Tiger Eye (Dirk & Steele, Book 1)
Tiger Eye (Dirk & Steele, Book 1) book cover

Tiger Eye (Dirk & Steele, Book 1)

by
Price
$19.74
Format
Paperback
Pages
342
Publisher
Love Spell
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0505526267
Dimensions
4.25 x 1 x 6.75 inches
Weight
6.4 ounces

Description

From Publishers Weekly At the start of Liu's first-rate debut, psychically sensitive tourist Dela Reese browses for treasures at Beijing's Dirt Market, where an old woman sells her a riddle box for only one yuan. Surprisingly, when Dela opens the box back in her hotel room, a gorgeous seven-foot-tall warrior appears, bearing 2,000-year-old weapons. The warrior, Hari, has been cursed for two millennia to serve as a slave - bereft of his power to shape-shift into a tiger - to anyone who opens the box. Assassins follow Delilah and Hari from Beijing back home to the U.S., where Dela and Hari soon find themselves in the midst of a war between Chinese crime syndicates. The reappearance of Hari's age-old nemesis, the Magi, who has been searching for Hari since he was imprisoned in the box, jacks up the suspense. The romance between Delilah and Hari tantalizingly builds until it culminates in a sensual love scene. Repetitive references to Hari's great stature fortunately don't detract from the appeal of this striking paranormal romance. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist Dela is in the antiques market of Beijing searching for a treasure to add to her collection, but when an old woman sells her a small puzzle box, she could never have guessed just how precious its contents are. When she unlocks the box, a man appears before her, a man drawn from one's wildest dreams and deepest fantasies. A man who wants Dela for his own. But someone else wants him and the box back, and will risk all those she holds dear to obtain them. Liu's debut novel, not unlike the puzzle box, holds a shiny new joy for readers of adventure and paranormal romance. Deeply sensual, a marriage of modern fantasy and ancient mysticism highlighted with a touch of humor, this is the next book fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon or Christine Feehan should read. Nina Davis Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved "A striking paranormal romance." -- Publisher's Weekly, January 24, 2005 "Ms. Liu weaves an exquisite and beautiful tale of magic, mystery, and love..." -- Rose, Romance at Heart Publications "Wow! Liux92s distinct voice, complex characters and unique premise make TIGER EYE a stand-outxa0novel in the genre."xa0xa0 -- Tanzey Cutter, Reviewer 4 1/2 Top Pick Gold! "A star is born! Liu is an amazing new voice: ingenious, fresh and utterly spellbinding." -- Jill Smith, Romantic Times I LOVED this book. Anyone who loves my work should love it too. -- Christine Feehan From the Publisher "One of Romance's most promising newcomers in years! 'Tiger Eye' is the first in a series of shapeshifter romances, sure to appeal to fans of Christine Feehan and Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series." From the Inside Flap Long ago they roamed the earth, plentiful and powerful, men with form of beast. Dragons, tigers, crows: shape-shifters. Their world was magic. That world is gone, but some remain... HERS TO COMMAND: He looked completely out of place in Dela Reese's Beijing hotel room -- like he belonged to a myth, was the tragic hero of some epic tale, exotic and poignant. He was like nothing from her world, yet Dela had danced through the echo of his soul, and she knew this warrior would obey... HIS TO PROTECT: Hari had been used and abused for millennia; he was jaded, dull, tired. But upon his release from the riddle box, Hari saw his new mistress was different. In Dela's eyes he saw a hidden power; himself within reach of all he had lost, of avenging those wrongs. This woman was the key. If only he dared protect, where before he had savaged; love, where before he'd known hate. For Dela, he would dare all. Read more

Features & Highlights

  • After being released from the riddle box, seven-foot warrior Hari, subjected to centuries of abuse, finds himself at the mercy of a new mistress who, with her gentle touch and compassionate nature, becomes his salvation and helps him right the wrongs of the past. Original.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(346)
★★★★
25%
(144)
★★★
15%
(87)
★★
7%
(40)
★
-7%
(-40)

Most Helpful Reviews

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a frighteningly talented new author

To Della, what others call "supernatural" is commonplace, but she believes there is a scientific reason for the fantastic things her family and friends can do. Just because she might not understand the science, doesn't mean its magic. Through an interesting turn of events, Della finds herself the unwilling mistress of a two-thousand-year-old shape shifter, who is cursed with immortality as a slave without his animal form. Della is hard-pressed to rationalize the situation as anything other than magic. Hari is surprised and suspicious when Della informs him that she will not command him, and that she intends to help him break his curse. Della seems to see him as a man; he as trouble accepting this, because his previous masters have all treated him as a belonging or a weapon, or worse, a ready outlet for sadistic torture. He fears her ultimate betrayal, yet finds hope that she is genuine. Their task is complicated by return of the wicked magus who placed the curse on Hari. He wants Hari as his slave, and will stop at nothing to get him. Then, an assassin targets Della with a stolen blade, which she created for a special client, one with dubious underground connections, a client with powerful friends and merciless enemies. With threats on two separate fronts, Della and Hari call in her friends, all psi-wielding mercenaries, working for Della's family-run detective agency. They're all bad boys who are also good and honorable men. In the midst of the danger and chaos, Hari and Della, find trust and friendship in each other, and eventually love grows strong and unwavering between them.
I picked this book up because I'd never heard of the author before I learned that she has a book in the upcoming Crimson City series (about the series, Liz Maverick says, "think of it as (Underworld + Soldier) * Dungeons & Dragons"). I wanted to check her out, get a feel for her style. I was very pleased with her intelligent writing, and the intricate plotting of this supernatural action/romance. It feels like it was written by a seasoned storyteller, not a first-time author.
78 people found this helpful
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brillant debut book!

An utterly brilliant debut book that will knock your socks off!! This novel has been gaining word of mouth through reviewers, and with good reason. This book is imaginative, powerful, and literally hard to believe it's a debut book. So grab it quick, read it and then you can turn all your friends onto this great new author from Dorchester Publishing. Dorchester is known for giving new talent that chance to spread it's wings, and some of the best writers in Romance today came through Dorchester Publishing's tutelage. Marjorie M. Liu, is simply an amazing writer and will be one Romance readers wait eagerly for until her next book. It won't be a long wait as A Taste of Crimson comes out in August 2005.

Dela Reese (Okies...I had a little stumble at the start because of the name is too similar to Della Reese the actress, but I quickly was able to get past that mental image because of the powerful writing) is a sculptor of metal. She uses this talent to create stunning weapons and statues. But she is not just a regular armourer, she is from a family of people with psi power. The "core family" uses their powers to combat forces of evil in the world. Dela is not so strongly gifted, so she pours her psi power into the creation of weapons. Having a deep love for swords and a collector of them myself, a character with the same passion really intrigued me.

Hari is a tiger (love the imagery). But like Dela he's more...much more. He is a shapechanger. Finally something besides werewolves...lol! An evil Magi bespelled him, and has kept him prisoner in a puzzle box. Dela is hunting antiques when she comes across the box. She releases Hari and now he is bound to her. Only her djinn from the bottle...hum box...is not a happy camper. He's been imprisoned for two thousand years, so he's had time to build a royal mad on, not mention the backlog of hormones!

Others covet the power and the box, are filling to kill to gain it. Add in one of Dela's magical swords was used to kill a child, and the Chinese Mafia wants a piece of the lass as payment. Only Hari is not willing to let Dela go. They must join forces to save the other from evils, both mortal and magical, in this goes to the wall, exciting story you won't soon forget.

Marjorie M. Liu has a strong voice, a deft feel for plotting and strong imagery that should catapult her to the top of romance in quick time. So don't wait until someone tells you, "you have to read this book"...be the one in-the-know telling your friends.
32 people found this helpful
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Stunning Debut!!!!!!!!!!

Dela Reese is a metal sculptor. She has the ability to forge unusual weapons and statues. She is a member of a family with strange psi powers. They are members of a larger family of people with psi powers gathered from around the world. While most work togather to fight evil, her powers are not that strong and she uses them mostly in her work.

Hari is a shapechanger, a tiger, he has been imprisoned in a riddle box for 2 thousand years, by an evil Magi. When Dela buys the box and releases him he is bound to her until her death. After 2 thousand years he is full of hate. But somehow, his spirit has not been broken. Now Dela offers him the last thing he expects HOPE.

But others want the power and the box, they are willing to kill for it. Not only that, but one of the swords forged by Dela has been used to kill a child belonging to the Chinese Mafia. Now they want revenge and only Dela's death can answer.

This is a wonderful fantasy, drama, romance. I loved it. The story is handled in a wonderful way and the things I kept expecting to happen didn't. In other words it was a delight to read, and I hope for more from this talented new author.
20 people found this helpful
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A Purrrfect Idea

Since I am slightly skittish about new authors, this author immediately caught my attention. I'm a hugh fan of Feehan's, Kenyon's and Hamilton's, so when I skimmed the first few chapters I was enchanted.

Dela Reese is an extraordinary woman with even more extraordinary gifts. She has an unusual power to be able to 'read' metal on a very elemental level and she can telekineticly weild the metal into any shape she chooses. In a trip to Beijing, a magic box with ancient writing a curious old lady sells to her ends up giving Dele more trouble than is truly possible. Before Dela can say 'BOO!', out comes Hari, a very virle, angry and sexy male with glittering gold catlike eyes and a body that would make a nun blush.

It turns out that Hari once use to be a shapeshifter that could change into the form of a tiger. Thousands of years ago, an evil Magi stole Hari's tiger skin and bound him to the box for eternity. Now the evil Magi is back and wanting both Hari and his box.

In this book, you're introduced to many other characters like Roland Dirk, Eddie, Autur, Dean and Blue, whom each have their own special psychic powers and their own unique charm to make a woman smile. There is one character that intrigued me however. I can't get him out of my mind. His name was Koni, a shapeshifting raven. A bit on the wild side, kind of like a cowboy with a bad boy attitude. Not to spoil the ending, but he helps save Dela and Hari's life towards the end.

But aside from that, I must say the love scenes between Dela and Hari are highly sensual, breathtaking and erotic. The foreplay between these to characters was playful and steamy enough to make any woman feel a bit kittenish. I LOVED the scene where Dela helped Hari get his skin back and he was able to turn back into a tiger after all that time. It was kind of kinky really, but also sweet. But if you think about it, sex and fur in the right kind of mix.... just the idea is enough to make a woman purr in all the right spots. I felt this book was beautifully written and I can't wait for the next book in this series. It'll be a nice refresher to the tastebuds from all the werewolf and vampire novels I like to devour.

If you liked this book, check out her novel, 'A Taste of Crimson', the second book in the Crimson City Series. This series has been an interesting ride so far. I hope Marjorie keeps up with the good work. I await breathlessly for her next work of art.
12 people found this helpful
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Interesting beginning but....

The book is about a group of people with paranormal abilities who all work for a secret "agency". In this story, the heroine has an affinity to metal (which is not very seriously exploited) and meets a shape shifter who has lost the ability to shape-shift along with some other issues which have been explained in detail by other reviewers. As a start to the series the book is good since it introduces a range of characters who will presumably be recurring. This slows down the story somewhat but dialogue is fairly rapid and holds attention.
The downside is the rather dramatic descriptive style when dealing with the hero. And did anyone find the oral sex between the heroine and the tiger (the hero's alter ego) disturbing? I'm all for steamy sex scenes but with an animal? It seemed rather perverted to me. Thankfully he turns back into a human at the point of consummation or it would have been just too weird.
I may try the next book but if the animal/human motif continues thats it for me.
9 people found this helpful
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Hot, hot, hot, HOT!

This is paranormal/supernatural at its best! I love Marjorie M. Liu's work, and this book is exactly why. Like Christine Feehan's stuff, it is unusual and unique and hot, while it escapes the mistake made in Feehan's earlier works--repetative language and imagery, too-similar characters and situations, and meladrama. While I love Feehan, and all her Dark books, the first half of the series was definately rough and

a little raw.

Tiger Eye marks the beginning of a new series, full of extraordinary suprenatual situations, hot men, and memorable women. The story is hot, even with only a few real sex scenes, and the male lead, Hari, is human (well, sort of), real, tough, and vulnerable--not to mention, seven feet tall, blonde, and bearing an impressive sword (and spear!).

Anyone who loves paranormal romance and is seeking

excellent plots and well-written stories must give Liu a try. Fans of Kay Hooper, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Maggie Shayne, Christine Feehan, and Amanda Ashley should especially enjoy Liu.

Those who like 'realistic' paranormal? Liu's supernatural aspects are mostly believable, with a touch of 'magical', less-explainable aspects. Psychic abilities are explained and have science-based supposition--it enough to make you gi around trying to start fires with your brain because it could be real!

This is a great start to a new series, continued in Shadow Touch and beyond. I can't wait to get Red Heart of Jade to see what happens next!
7 people found this helpful
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Marjorie Liu is an incredible new talent....

Della Reese purchases a magic riddle box and upon opening it, meets Hari, a tiger shapeshifter cursed to obey every command of the box's owner. Della has an unusual talent herself, as she has an affinity for metal that includes the power to stop a bullet with her mind. Della becomes the target of a mobster and Hari, along with Della's friends (all of whom possess unique talents as well), work together to keep her protected and eliminate the threat. Meanwhile, Della and Hari try to break the curse on Hari and discover that the Magi who cursed him still lives! Highly recommended for all lovers of paranormal romances!
7 people found this helpful
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Exotic Romance About a Warrior-Slave Who's Part Tiger

TIGER EYE by Marjorie M. Liu was a quick read (I finished it in about 5 hours) and entertaining, though it wasn't as fulfilling as I'd like, story-wise. Unfortunately, I finished it feeling I had a lot more questions than were answered by the book.

The basic premise of the story was fascinating: Dela buys a riddle-box from a Chinese woman in a market in Beijing, and out of the box poofs a 2,000 year old warrior-slave named Hari who can shape-shift into a tiger. Unfortunately, both Dela and Hari have serious enemies, who attempt to kill them throughout the entire book. Dela also wants to break Hari's curse, so that he may live life as a free man.

The best thing about this book, in my opinion, is the addition of Dela's psychic, gun-toting friends, who add much-needed levity to the action. The worst thing is that the moment we meet Dela's pals (especially enigmatic Artur, the ex-Russian mobster), I lost interest in Dela and Hari and became more interested in those guys instead.

There were other problems I had with the story, ranging from its painfully overdone "poetic" writing style to the numerous issues it skips over. Like why was Max mentioned repeatedly, yet never given a real scene in the book, even at the end when it mentioned he would be home in a few days? Where did Hari's people live 2,000 years ago and why are they dying out? Why did the Magi absolutely have to have Hari's sister (I mean, if all he needed was a tiger female, couldn't he have found another one he could mate with? Why all the animosity toward Hari)? The list goes on and on. Also, the subplot featuring the Asian mafia seemed completely unnecessary, but that's just me.

Anyway, for what it's worth, I think the storyline is fascinating reading, though I found it frustrating in the extreme to have so many questions. Who knows, maybe they'll be answered in the next book, called SHADOW TOUCH (which I'm pleased to hear is about about Artur).

***For a similar story, try Sherrilyn Kenyon's FANTASY LOVER (son of a Greek Goddess is cursed to serve women in bed) or Gena Showalter's THE PLEASURE SLAVE (alien warrior is cursed into being a slave until he finds true love).***
6 people found this helpful
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I guess I am not ...

into the whole idea of time travel. The idea that this gorgeous warrior guy has been around for 2000 years and has never met a kind person is just dumb. The premise of this book reminds me a bit of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Fantasy Lover. Yet in Kenyon's book the hero comes out of a book and not a box. I could not get too far in either book. Too ridiculous for me.
5 people found this helpful
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Amazing!!!!

I absolutly love Christine Feehan's books and when I saw that she recommended Majorie M. Liu I jumped on the chance to read one. And trust me, I'm not sorry that I did. The whole plot was well thought up. Hari and Dela are so lovible. I recommend this book to every one who loves magic, the impossible, and a good love story. I also recommend any Christine Feehan book.
5 people found this helpful

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