Lover's Atonement (30-DAY AUDIOBOOK RENTAL)

One book before the end and we finally learn Duchess story.I must say that Duchess was never one of my favorite characters in the series. Yes, she had her moments but she was always a bit distend and maybe a little cold so I could not connect with her easily. But that says a lot about the writers and they way they led you to the moment where her story is reviled and you see her pain and understand her reasons.Her reunion with her soul mate is also problematic and different than the others had and that keeps the story interesting and different. A lot of things are also happening in this book so things are starting to form before the final battle. By the end all of them are finally together and ready to face the evil and hopefully defeat it.

This review is written after listening to the audio version of this book.This is the fifth installment of the Circle of Blood series and to fully engage with the storyline you will have to have read or listened to the preceding books in the series.At the start of this incredible series we were introduced to six vampires, believed to be the only vampires in existence. In each book, we learn about one of them in particular. This book is about Duchess's or as we learn in this book Marie. Throughout the series, she has come across as something of an "Ice Queen" a woman with many secrets. A woman who believes that she is not now nor has she ever been a good person. In this story, she gets to be reunited with her reincarnated soulmate. Chan Wei Yong is a CIA operative who is in Malaysia working deep undercover with a group of religious zealots. Duchess, Oksana, and Mason arrive in Kuala Lumpur to try and find the son of Mason’s former colleague. He has been kidnapped by the cult and during their search for him, Duchess and Chan meet.This part of the story is somewhat different from the others because both Duchess and Chan have done bad things during their lives, they have both deceived the person they should have been true to. There is not the deep and abiding love between them that the others have had for each other, but that said it is a strong enough bond to draw them together again.They are both damaged souls, the love between them isn’t a deep and abiding love, nor is it sweet but they agree to start afresh and try to find comfort in each other. This sets the stage for the next book which, as he is the only original vampire left, will be about Snag the oldest and most powerful vampire of them all as he and the reunited lovers all ten of them, together with their allies attempt to defeat Bael.In this story I loved how Mason's character is developing, he’s growing as a character, he was able to help Chan adjust and is now no longer the "baby" vampire.The narration by Gwendolyn Druyor is again excellent as she changes between the many different accents she has to perform, each one always consistent and recognizable. She always delivers a top-notch performance and never disappoints.

In this fifth installment of the Circle of Blood series, we get the story of Duchess, aka Marie. She is a woman full of secrets, and she doesn’t think she’s a good person, not at all. We also meet her reincarnated love in CIA operative Chan Wei Yong. He’s in Malaysia working behind the scenes with a religious zealot. Duchess, Oksana and Mason come to investigate the disappearance of a doctor, the son of Mason’s former colleague. Naturally, their paths cross.If you’re a fan, reading this book should be a no-brainer. You get to know about Duchess. She’s a special character, too. While listening, it finally hit me that she’s an homage to Milady de Winter from the d’Artagnan Romances. That gives it an extra layer of fun for a Steffan fan. The thing that makes this part of the story a little different than others is that both Duchess and Chan have been bad people. It’s not the pure and good love the others might have had for each other, but it was a strong enough love to be useful in the over-arching conflict.There is damage between them, and because this love isn’t sweet, that might disappoint some readers. No matter what, though, they decide to go for a clean start in the end, and they find comfort in each other. The story is now set up for book six, which features Snag as the sets of lovers and their allies gather together to defeat Bael. The end promises to be a wild ride.One of the best parts of this story for me was Mason. He’s growing as a character, and he got some good scenes separately with Duchess and with Chan. He gets to shine teaching Chan being a new vamp.As for the narration, this is Gwendolyn Druyor. She always delivers, and she deftly shifts between the many different accents her authors try her with. I’ve listened to so many performances of hers by now, I can just trust that I’ll enjoy it.Recommended for vampire fans, paranormal fans, and series romance fans who like large casts.Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Great

AmaZing

Did not disappoint. Have all 6 books and would definitely recommend this series to read.

Great action, intense drama, and struggle for forgiveness. The characters are strong, and stubborn in their personalities. The ending is expected yet surprising.

Amazing story

Love this series. Can't wait for the last one. It's so different from a lot of the other vampire series ... and it's nail-biting stuff!!

Just finished this book, loved it, can't wait for Snag aka Menkhefs story. Loved them all but he's is the one I've been looking forward to.

Can't wait to see what comes next in book six. I'm glad to see that you are still going on with all it's so awesome thanks!!!

R .A. Steffan writes great stories . This is book 5 of the series and the vampires are getting closer to saving the world from evil! I am anxious to read book 6!

I fell in love with every one of the characters! They're easy to like. The story's are interesting and emotional. **** too.

Such a great series. This book is more on the tragic side as Dutchess feels unworthy and indeserving if her mate and is very resistant. Great read as the plot thickens.

I didn’t like this one as much as the others. Duchess is very shallow

4.5 StarsWithout a doubt a very well executed book, keeping you enthralled all the way from start to finish.This is Duchess' story, and she is a very complex individual who is extremely hard on herself. You will eventually learn why she is the way she is. Her soul mate is Chan, and he too has some serious issues with himself, which you will be explained.This book doesn't stop moving at a fairly fast pace right from the start. There is no fluffy filler in any of these books, and just like the rest of them, the secondary characters are well written and believable. It is a gripping story, and doesn't follow the same course of any of the other books.Overall I found this to be a very worthwhile addition to the series. I am looking forward to the final book.

I knew Duchess was hard core for her own reasons, but I didn't see this coming. Cleanly written, easy to follow, and loveable characters. I can't wait for the next book! If you've been following the series, you know why I'm so excited. If you haven't read these books, you're missing out on some really good reads!

The story of Duchess and her soulmate is perhaps the most tragic so far. Yet they are able finally to find themselves and their love for each other. The plot in this book has a number of unexpected twists, I couldn't put it down. Great addition to this unusual series.

Chan and Marie's take is my favorite of all of the couple's in the Circle of Blood Saga. I'm getting set to read the last book. Can't wait to see S mags story.

I absolutely loved this book, it continued the story of the original vampires perfectly. We only knew a bit about Duchess as it turns out and her soul mate is indeed her completion. The way these stories are written with such originality and no repeat of another story is striking. This story of Duchess and Chan pulls everything together and now only Snag is left to find his true love. I can’t wait to devour Book 6!