Who says the devil isn’t worth a little romancing? He’s hot, he’s utterly charming, and when he falls for a woman, he falls oh-so-hard. He’s willing to go all in to win her heart, which can be adorable and a little terrifying, all at the same, delicious time. Not-so-skilled magical apprentice Iris Bennett has one goal: to save the world from a spell gone wrong…an accident that is kinda her fault. … her fault. She has only three days left to fix it, or all hell is going to break loose…maybe literally.
It’s bad enough when she discovers her last chance to undo the spell is dead on the floor next to her crystal ball, but when she realizes that the dangerously sexy man standing beside the body might be the murderer, things get even more complicated.
Does she accept his magical help, or run as fast as she can from this devilishly sexy hottie who has secrets darker than the darkest recesses of hell? The problem is, she’s pretty sure he’s one of the good guys…until she discovers that he might not be after all…
But by then, she’s already in over her head, and honestly, he really is such a temptation.
P.S. See that gold medallion on the cover? That means it contains Super Secret Bonus Scenes, which are extremely cool.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: S.A. Bayne (aka Stephanie Rowe) is a gift to the universe, at least according to her dogs, and everyone knows dogs are world-class judges of people. She was taught to play by the rules, but after suffering numerous apoplectic breakdowns, she realized that she had to ditch the rules, figure out her own way to live, and then turn that into a high-octane, irreverent, unpredictable-as-hell, paranormal that will make your day so much better just by reading it. And yes, she is also New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Stephanie Rowe, winner of the 2018 RITA® Award for Best Paranormal Romance. Because she’s nifty like that.
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I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.
This is the first book that I have read by this author, but it won’t be the last.
This book is really well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The characters are fantastic, and the way that they are described is great, it helps to build the world and them into real people.
I like the way the characters interact with each other throughout the book, it makes you smile because of the naivety of Ted and Balthazar, and the way that Linnea and Iris try to fight there advances off.
All in all I would recommend this book, the only reason I haven’t given it 5 star’s is because it ends on a cliffhanger.
This is not the Iris I first encountered! Not Quite a Devil tells the tale of a young Iris that leads with her brawn and her determined heart. Then there is the tango with that sexy man that just can’t seem to win her over. The scenes with this couple are laugh out loud. You’ve never had so much fun with the devil!
While I loved Iris and Satan in Immortally Cursed, I loved them better here. You can read their stories in any order.
This new side of S.A. Bayne is light-hearted, upbeat and funny. This is a quick read that filled in a few holes of the holes I had after reading Immortally Cursed. This story had me giggling and smiling all the way through. If you are looking for a feel-good story this is the one for you.
What a fun Novella to read. These books are so much fun to read. A laugh a minute. Satan has to be one of my favorite characters to read about in this series. It’s so nice to read a book that makes me smile and laugh at out.
I received an ARC for an honest review
This was a great read that at times had me absolutely giggling! A great storyline with great characters, this is one fab novella!
This is a great story with great characters. This story has great twists and suspense. I didn’t want to put it down, I really enjoyed reading this book. This is a must read.
I received a ARC copy of this book and I am volunteering to do an honest review.
Fun, Fast, Hilarious, Read!
If you need cheering or something to turn your frown upside down, then grab this book now. From beginning to end Iris endeavors to save her friend and protect Mona from the hands of evil, or greed. A serious quest indeed…
Along the way, she is met with many challenges. Evil, greed, lust, Satan, hunger, loneliness, and did I mention Satan?
Action, fighting, laughing, lust, some denying, more lusting. Not your normal quest. For all the laughing, eye rollong, grabbing your side from laughing to much, there is an underlying story of growth and loyalty.
The storyline keeps you turning the page, the characters are hilariously, and the story well written. But I have to say that Satan was a little to campy for me to see as a serious love interest. But this is a Romantic Comedy and therefore completely exceptably. I found him adorable and he is extremely qualified to give the best orgasms. He came across as someone who was still growing into himself.
Overall I recommend this book to anyone who likes a lusty, fun read. I had a smile on my face 95% of the time it took me to enjoy this book.
I voluntarily reviewed this advance readers copy. My opinions are mine own, unbiased and honest.
Bit of a mixed bag review. Loved the story and the characters however some of the dialogue just made my brain hurt. I get that it’s set way back when but sometimes it was just damn right discombobulating!
Iris and Linnea are on a mission to protect a magical goblet and try and extricate their highly magical friend from the same said goblet. But add in Balthazar and his mate Ted (not his real name – that was downright unpronounceable!) and the hormones start to fly.
Balthazar is hunk on a stick but a bit of a one-track mind once he meets Iris. He uses every cheese line in the book! But is he irredeemably evil? Just a misunderstood playboy with a douche of a father?
Totally whackadoodle fun and as long as you can switch your sensible brain off, a really enjoyable read! Reminds me a bit of Terry Pratchett Discworld as in modern-day conveniences with a kind of Medieval/Renaissance twist!
Talk about a cliffhanger coming out of nowhere!
No spoilers of any kind included!
So all I’m going to say about this book is that I thought it was fantastic and I’m going to leave it at that because if I say anything else I’ll be giving away all the surprises that’s hidden within this story!
But it’s a yes I do recommend this book to anyone who’s searching for a really awesome story to climb into!
Not Quite A Devil is a quick read and the first book in the series. This novella gives us the opportunity for us to learn who Mona is and how the Devil and Iris meet. The banter back in forth with Iris and the Devil are comedic and will have you laughing out loud. I look forward to seeing where this series goes from here.
I loved this story! The characters are hilarious! Such a great read. Make sure to get the copy that has the gold seal. There are bonus scenes at the end of the book that add to the story.
Iris is determined fix a problem that she created. While searching for answers, she runs in to the most handsome, charming man she has ever met. The devil is besotted with the sassy Iris. He will do anything to win her, even play dirty.
Another hilarious, mind-bending, riot of a story by the talented S.A. Bayne. Absolutely loved it, and look forward to the next one!
I have only read a few books by this author but have discovered I really enjoy reading her world with the characters she breathes life into with words. The added humor balances it out to make it a very satisfying read. Iris has a full agenda you could say with us coming right up behind her. Oh not to forget the one who could melt our you know whats with others to give us one that if full of so much deliciousness. This author has captured my attention again and at this rate she will be one of those drop what you are reading to open up again.
This is a NON-SPOILER REVIEW. Not Quite A Devil by S. A. Bayne (Stephanie Rowe) is the first book in her Devilishly Sexy series. What a light and delicious romp! I absolutely loved that the characters are so well thought out. Backstories drag you into the characters frame of mind and have you laughing along at this comedy of errors. My only issue was that the story doesn’t resolve! I wanted more….
These books are hilarious. Satan has found the woman who is the light to his dark. He calls her his “love pancake”. Iris’ job is to protect”Mona”, but it is the very thing he wants. Needless to say this crazy story had me laughing and smiling. I can’t wait for more of these stories. They are very fast reads, but they pack a punch.
The SSBS scenes had Linnea and Ted paired up, and ready to go into battle. I would have loved more of these two.
They also had Satan appearing to Iris as he tries to pick up what’s left of himself. He warns her he coming, and she gets to packing.
I loved this book. This was not your typical romance book. The story was well written and the characters were well defined throughout the story. The ending leaves me with hopes of a book.2 in the future.
Sometimes I feel like I give out too many 5 star reviews, but when I read books like this, what else am I to do?
Stephanie has really nailed the comedic storyline. She obviously has stepped out of her usual wheelhouse of paranormal romance (re: The Order of the Blade series) and into something very different; the romantic comedy. And boy has she done it well!
In her new comedic tragedy (? tragic comedy?) Not Quite a Devil, we are introduced to such characters as Satan, who has spent his entire reign defying his now dead father by curbing his desire to murder, rape and pillage. His love-interest and the guardian of Mona, Iris, who is mortified by yet unable to curb her attraction to Satan. Her best friend Linnea, who’s sole purpose in life is to guard and protect Iris and Mona to the exclusion of all else. Satan’s bodyguard Ted, who was Satan’s father’s bodyguard before him and is a warrior supreme. And, of course, Iris’s friend, Arabella, who was trapped in the Goblet of Eternal Youth by an evil witch named Desdemona (hence the nickname for the goblet of Desdemona’s Temptation, or just Mona for short) and needs Iris to find way to break the spell that has trapped her.
What do they all add up to? A recipe for hilarity! Between the X-rated attempts at seduction that occupies all of Satan’s time, the attempts Iris makes to ignore her rebellious girly parts, and the immediate attraction between Linnea and Ted’s weapons…ok, and Ted too, there’s enough goofiness to keep you going for a long time to come. Even when you know there’s a serious story here, a poor girl trapped in a goblet, possibly for eternity if Iris can’t break the spell, you still can’t help but laugh your butt off through the entire telling!
Then, if that’s not enough for you, you get bonus scenes. First one will explain what happens with Linnea and Ted (and I’m not going to hint at anything cause it will just ruin it for you!) and a bit about Linnea’s beginnings and the other will let you in on what happens to Iris and Satan after Not Quite a Devil ends. But you’ll never find out any of that if you don’t buy the book, since sneaky Stephanie has included those short stories only in the copies of Not Quite a Devil. Great tactic, if you ask me!
This book, while more a novella than a novel, had me giggling so often I felt silly reading it. I actually felt like maybe I should be reading it in private so no one would hear what a hyena it was making me! I mean, “like they always did in the movies (which of course, hadn’t been invented yet, but someday…(I’m not finishing that comment cause the ending is too funny and you need to read it for yourself!). It’s like watching the show Supernatural and having the First Vampire say to the boys “see you next season”. Unexpected comments out of nowhere that so take you by surprise that you just have to crack up!
Yes, Stephanie Rowe, aka S.A. Bayne, you did it again. You are definitely on a roll and I can’t wait for the next venture into silliness that you decide to produce. Who knew you were that crazy? I’m so glad you decided to share this with us cause everyone can always use a laugh, and you deliver them with aplomb!
Excellently done, S.A. Bayne! Most excellently done, indeed!
I received this as an ARC with the understanding that if I wrote a review it would be in my own words and of my own volition, which this most definitely is. Because, frankly, I couldn’t fake this kind of enjoyment!
ONE FABULOUS TREAT!!!
Oh man! Talk about hard hitting with a bang. All the angst, treachery and speculation along with all that drama, tension and intrigue go hand-in-hand. Throw in a little humor and you have one prize winning delight. Twixt and twined and put through the wringer brings this piece of perfection bursting to life flawlessly. Bayne and Rowe really nailed this bad boy and kept me on a razors edge from start to finish. Twists and turns abound along with a few bumps and bruises make for one exceptional experience. One gripping storyline and turbulent plot catapults this bad boy to a whole new level. One fantastic, smooth flowing, heart pounding, pulse racing wonder that brings this little baby together splendidly. The characters are authentic, animated and realistic with such depth and individualism you get immersed so deep until nothing else matters. The scenes are vividly descriptive with such colorful detail its easy to picture each scenario as they play off one another in perfect balance. Outstanding job guys, thanks for sharing this amazing little jewel with us.