Raphael: Vampires in America book 1

Raphael: Vampires in America is a fabulous book filled with action, suspense, sexual tension, a kick-ass heroine with a fondness for sarcasm, and a sexy, dark and dangerous vampire lord who always gets what he wants.  This book is definitely not in the Vampire Romance category. I would put this book in the Urban Fantasy genre along with books like Night Huntress, Anita Blake, and Riley Jensen. I love a book that has a woman who can stand her ground with the big boys and an alpha male who can’t believe he’s fallen for that woman! Cyn and Raphael’s relationship is not the perfect “Happily Ever After” and I loved that. Reynolds has added a great secondary cast of characters that are as much a part of the story as Raphael and Cyn. I can’t wait to read the second book in the series Jabril to find out what happens next with Cyn and Raphael!

Anyone who is a fan of vampire romance or urban fantasy should have this book on their book shelf!

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Raphael is one of eight Vampire Lords in the US. He runs his territory fairly, but expects nothing but complete and unfailing loyalty from all he sires, works under him, or resides in his territory. For hundreds of years he’s lived a life of luxury in Malibu. Being one of the most powerful vampires in the country, and in the world, has given him a since of security and entitlement.  While vampires are known to exist, the human society still prefers to pretend they don’t and that’s fine with the vampires who see humans as nothing more than a convenient source of food and sex.  When Alexandra, the one vampire Raphael has sworn to protect, is kidnapped while he’s out of town, by one of the vampires under his rule as well as a group of humans, he must enlist the help of a human private investigator to help track her down.

Cynthia “Cyn” Leighton is an ex-LAPD officer, turned PI. Most of her work consists of digging up lost bank accounts, long lost relatives, and cheating spouses for the wealthy inhabitants in the Malibu area. Cyn has also become a popular choice among the vampire community when they are in need of a PI. Generally it’s to find a great-great grandchild or something similar. That is until Raphael walks into her office with an arrogant air of authority that shows he is not one used to being told “No”. While kidnapping is out of her league, she knows that the police will be of no help to him. She reluctantly agrees to help track down Alexandra and those that have betrayed Raphael.

Cyn and Raphael must fight through layers of betrayal from trusted colleagues and friends, both vampire and human. Their search to get to the bottom of the kidnapping faces them off against Russian Mobsters, vengeful vampires and the humans they control. Along the way the most dangerous betrayal they face just may be themselves and the emotions that are surfacing between them.

"This. A Vampire Cure For Forever" by Shaun Roundy

Do you ever look back and recognize a certain point in time, a certain flash of remembrance and realize it was a turning point in your life? Then do you start to wonder how that certain point is going to affect your future, your forever? What would you do with forever if you actually had it? Would you want to keep forever or give it back?  

In Shaun Roudy’s “This”, you get to experience the thrill of youth and the prospect of immortality and “forever”. “This” is a fairly short book, but Roudy’s depth of character development and fast paced action makes it a book you can’t put down. I’ll admit I was a little leery when I started “This” because I knew it was a YA book. While there is nothing steamy in the story, it did not disappoint like many YA books do. This is a fabulous book that will open your eyes to the things you might be overlooking in your own existence and make you realize your “forever” starts with what you enjoy today.

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Kayla Porter was your average 17 year old. A few good friends and a loving family help round out her average life. She’s not complaining, really, she knows she has it better than a lot of people. She just can’t help but know, deep down inside, she’s meant for something bigger. Something more than a job, marriage, kids, life, death. Unfortunately the most excitement she gets in her life are terrible nightmares and a crush on a boy at school who doesn’t even know she exists Both the nightmares and her thoughts of Ethan Clayton keep her up at night and leave her exhausted the next day.

Who knew that those restless nights would change her life forever? When Kayla is sent to detention for falling asleep in class she meets the energetic and unique Melissa along with the hot headed, obnoxious Mitch. Kayla enjoys listening to the banter between Melissa and Mitch. (Mitch wants Melissa; Melissa wants to smack Mitch in the head.) Melissa is everything that Kayla isn’t; she’s bold, self assured, and speaks her mind with no worries of what anyone else thinks. Kayla likes her immediately and soon learns that not only is Melissa a breath of fresh air, she’s also Ethan’s sister. Kayla, Melissa, and Ethan strike up a close friendship and soon are spending a lot of time together. Kayla still wants more than just friendship from Ethan, but can’t quite pick up on whether he’s interested in more too. Ethan is just one of those people who are nice to everyone; one of the things Kayla loves the most about him. 

A fun trip to the carnival changes everyone’s lives forever.  Kayla and Ethan finally figure out their feelings run deeper than friendship. Melissa is tempted with forever until Mitch comes along and picks a fight with the carnival worker and gets his butt kicked in the fighting ring. Mitch is bitten by the carnie and they all go home, Mitch battered and bruised, Melissa, Ethan, and Kayla happy.

When Mitch shows up at school with no injuries and a new outlook on life, the 3 friends don’t know what to think of this suddenly new Mitch. After a series of events including a selfish act of vengeance, a fatal accident, and a nightmare come true, Kayla, Melissa, and Ethan find out just how different their lives have become, having to face the realities of immortality. Even with immortality, everyone is different. Everyone handles their new status differently and not everyone can handle the thought of living forever. Some can’t handle the power they have been given. Kayla comes to find out that she may be the key to giving many a second chance at life or a second chance at death. Will the friends decide that forever isn’t for them, or will they embrace forever together?