Book Review: Kiss of Life

Kiss of Life

By:  Seleste DeLaney

Publish Date:  March 2, 2015

Format:  ebook

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Series:  2nd in Blood Kissed series; Prequel #1 ~ Of Course I Try, Prequel #2 ~ The Ghost of Vampire Present, Short Stories ~ 0.1 ~ Christmas in Chains, 0.2 ~ Devil's Bargain, Short Story 0.3 ~ What Have I Done, 0.4 ~ The Cost of Love, 1st Book ~ Kiss of Death

First Glance Feel:  Paranormal Romance of one woman learning of what she is, growing stronger, and choices to make to try and save her followers.

Synopsis:
The vampire’s curse has been awakened, and Jocelyn has no choice but to accept her destiny as the Blood Kissed—the one destined to destroy the vampires…or rule them. While Max and Chad want to help her reach her full potential, not all of the supernaturals share their plan.

The Council of Elders, a crazed sorcerer assassin, and a vampire hunter out for revenge have driven Jocelyn into hiding. She and her ragtag army have holed up in the forests of Michigan’s upper peninsula to get ready for the fight. If training is any indication, they should be ready for war by the time she turns fifty.

But no one is going to let her wait that long. War is nigh, the death toll is rising, and when Michigan’s most famous harbinger of doom shows up on the scene, the army of the Blood Kissed is hoping for a miracle, praying to be graced with a little kiss of life…

First Sentence:
Into every life a little rain must fall - though at this time of the year, snow was more likely.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

My Thoughts and Summary:
Jocelyn has been training for 7 months, and raising an army of separate groups of supernaturals. She's also been avoiding Chad and Max, and they have been behaving and working hard as her generals. A supernatural war is on the horizon along with so much more in the works. The newest member of their cause, the Nain Rouge. But is it good or bad to have him on their side? Remy, a rock star elder vampire, has his own plans which stirs things up faster. The sorcerer Jocelyn, Chad, and Max tangled with before wants his revenge. Someone is attacking those close to Jocelyn to draw her out in the open.

The first third or so of the book is from different point of views. I didn't feel invested in anyone fully until about 35% into the book. Another thing I felt was the author seemed to be pushing to tell us there were characters up to no good and direction others like puppets. A few comments would have been good, then let it shack out for the reader, which it did do after the beginning.

Then something clicked for me and it took off. All ironed out and flowed smoother for me. The characters started to come together, in good and bad ways, and I started to want to read the characters more and what was to come from the attacks and the pending war. I wanted to see each side as to if they would live, find love, and what would happen next to drive them over the edge.

The different point of views we get are from Remy, Jocelyn, Chad, Max, Dominick (a Vampire Elder), Pierre Maisson (an assassin among the supernatural), Logan (a werewolf on Jocelyn's team), and Vianco Nago (A Hunter of vampires). All these characters show all the works and strings that each player in the story is pulling to drive the world and characters. So many events in the works.

Don't let this discourage you. This is a great way to see it all as it's happening. And you'll want to know. The small quirks that I felt early on in the story will NOT stop me from continuing with this series. I love the world and the romance here in Jocelyn's story.

Each character has their own personal baggage along with the supernatural baggage of the world where different beings don't easily blend and work together. Things are moving forward and Jocelyn is trying to pull as many elements into her army as possible to fight the powerful Elders of the Vampires. This draws a bigger world of supernatural and beliefs by bringing these beings together and seeing how they react.

There is romance here, a blooming one along with the heat of those familiar. Jocelyn is still battling herself in need to make a choice. Events bring her closer to her men, then also pull her away. It's hard in a time of war and conniving others work against her for their own benefits.

At the end... oh my! Where the characters end... Gah! I am curious and want to see what is next with all of them. ALL of them. lol.

Mythical Monday: The Nain What?

It seems there are many books based on or influenced by Myths and Mythological Beings.

There are so many different Mythology and Mythological Beings recorded. Some are very popular and well known, others not so much. There are many similar beings, yet different depending on the culture it’s based in.  The definition of Myth covers about anything in the Urban Fantasy/Fantasy realm to me.

I’ve invited authors to share briefly the Mythological being or Myth that influenced their character(s) or story, or what their character(s) are based on influencing their books.  Hosting here, one author and being or myth per week.

This week we have:

Author Seleste DeLaney

Talking of the Nain Rouge.

I've read the first book of this series, Blood Kissed series, and enjoyed the romance and story here. Now Seleste has the second book coming our way. Kiss of Life is now available! And to share about the book, Seleste has a Mythical post for us to day.

The Nain What?

If you didn’t grow up around Detroit, you’ve probably never heard of the creature known as the Nain Rouge. Honestly, I’ve lived here most of my life, and until I started researching local legends for Kiss of Life, I’d never heard of him either. Once I did, however, I knew I needed him.

Nain Rouge translates literally to “red dwarf” or “red gnome.” Variations on the legend consider him either a protector of the city or…a harbinger of doom. And really, just because something bad happens doesn’t mean it wasn’t ultimately for protection. So, I try not to judge the guy.

Some examples of things the Nain Rouge has been blamed for:

• The loss of Cadillac’s fortune (Cadillac was the founder of Detroit)
• Battle of Bloody Run
• 1805 fire that destroyed much of the city
• The 12th Street Riot in 1967
• Great storm in March 1976

Basically, the stories say that if he shows himself, bad things are coming.

Now, Michigan has its share of weird legends including the Michigan Dogman, the Ridgeway Monster, the Leelanau Lake Monster, the Paulding Light, and even supposed sightings of Bigfoot. (There are probably more, but that’s just a brief example. The Dogman is probably the most famous of the list.) But you see, the thing is, I wanted something different. A dogman is really just kind of a werewolf. And Leelanau is a whole lot like Nessie from what I can tell (also…water kind of limits its use). But the Nain Rouge…when you’re talking about ancient supernatural beings and war, a harbinger of doom is just too good an opportunity to pass up.

So, if you happen to see what looks like a little person dressed in red and black fur (possibly with horns), be careful not to offend him. The Nain Rouge tolerates much, but a single offense will change the course of your life.

Plus, fans of the series will be more than a little excited to find out exactly who he’s in cahoots with ;-)

About Kiss of Life:

The vampire’s curse has been awakened, and Jocelyn has no choice but to accept her destiny as the Blood Kissed—the one destined to destroy the vampires…or rule them. While Max and Chad want to help her reach her full potential, not all of the supernaturals share their plan.

The Council of Elders, a crazed sorcerer assassin, and a vampire hunter out for revenge have driven Jocelyn into hiding. She and her ragtag army have holed up in the forests of Michigan’s upper peninsula to get ready for the fight. If training is any indication, they should be ready for war by the time she turns fifty.

But no one is going to let her wait that long. War is nigh, the death toll is rising, and when Michigan’s most famous harbinger of doom shows up on the scene, the army of the Blood Kissed is hoping for a miracle, praying to be graced with a little kiss of life…



About Seleste:
At a young age, Seleste deLaney discovered the trick to not being afraid of the monsters under the bed was to turn them into heroes. Since that time, she’s seen enough of human monsters that she prefers to escape to fictional worlds where even the worst demons have to play by the rules and the good guys might end up battered and bruised (or dead), but they always win. And really, isn’t that the way it should be?

She resides in the Detroit area with all her favorite monsters (nice ones—some are furry and the others call her Mom) and is hard at work on her next book. In those rare moments when she isn’t battling terrorists, vampires, or rogue clockworks, she can be found all over the Internet, where she loves to interact with readers.


Find Seleste:
Her Website:  http://selestedelaney.com/
Twitter:  @SelesteDelaney
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/seleste.delaney


Purchase the book (& the first) at Amazon:

Cover Reveal: Kiss of Life

Oh now this is a Valentine's Day treat!

I'm thrilled to be bringing you this amazing cover. I read and enjoyed the first book. A Paranormal Romance by Seleste Delaney. There is so much more to Jocelyn than we imagined at first. Can't wait to read more. Now...which man do I want to see more of.... Can I say ALL OF THEM!?? Even the one that's not in the running. ;) Yep, you have many delicious men to pick from in this world. lol.

But, on to the newest cover addition to the series.

Kiss of Life

Blood Kissed #2

By:  Seleste Delaney

Due Out:  March 2015

Description:

The vampire’s curse has been awakened, and Jocelyn has no choice but to accept her destiny as the Blood Kissed—the one destined to destroy the vampires…or rule them. While Max and Chad want to help her reach her full potential, not all of the supernaturals share their plan.

The Council of Elders, a crazed sorcerer assassin, and a vampire hunter out for revenge have driven Jocelyn into hiding. She and her ragtag army have holed up in the forests of Michigan’s upper peninsula to get ready for the fight. If training is any indication, they should be ready for war by the time she turns fifty.

But no one is going to let her wait that long. War is nigh, the death toll is rising, and when Michigan’s most famous harbinger of doom shows up on the scene, the army of the Blood Kissed is hoping for a miracle, praying to be graced with a little kiss of life…

Drool worthy, yes? I can't wait to read more of Max, Chad, and Jocelyn. I'm excited to see what Jocelyn can do!


Do you need the first book?
You can pick it up anywhere:

Kiss of Death
Description:
Too many years of killer vamps have triggered the curse of the Blood Kissed. They’ve awakened the bloodline that can alter their world, because her blood has the power to control them all—even make them destroy each other.

Jocelyn thought her troubles with vampires were over when she drove a stake through her boyfriend Max’s heart two years ago. Even though she’s engaged to Chad, she’s never really forgotten him. Now Max is back, and Chad is taking her into the heart of the vamp community—and they’re the ones trying to keep her alive. The ones who love her and each seek to claim her for their own. Because once the elders know who she is, they’re all going to want her…or want her dead.