Book Review: When Blood Calls by J.K. Beck

Book Review: When Blood Calls
By: J.K. Beck
Paranormal Romance
Published by Bantam Books
4 Heart Review

From the back cover
Sara Constantine is one of the country’s most tenacious prosecuting attorneys—and she’s just secured a well-earned promotion. At first she’s thrilled. Then she finds out her new job involves prosecuting vampires and werewolves. And nothing prepares Sara for the shock she receives when she meets the first defendant she’ll be trying to put away: Lucius Dragos, the sexy stranger with whom she recently shared an explosive night of ecstasy.

When Lucius Dragos kisses the beautiful woman sitting next to him at the bar, he’s only hoping to blend into the crowd and avoid the perceptive gaze of the man he’s following…and planning to kill. But what starts as a simple kiss to secure his cover ignites into a fierce hunger that leads to an all-consuming passion. Charged with murder, Luke knows Sara will do whatever it takes to see him locked away—unless he can convince her that he’s not the monster she thinks he is. And that might mean making the greatest sacrifice a vampire can make.

It's something I never thought I'd be able to say, but this book actually brings something new and fresh to vampire lore! J.K. Beck has created a new world with a very creative and compelling take on how vampires are created and what they do to stay "alive". I usually steer clear of vampire romances lately because they are like cookie-cutter imitations, but I was really excited to get into this one.

Likewise, I was equally interested in the entire world of creatures that the author has created and again felt that there's a new twist to all of them. This isn't just any old world-building. It's different and unique.

The heroine Sara appealed to me and I liked that she was neither a silly fool or overly rigid when faced with this brand new world. Her reactions felt honest to the character and I felt her back story really played well into the plot and conflict.

Lucius made for an hero that really rode that line of good and bad with a past that lets you in on why he lives his life in such extremes and makes you go back and forth in how you as a reader feels about him, his being a vampire, and if it's smart to be with him.

There were a few things about this story that threw me off slightly but it's hard to go into without plot telling a little. I will say that I felt the ending was a little predictable with what happens to Sara and wish this part of the book would have been drawn out more to really play with some twists before the inevitable happens. Other than that, I thought it was a really awesome debut book and a great start to the series!

If you think Vampires are getting tired, give this one a try and it might revitalize your feelings on them!

Happy Reading!
Cheeky Girl Sabrina

Here's The Book Trailer For This Series:

Welcome Guest Author Raven Corinn Carluk

Hello everyone. I'm really glad to be at Cheeky Reads today, and I appreciate your attention. I'm a new author, and I'd like to let you know about my book. All Hallows Blood is my debut vampire romance, out from Crescent Moon Press, on both the Kindle and print at Barnes&Noble.

But that's the boring part. "Come to my site. Read my book." 8P Everyone says that. And I'd love you to do that, of course. However, I think you need a reason. Just telling you I'm a good storyteller with a fun page-turner isn't enough. It's got a good adventure, hot sex, and fun characters. It's the first book in my series, and I want you to love my main characters as much as I do. And while those are great reasons to give me a try, there's more.

Not only do I have short stories on my site, but I'm doing an ongoing story in my blog. That one is basically the first draft of a book I'll eventually write. Those are good reasons to come by. You can also read the excerpt of my novel, and let that entice you.

Oh, and there's the contest I'm having on my blog. Come by before the 14th and leave a comment about your first vampire experience for a chance to win an autographed copy of my book. Jump on that quickly.

What I'll give you here is a little scene I wrote up, just for you folks. This is from a book idea I have. I haven't even started writing it. The premise is the daughter of a vampire hunter and a sad lost vampire fall in love, and her father comes back to town and plans to kill this vampire. I LOVE star-crossed lovers, don't you?

So, enjoy this treat. It's my way to give you a reason to read my book.

***
Marcus stared at her, heart in his throat. His sweet Karalana was leaving, packing her flat. Watching from the middle of the balcony, he decided it wasn't everything; she was taking just enough to start a new life somewhere.

"You can't leave," he said, pushing open the sliding glass door. Heat followed him, desert scents mixing with the aroma of growing things. Kara had a talent for coaxing growth from anything, even in Las Vegas.


Like his heart. She looked up, blue eyes wide, mouth parted in a gasp. Marcus felt life stirring in him. Nothing amazed him more than his reaction to her. Kara's pulse raced, and he longed to taste it against his lips.


"What are you doing here? Jackson can't find you." Her voice was more relieved than concerned; Kara was happy to see him.


"The book store is closed."


She smiled ruefully, returning to her task. With her back turned, he could so easily approach, wrap his arms around her, and kiss her long neck. Her hair was already up, out of the way. Marcus took a step closer, letting desire move him.


"Of course it is. I'm moving on so Jackson can't hurt you, can't find me." Kara moved to her bedroom, and Marcus followed. There was no fear in her voice, though her shoulders were tense. He would do anything to relieve her stress. "He wanted to use me as bait."


Marcus growled. "Is this a trap?" His fists clenched on their own. It had been decades since he'd last done physical violence, be he would kill Jackson if the hunter laid a hand on Kara.


She turned, eyes wide, and closed the gap between them. Laying her hands on his chest brought him great relief. "No!" Karalana smiled, tilting her head. "I told my father long ago I wanted nothing to do with hunting vampires. I still don't." She shook her head, lowering her eyelids. "I want nothing to do with hunting you."


The young woman's hands were so warm on his chest. As soft as her name, Kara yet had a strength to her that could endure any pain. "Don't leave," Marcus said again, closing his eyes. "I'll go, draw Jackson away. Keep your life here."


Kara leaned forward until they were almost touching. "Where will you go?"


Anywhere to keep you safe, he thought. "Away. Some place Jackson won't be near you." Marcus dared to open his eyes.


She stared at him, tears brimming, cheeks flushed. She tightened her grip on his chest, and he couldn't stop himself from laying his hands on her shoulders. "I don't want you to leave."

Her plea was hardly a whisper, but it was a clarion call to his soul. This charming young woman wanted him, wasn't scared of him. How could he deny her?


Leaning forward, Marcus kissed her. One hand cupped the back of her head, the other traveled to the small of her back. Kara grabbed his neck, pulling him closer, opening her mouth. Passion burned them, and both would gladly be consumed by the fire.


Kara broke the kiss, drawing his mouth to her neck. Marcus groaned, fangs aching as need swelled. "Stay with me." She pressed the heat of her pulse to him.


Marcus obliged her, finding solace in her blood.

***
Thanks for reading this scene. Hope you enjoyed it. I would love to hear from you.

Raven Corinn Carluk