Is it better to risk it all… or never know what could have been?After surviving an abusive childhood, Vulcan remade himself upon arriving in Los Angeles, California. He became a blacksmith for the paranormal community and strives to earn the respect of the vampire covens and werewolf packs that call LA home. He also prevents the pain of loss by keeping everyone at arm’s length.
But he never planned on meeting a former Roman soldier by the name of Marcus Cassius Vespillo. Something sparks between them and turns into a friendship he never considered possible. He can’t deny his intense attraction to the intelligent, courteous, ancient vampire. And it scares him.
Though Vulcan is wary of seeking more with Cassius, an attack leaves him at death’s door and forces him to reexamine his priorities. But Cassius has his own secret, one that promises tragedy and loss. And if that wasn’t enough, a slayer arrives in the States, one with a bloody connection to Cassius… and Vulcan himself.
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Cat gives this one 5 Meows with a 3 Purr heat index...
One of the best Vampire romances I have read, Woah! Hold on to your seat folks! Are you looking for an exciting MM vampire story? One that doesn't sparkle, is a slow burn, but sexy, exciting, page-turning and hot? If that isn't enough, want to come near tears, chew your nails and fall in love?
Read this. Simple as that!
Vulcan is a human that forges things for the vampires, weres, and other supernatural beings. he is in high demand and makes good money. One of his top clients is the queen of the Vampire coven ( or Duchess I believe she goes by). She keeps Vulcan under her protection, but when things start to go crazy in the supernatural community it's harder to do than say. Vulcan, knows all the rules about the supernatural, how to fight, and to not give himself to a vampire. he also keeps his heart hidden emotionally.
Cassis is a centuries-old vampire. the oldest living one, being from ancient Roman times. He meets the young forger and they become fast friends. Cassius senses Vulcan's fears and desires and respects his wishes.
Oh Cassius, Cassius, how I wish you were real. Even being a vampire I fell instantly in love with him. His stories were interesting and informative and how he took Vulcan under his wing but kept him at a distance was beautiful...Sigh!
I fell in love with Vulcan from the start, but in a different way. I loved his backstory, loved that he could protect himself and fight, but loved that under the tough guy exterior was a vulnerability.
There are plenty of other good characters, but the story did focus mostly on these two and of course some bad guys. There is lots of action, the story is nail-biting, and be sure to set out time because once you start this you won't want to quit.
If you like nonsparkling vampires and a great romance that isn't instant love but beautiful and hard-won, a friend to lover type paranormal you will LOVE this.
Excerpt...
DAIN EYED me as I drove his 1950s Mustang through the streets of Los Angeles, the nightlife in full swing around us. I pretended to ignore him and tried not to rear-end anyone when the stoplight forced everyone to play ride-the-bumper. He rarely let me drive his car, so I did my best to prove he could trust me to do it alone.
“LA is such a skeezy city,” I said as I watched a scantily clad prostitute slide into the car of a horny client.
Hope she didn’t end up like the victims of Jack the Ripper.
Dain snorted. “And you love it as much as I do.”
I smiled at him. “But not for the reasons most people do.”
“What? You didn’t come here to become rich and famous and end up working as waiter at some fancy restaurant?”
I laughed. Jerk. He knew for a fact that wasn’t in my mind when I’d arrived here years ago. LA hadn’t been a destination, merely a stop on my nomadic journey through the States, escaping a life of abuse and fear.
The light turned green, and I inched the car forward.
“You better watch yourself,” Dain said, his tone turning serious. “Don’t get too comfortable with our… clientele.”
I flicked a glance at him before turning on the blinker and bearing right.
“Why are you telling me things I already know? Besides, who says I’m comfortable with the bloodsuckers and furries?”
“I have eyes, kid. You take too long to deliver the packages and sometimes return with gifts from Her Grace.”
I felt my hackles rise and bared my teeth. “You timing me, old man? Whatever happened to making sure our clients are repeat customers? Whatever happened to building relationships? You really think I’m stupid enough to refuse a gift from a vampire duchess?”
“You’re only stupid if you think the gift doesn’t have strings attached. Remember our number one rule: our loyalty can’t be bought. We’re free agents, Vulcan. The vamps don’t own us, and neither do the wolves. Our services can be purchased, but not our lives.”
“LA is such a skeezy city,” I said as I watched a scantily clad prostitute slide into the car of a horny client.
Hope she didn’t end up like the victims of Jack the Ripper.
Dain snorted. “And you love it as much as I do.”
I smiled at him. “But not for the reasons most people do.”
“What? You didn’t come here to become rich and famous and end up working as waiter at some fancy restaurant?”
I laughed. Jerk. He knew for a fact that wasn’t in my mind when I’d arrived here years ago. LA hadn’t been a destination, merely a stop on my nomadic journey through the States, escaping a life of abuse and fear.
The light turned green, and I inched the car forward.
“You better watch yourself,” Dain said, his tone turning serious. “Don’t get too comfortable with our… clientele.”
I flicked a glance at him before turning on the blinker and bearing right.
“Why are you telling me things I already know? Besides, who says I’m comfortable with the bloodsuckers and furries?”
“I have eyes, kid. You take too long to deliver the packages and sometimes return with gifts from Her Grace.”
I felt my hackles rise and bared my teeth. “You timing me, old man? Whatever happened to making sure our clients are repeat customers? Whatever happened to building relationships? You really think I’m stupid enough to refuse a gift from a vampire duchess?”
“You’re only stupid if you think the gift doesn’t have strings attached. Remember our number one rule: our loyalty can’t be bought. We’re free agents, Vulcan. The vamps don’t own us, and neither do the wolves. Our services can be purchased, but not our lives.”
I've wanted to write since I was in the second grade and never gave up that dream. My parents were very supportive, and their only requested that I go to college and get a decent job while pursuing my dream. That really wasn't too much to ask. I didn't start actively writing until I was a senior in high school. Those few stories were awful. Truly awful. But they were supposed to be. I was still learning, growing, accumulating. I still am, in many ways, but college helped me put my stories together, and to learn how to tell a story. Also, reading everything I could get my hands on didn't hurt. I'm still growing and learning and hope to continue to become better and better at writing.
Thank you for the excerpt and review!
ReplyDeleteenjoyed the review and the excerpt
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