It actually took a few chapters for the sex to start this time. I was quite impressed... And Edward's presence did help a lot - he's the one character she'll never fuck.

I know it's (mostly) plot related... but DAMN... It's old and I'm mostly eye rolling and not even enjoying THAT anymore.

I see what you mean. But the fact that she managed to keep it plot-relevant this time is serious progress. I guess...see, I love the Merry Gentry books, and they are basically all about sex and nothing else. The sex is the plot, and it works for me. One of the reasons it doesn't work so well with Anita is it's psychologically impossible: realistically this prudish, devoutly Christian girl would have imploded by now under the weight of horror at what she's become. But I don't think LKH gets Christian psych, either. She never managed to make Anita's faith convincing.

I think the thing that bothers me most in Harlequin is what she's done to Raphael. It's as if she - or perhaps the character - has forgotten all the careful character building. He's walking in and talking like he thinks Anita will hang him out to dry - has he forgotten she saved him from the Council, citing nothing but friendship? And apparently, Anita's forgotten that, too... *sigh*

Oh, boy, that turned into a rant, didn't it? Sorry :-)