Is a human lifetime long enough to learn to love a vampire?

The tumultuous events of the Blood Winter are a fading nightmare, and Alec and Terje are trying to build a life together at Alec’s newly restored ancestral home of Glenroe. There’s just one problem… Terje doesn’t appear to be committed—constantly called away on mysterious errands and seemingly unable to forsake his own kind. Alec begins to wonder if Terje is capable of loving anyone, let alone him.

When an old uni friend Jay Singh, recently out of the closet and looking rather too good to be true, returns to Alec’s life, he becomes more conflicted than ever. Things only escalate when Alec is forced into the social and political issues still surrounding the haemophiles’ tumultuous integration into human society and soon it is more than just his relationship on the line.

Can Alec figure out what kind of future is possible with a vampire—and if it can ever be enough for either of them—before it’s too late?

Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of violence, murder, alcohol abuse and blood drinking.

Publisher’s Note: This story is best read as a sequel to Blood Winter.

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Dark Summer by S.J. Coles

Review

Rating: 5 stars

*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

When I learned that there was going to be a sequel to Blood Winter, I was so excited as it is one of my favourite vampire novels. I couldn’t wait to read Dark Summer and it did not disappoint.

After the events of Blood Winter, Alec and Terje are rebuilding their lives together and away from the political fallout and unrest from the previous novel. Alec is growing frustrated as Terje does not seem to want to commit on the same level that he does, and he is always going away, sometimes for months at a time. When an old university friend comes back into Alec’s life, he finds himself conflicted and in part yearning for a more human relationship. Then he learns that Terje’s former Magister is back and they are both unwillingly thrust into a world that they had sought to escape from.
This sequel has a darker tone than the previous novel, which suits it perfectly given events. It is told from Alec’s point of view, and you can really feel just how conflicted and troubled he is by his inability to understand Terje, and in turn Terje’s difficulty in reading him. For the two of them the relationship presents different complications but what brings them together is the willingness to try. I really love them as a couple and really wanted them to work through their issues.

Much of the novel is about their relationship, but this is interwoven perfectly with Evgeniya’s return. This time the threat that she presents is different and the confrontation forces both Alec and Terje to face their problems head on.

The writing style is raw and powerful, with a dark tone which also has its lighter moments. This and the descriptions crafted the world perfectly and I felt as though I was living the entire novel rather than reading it. The end does wrap up many of the loose ends, but I would love to see a continuation in the future!

While young doctor Adam Morrow resigns himself to an uninformed existence, world-weary assassin Ian Abbott struggles with a life he never asked for. When the two strangers meet by chance, the attraction is immediate. And deadly, as Adam walks in on Ian in the middle of a hit.

The situation spirals out of control once Ian discovers he and Adam share a connection far more profound than either imagined. Shocked by the discovery, Ian makes the hasty decision to kidnap him.

Overnight Adam is torn from his promising career and a family who believes him dead. Things go from bad to worse when he finds himself reunited with a mother he never knew who is now head of a covert and shadowy group of killers for hire. Forced into joining their ranks, with Ian as his reluctant trainer and handler, Adam is given a series of impossible tasks to complete.

To survive, he must fight with everything he has to keep his life, his sanity, and his very soul from being swept up in a violent and chaotic world even as he battles his unwanted and complicated feelings for Ian.

For his part, Ian, a man with dark secrets of his own, has a past he isn’t ready to share with Adam even as the other man worms into his life in more ways than one. The two grow closer and lines blur — between good and evil, friend or foe, enemy or lover. But something, or someone, plots against them, determined to do everything in their power to keep them apart. Even if it means destroying them both.

Trigger Warnings: This story contains a brief scene of sexual assault and features an unresolved ending/cliffhanger.

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: The Dead Don’t Lie (Dead Generations #1) by Anne Russo

Review

Rating: 4 stars

*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

When Doctor Adam Morrow stumbles in whilst assassin Ian Abbott is carrying out a hit, both men’s lives change forever. Instead of killing Adam, Ian makes the decision to kidnap him. Forced into training as an assassin, Adam struggles to deal with his new reality as well as his complicated feelings for Ian. Little does he know that Ian has his own secrets. Secrets that may destroy any chance they have of being together.

The Dead Don’t Lie is the first novel in the Dead Generations series. It is a dark, gritty novel filled with suspense, violence and death. The two main characters at first seem to contrast starkly from each other. Adam is kind and compassionate and tends to wear his heart on his sleeve, whilst Ian is cold and ruthless. However, as the story progresses you get to see different sides to both of them. Ian does have feelings and the fleeting moments when these are on display make for very tender scenes between them. Adam possesses an inner strength that he did not know he had, and when he finds it, he becomes much stronger and able to deal with his new world better. To begin with, Adam hates that Ian stole his life from him and is forcing him to become someone that he is not. Ian hates that Adam is awakening emotions in him that he is afraid to confront. Over time the two of them start to become closer, however there is a lot of ‘will they won’t they’ due to external conflicts as well as their own reluctance.

Much of the novel focuses on Adam’s training and his complex relationship with his kidnapper now trainer. However, his new skills are soon put to the test when he finds himself a target of a man who has a score to settle with Ian.

I really enjoyed the dark world of assassins that this first book in series introduced me to. There was plenty of twists and turns as well as action and romance and I look forward to reading further books in the series.

In Ancient Egypt when the pharaohs ruled the banks of the Nile, Mahu led a simple, if somewhat melancholy, life. Making papyrus filled his days. His needs were provided for, but deep in his soul, Mahu longed for companionship.

Dakarai, born of a demon mother and a human father, craved independence. A young incubus constantly in the shadows of his full-blooded siblings, Daka set out for a new city and a life of his own.

While a starving Daka roams the streets hunting for a meal, the sight of a beautiful man walking alone stops him in his tracks. Just what he needs to quench his spiraling thirst.

But Mahu turns out to be more than Daka bargained for, and his heart falls for the lonely man.

What happens when one lover is immortal and the other seeks contentment in the afterlife? Betrayal shatters their foundation. Can Daka and Mahu find their way back to each other, or is each soul destined to long for the other for all eternity?

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Beyond the Ruby River (Immortal Jewels #3) by Lee Colgin

Review

Rating: 5 stars

*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

When half-human, half-incubus Dakarai leaves home determined to make his way independently he meets and falls for a human called Mahu. Consumed by grief and burying himself in his work, Mahu is surprised to capture Daka’s attention, but quickly their blossoming friendship turns into much more. However, when Mahu’s mortality threatens to part them, Daka makes a choice that costs them both everything.

Beyond the Ruby River is the third novel in the Immortal Jewels series but can be read as a standalone. I adored the setting of ancient Egypt. This time period is one that I love, and the author clearly did their research in making such an amazing world come to life through the pages.

I loved Daka’s character. His personality and innocence set him apart from most of his kind, and his desire to find the one is adorable. His feelings and actions are so raw and honest, despite not always having the outcomes that he intended. Mahu is a perfect complement to him. He is calmer and sees more realism in the world than Daka does. You can see why each falls for the other and the relationship develops very naturally as the story progresses.

I also enjoyed the inclusion of other supernatural beings, especially vampires and the author’s take on them. It was a refreshing and different take on the vampire lore, and one that I would love to learn more about through the other books in the series.

If you love supernatural loves stories set in beautiful ancient Egypt, then I highly recommend that you read Beyond the Ruby River!

Smiling brown eyes. A dark beard. Dandelions. Sunny, happy dandelions.

For thirty years, Frode’s had the same dream. Every Midsummer’s Eve since he was a kid accompanying his sister to pick flowers to put under his pillow, he’s dreamed of the same man. A dream he never shares with anyone, that makes him wish for impossible things…like true love.

“It’s you.”

Then one Midsummer’s Eve, the man of Frode’s dreams stands before him in the flesh. Both men recognize each other despite never having met in real life. Both men are instantly drawn to each other and want to know more.

“Who are you, Viljar? Are you even real?”

Their questions are many but do the whys and the hows matter? Or should they allow the Midsummer magic that brought them together to lead the way into each other’s arms? Into each other’s hearts?

Traditional Swedish folklore tells you that if you pick seven kinds of flowers in silence and put them under your pillow on Midsummer’s Eve, you’ll dream of the man you’ll marry.

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Flowers Under My Pillow by Nell Iris

Review

Rating: 5 stars

*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

According to Swedish folklore, if you pick seven kinds of flower in silence on Midsummer’s Eve and place them under your pillow, you will dream of the man that you will marry.

One summer, a young Frode joins his sister and her friends in picking flowers. That night after he has put them under his pillow, he has what will become a reoccurring dream of a man. Is this coincidence or is there some truth in the tale after all?

Flowers Under My Pillow is a retelling of the traditional Swedish tale. I am not familiar with the original version myself, but I did not need to be to enjoy this short story.

It is told in a very descriptive and almost melodic way so you really get the sense of the magic within the tale. Frode’s dreams and his reality entwine so cleverly that at first I was not sure what was real. When he finds Viljar, their connection is instant and beautiful. I was afraid for a moment that it was another one of Frode’s dreams as I wanted him to find happiness.

If you like short stories and folklore retellings you will enjoy this beautiful tale!

Zen is a darkling — half human, half dark elf — in a world that hates him, protected only by having been raised by the Order of the Sun to become a priest. He continues to fail to rise above being an acolyte despite having come of age and longs for a different life, one he only glimpses in dreams when he is with a mysterious, beautiful man he wishes was real.

After encountering an adventuring party made up entirely of other half-races, Zen is drawn to accompany them on their quest to find and destroy a fabled vampire lord. However, the pull he feels toward those lands might be more fated than he realizes.

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Courting Nightfall by Amanda Meuwissen

Review

Rating: 5 stars

*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

Being half-human and half dark-elf, Zen is shunned by most around him including the priests that took him under their protection. Never fitting in, Zen secretly longs for more than the life that he has and when he meets a band of adventurers, Zen decides to accompany them on their quest to kill a vampire lord. However, there are other forces at work, including a mysterious man haunting Zen’s dreams and soon his reality too.

I really enjoyed reading Courting Nightfall. It has action, adventure, paranormal, romance and fantasy – all of which are favourites of mine – in one novel. Zen and his friends’ adventures take them across the land, and you learn so much about the world that the author had created along the way. This is done by cleverly weaving it into the plot, so you learn a little at a time and are not overwhelmed by too much information.

I loved Zen’s character from the start. Despite never being shown much kindness himself, he is a compassionate individual who always strives to do the right thing. Given his treatment by most others, he could have easily gone down another path and even when this is offered, he stays true to himself and the goodness inside of him. The supporting cast are great. Each have their own motivations for going on the quest, but the one thing that unites them is how much they care for each other. True friendship is something that Zen has never experienced before and having this gives his character more strength. Strength that he will need when he learns the truth about vampire lord Gaian and himself.

If you enjoy any, or a combination, of the genres that I mentioned above then you will love reading Courting Nightfall!

When word reaches Jason and his bandmates about several defectors who escaped Harlan Yates, the group realizes it’s time to act. With their allies from Abaddon — including the newly-turned demon, Daniel — the band makes their move to get rid of Yates once and for all.

Led by the demons Gabriel and Haez, the others take the fight directly to Yates, aided by the defectors. Jason and his bandmates have never been in battle, and they’re going to discover it’s not for the faint of heart. Not everyone comes out unscathed, but that’s the nature of war. For one of them, a single bite changes life forever.

Purchase Link: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Karma’s Brutality (Scorned Gods #4) by Mychael Black

Review

Rating: 3 stars

*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

With the final confrontation drawing near, the members of Scorned Gods and their allies get ready to face Harlan Yates in a battle that will decide the fate of all vampires.

I had mixed feelings about this last story in the series. I liked that everything came together and wrapped up nicely, so you weren’t left with any loose ends. However, I was left feeling rather disappointed that their main adversary through the entire series was killed by another character. I felt a bit cheated that it had all been working up to this moment and then there was no big confrontation with the enemy. It was a shame and a missed opportunity after so much build up.

I enjoyed the characters and the concepts explored in the series as whole, but I finished it feeling that the entire thing was somewhat rushed. This is a shame as it had some unique ideas that I would have loved to have been explored in further detail.

Time is swiftly running out for the members of Scorned Gods… and the mortal, Daniel.

All hell has broken loose. A psychopathic vampire, Harlan Yates, has waged war on mortals and vampires alike, and the band Scorned Gods is caught in the middle. With help from an Abaddon ally, Jason and his bandmates will have to act quickly to stop the enemy.

But Harlan Yates has one advantage that no one can erase: his ability to find the escaped mortal, Daniel. Despite finding safety with the band, Daniel is the unwilling beacon that can bring destruction upon them all.

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Shackled (Scorned Gods #3) by Mychael Black

Review

Rating: 3 stars

*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

With Harlan Yate’s and his vampire cult waging war on other vampires and now mortals, the members of Scorned Gods and their allies must find a way to stop him. When infiltrating the cult, they find themselves a new ally in mortal Daniel. However, with his presence brings the danger of Yates’ ability to track him.

Shackled continues right on from the last book in the series. This time it focuses more on Daniel and his lover, Nick. Their reunion gives you some insight into Nick’s past and the secrets that he has been keeping. Although I was glad that Daniel forgave him, it did feel little rushed, and I think taking more time to redevelop the relationship would have been better. The group want to protect Daniel from Yates, but by doing so they put themselves in danger. This leads to Daniel having to make a decision that will change him forever.

Shackled builds up to the final battle that they all know is coming. I look forward to reading this and finding out what happens to all the characters involved.

With his new band, Jason Summerfield and his partner Julian Kristados acquired a new lover. But just as they’re beginning to figure out how to function as a trio with Scorned Gods’ bassist, Saul, things take a dramatic turn for the worse.

A cult of vampires is hell-bent on starting a war between mortals and vampires. Its first prime targets are psychic vampires like Jason’s bandmates. But the cult may have help… from the demonic realm of Abaddon.

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Delirium (Scorned Gods #2) by Mychael Black

Review

Rating: 3 stars

*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

The conflict between vampires has now become an all out war. The leader of the vampire cult behind the violence is on a mission to rid the world of all impure vampire bloodlines. Jason and Julian must find a way to protect Jason’s bandmates as they learn more about the cult and that it may have help of the demonic kind.

Delirium picks up where Iconoclast left off and is a similar length story to the first book in the series. I enjoyed the second book more as it answers some of the questions that I was left with in Iconoclast and focuses more on the bigger picture. More of the plot-critical events happen on-screen, however I still feel that it has been somewhat rushed. Better pacing would have allowed for expansion of the world.

I like the main characters. They work well together and seem to really care about each other. I’m also enjoying getting to know some of the side characters better as the series progresses and have a feeling that they will play a bigger part in later books too.