Note from Chelsea/VBC: We’re excited to be doing another read along here at VBC, and as I explained yesterday the Argeneau series is such a great fit. The Immortal Who Loved Me works as a standalone, so it’s okay if you haven’t ever read another book in the series. Plus, if you participate in our discussions, you’re entered to win the complete set of Argeneau novels by Lynsay Sands. That’s 21 books. Wow, right? Okay, I’m handing it over to Amy now. Let’s talk vampire romance.
The Immortal Who Loved Me (Argeneau #21)
Lynsay Sands
Published: Feb. 24, 2015 (Avon)
Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon
Review Source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
Reviewed by: Amy
This post recaps & discusses Chapters 1 – 4
When Sherry Carne went into work, she didn’t expect her seemingly normal, uneventful life to tailspin out of control. But that’s exactly what it does the moment a teenage girl runs into Sherry’s office looking for a place to hide. Taken aback, Sherry is even more shocked when four tough-looking men enter her kitchenware shop and proceed to take the rest of the customers and employees hostage.
Creating a diversion, Sherry and Stephanie (the teenage girl) get the men to chase them out of the shop, therefore taking the attention away from the other hostages. Unfortunately, what this does is put the attention on Sherry and Stephanie. The men just about catch up with them when Stephanie somehow stops a cop and forces him to fire his gun at the four men. Too caught up in the moment to really question what just happened, Sherry and Stephanie take the opportunity to get away from their attackers. Once safely away, for now, Stephanie lays a big one on Sherry: vampires are real. What’s more is Stephanie senses in Sherry’s energy that she is the Life Mate of Basil Argeneau.
Let me just say, this is the first book I’ve read in the Argeneau series. I know what many may be thinking “but it’s book number 21!” Well, despite that, being four chapters in, I’ve found that I have no problem following the story line. I think it helps that Sherry, too, is new to this vampire world so, yes, there are explanations aplenty in order for Sherry to get caught up. This works wonderful for bringing new readers in. So, if you’re like me, don’t be afraid to pick up a new book in a series as extensive as the Argeneau’s.
With that said, I was surprised how quickly the story starts off. Pretty much page one, right as Stephanie runs into Sherry’s office, it’s non-stop for the rest of the chapter.
As a reader, do you like when stories start off running from the first page? Do you think this type of opener catches readers’ attention better than a slow build up?
Also, I don’t know about you, but for someone who was given the amount of information in one day, Sherry takes everything in stride. I don’t know if she’s in shock or what, but she seems pretty ok figuring out vampires exist. She’s also not running for the hills when she’s told she’s the life mate of one either. So far her reactions have been a little strange in that there’s been no reaction.
In fact, Sherry and Basil’s relationship right now seems almost clinical in that they’re not even sure she’s his life mate. In order to find out for certain there is a series of tests they can perform. At this point, for me, it takes a little of the heat out of their relationship.
In romance, how do you feel about the relationship between the hero/heroine being predetermined? Do you think it takes a little of the excitement out of their developing relationship knowing they’re already destined for one another?
Events in the first part have been pretty interesting. Now that we know the basic set-up, I can’t wait to find out how things play out from here.
Join us the rest of the week as we read and discuss!
Sexual content: References to sex, kissing
I’ve had this series on my TBR for a while now. 21 books is long but now that the series has ended I could play catch up if I did at least one book a month. LOL I think my library has them on audio. If so I could do more than one a month.
I have read the first 6 and keep reading another every so often. Thanks for the reminder to order up the next one. Also, thanks for the giveaway opportunity. Anne
Love this series! I have read several books in this series and have enjoyed each one. The Immortal Who Loved Me sounds like an exciting addition to the series.
This is the series that started my romance addiction. Hard to believe there have been 21 books!
I think that knowing the two are meant to be together takes a little of the fun out of it but I prefer that to the love triangle type of storyline!
That’s true. I’m not really a fan of the love triangles either. Of course there are always exceptions, but I prefer when it’s clear that there are two people meant to be together by the end of the book / series and the book(s) work towards them reaching their HEA instead of throwing another person in there.
I demand HEA in my stories. If I even get a whiff of a sad ending I really want to just abandon ship. I mean, life is sad enough as it is! Give me my HEA!
I’ve read almost all of the books in the Argeneau series and I like Lynsay Sands. I stopped reading the series because the stories began to seem too much alike. The author has a formula which she sticks to, but then so do most successful romance writers. Now that I haven’t read one in awhile I’m going to read along on this latest book. I don’t mind relationships being predestined. It’s how the characters get to that “happy ending” that counts – learning about each other, overcoming obstacles, and finally accepting the relationship because it fulfills their needs and makes them happy.
I’ve read series too where they go on for so long that the books start to feel too formulated, but sometimes I like that. Those books to me are like comfort food.
I haven’t read any of this series yet, so this will be my first one. So far, so good. It’s almost too perfect…Everything was neat and clean…Something big has GOT to happen.
I think that the predestined love thing can be fun, especially when the couple fights it. I love when couples have that love/hate thing going on until they finally give in. But it can be a bit dry after a while, especially in those series where it’s the same set up just different characters.
Good to know that I can read this book and not worry that I won’t be able to understand since I haven’t read any of the books yet. I have a few of them already, but I gotten around to it yet.
I have read a few of these books in the series and they are fantastic! Not up to this #, but I will be! Love this series so far.
I’ve read all of the books in the series leading up to this one, and I think (overall) it’s a great series. I can always count on the Argeneau books (and extended family) to be a quick, fun read. I have my favorites, of course, but I enjoy them all. However, DON’T read too many back to back — the sameness starts to get to you. There are also a few characters that really get on my nerves (Stephanie happens to be one of them), including the ever-infallible Marguerite. But the books are funny and the relationships are interesting.
I do love the character continuity you get in a long series like this one. Getting to know people and then getting to their stories down the line.
Thanks so much for the giveaway! What a treat!
I’ve read most of this series. I think I’m about three books behind, but the set up is pretty consistent with the rest of them. What’s different is Stephanie as match maker. Usually Marguerite is the one who senses the match and somehow manipulates events to bring the characters together. Then they discover they are life mates on their own. I guess when you put a teenager in charge you lose that subtlety. Stephanie has been in other books but I didn’t she had that power so that’s something new.
I’m late to the party but Stephanie’s power to identify life mates shows in The Reluctant Vampire #15. She explains to Harper how she is able to identify them.
Have my copy in hand- sleep will just have to wait for the unstoppable Argeneau clan 🙂