My Familiar Stranger: FIVE TIME WINNER BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE SERIES (Knights of Black Swan Book 1)

***MINOR SPOILERS ***This is the first book in the Knights of the Black Swan series. I decided to buy this book to try a new series because I was enjoying a different one by this author. I liked this book less and probably will not continue with the series. It can be read as a standalone.When I began the book, I was a little confused and wondered if I had missed a previous book, but it does sort itself out early. I do think this could have been fleshed out a bit more.As you begin reading the story, it is easy to assume that Elora, one of the main characters, will develop a relationship with Storm. Elora is recovering from injuries and Storm comes to visit her. They develop a friendship that could become more than that, at least on Storm’s side. About 1/5 into the book, another character, Ram, comes back from bereavement leave and he realizes that Elora is his mate (he is an elf and is able to know). When he gets back, a choice between Storm and Ram is set up. Storm is pretty terrific – very kind and decent. Ram was also decent but has a long history as a player. The author does not keep you on the edge of this choice long, but I thought the reason for the choice should have been explored more.Elora distrusts Ram because she finds out early that he has slept around and that was understandable. At one point, Ram shows Elora a book saying that male elves tend to be promiscuous until they find their mates. After that they are monogamous. Even after she is told this, Elora continues to distrust him. I thought it was good for Ram to be partially confronted with his past behavior.When the story begins, a teammate of Ram and Storm has died. They are in a military organization and they work in groups of 4 (Kay is the 4th). The team is given 3 months off (I do not mean to be unkind, but that seems like a lot of time to have off). Then Ram gets injured in a training session and they get another 6 weeks off. That seemed to be a lot more time to get off without working. I am surprised that Storm and Kay were not assigned to work with others while Ram was healing. I am not an expert on military team staffing, but it did seem unlikely that they never worked with others. I would think sometimes you need teams of different sizes. It also seems counterproductive for them to not know the other knights in a team setting.At the end of the book, there is a surprise that I did not see coming. I thought there should have been more clues about it. I also did not understand how someone would not know what was revealed and, additionally, that this was not something discussed with the person involved. Finally, I did not understand how it could be mostly true but not completely true. (Sorry for the vagueness on this, but I did not want to reveal something so late in the book). The book lost a star for how this was handled.It lost a second star for the way Elora’s character was portrayed. Elora was raised in another dimension in an environment that was restricted. When she comes to this new dimension, she seems surprisingly adaptable. She also seems more bold than I would have expected. Either the author should have explained more about her history or how traveling through the dimensional portal and the events before it changed her. It would not be easy for anyone to lose everyone they loved and she said she would never stand frozen again. I thought this should have been said more than once so you could understand her motivation or how she changed in her new dimension. Also, given how she had no one when she came through the portal, I thought loneliness and grief could have been more of a factor. (The others had a bereavement leave of three months, but she seems to take little time to come to terms with an even bigger loss.)Lastly, Elora is grateful to Storm for saving her and as a result, she makes a decision that is not a good one. This part of the story seemed more for dramatic effect. In and of itself, I thought of taking another star for this, but I thought that would have been too much.I liked that Elora worked with a dog and rescued him from cruelty.If you like the author, you will like this book. For me, I am glad I read the other series first as I like it better and I will stick with that one.

This was my first Victoria Danann novel and I have to say it was one of the best I've read! Initially the page count was intimidating, but the author did a spectacular job with a storyline that grabs your attention from the beginning and never lets go. Strong, independent women and HOT men are my cup of tea, and I wasn't disappointed. Elora and the Knights of the Black Swan were fascinating. I especially liked that the storyline wasn't dependent on repeated descriptions of graphic sex scenes, but rather actually told a rollicking good tale of vampire hunters with only a few bedroom scenes. I'm off to get the next book in the series and curl up by the fire for another afternoon of adventure!

Includes review for book 2: THE WITCH'S DREAMBooks received via Boo Tour COmpany for review on my blog. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions herein are my own except as noted.These books are like crack for readers. I was hooked after reading the first book in this series and immediately began the second. To put it mildly I was swept off my feet. Everything from the world-building to the sex was excellent.The world is a very complex, quantum multi-verse, very intricate and well thought out. I don't know if Victoria built everything up before hand or if she manages to invent these intricacies as she writes. I suspect the former because so far I haven't fallen over any continuity problems.The characters are really appealing as well, and unique. I am really pleased with the development of each person in the story. There is a purpose for each.Indeed, everything is highly detailed, location, character and species.For example Abraxas demons:"Abraxas are the spiritual expression of sex - which has two faces - the power of love and the joys of mutual sharing, or its opposite: domination, humiliation, sadism cruelty. "(The Witch's Dream, page 6 pdf)Dannan's voice is unique, in a good way. Her style is halfway between showing and telling, which gives it a modern edge, like a report with feeling. I liked the almost scientific impression I got as I read.And the relationships, from first glance to intimacy, the relationships sometimes develop quickly but they do develop. And the physical intimacy is sexy and erotic without vulgarity.Part of my job is also pointing out the areas I find challenging. The style shows an organized writer bringing us well-developed everything and lots of detail. Therein lies the rub: when is it too much detail. A good pruning would make the story stronger. Too much detail treats everything from the design of a nightclub to the intricacies of plot with the same level of importance. I appreciate that Victoria has put so much thought into each aspect of her world; it gives the work a strong foundation.But sometimes I don't need to see what's holding it together; if the continuity is good, the foundation of the story can work behind the scenes. I found myself mentally editing the stories. If the reader has to fill in the blanks on her own it makes it more engaging. It's weird but as I read I realized that both too much and too little detail can make things feel like an outline. Editing would often make a huge difference in a book - whether it's a mainstream publisher, a competent indy or someone paid to edit. I was reading an uncorrected proof so some of the typos and verb tense issues I found may well have been changed.This leads me to one other issue: obvious foreshadowing. Look! Look! .... Look! With so much detail, I am not allowed to feel the event that is about to happen' not allowed to see it unfold. There are too many clues; the storyline becomes obvious. Way before I get to the event it's happened in my head and the next event is shaping itself.I liken this to a painting where the artist gets carried away and has a hard time deciding the painting is complete and that a particular area should be left unspecific.Did these minor "flaws" it make the book less readable, less exciting, less compelling? No, like I said, I began the second immediately after the first. And, keep in mind, I am not a big fantasy world person. Victoria manages to create worlds=on-worlds that are familiar enough that a glossary is not needed. While at first I wondered, which of the dimensions was the one I inhabit, I quickly stopped doing that and gave into the worlds she was creating. It is not often where I find flaws that are outweighed by the merits of a book, so this is an unusual instance for me. While some editing is called for I would still say these books are examples of superior writing and HIGHLY RECOMMEND them.I liked it so much I immediately picked up book three!

(This book was received from author/publisher/tour guide in exchange for an honest review.)My Familiar Stranger is the story of Elora Laiken a seemingly ordinary female who is pushed into another dimension by her mentor. Lucky for Elora she lands in the confines of The Order of the Black Swan, an organization that deals with all things supernatural.I found the overall idea for the story interesting, and rather refreshing. Danann has created a world in which supernatural creatures and the paranormal exists and works well. The characters are lovable - particular the irish elf, Ram - and grow on you rather quickly. The plot was easy to follow and the love triangle kept me on my toes, although I have to say I was routing for Ram the entire time. It was fun to watch the budding romance between him and Elora. They are so sweet and entertaining to watch, and yet extremely sexy at the same time. I have to say I found Baka hilarious and look forward to hearing more about him.The only thing that distracted me from time to time was slice of information that felt unneeded at time, or had nothing to do with the main plot. But other than that I found My Familiar Stranger to be the right amount of actions, romance and humour, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Paranormal books aren't my usual reads. I've read them before, but usually stick to chicklit or historical romances. I got this book on a whim because the blurb sounded interesting and I read the rave reviews. I was not disappointed. I started it one evening and had to force myself to stop reading in order to go to bed. I couldn't wait to get home the next evening to read what had happened next.I usually skim books. And yes, like Harry, I will quite often read the end when I am halfway through just to make sure the book is worth reading. Not so with this book. I read every minute detail and even re-read. The writing style is so easy to read and descriptive.Yes, there is a romance element, but the new world that's been created in this story and the depth of characters draw you in. You become invested in them and want to know how things turn out. The storyline too, is interesting. I'm not big on violence even in books, but they added to the story. I just loved it.Can't wait for the next one!

I really liked this book. I wish the author had taken more time to develop the antagonist and his part in the book - it all seemed a bit rushed. This did not detract from the book in any way.What a wonderful and unique story. It's an epic love story combined with the paranormal. A woman from another dimension who can't help that all the men she meets, whether they're human or not, fall in love with her. Which one will she end up with?! Even she didn't know until nearly the last minute.I also loved that this book was a complete story! So often author's release the first of a "series" as free but obviously leave the end purposely vague so that the reader is encouraged/forced to pay for the next instalment. I'll be buying the next two in the series - probably as the box set as it works out cheaper than purchasing books 2 and 3 separately. I look forward to more books about the Black Swan organisation and I really can't wait to learn more about Baca!

Ok Read! debating whether to read the next? There are quite other a few stories of the Knight's I noticed, too many means things get slow, silly and repeatative. Didn't grab me as much as some of the other books out there which are great! Not sure!Characters ok! Storyline was ok, ie things just happened then finished, the action parts were over before it started and the other knights team E etc they seem to be brought in then never to be heard (but know they may have there story at later date) The relationship with her dog that she trained could of been more involved (nice) and The revelation of who she was in the end, I just felt "Really??" Certain things didn't flow enough... But saying that if you like a Paranormal Romance story its a good read

Wasn't what I initially expected but turned out to be so engrossing that I couldn't wait to return to the story and had trouble putting it down to get some sleep.I'll definitely be downloading the next instalment and I already know it will be another cracker based on the authors writing style which had me smiling, laughing out loud in places and gasping in consternation at other events.Having developed the characters so well here, I really want to find out how their personal stories develop.I've not read this author before but she will be on my favourites list as one to watch out for.