By Amber Belldene
Genre: paranormal romance
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Date of Publication: January 6, 2013
ISBN:9781623420048
ASIN: B00AXREPM4
Number of pages: 206
Book Description:
In Blood Vine, bites are an inconvenient bliss, exiled vampires are wasting away, and the fate of their kind depends on the perfect PR campaign.
When public relations pro Zoey Porter arrives at an enchanting California winery, she discovers her sexy new client is the almost one-night stand she can't forget. After her husband's suicide, Zoey has vowed never to risk her heart again. But can she walk away from the intriguing winemaker a second time?
Driven from Croatia by his ancient foes, vampire Andre Maras has finally made a blood-like wine to cure his fellow refugees. Now he needs Zoey's PR expertise to reach them. After his wife's death, Andre has a vow of his own—never to risk another painful blood bond. And one taste of the tempting Zoey would bind him to her eternally.
His secrets stall her PR plans. Her jealousy is stoked by the blissed-out beauties leaving his bedroom. At every turn, he utterly fails to resist her. When she discovers he is a vampire, will she be lost to the golden-eyed Hunters, or lose herself to the emptiness in her heart, before she can help him save his kind?
**Warning: This book is not for younger readers, it’s not listed as an erotica book, but it is. So my younger followers, this book and series are not for you. I know a majority of my followers are on the younger side, readers of mostly YA, so want to apologize to have such an adult book here, as this blog is usually just YA, NA and clean adult books. ** Plus there is a rather disturbing torture scene, so you have been warned if that is something that bothers you.
I really enjoyed the start of this very different take on vampires. This first book really does a good job of hooking you in. It has a lot of characters in it to remember but it was not hard. The author did a great job of getting you to know them all.
The author also does a great job at making the science behind Blood Vine believable. I haven’t a clue if any of the science she wrote about is real or not, but it sounded good, and scientific.
This book is pretty erotic (as of writing this I have read them all already, and this is the mildest one in the erotic area, with book 2 being extremely erotic) and steamy at times. I did want to slap Zoey a few times as well as Andre. Both have some traumatic events in their past, and really need to work to get past them.
The attraction between Zoey and Andre is undeniable and its interesting on how it played out. I really didn’t like Ethan (hes a Hunter) and felt from the start that he is a evil sick person. (I was right) I do wish we did not have to be inside his sick mind so much. I could have done without that.
Overall this was a great start to a great series. It did like first books are supposed to, it hooks you in, introduces you to many characters and gets you to care about the secondary characters so that when the next book comes and it’s about one of them, you don’t feel as if you were thrown into another story with a stranger. I liked that. The history with the Croatian was very interesting, and thought it was a nice touch.
This book was written very well, and recommend this book to mature readers only as it’s an erotica book (more for the whole series really) so this is not for younger readers.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
I was provided this book from the author for my honest review.
This review is also posted at Amazon and Goodreads
This review is also posted at Amazon and Goodreads
The Hunter crouched close to the ground. As lights came on inside the house, a wall of windows gave him a perfect view of two figures. His breath hitched. The males were tall by human standards and they stood in what appeared to be a dining room. The dark-haired one was Andre Marasović. The blond must be the son. After nearly two centuries, his people had finally found the vampires. He wanted to laugh aloud, but that would be certain death.
He hid behind the trunk of a thick tree on the edge of the vineyard. An inky, moonless sky left him in complete darkness, but he didn’t dare approach. He was there only to confirm. He took his phone out of his pocket and, careful not to let its light be seen, typed a message: “Marasović and son are here.” As soon as he pressed send, his deeply bred instincts told him to attack, but alone, he was no match for the powerful creatures.
The wind shifted abruptly, and his stomach sank. He squeezed his eyes shut and whispered a silent prayer.Please, don’t let them smell me.
When he opened his opened his eyes, both figures faced him through the window. The vampires exchanged words and sprinted toward the door. Seconds later, another door slammed. The Hunter ran into the vineyard at full speed. Vines lashed his face as he hurled himself forward, hoping he had enough of a head start to reach his car. Shoes scuffed the dry earth in front and behind him. They had surrounded him with impossible speed.
Like a firecracker going off in his brain, he knew he was going to die.
To die on the Hunt was the greatest honor, though it offered little solace at the moment. That smug son of a bitch Ethan had been right — he shouldn’t have come alone. Blood pounded in his ears. Would they make him watch while they ripped out his entrails?
One of the vampires called out to him from the darkness. “Hunter, don’t they teach you to stand downwind?”
Words pressed against the lump in his throat.
“Too bad for you,” the other said.
Then they were on him. One pushed him to the ground and placed a knee into his back. Dirt and dust filled his mouth, choking him, and he spit, trying to get the grit out. A hand gripped his shoulder and flipped him.
He looked up into the eyes of his target.
“It will have to be gory,” said Andre Marasović. “If we do not make an example of him, they will think they’ve won.”
“Can’t have that,” the son said.
“Kill him first. Then we will make our example.”
Surprise was the last emotion to flutter through the Hunter’s heart — a vampire had shown him mercy.
When he opened his opened his eyes, both figures faced him through the window. The vampires exchanged words and sprinted toward the door. Seconds later, another door slammed. The Hunter ran into the vineyard at full speed. Vines lashed his face as he hurled himself forward, hoping he had enough of a head start to reach his car. Shoes scuffed the dry earth in front and behind him. They had surrounded him with impossible speed.
Like a firecracker going off in his brain, he knew he was going to die.
To die on the Hunt was the greatest honor, though it offered little solace at the moment. That smug son of a bitch Ethan had been right — he shouldn’t have come alone. Blood pounded in his ears. Would they make him watch while they ripped out his entrails?
One of the vampires called out to him from the darkness. “Hunter, don’t they teach you to stand downwind?”
Words pressed against the lump in his throat.
“Too bad for you,” the other said.
Then they were on him. One pushed him to the ground and placed a knee into his back. Dirt and dust filled his mouth, choking him, and he spit, trying to get the grit out. A hand gripped his shoulder and flipped him.
He looked up into the eyes of his target.
“It will have to be gory,” said Andre Marasović. “If we do not make an example of him, they will think they’ve won.”
“Can’t have that,” the son said.
“Kill him first. Then we will make our example.”
Surprise was the last emotion to flutter through the Hunter’s heart — a vampire had shown him mercy.
By Amber Belldene
Genre: paranormal romance
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
ISBN: 9781623420437
ASIN:B00E3ER9KI
Number of pages: 318
Book Description:
KOS MARAS’s orderly life is in shambles—he must distribute Blood Vine to a population of ailing vampires, but Hunters block him at every turn. To make matters worse, each night he watches over a temptingly beautiful woman sleeping in his bed. He is convinced love cannot last a vampire-long lifetime and an entanglement will only cause them grief, but he doesn’t have the heart to send her away.
From a long line of blood servants, LENA ISAAKSON is destined to serve a vampire, but a string of humiliating rejections thwarts her pleasure. When Kos shows her kindness, she hopes he will claim her. Instead he proves himself a coward in the face of love and sends her to serve another.
Will the dark seduction of a rakish new vampire finally bring Lena the pleasure she desires or deliver her into the hands of Hunters who want to destroy everything the Maras family has worked for?
Warning: This book contains male/male – female/female/male explicit sex scenes and BDSM. It’s very descriptive and graphic; this book is not suitable for younger readers, mature readers only. So my younger YA group of followers please be warned this book is not for you. I usually do not read erotica books, and I didn’t know that this was. I really think books with the above type scenes need to state that, or at least be called an erotica book, because if this is not a erotica book, then I would sure hate to see one that’s actually labeled one, lol.
Ok, so my warning lets you know of some of the more erotica scenes that I was uncomfortable with, so won’t get into that again. I did enjoy the continuation of this new take on vampires. I did have a problem with how much of Lucas and Pedro were in this. I was under the impression it was more of a Kos and Lena book, which is what I wanted, and loved their parts. (Except the part where poor Lena is sent to a kinky bastard of a vampire house, and there is the female\female\male scene)
I liked the little bits we get of Zoey and Andre and wish there was more of them. I like the bits we get of Bel and know the 3rd book should be more about him. (I sure hope we have less of the Pedro and Luke relationship, they should just get their own book, then I can avoid it, lol)
I was first drawn to this story because of the unusual plot and characters, with wine being used to save the vampires from the wasting disease that they are slowly dying from. I don’t consider myself a prude, and do not mind a bit of spice in my paranormal romances, and the first book did ok for the most part on it being almost just right. But this one seems to have just about every kind of sex the author could think of thrown in, and it took away from the great story. I will say it all was pretty tastefully written, as much as can be for this much sex. It was just a distraction from the excellent storyline. This book would be perfect to me personally if you could just cut out the Pedro/Lucas sex scenes, keep it to kissing only, which still makes me cringe, but I can handle that.
But back to the parts I do like. The main storyline. I did think that there should have been some thought about the vines that were in danger of the hunters. I think as old as all the vamps are someone would have had the foresight to dig up some live healthy vines and move them somewhere safe. Knowing that the hunters were coming. So I had a problem with that. Even Zoey should have thought of that.
Lenna got on my nerves a bit, I had trouble believing her innocence, and know she is supposed to be, but it was hard to believe that she wanted to be a house sex/blood person when she was so inexperienced. I was glad her and Kos seemed to have something going. Wanted to smack them both at times, lol.
Overall the series so far as a whole is intriguing, the plot is well thought out and a page turner. Besides parts I didn’t like as mentioned above, I did enjoy it.
If you’re a paranormal romance reader, and do not mind the type of sex scenes that are mentioned in my warning then you will like it.
4 out of 5 stars, mainly for the too much sex scenes that took from the storyline for me. I sill like it, just not a favorite, which is what I give 5 stars to.
I received this book from the author for my honest review.
This review is also at Goodreads and Amazon (though I cant find it, so not sure what happened)
This review is also at Goodreads and Amazon (though I cant find it, so not sure what happened)
Kos turned off the highway into the estate’s winding drive and his skin went cold. Something was wrong. The rank smell of Hunter wafted out of the air conditioner vent. There was a loud burst, and the steering wheel jerked.
Krist! A tire had been shot — they were under attack.
Her eyes were huge with fear, welling up from wherever she’d hidden it earlier.
Her eyes were huge with fear, welling up from wherever she’d hidden it earlier.
“Lena.” She didn’t respond, so he shook her shoulder gently. “Listen to me. Hunters are shooting at us. When I say go, get out of the car and run to the front. I will carry you from there to the house.”
“I don’t want to weigh you down. I’ll run myself.”
“Lena, your weight is nothing to me and I’m ten times faster than you. I will pull you across the seat and out my own damn door, unless you do what I say. Okay?”
She stifled a whimper, bobbing her head in obedience.
“Now.”
She opened her door and scurried out. Two Hunters were waiting for her, their eyes burning golden in the darkness.
Krist, he’d let his guard down — hadn’t seen them. He froze in place as two of them pulled her backward off the drive toward the bushes. Just humans, but the gun pointed at her head made them dangerous and forced him to stop and think. They would want her alive, to enjoy in all the sick ways Hunters used household women. But they would kill her too, if it was expedient.
His heart pounded and rage boiled up inside him. They dared to threaten her. Twice in one day, they’d invaded his domain, coming after a woman under his protection.
No time to get possessive. Think.
Six yards to one Hunter, eight to the one with Lena. He could break both their necks and have her safe before they could shoot. Another shot rang out and a bullet grazed his side.
Lena cried out. She paled, her fair hair a halo in the moonlight. He had to save her. Power surged through him, gushing through his veins and contracting his muscles tight around his bones. Toes twitching in his shoes, he gave himself a countdown. Three…two…one.
He was on the ground behind the Hunters before he realized he hadn’t sprinted, but flown. He’d flown — for the first time in his life.
Laughter burst from his mouth, and on its heels a string of triumphant Croatian expletives. Both Hunters turned. He went for the bigger one first, gripping his head and shoulder to snap his neck. The other one yanked Lena and tried to hold her in front of him. She fought him, throwing an elbow to his gut and a heavy stomp to his foot. He pushed her down, and she landed hard.
“Lena?”
Kos froze, and the sharp shooter had time to aim. A bullet tore through his shoulder, burning through flesh and bone before exiting the other side.
It didn’t matter.
Was she hurt? Her slender rib cage rose and fell rapidly where she lay on the grassy edge of the drive. The Hunter stood over her, his frightened eyes glued to Kos. In one fast step, Kos closed the distance between them and twisted the man’s head until his spine severed with a pop.
Hunters approached on all sides. A line of blood trickled from Lena’s hairline. Banding his arm around her ribs, he said, “Hold on.”
She laced her arms around his neck; his shredded shoulder burned like hell, but it was already knitting back together, causing his skin to itch and tingle. He launched them into the air, fueled by the need to protect her.
“Oh my God,” Lena whispered. “You’re flying. Kos, you’re flying!”
He landed at the front door more gracefully than he expected.
His brother Bel promptly opened the door. “Son of a bitch. You flew!” He dragged Lena inside. “Shit, Kos, you’re soaked in blood. How bad are you hurt?”
“Fine. Healed already. Shield holding?”
“Seems to be,” Bel replied.
“Lena, your weight is nothing to me and I’m ten times faster than you. I will pull you across the seat and out my own damn door, unless you do what I say. Okay?”
She stifled a whimper, bobbing her head in obedience.
“Now.”
She opened her door and scurried out. Two Hunters were waiting for her, their eyes burning golden in the darkness.
Krist, he’d let his guard down — hadn’t seen them. He froze in place as two of them pulled her backward off the drive toward the bushes. Just humans, but the gun pointed at her head made them dangerous and forced him to stop and think. They would want her alive, to enjoy in all the sick ways Hunters used household women. But they would kill her too, if it was expedient.
His heart pounded and rage boiled up inside him. They dared to threaten her. Twice in one day, they’d invaded his domain, coming after a woman under his protection.
No time to get possessive. Think.
Six yards to one Hunter, eight to the one with Lena. He could break both their necks and have her safe before they could shoot. Another shot rang out and a bullet grazed his side.
Lena cried out. She paled, her fair hair a halo in the moonlight. He had to save her. Power surged through him, gushing through his veins and contracting his muscles tight around his bones. Toes twitching in his shoes, he gave himself a countdown. Three…two…one.
He was on the ground behind the Hunters before he realized he hadn’t sprinted, but flown. He’d flown — for the first time in his life.
Laughter burst from his mouth, and on its heels a string of triumphant Croatian expletives. Both Hunters turned. He went for the bigger one first, gripping his head and shoulder to snap his neck. The other one yanked Lena and tried to hold her in front of him. She fought him, throwing an elbow to his gut and a heavy stomp to his foot. He pushed her down, and she landed hard.
“Lena?”
Kos froze, and the sharp shooter had time to aim. A bullet tore through his shoulder, burning through flesh and bone before exiting the other side.
It didn’t matter.
Was she hurt? Her slender rib cage rose and fell rapidly where she lay on the grassy edge of the drive. The Hunter stood over her, his frightened eyes glued to Kos. In one fast step, Kos closed the distance between them and twisted the man’s head until his spine severed with a pop.
Hunters approached on all sides. A line of blood trickled from Lena’s hairline. Banding his arm around her ribs, he said, “Hold on.”
She laced her arms around his neck; his shredded shoulder burned like hell, but it was already knitting back together, causing his skin to itch and tingle. He launched them into the air, fueled by the need to protect her.
“Oh my God,” Lena whispered. “You’re flying. Kos, you’re flying!”
He landed at the front door more gracefully than he expected.
His brother Bel promptly opened the door. “Son of a bitch. You flew!” He dragged Lena inside. “Shit, Kos, you’re soaked in blood. How bad are you hurt?”
“Fine. Healed already. Shield holding?”
“Seems to be,” Bel replied.
By Amber Belldene
Genre: paranormal romance
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Date of Publication: January 28, 2014
ISBN:9781623420956
Book Description:
Book Three in the Blood Vine Series.
Brooding vampire halfling and biologist Bel Maras is determined to create a cure for the wasting disease that plagues his vampire family. His work becomes essential as the Hunters intensify their global and bloody campaign. When Bel's cure fails, only his ancient and estranged godmother Uta Ilirije can help. But seeing the ice-cold Uta reveals something shocking--she is his bonded mate.
She may be a dangerous warrior, but Uta feels her failures acutely. She has been unable to protect her kind from Hunters, and vampires are dying out. Worse, she tied Bel to her long ago in an accident of blood, then abandoned him for his own good--a choice he has never forgiven. Many days, she is convinced Bel and the vampires would be better off if she just walked into the sun.
Biology has fated them to be mates. Now these old enemies must overcome their past to save the vampires and come to peace with the bond they never chose.
*Warning: This book is for mature readers only. Though it doesn’t have as many erotic scenes as the 2nd book, it does still have some. So again, my younger followers , this isn’t for you. *
This 3rd installment of the Blood Vine Series was the best of them all. I loved all the suspense and action. I was pleased that this book was not packed with over the top sex scenes as the 2nd book was. I was almost done and was thinking yay, no male on male (Pedro and Lucas) sex scenes, then I got to chapter 51 and that thought was shattered as a graphic sex scene with Pedro and Lucas grossed me out. I just do not like to read that kind of detailed scenes.
Except for that chapter I mentioned, I loved the book. I wanted to smack Bel and Uta at times, they were so stubborn and makes you just want to help them out, lol.
I was afraid I would not enjoy reading from Uta’s point of view as her English in book 2 was so horrid. But in this one, she brushed up on her English and talks more normal. She still messed up some phrases but those were hilarious, and just gave the book a bit of funny too.
There were lots of unexpected twist and a few gasp out loud moments, especially when certain people die (I will not say who!) I was so shocked and was a bit mad at Amber,lol. I guess it had to be done, as a good book needs that kind of drama. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. Though there were a few deaths that I didn’t get upset about, lol.
Overall the series if full of great writing, compelling characters, fascinating storyline and a satisfying resolution to the story, but still manages to leave you wanting more.
I found the Ethan and Gwen relationship rather sick. That women is just sick in the head. I wont get into that, but when you read it, you will know what I mean.
I found the Ethan and Gwen relationship rather sick. That women is just sick in the head. I wont get into that, but when you read it, you will know what I mean.
I think Amber did a great job of ending this. I liked how it ended in Andre’s point of view. It seemed fitting as the first book started with him. I felt it all ended up as it should.
So if you have not read these book yet, and like erotica paranormal romances, then this is for you. Unlike many erotica books out there, this one has an amazing storyline. So check it out.
“You young ones are thinking you can know everything.” Uta shook her head in an infuriating display of pity.
“I’ll begin clinical trials right away.”
“Why you are bothering? I am saying it not work.”
Bel fingers twitched with the need to wring her neck and he shot out of his chair.
Andre pushed him back. “Don’t listen to her. You are the scientist. I trust you.”
Bel tipped his head in a bow to Andre before turning back to her. “Well, this has been fun. Let’s do it again in another hundred and seventy years. And in the meantime, have a nice life.”
Uta clicked her tongue. “If I am helping it, we are not seeing each other ever again.”
He exhaled with relief, but a hollow pit opened up in his gut and goose bumps rose up on every millimeter of his body, like even his skin strained toward her.
She blurred to him vampire-fast, narrowing her eyes and running one shiny red fingernail up the length of his hard-on. “Are you longing for me, Bel?” She spoke in a false whisper, loud enough even Lena could hear.
He refused to reply, but it didn’t matter. Her answer pressed through his jeans.
“Good. Now you are knowing how I feel. Ten years since your Lexi is long time. I am having no relief since you are born. Welcome to my nightmare.”
“I should have protected the secret better.” She walked up to the television screen, staring into the empty eye-sockets of a tiny, blackened skull. “I should have scoured their artifacts and made certain no one ever discovered the secret.”
“And exterminated every one of them? We would be no better than them.”
“We are no better. These are revenge killings, Loki. There is no justice to these deaths, and if the secret I guard is correct, no logic in killing the source of precious blood.”
“Perhaps they also took hostages. With everyone in the compounds dead, there is no way to confirm the existence of survivors.”
Uta could not look away from the television. “It is all my fault.”
Loki flipped off the screen and took her hand. “Child, I grow tired of your self-recriminations. You are not Atlas.”
She yanked away her hand. “Atlas was a self-important prick.”
“Pot. Kettle.”
His patronizing smile baited her, but she couldn’t muster up the energy to be annoyed.
“You must tell me everything, Uta.”
“The cost of breaking my vow is high. I will only do so once, in front of the entire Justicia.” She pressed her fingers to her lips, closed tight, and tried not to think of the consequences.
“All right. I already have plans to convene them. Pack your bags. We are going to the Kaštel Estate.”
Kaštel. Where she would be forced to break her vow. And to see Bel—her greatest failure ever.
About the Author:
Amber Belldene grew up on the Florida panhandle, swimming with alligators, climbing oak trees and diving for scallops…when she could pull herself away from a book. As a child, she hid her Nancy Drew novels inside the church bulletin and read mysteries during sermons—an irony that is not lost on her when she preaches these days.
Amber is an Episcopal Priest and student of religion. She believes stories are the best way to explore human truths. Some people think it is strange for a minister to write romance, but it is perfectly natural to her, because the human desire for love is at the heart of every romance novel and God made people with that desire. She lives with her husband and two children in San Francisco.
Author Links
This tour is brought to you by Bewitching Book Tours. You can find the rest of the blogs on this tour, Here (they will have different excerpts than me, I picked my own, except the book 3)
