Takers

Takers

by Christine P. Rose

LAPD Detective Kel Langston hunts serial killers, until one night he becomes a victim himself. He survives to find he's been turned into a monster. Stuck halfway between the living and the dead with new abilities, a new case and desire he can't ignore, Kel is pulled into hunting something humans don't even know exists. Something he hates...and wants...and doesn't know how to kill.

Extended description
Police Detective Kel Langston excels at hunting serial killers in Los Angeles until one night, he becomes a victim himself. He survives, only to find out he’s been turned into a monster. A burning hunger gnaws at him, warring with his human side as he navigates his way through a new life he didn’t ask for. Stuck halfway between the living and the dead with new abilities, a new case and desire he can’t ignore, Kel is pulled into hunting something humans don’t even know exist. Something he hates…and wants…and doesn’t know how to kill.

Takers…

…your blood is only the beginning.

Genres: Vampires, Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery Thriller

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Christine Pi’iali’i Rose has been managing projects, programs and portfolios in one form or another for nearly sixteen years. She has a Master of Science degree in Project Management from Colorado Technical University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Long Island University. When not actively mentoring, training or managing projects, this mother of two and author of several book series enjoys teaching and presenting, volunteers with various organizations on O’ahu and loves spending time in the Ko’olau Range.

Christine writes non-fiction under her real name, and has several pen names for various fiction genres. Go to Amazon and look up Krystyne Price, Lynn Canfield, Amanda J. Banner and Chris Davis, just to name a few!

Reviews

[Glinda Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book intrigued me at first with its unique take on vampires. However, a couple of things spoiled it for me along the way (hence the three star rating).

First, while the author goes into tons of sensory (and sensual) detail about what the main character Kel is feeling, those feelings and desires (particularly the homo-erotic ones) are never really put in context to who was a person *before* he became what he is. It strained credulity for me that he wouldn't mentally process those feelings in terms of his prior human sexual orientation. I thought that needed to be addressed.

It was very frustrating for me when the author would go off on some exposition in the middle of an action scene. Chapter nineteen was very confusing because of this.

Lastly, I was expecting a stand-alone novel with two sequels, not a part one that ends in the middle of the story. If it is a three-parter, please say so up front.

[Teresea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not being a huge fan of the vampire genre, I found TAKERS by Chris Davis an excellent non-traditional vampire-based tale of a 'turned' cop struggling with his old life and new 'life'. It is a smoothly flowing, attention-keeping, uncomplicated read, containing just the right number of secondary & tertiary characters. Chris gives us a hero; flawed with good intentions and just the perfect touch of cheekiness.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takers by Chris Davis is a different kind of vampire story, with a refreshing twist on an old tale. The title “Takers” is what vampires are called in this bizarre, strange, other-worldly city of dirt, crime, and betrayal, i.e., Los Angeles. (Why can’t they just call them vampires?) This time our hero vampire is LAPD Homicide Detective Kel Langston who hunts serial killers. As you can imagine, the powers of a vampire might come in handy, even if you prefer to work nights.

There are bad Takers, really bad Takers, somewhat good Takers, and the usual cast of power-hungry mobster-Takers that complicate our detective's search for the killers. Luckily our detective is a bit of a loner, having lost his partner some time ago, so he only has to cover up his odd behavior to his boss, who doesn't like him very much to start with.

One of the fun parts of vampire books is learning the “rules” of being a vampire: can you go out in the sun (in moderation), can you be killed by a wooden stake through the heart (no), that sort of thing. Generally, this starts out with our hero being “turned” by a possible bad-guy vampire, who just leaves him to figure out vampire society on his own. Same thing happens here, but luckily for Det. Kel, he’s found by one of the good-guy vampires who will help him get adjusted to his new life.

This book is the first one in a series, and it would have been nice to know that up front, since the story just sort of ends. However, it was fun to read and you were always wondering where the story was going to go next.

[Fletcher Best · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takers is a fun read for anyone who is into vampire fantasy. Fans of True Blood or Blade will find this contemporary take on vampire lore familiar and entertaining. The noir detective feel gives it a bit more depth than the typical vampire story. There are some scenes of relatively tame "vamp-erotica", including some homosexual themes, that would place this in what I would call a "PG-13" range of suitability, so prospective readers should be aware of that. There were some minor inconsistencies in the story that I felt took away from it slightly, which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, but overall it was an enjoyable read.

[Wendie Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really had a blast reading this book. Love how Chris Davis gives the traditional vampire story a major twist-- and makes it real and work for Kel's world of Takers and Half-Turns. Very much love Kel and his smart/sassy mouth. I definitely would pass this one on, even if you are not a "vampire" book lover-- you will like this one- it's more like a police procedural with a lot of paranormal action mixed in. Very much looking forward to reading part 2 and soon, part 3 of Takers.

[Troy Dye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takers by Chris Davis

This different take on vampires looses with repressed sexual imagery. The writer is a woman but if you're looking for frilly dresses and recipes: she's not that type of girl. This book oozes with olfactory overload. If you have a taste for blood and don't mind bisexual tease situations this may be your story. The writing sucks you in even as you are repulsed.

[Steve Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have read all 3 that are out so far now. Quick read, enjoyable, with enough twists to make you want the next one. Looking forward to the next in the series!

Would likely have rated it higher, but not my regular genre.

Mrs. Davis, well done!

[liirogue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. A little different than normal vampire mythology with an interesting take on things. Needs a little bit of polishing still but very enjoyable. I look forward to the next in the series.

[Sharon Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a vampire cop. I really liked this but felt like it was a bit slow to start. I enjoyed the slightly different take on vampires and the murder story mixed in. Great characters and it felt like the story was only just beginning.

[AJ]

quit before I finished.

[Wayne's · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fresh take on Vampires, ok nothing to write home about.

[Donna Fernstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, take on the vampire mythos. A decently complex tough-guy cop main character makes this one stand out from the crowd. Well-written and immersive.