Kiss of Pride: A Deadly Angels Book

I wanted to like this book, I really did. Sandra Hill is one of my favorite funny (slightly) paranormal writers, kind of in line with Lynsay Sands. I loved her time traveling Vikings and odd-ball Cajuns. There were a couple of awkward books that I didn't enjoy as much as her others, and after you read so many you noticed repeated catch phrases and situations. So when I saw that  Kiss of Pride: A Deadly Angels Book  was to be the first book of a series about Viking Vampire Angels, well!, that could either break new ground or resurrect the tired Viking premises of her old series. To my dismay, it did both-and more!The clueless, sexist, horny Viking characters are back! "Oh, my aching ale-head! All I want is to guide my long boat into her fjord!" Now throw in the Angel angle- "But it's a sin! Mayhap if I engage in near-sex (yes, a running theme throughout the book) I won't have to pay a 500 year penance!" Stir in the Vampire: "But you smell like lemons, so you're a sinner or are contemplating a deadly sin, so I must needs to force many blood exchanges upon you, mayhap even with my brother, while you scream and cry and we fall in love together!" Wow!If you are a Christian fiction fan, you will cringe at the foul language and steamy "near-sex" and "almost-sex" scenes. If you're not religious, you'll cringe at the preachy, self-righteous tone the VIK (not sure why, but this is what the main 7 characters are referred to as) take with a definite Catholic bent. There are seven Viking brothers, each being punished for a separate deadly sin they personally committed and for being Vikings in general.This first book focuses on Vikar, the oldest, whose sin was pride. The archangel, St. Michael (who they call Mike) has painfully commissioned Vikings because of their lives lived in violence and idol worshiping to fight demon vampires made by Lucifer called "Lucipires" or "Lucies". These 7 have been fighting for close to a thousand years now, because every 100 years "Mike" does a Reckoning and tacks on centuries to their penance. Now they have been charged with staying in the 21st century to fight the "Lucies", renovating an old castle in a town in Pennsylvania residents have renamed Transylvania and turned into a pseudo-vampire tourist trap.They need to get the renovations done in a few weeks, because then a couple of hundred "vangels" will gather for St. Michael and the Reckoning.Alexandra Kelly is a reporter, sent to do a story on the town and renovation of the castle by her boss who also just wants her out of town for her own safety. Her husband and daughter were killed by unsavory men, who will soon be going to trial with Alex slated to be a witness. It's also no secret to those that know her that she has had thoughts of either ending her own life or taking justice in her own hands and ending theirs. It also becomes known that a Mike Archer (read St. Michael) set up the story and interview. When she reaches Transylvania, PA, she is further contaminated by sin by being bitten by a Lucie in her sleep. So when she shows up at the castle, Vikar is forced to take her in because of her "sin-scent" even though that will attract more Lucies and give away their new hideout. To remove the "taint" of the Lucies he must do several cleansings-blood exchanges- and also find out what her sin or planned sin is. Or just kill her. Whatever. He becomes attracted to her so votes for the cleansings. His brothers-not so much, so they opt for the killing. Huh? Don't they go around trying to save the likes of Lizzie Borden, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Napoleon in the book? But back to the story. Vikar is the oldest, and says that Mike sent her, so he gets to do what he wants. And what he wants includes not explaining anything to Alex, forcing everything on her, and having "near-sex" which so close to Reckoning he really hopes isn't a deadly sin for him and Alex. Alex, in turn, cries, fights, complains, cooks for everyone, decorates the castle, and does everything but try to escape. Oh, and falls in lurrve. So does Vikar.In the meantime, we get inside looks at Christian rituals, instruction on which bad words are better in God's eye's than others, a VIK that is engaging in oral and digital sex outside of marriage counseling another angel that masturbation is a sin, and other pearls of angel's and God's love and mercy. Throw in some torture, male rape, and crucifixion and, I dunno, it just all left a bad taste in my mouth. Funny passages aside, I still haven't stopped cringing.Sandra's supposed to incorporate characters from other series in the next couple of installments-Cage from the Viking SEALs in the next one, Tante Lulu in the third- but I'll never know for sure. I'm half afraid to pick up another of her new books again! But just as I powered through this one, I'll probably put on my big girl panties for a time traveling Viking or Cajun hunk. But first flash of fang, wing, or holy water and I'm done.

Ms. Hill has been my favorite author for over ten years. I have devoured her books, especially the Viking books. I went into this book excited, but a little worried about all of the different labels on the hero. Viking, ok, Angel (sort of)...um sure, Vampire...eh. Its not like I don't like Vampires. I'm a huge fan of Trueblood, but all 3 together had me kind of on the fence. I decided to sit back and just try and enjoy it. It wasn't the worst thing I've ever read, but I had a hard time with some of it. I didn't completely connect with the main characters, but I did feel their love for each other. I think that Alex just acted a little off, because she was supposed to be tortured and devestated by the loss of her child, but she doesn't exactly act like the tortured type. I did feel some pain coming from her when her daughter was brought up, and I felt for her, but it seemed like she tried to bury those feelings. I know that Ms. Hill can write a tortured character ie: Selik from the Outlaw Viking, and that is more of what I would have liked to see in Alex. I'm not sure if the shared crudity between Alex and Vikar were intriguing and funny, or if I desired a more tender relationship. I liked that Alex completely understood the dirty Viking man side to him and that made her perfect for him. I wouldn't mind seeing a more feminine woman for one of the other brothers, like maybe Ivak? The scenes in "Horror" were a little more disturbing than I would have liked, but I do appreciate her eye for detail. It made me feel a little yucky though. SPOILER ALERT: If you have not read the ending, please stop now. I cried when Vikar gave himself up for Armod, but had this really upset feeling like, this wasn't what I went into reading this book for. I didn't hate this book by any means. There were very good parts to it. Sandra does a very good job of introducing and adding supporting characters into a book to make the series funner to read. I anticipate reading about the other 6 brothers. I know this will sound weird, but I really really liked Michael the Archangel. He might have been my favorite part of the book. I guess to sum up the biggest problem that I had is that a lot of it was hard to swallow, like the blood sucking and the wing bumps and Lizzy Borden. Will I read the next book in the series, yes of course, will I enjoy her next regular Viking book more, most likely.

I was a little leery about this book, especially after seeing several 1-3 star reviews. Though, I honestly never read the reviews because I generally don't agree with them. I had to get it, though, just because it was written by my favorite historical romance author. I have to say, I have never read other book like this though I'm glad I did now. The amount of foul language and morbid details she used was a bit shocking, but it didn't take me very long to get over it. Sandra Hill has always been able to draw me and make me feel for the characters, and this was no exception. This series isn't for the faint of heart or the squeamish, though, as there are a lot of disgusting details, especially involving Jasper's (a demon) lair called Horror. Horror is certainly a fitting name for that place! Since I first started out reading horror and fiction fantasy novels, this series didn't upset me (or gross me out), in fact, I think it actually intrigued me more.I enjoyed it so much, I bought the next two books in the series and I've already read them. I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment though I know she's working on other projects at the moment. For some reason, ​I can't wait to see what she'll have in store for Mordr. It simply amazes me that she is able to write in different genres and they always turn out so well.

I've just finished reading this book and really enjoyed it. The characters are believable and the main man sounds gorgeous. Don't let the book cover put you off he is nothing like the model on the front. Vikings have long hair! Whoever chose the covers has no idea and can't have read the book. I am not going to spoil it by telling any of the story, but if you are looking for something different in the vampire genre then you can't go wrong with this book.

Got this because of the reviews and I was really looking forward to reading it. The idea of vampire Vikings was good but nothing else grabbed me. I kept reading hoping for some excitement or humour, but sadly found non. I hate leaving reviews like this as I couldn't write a book but this I found lacking in so many areas. Won't be reading any more.

Just love this series, each novel centers on one brother, a viking vampire to be angel warrior, quite a pedigree. The humor, romance are captivating throughout the novel which draw the reader in. This is the first novel in the series and my second, having read one novel out of order. I look forward to reading the whole series so pleased to have found them.

The story was silly and fun, which I liked, but it's also quite preachy in places - sex before marriage is wrong, there is only one true god, unconventional sex is a sin.

thanks for a funny and sexy story