Title: Forbidden Blood (Forbidden #1) Author: R.L. Kenderson
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ASIN: ISBN: 978-0-9904144-1-4 (Epub)
978-0-9904144-0-7 (Amazon/Mobi)
Book Length: 95,000 words
Publication Date: July 1st 2014 by R.L. Kenderson
Plot: Next in line to lead the vampire species, Princess Naya Kensington has always abided by her royal responsibilities. At the urging of her best friend, Naya breaks the rules and crosses the line when she goes to a human nightclub. Following a chance encounter, Naya alters her life with a singular act forged from lust and blood.
Vaughn Llewelyn has secrets and obligations of his own, but he ignores them when he spots Naya across the nightclub. He wants her in a way he’s never felt before, and although he can’t possibly have more than one night with Naya, he knows no one else will do.
One night of forbidden love creates a bond that will forever change both of their lives…as well as their worlds.
☆✮ My Review ✮☆
☆I was given an ARC by the authors in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!☆
Anaya “Naya” Kensington is the Vampire Princess and the next in line for the throne. She has lived a very luxurious and privileged life but what she craves is to have freedom and choice in her life.
That is until, when an opportunity leads her to going a club on the “wrong side of the tracks” where she then meets mysterious Vaughn Llewelyn.
Then that very dark and steamy night, his blood sings to her and they create an insurmountable bond.
**Sounds pretty simple right? Oh how wrong you are!**
There's just one problem: Vaughn is a human (or so Naya believes) and it is absolutely forbidden to drink from humans. Not only would it expose the vampire species but only vampire blood can sustain another vampire. Human blood is too weak and tainted.
Now drawn together by an indisputable attraction, can these two individuals from opposite sides find a way to co-exist? And with Vaughn’s own secrets and obligations to uphold, how will his and Naya’s taboo romance weather against the toughest of oppositions? Not to mention, with danger and scheming lurking in the air, will they be able to withstand those who plan to make rid of them? Read and you will find out!
My thoughts: As an entirety, I liked this story. The authors did a great job in explaining the nature of vampires (as well as other mystical beings) and the whole mythology behind them. It was a nice twist in vampiric fiction.
However, I do have three main criticisms: (#1) I would have liked to see a more thoroughly developed relationship between Naya and Vaugh before they “fell in love”. (#2) Too many subplots and characters POV switches throughout the book. Made me feel bombarded. (#3) The ending. It ended rather haste.
While my first criticism is pretty self explanatory, I just felt that something was missing to honestly buy “Navaugh” as a couple. I don’t know what it is exactly I wanted, but I wasn’t 100% sold on them when it came to other things outside of sex.
As for my second criticism regarding feeling bombarded throughout the story: I just felt overwhelmed by the amount of events and POV's that would go on at once. It was like experiencing a whiplash from momentum going into one character’s mind in one chapter and then the next chapter jumping into another’s. I mean, while I did like the dual complexity of this book, sometimes less could have been more for it. I thought that some of the POV foretelling and shifting sometimes took out from the book as it often divulged too much motives and revelations and made some things easy to predict. Not saying that the suspense factor was absent per say because it really highlighted at the ending with some of the characters' fates in question. I just thought that it would have been much nicer to have been cut back on this or perhaps have their thoughts fade out so that readers could have had more suspense to keep us guessing.
Last but not least... the ending. Nothing was wrong content wise but it was a pretty rushed is all. If I had it my way I would have liked a couple of things expanded just a little more (*since I'm greedy like that! hehe*) but that's just me.
Over all though, a lovely lovely read! I really LOVED this book and it does have potential. I will definitely be sticking it out for books two and three and the rest of the characters in R.L. Kenderson’ world! Great debut ladies!
☆I was given an ARC by the authors in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!☆
Anaya “Naya” Kensington is the Vampire Princess and the next in line for the throne. She has lived a very luxurious and privileged life but what she craves is to have freedom and choice in her life.
That is until, when an opportunity leads her to going a club on the “wrong side of the tracks” where she then meets mysterious Vaughn Llewelyn.
Then that very dark and steamy night, his blood sings to her and they create an insurmountable bond.
**Sounds pretty simple right? Oh how wrong you are!**
There's just one problem: Vaughn is a human (or so Naya believes) and it is absolutely forbidden to drink from humans. Not only would it expose the vampire species but only vampire blood can sustain another vampire. Human blood is too weak and tainted.
Now drawn together by an indisputable attraction, can these two individuals from opposite sides find a way to co-exist? And with Vaughn’s own secrets and obligations to uphold, how will his and Naya’s taboo romance weather against the toughest of oppositions? Not to mention, with danger and scheming lurking in the air, will they be able to withstand those who plan to make rid of them? Read and you will find out!
My thoughts: As an entirety, I liked this story. The authors did a great job in explaining the nature of vampires (as well as other mystical beings) and the whole mythology behind them. It was a nice twist in vampiric fiction.
However, I do have three main criticisms: (#1) I would have liked to see a more thoroughly developed relationship between Naya and Vaugh before they “fell in love”. (#2) Too many subplots and characters POV switches throughout the book. Made me feel bombarded. (#3) The ending. It ended rather haste.
While my first criticism is pretty self explanatory, I just felt that something was missing to honestly buy “Navaugh” as a couple. I don’t know what it is exactly I wanted, but I wasn’t 100% sold on them when it came to other things outside of sex.
As for my second criticism regarding feeling bombarded throughout the story: I just felt overwhelmed by the amount of events and POV's that would go on at once. It was like experiencing a whiplash from momentum going into one character’s mind in one chapter and then the next chapter jumping into another’s. I mean, while I did like the dual complexity of this book, sometimes less could have been more for it. I thought that some of the POV foretelling and shifting sometimes took out from the book as it often divulged too much motives and revelations and made some things easy to predict. Not saying that the suspense factor was absent per say because it really highlighted at the ending with some of the characters' fates in question. I just thought that it would have been much nicer to have been cut back on this or perhaps have their thoughts fade out so that readers could have had more suspense to keep us guessing.
Last but not least... the ending. Nothing was wrong content wise but it was a pretty rushed is all. If I had it my way I would have liked a couple of things expanded just a little more (*since I'm greedy like that! hehe*) but that's just me.
Over all though, a lovely lovely read! I really LOVED this book and it does have potential. I will definitely be sticking it out for books two and three and the rest of the characters in R.L. Kenderson’ world! Great debut ladies!
My Rating:
-Overall : 8.5
-Plot : 8
-Writing : 8
-Characters : 8
-Cover : 8.5
☆✮ Excerpt ✮☆
As Naya moved closer,
she found a small opening near the corner of the bar. When she reached the
counter, it was obvious as to why the space had been empty. Next to her sat a
disheveled man perched on a stool. He stank of alcohol and smelled like he was
about a week overdue for a shower. He ogled her, making her uncomfortable, but people
were swarming the bar around her, so she was unable to put the space she wanted
between herself and the dirty drunk.
However, she was sick
of people forcing her to do things she didn’t want to do, whether it was
consciously or subconsciously on their part. She was going to get a drink, head
to the floor, and dance until she started to have fun, even if it killed her.
She would not let anyone ruin her plans.
“Hey, baby,” he said
as he scooted closer, looking her up and down and almost falling over in the
process. Apparently, his intoxicated state wasn’t going to stop him because he
next slurred, “You’re hot,” as he swayed into her personal bubble.
She’d had to hold her
breath when he spoke since his teeth hadn’t met a toothbrush in some time.
Naya faced forward
and ignored him, hoping he would get the hint. While situations like this
didn’t happen often, she had learned that silence was sometimes the best
policy.
He leaned in closer.
“I said, hey, baby.”
This time, she gave
him a stern look. “Sir, I am not your baby.” She turned away, praying the
straightforward approach would work.
“Wanna come home with
me tonight? We can grab a six-pack of beer and screw.”
She gasped. “No!” Gross.
“What? You don’t like
beer?” He laughed at his joke and extended his hand to touch her.
She jerked her arm
away and lifted her chin with confidence. “I’m here with someone.”
If only it were true.
He called her bluff.
“I don’t see anyone with you. Why are you playing hard to get, dollface?”
She groaned. Why won’t
he go away?
She took a small step
back, irritated that she had to be the one to leave, when she sensed a presence
behind her. Even though she couldn’t see the person, she knew immediately that he
was big, male, and powerful. But she wasn’t afraid. In fact, a calm sense of
relief came over her, and she instinctively recognized he was the one who had
been watching her. The deep feelings he’d first stirred in her now flared to
life. Anticipation, excitement, arousal, and exhilaration fused into one. Her
head was spinning as her nostrils flared, and the lonely place between her legs
blazed to life.
From the mirror
behind the bar, she caught a glimpse of a virile male before he slipped his arm
around her waist and pulled her flush against him, engulfing her body with his
own. He kissed her neck and lingered there as if he had the right.
She tilted her head
and let him.
☆✮ About the Author ✮☆
R.L. Kenderson is two best friends writing under one name. Renae wrote her first poem in third grade and learned she might have a knack for this writing thing, while Lara remembers sneaking her grandmother’s Harlequin novels when she was probably too young to be reading them and always knew she wanted to write her own.
When they met in college, they bonded over their love of reading and the TV show Charmed. What really spiced up their friendship was when Lara introduced Renae to romance novels, and when they discovered their first vampire romance they knew there would always be a special place in their hearts for paranormal romance. After being unable to find certains storylines and characteristics they wanted to read about in the hundreds of books they consumed, they decided to write their own.
They both live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area where they’re a sonographer/stay-at-home mom and pharmacist by day and sexy author by night.
You can email them at rlkenderson@zoho.com.
When they met in college, they bonded over their love of reading and the TV show Charmed. What really spiced up their friendship was when Lara introduced Renae to romance novels, and when they discovered their first vampire romance they knew there would always be a special place in their hearts for paranormal romance. After being unable to find certains storylines and characteristics they wanted to read about in the hundreds of books they consumed, they decided to write their own.
They both live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area where they’re a sonographer/stay-at-home mom and pharmacist by day and sexy author by night.
You can email them at rlkenderson@zoho.com.
☆✮ Giveaway! ✮☆
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