He’s pious. She’s wicked.He despises her more than he wants her……or is it the other way around?Samurai Iyatt Martenn is a devout man with a history of violence. His painful past has shaped his present. Iyatt leads an ascetic life of a martial arts teacher and fights his demons as best he can. Haysi, a belly dancer, is a shameless hedonist if Iyatt ever saw one. When she isn’t swaying her hips … saw one.
When she isn’t swaying her hips for strangers, she can be found in her shop, inking tattoos on harlots. Worse, she even enjoys their company.
Under normal circumstances, Iyatt would’ve never spoken to a woman like her. But Haysi has a gift—she can talk to spirits. For Iyatt, she channels his deceased fiancée, who asks for their help in a delicate matter.
Forced to work together, Iyatt and Haysi soon find themselves drawn to each other…
resisting their attraction…
yielding to it.
But that doesn’t change what Iyatt thinks of Haysi’s job or her views. He knows he can fight his sinful passion by denying his body.
The question is, can he deny his heart?
THE SAMURAI’S LOVER is Book 4 in the Keepers of Xereill paranormal romance / romantic science fiction series. Each novel in this series focuses on a different couple’s journey to love. But it also builds on past events and fits into a broader story arc. You will enjoy the series more (and avoid spoilers!) if you start with THE CYBORG’S LADY.
Recommended reading order:
Series Starter: The Cyborg’s Lady
1. The Traitor’s Bride
2. The Commander’s Captive
3. The Dragon’s Woman
✦ A Night of Amity (newsletter-exclusive companion novelette)
4. The Samurai’s Lover
5. The Vestal’s Steward
➜ Get your copy now.
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Wow this is a fantastic series. Haysi is a belly Dancer and a tattoo artist. Lyatt needs help with her secret gift. They are forced to work together. Wow this read is epic. I am loving this series it grabs you right from the beginning to the end. It is a real page turner. It has twists and turns. I definitely recommend this read.
Shauna Joesten
The Girl Snatcher
At its heart, this is a gentle love story (okay, it gets steamy toward the end, but is basically a delightful Boy Meets Girl!). It is set in the future in a time of space travel and amazing bionics and incredible psi gifts, with wars and villains and, naturally, our hero who is a Samurai. Our heroine, Haysmi, is pretty special, too–she can BE dead people. If you happen to have been reading the series in order, you will recognize a great many of the side characters and their roles in the power struggles and political intrigues threatening Ra-humanity, but this immediate story plays out well on its own and provides some very satisfying side plots, as well.
Iyatt lost his love previously in a successful rescue mission. When I wrote my review of that book in the series, I gave it a 4 mainly because I felt bad about Unie’s death. Haysi brings love back to Iyatt and more than makes up for the previous pain that Iyatt suffered. Ms. Alex description of the love Iyatt formerly felt for Unie in comparison to the love he now has for Haysi resolved the issue of having two loves very nicely. Well done. I think that this novel is the best one of the Keepers of Xereill series so far. Neither the H nor the h are rich bloods but they both show the strength of humanity in their love for each other. Not to worry, there are other rich blood characters and action galore along with nicely described love scenes hot enough to satisfy everyone without embarrassment. Non stop easy flowing read that continues the series’ characters and the story leaving the reader well satisfied with the deserved ending of one of the vile villains in the series. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book and do so enjoy the complex worlds within the Keepers of Xereill universe as well as the variety of well described characters and their rich blood superhuman abilities. The political maneuverings and juxtapositions between advanced and lacking societies is well thought out. There are numerous plays within each story between families, politics, lovers, and societies’ mores. It is hard to stop reading one of the stories Ms. Nichols writes once you start reading them and caffeine sure helps whatever style drink you get it in.
I loved Iyatt and Haysi story! Iyatt’s journey pulled my heart strings when his fiancée died earlier in the series. I was happy to see him find love again! Haysi’s lifestyle was against everything Iyatt though he believed in, but his body had other ideas about the belly dancer. I loved the chemistry and passion between Iyatt and Haysi. While their story can be read as a standalone, I definitely enjoyed it more since I have read the whole series. I loved the conclusion to the overall story arc around the police chief. I can’t wait for the 5th and final book in the series. So much is happening in the world and I want answers! A great addition to the series full of heart, passion, standing up for what you believe in, acceptance, and love. Amazing!
Writing a review for Alix Nichols’ The Samurai’s Lover (Keepers of Xereill Book 4) is actually very easy. If you’ve read books 1 to 3 (and therefore are more than likely addicted to this wonderful series) you are guaranteed to love book 4. If you’re a newcomer then the key question will be: do you enjoy sci fi paranormal romance tales? If so then the romance between Samurai Iyatt Martenn and belly dancer (and spirit talker) Haysi will be perfect for you. Having said that, s warning, while this book is totally standalone, as are the prior books in the series (each of which focuses on a different couple), fur maximum enjoyment it’s really best to start with the series prequel, The Cyborg’s Lady, as each book builds on events in prior books and fits into a broader story arc. Trust me, it’s worth the (totally fun) “effort” to start at the beginning. As for this book, but for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed, I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
As a new reader to this series, the first couple of chapters were confusing with all the characters but then I got into the main characters – Iyatt and Haysi. Samurai Iyatt is religious and opinionated and Haysi is artistic and independent. Haysi a tattoo artist/medium/belly dancer in the Lanterns district gets a message from Iyatt’s dead girlfriend Unie and tries to tell him. Iyatt thinks she’s a charlatan but goes to the reading and realizes he is talking to Unie. They set up another reading appointment which Unie asks Iyatt to save her brother because he’s involved in the criminal underground and to take Haysi with him because it’s the only way Unie can talk with him. Haysi agrees to go with Iyatt and along the way they develop emotions along encounter resistance as Haysi is abducted as they search for Unie’s brother. There’s a second story with the political unrest thrown into this book which I found also interesting. Overall it’s a well written story in this sci-fi romance. I volunteer to read and review this ARC. 4 3/4 stars
I have loved each of the Keepers of Xereill books in this series. The Samurai’s Lover is another terrific read. Iyatt and Haysi come from different ways of life and you wouldn’t think the two would ever meet let alone fall in love. But they need each other as they work together, finding their differences make them stronger together. I have to admit, there is one point where I was cheering as one smarmy character got smacked with comeuppance and well deserved pay back. As with each book, there is a main couple and how they work through obstacles that are thrown in their way. The back story is all the political and world issues that are going on in the background that continues to build. And I love how the relationship between Linne and Keiron is woven thought the books. I love learning more about them.
I love this series and look forward to what happens next. I highly recommend this this book and each in this series.
Genre: Romance-Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Paranormal, Suspense
Standalone: Not really – Best if you read the first three books first. However, the love story is complete
Part of a Series: Yes Book 4 of the Keepers of Xereill series
POV: Multiple
Steam Level: Some heat
4.5/5
This fourth installment of the Keepers of Xereill series is the best yet! It’s full of drama and intrigue, humor and emotion, love and courage – in short, what I’ve come to expect from Alix Nichols’ books. The Samurai’s Lover deals with love and loss and moving on and also judgement and looking at yourself to figure out why you’re judging someone. I loved this story. It seemed more mellow, not as intense as the earlier books but it moved the story forward immensely! And OMG the climax was AMAZING!!! Things are coming to a boiling point and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book.
I received an advance copy of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I’ve read most of Alix Nichols’ books and I like her writing very much. The Keepers of Xereill series has been interesting, imaginative and well written. I must admit though, I forgot some of the characters and events by the time this book was available. Other reviewers did a fine job of summarizing the main two characters already. Without giving anything away, I’ll reveal what I liked and what didn’t appeal to me.
Iyatt and Haysi are complete opposites. He’s religious, strait laced, rigid, judgemental and sees Haysi in a superficial way. On the other hand, Haysi is positive, sensual, kind, and stands up for the rights of her female peers. Although their relationship starts out questionably, I enjoyed watching their feelings for each other blossom. They both have strong feelings for what they believe in and fight for it. I liked how some of the vile evildoers saw their demise.
As I stated above, I had difficulty following the story of the minor characters and political mayhem. I was a bit bored. With that said, I want to read the final installment very much!
I received this book from the author, and I wrote this review voluntarily.
A extraordinary book about samurai Iyatt and Haysi.
Haysi runs her own tattoo shop and does belly dancing for money.
That is how she met Iyatt.
Iyatt finds out she can speak to he ex fiance who passed away.
Iyatt and Haysi are attracted to each other but he tries to resist her.
I like it how Haysi changes Iyatt for the better and how hes there for her when she really needs him.
I highly recommend this book to read, I couldn’t put it down.
Is an orphan from a bad part of town worthy of a hero’s regard?
March 3, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
3.5 stars
This story is brimming with action and political intrigue, with a romance bridging two sides of the tracks at its center. I liked the romance, especially the kind and gutsy heroine. The hero less so because he’s a bit too rigid and priggishly judgmental. There’s disdain that turns to an irresistible attraction. The action-packed climax was truly suspenseful and thrilling. Look for karmic twists involving a villain’s wife and nick of time unexpected surprise appearances. The ending was upbeat and resolved some long outstanding issues.
My main issue with this story is the number of characters (too many!) and the detailed political intrigue. I had read the previous books in the series and there’s no way I could forget the principal villains. But it’s been awhile since the other books were released and I read them. This book has no quick summary to refresh the memory about happenings and characters, principal and minor, from the previous books. As I had no desire to go back and re-read them to catch up there were a lot of details and interactions with those older characters that went right over my head. In addition to the back glossary with a few terms and a timeline, this book would be a lot easier to read with a list and brief description of the many characters.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
The Samurai’s Lover is a great read; intriguing,interesting and exciting story; great storyline, interesting characters with great chemistry,great addition to the series,well done! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book!!! thanks!
arc review For honest review. This is a story of haysi a tattoo artist/belly dancer at the lantern and a special gift to talk to the dead. Who get a message from the dead unie and wants to talk to black belt samurai Iyatt. Which sets them on a path. Very cute.
I have loved every book in this series. It could be read as a stand-alone but I definitely had a richer experience having read the previous 3 books.
The characters are wonderfully developed and the storyline has a few twists, a fitting and deserving end to someone, and some wounds are healed. Cannot wait to see how this series will finish!
In a shocking turn of events for me, the heroine was my favorite part of the story. Normally I’m backing the poor misunderstood hero against a female counterpart that doesn’t deserve him. Instead, Haysi captured my attention from the very start of the book and there wasn’t anything Iyatt could do to steal it back. Which I found very odd since my heart bled for him when he learned Unie had died. I was able to get a different understanding of his character in this book. I can see the reasons behind his piety and devotion even if I don’t personally agree with them. Especially since they made his relationship with Haysi turbulent. One of the things I like best about this series, is that even though it focuses on the romance between each individual couple, there is this intricate, complex web of political machinations going on behind the scenes – or out in the open as the case may be. There is so much more going on here than the little bit we’ve seen so far. And as badly as I want to see everyone paired off, I think I’m just a little bit more desperate to learn what’s really going on and what it’s going to take to stop it.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
An uncertain future, a corrupted government and a web of intrigue, deception and violence undermining the population had took its toll. With her skills Haysimina Lommen was struggling to survive every day. Iyatt Martenn still was suffering his fiancé lost and with his beliefs, his doubts and guilt sense he would not accept what was being offered, freely, to him. Liked her character strong, smart, gifted, resourceful and passionate with a good sense of justice and her head in place. Lot of things were happening in this book and all of them thrilling. Better to read the books in order to recognize and follow the different characters. Could not put down this book with its intense, exciting and sometimes dark situations that kept me on edge, the interesting plot development and the intriguing characters playing their part in the story. Action, suspense, violence, good and strong and complex characters, strong emotions, romance and passion in this interesting and well written story.
This is a very good read. The emotional turmoil is very intense as Iyatt and Haysi’s story unfolds. The tension between these two is very tactile and their chemistry sizzles. For complete understanding and reading enjoyment, I do recommend you read this whole series and in order. Drama, suspense, action and many twists help grab and hold your attention. A very good read and a welcome addition to this series.
I enjoyed reading this book , Iyatt and Haysi’s story is filled with action and intrigue. The interaction and chemistry between the characters is wonderful. I can’t wait for more from this author. I received this book as a FREE ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.