Tag: #vampire

Feature Post and Book Review: Vampires and Villains by Elizabeth Pantley

Book Description

Paige and her joyful Aunt Glo have learned that the home they inherited comes with a magical library. They put together a book club group of loveable kooks to explore the magic. They’ve recovered from their first book journey, and they all agree on their next book which takes place on a cruise ship bound for Hawaii. Problem is, they were so excited about the cruising idea that they didn’t read the entire blurb on the back of the book. (“It was entirely too long,” explains Zell.)

Once on the ship, they meet a charming and likeable man who blends seamlessly into their motley group. Too bad they don’t know why he’s so scarce during the day but shows up to join them every evening for dinner, drinks, and a show. When a dead body shows up on board, their new friend is labeled a suspect. Can they help him out by finding the real murderer? Or is he the real murderer?

The book club will need to solve the case to get off the ship, out of the book, and back to their home.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61280957-vampires-and-villains?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=TLyVk7c4yN&rank=1

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

VAMPIRES AND VILLIANS (Magical Mystery Book Club #2) by Elizabeth Pantley is another delightful Magical Mystery Book Club cozy murder mystery read. The entire group is back with the addition of a grumpy octogenarian Maximillian, do not call me Max, call me Million. This book is easily read as a standalone, but you will want to read the first just because this series is just so entertaining.

Paige, Glo and the group travel to a Hawaiian island-hopping cruise ship for their cozy mystery book excursion. This cruise at first appears normal, but Frank can once again talk, so they know it is a paranormal story and they soon discover they are on a cruise with vampire entertainers and passengers included. Million becomes friends with Frank, a vampire entertainer, who served with Million during WWII and the group all are enamored with him.

When Frank is set up for the murder of a human cruise photographer, the book club must work together to find the real killer to solve the murder mystery and get the group back home.

I love Paige and all the quirky members of the Magical Mystery Book Club! With this second book, the characters are becoming even more lovable, and I am starting to worry that I may loose one of them, not just the new character that makes the eighth at the table to a future new book. The cozy mystery plot is well written with red herrings and surprising plot twists which are woven seamlessly into the overall book club world. I am looking forward to the Magical Mystery Book Club’s next adventure.

I highly recommend this fun and well-crafted cozy mystery book and series!

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Author Bio

Elizabeth Pantley says that writing her Mystery and Magic book series is the most fun she’s ever had at work. Fans of the series say her joy is evident through the engaging stories she tells. Elizabeth is also the international bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, a beautiful inspiration for her enchanted worlds.

Social Media Links

www.NoCrySolution.com

Goodreads

BookBub – @DestinyFalls

Instagram – @destinyfallsmystery

Facebook – @DestinyFallsMysteryandMagic

Book Review: Drawing Bloodlines by Deborah Garland

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

DRAWING BLOODLINES (The Princeton Allegiant #1) by Deborah Garland is the first book in a new paranormal vampire romance series. The vampires are a bit different from the norm and this leads to new world-building opportunities for this author.

Dr. Alexander Manning is a doctor, a professor and a vampire. He is a valued member of the Princeton Allegiant due to his ability to supply blood to the group. Alex was turned over one hundred years ago and is still learning how to use the “special” gifts he received from his sire, Loren. No one knows about his extraordinary talents and he prefers to keep it that way.

Elizabeth Lockspier is a teacher and is adjusting to her life as a divorced mother of one. While having her blood drawn at a doctor’s visit by one of the most beautiful men she has ever seen, she becomes lightheaded as he takes too much and faints when she finds him drinking from one of the vials.

Alex could not help himself. He finds Elizabeth’s scent and blood intoxicating. The problem is that no human can know of a vampire’s existence and if they do they must be reported to the head of the Allegiant. Alex breaks into Elizabeth’s house to wipe her memory rather than report her, but finds she is as drawn to him as he is to her even though he is a vampire.

As Alex and Elizabeth grow closer, Alex’s past threatens to pull them apart forever. He must decide to obediently go into a forced marriage with a vampire he hates or attempt to change his immortal future with a secret science experiment of a colleague.

I was drawn into this new paranormal vampire world with all of the twists in the world-building and action. This is a complete story, but the author introduces enough secondary characters and questions to carry the series forward. The sex scenes are explicit, but not gratuitous. (Personally, I would not be interested in those cold interactions.) If you are looking for a new twist on vampire paranormal romance this is the book and series for you.

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.

Book Review: Combust by Lisa Carlisle

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

COMBUST (Underground Encounters #7) by Lisa Carlisle is an addition to the VAMPS paranormal series of novellas. In this book we return to Maya’s and Nike’s stories, best friends who have been permanently changed as they have learned of the paranormal world and found their soul mates from that world.

Michel and Nike were unsuccessful in finding a solution to Nike’s condition after being attacked by a vampire. Nike can still live in daylight, but she has an uncontrollable thirst for blood. Nike withdraws from everyone except Michel to protect them from herself. Now she has a decision to make, to continue as she is or to let Michel make her a true nightwalker.

Maya is so happy. She and Tristan are planning their wedding and she wants her best friend as her maid of honor, but Nike refuses because she is afraid of hurting an innocent guest. Maya has never liked Michel or the idea of her best friend becoming a nightwalker, but even so she is devastated when Nike turns her down. Maya not only has to deal with Nike’s choices, but her adoptive parents reveal some information about her past that explains some things about Maya’s talents.

This novella is a quick read that I could not put down because I loved all of these characters in their previous individual stories and this novella updated their character development. Instead of just a line or two in a new couple’s story, I got to follow both Maya and Nike in-depth. I always enjoy returning to the VAMPS world.

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.

Book Review: Blaze by Lisa Carlisle

RATING 5 out of 5 Stars

BLAZE: A GARGOYLE SHIFTER ROCKSTAR ROMANCE (Underground Encounters #6) by Lisa Carlisle is another great addition to the paranormal romance series based around VAMPS nightclub. These books are all romances, all have paranormal creatures and can be read as standalones, but they are also intertwined and building a unique world with crossover characters.

Mike is the lead guitarist of the Velvet Cocks. Outrageous rock star by night and computer geek by day, Mike has taken full advantage of the girls who want to sleep with him for one night stands, never more. One night in VAMPS, he runs across a scene that has the head gargoyle/bouncer telling him to take a pretty blonde out of there and protect her. When he takes the girl out of there, she seems familiar, but he cannot remember her name.

Allana “Ally” is humiliated and mad. Mike was her fantasy one night stand several months ago and here she is with him again and he does not even remember her name. Mike’s personal quirk though is he does not remember any names, but he remembers everything else about Allana. They both feel an attraction and agree to see each other again, but to keep it casual.

Allana has a past that no one knows about and she is not willing to risk her heart on a man who does not know how to be in a relationship. Mike cannot seem to stop thinking about only Allana and wants to spend every minute with her. He has an overwhelming urge to protect her, which leads to a discovery of his heritage that he knows nothing about.

This series is one of my guilty pleasures. I always know I am going to get an entertaining paranormal story with great characters and plenty of steaming hot sex scenes. Allana and Mike, even with the paranormal twists are portrayed with emotions that anyone can relate to. The romance, plot and paranormal and/or human characters all pull you right into the story. Ms. Carlisle’s worldbuilding has witches, vampires, gargoyles and shifters that make me want to meet them all at VAMPS.

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.

Book Review: Kiss Me, Bite Me by Sayara St. Clair

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

KISS ME, BITE ME (Blood Kissed #1) by Sayara St. Clair is described as a vampire paranormal romance, but it does not become a paranormal romance until well over halfway through the story. Normally because of this delay I would be disappointed, but the author’s writing, dialogue and contemporary romance in the beginning of the book is very well written and kept me reading and enjoying Kayana and Greg’s story.

Kayana Castello Branco is a scientist who studies blood. She overcame an abusive childhood and has never been secure in herself. Her one long-term relationship was lukewarm and ended the moment she bumped into a gorgeous stranger at a conference, but of course, with her luck he is taken.

Eight months later, Greg Morgan cannot believe his good fortune. He once again has run into the beautiful woman he could not forget. He is now free and the sparks are flying. Both Kayana and Greg believe they are the other’s soulmate. Their relationship and sex are beyond perfect until Greg disappears.

When Greg reappears, both Kayana and Greg want to return to their perfect relationship, but Greg is having control issues over his newly turned reality. Fangs and an insatiable thirst for blood may ruin this romance.

I enjoyed Kayana and Greg and was pulled into their romance. They were both unlucky in love until they found each other and then it was explosive. There are explicit sex scenes, but they are well written and interwoven into the plot. The author has written realistic and witty dialogue that added to the emotional pull between the characters. It is hard to categorize this book because the paranormal turn starts so late in the book, but even with the switch, I still was satisfied with the hero and heroine’s HEA. My only problem was that I do not feel that the cover is right for this book based on Kayana’s description and Greg grew the fangs.

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.

Book Review: Burn by Lisa Carlisle

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

BURN (Underground Encounters Book 4) by Lisa Carlisle is another sizzling addition to the VAMPS paranormal romance series. When you sit down to read about Devon and Layla, clear your schedule because you are going to want read this one from start to finish.

Layla flees London for her immortal life. She has been framed for a theft from a master vampire, who does not believe in her innocence. She returns to America and reinvents herself as “Angelica”, the new lead singer for an 80’s heavy metal cover band.

Devon St. Clair has a reputation as one of the best bounty hunters for hire. Ruthless and relentless, he always gets his man or woman. Aided by his years in Royal Special Forces, he is also a shifter. He can shift into any animal form and every one of them hates vampires. When he catches up to Layla at VAMPS, he is entranced by her and her voice, but he cannot let that get in the way of his job, can he?

This series just keeps pulling me in and I have to say that I especially loved Layla and Devon! Layla is petite and yet mighty, in character and physical strength. Devon is all hot, tough shifter and yet has softer, vulnerable moments that appear for Layla. The sex scenes are smokin’ hot and steaming. The plot is not unique, but Ms. Carlisle puts some interesting twists into this world of paranormal creatures that makes them unique. This book can easily be read as a standalone in this series, but I bet if you love paranormal romances as I do, you will want to read them all.

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.