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Hot Berry Punch
Emma May Shinnecock grew up wild on the remote Western prairies in the 1820s. Left free to roam and learn from the nature surrounding her, Emma's hunger for life drives her to flaunt formal conventions as she discovers the world around her. After embracing her first romantic liaison with a mysterious stranger, she is left with far more than a confusing introduction to love. She is now a Beguiler, a "blood thirster" with exciting new abilities and a deeper lust for life. But her condition comes with a steep price. For the Beguiler lures its victims by forcing Emma to appear to them as the lost loves they desire most. Can Emma ever be seen as she truly is? Or is she doomed to survive only by being what others want her to be? From her cunning role as a frontier town madam, to her flawed redemption as a preacher's wife, to her passionate yet tragic life among a fringe clan of the Lakota, Emma's quest to find love is a distinctly American twist on vampire lore you won't soon forget.
546 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2023
92 people are currently reading
3911 people want to read
About the author
Bradford Tatum
8 books59 followersBradford Tatum’s award winning debut novel I Can Only Give You Everything was published in 2010. His second novel, Only the Dead Know Burbank was published by HarperCollins in 2016 and received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly. His book Gray Matters has been used as a text book in various college business communication courses.
Bradford began his career as an actor appearing in numerous television shows and movies such as 20th Century Fox’s submarine comedy DOWN PERISCOPE, Disney’s POWDER and HBO’s WESTWORLD.
He was a staff writer for Dick Wolf on the NBC series DEADLINE and has written and directed two award winning independent features. He has won an Alfred P. Sloan grant for his written work as well as sold pitches to various production companies.
Bradford began his career as an actor appearing in numerous television shows and movies such as 20th Century Fox’s submarine comedy DOWN PERISCOPE, Disney’s POWDER and HBO’s WESTWORLD.
He was a staff writer for Dick Wolf on the NBC series DEADLINE and has written and directed two award winning independent features. He has won an Alfred P. Sloan grant for his written work as well as sold pitches to various production companies.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 19, 2024
This had such promise, was pushed heavily on my feed, and looked like something I'd love. Vampires in the old west, count me in!
Then, very quickly while reading this book became a count me out. It's a confused mess of lore, bizarre relationships and choices from a main character that I simply had no reason to like.
She was supposed to be a brash heroine, but she was just rude and way to naive for the way she was raised.
The story line was choppy and jumpy, I had to back track pages to make sure I didn't miss something that was definitely just missing.
As for the old west theme, the world building was bland and practically non-existent. The speaking language was rough and didn't evoke anything that would make me think western.
Even the title, once you realize why it's called that, was just unceremoniously dropped onto the page.
Hot Berry Punch, was a Hot Berry Mess.
Then, very quickly while reading this book became a count me out. It's a confused mess of lore, bizarre relationships and choices from a main character that I simply had no reason to like.
She was supposed to be a brash heroine, but she was just rude and way to naive for the way she was raised.
The story line was choppy and jumpy, I had to back track pages to make sure I didn't miss something that was definitely just missing.
As for the old west theme, the world building was bland and practically non-existent. The speaking language was rough and didn't evoke anything that would make me think western.
Even the title, once you realize why it's called that, was just unceremoniously dropped onto the page.
Hot Berry Punch, was a Hot Berry Mess.
March 16, 2024
This is first time Dragon Feeder Bradford Tatum’s fantastic tale “Hot Berry Punch”. The story of Emma Mae Shinnecock and how she became a Beguiler. What is a Beguiler, you ask? Ahhh that is a rather fetching creature that you do not want to meet if you value your life.
Emma Mae is a prairie child, the daughter of an educated mother and a sailor father who travel West in the early 1800s. Emma is smart, beautiful and a child of her surroundings, making her slightly feral. I don’t do spoilers so let me get on to what I loved about this book.
Had this been published in the 1800s, it would have been considered bawdy. It is an honest book and historically accurate. I love the characters. These are not cartoonish people. Mr. Tatum’s world is filled with people who populated small prairie towns. Who had the grit, determination and the ability to dream big enough to head West in all its unmitigated Hope that a better world lay ahead. Should the dream not come true, they stayed or moved on – there was always a fresh start down the road. There were other things down those roads as well. Things Mr. Greeley didn’t tell his young men about.
Emma takes us with her on her journey as a Beguiler. I was never disappointed and couldn’t put this book down until the final pages revealed their treasure.
If you love fantasy, the paranormal and a touch of the amazing, this tale is for you. I’ll remember this one for quite awhile to come. I hope this is not the last we hear from Mr. Tatum.
Emma Mae is a prairie child, the daughter of an educated mother and a sailor father who travel West in the early 1800s. Emma is smart, beautiful and a child of her surroundings, making her slightly feral. I don’t do spoilers so let me get on to what I loved about this book.
Had this been published in the 1800s, it would have been considered bawdy. It is an honest book and historically accurate. I love the characters. These are not cartoonish people. Mr. Tatum’s world is filled with people who populated small prairie towns. Who had the grit, determination and the ability to dream big enough to head West in all its unmitigated Hope that a better world lay ahead. Should the dream not come true, they stayed or moved on – there was always a fresh start down the road. There were other things down those roads as well. Things Mr. Greeley didn’t tell his young men about.
Emma takes us with her on her journey as a Beguiler. I was never disappointed and couldn’t put this book down until the final pages revealed their treasure.
If you love fantasy, the paranormal and a touch of the amazing, this tale is for you. I’ll remember this one for quite awhile to come. I hope this is not the last we hear from Mr. Tatum.
May 31, 2024
3.5 starts rounded up. This was a fun take on vampires, and I loved the historical aspect of the book. The writing was phenomenal and I highlighted so many quotes (mostly fun insults). My biggest gripe is with the overuse of “hot berry punch” in reference to blood. The first time I thought “ahhh I get it now…” and then it happened at least four or five more times… and it just made me feel uncomfortable. Otherwise, this was a fun, solid read!
January 14, 2024
Strange read
This is a very strange book. But a very interesting book. You never knew what was going to happen from one scene to the other. I recommend this book to anyone who likes strange occurrences.
This is a very strange book. But a very interesting book. You never knew what was going to happen from one scene to the other. I recommend this book to anyone who likes strange occurrences.
May 19, 2024
Very interesting take on the vampire story. An Old West setting, colorful characters (to say the least). This was a fun read!
September 20, 2024
Thank you, Marta.
Very creative and original.
Vampire stories have been done a million times, but this one felt as fresh as newly-drawn blood.
Very creative and original.
Vampire stories have been done a million times, but this one felt as fresh as newly-drawn blood.
November 6, 2025
There are some books that have you thinking more than others. This is one of those. Our main character is describing her life as a Beguiler (vampire). Our main character, Emma, simply describes all the challenges she faces due to her cursed state. The book is sectioned off into different stages of events taking place in her life. First section is becoming the Beguiler, second section is learning how to deal with it and how it will be effecting her relationships with others, third is learning to make use of these advantages, etc. This is done with crafty story telling.
She is very free flowing with change. Once she realizes something is over, she is quick to accept it and move on. It helped progress the story and kept it interesting. I only gave it four stars because our main antagonist had the potential to be so much better and I feel their conflict lacked direction. This feud was created toward the beginning of the story and you don't get a conclusion until literally the very end... Even then, it was not very satisfactory given that our antagonist was hinted to be this looming problem/threat throughout the whole book. I also feel like more could have been written about the person who created her into what she was.
Other than that, this was a uniquely fresh take on vampires in a time period way different from today. I loved the realistic struggles Emma had to face for this era. Indigenous people and nonbinary people were written in to enhance the story and not just thrown in simply because this is a western written post 2020. I'll probably be thinking about this one for a while.
She is very free flowing with change. Once she realizes something is over, she is quick to accept it and move on. It helped progress the story and kept it interesting. I only gave it four stars because our main antagonist had the potential to be so much better and I feel their conflict lacked direction. This feud was created toward the beginning of the story and you don't get a conclusion until literally the very end... Even then, it was not very satisfactory given that our antagonist was hinted to be this looming problem/threat throughout the whole book. I also feel like more could have been written about the person who created her into what she was.
Other than that, this was a uniquely fresh take on vampires in a time period way different from today. I loved the realistic struggles Emma had to face for this era. Indigenous people and nonbinary people were written in to enhance the story and not just thrown in simply because this is a western written post 2020. I'll probably be thinking about this one for a while.
August 18, 2024
Odd little story but I enjoyed it.
July 9, 2024
Wow
I could not be more impressed by this book. It was so different from anything else I’ve ever read and I loved it. Lately I haven’t even been able to finish 75% of the books I start but I had no problem getting through this one.
I could not be more impressed by this book. It was so different from anything else I’ve ever read and I loved it. Lately I haven’t even been able to finish 75% of the books I start but I had no problem getting through this one.
November 16, 2023
“𝑶𝒉, 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒖𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚. 𝑰 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒖𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒆.” -𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞
These words are the perfect epigraph for this tale. Emma has spent her life searching for love, for the connection that will complete her. From an early age she’s known her life would be anything but ordinary.
In this riveting mix of supernatural and historical fiction, we’re taken on an epic and slightly chaotic journey as she embraces who she once was and who she will become. I absolutely loved Emma. She’s powerful and most definitely unconventional. The characters in her life are everything from horrid and contemptible to charming and sympathetic. The twists are a delicious punch to the gut. Such an original vampire story! I can’t wait to read Tatum’s other work.
Thank you Bradford Tatum, New Shelves Books, and RR Book Tours for the ARC and the opportunity to be a part of this tour.
These words are the perfect epigraph for this tale. Emma has spent her life searching for love, for the connection that will complete her. From an early age she’s known her life would be anything but ordinary.
In this riveting mix of supernatural and historical fiction, we’re taken on an epic and slightly chaotic journey as she embraces who she once was and who she will become. I absolutely loved Emma. She’s powerful and most definitely unconventional. The characters in her life are everything from horrid and contemptible to charming and sympathetic. The twists are a delicious punch to the gut. Such an original vampire story! I can’t wait to read Tatum’s other work.
Thank you Bradford Tatum, New Shelves Books, and RR Book Tours for the ARC and the opportunity to be a part of this tour.
May 27, 2024
Sweeping tale of survival.
I was instantly captivated by Emma May's voice and the harsh honesty with which she viewed the world. Her descriptions of her mother and da were hard and accurate. This is a story of growing up, unlike any I have read. The trials and lessons she goes through as she lives her beguiler life are hard learned. Her path as twisted as they come. All her loves were gloriously written and their stories wonderful in their individually. Absolutely adored all she learned. And the ending was more then my broken little heart could hope for. Great book.
I was instantly captivated by Emma May's voice and the harsh honesty with which she viewed the world. Her descriptions of her mother and da were hard and accurate. This is a story of growing up, unlike any I have read. The trials and lessons she goes through as she lives her beguiler life are hard learned. Her path as twisted as they come. All her loves were gloriously written and their stories wonderful in their individually. Absolutely adored all she learned. And the ending was more then my broken little heart could hope for. Great book.
November 27, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down!! It was a beautifully written vampire tale. I found myself enthralled with Emma’s journey and as I finished the book I felt a sadness at leaving these characters behind. I highly recommend.
April 4, 2024
Very unique
I was hooked.
Very well written.
The descriptions & vocabulary and extensive imagination kept me enthralled.
Unlike any vamp I ever read.
Hard to describe the empathy, I felt for Emma and all experiences.
I was hooked.
Very well written.
The descriptions & vocabulary and extensive imagination kept me enthralled.
Unlike any vamp I ever read.
Hard to describe the empathy, I felt for Emma and all experiences.
May 23, 2024
Griping story
What a tale! Reworking a vampire theme, mixing with Plains Indian history, wrapping around a story of love and betrayal--this is exceptionally marvelous word slinging!
What a tale! Reworking a vampire theme, mixing with Plains Indian history, wrapping around a story of love and betrayal--this is exceptionally marvelous word slinging!
November 22, 2023
Amazed..
Articulate to the max,a novel of many hearts and minds,funny,tragic and beautiful in word and image. A must read for the experiences contained.
Articulate to the max,a novel of many hearts and minds,funny,tragic and beautiful in word and image. A must read for the experiences contained.
February 25, 2024
DNF for me,I feel it could of been written better for a historical setting.
March 15, 2025
I dont think I've ever rated a book under 3 stars. I love all kinds of genres and writing styles and feel like I'm pretty easy to please. This book...I should have just DNF. I was so bored, it took me forever to get through. I kept finding myself confused, having to go back and see if I missed something. I would have liked more details/clarity on how the time was passing in this book. I didn't love the characters, the language was weird and felt inconsistent, the historical aspect was just not there. The plot, I'm not even sure what was the point? Where was this going? I don't even know what I just read? This book just did not hit for me at all. Unfortunate.
March 20, 2024
Thank you to @bradfordtatum and @netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed the premise to this book, the story and characters sounded amazing. I am always down for a really great vampire book! I felt such empathy for Emma, following her journey from her very beginning of life. I wasn't always sure where the story was going, but that's the best part of a book. I also loved the 1800 setting, it's one of my favorite time periods to read about. All in all, I would recommend you give this book a try.
November 16, 2023
Hot Berry Punch is a vampire and historical fiction read, where Emma is the main character. This was a fun read and interesting to read as I have not heard of this author until now. I really liked the 1800s setting and the plot of a vampire in the wild West. It was different than I normally read but definitely enjoyable.
March 13, 2025
i was excited to read this. the synopsis was giving vampire diaries flashbacks. I wanted to love it, but ultimately this book wasn't for me. That said, the book does have its strengths—Tatum’s writing style is unique, and the atmosphere he creates is vivid and intriguing. Readers who enjoy unconventional takes on the supernatural might still find something to appreciate here.
September 15, 2024
Not for me
The story felt very anticlimactic, and I didn't care about the main character at all. Not for me. But try it for yourself
The story felt very anticlimactic, and I didn't care about the main character at all. Not for me. But try it for yourself
October 3, 2024
I’d skip this. I kept hoping it would get better.
Crude language, poor story line.
Crude language, poor story line.
March 5, 2025
Could not put this down. I love historical fiction and vampires. Completely original and enthralling. The language and voice were amazing.Thank you Mr. Tatum!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews