So tell me, did you read
the first two books in the Vamp City series by Pamela Palmer? I love this paranormal
romance series. It’s like nothing I’ve ever read before. The world of Vamp City
is a place of magic, horror, and lost salvation. A BLOOD SEDUCTION unnerved me
for weeks, and A KISS OF BLOOD left me yearning for more and for answers to so
many questions…but it’s finally here! Or will be next week. OF BLOOD AND
PASSION, the final book in the Vamp City series by Pamela Palmer is releasing
on July 14th and my darlings, it is most certainly worth the long
wait to find out what happens next. Nope, you won’t get any spoilers out of me,
so don’t ask.
***eARC
provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review
Blurb for OF BLOOD AND PASSION: They call her the last sorceress: Quinn Lennox,
the only hope of the vampires who are trapped in Vamp City watching their dark
otherworld slowly die. But an ancient curse shackles the magic Quinn needs to
save not only the vampires she’s come to call friends, come to care for, come
to love, but her beloved brother as well.
Arturo Mazza, the ruthless vampire who once betrayed Quinn, and has since waged
a steady and relentless war upon her heart, vows to help her break the curse.
But when the mission requires them to face Cristoff Gonzaga—the brutal and
vicious vampire to whom Arturo once pledged undying fealty—Quinn must find a
trust in Arturo that will test the very foundations of her soul.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Quinn and
Arturo, as well as Micah and Kassius, have teamed up to protect Neo and his
underground railroad for humans escaping Vamp City, find a cure for Zack
who is suffering a magic sickness, and to form some plan to save Vamp City. Quinn understands she holds the power to
save and restore Vamp City and although at one time, she had no desire to save
it, now she fears its demise and the deaths of her new friends. After trying to
restore the magic and failing, something miraculous is beginning to happen—many
of the vampires are regaining their souls and with them, their respect and
caring for humans and Slavas.
Arturo is
hoping his old friend and master, Cristoff, will regain his soul as well so
the evil vampire will cease his search, and destroy mission against Quinn, the
woman Arturo has come to love. Although Quinn is still wary of Arturo’s loyalty
to her over that to Cristoff, she puts her trust in him once more. She just
hopes her trust is well placed or everyone in Vamp City will die…or worse.
Pamela
Palmer created a terrifying, brutal, and sadistic world in Vamp City. While
reading A BLOOD SEDUCTION, I couldn’t help but wonder how such a sweet and
romance minded writer could conjure such ultimate evil. After reading A KISS
OF BLOOD, I knew that within the crumbling magic of Vamp City, there lies a
world of honor, goodness, and caring, which just needed the right person to
bring it out into the light. Quinn Lennox is that person. Arturo had begun to
emerge from his not so likable persona whom we first met, and we began to
admire and even fall a little in love with the not always nice vampire.
In OF BLOOD
AND PASSION, we get answers to questions brought up in the first two books, even
as more questions emerge but which are brilliantly answered as well, and then with a final
battle we learn who stands honorably with Quinn the sorceress, and whether or
not Vamp City can be saved.
Pamela
introduces us to more new fabulous secondary characters, as well as new aspects
of this magical city, new dangers, lots of action, angst, and edge of the seat
nail biting excitement. This is an amazing adventure with an incredible ending.
It’s been
over two years since the release of the second book in the series, A KISS OF
BLOOD and frankly, I was beginning to think we’d never learn what happened to
Quinn, Zack, and Lily but the wait is nearly over for everyone, and thank you,
Pamela, it was worth the wait.
I highly
recommend that if you are already a fan of the Vamp City novels, you will want to grab
a copy of the final book, OF BLOOD AND PASSION by Pamela Palmer as soon as it’s
available. If you’ve
never tapped this amazing series, start at the beginning and be prepared to
have your hair stand on end a bit, be fearful to turn out the light after
reading, and to be blown away by the intensity and creative world that is Vamp
City.
Each book
has held its own power, life force so to speak, its own magic, but I think OF
BLOOD AND PASSION might just be the best one of the three. Yes, it gives us
answers. Yes, it gives us an ending and closure but more importantly, it brings
us what we look for in any romance…it brings us a complete and total feeling of
satisfaction when it’s over. I’m actually sad to see this series close, but the
feeling I felt at the end made it…magical. Happy
Reading Everyone!
OF BLOOD
AND PASSION, a Vamp City novel by Pamela Palmer, self-publish, release date –
July 14, 2015, available in ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and
Kobobooks. (I'll get the other links for you on release day)
***click
on links above or cover below for purchasing information, remember even pennies
per sale using my links help keep this blog alive. Thank You.
I want to thank Pamela Palmer once more for allowing me the privilege of combining my writing talents with hers to create the post for this awesome Giveaway! You are not only a fabulous author but a wonderful friend and true lady of grace. Thank you! xoxo
I also want to thank everyone who joined in the fun and bravely told their stories - we definitely DON'T think any of you are nuts! Thanks again for visiting the blog and entering for a chance to win 1 of 4 copies. All of you are such nice people that I wish I had a copy for each of you but unfortunately, Avon didn't give me enough to do that so only 4 of you can win. Of course, any that go unclaimed will be given to a second round of randomly selected winners from the original entries. ; )
The Lucky Winners of A BLOOD SEDUCTION by Pamela Palmer are:
TANYA
PHYLLIS M
SHELLEY B
GLORIA
All of the Winners have been notified by email so please check your mailboxes including SPAM folders so you don't miss it.
You've got until the end of the day on Friday, July 20th to contact me or I give your print copy away to one of the other entries.
It's Wacky Wednesday and have I got a GIVEAWAY for you!! It's a Multi-Giveaway of 4 copies of A BLOOD SEDUCTION, a Vamp City novel by Pamela Palmer!! Avon sent me plenty to share with you and so to add to the fun, I thought I'd do a little creativity of my own with Miss Pamela's permission, of course.
You might remember, I've featured this unique and extraordinary novel twice before, once in review and again in a fabulous interview with Pamela Palmer. She's such an awesome writer that I can't resist showcasing her and her works. If you're not familiar with A BLOOD SEDUCTION and Pamela Palmer, feel free to check out my REVIEW and my INTERVIEW but then hurry back because I've got some fun in store for you and that awesome giveaway!
Blurb for A BLOOD SEDUCTION:
Vampires live only for lust and pleasure in the eternal twilight of Vamp City. But the city's magic is dying. The only person who can restore it? A beautiful woman from the mortal world...one who knows nothing of the power she wields.
Quinn Lennox is searching for a missing friend when she stumbles into a dark otherworld that only she can see--and finds herself at the mercy of Arturo Mazza, a dangerously handsome vampire whose wicked kiss will save her, enslave her, bewitch her, and betray her. What Arturo can't do is forget about her--any more than Quinn can control her own feelings for him. Neither one can let desire get in the way of their mission--his to save his people, hers to save herself. But there is no escape from desire in a city built for seduction, where passion flows hot and blood-red. Welcome to Vamp City...
* * * * *
**The following creative excerpt is a combination of my creativity and Pamela Palmer's, I will in no way change the excerpt from the novel, A BLOOD SEDUCTION, I will only create the introductory lead-in. I hope you enjoy both parts and thank you, Pamela, for allowing me to do this.
* * * * * Quinn's thoughts had not swerved from the task at hand even as she worked to appear normal as her fellow humans moved in blissful ignorance around her. She'd gathered information and supplies but now waited for the right time to return to Vamp City to find Zack. The guilt of leaving him behind to whatever circumstances he might be suffering made her insides roil to the point of nausea. She had to get back to him. She had to find him and lead him back to the real world. The real world which once upon a time seemed filled with dangers, worries, and evil but now only seemed tame in comparison to the horrors that she had faced in Vamp City.
"This is Amanda Raven with breaking news regarding the number of unusual disappearances that are now coming to light in Washington, DC." The pretty brunette news anchor remarked from the flat screen television. Quinn had been staring past the pedestrians on the street below who were strolling along totally unaware of the dangers that lurked nearby. She'd forgotten she had left the television on as she watched for shimmers.
"Kate Landers, the Chief of Police for the city of Washington, DC is about to address the situation, one it seems that no one has been aware of - until now." Quinn glanced at the screen just as the picture shifted from the pretty Amanda to a blond-haired woman in a white uniform standing at a podium. She had black epaulets and a gold badge pinned above her left breast pocket. Quinn recognized her as the Chief of Police.
Quinn folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the windowsill as she listened to what the woman had to say. "It's come to our attention that over the past few months there has been an increased number of reports concerning tourists that have gone missing while in the city. In the past, we give these reports a normal investigation time but when nothing is found to indicate foul play or any other criminal behavior, it's usually assumed to be a case of the person having gone missing voluntarily. We've long had a history of visitors to our fine city coming here specifically to blend into the citizens and disappear for whatever may be their own reasons. However, the number of tourists and private citizens who have been reported missing has increased three-fold and is now becoming a matter of concern to all of us."
A grumble rose from the group of reporters in attendance as they attempted to ask questions but Chief Landers raised her hand. The group quickly quieted and waited for her to continue. "We have no actual evidence of any criminal activity or foul play in regards to those who have gone missing." She took a deep breath before she continued. "The missing are every day persons who simply don't return from work, shopping, a luncheon date with friends and in one case, a young woman who disappeared from the street in front of her house when she took a bag of trash to the dumpster."
Another annoying grumble rose from the group but again Chief Landers quieted them with a raise of her hand. "Until we know more about these disappearances, we ask all citizens, visitors and day workers to please be on alert to anyone or anything strange and if you witness anything at all suspicious, please alert the authorities as soon as possible. We'd like to get to the bottom of these disappearances and wish to keep our citizens, visitors and residents safe. Thank you. I've no further information at this time. I'll turn it over to ..."
Quinn clicked the off button on the remote. The screen went dark and the Chief's voice disappeared. She dropped the remote into a nearby chair, turned to face the window once more and sighed. She ran her fingers through her loose hair and cringed. -- Amy Valentini
Staring at the traffic on the street below, she wondered for the umpteenth time if she shouldn't call the FBI. After all, she knew where those missing people had gone. She could tell them exactly what had happened to them. She could send them in to rescue them all, including Zack.
Except she wasn't an idiot. They'd never believe her, at least not until she pulled one of them through a sunbeam. The bigger problem was that she knew vampires well enough by now to know that no human could possibly be a match for them. No one. Taking others with her into that world was as good as signing their death warrants. Or consigning them to slavery for the rest of their lives. At least she knew how to get in and out. She'd gotten Zack into this mess. It was up to her to get him out. And Lily, too, if she could find her.
If only the damn worlds would open again!
---- Pamela Palmer, A BLOOD SEDUCTION, page 81.
About the Author: Pamela Palmer grew up in an Air Force household as her father was an Air Force pilot. She dreamed of being an astronaut as a child. She graduated Auburn University with a degree in Industrial Engineering and began working for a major computer manufacturer. She eventually turned to writing after having married and given birth to two children. She has also written under the name Pamela Montgomerie. As Montgomerie she writes historical time travel romance novels, while as using her real name, Palmer, she writes dark paranormal romance. For more information about her and her books, please visit her website.
NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!
Having read my contribution and then Pamela's excerpt from A BLOOD SEDUCTION, I am wondering if YOU have ever experienced or known something that you wanted to tell the authorities or anyone about but feared being thought of as having a screw loose, crazy or frivolous??
I'll start it off by admitting that some months ago, I was out with the dog one night, it was raining slightly and the sky was very cloudy. I noticed that there were the first of the fireflies flitting around in the trees and sparkling in the darkness. I glanced up toward the tops of the trees. There I saw a bright light that I thought was a firefly only the small light suddenly expanded into a very large, very bright capsule (pill type) shape that was solid brightness with no blinking lights. Just as I wondered what it was, it suddenly sped off into the clouds. I looked to the other side of the house but it was gone. It was then that I realized there had been absolutely no sound either. I told my hubby, he told me it was probably a helicopter. I know it wasn't a helicopter because shortly thereafter, the choppers started flying around as if they were looking for it. I thought about calling the sheriff's dept, or Quantico Marine Base since it's just north of us but then decided not to as they would probably never believe me.
So now it's your turn - I've told mine, you tell yours or just comment on the excerpt - either way, you will be entered to win one of four print copies of A BLOOD SEDUCTION, A Vamp City Novel by Pamela Palmer. That's 1 of 4 copies, folks. PLEASE leave a valid email address - if I can't contact you, you cannot win. COMMENT + EMAIL ADDRESS = ENTRY
This Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end Friday, July 13th (yep, you got that right!) at 11:30PM EDT. Four winners will be selected at random and notified by email (that's why the email address is important) and the winners will be announced in a special Saturday post. Good Luck!
Happy Reading Everyone! THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Thanks to everyone who visited and entered. Good Luck. : )
A BlOOD SEDUCTION, a Vamp City Novel by Pamela Palmer, Avon Romance, available now in print and ebook format, original release date, May 29, 2012.
On Friday, I reviewed the soon-to-be released first book in Pamela Palmer's new Vamp City series, A BLOOD SEDUCTION. If you haven't read my review, please do - click here - but be sure to come right back because I've got the author, Pamela Palmer, visiting here with me today to talk about this extraordinary book and her new series. Plus she's got some Feral Warriors that she wants to find new homes for as well.
Blurb for A BLOOD SEDUCTION:
Vampires live only for lust and pleasure in the eternal twilight of Vamp City. But the city's magic is dying. The only person who can restore it? A beautiful woman from the mortal world ... one who knows nothing of the power she wields.
Quinn Lennox is searching for a missing friend when she stumbles into a dark otherworld that only she can see--and finds herself at the mercy of Arturo Mazza, a dangerously handsome vampire whose wicked kiss will save her, enslave her, bewitch her, and betray her. What Arturo can't do is forget about her--any more than Quinn can control her own feelings for him. Neither one can let desire get in the way of their mission--his to save his people, hers to save herself. But there is no escape from desire in a city built for seduction, where passion flows hot and blood-red. Welcome to Vamp City ...
* * * * *
Truly, if you love dark stories about vampires, you've got to read this new paranormal series. Now without further ado, I'd like to welcome one of my all time favorite authors, Pamela Palmer!
Amy: Welcome Pamela, it's a real delight for me to have you here with us today. Perhaps you can tell us a little bit about yourself for the benefit of those who don't know you yet.
Pamela: Hi Amy! I’m delighted to be here. I’m the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Feral Warriors shape-shifter series, the Esri series, and the soon-to-be released Vamp City series. I have (or will have in about a week) fourteen books in print. I’m an ex-industrial engineer, avid reader, and daydreamer who lives with my family in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Amy: Fourteen books is quite an achievement, congratulations. I've read everything you've written, even your unique historicals under Pamela Montgomerie. Of course, I adore your Feral Warriors and enjoyed your Harlequin Esri Series immensely, so I'm intrigued by what inspires you. All of your stories have a touch of magic to them, what has been your greatest inspiration in your writing?
Pamela: That’s a good question and I’m not sure I entirely know the answer. My first passion as a child was dinosaurs. At the age of four, my favorite book was The Golden Book of Dinosaurs. I suppose I’ve always been drawn to the larger-than-life. In fifth grade, I discovered two things simultaneously: space (we did a science unit on the solar system) and Star Trek. I decided I wanted to be an astronomer, then switched to wanting to be an astronaut until I was nineteen and finally realized that the space shuttle was never going to take me to those strange new worlds. But I credit Star Trek with inspiring my love of all things weird and fantastical—Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Virtually the only television shows that interest me are sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal (Fringe, Game of Thrones, Vampire Diaries, True Blood, the Walking Dead, Spartacus (okay, I like hot, naked guys, too)). [Amy: Don't we all! *wink*] But when it comes to my reading, I’ve almost always turned to romance. If the book doesn’t have a strong romance, I’m bored. I adore paranormal romance and I love urban fantasy as long as it contains a strong, satisfying romance.
Amy: Your Feral Warriors are the ultimate in good guy heroes, bigger than life, and so admirable in their natural instinct to protect women. With that in mind, I'm curious about the muse that took you in a completely different direction when it came time to create your Vamp City series?
Pamela: Ha! Are you saying the vampire Arturo isn’t a good guy? : )
Here’s the thing about A BLOOD SEDUCTION (Book 1 in my Vamp City series)…it’s book one of five, and it’s going to take all five to tell Quinn and Arturo’s story. Arturo definitely doesn’t start out as the epitome of the romance hero. (A lot of early reviewers are calling him an anti-hero.) Then again, Jag (the jaguar shifter hero of Rapture Untamed) didn’t start out as much of a hero, either. At the 20% mark of Jag’s book he was still pretty much a dyed in the wool ass. I love a hero with a long way to go. Always, always, always, they must have a core of honor and goodness, but they don’t always know it…or, in the beginning…show it all that often. Damon in Vampire Diaries (at least the t.v. show) is a good example of this. I find men like this endlessly fascinating—men that have a lot to learn and a lot of ways they have to change and grow before they’re deserving of love and loyalty and a happily ever after. What I love about writing the Vamp City series, and the reason I wanted to write a multi-book romance, is that with five books I have room to develop the hero and heroine’s relationship slowly. Don’t give up on Arturo just yet. ; ) That vampire has a heck of a journey ahead of him. And Quinn is just the woman to make it worth his while.
Amy: I'm hoping Arturo does come through as Quinn's hero! A BLOOD SEDUCTION can't really be called a traditional paranormal romance in the sense that it's obviously an ongoing story but it also leans more towards paranormal/urban fantasy. How did you ever convince Avon Romance to take a chance on such a unique and severely dark series with such a, for now, anti-romance hero?
Pamela: LOL. To be honest, I was surprised when Avon wanted to buy my Feral Warriors series, which is quite dark, though not as dark as Vamp City. At the time, Avon had a reputation for publishing primarily light historicals, which is definitely no longer true. Jeaniene Frost paved the way for me with her Cat and Bones series, which is also a multi-book romance, straddling the line between urban fantasy and paranormal romance. When I told my editor (whom I adore) that I wanted to do a bigger story, a multi-book, she was all for it. I sent her a brief proposal of the Vamp City series, a 2-3 paragraph synopsis of each of the five books, giving her the big picture. She loved it. She’s always let me do pretty much whatever I wanted with my stories.
Amy: And we are so very thankful that you've been given such freedom with your writing. It's obvious that Quinn, Arturo, and I assume, Zack, will be reappearing throughout the Vamp City series. I can feel a sense of underlying good guy in Arturo Mazza even though he is most definitely one of the most manipulative characters ever created. Without giving away too much, can you tell us how long it will take for him to come to the realization that his emotions for Quinn are stronger than just lustful desire for her to belong to him?
Pamela: Your assumptions would be correct. : ) On all counts. Arturo does have a lot of honor in him, but he’s a lot like Damon Salvatore (if you’re a Vampire Diaries fan) in believing that life as a vampire is easier if you push aside the morality and embrace what you are. How long will it take for Arturo to start to realize Quinn matters to him? Well, even in book 1, she’s getting under his skin. By the end of the book, he’s done several things, things that could (and will) cause him trouble, for her. No vampire thwarts Cristoff and gets away with it.
Amy: Cristoff terrifies me as he should and although Arturo helps Quinn knowing they both will suffer, he also knows she will be the one to suffer most. True Bad Boy, that one. It's obvious that there is a question about Zack that is brought to our attention at the end of A BLOOD SEDUCTION - will Zack become a hero presence in the series and will poor Lily ever be rescued from Vamp City?
Pamela: Ha! Not telling. : )
Amy: Rats! I thought I could coerce you into giving us a little preview! How many books will we be seeing come to us in the Vamp City series?
Pamela: The Arturo/Quinn arc will be five books. After that, we’ll see. There are other characters who may get their stories told.
Amy: I hope so, especially Zack, we see him gain real maturity in this first book. I found A BLOOD SEDUCTION to be one of the darkest stories I've ever read. It's Stephen King meets Anne Rice with some psychological thriller from Dean Koontz thrown in for good measure. It's BDSM meets horror and leaves the reader (at least it did me) with nervous anxiety and an unwillingness to turn out the light and go to sleep. Of course, I'm a fan of scary movies and books so I truly didn't mind. Knowing from experience how involved a writer becomes in their own characters and the worlds that we create, I wonder how, while writing this novel and those that will come, do you keep from terrifying yourself. Does living with these cruel and dominating vampires give you nightmares?
Pamela: Honestly, no. The wonderful thing about being the creator is that I’m in control, more or less. My characters might argue that point, and they’d be right—they wind up driving the action more often than not. The scariest part of violence and fear is the unknown. And when I’m the writer/creator, I know what’s going to happen, more or less. I don’t watch horror movies, not the slasher flicks designed to scare. But if I did, I’m sure I’d find they’re never as scary the second time you see one, because they’ve lost the scare factor. You know what’s coming. So while my vamps might be scary, ultimately, they all answer to me.
Amy: Glad to hear that and I hope you keep that Cristoff under control because I wouldn't want to meet him on the streets of Georgetown. *wink*
I usually finish with the question: If you could be ANY character in ANY book, which character would it be and why? But once upon a time, I was given the opportunity to ask you which of your characters you would most want to be and you answered, that it was Faith from ECSTASY UNTAMED because she can fly.
So, I'm going to go in a different direction: Of all of your characters, including those in A BLOOD SEDUCTION, which is the one most like you and why?
Pamela: I remember that question! And it’s a lot easier than this one. Lol! Each of my heroines (and truly, most of my heroes) have a part of me, some piece of my personality whether it’s my stubbornness or persistence or sense of fair play. But they’re each their own person, too. So much of who we are is formed early in our lives. Who would Kara (in Desire Untamed) have been if she’d been encouraged to follow her dreams instead of pressured to remain home with her mother, a woman who knew the danger Kara was in even though Kara did not? Who would Delaney (Obsession Untamed) have been if her mother hadn’t been murdered, driving her into the FBI to catch the ones who got away? Who would Skye (Passion Untamed) have been if she’d grown up within the safety of her family instead of the captivity of the soulless Mage? In some ways, they’re all me, or the me I would hope to be if I were put in the same situation. But in other ways, each is a unique individual and not like me at all. So who is most like me? I have no idea. Sorry!
Amy: I guess that's how it should be then. Just as your characters grow and change so do you. We're glad of that since with change comes more characters. Pamela, thank you so very much for taking time from your busy schedule to spend time with us today. It's been a delight and a very special treat for me as I hope it has been for our visitors. Congratulations on the upcoming release of A BLOOD SEDUCTION and I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Pamela: Thanks so much for having me, Amy! And thanks for the good wishes on the upcoming release. : ) I have a question for all of you. I’ve given you an idea of the types of television I like to watch. What are you watching and loving these days? I’ll let Amy choose two winners to receive a signed copy of one of my Feral Warriors books, winners’ choice. And if you have any other questions for me, ask away!
Amy: Well, you heard the dear lady, what are you watching and loving most on television these days?
For me, it's GAME OF THRONES and THE BORGIAS but next month, I'll be in 7th Heaven when TRUE BLOOD returns on June 10th. Yay! That's my prize since I'm not eligible to enter the giveaway but you are, so:
For a chance to win a Feral Warriors Novel, please answer Pamela's question- What are you watching and loving most on television these days? - leave it in a comment WITH your EMAIL ADDRESS because, remember if I can't contact you, you can't win! Two (2) eligible and very lucky commenters will be chosen at random. Those two lucky people will be able to choose which of the Feral Warriors they'd like to have come live at their house - in book form, of course. This Giveaway is open to EVERYONE (US & International) and will run until 11:45PM EDT on Wednesday, May 23, 2012. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! THANKS FOR VISITING!
If you'd like to learn more about Pamela Palmer and her fabulous series, please visit her website - click here to travel there. Happy Reading Everyone!
A BLOOD SEDUCTION, a Vamp City novel, by Pamela Palmer, Avon Romance, release date, May 29th, 2012, available in print and ebook format.
I am a huge fan of Pamela Palmer's writing so when Avon sent me the ARC for the first novel in her new Vamp City Series, I was more than excited, I was ecstatic. Pamela's writing has always been amazing and her paranormal stories have always been filled with magic, larger than life heroes and passion, passion, passion. I expected to find the same in this new series, so imagine my surprise when I read A BLOOD SEDUCTION by Pamela Palmer.
Blurb for A BLOOD SEDUCTION:
Vampires live only for lust and pleasure in the eternal twilight of Vamp City. But the city's magic is dying. The only person who can restore it? A beautiful woman from the mortal world ... one who knows nothing of the power she wields.
Quinn Lennox is searching for a missing friend when she stumbles into a dark otherworld that only she can see--and finds herself at the mercy of Arturo Mazza, a dangerously handsome vampire whose wicked kiss will save her, enslave her, bewitch her, and betray her. What Arturo can't do is forget about her--any more than Quinn can control her own feelings for him. Neither one can let desire get in the way of their mission--his to save his people, hers to save herself. But there is no escape from desire in a city built for seduction, where passion flows hot and blood-red. Welcome to Vamp City ...
* * * * *
Quinn Lennox has always felt a little out of place so when her clothes and hair change color inexplicably and when she see Shimmers in Georgetown, she just pushes it from her mind. But when she begins to see another world overlaid on the real world, she begins to wonder if she's going mad. The last thing she expects is to find herself and her brother, Zack, pulled into this dangerous and dark netherworld called Washington, V.C. - V.C. for Vamp City. A copy of Washington, DC circa Civil War era that was magically created as a place where vampires can hunt, play, and exist without being hunted or condemned for their lifestyles. This dark nightmarish world exists alongside the real Washington, DC but the magic that holds it is beginning to fail. Bursts of sunlight are starting to break through and threaten the vampires' existence and their world.
Arturo Mazza is not a typical hero type. He's handsome, of course, he's even charming but he's also very dangerous and very manipulative. When he comes to Quinn's rescue, he's surprised to discover she might be just what he's been looking for to save Vamp City. He believes she may be the sorcerer who's needed to restore the magic that will save himself, his fellow vampires and Vamp City. As much as he knows that Quinn's only desire is to find her brother and their friend, Lily, then get their butts back to the real world, Arturo can't let her go, he can't assist her, and he must turn her over to the vicious and even more dangerous, Cristoff who plans to end her life as soon as the magic is restored.
Quinn is strong in nature, strong in conviction, and determined to free herself and her brother from this hell in which they've accidentally stumbled. She knows Arturo has lied to her, she knows he will continue to lie to her for as he tells her often, he cannot help what he is. Despite her knowing that Arturo can't be trusted, it's him she's drawn to, it's him she continuously asks assistance from and it's him that continually plagues her dreams and thoughts. Quinn isn't the only one not immune to the growing relationship between this dark master and his prisoner. Arturo wants her to be his but even more than wanting her to be his, he desires her to want him and not to fear him. Even though he feeds on fear, he has no desire for Quinn's fear. It's this aspect of Arturo that keeps him from being a complete anti-hero.
A BLOOD SEDUCTION took me by surprise. I'm well acquainted with Pamela's ability to weave stories where worlds of magic coexist alongside our Human world and it's one of the things I love about her books but this world is darker and more dangerous than anything she's ever created before. From the minute that Quinn and Zack enter Vamp City, they are fighting for their lives. This nightmarish world is full of dangers, tortures and lacks even the minutest moment of softness or light. Humans are food and toys to the vampires. Humans are slaves to cruel and uncaring masters who not only feed on their blood but their emotions as well. Some, like Arturo, feed on the fear that they instill in their victims but others, like Arturo's creator/master, feed on the pain that they inflict on their victims. Torture is common place in Vamp City. Unspeakable tortures that inflict the greatest amount of pain possible so that these monster vampires can indulge themselves in the delights of feeding on this strongest of emotions. I have to say that I am quite shocked and amazed that Pamela even thought up some of the disturbing means of torture that were used by the vampires.
When I read FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, I snickered at the level of BDSM used in the book and thought the hoopla was all overrated - well, folks, A BLOOD SEDUCTION makes FIFTY SHADES OF GREY look like a fairy tale. But just as the first in the E.L. James series couldn't be called a true romance, the same holds true of A BLOOD SEDUCTION. We have to keep reading. We have to follow Quinn's journey back into the darkness and watch as her attraction for Arturo, and his for her, guides their relationship and their romance. I have no doubt that like a few other Bad Boy heroes, Arturo's heart will lead him down the path to acknowledging his conscience and his humanity. It's just going to take some time and probably be an uphill battle.
A BLOOD SEDUCTION by Pamela Palmer is not for everyone. I found this book extraordinary and unique. I also found it greatly disturbing at times. I found no respite from the dangers, the terror, the constant fear that the heroine finds herself living with and as far as romance goes ... well, I'm waiting for the rest of the series. There is no happily ever after for the story isn't over. At times, I found myself liking Arturo very much and other times, wishing he would go away and leave Quinn to her own methods. Like other Bad Boys, the goodness that exists in Arturo shows through enough to give you hope.
With A BLOOD SEDUCTION and as always, Pamela has proven herself the writer extraordinaire. She has created a world so dark, so terrifying, and so nightmarish that you may think twice about ever visiting Washington, DC again. I know that I will be reading on in this series now that I know what to expect. I need to know what happens. There are too many questions left unanswered at the end of this first book not to continue on. My curiosity has been piqued, I am totally hooked, and like any addict, I have a need for more.
I can only recommend A BLOOD SEDUCTION by Pamela Palmer to those who enjoy the darkest of dark stories, who are looking for a taste of the true vampire horror and are willing to continue on into the series for resolution. This is not a book for the faint of heart or for those who are looking for a passionate, true love romance that culminates in passionate embraces at the end of the book. A BLOOD SEDUCTION is a unique, extraordinary, and exquisitely mind twisting paranormal that will have you thinking about sleeping with the lights on - if you sleep at all.
Happy Reading Everyone and please come by on Monday, May 21st when the author, Pamela Palmer, will be here to talk about this fabulous new series and give away some Feral Warriors! Can it get better than that?
A BLOOD SEDUCTION, a Vamp City novel from Avon Romance, release date, May 29, 2012, available in print and ebook format.
