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Blood Lust
In the heart of Chicago, two street gangs battle for control of the city.
Nexess was once a young girl named Elizabeth. Now she's the private property of gang leader Antonio Bianchi, sex slave and assassin for his gang, Nuove Leve. Night after night, Antonio sends her out to do his bidding, and when she returns, she must bow to his every desire. When a chance encounter introduces her to one of her own kind, Nexess must decide between good and evil. Or maybe the lesser of two evils.
Will Jace convince Nexess to leave Antonio, or will she stay with the man who may be her salvation ... or her damnation? Love, lust and loyalty all come into question as Nexess struggles to overcome, or to accept, her own blood lust.
Blood Lust is the first book in the electrifying Lust Trilogy by Jessica L. Degarmo
Nexess was once a young girl named Elizabeth. Now she's the private property of gang leader Antonio Bianchi, sex slave and assassin for his gang, Nuove Leve. Night after night, Antonio sends her out to do his bidding, and when she returns, she must bow to his every desire. When a chance encounter introduces her to one of her own kind, Nexess must decide between good and evil. Or maybe the lesser of two evils.
Will Jace convince Nexess to leave Antonio, or will she stay with the man who may be her salvation ... or her damnation? Love, lust and loyalty all come into question as Nexess struggles to overcome, or to accept, her own blood lust.
Blood Lust is the first book in the electrifying Lust Trilogy by Jessica L. Degarmo
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2012
11 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Jessica L. Degarmo
9 books108 followersJessica Degarmo grew up in Upstate New York and now lives with her husband, children and dogs in rural Pennsylvania. When she is not writing, she is an insurance agent, the lead singer in a classic rock band, a country music DJ and an avid collector of gemstones.
Her publishing credits include:
How to Meet a Guy at the Supermarket (November 2010)
Hooking Up (May 2011)
Decisions (July 2011)
The Storm Within, A Johns Creek Novel #1 (September 2011)
Six Weeks (October 2011)
Historically Yours, A Johns Creek Novel #2 (August 2012)
Blood Lust (Lust Trilogy #1) (October 2012)
Holding On, Sequel to Hooking Up (August 2013)
Height of Passion, A Johns Creek Novella #3 (April 2016)
She is currently working on several other projects. Visit Jessica's website for more information at www.jessicadegarmo.com.
On Facebook? Find Jessica at https://www.facebook.com/booksbyjessi....
Follow Jessica on Twitter @degarmo2911.
Her publishing credits include:
How to Meet a Guy at the Supermarket (November 2010)
Hooking Up (May 2011)
Decisions (July 2011)
The Storm Within, A Johns Creek Novel #1 (September 2011)
Six Weeks (October 2011)
Historically Yours, A Johns Creek Novel #2 (August 2012)
Blood Lust (Lust Trilogy #1) (October 2012)
Holding On, Sequel to Hooking Up (August 2013)
Height of Passion, A Johns Creek Novella #3 (April 2016)
She is currently working on several other projects. Visit Jessica's website for more information at www.jessicadegarmo.com.
On Facebook? Find Jessica at https://www.facebook.com/booksbyjessi....
Follow Jessica on Twitter @degarmo2911.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 27, 2013
This was the first book I have read by this author, but I think she did a wonderful job in bringing us a different kind of vampire. The main character Nexxus isn't your ordinary vampire character, she has a conscious and a heart (figuratively) I loved the way Jessica brings us up close and personal with her character letting us see the ins and outs of her. All in the middle of a gang war. Watching the character find happiness was a treat. Well done to the author. I'd definitely recommend this book.
March 3, 2013
Wow! I love a good vampire story but after a while they all sound a bit alike. Either they are about the kind of vampire who has adapted to living in the modern world and isn’t so bad or they are the hateful murderous bloodsucking fiends that frightened the bejeebers out of us as children. Nexess is a little of both.
Ms Degarmo has managed to create a vampire who is a vicious killer yet someone I had compassion for. Having been in an abusive relationship I understand the way Nexess thinks and why it took her so long to accept what the reality of her situation was.
I am looking forward to reading the next two books in the Lust Trilogy. Nexess is a fascinating character and it’s going to be a wild, bloody ride!
(The author provided a complimentary copy, in return for my fair and impartial review.)
Ms Degarmo has managed to create a vampire who is a vicious killer yet someone I had compassion for. Having been in an abusive relationship I understand the way Nexess thinks and why it took her so long to accept what the reality of her situation was.
I am looking forward to reading the next two books in the Lust Trilogy. Nexess is a fascinating character and it’s going to be a wild, bloody ride!
(The author provided a complimentary copy, in return for my fair and impartial review.)
December 31, 2015
1.5
Christ almighty did I hate this book! It's not that it's a badly written book. The editing could use a little attention and the writings a bit stiff and repetative, but on the whole, it's not bad. I just plain hated the story, the characters, the plot, everything.
The whole thing was essentially one woman being psychologically, emotionally, sexually, physically and domestically abused. I suppose the author might have intended her to seem strong to have survived it, but I never made it to the strong part.
At one point I posted a reading update along the lines of 'I don't care if she was only a teenager when all of this happened to her. I don't care if she was abused. I don't care if she supposed to have been conditioned like a Pavlovian dog. I don't care if she's supposed to have Stockholm Syndrome or whatever. Right now she is TSTL and I kind of hate her.' (Though in actuality, I'm fairly sure Pavlov used positive conditioning, which is the opposite of Nexus' but we'll let it stand.) Having finished the book, I find that that is still my strongest reaction to the book as a whole. Thank goodness for Alphonso. He was the only redeemable feature of the whole thing.
Now, I'm not oblivious to the correlation the author made to addiction and she actually did a good job likening Nexuses dedication to her 'Master' as an addiction and highlighting the very real and complicated reasons that abused women stay with their abusers. But again, I did not at all enjoy the journey of this book.
What's more, Nexus was always begging to be fucked (that's the language used in the book) and fell into insta-lust with the first male vampire she met. This felt so very much like the old, 'women can't control their own sexual urges' trope that I was pretty much sickened by it.
This book has great reviews. People must have very different taste than me, because I can't imagine what those reviews are based on. I hated it. But to each their own. I am only one of many differing opinions.
Christ almighty did I hate this book! It's not that it's a badly written book. The editing could use a little attention and the writings a bit stiff and repetative, but on the whole, it's not bad. I just plain hated the story, the characters, the plot, everything.
The whole thing was essentially one woman being psychologically, emotionally, sexually, physically and domestically abused. I suppose the author might have intended her to seem strong to have survived it, but I never made it to the strong part.
At one point I posted a reading update along the lines of 'I don't care if she was only a teenager when all of this happened to her. I don't care if she was abused. I don't care if she supposed to have been conditioned like a Pavlovian dog. I don't care if she's supposed to have Stockholm Syndrome or whatever. Right now she is TSTL and I kind of hate her.' (Though in actuality, I'm fairly sure Pavlov used positive conditioning, which is the opposite of Nexus' but we'll let it stand.) Having finished the book, I find that that is still my strongest reaction to the book as a whole. Thank goodness for Alphonso. He was the only redeemable feature of the whole thing.
Now, I'm not oblivious to the correlation the author made to addiction and she actually did a good job likening Nexuses dedication to her 'Master' as an addiction and highlighting the very real and complicated reasons that abused women stay with their abusers. But again, I did not at all enjoy the journey of this book.
What's more, Nexus was always begging to be fucked (that's the language used in the book) and fell into insta-lust with the first male vampire she met. This felt so very much like the old, 'women can't control their own sexual urges' trope that I was pretty much sickened by it.
This book has great reviews. People must have very different taste than me, because I can't imagine what those reviews are based on. I hated it. But to each their own. I am only one of many differing opinions.
February 15, 2013
Now I like my vampires with a lot of attitude and swagger. Ready to rip out a throat and never they never ever back down from anyone! Nexess is a kick ass assassin but on the inside she is just a mess. She has been mind raped for her entire vampire life by evil incarnate, Antonio, the mob boss responsible for all the evils that this poor abused creature has suffered since the day of her death.
Ms. Degarmo has an awesome talent for scene and character development. Her descriptions of the "massacre" scenes was great and when she described the incredible horror Nexess had to endure during her punishment, it was hard not to shed a tear. I definitely hated Antonio more if that is even possible. Her description of the first time Nexess and Jace are together, made steam rise from the kindle screen.
This book definitely gives the reader another take on vampires, one that is not explored very often. A story where the vampire is actually the victim, subjugated and held prisoner. At first, I was a little a disappointed because as I stated I like my vampires ALPHA ALPHA ALPHA whether they are male or female but after giving this book a chance, I found myself thinking of Nexess as an abuse victim that needed to find her power to survive and BOY DOES SHE!
If you are looking for a different take on vampires and like violence and intrigue, this book is definitely for you! I look forward to seeing where Ms. Degarmo takes this story int he remaining books of the trilogy.
Review by I Love Vampire Novels
www.facebook.com/ilovevampirenovels
Ms. Degarmo has an awesome talent for scene and character development. Her descriptions of the "massacre" scenes was great and when she described the incredible horror Nexess had to endure during her punishment, it was hard not to shed a tear. I definitely hated Antonio more if that is even possible. Her description of the first time Nexess and Jace are together, made steam rise from the kindle screen.
This book definitely gives the reader another take on vampires, one that is not explored very often. A story where the vampire is actually the victim, subjugated and held prisoner. At first, I was a little a disappointed because as I stated I like my vampires ALPHA ALPHA ALPHA whether they are male or female but after giving this book a chance, I found myself thinking of Nexess as an abuse victim that needed to find her power to survive and BOY DOES SHE!
If you are looking for a different take on vampires and like violence and intrigue, this book is definitely for you! I look forward to seeing where Ms. Degarmo takes this story int he remaining books of the trilogy.
Review by I Love Vampire Novels
www.facebook.com/ilovevampirenovels
February 11, 2013
In my opinion, Vampire stories are now so rife, they seem to have lost both the ability to shock and entertain. It’s akin to a snooze-fest due to the glut of tales available. Having said that, there are a few I do read, but this has more to do with the authors themselves and their ability to spin a good yarn than with the content, and I include among those the brilliant Anne Rice and the super-talented Poppet.
Upon the prompt of our book club, it was with some trepidation that I began reading Blood Lust. I already knew Degarmo as a good writer, but this was a vampire story- how different could it possibly be in order to stand up and be counted?
Let me put it this way: Jessica L Degarmo has now joined my list of vampire-must-read-authors!
Blood Lust grabbed my attention immediately and held it through to the end. It is a no frills and fuss story. It is gritty and real and moves along at a pace guaranteed to take the reader along for a ride. There are no fancy forests- we are in gangland and crime is the focus. Imagine crime bosses with vampires as their weapons, and imagine what control it must take for a human to ‘tame’ a vampire, and you will want to read Blood Lust. I hate spoilers in reviews and thus won’t reveal much of the story itself, but I have to tell you Nexess is badass and you will love her!
Blood Lust does shock and entertain…yay!
Upon the prompt of our book club, it was with some trepidation that I began reading Blood Lust. I already knew Degarmo as a good writer, but this was a vampire story- how different could it possibly be in order to stand up and be counted?
Let me put it this way: Jessica L Degarmo has now joined my list of vampire-must-read-authors!
Blood Lust grabbed my attention immediately and held it through to the end. It is a no frills and fuss story. It is gritty and real and moves along at a pace guaranteed to take the reader along for a ride. There are no fancy forests- we are in gangland and crime is the focus. Imagine crime bosses with vampires as their weapons, and imagine what control it must take for a human to ‘tame’ a vampire, and you will want to read Blood Lust. I hate spoilers in reviews and thus won’t reveal much of the story itself, but I have to tell you Nexess is badass and you will love her!
Blood Lust does shock and entertain…yay!
February 24, 2013
I was given this book in return for an honest review. I absolutely love vampire books of all sorts. I especially love hardcore, old school, non sparkly vampire books. That is what this book is. Back to the days when you were a kid, scared that an evil vampire was going to sneak in your bedroom window and suck your blood. Yes, that's what this is. Nexess is the main character in the story, she's the slave of Antonio, a sadistic and evil demon. She is his assassin and his slave, killing for him or locked away. Nexiss is the perpetrator and the victim in this book. Then she meets Jace, could she finally find love and be free of Antonio, it's going to be hard as he is from a rival gang. This book is hard core, reminded me of Nathan Squier's kind of gritty, evil, eat your baby vampire stories. Loved the characters and the story, although some of the content is a bit rough at times. Definitely do not recommend this book for kids, but oh man, this is one I would definitely recommend for adults.
November 6, 2012
I like the story even if I am not big on violence. Yes, this book has violence, and rape, and a bunch of stuff I'd never read. But there is something about Nexess that makes me want to read more. Maybe it's because Jessica has hit abusive relationship on the head! Maybe it's because I just want Nexess to be the kick ass vampire that she is and not a puppy- a kicked one at that.
Whatever the reason, I kept reading the book even with the elements that I dislike.
This book has sex in, apparently hungry and fed vampires are all horny. But I suppose if we all ran into Jace and he didn't eat us, we'd want it too.
I'd like to see what happens next. The little description made me curious.
I'd recommend this book for anyone that like erotic paranormal books. It isn't erotica- just erotic. Yes, there is a difference. If you've got a thing for mobsters, then you might like it too.
Whatever the reason, I kept reading the book even with the elements that I dislike.
This book has sex in, apparently hungry and fed vampires are all horny. But I suppose if we all ran into Jace and he didn't eat us, we'd want it too.
I'd like to see what happens next. The little description made me curious.
I'd recommend this book for anyone that like erotic paranormal books. It isn't erotica- just erotic. Yes, there is a difference. If you've got a thing for mobsters, then you might like it too.
February 24, 2013
Wonderful new spin on vampires. She delivers a deep, emotionally damaged person within a supernatural creature. She gives you a look into a sadistic man and his treatment of her. Nexxess is thrown into the center of a gang war in Chicago by being turned into a vampire and used as one side's most dangerous weapon. She's brainwashed into believing she was saved and that she owes her master everything. She meets another of her kind and has such a strong attraction to him that she is torn between duty and desire. Jace helps her to see the truth and helps her set herself free. Great read. Different take on vampires, but a nice change. A few grammatical errors and at times the writing feels a little choppy, but worth reading.
October 26, 2012
The story begins with Nexess, a vampire that was "saved" by the head of an Italian gang. Antonio uses her as his sex slave and assassin, which Nexess loves until the day she crosses paths with another of her kind. Between her curiosity and being driven to the other vampire, she embarks on a journey she didn't expect as her true past becomes known to her.
While I'm not a fan of bondage or stories of abuse towards anyone, the story was well written and the ending was a reasonably happy one. I chose to look at this as a story about a woman with Battered Woman's Syndrome overcoming her abuse at the hands of her lover and finding true love.
While I'm not a fan of bondage or stories of abuse towards anyone, the story was well written and the ending was a reasonably happy one. I chose to look at this as a story about a woman with Battered Woman's Syndrome overcoming her abuse at the hands of her lover and finding true love.
November 22, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed Blood Lust. It is a paranormal, and, yes, there is violence and unsavoury themes in the writing; but it is a darker book. It doesn't side-step anything - an opportunisitc, bottom-feeder gangbanger and a young vampire that he 'owns.' Not only paranormal, Blood Lust is psychological in content, handling issues of domestic violence juxtaposed against the paranormal. Maybe not for the lighter paranormal reader, however I was engaged reading about Nexess, and I look forward to further books. For an in-depth review go to On Top Down Under Book Reviews http://bookreviewsandtherapy.blogspot...
February 7, 2013
This is my favoerite of Jess Degarmo's books. It rocks off the page and the characterization of Nexess is suitably paradoxical - a contract killing vampire who is nevertheless abused by her handler.
Of course, you inevitably beg her to break her chains, but while you do so, the story races on as she comes up against her nemesis in the contract killing vampire world, or maybe her ally.
Jess Degarmo's gentle romance style has always had its tougher moments, especially the ex-wife in 'Hooking Up', but this book is tougher all round and proves that Jess is a writer of wide talent.
Can't wait for the sequel.
Of course, you inevitably beg her to break her chains, but while you do so, the story races on as she comes up against her nemesis in the contract killing vampire world, or maybe her ally.
Jess Degarmo's gentle romance style has always had its tougher moments, especially the ex-wife in 'Hooking Up', but this book is tougher all round and proves that Jess is a writer of wide talent.
Can't wait for the sequel.
May 17, 2013
I started this book on Monday and finished it on Tuesday.It starts off with action and does'nt stop until the last page.I love authors that don't write about your run of the mill vampire and Jessica definitely delivered. She showed how even the mightiest of beings can still be mortally weak.This is a story of abuse and ultimate triumph!!How the underdog can rise above anything when given the chance and the love that has been denied.
March 10, 2013
This book was recommended to me by a friend. I typically read paranormal romances and this book definitely increased my lust for reading. This book was very much about feminine power, and the love interests Antonio and Jace were mesmerizing. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second in this series.
November 11, 2012
I'd never read anything in this genre before and was surprised to be so compelled by it. Degarmo describes extremes in matter-of-fact language which high-lights the violence. The image of Nexess being chained by her lover is a disturbing one. Fans of the genre will adore it.
October 28, 2012
3.5
A lot of master/slave sex going on, it was kinda hot... but then it got repetitive.
A solid story, lots of violence and soul-searching for the protagonist.
A lot of master/slave sex going on, it was kinda hot... but then it got repetitive.
A solid story, lots of violence and soul-searching for the protagonist.
November 10, 2012
I really wanted to enjoy this story. It's right up my alley. A cool vampire on the cover, an awesome title, it's pretty short, and I really love the author
but....
I really hate that I had to put a 'but' there....
I can't say that I'm a big fan of the content of this story.
Chains, sex, shootings, gang violence, a couple of smackings, and rape.
It's just not my bag.
BUT! I know a lot of girlies out there will love this! I just have a bad time when it comes to brutality against women. Even if the women are vampires and can take it.
And I want to commend the author for writing such a diverse piece of work. Earlier this year I read her book "Six Weeks" and I couldn't stop gushing. It was just a flipping fantastic work of contemporary fiction. And while "Blood Lust" wasn't my bag, it amazed me how the author was able to hone in on characters in this new book.
Definitely an author to watch!! And I can't wait to see what she writes next :)
but....
I really hate that I had to put a 'but' there....
I can't say that I'm a big fan of the content of this story.
Chains, sex, shootings, gang violence, a couple of smackings, and rape.
It's just not my bag.
BUT! I know a lot of girlies out there will love this! I just have a bad time when it comes to brutality against women. Even if the women are vampires and can take it.
And I want to commend the author for writing such a diverse piece of work. Earlier this year I read her book "Six Weeks" and I couldn't stop gushing. It was just a flipping fantastic work of contemporary fiction. And while "Blood Lust" wasn't my bag, it amazed me how the author was able to hone in on characters in this new book.
Definitely an author to watch!! And I can't wait to see what she writes next :)
October 16, 2013
This is my second book by the author, the first being Hooking Up, which I enjoyed. This was a little more gritty.
I wasn't so sure on the style of this. I know it was two gangs going against each other and they use different terms than other people but I wasn't exactly a fan of it.
The first 25-30% was a little off-putting, reading about what her boss had her doing and did to her, but then when she met Jace it perked up a bit. I liked him almost instantly, maybe because of my like of vampires, and I was sad that he didn't get as much book-time as he could have.
Nexess annoyed me a bit, mainly because of her loyalty to her boss after everything he makes her do. When she's not near him, she realises what's happening, but as soon as he comes back, she's fawning all over him again! She drove me a little insane.
Short and gritty.
I wasn't so sure on the style of this. I know it was two gangs going against each other and they use different terms than other people but I wasn't exactly a fan of it.
The first 25-30% was a little off-putting, reading about what her boss had her doing and did to her, but then when she met Jace it perked up a bit. I liked him almost instantly, maybe because of my like of vampires, and I was sad that he didn't get as much book-time as he could have.
Nexess annoyed me a bit, mainly because of her loyalty to her boss after everything he makes her do. When she's not near him, she realises what's happening, but as soon as he comes back, she's fawning all over him again! She drove me a little insane.
Short and gritty.
August 4, 2014
Fierce creatures with overactive libido...
Fierce creatures with overactive libido...
This book was interesting in that the characters were extremely active in S&M sex and bloodthirsty violence. The gangs involved with drug trafficking and other underworld practices both had their own "token vampire" that did their every bidding without arguments or reluctance. I found this difficult to grasp from the actions and attitudes of the vampires themselves. The prose was good and the storyline was acceptable, but the book as a whole, I found slightly lacking.
Gaston Sanders, Author
Fierce creatures with overactive libido...
This book was interesting in that the characters were extremely active in S&M sex and bloodthirsty violence. The gangs involved with drug trafficking and other underworld practices both had their own "token vampire" that did their every bidding without arguments or reluctance. I found this difficult to grasp from the actions and attitudes of the vampires themselves. The prose was good and the storyline was acceptable, but the book as a whole, I found slightly lacking.
Gaston Sanders, Author
August 10, 2013
Most of this book was her being abused by a mafia boss..chained..cursed at.. calling the mafia guy master..
The ending help save it but I really don't enjoy reading a whole book on abuse.
The ending help save it but I really don't enjoy reading a whole book on abuse.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews