Vampire Vengeance | Warhammer Review

THE WOLF AND THE RAT by C.L. Werner is a short packed with more than one twist. After the Necroquake event, Radukar the Wolf turned against the nobility of Mournhold, and the city was renamed as Ulfenkarn, the Wolf's Feast. Kritza the Rat Prince, who attempted to undermine his former master once before, now possesses the hide of the last Vyrkos Blood-king, thinking he will be able to use the pelt to lure Radukar into a fatal trap.

The Wolf, however, is three steps ahead of his enemies, and those who joined Kritza soon realize they backed the wrong vampire.

While readers who are familiar with Warhammer: Age of Sigmar will appreciate this tale the most, you don't have to know anything about Warhammer to appreciate this story of betrayal and revenge.

There is also a preview of CURSED CITY by Werner included.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Fu Sheng Returns | AstraDaemon

BLOOD BONDS by Laura A. Ellison features the Chinese vampire, Fu Sheng, from the short story, A FOREIGN BODY. As with the short story, this novella is also a mix of crime drama, science fiction and preternatural characters, as well as multiple alien species.

An ancient vampire family makes their way to the New Galaxy (not an easy journey for vampires, who still have yet to make their species known to anyone), with news of in-fighting between the older and younger generations of vampires. The young ones are sick of hiding, but the older ones believe the humans will hunt them to extinction, even on other planets. The threat of exposure follows them to their new home. Unfortunately, the humans have spread throughout the known universe, much to the displeasure of the aliens.

You don't have to read the short story to enjoy this one, but I highly recommend reading A FOREIGN BODY first for context about the alien culture, as well as background about Fu Sheng and his few acquaintances.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Dinner Is Served | AstraDaemon

Jared Rodgers needed cash and had to work, while the rest of his hometown got to kick back and enjoy Labor Day. After answering a job ad in the local paper, he is directed to an abandoned warehouse. An ominous feeling grips him as soon as he enters the boarded-up building. By the time he realizes what’s going on, the hunt has already begun.

LABOR DAY HUNT by Calvin Demmer surprised me...I didn't know who Jared would have to face, and I didn't expect his situation to change so drastically.

However, for some sadistic reason, I wanted Alexander to be one of the investors, as a final blow to Jared.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Halloween With Blood and More [Interview]

We’ve discussed monsters throughout this month, but the reason for the season is Halloween. Some folks get old-school and celebrate Samhain, while others celebrate All Saints Day. Of course, there are those who not only celebrate all three, but also get into the dark holiday spirit as soon as Autumn begins.

I thought I’d bring back Ruth Miranda, author of the Blood trilogy, to discuss the holiday most horror fans live for…

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When do you begin celebrating, and how do you celebrate?

I actually don’t quite celebrate Halloween - shocker! - in the common sense. I do put up some witchy decor because I love marking the seasons this way and I love to surround myself with evocative reminders of the seasonal changes, we occasionally bake pumpkin pie for dessert on the 31st and we do tend to have a bit of a celebratory dinner between the 3 of us. But most of my celebrations happen inside me, does this even make sense?

October is a month that means family to me, from start to end. My father’s birthday was in October, so is mine and my husband’s. My niece and nephew too, some of my best friends along the years have October birthdays, so to me this is all about honouring the hearth, the family ties that don’t always have to be blood ones, and the ancestry running in my veins. My grandfather passed away on my 13th birthday, so I feel a deep connection to his spirit, his heritage, as deep as I felt the connection with him while he was living. I find myself thinking about my ancestors a lot during this month and finding traces of them in my children, my sister’s children, so I celebrate this link, this tie to the past, to those who came before me and made me who I am. I cherish and honour their lives and their memory, but it’s something that happens inside me.

You are currently residing in Portugal. How is the European view of Samhain/Halloween different from the American view?

Wouldn’t know about what happens in the rest of Europe, to be honest, only here. Portugal is a MASSIVELY catholic country, but it’s also a place so prone to fall under what’s commercially sold. Halloween was NEVER a thing round here when I was growing up, though I knew it from watching American films and Peanuts - best Halloween ever! - but here people celebrate All Saints’ and the 1st of November tends to be sombre and sad, folks going to the cemetery to place flowers on their departed ones’ graves.

Imagine my surprise when my kid started school and I was suddenly drowned by Halloween parties and the need for a costume for all those parties… Of course I would never deny him the experience, so he did celebrate a few Halloweens like that, but he has never celebrated All Saints because we’re not catholic. I think the religious weight has been lifted off the date a lot with the younger generations, but the older ones are still frowning upon such a pagan party as Halloween...

Do you know of any unusual Halloween traditions, such as matchmaking or soul cakes?

All I know are certain Samhain rituals...

Do you think the horror community keeps Halloween relevant or do you think Halloween gives a boost to the horror industry?

Neither, actually, for me Halloween goes beyond horror and I don’t view it as an horror prone date, but I do confess to watching a horror film or ten on Halloween!

What do you think of people trying to change the date of Halloween?

Why would they? It’s silly. Then again, the 1st of November is a bank holiday in Portugal, maybe that’s why I find it stupid that people would change the date. We get to party hard - and I sure did, back in my 20s, 30s! - and rest the day after.

How do you think the preternaturals in your stories would celebrate? Or do you think they’d find human customs ridiculous?

There’s a Samhain celebration occurring in Avalon Hall complete with a little ritual as well, and seeing that the story is set in the same preternatural universe as my previous books, I feel that a lot of the characters would celebrate in a similar manner. Except for Rune Sanderson and his gang, that is, he’d been out and about hunting witches for their blood back in his younger days!

Do you think you would ever write a story which takes place around this holiday?

Like I said, Avalon Hall reaches its climax during Halloween!

Will you come back later this year to discuss your new fantasy series?

Would love to return and talk about the Heir of Avalon Trilogy!
https://indiepublishauthors.wixsite.com/ruthmiranda

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Tomorrow I announce the winner of the Kody Boye giveaway, and I have a special review planned for Halloween, so keep checking back this week.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Life After Death

I AM THE NIGHT by Ruth Miranda is a companion story for her Blood trilogy. You don't need to read the entire series to enjoy this novel, but you'll get more out of it, if you read the first Blood book in advance. I Am The Night is narrated by Marcus, offering fans of the series his perspective on events leading up to his confrontation with Caius, as well as the beginning of his relationship with Marianne.

I already liked the character Marcus in the trilogy, but after reading his personal experiences as an abuse victim and a vampire, he is now my favorite character from the series. I wouldn't mind another companion book centered on Marcus, taking place after the third novel in the trilogy.

Last but not least, Miranda once again touches on current social issues with her preternaturals, examining how people identify themselves in various situations and the way they choose to interact with others. I found the vampire's epiphany about love to be quite a revelation, after everything he has had to overcome by himself. Additionally, the supporting characters impart significant discoveries within the journey Marcus undertakes.

Fans of the series definitely need to add this one to their Blood collection!

As always,
AstraDaemon

Supernatural Crime Noir

MONSTERS by Thomas Smith is more mystery-thriller than horror. The author has mixed a familiar supernatural concept with crime drama into something resembling noir fiction, with the narrator being both a victim and killer in equal measure. Smith also maintains a solid balance between action and dialogue, complete with a coming of age flashback. No dull moments, and entertaining enough to become a preternatural crime series.

While the premise is similar to a certain Marvel movie series, the tone is less campy, more personal, and I'd love to see Smith bring back Jack for another case file.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Vampires As Weapons

It's morning again in America . . . but not for Scott Dugan.

Three years have passed since young vampire Scott Dugan and his uncle found refuge in Mexico. They thought they had put their troubled pasts behind them, until the day a familiar face shows up to ensnare Dugan in a scheme that will transport him to the killing fields of war torn Central America and beyond. 

And when Dugan learns the truth about their mission, he must decide whether he owes his allegiance to the human race he was once a part of, or to his newfound self.

The Space of Life Between is the final book in the Applewood trilogy by Brendan P. Myers. I'm quite satisfied with the ending. HOWEVER, Myers could and should continue this series beyond three books. The author's writing becomes increasingly stronger with each installment, and, by the third book, Myers has transformed a coming of age vampire story into a political drama with several POVs and multiple layers of suspense. With so much effort put into this trilogy, I think Myers should consider giving Dugan an ongoing series.

I can't remember the last time I read this kind of story evolution. I am so damn impressed by Myers growth as an author, as well as the development of his characters and the details of the various settings. Whether Dugan finds himself in a small town, a circus or El Salvador, the reader is transported along with the young vampire through intense dialogue and mind-shattering action. I know I never expected a journey like this when I first read Applewood.

If your looking for some horror with serious depth, please treat yourself to this series!

As always,
AstraDaemon

Puberty With Fangs

Fourteen-year-old Scott Dugan is both desperate survivor and hunted casualty of a vampire outbreak that decimates his small Massachusetts town. His uncle believes science offers hope and takes the boy on the run from shadowy forces tasked with exterminating those like his nephew. 

But when the two separate, Scott embarks on an epic journey that takes him from cheap carnival sideshow act to comfortable refugee in the home of a wealthy and reclusive man with his own dark tale to tell. 

As the chase moves from the low deserts of Arizona to the high peaks of Colorado and into the White House itself, Scott must avoid becoming a pawn in someone else's deadly game. And when he learns that self-discovery for those like him is only found by embracing all he has become, he must weigh his longing to remember who he was and where he came from against the certainty that in doing so, he will never see the sun again.

Fledge by Brendan P. Myers is the sequel to the vampire novel, Applewood. The first book featured a group of young boys, not unlike Stand By Me, with a horror a bit like Phantasm, and blended two mysteries into one fantastic vampire story. This sequel reveals what happened to Scott Dugan during the time he was away, struggling with his affliction, taking place between the alternating timelines of the original outbreak story.

Through Dugan's POV and his personal transformation experience, readers learn the nature of vampires in Myer's creation. I'm happy to say the undead in this trilogy are a force to be reckoned with, drawing upon the classic vampiric themes. As a human, Dugan already possessed a couple of psychic abilities, which have only been strengthened, but he also has developed a few other new skills. While I am enthralled with the main character and his fight for survival, I keep wondering what the deal is with the sweet-tooth cravings.

When I began this series, I would have described Applewood as a coming of age with a supernatural twist. However, with the introduction of the government characters in Fledge, the author has transformed this series into a preternatural crime drama. I'm hoping Myers will reveal what became of Stephen Harris and give Dugan the justice he has earned through his horrifying journey.

Even if you're not normally into vampires, I strongly recommend this trilogy to readers who appreciate a good mystery-thriller.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Karma Is A Witch

After being thrown to a time portal by Nora Bell’s magic, Marianne finds herself face to face with her own past, one she must now share with Marcus. Will witnessing the life events, that led to having met her at Stuart Harlow’s mansion, change the way he sees her? And will his worry about having left Cai alone, back in their own time, allow him to stay focused and clear headed, around a woman who once held such allure over him?
Will Cai and Nora find a way to bring Marcus back from the past?
And will they condemn Marianne to stay locked there, with her own demons?

Marianne by Ruth Miranda is the third book in the Blood trilogy.In the first book, Blood, Caius realizes his family has been keeping several secrets from him, only to be faced with blood, teeth, lies and deceit, as Cai attempts to find the truth behind his many "gifts." Scars, the second book, jumps ahead two years, as Caius and his twin brother Marcus search for their negligent father. Using preternatural characters, Miranda addresses family drama from physical abuse and traumatic loss to issues such as self-cutting, depression and addiction throughout her trilogy.

Marianne, a witch with her own twisted secrets, adds yet another complication to the lives of the brothers. However, in a twisted way, she strengthens the bond between the twins. I had a strong dislike for Marianne, until this book. Once her backstory is revealed, she didn't strike me as the evil narcissist I took her for. Suddenly, everything about her made sense.

I enjoyed this installment more than the second one, but not quite as much as the first. Miranda included a lot of sex and graphic violence not present in Blood and Scars. I understand the necessity, but I felt like the author lost some of what sets her apart from other writers in this genre by using overdone plot devices. Ironically, much like Marcus, I can't get enough of the witch.

The ending is an absolute shocker. I felt like the author burst into my living room and kicked me in the face...I could not have been more caught off guard. Thankfully, Miranda included an author's note to dull the pain. I can't wait to read more from this author!

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Blood Trilogy Continues

"SCARS", the second novella on the BLOOD Trilogy, takes off two years after the events of "BLOOD". Caius Nilsson is back to being a rock star, the search for his father forgotten now he is reunited with his twin brother. But a darkness lurks inside him, and threatens his life. Now the brothers must take up the search for Titus McFee again, to understand the disease taking over Cai and a find a way to save him. But how far is Marcus willing to go only to assure his brother is safe?

Scars by Ruth Miranda (read April 2018 interview here) takes a slightly different route from the first book in the trilogy. While both the first and second stories center on the family drama surrounding the twin brothers, Marcus and Caius, the storyline moves on from physical abuse and traumatic loss to issues such as self-cutting, depression and addiction.

The author once again addresses real-life issues using preternatural characters, giving both the supernatural and psychological aspects of the story far more depth than what would be possible with just one or the other. By mixing in the brothers' search for their negligent father, Miranda also incorporates the suspense of a mystery-thriller as well.

Unfortunately, I take issue with the writing style this time around. The inner-thoughts dialogue of Marcus and Caius, set apart by italics, are too long, often unnecessary and mostly disruptive to the overall flow. I also disliked the lack of growth displayed by the brothers. The second story jumps ahead two years, but there is not much in their interactions to suggest they've spent such a long period of time getting to know one another, aside from Marcus' concern for Caius' health.

I am still looking forward to the third book in the Blood trilogy. Miranda has a true talent for taking headlines, such as the battles with addiction and tragic overdose deaths of those in the music industry, and turning inner demons into supernatural creatures struggling with the same afflictions.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Alien + Human + Vampire = Sci-Fi Crime Drama

Fu Sheng, a 900 year old Chinese vampire, comes out of the seclusion of his high-rise apartment to investigate the unsolved murder of an alien medical student on Pharaoh Moon II's Desert City, part of the New Galaxy that has been colonized by humans and aliens. Fu Sheng, using his vampire powers, learns more about the victim, a Lost species of alien, and her murderer, who was willing to kill to know her mysteries.

A Foreign Body by Laura A. Ellison is a science fiction murder mystery, told from the POV of a vampire who has chosen to relocate from Earth to a society of humans and aliens in the New Galaxy. While the cultural tensions between species is fascinating and the investigation is full of twists, the setting crafted by Ellison is worthy of its own series.

As much I love the idea of a detective series with Fu Sheng, I would be happy with any stories taking place in the New Galaxy. Even though this story was originally published in 2013, I sincerely hope Ellison considers returning to this mix of genres: crime drama, science fiction and preternatural.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Blood and Food [Interview]

I've been on Instagram for just over two years (@astradaemon) and it's been the most positive experience I've had with social media to date. I've met people from all over the world, viewed countless amazing photographs, but, most importantly, I've found more authors!

One such author is Ruth Miranda from Portugal. She liked something I posted, so I viewed her gallery to see what she is about...the lady has a great mix of food and books. (Who wouldn't be interested in that combination?) I traveled from her IG account to her Amazon Author page and one story caught my eye...

'Chaos' Nilsson has it all: a successful career in the music industry, fame, money, the girl.

He also has a monkey on his back, brought about by the visions that plague his mind and haunt his every waking moment; visions that will only be quietened when he numbs himself with generous amounts of alcohol and drugs.

After an accident that nearly costs him his life, he embarks on a journey of self discovery, in search of his roots and the secret to the blood coursing through his vein.

Blood by Ruth Miranda is so much more than a horror story with supernatural creatures. This novella is a family drama centered around a young man named Caius, who has recently survived an extremely traumatic experience and he now requires therapy. During his sessions, Cai reveals he is suffering from brutal visions...memories of life he's never lived. He soon realizes his family has been keeping several secrets from him, the kind of secrets that tear apart loved ones and destroy lives.

Miranda alternates between the visions and Cai's sessions, creating the right amount of suspense to lure readers in, only to be faced with blood, teeth, lies and deceit, as Cai attempts to find the truth behind his many "gifts." The story pours along rather quickly with the visions continuing, even as the young man travels far from home.

The cast of characters and the detailed lore behind each one is making the wait for the sequel excruciating...so I decided to kill some time by inviting Ruth Miranda to the Lair...

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Q. Where did the idea for Blood come from? Did you do any research for your characters’ special traits?

It actually came from the photo used for the book cover. I was playing around with ideas for another book cover when I happened upon that image, and suddenly, a story came into my mind, the main characters already very defined. I did not research any traits, used mostly my own life experience.

Q. There are so many layers to this story…do you have a specific message you are trying to get across to your readers?

I don’t think so. My main goal with Blood was to entice the readers into start making up assumptions in their minds, as to what was going on. I actually started doing that before publishing the novella, by sharing teasers on my Instagram that really helped spike up curiosity. But in the end, maybe what I am trying to say with this story is that perhaps nothing is thicker than blood?

Q. Why did you choose to write within this sub-genre of horror? Is this also what you prefer to read?

I read everything, except sappy romance. My favourite authors are Stephen King, Agatha Christie, Donna Tart, Anne Rice. But I mostly write in the Paranormal genre, usually Paranormal Romance, or Paranormal Fantasy. I do like to mix up several sub-genres, but to be honest, I never looked at Blood as horror, to me it was a Paranormal Urban Fantasy, very much like my previous novels, The Preternaturals Series – although these are very much romance infused, and Blood lacks that.

Q. For some reason, many of the authors I know are chefs, bakers, etc., even if they write in different genres. Do you think this is a coincidence or do you think there is a serious connection between food and the written word?

I see books and writing as food for the mind, so yes, I think there’s a bit of a connection there. I love cooking, but I mostly love eating, and I have a slight obsession with feeding my family balanced meals with the occasional treat. I’m also very much of a wine lover, which goes together so well both with books and food, doesn’t it? I think they all come together in the end. The first novel I published actually delves a bit more into food, it’s a Mystery Romance and food does play an important part in it.

Q. You seem to be equally passionate about cooking and writing. How do you find time for both?

Well, I am a stay at home mom, so I can indulge in writing all day long while my son’s at school. And seeing that my husband works full time, I think it’s only fair I get to do the cooking on work-days. Most of my food is every day, simple fair, and because I can afford the time, I usually spend a bit playing around with food, so I get to serve something that is nourishing but also delicious and interesting to eat. As for my writing, even when I’m lying down to sleep, I find myself coming up with stories, or lines, sentences and even whole chapters that end up in paper the next day, after they’ve stewed in my head. But not working outside the home does provide me with time for all this.

Q. The Lair has a lot viewers who will enjoy your new Blood series. Is there anything else you would like them to know about your writing? What do you have planned for the rest of this year?

I plan to write another two novellas related to Blood this year, focusing both on events that come after those taking place in Blood and those before it. I am also working on an Arthurian saga, two volumes are already written and am on the third and hopefully final one, but I don’t think these will be published before the end of the year, probably only by 2019. These also connect with Blood in a sense that some characters overlap, and the “universe” created for them is the same, as it is with The Preternaturals Series. So there’s still a lot of work ahead for me, which is great, I love what I do!

Thank you for visiting the Lair!

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I will be keeping track of Ruth Miranda as the new titles come out, so readers can expect to see more of her work here in the future.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Long Lost Friends

The Mortality of Morris Meridian by Steven Pajak (author of the Mad Swine series) is a novella about a reunion of two veterans while Morris is dying from cancer. The author takes a bit too long to introduce Harrison into the story and I'm concerned potential readers would give up before they even reach the flashback, which is the heart of the story. I think the combat memory could've functioned as a stand-alone story without any of the hospital scenes. Harrison is such an interesting character, I think Pajak could write a mini-series about his travels through the years.

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While I don't have any friends quite like Harrison, I know what it's like to reunite with someone unexpectedly, after many years have gone by. A boy I hung out with as a child in Virginia reappeared in my life years later in Hawaii. I don't have the words to describe the joy I felt bumping into a friend I didn't think I would ever see again in my life. We didn't fall in love and get married, or anything like that, but knowing there are some bonds that cannot be broken by miles or time keeps me hopeful about the randomness of life.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Executioners Return

After one hundred years of silence, The Hand of Death is on the radar again – and Franklin is assigned to deal with the situation. Part of a team, they discover it’s not just Jorick who’s involved, but also the Tormentor, Kateesha. In a battle against legends, what can go wrong? Celebrate Shades of Gray’s eighth anniversary and read the attack on Oren’s den through the Executioner’s point of view. 

WARNING: This story contains spoilers for the novel Shades of Gray. Not recommended as a stand alone.

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Franklin: The Promise by Joleene Naylor is another story set in the world of Amaranthine. This particular tale contains crucial spoilers, so, if you haven't read Shades of Gray, but you intend to, go read the novel first. Usually, it's safe to read Tales of the Executioners as a mini-series, but this is an exception. You have been warned.

After reading the other stories in this mini-series, I could appreciate the Executioners' roles even more. Naylor has put an incredible about of thought into the details of her Amaranthine creation. I've read a few other series with multiple full-length novels, as well as short story features, but very few can come close to the complexity of this vampire world.

Most of the time, the Executioner tales have been a mix of drama, suspense and even romance, but this time, the story is quite horrifying and the ending nearly brought me to my knees.

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A cartoon vampire on the “haunted house” advertisement catches Greneth’s eyes. Then, a couples-only discount sweetens the deal, if he can find someone to take. Griselda seems the perfect choice, but when she starts asking silly questions – like just what is a haunted house, anyway? – and talking about so-called real ghosts, he wonders if he’s made the right choice.

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Greneth: Halloween Hijinks by Joleene Naylor began somewhat light-hearted and slowly turned into a dark and guilt-ridden situation. I don't understand why the female vampires in these stories give the males such a difficult time about most everything. I'm thinking it has something to do with the time period they lived in as humans. The interactions between the Executioners give away more about the characters' personalities than their inner thoughts. A sociologist could have a field day in the Citadel.

I enjoyed the haunted house setting, rather than the typical assignment setting. I would like to see more origin stories about the female vampires.

As always,
AstraDaemon

More From Tales of the Executioners

Dismas: Prayers of the Damned is another book in the Tales of the Executioners mini-series by Joleene Naylor. When I reviewed several of these stories, during the summer, the tales were listed as being in a particular order within the product description of the actual Kindle download. Since then, the author Joleene Naylor has clarified on her website: "It doesn't matter what order* you read the stories in - each is a stand alone short! *Due to the difference in publishers, stories may appear in a different order on Amazon." I wish she had clarified that from the beginning of the series. Just goes to show you can't always trust the product descriptions.

Dismas is currently my favorite executioner tale. I love the mix of conflicts swirling around Dismas. He struggles with issues of loyalty, spirituality and self-discovery. I've never been a fan of Kateesha, so I enjoyed seeing her displaced. Naylor uses the perfect balance of drama and action to lure readers further into the world of Amaranthine.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Tales of the Executioners, Book 9

From a mini-series, set in the world of Amaranthine...

Daniel: Black Luck - Daniel and Kateesha are tasked with apprehending a murderous vampire, but all work and no play makes Kateesha bored. When she lures Daniel into neglecting their duty, he can guess his future: failure isn’t something The Guild takes lightly.

Daniel by Joleene Naylor is the latest installment in Tales of the Executioners. This story has a good mix of personal history, history of The Guild and history of the vampires in general.  The additional scenes with Clara and Malick add another layer to the mystery that is Kateesha. The ending surprised me...I think I have more respect for Daniel than most of the Executioners.

If you've been enjoying this mini-series, be sure to check the author's page for more stories set in the world of Amaranthine.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Tales of the Executioners, Book 8

From a mini-series, set in the world of Amaranthine...

Cyprus: Future's Promise - Before Cyprus joined the ranks of the Executioners, he was a guard at the Stronghold in Munich, Germany, where he fell in love with Sadihra, who is the German equivalent of an Executioner.

Cyprus by Joleene Naylor features another origin story. This is also another example of a vampire being so reckless with emotions that it's hard to believe Cyprus is as old as he is. Honestly, kids in junior high show more self-control. However, unlike Lisiantha's story, there's a jagged edge to this one, and the ending can be interpreted in more than one way, which makes me wish this story had been just a bit longer.

On a side note...when Naylor first began this series, the Executioners were something to be feared, and the earlier stories reflected this. It's also laughable that there's a warning about content at the beginning of each story, but the content is pretty PG. While this mini-series isn't as melodramatic as a lot of vampire stories, I wish Naylor would focus more on the darker aspects of her characters.

Check back one more time for the most recent installment to Tales of the Executioners.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Tales of the Executioners, Book 7

From a mini-series, set in the world of Amaranthine...

Lisiantha: Home for Christmas - After a bad breakup, Lisiantha returns to her rural coven. Dreading a run in with her ex, Josh, she soon has more important things to worry about: her master made a mistake and a warring coven wants her blood. Can Lisiantha and Josh find a way to save her – and maybe rekindle an old love in the process? Even vampires enjoy a Hallmark-style Christmas special.

Lisiantha by Jolene Naylor features a female Executioner for a change. The story actually takes place before Lisiantha becomes an Executioner. Unfortunately, the author decided to make this a love story, which resulted in Lisiantha appearing rather weak. It's as if she can't stand on her own without a mate. I would expect more self-confidence from a vampire who has been around as long as she has. It's really a shame Naylor departed from her usual writing style for this story.

Keep checking back for my reviews of the remaining stories.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Tales of the Executioners, Book 6

From a mini-series, set in the world of Amaranthine...

Bren: In the Dark - Bren has a simple assignment - to deal with a coven who's killed too many locals. When he takes a victim's phone as a trophy, he becomes fascinated with the story of her death - almost too fascinated.

Bren by Joleene Naylor appears to be the sixth book, but, once again, there appears to be a discrepancy between the author's website and the book's description. The story is not really about Bren...rather, it's about the final moments of a victim killed by the coven he's tasked with punishing. I think the story would've had more of an impact if the format had been the actual text exchange between Trista, Robert and Bree. However, it is an interesting mix of social media and vampire activity.

Keep checking back for my reviews of the remaining stories.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Tales of the Executioners, Book 5

From a mini-series, set in the world of Amaranthine...

Byrn: At Christmas- It's 1755. With The Guild in it's infancy, there are only so many Executioners, so when a report of mass killings rolls in at Christmas time, Byrn is sent to sort it out. He'd better do something special to appease his wife.

Byrn by Joleene Naylor features an executioner who does not appear in any of the main novels, and the Guild is fairly new in this setting. A bit more is revealed about Malick's personality, but the story is so short, not much can be said about it. The least interesting in the series, so far.

Keep checking back for my reviews of the remaining stories.

As always,
AstraDaemon