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The Hades Blood Moon #1

Shade of a Blood Moon

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Being a dhampir born with a disastrous lineage, I’ve spent my entire life in hiding, always on the run to avoid being hunted down and killed.

Putting behind two hundred years of solitude, I long to make New Orleans, a city of ancient history and revelry, my forever home—but I know I can’t stay.

After working at the bar at Hotel Lune de Blanche, I find myself cornered by Andrei Dimitriou, a vampire and leader of the notorious Black Blood Diamond Clan. The monster, tempted to drink my blood, soon realizes that I’m a different kind of creature, and he’s determined to find out what I am.

Andrei is handsome, manipulative, and incredibly deadly. Unfortunately, he’s now made me his new toy and conquest.

It didn’t take long for him to coerce me into working for him and his ruthless clan, but my life took a dangerous turn when a new threat came my way—a stalker hell-bent on trapping and using me for his own gain.

I know I need to trust Andrei to protect me, but that tenuous line between lust and hate quickly becomes blurred. Desire pulls us together, and it slowly tangles me into a trap I can’t escape.

As I dive into a treacherous path, I must confront my secrets and the truth about my past while trying to survive in a world that has never truly accepted me.


**kidnapping, enemies to lovers, close proximity, and lots of banter**

Author's Note:
This is the first book of a trilogy.
Content warnings can be found on D.L. Blade's website.

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2024

471 people are currently reading
3981 people want to read

About the author

D.L. Blade

14 books614 followers
Author also writes under Diana B. Lynn

Hey readers! I'm D.L. Blade.

I've always had a passion for creative writing, starting my career as an author with somewhat milder books and now exclusively writing dark romance. I love looking for ways to take my readers on a journey into a world of unconventional love, morally gray men, and villains who get the girl.

When I’m not writing, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, attending rock concerts, and exploring new restaurants in Denver.

I dream of continuing to create exciting novels for my readers and taking them on a journey through the magical realms that spill from the pages of my books.

***All three of my young adult novels are written under Diana B. Lynn. Please note that if you see the titles The Dark Awakening, The Dark Underworld & The Dark Deliverance out there, these are NOT adult, dark romances, like I write today. They are young adult romances.

Follow me!

https://linktr.ee/dlblade

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5 stars
195 (33%)
4 stars
190 (32%)
3 stars
132 (22%)
2 stars
53 (9%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
Profile Image for Cheyenne Lloyd.
6 reviews
February 8, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was full of twists and turns, and not to mention spice 🥵. I feel like it’s been awhile since a good vampire book has been released so I definitely enjoyed that. I will impatiently be waiting for book two!
9,375 reviews140 followers
January 29, 2024
This is a well written book with strong characters and a dark and steamy story. The author pulled me in with all the suspense and kept me glued to the pages with all the twists and turns along the way. She moves the story fluidly with her descriptive scenes and delivers a terrific read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Profile Image for Jaden.
23 reviews
February 2, 2024
i got an arc copy for this and i am so glad i did! i was pleasantly surprised with how much i enjoyed it, the FMC was strong and the spice was 👌🏼
Profile Image for Rebel.
2,654 reviews
February 13, 2024
The debut installment of The Hades Blood Moon series plunges readers into a gritty and dark world, delivering a thriller that pulls no punches. Not for the faint-hearted, this book leaves little to the imagination, gripping readers from the very first page and urging them to keep the lights on and check over their shoulders.

The seamless collaboration between co-authors shines through, resulting in a thrilling read that seamlessly flows from one scene to the next. From the gripping prologue onwards, the narrative grabs hold of you, compelling you to keep turning the pages while simultaneously instilling a sense of unease.

I found myself thoroughly engrossed in this complex yet enthralling tale, filled with action, twists, turns, betrayal, and emotional turmoil. The power struggle at the heart of the plot involves a myriad of players, each vying for control in this dark and steamy story.

The author's skillful storytelling kept me on the edge of my seat, with suspenseful twists and turns propelling the plot forward. The descriptive scenes are vivid and immersive, drawing readers deeper into the story with each passing chapter. Overall, this is a well-written book featuring strong characters and an engaging narrative that delivers a gripping read from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kelly Parish.
3 reviews
January 22, 2024
Absolutely loved this book! I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of this story and I was hooked from the beginning. It had wonderful twists and turns. I’ve never read a vampire novel quite like this one. It’s dark, spicy, and suspenseful up until the very last page.
Profile Image for Dorothy Garcia.
61 reviews
February 7, 2024
This is a great book for anyone interested in reading a multiple pov regarding vampires, witches, love and uncertainty.

This is a interesting story about the life of a damphir who is uncertain about most of her everyday life and experiences especially when she is told lies about her parents and how she was treated by the coven who raised her to be who and what they wanted of her.

She is living like a 27ish woman and she has been trained to deal with the other things that go bump in the night, but she doesn't understand what she's going through when everything turns up and isn't really what she thought it was.

I'm not giving away ANYTHING because I think you should really read this book so you can experience it for yourself.

Let's just say that I don't think you will be disappointed especially when it's like a first in a series and the ending leaves you wishing for the next book right now lol 😆

Just grab this and let your mind run free and enjoy her journey.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Mariaan Belinfante.
870 reviews2 followers
January 30, 2024
Dark suspense and so many exciting twists even deepens the dramatic storyline to another level. Definitely mesmerising. The sexual tensions runs deep and get spicy. Definitely not for the feint hearted. Rachel has a decidedly adventurous road ahead and I'm looking forward to share it.
I received an advanced review copy and leave this review voluntary Thank you
Profile Image for Aimee.
7 reviews
February 29, 2024
I got an ARC copy of this book and I am SOOOO excited to finally post my review!!! This book was full of twists and turns. The story line was great!! Vampires, witches, warewolves…..the best kind of book! I loved getting to know these new characters and can’t wait to see how their stories play out. I wish I could re-read it for the first time again.
Profile Image for High Lady of Delulu.
508 reviews33 followers
February 14, 2024
2.25 stars

Plot-wise, it is a good book. There are surprising twists that I honestly did not see coming and they are executed well enough, with a cliffhanger that elicits interest in the next book.
I liked the very strong Vampire Diaries vibe and the parallels to it, as much as I liked the way it differed from it - the similarity without copying the world was well executed and the world building was solid, in my opinion. The mysteries and secrets are fun to explore and well worked out.
The book delivers an overall vibe and feel that was intriguing, dark and mysterious - vampire-y in a way that felt enjoyable.

Andrei, the big bad Mafia vampire boss, might seem a bit placative but I actually liked him. The potential for character development is obvious enough, revelations were made at the right moments and although there still seems to be a lot we don’t know, it all comes together in one relatively coherent picture.

As for Rachel… I do usually like a troubled FMC who struggles with acknowledging her dark side, then gets confronted with it in an arch of empowerment.
However, Rachel just did not feel relatable to me – and I usually have no problem relating to any FMC, no matter how different they are from me. It’s just that her thoughts and actions and words often contradicted themselves, her emotions sometimes changed so suddenly and unpredictably, even in her own POV… it felt chaotic and inconsistent at times. By the end of the book, I still feel like there are different versions and ideas of an FMC that did not really blend together all that well.

(I want to make a note that this is not about double standards for the FMC and MMC. Andrei is a ‘simpler’ character and the way he is written works for me personally. For Rachel, more complexity seems to have been intended but in my opinion, that did not work out quite so well.)

Unfortunately, that, combined with the writing, threw me off, personally. Which is a pity, because the book started out strong and promising. However, in my opinion, the writing seemed incoherent, varying in a way that made me feel like some chapters might have profited from one more round of editing to avoid repetitiveness and clumsy sentences. There were actually paragraphs that flowed so well and were so much fun to read, and then there were those that had me stumble and struggle.

Overall, unfortunately, I personally am a little underwhelmed. I can see how people love the book for the plot, the male character(s) and the spice, while entirely unfazed by what I stumbled over – it just wasn’t for me as I am someone who needs the whole picture.

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I received an ARC of this copy in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Ana.
44 reviews
April 26, 2024
I don't even know where to start with this.

This book was, unfortunately, not for me. I thought the initial premise of it was great....until I actually started reading.
I immediately became frustrated with the main character, Rachel. She wasn't likable, and she was really stupid for most of the book. For someone who is 200 years old and tired of manipulation by everyone around her, you'd think she'd be less naive to the BS going on, or at least would develop SOME kind of radar for it as the plot progressed. Girl never asked questions, just blindly trusted everyone who approached her, and then got angry when she kept getting used. be so fr.

The MMC, Andrei, was even worse. I get it's a dark romance, but isn't the MMC supposed to actually have some chemistry with the FMC? Most of their interactions felt like hate f***ing. He was just an asshole, not really a likable love interest. I shouldn't be rooting for the FMC to get away from the MMC.

The excessive plot twists really just made it worse, imo. By that point the plot line stopped making sense and I skimmed through maybe the last 50 or so pages. I'm sure this book is great for others, but I found it really disappointing.
16 reviews
February 13, 2024
Great book. I really enjoyed the concept of this book, given that it wasn't just your stereotypical vampire love story. Instead, there are a couple new elements involved. I would highly recommend this book, as the twists and turns, spice, and general concept of the book is delicious. If you're a fantasy reader, give this one a chance - you won't be disappointed!
Profile Image for Emily-Rose Brlevich .
137 reviews14 followers
February 8, 2024
What a wild ride I just encountered with this book!
I am eagerly awaiting book 2 to come!
Just when you think you have worked out what's to come... Bam! Total twist!
Such good writing, love the characters and the dark, twisted minds of them!
A great read for sure!
Profile Image for Crystal Poliquin.
14 reviews
February 8, 2024
Wow!! This book had me captivated from start to finish..story line, world and character building.. and the spicy encounters!!!🌶🌶🌶
Vampires, werewolves, demons and magic oh my!! I can't wait to read what comes next!!
Profile Image for Ariel Carter.
20 reviews
February 26, 2024
This book was amazing, I could not put it down.

"D.L. Blade and C.M. Locke's collaboration in this dark paranormal romance series delves into a world of vampires, witches, and elemental magic, entwined with an enticing enemies-to-lovers storyline. The series introduces readers to Rachel Hardmann, a dhampir with a dangerous heritage, who finds herself entangled in a web of danger and desire when she crosses paths with the enigmatic vampire, Andrei Dimitriou. As their tumultuous relationship unfolds amidst a backdrop of suspense and intrigue, readers are drawn into a narrative rich with steamy scenes, complex characters, and a strong female lead navigating a treacherous path. With themes of trust, lust, and survival woven intricately throughout the trilogy, 'Shade of a Blood Moon' promises a gripping and immersive reading experience for fans of possessive, morally gray men and paranormal romance. Blade and Locke's world-building expertise and captivating storytelling make this series a compelling addition to the genre, offering a spellbinding blend of romance, mystery, and supernatural elements that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages."
Profile Image for Katherine Elley.
552 reviews27 followers
February 3, 2024
This book had me gripped from the first page. Fast paced with vampires, witches, magic and werewolves. Enemies to lovers. Possessive, stalker vibes.

Andrei is a vampire assassin on a mission to kill a human from the Black Onyx Coven. He spots a human getting attacked by a vampire. He notices something odd and different about this person. This human is not what she seems. Rachel is a dhampir (dad is human and mum is vampire). She has spent her life in hiding.
Andrei gets Rachel to work for him so he can keep her safe. There is a rouge vampire out to get her.

Loads of twists and turns. Steamy scenes.
I can’t wait for book 2. This is book one of a trilogy.
Profile Image for Karli Majeski.
160 reviews3 followers
February 5, 2024
Wow this book was good! You think vampire story and I feel like they are all the same but this book was not! Rachel is a strong FMC and comes into her true potential at towards the end. I’m interested to see what happens between her, Andrei and Jase. I was really rooting for Andrei so I was a bit shocked with what Valentina shared at the end. I can’t wait for book 2!
Profile Image for Tomie.
76 reviews4 followers
February 5, 2024
Very unique and enchantingly captivating. Love it would definitely read more and even read it more than once.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
875 reviews5 followers
March 4, 2024
Shade of the Blood Moon is a great paranormal read. This author did a fabulous job creating this world and characters. Rachel is such a bad###! I can't wait to find out what happens next!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Shania Brown.
68 reviews3 followers
March 3, 2024
ARC Review!

I loved this book! It was just the right amount of steamy romance for me and I absolutely loved the characters! It kept me hooked in and I'm waiting for book 2 with baited breath!
Profile Image for sairs_readsandreviews.
288 reviews1 follower
February 26, 2024
This is a very well written dark urban fantasy book! It’s not my usual genre but it honestly swept me along and kept me guessing throughout!

What was quite a complex story was expertly put together and the twists just kept coming right until the last page! It was so jam packed but thankfully didn’t suffer from being too much as the threads were carefully thought out and detailed at the right pace.

As I was reading, I kept picking out bits that reminded me of the big series that we love; there are some elements of vampire diaries, the originals, true blood and also I thought, shadow hunters. Pretty much anything I can say about why might be a spoiler though because every aspect is linked and has meaning!

It’s not a bad thing that it reminds me of those series - if you are a fan of any of those, you will definitely be all in for this! This is a tale reminiscent of some of the parts of those stories with its own twist and is like a whole TV series in a book, I could really envisage each scene happening as I read.

I can’t wait to see where this goes as we had so many reveals and turns along the way, I’m definitely expecting some great follow up for what’s next!

I received an arc of this book and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Susan May.
723 reviews14 followers
February 28, 2024
This was a great story and I enjoyed it. Another new author for me and I will definitely be checking out more from this author. I found it to be very well written and full of devious characters. The plot was interesting & kept me turning pages.
Valentina was betrayed by Jason 200 years ago. She was a vampire who became pregnant after falling in love with a human. As a dangerous coven was trying to put her away for a long time. Jason promised to help but lied. Many years later Rachel was targeted for assassination and a vampire was sent to do the job. However Rachel surprised him and was more of a fight than he thought. He sensed there was something special about her and wanted to learn more. What happened after that was a wild ride full of betrayel, vampires and secrets. Rachel would face a very trying time. She was led to believe things that weren't true and she was determined to unravel the truth if she could survive.
Profile Image for Christina.
382 reviews
February 20, 2024
This book is absolutely amazing. It had me hooked since the very first chapter. I didn't like that it ended on a cliffhanger but I understand why it did. I absolutely love when a book just grips me and pulls me into it and this book definitely did that. I highly recommend everyone read this book when it comes out on March 30th. These authors did such an amazing job with it and I can't wait to read the other books when they eventually come out. 10/10 would definitely recommend 😁
Profile Image for Jasmin Prince.
237 reviews6 followers
February 27, 2025
⭐️5/5
🌶️2/5

Do you love The Vampire Diaries and The Originals? Then I can almost guarantee you're going to love this book as it has very similar vibes. Although this book has some of the same vibes as our favorite vampire favorites, this story is very much its own and is incredibly written. This dark, urban fantasy is a debut for C.M. Locke and is co-written with D.L. Blade. The writing style is flows effortlessly. It is written in a multi-character 1st person POV and is very easy to follow. The storyline is gripping, every twist and turn will have you eager to turn the page. The romantic relationships and friendships have the best banter. The book is set in my favorite place, New Orleans and I love how easy it was for me to visualize the world we were set in. There were vampires, witches, and demons, all of my favorite paranormal beings. Rachel, the FMC, is a serious badass and honestly she's my new hero. Andrei, the MMC, is tall, dark, and handsome with pocket full of red flags, but we love those right? The steamy scenes in this book are incredibly well written and the tension leading up to them is toe-curling. I absolutely devoured this book, I mean I could not put it down. I cannot wait for the second installment so that I can be back in this world.
Profile Image for Ashley Trent.
29 reviews1 follower
August 4, 2024
First off I'd like to give many thanks to D.L Blade C.M. Locke for the opportunity to read this book.

This was a fast paced well written story. It is a very well rounded, well thought out tale. The suspense is great through the entire thing and the twists and turns are refreshing. It's not just another vampire dark romance. I appreciate the authors going into damphir and nephelim and magic elements.

Definitely excited to read the next one!

My opinions are my own and given freely.
Profile Image for Mady Yu.
110 reviews
June 28, 2024
I was pleasantly surprised with this book! I had absolutely no expectations since I got this free on amazon but it actually was pretty good! The book was fast paced but still didn’t rush. It made sure to explain all the lord and backstory.

I really liked the world the author made! Also LOVE how the author is setting up a potential love triangle for the next book.

Overall pretty solid fantasy book! It wasn’t too cliche and it has a solid plot. It also made me want to buy the second book!
Profile Image for Maude Faubert-Turgeon (ms_reading_nook).
18 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2024
Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

What can I say except that I LOVED LOVED LOVED that book! It was honestly A-MA-ZING.

The story is action packed, there's never any dull moment. There was so many twist of events that I didn't see coming, I was on the edge of my seat throughout all the book!

I devoured this book. Honestly, I woke up at 4 in the morning to be able to read as much as possible before my kids woke up😂

And what to say about the characters except... PERFECTION. Rachel is this strong FMC who just wishes for freedom and a sense of belonging. Andrei is this sexy and mysterious Greek vampire that you equally hate and love. And Jase, who is still a mystery to unfold in my opinion. I cannot wait to read more about their story.

I would recomment this book to absolutely EVERYONE and I am impatient to read the next book!🤍
Profile Image for Lauren.
457 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2025
Ugh, her lack of self preservation is utterly insane. Also, in my opinion, that wasn't dubious consent. That was sexual assault. You couldn't have given her a backbone AT ALL?
Profile Image for BAM xo.
108 reviews4 followers
May 31, 2024
Received this book as an ARC from Booksprout.

Okay, so I think I'm a little in love with Blades writing. I've not been disappointed with a single book so far.

This book was absolutely delicious. Dark, twisty vampire smut.
The plot was very interesting & the world was very rich and inviting, I assume this was due to the side story trilogy based in the same universe (going right on my tbr) I spent the entire length of the book in zombie mode while I binged it. Which was a decent length, I've had a few very pagey books lately. So my husband only lost me briefly 😂

I adored the MMC, a typical alphahole, he's a controlling violent possessive vamp clan leader, and I love him, despite his flaws. Not much improvement in his character throughout the book, he stays in that 'you're mine' attitude zone. Yummy.

The FMC, she is a kickass half vamp who takes no bull, she's feisty and cares deeply for her found family. She's exactly the kind of best friend I would want.

There is a lot of death and violence, darkness and smut. So much steamy, lusty smut.

This is one of the best dark romances I've read, it has all the elements a girl could need.

-Vamps
-Witches
-Demons
-Smut
-Female Badass Lead
-Broody Possessive Males
-Wolves
-More Smut
-Complicated Relationships
-Found Family
-Violence/Horror
-Mystery
-Extra Smut

Can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy!
That ending literally has made it a primal need.

Yet another book for my recommendation pile.
5 steamy stars for this one ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Vanessa Ouellette.
196 reviews21 followers
March 24, 2024
The end is where everything is at. Book ended, just ended with a to be continued mid conversation. The relationship between FMC & MMC is awkward at best. I feel like it borders certain boundaries. Some other relationships within the book are only half told or developed, almost like you jump in mid way & are expected to understand what the dynamics are. I feel like book 2 is going to be where the real story is
Profile Image for Lauren.
61 reviews2 followers
February 14, 2024
I received an ARC of Shade of a Blood Moon, in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion. I have previously read several fantasy stories written by D.L. Blade and I have always enjoyed her writing. This story is no exception. Shade of a Blood Moon in my opinion, is by far one of her best books I have read.

This story encompasses a fantasy plot with mythical creatures set in a modern world. It is a genre that I thoroughly enjoy reading. It follows the story of a strong FMC who is immersed in a world combined with humans and supernatural beings. The main male character shared similar characteristics to that of the Mikaelson brothers, Klaus and Elijah, from the Vampire Diaries. He was unpredictable, overprotective and stubborn.

The authors provided a lot of description and intricate details about the characters and plot that really enhanced the storyline and made it enjoyable to read. It felt like I was watching a movie in my head. What kept me intrigued was all the suspense, twists and turns along the way.

I look forward to reading more work by these authors in the future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews

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