Book Review: Crossroads by JJ Bonds

If you've read the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead, then you're going to enjoy Crossroads by JJ Bonds. Why? Because Crossroads is a school full of vampires, studying, feeding, and training to excel among the elite of their own kind. There's no pretense about what they are or where these teens stand in the food chain - Vampires are simply the diamonds among the rough of humanity.

Katia is a vampire transfer, an unpolished diamond uncertain about her new surroundings at Crossroads. In fact, she's uncertain about a lot of things - her foggy past as well as the nefarious dreams taunting her night after night, a red-eyed man chasing her endlessly. Katia's been able to temper that fear in the past, thanks to the comforting embrace of an uncle she didn't know she had until a year ago. Money and prestige has protected Katia, but now that she's at Crossroads, her uncle's influence can't protect her from adolescent petulance, unwanted male affection or even the dead bodies piling up outside of town.

What I liked about Crossroads? Everything. The novel is well executed with concise language, matched by an even paced plot that finishes with an action-packed, gripping final chapter. Droplets of information are littered consistently throughout the novel, building each character's construct and offering the reader ideas about where this series may progress.

There's also a touch of romance, though nothing overly amorous to throw you off the point of the novel. Sexual tension does weave its way through the pages, but the focus is entirely on Katia's growth, her ability to determine her dreams, tamper her blood lust and uncover the secrets of her past.

Crossroads rates four out of five fangs - a great start to a series, though I hope for more action in the next few novels.

Synopsis:

When Katia enrolled at Crossroads Academy she knew things weren’t exactly going to be easy. The sole heir to the worlds’ most powerful vampire, her presence was bound to cause a stir. But nothing could have prepared her for this. Whispers follow everywhere she goes. So does trouble.

Bodies start turning up in nearby Rutland and Katia is sucked into a twisted web of danger and deceit. Haunted by nightmares she can’t explain and a thirst for blood that is never sated, Katia will do whatever it takes to keep her past buried.

Nothing at Crossroads is what it seems and Katia’s secrets may be the darkest of them all.

Book Review "The Prey" by Andrew Fukuda

The Prey is the second installment in The Hunt series. As you might have read, I thoroughly enjoyed The Hunt, and The Prey was no exception.
We're thrown back in the thick of the action, Gene, and the previously trapped humans from the dome, are still on the run. They could be the last hepers on the planet, and they're endlessly hunted by a mutated race of humans with fangs and a potent hunger for flesh. They'll stop at nothing to find these escapees, only hampered by the bright rays of daylight.
Gene and his new friends have a goal, following the river towards the mountains in the hopes of finding a mythical land promised to be packed with humankind; the kind without fangs.
Dreary days and endless nights of torment drift by, until finally they meet with the end of the road. A mysterious cabin in the woods spills secrets, and soon leads them on a path towards a place known as 'the mission'.
Salvation seems within grasp, and they pluck at its promise, praying that their days of running from blood-thirsty tormentors is over. But are they finally safe? Have they found the haven they've been searching for?
I can't tell you without ruining the story, but let me just say, that even though you have sneaking suspicions, the twists and turns are immense and entirely too thrilling.
Once again the writing is elegant and compelling in its use of descriptive language and succinct story-telling. The action is mostly towards the end of the novel, but the narrative is in constant motion, more often than not, driving the story via character point-of-view.
To say that I'm enjoying this series is understatement, and will most definitely be buying the third book once it's released - four out five fangs.

Synopsis:

For Gene and the remaining humans—or hepers—death is just a heartbeat away. On the run and hunted by society, they must find a way to survive in The Vast... and avoid the hungry predators tracking them in the dark. But they’re not the only things following Gene. He’s haunted by the girl he left behind and his burgeoning feelings for Sissy, the human girl at his side.
When they discover a refuge of exiled humans living high in the mountains, Gene and his friends think they’re finally safe. Led by a group of intensely secretive elders, the civilisation begins to raise more questions than answers. A strict code of behaviour is the rule, harsh punishments are meted out, young men are nowhere to be found—and Gene begins to wonder if the world they’ve entered is just as evil as the one they left behind. As life at the refuge grows more perilous, he and Sissy only grow closer. In an increasingly violent world, all they have is each other... if they can only stay alive.

Book Review: Lord of Misrule by Rachel Caine

This is the fifth book in the Morganville Vampires series - Lord of Misrule - simply put, an action-packed read that once again does not disappoint.
Claire Danvers takes starring role, supported by her friends and roommates,  Michael  - recently turned vampire, Eve - goth chick extraordinaire, and Shane - love interest with a passionate dislike for all things fanged.
These four are inevitably in the thick of any Morganville drama, and in this installment, we have front row seats to the brewing war between the town's founding vampire, Amelie, and her sadistic father, Bishop. Humans are no longer protected by their vampire sponsors  as everyone is fighting to survive under the threat of Bishop's immense power and seemingly unquenchable blood-lust. Throw in a manic storm with a raging tornado, and burning buildings and crazy vampires seem to be the least of everyone's problems.
Once again, I found myself drawn into this little world of constant tumultuous activity. There's never a dull moment as the author even finds time to spot us just a little bit of romance.
I can't say that the writing is filled with brilliant imagery or that the words read like poetry in motion, but I can say that my interest in the story never wanes. My heart sets a rhythmic beat of excitement paired with a simple enjoyment for this fast-paced series that's filled with endless plot arcs and surprises.
Another four out of five fangs novel.

Synopsis:

In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, a master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil dead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn’t the only threat. 
Violent black clouds promise a storm of devastating proportions. As student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against the elements—both natural and unnatural—the unexpected happens: Morganville’s vampires begin to vanish one by one. Discovering why leads Claire to one last choice: swear allegiance to Bishop... or die.

Book Review: The Den by Jennifer Abrahams

The Den by Jennifer Abrahams is a novel of succinct wording, best described as short sentences loaded with abrupt instruction and no discernable flow. I expected to be drawn into this vampiric story based on supposed actual events, when in actuality, I was a little let down by the short and sharp prose with little descriptive content.

Following Skyla Jane Judge, a restless college student and then waitress, we see her initial journey into the world of the supernatural upon a reading with a psychic. Warned of dangerous men, nefarious ghosts, and a past life that could literally come back to bite her, and we are suddenly in New York City.

Enter Alex, a mysterious stranger that Skyla believes harmless and a possible romantic dalliance, and before we know it, having only just met, they are planning a road trip to New Orleans.

At this point I’m shaking my head thinking, ‘you’re going to be strangled and dumped on the side of the road by this psycho’. Naturally, after one week of knowing each other, it’s like fate has stepped in and Skyla is exactly where she needs to be – in the middle of the French Quarter, surrounded by a strange den of ... others.

If all this didn’t happen a little fast for you, Skyla is soon chanting around candle light with her new friends, drinking blood, and denying her role in it. Pressed for affection from one of the would-be vampires, and then reminded of a centuries past tie from another, and Skyla’s soon running again.

What I liked about this novel is the possibilities and the rather odd vampiric/witch ties to this strange assortment of individuals. I enjoyed reading about their hunt, and was curious upon Skyla’s initial Tarot reading. Unfortunately, with an over-paced plot with limited explanation and then quicker resolve sliding to indifference, and I was left with a million question marks without clear parameters as to where the plot would head in the hands of a flighty, inconsistent protagonist.

Two out of five fangs – not terrible, but not stirring, either.

Synopsis:

Is it possible to run away from yourself? No. Skyla Jane Judge should know.
Fresh on the heels of a breakup and college graduation, Skyla Jane Judge feels an inexplicable urge to accompany an attractive stranger on a road trip from New York to New Orleans. Maybe it has something to do with what a psychic has told her about a past life. Maybe some old friends stuck between lives are waiting for her there.
Whatever the case, she gives in to the lure of Louisiana’s voodoo country and doesn’t look back. Longing for change, she uncovers a “den” beneath the haunted cobblestone streets of the French Quarter and, in the company of vampires, begins to discover her true self.
Skyla embarks on a journey to self-awareness that ultimately uncovers a secret ceremonial path to love and eternal enlightenment. Though change is what she wanted, is she ready for the irrevocable change her “new” friends offer her?

Book Review: The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

I may be about the one-millionth person to say this, but The Hunt is Vampires meets The Hunger Games, and yet, decidedly better. It's impossible not to compare these lottery based novels involving a death defying hunt, as truly it's the purpose of the book.
The Hunt follows the story of a human, or heper, as the vampires refer to them, with the designation - Gene.
Gene isn't normal. At least not by this world's standards, a world where vampires are the dominate race and hepers are a dying breed - their only purpose - to serve as fodder in the hunt.
Gene is extremely intelligent and has been taught by his now deceased father the value of assimilation. Masking body odours, shaving hair, and wearing fake fangs are all part of the camouflage. Partaking in the strange animalistic rituals is also a must – frothing at the mouth at the thought of human flesh, scratching wrists when amused, and schooling all emotion is all part of Gene’s survival techniques.
And then he is selected for the hunt. Randomly? We never really find out, but to also be paired with Ashley-June, the vampire he is inexplicably drawn to can only lead to heartache.
Will the heper institute learn of Gene’s ongoing deceit? And will he finally be exposed to a species he can finally relate, perhaps form relationships with the very creatures he’s been selected to hunt and kill?
What I loved about this book was that clear skip of detail regarding how the world became vampire ridden, or how humans were hunted into non-existence. Andrew Fukuda’s writing is such, that as a reader, you merely accept the world as it’s painted with information supplied when necessary and without complication. Paired with sumptuous imagery, and strange, albeit compelling characteristics of the vampires, and you find yourself enraptured.
With strong, descriptive prose that was filled with enough moments of suspense and interspersed action to keep my heart stuttering within my chest, and I can say without a doubt this is one of the best novels I’ve read in a long time. Thank you, Andrew Fukuda for the wild imagination – five out of five fangs.

Synopsis:
Against all odds, 17-year-old Gene has survived in a world where humans have been eaten to near extinction by the general population. The only remaining humans, or hepers as they are known, are housed in domes on the savannah and studied at the nearby Heper Institute. Every decade there is a government sponsored hunt. When Gene is selected to be one of the combatants he must learn the art of the hunt but also elude his fellow competitors whose suspicions about his true nature are growing.

Book Review: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine

So it might be obvious that I'm planning to read and review the entire series in Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampires. Midnight Alley is book number three and I don't see any signs of this fast paced supernatural fiction from slowing.
With an ever-thickening plot, enriched characters and a whole host of unfurling action that never seems to get tiresome, I can honestly say that I'm hooked. Just when you think you can't be exposed to any more two-faced vampires, raping college students and the sick and twisted minds of the humans spewing vampire hate, I'm thrown into the washer of a thrilling wordsmith.
Morganville is a town run and dominated by vampires, the humans that co-habit are either fodder or chess pieces easily manipulated for nefarious intent. Those who choose survival often find themselves faced with soul damaging choices and almost always wind up hurting or killing someone they love.
Claire Danvers is no exception. Recently making a deal with the founding vampire known as Amelie for protection, Claire is once again out of her depth. Teamed with a crazed vampire with a brilliant mind, she is tasked with absorbing his knowledge, unlocking the secrets of Morganville's extraordinary powers of concealment as well as finding a cure for a damaging vampire virus.
Yes, the vampires are slowly going out of their minds. And if crazy fangers wasn't enough to have you hiding under the bed sheets, then perhaps an ex-con who enjoys the slow torture and mutilation of the local college girls will do it for you.
Rachel Caine has once again produced a effortlessly spun plot of intrigue, suspense and action. With character consistency and well constructed imagery, I'm always tagging along on unfolding events. Once again, this novel rates highly at four and half fangs, though I do wonder how long this high-paced conflict can continue without numbing the reader to expectation.

Synopsis:

When Claire Danvers learnt that her college town was run by vampires, she did what any intelligent, self-preserving student would do: she applied for a transfer and stocked up on garlic. The transfer is no longer an option, but that garlic may come in handy. 
Now Claire has pledged herself to Amelie, the most powerful vampire in town. The protection her contract secures does little to reassure her friends. All of a sudden, people are turning up dead, a stalker resurfaces from Claire’s past, and an ancient bloodsucker extends a chilling invitation for private lessons in his secluded home.

Kristy :)

Book Review: Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

Glass Houses is the first book in the Morganville Vampires series, a fabulous introduction to this intriguing town filled with rabid vampires and bullying teens.
The town of Morganville is the black-hole of chilling alliances and underhanded deals. Regular blood donations act as town taxes and the local college students are fodder for the blue collar fang-bearers. Anyone who tries to leave finds their memories replaced by a fog of uncertainty and anyone who may remember even a hint of their existence in this shady town often find themselves, or their family, six feet under. 
When Claire Danvers comes to Morganville it's for advanced placement in the local college. Smart and seemingly persecuted for this quality, Claire finds herself the victim of brutal and unwarranted attacks. Pushed down stairs, beaten bloody and hosed down with acidic chemicals, it's understandable why she moves out of the dormitory and into the Glass House.
Claire doesn't realise that certain humans in the town are under vampiric protection, others offering their duplicitous services in exchange for immunity. No one in the Glass house is anything but genuine and honest. Though reluctant to aide a minor, they understand the dangers this town presents and are not nearly as surprised as they should have been when Claire draws unending trouble their way.
With endless bouts of bullying, vampiric intrigue and the final chapters dripping with enough mystery to sink a ship, I simply could not put the book down. Hesitant in my initial approach, I'm almost sorry I waited so long to read the start of this dynamite little series. With gently erupting romance, intense and gritty action teamed with a real, evolving story, and this well written novel is a winner. I happily rate Glass Houses four and half fangs out of five.
I will definitely be back for seconds!

Synopsis:
It’s a small college town filled with quirky characters. But when the sun goes down, the bad comes out. Because in Morganville, there is an evil that lurks in the darkest shadows—one that will spill out into the bright light of day.
Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. The popular girls never let her forget just where she ranks on the school’s social scene: somewhere less than zero. And Claire really doesn’t have the right connections—to the undead who run the town.
When Claire heads off campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Hew new roommates don’t show many signs of life. But they’ll have Claire’s back when the town’s deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood...

The Damned (volume 2 The Hunted) It's coming ...

Great news peoples. The Damned - the long overdue, much anticipated second installment in The Hunted series is almost here. The books are in print and should be shipped and in my hot little hands within a fortnight.
And have no fear! For those of you super keen on e-books, they're being organised as you read this, including new formats for The Hunted. So in light of this fact, I've decided to post the preface for you to have a read through - whet your appetite so to speak.
Enjoy, my friends. The real deal will be here lickety split. Thanks for your patience.

PREFACE

The stranger lifted the warm mug of AB negative to his lips. He took a few swift gulps, felt the sweetness of the warmed fluid caressing his tongue and setting his tastebuds aflame. Like liquid velvet it slid down his throat, strengthening and replenishing his body from within, and filling him with the rich satisfaction that could only come from the taste of blood.
He could feel his arteries dilate, his senses sharpening as life-force began to satiate his awakened thirst. His pulse throbbed under the influx, eventually slowing to a stop again once the blood had dissipated into his system.
It was good to be a vampire.
Body still burning for more, the stranger gestured to the barman for another. This packaged stuff known as Synth Blood could sustain him but was nowhere near as gratifying as fresh blood from a warm human body. He longed to bury his fangs in the neck of an unsuspecting victim, rend at flesh until the warmth of their essence spilled across his tongue, making him whole again. For now he had to suppress his instincts, though, to prevent his detection from the ones still hunting him.
Only one month had passed since the stranger had last killed but his skin already itched with the need to taste a human’s fear. As he revelled in his memories of the hunt, an image of his wife came to mind, and with it a sadness that was all consuming. His wife had shared in his bloodlust, his uncontrollable desire to feed. She had hunted beside him, night after night, and eventually murdered because she had rightfully lived as the predator she was created to be. The stranger’s blood still boiled thinking about her unrighteous death and the creature that had caused it. But the time for retribution was coming.
He would make sure of it.
The stranger glanced around the bar. It was mostly empty; no real surprise considering it was high noon. The turned vampires would all spend their daylight hours hiding in darkened spaces, waiting for nightfall. Born vampires were able to move around in the daylight but were still forced to avoid direct sunlight. At this point, as the thirst still rode him, the stranger cared little for shelter.
‘You travelled far this evening?’ the barman asked, setting down a fresh mug of heated blood and jogging the stranger from his reverie.
He accepted it gratefully and took a sip. ‘Not especially,’ the stranger said, eyeing the barman from head to toe.
The barman was a turned vampire, probably no more than thirty years of age. He had short, sandy blonde hair and unassuming blue eyes. Despite being slightly rotund in the mid-section he was still as beautiful as the rest of his race.
‘Are you from Spain or Italy?’ the barman asked, an eyebrow rising. ‘I’m trying to pick your accent.’
The stranger took another sip. ‘I’m Italian.’
‘No kidding?’ He wiped at a spill on the counter top. ‘You must be part of Lucius Valerius’s coven.’
The stranger contained his desire to sneer. ‘No. I belong to no coven and I especially do not answer to Lucius Valerius. At least, not anymore.’
‘Here, here. The last sixteen years under Lucius’s rule have been difficult. I really used to enjoy hunting humans before it was outlawed.’ The barman absently wiped at another spill. ‘Granted, I make money from the sale of Synth Blood and the shelter my neutral bar provides, but it’s not the same as the thrill of hunting for fresh blood. The only way I can function now, without being hunted down by Lucius or his thralls, is to stay here where I have all the blood I need. Confrontations with humans are too ... tempting.’
‘That’s pathetic,’ the stranger said.
The barman frowned. ‘We all do what we can to survive. Sometimes that means swallowing your pride and advocating for the Devil.’
The stranger smiled. The barman didn’t realise how on the money he was. Lucius was demon spawn.
Taking the stranger’s smile as an invitation to talk further, the barman leant forward on his elbows, smiling warmly. ‘So what brings you to Paris, anyway?’
The stranger wasn’t in the mood for idle chit-chat, but doubted that the barman would leave him alone. ‘I’m looking for someone.’
‘Perhaps I can help?’
The stranger shook his head, taking a few more gulps of blood. It wasn’t his favourite brew, but the liquid was undeniably starting to satisfy his primal cravings. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘If you’re looking for a vampire in Paris, I know everyone by name.’
The stranger gritted his teeth. ‘I thank you for the drink,’ he said, holding up the mug, ‘but I wish to finish it in peace.’
The barman scowled. ‘I was just making conversation.’
‘Unwanted conversation. Go find another patron to annoy.’
‘There are no other patrons.’
The stranger looked around, noting that the few other patrons had left. He’d always had that effect on people.
He glanced at the barman.
Pity.
The stranger drained the remaining contents of his mug and pushed it back towards the barman.
Frowning, the barman turned his back on him.
‘Barman, I require another drink.’
‘In a minute. I gotta clean,’ he said, busying himself with the relatively unimportant task of filling a small sink behind the bar with hot, soapy water.
The stranger drummed his fingers on the counter impatiently. The barman started to wash and stack glasses, now ignoring him completely.
‘Barman, I bid you pour me another drink before you make me angry. And before I do something that you will regret.’
The barman glanced around and smirked insolently. ‘I’ll pour you another drink when I’m ready.’ He went back to stacking glasses. ‘And do not threaten me. I am Vampire, just as you are.’
The stranger sighed. He could have left the bar. He could have sought nourishment from some other venue or even hunted down his own humans. But, now, that wasn’t enough.
The stranger, moving with inhuman grace, was behind the bartender moments later, his hands gripping the creature’s sides so tightly it could barely move.
His rage could no longer be contained.
‘What the―let go of me!’
‘Are you ready now?’ the stranger whispered, spinning the barman around to face him. In one swift motion, he sank his fangs deep into the barman’s throat, ripping out his jugular in a vicious shower of crimson-slicked gore. As his victim thrashed in his embrace, warm blood poured down the stranger’s chin and sprayed the front of his shirt. As the stranger felt the last of the barman’s life leaving his body, he tossed what remained onto the floor with a resounding thud.
He wiped the excess blood from his lips, spitting onto the floor. 
‘Much better,’ the stranger murmured, stepping over the body and moving towards the front door without so much as a backward glance. ‘Turned vampires―as easy a prey as humans.’ 
He pushed open the front door and cringed. Where the rays from the midday sun struck him, blistering lines burned across his features. Searching quickly for a shady area through which to walk, he soon spied a darkened alleyway and hurried out towards it. 
He considered the next step in his plan carefully. He needed leverage, something that would turn an enemy into a friend, or at the very least, an enemy into an ally. 
The Vânătors, a fierce race of fanatical werewolves, were not exactly known for their negotiating skills. They were hungry predators, born from the blood of the Vampire and completely uncaring of anyone’s needs but their own. They were wild, the very worst variation of a vampire’s genetic nature, and were the perfect tool for his vengeance. 
The Vânătors penchant for vampiric blood would definitely work to the stranger’s advantage. Their mating habits produced large packs, enough to cause any vampire trouble. Also, their ability to shapeshift into the form of any human they had previously fed from meant they could move around mostly undetected—a useful trick. 
He just needed to figure out what it was the Vânătors desired. 
The stranger smiled. He saw the future in his mind, laid out in the front of him. It was a future he hoped to share with other, likeminded vampires, with any other supernaturals tired of suppressing their natural instincts. The stranger’s future would mean no more hiding in the shadows, where vampires reigned supreme and blood was the word on everyone’s lips. 
A future he could really sink his teeth into.

Kristy :)

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Book Review: The Dragron of Doughton Park by John Hundley

I was fortunate enough to be asked to review this book - the second in the Red Wolf series. The Dragon of Doughton Park is everything you expect in a follow up novel and just a little bit more. It's full of action, romance, angst and a bloody big twist at the end that just about made me throw my kindle at the wall.
That's the sign of a great novelist and good plot - the ability to create total immersion with characters and their antics.
The Dragon of Doughton Park pretty much picks up where the Draculata Nest left off (see review here). Following the protagonist Clifford Crane, a sixty year old werewolf with the body of a rock star and the courage of the cowardly lion - he is decent, kind and always serving the best interests of others, even if that means involving himself with undead girlfriends and a brewing Lycan war.
Clifford is once again forced to step up to the plate and fulfill a prophecy dictated by a dragon centuries previous while also uncovering his own path and purpose. Surprised by the respect and the admiration of his werewolf peers, Clifford soon begins to understand that destiny isn't the Chinese whispers of the past - it's the actions of the present and the faith he restores within his own abilities.
The Dragon of Doughton Park is riddled with action and enough romantic interludes to make your skin itch. The dialogue, as always, is carefully constructed and purposeful. Characterization is consistent as is the unfolding plot and various relationship turbulence. I especially enjoyed reading a novel from a man's perspective, and not necessarily the ridiculously dreamy variety found in other run-of-the-mill paranormal romances. Clifford is sixty years old, down to earth, realistically challenged by the preconceptions of others and damn sexy in his continuing reluctance to embrace his finer qualities.
Needless to say that once again the talented John Hundley has brought us a novel filled with danger, intrigue and enough plot thickeners to keep you guessing right to the very end. Teamed with the multiple character perspective and eloquent descriptive content - there is never a dull moment. I happily rate this novel four and a half fangs out five.

Synopsis:

Clifford Crane has led a tough life – failed marriages, bankruptcy, drug addiction, and a mind-numbing dead-end job. But he’s made it through, and now he’s a few short years from retirement. He’s looking forward to his golden years, until he meets an ancient Uwharrie Indian shaman, who turns him into a werewolf. She believes Clifford is the red wolf foretold in prophecy, the one who will unite the wolf packs and lead them to victory over the vampires for once and all time. Too bad she doesn’t tell him that before she dies. Now, rescuing beautiful young women from the clutches of the undead has its rewards, but will it pay the rent for the next thousand years?
Everyone has accepted the Prophecy of the Red Wolf except the Red Wolf himself. Clifford would like to reclaim some semblance of a normal life, but there are three beautiful reasons he cannot cut his ties to the pack of werewolves of which he has become a part. There’s Heather, the sister of the Uwharrie Pack alpha, whom the pack has chosen as Clifford’s mate. There’s Nicole, the talented young Omega wolf, a seeming reincarnation of Clifford’s once and greatest love, who shares a strange and disturbing bond with him. And there’s Danielle, the gorgeous young vampire who currently shares his bed in a forbidden affair.
Clifford faces a difficult choice indeed, but it may not be his to make. Powerful forces are afoot in the world, and to protect the ones he loves, Clifford must seek the help of the powerful Fae who foretold the prophecy in the first place, the one who might do anything to make sure the prophecy comes true, the mysterious Dragon of Doughton Park. 
The Dragon of Doughton Park is the second in a series of Red Wolf novels, depicting a world where vampires are mere generations away from realizing mankind’s destruction, the ultimate goal of the undead and the mysterious beings that created them.

Book Review: The Draculata Nest by John Hundley

The Draculata Nest is a recent addition to my Kindle library. I'd been 'umming' and 'ahhing' for a while about picking up this supernatural fiction, as the title didn't grab me and the cover design was not overly enticing. But, I am a firm believer of not judging a book by its cover, and I am honestly relieved that I didn't in this instance.
The Draculata nest by John Hundley, is a fantastic addition to this much loved and well-read vampire/werewolf genre. Bound by a carefully constructed plot and met with consistent and interesting characters, I found myself enthralled in this hidden world of darkness. But the most surprising and yet enjoyable aspect of the novel was that it essentially follows the inner turmoil of an older protagonist - an interesting twist on what is otherwise usually dominated by young, irresistible, headstrong characters driven by teenage notions of love, revenge and need.
At 65 years of age, Clifford Crane is the unexpected hero of this story. Born into an ordinary life, he become  a werewolf quite late in the game. Though he maintains his 35 year old body, his mind and his experiences have aged with him, setting him up to be a protagonist that is both wise and alluring.
Yes, Clifford is a werewolf, but his expectations of that role are confused and unexplained. His best friend is a vampire, and the only wolf he's ever known died before uniting him with a pack. 
Soon he is thrust into a situation where natural instinct overwhelms common sense. A vampire from a visiting nest is killed by his hand in order to protect the young college student he secretly lusts after. As events spiral out of control, Clifford is forced to reconcile his origins, open his heart to a pack of wolves that could help him out of trouble, and question his desires for natural attraction and dangerous liaisons.
For me, the writing was free-flowing and well interspersed with necessary dialogue and only short references of important information. The characters were consistent and well written into their corresponding parts. I liked that the author moved the focus from character to character depending on the importance of their role at the time, and I enjoyed how enmeshed their plans became as the story wove its final scenes. 
My only moment of discontent came from the lesbian scene. I wasn't sure of its relevance as it added no real depth to the story and only hastened to confuse two of the characters roles for me. Perhaps this was to draw a tighter bond between the two characters that I had already come to believe were firm friends, or perhaps it was to add an element of sexual excitement for the reader - it didn't do this for me. Despite this aspect, I found  John Hundley's writing intriguing, descriptive and thoroughly enjoyable. You will see me picking up more of this author's books in the future. 
I rate this book four out five fangs.

Synopsis:
Clifford Crane has led a tough life - failed marriages, bankruptcy, drug addiction, and a mind-numbing dead-end job. But he's made it through,  and now he's nearing retirement. He's looking forward to his golden years, until he meets an ancient Uwharrie Indian shaman, who turns him into a were wolf. She believes Clifford is the red wolf foretold in prophecy, the one who will unite the wolf packs and lead them to victory over the vampires for once and all time. Too bad she doesn't tell him that before she dies.Now, rescuing beautiful young women from the clutches of the undead has its rewards, but will it pay the rent for the next thousand years? The Draculata Nest is the first in a series of Red Wolf novels, depicting a world where vampires are mere generations away from realizing mankind’s destruction, the ultimate goal of the undead and the mysterious beings that created them. In book one, Clifford finds himself a lone wolf, still grieving the loss of Claire Deerfoot, the one who brought out the beast that lay dormant inside him most of his life. Without the pack bond that keeps a wolf sane, he struggles with his dual nature and the strange compulsions that urge him to prowl the night. When he rescues a beautiful young coed from a visiting vampire, one hunting illegally in the territory of the local nest, he suddenly finds himself a target of revenge. The visiting Draculata Nest still thirsts for the blood of young Danielle, and now they want to spill Clifford’s blood as well. But an unlikely ally surfaces in Roland Trudeau, a high-ranking vampire in the local nest, whose welcome aid seems too good to be true. Soon Clifford finds himself in the middle of a vicious game of vampire politics, a game where the losers die.

Book Review: Demon Girl by Penelope Fletcher

Faries, just your average dainty, pale-faced, silver-tipped, winged creatures filled with the spirit of nature, bound by magic, and determined to frolic. These impossibly playful beings are often portrayed as medlsesome and sweet, but in Demon Girl, the fairies are anything but impish. These fairies are bound by magics and the anocrynistic rules of their tribes. They are fast, strong, and decidely violent ... and super bloody awesome.
Demon Girl follows the story of Rae Wilder, an orphan growing up in a changed world, a violent and seemingly unbelievable, irrepairable world. The human race was almost wiped out by demons - vampires, fairies, shifters, and other creatures of the supernatural realm. The Clerics now protect the surving humans, hoarding them like cattle behind purpose built walls and fences designed to keep the demons on one side, and every one else on the other.
Rae dances the fine line between following the rules of the Cleric and wanting to explore the unknown. She has always been a little different, even known as an outcast. She has few friends, and certainly doesn't think twice about slipping through the wall and dissapearing into the forest beyond.
In a whirlwind of intrigue, action, and information overload, Rae is faced with a new world of possibilities. She uncovers the truth about her past, finds herself tied to a sexy fairie-boy called Breandan, and to top it off, somehow gets mixed up with a mysterious vampire known as Tomas.
Did I enjoy this novel? The simple answer is yes. The first few chapters are filled with a riot of quick moving action sequences and enough unfolding plot that losing interest seemed impossible. The characters are consistent and easily likeable, I even found myself drawn to the characters with darker natures and appreciating their part within the story.
About mid way through the novel I found the plot travelled in a few circles. Restlessness settled in where not too much happened as a lot of background detail was being offloaded. I did see the writer's perspective about the summarising of this information, but I still wanted the story to move forward. And, once it did, I had trouble putting the book down. Rae's continued self-exploration and confusing and often exciting trysts with seemingly unlikely characters kept my nose between the pages.
Despite some spelling and slight grammatical issues, the text flowed easily. I have little complaint with this novel other than the fact that it ended. I will defnitely be seeking out the rest of the novels in this series. I rate Demon Girl four out of five stars.

Synopsis: Rae Wilder has problems ...Supernatural creatures swarm the earth, and humanity is on the brink of extinction. Stalked by a handsome fairy who claims she is like him, demonkind, Rae thinks maybe it was a mistake breaking the rules by going over the wall into demon territory. Plunged into a world of dark magics, fierce creatures, and ritual sacrifice, she is charged with guarding a magical amulet. The changes to her mind and body are startling but rather than accept her purpose, she struggles against who she is supposed to be. Throw in a big lust for a vampire who can't keep his hands off her, and life starts to get complicated. Rae is forced to make the ultimate choice; to live and die human, or embrace her birthright and weild magics that could turn her into something wicked, a force of nature nothing can control.

Book Review: Death Wish: Book 1 (The Vamp Saga) by Danielle Blanchard

You all know that I am a massive fan of supernatural fiction/paranormal romance. When I found this book and read the synopsis I was really excited about reading it. And thus I explored the first two chapters, floored by the detail the author was describing.
The world had changed, vampires were now the dominant race, controlling major conglomerates such as Wall street banking, pharmaceutical companies, and medical advancement. I was pulled into this concept, consumed by the idea of vampires and humans intermingling with open knowledge but clear definitions of where one another stood in the food chain. The imagery of past exploits and perhaps future intrigues was well examined by the author through her protagonist, Manon, and I was eager to learn more about this new world order and her place within it.
At finish of these two chapters I started to identify with Manon's revolt of vampires and clear struggle trying to stay alive in such a changed environment, particularly financially given her orphaned past and lack of current support network. Working the tables at a vampire owned casino making ends meat only serves to fuel her intense dislike of these blood drinkers further, seemingly capitulating to the very creatures that supposedly murdered her father, but alas, she remains powerless to change her circumstances.
That is where my interest in this story waned.
Manon is propositioned by the rich and powerful owner of the casino, Mikkel - she will marry him, and she will become a vampire whether she likes it or not, this ideal examined again and again throughout the story with links to the past and explanations of tied bloodlines. Crazily, she agrees without much protest, and, in the course of a day or two, is suddenly in love with her captor, agreeing to marriage, and converting to vampirism with a semblance of ease.
This did not sit well with me.
The ideals that the author sprouted so consistently and valiantly for Manon in the first two chapters were suddenly shot down in a fireball of hypocrisy, and I found it hard to swallow a lot of the romance and characterisation from this point forward.
I was assailed again and again with pointless confrontations, an uncertain plot identified by no real discernible goal until closing chapters, and more than enough sex scenes to make a porn star blush. What I did enjoy was the writing style. The author was succinct in her use of language and her points were made quickly. Her imagery was fantastic and I always had a sense of the locale and character's moods, looks, and placement within their environment. There was a bit of action that kept the story moving forward, and the addition of shifters into the mix was a nice touch, though I'm uncertain of the necessity. Unfortunately the whiplash I received from inconsistent intention and preceding dialogue made it really difficult for me to take any one character too seriously or even relate.
However, I can say that the final chapters of this book did pull me back in as the author's direction became more clear, and I honestly did enjoy the climax and wondered what would precede it in the following novels. I rate this book two out of five stars. I expected just a little bit more after such a promising start.

Synopsis: Welcome to Las Vegas in the year 2020. The cold war between mortals and vampires has ended ... the vampires won and now they control the most powerful organisations in the world which include the global six, the pharmaceutical industry, the gaming industry, and banking. Manon Mourey is a half-breed (too bad she doesn't know it) and one of the most powerful vamps in the world, Mikkel Damgaard, has eyes only for her. She holds the key to a dream most vampires have had since they were turned ... yet her secret to changing the undead into Day Walkers could spark a war on the International Vampire Council ... and soon ensnare the whole entire world.

Kristy :)