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Dardanos, Colorado #1
The Blood King
Librarian's note: This is an alternate cover edition of ASIN B005TDRJ70.
(First in the Dardanos, Co. series)
War was cruelty, cruelty was war. Sacrifices must be made by both sides.
Rydere Dardanos was king of the Dardaptos people—the race of beings responsible for the ancient vampire legends. He’d do anything to protect his people in the war between the Dardaptoans and all those named Taniss.
Emily Taniss was the new CEO of Taniss Industries, the company her grandfather started sixty years ago. The company responsible for so many horrific acts against the Dardaptoan people. Her grandfather’s actions held many repercussions for Emily and her cousins. It would take them years to straighten it all out.
But Emily didn’t have years, she had only moments.
Rydere saw the young woman’s death as a necessary sacrifice for his people. So many of his people had been lost at Taniss hands, her death was only fitting. Owed to his people. He didn’t have to like killing her, but he would do it. He held her small body clutched against him as he lowered his fangs toward her neck. He would make it easy on her, he would make it quick.
Until his first taste of her blood made it clear to him she wasn’t just a sacrifice. She was his destined mate...and queen of his people.
Now he would have to convince her of that...
(First in the Dardanos, Co. series)
War was cruelty, cruelty was war. Sacrifices must be made by both sides.
Rydere Dardanos was king of the Dardaptos people—the race of beings responsible for the ancient vampire legends. He’d do anything to protect his people in the war between the Dardaptoans and all those named Taniss.
Emily Taniss was the new CEO of Taniss Industries, the company her grandfather started sixty years ago. The company responsible for so many horrific acts against the Dardaptoan people. Her grandfather’s actions held many repercussions for Emily and her cousins. It would take them years to straighten it all out.
But Emily didn’t have years, she had only moments.
Rydere saw the young woman’s death as a necessary sacrifice for his people. So many of his people had been lost at Taniss hands, her death was only fitting. Owed to his people. He didn’t have to like killing her, but he would do it. He held her small body clutched against him as he lowered his fangs toward her neck. He would make it easy on her, he would make it quick.
Until his first taste of her blood made it clear to him she wasn’t just a sacrifice. She was his destined mate...and queen of his people.
Now he would have to convince her of that...
58 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2011
111 people are currently reading
608 people want to read
About the author
Calle J. Brookes
99 books381 followersWho is Calle Jaye Brookes?
Calle Jaye is fun, playful, ironic, professional and sophisticated. She’s super-educated in the field of fiction and would spend most of her time walking around in “Book World” (or”eBook World”).
Does she have slight control freak tendencies? Yep. Why else would she chose to self-publish?
In her day job she gets to read romance novels. In her night job she gets to write them!
Her favorite color is bold purple. She likes rock like Kid Rock, Shinedown, and Nickelback. Add in a bit of Anastacia and Adelle, too.
She collects rocks. Watches crime dramas. Abhors Lifetime Movies and Titanic (especially Leo…) and refuses to read or write about sparkly teen vampires.
She’s married to a cop she strongly suspects is a vampire. They’ve made vampire babies, too.
They live in Indiana with their vampire relatives and their vampire dogs.
Calle Jaye is fun, playful, ironic, professional and sophisticated. She’s super-educated in the field of fiction and would spend most of her time walking around in “Book World” (or”eBook World”).
Does she have slight control freak tendencies? Yep. Why else would she chose to self-publish?
In her day job she gets to read romance novels. In her night job she gets to write them!
Her favorite color is bold purple. She likes rock like Kid Rock, Shinedown, and Nickelback. Add in a bit of Anastacia and Adelle, too.
She collects rocks. Watches crime dramas. Abhors Lifetime Movies and Titanic (especially Leo…) and refuses to read or write about sparkly teen vampires.
She’s married to a cop she strongly suspects is a vampire. They’ve made vampire babies, too.
They live in Indiana with their vampire relatives and their vampire dogs.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 25, 2014
Well written and fast paced story about a Vampire King and the human he kidnaps for revenge.
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
August 11, 2013
This would have been so much better had it not been a short story. I really would like to have read about the details of the war and an actual ending to the story. It feels like someone tore off the last half of the book just as it got to the good part and I will never know the ending. Very disappointing.
November 30, 2011
http://www.romancenoveljunkies.com / for book lovers and readers.
4.5 STARS
BRIEF SUMMARY
Rydere is the king of his people; he is seeking revenge against the man who is responsible for the death of many. He plans to take the granddaughter and heir of the man he despised, Emily, and kill her. With proceeding with his plot to kill Emily, he discovers she is his life mate.
THOUGHTS
This story was so good for me. The meshing of the different characters also is what made me fell in love with this story. Emily and Rydere’s relationship from start to finish kept my interest. The moment Rydere discovers Emily is his mate, he tries everything to please her and makes her happy, even sacrifice her leaving him to make her happy. Emily is taken hostage against her will, but finds it hard to fight her calling as Rydere’s mate.
The other characters that the author gave us that really made this read more interesting, was Emily’s cousins. Her cousin’s Jose, Mal and Mickey, were all taken as well by Rydere’s men, Cormac, Aodhah, and Theo. Each pair of the characters fascinated me and I didn’t want their story to end. It felt like a very dark updated version of the movie, ‘Seven brides for Seven brothers’. Weird analogy, I know, but that’s what it felt like.
I had few disappointments. I don’t know what the author has plan for the series, but I hope the author explores each pair individually with their own books. I felt that there are many untold stories to be told with all the characters. The ending, I enjoyed it but wanted there to be more. I was really aiming for 5 stars, but when I reached the last page I felt a bit disappointed; I felt I had to break a star in half. I am really looking forward to this series and hope it is going in the direction I see it going in.
Storyline: GOOD
Intimacy: NONE
Enjoyment: GOOD
Website: http://www.romancenoveljunkies.com
4.5 STARS
BRIEF SUMMARY
Rydere is the king of his people; he is seeking revenge against the man who is responsible for the death of many. He plans to take the granddaughter and heir of the man he despised, Emily, and kill her. With proceeding with his plot to kill Emily, he discovers she is his life mate.
THOUGHTS
This story was so good for me. The meshing of the different characters also is what made me fell in love with this story. Emily and Rydere’s relationship from start to finish kept my interest. The moment Rydere discovers Emily is his mate, he tries everything to please her and makes her happy, even sacrifice her leaving him to make her happy. Emily is taken hostage against her will, but finds it hard to fight her calling as Rydere’s mate.
The other characters that the author gave us that really made this read more interesting, was Emily’s cousins. Her cousin’s Jose, Mal and Mickey, were all taken as well by Rydere’s men, Cormac, Aodhah, and Theo. Each pair of the characters fascinated me and I didn’t want their story to end. It felt like a very dark updated version of the movie, ‘Seven brides for Seven brothers’. Weird analogy, I know, but that’s what it felt like.
I had few disappointments. I don’t know what the author has plan for the series, but I hope the author explores each pair individually with their own books. I felt that there are many untold stories to be told with all the characters. The ending, I enjoyed it but wanted there to be more. I was really aiming for 5 stars, but when I reached the last page I felt a bit disappointed; I felt I had to break a star in half. I am really looking forward to this series and hope it is going in the direction I see it going in.
Storyline: GOOD
Intimacy: NONE
Enjoyment: GOOD
Website: http://www.romancenoveljunkies.com
February 6, 2013
I love vampire stories, but it's been awhile since I've actually read a really good one. This book was good, it had a lot going for it and was well written. The problem? It was a short story. . . .gggrrrr, I hate short stories. (I think I need to screen my nook book purchases a little better) There was so much more that could have/should have happened and I'm not sure why the author decided to take this great idea only as far as a short story. If Brookes ever decides to lengthen it, then I'm in to read it.
January 9, 2015
This was a good book. Even better since it was free. I always like it when I find free books that are actually good.
The vampire race and werewolves are different in the book than what most people think of them. It was a nice change. And it was nice to know that at least the vampires had some humanity in them.
The vampire race and werewolves are different in the book than what most people think of them. It was a nice change. And it was nice to know that at least the vampires had some humanity in them.
October 17, 2024
This Paranormal Vampire Romance is captivating. King Rydere Dardaptos is on a mission of vengeance when he captures Emily Taniss, the granddaughter of his people's greatest enemy. While he intended to kill her, it seems fate has tricked him (she's his long-awaited mate).
This theme, a Dardaptoan vampire finding their fated mate, is repeated multiple times in this series. The difference is how the woman is encouraged to understand and accept the concept. The moral is to insert other readings between the stories as each is entertaining.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Happily Ever After. Romantic. Scary. Tragic. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
This theme, a Dardaptoan vampire finding their fated mate, is repeated multiple times in this series. The difference is how the woman is encouraged to understand and accept the concept. The moral is to insert other readings between the stories as each is entertaining.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Happily Ever After. Romantic. Scary. Tragic. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
December 5, 2021
Too short. There's a lot going on and so much doesn't get explained because the book is just too short. You're left with questions and virtually no character development. Nothing feels very natural because it's incredibly rushed.
The story had a great concept and a lot of potential, but it reads more like the Cliffsnotes version of a story rather than the full novel.
The story had a great concept and a lot of potential, but it reads more like the Cliffsnotes version of a story rather than the full novel.
December 21, 2021
Emily and Rydere
Emily was the oldest Taniss grandchild, and ran her Grandfather's company. She meets King Rydere, when he kidnaps her, for vengeance on her Grandfather. Little do the Vampires know that the grandfather cares nothing for the granddaughters. But Emily is the Kings mate.
Emily was the oldest Taniss grandchild, and ran her Grandfather's company. She meets King Rydere, when he kidnaps her, for vengeance on her Grandfather. Little do the Vampires know that the grandfather cares nothing for the granddaughters. But Emily is the Kings mate.
March 26, 2018
This “book” was shorter than chapters I’ve read in other books! There was zero character development and the writing had no flow. Very disappointed that I actually paid money to read this!
May 16, 2019
Short, but fun. Not fully fleshed out, but show potential that further books in the series will arrive at.
October 9, 2022
Taken by the King, Book 2
Very good read. C. J. Brooks has a wonderful imagination
And as you can tell I enjoy her Book series.
Very good read. C. J. Brooks has a wonderful imagination
And as you can tell I enjoy her Book series.
September 19, 2021
3.5 - 3.75
November 3, 2022
I absolutely adore this amazing series.
February 16, 2015
I wish I'd checked the length of this before I started. This is not a novel, it's not even a novella. It's more like a few chapters and then the author got bored and just stopped. There was no ending! Not even one of those annoying cliffhangers. It just stopped in the weirdest place. it was rushed and nothing was really resolved. I expected that there would be some unresolved parts since I knew it was part of a series but generally in a series some of the story is resolved, particularly between the main couple. In this book, that just didn't really happen.
What really annoyed me though was the fact that what there was of the story was good! The style of writing was good as was the story line (although it could have used a more detailed plot). There was so much potential here. If only it had been developed properly.
What really annoyed me though was the fact that what there was of the story was good! The style of writing was good as was the story line (although it could have used a more detailed plot). There was so much potential here. If only it had been developed properly.
October 7, 2012
It had a little bit of everything you would love. A bad guy who has deeply wronged a race of people. A vampire king seeking revenge. Innocent women caught in the middle who are the mates of the vampires kidnapping them for vengeance. A little stockholm syndrome or them falling in love, not sure which. Werewolf bad guys getting their asses kicked. Whats not to love right?
I knew going in it was a short story but this was ridiculous it ended so abruptly that I went looking for the rest of the book. Nope that was it... so to sum up in one word DISAPPOINTING!! (It just needed a few paragraphs or a single chapter to finish it off.)
I liked the story idea and the characters and think it would make a good full length novel but as it stands it leaves something to be desired.
I knew going in it was a short story but this was ridiculous it ended so abruptly that I went looking for the rest of the book. Nope that was it... so to sum up in one word DISAPPOINTING!! (It just needed a few paragraphs or a single chapter to finish it off.)
I liked the story idea and the characters and think it would make a good full length novel but as it stands it leaves something to be desired.
July 5, 2016
Short and everywhere (Cliffhanger)
This could have been a good story but it was seriously too short. Way too many characters and not enough information to capture you to one set. I read this in a couple of hours. It was jumbled up and hard to keep track of who was speaking. Not including the area's of when events are taking placed, CONFUSING!
I loved the intensity, but as it built it was also just dropped and you are reading a different direction. You can't really connect with one character because of it being all over the place. Then BOOM, a whole new set of characters are added and you are left w/ a cliffhanger. Not my cup especially when I seen 13 books to this series. Sorry too many for such short stories that are so unconnected.
This could have been a good story but it was seriously too short. Way too many characters and not enough information to capture you to one set. I read this in a couple of hours. It was jumbled up and hard to keep track of who was speaking. Not including the area's of when events are taking placed, CONFUSING!
I loved the intensity, but as it built it was also just dropped and you are reading a different direction. You can't really connect with one character because of it being all over the place. Then BOOM, a whole new set of characters are added and you are left w/ a cliffhanger. Not my cup especially when I seen 13 books to this series. Sorry too many for such short stories that are so unconnected.
November 23, 2019
Intriguing enough that I looked into the rest of the series and had to bump this review to four stars. The first read-through there were a few gaps that left me scratching my head, but after completing the series I'm very pleased. I'll definitely be looking forward to more by this author. The only thing I would note to readers is that the books are not written in chronological order. I would love to see the author change the numbering of the books so that the series flows smoother for the reader as they move from book to book.
Recommended series.
Recommended series.
February 23, 2024
If you want to dip your toe into the world of Calle J Brookes and see if her world of the Dardanos vampires is for you, then why not try this free short story? Yes, it is a short story but it introduces a wealth of characters and background which has left me wanting more (surely the idea of a short story??)
There are enough reviews that dissect the story so I won't do that but I will just say that I really liked this story and definitely want to read more of the author's work.
* Verified Purchase - November 2012 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 4, 2013
There are enough reviews that dissect the story so I won't do that but I will just say that I really liked this story and definitely want to read more of the author's work.
* Verified Purchase - November 2012 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 4, 2013
January 20, 2013
The story was short, which i should have, but didn't, expect. The writing was clear, the story intriguing. My major problem came from the way the romance was handled. These girls were brutally kidnapped and held against their will and yet they fell in love with these monsters. I didn't feel their reactions were realistic or plausible given the little bit of story we were given. Had the author taken a little more time with portraying the characters emotions i think i could have given into the fiction of it, but as it was i just didn't feel their connection.
October 7, 2013
A group of female cousins related to an evil bad guy are kidnapped by a group of vengeance-seeking vampires who claim them as their mates. Stockholm syndrome ensures that after a vicious attack by werewolves, our conflicted couples will get it together in the end.
This is a short read, received free Amazon. The story felt rushed, stopped abruptly at the end, and definitely left me wanting more.
This is a short read, received free Amazon. The story felt rushed, stopped abruptly at the end, and definitely left me wanting more.
October 10, 2012
Very short, There was alot of talk of another book but i dont think i will be reading. Starts of with the King and all 3 of his subjects outside of his enemys compound. Its all hard to explain but they find their mate. The women try to escape, can't. Then they and then they are in love. Fast and not recommended.
November 2, 2012
Liked the story, but wish it was longer and didn't stop right when it got to the good part. How frustrating... Will look to see if the author has written more. Would like to know more of the other character's stories as well and some of the history of this world. Good story even thou it was so short...
July 29, 2016
It's not a bad read but I did not feel any connection to the characters nor did I really follow the story. It seemed like I was missing many parts and it was like skipping a chapter or two that were not there. I hope that this will be re-written to add more details and flow better. (This review is not intended to be mean.)
July 16, 2016
This short story/novella takes place concurrently with Live or Die. I read it after l read Live or Die and really enjoyed it. I think it could be a stand alone story. If you are interested in Calle's books, her shorts are a great way to check out her style and the world she has created.
November 25, 2020
Great story. Can’t wait for Mallory’s story. Leo Tannis obviously has no respect for his granddaughters despite the fact they all seem to be strong, capable women. This is Emily’s story, the heir apparent . The perfect match for a king.
Read
November 12, 2012waste of my time
July 18, 2013
This story was over before it even started. It was very short,not much to the plot except a guy trying to make his supposed mate happy.
August 2, 2013
Good concept but it ended abruptly just when it was getting good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews