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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read for myself and to give it an honest opinion.
Roaring Midnight
(Macey #1: The Gardella Vampire Chronicles)
Author: Colleen Gleason
Paperback
240 Pages
June 7, 2013
Avid Press
Overview
Macey Gardella is a typical young woman of the Roaring Twenties: she works a job, has her own flat, and loves to dance the Charleston. But when a mysterious man named Sebastian Vioget informs her she belongs to a family of vampire hunters, Macey is stunned and disbelieving.
Yet, strange and frightening things begin to happen, and when Macey comes face-to-face with one of the fanged creatures, she has no choice but to believe Sebastian. And when she learns his own soul depends on her willingness to carry forth the family legacy and hunt the undead, Macey capitulates and joins the fight.
As she begins to learn about her new life, Macey meets the handsome newspaper reporter known as Grady--who seems to know more about vampires than he should. When he begins to ask too many questions, she has to juggle her strong attraction to him with the need for secrecy.
Slipping into speakeasies and sampling bootlegged whiskeys, dodging gangster gunfire and trying to keep her nosy landlady from finding the stakes in her flat, Macey Gardella must navigate through a world of stunning violence, passionate romance, and dark betrayal.
My Take
Oh my gosh! I read this amazing line that I found in the book ~
"I'm not making any promises," she said blithely, trying to regain her senses. She'd kissed boys before, but Grady was definitely not a boy and this was definitely not the same. page 81
Does that catch your attention? When Colleen Gleason announced she was writing another series of the Vampire Gardella, I had to get it, no matter what. I'm a huge fan of hers. I have read the first five books of the Vampire Gardella series which I absolutely adore! You do not need to read the first five to be knowledgeable for Roaring Midnight. It gives you a feel for a spin off from the first five books by Colleen Gleason. It's almost like a mini series. For some reason, the entire Vampire Gardella series fascinate me due to the fact I'm a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So I get a image of a woman who can kick butt and still be beautiful in her own right. Onwards to the review...
Macey is the main character who has had some knowledge of who her parents were. Although she did not know everything! She knew they died but how remained a question for her. When she finds out how they died, she was shocked! It took her time to realize her true heritage of being a vampire slayer. I felt Macey had the right reaction of shock in learning everything but at the same time I somewhat had a hunch she knew a little bit about this. After all she was having dreams of being a vampire hunter! She takes her time on deciding whether or not to accept her fate as a vampire hunter. Macey is a strong female character in this book with a stubborn mind. I loved, loved, loved that Macey works in a library. (I love libraries!!!) Her goal is to become a head librarian which I hope she succeeds down the road.
Colleen hits the spot with the terminology and feel for the 1920s in Roaring Midnight. You will not be able to put it down. It also takes place in Chicago which is a favorite city of mine. Al Capone is mentioned in the book which was quite interesting and caught my attention. I wonder what made Colleen to include Al Capone. I look forward to the next book on him and Macey's adventure!
Sebastian is mentioned! He is a character from the previous Gardella books which I enjoyed. It was nice to see him pop up in this series. I always thought Sebastian was mysterious and still is to me. Other than Sebasation, we also have a character named Chas. Chas seems to have his own baggage which makes me wonder of him. Hopefully I will find out more about him! All the characters have a role to play in this story and you will see Macey trying to figure out who to trust.
The cover is awesome! I have always loved Colleen Gleason's covers of her books. This cover fits right in with the Vampire Gardella series of 1920s! I want more soon. I look forward from seeing more from Colleen Gleason in these series. If you have read her previous Gardella series, then you need to add these to your collection! If you like vampires, then you need to read this as well. So go find your copy today.
Cover: A
Story: B
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Disclaimer: I was given this ebook to read by the author in exchange for an honest review and opinion.
Sunshine
Sunshine Series #1
Author: Nikki Rae
Format: eBook
Pages: 330
Published: January 28, 2013
Overview
18 year old Sophie Jean is pretty good at acting normal. Sure, she’s not exactly happy, but happiness is nothing compared to being like everyone else. She can pretend she’s not allergic to the sun. She can hide what her ex-boyfriend did to her. She can cover up the scars she’s made for herself. Ignore anything. Forget anything. Then Myles enters her life, and he has more than a few secrets of his own. When accident after accident keeps happening to Sophie, she can’t help noticing that he’s everywhere. That he knows too much. That she’s remembering too much.
It’s one thing covering up her own dark past, but does she really need to worry about people finding out just how much Myles likes her? Or that despite how much she doesn’t want to repeat past mistakes, she kind of likes him back? Not to mention the fact that she now has to conceal that Myles drinks blood-that he says he’s about four hundred years old. She almost forgot about that part.
But Sophie has no plans to ruin the normal life she has created for herself. She can deal with this little glitch, no problem. Even if word has gotten around to the wrong vampire about Sophie and Myles, even if she’s putting the few people she loves at risk. Suddenly, those who were monsters before are just people, and the monsters? They’re real. Now being a normal human being is the least of her problems. Now she has to stay alive.
My Take
The author contacted me to have me review her book and so I did. I was given a synopsis of the book as it grabbed my attention. The story is a sweet paranormal!
Once I started reading this book, I realized how interesting Sophie was. She is type of gal who is quite strong with putting a front to not let anyone know how much pain she is in. I felt sorry for her of the things that she had been through and yet wanted her to get some type of happiness! She deserved some happiness as her mother seems to be evil. How could a mother act that way? What was wrong with her thinking and the way she acted towards Sophie? I really did not like her at all.
Sophie has some great friends though who kept her strong in the things she did. Sophie does not tell her friends everything because she is afraid of being rejected. Myles enter the picture as there is a connection between him and Sophie. Myles and Sophie slowly took time to connect with each other. I loved this. When they finally tell each other their secrets, it seems to give a sense of relief but at the same time they both wonder if the other still wants to be with them.
Each chapter has a line from a song or movie which was pretty neat to see. The book itself I would say it's suited for Young Adult and New Adult! It's a quick and sweet read with tons of emotions in it. It has a rather unique storyline and it is not like Twilight at all. I look forward to more on this author. Please give it a go.
Story Rating: B
Cover Rating: B
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Artwork up above is by Victoria Frances.
Here are some recommendations to read for teens in the vampire genre.
Falling From Eternity by Megan Duncan (YA)
For William, life was as wicked and malicious as the beast he was trying destroy. Decades spent living a life of extravagance, domination and ravenous hunger haunted him. But when you live forever, the past never stays buried. And that which wishes to control you, will never let you go. William thought he found his escape, his one and only love, but the thing he fears the most could be the only thing that saves them. Or, it could doom them all
Crossroads (Crossroads Academy #1) by J.J. Bonds (YA)
When Katia enrolled at Crossroads Academy she knew things weren’t exactly going to be easy. The sole heir to the worlds’ most powerful vampire, her presence was bound to cause a stir. But nothing could have prepared her for this. Whispers follow everywhere she goes. So does trouble.
Red Dawn (Crossroads Academy #2) By J.J. Bonds (YA)
Katia’s done running. She’s fought fiercely to protect her identity, her secrets, and those she loves most. And while it hasn’t been easy, she’s finally making peace with the past. Katia’s even looking forward to the start of a new school year at Crossroads Academy.
Look for Me by Moonlight by Mary Downing Hahn
When the mysterious Vincent Morthanos arrives to stay at her father's inn, 16-year-old Cynda is mesmerized. His charm and sensitivity are irresistible. His attentiveness is constant. Cynda's sure she's in love. Daring to hope that the stranger shares her feelings, Cynda is innocently blind to who he really is--or to the terrible danger of coming under his spell.
iDrakula by Bekka Black
18-year-old Jonathan Harker is diagnosed with a rare blood disorder after visiting a Romanian Count. His girlfriend Mina and a pre-med student named Van Helsing team up to investigate the source of the disease. The teenagers discover a horrifying truth: the Count is a vampire. The harrowing events unfold through emails, text messages, web pages, Twitter feeds, and instant messaging-the natural modernization of Bram Stoker's original Dracula, which was written in letters, diary entries, and news clippings.
ReVamped (Angel Creek #1) by Ada Adams
A simple mission turned deadly. Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
There hadn't been any trouble out at the lake for years, and Sunshine just needed a spot where she could be alone with her thoughts. Vampires never entered her mind. Until they found her.
The Vampire Stalker by Allison van Diepen
What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?
Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction.
Slayed by Amanda Marrone
But when the Van Helsings are called to a coastal town in Maine, Daphne’s world is turned upside down. Not only do the Van Helsings find themselves hunting a terrifying new kind of vampire (one without fangs but with a taste for kindergarten cuisine), Daphne meets her first potential BF! The hitch? Her new crush is none other than Tyler Harker, AKA, the son of the rival slayer family. What's a teen vampire slayer to do?
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side (Jessica #1) by Beth Fantaskey
Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.
The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause
Zoe is wary when, in the dead of night, the beautiful yet frightening Simon comes to her house. Simon seems to understand the pain of loneliness and death and Zoe's brooding thoughts of her dying mother. Simon is one of the undead, a vampire, seeking revenge for the gruesome death of his mother three hundred years before. Does Simon dare ask Zoe to help free him from this lifeless chase and its insufferable loneliness?
Series Section:
In the Forests of the Night (Den of Shadows #1) by Ameila Atwater-Rhodes
Demon in my View (Den of Shadows #2) by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Shattered Mirror (Den of Shadows #3) by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Midnight Predator (Den of Shadows #4) by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
The Vampire Diaries Series by L.J. Smith
House of Night Series by P.C. Cast
Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer
Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer
Blue Bloods (Series) by Melissa de la Cruz
Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
His Dark Embrace
Author: Amanda Ashley
Published: June 1, 2012
Publisher: Zebra
Pages: 338
Overview:
Tall, dark, mysterious—and with a faint scar on his cheek that only makes him more gorgeous—Kaiden Thorne is one schoolgirl obsession Skylynn never forgot. Now, returning to her childhood home after eight years, she can’t believe her reclusive neighbor is still living across the street—and hotter than ever. Skylynn doesn’t know how Kaiden manages to stay so young, virile, and impossibly attractive. But she knows she wants him…even if he harbors a fearful secret he refuses to tell her.
When Kaiden sees the beautiful young woman Skylynn has become, he can no longer control the bloodlust that is his true nature. Once he pulls Skylynn into his arms, presses his lips against hers—and accidentally draws blood—he longs for more. Only she possesses what he wants and what he needs. Only she can save him or destroy him. But once Skylynn agrees to help Kaiden battle his darkest desires, there is no turning back.
My Review:
Occasionally I read Amanda Ashely's books as I haven't read her books in a long time. Some are good and some are so so. Yes I occasionally like the vampire romance type of genre.
As the overview is mentioned up above, I liked both characters: Kaiden and Skylynn. Of course Skylynn always had a crush on Kaiden when she was growing up. Kaiden seemed to developed a crush for Skylynn when he sees her as a woman. Somehow Skylynn learns of what Kaiden is as the two get close together. At first she was in shock and thought how was it even possible that vampires exist? She did not know what to do but slowly decided to hear Kaiden out. Once Kaiden explained himself to her, things to be calm.
Skylynn brother returns home with amnesia and Kaiden's enemy arrives. Drama peaks up and both Skylynn and Kaiden go on an adventure together. The adventure seemed a bit short paced somehow. Of course there are turns and twists in this story which I did not even see coming. It was a refreshing change of pace for myself to read.
So will Kaiden and Skylynn be together or will one of them bite the dust? Pick up the book today and find out.
I do have to mention the cover is stunning. I like the gold and black together with Kaiden's appearance on it.
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Cover Rating: B
Story Rating: B
Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
Title: iDraukula
Author: Bekka Black
Publication date: 10/5/2010
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Incorporated
Pages: 160
Overview:
The classic vampire story that started it all gets new life for a generation of connected teens
18-year-old Jonathan Harker is diagnosed with a rare blood disorder after visiting a Romanian Count. His girlfriend Mina and a pre-med student named Van Helsing team up to investigate the source of the disease. The teenagers discover a horrifying truth: the Count is a vampire. The harrowing events unfold through emails, text messages, web pages, Twitter feeds, and instant messaging-the natural modernization of Bram Stoker's original Dracula, which was written in letters, diary entries, and news clippings.
My Take:
It was a cute read. I read this book in one sitting and loved how the book was written through updated means of texting, email and etc. The story was easy to follow and the characters were great. Although it seemed short compared to the original book of Bram Stoker's Dracula. It was a nice change of pace! (Short review)
Cover Rating: A
Story Rating: B
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