Half Past Dead Anthology – Zoe Archer and Bianca D’Arc
December 29, 2009
Paranormal Romance
Paperback, 150 pages
Brava
Book received from author
“The Undying Heart” by Zoe Archer
Zombies are SEXY!!
Now, don’t go screaming and running off in all directions. Hear me out first!
The hero in this story is a zombie. That’s right – the big “Z” word. I don’t know what it is about zombies that freaks everyone out. Is it the fact that you can chop off body parts and they still live? They have no blood or breath? They are dead…..but not. In most books I have read, the zombies are the bad guys and in this book, zombies are definitely evil, but Sam Reed has overcome the pull of his creator and wants revenge.
The story starts in the mid 1800’s in England, Sam is wounded quite badly in war and as he lay on the battlefield, too weak to move, his commander, Colonel Kenneth Broadwell approaches. Yet, instead of offering help, he shoots Sam through the heart, as he does with every other injured person lying in that field. But Sam will see the light of day again, brought back with a magical source that Broderick has in his possession. For a year, Broderick controls Sam and the other zombie soldiers, making them do unspeakable acts. Finally, after a year, Sam is able to break free of the mental hold that debilitates a zombie with his maker. He has promised himself he will track Broadwell down and kill him. But unbeknownst to him, there is another one that wants Broadwell dead too.
Cassandra Fielding has recently started to work for the Blades of Rose, a secret organization that protects the magic sources in the world. Her current mission is to track Broderick and reclaim the source that he holds. With communication lines down, she is unable to reach her fellow Blade members, so she is stuck by herself. That is until she runs into someone from the past. Sam was her brother’s best friend. Her brother died for real on the battlefield that day, and she always thought Sam had died too.
Cassandra soon realizes Sam is not human, but she is not overly shocked, being a Blade she knows things like this exist. Sam is disgusted with himself and can’t believe Cassandra has not gone off running and screaming for her life. Shocked even more, Cassandra is hurt and angered Sam has had to go through what he did and she actually cares for him – as a “monster.” Together they hunt Broderick and deal with Sam’s past.
The Undying Heart is the kind of book I want to twirl through the house with. What? You don’t dance with your books? You know how with some books by page ten you start to get that little feeling that you are really going to like it? This is my experience with My Undying Heart. Zoe Archer’s voice is one that you settle into right away. I loved the heroine, Cassandra. Guess what- she is not a virgin! I know- a woman in a historical romance who actually has had relations, and she is not ashamed of what she has done. She is never repulsed by Sam, due to the fact that she is aware of supernatural things already. She has had a childhood crush on him, and now that she sees him wallowing in self pity, and disgust of himself, she can’t help but reach out to him.
For as much as I enjoyed this story, I was still left with a few questions. Because Sam is a zombie, he doesn’t breathe, and he can slither around at night without being noticed. When out in public with Cassandra, the townspeople become suspicious of him and all of a sudden Sam and Cassandra find themselves with a mob after them. First, I didn’t buy that Sam’s appearance or actions warranted a mob gathering with weapons to hunt him down. I can understand if a person here or there got a weird feeling looking at him, but a mob?
Also, how was Sam able to break free from Broadwell’s hold? All that is mentioned in the book is that his mind must be exceptionally strong. I would have liked more explanation or background into how exactly he broke free.
Finally, I didn’t like the ending. It is a big ‘ole spoiler so not even going there – but I think things should have ended differently. The ending does nothing to alter my enjoyment of the book and I think many will be happy with it, I just would have liked events to go a different route.
Taking all of that into consideration, I really enjoyed this book and I also need to mention the romance scenes in this book are very sexy. I was surprised at how much romance we get. For being a zombie, Sam’s body, ummm, works quite well.
Zoe Archer has The Blades of The Rose series coming out next fall which I am greatly anticipating.
Rating: Four Stars
Simon Says – Bianca D’Arc
The second story is set in modern day. Simon is a marine who is bitten by a zombie, but miraculously discovers he is immune to their bite. He set up on a super secret mission to ride Quantico of zombies surrounding their area. He is hurt badly one night, and drags himself into the base hospital, knowing his ex-flame Mariana is working there. He left her years ago to go on a mission, and never returned after he had an exposure with zombies. Mari knows Simon can’t and has never been able to tell her much of what he does, so she treats him without questions. But the romance starts to rekindle, and these two start to realize the old passion will not remain in the past. When Mari’s safety is threatened, Simon will do anything to protect her.
Simon Says is a romantic story, and although I liked it, it is hard to find a lot remarkable about it. Simon is very much a soldier and is mysterious and secretive. Mari, although crushed in the past with Simon leaving her, is independent and has made a life for herself. She doesn’t sit around wallowing in self pity, even though she misses him. There really isn’t a lot that happens in this story, it is more of just two souls that rediscover their love. Yes, zombies attack in he background, but their relationship takes center stage.
Rating: 3 Stars
Oh Mandi, I know exactly what you mean with your comment that by page 10 you get that feeling you're really going to like it. I'm reading such a story right now. And zombies as the sexy and the hawt…I always saw them as the baddies trying to go for world domination or something. it is definitely a different approach and I really like what you're telling me! Great review that spiced up my day LOL
You sure know how to get a girl's interest with an opening like that! LOL! Zombies sexy?! The funny thing is, I totally believe you! I'm curious about the zombie book now! Great review, Mandi! :)
I think your the first one to review this book! I love the idea of historicals with zombies (P&P&Z not withstanding) and I'm looking forward to reading this book, and Zoe's subsequent series that's coming next year!
Stella
Leontine – This is definitely a different approach and it really worked for me!
ERR – This zombie is definitely sexy ;) I am interested to see how this series plays out.
Stella – I was really excited to see Zoe Archer's series coming out this fall!!
I understand they are going to be touting her as their new heavyweight for 2010-2011 so it should prove interesting if they can pull it off, though with the Zombie craze it wont be too hard that's for damn sure.
I have to read it to believe it! I've never thought of zombies as sexy, but I'll keep an open mind…
Zombies sexy… why not? I can picture you dancing with your book through the livingroom Mandi, I know that feeling! I definitely want to read about a sexy zombie, thanks for the great review!
Mandi, if you say Zombies are sexy, I'll believe you…ahem. :) Actually I'm intrigued and I'm going to have to give these a try. Zombies don't scare me…they don't! hehe Great reviews.
Silver – that's the spirit ;)
Marissa – Yes, I'm weird. Put on some mood music, grab a book..LOL
FV – Why do I get the feeling you don't believe me ?!?
Mandi I just finished reading about zombies in pink skirts O_o. Zombies seem to get a bad wrap these days and they need love too!!
P.S. I have yet to dance with my books buuuuut I may or may not sleep with one under my pillow…like a teddy bear.
Well, I had a bit of a different reaction to this book, but I was still left with a burning question:
Sam establishes in the first story that zombies have no blood circulation – so how is it possible that he get ZomBoners around Cassie?
Eeeeeek!
*runs screaming away*
Ok, I calmed back and I am cool. Zombies…really!? Now that I have a hard time to believe, but ok…ok…would sure be worth a try.
Smokin hot – Zombies in pink skirts..I read that one too :) I liked it!
AnimeJune – There were some unanswered questions – like I said, how exactly did Sam break free? What is up with all the other zombies running around? And yeah – I don't remember if we ever received a firm answer to how Sam got it up..zombie magic? :) I don't know…
Blodeuedd – LOL..I thought he was pretty hot ;)
Mandi – Thanks for the great review! I'm looking to entertain readers and give them a damn good (and smexy) time.
Stella – Zombies actually make one more appearance in the Blades series (I won't say where!), but they aren't the persistent theme throughout. The series has a whole Indiana Jones-type paranormal vibe to it, lots of great adventure in far away places with all kinds of different magic. So there's something for everyone!
ehh Mandi, I am not sure about the zombie hot sex…. but if you say so! I can't help but wondering if certain parts could fall off if you are too rough or somethin… :p
Zoe – Indy Jone style? Yay! ;)
KV – Sam seemed to hold on all his parts pretty well..and things did get a bit…vigorous :)
Mmm, I don't know. Sam doesn't sound very zombie-like.
*wrinkles nose* But what happens if sex gets rough and… something falls off?? That's not smexy. Not one bit.
The way I see it, we're constantly reinventing the definitions of vampires and werewolves and all other manner of paranormal beings. Why not zombies? :)
Um, this one does sound interesting but I have a hard to wrapping my mind around a zombie being sexy. I always picture them with flesh falling off and being just a bit dense. Well, I got around vamps being evil and vile to being oh-so-sexy, I guess I could do the same for zombies. *wink*
The Undying Heart is the kind of book I want to twirl through the house with.
*SIGH* I just love that line!
But what happens if sex gets rough and…something falls off??
GULP! I don't want to think about it. Somehow I just can't see zombie + romance, but if you say it works Mandi I believe you :)
Donna – Sam has all of his flesh intact…very secure.
Orannia – I do love to twirl :)
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