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Taste: A Vampire Romance (Terraway Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,311 ratings

What to do when your crush turns out to be a monster (and other such problems).

Just when correctional nurse October Grace has a handle on her stressful job and taking care of her mentally ill mother, a shifter king and a potential vampire mate plunge her into a foreign land that’s on the brink of starvation. Now, with a ticking clock and a target on her back, October takes up the mantle of becoming one of the rare Omens who can bring hope to a dying world.

Mason and Von remain by her side to shield the national treasure while she sacrifices herself to reap the souls that will feed the nations of Terraway. As the death toll rises daily, October finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat world where fairytale creatures run wild… and every day is a new bloody battle.

If you love Bella Forrest, Cassandra Clare, and falling in love with the bad boy, you'll devour the "Terraway" series by Mary E. Twomey.

"Taste" is book one in a 9-part reaper romance series written by USA Today Bestselling Author Mary E. Twomey.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"She will take what you know and love about fantasy fiction and give it a spin you may have never dreamed of before. I love fantasy fiction in book form and movie form, yet she continues to surprise and leave me wondering, "Where does she come up with this stuff?!"-Renee, Amazon Reviewer

From the Inside Flap

Other series by this author:
Undraland - quirky paranormal romance based in Scandinavian folklore
Vemreaux Trilogy - dystopian romance coming of age tale
Territorial Mates - reverse harem paranormal royals romance
Cursed Beauty Trilogy - modern-day fairytale retelling with a paranormal twist
Faite Falling - paranormal royals series based in French and Celtic folklore

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01M3VE521
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mary E. Twomey, LLC (October 26, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 26, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1276 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 422 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1539526070
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,311 ratings

About the author

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Mary E. Twomey
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USA Today bestselling author Mary E. Twomey lives in Michigan with her three adorable children. She enjoys reading, writing, vegetarian cooking, and telling her children fantastic stories about wombats.

While she loves writing fantasy, dystopian, and paranormal tales for her readers, Mary also writes romance under the name Tuesday Embers and cozy mysteries under the name Molly Maple.

Visit her online at www.maryetwomey.com.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
1,311 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2018
Ok so I was searching for some free rh reads since I had just emptied out my gift cards/kindle budget...when I came upon this read. It's free and the author's completely unknown to me. I def didn't expect much when I started on this one. And I don't mean that in a rude way, more like I had done this few times before and didn't get much satisfying results.

But lo and behold, practically a shiny new gift turned new favorite rh read. Ughhh, I think it comes without saying that this one wrecked me. So much potential, so much unique content, so much everything!

First of all, it kind of freaked me out that the mysterious terms used throughout the read were from my mother tongue - so yes, just how cool is that??? Second, what a fresh breath of air...no matter how gruesome the scenes were painted out every now then as the plot develops. Very original material here. Third, dude, the writing style - I just can't get enough of the chapters. The world-building is so point. Side note: another thing I didn't expect is the length. For such a free read, this could have easily worth 3.99-4.99 bucks? I mean, dude.

Then, there were the characters. My, my, my, such a bunch of very interesting and very completely characters we got here. I am obviously in love with October Grace. She's so funny, and so stubborn, and so patient and just so full of life. I find her monologue very compelling. The things she's done...the things she's currently going through...she's a tough one I'm telling you all. The kind of toughness you want to root for.

Throughout the read, I wanted her to stop enabling her mother (with or without mental disabilities) but I get it when she said that it's her way, it's a package deal. Which of course makes me respect her even more. Truly.

The supporting characters were just as interesting. But yeah I am kind of favoring Mason. I think he won me over as a wolf, lmao. But he can be just as great in his human form.

Sometimes I want to sock Danny, though. (I don't actually want it to look like he deserves this special mention in my review but that's just how frustrated and irked I was of him).

I am interested too in how the reverse harem element will proceed. so far, the only love interest I am getting is Mason so...But whatever, really. I am just as smitten with this read.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2023
Many thanks to the author for the cleaner language, a lack of explicit content, and a well-written story. This is wonderful. I’m a little miffed at the cliffhanger, but the errors in the book were minimal, and the characters are delightful and believable. THANK YOU. This is the kind of story I was hoping to find. I’ll be sharing it with my people. (^•^)

- J’s lovebunch
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2018
I just finished Taste, and I still have goosebumps rolling across my flesh. I did not read the excerpt in the back for the second book because I have plans to download and start on that tonight. As much as I want to, I cannot my entire day curled up on the couch following the adventures of October, Von, Mason, Ollie, Danny, Mariang, and Ezra.

On to my actual review: This is the first book I have read by Mary E. Twomey. I came across Taste while I was browsing through paranormal romance - a genre I have not really explored before. I was attempting to do research in order to write my own romance novels. I did not read the description of Taste and just downloaded it with a ton of other free reads. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Based solely on the title and cover, I thought there would be more romance and possibly some erotic scenes, but I was not disappointed with the lack of either. Personally, I do not feel that this first installment of the Terraway Books falls under the category of romance, but we shall see how my opinion changes throughout the series.

The book is written in the first person from the point of view of October Grace, a 22-year-old woman that I relate to more than I should. Mary E. Twomey does a beautiful job of building an entirely new world, creatures that I had no problem imagining, and characters that make you want to see them succeed. I even have a soft spot in my heart for Von, Danny, and Finn! Characters that, at this point, I am unsure if I should like or not.

I felt that the beginning was slow to start, but this helped me to relate even more to October. Her mother, her childhood (maybe not exactly the hoarding), and the mental illness all hit close to home for me and instantly made me love her. Mary E. Twomey wrote out symptoms and ticks of OCD and germ-o-phobia that most people do not consider and I appreciate the detail and commitment to a mentally ill character! While everything might not be a perfect representation of the illness, it warms my heart to see an author creating a character with a flaw of this sort.

I absolutely love this book and highly recommend it to anyone who is dying for some adventure, laced with light romance. It does end on a cliffhanger, with two other loose ends that I /need/ answers to, but otherwise I am happy with the way the author chose to end her first installment of this series! I feel that Mary E. Twomey could do with another run through of the book to clear up at least one of the two unanswered questions, but otherwise, I found very little wrong with the book as far as editing and proofreading go. I cannot wait to dig into the second book tonight!
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Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2023
I can’t even begin to describe this book. Fantasy and reality intertwined with dark humor, witty remarks, strong characters all in their own way, and geeky references. Alive in wonderland meets evil dead! It’s been a long time since I’ve been hooked on a series!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2019
This series is listed as a reverse harem and it is not. It's a wonderful series and I am glad that I read it but I was disappointed that is wasn't a reverse harem.

October is a Omen who has to reap souls to fuel the sun's of Terraway. She ends up with 2 "reapers" who pull the souls from her to transfer them to Terraway. Having 2 Reapers is apparently unheard of. October starts off having a non-relationship relationship with one of her Reapers, Mason. The relationship doesn't work out so they just remain friends.

She only ever dates 1 person. She doesn't even have multiple relationships at the same time so I'm not sure why this is listed as reverse harem, but it's still a good series. I do advise if you have OCD not to read this book because the main heroine has some issues that she has to work through during the series.
17 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Musings of a Middle-aged mum
5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly clean for the amount of kissing that goes on!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 13, 2021
Another book by Mary E Twomey, and another series that I got hooked on - this time I read all 9 books in under a week!

Taste follows the life of October Grace. She works as a nurse in a prison, lives with OCD and an obsession with cleaning, and has a dysfunctional relationship with her hoarding mother. Out of the blue, her mother announces her engagement to an English gentleman, Ezra, and October and her brother Ollie prepare to meet the man willing to take on their mother. In Ezra's house, October cannot cope with her mother's charade, and runs to the bathroom to wash her hands again. Whilst there, October accidentally overhears Ezra's family talking about her, specifically whether she is the one they've been looking for...

Given that I bought and read the whole series, it's obviously I liked it, so I'll start this review by saying what I didn't like: the chapter titles. Such a small thing, I know, but I found they gave away what was about to happen, so I had to train myself to not read them as I was going through this book.

This book as a fantasy, so there are many fantastical creatures in addition to the humans: vampires, shape-shifters, mermen, Goblins, and reverse centaurs amongst them. It is set between Terraway and Earth (or Topside), and only a few people from each Terraway country can port between the two. Unfortunately, Terraway is in the grip of the evil Sama, who despite being banished to an undisclosed island, still manages to cause terror in the nations through starvation and famine. Terraway needs to stop its scorching suns, so that their food can grow, but because a magical stone has been hidden Topside, the only way to keep the heat of the suns in check is for Omens to reap a soul for Topside for each nation, every day. Until now, only Ezra's daughter Mariang has been able to reap souls, but fortunately for Terraway, October is about to be awakened...

It is YA. There is copious amounts of kissing and snogging between October and almost all the male characters, but no sex scenes. The closest to a sex scene is the occasional spicy dream that October has, but even these would be suitable for a teen to read. In the later books there is reference to rape (though the specifics are not described) and as has been hinted, October is polyamorous.

I like the way Mary E Twomey writes about the psychological side of October's personality, the impact of her neglectful mother, the impact of growing up not knowing her father, and essentially being parented by her older brother and sister. Despite all the trauma and underprivilege of growing up in a trailer park, October has made it on her own two feet.

Taste was T in my A-Z of Fiction Titles. Unfortunately (or fortunately) for me, my U is also by Mary E Twomey (Ugly Girl) and is also the start of a series. I am forcing myself to take at least a week's break from reading so I can bet back to the real world a bit and do all the stuff I've been neglecting, before I dive headfirst into yet another absorbing word.
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And don’t call me Shirley
5.0 out of 5 stars This was different...loved it!
Reviewed in Canada on March 14, 2017
Despite my fondness for PNR I wasn't sure this would be my thing, but I really enjoyed this book and now plan to read more of the series. This was a complex tale that combined drama, action, tension and suspense, and featured interesting characters living in a unique and fascinating world. The author did a great job of "painting" a picture of Terraway and its people, bringing it to life through her attention to detail and vivid descriptions. The cast of characters was well developed and kept me engaged throughout - some were really likeable, and others I just loved to hate. I found the heroine a particularly compelling character. October Grace, was an interesting blend of saucy and sweet, fierceness and fragility, and damaged determination. I felt a great deal of empathy and admiration for her, especially in light of her tragic upbringing. I adored her protective, big brother, Ollie, and was charmed by her Reapers, Von and Mason, as well. I am looking forward to learning more about them, and the rest of the supporting cast, going forward.....
This was fast paced, well written and lacked any noticeable editing issues, making it an easy and pleasurable read. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys exciting, thoughtful, PNR or fantasy.
2 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good start, brave approach, unconventional world
Reviewed in Australia on October 12, 2018
I didn't really know what to expect when I started reading but I already knew I liked the author's work so I got cracking... This was an interesting read. A great story for someone of a glut of same same same and something fresh and interesting. This MC is unique and worth following - her struggle with her own issues that are presented in a very genuine way make the story feel more authentic and help drive the momentum in parts that could be more mundane without it. I think what I love most about this author is the relatively rare ability to present unusual, broken people sensitively and compellingly and this series start didn't disappoint. Good read - looking forward to getting into the next one.
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A real story
Reviewed in Canada on January 26, 2020
Amazing! Definitely not the standard romance, it's got a heroine with a legitimate problem and realistic trauma. It's also super slow burn, giving the reader a chance to really feel for her and the guys.

Ignore the blurb; almost didn't read this because the tone made the story seem like a light comedy. It's a lot more than that!
Chrissy’s Book Shelf
4.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative and Slightly Twisted Fantasy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 12, 2020
October works as a nurse in a correctional facility. She is 22 years old and the youngest of three siblings with a mentally ill mother. She has lived a hard life and has difficulties relating to people and touching them often triggers an OCD cleaning frenzy.

Her older siblings have moved away and October feels the pressure to visit her mother, so when Bev, her mother announces she’s met a man, October’s brother Ollie agrees to visit. Whilst they all spend the evening at Bev’s new man, Ezra’s, mansion and they are introduced to Ezra’s family. At the end of the evening October is introduced to a new reality in a brutal and startling way.

October’s life is no longer her own if she doesn’t want hundreds of thousands of people to die. So despite her wishes and terrible introduction to Terraway. October is forced out of her safely controlled life into one of chaos and death.

This is a book that is, at times, difficult to read. There is a lot about the impact of mental illness on loved ones and the reality of living with something over which you have no control.

October is a really interesting character. She’s an introvert and doesn’t like confrontations but when backed into a corner she will fight with everything in her. She is compassionate and caring, despite her desire to hold everyone at arms length and she blossoms under the care and attention she starts to receive. Her life is transformed and she is forced to deal with a situation beyond her comprehension.

The people from Terraway are an interesting bunch. They are very diverse characters and I love that October doesn’t start acting against her personality by getting involved with the new people around her too quickly. She is making friends with the people who she sees as co-workers and this is a massive step for her. Danny, Mason and Von behave extremely badly when they first encounter October, but they are under extreme pressure and as things ease, so does their behaviour. It is interesting to start to see their true personalities start to evolve throughout the story.

This is an intriguing series, and I’ll definitely be reading the next book.
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