Enchant The Dawn (Enchant 2) by Amanda Ashley-a review

ENCHANT THE DAWN (Enchant #2) by Amanda Ashely-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 23, 2022

Set in steamy New Orleans, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Amanda Ashley delivers a sensually-charged and intelligent vampire romance perfect fans of J.R. Ward and Christine Feehan!

Desire. Danger. Deception. The scion of the Falconer vampire clan inspires them all…

When a mysterious man rescues Madison Bainbridge from a random attack, she sees only his broad shoulders, his gray eyes, his kindness. But as she gets to know Dominic, her attraction wars with the certainty he’s keeping big secrets. Who is the menacing beauty following him around? What of the palm-reader who stops her in the park? And who’s watching them from the shadows?

Young vampire Dominic Falconer wanted nothing more than a few weeks in New Orleans, a chance to see the city on his own. He didn’t expect to be captivated by lovely Maddy—or for enemies to surround him, eager to use the stirrings of his heart to bring down his family.

A hostile rival is out for vengeance. Dominic’s fellow Hungarian vampires are vanishing without a trace. And the shadowy Knights of the Dark Wood want nothing more than to get hold of Dominic himself. But Dominic and Maddy have a connection worth fighting for—and a passion that will awaken the unexpected in them both .

•••••

REVIEW:ENCHANT THE DAWN is the second instalment in Amanda Ashley’s contemporary, adult ENCHANT paranormal, romance series. This is twenty-five year old, vampire Dominic Falconer , and Madison Bainbridge’s story line. ENCHANT THE DAWN can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading book one ENCHANT THE NIGHT.

SOME BACKGROUND: Twenty-five year earlier, vampire Quill Falconer, killed the leader of the Knights of the Dark Wood, a brotherhood of warlocks whose goal is to rid the world of the blood sucking vampires.

Told from third person perspective ENCHANT THE DAWN picks up twenty five years after the killing of the last Elder Knight, and the Knights of the Dark Wood are seeking vengeance for the one that they lost. Unable to locate the vampire responsible, the Knights discover that Quill Falconer’s vampire son Dominic Falconer is currently living in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Knights are determined to get their revenge targeting our story line hero. Dominic Falconer is protected by his great grandmother Ava, a powerful witch who knows a thing or two about revenge, herself, and with her magic, Ava intends to protect a young man who is determined to protect the woman he will love.

Meanwhile, a young woman is saved from an attack by our story line hero, a young woman with whom Dominic will fall in love. Enter Madison Bainbridge, a woman who is about to discover a world of supernatural creatures, creatures whose powers she knows nothing about. What ensues is the building but struggling romance and relationship between Dominic and Madison, and the potential fall-out as our couple are target by more than one predator, targeted for sins of the past.

There is more than one magical creature looking for our story line hero. From the Knights of the Dark Wood, to a warlock desperate for his freedom, to a female vampire whose lust for the Falconer blood knows no boundaries including past alliances and sins. Dominic is determined to woo the woman that calls to his heart, a woman who will quickly learn there is something more in the world in which she lives.

The relationship between Dominic and Madison is a slow building romance. Dominic struggles to reveal the nature of his beast, fearing Madison will not accept the man he has become. Madison struggles with the truth about the man with whom she is falling in love but quickly realizes it is the man that she loves, not the monster within. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied.

The secondary and supporting characters include Elder Knight Gregory, warlock Jasper, Dominic’s great grandmother Ava Langley, vampire Claret, Madison’s parents, as well as the return of Dominic’s parents Quill and Callie Falconer.

ENCHANT THE DAWN is a detailed and complex story of revenge and obsession, magic and power, love and forever. I recommend reading book one as the events of the current time are as of a direct result of the events of book one. The premise is intriguing and entertaining but something was missing –there is more telling than showing; the characters are interesting and energetic; the romance is subtle .

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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COVER REVEALS-January 24, 2013

Cover Reveals-January 24, 2013

Heart-of-Venom Aug 2013

 

TITLE: Heart of Venom

AUTHOR: Jennifer Estep

SERIES: Elemental Assassin

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 


Night's Mistress

 

TITLE: Night’s Mistress

AUTHOR: Amanda Ashley

SERIES: Children of the Night

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

the-darkest-craving July 2013jpg

 

TITLE: The Darkest Craving

AUTHOR: Gena Showalter

SERIES: Lords of the Underworld

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

 

Her Knight's Quest Mar 13

 

TITLE: Her Knight’s Quest

AUTHOR: Alexis Morgan

SERIES: Warriors of the Mist

RELEASE DATE: March 2013

 

 

 

Silencing Breath Apr 2013

 

TITLE: Silencing Breath

AUTHOR: Joanne Brothwell

SERIES: Stealing Breath

RELEASE DATE: April 2013

 

 

 

Bitten by Deceit 2013

TITLE:  Bitten by Deceit

AUTHOR:  Shawntelle Madison

SERIES:  N/A

RELEASE DATE:  available now

 

 

 

 

The Mistress Aug 2013

 

TITLE: The Mistress

AUTHOR: Tiffany Reisz

SERIES: The Original Sinners

RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 2013

 

 

 

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TITLE:  Unbreakable

AUTHOR:  Elizabeth Norris

SERIES: Unravelling (YA)

RELEASE DATE:  April 2013

 

 

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TITLE: Dangerous Curves Ahead

AUTHOR: Sugar Jamison

SERIES: A Perfect Fit Novel

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

The Proposition Feb 13

 

TITLE: The Proposition

AUTHOR: Jennifer Lyon

SERIES: Plus One Chronicles #1

RELEASE DATE: February 2013

 

 

 

Possession May 13

 

TITLE: Possession

AUTHOR: Jennifer Lyon

SERIES: Plus One Chronicles 32

RELEASE DATE: May 2013

 

 

 

Obsession Sept 2013

 

TITLE:  Obsession

AUTHOR:  Jennifer Lyon

SERIES:  Plus One Chronicles #3

RELEASE DATE:  August 2013

 

 

 

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TITLE: Forsaken by the Others

AUTHOR: Jess Haines

SERIES: H & W Investigations Novel

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

 

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TITLE: Blurred

AUTHOR: Tara Fuller

SERIES: Kissed By Death #2

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

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COVER REVEALS and MORE-December 13, 2012

COVER REVEALS for December 13, 2012

 

 

TITLE:  Tiger Magic

AUTHOR:  Jennifer Ashley

SERIES:  Shifters Unbound

RELEASE DATE:  June 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Possessed by Desire

AUTHOR: Elisabeth Naughton

SERIES: Firebrand

RELEASE DATE: January 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: To Wed A Wicked Highlander

AUTHOR: Victoria Roberts

SERIES: Bad Boys of the Highlands

RELEASE DATE: September 2013

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL POSTER for THE WOLVERINE

 

TITLE: The Wolverine

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

Starring Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hal Yamanouchi, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima and Brian Tee, the film has now been revealed to, contrary to early reports, take place after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand. Based on the celebrated comic book arc, The Wolverine finds Logan, the eternal warrior and outsider, in Japan. There, samurai steel will clash with adamantium claw as Logan confronts a mysterious figure from his past in an epic battle that will leave him forever changed.

The Wolverine hits theaters on July 26, 2013.

 

TITLE: The Twice Lost

AUTHOR: Sarah Porter

SERIES: Lost Voices #3 (YA)

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

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Cover Reveals December 6, 2012

Cover Reveals December 6, 2012



TITLE: Bound

AUTHOR: Elisabeth Naughton

SERIES: Eternal Guardians

RELEASE DATE; N/A

HERO: Titus

 

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE: For Whom The Spell Tolls

AUTHOR: H.P. Mallory

SERIES: Dulcie O’Neill

RELEASE DATE: N/A

 

 

 

TITLE:  The Girl With the Iron Touch

AUTHOR:  Kady Cross

SERIES:  Steampunk Chronicles

RELEASE DATE:  May 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Enemy Mine

AUTHOR: Katie Reus

SERIES: Shifters

RELEASE DATE: February 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Love Irresistibly

AUTHOR: Julie James

SERIES: FBI/US Attorney #4

RELEASE DATE: April 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Falling Blind

AUTHOR: Shannon K. Butcher

SERIES: The Sentinel Wars

RELEASE DATE: April 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: As Twilight Falls

AUTHOR: Amanda Ashley

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: May 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE:  The Outcast Prince

AUTHOR:  Shona Husk

SERIES:  Annwyn

RELEASE DATE:  July 2013 

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Hungry Like a Wolf

AUTHOR: Christine Warren

SERIES: The Others

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Antigoddess

AUTHOR: Kendare Blake

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: September 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE:  Dream Eyes

AUTHOR:  Jayne Ann Krentz

SERIES:  Dark Legacy

RELEASE DATE:  January 2013

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Nightblade

AUTHOR: JC Daniels (Shiloh Walker)

SERIES: Colbana Files #2

RELEASE DATE: March 2013

 

 

 

TITLE: Kiss of Temptation

AUTHOR: Sandra Hill

SERIES: Deadly Angels #3

RELEASE DATE: March 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Fiery Edge of Steel

AUTHOR: Jill Archer

SERIES: Noon Onyx

RELEASE DATE: May 2013

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Amanda Ashley-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

AMANDA ASHLEY-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

 

Amanda Ashley-The Reading Cafe has recently featured several of the novels by author Amanda Ashley. Today we would like to introduce the author of His Dark Embrace-Amanda Ashley

 

Name: Amanda Ashley/Madeline Baker
Resides: in Southern CA
Marital Status:  married
Children:  3 sons

WEBSITE: Amanda Ashley/Madeline Baker

TRC: Hi Amanda. Welcome to The Reading Cafe. Please tell us something about yourself?

Amanda: Gee, there’s not a lot to tell. I love spending time with my family, going to lunch with my friends, walking my dog, playing with my grandkids. I love going to movies and plays. I collect all things Star Wars, also Beauty and the Beast and Phantom of the Opera.

TRC: You are a very prolific writer of many different genres.  Have you always had an interest in writing?  When did you first start writing?

Amanda: I never intended to be a published author. I was always, however, a reader. I started writing out of boredom. My husband worked nights. My kids were young. There was nothing on tv. I’d been reading a lot of romance novels and one night I sat down and started writing a book of my own. I wrote three books before I ever told anyone what I was doing. If not for a friend of mine, who read one of my stories and suggested I find a publisher, I would probably still be writing stories and hiding them under the bed.

TRC: What is the name of the first novel you ever published and in what year? How did you feel when you were notified that your novel was accepted by the publisher?

Amanda: My first published novel was Reckless Heart. It was published in 1985. Everything about that first sale was so exciting. I remember calling my best friend on the phone when I got the contract, and then running down to her house to show her the cover when I got it in the mail. Of course, actually seeing my book on the shelf was beyond words. I went back home, got my camera, and went back to the store to take a picture of my book. It was amazing, seeing my book on a shelf next to books written by authors I’d read. It’s still exciting to see my books on the shelf.

TRC: You have several different series and single books, in several genres including paranormal romance, historical romance and western romance. Which genre do you find most difficult to write and which genre are you the most comfortable writing?

Amanda: I don’t have trouble writing any of them. I think paranormal is my favorite because I can let my imagination run wild.

TRC: What or who do you attribute the rise in popularity of today’s many paranormal romance authors and books?

Amanda: I think it’s because there is such a wide variety in paranormal that you don’t find in other genres. In paranormal, we have werewolves, vampires, ghosts, fairies, shapeshifters, selkies, even zombies, not to mention other worlds.

TRC: Many of your short-stories can be found in anthologies, along with other authors.  What is your take on the anthology?  Do you use the short –story to keep the readers and fans happy, or do the works in anthologies, add to the different storylines already published?

Amanda: Actually, the only reason I’ve ever done an anthology was because I was invited to do so. I do think they’re a good way to connect with someone who might not have read my books before.

TRC: At The Reading Café, Sandy is a big fan of prequels-the story before the story-the background information never revealed in the current timelines. What is your opinion on prequels?

Amanda: I’ve never thought about it. I know the editor of my Reckless series wanted me to write a prequel to Reckless Heart, but I could never come up with a plot. I don’t think I’ve ever read a prequel.

TRC: His Dark Embrace is the next instalment in your Vampire Romance novels. Would you tell us something about the premise of this book? Click the title for our review: His Dark Embrace

Amanda: My hero is a very old vampire who found a tonic that allows him to live in the sun and eat mortal food. When the maker of the tonic dies, he tries to find the formula, which was made by the heroine’s grandfather. There is also someone else, someone evil,  looking for the formula, and the story involves Kaiden and Skylynn falling in love while looking for the formula, and defeating the bad guy.

 

TRC: Kaiden and Skylynn are the characters that drive His Dark Embrace.  What was your decision to match up this pair?

Amanda: I have no idea. 🙂  In the book I’m currently working on, the character I thought was going to be the hero just didn’t work, so I brought in another character who knew how to behave as a hero should.

TRC: On your website, you offer your fans and readers, quite a bit of information with excerpts, chapter out takes and prologues.  That is very generous.  Many authors post hints and clues. Why do you post so many ‘goodies’ for your fans?

Amanda: Because they deserve it. I have the greatest fans in the world. They’re always so anxious to know what’s coming next. And I love sharing my new covers as soon as I get them. I think it’s also a good idea to give someone who’s never read one of my books a chance to find out what they’re getting before they buy the book.

TRC: In your Vampire Romance series, which hero or heroine is your favorite and why?

Amanda: It’s usually the couple from whatever book I’m writing at the moment. I have to say, I really love Zack from Bound by Blood. And Gabriel, from Embrace the Night, which was my first vampire book.  But then, I love all my heroes. As for heroines, I love Kaitlyn, from Desire the Night. She’s such a spunky little werewolf!

TRC: Is there any character you regret?  Any character who is not redeemable?

Amanda: Nope! I have a character, Rhys, who was supposed to be a bad guy in Everlasting Kiss. But I liked him so much, he turned into the hero in Everlasting Desire.

TRC: DESIRE THE NIGHT will be released September 2012.  Please tell us something about this novel and its’ characters Gideon and Kay—a love story between a vampire and a wolf?

Amanda: Oh my gosh, I love this book. I think it may be one of the best I’ve written! Gideon is such a hunk. It was fun to pair a vampire and a werewolf and watch the fur fly! They meet under the worst of circumstances – he’s been imprisoned  by a witch and Kaitlyn is captured and brought to him as his prey. The story revolves around escaping the witch, falling in love, and trying to win her father’s approval. I can’t wait for it to come out. And I love the cover.

TRC: Have you ever considered writing an anthology that included all of your Vampire Romance characters/couples-each with their own chapter than culminating in a single event?

Amanda: No, but what a great idea!

TRC: As an author, you have several short stories available.  Which type of book/novel do you believe is harder to write—a full-length novel or a short novella, where all the information must be contained with a shorter number of pages?

Amanda: For me, full-length novels are harder simply because I tend to write short….my preferred length is 80,000 words – my publisher wants 100,000 – we compromise at 90.

TRC: What are you working on today?

Amanda: I’m working on a story that is very Twilight Zone-ish. My critique group thinks it’s kind of creepy, scary, which it is. It’s very different, but I’m loving it so far. I don’t want to say more. But this is the book where the character I thought was going to be the hero isn’t. I’m loving this one!

TRC: Many authors and artists have spouses/partners who offer advice, ideas or criticism.  Who is your muse when you are looking for ideas?

Amanda: My critique group. We’ve been together for years. One of them, Carol Amato, gave me the idea for Unforgettable. My oldest son gave me the idea for A Whisper in the Wind.

TRC: Is there anything you would like to add?

Amanda: Just a hearty hello to all my readers. I appreciate you and your support through the years, and hope I never disappoint you.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Movie: The Holiday

Favorite TV Show: The Vampire Diaries

Favorite Dessert:  Chocolate anything

Dark or Milk Chocolate:  Definitely dark

Last Book that you read:  River Marked by Patricia Briggs

Favorite Author: It’s a tie between Patricia Briggs and Charlaine Harris

Pink or Red Roses: Red

Favorite Food: Spaghetti

TRC: Thank you Mandy for answering our questions.  It has been a pleasure.

**************GIVEAWAY************

Amanda has offered a copy of her new release HIS DARK EMBRACE  to one lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

1.  To be eligible, you must be a member at The Reading Cafe.  If you are not, please sign in using the Log-in at the top or by using one of the social log-ins.

2.  You MUST post a comment.  Please answer one of the LIGHTNING ROUND questions.

3.  Open to Canada and continental USA only.

4.  Contest from June 11 to June 15, 2012

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DESIRE THE NIGHT by Amanda Ashley-an excerpt

DESIRE THE NIGHT by Amanda Ashley -an excerpt

DESIRE THE NIGHT by Amanda Ashley will be released September 2012.

Amanda Ashley website

A VAMPIRE IN CHAINS
Held captive in a basement prison, wrapped in silver chains, the vampire Gideon is too weak to fight the monster who enslaves him. For years, she’s tapped his precious blood like a fountain of youth—sustaining him with human females she captures for his pleasure. But with the latest victim she brings him, he senses something intriguingly different. Something dangerous, yet oh so tempting.

Kay Alissano is no ordinary woman. Every full moon, she must answer the call of the wild—unleashing the wolf within. As daughter of the Shadow Pack’s Alpha, Kay is extremely powerful—and when she’s offered up to Gideon, she doesn’t surrender easily. In wolf form, she might be able unchain Gideon’s heart and set them both free—if only he can resist the urge to consume her, body and soul, before the next full moon…

PROLOGUE

Gideon Marquet stared into the darkness, his limbs aching from the weight of the heavy silver chains that shackled his ankles to the thick cement wall behind him; his body burning from the inside out, his veins shrinking, his skin tightening with the need for sustenance. So long since he had fed. So long since his thirst had been satisfied.

His eyes narrowed as a tall woman appeared entered the basement. Clad in a shimmering white robe trimmed in white fur, she looked like an angel when, in truth, she was anything but.

The hem of her velvet robe made a soft, swishing noise as she drew closer, then knelt outside the cell.

Gideon groaned inwardly as she picked up the slender, silver-bladed dagger that rested beside a golden jewel-encrusted goblet on a low table. His body tensed as she began to chant, her voice soft, almost hypnotic. He winced as she dragged the blade across his right thigh. Lifting the goblet, she held it under the wound to collect the dark red blood that leaked from the long, shallow gash. When the goblet was half-full, she made a similar cut in his left thigh, chanting all the while. When the cup was full, she left the basement.

She returned a short time later.

Gideon sat up a little straighter, his fangs extending as the cell door opened and a young blond girl clad in a wrinkled brown dress was pushed inside. She fell to the floor, crying out as she scraped her knees on the cold cement. His hands clenched as the warm, sweet coppery scent of blood filled his nostrils.

Blind with panic, the girl, who couldn’t have been more than nineteen or twenty, scrambled to her feet and ran to the iron-barred door.

“Please!” she cried, her hands fisting around the bars. “Let me out! Please, oh, please, let me out of here!”

But her frantic plea fell on deaf ears.

The girl sobbed hysterically as the woman turned and left the basement.
With her only hope gone, the girl darted to a far corner of the cell, her back pressed against the wall, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Tears flooded her cheeks as she murmured, “Please, don’t.”

But all he heard was the beating of her heart, the whisper-soft sound of the blood flowing through her veins.

“Please.” She fell to her knees, hands raised in supplication.

But that wouldn’t save her.

Nothing could save her now.

It was feeding time.

LINKS TO pre-order:
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Books
B&N Nook
B&N Books
The Book Depository

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Bound by Night by Amanda Ashley (Bound #1) – a Review

Bound by Night (Bound #1) by Amanda Ashley – a Review

Bound by Night by Amanda Ashley, is a new author for me, as I had never read any of her previous works.  I wasn’t sure what to expect of her writing style or storyline development.  From the book synopsis I was intrigued and a little excited to get started.  However, I found it took me some time to get into the book.  Don’t get me wrong I love the whole vampire genre complete with living in castles and being cloaked in darkness with an air of mystery and intrigue surrounding them.  For me I think the story just started out really slow and didn’t grab me from the start like many other authors I enjoy reading.  I find if my attention isn’t grabbed early on, I tend to get bored and not get into the story. Thankfully that didn’t happen to me in Bound by Night, because with each page turn the story kept drawing me in bit by bit.  Even though I found it a rather slow build up in my opinion, I was glad to have stuck with it and wound up enjoying the story after all.  After all the ground-work is laid out by Ashley the storyline takes off and kept my attention through to the end of the book.  I’m actually looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

As the story begins we meet the mysterious owner of Wolfram Castle Drake Sherrad.  He’s the heir to the Carpathian Coven of Vampires, but has been living apart from his family for the past 300 years.  He’s been trying in vain to avoid his destiny, becoming the leader of his family’s Coven and marrying another vampire whom he doesn’t love.  It isn’t until the fair Elena wonders into his lair/castle that his boring and tiresome life begins to change.  Elena brings a light to his life he’s never had before, he begins to experience feelings he never thought he could have for another, let alone a mortal.  As forbidden as it is to be with a mortal Drake can’t help himself and looses himself in Elena.  He feels as though he’s finally come home, his soul is at peace and feels Elena is his soul-mate.  Drake vows to keep Elena safe and for himself, even if it means defying his father and family. 

Elena Knightsbridge has not had an easy life.  After going to live with her aunt, uncle and cousin after her parents died, Elena had hope life would get back to normal.  They didn’t, her aunt passed away a few years later and shortly afterward Elena learned that her uncle was abusing her cousin.   After her cousin suddenly ‘left’ home, Elena’s uncle starts to look at her differently and even proposes marriage. Elena doesn’t want to live there anymore, doesn’t feel safe and one night strikes out on her own and makes her way to Wolfram Castle that is said to be haunted.  It isn’t long before Elena meets the elusive owner of the castle and begins to form a friendship with Drake.  Through her friendship with Drake we see Elena grow from a shy and uncertain girl, into a strong and trusting mate for a vampire husband. 

Speaking of which, in typical vampire storytelling the heroine never knows the truth of her hero.  They’re always curious about the fact they are absent during the day, but don’t really push the issue.  The truth always seems to come out after our heroine stumbles upon the vampire in action, which is what happens here.  Elena finally decides to follow Drake one night to see where he goes.  Of course he’s out to grab a quick drink as all vampires do and Elena catches him in action.  At first she’s fearful of him but Drake is persistent and slowly Elena and him continue to build their relationship eventually agreeing to a marriage of convenience to keep her safe from her uncle.  Ashley takes her time and gradually builds a romance between these two characters which allows the reader the chance to get know them and see how they are growing as a couple.  It’s at this point of the book where things are finally picking up and coming together for me.  We are pulled more fully into Drake’s world and Elena must decide if she’s brave enough to handle it, and be Drake’s mortal wife in a Coven full of vampires.

We finally get to meet Drake’s family and see the dynamics at work within a Coven.  Of course his sire/father Rolin is not pleased with Drake’s decision to marry a mortal and reveal their truths to her.  Even though they have consummated the marriage, Drake’s hopes of his father honouring their marriage is quickly dashed, the marriage is annulled and Drake is taken away for punishment leaving Elena at the hands of his father and hoping she’s treated fairly.  Elena is placed into the group of humans who are used to feed the vampire Coven and isn’t too pleased, nor is Drake when he learns of this.  To keep her safe Drake agrees to the arranged marriage to Katiya his father set for him years ago.  As both Katiya and Drake prepare for their marriage and Elena fears she’s lost Drake forever Ashley throws a twist into the plot that I really enjoyed.  Katiya is really in love with Drake’s brother Andre.  Ooooo the plot thickens you say.  It’s through this twist that hope blooms for our hero and heroine.  Unbeknownst to their father, Drake and Andre have come up with a plan to see to each other’s happiness, let the games begin.  This was a fun part of the plot, watching the brothers fool their father and getting what they want, love and happiness with the woman of their choosing.  I always enjoy a story with a good twist to it, and Ashley played it up well. 

Thanks to their plan they manage to fool their father into believing Drake and Katiya’s marriage is a success with a baby on the way, when in reality Drake is still happily in love with Elena, Katiya and Andre are happily in love and expecting.  As always, our couples can never be happy for long. Drake is summoned once again back to the Coven to aid Rolin in a battle over their land.  When Rolin is killed in battle, Drake must inherit the Coven, something he never wanted.  However, now with his father gone and Drake in command he realizes that he has the power to change things and he does so by re-arranging and altering a few rules. The first of which is re-instating his marriage to Elena. While Drake is transitioning and getting used to being the leader of their Coven they learn Elena is pregnant.  The last time a mortal female and vampire conceived things didn’t work out well and Drake is fearful for Elena and their unborn child.  With great care and an overprotective husband Elena delivers a healthy baby girl who possesses both human and vampire traits.  The story ends 18 years later with their daughter Kaitlyn Liliana going off to collage and Elena finally ready to alter her life and slow down the aging process by taking Drake’s blood. 

Reviewed by Marcie

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BOUND BY BLOOD (Bound #2) by Amanda Ashley-a review

BOUND BY BLOOD (Bound #2) by Amanda Ashley-a review

BOUND BY BLOOD (Bound #2) by Amanda Ashley

BOUND BY BLOOD is the second novel (released in October 2011) in Amanda Ashley’s Bound series. Drake and Elena’s daughter is all grown up and living in the city of sin. Half vampire-half human, Kaitlyn Sherrad is the only child and heir to full vampire and Carpathian Coven Master Drake Sherrad and his human wife Elena. But as her 21st birthday approaches Kaitlyn is restless and her vampire half craves blood. Living alone in a secluded cabin (a gift from her parents), Kaitlyn is surprised when she finds a gorgeous man outside and she is instantly attracted.

Zackery Ravenscroft is a made vampire. Sired over 600 years earlier, Zack is a successful casino and hotel owner in Las Vegas. Money and women are no object, but finding the mysterious Kaitlyn Sherrad in the once empty cabin, peaks his curiousity.

Kaitlyn’s family of vampires has long been at war with the ‘Others’-the made vampires. Liking them to vermin, the made vampires are stereotyped and discriminated to the point of death. And Kaitlyn knows her relationship with Zack will never be accepted by her family especially her father and his kin. But when a threat against his daughter by his extended family moves Drake to bring Kaitlyn home to Romania, Zack takes it upon himself to search for the woman who has stolen his heart.

Nadiya is one of Drake’s father’s wives. Following the death of her husband and one of her son’s, Nadiya seeks revenge. And the only course of action is to take from Drake what he took from her-a child. Targeting Kaitlyn is easy, but gaining access is harder. Several failed attempts resulting in the death of more of her sons, Nadiya finds a common foe in Lucien. Lucien has always wanted control of the Carpathian coven and it was a risk he was slightly reluctant to take. Knowing he would have to stand up to Drake, Lucien accepts Drake’s challenge, but soon realizes that he is involved in something far more dangerous than a Coven coup.

As Zack and Kaitlyn’s relationship progresses, Drake’s unease about the made vampire tempers. Zack’s love for Kaitlyn is obvious, but made-vampires have always been the enemy-the Others-and not accepted by Drake’s kind. When Zack and Kaitlyn announce their engagement, it is Elena who will remind her husband, that he too fell in love with an ‘outsider’-a human.

Nadiya’s continued attempts to exact revenge against her husband’s family, places Kaitlyn, and the others on constant alert. But a phone call from Vegas telling him his casino and hotel have been destroyed in a deliberate fire, finds Zack back in the USA trying to discover who was responsible for the destruction. Suspecting it was one of Nadiya’s sons, Drake and Zack must take extra precautions while preparing for the wedding. And knowing that Nadiya will never stop until Kaitlyn is dead, nothing would surprise Zack leading up to their wedding day. And in the end, there will be a newly-made vampire that will have to be accepted –because love does conquer all.

BOUND BY BLOOD is a romantic tale between a vampire and his mate. The attraction is instant but I had concerns that these characters were not able to identify each other as vampires. With their heightened senses, I would have thought that identification would have been immediate as was the attraction, but in the end, it didn’t matter. The writing is simple and the plot was easy to follow. The relationship and story progress without the use of foul language or graphic sex. I am looking forward to the next story-perhaps Uncle Stefan has found love-afterall.

LINKS to purchase:
B&N Nook
B&N Books
KOBO
KOBO-Bound Bundle (2pack Bound by Blood/Night)
Amazon Books
Amazon Kindle
The Book Depository

Reviewed by Sandy

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