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Hope just wants to be an ordinary nestling. She went to college and escaped, but now she’s back and there’s a secret everyone is keeping from her.
Xavier is the new master of the nest, ready to welcome home the daughter of the house who he has never met. He’s unprepared for the woman who steals his breath and enchants him.
Now Hope and Xavier must fight for lives and those of the innocents. After all, it is only by overcoming the rogues that they will have a chance of a timeless future together. But will it be in time?
The Blood Bride (Blood Secrets #1)
Release Date: June 21, 2013
Hope hauled the last heavy box up the stairs of the manor house, occasionally catching glimpses of the way her midnight black hair shone in the sunlight, when she passed the window in the living room of her apartment. "Thank heavens this is the last one," she muttered to herself, sliding the box down to rest on the floor, before straightening and rubbing the nagging ache in her back. She could have had help, all she needed to do was ask, but now that she was an adult she needed to stand on her own two feet, she reminded herself.
Straightening up, she looked around at the mass of boxes waiting for her to delve into. "Well, gone away and back again. Where do I start first?"
The phone trilled and she started for an instant, before extending her hand to the receiver on the shelf beside her. "Hope."
"Miss Hope, do you require any help? Lisi is wondering if you require her assistance." The muffled voice of one of her guardians flowed out of the earpiece. She had forgotten that living at the manor meant the goldfish bowl lifestyle she had tried her best to escape at college. Not that she’d had much opportunity to live a free lifestyle. She’d been lodged with a guardian family within the college grounds. Even then, her personal team of five guards had shadowed her every move—to classes, shopping and even to the hairdresser’s.
They hadn’t escaped her notice, the looks some of her classmates had thrown her way. Longing for the lifestyle they’d thought she enjoyed. Little did they know, Hope would happily have swapped, a lot of the time. Downtime had existed within a carefully vetted group of companions, each from houses of similar status. The cloying atmosphere she hated, but, nonetheless, she had submitted to her parents’ will. Only a few times had she sought to do activities that they would have deemed inappropriate, but her conscience had always kicked in, and she had derived no enjoyment from the guilty feelings that had overcome her.
"No thanks, Jeffrey. I have all the boxes up here and I am going to take my time going through everything." How could she explain that she needed a freedom that had been denied? That this small and almost insignificant rebellion was one she embraced? But she couldn’t. It wasn’t fair to Jeffrey to share that.
"Fine, Miss Hope. Oh, and I am supposed to remind you, the new Master has requested your presence in his library after sundown."
She nodded, knowing it was expected that she would take her oath of fealty. "Oh. Right. I’ll be down for sunset." She laid down the receiver. It’s one thing to owe your continued safety to a vampire nest Master, but quite another to be at his beck and call all the time, just as her parents had been. Her temper spiked momentarily. The emotion coiled through her then she shuddered, pushing away the negative thought, while absently reaching for the boxes she needed to stack, store or unpack. The rough exterior of some of them brushed against her hands. For now, she had time. Lots of time.
Ripping the tape off the first box, she then started to root through it, unwrapping reminders of her slightly more free college life, formulating arguments to put to her parents, knowing that the dice were stacked against her. Her life had been mapped out since her birth, but perhaps she could find a way around some of the roadblocks. At least she hoped so. With that thought, she set to work.
He stretched in the bed, feeling the cool sheets around his body, savouring the experience of knowing he could rise when he wanted to. Luxuriating as he came to full awareness of his surroundings. His bed. His home. His nest. A feeling of exultation swept through him. One he had experienced several times in the last six months since he had become Master.
Xavier had only recently been transferred to this nest, after Cyrus had been called to ascend to a seat on the Council with his predecessor Cressida, the most senior of the vampires on the Council.
A new Master had been required for the nest, a situation arising from the ascension of Cressida who had saved the child Hope from the rogues. The death of another of the Council meant that Cyrus had answered a call to accept a seat. It was an almost unheard of event for a nest to have two new Masters in under a hundred years, but Xavier had accepted his unexpected promotion. Not that he would take it for granted—no, he worked beside his vampires as required, so they knew he would ensure their safety while they ensured his.
The household he had taken over was well run, and he had no fears for the financial status, even though they had lost the manor and many assets during the dark days of clearing the rogues who had attacked the house. Indeed, he had been with Cyrus the night he had ascended and had seen the great strides Cyrus had made during his Mastership.
He swiped a hand over his stubbled face and a voice to his left said quietly, "Master, refreshments for you." A crystal goblet appeared in a white hand at the edge of his vision. He accepted it with a grunt, the ruby red liquid inside calling to him on a primal level. Blood wine. Sustenance that would ease the clawing hunger he always felt on awakening.
His teeth extended and his mouth opened. The first drop touched his tongue and a frisson moved through him, the ecstasy of drinking flowing into his body. He took his time, savouring the flavours.
Tart aftertaste. The wine, the only human sustenance he could now enjoy. Food was relegated to a memory of things long past.
He closed his eyes as the last drop flowed, and breathed deep. Yes, a Master could very quickly become accustomed to this lifestyle, but not now and not today. He needed to meet this Hope, the one who had turned their entire world upside down. James had told him little about his daughter, save that she would need to remain within the house, protected from the world. That someday she would assume the mantle of leading the house from within, while her brother oversaw the legal and financial affairs of the nest.
He pushed the bed covers away, unconcerned about nudity as he padded to the bathroom. He might be a vampire, but he still bathed and shaved, a thought that made him chuckle. Even after all these years, when vampires had made their entry into the human world, humans outside nests thought vampires had no need for those daily rituals.
He moved through his ablutions. She would be waiting for him, but he would present himself to her in his most urbane incarnation. She would take her oath of fealty, then he would meet with his advisers, James and David leading the human contingent.
A mother of two, compulsive reader and bookstore owner. She lives in regional Queensland, Australia with her husband, 2 daughters, dog, cats and prize winning chooks. She has a particular fondness for Vampires, Star Ship Captains and things that go bump in the night.
She is also a firm believer in writing what you enjoy… something she strictly adheres to!
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Here is a link to the Tour Schedule.
I enjoyed this vampire story. It was quick, hot, full of surprises and meant for adults only. ;-)
There was action, a huge secret, mean family members, a hot master vampire, romance, and plenty of sizzle too.
Hope struggles with the need to be free. She was raised to be part of a vampire nest and is just now coming home from college. There is a new master vampire that she hasn't met yet.
Her parents are acting strange. They are being cruel and uncaring and she doesn't know why. Hope also doesn't understand the desire she feels towards Master Xavier. She's been raised to know her place and under the Master isn't it.
Their nest comes under attack and Hope soon comes to find out that she is the reason.
After this attack, other things come to light and they try to get ready for the next attack. Hope and Xavier become close and it seems that they may not have much time together.
I recommend The Blood Bride to those of you who like vamps, or are looking for a quick, hot, sizzling read.
I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to continuing with this series.
Thank you for commenting! Don't forget to enter the Comment Incentive Giveaway. The link can be found at the top of the page!
Posted by Brenda Demko at 1:30 AM
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RoseJune 29, 2013 at 5:08 AM
wow, the vamps sound yummy :D
mikiJune 29, 2013 at 9:28 AM
Ohoh vampires'time i like the sound of the story and the excerpt as well as your review made me curious....why do the rogues target hope. Why must she topok a fealty oath why Xavier was told she would lead the house/nest...
so many question and agood start for a new series it seems
Brenda DemkoJune 29, 2013 at 11:18 PM
Yes it was a good start. I think you'll like it. :D
DebbyJune 29, 2013 at 9:35 AM
I love when someone says they wish to continue with the series. Makes me really want to read the book.
debby236 at gmail dot com
Stormy VixenJune 29, 2013 at 2:11 PM
Great excerpt. I love vampire books. Thanks for the giveaway.
Brenda DemkoJune 29, 2013 at 11:20 PM
I think so too. :-) You're welcome.
VampedChikJune 29, 2013 at 6:44 PM
OO I've been looking for a new vamp series. :) This does sound really good.
Brenda DemkoJune 29, 2013 at 11:21 PM
I think I've found it for you! :D
VampedChikJune 30, 2013 at 12:36 AM
Definitely! :D I can always count on you for good paranormal books!
mikiJuly 16, 2013 at 6:21 AM
good books+ paranormal+ brenda recommentation, no problem but your wishlist and tbr pile are going to explose since it's the majority of her suggestion^^
VampedChikJuly 17, 2013 at 11:17 PM
I know! :D But thats totally ok with me! It means I will definitely never go bored. Broke yes bored no!
mikiJuly 21, 2013 at 6:25 AM
^^ don't forget she also add some freebies to our list so perhaps even not broke^^
and it's great to awake knowing we have some great reads waiting and some discoveries to make
VampedChikJuly 21, 2013 at 10:35 PM
She isn't making me broke, I am! LOL I can blame amazon too. Its the oh you liked this book well you may like these too. And Im like I WOULD like those too! LOL
VampedChikJuly 21, 2013 at 10:46 PM
and I do agree that I love finding out what she recommends next. :) Do you get the freebies from amazon when you can? I thought you said that at one point but im not 100% sure. I dont even remember what thread it was to go back and look. :) we have to many conversations going. But if so I may have a few for you. I just have to double check that there on the amazon uk.
mikiJuly 22, 2013 at 3:07 AM
forget amazon uk... i could buy on amazon uk but if i try to take a free book from there i get the message " our books are only for UK residents, please go check amazon.com)
and sometimes yes i do take a book free on amazon ( but like we spoke of it's not because you see it free that i will be free for me^^) but so far i'm only adding them up^^
i prefer free book on smaswords with a pdf option^^;; but still thank you for thinking about me
VampedChikJuly 22, 2013 at 11:25 PM
I'll keep an eye on the ones for smashwords. I forgot that they would sometimes not allow you to get them free since you arent US. :( to me it should work but I dont make the rules. I know that I get emails alot about different freebies so I'll check if they go for smashwords too.
mikiJuly 23, 2013 at 7:12 AM
thanks, at the moment you can get a series brenda recommended to us ( with a woman in red pull running, don't remember the title) it's free ( book 1 and 2 i think) on smaswords, on amazon you have book 2 free at the moment if i'm not mistaken
VampedChikJuly 23, 2013 at 5:51 PM
I remember that vaguely. I'll have to go and look. :) I got a few emails today with freebies so I'll go and check if there on smashwords too tonite. I will get back to you! :)
mikiJuly 24, 2013 at 5:06 AM
on amazon it's book 3 thats is free at the moment http://www.amazon.com/Running-Home-Run-Book-ebook/dp/B00C9RHEYM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1374655573&sr=8-2&keywords=dying+to+run
( you could take it and wait until book 1 and 2 are free again)
VampedChikJuly 24, 2013 at 11:01 PM
Yes definitely I'll take advantage of the freebie! Im pretty sure I have book 1 so I just have to wait for 2 to come around again. :)
mikiJuly 25, 2013 at 4:40 AM
i think i saw book 2 on smashword ( where there are the format for kindle too) but i can't fiond the link again arf, i will try again later just in case
VampedChikJuly 26, 2013 at 10:30 PM
Thats ok. :) I can look for it too. I have an account there.
mikiJuly 27, 2013 at 7:11 AM
what it's strange is that sometimes you search with author name and title and you don't have a result xhen the book is there...
but i will let that up to you ( safe if i see it ithout searching^^)
VampedChikJuly 27, 2013 at 2:47 PM
I have noticed that. It makes no sense they need to refine there search engine or something. Its very frustrating sometimes.
mikiJuly 27, 2013 at 4:21 PM
glad not to be the only one^^^it's strange to have downloaded a book then you want to take the link for someone and you can't find it anymore but still i'm happy it exist and offer us the choice of format with pdf too
VampedChikJuly 27, 2013 at 6:14 PM
I love that they made a site like that. I wish that those big retailers like amazon would offer options for at least PDF versions. But then theres to much risk for people buying and then selling that version or whatnot. Though smashwords will not download anything on my computer for some reason. I have to go to my moms laptop and then transfer everything over which gets old sometimes.
mikiJuly 28, 2013 at 8:38 AM
hum have you tried to do the righ click register the file under?) mani^?
VampedChikJuly 28, 2013 at 5:03 PM
Yes its something with programing on my comp or something. Ive tried alot of different stuff and it just doesn't want to be compatible with this computer. Its not that big of a deal since I have access to another computer its just more of a hindrance. I have some friends that are really good with computers so I may see if they can figure it out.
mikiJuly 28, 2013 at 5:39 PM
as long as you still have access to it that's good, i had the same trouble once i think but i don't remember how it worked out ( and it was with another site)
VampedChikJuly 28, 2013 at 10:19 PM
Whats I find weird is that it was working for me for ahwile and then it just stopped so i dont know? But yes at least I can get to it. I can buy from this computer but I just have to go onto another to download it.
mikiJuly 29, 2013 at 5:57 AM
hum i guess it made an update of the system and then it stopped working then.... it must be only some setting
VampedChikJuly 29, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Thats kinda what I figure. I just can't figure out what I need to do to my computer. It acts like an ornery old lady sometimes so I just dont like adding new programs to much to it because half the time they wont work.
mikiJuly 30, 2013 at 3:32 AM
oh same here ^^ i'm happy with how it is because each new one could be the one who make everything stop working^^
VampedChikJuly 30, 2013 at 8:45 PM
I just hate when i go to certain sites or try and load something and its like you need so and so program or the newest version of this. Its quite annoying. I need a new comp but its one of those things if its not broken I can't see getting a new one. That and there alot of money.
mikiJuly 31, 2013 at 4:20 AM
i tend to keep my things a long long time, i don't like to change just because it's more tendance or something so as long as it works i'm happy but i can understand your frustration ( i guess i just got better and seein,g that's not something i need to have so if the site doesn't want me shame on it)
VampedChikJuly 31, 2013 at 5:26 PM
I should think like that. :) But usually I only get really grumpy is when its not working when it has something to do with books. Theres been a few times I've won an ebook and the author sends me it from one of the smaller indie sites and they just do not want to work. Im just glad that I figured out that I can get most of them to work on my moms. :)
mikiJuly 31, 2013 at 6:14 PM
^^ on the moment it happen i'm grumpy, i can scream or even cry sometimes if i'm really frustrated because i relly wanted something.... but i can't afford to spend that mny ebnergy on thing i can't change or that are not that important^^
so yes stay positive it doesn't mean you can't shout at your computer either^^
VampedChikJuly 31, 2013 at 9:53 PM
LOL I often yell at inanimate objects so no problem there. :) But yes sometimes its just out of our hands and why should we spend extra money to get it when it would cost more to do that. Im just glad that smashwords works for you. :) Since those stupid amazon and nook things wont.
mikiAugust 3, 2013 at 6:49 AM
^^ yes i'm lucky ^^ and sometimes all romances has pdf version too ( if you didn't know that website)
VampedChikAugust 3, 2013 at 8:25 PM
I do have an account with them. :) They are really great. I've found freebies on there before. I just havent looked lately.
I did get the ones you sent. Thanks for those! :)
mikiAugust 4, 2013 at 5:55 AM
BookLadyJuly 1, 2013 at 11:41 PM
Love vampires! Will definitely be adding this book to my TBR list. Thanks for sharing the excerpt and review.
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I am a middle aged wife and mother of three boys. Because life is often hectic, I self medicate with good books! It is a cheap form of therapy. I have found that it does wonders for my sanity! lol! My favorite types of books to read are paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy,and young adult.
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Mostly I read paranormal and contemporary romances, young adult, and urban fantasy. I do not like historicals or horror!
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