Courage Runs Red

Blood Red #1

by W.J. May

What if courage was your only option?

When Kallie lands a college interview with the city’s new hot-shot police officer she has no idea everything in her life is about to change. The detective is young, handsome and seems to have an unnatural ability to stop the increasing local crime rate.

When a raging blood feud between vampires spills into her home, Kallie gets caught in the middle.

Genres: Vampires, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Romance, Paranormal, Amazon

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2015

About the author

Wanita May grew up in the fruit belt of Ontario - St.Catharines. Crazy-happy childhood, she always has had a vivid imagination and loads of energy.

The youngest of six -- four older brothers, and a sister -- taught her at a young age to be competitive in all aspects of life.

At sixteen, she began competing in athletics (track and field) and before she turned seventeen, she was representing Canada in high jump. She continued to compete, breaking Canada's JR High Jump record (1.92m - 6' 3 1/2" for those metric-ly challenged). She attented University of Toronto, and Kansas State University - winning CIAU's and becoming All-American 6x - NCAA Indoors Runner Up + more.

But you're not interested in her athletic career - unless of course you're curious to know she stands 1.70m (5'7") and has jumped 20cm over her head on more than one occassion. She's represented Canada at the World Championships, World Jrs., won Francophone Games, and loved every minute of every competition. From the grueling workouts, the crazy weights she lifted on her back, the days she thought her lungs were going to spit out of her mouth for lack of oxygen, the travelling around the world and the opportunity to read - her favourite past time.

Life continued with her husband (a distance runner from Liverpool, UK, who she met at KSU) and then their first, then second and finally third child. Their house became full of more imagination and stories.

Wanita and her husband run an online business, dealing in antiques and collectables - particularly jewelry and porcelain (one of the business' website: www.wadeincanada.com ).

After her father passed away in 2009, from a six-year battle with cancer (which she still believes he won the fight against), she began to write again. A passion she'd loved for years, but realized life was too short to keep putting it off.

Her first book, Rae of Hope - from the Chronicles of Kerrigan - will be available October 2011 by kNight Romance Publishing.

She is currently represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Wanita is a writer of Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction and where ever else her little muses take her.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Start to A New Series
I really enjoyed this read. I love the paranormal and this book takes a uniquely different look at the vampire. The author has done a great job with introducing us with the perfect amount of background info and has really wowed me with her characters and plot development with the perfect balance of suspense, romance, and mystery. It is a quick read and after I was able to become fully engrossed into the story it was over all too soon. Even if it hadn't been quick for me I would have read it straight through anyway, it had me hooked needing to know what was going to happen next. It's really fast paced without feeling rushed. I am definitely grabbing book 2 immediately! I can't wait to get started. I was given a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review, and it is #FREE on Amazon as of the writing of this review!

[Marcie Wegner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. This book was well developed and has great character development. The characters are interesting. There is enough background information so that the reader can understand what is going on. I read this book in one sitting because I could not put it down. I cannot wait for the second book to find out what happens.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story....
This book takes a uniquely different look at the vampire.it had me hooked needing to know what was going to happen next.. So much different things are happening it's pulling you many different ways. Definitely want to to read more more.But I was a little confused at the end.

[Allison ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly I was getting into the story but it feels more like a novella, or maybe half of a whole book. Idk if I will spend money or 4 audible credits to get the rest.

[Teresa Derrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A car crash on a stormy night changes everything for Kallie Matheson and her family.Detective Liam Steel says he will protect her and try to help her father. Will she trust him to help her and her father? Warring factions of vampires are offering her protection.Can she trust the Red Bloods or the Blue Bloods? I can't wait to find out.

[Lori Vandenburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this for an honest review. I loved it! Kallie, she's a smart girl. Liam, seems good, but... Caleb, just not sure yet. I love that it has romance, mystery, and suspense. Can't wait for the next book!

[Alisha Rowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

After a car crash Kallie's father has not quite been the same. Somehow during their crash he was turned into a vampire. Good thing her mom is a nurse or things would be so much worse for them. He has never drank from a human before and that makes him special and very sought after. Although it is not pleasant. Kallie will stop at nothing to make sure that her father is safe. Even if that means trusting another vampire, this one a hot detective, in order to do it.

Another of those annoying little short stories where they break one book into multiple "books." Again, if you are a fan of those then have at it. Otherwise steer clear. Other than that major annoyance this is a good story. Just leaves you with a lot of unanswered questions and no closure whatsoever. It is like they ended the book at the end of a chapter.

[Klara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly well written for a vampire novel. I loved the main character and the ever growing plot. However I feel that the book lacked reader connectivity. At times the book was rather dull and I couldn’t connect with the characters. The concept of the book was outstanding and different which warrants the three stars I’ve given it. However I would have liked more length to the book, based on personal preference as well as a smaller cliff hanger. Due to the rather large cliff hanger and the book ending abruptly, I felt that me reading the book was a waste of time. That reason alone toppled any chance of a 5 star rating. -KW

[Bigbear Woolliscroft · Rating 2 out of 5]

A girl survives a crash, with her father being housebound as a result. But what is that is not the fault of some injury, but because there is something weird about him and both her and her mother are trying to protect him.
And what if the girl finds a good looking guy, who wants to help...
All this sounds harmless enough, and then you add two bits of vampires and all hell breaks loose.
However, the book ends on a cliff hanger and I did not feel like spending the money, especially after I found out that it is a multivolume series.

[Jasmine Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something terrible happens that lead her in a car crush years ago. Her dad is different and she is not. She blames here because it should have been her. Later in present her dad needs help as she sees it. But she doesn't know his kind existed in there area. Meeting And setting an interview with this handsome young detective for a school paper. Later she falls in love with this guy. And there is this other mysterious guy who said to her just call me if you need anything. But he is always watching from a distance and will catch your breath at the end who is the real monster.

[Gabz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly interesting one, this. Kallie is better at asking the right questions than many characters of Urban Fantasy I've met. And though she's got no clue what she's got herself into, she wants to have the answers she needs and she'll pursue them doggedly.
A quick, short read and definitely worth a try.

[Jody Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man I love vampires

Kelly and her father are attacked after a very bad accident while she was driving in a storm. Her father was turned into a vampire but she was not, she thought she had the local detective on her side which was a blue blood vampire but it turns out that things are always what they seem.

[Flewts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't usually read vampire books, in fact I avoid them, but this was included in a set of books from Bookbub. I tried to finish it, but there were glitches in the Nook version of the book--at least I hope it was this book and not my Nook--that made it extremely frustrating to advance the page. Had to delete it about 20 pages from the end.

[Kristin Jensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not ending in a cliffhanger, it's just cutting a story in the middle. You can't call this the first book in a series, but the first chapters.
Other than that, I found the blue vs red vampire absurd. Adding to this that there was no chemistry between the two main characters, and that it felt like having a look into a silly girl's mind every time she talks to a boy and I'm out.

[Jennifer Shirai · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this from the description but I found it kind of confusing towards the end . I know series start off with a cliffhanger but this just left me kind of not wanting to read the next

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I really liked this book. But I was a little confused at the end. So much different things are happening it's pulling you many different ways. Definitely want to to read more.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

Im not sure about this series yet as I really hate trio romances. Theres not really enough depth or character building for me however there is mystery in the storyline.

[Debra Barstad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just ok for me. Typical Vampire book.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very short read, the ending sucked lol

[Kristin Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good series.

[Alexis]

Only read 50%. I don’t know what it was about the main character but I could not connect with her. At some point I just stopped caring and skipping around until I just quit.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting short story.

[Myra Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again I have found a good book in this story. I found it hard to put it down until the end.

[Mandy Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great start. These are well written characters with a strong storyline. With a brilliant performance from Angel it has a bit of everything.

[Gina Clabo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

3.5 stars. It was good, but forgettable. I thought the instantly love stuff was to much. Kallie was just a little too whiny for me. Recommend to 17 yrs and up.

[Antonette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good 3.5 stars. The characters were intriguing and had strong chemistry. I really enjoyed the plot and am interested in continuing on to see what will happen. There's something so sexual and primal about vampires and I always find myself wanting more.

[Annabella Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted a copy of courage runs red for an honest review for a blog
. Review for 2 Girls who love books.

Courage Runs Red is the start of a new paranormal series by W J May. This ebook is the first installment from the up and coming series. This book overall gives the reader an introduction to the leading characters, themselves in the story, but also a little background of the characters and the paranormal world around them..

The story is about a young woman called kallie.. Who has a accident. Someone gets hurt. But kallie wants to help the person they love. Enter hot cop Liam. Sparks fly. But the world is not all as it seems. Can kallie help or fall..

W J May writing skills show an understand about the paranormal world without becoming over the top. The simple but understanding language and terminology used make the reader follow the story and scenes without become lost.

The way the leading characters of Liam and kallie bounce of each other in conversation, makes the book seem more realistic but also put a smile on my face.. Which in all honest is my fav parts of the book. The witty, smart and teasing conversation between the two is fun and exciting. They way they talked sucked me in and wanting more. They way the connection between them is also blossoming and romantic.. And also made me wanting more and kept me turning the pages.

The story offered a few curve balls and got you second guessing. The way it started and ended left me hanging from.the edge of my seat. The scenes where all written very well and seemed almost like a film which you was like a invisible person.

The only thing is didn't like was it was a little too short.. As it ended just when it started to get interesting.. I was feeling a little omg why.. But kept my imagination alive with what could happen next. I will defo be adding more to my tbr from.this series..

Overall this book is a brilliant start to a paranormal series.. With hopefully alot more hotness and curve balls.. I can not wait to read more about Liam, kallie and Caleb. But to also what happens next in their relationship/friendships..

This is the first book I have ever read by W J May. But it will not be my last.. I gave this 4 out of 5.. Although I loved the story and plot it just ended a little too quickly for my own taste..

[Skye · Rating 1 out of 5]

Courage Runs Red is another offering in the Vampires-Are-Super-Hot genre that's flooded the YA market, however this book makes Twilight look like epic, classic literature. And that's saying something. I feel like I've lost brain cells after reading it.

Even looking past the fact that it DESPERATELY needed a good editor ("virginic" is not a word, I'm pretty sure you were looking for "virginal"), the characters were so two-dimensional and the story so thin that I was left relieved that it was over rather than enticed by the inevitable massive cliffhanger at the end.

Main character Kallie was in a horrific car accident with her dad (why he was letting a girl who had just gotten her license drive in a monumental storm is a plot device that we're just supposed to roll with). Apparently the car crash turned Kallie's dad into a vampire. She and her mom are super casual about it, though, 'cuz... vampire. (WTF)

Turns out there are two sects of vampires here, one with blue eyes, the other with red eyes. They are named, I kid you not, the Blue Bloods and the Red Bloods. Oh, and they hate each other. Of course. No reason is given why or details about the sects other than what I've mentioned here.

Kallie naturally falls for a boy from each branch of the vampire nation And when I say fall, I mean plunge off a cliff. It takes her about fourteen seconds to decide that both red-eyed Super-Hot Caleb from the Red Bloods and blue eyed Super-Hot Liam from the Blue Bloods could be The One. We don't know much about either of them (aside from the Super-Hot thing which we hear a LOT about). Liam is a cop, he may or may not have been a vampire a long time, he may or may not have been involved with the accident that caused her dad to vamp out, and he immediately knows that Kallie is the girl for him. (Of course.) We know even less about Caleb because he's the Super-Hot-MYSTERIOUS one.

Kallie's motivation (other than finding a Super-Hot Vampire boy to rub up against) is protecting her dad, who only drinks blood from the blood bank which makes him a "virgin" in the vamp sense so other vampires want to drink from him. (I'm not making this up.) But aside from that, we know next to nothing about Kallie's dad. He's just a plot device.

Literally one of the most inane books I've ever read.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courage Runs Red is the amazing beginning in the Blood Red Series. You come to meet the awesome Kallie, who has been a very tough and difficult two years...but she's come out of it without changing her caring and loving outlook. Her family, especially her dad is really her whole world. - And because of that, she finds herself ready to face whatever the world has to throw at her in order to be the best daughter she can be.

Now, that alone is a reason to love this book...but the more you learn about her mysterious new world the more you love it, from one hottie to another you find out about two opposing sides, each with their own lure and poor Kallie ends up with more questions than answers..

This is a journey I look forward to continuing to face along side Kallie. Mystery, Adventure, Love and even some Passion...as expect W.J. May leaves you wanting 'more, more, more' in this great new series.
I highly recommend this book, and if you love this novel you'll love many of the other works by the author.

[Claire - The Coffeeholic Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, a new breed of vampires that piqued my interest! To tell you the truth, I'm a little picky when it comes to stories about vampires, werewolves and other supernatural creatures. I don't want to read stereotyped characters after the phenomenal Twilight series. So far, there had been a few books that made me love vampires all over again.

Surprisingly, WJ May's Courage Runs Red is enthralling and a real page-turner. Her characters, Kallie, Liam and Caleb drew me in from the beginning. There's a love-triangle of sorts but there was also a promise of twists and shocking truths as the story progressed. All this talk about offering and needing protection had me intrigued. The warring clan of vampires, the Red Bloods and the Blue Bloods. And Kallie's dad's situation was getting worse, now that he thought he'd seen the one who turned him into someone he hated.

I can't wait to read the next book! W.J.May is a talented writer and I'm looking forward to reading more of her works. She made me believe and love vampires all over again!