Rusted Veins

Sabina Kane #5.5

by Jaye Wells

Halloween in New Orleans is usually a treat. But for Sabina Kane and the rest of Team Awesome, this year's celebration has its share of nasty tricks. When Brooks's new waitress goes missing, the Changeling asks Sabina to help him find her.
The problem? The missing mage is one of Adam Lazarus's old flames, and having her show up in their lives is giving Sabina heartburn. Plus saving her may also threaten the fragile peace Sabina's achieved for the Dark Races. Luckily for Adam's ex -- but unlucky for her kidnappers -- Sabina Kane isn't easily spooked.
Word ~19,300

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Vampires, Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Romance, Fiction

73 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Jaye Wells is a former magazine editor whose award-winning speculative fiction novels have hit several bestseller lists. She holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, and is a sought-after speaker on the craft of writing. When she’s not writing or teaching, she loves to travel to exotic locales, experiment in her kitchen like a mad scientist, and try things that scare her so she can write about them in her books. She lives in Texas.

Want free fiction from Jaye? Check out www.jayewells.com for details!

Reviews

[Tanya Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so good to be back in the world of Sabina Kane. I truly missed Team Awesome.

Sabina is completely immersed in the life of being head of the dark races and is struggling to find time for a personal life. In Rusted Veins, Sabina gets a small break, with the exception of a minor tiff between the werewolves and the fae, from her daily responsibilities. She must, however, deal with a blast from Adam's past. Despite all she's been through, Sabina does still deal with some insecurities. She has not become this cold, emotionless leader you might expect from someone dealing with all the races problems.

Of course, my favorite character was in top form throughout Rusted Veins! Giguhl has been totally taken over by fatherhood, and the duties of a demon father will make you laugh out loud. Not to mention the names Giguhl and Valva have given their demon children. As always, the comic relief provided by the demons balances out the darkness that always makes up the conflict in the story.

I know that Sabina's character now has a whole new position and some jobs need to be delegated to the people who truly are responsible for disciplining their underlings, but I kind of missed Sabina's hands on approach to dealing with the bad guy.

Overall, this novella is a must read for any Sabina Kane fan. It was so much fun!

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I enjoyed Sabina Kane series so much, it was really fun to be with Sabina and the whole gang again. Being a novella, the story was not complicated. We had a missing female mage, Cadence -- who used to be Adam's ex-lover -- and Sabina, Adam, along with (my favorite demon character) Giguhl, formed a search & rescue team, especially when they found out that Cadence was involved with drugs.

I loved reading about the 'after-the-end' life -- like Giguhl and Valva and their kids (although imagining Giguhl and his teats and him feeding the kids was NOT a pretty imagery *lol*); I even enjoyed Sabina still being jealous and grumpy about Adam's history with Cadence. And of course I loved how Adam calmed her. It was nice to see Sabina still being hot-headed, and not mellowed just because they have their happy end.

The only reason for me to stop giving this a 4-star was because I felt quite disappointed with how Sabina dealt with the 'villain'. I guess I was a little blood-thirsty, and I wanted to see Sabina kicked this villain ass all the way to Hell. But instead, she was being a good diplomat and let Nyx dealt with him? What's up with that, Sabina?!

All in all, Rusted Veins was still a nice Halloween treat...

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice to visit with Team Awesome and get a glimpse of "what happens next". It was worth the 99¢ I was able to get it for but I have no idea how much it normally costs. My impression was that the three novellas from the series were all on special and that the normal price will be higher. I'm not sure it would be worth much more, though fans will be tempted to get it just to see the characters again and see what their lives are like after the end if the series. There isn't much substance for diehard fans other than a pretty amusing glimpse of their home life with Giguhl's wild kids. But it was an OK little story. Not a $3 story.

[Lisa Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story... the insta-love with Erron & Candace was a bit silly but I suppose I can bare it if I imagine that it happened because they are mages & they have some kind of special awareness when they meet "the one".

IMO Brooks was the worst character in the books - he was either getting into trouble or bitching without repercussions; I'm glad to be done with him (I'm guessing it was because he was really into Adam & jealous of Sabina's relationship with him).

[Echo · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it was nice to read more about Sabina and the gang, this didn't really add anything to the story. No new character reveals, no surprises about life after goddesshood. Felt a lil more like a writing exercise than a true novella.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously Jaye has yet to write even a novella that I don't like and I'm by no means a fan of novellas. No joke everyone needs to read her books right now!

[Teshai · Rating 3 out of 5]

soooooo..is there going to be more books written with these new characters? what will happen when the weres move close to the fae?

[Sabrina Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likes seeing the characters again but pure fluff.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

a fun look at what is going on with Team Awesome after Blue-Blooded Vamp, patiently waiting for more!

[Goldingurl · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked this short i only wish i read it sooner to the time i finished the series as reading this now only made me want to re-read the series.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story comes in after the complete five book series. I'm actually surprised that it was written to be honest as the story finishes nicely at the end of book five. It was nice to see Giguhl as a father and his literal demon spawn running mad around Sabina's house and trying to bite everyone. That was amusing. I enjoyed seeing Brooks again. I also loved the side plot of the prediction of Erron's heart stopping. That was much more interesting than the main plot of the story and I actually wish that it was the focus, having Sabina and friends trying to save Erron. I liked the resolution of that plot very much. I did find it annoying that we had to have more of Sabina's insecurity over Adam with his ex being the missing girl. Overall it was a decent story with moments of drama and humour and I did still enjoy it.

[Melissa Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sabina has matured! She still has a stubborn streak, but she's learning. Wonderful to see the cast all over again.

***FULL REVIEW***
Sabina is returning home from her duty filled European trip. A home town that livens up at Halloween, New Orleans. Halloween is just days away. Gighul gets the night away from home and wants to hang with Sabina and Adam, like the old days, at Erron's for dinner. Erron shares news that his concert won't happen on Halloween after what his psychic bassist saw. And Brooks rushes in late with terrible news of a missing waitress who had a date with a vampire two nights ago and hasn't been home since. Brooks is terrified for the girl as she once was into drugs and, well, vampire! Gighul and Adam are ready to go find Candy, but Sabina isn't as gun ho especially after she learns the girl is an ex of Adam's.

I don't want to say to much and give the story away. I enjoy this world and seeing these characters again.

I was a little surprised to see Sabina was living in New Orleans, then not so much with the friends she made here and the thinness of the veil between life and death - with her connections and all.

Sabina. Oh I loved the evil and wicked Sabina. The saucy woman ready to draw her gun and shoot first. Sabina has grown and changed with the position she has inherited. And the people around her have loved her and it shows. Sabina seems to be managing well as head of the Dark Races Cabinet. Sabina has matured! She still has a stubborn streak, but she's learning.

We hear, see, names we are very familiar with. Michael Romulus, Queen Maeve, Rhea, Maisie, and yes Adam. Then we have the one and only Gighul. But there are so many more that are present in this short read. It's amazing how Jaye was able to bring such a cast together in a quick read.

It is so cool to see them all again. To see where they all went and became. They are all still the same feisty bunch we meet but time and life has taken each to a new level in their lives.

Definitely read this AFTER you finish the series up. The first page tells you how it all ends and the way things are now for everyone.

[Jessica (a GREAT read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaye Wells' Rusted Veins is the perfect little read for Halloween and I finished it in one day naturally! Hey, it's a novella, it's short to begin with! *smiles*

Sabina and the gang are back! This takes place awhile after Blue-Blooded Vamp and things are going pretty good for Sabina. She's working on the council, as is her sister. Life is just good. Then upon returning home, she expects to spend some much needed time with Adam. But then a big problem lands in their lap and Adam feels obligated to help since it involves his ex-girlfriend. Sabina still has a few minor insecurities over this matter and wondering if Adam is going to leave her, but they quickly work through that issue with that much needed lovin!

Then Team Awesome is off to find and rescue Cadence. But as it turns out, Sabina is going to have to talk with another vampire ruler in New Orleans, and let's just say he isn't Sabina's biggest fan either. Finding Cadence is going to be a lot harder than she though!

I loved returning to Sabina and her world! Truly loved every moment of her kickass series! The action, the romance, the snark, the characters...just everything! We get a nice little taste of that everything again in Rusted Veins! And it's in New Orleans!! Where RT 2014 is going to be held, so it was fun just to walk the streets of where I'll be next year! I always find it fun to read a book based in a place that I've visited or plan to visit. It's just a fun feeling, like you get when you see a movie being filmed in a place you live in or have visited numerous times.

Rusted Veins is a fast little Halloween read but is filled with lots of good ol' fashion Wells' fun and and snark! Gotta love the snark! And Gighul too!



Overall Rating 5/5 stars

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rusted Veins takes place a year after Blue Blooded Vamp. Sabina Kane is now the leader of the Dark Races and is travelling the world mediating their disputes. She's just arrived home in New Orleans for a break when her friend Brooks asks her to help find a missing waitress from his club. The search forces her to take a few more meetings with supernatural leaders and brings her conflict with the local vampire leader to everyone's attention.

The narration jumps right into typical Sabina snark, in her recounting of her recent trip and reuniting with her extended "family." We get to check in with almost everyone from the series and meet Giguhl and Valva's kids. When the missing girl turns out to be Adam's ex, we also get some typical Sabina relationship angst.

The mission to rescue the girl turns out to be pretty straightforward. The conflict with the vampire leader isn't really resolved and leaves the whole thing feeling unfinished to me. Sabina's a diplomat now, so he has to solve problems by talking and going through the proper channels. I appreciate getting to see her adjusting to her new role, but I really wish she got to kick some ass.

Nevertheless, fans of the series will relish the opportunity to revisit the things they love about Sabina and the gang. I certainly won't forget those demon babies any time soon!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sabina Kane 5.5 (her last story: sob.)

I probably should have re-familiarized myself with the previous books. Due to the long time since the last book, I was a bit confused for a while. If you haven’t read the rest of series, even though there are some explanations, you’ll probably be confused also.

Sabina has just returned from a long trip to Europe to handle some Dark Races Cabinet business and is looking forward to alone time with Adam, when she has to attend a meeting for some American cabinet business that involves the fairies and werewolves fighting over land in the Blue Ridge Mts. Then Brook’s new worker goes missing. Oh, goody. It turns out it's Adams ex-fiancé: Candence.

Needless to say, Sabina’s not real happy with this, especially having to help find and rescue her. There are some tense moment between them including Candence's journal showing up..

There’s a lot of Sabina-style sarcastic humor and oddball antics. Such as Giguhl and Valva’s demon children trying eat everything in sight. It’s a great story, but it leaves you wishing it wasn’t the last we’ll see of Sabina and her gang. (Please no, Ms. Wells!

Fave scenes: Valva getting dinner for the kids. Also Candence waking up.

[Marsha Hubbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any definition of “snarky” should include bestselling urban fantasy author Jaye Wells and Sabina of the Sabina Kane Series. Sabina is powerful and snarky – sarcastic, disrespectful, irritable, short-tempered, irascible, mocking and great fun to read. Although Ms. Wells’ newest novella, Rusted Veins, takes place in New Orleans during Halloween, it’s a book to be enjoyed any season. Sabina has to join hands with her Team Awesome and quell her snarky tendencies to help find her true love’s former fiancée. Along the way, she meets up with a few vampires that are not her biggest fans, fights her own growing jealousies and need for violence, and takes the reader on a roller coaster ride mixed with humor and danger. There’s a quote attributed to the writing of Jaye Wells: “Either you’re ready to reap this freaky-assed harvest – or you’re not.” For fans of urban fantasy, we definitely are!

[Amy A · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was nice revisiting Team Awesome for a quick story. Rusted Veins of course takes place after the last book in the series Blue-Blooded Vamp. Sabina's new job as head of the Dark Races keeps her busy, so when she finally gets home, all she wants to do is spend some time with Adam. It's easier said than done when one of the waitresses at Brooks' bar goes missing and it turns out that she's an ex of Adam's.

This was just a really quick read and while I was happy that Jaye Wells ended the series when she did, I appreciate little snippets like this showing the readers what is going on with the characters since the end of the main series. I hope she does more things like this in the future.

[Annie Slasher (Booked & Loaded) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an original review from http://bookedandloaded.com - I personally purchased this novella.

Sabina and Team Awesome return in this Halloween themed Novalla – Rusted Veins! Rusted Veins is like an epic recipe for Halloween Delight. Just add two demon parents, a mage, the Chosen, and New Orleans. Beat vigorously. Add in shananigans to taste and BAM!! A perfect Halloween read!

Sabina is trying to settle into her new ways, but when Adam’s ex-fiance reappears into their life will she be able to keep her composure? Wells’ does a fantastic job keeping up with the character development in this Novella as well as spicing it up with some new members!! The same humor and attitude I fell in love with during the Sabina Kane series is consistent in Rusted Veins and left me wanting to pick up this entire series over again!

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember how sad I was to finish the Sabina Kane series; so, it is a real treat to read a novella about some of my favorite characters.

Sabina has just returned from Europe and she is anxious to see her hottie, Adam. However before she can do so she must meet up with our favorite demon, Guguhl who wants her help finding Adam's missing ex-fiancee, Candace. Of course the green eyed monster known as jealous can't help but raise its ugly head. Yet, Sabina manages to put her emotions at bay while she faces a pimp and drug dealing vampire.

I enjoy getting reintroduced to the world of Sabina and friends but felt that the antagonists just did not get what they deserved. It was a little anticlimactic for me. Otherwise, it was a good read.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Halloween in New Orleans is usually a treat. But for Sabina Kane and the rest of Team Awesome, this year's celebration has its share of nasty tricks. When Brooks's new waitress goes missing, the Changeling asks Sabina to help him find her. The problem? The missing mage is one of Adam Lazarus's old flames, and having her show up in their lives is giving Sabina heartburn. Plus saving her may also threaten the fragile peace Sabina's achieved for the Dark Races. Luckily for Adam's ex -- but unlucky for her kidnappers -- Sabina Kane isn't easily spooked. Word count: ~19,300

[Vannessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great novella in thee Sabina Kane series. This time when one of Brooks' waitresses goes missing he asks Sabina and Adam for help in finding her. Only it turns out that the girl in question happens to be Adam's old girlfriend, the one he broke up with just days before meeting Sabina! Feelings of guilt, jealousy and paranoia raise their ugly heads, but Sabina dives right and find Cadence with a nasty group of vamps!

Need more of these quick 10 minute reads!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Halloween in New Orleans and instead of getting to enjoy a little time celebrating with her friends, Sabina has a whole bunch of problems to deal with - including being asked to help track down Adam's ex who has gone missing. An entertaining quick read - and a great chance to check in with Sabina and the guys post-Blue-Blooded Vamp.

[Zee1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed seeing how Sabina is doing after everything. It is GREAT to see where she is in her life... she has grown, she is stronger, and she has friends, family and loved ones. It's all I ever wanted for her.

I just don't like Giguhl's story whenever it has anything to do with Valva ugh. He deserved a more kick ass story....

[Jantine Zandbergen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice to catch up with Sabina (and Giguhl of course!) again after a wonderful series, but 'Rusted Veins' wasn't as exciting as I hoped it to be. I didn't really like the jealous side of Sabina (you're a demigod!) and the ending was a bit too hasty for my taste. Nevertheless a fun read, really enjoy Jaye's writing.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised by this short story since the series ended with book #5 and this is #5.5. It just seemed weird to have a short story after the fact. Though it was nice to see Erron get his happily ever after. I was surprised at Sabina's jealousy regarding Adam's ex-girlfriend. You would think she'd be more secure than that after all they'd been through together.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novella (#5.5 in the Sabina Kane series). Adam's old fiance is missing and Adam and Sabina are tasked with finding her...

It was nice to get back in touch with the characters a series is over. And, while Sabina and Adam are getting their "Happily Ever After" it is not perfect. This cute, quick read will remind you why you love this series.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, wouldn't you know it; this novella actually answered the few questions I had, without having to read the two last novels in the series. Looks like Adam, Giguhl and Sabina have settled into their new lives admirably., Although hectic, they still have time to save their mage friend from certain death, according to a vision... Cute(ish.) 3 stars.

[Julie-anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable short story. We get to see what the gang are all up to after the series ended and we also get to see Sabina deal with Adam's history - much like he did with Slade.
Sabina is the same kick ass chick that we all know and love and this helped ease the trauma of losing her series (also made me want to re-read the series).

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was fun as it gives a glimpse at Sabina and Adam actually happy. While there was a little bit of a tif, it was nothing and both were able to take the high road. I did love seeing Giguhl's kids, very scary!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short easy read, little bit of humor, little bit of catching up with the characters. I was hoping for a bit more action, but this worked out fine. This is a mid-series 22-minute episode if the other novels were action movies.