79 A.D. (Bachiyr series book 3) by @DavidLMcAfee | Review, Giveaway & Buy links {TTC AOTM} ~ '

~ Author of the month August 2015 ~

~ David McAfee {Bachiyr series} ~

Week four for our Author of the Month is the latest installment in this chilling series, 79 A.D.

Since Londinium, Taras and Theron have gone their separate ways. One now roams the Spanish countryside, feeding on robbers and bandits, while the other hides in a cave on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius, experimenting with his newfound powers. Neither has thought much about the other over the last eighteen years.

But Baella, the ancient renegade, has plans for the pair, and her plans don’t involve letting the two live out their lives in relative peace. Through her treachery, they are reunited in Pompeii, but not even Baella can stop the coming cataclysm.

Powerful forces are rising in the world of the Bachiyr, and Taras and Theron may find themselves caught up in something much bigger than they can imagine. That is, if either of them survive the mountain’s fiery anger.

As with the other books in this series, McAfee has taken a cataclysmic event in our history and twisted it to fit into the divinely deadly world of Vampires he has created, making the story his own. In 79 A.D. we learn the true character of some familiar faces, people you may have liked become vindictive, and perhaps someone you loathed will make you see them in a different light. Enemies will become allies in a common goal, to destroy the council.

While Theron has gone into hiding to continue plotting world domination, as well as figure out how to kill his former boss and his progeny, Taras is finally figuring out what he has become and how to deal with the ramifications. Herris, oh my, where are my manners, Headcouncil Herris is trying to cover up not only his mistakes but the truth about the blood letter Ramah and where he comes from. As I said, all your favorite and hated characters make an appearance and some new faces are introduced, but I have to say, Baella just became my favorite character. I do love a well written, tortured soul that is evil incarnate, but you can't help but root for them. That is Baella for me.

This story was full of twists and turns, there were surprises around every corner and the plot was so well woven that I never really figured out where something was leading until it unfolded on the pages. The backdrop of the story is the destruction that is about to engulf the city of Pompei, but McAfee kept the focus of the story on the characters, their machinations and all the different storylines that finally converge, keeping pace with the volcano, everything erupts at the perfect moment.

As I said before, I love how McAfee takes historic events and gives them a modern twist, keeps just enough of the natural event to make the story interesting and intriguing. The ending was jaw dropping and finally, we learn the reason behind Baella's anger and hatred for the council. I'm anxious to see where the story goes from here, what natural disaster or ancient biblical tale will McAfee re-imagine for the sequel. Fans of McAfee's work that have been waiting with bated breath for this story will not be disappointed. It's raw, brutal, intricate and bloody, everything we've come to love from this author.

Definitely a must read, especially for fans of well done horror, vampires (NOT the sparkly ones), and books that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page, then craving more immediately. Can I give it 10 stars? Yes, I've decided, it's a TEN!

I was born in England at the age of...um...zero, and spent the next few years traipsing around the globe with my military family. At age six, while living in Maryland, I wrote my first book. I even illustrated it (poorly). It was a charming children’s book titled Tigger Meets Lady Tigger. (At age six, I knew nothing about copyright violations, etc)

As an adult, I joined the Peace Corps, where I single-handedly rescued a baby Yannomammo boy from a school of ravenous piranha. At the time, I'd just wrestled a hungry jaguar (bare-handed, of course) to the ground. I tossed the cat into the water and used the distraction to pull out the three kids and their mother, who would otherwise have become fish food. Once I returned the family of eight to their tiny village, their shaman wept and made me the new chief. The old chief, a 300 pound mass of jungle-sculpted muscle, took offense, and challenged me to one-on-one combat.

With my pride at stake, I accepted, and eventually pinned the nine foot, eight hundred pound behemoth after locking him into a half nelson for an hour. Once assured of victory over the twelve foot tall former chief, I donned his raiments and took over leadership of the tribe. Under my rule they flourished and soon became the Chilean government.

It was during this time that I discovered my talent for embellishment, and thus began to write books. Forty of them, in fact. Seventy-five of which made the NYT Bestseller list. With 112 NYT #1 Bestsellers under my belt, I figured it was time to start a blog: mcafeeland.wordpress.com. Hopefully, you will come find me out in the Wild, Wild Web.

(Did I mention that I invented the internet?)

Tams: Oh my, somebody needs put down the glass and back away slowly. Wait, then his books might not be as good. Nevermind! As you were!!

Author links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon