Blood at Dawn

Dark Ink Tattoo #5

by Cassie Alexander, Matthew Holland (Narrator), Islay Jacobs (Narrator)

Jack: You would think that rescuing my boss and helping deliver her happily-ever-after would earn me a few points with Karma, or at least a couple nights off, but luck has never been on my side. I’ve got to make my own way in this new reality: my Mistress is dead, but Maya needs help fighting off other vampire gangs, a sacred warrior is after me for my part in their partner’s death, I’ve got a bloodslave following me like a pup, Francesca is breathing down my neck, the Dark Ink staff are in revolt, and the perpetual temptation of Zach is right next door. Oh, and Paco’s going to become a vampire in three nights. I guess no good deed goes unpunished. Especially when you’re already dead. Welcome to Dark Ink Tattoo, where needles aren't the only things that bite.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Vampires, Paranormal, Audiobook, Paranormal Romance, Werewolves

6 pages, Audible Audio

First published April 9, 2017

About the author

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US links:
https://linktr.ee/cassiealexander

Hi there! I'm a registered nurse and author. As Cassandra, I wrote the Year of the Nurse: A Covid-19 Pandemic Memoir. As Cassie, I've written numerous (and very hot!) paranormal romances, sometimes with my friend Kara Lockharte. I live in the Bay Area with one husband, two cats, and one million succulents.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 The complete Dark Ink Tattoo (5 book series - each book includes 3 episodes) is FREE on Amazon today (4/27/2020)! 🎁

[Christina Pannell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is juicy. It is Jack and Luna the bloodslave now. Towards the end of the book Paco comes back into play.
There is plenty of action and drama in this book. If you're following the series, you're gonna want to read this one.
I can't wait for the next book

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn i couldnt help but miss Angela a bit but that didnt discount Jack in this book. He has his work cut out for him with taking care of Dark Ink Tattoo Parlour (all the characters in there), Luna (who is persistent in pursuing Jack thats for sure), Paco (and the complications that brings) and Zach (him & Paco were so hot!!). Fast paced, action packed and steamy as hell. This series shows no sign of loosing its grip it has on me. Im loving it so much. Bring on book 6 now

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love when I get to head back to Dark Ink Tattoo for another fix of the ever lovable vampire Jack and his crazy lifestyle.There's never a dull moment. 

Now the owner of Dark Ink Jack has his work cut out for him to turn the business around and make it a success.  

But as always Jack can not catch a break and his life gets even more complicated. He has Luna following him around begging to become his blood slave, a responsibility he does not want. 

There's definitely something off about Luna but I do feel a bit sorry for her, I just wish she'd be truthful and maybe Jack will help her. 
I just hope she doesn't stab him in the back. 

I was so excited about the whole Paco waking up situation, I love him and Jack as a couple. I can't help but wonder if their relationship will change once everything sinks in for Paco though. Time will tell. 

As always there was plenty of steam and lots of action in the sinful seductive world of Dark Ink Tattoo. 

I can't wait to see what happens next. 👏

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "BLOOD AT DAWN"
This was such an addicting story so much is going on your hooked up the end you've got action, angst, danger, intrigue, lots of blood, steamy scenes, twists you can't put down till finished.
Jack has to make his own way in this new reality now that his Mistress is dead, Angela gave him the Dark Ink Tatoo shop to run because her, Rabbit & Mark left town, he has so much going on, Paco will turn into a Vampire in three days not sure how he's going to handle that & Luna wants him to be her new Master because she hates Maya thinks she'll kill her but Jack's not interested in her as a bloodslave but hires her as a receptionist at Dark Ink Tatoo shop.
Maya needs help to fight off the other Vampire gangs, a sacred warrior is after Jack for being part of their partners death as fate has it no good deed goes unpunished.
I definitely recommend to get this book so well written need to know how Paco 'S going to feel when he finds out he's a Vampire & what Luna's going up do next you won't be disappointed such a good read I love these characters.
I'm so looking forward to the next book in this series "BLOOD OF THE DEAD" I hope Angela returns with Rabbit always wanted her & Jack together just my opinion.

[Jay Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed Immensely Wish It Was Longer

I quite enjoyed this book. In ways it’s my favorite of the series so far but I have never reached an end of a book and wished it was longer more.

I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ½ stars - Just give it 6 stars! - Exciting! Just when you thought the saga is done, Jack has to contend with new challenges. New characters are introduced, Francesca and Luna, and they are every bit as interesting and intriguing. And wow, Paco is now a vampire! Still, Jack has to run a business, LOL. What a multi-tasker! By the way, story is still steamy! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Sharon Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pack is back from the dead!

Jack had to turn Pack at the end of the last book, who was his lover! Love this story & it gets better with each book!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the dark ink tattoo.

You really need to read the other ones before reading this one. You could pick it up here if you'd like there would only be alittle confusion.

Jack is now the sold owner of Dark ink now, thats not the only thing that is happening to him. This books also has the spicy goodness that the other ones had. a new character POV I'd interduced and the whole time you are trying to guess what she is up to.

I'll read the next one

I received this book from booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the events of previous books, Jack is now the owner of the tattoo shop and is trying to get everything back in order. But between Luna the bloodslave wants him to be her master, Paco waking up and Maya needing his help with another vampire gang, things are starting to spin out of control for him.

Jack just can't catch a break! It's a little funny when someone just keeps getting hammered with issue softer issue, but this guy has had a time of it. But he's managed to maintain control and get everything under control...kind of.

I actually liked Luna's character and the quirks she had. She played a bigger part in this book than previous ones, so I was excited about that. Paco and Jack have a special relationship that brings a little something unique to the story.

I wasn't loving the pacing of the story. It was incredibly slow and felt like it took ages to get to anything substantial. With so much happening you would expect the author to have a fast paced read.

Overall rating:
4 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
1 🌶

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great addition to the series and was quite a happening read ;) So much action, and poor Jack had to juggle a lot of things, but there was also drama, mystery and suspense. And let's not forget the steam...so much steam ;P This was an entertaining read and I'm really enjoying this series.

[Suzy Ostapower · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a true born southern lady, I’m sitting here and fanning myself because it’s freakishly hot in my air conditioned home at the moment. The only reason for that is the book I just read. I don’t know what they teach RN’s these days, but Ms. Alexander knows an exorbitant amount about anatomy. Well done. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rachel Joi Maples · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series!

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack just can’t catch a break! It’s one thing after another and Jack totally has his hands full with everything! It’s amazing how he keeps up with it all and still manages to be a decent vampire! I loved how Paco woke up and immediately wanted to help Jack when he knew what was going on. These two bring something special to this story for sure! This was a great addition to the series and has a lot of action, drama, mystery, suspense, and a whole lot of steam! Very intriguing characters! I am voluntarily leaving an honest review for this complimentary copy of this book

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was simply an awesome read! It had fast-paced action, so my heart was pumping and it had super sexy times, so my heart was pumping. It was a paranormal readers fantasy with major characters and mind-shifting events, and where good and bad aren't absolutes. I loved it all!.

[Jenny Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC for my honest review!
I will never stop rooting for Jack and Paco. They capture you heart from the first series. Love love love this. Highly recommend

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am such a fan of Paco and Jack!

Another great addition to the series. Some new characters introduced and plenty of action, drama and a little bit of smut thrown in too. I'm really looking forward to the next installment and I seriously need to know what the future has instore for Paco and Jack.

I received an arc of the book and am leaving a review voluntarily.

[stardragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the new owner of the tattoo shop he is trying to get things back in order to open again. Paco was killed and Jack turned him. Luna a blood slave wants Jack to become her master, but there is something strange about her. Maya needs Jack’s help with a business transaction with another vampire group. Jack becomes involved with members of the Faithful who are vampire hunters. Again so much going on that you can’t stop turning pages until the end and instantly want more.

[Marianne Tuakoi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jack! I love that his ‘humanity’ is so strong and he sticks to his moral beliefs even though he could be so different. He and Paco are so hot and are absolute goals! Luna is growing on me and I’m hoping that a little of Jack’s humanity rubs off on her and she does the right thing! Loved this part of the story and can’t wait to read the rest and find out what Luna does.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack now runs the tattoo shop, but after all his good deeds, things still keep running on a high, Paco will turn, Maya needs business help with vampires and Luna wants Jack as her new master! no rest for the dead! well written a great addition to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joy Ki`Ili · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first week is crazy

Jack's first day opening Dark Ink is crazy but what he doesn't know is that he has a spy living with him. He meets the Faithful and in helping her find closure, she helps Jack out later. Of course, Paco wakes up as a new vampire without Jack and needs to feed but he also needs to come to terms with what he's become. Jack is reluctant to let his lover go but knows he'd never want to keep him against his will and now he night have another fledgling to take care of.

[Arabella Auberon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, let’s be honest here, Jack has always had a bit of a laissez-faire attitude, so him now being thrust into so many responsibilities more becoming of a… well adult, lol, has him ready to stake himself (not really, just metaphorically) because the last thing he ever wanted was responsibilities. He can’t run forever, though, and now he has his hands full with everything going on.

I adore Paco, and I want so much more of him… as it’s been expressed by others, Luna is not trustworthy, though she has been through her own ordeals.

As usual, Cassie Alexander has woven a tale that keeps you begging for more, and on the edge of your seat.

5 ⭐️s= Perfect story, exciting, engrossing, well developed complex characters, solid plot with few to no holes, descriptive environments and place settings, great mystery elements, realistic dialogue, believable reactions and behaviors, loved this story so much I’d buy it.

4 ⭐️s= Great story, highly entertaining and enjoyable, exciting storyline, well developed characters and settings, a few discrepancies but nothing that can’t be overlooked. Believable actions and reactions, realistic dialogue, a book I would consider buying.

3 ⭐️s= Good but not great story, noticeable discrepancies, grammatical and or spelling errors, undeveloped characters or unbelievable behaviors but still readable. Nothing majorly wrong with the story, just not interesting enough for me to continue. Would not buy the book.

2 ⭐️s= Not offended by the story, but not interested enough to finish. Unbelievable characters, poor writing, many mistakes, big holes or discrepancies, many spelling or grammatical errors, characters not believable, unlikeable or TSTL.

1 ⭐️= Offensive, extremely poor writing, horrible characters, victimization, gaslighting, blatant abuse, unnecessary violence, child endangerment, or any other highly objectionable behaviors by Main characters. Would never buy this book, and do not recommend it to anyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure where the story was going to go after the explosive ending of book 4. I was hoping Angela really didn't leave Jack - not how their relationship worked, but I still wanted to see them together after them finally getting there (little hopeless romantic showing thru.)

After starting I was having issues remembering who the women characters were - Maya, Luna, Nikki. I actually went back to book 4 and flipped back thru the last few chapters and found out I had forgot A LOT since reading. The refresh made it so much easier to dive back into the story of book 5.

It was interesting to get to see the story continue after the big battle and some characters got their happy ending and get to ride off into the sunset. Others, like Jack, are left to try and pick up the pieces. Even though he is part of the supernatural world I was intrigued by how much he doesn't know compared to human Luna and other vampire Maya. His choice to distance himself from Rosalie has helped him keep his humanity, but also hindered his education about the world he is now part of. Jack is not the typical self-involved vampire and that works to his advantage by finding allies where others would not.

The steam of this one moves the bar even higher. After the previous adventures of both Angela and Jack, that is saying something. Luna gets her own adventures and Zach is back for more.

I have been a fan of Paco and am excited to see more of him in the next story. Not sure where it is leading, but I am definitely going along for the ride.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood at Dawn is the fifth book in the Dark Ink Tattoo series by Cassie Alexander. Blood at Dawn was just as good if not better than the first four books in the Dark Ink Tattoo series. I was hooked from the first page. The many twists and turns along with all the action kept me glued to my seat as I raced to the end to see how it was going to turn out.

Angela is no longer around as she left in the last book. Jack is now the sole owner of the tattoo shop. Jack’s life has not gotten any better since she left. If anything it has gotten worse. He has a blood slave, Luna following him around like a puppy dog wanting him to be her new master.

She needs a new master as she believes her present master, Maya is going to kill her. If that is not enough Maya needs his help as well in fighting off another vampire gang. I can’t believe I almost forgot about Paco.

Paco is Jack's boyfriend and he is going to become a vampire in three days. How is Paco going to feel when he wakes up to find out that he is dead? How is he going to react to the fact that he is now a vampire? How is he going to react to the fact that he was turned without his permission? WOW! So many questions. Oh, and let's not forget about all the hot and spicy scenes.

I highly recommend Blood at Dawn to all vampire fans! Grab a copy of Blood at Dawn today!

[Book Life With Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood at Dawn by Cassie Alexander is the fifth book in the Dark Ink Tattoo series and another great addition to the series! And now that Angela had her happy ever after I love that this one is all about our favorite charismatic vampire in the series Jack!

After the ending in the previous books, Jack is now the owner of Dark Ink and of course life can’t be that easy and he finds himself juggling one issue after another. From staff revolting, Luna begging to become his blood slave, a newly changed Paco, the temptation of the oh so sexy Zach who always seems to be around all combined with the fallout from Rosalie’s death poor Jack just can’t seem to catch a break.

Add in tons of secret, mysteries and intrigue and this is one must read story because as always, Cassie knows how to deliver a delicious, steamy seductive ride with lots of non stop action and intrigue and this story was no exception. If you’re a fan of M/M then Jack is definitely your man ;) I can't wait to see where this series takes us next!

[Manuela Molteni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm starting to feel positively annoyed with Cassie Alexander's books... every time I finish one, I cannot wait for the next.

With Angela out of the scene (for now at least), Jack is left to his own devices... and leading Dark Ink tattoo parlour is just one of the challenges he must face.

As usual I'm not willing to make any spoiler, but rest assured that you will find a solid plot, a lot of gore, action, smut (remember, Jack is the main character, and if you have read any of the previous books, you know what I mean), fun in a very twisted way, engaging characters – Luna the bloodslave, Zack the casual human partner, and Paco, a constant in Jack’s current life, are only some of the ones you cannot not enjoy and love despite everything - and a fluid writing that will hook to the pages in this book, the #5 in the Dark Ink Tattoo series.

Let’s go for the next instalment, hopefully soon!

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angela is now gone and the shop has been left to Jack. In addition to becoming a new manager, Jack is dealing with Paco, who has been newly changed, Zach, who keeps coming around, Maya, his vampire "sister" and Luna, who is a bloodslave left behind by Rosalie's death. There is some action as Jack and Maya deal with the fallout from Rosalie's death but that doesn't come until the end. This is mostly about Jack's new daily truths. Luna is trying to convince Jack to take her on as his bloodslave but he has no interest and she is hiding something that isn't reveled in this book. There is a ton of steam and since it is Jack's book, a lot of M/M, but not exclusively. Not my favorite in the series but it does set up the next in series nicely.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Birgit Offenhammer Geb Beckmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man kommt gar nicht dazu eine mal durchzuschauen, man ist sofort wieder gefangen im ganzen Geschehen.

Ich wurde sofort abgeholt und wieder in eigenen Bann gezogen, der es unmöglich macht das Buch auch nur kurz aus der Hand zulegen.

Hier überschlagen sich die Ereignisse und hofft nur das es am Ende doch gut werden wird. Aber bis es soweit ist, lauern auch hier wieder Aufgaben die gelöst werden müssen und gefahren denen man trotzen muss.

Eine unglaubliche Story, die es in sich hat und auch keine Wünsche offen lässt. Was hier alles erlebt wird, muss man selber herausfinden aber es lohnt sich.

Ich bin schon sehr auf den nächsten Teil gespannt, da muss ich noch etwas warten bis ich weiß wie es weiter geht, aber es lohnt sich sicherlich auch hier wieder.

Eine ganz klare Kauf-Leseempfehlung.

5 / 5 Sterne

[ravenblackbird74 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood at Dawn: Dark Ink Tattoo Book Five is the continuation of Jack's story after Angela has left Los Vegas. Jack is left behind to pick up the pieces to reopen the Dark Ink Tattoo parlor; ensure Paco wakes up and isn't too angry at his new vampire reality; and how to keep one vampire gang from getting their hands on something extremely dangerous.

Jack has his hands full with a new batch of characters that for some reason he feels compelled to help. I definitely recommend reading this series in order. The series is intense with twisted, sexy characters. I'm looking forward to reading more about how Jack intends to deal with his humans Zach who has a major crush on him and Luna who is hiding a huge secret.

[SBee Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

★ “If I played my cards right” ★

—>>> “…when I’d run from Rosalie after my making, I’d had to find my own paths to blood and sex. Luckily, I lived in Las Vegas. If I played my cards right, I could practically get both delivered.” This installment keeps upping the stakes for this series, it just got even better! Jack has a lot on his plate right now, people who all want a piece of him and those who want him to take a piece of them ;-D When things come right down to the wire after the bad really hits the fan, it is going to take smooth operating of many to be able to come out “alive” on the other side.