Blue Voodoo

The Blood Realm #2

by Jennifer Blackstream

A pirate with the blues. . . literally

ulian is a pirate with a demand. Years ago, his vehement determination to protect his freedom at any cost drove him from the warm embrace of a young voodoo priestess and out into the open sea. Her retribution for his abandonment was a curse that turned his beard a disturbingly vibrant shade of blue. Though it has made for an apropos pirate name—Bluebeard—it has made succeeding in a profession that requires secrecy and anonymity…difficult.

After a decade of staying only a wave or two ahead of lawmakers who find it only too easy to locate witnesses who remember him, Julian has had enough. He’s going to find the little voodoo priestess and he’s going to see that she compensates him for all she cost him…with interest.

A voodoo queen who doesn’t have the blues... and doesn’t want them

Ten years ago, Dominique allowed a smooth-talking pirate to coax her into his bed, only to wake alone the next morning just in time to see him set sail without so much as a goodbye. Born to a line of powerful voodoo priests and priestesses, it was nothing for her to fling a curse at the man who scorned her—but that wasn’t enough.

Swearing she would never again suffer such disrespect, Dominique dedicated herself to becoming a true voodoo queen. She serves the loa and her community, feeding her mysterious reputation with charms and spells that heal those who are loyal to her. Between her magic and her thriving rumrunning business, Dominique now has the status and respect that she craves—and she has no intention of sharing it with the pirate whose blue beard is nearly as outrageous as his marriage proposal.

A pirate’s life for me. . .

A pirate with a blue beard. A voodoo queen. Three dead wives. It will take more than a marriage to bring this man and woman together. It will take a little… Blue Voodoo.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Retellings, Magic, Fairy Tales, Fiction

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Jennifer Blackstream is a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. She is amazed and grateful to have made a writing career out of a Master’s degree in Psychology, hours of couch-detecting watching Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, and endless research into mythology and fairy tales. She firmly believes that whether it’s a village witch deciding she wants to be a private investigator, or a single mother having a go at being a full time writer, it’s never too late for a new adventure.

A fervent devotee of cooperative board games, Jennifer sets aside at least two nights a week for team-based adventures such as Mice & Mystics, Sentinels of the Multiverse, or Harry Potter: Battle at Hogwarts. She uses games with dice-based mechanics to lure in her ridiculously lucky-rolling son and daughter in the hope that they too will develop a passion for cooperative escapism.

Jennifer currently has three series going:

BLOOD PRINCE SERIES (PARANORMAL ROMANCE, COMPLETE):

Book 1 – Before Midnight

Book 2 – One Bite

Book 3 – Golden Stair

Book 4 – Divine Scales

Book 5 – Beautiful Salvation

Bonus Adventures in the Blood Prince World:

Book 2.5 – What Big Teeth You Have (free when you sign up for mailing list mentioned below)

Book 4.5 – The Pirate’s Witch

Book 5.5 – Dead to Begin With (available only between Thanksgiving and whenever Jennifer takes her Christmas tree down)

BLOOD REALM SERIES (PARANORMAL ROMANCE, IN PROGRESS SPIN-OFF OF BLOOD PRINCE SERIES):

Book 1 – All for a Rose

Book 2 – Blue Voodoo

Book 3 – The Archer

Book 4 – Bear With Me

Book 5 – Stolen Wish



BLOOD TRAILS SERIES (URBAN FANTASY, ONGOING)

Book 1 – Deadline

Book 2 – Monster

Book 3 – Taken

Book 4 – Corruption

Book 5 – Mercenary

Book 6 – Caged

Book 7 – Betrayal

Reviews

[Danna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, I don't even know why I picked this book. Scratch that... I know. It's because I'm 22 books behind schedule with this years' reading challenge, and Blue Voodoo's only 272 pages long (piece of cake reading). I'm not looking for emotional long reads right now and this book seemed to fill the bill of what I'm looking for. It was short, fast paced and, the most important of all, light. Real life has destroyed both my time and reading mojo, but I know I can complete my reading challenge, since it's only 70 books for this year.

Anyway, I got super off topic. I have to admit that I also chose this book because the cover was blue, and its name was Blue Voodoo. Yeah... lame reason, I know. But I tried to give it a chance and it kind of worked. I didn't know that it was part of a series, I mean this is like the 9th book in this universe, or the 2nd one in the spin-off, but I felt like I didn't need the previous books to immerse myself in this one. Everything is perfectly explained in a subtle manner without having to rewrite the entirety of the previous books, just like many authors tend to do nowadays (I find those recounts are so freaking annoying!).

So yeah, I chose this because of the Voodoo. I, Danna, have a weakness for stories about magic, be it witches, wizards, magicians, sorcerers/ess, priests/esses, shamans, you name it. And when it comes to Caribbean/African folklore I am even more of a sucker. I used to love reading about Fae's too, but then shit happened and I can barely stand them now (I own the first three books of The Iron Fey and they still sit unopened-they still have the plastic wrap on- on my bookcase. I have to thank to the Destroyer of Faes for that).

Apparently, this book was a retelling of bluebeard which I'm just hearing about just now. With Bluebeard being one of my favorite fairy tales since I was a wee lad (lol, wee lad), I just couldn't not notice the similarities... What with the mc's blue beard and the three hidden dead wives. All the same, I liked it enough to warrant a reading of the whole series, which I'm going to start right now. Maybe.

SO, let's get into the book before I stray any further.--

Dominique Laveau and Julien Marcon have been in a love/hate relationship for the past 10 years. Dominique is a voodoo priestess know as the voodoo queen, she started some sort of relationship with Julien (a mighty pirate, ahoy!) but he bed her and left. Scorned, Dominique cursed him by giving him a blue beard, making him extremely notorious. After 10 years and with his business in shambles, Julien returns in search for Dominique so she can break the curse. For obvious reasons, Dominique doesn't want anything to do with him, so he starts a rumor that they are to be married.

(STOP... Why am I writing like this? Is this some school essay?...).

At the same time, two things happen: they are invited to be part of a newly formed kingdom by the guys of the other series and Julien's ex-wives -that aren't really that dead- start plotting to make a reappearance.

The book is really well written for a romance novel which surprised me a lot. It is like, nowadays, romance is synonym for teenage level writing, so when I find something out of the new norm, it's quite surprising. Also, there aren't any mentions of molten cores, and the sheaths were actually sword/daggers sheaths and not penises and that is a HUGE plus.

I did expect more from the characters, I mean, Dominique was supposed to be this all powerful voodoo priestess but it was all a front. I kept waiting for her wondrous power to make an apparition but it didn't, so it let me down a bit. Also, she was quite childish. I'm not sure what was her age but she didn't act like an adult at all. On his part, Julien could be a real douche at times and again, if they would have talked before everything went down, things could have been easily solved, although, there wouldn't have been a book. Nonetheless, my favorite character out of all was Parlangua, the humanoid alligator. He was cute.

As I said before, I think I'll keep on reading both series, they actually seem like fun and enjoyable. I mean HOLY MOTHER OF ALL PUNS there's a book called BEAR WITH ME, about a werebear... Bear With Me... I'm just dying!!!. How can I not read that? Bear with the werebear. lol... just lol.

[BigComfyChairBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read every book published by Blackstream and this one is one of my favorites. Julian is a hot, sexy pirate who was a safely dark, intelligent, and masculine hero.

Dominique was powerful voodoo priestess who was stubborn, intriguing, and sweetly vulnerable.

I gave it 5 stars because even though there are things about it I wish were slightly different I am still remembering it with fondness over a year later and reread it just to be with these characters again. As usual with Blackstream I wish they had more time to develop the relationship. Everything happens within 2 days and I think it would've been better dragged out over at least a week. I don't mind quick romance but 2 days is too rushed. I'm not really as familiar with this fable as I was with the others, but it didn't bother me and encouraged me to learn more about the original. “I want to be a learner of things.”

This author’s writing always hooks me right away and I'm quickly drawn into her world. Her world building is seamless and efficient. One of the reasons I don't read a lot of fantasy romance is because authors struggle to build a world succinctly and they end up being 200 pages of explanatory detail and 100 of character building/romance. Blackstream does a much better job at balancing her books. I have read the entire Blood Prince series and now the whole spin-off Blood Realm series. I have enjoyed reading each one as they come out and always eagerly anticipate the next one. They can all be read as standalones if you skip the prologues and epilogues, which I honestly skim through anyways. I really couldn’t care less about the whole “Hidden Kingdom” plot. WARNING: there is sex in this book, it is not erotica, but enough to be a steamy & hot adult romance. Blackstream usually sticks to just 1 scene towards the end of each book. Please do not read if you are looking for something PG. Romance-5/5 Steaminess-4/5 Explicitness-3/5

[Celestine]

DNF @ 49%.
Totally discombobulated.

[Shawna Sears · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I said in my review for book 1, this series follows the Blood Prince series and though you don't absolutely have to read it to read these, it would be a very good idea.

Blue Voodoo is about the pirate Julian "Bluebeard" and the Voodoo Queen Laveau (not Marie, but Dominique, gotta keep it interesting) and their...complicated affair. I will admit that I have never actually come across a Bluebeard story either in childhood or since, so this is my first impression of him. That being said, I cannot comment on it's similarities or lack thereof to the original tale. I have read a good bit about Marie Laveau (good and bad, there are SO many stories), and I can say Mrs. Blackstream kept a good bit of Voudon lore in this book.

To give you the gist: Julian and Dominique had a night of lowered inhibitions that included lots of promises of the future, but in true pirate fashion, Julian is gone with sun. Dominique sets a curse on him to forever have a blue beard (not just something he can cover up or keep shaved either-she made sure that the magic made him always noticeable). The story takes place 10 years after this incident when Julian's life has been made rather difficult due to his extremely remarkable appearance, when he returns to her home and announces his plans to marry her. Much to her utter dismay.

Through the story we come to realize that these two definitely still love one another, and Julian's leaving had more to do with his fear of being bound to a magic user than his fear of commitment. The story involves shifters, magic, swamp monsters, three evil witches (those are the wives) who aren't quite zombies, and a lot of growth and acceptance on both our lovebirds parts.

I enjoyed watching Julian overcome his fears and take them on in the name of love. It was a good feeling. I only gave this four stars because I felt Dominique fell a bit flat as a character and as a power. She was still lovable, don't get me wrong, I just felt she was really a background character more than a main. I enjoyed getting to see Tenoch again, as well as everyone's reaction to him. Poor guy, he's just so damned stoic.

All in all, it was an enjoyable read and a good addition to the set. I rather enjoyed the last chapter with Saamal and the other princes. Made me all giddy.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young voodoo priestess curses a runaway lover with his beard turning blue (Blue Beard the pirate). Years later he is a pirate with an identification problem and seeks his former lover for reparations by marrying her.
I like that even though this is a separate series it still connects with the Blood Prince series.

A couple of problems with this story. 1) Before turning Julien takes off his clothes but nothing is mentioned about him putting them back on before people arrive. 2) If he’d been a visitor to that town years ago and never came back till now how come he has a house there?

Fave scenes: Julian fighting the Parlangua, Julian cutting off his pants and boots and Julian fighting of the gray dust.

[Nik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was well written and the world was very rich and believeable, but I just didn't feel the connection between the characters

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, the only thing that I know about Bluebeard is that he's a pirate and something about dead wives. That being said, this book was fun to read! It has everything; pirates, voodoo, and monsters!

[Rachel Antzak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to really give this one 2 and a half stars. It's not really my favorite, and I think the biggest thing was that many non-English/strange words that distracted from the story. Also the whole Voodoo thing was just a touch too much. I really liked the first story, so it's strange that this was so very different.

This is a retelling of Bluebeard, the original is a French folk tale with a bunch of dead wives.

[Elizabeth Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful series

This author's series are linked, and it makes it all the more enjoyable reading her books. It is fun to get to know th characters on an even deeper level. I have been busy and have not had the time to rate each book. However I have enjoyed all of them. If I had one criticism it would be that the sex scenes were a little tame. But otherwise the writing it very good.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Blood Princes series and was excited to hear there is a new spin off. This one tells the story of a proud but lonely Voodoo Queen and a equally proud but lonely Pirate who have a shared past and now are thrown together again to build a future together. But what was still hurts and what can be forces them to sacrifices they don't want to make - it is a wonderful story, a tear-jerking, romantic, chilling story of betrayal and fear and it is set in a world full of enchantments and magic.It sucked me right in and there were times when I was reading so fast that I stumbled over the words, so I had to start the sentences over to fully grasp what was happening - to get me so agitated is not a small feat, normally I enjoy every sentence and try to read slowly, that wasn't possible here, I just needed to know what would happen, I couldn't slow down. So I definitely have to re-read it to enjoy the finesse and loving details it was peppered with (pun intended!). My fave - besides the main characters - was the exotic figure of Parlangua, he was really special and I kind of fell for him. I'd love to read more about him, maybe he'll come with them... well, a girl can dream, can't I? The ending is no cliffhanger but makes me curious for the next installment, can't wait to see who the next book will be about!

[Michelle Willms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Jennifer Blackstream has crafted a fairy tale re-telling that is far beyond my wildest expectations. Blackstream has an imagination unlike any author I’ve read. She is able to take a favorite fairy tale and remake it into something highly appealing, wonderfully different, and involving characters from magical places.

She places this tale in a land filled with creatures of amazing and terrifying beauty, yet she makes it familiar enough to remind the reader of the old favorite tale. She wields this skill so flawlessly and delicately, the tale is spun, and the reader has been propelled from beginning to end in breathless fashion and suddenly finds that s/he loves the new version better than the old.

If you haven’t yet read Jennifer Blackstream, Blue Voodoo, with its pirates, voodoo Queens, and monsters, is an excellent starting place. The characters are lively, vivid, often funny, and immensely likable.

I rate Blue Voodoo 4 ½ colorful stars (rounded up to 5 stars).

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Jenny From The Bog · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed every other Jennifer Blackstream book I've read, which included the entire Blood Prince series and the first in this spin-off series.
Sadly, I was not a fan of this book. While Dominique (the Voodoo Queen) showed a lot of promise in her character in the beginning, I felt Julien's arrival detracted from her personality, rather than improved upon it. Julien (aka Bluebeard) was entirely unlikeable. Where Blackstream's other heroes/anti-heroes had complex personalities with both positive and negative attributes, Julien was just a jerk. He never redeemed himself (in my eyes) and his relationship with Dominique was sadly lacking in comparison to all the romances that came before in this series.
The only reason I gave this 3 stars instead of 2 was because of the 5 princes making a return appearance.

[Crystal Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

I had never read much about Blue Beard before reading this story, all I came in knowing was that he was a pirate.

I thoroughly enjoyed this author's take on his tale. First he is quite the sexy devil even with blue facial hair,and just as cocky as one would expect a pirate captain to be. His voodoo queen is a powerful and commanding woman. She's his equal in many ways. Watching their connection and romance bloom in this story was wonderful. They overcome some pretty big odds to save each other. I also love that the ending brings back familiar faces from the parent series and helps to keep the books all tied together in the same universe.

It was a fun and exciting read!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always absolutely awesome!!!
I have read all of Jennifer's books, and loved them all, this one was no different.
Great story, that keeps you guessing! Has just the right mixture of mystery, magic and romance to keep you on your toes!
I couldn't put it down! Excellent book!
Can't wait for the next one!

[Nikki-Luise Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pirate with a blue beard. A voodoo queen. Three dead wives. It will take more than a marriage to bring this man and woman together.

Juilian the Piarate has loved Dominque from the moment they met even if he did run away from her only to be cursed by the voodoo queen with a noticable blur beard.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really what I expected. Don't get me wrong I loved the book, but honestly I kind of though that this book would pick up when the last left off, instead they are being "collected" as the characters in the first book were. I loved this book...not what I expected at all. Can't wait to read the next book! Definitely recommend this series!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words cannot even begin to describe how much I loved this book. I am a huge fan of Kirill, and this hero reminded me much of him. I absolutely love this series and can't wait to find out what story will be told next!

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorprendentemente no me gusto mucho, puede ser que no una adaptacion de un cuento clasico popular o que yo de Voodoo si no se nada ni me interesa

[Aurrora James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

What a great take on Bluebeard. I really enjoyed Julien and Dominique. Especially the animal that Julien could shift into. I look forward to the next book.

[Zoë Ann Book Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 magical little stars

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times the story was hard to follow, but it was still enjoyable.
The author has quite an imagination.

['i Mari 🍷 YAAAAAAS · Rating 1 out of 5]

So basically, I just started but I've given up already 😂. I don't know if I was already bored because of the different types of words and phrases and places that are added to the already numerous new words and phrases and places in this literary world; or the fact that the pirate's right in thinking it was petty to turn his beard blue because he left. Anyway, the moment he mentioned marriage, I just had to close the book and take a nap 😂. Maybe I'll make it last a few days. Or maube it'll just jump right into my DNF pile. Who knows. Plus, I found the sidhe much much more interesting. And that's from the 2 paragraphs about him 😂. Laters.

[Elizabeth Cruz]

This story has a spark, it has romance but with violence, mystery and mischief. Great story.