Category: Vampires

A MelanieM Review: The Necromancer’s Dance (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #1) by S.J. Himes

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

In a world where magic is real and evil walks amongst humanity, a young sorcerer is beset upon by enemies, both old and new. Angelus Salvatore is the only necromancer in all of Boston, and his name is whispered warily by the undead and fellow sorcerers alike. He and his brother Isaac are the lone survivors of an attack by an army of the undead, in which Angel used a spell so powerful it forever marked his place in history. Now, years later, Angel struggles to balance his career as a teacher of the higher magical arts, his role as big brother, and a tenuous relationship with an Elder vampire from the local clan. When his brother’s boyfriend is used as a pawn in a mysterious plot to draw Angel out, Angel is once again pulled back into the old hostilities that fueled the Blood Wars and led to his family’s death.

Leaning on others for help is something Angel cannot do, and while he searches for clues into who may be targeting him and his brother, Angel finds his heart steadily growing occupied with Simeon, Elder and vampire. Dealing with death magic and vampires on a daily basis may leave Angel jaded when it comes to life and staying that way, but the more time he spends fending off the ancient vampire’s attention and affections, the more he realizes he wants to give in.

Can Angel find out who wants him dead, and keep his heart safe in the process? How can he fall for a vampire, when his whole family was torn apart by an army of the undead?

Death stalks the streets of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill….and there is no one more suited to battle against death than a necromancer.

I have always liked this author and stumbled into this saga by accident when Himes announced the release of Mastering the Flames, which happens to be book 4 in the Beacon Hill Sorcerers series.  I loved the way that book sounded and clearly it wasn’t a standalone so back to the beginning I went.  I am so thrilled that I did.  I just adore this sort of urban fantasy romance and having all these stories to binge read through is my idea of a fabulous time.  Especially as they turned out to be extremely well written, full of memorable characters, heartstopping romances, and, frankly couples to die tor.  This series has it all and yes, more books to come.  I’m in heaven.

So starting with the first story in the series, The Necromancer’s Dance (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #1) by S.J. Himes, the author immediately sets the  tone and atmosphere for the story and series with the introduction of Angelus “Angel” Salvatore, necromancer, and one of the last two surviving members of the powerful and magical Salvatore family.  Himes’s layering, of universe building and depth of characterization, is interwoven from the first paragraphs.  The Blood Wars, the massacre, the trauma that those events have left behind on both brothers and the city they live in….it resonates through the powerful scenes and situations here.

That includes our meeting the ancient vampire Elder Simeon, a great character who only gets better as the story and series progresses.  For me, it’s the author’s relationship dynamics that grab me.  Himes pulls me into each character and shows such depth of personality as each being interacts with the others around them, whether it be a soulmate like Simeon, the deeply troubled brother Isaac, the best friend Madame or a Master of the City Constantine Baptiste or even the various City Police that seems to be out to get the remaining Salvatore brothers.  The people spark, fight, feel, and breath (or not depending upon what exactly they are here) on these pages and I absolutely love it and them.

The plot, which will be built upon story by story, starts the overall series arc, and its terrific.  Full of suspense and action, my attention never wandered, not once.  There are multiple plot threads here and the author intertwines them perfectly, romance and mystery, temporary resolution and a jumping off spot for the next story.

If you are looking for a urban fantasy story and series, look no further than SJ Himes’ The Beacon Hill Sorcerer series and The Necromancer’s Dance (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #1) .  Well written, great characters, wonderful plot….it was a story I couldn’t put down and quite frankly I binge read the series and am now waiting on the next release to come out.  I love this and all the rest.  I highly recommend it.  Check them out now!

Cover art shows a pretty good representation of Angel, although I would have loved a bit more of the magical element.

Sales Links:  Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 284 pages
Published February 25th 2016 by SJ Himes
Original Title The Necromancer’s Dance
ASINB01C8VW8GC
Edition Language English
Series The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #1
Characters  Angelus Salvatore
setting Boston, Massachusetts (United States)

The Beacon Hill Sorcerer Series – Goodreads links

The Necromancer’s Dance

The Necromancer’s Dilemma

The Necromancer’s Reckoning

A History of Trouble

Mastering the Flames

Untitled – Daniel’s Tale coming in 2020

A MelanieM Review: Insatiable (Witches of the Big Easy 0.5) by Shannon West and T.S. McKinney

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

 

A Witches of the Big Easy prequel

Vampire Slayer Valen Beauchamp has an old score to settle with Julian Montague. It all started in the year 1733, when Valen narrowly survives an attack by centuries old vampire Julian Montague and even receives a minor bite when Julian’s teeth scrapes his skin before he manages to get away. The venom from the bite almost kills him, and he soon discovers that Julian is searching for him everywhere to either finish what he’d started or kill him outright. Neither option is attractive to Valen, so he flees to the New World. As time passes and he doesn’t age, however, he comes to realize that the vampire had perhaps not destroyed him, but instead cursed him with an unwanted gift—immortality.

When he learns that victims of deadly vampire attacks are dying in large numbers in Paris, Julian’s home, Valen decides he’s tired of hiding from monsters and travels back to Paris to use his formidable Slayer skills to end this thing once and for all. During a tense confrontation in the dark cellar of an opera house, Valen finds himself mesmerized, overpowered and seduced by Julian and finally succumbs to his charms. And even that wouldn’t be so bad if every vampire slayer in Europe weren’t out now to kill them both. Valen is falling deeper and deeper in love with the vampire while trying to figure out if the vampire who bit him is one of the good guys or not, and if their love will mean his ultimate damnation or his salvation.

Insatiable (Witches of the Big Easy 0.5) by Shannon West and T.S. McKinney is a prequel to the first story in the Witches of the Big Easy series and reads like one.  It’s relatively short, ends abruptly with little resolution to a major dramatic development.  And doesn’t explain some last minute major character introductions…and exits.The authors make an assumption that the readers will be automatically following them into the next story.

Not an assumption I would make unless you are a huge fan of these writers and their stories are on your TBR lists.

For myself, I found little character development or attention paid to creating much of a relationship between the main characters.  It’s all along the “found mate” trope so no need to deveope one between them.  Instant love, instant mate via bite and semen so lots of biting and sex instead of getting two people getting to know one another or actually having much depth exhibited during their scenes together.  I felt a lack missing.  Here is a young man who obsessed about being a hunter and killing the vampire who bit him over 150 earlier, seemingly having spent all those years doing relatively nothing with his life.  So what?  A poutish ignorant young man, who didn’t do research, practice with weapons or do really anything for over 150 years excerpt be immortal, than (in a huh moment) get tuberculosis (which is easily spread), decides to take himself and his disease on a ship to Europe.  Please!  SMH.

Then this untrained naif, coughing his brains out, joins a group of hunters.  Well.  I never connected, obviously, with the characters, the situations, or the writing.  More talking towards the beginning with some action happening at the end.  But there is little foundation laid for the characters, no vampire politics, or  of the hunter organization.  Its as though the authors are leaving everything for the first story and nothing here except for the story of Valen Beauchamp and Julian Montague getting together, and how they ended up in New Orleans.  But this is just too bare bones and needed much more fleshing out.

Cover art by Painted Heart works for the characters and is very dramatic.

Sales Links:  Amazon

Book Details:

ebook.127 pages
Published September 26th 2019 by Painted Hearts Publishing LLC
Edition Language English
Series Witches of the Big Easy 0.5

An Alisa Review : Nightside: An Erie Vampire Tale by V.L. Locey

Rating:  3 stars out of 5

Being a new member of the undead sect has its ups and downs, something that newly embraced Akio Lee is finding out first hand. Being able to spend eternity with his beloved Vincente, the man who introduced him to life in the nightside, is a definite up. Having to feed on strangers? That’s one of the downsides, and something that Akio is finding difficult to swallow. But what other option is there for a recently wed vampire couple who need blood to survive?

Finding a new donor perhaps? One who comes into the lifestyle willingly, as Akio had done, and is open to the unique and sensual relationship that develops when three men have a blood bond. A man who can exist in both the nightside and the dayside worlds. A man like Ian O’Keeffe, the handsome caretaker of the manse Akio and Vincente now call home? Ian seems to tick every box Akio and Vincente have—he’s comfortable around vampires, he’s obviously into men, he’s drop-dead gorgeous, he’s more than a little mischievous, and he’s human. Mostly.

But will the outgoing handyman be willing to offer two vampires his vein, his body, and his heart?

I felt like I was jumping into an existing story and I guess I kinda was but didn’t realize it.  I don’t know if much of Vincente and Akio’s relationship was in the Erie collection or not.  We jump right into Vincente and Akio’s marriage and Akio still working on embracing his life as a vampire and when they meet Ian he is quite intriguing.

I don’t know I felt like there were so many unknowns and A LOT of secrets.  It doesn’t make for a solid relationship when it seems that all Akio is doing is learning things about Vincente that he was never told.  Ian does seem like the perfect complement to both of them and makes their relationship hotter and a bit more solid.

Now, my biggest pet peeve was the whole feeding thing and how Vincente would go do that by himself and there was always the perfume and lipstick on his collar; I guess if it was talked about and agreed upon that would be different but Akio was just of the thought that it wasn’t something you mention or talk about and I think that really hurt him.  I also didn’t like how they made it sound that a bisexual lifestyle meant that you could still have sex with someone else, I’m not sure if that was what it meant to be but it sounded like it to me.

The cover art by Meredith Russell is nice and a basic picture of three men together in bed, my only issue (and I guess it’s a pet peeve of mine) is none of them have even shoulder length hair as Vincente is described as having.

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 128 pages

Published: October 23, 2019

Edition Language: English

Review Tour and Giveaway for Nightside: An Erie Vampire Tale by V.L. Locey

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link


Cover Design: Meredith Russell


Length: 50,236 words


Erie Series


An Erie Collection – Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

 
Blurb
 

Being a new member of the undead sect has its ups and downs, something that newly embraced Akio Lee is finding out first hand. Being able to spend eternity with his beloved Vincente, the man who introduced him to life in the nightside, is a definite up. Having to feed on strangers? That’s one of the downsides, and something that Akio is finding difficult to swallow. But what other option is there for a recently wed vampire couple who need blood to survive?


Finding a new donor perhaps? One who comes into the lifestyle willingly, as Akio had done, and is open to the unique and sensual relationship that develops when three men have a blood bond. A man who can exist in both the nightside and the dayside worlds. A man like Ian O’Keeffe, the handsome caretaker of the manse Akio and Vincente now call home? Ian seems to tick every box Akio and Vincente have—he’s comfortable around vampires, he’s obviously into men, he’s drop-dead gorgeous, he’s more than a little mischievous, and he’s human. Mostly.


But will the outgoing handyman be willing to offer two vampires his vein, his body, and his heart?

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, Dr. Who, Torchwood, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, two Jersey steers and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.


When not writing lusty tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand.

 

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Happy Halloween and It’s Into November! This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Happy Halloween and It’s Into November!

 

Yes,it’s almost Halloween.  Pumpkins are out, so are the decorations.  How is your house and neighborhood looking?  Spooky?  Chilling and trendy enough for all the trick or treaters that will be calling this week?  

I have been busy getting in my treats while reading SJ Himes marvelous Beacon Hills Sorcerer series, perfect for Halloween.  Full of vampires, sorcerers, ghouls, ghosts, lichs, and everything else you can think of.  Even hellhounds.  I’m loving it and will be reviewing every book in the series starting on Saturday.  More holiday books are coming your way as well, so be on the look out. Til the season….and we are hopping right in.

But I’m leaving you with the most fun traditions…pumpkin carving.  Here are some of the 2019 pumpkin designs.  Any here you would like to try ?  Check them out…

 

Yep, that’s one for ages! lol  Here is another.

A Landtern fish pumpkin.  I need that.  Next to Dory!

Eye see you!

 

There you go…..a smattering, a gathering of gross, silly, wonderful ideas of all things pumpkin.  How did your pumpkins turn out this year?   Let me know!

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 27:

  • Happy Halloween and It’s Into November!
  • This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, October 28:

  • Review Tour – Anna Martin – Something Wild
  • BLITZ Sons of Rome by Karrie Roman
  • Blog Tour for HIVE OF SECRETS AND SPELLS by Ellen Jane
  • A MelanieM Review Something Wild by Anna Martin
  • A Lila Review A Long Road to Love by Dakota Storm
  • A Chaos Moondrawn Review: A Faerie Story by Barbara Elsborg

Tuesday, October 29:

  • BLITZ for He Dreams Magic by Emme C. Taylor
  • Blog Tour Nuts by SE Jakes
  • Tour for The Dragon CEO’s Assistant by Jenn Burke
  • A Stella Review Pumpkin Rolls and Porn Sounds by Kris T. Bethke
  • A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Nuts  (Ace’s Wild #2) by S.E. Jakes
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audio Review: Nova Praetorian  by NR Walker and Joel Leslie (narrator)

Wednesday, October 30:

  • Review Tour – Rain Carrington – 33 Degrees of Separation
  • Audio Blitz – Nothing Special V – AE Via
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Natural Disaster (Storm Chasers #1) by Erin McLellan
  • A MelanieM Review: The Dragon CEO’s Assistant by Jenn Burke
  • An Alisa Review: The Boyfriend Trap by J.B. Buell
  • A MelanieM Review:33 Degrees of Separation (Legacy Book 3) by Rain Carrington

Thursday, October 31:

  • That Time I… Survived My Teens by Craig Barker Michelle, Blog Tour
  • BLITZ Claiming Marcus by Jocelynn Drake
  • Book Blast – Memoirs of the Human Wraiths Box Set and Omnibus by F.E. Feeley Jr.
  • An Ashez Review: Doctor’s Orders (Paint #3.5) by Emma Jaye
  • A Lila Audio Review: One-Eyed Royals (Seven of Spades #4) by Cordelia Kingsbridge, Wyatt Baker (Narrator)
  • A Lucy Review: Clueless Cabot by André D. Michaels

Friday, November 1:

  • Review Tour – Nightside: An Erie Vampire Tale – V.L. Locey
  • Release Blitz Stocking Stuffers by Erin McLellan
  • Release Blitz Rules for Santa by Susan Hawke
  • Audio Review Tour – Two Man Advantage – V.L. Locey
  • An Alisa review : Nightside: An Erie Vampire Tale by V.L. Locey
  • A Melanie Review Insatiable (Witches of the Big Easy 0.5) by Shannon West and T.S. McKinney

Saturday, November 2:

  • A MelanieM Review: The Necromancer’s Dilemma (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #2) by S.J. Himes

Release Blitz and Giveaway for Nightside: An Erie Vampire Tale by V.L. Locey

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link


Cover Design: Meredith Russell


Length: 50,236 words


Erie Series


An Erie Collection – Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

 
Blurb
 

Being a new member of the undead sect has its ups and downs, something that newly embraced Akio Lee is finding out first hand. Being able to spend eternity with his beloved Vincente, the man who introduced him to life in the nightside, is a definite up. Having to feed on strangers? That’s one of the downsides, and something that Akio is finding difficult to swallow. But what other option is there for a recently wed vampire couple who need blood to survive?


Finding a new donor perhaps? One who comes into the lifestyle willingly, as Akio had done, and is open to the unique and sensual relationship that develops when three men have a blood bond. A man who can exist in both the nightside and the dayside worlds. A man like Ian O’Keeffe, the handsome caretaker of the manse Akio and Vincente now call home? Ian seems to tick every box Akio and Vincente have—he’s comfortable around vampires, he’s obviously into men, he’s drop-dead gorgeous, he’s more than a little mischievous, and he’s human. Mostly.


But will the outgoing handyman be willing to offer two vampires his vein, his body, and his heart?

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, Dr. Who, Torchwood, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, two Jersey steers and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.


When not writing lusty tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand.

 

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Heading Towards All Hallows Eve and Our Spooky Recommendations. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Heading Towards All Hallows Eve and Our Spooky Recommendations

As we head toward Hallows Eve and the pumpkins and decorations are out in full display of one of my favorite holidays, Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words’ stories are trending towards the paranormal, the supernatural, and yes, the downright spooky!

From vampires to werewolves to other things that go bump in the night and are still seeking their own versions of HEA or HFN, I thought I would start sorting through some of our more chilling recommendations!  More to come next week and chime in if we have missed some of the new stories!

Story Recommendations for All Hallows Eve!

  • A Light Amongst Shadows by Kelly York
  • Spirits series by Jordan L. Hawk
  • Tyack & Frayne series by Harper Fox
  • P.S. I Spook You by SE Harmon
  • A Frost of Cares by Amy Rae Durreson
  • Whyborne & Griffin series by Jordan L. Hawk
  • Motel Pool by Kim Fielding
  • “Winter” by Josh Lanyon
  • The Tourist by Clare London
  • Lesser-Bred series by Adrienne Wilder
  • THE GERMAN by Lee Thomas
  • COWBOYS & VAMPIRES by Hank Edwards
  • MONSTER (Vertex #1) by Soren Summers
  • MAN & MONSTER (The Savage Land #2) by Michael Jensen
  • In a Dark Wood by Josh Lanyon
  • Mummy Dearest by Josh Lanyon
  • All In Fear: A Collection of Six Horror Tales by Steve Berman, et al
  • Unhinged by Rick R. Reed
  • A CHARM OF MAGPIES series by K.J. Charles
  • FALLOCAUST series by Quil Carter
  • COLD FINGERS by Amy Spector
  • THE BOOKS OF BLOOD Vols. 1-6 by Clive Barker
  • INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE by Anne Rice
  • A DENSITY OF SOULS by Christopher Rice
  • DUST OF WONDERLAND by Lee Thomas
  • THE WOLF AT THE DOOR by Jameson Currier 
  • LOST SOULS, & DRAWING BLOOD, by Poppy Z. Brite
  • Ally Blue Down
  • Sarah Waters Affinity (f/f)
  • Bump In the Night series from Riptide
  • Jacqueline Rohrbach Speak With the Dead
  • The Werewolf on Lowre Few Lane by Bryce Bentley-Tales
  • Green Death by Madeleine Ribbon!
  • Ground of Insurrection (Wizard Wars, #1) by Mell Eight

 

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Word

Sunday, October 20:

  • Heading Towards All Hallows Eve and Our Spooky Recommendations.
  • This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, October 21:

  • Spotlight Tour and Giveaway for Dancing with the Lion: Rise by Jeanne Reames
  • Release Blitz – LEGENDARY LOVES Volume 2
  • Blog Tour Minuet” by A.M. Leibowitz
  • A Stella Review All at Sea by JL Merrow
  • An Alisa Review: For a Unicorn’s Happiness (Legendary Shifters #2) by Catherine Lievens
  • A Caryn Review: Rise (Dancing with the Lion #2) by Jeanne Reames
  • A Lucy Review LEGENDARY LOVES Volume 2 (In My Arms Again by Nell Iris The Murky Depths by Kassandra Lea Weekend at Bigfoot’s by Addison Albright)

Tuesday, October 22:

  • Convicted” by Kim Fielding Cover Reveal
  • Blog Tour Rules to Break by Susan Hawke
  • Release Blitz for Anna Martin – Something Wild
  • A MelanieM Review Pine Tree Mary by Ofelia Gränd
  • A Lucy Review : Wrangling a Groom (Marital Bliss #2) by D.J. Jamison
  • A Lila Audio Review: Their Bounty (Four Mercenaries #1) by K.A. Merikan and Wyatt Baker (Narrator)

Wednesday, October 23:

  • Release Blitz – Nightside: An Erie Vampire Tale – V.L. Locey
  • Blog Tour Rules to Break by Susan Hawke
  • Book Blitz – Adira August – Psychic Men
  • First Priority by Este Holland Blog Tour
  • An Alisa Review :All or Nothing by Riina Y.T
  • A Lila Review: Bishop  by A.E. Via
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review Best Man (Close Proximity #1) by Lily Morton

Thursday, October 24:

  • Release Blitz – Their Special Agent (Thistle Hearts #1) by Mel Gough
  • POST The Captain’s Flighty Fireworks by Eleanor Harkstead and Catherine Curzon
  • Blog Tour Second Song by Edie Danford
  • A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Shot in the Dark (New Amsterdam #3) by Kelly Wyre
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audio Review: Deal Maker (Mixed Messages #2) by Lily Morton and Joel Leslie (Narrator)

Friday, October 25:

  • Release Blitz – Precariously Mated (D’Vaire, Book 14) by Jessamyn
  • BLOG TOUR Wrestling With Hope by DH Starr
  • An Alisa Review Wolf, en Garde by A.F. Henley
  • A Stella Review What We May Be by Vivien Dean

Saturday, October 26:

  • A MelanieM Audio Review:  Spencer Cohen 2 by NR Walker and Narrated by Joel Leslie

 

An Alisa Review: Blood Wine (The Blood Bond Series Book 2) by Aimer Boyz

Rating:  4.5 stars out of 5

Symon’s not looking for new and different. He’s looking for dinner, and the guy at the bar looks like a five star meal.

Michael’s not looking for a sole mate. He’s looking for a few drinks, a few laughs, and hopefully, a lot of naked.

Fortunately, neither one of them finds what they’re looking for.

They find something better.

Something that will last forever and a night.

This was another great book.  I had to work to try and remember the last book since it had been awhile but I was so happy for Symon to find someone when he was so determined he didn’t need anyone.

I liked that Michael was so open and had no problem with Symon even when he knew what he was.  His family was another wonderful group of people and had no problem welcoming Symon and then again keeping their relationship with Michael after Symon saved him.

I enjoyed watching Symon debate with himself.  I think in some ways he deserved it for how he acted last time and how determined he is to stay separate from humans.  I liked seeing Etienne and Andrew again and how they care for Symon and quickly extended that care to Michael.  I look forward to more books by this author.

Cover art by James at GoOnWrite.com is great and I love the wine that made Symon famous among vampires.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 228 pages

Published: August 26, 2019

Edition Language: English

Series: The Blood Bond Trilogy #2

National Coming Out Day..a bit late. This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

National Coming Out Day….a bit late.

 

National Coming Out Day was Friday, October 11, the 31st such coming out celebration and I didn’t want such a wonderful event to pass by without Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words making note of just how special and wondrous this occasion is. Our Twitter feed is full of stories, poignant, funny, accepting, sad, hilarious, and heartbreaking.  They have been running the full gamut of emotions, and histories, up to and including the advice that not everyone is ready to come out.  That they will know when, and if, that time comes that they feel safe and ready to make that step, a step only they should make for themselves.

As I said Friday, October 11, marked the 31st Anniversary of National Coming Out Day, a landmark in and of itself. Here are some special links, courtesy of HRC:

A Resource Guide to Coming Out

Transgender Visibility: A Guide to Being You

History of National Coming Out Day : started in October 11, 1987

 

For many more links (coming out at school, at work, inspiring stories, and helpful links, please check out HRC’s full link

National Coming Out Day | Human Rights Campaign |   https://www.hrc.org 

 

No matter the age when someone realized “who” they were and stated it out loud, from the earliest of ages to later in life, the ability to be i your truest self , whatever that may be, is a right everyone should have.  Here are some stories. Happy National Coming Out Day….a bit late.

National Coming Out Day: 2019’s top LGBTQ coming out stories

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 13:

  • National Coming Out Day..a bit late.
  • This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, October 14:

  • Review Tour – Ruby Moone – Loving Daniel (MC Securities #3)
  • Review Tour – Beth Laycock – Guarding His Heart
  • AUDIOBOOK REVIEW TOUR – DARK RIVERS by Morgan Brice
  • A Stella Review: Things Happen That Way (Mann of My Dreams #2) by Tinnean
  • An Alisa Review : Loving Daniel (MC Securities #3) by  Ruby Moone
  • A MelanieM Audio Review: Dark Rivers (Witchbane #2) by Morgan Brice and Kale Williams (Narrator)

Tuesday, October 15:

  • Cover Reveal, – Sally Malcom – Twice Shy (A New Milton Novel)
  • BLOG TOUR Master of Restless Shadows by Ginn Hale
  • Blog Post The Twelfth Knight (Guardians of Camelot #1) by Victoria Sue
  • BLITZ for Natural Disaster by Erin McLellan
  • A MelanieM Review: Wrecked by Jodi Payne and B.A. Tortuga
  • A Lila Review The Spymaster’s Secret By Antonia Aquilante
  • A Free Dreamer Review: Master of Restless Shadows (Master of Restless Shadows #1) by Ginn Hale

Wednesday, October 16:

  • Review Tour Bishop: A True Lover’s Story by A.E. Via
  • Blog Post – DJ Jamison”
  • The Shoreless Sea (Liminal Sky Book 3) by J. Scott Coatsworth Tour
  • An Alisa Review: Bishop: A True Lover’s Story by A.E. Via
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Deosil (Whyborne & Griffin #11) by Jordan L. Hawk
  • A MelanieM Review:The Shoreless Sea (Liminal Sky Book 3) by J. Scott Coatsworth

Thursday, October 17:

  • Post CONFESSIONS OF A GAY CURMUDGEON by Andy V. Ambrose
  • Release Blitz – Slow Birth (Heat of Love 2.5) – Leta Blake
  • BLITZ Starting from Scratch by Lane Hayes
  • An Alisa Review: Blood Wine (The Blood Bond Series Book 2) by Aimer Boyz
  • A Stella Review: Love on the Hudson by KD Fisher
  • A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Ghost House by Jacqueline Grey

Friday, October 18:

  • Release Blitz  – Doctor’s Orders by Emma Jay
  • Release Blitz – Felice Stevens – Running From My Heart
  • Review Tour – Con Riley – After Ben (Seattle Stories #1)
  • A Stella Review : The Lion and the Crow by Eli Easton
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audio Review: Rule Breaker (Mixed Messages #1) by Lily Morton and Joel Leslie (Narrator)
  • A Stella Review: After Ben (Seattle Stories #1) by Con Riley

Saturday, October 19:

  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Lucky Break (Clean Slate Ranch #4) by A.M. Arthur
  • A MelanieM Review: The Necromancer’s Reckoning (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #3) by S.J. Himes

A MelanieM Review : A Thousand Lifetimes by Kate Hawthorne

Rating: 3.25 stars out of 6

My name is Ezra Clarke, and I’m twenty-three.

Forever.

If you’re counting in vampire years, I’m actually two-hundred and eight, and if living that long has taught me anything, it’s that nothing lasts forever. And that’s been fine. It’s… whatever. I’ve never wanted anything that long, anyway, which is why I’ve never taken a mate, but that all changed when I met Declan Byrne.

He’s young, handsome, and he doesn’t do what I tell him to. He smells like cinnamon and has eyes that remind me of the daytime sky. Every kiss we share feels like home, and no touch lasts long enough.

I need him to be mine.

And for the briefest moment he is, and life is perfect… and then it isn’t. Rogue vampires threaten to pull us apart, and complicated politics are painful reminders that a world exists beyond our privacy of our bedroom.

But if anyone thinks they can keep me away from Declan, they have another thing coming. My mate and I have a thousand lifetimes to live, and we’re just getting started

A Thousand Lifetimes by Kate Hawthorne is a story that has me waffling on the rating.  I go up on certain elements and down on others, falling smack dab in the middle where I”m still not sure it belongs.   It is the first novel by this author I have read.  The reader sort of falls into the story where Ezra has already turned Declan into a vampire, so there is a somewhat established relationship.  It’s a bit confusing because what the reader is missing is any sort of universe building.

Vampire family structure, politics, how they and the humans interact, if at all in this world.  All that comes into play and any information is gleaned is in bits and pieces as the story builds.  To say, that leaves the reader floundering a bit would be correct.  When the huge fights and story resolution comes, you finally get some of the structure you should have had all along.  But a foundation? No, I can’t say I ever felt I got any.  It’s all rather vague.  Which is alarming because so much of the heavy narrative lifting depends of the impact of the political activity here.  To not understand it, takes away the value of the actions.

My other concern?  The main character of Ezra.  Hawthorne has built some intriguing characters here, ones I did or do believe in.  I especially wanted to know more about Ezra’s vampire family  (mother and father) and brother.  That relationship needing further exploration and held my interests more than Ezra and Declan.  And with far less page time.  For me (and this is absolutely a subjective view), I never liked Ezra.  As the narrator of the story, he was just plain unappealing.  His actions felt selfish and self involved to the point of endangering the family.  And at one point he commits an act that for me is one he never recovers from, a shocking case of cowardice and betrayal.  Believable? Yes.  But it made me dislike him all the more and care less about the couple.

So.  Well done characters, interesting story that certainly needed more foundation.  I’m intrigued enough to hope that another story with the family trio comes along.  As I said you might feel differently about Ezra.  If you love vampire stories, check it out and see for yourself.

Cover art is certainly dramatic but he looks more like a mentalist than a vampire.  At least to me.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 192 pages
Published October 3rd 2019 by Amazon Digital Services
ASIN B07XYJHRQ5
Edition Language English