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Showing posts with label Vampires. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vampires. Show all posts

July 11, 2026

The Red Sacrament by Sara Hinkley ~ a Review

by MK French


In 1869 Paris, only a select few ever received invitations to the Théâtre Saint-Siméon. Actors on stage are mesmerizing, and never seen in daylight; Arnault and his vampires are very careful to feed as little as possible on the audience and survive in the city by being unseen. The peace is upset by the arrival of Béatrice,  a witch who forms a connection with Arnault, then vampire siblings Victor and Françoise de Rouvray. Vampires bicker, the theater needs are time-consuming, and there are premonitions of blood, death, and starvation. Change is coming for everyone. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

March 2, 2019

Bad Blood by Robyn Bachar ~ a Review

by MK French

After getting book 5 in the Bad Witch series from Netgalley, I went back and bought book 1 (it's free right now) so I've included my review of Blood, Smoke and Mirrors as well.

November 16, 2018

Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness ~ a Review

by Donna Huber


How it begins
Time's Convert is a good as I expected it to be. I fell in love with the All Souls Trilogy back in 2012 when I read A Discovery of Witches. Since the conclusion of that series I've wanted more as have all the fans. There is now a television show (it airs in the US in 2019 and has already been renewed for seasons 2 and 3). But really I wanted more books and so I was excited about Time Convert's which is focused on Marcus and Phoebe, two characters from the All Souls Trilogy.

July 29, 2018

Shadow's Bane by Karen Chance ~ A Review

by MK French

Dory is a dhampir, half human and half vampire. She was given a spot on the Vampire Senate because there is an upcoming war between vampires and Faerie, and they want a position of strength. In addition to the inevitable politicking and threats to her life, she is looking for a friend's missing nephew, which leads to the discovery of an illegal fight club ring. There's a bigger conspiracy at work, and Dory's vampire half is aware of more of it than she is.

March 30, 2018

Review: Risen by Cole Gibsen

by MK French


Charlie's aunt Rachel disappears, and it turns out that she was not only kidnapped by vampires but that she might have been turned into one. The three vampire clans of Mentis, Animus, and Corpus are close to war, and Sebastian is tasked with eliminating Charlie. She somehow is able to unlock memories of his life before he became a vampire, so now Sebastian has own agenda in keeping her alive.

September 24, 2017

Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh

by MK French


Holly Chang had been turned into a vampire against her will, and has been struggling to control her impulses. Outside of the usual structure for vampire creation, she is able to talk with those the elites would never even notice. There's a bounty on her head, however, and the powers she has aren't like those of an ordinary vampire. Viper is one of the Tower's most trustworthy vampires and something like an assassin in his own right. As much as they class, he is one of the few capable of keeping her safe.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Archangel's Viper
September 2017; Berkley; 978-0451488244
ebook, audio, print (368 pages);
paranormal romance
This is part of the Guild Hunter series, and I was at a disadvantage for not having read the prior novels. But there was enough detail given in character conversations and the hint of backstory that I could go along with it; it probably also helps that there isn't a vampire trope yet that I haven't been able to understand.

Apparently, there are angels and archangels here as well as vampires, and other creatures with abilities of their own. I found that part fascinating enough that I might try to find earlier books in the series. (Thinking of my to be read piles, however...)

It's a common trope that Holly and Viper can't stand each other at first, yet they're most comfortable around the other. Of course, there's danger and mystery, and the two not only have a connection, it's enough to overcome the fears they have about relationships.

The romance part of this paranormal romance novel is pretty par for the course, and I didn't find that as exciting as the powers and machinations between angels and vampires. It's definitely worth exploring more of this universe and the characters in it.

Buy Archangel's Viper at Amazon



Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and golden retriever.

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January 17, 2017

Review: Thirst by Jacquelyn Frank

by MK French

January 2017; Loveswept; ebook (279 pages);
paranormal romance
a free book was provided for this review
In Thirst by Jacquelyn Frank, Renee Holden is a New York City homicide detective, and the case she is working on has an eyewitness that swears it was a vampire that attacked the victim. As she investigates, she is drawn to Rafe DaSilva. He's an energy vampire, drawing sustenance from sunlight or absorbing the life force of "pure" humans, those who eat well, exercise and don't drink or do drugs. There are vampires who are less picky, but these sycophants turn violent and crazed. At that point, they can't be redeemed and must be hunted down. There's a treaty that would allow the vampire princes of different cities to band together to hunt down the sycophants more efficiently, making Rafe their primary target. Because he quickly grew to care for Renee, she's a target as well.

I love reading books about vampires in general, and Thirst started out really well. It built up the mystery of the bodies from Renee's perspective, as well as the conflict that Rafe had in trying to keep his society's secret from her while trying to find the sycophants endangering the vampire society. The romance aspect of the book felt rushed; both mention that it's only been two or three days that they've even known each other, and this is out of character for them. Going from a date after a "chance" meeting in a snowstorm to sex in an elevator and declaring undying love is a bit much, even in a paranormal romance. The addition of the energy vampires' origin at the end of the book only threw me out of the realm of credibility entirely.  I know, I know, we're supposed to suspend disbelief in a paranormal romance novel, but it was going too far. The conflict felt a little too contrived, the prologue was unnecessary, and the way the story was wrapped up was neat yet still unsatisfying. Renee is a very likeable heroine, and Rafe had moments where he shone. They were the best parts of the book, actually.


Born and raised in New York City, M.K. started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and golden retriever.


Get even more book news in your inbox by signing up for our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/mHTVL. Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.

October 8, 2016

Dissension by @AdrienneMonson

Leisha used to be a loving mother with a perfect family, but that was more than 2,000 years ago. Though she holds the memory of that time dear to her heart, she must now focus on trying to escape the eternal and bloody war between her kind—the Vampires—and the Immortals, an undying race sworn to destroy her people. Leisha soon finds herself captured by the government, only to be saved by a young and mysterious human girl. What follows is the beginning of a long and tortuous journey as Leisha and her newfound friend run for their lives while searching for the one thing that can bring an end to the conflict—the prophecy child.


Awesome!!!! Loved it!!!! ~ Mandy

Gripping, fast paced, good read ~ Amanda M. Daggett

Nice vampire spin ~ A Voracious Reader


Start Reading:



Buy Dissension at Amazon



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August 26, 2016

Review: Chiaroscuro by Matthew S. Cox

by MK French

cover of Chiaroscuro
Father Antonio hunts creatures of darkness in Europe, from demons to vampires, and tries to save the innocent so that their souls can be saved. He tries to rely on his faith, but it's sorely tested when he is called to examine a child vampire named Sabine. Holy water and the cross don't trouble her, and she continues to pray to God to be a good person. He can't reconcile this with the horrible monsters he had destroyed, and in trying to prevent her destruction at the hands of other priests is mortally wounded. Sabine saves his life by turning him into a vampire, and Father Antonio spends the rest of the novel in search of a way to undo the curse so that she can find salvation and free her soul. His faith is tested many times, but his concern is always for Sabine and her wellbeing.

This is an interesting take on vampires, especially in the form of Sabine. Unlike Claudia from Interview With The Vampire, Sabine's mental state remains that of an eight-year-old girl. She is only dimly aware of the passage of time and events so that they slide together, and she doesn't have a good concept of time. It's definitely in keeping with that stage of development and a change from the stories that have vampires frozen in time physically, but continuing to develop mentally so that they would have adult longings and understanding. Father Antonio cares for Sabine as if she was his human daughter, and tries to balance his faith in God with the fact that he is a vampire and must have human blood to survive.

Descriptions are vivid, and really paint the picture of the surroundings in each time period. It sometimes feels as though there's too much description, like we're living a night in the life of a vampire. At other times, it really hooks you in. The boat ride feels almost claustrophobic, and the decay of different hiding spots is overwhelming. You feel just as frustrated with Antonio's inability to find any accurate information regarding vampires or vampirism. It's amusing to see how he fumbles with technology, or how wrong he was when he thought television would never take off. Sabine is a sweet child, for all that she has to drink blood, and her losses were just as devastating for me to experience along with her. The ending is sudden but fits the story and the characters well. I look forward to seeing more books by this author.

Buy Chiaroscuro at Amazon
(a free copy of this novel was provided in exchange for a fair review)

MK French, reviewer. Born and raised in New York City, M.K. started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and golden retriever.

Book info:
available formats: ebook and print (322 pages)
published: July 2016 by Curiosity Quills Press
ISBN13: 978-1620077696
genres: horror, dark fantasy
source: author



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April 26, 2016

V is for Vicious Vampire #AtoZChallenge

by Alison DeLuca



When I was in 5th grade, I bought Dracula from one of those book order forms. Remember those? You paid 50 cents and weeks later got a flimsy paperback in return. Heaven!


courtesy wiki commons
The day I received Dracula, my first peek inside showed it was written in diary and letter formats. What a disappointment! I didn’t crack the book again until I had to stay home sick with stomach flu. There was nothing else interesting on the bookshelf, and so I settled down to Bram Stoker’s classic.

Days followed, and I could not put down the book. I couldn’t sleep either, since I was convinced an eerie fog with glowing red coals for eyes would enter my bedroom the instant I turned off the light. Sorry, Mom, for that electric bill, but I really thought turning off my bunny night light meant certain death.

Stoker sucked me in (see what I did there) with his masterful suspense and misty atmosphere. In the thick fogs rolling across London and the English countryside, anything could happen. I was particularly aghast and thrilled by the section including news clippings about the Boofer Lady, a white phantom haunting the moors after Lucy’s death. And just as the action seemed to slow down, along came Professor Van Helsing with blood transfusions and hypnosis.

The book is a masterpiece of horror, not pausing until the very end. In the cold light of the new millennium, Dracula might seem dated. However, Stoker’s genius of continually upping the stakes (I’ll stop) keeps the story horrifying.

Besides, the characters are simply amazing. We start with Jonathan Harker, a London businessman who nearly becomes the first victim. Perhaps he’s only saved by the Count’s need for those boxes of earth from Transylvania.

We then move to my favorite character and Jonathan’s fiancée, Mina Murray. She’s strong, intelligent, and brave. Along the way she’s attacked and, as a result, develops paranormal powers. This fits perfectly within Stoker’s alternate universe.
courtesy wiki commons

In my opinion, Mina is the first real super hero. She is strong, but the villain exploits what he sees as a weakness – her love for her best friend, Lucy. Dracula feeds on Mina and gives her insight into his alien mentality. Mina works with the very odd Van Helsing (hello, the King Laugh speech? What is that all about?) and Jonathan, now her husband, to use her new powers for good.

And did I mention the sections set in the insane asylum? The diary narrated by Dr. Seward as analysis of his patient, Renfield, really stands on its own as a terrifying short story. What happens to Renfield is one of the saddest things I’ve ever read. It fits with what Stephen King tells us about writing horror: “I try to create sympathy for my characters, then turn the monsters loose.”

Stoker accomplished all of this without sexual tension, descriptions of male torsos or female chests, ‘her blood sings to me’ or the like. Dracula remains my favorite vampire, because he just doesn’t care about you.


He wants to bite your neck, and feed.


Alison DeLuca, features writer. Alison is the author of several steampunk and urban fantasy books.  She was born in Arizona and has also lived in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Mexico, Ireland, and Spain. Currently she wrestles words and laundry in New Jersey. Connect with Alison on FacebookTwitterGoogle+Pinterest, and her blog.


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November 13, 2015

The Gates Legacy Blog Tour

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23206881Hunted by Lorenz Font

Series: The Gates Legacy #1 Release Date: November 20, 2014 Genre: Paranormal Romance
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A horrible disease is ravaging the vampire community in New York City’s underworld. The Vampire Council is on a crusade to obliterate those infected. Harrow Gates is sick, alone, and hunted. A bounty hanging over his head, he is in no position to refuse when Pritchard Tack offers him not only a new beginning, but also a chance to rectify the chaos he created in the vampire world. Now the greatest threat Harrow faces is hope. Jordan is a reluctant new vampire and a woman on a mission. Her only focus is revenge. In her search for vengeance, a stroke of luck leads her to an underground facility. Once inside the bunker, Jordan meets a man who threatens to pull her heart away from her sworn mission. There is something behind Harrow’s dark lenses that unsettles the hardened female. Is love strong enough to override her thirst for vengeance?
  HUNTED EXCERPT Harrow looked up at the sound of her footsteps, his eyes unfocused. His sunglasses were on the table, and his eyes were almost opaque in color when they settled on her. He sat up on the bed. “Jordan, please go away.” He hissed and moved back when she approached. Her movement was slow and calculated. She was unwilling to startle him into action. “Darling, I need to draw blood from you,” Jordan said, as if appeasing a crying child with sweet offerings. His fangs were incredibly long. She wasn’t sure if she was imagining it, but she thought she saw them throb right before her very eyes. It had been almost two weeks since he’d last fed, and it looked like he had reached his limit. Harrow licked his dried, chapped lips and inched away from her. The lesions on his arms, legs, and around his neck were raw, almost glowing red and had grown bigger. He gritted his teeth as if to dispel the demons of his disease. Jordan was certain it had something to do with the burning pain from the wounds as well as the pang of hunger. Starvation was a tough opponent, because it would eat you up alive and spew out your carcass after it finished you off. “Make it quick, because I’m trying hard here.” Harrow appeared bone tired, his tone weary as he held out his arm after he made sure she was wearing gloves. “Move fast,” he reminded her as he eyed her jugular. The pulsing clearly began to excite him. “I know you won’t hurt me.” She kept her voice low and held his arm. He was burning hot, and she felt like her hands would melt on contact. Harrow rested his arm on his thigh as she tried to keep her hands steady. Harrow drew in a deep breath before exhaling with a curse. “Hurry up, Jordan.” Once she stuck the needle into his skin, Harrow hissed and began twitching again. After she filled the evacuated collection tube with blood, she pulled out the needle and applied a little pressure to the entry site with her finger before taping it up. “Get out now!” he screamed. “Now!” Before she stepped away, she held his gaze for a moment and whispered the words she’d been dying to tell him. “I love you, Harrow.” Time stood still as soon as the words were out of her mouth. Harrow’s breathing slowed, and his twitching ceased for just a moment. “I love you more,” he said. “But please, get out of this room now.” He didn’t scream the order, he whispered it as if it was a last ditch effort before he turned savage. Jordan walked out the door, which Leroy held open for her. Her heart was aching, but at the same time, it was soaring. How could her heart sing and lament at the same time?

23206906Tormented by Lorenz Font

Series: The Gates Legacy #2 Release Date: November 20, 2014 Genre: Paranormal Romance
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Tor Burns is a noninfected vampire committed to saving his diseased comrades from certain death at the hands of the Vampire Council. He is the meanest, strongest, and most impulsive member of the team with a new purpose: guard the irresistible daughter of their fallen leader, even if it means having to cast his attraction aside. Allison Tack is an infected vampire and a walking target wherever she goes. She wants to learn how to protect herself, but no one is listening, so she sets out to prove that she can fight alongside the best of them. The harem leader, Melissa, is determined to discover her son’s fate. Time has made her desperate enough to wage war against Tor’s group, not realizing that she has fallen into a trap. Tormented by his past, Tor must decide between paying the price or risk losing the woman loves.
TORMENTED EXCERPT Allison held onto his neck as tight as she could, and they both fell on the mattress, Tor landing on top of her. She didn’t let go, even though the weight of his body was heavy on her small frame. “What the hell are you doing?” Tor shouted as he pushed himself up, but Allison locked her legs around his waist, trapping him. “Doing what I want to do,” she answered and moved her mouth to his. She felt his breath catch in his throat, and a look of terror crossed his face. This reaction was not what she had hoped for, and his rejection hurt. Tor moved his mouth away like she was offering him poison instead of herself. “You’re insane.” He held her shoulders with restraining fingers before he pushed her body away, despite her resistance. Her strength was no match for his, and he set her aside like a ragdoll, unwanted and rejected. He stood, his dreadlocks falling over his shoulders. Looking at her with disgust, Tor’s nostrils flared before he stalked out the door, slamming it shut. The silence that followed was deafening. Allison was left stunned and unable to move, her eyes stinging with tears of humiliation. What had she done?

 

23388214Ascension by Lorenz Font

Series: The Gates Legacy #3 Release Date: January 8, 2015 Genre: Paranormal Romance
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Rohnert comes from a long line of pure-blooded vampires, but he has broken away from the Vampire Council, which is being run into the ground by Goran, a former friend and ally. With the vampire race in upheaval, he allies with a group of freedom fighters. However, nothing could have prepared him for their determined human doctor. Shelly Anderson vowed not to fall in love, but her resolve quickly changes upon meeting the enigmatic vampire. After their one night together ends in a nightmare, Rohnert’s unexpected reentry into her life derails her plans once more. Rohnert soon realizes the lengths he is willing to go to keep Shelly and their child close and safe, even if it means violating a long-standing decree among pure-blooded vampires to keep their bloodlines alive. When harsh reality comes knocking, Rohnert must fight to save the people he loves before he loses them forever.
  ASCENSION EXCERPT Rohnert was already undressing Shelly with his eyes the moment the bolt on the door engaged. Man, it had been a while. This time, he would initiate every damn thing. He had a lot to make up for—the lost time, the way he’d left, and overall, his idiocy. He had led her to believe that he couldn’t love her. Who had he been kidding? She was the very air he breathed, the single reason why living was bearable. Now that she was carrying his child, he’d treat her just like the queen that she was. It didn’t take half a brain to know he’d screwed up, and he wouldn’t take her forgiveness for granted. Ever. “So we need to talk,” he said, running his hand along her collarbone. Shelly closed her eyes, and her expression told him that the talking could wait. She had better things in mind. She wanted to make love to him. He stiffened, and so did his cock. “What are we going to talk about?” Her voice took a nosedive, becoming husky, and she wormed her soft hands around his waist, her lips parted like an invitation to a playground. Okay, initiation on his part didn’t happen. The woman was fast. The scent of her lust wafted in the air, and his nostrils flared. “I want to show you how much to mean to me.” He threaded his fingers through her silky hair. “How much?” Her hand wound to the hardened bulge in his pants. Rohnert jerked on contact, welcoming the intrusion. “So much that I’m aching,” Her eyes spoke volumes, and her lips curved into a playful smile. “You like it?” He shifted, allowing more room for her to navigate. The pleasure of her fingers grazing his skin made him tremble, his knees weakening under her touch. “You have no idea.” So much for making the first move. Shelly was in the driver’s seat, and he was just going along for the ride—which was wrong. It was his turn to give her pleasure, but her hand cupping his erection made it very difficult to think. Rohnert moved his body to give her space to work. He was such a selfish bastard, but one look at her gave him absolution. She was enjoying this as much as he was.  

25124764Reckoning by Lorenz Font

Series: The Gates Legacy #4 Release Date: July 4, 2015 Genre: Paranormal Romance
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Someone is exposing the vampires of New York City to the human world. This is bad news for Cyrus and his fighters. Events derail his plans to find Zane, who forced immortality on him. Cyrus soon finds himself torn between revenge and his responsibilities, and a beautiful pureblooded vampire who makes him rethink his priorities. Isidora can read minds, and Cyrus’ are filled with both anger towards Zane and a deep admiration for her. Although Issy has no idea what to do in the face of the outside world’s war, one thing is clear. She craves Cyrus, but his need for vengeance is clouding his mind. Should Issy pursue her feelings for Cyrus or wait until he can return her affection? Will Cyrus deny his attraction to Isidora so he can kill the man who made his life a living hell on earth? Every decision leads to a reckoning.

RECKONING EXCERPT Her skin was warm, sinfully warm, and Cyrus couldn’t handle the emotions that came with her touch. He drew his hand away. “It must be tough having to live with the bullshit you hear every day.” From her hunched shoulders and the way she ran her palm along the smooth surface of the table, he could tell she had something on her mind, and it wasn’t along the lines of yeah, I love the mind reading crap. “I want to you to take my vein.” Isidora’s statement was given with conviction, which made him curse. “You can’t be serious.” “I’m dead serious.” “Why would you do that?” It was difficult to erase the erotic images from his mind, especially when she was sitting across from him in all her glory—beautiful, caring, young, and oh-so-inviting. “Because I want to feel needed, wanted.” Her voice was low, as if the revelation had sapped all her energy. “What a naïve thing to say. Besides, you’ve been servicing Rohnert. I think you’re already doing a great service to the race doing that alone.” “Are you naturally callous or just plain scared?” Cyrus watched her with defiance oozing from his pores. How could she call him out like that? Did he look scared? He’d never had a reason to be around females who elicited unwanted emotions before, and he wouldn’t start now.  

Lorenz Font

Lorenz Font discovered her love of writing after reading a celebrated novel that inspired one idea after another. She is currently enjoying the buzz from her vampire novels Hunted, Tormented and Ascension, Books 1-3 of The Gates Legacy Series, Feather Light, an erotic romance, Indivisble Line, a romance thriller and Pieces of Broken Time, a military romance. Lorenz’s perfect day consists of writing and lounging on her garage couch, aka the office, with a glass of her favorite cabernet while listening to her ever-growing music collection. She enjoys dabbling in different genres, with an intense focus on angst and the redemption of flawed characters. Her fascination with romantic twists is a mainstay in all her stories. Lorenz lives in California with her husband, children, and two demanding dogs. She divides her time between her full-time job and her busy writing schedule.

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