Charmeine (The Light-Bearer, #1)

by Emily Guido

[EBookObsessed]

Charmeine was an Angel of Harmony in the 9th Choir of Angels, and her true love, Tabbruis, was an Angel of Self-Determination in the 4th Choir of Angels. Yet, 8,000 year ago, Tab woke up on earth with no memory of who he was or his life with Charmeine. He knew nothing until he was suddenly hit with an unquenchable thirst for blood and knew he must be a “Blood-Hunter.”

Tab eventually learned to sate his thirst with the blood of animals and he avoided humans as much as possible to keep from being consumed with the evil need to drink from people. But recently something is drawing him towards the crowded City of New York. He keeps seeing the vision of a beautiful woman and he must find her. He will go insane unless he can find out who this creature is and why she it haunting him.

When he saves a woman from being a victim of another Blood-Hunter, he is shocked to find she is the woman from his visions. More shocking than simply finding his dream woman is the fact that she is a Light-Bearer. Light-Bearers and Blood-Hunters are enemies. How can he be so attracted to someone like her and even though she feels the same attraction, can two mortal enemies make a life together.

THOUGHTS:
I was warned by the author that Book #1 of the series is a set up story which will set up the basis for the entire series. We only get a brief introduction of Tabbruis and Charmeine from their heavenly life before we find Tab waking in the dessert with no memory.

There are some sections of the story which we learn many details of Blood-Hunters and Light-Bearers, and then there are other scenes that feel very rushed, especially when Tab and (now) Charleen meet for the first time and there is a lot of attraction and we quickly go through the attraction, we can’t be together, but I can’t walk away phase of the romance.

It was also a little oddly written where one paragraph was an internal debate by Tab and the next was an internal debate by Charleen. Usually scenes are more defined by who’s head we are in for that section or even that chapter. It was probably why some scenes felt awkward and rushed.

Although Charleen was a modern woman, Tab waffled back and forth from being very formal in his speaking and his attitude and using modern language. One moment he seemed very stiff and then the next he was laughing or crying.

My biggest problem with this story is that for a paranormal it was way too clean. What the…? Tab turned out to be a 8,000 year old virgin, who never had interest in women physically until he meets Charleen and the same goes with Charleen. For example when Charleen was scared and didn’t want to be alone, and although they desired each other, “He came to her, and she sighed with awkward relief to see he was wearing pajama bottoms as he walked to her.” There was also a scene where Tab was injured and Charleen fills him a bubble bath to clean him up and she had him keep his shorts on until he was in the water first and then he removed them. She then washed him up, keeping her eyes on his to afford him some privacy. Although I am not that into erotica/bondage books, I’ve read Young Adult books with sexier scenes. These were two immortal adults that acted like bashful teens.

We never learn why Tab was sent to earth and why it took 8,000 years for Charmeine (Charleen) to come to earth also without any memory. That is all part of the future stories which sound very good, but I don’t think I take all the formal, cleanliness to make it through the series. I like my paranormal with a little hot and sexy to go with the fangs and the growling.

Received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.