Archive for Best Vampire Books
The Black Dagger Brotherhood is a sexy and dangerous series that had me from the first hello. The brothers are warrior vampires with an attitude living in present day New York City. They are constantly at war with their nemesis, Omega and his army of minions that do his bidding. Omega’s bidding is usually killing the Black Daggers.
In this vampire book, the fifth in the series, Vishous is injured. The mighty warrior is taken to the hospital where the good doctor, Jane cares for him. It is apparent that Vishous or V is instantly attracted to his caretaker. This shouldn’t be unusual except that the book clearly insinuates that V is in love with his best friend and Black Dagger Brother, Butch. Drama! The new attraction only enhances the appeal of V. I want to know him and understand him and I surely want to keep reading.
Jane is swept away to the secret complex of the warriors so she can further care for her patient. She is increasingly suspicious that V is not human but cannot deny her attraction to him. The story further entangles when we discover that V is destined to marry the Chosen and create a new breed of warriors. How can he follow the path previously carved out for him when his heart demands that he mate with the human doctor?
The road to love is never paved and the romance of V and Jane is thrown off its bumpy course time and time again. V must follow his destiny and that most definitely does not include the doctor. Everyone is against them.
New characters are introduced in this vampire book but the focus rightly remains on the two lovers intertwined in their forbidden affair. Their sensuality steams up the pages with a passion that is practically tangible. Are you a romance fan? How about a vampire book fan? Regardless of the genre you prefer this new installment in the already hot Black Dagger series will pull you in and drag you under its sexy spell. Readers will be simultaneously sorry to see the story end and eager to read the next book, Lover Enshrined!
In the mood for unrequited vampire love, torture, and a vicious battle to destroy an entire race? Then pick up J.R. Ward’s Lover Revealed, the fourth book in the author’s Black Dagger Brotherhood vampire romance series. The tale of the Brotherhood, an elite group of vampire warriors, continues as they fight for survival against slayers determined to eliminate the entire race.
The six testosterone-fueled vampires with huge libidos that make up the Brotherhood are constantly fighting to save their civilian vampire counterparts from the lessers, bound to an evil master called The Omega and determined to stop at nothing to carry out his orders. The only human to ever be made privy to the inner workings of the Brotherhood, Butch O’Neal is a tough ex-homicide detective who helps the vamps with their investigations from time to time but longs for more.
He’s also hopelessly in love with the blue-blooded vampire Marissa, although the potential romance has never come to fruition. His love was revealed in the first book in the series, Dark Lover, although a misunderstanding tore them apart.
After saving a vampire civilian from the lessers one night, Butch is captured by the enemies and tortured mercilessly. After The Omega realizes that Butch is not about to reveal the Brotherhood’s secrets, he cuts him and places some of his own evil inside, hoping that it will spread and destroy the rest of the vampires.
But Vishous, Butch’s friend and vampire roommate, finds him and is able to cut most of the evil out of him. He’s still dying, however, and Vishous calls upon Marissa to come to his aid. In her haste, she forgets to protect herself, and she and Butch end up being quarantined together. As Butch begins to get better, the two make peace with the past and begin to build their relationship.
Ward’s aptitude for writing erotic love scenes comes into play here, while also making clear to the reader that the two have genuine affection for one another.
An interesting twist in Lover Revealed involves Vishous and his growing romantic feelings for Butch. While the two have always been close friends, this new affection is confusing to Vishous and makes for a unique love triangle.
This vampire romance book is a great read, more erotic and romantic than previous installments, and fans of the series will not be disappointed by this latest adventure into the dark world of the Brotherhood. Get Lover Revealed at your favorite bookstore.
Also, check out the next installment in J.R. Ward’s vampire romance books series, Lover Unbound!
Twelve top-notch authors come together in this fun and fast-paced anthology, a follow-up to Powers of Detection, featuring more stories of supernatural creatures, the mortals who love them, and their madcap adventures.
Lucky by Charlaine Harris
Sookie Stackhouse continues to bend the rules in this entertaining short by Harris. As she and her friend Amelia investigate some local break-ins and contend with spells, vamps, and of course, trouble, they get way more than they bargained for.
Bogieman by Carole Nelson Douglas
Dead actors, creatures of the night, and a futuristic Las Vegas come together in a creative take on paranormal fiction. After Sam Spade is murdered, investigator Delilah Street must attempt to solve the crime-amidst the werewolves, zombies and vamps roaming the strip.
Looks Are Deceiving by Michael A. Stackpole
This fantasy tale takes the reader on an exciting journey as a dwarf attempts to solve a murder before his own time is up.
The House of Seven Spirits by Sharon Shinn
A solitary writer hoping to spend the summer working is suddenly sharing a house with seven ghosts who need her help; this is one of the best in the collection.
Glamour by Mike Doogan
When Alf’s daughter disappears, he embarks on a quest to find her and the results will have you laughing out loud.
Spellbound by Donna Andrews
As a young wizard, Gwynn is used to a life less ordinary. But when a gathering at her school takes a strange turn of events, she is on a mission to get to the bottom of the mysteries and protect her instructor at the same time.
The Duh Vice by Michael Armstrong
This tale about dwindling resources in a futuristic world is the lone sci-fi story in the collection, and will have you making comparisons to the current state of America’s reserves.
Weight of the World by John Straley
Mixing murder with holiday cheer, this story paints an interesting picture of old St. Nick and what happens after all the toys are gone.
Illumination by Laura Anne Gilman
A daughter searches for her father and in the process meets a cave dragon and learns some things about herself as well.
The House by Laurie R. King
A haunted house draws a group of teens doing research, but when one goes missing, the class project takes on a new meaning.
Appetite for Murder by Simon R. Green
A serial killer is stalking the dark streets of Nightside, and detective Sam needs to catch him. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he has hot heroine Ms. Fate by his side to help.
A Woman’s Work by Dana Stabenow
Two women arrive on a small island charged with investigating the death of the heir to a local province. Can they overcome the male-dominated culture to solve the mystery?
Librarian Jane Jameson is having a lousy day. Her boss, in a fit of nepotism, just gave her job away to a family member. To add insult to injury, her severance pay is a gift certificate to the local bar. So Jane does what any self-respecting, recently fired, unlucky in love 30-something female would do: she bellies up to the local bar to drink away her sorrows.
A sexy and sympathetic vampire named Gabriel happens to be hanging out nearby and after listening to her story, gets her sober and helps her to her car. Unfortunately for Jane, her car quits halfway home; to top off a really crappy day, she gets accidentally shot by a drunk hunter who mistakes her for a potential wall trophy. Gabriel, following her to make sure she gets home safely, sees the accident and comes to her aid. Since Jane is near death he gives her a choice: she can either die now or be “turned” and come back as the undead. She chooses Door Number Two.
Suddenly, the loss of her job is the least of her problems. She now has to learn what it means to be a vampire. Fortunately, vampires are completely “out” and there’s a synthetic blood product available that doesn’t taste too bad. But while trying to deal with her new condition, her newly dead aunt appears as her roommate. She has to forget about her favorite Southern-fried cooking and settle for cold bags of blood. She has to struggle through the daylight hours and pretend to actually still be breathing. And her mother won’t stop asking annoyingly pointed questions.
Jane’s also being framed for a vamp murder, and she better locate the real killer quick before she’s targeted by the entire vampire community. Her on-again, off-again relationship with Gabriel is one most girls can relate to, and provides heat and chemistry that smolders throughout the book.
Jane, isn’t just another one-dimensional character, though. She’s portrayed as a normal, nice girl, not overly neurotic, who loves to read, is kind to babies and small animals, and puts up with her bad-mannered family with aplomb.
Harper fleshes out other likable characters with a tongue-in-cheek approach , including Jane’s best friend Zeb, who’s in love with a werewolf named Jolene, and Dick Cheney, a bad-boy vamp with a crush on Jane. The tale is told in Jane’s sarcastically witty voice.
If you have any sense of humor, you will enjoy this read, and will no doubt want to read Harper’s next installments, Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men and Nice Girls Don’t Live Forever. But first, start by getting Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs!
Lover Awakened is the third book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood vampire romance book series by J.R. Ward. Those of you who have read the previous novels know of the conflict between the “Lessers” (rogue vampires) and the vampires. The Black Dagger Brotherhood is a band of six warrior vampires who are the self-sworn protectors of the remaining vampire population, and their story is a dark one.
This book focuses on Zsadist (Z), one of the most dangerous yet intriguing of the brothers. With a history of being a blood slave for a female aristocratic vampire, he has experienced the worst abuse imaginable, including physical, sexual, and mental abuse. As a consequence, his heart is cold and his soul is scarred. However, a strange turn of events finds him tending to a female vampire whose presence unsettles him and affects him emotionally.
Bella is an aristocratic vampire that was kidnapped by the Lessers. Because of the reputation of the Lessers Bella’s family had given up on looking for her. However, Z decides to use his skills to track her down; he perseveres until he finds her held captive underground in a tight metal cylinder. Z is able to free Bella and takes her to his mansion to keep her safe. It’s ironic that he should fall for someone who is of the same clan that was responsible for his torture, but perhaps it’s befitting. While recuperating Bella tries to get closer to Z and to gain access to a part of him that was closed-off to the rest of the world a long time ago. Readers will be pulled in by Bella and Z’s dramatic relationship and will be excited to find out their fate.
The intense character development adds thought to an already engaging book. While most of the book focuses on Z, we also see a glimpse into his twin brother Phury’s world that shows his inner self to be just as bleak as Z’s in some aspects. Phury is a fellow member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood who rescued Z from his bitter fate many years ago. Phury’s blind devotion to his brother causes him to be a silent victim, as he backs off and locks up his own attraction to Bella.
In addition to the noteworthy character development, the storyline in Lover Awakened holds its own. The plot progresses smoothly with several heart-pounding and heart-wrenching events as well as sinuous twists and turns.
Lover Awakened is a must-read; it’s a hybrid of adventure, suspense, and romance. J. R. Ward has written another strong addition to the Black Dagger Brotherhood paranormal romance book series.
You MUST get Lover Awakened and experience the sweet romance that develops between Z and Bella. Don’t hesitate – I know you’ll love this vampire romance book!
The first book in the Night Huntress series, Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost, has always been one of my favorite urban fantasy novels, so I was thrilled to see the latest in the series ready for purchase - Destined for an Early Grave. We all know that awesomely excellent feeling you get when you see that the next book in a series - a series that you know is a good one - is available. I bought it immediately! This ire book series has some of the hottest sex scenes I’ve read - and I’ve read a lot! Ms. Frost does such a good job of making you want to be Cat. She is vulnerable, sexy, strong, unsure, and wanted - wanted by Bones in a major way that’s still believable after four novels.
In Destined for an Early Grave, we have Cat and Bones still comfortably head over heels for each other. Cat is a part vampire/part human vampire killer and Bones is a several hundred year old Master Vampire. You don’t doubt him and his feelings. I’ve not felt that a man’s emotions were so genuine since Noah told Allie in The Notebook, “I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day.” Of course, this was right after Noah built a house for her.
Unlike Bones, Cat is still harboring some trust issues. Who wouldn’t, considering the fact that she’s the daughter of a vampire father and a human mother who was raped by that very same vampire. As such Cat is unable to show Bones any vulnerability; what if Bones knows how much he could hurt her? We’ve all been there - you duck and cover. And as you can imagine, Bones is astute enough to sense that Cat is holding back a piece of herself from him – something he has a hard time understanding.
But, I digress, sorry. Back to the book review.
In this installment, Cat is starting to have nightmares which trouble Bones. At first, she keeps them to herself, unaware of the danger inherent in having another vampire state that she belongs to him during her dreams. The “dream vampire”, Gregor, claims that he and Cat were married before she married Bones. Huh? How could this happen? I won’t give that away but it’s certainly worth the read. While the plot could have become confusing with memory replacement and timeline issues, I have to hand it to the author, she kept me reading.
With this book, you’ll get lots of great action and see all the other characters from the previous novels - Vlad, Tate, Spade, Ian - plus a few new ones to love and/or hate. And, there are quite a few surprises that keep things hopping. Whether you’ve read any of the other Night Huntress vampire books or not, you can read this as a standalone novel since it’s complete and interesting enough to stand on its own. As usual, Jeaniene Frost does not disappoint.
Finally - the wait is over and I just got book three in Adrian Phoenix’s Maker’s Song series, Beneath the Skin!
And, as I have seen with the first two vampire books in this series, each book just keeps getting better and better. I was so glad to read about my favorite couple again, FBI agent Heather Wallace and Dante Baptiste, a vampire (nightkind) and a creator (creawdwr). In this story, Heather has basically given up her old life as an agent to be with Dante. She has become the anchor in his life as government agents, fallen angels, and vampires all pursue him to find out exactly what he can do as well as discover a way to control him.
As Dante’s powers become stronger, it is too much for him to handle and when these new powers are combined with the horrible memories of his past, he is close to going insane. Unfortunately, his father, Lucien, a Fallen angel, is gone. Lucien had protected Dante from the day his powers first made themselves known. Without Lucien’s protection, the other Fallen are now after Dante. Dante is their chosen one - their Fallen Maker. But do they truly revere him or do they want to possess him?
Enter the vampires. They’re also interested in Dante because they believe he’s their True Blood prince. Here again, are they interested in acknowledging him as their leader or do they have a hidden agenda?
And lastly, a secret branch of the government has become aware of Dante and his powers. They’re curious about whether he can be used for their own purposes; if this proves unsuccessful they’re not above killing him since they’re not sure if his powers can be controlled.
This book was bit darker than the other two vampire novels - but the relationship between Heather and Dante is much more powerful than it was in either of the previous novels. They have cemented their love and passion for each other and every time I read a description of Dante through Heather’s eyes, I can actually picture the best looking man she has ever seen. I really like these two as a couple. For a series that began as a serial killer mystery I’m quite pleased that it has become so much more than that – an entertaining and engaging storyline that absorbs you completely. The ending of Beneath the Skin is just like the other books – it left me wishing the next vampire book was out already!
Get a copy of Beneath The Skin and get your vamp groove on.
See also: In The Blood, book #2 in the series.
At Grave's End
Did you notice I said “almost”?
As you progress through the book you start to see that there are so many obstacles put in Cat’s path one has to wonder if she’s going to make it. It’s a lot like trying to get into Walmart the day after Thanksgiving: as those people trample you on their quest to get the $35 DVD player you’re wishing you had a strong bodyguard around keep you from harm. The same applies to Cat in this book - without Bones, how will she survive?
At Grave’s End has its share of entertaining subplots. Cat finds that it’s getting easier for rogue vampires to recognize her. Someone close (biologically speaking) to Cat would like to see her head on a skewer. An evil and extremely powerful female vampire from Bones’ past wants to change his status from undead to permanently dead. And an armageddon-like vampire war looming on the horizon will force vampires to choose between good and evil.
Cat and Bones have a lot on their plates.
An interesting twist in the book is the interplay between Cat and Tate, a member of Cat’s elite vampire killing super-squad who shows constant devotion to her no matter how off-putting she is. The way he expresses his feelings for her will make you think “hmmn, what if….?” But that won’t happen because Bones is the central vampire in Cat’s life, even though her fellow squad members disdain him. Still, the exchanges between Bones and Tate are engaging.
This vampire book book contains lots of fast-paced action sequences which is nicely rounded out by dashes of witty banter and suspense. And speaking of suspense, the new villain introduced in this story was nicely done and kept me guessing to the very end.
As with previous books in the series the writing is tight, the storyline is engaging and the characters are believable and well fleshed out. You can’t go wrong with Jeaniene Frost. She writes some of the best vampire books on the market. Vampire book lovers will definitely appreciate At Grave’s End, the 3rd entry in the Night Huntress vampire book series.
