Midnight Bloom

The Lunar Eclipse #01

by Kristina Canady, Karen Swank (Editor)

Forced to police the border between two worlds in an attempt at redemption, a cold and calculated Etienne has purposely constructed an organized existence that focuses on protecting the ignorant. A "chance" encounter with the outspoken and brazen Sasha Green unveils to him a connection that threatens to thaw his heart. Etienne and Sasha are about to be challenged to look beyond themselves and question everything they believe to be "fact" as their two worlds collide. In this first novel of the Lunar Eclipse series, Sasha learns of the unusual hand that fate has dealt her and finds herself caught up in a battle between her moral compass and her innermost primitive desires. As she evolves into her predetermined role, she must question her fear against myth and weigh the value of the marriage she's committed to against the fulfillment of the path that an unknown force is pushing her to walk. How strong will Sasha be under its force, and will the profound connection between the two ultimately break her?

460 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2013

About the author

You can follow the series progress @ https://www.facebook.com/midnightbloo...

Or visit our webpage @ http://www.lunareclipseseries.com/hom...

What inspired you to write your first Novel? "My girlfriends and I were sitting around discussing our latest reads, all the perfect Cinderella type romance novels that are out there and how we would like to read something that more could relate to. I have been an avid reader since I was a child and love to write, so I decided to write something for us. A not so perfect love story; one that had a little humor, tied in some vampires, a little adult content, morally hard choices and was a satisfying read for all those hard working readers who want some good ole' junk food for the brain when they come home after a long day at work."
Raised in California she moved to Colorado to pursue her education and fell in love with the area as well as her now husband.

Though Kristina loved her art and literature classes in college she put that to the side in order to start her career in nursing. After establishing her career she felt something was missing. While she adores being a nurse she felt her artistic side was calling and started to pick up her writing and painting again, setting aside a few hours a day on her day's off. After a period of time she found that her short story had grown into her first novel. Writing is a passion of hers and she feels the greatest achievement in her art is creating works that bring enjoyment to others.

She continues to reside in Colorado with her husband and children. Kristina is working on her third novel, part III of The Lunar Eclipse Series.

You can follow the series progress @ https://www.facebook.com/midnightbloo...

Reviews

[Bambi Unbridled · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book made me very ranty. Probably the most ranty I have been all year. The pacing was not good... it almost never takes me 4 days to read a book. It felt like it took way longer than that.

I kept waiting and hoping to connect with Sasha, the lead female. But I never did. In fact I hated her for the majority of the book. She annoyed the ever loving snot outta me as you can see from my status updates below. Etienne, the male lead, has potential... but there was nothing to make me emotionally invested in him. The world building left a lot to be desired... supernatural things would happen without any explanation as to the whys and hows. Sometimes a "because the universe willed it so" type reason was thrown in. Again, vague sentences that do nothing to get you hooked into the story. I expect more from my paranormal and urban fantasies. The world building needs to be fascinating, and the characters need to be fully developed and engage your interest, empathy, lust or something. Anything! I didn't get any of that here.

And finally, I didn't like the aspect of the story that she had a husband/kids before she learned she was a vampire, so she was going to have to choose between them. It wasn't believable. At the beginning of the story she was saying how her kids were her life... but then at times she is considering walking away from them. I don't have kids, but that didn't even jive with me. Good moms don't walk away from their kids.

This was just an all around disappointing read for me given the abundance of 5 star reviews this book has. I note all the reviews were for ARCs, which now has me doubting reviewers. Statistically speaking, it is not believable that every single person who got an ARC gave a book 5 stars. I try to keep my reviews honest, so I'm not gonna fall in line with the others. Will I keep reading? Yes. I'm gonna try Book 2... but I'm not gonna give it 4 days to impress me. It needs to grab me early and make me want to continue. I'm crossing my fingers.

[The Glassed And The Furious · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly never gave up on a book as quickly as I did here. The heroine is ridiculous and I hated her pretty much from the beginning. The moment she says she watches "Real Housewives Atlanta" to keep in touch with reality, I began to dislike her. She yammers about her life, her marriage as if they were both horrible but her descriptions show the contrary. Her husband works from home to take care of the kids, but somehow we are supposed to believe he is horrible and this marriage is doomed. She says she loves her kids unconditionally but shies away from any kind of effort in their everyday life. She sends her husband to pick them up from school, he has to make sure they get up in the morning etc. and he watches them at night while she works, but of course, she is so poor and alone in it all.
She stays up until 3 am watching TV and sleeps until 2pm, only manages to cook dinner for her kids and gets angry when her husband, after working the entire day!!, has to work at night as well. It's infuriating. After this completely ridiculous insight into her family life she wastes no time telling the reader what a kick-ass nurse she is, how important her work is, how difficult, how much responsibility she has blablablablabla. Please, she has to take a break 20 minutes into the job! She is just ridiculously lazy.

And to top it off, she makes gooey eyes with a complete stranger, almost drools on the floor when she sees him, of course has to get rescued by him later and follows him to his house. And of course in his household there are perfect, beautiful clothes that fit her amazing figure perfectly and make up lies ready for her, just to doll herself up. At this point I had to stop. I couldn't take it anymore. Sasha is annoying and obnoxious. On top of a completely unlikeable character, her language got worse with every page. The first two pages were written beautifully but then it all went to hell.

This book wasn't even worth the short effort I have put into it.

[Mandy Dowson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent start to a series. I found myself relating to Sasha quite a bit and as such I didn't know whether to root for her and Stephan or her and Etienne. She is a half-breed in a world of humans, who doesn't find out what she is to become until she is married with children. Awkward! Even more so when she figures out that the vampire who helps her during her transition is her soul mate. *cue frustrations!*
Etienne is secretive and stubborn, but it draws the reader to him in a way. Sasha has always had her own opinion on everything, but valued peace over happiness -- that is until her vampire side takes over and leaves nobody in any doubt about what makes Sasha happy. I loved this. I can't wait to see her further development in book #2. Sasha is going from cowed little housewife to badass vampire in stages.
I'm starting #2 today! I'm hooked!

[Jaime Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book for an honest review.


We have a couple main characters in this book.
Meet Sasha. She is a mother of twin boys married to Stephen.
Stephen is boring in my opinion.
He likes things his way including his sex life.
Sasha was starting to feel that something was missing in her life but couldn't quite place what that was.
Sasha is a nurse and meets Edward.
Edward is one of her favorite patients.
One night enter Etienne.
They shake hands and a zap forms between them.
She can't explain but when she is almost attacked and Etienne Dave's her, he takes get back to his place.
He explains about who he is and what she is.

He is a vampire and she is a half breed.
Since their essences touched, she will be changing.
She explains to get husband about it echo laughs it off and tells her it is all in her head.
She starts to feel the transformation tasks place and Stephen takes her to Etienne.
He helps guide her through it, and help with her training.

They have some bind and she feels whole with Etienne but out of obligation she runs to get husband.
As she feeds on him more and more, their bind is getting stronger.

Now we have the dilemma of what is the right decision:
Stay with Stephen or run to her soul mate?

I thought this book was better than the twilight series. I can't wait to read more about this love triangle.


Reviewed by Jaime for Mommy's Naughty Playground

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!! Sasha is a character I can relate to. She is struggling with her morals and commitment as many of us real women do. I love that she is sassy, funny and always keeps me entertained.

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pulled between the world she knows and the world she belongs in.

To tell the truth, I didn't like how the beginning started. But my view of the characters changed and by the end I was totally sucked in. What would you do I you found out you weren't totally human and that you had a vampire that is your soul mate? Well add in that you are married to a wonderful man and have two beautiful children. Now your life is split. You remain true to your husband but your soul pulls you to another. It doesn't help that you haven't been very happy for a long time before you found out the truth.

Now that I've been sucked in to the story I will be reading the next book ASAP to find out what happens.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of the book.

[Jaclyn House · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a signed copy of Midnight Bloom by Kristina Cannady!  Once I saw it involved a vampire I was all in!  Kristina knows how to tell a story with enough detail to transport you into the story and enough to leave you wanting more.  Book 1, Midnight Bloom serves as an introduction to a unique story of two people who think they have life figured out. Etienne, the stubborn, brooding, and proud vampire, meets Sasha, a fireball who will not be told what to do. There are several obstacles that stand in their way, Etienne's disbelief that Sasha is his mate, and Sasha's HUSBAND!  Now don't get upset and stop reading because you think there's cheating involved!  Sasha is trying to keep her life as normal as possible, but the connection between her and Etienne cannot be ignored.  After she meets Etienne, he drops a major bomb shell on her that involves a huge decision about her future.  Book 1 involves a lot of background info and build up. The sexual tension is so thick, I had to email Kristina and ask her when they were going to get busy!!!  Again, this book serves as an introduction to a journey that will take Sasha and Etienne on a journey bigger than either of them could have imagined.  It got a little frustrating at times reading as Sasha's true nature really starts to show.  While she is very feisty, a great mom, wife and independent, she is very selfish.  She disguises it under trying to do the right thing, but she's not considering how her actions effect those around her!  At times I felt bad for Etienne, but then again, he was just as selfish as she was.  Clearly they were made for each other!  Something bigger than Etienne and Sasha brewing.  Kristina is grooming Sasha's character to become a major force unlike anything Etienne has ever seen, so by the time book 1 ends, of course I had continue with Book 2! Head over to my blog for my review of book 2

[Lady Living In Bookland · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Midnight Bloom' is the first book In the 'Lunar Eclipse Series' and is a book I went into without reading the blurb and I think it made it all the more magical for me.
I loved the cover and the title but honestly went into this book blind. I like doing that occasionally....you may come to know me for that!!
So we meet Sasha, a happily married, mother to twins boys and a settled if not rather "comfortable" relationship. She is happy, hardworking and strong willed. Her life is thrown upside down one evening upon meeting a family friend of one of her patients (on an awful night that could have led to something more sinister). Little does Sasha know he will tell her a little more than she can imagine about herself.
This handsome, electrifying stranger is called Etienne and the relationship they build over the course of the story is simply incredible. The things they share and go through together gives Sasha lots of unintended feelings towards this man and leaves her questioning what she really wants and needs. But is this to the cost of her family?
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Excerpt from Midnight Bloom: "I understand longing for something that you cannot have. I cannot have you because that is your choice, not mine. You could have me at any time, it is Impossible for me to deny you..."
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Having not read a vampire book in some time (although with lots on my TBR list!) I did enjoy this although it took me a while to find my feet. Once I got in to it the reading was easy and enjoyable. Although on the final few chapters I was desperate to read more knowing what hard decisions she is left to make...bit of a cliffhanger! But I am keen on reading the next on the series to see where things go...

Review by Ladies Living in Bookland (Susan)

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by the author in return for my honest review.

In the first novel of the Lunar Eclipse series, we met Sasha and Etienne and there worlds are about to change for good,


Forced to police the border between two worlds in an attempt at redemption, a cold and calculated Etienne has purposely constructed an organized existence that focuses on protecting.

A "chance" but yet but astonishing encounter with the outspoken and very brazen Sasha Green unveils to Etienne a connection that threatens to thaw his once iced over heart. Etienne and Sasha are going to be challenged. They need to look beyond themselves, question absolutely everything that they both believe to be "fact" as their two worlds collide.

Can i just say this book is amazeballs its well paced and very feisty just like the characters who i adored. There is just the right amount of angst and conflict to keep you reading more and more.

This book has such a suspense about it that its one them types that keeps you wide awake at night.

The main character Sasha she is strong willed and minded also extremely feisty Sasha is also very likeable and easy to connect with.

Then there's the dark brooding handsome and very sexy Etienne who is likeable but yet very frustrating as well ...... Men

My most favourite Excerpt from the book.

"I understand longing for something that you cannot have. I cannot have you because that is your choice, not mine. You could have me at any time, it is Impossible for me to deny you..."

Cue awwwws


overall a very well written book with allot more awesomeness to come, i cant wait to read book 2 and 3 ( when its released )

5 Out of 5 Hearts From Cariad Books

[Stalking · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This book was provided by the publisher/author for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book with its exciting story and different take on vampires. The author does a great job developing these complex characters. Sasha, the main character, is different than many other characters I have read. She is almost 30, married with two children, when her life changes dramatically. I am no fan of a story with an extra-marital affair (this has not actually happened in the story) but this piece of the story is written so naturally that it makes sense and is done in good taste. The beginning was a little slow and focused on setting up the characters and the drama to come. After the stage is set, this was a nonstop emotional journey with some great vampire action and a little bit of sexy! I stayed up way too late thoroughly engrossed in the story. This promises to be an intense series judging by the first book and I will happily devour each book to come.

***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Kristina Canady. Not a bad start to my reading journey with her work.

Overall the story wasn't bad and I see a lot of opportunity to build the plot and characters in future books to make this a great paranormal series.

There are 3 main characters and a few secondary characters that are used to build the story.

Sasha, Stephen and Etienne. Sasha and Stephen are in a stable and predictable marriage with no spark when she meets Etienne at work, she's a nurse. Sasha, upon meeting Etienne finds out she's a half breed (vampire) and he's a vampire too, oh and her mate. The characters were explored on a superficial level, but I feel there is a lot of potential to build them on a deeper level adding another layer to the series.

The plot was also very superficial, because the universe decreed it, seemed to be the explanation for everything. If things were explained and explored more deeply, the added layer of the world she's a part of and what's involved looked at, this would be a great series.

I enjoyed the story and look forward to seeing what happens in the series.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that just hooks you. It had me drawn into the story and was very hard to put down. It is not a traditional vampire book and has a unique twist to vampires. Vampires can only feed from other vampires and only of the opposite sex.
Sasha is a half breed but does not know it. She is a nurse and one day meets Etienne, who is a friend of one of her patients. When they meet, sparks fly, this triggers her turning. Sasha is in denial of the whole situation at first. She has a husband and young twin boys. Sasha must find a balance between what is coming and her human life, she must also deal with being married and the knowledge that she is the natural mate to Etienne and of course it is always complicated.
As soon as I finished part 1, I picked up part 2 and just could not stop.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Assassin's Reading Reviewing Group

[Sydney Hopke · Rating 4 out of 5]

One night when working one of Sasha's favorite patients introduces to Etienne and little does she know that because of that chance meeting her life will change in ways she could never imagine. Etienne is a vampire and when he shakes Sasha's hand realizes she's a half breed and his natural mate. What Etienne soon finds out is that she's married with children and won't leave them. This book tells of Sasha's transformation and how her life changes due to this.

Will Sasha be able to merge her two worlds? Will she be able to make it through her transformation (and what comes with it) and what of the growing feelings between her and Etienne? So many questions and many are answered in this first book. A strong story with even stronger characters. I'm very interested in what will happen next and to find out more about the supporting cast, a very interesting bunch of vampires and humans.

[N.D. White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having done an author interview with Kristina Canady, I went into this with high expectations, and she did not disappoint. I love how original the story is and Sasha’s character thus far is my favorite. I love how she is NOT weak, vulnerable, or plays a victim role in this story. She is intelligent, sassy, witty, and very Independent. She clearly does not need a man to “take care of her”. When Etienne comes in her life and helps her grow into who she is destined to become, she still is able to hold her own. The book flows well and kept my attention. I honestly could not put it down. I was thankful to have book 2 already on my kindle so that I could keep reading right into the next book. Midnight Bloom is such an intriguing paranormal romance novel. I highly recommend it. I will definitely keeping reading books from this talented author.

[Becky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sasha has a loving husband and two beautiful twin boys and life, while not exciting, is comfortable. Things change quickly when she meets the nephew of a patient while working as a nurse. She discoveries things that scare and excite her. Midnight Bloom follows Sasha's journey in attempting to balance her human life and her newly found vampire life. The tough decisions to be made to keep her human family safe, and the great sacrifices that she makes to do what she believes to be in their best interest despite her undeniable draw to Etienne. He attempts to teach her about her new life and train her use of her gifts. The attraction and deep bond that Sasha and Etienne share is heart-wrenching at times. A well written story of love and sacrifice. Looking forward to the second book in this series.

[Rebecca Johnson Dye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this Story about Sasha and her struggle to accept what she is becoming and trying not to lose what she already had. Sasha is a nurse, married with to cute twin boys. She loves her job and her family, even if her marriage lacks spark. She is happy with life as it is until a tall handsome man shakes her hand and changes her life forever. Now she finds out she is going to transition into a vampire because unknown to her her sperm donor father was a Vampire. Etienne is shocked at what happens when he meets Sasha he is happy being alone and being powerful. He doesn't need to be attached to this woman who is a half breed. That is until he feels the cracks she is causing to his heart and the roller coaster she is causing with his emotions. Sometimes fate will twist your life around for the better but can Sasha except that or will she fight fate because she is scared

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story!! I love Sasha's character at first you think she is just a normal woman..working as a nurse has twin boys she adores and is married to her high school sweetheart. But as you read a little more you see the cracks in her relationship and that she is really anything but normal. Thats when Etienne enters her life handsome, charming everything she never knew she wanted. Sasha finds out she is a halfbreed never even knowing that was a real thing not only that but the man she is married to is not the one she is meant to be with and the story goes from there. You really feel the characters struggles the story sucks you in and you just have to see how things are going to pan out for her and the others involved. Great story cant wait to see what the rest of the series has in store for us!!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me and although I have an unbelievably long reading list I bumped this to the top to see what was so interesting and OMG I'm very glad I did, how much did I enjoy this story ? I really Really REALLY enjoyed it.
This was such an interesting take on a vampire story.

After an unexpected meeting with Etienne, Sasha's life is about to undergo some major changes.
As if finding out you're part vampire and realising the stranger you've just met is the thing you've been missing your whole life isn't enough to deal with, throw in the fact that Sasha is married and has children causes her a moral and emotional struggle.
I love the way this book is written the story is well thought out, interesting and had me absorbed from beginning to end. Etienne and Sasha have become my new favourite couple and Kristina Canady has become a new must read author.

[Bloggers From Down Under · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meet Sasha. Married to Stephan. Has two beautiful twin boys. Works nights as a nurse.
Her life is normal.
But is it?

While at work Sasha is introduced to Etienne via one of her favourite patients, Ed. He seems nice enough, but something is off with him. Something isn’t right.
But what could it be?

What could Etienne possibly know and do that will completely turn Sasha’s life upside down?
He’s a stranger to her.

But is he?
What secrets does he hold?
How does he know her?
Why do they have a connection?
How will Sasha move forward?

Well your just going to have to read Midnight Bloom to find out.

Midnight Bloom was a good read. We were entertained from beginning to end.
We really enjoyed Sasha and Etienne’s story and look forward to the second instalment.

[Spunky N Sassy · Rating 3 out of 5]

~~~~~Sara's Review~~~~~~

I was given an ARC for my honest opinion.

Although this book held my attention. I wasn't s drawn in as I was hoping. I did like this book don get me wrong. Sasha has a lot of decisions to make between her Human life and the vampire life. She has a loving family with a loving husband and two sons. then she meets the son of her patient at the hospital. He teaches her all the powers she has while she is trying keep her family safe while enjoying her new life as well.

[Clayr Catherall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended this book by a friend and really enjoyed it. I couldn't put my kindle down, it grabbed me from the first page. I can't wait to start book 2 :)

Sasha's whole life is turned upside down, when she shakes the hand of a handsome stranger. She had always thought something was missing in her life. Never thinking for a minute, that she's a half breed and is now turning into a vampire...

She's married with two children...
How can this handsome stranger be her mate?
Is he telling the truth?
Will she be vampire?

[Eden Elsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say, this is one of the most interesting and innovative vampire stories I have ever read, and I've read a lot! Ms Canady has created a fascinating world and filled it with very real characters who draw you into their lives. For anyone who enjoys paranormal, this book is a must read. I read the whole thing in one day, and I'll be getting straight on to the second in the morning. I can't wait to find out where Sasha is going next!

[Raychel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was slow going for me, as a mom I was a little put off by her lack of caring in the beginning. It was just a turn off for me that she was able to sleep all morning, maybe I'm just envious of it. I had a hard time believing a lot of what was going on, some of the supernatural stuff was thrown in there. I enjoyed reading about the characters but I didn't really connect with them. I'm going to read on and hope that the characters and story line pick up.

[United Indie Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was slow going for me, as a mom I was a little put off by her lack of caring in the beginning. It was just a turn off for me that she was able to sleep all morning, maybe I'm just envious of it. I had a hard time believing a lot of what was going on, some of the supernatural stuff was thrown in there. I enjoyed reading about the characters but I didn't really connect with them. I'm going to read on and hope that the characters and story line pick up.
Review by Raychel

[Sassy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book that felt more relatable than many of the romance novels I've read. It was as if I could put myself into the lead protagonists shoes in a sense, she had real life struggles, likes and dislikes. She is a sassy mouthed character who is far from "flat" like some female leads that I have read.

[Julie Rainforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Sasha has been ill on and off for some time. A chance meeting with her soul mate has her questioning her marriage to her high school sweetheart. The reason for her ill health becomes clear. Does she stay and honour her wedding vows or does she choose the new man in her life and all the dramatic changes that go with him?

[Nikki Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Kristina Canady book and what a way to start a new addiction. Yes I loved it. I felt a connection to Sasha from the beginning. Half of me wants her to stay with Stephan and half to go to Etienne with open abandonment.
Great storyline and characters that grip you from page 1. Thank you Kristina. I am definitely reading the rest of this series. If I could I would give 10 stars.

[Colette Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

My housework is piling up because I spent my day off from work sucked into this book! It's a great read. Sasha's mixed feeling and inner turmoil keep you turning the page. Now on to book 2 instead of sleeping like I should.

[Samantha Bull · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I loved the book so much I had to read the others before posting my review. The conflicts and suspense made it hard for me to to put it down and I connected with the main character on so many levels. This had made my top 10 on fave books right along with the others!!!!

[Naomi Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

first reads winner

although this was not my genre I still enjoyed reading it. the development between characters was understood. I am looking foreword to the next addition