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Thirst
A dark killer haunts the streets of Los Angeles, stalking unwilling victims and draining their blood. When the evidence runs dry, Detective Max Bowman quenches his thirst at his local bar hoping for inspiration. Instead, he’s robbed and left for dead in the alley. Waking up in the warm bed of horror novelist Carter Gray was the last thing he expected, but it may be the lead he needs. For Carter hides a dangerous secret behind his life as a bestselling author and it might be the answer, no matter how unbelievable, Max has been looking for.
But as they search for the killer, Max begins to wonder if he’s being led in circles by a mastermind of plot twists and deception.
But as they search for the killer, Max begins to wonder if he’s being led in circles by a mastermind of plot twists and deception.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
8 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Worrall
72 books414 followersI live in Leigh on Sea, a small seaside town just outside London on the coast of Essex, about ten minutes from Southend, which boasts the longest pier in the world. I live with my husband and two ever-growing children, who I let think are the boss of me; along with two dogs who actually are.
As the wonderful Beatrix Potter said, “There is something delicious about writing the first words of a new story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.” I know exactly what she means.
As the wonderful Beatrix Potter said, “There is something delicious about writing the first words of a new story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.” I know exactly what she means.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 23, 2012
Max Bowman made a big mistake. A cop should know better. But he let the pretty guy buy him one too many drinks then followed him out into the alley. And got the crap stomped out of him, robbed and left for dead.
When he wakes up, he is in bed. A strange man's bed. With only fuzzy memories of what happened to him. But the physical reminders will be with him for a while. Bruises, ribs sore as hell, barely able to stand at first.
Then he meets Carter, his savior. Intense. Gorgeous. Lethal.
When Carter tells Max he eliminated his attackers - killed them - the news staggers him. As does the knowledge that Carter is a vampire. A hundred year old sexy vampire who is immediately attracted to this...human.
Carter knows it's a mistake to not drain this man and eliminate the danger to himself. But he can't bring himself to. There is a connection there he cannot deny. So he send his home and trusts it is done.
But Max is not done with Carter yet. The connection they share is strong. A link. And he is shocked to find he can feel Carter's presence. This is a dangerous thing for Max, because he is investigating a string of murders where the victims are drained of blood.
Surely it can't be. Not Carter.
Unable to fight the connection, the two meet and the passion spills over. Neither expect it, but they cannot deny they are made for each other. Lust for each other. But is has no future, Carter thinks. He has no interest in seeing Max age and die, and he cannot bear to turn him.
But with danger breathing down on him from the vampire who made him, he may not be able to protect himself, let alone Max.
Will the two find a way to be together, or will Carter's past prove lethal? Will Max let his soul mate slip through his fingers? And will either live to see another day?
Lisa Worrall has crafted a smart and interesting story of soul deep connection and love against a backdrop of vampires, retribution and loss. This is a hot and sexy romance first and foremost, and we never forget it. Max and Carter steam the ink off the pages.
Ms. Worrall's strength lies in the characters she creates. Strong, wonderful and complete men who dare to love. Max is all bluster and cop attitude, but underneath a man searching for someone strong enough to make him his. And Carter, so resigned to his life and how it has to play out, but so wanting and needing of a connection.
The background characters are wonderfully written also. Lyle and Boyd add tension and interest. Especially Lyle. I would like to see his story told next.
Hot. Rich. Sexy.
Great job, and another great book from Ms. Worrall.
Tom
When he wakes up, he is in bed. A strange man's bed. With only fuzzy memories of what happened to him. But the physical reminders will be with him for a while. Bruises, ribs sore as hell, barely able to stand at first.
Then he meets Carter, his savior. Intense. Gorgeous. Lethal.
When Carter tells Max he eliminated his attackers - killed them - the news staggers him. As does the knowledge that Carter is a vampire. A hundred year old sexy vampire who is immediately attracted to this...human.
Carter knows it's a mistake to not drain this man and eliminate the danger to himself. But he can't bring himself to. There is a connection there he cannot deny. So he send his home and trusts it is done.
But Max is not done with Carter yet. The connection they share is strong. A link. And he is shocked to find he can feel Carter's presence. This is a dangerous thing for Max, because he is investigating a string of murders where the victims are drained of blood.
Surely it can't be. Not Carter.
Unable to fight the connection, the two meet and the passion spills over. Neither expect it, but they cannot deny they are made for each other. Lust for each other. But is has no future, Carter thinks. He has no interest in seeing Max age and die, and he cannot bear to turn him.
But with danger breathing down on him from the vampire who made him, he may not be able to protect himself, let alone Max.
Will the two find a way to be together, or will Carter's past prove lethal? Will Max let his soul mate slip through his fingers? And will either live to see another day?
Lisa Worrall has crafted a smart and interesting story of soul deep connection and love against a backdrop of vampires, retribution and loss. This is a hot and sexy romance first and foremost, and we never forget it. Max and Carter steam the ink off the pages.
Ms. Worrall's strength lies in the characters she creates. Strong, wonderful and complete men who dare to love. Max is all bluster and cop attitude, but underneath a man searching for someone strong enough to make him his. And Carter, so resigned to his life and how it has to play out, but so wanting and needing of a connection.
The background characters are wonderfully written also. Lyle and Boyd add tension and interest. Especially Lyle. I would like to see his story told next.
Hot. Rich. Sexy.
Great job, and another great book from Ms. Worrall.
Tom
May 7, 2015
It has been a long time since I read a vampire story. Boy, am I glad I broke my fast with this one. THIRST is a terrific book! It's sexy, hot, exciting, exquisitely written, and spooky as hell. Lisa Worrall did a wonderful job of hurling her reader into a stunning world of hunger, passion, bloodthirsty romance, and a male on male love affair like I've never read before. It was a love affair that transcends life, and when an author can pull that off I think they've accomplished something. THIRST has enough horror to please the horror fans, and enough romance to please the romance fans. And let's not forget Maria Fanning's fabulous cover. It's perfect. I really enjoyed this one.
January 23, 2012
For those who are worried about the warning of M/F scene or dislike girly bits on M/M story, I believe it's not significant: SPOILER: The female is one of Carter's (the vampire) victim, as he drained her after having sex with her, in order to 'banish' Max (the cop) from his mind. It's only several paragraphs, she doesn't even have a name, so I believe she's basically unimportant.
Okay, that is done, now onto what I think of the story. I like how Carter is portrayed; he's not a vampire with good morale. He is a vampire, so he hunts and kills his prey. No regrets on that. I also quite like the bad guy in the end, with his snark and (again) unapologetic attitude; he's a monster, but he's good at what he does.
Other than that, I'm bit ambivalent. I think Max, is weakly portrayed as a cop. Actually, he can be ANYTHING but a cop. Max starts the story being a victim of bashing (he's a cop, shouldn't he be suspicious by nature, including with his dates?). Then the rest of the story, he spends his time either questioning about his attraction to Carter or mooning over him and he 'quickly' accepts Carter's admission of murder (even if there's some internal monologue, but Max comes back to Carter quite fast). I have to admit, personally, that is not attractive. I can't help it, I love my thriller/suspense/mystery genre so with a cop character, I am wishing for more spine. So let's just say, cue eyes rolling most of the time.
The sex is hot, but after awhile, I skim them -- I'm always a "more story rather than more sex" kind of a reader. Considering how it ends, I feel sorry for those murder victims as their murders will definitely considered as "unsolved".
PS: The editing is better than the previous Silver Publishing book I read, but I still catch one example of bad editing: You're a cop, you're life's ambition is to save people. Isn't it supposed to be "your life's ambition?" not "you're"?
Okay, that is done, now onto what I think of the story. I like how Carter is portrayed; he's not a vampire with good morale. He is a vampire, so he hunts and kills his prey. No regrets on that. I also quite like the bad guy in the end, with his snark and (again) unapologetic attitude; he's a monster, but he's good at what he does.
Other than that, I'm bit ambivalent. I think Max, is weakly portrayed as a cop. Actually, he can be ANYTHING but a cop. Max starts the story being a victim of bashing (he's a cop, shouldn't he be suspicious by nature, including with his dates?). Then the rest of the story, he spends his time either questioning about his attraction to Carter or mooning over him and he 'quickly' accepts Carter's admission of murder (even if there's some internal monologue, but Max comes back to Carter quite fast). I have to admit, personally, that is not attractive. I can't help it, I love my thriller/suspense/mystery genre so with a cop character, I am wishing for more spine. So let's just say, cue eyes rolling most of the time.
The sex is hot, but after awhile, I skim them -- I'm always a "more story rather than more sex" kind of a reader. Considering how it ends, I feel sorry for those murder victims as their murders will definitely considered as "unsolved".
PS: The editing is better than the previous Silver Publishing book I read, but I still catch one example of bad editing: You're a cop, you're life's ambition is to save people. Isn't it supposed to be "your life's ambition?" not "you're"?
January 29, 2012
I had a hard time with this fast paced vampire romance thanks to the inconsistent - almost schizophrenic - behaviour of the characters.The big,bad cop went from weak to tough and back again,the vampire from lethal and icy-cold to lovesick puppy and back - the one and only steady character in the story was Carter`s valet Gordon.But what bothered me most was the end.Unimaginable cruelty and viciousness was excused with a clap on the shoulder and an "Oh,sorry - I was wrong,let`s go our seperate ways"!! Huh? My revengeful heart was NOT satisfied...
Many sex scenes with an "ouch!" here and there that slightly disrupted the flow of the story at times.Overall an o.k. - read.
Many sex scenes with an "ouch!" here and there that slightly disrupted the flow of the story at times.Overall an o.k. - read.
January 23, 2012
A neat twist on a vampire story here. Detective Max Bowman is working a case looking for what seems to be a serial killer. He is jumped one night and beaten badly by two guys. Max wakes up in a bedroom feeling like hell but has no clue where he is. Carter Gray, renown author and vampire, walks into his bedroom to check on Max and wham there's a connection between the two men. Carter plans on drinking Max dry so he tells Max about how he rescued him and killed his two attackers. This is not a case of insta-love but both Carter and Max feel differently and blame the other for those feelings. When the two men finally realize that they are soul mates the action between those silk sheets doesn't stop. The story has a couple of flashbacks to the time Carter spent with his sire which explains a lot of the mystery. I'll leave that up to the reader to discover instead of writing a spoiler. There is one short m/f scene where a woman is being sucked dry by a vampire during sex but it's no big deal. The story is very well written and the ending is full of surprises. This is a must read for any vampire fan.
February 6, 2012
This book was OK. It seemed rather flat, sometimes even amateurish, to me at least. It's 2 stars, because the beginning wasn't all that bad. In fact, the first ~30-40% were somewhat enjoyable. After that not so much anymore, unfortunately...
The characterisation is rather sketchy and, in my opinion, inconsistent. I never really got a feeling for the MCs, I didn't get to know them, although having read a whole book about them.
There were just things that didn't seem realistic/logical (or stupid). I know, this is fantasy, but a story and its characters have to be consistent and logical in itself.
So, just to be fair, I should mention that I'm not the greatest vampire/werewolves fan in general--in the M/M genre, that is. It just doesn't seem to work for me, because I always find something illogical that keeps nagging and nagging in the back of my mind during the read. ;)
Then, most of them are always so damn corny, lacking plot and character depth. Less plot-driven, but sex-driven. Not my taste, at all.
This story was, admittedly, not as bad as many others of its genre--hence the 2 stars. Although it wasn't awful, it just wasn't really my thing.
If you're a fan of M/M vamps and wolves fiction (and like the stuff that's out there), then please, don't mind me and read this book. I'm very sure many of you'll enjoy it. :)
The characterisation is rather sketchy and, in my opinion, inconsistent. I never really got a feeling for the MCs, I didn't get to know them, although having read a whole book about them.
There were just things that didn't seem realistic/logical (or stupid). I know, this is fantasy, but a story and its characters have to be consistent and logical in itself.
So, just to be fair, I should mention that I'm not the greatest vampire/werewolves fan in general--in the M/M genre, that is. It just doesn't seem to work for me, because I always find something illogical that keeps nagging and nagging in the back of my mind during the read. ;)
Then, most of them are always so damn corny, lacking plot and character depth. Less plot-driven, but sex-driven. Not my taste, at all.
This story was, admittedly, not as bad as many others of its genre--hence the 2 stars. Although it wasn't awful, it just wasn't really my thing.
If you're a fan of M/M vamps and wolves fiction (and like the stuff that's out there), then please, don't mind me and read this book. I'm very sure many of you'll enjoy it. :)
April 17, 2012
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews and can also be found there.
THIRST is one of those books that will surprise you with details that most authors would avoid writing about. I wouldn't say it's unique, but it is certainly something you don't see in many vampire books mostly because readers can be harsh and aren't very forgiving when it comes to moral issues.
Max is a detective who is attacked one night and then rescued by a stranger. He's investigating a series of killings where the bodies have been drained of blood and mutilated and it doesn't take him long to realize his mysterious stranger might be related to the crimes.
I was mostly intrigued by this book because it was unconventional and I was interested in the ending. I can't say it held my attention at all times and I certainly didn't love every part of it, but the harsh vampire reality was refreshing among the romanticized versions other books have to offer.
Carter is pretty vicious and has no remorse whatsoever. He actually kills his victims nightly and has no intention of stopping. Max is a bit of a conflicting character. He changed his mind way too often for my taste and his relationship with Charter had that on/off quality which just didn't work for me. Some parts of the book seemed added for the pure convenience and others made no sense even with the explanations. The plot just wasn't as tight as I'd expected it to be as the guys could have handled their situation better.
I was actually thinking about rating this with two stars because I stopped reading too many times and ultimately did have to force myself to finish, but then, there at the end, I got to meet Lyle and he was just as intriguing as the beginning of this book and made me laugh a few times in a pretty limited amount of page space. In addition there was a really touching scene that made me tear up and a book that does provoke a reaction certainly isn't a two star read.
I did like the boldness of this author and will to just go ahead with the idea no matter the objections. I love the harsher sides of books and I have to say this author has some real potential. I wouldn't mind reading another paranormal with more refined characters and a stronger connection. If there's a sadistic strike in it – even better.
THIRST is one of those books that will surprise you with details that most authors would avoid writing about. I wouldn't say it's unique, but it is certainly something you don't see in many vampire books mostly because readers can be harsh and aren't very forgiving when it comes to moral issues.
Max is a detective who is attacked one night and then rescued by a stranger. He's investigating a series of killings where the bodies have been drained of blood and mutilated and it doesn't take him long to realize his mysterious stranger might be related to the crimes.
I was mostly intrigued by this book because it was unconventional and I was interested in the ending. I can't say it held my attention at all times and I certainly didn't love every part of it, but the harsh vampire reality was refreshing among the romanticized versions other books have to offer.
Carter is pretty vicious and has no remorse whatsoever. He actually kills his victims nightly and has no intention of stopping. Max is a bit of a conflicting character. He changed his mind way too often for my taste and his relationship with Charter had that on/off quality which just didn't work for me. Some parts of the book seemed added for the pure convenience and others made no sense even with the explanations. The plot just wasn't as tight as I'd expected it to be as the guys could have handled their situation better.
I was actually thinking about rating this with two stars because I stopped reading too many times and ultimately did have to force myself to finish, but then, there at the end, I got to meet Lyle and he was just as intriguing as the beginning of this book and made me laugh a few times in a pretty limited amount of page space. In addition there was a really touching scene that made me tear up and a book that does provoke a reaction certainly isn't a two star read.
I did like the boldness of this author and will to just go ahead with the idea no matter the objections. I love the harsher sides of books and I have to say this author has some real potential. I wouldn't mind reading another paranormal with more refined characters and a stronger connection. If there's a sadistic strike in it – even better.
June 14, 2012
4 Hearts
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Max is attacked after he picks up a guy in a bar; just as everything goes black he is rescued. Carter doesn’t know what came over him when he rescued the guy from the bar and what’s worse he wasn’t able to drain him dry, now he has the sexy man in his bed asking him questions.
This is a well written novel with the concept of vampires always draining their prey. Carter has been around for a while now and his sire taught him to cover up his kills well, but when a man is attacked and he comes to the rescue he tosses his prey away carelessly. Max is the man he rescued, a detective who is hunting a serial killer. Max asks questions but the answers he gets are hard to believe, but when the bodies of the two men that attacked him are recovered he learns that things are not quite as they seem.
Carter and Max are both surprised by their reaction to each other and as they get to know each other Carter begins to realize that his past has caught up with him and he has put Max in grave danger. Max is drawn to Carter, but he is a detective and Carter a killer. How can he reconcile the two? Max and Carter make a passionate and erotic couple, both trying to fight what they feel, but unable to.
Now there is a warning that there is a m/f scene and to be honest with you I found it easy to discount because it was a case of Carter playing with his food. it had no bearing on the story other than as a way for Carter to eat and to try to get his mind away from Max. I thought Lyle and Boyd were very well written, but I wanted a more violent confrontation between Cater and Lyle when the truth emerged (I am bloodthirsty ), the ending could have been left open for Lyle’s story but we will just have to wait and see.
So all in all I have to recommend this to those who love darker vampires, scorching sex, conflicted emotions, vampires bent on revenge and a great story-line and a happy ending.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Max is attacked after he picks up a guy in a bar; just as everything goes black he is rescued. Carter doesn’t know what came over him when he rescued the guy from the bar and what’s worse he wasn’t able to drain him dry, now he has the sexy man in his bed asking him questions.
This is a well written novel with the concept of vampires always draining their prey. Carter has been around for a while now and his sire taught him to cover up his kills well, but when a man is attacked and he comes to the rescue he tosses his prey away carelessly. Max is the man he rescued, a detective who is hunting a serial killer. Max asks questions but the answers he gets are hard to believe, but when the bodies of the two men that attacked him are recovered he learns that things are not quite as they seem.
Carter and Max are both surprised by their reaction to each other and as they get to know each other Carter begins to realize that his past has caught up with him and he has put Max in grave danger. Max is drawn to Carter, but he is a detective and Carter a killer. How can he reconcile the two? Max and Carter make a passionate and erotic couple, both trying to fight what they feel, but unable to.
Now there is a warning that there is a m/f scene and to be honest with you I found it easy to discount because it was a case of Carter playing with his food. it had no bearing on the story other than as a way for Carter to eat and to try to get his mind away from Max. I thought Lyle and Boyd were very well written, but I wanted a more violent confrontation between Cater and Lyle when the truth emerged (I am bloodthirsty ), the ending could have been left open for Lyle’s story but we will just have to wait and see.
So all in all I have to recommend this to those who love darker vampires, scorching sex, conflicted emotions, vampires bent on revenge and a great story-line and a happy ending.
February 22, 2012
3.5 stars.
Thirst has one of my favorite tropes in a paranormal romance: a vampire in love with a human. In this incarnation, Detective Max Bowman is saved from being gay-bashed to death by vampire Carter Gray. Once he learns Carter’s secret, Max is determined to get the other man to help him track a serial killer who is more than likely a vampire too. Carter wants to resist, but Max’s charms are considerable.
What I liked about Thirst was that Carter was not a Twilight-like vampire. No, Carter likes killing, makes no apologies for it and demands Max accept him for what he is: a monster. There are no vegetarian vampires in this novel! Carter’s dark side was a nice change from the usual brooding, guilt-ridden vampires you get in this genre. Plus the chemistry between Max and Carter was so hot, I think my Kindle nearly caught fire a couple of times.
However, despite my love of dark vampires, there were a few issues I had with the book. First, there was too much sex and not enough relationship development for me. I understand that Max and Carter were attracted to each other, but I wasn’t sure why they were in love with one another. Also, if you prefer your love interests to be faithful to each other as soon as they meet, you’ll be disappointed by Thirst, as Max and Carter do have sex with others, including women.
Second, the antagonist in the book is pure evil for a good 90% of the novel, then towards the end, the author tries to redeem him, which seemed a stretch for me. I didn’t buy it. Third, the book needed to be tightened up, the plot could have been cut by 15% and still been taught and suspenseful.
Overall, this is not my favorite Lisa Worrall book, but it was a fun read on a lazy afternoon, especially if you like vampires who don’t sparkle.
Dark Divas Reviews
Thirst has one of my favorite tropes in a paranormal romance: a vampire in love with a human. In this incarnation, Detective Max Bowman is saved from being gay-bashed to death by vampire Carter Gray. Once he learns Carter’s secret, Max is determined to get the other man to help him track a serial killer who is more than likely a vampire too. Carter wants to resist, but Max’s charms are considerable.
What I liked about Thirst was that Carter was not a Twilight-like vampire. No, Carter likes killing, makes no apologies for it and demands Max accept him for what he is: a monster. There are no vegetarian vampires in this novel! Carter’s dark side was a nice change from the usual brooding, guilt-ridden vampires you get in this genre. Plus the chemistry between Max and Carter was so hot, I think my Kindle nearly caught fire a couple of times.
However, despite my love of dark vampires, there were a few issues I had with the book. First, there was too much sex and not enough relationship development for me. I understand that Max and Carter were attracted to each other, but I wasn’t sure why they were in love with one another. Also, if you prefer your love interests to be faithful to each other as soon as they meet, you’ll be disappointed by Thirst, as Max and Carter do have sex with others, including women.
Second, the antagonist in the book is pure evil for a good 90% of the novel, then towards the end, the author tries to redeem him, which seemed a stretch for me. I didn’t buy it. Third, the book needed to be tightened up, the plot could have been cut by 15% and still been taught and suspenseful.
Overall, this is not my favorite Lisa Worrall book, but it was a fun read on a lazy afternoon, especially if you like vampires who don’t sparkle.
Dark Divas Reviews
October 21, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.25 stars
So I was drawn to this story as an different spin on the usual vampire fare. I assumed (incorrectly) after reading the blurb that Carter was the killer Max was searching for, and I was looking forward to some dark and twisty angst as Max investigated the killer only to realize it was the man he was falling for. The story actually goes in a pretty different direction, however. Carter admits very early in the story that he is a vampire and it is clear that he is not the killer the men are hunting. So we don’t get that element of intrigue I was expecting. Instead the focus is more on these men working through their conflicts about being attracted to one another and then dealing with the bad guy who is after them. So not a bad premise by any means, but just not as much intensity as I was hoping for. The ending is exciting as the guys face danger from the killer and there are some unique world building elements here.
The real issue for me here is that I was so frustrated with Max that he lost all credibility for me, and thus I had no real investment in him or the relationship (and I wasn’t particularly fond of Carter either, to be honest). Max has been investigating this serial killer who is draining blood from the victims’ bodies. He is determined to catch this bad guy before it is too late, diligently investigating the case. But then Carter tells him that he murdered Max’s attackers and Max barely reacts. I mean, yes, I am sure he is pissed because these guys attacked him. But Max is a police officer and he just blows off their murders like it is nothing.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
3.25 stars
So I was drawn to this story as an different spin on the usual vampire fare. I assumed (incorrectly) after reading the blurb that Carter was the killer Max was searching for, and I was looking forward to some dark and twisty angst as Max investigated the killer only to realize it was the man he was falling for. The story actually goes in a pretty different direction, however. Carter admits very early in the story that he is a vampire and it is clear that he is not the killer the men are hunting. So we don’t get that element of intrigue I was expecting. Instead the focus is more on these men working through their conflicts about being attracted to one another and then dealing with the bad guy who is after them. So not a bad premise by any means, but just not as much intensity as I was hoping for. The ending is exciting as the guys face danger from the killer and there are some unique world building elements here.
The real issue for me here is that I was so frustrated with Max that he lost all credibility for me, and thus I had no real investment in him or the relationship (and I wasn’t particularly fond of Carter either, to be honest). Max has been investigating this serial killer who is draining blood from the victims’ bodies. He is determined to catch this bad guy before it is too late, diligently investigating the case. But then Carter tells him that he murdered Max’s attackers and Max barely reacts. I mean, yes, I am sure he is pissed because these guys attacked him. But Max is a police officer and he just blows off their murders like it is nothing.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
January 27, 2013
2.0 Stars
Detective Max Bowman is hunting a serial killer who leaves bodies drained of blood. One night he is the victim of a gay-bashing; he's attacked, robbed and left for dead. Upon waking, he discovers himself in Carter Gray's bed. Carter is an unrepentant vampire. He has never questioned his nature or his needs until he meets Max. Now, everything is turned asunder as they try to unravel the mystery of who is responsible for the trail of bodies across the city.
I didn't like this book. I get that Carter was unapologetic for who and what he is but he came across as so cold and callous (he kills men, women, AND children without remorse) that it was impossible for me to warm up to him. Max was okay but hypocritical. He's a tough cop dedicated to protecting the public, on the one hand, but slutting it up with a confessed murderer on the other. I think part of the problem is that both the MCs came across as really self-absorbed and uncaring about anyone or anything outside of themselves. So not heroic, in my book.
Bottom line: I am a HUGE Lisa Worrall fan and that has not changed. This one didn't work for me. I recommend picking another of her exceptional books.
Detective Max Bowman is hunting a serial killer who leaves bodies drained of blood. One night he is the victim of a gay-bashing; he's attacked, robbed and left for dead. Upon waking, he discovers himself in Carter Gray's bed. Carter is an unrepentant vampire. He has never questioned his nature or his needs until he meets Max. Now, everything is turned asunder as they try to unravel the mystery of who is responsible for the trail of bodies across the city.
I didn't like this book. I get that Carter was unapologetic for who and what he is but he came across as so cold and callous (he kills men, women, AND children without remorse) that it was impossible for me to warm up to him. Max was okay but hypocritical. He's a tough cop dedicated to protecting the public, on the one hand, but slutting it up with a confessed murderer on the other. I think part of the problem is that both the MCs came across as really self-absorbed and uncaring about anyone or anything outside of themselves. So not heroic, in my book.
Bottom line: I am a HUGE Lisa Worrall fan and that has not changed. This one didn't work for me. I recommend picking another of her exceptional books.
August 20, 2012
I don't know... Maybe I'm just tired of vampire stories. There really wasn't anything much different from any other vampire story. And the dialogue was a bit too much like I would imagine the author speaks. All of the characters kind of blended together. I really wanted to like it. My favorite part was the sun scene towards the end.
September 14, 2014
It was cliche and the characters weren't that interesting. The writing was clunky and didn't really grab me. The plot didn't either. All around, it was very blase. Given that, though, it wasn't the worst I've read either. It was neither good nor bad. It was just... there. It's hard to remember what happened even now, days after I've read it. I wish I could've given it a better review.
March 21, 2012
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was afraid it was going to be all sex, but it was a good blend of mainly character development with a dash of real drama.
October 2, 2014
Max is a homicide detective who gets jumped one night by haters and almost killed. Carter, the vampire, saves him – intending fully to finish him off himself – only to find he can’t do it.
Carter ends up taking Max back to his home where he nurses him back to health and sends him on his way after admitting to being the cause of several of the murders Max is trying to solve.
Something about Carter continues to call to Max and vice versa even though both know they should not have feelings like this for someone so diametrically opposed to their way of life. Max hunts killers and Carter is a killer.
It becomes clear that though Carter never thought he deserved a soul-mate he has one: Max. Carter doesn’t want to convert Max and make him a killer like he is, but he also doesn’t want to lose Max.
In the meantime Carter is being hunted by one of his own kind and Max gets caught in the crossfire.
In the end things turn out pretty great for everyone – well, except all those dead people…
**
I spent my time reading this book going from – hmmm not sure I like this, to ooh – yay – I love this, back to oh man really? Back to – oh goody that happens! Etcetera.
On the one hand I loved some of the characters. Carter is so dark and haunted, truly a monster, and a nice change of pace from the “yes I suck blood, but I’m a nice guy” Vampire.
Gordon, Carter’s butler is – well – the perfect butler. Unfailingly loyal, wise, helpful, Johnny-on-the-spot – just like Alfred is to Batman, Gordon is to Carter. He shows some of the only consistency in the entire story.
The bad guys are bad. Lyle and Boyd, the twisted duo, are really quite sick and do a great job of killing and torturing and lying and – well, being bad guys. Up until the end… then Lyle kind of makes a left turn into the land of good, which was out of character, but ended up being kind of sweet too.
Max I didn’t care for. From scene one I was like “How in the hell is a homicide detective caught unawares enough to get jumped at a bar?!” Shouldn’t he know better? Well, no. Max is the innocent lamb, following his heart into bad situations, left and right. He’d be the Red Shirt on Star Trek or the woman in most every horror movie. (Not fair to us women, but that’s how it’s been.) I never saw him as the cop and though he briefly battled with the idea of loving someone so monstrous, it was a weak “oh no, how can I ever love an evil vampire?” followed by “oh yeah baby give it to me again!” The penis is mightier than the conscience, apparently.
As far as story lines go, it was interesting. I love the fated soul mates thing and that was sweet and sexy (there is lots of hot sex in this book) and the twist at the end was a nice touch.
The mystery/bad guy part of the story line felt very true and solid, right up to the end, then it kind of went off the rails and bad guys started acting like good guys --- but it mostly worked.
The love story was not it’s strongest point. The fated soul mates thing was great and it moved our characters along quickly in the way that can only happen with soul mates, but I didn’t see our guys really ever connect in a way that wasn’t sexual. When it came time for the climactic finish – the time for sacrifice and confessions – it was awesome, so dramatic and I loved it – but I didn’t have a good build up to that scene. I didn’t feel the emotions were there behind the declarations, so though they were exciting and riveting, they, too, felt like they come from left field.
What bugged me the absolute most was the fact that I never understood why Carter felt he had to kill everyone he drank. He proved he didn’t biologically need to. He proved he had a conscience and Max offered resistance to the whole killing thing… it never made sense. I liked that the author was trying to keep Carter a Vampire’s Vampire… not a sappy Vampire, but I don’t think it quite worked out. Carter looked inconsistent and it weakened his previously strong characterization.
So- I give this a solid 3.5 hearts. I really did enjoy reading it and it came so close to being amazing and awesome but just missed the mark. I really, really enjoy Lisa Worrall as an author (Laurel Heights, I Can See For Miles, Nanny for Nate, Always Hope) but this wasn’t my favorite of her books.
As a P.S. I love the new cover by Maria Fanning – very hot!
Carter ends up taking Max back to his home where he nurses him back to health and sends him on his way after admitting to being the cause of several of the murders Max is trying to solve.
Something about Carter continues to call to Max and vice versa even though both know they should not have feelings like this for someone so diametrically opposed to their way of life. Max hunts killers and Carter is a killer.
It becomes clear that though Carter never thought he deserved a soul-mate he has one: Max. Carter doesn’t want to convert Max and make him a killer like he is, but he also doesn’t want to lose Max.
In the meantime Carter is being hunted by one of his own kind and Max gets caught in the crossfire.
In the end things turn out pretty great for everyone – well, except all those dead people…
**
I spent my time reading this book going from – hmmm not sure I like this, to ooh – yay – I love this, back to oh man really? Back to – oh goody that happens! Etcetera.
On the one hand I loved some of the characters. Carter is so dark and haunted, truly a monster, and a nice change of pace from the “yes I suck blood, but I’m a nice guy” Vampire.
Gordon, Carter’s butler is – well – the perfect butler. Unfailingly loyal, wise, helpful, Johnny-on-the-spot – just like Alfred is to Batman, Gordon is to Carter. He shows some of the only consistency in the entire story.
The bad guys are bad. Lyle and Boyd, the twisted duo, are really quite sick and do a great job of killing and torturing and lying and – well, being bad guys. Up until the end… then Lyle kind of makes a left turn into the land of good, which was out of character, but ended up being kind of sweet too.
Max I didn’t care for. From scene one I was like “How in the hell is a homicide detective caught unawares enough to get jumped at a bar?!” Shouldn’t he know better? Well, no. Max is the innocent lamb, following his heart into bad situations, left and right. He’d be the Red Shirt on Star Trek or the woman in most every horror movie. (Not fair to us women, but that’s how it’s been.) I never saw him as the cop and though he briefly battled with the idea of loving someone so monstrous, it was a weak “oh no, how can I ever love an evil vampire?” followed by “oh yeah baby give it to me again!” The penis is mightier than the conscience, apparently.
As far as story lines go, it was interesting. I love the fated soul mates thing and that was sweet and sexy (there is lots of hot sex in this book) and the twist at the end was a nice touch.
The mystery/bad guy part of the story line felt very true and solid, right up to the end, then it kind of went off the rails and bad guys started acting like good guys --- but it mostly worked.
The love story was not it’s strongest point. The fated soul mates thing was great and it moved our characters along quickly in the way that can only happen with soul mates, but I didn’t see our guys really ever connect in a way that wasn’t sexual. When it came time for the climactic finish – the time for sacrifice and confessions – it was awesome, so dramatic and I loved it – but I didn’t have a good build up to that scene. I didn’t feel the emotions were there behind the declarations, so though they were exciting and riveting, they, too, felt like they come from left field.
What bugged me the absolute most was the fact that I never understood why Carter felt he had to kill everyone he drank. He proved he didn’t biologically need to. He proved he had a conscience and Max offered resistance to the whole killing thing… it never made sense. I liked that the author was trying to keep Carter a Vampire’s Vampire… not a sappy Vampire, but I don’t think it quite worked out. Carter looked inconsistent and it weakened his previously strong characterization.
So- I give this a solid 3.5 hearts. I really did enjoy reading it and it came so close to being amazing and awesome but just missed the mark. I really, really enjoy Lisa Worrall as an author (Laurel Heights, I Can See For Miles, Nanny for Nate, Always Hope) but this wasn’t my favorite of her books.
As a P.S. I love the new cover by Maria Fanning – very hot!
May 12, 2012
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For months, Detective Max Bowman has been investigating the mysterious deaths of the victims being drained of their blood and then tossed away like trash. Having few leads, he decides to drink his frustrations away at the local watering hole. Almost as soon as he arrives, he is flirted with a young man who continues to buy him drinks until he is more than a little drunk. Soon, the young man ushers him outside with the promise of some illicit and naughty fun in the alleyway. But, before Max knows what’s going on, he is attacked and robbed by the young man and his friend with the intention of Max being left for dead.
Carter Grey is a hungry vampire on the hunt for his latest victim. While sitting in the shadows of the bar, he notices and is immediately drawn to the handsome Max. Instinctively knowing that the young man plans to do Max harm, he finds himself following them outside where he witnesses Max being beaten and almost killed. Going against his own killer instinct, Carter saves Max and uncharacteristically brings him to his home so Max can heal. After Carter saves Max, he is conflicted by the emotional pull he has toward him, and his behavioral habit of usually killing humans instead of having a relationship with them. But, once Max awakens and they begin to talk, the spark of attraction between them turns into a blaze that will not be denied. But, what will happen when Max finds out that Carter is vampire, and if Carter connected to the killings he’s been investigating?
I really loved this book! I thought both Max and Carter were interesting and intriguing characters that kept me captivated with the story they told. Both heroes are not perfect, they are flawed and often tormented characters forced to make a hard decisions about what they want and what they’re both instinctively need to do. I thought both heroes were strong men that were thrown in an almost impossible situation, but somehow manage to fall in love and still manage to solve the mystery of the killings that Max is investigating. Neither man is really looking for love. Max has come to believe love will really never happen for him, and Carter has told himself he’s nothing but a killing machine/monster and doesn’t deserve or really believe in love. I really enjoyed watching these two men work through all of their emotional baggage and realize that their love was worth fighting for.
Carter was a very unique vampire. He’s unapologetic about having to feed and kill humans for food. At first, he doesn’t really have much of a conscience; he believes does what he’s instinctively programed to do…which is being a killer. Even though Carter can come across as a very cold hearted person, I couldn’t help but like him. I understood why Max saw something in him worth saving, and I really enjoyed watching Carter’s character evolve as the novel progressed. The chemistry between Carter and Max is so sizzling hot, I swear on more than one occasion, my e-reader steamed up from the intensity between them. I truly loved them together and enjoyed every moment they shared together in this book.
I’m afraid there will be some people who will shy away from this book because of the M/F warning on the blurb. Yes, there is a VERY small incident between Carter and a female, but she really means nothing to him. Carter IS bisexual, but honestly she is nothing but a meal in Carter’s eyes. I hope that this will not keep some readers away, because it is just a small blip in the story itself and it certainly did not keep me from really enjoying the journey Carter and Max had together.
Thirst is a unique and fast-paced story that kept me captivated with the storyline from start to finish. In a world of sweet and innocent vampires, it was refreshing to read something different. I was also intrigued by Lyle, who is Carter’s nemesis, and was heartbroken from the loss of his soul-mate. Although the ending ends happily, I can’t help but hope Ms. Worrall writes more about these characters *cough* Lyle *cough* in the future.
For months, Detective Max Bowman has been investigating the mysterious deaths of the victims being drained of their blood and then tossed away like trash. Having few leads, he decides to drink his frustrations away at the local watering hole. Almost as soon as he arrives, he is flirted with a young man who continues to buy him drinks until he is more than a little drunk. Soon, the young man ushers him outside with the promise of some illicit and naughty fun in the alleyway. But, before Max knows what’s going on, he is attacked and robbed by the young man and his friend with the intention of Max being left for dead.
Carter Grey is a hungry vampire on the hunt for his latest victim. While sitting in the shadows of the bar, he notices and is immediately drawn to the handsome Max. Instinctively knowing that the young man plans to do Max harm, he finds himself following them outside where he witnesses Max being beaten and almost killed. Going against his own killer instinct, Carter saves Max and uncharacteristically brings him to his home so Max can heal. After Carter saves Max, he is conflicted by the emotional pull he has toward him, and his behavioral habit of usually killing humans instead of having a relationship with them. But, once Max awakens and they begin to talk, the spark of attraction between them turns into a blaze that will not be denied. But, what will happen when Max finds out that Carter is vampire, and if Carter connected to the killings he’s been investigating?
I really loved this book! I thought both Max and Carter were interesting and intriguing characters that kept me captivated with the story they told. Both heroes are not perfect, they are flawed and often tormented characters forced to make a hard decisions about what they want and what they’re both instinctively need to do. I thought both heroes were strong men that were thrown in an almost impossible situation, but somehow manage to fall in love and still manage to solve the mystery of the killings that Max is investigating. Neither man is really looking for love. Max has come to believe love will really never happen for him, and Carter has told himself he’s nothing but a killing machine/monster and doesn’t deserve or really believe in love. I really enjoyed watching these two men work through all of their emotional baggage and realize that their love was worth fighting for.
Carter was a very unique vampire. He’s unapologetic about having to feed and kill humans for food. At first, he doesn’t really have much of a conscience; he believes does what he’s instinctively programed to do…which is being a killer. Even though Carter can come across as a very cold hearted person, I couldn’t help but like him. I understood why Max saw something in him worth saving, and I really enjoyed watching Carter’s character evolve as the novel progressed. The chemistry between Carter and Max is so sizzling hot, I swear on more than one occasion, my e-reader steamed up from the intensity between them. I truly loved them together and enjoyed every moment they shared together in this book.
I’m afraid there will be some people who will shy away from this book because of the M/F warning on the blurb. Yes, there is a VERY small incident between Carter and a female, but she really means nothing to him. Carter IS bisexual, but honestly she is nothing but a meal in Carter’s eyes. I hope that this will not keep some readers away, because it is just a small blip in the story itself and it certainly did not keep me from really enjoying the journey Carter and Max had together.
Thirst is a unique and fast-paced story that kept me captivated with the storyline from start to finish. In a world of sweet and innocent vampires, it was refreshing to read something different. I was also intrigued by Lyle, who is Carter’s nemesis, and was heartbroken from the loss of his soul-mate. Although the ending ends happily, I can’t help but hope Ms. Worrall writes more about these characters *cough* Lyle *cough* in the future.
March 30, 2016
A vampire and a homicide detective? What wasn't to be intrigued about? Honestly, I'm not really sure how to rate this book. On one hand I enjoyed it and on the other it frustrated me.
I guess we'll get the negative out of the way. I'm the type that dislikes needless sex scenes- if it doesn't advance the plot, ya don't need it. There are a few such scenes in this book. Some of the sex is indeed plot-advancing, but then others weren't really needed at all or just needed to be a "fade to black" type thing honestly. That said, most of the sex wasn't really that well written either. Again, if you're going to write sex, then make it GOOD. That's not the case here I'm afraid. There are a few steamy bits, don't get me wrong, but on a whole it was rather meh.
Also, I found that the character of Gordon seemed to change in his behavior/characterization- even the way he spoke! He had an established persona and speech pattern at the beginning and then the last two or three chapters he seemed to take on a whole new personality. Lyle is another character And a final character is
Along the same lines, I noticed throughout the story that the author seemed to not be able to make up her mind what type of accent Carter had. (Yes, she establishes the mixed accents due to living in various places but she mentions on a certain twang that comes out at certain points, and then proceeds to change which accent that is back and forth.)
Now, with all that said, the positive. I quite liked the characters of Carter and Max. They were intriguing. I found their push and pull very dynamic. While the whole "love at first sight" concept is ridiculous in other genres, using vampires makes it believable and I'm rather a sucker for the soulmates trope. These two were well-developed and we get a good sense of who they are throughout the story. Their romance is a rather emotional one- but in a good way- and I was constantly rooting for them.
There was a rather beautiful twist towards the end that I enjoyed.
Overall, as I said, this book left me rather confused on how to feel about it. It was a nice read, don't get me wrong, but I certainly found there were parts I was just wanting it to get over itself to get me some solid plot. It had pacing problems, no doubt. But if you can get past that than I think you'll find a decent story. Can't say that it's worth a BUY, but borrowing it from the library or getting it on sale? Yeah, I'd tell you to pick it up.
I guess we'll get the negative out of the way. I'm the type that dislikes needless sex scenes- if it doesn't advance the plot, ya don't need it. There are a few such scenes in this book. Some of the sex is indeed plot-advancing, but then others weren't really needed at all or just needed to be a "fade to black" type thing honestly. That said, most of the sex wasn't really that well written either. Again, if you're going to write sex, then make it GOOD. That's not the case here I'm afraid. There are a few steamy bits, don't get me wrong, but on a whole it was rather meh.
Also, I found that the character of Gordon seemed to change in his behavior/characterization- even the way he spoke! He had an established persona and speech pattern at the beginning and then the last two or three chapters he seemed to take on a whole new personality. Lyle is another character And a final character is
Along the same lines, I noticed throughout the story that the author seemed to not be able to make up her mind what type of accent Carter had. (Yes, she establishes the mixed accents due to living in various places but she mentions on a certain twang that comes out at certain points, and then proceeds to change which accent that is back and forth.)
Now, with all that said, the positive. I quite liked the characters of Carter and Max. They were intriguing. I found their push and pull very dynamic. While the whole "love at first sight" concept is ridiculous in other genres, using vampires makes it believable and I'm rather a sucker for the soulmates trope. These two were well-developed and we get a good sense of who they are throughout the story. Their romance is a rather emotional one- but in a good way- and I was constantly rooting for them.
There was a rather beautiful twist towards the end that I enjoyed.
Overall, as I said, this book left me rather confused on how to feel about it. It was a nice read, don't get me wrong, but I certainly found there were parts I was just wanting it to get over itself to get me some solid plot. It had pacing problems, no doubt. But if you can get past that than I think you'll find a decent story. Can't say that it's worth a BUY, but borrowing it from the library or getting it on sale? Yeah, I'd tell you to pick it up.
May 19, 2013
2012 Review:
** Probably spoilerish despite tag-use. **
Dark, very dark.
We don’t often see protagonists who don’t give a thought to the lives they take for their enjoyment. (The cannibalism in that recent volume of Christian’s Coven might apply but it’s still rare.) Carter here is completely amoral, only interested in his own pleasure. It’s gruesome how he casually disposes of his victims afterwards, and the descriptions of the sex preceding the killing kind of make it even worse.
Another thing we do not get all that often: Both protagonists here have explicit sex with other people instead of each other. Usually I hate that, but in this case things are already so dark and removed from comfort that it fits in with everything else.
And when they do get together for real it’s harsh and brutal, only tempered by the desperate emotion somehow ringing through.
In any event, as soon as things between the guys settle into something approximating comfortable (to me)
When I initially picked up the book, I certainly did not expect to encounter any of this. Goes to show how much I know.
On a side note, there’s something that’s always irritated me regarding certain vampire stories. There are those where the vampire has to feed daily, and almost always kills when he or she feeds. The classics, pretty much. This is the case here. So Carter’s been killing at least one person per night for eighty-four years? That’s approaching levels of epidemic. No way can that have gone unnoticed, even if he hid the bodies. The sheer number of people gone missing… There’s just no way this logistically works out, especially if at times there is more than one vampire and they’re settled down instead of being constantly on the move.
That’s a big void of logic and reason right there.
Some stories are worse in that a bite/killing also infects the victim. If that were the case and the rate of deaths this high, humanity would be erased pretty damn fast.
Back to the story. In the end it wasn’t bad. Something just felt off about this whole thing, I mean besides the murderous ways of one of our heroes. Maybe that’s only me, though, because I am feeling really weird these days and moody as hell. It probably did not help that a few times I got caught up reading through something much more fluffy instead. The contrast was really quite stunning, heh.
I guess I liked this book, after everything’s said and done. I certainly don’t mind that our couple is blissfully happy for eternity now, or that . … Um. Yeah.
** Probably spoilerish despite tag-use. **
Dark, very dark.
We don’t often see protagonists who don’t give a thought to the lives they take for their enjoyment. (The cannibalism in that recent volume of Christian’s Coven might apply but it’s still rare.) Carter here is completely amoral, only interested in his own pleasure. It’s gruesome how he casually disposes of his victims afterwards, and the descriptions of the sex preceding the killing kind of make it even worse.
Another thing we do not get all that often: Both protagonists here have explicit sex with other people instead of each other. Usually I hate that, but in this case things are already so dark and removed from comfort that it fits in with everything else.
And when they do get together for real it’s harsh and brutal, only tempered by the desperate emotion somehow ringing through.
In any event, as soon as things between the guys settle into something approximating comfortable (to me)
When I initially picked up the book, I certainly did not expect to encounter any of this. Goes to show how much I know.
On a side note, there’s something that’s always irritated me regarding certain vampire stories. There are those where the vampire has to feed daily, and almost always kills when he or she feeds. The classics, pretty much. This is the case here. So Carter’s been killing at least one person per night for eighty-four years? That’s approaching levels of epidemic. No way can that have gone unnoticed, even if he hid the bodies. The sheer number of people gone missing… There’s just no way this logistically works out, especially if at times there is more than one vampire and they’re settled down instead of being constantly on the move.
That’s a big void of logic and reason right there.
Some stories are worse in that a bite/killing also infects the victim. If that were the case and the rate of deaths this high, humanity would be erased pretty damn fast.
Back to the story. In the end it wasn’t bad. Something just felt off about this whole thing, I mean besides the murderous ways of one of our heroes. Maybe that’s only me, though, because I am feeling really weird these days and moody as hell. It probably did not help that a few times I got caught up reading through something much more fluffy instead. The contrast was really quite stunning, heh.
I guess I liked this book, after everything’s said and done. I certainly don’t mind that our couple is blissfully happy for eternity now, or that . … Um. Yeah.
October 6, 2014
As paranormal stories go, Thirst rises above the norm by throwing in some chilling twists and turns that keep the suspense level high in this previously released novel by Lisa Worrall. Centering on an ongoing case of ex-sanguinated and brutally murdered victims, Detective Max Bowman has his hands full hunting down a ruthless killer. When he stumbles upon the very person who might be responsible for the ghastly crimes, it is certainly not his intent to be both sexually drawn to and somehow inexorably linked to Carter Gray. As this novel progresses, the question quickly becomes not who is the culprit but whether or not Max wants to be claimed by the very thing he is hunting.
Vampires. Not every paranormal story gives them some new twist or often changes the rules by which they are governed, so when Lisa Worrall poked fun at the very genre she was writing in by making an almost tongue-in-cheek reference to a more notable sparkly vamp in her novel, I had to laugh. However, it made me realize how different her vampires were and how very little affected or changed their personas. It also made Carter stand out more starkly as one that had spent eighty plus years taking lives both indiscriminately and rather callously. When he admits to Max that he is little more than a murderer and rather proud of it, it is clear one is not reading the “typical” paranormal. Carter had very little remorse and thus, was not a tortured soul. He was strong, determined and conceded very little ground. No, it was Max who would do most of the groveling and begging. And, though Max did indeed beg, he remained intrinsically unchanged as well, and determined to find the killer at any cost.
The strength of this story lies in how little the focus of its main characters changed. By falling in love with each other, there was no huge shift in how Carter operated or in how Max pursued his job. Here were two strong men who remained strong even as they grew to depend more and more on each other. This is precisely why this paranormal story refrained from falling into that feeling of “sameness,” while most in this genre seem to have. Our two lovers change little and there is a real sense of relief that they will have some definite adjustments to make as they go forward. The package that was delivered by novel’s end was not neat and pretty but still compelling and interesting overall.
Lisa Worrall’s Thirst was nicely delivered and gave some real spark to a genre that is often marked by the same type of storyline which struggles to be fresh. If you like the paranormal, then this novel will not disappoint.
Vampires. Not every paranormal story gives them some new twist or often changes the rules by which they are governed, so when Lisa Worrall poked fun at the very genre she was writing in by making an almost tongue-in-cheek reference to a more notable sparkly vamp in her novel, I had to laugh. However, it made me realize how different her vampires were and how very little affected or changed their personas. It also made Carter stand out more starkly as one that had spent eighty plus years taking lives both indiscriminately and rather callously. When he admits to Max that he is little more than a murderer and rather proud of it, it is clear one is not reading the “typical” paranormal. Carter had very little remorse and thus, was not a tortured soul. He was strong, determined and conceded very little ground. No, it was Max who would do most of the groveling and begging. And, though Max did indeed beg, he remained intrinsically unchanged as well, and determined to find the killer at any cost.
The strength of this story lies in how little the focus of its main characters changed. By falling in love with each other, there was no huge shift in how Carter operated or in how Max pursued his job. Here were two strong men who remained strong even as they grew to depend more and more on each other. This is precisely why this paranormal story refrained from falling into that feeling of “sameness,” while most in this genre seem to have. Our two lovers change little and there is a real sense of relief that they will have some definite adjustments to make as they go forward. The package that was delivered by novel’s end was not neat and pretty but still compelling and interesting overall.
Lisa Worrall’s Thirst was nicely delivered and gave some real spark to a genre that is often marked by the same type of storyline which struggles to be fresh. If you like the paranormal, then this novel will not disappoint.
July 21, 2015
This is a vampire romance in which Max, a cop, is rescued by Carter, a vampire, after randomly being beaten up by two guys in a bar.
From the beginning we're told about how Max is drawn to Carter, and Carter is kind of angry and confused because he almost likes Max. Carter divulges that he is a vampire and that he killed the perpetrators of the attack. Max is working on a serial murder case in which the victims are exsanguinated, so understandably he suspects Carter. But Carter says he didn't do it, so Max asks for his help.
At this point, Max has never once considered that he might actually be in danger, despite the fact that Carter has told him he's in danger. Also, while he's asking Carter for help, Carter basically admits that he is also killing people- he's just not leaving them around. Max does not seem particularly concerned about this. Because if you kill people and bury them, that's different.
There is one conversation in which Max asks whether Carter even cares about people, and Carter says, basically, no. But it never occurs to Max that he should do something about this. Being a cop. Or that Carter is as much a serial killer as the other vampire. There is some random talk about how Carter needs to eat, but he doesn't have to kill people, he does that to cover his tracks.
So magical sex happens and Max and Carter are now in love and Carter doesn't kill people anymore (he uses bagged blood, which apparently wasn't an option before for reasons we are never told). So now we no longer have to be concerned about those people Carter has already killed (three just in this book). And it's not a dark romance, it's a squishy lovey dovey romance. At this point we discover that the serial killer is a vampire who thinks Carter killed HIS true love, and is trying to punish him for it. Of course it isn't true, because at this point in the book we're no longer supposed to think of Carter as a cold blooded vampire who doesn't care about anyone. Carter has been running from him for years because the bad vampire would never believe it if Carter told him the truth (that he wasn't the one who killed his true love).
Things happen and the bad vampire (the one who leaves bodies out instead of kindly burying them like Carter did) ends up capturing Max. Carter runs to rescue him but ends up captured too (oops). But then in the moment when all is about to be lost, Carter saves the day by... telling the bad vampire that he was wrong about who killed his lover.
Wait, didn't this whole thing happen because Kyle (bad vampire) would NEVER BELIEVE THAT?
But of course he believes it. And then he saves Carter and Max... kind of. And now he's a good vampire too, and he lives happily ever after.
Just forget the serial killer stuff. That was all because he thought Carter was a murderer. Now that he knows better, it isn't important.
Who writes this stuff?
From the beginning we're told about how Max is drawn to Carter, and Carter is kind of angry and confused because he almost likes Max. Carter divulges that he is a vampire and that he killed the perpetrators of the attack. Max is working on a serial murder case in which the victims are exsanguinated, so understandably he suspects Carter. But Carter says he didn't do it, so Max asks for his help.
At this point, Max has never once considered that he might actually be in danger, despite the fact that Carter has told him he's in danger. Also, while he's asking Carter for help, Carter basically admits that he is also killing people- he's just not leaving them around. Max does not seem particularly concerned about this. Because if you kill people and bury them, that's different.
There is one conversation in which Max asks whether Carter even cares about people, and Carter says, basically, no. But it never occurs to Max that he should do something about this. Being a cop. Or that Carter is as much a serial killer as the other vampire. There is some random talk about how Carter needs to eat, but he doesn't have to kill people, he does that to cover his tracks.
So magical sex happens and Max and Carter are now in love and Carter doesn't kill people anymore (he uses bagged blood, which apparently wasn't an option before for reasons we are never told). So now we no longer have to be concerned about those people Carter has already killed (three just in this book). And it's not a dark romance, it's a squishy lovey dovey romance. At this point we discover that the serial killer is a vampire who thinks Carter killed HIS true love, and is trying to punish him for it. Of course it isn't true, because at this point in the book we're no longer supposed to think of Carter as a cold blooded vampire who doesn't care about anyone. Carter has been running from him for years because the bad vampire would never believe it if Carter told him the truth (that he wasn't the one who killed his true love).
Things happen and the bad vampire (the one who leaves bodies out instead of kindly burying them like Carter did) ends up capturing Max. Carter runs to rescue him but ends up captured too (oops). But then in the moment when all is about to be lost, Carter saves the day by... telling the bad vampire that he was wrong about who killed his lover.
Wait, didn't this whole thing happen because Kyle (bad vampire) would NEVER BELIEVE THAT?
But of course he believes it. And then he saves Carter and Max... kind of. And now he's a good vampire too, and he lives happily ever after.
Just forget the serial killer stuff. That was all because he thought Carter was a murderer. Now that he knows better, it isn't important.
Who writes this stuff?
November 10, 2014
4.5 star review by Amber
This book was so damn good, once I got over my initial irritation over a cop doing a really stupid thing. I had to put it down for just a few hours because I kept thinking, “what kind of cop goes into a dark alley with someone they do not know…??” Once I got over myself, I started thinking, probably a lot of friggin cops do that…so my irritation isn’t all that warranted.
Anyway, I digress…we meet Max Bowman a relatively young, seasoned police detective who is looking for a stress reliever in a local bar. Unfortunately, he picks up a gay bashing thief who only wants to do him harm. They work him over pretty good, with means to kill, but he’s saved by Carter Gray. Vampire. Author. Deadly. Stunning.
Not understanding why, Carter is compelled to take care of Max. He is breaking all of his rules. He takes him home. Get’s comfortable with him. And despite his best efforts falls madly, completely and soulfully in love. Max is falling hard as well, but he is extremely conflicted because Carter kills to survive and Max has made a life of serving and protecting. They both don’t want it but they are helpless to stop it from happening.
I LOVED their desire and drive to stay away from each other. They both knew it wasn’t a good idea and they fought so hard, but the harder they fought made their coming together that much more enjoyable. The author was able to build this push and pull without having the readers think it was “too angsty.” But I don’t have a problem with angst so maybe that’s why I was able to appreciate this dynamic.
When Max and Carter finally accepted the fact that they were “it” for each other, their coming together was beautiful. So beautiful that I feel like that word doesn’t do it justice.
While all this is happening there is a foe from Carter past that is hunting him down. Dead set on destroying any happiness Carter thinks he can have. Unbeknownst to the foe, Carter is not guilty of what he is suspected to have done.
Through several twists and turns the foe gets Max and the circumstances involving Carter attempting to rescue him are captivating. In the end, Max is mortally wounded and Carter’s sire changes Max into a vampire to save his life. I liked how this ended because Max and Carter’s love for each other was so complete I feel if Carter would have been the one to change Max; the guilt would have destroyed him. This way it was out of his hands and I liked that a lot.
It’s been awhile since I read a vampire romance. I am so happy I chose this one to ignite my paranormal passion. Great story!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
This book was so damn good, once I got over my initial irritation over a cop doing a really stupid thing. I had to put it down for just a few hours because I kept thinking, “what kind of cop goes into a dark alley with someone they do not know…??” Once I got over myself, I started thinking, probably a lot of friggin cops do that…so my irritation isn’t all that warranted.
Anyway, I digress…we meet Max Bowman a relatively young, seasoned police detective who is looking for a stress reliever in a local bar. Unfortunately, he picks up a gay bashing thief who only wants to do him harm. They work him over pretty good, with means to kill, but he’s saved by Carter Gray. Vampire. Author. Deadly. Stunning.
Not understanding why, Carter is compelled to take care of Max. He is breaking all of his rules. He takes him home. Get’s comfortable with him. And despite his best efforts falls madly, completely and soulfully in love. Max is falling hard as well, but he is extremely conflicted because Carter kills to survive and Max has made a life of serving and protecting. They both don’t want it but they are helpless to stop it from happening.
I LOVED their desire and drive to stay away from each other. They both knew it wasn’t a good idea and they fought so hard, but the harder they fought made their coming together that much more enjoyable. The author was able to build this push and pull without having the readers think it was “too angsty.” But I don’t have a problem with angst so maybe that’s why I was able to appreciate this dynamic.
When Max and Carter finally accepted the fact that they were “it” for each other, their coming together was beautiful. So beautiful that I feel like that word doesn’t do it justice.
While all this is happening there is a foe from Carter past that is hunting him down. Dead set on destroying any happiness Carter thinks he can have. Unbeknownst to the foe, Carter is not guilty of what he is suspected to have done.
Through several twists and turns the foe gets Max and the circumstances involving Carter attempting to rescue him are captivating. In the end, Max is mortally wounded and Carter’s sire changes Max into a vampire to save his life. I liked how this ended because Max and Carter’s love for each other was so complete I feel if Carter would have been the one to change Max; the guilt would have destroyed him. This way it was out of his hands and I liked that a lot.
It’s been awhile since I read a vampire romance. I am so happy I chose this one to ignite my paranormal passion. Great story!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
September 16, 2014
4.5/5 stars...
Police Detective Max Bowman makes no secret to his fellow officers that he is gay, but he doesn’t flaunt it either. When out at a bar trying to unwind and grab a quick lay, he puts his trust in the wrong person. Max goes from passing out after being bashed and mugged to waking up in a dark room surrounded by red silk sheets. He can feel the remnants of the attack, but he has no memory of how he got where he is. Well, other than a pair of piercing green eyes.
Carter Grey has been on the run for close to eighty years. He realizes exactly what he is, a killer. But there is a suave and finesse to his style both inside and outside the bedroom. He seduces his meals and enjoys them fully before he drains them then buries them. He was going to drain Max as well, until he was caught up in those brown eyes and the enigma that is Max Bowman.
The two things these men do best is fight, and then make up. Carter is determined to live his life alone, soulless, without love. There is something about Max that calls to him though. He swears Max makes his breath catch and his heart beat faster, which is saying something since he has no heart and hasn’t sucked a breath in almost a century. Max feels the pull to Carter as well, so much so that he can find Carter just by mentally wanting to. They don’t understand why they want each other so badly and they give a valiant effort to fight the attraction, well Carter does anyway. When an old enemy makes his presence known, Carter fears losing the one man that has made him feel in over eighty years over a false accusation.
Oh but this book was fun! There was suspense, danger, a bit of comedy and flat out raw sexuality. The banter back and forth between Carter and Max made me snicker more than once. Carter is this other worldly, domineering personality that has to have his way and gives off the ‘I’m not budging’ vibe. While Max is a big, burly cop with the attitude and sex drive to match. There chemistry is immediate and electric, so much so that sometimes it was too much. Like I said, their two favorite things to do were fighting and each other, but the overuse of sex put a little bit of a damper on the story.
But overall, this was still well worth the read. If you are a fan of paranormal, vampires, sex on a stick alpha males and that added air of danger then this is the perfect book for you.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Police Detective Max Bowman makes no secret to his fellow officers that he is gay, but he doesn’t flaunt it either. When out at a bar trying to unwind and grab a quick lay, he puts his trust in the wrong person. Max goes from passing out after being bashed and mugged to waking up in a dark room surrounded by red silk sheets. He can feel the remnants of the attack, but he has no memory of how he got where he is. Well, other than a pair of piercing green eyes.
Carter Grey has been on the run for close to eighty years. He realizes exactly what he is, a killer. But there is a suave and finesse to his style both inside and outside the bedroom. He seduces his meals and enjoys them fully before he drains them then buries them. He was going to drain Max as well, until he was caught up in those brown eyes and the enigma that is Max Bowman.
The two things these men do best is fight, and then make up. Carter is determined to live his life alone, soulless, without love. There is something about Max that calls to him though. He swears Max makes his breath catch and his heart beat faster, which is saying something since he has no heart and hasn’t sucked a breath in almost a century. Max feels the pull to Carter as well, so much so that he can find Carter just by mentally wanting to. They don’t understand why they want each other so badly and they give a valiant effort to fight the attraction, well Carter does anyway. When an old enemy makes his presence known, Carter fears losing the one man that has made him feel in over eighty years over a false accusation.
Oh but this book was fun! There was suspense, danger, a bit of comedy and flat out raw sexuality. The banter back and forth between Carter and Max made me snicker more than once. Carter is this other worldly, domineering personality that has to have his way and gives off the ‘I’m not budging’ vibe. While Max is a big, burly cop with the attitude and sex drive to match. There chemistry is immediate and electric, so much so that sometimes it was too much. Like I said, their two favorite things to do were fighting and each other, but the overuse of sex put a little bit of a damper on the story.
But overall, this was still well worth the read. If you are a fan of paranormal, vampires, sex on a stick alpha males and that added air of danger then this is the perfect book for you.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
March 13, 2021
I adored this book!! Lisa Worrall wrote a seriously kick ass vampire book. The writing is gritty and fast paced. The sex is unbelievably hot. In fact, one of the best angry sex scenes ever. The love story is fantastic. She hit it out of the ball park with this one.
Max Bowman is a homicide detective and as such he really should know better than to get hammered at a bar with a stranger and then be led outside to the alley. Um. Self defense 101......that's a big no-no!! He gets the crap beaten out of him and wakes up in a strangers bed on red silk sheets bruised and battered.
There he meets Carter Gray his savior......or so he thinks until Carter unabashedly admits to killing the two men who beat him. Now this is a problem and not for the obvious reasons. Max has been investigating multiple murders in town of victims who have died from exsanguination from two sets of puncture marks. Carter reveals himself as a vampire and sends Max home.
Carter has been a vampire for eighty four years and has had no problem hunting, killing and burying his prey. He has no human feelings left and the author has written him exactly how you think a vampire would be. No remorse. No emotions. Significant self preservation. This is part of why I liked the book so much. There was no pussy footing around Carter. He is what he is and so what? He's top of the food chain.
Now Max and Carter have both been affected by their meeting. Max goes back twice to get answers from Carter and wouldn't you know? The second time it's lust filled, down and dirty, no holds barred, sex. And it's hot. For some reason they can't stay away from each other. To the point that Carter doesn't want to hunt. Doesn't want to feed from anyone else. Them discovering that the vampires who are doing the killing is Carter's sire and accomplice and that the killings are meant as a warning to Carter? That just throws the whole situation into the toilet. Because Lyle's been hunting Carter for almost eighty years for a crime Lyle thinks Carter committed. What does Carter do each time he's found? Packs up and moves somewhere new. Max leaves. Max is pissed. Carter mopes. Carter finds Max and admits he loves him. All should be good, right? Wrong. Because Lyle's been watching. He's waiting to exact his revenge.
The ending is fantastic. Granted what occurs is a little predictable, but the way it is written makes it great. I loved this book and am adding it to my favorites. It's a must read.
Max Bowman is a homicide detective and as such he really should know better than to get hammered at a bar with a stranger and then be led outside to the alley. Um. Self defense 101......that's a big no-no!! He gets the crap beaten out of him and wakes up in a strangers bed on red silk sheets bruised and battered.
There he meets Carter Gray his savior......or so he thinks until Carter unabashedly admits to killing the two men who beat him. Now this is a problem and not for the obvious reasons. Max has been investigating multiple murders in town of victims who have died from exsanguination from two sets of puncture marks. Carter reveals himself as a vampire and sends Max home.
Carter has been a vampire for eighty four years and has had no problem hunting, killing and burying his prey. He has no human feelings left and the author has written him exactly how you think a vampire would be. No remorse. No emotions. Significant self preservation. This is part of why I liked the book so much. There was no pussy footing around Carter. He is what he is and so what? He's top of the food chain.
Now Max and Carter have both been affected by their meeting. Max goes back twice to get answers from Carter and wouldn't you know? The second time it's lust filled, down and dirty, no holds barred, sex. And it's hot. For some reason they can't stay away from each other. To the point that Carter doesn't want to hunt. Doesn't want to feed from anyone else. Them discovering that the vampires who are doing the killing is Carter's sire and accomplice and that the killings are meant as a warning to Carter? That just throws the whole situation into the toilet. Because Lyle's been hunting Carter for almost eighty years for a crime Lyle thinks Carter committed. What does Carter do each time he's found? Packs up and moves somewhere new. Max leaves. Max is pissed. Carter mopes. Carter finds Max and admits he loves him. All should be good, right? Wrong. Because Lyle's been watching. He's waiting to exact his revenge.
The ending is fantastic. Granted what occurs is a little predictable, but the way it is written makes it great. I loved this book and am adding it to my favorites. It's a must read.
March 26, 2012
I liked this book, liked the fact that the vampires were a little on the darker side. Liked the fact that each of the protagonists had sex with others so it wasn't all prissy - 'I love him, I can't do this with someone else'. Don't get me wrong that came, there was soul searching over what they were doing and then they committed to one another. That, to me, is somewhat more realistic, particuarly in M/M.
I liked Carter Gray, he was a vampire that left his humanity behind when he was changed 84 years ago, or so he thought. He fucked and killed people not giving it any thought other than the pleasure his body derived from the acts, it slaked a thirst. That changed when he heard/saw Max Bowman in a bar and then saved him from a beating behind the bar later on. Just one word and he was hooked on Max.
Max Bowman is a cop, a human gay cop who let a pretty face seduce him into a quickie, which turned into a mugging when the 'pretty face' had a friend waiting outside the bar to roll him. Max liked his job, liked catching the bad guys and he was on a case that threaded through his personal life once he met Carter Gray.
I liked both characters, I felt they were good alone and together. Both men were flawed and that's the way I like them most, it always improves a read. It wasn't a long story which I felt was a shame, because at times it just seemed a little rushed. I would have liked it to slow down a bit more and for both the protagonists and the atagonists to have had their stories delved into much more thoroughly. I guess it must be hard to put a full book out there in the M/M genre because it's not the seller that main stream books are, including hetero romance.
Here's something else that I liked, there was a sex scene between Carter, the vampire, and a female. It was just sex, it was short, it was to try to shake his feelings for Max, and the female's name wasn't even known (and he killed her after) but, lord above, there it was a M/F moment in a M/M book. Well done, snaps to Lisa Worrell because, to me, Vampires are the ultimate pansexuals.
This is my second Lisa Worrall book in as many days and I'm pleased I found her works, because I really liked Laurel Heights and now Thirst.
I liked Carter Gray, he was a vampire that left his humanity behind when he was changed 84 years ago, or so he thought. He fucked and killed people not giving it any thought other than the pleasure his body derived from the acts, it slaked a thirst. That changed when he heard/saw Max Bowman in a bar and then saved him from a beating behind the bar later on. Just one word and he was hooked on Max.
Max Bowman is a cop, a human gay cop who let a pretty face seduce him into a quickie, which turned into a mugging when the 'pretty face' had a friend waiting outside the bar to roll him. Max liked his job, liked catching the bad guys and he was on a case that threaded through his personal life once he met Carter Gray.
I liked both characters, I felt they were good alone and together. Both men were flawed and that's the way I like them most, it always improves a read. It wasn't a long story which I felt was a shame, because at times it just seemed a little rushed. I would have liked it to slow down a bit more and for both the protagonists and the atagonists to have had their stories delved into much more thoroughly. I guess it must be hard to put a full book out there in the M/M genre because it's not the seller that main stream books are, including hetero romance.
Here's something else that I liked, there was a sex scene between Carter, the vampire, and a female. It was just sex, it was short, it was to try to shake his feelings for Max, and the female's name wasn't even known (and he killed her after) but, lord above, there it was a M/F moment in a M/M book. Well done, snaps to Lisa Worrell because, to me, Vampires are the ultimate pansexuals.
This is my second Lisa Worrall book in as many days and I'm pleased I found her works, because I really liked Laurel Heights and now Thirst.
September 21, 2014
Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews - 4 hearts
“Please…” – who knew that one word and a gorgeous pair of brown eyes could completely change someone’s world? Well, that’s exactly what happened to badass vampire Carter when he ultimately saved Max after two guys pounded him to within an inch of his life. Claiming to have no feelings or remorse whatsoever, Carter is used to killing his victims after feeding. He eats, buries and forgets. He may have given many of his victims some pleasure before they became dinner (he wasn’t 100% callous, just 99.9%), but then on to the thrill of the next hunt. So, how could one word and one look result in a behavioral change that had been honed over nearly a century’s worth of practice?
Let’s just say it didn’t happen easily. Max was an enigma, an exception, and Carter never made exceptions. There was definitely a connection and chemistry. Carter very nearly felt something flutter in his chest that had been long dead and it scared the crap out of him. What was it about the guy that made him more than just a quick snack or dessert? Why was Carter willing to take a risk on this one vs. disappearing, especially after Carter’s past and Max’s present collided?
This was such a different kind of vampire/soul mate story! There’s really nothing remotely soft or sweet about the pairing of Carter and Max. I love reading about a couple of alpha males coming together and that certainly describes Carter and Max. Their chemistry was electric and their testosterone levels were off the charts. Their fighting, sex and loving were raw and powerful – truly a bewitching reader experience! Definitely recommended for those who enjoy any of the following themes: hurt/comfort, paranormal, danger/suspense, and surprises.
“Please…” – who knew that one word and a gorgeous pair of brown eyes could completely change someone’s world? Well, that’s exactly what happened to badass vampire Carter when he ultimately saved Max after two guys pounded him to within an inch of his life. Claiming to have no feelings or remorse whatsoever, Carter is used to killing his victims after feeding. He eats, buries and forgets. He may have given many of his victims some pleasure before they became dinner (he wasn’t 100% callous, just 99.9%), but then on to the thrill of the next hunt. So, how could one word and one look result in a behavioral change that had been honed over nearly a century’s worth of practice?
Let’s just say it didn’t happen easily. Max was an enigma, an exception, and Carter never made exceptions. There was definitely a connection and chemistry. Carter very nearly felt something flutter in his chest that had been long dead and it scared the crap out of him. What was it about the guy that made him more than just a quick snack or dessert? Why was Carter willing to take a risk on this one vs. disappearing, especially after Carter’s past and Max’s present collided?
This was such a different kind of vampire/soul mate story! There’s really nothing remotely soft or sweet about the pairing of Carter and Max. I love reading about a couple of alpha males coming together and that certainly describes Carter and Max. Their chemistry was electric and their testosterone levels were off the charts. Their fighting, sex and loving were raw and powerful – truly a bewitching reader experience! Definitely recommended for those who enjoy any of the following themes: hurt/comfort, paranormal, danger/suspense, and surprises.
July 4, 2016
So i'm not very sure how i feel about this one.
In one hand it felt like an ok read, i like the fact that Carter is a vampire and he behaves and portrays himself as one, non-apologetic to what he does, intelligent ect, pretty much what you would imagine he is supposed be.
On the other had is Max who, sincerely didn't live up to the expectations, he doesn't behave like cop at all, there are certain things that you look for in this kinds of books( the way he behaves, expresses himself toward his job and other things ect.), i sincerely missed it if was there i somehow felt like there was something missing.
I was ok with the way they got together, that it wasn't an immediate thing like some mate-related books, but it would have been nice if they had had some idea of what was happening, it felt like Carter who was supposed been alive for so many years was clueless, and didn't even try to find out anything somehow..... it just revolved around them pretty much not much out side info there)
also a bit less inner dialog and more explanation, elaboration and story would have been nice, at the end of the day i still don't much about Carter particular vampiristic characteristics and traits, (other than the increased strength and drinking blood) what is so unique about this? (also the fact that the whole turning was very anticlimactic, i was really expecting a bit more out of this)
But anyway in many ways i wasn't that convinced by it..... it has good potential but needs a bit more....and this is just my opinion \(>0<\*)
In one hand it felt like an ok read, i like the fact that Carter is a vampire and he behaves and portrays himself as one, non-apologetic to what he does, intelligent ect, pretty much what you would imagine he is supposed be.
On the other had is Max who, sincerely didn't live up to the expectations, he doesn't behave like cop at all, there are certain things that you look for in this kinds of books( the way he behaves, expresses himself toward his job and other things ect.), i sincerely missed it if was there i somehow felt like there was something missing.
I was ok with the way they got together, that it wasn't an immediate thing like some mate-related books, but it would have been nice if they had had some idea of what was happening, it felt like Carter who was supposed been alive for so many years was clueless, and didn't even try to find out anything somehow..... it just revolved around them pretty much not much out side info there)
also a bit less inner dialog and more explanation, elaboration and story would have been nice, at the end of the day i still don't much about Carter particular vampiristic characteristics and traits, (other than the increased strength and drinking blood) what is so unique about this? (also the fact that the whole turning was very anticlimactic, i was really expecting a bit more out of this)
But anyway in many ways i wasn't that convinced by it..... it has good potential but needs a bit more....and this is just my opinion \(>0<\*)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2014
3.5 Lisa Worrall is very good at creating MC's that are dark and not classically good guys - some are down right evil; but somehow she makes you root for them and want to see them succeed. Such is the case here, Carter Grey is a vampire, an unrepentant killer, not your typical hero; Max is a detective, someone sworn to uphold the law, someone who should not be involved with Carter. Yet, somehow it works and you want these two to find their happy ending. I definitely enjoyed this book even if I felt bad for wanting Carter and Max to work. I like damaged heroes, I just usually prefer them to find redemption before they live happily ever after.
March 28, 2015
I won this on the author's blog at Christmas, and I really quite enjoyed it. 3.5*
Yes, there are some discrepancies that had me checking back pages and where Richmond is. However, the pacing was fast and certainly kept me involved in the story.
Max and Carter - quite the contrasts, but also very sexy. Though they did both bounce around between tough guy and pile of mush! I liked the cultural references to vampires when Max was getting to grips with Carter being one.
The murder mystery element was muted compared to the romance, and everyone except Lyle knew the real culprit I think!
Yes, there are some discrepancies that had me checking back pages and where Richmond is. However, the pacing was fast and certainly kept me involved in the story.
Max and Carter - quite the contrasts, but also very sexy. Though they did both bounce around between tough guy and pile of mush! I liked the cultural references to vampires when Max was getting to grips with Carter being one.
The murder mystery element was muted compared to the romance, and everyone except Lyle knew the real culprit I think!
January 30, 2012
4 stars. I really enjoyed this! To warn some hardcore m/m fans,
Usually that would turn me off on a book, but I really enjoy this author's writing and really glad I bought this. I liked that it wasn't a case of 'insta-love', but them both fighting the feelings for the other. And I would love to read more about Lyle and Richie. :)
(and that cover is gorgeous!)
Usually that would turn me off on a book, but I really enjoy this author's writing and really glad I bought this. I liked that it wasn't a case of 'insta-love', but them both fighting the feelings for the other. And I would love to read more about Lyle and Richie. :)
(and that cover is gorgeous!)
May 1, 2012
I honestly wasn't sure what I thought of the main characters at the beginning of the book. However, the story kept me reading. I'm glad I did because Max and Carter grew on me as their beliefs and their actions drew me further in to the story. Lisa Worrall proves once again that she's a talent on the rise.
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