eBook Key to Redemption (Gillian Key) ePub

Interesting reading, keeps your guessing

Got promiscuity? Because this book does and lots of it. But noooooo, its okay because its a part of the heroine's job description to sleep with other people. No, I'm not kidding. The heroine is actually REQUIRED to sleep with other people because she's a licensed "sex therapist" and its her job to heal a client's sexual problems by sleeping with him. No joke. Even worse -- that is basically the whole plot of the book.

The book starts off with the heroine, Gillian, being informed that a client (actually several clients, but this is a non-issue since they are only briefly discussed in the book and basically cure themselves with little to no help from Gillian the purportedly famous psychologist) will arrive the next day. The client is none other than the infamous Phantom of the Opera himself who has sexual problems and body dysmorphic disorder that Gillian is expected to heal by sleeping with him. Naturally, she is concerned about the reaction of her boyfriend, the vampire Aleksei, to this interesting news. Aleksei, predictably, throws a fit and ends up calling Gillian a prostitute. Gillian takes exception to this, they fight, then they break up. The rest of the novel is a series of interludes with Gillian and the Phantom, his name is Perrin, where Gillian tutors him in lovemaking skills, thereby increasing his self esteem and confidence. Also, because Perrin is half sidhe and half gargoyle he has incredibly strong aphrodisiac-like magic that induces an all out orgy where Gillian reconciles with Aleksei. That's the majority of the book in a nutshell. At the last moment Jack the Ripper is once again thrown into the novel to create some belated action/suspense. However, this fails as predictably Gillian marches in and saves the day by being the one to draw Jack out from hiding. Something nobody else but her can do apparently, because like all the men in this book, Jack has a "thing" for Gillian. With Jack finally permanently dead, Gillian once again sleeps with Perrin. This time he finally removes his mask and is "healed" and made "whole" somehow by the miracle that is between Gillian's legs. Allegedly healed Perrin leaves, freeing Gillian to be with Aleksei. Then in a bizarre ending Gillian meets another client who is a vamp and, surprise surprise, is devastatingly beautiful and causes Gillian to be immediately and extremely turned on (when ISN'T she?) just by smiling at her. He leaves. She goes back to Aleksei and they get it on. THE END.

Really, I can understand why Aleksei called her a prostitute and no better than a courtesan, because that's exactly what she was, a courtesan. She took an inexperienced man (Perrin, the Phantom of the Opera) and taught him about pleasuring himself and pleasuring a woman by showing and performing different lovemaking skills, thereby increasing his self esteem and self confidence, thus "healing" him. This could have been accomplished by a skilled therapist without intercourse ever having been necessary. In fact this is soooooo totally against basic therapeutic tenets because its the therapist's job to help the patient help himself by working through his issues HIMSELF. Not by using her as a real life blow up doll.

I've read this series hoping it would get better. I wanted to like it. I really did but this third book turned me off entirely. I found the heroine's behavior quite disturbing and her priorities totally screwed up. If she really loved Aleksei she would have taken his feelings into consideration, would have better tried to understand where he was coming from. Instead, she basically says "I'm going to have sex with this other guy whether you like it or not, and you can either put up with it or get lost." Not real attractive behavior. In addition, she does not behave in a manner consistent with a marine or a world famous psychologist. In fact she does not behave in any consistent manner at all, having unbelievable moodswings. One minute she's a tough marine who doesn't take s**t from anyone and can take care of herself thank you very much --- to she's so vulnerable she needs to be protected by EVERY man she meets, and everyone is so worried about her because she has her own psychological hang-ups, mainly post traumatic stress disorder from her encounters with Jack the Ripper.

It's such a shame because this series has such great potential. Some of the characters, Aleksei and the dark elf Trocar in particular, would be interesting -- except for the fact that they can't stop panting after Gillian like she's an animal in heat. It is not only unbelievable, its also annoying. Everyone man in this book is beyond gorgeous, and every single one has been or is currently in-lust with Gillian. Frankly I don't know why. Apparently, being petite with blond hair and "Nile" green eyes is enough to overcome her foul mouth, even fouler disposition, manic mood swings, irrational behavior, and general all around nastiness, topped off with the morals of an alley cat. You get the picture.

This is THE END for me also, I doubt I will finish this series. The heroine is just so unlikeable, the men too obssessed with her (for no reason that I can see), and the plot is all over the place. I recommend skipping this series altogether. For those of you who have read the other two novels, Key to Conflict and Key to Conspiracy -- don't bother with this one. It does NOT improve, it only gets worse.

I have read all three of these books now, and I like all of them. Yes, this latest one had a lot of sex in it, but so what? I like some dirty in my books, and if it has a lot of dirty all the better! I think anyone who likes LKH, L.A. Banks, and other similar authors would like this series. I can't wait for the next installment!!

Key to Redemption (Key Novels)

I read the other review and wonder why that person read the book if they didn't enjoy it. I read the first and second in the series before this third entry. Book one gave us the scenario and logistics, along with introducing us readers to wonderful characters. Book two took us on a fantasy journey; lots of suspense and HOT encounters of the Vampiric kind.
Calgon....take me away!
This third book gave me what every Phanatic (Phantom fiction lover) craves; a new take on our Phantom of the Opera and although a bit farfetched; I found it quite enticing to read.
The "Key" series is just what I look for in fiction; a good read to take me outside my everyday life which is filled with work, worries, problems, and rigor-boredom. I love real life; don't get me wrong, but we all have things we'd like to forget if only for a few hours. This book was that 'Calgon Take Me Away' story - as were the first two books.
This isn't Shakesphere nor is it great literature and it isn't meant to be. What it's meant to be it delivers on in spades.
Want the great american novel? Look elsewhere.
Want pure entertainment; this is it.
An open mind is needed because so much of this is fantasy BUT I can't read any of the "Key" series books without at some point wishing I was Gillian Key. She's bold, sassy, brawny, sexy, and brave.

I'd recommend this book AND the first two books. They deliver on giving the reader a compelling and fun reading venture.