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Morgan Blackstone Vampires #1
Cast in Blood
To the outside world, Morgan Blackstone is an eccentric business woman. But, within her chest beats the undead heart of a 21st century vampire. Behind the doors of her nightclub, The Dracul, Morgan rules with an iron fist in a velvet glove. After a long night of wrangling unruly supernatural customers, she is looking forward to some peace but unbeknownst to her, there are other vampires who are conspiring against her. Just before dawn, in the deserted parking lot, she comes face-to-face with two old adversaries, one of which she had last seen being sealed in a tomb, 400 years before. Overpowered by her attackers, Morgan wakes inside the lab of an unscrupulous doctor. Held against her will, subjected to experiments, she soon realizes that something has begun to burn within her veins Something that she knows will kill her.
- GenresParanormal
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2013
3 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Rabe
7 books38 followersA lifelong California girl, Michelle Rabe tried the Hollywood thing but decided she preferred an author’s den to the actor’s trailer. She now lives in the Phoenix, AZ with her unhelpful author cat and a very understanding roommate. If you can’t find her in a cemetery with her camera you can find her online at: michellerabe.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 20, 2014
There are so many vampire books out there that it becomes repetitive. However this author has created a plot that I have not read before. I have not read a vampire story where the main character is being tested in a lab. This was interesting for me because I really wanted to know who this lab doctor was working for. I also was very interested to see what he was going to do with the results. Morgan was pretty old, and when you live that long you definitely make enemies. I do not think she thought that she would meet up with them. This was a really fast read for me. The author did a great job of making me feel as though I was there with the characters. I could feel their emotions, good and bad. I will be reading the next book in this series. I can not wait to see what other talented plots the author has to write. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review from OrangeBerry Book Tours, however all opinions are my own.
January 21, 2014
Review: Cast in Blood by Michelle Rabe Strangely addicting.What I liked: It's very hard to describe Cast in Blood. Ms Rabe's writing style in this novel is unique to say the least. There are a lot of characters but the main two are Morgan and Nicholas, who are very old vampires. This is mostly about vampires but there are several weres and some sorcerers. The story starts with Morgan being kidnapped and experimented on. The rest of the story is Morgan dealing with what the kidnappers did to her and trying to find them. I'm not explaining this very well but the way it's written, you almost have more questions than answers and strangely, I didn't get frustrated. The vampires thoughts are presented in italics and at first that threw me off because I thought they were mind to mind talking. Evidently in this world that only works with a strong blood bond. This feels like the first of a series of books and hopefully more will be forthcoming with the next in the series. I still have so many questions with the events that happened.What I didn't like: I would have liked a bit more resolution at the ending. It's so wide open that I felt disappointed.If you want something completely different in an urban fantasy, try Cast in Blood.This is an indie book and the paperback price reflects as much at $11.19. For a fairly new author, the Kindle edition seems a bit pricey at $5.99. I will try the next in the series to see how things develop.Recommend.
January 8, 2016
2.5 stars
I haven't read a vampire book in a long time... This book is the only vampire book I've read in 2015. I've shied away from the genre because I got bored with all the plot and I felt as though the genre itself have nothing more to offer. Then I saw a teaser for the second book of this series that got me really curious and wanting to read it. And of course, series should be started with the first book.
Looking at originality and uniqueness I'd say this book is a winner in that aspect. It's certainly have something different from all the vampire novels I have read before. It's also not just about a romance between a vampire and a mortal. It involved a lot of other things and other beings.
Sadly though, that lot of other things was what made it hard for me to get engaged into the story. All vampire novels though most run a certain plot like a formula have a unique background of where they based their kind of vampire. This book had that too (maybe). The problem was that, I was expecting that history or 'vampire ancestry'to be portrayed if not as an introduction at least little by little until you get the whole idea before you read the end. It didn't have that. I felt so lost as to what they are aside from being well, a vampire. It was as if there was suppose to be a prequel that somebody has forgot to mention to me about. Even after reading the first book, I don't have an idea what Dynasties and Nomads were. Well, of course I have a general idea but I'm not sure how they exactly mean in this certain vampire story. There are also other terms with regards to the hierarchy of authority mentioned that I wished was elaborated a little more.
Aside from that, I felt that the story was a bit slow. I don't get why the heroine kept dodging telling the people that matter to her what exactly happened to her. I was more than half the book yet I didn't feel like the story moved forward that much. It wasn't until I was at 70% of the book that I felt progress and that alas! the story is going somewhere.
In all fairness, that 30% of the book was quite exciting and eventful it gave me hope at what book 2 might bring even though at this point I'm still undecided if I want to find out. But I have the book already so I might give it another chance.
Character wise: I liked how the characters were portrayed even though I didn't like how they acted and reacted. I don't know if that makes sense. Morgan for example, she's very independent and even though she's romantically involved with another vampire, her life does not necessary revolve around that other vampire. Nicholas sounds mysterious, and if there's something that would make me want to read book 2 it's probably to find out more about his character and his being the Lead Enforcer. The other characters Marcus, Christophe and.. Charles? Sorry I forgot the exact name but there's a nice camaraderie between all of them that was quiet fun to watch.
With regards to the romance side of it all, I didn't quite feel that Nicholas and Morgan really loved each other even though they said it to each other quite a lot. It's as though they just got used to telling that to each other over the centuries.
If you're a fan of vampire novels and is familiar with all the possible type of the lot that there is, and looking for something different, this maybe for you.
I haven't read a vampire book in a long time... This book is the only vampire book I've read in 2015. I've shied away from the genre because I got bored with all the plot and I felt as though the genre itself have nothing more to offer. Then I saw a teaser for the second book of this series that got me really curious and wanting to read it. And of course, series should be started with the first book.
Looking at originality and uniqueness I'd say this book is a winner in that aspect. It's certainly have something different from all the vampire novels I have read before. It's also not just about a romance between a vampire and a mortal. It involved a lot of other things and other beings.
Sadly though, that lot of other things was what made it hard for me to get engaged into the story. All vampire novels though most run a certain plot like a formula have a unique background of where they based their kind of vampire. This book had that too (maybe). The problem was that, I was expecting that history or 'vampire ancestry'to be portrayed if not as an introduction at least little by little until you get the whole idea before you read the end. It didn't have that. I felt so lost as to what they are aside from being well, a vampire. It was as if there was suppose to be a prequel that somebody has forgot to mention to me about. Even after reading the first book, I don't have an idea what Dynasties and Nomads were. Well, of course I have a general idea but I'm not sure how they exactly mean in this certain vampire story. There are also other terms with regards to the hierarchy of authority mentioned that I wished was elaborated a little more.
Aside from that, I felt that the story was a bit slow. I don't get why the heroine kept dodging telling the people that matter to her what exactly happened to her. I was more than half the book yet I didn't feel like the story moved forward that much. It wasn't until I was at 70% of the book that I felt progress and that alas! the story is going somewhere.
In all fairness, that 30% of the book was quite exciting and eventful it gave me hope at what book 2 might bring even though at this point I'm still undecided if I want to find out. But I have the book already so I might give it another chance.
Character wise: I liked how the characters were portrayed even though I didn't like how they acted and reacted. I don't know if that makes sense. Morgan for example, she's very independent and even though she's romantically involved with another vampire, her life does not necessary revolve around that other vampire. Nicholas sounds mysterious, and if there's something that would make me want to read book 2 it's probably to find out more about his character and his being the Lead Enforcer. The other characters Marcus, Christophe and.. Charles? Sorry I forgot the exact name but there's a nice camaraderie between all of them that was quiet fun to watch.
With regards to the romance side of it all, I didn't quite feel that Nicholas and Morgan really loved each other even though they said it to each other quite a lot. It's as though they just got used to telling that to each other over the centuries.
If you're a fan of vampire novels and is familiar with all the possible type of the lot that there is, and looking for something different, this maybe for you.
August 12, 2014
Awesome vampire/shifter/sorcerers story with a twist!
UPDATE:
Firstly I want to thank Michelle for kindly proving me with a copy of "Cast In Blood" to read and review!
Morgan to the human eye is a business woman, a woman not to be messed with too.
To others, she's a vampire by nature...
We see that unfortunately to Morgan, she's about to be abducted from her workplace, for reasons we don't yet know why?
Having seen glimpses of her abductors, we are taken through the Morgan's time as a kidnap victim, and coming to terms of those that she knows of, who did this to her.
Morgan, is extremely savvy and tenacious while being put through some pretty difficult situations, even for a vampire.
We don't get to know the full effect of what kind of crazy shenanigans her kidnappers did to her, we don't know what they did to her vampiric blood?...
What follows is completely compelling as Morgan is consumed with both the need to survive and the yearning for revenge.
The pacing for me, was a tad slow, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this, and I'll be certain to read book #2 when Michelle releases it.
The detail that Rabe wrote about each character was detailed, they were drawn into a light and personalized as individuals as well as a team...
A great vampire/shifter/sorcerers book with a twist, definitely one to watch and read as soon as!
UPDATE:
Firstly I want to thank Michelle for kindly proving me with a copy of "Cast In Blood" to read and review!
Morgan to the human eye is a business woman, a woman not to be messed with too.
To others, she's a vampire by nature...
We see that unfortunately to Morgan, she's about to be abducted from her workplace, for reasons we don't yet know why?
Having seen glimpses of her abductors, we are taken through the Morgan's time as a kidnap victim, and coming to terms of those that she knows of, who did this to her.
Morgan, is extremely savvy and tenacious while being put through some pretty difficult situations, even for a vampire.
We don't get to know the full effect of what kind of crazy shenanigans her kidnappers did to her, we don't know what they did to her vampiric blood?...
"She is enveloped by numbness, falling, into oblivion. She drifts to the edge of awareness, shoulders, wrists and elbows aching. She twists, seeking relief from the painful position. She drowns in a black sea."
What follows is completely compelling as Morgan is consumed with both the need to survive and the yearning for revenge.
The pacing for me, was a tad slow, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this, and I'll be certain to read book #2 when Michelle releases it.
The detail that Rabe wrote about each character was detailed, they were drawn into a light and personalized as individuals as well as a team...
A great vampire/shifter/sorcerers book with a twist, definitely one to watch and read as soon as!
September 22, 2014
Morgan Blackstone is the lead and strong female who owns her own business. Everything is fine until Morgan is kidnapped and experimented on due to her bloodline. After managing to escape and find her way home, Morgan deals with the kidnappers experiments on her and trying to find them. She also has to play her cards carefully, since one of them is her grandsire (sire of her sire). She's also married to the Lead Enforcer/Assassin.
Morgan and Nicholas, who are hiding their marriage of 700 years are very old vampires, which is one reason Morgan was kidnapped in the first place. How they managed to hide being married that long, I have no idea. Guess they didn't argue in public a lot because when they were together it wasn't long before the secret was out.
I like that this wasn't a typical vampire story, and the lead female, while not without suffering, isn't perfect. She's a very strong female that knows when to fight and when to rest and build up her strength. She and her husband have the perfect relationship. It's a perfect love that isn't "disney- like" or "girly". Each balances out the other and fights when the other is unable and vice verse - the way a relationship should be. It's also a great story of who to trust and what can happen when you trust the wrong person, and often times that person is someone you SHOULD be able to trust...
Well written.
Morgan and Nicholas, who are hiding their marriage of 700 years are very old vampires, which is one reason Morgan was kidnapped in the first place. How they managed to hide being married that long, I have no idea. Guess they didn't argue in public a lot because when they were together it wasn't long before the secret was out.
I like that this wasn't a typical vampire story, and the lead female, while not without suffering, isn't perfect. She's a very strong female that knows when to fight and when to rest and build up her strength. She and her husband have the perfect relationship. It's a perfect love that isn't "disney- like" or "girly". Each balances out the other and fights when the other is unable and vice verse - the way a relationship should be. It's also a great story of who to trust and what can happen when you trust the wrong person, and often times that person is someone you SHOULD be able to trust...
Well written.
August 7, 2014
I must say that I absolutely loved this book! Cast in Blood is the fantastic first book in the Morgan Blackstone series. Its filled with mystery, suspence, and a plot that gets more twisted and gripping as it goes! In this book you follow Morgan, along with her dangerously sexy husband and intriguing group of friends, as they embark on a page turning journey to learn the truth - a truth that could unravel everything they knew, or thought they knew, about those around them. Even about themselves! Cast in Blood is not only a great start to a new series but a fresh idea amongst an ever growing genre! I was literally hooked from the very beginning and highly recommend this book! Michelle Rabe is a magnificent author - one I look forward to reading more from soon!
July 14, 2014
As a die-hard Twilight fan I tend to shy away from "ordinary" vamp stories. Michelle was a new author to me and I decided to give the book a try!
I'm so glad I did! I love the refreshing plot the book entails. Each character is drawn into a light, detailed, and personalized probably better than many other stories I've read and Michelle nails the variety of a new story-line in a busy market. Morgan is a character you will relate to, enjoy, and want to follow more on! Interesting how that little tease of romance, mystery, and intrigue draw a person to a book. I highly recommend Cast In Blood, a great new Blackstone novel series to love!!
I'm so glad I did! I love the refreshing plot the book entails. Each character is drawn into a light, detailed, and personalized probably better than many other stories I've read and Michelle nails the variety of a new story-line in a busy market. Morgan is a character you will relate to, enjoy, and want to follow more on! Interesting how that little tease of romance, mystery, and intrigue draw a person to a book. I highly recommend Cast In Blood, a great new Blackstone novel series to love!!
March 8, 2015
The author has an unique writing style that takes a bit to get used to. Because of this it took me a little while to get into the novel. I did end up liking the plot of the story and was interested to see what was going to happen. The character's weren't bad, but I wanted to know them better.
There were a lot of questions that were left unanswered throughout the story. I was disappointed and left wanting more. To me it felt like there were chunks of the story and details that were missing that would've made the story flow so much better. That being said, I was still able to enjoy the story in the end and would like to see what happens in the next book in the series.
There were a lot of questions that were left unanswered throughout the story. I was disappointed and left wanting more. To me it felt like there were chunks of the story and details that were missing that would've made the story flow so much better. That being said, I was still able to enjoy the story in the end and would like to see what happens in the next book in the series.
June 13, 2016
I loved this authors take on vampires. I have read hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of vampire books and it was great to read a new version on them. Morgan is very easy to love! This book has so many emotions and you can sure feel each and every one of them. From the ones that rip you open and leave you feeling raw, to the pure love she feels. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series
September 1, 2014
Cast In Blood is a great read! It's nice to see a unique spin on the vampire genre. The characters are well written and the story line is great. I would recommend this book to anyone whether they normally read vampire books or not.
July 29, 2014
Great book
Great book
I read this book in two day couldn't but it down. I have to look and see if there's part two to the story so I can buy it.
Great book
I read this book in two day couldn't but it down. I have to look and see if there's part two to the story so I can buy it.
June 20, 2015
Amazing characters. It was as if I could feel the evil of Alexander and the concern for Morgan. The plot was easy to follow yet complex enough to be interesting and hide a few unexpected twists.
June 24, 2018
A vampire series that will suck you dry and leaving you wanting more.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it promises to be an interesting series indeed. The story revolves around a female vampire named Morgan Blackstone, the owner of a church converted into a nightclub, gets kidnapped, drugged and has eight weeks of excruciating pain and torture done to her body in the form of an experiment. I don't want to say much more because of spoilers but I will say that this story has plenty of suspense and drama that will keep you turning the pages just to see what happens next, as well as a few twists. If you love vampire stories and a strong female protagonist, then you will thoroughly enjoy this one. I highly recommend this one!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it promises to be an interesting series indeed. The story revolves around a female vampire named Morgan Blackstone, the owner of a church converted into a nightclub, gets kidnapped, drugged and has eight weeks of excruciating pain and torture done to her body in the form of an experiment. I don't want to say much more because of spoilers but I will say that this story has plenty of suspense and drama that will keep you turning the pages just to see what happens next, as well as a few twists. If you love vampire stories and a strong female protagonist, then you will thoroughly enjoy this one. I highly recommend this one!
April 1, 2020
Stay tuned... full review coming soon!What I Did Like:
-I’m saying this one is not a spoiler because it’s in the description of the book you find on Goodreads and other places. The idea of following a vampire who is being experimented on by a doctor is new and cool. The parts of the story that focused on that were good.
Who Should Read This One:
-If you like vampire novels and are specifically looking for one that has something you have never seen before, this may appeal to you.
My Rating: 2 Stars, the pacing issues were problematic for me.
For Full Review (including what I didn’t like): https://youtu.be/py5rgtW-m24
-I’m saying this one is not a spoiler because it’s in the description of the book you find on Goodreads and other places. The idea of following a vampire who is being experimented on by a doctor is new and cool. The parts of the story that focused on that were good.
Who Should Read This One:
-If you like vampire novels and are specifically looking for one that has something you have never seen before, this may appeal to you.
My Rating: 2 Stars, the pacing issues were problematic for me.
For Full Review (including what I didn’t like): https://youtu.be/py5rgtW-m24
July 9, 2015
I very much enjoyed this book. It has a nice mix of classic vampire and the author's own spin to vampire mythology. Morgan is a 1700 year old vampire who is pretty awesome. You don't live that long without becoming someone that demands respect. She has a man, but doesn't rely on him for protection and can take care of herself. The story does a decent job of explaining the hierarchy of the vampire world, along with the myths that do or do not have an effect on each vampire. It was cool that the vampires had different abilities to withstand different things (sunlight, churches, etc). The romantic in me kind of wanted to see a little more of the backstory to Morgan and Nicholai, but there was enough on the page to understand their connection and devotion to each other. The story did take a few chapters for me to really get into, partially because when Morgan is kidnapped, we are in her head as she comes in and out of consciousness during her torture, so it felt a little fragmented. It was intriguing enough to keep me going though, and once we started to uncover what actually had happened to her, I wanted to see the jerks caught. The story really picks up and unfolds in a quite intriguing manner. It definitely left me wanting to read on to the next book.
April 23, 2015
This was a surprisingly good read. Why the surprise? I'm not a vampire fan. I'm the only person I know who wasn't addicted to Buffy and never watched Angel.
I read, and enjoyed, a short book by the author a few weeks ago and have been looking at this book since then. I noticed it was on Kindle Unlimited so finally gave in, and I am glad I did.
Alpha vampire is a kick ass female, Morgan Blackstone. She is quite old...over 1700 years old but she has/has not? aged well.
The story begins in Hollywood where Morgan owns a club frequented by humans and non humans. Who would notice the difference in Hollywood where every second businessman is a blood sucker anyway?
It moves on to New Orleans. Even I know that New Orleans is nirvana to vampires.
The storyline captured me and the author's talent kept me. I hope there are more for me to get my teeth into (!!).
I read, and enjoyed, a short book by the author a few weeks ago and have been looking at this book since then. I noticed it was on Kindle Unlimited so finally gave in, and I am glad I did.
Alpha vampire is a kick ass female, Morgan Blackstone. She is quite old...over 1700 years old but she has/has not? aged well.
The story begins in Hollywood where Morgan owns a club frequented by humans and non humans. Who would notice the difference in Hollywood where every second businessman is a blood sucker anyway?
It moves on to New Orleans. Even I know that New Orleans is nirvana to vampires.
The storyline captured me and the author's talent kept me. I hope there are more for me to get my teeth into (!!).
February 4, 2016
I'm so glad that I finally got to start on this series, and now I'm hooked! Michele Rabe paints a great story that blends Vampire politics, the intricate dynamics of Morgan Blackstone's "Blood" family and of course a true picture of cold, brutal vampire kills. The way they really are monstrous and fascinating! I love the way Morgan and her husband Nicholas work on maintaining their relationship, even if it has to be in secret. Morgan is ancient and strong which serves her well with the brutal and harrowing experience she endures in this story. These characters are very well written and you actually not only read their dialogue, but the thoughts each have. Which to me makes for a greater intimacy and understanding of each character. I highly recommend this series to those who love their Vamps cunning and savage, but also with the ability to make you like them! Well done Ms. Rabe!
May 7, 2015
Classic vampires with a hair-raising plot! I am super glad that this is a series! The author has invested a great deal in building this world and these characters. Morgan is a nightclub owner who caters to the rich and famous in her vampire-themed bar, The Dracul. Nicholas, secretly Morgans husband, is the Lead Enforcer for the vampire council. Marcus, long-time frenemy of Nicholas, is the first to become aware that Morgan is missing, and forced to contact his nemesis and alert him to the status of his wife. Morgan, meanwhile, is being ruthlessly tortured and may be dying. All of that happens within the first couple of chapters, so it's not technically a spoiler. If you want to know what happens next, read the book! It's a really great introduction to what's sure to be an awesome series!
February 16, 2015
It's a bit confusing at first because many things are being introduced and happening. As the chapters go by, things become much clearer. There are a lot of character to keep track of and a somewhat complex plot to catch onto. I enjoyed the storyline as it combines some of my favorite supernatural things. There are characters you love and those you will find questionable as well as those you love to hate. Morgan's plight is interesting and will keep you wanting to figure things out. I would love to read more and figure out exactly what Lucian is trying to accomplish, I just don't know if I should hate him or not.
March 20, 2015
There is a lot going on in this book and a bunch of characters to get to know. Morgan is a very independent woman who has a hard time needing to depend on anyone, which she has to do after the experiments done on her. She recovers and tries to figure out the changes in herself.
We get a look into her life and the people important to her while they try to find the people responsible and what they are actually trying to do. I enjoyed the story and the connection between the characters but I was hoping for more about what was done to Morgan with them finding out more about the people who did this to her and why. Hopefully we will find out more in the next book in the series.
We get a look into her life and the people important to her while they try to find the people responsible and what they are actually trying to do. I enjoyed the story and the connection between the characters but I was hoping for more about what was done to Morgan with them finding out more about the people who did this to her and why. Hopefully we will find out more in the next book in the series.
January 25, 2016
This is the first book I have read by Michelle Rabe. It was a very interesting twist on some vampire stories that I have read. I enjoy the interplay between all the characters. Morgan is a strong female who can take care of herself, except when she gets too caught up in her head. Nicholas is a perfect example of a together male. Strong and protective, yet able to pull it back when he knows that it will cause a problem. Overall I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next one.
May 17, 2016
Morgan Blackstone and her vampires make up quite the family. They support each other to the best of their abilities. Morgan is kidnapped and tortured. Her recovery and the hunt for those who did this to her consume her closest members. I enjoyed the strength of the bonds between everyone. Learning their histories was interesting. I look forward to reading more about these vampires, and I recommend this book.
May 7, 2015
THESE VAMPS DON'T SPARKLE!!! And that's a good thing! I found Cast In Blood fun, epic, and riveting with just enough implied sensuality between Morgan and Nickolas to keep things spicy between the action! Looking forward to the next Morgan Blackstone book!!!!
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July 13, 2016Cast in Blood
I loved reading Cast in Blood by Michelle Rave. It's not your average vampire book. The storyline is intriguing and the characters interesting. I highly recommend reading this book!
I loved reading Cast in Blood by Michelle Rave. It's not your average vampire book. The storyline is intriguing and the characters interesting. I highly recommend reading this book!
September 17, 2016
I literally had to force myself to complete this book. It needs some serious editing...not just grammatically and structurally but also in narrative and weaving through POVs. The plot is slow-moving and confusing at times. This book has left me with no desire to read more from this author.
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