Blood Born (Vampire, #1) by Linda Howard and Linda Winstead Jones

Published April 27th 2010 by Ballantine Books, Mass Market Paperback, 480 pages, ISBN13: 9780345520760

When the human and the vampire worlds collide

Luca Ambrus is a rare breed: He is a vampire from birth, begotten by vampire parents: blood born. He is also an agent of the Council—the centuries-old cabal that governs vampirekind, preserving their secrecy and destroying those who betray them.

When a cryptic summons leads him to the scene of the brutal killing of a powerful Council member, Luca begins the hunt for an assassin among his own people. But instead of a lone killer he discovers a sinister conspiracy of rogue vampires bent on subjugating the mortal world.

All that stands in their way are the conduits, humans able to channel spirit warriors into the physical world to protect mankind. Chloe Fallon is a conduit—and a target of the vampire assassin who’s killing them. When Luca saves her life, an irresistible bond of trust—along with more passionate feelings—is forged between them. As more victims fall, Chloe and Luca have only each other to depend on to save the world from the reign of monsters—and salvage their own future together.

**Review**

**Spoiler Alert!** If you plan on reading the book, do not continue reading this review. … Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Luca Ambrus, a vampire of over two thousand years old, is in Scotland, taking a little time off, so to speak. While he prefers the hussle and bussle of the city, at times, he needs the calming effect that his place in Scotland brings to him. The peace, the quiet. He’s lived a long life, a blood born, the son of vampire parents. Stronger than most vampires alive, he works for the Council, dispatching rogue vampires. Vampires who believe that humans are nothing but sheep, chattel, food, that they’re higher up in the food chain. Luca believes in leaving the world as it is: where humans don’t believe in things that go bump in the night.

But a war is brewing. A Rebellion has formed, and now they’ve found a descendant of the witch that cast a spell a very long time ago. This spell prevents vampires from entering a human’s home without an invitation. And once this spell is broken, the Rebellion will bring war with the humans in full force, showing the humans what they are truly meant to be.

However, the Warriors, spirits that lie in wait for each and every war, are whispering, talking, pleading with their conduits to bring them to their world. Conduits are descendants of the Warriors, and only the conduits can bring them across from their plain of existence.

Chloe Fallon is one such conduit. But she believes she’s slowly going nuts. Dreams, whispers are keeping her awake, for when she sleeps, the dreams and whispers grow stronger.

Luca is called by a longtime friend on the council, Hector. He’s certain that a Rebellion faction is forming, and asks Luca to come immediately. But Hector is murdered before he can arrive, but left enough clues with his powers to plainly show Luca his killer. But Enoch is only a foot-soldier to a higher power, and Luca plans to follow him, to see what Enoch can tell him.

The Rebellion queen, known as Regina to protect her true identity, has coerce Jonas’s help. He’s helped the council before, and she knows he has the power to do what she wants – find the location to all the conduits. If the conduits are killed, the Warriors cannot cross over, thereby ensuring the Rebellion wins the war.

But when Enoch attacks Chloe, and whispers to her, Luca hears it all, and defeats Enoch. But another surprise lies await for Luca – for Chloe can remember him. It is one of Luca’s gifts as a blood born vampire. No one remembers him the moment they turn their back. Only a very strong vampire can. It’s been a lonely life for Luca, but he’s accustomed to it. When Chloe remembers him, it’s a blow; even Glamour doesn’t work on her the way it should. There is something truly different about Chloe. The more time he spends with her, the more time he realizes she’s a conduit. The more information he gathers, the more he’s sure that there’s a Rebellion faction in the works, and the more he’s sure that the Queen, is none other than a member of the Council.

So now Luca’s job is two-fold. Not only does he have to stop the Rebellion to prevent a war, he needs to keep Chloe safe. For more reasons than one… Chloe has gotten under his skin. Even in the face of danger, she holds her head high, no matter how scared she is. She’s lived in danger all her life. A small aneurysm too dangerously close to her heart cannot be operated on, and the threat of it bursting is always there. Chloe is determined to live life to the fullest each day. Luca has never met a human like her before, and she’s gotten even more under his skin… she’s dangerously close to his heart.

**A great story, but could have used more.

I loved Luca in this story. To watch him see the world anew through Chloe’s eyes. Sure, Luca is a very old, very strong, very dangerous vampire, but Chloe is unlike anyone he’s ever met, vampire or human. Realizing what she means to this world, he vows to protect her at all costs.

Now, most who know me know I’m a paranormal nut. Paranormal in any form. There’s a mystery here, and it’s a good one. I sort of had an inkling of who the rebel queen was, but it wasn’t until one last clue is thrown to the reader do you really know who she is before seeing her real name. The mystery part is pretty good. So’s the action, the fighting. But one thing bugged the living daylights out of me.

For a paranormal-romance, I didn’t feel the romance. Luca and Chloe bonding together was an added measure for Chloe to be stronger, to help defend herself, even if only for a few seconds. While I felt a love start to grow, I felt no romance whatsoever.

And just once, I’d like to see the hero and the heroine declare their love for each other before the inevitable “about to lose the love of their life” confession happens. Just once. Anyone know of an author who can indulge me with that one?

Watching Sorin come to the realization that the queen would destroy even him, if he was in her way, was sort of bittersweet. I just wish he’d come to the realization a different way.

What I really liked was the difference in the play of the vampire world that Howard and Jones created. First, the old saying “a vampire cannot entire a home without an invitation” has been around for years/centuries, I liked how they tweeked it a little, but mentioning that it was a spell cast by a very strong witch a very long time ago. I liked that twist.

I liked how the young witch, Nevada, managed to outsmart the queen somewhat.

And I especially liked how Chloe managed to get a couple of good licks at the queen herself before and after receiving a strike from the queen that insured her death. Even while Chloe lay dying, she still managed to get one last “in your face” to the queen (ha! In your face… if you read the book, you’ll catch the unintended pun.)

The ending is a sure set up for book number two, which is what I’d expected. You can’t have a story end completely and expect to write a second book. Kudos to Howard and Jones on a book worth reading.

Rating:

Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard

Format: Mass Market Paperbound - Published: June 26, 2001 - 405 Pages - ISBN: 0671027573 - Published By: Simon & Schuster

 

Mr. Perfect

by Linda Howard

What would make the perfect man?

That’s the deliciously racy topic that Jaine Bright and her three girlfriends are pondering one night at their favorite after-hours hot spot: Mr. Perfect. Would he be tall, dark, and handsome? Caring and warmhearted – or will just muscular do? As their conversation heats up, they concoct a tongue-in-cheek checklist that becomes an overnight sensation, sperading like wildfire at work and sizzling along e-mail lines. But what began as a joke among friends turns deadly serious when one of the four women is murdered… Turning to her neighbor, an unpredictable police detective, for help, Jaine must unmask a killer to save her friends – and herself. Now, knowing whom to trust and whom to love is a matter of survival – as the dream of Mr. Perfect becomes a chilling nightmare.

Review: I finished this novel on Monday, July 16th, 2007. Awesome novel!

I really liked the plot. It was different. I thought each of the characters had personalities of their own, making them their own character. I thought it was cute how Jaine had to ‘pay’ every time she cussed, but one small thing bothered me… With everything that went on, and the details of the sex scenes and some of the talking… ’Damn’ shouldn’t have been thought of as a cuss word. It just didn’t seem to fit with the rest. 

And the heat between Jaine and Sam … leaves the reader hot under the collar.

I never would have guessed who the ‘killer’ was. I kind of figured out that the individual was disturbed, but I didn’t catch on to the relation until about 3/4′s of the way through.

I thought it was a great book!

Rating: .25

Cover of Night by Linda Howard

Format: Mass Market Paperbound - Published: May 1, 2007 - 432 Pages - ISBN: 034548651X - Published By: Ballantine Books

 

Cover of Night

by Linda Howard

For breathless action, gripping suspense, and intense romance, bestselling author Linda Howard never misses a beat – and her thrilling new novel will have your heart racing.

In the charming rural town of Trail Stop, Idaho, accesible to the outside world by only a single road, young widow Cate Nightingale lives peacefully with her four-year-old twin boys, running a bed-and-breakfast. Though the overnight guests are few and far between – occasional hunters and lake fishermen – Cate always manages to make ends meet with the help of the local jack-of-all-trades, Calvin Harris, who can handle everything from carpentry to plumbing. But Calvin is not what he seems, and Cate’s luck is about to run out.

One morning, the B&B’s only guest inexplicably vanishes, leaving behind his personal effects. A few days later Cate is shocked when armed men storm the house, demanding the mystery man’s belongings. Fearing for her children’s lives, Cate agrees to cooperate – until Calvin saves the day, forcing the intruders to scatter into the surrounding woods.

The nightmare, however, is just beginning. Cate, Calvin and their entire community find themselves cut off and alone with no means to call for help as the threat gathers intensity and first blood is drawn.

With their fellow residents trapped and the entire town held hostage, Cate and Calvin have no choice but to take the fight to their enemies under the cover of night. While reticent Cal becomes a fearless protector, Cate makes the most daring move of her life … into the very heart of danger.

Review: I finished this very late Monday, June 4th, 2007. A great stand-alone novel.

After the small disappointment I felt when I had read Killing Time, I was a little hesitant to read another Howard novel so soon. I had read the synopsis and decided to give it a try. I’m glad I did!

Cate, a regular widowed, single mom of twins, who owns and runs a B&B. I loved how she handled everything: from the normal, everyday worries about running your own business to raising her twins, four-year-old boys – especially how she handles her boys!

Cal, the handyman who can fix anything, who turns into a blushing, sputtering teenager around Cate; it was the cutest thing. Then learning about his fierce, strong other side, I loved him all the more for exactly who he was.

The other characters, added with the scenery, you felt like you were right there with them all, in the thick of it.

Even though I found their coming together (Cate and Cal) was a little rushed, it was understandable under the circumstances.

I liked the twist to the story, especially the very ending, and it makes me wonder if I may see a certain character in a futur novel. All in all, a good read!

Rating: .25

Killing Time by Linda Howard

Format: Mass Market Paperbound - Published: June 27, 2006 - 400 Pages - ISBN: 0345453468 - Published By: Ballantine Books

 

Killing Time

by Linda Howard

Returning to the entrancing supernatural territory of her popular novels Dream Man and Son of the Morning, New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard has written a sizzling new novel that is her most daring, exciting, and original yet.

In 1985, with much fanfare, a time capsule was buried under the front lawn of a small-town county courthouse, to be reopened in 2085. But just twenty years later, in the dead of night, the capsule is dug up, its contents stolen. That same night, one of the contributors to the capsule is brutally slain in his home – with no sign of forced entry or indication of a strugle. One by one, others who had placed items in the time capsule are murdered.

Besides his suspicions about the sudden, mysterious appearance of Nikita Stover, the chief investigator, Knox Davis, has absolutely no leads. And while Nikita’s no murderer, she seems to be hiding plenty of secrets. With more at stake than anyone else realizes, the smart-talking Nikita is determined to catch this cunning killer – while at the same time battling her own deepening feelings for a man and for a world in which she doesn’t belong.

When readers crave a seductive novel of unrelenting suspense with a paranormal twist, Linda Howard delivers time and again … make that Killing Time – a captivating, character-rich story that races along on a breathless plot full of action and intimicy, romance and danger, thrills and intrigue.

Review: Finished Tuesday, March 27th, 2007. Um… Not sure what to say about this one. It’s not the first futuristic novel I’ve read, and it didn’t start that way, either. The synopsis made the novel sound much more exciting that it was, ie: more suspense, mystery… There wasn’t really much of that. You pretty much find the reason for it all without getting that far into it, it dragged in places, and the ending… so not impressed. One of those endings that are over way too fast and too simple. I thought the main characters were good. I certainly felt a spark of some sort between Nikita and Knox, but sparks… not exactly as intense as it should have been. The synopsis didn’t mention the futuristic angle, so it was a surprise. Reading up on Howard, she writes different genres, so I won’t let this book put me off. I’ll try some of her other stuff. Oh, and btw… on the cover, the guy has a tattoo on his shoulder – who you would assume to be Knox. Well, in the book, not one mention of a tattoo… on anyone. Not that I read, anyway.

Rating:  (wasn’t good enough for higher, not bad enough to rate lower.)

Dying to Please by Linda Howard

Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages – Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1 edition (November 4, 2003) – Language: English – ISBN-10: 0345453409 – ISBN-13: 978-0345453402

Back of the Book reads:

Loyal. Beautiful. Professional. Impeccably organized. Potentially lethal. Sarah Stevens is a woman with many distinctive qualities. First and foremost a butler par excellence, skilled at running large households smoothly and efficiently, she is also a trained bodyguard and expert marksman – indispensable to her elderly employer, a courtly gentleman whom Sarah has come to respect and love. Then on night she thwarts an attempted burglary, a courageous act that awards Sarah her requisite “fifteen minutes of fame” with the local press. But the exposure is enough to catch the attention of a tortured soul who, unbeknownst to Sarah, will stop at nothing to have her for himself…

Dying to Please on Amazon.com

Dying to Please on Chapters.ca

Dying to Please on Amazon.ca

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20-Aug-08 to 22-Aug-08

Review: Why hire someone to do the dirty work…

Sarah Stevens had been hired by the insistance of retired federal judge, Lowell Roberts. A kind man who’d received threats a few years back, the family, especially the daughter, didn’t want the judge living alone. Sarah is a female butler, hired to watch and guard him. Sarah takes care of everything, from the mundane daily living to the higher stuff like parties. She also guards him; drives him wherever he needs to go, watches his back. When two men break into the house intent on burglarizing the judge’s home, they are thwarted by Sarah, who calls it in.

In comes detective Thompson Cahill. Cahill had heard of the bumbled burglary and was curious enough to go to the house, mainly because of the 9-1-1 call. He was intrigued. Upon meeting Sarah, he instantly knew that Sarah was more than just a butler.

An attraction forms between them right from the get-go – purely physical at first. But soon both can’t get the other out of their heads. However, Sarah has attracted unwanted attention – a certain man thinks that Sarah is wasting her time taking care of the judge. She’s perfect, and he accepts nothing less than perfection. Sarah should be his.

While Sarah is out on her day off, the judge is murdered while sitting in his recliner. Guilt assaults her – had she been there, it wouldn’t have happened. Of course Sarah becomes the prime suspect, much to Cahill’s chagrin. But eventually they rule her out, and Cahill, a year after a particularly nasty divorce, decides to go after Sarah, without subtlety.

Sarah eventually takes on another job, just for both of bosses to be murdered in their house while Sarah is with Cahill. Again, she’s brought in for questioning, as a time gap between Cahill and Sarah becomes evident. Eventually, she is ruled out again, and is extremely hurt by Cahill’s treatment of her. Tired and upset, Sarah ends up taking on another job – with the man who wanted her since the beginning, unbeknownst to Sarah. Things move quickly when she realizes that she is now the possession of a deranged man, and Cahill will stop at nothing to get her out.

I loved the connection between Cahill and Sarah right from the start. Sparks for sure, and the banter between them reminded me so much of my husband and myself. Sex scenes erotic. The suspense and mystery were great, the ending twisted. What brought me to tears is what Sarah endures after the judge is murdered. Her actions, her feelings, reminded me of when my grandfather passed away, and I could feel her anguish. There was such feeling in this novel and I identified with so much. I couldn’t have asked for better!

Rating:

Kill and Tell by Karen Robards

‘John Medina’ series Book #1 (Fantastic Fiction)

Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages - Publisher: Pocket Star; Reprint edition (October 1, 2003) - Language: English - ISBN-10: 0743475488 - ISBN-13: 978-0743475488

The back of the book reads:

Some secrets need to be told…

Still reeling from her mother’s recent death, Karen Whitlaw is stunned when she receives a pachage containing a mysterious notebook from her estranged father, whom she has barely seen since his return from the Vietnam War decades ago. Then, a shocking phone call: Karen’s father has been murdered on the gritty streets of New Orleans.

Even if they lead to murder…

For homicide detective Marc Chastain, something about the case of a murdered homeless man just doesn’t add up – especially after he meets the victim’s daughter. Far from the cold woman he expected, Karen Whitlaw is warm and passionate. She is also in serious danger. A string of “accidents” have shaken Karen to the core, and forced her into the protective embrace of the charming detective she vowed to resist. Together they unravel a disturbing story of politics, power, and murder – and face a killer who will stop at nothing to get his hands on her father’s secrets.

Kill and Tell on Amazon.com

Kill and Tell on Chapters.ca

Kill and Tell on Amazon.ca

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(18-Jun-08 to 20-Jun-08 )

Review: An excellent ‘why are people trying to kill me’ mystery.

I understood how Karen Whitlaw was feeling. While never been in a situation like that, it was close. To lose someone so close to you so quickly, then to lose someone who is supposed to be close to you soon afterwards would have anyone feeling as she felt. A brave woman, she uses her head, her instincts, and her fight for survival to get herself out of whatever situation she finds herself in.

Marc Chastain is one hell of a detective. It’s very rare to read about a detective that uses and trusts his intincts so implicitly in everything he does, from interviewing a victim, a witness, to questioning a perp. I love his smooth charm, and the way his inner self becomes so primitive in protecting Karen. While I think the ‘I love you’s came out a little fast, they knew they were perfect for each other really quickly. And the reader knows it – they balance each other beautifully.

The plot could maybe have been a little more inventive, but I liked it. While the reader knows what’s what and who’s who, the characters in the book don’t and they fight for their lives while trying to figure it out. The action scenes are great, especially with Karen. I thing the love scenes were great in their basicness – primitive and no fanfare – completely raw. The suspense is eased a little since the reader knows what’s going on, but it in no way takes away from the story.

Excellent! Now I need to get my hands on All The Queen’s Men!

Rating:

Drop Dead Gorgeous by Linda Howard (‘Blair Mallory’ series Book #2)

  Drop Dead Gorgeous by Linda Howard

‘Blair Mallory’ series Book #2

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Ballantine Books (November 28, 2006) Language: English ISBN-10: 0345486587 ISBN-13: 978-0345486585

Blair Mallory has already survived one murder attempt. Now, while planning her wedding and dealing with holiday-season madness, Blair once again dodges a bullet. Or, more precisely, a Buick. And though the driver’s identity remains a mystery, his or her murderous intentions are all too clear.

Or are they? After all, Blair’s homicidal ex-husband and his partner-in-crime/wife are safely behind bars. And even Wyatt Bloodsworth, Blair’s police detective groom-to-be, isn’t inclined to believe she’s being targeted again. All of which makes Blair wonder if her close call was simply a mishap. But the wondering stops when she narrowly cheats death again in another seemingly innocent accident. Two strikes is all it takes to convince Blair that she’s back in someone’s crosshairs. And the only thing more frightening is that Wyatt still doubts her. That means this time no one will be watching Blair’s back when she sets out to get the drop on her would-be killer – before whoever it is finally drops her.

Drop Dead Gorgeous at Amazon.com

Drop Dead Gorgeous at Chapters.ca

Drop Dead Gorgeous at Amazon.ca

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13-May-08 to 14-May-08

Review: Hmm… was this what I was expecting?

Short answer: Yes. Now here’s the long answer.

Blair is as she is in the first book. I still find her ‘fluffy’ and vain. She makes big deals out of things that aren’t big deals, makes little out of something that should be a big deal. Knowing what she knew from before, I was really surprised by how Wyatt felt, denying that she was being targetted yet again, and the ensuing fight was a bad one. He said things that would have made me even more made than Blair was, but this whole ‘compartmentalizing’ thing she does annoys me to know end. And so does her ‘list of transgressions’. I’m sorry, but if I did that to my husband, our marriage would have been over long ago. Who likes having their faults or the things they did wrong thrown into their face daily/weekly? Give me a break!

I’m also wondering who writes the synopsis’ for both Blair Mallory books. This one makes note of a ‘seemingly innocent accident. Sorry, but what happened wasn’t deemed an accident right from the get-go. Yet the synopsis leads to you believe something else.

I also found this predictable. If you’ve read the first novel, you may agree with me. They seem to keep asking Blair who she angered or made an enemy of – same as the first book. However, she kept throwing it back at Wyatt, wondering if it had to do with him. It happened so many times in the first book that this one became predictable. And again, the entire plot and climax was summed up in Chapter Twenty-Nine. The book ended with Chapter Thirty, the wedding. Why, again, was the ending summed up in one chapter? Is there something wrong with spacing it out? I mean, the book is entertaining; some great laughs, good groans and head-shakes, but summing up the ending in one chapter, for me, screws up the entire book. It feels like being sucker-punched. I really wish authors wouldn’t do that. And some things are repeated enough that it gives you that ‘okay, can we get past that already?’ feeling.

The book is a great read. Some laughs, pretty good action scenes, and although you don’t get erotic descriptions, you quickly get the point. However, the one chapter ending steals one star from my rating.

Rating:

To Die For by Linda Howard (‘Blair Mallory’ series Book #1)

  To Die For by Linda Howard

‘Blair Mallory’ series Book #1

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Ballantine Books (December 28, 2004) Language: English ISBN-10: 0345476255 ISBN-13: 978-0345476258

Blair Mallory lives the good life. She’s pretty, confident, and the owner of a thriving upscale fitness center. But in the shadow of success, a troubled member of the club develops a strange fixation on her, imitating her style and dress. Matters take a darker turn when the look-alike is shot dead – and Blair witnesses the horror.

As the media speculate on the tawdry details of the homicide and push Blair into the harsh spotlight, she locks horns with police lieutenant Wyatt Bloodsworth – he wants to lead an investigation without interference, while she is determined to probe the dead woman’s life on her own. But when someone begins to menace Blair with mounting threats, Wyatt takes notice: Was this murder indeed a lethal case of mistaken identity – and was Blair the intended victim?

To Die For at Amazon.com

To Die For at Chapters.ca

To Die For at Amazon.ca

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11-May-08 to 13-May-08

Review: I’m having mixed feelings about this book. Is that good or bad?

I liked Blair – to a certain extent. Yes, she’s a strong woman who goes the extra mile to get what she wants, and works hard for it. When Wyatt accused her of being ‘fluffy’, to which she became furious and adamantly denying it, I thought it was an apt description of her. As she is the narrator of the book, the way she talks and thinks… the only word I can use to describe it is ‘fluffy’.

I liked Wyatt. Strong, cares right down to the bone, I liked the way he handled everything – from crime scene to hospital scene to family scene to being alone with Blair. There definitely was spark between them – something that made them ‘equal’ and ‘perfect’ for each other, even if he did seem barbaric every now and then.

Her ex, Jason, is as dense, self-centered and self-absorbed as she says.

I liked the plot twist – I hadn’t seen that coming whatsoever. I wouldn’t have thought it was possible, but it works brilliantly. However, I wish the author wouldn’t have cramed the climax and ending in the last chapter and the epilogue! I don’t like that – in fact, I hate it! It’s not fair for the reader to sit through the suspense, trying to figure out who could possibly want to hurt Blair, come up with a way to take the reader completely by surprise, then slam them with the entire climax and ending in one chapter – 14 pages total. I’d have like to see more – maybe a bigger confrontation between Blair and Debra, Blair’s ex-husband’s wife. I needed more, as a reader, and am disappointed that there isn’t. While the ending works out to the good, there was not enough substance, not enough ‘oomph’.

I thought the love scenes subtle but good, the action was great, the way Blair connects to people, especially her family. I had good laughs as well. I adored the banter between Blair and Wyatt – I do believe they are perfect for each other. But the ending is sticking like a thorn in my side. I can’t give it a perfect rating – but close.

Rating: