ARC Review: Seduced by Blood by Laurie London

Seduced by Blood

by Laurie London

(Sweetblood # 4)

Seduced by Blood is the 4th installment of the SweetBlood series and Ms. London did not disappoint. She continues to create this world with swoon-worthy heroes you cannot avoid but to wish they were your own and heroines who have traits you wish you had.

The war between the Guardians and the Dark Bloods continues. Innocents with sweet blood kidnapped, tormented and used to feed blood addictions. However, there are pressing issues of the recent attacks on the headquarters and failed missions leading the guardians to think there is a traitor amongst them. Solving this problem will be top priority as they cannot afford lose anyone or have anymore injured colleagues. I like the idea that none of them are perfect and the possibility of conspiracy or a spy amongst them makes it more realistic and believable (Not that they are not real, because they are). J

I have waited a long time to hear Tristan Santiago’s story and is every bit of what I expected. Region Commander of the Guardians, Santiago is handsome but a hard-ass, temperamental, grumpy, used to getting his way and way over-bearing. However, what I did not expect was a sweet and tender side, and that is exactly what he was when he was with Roxy. Call it fate but her arrival to the facility was perfect timing. As a retired Guardian and now a professor, Roxanne Reynolds is supposed to cover for Lily DeGraff teaching/training new trackers. Instead, she will go under cover with Santiago to find the traitor posing as lovers. And wow, pretending to be a couple can bring on just the right amount of jealousy, possessiveness and sexual tension that will bring them to their knees, and maybe even love one another.

Santiago is ever the domineering male and Roxy definitely is not a push over leading woman. I knew I loved Santiago from the start but I did not expect is to like Roxy. She was a snob in the start but she ended up easy to like. She wasn’t whiney, didn’t play games and she is a kick ass heroine for sure. Oh, their coming together was awesome and I may say, pretty damn hot. The banter between them was funny as heck and they fit perfectly as a couple. Ms. London did a wonderful job pairing them up as she did with the previous books from the series.

* ARC provided by Netgalley

Purchase Links: Amazon

ARC Review: Tempted by Blood by Laurie London

Tempted by Blood

by Laurie London

(Sweetbloods # 3)

Laurie London delivered another great installment of the Sweet Blood Series. Ms. London’s world of the Vampire Guardians vs. the Dark Bloods continues and this book is no different from the rest, outright addictive.

Jackson Foss has been one of my most anticipated characters. From the first time I met him in Book 1, Bonded by Blood, I knew there was more to him then just a plain brute. I remember him specifically when he helped Dom set up some road signs for Mckenzie and when he was flirting with Lilly in the Gym flexing his muscles. Jackson is a bad boy; this guy is very hot (hence the cover, whom I pictured the whole time reading this book), inked, well endowed and well accessorized.*cough*. Unfortunately, Jackson has gone to a point of reverting (blood addiction) and well, sh*t around him is falling apart. One of the Sweet Bloods he protected has somehow fallen into more danger than usual. Do you remember “Krystal with a K" from the previous book? She is one of the Sweet Bloods Jacks had rescued. I actually expected her to be our heroine. Boy, was I wrong.

Arianna Wells is Krystal's cousin and guardian. She is also our hard headed, smart and very independent heroine. I like her. She's a straight shooter. She figures out what she wants and tries very hard to achieve or acquire it. She'a good for Jackson, someone who is not a push-over and will keep our hero in check.

They meet in an unfortunate incident as both Arianna and Krystal were being attacked by Dark Bloods. Jackson protects them but his protection would need to go beyond his usual task.
Their attraction was strong from the get go. But both had trust issues, not quite a love-hate relationship but hurdles with a "should-I-stay-should-I-go" syndrome. Although it was frustrating, it makes their love scenes super intense and leave you wanting more! And the ending was a tear jerking surprise.

My only complain and note that this is a personal opinion; I felt certain parts of the book were a bit wordy and the parts I wanted more of were cut short. Nevertheless, I look forward to the next installment of this series. 

ARC Review: A Vampire for Christmas by Laurie London, Michele Hauf, Caridad Pineiro and Alexis Morgan

 

 

A Vampire for Christmas

by Laurie London, Michele Hauf, 

Caridad Pineiro and Alexis Morgan

Paranormal Romance

Enchanted by Blood by Laurie London (SweetBlood #2.5) – 3 stars

Charlotte is ditched by her best friend at a dance club and decides to head home when she realizes she is being followed by two strange men. Fear propels her forward to the safety of her car, but a man appears and does the ass-kicking for her. Since Charlotte has injured her hand during her scuffle to get to safety, this man offers to feed her and drive her home.

Trace is a guardian and a vampire. And although Charlotte has no recollection of this, the truth is, Trace and Charlotte had an affair before this. Swiped clean of their memory, Trace uses this one night to relive their happy moments together...in the comfort of her bed.

I liked Laurie London’s story. While Trace was a nice hero, I hoped for a little more with Charlotte. She wasn’t too memorable for me. I also thought that the beginning of the novella was stronger than the latter part, but that is not to say that the writing gets weaker as you read. Overall, I enjoyed this read.

Monsters Don’t Do Christmas – Michele Hauf – 2 stars

Daniel’s got his hands full in a fight with two werewolves when a woman wrapped in winter gear breaks up the party. Sending the werewolves home, she invites the sexy vampire into her home for a quick kiss. Olivia’s got a dominant streak and isn’t going to back down when the guy she has her sights on is right there for her picking.

Out of all the stories in this anthology, I thought Hauf’s had the most memorable heroine. Olivia definitely had the best introduction and I found myself liking her spunk. However, after the strong beginning, I thought this story lost some of its appeal as it went on. Olivia may be alpha of the relationship, but I thought that Daniel was a really sweet vampire who had just the right sexiness to suit Olivia’s darkest desires. While I really enjoyed the banter between Daniel and Olivia, that was the only thing keeping me reading. And sometimes Olivia was a little too dominant for my tastes. Let the man seduce, woman!

When Herald Angels Sing – Caridad Pineiro – 2 stars

Damien was one of the better heroes out of all the four stories. He was like a dark angel who I wanted to learn more about. Christmas Eve is a hard time for him since a year ago on this day, he lost Angelina, his love. When Perez Ramirez, the Captain of this immortal ship hands her to him, Daniel hopes that this Christmas will be better than the last.

There’s some resemblance to A Christmas Carol where Angelina takes Daniel back into the past. I’m not quite sure I liked this aspect of the story so much. In theory, it sounds like a lot of fun. But I much preferred the parts where they were just in the present.

Whereas in the other novellas, I liked the story better than the characters, in Where Herald Angels Sing, I liked the characters more than the story. What I did like about this story was Caridad’s writing style. I liked the overall tone she evoked and she describes things very eloquently. I hope to give this author another shot.

All I Want For Christmas –Alexis Morgan – 3.5 stars

Out of all the stories, I felt that Morgan’s story was the best. It had a steady beginning, capturing my attention with Eagan, the vampire who just hates holidays. I like him already! And Della, a sweet diner owner who I’d loved to be friends with. Paired together, I thought they complimented one another well. And the best part is, individually, both characters are strong on their own.

While I was more of an Eagan before starting it story, I definitely wished December were here by the time I finished. Christmas t-shirts, you ask? Bring it on!
Ok, maybe not.

*ARC provided by Laurie London

 

Interview and Giveaway with Laurie London!

Got a thing for vampires? Well, then you are in luck because author, Laurie London is here to talk about her Sweetblood series!  Ms. London has created a new and exciting world of good and bad vampires and the humans whose blood is so important and addictive to them.  If you haven't read them yet, check out our reviews of Bonded by Blood, Hidden by Blood and Embraced by Blood.

UTC: Hi Laurie! Thanks so much for stopping by today! Let's get started on this interview... When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I started writing when I was twelve. Then I tried to write again when my kids were little, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I really began writing in earnest.

UTC: It's a good thing you continued your writing as a child! Who would you like to co-write with?

I’ve never considered co-writing with anyone.

UTC: Your heroes have usually been strong characters and very alpha. Will Jackson be a little like that as well?

Yes, he is! I knew he was a bad boy, but he’s much naughtier than I had thought.

UTC: You have a short story coming out in the A Vampire for Christmas anthology. Was it difficult or actually fun to mix vampires and Christmas?

I had a lot of fun writing a Sweetblood story set during the Christmas holidays.

UTC: After we get Jackson's book, who will be next in the Sweetbloods series?

Santiago’s book will be up after Jackson’s.

UTC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Right now, I’m contracted to write four books in the series, but the conflict and the world could continue beyond that. I already know what happens in books five and six.

UTC: How did the idea for the darkblood vampires come to be?

It was actually the concept of sweetbloods that started it all. I liked the idea that both the good guys and the bad guys were vampires but with different ideologies. Darkbloods sell the rare blood, called Sweet, on the vampire black market and are constantly coming up with various schemes to get more.

UTC:  You use some spanish references in your books. Is there any part of the story based on any true myths? What kind of research is involved in the creation of a Sweetblood novel?

The Cantabria area of Spain is rich with folklore including those of immortal dragons, faeries (both good and bad) and mermaids. Ancient people of the region worshipped the sun and fire, while modern people celebrate the summer solstice on St. John’s Day with bonfires on the beaches. If humans celebrate the longest day of the year this way, then, I figured, vampires would celebrate the longest night of the year in a similar fashion. This led to the Night of Wilding, which is a big celebration in Embraced By Blood that gets out of hand. Also, ancient Cantabrians referred to the twilight hours as the Sun of the Dead, which marks the time when the sun dies and the dead come back to life. Vampires in the Sweetblood world refer to this as the time of day when they can move about freely.

UTC: Now let's do some fun questions! If one of your heroes could meet any other character in the PNR world who would it be and what would they do?

Alfonso from Embraced By Blood would probably enjoy meeting Maddox from The Darkest Night since they’re both tormented today by things that happened in the past.

UTC: Pick just one character for each statement! It can be any of your characters or any other fictional characters!

I would marry....Alfonso
I would be best friends with...Mackenzie.

UTC: What's next for Laurie London?

I’m currently working on Jackson’s story, Tempted By Blood, which will be out next February.


Thanks so much for the interview, Laurie! Maidens, stay tuned because there is a giveaway! 

 

Deep within the forests of the Pacific Northwest, two vampire coalitions battle for supremacy—Guardian enforcers who safeguard humanity and Darkblood rogues who kill like their ancient ancestors.

Alfonso Serrano is a hunted man. For months he’s managed to elude the Darkbloods, vengeful foes who won’t rest until he’s dead. But he still craves one dangerous temptation: Lily DeGraff, the sexy Guardian agent he’ll risk anything to protect. 

Lily is a wanted woman. Her talent for tracking Sweet-a rare blood type that’s addictive to vampires-makes her a prime target for enemy capture. Her only hope is the stealthy vampire operative who stole into her bed...then left her in despair. Danger aside-Lily won’t let Alfonso near her heart again-until an irresistible hunger draws them back together...and into an assassin’s snare.

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ARC Review: Embraced by Blood by Laurie London

Embraced by Blood
by Laurie London
(Sweetbloods # 2) 

Paranormal Romance

Find it on GoodReads!

This was such a turnaround, in my opinion, of the Sweetbloods series! I'm actually so excited! The book was amazing!!! I actually think my feelings on this have a lot to do with the fact that I liked the heroine, Lily, a lot. She was one of my 2 favorite characters from the first book, and I really felt for her then and now! And, well, Alfonso helped matters a lot. The sexy Spaniard with longish blond hair and piercing Paul Newman blue eyes with sexy dimples. What can I say? I'm sucker for a hot bad boy! And this one was so in love with Lily he was willing to sacrifice everything to keep her safe.

They have a history together, they were first together 10 years ago, before Alfonso turned bad boy for Pavlos. And neither one of them has been able to forget the other. When Alfonso comes in during book 1 as a secret informer so that they can bring down Pavlos and their sweetblood operation, they rekindled their romance. And the few, very brief moments we got then left me intrigued. But then Alfonso had to "fake" his own death, and Lily found out only to believe he didn't want anything else to do with her. Which has left her in a bad state. Her abilities are diminishing, she used to be the best Tracker, and now she has to rely more on the trainees with her.

But when the DarkBloods are kidnapping Trackers in order for them to find sweetbloods, Alfonso comes in to protect and guard Lily. Which she may have a bit of a problem with.

Lily is kick ass, independent, calls it as she sees it, and doesn't take shit from anyone. Alfonso is still head over heels in love with her, but having a blood assassin on his back trying to kill him, he decides to stay away from Lily to protect her.

There was so much happening in this one! Not only the trackers are being kidnapped and Alfonso has a blood assassin after him, but the DarkBloods are using a video game to promote a sort of "vampire feeding rave".

I enjoyed all the supporting stories as well, Jackson was amazing, I can't wait to read his book. Alfonso was adorable with Lily's daughter Zoe, and there's a wonderful twist there. But... what is up Dom's butt about his brother? I understand he played a part, involuntarily, in the death's of their parents, but I think he's been punished enough, and has tried to redeem himself. Give the guy a chance! In the end, see what a difference a book without MacKenzie can make!?!?!?!

I'm anxiously waiting the next installment in this series.

My Fantasy Cast

 

Review: Hidden by Blood by Laurie London

Hidden by Blood
by Laurie London
(Sweetbloods # 1.5) 

Paranormal Romance

Find it on GoodReads!

Short and sweet. You HAVE to read this short story before moving on to book 2, even though is kind of unrelated, as it is the story of Finn and Brenna, Lily is Brenna's friend and this book gives you an idea of Lily's mental state prior to Embraced by Blood.

Now that being said... Brenna is a vampire. She has just received a scholarship to further her studies, only to realize that "someone" in her benefactors camp had kidnapped a very special person to her. Finn is a human, a sweetblood, and for a while Brenna was in a relationship with him until she was too scared she would take his blood and drain him. Except now she has to save him or the DarkBloods will kill him.

But what happens now that Finn's eyes have been opened to the world of vampires and the importance of his blood to them? Now that he knows he is, quite literally, a drug to them. He won't let Brenna keep him away any longer. He wants her back. She is the one for him. And he is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to be with her.

Review: Bonded by Blood by Laurie London

Bonded by Blood
by Laurie London
(Sweetbloods # 1) 

Paranormal Romance

Find it on GoodReads!

3.5 Feathers

This was one of those "It was fine, alright, nothing special" book for me. I'm sad to say. There wasn't anything memorable about it, AND I didn't like the heroine.

The following issue was just a personal problem I seem to be having with books. Again we have the premises of a "special kind of blood" that is addictive to vampires. Every time I read that I think Twilight. Sorry, I do. But thank God the similarities end there. Mackenzie has that sweet blood, which is in fact addictive to vampires. She has the coolest, but could be weirdest at times, job I've ever read about. She is a location scout for movies etc. Basically her job is to drive around, find a perfect spot for a movie, take pictures, do research, and present it to her client.

She meets Dom, who is verra sexy, and he's an agent vampire, while taking pictures, at night, at an isolated cemetery. He has been on the trail of Pavlos, a bad DarkBlood vampire, who is kidnapping sweetbloods to increase his "drug trafficking" scheme.

MacKenzie was just, how can I say this nicely? A bit stupid, not a complete moron like other heroines, but she just made the wrong decisions at the worst times. She never understood why members of her family would out of nowhere disappear, so she lives her life now, or refuses to live is more like it, with the notion that at any moment she will disappear as well. So why bother going to school? Why bother dating someone? Why bother having friends? Why bother pursuing her art as a career? Oyyyyy And who does that to their name????

As I mentioned before, Dom is amazing. He is a wonderful hero, he first takes MacKenzie's blood while at the cemetery because he might have been almost dying, but he almost drains her and then has to feed her his blood. Which is technically illegal and creates a bit of a bond. Which we then understand is called a Blood Bond. Meant to happen between soul mates.

The rest of the story was actually interesting, there's enough mystery and action to keep you entertained.

I liked Lily as well. Love her bad ass attitude, her relationship with Dom and her scenes with the informant. All in all, it was a light, quick read.