A Very Proper Monster: A Fantasy Romance Novella (Elemental Mysteries/World Book 9)

I have written and erased this review multiple times; not because I disliked anything about the book, but because I loved it so much, words are escaping me.Elizabeth Hunter takes beloved characters from her other books and gives them their own novella, opening the door to the lives of Tom and Josie, a couple who shouldn't be a couple but are some of the most interesting characters she's written about. I loved learning the background of how they met, married, and fell in love. An arranged marriage in 19th century Dublin turns into an epic love story that spans decades--how could it not be intriguing? Tom is the perfect tough guy romantic, and Josie is the whimsical Gothic writer (is that some sort of oxymoron?) who happens to have a death sentence hanging over her head. They complement each other's lives in a way neither one realizes they need.A Very Proper Monster and Night of the Waking City are quick reads, yet Ms. Hunter's ability to fit so much into so few pages is something that always astounds me. I always feel like I've read a full-length novel when I've finished her novellas, because she so eloquently packs so much pertinent detail into them to make the storyline clear and understandable.While it's not necessary to have read the Elemental World series to follow along with A Very Proper Monster, it helps with some of the characters in Night of the Waking City.I look forward to the next adventure!

And Elizabeth Hunter does it again, she's written two excellent short stories to entertain our reading addiction.The first story "A Very Proper Monster", is about how Tom met Josie. The second story "A Night In The Waking City", is about Tom and Josie 's trip to New York City. Both stories are written beautifully and flow so well.I enjoyed getting to meet Tom and Josie and how they met, since they have both been mentioned in previous books. It gives secondary characters, like them, more depth when you get given a back story to read. Then to top it off, we were given a second short story of an event on a trip to New York in the present day. Now, since they were in New York and it's written in the present day, who do you know lives there? If you said Ben and Tenzin, you would be correct. Not saying anything else, otherwise it would ruin the story for everyone who hasn't read it yet. I'll just say you won't be disappointed.If you have a couple hours free and you want a quick, but satisfying read, pick this one up. If you've read her other Elemental World books, then this is a must read.

This book contains two stories: a novella and a short story. If you have already purchased Beneath A Waning Moon then you already have the novella. However, if you are a fan of Elizabeth Hunter's Elemental Universe I would recommend that you buy this book just for the short story. I did. That is me. It it was so worth it. Tom and Josie are unique, quirky, and loving.If you are unfamiliar with Elizabeth Hunters work, I wouldn't start with this book. These are short form stories so a familiarity with the world they live in is somewhat assumed.If you are familiar with the Elemental World, and somehow you missed the novella when it was published in Beneath a Waning Moon, then please do yourself a favor and buy the book. The stories are fun, sweet , and poignant.

Great novella! I loved Tom and Josie and how much Tom LOVED Josie so much! I was super close to giving this book a 4 star only because of how much Anne and Patrick were in it and I hated seeing how cute they were together before their separation because it just made their HEA after their separation in their own book pointless. Like they're so happy together again, but this just shows they were before too, so how do I know Patrick won't do that to Anne all over again if they ever separate for any reason, again?BUT, Ben and Tenzin appeared for the extra story and this book automatically went back up to a 5 star because their amazing-ness erased dumb Patrick and Anne out of my head, and of course Tom and Josie only got cuter and cuter. Now onto Lucien's story!*Anne shook her head. “Good heavens, you two really are perfect for each other. Who would have guessed?” “Me,” Josie said with a sweet smile. “I knew we’d get on the first night he called on me.” Tom smiled and went back to his paper. Sweet butterfly girl… “Oh?” Anne asked. “Why’s that?” “It was obvious,” Josie said. “He brought me a book.”

I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not a fan of the Bram Stoker variety of vampire, but the time spanning avatar is delightful. I read several of the Saint Germain series by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro when I was much younger, which is what introduced me to the concept.You handle a multitude of disparate characters with skill, keeping the personalities distinctive. The locations are varied, but I might suggest using a bit more detail unique to the area. You hit on it here and there, but the scenes can be fleshed out to further delight your readers.If you do a story line in Imperial Russia, please work something in with the Amber Room from Peter the Great's era. It was scavenged during WWII, but there is enough historical material, as well as a reconstructed version to give you some literary grist.BTW, if you really want to try hang gliding, better do it soon. You really can see thermals once you get some altitude, and you'll discover a whole new set of senses up there that are nearly impossible to describe. It's not a sport to take up in your senior years.

I wasn't excited about this one. They seemed like filler characters and I didn't think I'd care much. For the sake of completion and continuity I read it. I'm so glad I did!This couple was so sweet. Endearing. Their story was adorable and unexpected. Hunter really gets character development and makes sure that each character has a unique voice, I love it.Definitely recommend. And the conversation between Tom and Ben in the second short story was very.... Impactful. For both the character and me (I'd never thought of it that way either - thanks Tom Dargin)

That's a lovely couple of vampires AND a lovely couple of stories about them. Tom Dargin is Patrick Murphy's right-hand man who falls in love with the gentle gothic novelist Josie. Unfortunately Josie is extremely ill in a time before modern medicine. A beautiful story of when opposites attract.The original tale is now joined by a new one. Josie and Tom are visiting New York in the modern day, where they make new friends. We learn some more background info on the O'Brien clan, and Tom gives Ben something important to think about.

I was completely enchanted by this little gem of two short stories (but they feel longer because EH is such a good writer) featuring Tom Dargin and Josephine Shaw. The first tells the story of their meeting and growing love and their struggles with Josie's illness (the writing moved me to tears here and that is not easily done, I assure you). The second is an 'episode' abroad that includes an intervention by Tenzin; Josie and Tenzin take to each other in no time - that kind of says it all!! Loved it and finished it all too soon but I daresay I will go back for another read in a week or two; yes, they really are that charming.

Two short stories from the Dublin connection focussing on Tom and Josie. The first is how they met and the second is a New York tale that also features Ben and Tenzin. I love every thing about this series and particularly those that feature the Dublin characters. Only really for fans but seen as I am one it worked for me.

A bit shorter than some Elemental books but still the usual high standard. Although to the regular readers this is a back story filling in some historic details of the "Murphy Clan" any new readers would enjoy this as a stand alone story. I just wish some of the original would make a return its getting hard keeping up with everyone.

I enjoyed the stories very much and as always get totally enthralled in the characters antics. I look forward to the next encounter with Ben and Tenzin and not to forget Tom and Josie. I couldn't put this book down, keep writing please.