Darkly Dancing: The Darkly Vampire Trilogy: Book 2

by Chloe Hammond

How much trouble can a night out dancing cause?

Hidden away in an idyllic cottage in Brittany, Rae was counting on finally getting some peace to contemplate life as a vampire, and the chance to let her shattered heart heal.

But Pretty One Layla is bored, and Chameleon Brian is lonely.

Trouble is brewing, but Rae is oblivious.

A visit from the charming and dangerous Lady Abigail is the last thing they need.

Rae’s questions about the origins of vampires are about to be answered, in the most brutal way.

Darkly Dancing is the second book in The Darkly Vampire Trilogy.

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2023

About the author

Chloe Hammond is an Aquarius, very Aquarius. Born in Liverpool in 1975, she grew up in West Wales, but now lives in Barry in South Wales, with her husband and rescue cats and dogs. She always wanted to write, but life got in the way. Last year she was diagnosed with extreme anxiety and depression, which caused nightmares and sleepless nights. In her typically contrary way she used this to her advantage and the nightmares became this novel, and the sleeplessness nights were when she found time to write it.
She has a lovely sea view from her desk, which she gazes at to still her mind so her characters can burst forth and have their say. This is her first novel, but Rae and Layla are demanding book two and three in the trilogy are written as soon as possible, they have adventures to live.

Reviews

[Abhay Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚫️Chloe Hammond’s Darkly Dancing is an exciting continuation of The Darkly Vampire Trilogy, delving deeper into the themes of immortality, love, and peril that were introduced in the first book. This second installment takes readers on a gripping journey through the intricate emotions and dark secrets surrounding Rae, Layla, Brian, and the intriguing new characters who threaten to disrupt their fragile world.

⚫️Following the tumultuous events of the first book, Rae retreats to a serene cottage in Brittany, yearning for peace and a chance to mend her broken heart. However, tranquility proves elusive, especially as the restlessness of her companions, Pretty One Layla and Chameleon Brian, begins to stir up trouble. While Rae remains oblivious to the brewing chaos, the tension among her friends threatens to unravel their delicate existence. It’s a setup ripe for disaster and the arrival of Lady Abigail, a charismatic and dangerous figure, guarantees that no one will escape the impending storm.

⚫️Hammond skillfully enhances the emotional depth of her characters, particularly Rae, whose journey of self-discovery and struggle with her vampiric nature is both compelling and poignant. Rae’s vulnerability, coupled with her growing sense of isolation, creates a complex and relatable protagonist. Meanwhile, Layla’s boredom and Brian’s loneliness add a darker dimension to their characters, pushing them into new, unpredictable territory. Their evolving relationships are expertly developed, making their personal struggles just as captivating as the supernatural drama unfolding around them.

⚫️The true essence of Darkly Dancing lies in the shocking revelations about the origins of vampires. Rae’s quest for answers leads her into increasingly perilous situations, where the lines between myth and reality begin to blur. The truth she uncovers is chilling, and Hammond excels at weaving suspense throughout the narrative.

Happy reading ❤️✨

[Tabitha Ormiston-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I liked this book even better than the first of the series. Such fast-paced excitement! It is really edge-of-the-seat stuff, right from the start. At times I caught myself holding my breath.
The thing that makes these books really special, though, is the characters. Hammond's vampires, unlike those of the vast majority of vampire novelists, burst with authenticity; there's no melodramatic cloak-swirling, no lonely figure silhouetted atop the battlements - they are real, breathing women, English to the core and retaining all of their so-human urges, even to the point of adopting a cat. It is very seldom indeed that I have seen vampire characters done so well, or so believably.
The other point of note about these books is that they deal with so many of the issues that attend a person becoming a vampire. Real issues, to the point where Hammond's vampires can almost be seen as representing the Other - the mistrusted immigrants, the groups who aren't accepted. Every society has them, and they are all too often the subject of vicious treatment.
I am looking forward very much to the third volume.

[Michele Northwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rae and Layla take a trip to Paris with some other friends. Their decision will change them forever. After a trip to a nightclub, all hell breaks loose. Not to give anything away, but this is a vampire tale with a whole new, take on the theme. It’s a well-detailed plot, and the story is strong enough to keep you reading until the end.