She thought she had the perfect love and the perfect life. With the loss of her husband – her Dom – Calliope lost a part of herself. When she’s asked to photograph the new B&B building for Silas, a friend from the past, the two seem to hit off. He had always felt something for the little sub, but she was married and completely off limits… until now. But just when things start to look up, a … just when things start to look up, a presence from three hundred years ago makes herself known in a dramatic way.
This is a greatly expanded and revised version of the author’s bestselling ‘Master of the Sun’.
Publisher’s Note: This emotionally powerful, steamy paranormal romance contains themes of mystery, suspense, and power exchange.
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So very different to her usual work yet just as brilliant and amazing
A Taste of Shine is a wonderfully written historical romance set in America’s prohibition era. It is part one of a duet and set the scene so well with it’s captivating plot, intriguing characters and gentle humour.
The author is know so much more for her dark work, which I love and which was enough to make me interested in reading this book. Even though it isn’t my usual genre, without a shadow of a doubt I enjoyed every single word of this story. This is written with the same depth and quality that I have come to expect, once I started reading I really didn’t want to put the book down.
I totally and utterly fell in love with Charlie, Matthew, Nathaniel and Eli. I not only felt that these characters were believable, I cared about them, laughed with them, felt their pain and totally want to be their friend. The book had me drawn in from the first page and held me in thrall until the very last line. There is nothing I would want to change about this book, or the characters within. I could read this book again and again.
The story in some ways was quite gentle in feel, though it has it’s fair share of thugs and violence. I loved how the plot weaved the romance element through the story of a young woman escaping a tough background and trying to make a new start for herself. I loved the tough as nails, yet somewhat vulnerable Charlie. I loved the slow burn, I loved the banter between Charlie and Nathaniel. I even loved Matthew’s bumbling alpha maleness even whilst I wanted to shake him and shove him in Charlie’s direction.
The only thing I didn’t love was that the story doesn’t go on forever! Oh and having to wait for part 2, but that’s just because I need so much more of Charlie, Matthew and the rest of the characters in this tale.
If you are a fan of this author, like an adventurous historical read and or just want a damn good read then I highly recommend this. In fact I highly recommend this book full stop.
This book is a true testament to the diverse nature of Addison Cain’s talent. I fell in love with Ms. Cain’s work after reading her sci-fi series. This book couldn’t me more different, but it’s just as amazing in its own way. A Taste of Shine is a historical romance set in the Prohibition era. Addison’s skillful world building really transported me to that period in time and allowed me to live there for a while alongside her characters. Our heroine, Charlie, embodies everything I love about Addison Cain’s female characters. She is strong yet vulnerable, she is feisty and can definitely kick a$$. This is a woman in a man’s world who is ready to take on anything. The hero, Matthew, is a great counterpart for Charlie. He is a broody alpha who loves deeply and is fiercely protective of those he cares about. This is not an insta-love story, instead we get to experience the slow an beautiful dance as these two characters fall in love. It wouldn’t be an Addison Cain story without some steam and she doesn’t disappoint. I really enjoyed the cast of side characters in this book. They were well developed and interesting in their own right. I am hoping for more of the brothers in the future. All in all, another amazing book for the talented Ms. Cain!
What do you think it would be like to grow up growing up in the 20’s, young and on the streets? Charlie could tell you, it’s what she knows that keeps her alive. At least until she meets Matthew Emerson and his brother Nathaniel and younger cousin Eli. It takes all three of ’em to keep up with Charlie and even then she gives them the slip. As usuall Ms. Addison keeps you enthralled with her characters and all their asinine shenanigans. But typical of her endings, she leaves us hangin’ waitin for the next clue as to what’s coming next and “Shine” is no different. I truly enjoyed reading Part I and will patiently wait for # II. Hopefully it won’t be too long in coming.
This has to be one of my favorite books by Addison Cain. I read A Taste of Shine about a year ago when it was titled A Trick of the Light. It is a total 180 from what we are used to reading of Ms. Cain. A Taste of Shine is a historical fiction set in the Prohibition era in Chicago. There is a lot of heart in this novel and I really, really, really liked Charlie. She is such a different character than Ms. Cain’s other characters in her Omegaverse and darker, horror like stories. Charlie is strong, sassy, independent and determined to live her life on her own terms, all the alpha men in her life be damned! I’m a sucker for a good historical romance and I really enjoyed this one.
Addison Cain is one of my favorite authors and I pretty much binge read anything she puts out. Lately, she has gone very dark in her writing, pushing boundaries and testing the limits of her readers. A Taste of Shine is a welcomed change of pace and really demonstrates the type of range Addison Cain has as a writer. I enjoy reading her darker stories but seeing her softer side is just as much fun. A Taste of Shine has a few changes from the original A Trick of the Light novel and is now going to be a duet and I look forward to rereading the end of Charlie and Matthew’s story.
While I am not usually a fan of historical romances, I love Addison Cain’s work so I gave it a go. A Taste of Shine is the ultimate in slow burn. The chemistry between Matthew Emerson and Charlie Elliott is hot enough to ignite wet timber. The characters are dynamic, intriguing, and at times laugh out loud funny. The tensions are masterfully written–the plot tight. I devoured this book in one sitting.
A surprisingly light contemporary for Addison,, A Taste of Shine has surprised me with it’s quirky humor, it’s hard nosed heroine and the gruff Emerson family who takes her under their wing. The Emerson family is super fun and entertaining, Eli and Nathaniel provide significant humor to the entire story while Matthew is the broody, silent type that makes you want to root for him. A super slow burn of a book that shows a story full of plot and character doesn’t need to be full of steamy scenes to be amazing. 5 big stars!
A Taste of Shine definitely falls into the slow burn category. Charlie is the kind of woman more comfortable in a bar fight than a church social. She can handle a shotgun like a pro and she’s not afraid of much. Matthew is an alpha male who takes a little extra time to realize what he’s got in a woman like that. This is part one of their story and I can’t wait to read part 2. Great cast of characters that bring the world of gangland Chicago and prohibition to life.
This one was sooo good! When you first see Charlie you don’t realize that she is a girl. She is a bounty hunter disguised as a man for her own safety. Her background is heartbreaking, but definitely makes her a strong woman. And Matthew is the strong silent type who doesn’t seem to know how to act around Charlie when he meets her as an actual woman for the first time. And this is a slow burn kind of book.
Charlie and Matthew are so sweet together! I completely enjoyed the first half of this story and can’t wait to finish Charlie and Matthew’s story! Totally recommend
Oh my, I want to move to Devil’s Hollow and Monroe. I love this story. Charlie is everything I wanted to be when I was young.These characters come to life in the pages of this story. This is not your typical story I have come to expect from Addison Cain. I knew she was talented but…this is a work of art! Bravo Addison! I am waiting breathlessly for the continuation of Matthew and Charlotte’s story.
The first part in the Trick of Light Duet.
This book is a lot different then the other books I have read of Addison Cain, but it is also a very familiar in the fact that this book has complex and layered characters and Addison have a beautiful detailed way of writing. It makes everything come to life.
The story takes place during the prohibition in the world of bootleggers and the Chicago Mob. Charlotte is a very strong woman and very fierce when it comes to the protecting the people she loves. And she has so much love to give. Matthew is rough around the edges, but would do anything for his Charlotte. It is a wonderful story of hardship, tragedy, action and love.
I look forward to reading the second part of this duet.
Addison Cain what an intriguing mind you have!! I just love all the character developement, attention to detail and the compelling story line.
Charlie is a woman formed by tragedy and hardship, strong yet naive, masculine yet feminine, a woman of contrasts. Matthew is quiet yet strong and protective, both are capable of violence but also great loyalty and emotion. The chemistry is a slowburn, the other characters diverse, danger and death is a part of their life. Come along for another excellently written story from this talented author!
This story is such a fun read! I love the bootlegging and the strong heroine. From the beginning this story is unexpected and takes your for a wild ride. You are laughing and wishing you could have a taste of the Emerson’s famous moonshine! I can’t wait for the second installment. You can’t go wrong with Cain’s unique writing style and sassy characters. Highly recommended!
This book was such a switch from the books Addison Cain normally writes. If you’ve read her work before, you probably automatically think dark romance or horror or menage. This is none of those things, but I still loved it! It teeters on the border of being an actually sweet, innocent romance! There’s enough sexy in there to keep you interested, but it’s definitely a slow burn. I really enjoyed all the characters she wrote too… you’ve got Nathaniel, the older brother who enjoys the moonshine a bit too much, but has known the truth about Charlie from the beginning. They’ve got a lovely friendship, where they accept each other for exactly who they are, and enjoy spending time together. Matthew is the sexy, quiet hero, who never seems to quite know what to say or how to respond to Charlie. And Eli is the rambunctious younger cousin, who reminds you a hyper, lovable puppy dog, always at your heels. LOL
The whole story was enjoyable and fun, and I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Charlotte is one of the best heroines I have had the pleasure of reading about in a book. She is extremely capable, willing to lend a hand and doesn’t gloat but inconspicuously takes care of business. Matthew seemed a bit disagreeable until he realized his feelings for Charlotte although he was never the most demonstrative character. The supporting characters were well defined strengthening the appeal of the two main characters for me. I enjoyed this prohibition era storyline that kept my attention !
Ms. Cain knows how to write. A lot of people know this by now. What they might not realize is the breadth of her imagination and creativity. It’s not all horror and darkness in her stories; sometimes there’s nothing but the sweet shine that steals your breath and burns good all the way down.
Charlotte – just call me Charlie – has had one hell of a life, and it’s all she’s ever known. Gangsters, mafia, criminals of all flavors have darkened her door and others she’s gone looking for. She thinks it’s not so bad, at least for her. Matthew wants to show her there’s so much more, dirty criminal bootlegger that he is, and that she deserves it all. In these pages we see them crash together, a tornado of protectiveness and independence that just won’t quit. Through it all, there’s a sweetness that makes you ache, that special something that makes you gasp and smile. You hope it won’t ever stop. 10/10 would recommend!
First off, I would like to note that this book is part 1 – it’s not a full story and ends rather abruptly.
Second off, I loved this book. I love books that take time to world build and flush out the characters slowly so you get to know them. Where the story isn’t in your face and obvious. It’s definitely a departure from the author’s usual dark stories – more of a normal romance so far compared to other stories I’ve read from her – totally not a bad thing for me. It definitely is a little longer than her normal short stories and novellas. I highly recommend taking the time to read this if you’re into prohibition era romances
I loved this book
Charlie is one of the best heroins I have read. She is a total badass with a heart of gold.
She has lived so much, knows all the awful things that people can do in this world but still is so innocent in others aspects of life.
Her personality is so entertaining and refreshing. The way she interacts with the brothers and all the people is the best thing in the book.
Mathew, Nathaniel and their cousin are sweet, hilarious and protectives the right way.
Mathew is endearing in his grumpiness and love the way he doesn’t how to act with her sometimes.
Nathaniel is my favorite of the brothers for his good humor and acceptance of all thing Charlie.
I can’t wait to read book 2 and know all the troubles all this characters al going to live.
I absolutely fell in love with this story. I loved how tough Charlie was and how the Emerson boys didn’t quite know what to do with her in the beginning. The story does leave off on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next book!