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The Line
Rafael Schiller, vampire and sexual god without peer, believes himself the top of the food chain, until a bizarre creature feeding in an alley scares the deathless hell out of him.
Rafael Schiller’s had a long road and he’s forgotten the meaning of several human words along the way. Commitment? Relationship? Love, for all the gods’ sakes? What does a vampire need those for? He’s completely content treating his long string of one-off lovers as midnight snacks. He makes it good for them and has no reason for guilt or grief. Some nights still induce an odd, hollow ache, but he can just drown it in the next conquest. Master of his universe, he lives without a care…until he encounters a bizarre creature feeding in an alley.
It’s caught his scent, and now that it’s hunting him, Rafael remembers a word from his childhood. Krsnik—the hunters, the monsters who feed on the blood of vampires. He could run, but he’d be running forever, and that would sure as hell take the fun out of life. Time to figure out what the creature really is, what can defeat it, and why he feels so drawn to it.
Rafael Schiller’s had a long road and he’s forgotten the meaning of several human words along the way. Commitment? Relationship? Love, for all the gods’ sakes? What does a vampire need those for? He’s completely content treating his long string of one-off lovers as midnight snacks. He makes it good for them and has no reason for guilt or grief. Some nights still induce an odd, hollow ache, but he can just drown it in the next conquest. Master of his universe, he lives without a care…until he encounters a bizarre creature feeding in an alley.
It’s caught his scent, and now that it’s hunting him, Rafael remembers a word from his childhood. Krsnik—the hunters, the monsters who feed on the blood of vampires. He could run, but he’d be running forever, and that would sure as hell take the fun out of life. Time to figure out what the creature really is, what can defeat it, and why he feels so drawn to it.
45 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2013
5 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Angel Martinez
93 books679 followersAngel Martinez currently lives part time in the hectic sprawl of northern Delaware and full time inside her head. She has one husband, one son, two cats, a love of all things beautiful and a terrible addiction to the consumption of both knowledge and chocolate.
Angel's alter ego writes the all-ages science fiction - Sandra Stixrude.
Angel's alter ego writes the all-ages science fiction - Sandra Stixrude.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 3, 2015
I thought the myth about vampire and krsnik -- fae turned vampire slayer -- was interesting. And when Rafael and Lan were together, it was sensual and sexy. BUT, this is another story whose potential is cut short because of the length. The romance and the conflict-resolution felt rushed. I would love to read this in a longer version.
April 24, 2017
People, or in this case a vampire, who are at the top of the food chain can easily begin to be complacent when they begin to believe their own propaganda. Rafael is a case in point. He may be slightly unusual in that he doesn’t kill his "food", or "prey", but he does see himself as the man in charge, so to speak. When he runs into a creature who challenges that notion, he knows exactly what to do: kill it. Interestingly, the creature has other ideas… and Rafael will need to think about what he wants out of life, well, his undead existence, for the first time in a long time.
Rafael likes to feed during sex, sees himself as a god, and doesn’t believe in tolerating competition. He is a predator, and the city is his. Not that he wants a relationship with any of the young, delectable men he feeds from, but he does like to know he's the only one feeding from them. The creature he meets in an alley one night, feeding on one of his less-favorite snacks, scares him to death, so he runs when he can. Now he becomes the hunted. Not a position he is familiar or comfortable with. He may have figured out what the creature is, a Krsnik, but that only confirms his fears about not being able to defeat it. Never mind the totally confusing fact that he's attracted to it.
What follows is a fascinating journey of discovery for both Rafael and the creature. They both feel the attraction, but neither really knows what to do with it. As more information about the krsnik emerges, I began to feel for him – as is often the case, he has suffered without cause and has been angry for a very long time. Rafael and he have a lot to work out when they decide on a truce… until it grows into more and so do the issues!
If you like unusual stories with interesting creatures and fascinating mythologies, if you enjoy reading an excellent enemy-to-lovers story that is not at all the "usual fare", and if you're looking for an intense, emotional, and very hot read, the you will probably like this short story. I think this one deserves a sequel!!!
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Rafael likes to feed during sex, sees himself as a god, and doesn’t believe in tolerating competition. He is a predator, and the city is his. Not that he wants a relationship with any of the young, delectable men he feeds from, but he does like to know he's the only one feeding from them. The creature he meets in an alley one night, feeding on one of his less-favorite snacks, scares him to death, so he runs when he can. Now he becomes the hunted. Not a position he is familiar or comfortable with. He may have figured out what the creature is, a Krsnik, but that only confirms his fears about not being able to defeat it. Never mind the totally confusing fact that he's attracted to it.
What follows is a fascinating journey of discovery for both Rafael and the creature. They both feel the attraction, but neither really knows what to do with it. As more information about the krsnik emerges, I began to feel for him – as is often the case, he has suffered without cause and has been angry for a very long time. Rafael and he have a lot to work out when they decide on a truce… until it grows into more and so do the issues!
If you like unusual stories with interesting creatures and fascinating mythologies, if you enjoy reading an excellent enemy-to-lovers story that is not at all the "usual fare", and if you're looking for an intense, emotional, and very hot read, the you will probably like this short story. I think this one deserves a sequel!!!
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
February 3, 2014
This is a Goldilocks book. As in, if you're in the mood for exactly sweet porridge, an exactly so bed and a few moments of life-threatening OMG Bears!, it will hit the spot.
The angels/demons/wing-boy thing is a relic of my overwrought metal-and-eyeliner Grade 10 days. Wish this thing had been written back then ;)
Brightened up my day.
The angels/demons/wing-boy thing is a relic of my overwrought metal-and-eyeliner Grade 10 days. Wish this thing had been written back then ;)
Brightened up my day.
July 14, 2017
Really cute but way too short to feel fully finished. Vampire Rafael was funny, and also very kind. Krisnik Lan's character wasn't developed enough. There wasn't enough relationship development past instant love. Weirdly, Rafael and Lan's only sex scene was frotage, which was hot by the way. But they did need to have another sex scene to balance out Rafael having sex with his human donor Danny before he met Lan. Rafael joked that he hadn't bottomed in over 256 years!
December 26, 2013
Very interesting characters and I liked their banter. I just wish their story could have been a bit longer to develop the romance...
February 1, 2014
4.5 Stars
I hate that moment when I sit down to write a review of something I loved and the only thing I can think is, "Wow, I really liked that." Then I spend an half hour writing a review that doesn't say exactly that because it's not really helpful. What I end up with is a mediocre review for something that I loved and no one has any idea why. That's what happened when I wrote and sent in my review of The Line by Angel Martinez. Later I look at it and say, well fiddlesticks, I can do better than that but by then everything is up and offical.
The Line is a unique twist on vampire hunters. Even though I love, love, love characters with wings, Rafael stole my heart. He wanted to be this big fearsome force to be reckoned with when time and again he gave of himself. Lan goes from perplexed to possessive in all the right ways. The two of them coming together ... le sigh.
Wow, I really liked The Line. *cheeky smile*
Review can be found at Hearts On Fire Reviews: http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=24877
Rafael Schiller is the top vampire of his territory until a strange creature came to town, hunting his kind. Predator becomes prey and Rafael decides he cannot fight the vampire hunter and chooses to flee. Lan was cursed centuries ago, becoming a Krsnik. He has hunted vampires ever since, needing their blood in order to survive. Lan has been alone for so long but an encounter with a vampire who speaks to him as if he were an individual and not a monster, piques his interest.
I don't wish to give away spoilers so I'll be brief. This a quick but very enjoyable read that gives us a different kind of vampire hunter. Enemies to lovers, Rafael must find it within himself to be devoted to one person regardless of the complications. Lan struggles with his nature, looking for a compromise that would keep Rafael alive.
If you like vampires, a Krsnik with a tortured past, a different kind of deadly hunter of the night, or watching natural enemies make their way to being lovers, then you might enjoy this story.
I hate that moment when I sit down to write a review of something I loved and the only thing I can think is, "Wow, I really liked that." Then I spend an half hour writing a review that doesn't say exactly that because it's not really helpful. What I end up with is a mediocre review for something that I loved and no one has any idea why. That's what happened when I wrote and sent in my review of The Line by Angel Martinez. Later I look at it and say, well fiddlesticks, I can do better than that but by then everything is up and offical.
The Line is a unique twist on vampire hunters. Even though I love, love, love characters with wings, Rafael stole my heart. He wanted to be this big fearsome force to be reckoned with when time and again he gave of himself. Lan goes from perplexed to possessive in all the right ways. The two of them coming together ... le sigh.
Wow, I really liked The Line. *cheeky smile*
Review can be found at Hearts On Fire Reviews: http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=24877
Rafael Schiller is the top vampire of his territory until a strange creature came to town, hunting his kind. Predator becomes prey and Rafael decides he cannot fight the vampire hunter and chooses to flee. Lan was cursed centuries ago, becoming a Krsnik. He has hunted vampires ever since, needing their blood in order to survive. Lan has been alone for so long but an encounter with a vampire who speaks to him as if he were an individual and not a monster, piques his interest.
I don't wish to give away spoilers so I'll be brief. This a quick but very enjoyable read that gives us a different kind of vampire hunter. Enemies to lovers, Rafael must find it within himself to be devoted to one person regardless of the complications. Lan struggles with his nature, looking for a compromise that would keep Rafael alive.
If you like vampires, a Krsnik with a tortured past, a different kind of deadly hunter of the night, or watching natural enemies make their way to being lovers, then you might enjoy this story.
January 26, 2014
Review Written for http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Rafael is a vampire and has become so use to being the top of the food chain, the hunter that now being the hunted is quite new to him. Part of him fears the thing that is eating vampires, part of him is intrigued.
Oh wow! This one had it all. There are vampires, death angels, hunters, and a complicated but slightly sweet love story. There is lots of action from the beginning and twists galore. What more can I say, nail-biting, frightening, sexy, and fabulous. I would love a full-length story on this one!
I highly recommend this story for a cold winter’s night to snuggle up with. It’s full of a little bit of everything. If you like, 50’s songs, vampires, death angels, twists and turns galore, nail-biting suspense and some fairly hot mansex this is for you!
Rafael is a vampire and has become so use to being the top of the food chain, the hunter that now being the hunted is quite new to him. Part of him fears the thing that is eating vampires, part of him is intrigued.
Oh wow! This one had it all. There are vampires, death angels, hunters, and a complicated but slightly sweet love story. There is lots of action from the beginning and twists galore. What more can I say, nail-biting, frightening, sexy, and fabulous. I would love a full-length story on this one!
I highly recommend this story for a cold winter’s night to snuggle up with. It’s full of a little bit of everything. If you like, 50’s songs, vampires, death angels, twists and turns galore, nail-biting suspense and some fairly hot mansex this is for you!
February 26, 2014
I have that song, "Walk the Line". I have never paid that close attention to the lyrics, though I know them. It was the perfect piece for this story. I thought the author would try some fantastical cure so that the vamp could drink from Lan. The resolution to their situation made sense and allowed them to continue walking the line. I like it when an author maintains the integrity of his/her story while still giving me the HEA. Sometimes writers write themselves into a corner and then come up with some crazy explanation. Anyone remember "it was all a dream" in the series Dallas? Drivel.
July 3, 2017
3.5 *
August 25, 2017
Should have been longer! Then it wouldn't feel rushed.
January 28, 2021
Loved the characters, loved the setting - I know this is a short but it felt incomplete - only reason for the 3 stars *sigh*
May 4, 2015
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
For the full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-4N1
From that review: " The Line by Angel Martinez is another terrific story from this "auto read" fantasy author. The Line takes the typical vampire character, normally an apex predator when they aren't sparkling, and gives him an adversary, the Krsnik, worthy of such formidable being. Furthermore, Martinez doesn't just give us a remarkably scary hunter in the Krsnik, no, she gives us the haunting backstory as to how this creature came into being. By giving us those extra layers, Martinez' The Line and her characters steps outside the ordinary "supernatural" narrative into something quite wonderful and unexpected…" to continue visit the link above.
For all our reviews, guest blog and interviews, giveaways and more, visit http://www.ScatteredThoughtsandRogueW...
February 18, 2016
4.5/5.0
I loved this lighter Angel Martinez book. Her vampire mythology is fun and the introduction of a Krsnik had me searching google for more information when I had finished the book. (I love it when I find something new to explore)
The main characters are charming and the story is fast paced and sexy. A great quick read.
I loved this lighter Angel Martinez book. Her vampire mythology is fun and the introduction of a Krsnik had me searching google for more information when I had finished the book. (I love it when I find something new to explore)
The main characters are charming and the story is fast paced and sexy. A great quick read.
January 15, 2017
This story was entertaining. Raphael is a moral vampire who doesn't kill his very willing victims. And Lan, a predator to vampires, comes out of nowhere to chase him. Lan's chase was the best thing about this story. I actually wish it could have lasted longer. However, I do like the star-crossed lovers theme and I'm glad it ends with a HFN.
May 4, 2014
Sweet romance between a vamp and a new-to-me paranormal breed. For a short story, I felt this packed a punch with good character depth and a very interesting pairing. I was in my happy place all through the story. Really enjoyed it.
October 14, 2016
3.0 stars
I'm done with this book @ 76% and that percentage is not a typo. I don't like ebooks that end at 76%. It's jacked to the nines. And sadly, it detracted from a fairly enjoyable (if you ignore the insta-love) book.
Bottom line: Irked me.
I'm done with this book @ 76% and that percentage is not a typo. I don't like ebooks that end at 76%. It's jacked to the nines. And sadly, it detracted from a fairly enjoyable (if you ignore the insta-love) book.
Bottom line: Irked me.
Want to read
January 9, 2014Part of the 50s Mixed Tape Anthology
July 7, 2014
Waaaayy too short! x3
February 10, 2014
Rating 4.5
March 20, 2014
Fast read kinda short but very good!
August 23, 2014
In addition, I'm really annoyed that the story ended at 72%
March 20, 2015
Far too short a story to really lend enough substance to the characters or the protagonist's world.
March 24, 2015
Cute and entertaining
I really enjoyed this quick read. It was entertaining and drew me into the story . I enjoyed the main characters and how the story developed .
I really enjoyed this quick read. It was entertaining and drew me into the story . I enjoyed the main characters and how the story developed .
April 6, 2016
What should a vampire do when suddenly he's no longer predator but prey? Run for it! Or, if doesn't work confront his nightmare and see what happens.
February 4, 2017
The story was well written and I enjoyed reading it. I had never heard of krsniks until this book, and now I am very interested in them.
May 5, 2014
Okay read.
February 19, 2019
Five stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews