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Night Call #1
Blood Work
Matt Hawkins isn’t a wizard. He’s not a werewolf, either. He doesn’t talk to ghosts, though he thinks he might like to see one some day. Matt’s just an ordinary, everyday kind of guy. So why is the oldest and meanest vampire in town suddenly gunning—or should that be ‘fanging’?—for him?
Maybe it’s his social skills, or lack thereof—but it wasn’t his fault he lost his pants in the middle of the mall. Perhaps it’s because he’s on nickname basis with the ghoul in a local cemetery. Then there’s the outside chance it’s the fact Matt’s one half of the vampire slaying team that is Night Call.
His partner is Mercy, a pint sized fighting machine with a killer wardrobe—and she’s the only tame vampire in existence.
Still, none of that explains why tenacious PI Erin McRea is digging through all the nastiest moments of his history in an effort to find him.
And somehow Matt has to find the time to see his therapist about that little temper problem he has…
Maybe it’s his social skills, or lack thereof—but it wasn’t his fault he lost his pants in the middle of the mall. Perhaps it’s because he’s on nickname basis with the ghoul in a local cemetery. Then there’s the outside chance it’s the fact Matt’s one half of the vampire slaying team that is Night Call.
His partner is Mercy, a pint sized fighting machine with a killer wardrobe—and she’s the only tame vampire in existence.
Still, none of that explains why tenacious PI Erin McRea is digging through all the nastiest moments of his history in an effort to find him.
And somehow Matt has to find the time to see his therapist about that little temper problem he has…
ebook
First published April 12, 2014
71 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Hayward
21 books614 followersL.J. Hayward has been telling stories for most of her life, a good deal of them of the tall variety. She loves reading but doesn’t seem to have enough time between wanting to be a more disciplined writer, being the actual erratic writer she is, and working for dollars in a dungeon laboratory. She also lives on the Gold Coast in Queensland, but rarely sees a beach and can’t surf, though she thinks living on a houseboat might be fun. At least then she’d have an excuse to get a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 23, 2018
L.J. Heyward has done a great job with the first installment of the Night Call series. An Urban Fantasy thriller with plenty of action and two very well developed protagonists that play off against each other well.
Matt Hawkins, is kinda a paranormal "mr fixit/hitman" for any pesky monsters lurking around the place. He's very willing to take risks, almost suicidally so. After a tussel with vampires, we are introduced to P.I. Erin McRae and her mysterious and unwelcome new client. Her new job - find Matt Hawkins.
There are vampires galore, abominable ghouls, reports of trolls and badass werewolves of unusual origin. Lot's of villains to keep the good guys on their toes, and sometimes on their butts trying to recover before the next attack.
L.J. Hayward writes very well, with a strong professional style. The main characters are well drawn and nuanced. The plot is entertaining, and engaging. It's a fun read and I will be recommending this to my friends. I've already downloaded the sequel "Demon Dei" and will be reading it soon.
The one caveat - there is a deus ex machina in the plot - I pinged Stephen King a star for one in Salem's Lot, I can't do any less here.
EDIT: Well that's annoying. I thought I had pinged King a star for his DEM. Turned out I didn't. So this goes up to 5 stars.
4 5 stars - well earned.
Re-read this for the July BoM at Castle Dracula - still just as cool. I found the characters voices becoming more alive, distinct and nuanced the second time round.
P.S. Love the new cover.
Matt Hawkins, is kinda a paranormal "mr fixit/hitman" for any pesky monsters lurking around the place. He's very willing to take risks, almost suicidally so. After a tussel with vampires, we are introduced to P.I. Erin McRae and her mysterious and unwelcome new client. Her new job - find Matt Hawkins.
There are vampires galore, abominable ghouls, reports of trolls and badass werewolves of unusual origin. Lot's of villains to keep the good guys on their toes, and sometimes on their butts trying to recover before the next attack.
L.J. Hayward writes very well, with a strong professional style. The main characters are well drawn and nuanced. The plot is entertaining, and engaging. It's a fun read and I will be recommending this to my friends. I've already downloaded the sequel "Demon Dei" and will be reading it soon.
The one caveat - there is a deus ex machina in the plot - I pinged Stephen King a star for one in Salem's Lot, I can't do any less here.
EDIT: Well that's annoying. I thought I had pinged King a star for his DEM. Turned out I didn't. So this goes up to 5 stars.
Re-read this for the July BoM at Castle Dracula - still just as cool. I found the characters voices becoming more alive, distinct and nuanced the second time round.
P.S. Love the new cover.
August 3, 2017
I know this may be weird to say but, this is such a fun vampire book! It has such a fast pace, the characters are great and yet there is still enough blood to keep it grisly.
Matt Hawkins was a paramedic whose life changed dramatically after saving the life of a 9-year old girl, only to have her die in a horrific accident involving the ambulance they were in. He was the only survivor. Now in this book, vampires are separated into groups/clans/gangs which are “seen” as colors. Due to certain circumstances, Matt comes into possession of something that apparently these other vampires want……..enter P.I. Erin McRea. Erin is actually hired by one of these vampire leaders to find him. That, in essence, is the gist of the story.
I think one reason I like this book so much is because of the humor between the relationships. Both Matt and Erin have their trusty sidekicks and when they interact with them the conversations are fun and campy. (gave me a feel of the Buffy camaraderie) Plus there is enough background with these characters which gives them depth and dimension. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this book. Really glad to see it’s a series. :)
Matt Hawkins was a paramedic whose life changed dramatically after saving the life of a 9-year old girl, only to have her die in a horrific accident involving the ambulance they were in. He was the only survivor. Now in this book, vampires are separated into groups/clans/gangs which are “seen” as colors. Due to certain circumstances, Matt comes into possession of something that apparently these other vampires want……..enter P.I. Erin McRea. Erin is actually hired by one of these vampire leaders to find him. That, in essence, is the gist of the story.
I think one reason I like this book so much is because of the humor between the relationships. Both Matt and Erin have their trusty sidekicks and when they interact with them the conversations are fun and campy. (gave me a feel of the Buffy camaraderie) Plus there is enough background with these characters which gives them depth and dimension. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this book. Really glad to see it’s a series. :)
December 18, 2017
This Aussie urban fantasy was great fun to read!
Matt Hawkins has given up his day job as a paramedic to start his own business, Night Call, a specialised service to deal with those pesky vampires, werewolves and ghouls that might be bothering the mortal world. Matt is not a wizard but he does have a special bond with a young vampire, Mercy who he rescued just after her transformation and he is able to sense when paranormal creatures are around. His main weapons are traditional ones - holy water, garlic, silver bullets, but often adapted to modern times. And of course he does have Mercy to help fight off the nasties (as long as she's kept well fed). I'm glad to see there are already two more books in the series as I'm looking forward to reading more.
Matt Hawkins has given up his day job as a paramedic to start his own business, Night Call, a specialised service to deal with those pesky vampires, werewolves and ghouls that might be bothering the mortal world. Matt is not a wizard but he does have a special bond with a young vampire, Mercy who he rescued just after her transformation and he is able to sense when paranormal creatures are around. His main weapons are traditional ones - holy water, garlic, silver bullets, but often adapted to modern times. And of course he does have Mercy to help fight off the nasties (as long as she's kept well fed). I'm glad to see there are already two more books in the series as I'm looking forward to reading more.
December 30, 2016
Blood Work is the first book in the Night Call series by Australian author, L.J. Hayward. If you’re in south-east Queensland and you have a problem with vampires, weres, ghouls, imps and the like, Night Call is your best bet. Matt Hawkins will sort it all out for a reasonable fee. He has got a clever arsenal at his disposal, but his secret weapon is his tame vampire, Mercy. His anger management problem, the one that sees him go berserk now and then, comes in handy when he’s clearing a dozen freshly-made vampires from a paintball room.
Actually, those freshly-made vampires are a worry: lately there seem to be an awful lot more of them. And that’s not Matt’s only worry. Despite his efforts to stay under the radar, people are trying to track him down: there’s a three hundred year old vampire colonel, a refined English gentleman and an ex-cop PI. Matt’s pretty sure none of them wants to hire him, but it might have something to do with Mercy.
Hayward gives the reader a great fantasy plot with plenty of action, a generous helping of humour and an exciting climax. Her world building is subtly done, with no obvious info dumps. Her characters are appealing for all their flaws, and fans of Jim Hines and Jim Butcher’s work will recognise certain elements of Isaac Vainio and Harry Dresden in Matt Hawkins. But Matt’s an Aussie through and through with his classic black Monaro sporting NYT CLL plates, his home in Redcliffe and his liking for the odd beer.
The Brisbane setting will appeal to Australian readers, especially those from the Sunshine State, and this excellent debut (downloadable free from Smashwords) also contains the first three chapters of the second book in the series, Demon Dei. More of Matt Hawkins and co will be difficult to resist.
Actually, those freshly-made vampires are a worry: lately there seem to be an awful lot more of them. And that’s not Matt’s only worry. Despite his efforts to stay under the radar, people are trying to track him down: there’s a three hundred year old vampire colonel, a refined English gentleman and an ex-cop PI. Matt’s pretty sure none of them wants to hire him, but it might have something to do with Mercy.
Hayward gives the reader a great fantasy plot with plenty of action, a generous helping of humour and an exciting climax. Her world building is subtly done, with no obvious info dumps. Her characters are appealing for all their flaws, and fans of Jim Hines and Jim Butcher’s work will recognise certain elements of Isaac Vainio and Harry Dresden in Matt Hawkins. But Matt’s an Aussie through and through with his classic black Monaro sporting NYT CLL plates, his home in Redcliffe and his liking for the odd beer.
The Brisbane setting will appeal to Australian readers, especially those from the Sunshine State, and this excellent debut (downloadable free from Smashwords) also contains the first three chapters of the second book in the series, Demon Dei. More of Matt Hawkins and co will be difficult to resist.
September 8, 2021
פנטזיית אקשן נחמדה מאד וכיפית לקריאה. הייתי אומרת שזה איפשהו בין 3.5 ל-4 כוכבים. ההתחלה פחות מוצלחת בעיניי ודווקא מהאמצע והלאה הספר השתפר.
מאט הוקינס לקח על עצמו תפקיד קצת תמוה - הוא צד ונלחם בערפדים ושאר יצורים מיתיים, שמסתבר שמשוטטים בעולם, ללא ידיעתם של בני האדם. השותפה שלו לעסק בקטן הזה, שנקרא Night Call, היא מרסי, ערפדית צעירה ויפה, מכונת לחימה קטנה ומשומנת שהוא הציל ואימן להיות מתורבתת יחסית. עם דגש על היחסית.
מצטרף אליהם מדי פעם חבר שלו, רוברטס, שגם הוא איכשהו יוצר איתם לפעמים למשימות, או לפחות מציל את מאט, שמצליח כמעט להרוג את עצמו בכל פעם כשדברים משתבשים - שזה בערך כל הזמן.
עוד התמונה - ערפד חזק חדש מגיע לעיר ומנסה לצוד את מאט ולקבל ממנו משהו שיש לו (מה זה?) וחוקרת פרטית בשם ארין, שמטפלת בבן זוג חולה סרטן ובין לבין גם מחזיקה בעבודתה במשרד חקירות.
לקוחה מיסתורית ועשירה מגיעה למשרד קלה ומבקשת ממנ למצוא גבר נעדר, ללא קם וכמעט ללא פרטים מזהים. היא גם לא מוכנה להסביר למה היא מחפשת אותו, רק שהוא גנב ממנה משהו שלה. ארין יוצאת למצוד אחרי אותו גבר מיסתורי וחיפושים יביאו אותה למפגש עם מאט.
הספר הזה הזכיר לי קצת את הספרים של אנט מארי, שכתבה את רד ווינטר, שהיה מהדר ממש וחוץ ממנו עוד כמה פנטזיות שהיו חביבות, אבל לא בדיוק 5 כוכבים. אז גם הספר הזה ככה - הוא ממש נחמד והוא בהחלט משתפר ככל שמתקדמים, אבל עדיין לא מצאתי שהוא מרגש ברמות על או משהו.
קריאה נחמדה לחובבות הז׳אנר, הרבה אקשן, קרבות, קצת רומנטיקה ומי יודע… אולי זה נהיה מעניין ומורכב יוצר בספרי ההמשך.
מאט הוקינס לקח על עצמו תפקיד קצת תמוה - הוא צד ונלחם בערפדים ושאר יצורים מיתיים, שמסתבר שמשוטטים בעולם, ללא ידיעתם של בני האדם. השותפה שלו לעסק בקטן הזה, שנקרא Night Call, היא מרסי, ערפדית צעירה ויפה, מכונת לחימה קטנה ומשומנת שהוא הציל ואימן להיות מתורבתת יחסית. עם דגש על היחסית.
מצטרף אליהם מדי פעם חבר שלו, רוברטס, שגם הוא איכשהו יוצר איתם לפעמים למשימות, או לפחות מציל את מאט, שמצליח כמעט להרוג את עצמו בכל פעם כשדברים משתבשים - שזה בערך כל הזמן.
עוד התמונה - ערפד חזק חדש מגיע לעיר ומנסה לצוד את מאט ולקבל ממנו משהו שיש לו (מה זה?) וחוקרת פרטית בשם ארין, שמטפלת בבן זוג חולה סרטן ובין לבין גם מחזיקה בעבודתה במשרד חקירות.
לקוחה מיסתורית ועשירה מגיעה למשרד קלה ומבקשת ממנ למצוא גבר נעדר, ללא קם וכמעט ללא פרטים מזהים. היא גם לא מוכנה להסביר למה היא מחפשת אותו, רק שהוא גנב ממנה משהו שלה. ארין יוצאת למצוד אחרי אותו גבר מיסתורי וחיפושים יביאו אותה למפגש עם מאט.
הספר הזה הזכיר לי קצת את הספרים של אנט מארי, שכתבה את רד ווינטר, שהיה מהדר ממש וחוץ ממנו עוד כמה פנטזיות שהיו חביבות, אבל לא בדיוק 5 כוכבים. אז גם הספר הזה ככה - הוא ממש נחמד והוא בהחלט משתפר ככל שמתקדמים, אבל עדיין לא מצאתי שהוא מרגש ברמות על או משהו.
קריאה נחמדה לחובבות הז׳אנר, הרבה אקשן, קרבות, קצת רומנטיקה ומי יודע… אולי זה נהיה מעניין ומורכב יוצר בספרי ההמשך.
January 28, 2021
This ebook is still free on amazon, and certainly worth your time as far as value goes. I gave it a try because I've enjoyed the author's Death and the Devil series. This is quite different in that it is not a romance. It is very much a paranormal mystery in several senses of 'mystery'; I read the last dozen chapters last night and today, needing to know what happens. As befits a good start to a trilogy, I'm satisfied with where this novel ends, yet intrigued enough to continue reading the next one (soon).
I admire the writer's choices for this novel. Our MC, the Night Call berserker, is in first person, but the Private Investigator POV is in third. I laughed when I realized it, because it worked well so well for me that I only realized it belatedly.
I admire the writer's choices for this novel. Our MC, the Night Call berserker, is in first person, but the Private Investigator POV is in third. I laughed when I realized it, because it worked well so well for me that I only realized it belatedly.
July 31, 2017
I did not finish this book. sorry, it just wasn't grabbing a hold of me.
December 20, 2014
I discovered this novel by chance when, low on pennies to spend on reading material, I happened across this free book on Smashwords. And I'm so glad I did.
It's a substantial read, both in terms of length, plot line and characterisation. Written in both the first person and the third POV, which, incidentally, works rather well, the reader is able to engage with both the lead characters.
Set in Australia, which proves to be a welcome change from most of the urban fantasies/paranormal books which are USA based, there is plenty of action, and the story-line is strong and engrossing. The back story is complex and well-developed,adding richness to the plot, there is a hint of romance, and a seriously unusual take on vampires.
I was also pleased to see that there is a climax towards the end, which although is resolved, enough is left unsaid and undone to warrant another book in the series (which I believe may have already been written but not published yet).
This is a solid, well-written debut novel from Hayward and I hope to see more of her work in the future.
It's a substantial read, both in terms of length, plot line and characterisation. Written in both the first person and the third POV, which, incidentally, works rather well, the reader is able to engage with both the lead characters.
Set in Australia, which proves to be a welcome change from most of the urban fantasies/paranormal books which are USA based, there is plenty of action, and the story-line is strong and engrossing. The back story is complex and well-developed,adding richness to the plot, there is a hint of romance, and a seriously unusual take on vampires.
I was also pleased to see that there is a climax towards the end, which although is resolved, enough is left unsaid and undone to warrant another book in the series (which I believe may have already been written but not published yet).
This is a solid, well-written debut novel from Hayward and I hope to see more of her work in the future.
June 22, 2020
I just couldn’t bring myself to finish the last fifty or so pages and that almost never happens to me.
I think this book doesn’t know if it wants to be a serious or a funny vampire book. Why serious? Vampires are bloodthirsty killing machines, can turn to mindless hunters when hungry and aren’t romanticized (looking at you especially, Twilight). Why funny? They turn to friggin goo when they come in contact with garlic or holy water. Like, what the actual hell.
Then we have the two protagonists, Matthew Hawkins and Erin McRea. I liked both of them, they were ok. But here’s the thing: Matt’s story doesn’t have that much plot. He’s busy killing things, especially vampires, and being in pain the whole time. Not like it’s bad to be in pain, but the things he was capable of despite being in pain sometimes didn’t make sense. Erin is a private investigator and she and the people she communicates with during her investigation behave highly unprofessional. Like she talks to someone and they all just spill the beans. Who gives away (confidential) information that easily? Seems like everybody in this book does. The thing that irked me most was that, in hindsight, Erin’s part of the story was actually one big plot hole. Maybe because the story wouldn’t have needed Erin then. Yes, she is a big part of the book, but please find a better reason for her to be there.
I think this book doesn’t know if it wants to be a serious or a funny vampire book. Why serious? Vampires are bloodthirsty killing machines, can turn to mindless hunters when hungry and aren’t romanticized (looking at you especially, Twilight). Why funny? They turn to friggin goo when they come in contact with garlic or holy water. Like, what the actual hell.
Then we have the two protagonists, Matthew Hawkins and Erin McRea. I liked both of them, they were ok. But here’s the thing: Matt’s story doesn’t have that much plot. He’s busy killing things, especially vampires, and being in pain the whole time. Not like it’s bad to be in pain, but the things he was capable of despite being in pain sometimes didn’t make sense. Erin is a private investigator and she and the people she communicates with during her investigation behave highly unprofessional. Like she talks to someone and they all just spill the beans. Who gives away (confidential) information that easily? Seems like everybody in this book does. The thing that irked me most was that, in hindsight, Erin’s part of the story was actually one big plot hole. Maybe because the story wouldn’t have needed Erin then. Yes, she is a big part of the book, but please find a better reason for her to be there.
November 14, 2019
New to me author. This book was a paranormal/urban fantasy set in Queensland Australia. Main character was Matt Hawkins a slayer of other world beings. Complex twists and turns in this book with many smaller characters. I read more from this author.
May 13, 2015
Vampire Hunting Down Under
This is a fun action-packed take on the vampire hunting genre. Like Laurell K. Hamilton, Jeanniene Frost, and Patricia Briggs, the author creates a multi tiered paranormal world filled with goblins, psychics, werewolves, and of course, vampires. Original to this world are primals; immortal, body snatching forces of nature . Blood Work is an urban fiction with very little romance but with potential future pairings. I enjoyed it and am reading the second immediately!
This is a fun action-packed take on the vampire hunting genre. Like Laurell K. Hamilton, Jeanniene Frost, and Patricia Briggs, the author creates a multi tiered paranormal world filled with goblins, psychics, werewolves, and of course, vampires. Original to this world are primals; immortal, body snatching forces of nature . Blood Work is an urban fiction with very little romance but with potential future pairings. I enjoyed it and am reading the second immediately!
July 21, 2018
3.5 rating. I see flashes of the reasons why I love LJ Hayward as an author. A compelling story line, lively characters, and twists and turns that surprise the reader at various parts of the story.
But this is also an early work by the author. And as such, it's just not as strong as her current works are. The world isn't as fleshed out as it could be (it was hard for me to grasp the particulars of this world at times) and it was hard to follow plot through lines in places. As such, there were times when I found myself frustrated or confused as a reader. I still enjoyed reading this book and finished it in one sitting, but it was a good, but not great, read for me.
But since this book is a precursor that led to the books she's currently writing--it's gets a huge brava from me. Even here, Hayward reveals herself to be a bold storytelling and a risktaker. And again, she really did include some solid elements here that I really enjoyed (such as the Mercy and Roberts characters and some of the fight/action scenes).
Hayward's boldness, talent and gumption are worthy of being championed and cherished. While this book falls strictly into the non-romance paranormal/action genre, I hope she continues writing more m/m books in the future. She's definitely an author to watch. :)
But this is also an early work by the author. And as such, it's just not as strong as her current works are. The world isn't as fleshed out as it could be (it was hard for me to grasp the particulars of this world at times) and it was hard to follow plot through lines in places. As such, there were times when I found myself frustrated or confused as a reader. I still enjoyed reading this book and finished it in one sitting, but it was a good, but not great, read for me.
But since this book is a precursor that led to the books she's currently writing--it's gets a huge brava from me. Even here, Hayward reveals herself to be a bold storytelling and a risktaker. And again, she really did include some solid elements here that I really enjoyed (such as the Mercy and Roberts characters and some of the fight/action scenes).
Hayward's boldness, talent and gumption are worthy of being championed and cherished. While this book falls strictly into the non-romance paranormal/action genre, I hope she continues writing more m/m books in the future. She's definitely an author to watch. :)
February 25, 2018
Wow, this was an amazing read, even though not my usual m/m genre. Plus, it's free! On to #2 of the series.
October 11, 2014
Matt Hawkins lives in Australia. He's got a nice house, a flash car, and a dodgy left knee. He's also got a Desert Eagle that shoots holy water paintballs, the ability of astral projection, and a hungry vampire in his basement. He doesn't lead a very normal life (obviously).
This is the first UF novel I've read that's set in Australia, which made for a pleasant change from London, New York and Chicago. Though as a "Pommy" I was slightly disappointed that my preconceived idea of how Australians speak wasn't reinforced by any of the characters saying "Strewth!" or insulting someone by calling them a "flamin' galah".
Hawkins is an ex-paramedic who now makes a living killing supernatural creatures. He hasn't been at it long, and he's still learning his trade. However he's now reached the point where he's drawing too much of the wrong kind of attention, and he might not be ready to handle the sort of trouble that's seeking him out. Shame that his most bad-ass ally is a vampire rock singer who can't seem to decide whether to help him or eat him.
Following Hawkins' trail of destruction is private investigator and ex-cop Erin. She's been tasked with tracking him down by an enigmatic client who's very vague about her reasons for wanting him found. Erin's investigation starts to build up a picture of the man, and it's a pretty strange one. But Erin really isn't prepared for just how strange Hawkins' life really is...
This was a fun read. Hawkins isn't a goody two-shoes kind of hero; in fact, in some ways he's a bit of an arse. The book is split between Hawkins' POV, which is in the first person, and Erin's, which is in the third person. The difference between Hawkins' perception of himself and how he is perceived by others - notably Erin - is an interesting contrast. The bad guys are mostly vampires, who come in a variety of psychic "flavours", although there are some rather unpleasant ghouls and a very unusual werewolf in the mix as well. The plot rattles along nicely and builds to a suitably large-scale climax.
With my critic's hat on, I might say that there was perhaps too much stuff crammed in there, and it might have been pruned down a touch. Hawkins isn't an entirely sympathetic hero, which might be a downside of you like your protagonists of the gallant old school. And there were a few minor typos and errors here and there. But in all, nothing that would discourage me from picking up the sequel, which I'll be doing shortly!
This is the first UF novel I've read that's set in Australia, which made for a pleasant change from London, New York and Chicago. Though as a "Pommy" I was slightly disappointed that my preconceived idea of how Australians speak wasn't reinforced by any of the characters saying "Strewth!" or insulting someone by calling them a "flamin' galah".
Hawkins is an ex-paramedic who now makes a living killing supernatural creatures. He hasn't been at it long, and he's still learning his trade. However he's now reached the point where he's drawing too much of the wrong kind of attention, and he might not be ready to handle the sort of trouble that's seeking him out. Shame that his most bad-ass ally is a vampire rock singer who can't seem to decide whether to help him or eat him.
Following Hawkins' trail of destruction is private investigator and ex-cop Erin. She's been tasked with tracking him down by an enigmatic client who's very vague about her reasons for wanting him found. Erin's investigation starts to build up a picture of the man, and it's a pretty strange one. But Erin really isn't prepared for just how strange Hawkins' life really is...
This was a fun read. Hawkins isn't a goody two-shoes kind of hero; in fact, in some ways he's a bit of an arse. The book is split between Hawkins' POV, which is in the first person, and Erin's, which is in the third person. The difference between Hawkins' perception of himself and how he is perceived by others - notably Erin - is an interesting contrast. The bad guys are mostly vampires, who come in a variety of psychic "flavours", although there are some rather unpleasant ghouls and a very unusual werewolf in the mix as well. The plot rattles along nicely and builds to a suitably large-scale climax.
With my critic's hat on, I might say that there was perhaps too much stuff crammed in there, and it might have been pruned down a touch. Hawkins isn't an entirely sympathetic hero, which might be a downside of you like your protagonists of the gallant old school. And there were a few minor typos and errors here and there. But in all, nothing that would discourage me from picking up the sequel, which I'll be doing shortly!
September 7, 2015
This book was not only fun, it was also fast paced and full of action the whole time. I like how the author developed her characters in a way that not only felt real but also showed their struggles and triumphs throughout the book. This story is a great addition to the vampire hunting genre with its own distinct twist. Sometimes vampire books can feel repetitive, however, this author did an amazing job at creating a fresh story that remained interesting the entire time. In my opinion, this book is a must read and for vampire fans a real treat to add to your shelves.
T.C.
T.C.
November 14, 2014
Note: Blood Work is available FREE at Smashwords.
Once upon a time, urban fantasy was my favourite genre. I was reading it pretty much exclusively, always on the hunt for the Next Best Read. Then somewhere along the line, all the books started blurring into one. Cookie cutter plots, the same characters over and over, the same monsters with the same capabilities, the same love triangles. It got boring. So I stopped reading it.
Blood Work by L J Hayward is a refreshing change and has revived my love for Urban Fantasy. For a start, it's set in Australia, something I've only seen once before. I'm not sure if it's just Australian authors aren't writing UF, or they are writing it but setting it in some US city for the "market", or whether Aussie authors writing UF set in Australia just aren't coming across my radar. Blood Work is set in Brisbane & the Gold Coast (Queensland), and as I lived in Brisbane for a number of years before moving to this tiny Cow Town in the country, I would find a goofy grin on my face when the main character drives down Vulture Street, or hits a nightclub in Fortitude Valley, and I outright giggled when he mentions chasing a ghoul down Queen St Mall. Luckily, the unique Australian flavour doesn't sink into "Aussie Stereotypes" when it comes to the colloquialisms - there's no "strewth" or "cobber" or "cooee" (note to world: aussies do not, as a rule, call each other 'cobber' or say 'cooee' when approaching each other) There's a bit of Aussie slang here and there, but definitely not enough to confuse and bamboozle a non-Aussie reader.
At first glance, Blood Work seems to be another typical cookie-cutter UF plot - we have the main protagonist Matthew Hawkins, who is a paranormal/supernatural investigator. Or rather, a Supernatural Slayer. He hunts and kills vampires and ghouls and all creepy monsters. If you're plagued by Beasties that Go Bump in the Night, call the Night Caller. We have the "normal" human Private Investigator, Erin McRae, who has been hired by a Mysterious Woman to track down Matthew Hawkins, for reasons she doesn't know, and who is thrown into the deep end of the supernatural. We have Matthew's vampire sidekick, Mercy, a sexy gorgeous petite fairly-newly-turned vampire who lives with him.
But where it really breaks away from the mould, is in the characters backstories, and the refreshing take on Vampires. Matthew is a deeply flawed protagonist. He's not your square-jawed gorgeous Hero, who saves the world again and again. To put it bluntly, he's a bit of an arsehole. Particularly in the way he thinks of Mercy and how he sometimes treats her. In L J Hayward's world, vampires when newly turned are mindless automatons, driven only by their intense hunger, forgetting most of their previous life, unable to be controlled or think for themselves. And even as they mature, they still retain that mindlessness. In Matthew's mind, he "broke" Mercy and "trained" her to be more self-aware. He never fully trusts her, never really knows if she'll turn on him to sate her hunger for blood; he's not prepared to have Mercy live her own life away from him. To Matthew, Mercy making her own decisions and choices, and not killing him, is because HE has trained and conditioned her to be like that.
In Blood Work, Erin McRae is trying to track down Matthew Hawkins for her Mysterious Client, Matthew is discovering that Vampires may be more than he always thought and that killing them as he does, means they are starting to take notice of him, and there's a subplot of a werewolf that is entirely different to what I've read before. The point of view is told from Matthew himself, and also from Erin - which actually works quite well. We get more of a "feel" for Erin, the ex-cop PI, in her chapters, and it's interesting to see how she sees Matthew, as opposed to how he does himself.
I did feel that sometimes, there wasn't enough backstory tho. I'm unsure how Matthew discovered his "psychic" powers, or how he actually discovered the world of the supernatural (apart from when he saw Mercy turn into a vampire) and became a killer of beasties. Perhaps that's something that will get explored as the series goes on. Mercy herself doesn't seem a fully-fledged character either - I couldn't quite get a handle on her, other than she comes across as a pouty, sexkitten, young girl (even tho she's not that young). Matthew's backstory that Erin discovers seemed to be dealt with a bit shallowly - the tragic accident that cut short his paramedic career, and the assault incident in the nightclub related to that accident, almost seemed to be just "thrown in" to explain away his rage and temper issues, without being felt deeply or thought of by Matthew.
Still, those are often things that become clearer as a series continues, so I'm not too concerned. Blood Work is an excellent read, and it's a series that I definitely want to continue with. The second book "Demon Dei" is also available at Smashwords.
If you're an Aussie who loves UF, I recommend this, not just for the Aussie flavour. And if you're an UF reader who is looking for something a bit different to the rest, I also recommend it. A refreshing worldbuild, characters with interesting backstories, and a cracker of a plot, make Blood Work a must-add to your UF collection.
Once upon a time, urban fantasy was my favourite genre. I was reading it pretty much exclusively, always on the hunt for the Next Best Read. Then somewhere along the line, all the books started blurring into one. Cookie cutter plots, the same characters over and over, the same monsters with the same capabilities, the same love triangles. It got boring. So I stopped reading it.
Blood Work by L J Hayward is a refreshing change and has revived my love for Urban Fantasy. For a start, it's set in Australia, something I've only seen once before. I'm not sure if it's just Australian authors aren't writing UF, or they are writing it but setting it in some US city for the "market", or whether Aussie authors writing UF set in Australia just aren't coming across my radar. Blood Work is set in Brisbane & the Gold Coast (Queensland), and as I lived in Brisbane for a number of years before moving to this tiny Cow Town in the country, I would find a goofy grin on my face when the main character drives down Vulture Street, or hits a nightclub in Fortitude Valley, and I outright giggled when he mentions chasing a ghoul down Queen St Mall. Luckily, the unique Australian flavour doesn't sink into "Aussie Stereotypes" when it comes to the colloquialisms - there's no "strewth" or "cobber" or "cooee" (note to world: aussies do not, as a rule, call each other 'cobber' or say 'cooee' when approaching each other) There's a bit of Aussie slang here and there, but definitely not enough to confuse and bamboozle a non-Aussie reader.
At first glance, Blood Work seems to be another typical cookie-cutter UF plot - we have the main protagonist Matthew Hawkins, who is a paranormal/supernatural investigator. Or rather, a Supernatural Slayer. He hunts and kills vampires and ghouls and all creepy monsters. If you're plagued by Beasties that Go Bump in the Night, call the Night Caller. We have the "normal" human Private Investigator, Erin McRae, who has been hired by a Mysterious Woman to track down Matthew Hawkins, for reasons she doesn't know, and who is thrown into the deep end of the supernatural. We have Matthew's vampire sidekick, Mercy, a sexy gorgeous petite fairly-newly-turned vampire who lives with him.
But where it really breaks away from the mould, is in the characters backstories, and the refreshing take on Vampires. Matthew is a deeply flawed protagonist. He's not your square-jawed gorgeous Hero, who saves the world again and again. To put it bluntly, he's a bit of an arsehole. Particularly in the way he thinks of Mercy and how he sometimes treats her. In L J Hayward's world, vampires when newly turned are mindless automatons, driven only by their intense hunger, forgetting most of their previous life, unable to be controlled or think for themselves. And even as they mature, they still retain that mindlessness. In Matthew's mind, he "broke" Mercy and "trained" her to be more self-aware. He never fully trusts her, never really knows if she'll turn on him to sate her hunger for blood; he's not prepared to have Mercy live her own life away from him. To Matthew, Mercy making her own decisions and choices, and not killing him, is because HE has trained and conditioned her to be like that.
In Blood Work, Erin McRae is trying to track down Matthew Hawkins for her Mysterious Client, Matthew is discovering that Vampires may be more than he always thought and that killing them as he does, means they are starting to take notice of him, and there's a subplot of a werewolf that is entirely different to what I've read before. The point of view is told from Matthew himself, and also from Erin - which actually works quite well. We get more of a "feel" for Erin, the ex-cop PI, in her chapters, and it's interesting to see how she sees Matthew, as opposed to how he does himself.
I did feel that sometimes, there wasn't enough backstory tho. I'm unsure how Matthew discovered his "psychic" powers, or how he actually discovered the world of the supernatural (apart from when he saw Mercy turn into a vampire) and became a killer of beasties. Perhaps that's something that will get explored as the series goes on. Mercy herself doesn't seem a fully-fledged character either - I couldn't quite get a handle on her, other than she comes across as a pouty, sexkitten, young girl (even tho she's not that young). Matthew's backstory that Erin discovers seemed to be dealt with a bit shallowly - the tragic accident that cut short his paramedic career, and the assault incident in the nightclub related to that accident, almost seemed to be just "thrown in" to explain away his rage and temper issues, without being felt deeply or thought of by Matthew.
Still, those are often things that become clearer as a series continues, so I'm not too concerned. Blood Work is an excellent read, and it's a series that I definitely want to continue with. The second book "Demon Dei" is also available at Smashwords.
If you're an Aussie who loves UF, I recommend this, not just for the Aussie flavour. And if you're an UF reader who is looking for something a bit different to the rest, I also recommend it. A refreshing worldbuild, characters with interesting backstories, and a cracker of a plot, make Blood Work a must-add to your UF collection.
July 13, 2017
Really enjoyed reading Blood Work, very refreshing to read a Vampire/Supernatural book that's actually different to everything else out there.
July 5, 2018
Certainly NOT mm-rimance, but fun nevertheless ;)
October 16, 2015
“My name’s Matt Hawkins and I kill monsters for a living. Slay and pay.”
So begins L.J. Hayward’s Blood Work, the first in the Night Call series, an entertaining urban fantasy that features generous doses of noir, street-fighter, vampires, and humor, with touches of Men in Black – there’s a whole other world going on right under the populace’s noses, but there are special people working the shadows to keep them safe.
Hawkins hunts down supernatural beasties infesting Brisbane. With a nifty array of weaponry (holy water-infused paint balls, a night stick laced with garlic), he takes on the local vampire clans. He is something of a berserker. His impulsively violent temper has landed him some jail time as well as a court-appointed therapist. But it’s this berserker quality that serves him well in a fight.
Hawkins’ teammate is Mercy, a scrappy vampire (only two years turned), who is the true muscle of the outfit. And this is where Hayward brings a fresh look at vampires. Hers are both Old World and New World creatures, who use their psychic powers to inhibit their prey. While they will drink any type of blood, they do have compatibility issues and will go into a stupor if they drink the wrong type. They also have exceptionally long adolescence, not able to pass as human until they hit fifty years. In fact, the newly turned are like awkward adolescents, not quite mastering their instincts or their powers.
But Mercy is special: despite turning vampire only two years earlier, she has become an effective fighter. Hers is a curious learning curve, as Matt teaches her how to appear human. In her cage, she wears pajamas and watches Will Smith movies, but she lacks the ability to comprehend sarcasm. Out in the street, she is a hunter. Mercy is both self-sufficient and surprisingly vulnerable, and Matt feels increasing parental concern for her safety and welfare.
To complicate matters, there is Erin McRea, a private investigator hired by a mysterious client to hunt him down. As she is pulled into Hawkins’ fight with the vampires, she begins to discover all the supernatural goings-on of Brisbane. Not merely vampires but ghouls who act as snitches and dogs who are part werewolf.
While the action is definitely entertaining, it’s the personal interactions that give the story nice depth. Matt’s and Erin’s stories prove parallel: both are taking care of partners whose lives literally depend on them. Erin’s husband is dying of cancer, and Matt is the sole caretaker of a tamed vampire. With love comes responsibility, with all its costs.
Hayward knows how to bring backstory into the action. At no point does the plot come to a halt so the reader can get exposition. You learn about these characters as the story unfolds, with tempting bits of history. As Erin pieces together Matt’s past, you discover how he came to care for Mercy. And this is great storytelling: you’ve already witnessed the complexity of their relationship before you learn why they are together.
A fun read with nice surprises along the way.
The ebook edition had a sample of the second book in the series, Demon Dei. Just enough of a teaser to make me eager to get a copy.
So begins L.J. Hayward’s Blood Work, the first in the Night Call series, an entertaining urban fantasy that features generous doses of noir, street-fighter, vampires, and humor, with touches of Men in Black – there’s a whole other world going on right under the populace’s noses, but there are special people working the shadows to keep them safe.
Hawkins hunts down supernatural beasties infesting Brisbane. With a nifty array of weaponry (holy water-infused paint balls, a night stick laced with garlic), he takes on the local vampire clans. He is something of a berserker. His impulsively violent temper has landed him some jail time as well as a court-appointed therapist. But it’s this berserker quality that serves him well in a fight.
Hawkins’ teammate is Mercy, a scrappy vampire (only two years turned), who is the true muscle of the outfit. And this is where Hayward brings a fresh look at vampires. Hers are both Old World and New World creatures, who use their psychic powers to inhibit their prey. While they will drink any type of blood, they do have compatibility issues and will go into a stupor if they drink the wrong type. They also have exceptionally long adolescence, not able to pass as human until they hit fifty years. In fact, the newly turned are like awkward adolescents, not quite mastering their instincts or their powers.
But Mercy is special: despite turning vampire only two years earlier, she has become an effective fighter. Hers is a curious learning curve, as Matt teaches her how to appear human. In her cage, she wears pajamas and watches Will Smith movies, but she lacks the ability to comprehend sarcasm. Out in the street, she is a hunter. Mercy is both self-sufficient and surprisingly vulnerable, and Matt feels increasing parental concern for her safety and welfare.
To complicate matters, there is Erin McRea, a private investigator hired by a mysterious client to hunt him down. As she is pulled into Hawkins’ fight with the vampires, she begins to discover all the supernatural goings-on of Brisbane. Not merely vampires but ghouls who act as snitches and dogs who are part werewolf.
While the action is definitely entertaining, it’s the personal interactions that give the story nice depth. Matt’s and Erin’s stories prove parallel: both are taking care of partners whose lives literally depend on them. Erin’s husband is dying of cancer, and Matt is the sole caretaker of a tamed vampire. With love comes responsibility, with all its costs.
Hayward knows how to bring backstory into the action. At no point does the plot come to a halt so the reader can get exposition. You learn about these characters as the story unfolds, with tempting bits of history. As Erin pieces together Matt’s past, you discover how he came to care for Mercy. And this is great storytelling: you’ve already witnessed the complexity of their relationship before you learn why they are together.
A fun read with nice surprises along the way.
The ebook edition had a sample of the second book in the series, Demon Dei. Just enough of a teaser to make me eager to get a copy.
October 1, 2014
Vampires. Werewolves. Ghouls. I can’t recall a time in my earliest readings when these creatures were nothing but dangerous and avoiding them as much as possible was to be preferred. Despite a large number of paranormal romance novels smoothing the rough edges of these creatures and making them subject of exotic love affairs, reducing their threat to a flimsy state, there are still stories out there that return these beings to their menacing nature. The latest novel to fall into my arms and hinting at such a restoration is an urban fantasy by L.J. Hayward, “Blood Work”.
To a certain extent it seems the basic concept behind L.J. Hayward’s story is nothing we didn’t see before, a paranormal investigator draws the unwanted attention of a very powerful creature and the two chase each other in an attempt to bring their business to a conclusion. But there is more to “Blood Work” than this central plot leaves to be seen from the beginning. For starters we have Matthew Hawkins, the main character and the paranormal investigator in question, and it is Matt Hawkins who finds himself the subject of a private investigation as well, an enigmatic woman hiring a specialized company to discover his whereabouts. Approaching the main character from these two different angles gives L.J. Hayward the opportunity to place Matt Hawkins into the gray area of morality, he is a human being with qualities and flaws, courses of action we approve or disapprove, a temperament that could be appealing to some and appalling to others. Matthew Hawkins is as three-dimensional character as we can get and that forms one of the strong pillars on which “Blood Work” is supported.
The characterization draws power not only from Matt Hawkins being investigator and investigated, but also from the fact that these two sides are approached from different perspectives, L.J. Hayward switches between first person narrative in case of Matt Hawkins investigator and third person narrative in case of Matt Hawkins investigated. It is the perfect opportunity to create solid scaffolding for building a character. It is also an ideal entry point for another main character, in this situation Erin McRea. Not as developed as Matthew Hawkins she is still a welcomed and strong presence within the plot. Of course, Erin McRea does not benefit from two viewpoints in support of the character’s construction, but it is not this aspect preventing Erin reaching its full potential, but a couple of emotional elements left hanging. As is the case with one facet of Matt Hawkins, a relationship with his brother that is only hinted at and that it seems to have significance in regard of Matt’s character development.
My full review can be found at: http://darkwolfsfantasyreviews.blogsp...
To a certain extent it seems the basic concept behind L.J. Hayward’s story is nothing we didn’t see before, a paranormal investigator draws the unwanted attention of a very powerful creature and the two chase each other in an attempt to bring their business to a conclusion. But there is more to “Blood Work” than this central plot leaves to be seen from the beginning. For starters we have Matthew Hawkins, the main character and the paranormal investigator in question, and it is Matt Hawkins who finds himself the subject of a private investigation as well, an enigmatic woman hiring a specialized company to discover his whereabouts. Approaching the main character from these two different angles gives L.J. Hayward the opportunity to place Matt Hawkins into the gray area of morality, he is a human being with qualities and flaws, courses of action we approve or disapprove, a temperament that could be appealing to some and appalling to others. Matthew Hawkins is as three-dimensional character as we can get and that forms one of the strong pillars on which “Blood Work” is supported.
The characterization draws power not only from Matt Hawkins being investigator and investigated, but also from the fact that these two sides are approached from different perspectives, L.J. Hayward switches between first person narrative in case of Matt Hawkins investigator and third person narrative in case of Matt Hawkins investigated. It is the perfect opportunity to create solid scaffolding for building a character. It is also an ideal entry point for another main character, in this situation Erin McRea. Not as developed as Matthew Hawkins she is still a welcomed and strong presence within the plot. Of course, Erin McRea does not benefit from two viewpoints in support of the character’s construction, but it is not this aspect preventing Erin reaching its full potential, but a couple of emotional elements left hanging. As is the case with one facet of Matt Hawkins, a relationship with his brother that is only hinted at and that it seems to have significance in regard of Matt’s character development.
My full review can be found at: http://darkwolfsfantasyreviews.blogsp...
October 3, 2018
Meet Matt - grumpy, serious monster hunter, whose main mission in his life is his job. Mercy, his partner in crime, is a vampire. Matt hunts vampires. Add in dear, capable Erin, a P.I., whose was forced hired to find dear old Matt, and who is the romantic interest in the subplot. And let's not forget all those vampires, who want to mess with the monster hunter and thus create the very dense, solid plot.
First off, this is a really solid urban fantasy with really interesting world building and a clever, quite dense plot. I really liked the way vampires were built. The clans, sorted by their physic color/taste, are lead by their primals, who are like the forefathers/mothers of the vampires in this universe, and were also intriguing. I don't want to take away too much here, though, because I really enjoyed discovering more about said vampires, myself. I wished there was more about other supernatural characters though, but that's probably included in the next books.
The romance however, was nothing to write home about. While I loved the idea that Erin herself, the romantic interest, was still currently married, we never got much of her husband. He was like that cut-out cardboard saying "I'm here, now move on, reader". His personality? No clue. The reason Erin loves him? Nada. There's nothing about him. And while we do know more about Erin, there's not enough character depth for me to buy the romance. Same with Matt. While I loved the 5% of them bantering, it just wasn't enough. I wish authors wouldn't add in possible romantic subplots when they don't give time for said relationsships to develop. Especially if said couple only met once half the book is already over.
I'm a sucker for character depth. And while it was there, it unfortunately was barely enough to keep me reading. I want more than the bare essentials! F.e. there was a brother of Matt, who was mentioned exactly once. What's the deal with him? What about family? Neither Erin nor Matt talk about fathers, mothers or siblings. Neither aunts or uncles, cousins or whatever. I want to know quirks, little habits, all that stuff that makes characters come alive, make them interesting. Which makes me care whether said character bits the bullet or not. If you are like me, you'll not get that much out of the book.
If you don't mind the slightly lacking characters, but love a good plot, a dense story, solid characters and good worldbuilding, then I recommend this book for you :) Because it's a good book, no question about it.
First off, this is a really solid urban fantasy with really interesting world building and a clever, quite dense plot. I really liked the way vampires were built. The clans, sorted by their physic color/taste, are lead by their primals, who are like the forefathers/mothers of the vampires in this universe, and were also intriguing. I don't want to take away too much here, though, because I really enjoyed discovering more about said vampires, myself. I wished there was more about other supernatural characters though, but that's probably included in the next books.
The romance however, was nothing to write home about. While I loved the idea that Erin herself, the romantic interest, was still currently married, we never got much of her husband. He was like that cut-out cardboard saying "I'm here, now move on, reader". His personality? No clue. The reason Erin loves him? Nada. There's nothing about him. And while we do know more about Erin, there's not enough character depth for me to buy the romance. Same with Matt. While I loved the 5% of them bantering, it just wasn't enough. I wish authors wouldn't add in possible romantic subplots when they don't give time for said relationsships to develop. Especially if said couple only met once half the book is already over.
I'm a sucker for character depth. And while it was there, it unfortunately was barely enough to keep me reading. I want more than the bare essentials! F.e. there was a brother of Matt, who was mentioned exactly once. What's the deal with him? What about family? Neither Erin nor Matt talk about fathers, mothers or siblings. Neither aunts or uncles, cousins or whatever. I want to know quirks, little habits, all that stuff that makes characters come alive, make them interesting. Which makes me care whether said character bits the bullet or not. If you are like me, you'll not get that much out of the book.
If you don't mind the slightly lacking characters, but love a good plot, a dense story, solid characters and good worldbuilding, then I recommend this book for you :) Because it's a good book, no question about it.
April 19, 2014
Blood Work is a fast, fabulous read - a new take on vampires, with a young vamp as charming as she is dangerous, and the complicated man on a mission who keeps her captive.
L.J. Hayward is an expert at intriguing characters and cliff-hanger suspense. And it's all about the blood...
L.J. Hayward is an expert at intriguing characters and cliff-hanger suspense. And it's all about the blood...
March 3, 2018
Okay, that book was for me at first strange and unappealing then just plain boring.
December 23, 2018
Abandoned. Should have been compelling but wasn't. I got tied of reading about someone getting beaten up without forwarding the story appreciably.
June 25, 2021
This is the first book in :The Night Call book Series
This was a great start to a new urban paranormal fantasy Book Series I'm not gonna lie I'm still feeling my way around the main character Matt . I know that this Author is going for a broken anti hero who still has some humanity and it comes across mostly but the price thing kind of got on my nerves especially when the other primal /Aurum tried to school him . To me Matt didn't ask the right questions and his pride caused both the doctor and that kid their lives . Although I don't even know why the Reds went after the doctor it's not like he could have stopped them I thought that killing the doctor was just unnecessary because the doctor could have been a great Allie . And then there was the obsession with Merci that creeped me out and then Erin an
alright character but it seemed that everyone had some type of issue . Anywho I did enjoy this book but then I didn't I there where the usual tropes that I've read many times by other Authors . I'm hoping that the other books flush out these characters more don't get me wrong I do like the premise of this book I just think that the characters need more work to keep me coming back .
This was a great start to a new urban paranormal fantasy Book Series I'm not gonna lie I'm still feeling my way around the main character Matt . I know that this Author is going for a broken anti hero who still has some humanity and it comes across mostly but the price thing kind of got on my nerves especially when the other primal /Aurum tried to school him . To me Matt didn't ask the right questions and his pride caused both the doctor and that kid their lives . Although I don't even know why the Reds went after the doctor it's not like he could have stopped them I thought that killing the doctor was just unnecessary because the doctor could have been a great Allie . And then there was the obsession with Merci that creeped me out and then Erin an
alright character but it seemed that everyone had some type of issue . Anywho I did enjoy this book but then I didn't I there where the usual tropes that I've read many times by other Authors . I'm hoping that the other books flush out these characters more don't get me wrong I do like the premise of this book I just think that the characters need more work to keep me coming back .
Read
February 23, 2021I don't want to give this one stars because I didn't finish it, but it wasn't because the book is not good, I was just looking for something else.
When the desert eagle and the fast vehicles came out to play I was afraid this is going to be the first version of Eathan Blade but fortunately this wasn't the case. On the other hand unfortunately there is no romance in this book at all, I have no idea why would anyone tag it with the MM romance label...
When the desert eagle and the fast vehicles came out to play I was afraid this is going to be the first version of Eathan Blade but fortunately this wasn't the case. On the other hand unfortunately there is no romance in this book at all, I have no idea why would anyone tag it with the MM romance label...
March 20, 2021
Fun, fast paced. I didn’t love the first person narrative style, felt a bit awkward at times, but overall fairly good UF. Because it was shelved as MM I kept waiting for the surprise romance (Big Red???) but alas, no slash fiction developments.
April 6, 2018
Solid paranormal/urban fantasy story. A little on the long side, but overall well written and engaging. My interest waned a bit at the halfway mark. Will read book 2 after a break.
B-, no reread
B-, no reread
Read
October 1, 2019The book isn't bad if you don't read it thinking that this is a MM romance
March 9, 2020
A very interesting and fast paced urban fantasy, just like how I love it (very very low on romance and I hope it continues that way).
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