Archive for the ‘Vampire’ Category

ARGENEAU NOVEL #17: UNDER A VAMPIRE MOON
Lynsay Sands
ISBN: 978-0062100207 (Mass Market Paperback)
ASIN: B005C6HGD6 (Kindle)
May 2012 (Mass Market Paperback)
AVON / Harper Collins
Paranormal / Immortal Vampires

Trying to find some peace while going through a messy divorce after escaping from a horrible marriage full of lies and betrayal, Carolyn Connor had lost any kind of self-esteem she might have once had.  As a consequence, she was depressed and had no intention of even thinking about men let alone “getting laid” as her friend Bethany had suggested.  The island of St. Lucia was an island paradise but was actually reinforcing  Carolyn’s inadequacies with all the honeymooners who seemed to make up the major portion of the cliental at the resort.  Then Carolyn met Marguerite Argeneau, famous for her matchmaking prowess and recognized at once that she was the perfect life mate for her son Christian Notte.

** The Argeneau Vampire series is one of my favorite series specifically because of the humor author Lynsay Sands consistently and thoroughly loads each tome with along with outrageous scenarios, and laugh out loud dialogs.   Although most recognize the Argeneau family as vampires, this is a misnomer for they are really immortals who go all the way back to the lost civilization of Atlantis.   [Read the earlier books in this series to fully understand the connection].

The gimmick used in this series was pretty good where Christian knew without a doubt that Carolyn was his life mate but he had to overcome a couple of really tough hurdles in order to convince Carolyn to even spend time with him. First of all even though Christian is over 500 years old, he appears to look like a 25 year old.  Carolyn is 42 – slightly overweight and embarrassed by the fact that she is attracted, yet old enough to be Christian’s mother.  More importantly, she had been badly burned by her failed marriage.  There is no way Carolyn would be comfortable enough to even get to know Christian, that is until Christian’s cousin convinces Carolyn that Christian is GAY and needs a beard [a straight girl who pretends in public to be dating a normal guy] in order to convince his family that he is straight. Naturally, Christian is not in the least gay and his unruly private ‘package’ is not making it any easier to convince Carolyn that he is.

Bottom Line:  This is a fun read with hot sensuality and some really funny scenarios.  It turns into a very fast read as well, because you hate to put it down.  Fans of Sands will certainly enjoy this latest offering in the Argeneau series.

MY ANGEL, MY LIGHT AS DARKNESS FALLS
Linda Hays-Gibbs
ISBN:  978-1615726035 (Paperback)
ASIN: B00769015M  (Kindle)
February 2012  (Paperback)
February 2012 (Kindle)
Eternal Press / Damnation Books LLC
Historical / Regency / Paranormal

On the eve of the battle of Waterloo, Lady Pru was led out to the ballroom by her fraternal twin brother Michael David Densington White, sixth Earl of White. Even though Pru had not been formerly brought out yet, the stress of being shut up waiting for Bonaparte’s army to initiate the battle led to those waiting to let off steam, find joy and celebrate before the battle.  Michael, ever protective did not like the attention Pru was getting from his friend Fearghass MacDonald, the Duke of Somerled  but allowed Fearghass one dance with his sister, one dance and one stolen kiss that was enough for Fearghass to proclaim he wished to make Pru his Duchess once the battle was over.

When the battle ended and Michael did not return for her, Pru could not be persuaded to leave until she found Michael and went to the battlefield, a sea of blood and carnage where she walked, stumbled and searched for her brother’s body.  When found just before nightfall, she sank down and cradled her brothers body and screamed and raged throughout the night.  However, a French soldier saw her and rather than flee as he should have – as the night grew colder he drew her into his arms as she finally slept – keeping Pru warm and safe from the evil that stalked the night.

***  This short novella was a most unusual paranormal regency romance with vampires and ghosts. I picked this up on a whim, because of the mention of ghosts and found it to be an utterly and totally engrossing story.  The title of MY ANGEL, MY LIGHT AS DARKNESS FALLS was unusual to say the least but from the first few pages I was hooked.

Pru and her brother were orphaned and being twins they had a special bond – the author put that to excellent use in later showing how much love there was between the two. Describing Pru’s heartache and devastation so extreme for a young girl who had never had to fend for herself.  Michael had protected and provided for her every need.  Pru was delicate, dainty and so beautiful it took most peoples breath away – beautiful and pure.  With this in mind the author was able to portray, how such a fragile young woman survived, with the help of a few new friends, including a devoted heart-sick French soldier; a huge protective dog; a confused ghost; and help from the great beyond as goodness versus evil in a most wonderful and provocative tale with an ending I found to be FANTASTIC.  Talk about a nice twist!

I don’t want to spoil the surprises of this marvelous tale by giving any more spoilers away, but the bottom line is that I was moved, emotionally and spiritually by the prose and beautiful imagery this author was able to convey.   I strongly suggest and highly recommend that most readers of both historical and paranormal will find a lot to love in this beautifully rendered story.

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

A VAMPIRE ROMANCE #2: NIGHTFALL
Norah Wilson
ASIN: B0060ROSHI (Kindle)
October 28, 2011 (Kindle)
Norah Wilson Publisher
Paranormal Vampire

As a vampire, Aiden Afflack is as charming, sexy and easy-going as he is gorgeous. Unless you happen to be a rogue vampire, in which case he’s apt to be the last thing you see. Sam Shea is a wildly successful nature photographer whose prophetic dreams lead her to some of the world’s most turbulent, awe-inspiring weather phenomena. While out on a shoot Sam’s path crosses with that of Aiden and after further investigation it appears that his proximity to Sam warps her psychic power enabling her to hone in on vampire violence instead of violent weather.  Aiden knows he’s found a gift in Sam in order to rid the world of rogue vampires – now he only needs to convince Sam to assist him with tracking them down.

***  One thing I can say about reading Norah Wilson – you won’t find her subject matter boring! Especially when she makes her characters come fully to life, even if the those characters just might happen to be the undead!   Having read the first book in this series, THE MERZETTI EFFECT, I knew where the gist of the story was heading. Hunter vampires like Aiden, were trying to weed out and stop the Rogue vampires who were killing their victims indiscriminately.  When Aiden discovered that Sam Shea was having psychic dreams of where the next rogue attacks were going to happen, he had to convince Sam to help and guide him to wherever her sightings took her.

Wilson did a marvelous job of fleshing out Sam with just the right talents that made her character totally believable.  At one time the dreams/visions Sam had were her “heads up” as to where to go to get her world renown photographs of violent weather phenomenons, however with Aiden in her vicinity she was having visions of a different sort.  When she accompanied Aiden on his rendezvous to catch the rogue vampires, Sam was convinced to work with him.  Unfortunately, and to make life interesting Ms. Wilson had to produce some angst and danger which she did in a most remarkable and creative way when Sam and Aiden were caught in a vicious trap by a gathering of rogues.  Suffice it to say, I was amazed at how they got out of that one.

Bottom line:  Ms. Wilson has created books that I have been thrilled and excited to read. She grabs me on the first page and doesn’t let go. So if you’re a paranormal fan looking for excitement and some very sensual and steamy love scenes, NIGHTFALL may be just the ticket!  AND, if you want Romantic Suspense you just might want to try her Serve and Protect series, which I found to be – Awesome!

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

L.O.S.T. SERIES BOOK 2: ENEMY MINE
Karin Harlow
ISBN: 978-1439177877
Kindle ASIN: B004INH9UY
September 2011
Pocket Star Books
Paranormal Romance/Dark Fantasy
Paranormal Romance/Vampire
Mass Market Paperback

Nikko thought his past was behind him, as he focuses on his new identity as a L.O.S.T. (Last Option Special Team) operative. His latest mission is giving him a bad feeling- but not as bad as when he sees a ghost from the past. Selena Guererro was the love of his life… until he killed her and gave up his life as Johnny. How is Selena still alive? Who is she working for? And how will he react when he discovers she is half-daemon?

ENEMY MINE is the second book in the L.O.S.T. series but it is a stand alone story. While characters from the first book, ENEMY LOVER, reappear, it is not necessary to know the history from the first book to understand the events of ENEMY MINE. The only caution I would have for readers new to the series is the plethora of characters can be a bit overwhelming at first.

Karin Harlow crafts an intense paranormal romance, one that addresses some sensitive issues. Nikko’s anger at Selena is more than understandable, but his past actions have destroyed him emotionally. Karin Harlow does an excellent job at taking a flawed hero and a flawed heroine, both of whom have done the unthinkable, and making a romance between them work.  Quite honestly, I didn’t think I could learn to like Nikko because of the violent way the earlier relationship with Selena ended- but Karin Harlow makes it work.

ENEMY MINE packs a powerful punch. The action is nonstop, the emotional intensity is high, and the paranormal storyline takes some interesting twists that leave the reader on the edge of their seat. Highly recommended!

BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD #1: DARK LOVER
J. R. Ward
Performed by: Jim Frangione
ISBN:  978-0451216953 (Mass Market Paperback)
ISBN:  978-1436178396 (Audio)
ISBN:  978-0451235954 (Hardcover)
ASIN: B000PDYVU2 (Kindle)
September 2005 (Mass Market Paperback)
January 2009 (Audio)
October 2011 (Hardcover)
October 2009 (Kindle)
Signet / Recorded Books / NAL Hardcover (Reissue) /  Penguin Publishing
Paranormal / Vampire

Wrath is a vampire who is extremely private preferring his own company to that of others.  Darius, the one vampire he was closest to asked him for a favor in assisting Darius’ half human daughter Beth (who was unaware of who and what her father was) into her transition (another thing of which she was unaware of ) to become a vampire.  Wrath refused Darius and walked away, but after Darius was killed that same night, Wrath decided he had to look for his friend’s daughter.

Wrath and Beth had an infinitely rocky beginning, and Wrath told himself he was only making good on a promise and would walk away once Beth’s transition was complete – only Beth spoke to a part of him that Wrath had thought he’d buried a very long time ago.

*** After hearing so many people rave about this series I felt I just had to try one of Ms. Wards books to see if they would appeal to me.  I’m happy to say that DARK LOVER definitely has its’ appeal and I will be looking to catch up on the rest of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.  Thankfully, I won’t have to wait as all the books for this have been published so I won’t have the anxiety of wondering “what happens next” in order to play catch-up with the series.

J.R. Ward crafted both a lively, sometimes humorous, sometimes frightening, and very sensual read.  I like that she  fashioned her hero with a disability, although in her world building, I was surprised that a vampire would have an impairment that couldn’t be overcome by his very nature.  It definitely did make for a more interesting hero though. There were some interesting scenario’s during the telling of this story and meeting the other members of the Brotherhood, along with a glimpse of their enemies the Lesser’s.

Beth was very interesting.  She had been noticing changes in her body but has been largely ignoring them as she went about her business as writer for a local newspaper hoping that one day she get the big ‘scoop’ and get out of the small town in New York, but that was before Wrath entered the picture and in spite of being deathly afraid of the ‘big’ guy, she was definitely ‘turned-on’.

For the most part, I loved this book, but I have to say one thing.  I was a bit disappointed when the so-called high-priestess gave Wrath a two minute reprieve from his failing eyesight and didn’t cure him completely.  But, I suppose that there is a reason for his blindness and it will all fall together in later books to THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD.

 Bottom line:  Authors have done some really wild stuff with their world-building and I must say that Ms. Ward’s world is a palatable addition to the genre.  I know it’s been out there for a while and wildly successful, but for new readers who are just getting their feet wet and want to try something new in the vampire genre – jump right in – this is a highly recommended read.

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

THE MERZETTI EFFECT
Norah Wilson
ASIN: B0054QCKDA  (Kindle)
June 6, 2011 (Kindle)
Self Publication Amazon
Paranormal / Vampire

For more than 170 years, Delano Bowen has practiced medicine, and yes he is immortal.  As of late, he has been doing more along the lines of research vs. practicing on patients who might question .  Obviously, because he is a vampire and never grows older.  Delano is working to create a vaccine to protect the vulnerable from being preyed upon by rogue vampires.  After a century of searching, he believes he’s found the key to  creating the vaccine.  He’s found probably the last surviving descendent of the Merzetti family who had been hunted down and slaughtered by rogue vampires who feared the anti-vampirism properties in their bloodline.

***  I am always interested in exceptional world building that authors use in writing about vampires.  I choose to read this novel after having read this author before and liked her writing of romantic  suspense she had built up in GUARDING SUZANNAH from her Serve to Protect series. Now Wilson has strayed off a bit from genres – still bringing on the suspense – but adding in some paranormal.

The hero, Delano Bowen, was a medical doctor and was turned more than 170 years ago.  Wilson lets you know that right from the get-go Delano is an honorable man.  He was married and stayed with his wife (not a vampire) until she died of old age.  Since that time he works tirelessly in search of a cure, to protect the vulnerable as well as to release him from the hell he was in.  Finally after searching for over a century, he had located a surviving descendent of the Merzetti family.

Our heroine Ainsley Crawford had no idea she carried the genetic gift but the offer of a plumb job at twice the salary she had been making forced her to warily go for an interview at night, in a somewhat bad part of town!  Naturally, she is attacked by a rogue vampire and Delano comes to her rescue.

Basically that is the set-up for this novel and what follows is an excellent story where Ainsley starts to realize all is not as it seemed working for the good doctor, and her sexual attraction to Delano just seems to grow in a way that she’d never expected – nor for Delano either.  Then there is a rogue vampire Radak Janecek who knows what Delano is working on and wants to destroy both his research and eliminating Ainsley whom he is aware carries the Merzetti gene.

Bottom line:  If the vampires and the sensual romance don’t get your attention the wonderful artistry of Ms. Wilson’s prose featuring scenes of bonafide fighting skills found in most military suspense novels should peak your interest.  Try this author out and make it a point to add THE MERZETTI EFFECT to your book shopping wish list!

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

GUILD HUNTERS BOOK 4: ARCHANGEL’S BLADE
Nalini Singh
ISBN #:  978-0-425-24391-6
Kindle ASIN #: B0052RHEUU
Publisher Name:  The Berkley Publishing Group/Berkley Sensation
Date Released:  September 2011
Urban Fantasy; Paranormal Romance
Print/Mass Market Paperback

Dmitri is a one thousand year old vampire and a member of the seven. A group of angels and vampires who serve the Archangel Raphael, he is not only a member of the Seven, he is Raphael’s second a man who is known to be harsh and brutal to anyone who does not follow by his rules.

Honor is a member of the Guild, a group whose job is it to track down rogue vampires. Honor is also a survivor, she not only survived a lonely childhood while going through the foster care system, she also survived being held captive by vampires for over two months. Her first case back, has her working for Dmitri one of the most dangerous vampires of all. They are working to track down a vampire killer, the vampires he kills have a distinctive tattoo on their bodies, a marking that stirs long buried memories inside of Dmitri. In exchange for Honor’s help, Dmitri is tracking down the vampires who held her captive to mete out his special brand of justice.

Dmitri has vowed to never allow another woman into his heart, but there is something about Honor that keeps drawling him near and Honor, no matter the abuse she’s suffered at other vampire’s hand there is something about him, despite the dangerous exterior that keeps her coming back for more.

I’m a big fan of Ms. Singh’s writing, that is the only reason I can explain why I keep coming back to this series, even when I’ve barely gotten over what a jerk Raphael was in the first book. Although he’s supposedly been redeemed, I am still leery about him as a hero, because of the awful things he did in the first book in the series. I never understood why so many people loved him as a hero. I was also disappointed with the character arc Elena went through in this series. I loved her in the first book and was disappointed that she went from this strong heroine to an emotional needy one, she lost her strength, in my honest opinion. I guess that’s why I was excited when ARCHANGEL’S BLADE was released and it didn’t feature Raphael and Elena as the hero and heroine.

Dmitri had an interesting and complicated past that had me on his side from the first page, despite not liking him earlier in the series. So, I applaud Ms. Singh for making me care so much. I felt the same for Honor. Although I was kinda annoyed with the obvious soul mate troupe, it was so expertly interwoven into the story that I found myself buying into their story. Both Dmitri and Honor had such deep-seated issues that were dealt with realistically as they made their way toward each other.

I can go on and on, but bottom line ARCHANGEL’s BLADE was a great read and I’m loving the new direction Ms. Singh as taken the series.

BITE SERIES (BOOK 2): IN THE HEAT OF THE BITE
Lydia Dare
ISBN:978-1402245107 (Paperback)
ASIN: B00514OX4E (Kindle)
July 2011 (Paperback)
July 2011 (Kindle)
Sourcebooks / Sourcebooks Casablanca
Historical / Regency
Paranormal / Vampires / Witches

There are few men of the ton who could claim to being a knight in shining armor – however Matthew Halkett, Earl of Blodswell was just that – before he was turned into a vampire 650 years ago.  So naturally, when he saw a damsel in distress in the midst of a furious storm in Hyde Park, he did what was required and rushed to her aid.  However, the damsel was not in distress, rather Rhiannon Sinclair was a witch who could control the weather and she was having a real “hissy” fit while reveling in the storm she had caused!   Unfortunately, for both of these determined people who had sworn never to need another person in their lives – Rhiannon’s weather  and Matthew’s supernatural abilities were both running amok whenever they were both in the same vicinity.

***  With a description and summary similar to the above – I found myself eager to jump into this book and rushed to download it onto my Kindle.  This was just my ‘cuppa tea’ what with witches, vampyres, and wolves (a bonus that) and historical too!   And much to my delight although this was totally stand alone, I came to realize that this is part of a series and I have more to look forward to, and several tomes to look back upon, from the dynamic duo of authors that call themselves Lydia Dare.

First of all, the characters were all terribly unique in IN THE HEAT OF THE BITE, especially Rhiannon a witch that could control weather and I loved how she could direct those mini lightning strikes at will – now that’s what I call a weapon of being able to protect oneself; or  it could just make someone sit up and take notice – he he he!

Matthew was divine and honorable! Actually, Rhiannon thought he was just a bit too honorable and wished her friends would have backed off  (several times) to let nature take its course.  It could turn into a pain to have a golden werewolf, married to your best friend who is a clairvoyant witch, and have him and his pack of siblings ready to uphold her honor!  However, they all made for some very humorous and enjoyable scenario’s which were generously sprinkled throughout IN THE HEAT OF THE BITE.  And of course, let’s not forget Alec – who is a fledgling vampire under Matthew’s care, who will have his own story in the next book of this enchanting and thoroughly amusing series!

BOTTOM LINE:   Don’t let IN THE HEAT OF THE BITE pass you bye – get a taste and become as enraptured as me.

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

GUILD HUNTER SERIES BOOK 3: ARCHANGEL’S CONSORT
Nalini Singh
ISBN: 978-0425240137 (Mass Market Paperback)
Kindle ASIN: B004FPYZNO
February 2011
Penguin Putnam/Berkley Sensation
Paranormal Romance/Dark Fantasy
Paranormal Romance/Vampire
Mass Market Paperback

Weather catastrophes are beginning to occur worldwide. Vampires are supposed to answer to angels but suddenly vampires are running amok, giving into bloodlust and inflicting savage attacks. Worse yet, consort and vampire hunter, Elena Devereraux, is beginning to worry about her own archangel’s sanity as Raphael is starting to distance himself from her. Is one of the ancient ones who sleep beginning to awaken? Will Raphael have to face his own mother?

ARCHANGEL’S CONSORT is the third book in the Guild Hunter series, not including a short novella. The storyline picks up right after the events in ARCHANGEL’S KISS as Nalini Singh jumps right into the heart of the tale. Readers will want to read the first two books prior to ARCHANGEL’S CONSORT as the characters and events intertwine too closely for this to be a stand alone book.

I have a love/hate relationship with Raphael. He is dark and brooding, almost too much so at times. Elena truly provides some light on him and it is only his love and willingness at the darkest of moments to forsake all others for her that shows a more emotional side to him. In fact, it’s hard not to love Raphael’s Seven and Illium in particular just a tad more than Raphael. However, it is this very knife edge sense of danger that makes the storyline interesting as there is just no telling what Raphael will do or become at any moment.

ARCHANGEL’S CONSORT is yet another solid and interesting tale in the Guild Hunter series. Fans of Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series will find this series much darker as the characters, particularly Elena and Raphael, are always on the edge of disaster. I can’t wait to see what Nalini Singh has in store for them next!

THE DARK FORGOTTEN SERIES BOOK 4: FROSTBOUND
Sharon Ashwood
ISBN: 978-0451231956 (Mass Market Paperback)
Kindle ASIN: B004R1R1UA
June 2011
Penguin Putnam/Signet Eclipse
Paranormal Romance/Vampire
Paranormal Romance/Shape Shifter
Paranormal Romance/Dark Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback and eBook

Lore has his hands full. As the hellhound Alpha, he is assisting the police with keeping order while vampire sheriff Alessandro Caravelli is on vacation. Unfortunately, some sort of dark presence is wreaking havoc, and now Lore has both a mysterious fire and a murder to resolve. Vampire Talia Rostova is in hiding, using her cousin’s apartment to stay under the radar. However, the murder has brought her to Lore’s attention… but will he believe in her innocence?

Sharon Ashwood continues to expand the phenomenal world first seen in RAVENOUS, creating more characters and more intrigue with each installment. FROSTBOUND is the fourth book in The Dark Forgotten series but can easily be read as a stand alone although quite honestly I can’t imagine why any urban fantasy or paranormal romance fan wouldn’t want to read all the books in this series!

In FROSTBOUND, we delve into the political side of the supernatural… and things are just as dirty and messy there as they are in our human world!  I like that we see the inner workings of the vampires and the hellhounds, even as the action heats up. There are no lulls in the story in FROSTBOUND!

The tension between Talia and Lore sizzles from the very first meeting between them. Sharon Ashwood is a master at crafting strong characters and Talia and Lore are perfect examples of this skill.  Even better, she keeps the reader on their toes throughout the tale, as you are wondering just how on earth she will ever resolve the species conflict as Lore is bound by pack law as to whom he can choose for a mate. But oh, never doubt Sharon Ashwood as she manages to create an ending that makes the romance of FROSTBOUND touchingly beautiful.

FROSTBOUND is just a flat out awesome story! From the superb world building to the phenomenal characters, FROSTBOUND has all the elements necessary to keep the reader engaged. Sharon Ashwood has become one of my favorite authors in the genre and FROSTBOUND demonstrates that she hasn’t lost her mojo. I just can’t rave enough about this series and FROSTBOUND in particular. Highly recommended!