means she is never happier than when wielding an archaeological trowel. She is sometimes called R.S. Downie, but she isn't the person with the same name who writes medical textbooks, and recommends that readers should never, ever take health advice from a two thousand year old man who prescribes mouse droppings. *The first four books have all had two titles. Ruth is still wondering how this ever seemed like a good idea. Since she is unable to wind back time, British readers may find it useful to know that: Medicus was Ruso and the Disappearing Dancing Girls, Terra Incognita was Ruso and the Demented Doctor, Persona Non Grata was Ruso and the Root of All Evils, Caveat Emptor was Ruso and the River of Darkness - but SEMPER FIDELIS, TABULA RASA, VITA BREVIS, MEMENTO MORI and PRIMA FACIE only have one title each - hooray! Ratings & Reviews What do you think? Rate this book Write a Review Friends & Following Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book! Community Reviews 4.12 1,341 ratings 150 reviews 5 stars 467 (34%) 4 stars 612 (45%) 3 stars 229 (17%) 2 stars 25 (1%) 1 star 8 (<1%) Search review text Filters Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews Kathleen 1,500 reviews 114 followers October 21, 2018 This is Downie’s 7th offering in the Medicus Investigation series. Gaius Ruso and Tilla have recently moved from Britannia to Rome under the impression that his friend Accius is offering him a thriving medical practice and wealthy client to provide some much-needed financial security. Hah! Ruso and Tilla find that the previous doctor left his lodgings in shambles and Horatius Balbus is soon murdered. Gaius Ruso, a good doctor and honest man, finds himself in the middle of a swirling maelstrom of Romans only too willing to take advantage of his naivety. Various groups demand money, or attempt to take away the meager possessions that Russo and Tilla have left. Oh yes, and then he is asked to help solve various mysteries—like who killed Horatius Balbus. There are certainly plenty of suspects. Fortunately, he has Tilla at his side. This is another excellent historical mystery by Downie. Recommend. 12 likes Like Comment Camilla Monk Author 14 books 668 followers August 17, 2016 I have waited so long for this! Ruso is back, and as usual, the more he tries to become the reputable, successful doctor his ex-wife once hoped he'd become... the more everything falls apart around him. :) When we left Ruso and his wife (and former slave), Tilla, in Britain, they had just welcomed a new addition to their family: Mara, their adopted baby daughter. (I'll never forget how Ruso calls Mara's young biological mother in book #5 "The pregnant tart from Eboracum" -- before welcoming her under his roof nonetheless). This time, Ruso is about to make it big in the heart of the Empire, Rome. Offered a position in the eternal city by Accius a young former tribune, Ruso packs his little family, crockery and all, to answer the call of destiny! Destiny, however, is on voicemail: once in Rome, it turns out that there is no prestigious position awaiting. Accius, who, to his great dismay, is now in charge of overseeing the cleaning of Rome's streets, has nearly forgotten about Ruso. Our hero and his family are reduced to renting a cockroach-infested flat while looking for a better opportunity. Such an opportunity presents itself when the personal physician (and tenant) of a certain Horatius Balbus disappears, leaving his most important patient in immediate need of medical advice, and a practice to run. Recommended by Accius, Ruso takes on the job. Things are looking up for our bumbling medicus, if we except the fact that a barrel has been abandoned at the door of his new practice, and that there's a dead man inside. I'll stop spoiling here. ;) Once again, what makes reading the medicus series such a pleasure is the realistic portrayal of the society Ruso evolves in. In Vita Brevis, Rome is experienced rather than described, and a ton of historical details color the story, like paint daubs, vivid yet unobtrusive. As Ruso and Tilla attempts to track the missing doctor and find our who's the dead man in the barrel and how he ended there, new threads are added to the plot, dealing with medical ethics, real estate and housing politics in 130 AC, stars-crossed lovers, secret Christian communities (I LOVE Downie's treatment of this particular topic. her christians are realistic, and only she could make a persecuted sect funny), ... Each element bring a piece of the complex puzzle the heroes must figure. Again, like in previous books, the stakes quickly become personal for Ruso, who finds himself accountable for the dead man in the barrel, and who's being pressed by Accius and Horatius Balbus to solve the case of the disappearance of Balbus's doctor. The cement to the plot is of course the wonderful relationship between Ruso and his wife, made of mistakes, misunderstandings, exasperation, but ultimately a deep mutual love. There are new challenge to Ruso's domestic life in this book, in the face of baby Mara, who changes his and Tilla's lives, and the acqusition of two slaves. (Well three, but one ran away). This also adds an interesting angle, as the slaves are briton, like Tilla, who used to be Ruso's slave herself. This conflict is handled skillfully, and manages to make the practice understandable to our modern eye. I kept thinking as I read, that this is one of the complexities of writing about the Roman empire: slavery was an integral part of their culture, and it's a tight rope to walk than to have your main character own slaves -- something inconceivable to our modern sensibilities -- and yet makes the character relatable and likeable, all without giving into the temptation to portray him as a social justice warrior whose fight might seem wildly out of place under Hadrian's reign... Now, before I conclude, there is one thing that left me wanting: the plot's conclusion. I won't spoil, but I felt that too much happened off-screen, giving me the impression that things came together almost too easily at a point where the situation seemed desperate. Last word: I loved Squeaky in the last scenes... ancient-rome 10 likes Like Comment Emma 2,603 reviews 1,000 followers July 6, 2018 It’s been a while since I picked this series up, so was really thrilled to see the next book on a kindle deal. It was immensely enjoyable and set in Rome rather than Britain. Having recently been less than impressed with a Flavia Albia book (Lindsey Davies) and mourning the end of the Falco series, this book has restored my faith in Roman historical fiction. Poor Ruso and family get off to an unpromising start to their new life in Rome and from there it’s downhill all the way. Will the family take to life in Rome? Read it and find out! british-hf crime historical-fiction ...more 9 likes Like Comment Jane 1,620 reviews 216 followers October 22, 2019 3.5/5 rounded down to 3. Another delightful mystery in the Medicus Gaius Ruso series. This time the outing finds Ruso and Tilla in Rome at the behest of ex-Tribune Accius. Two mysteries to be solved this time around: a dead body in a barrel; also the death [murder?] of Accius's patron, a wealthy real estate magnate cum slumlord. Ruso has come to Rome under false pretenses; Accius has led him to believe the practice he has temporarily taken over is perfectly ordinary, whereas it has its dodgy side. The previous doctor, a Dr. Kleitos, has fled, taking most of his possessions. Why? Debts he's being dunned for? Is the doctor taking dead bodies for illegal purposes, e.g., anatomy? Or? Ruso also finds himself as matchmaker between the lovesick Accius and the dead man's daughter. I enjoyed the trajectory of the mysteries and how everything fit together logically at the end. Ruso and Tilla make a good team. I especially like their dialogue with each other--a typical married couple--and their coping with a new baby. The scene buying a nanny for the baby at a slave auction was priceless. Recommended. ancient-rome gaius-petreius-ruso-fiction mystery ...more 7 likes Like Comment Assaph Mehr Author 6 books 385 followers January 15, 2018 Ruso is making an attempt at better life in the centre of the empire, but his stay in Rome is marred by the usual - a corpse laid at his doorstep. While Ruso is trying to navigate the complex politics of life as a doctor in Rome, his wife Tilla is trying to build a home in this new (and smelly) city, while aiding in medical practice. What to Expect A great description on life in Rome, in particular the patronage system. We get a ground-level look at the workings of daily life: accommodations, food, medical practice (and its associated fields), social engagements, and a touch of public life. As usual, Downie's writing is full of charm with excellent characterisation and research. One cannot help but like and relate to the people in the story, and follow them in the twisting plots and sub-plots as they try to build a life and resolve deaths. The POV of view alternates between Ruso and his (British) wife Tilla, and Downie does an excellent job in describing how these two very different people view the eternal city. What I liked This goes for the whole series. The absolute charm of the writing. All characters are fully fleshed, believable, with their own motivations. The writing is witty, the setting is rich, the plot thought-out, and the mysteries engaging. These are the kind of books where you care for the characters. Downie has a knack to depict the world-views of the characters realistically, switching viewpoints from a Roman medical officer to a British peasant woman. It is clear that each character - from main to support cast - is a fully realised person, with their own agendas and biases. The plot of the stories grips you till can't put the book down. Downie is masterfully building up the investigations through sub-plots, distractions, daily lives, grand events - till you just have to know what happens next. Ruso may be a reluctant investigator, but he has that nagging voice in his head when things don't quite fit well, and it keeps him following and digging for the truth. Tilla has her own sense of fairness, and views on what makes the world tick. Downie locates each book in a different town, mostly around Roman Britain (with only two exceptions). She has clearly done her research for each location and they all come alive, with the latest modern archaeological understanding of life there seeping through her writing. What to be aware of These aren't the noir mysteries I normally read and recommend. While there are certainly some gruesome bits (he's a medic, after all), these aren't your typical first-person hard-boiled detective. Rather, the stories are told in a lighter vein, in third person perspective from either Ruso or Tilla's POV. Happily, Tilla gets a lot of page-time in this novel. Ms Downie has experience with archaeology and Latin history, and it shows in her writing. She has elected to translate most Latin terms into modern English (e.g. calling a master 'my lord' rather then 'domine', or using 'doctor' for physician), which may sound a tad weird to those used to Latin terms from similar series. Be aware that while it's not strictly necessary to read the books in order, it certainly helps. Summary I absolutely love this series. I have no idea why it took me so long to get back to it, but I am glad I did. If you've read the previous books, this is a great continuation. If not, go back to book one (Medicus) and start reading today! -- Assaph Mehr , author of Murder In Absentia : A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy. 6 likes Like Comment S.J.A. Turney Author 68 books 443 followers November 22, 2016 The seventh novel in Ruth Downie’s Ruso and Tilla series takes us from Roman Britain (the setting for the majority of the books) for our first glimpse of Hadrianic Rome. Adn what a glimpse it is. If you follow my reviews at all, you’ll be well aware by now of my opinion of this series and Ruth Downie’s awesome talent for storytelling, so you’ll be unsurprised to know that this is one of my highest rated books. Following a former commander from Britain, Ruso brings Tilla and their new baby to Rome, seeking the good old ‘streets paved with gold’, only to find out that they are, in fact, paved with charlatans, criminals, gawpers and cockroaches. Oh, and barrels with bodies sealed inside. Yes, Ruso’s getting himself involved once again, entirely through atrocious luck, with a mystery. He receives an offer he cannot refuse: a ready made medical practice with patients, including a rich patron, and accommodation, all just waiting for him. But entirely apart from the delivery of the body in a barrel, he starts to worry that something is wrong because the former doctor has vanished without trace. Cue once again a truly complex, labyrinthine plot. As Ruso and Tilla battle debt collectors, wicked morticians, medical con-men, angry patrons, credulous neighbours, Christians and so many more, Ruso finds his life spiralling once more out of control, his reputation hanging on knife edge, Tilla trying to hold things together. As with all Ruth’s plots, Vita Brevis is a masterpiece of subtlety and complexity intertwined. As with all her books, character, colour, detail, pace and humour are prime movers. The characters are so well constructed, and we’ve known that since book 1, but the fact is they have have 6 books to grow, and they are now old friends. Well, the main characters are. The supporting ones are new, obviously, but are instantly dislikeable. Oh, some are likeable, but the majority are unpleasant, oily, corrupt Roman city-folk. And colour? Well, you just won’t believe the colour of the Rome Ruth paints until you read it. Detail? Well there are very few writers I have read who have anything close to Downie’s knowledge of her era. She is skilled as an author but also knowledgeable as a historian and archaeologist. I always feel confident with her work that I am experiencing the closest thing to actually being there. Pace is easy. It is almost impossible to put down a Ruth Downie book. They drag you in and then pull you along until you blink in disbelief that you’re at the end. and finally, humour. Well, there is so little light-hearted or humorous material to be found in the genre, that to see the ongoing quirky humour of Ruso and Tilla is always a heartwarming thing. Gods, but Vita Brevis (Life is Short) is the latest in the series. This is the first time I’ve finished a Ruso book without there being another one waiting to be read. Come on Ruth. Maybe we can somehow push the calendar forward a year? In short: buy this book. Read this book. 6 likes Like Comment MB (What she read) 2,393 reviews 14 followers August 2, 2016 8/2/16 3.5 stars I enjoyed the reading experience--I love this series-- but found myself bothered by how craven and powerless Ruso was throughout this book. Even Tila's spark was dimmed (somewhat and to a lesser degree). I found the mystery itself confusing. (The stakes seemed way too high for what seemed to be an incredibly minor slip.) I liked the additions to the Ruso household and am glad that they left Rome. I really hope they make it back to Britain or elsewhere where they can blossom and be less downtrodden. I thought Metellus' character seemed very oddly subdued in comparison to his previous appearances...yes, I assume there's another plot building...but, still. I also think the reading experience may have been dampened by the fact that most of the action and drama occurs off the page. What readers get is only the repercussions on Ruso and Tila. Other than two dramatic scenes, everything driving this story happened before, or away from, the main characters. Maybe that made the difference? Still, I'm longing for the next installment. I do enjoy Ruso and Tila! historical-fiction mysteries read-in-2016 ...more 5 likes Like Comment Jean 1,756 reviews 766 followers October 19, 2016 This is book seven of the series. In this story Gaius Petreius Ruso, his wife Tila and baby daughter Mara, have arrived in Rome from Britain. Former Tribune Accius has offered Ruso the home and medical practice of a Doctor Kleitos. Kleitos has vanished. Horiatis Balbo, a patron of Kleitos’s is convinced someone is trying to poison him and only Kleitos’s mysterious medial prescription will protect him. Balbo suddenly dies. Ruso and Tila are trying to solve the mystery of Kleitos and Balbo. The book is well written and the move to Rome adds a new excitement to the story. Downie, as always, provides a realistic view of ancient Rome and provides historical insight to the story. The characters feel real, the plot is complex and the suspense builds throughout the story. As with all Downie books there is a subtle dry humor which I enjoy. I am always amazed at the detail of Roman life that Downie works into her story. The squalid conditions and corruption that was Rome is vividly portrayed by Downie. Simon Vance does an excellent job narrating the story. Vance is a British actor and award winning audiobook narrator. audio-book fiction historical-fiction ...more 4 likes Like Comment Mary Heron 884 reviews 13 followers May 20, 2023 Tilla in Rome trying to be a good Roman Wife. God help Ruso. Ruso has travelled to.Rome with Accius his Tribune from the twentieth legion. It seemed a good idea when in Brittania but now he is actually here Rome is not at all what he exoected. It's crowded, dirty, everything costs too much and nobody is friendly........in fact the locals are downright nasty. Tilla hates it, she's trying not to complain of make a fuss but she's not sleeping and she's losing weight (not that she had any to lose) but worst of all after persuading him to travel with him here Accius seems to not know what to do with Ruso now. But fortune smiles on the small family for once and Ruso is offered the chance to stand in for a doctor and run his medical practice while he's been called away, the job even comes with housing. But as ever with Ruso with the good comes the bad, there was a barrel blocking the way into the premises and when Tilla takes a blade to it she finds a body inside. Everyone around denies any knowledge of where the barrel and the body inside may have come from but word quickly spreads and the locals blame Ruso and Tilla for bringing bad luck to the neighbourhood. That's not the worst of it though Ruso's patron (a wealthy landlord) and only client died in mysterious circumstances and Accius, who is in love with the man's daughter wants Ruso to do what he is so good at and investigate the death................. 4 likes Like Comment John 2,063 reviews 196 followers January 27, 2018 Ruso and Tilla finally get to see the great City for themselves, and couldn't wait to leave fairly early on it seemed. Terrific parallels given with modern day places such as London or New York: crowded, noisy, no one knows their neighbor, etc. The mystery angle was well done as I had no idea of the bad guys until the revelations near the end. Here, I felt Tilla came off better as more independent than just a cardboard British figure. As usual, these stories are funny without resorting to dopey slapstick. Simon Vance's narration really adds quite a lot to the dimension of the tales. audiobook library_books mystery 3 likes Like Comment Eden 1,987 reviews April 30, 2020 2020 bk 151 I so enjoy Tilla and Russo's quests to work out their marriage (and now parenthood) while at the same time being involved in some of the more puzzling mysteries. When a Roman businessman is murdered (after using some of Russo's salve), he is called upon to find out 'who dunnit' and he does, but not without some damage to his own body and general disillusionment with life in Rome. Excellent read. mystery-and-suspense time-ancient-empires-and-kingdoms 3 likes Like Comment Natalie aka Tannat 671 reviews 7 followers March 7, 2021 3.5 stars ebook fiction historical-fiction ...more 2 likes Like Comment Steven Kuehn Author 6 books 27 followers June 15, 2016 In VITA BREVIS, Gaius Ruso and Tilla (and baby Mara, of course) have left Britannia for Rome, where Ruso has been promised a respectable and potentially lucrative medical practice. The excitement of a new life in the heart of the Roman Empire, however, is tempered soon after their arrival. The grandeur of the city fades as Ruso and Tilla encounter a mix of unfriendly neighbors, squalid living conditions, corrupt officials, debt collectors, some disreputable doctors, and additional troubles as they try to set up housekeeping. As if that were not enough, Ruso receives an ominous note from the doctor he has replaced, warning him to be careful who he trusts, which takes on even greater significance when a dead body in a barrel is left on their doorstep! Once again, Ruso and Tilla are drawn into an overlapping series of crimes that challenge them both. This is the seventh novel in the Medicus series, and author Ruth Downie continues to impress. The strength of her Roman Empire crime novels lies in the complex and lively interactions between Ruso and Tilla, and between them and the surrounding characters. The interplay between Ruso and Tilla is filled with conflict, love, humor, and more than a bit of exasperation on both sides; rarely do you find such a realistic couple in the pages of a novel. Downie’s Medicus series has three great strengths: excellent characters and character interactions, detailed historical research that is subtle yet effectively transmitted to the reader, and well-conceived mysteries that entertain and enthrall the reader to the very end. I am particularly impressed by her detailed historical research; the reader is provided with a wonderful sense of place, be it the frontier of Roman Britain or Rome itself, without the awkward narrative descriptions that bog down the plot in some historical fiction. I’ve enjoyed every book in the Medicus series, and found VITA BREVIS to be an excellent addition to this series. Very much looking forward to her next book! In full disclosure, I received an advanced reading copy of VITA BREVIS through Goodreads, but this has in no way effected my review. 2 likes Like Comment Rebecca 3,623 reviews 71 followers July 1, 2016 I won this book in a giveaway, although it then took me a stupidly long time to get to reading it. Downie's Medicus series is one of my favorite in historical mysteries, not just for the Roman setting, but also for the way she makes it feel so real and modern even as it remains recognizably historical. Her characters are people rather than Ancient Roman Beings, and the light, dry humor in the novels makes them easy and fun to read. This volume in particular, which takes place in Rome itself rather than Roman Britain or Gaul, was a little clumsier in its mystery plot than previous entries in the series, but well-written enough that I found that I didn't mind - I just wanted to see what Ruso and Tilla were up to. I am glad that they're leaving the city, however, as it felt like Rome itself was a distraction for the plot and the characters. It is the people of Downie's world who make it. Tilla is one of my favorite characters in any book, and I'm looking forward to what she and Ruso (and now Mara) get up to next. historical-fiction mystery 2 likes Like Comment Mary 768 reviews 19 followers July 13, 2017 Apparently the series is usually set in Roman Britain. This one is a complicated story set in Rome and it doesn't hang together too well. Ruso, his British wife Tilla and their baby Mara are newly arrived in Rome, looking for employment as a doctor. His patron finds him a practice to take over while Dr Kleitos is in the provinces caring for his aged father. But left on the doorstep that morning is a large barrel for Dr Kleitos and it is soon discovered that the barrel contains a corpse. This gives you a good idea of how far fetched the plot is. Not recommended. crime historical-fiction 2 likes Like Comment Kate 1,631 reviews 381 followers January 3, 2018 Thoroughly entertaining and absorbing Roman mystery. Each time I read one of these books I fall ever deeper for Ruso and Tilla. favourites-read-in-2016 out-in-2016-and-read 2 likes Like Comment Italo Italophiles 528 reviews 34 followers July 12, 2016 Ruso, a doctor, and Tilla, a midwife, are the protagonists of this crime series set in Ancient Rome. They are at first glance a mismatched couple, he being a Roman from Gaul (France), she being a Celt from northern Britain, a relatively recent addition to the Roman Empire at the time of the stories. But in this couple's case, appearances are very deceiving. They are perfect together. Rough-edged military doctor Ruso barely manages to hide his weakness: a deep sense of humanity and justice. In the sadistic world of the Ancient Roman Empire, those are not considered assets. His “foreign” wife values his character and shares his burdens in a way a traditional Roman wife would not. In fact, Ruso once had a very traditional Roman wife but she, fed up with his good nature, sought a divorce. To date, this very entertaining series follows the couple's meeting through to their start of their own family. I enjoy the books very much for their quality writing, deep humanity, realistic portrayal of couple and family life, complex protagonists, and the camaraderie of military life portrayed around Ruso. The accurate historical background to the stories is a bonus, since I enjoy historical novels. Being a fan of mystery and crime novels, the central crime plot is entertaining as well. If you have similar interests, you should enjoy the series too. Another aspect I appreciate is that the slavery of Ancient Rome is shown for what it was (and still is): evil. Vita Brevis, book 7 in the series, begins in the empire's capital city, Rome, in our year counting 123 a.d. under the Emperor Hadrian. Ruso and Tilla are out of their native Gaul and Britain, and out of their depths much of the time when the provincials attempt to set up life in the big city. That adds some fun to this book, seeing the two trying to cope with new challenges. They are not city people, especially not in such a harsh city as Rome at that time, which was probably in many ways comparable to India's Mumbai today. Crime and Ruso always find each other, and his well-developed conscience makes him feel compelled to get involved. He fights that feeling because the city of Rome is so full of vice that if he tried to fix it all, he would never have a life! But he is ordered by his patron, the man who vouched for him to come to Rome, to investigate more than one death. Doctoring in that era is always part of the story, since Ruso and Tilla are both medical practitioners, and there is plenty of that in Vita Brevis (Brief Life), too, but it never overshadows the story. Ruso is a fascinating character. He is cursed to be a deeply human and moral man living in a deeply sadistic and amoral society. Tilla's love and presence gives him a reason to carry on. With a child now, the need to make a decent living is a feeling other parents will recognize. The joy of parenthood pared with the enormous weight of responsibility for another human life, besides the lives of their patients, weighs on both Ruso and Tilla. When they make the decision to purchase slaves to help them cope with their hectic life, it is fascinating to see how they quickly understand that in exchange for the labor, they have taken on responsibility for even more lives, the lives of people who have nothing to live for. Reading Vita Brevis felt like catching up with old friends. I got to see how they got on in the Empire's capital. I got to see how they dealt with the stresses of new parenthood and trying to set up life in a new place. I got to see if their humanity and decency remained intact in the face of Rome's great evils. I got to step back in time to see the new, despised Christians living side by side with the Empire's respected pagans. I spent several hours being entertained by a quality novel. The books in the Ruso Medicus Roman Crime Series: 1 - Medicus 2 - Terra Incognita 3 - Persona Non Grata 4 - Caveat Emptor 5 - Semper Fidelis 6 - Tabula Rasa 7 - Vita Brevis The illustrated review is at Italophile Book Reviews. http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot... 1 like Like Comment Amanda 1,424 reviews 33 followers February 21, 2017 There is a verse from a John Gorka song, Always Going Home , that kept running through my mind as I read Vita Brevis . It's like that old expression All roads lead to Rome You see he comes from trouble And he's always going home. Ruso, Tilla, and baby Mara are in Rome, which is nothing like home for either of them. It may be the center of the Empire, but it is large, dangerous, and frightening for people with no cash, no influential contacts, and no idea who they can trust. The naive and unwary can find themselves in all sorts of trouble. Ruso just wants to practice medicine. Tilla just wants a home. What they find is violence and treachery. As usual, our doctor and healer do find some allies, but in the end, they realize that while all roads may lead to Rome, those roads can be travelled in both directions. 1 like Like Comment Mary 767 reviews 16 followers July 20, 2016 "What is that mysterious ticking noise" (Potter puppet pals). "What is that mysterious barrel?" (everyone at the beginning of "Vita Brevis") I love this series! It keeps getting better and better, and the characters are loveable, decent, and also fallible. In this one, our unfortunate army doctor, Gaius Petraeus Ruso, has to live with two mistakes. He has brought his young family to Rome, a great city with a lot of poor housing and very little in the way of secure employment. And, as the story goes on, he's also fearful that he may have poisoned a patient. Both these things contribute to a crisis in morale for our beloved doctor. His feisty young wife, Tilla, tries to snap him out of it while struggling with her own problems. The young family desperately needs money, and she would like help with childcare. Also, the contents of the barrel left on the doctor's doorstep are deeply disturbing. And no one seems to know where the previous doctor has gone, or even if he's still alive- If you've read any of the previous volumes, you will need to read this one. It introduces some very likeable new characters and, as always, it's well-plotted and dryly funny. If you haven't read the earlier volumes, I'd advise you to start with the first, because the evolving relationships between the characters is one of the pleasures of the series. But I can imagine someone new to the series reading this as a stand-alone and enjoying it. Great fun for fans of historical mysteries, and also surprisingly touching and thought-provoking. As I said, I love this series. I hope there will be an eighth book. 1 like Like Comment Larry 245 reviews 4 followers July 30, 2023 Ruth Downie seems to have adopted a comfortable pattern for her Ruso novels. First, there is an opening scene from the POV of a minor character which sets up the central object of the mystery. In this case, it is a body in a barrel. At the end there is a final chapter from the same secondary character's POV. In between the POV alternates between Ruso and Tilla. Ruso is insecure about his relationship to Tilla as husband, and Tilla seems torn between being a good Roman wife, and being herself. Marriage is hard, and they seem to both be approach it with good will to make it work out. Tilla is developing skill in medical matters, particularly as pertain to "women's" matters. Russo relies on her more and more. In the end her strength of will and perseverance turns the tide in the investigation. In a familiar pattern, Ruso comes to the end, has no more clues, and appears to give up. At the last moment, he stumbles onto one additional clue that puts the pieces together and he solves the case, just as he and his household are packing up to go out of town. There is realistic difficulty in communication. Not just between Ruso and Tilla, but between each of them and everyone they talk to, because no one had a deep interest in speaking clearly and openly. It is on the boarder of being irritating, but Downie seems to make it work. I liked it. rome 1 like Like Comment Jamie Collins 1,462 reviews 310 followers August 18, 2016 These books are great fun, and I love Ruso and Tilla. For this latest adventure they have moved to Rome with their adopted baby, where they are horrified by the egregiousness of medical quacks and the apathy of slumlords. The mystery is okay, providing just enough plot to give our characters something to worry about and argue over. The historical setting is great, as usual. They need some slaves to help run their household (Tilla still can’t cook, although she can clatter crockery while singing songs of the glorious victories of her ancestors) and of course Tilla chooses a bedraggled group of Britains, leading Russo to observe that he is living in a house full of barbarians. He’s noticeably fond of his own barbarian, though. ancient-rome historical-mystery 1 like Like Comment Julie 335 reviews 9 followers July 24, 2016 Russo and Tilla have arrived in Rome only to discover that the promised physician's job doesn't exist. When he is asked to cover for a doctor who had to leave town on a family emergency, he jumps at the opportunity. But almost immediately he begins to regret his decision when a body is discovered in a barrel on his new doorstep. mysteries 1 like Like Comment Lisa 537 reviews July 22, 2016 Although I certainly did enjoy the book, this latest addition to the Medicus series - one of my favorite historical mystery series - was a weaker entry than the ones it followed. For me, the main flaw was moving the Gaius Petreius Ruso family from Britannia (123 A.D.) to the great city of Rome itself. I am hoping to see their future adventures....in Britannia! 1 like Like Comment Colin Smith 129 reviews 7 followers July 6, 2016 My spoiler-free review is on my blog: http://www.colindsmith.com/blog/2016/... 1 like Like Comment Baelor 171 reviews 47 followers September 9, 2018 Probably my favorite entry in the Ruso series. Ruso and Tilla finally make their way to Rome, and Downie's illustration of life among the lower classes in the imperial city was fantastic. I especially appreciated her depiction of the complexities and occasional absurdities of the Roman patronage system, the willingness of freedmen to have slaves of their own (which itself reduces to intellectual rubble the all-too-frequent-in-the-modern-era theory that sympathizing with the oppressed or experiencing it oneself is guaranteed to lead one to opposing it), Roman urban Christianity, the frequent thuggery and intimidation in the city, and more. It is easily the most vivid fictional portrayal of life in the city that I have encountered in any medium. The mystery itself was pretty good, and the reappearance of familiar faces like Accius and Metellus manage to tie closely into the story. As usual, the investigation seems almost secondary and few clues are provided throughout the story, but at least most of the plot involves Ruso (and Tilla) actually trying to make progress on the case. The ending and solution, namely that Firmicus, Horatius Balbus' steward, murdered Balbus out of jealousy and building resentment over unfulfilled annual promises of freedom, and employed Balbus' bodyguard Latro as help and subsequently murdered the latter to cover up the crime , occurred a little too quickly for my liking. I suppose I appreciate the fuller explanations in front of the cast of suspects à la Agatha Christie. That aside, this was a great book. 2018 british historical_fiction ...more Like Comment Shannon 943 reviews October 30, 2016 This was a great read! Unlike many series, this one has gotten better since the first one, although "MEDICUS" was enjoyable too. It seems that author, Ruth Downie, is now more confident of both the form of these books as well as the who the characters are. I especially like that they are set in the Rome of about 150 AD. I think they are quite true to this time period, without being overly pedantic. It is doubly interesting to me as I am currently editing Rod Warren's book: "The Praetorian & the Vipers," a story laid just at the time of Christ, about 35 AD. It is amusing to me to realize that while Rod is writing about Romans as though they reflect American culture and speech patterns, Ruth Downie's Rome is clearly British! The book is definitely a mystery, but it encompasses everyday Roman life as it might have been lived. She strikes just the right note of modernity laced with plenty of antique atmosphere. I happen to know from my editing trials that this is NOT an easy trick! (although, there are some words and usages in "Vita Brevis" I would run a red pencil through!) I did finally see the murderer through the maze of red herrings, but I was unsure for quite a way through the book because the solution relied on the oldest cliche in the detective novel! Her plot, however, made the device seem fresh and logical. Bring on more of self-deprecating Gaius Ruso, doctor to the legions! Like Comment Marlowe 927 reviews 20 followers October 20, 2017 Ruso and Tilla head to Rome, their new baby in tow. I like that Downie changes up the scenery every now and then. Britain is great, but it was nice to see Gaul in Persona Non Grata , and it's lovely to see Rome here. And while Downie doesn't exactly do vivid detail, the city certainly managed to come across satisfyingly noisy, dirty, and smelly. As usual, the mystery is something of an afterthought. The main attraction is Tilla and Ruso, and now their expanded household. Adding Mara and the two slaves creates a whole new dynamic - not to mention nearly tripling the number of people Ruso has to support... somehow. Narina has a lot of potential as a character, particularly with her tribal background. In Rome, Tilla seemed willing to ignore the traditional dislike between their tribes because Narina was, at least, from Britain. By the end of the book, the two women seem to have formed something of a friendship as they co-parent and face the dangers of Rome together. But I imagine that going back to Britain will highlight their tribal differences, and perhaps put a strain on their relationship. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out. The series is still going strong, and I can already see the threads of many new interesting plotlines starting, so I don't see me losing interest any time soon. 0owned history mystery Like Comment Helen 995 reviews 12 followers May 29, 2017 I don't know about "amazing" but it was better than the usual "really liked". MS Downie allows her military doctor to drift through life with a rather slowly operating analytical sense which would be dangerous if it operated at that speed in medical matters. In this story, which appears to take only a week, it nearly does. Ruso has come to Rome with Tilla his wife and their adopted daughter and takes on a job as locum for a doctor who has vanished. Things become very confused as a patient dies going home from a dinner, Ruso fears his own compounding skills are inadequate, poison is suspected, housing projects run rampant and tenants complain about insects, slow repairs, and rent increases. It all sounds very familiar except for the presence of all those slaves. Apparently there is a book called "The Roman Guide to Slave Management (also published as How to Manage Your Slaves) by Marcus Sidonius Falx with the modern assistance of Jerry Toner. Tilla gives a Roman lady a quick background in life tragedies and she and Ruso sell their most valuable possessions: their wedding china and Ruso's military kit. What will he do if he ever decides to go back to the Legions? Very fond of this series. fiction historical-fiction historical-mystery Like Comment Lisa Author 3 books 57 followers February 3, 2021 Another entertaining mystery featuring legionary medicus Ruso and his independent, British-born wife, Tilla. In this installment, Ruso and Tilla find themselves in the big, bewildering city of Rome, a place neither of them belongs. Their unfamiliarity with the city gave it a unique angle, because neither of them was used to how things work there. Also, the dual POV's allowed the author to show how each character thought about the other, which added another layer of tension and interest. The mystery was satisfying. I'm not a big fan of I-had-a-dream-and-it-was-suddenly-all-clear, but Ruso's poppy-induced dreams added a touch of humor and so they worked. I also enjoyed Tilla's interaction with the slaves they purchase. She had been a slave herself, so being the mistress of slaves is something she has to figure out, and the author did a good job of showing that. And when all else fails, mention baby Mara and all the world rights itself again. Ruso's self-doubt sometimes gets a tad annoying, but that is just who he is. The portrayal of the Christian neighbors felt pretty realistic, seen from the dubious and concerned POV of Ruso, who is ever aware of the hazards of associating with illegal religious groups. ancient-rome mystery Like Comment Katherine 690 reviews 30 followers April 24, 2018 One of my favorite series--a Doctor of the Roman legions who served in Britannica and married a former slave. This is the 7th installment. Ruso, the doctor always seems to get himself involved in some mysterious situation, missing people, unexplained deaths etc. Interspersed with his patients are his superiors, who always seem to find fault with him, the natives, who are sometimes suspicious of him and his wife, Tilla, who with her barbarian ways either embarrasses him or gets him into further trouble. In this installment, they have moved to Rome. Tilla, like most country folk relocated to a big city is a fish out of water and unhappy. Ruso, who thought his former superior in Britannica, who urged him to come to Rome, intended to find him a position, is frustrated at the seemingly uninterested man and his efforts. As usual, after much confusion and false leads all is resolved and Tilla and Ruso with their adopted toddler make plans to move on. While the book is interesting and fun, and can certainly be read as a stand alone, it really is much more interesting if the reader starts the series at the beginning with the first book. reviewed Like Comment Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews More reviews and ratings Join the discussion 1 quote Start a discussion Ask a question Can't find what you're looking for? Get help and learn more about the design. Help center Company About us Careers Terms Privacy Interest Based Ads Ad Preferences Help Work With Us Authors Advertise Authors & ads blog API Connect © 2024 Goodreads, Inc.

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Rough & Ready (Notorious Devils #5) by Hayley Faiman | Goodreads Jump to ratings and reviews Want to read Shop this series Rate this book Notorious Devils MC #5 Rough & Ready Hayley Faiman 4.19 1,215 ratings 142 reviews Want to read Shop this series Rate this book Cleo Hill is a married woman, in love with a man she's never really known—her husband, whom she hasn't seen in eleven years. Paxton "Torch" Hill is a Notorious Devil, a man who's been wrestling with his personal demons since before he knew the horrors of war. When a threat against his club means danger could be lurking around his estranged wife's door, Paxton is determined to protect her. Yet, one look at the woman he left behind, and he knows his plans are about to change. The past is not an easy thing to forget, especially not for a woman scorned. While Cleo isn't the innocent catch he once knew, there's something about that rough and ready man she's not sure she can deny. After all—they promised each other forever. *Recommended for readers 18+ due to Language, Sexual Content, and Violence Genres Romance Suspense Crime Military Fiction Erotica Motorcycle Marriage ...more 394 pages, Kindle Edition Published June 16, 2017 Book details & editions Loading interface... Loading interface... About the author Hayley Faiman 106 books 1,690 followers Hayley Faiman was born and raised in the Central Valley in California. She and her husband met when they were still in High School. They were married a few years later. They lived in Oregon while her husband was in the US Coast Guard. After living in Hill Country, Texas for eight years they have made the big move to East Texas. They spend their time with their two teenage sons at all their events, screaming from the stands, as they swim their hearts out! Visit my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AuthorHayleyFaiman Visit me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorhayleyf... Visit my website: http://hayleyfaiman.com Sign up for my Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e6bf... Professional Inquiries: I am represented by SBR Media. For inquiries regarding foreign rights, audio, and other media outlets, please contact Laura Pink with SBR Media at - laura@sbrmedia.com Ratings & Reviews What do you think? Rate this book Write a Review Friends & Following Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book! Community Reviews 4.19 1,215 ratings 142 reviews 5 stars 554 (45%) 4 stars 410 (33%) 3 stars 194 (15%) 2 stars 36 (2%) 1 star 21 (1%) Search review text Filters Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews Jamie 878 reviews 175 followers July 6, 2017 I don't think I've ever read a book with a more disgusting hero. Literally makes me want to break something. Good thing he's not a real man because some poor girl would have to put up with his disgusting mess. disgusting-hero weak-heroine 16 likes Like Comment Hayley Faiman Author 106 books 1,690 followers Read August 3, 2017 10 likes Like Comment Sabrina 3,666 reviews 2,303 followers February 15, 2021 Get it here: Amazon US * Amazon UK yummy-bikers 9 likes Like Comment Joelle 1,636 reviews 17 followers October 3, 2023 Rough and Ready Let's start off by saying that we loved our first story by this author. For some time I have had her books on my Kindle and I can't wait to read more of this series as I know I am really going to love them. This story had an interesting plot as well as having great characters and I have to say I loved them all. I try to always pick a favorite character in the story that I am reading and mine is going to be Cleo, I Chose Cleo as she was truly innocent even after the knocks life gave her. She was sweet and kind as well as generous and the type of girl who once gave her heart it's for a lifetime. I loved the strong and independent person she had become. Paxton was her husband who left her many years ago without even a glance backward. Now several years later he has turned up in her life stirring up all hurts and sorrows. Paxton reached out to her as he seems to think her life is in danger and now wants to play the protective husband. He left her without a by-you leave so why bother now? The MC has made enemies of the Cartel and things are heating up and they are going after the women and children to settle the score. How do you protect a woman who wants nothing to do with you? Paxton is up to the challenge as he realizes he has never stopped loving his beautiful wife and plans to make her his all over again. I have to say I loved Paxton even after he deserted his wife but as the story progressed I wondered who proved to be the greater threat to Cleo's safety himself or the Cartel. This story was a bit of an emotional journey for this couple who were learning about forgiveness, trust, love, and second chances. Cleo was my favorite character but Paxton got under my skin and I could not help but love him too. Paxton turned out to be a really complex character and we understand why he was that way as the story progressed. One of the things I loved about him as he always owned up to the mistakes he made when It came to Cleo's past and present. He never made excuses other than having regrets and how he should have gotten treatment sooner. This was a powerful love story that stood the test of time. I loved the chemistry this couple had as it burned even brighter than it had years before. I loved being on this couple's journey of rediscovering one another but I have to say that I worried more than once that Cleo was not going to be able to handle the life that comes with being with a man like Paxton. We were rooting for them both hoping after everything that was said and done there would be a happily ever after for these two. They truly belonged together. A great read that had tons of surprises and a cast of interesting characters that kept you turning the page until the story was done. I'm so looking forward to getting to know even more of these bad-boy MC members. 5 stars from us 2019 bad-boy-romance books-read-for-2019 ...more 6 likes Like Comment Nerdy Dirty & Flirty 3,985 reviews 350 followers July 4, 2017 Everytime I finish a book in Hayley Faiman's Notorious Devils series I immediately decide it is my favorite, and Rough and Ready is no different! I have never been a big fan of second chance novels because there is always so much pain for the one left behind and I can never understand why someone had to leave. But with Cleo and Pax, I can understand why a damaged Pax made the decision he felt he had to. They were too young and too new to weather the storms that laid ahead for them. But what bugged me is he had so much love for Cleo he never checked on her? And after 11 years he comes back because of a threat to the Notorious Devils? Pax might have been damaged all those years ago but his leaving broke Cleo where she couldn't move on emotionally. Pax made me question the stupidity of men everywhere because of his actions once Cleo was back in his life. But what saved this book and my opinion of Pax was his actions when he finally got his act together. He righted the wrong with Cleo that put this shattered woman's self esteem back together. He definitely freed her sexuality and made this shy innocent bolder! No complaints with Pax's take charge bedroom behavior. This is an amazing series and I am loving each book even if I can't decide on a favorite! 6 likes Like Comment Tammi 1,967 reviews 31 followers June 23, 2017 This was a great second chance story. We first learned of Paxton /Torch's situation in the last book. I  just new it was going to be a good one and it was. I went back and forth on wanting this couple together so many times it was almost frustrating. Most times I wanted Cleo to leave him and never look back he was such an a##hole. God love her she never got over their young love even though he broke her. She couldn't move on and he had horrific demons that he wanted to shield her from so he stayed away. When he finally came back for her, she had to stay he was honestly protecting her from real danger. When he finally got his head right and realized how he felt it turned into the type of story I love a badboy changed by love. Funny thing is he loved her all along he just had to accept it. They fought through all there personal issues to be happy and live a life together. I loved watching, I loved watching him fall, loved watching his walls come down and accept her love! They worked it out only to have those original dangers rear their ugly head making for some intense final chapters. The next one looks to be a very interesting story!! Can't wait! I am loving each Notorious Devil I meet. 5 likes Like Comment Terri Moore 405 reviews 9 followers August 5, 2020 The h has no backbone and is the typical asshole H that is the norm in this series. The h knows nothing about the life and was understandably upset when she learns about the “whores”. She attempts to talk about it with the H but he keeps dismissing her concerns. Remember, she hasn’t seen him in over a decade and knows nothing about the life. Then he says this: “Is your self-esteem that fucking low that you think I’m going to run right over to them? Is it so low that you can’t see the way I look at you? So low that you can’t understand why I would want to build a life with you again, pick up where I stupidly left off? Christ, Cleo. You aren’t eighteen anymore. You’re a fucking thirty-year-old woman. If I wanted a self-conscious eighteen-year-old, I could have one. Fuck, I could have ten. Figure out what the fuck you want and do it fast,” That’s some grade A manipulation right there. Noped out at that point. And oh yeah, he calls her sweetheart 162 times in this book. 4 likes Like Comment Flavs is Mrs David Gandy♥~♥’ 3,150 reviews 2 followers June 21, 2017 I Voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book Seriously what's not to like Everything you would from beginning to end. Frustrating biker, but also you can't help but want to slap and love him And Cleo, brave women! Completely had a crappy situation but she picked herself up and did what she had to, and she didn't let anyone walk all over her. A awesome second chance love story that you will not want to put down alpha-male arc bikers 3 likes Like Comment Cheryl 1,656 reviews 48 followers December 27, 2020 Danger Paxton or Torch is his road name. I actually didn't like him in the beginning. He comes back on leave from the service practically rapes his wife and than he leaves for almost 11 years. Paxton decides he needs to find her to protect her from the cartel. By the way that is not the only Danger though. She goes through some stuff. They have a traitor in their club. In the end he gets better however his excuse to bail instead of talking in all those years was not an excuse. He should have traveled A LOT! 3 likes Like Comment Tiffany Readz 1,943 reviews 49 followers June 8, 2017 I. Am. Torn. And I want to cause slight pain to Hayley Faiman for creating such a frustrating character. From one chapter to the next I didn't know if I loved or hated this guy. Honestly, this entire series has been hit or miss for me, mostly hit, but sometimes I'm not sure about these bikers proclivities. Now with Torch/Paxton, it was the most difficult decision by far. We've met Torch over the years and knew there was something amiss about him. We knew he was ex-military and carried a pretty big chip on his shoulder from his past. He is a loyal brother to the club and helps keep an eye on the Old Ladies. The only lady he hasn't been taking care of is his own. "Those demons aren't simply feelings, Torch. They're living, breathing things. If you're not careful, they will grow inside of you and kill the remainder of the man you once were." Wise words. Ones that sooner or later Torch needs to abide by. He's gone eleven long years without the love of his life. He's a bitter man. A man that doesn't think he's good enough for her anymore. At twenty and eighteen, thier love was all he needed, once he came back, he was afraid of himself around her. "Paxton Hill is going to obliterate me." Cleo stands no chance against the bossy, yet charming Paxton "Torch" Hill. She's loved him since she was eighteen and the eleven years past hasn't done much change that fact. No matter how much she tries to convince herself that he isn't what she needs in her life, she falls right back in. Okay, so round and round we go with these two. Like the hypocritical brothers, Pax can't handle that Celo tried to move on from him with others, even though he's been with all kinds of dirty club whores. That is the one thing the really bothers me in these books, the double standard of these bikers. Annoying. Cleo tries to hold strong, but eventually gives in. Similar to the previous relationships, learning the life of the MC isn't easy and poor Cleo is thrown head first into the crap pile. No matter how many times Torch says he's going to protect her, we all know how it's going to end. The book is well written and these two solve most of thier problems with some steamy sex. Another thing that didn't thrill me about Pax, the way he went about "things". To each his own I suppose. Either way, this was an awesome addition to the series and we delved a bit further with the whole cartel mess and of course other stuff. Bring on the next one! Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog. annoying-but-i-keep-reading mc-romance series-romance ...more 2 likes Like Comment Tammy Cole 368 reviews 11 followers June 18, 2017 This is by far my favorite in this series! I was instantly hooked from the very beginning. I can't even describe accurately enough how much I loved Cleo. This is a woman who doesn't have any family and her husband, the one she waited for to return from war, breaks her completely. She picks herself up and makes a life for herself. Torch has been traumatized by his past and what he's lived through. It's been over a decade but he's never forgotten his wife. When these two are together the chemistry is still there. What I freaking loved about Cleo is that she wasn't going to be walked all over. She was strong and knew what she needed to do. This was one of the best second chance love story I've ever read. I honestly couldn't stop reading this. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!! 2 likes Like Comment Michelle Claypot_Reads 2,333 reviews 61 followers May 11, 2020 Loved this second chance NC Romance. It’s witty and hot with a complicated story that had me hooked. 2 likes Like Comment Elizabeth Horbaczek 765 reviews 6 followers June 24, 2017 he author is looking for an honest review. 3 stars I love an angsty type of book. One that the man think he is doing right by his woman and leaves, but then realizes he is a stupid man. That is what you get in this book, well sort of. Pax was the love of Cleo's life. She only had a few months with him before he was deployed, but those months meant everything to her. What happens at the beginning makes me sad, mad, sad and even madder at Pax, throughout this book. Eleven years goes by and now he is back in her life because she is in danger. Here's the thing, he is just a jerk and I couldn't get past it. I know that is on me and that is what made the book just a good read for me. I don't want to get into to many specifics of the book, but I need to break some things down. Cleo is this naive girl at eighteen, but the thing is, she never grew out of that. She is thirty and she seems to have the mentality as when she was a teenager. It weighed on me a lot, not because of the things she did, but when Pax came back into her life, she just basically let him. Yeah you got a little bit of a struggle, but not one that was worth even commenting about. Pax, well all I have to say is that I hated him at the beginning, and it didn't get much better throughout the book. I didn't like the mood swings, how at times he treated Cleo and how he was always just leaving her unattended, even thought there was a threat. He kept on saying the same things through the book and it just became repetitious at times. I did love Cleo's best friend, he was just awesome during the book. There is a great story here, don't get me wrong. I loved the layout, what was going on and how it affected everyone in the book, its just the characters were just some that I couldn't connect to this time. The drama that unfolds in this book is intense at times, and there is a surprise, that I didn't even see coming in who is involved in everything, but at the end of the day, it just wasn't one of my favorites. I love reading new authors and this no different. Her style of writing is intense at times, and I would like to read another one of her books. 2 likes Like Comment Jaymie 673 reviews 11 followers June 23, 2017 3.5 Stars! (5 Stars for the writing) So here we go again. My first book in this series was Rough and Ruthless (book 4) and I was really torn by it because the H pissed me off quite a bit. Still, I enjoyed it and the writing was very well done so I just brushed my agitation for the H aside and went with it, giving it 4 Stars. However, with Rough and Ready I can't do that. I'm sorry, Ms. Faiman, but I'm throwing in the towel. Your brand of Bikers are not for me. My rating of 3.5 stars is purely based on the writing because I will never say that Hailey Faiman can't write. Nope, she's incredibly talented at storytelling and capturing the essence of her characters. For that alone, she definitely gets 5 Stars from me. But where I couldn't climb on board is the characters. I don't expect to fall madly in love with every character I read about, I know Bikers can be grade A jerks. However, Torch/Paxton pretty much takes the cake for me. I can not stand him. I may have wanted to throat punch Max in the previous book but I wanted to hammer fist Torch in the throat then Axe-kick him two or three times for good measure. He disgusted me from page 1 and while some may think he redeemed himself a little, I say "too little too late, buddy boy". He needed a blow-up doll, not a wife. Cleo could have been lovable to me if it weren't for the one humongous flaw she had, giving into Torch. Sorry, honey, but I don't understand the attraction. You can do better and frankly, deserve better. Unfortunately, this seems to be a trend in this series. The men are a-holes and the women put up with them. So, overall, do I recommend Rough and Ready? No! Having said that, if you're a fan of this series, you probably won't be surprised by Torch and might love the story. Who am I to say you won't. For those who haven't read this particular series yet, be prepared and don't say I didn't warn you. ***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*** arc bayoubookjunkie bikers-and-mc-s 2 likes Like Comment Brianna at Renee Entress's Blog 3,816 reviews 116 followers June 21, 2017 5 Stars! When I pick up a Hayley Faiman book, I've come to expect a few things.... insane heat, crazy angst, loads of drama, page gripping suspense, damaged characters, and irresistible heroes that make you want to slap then ravage them. So far her gritty and raw Notorious Devils MC series has lived up to each and every one of those expectations. But this book.... totally surpassed them and some... giving me the best of this series to date! Rough and Ready was an incredible book in the most twisted ways. Ugly. Dirty. Steamy. Intense. Passionate. Heart-pounding. Yet completely beautifully in the most broken ways. Paxton "Torch" and Cleo's story was perfectly executed in a way that is indescribable quite honestly but was just.... everything. Their love story never truly stopped... just paused. I know what I'm getting into with this author each and every time but like a drug she has me addicted to what will come next. Sure this isn't my usual cuppa tea and she always pushes my boundaries.... making me cross lines that leave me squirmy yet glued to those pages.... I never regret the journey once it is over. If you life suspense, angst, drama, and loads of heat then give Hayley a try.... you definitely won't regret it. I highly recommend this book and series. Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog 2 likes Like Comment Renee Entress 5,285 reviews 75 followers June 21, 2017 5 star I was pulled right into this story. This story contains heartbreak, pain, secrets, danger, and suspense. If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first Rough and Rowdy (Notorious Devils MC, #1) Rough and Raw (Notorious Devils MC, #2) Rough and Rugged (Notorious Devils MC #3) Rough and Ruthless (Notorious Devils MC #4) This is Cleo and Torch‘s story. Cleo is in love with her husband who she has not seen in eleven years. Torch has not seen his wife but when danger threatens her he knows he is going to protect her. But one look and he knows protecting her is not going to be enough. He needs to have her as his for now and the future. But does she want him? Can he make her see that even without the danger he wants her? Can he get her to believe that this time he is going to keep her forever? Or has she already moved on? I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next story from this author. arc mc-book read-2017 ...more 2 likes Like Comment Judy 1,064 reviews July 24, 2017 DNF at 24%...Just too many inconsistencies and questions. First he didn't know she was pregnant, then he knew she was pregnant when she ran. So many confusing points that had me questioning WTH was going on. dnf kindle-unlimited 2 likes Like Comment Mandie Foxylutely 948 reviews 96 followers June 23, 2017 This is the fifth book in the Notorious Devils MC series and is Torch and Cleo's story. Paxton and Cleo were married young before Paxton takes off to do his first tour of duty. When he returns he is a different person and is no longer the loving boy she fell in love with, but a man with haunted eyes. After a night of alien behaviour from Paxton, Cleo wakes up alone and confused. When Paxton doesn't return she tries to move forward with her life without her husband but he has always been there in the background of her heart and mind. Fast forward eleven years and Paxton is back and again he is totally different to the man she remembers. His hulking body, his broody eyes and a leather cut omits a persona of a man not to be messed with. Even more surprising he says he is back to protect her and wont take no for an answer. Paxton is a man with many dark demons which started even before his many tours of war which have only added to the many burdens he carries on his shoulders. One of his biggest regrets is shutting Cleo out and taking off so she no longer had to deal with his darkness. Now a brother with the Notorious Devils, The Cartel are closing in and the biggest threat they have is to target the families and wives of the MC. Still married on paper at least, Paxton, road name Torch, knows they can easily link him to Cleo and hunt her down so he makes the decision to do that first and make her safe and more importantly make her his again. This was a decent second chance MC romance which started off good with the young newly weds being branded by war. However one thing that didn't change was Cleo's doormat behaviour which you could expect from an nineteen year old but now thirty I would have expected her to have some backbone. This eventually does transpire but it was frustrating in the beginning with how she easily falls in with her estranged husband with no recriminations of his past behaviour and desertion. I haven't read all of this series but it was easy to pick up on the other characters and their involvement to date. For those who have not read any of this series it would be easy to read as a standalone anyway as Torch is a new transfer to the MC from another chapter. Overall I did enjoy this MC read which although not as dark and gritty as I like, it did give a realistic portrayal and was not a sweet and innocent storyline. Much better than the first book I read in this series and I did eventually fall for the pair. Lots of hot sex and some brooding drama for added tension. Four stars. * ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review alpha-kick-ass-mofos arc mc ...more 1 like Like Comment Michelle Austin 2,751 reviews 41 followers June 17, 2017 http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab... Rough and Ready was a great 5 star read. We get pulled in right from the beginning and my heart just broke for Cleo and what she went through. She wanted to be there for her husband so bad, she loved him. Paxton ends up leaving Cleo. He did something unspeakable to you, and then he left you high and dry. He’s not worthy of you. We jump ahead about 11 years, Paxton (Torch) is now a brother of the Notorious Devils MC and their families are in danger. Concerned for Cleos safety Paxton has to find her before it’s too late. Cleo has tried to move on but she can’t get Paxton out of her heart or mind. Plus she was used by her boss who is now being a jerk to her. She fears for her safety but yet doesn’t want to quit. She had really great support from Lisandro and Theo. When Paxton shows up on her doorstep she is shocked but yet the connection between them is undeniable. Paxton is angry with where Cleo is living, it’s not a safe neighborhood. Something happens that causes Cleo to run, Theo and Lis help her and stage her apartment. When Paxton returns to see the place abandoned he is determined to find her. Paxton of course finds Cleo and takes her to the club house with him. Lets just say this poor girl had quite the shock when she walked in. Cleo ends up giving in to Paxton and I have the say the scenes these two had were hot, steamy and panty melting. Oh my Paxton knows what he’s doing. There is so much more to this great read. Several ups and downs, twists and shockers. We do get a HEA but it wasn’t an easy road. The secondary characters were great. Once I started I couldn’t put it down. Rough and Ready is book 5 of the “Notorious Devils MC” series, it can be read as a stand alone. I highly suggest that you 1-click and get started today. This is a great series and I definitely look forward to “Rough & Rich”. Thank you Hayley for another great read, Notorious Devils MC: #1:Rough and Rowdy, #2: Rough and Raw, #3:Rough and Rugged, #4: Rough and Ruthless, #5 Rough and Ready, coming soon #6 Rough and Rich. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club author-arcs 1 like Like Comment Tanya Santiago 119 reviews 1 follower June 21, 2017 ***4 Stars!*** This was really a good read and just the way an MC book should be! It was my first read from this author and she did not disappoint! Cleo and Paxton “Torch” Hill were married young before Torch went into the service. When Torch returns, he is a changed man with demons that are too much to endure. Torch hurts Cleo in the worst possible way and ends up leaving her as if she never existed. Fast forward to 11 years later, Cleo is living her life, but not really. She is a shell of a woman and still heartbroken. She has made two great friends Lisandro and Theo who will do anything for her and I loved the friendship that these three had. Torch is a member of the Notorious Devils MC and when trouble comes knocking at their door, he realizes that Cleo may be in danger and decides to heal old wounds and protect Cleo at the same time. Torch realizes that Cleo is not the gullible teenager she was back then and also realizes that he left a good woman behind instead of dealing with his demons together with Cleo as a couple should. With trouble knocking and Cleo’s reluctance to give Torch another chance, Torch makes it his mission to make Cleo his once and for all whether she likes it or not. But will Cleo accept the biker life Torch is offering or will she be stuck in the past always thinking that he will leave her again the way he did so many years ago?? This was really good read and I didn’t realize it was the 5th in the series, but this can be read as a standalone. I’m really looking forward to Genny and Sloane’s story which I know will be just as good this one! ARC given in exchange for an honest review. For more reviews by Philly Book Blog, please visit: http://phillybookblog.blogspot.com arcs-reviewed read-for-honest-review 1 like Like Comment Avidez Literaria 534 reviews 26 followers January 21, 2020 Cleo did not have the love of her parents and after her grandmother's death she met Paxton Hill, who some time later will be her husband. He's everything to her. But war can change everything. In just one night, she will be hurt, learn to forgive and try to open her heart to a fresh start. Only to be abandoned again. And eleven years later, she will discover the fine and fragile line that exists between anger and love is about to break, with the return of her husband. Paxton Hill is a man haunted by the ghosts of the past and the horrors of war. Today known as Torch, he has a secret that his brothers from Notorious Devils MC do not know: he is married and eleven years ago he abandoned the only woman who made him know what it was to love and be loved. And when the enemies of the motorcycle club can threaten his wife's life, he is forced to protect her. But keeping her safe may not be the only problem, when Torch rediscovers that his love for her has never ceased to exist, the desire to win her heart will be uncontrollable. However, regaining her confidence can be more difficult than it looks. Two lives marked and hurt in different ways. The story of the protagonists is intense and revolves around trust, abandonment and self-love. Poor decisions and the consequences of the choices they have made will also be a crucial point in the narrative. There will be many mishaps on the way to Cleo and Paxton's happiness. They will have to prove that, this time, they are strong and ready to face any adversity that appears. An intense story about forgiveness and second chances, filled with suspense, uncertainty, romance and also many dangers. A great book for MC Romance lovers. 1 like Like Comment Kali McQuillen 1,802 reviews 38 followers June 16, 2017 This author can write MC and Bratva to where you want to read every book!! I'm picky when it comes it to these genres but this woman gets it right for me every time. Torch - a man who fell in love with Chloe before he left to go overseas to fight for his country. When he came back, he was a different man. He did what he thought was best for Chloe but he broke her heart. Chloe is a strong independent woman now. She may not be rich in money but she is with friends. When she see's Torch again, she remembers how it used to be and she's still in love with him. I do like that she's not a real pushover and will fight for her independence. She's going to make Torch fight for them and not just fall in line with what he wants. Will he be able to open up to her about why he left and stayed away, will she be able to forgive and give them a second chance? 2017-arc 2017-read mc 1 like Like Comment Helen Oakes 252 reviews 32 followers July 11, 2018 I think this one is my favourite story in the series so far. I loved Torch having to prove to his wife that he disappeared on ten years ago that he’s changed and wants her back. He was still a brute like the rest of the guys but it was nice to see one of them realise they were the problem. I also loved the added bonus of one of the minor characters in this novel bonus chapters at the end so we knew what happened to them - great touch! kindle-unlimited 1 like Like Comment Amanda Adams 484 reviews 65 followers June 24, 2019 Not my favorite Not my favorite but I’ve read lots worse. I didn’t like Pax’s ways I was so worried once things got tough he was gonna run to the club whores again. There was a lot more suspense in this one compared to the others. But all in all Cleo tamed him. And helped him fight his demons. mc-motorcycle-club 1 like Like Comment Teresa Lara 3,149 reviews 48 followers April 8, 2018 loving Pax and Clees amazing emotional 2nd chance.Love this series. 1 like Like Comment Irene Kiew 562 reviews 58 followers June 1, 2023 She forgives him way too fast. He didn't contact her at all during the three years he was in prison, he left her to struggle on her own without his protection nor the help of the club, but the moment he kisses her, her body's melting and literally two seconds later they're having sex. Horrible case of Betraying Body Syndrome. She never made him grovel nor prove himself to her. Should have held off on the sex until he did something to prove that he cared. Should have held her ground about keeping her job and her independence until he did something to ensure she would have a financial safety net for any future calamity. If he could afford to pay cash for a Camaro, he could have put money into a trust for their son or have the house switched over to her name so she never needed to worry about being homeless again -- something like that. I really didn't like him. He was right that he fucked up and failed her in every way. Though he said he was sorry, he never did anything to make it up to her other than buy her a Camaro to replace the one that she had to sell off when he went into prison. It's such bullsh*t. He refused to let her continue working in the strip club, making her completely financially dependent on him and thus vulnerable should anything happen to him again. She wasn't even a dancer, she was a waitress! But he gets all sanctimonious about the way she's dressed and is like, "Why are you working in a job like this?!" Like, what business is it of his what kind of job she's doing when he hasn't bothered to speak to her for three years? Sniper/Bates, one of the brothers in the club keeps telling Fury/Pierce (our supposed "hero") that Kentlee is strong. She is strong in the sense that she would do anything she could to protect and provide for her son. But she is PATHETICALLY WEAK when it comes to her relationship with Pierce. She suffered abandonment and fear and brokenheartedness that he didn't want her, why would she continue loving and wanting a man like that?? Okay, so you can't turn love off so easily but at least she should acknowledge in her head that this is not the kind of man she ought to be wanting. He literally treated her like sh*t and she just took it. She was a total DOORMAT for him and I couldn't stand that. As for our supposed "hero", he was a selfish b*stard. He said he didn't want to make her his old lady because it was too dangerous for her, but throughout his stay in prison all his thoughts were selfish. When Sniper/Bates visited him in prison every week, Sniper would tell Fury/Pierce to contact Kentlee. He even told Fury/Pierce that she needed reassurance and she was lonely and struggling. Never once did Fury/Pierce ever think about Kentlee's feelings or needs. It was all about himself and how he wasn't ready or he didn't want an old lady and blahblahblah. Later he tells Kentlee he didn't call her in prison because he didn't want to fall apart and seeing or hearing from her would have made him weak. Oh yeah, seriously f*cking selfish. He never saw her point of view on anything. He called all the shots and he did it when he wanted to, whether she liked it or not. She had zero say in anything, and worse still, she didn't even try to assert herself or stand up to him. He was like, "I love her so much" but the way he treated her was like she was a convenience to him. When it worked for him, he was with her, and when it didn't work for him, he didn't bother to have anything to do with her. If that's love, that's a f*cking weak version of it. It's not the kind of love I'd want if I were Kentlee and it's not the kind of love I like reading about. I wished she could have ended up with Sniper/Bates, who showed like 200% more love, care, and support to her than Fury/Pierce ever did. Even when Pierce gets out of prison, what does he do to show that he cares, apart from buying her a Camaro? Nothing, that's what! A whole lotta sex until she gets sore (which the author makes sure to mention each time -- how sore Kentlee is from all the dick). He's not even taking care of her physically, let alone emotionally nor in any other way. Sheesh. Apart from his dick, he was an utter waste of space. Hard pass. 1 like Like Comment Brandy Roberts 2,082 reviews 60 followers June 16, 2017 Hayley Faiman has written some of my most favorite reads rough and ready is one of them , we have seen most of the secondary characters from past books in the Notorious Devils MC and was so excited every time the Russian Bratva are mentioned witch is another amazing series that this author has written . Adored the characters , the story line kept me on my toes could not look away , always love a good second chance love read , and the mini story at the end I'm so happy she put that in along with the little tease for the next story in the series . My heart broke so many times for Cleo she is such a beautiful heroine inside and out , she has a back bone , and the more she got to reintroduce herself to the hero she began to blossom into a new kind of biker babe and her Best friend is just a dream friend . Now Paxton / Torch gave me mixed feelings but once he puts it all in to building something with the heroine I started to love him and when we get to know along with Clee what was in his head when he does the does and says certain things my heart went out for his damaged self . They are perfect for each other even though they have grown a lot and the experience that they went through have changed them they end up falling even more in love with one another , it's also awesome to get both point of views it's enjoyable to read what they are thinking and doing . copy provided for honest review **************************************** hero =9 heroine = 10 secondary characters = 10 Chemistry = 10 steam = 10 romance = 7 humor = 4 darkness level = 6 enjoyment = 10 angst = 4 action = 5 story line = 10 mystery = 4 character development = 10 pacing = 10 Plot = 10 cover = 10 stars = 5 author = 10 would I recommend this book = yes would I re read this book = yes would I read future books by this author = yes 1 like Like Comment Renee 1,204 reviews 24 followers February 16, 2022 I loved the characters in this book. Cleo and Paxton are one hell of a match. The author brings young love and then slams me with a huge dose of PTSD. What the military service members go through for our country is amazing. I enjoyed the depiction of ptsd. The author was very accurate with the Pax- Torch character. The interactions with Pax over almost ten years is non existent. Cleo just goes about her life, content with being alone. When the Notorious Devils are threatened by a rival group, Paxton needs to find her, thus beginning the chase. Another great book. Bravo 1 like Like Comment Wendy 903 reviews October 29, 2021 I have never disliked a H as much as I do Torch. He shows up and expects everything to be ok. He takes her to the clubhouse and pretty much drops her off to fend for herself. Then gets mad at her for questioning him. I hate him. Once they got back together there was no ow drama. She deserves so much better. I hate that she is so weak. She ends up getting kidnapped by club VP Drifter. He betrayed club and was in on kidnapping mc members wifes/gfs. This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers. Show full review almost-a-3 cheating evil-friends ...more 1 like Like Comment Laura Wolf 1,123 reviews 8 followers June 19, 2017 Still enjoying these books!!! Can't wait for the next one! 1 like Like Comment Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews More reviews and ratings Join the discussion Add a quote Start a discussion Ask a question Can't find what you're looking for? Get help and learn more about the design. Help center Company About us Careers Terms Privacy Interest Based Ads Ad Preferences Help Work With Us Authors Advertise Authors & ads blog API Connect © 2024 Goodreads, Inc.

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