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Otherworlders #1
Vampire State of Mind
Jessica Grant knows vampires only too well. She runs the York Council tracker programme making sure that Otherworlders are all where they should be, keeps the filing in order and drinks far too much coffee.
To Jess, vampires are annoying and arrogant and far too sexy for their own good, particularly her ex-colleague Sil, who’s now in charge of Otherworld York. When a demon turns up and threatens not just Jess, but the whole world order, she and Sil are forced to work together. But then Jess turns out to be the key to saving the world, which puts a very different slant on their relationship.
The stakes are high. They are also very, very pointy and Jess isn’t afraid to use them - even on the vampire that she’s rather afraid she’s falling in love with ...
To Jess, vampires are annoying and arrogant and far too sexy for their own good, particularly her ex-colleague Sil, who’s now in charge of Otherworld York. When a demon turns up and threatens not just Jess, but the whole world order, she and Sil are forced to work together. But then Jess turns out to be the key to saving the world, which puts a very different slant on their relationship.
The stakes are high. They are also very, very pointy and Jess isn’t afraid to use them - even on the vampire that she’s rather afraid she’s falling in love with ...
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First published June 29, 2012
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345 people want to read
About the author
Jane Lovering
40 books227 followersJane Lovering was born in Devon, England but, following extradition procedures, now lives in Yorkshire. She has five children, four cats, two dogs and doesn't believe in housework so the bacteria and dust are approaching sentience and now rank among the pets. Incidentally, she doesn’t believe in ironing either, and the children all learned self-defensive cookery at early ages. She works in a local school and also teaches creative writing, which are extreme ways of avoiding the washing up.
Published since 2008, she writes romantic comedies which are often described as ‘quirky’. One day she's going to find out what that means. Jane is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and has a first class honours degree in creative writing. In 2012, her novel Please Don't Stop the Music won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the RNA.
Published since 2008, she writes romantic comedies which are often described as ‘quirky’. One day she's going to find out what that means. Jane is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and has a first class honours degree in creative writing. In 2012, her novel Please Don't Stop the Music won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the RNA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
July 18, 2016
5 Words: Attraction, paranormal, conflict, love, family.
This was awesome. Absolutely awesome.
So awesome that I can't really put it in to words.
It was a fantastic story, and Rachael Louise Miller's narration made it simply exquisite.
I loved the story itself, how well the world seemed to form as I listened.
And oh my, THAT scene between Jess and Sil was take-a-gasp hot. The build up, the tension... Wowsers.
This was awesome. Absolutely awesome.
So awesome that I can't really put it in to words.
It was a fantastic story, and Rachael Louise Miller's narration made it simply exquisite.
I loved the story itself, how well the world seemed to form as I listened.
And oh my, THAT scene between Jess and Sil was take-a-gasp hot. The build up, the tension... Wowsers.
August 9, 2012
I do not which genre to put on this, perhaps cos it just feels very British, and then the UF or PNR labels does not work. It's more than just that. It's more gritty, more real, less pretty. If you compare Brit tv vs US tv you know what I am talking about. It's a paranormal book with a bit of action and romance, Brit style.
The heroine Jessica can kick ass (but she is not a katana wielding clone.) She tracks down otherworlders who has moved out of the area they should stay in. She has a crappy lovelife and wonders about the guy she can't forget.
Sil, the one we soon understand is the guy she can't forget is a powerful vampire from the area. The vamps are all very pretty and stylish. But still they are different. The whole vampire comes to be after you have been infected and a demon lays it's seed in you and a baby demon hatches in your belly..yup not pretty at all. For that the vampires were different and I liked it. They feed off sex, blood and emotions.
There are other beings too, and the whole reason they are here are because of a portal that was opened and closed. Another thing that works since it changed the whole world. No world wars, but plenty of human vs beings wars.
Conclusion:
A different sort of paranormal book. The usual ingredients are there, but the taste is just more, lol, British ;) Not your usual kind of PNR UF.
The heroine Jessica can kick ass (but she is not a katana wielding clone.) She tracks down otherworlders who has moved out of the area they should stay in. She has a crappy lovelife and wonders about the guy she can't forget.
Sil, the one we soon understand is the guy she can't forget is a powerful vampire from the area. The vamps are all very pretty and stylish. But still they are different. The whole vampire comes to be after you have been infected and a demon lays it's seed in you and a baby demon hatches in your belly..yup not pretty at all. For that the vampires were different and I liked it. They feed off sex, blood and emotions.
There are other beings too, and the whole reason they are here are because of a portal that was opened and closed. Another thing that works since it changed the whole world. No world wars, but plenty of human vs beings wars.
Conclusion:
A different sort of paranormal book. The usual ingredients are there, but the taste is just more, lol, British ;) Not your usual kind of PNR UF.
July 25, 2012
Jane Lovering does it again! Following on from winning 2012 Romantic Novel of the Year for Please Don't Stop the Music, Jane's latest book manages to create quirky characters in a very different version of York to the one we know. This contemporary thriller still has Jane's unique sense of humour shining through and the tense storyline will have you worrying about the characters until the end. A great read.
January 26, 2013
This is without a doubt the strangest book I have read, but in a good way. It's a cross between True Blood, The Running Man, and Harry Potter with a bit of Doctor Who thrown in. Utterly page-turning, it alternates between being laugh-out-loud funny, sassy, and adrenaline-pumpingly scary, and although it's a departure from the author's previous contemporary novels, it still comes with her hallmark smart sense of humour. A book with a bite to it.
November 16, 2012
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This was my first taste of Choc Lit and quite frankly, I will be devouring a whole lot more! I loved this book! Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!
The best way to describe this book would be to call it a very British paranormal, urban fantasy wrapped in a chick lit coating of humour and romance. The romantic nature of this book is the central essence of the story as you watch circumstances bring together two unlikely matches; at the same time they are also battling with some rather nasty Otherworlders who are intent on world domination.
From the moment, Jessica the main protagonist stepped on the page, she had me giggling into my fingers. She is hilarious! Imagine Buffy, Brigid Jones style, with a sense of humour. When you put her in a room with the rather hot, brooding, lust fuelled vampire Sil and be prepared to watch the pages sizzle. There is a bonfire of emotions just waiting to explode between these two as they skirt around each other, avoiding the feelings that consume them both. Add Liam, (Jessica's working side-kick) to the equation, and you get your very own Fairy Godfather, providing tea and custard creams to smooth out the complicated rollercoaster of forbidden romance. I loved the part Liam played and even though he is a secondary character, every time he appeared he just brightened up the story like a Halloween glow stick.
Jessica has a lot to deal with in this story - half way through the book, her past catches up with her and steals her breath away, showing her that her life isn't what she thought it was. The story then really gets going, as the plot steams ahead to a thrilling ending.
I would read so many more chick lit books if they were like this. I love that it was funny, yet set in the British version of an urban fantasy. When I say British, I'm thinking of comedies such as The Office and Stella, showing that the British can do vampires, only we do it with a touch of the legendary British saracasm. I really enjoyed this author's writing style and I look forward to acquiring more of her books in the future.
This was my first taste of Choc Lit and quite frankly, I will be devouring a whole lot more! I loved this book! Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!
The best way to describe this book would be to call it a very British paranormal, urban fantasy wrapped in a chick lit coating of humour and romance. The romantic nature of this book is the central essence of the story as you watch circumstances bring together two unlikely matches; at the same time they are also battling with some rather nasty Otherworlders who are intent on world domination.
From the moment, Jessica the main protagonist stepped on the page, she had me giggling into my fingers. She is hilarious! Imagine Buffy, Brigid Jones style, with a sense of humour. When you put her in a room with the rather hot, brooding, lust fuelled vampire Sil and be prepared to watch the pages sizzle. There is a bonfire of emotions just waiting to explode between these two as they skirt around each other, avoiding the feelings that consume them both. Add Liam, (Jessica's working side-kick) to the equation, and you get your very own Fairy Godfather, providing tea and custard creams to smooth out the complicated rollercoaster of forbidden romance. I loved the part Liam played and even though he is a secondary character, every time he appeared he just brightened up the story like a Halloween glow stick.
Jessica has a lot to deal with in this story - half way through the book, her past catches up with her and steals her breath away, showing her that her life isn't what she thought it was. The story then really gets going, as the plot steams ahead to a thrilling ending.
I would read so many more chick lit books if they were like this. I love that it was funny, yet set in the British version of an urban fantasy. When I say British, I'm thinking of comedies such as The Office and Stella, showing that the British can do vampires, only we do it with a touch of the legendary British saracasm. I really enjoyed this author's writing style and I look forward to acquiring more of her books in the future.
October 19, 2012
A nice discovery. I was in the mood for a lighter read and this one fit the bill perfectly. It's Victorian times and someone has created an "open door" to the Otherworld. A vampire bites a young man, plants the demon seed and lo and behold another vampire is made. A hundred (or more) years later much has changed - the World has seen a terrible war between the Otherworld and Humans. Now there's a truce with both sides keeping an official eye on each other to make sure that peace is preserved. Jess works for the bureaucratic Humans (a council job) while the vampires run a much tighter ship with up to date technology. But Jess is more than human, which comes as something as a shock to her as does the fact that she's fallen in love with sexy, but dangerous, vampire Sil (the young man from Victorian times - remember him?). Jane Lovering has written a supernatural novel that is packed with humour, action and a different type of world that you can ever imagine. I do hope there's a sequel (it could do with a prequel, actually).
August 11, 2012
Vampire State of Mind has a rather unique way of beginning … instead of a prologue, the story opens with a ‘Wikipedia’ page detailing the history of the vampires. The ‘Theories’ section is quite profound!
Chapter One we have a brief sojourn into February 1914 as Jonathon Wilberforce is reading the Yorkshire Herald while walking along. Unbelieving of vampires, he’s tricked into a dark alleyway …
Chapter Two finds us in York in 2012. Straight away we’re introduced to Jessie’s job as she’s fighting a vampire and bringing him down. There are only 5% of the population who have the ability of sussing out who is an Otherworlder and who is human and Jessie is particularly good at this. The demon of the vampire she takes down has a message for her. Jessie starts to think of Sil but quickly pulls her thoughts away – Sil can feel when she’s thinking about him. This is our first introduction into the connection they have between them.
From the time that the enigmatic Malfaire arrives into Jessie’s life, things start to happen that are obstructive and dangerous – like being the first human to be entered into the Dead Run (which is a competition held in an alternate reality). Not an Otherworld creature she can detect, he leaves her with a nasty feeling.
As the story progresses we find out more about the vampires who are hosts to demons who live off the adrenalin and highs of emotions. Lovering explores a variety of emotions linked in with this.
Although there are some very dramatic and ‘dark’ scenes, Jessie has such a tongue-in-cheek wit … coming out with some very funny quips, that this lightens the mood. One scene in particular, when she is being hunted in the chemists had me laughing with the jokes linked to the ammunition she had to fight back with.
This world that Lovering has created is quite fascinating. On the surface, Otherworlders are accepted but under the surface is still the alienation and preconceived ideas of people who are afraid of those who are different to them. This is quite a strong theme in the story and added more depth.
The love between Jessie and Sil is spiritual as well as physical. Sil has his own history to overcome to become whole and Jessie learns things she needs to come to terms with as well. I enjoyed watching them battle it out with each other. The scene in the storm drain is beautifully portrayed.
There is much to hold your interest in Vampire State of Mind. Action packed with plenty of suspense and as well as the paranormal/romance you’ll find humour, a spectrum of emotions, intrigue and a couple of surprises (that I didn’t see coming). An engrossing read!
*Note* There is swearing in places but for me this fit in with the scenes and was not a problem.
I would like to thank the publishers, Choc Lit, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Chapter One we have a brief sojourn into February 1914 as Jonathon Wilberforce is reading the Yorkshire Herald while walking along. Unbelieving of vampires, he’s tricked into a dark alleyway …
Chapter Two finds us in York in 2012. Straight away we’re introduced to Jessie’s job as she’s fighting a vampire and bringing him down. There are only 5% of the population who have the ability of sussing out who is an Otherworlder and who is human and Jessie is particularly good at this. The demon of the vampire she takes down has a message for her. Jessie starts to think of Sil but quickly pulls her thoughts away – Sil can feel when she’s thinking about him. This is our first introduction into the connection they have between them.
From the time that the enigmatic Malfaire arrives into Jessie’s life, things start to happen that are obstructive and dangerous – like being the first human to be entered into the Dead Run (which is a competition held in an alternate reality). Not an Otherworld creature she can detect, he leaves her with a nasty feeling.
As the story progresses we find out more about the vampires who are hosts to demons who live off the adrenalin and highs of emotions. Lovering explores a variety of emotions linked in with this.
Although there are some very dramatic and ‘dark’ scenes, Jessie has such a tongue-in-cheek wit … coming out with some very funny quips, that this lightens the mood. One scene in particular, when she is being hunted in the chemists had me laughing with the jokes linked to the ammunition she had to fight back with.
This world that Lovering has created is quite fascinating. On the surface, Otherworlders are accepted but under the surface is still the alienation and preconceived ideas of people who are afraid of those who are different to them. This is quite a strong theme in the story and added more depth.
The love between Jessie and Sil is spiritual as well as physical. Sil has his own history to overcome to become whole and Jessie learns things she needs to come to terms with as well. I enjoyed watching them battle it out with each other. The scene in the storm drain is beautifully portrayed.
There is much to hold your interest in Vampire State of Mind. Action packed with plenty of suspense and as well as the paranormal/romance you’ll find humour, a spectrum of emotions, intrigue and a couple of surprises (that I didn’t see coming). An engrossing read!
*Note* There is swearing in places but for me this fit in with the scenes and was not a problem.
I would like to thank the publishers, Choc Lit, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2012
Vampire State of Mind is the new title from Jane Lovering. Jane starts her new romance/action novel by giving us ficitonal historical evidence to act as a convincing backdrop. According to her protagonist Jessie, at the turn of the last century the Earth tilted a small degree on its axis, as this happened a gateway appeared allowing Otherworlders to slide over into the human world.
What I liked about this novel is that unlike other supernatural stories out there, Jane introduces such a broad range of creatues. From vampires and werewolfs (which now seem the norm in romantic fiction) to ghouls, ghysts and demons, the diversity in this novel is something to be admired. I also really delighted in how ordinary the backdrop of this story was. After the Troubles, which Jessie describes as a ‘civil war’ between the Otherworlders (mainly vampires) and the Humans, a settlement was agreed and councils across the country developed Enforcement Departments to deal with the vampires that lived in their area. To curb vampires’ freedom each vampire is allocated a set territory and they must notify people if they are planning on moving around. For every city council (Jessie happens to work for York City Council’s Enforcement Department) there is a matching vampire board which controls, protects and investigates the vampires in their area. It all sounds very official and I loved how she really used the mundane protocols of city councils to contrast with such a surreal setting where Humans and Otherworlders are trying to live together.
As I’ve mentioned, Jessie is an Enforcement Officer which means she gets to tranquilize and relocate any vampires that cross over into her area of York without permission. She’s sassy and girly and completely likeable. Sil is the head of the vampire council for York and he has a heated history with Jessie – they love to hate each other. A stranger rocks up on the scene who confuses both Jessie and Sil as they struggle to identify his origin and he starts to cause quite a stir amongst the residents of York.
Vampire State of Mind is a really fun read and of course there is a romantic element that seems to now come with any supernatural story. This is a good holiday read and one for the Buffy fans!
http://www.charlottechase.co.uk/2012/...
What I liked about this novel is that unlike other supernatural stories out there, Jane introduces such a broad range of creatues. From vampires and werewolfs (which now seem the norm in romantic fiction) to ghouls, ghysts and demons, the diversity in this novel is something to be admired. I also really delighted in how ordinary the backdrop of this story was. After the Troubles, which Jessie describes as a ‘civil war’ between the Otherworlders (mainly vampires) and the Humans, a settlement was agreed and councils across the country developed Enforcement Departments to deal with the vampires that lived in their area. To curb vampires’ freedom each vampire is allocated a set territory and they must notify people if they are planning on moving around. For every city council (Jessie happens to work for York City Council’s Enforcement Department) there is a matching vampire board which controls, protects and investigates the vampires in their area. It all sounds very official and I loved how she really used the mundane protocols of city councils to contrast with such a surreal setting where Humans and Otherworlders are trying to live together.
As I’ve mentioned, Jessie is an Enforcement Officer which means she gets to tranquilize and relocate any vampires that cross over into her area of York without permission. She’s sassy and girly and completely likeable. Sil is the head of the vampire council for York and he has a heated history with Jessie – they love to hate each other. A stranger rocks up on the scene who confuses both Jessie and Sil as they struggle to identify his origin and he starts to cause quite a stir amongst the residents of York.
Vampire State of Mind is a really fun read and of course there is a romantic element that seems to now come with any supernatural story. This is a good holiday read and one for the Buffy fans!
http://www.charlottechase.co.uk/2012/...
August 31, 2012
Vampire State of Mind is a great kick-start to what I expect will be an amazing new series! Jane Lovering has created a wonderful new world here and I was quickly wrapped up in this beautifully imagined and exciting new world. The writing style is great, very engaging and I all too quickly finished the book. What I enjoyed the most was getting to know main character Jess! She is an intriguing character that I instantly liked, she is strong, witty, packs a punch and best of all loads of snark. I like that Jane Lovering put a band new spin on a vampire tale, Vampire State of Mind has a bit of an Anita Blake feel to it, which fans may enjoy but for me I didn't really like some of the similarities, mainly because I'm a big Anita Blake fan and I didn't want to but I really couldn't help comparing the two at times. But all in all a really great Gothic style book that definitely kicks butt!
Jessica Grant works for York city council, keeping track of all the otherworlders and making sure they are where they should be. She doesn't like or trust vampires and her ex-colleague and vampire Sil is no exception. But the pair are forced to put their differences behind them when a strange otherworlder turns up and threatens not only Jess but the whole freak'in world.
Jess needs to play a big part in saving the world and she is the only one that can do it. She makes some shocking revelations that shatters everything she thought she knew about herself. Can she do what needs to be done to save the world and herself? Well, Sil is definitely not leaving her side even though there is nothing that even a vampire can do about this threat!
The ending is great and the author manages to keep you guessing right up until the end. I found Jess and Sil's relationship a bit wooden and a little forced until the end section of the book then it became more natural. I really can't wait to see where we are going to be taken in any future books in the series, I really hope there will be more.
*Special thanks to ChocLit for the review copy*
3.5/5 Stars
Carly :)
http://fictionfascination.blogspot.co...
Jessica Grant works for York city council, keeping track of all the otherworlders and making sure they are where they should be. She doesn't like or trust vampires and her ex-colleague and vampire Sil is no exception. But the pair are forced to put their differences behind them when a strange otherworlder turns up and threatens not only Jess but the whole freak'in world.
Jess needs to play a big part in saving the world and she is the only one that can do it. She makes some shocking revelations that shatters everything she thought she knew about herself. Can she do what needs to be done to save the world and herself? Well, Sil is definitely not leaving her side even though there is nothing that even a vampire can do about this threat!
The ending is great and the author manages to keep you guessing right up until the end. I found Jess and Sil's relationship a bit wooden and a little forced until the end section of the book then it became more natural. I really can't wait to see where we are going to be taken in any future books in the series, I really hope there will be more.
*Special thanks to ChocLit for the review copy*
3.5/5 Stars
Carly :)
http://fictionfascination.blogspot.co...
March 2, 2013
Jess is a bureaucratic, a pencil pusher and if she has seen more action in the past week than she has in the entire time she's worked at the York Council tracker programme, it's just a coincidence. So what if she's been in the thick of things lately, there's no danger to her, the hunters do all the really dangerous stuff. Really, no ones trying to kill her, why would they? she's just a civil servant. The only dangerous thing in her life is her feelings for Sil. A vampire and everyone knows there's no future there. Vampires are annoying, arrogant and a relationship with one is an accident waiting to happen, but she's going to have to survive working with him to save the world.
Written in the first person and set in present time England in an alternative world where the supernatural others are an everyday reality, Vampire state of mind is light and fun read which I consumed in the space of an evening. I must admit I'm a sucker for UK based UF, maybe I'm biased and that's why I enjoyed it so much - it's different enough to interest jaded old me, engrossing me completely that I lost track of time until the last page.
Jess's humorous outlook and constant state of denial makes her likeable character - how can you resist someone who uses Buffy as a how/to guide, it can't be done.
Sil is so annoying and snarky, I kept forgetting he's a vampire- he's seems so human at times especially when bickering with Jess.
I really enjoyed Vampire State of Mind and the author's writing style and will be checking out her other books too. I highly recommend you read it.
Written in the first person and set in present time England in an alternative world where the supernatural others are an everyday reality, Vampire state of mind is light and fun read which I consumed in the space of an evening. I must admit I'm a sucker for UK based UF, maybe I'm biased and that's why I enjoyed it so much - it's different enough to interest jaded old me, engrossing me completely that I lost track of time until the last page.
Jess's humorous outlook and constant state of denial makes her likeable character - how can you resist someone who uses Buffy as a how/to guide, it can't be done.
Sil is so annoying and snarky, I kept forgetting he's a vampire- he's seems so human at times especially when bickering with Jess.
I really enjoyed Vampire State of Mind and the author's writing style and will be checking out her other books too. I highly recommend you read it.
February 25, 2015
Not quite sure how I feel about this book yet.
I was happily enjoying this book. I planned on giving 4 stars. I thought Jessica was a pretty cool chick shes no kickass gun/sword weikding heroine but she has her own quirky strength and I liked it.
Until I got to the Harry Potter Goblet of Fire Part. Her name is pulled to compete in this Otherworldly competition.
At this point Jessica has been through two Life endangering events both involving the other world in some form. While her job isn't exactly safe these two situations are completely out of the norm. Added to that she has been warned that someone is actively trying to kill her.
So I just couldn't understand why Jessica reacted the way she did about the contest. Instead of demanding her participation be pulled she insist that she could do anything just as good as any Otherworlder. At this point I lost all respect for her. She knows someone put her name in, she knows someone set her up, she knows someone is trying to kill her and instead of connecting the dots she INSISTS that she can join. Ugh.
I was torn on whether I would actually finish this book but ultimately decided to carry on. I'll post an update once I'm done.
update
Couldn't finish. I just stopped caring about the heroine and the hero. Found them both TSTL. Dropped my rating from 3 stars to 2.
I was happily enjoying this book. I planned on giving 4 stars. I thought Jessica was a pretty cool chick shes no kickass gun/sword weikding heroine but she has her own quirky strength and I liked it.
Until I got to the Harry Potter Goblet of Fire Part. Her name is pulled to compete in this Otherworldly competition.
At this point Jessica has been through two Life endangering events both involving the other world in some form. While her job isn't exactly safe these two situations are completely out of the norm. Added to that she has been warned that someone is actively trying to kill her.
So I just couldn't understand why Jessica reacted the way she did about the contest. Instead of demanding her participation be pulled she insist that she could do anything just as good as any Otherworlder. At this point I lost all respect for her. She knows someone put her name in, she knows someone set her up, she knows someone is trying to kill her and instead of connecting the dots she INSISTS that she can join. Ugh.
I was torn on whether I would actually finish this book but ultimately decided to carry on. I'll post an update once I'm done.
update
Couldn't finish. I just stopped caring about the heroine and the hero. Found them both TSTL. Dropped my rating from 3 stars to 2.
December 22, 2012
Jane Lovering is an author whose novels I know I’m going to enjoy, even before I pick them up. She has an amazingly unique voice, a quirky sense of humour and great dialogue, all of which feature in this novel. Although Vampire State of Mind is a bit different to her previous books, in that it features vampires and other fantasy creatures, I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down and I was completely drawn into the alternate world the author has created. It didn’t hurt that I fell for the hero – the deeply flawed but deliciously attractive vampire Sil – and wondered how the romance between him and the human heroine Jessica could possibly end happily. To find out if it does, you’ll have to read the novel for yourselves – I would highly recommend it!
August 30, 2013
I normally don't go for these type of books. The genre just seems a little too silly and over-hyped. This is from someone who read "Twilight" and was disappointed. However, what a refreshing surprise this book was! I really enjoyed it. I think the humour in this book really helped. I loved how the characters talked to each other and how they were quite happy to take the mickey out of themselves and their situation. Because of this, despite the fantastical aspects of the book, I really got hooked and sucked in to the whole story. Sil is a very realistic, sexy and enthralling character. I won't spoil it but I also liked how Jessica came to question her own identity and what being human really means. If you are having doubts about reading this yourself, don't hesitate. You won't be disappointed.
August 9, 2014
The whole Interview with a Vampire/Anne Rice thing passed me by for some reason, but, as a York resident, and having read one of Jane Lovering's other books (Hubble Bubble) I thought that this one would make a suitable introduction to the genre.
Good decision!!
Jessica, as the York City Council Liaison Officer for vampires and otherworlders is a sympathetic heroine with a host of secrets. Sil, her eventual lover is the archetypical vampire, with an excess of style and cool.
There are lots of local references, but at a level such that you dont HAVE to be a local to "get it". The problems in Jessica's past - not to mention Sil's past AND present make for a fascinating, fast-paced and amusing story.
I loved it!
Good decision!!
Jessica, as the York City Council Liaison Officer for vampires and otherworlders is a sympathetic heroine with a host of secrets. Sil, her eventual lover is the archetypical vampire, with an excess of style and cool.
There are lots of local references, but at a level such that you dont HAVE to be a local to "get it". The problems in Jessica's past - not to mention Sil's past AND present make for a fascinating, fast-paced and amusing story.
I loved it!
August 23, 2012
Jane Lovering back at her best! This is a truly fun, gripping read not your typical vampire novel. Truly wonderful and funny with some great one liners, real blood and gore (ok not too much) and a sexy sizzling love story. Really good to see a vampire novel from a British author puts those American versions to shame. Truly original not a Twilight similarity anywhere - fabulous! Must be read.
August 24, 2012
I read this last week and thought it was brilliant. I'm not a great fan of vampire books but this was an exception. The plot was complex,the main characters attractive and there was a good balance of humour and excitement. Jane Lovering does a good line in tall, skinny heroes!
freebies
January 12, 2015Very curious about this one! I do love to find paranormal books set in the UK - there just aren't enough of them lol
January 5, 2025
I couldn't finish this one. Got about half way through. The story is predictable but that fine . The Protagonist acts like she got no clue that people are dangerous but the later is portrait as if she did suspected it all along.
And the romance is not there. The "banter" is just them lashing out at eachother with actual offences. And he gaslights her that he did say things like that and that she ask him for help when he beg her to take is help and so on.
And the romance is not there. The "banter" is just them lashing out at eachother with actual offences. And he gaslights her that he did say things like that and that she ask him for help when he beg her to take is help and so on.
January 19, 2024
A contemporary vampire romance
Enjoyed reading this novel. The heroine, Jessica, a council liaison officer with those of the Otherworlders, finds herself a target and is drawn into battle. Amongst everything else she fights her attraction for Sil, a vampire. Humour, hobnobs and hungry monsters push this story along at a fair pace to a dramatic conclusion. Recommended.
Enjoyed reading this novel. The heroine, Jessica, a council liaison officer with those of the Otherworlders, finds herself a target and is drawn into battle. Amongst everything else she fights her attraction for Sil, a vampire. Humour, hobnobs and hungry monsters push this story along at a fair pace to a dramatic conclusion. Recommended.
November 5, 2025
This is the first book that I have read by the author and I will definitely be reading more by them. I was hooked from the very first page and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. There was plenty of content and twists and turns to keep me interested and reading until the end. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
June 17, 2023
Intriguing
A love story full of angst, mystery and intrigue. A vampire and a supposed human hiding feelings for different reasons. But fighting for death other in the end.
A love story full of angst, mystery and intrigue. A vampire and a supposed human hiding feelings for different reasons. But fighting for death other in the end.
June 7, 2024
Super story
Si was a bit of a wimp but a sexy wimp. She turned into the strong one. Very clever story of love .
Si was a bit of a wimp but a sexy wimp. She turned into the strong one. Very clever story of love .
January 19, 2021
This was so much fun. Witty, romantic, the supernatural. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much as I did at some of Jessie’s inner monologues. The perfect escapist read.
March 1, 2013
Personally I blame Sarah Tranter. Having managed several decades (never mind how many!) without having the slightest interest in vampires, and having sat through the first two Twilight films, at the insistence of my daughter, with eyes glazed over with boredom, I picked up her novel "No Such Thing As Immortality" and loved it. Totally fell in love with her vampire hero, Nate, so much so that I actually watched Twilight Eclipse the other week and didn't fall asleep - although I still think those films are curiously lacking in passion. (Can't comment on the books as I haven't read them). Anyway, with Sarah busy working on her sequel, I decided I needed another vampire fix, and fast. And who has written a vampire novel but the writer of one of my favourite books, "Please Don't Stop The Music". Yes, Jane Lovering had turned her very capable hand to vampire fiction and so, of course, it was the obvious choice.
Well, it turns out "Vampire State of Mind" is actually better than "Please Don't Stop the Music", and, believe me, I wasn't expecting that. The heroine, Jessica, lives in an alternative York, where a rift has opened and allowed all sorts of otherworldly creatures in, such as werewolves, ghouls, zombies, shadows and, of course, vampires. Jess works for York City Council, and her job is to make sure that the otherworlders keep to the rules. After a terrible war with humans, a peace treaty was drawn up and the humans and otherworlders now live in relative peace, although neither side really trusts the other and there is a lot of prejudice on both sides.
Jess is a great heroine. She has humour, courage and compassion. Her relationship with her sidekick Liam is warm and trusting, with a great deal of gentle mickey-taking on both sides. Jess's one weakness is her feelings for the leader of the city's vampires, Sil, a sexy vampire with an inner demon. No, literally. You see, vampires in Jane Lovering's world, are humans that have been bitten by other vampires and "seeded" so that a demon grows inside them and lives within them. It is that demon that keeps them alive, craves human blood, and drives the vampire to indulge in rather unsavoury pursuits as it needs the adrenaline rush this produces. Luckily, a form of synthetic blood has been developed which can be bought freely and which staves off the need to drain humans, although certain clubs exist where willing humans can "donate" blood to eager vampires. As long as the blood is freely given no crime has been committed, and the vampire is able to withdraw before "seeding" takes place if the human doesn't wish to become a vampire, too. Sil frequents these clubs and is never short of company at them, something which fills Jess with disgust.
As with all ChocLit book we also get to see things from the hero's perspective, and it soon becomes clear that Sil is not the unemotional monster that Jess believes him to be. But Sil is determined to keep his feelings at bay, and Jess can't risk getting involved with a vampire who she believes will never love her, and never be satisfied with her.
When a stranger called Malfaire arrives in York, seeking out Jess, it triggers a series of events which leads to Jess and Sil having to work closely together. Jess, who sees herself as nothing more than a council worker doing her very poorly-paid and rather undervalued job, is shocked to discover her life is in danger. Someone wants her dead, but who? And why? The danger is growing, the uneasy truce is threatened, and both Jess and Sil have to come to terms with who they really are. "The stakes are high and very, very pointy"!
Told with a lot of humour, this book neverthless has a very dark edge to it, and there is some really passionate romance in there, too. The mystery of Malfaire is intriguing, and the mistrust and prejudice displayed by both humans and otherworlders is thought-provoking.
This novel is gripping, exciting, passionate and funny. It's a bit Harry Potter, a bit Buffy, but most of all it reminded me of the first two series of Torchwood. I absolutely loved it and can't wait to read Jane's next novel, Hubble Bubble. Hmm, wonder what that could be about?
Well, it turns out "Vampire State of Mind" is actually better than "Please Don't Stop the Music", and, believe me, I wasn't expecting that. The heroine, Jessica, lives in an alternative York, where a rift has opened and allowed all sorts of otherworldly creatures in, such as werewolves, ghouls, zombies, shadows and, of course, vampires. Jess works for York City Council, and her job is to make sure that the otherworlders keep to the rules. After a terrible war with humans, a peace treaty was drawn up and the humans and otherworlders now live in relative peace, although neither side really trusts the other and there is a lot of prejudice on both sides.
Jess is a great heroine. She has humour, courage and compassion. Her relationship with her sidekick Liam is warm and trusting, with a great deal of gentle mickey-taking on both sides. Jess's one weakness is her feelings for the leader of the city's vampires, Sil, a sexy vampire with an inner demon. No, literally. You see, vampires in Jane Lovering's world, are humans that have been bitten by other vampires and "seeded" so that a demon grows inside them and lives within them. It is that demon that keeps them alive, craves human blood, and drives the vampire to indulge in rather unsavoury pursuits as it needs the adrenaline rush this produces. Luckily, a form of synthetic blood has been developed which can be bought freely and which staves off the need to drain humans, although certain clubs exist where willing humans can "donate" blood to eager vampires. As long as the blood is freely given no crime has been committed, and the vampire is able to withdraw before "seeding" takes place if the human doesn't wish to become a vampire, too. Sil frequents these clubs and is never short of company at them, something which fills Jess with disgust.
As with all ChocLit book we also get to see things from the hero's perspective, and it soon becomes clear that Sil is not the unemotional monster that Jess believes him to be. But Sil is determined to keep his feelings at bay, and Jess can't risk getting involved with a vampire who she believes will never love her, and never be satisfied with her.
When a stranger called Malfaire arrives in York, seeking out Jess, it triggers a series of events which leads to Jess and Sil having to work closely together. Jess, who sees herself as nothing more than a council worker doing her very poorly-paid and rather undervalued job, is shocked to discover her life is in danger. Someone wants her dead, but who? And why? The danger is growing, the uneasy truce is threatened, and both Jess and Sil have to come to terms with who they really are. "The stakes are high and very, very pointy"!
Told with a lot of humour, this book neverthless has a very dark edge to it, and there is some really passionate romance in there, too. The mystery of Malfaire is intriguing, and the mistrust and prejudice displayed by both humans and otherworlders is thought-provoking.
This novel is gripping, exciting, passionate and funny. It's a bit Harry Potter, a bit Buffy, but most of all it reminded me of the first two series of Torchwood. I absolutely loved it and can't wait to read Jane's next novel, Hubble Bubble. Hmm, wonder what that could be about?
September 9, 2013
So I really enjoyed this - it felt like the start of a series, the world building was looking that way and then bish, bash, bosh it's all finished...
In 1910 a magnetic field shift resulted in beings from other worlds crossing to earth - beings such as vampires, werewolves, ghouls etc. In 1927 the Otherworlders and the humans engaged in a global war which only ended with the treaty of Aberystwyth in 1988.
Jessica is a put-upon council employee of York. Her job is to make sure the Otherworlders stay in their designated areas. Underpaid and overworked she and her colleague Liam are holed up in a grotty council office with substandard equipment.
Jess obviously has a 'thing' with one of the vampires, Sil, the ruler of York no less. A lot of strange things start to happen, a mild-mannered vampire deliberately leaves his territory to warn Jess. Two Enforcement Agents try to kill her and a strange Otherworld competition is mysteriously moved to York - all in a matter of days.
I enjoyed the York setting and the world building but everything felt a bit rushed, maybe because I was reading this in short bursts over a couple of days, things that would otherwise have taken at least several chapters are done in less than one. It felt as though all that world building had gone to waste.
Jess was well-written as a character, I understood her fears and anxieties but I didn't really feel the same about Sil. He seemed to be a mishmash of three or four different characters (or do I just mean he was inconsistent). I didn't understand his motivations or why he behaved the way he did – maybe I just thought his 'issue' was weak?
Anyway, but for the abrupt ending I would have given this a four star review but the unsatisfactory Sil situation together with the rushed ending dropped it down to a three – maybe three and a half.
This is the third of Jane Lovering's books that I have read – all are very different but very enjoyable.
In 1910 a magnetic field shift resulted in beings from other worlds crossing to earth - beings such as vampires, werewolves, ghouls etc. In 1927 the Otherworlders and the humans engaged in a global war which only ended with the treaty of Aberystwyth in 1988.
Jessica is a put-upon council employee of York. Her job is to make sure the Otherworlders stay in their designated areas. Underpaid and overworked she and her colleague Liam are holed up in a grotty council office with substandard equipment.
Jess obviously has a 'thing' with one of the vampires, Sil, the ruler of York no less. A lot of strange things start to happen, a mild-mannered vampire deliberately leaves his territory to warn Jess. Two Enforcement Agents try to kill her and a strange Otherworld competition is mysteriously moved to York - all in a matter of days.
I enjoyed the York setting and the world building but everything felt a bit rushed, maybe because I was reading this in short bursts over a couple of days, things that would otherwise have taken at least several chapters are done in less than one. It felt as though all that world building had gone to waste.
Jess was well-written as a character, I understood her fears and anxieties but I didn't really feel the same about Sil. He seemed to be a mishmash of three or four different characters (or do I just mean he was inconsistent). I didn't understand his motivations or why he behaved the way he did – maybe I just thought his 'issue' was weak?
Anyway, but for the abrupt ending I would have given this a four star review but the unsatisfactory Sil situation together with the rushed ending dropped it down to a three – maybe three and a half.
This is the third of Jane Lovering's books that I have read – all are very different but very enjoyable.
August 14, 2012
Vampire State of Mind by Jane Lovering
Jessica Grant knows vampires only too well. She runs the York Council tracker programme making sure that Otherworlders are all where they should be, keeps the filing in order and drinks far too much coffee. To Jess vampires are annoying and arrogant and far too sexy for their own good, particularly her ex-colleague Sil. When a demon turns up and threatens the equilibrium they must work together. The stakes are high, the challenge is great and to top it all off she’s falling in love…
This is my first vampire novel and therefore I had no pre-conceived ideas as to what to expect, I also had no knowledge of what is excepted or known about vampires (They can drink synthetic blood, live forever ect) and I managed to stay in this story. Lovering explains the things that the reader needs and in a way that keeps the pace of the novel moving.
As expected (because it’s from the Choc Lit library) this story has you laughing, empathising, understanding and really feeling the emotions of the characters. Lovering has a great knack at tying the reader in emotionally with all of the main characters and being able to see all points of view.
Terrific love story set within the Vampire world. Easily read and will make a great summer holiday read. Not to be missed.
The Commuting Bookworm 14/08/12
Jessica Grant knows vampires only too well. She runs the York Council tracker programme making sure that Otherworlders are all where they should be, keeps the filing in order and drinks far too much coffee. To Jess vampires are annoying and arrogant and far too sexy for their own good, particularly her ex-colleague Sil. When a demon turns up and threatens the equilibrium they must work together. The stakes are high, the challenge is great and to top it all off she’s falling in love…
This is my first vampire novel and therefore I had no pre-conceived ideas as to what to expect, I also had no knowledge of what is excepted or known about vampires (They can drink synthetic blood, live forever ect) and I managed to stay in this story. Lovering explains the things that the reader needs and in a way that keeps the pace of the novel moving.
As expected (because it’s from the Choc Lit library) this story has you laughing, empathising, understanding and really feeling the emotions of the characters. Lovering has a great knack at tying the reader in emotionally with all of the main characters and being able to see all points of view.
Terrific love story set within the Vampire world. Easily read and will make a great summer holiday read. Not to be missed.
The Commuting Bookworm 14/08/12
August 16, 2013
c2012: York, tracker, stakes, demon, threatens. This was truly a dire experience. I would like to put the blame wholly on the narrator of the audible version but there are some real problems with the characterisation and the plotting to boot. The narrator had a rather high youthful voice which really did not mesh with the main female character who was supposed to be 30 years old. There was not much variation of accent between the characters and I found it very hard on the ears. Unfortunately, it was the only book I had on CD for a rather long journey so I was somewhat stuck with it and getting more and more agitated. Would have I enjoyed the written version any better? Um, No - is the resounding answer. The heroine was superficially drawn and not actually a very nice person at all. Described as quirky by some readers, I respectfully disagree - describing your friend as chunky is not at all nice!! It is also very Brit-centric with lots of throw away comments that I am sure would go over international readers' heads. Not because of lack of intelligence, I hasten to add, but because you need to know how to reference some of the so called humour. Mentioning the humour - it does not even try to be subtle and seems over thought which of course renders most of the asides as irritating rather than amusing. So, all in all, I am unable to recommend.
March 26, 2014
Vampire State of mind is a new and inventive twist on the vampire genre. I really was impressed with this book! A time-slip opens in Wales and it is a door way to other dimensions filled with supernatural beings. They start filtering through to our world and cause havoc. The themes are very Lovecraftian as well as being alternative history at its best.
I can't remember when I highlighted so many paragraphs in a book before. There were so many funny lines, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. There was one line about using the television show "Buffy the vampire slayer" as an instructional video, that kept me giggling al day.
Jessica and Sil have a bizarre romance. At times it is more hate than love- but it adds another dimension to Sil's demonic symbiot. There is a lot of the man left behind in their to make an impact. There are some very tender scenes about redemption and salvation towards the end.
Vampire State of mind is a roller coaster ride of excitement with added pithy retorts. It is a must read for Anita Blake and Kelly Armstrong fans. Jessica Grant is fierce heroine that can not be missed. She is the Yorkshire version of Buffy.
This is Urban Fantasy at it finest and a new chapter in British Vampire Mythology. Jane Lovering injects her trademark humour and plenty of kickass.
I can't remember when I highlighted so many paragraphs in a book before. There were so many funny lines, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. There was one line about using the television show "Buffy the vampire slayer" as an instructional video, that kept me giggling al day.
Jessica and Sil have a bizarre romance. At times it is more hate than love- but it adds another dimension to Sil's demonic symbiot. There is a lot of the man left behind in their to make an impact. There are some very tender scenes about redemption and salvation towards the end.
Vampire State of mind is a roller coaster ride of excitement with added pithy retorts. It is a must read for Anita Blake and Kelly Armstrong fans. Jessica Grant is fierce heroine that can not be missed. She is the Yorkshire version of Buffy.
This is Urban Fantasy at it finest and a new chapter in British Vampire Mythology. Jane Lovering injects her trademark humour and plenty of kickass.
September 3, 2012
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...
I’ve been reluctant to read stories featuring vampires because lately they’ve all sounded the same. However, I’m glad I took a risk because Vampire State of Mind offers a whole new take on this sub-genre.
It’s part mystery, part paranormal romance with a dash of Sci-Fi. I loved the world Ms. Lovering created for this book. There’s been a war, a treaty was signed and now it seems like it’s back to normal but as you read further into the story you begin to wonder if that’s possible. The author did a great job putting me on the edge of my seat, wondering what was happening and what would happen next to disrupt the once peaceful society.
I found myself thrown into a world that on the one hand was very familiar, but yet foreign and unnerving. The dialogue was great and the interaction between everyone, even though it was paranormal, sounded realistic. The story is told in the first person that I felt added to the immediacy of both character and place.
And the icing on the cake was the sexual tension between Jessie and Sil. If like me you’ve been hesitant to read vampire stories, I’d say give this one a try because I think you’ll enjoy it.
I’ve been reluctant to read stories featuring vampires because lately they’ve all sounded the same. However, I’m glad I took a risk because Vampire State of Mind offers a whole new take on this sub-genre.
It’s part mystery, part paranormal romance with a dash of Sci-Fi. I loved the world Ms. Lovering created for this book. There’s been a war, a treaty was signed and now it seems like it’s back to normal but as you read further into the story you begin to wonder if that’s possible. The author did a great job putting me on the edge of my seat, wondering what was happening and what would happen next to disrupt the once peaceful society.
I found myself thrown into a world that on the one hand was very familiar, but yet foreign and unnerving. The dialogue was great and the interaction between everyone, even though it was paranormal, sounded realistic. The story is told in the first person that I felt added to the immediacy of both character and place.
And the icing on the cake was the sexual tension between Jessie and Sil. If like me you’ve been hesitant to read vampire stories, I’d say give this one a try because I think you’ll enjoy it.
July 27, 2014
Vampire State of Mind deals with vampires, humans and humanity. It’s dark and, in places, very funny. The world created is detailed and believable; Buffy meets Thursday Next in the best possible way. The Dead Run (a race run by Otherworlders) is just fabulous.
Jessie is a council official who ends up fighting to save the world. She’s a great character. She’s a strong woman who actually gets on with the business of being strong and kicking butt rather than just talking about it all the time. She also has a healthy respect for confectionery. My kind of heroine.
Sil is a powerful vampire who runs the city of York. He is tall and sexy and deeply conflicted as all good heroes are! At a certain level, he’s also rather sweet (for someone who drinks blood…)
The plot is fast and interesting. I was so gripped, I nearly singed myself trying to read and cook dinner at the same time. All in all, a great book. Loved it.
Jessie is a council official who ends up fighting to save the world. She’s a great character. She’s a strong woman who actually gets on with the business of being strong and kicking butt rather than just talking about it all the time. She also has a healthy respect for confectionery. My kind of heroine.
Sil is a powerful vampire who runs the city of York. He is tall and sexy and deeply conflicted as all good heroes are! At a certain level, he’s also rather sweet (for someone who drinks blood…)
The plot is fast and interesting. I was so gripped, I nearly singed myself trying to read and cook dinner at the same time. All in all, a great book. Loved it.
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