January Rayne is a pseudonym I decided to use because it sounds better than my given name. I’m a lover of all romance and write in the genres I love most because why limit myself? I want to write anything and everything, from badass men and women to characters who want to rip each other’s clothes off. I plan to ‘take it all’ like the good little girl I am.
Wow this book ! 🤯👀🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵😥😂 ( all the emotions I felt wile reading it) I've been waiting for a long time to read a vampire book like this It was fantastic getting to know hat life was like for Kentucky back in the cow boy days and seeing how time went on what he did with his life , his first girl friend , what she did 🤬🤬 Daphne 🤯🤯😥😥 what an amazing woman , what she did ... Druscilla what she went through at the start 👀👀 and how Kentucky found her and the way he treated her , I loved every moment of how he got her to trust him I cant get over how they're story take place over four days , so many amazing things happen. Like with every other book I've read so far by January she had me captivated the whole way through
Kentucky Nights is a vampire cowboy romance filled with an MMC that is all green flags and Southern charm!
This wasn't just my first vampire cowboy romance, it was also my first cowboy romance in general! Crazy, right? But I'm so happy to give these firsts to January and the Dead Man's Ranch series 🤭
I absolutely love Kentucky. I was immediately obsessed with this cowboy and knew there was no going back... He's attentive, caring, respectful, a gentleman, and he knows how to treat a lady 😍
Dru is a strong and independent FMC who gets thrown into a traumatic situation. At first after finding out Kentucky is a vampire she's standoffish and hesitant to trust him - which is totally understandable considering what she went through.
Lorcan is definitely one of the loveable side characters I'm bound to fall for. He cares about Kentucky so much, and it's very easy to see. Lorcan is silly, goofy, and funny but also serious when needed. The way he took care of Dru because he knew how much she meant to Kentucky made me so happy.
Romeo, Kentucky's horse, is the goodest boy, and I love him so much. Animal companions are one of my favorite things in books, and the story behind Kentucky and Romeo and their relationship shows how strong their bond is.
The build-up and sexual tension in this book is strong but so worth it. When the flood gates broke, it led to some very spicy scenes.
I hate that Kentucky went through what he did in the pologue when he was younger, and it just broke my heart. But at least some good came out of it down the road like Lorcan and Romeo, and of course, Dru.
I am so head over heels for Kentucky and obsessed with Locran and I just adore Dru and Romeo. I cannot wait to see what's next for our friends over on Dead Man's Ranch! This book is one of my favorites and means so much to me!
The most important thing to Kentucky was letting Dru make her choices because his was taken away from him “I know lying isn’t good to do, especially so early on, but is it so bad that I want her to love me first before she feels like she has no choice because she is my fated mate? She deserves a choice, and if she’d rather die than be with me, I’ll respect that and die beside her.” THAT IS A MAN! This is my first country paranormal read and I LOVED IT! This man staked his own heart after the person who claimed to love him, turned him into a vampire against his own will! He then met Audrey who sacrificed living a longer life so that Kentucky could finally be with his fated mate. And that’s where Dru comes in. She didn’t hesitate at all when it came to him. They were both near death that he was pressured by Dru herself to bite her. I love that lorcan still makes an appearance in these books. He had me cracking up throughout this one. The way he announced that Dru is pregnant had me gasping in excitement. I will say I was bummed that I didn’t get to read an epilogue of their life as a cute family but either I loved it! Especially Romeo and Juliette. Like hello?! A vampire horse mated to one that was abused by her previous owners. The way that she immediately sped off to get to Romeo was everything! I want moreeee!
I was hooked from the start of you like paranormal romance this is for you. The twist near the end had me shocked. We meet Kentucky and Druscilla. Kentucky was once human until he fell in love with a vampire that turned him against his will. Kentucky wished for nothing but death since he was turned but many years later he fall in love with a human and is with her till her last breath. Kentucky is not looking for his fated mate be wants to die but fate has other plans for him. Dru was kidnapped by a vampire but she manages to escape. Kentucky finds her little did he expect to find his fated mate. Kentucky battles with wanting to mate his beloved while making sure Dru has a say in her choice to be with him. Let me tell you I was rooting for Kentucky to have his beloved the whole time.
Have you guys read a green flag vampire gentleman’s book yet?? Because if not, buckle up, besties. 😍 Did I mention he’s also a cowboy? Not just any cowboy, but one who literally worships his woman. Like HELLO??? Yasss, that’s him Kentucky, my man, the moment, the legend. Omg.
This book was so fresh and original while still giving me everything I crave: smutty, spicy goodness + insta love perfection. I swear January Rayne has a magical way of making tropes I already adore feel brand new again. The tension? The heat? The tenderness?? I ate it up in one sitting.
Kentucky is truly the greenest of green flags protective, adoring, respectful, and still all rough edges when it counts. And our heroine? She’s not just there for decoration; she matches his energy and it makes the romance burn even brighter. Their chemistry jumped off the page like sparks flying from a fire under a full moon. I know I am being poetic lol.
This is exactly the type of story I want for spooky season: a fast, spicy, deliciously atmospheric read that makes you blush one moment and swoon the next. It’s got cowboy grit, vampire allure, and that signature January Rayne spice that keeps me coming back every single time.
Honestly, Kentucky Nights is the ultimate comfort + thrill combo. If you’re looking for something steamy, romantic, and just different enough to stand out in the best way, this is IT. January Rayne did not miss she delivered a vampire cowboy who loves like no other, and I’ll be thinking about him for a long, long time.
I loved the twist on this cowboy romance from January. She made the genre her own by having our ML be a vampire with a sad past. I absolutely love fated mates and Dru shows up just in the nick of time. Then the challenge was to not scare her away and get her to trust him. Other features I loved: he can hear what animals are saying and talk to them! Lorcan shows up to annoy Kentucky and he has a horse companion! Excellent writing once again from January!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Cowboy Vampire romance Interracial romance Fated mates Instalust/Instalove Forced proximity Age 28/40 (immortalized) Medium burn Bearded and buff MMC Cinnamon roll MMC Vampire horse companion Period play Praise Squirting Breeding kink No 3rd act break up HEA Epilogue- pregnancy
Kentucky Nights is a lighter take on paranormal romance than what January Rayne typically delivers, and she absolutely nails it. While the story still carries some dark elements, it doesn’t fall into the realm of dark romance. That’s largely thanks to Kentucky Jones, our main lead, who is as sweet and kind-hearted as they come. Despite being turned into a vampire against his will, Kentucky manages to hold onto his humanity, remaining inherently good and committed to putting good back into the world. The pacing and emotional depth of the story keep you fully invested, especially as you witness Kentucky grappling with the weight of his existence, having long waited for death, only to be given a reason to live when he discovers his fated mate. The slow-burn relationship between Kentucky and Dru evolves from uncertain beginnings into something all-encompassing, and watching that transformation unfold is a truly beautiful journey.
The vampire lore in Kentucky Nights is refreshingly unique. In this world, turned vampires can live up to 200 years before they die. However, taking a mate extends their lifespan to 1,000 years—and finding their fated mate grants them true immortality. But there's a catch: if a vampire doesn’t take a mate, find their fated one, or complete the bond, both partners die. With that framework, the story offers a fresh perspective on the vampire genre. Rather than glamorizing immortality, it emphasizes the value of the human experience; the beauty in living a finite life with purpose: to be born, to live fully and do good, and then to die. Kentucky clings to this philosophy, unable to see how eternal life could benefit anyone. As his 200th year looms closer, his resolve remains strong, making his journey all the more poignant. A core theme throughout the story is free will, choice, and consent as these are elements that were stolen from Kentucky when he was forcibly turned into a vampire. That trauma deeply influences how he approaches his relationship with Dru. I truly respected how committed he was to doing right by her, fully aware of how deeply the mate bond would affect her. Still… there were definitely moments I wanted to shake him for cutting it so close with their timing!
I absolutely love Kentucky and Dru’s relationship. Kentucky is deeply intentional as he wants to truly get to know Dru and treat her with the care and respect she deserves before making the irreversible and immortal commitment of mate bonding. On the other side, despite Dru’s incredibly traumatic introduction to the paranormal world, she remains curious and open-minded, willing to give him a chance and embrace the unknown. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the sexual tension between them is absolutely delicious. The looming deadline for them to decide only heightens the stakes, yet somehow their connection never feels rushed. Despite how quickly their relationship develops, it feels natural and right. In many ways, they’re a great example of two emotionally healthy individuals coming together and choosing to make it work.
Kentucky might just be the biggest green flag character I’ve ever read. He’s kind, attentive, respectful: a complete gentleman. And let’s not forget: he’s tall, bearded, muscular, and packing... He’s the whole package. As a human, all he ever wanted was someone to love and a family to care for, and those caretaking instincts are still very much alive and are extremely attractive. Now that he’s found Dru, all those long-buried desires start bubbling back to the surface, and honestly? He’s completely swoon-worthy. He takes care of her when she’s injured, when she’s on her period. No hesitation, just genuine care. Despite living most of his life alone, Kentucky possesses an impressive level of emotional intelligence and thoughtfulness that’s rare and deeply appealing. And as we see when he lays into Lorcan, his kindness is not weakness. He’s fully capable of setting boundaries and standing up for Dru with unapologetic conviction (and yes, the lasso spine? Kinda hot). He’s protective without being possessive, masculine without toxicity, loving without smothering. In case you can't tell, I might be a little bit in love with him.
While some of the subject matter, particularly Kentucky’s depression and deep loneliness, can get heavy at times, it's handled with care, nuance, and relatability. These "dark nights" never feel brushed aside or overly dramatized, which makes Kentucky’s emotional journey all the more impactful. One of the most effective ways this balance is achieved is through Lorcan, our friendly neighborhood Void. He’s Kentucky’s one true friend, and an absolute delight every time he appears on the page. As the comedic relief, Lorcan brings levity just when it’s needed, blending absurd humor with genuine care. He’s equal parts ridiculous and sincere, often hilariously unhinged, but always serious about keeping Kentucky alive and grounded. Despite Kentucky’s initial reluctance to embrace their bond, Lorcan proves time and again that he’s a good friend, one who’s willing to fight for someone even when they won’t fight for themselves.
Romeo, Kentucky’s vampire horse companion, absolutely deserves an honorable mention in this review. I mean VAMPIRE HORSE, how cool is that? I’ve always had a soft spot for animal companions in stories, and Romeo is no exception. His deep bond with Kentucky adds another heartfelt layer to the story, especially since Kentucky can talk to animals. That little detail is such a fun little addition to the world-building. Romeo also has just the right amount of sass, which is total kryptonite for me when it comes to side characters. And when he was turned to stone? My heart dropped to the floor. I was so relieved we got a quick resolution. And even better, he gained a companion of his own in Juliette, his rescued female counterpart. The poetic symmetry of Kentucky finding his fated mate while Romeo finds his is just... chef’s kiss. My little romantic heart absolutely adored it.
The twist near the end was a great touch! I’d been wondering how that particular character might come back into play, but I definitely didn’t expect it to unfold the way it did. I really appreciate when stories lean into external conflict rather than relying on the overused third-act breakup trope, and this one did just that. The reveal was genuinely surprising and added intensity to the climax, pushing the story toward a satisfying and well-earned conclusion.
I absolutely adore Kentucky as a character, and I loved every moment Lorcan was on the page. Fingers crossed he gets his own love story next! This was such a refreshing take on vampire romance, with the unique cowboy ranch setting adding a whole extra layer of charm and intrigue. I can’t wait to see what happens next at Dead Man’s Ranch.
⚠️⚠️⚠️spoilers - whole story*** Kentucky Jones is a good ol’ country cowboy who thinks he is in love with Amber. He just wants to grow old and be happy with his life. Amber, who turns out to be a vampire, was selfish and couldn’t respect his decision to want to remain human. She apparently “mystified” him for over a year, while he thought it had only been a few months. She tells him that fated mates become immortal and live forever. Other vampires who choose to mate but aren’t fated, can live up to 1,000 years. Amber tried to make him a vampire (the human must die while the vampire’s blood is in their system), Kentucky stakes Amber, then before she turns to dust, she unalives him, causing him to turn into a vampire. Almost 200 years later, Kentucky has enjoyed his life as much as he could. Lorcan, a reaper or void, is his only friend. He tries to tell Kentucky about being a vampire but Kentucky refuses to listen as he just wants to live out his life and die peacefully on his ranch. He turned a horse, named Romeo. So he now always has a companion. He even married a woman named Daphne and genuinely loved her. Although they both decided, he would never mark her or drink directly from her (she would put a few drops of blood in his coffee every morning), Daphne thought it would be best to save these events for his fated mate. Kentucky didn’t want to find his mate because he just wanted to pass on. He doesn’t believe people should stay alive so long. One day, he scents a strong presence on his property and immediately knows it’s his fated mate and has to get to her. Druscillia (Dru) is a 28 y/o dentist that went out on a date through a dating app. She gets mystified by a vampire, Louisville (Louis) and taken to his house. He feeds off her and taunts her. Dru is able to get away from him and runs as far and as long as she can, at some point, crossing over into Kentucky’s land, allowing him to scent her. Kentucky follows her trail to an old building inhabited by shifters. He threatens them and they give up Dru, who was tied in a shed, beat up and on her last breath. Kentucky saves her and brings Dru back to his house. Lorcan tells him he has less than a week, more like 4 days to seal the mating or they will both pass. Kentucky won’t take her choice from Dru like Amber did him. He refuses to tell her, wanting her to fall in love with him because she chooses too, not because fate tells her too. Over the next couple of days they get to know each other more and the tension is crazy high. At one point she watches Kentucky take care of himself. After they finally get it on, Kentucky goes to bite her but holds himself off and bites himself, causing him to be “knocked out” so to speak. It drains his energy. (Once a vampire finds his mate, he can only feed off them, no other blood will sustain them). Lorcan shows up and tells Dru she is his fated mate and he needs her blood. But Kentucky didn’t want her to know so she can’t tell him. Dru confesses to Lorcan she is already in love with him. Dru gives him some of her blood and he is able to revive. They spend more time together and Lorcan entered Kentucky in a rodeo and he reluctantly goes, taking Dru. While Kentucky is doing the rodeo things with Romeo, Dru and Lorcan are walking around and make their way to the stands. Dru has this feeling that someone is watching her. She sees Louis across the way and freaks. Lorcan gets called away suddenly. One of the bulls is gunning for a contestant who is injured badly. Then turns on Kentucky. As soon as the bull changes targets, Kentucky notices no one in the crowd is paying attention to him and the bull, like they don’t see what’s happening. And the bull only wants Kentucky, no matter how close anyone else is. Louis shows himself to Kentucky when the bull puts his horn through Kentucky’s shoulder and keeps him there. Louis is able to control animals and humans by using persuasion. Louis is Kentucky’s son. Amber kept Kentucky mystified for a year and kept Louis hidden from him. Louis of course was feed lies about his father so he raged out. Kentucky tried to tell him the truth but Louis won’t have it. Dru is struggling in Louis’ grasp. Romeo isn’t answering Kentucky’s call because Louis turned him to stone with “Cemetery Ophids” (stone snakes). The only way to turn him back is by finding his fated mate. Kentucky manages to get free of the bull and saves Dru when the bull turns on her. She demands he mark her to finalize the mating to get his strength to defeat Louis. Kentucky is hesitant because he still doesn’t want to take her choice. In the end he does and he unalives Louis. Louis realizes in death that he was wrong, but Lorcan said he was so bad in life he won’t avenge his soul. Now that Dru and Kentucky are together and mated, Kentucky sets his goals to find Romeo’s mate, even if he has to buy / rescue every last horse to ensure they meet. What are the chances, the first hose that is delivered is named Juliette and cracks his stone!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I give it 3.5 but rounded up to 4 stars! Potential spoilers ahead!
I’ll admit the cover drew me into reading this because it’s beautiful! Then I read the blurb and was like a vampire cowboy romance? Okay! I’ve had a thing for cowboys this year…..
I’ve read a few books from this author that weren’t necessarily my favorites, but they were entertaining. This one has so much promise. I in no way didn’t enjoy it because I truly did! The world building, the atmosphere and Kentucky himself? Hell yeah!
Some things just fell short for me. Louisville was only in the beginning and end, you never really knew much about him other than the reveal, which, given his name, I wasn’t shocked by. I understand Kentucky wanting to be a good person but the flip flopping between caring and being angry was a whiplash in his part. Not that big of a deal! I just kinda wish we had more of the character, maybe him tracking her in between, stalking the ranch etc? It was like he was forgotten about for awhile, you knew he was around but just thrown to the back. Plus I kinda am interested in the outside havoc he caused during the rodeo scene….maybe book 2 will tell us? 😉
I also wish Dru being a POC was pushed more, her character was (and I absolutely HATE TO SAY THIS) a little white washed. I knew she was from her little character photo on the pages and when Kentucky finally describes her but other than that her character was kinda flat. She really needed more rounding, she’s a badass and I wish that could be shown so much more! She survives being kidnapped twice….I mean she’s awesome lol. Also the wolf segment was also so quick. I’m not sure. It just was unnecessary to me. But I didn’t hate it. Maybe there will be another book with one of their surviving members?
I’ve got to say it. I did not like Romeo being turned to stone. I didn’t like how it was just kinda like “oh I did a thing…sorry. He won’t come back until he finds his mate” I didn’t really like how the first horse pulled was his mate. I wanted more of a journey? I was thinking it would be a side book/novella of finding his mate and rescuing animals which now typed out sounds kinda dumb I guess but yeah. Again, just felt like a filler.
Okay 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ time! The spice is 🤌🏻 these characters actually had chemistry in these moments and that’s what I love about it the most. Forget all my other comments. If you want the spice, it’s here. There’s a little building up to it, I don’t consider it a slow burn but it’s not like it starts in chapter 2 either. I love the idea of the fated mates and the bonding process. Do I wish Kentucky would have kicked his butt in gear like 2 days ago? Absolutely. But that’s okay. It’s okay. He’s a good guy.
I can definitely tell this was out of the author’s normal comfort zone and I commend her for it. All in all she really did create this world and characters that I adore. I appreciate the pace she kept, these are just minor thoughts or irks. I’m excited to see her continue these and who knows? This might have to be a physical copy collection on my book shelf.
TLDR; Cowboy vampire romance, minor issues but overall a great book! If you want good spice, this is your book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Absolutely amazing read! Its the greatness I've come to expect from January Rayne but so much better. I think she may have finally found her thing. I'm not one for cowboy romances but throw in vampires and I'm there all day. It was great. Spice a 3. The plot of the story wasn't dragged down by the spice but it was there to enhance the story. Dare I say January's writing getting better with each book. We meet Kentucky Jones a man who wants to live like any human. Live life have a family and die after living a great life with that family of old age. Life has a way of showing up though and he ends up trusting the wrong woman and against his will is turned into a vampire. He loses it and kills her as he changes. He spends the next almost 200 years wishing for his own death. A vampire without a mate after that will turn to dust returning to the Earth. That's all he has wanted for as long as he can remember. He finds a horse dying begging for death and in a last ditch effort turns the horse turning in into a vampire horse. Enter Druscilla she has been kidnapped by a crazed vampire who bites and messes with her mind. Trying to claim her as his own. She gets away and runs tripping and falling into a raging river. She lands at the bottom broken and almost dead. Begging for death. Rouge werewolves find her and take her hostage. Kentucky smells blood and goes looking for the source and finds the trail and loses it until he comes across a run down bar. Inside he finds the wolves talking about all the dirty things they are going to do to her. He realizes in that moment he cant let that happen and kills them all. Saving her enter Lorcan and his crazy butt. Lorcan is just as wild and unhinged as ever. This time though he has been with Kentucky the whole time being his only friend aside from Romeo His Vampire Horse. Druscilla is Kentucky's Fated Mate and that means he needs to claim her or they both die the problem is he doesn't want to force Dru. So dead set on letting her have her own will so far they both almost die because he is so stubborn. He thinks he is infertile until while at the rodeo the vampire that kidnapped and hurt Dru shows up calling him Dad. That's when you find out he isn't infertile he had fathered a baby with the vampire that turned him. She didn't tell him and took it to her grave. Faced with the truth and the decision his son or his mate he makes the hardest decision and kills his son to save his mate. While he is fighting for his and Dru's life Romeo is being turned to stone with a special flower from Purgatory Lorcan tells them the only way to turn him back is with his fated mate. He takes it upon himself to buy a bunch of animals to try and find his friends mate. The ironic thing is the first horse is named Juliette and she is his mate. So we get our sweet baby Romeo back. Along with finding out Dru is pregnant. While having a date night do over for Dru and Kentucky Lorcan pops up running through the field of flowers with a lasso made of the spines of the wolves that kidnapped Dru that Kentucky had made for her. They give it to him and he poofs into smoke screaming Skew-dang!!
I don't even want to take a minute to sit with the story before I go off about how absolutely amazing it was. The anticipation for this book was so high and it delivered in the BEST ways, omg. If you were brought to January Rayne because of her Monster Stalker series, this is not in the same vein but you should stick around because this story is beautiful. If you were brought here because of her Eternally Series, you are in a good place and will be happy you found your way. There's familiarity here and I hope it warms your bones the way it did mine 😝 At this point it doesn't matter what she writes because I know it's going to be the most beautiful love story and she never fails to reach that mark.
"Nothing has ever made more sense than you."🥺 I will never, EVER get over the way she writes fated mates. January's vampires are my personal favorite and seeing them get expanded on in a different series has me so giddy. Dru is an amazingly sweet beacon of light despite a life of unfortunate circumstances and a night with a sadistic vampire that leaves her fighting for survival in more ways than she expected. Kentucky is an honest, hardworking man that had everything he ever wanted taken from him without his say. After spending decades waiting to die the urge to live is suddenly jolted through his battered soul when Kentucky very unexpectedly catches the smell of his beloved's blood on the wind one morning. Being faced with the reality of his fated mate he has to decide if death is still what he wants or if for the first time in more than 100 years he actually wants to live. "Maybe dying can wait another day because living doesn't seem so bad now that I have her in my arms."
This book had all my favorite tropes presented in true January fashion: Fated Mates, Insta-lust, Good girl/praising, talk her through it, breeding, pregnancy (last couple chapters), touch her and die (and then keep the spines to make her a lasso 🤠 skew dang!), and the best animal sidekick ever! Cannot end this review without mentioning Romeo and all his vampire horse glory! What an amazing creature to kick it with for eternity. He deserves all the best things.🖤
Kentucky's pull back to life was so raw and if it's something you've ever experienced it will sit deep in your chest when you read it. January mentioned it multiple times in talking about this book that Kentucky is different than any other MMC she's written and that's an accurate statement. While she is so great at giving emotional depth to all her characters there really is something special about Kentucky. Wanting to die with every single fiber of your being and then suddenly finding something to live for and watching all the bad slowly fall away to reveal the only good that ever could matter is such a beautiful transformation that it felt so rewarding to watch unfold in front of my eyes. I know I may be biased, January is one of my favorite authors, but this book was so amazing and I can't recommend enough that you read it. 🖤
This was unputdownable once I started it. I had no clue what to expect with an older cowboy vampire romance but like most everything this author writes I was completely consumed and definitely in my vampire cowboy era now!!
Kentucky was such an intriguing character from the start with his falling in love wanting a family to provide for only to have what he thought as the love of his life is actually a vampire. Not only does he not want the life she's promising him but he is attacked and forced into living a life he despises and longs for death to call him home. Unfortunately for poor Kentucky, he does find love but not his fated mate as he makes peace with his life watching said love pass away, and readying himself for his own demise fate takes a turn and now the scent of his mate is making him question what he really wants for his life now. As he clings to his humanity as best he can he knows Druscilla is special but is she worth living life forever now?
Druscilla is a fighter and you see her strength from the start after being toyed with by a sadistic vampire she narrowly escapes to find herself once again tangled up with more sadistic wolf shifter predators and losing almost her will to survive. A new vampire enters her orbit after saving her life allowing her to see maybe he is different and could he be the one she's been looking for? Only a short time and connection will tell if he can be something more.
I love that this one takes you on a true journey of how much Kentucky has to endure in a life he resents while trying to be as human as possible. I love that the author breaks down his journey of being a loner not fully understanding his own kind let alone other paranormal creatures with the help of Lorcan of all people and the internet lol. This one just hit so much differently and has such a profound impact on how choices matter and sometimes how fate can seem cruel when the future looks uncertain. Can't wait to see what will happen next.
You want this one if you love a good fated mate story, spicy moments, insta bond, and a few twists to keep you guessing along the way. A definite must read!!
Tropes: 🖤 Vampire Cowboy MMC x human FMC 🖤 Fated Mates 🖤 Age gap 🖤 Touch her and 💀 🖤 Pregnancy 🖤 He falls first
I adored this new book, the characters, the plot, what a perfect way to start my September. I love the blend of a cowboy romance with a paranormal romance, two of my favorite genres meeting to make a fantastic new series. January Rayne is one of my favorite authors when it comes to her writing style of fated mates.
Kentucky is a cowboy who became a vampire with strong morals and values. His beginning in vampire life was complicated. I really felt for him. I loved his friendship with Lorcan. The fact he had a vampire horse was rather comical, I loved their bond though. I adored the fact that Kentucky wanted to give Druscilla time to love him without forcing her to make any decisions. Druscilla had some pretty bad luck to start the story being kidnapped but she handled it better than I thought she would.
Can I quietly beg for a story about Lorcan? I want him to get his HEA, I feel he deserves it. Plus I am super curious about his life as a void/grim reaper.
If you enjoy paranormal romance, particularly vampire romance then I would recommend giving this new series a read. I will be eagerly waiting for the release of the next book in this series.
Favorite Quotes: "I could bury myself in the marrow of your bones and it still wouldn't be close enough."
"My only wish is to spend every Kentucky night with you for all eternity, Darlin'."
I have been a January fan ever since I discovered her first books. So this was an instant HARD YES for me. Readers that love her Shallow Cove series will love the lighter and more humorous romance she brings to Kentucky Nights. Readers that love her Monster Stalker series will appreciate the spicy intimate scenes in this book. It is much different than any of January’s other books, and if you haven’t read a book written by this amazing author then I think this is a fabulous place to start. It is definitely not dark romance like her Monster Stalker dna experiment (Honeysuckles) , and it doesn’t have as much world building as the Shallow Cove series. It is a fun and fabulous spicy vampire romance complete with grumpy/ sunshine, he falls first trope, fated mates, touch her and …, and one truck bed themes. If you love a century old cowboy vampire who has never bit anyone before because he’s waiting for his mate, and a found family with a hilarious vampire horse sidekick and a snarky, closet romantic yet meddling death reaper of hells harvesters, then Skew-Dang!! You are gonna love this book!! Spice Level—3.5-4 and includes multiple open door scenes with blood play, virgin fmc, good girl vibes, possessive OOT MC and a feisty FMC who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to put on her big girl cowgirl boots to get her HEA! Another addictive book that kept me lassoed from start to finish and left me wanting more! I loved it with all of my insides!
What is sexier than a cowboy? A cowboy who’s desperate for you… and wants to suck your blood. 🩸🤠
Kentucky Nights by January Rayne follows Kentucky, a cowboy turned vampire against his will, navigating life after losing his love until he rescues his fated mate, Druscilla. Now, all he wants is to LIVE.
What you can expect: * Cowboy vampire 🤠🧛♂️ * Virgin FMC 🌸 * Breeding/praise 😜 * Fated mates 🩸 * Supernatural animal companion 🐴 * Interracial romance ♥️
One of the things I loved most was how Kentucky doesn’t just say he’s a gentleman, he shows it. Having had his choice taken from him, he fully understands the weight of consent and autonomy. He ensures Druscilla has a say in everything she does and never tries to sway her, which is rare in fated mates stories. This balance of power and respect made their connection feel authentic and intense.
While I usually don’t gravitate towards fated mates (it flirts dangerously close to my most hated trope: insta-love 😅), January Rayne executed this trope so well that I never once felt the urge to put the book down or felt like the fated mates element detracted from the story. Instead, it enhanced the romance, made the stakes feel higher, and deepened the bond between the characters in a way that kept me hooked.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to explore darker themes while still enjoying familiar romance elements. Please check the trigger warnings before diving in!
Huge thanks to January Rayne’s team for the ARC! 💖
I cannot express how obsessed I am with Kentucky. He was everything I didn't know I was missing. This is the best cowboy romance I have ever read. I cannot get over the way he talks to Dru. If this was the 1950s I would have fainted. This man put swoon in swoon worthy! If you have read January Rayne's other books you might recognize our very own Void. So, you know we have some amazing banter going on.
Kentucky- This sweet man is everything and everything in-between. I felt his feelings from page one. I wanted to hold him and never let go and shake him at the same time. Obsessed isn't even adequate enough for how I feel.
Dru- She is hilarious. I couldn't get enough of her sass and the way she rallied after everything. She was the perfect match for Kentucky. Loved her character.
Romeo- he is the bestest horse around. He is the rootiness, tootiness horse in the wild wild Midwest. So glad he was turned. Kentucky needed Romeo's fire and loyalty.
Lorcan- I couldn't stop laughing when he was the announcer in that one scene. We get to see a different side to him in this and so much more. I am so glad January made him more of a bigger side character in this. Can't wait until he finds his mate/beloved.
Carmen- I see you, I have my theories. I'll keep them to myself. Don't wanna jinx it.
This book needs to be ready and read again. Obsessed!! I highly recommend this book and author!!
Absolutely loved this one! January did not disappoint with any part of this novel. It is such a hard toss up to say which book of hers is my favorite, but this is pretty dang close. Kentucky is a vampire that just wanted to live his life on his ranch and die after a long normal life from old age under a blanket of stars. His mortal life was robbed from him and has hated what he is ever since. He is just waiting until his time comes calling to turn to dust and float away. He never expected to meet his fated mate of all things. But then again fate is one evil lil mistress who loves to show us how wrong we really can be. Druscilla, or Dru for short, never believed in the supernatural until she was kidnapped by a crazed vampire who tortured and feed off her. After escaping her capture she wound up in a bed owned by none other than Kentucky Jones. Who found Dru and decided he had to save his mate and make her mine. But of course, he is not going to force himself or the choice of being his mate on her even if he time is coming to an end. He was forced into his and would never do that to another human no matter what. You will fall in love with Kentucky and Dru's story as well as a horse named Romeo and our favorite void Lorcan (Yes, he pops up in this story cause why wouldn't he lol). SO, if you love a good ol country boy and his trusty sidekicks, you will devour this book and all the wicked fun that is involved.
I absolutely fell in love with Kentucky Nights! From the start it just had this pull that made me want to keep reading, and before I knew it, I was completely wrapped up in the story. The setting felt so vivid—I could picture those quiet Kentucky nights, the stars, the small-town vibe—it all felt so real, like I was right there alongside the characters.
The characters themselves were my favorite part. They weren’t perfect, which made them feel all the more relatable. I connected with their struggles and their emotions in such a real way, and I found myself rooting for them the whole time. Their chemistry was amazing—it felt natural, not forced, and I loved watching their relationship unfold.
This story made me feel a whole mix of emotions. There were sweet, tender moments that made me smile, and a few heavier ones that hit me hard. But that’s what I loved about it—it had such heart, and it reminded me why I love reading romance in the first place.
By the time I got to the end, I wasn’t ready to let these characters go. Kentucky Nights is one of those books that sticks with you after you close it, and I’m so glad I got to read it early. I'm always looking forward to any book January Rayne not because she is always writing such amazing stories but the fact that she's just an amazing real person too! Can't wait for the next book in this series!
Who knew a cowboy vampire could be so amazing?! Wow; Kentucky nights is fun, sexy, and is a fantastic read. Dru and Kentucky (yes, that's his name) are magnetic and funny together. Their void friend Lorcan is hilarious. He brings the laughs with his sarcasm and sweetness despite working for Death. Not to mention Romeo; his smartass horse, who happens to ALSO be a vampire.
An undetermined date in time; Kentucky is turned into a vampire against his will. He ends up killing the woman who turned him. He had 1 other love in his life, however, she died. She was a seer and also friends with Lorcan. Kentucky wanted to die and did not see a point in living and was happy to let his 150-200 years life span end. Until he met Drucilla. She was attacked, kidnapped and tortured by a vampire and then abducted mid-escape by a pack of shifters. Kentucky shows up and kills the pack and saves her. She stays with him while she recovers from her attacks. He quickly realizes that she is his fated mate and must battle with his demons over confirming that fated mate bond or allowing them both to die.
The journey is what matters; not the destination. This journey is amazing and will make. you fall in love with this couple and end up with a new vampire book boyfriend!
Wow…this book surprised me in the best way. Kentucky Knights by January Rayne sets a different tone than her prior novels. However it still has equal romance, drama, and heart that will make you fall in love.
Kentucky is a super sweet sexy man that is both captivating and spicy. He is a cowboy who loves to have a good time BUT, he is also a vampire. Yes this has to have a monster element (I mean come on it’s still a January Rayne book).
However, it’s not just a “swoony romance” though there’s plenty of that sweetness element from Kentucky but there is also angst, slow burn, tension, and spiciness (check those triggers). There were many times where I said the infamous “one more chapter” and kept reading well into he night.
I love the way that Rayne approaches characters always making them layered and flawed. It makes them relatable and enjoyable to read.
The perfect example is Druscilla who is not familiar with a world she gets tossed into and struggles to find her place, who she is, and how to navigate Kentucky. It’s a lot of fun watching these characters go toe-to-toe.
Rayne took a chance with her tonal shift with this book but it paid off. This is great for those wanting to test the waters of a mythical world.
“I could bury myself in the marrow of your bones and it still wouldn’t be close enough.”
This book is amazing. It had me laughing and crying. I love the way January Rayne draws out so many emotions with her writing. And Lorcan is an absolute hilarious menace.
“You have no idea how bad I want to kiss you, Darlin’. You have created havoc in my soul, something I thought was dead for a very long time.” I gulp, licking my lips to wet them. “You— you want to kiss me?” I stammer, my nerves getting the best of me. “I do,” he groans. “I really do.” His thumb tugs on my bottom lip, and the taste of his flesh mixed with syrup explodes across my tongue. “I want to kiss you until you forget how to breathe. I want to kiss you until your lips are swollen from how much I want you. And when I do kiss you, and I mean when, not if, I’m going to steal the breath from your lungs so the only air you need is mine. We will breathe each other in, get lost in time, memorize each other’s lips, and the way we move. They will be long, slow, and deep. I’m going to take my time imprinting my lips onto yours. I know one kiss from you will revive my humanity— something that has been numb for a number of years.”
“Never in my entire life have I ever seen someone or something so fucking breathtaking before. I need nothing else as long as I’m surrounded by you.”
🩸 Vampire Cowboy MMC 🖤 Fated mates 🐴 Vampire Horse companion 🔥 Strong human FMC 🌶️ Kinky 🪦 Touch her and die vibes
I love a fated mates trope and January delivers it every time! You will fall in love with Kentucky. He’s a gentleman, a cowboy, and a vampire with a handful of fun kinks. And let’s not forget he also has a vampire horse! I want to live on Dead Man’s Ranch but Druscilla is the perfect FMC to live vicariously through. She’s thrown into this paranormal world and stands strong to the challenges. Their love is healing and full of heat. The story does have its darker moments, so double check the triggers, but it’s not between the MCs. A perfect comfort read for a Fall afternoon.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Kentucky Nights Dead Man’s Ranch book 1 By January Rayne
Kentucky was a human who didn’t want to be to become a vampire and that choice was taken away from him. He didn’t want an immortal life he wanted a human life to have a family and grow old.
He met Daphne a few years after he became a vampire and she stayed with him to he would stay alive to meet his fated mate. It’s actually a beautiful part and also sad part of his story, you’ll just have to read it.
So when Kentucky met Dru he knew what she meant to him but he wanted her to make the choice of choosing him or not. I love these characters and I loved their story
Kentucky also has the ability to talk to animals and this is how he formed his friendship with Romeo. They also have a friend named Lorcan, who sometimes shows up in awkward situations but he’s a fun side character who hopefully will get his own story.
Lorcan like Romeo is loyal to Kentucky he values their friendship, Lorcan also helped Romeo when he became a vampire.
If your looking for a cowboy romance I’d definitely recommend this 😍
Soon as I read the blurb I knew I would like this book and I wasn’t wrong.,,, Kentucky Nights is a paranormal vampire cowboy romance and you know what? Heck Yeh 🤠 or as Locran would say “Skew-Dawg” .. it is my first from this author but won’t be my last. I know this book won’t be everyone’s taste 🧛♂️ But I had fun, hooked me straight away and kept me entertained with storyline, right amount of spice and twist at the end.. Personally it ended to soon I wanted more. “I Could Bury myself in the marrow of your bones & it still wouldn’t be close enough” Oh Kentucky the man that you are! Didn’t know I needed a love bombing Cowboy Vampire that’s a big hearted gentleman obsessed with his fated mate in my life but I guess I did. 😄 Lorcan was such a great side character and brought the comedy along with Romeo ( a vampire horse btw) Kentucky can communicate with animals which is a fave mini trope of mine so I loved that addition to the story. Daphne made me teary aswell.. All in all i loved it and want Book 2 already, love to see if Oakleigh story is in book 2? And if it interconnects with Kentucky & Dru.. plus.. Need more Lorcan 🤭 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️
Kentucky Nights was a fun read! Kentucky Jones was a simple cowboy, who wanted to live a full, honorable life and to die when he was supposed to. Too bad for him, a vampire had her sights set on him and a different plan in mind. Now he’s living out an extended life, waiting for the moment he can fade away. But one day, he comes across a smell. And it smells…like fate.
Kentucky is a hat-tippin’, Darlin’ spoutin’ cowboy through and through. His only two friends are a Reaper and an undead horse. I loved the banter between Kentucky and Lorcan, who is such an outstanding side character. Here’s hoping he gets his own story. A cowboy needs a good horse, and Romeo was great and such a unique addition. Dru is sweet and super accepting of world she knew nothing about.
All in all, this is a fast read that gives you everything you want at the end. The spice is spicy, both solo and duet. With references to characters from other books, this is a solid standalone that is definitely worth checking out!
This book was emotional, and deliciously sexy. From the very first page, I was pulled into the hero’s struggle. He never wanted immortality—he wanted a simple life, to love, to grow old, and to die when it was his time. Being turned against his will gave the whole story this raw, aching edge that made me feel everything right along with him.
And then… Druscilla. 🔥 The moment he’s drawn to her, the chemistry explodes. The way he craves her, the hunger that consumes him—it’s intense, primal, and downright scorching. Every interaction between them is charged with heat and tension, the kind that makes your pulse race and has you fanning yourself while turning the pages.
What makes it so good is how it blends the steam with heart. It isn’t just about the physical pull (though wow does it deliver there)—it’s about whether love can make him want to fight for forever instead of surrendering to death.
If you’re looking for a vampire romance that’s passionate and oh-so-spicy, this one absolutely delivers.