.jpg)
When times are darkest, some vampires desire more than blood …
England, 1465. Mortal men clash in the War of the Roses for the English crown, while vampire warriors’ move undetected among their ranks, savoring the flow of blood that battlefields provide.
Vampire prince, Severian Pearce, fears the revelation of the immortal clans to humankind should King Henry fall from power. While in pursuit of Henry’s enemies, Severian comes to the aid of Meridian Neville, a human woman he craves—and not for the scent of her blood … Meridian is torn between honoring her father’s dying wish and her unexplainable yearning for Lord Severian. But as Severian and Meridian work together to protect a relic hunted by mortals and immortals alike, the red veil descends over them. This all-consuming attraction can drive immortals to the brink of madness. Will the existence of this powerful bond between a human and a vampire be enough to unite the immortal clans or is the red veil a scourge set on destroying any chance they might have of happiness?
When all hope is lost, one vampire will fight unto death for his forbidden love.
.jpg)
Series: The Red Veil Series, Prequel
Author: Elizabeth Marx
Genre: Paranormal romance
Publisher: Self published
Format: Ebook, Paperback
Length: 50K words
Purchase links:
Amazon or B&N
Series: The Red Veil Series, #1
Author: Elizabeth Marx
Genre: Paranormal romance
Publisher: Self published
Format: Ebook, Paperback
Length: 90K words
Purchase Links:
Amazon or B&N
Book Description:
Sometimes, love is conceived in the mind of a man long before it is ever realized.
1990, Cardiff, Wales. Vampire prince, Sebastian Pearce, has waited six-hundred years for the right human mate. His own beloved mother was a mortal capable of carrying immortal offspring. While vampires no longer require live donors for sustenance, Mother Nature has played a cruel trick on them making breeders a rare commodity. As numbers in Sebastian’s Imperial House continue to dwindle, his virgin bride eludes him. That is, until he happens upon a young woman searching for information about a sacred vampire text, the Book of Descent. Sebastian’s desire for her is more potent than anything he’s felt for another woman, but Everleigh Marbut isn’t innocent. She’s an American with a mind of her own, and worst of all, she’s already carrying an immortal being. As Sebastian and Everleigh fight their attraction to each other, they don’t realize they’re being lured into a battle pitting medieval myth against the power of modern science to recreate life until it’s too late.
The destiny of his lineage, and the bond forged between them, now rests in their acceptance of each other as they are.
Windy City writer, Elizabeth Marx, brings cosmopolitan life alive in her fiction—a blend of romance, fast-paced Chicago living, and a sprinkle of magical realism. Elizabeth resides with her husband, girls, and two cats who’ve spelled everyone into believing they’re really dogs. She grew up in the city, has traveled extensively, and still says there’s no town like Chi-Town.
Blog / Website / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon Author Page
My Thoughts:
Descent of Blood was not my usual type of book. This is a prequel to the first book and sets up the series wonderfully. As it takes place long ago in England in 1465. During the War of the Roses, Vampire Prince Severian Pearce is fighting and is staked by a beautiful mortal woman named Meridian. Instead of being angry and fighting her, he's instantly intrigued by her At first he doesn't know why.
The red veil is the strongest bond a human and a vampire can have. All Severian knows is that his love for Meridian becomes so strong that he'll do anything to keep her!
The vampires in this book have more of a dark sinister feel to them. While Severian is very much a killer, his love for Meri was real and heartfelt.
It really took me awhile to get into this book but the romance hooked me once it really got going.
Ascent of Blood is also narrated by Philabe a keeper of sorts. This time the book takes place in Wales. The year is 1990 and the main character is Severian's son Sebastian. He is waiting for his bride. He doesn't quite get the bride he thought he would. lol! He thought his bride would be a virgin who would more or less submit to him. He is given Everleigh as a present. What he got was a headstrong American who does as she pleases and is already carrying another vampire's baby. He knows she's the one when he can't smell her blood and feels the red veil pull! ;-)
I got into this book much faster. I 'm guessing that was because it took place in more modern time. I really enjoyed these more sinister feeling vampires.
Elizabeth Marx knows how to write some really good vampire romance books! I would recommend these to those of you who like your vampires to have a darker side. These are not sparkly vampires.lol!
I received copies of both books in exchange for my honest opinion. I honestly enjoyed both books but I liked Ascent of Blood better.
Do you prefer your vampires to be sparkly or sinister?
Here is the Tour Schedule.
I'd love to know what you're thinking. Please leave a comment!
As soon as i read the sumary i guesssed you would have a little more difficulty with teh prequel^^ you told you didn't like historical a lot so i'm really glad that once the romance start you got over that it means it's really well done^^
ReplyDeleteDo i like my vampires a bit sinister....i gues.. i don't like twilight ^^;; so my vampires can be warriors, cruel fighters but they always have a gentle side to their mate i guess it's that duality i love to see.
Miki,
DeleteI'm with you I like the sinister vampires of old, but trust me no one loves like Severian Pearce...
Happy reading and reviewing,
Elizabeth Marx
She's right Miki. Severian was something special! ;-)
Delete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteI prefer reading about sinister vampires because I don't buy the sparkly ones at all. (LOL!) But I'm generally not a big fan of vampires.
The premise of the second book is putting me off a little. I understand the way "matehood" works in PNR, of course, but the twist of someone being one man's mate while carrying another man's baby pushes the envelope much too far for me. It also seems to undermine those qualities of the heroine's that the synopsis is touting: her independence and strong will. What's the point of having these if fate will just determine your mate for you--even if you've already chosen another?
i admit from the summary only book 2 also put me off a little.... not because she has teh red veil determining her mate ( after all is she is really strong she could refuse^^) but more about teh fact she is caring another man/vampire baby...but since it also speak about technology, genetic etc i prefer to keep my mind open but it did seem strange a little
DeleteYou only get a small glimpse of the book. Keep an open mind! :-)
DeleteIf everything you read was the exact same, it could get very predictable and boring.
+JMJ+
DeleteWhile I prefer small glimpses to spoilerish revelations, I confess that I'm not keen on what I see here. That's not a judgment of the book's quality or merit, but merely my impression--and I'll admit that it may be my own loss to think so!
The problem is--and I think I speak for a lot of modern readers here--that there are literally thousands of books competing for my attention each day. I have to be a bit ruthless in deciding what to read.
I see your point!
DeleteEnbrethiliel,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your interest in The Red Veil Series. You'll have to read the book to find out who Everleigh really chooses and just whose child she's carrying. This is a battle between the power of the Red Veil, which is more about a physical and mental connection than about fate and it's pitted against the power of modern science to recreate life, something the vampires are having a harder and harder time accomplishing. Happy reading & reviewing,
Elizabeth Marx
Brenda,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for reading & reviewing Descent of Blood & Ascent of Blood and participating in the Red Veil blog tour. I'm glad the romance worked for you.
Elizabeth Marx
No problem. I liked the blurb and knew that I would read Ascent of Blood. I wasn't sure about Descent of Blood though because I don't typically like historical or books that take place in the olden days. I'm glad I took the chance! :D
DeleteSinister! I grew up watching Lost Boys and Buffy. Vampires are supposed to be bad boys. :) Thanks!
ReplyDelete-Amber
I hear you Amber. I liked Lost Boys too!
DeleteI like a happy medium :) thanks! I look forward to reading these books.
ReplyDeleteI like a mixture too.
DeleteWhoah! Reading the first line of the blurb made my eyes wide with excitement... I love to read this series!
ReplyDeleteI prefer my vampires sexy and sinister! Vampires are suppose to be dangerous...their dead for goodness sakes, if they sparkled it would just make them less intimidating to me.
ReplyDeleteTrue and for the most part I'm with you but sometimes less intimidating can be okay.
DeleteI believe sinister- they are supposed to be dangerous and intimidating. I think everyone likes the "bad boys" whether they are vampires or not- it gives us someone to either hate or root for. Both these books sound great and I am looking forward to reading them. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeleteYes we do. ;-) You're welcome! Good luck!
DeleteI have to say that I can enjoy mine either way. I really liked the Twilight books, the movie kind of ruined them for a lot of people. There was so much more to that story than what was portrayed in the movie.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do like bad boys, so I like my heroes with a bit of an edge, so yeah, I like my vamps to be a bit sinister. I mean they are vamps that live on blood after all.
I also liked the Twilight books much better than the movies Josette.
DeleteI like a mixture of good and sinister.