Violet Dawn

Violet Night Trilogy #2

by Lynn Rush

Violet Dawn is out of print as of 3/31/15 due to publisher closing its doors.
Here is where the reprint is: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

In the darkest place, the Light shines brightest.

Emma’s love saved Jake from life as a vampire. But their happily ever after is threatened by a savage Vamp seeking retribution for destroying the Avenos Trinity of Evil.

A mysterious stranger enters the mix, coinciding with the first Vamp attack in months. Emma’s new friendship, and the suspicion and deceit surrounding it, further drives a wedge between her and Jake.

To complicate things, Emma is bitten by a Vamp with abilities no one has ever seen before, and that bite has left its mark.

A mark that might tear Jake and Emma apart forever…

Genres: Paranormal, New Adult, Vampires, Romance, Angels, Urban Fantasy, Vampire Hunters

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2013

About the author

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author, Lynn Rush, is a full-time writer, wife, and trail runner living in the Sonoran Desert, despite her fear of rattlesnakes. Known as #TheRunningWriter, Lynn can’t resist snapping epic sunrise pictures while running in the desert with her trail sisters, even if she has to occasionally hop a scorpion.

When she’s not running or writing, she’s watching movies that fuel her everlasting love of superheroes, vampires, and all things Supernatural. The books she reads usually carry the same theme, but this former college athlete loves reading sweet sports romances as well.

She’s madly in love with her Ironman husband of 20+ years who is the inspiration for what true love is. You can find her on social media as @LynnRushWrites and her website is: www.lynnrush.com

Reviews

[Anastasia ｼ]

I love the cover!

[katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better with each installment. The rush while reading this story was adrenaline pumping. Filled with kick arse action right till the last page has been turned. The romance is sweet, the mystery is suspenseful and the storyline is like a raging river flowing at full speed.

I enjoyed all the twists and turns in this installment. And certainly cant wait for more of the Violet Night trilogy !


Lynn has a knack for dragging you into her story. At every page turn, every suspenseful part and even the moments where you heart is racing.

A few twists and turns are thrown in - and I have to say I enjoyed this just as much as the first instalment if not more .

Her characters are well fleshed out, the descriptions well envisaged and the author gives us a well balanced story filled with all the goodies one could want in a story.

I enjoy this story much so, for its uniqueness !! its different, enticing and certainly riveting till the very last word.

The story is well written, and it leaves the reader wanting more.

A great second instalment in this Violet Night series.


(( love the cover ))

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll keep this brief, because I'm afraid I'll start gushing and spoil everything. Just let me say:

1. This is a standout sequel. It's just as strong--if not stronger--than the first book in the series.

2. This is the kind of complex world I spend hours daydreaming about, even after I've finished reading. *sigh*

3. Rush is at the top of her game. I loved this book!

[Destany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book, provided by Netgalley as part of the Violet Night trilogy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Time for a little second-act misdirection! This Buffy-esque college fantasy ramps up the romance in this installment. Or, well, maybe not romance, but steam, definitely. But it's not even the good kind of steam. It's complicated. Violet Dawn picks up a bit after the events of Violet Midnight, with Jake and Emma a bit concerned that there has been no vamp activity recently when BAM their external warning system goes off. In the fray, they meet Max, a weird little dude who suddenly becomes 100% obsessed with Emma.

With the arrival of a new Big Bad (to borrow a Buffy-ism), is Max there to help or hurt? Jake is uber wary of the newcomer, but Max says all the right things to make Emma trust him. Personally, I kept rooting for Jake to knock Max on his butt. I am not a Max fan haha! Is he good? Is he bad? I can't spoil that for you!

I love that these books are dual POV between Jake and Emma. We'd lose a lot if we weren't getting both sides. Jake really loves Emma, and Emma really loves Jake. Without knowing both sides it might seem like a crush on a colleague or something. The way Jake thinks about Emma, and the way he talks to and about her really makes me smile. I love a Book Boyfriend who isn't afraid to express how he feels about his girl. And I love it when he calls her "my girl." Makes my heart melt a little. Jake is in my Book Boyfriend Hall of Fame.

There's lots of steam, but some of it is unexplainably connected to the Big Bad. I don't wanna spoil, and you'll just have to see for yourself. Can't wait to read the next installment - even tho I'm not ready for my time with Jake and Emma to be over.

[Victoria Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

More action, more adventure, and more L.O.V.E.! Lynn never seizes to amaze me with how she can flawlessly weave romance and kickass paranormal elements together without either suffering in the process. The action scenes are intense and the love is steamy steam, and to set the whole Vamp kicking tale on a college campus just adds to the story. This series sends a kick into the new adult category with its paranormal elements and strong leads. These people slay vampires in between writing their term papers and that's just too cool :) I loved seeing Jake and Emma again and I can't wait for the final book!

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was already a fan of our heroine Emma. And the love of her life Jake? GAWD! what's not to love? But these two (and Lynn, of course) just blew me away here. They are the perfect team. Sure they're still young, and doubts can sprout up out of nowhere, but their love for each other never wavers. Regardless of any doubts, fears or challenges, they manage to realize their love is real and nothing can break them apart... right? RIGHT!?!? That's what we've come to believe. But can the Big Bad Evil and his minions be their undoing?
Well, well, well. They certainly are put to the test and then some. I don't know what it is about my favorite authors lately, but man--- they have really had me on the edge of my seat, biting my nails (and hey, I'm NOT a nail biter, dammit), clutching my chest, rooting, cheering and SHOUTING for my heroes, and cursing out loud every time I have to put their book down. Lynn made this book was no exception. Seriously... when I had to go to work, answer the phone or the door--- go to SLEEP, I cussed and swore like nobody's business.
I was so immediately wrapped back up into Emma and Jake's world. I wanted to read from start to finish and never put the book down. It nearly killed me. I had a hard time pulling myself away.
As usual, the story was nonstop action and romance... the sweetest, most honest, wonderful *sigh* romance.
And I couldn't get enough.
Lynn weaves a most fabulous web of secrets, lies, betrayal, HISTORY, mystery and paranormal intrigue, that you can't help but get caught up in. She writing is so strong that you physically feel everything the pair goes through. And as vamp hunters and young lovers, they go through a LOT. Like I said- nonstop action-surprises-twists and turns- AND an amazing cast of characters.
While my heart pounded never really knowing if my friends were going to live through this installment, I was also elated with their growth, and thrilled by the relationships they've held onto and continued to build. The friendships here know no bounds. The loyalty and protective natures of the core characters drives the story as much as the Hunter destiny's. And what's really amazing is the depths each of them will go to help each other.
Of course I loved Jake and Emma--- and hoped with all my heart that they could hold on and make it through. But who really stole my heart this time around was Emma's bff Ava. The girl's a spitfire and a constant surprise. We also see an cameo or two from an old friend that I love as well.
Ok, ok... enough with the mushy gushing. Violet Dawn is not all fun and games. Well, there were a lot of games, just not the fun kind. We had old and new enemies with more tricks up their sleeves and a lust for vengeance and violence--- and Emma. The Hunter's come up against their toughest foe yet. Bloodthirsty, smart, INSANE, and able to do things they've never seen or heard of. This story is intense. Violent. And enthralling.
Do they get the bad guy(s)? Does everyone survive? Do Emma and Jake come out stronger than ever? Obviously you'll have to read the book yourself to find out, but I will tell you, the ending is perfect, and I can't wait to see how Lynn will wrap this all up with the next and final installment. One thing's for sure--- the Big Bad is still out there and I have a feeling we ain't seen nothing yet.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything has been pretty quiet since Emma and her love saved Jake. They are in love and have big plans for their future. Things soon get shook up when the vamps come back to campus. After Emma saves a boy she soon can't get rid of him and he seems to know a lot about her past. Jake is suspicious and doesn't trust the boy. There is more vamps than usually and they are being led by a strange vampire who is after revenge and has more powers than they know. When Emma is bit by him she doesn't heal and soon learns of what some of his powers are. Jake and Emma have to stop him and keep their friends safe.

Emma and Jake are the perfect couple to me. Both are so strong and so in love. I love that even tho Jake loves Emma he still knows when to give her space and tries to let her handle stuff on her own. Jake is so awesome. He battles with his jealousy in this book and really comes out so much the better person for it. Emma does all she can to keep people safe and figure out just what is going on.

I loved the first book in this series and I loved this one as well. The characters are not weak but strong. The writing is amazing and makes the book very easy to read. There is plenty of action as Emma and Jake battle vampires and plenty of intrigue as you try to figure out who Max is and who the new vampire is and what his powers are. The book gives you a little more insight on the background on Emma and Jake and this is a nice touch. I know this book just came out but I am ready for the next one. I want to see what happens next for Emma and Jake and what their future holds. With the twist this book had I am sure there is plenty of greatness and surprises to come.

[Katie O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynn Rush has done it again, with fast-paced action, heart stopping revelations and kisses hot enough to melt your e-reader. I loved this second book in the trilogy and can’t wait for the final installment in the series!

The story starts off months after the first book, where vampire huntress Emma Martin saved Jake Cunningham from being turned into a vampire and destroyed the Avenos and their dream of world domination. Emma has been training Jake in the ways of the hunter, and falling more and more deeply in love. They are both college students, and Jake is about to graduate with a master’s degree, as well as getting ready to propose to Emma.

The narration bounces between Emma and Jake, and it’s interesting to listen to each of their inner angst-y 20-something monologues. I also love their emotions, their love for each other. When a stranger gets thrown into the mix, their relationship is thrown into turmoil. Then when the vampires amp up the volume, turmoil goes turbo.

I read this book on a recent vacation and the only downside was having to power off my e-reader when the plane was taking off. This is a fun series, and I whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys vampire reads.

[Maghon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the synopsis for this book and even without reading book one and knew I wanted to read them! So I of course had to totally get in on this tour. I actually got luck and read both book one and book two. It’s a very action packed rush. The first book was a lovely beginning to the series and this one just gets better.

I’m very impressed with the writing of this author. She has captured my attention, and even with vampers, kept me interested. There’s plenty to go around as well. There’s a mystery unfolding with all the vamps and there’s a sweet romance between Emma and Jake, and there’s a ton of action, and not to mention the paranormal floating around

I definitely like the characters, Emma and her vampire hunter self. She’s quite a unique type of hunter. And her tattoo just completely fascinates me! She is a fierce, protective, strong young woman. I instantly liked her. Jake is sweet and charming, and like a knight in shining armor, and sometimes he needs saving too.

There’s so much I could say about this series, but I need to keep them to myself because I would give away some really serious spoilers. I don’t do spoilers so, you will just have to read them to find out!!!

Even with the vampers, I’m going all out with a 5 VIVACIOUSLY ACTION PACKED PAWS!!!

[Tawney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting in torture to see what happened to Emma and Jake. When Violet Dawn came out I snatch it up right away, eager to read the new adventure. It was an edge of your seat read. I rooted for them and Lynn just knows how to make readers heart pump! Old and new enemies congregate in their path. Violence and vengeance is on their mind that which had me a little worried.

The description is wonderful and I felt like I was with Emma every step of the way. The characters would do anything for each other. Their friendship had no bounds. I was on a path that wound through deadly turns and rough patches for Emma and company. It was so intense I have no nails left from biting them with every turn of the page.

Lynn is a good story teller that her books wrap me up in her magic. I could not put this one down. I was not disappointed in this sequel, in fact it makes me crave for the third installment! I truly enjoyed it and can't wait for more.

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really really reallly good sequel to an amazing story. Cant wait for next.

[Tammy - Books, Bones & Buffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars

In a word: more kick-ass Emma, fantastic pacing, interesting vampire lore, but ultimately disappointing character development

I wanted to love this book more than I did, especially since book one, Violet Midnight, was such a blast to read. Now don’t get me wrong: I did have fun reading the second installment of the Violet Night Trilogy, but a couple of choices the author made didn’t work for me, which I’ll get to. I'm puzzled by all the four- and five-star reviews Violet Dawn has received on Goodreads, and I almost feel like I read a different version of the story than everyone else. I was so disappointed in the reactions and choices of the characters, that I had a hard time getting past them and enjoying the story. Rush has so many creative ideas, and her vampire mythology really is one of my favorites, so it is reluctantly that I give this book only three and a half stars.

As book two opens, college students Emma and Jake, vampire Hunters who have special tattoos on their wrists and arms that glow whenever Vamps are near, are cozily settling into life as a couple. For the past four months, since the nail-biting ending of Violet Midnight, things have been quiet, and they’ve had time to get to know each other without their dangerous jobs interrupting them. But of course, this respite does not last long. Just as Jake is getting ready to take Emma to meet his parents for the first time, their tattoos begin glowing: Vamps are nearby and must be stopped. When they find the Vamps and manage to chase them off, they run into a guy named Max, who tells them he is also a college student. Emma and Jake do their best to shrug off the attack, telling Max the Vamps were probably muggers, and try to get him to go back to his dorm. But Max seems oddly fascinated with Emma and won’t take the hint.

Later when a gang of Vamps attack and badly injure Emma, Max just happens to be there to save her, and Jake and Emma realize that the events from Violet Midnight (which I won’t spoil for you in case you haven’t read it) are going to have consequences: a dangerous Vamp has come back for revenge, and he’s got some secret powers that might make him unstoppable. In the midst of trying to figure out what’s really up with Max as well as survive the new nest of Vamps, Jake and Emma have some relationship issues that need to be dealt with. Rush’s pace never slows until everything’s resolved and the many secrets that various characters are hiding are finally revealed.

Rush once again immerses the reader in her fantastically creative world. Emma and Jake, who are both vampire Hunters, have some cool abilities to help them in the fight against evil. Their Hunter tattoos glow whenever Vamps are near, which comes in very handy. They have some interesting physical traits as well: they never eat, never sleep, and their body temperature is always 74.7 degrees. But best of all, they have a magical ability to “call” their weapons to them whenever they’re needed, and then send them back home when they’re finished.

But this time around, the world-building wasn’t enough to sustain the story. My main issue with Violet Dawn was the character of Emma, whom I adored in the last book. She was strong, feisty and smart, but in this book she seems to have misplaced both her intelligence and her strength. She spends most of the book being attacked, bitten, punched and stabbed, and I didn’t feel the author gave us a believable explanation as to why she’s become such a victim.

Worse than that, though, Emma has become gullible and trusting, which doesn’t make sense since her life is all about killing vampires. As a Hunter she’s developed a keen instinct that keeps her alive in dangerous situations, but that instinct is on vacation in Violet Dawn. From the moment Max is introduced, I, as a reader, knew he was up to no good. He had the word “slimy” written in huge letters on his forehead. Even Jake sensed that Max was hiding something from the first moment they interacted, yet Emma blithely ignores the warning signs. She continues to defend his dubious behavior throughout most of the story, and when she finally admits that Max isn’t who he claims to be, both Jake and Emma decide that maybe their duty is to help Max choose to be good instead of evil. Maybe the author’s point of the story was to test Jake and Emma by making Max such a confusing character, but none of it worked for me.

I also didn't care for the overt religious overtones in Violet Dawn. Rush used some of these elements in Violet Midnight, but they were more subtly done (if I’m remembering correctly). The characters talk quite a bit about “choosing Love” (and yes, that is “Love” with a capital L) in order to vanquish evil. Jake and Emma go to “the Church” (again, a capital C) where they meet Gabriel, an angel from book one. Gabriel helps Max choose the correct path, and all his horrible deeds earlier in the story are suddenly forgiven. Redemption might work this way in the real world, but in fiction, at least the fiction I enjoy, forgiveness needs to be earned. Rush never convinced me that Max was ever worthy of forgiveness, and I continued to hate his character all the way to the bitter end.

The story ends with a teaser of what’s to come in the next book, but also wraps things up nicely between Emma and Jake. I fervently hope that the Emma I fell in love with in Violet Midnight returns in book three. Rush has a great thing going on with her Violet Night series, she just needs to remember who her characters really are.

Many thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.

This review originally appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy.

[Sassy Sarah Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Violet Dawn by Lynn Rush

Book 2 in the Violet Night Trilogy

3 stars

BRIEF SPOILERS AHEAD FOR PREVIOUS NOVEL (I’ll give warning when they end.)

Emma’s love has saved Jake from falling into darkness. He’s no longer a vampire and is destined to fight alongside Emma. A mysterious guy keeps popping up and Emma thinks he’s harmless especially since he claims to known her old love, Gabriel, but Jake disagrees. SPOILERS OVER The writing at the beginning of this novel sadly decreased in value. I was off to a rocky start at the beginning of this sequel and I felt like it was going to go downhill. Surprisingly the writing became so much better. The storyline was very rocky and it felt like there was no solid place where it wanted to go, but it eventually went somewhere and that was a saving grace for this novel.

The good news is that the love triangle was squashed because Emma and Jake lurve each other so much. For once I’m glad that their love was sickeningly sweet enough to divert a nauseating love triangle. Sadly their relationship isn’t very solid and their love story feels like it is forced. This all consuming love feels uninspired and didn’t make me feel anything. That’s a slight lie- I felt something- my eyes rolling into my head. I mean a proposal? I seriously don’t see how that proved that loved each other because I didn’t feel the love.

The middle of this story is very strong and is my favorite thing about this novel. I couldn’t put it down and I was engrossed. The plot was great, the pacing was perfect, and the story flowed well. Sadly as a whole this story lacks solid plots (much like the first novel), but this novel is addictive enough that it didn’t fall flat.

Whimsical Writing Scale: 3.25

This is my own personal qualm with the celibacy portrayed in this novel. I support celibacy; I think it’s great; I also support sex before marriage. I support whatever feels right for the person because it is different for all people. Literature has begun to paint celibacy as a horrible thing or something that isn’t cool anymore, but there are also instances where sexual promiscuity is painted as the worst sin in the world. (As a Christian I feel that I’m entitled to claim- sexual promiscuity isn’t the worst sin in the world that would be pride.) But Jake not respecting Emma for wanting to remain celibate is NOT okay. It was a horrible way to show discard between this couple and it infuriated me. Using virginity as a plot point to decide good or bad is also infuriating and not okay.

Emma, did you brush your teeth with Jake’s toothbrush? I mean I know you swap spit, but that’s just GROSS. Also stop slut shaming your friend! It’s not okay to judge her for wanting to have sex with multiple men. Emma, you are an idiot whose head is so far up her ass she can’t see a bad, creepy, unsettling dude who was RIGHT in her face.

Kick-Butt Heroine Scale: 2.5

Jake is too much of a jealous douchecanoe. He gave me a headache with all his HE-MAN “Emma is mine” thoughts. I like him less the more I mull on it.

Swoon Worthy Scale: 1.5

The Villain- I really liked the villains in this one. Some of them weren’t strong villains, but it was a lot better than the weird parent villains from last time.

Villain Scale: 3

Ava still slays and she remains to be a great character. I also like Greg, Ava’s boyfriend, who is just a goof with good intentions. Gabriel always pops up at weird times and I’m not really a fan of his character, but whatever. He has a purpose.

Character Scale: 3.25

This novel has its fair bit of flaws, but it’s a decent sequel. I highly recommend picking it up if you enjoyed or were intrigued by the previous novel.

Plotastic Scale: 3.25

Cover Thoughts: This cover is better than the previous one, but again thank God for that new box set.

Thank you, Lynn Rush for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** Gifted in exchange for an honest review***

5 out of 5 stars, the first book I gave 4.5 but this book kept me turning pages and wanting more...

We start the second book 4 months after book 1, the Vamp's have been quiet and its unnerving Emma, and typical they decide to show up the night she is due to meet Jake's parents!
Now I don't want to do too much about the storyline as it will give the game away, but suffice to say there is going to be a storm brewing... and there is a new guy interested in Emma! Max sets off warning bells in Jake, but is it jealousy or more? Things start to get serious when the Vamps seem to be more coordinated and when a leader of them makes himself known to Emma, Jake and Emma realise the stakes are rising... and not into the vamps..Will Emma survive? Read on to see.
Excitement and a few twists await you.
Right I am now on Book 3...