Evil Red

Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #2.6

by Nikki Jefford

L.A. is one tough city, especially while sharing a trailer with four thieving sisters.

Valerie’s plans for a better life and Hollywood grandeur are interrupted after a fateful stabbing lands her in Anchorage, Alaska where government agents expect her to play the role of a vampire hunting La Femme Nikita.

The redheaded vixen is back in her own novelette.

Recommended after Northern Bites (Aurora Sky, Vol. 2) or Stakeout (Vol. 2.5). Approximately 20,000 words.

Genres: Vampires, Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Supernatural, Fiction, New Adult

67 pages, Unknown Binding

First published February 1, 2014

About the author

Reality is overrated ... which is why I write!

Vampire hunters, wolf shifters, witches, elves and Fae with humor, romance, snark and steam. I love bad boys with hearts of gold and heroines who kick ass.

To get in on the fun and adventure, visit my website for release alerts, updates, exclusive giveaways, and a free story when you become a VIP newsletter subscriber: http://nikkijefford.com/

Reviews

[angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like when

I really like when the Author takes the time to write a short book, about key characters. It's great to get insight into what they were thinking, why they did what they did during certain situations etc.

[Melanie Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evil Red is a novella in Nikki Jefford’s world of Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter series. It tells the story of Valerie, the red haired, mean spirited chick who seems to have the worst attitude on the planet.

Valerie is just a flat out bitch to pretty much everyone. She’s a beauty from the outside, but quite ugly on the inside. She’s really someone I would like to punch in the face if I had the opportunity. I have been watching throughout the series for a redeeming quality in her personality, but have yet to find anything I like about her thus far. Valerie has the diva attitude down pat.

In Evil Red we learn Valerie’s back story. We learn where she came from and what kind of life she lived before she moved to Alaska. We learn what sorts of things caused her to grow into the hateful woman she is today. This chick has “Lifetime Movie” written all over her, only without the warm fuzzies that you usually find somewhere in those movies.

Evil Red gives the reader really good insight into the beginning of her relationship with Fane and why she is so possessive of him when Aurora shows up.

I really like this series in general, and Evil Red just gives the series a little bit more depth by showing us more about Valerie. It almost makes you feel sorry for her for a minute, until you remember who you are reading about!

I would recommend this book to anyone reading the Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter series. It was a quick and easy read that left me feeling as though I had learned a little bit more about what makes one of the main characters in the series tick.

[Naomi 🐨 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valerie is so evil.... so that explains how she got her clutches into Fane :)

[Heather De Los Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love the name of this book!!! It 100% goes with Valerie's character and everything she is!!! This book really let's you dive into why Valerie is the way she is and what it was like for her before she became a vampire informant. I find a lot of it interesting but also sad. I liked reading about the beginning of her and Fane's relationship and how is was for the job but I think she also wanted it a little bit for herself as well. I could also see why Fane would like her and want to date her too. That being said I still hate her and her crazy personality but I loved this book!

[Guylaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Evil Valerie! what a great name for this book. It tell you how Valerie became a Vampire Hunter and also about her life before she was a Vampire Hunter. Its also make me understand why Fane dated Valerie. She is still bitchy and bad ass. I don't like her much but I do understand more where she come from. I wish we would have seen more about her relationship with her sisters. Overall I enjoy the read because I like Nikki writing so much.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Valerie! I really enjoyed reading this Novella, “Evil Red”, book 2.6 in the Aurora Sky Series by Nikki Jefford. This book really gives you the history and life of Valerie. You understand where she is coming from and why she made the decisions she made in some of the earlier books in the A.S. series. I loved knowing how she and Fane came together. Great read and helpful back ground information on the “Evil Red” character Valerie from Aurora Sky series.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of the Aurora Sky series, this is a great story about Aurora's nemesis, Valerie. Beware, though, if you like to hate her, as you might find yourself sympathizing a bit more with her.

[Jay Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written story, or at least a chapter in a story. From the club scene in Los Angeles to the bleak government facility in Alaska, the descriptions are perfect in capturing the scene without overdoing the words. The vampire idea is very imaginative in how the actual vampires and the potential vampire hunters are treated. The story has a different slant, which makes it very interesting. I only wish it had progressed a little further before ending. Now I have to wait for the next chapter.

[Tonya (Rustic Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute read. This is a novella to the Aurora Sky series.

[RC Bazan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Valerie story

Now I'm excited to see how and when Val finds out she really may be a vampire. Wish her story was longer.

[Bookish Serendipity Shannon williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explains so much!

This explains so much about Val and why she acts the way she does. Loved getting to read more about her and hearing part of her story!

[Prismseven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great snippet about “evil red’s” life before Aurora came into the picture.

[Shari from Australia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great little character spin off as part of the Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter series. Cool to see a bit more on special characters. Highly recommended

[J.L. Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Author does a phenomenal job in coming back and creating multi-faceted layers and depths to her supporting cast. Valeria is an interesting footnote in the Aurora Sky series, but she is not necessarily what I would refer to as integral to the series; with the 2.5 and 2.6 additions, Miss Jefford joins the ranks of great epic novelists like Dana Fuller Rossof the Wagons West! series and Dana Clayton Porter of the White Indian series.
Valerie (Evil Red), is brought to life in a most enticing and exotic way, also adding a great many shades of depth to other characters in the series; but she is also given an element that shows what is going on behind the cool façade that gives the reader empathy for her.

Pay attention at this point folks, I am mentioning something important here. There are many, such as MYSELF, that do not usually purchase FILLER releases, meaning anything that is a .5, .6, .7 etc. and if you follow your usual practice in this case you will be extremely sorry. Nikki Jefford did not pen these as the usual afterthought "filler" material to rob your pocketbooks, as many author's do. I do not know the woman myself, so I cannot speak of her intentions or her writing style, but it is MY humble opinion that she created this series as she did for the same reason that I have struggles so to come up with anything "publishable," most of today's audience simply does not have the attention span to sit down and read a book that is 4" thick and flips through chapters where one covers character A, the next character B and the next character G, then the next back to A and the next is C and etc. etc. Those were phenomenal books! I grew up on them, I idolized them and they are what created the bibliophile that I am; but authors face a different reality today and must dip there quill in a well and pen something for a different breed or reader. The chaos we call life today, does not allow many people the luxury of reading novels like Shogun anymore, they require quick, concise novels that offer the fulfillment and satisfaction of larger novels compacted into a much shorter read. Miss Jefford has Mastered this craft and I bow in humble admiration.

She creates a unique breed of vampire that I find appealing and as an author myself, J.L. Day http://darkquill.jlday.net I have never really discovered written or cinematic vampire characters to my liking, other than my own. Miss Jefford, however; has managed to completely entice and captivate my attention and I have found myself smitten with her characters and this entire series.

I breathlessly anticipate her next release and cannot WAIT to see what her next offering is after she finishes the Aurora Sky series. I am thinking that as much as I have enjoyed my tryst with this series, I should go back to Amazon and purchase her Spellbound trilogy. I really am enchanted with this author and have great hopes that we finally have another Great One to add to the ranks, it has been too long since we had someone that was truly synonymous with the genre.

[Amy Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for Bit'N Book Promoters



Now this little novelette is brilliant. The cover is so different to the other books it threw me at first. Sort of reminds me of Kill Bill, but it works perfectly for the redheaded vixen, Valerie.

Val finally gets the spotlight and you know that there's more to her than this tough, hard ass who hides her feelings with contempt, sarcasm and plain bitchiness. She showed a little compassion and emotion in Northern Bites when paired with Aurora. Because of that glimmer of a personality that was deeper than the superficial surface, I wanted to know more about it her, and was over the moon when I realized this book was all about her.

I thought it would move on from where Northern Bites left off and follow her on her escape mission. But this book does something better. It starts from the night she was attacked outside a nightclub before she was recruited. You are told briefly in Northern Bites what happened to her. This tells it in all its gory detail.

She's stabbed outside a nightclub by a guy in a bandana who we now know is ….. * SPOILER ALERT * 'Just Jared', the psychotic douchebag vampire who had them running for their life and blockading themselves in the bathroom of the vamps they had been ordered to off. Turned out that he had his own agenda, and it seems he's had it going way back. Back to Val at the nightclub.

So now we see that Jared is either working on his own, or at the beck and call of Melcher, to do more than just 'recruit' these kids, but to kill them and then recruit them. Their rare, special blood type is supposed to make them immune to becoming a vampire, and Aurora's blood being AB negative makes her poisonous to vamps. But Val, when she's put in the white room with a vampire, finds out the hard way that AB positive peeps aren't poisonous to vampires. Noel is the same. Which is why she and Noel are informants and not actually hunters like Aurora and Dante. With me so far?

Yeah, maybe I should have explained this in the previous reviews but my point is, when she was recruited, they didn't know her blood wasn't toxic. So she's put in this room with a starving vampire -who doesn't want to eat her because it hurts so much, and who can blame the bloodsucker? - but then when he finally submits to Melcher's command, he bites down on evil red (Val, in case ya didn't guess) and discovers it doesn't hurt. Her reaction just shows why she is so awesome and a force to be reckoned with. You'll see why in that scene.

Later on she's asked to follow and get close to Fane as an informant. She does her job, but then she starts to fall for Fane. He's a gentleman, he's hard to get. He treats her with more respect than any guy ever has and my heart broke for her. Especially because you know what's coming next. Aurora. You don't hate Aurora for moving in on Val's turf but you now understand why Val acted the way she did to Aurora in the first and second novels.

This little gem just expands the characters and their secrets. I loved it, I appreciated Val for it. And the author made a damn good move by including this and Stakeout to the series.

Five out of five

[Mandy Sickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Evil Red in return for an honest review from the author. The story starts with Valerie living in L.A. in a trailer with her sisters and mother with big dreams of getting out and making it to the big screen. Her dreams are cut short when she’s attacked outside a club fatally stabbed three times. What should have been the end is really just the beginning as to her friends and family she’s dead but in Anchorage Alaska she lives to become a vampire hunter.

While Valerie isn’t thrilled with the prospect that there are vampires she doesn't really have a choice. After successfully slaying her first vampire she has contact with and attempting to slay the second one she’s sent off to bootcamp to learn to protect hunt. Her first assignment is an informant because her blood doesn’t have the lethal effect they hope. She’s sent to high school to start dating a very old vampire named Fane. What was supposed to be easy is anything but, and what if Fane isn’t just any vampire.

I’ve read all the books up to this point and now that I know why Valerie is the way she is makes sense. Her store touched my heart she’s not had the best life and her situation sucks but she’s made the best of it and grown into a tough vampire hunter. I’m hoping to see more from here in the series because I enjoy her character. I'm still not sure how I feel about the whole Fane thing, I want to like him but I'm just not sure.

Evil Red is another fantastic installment in the Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter Series. The story focuses around Valerie her transition to vampire hunter which I found fascinating. She’s one of those mean girls you just have to root for because deep down she’s not a bad guy. I love the unique concept for the vampires and how the hunters are created based on their blood type. The characters are easy to connect which makes it easy to fall in love with the story. The author has written a beautiful story that captures the heart as well as the imagination. While the Novelette is short its action packed from start to finish I found it impossible to put down till I was done. The Aurora Sky series has quickly stolen my heart because my favorite vampire series so far, and it’s my first I suggest when you save vampire books. I really love this series, and what’s not to love with the beautiful covers. If you love vampires who don't sparkle and kick ass heroines this is the series to check out.

[Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was pretty short, I read it in one sitting. I have to say, I still do not like Valerie, guess I never will. It was still interesting getting her side of when she "died" and became a vampire hunter. I was always curious on how she got her claws into Fane, it took some work, lol.

So it seems shes always been a bitch for sure.

Its worth reading, just do not like her as a character, but thinking as a villian, sure, lol.

Check out my review and the book tour post at my blog for another novella, from Noel's point of view, she is a great character, and we see another side of Fane and Dante too. Its called Stakeout, and takes place during Northern Bites, just from Noels side of things. Stakeout Blog tour, with a Giveaway

[Kazh · Rating 4 out of 5]

(View this mini-review on My Library in the Making.)

If I hadn't grown to like Valerie in Northern Bites, I seriously wouldn't have even bothered to read this, but I did, and now, I think I may even love her? Me, loving the bitchy type? Wow.

Aside from my newfound love for this redhead, Evil Red confirmed another thing for me: that I no longer have an inkling of like for Fane. I can't believe I once found him appealing in Transfusion. Sure, he's the perfect balance of naughty and nice, but something about him turns me off. Pretty sure it's the way he pushes away and then, all of a sudden, pulls in people, particularly girls. I thought it was just Aurora he did that to, but turns out even Valerie received the same treatment from him.

But back to Valerie. Because I have now gotten a glimpse of her history with Fane, her rudeness to Aurora when she first entered the picture has made sense. I really thought Valerie saw Fane as nothing but property, but turns out she actually liked him for real. Not sure how much, but the way he made her feel special, unlike the guys she'd dated before, got to her, and that's removed her from my mental hit list. I really hope to see her again in Bad Blood.

MY FAVORITE PART was Valerie and Fane's date. Is it wrong to be shipping them now? I want Aurora with Dante anyway :3

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been a reluctant fan of Valerie. She's evil, but intriguing...you know?

I'm so happy Jefford gave us a glimpse into her redheaded mastermind. Valerie is the person I always thought she was, but I understand it a little bit more now.

Evil Red is a wonderful romp through some very interesting back story, especially how Fane comes into the entire picture. Fane...oh Fane. Love that blood sucker!

This is a must read for any fan of the series and for anyone who loves redheads! ;)

[Liliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed on Lili Lost in a Book

Evil Red is a short story about Valerie and how she died and was recruited to be a hunter with the agency.

You know, I never really liked Valerie, but this novella about her, I thought, was very interesting to read. I've always been curious to see what she was like before all this happened... your answer: she was still a bitch. Why she is such a jerk, I have no idea. But I still don't like her. But as bitchy as she me be, she is a badass!

Another thing I've always wondered was how Fane and Valerie hooked up in the first place, so I really loved that! You could really see that Valerie actually did develop feelings for the guy.

Overall, I really liked the short story and getting a glimpse of Valerie's past life, so to speak, and how she got involved in hunting vampires. I especially liked that the novella read like a script. It was very unique and very fitting since Valerie wanted to be an actress.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story which I didn't expect.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this series, it's one of my favorites - I just wasn't thrilled to read about Valerie; I can't stand her character! Turns out if was a great read.

We learn so much about Valerie's life before she 'died', and then we finally find out how she and Fane became a couple. This story answered a lot of questions that I had, and a few more pieces of the puzzle are falling into place now! Oh, and I think I love Fane a little more after this.

I know a lot of people skip the short stories in a series (I do it myself sometimes) but these are really worth the read. I can't tell you how much more the story makes sense after reading this! I wish now that I'd read it between books like it was meant to be... there would have been a lot less who, what, when, where, and why going on in my head!!

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought since the 2.5 was good, that I would want to read this one too. I was disappointed for 2 reasons. I bought Books 1-3 set, and the 2.5 was in that, but this was not, so I had to purchase it for .99 cents. While this is not a bad price, it just was not worth it to me, since I don't like Valerie character a whole lot. and the other disappointment is that it just wasn't very good. I'm glad it was short and didn't waste a whole lot of my time.

Basically to me, the sum of Valerie is that she's a B***h. All the way through. This novella didn't show me that there was another side of her, except that she liked 1 of her 3 sisters. She just isn't a very likeable person, rude. I could do without her, but then again.. every person has one in their life... LOL.

It didn't stop me from going on to the next book...

[P S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evil Red (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter vol. 2.6

I can't really say to much about book cause it will give to much away before you read anything so all I can say the title of the book sums it up.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Valerie is a character that I love to hate, so I enjoyed this novella. I did want more out of Evil Red though. Aside from learning that she was a bitch even before she almost died, we don’t find out much more about Valerie. It’s just how she was nearly killed and how the agents found her, her immediate reaction to finding out that vampires are real, and her first mission. While I did like reading about how she got Fane’s attention and their first date, I wanted to get to know Valerie better. Why is she such a bitch? Is everything a role for her? I think we probably could have gotten this if the novella had been in first person, but I did kind of like how it was formatted as a script.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Read this awhile back and was pretty good.

I didn't realize I had read this when I got it but I did
From what I remember it was prettied and we get to find out how one of the girls ended up being a hunter and all that. It was pretty exciting and interesting but it's been awhile so I don't remember everything
If I had it would have been a 5 star book. I reserve that many stars for the over the top unforgettable books that you just don't forget. This is a good series yes. But just not a five star one is all. Well worth reading and of you love the other books you will love this one too.

[Keith Beasley-Topliffe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is Valerie's backstory, not written in first person like the others in the series, but like a scenario for a screenplay. Since it's listed as book 2.6 in the series, I was hoping for what happened to Valerie after "Northern Bites." Instead, all the action is before the first book. Chronologically it's about 0.9. But reading it first would spoil revelations in 2 and 2.5, so I understand the numbering. It's about novellette length (and priced accordingly). It seems like an experiment by Nikki Jefford in using a different narrative style and it works.

[Katrina Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved being in Valerie’s mind. I still don’t care for her.

We get a glimpse into the life she had to leave behind. She’s always been tough, and a bit of a bitch. So that’s nothing new there. I loved when she started interacting with Fane. We also saw a gentleness that we don’t see in Valerie often.

I’m hoping we get more little looks into each character’s life. It definitely helps understand the person better.

[Michelle Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so this book follows Valerie, who is a right nasty piece of work.In this book we learn more about her and her family life before she turned into a vampire hunter.I have gotta say that this book is wonderfully written and by the end of it Valerie was a little more likeable to me.In order to understand this book more i would recommend that you read all the other books first .

[Tania Drakatos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting

I got a little disappointed, I thought that this book would first start of as how she came to the organization and then let us know what happened when she split from aurora and got onto a different plane l, and went her own way but it didn't happen. I was not happy. Oh well

[Wide Eyes, Big Ears! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short but fun. Probably not a book to read on its own but as part of the Aurora Sky series it was good to get Valerie's back story and see what's going on inside that wild red head of hers! I had expected and hoped for the story of Valerie going AWOL after escaping Jared, so was a little disappointed.