Embrace the Dark

The Blood Rose #1

by Caris Roane

Enter a world of blood-starved mastyr vampires and the rare women who can satisfy their deepest needs… How can he resist his blood rose… Gerrod, mastyr vampire of the Merhaine Realm, never thought to have his blood-needs satisfied by a mere human. But Abigail is no ordinary woman. She stuns him with her telepathy as well as the richness of her blood. However, her human DNA makes her an unacceptable mate. Yet how can Gerrod turn her away when she alone has satisfied his blood-starvation for the first time in a hundred-and-fifty-years? Will she fall to temptation and give herself to a vampire… When the dreaded enemy of all realm-folk, the Invictus, attacks at a fae wedding, Abigail’s simple human life gets turned upside down. She doesn’t know if she has the courage to pursue a path that means giving herself body and soul to a mastyr vampire. Will she return to her normal existence in Flagstaff, Arizona? Or will she embrace the dark…

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Romance, Fantasy, Ebooks, Adult

189 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 29, 2012

About the author

I confess I've had a love affaire with vampires for several years now, especially warrior vampires, the kind found in the books of Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lara Adrian and JR Ward. Though I've been published in Regency Romance under the pseudonym Valerie King--and yes one of my Regency Novellas features a vampire--one day I woke up knowing I had to create my own contemporary world of the warrior vampire.

For some mystical, magical reason, early in the process, my vampires appeared with enormous beautiful wings and it has been the most amazing experience to include flight in my novels, in both battle scenes and scenes involving spectacle. My special vampire world, published by St. Martin's Press, is introduced in the first book called, ASCENSION (12-28-2010). The second book, BURNING SKIES (May of 2011), opens up the world a little bit more. And even as I write this, I'm on the final draft of my third novel, WINGS OF FIRE (September of 2011). What a thrill it has been to live with my ascended vampires through the creation of this extraordinary, multi-dimensional world!

For more information about my unique take on the vampire mythos, check out my website at carisroane.com and my book release video on YouTube by putting in the search phrase, Caris Roane Ascension.

With every hope you'll enjoy reading my books set in the World of Ascension, All my best, Caris Roane

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure what I think about this book. At times I liked it and then at others I didn’t. It just feels like something is missing, I know this is supposed to be a Novella, and I will admit that it is a long one, but I felt there was too much information given in such a short page allowance, it felt rushed! I didn’t really feel any romance between the H/h, I know that it is PNR which usually means that as soon as the H/h see each other sparks fly and sex between them is quick which would have been ok providing the sex between them had been good, but it really was a case of wham bam which would have been ok once or twice but a bit more sexual tension and foreplay would have been good too!

I know that this review seems negative but there were good parts that I enjoyed in particular when Abigail took care of Gerrod and bathed and fed him and then gave herself to him. This is the only time that I really felt any connection between the both of them and I wanted more. I soon lost interest in all the other background information and the story and started to skip through pages which then caused problems as I had to go back and re-read sections to understand what was going on.

I will say that it is fast paced, probably too fast because as I said so much was crammed into just over 100 pages which meant that this book did suffer with the first in a series syndrome but I did like it enough to carry on reading the series to see where it goes.

Arc kindly provided by Spencerhill Associates Ltd via Netgalley

[Syahira · Rating 1 out of 5]

go to my blog to see my exact reaction in simpler words...

Embrace The Dark is a sensual vampire romance novella about a human, Abigail, who wanted to open a bakery in a supernatural realm where everyone loves her cupcakes. Its also a story of a mastyr vampire, Gerrod, who control the entire vampiric population and have castle and have to fight some red wraith stuff and fall in lust with the human whom he absolutely shouldn’t be in lust with because of the whole vampire community disapprove of having relationship with a human despite she bake nice cupcakes. The whole while, he remained absolute gentleman trying to not succumb to the temptation of Abigail with her herbal scent.

The writing style was juvenile and out of context for a PNR novel set in contemporary timeline. It does filled with redundancies in the most inappropriate situation. The plot and characterisation held inconsistencies within its bulk of world building and thus weakened the storyline. The dialogues were awkward and plain uneventful despite being set in an eventful life-threatening situation. There were also overtones of chic lit instead of what should be a more serious storyline. It does get repetitive with all its talk about how thoughtful and romantic the male protagonist is and apparently the female character were just full of fluff and unmemorable in its MarySueism farfetchedness.

I’m not sure how to respond to the book as it is. If you like to read the normal romance section in a book store, I don’t think it will be much an issue. But I do read a lot of PNR and for most of the time, I find that PNR have better world building, good characterization and better action than average romance novel and men’s science fiction and fantasy. Although generally I have low expectation for romance novels, the book is definitely not up to my reading preference. If you’re seeking for more than just light reading, the book is definitely not for you.

ARC by the courtesy of Spencerhill Associates via NetGalley and the book will be published on 1st of July 2012.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Embrace the Dark starts off at a supernatural wedding. Abigail, human, just opened a bakery in the Merhaine Realm is attending this wedding as well as 100+ of other super natural beings. One of these beings is the Master Vampire Gerrod, he rules over this section of the Merhaine. Gerrod can seem to get this little human out of his head, its boarding on obsession. Abigail is extremely attracted to Gerrod but he pushes her away verbally every time she is near.

The wedding party is attacked by a large group of Invictus. This left Gerrod to protect the entire party. While Gerrod was busy protecting a small troll child wanders outside the protected area and Abigail must try to save him. Why are the Invictus hunting in groups? Why are so many people going missing? Can a human and a vampire have a relationship when they are literally divided by 2 worlds?

I have to say I’m torn on this book. It was engaging at times but at other times it was jumping and I felt disconnected. I am a big fan of Caris Roane but this was definitely not one her finer works. Interesting premise and had lots of potential but in the end it just fell flat. I would be interested in a full length continuation of this storyline. I believe that this extended novella was just a little to rushed, with a little too much information and not enough time explore an emotional attachments to the characters. 3 stars.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The solution to haemachromatosis is apparently to let a vampire drink your blood. But the risk then is that you will become a vampire too. In this account of a parallel realm we find that a brave and perhaps foolhardy young woman has set up a bakery in a vampire and faerie realm, putting herself in the way of a master vampire who has mournfully been starving himself for ages. They meet at a wedding, which includes drunken trolls, and there's a threat from outside horrors.

The reason I am not giving this story more stars is because we get a lot of backstory told to us in the first few chapters, by an omnipresent narrator or as a thought in a main character's head, rather than having it demonstrated or brought up in conversation. Sure, the background is layered and detailed, but it's thrown at us all at once in this way, like reading a history book rather than watching a play. Once the action gets going the story picks up pace which is sustained.

This is definitely an adult romance and best kept for those who don't mind mixing blood drinking with the bedroom.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mastyr vampire, Gerrod was drawn to human Abigail. It went against everything he believed in, but the more time he spends with her the stronger the pull. There is something unusual about Abigail once she arrives in the Merhaine Realm and once the truth is uncovered, Abigail will be left with a choice that will change her path in life forever.

Provocative, I was completely entranced by this hypnotic story. I loved that there is this whole kingdom of creatures and they are a bit unexpected from what you are used to. The blood rose is completely unique, looking forward to more in the series.

[Amanda Koehnlein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute little read. Mostly a brooding vampire feeling sorry for his brother (dead) and the loss of a woman he really loved..... little did he know she loved him back.

[Katie_la_geek · Rating 1 out of 5]

For this review and more visit my blog

*I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for a review*

For the first time in a really long time I don’t really know what to say. This book has rendered me speechless and unfortunately I don’t mean that in a good way. I just didn’t like this book at all and even though it is short I couldn’t bring myself to finish it once I got to the half way stage.

I found this book difficult to understand from the outset. I felt that little effort had been made to explain this supernatural world and its people to the reader. This left me feeling a little lost, confused and unengaged. Also the two main characters had known each other for a year before this book started and had already developed a lust/hate relationship. Things moved on so quickly that I couldn’t really grasp where these characters where to begin with. I felt like there should have been a book before this explaining all this instead of just being expected to feel their relationship straight away.

I found the whole thing hard to picture and believe. There were massively muscular, levitating, leather clad male vampires shooting lights out of their palms and the main female character had a condition that made her able to feel the blood inside of her, and it felt lumpy because there was too much of it. I just couldn’t picture or follow this at all.

I thought things might get better when I got to the sex scene but you know things are not going well when love scenes make you laugh out loud. The oral sex/eating double entendre was classic especially when he started ‘feeding’ her. (Cringe) Also she kept talking about how she can feel his ‘frequency’. Apparently it is a vibration he gives off every time they touch, she mentions it constantly. It was all just terribly cheesy and clichéd, it seemed to go on for pages and pages and ended on an awful ‘how was it for you?’ moment. There were also some hilarious names for people’s private parts his ‘rope’ being my personal favourite.

Then there is the moment where the author manages to mention the other books she has written. One of the characters talks about reading a book that the author has written, it was a bit self-indulgent and just isn’t my cup of tea at all.

In the end I gave up. I didn’t like the story and didn’t feel like I knew the characters. There was just nothing here for me.

[Jen Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gerrod is a centuries-old mastyr vampire who puts the welfare of his people before his own. His responsibilities weigh heavy on him, but being a leader is who and what he is. In the past year, he has found himself drawn to Abigail, a human woman who is opening a bakery in the parallel realm in which he lives. He knows that attraction can lead nowhere, so he has never acknowledged his feelings. Until now.

At the wedding of mutual friends, Gerrod and Abigail touch for the first time, setting off a profound physical reaction. They can't seem to help themselves as they give in to a kiss. It's at that moment, the Invictus (bad guys) attack.

Abigail never saw past Gerrod's surly exterior until she watched him throw himself into battle. And then afterwards, when she saw his hunger and exhaustion, she wanted nothing more than to care for him... and to be the one to feed him. From this point on, the two of them realize how much they want one another, and struggle to figure out how and if they can fit into each other's lives.

This novella series is a spinoff from the Guardians of Ascension books. There is enough information here to fill me in on the basics as a new reader. The romance happened rather quickly, though it did help to know that Gerrod and Abigail knew each other for a while, at least, before the story began. There were some good moments between the two of them, like the scene where Abigail gives Gerrod a bath, but other than the respect and appreciation she held for him, I didn't really feel the emotion between them. A connection, yes, but love? Not really.

I had a little trouble with the writing from time to time. It felt like the grammar or the wording wasn't quite right in some places. Granted, I was reading an advanced copy and corrections could be made before a finished copy is released. But a few times, I had to re-read sentences that were "off" and it drew me out of the story.

It was... ok. I liked Gerrod and I enjoyed watching his heart lighten. I didn't really have strong feelings invested in the love story, though.

Rating: C-

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

[Iris Hunter (InstagramREADS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gerrod, mastyr vampire of the Merhaine Realm falls in love with Abigail a human. She stuns him with her telepathy as well as the richness of her blood. However, her human DNA makes her an unacceptable mate. Then she has to choose if she stays with him as his blood rose or does she want to go back to her old live.

It's a really difficult story because it has elements of a other time with the castles and the dresses and warrior leathers but meanwhile there ar also cars and phone's etc. That was really hard to handle for me. What is it what you want? the romantic knight in shining armour or the 2012 world with cupcakes stores. But don't mix it up. and especially not in 100+ pages.

The reader has to get in to the world and there characters, and i mist that with this book 100%. The only positive pieces where the bed scenes. I think that it is fast paced, not enough world building and i couldn't really get feel about the characters and i mist a editor! But i did like it enough to carry on reading the series to see where it goes i hope a next book will make it up else the next one will pronely will be the last one.

Arc kindly provided by Spencerhill Associates Ltd via Netgalley. This book will be published on July 1st 2012

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gerrod, mastyr vampire of the Merhaine Realm, is starved for more blood to maintain his strength and power. Abigail is a human who is opening a bakery in the Merhaine Realm, because even supernaturals love sweets! Too bad the citizens of the realm do NOT all like humans so much.

Abigail has a rare blood disorder, that started after she traveled to the Merhaine Realm, her body makes too much blood and she must donate to the blood banks regularly in her hometown of Flagstaff, Arizona. Both Gerrod and Abigail feel an attraction that wouldn't be appropriate for the mastyr to encourage, because, one he has his people to look out for and, two, it could be unsafe for Abigail. when a major battle ensues, only Abigail's blood can save Gerrod.

What to do, what to do...do they give in to their desires? Would Abigail be able to give up her life and family in Flagstaff to become a vampire?

I love Caris Roane's work, but there was just too much story here for the limited amount of words! I wanted more from this short read, but I did like what I got!

[Emiko Rei · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cover reaction:


Review:

When i saw the blurb of this book, i found the theme very interesting, Vampire Kingdom meets Rapunzel sort of style. which is why i chose this book. It's quite quirky. And the hot body of the cover guy doesn't hurt.

However, the interest of being quirky and original sometimes ended to disaster. As i don't like the characters, and how it's all warrior and princess dresses yet you have advance technology as well. OTT, it's like the film of modernized Hamlet. Less is sometimes better.

I would say, the book have great potential if some changes made. And i'm looking forward for the next book

Copy provided by Spencerhill Associate via NetGalley

[Rachel-RN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gerrod is a Mastyr vampire of the Realm of Merhaine, a parallel universe to Earth's. This realm has an access point near Flagstaff, AZ. Abigail is human. When her parents died, she was the primary caregiver for her sister. She opened a bakery for her sister (who loved to bake) in AZ and was in the process of opening a second location in Merhaine when this story opens.
For the last year, they've been both curious and attracted to each other. Unbeknownst to her, she has a special ability that is both needed and rare. Gerrod is both attached and horrified by his attraction to her, because she is human.
This world was intriguing, the secondary characters fun and diverse (trolls, elves, fae), and good evil characters. Gerrod and Abigail are good characters too

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure I would be able to give up my humanity for love...unless it came with some kick-ass powers like super strength and speed and ridiculous fighting skills. Just saying.

[Maria Itliong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book from an e-book and I really love her stories. I have enjoyed reading her other books because it is amazing. Though I have to re read this book again.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read. It started out great from page one and didn't stop. I loved the chemistry between Gerrod and Abagail. The story was interesting and fun.

[Kel (Faerie-bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this from the author for an honest review.

Ok, so I should've read this one first instead of the 3 short Blood Rose Tales but no matter it was just as good!

[PepperP0t · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying compliments on the wedding cake she’d baked and small talk with the trolls, vampires, shifters, elf and fae guests, baker Abigail Kirkland feels his distain. He would be mastyr vampire, Gerrod. Now, when he’s deigned to speak, it’s at her not to her and it’s a rebuke! It doesn’t help matters that Gerrod is the epitome of Abigail’s ideal male.

Gerrod’s annoyed with himself that he can’t resist reacting to the red-haired human. It would never do to suffer the humiliation of letting the lesser beings know how she affects him. Adding to the discomfort of Abigail’s proximity, the perimeter guards are reporting Invictus activity near the city to no doubt claim more victims.

Abigail and Gerrod are horrified to discover, Abigail’s telepathic as desire and conversation flows between them. Gerrod warns Abigail to return to the human world, stating their relationship won’t be tolerated by the realm and she’d be in danger. Before Abigail can understand or reply, the Invictus attack.

After the battle, Abigail connives a night with Gerrod leaving them both sated on multiple levels. Gerrod doesn’t understand his reaction to Abigail or her ease with his realm when she has her own family concerns. Seeking the guidance of his court advisor, Abigail and Gerrod find themselves faced with a next step neither expected.

Typical of this author, the foundation tale is dense and a touch erotic with imaginative and complex world building. However, this novella’s ending felt rather abrupt for this reader’s taste. Included is an extensive chunk of the next outing featuring Ethan in his Bergisson Realm.
Rating: 3.75stars

[JodyL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abigail and Gerrod

Abigail is a human who has entered another realm to start a bakery. This other realm holds trolls, fae, elves, shifters vampire and many others. She is attending a wedding that she prepared the cake for.
Mastyr Vampire Gerrod has been attracted to Abigail ever since he met her a year ago. But she is human do he believes that they probably can't mate.
The Invictus are wraiths who partner with other realm beings and are intent on killing everyone and destroying the realm in order to get more power.
This book is about Abigail and Gerrod's journey to find out what is happening between them and how to fight the Invictictus.
The book seemed a little short but it is part of a series, so more is probably shown in the next book.

[erik howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ROSE By Any Other Name !

This is a fast paced and intriguing look at vampire romances . Gerrod is a mastyr vampire more than 300 hundred years old who has lived with starvation for 150 years . Enter human female Abiigal who has enter the realm to start a bakery with a fae partner . She has been experiencing a blood disorder which causes her body to make too much blood and has to be given in blood donations to the hospitals . Both are independent and focused on others in their lives until they finally touch . They overcome many obstacles and find out she's a " Blood Rose" , a giver of blood to end a mastyr vampires starvation and become an eventual mate . Enjoy the book ! I read the excerpt of book two about Mastyr Ethan . Going to read it now !

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really great story. I love this author's take on the classic vampire. Her version are unique. I like all the new addition of the frequencies (you have to read in order to undertand). I like the idea of the Blood Rose and Mastyr Vampires. I like the multiple realms and how they have doorways that connect them. I'm not a huge fan of the Invictus and I could do without them, but what would the story be without a good villain to dislike. This author has done a splendid job at crafting a new world and giving enough detail to make it easy for the reader to invision it. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up to read and just kept reading until I finished the book. It was amazing. The heroine was likable, the hero intriguing. Caris got all the necessary explanations about how the world & realms work, without being obvious about it. It flowed really naturally. The supporting characters were individuals, not just a backdrop for the main characters. It is just a really well-written book. Sucks you in and makes you want to keep reading the series.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, drama, action, good characters. Good way to get away from the stress.

Worth buying the book bundle of the series. Abigail is the heroine. Gerrod is the Hero. They have to struggle and fight to get to hea (happily ever after). The effort looks to be well worth the result in the end. Very entertaining and several surprises.

[Rebecca Stigers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I've ever read a bad book/story by this author! Everything she writes is awesome. These characters Mastyr Vampire Gerrod, such a strong vampire can't figure out why he's so drawn to this human female...Abigail can't figure out why she's so drawn to the big vampire. What a great storyline....all the blood rose stories are GREAT.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

She is awesome

I've noticed that every time I read one of Caris' books, I always sigh at the end. She has such a beautiful way of spinning a story. I like that she acknowledges the differences between vampire lore. I wish I had the funds I'd have all her novels on my kindle.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

This was enjoyable. I liked reading it even though it happened a little quick, it was still an enjoyable read.

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful book

[mer · Rating 1 out of 5]

it's horrible but the disastrous of it makes me laugh so yeah i give it 2 stars

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the story line for this series. A bit too much descriptive sex for my taste but still a good story.

[Gina Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

[Nova Scotian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Embrace The Dark- Caris Roane

I so loved these two characters Abigail & Gerrod...I so can't wait to read more...thank you to the Author Caris Roane for doing what you do for us Readers :) I will be back !