Showing posts with label D. B. Reynolds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label D. B. Reynolds. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Books With Fangs: March 2015

Dark Debt by Chloe Neill
Chicagoland Vampires Book 11
March 3, 2015

Synopsis

A vampire never gets old. But neither do his enemies. When a figure from Ethan's dark past makes a splashy debut in Chicago, Merit and her Master don't know whether he's friend or foe. But they'll have to figure out soon, because trouble is brewing in the Windy City.

At an exclusive society soiree attended by the upper echelons of the human and supernatural worlds, Merit and Ethan barely stop the assassination of a guest. When the target turns out to be a shady businessman with a criminal edge, Merit suspects a human vendetta. But the assassins have fangs....

The connections to Chicago's Houses go deeper than Merit knows, and even one wrong move could be her last.... (Goodreads)

Vampires Never Cry Wolf by Sara Humphreys
Dead in the City Book 3
March 3, 2015

Synopsis

Sadie Pemberton is the DJ at the hottest vampire club in New York City, and she loves her freedom almost as much as she hates werewolves. She has no desire to tie herself to anyone for eternity—even the deliciously sexy Killian Bane—werewolf prince and heir apparent who has been sent to patrol the city. 

But Sadie bears the mark of the moon—the mark that Killian has been looking for, the mark that's meant to reveal his perfect mate. How can the fates be so cruel? Even more importantly, how is he ever going to change her mind? (Goodreads)

Deception by D. B. Reynolds
Vampires in America Book 9
March 31, 2015

Synopsis

Kauai, Hawaii—tropical paradise, vibrant jungle, turquoise sea... and sensuous nights that hide vampires so powerful they can change the world.

Raphael—powerful, extraordinary, arrogant. He’s been eliminating rivals and gathering allies, determined not just to survive, but to demolish the Europeans who think they can steal what he’s worked for centuries to create. In a final bid to avert a war that seems inevitable, Raphael agrees to meet an enemy he knows of old. She is formidable, wily, and not to be trusted. But in his arrogance, Raphael believes he can foil whatever treachery she has brewing.

Cynthia Leighton—Raphael’s human mate, beautiful, smart, and deadly when threatened. She doesn’t trust anyone, much less a powerful vampire claiming to want peace. So while Raphael prepares to negotiate a treaty, Cyn is preparing for the inevitable double-cross that she knows is coming. Raphael worries about saving thousands of vampire lives. She only cares about one, and she will do anything to keep him alive and in her arms.

When Cyn is proven right, when it all falls apart and Raphael’s enemies draw on ancient magic to trap him, taking him away from Cyn and out of the war, it all falls to her—to find Raphael, to save the thousands of vampires who will die if she doesn’t succeed... and to kill every single being, human or vampire, who gets in her way. (Goodreads)

The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire by Molly Harper
Half Moon Hollow Book 3
March 24, 2015

Synopsis

In the next book in Molly Harper’s beloved Half Moon Hollow paranormal romance series, Gigi starts her first job (at Vampire Headquarters), gets over her first love, and may even fall for her first vampire!

Gigi is no longer an innocent teen. All grown up and looking for love, her family and friends worry she’ll go for the sexy, alluring vampire instead of a nice, safe human. But sexy and alluring, with a penchant for biting, could be just what Gigi wants... (Goodreads)

Of Silk and Steam by Bec McMaster
London Steampunk Book 5
March 3, 2015

Synopsis

Enemies. Allies. Lovers.

When her beloved father was assassinated, Lady Aramina swore revenge. The man responsible is well beyond her grasp, but his dangerously seductive heir, Leo Barrons, is fair game. When Mina obtains evidence proving that Leo is illegitimate, she has the means to destroy both the killer and his son, a man who troubles her heart and tempts her body.

A woman of mystery, Mina's long driven Leo crazy with glimpses of a fiery passion that lurks beneath her icy veneer. He knows she's hiding something, and he's determined to unravel her layer by silken layer. He just doesn't expect the beautiful liar to be the key to overthrowing the corrupt prince consort… or to saving his own carefully walled-off heart. (Goodreads)

Hunting Season by Nikki Jefford
Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter Book 4
March, 2015

Synopsis

It’s better to be a hunter, not prey.

Ever since her partner was kidnapped, Aurora Sky has been on a personal mission to get him back. To do that she needs the vampire responsible for destroying her life.

In order to have a snowball’s chance at success, she’ll have to team up with her most loyal friends, including a certain vampire in black with a provoking talent for distraction.

Old cravings aren’t easily quenched, nor past passions.

With knowledge comes danger and Aurora is at risk on all sides. (Goodreads)

Savage Chains by Caris Roane
Men in Chains Book 1.5 - 1.7
March 31, 2015

Synopsis

A VAMPIRE UNDERCOVER 

His name is Reyes. His mission is simple; his methods, extreme. He is hellbent on infiltrating—and destroying—a notorious sex-slave ring in the dangerous world of vampire clubs.

A WOMAN UNCHAINED

Her name is Angelica. Her beauty is incomparable; her body, for sale. She is the prize attraction in a human slave auction, and Reyes is prepared to pay any price to buy her—then free her.

A PASSION UNLEASHED

Disguised as a slaver, Reyes strikes a devil’s bargain to purchase the one woman who has stolen his heart. Angelica feels an irresistible erotic connection to this gorgeous, powerful vampire—but can she trust a man who trafficks in human flesh, even if his hungry gaze ignites her darkest desires? Reyes wants to prove she is more than a slave to him—but can he break the savage chains of destiny that bind his love-scarred soul forever? (Goodreads)

Bayou Blues by Sierra Dean
Genie McQueen Book 1
 March 20, 2015

Synopsis

When your sister has saved the world, you have a lot to live up to.

Genie McQueen thought she’d seen it all after helping her big sister Secret stop the Apocalypse. The dead walked, New York City burned, and things nearly went to hell in a hand basket. After it was all over, the world knew about vampires and werewolves, and Genie’s life would never be the same.

But now, three years later, someone doesn’t want werewolves or any supernatural creatures to live alongside humans. A new anti-werewolf church with a charismatic leader and a cult-like following has declared open season on Genie’s whole species. When a member of her pack is kidnapped, she decides it’s time to stop going with the flow and to step up and fight for her people.

Tagging along for the ride is a handsome troublemaker, Wilder Shaw, a pack outsider who just wants to save his brother, but will leave Genie’s head spinning in the process.

Equally troubling are the ghosts of her past she can’t quite shake, the nightmarish figures who haunt her even when she’s wide awake, and a dark magic inside her she hasn’t yet learned to tame. 

Things are about to get messy in the bayou. (Goodreads)

Chasing Daybreak by Ranae Glass
The Dark Night Book 1
March 24, 2015

Synopsis

Isabel Stone wanted a normal life. But when the unexpected death of her father leaves her at the helm of the family business, things quickly go from weird to worse. Vampires are on the loose and out of the coffin, and only Isabel can walk the fine line between the world of the living and the world of the undead. 

Torn between letting go of her past and embracing her future, Isabel will have to decide who she can trust, and be willing to use all the weapons at her disposal, to get to the bottom of a terrifying string of deaths that lead right to her doorstep—before she becomes the next victim. In a city where nothing is what it seems, ending up the target of a deranged killer might actually be the high point of her week. Because in this town, the things that go bump in the night… just might kill you. (Goodreads)

Stolen Fire by Julie Wetzel
Kindling Flames Book 4
March 3, 2015

Synopsis

Night. A time of quiet, of peace, of rest, and now, a time of terror.
With an uncontrolled vampire plaguing the city, the Vampire Council of Brenton once again calls on Darien Ritter for help.
Overwhelmed with the issues of a new menagerie and plans for his wedding, Darien still manages to step up and answer the call. The only problem is, he suddenly finds himself a little too… human. (Goodreads)

Kiera Hudson & The Adoring Artist by Tim O'Rourke
Kiera Hudson Book 3
March 13, 2015

Synopsis

When Kiera Hudson learns that her new friend and artist, Nev East, is not answering his phone or retuning her calls, she goes in search of him only to discover that he has gone missing.

Enlisting the help of Potter, Kiera starts to follow a series of clues. But why does Potter seem so reluctant to help in the search of Kiera’s friend. But Kiera can’t help but wonder if there isn’t a more sinister reason, than a spark of jealously, stopping Potter from helping her solve the puzzle of the missing artist. (Goodreads)




Saturday, July 5, 2014

Q&A With D. B. Reynolds

Q&A With D. B. Reynolds

Author of the Vampires in America Series'

Where is it that your vampires originate? Fallen angels, or were they simply spawned from hell? 
It’s unclear in my universe who the very first vampire was, or where he came from, but it definitely wasn’t heaven or hell. My vampires carry a virus-like symbiote in their blood which changes them physically. There’s magic, too, because all of my vampires, but especially the vampire lords, have skills/talents that can’t be explained by currently known science. 

What do you think of authors who have no love for the genre, yet try to just throw in a couple sets of fangs and call it a paranormal? 
One of the great things about writing in the paranormal genre is that you can write pretty much anything you want. As a reader, however, I like my paranormal characters to observe the well-established traditions of paranormal creatures. Some modification is great, like what J. R. Ward did with her vampires/Black Dagger Brothers. And my vampires, for example, aren’t risen from the dead. But it takes more than a set of fangs to make a vampire, and I prefer books/authors who understand that. 

When you write, do you feel yourself being pulled into the world you create?
Oh, definitely. When I emerge from hours of writing, it can take a while to adjust back to the real world.  

Do you have a set schedule for when and where you write? Or just whenever the words come to you? Or when your characters are screaming in your head to get out? 
I write pretty much every night, and I usually start at the same time and stay up very, very late. Like all night long. As for my characters screaming at me, if I go too long without writing, my brain starts to itch until I get back to it again.

Is there anyone, someone you knew personally or otherwise, that inspired you to become a writer? 
I was fortunate enough to have the encouragement of several wonderful people, both friends and family. But there’s no one person who inspired me.

Did you always picture yourself as a writer, or did you have another fantasy career?
I ended up in a career that had nothing to do with my university major, and it was a job I really enjoyed. But the only career I ever dreamed of was being a writer. 

If you could be any one of your characters, who would you be? Who would you be with? 
I’d want to be Cyn, which means I’d have to be with Raphael. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it.

Would you like to see your books on screen? Or do you think they'd screw up too badly? Like they usually do.  Lol
I’d love to see my stories on–screen, but, yeah, I’d worry about what they would do to them. One needn’t look too far to see the distortion of a wonderful series (cough, True Blood, cough.)

What do you think of television today? Has it gone to hell in a hand basket with all the supposed reality TV? 
I don’t watch any reality TV at all. On the other hand, there are many excellent programs still on TV.  Supernatural and Grimm are just two examples of great paranormal stories currently on TV. Black List and Justified are two non-paranormal series with brilliant writing. 

How do you feel about authors taking history as we know it and intertwining Vampires; Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer, the Last Confession of the Vampire Judas Iscariot, the DarKyn series? 
As long as they’re well-written, I think it’s great and innovative. As a history buff, I thought Seth Grahame-Smith’s Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter was creative and fun, and I love Lynn Viehl’s DarKyn stories.

Website   Goodreads   Facebook   Twitter



Raphael Book 1  (Click here for Review)

Malibu, California-home to rock-and-roll gods and movie stars, the beautiful, the rich . . . and vampires.

Powerful and charismatic, Raphael is a Vampire Lord, one of the few who hold the power of life and death over every vampire in existence. Thousands call him Master and have pledged absolute loyalty on their very lives. But when, in a brazen and deadly daylight attack, a gang of human killers kidnaps the one female vampire he'd give his life for, Raphael turns to a human investigator to find his enemies before it's too late.

Cynthia Leighton is smart, tough and sexy, a private investigator and former cop who's tired of spying on cheating spouses and digging out old bank accounts. When Raphael asks for her help in tracking down the kidnappers, Cyn's happy to accept. But she soon realizes her greatest danger comes not from the humans, but from Raphael himself.

Battling Russian mobsters and treacherous vampires, and betrayed by those they trusted, Cyn and Raphael find themselves fighting for their lives while caught up in a passion of blood and violence that is destined to destroy them both.  (Goodreads)

Jabril Book 2 (Click here for Review)

Houston, Texas-Cowboy boots, baseball and journeys to the stars . . . right? Wrong. Because Houston is also home to Jabril Karim, one of the eight powerful Vampire Lords who control all of North America. And as Private Investigator Cynthia Leighton will soon discover, not all Vampire Lords are created equal. For Jabril is the face of evil in the new world, a vampire who values no life but his own, who enslaves those he desires, steals whatever he covets and destroys anyone who stands in his way. 

Running from L.A. and its seductive Vampire Lord, Raphael, Cyn sees the Houston job as a welcome refuge, a place to get away and heal her broken heart. But Texas will be no vacation. For in Jabril Karim, Cyn will confront a true enemy, one who will go to any lengths to satisfy his lusts, enrich his coffers and expand his power. Fighting for the lives of two young sisters, Cyn's journey will take her through the streets of Houston and back to L.A., where the human police are determined to bring Raphael down for the murder of one of their own. 

But the danger doesn't end there. For Jabril has set his sights on Cyn, and he will stop at nothing to have her.  (Goodreads)

Book 3 (Click here for Review)

RAJMUND GREGOR is a vampire . . . and the undisputed Master of New York City. He bows to no one but his Sire, Krystof, who is the Vampire Lord for the entire Northeastern U.S. Based in Buffalo, NY, Krystof is an old vampire—-too old, it would seem, because he’s slowly losing his mind. Summoned back to Buffalo by his Sire, Rajmund finds his master out of touch and rapidly weakening. He knows the territory will crumble if something isn’t done, and he’s the only one of Krystof’s children strong enough to seize power. But there’s also the matter of some missing women and a rogue vampire who seems to be moving in for the kill.

SARAH STRATTON has a secret, one she’s never shared with anyone–—at least not anyone who knows her now, not even her good friend Cyn. It’s a secret that could destroy her carefully constructed life, but it’s one she may have to share with a vampire, if she’s going to save the lives of the missing women.  (Goodreads)

Vampires in America





Monday, February 17, 2014

Rajmund Review

Rajmund by D. B. Reynolds (NetGalley ARC)
Vampire's In America Book 3
Re-Published January 9, 2014 by ImaJinn Books
4 Fangs


"When a Vampire Lord's time becomes overdue, more than just his children end up paying the price."




Summary -

Buffalo, New York—Thundering waterfalls, great sports teams . . . and a treacherous Vampire Lord who is slowly losing his mind. New York City vampire Rajmund Gregor is the undisputed master of The Big Apple. He bows to no one but his Sire, the Vampire Lord Krystof, who has ruled the Northeast for hundreds of years. But when Krystof summons Rajmund to his headquarters in Buffalo, Raj finds his master slowly descending into madness and his territory crumbling around him. Raj is the only one of Krystof's children strong enough to seize power, but he’ll have to save his master before he can destroy him. Several women have gone missing and the local police are convinced a vampire is behind it. Is Krystof so lost to reality that he’s capturing and murdering human women? Is a rogue vampire moving into Krystof’s territory for the kill? Or is it something far more insidious, something that could threaten the existence of vampires everywhere? 

Sarah Stratton is living a lie. Her past holds a secret she shares with no one—not even her good friend Cynthia Leighton, the West Coast vampire lord’s mate. It's a secret that could destroy her carefully constructed life as a professor at a Buffalo university. It’s also a secret that could save the lives of the missing women. To save them, however, she must enter Buffalo’s vampire community and put herself into the care of Rajmund Gregor. But can she trust Raj, the dangerously seductive vampire who wants to lay claim far more than her secrets?  (Goodreads)


Review

Reynolds continues to reel readers in with another chilling tale of true Vampires'.  In the Vampire's in America series' one will not find a hint of a sparkle, nor a Vampire afraid to get his hands a little, or a lot bloody. 

Becoming senile can be a dangerous thing, add to that the strength, capabilities and power of being a Master Vampire and can become deadly.  The Vampire Lord of Northeast America has been descending into madness for quite some time, no-one realizing just how had  things had become.  After-all, every child he has ever made are weak and arrogant imbeciles, except one, Rajmund Gregor.  Whom he as far away as possible when he realized just how much power Raj held.  Having to call him home when some part of his brain recognized he had lost complete control over everything going on his territory, things that could every human eye onto the Vampire community in the worst way.  Blood Houses so overcrowded no-one knows who is coming or going and blood orgies practically taking place on the lawn, women missing, including a prominent businessman's daughter.  Which has drawn the attention of the police and the media as well.  It is now up to Raj to get to the bottom of everything, with an unlikely ally in the form a little human psychic.  Now all he has to do is keep his fangs and other hard objects of his anatomy to himself long enough to solve the case.

Less blood shed than the previous two books but a lot more intrigue, the only thing keeping this from being a full 5 Fang Review is the fact that I am a stickler for detail.  I was left at the end with a LOT of questions still unanswered.  Instead of just learning Sarah's real name, it would have been nice to know what is was about her familial ties that would make the care about her in the first place.  And I very much would like to know where these vampires originated; another planet, dimension, are them demon spawn or fallen angel...

All in all it was still a great read.  And the last page will have readers screaming right along with Cyn.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Jabril Review

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


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


Summary -

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


Review -

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

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

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





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