Conviction

by J.M. Celi

For over a century and a half, Lisa has kept the toll of her curse at bay. By doing so, she's maintained the remnants of the woman she was in life, but she has denied herself a great deal of power. Such a sacrifice can be dangerous in nights filled with deadly preternatural threats.

Matters complicate when a mortal becomes entwined in her life. Can Lisa keep her secret hidden from a new friend while protecting him from the horrors that threaten herself and everyone close to her?

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2023

About the author

J.M. Celi is the author of The Unlife of Lisa Cooper series, The Vampires of 1863, and multiple short stories in that universe. He is the author of urban fantasy and high fantasy fiction.

Born and raised in southern New England, he enjoys spending time with his wife and joking around with his son. His hobbies include adventuring with his pugs, playing his ukulele, and snorkeling with cuttlefish. 

Reviews

[SarahLovesFiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! It was fast paced and fun to read. I loved how the dog in the story Chewie was a main character in the book. Lots of adventure & action. I learned alot about vampires & am so excited to see what happens in the next book!

[Emilia Dashfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look for a book with Underworld vibes and a murder mystery? This is it. Let Celi take you on a journey of the supernatural and bloodthirsty.

What I liked…
From the moment I started reading, I got a really good sense of the world and Lisa’s vampiric side.
The writing gave me a full picture in an entertaining way without being overdone.
I love how conflicted Lisa is over her immortal life while making friends with mortals.
And Chewy. OMG I love pets in books, especially badass ones.

What I didn’t like…
Nothing

Final thoughts…
This is the novel version of a Kindle Vella series and I’m so glad it’s in a book because I wanted to read it but can’t get KV in Europe. I’m excited for book 2.

[LoveYourShelf (LAB☺) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 * rounded up

A great urban fantasy with a hint of romance and a very cool dog. There's a few subplots going on as well, with a few murders to solve and interactions with other supernaturals. Good action scenes. I liked Lisa's "voice". She could be snarky when warranted. She spent time self reflecting as she had to weigh the need for power with the temptation of using her curse, which made me feel more connected to her. This book was well researched with both location and weapons that Lisa used. I'm going to read the prequel that was just released to get the backstory on what happend in the past with the witches. Looking forward to the next Lisa adventure. Ending did not have a cliff hanger but there was a good hook for the next book.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the snarky character POV and unique take on urban fantasy. Can't wait to see where it goes next!

[Annie Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Cooper is more than just a vampire. She’s a person. Her individuality and the way she fights for its assertion makes her compelling to read about. I think JM Celi’s lisa cooper ranks right up there with the top vampires ever created. She is not just walking around sucking blood. She is a friend, a fighter, a lover. There is a cool dog in the story who helps the worthy who are pure of heart. Chewy represents fidelity. Lisa’s loyalty earns her the respect of her true friends, enabling her to keeping winning.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff. If you like a good strong female protagonist willing to fight for justice, this is a good book for you to read. She's a vampire, but that's almost a secondary characteristic. It's primarily a human struggle story where the humans just happen to be...well dead. I don't read vampire books. I read Dracula, but I've never opened an Anne Rice book in my life. My daughter likes Buffy but I never watched it myself. I like my vampire books that don't feel like vampire books. Dracula is literature. This book is adventure.

[Irene Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is fascinating to read about a vampire who clings to humanity as Lisa Cooper does. She doesn’t want to lose who she is yet she has to constantly navigate this fine line between being true to herself and playing the game of survival. Celi has a way of showing the reality that can exist even in the unreal or the meta-real.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting and fun romp with vampires and other supernaturalia in New England. 🧡❤️🔥❤️🧡

[Zender F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t normally read vampire novels, but I read this one, and it turns out, I really enjoyed it! Fast paced, lots of action, a great book!

[A.M. Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you looking for a fresh take on vampires with tons of amazing stories, fantastic lore, a variety of other supernatural things, and a badass female MC? Then you've come to the right place. Celi delivers an impactful anthology (originally a Kindle Vella series) with many cool vampire shenanigans. It's been a while since I've been this into a vampire story. I couldn't read it while it was on Kindle Vella, but it was worth the wait to read it in its physical form. Whichever format you prefer, ebook, vella, or print, you won't be disappointed. My only issue with this book is that Celi hasn't released the second novel yet, as he's currently writing it at the time of this review. I need more Lisa Cooper! (Also, there is a prequel to this book on Kindle Vella. If you have the means, check that one out, too!) Either way, J.M. Celi is an author worth watching out for. His knowledge of mythological and supernatural things really shines in his work, and I can't wait for more!