Tag Archives: Vampires

Priced to Sell by Naomi Novik

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: Priced to Sell
Author: Naomi Novik
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 25th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: To make the day complete, after she’d gotten off the phone with the vampire, Jennifer’s phone went off with another all-caps CALL ME!!

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Synopsis

Real estate is a tough enough gig. But what happens when you are trying to find the paranormal beings that go bump in the night a home? When the homes are cursed? And your latest customer just happens to be Jekyll and Hyde…? Everything must be priced to sell.

Thoughts

We’ve just been through the process of trying to sell a house. So reading a short story about the difficulties of real estate felt a lot more real and hilarious than it probably would have previously. Especially the trying to sell your house in a way that matches your perspective buyers’ desires… the fact that there is a paranormal element added to this mix just made it all the more entertaining.

I had the pleasure of reading my first Naomi Novik story earlier in the month, and I absolutely adored it. However, I did wonder whether or not it was a once off, or all of her work had that same beautiful flavour. I’m pleased to announce that it wasn’t a fluke. She’s amazing. I need more of her. She takes me to many a happy place…

There were so many little threads running through this story. It wasn’t just a tale about one house and one client, but a number of them. There was a vampire, Jekyll & Hyde… and, my personal favourite, a cursed wall of bugs. All in all they combined to make the rigors of attempting to sell a house with paranormal influences downright hilarious. Impossible to forget, and an industry that I really, really want to read more about!

 <- Underbridge ReviewThe Bricks of Gelecek Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

Double the Bite by Chris Marie Green

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
First Blood

Title: Double the Bite
Author: Chris Marie Green
Series: Vampire Babylon #3.5
In: First Blood (Susan Sizemore, Erin McCarthy, Chris Marie Green & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 25th September 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: As a deputy back home, he knew his way around an investigation.

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Synopsis

On a hunt to find the cause of his brother’s mysterious death, Ben Tyree finds himself at the infamous Studio 54, and soon in the path of two preternaturally beautiful women. Ginny and Geneva aren’t just twins, they’re vampires. Their connection is put to the test when Ginny falls for Ben, much to Geneva’s anger. How can Ginny choose between the man she’s falling in love with and the sister who won’t let her go?

Thoughts

I don’t think I will ever understand why men are so obsessively fascinated by identical twins. Ever. I do not understand the attraction. But I do get that it’s there, and it’s a great story tactic to fill out the hours. After all, there’s a huge attraction to the stereotype, so why wouldn’t it be used in a paranormal romance tale?

The idea that blood means you can get away with pretty much anything has never quite sat well with me. It’s not a great ideal, and, as is the case in this story, that bond is used in the worst possible way. Alright, that bond has previously been twisted beyond all recognition by a sadistic S.O.B. but it still added complications which shouldn’t have been there. Although, I can’t quite imagine going so far with getting my sister to stop… I suppose I’m just lucky that I’m not a twin and my sister is not certifiably insane…

This was a great story which took two sides of the same coin and showed how differently they can handle some severe changes in their social dynamics. For one, a sense of compassion and need to find oneself came about her awful turning. For the other, a desperate need to feel anything which led to a lot of death and mayhem. I like that the one who finds compassion also finds love… although, they may just be interlinked. Regardless, this story was intense, bloody and oh so good. Well worth the read.

 <- Russian Roulette ReviewThicker Than Blood Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Daniel by C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance book cover

Title: Daniel
Author: C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 21st September 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Cut off the head?

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Synopsis

On a routine night on the job, she runs into a completely horrific vampire. It’s enough to throw her into the arms of the one that she loves… but at what cost? Will they survive the coming battle?

Thoughts

This story didn’t quite go the way that I expected. I was kind of anticipating the lead to be a woman who had some serious ties to the paranormal world. And maybe even some powers of her own that would help her in her chosen career. Not really the case, she has a single, kind of sexy, tie to the paranormal world. But nothing more. Nothing more intense and terrifying. Just one Daniel that (I think) lives in her home and is her friendly companion…

There is something incredibly amusing about a mortal woman defending herself from a vengeful vampire with a super soaker. Something that had me laughing out loud, reflecting on this story and just remembering the general fun that I had while reading it even days after I turned the last page. I would like to think that even I could take on an angry undead with my awesome super soaker skills (alright, I’m delirious, but a girl can dream).

This isn’t quite that simple girl meets boy story. For starters, girl met boy way before the start of this story. And boy that girl meets in this story starts out by having his throat cute open by a pair of keys. But it does have that simplicity and sweetness. Girls almost death makes boy make a move. Girl and boy get together and vow to try and survive. They do survive and fun little happily ever after ensues… like I said. Fun, sweet and simple. Everything that I felt like in a short story at the time.

 <- How to Date a Superhero ReviewLight Through Fog Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

I Need More You by Justine Musk

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of vampire romance 2 book cover

Title: I Need More You
Author: Justine Musk
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 20th September
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “Vincent.”

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Synopsis

She travels across the world to hear his call. To be reunited with the man that she loves… but how can she be sure that this fallen angel loves his nightwalker back?

Thoughts

The part of this story that I liked the most was the setting. Using the backdrop of Burning Man was completely novel and intriguing. It’s something that I’ve only vaguely heard of and been a little intrigued by. And it’s a setting that I’ve never come across before.

The poignancy of the setting of Burning Man and letting things go worked incredibly well for this story. The narrator follows a fallen angel and man all over the world, following a secret call that helps her to find her love. But after a few blissful moments of reunion, the cycle is repeated again. It honestly sounds like an intensely painful and irritating way to maintain a sexual relationship. But, at the end there is a kind of farewelling of the past and a hope for the future.

This wasn’t quite the vampire romance story that I expected. It really wasn’t even all that vampire-based. Alright, the narrator was a vampire, but there really wasn’t a moment in it that this seemed to take key place within the storyline. She more read like a mortal who happened to have a dietary concern… for the majority of the story. I think that this, along with the vagueness of the relationship made this story a bit bleugh for me, although still not horrifying.

 <- The Scotsman and the Vamp ReviewPoint of No Return Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

Russian Roulette by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
First Blood

Title: Russian Roulette
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Vegas Vampires #5
In: First Blood (Susan Sizemore, Erin McCarthy, Chris Marie Green & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Vampires,
Dates read: 20th September 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: It suited Alistair, the contrast of bright and dark, and he stayed inside during the day, asleep, and hit the streets at night to work, to dine, to socialize.

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Synopsis

Alistair Kirk is a bar owner, a musician, and a vampire. When he hears that a fledgling vampire is being held captive and faces certain death, he rushes to the rescue.

Sasha Chechikov, once a vampire slayer, now a vampire herself, is on the run from her former associates. Sasha’s past leaves her wary of trusting anyone, but she can’t deny the sparks that fly between her and her sexy saviour. Will Alistair be able to protect Sasha from her enemies? And will two vampires who seem so different from one another learn what it means to truly love?

Thoughts

I’m really glad that I read this novella before Sucker Bet. If I had’ve started this after Sucker Bet, and realised that it was a tale about Sasha… I probably would have been seriously pissed off. She was kind of a bitch in the novel. But this novella made me sympathise with her and actually like her. Or at least, admire her a little more for her strength and gumption…

Unlike the glitz and glam of Las Vegas, New Orleans has a wonderfully different flavour. Changing the setting, and making it a little less “wow” was a great way to round out the last of the stories in the Vegas Vampires series. It also kind of highlighted that who Sasha was in Sucker Bet wasn’t really her true persona… rather, it was all a façade.

Aaron is exactly the kind of male protagonist / love interest that I tend to like. He’s not quite what you would consider “traditional”, completely different to the kind of man that I would go for, and is quiet in his pursuit of women. It’s a bit of a change from many of the domineering men that seem to fill Erin McCarthy’s stories. One that I think I needed at this point. Actually, my biggest complaint about this story was the fact that it was a novella, I think that the ending of Sasha’s story could have been dragged out far longer in a far more enjoyable manner… but maybe I’ll just pick up another Erin McCarthy book instead.

 <- Sucker Bet ReviewDeal or No Deal Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Sucker Bet by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for sucker bet erin mccarthy book cover

Title: Sucker Bet
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Vegas Vampires #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Vampires
Dates read: 19th – 20th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Absolutely and utterly ashamed.

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Synopsis

A night of indulgence…

Gwenna Carrick is a woman with a history – 900 years of it. As the vampiress ex-wife of the notorious vampire Roberto Donatelli, she has to keep a low profile. Not easy when she’s bathed in the neon glow of Las Vegas – especially when there’s a whole online group of vampire slayers bent on dealing her her last hand.

can feel like eternity…

A wild night with a stranger was not in the cards for Gwenna. But that’s what happened when she met Detective Nate Thomas. Their passion made her feel… well, alive again. But when Donatelli catches wind of the tryst, Nate tops his to-off list. Gwenna knows she hit the jackpot with Nate and won’t let her ex stand in the way. But they soon realize they have far more enemies than Donatelli – both on the Strip and underground…

Thoughts

This was a great finish to a really fun little series. Alright, there are three novellas which follow it chronologically, but I read them before reading the full length novella, and they don’t really add to the greater storyline. However, Sucker Bet does and it provides some much needed answers to the political and social intrigues which are peppered throughout the four main novels.

Alexis, Cara and Brittany are all very strong and independent women. Ones who not only know what they want from life, but also know what they don’t want. And who they don’t think they want. Gwenna on the other hand is much softer, subtler and a little more lost. She has a far longer history than the three mortal women and, because of this, more hang ups than they have. Which all made her a great lead to finish the series with. She was something different and unique in a series that is full of unique takes on the vampire romance subgenre.

I loved that although Gwenna is a little lost and unsure of what to do with her life, she is also sure of what she doesn’t want. And honestly, some people can’t even quite figure that out… that alone takes a strength of will. She also realises what a great catch of a man she has from the very beginning. She may be unsure of where they stand with each other, but she doesn’t hesitate to find a way to be happy with an incredibly hot human being… something that none of her counterparts in this series were capable of doing. Which is probably why I loved her so much and so quickly.

This was a great way to tie up the political intrigue and battles which have been an undertow and obstacle in all of the stories in this series. It finally removes Donatelli’s annoying influence from the lives of the characters I’ve come to love and made him realise just what he has lost. A bit of poetic justice that didn’t involve blood or death at the closing of the pages as the four main couples finally ride off happily ever after into the sunset. Plus, you finally get to find out why Kelsey calls Ringo Kyle all the time.

 <- Bled Dry ReviewRussian Roulette Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Luisa’s Desire by Emma Holly

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Fantasy

Title: Luisa’s Desire
Author: Emma Holly
Series: Midnight #0.5
In: Fantasy (Christine Feehan, Sabrina Jeffries, Emma Holly & Elda Minger)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 12th September
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: Stop tempting him and you’ll have earned your freedom from the blood.

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Synopsis

From the depths of the dark unknown…
…a child of midnight has arrived in a spiritual Tibetan refuge to rid herself of wicked desires. Here this ageless beauty meets the one man who can save her – or damn her soul forever.

Thoughts

Although there is no point in this story in which it is stated that Luisa is a vampire. Or really anything akin, but that’s definitely the vibe I got from this novella. A vampire who wants to live blood-free and without having to rely on anyone else. The fact that she goes to an obscure hideaway in the mountains of Tibet to find a monk who can help her to do this… well, it was just such a different take on an old favourite.

The double meaning to this title was really fun. For starters, there’s Luisa’s desire to be something more than what she is. Find a way to not use other people to survive. On the other hand, her desire is something far more lustful and sinful. And way, way, way more fun. After all, the desire to not rely on others is honourable. The desire for another man… well, that’s just spine tinglingly fun. Or at least, that’s how I found it.

I don’t know if I’ve ever read a story – romance or otherwise – which involves a monk as a lead. It’s just not a way of life and character that I tend to find in many of my stories. Plenty of nomads. Plenty of hermits. Plenty of outcasts. But a man who wants to pledge his life to a monastery? Not something that I’ve come across. And it was something that I found surprisingly enjoyable. Especially when partnered with a lady of the night. As with many enjoyable surprises I seem to be finding in my reading lately… it was something I just didn’t know that I needed!

This isn’t a story filled completely with lust. There’s enough of it that you maybe wouldn’t want to read it on a bus, or in front of your in-laws. But it’s not as intense as some of the other paranormal romance tales I’ve been reading lately. There is a little less lust, and a lot more suspense…and now there is another series to add to my every expanding wishlist…

 <- The Widow’s Auction ReviewMr. Speedy Review ->
Image source: Christine Feehan

The Scotsman and the Vamp by Jennifer Ashley

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of vampire romance 2 book cover

Title: The Scotsman and the Vamp
Author: Jennifer Ashley
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 12th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Promised to him since his birth.

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Synopsis

The Roaring Twenties and the movie scene of LA make a beautiful backdrop to a short story about the turn of the century. A woman is running from her past, and her fiance, but when he finally catches up to her, will she realise that the scotsman might be her perfect forever partner?

Thoughts

There is something that has always seemed kind of fun about the Roaring Twenties. Maybe it’s just the clothes. I’m not really sure. But a short story based in this time period, in LA, with a woman who is just starting to embrace the new reality of feminism… well, I was sucked completely in from the first fun scene with a party and dancing, and a vampire bride on the run…

I liked the idea that the vampire in this was the woman. So many of the paranormal romances I read involve a male vampire, with a chosen female bride and then they ride off into their happily ever after. Most of this did happen, just with that nice little gender reversal that was really quite refreshing. Especially since she is running away from a man who would seem for all intents and purposes kind of dreamy – and incredibly sexy. All so that she can live her own life and have a modicum of freedom in her daily life.

I’m not big into stories which feature a damsel in distress who needs rescuing. It’s a little too cliché and not something that immediately tends to draw me in. However, this story does not fit that niche. Actually, that is the biggest hurdle in the relationship – that she doesn’t need him, and so why should he hang around? Rather, in the end, they both rescue each other. Which, for me, is just how it should be.

 <- Trust Me ReviewI Need More You Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for one foot in the grave book cover

Title: One Foot in the Grave
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress #2, Night Huntress Universe #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 28th July – 31st August 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Yeah, right.

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Synopsis

You can run from the grave, but you can’t hide…

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She’s still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.

Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head – wanted: dead of half-alive – means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep thing professional between them, she’ll find that desire lasts forever… and that Bones won’t let her get away again.

Thoughts

This book took me way too long to read. Not because I didn’t love it, but because I started reading it at a really crappy time in my life, and just didn’t read many books at all. It almost made me want to quickly pick up the next book in the series, At Grave’s End, and spend all night reading it. Just to make up for the fact that I haven’t had much of a chance to truly enjoy One Foot in the Grave like I usually would.

I haven’t read many series which jump years ahead between the first and second book. There have been a few that have done so later in the series. But never so early on. Which is why I found it kind of exciting that this took a very different approach to timeline than I am thus far used to. It almost made Halfway to the Grave feel like a prequel novel and that this is where the depths and insanities of the series were going to really get started. I am also feeling far more desperate to pick up At Grave’s End than I did before.

I’m a big believer in true love. Which is completely obvious from the selection of books which I tend to read. Although I don’t normally love the insta-love feeling that some books give you. There is a bit of that kind of feeling in Halfway to the Grave, but that completely disappears when you get to One Foot in the Grave. After all, they’ve both spent years pinning for each other and feeling unable to move on with their lives. Insta-love might be annoying, but when that turns into the kind of love that stands the test of time… that’s the kind of story that just melts my heart.

No matter how many series, genres and books I read, I always love to come back to the urban fantasy and paranormal fantasy series. The ones which feature strong women who can kick us. This is exactly that kind of book. Even when Cat is given a nice, easy out of the predicament she finds herself in, she decides to take the harder way out. After all, the easy way isn’t about independence, but the hard way is all about winning and triumphing over bullying power hungry fools.

<- Happily Never AfterAt Grave’s End ->

Image source: Goodreads

Cave Canem by Susan Sizemore

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
First Blood

Title: Cave Canem
Author: Susan Sizemore
Series: Laws of the Blood #5.5
In: First Blood (Susan Sizemore, Erin McCarthy, Chris Marie Green & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 26th August 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Of course, she hadn’t been aware of him since the companion connection had been severed between them several years before.

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Synopsis

When hellhound pups are stolen from under Dan Conover’s nose, an unlikely alliance is made. Vampire enforcer Dan is bound by a promise to guard the hellhounds. Werewolf Tess Sirella is charged with making sure no hellhound is trained to tap into its evil, murderous potential. Vampires and werewolves aren’t supposed to be attracted to one another… but for every rule, there’s an exception.

Thoughts

This was a fun, engaging and enjoyable paranormal romance. The involvement of demons, hellhounds, vampires and werewolves drew me in from the very beginning. As did the jump in timeline from the prologue to the main story. The only thing I didn’t love was the fact that the man had been involved with her many times great-grandmother. It felt a little creepy that he’d been intimate with a woman, and then falls for her descendant. There’s even a moment when he notices the similarities between the two of them…

There’s not much I love more in this world than my dogs. So I understood the drive of the hellhounds owners. After all, once that bond is formed, it’s almost impossible to break. Or at least, that’s what I’ve found so far. I really enjoyed the search for the missing puppies, the need to ensure their safety and the drive to indicate their innocence. I can’t imagine a day without my dogs, and the two men in this story obviously feel the same.

I haven’t yet read any of the Laws of the Blood series so I don’t exactly understand how this fits into the bigger world. Yet, Sizemore manages to give you enough information that you don’t feel completely confused by her world. But not enough that you don’t want to read the rest of the series. It’s a great little tease to draw you in, or let you revisit a world you’ve already seen before.

 <- First Blood ReviewRussian Roulette Review ->
Image source: Amazon