One of the best in the series. ( )

I really enjoyed this book, as I have all of the Argeneau books. This book really brought together many of the other plot lines that had lingered from past books and actually made me want to go back and read many of the past books I've read. I'm looking forward to reading more Argeneau books! ( )

So glad to finally get all of Marguerite's story and her story is surprising. Totally did not see some things coming. That is what I liked best in this book. There were a lot of surprises and it made the series feel fresh again despite being book 9. The usual humor and romance are present. It made for a nice mix.

The author introduced some new characters and some familiar ones returned for this story. There is a lot of places for the series to go and I am excited to read the next book. ( )

Since the beginning of this series I've always loved Marguarite because she's like super young looking and super old with four children, and she acts like a mother that should be in her 50' or 60's but yet again she looks like she's in her late teens early twenties. But they way she is with her kids and having something to do with every single one of them finding their lifemates was quite comical on its own, and quite canny as well. However, I've always also felt so bad for her because of what Jean Claude had done to her, and knowing he was NOT her lifemate.

Well in this story, she is on the search for Christian Notte's mother in England, this is where she ends up meeting Julius Notte, Christian's father. Though introductions are quite um dramatic since she was woken up having Julius holding Tiny up in the air by his throat, and then throwing him across the room a few times as Tony attacks him. (but here's a little seecret for you... but shhhh it's a SPOILER.... Julius and Magaurite are lifemates.... shhh don't tell anyone ok, so Julius was jealous to see Margaurite in bed with another man. But he didn't realize she was attacked and neither her or Tiny wanted to be in that room, and Tiny wanted to be close to her incase she was attacked again.)

so a little later on and I mean really a little later on like oh probably what would count as 20-30mins in the book, Christian, Marcus, and the others come to the conclusion that Julius and Margaurite are lifemates. How they found out, by the little slip ups of both Julius and Margaurite. So Julius asks his son for some help woo-ing her, or his son offers to help him, I fully can't remember on that part, but either way it doesn't matter. Because Julius decides to travel with them on the search for Christians mother, because he wants to be close to Margaurite.

Margaurite isn't quite sure why Julius is staying close by, but she goes with it, cause Margaurite keeps getting attacked. (poor lady). So throughout the book, they travel to different parts of Europe to search for clues about Christians mother, and in the meantime Julius and Margaurite get to know each other. But neither wants to disclose any information on their ex's. Funny thing though Margaurite then realizes that Julius is her lifemate. But that is only part of what makes this book interesting.

SPOILER DO NOT READ THE NEXT PART IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THIS VITAL PART OF THE BOOK!!!!!!

What makes this boook interesting, is that Margaurite is Christians mother, that five hundred years ago, Jean Claude had presumed to be dead, and Margaurite a widow. She had met Julius back then and obviously being lifemates found each other, and fell in love, and got married and concieved a child together. BUT! right before she had given birth, someone had took control over Margaurites mind and made her give birth and had her order his son death by the maid, and then made it look like Margaurite killed the maid for disobeying. Then wiped all her memories, and placed different ones in, and then the fact that Jean Claude was not dead, and had came back for Margaurite. Thus making the rest of his life miserable for her. But at least she had gotten four children out of it that she loves more than life. Well of course Margaurite doesn't remember any of this, but Julius has proof, he has a potrait of her in his study at his home in Italy. So of course then they fly to italy, one to show her this proof and two to hopefully keep her safe from the attackers.

Once there she ends up meeting his family (again) mom and dad aren't too thrilled but Aunt Vita, she seems to be happy about it. Vita catches Margaurite in Julius's office and gives her a little chit chat about how sad he was when she left, and that how pleased she is that he will be happy again.

Then one night Margaurite and Christian go out and have some Mother & son bonding time, to get to know each other. They end up being attacked on their outing and kidnapped. They are placed in some kind of dungeon, both injured and low on blood, UH OH! Back at the house Julius is frantic with worry about his love and son. This is where the Argenau's come in. At once Julius tries to attack Lucian because he thinks that Margaurites memories which has to be done by a 3 on 1 memory swipe meaning 3 vampires on one vampire or mortal to erase their memories, very dangerous and powerful juju.

Come to find out that it wasn't Lucian who was involved in it, nor was it Martine, Jean Claudes sister. But that it was Jean Claudes best friend, and Julius's own sister who did it. This was found out by Julius's father Niccodemus Notte telling him how things were when he was a baby and why he was all under guarded protection.

Meanwhile back at the dugeon plae, Vita shows herself to Margaurite and Christian, and explains why she has done this, and the attacks on Magaurite, and proceeds to tell them that she is the one who was part of the 3 on 1, and that Jean Claude was indeed never dead, but was in hiding because he had found his lifemate and had turned her, and since he had turned Margaurite it was a big no-no for him to turn his lifemate. But Vita had plans for Jean Claude so he had killed his lifemate and his unborn child. And used Jean Claude to wipe Margaurites memories and have her son killed. And Vita killed the maid. Which explained why Jean Claude was such a monster, though it didn't excuse the treatment he gave to Marguarite. Vita was jealous of Julius, Julius was the baby and the only boy. And he was treated like a god where she was just treated like a woman, and it pissed her off. He was just so happy with life in general that it drove her mad. So she wanted him punished and used the ones he loved to do it. But this time she wants to end it all, Margaurite, Christian, and Julius's lives. But her plan didn't work out she was caught and sent before the council and executed.

Everyone eventually went back to Canada to wherre Lissandra had her babygirl. And Margaurite had finally gotten her Happily Ever after. ( )

I wanted to read Marguerite's book ever since I met her. After 700 years of misery she deserved to find her life-mate and have her HEA. And now I finally got to see her find it and it was fun.


What Sands does best is making the books light, all while making them exciting and passionate. In this one Marguerite is trying to find a woman and someone does not want that do happen. Even as someone is trying to kill her there is still that lightness over the book and I like that. I also like that the books feel safe, and I always enjoy them. You can't go wrong with the Argenau vampire books.


Marguerite is a 700 old immortal who was turned by her Immortal Atlantis husband and he was a creep. She has taken care of her children and nieces and nephews. She loves her family and I always did like her. The hero is Julius Notte, an Immortal who does not want his son to find his mother. Some things are better left unsaid. At first it did annoy me, but trust me, he did all the right things. And these two are meant to be. As always there is a struggle cos poor Marguerite does not want anyone controlling her. But what would a book be without a bit of struggle.


The book was all that I wanted it to be, and it was actually more. I was so surprised at something and I went omg. The other big thing is that for the first time I also felt sorry for Marguerite's dead husband Jean Claude, and that was something I never thought would happen. This book was all surprises.


Conclusion:

Light and passionate. Lynsay Sands books are perfect when you just want to relax and be swept away. I read it in no time at all and as there is a big family tree there is always more to look forward to.
( )