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Broken Heart #12
You'll Understand When You're Dead
From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Michele Bardsley...
You'll Understand When Your Dead is Book 12 in the popular, bestselling paranormal Broken Heart series...
When vampire Natalie Haltom starts receiving an influx of ghost suitors, she can’t seem to escape their amorous attentions. And with a ghost cow chasing her everywhere in town, she’s having the worst week ever.
Vedere psychic Matthew Dennison has moved to Broken Heart to escape the Vedere legacy and to start a new life as a psychic for the vampire queen. He manages to rescue Natalie from a persistent date-happy spirit by announcing his engagement to the beautiful vampire.
Just another day in Broken Heart with lonely ghosts, zombie dance-offs, spellcasting teenagers, wedding-planning fae, Little People fertility rituals, and maybe, just maybe, a vampire and psychic finding forever love.
THE BROKEN HEART SERIES
#1 I’m the Vampire, That’s Why
#2 Don’t Talk Back To Your Vampire
#3 Because Your Vampire Said So
#4 Wait Until Your Vampire Gets Home
#5 Over My Dead Body
#6 Come Hell or High Water
#7 Cross My Heart
#8 Must Love Lycans
#9 Only Lycans Need Apply
#10 Broken Heart Tails
#11 Some Lycan Hot
#12 You’ll Understand When You’re Dead
#13 Lycan on the Edge
BROKEN HEART HOLIDAYS SERIES
#1 Valentine’s Day Sucks (Valentine’s Day)
#2 Harry Little, Leprechaun (St. Patrick’s Day)
#3 Dead on the Fourth of July (Independence Day)
You'll Understand When Your Dead is Book 12 in the popular, bestselling paranormal Broken Heart series...
When vampire Natalie Haltom starts receiving an influx of ghost suitors, she can’t seem to escape their amorous attentions. And with a ghost cow chasing her everywhere in town, she’s having the worst week ever.
Vedere psychic Matthew Dennison has moved to Broken Heart to escape the Vedere legacy and to start a new life as a psychic for the vampire queen. He manages to rescue Natalie from a persistent date-happy spirit by announcing his engagement to the beautiful vampire.
Just another day in Broken Heart with lonely ghosts, zombie dance-offs, spellcasting teenagers, wedding-planning fae, Little People fertility rituals, and maybe, just maybe, a vampire and psychic finding forever love.
THE BROKEN HEART SERIES
#1 I’m the Vampire, That’s Why
#2 Don’t Talk Back To Your Vampire
#3 Because Your Vampire Said So
#4 Wait Until Your Vampire Gets Home
#5 Over My Dead Body
#6 Come Hell or High Water
#7 Cross My Heart
#8 Must Love Lycans
#9 Only Lycans Need Apply
#10 Broken Heart Tails
#11 Some Lycan Hot
#12 You’ll Understand When You’re Dead
#13 Lycan on the Edge
BROKEN HEART HOLIDAYS SERIES
#1 Valentine’s Day Sucks (Valentine’s Day)
#2 Harry Little, Leprechaun (St. Patrick’s Day)
#3 Dead on the Fourth of July (Independence Day)
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2015
94 people are currently reading
1087 people want to read
About the author
Michele Bardsley
237 books1,452 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Michele Bardsley writes humorous paranormal romances and funny paranormal mysteries. Michele likes to write, read, crochet hats, drink wine, and eat chocolate!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
July 13, 2015
It's always a joy to read a book by this author and her series set in Broken Heart is an absolute hoot! Broken Heart, Oklahoma is a town unlike any other with it's paranormal citizens and seemingly endless misunderstandings . I've read about the Vampires, Shifters and Fae who live there so it was quite interesting to see Matt the psychic move into town as I was curious just how his ability would affect the townsfolk . Well there's one person in particular who really does notice Matt and that's Natalie but she's a Vampire and if she sleeps with a male it's a mandatory one hundred years bonding. So yes mutual attraction is there but unfortunately there are quite a few who do love to meddle in town. Natalie's daughter Kimmie wants nothing more than to see her mum find love and happiness and with her two best friends has come up with a plan. They will cast a spell to find Natalie someone who would be perfect for her but things don't quite go according to plan and all manner of strange things start showing up! Ghosts, zombies, demons and even a nasty spectral cow! Natalie is beseiged by potential suitors and the very gallant Matt comes to her rescue but then events start moving at an incredible rate ( remember those meddling citizens?) leaving Natalie even more confused!
Such a fun packed world . Natalie has reason to avoid men and as her story is told I was surprised that she wasn't bitter but no she's kind, likeable and very popular with her fellow townsfolk . Matt was probably more of a mystery if honest and I kept waiting for him to get a vision or something because hey psychic! Whilst that didn't quite happen he does use his abilities near the end but not quite how I'd imagined. Yes this is a romance and there's passion but more than that it's a very humourous read. You will want to live in Broken Heart because truly there's never a dull moment. I've enjoyed this series since the first book I'm the Vampire That's Why but this seemed a little shorter and so is not my favourite but was still an amusing story. I love that family and love are always the base for these stories but it's the laugh out loud antics that really stand out.
I received an arc of this that had some errors which hopefully will be corrected before sale
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review
Such a fun packed world . Natalie has reason to avoid men and as her story is told I was surprised that she wasn't bitter but no she's kind, likeable and very popular with her fellow townsfolk . Matt was probably more of a mystery if honest and I kept waiting for him to get a vision or something because hey psychic! Whilst that didn't quite happen he does use his abilities near the end but not quite how I'd imagined. Yes this is a romance and there's passion but more than that it's a very humourous read. You will want to live in Broken Heart because truly there's never a dull moment. I've enjoyed this series since the first book I'm the Vampire That's Why but this seemed a little shorter and so is not my favourite but was still an amusing story. I love that family and love are always the base for these stories but it's the laugh out loud antics that really stand out.
I received an arc of this that had some errors which hopefully will be corrected before sale
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review
June 10, 2015
A humorous take on what a single mom’s life as a vampire living in Broken Heart, Oklahoma turns out to be when her meddling daughter, Kimmie decides her life needs a bit of romance. Poor Nathalie doesn’t know what’s hit her when ghosts crawl out of the wood work toting flowers, chocolates, rings and proposals. Matt, Mr. Chivalrous himself saves the day when he announces their “engagement” in order to deter an overzealous ghostly admirer. The only problem with chivalry and lies is that they tend to catch up with you. Knowing sex means a hundred year bond and having one nasty marriage behind her Nathalie does everything she can to resist Matt’s charms. Matt’s not unfamiliar with relationships gone sour. Whatever good intentions these two have to stay away from each other and decry their broken engagement they are fighting a losing battle. Their attraction to each other is off the charts and resistance is futile. With a town of conspiring friends and busy bodies the whisper of wedding bells are in the air much sooner than either thought possible. Wacky and humorous is watching everyone else plan their nuptials. Throw in misguided attempts at love spells gone awry, a bovine ghost, villainous vamp and a pip squeak demon and this story will have you chuckling. What’s a happily ever after without a protective psychic hero there to save the day. If you like your steam with a bit of humor and the paranormal then Broken Heart is the place for you. I love reading Michele Bardsley’s series and highly recommend this addition to Broken Heart. This book was given to me for an honest opinion.
June 5, 2015
I want to live in Broken Heart. I love the mixture of paranormal creatures and humans, and how they all work together to keep the town safe.
I have not read many others in the series, but you don't have to read them all to understand what is going on. You get some tidbits of the history to understand the current state of affairs when it's necessary. There are so many laugh out loud moments, and they sneak up on you out of nowhere. From the meddling town to the ghost cow that is terrorizing Natalie, the laughs are not in short supply.
This story is about Natalie and Matt. Natalie's daughter wants her mom to find love and be happy, especially since her ex husband was such a jerk. Kimmie and her friends cast a spell to assist Natalie, but they weren't specific enough and end up opening a portal that brings a slew of ghosts to Broken Heart. They are all vying for Natalie's affection, so Matt, a powerful psychic, steps in and calls himself her fiance to save her from the ghosts. The story that unravels is full of humor. The growing attraction between Natalie and Matt just drips off the page and will make your heart pound. My only complaint is I wanted more. There was room to expand on so many things, so while what was on the page was absolutely wonderful and entertaining, I would have loved to see a few more interactions between Natalie and Matt, maybe as they get to know each other. I also would have liked a little more action to the plot. I give this installment 4 stars.
I received a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
I have not read many others in the series, but you don't have to read them all to understand what is going on. You get some tidbits of the history to understand the current state of affairs when it's necessary. There are so many laugh out loud moments, and they sneak up on you out of nowhere. From the meddling town to the ghost cow that is terrorizing Natalie, the laughs are not in short supply.
This story is about Natalie and Matt. Natalie's daughter wants her mom to find love and be happy, especially since her ex husband was such a jerk. Kimmie and her friends cast a spell to assist Natalie, but they weren't specific enough and end up opening a portal that brings a slew of ghosts to Broken Heart. They are all vying for Natalie's affection, so Matt, a powerful psychic, steps in and calls himself her fiance to save her from the ghosts. The story that unravels is full of humor. The growing attraction between Natalie and Matt just drips off the page and will make your heart pound. My only complaint is I wanted more. There was room to expand on so many things, so while what was on the page was absolutely wonderful and entertaining, I would have loved to see a few more interactions between Natalie and Matt, maybe as they get to know each other. I also would have liked a little more action to the plot. I give this installment 4 stars.
I received a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2015
The story takes place in the quaint community of Broken Heart, Oklahoma, the 12th standalone book in this delightful romantic series. Broken Heart inhabitants consist of humans, vampires, werewolves, fae, witches, psychics, among other magical creatures living in a cohesive crazy friendly environment. The focal points of the story; an erroneous spell, and a lie that begins a fiery romance. Michele's talent truly shines as she lures you into this rollicking enchanting story.
Impressive and engaging characters are vividly described by the author: Natalie Haltom-a sexy, gorgeous, vampire, mom, vampire baker (the vampires are under a spell that allows them to eat food); Kimmie-daughter of Natalie, teenager; Jenny-Kimmie's best friend; Tilda-a witch in training; Matthew Dennison-a powerful Vedere psychic, mind speaks, can project thoughts into your mind and make you do crazy things, green-eyed, muscular, sexy human; Patsy-Vampire Queen, Jessie-vampire, Eva-vampire; Bettie Smith-town gossip;
Jerry Freid-ghost;
Kimmie is saddened that there is no man in her mom's life, so she drags her friend Jenny to Tilda's in the hopes that a love spell will bring true love to her mom. Unfortunately the spell cast, asks for a dead lover instead of an undead lover which brings a slew of unwanted ghosts and a few horrific demons into Natalie's life.
Natalie had in mind to bake apple pies, she went to the to field to pick some apples and was chased up a tree by a cow ghost-came through the portal opened by the love spell. Matt Dennison a new resident in the community just happened to be sitting under the same tree. He pulls Natalie out of the tree, she lands on top him, he fondles her tush, and is in awe over her beauty. Natalie bids him good day and rushes home. Matt sees where she lives, decides to pick some apples and bring them to her. Matt shows up at Natalie's home shirtless, just in time to witness Jerry the ghost proposing marriage to her. Murphy's Law is at an all time high in the life of Natalie. While Natalie tries to convince Jerry there will be no marriage, Matt tells Jerry he is her fiancée, he pulls Natalie into his muscular bare chest, kisses her setting her body aflame. The lie escalates into a community affair with wedding plans being made, Kimmie is ecstatic over their relationship, everyone wants to see these two hitched; the two of them decide to have a break up argument ending the ruse; Natalie explains to Matt that a matting with a vampire is a 100 year commitment; but when ghosts grab Natalie at the PPTA garage sale and she disappears in front of him, his protective instincts kick in and he realizes he can't live without her, and he'll kill anyone who dare harm her.
From start to finish a captivating story. Had me laughing and smiling all the way. The story is filled with love, family issues, humor, camaraderie, and hot-blooded, heart-pounding romance. Absolutely adored this story. I have no reservations recommending this book as it was more than a gratifying read. {I was given an arc for an honest review}.
Impressive and engaging characters are vividly described by the author: Natalie Haltom-a sexy, gorgeous, vampire, mom, vampire baker (the vampires are under a spell that allows them to eat food); Kimmie-daughter of Natalie, teenager; Jenny-Kimmie's best friend; Tilda-a witch in training; Matthew Dennison-a powerful Vedere psychic, mind speaks, can project thoughts into your mind and make you do crazy things, green-eyed, muscular, sexy human; Patsy-Vampire Queen, Jessie-vampire, Eva-vampire; Bettie Smith-town gossip;
Jerry Freid-ghost;
Kimmie is saddened that there is no man in her mom's life, so she drags her friend Jenny to Tilda's in the hopes that a love spell will bring true love to her mom. Unfortunately the spell cast, asks for a dead lover instead of an undead lover which brings a slew of unwanted ghosts and a few horrific demons into Natalie's life.
Natalie had in mind to bake apple pies, she went to the to field to pick some apples and was chased up a tree by a cow ghost-came through the portal opened by the love spell. Matt Dennison a new resident in the community just happened to be sitting under the same tree. He pulls Natalie out of the tree, she lands on top him, he fondles her tush, and is in awe over her beauty. Natalie bids him good day and rushes home. Matt sees where she lives, decides to pick some apples and bring them to her. Matt shows up at Natalie's home shirtless, just in time to witness Jerry the ghost proposing marriage to her. Murphy's Law is at an all time high in the life of Natalie. While Natalie tries to convince Jerry there will be no marriage, Matt tells Jerry he is her fiancée, he pulls Natalie into his muscular bare chest, kisses her setting her body aflame. The lie escalates into a community affair with wedding plans being made, Kimmie is ecstatic over their relationship, everyone wants to see these two hitched; the two of them decide to have a break up argument ending the ruse; Natalie explains to Matt that a matting with a vampire is a 100 year commitment; but when ghosts grab Natalie at the PPTA garage sale and she disappears in front of him, his protective instincts kick in and he realizes he can't live without her, and he'll kill anyone who dare harm her.
From start to finish a captivating story. Had me laughing and smiling all the way. The story is filled with love, family issues, humor, camaraderie, and hot-blooded, heart-pounding romance. Absolutely adored this story. I have no reservations recommending this book as it was more than a gratifying read. {I was given an arc for an honest review}.
July 2, 2015
The series is a good one. This is Natalie and Matt’s story. Did not want to put it down till the end it made me laugh out loud. With some hot sex thrown in! Could be read as a standalone book but read the series because previous characters pop up in the book and their stories are just as funny.
June 4, 2016
The ghost cow hellbent on revenge was brilliant, in my opinion he was the star of the book. Thrown in with teenage drama, Elvis impersonators, nosy neighbors and a happily ever after made this an very enjoyable book.
August 15, 2015
The author seems to be really slacking off the last few books. They read more like novellas than books. At least a this one made sense and didn't leave me feeling like I missed something.
November 9, 2017
You’ll understand when your dead
When Kimmie and her friends cast a special dating spell for her mom, they had no idea that not only were they opening the world to ghosts to come date her undead mother, but also a demon out for her mother’s soul. Natalie, has no idea why ghosts keep popping up wanting to date her, but she she is rescued by new to town Matt who improvised by saying she was his fiancé. The wacky town of Broken Heart all jump on the wedding train and their simple lie quickly spirals out of hand. But it all works out ok because Natalie and Matt actually are starting to fall for each other. Our characters are interesting and likable and it’s a cute storyline. This is book 12 in the Broken heart series and although I could follow along easily enough, I think a lot more of the characters and the sub plots would have been more enjoyable reading from the beginning. There were also some glaringly annoying editing issues but that may have been because it was an ARC copy. I rate this story 4 Hearts.
*** reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock***
When Kimmie and her friends cast a special dating spell for her mom, they had no idea that not only were they opening the world to ghosts to come date her undead mother, but also a demon out for her mother’s soul. Natalie, has no idea why ghosts keep popping up wanting to date her, but she she is rescued by new to town Matt who improvised by saying she was his fiancé. The wacky town of Broken Heart all jump on the wedding train and their simple lie quickly spirals out of hand. But it all works out ok because Natalie and Matt actually are starting to fall for each other. Our characters are interesting and likable and it’s a cute storyline. This is book 12 in the Broken heart series and although I could follow along easily enough, I think a lot more of the characters and the sub plots would have been more enjoyable reading from the beginning. There were also some glaringly annoying editing issues but that may have been because it was an ARC copy. I rate this story 4 Hearts.
*** reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock***
September 1, 2019
Broken Heart is consistent
The best thing about the books are the artwork and title. There is never an element of danger even though most of them have "life threatening" climaxes. The hijinx are mildly funny but the making fun of the bad guy gets old. Deadpool makes fun of Ajax but you can see that he's really being tortured. But he gets super serious when it's time. These books are like look a giant rubber duck is coming to crush us isn't that funny. That's funny right. Look he's even got a sailor's hat. Oh my isn't that funny. Crunch. Oh look I'm alive.
When it would have been funnier for the idiot laughing to die or the duck to let out a giant squeak after killing the idiot. All I'm saying is I want to kill everyone in Broken Heart--for comedic effect.
The best thing about the books are the artwork and title. There is never an element of danger even though most of them have "life threatening" climaxes. The hijinx are mildly funny but the making fun of the bad guy gets old. Deadpool makes fun of Ajax but you can see that he's really being tortured. But he gets super serious when it's time. These books are like look a giant rubber duck is coming to crush us isn't that funny. That's funny right. Look he's even got a sailor's hat. Oh my isn't that funny. Crunch. Oh look I'm alive.
When it would have been funnier for the idiot laughing to die or the duck to let out a giant squeak after killing the idiot. All I'm saying is I want to kill everyone in Broken Heart--for comedic effect.
March 9, 2019
Great book. This was so funny in spots but also had its serious moments. This is about Natalie Haltom starts receiving lots of ghost suitors and doesn't know why. She has a teenage daughter. She meets up with Vedere Pyschic Matthew Dennison, who moved to Broken Hearts to escape the legacy of the Vederes. He becomes a psychic for the vampire queen. Natalie wants to get involved with Matthew but can't seem to get rid of these ghosts that keep turning up. Her daughter is involved with 2 other girls from the town and she wants her mom happy so they decide to concoct a little love spell which backfires. Very funny. Highly recommend.
March 25, 2017
Excellent book! Natalie meets Matthew in a tree in a field because of a ghost cow,lol! I won't tell you about the cow but there is a mystery there and her daughter, Kimmie makes the mystery even better. I really like the apple pie and all the people who help love along. There is lots of laughter and romance between the action going on. Being a vampire at this point is not a hindering factor. Read and enjoy as it is an excellent book!
November 6, 2016
A quick and easy read that was mildly entertaining. I received it free and I think it was unfortunate that it wasn't the first book in the series which would have been a better introduction to the world.
January 5, 2017
Natalie's daughter Kimmie mistakenly opens a portal and lets in who knows what in a n effort for her to have her mom fixed up on a date. Matt has just moved into town and rescues natalie from her ghostly suitors.
March 26, 2017
It's been a while since I'd read a Broken Heart story. I knew it would be a quick read, but I took my sweet time about it. It read like a novella instead of a full book, but it was entertaining anyway.
March 13, 2022
Liar, Liar Pants on Fire
Natalie and Matt tell a lie. It grows beyond their control. Add in unrulY ghosts, meddling teenagers and fairies, and a demon. The result is a hilarious story. Read it and laugh.
Natalie and Matt tell a lie. It grows beyond their control. Add in unrulY ghosts, meddling teenagers and fairies, and a demon. The result is a hilarious story. Read it and laugh.
March 23, 2017
Very funny. A nice read for in-between-books...
July 5, 2017
An easy read
Romance between an undead and a psychic. Not your usual novel. The characters were likeable, even the ghost cow. I enjoyed it.
Romance between an undead and a psychic. Not your usual novel. The characters were likeable, even the ghost cow. I enjoyed it.
July 24, 2017
A very fun short story with an accidental romance twist that was both humorous and sweetly sexy to boot.
April 27, 2018
Loved it!
It was humorous, witty, and personable, but so darn short! The characters were lively and loveable! I'm excited to read more!
It was humorous, witty, and personable, but so darn short! The characters were lively and loveable! I'm excited to read more!
August 20, 2018
Happy vampire?
Natalie was made a vampire against her will, but she has learned to "live" with it. Great fun read, loved the characters!
Natalie was made a vampire against her will, but she has learned to "live" with it. Great fun read, loved the characters!
October 9, 2018
Good story!
This was a well written story! Each of the books of this series have great characters and storylines that are well paced and fun to read!
This was a well written story! Each of the books of this series have great characters and storylines that are well paced and fun to read!
January 7, 2019
As with many a good series, I've found that these books have been steadily going down hill the more is released. Not a great book, an OK one, but not up to the standard of her earlier books.
Read
July 24, 2020Does anyone know where I can find this book!?!
June 9, 2015
DELICIOUSLY CUTE, OUTRAGEOUSLY FUNNY AND DELIGHTFULLY ENTERTAINING !!!
Wow! I love it! You'll Understand When You're Dead is the newest addition to Michele's Bardsley outrageously funny Broken Heart Series and it totally rocks! We return to our favorite supernatural community, Broken Heart, Oklahoma, to witness the latest budding romance between handsome psychic, Matthew Dennison and lovely vamp, Natalie Haltom. And oh my goodness, it's not only a community affair, it's a good time for all! The story is original, well developed, exceptionally well written, hilariously humorous, devilishly cute and sweetly romantic. The characters are captivating, engaging and laugh out loud funny. Bardsley skillfully combines these elements into a delightfully entertaining paranormal romance.
Natalie Haltom hasn't always been a vampire. She was a caterer in Las Vegas and a darn good one in her previous life. After being rescued by a paranormal private detective named Ash and becoming a vampire three years ago, she and her daughter, Kimmie, moved to Broken Heart after she escaped her ex-husband, Ronald, who sacrificed her to his crazy vampire boss and his vampire cult. She's now the best vampire baker in Broken Heart and a card carrying member of the undead. You see, Broken Heart is a supernatural community and through the use of special magic, supernaturals can lead a "somewhat normal" life - emphasis on the somewhat. Kimmie loves her Mom very much and doesn't mind that she's a vampire. But what she does mind is the fact that her mom has no excitement in her love life and she just wants to see her Mom happy, especially after everything she's been through. Kimmie is 16 after all, she knows all about these things. She thinks her Mom needs a man in her life and she's determined to make it happen even if it requires a little "spell". She enlists the help of her friends, Jenny and young fledgling witch, Tilda, ward of the Stinson sisters to conjure up some candidates, the only requirements being gorgeous and dead. Huh? Let the hijinks begin!
Powerful psychic Matthew Denson, formerly of the Valdere clan, has only been living in Broken Heart a few weeks but a few weeks is long enough to realize that ridiculously crazy is the everyday norm in the quaint paranormal community. So, when he sees the ghost of a cow in a nearby field and a woman hanging precariously in the tree above his head, he just can't help himself - he has to help her. At first, he thinks she may be a ghost but the lovely creature is very much alive...umm...not alive....technically undead. There is a difference. She's not a spirit, she's a vampire and a quite beautiful one at that. And she is one hot mama and he wants her in his bed - now! There's only one little problem. Natalie Haltom doesn't date - ever! Well, if he's going to rescue her from date-happy ghosts and be her fake fiance, he'll just have to change that! And yes, he definitely knows that having sex with a vampire would lead to a hundred year marriage but somehow, that doesn't sound so bad. Being with the lovely, charming baker, Natalie Haltom, for at least a hundred hundred years doesn't sound bad at all. Actually he really likes that idea because if there's anything he loves, it's sweets. Yum! Now, all he has to do is convince Natalie. And the very reluctant Natalie just might let him!
Beautiful charming vampire-check! Handsome, sexy psychic-check! Meddling, well meaning teenagers-check! Determined ghosts looking for love-check! Vampires, werewolves, werecats, fairies, pixies, zombies, witches, leprechauns, ghosts, fae and psychics-check! Lots of humor, dancing zombies, meddling neighbors, hijinks and a little angst-check! Heated attraction, sweet romance and some steamy dreamy sex-you bet! That and a whole lot more! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!
Wow! I love it! You'll Understand When You're Dead is the newest addition to Michele's Bardsley outrageously funny Broken Heart Series and it totally rocks! We return to our favorite supernatural community, Broken Heart, Oklahoma, to witness the latest budding romance between handsome psychic, Matthew Dennison and lovely vamp, Natalie Haltom. And oh my goodness, it's not only a community affair, it's a good time for all! The story is original, well developed, exceptionally well written, hilariously humorous, devilishly cute and sweetly romantic. The characters are captivating, engaging and laugh out loud funny. Bardsley skillfully combines these elements into a delightfully entertaining paranormal romance.
Natalie Haltom hasn't always been a vampire. She was a caterer in Las Vegas and a darn good one in her previous life. After being rescued by a paranormal private detective named Ash and becoming a vampire three years ago, she and her daughter, Kimmie, moved to Broken Heart after she escaped her ex-husband, Ronald, who sacrificed her to his crazy vampire boss and his vampire cult. She's now the best vampire baker in Broken Heart and a card carrying member of the undead. You see, Broken Heart is a supernatural community and through the use of special magic, supernaturals can lead a "somewhat normal" life - emphasis on the somewhat. Kimmie loves her Mom very much and doesn't mind that she's a vampire. But what she does mind is the fact that her mom has no excitement in her love life and she just wants to see her Mom happy, especially after everything she's been through. Kimmie is 16 after all, she knows all about these things. She thinks her Mom needs a man in her life and she's determined to make it happen even if it requires a little "spell". She enlists the help of her friends, Jenny and young fledgling witch, Tilda, ward of the Stinson sisters to conjure up some candidates, the only requirements being gorgeous and dead. Huh? Let the hijinks begin!
Powerful psychic Matthew Denson, formerly of the Valdere clan, has only been living in Broken Heart a few weeks but a few weeks is long enough to realize that ridiculously crazy is the everyday norm in the quaint paranormal community. So, when he sees the ghost of a cow in a nearby field and a woman hanging precariously in the tree above his head, he just can't help himself - he has to help her. At first, he thinks she may be a ghost but the lovely creature is very much alive...umm...not alive....technically undead. There is a difference. She's not a spirit, she's a vampire and a quite beautiful one at that. And she is one hot mama and he wants her in his bed - now! There's only one little problem. Natalie Haltom doesn't date - ever! Well, if he's going to rescue her from date-happy ghosts and be her fake fiance, he'll just have to change that! And yes, he definitely knows that having sex with a vampire would lead to a hundred year marriage but somehow, that doesn't sound so bad. Being with the lovely, charming baker, Natalie Haltom, for at least a hundred hundred years doesn't sound bad at all. Actually he really likes that idea because if there's anything he loves, it's sweets. Yum! Now, all he has to do is convince Natalie. And the very reluctant Natalie just might let him!
Beautiful charming vampire-check! Handsome, sexy psychic-check! Meddling, well meaning teenagers-check! Determined ghosts looking for love-check! Vampires, werewolves, werecats, fairies, pixies, zombies, witches, leprechauns, ghosts, fae and psychics-check! Lots of humor, dancing zombies, meddling neighbors, hijinks and a little angst-check! Heated attraction, sweet romance and some steamy dreamy sex-you bet! That and a whole lot more! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!
November 18, 2015
My first experience with the Broken Heart Series was pretty amazing. I jumped in knowing this was book twelve of a series that was new to me but didn't care after reading the description. Book twelve is about vampire Natalie Haltom, and her daughter Kimberly. They live in the small town of Broken Heart, OK, where most of the residents are paranormals. With the help of magical pixie dust, the vampires are able to eat regular human food without horrible consequences. Score one for the pixies! Natalie is a single mother, for good reason, but her daughter Kimmie feels the need to play cupid despite the hundred year mating bond she would be locked into and screws everything up royally! When a love spell goes wrong, Natalie is bombarded with ghostly suitors, and one helluva sexy human psychic piece of eye candy Matthew Dennison. Kimmie's witch friend unknowingly let an evil spirit out when she opened the portal to the potential love interests for Natalie, and now Natalie is in danger! You will soon find out how the story unravels in a very short, funny, and extremely entertaining way in this exciting new Paranormal Romantic Comedy!
There is not a whole lot I can discuss without spoilers, so let's talk characters. Natalie's story is she was unwillingly turned into a vampire, but only because death was the other option. Her ex-husband is the one that set her up for a vampire's meal. Natalie has only been a vampire for three years and doesn't know that her daughter knows about dear old dad's role in her kidnapping. Natalie appears to be a no nonsense kinda woman, and a very loving mother. Matthew is a powerful psychic in his own right, but is also part of some fancy, powerful clan called the Vederes. Vedere psychics can see the future and create prophecies. He denounced his role within the clan and went rogue, landing in Broken Heart, OK. Matt is human, but when he meets Natalie he is instantly drawn to her. Natalie tries her best to keep him at arms length because once she mates with someone, it's for a century long bond they can not deny! When Natalie's nosy neighbor Bettie hears that Natalie is engaged, the pushy old bat takes charge without word and arranges the whole wedding in one week! Then there is Mayor Hewitt Twinkletoes of the Little People, LOL! I'm not making this stuff up, really! The funniest moment has to go to Natalie, towards the end of the book, she is tied up and tortured when her friends find her. When asked what did he do, Natalie says, “He sucked my toes.” Matt, “He what?” He sucked her toes said Jessica. Pervert. I was laughing so hard, it took me a few minutes to gather myself and continue.
In closing, I found this book to be a very easy read without having had read the previous eleven books. It was short, about 150 pages, and left me wanting more. The Broken Heart series is definitely getting added to my TBR list, and my Christmas gift giving list as well! One-clickers ready your clicking finger!
**Book provided by the author for an honest review**
There is not a whole lot I can discuss without spoilers, so let's talk characters. Natalie's story is she was unwillingly turned into a vampire, but only because death was the other option. Her ex-husband is the one that set her up for a vampire's meal. Natalie has only been a vampire for three years and doesn't know that her daughter knows about dear old dad's role in her kidnapping. Natalie appears to be a no nonsense kinda woman, and a very loving mother. Matthew is a powerful psychic in his own right, but is also part of some fancy, powerful clan called the Vederes. Vedere psychics can see the future and create prophecies. He denounced his role within the clan and went rogue, landing in Broken Heart, OK. Matt is human, but when he meets Natalie he is instantly drawn to her. Natalie tries her best to keep him at arms length because once she mates with someone, it's for a century long bond they can not deny! When Natalie's nosy neighbor Bettie hears that Natalie is engaged, the pushy old bat takes charge without word and arranges the whole wedding in one week! Then there is Mayor Hewitt Twinkletoes of the Little People, LOL! I'm not making this stuff up, really! The funniest moment has to go to Natalie, towards the end of the book, she is tied up and tortured when her friends find her. When asked what did he do, Natalie says, “He sucked my toes.” Matt, “He what?” He sucked her toes said Jessica. Pervert. I was laughing so hard, it took me a few minutes to gather myself and continue.
In closing, I found this book to be a very easy read without having had read the previous eleven books. It was short, about 150 pages, and left me wanting more. The Broken Heart series is definitely getting added to my TBR list, and my Christmas gift giving list as well! One-clickers ready your clicking finger!
**Book provided by the author for an honest review**
September 22, 2015
Another short story that really left me with too many questions and a sub-par villain that makes you wonder why he was a problem in the first place.
Meet Natalie, a vampire baker living in Broken Heart with her teenage daughter. Meet Matthew, a psychic who just moved to Broken Heart to start anew. Throw in some randy ghosts and a concerned daughter and that's pretty much the story.
While I liked the dynamic between Natalie and Matthew and liked the scenes between the teenagers wondering what to do about the problem they caused, the rest of the story kinda lost me.
The ghosts popping up all the time was fun and unexpected, and Matthew ruse to get the ghosts to leave getting out of hand was also funny. My issues are with the holes in the story and the lackluster bad guy.
Matthew is told that his ex-fiance wants to come to Broken Heart because she knows about some prophecy. Matthew advises against it stating that she was up to something, and he even tries to meditate to find out what that something is. After he tried meditating, we never hear about the situation again, like it never happened. I still want to know what was going on there and if I'm ever going to know. Was she plotting something? Was she telling the truth? What? I don't know and that's what bothers me.
Now the bad guy, who was really so insignificant that I don't even remember his name. He is the vampire that tried to kill Natalie and resulted in her having to be turned. Through out this very short story he is made up to be an egomaniac who thrives in ruling over large crowds and making others follow him. When we actually meet him, he talks about himself in the third person, not even by name but as the Dark One, who is preparing Natalie for the Darkest Dark One or something like that and both of them are just stupid.
Really, the bad guy and the badder guy, if he can be called that, really serve no big purpose other than to separate Natalie and Matthew and make them realize that they belong together. Neither was ever truly a threat and both are handled by the end of the book, actually within a chapter or two.
Again, as with Some Lycan Hot, this story just needed to be longer and the bad guys needed to match the image I had of them. Don't make the "Dark One" sound so bad and then introduce him in the flesh as a weak little minion of someone who is supposed to be worse but is actually even weaker. It's just insulting really.
Most of the story is fine, but way too short for me to really get into it. I hope that the next one is a bit longer with more going on or I'm going to have to stop with this series and just concentrate on the first 10 or so books and pretend the rest don't exist.
Meet Natalie, a vampire baker living in Broken Heart with her teenage daughter. Meet Matthew, a psychic who just moved to Broken Heart to start anew. Throw in some randy ghosts and a concerned daughter and that's pretty much the story.
While I liked the dynamic between Natalie and Matthew and liked the scenes between the teenagers wondering what to do about the problem they caused, the rest of the story kinda lost me.
The ghosts popping up all the time was fun and unexpected, and Matthew ruse to get the ghosts to leave getting out of hand was also funny. My issues are with the holes in the story and the lackluster bad guy.
Matthew is told that his ex-fiance wants to come to Broken Heart because she knows about some prophecy. Matthew advises against it stating that she was up to something, and he even tries to meditate to find out what that something is. After he tried meditating, we never hear about the situation again, like it never happened. I still want to know what was going on there and if I'm ever going to know. Was she plotting something? Was she telling the truth? What? I don't know and that's what bothers me.
Now the bad guy, who was really so insignificant that I don't even remember his name. He is the vampire that tried to kill Natalie and resulted in her having to be turned. Through out this very short story he is made up to be an egomaniac who thrives in ruling over large crowds and making others follow him. When we actually meet him, he talks about himself in the third person, not even by name but as the Dark One, who is preparing Natalie for the Darkest Dark One or something like that and both of them are just stupid.
Really, the bad guy and the badder guy, if he can be called that, really serve no big purpose other than to separate Natalie and Matthew and make them realize that they belong together. Neither was ever truly a threat and both are handled by the end of the book, actually within a chapter or two.
Again, as with Some Lycan Hot, this story just needed to be longer and the bad guys needed to match the image I had of them. Don't make the "Dark One" sound so bad and then introduce him in the flesh as a weak little minion of someone who is supposed to be worse but is actually even weaker. It's just insulting really.
Most of the story is fine, but way too short for me to really get into it. I hope that the next one is a bit longer with more going on or I'm going to have to stop with this series and just concentrate on the first 10 or so books and pretend the rest don't exist.
February 18, 2017
Michelle Bardsley never disappoints. The 12th volume of this series is as good as the first. It is better than the standard paranormal fare. I fell upon her first book while wandering the library, I then became totally hooked. It has all paranormal creatures living in a town that is not visible to anyone but those that live there, yet evil has a way of sneaking in. The residents of the town are so close, they help each other, no matter what they are, fey, witch, were beings, vampires, fairies, psychics, and so on. They live like any other town, with school, businesses, a mayor, the whole works. If you enjoy paranormal stories with romance, this series is for you.
September 22, 2016
You’ll Understand When You’re Dead 5 stars
More mayhem from the paranormal town of Broken Heart. The town of Broken Heart has grown by leaps and bounds since Lorcan went on a rampage years ago and killed eleven single parents that were eventually turned into vampires. Between all of the paranormal species along with the few hundred or so humans the town has now grown to over 5,000 residents. They range from all shapes and sizes from giant dragon’s to the tiniest of pixies. They even have their different levels of dead from vampire which would be dead but undead, (who can by the way can eat or drink anything so long as they are within Broken Heart city limits due to pixie wish years ago) they also have zombie dead which of course is a zombie that is still walking around (yes it happens often in this town but for the most part they are harmless and do not go around eating people) then there is of course ghost dead. Not everyone can see them but they are there and as it turns out, the main character in this series can in fact not only see ghosts but she can also feel them. Her vampire bloodline can see ghosts and can make them go back to where they belong, Natalie hasn’t quite conquered that feat yet unfortunately. If she could she may not have ended up with the whole town believing that she was engaged to the new physic in town.
Matthew Dennison moved to town to escape the Verdere legacy and become the new Verdere psychic for the vampire queen. When he came to Natalie’s rescue by pretending to be her fiancé, he had no idea that things would get out of hand so quickly but news travels fast in a town with so many paranormal. Especially when you have wedding happy fae, little people having fertility rituals that can’t decide on a King and Queen within their group and last but not least untrained witches with spells gone wrong.
I have loved reading this entire series. They are all laugh out loud funny and with so many paranormal species moving into to town I can only see it getting funnier.
More mayhem from the paranormal town of Broken Heart. The town of Broken Heart has grown by leaps and bounds since Lorcan went on a rampage years ago and killed eleven single parents that were eventually turned into vampires. Between all of the paranormal species along with the few hundred or so humans the town has now grown to over 5,000 residents. They range from all shapes and sizes from giant dragon’s to the tiniest of pixies. They even have their different levels of dead from vampire which would be dead but undead, (who can by the way can eat or drink anything so long as they are within Broken Heart city limits due to pixie wish years ago) they also have zombie dead which of course is a zombie that is still walking around (yes it happens often in this town but for the most part they are harmless and do not go around eating people) then there is of course ghost dead. Not everyone can see them but they are there and as it turns out, the main character in this series can in fact not only see ghosts but she can also feel them. Her vampire bloodline can see ghosts and can make them go back to where they belong, Natalie hasn’t quite conquered that feat yet unfortunately. If she could she may not have ended up with the whole town believing that she was engaged to the new physic in town.
Matthew Dennison moved to town to escape the Verdere legacy and become the new Verdere psychic for the vampire queen. When he came to Natalie’s rescue by pretending to be her fiancé, he had no idea that things would get out of hand so quickly but news travels fast in a town with so many paranormal. Especially when you have wedding happy fae, little people having fertility rituals that can’t decide on a King and Queen within their group and last but not least untrained witches with spells gone wrong.
I have loved reading this entire series. They are all laugh out loud funny and with so many paranormal species moving into to town I can only see it getting funnier.
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