Smoke and Mirrors

Blood and Light Vampire #2

by Rue Volley (Pseudonym)

Book two in the Blood & Light Vampire series takes Rue, our teenage vampire, even deeper into the rabbit-hole that has become her life. This
book introduces a deeper look into the vampire city of Valon, that all vampires derive from. It begins taking a darker turn as you are
invited into their world and their lack of compassion for the human race and, even in some cases, a total disregard for their own kind. As
the story twists and turns, you are also introduced to two new vampires, Jonah & Lily. They are the sister/brother team, who run a traveling
carnival, luring unsuspecting humans into their lair, not only to seduce…but to feed upon.

Rue faces many dangers in this addition, not only from her own kind…but this new vampire breed…that of the rogues, who serve no one but
themselves and their own desires. Rue also struggles with her want to be "normal", as she comes to terms with the fact that she is indeed a
vampire of great importance. As she navigates her way through this, she is also coming to realize that Joshua Barrington has seduced her and
perhaps stolen her heart.

Please join us as you find yourself sucked deeper into an epic story in the life of one girl, who has good intentions but may indeed be her
own worst enemy. Book two is more graphic in nature…with language, sexual situations, and violence. Sure to make you laugh, cry…and realize
that sometimes you find yourself standing at the corner of WTF and OMG.

thanks, im a little later in sending the next batch im really trying to get everything in first time

Genres: Paranormal, Vampires

588 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2011

About the author

Rue Volley, who also writes as Elle Lee Hicks, lives in the Midwest in an old Victorian house with her husband and a spoiled Pug, crafting immersive, character-driven stories. She loves curling up in her favorite hoodie on rainy days with a great whodunit and collecting book trophies. Rue is a dedicated mood reader and never leaves the house without her Kindle Oasis, an iced coffee, and a list of books to buy.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm in love with these characters! I just can't get enough of them! I want my own personal Josh... I absolutely can't wait to read the next in the series. It is SO WORTH the push through the first few chapters of #1 to read the rest of the series.

[Cherie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first book in the series "Blood and Light" I was hooked and purchased this straight away loved this book maybe even more than the first. Josh is fantastic and he nearly made me cry at the end of the book. I have to say I can't wait for the next book in the series to find out what happens next.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, the second book in this fantastic series has surpassed my expectations. I loved the introduction of the 2-new characters Jonah and Lily, sister and brother who run a travelling carnival. To seduce and feed upon, they lure in very unsuspecting humans.


I'm not going to go to much more into the details as I'm trying really hard to avoid spoilers, and I hate spoilers and if I ruined it for you, you would come back to really mad as there are 2 more books to this series. I must say book two is more graphic but took me on an awesome roller coaster ride of emotions, you will laugh, cry, get mad, and just be totally surprised at the end of the book. So without any more of my babble, go pick up your copies and dive into a great series. I hope you all enjoy as much as I did. Enjoy everyone!!!!!!!!!!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok, so i read blood and light and was like, ok this is a good little vampire series here, and now having finished book 2 in this series, i'm loosing my mind. can not get to oil and water fast enough. i was smiling, laughing, and then crying by the time i finished this book. rue, i am in awe of your storytelling....thank you!!! :)

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did I think? Well I will tell you dear goodreads. I thought it was awesome. I laughed (really hard). I cried...almost as hard. Then ending...ohhh tore my freakin heart out. The editing was much better in this book and I found very few errors. Rue was still awesome and Josh was still sigh... and Johnathan is still here. :/

[Janel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok i have to say i love this series its great!!! i laughed and cried and even got mad in this one. what an ending!!!!!! I really wont to read book 3!!! i love these characters a lot!! u just feel like you are right there in the story with them!!1

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!!! Like I said before, very well written. The characters have depth and the description of them and the places in the story are so realistic, you feel like you've been to Valon, and that you actually know the characters. Love Josh and Sam!

Already on book three!

[30flips Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is still a teenage book and I normally am not a fan but I loved this one!!! - especially the ending. Must read the next.

[April Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read! I am in love with this series! I am so upset how this ended! Now I have to get right on the next and find out what's going to happen next!! :)

[Jenna Pizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I found this series. I love the characters. I love the story. Rue sweeps me away into the story where I wish I was. Keep on writing Rue!

[Sandy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series . Cant wait to get started on the next book.

[Missy G. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok, I quit. 41% and we just keep going around and around in circles. This is more geared towards teenagers.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ebook: Smoke & Mirrors, Book 2 in the Blood & Light Series

Author: Rue Volley

Fiction, Paranormal,

This review may contain spoilers

I was given this for an honest review by the author

Summary: Book two in the Blood & Light Vampire series takes Rue, our teenage vampire, even deeper into the rabbit-hole that has become her life. This book introduces a deeper look into the vampire city of Valon That all vampires derive from. It begins taking a darker turn as you are invited into their world and their lack of compassion for the human race and, even in some cases, a total disregard for their own kind. As the story twists and turns, you are also introduced to two new vampires, Jonah & Lily. They are the sister/brother team, who run a traveling carnival, luring unsuspecting humans into their lair, not only to seduce…but to feed upon.
Rue faces many dangers in this addition, not only from her own kind…but this new vampire breed…that of the rogues, who serve no one but themselves and their own desires. Rue also struggles with her want to be "normal", as she comes to terms with the fact that she is indeed a vampire of great importance. As she navigates her way through this, she is also coming to realize that Joshua Barrington has seduced her and perhaps stolen her heart.
Please join us as you find yourself sucked deeper into an epic story in the life of one girl, who has good intentions but may indeed be her own worst enemy. Book two is more graphic in nature…with language, sexual situations, and violence. Sure to make you laugh, cry…and realize that sometimes you find yourself standing at the corner of WTF and OMG.

The Review
OMG, Rue has done it again, She had me hooked with the first one Blood & Light but this series just keeps getting better, I love how Josh would do anything for Rue, I was ecstatic when they finally bonded and Rue realised that she loved him, This plot just keeps getting better and better, Rue really pulls you in, I have laughed and cried with this book, that to me is a great book, I want to get me a Josh, he is just perfect, well to me he is, I love Jonah and Lily, the rogues, did you use Johnny Depp as inspiration for Jonah, he just has that feel to him, like Hunter, from your Hunter’s Blood series, I just love Jonah and how they are settling in with everyone, I am really looking forward to book 3 Oil & Water, 6/5

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 3 out of 5]

We start with Rue not knowing anything about herself, except what she has been told by Jonathan. But she has flashes of memory that cause blinding pain. In one moment she overcomes the binding placed on her and escapes back to her friends and brother just to learn that Jonathan was actually Caine in disguise.

When Rue gets home, she learns that Jonathan has been trapped in a memory and goes to rescue him. Through difference circumstances, she finally admits that she has feelings for Joshua. Rue then has a break down and doesn’t want to be the thing of legend and runs away. Joshua goes with to keep her safe and they run into rogue vampires Jonah and Lily. They travel with a circus and prey upon humans at will caring only for themselves.

I admit that I could not finish this book. I got about 140 pages in and had to stop. The story does have potential and I did want to find out what happens next after I read Blood and Light. I could not continue because I lost my patience with Rue. I was getting tired of reading how she wanted to jump Joshua but hated him. I also was irritated with her running away and temper tantrums.

I see a lot of people really liked this book and I’m sorry to be the one grumpy person. I will gave it a neutral rating (3 stars) for those sites that need a ranking because I can’t say it is horrible when I couldn’t finish it. If you like a lot of teenage angst with some vampires thrown in you will probably like this book.

I received this book for free from Roxanne at Bewitching Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

We pick up at almost exactly where we left off on book 1.
Rue is stuck in Valon with no memory at the mercy of Caine, who looks like Jonathan. Jonathan is stuck in memory, and Josh is in a healing coma of sorts.

Once again these books, and this author amazed me. I simply cannot stop reading them. I just finished with book 4 and I had to make myself stop reading so I could write reviews for the other books.

I did find Rue a little more annoying in this book with her desire for a normal life and being all mopey about it, blah blah blah. I really wanted to shake her, a lot. I still love her and a part of me does understand it. Everyone wants what they dont have, it is a curse. But I just wish that she would accept herself already.

So so so so happy to see the sparks flying with Josh in this book. *sigh* Looks like I might get my wish afterall.

Best chapter in the history of all books is Chapter 11 - Cookie. OMG I was literally rolling around crying I was laughing so hard while reading this chapter. I could not stop laughing. There are tons of times where I laugh outright while reading these books, but this chapter took the cake. I think I would enjoy meeting this author in person one day, she has a great sense of humor.

I like the Rogue's. Yeah they kill and eat people but I love reading about them. LOL

Poor Sara, she is not so lucky this book.

The ending, holy crap, I am freaking out here!

[Jacquie Talento · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Truth was I wanted to run out into the flowers and cause all kinds of chaos. Cause them to change colors so quickly they would end up all colors, swirling at once”.
Book 2 in the Blood and Light story is just as pulling as the first. I personally found one of the chapters had put me thru every emotion possible where I was happy, angry, cried like a baby, and changing my opinions about some of the characters in the story. For me, that tells me that Ms. Volley has written a masterpiece in her own rights.
Rue has definitely grown in this book. She is discovering more and more as to who she is and what will be expected from her. The pull she feels between Josh and Jonathan is strong but will her heart take her where it is meant to be? Caine isn’t going to take things so easy and he feels he WILL have her as his mate and will be able to control the future. But Sophia has other plans as well as those Caine thinks are in his corner.
Who will come out as the victor in this struggle for Rue’s love or just for her power?
In parts of the story, the love and strength Rue and Josh have for each other is amazing. I’m not sure with his playful self at times whether I want to love him or beat him into sharing his true feelings and stop playing with her. Decisions he makes will throw the readers for a tail spin and you will find yourselves shouting at him to make things right.
I love this series and hope you will as well.

[Annette M Guerriero Nishimoto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Today's review is on Smoke and Mirrors by Rue Volley

Smoke and Mirrors is the second installment in Volley's Blood and Light series and is a fantastic improvement from the first. Whereas book one was like a chore to read, Smoke and Mirrors was a joy.

Not only is it great to see the development of character's through a series of books, it is equally if not more exciting to see a writer improve through each new work of art. Volley has done just that.


Volley was able to keep the story flowing smoothly by keeping the focus of danger and suspense simpler than she did in the first book. Though there were still many dangers facing Rue and her new "family", they were not repetitive in nature. Although I was a bit surprised that the relationship between Rue and Josh did not progress much further than where it was at the end of the first book. With that said; however, I loved how Volley used that in the end. (I even shed a few tears)

I am looking forward to the third and final installment in the Blood and Light series. I am caught up in finding out what happens next to Rue, Josh, and the rest of the gang. I am also looking forward to seeing how much more Volley has grown in her writing as well.

3.5 of 4 stars

[Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book picks up right where the first one left off, with Rue trapped in Valon with who she thinks is her mate. She however doesn't feel anything for him and doesn't understand why. She keeps getting flashes of a memory she can't put together and it causes her great pains.

Making her escape and return to her actual home proves to be almost more than her body can handle. Emotionally drained and trying to hold onto a sense of normalcy she fights for it. Just a normal plain human day.

Rue's life with never be normal, with Rogues running around wanting to eat everyone in sight. Caine is on the loose again and trying to rage an army against Valon and the humans. Erik has left Valon and is sourcing his own rouges to kill Rue. She is humming with love for Josh, finally.

Then as normal for poor Rue all hell breaks loose. The ending of this book left me in shock and tears. I love these characters so much. I felt the pain of the end in my very heart. I have to start book three soon because I can't bear to not know what happens next.

A definate must read series..

[Jenny Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Wow, I have to say this book just blew me away. This author has a fabulous imagination and a way to reel you in from beginning to end with all the colorful images, magic, and story line. I was fascinated, intrigued and totally addicted to this book. I loved it even more than book 1! It's still got all the same great characters with a spine tingling plot and edge of your seat reading for hours of fun and enjoyment. Even though this story is a focal point for YA, it will capture the hearts, souls, and mind of readers that are YA at heart and a RECOMMENDED MUST READ! I am so excited to jump into book 3 and see where we will go from here in this remarkable and breathtaking adventures that are sure to keep me entertained!

[Crissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little slower than the first. New secrets were revealed and some of them were as twisted as twisted can be. Josh will continue to entertain you and Rue was just as stubborn as ever. Her powers are continuing to develop but she makes a lot of rash decisions that puts her in danger, leaving the rest of the gang to save her life. Just when Josh and Rue admit their love for one another it gets stripped away. Rue ends up in a place she feared, Josh is in a place he despises and the rest of the gang are trying to get everyone back on the same plain. However twisted and dark some parts in the story was I enjoyed every bit of it and look forward to the next book in the series.

[Wanda Hartzenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

My one gripe with book 2 is that the sexual tension never amounts to much!

Rue at times acts like a nymph -- read it to see why. That said she and Josh simply never move on.
I would have loved for their relationship to progress some.

With loads of twists, turns and yes -- drama the book kept me entertained!
WaAr

http://www.amazon.com/Smoke-Mirrors-B...

[Christine Mathisen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two of the series and I could not wait to read it since book one left a cliff hanger. I am absolutely in love with Josh. The characters are all great though. For those who have not left a 5 star review on this series I would ask why. This is in incredible story that is so different and complex. I have loved every book so far that has come out for this series and can't wait for more.

[Heather Busby · Rating 5 out of 5]

WTF dude, WTF. Listen I may die if Rue and Josh don't get be a couple soon. This book had me enthralled from the start and I had a hard time putting down to sleep. So many twists and turns, betrayal, lies, love, lust, and confusion. I can't wait to read the third book in this series.

[Pamela Stuard · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome read... I am in love with Rue and Josh... lets just say this series is a must read... I so want book 3...lol

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 3 out of 5]

How rude was that ending?!! Must start the next book