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Blood and Kisses
It isn’t easy being the Witches’ Champion, especially when it’s a hereditary position and you’re hardly the most powerful witch of your line.
Thalia Kent has managed to cope so far with wit and nerve and every ounce of magical ability she possesses, but now her cousin, who wasn’t a witch, is dead — murdered by a rogue vampire — and if she’s going to hunt him down and survive, she’s going to need all the help she can get. She needs Gideon Damek, immortal vampire, but vampires shun witches for good reason, witch blood is poisonous.
Gideon Damek has fought his predatory nature for thousands of years and the last thing he wants is to team up with anyone, least of all a beautiful young witch. Still, something about Thalia compels him to agree.
Soon, Thalia must deal with a reluctant partner, a rebellious witch community, interfering police, a healthy dose of self-doubt, a raging passion for the forbidden Mr. Damek and an enemy who’s following an ancient prophecy that requires both their deaths, all without losing her neck, or her heart.
Thalia Kent has managed to cope so far with wit and nerve and every ounce of magical ability she possesses, but now her cousin, who wasn’t a witch, is dead — murdered by a rogue vampire — and if she’s going to hunt him down and survive, she’s going to need all the help she can get. She needs Gideon Damek, immortal vampire, but vampires shun witches for good reason, witch blood is poisonous.
Gideon Damek has fought his predatory nature for thousands of years and the last thing he wants is to team up with anyone, least of all a beautiful young witch. Still, something about Thalia compels him to agree.
Soon, Thalia must deal with a reluctant partner, a rebellious witch community, interfering police, a healthy dose of self-doubt, a raging passion for the forbidden Mr. Damek and an enemy who’s following an ancient prophecy that requires both their deaths, all without losing her neck, or her heart.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2011
4 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Karin Shah
18 books51 followersI picked up my first Harlequin presents at age 11 and proceeded to voraciously read every kind of Romance under the sun, but fell in love with the wild side, Scence Fiction Romance, Paranormal Romance, and Fantasy Romance.
After getting my degree in English as a Writing Art at SUNY Oswego and a Masters in Library Science at the University of Buffalo, I worked as a school librarian for five years in Webster, NY, before chasing my dream of publication.
I live with my family and two dogs( a basenji and a vizsla) in Columbus, Ohio.
After getting my degree in English as a Writing Art at SUNY Oswego and a Masters in Library Science at the University of Buffalo, I worked as a school librarian for five years in Webster, NY, before chasing my dream of publication.
I live with my family and two dogs( a basenji and a vizsla) in Columbus, Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 10, 2015
I downloaded this book for free on Amazon made it barely to 70% sorry but this book is boring. The dialogue between the two main characters is boring and the sex was really boring.
May 29, 2012
I loved this book! I sat down yesterday and couldn't put it down. I laughed. I cried and by the end I wished there was more. Karin Shah does a wonderful job of immersing you into her world and making you feel right at home. Pick this one up if you want a good read.
August 31, 2013
I'm not sure what I was expecting exactly when I started reading this, but what I found was a unique and interesting world populated with intriguing characters. While the idea of different "races" of beings co-existing with humans isn't really new, Shah puts her own spin on things such that nothing seems cookie-cutter or borrowed here. A forbidden and seemingly impossible romance story paired with a light mystery with plenty of suspense, the varying storylines weave together into an truly captivating whole.
While Thalia manages to perform her duties well as Guardian despite being somewhat magically challenged, she suffers from deep seated self-esteem issues, many of which stem from the birthmark that denotes her as the guardian. While she lets her insecurities stifle her in her personal life, she's never let them stand in the way of doing her job, whether it be her position as Guardian or her more mundane job as a private investigator. Her cousin Lily was the one person she trusted in the world, the one person who didn't make her feel like a freak somehow, and when she is murdered Thalia treads a fine line for awhile to keep her sanity. Still, she sucks it up and does her job, seeking out Gideon as the clues have directed her to, hoping that he'll be able to help find Lily's killer.
Gideon has kept himself largely closed off from those around him for a very long time, and keeps his inner demon tightly leashed lest he inadvertently harm anyone. While it's never exactly described, one imagines that he performs his duties regarding enforcing The Code with cold efficiency, eliminating offenders dispassionately, keeping himself removed from it. He's as disinclined to trust Thalia as she is to trust him, and yet he can't shake a certain protectiveness he feels toward her almost from the beginning. Ironically, though he arguably the most repressed of the two of them, he is the first one to warm up to having at least a friendship with Thalia. As events throw them into closer and closer contact, and they find themselves under attack on several different fronts, he has a harder and harder time denying his growing feelings for her.
It's easy perhaps to sum this up as a story of two broken people who manage to come together and find healing in one another, but the story is a lot more than that. For one thing, while they are arguably both quite broken in many ways, neither has been letting it hinder them too much really and both have been living productive lives. Their emotional insecurities might keep them crippled on a personal, social level, but they are both vibrant and courageous people who don't hesitate to step up to the plate and do their duty when called upon. You can't but admire them both for that. Even more admirable though is the way they manage to overcome those insecurities to find their way to each other despite all the odds against them. Still, for all the progress they make in slaying their personal demons and overcoming the doubts and fears that have held them captive most of their lives, it is hard to see how they will make things work between them right up until almost the very end. The solution, when it comes, is somewhat predictable and yet also a bit surprising, and while it might be just a touch cliche it is handled well and is quite believable.
Overall I found this to be a very engaging read, and one that I would recommend to anyone who likes paranormal romance, or is a fan of romantic suspense stories. There certainly is enough here to please both crowds. If there is ever a direct sequel to this, I'll definitely be interested in reading it. 4 solid stars to this one.
While Thalia manages to perform her duties well as Guardian despite being somewhat magically challenged, she suffers from deep seated self-esteem issues, many of which stem from the birthmark that denotes her as the guardian. While she lets her insecurities stifle her in her personal life, she's never let them stand in the way of doing her job, whether it be her position as Guardian or her more mundane job as a private investigator. Her cousin Lily was the one person she trusted in the world, the one person who didn't make her feel like a freak somehow, and when she is murdered Thalia treads a fine line for awhile to keep her sanity. Still, she sucks it up and does her job, seeking out Gideon as the clues have directed her to, hoping that he'll be able to help find Lily's killer.
Gideon has kept himself largely closed off from those around him for a very long time, and keeps his inner demon tightly leashed lest he inadvertently harm anyone. While it's never exactly described, one imagines that he performs his duties regarding enforcing The Code with cold efficiency, eliminating offenders dispassionately, keeping himself removed from it. He's as disinclined to trust Thalia as she is to trust him, and yet he can't shake a certain protectiveness he feels toward her almost from the beginning. Ironically, though he arguably the most repressed of the two of them, he is the first one to warm up to having at least a friendship with Thalia. As events throw them into closer and closer contact, and they find themselves under attack on several different fronts, he has a harder and harder time denying his growing feelings for her.
It's easy perhaps to sum this up as a story of two broken people who manage to come together and find healing in one another, but the story is a lot more than that. For one thing, while they are arguably both quite broken in many ways, neither has been letting it hinder them too much really and both have been living productive lives. Their emotional insecurities might keep them crippled on a personal, social level, but they are both vibrant and courageous people who don't hesitate to step up to the plate and do their duty when called upon. You can't but admire them both for that. Even more admirable though is the way they manage to overcome those insecurities to find their way to each other despite all the odds against them. Still, for all the progress they make in slaying their personal demons and overcoming the doubts and fears that have held them captive most of their lives, it is hard to see how they will make things work between them right up until almost the very end. The solution, when it comes, is somewhat predictable and yet also a bit surprising, and while it might be just a touch cliche it is handled well and is quite believable.
Overall I found this to be a very engaging read, and one that I would recommend to anyone who likes paranormal romance, or is a fan of romantic suspense stories. There certainly is enough here to please both crowds. If there is ever a direct sequel to this, I'll definitely be interested in reading it. 4 solid stars to this one.
August 22, 2013
New and interesting look at the world of the paranormal with witches and vampires highlighted. A solid 3.5 star read - I enjoyed it a lot.
This was the first, but certainly not the, last Karin Shah book I read. I have had it on my Kindle for a while but it wasn't until it was the BOTM in one of my Goodreads groups that I finally tackled it. Not through any fault of the book or Ms. Shah but through my own business and forgetfulness!
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the world building that she did. Her interactions between the paranormal and "petty" worlds was quite interesting and often amusing - except of course when it was the bad guy! And even then she managed to inject some humor into the interactions between the villain and Gideon and Thalia.
She was able to create interesting characters that drew you into their lives and emotions the more you read about them. And definitely the more interactions between Gideon and Thalia the more we learn of each of them - they both carried deep emotional scars which were revealed slowly and gently to each other as they fell in love.
I can't say much else without revealing too much of the story other than I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Thalia and Gideon and the many other varied supporting characters. It was a horrible way to meet but a wonderful thing to watch as they fell in love!
This was the first, but certainly not the, last Karin Shah book I read. I have had it on my Kindle for a while but it wasn't until it was the BOTM in one of my Goodreads groups that I finally tackled it. Not through any fault of the book or Ms. Shah but through my own business and forgetfulness!
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the world building that she did. Her interactions between the paranormal and "petty" worlds was quite interesting and often amusing - except of course when it was the bad guy! And even then she managed to inject some humor into the interactions between the villain and Gideon and Thalia.
She was able to create interesting characters that drew you into their lives and emotions the more you read about them. And definitely the more interactions between Gideon and Thalia the more we learn of each of them - they both carried deep emotional scars which were revealed slowly and gently to each other as they fell in love.
I can't say much else without revealing too much of the story other than I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Thalia and Gideon and the many other varied supporting characters. It was a horrible way to meet but a wonderful thing to watch as they fell in love!
August 26, 2013
This is the first book I have read of this author and it sure will not be the last book ether. I went in a bought a new book from her after I read this one. It is very well written and I really loved the world she had created. The characters was very well written and easy to like, it is too bad this is not a series as I would have loved to follow them and get to know them more. But they did have a nice closure at the end of the book so I am happy.
February 23, 2013
(really a 3.5 star read, but extra 1/2 star because the setting was Rochester!): Wasn't expecting much from this, but was pleasantly surprised. Really good stand-alone paranormal romance. Interesting world building and strong characters. Extra bonus that the setting is Rochester, NY, where I grew up. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Shah.
April 16, 2015
This story was a great take on witches and vampires, written with a relatively unique mix of creatures. I would consider it a light read for paranormal, not dark like some can get and left me feeling satisfied. The story was really focused on their task and the ancient ties they discover that fate has for them. I'm so glad it is a stand alone too!
May 30, 2013
I loved it. The characters are edgy, while understated and 'real', with all the trappings of insecurity and self doubt, while the story steadily grows in momentum. It's all over the place, with different thing happening, and character interaction...I just loved all of it. A really great read.
August 12, 2019
A cool spin on these popular paranormal worlds. A fun read.
July 28, 2014
I love Romeo and Juliet style romances, as long as they get their HEA, of course. In this story, witches and vampires aren't necessarily at war, but they are far from from friends. In fact, witches are the only mortals that vampires cannot drink from as their blood is poisonous. When a vampire goes rogue to fulfill a prophecy, it is up to the witch Champion Thalia, and the Vampire Enforcer Gideon to team up and take him down. Falling in love wasn't the plan, but they are get together. I would read more from this author.
September 25, 2015
Blood and kisses
I won a copy of this story during a wonderful Goodreads group event.
This paranormal story featured witches and vampires and the struggle for the two different species to intertwine. The two main characters work together to find a killer and end up falling in love. Fun easy read!
I won a copy of this story during a wonderful Goodreads group event.
This paranormal story featured witches and vampires and the struggle for the two different species to intertwine. The two main characters work together to find a killer and end up falling in love. Fun easy read!
March 12, 2013
Great book! Couldn't put it down! If you love paranormal romance, you'll love Gideon and Thalia's story. It was a free read on Amazon and I enjoyed it very much. I'll check the other books from that Karin Shah for sure!
July 1, 2014
WOW!
A little bit disappointing, that there is no sequel to this book! However, I will just go back, and read the book again. I love this book, and everything about the story. I will recommend it. And kudos to the author. Good job!
A little bit disappointing, that there is no sequel to this book! However, I will just go back, and read the book again. I love this book, and everything about the story. I will recommend it. And kudos to the author. Good job!
August 2, 2014
I received this book for an honest review. This is the first book I have read of this author and it sure will not be the last book either. It was an awesome paranormal romance! I loved the characters and the plot, check it out...Trust me you will love Thalia & Gideon's story!
February 26, 2013
This was lovely with a strong heroine and her protective hero.
May 23, 2013
I have lately returned to my paranormal reading after an absense of nearly 12 years and I love Karin's work!
January 31, 2014
It was a good read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews