The Good, The Bad, and The Vampire by Sara Humphreys-Review

THE GOOD, THE BAD, and THE VAMPIRE (Dead in the City #4) by Sara Humphreys-Review and Book Tour

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 5, 2016

He wants eternity?

Dakota Shelton is a vampire cowboy with a penchant for cinnamon lollipops and Johnny Cash. Though highly skilled and deadly dangerous to his enemies, he’s still a Texas good ol’ boy at heart. And he has that heart set on wooing Trixie LaRoux-the most badass punk rock chick in town-the old-fashioned way.

Over her undead body…

Trixie is tough as nails and sharp as a silver stake-the last thing she wants is a man to sit on a porch and not grow old with. So it’ll take going to hell and back fighting a new threat to vampires before she admits Dakota’s courtship makes her blood hum. Turns out chivalry’s not dead after all.

••••

REVIEW: THE GOOD, THE BAD, and THE VAMPIRE is the fourth installment in Sara Humphreys’ contemporary, adult DEAD IN THE CITY paranormal romance series-a spin off from her Amoveo Legend series. This is vampire and Presidium sentry/ cowboy Dakota Shelton, and bartender/ snarky vampire Trixie LaRoux’s story line. Trixie is Maya’s sister, whom we met in book two-VAMPIRE TROUBLE. THE GOOD, THE BAD and THE VAMPIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Dakota and Trixie) THE GOOD, THE BAD, and THE VAMPIRE focuses on the building relationship between Dakota and Trixie, as well as the hunt for a missing child, and the re-emergence of a supernatural power long thought extinct. Dakota and Trixie are bloodmates unaware of their fated coupling. Although the attraction between them is immediate, Trixie continues to push Dakota in the opposite direction while she endeavors to keep secret a part of her past that is easily deduced by the reader. When Dakota discovers Trixie’s hidden agenda, our couple come together to search for the truth, and the whereabouts of a small child that is close to Trixie’s non-beating heart.

The relationship between Dakota and Trixie is one of immediate attraction but Trixie denies that any chemistry exists. Trixie is a woman who keeps too many secrets and doesn’t want anyone to know about her late night travels, and where it is she goes. Dakota is a cowboy; a former Texan whose vampire lifestyle and history of killing could very well place him in danger when his entire past is revealed. While Dakota and Trixie search for a missing child, Dakota’s past resurfaces from the grave seeking vengeance and retribution. Both Dakota and Trixie have pasts mired in secrets, sins, darkness and betrayal. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and erotic.

Most of the previous story line couples play a secondary and supporting role including Trixie’s sister Maya and her mate Shane, as well as the Presidium Czars Olivia and Doug. We are also introduced to a species not previously mentioned in the series-I am wondering if Sara plans another spin off or will entwine these new characters into the current series.

The world building continues to focus on the supernatural world of vampires, werewolves, witches and more-a world that must be hidden from the human population, but a world that is growing with every installment and character introduction. THE GOOD, THE BAD, and THE VAMPIRE ventures into new territory-Texas to be exact-and the possibility of a new paranormal series.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, and THE VAMPIRE has a little bit of everything: love, lust, romance and $ex; heartbreak, betrayal and deceit; supernatural elements; and a happily every after. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the characters are colorful, charismatic and animated; the romance is a push and pull between two people whose past lives have control over their present. Sara Humphreys adds another fascinating element to her paranormal series of stories and romances.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Reading Cafe
The Reading Cafe
The Reading Cafe
The Good, The Bad, and the Vampire

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

 

Dakota Shelton, the newest sentry for the Presidium, the vampire government, was not an easy man to ignore.
His six foot two inch broad shouldered frame towered over her easily but there was something else about him that set her on edge. It was the way he carried himself. He moved effortlessly and casually, as if he was just the good-old boy from Texas he claimed to be.
But Trixie knew better.
He was a sentry, a member of the elite vampire police force, and he was anything but good. Beneath that easy breezy charm lurked an executioner who could kill her, and anyone else nearby, in the blink of an eye. Dakota was deadly, stealthy, and full of swagger and that was probably why she found him undeniably attractive.
She never could steer clear of dangerous men.
If Trixie La Roux had one talent in this shitty crazy world, it was picking the wrong guy. As a human, her poor choices in men constantly got her into trouble. When Olivia had found her in the abandoned subway tunnels of Manhattan, Trixie had just had her heart stomped on by yet another guy. He’d betrayed her, thrown her away and tossed her aside like she was nothing.
Men lied.
They did and said anything to get what they wanted.
They made promises that were never kept.
In the end she was always alone.
Abandoned.
Worthless.
She was powerless…until she became a vampire.
Once Trixie was turned, she slipped easily into the strength and independence that came with immortality. Being a vamp was clear and uncomplicated. There was no guesswork about how to navigate the world and better yet, there was no addiction. She had finally been freed of the drugs that had kept her prisoner as a human.
She refused to be addicted to anyone or anything ever again.
“So what’s in the box, darlin’?” He inched closer. “I bet it’s real nice.”
“Quit calling me that, would ya?”
“Why?” His grin broadened. “What would you prefer? Sweetie pie? Honey bee? Or maybe, sugar?”
“As if!” Trixie snorted with a laugh. In spite of how sexist it was to call her or any woman by pet names, she was surprised to find herself amused. Coming from him it seemed kind of…appropriate. “How about if you try using my name? Like, I totally have one, thank you very much. Jeez, get with the program, cowboy. Don’t you know that it’s chauvinistic to refer to a woman with names like that?”
“Come on, now,” he sighed. “I’m just bein’ my normal self, is all, Miss Trixie.”
“Not Miss Trixie,” she said with waning patience. “Trixie. Okay? Like, just plain old Trixie.”
“Girl,” he said through a laugh, “you are anythin’ but plain.”
“And you are anything but normal.” She chuckled and sliced a sidelong glance in his direction. “Sally.”
“Why are you always lookin’ to pick a fight with me?” Dakota asked, stopping in front of the Czars’ apartment door. “Were you this feisty as a human?”
“I guess you’ll never know.” Trixie stuck her tongue out at him. “I’m all vampire and being feisty is totally my thing, man.”


 

About The Author

FOLLOW: Website /Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads/ TSU

Sara HumphreysSara Humphreys is the award-winning author of the Amoveo Legend series. The third book in the series, Untamed, won two PRISM awards: Dark Paranormal and Best of the Best. The first two novels from her Dead in the City series have been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award. Sara was also a professional actress. Some of her television credits include A&E Biography, Guiding Light, Another World, As the World Turns and Rescue Me. She loves writing hot heroes and heroines with moxie, but above all, Sara adores a satisfying happily-ever-after. She lives in New York with Mr. H., their four amazing sons, and two adorable pups. When she’s not writing or hanging out with the men in her life, she can be found working out with Shaun T in her living room or chatting with readers on Facebook. For a full list of Sara’s books and reading order, please visit her Website.

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Vampires Never Cry Wolf (Dead in the City 3) by Sara Humphreys-Review and Book Tour

Vampires Never Cry Wolf (Dead in the City 3) by Sara Humphreys-Review and Book Tour

VampiresNeverCryWolfTeaser

Vampires Never Cry Wolf
Dead in the City 3
by Sara Humphreys
Genre: adult, paranormal, romance
Release Date: March 3, 2015

Vampires Never Cry Wolf

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 3, 2015

Sadie Pemberton is the DJ at the hottest vampire club in New York City, and she loves her freedom almost as much as she hates werewolves. She has no desire to tie herself to anyone for eternity—even the deliciously sexy Killian Bane—werewolf prince and heir apparent who has been sent to patrol the city.

But Sadie bears the mark of the moon—the mark that Killian has been looking for, the mark that’s meant to reveal his perfect mate. How can the fates be so cruel? Even more importantly, how is he ever going to change her mind?

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: VAMPIRES NEVER CRY WOLF is the third installment in Sara Humphreys’s adult, contemporary Dead in the City paranormal romance series. This is heir to the werewolf throne Prince Killian Bane, and vampire Sadie Pemberton’s-owner of the supernatural nightclub The Coven-storyline. We were first introduced to our leading couple in the previous storylines. Although VAMPIRES NEVER CRY WOLF is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information and history are revealed where necessary.

Told from alternating third person points of view the storyline follows Sadie and Killian’s building relationship as well as uncovering the identity of the person threatening Killian’s up and coming New York nightclub- The Loup Garou. As heir to the throne, thirty year old Killian must find a mate before his thirty fifth birthday but something about Sadie pulls at Killian’s heart. He has always dreamed about a beautiful woman with the ‘mark of the moon’ but mating with a vampire is forbidden-until the moment Killian sees a moon shaped scar on Sadie’s shoulder. What ensues is Killian’s pursuit of Sadie and Sadie’s need to push Killian away. Finding one’s bloodmate means losing the psychic connection with everyone in her family and coven. Sadie fears the loss of contact with her sire and progeny.

The relationship between Sadie and Killian is a story of forbidden love. Killian is immediately attracted to Sadie and pursues the woman under the guise of gathering information for his, as yet, unopened nightclub. Sadie knows that to drink from a werewolf is forbidden but her need increases with the bloodmate bond that ties our couple together. The sex scenes are intimate, provocative and intense.

Meanwhile, threatening letters against Killian and his club continue to pile up. When the latest note threatens physical violence, Killian and Sadie take matters up with the Presidium (ruling supernatural council) and an investigation unfolds into the who and why. It is not until Killian’s father goes missing does the need increase to put an end to the intimidation and menace.

The secondary and supporting cast includes the previous storyline couples -New York Coven Czars Doug and Olivia, and Maya and Shane, as well as Sadie’s friends and coworkers from ‘The Coven’. We are introduced to Killian’s guards Ivan and David, as well as a woman who believes she is Killian’s intended mate. Killian’s father is a bit of a surprise-not only is the man the most powerful in the werewolf kingdom but he knows a thing or two about love and finding one’s mate.

The world building continues to draw on the nightlife of The Coven; the vampires, the shifters and their tempestuous relationship. The waters are tepid; the alliance is on shaky grounds but the mating between Sadie and Killian may be the glue that holds everything together.

Sara Humphreys pulls the reader into a fascinating, complex and imaginative world of the supernatural.The writing style is engaging with a compelling and enjoyable plot-supernatural politics just became a little more confusing. Her stories will entertain, compel and arouse the curiosity in every lover of the paranormal romance. Sara’s stories are always a pleasure to read.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

 

 

Sadie forced herself to look Killian in the face, and the instant she did, she knew
it was a colossal mistake. His eyes looked like pools of liquid gold, and she could
swear he saw straight through to her very soul. A growl rumbled in his chest and
Sadie gasped. His eyes flickered and shifted into the glowing amber eyes of his
wolf. The sudden and instinctive change was a glaring reminder of who he was…who
they both were.

In a remarkably steady voice, Sadie whispered, “Last night should never have happened.”

“The only thing about last night that shouldn’t have happened was the way it ended,”
Killian rasped.

Sadie stilled when his large hand cradled her cheek. Despite her best efforts to
resist him, her body quivered uncontrollably as he surrounded her in every way a
person could be surrounded. When the heat of his palm seared against her skin, a
needy moan escaped her lips. She sagged against the stack of boxes. Desire curled
inside her like smoke, and regardless of the litany of warnings that ran through her
head, Sadie’s hands found their way to the front of Killian’s shirt. She grasped the
fabric, still warm from the heat of his body, and pulled him closer. The evidence of
his desire pressed against her hip, and images of him in all his naked glory came
roaring back into her mind. Sweet Jesus, the man had a body that looked like it had
been hand carved by the gods themselves.

“Is that so?” Sadie pulled his shirt loose from his jeans and slipped her fingers
underneath before trailing them along the hard planes of his stomach. Arching one
eyebrow, she held his heavy-lidded gaze and unsheathed her fangs. “How do you
suppose it should have ended?”

“The same way it should end every night from now on,” he growled. Killian slid both
hands into her long hair. Sadie shivered when his fingertips grazed her scalp. He
pressed his hips against her before slipping his thigh between her legs. Sadie
gasped with pleasure as he put pressure on just the right spot, and when a moan
escaped her parted lips, a cocky grin emerged on his. Killian tightened his grip on
her hair and leaned in so his mouth was just a breath away. “Every single night
should end with me buried deep inside you.”


 

 


series spotlight

Tall, Dark and Vampire
Dead in the City #1
by Sara Humphreys
Genre: paranormal, romance, adult, contemporary
Release Date: August 5, 2013

Tall Dark and VampireAmazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of TALL, DARK and VAMPIRE

RELEASE DATE: August 5, 2013

The last person Olivia Hollingsworth expected to see at her Greenwich Village vampire club was her one true love, Doug Paxton—whom she believed to be dead for centuries. Olivia thought she had moved on, but when Doug reappears, her heart knows she’d rather die than lose him again.

Ever since Doug can remember, a red-haired siren has haunted his dreams. He never thought she could be real until he goes to investigate a murder at Olivia’s night club. However, as the bodies keep piling up at her feet, he must fight to prove her innocence—even if it costs him his life…

_____________________

Vampire Trouble
Dead in the City #2
by Sara Humphreys
Genre: paranormal, romance, adult, contemporary
Release Date: July 1, 2014

Vampire TroubleClick HERE for Sandy’s review of VAMPIRE TROUBLE

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Shane Quesada, a four-century old vampire sentry, is known for cold, unemotional precision when hunting rogue vampires.

Maya Robertson is a youngling vampire who will not be controlled—and to prove it, she rejects Shane’s protection—only to find herself in over her head with an alpha werewolf.

Soon, a war between the coven and the werewolf clan ignites, and Maya and Shane flee to Louisiana, where their passion for each other grows—as does Maya’s power. When she finds herself at the center of the conflict, will she finally trust Shane with her life—and her heart?

about the author

FOLLOW: Website /Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads/ TSU

Sara HumphreysSara is a graduate of Marist College, with a B.A. Degree in English Literature & Theater. Her initial career path after college was as a professional actress. Some of her television credits include, A&E Biography, Guiding Light, Another World, As the World Turns and Rescue Me.

In 2013 Sara’s novel UNTAMED won two PRISM awards–Dark Paranormal and Best of the Best. Sara has been a lover of both the paranormal and romance novels for years. Her sci-fi/fantasy/romance obsession began years ago with the TV Series STAR TREK and an enormous crush on Captain Kirk. That sci-fi obsession soon evolved into the love of all types of fantasy/paranormal; vampires, ghosts, werewolves, and of course shape shifters.

Sara is married to her college sweetheart, Will. They live in New York with their 4 boys. For a full list of Sara’s books and reading order, please visit her Website.

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Vampire Trouble by Sara Humphreys -Review, Interview and Giveaway

Vampire Trouble by Sara Humphreys-Review, Interview and Giveaway

Vampire Trouble Banner

Vampire Trouble
Dead in the City #2
by Sara Humphreys
Genre: paranormal, romance, adult, contemporary
Release Date: July 1, 2014

 

Vampire Trouble

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Shane Quesada, a four-century old vampire sentry, is known for cold, unemotional precision when hunting rogue vampires.

Maya Robertson is a youngling vampire who will not be controlled—and to prove it, she rejects Shane’s protection—only to find herself in over her head with an alpha werewolf.

Soon, a war between the coven and the werewolf clan ignites, and Maya and Shane flee to Louisiana, where their passion for each other grows—as does Maya’s power. When she finds herself at the center of the conflict, will she finally trust Shane with her life—and her heart?

•••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: VAMPIRE TROUBLE is the second instalment in Sara Humphreys’ contemporary, adult Dead in the City paranormal romance series that is a spinoff from her popular Amoveo Legend series. This is four hundred year old vampire Shane Quesada and youngling vampire Maya Robertson’s story. Maya was first introduced in book one Tall, Dark and Vampire. Because of the Amoveo Legend crossover, many of the secondary characters will be familiar to readers of Sara’s other series.

The focus of the storyline is on Shane and Maya’s building relationship as well as the slowly evolving war between the werewolves and the New York Coven. One werewolf in particular has targeted Maya for extermination and Shane has been ordered to guard Maya with his life. Finding themselves secluded in Louisiana, Maya will discover that she is much more than a youngling vampire and the wolves are determined to end her life. A gypsy woman will begin to uncover the truth about Maya’s past and it is a past that has followed her to the Bayou.

The relationship between Shane and Maya is tepid and volatile. Shane has been attracted to Maya in a way that can only be explained through DNA but Maya’s attitude, anxiety and acidic personality are something that only a bloodmate would find appealing. As the storyline builds, so too does the relationship that will find our couple fighting for their lives as well as their love. The sex is sensual, passionate and arousing but Shane’s love for Maya may not be enough to keep our couple safe or together.

The world building continues from book one with the inclusion of many of the previous storyline characters including the New York Coven czars Doug and Olivia and a number of the Amoveo Legend vampires, shifters and supernatural powers. Sara does an amazing job crossing over and the blending between the two series with the familiarity of many names, places and powers.

VAMPIRE TROUBLE is a seductive storyline where two vampires will find love and a happily ever after. Sara Humphreys writes an intelligent, inventive and spirited series where the impossible seems possible and the improbable has already began.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Interview
Sara HumphreysTRC: Hi Sara and welcome back to The Reading Café

Sara: Thank you! I’m so excited to be here 🙂

TRC: Congratulations on the release of VAMPIRE TROUBLE –the second book of your Dead in the City paranormal series.

Tall Dark and VampireWhen last we talked –August 2013-you had just released the first installment in the Dead in the City series- TALL, DARK AND VAMPIRE. How were the book and series received by the readers?

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Sara: I was thrilled to see so many of my Amoveo Legend readers go right to the new vamp series and welcome it with open arms. It was also a great way to connect with new readers. So far so good!

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of VAMPIRE TROUBLE?

Sara: Sure! Maya is a vamp bartender at The Coven, the hottest Goth nightclub in NYC that is run by a coven of vampires. Maya Robertson is a youngling vampire who was turned only five years ago. Her only clear memory of her human life is the night she was turned. Raped and beaten, her maker, Olivia, found her in an alley behind the nightclub and turned her. Maya relives the attack every day in her dreams. To mantain some sens of control, she hunts human men who look like her attacker but never kills them. She feeds on them and toys with them the way a cat would with a mouse. Let’s just say, the girl has some issues.

Vampire In Trouble July 2014Shane Quesada is a four hundred year old vampire sentry and an elite soldier for The Presidium, the vampire government. Nothing rattles him. Until he meets Maya and is unexpectedly pulled into her nightmares. Vampires stop dreaming about ten years after they are turned, so when Shane finds himself in the dreamscape after centuries of leaden slumber, he knows Maya is more than just a random youngling.

When a pack of werewolves comes to the city unannounced, Maya finds herself in over her head. The impulsive and tempestuous little vamp causes her share of trouble but let’s just say that Shane is there to help her navigate her increasingly dangerous future.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties (research, logistics, background) did you encounter writing this particular story and series?

Sara: It was important to make Maya likable because in TALL, DARK, AND VAMPIRE (DIC #1), she wasn’t particularly popular. She’s kind of a pain in the ass and a bit of a spoiled brat but in this book readers get to find out why Maya is the way she is. Also, due to her violent past, I wanted to be sure she was empowered by Shane but not dependent upon him. It was challenging to find that balance.

UnclaimedTRC: UNCLAIMED was the December 2013 release in your Amoveo Legend series. What do you have planned next for the series?

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Sara: In February 2015 we will be releasing UNBOUND. It’s an Amoveo Legend novella featuring an Amoveo Guardian named Zachary. Readers met him in UNCLAIMED and his story is a bit different from all the others. I don’t want to give too much away but it has a Romeo and Juliet vibe…but with a happy ending. I also have two other Amoveo Legend novels planned, one of which is Steven’s story. He’s become a fan favorite and the poor guy got put through the ringer, so he definitely needs his HEA.

TRC: What are your thoughts on writing a series and ending an installment with a major cliff hanger?

Sara: I’m okay with cliffhangers in romance as long as it’s not about the hero and the heroine. The readers deserve to see the hero and heroine get an HEA even if it’s an HEA “for now”. That being said, I think it’s perfectly acceptable to have background characters involved in cliffhangers.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Sara: I start with an overall path in mind but more often than not, the characters tell me where to take them.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Sara: My husband has been my biggest cheerleader from day one and if it weren’t for his support, I wouldn’t be doing this for a living.

TRC: When not writing, what do you do to relax?

Sara: I love to read and I’m a movie junkie. When I turn in a book, I treat myself and go to the movies alone in the middle of the day. It’s awesome.

TRC: What three things would you like to accomplish in the next five years?

Sara:
1. Improve my writing. Every book should be better than the last.
2. Make the NYT and/or USA Today Bestseller lists.
3. Publish my YA series–Daughters of Heaven and Hell.

TRC: What is something that few, if any people, know about you?

Sara: I’m not telling. That’s why few people know about it 😉

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Sara: BRAVE THE HEAT. It’s book one in my first contemporary romance series, The McGuire Brothers. Look for it next July.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Sara: Just to say thank you…I’m so very lucky to do what I do for a living.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Song

At the moment….The Sound of Sunshine.

Favorite Musical Group

The Eagles

Last Movie You Saw

Constantine

Last Book You Read

Her Perfect Mate by Paige Tyler

Last Vacation Destination

New Orleans for #RT14.

Pet Peeve

Mean people. They suck.

TRC: Thank you Sara for taking the time to answer our questions. It is always a pleasure catching up with our favorite authors.

giveaway

Sara and her publisher are offering a paper copy of VAMPIRE TROUBLE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Like Sara Humphreys on Twitter

6. Giveaway is open to USA/Canada only.

7. Giveaway runs from July 17-July 22 , 2014

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Sara Humphreys-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

Sara Humphreys -Interview and Giveaway with the Author

Tall, Dark and Vampire Banner

Tall, Dark and Vampire is the latest release from the amazing author Sara Humphreys. To celebrate the release The Reading Cafe is offering up an interview with the author and a giveaway.

Sara Humphreys

 

TRC: Hi Sara and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the August 6, 2013 release TALL, DARK and VAMPIRE.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

 

 

FOLLOW Sara: Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Sara: Thanks for having me here today! I’m a mom of four boys and married to my college sweetheart. We live just outside of NYC and I feel quite fortunate to be able to work form home. It’s given me much more time to spend with my boys. Life is good.

TRC: You are the President of Taney Speaker Training. Would you please tell us about this organization?

Sara: Sure thing. For the past ten years I’ve worked as a public speaker and speaker trainer. Taney Speaker Training specializes in public speaking, leadership and communication skills trainings but have recently expanded our business to include branding coaching for authors. We deliver our programs nationwide and people can find out more on our website.

Tall Dark and VampireTRC: TALL, DARK and VAMPIRE is the first release (August 2013) in your new Dead in the City series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Click HERE for our review of TALL, DARK and VAMPIRE.

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Sara: Think of it as Sex in the City meets True Blood. I love NYC and it’s the perfect place for vampires to blend in and live their lives undisturbed. I also wanted to explore the idea of an all female vampire coven. Olivia Hollingsworth is the head of the coven but runs it more like a family than a police state. She’s a three hundred year old celibate vamp with a weakness for a hot pair of shoes. She runs a nightclub called The Coven that she and her vamps run out of an old church in Greenwich Village. Olivia just wants to run her club and her coven undisturbed but when her customers start to turn up dead–her life gets more complicated and to make matters worse, the cop who shows up to investigate is a dead-ringer for her long lost lover from her human life.

TRC: How many stories do you have planned for the series and will all of the previous storyline characters have a role in future novels?

Sara: There will be five Dead in the City novels with each of the women in the coven getting their own Happily Ever After. This band of vamps will be there throughout the series–sometimes causing their fair share of trouble.

TRC: If you could virtually cast the leading characters of Tall, Dark and Vampire –Doug Paxton and Olivia Hollingsworth-which models or actors would be suit your ideal image?

Sara: I’d say Christina Hendricks and Chris Pine. They’d make a great pair and fit the physical description perfectly. Christina has the moxie to play Olivia and Chris has the wit.

TRC: Would you please tell us the premise behind the AMOVEO legend?

Amoveo Legend Series

Sara: The Amoveo are a secret society of dream-walking, telepathic, shapeshfiter that are comprised of ten different animal clans. Lion, panther, tiger, cheetah, bear, wolf, fox, coyote, eagle and falcon. They have one pre-destined mate and if they don’t find their mate by the age of thirty, they begin to lose their powers and will ultimately die. They can only have children with their mate, which makes their race quite fragile. If you kill one Amoveo, their mate will die and you wipe out the possibility of offspring. Until recently, they thought their mate could only be another Amoveo, but the discovery of human/Amoveo hybrids changes the game. It quickly become evident that not all Amoveo are in favor of this and theses Purist Amoveo make it glaringly clear that they’ll do anything to keep their race pure.

UndoneTRC: Undone is your fourth installment (May 2013) in the Amoveo series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Sara: UNDONE features Marianna Coltari, a pureblood Amoveo from the Bear Clan, and Pete Castro, a human who knows about the Amoveo and works for Marianna’s brother Dante. The Amoveo are embroiled in a nasty civil war between Purists, who want to keep the race pure, and Loyalists, who are accepting of human/Amoveo hybrids. Marianna has refused to publicly declare a side and is partying in NYC at a vampire nightclub. Her brother, Dante, assigns Pete to be Marianna’s bodyguard and driver because Pureblood Amoveo women have started to go missing. They allow Marianna to believe that Pete doesn’t know about the Amoveo–that way she’ll behave herself and won’t use her powers. Pete takes on the job but struggles with his growing attraction to Marianna, believing she could never be his. When more women start to vanish and the Purist leader sets his sights on Marianna–Pete takes things into his own hands.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Unclaimed

Sara: The fifth book, UNCLAIMED, will be out in December and there will be a novella, UNBOUND, in 2014. I have at least two more books planned beyond that but I don’t have release dates yet.

 

TRC: ASMODEUS (Demon of Lust Part 1-June 2013)) is the first installment in your new serialized novel. Would you please tell us something about the series?

 

Sara: When Kai Kelly inherits her estranged grandfather’s estate in Bliss, Idaho, life becomes anything but blissful. The discovery of a beautiful, but unusual, ring in the attic leads to much more than she bargained for. Kai may not realize what she has in her possession, but the boys in Hell sure got the message.

Lucifer and the six other princes of Hell existed for several millenniums believing that the Ring of Solomon, an object with the power to control demons, had been destroyed. However, the moment Kai slips the ring on her finger, the tremor of its power ripples through the underworld.

Asmodeus 1Knowing the ring’s existence could mean the destruction of all demons, Lucifer sends his six princes to earth in search of the ring and its bearer. There’s one catch; a demon can’t take the ring from its owner. It must be given willingly or they have to be dead.

Asmodeus, the Demon of Lust, is happy to have another opportunity to visit the mortal world and dally with a human female…or twelve. However when he arrives on earth, he realizes Lucifer has made all the demons mortal in an effort to keep them motivated, focused on their mission and immune from the powers of the ring.
When Asmodeus meets Kai along a deserted section of highway in Magic Valley, it’s more than the ring she wears that catches his eye. He plans to woo the ring out from under her but before long, the lines between lust and love blur.

When the other members of the brotherhood realize Asmodeus has found the ring, they descend on Bliss, determined to get the ring from Kai at any cost.
When Asmodeus is faced with choosing between the brotherhood and his one true love, he realizes the battle for Hell is nothing compared to the battle for her heart.

TRC: What do you believe is the push behind the ‘serialized novel’? Why do you think it works for some novels and not others?

Asmodeus Series

Sara: I came up with the plan to serialize this book because I wanted to give my readers something in between full-lenght novels. I’m also contracted for seven more books with my publisher, so I can’t take on writing another full novel but I knew I could do it in sections. So I figured I’d give it a shot.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Sara: I have an idea of where I’m going but the characters drive the ship. When things aren’t flowing, I know I’m not doing what I should be. When I listen to them, then it all works out.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties have you encountered as a writer?

Sara: Time management. My boys are all home for the summer which has made for a challenging work situation. I want to spend time with them and make sure they have a fun summer, but I still have deadlines to meet. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to September and getting back into a routine.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Sara: My husband. The poor man has to listen to all of my crazy ideas but lucky for me, he’s supportive of my career.

TRC: How do you keep the plot unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Sara:  To be honest..I don’t know. I just go where it takes me and then after the first draft is done, I go back and make sure there aren’t any plot holes.

TRC: How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of deadlines while still having time to raise a family?

Sara: Some days better than others. Luckily my husband is really supportive of what I do and my boys are old enough to understand that sometimes Mom has got to work. I’ll be honest, there are days when I break down in tears because I’m so overwhelmed but it’s those moments that I call my sisters or my mom. I don’t know what I’d do without them.

TRC: What are your thoughts on book reviews-good or bad?

Sara: No one likes reading a bad review of their work. It sucks but it’s a reality of the business. I don’t mind if someone says they just didn’t connect with it or it wasn’t for them. What I do take issue with are the unnecessarily cruel reviews people post–the ones that take aim at an author personally. It’s just not cool. It’s not okay to use the anonymity of the internet to eviscerate another person. It’s cowardly.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Sara: I’m writing Vampire Trouble–the second Dead in the City book. It’s due in about six weeks so I’m under the gun.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Sara: Thank you. Thank you to bloggers like you, to my readers and my street team gals. I don’t know where I’d be without them.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Mom’s Tuna Casserole

Favorite Dessert
Brownie with vanilla ice cream

Favorite TV Show
True Blood

Last Movie You Saw
Zombieland

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Milk

Favorite Flower
Gerbera Daisies

Last Vacation Destination
New Orleans

Sara: By the way, I’m having a Twitter Party on August 6th from 7pm-8:30pm EST to celebrate the release of TALL, DARK, AND VAMPIRE. To join the party simply follow @authorsara and use #nycvamps in all your tweets. Prizes include a Nook HD, signed books and more. All the details are on my website. http://novelromance.net/twitter-party-for-tall-dark-vampire

TRC: Thank you Sara for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on a very prolific year of new releases. We wish you all the best.

giveaway

Sourcebooks and Sara are offering a copy of paper copy of TALL, DARK and VAMPIRE to one lucky reader at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please registers using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Giveaway runs from August 4 to August 8, 2013

4. Giveaway is open to USA and CANADA only.

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Tall, Dark and Vampire (Dead in the City #1) by Sara Humphreys-a review

TALL, DARK AND VAMPIRE (Dead in the City #1) by Sara Humphreys-a review

Tall Dark and Vampire

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

RELEASE DATE: August 5, 2013

The last person Olivia Hollingsworth expected to see at her Greenwich Village vampire club was her one true love, Doug Paxton—whom she believed to be dead for centuries. Olivia thought she had moved on, but when Doug reappears, her heart knows she’d rather die than lose him again.

Ever since Doug can remember, a red-haired siren has haunted his dreams. He never thought she could be real until he goes to investigate a murder at Olivia’s night club. However, as the bodies keep piling up at her feet, he must fight to prove her innocence—even if it costs him his life…

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: TALL, DARK and VAMPIRE is the first installment in Sara Humphreys new Dead in the City series focusing on the vampires of New York City. Although the series is not necessarily a spinoff from Sara’s Amoveo Legend series about shapeshifters, Tall, Dark and Vampire does have a couple of characters who cross over that give the story a more familiar edge.

Olivia Hollingsworth is a three hundred year old vampire who lost her life and her love the night she was made. Twenty years ago she began having dreams about her former love which isn’t all that bad, but vampires do not dream. And to complicate matters, the dreams were becoming more lifelike and real. But a series of vicious murders leading to a newly made coven of rogue vampires would bring in the NYPD and Olivia’s long lost love, who had died more than three centuries earlier or had he?

Doug Paxton is a NY city police officer and his dreams about a beautiful red-haired woman were coming true the night he walked into The Coven-an nightclub owned by Olivia Hollingsworth-and the woman of his dreams. Together Doug and Olivia would begin the hunt for a coven of rogue vampires, but who was their maker and why was he/she trying to implicate Olivia and her coven in the murders?

Sara Humphreys has written a storyline of second chances and new beginnings in Tall, Dark and Vampire. The reader is taken on a journey through one woman’s centuries of guilt and the need to protect those in harms way or risk everything that she is in doing so. Olivia’s ‘family of vampires’ are a coven of likeable characters and there is definitely a hint of an upcoming storyline for one or two.

Olivia and Doug are relatable and could pass as your ordinary every day human, as well as Olivia’s coven of vampires and friends. Although Doug is at first reticent to accept the situation, he will quickly learn that to be with the woman who has captured both his heart and his soul, he must accept what is, even if he must sacrifice himself, to save the woman he loves.

Sara Humphreys brings the world of the Amoveo Legend into Tall, Dark and Vampire with the appearance of half-demon/half-vampire Pete and in doing so, brings some familiarity into the storyline for fans of Sara and her beloved shapeshifting series.

As an introductory storyline, Tall, Dark and Vampire had just enough world building to peak the interest of any reader including a little bit of history behind the first vampire and the governing body of the Presidium. If you like a story with a little bit of sex, a little bit of romance and a little bit of mystery, Tall, Dark and Vampire is a must read for fans of the paranormal storylines.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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