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Games We Play #0.5
The Fool
One night can change everything.
That's what they always say, and for now, vampire hunter Delia hopes it's true. After years of mediocre performances, she's nothing more than a grunt in her hunter league, stuck on surveillance duty and low-level vamp busts.
So, when her informant drops an amazing lead in her lap, she jumps at the opportunity to take down the region's rumored vampire leader at an invite-only masquerade ball. Clad in a mask and an uncomfortable dress, Delia throws herself into the fray—only to realize she’s woefully unprepared for the night that awaits her, and the only person keeping her from drowning in failure is a sinfully handsome masked man dressed as the Fool.
One night. One job. One man. One chance to change her life.
All she has to do is not screw it up.
The Fool is a novella intended for readers aged 18+, and is the prologue for the paranormal romance serial Games We Play.
That's what they always say, and for now, vampire hunter Delia hopes it's true. After years of mediocre performances, she's nothing more than a grunt in her hunter league, stuck on surveillance duty and low-level vamp busts.
So, when her informant drops an amazing lead in her lap, she jumps at the opportunity to take down the region's rumored vampire leader at an invite-only masquerade ball. Clad in a mask and an uncomfortable dress, Delia throws herself into the fray—only to realize she’s woefully unprepared for the night that awaits her, and the only person keeping her from drowning in failure is a sinfully handsome masked man dressed as the Fool.
One night. One job. One man. One chance to change her life.
All she has to do is not screw it up.
The Fool is a novella intended for readers aged 18+, and is the prologue for the paranormal romance serial Games We Play.
Published December 28, 2015
About the author
Liz Meldon
33 books328 followersLiz is a Canadian author who grew up in the Middle East. She has a degree in Bioarchaeology from Western University, and when she isn't writing about her own snarky characters, she is reading about other people’s snarky characters, babying her herb garden, loitering on social media, or taking care of her furbabies.
Liz dabbles in both paranormal and contemporary erotic romance. Her paranormals are usually dark and angsty, and her contemporaries are stress-free smutfests, but you'll find both riddled with feels. Most of all, she loves writing realistic characters in fantastical settings.
Follow Liz on FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/authorlizmel...
Follow Liz on INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/authorlizme...
Follow Liz on PINTEREST:
https://www.pinterest.com/lizmeldon
Follow Liz on TWITTER:
https://twitter.com/lizmeldon2
BOOKS:
Serials:
THE HUNT (Paranormal Romance)
ALL IN (Contemporary Erotic Romance)
Duets:
DARK DAYS (Paranormal Romance)
Standalone Series:
UNBOWED (Contemporary Erotic Romance)
Standalones:
Complete Editions:
Liz dabbles in both paranormal and contemporary erotic romance. Her paranormals are usually dark and angsty, and her contemporaries are stress-free smutfests, but you'll find both riddled with feels. Most of all, she loves writing realistic characters in fantastical settings.
Follow Liz on FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/authorlizmel...
Follow Liz on INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/authorlizme...
Follow Liz on PINTEREST:
https://www.pinterest.com/lizmeldon
Follow Liz on TWITTER:
https://twitter.com/lizmeldon2
BOOKS:
Serials:
THE HUNT (Paranormal Romance)
ALL IN (Contemporary Erotic Romance)
Duets:
DARK DAYS (Paranormal Romance)
Standalone Series:
UNBOWED (Contemporary Erotic Romance)
Standalones:
Complete Editions:
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 19, 2016
4 - "You look bored." Stars!
I am a bit of a fan of Liz Meldon’s stories, mainly because they are so different from anything else I usually read. I love me some paranormal, and the stories that she writes tick all my required boxes for this genre.
The Fool is a quick sexy introduction to some of the characters that will potentially be featuring in the authors new Games We Play series.
"I don’t mind a little danger."
A Masked Ball at the exclusive Banesview Hotel, the opportunity to kill an elusive head Vampire in the aim of furthering her career, and an alluring man hiding behind a Jester mask, going by the name of The Fool are just a few of the things that you see through the eyes of huntress Delia, in this quick and sexy novella.
"You’re mine… Whether you like it or not unfortunately."
This is in essence a teaser to the first book in the series The King which is due for release sometime this year, and after finishing it, I am dying to know where Liz is going to take Delia, after everything that has happened to her so far, because there are certainly more than a few loose ends looking to be explored, let alone tied up.
ARC generously provided by the author, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
I am a bit of a fan of Liz Meldon’s stories, mainly because they are so different from anything else I usually read. I love me some paranormal, and the stories that she writes tick all my required boxes for this genre.
The Fool is a quick sexy introduction to some of the characters that will potentially be featuring in the authors new Games We Play series.
"I don’t mind a little danger."
A Masked Ball at the exclusive Banesview Hotel, the opportunity to kill an elusive head Vampire in the aim of furthering her career, and an alluring man hiding behind a Jester mask, going by the name of The Fool are just a few of the things that you see through the eyes of huntress Delia, in this quick and sexy novella.
"You’re mine… Whether you like it or not unfortunately."
This is in essence a teaser to the first book in the series The King which is due for release sometime this year, and after finishing it, I am dying to know where Liz is going to take Delia, after everything that has happened to her so far, because there are certainly more than a few loose ends looking to be explored, let alone tied up.
ARC generously provided by the author, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
August 22, 2017
Sometimes you just have to read about sexy vampires to get you out of a reading slump 🤷🏼♀️
December 28, 2015
I received this for review but that doesn't change my opinion in any way!
This wasn't the best novella I've read but not the worst, and I think that my main problem was the writing style and the fact that I couldn't click with it.
It's a very very short read and I think you should give it a change if you want to see how it is, if you like the style, the characters, so you know if you buy and read the next book or not. For me, as I said, it wasn't amazing, it had some good parts here and there, but didn't blew me away. Especially, because I was expecting to be charmed by the writing style and I didn't. And this is a very important thing for me, because if I don't care for what I read... what I would read it?
The characters seem pretty interesting and I'm sure that in the next books they'll be more developed and we'll find out more about them and the relationships between them. About the story I don't know what to say, it can be good or it can go into the cliche side; it depends. And also it depends on what you've read before in this genre and with vampires, so if you've read a ton *like me* then maybe you won't be so amazed. Or you'll be, who knows. But if you're knew and this your first read, I think you can give it a try and hopefully you'll like it.
This wasn't the best novella I've read but not the worst, and I think that my main problem was the writing style and the fact that I couldn't click with it.
It's a very very short read and I think you should give it a change if you want to see how it is, if you like the style, the characters, so you know if you buy and read the next book or not. For me, as I said, it wasn't amazing, it had some good parts here and there, but didn't blew me away. Especially, because I was expecting to be charmed by the writing style and I didn't. And this is a very important thing for me, because if I don't care for what I read... what I would read it?
The characters seem pretty interesting and I'm sure that in the next books they'll be more developed and we'll find out more about them and the relationships between them. About the story I don't know what to say, it can be good or it can go into the cliche side; it depends. And also it depends on what you've read before in this genre and with vampires, so if you've read a ton *like me* then maybe you won't be so amazed. Or you'll be, who knows. But if you're knew and this your first read, I think you can give it a try and hopefully you'll like it.
November 21, 2016
AMAZON: http://a.co/jcbX0TB
And what a fool I was... Liz Meldon totally fooled me with this one.
After years of mediocre performances, Delia Roberts decides to jump on a hot tip regarding a big fish. A high level vamp who will give her the chance to boost her career as a vampire huntress. All she has to do is stab the fucker and get out of there. Easier said than done, right?.
One chance to change her life. Don't fuck it up, Delia. But well, shit happens and she got distracted. A distraction in the form of a ridiculously attractive guy dressed as the Fool. A guy who is far from what he seems.
The Fool will introduce you to a world where Vampires and humans try to coexist but this doesn't mean that they have a good relationship. Vamps have to follow some rules, If they are broken, they are hunted.
I confess that even though I wasn't feeling the story during the first chapters, I couldn't put it down. Why? Liz Meldon's writing. Her words were captivating enough to keep me reading and I'm so glad I did it because that ending... gosh!
Short, sexy and with a sligh twist at the end that will leave you begging for the next book.
The Fool is a preview for what has the makings for a fantastic series. If you're into Vampires, this is definitely a must read for you.
And what a fool I was... Liz Meldon totally fooled me with this one.
After years of mediocre performances, Delia Roberts decides to jump on a hot tip regarding a big fish. A high level vamp who will give her the chance to boost her career as a vampire huntress. All she has to do is stab the fucker and get out of there. Easier said than done, right?.
One chance to change her life. Don't fuck it up, Delia. But well, shit happens and she got distracted. A distraction in the form of a ridiculously attractive guy dressed as the Fool. A guy who is far from what he seems.
The Fool will introduce you to a world where Vampires and humans try to coexist but this doesn't mean that they have a good relationship. Vamps have to follow some rules, If they are broken, they are hunted.
I confess that even though I wasn't feeling the story during the first chapters, I couldn't put it down. Why? Liz Meldon's writing. Her words were captivating enough to keep me reading and I'm so glad I did it because that ending... gosh!
Short, sexy and with a sligh twist at the end that will leave you begging for the next book.
The Fool is a preview for what has the makings for a fantastic series. If you're into Vampires, this is definitely a must read for you.
November 21, 2016
The Fool is a prologue to the upcoming novel, The King. Delia is a vampire hunter who wants to prove herself and earn the respect of her peers. This is the first time any author has considered the professional challenges of being a vampire hunter and belonging to an organization, like the League which added something new to the story. The description is minimal, subtle and pulls you deeper into the story. The pacing is great, I completed the book in a single setting. The writer is seriously gifted, I was curious and entertained as the story moved further. The Fool is interesting, enigmatic and I can't wait to read more about him. I absolutely enjoyed The Fool and am waiting eagerly for The King.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2017
I stumbled upon this book by pure chance and I am very happy I did! First off, I am new to the adult paranormal romance genre so this was defiantly something new to me, so I can’t really comment on how original it was, but it was very enjoyable. I loved that this reminded me of a darker, most adult Buffy (which is one of my favorite shows!). I am very interested in seeing how this series plays out and will be picking up The King immediately!
This is my first book by Liz Meldon and I found the writing amazing! It was detailed enough to paint a picture, but was not overly flowery. I found the pacing to be perfect. The beginning was a bit slow, but then picks up and never relents! I loved the plot of this and how it ended. It was an great set up for the next book and I am VERY excited to see what happens next!
I was surprised how detailed and developed these characters were with how short this novella is. Usually I struggle connecting with characters in books this short, but I really felt like I got a good understanding of the main character, Delia. She was very likable and I hope to get to delve into her past more in the next installment. And ‘The Fool’ was amazing! Although his character is still a mystery, I am very intrigued to learn more about him and am almost positive his character is going to be one that I will like! I am also very interested in learning more about some of the side characters that were briefly introduced in The Fool.
I think that I am most excited about what direction The King is going to go in. This setup for this world makes it seem like it is going to be complex and dynamic. I can’t wait to see more of the intricate politics within the vampire and hunter community. I am also really looking forward to seeing how the romance within this series blooms and grows. The setup was amazing and I LOVE me some forbidden romance.
Overall, I am going to continue on with this series! One of my goals for 2017 is to expand my paranormal reading horizons seeing as I enjoy them when I read them, but I rarely seem to pick them up. Hopefully this series will only further my interest within this genre!
This is my first book by Liz Meldon and I found the writing amazing! It was detailed enough to paint a picture, but was not overly flowery. I found the pacing to be perfect. The beginning was a bit slow, but then picks up and never relents! I loved the plot of this and how it ended. It was an great set up for the next book and I am VERY excited to see what happens next!
I was surprised how detailed and developed these characters were with how short this novella is. Usually I struggle connecting with characters in books this short, but I really felt like I got a good understanding of the main character, Delia. She was very likable and I hope to get to delve into her past more in the next installment. And ‘The Fool’ was amazing! Although his character is still a mystery, I am very intrigued to learn more about him and am almost positive his character is going to be one that I will like! I am also very interested in learning more about some of the side characters that were briefly introduced in The Fool.
I think that I am most excited about what direction The King is going to go in. This setup for this world makes it seem like it is going to be complex and dynamic. I can’t wait to see more of the intricate politics within the vampire and hunter community. I am also really looking forward to seeing how the romance within this series blooms and grows. The setup was amazing and I LOVE me some forbidden romance.
Overall, I am going to continue on with this series! One of my goals for 2017 is to expand my paranormal reading horizons seeing as I enjoy them when I read them, but I rarely seem to pick them up. Hopefully this series will only further my interest within this genre!
February 10, 2016
The Fool laughed and gave her waist a little squeeze. “Ah, but we’re all liars in our own way.”
As soon as I saw vampires and masquerade in the description, I knew that I had to read this book. I absolutely loved, loved, loved this book! Liz Meldon does a fantastic job describing the setting for us. I had the perfect picture in my mind of the elaborate garden party/masquerade ball. I love the writing style. With this being a novella/prologue (the first book, The King coming out later this year) I felt we still got to know our characters pretty well.
I read this book cover to cover one night before going to sleep. The next morning, I read it again, cover to cover. That's how much I enjoyed this book!
*I recieved a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2016
Quick little prologue about a vampire hunter that's trying to prove her worth by trying to find a top vampire instead she meets a sexy mysterious man and ends up having sex with him...she's gets bitten by him and finds out he's the one she's supposed to looking for ..lol whooops!! I really liked this..I need to read more paranormal romance. Super excited to read The King next and see where things lead for Delia and Claude.
June 10, 2017
Oh wow.
YES!
Seduction can be a dangerous game. A cat and a mouse. The cat believes it to be the cat, but is it the mouse?
I loved the dance that brought the two main characters together! So subtle, so yearning, so exquisite!
I truly enjoyed their little dance around each other!
I don't want to say too much (hopefully I haven't already), but this was a fascinating read I didn't think I'd like. (That's why I put off reading it for so long).
I fell for The Fool!
The characters were developed and I could see their backgrounds. I like how you integrated it into the storyline without having an info dump. That helped the plot flow so smoothly! A vampire hunter who needs money and a ball/party with vamps and humans! Such a good (cliché) idea that was made into a funner read!
That plot twist that I should've seen! Ugh so marvelous! (I am SUPER happy I didn't read the first book blurb or I'd have been spoiled of a twist).
Can't wait and thanks for writing such a great story with intriguing people!
Wonderful prologue start to a story I now want to finish!
Read this BEFORE reading the first book (and its blurb) if you can!
(Anyone want to lend it to me?) xD
Gimme gimme gimme! The main ship has sailed!
YES!
Seduction can be a dangerous game. A cat and a mouse. The cat believes it to be the cat, but is it the mouse?
I loved the dance that brought the two main characters together! So subtle, so yearning, so exquisite!
I truly enjoyed their little dance around each other!
I don't want to say too much (hopefully I haven't already), but this was a fascinating read I didn't think I'd like. (That's why I put off reading it for so long).
I fell for The Fool!
The characters were developed and I could see their backgrounds. I like how you integrated it into the storyline without having an info dump. That helped the plot flow so smoothly! A vampire hunter who needs money and a ball/party with vamps and humans! Such a good (cliché) idea that was made into a funner read!
That plot twist that I should've seen! Ugh so marvelous! (I am SUPER happy I didn't read the first book blurb or I'd have been spoiled of a twist).
Can't wait and thanks for writing such a great story with intriguing people!
Wonderful prologue start to a story I now want to finish!
Read this BEFORE reading the first book (and its blurb) if you can!
(Anyone want to lend it to me?) xD
Gimme gimme gimme! The main ship has sailed!
February 16, 2016
I received this book from the author through LoP in exchange for an honest review.
Delia is a hunter who craves the greatness that has successfully evaded her during her short career. Tired of picking up low-level goons, she decides to jump on a hot tip regarding an evasive high level vamp that is destined to finally boost her career. Armed with an ill-thought out plan, she enters the vampire masquerade and finds who she is looking for in a way that she never expected.
If you’re looking for a vampire novel with a slight twist, this is the short opener that is bound to lead to a great series. Liz Meldon gives us a taste of the series. We have Delia, a bit of a hot head who is desperate to finally catch a break in her career. She’s stubborn and shortsighted, but she’s well aware of her flaws and does not apologize for it. We are introduced to a couple of people in Delia’s world, including the snitch that leads her to a masquerade and an on again off again peer who doubts her abilities. Of course, there is the Fool, a mysterious guest of the masquerade who is far from what he seems. Meldon gives us a taste of these characters as she builds the world that returning readers will dive into with the first novel.
One of the things that I like about this novella is that Delia is aware of her flaws, but runs with them. She narrates her story to us in a way that is relatable. We can relate to being flawed, discontent, and human. We can relate to looking for the thing, whatever it is, that will finally get our lives on tract. Then we have a man shrouded in mystery who throws a wrench into Delia’s plan in more ways than she could have ever predicted. The cover caught me, the synopsis wrangled me in, and the story has bolted me to my seat.
Delia is a hunter who craves the greatness that has successfully evaded her during her short career. Tired of picking up low-level goons, she decides to jump on a hot tip regarding an evasive high level vamp that is destined to finally boost her career. Armed with an ill-thought out plan, she enters the vampire masquerade and finds who she is looking for in a way that she never expected.
If you’re looking for a vampire novel with a slight twist, this is the short opener that is bound to lead to a great series. Liz Meldon gives us a taste of the series. We have Delia, a bit of a hot head who is desperate to finally catch a break in her career. She’s stubborn and shortsighted, but she’s well aware of her flaws and does not apologize for it. We are introduced to a couple of people in Delia’s world, including the snitch that leads her to a masquerade and an on again off again peer who doubts her abilities. Of course, there is the Fool, a mysterious guest of the masquerade who is far from what he seems. Meldon gives us a taste of these characters as she builds the world that returning readers will dive into with the first novel.
One of the things that I like about this novella is that Delia is aware of her flaws, but runs with them. She narrates her story to us in a way that is relatable. We can relate to being flawed, discontent, and human. We can relate to looking for the thing, whatever it is, that will finally get our lives on tract. Then we have a man shrouded in mystery who throws a wrench into Delia’s plan in more ways than she could have ever predicted. The cover caught me, the synopsis wrangled me in, and the story has bolted me to my seat.
Read
December 28, 2015As always, I don't leave ratings for my own books, but I do like leaving a little tidbit in the comment section about my time spent writing it.
The Fool, in many ways, is my big departure from writing fanfiction. Even with my ongoing paranormal romance serial, Lovers and Liars, my characters are still, for the most part, public domain folks that I've taken creative liberties with. Here, Delia and the Fool are my own little babies, and I'm really excited to share them with everyone. I was really keen to write a story with a hunter who was basically shit at her job, in the beginning anyway, because I've seen a lot of kick-butt vampire hunters and I wanted to try something new (to me, anyway... it's hard to be new in the vampire fiction world). Delia as a character takes on some of my biggest fears as a writer: thinking she's A++ at her job, only to realize she's kind of not great in a lot of ways. I think it's the hidden fear of a lot of writers, and it was an interesting dynamic to write for me.
This was initially nothing more than a smutty drabble. I meant it to be maaaaybe 8K, but as I was writing, this whole new world unfolded and suddenly I had an actual plot to work around. From there, two more book plots were born and will be published in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
I hope you enjoy! I know it won't be for everyone. It's a snippet of a much larger world, a brief glance into one night between two people. Still, I'm thrilled to kick the Games We Play serial off with a bang!
(... puns.)
The Fool, in many ways, is my big departure from writing fanfiction. Even with my ongoing paranormal romance serial, Lovers and Liars, my characters are still, for the most part, public domain folks that I've taken creative liberties with. Here, Delia and the Fool are my own little babies, and I'm really excited to share them with everyone. I was really keen to write a story with a hunter who was basically shit at her job, in the beginning anyway, because I've seen a lot of kick-butt vampire hunters and I wanted to try something new (to me, anyway... it's hard to be new in the vampire fiction world). Delia as a character takes on some of my biggest fears as a writer: thinking she's A++ at her job, only to realize she's kind of not great in a lot of ways. I think it's the hidden fear of a lot of writers, and it was an interesting dynamic to write for me.
This was initially nothing more than a smutty drabble. I meant it to be maaaaybe 8K, but as I was writing, this whole new world unfolded and suddenly I had an actual plot to work around. From there, two more book plots were born and will be published in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
I hope you enjoy! I know it won't be for everyone. It's a snippet of a much larger world, a brief glance into one night between two people. Still, I'm thrilled to kick the Games We Play serial off with a bang!
(... puns.)
December 2, 2016
Pretty good, pretty good :)
Pretty darn good. Paranormal romance isn't usually my thing, but this was very good. A different spin on the usual vampire tropes I've read before.
A hunter named, Delia, goes off on her own to a masquerade party looking for one of the upper level vampires, but instead ends up finding the Fool. Let's just say that she gets much more than she bargains for with him.
The naughty bits in this story were pretty hot. The couple felt like they were actually intimate and not just in just. Their moments didn't feel forced. Great writing to make it feel like two people who are strangers actually aren't.
I enjoyed the paranormal aspect and all the rules that were given so far. I liked both of the characters as well.
The only reason I gave it four stars was at first I had trouble staying interested. At around 25% I couldn't put it down. So it was worth sticking with it! Great read. Now I just don't know whether to buy The King now, or wait until The Queen is out. Haha!
January 2, 2017
“The Fool” is the prequel to the “The Games We Play” series. It sets the tone for what readers can expect from the series. It whetted my appetite and made me eager to discover what the series had to offer.
“The Fool” introduces us to Delia, a low-level vampire hunter who has been trying to garner the respect of the vampire hunting league. However, no matter what she did they refused to acknowledge her efforts. Therefore, when an opportunity arose for her to prove that she was good at her job she could not resist. It didn’t matter that she had to dress up and attend a masquerade ball to achieve her goal. This was her chance to kill the head honcho of the regional vampire clan. What she did no count on, however, was the distraction that came in the form of an intriguing and mysterious stranger who was determined to stay by her side for the entire night if possible.
This was an easy and quick read, which of course ended with a whopping cliff-hanger. Although it was short it provided me with enough information to warrant me wanting to continue the series. The intimate encounter between Delia and the mysterious stranger was steamy and intense and left me wanting more. The pacing was good and I thought the story was well written.
Verdict:
I enjoyed this introduction to the series and will be jumping head on into the next book as I can’t wait to see how the series will unfold. This is my first time reading the author’s work and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
“The Fool” introduces us to Delia, a low-level vampire hunter who has been trying to garner the respect of the vampire hunting league. However, no matter what she did they refused to acknowledge her efforts. Therefore, when an opportunity arose for her to prove that she was good at her job she could not resist. It didn’t matter that she had to dress up and attend a masquerade ball to achieve her goal. This was her chance to kill the head honcho of the regional vampire clan. What she did no count on, however, was the distraction that came in the form of an intriguing and mysterious stranger who was determined to stay by her side for the entire night if possible.
This was an easy and quick read, which of course ended with a whopping cliff-hanger. Although it was short it provided me with enough information to warrant me wanting to continue the series. The intimate encounter between Delia and the mysterious stranger was steamy and intense and left me wanting more. The pacing was good and I thought the story was well written.
Verdict:
I enjoyed this introduction to the series and will be jumping head on into the next book as I can’t wait to see how the series will unfold. This is my first time reading the author’s work and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
March 30, 2017
Don't you just love writing a review when you forgot to take notes? *ahem*
The Fool is a prequel novella so I sped through it. It's easily doable in one sitting if you've got an hour or two spare, and it's every bit as sexy and intriguing as I've come to expect from Meldon.
Personally I found it slower to start with than her first novella in the Lovers and Liars series but I still enjoyed it. In fact, I've already got The King waiting on my kindle, so I'm looking forward to getting around to that some time soon! <3
If you're looking for a quick-to-read paranormal erotic novella, then look no further! However, please be aware that this series is aimed at mature audiences only, and is not suitable for younger readers.
The Fool is a prequel novella so I sped through it. It's easily doable in one sitting if you've got an hour or two spare, and it's every bit as sexy and intriguing as I've come to expect from Meldon.
Personally I found it slower to start with than her first novella in the Lovers and Liars series but I still enjoyed it. In fact, I've already got The King waiting on my kindle, so I'm looking forward to getting around to that some time soon! <3
If you're looking for a quick-to-read paranormal erotic novella, then look no further! However, please be aware that this series is aimed at mature audiences only, and is not suitable for younger readers.
February 28, 2017
“The Fool” is the prequel to the “The Games We Play” series. It sets the tone for what readers can expect from the series. It whetted my appetite and made me eager to discover what the series had to offer.“The Fool” introduces us to Delia, a low-level vampire hunter who has been trying to garner the respect of the vampire hunting league. However, no matter what she did they refused to acknowledge her efforts. Therefore, when an opportunity arose for her to prove that she was good at her job she could not resist. It didn’t matter that she had to dress up and attend a masquerade ball to achieve her goal. This was her chance to kill the head honcho of the regional vampire clan. What she did no count on, however, was the distraction that came in the form of an intriguing and mysterious stranger who was determined to stay by her side for the entire night if possible.This was an easy and quick read, which of course ended with a whopping cliff-hanger. Although it was short it provided me with enough information to warrant me wanting to continue the series. The intimate encounter between Delia and the mysterious stranger was steamy and intense and left me wanting more. The pacing was good and I thought the story was well written.Verdict:I enjoyed this introduction to the series and will be jumping head on into the next book as I can’t wait to see how the series will unfold. This is my first time reading the author’s work and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 29, 2015
* I received this arc in exchange for an honest review* Absolutely loved this novella and I can't wait for the next full length book. The author had me hooked and I didn't see that twist at all!! Not to many authors can pull off paranormal books but this author nailed it!! Looks like I have another favorite series to add to my collection.
January 18, 2025
We start off learning about Delia, her profession and where she stands on that job hierarchy. I enjoyed the social design of this world with how the present day humans deal with vampires. Although, I did feel there was a few info dumps here and there in the story to explain all this information but it was done in a way that wasn't really bothersome to me but may be for others. However, other than increasing the word count, I couldn't think of a better way to explain it without being more cumbersome and personally it helped me imagine the world better.
Meldon's writing always entrances me. I can easily imagine what the characters look like, what they are doing, or saying. I had no problems imagining the grand ballroom or the dazzling gown and people littering the dance floor. While I don't always agree with the main characters actions or what they say, it does come across as realistic to me. That said, I do like Delia and how she is flawed and knows it. The pacing is great, I practically read this all in one sitting so it's quick paced and easy to read. The love scene definitely helps. It's hot, sweet, and fierce all in one. I enjoyed it immensely. :D
The Fool is an interesting character, dark and mysterious you could tell he was someone important. I loved that he oozed confidence but had an old-school vibe to him which made me chuckle a few times as he tries to woo Delia. I couldn't help but laugh at his mask and I'm still curious as to why he chose that one specifically.
There is a few things that troubled me as I read this story. I felt like Delia had been too distracted by The Fool to focus on her mission and that bothered me because I felt like that should have been more of the priority. Still he was a sexy distraction so I can't complain too much. lol
I wasn't too thrilled with what The Fool did, without spoilers, I feel like permission should have been asked first before he did what he did. Although, he did get some payback later...but what he did I feel was irreversible.
I felt that the ending was weird, abrupt, and jarring. I'm glad we had it because it helped clarify some of the confusion I felt at the end. The quick glimpses explained some things but only made me want to read more but it also left me with more questions which I suppose will be answered in the first book as this novella is a prologue for the series.
Overall, the novella is a fun quick read and left me wanting to continue to read more of the serial series of Games We Play. Where it ended definitely left me curious as to what will happen in the next book and what will happen with Delia after her encounter with The Fool. I recommend this book if you enjoy Vampires, electric romance, or elaborate costumes and balls.
3.6 out of 5 rating for me!
(A copy was provided for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.)
Meldon's writing always entrances me. I can easily imagine what the characters look like, what they are doing, or saying. I had no problems imagining the grand ballroom or the dazzling gown and people littering the dance floor. While I don't always agree with the main characters actions or what they say, it does come across as realistic to me. That said, I do like Delia and how she is flawed and knows it. The pacing is great, I practically read this all in one sitting so it's quick paced and easy to read. The love scene definitely helps. It's hot, sweet, and fierce all in one. I enjoyed it immensely. :D
The Fool is an interesting character, dark and mysterious you could tell he was someone important. I loved that he oozed confidence but had an old-school vibe to him which made me chuckle a few times as he tries to woo Delia. I couldn't help but laugh at his mask and I'm still curious as to why he chose that one specifically.
There is a few things that troubled me as I read this story. I felt like Delia had been too distracted by The Fool to focus on her mission and that bothered me because I felt like that should have been more of the priority. Still he was a sexy distraction so I can't complain too much. lol
I wasn't too thrilled with what The Fool did, without spoilers, I feel like permission should have been asked first before he did what he did. Although, he did get some payback later...but what he did I feel was irreversible.
I felt that the ending was weird, abrupt, and jarring. I'm glad we had it because it helped clarify some of the confusion I felt at the end. The quick glimpses explained some things but only made me want to read more but it also left me with more questions which I suppose will be answered in the first book as this novella is a prologue for the series.
Overall, the novella is a fun quick read and left me wanting to continue to read more of the serial series of Games We Play. Where it ended definitely left me curious as to what will happen in the next book and what will happen with Delia after her encounter with The Fool. I recommend this book if you enjoy Vampires, electric romance, or elaborate costumes and balls.
3.6 out of 5 rating for me!
(A copy was provided for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.)
September 21, 2019
Rookie vampire hunter Delia decides to infiltrate a garden party on her own, to prove herself to the other hunters who persist in keeping her sidelined or stealing her targets, where the legendary rumored head of the local clan of vampires might possibly be in attendance. The party is masked ball, and Delia spends the hours searching the crowd for the legendary Claudia’s rumored flaming red hair. But while the flaming red hair, doesn’t make an appearance, she decides to give in to the advances of a careless, warm-blooded, ridiculously handsome masked man.
Think an early Buffy the Vampire Slayer (cliched character type) goes to the Labyrinth masked ball with Jareth (also cliched character type, but oh so gorgeous hot) following her around most of the night. Like Buffy, Delia is focused mainly on her looks and fitting in, and rather reckless, disregarding the advice of everyone around her with determination to prove herself, without really thinking things through. (I mean, seriously, you’d think she would have thought through staking the head of the vampires while surrounded by an entire party of vampires). Her masked mystery man is definitely delicious, mysterious, brooding, handsome, flirty, humorous, and everything you could want in a book boyfriend, sans any actual information about him to actually round him out as other than a pretty face. And, though this story didn’t have much to it that wasn’t predictable, I am still dying to see where their relationship goes to from here.
Think an early Buffy the Vampire Slayer (cliched character type) goes to the Labyrinth masked ball with Jareth (also cliched character type, but oh so gorgeous hot) following her around most of the night. Like Buffy, Delia is focused mainly on her looks and fitting in, and rather reckless, disregarding the advice of everyone around her with determination to prove herself, without really thinking things through. (I mean, seriously, you’d think she would have thought through staking the head of the vampires while surrounded by an entire party of vampires). Her masked mystery man is definitely delicious, mysterious, brooding, handsome, flirty, humorous, and everything you could want in a book boyfriend, sans any actual information about him to actually round him out as other than a pretty face. And, though this story didn’t have much to it that wasn’t predictable, I am still dying to see where their relationship goes to from here.
July 5, 2018
You can read this novella for free by going to Liz Meldon's website https://lizmeldonwrites.com/books/the... then clicking on the "Instafreebie" link. This will send you an email with the story in the format of your desired choice (PDF, Mobi, EPUB).
I think this novella shouldn't have been separate from the book "The King" and the reason I say that is because I couldn't understand the draw the characters Delia and Claude have to one another without reading this before the novel. The world building is interesting but for being a vampire, Claude is not smooth, suave, or sexy. Delia doesn't come across like an intelligent or strong character. She seems incredibly weak and naive especially for wanting to hookup with someone at a vampire masquerade party which could potentially lead to something tragic (like her as a hunter hooking up with a vampire).
There was something about the story telling which made it difficult to get into the novel. Maybe there was too much explanation in the narration and not enough action or explanation in the dialogue. This novella was just okay for me.
I think this novella shouldn't have been separate from the book "The King" and the reason I say that is because I couldn't understand the draw the characters Delia and Claude have to one another without reading this before the novel. The world building is interesting but for being a vampire, Claude is not smooth, suave, or sexy. Delia doesn't come across like an intelligent or strong character. She seems incredibly weak and naive especially for wanting to hookup with someone at a vampire masquerade party which could potentially lead to something tragic (like her as a hunter hooking up with a vampire).
There was something about the story telling which made it difficult to get into the novel. Maybe there was too much explanation in the narration and not enough action or explanation in the dialogue. This novella was just okay for me.
January 27, 2018
I loved this preview. It is a full story in itself, and left me shopping on iBooks for her next installment.
The story is graphic; my cheeks were burning with embarrassment as I read alongside my husband on the couch, but it is crucial to the plot. Delia is a low-grade vampire hunter who gets a tip about a special masquerade party. While at the party, she meets the Fool, decides a one-night stand is perfectly okay, and sets off a chain of consequences.
Delia is a strong personality but not aggravating. I can see her as heroic, but flawed. My favorite kind of hero. I hope the first book does not disappoint me!
The story is graphic; my cheeks were burning with embarrassment as I read alongside my husband on the couch, but it is crucial to the plot. Delia is a low-grade vampire hunter who gets a tip about a special masquerade party. While at the party, she meets the Fool, decides a one-night stand is perfectly okay, and sets off a chain of consequences.
Delia is a strong personality but not aggravating. I can see her as heroic, but flawed. My favorite kind of hero. I hope the first book does not disappoint me!
February 5, 2018
4 stars. A great start to a series or prologue to book one. Even though I have been a little tired of vamps, I am a sucker for a masquerade. Let's just say Liz did it again... I love all her work. And she wrote about vampires the way I perceive them: sexy, dangerous and mysterious. Now I am craving the next book!
May 16, 2017
It was good towards the end, the beginning first few chapters were a bit slow and I was trying to get into it but couldn't until Delilah showed up to the party.
May 11, 2019
3.5 stars
A really good start to the series. Hope the next one will be just as interesting.
A really good start to the series. Hope the next one will be just as interesting.
February 9, 2016
I received a free ebook version of the book from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
I've given this a 3 star rating, even though it's more of a 3.5, only because I wanted more of it!
This novella is the prologue for the upcoming novel The King, which is the first in the Games We Play series due out later this year. It focuses on Delia, a young hunter who is trying to live up to her family name and reputation and become a respected vampire hunter. She is frustrated that she isn't being given better assignments and is being given crappy, overpriced leads by her informant.
Her informant, Hugh, manages to get her into to a masquerade event, where she'll be surrounded by humans and vamps alike. Delia has heard the rumours - that the all important Vampire leader Claudia will be there and she sees this as an opportunity to prove her worth and aims for the big kill. She goes against the advice of her fellow vamp hunter friends, who aren't even bothering to go or pay any attention to the rumours. This only makes Delia more determined to go - she'll have no competition for the grand prize.
Once she is there, she quickly realises she is out of her depth and admits maybe she has built up her own capabilities in her mind. Can she do this alone after all?
However, it's not long before her attention is caught by a mysterious man in a mask, who shows a keen interest in Delia. After Delia realises that she isn't going to accomplish her goal, the night heads in a different direction as she succumbs to the masked man's charms.
I have to say, it is quite refreshing to read about a female character that knows what she wants and respects herself. I'm so sick of reading books where people get themselves into steamy situations without thinking of the consequences of their thoughtless actions. Liz, I applaud you for the mere mention of a condom! Standing ovation from me here, just in case you can't see it haha.
The ending of the book was a nice little cliff hanger, although I did catch on to the twist before it happened but it was still well played. I especially liked the "if the little huntress had stayed at the hotel, she might have learnt".... part at the end. A nice little hook to get the reader interested in what is hopefully to come in the next book. Will Delia learn more about the masked man, what will happen now with her fellow hunters?
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off in search of fatty baked goods at the suggestion of Liz
I've given this a 3 star rating, even though it's more of a 3.5, only because I wanted more of it!
This novella is the prologue for the upcoming novel The King, which is the first in the Games We Play series due out later this year. It focuses on Delia, a young hunter who is trying to live up to her family name and reputation and become a respected vampire hunter. She is frustrated that she isn't being given better assignments and is being given crappy, overpriced leads by her informant.
Her informant, Hugh, manages to get her into to a masquerade event, where she'll be surrounded by humans and vamps alike. Delia has heard the rumours - that the all important Vampire leader Claudia will be there and she sees this as an opportunity to prove her worth and aims for the big kill. She goes against the advice of her fellow vamp hunter friends, who aren't even bothering to go or pay any attention to the rumours. This only makes Delia more determined to go - she'll have no competition for the grand prize.
Once she is there, she quickly realises she is out of her depth and admits maybe she has built up her own capabilities in her mind. Can she do this alone after all?
However, it's not long before her attention is caught by a mysterious man in a mask, who shows a keen interest in Delia. After Delia realises that she isn't going to accomplish her goal, the night heads in a different direction as she succumbs to the masked man's charms.
I have to say, it is quite refreshing to read about a female character that knows what she wants and respects herself. I'm so sick of reading books where people get themselves into steamy situations without thinking of the consequences of their thoughtless actions. Liz, I applaud you for the mere mention of a condom! Standing ovation from me here, just in case you can't see it haha.
The ending of the book was a nice little cliff hanger, although I did catch on to the twist before it happened but it was still well played. I especially liked the "if the little huntress had stayed at the hotel, she might have learnt".... part at the end. A nice little hook to get the reader interested in what is hopefully to come in the next book. Will Delia learn more about the masked man, what will happen now with her fellow hunters?
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off in search of fatty baked goods at the suggestion of Liz
January 2, 2016
I was approved to read this Novella from Novel Readers by the author.
I will admit that when I requested the title, I was completely judging the book by its cover and I didn't read the synopsis before I started. I believe this has a lot to do with my lower rating.
The main character Delia is a hunter of Vampires and is hunting a top tier vampire known as Claudia at a Masquerade Ball that it is rumoured said vampire is supposed to be attending.
If I knew that the story was going to be set up like this I probably wouldn't have read it because I am not all that into vampires.
When I first started reading the book I had assumed that the author was quite young because the premise seemed to be for a more younger audience, this obviously wasn't true because when it gets to the sex scene it is hot, hot, hot! The story was a bit predictable; I called what was going to happen and who The Fool was long before it was revealed.
I really enjoyed the vamp sex and the idea of the connection between the two after being bit. I think I may even want to read the next installment just to see how it turns out between them.
The main problem I had with this Novella was the whole "invitation" process... I really do not think that someone would be able to get into an elite party (especially where half of the guests are at a high risk of being staked) would let someone in who just had a shitty print out of the invitation, in. I really do think that should have been better thought out.
Thank you so much Liz Meldon for letting me read an advanced copy of your novella. Keep up the good work my fellow Canadian. Not bad!
I will admit that when I requested the title, I was completely judging the book by its cover and I didn't read the synopsis before I started. I believe this has a lot to do with my lower rating.
The main character Delia is a hunter of Vampires and is hunting a top tier vampire known as Claudia at a Masquerade Ball that it is rumoured said vampire is supposed to be attending.
If I knew that the story was going to be set up like this I probably wouldn't have read it because I am not all that into vampires.
When I first started reading the book I had assumed that the author was quite young because the premise seemed to be for a more younger audience, this obviously wasn't true because when it gets to the sex scene it is hot, hot, hot! The story was a bit predictable; I called what was going to happen and who The Fool was long before it was revealed.
I really enjoyed the vamp sex and the idea of the connection between the two after being bit. I think I may even want to read the next installment just to see how it turns out between them.
The main problem I had with this Novella was the whole "invitation" process... I really do not think that someone would be able to get into an elite party (especially where half of the guests are at a high risk of being staked) would let someone in who just had a shitty print out of the invitation, in. I really do think that should have been better thought out.
Thank you so much Liz Meldon for letting me read an advanced copy of your novella. Keep up the good work my fellow Canadian. Not bad!
January 1, 2016
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~ I received a free ARC copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.
Want a novella that earns its place in the Steamy Paranormal Fiction category? Look no further, THE FOOL will satisfy your desires. (No Pun Intended)
*** THIS BOOK CONTAINS SCENES WHICH ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR READERS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.***
Delia is a low level vamp hunter. She works for the League, but since she has barely 15 kills under her belt, she isn't taken very seriously.
When she receives a tip that Claudia, the "...head honcho of the regional vampire clans..." will be attending a local masquerade party, Delia is determined to find and kill her. The problem is that no one is even sure what she looks like.
What Delia finds at the party will change everything.
This novella is the beginning of Liz Meldon's GAMES WE PLAY series and is set to be released on January 18, 2016.
This book may be short in length, but it contains a great deal of information in it's pages, along with one heck of a steamy sex scene.
I really liked the fact that although the sex scene is very steamy, it never comes across as crass or crude which is extremely refreshing.
Book One: THE KING is set to be released in late 2016 and I can't wait to read it.
I rate THE FOOL as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
To see the full review visit my blog at http://AmiesBookReviews.wordpress.com
~ I received a free ARC copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.
Want a novella that earns its place in the Steamy Paranormal Fiction category? Look no further, THE FOOL will satisfy your desires. (No Pun Intended)
*** THIS BOOK CONTAINS SCENES WHICH ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR READERS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.***
Delia is a low level vamp hunter. She works for the League, but since she has barely 15 kills under her belt, she isn't taken very seriously.
When she receives a tip that Claudia, the "...head honcho of the regional vampire clans..." will be attending a local masquerade party, Delia is determined to find and kill her. The problem is that no one is even sure what she looks like.
What Delia finds at the party will change everything.
This novella is the beginning of Liz Meldon's GAMES WE PLAY series and is set to be released on January 18, 2016.
This book may be short in length, but it contains a great deal of information in it's pages, along with one heck of a steamy sex scene.
I really liked the fact that although the sex scene is very steamy, it never comes across as crass or crude which is extremely refreshing.
Book One: THE KING is set to be released in late 2016 and I can't wait to read it.
I rate THE FOOL as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
To see the full review visit my blog at http://AmiesBookReviews.wordpress.com
March 5, 2016
( Source: I received this book directly from the Author Liz Meldon, Via LOP On Goodreads, In exchange for my opinion and honest Review. )
The Fool laughed and gave her waist a little squeeze.
" Ah, but we're all liars in our own way."
Delia an unappreciated and commonly looked over Vampire Huntress; Whom is desperate to prove herself amongst the League.
After receiving an attractive lead from her informant, she jumps at the opportunity to take down the regions lead vampire, who supposedly is to attend an invite-only Masquerade Ball.
Delia soon realizes she is in far above her head, and the lead seems to be leading in no apparent direction.
One man is to change it all and turn Delias life inside - out.
The Fool.
A Sexy, Sizzling introduction to a Hot new series!
The Fool is a brilliant Novella. An incredible opening to an exciting new series. Liz Meldon knows how to pique our interests with this short introduction to the; Games We Play Series. I am new to Liz Meldons work, and can say I am a new huge fan! I for one am truly excited for Book ONE in the new series and am hoping for an early ARC Copy.
For anyone who loves all things Paranormal and Vampires, this is going to be the series for you. A very enjoyable read, Fully recommend.
Seductive read of the Huntress and the Hunted, But the lines blur, as the Huntress is being played at her own game.
The Fool laughed and gave her waist a little squeeze.
" Ah, but we're all liars in our own way."
Delia an unappreciated and commonly looked over Vampire Huntress; Whom is desperate to prove herself amongst the League.
After receiving an attractive lead from her informant, she jumps at the opportunity to take down the regions lead vampire, who supposedly is to attend an invite-only Masquerade Ball.
Delia soon realizes she is in far above her head, and the lead seems to be leading in no apparent direction.
One man is to change it all and turn Delias life inside - out.
The Fool.
A Sexy, Sizzling introduction to a Hot new series!
The Fool is a brilliant Novella. An incredible opening to an exciting new series. Liz Meldon knows how to pique our interests with this short introduction to the; Games We Play Series. I am new to Liz Meldons work, and can say I am a new huge fan! I for one am truly excited for Book ONE in the new series and am hoping for an early ARC Copy.
For anyone who loves all things Paranormal and Vampires, this is going to be the series for you. A very enjoyable read, Fully recommend.
Seductive read of the Huntress and the Hunted, But the lines blur, as the Huntress is being played at her own game.
January 27, 2016
If you are looking for classic vampire tale then look else where. Liz Meldon hits another one out of the park, for me, with The Fool. In it we meet Delia, a vampire huntress out to prove her worth. Delia is stubborn, foolhardy (ha!), and just wants to be respected by her peers. But striking out on her own brings about a catch much different than what she was expecting!
The thing I love about Ms. Meldon's writing is the fact that she was able to make Delia relatable. Here's this young woman who wants to prove something but at the same time she is awkward and say's ridiculous things when she's trying to get out of bad situations.
I also like how modern technology has been co-opted by the league that Delia is a part of. The use of things like online quizzes shows that these hunters are more adaptable than others that I have read in the past. They aren't stuck in the past when it comes to getting their vampire.
With weapons that can collapse to safe sex practices this story has a lot of different details that are very impressive. I can't wait to read more about Delia and the Fool! Definitely look into The Fool if you want a different twist on the vampire romance!
The thing I love about Ms. Meldon's writing is the fact that she was able to make Delia relatable. Here's this young woman who wants to prove something but at the same time she is awkward and say's ridiculous things when she's trying to get out of bad situations.
I also like how modern technology has been co-opted by the league that Delia is a part of. The use of things like online quizzes shows that these hunters are more adaptable than others that I have read in the past. They aren't stuck in the past when it comes to getting their vampire.
With weapons that can collapse to safe sex practices this story has a lot of different details that are very impressive. I can't wait to read more about Delia and the Fool! Definitely look into The Fool if you want a different twist on the vampire romance!
February 11, 2016
The Fool (Games We Play 1) Liz Meldon
### 4 Stars ###
This is a great short, hot and erotic paranormal read.
Delia is a vampire hunter, she is slightly below average and really wants to prove herself. She hears about a masquerade ball that the main Vampire Claudia maybe attending and Delia decides this could be her chance, will she find Claudia in this dangerous pursuit?
I did find this book hard to initially get into, Liz Meldon has a really different style of writing. I am glad I persevered and I loved the way thing panned out. I love a good paranormal read and this one didn't disappoint. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
December 20, 2016
I really liked this book. It is a little different than other hunters and vampire books. Della is a vampire hunter and stuck at her current place and the corporate hunter ladder. No one really takes her seriously. She only watches and reports. When she does get to bring in a vamp its with a team not by herself. One night she decides she is going to do something to change that. Well the jokes on her. That night changes everything. Della realizes she doesn't know as much about vamp hunting as she thought she did. The the league is not telling the lower level hunters everything they need to know. Now Della finds herself in a bit a situation. What will she do and how will it effect how she always thought her life would turn out. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read The King which is the next book in the series. I already have it ready and waiting for me. I recommend this book if you like paranormal and vampire books with a bit of mystery and romance.
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