For Raven Sampson it wasn’t just Valentine’s day, it was her birthday and surely, she deserved one night off from responsibility. She was a step above rock bottom, and was holding on by the skin of her teeth. She gave herself one night and then it was back to her grind. She didn’t count on running into him…
Sebastian Longford put duty before everything. Captain of the King’s guard, his mission in life was making sure the vampires in his coven survived and thrived. He didn't care who he had to go through to make that happen. But, one night, he bumped into her…and all of a sudden, duty started warring with his mating instinct.
Dria Andersen is a full-time photographer, mother of two, and lifelong storyteller. After the birth of her first child, she made a promise to pursue her dreams boldly-starting with writing the kinds of stories she always wanted to see in the world. That leap of faith became her debut novel, and she's been writing ever since.
Dria crafts love stories that center brown girls with heart, strength, and agency. Blending romance with elements of fantasy and wonder, her books invite readers into richly imagined worlds where anything is possible and everyone deserves a happy ending.
Ummmm excuse me!! Where in the hell is the next installment in this series?!? This can't be it. This book was wayyyyyyy too good. Shout out to the lovely Taima aka Shadesnpages (check out her instagram) for putting me on this one because ya'll this did not miss AT ALL.
One Night, One Bite is a Black paranormal romance that follows Raven and Bas, fated mates, who meet in a vampire club. Raven is at her wits end in the middle of a messy divorce and Bas is determined to make sure that his coven of vampires have control of the South. What ensues is a mess of drama, passion, sexiness, all the steam you can ask for, and a beautiful romance between two paranormal beings.
What Worked: I mean what didn't work?!? The writing, the character development, the pacing of the plot were all amazing. There was great world building and the creation of a believable romance in such a short period of time. If I was destined to be with a vampire for the rest of my life, it would have to be Bas. He's so caring and protective of Raven while still allowing her to make decisions that she believes are in her best interest. Everything about them as a couple was beautiful and endearing. Dria made them fun to read about. And the steamy scenes were off the charts! I just want book number two especially after the conflict that ensues with Raven's family. The world itself is intriguing and I'm interested in learning more about this conflict that exists between the vampire covens. In the meantime, I will be checking out more of Dria's books! Definitely give this one a try!
Black supernaturals featuring a recent divorcee with fire powers the Captain of the guard for the vampire king? Instalust? Fated mates? Orgasmic bites? I ADORED THIS ONE.
Great introduction into Dria's new world! Raven wanted to get away from the stresses of her life for one night so she decides to go to the hottest club in town -- which happens to be owned by vampires. There she meets Sebastian and they instantly, only have eyes for each other. While Sebastian has his duties to his coven, he comes to the realization that Raven is his mate. Once they get to talking things start to heat up!
I am so excited to finally be able to leave a review for this novella. I devoured it. Good vampire books are so hard to come by these days especially by a black author but Dria knocked this one out of the park. I'm excited to learn more about this world of vampire covens and other supernatural beings. Also, Sebastian and Ravens chemistry was off the charts. There's a scene in the club that is seared into my memory banks so if you're looking for steam, you will not be disappointed. I highly recommend this novella!
If someone is writing southern, country, ni&&as better than Dria Andersen point them out, but just know, I don’t believe you! Between this man and Vic I’m bout read to slide my happy 🍑down to the dirty. Anyway, I loved the sneak peek and I loved this. I am so excited about this series and what comes next. This isn’t really spicy but it is sexy AF, a quick and enjoyable!
If i could be any supernatural creature I’m picking Vampire as my number one pick. Like yes please! Loved me some Bas. He was doing my girl Raven so right especially after dealing with such a trash man. The spice and passion between these two was too good and I’m glad Raven let Bas know she is still going to make her own decisions. Raven having her own magic going on was a nice element to add. I wonder if there will be another book really showing us what her magic can do. I think her and Bas will for sure be the IT couple. He don’t play about her and i love mc that don’t play about the fmc.
2.75 ⭐️/🌶️🌶️ I wasn’t particularly impressed by the lack of chemistry between the two main characters. It felt like their connection was missing. I also found the character descriptions lacking. The author seemed to assume that readers were familiar with the various types of supernaturals described in the book but she didn’t explain them well. I felt like the whole book was missing something.
This romance novella was everything. Vampires, fire witches, fated mates, and so much more. Dria Andersen writes some of the best paranormal/fantasy romance stories and if you haven't read any of them, you definitely should.
The story starts at a vampire club and Raven is there with her bestie to celebrate Valentine's Day. It's there where she meets Bas, a vampire, and where she feels an instant attraction to him. Bas knows she's his mate and he won't back down now that he knows Raven is his. After a disastrous marriage and divorce, Raven has her fears of getting into a new relationship, and so very fast at that, but it's clear these two are meant to be!
First off, I want more Dria Andersen vampires (Levi’s book please and thank you). The vampire lore and worldbuilding in this is chef’s kiss, and I can’t wait to see the conflict introduced in this novella to unfurl in future books.
Sebastian and Raven aren’t messing around. When a chance encounter reveals they’re mates, they dive straight in. Club sex leads to euphoric mating bites IN ALL THE PLACES 🥵, and the promise of more. Everything moves very quickly, but why pass up a good thing? Wish there was a little more communication between Bas and Raven about being mated and how coven bonding works, and I also would’ve liked to see Raven in her full fire elemental glory wrecking their enemies, but I still loved this.
My my...this short is an extended prologue perhaps an introduction to Oak well because some stuff is about to go down. The ending wasn't a cliffhanger but it definitely made wonder what's next because Sebastian and Raven both have people/entities gunning for them and their mating might escalate it all. Girl it's going to be bloodbath and I'm ready to read it. Things can go either way so this short is very much an appetizer to prime you for the full meal.
CN: divorce, financial manipulation, cheating, disowned from family,
Y’all I can’t wait for more books in this world because I want to dive in and stay forever!! The lore sounds amazing and I’m so curious about what other HEAs we can expect. I want to know more about the Buru and the fight between them. I also hope we get to see Raven and Bas growing as a couple as we see other characters because their start was HOT and sweet and perfect 🤩 Also need Levi’s book, Lucas’ book, Sami’s book like soon, pretty please!!!!
“The monster inside of him, the part that craved blood and violence, wanted to lay at her feet.”
Wow I need a full length story with these two. I picked this up because I was bored and now I need to read everything from Dria Andersen!!!! Sebastian and Raven🫶🏾
Fated mates? Check. A Black vampire who would end the world for his mate? Check. The promise for drama, passion, and very hot couple times? Check, check, check! This has everything I ever wanted and I can’t wait to know more.
I absolutely NEED MORE OF SEBASTIAN AND RAVEN EXPEDITIOUSLY! His genuine and deep care, concern and yearning for her is top tier swoon! And those bites?! Yes.
The farther I've gotten from this, the more I've become convinced that this would've worked better as a full novel. The world building, the setting, the vampire coven rivalry...all of it was well done and I was into it! I rarely read paranormal with vampires, so it was nice to revisit some of the classic fated mates tropes with Black main characters. Raven and Bas were well characterized and I always love a divorced FMC getting loved on by a new & better man. The steamy scenes were great (we love an orgasmic bite situation) and well written...but it didn't hit as hard it could've because I didn't have enough time to get invested in the characters and their chemistry.
Ultimately, I think this novella was just too small for all the interesting lore that Dria Andersen showcased. If that world building had been either slimmed down for more romantic development or fully fleshed out into a novel, I would've had a better time. Nevertheless, I like where Dria's head is at, so I will definitely be picking up more from her in the future.
So this is my second time reading this book and initially I forgot that I read it but I'm not sure how. I love the relationship between Bas and Raven. I'm looking forward to seeing their relationship grow and how they overcome future obstacles because we know they are coming.
This was very very well written! I tend to shy away from short reads because they move too fast and don’t feel real to me.. however, this one is definitely an exception to that. I’m new to this author but I am excited to check out more of her work.
Raven is rebuilding her life and is out for a night on the town when she literally walks and bumps into Sebastian. It’s clear from the start that they are fated to be.
Yes this is paranormal but it read so realistic to me. Raven holding a quiet power and Bas unabashedly claiming her just had me in a tizzy. Bas’ charm and confidence is everything! he is the epitome of what Jill Scott said… “If he can tell me what to do…then he can tell me what to do…” pure alpha and BDE. At the same time he’s gentle with Raven and MOSTLY goes at her pace. They cute and whatnot.
Beyond their union, I especially like how the author described the battling Bayi and Burus —- the part about how the Bayi’s melanin prevented the Sun from being a lethal threat to them gave my inventive imagination just enough to picture what the Burus likely look like (and I chuckled at the thought of them roasting in the sun).
Not sure if this is part of a series or if the author has any other books that go into depth about the Bayi and Burus —- but I’d love to read more!!!
My only criticism is that it wasn’t long enough! But I still give it 5 stars because it’s just that good.
I liked this! Bas and Raven were great on page although I do wish we had gotten more time between them. Am I asking for a longer book for them? Yes 😂. The sex scenes were sexing though…gahtdamn! The background on the world that Bas & Raven currently live in is stellar. Honestly, I can see the US like this in the near future just without the supernaturals…but who knows chile. Ravens father was a jackass cause sir?! Thats your child no matter what but she got Bas and his crew of goons so I’m here for the shenanigans we about to get. Another thing I wanted more of is Ravens fire magic. That shit sound dope. I hope being around some thuggish vampires bring ups her ante. Ah Sebastian and his coven. Honey give me a whole ass lick. Cause I’ll lick every last one of them negroes faces…okay! Oh I can’t wait til we get to King Levi…pov: wowzers!! 😂😂. Anyolways, One Night One Bite was enough to quench my vampire thirst. Dria knows I love her books so uh…more soonish! Thank you!!
In prep for the new release dropping this week, I decided to start where it all began—book one of the novellas that set up this world. And baby, I’m glad I did!
Raven Sampson deserved a night off! It’s Valentine’s Day and her birthday, so sis said forget the stress, I’m stepping out. What she didn’t plan on was running into Sebastian Longford, Mr. Duty First himself. 🥴 Captain of the King’s Guard, loyal to a fault… until he met Raven.
From that moment, duty didn’t stand a chance against that pull between them. 👀 The chemistry was instant, and I was hollering because you could feel both of them trying to fight it and failing miserably.
It’s short, spicy, and gives you just enough bite (pun intended 🧛🏾♀️) to get you ready for what’s next. Definitely a cute setup for the world Dria’s building (4/5)
I don't know why I kept putting off reading this -- I enjoyed the book so much!
I started reading paranormal before the 2010s and this book reminded me of the books published during that time only this was culturally Black and Southern. I haven't read a story like this before. I know it was a novella but this truly could have been longer. I liked the couple Raven and Sebastian a lot. The lore of the vampires, witches, and other creatures sounds interesting too. Dria Anderson already has me intrigued by the world-building. An author I need to catch up on.
So good! But also so much more to be desired, more specifically in relation to the paranormal world that was introduced to us in this book. Overall, the romance was very believable for a fated mate trope squeezed into a novella. Sebastian was literally a knight and leader, so it worked well with Raven’s new normal of being ousted by her family and having to start over on her own. I was shocked at how late in the story we found out she was supernatural as well, but it intrigued me and held my attention throughout the rest of the book.
Starts off strong with sexy Southrtn vampires wearing masks and somewhere along the way its a fated mates story where the FMC just wants to date her mate (after completing the bond), being independent and living on her own. She had some past relationship trauma and her mate was fine with them taking things slow because he knew they were bonded. It just took so much of the fun out of it for me. When I read a mated couple story I want to see them mated and together. But the vamp lore and world building is good and enticing.
Well this short took me by suprise. I went on the ride and loved it. Raven and her man were thrust into the 'soulmates' train with a force but the way he steps up, makes sure to keep her in the loop, watch out for her, communicate, putting their relationship first. Hey, that's got to be what things need to be at. Her family doing the most really was something I knew was coming but the support she has in her soulmate and his family, that's going to take her places. I loved that for them
This is a short story took me awhile to get into. Raven is recently divorced and is tryna get her groove back so she decides to go to a secret vampire club where one of the vampires is convince she's his mate and does everything to show her. The chemistry just didn't click for me with them and I wish there was a little bit more of a build. I'd say this is more erotica than romance imo but they had chemistry between the sheets or rather in the VIP section of the club.