Tag Archives: Vampires

Shifter’s Lady by Alyssa Day

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for shifter's lady alyssa day book cover

Title: Shifter’s Lady
Author: Alyssa Day
Series: Warriors of Poseidon #2.5
In: Shifter (Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day & Virginia Kantra)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: She’d seen it before, of course.

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Synopsis

An Atlantean beauty and a voracious Alpha panther male explore the boundaries of shape-shifting passion—only to shatter each one of them, in a beguiling novella of the Warriors of Poseidon…

Having never ventured beyond Atlantis for four centuries, Marie, First Maiden of the Nereids, is finally leaving for the world of the Above to see her brother and meet the beautiful shifter he married. For Marie, an even bigger surprise awaits her—one prowling in her sister-in-law’s panther pack. No man has ever touched her quite as exquisitely as Ethan, Alpha male of the panthers. But being drawn into his sensual world is as irresistible as it is dangerous when a violent turf war places both of them in inescapable danger.

Thoughts

I was expecting a novella featuring one of the Seven Warriors that are the focal point of the Warriors of Poseidon series. So it was a somewhat pleasant surprise to read a novella about one of the sisters – and a healer who is the leader of a temple. Alright, there was still an incredibly dominant and pushy male taking centre stage, but I enjoyed the fact that the Atlantean was female this time.

One of my favourite parts of this novella was that although there was the romance, neither party gave up everything for it. I was fully expecting the female to suddenly drop her role as lead of the temple, move to Florida and bed down with a very pretty leopard shapeshifter. Instead, they admit that they are mates, and tied to one another, but neither gives up their lives and responsibilities to indulge in this. Rather, there is an agreement to maintain a long-distance relationship, of sorts. I found it entirely refreshing that the tale ended in this way.

 <- Atlantis Awakening ReviewAtlantis Unleashed Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Atlantis Awakening by Alyssa Day

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for atlantis awakening alyssa day book cover

Title: Atlantis Awakening
Author: Alyssa Day
Series: Warriors of Poseidon #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: If you threaten Erin again, I will come after you with everything I’ve got.
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Berkley Sensation

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Synopsis

To rescue the world from an overwhelming evil, Poseidon’s warriors have risen from Atlantis. Chief among them is Ven, serving as the King’s Vengeance by birthright and by battle challenge. None can conquer him – except perhaps for one human female…

The warrior…
Ven’s mind is filled with duty. He must serve as Atlantean liaison to the humans in a war waged against the vampires. A sword is his weapon – not diplomacy. But on a mission to recover the Nereid’s Heart – a ruby of immense power – it will take every ounce of strength he possesses to resist the sexual allure of the beautiful witch chosen to work with him.

And the witch…
Erin’s heart is filled with vengeance. She lives only for the chance to punish those who murdered her family. Now she must partner with a legendary Atlantean warrior whose dark desire threatens to crash through the barriers she built around her emotions – and her heart. Caught in a trap of shifting alliances, how long can Ven and Erin resist their awakening passion?

Thoughts

I have a weird relationship with the Warriors of Poseidon series… while I’m reading them I don’t think that I’m completely enthralled, yet, I tend to just rip through them quickly and fall madly in love with the characters in the storyline. And, when I close the final page of the book, I can’t stop thinking about the storyline and all that unfolded.

Where I really didn’t feel any connection to Conlan throughout Atlantis Rising, I really liked Ven in the sequel. He had that crabby alpha-male thing going on which annoys me (and then I realise that I actually have that in my own life), but it was tempered a lot better than in Conlan’s characterisation. He had a softness and care to him that was kind of missing, although I honestly think that it has a lot to do with an improvement in Day’s writing across the books.

I’ve read a lot of vampire books over the years – something about Twilight seems to make it a must-have in anything with a paranormal theme. Yet, the vampires in this, although they follow along the traditional lines, aren’t a painfully overdone cliché. They aren’t even the centre point of the storyline, just another calibre of enemy that wants to destroy and take over the good guys. Or, in this case, want to take over Erin, the lead female in this story…

 <- Wild Hearts in Atlantis ReviewShifter’s Lady Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Remember the Blood by Vicki Pettersson

Book Review, ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: Remember the Blood
Author: Vicki Pettersson
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: And while the scream is gratifying, it’s the scent of his elixir, fouled though it is, that causes her appetite to rear.

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Synopsis

Ina and Alexander are meant for each other, but what will they do to keep their immortal romance alive?

Thoughts

I struggled with this short story. I absolutely loved it, but I found it quite sick and twisted, and thus a little more difficult to deal with. Actually, I finished this story going… huh and a little bit eeeeew. Not quite the way I normally finish a romance story.

I have read a few of Pettersson’s stories now, and one of the things that I often love about her writing is the fact that it is never quite what I expect and it always leaves me feeling entertained and bemused. This short story, featuring a couple that will literally sacrifice anything to have their immortality together certainly left me feeling a little perplexed. It took a new spin on vampirism and what must be sacrificed for immortality. A new take on the ways in which we keep our love and romance alive in a long-term relationship. Although, not a way in which I would ever suggest keeping romance alive if you have a conscience…

 <- Hunter’s Choice ReviewThe Sacrifice Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The New Forty by Rebecca Bradley

Book Review, ,
Overview
Evolve

Title: The New Forty
Author: Rebecca Bradley
In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: I never properly saw his face.

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Synopsis

Vampires in the media are always beautiful, glorious and oozing sexual appeal. But what about those who are just that little bit older? Maybe they’ve become the “new forty”.

Thoughts

I’ve always been frustrated by the term “new _____” like thirty is the new twenty and such. It just seems so silly and frivolous, and this short story kind of highlighted that for me. It made fun of the phrase, made fun of vampires, and made fun of our obsession with media.

I’ve had very mixed feelings about vampire stories since Twilight became such a hit. On one hand, I can understand the fascination, and there are some amazing series based around it. On the other hand, I really don’t understand what is romantic about a set of creatures that hunt and kill humans to survive – if they weren’t vampires, they’d be serial killers. This confusion and frustration about modern perceptions of the myth comes through while the main character is watching Opera (another thing I really don’t understand).

This is such a nice, easy, fun and amusing story that takes the vampire genre and makes fun of it. all while still falling within the genre it is mocking itself.

 <- Resonance ReviewRed Blues Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Resonance by Mary E. Choo

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Evolve

Title: Resonance
Author: Mary E. Choo
In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: “Good evening, my dear,” he said to a passing caterer.

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Synopsis

We all resonant together through life, but it takes a very special vampire to recognise this fact. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll be able to use it to make others’ lives better.

Thoughts

I liked the idea in this short tale of vampires being able to sense life forces. It isn’t a new idea, but it was dealt with in a unique way. The fact that it is used in a moment to diagnose cancer, and encourage wildlife to run rampant in a backyard, that was novel and fun.

I liked the idea of feeling the “resonance” in each being. I didn’t absolutely adore the pace and writing style of this short story. Ultimately, it is about rising up against an oppressive regiment and finding power in ones own desires that drives this story. The need to feel and live, even when you are undead. And I loved that message, but I found it a little difficult to be swept away by it.

 <- Mother of Miscreants ReviewThe New Forty Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

PR Problems by Eric James Stone

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Blood Lite

Title: PR Problems
Author: Eric James Stone
In: Blood Lite (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Crime, Dark fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Pocket Books
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: So I did.

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Synopsis

“What annoys me the most about vampires and werewolves is their good P.R.” — Thus begins the tale of a ghoul and his quest for proper respect.

Thoughts

I laughed so damn hard throughout this story. It’s rare to find a story that features a ghoul instead of werewolves and vampires and the sass with which the storyline is delivered were brilliant.

I love that throughout the story, the ghoul bitches and moans about the bad PR that they get. The fact that it ends with him wanting to eat someone doesn’t really improve my opinion of him… but he made quite a few good points. Ghouls don’t waste, vampires do… yet vampires are seen as something romantic and glorious in the literature.

This improvement on PR has certainly made me want to find a story or ten that features the glories of the ghoulish world…

 <- High Kicks and Misdemeanors ReviewWhere Angels Fear to Tread Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Hunter’s Choice by Shiloh Walker

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

Title: Hunter’s Choice
Author: Shiloh Walker
Series: The Hunters Companion
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: The man’s head fell back and Sara grinned with feral satisfaction as his lips parted, revealing exactly what she’d suspected.

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Synopsis

Sara is hunting vampires. But things take a bit of a turn when her old lover shows up with a bit of a surprise unveil.

Thoughts

As soon as Wyatt walks onto the scene, you know what’s going to happen. You can guess from almost the very first sentence that Sara is probably going to fall for a vampire. I mean, the short story is in a collection of vampire romance novels and it opens with her hunting a vampire. But that didn’t make the storyline any less enjoyable.

One of the things that I love about the ending to this short story is that Sara doesn’t immediately accept vampires. Actually, she states that she can’t just suddenly change all of her opinions and thoughts just because Wyatt has re-entered her life. Which is refreshing. Even when we fall in love, we don’t suddenly become someone new. It is a gradual change, a merging of opinions and ideals. But not one that completely changes the entire makeup of an individual.

 <- Overbite ReviewRemember the Blood Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Mother of Miscreants by Jennifer Greylyn

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Evolve

Title: Mother of Miscreants
Author: Jennifer Greylyn
In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: “I need a little break,” she told Lionel, rising gracefully from her chair and glancing meaningfully at the young-seeming man who’d called her mother.

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Synopsis

She is the mother of all vampires, and now, with a little help from her new book, she is working on reconnecting with her children.

Thoughts

This was a different take on the creation of vampires – that they were created by Lilith (the first wife of Adam). That they don’t have to feed on blood. That they are just not understanding their given gifts in the world. It was certainly a take that I enjoyed and found quite refreshing.

I normally find it a little difficult to love vampires – they prey upon humans, and I don’t really find this romantic, classy or fun. So having a short story that says that they don’t have to do this, and still maintains that sense of mystery. I really liked the ideal. Actually, it would be incredibly easy to expand on this and create a full-blown series or, at the very least, novel. Especially since it’s such a novel idea (horrible pun intended).

 <- Chrysalis ReviewResonance Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Overbite by Savannah Russe

Book Review, ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: Overbite
Author: Savannah Russe
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!),
My Bookshelves: Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Not that he was a loser in the game of love.

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Synopsis

For this dentist, one late night customer is going to completely change his life. And possibly open the door for a future full of romance, and a woman named Bunny…

Thoughts

It’s always good fun to read short stories, or really, any stories that investigate the daily lives of the characters. And the fact that vampires also need dentists was something that I had never considered. And, although I found this storyline a little droll, I loved the idea that there is a man who decided to give up his life and become the dentist to the undead.

If I didn’t find the lead so boring and just… bleugh (hewants a blonde bimbo called Bunny… EW), I probably would have been completely obsessed with this story. As it was, I still enjoyed it. While contemplating smacking the silly dentist on the head…

 <- A Temporary Vampire ReviewHunter’s Choice Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Six by Marjorie M. Liu

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Holidays Are Hell

Title: Six
Author: Marjorie M. Liu
In: Holidays Are Hell (Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu & Vicki Pettersson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Strong women, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Fiction
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: His Chinese had an English accent, and he was tall and clean-cut, clad in a navy suit with a lilac tie.

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Synopsis

Six is a well trained agent for China. It isn’t until she meets Joseph, a necromancer that she finally meets her match. And her first vampire. And that’s where things quickly begin to unravel.

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this novella. It’s fast-paced, kind of sassy and full of action. Not to mention the woman in the couple is the one more likely to kick your ass. That, and all of this fast-paced, sassy action takes place in Shanghai, with the backdrop of the Chinese New Year. The setting gives an extra layer of character and beauty to the storyline that I don’t often experience in novellas.

I enjoyed this version of “vampires”. It didn’t take the normal shape of blood-sucking fiends, but it did have the same thematic tones as other vampire stories. Mixing in a necromancer or two just helps to up the stakes and create a world that I’m really disappointed only exists in this one novella. I actually went online hunting to see if this is part of a greater series or word. But, alas, it isn’t.

Although I thoroughly enjoy the urban fantasy aspects of this tale, I think that the bit I enjoyed the most is the Chinese background. You can tell that Liu has spent time in Shanghai at the turn of the year, her familiarity almost screams from the page. The characters and the storyline won’t fail to draw you in, but it is the setting that has made this such a memorable tale for me.

 <- Run, Run, Rudolph ReviewThe Harvest Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers