Tag Archives: Vampires

Blood and Roses by Angela Knight

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
burning-up

Title: Blood and Roses
Author: Angela Knight
In: Burning Up (Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, Virginia Kantra & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Medieval fantasy, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 18th – 19th February 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Lord Raniero is famous for his incorruptibility.

Synopsis

In Angela Knight’s BB Blood and Roses BB, a vampire warrior and his seductive captor join forces to stop a traitor from unleashing an army of demonic predators on their kingdom.

Thoughts

This is now my second novella by Angela Knight that I’ve had the fortune of reading. And like Mad Dog Love, I found the opening pages didn’t really grab me. However, this time I knew that I had to persevere with the opening, and I would sink into something amazing. And I was completely right!

This paranormal romance novella takes you on a journey through a world with vampires and knights. Wars and traitors. The fact that there is a lustful romance that takes centre stage just helps to build upon the beauty of the storyline. There’s just something so sweet (if in a slightly backwards way) about Amaris and Raniero throughout this tale. Something that completely drew me in and made it impossible to put down this story (you know, once I’d gotten over the first few pages).

Although it is incredibly obvious that the two leads are going to fall for one another, and hard, I still enjoyed the journey. And there were still moments when I wondered if their past hang-ups would lead to a not-so-happily ever after. Not enough to make me frustrated, but enough to help raise the stakes of the storyline.

I might have loved the romance in this novella. But honestly, my favourite character was Marin. There was just something so unbelievably cute, sweet and innocent about her. Something that makes me smile every time I reflect back on this story.

<- Whisper of SinShifting Sea ->

Image source: Nalini Singh

When I’m Armouring My Belly by Gemma Files

Book Review,
Overview
Evolve

Title: When I’m Armouring My Belly
Author: Gemma Files
In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Vampires
Dates read: 20th February 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: “Smells like us, specific, ’cause we just got done rubbing ourselves all over him.

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Synopsis

Sometimes you want to be a part of something bigger than you. But when it’s vampires doing all kinds of untold things to your body… is it really worth it? Or is it more intriguing to become something far more?

Thoughts

I was a little eh about this story. It wasn’t horrible and stomach turning like some of the short stories that have come before. But it also wasn’t the kind of tale that I’ll remember for a long time. Even writing this review is a little difficult because it is already starting to feel a little faded.

The part of this story that I enjoyed the most was the fact that the lead was a dhampir. It gave them a whole other level of strength and mystery. One that I didn’t quite figure out until the end. But then I can’t quite remember why either…

 <- Alia’s Angel ReviewA Murder of Vampires Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Alia’s Angel by Rhea Rose

Book Review, ,
Overview
Evolve

Title: Alia’s Angel
Author: Rhea Rose
In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Vampires
Dates read: 19th February 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘”Let me see.”

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Alia is trying to help her Angel survive. But, is there are more sinister, hidden relationship going on here? Will Alia or her Angel truly survive?

Thoughts

The idea of a vampire (which I’m assuming Angel is, because it’s never really explicitly explained) in the slums of an apartment building work kind of brilliantly. After all, I really don’t like those stories which tote vampires as the epitome of society. They’re predators. And generally the bad guy. So I kind of liked that there is a story that features one in a kind of horrible position. The dankness fits the theme a lot better than I was expecting.

This was one of those gloriously open-ended short stories. Although there is a beginning, a middle and an end. You can expect Angel returning to visit Alia again. The boy achieving his ultimate goal. Any number of endings and storylines that would work in so well.

 <- All You Can Eat, All the Time ReviewWhen I’m Armouring My Belly Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance edited by Trisha Telep

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance
Author: Trisha Telep, Sherri Erwin, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Jenna Black, Jenna Maclaine, Raven Hart, Delilah Devlin, Keri Arthur, Kimberly Raye, Alexis Morgan, Lilith Saintcrow, C.T. Adams, Cathy Clamp, Susan Sizemore, Dina James, Colleen Gleason, Barbara Emrys, Savannah Russe, Shiloh Walker, Vicki Pettersson, Rebecca York, Rachel Vincent, Amanda Ashley, Karen Chance & Nancy Holder
Series: Mammoth Books
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I have travelled the world in search of knowledge, studied with every important intellectual from da Vinci to Hawking.

Synopsis

Love is a weapon in the face of evil.

From the biggest names in paranormal romance, here are over 25 tales of a hunger like no other…

Let Karen Chance, Keri Arthur, Lilith Saintcrow, C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp, Amanda Ashley, Vicki Pettersson and Susan Sizemore and others take you hot-blooded on the trail of the sexiest creatures of the night.

In the world of the Undead there are strange codes of conduct, dark rituals and dating games, as they seduce the locals and engage in the most sensual encounters you’ll sink your teeth into this side of the grave.

These ain’t your mother’s vampires!

Thoughts

I kind of loved this collection. It definitely isn’t one that you can read cover to cover in one sitting – there’s only so many vampire romances that I can happily read before they start to blend into one. But as a slow read that I just picked up every now and again… it was really, really good.

The short stories in this collection ranged from the classical and predictable vampire stories to ones that took a whole new spin on the ideal. Some were just sweet and some just downright disturbing. And although they all follow a similar theme, not one is the same. I now have a very long list of new authors and series that I want to sink my teeth into…

<- Red Letter DayFade to Black ->

Image source: Goodreads

All You Can Eat, All the Time by Claude Lalumiere

Book Review, ,
Overview
Evolve

Title: All You Can Eat, All the Time
Author: Claude Lalumiere
In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Vampires
Dates read: 17th February 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Why the hell is he telling me all this?

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Synopsis

Jenny is a young woman on the prowl. Hunting for something that will just make her feel alive. But what she ends up finding might be a little more than she bargained for…

Thoughts

I can’t say that I thoroughly enjoyed this short story. I liked that it took a new spin on an old classic. I even liked the rough shape of the story. The narrative voice drove me absolutely nuts though. There was a like, in like, every, like sentence…

This was one of those weird, trying to do a remake of vampire lore, but only halfway managing it kind of stories. It was a great premise. And even the execution wasn’t too bad. But it just felt seriously lacking in something. Which means that whilst it was kind of an enjoyable read… it’s also a read that I will be forgetting about quite quickly.

 <- The Morning After ReviewAlia’s Angel Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Untitled 12 by Caitlin R. Kiernan

Book Review, , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: Untitled 12
Author: Caitlin R. Kiernan
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Horror, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: “It’s not a game,” she said and licked at her lips.

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Synopsis

Sometimes what you call to you isn’t quite what you wanted. But this girl is stuck with it anyway.

Thoughts

This story was kind of disturbing. And by kind of. I mean seriously. And confusing. Really, really confusing. There was a hermaphroditic vampire thing that beat the crap out of her convert. There was blood puke on the floor and there was a lot of weirdness that was super uncomfortable.

Although, if you read this story, there is no way in hell that you are going to want to become a vampire. Or really think that they are dreamy and sexy. So I kind of liked it. It was so sick and disturbing. Yet fun and interesting. Also impossible to put down or look away from. Kind of like a really horrific car crash… or gory and horrible horror movie…

 <- A Stand-up Dame ReviewThe Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Blood Debt by Jeanne C. Stein

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Hexed

Title: Blood Debt
Author: Jeanne C. Stein
Series: Anna Strong Chronicles #6.5
In: Hexed (Ilona Andrews, Yasmine Galenorn, Allyson James & Jeanne C. Stein)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 23rd January 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: I still can’t shake the idea that watching Stephen and I dance around each other, feeling the attraction, fighting it, would have been his idea of a joke.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

From national bestselling author Jeanne C. Stein comes “Blood Debt,” in which bounty-hunter-turned-vampire Anna Strong is visited by three witches who ask her to right an old magical wrong. Anna will have to live up to her last name to make it through alive.

Thoughts

Most of the time, when I find novellas in a short story collection, they stand up fantastically on their own. Sometimes you even forget that they are part of a greater series. This isn’t quite like that. It is a tale all about the repercussions of a crime obviously committed in a previous story. That’s not to say that this wasn’t a ridiculously enjoyable novella, but it was one that I constantly felt like I needed to have read about the original “crime” to fully understand what was happening.

I really like the idea of a bounty-hunter-turned-vampire and I can’t wait to get my grubby little hands onto this series. It sounds like one that is going to pull you in straight away. And that isn’t with the consideration of the idea of being the Chosen One. Again, I need to actually read the series to completely understand this, but Stein did a very good job of outlining all of the background information enough to not make me feel completely lost and confused.

Unlike the rest of the novellas in this collection, Blood Debt had a bit of a love connection. It had this fun budding relationship that makes you want to yell out loud in joy as the story concludes. Now I just have to find the time and money for the rest of this series… I want to see how the couple develops!

<- Double HexedHexed ->

Image source: Ilona Andrews

The Morning After by Claude Bolduc

Book Review, ,
Overview
Evolve

Title: The Morning After
Author: Claude Bolduc
In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: She could have chosen another.

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Synopsis

A woman wakes up blind and alone, now she just has to figure out exactly what happened to her…

Thoughts

I mostly enjoyed the premise of this story. It was just obvious that it was a translated short story, and I think that in that it lost some of its oomph. The general, fun gist of this story was great – but as I said, there were many moments that felt like they could have been more interesting, but there was something that just didn’t make it across translation…

I like that in this journey to remembering who she is, the young woman seems to be finally getting her feet under her. There is a sense of completion, and this idea that maybe she has a slightly interesting immortal life ahead of her. Until the end. When you realise that she really doesn’t have all that much time left after all.

 <- Mamma’s Boy ReviewAll You Can Eat, All the Time Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

A Stand-up Dame by Lilith Saintcrow

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: A Stand-up Dame
Author: Lilith Saintcrow
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep) & By Blood We Live (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance,  Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I chopped the was we used to chop rattlers back on the farm and, when her body stopped flopping and the gouts and gouts of fresh streaming blood had soaked a wide swatch of rain-flattened grass, I dropped the shovel in too.

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Synopsis

Jack wakes up in a grave with a bullet hole in his head. All he can remember is the dame in the green dress. And then he realises that the most stand-up dame might be the one who has been right in front of him all along.

Thoughts

I liked the voice in this story. It was that very 20’s and had that kind of roughened P.I. tone to it that I have become used to in some of the more vampire noir stories. There was something about the language and storyline that just drew me in from the beginning. Mostly though it was just the fact that although this was a vampire romance, the vampire part was implied, and not outright explained.

One of my favourite things about this story was the very beautifully open-ended. I was disappointed in some ways, but I also liked the fact that it was up to my own imagination to understand what happened next. Actually… imagining multiple endings has both been incredibly fun and really frustrating.

 <- Vampire Unchained ReviewUntitled 12 Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Vampire Unchained by Nancy Holder

Book Review, , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: Vampire Unchained
Author: Nancy Holder
Series: Gifted #4.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Her auburn hair hung in sopping ringlets past the shoulders of her black raincoat.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Liam has betrayed his sire, and now his sire is going to get revenge in the only way he knows how – through Liam’s love. But, when Liam’s ancestry comes into play, they realise that all might not be as lost as they initially thought.

Thoughts

I like the idea of a witch-born vampire. And that this ancestry is enough to overcome the change of vampirism. Actually, it’s the first vampire story I’ve had the pleasure of reading in which the change is reversed. And since it is a short story, this change occurs quite quickly. But it doesn’t feel forced and overbearing as it can in some short stories.

I like the weaving together of a bit of Irish folklore and witchcraft with vampirism. I haven’t read a good story that incorporates the two in quite a while. And it’s made me kind of desperate to get my hands on the first book in this series… self-control is a losing battle.

 <- The Day of the Dead ReviewA Stand-up Dame Review ->
Image source: Goodreads