Category: Vampires

An Alisa Review: The Officer and the Vampire Chef (A Loving Nip #16) by Charlie Richards

Rating:  3.25 stars out of 5

Just a little Love Bite: When a vampire chef meets his soul mate, he must discover if the way to a man’s heart really is through his stomach.

Patrick Brown knows he’s a little odd for a vampire, enjoying cooking and dancing. It works for him, though, since he’s his vampire coven’s chef, and he loves spending hours doing both as he shimmies around his kitchen. On a routine food run he stops a robbery at his local grocer’s. To Patrick’s surprise, the blood of one of the officers calls to him like nothing ever has. He realizes the human policeman is his beloved, his soul mate. While Patrick easily scents the human’s arousal, betraying his interest, Officer Allen Robinson barely gives him the time of day. Undeterred, Patrick begins a quest to learn everything about the human, and with the help of friends, he sees him again…and again. Can Patrick figure out a way to woo his closeted cop, or will fears and prejudice destroy their chance at a future?

This was a sweet short story.  Patrick enjoys his life but desires to have to have a soul mate like many around him have found.  Allen has kept his sexuality a secret forever and his strong attraction to Patrick sends him running even farther in the closet.

Patrick tries to woo Allen but it didn’t seem to do much.  Allen knows he’s running but can’t help himself and when he sees Patrick out with some friends.  I could feel Patrick’s desire for Allen and what seemed acceptance of his fate when Allen didn’t come back after his first visit.  I was able to see Allen’s fear of coming out but didn’t really connect with him.  As expected in a short story it seemed to be tied up in a bow much faster than I would have liked but I still enjoyed this story.

The cover art by Angela Waters is nice and I love the visual of Patrick in his kitchen.

Sales Links: eXtasy Books | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 94 pages

Published: March 2, 2018 by eXtasy Books

ISBN13: 9781487418878

Edition Language: English

Series: A Loving Nip #16

A Jeri Review: Theoden: A New Haven Series Prequel by Nicholas Bella

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

This is the prequel to a series that I haven’t read. It has just never been on my radar. But this looked interesting and being that it was a prequel, I was basically starting at the beginning. Vampires, dragons and werewolves oh my!

Lots of prequels (I have found) are not very long. Not so with this book. It was loooooonng. It follows the life of Theoden- starting as a young boy up until he is quite old. Being quite old as a vampire is relative though.
The first half of the book really sucked me in. (Sucked me in, vampires. Get it?) The world that is built was really interesting. The lives of the vampires, dragons who aren’t necessarily in animal form and werewolves that are used as toys.
And while the first half was interesting and I enjoyed it- there was this thing that bothered me a bit. As the youngest vampire, Theoden has to submit sexually to his brothers whenever he wants. He hates one of his brothers, but all three are rather rough with him. But he has to just submit. Seemed kind of rape-y to me. It could really turn people off.
Anyway…. after the first half being rather detailed and covering a rather short amount of time, the second half jumps centuries at a time. There is a story going on, but really it is mostly filled with sex. The whole book is filled with sex. Hate filled sex, loving sex, rape-y sex, voyeuristic sex. I think if you cut 90% of the sex scenes, this book wouldn’t even be 100 pages long.
And I get it- the author warns you that it is filled with sex. But I felt like there was a decent story there that was just overshadowed by…sex.
This was a tough one for me, but ultimately I can only give it 3 stars
Cover art: Jay Aheer.  The cover art works for the character and draws your attention. Striking.

Sales Link: 

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

Book Details:
The New Haven Series Prequel
Dark Paranormal Erotica/GLBT/BDSM
Kindle Edition, 346 pages
Published March 21st 2018 by Dark Desires Publishing, LLC
Price: $4.99 Ebook/$ Paperback $13.50

A MelanieM Review: Like the Night (Blood Bathory #1) by Ari McKay

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Evan St. John, a young fashion photographer running from the pain caused by the death of his younger sister, is thrilled when he is offered a job with House of Nadasdy, a leading fashion house in Paris. What he doesn’t know is that Elizabeth Nadasdy, the elegant and powerful owner, is a centuries-old vampire with a penchant for collecting beautiful people. To Evan’s horror, he is turned into one of her “children.” Unable to bear what he has become, Evan flees to New York and to his best friend, police officer Will Trask. For years, Evan has nursed an unrequited love for Will, but he also knows Will is the one person who might be able to help him. As Evan and Will try to deal with Evan’s condition, they are drawn into the world of the theriomorphs: shape-shifters who are guardians of life and the sworn enemies of vampires. Caught in an ancient war between two powerful supernatural forces, Evan and Will find they must choose sides — because if they are to have any chance of a future together, they must destroy Elizabeth Nadasdy before she destroys them.

Like the Night by Ari McKay is the first in the new Blood Bathory series the authors are creating.  And what a series it looks to be.  Starting out with the historic Elizabeth Bathory herself as the sublimely evil ancient vampire at the core of all misery here, McKay builds the universe out to include an ongoing war with Gaia herself and her soldiers, the theriomorphs against the vampires who would rule.  Caught in the middle are Evan St. John, a vampire turned against his will, and Will, a human police officer and Evan’s best friend who is about to find out that the world is much stranger than he ever believed.

The author gives us multiple points of view which works here to let us know how many people actually have their own agendas in this battle for conquest.  Hint, it’s not just the main characters.  So many manipulations going on here, so many secondary threads that will, of course, become major ones later on.

The romance between Evan and Will is one that needs major communication to move forward as well as some false (and hilarious) assumptions to be swept aside.  I liked the heat between them and they worked great as a couple.  One caveat is that Evan comes across as too much of the “weak pretty boy” here for someone who is a vampire.  He has one scene where he shows his vampire strength and the  rest of the time I feel that’s wasted making the theriomorphs look badass to his detriment.  Why not both?  Not using a vampire’s assets throws away a valuable weapon imo here.

Back to the theriomorphs and Gaia.  I absolutely love this element.  I hope its explored even more closely in the upcoming stories as the battle continues.

There are many great secondary characters, on both sides mind you.  I can’t wait to see what the next installment will bring.

If you love the supernatural, romance, vampires and shapeshifters, you can’t go wrong with Like the Night (Blood Bathory #1) by Ari McKay.  I highly recommend it for the great world building, wonderful characters, and a plot that grabs a hold of you right until the end.

Cover art: Lou Harper.  I like the cover but it’s not terribly representative of the characters, Evan is blond.

Sales Links: Universal Buy Link

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 2 edition, 352 pages
Published April 9th 2018 by Independent (first published July 2nd 2013)
Original TitleBlood Bathory: Like the Night
ASINB07BFMZ8L9
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesBlood Bathory #1

Blog Tour for Theoden: A New Haven Series Prequel by Nicholas Bella (character guest post,excerpt and giveaway)

 Theoden Tour Banner

THEODEN

A New Haven Series Prequel

NICHOLAS BELLA

GAY HORROR

RELEASE DATE: 03.21.18

 Theoden Cover 

COVER DESIGN: JAY AHEER/ Simply Defined Art

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: WANDER AGUIAR

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

Theoden-customdesign-JayAheer2017-3Dbook2

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words gives a special welcome to Theoden, who decided to tell us a little bit about his story.

 A Word from Theoden…..

 

Since this is my book, I decided I’d be the one to make this guest post. For years, I’d been getting fan mail from the readers asking for my story. Now, normally, I don’t pander to humans, as they are beneath me. Being a vampire makes humans my prey, but I couldn’t help be a little bit flattered. Of course, humans would want to learn more about their vampire lord. Vampires, dragons, and werewolves, we fascinate them. Our powers leave them in awe and they give themselves to us on a regular basis because they know their place.

Anyway, I digress, after seeing the demand for my story, my history, I sat down with Nicholas and we decided to start from the beginning. My earliest memories being my childhood in the Church. The tale continued, detailing all of the significant events of my life that shaped my personality. The lessons I learned, I teach to my own sons, no matter how harsh. I do so, because I want them to be a great as I am, as they are an extension of me, as I am an extension of my Sire.

This book means a great deal to me, so I want your undivided attention when you read it. Put the kids to bed, make sure your mates are well satisfied and sleeping soundly, because once you open the book, you will not want to put it down. -Théoden.

 

BLURB

My name is Theoden, this is the story of my life. Apparently, there has been a huge demand for me to tell it. Normally, I do what I want, unless the command comes from my Sire, Ara. But, revealing the tale about how I became the powerful vampire Prince of the City is something I think I will enjoy telling. You’ll see my first mission for the church, my first kill, the life-changing moment when I lost my virginity, and how I chose my first son, all of the things that mean something to me, that made me the vampire I am. So, sit back, and give me all of your attention, as I want your eyes on me. Now, let’s begin.

Prepare to be entertained to new heights as Theoden delivers you a unique tale of his life from childhood to the vampire Master you know him to be.

Warning: This is a prequel to the highly erotic, extremely dark and twisted New Haven Series and the spin-off, Odin Chronicles. I can’t stress enough how strong the sexual, violent, and adult content is in this book. It will steam up your glasses, and melt your contact lenses. The temperature in the room will rise to unbearable degrees. Pearls will be clutched and you may utter the words: “Oh my God” several times while reading. You have been warned. For mature readers only.

theoden-bookmark3

EXCERPT

Once I was outside in the garden, I could no longer hold back, and I vomited blood onto a rose bush. But once it was out of my stomach, I felt better. For me, sex would never overflow, but blood could. Another lesson learned. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and, before I could take to the skies, three vampires appeared before me.

“Where do you herald from?” one of them asked me. He gripped a silver dagger in his hand a little more tightly as he waited for my reply.

I looked at each one them, gauging them and their positions to my own. I didn’t fear them because I knew just how powerful I was and I was confident in my training. This was the other part of my mission, one that Ara was certain I would encounter.

“From the Kingdom of Ara, my Father,”I declared proudly. Ara wanted me to do so, and in doing so, leave my mark.

“Is this a declaration of war?”the same vampire asked.

I shrugged. “I think not. I had an old debt to settle.”I gestured toward the rectory, and then to my clothes that were covered in the blood of my victims.

“You dare kill on our territory!”another vampire said.

“Breaching another vampire King’s territory without permission is punishable by death,”the first vampire said, then he advanced on me. He was fast, as fast as Nolan, and I had to react quickly before he could plunge the blade of his dagger into my chest. Thanks to my training with Tylendel, I knew the silver could not kill me, but it could weaken me, and that, I could not allow.

I grabbed his wrist just as the tip of the dagger pierced my flesh, burning my skin. I didn’t hesitate to take advantage of our close proximity. I sank my fangs deeply in his shoulder and injected as much venom as I could.

He cried out, and I pulled back. He released his grip on his dagger and staggered back. The other two vampires looked at him and glared in shock as his skin began to turn pale. Sweat poured from his pores as his veins began to protrude through his flesh, looking bright red against the nearly translucent skin.

I didn’t know the effect a dragon’s venom could have on a vampire and still didn’t know, as I was only half dragon. But its effect was deadly and looked to be extremely painful as the vampire had been rendered powerless against my bite until he died. I looked at the other two vampires and aimed my hand at the one who had not spoken a word, then conjured up my flames, releasing them in his direction.

The other vampire dashed out of the way, his sword drawn, but he stayed his position as he watched me burn his companion into a cinder. The vampire howled as he spun around in an attempt to extinguish the flames, but he couldn’t. I controlled them and only relinquished that control once he fell to the ground, motionless.  The last remaining vampire was thinking about fleeing or fighting, which was the only reason he was still there. In the end, he decided to flee, and I chased after him.

I was shocked that I had caught up to him because I could sense his aura and knew he was at least a century older than I was. I tackled him to the ground and he rolled over, scooting away from me.

Nicolas Bella Logo

About me? Hmmm, I’m just a person with a wild imagination and a love for words who was sitting around the house one day and said, “Why hasn’t anyone written a book like this before?”. As with every storyteller, I wanted to share mine with the world. I like my erotica dark, gritty, sexy… and even a little raunchy. I’m not afraid to go there and I hope you aren’t afraid to go there with me. When I’m not writing, I love watching movies and TV shows, clubbing, biking, and hanging out with family and friends. I love life.

I’d love to hear from you, feel free to send me a shout out!

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REVIEW TOUR – Like the Night (Blood Bathory #1) by Ari McKay (excerpt and giveaway)

 

Universal Buy Link
 
Cover Design: Lou Harper
 
Length: 123,737 words
 
Blurb
 

Evan St. John, a young fashion photographer running from the pain caused by the death of his younger sister, is thrilled when he is offered a job with House of Nadasdy, a leading fashion house in Paris. What he doesn’t know is that Elizabeth Nadasdy, the elegant and powerful owner, is a centuries-old vampire with a penchant for collecting beautiful people. To Evan’s horror, he is turned into one of her “children.”


Unable to bear what he has become, Evan flees to New York and to his best friend, police officer Will Trask. For years, Evan has nursed an unrequited love for Will, but he also knows Will is the one person who might be able to help him. As Evan and Will try to deal with Evan’s condition, they are drawn into the world of the theriomorphs: shape-shifters who are guardians of life and the sworn enemies of vampires. Caught in an ancient war between two powerful supernatural forces, Evan and Will find they must choose sides – because if they are to have any chance of a future together, they must destroy Elizabeth Nadasdy before she destroys them.

 

April 9 – MM Midnight Cafe
April 10 – Love Bytes
April 12 – Alpha Book Club
April 14 – MM Good Book Reviews
April 16 – Wicked Faerie’s Tales & Reviews
April 17 – The Novel Approach
April 18 – RAM PA Group, Drops Of Ink, Mirrigold, Bayou Book Junkie, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Love Bites & Silk Ties
April 19 – Diverse Reader

Read Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words review here.

Excerpt
 

Will had always been protective of those he cared about, and Evan was no exception, especially since Evan’s attractive face, slender build and “out and proud” attitude had occasionally made him a target on campus. It had been that way since their freshman year, and it was no different now. It was ridiculous, perhaps, and no doubt part of that White Knight thing Evan had always teased him about, but Will couldn’t help it; it was just the way he was.


“You might as well ‘fess up now, because I’m going to get the story out of you one way or another. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you if I can do anything about it. We stick together, right?” Will’s tone grew serious. “I mean it, Evan. You know you can count on me. You’re my best friend.” It was still true, even though they hadn’t been face-to-face in years. No one had ever taken Evan’s place in his life; no one ever could.


“Even if I tell you I’ve been working for a vampire?” Evan asked softly. “I don’t mean that figuratively, either. I mean literally. She’s a monster. She’s killed her own models. She turns people into monsters like her.”


For a long moment, Will couldn’t do anything but stare at his friend, wondering if this was a joke and he was somehow missing the punch line. Evan’s blue eyes were haunted but guileless; the man was a lousy liar, at least when it came to Will, and there was too much pain in Evan’s gaze for it to be some elaborate trick. Whatever was really going on, Evan, at least, believed what he was saying, and that was the most horrifying part of it. Whatever had happened to Evan in the last few months had damaged him in a way that Will was afraid he wasn’t going to be able to fix.


It was painful to face the fact that his best friend had apparently suffered some sort of mental breakdown, and Will cursed himself for not having tried harder to get in contact when Evan’s communications had grown infrequent. Obviously Evan had been going through something terrible, and Will knew that he had to do whatever he could to get Evan the help he needed. Which meant making sure that Evan remained here for now, until Will could figure out how to get him to a doctor.


“Let me make sure I understand what you’re saying,” he replied, keeping his voice quiet and reassuring. “Elizabeth Nadasdy, the famous fashion designer, is a vampire who kills people. That makes sense, I suppose. Or at least it explains why the models all look as though they weigh five pounds.” His attempt at humor sounded hollow, but it was the best he could do at the moment. “And she’s after you?”


Evan leaned back away from Will. “You don’t believe me. You think I’m crazy.”


Will hated to see that look on Evan’s face, the question of sanity aside. “Evan, it’s not that I don’t want to believe you, all right? But you know how it sounds, don’t you?” He knew his tone was pleading. “Vampires don’t exist. I can tell you believe it, though, and that makes it hard, because I know you’d never lie to me. But how can I believe it? How can you believe it?” He reached out and touched Evan’s arm in mute appeal. “How?”


Evan met Will’s gaze, his expression steady and calm, no trace of madness lurking in his gaze. “I don’t just believe it. I know it. I know it because I’m one, too.”

Ari McKay is the professional pseudonym for Arionrhod and McKay, who have been writing together for over a decade. Their collaborations encompass a wide variety of romance genres, including contemporary, fantasy, science fiction, gothic, and action/adventure. Their work includes the Blood Bathory series of paranormal novels, the Herc’s Mercs series, as well as two historical Westerns: Heart of Stone and Finding Forgiveness. When not writing, they can often be found scheming over costume designs or binge watching TV shows together.


Arionrhod is a systems engineer by day who is eagerly looking forward to (hopefully) becoming a full time writer in the not-too-distant future. Now that she is an empty-nester, she has turned her attentions to finding the perfect piece of land to build a fortress in preparation for the zombie apocalypse, and baking (and eating) far too many cakes.


McKay is an English teacher who has been writing for one reason or another most of her life. She also enjoys knitting, reading, cooking, and playing video games. She has been known to knit in public. Given she has the survival skills of a gnat, she’s relying on Arionrhod to help her survive the zombie apocalypse.


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