The Vampire Hunter's Review

The Vampire Hunters by Scott Baker (ARC Review)
The Vampire Hunters Book 1
Re-Published February 3, 2014
5 BLOODY FANGS!

"Monstrous, sadistic, deadly, evil, soulless... in short, true vampires!"

Synopsis -

As former Boston cops, Drake Matthews and Alison Monroe thought they had experienced it all... until they found themselves tracking down a serial killer who turned out to be one of the undead. Stopping him cost them their careers and almost their lives. 

Thanks to an influential and anonymous benefactor, Drake and Alison find a new job ridding the streets of Washington D.C. of the vampiric threat terrorizing the nation's capital. 

Only this time, Drake and Alison are not facing a single vampire but an entire nest led by Ion Zielenska, one of history's most evil and twisted masters. As the vampires indiscriminately prey on humans, seeing them as nothing more than food to satiate their hunger, they create a wave of violence that threatens to engulf the city. 

Orchestrating the carnage is Antoinette Varela, the mistress of the nest, whose vendetta against the hunters is personal.  (Goodreads)

Review -

"To Tiffany, Something to sink your fangs into. - Scott Baker"

What better way to start a read than with words that turned out to be true indeed.  Look for romaticizing of these vampires,  Baker shows them at their gruesome,  deadly best. While I do love PNR, I also need a good dose of vampires in the purest, rawest form. The Vampire Hunters truly fit the bill.  Readers will be taken into a dark world where the only standing between humanity and the undead are three unlikely heroes, and their mysterious, powerful, extremely influential benefactors'.

When seemingly a serial killer stalks the streets of Boston,  only one detective, Drake Matthews, realizes what they're up against is something far worst, a vampire.  Though he accepts the truth one family too late.  While Matthews finally excepts the impossible, and in the process probably saving more than a few more lives, his superiors nor his colleagues were ready to acknowledge such, costing him his badge.  None, that is, other than his partner, Allison Monroe.  Who follows Drake to rid the streets of Washington D.C. as they are overran by a particular nasty, sadistic vampire nest.  A nest led by two Masters' who take depravity to brand new levels.  So when "Mr. Smith" drops off a new recruit on Drake's doorstep it is none too soon.  Seeing as how Jim specializes in creating new and even more powerful weapons to use in the war against the undead.

A Fangtastic read for traditional vampires everywhere, regardless of gender.  Action packed with fight scenes so vividly detailed readers will feel as though they are right there taking part in the action.  Filled with blood, gore, thrills and chills to make every horror lover smile.  

The Last Confession of the Vampire Judas Iscariot Review

The Last Confession of the Vampire Judas Iscariot (ARC Review)
Published April 15, 2014 by Koehler Books
5 BLOODY FANGS!!!

"The phrase 'I forgive you' can truly be a powerful thing."

Synopsis - 

Of all the people who ever lived, surely Judas Iscariot, history’s most notorious betrayer, must be in hell. Or maybe not.

After watching the crucifixion of Jesus, Judas despairs over what he has done and fumes that the Messiah he put his trust in has turned out to be just another pretender like all the rest. The toxic mix of emotions is too much for him to bear and Judas commits suicide by hanging himself.

He is restored to life by the Devil and made into a vampire apostle. The Devil teaches Judas to manipulate men and history. He becomes a king, a general, a teacher and a blacksmith, whatever is needed to effect the outcome of history and move it towards the goal of his new master.

Each time he is ready to move on to his next incarnation he must drink the blood of an innocent victim to be restored to his youthful vigor. But despite his many powers and abilities Judas knows there is one thing he desires and cannot have. Finally Judas meets a laicized priest, Raymond Breviary, and tries to steal from him what he was denied two thousand years before.  (Goodreads)

Review - 

This is a true must-read for true vampire lovers, male or female.  The takes this author gives on both historical and biblical events is beyond amazing.  Powerful, devine, sadistic, shocking, those are only some of the best ways to describe The Last Confession of the Vampire Judas Iscariot.

The story starts back in biblical history when Judas betrays Jesus Christ.  The guilt and more-so the anger he feels  at being betrayed driving him to commit suicide, and the Devil stepping in to resurrect him, as a vampire.  Feeding Judas' anger for more than two thousand years, egging him on to get the vengeance he so rightfully deserves, the Father of all Lies drives Judas to help history along the side of Evil.  Judas not seeing the truth of what is really going on.  From the fall of the Roman Empire to the birth of Vlad Dracul himself, Judas plays a part in many of the world's most prominent events, thinking himself to be the true Messiah.  All he needs to become a true Anti-Christ is the life blood of a Priest.  Which up until now has been beyond his grasp.  Though as events play out, he and the Devil both may have met their match.

A gripping, intriguing tale that will have readers desperate to know what happens next, and questioning everything they thought they knew.  Not for the faint of heart, definitely for every vampire fan out there. 

The Undead Pool Review

The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison
The Hollows Book 12
Published February 25, 2014 by Voyager
5 Demonic Fangs!!!


"If you do not know your history, you're doomed to repeat it."


Synopsis -

Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering. 

Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils.  (Goodreads)

Review - 

For years now fans of The Hollows have been wanting to know what happened to drive Newt insane.  Well, hold onto your seats ghouls and gals cause its going to be a bumpy ride as Rachel finally learns the truth, the hard way.  The one question that will be remaining at the end, will Rachel be able to maintain her own sanity?  And for those of you that have been rooting for a Trent and Rachel union, are NOT going to want to miss this.

Rachel finds herself yet again having to save the world.  Someone has been tampering with her line, but far more than just that.  Turns out the Goddess of the elves was once a very real thing indeed, but during the great war between Elves and Demons, she was not only destroyed but shattered.  Now someone has found a way to collect those particles of her and use them to keep the undead vampire masters asleep, in turn slowly starving them to death.  And while that seems like a great plan in theory, especially for the not so secret faction known as the Free Vampires, there is now nothing to stop the living vampires to do any and everything they want, can anyone say bloodbath?  It seems that no-one is safe from vampires, not even themselves.  That's not the only troubles Interlanders are facing.  With whoever out there capturing mystics, all magic is misfiring, causing simple cleaning charms to backfire to the point of death.   

Quite naturally Rachel goes to her demonic teacher for help, but he is less than willing.  The question is, does he truly not know what is going on, and if he does, why is he holding back.  The answer comes in the form of the only other female demon, the less than sane Newt.  And if Rachel goes through with her plan to save everyone she may end up just as insane.

The reason behind Newts' sanity isn't the only thing that comes to light, so do Trent and Rachel's' true feelings toward one another.  But will he finally listen to his heart, or put his responsibilities to his elven people first.  And Ivy finds herself yet again battling for Nina's soul because there is one undead who never went to sleep, Felix.

This is a true must read for Hollow's fans, and for readers who are newbies, this stand-alone will leave you craving for more.   Full of lust, love, blood, gore, excitement, honor and characters who will pull at your heart strings, make you want to tap a ley line and stand by their sides and fight whether you're as small as a pixy or as big as a were.

Vampires: The Evil, The Sadistic and The Bloody....or Not

   The world of Vampires seems to be getting romanticized more and more in this day and age.  I recently had a conversation with a Horror writer on this very topic.  Since most of the books I reviewed on this site have PNR, he was wondering if I read the true nitty-gritty-down-and-dirty-bloody vampire books.  Of course I do!  Its just I do not discriminate, I love all things Vampire oriented.  Let me rephrase that, I read all things Vampire with an open mind, with or without love being involved in the plot.  What truly makes a great Vampire book in my eyes is having every aspect detailed within the book; blood, origin, violence, lust, death, three dimensional characters and a decent plot.  

Twice Tempted Review

Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost
Night Prince Book Two
Published March 26, 2013 by Avon
5 BLOODY FANGS!!!!


"They say never judge a book by its' cover, but this one is just as hot as it looks!!"



Summary -

Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges...

Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her.

Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity...

Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust– the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity.  (Goodreads)

Review - 

What's the best way to judge how good a book truly is?  How long it takes you to read it.  Read this one in a day and a half, all while juggling the kids, work and friggin' Girl Scouts.  Though I still regret reading Up From The Grave BEFORE reading Twice Tempted, since it gave away such a big secret, "seeing" the way it played out was phenomenal.  

While I am still extremely hurt to have had to say goodbye to Cat and Bones, I am equally as glad to have Leila and Vlad.  To say these two are another dynamic duo to be a drastic understatement.  With his pyrokenisis and her electrical currents, not to mention both of their temperaments, they truly know how to heat up a page.  And if there was ever a true match for Vlad the Impaler, Leila has truly proved to be it.

Vlad has kept his heart wrapped in a cage of ice for centuries, not an easy thing to do when you're the Prince of Flames.  So should come as no wonder that he finds it difficult to allow himself to admit is true feelings for Leila.  After-all, they both went into this relationship under the agreement of remaining strictly physical.  And we all know which road is paved with good intentions.  Leila comes to her final straw after the proposal she is given is far from what she expected, and gives Vlad an ultimatum.  When he makes the wrong decision, she does the unthinkable and leaves.  Heading back to the carnival and a whole new heap of trouble.  Leila will learn the hard way that Vlad isn't the only one who likes playing with fire, with deadly circumstances.  As she is the initial target Leila is faced with a decision of her own; to trust the man she loves and humiliated by walking away from, or the man she considers a friend and has never kept his desires a secret.  So the question becomes whether the threat on her life is an act of vengeance, a ploy at a deadly love affair or whole new party altogether.

Pages filled with blood, mayhem, betrayal, deadly desires, manipulation, heat and gruesome death, readers will not be able to put this book down until the last page.  There is never a dull moment when dealing with Vlad Basarab Dracul.  And pity the man, or woman, who dare cross him.  Both Once Burned and Twice Tempted are true must reads for true vampire lovers.  Please do not cheat yourself and read this book as a stand alone.  At least start with Once Burned, but to get the full affect, read the entire Night Huntress Universe series.  And look out for the final installment to Leila and Vlad's trilogy, due out in December, 2014. 

Death Defying Review

Death Defying by Nina Croft  (ARC Review)
Blood Hunter Book 3
Published February 24, 2014 by Entangled: Select
4 Bloody Fangs!


"Well, this book has cinched it, Nina Croft is definitely now one of my favorite authors."



Summary-

Part snake, part human, and—some would say all bitch—Captain Tannis of the starship El Cazador has one goal in life—to earn enough credits to pay for the Meridian treatment to achieve the immortality she craves. And one last job will get her there. The assignment: protecting the most powerful man in the Universe.

Being leader of the known universe isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, it sucks big time. And after five hundred years, Callum Meridian, founding member of the Collective, is bored out of his mind. But as things are changing, he’s changing—into what, though, he isn’t sure. Callum is determined to discover the truth, and he’s employed the crew of El Cazador to help him do it.

Not everyone agrees with his plan, though. His own people will stop at nothing to prevent the truth coming out, the Church is taking advantage of the confusion and attempting a coup, and even the crew of El Cazador seem close to tossing him out the airlock without a space suit. But defying death has never been more dangerous, sexier, or more fun.  (Goodreads)

Review -

I love Nina Croft.  Unlike most of today's authors', she does not shy away from sensitive topics or afraid to off a few characters if/when the story-line calls for it.  Granted, when a character dies, it has the ability to bring readers to tears and cause them pause to continue on with the book.  But it is a sure sign of that authors' ability in storytelling when a reader truly mourns the loss of a fictional character as if they were a full flesh and blood human in which the reader had vested interest in him/her.  That being said, be sure to pick a box of Kleenex before you read.

Another subject that I admire her handle on is love; fated vs. true has been one of the biggest controversies in the PNR world for a very long time.  Croft takes on the True Love aspect more often than not.  And watching Callum and Captain Tannis fall first in lust then develop into love was a wonderful thing indeed.  Especially when both are leading figureheads in their own right, neither using taking orders only giving them, its a constant battle figuring out who is in charge.  Afterall, while Tannis may be captain of the ship, Callum is the ruler of the entire Universe.  But when Callum employs the El Cazador's services, well, you know how the old saying goes...."my house, my rules".  Callum is desperate, and determined to learn the truth about what he and his fellow Collective are becoming.  The only way to do that is to travel to Trakis Seven, the planet where very few will travel to willingly when going there is no more than a death sentence.  So, he has no choice but to ask the Renegade crew aboard the El Cazador, since they will take on pretty much any mission, at the right price.  Little do they know that in the end, that price will not be worth what they lose in the end.

All Captain Tannis has ever dreamed of was getting enough money to purchase herself the Meridian treatment.  Seeing as how her greatest fear her entire life has been death, of course she would long for immortality.  After living a life from the tender age of four until seventeen of being experimented on and watching all of her friends and loved ones die since they were not considered human, when she finally escapes her captivity, she can think of nothing more, besides seeking revenge.  And the idea of sex appalls her rightfully so, considering some of those experiments were on a very personal level.  So when her libido finally awakens and her heart begins to unthaw for none other than Callum Meridian, let's just say shes not a very happy camper when she begins putting puzzle pieces together, one being an emblem from the guard's uniform, the initials C.M.  Coincidence??

Full of action, fire power, technology in the future at its best, Croft truly knows her Sci-Fi.  That delicacy where fantasy meets possible reality.  Science at this point can viably put both eggs and sperm in chryo, who's to say a thousand years from now they won't be able to do the same with people?  Or that they aren't already....  And no matter how advanced civilizations ever becomes, you will always have your Zealots believing only one race should be allowed to live.  Enters the Church, its  not a race issue with them but a humanity one.  Those not one hundred human do not deserve to live.  While Callum is away looking for answers, the Church is at bay plotting a galactic takeover.  

The only thing stopping this from being a full 5 Fang review is my own fault.  This book CAN be read as a stand-alone, the prologue provide plenty of background information on Tannis, where the reader will understand her ploy.  But....without having read the first two books in the Blood Hunter series' certain aspects will not have the same impact as they were truly meant too.  So readers I deplore you to not deprive yourself the way I did, and begin from the beginning.  Its' like starting Star Wars in the middle of an episode, while you may be able to enjoy it you wouldn't realize why you should care who Anikan Skywalker is.

All in all, Death Defying is truly a great read.

Jabril Review

Jabril by D. B. Reynolds 
Vampires In America Book 2 (Netgalley ARC)
Republished December 31, 2013 by ImaJinn
5 BLOODY FANGS!!!


"There's nothing more deadly than an underestimated woman with a brain and brave enough to use it."


Summary -

Houston, Texas-Cowboy boots, baseball and journeys to the stars . . . right? Wrong. Because Houston is also home to Jabril Karim, one of the eight powerful Vampire Lords who control all of North America. And as Private Investigator Cynthia Leighton will soon discover, not all Vampire Lords are created equal. For Jabril is the face of evil in the new world, a vampire who values no life but his own, who enslaves those he desires, steals whatever he covets and destroys anyone who stands in his way. Running from L.A. and its seductive Vampire Lord, Raphael, Cyn sees the Houston job as a welcome refuge, a place to get away and heal her broken heart. But Texas will be no vacation. For in Jabril Karim, Cyn will confront a true enemy, one who will go to any lengths to satisfy his lusts, enrich his coffers and expand his power. Fighting for the lives of two young sisters, Cyn's journey will take her through the streets of Houston and back to L.A., where the human police are determined to bring Raphael down for the murder of one of their own. But the danger doesn't end there. For Jabril has set his sights on Cyn, and he will stop at nothing to have her.  (Goodreads)

Review -

Cyn and Raphael are turning out to be another dynamic couple, right up there with Jean Claude and Anita Blake, you know, before the series' turned into porn, as well as Cat and Bones.  What I truly love about their relationship is the fact that Reynolds did not drag it out book after book, readers already knowing what the ultimate outcome would be.   Watching their frozen hearts unthaw and let one another in was a beautiful thing.  Especially when neither had to lose any aspect of him/herself in the process.  And what they feel for one another is truly love, not just thrown together by a predetermined fate.

Book 2 of Vampires in America is centered around Jabril Karim, a blood thirsty Vampire Lord stuck in the past where a woman should be seen and not heard.   One who enjoys the thrill of the blood, but doesn't bother with the hunt.  Though he has power to bring fear within anyone around him, he only does it for the sheer pleasure of it.  After-all, when one thinks himself a king, everything should be handed to you right down to your meals, even if that happens to be in the form of a blood-slave.  And as far as money is concerned...the scheme he has set up is so elaborate and out cold, it would do the Devil proud.  But Jabril is about to make a fatal mistake.  When one his little cash cows' escapes before he can do to her what he did to her sister, he hires two Private Investigators; one a man to truly 'get the job done' and Cynthia Leighton, but only as a way to irritate Raphael, and find out what is so special about her.  Jabril's belief that women are nothing more than tools to be used may prove to be his ultimate downfall.  Though what turns out to be the biggest surprise is the ally he seems to hold within Raphael's own court.

Reynolds does not disappoint in this second novel, in fact, the series' is seeming to get better with each book, as most good series' do.  With a no-wholes-barred take on vampire society, not being squeamish on sensitive topics, these ARE indeed true vampires, this series' is a definite must read.  While this could be a stand alone read, I recommend starting with book one to get a true feel for all of the characters.