Blood Betrayal - Tessa Dawn

I love the Blood Curse Series. Every book has been wonderful. I dive into them, and gobble them up.

But Blood Betrayal was the first book I cautiously read. Not because it wasn't any good, cos it was awesome, but it also made my heart race and my palms sweaty. Yes, it was that good!

This is the story of the Sentinel Warrior, Saxon Olaru. He finally gets his Blood Moon, but as all other books, things don't go smoothly. Kiera is his Destiny. However, unbeknown, to her, her twin sister, Kyla,  is a vampire hunter who knows all about the curse and the Blood Moon.

When the Blood Moon appears, Kyla realizes that her sister is the new Destiny, and this is also her chance to take out the clan. She arranges for Kiera to be kidnapped, and had the celestial constellation tattooed on her arm.

So, while Kyla tries to infiltrate the house of Jadon, Kiera is being tortured by the vampire hunters. See...now you get why I had to read cautiously?

The Chosen - JR Ward

Ok, let me start by saying that I love the WARDen and I love the Brothers. However, I do not like Layla, nor did this book get me to like her, so understandably, this was not my favourite of the series, cos I do not like her!

So now you know, The Chosen focuses on Layla and Xcor. And their "forbidden love". Cos you know, Xcor is the badass that tried to kill Wrath. And Layla, well, she's one of the Chosen. Blah.

But, I have to give it to her. She goes from weakling to a strong woman who takes shit from no one. Not even a Brother.

However, I did have some issues here. First off. Xcor tried to kill Wrath, and not only is he forgiven, but his Band of Bastards get to move into the house while Tohr who has ALWAYS been loyal gets put on probation! WTF???

But you know, Lassiter does bring some laughter to the whole scene, so all's forgiven. Sorta. Kinda. Let me think about that one.

Blood Ecstasy - Tessa Dawn

Tessa Dawn has created a fabulous world filled with vampires, good and bad, and she never fails to disappoint.

In Blood Ecstasy we meet Julien Lacusta, Master Warrior in the House of Jadon. But he is also troubled. Haunted by the dreams of his brother killing his mother, and he not having done anything to save her, he turns to heroin. Yes, that's right. A vampire on drugs!

Rebecca Johnston has demons of her own. She's running away from her stalker ex-boyfriend and lives her life in fear.

Meeting a drugged out warrior vampire who claims to be your destiny is not exactly something she wants in her calm life.

Can you blame her?

While Julien fights his inner demons and comes to terms with the return of his "Dark" brother,  Rebecca fights her attraction to another bad boy.

Can they find their way to each other and not let their own demons get the better of them?

Blood Kiss - J.R. Ward

I'm a huge JR Ward fan, so spending the week before Christmas, curled up with her latest book, was great!

Blood Kiss is the beginning of a new series, a spin-off to her very popular Black Dagger Brotherhood. We meet new characters, as well as check in with some favourite Brothers. 

Here is the story of Paradise, the blooded daughter of the king's First Advisor. As a member of the elite glymera, she's expected to marry into the elite, have children, have servants, and live a very boring and restrictive life. But she wants more. She applies, and gets accepted into the Black Dagger Brotherhood's training program, where she not only learns to fight, but learns how tough she really is!

Craeg is the opposite of Paradise. He is poor.  He wants to train with the Brotherhood, and eventually, take revenge on those he feels caused his father's death; the glymera.

The story of Paradise and Craeg was great. But what made this book even better was the return of Butch and Marissa. We haven't heard much of them recently, so it was great to see them again.

Marissa must deal with the death of a badly beaten Jane Doe that shows up to her clinic. Not wanting to burden Butch with everything, she keeps it inside. Butch meanwhile, must deal with the ghosts from his own past. Together, they must try to find their way back to one another.

It was nice to get back to the Brotherhood, and meet new characters too.

Blood Vengeance - Tessa Dawn

The Blood Curse series is definitely one of my least known favourites. It's got everything any vampire fan would want. Vampires, bad-asses, fights, and, in most cases HEA.

Blood Vengeance does not disappoint. This is Ramsey Olaru's story. He's the big, brutal Sentinel who fights with a pitchfork Trident! He learns that Tiffany Matthews, the queen's bestie, is his destiny. Tiffany is no stranger to the world of vampires, and is not thrilled with the idea of being someone, yet along some beast's, destiny.

There are many series out there, that you get to book seven, and there are no more surprises. While you still love the characters and storylines, part of you thinks I could write this. Not here. Tessa Dawn has thrown in all kinds of surprises, you never expected.

In Blood Vengeance we learn a little more about the history of the House of Jadon and how they survived the initial curse. We see a softer, humorous side to Ramsey. We see the tight bond of friendship, between not just Brooke and Tiffany, but the men brothers of the House of Jadon. Now, no destiny can occur without it's struggles, but the obstacle here is one you would not expect. One you never knew could happen. The Dark Ones will do anything, anything to get ride of the Light Ones. But, will they win this time?

A Touch of Midnight - Lara Adrian

I'm new to the whole 

Breed series

as I've nly read one book to date.

But it is a series I intend to continue with.

So, when I heard there as a prequel,

the story of Savannah and Gideon,

I thought I'd learn about them

before continuing on.

Now,

not being overly familiar with the characters,

I can honestly say I love them!

Savannah and Gideon's story takes place in the 1970s.

You know,

when you're in trouble and need help

you need to go to the pay phone! 

Love it!!!

Gideon is a 300+ year old Breed Warrior.

Savannah is a college freshman.

When she touches things,

she sees their story.

During some course work,

Savannah comes in contact with an old

English sword and soon sees

it's history.

She becomes a witness to the murder

of twin boys

by a group of fanged creatures.

And thus begins her introduction 

to the world of monsters.

To the world of vampires.

Prince Lestat - Anne Rice

I would have to say,

that Anne Rice is the one

that got me hooked onto vampires.

Lestat was my first vampire love.

I devoured the first 4 books

of the Vampire Chronicles. 

I couldn't get enough.

And for this reason,

I eagerly awaited the release

of Prince Lestat. 

However, 

I haven't read her books

in a long time. 

Maybe I forgot what they were like. 

Maybe I had high expectations. 

But whatever it is,

I found Prince Lestat 

a hard read. 

We meet Lestat

and learn what he's been up to

since we last saw him in Memnoch. 

We also learn what Marius,

Armand, Louis, Pandora

and other beloved vampires 

have been up to. 

Once we're all caught up

we begin to learn of a mysterious

Voice.

We now revisit all our vampire friends,

old and new,

and learn what they think of this Voice.

It's a good story.

I guess I was just hoping 

for a great story.

Kiss of Midnight - Lara Adrian

I've had this book

on my TBR list

for quite sometime.

But I never got around to reading it,

until now.

And once again,

I'm wondering why I waited.

So, the storyline here,

is eerily similar

to my beloved

Black Dagger Brotherhood series,

and for the most part,

I'm ok with that.

There are others out there

who call it a blatant rip off.

Lucan is a vampire.

A Breed vampire.

A Gen One vampire.

He is the leader and his quest is to destroy their enemies,

namely the Rogue vampires. 

Gabrielle is a photographer.

She's never felt like she belonged anywhere.

One night,

Gabrielle witnesses a grueling murder

and her life spins out of control.

She's introduced to the world of vampires

and meets Lucan.

Just like the Brotherhood,

the Breed protect one another.

They fight the evil us mere humans

cannot see.

And when they bond,

they are mated for life.

Despite the similarities,

this is one series I shall continue with.

And I won't wait as long to read the next one.

Blood Father - Tessa Dawn

I absoultely love this series.

I cannot recall how I found the first one,

but am so glad I did.

And yet,

somehow,

I missed the release of this one.

But am sooo glad I found it.

I think,

this may also be my favourite

in the series.

Blood Father

begins with the epilogue from

Blood Redemption.

Kagen Silvasi and his brothers,

Nathaniel, Nachari and Marquis,

learn their father is alive

and being held prisoner

in the land of Mhier,

for the last 480 years.

They decide they must try to go

and save him.

Arielle Nightsong is a human

living in Mhier.

She is a healer

and a part of the rebels.

Arielle has a huge heart,

and cares for the prisoner

Keitaro.

The lycan king is cruel

and is determined to make Arielle his.

Being on a different portal,

Kagen does not see the blood moon,

yet when he meets Arielle,

he is drawn to her.

With Arielle's help,

Kagen and his brothers are determined to save

Keitaro 

and bring him back home.

I loved Arielle.

She is a strong woman.

She's a fighter. 

She's been through a lot

and Kagen is extremely 

patient and caring.

Happy Days: 41-50

You know, 

once you start this journey,

you come to realise how easy it is

and how incredible it is.

I'm halfway through my 100 days.

And there are days I think

"oh gosh, what is making me happy?"

And there are times

I want to take a few pictures

and have them on reserve

for another day.

But I don't.

It's amazing

how even some small things

can make you happy.

Day 41 - Going for a massage

Day 42 - A cappucino milkshake

Day 43 - BBQ with friends 

Day 44 - Turtle Cheesecake

Day 45 - The King is here 

Day 46 - Some down time to read and have a coffee

Day 47 - a great find at the library

Day 48 - My Grease date

Day 49 - Grease, with adults this time

Day 50 - A perfect Sunday

What makes you happy?

The King - JR Ward

It's here.

It's here.

It's here.

Yes, 

The King 

is a book I have been waiting months for.

And I was so happy to get it.

The disappointing part,

was having to work, 

and not spend the day it came out,

sitting in bed,

reading.

For anyone who is not familiar with

The Black Dagger Brotherhood,

where have you been???

So The King

is mainly about,

well...

The King, 

Wrath!

His shellan, Beth

wants a child.

The glymera wants him dethroned.

What's a guy to do?

We learn a lot about his parents

which was great.

I loved learning about them.

And along with the Wrath story

there are some sub-stories.

(Often these seem to get in the way of Wrath's story.)

Assail and Marisol's story was great.

 I want more

(hint hint WARDen).

Xcor and Layla

is one I'm undecided about.

Most people love to hate him.

I'm not sure if I'm still loving the hate,

but I'm not loving the love.

John Matthew,

my favourite Brother,

had a few more seizures.

I soooo want to know the cause.

Why do these happen mostly around Beth?

Is there a Darius connection?

iAm, Trez and Selena 

was a great sub-plot.

I'm utterly chuffed to learn

that the next Brotherhood book

will be about them.

Let the countdown begin.