Three months ago, Lock cared about two things. Blood & power. While those remained constant, the current state of affairs was far from it. What should have been an exciting transition for his mate, Sam, has proven to be more difficult than he could have imagined. Every day she withdraws further into herself, hiding away from the world and from him. With her newfound magic becoming more volatile with every passing emotion, and the shadow drawing ever closer, longing to tear them apart, he must find a way to make her face the darkness inside of her, even if he has to force her hand.
There was one word to describe exactly how waking up as a vampire felt. Wrong. Lock told Sam she'd feel powerful and indestructible. Whole. All she felt was broken. She was a constant danger to those around her, a monster of proportions her mate couldn't understand, even with the depraved depths of his mind. When trying to figure it out on her own continues to fail, there's only one person she can turn to. He could help her or kill her; either way, she'd accept her fate, if only so that she couldn't hurt anyone else.
Failure was a word Seraphim had long left in his past, but the last four years had included a long list of them. Nearly all of them were centered around one a bad-tempered redhead with some supernatural claim on his blood. The only problem was that he wasn't hers to claim. Regardless of what Sam might want from him, he'd all but sold his soul to something far more menacing than her. There's only thing for him to do and it appears he's found the perfect opportunity because she's weak. Damaged. Lost. As he's pulled in two opposing directions, he must consider the repercussions that come with each of his decisions. If he doesn't take care of this problem, there are other, worse beings that could extinguish them all without hesitation or remorse.
I'm a self-published author who generally has a dozen projects going at one time. Check out one of my completed series or follow along with what's currently ongoing.
I was born in Portland, OR and I will unashamedly claim that the PNW is the best place to be. Catch me with an iced coffee in hand, even in the rain and snow.
My main genres are romance and fantasy. Some of my content is very dark, but it varies by book/series, so please check the content warnings in each book before diving in!
I hope you enjoy my books and leave me a review with your honest opinion!
Are you ready to burn it all down? Before you get too far in make sure you have read books 1 & 2 along with the trigger warning! Our sexy dramatic unhinged Lock and our yummy vampire torch Raf have great banter dealing with each other to help Sam become stronger and into her power. Sam's mind has become twisted and her powers are out of control as she is being hunted by something older. Sam confronts her past and unleashes her control letting her pain create chaos in her childhood town. The pull that blurs the lines between Sam and Raf has me looking forward to seeing if the lines will completely vanish as the series moves on to the next. How will Lock handle the lines being crossed? Maybe a bloody Sam sandwich to come ** hopeful ** Oh poor Mark and Alex. Mark don't run away! Alex, I can't wait to see how you repair Mark's broken soul....
Fav Quotes: "Show me your power, Belladonna," he breathed in my ear. I shook my head. "Dangerous." "Good. That's my favorite kind of foreplay." "I don't want to hurt you," I whispered. "Ruin me, Samara."
"One of us may die someday and it does not matter who goes first because we will die together. That is a promise I'm making to you. This world does not exist for me without you. If you are reduced to ash, so am I. Will you burn with me Samara?"
"You are a dagger laced with poison. The only way they'd get close enough to touch you is if I was dead, but they would follow soon after because you, my darling, are more deadly than I could ever dream to be. I'm fucking honored to worship at your feet for the rest of our eternity."
"Lock wanted me to embrace the monster inside. I was going to unleash that bitch just for him."
"Vampires. Monsters. Gods. Who fucking cared what they called us? We were power and together, we would claim this world."
My Rating System: 1 star: Probably DNF - Lacks structure - Grammatical Errors - Boring characters 2 stars: Not a fan - Struggled to finish - Won't reread - Lacked personality - Lacked storyline 3 stars: Neutral - Underwhelmed - Nothing special - Like the book but we're still troubled by a few components 4 stars: Enjoyed - Concept unique - Dialogue felt real - Invested in characters - Missing cherry on top 5 stars: Creme de la creme - It's addictive - Emotional Impact - Highly Recommend - Feels like you are part of the book
I don't even know where to begin. I finished the book last night, I've woken up this morning and I'm STILL thinking about this book/series. Madilyn's writing is PHENOMENAL - this is a chunky book but not once did I feel the story dragged. Lock and Sam are UNHINGED and I cannot get enough of them! Lock is so sassy and he had me cracking up most of time 😂 Sam is still a bit like a petulant child and despite the threat to them all, STILL isn't really training (come on girl, you're a badas$?!) but considering they're not as infallible as they thought pre-hobgoblin... I'm so excited to see her come into her abilities and (hopefully) win this fight! Seeing the dynamic between Raf and Sam (and Lock's not at all concealed reaction) is so good! This book has a lot of people underestimating Hemlock and Sam and I anticipate it'll be their downfall in the next book 👀 side note: the balloon thing (iykyk) caught me so off guard in the best way and I'm not so sure Lock is the only psychopath in this book 😂
I was very kindly given a copy early and I'm providing my thoughts.
This series just gets crazier and I am here for it. This is the third book, so make sure you've read Hemlock and Belladonna first so you understand the next level twisted darkness you're getting into.
The characters are brutal, dangerous, violent, psychotic, but they also have a raw vulnerability, touch of sweetness, and chaotic depth. The multiple POV was great, and the tangled relationships are bringing all the drama! Very descriptive spicy scenes full of red flags and triggers, but it's well balanced against the fast paced plot that keeps you hooked. The banter in these books is always top tier if you enjoy pitch black personalities, and I am so invested in all these characters lives. Bring on the next book!
🔥"The world does not exist for me without you. If you are reduced to ash, so am I. Will you burn with me"
🔥"I would burn down every City in this world, then set myself on fire to join her in the void"
I love this series so much, Nexus gives us so much more to understand the different relationships and connections. Filled with plenty of spicy and fun banter I could not get enough. I cannot wait for the next book to see what the future holds for Sam and Lock.
Wow this exceeded my expectations. This was a wild rollercoaster of a story with twist and turns I was not expecting. Lock and Sam faced even more challenges in this one than in the first two books. I laughed and cried throughout the whole thing. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I dont even know how to describe this darn series other than perfection! I’m not usually a major lover of fantasy but Madilyn writes the best dark fantasy books ever!😮💨
This is book 3 in the series and it follows Lock and Sam’s fucked up relationship and their battle with Sam’s new powers. Seraphim is the best addition and i absolutely adore him and his Oreo addiction🤪
Thank you so much for allowing me to be an ARC reader. I appreciate more than you know😘
Now if you love; 🖤 Vampires & Magic 🩸 Fated Mates 🖤 Obsessive & Possessive MMC 🩸 Baddass & Stubborn FMC 🖤 Dramatic Villians with God a Complexion 🩸Touch them & die 🖤 Blood Play & Biting 🩸 Morally Black MMCs 🖤 Trauma 🩸 Dark Humour 🖤 & lots of spiceeeeee
Then the Malefic Bloodlines series is for you😮💨 starts with Hemlock, then Belladonna & Nexus🫶🏼
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ This book is hot. I don't want a smoke or shadow daddy. I NEED a fire DADDY!
Plot:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I am absolutely OBSESSED with series. It gets better with every book! Nexus starts where Belladonna left off... If you don't know where that is, you should probably re-evaluate your life choices and go read Hemlock and Belladonna NOW! Nexus is fast paced and will having you feeling all the feels.
Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ For once we have a morally... Not grey... But morally PITCH BLACK female fmc. The extent of unhinged that she reaches is AMAZING. The banter between Raf and Lock is hilarious! I seriously love all of the characters in this series and have grown VERY attached to them. So if an author *ahem* ever lets anything happen to them... I may cry.
Because your mental health matters, make sure you check trigger warnings!
Spoilers ⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️ First off, HOW DARE YOU!! I was so ready for Seraphim to get obliterated by Sam in this book, but I started to really like him towards the end! This is why you are one of my favorite authors. Your writing is able to make the reader feel so many emotions, especially with the characters. I was so conflicted by Seraphim until I found out why he is the way he is and his character growth was beautiful. I love the banter between him and Lock, and the nicknames Lock had for him. I don't know why but Raffy Taffy made me laugh out loud 😂. Now I'm not the type to highlight stuff in a book but there were two instances that I just had to. "Things are hard now, Sam, but we will learn together. You don’t get to give up, just as I’ll never give up on you. Your battles are my battles. Our souls are inexplicably bound and I don’t care if you destroy this world with that magic in your veins. I will stand beside you and watch as it returns to what it once was- devoid of humans and their malice. (Lock)" I absolutely loved this. Listen I know he's a psychotic k@!!!er but the way he'll do anything to protect and help Sam makes me kick my feet and blush. Sam on the other hand... wooooo I was ready to throttle her. I get she's trying to protect her friends and loved ones from herself and her uncontrolled magic but like her attitude went down hill. She used to be this bad ass, take no shit from others in the last two books, now I honestly can't find the right words with how she acts. Especially how she was treating Lock in the beginning. Towards the end she became more tolerable. There is one quote from her that I just loved. "but these three men were taking the initiative to protect me. They were like my regulars at the bar in a way and I found that wholesome as fuck." I am still in disbelief after you killed Joseph off 😭. I was so hoping that he would become a vampire. Any who overall 5 stars as always! Spice was like 2, maybe a 3. Now I will be sitting in my cage waiting while nawing on the bars for Mark and Alexs book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Omg I love this series! This book is my favorite so far. Each book gets better, and better!
This fantastic Dark Fantasy Romance is Book 3 in the Malefic Bloodlines series. This is a dark fantasy so check all triggers prior to reading. These books are meant to be read in order, and are not intended as a stand alones. The romance in this book is hot, and heavy. The relationship between the MCs is established prior to this book. This book has several descriptive spicy scenes. The spice does take a backseat to the amazing plot line. The book moves at a steady pace following the challenges mentioned in book 2 when the FMC becomes a vampire. The characters in this book are completely unhinged, and hilarious. The author did a flawless job when writing variety to her characters. The world building is the same perfection as the previous 2 books. There are now new layers to the world for us to enjoy.
Nexus by Madilyn Derose Malefic Bloodlines Book 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
🔥Vampire 🔥DARK Romance 🔥Dark Fantasy 🔥Morally Black MMC/FMC 🔥MPOV
⚠️CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS⚠️
Must read Hemlock and Belladonna, this is NOT a standalone.
Seriously obsessed with this series and it just gets better and better with each book! Madilyn is an auto-buy for me no questions asked!
Nexus picks up where Belladonna left off so make sure you've read the first 2! The characters are the best with great development. The banter is hilarious. Lock and Sam are completely unhinged, perfect and hot AF🔥 (literally). Seraphim!? O.M.F.G🥵
The spicy scenes are 🤌💋 and hot af 🔥 Locks reaction to Raf and Sam 😏 The balloon scene 👀 And the ending...Madilyn definitely knows how to leave us hanging🤣 I will, very impatiently, be waiting for the next one.
Read this series! You will not regret it!
🔥 "I would burn down every city in this world, then set myself on fire to join her in the void."🔥
Sam and Lock (and of course my man Seraphim) battled the Big Bad in Nexus, Book 3 in the Malefic Bloodlines series. Sam had to push through the struggles of being a newly turned vampire (with a twist 😜), and her connection to Seraphim. If you wanted more twisted and murdery Lock and Sam, you definitely got it 🔪🎈🔪🎈🔪
I looooove the little dividing lines for scene breaks btw. I was so confused as to why Sam's were balloons until you-know-what happened 😂
*Baby spoilers below* Good and fast-moving plot, chaotic characters, and lots of sassy Sam. I'm glad Sam and Lock worked past their miscommunication issues, which we got plenty of in Belladonna. Not my favorite trope, so glad they're over that👏🏼👏🏼 But is it bad that I was hoping for more of a love triangle?!? 😭 ANYWAYS, Nexus is a great addition to the series and I'm looking forward to Book 4! I'm hoping for a split storyline--half Mark in Seattle, half Sam/Lock/Raf in San Francisco! 🤞🏼
Let me start by saying that I enjoyed the first two books in this series so much that I went out and got a Belladonna and skull tattoo. I know it's not signs of a healthy relationship but I am in love with Lock. Even though Sam tends to irritate me especially when she lies to him I still like her. Seraphim is amazing. I really hope that Mark and Alex end up together. What happened with Joseph crushed me. I can't wait to see more from Vasile. I've always hated balloons but after reading this I see them in a new light lol. Honestly I would be so happy if the series was made into a movie. I can't wait for the last two books.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow! This story is absolutely phenomenal! It picks up right after book 2, so make sure to read the other books in the series.
Sam awakens from her transformation and is having a difficult time adjusting. Her powers are out of control and she is spiralling. Lock is determined to help her through this because he knows she will be stronger due to their bond.
Sam is so dark in this book. It is a wild ride watching her become as unhinged as Lock. And don't get me started on Raf! This book had me gasping and stomping my feet. It is so, so good!
I can't wait to see what else is in store for this world.
This series gets better and better I expect nothing less from Madilyn! This series is so complexed and each book is DOV point of view and everyone in the nexus get their own book and even may add some of Sam and Locks in there as well with other characters. Check trigger warnings and definitely enjoy the ride. I’m telling you it gets even better with each book! Can’t wait for everyone to read the complete series when it comes out it was so amazing and she never lost her plot or her direction not every author can pull this series off without losing sight of direction and plot!
Listen, I love Hemlock. I do. He’s the best unhinged man ever. But Seraphim? There’s just something about a big, tattooed man, with an accent telling you “you can take it” and offering hand-necklaces, okay? And I’m not ashamed of that. Also, Sam definitely gave Lock a run for his money in the creative unhinged category. 15/10 I’m in love with this series and these characters!
I ate this book up! What's not to love? This book is wild. Vampires and witches, bonds and mates. This is spicy and dark. Don't forget the cults. The very powerful vampire that is brought to his knees by a woman who becomes an even more powerful witch vampire! I can't say enough good things about this book! I will be anxiously awaiting for the 4th book in this series!
Well that’s interesting. Each book is devolving into more and more madness. Not sure if Lock or Sam are more out there. Each book is more violent and dare I say more childish. Playing with your food just makes a mess. I’m waiting to see how they solve the Sibon mess hopefully in the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
These books are getting better and better. I can't get enough of the characters and their stories. I can't wait to read book 4 and 5 to see what happens to these characters.
Madilyn Derose has very quickly became one of my most favourite authors. This book has so many emotions and directions to it absolutely love the way she writes and captures your attention.
Sam and lock are on fire in this book! No like literally on fire!!! Sam is learning how to live her new life changed, but what she wasn’t prepared for was the fire and ice that came along with that! Also Raf whewwww weeee! The chemistry between raf and Sam are at an all time high! The spice Is amazing and the plot is everything and more! I was so upset it ended! I need book 4! Check your triggers! Madilyn never disappoints!
This is a continuation of the Malefic Bloodlines series and it is so freaking good! 100/10 recommended this series. Seriously, you don't want to miss out. In true Madilyn fashion there's another ending that leaves you immediately needing the next book and a shopping list of trigger wanrning.You get more of the deliciously toxic Lock of course as well as the unhinged beauty that is Sam. There's moments that will have you rolling with laughter, seething with anger, crying with heartbreak, and maybe wincing with disgust too. The nicknames are never a disappointment and neither are the "fun" times. Madilyn is one of the only authors I've read that consistently writes books over 500 pages and makes me wish they were longer. You get pulled into the story and when it's over you want to dive right back in. I will never not buy Madilyn's books. I will never not read Madilyn's books.
Book 3 in the Malefic Bloodlines series does not disappoint. It is dark and twisted but also has lighter and funny moments. It is definitely one to check the trigger warnings before you start. Madilyn is an auto buy for me, absolutely brilliant writing combined with characters so real and flawed, the story carries you along and spits you out at the end with several hours lost and a wtf at the ending! I love the multiple pov and the tangled relationships developing. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Step aside shadow daddy, I want the fire fairy now. 😏
Read the first two books (Helmock & Belladonna) if you’re some peasant that’s been living under a rock.
Gah, this book had me on my toes the whole time just stressing. Lock is still his silly goofy self, which I love. And Sam is just getting more badass every page. 😎
That scene with Raf though, ok girl I need more plz. 👀
Didn’t want this book to end. And now it has I need more. With that ending?! 😭