Infinity

Rating:
Summary: The BEST book EVER
Review: "Infinity" by Maggie Shayne is a hauntingly romantic tale of danger, adventure and a love that endures through eternity. Shayne has created a captivating mix of romance and suspense that is guaranteed to keep readers glued to the pages. With its fresh and original storyline and endearing characters, "Infinity" will stay in the minds and hearts of readers long after the book is done.
Arianna, independent, stubborn and often reckless, is an Immortal High Witch. She knows exactly what she wants, and his name is Nicodimus. However, Nicodimus, also an Immortal High Witch, has suffered too much pain and loss in his seven hundred and fifty years of life, and has vowed never to love again. But when he must marry Arianna to keep her safe from accusations of witchcraft, this wilful beauty begins to break down the barriers around his heart. But not until Arianna is kidnapped and taken from him does Nicodimus finally realize that he truly does love her and cannot live without her.
Arianna has been kidnapped by Nicodimus' life-long enemy, Marten, a Dark Immortal High Witch, who survives by taking the hearts of Light Witches such as Arianna and Nic. But when Nicodimus comes to rescue Arianna, he walks in on a trap, and dies believing that Arianna has committed the ultimate betrayal.
For five hundred years, Arianna walks the earth longing for her lost love, until she finally finds and kills the Dark Witch who stole Nicodimus' heart, and discovers a way to bring Nic back. And though Arianna is successful in returning Nicodimus to life, her actions also summon the powerful evil that tore them apart all those centuries ago - Nicodimus' mortal enemy - who threatens all that they hold dear.
Now, Arianna and Nicodimus must confront the past, for only then can they reawaken the love that was always in their hearts, and triumph over the evil that threatens to destroy them once and for all!
This is a great book. I was immensely entertained from cover to cover, as Maggie Shayne absorbed me in her wonderful world of magic and true love. Nicodimus and Arianna are fantastic, vivid, and lovable characters, with realistic flaws and strengths. I highly recommend this book, so buy it today. You won't regret it, I promise!

Rating:
Summary: A Refreshingly Original Mix of Romance and Suspense!
Review: "Infinity" by Maggie Shayne is a hauntingly romantic tale of danger, adventure and a love that endures through eternity. Shayne has created a captivating mix of romance and suspense that is guaranteed to keep readers glued to the pages. With its fresh and original storyline and endearing characters, "Infinity" will stay in the minds and hearts of readers long after the book is done.
Arianna, independent, stubborn and often reckless, is an Immortal High Witch. She knows exactly what she wants, and his name is Nicodimus. However, Nicodimus, also an Immortal High Witch, has suffered too much pain and loss in his seven hundred and fifty years of life, and has vowed never to love again. But when he must marry Arianna to keep her safe from accusations of witchcraft, this wilful beauty begins to break down the barriers around his heart. But not until Arianna is kidnapped and taken from him does Nicodimus finally realize that he truly does love her and cannot live without her.
Arianna has been kidnapped by Nicodimus' life-long enemy, Marten, a Dark Immortal High Witch, who survives by taking the hearts of Light Witches such as Arianna and Nic. But when Nicodimus comes to rescue Arianna, he walks in on a trap, and dies believing that Arianna has committed the ultimate betrayal.
For five hundred years, Arianna walks the earth longing for her lost love, until she finally finds and kills the Dark Witch who stole Nicodimus' heart, and discovers a way to bring Nic back. And though Arianna is successful in returning Nicodimus to life, her actions also summon the powerful evil that tore them apart all those centuries ago - Nicodimus' mortal enemy - who threatens all that they hold dear.
Now, Arianna and Nicodimus must confront the past, for only then can they reawaken the love that was always in their hearts, and triumph over the evil that threatens to destroy them once and for all!
This is a great book. I was immensely entertained from cover to cover, as Maggie Shayne absorbed me in her wonderful world of magic and true love. Nicodimus and Arianna are fantastic, vivid, and lovable characters, with realistic flaws and strengths. I highly recommend this book, so buy it today. You won't regret it, I promise!

Rating:
Summary: Bewitching...
Review: Although I rated this 5-stars I must express how much better Infinity's predecessor, Eternity, is to this. Though they're both splendid and captivating in the same sense, the enthralling brew of love and passion just wasn't a strong enough concoction the second time around, though still I think it heavenly to read. And Arianna's misunderstood deception which leads to the untimely death of Nicodimus is terribly sad yet thrilling at the same time. It's a much different storyline compared to most romance novels today, which--to this avid reader--was a breath of fresh air. M.S. also takes you on many a journey to the modern-day world all the way back to the historic Stonehedge where the two first confessed their love on a snow fallin' Winter's night. The descriptive atmosphere and surroundings are beautiful and exhilerating while her storytelling is rich and sensual. And, though the second in the series, the events which take place here actually happened before Eternity and will hardly disappoint those who loved the first. I haven't read Destiny yet (which dives further into the background character featured here: Nidaba), but I hope to purchase it soon. So here is what this book is all about...

For five centuries he has been dead to this world, his body lying dormant in the Highlands of Scotland. Yet as an Immortal High Witch, Nicodimus Lachlan has never truly been dead--instead, his spirit has been suspended in an eternity of darkness. His heart stolen away in the ultimate act of betrayal, his mind can only remember the vibrant, golden girl whose passion touched his soul, but whose treachery cost him his life...

For five centuries Arianna has suffered, until at last she discovers a way to bring back her love. But the power that returns Nicodimus to her arms also summons an ancient enemy--an evil that threatens all they hold dear. To fight this dark danger, Arianna and Nicodimus must confront the past. Only then can they rekindle the love their immortal hearts could never forget, and reclaim infinity in each other's embrace...

So if you're reading this right now please take my advise and don't be a fool by passing this up. Maggie Shayne delivers romance with sweeping intensity and bewitching passion. Readers, much as I have, will lose themselves in her dark, enthralling brew of love, danger, and perilous fate.

Rating:
Summary: What a writer!
Review: As a huge fan of Duncan mcleod's HIGHLANDER shows i was a bit skeptical about this storyline. MY GOD(s)! This book was breathtakingly beautiful. It was full of passion and betrayal so intense I read it straight through the night. The opening poem was sweet and stirring. Nic is a wonderful Highlander. Adrian Paul should play him in the movie version. I loved his strength and vulnerability as an immortal. Arianna grew up quite a bit throughout the book. But even there the author showed how one mans love for a woman and a woman's love for a man could concur all. I am off to buy Eternity...Happy reading!

Rating:
Summary: About INFINITY
Review: Dear Readers, As many of you know, INFINITY is the sequel to ETERNITY, released in December of 98. In it, we follow the story of Arianna, going back with her to her past in the Scottish Highlands, where she first came to grips with who and what she was--an Immortal, and a Witch. Her trials were so vivid to me, that I literally spent hours sobbing over my keyboard as her stories came through me and spilled onto the screen, and from it, onto the page. I cried with her, as she lived through revelation, and love, and loss. And yet the tale, at its end, left me feeling more empowered than when I began. I believe it will have the same effect on its readers.

Due to the overwhelming success of the first book in this series, ETERNITY, the publishers have asked me to continue the tales of the Witches with at least one more. (And for that, I have you to thank!) You will meet the heroine of book 3, in the pages of INFINITY. See if you can spot her.

And please, stay in touch and let me know what you think. You can always email me at [e-mail]. I still answer all my email.

Much love to you, and Blessed Be! Maggie Shayne

Rating:
Summary: Coundn't stop even if I wanted to...
Review: Even though I don't believe in the overall philosophy that is clearly being spelled out in this book (forgive the pun), I couldn't help but enjoy the story and be intrigued by the whole idea of immortality and what that state would truly be like. I've read other books about immortals, but this one (and the prequel Eternity) more realistically portrayed the good and bad aspects of living forever. Arianna is a believable heroine and I found myself drawn into her story. Nic was more than just a good looking hunk. He actually had a personality, one we can see clearly because he narrates a lot of the book (nice to see things from the man's point of view). Other than the veiled put downs of Christianity, I loved the book.

Rating:
Summary: What a great sequel (or prequel) to Eternity!
Review: Ever since I read Eternity, I have been waiting for Arianna and Nicodimus's story. As a reader, I knew the rough outline of this book from what happened in the previous one, but Ms. Shayne does not disappoint in her writing. It did not matter that we knew what was coming, if anything it made the story more poignant.

Arianna is a strong character who seems woefully spoiled in the beginning of the story. She senses that she is different and dares anyone to oppose her. Nic knows that she is headed for trouble, especially in a time where there is little tolerance for witches. Rightly or wrongly, Nic does not explain what she truly is and this just causes more trouble for this strong willed youth. While battling his own desire, not wanting to be attracted to Arianna or her willful ways, he can't seem to help but be drawn to her. As the story progresses, Arianna grows too. It is this maturing of Arinna that really keeps the interest of the book going.

There are many twists and turns which I did not anticipate (though I probably should have). All the secondary characters are key to the plot and are a delight to read about. They are fairly well defined, though I would not have minded a little more in depth explanation into backgrounds and motives. Hate, greed, and love are strong motivators but brief in description. I also did not understand why Arianna did not go after her husband's murderer. Wouldn't she want revenge? Four hundred years is a long time, why didn't she just kill him after she got stronger (especially once she had her sister's help?) Besides that one little criticism, I loved this story and strongly urge you to read it and Eternity if you have not done so yet.

Rating:
Summary: Romantic Times Review
Review: For five centuries, Immortal High Witch Nicodimus Lachan has lain in a death-like state. Buried in his beloved Scottish Highlands, his body remains intact, but his heart is missing. Nicodimus fell victim to a most deadly form of treachery: his living heart was stolen by a mortal intent on becoming an immortal.

Before his betrayal, Nicodimus had one weaknesshis growing attachment to Arianna, his new bride. At that time, Arianna, too, was an Immortal High Witch, but she was unaware of her destiny. The local villagers looked upon her with suspicion because of her friendship with three mortal witches. To ease the tension, Nicodimus married her.

Nathaniel Dearborne has hunted immortal witches for centuries, stealing their living hearts in order to increase his own power. Nathaniel and Marten, Nicodimus mortal enemy, play on Ariannas naiveti and set events in motion that are deadly in the extreme.

Arianna is horrified and guilt-stricken when, despite her efforts, Nicodimus heart is taken. No matter how many centuries it takes, Arianna will have her revenge and find a way to restore her long-lost beloved.

Maggie Shayne roars back into bookstores with the fabulous sequel to ETERNITY. Ms. Shayne is clearly a storytelling force to be reckoned with.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I love Ms. Shayne's descriptive writing and I think she brings Arianna and the other characters to life in this story. I went camping for the Labor Day holiday and had to force myself from reading it all in one sitting. It is that good.

Rating:
Summary: Magnificent!
Review: I loved this book even more than Eternity, which is saying something. The plot was tight and engaging, the characters were strong and confident. No cowering wimps in this one! This is the book I've been waiting for romance writers to write for years. Nicodimus was oh so sexy. A perfect match for the headstrong Arianna. I'm now crawling all over used book stores looking for Maggie Shayne's past works. Here is a writer I can finally relate to.