The Curse of Blood and Silence

French Quarter Vampire King #2

by M. Guida

I’m the key to an ancient power. Now everyone wants to possess me.I never asked to be the key to an ancient power, but here I am—trapped between supernatural forces and a brewing mafia war. A ruthless wolf enforcer holds my life in his hands, claiming I must heal some mystical wolf stone or face deadly consequences. Meanwhile, Angelo, my fated mate and a powerful mafia king himself, is tearing the city apart to find me.
As if being caught in a supernatural tug-of-war wasn't enough, now I'm at the center of a violent clash between rival mafia families. Angelo's determination to rescue me has ignited a powder keg of long-simmering tensions. My growing abilities might be our only hope, but they're as unpredictable as the shifting alliances around us.
With my best friend's life hanging in the balance and a cunning demon whispering tempting offers, the stakes keep rising. The connection between Angelo and me is my anchor in this storm, but even that is tested as we navigate betrayals and unexpected allegiances.
Time is running out, and every choice I make ripples through both the supernatural and criminal underworlds. As I race to master my unpredictable powers and unravel ancient secrets, the price of failure grows steeper. With enemies closing in and allegiances shifting, Angelo and I must fight not just for our love, but for the very future of both our worlds.
In this dangerous game of power and prophecy, one thing is nothing will ever be the same again.

Curse of Blood and Silence is the second book in the French Quarter Vampire King series. This is a steamy vampire mafia romance. Get ready to brace for sizzling romance, heart-pounding power struggles, forced proximity, forbidden passion, and dark supernatural thrills that will keep you reading all night!

Genres: Fantasy, Vampires, Romantasy, Paranormal

382 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 5, 2024

About the author

M Guida has always loved fantasy and romance, especially dragons. Growing up, she devoured fantasy books and all kinds of young adult books. And then she found romance and a whole new world opened up to her.

Now as an adult, she fell in love with academy romance and has blended all of her past loves into one compelling series. Dragons, vampires, elves, demons, and shifters all attend Legacy Academy.

When she's not writing, she lives in the colorful Rocky Mountains with her fur baby, Raven, and enjoys taking her for walks.

Would you like to become a Legacy? Sign up for her mailing list and enter a world of the supernatural. https://geni.us/akJn

You can also join her private Facebook page-Legacy Academy https://geni.us/aksDhUZ You'll become a legacy and find out about your special power and maybe even find some romance!

Reviews

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampire King Angelo Santi was a very lucky man when he won Serenity at auction, beating the other mafia kings for her, but he wanted her because she is his fated mate. The others wanted her because of her possible special abilities, powers she is only just learning of herself. Her main power is the ability to heal others, but there are clues that her powers will become much more powerful, thus there is a target on her back and Angelo will do everything he can to keep her safe. But it seems there are those in the background that wish to take over as kings in a few of the mafia families and will betray all those they were supposed to be loyal to. A somewhat trusted vampire is able to trick Serenity outside, telling her that Angelo had found her friend Joy and they were in a vehicle outside. This vampire took her to a ruthless wolf enforcer, who thinks he can bend her to his will, wanting her for himself. The vampire wants Angelos’ crown for themselves and will do anything to get rid of him. These traitors have joined up with another, a powerful demon, Balthazar, all for the chance of power for themselves. The demon has also possessed a number of others, key to hampering the vampire king and his allies, as they try to get Serenity back. Angelo needs to figure out which mafia king summoned the demon and is trying to take the rest of them down. Clues lead him one way, but they are a red herring and there are far more layers of betrayal to discover, although a few were forced to do what they did, as their loved ones were being held prisoner. Angelo is nearly out of his head with wanting to rush out and save Serenity, no matter what, but his second in command Enzo, knows that they need to make a plan and not rush in, if they are to find and help her. Serenity has her own loved ones being held by those working fro Balthazar, including her friend Joy, Joy’s brother Steve and the man who was like a father to her, his father Louis. The foes want Serenity to heal something powerful for them, whilst Balthazar actually wants her for the powers, he knows she will soon possess and that he can force out of her, all for his own revenge plot!

As Angelo gets misdirected and accuses others, Serenity is being put under pressure to perform magic with abilities she never realised she had. Angelo is also being framed by those behind all this, with possessed men taking innocents from the streets, like Joy and Serenity were, but these women end up killed and drained completely of blood, meaning Angelo is thought to have killed them all. Clues are left behind, pointing to Angelo himself, and local police also have him in sight, with a few working for Balthazar, or at least under his influence. Balthazar is teaching Serenity to pull from her blood and the darkness within her, to reach more powers, but this will turn her dark and thus under his control completely. A voice warns her that following his teaching will twist her gift and each time she uses it like that, she will lose a part of her soul. She needs to use light and love, not the darkness he wants her to, so she isn’t corrupted. Balthazar ramps up her training, bringing an innocent to her who has been badly injured and forcing her to heal her, time after time, until she can do no more, only to almost kill her and leave her for Serenity to be either guilty or heal her somehow! Angelo may manage to rescue her briefly, but she is linked to Balthazar now and he can get to her anywhere. Balthazar wants her blood and to possess her and is trying to force her to come to him, knowing that Angelo would always follow, never letting her out of his reach. Just as Balthazar has planned! He has taken over an old church, to perform a ritual, with his evil sidekicks and yet another very old and powerful being, even Angelo won’t be able to defeat. More family members of one vampire, have been take for their powers and usefulness to Balthazar, leaving more than just Angelo out of control! A deadly cliffhanger awaits, as Enzo and Dimitri have to gain allies to help in Angelo’s absence, to help rescue Angelo and Serenity. Only Serenity will be able to help heal those left behind, who have been damaged far more than any of the kings can heal, but they need to find her first! Lots happening in various scenarios and most seem to have little chance of successful rescues.

I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This continues to be a fascinating and complex story and I loved the twists and shocks that kept me glued to my reader. Serenity continues to have danger and betrayal twisting up everything around her and Angelo has so much on his plate trying to free her... Nothing is as it seems in this story and the author did a fab job keeping me on the edge of my seat with her clear world building, strong characters and intense plot. There is more to come in this vampire romance and I can't wait for the next installment to see if Angelo and Serenity finally get their HEA or if evil will win out. Good fun!

[Samantha Millican · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two of the French Quarter Vampire King series, another immersive story between Serenity and Angelo as they are faced with even more challenges. Serenity has been kidnapped so she can heal the wolf stone, and Angelo is about to burn the world down to rescue her. Surprising alliances, tension, betrayals and twists from left field kept me utterly glued to this book! Supernatural crime world, lawd 🫠🤤🫠, this series just gets better! The cliffhanger 😩but Guida also gifts an origin novella at the end of the book about Angelo to help soothe you until the next book, The Crown of Blood and Vengeance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi Shepps · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd book in this series was such a blast to read. After Serenity is kidnapped by an unknown and powerful enemy, Angelo is desperate to find her and does whatever is necessary to get her back. It’s a race against time to save her before it’s too late. But with the investigation of the murdered girls dwindling down with all leads pointing to Angelo, the threat to his family’s safety is still in jeopardy. Things are not as they appear and finding out who is pulling the strings creates more tension and paints every one as the enemy. Definitely a great follow up to book one with a plot that has plenty of curves thrown in to keep you guessing.

[Rachell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the 2nd book in the series, and I felt that it went into too much detail in places that it didn't need it. It really drew out the story while nothing was resolved.

There were no wins, while the story just kept getting more detailed and confusing. I don't think it needs to be this involved to get a story across.

This book also ends in a cliffhanger, so I can only hope that once the 3rd book is released, I will finally get the answers and resolution I need to make this story make sense.

[Penny Thibodeaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2nd book in the series starts off by promising to be a page turner and it really delivers on it. You’ll get lots of fast-paced action. I think the author was creative to have Serenity use her powers of light healing through the darkness. I find this series easy to follow along with and has a storyline that is gripping. My only concern was that I felt like the ritual sequence could have been shortened a little. Now I am onto Book 3.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LeMiliere · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book and was eager to read this second book in the French Quarter Vampire King series. Serenity and Angelo have to face even more challenges. Serenity, kidnapped, forced to try and heal the wolf Stone. Angelo is desperate to rescue her. Will he be able to?

I loved all the tension, twists and turns, the surprises, even the cliffhanger ending. I'm glad I don't have to wait to read the next book, The Crown of Blood and Vengeance.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! love Angelo and Serenity... this is their story.. fated mates... vampire mafia.. an ancient prophecy... an evil unlike any... a fast paced action packed drama... Serenity has been taken... her powers have shown themselves...Angelo is ready to burn the world down to rescue her ... and the other kings ? so good !!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two and Serenity and Angelo are back and boy do they have some more challenges to face. Serenity finds herself kidnapped cause they want her to heal a mystical wolf stone which means Angelo will move heaven and earth to get her back! A thrilling and dark addition to this series, there’s secrets and betrayals, it’s intense and full of twists and turns and surprises and has you hooked and on the edge of your seat.

[Faith Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wild & terrifying ride.

The power & agony in this book is palpable. The writing has hit new heights & grips the reader by the throat & doesn't let go until the final scene. It has to be the cliffhanger of all time & not one person who reads it will be able to resist grabbing the next book as quickly as possible. Speaking of which...

[brenda hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was well written and I couldn't put it down It's a great addition to this series and M Guida did it again and I can't wait to read more. This is the second book in this series. I recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Billie Turknett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I liked book one better but I understand why this one started mid relationship. It could have used another mini book between one and two. Good writing and good storyline. I can't wait for book three.

[CalliopeCrawfish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same review as the first book, but the editing seems to be worse in this book, which is strange.

This author needs a better editor the sentence repeats are annoying and the inner monologues are tedious, but the story is interesting.

[Shantrellia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What another wonderful dark story. This book was definitely a page tuners. The twist and the turns, the betrayal. I can't wait to see what happens next. I love Angelo and Serenity.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ladnamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fast paced, action packed, and with many twists and surprises. It ends on a cliffhanger so I'm looking forward to book 3.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheyenne Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great book two to continue the series and holy moly it did not disappoint at all. This was a great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angela Fetchero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the kindle version, which needed another round of editing (whole paragraphs repeated, sentence structure, and repetition of phrases), which was distracting to me.
Ended on a cliffhanger, so maybe I’ll get to book 3 🧐.

[Suzanne Lapham · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 actually. it would be higher but I don't like Serenity, not only is she to stupid to live, in the audio version she sounds like she's on the verge of hysterical tears. alas I am a completeist so I am off to book 3.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a brilliant book

This book kept me up all night long, I think that the characters are so strong. It has twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait to read the next book

[Michelle Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dimitri finally got his girl

[Stephanie Reicen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book was excellent. The suspense had me on edge and that ending. I need books 3 right away!

[Mindy DeWitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh wow, the female narrator was terrible. That was painful. Every word was dramatic and breathy as if she was always about to cry.

[Nancy Giles · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, my grandkids whine less than this heroin.