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Some men are too bad to be true . . .
Is he really a Viking with a vampire's bite? An angel with the body of a thunder god? A lone wolf with love on his mind? Alexandra Kelly, his prey, thinks Vikar Sigurdsson is either flat-out crazy or he's trying to maneuver her into his bed—which is hardly where a professional reporter should conduct an interview, tempting as that prospect might be.
And some men are too good to be true . . .
Until Vikar does something a teensy bit unexpected, and Alex begins to wonder whether her mystery man could really be everything he says he is: a Viking Vampire Angel on a thousand-year-long mission with his pack of sinful brothers—and a man who's finally found the woman of his dreams. By then, Vikar is already wrapping his chiseled arms around Alex's body . . . and sinking his wicked fangs right into her neck. If this is sin, why does it feel so good?
Vikar is actually a viking vampire angel, AKA vangel. He is exactly what I expect in a 1000 year old Viking, which is both domineering and condescending. Those qualities make it all the better when he is brought to his knees by Alex. This is my extremely simplified explanation of Vikar's world: Lucifer had his army of vampires, Lucipires, and Michael the Archangel decided he needed his own army of vampires, hence the birth of the vangels. The lucipires tempt sinners in order to get more souls in hell and the vangels try to save those souls. Before I get into my thoughts on the book I have to confess something, I avoid Christian themed books. They generally require belief and at least general knowledge in a base theology which I don't subscribe to. That makes them difficult for me to enjoy. I have read a lot of fallen angel types of books and this has never been an issue for me until this one. I had no idea what I was getting into when I picked up this book. All the religion talk was a turn off for me and something I struggled with throughout the story. The book begins with a prologue which explains the birth of the lucipires and vangels in detail. It's dry reading and pretty religious. I made it to page 12 and was seriously considering giving up on it. I pushed on, despite my initial reaction, and I'm glad I kept reading. Once I reached the present day story and got to know the world in which Vikar lived, I was hooked. The romance between Alex and Vikar was believable and entertaining. Alex is a non-believer and Vikar is a vangel so that created a few issues. Vikar gets punished when he commits sins, no cursing or premarital sex for vangels. Watching Alex and Vikar walk the fine line of not having actual sex and limiting themselves to near-sex was entertaining and creative. They also have inner dialogues with themselves which were funny. It took a while for me to get the author's humor, it's quirky and a little corny but I enjoyed it. I was surprised at how interested I was in the war between the lucipires and the vangels. I liked that aspect of the book just as much as the romance. I loved the interactions between Vikar and his brothers as well as the vangels working under them. It had a frat house vibe with everyone picking one each other and pulling pranks. My only complaint about the storyline is that it got a bit monotonous in the end due to the romance stalling out and the battles taking over. I can overlook that though because the rest of the story was so good. This wasn't an easy book for me rate. I absolutely loved the characters, the romance and the war but the constant talk about sins and religion was irritating and at times if came across as preachy. It's difficult for me to reconcile the two in order to come up with an overall rating for the book. Hill has an interesting take on a common paranormal theme. If you like Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed series or Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter
16 out of 18 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Evelyn115
Posted April 25, 2012
As a longtime fan of Sandra Hill's books, I wondered if I would like her new series involving Viking vampire angels. Not to worry! KISS OF PRIDE is wonderful! It contains Sandra's trademark humor...thank God!...causing me to laugh out loud at times (imagine Lizzie Borden as the cook, and a young vangel moon walking). As for sex, picture a six-foot-four Viking who hasn't had sex in a hundred years. Need I say more? I highly recommend this book! Thank you Sandra!
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 24, 2012
This book is so unique and fun! I've never read anything like it! Pure Sandra Hill humor, but with a plot that is brimming with so many intertwined elements, I'm not even going to try to explain it. All I can say is hilarious, with viking vampire angels (vangels)in a battle against creepy-crawly lucipires (lucies) who prey on the humans most vulnerable to becoming Satan's minions. Add a love story between a human reporter that the lucies have set their sights on, and one of the vangels determined to save her from their grasp, and you have one heck of a romp! Loved every page!
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Vikings, vampires and angels oh my!
Sandra Hill writes about Vikings. Usually historical romances. So when she chose to write a PNR it had to have Vikings right?
Kiss of Pride tells the story of Vikar Sigurdsson. He and his brothers are being punished as they’ve each been singularly attached to one of the seven deadly sins. For Vikar it is pride. As punishment they’ve been turned into vangels (vampire/angels) to do good and to fight Lucifer's vampires (lucipires) whose goal was to collect the souls of sinners before they had a change to repent.
Alexandra Kelly is a reporter who has lost her faith. Her estranged husband and her daughter were killed by cartel mobsters and she is angry. She is considering mortal revenge against those that killed her daughter which makes her ripe for reaping by the lucipires. Archangel Michael thinks she can be saved and arranges for her to meet Vikar.
I think this series is very ambitious and if anyone can pull it off Ms. Hill can. I enjoyed the book but as with every first book in a series there is a lot of world building which in this case is so convoluted as to be distracting. I had the same problem with Gena Showalters Lords of the Underworld series but came to love them all. I will definitely be checking out the next installment.
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.If you are a fan of Sandra Hill you might be shocked at where she's going in her writing, but I have to say really??? Kiss of Pride has everything you've come to love about Sandra Hill, humor, love and a lot of kick ass action. I wasn't sure how she was going to pull off vampires and angels but she did. This is a wonderful story that you can miss. For those who don't read paranormal this book will bring you over to the dark side.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.cat7272
Posted June 1, 2012
just finished reading Kiss of Pride: A Deadly Angels Book ...loved it!!!! can't
wait for the next one.... Sara
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 1, 2012
Loved your first Deadly Angels book can't wait for book 2!!
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 26, 2012
Im a huge fan of Sandra Hill..... have always loved her books, her genres and her writing style. However, not a fan of this book. It didnt grab my attention at all, much less hold it. I felt like someone else had written this book. Very dissapointed.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.wrench
Posted May 24, 2012
Really! love this author, but I just could not get through this book...
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 10, 2013
I think not for me
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MagsMP
Posted June 1, 2012
This book was wonderfull. Great Read-- Love the humor along with a great Love Story. Can't wait for the next one...
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 12, 2012
Sexy and funny! I enjoy all of Ms. Hills other books ans this one was no different. I am looking forward to this new series!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 26, 2012
I am sorry to say but Kiss of Pride did not work for me. It borders on being just ridiculous. The plot and the characters had no depth to them. The whole Vikings/Vampires/Angels is just too much to take.
I really wish I could say something positive about this book but I can’t. I didn’t find it funny or even romantic. It was just a very disappointing read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Crew_Mom
Posted May 2, 2013
Sorry I Bought it.
I love Sandra Hill's other books and thought I'd enjoy this one, too. So disappointed. I really tried. But in the end I had to force myself to keep reading but finally gave up. Never finished it. Unfortunately, It was an e-book purchase so now I can't even sell the thing. Wish there was a money-back guarantee. (If there is, please let me know!)
Rider1
Posted April 27, 2013
I have always loved Sandra Hill's Viking books and these are no different. Vikar and his six brothers are as bad as vikings come each on committing one of the seven deadly sins. When God decides to rid the world of vikings the Archangel Michael steps in and intercedes on their behalf. In doing so we now have Vangels which are vampires who are trying to earn their angel wings, something that is easier said then done for each time they commit a sin years are added to their penance. The job of the Vangels is to try and stop the Lucipers from claiming a soul before it has a chance to repent for its misdeeds.
All is going well for the Vangels until Alex, a reporter who is looking for a story walks into Vikers life. Can he save her from the sin she is thinking about committing without committing more on his own?
This book is written in the traditional Sandra Hill fashion with all the humor you have come to expect in her writing. I found myself chuckling several times as a thousand year old viking had to deal with a modern woman. I often couldn't put this book down staying up late just to finish it.
Anonymous
Posted April 21, 2013
This was a fun and fast read. Unusual characters and story. I realyy enjoyed the viking background.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 18, 2013
~ ralik
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 17, 2013
Great Paranormal Romance! Book one starts out with a bang and keeps on with the excitement. Our Author has a wonderful sense of humor and it shines through her writing
and makes it fun fun fun!
What a great start to what will be a great series! Now! On to book 2 and, I have book 3 purchased and waiting for delivery.
Anonymous
Posted April 15, 2013
It is a real good book to read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MsVictoria1974
Posted April 15, 2013
Who would have thought Viking angels would be so hot. This series starting out great. This book is actually #2, but it stands alone just fine. These brothers have their ssues, but are really good at heart.
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Overview
Some men are too bad to be true . . .
Is he really a Viking with a vampire's bite? An angel with the body of a thunder god? A lone wolf with love on his mind? Alexandra Kelly, his prey, thinks Vikar Sigurdsson is either flat-out crazy or he's trying to maneuver her into his bed—which is hardly where a professional reporter should conduct an interview, tempting as that prospect might be.
And some men are too ...