Tag Archives: Vampires

Trust Me by Stacia Kane

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

Title: Trust Me
Author: Stacia Kane
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 13th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Another brick shattered a windowpane and clattered on the wood floor.

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Synopsis

She’s supposed to be spying on a man she believes could be Jack the Ripper. But fate has other ideas, and she quickly finds herself falling in love. Has she fallen in love with a monster? Or will she get her happily ever after after all?

Thoughts

While I’ve been reading The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2, I’ve also been reading The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories. And I never expected any kind of overlap between the two. At all. After all, they’re two entirely different genres with no overlap whatsoever in authors. Which meant that it was incredibly surprising, although a little fun to read a story which is a vampire paranormal romance, featuring Jack the Ripper and the times in Whitechapel surrounding these killings.

Sometimes I think that paranormal fantasy stories (be they romance or just run of the mill fantasy) take a few too many things from our history and twist them into really weird storylines. And if you had have told me that there was a vampire romance featuring Jack the Ripper, I would have put this in the “I don’t think so” basket. Luckily, I didn’t know that this was such a story, and for that I am exceedingly glad. This was just such a great spin on an old mystery, and almost felt entirely plausible.

Although this romance short was set in the 1800s, I wouldn’t classify it as a historical fiction. The lead female was a little too strong willed and independent. Which, I have read similar stories, but that very independence and strength of will is what continuously gets them into trouble. It got her into absolutely no spot of strife throughout the story… which isn’t to say that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy it. but this read a little bit like a modern story, just moving the location in which it was set…

 <- Vampsploitation ReviewThe Scotsman and the Vamp Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

Pirate Dave and the Captain’s Ghost by Toni L. P. Kelner

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for an apple for the creature book cover

Title: Pirate Dave and the Captain’s Ghost
Author: Toni L. P. Kelner
In: An Apple for the Creature (Charlaine Harris & Toni L. P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Urban fantasy, Vampires, Werewolves
Dates read: 13th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “It’s his own hellish actions – “

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Synopsis

She’s on a werewolf retreat having a wow of a time. Until a ghost decides that he takes exception to her love life. And suddenly her retreat makes her want to go into retreat…

Thoughts

This story was nothing like what I expected from the title. I was expecting a pirate ghost story and had absolutely no idea how a schooling would tie into this. After all, it is the concluding story for a collection of urban fantasies which feature teachers and school. I was not expecting a story about a werewolf and vampire in a relationship. Who own a pirate-themed water park and who were getting haunted…

I seem to be finding more and more books / series with a vampire-werewolf mating. I don’t find many that really investigate the reactions to this interracial relationship. It’s something that people in real life have to go through, dealing with the prejudices against their other half. I like that this was the original driver for the conflict in the story. Everything was going fine until one person (ghost) with a prejudice against vampires manages to make everyone so awkward and uncomfortable that she is then left alone. Completely.

The interconnectedness of this story and the twist at the end were really fun. I finished this story with a huge grin on my face and the desire to see if this is part of a greater series. I also loved that it ended up with a ghost becoming friends with a werewolf and helping them create a haunted ship.

 <- The Bad Hour ReviewAn Apple for the Creature Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Vampsploitation by Jaye Wells

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

Title: Vampsploitation
Author: Jaye Wells
Series: Sabina Kane #0.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 12th July 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Anger because I was sick and tired of being underestimated.

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Synopsis

Sabina just wants to work on her own, but a trick of birth and politics means she’s stuck with an opinionated macho man. Could he be her ticket out and something more? Or is he just a dunce?

Thoughts

I bought the first book in this series ages ago. With no idea what it was going to be about and what it would be like. It just had a cool name and was on sale. Which meant that reading this short story certainly made me think that I made the right decision. Now I just have to exercise some self-control and not open it again straight away.

For such a short story, there are two themes explored incredibly well within this tale. For starters there’s the one about prejudice and “othering”. Then there’s also the issue of trust. Not only are they great methods to keep me involved in the story, they also set up the beginning of the series perfectly. Which makes sense, since this is the prequel…

I’ve always had some trust issues. I think that many people do, so it’s always a little too easy to relate to these in a story. Add to that the fact that Sabina is an assassin, and you can see how these trust issues are going to lead to a very messed up and complex heroine. After all, this is just the beginning of her problems. I’m sure there are about to be much more.

 <- Crimson Kisses ReviewTrust Me Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

The Blood Kiss by Shiloh Walker

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Hot Spell

Title: The Blood Kiss
Author: Shiloh Walker
In: Hot Spell (Lora Leigh, Emma Holly, Shiloh Walker & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires, Werewolves
Dates read: 12th July 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: “I don’t feel any different.”

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Synopsis

He’s simply on a mission to save his younger brother from a pathetic political ruse. But, in doing so, he might not only discover the woman of his dreams. He might also lose her too.

Thoughts

This is my second Shiloh Walker tale, and, although I loved the first short story I read, I definitely love her longer novella far, far, far more. There was something that was sweet, seductive and fun about her character and world building. Something that made me just not want to put the story down. So I didn’t. And then I almost missed tea…

There is something so incredibly fun and sensual about stories which match opposites. And, in the supernatural world, there doesn’t seem to be anything more “opposite” than that of werewolf and vampire. The fact that the female vampire wasn’t quite fully formed, but born into it instead just made the world building and storyline all the more intriguing. I had a huge, happy, toe-curling grin on my face when I finished this story. It was also a perfect ending to a fantastic collection.

A definite medieval feel fell about this story. Not because of the time in which it was placed (which was modern day from what I could tell), but rather, the thoughts and decisions of the villain in the tale. The fact that the atrocities he claimed upon a woman were upon his own daughter made it so much more barbaric and archaic. So much better when he was finally overcome and love and right win the day in the end.

 <- Falling for Anthony ReviewHot Spell Review ->
Image source: Meljean Brook

VSI by Nancy Holder

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for an apple for the creature book cover

Title: VSI
Author: Nancy Holder
In: An Apple for the Creature (Charlaine Harris & Toni L. P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Cops, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 11th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: FBI.

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Synopsis

Claire is in an uncomfortable marriage, but a two week training trip away with her partner (who she has a bit of a crush on) might help her find a way out of it. Even if it’s not quite the way she had planned to escape a loveless life.

Thoughts

From fairly in this story it seemed to be a tale about vampires. After all, the first, very naked perp that Claire and Jackson bring down is a woman with filed down teeth. What I didn’t expect was Holder’s unique take on a modern vampire and who the actual serial killing crazy person was going to be. That took me nicely and pleasantly by surprise.

Most urban fantasy stories which involve a cop tend to either have a completely platonic relationship or one full of romance. This was somewhere in between, it was obvious from the beginning that there was an extra level of feeling between Claire and Jackson, but then there’s a mention of her husband. This little spanner isn’t one that I normally come across. Most of the paranormal and urban fantasy stories I read involve the act of falling in love, but not what happens when that falls apart. I liked this change in relationship status, I wouldn’t want to read a huge amount of stories which deviate this far, but every now and again they’re fun.

I enjoy the idea of a vampire serial killer. Don’t get me wrong, it would be ten times more terrifying than a human one, but it gives a good reason to hunt down the culprit. That whole us versus them doesn’t sit overly well with me, so having a reason to hunt down a vampire and study him… it just added that extra shine and enjoyment to this story. A story which I’m quite disappointed is over.

 <- An Introduction to Jewish Myth and Mysticism ReviewThe Bad Hour Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Undead Man’s Hand by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for out of the light, into the shadows book cover

Title: Undead Man’s Hand
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Vegas Vampires #7
In: Out of the Light, Into the Shadows (Lori Foster & Erin McCarthy)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Vampires
Dates read: 31st July 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: I drink blood.

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Synopsis

Nick turned two young Russian royalty decades ago. Now he might have finally found the woman who will make him happy for the rest of his life, and one of these children could just stand in the way…

Thoughts

Well, I seriously wasn’t expecting the culprit of this story. It was kind of surprising. Horribly so in many ways. But also a fantastic twist. One that I enjoyed thoroughly and really didn’t want to look away from. What a fantastic way to end the Vegas Vampires series and Out of the Light, Into the Shadows collection.

I haven’t quite finished off the Vegas Vampires collection at this point. I have one more novella, and one more full-length novel to finish first. But, I first met Nick in Deal or No Deal and he seemed incredibly sweet. I was looking forward to him finding his happily ever after when his name was first mentioned in this novella. And I seriously wasn’t disappointed. Not only did he get his happily ever after woman, but the awkwardness of the past was removed (albeit in a slightly more violent way). Partnered with a cop and a series of crimes… it was an incredible journey!

One of the things I love about McCarthy’s writings are that although it is much the same story (boy meets girl), she manages to make each and everyone completely different. Both through the characterisation and the trials that they face. Normally when I’ve read so many romances by the same author, I get a little bored of their storytelling. Not with McCarthy. I still couldn’t put down her story and I can’t wait to sink my fangs (pun intended) into the final tales in this series.

 <- Deal or No Deal ReviewHigh Stakes Review ->
Image source: Penguin Random House

Crimson Kisses by Diane Whiteside

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

Title: Crimson Kisses
Author: Diane Whiteside
Series: Texas Vampires #3.25
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 7th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Oh no, no, no.

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Synopsis

She’s found the man that she wants to spend the rest of her life with. But her father has decided he wants to keep her under his thumb for a little bit longer. A daring escape, a failed rescue and a year spent apart has just helped to harden her reserve.

Thoughts

This was a little bit too short for me. It had the feel of a plot that could have extended out for an entire novel. Especially since the hapless couple try to escape, realise they can’t and then plan to rendezvous. Afterwards, they manage to mess that up, but eventually find a way back to each other again, just a little bit later than had been anticipated. All that in less than thirty pages? It made for a great, fast-paced read, but I really wanted much more background information.

With a title like Crimson Kisses, I was kind of expecting a lot more… well, kissing. There wasn’t as much lustful passion in this storyline as I’ve been gaining from some of the paranormal romance stories that I’ve been sticking my little literary nose into. But it did have a great feeling of sweetness and everlasting love. It certainly made me hope that the wonderful leads would be able to have a happily ever after…

 <- Butterfly Kiss ReviewVampsploitation Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

Deal or No Deal by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for out of the light, into the shadows book cover

Title: Deal or No Deal
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Vegas Vampires #6
In: Out of the Light, Into the Shadows (Lori Foster & Erin McCarthy)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Vampires
Dates read: 28th July 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Sergei’s face was impassive, and Rasputin grinned.

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Synopsis

Katie has been wondering what happened on the night her family was killed for over 90 years. Michael has been looking for the woman that he loves since that same night. Will they find the answers that they need together, or will they be doomed to spend eternity without love?

Thoughts

There is something fun and kind of beautiful about Erin McCarthy’s stories. And it really doesn’t seem to matter what they’re about, where they’re set or what genre they fit into. This is yet another example. Although this is a novella set in the Vegas Vampires world, it had a bit more of an old-world feel to it. Or, maybe that’s just what I picked up on by having a character called Rasputin and a Russian princess who was almost killed.

For most of this story, all I could think about was Anastasia and Rasputin. The Disney-fied version with all of the songs. It really wasn’t a bad thing to think about while I was reading this story to be fair. I love that movie. I love the songs and I loved this novella. There was just something fun and engaging about it. Something about Katie (or Maria) and Michael that made you hope they got their happily ever after. And most definitely got their revenge…

There is nothing I love more in stories than when the bad guy dies. Not necessarily through the hands of the people they’ve wronged, but as an inadvertent consequence of their own actions. McCarthy is incredibly good at this slightly surprising form of poetic justice. There is always a fantastic consequence that makes me immensely glad, but it’s never quite in the form that I expect. And what happens to Rasputin is no different. It’s a bit surprising, and it left me with a huge smile on my face as I closed the final pages of the story.

 <- Russian Roulette ReviewUndead Man’s Hand Review ->
Image source: Penguin Random House

Bled Dry by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for bled dry erin mccarthy book cover

Title: Bled Dry
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Vegas Vampires #3
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Vampires
Dates read: 16th May – 7th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: But we will be discreet until the election is over.

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Synopsis

Only in Vegas can a one-night stand with a vampire beat the odds – from the USA Today bestselling author of Sucker Bet and Bit the Jackpot…

Hooking up with a vampire has its risks – but getting pregnant usually isn’t one of them. Tell that to Brittany Baldizzi, who finds herself in the family way with no father in sight. After their one night of passion, vampire Corbin Jean Michel Atelier disappeared off the face of the earth – or at least off the Vegas Strip…

Corbin is a vampire with a cause – he is secretly trying to find a cure for his condition. But when he finds out Brittany is pregnant with his child, Corbin can’t keep his parental instincts from trumping his bloodsucking ones. Even when showing his hand could cost him the woman he can’t help but love…

Thoughts

It took me a lot longer to read Bled Dry than any of the other novels in this series so far. Mostly because Corbin kind of pissed me off. He might have been attempting to do right by Brittany throughout… but mostly he was just being a bit of a ham-fisted moron. And Brittany should have smacked him around the head far more times than she did… but, once I got over my smack-Corbin feeling, I actually thoroughly enjoyed this tale.

There are almost no romance stories in my shelves that feature a pregnant woman. There are many that mention a previous couple becoming pregnant, but none that actually have this as a central plot point. It was a nice change. Babies might not be my thing, and I’m unsure about motherhood, but I think it’s an integral aspect of our lives (for so many obvious reasons). The fact that it was the central point of the storyline and the reason for all of the complications (both positive and negative) was incredibly fun. It didn’t take away from the romance or the passion, but it did provide an entirely new standpoint that I just lapped up.

I’ve never read a story in which the vampire wanted to reverse the act of vampirism. Most of the tales end like High Stakes and Sucker Bet where the mortal significant other is turned to run off into the sunset living happily ever after. This didn’t quite end like that… and the fact that Corbin wanted to grow old with Brittany instead of living forever, well, I kind of liked that ending far more. It was about those finite, happy moments you have together and raising a family in a lifetime, not staying together for ever and having no reason to live every day like it’s your last…

Although the first two thirds of this story involved me mostly being pissed off because Corbin was being an idiot, once I got past that. And he got past his own stupidity, I actually really loved this story. It had that same cutesy, sweet feeling that I’m getting used to in McCarthy’s stories. And left me with the typical, nostalgic, happy smile that her works always leave me with.

 <- Bit the Jackpot ReviewSucker Bet Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Dead Girls Don’t Dance by Mary Janice Davidson

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
cravings

Title: Dead Girls Don’t Dance
Author: MaryJanice Davidson
Series: Undead #1.5
In: Cravings (Laurell K. Hamilton, Mary Janice Davidson, Eileen Wilks & Rebecca York)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 28th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: She coughed out more sand, cursing herself.

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Synopsis

Vampire Andrea Mercer is literally dug up by an old crush, Daniel Harris, and during a trip to Minnesota to see the vampire queen, her desire for him reignites.

Thoughts

This was a funny, cute and easy read. It took me a little longer than most novellas because I was also trying to watch a cute little movie at the same time… but in general, this was just a nice little read. I especially liked that although I thought Andrea was going to be a sweet woman. One who meets her significant other and falls a little in love. I was kind of wrong. Although she does fall for Daniel, she’s not really sweet. She’s kind of a powerhouse. And she’s pushy. And she really refuses to take anyone’s crap.

I haven’t read the first book in this series, this is my first ever Mary Janice Davidson story for that matter. So I really didn’t know what to expect at the end of the story when Andrea finally meets the Queen. Within two sentences I fell completely in love with the woman. And, as always, had to fight the urge to go out and buy the books straight away. Actually, I’m still fighting that urge. Queen Betsy is totally different to any image of a vampire queen that I have ever carried in my head before. And I was completely obsessed with it.

For most people there’s always that “what if” person. That person that you constantly wonder what if something different had happened and we’d gone down that track? Daniel is that person for Andrea, and it’s kind of sweet how he manages to completely except all of the horrors in her new life and finds himself in love with her. The fact that he does so with a healthy dose of humour and a bit of stupidity had me smiling throughout, and clutching the book to my chest after I’d turned the final page.

 <- Blood Upon My Lips ReviewOriginally Human Review ->
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