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Blood Courtesans #3

Marked: Winter

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Welcome to the Shadow World… where vampires are real and blood is a financial asset. This is the world I live in.

Being the baby sister in a family chock-full of slayers isn’t easy. My entire life, I’ve watched my brothers venture out into the darkness to hunt the things that prey on the innocent. Vampires are evil, they tell me, but they refuse to let me fight.

Now, my best friend’s life is in danger. She’s racked up quite the debt, and the vampire she owes has come to collect. To save her, I need to go undercover as a blood courtesan and sell myself to the highest bidder.

Enter Ethen Rune, an uncompromising bastard with a penchant for, well…me. My family says I shouldn’t trust vampires, that they would drain me dry rather than look at me. But to save Tessa, I need his money. I never expected to fall in love with him…

…Or to become a monster myself.

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2016

87 people are currently reading
353 people want to read

About the author

Gwen Knight

33 books434 followers
Gwen Knight is a Canadian girl currently living in Jasper, AB. She graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a degree in Archaeology and Geography. Her interests consist of playing in the dirt, designing elaborate snow forts, boating, and archery. She enjoys meeting new people and can be followed at facebook.com/GwenKnight.authorpage and on Twitter @GwenKnightx

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5 stars
219 (53%)
4 stars
119 (29%)
3 stars
52 (12%)
2 stars
13 (3%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
Profile Image for Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb".
1,440 reviews17 followers
July 22, 2016
PLEASE DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS SERIES UNLESS YOU CAN GET IT FREE!!

I don't usually say this but all this 5 star reviews are suspect!! The heroine of the story Amelia Winters is to stupid to be believable. She becomes a Blood Courtesan to pay off her friends Tessa's debts who is addicted to being bite by vampires and there blood. OK first clue that Amelia/ Winter's is stupid is you don't put your own life on the line for a junky!! Second you are 22 years old and just in the 2nd year of college and your father has set aside money for your tuition. Third you find out your friend has been lying to you and you continue to put your own life in jeopardy!! This is a Fool!! A Stupid fool. I wish I could get my $2.99 back for this book. Marked was a total waste of my money!! I can't recommend this series. Yes book 1 Reborn was very good but its written by a different author then bk 2 and 3.
Profile Image for Lisa Medley.
Author 15 books295 followers
May 19, 2016
Sexy and intoxicating…as any good vampire story should be.

MARKED puts a cool twist on the vampire story with the introduction of courtesans. I was immediately intrigued with the idea and quickly found myself swept up in Ethen’s pull. Vampire or not, his mysterious, bad boy businessman vibe is sexy as hell. If this is the new world of vampires, sign me up.

Don't miss this one!
Profile Image for angela .
785 reviews161 followers
April 16, 2017
Great

Sticking with the excellence of the other courtesan books I've read so far, this one has not disappointed. It was excellent, full of excitement and falling in love, while finding ways around their problems. Really good books.
Profile Image for Dmcl.
827 reviews13 followers
Read
November 28, 2017
Love the Blood Courtesans and Gwen Knight’s contribution is full of passion, action, heartbreak and reconciliation. If you love vampires and paranormal romance with a happy ending, read this and then read them all.
Profile Image for Cherri-Anne.
922 reviews
June 7, 2016
Don’t fall for the vampire… 10 BLOODY FANGS

Your scent, your voice, your blood… I find everything about you captivating. *swooooon* "If I was about to enter the shadow world of vampires and blood courtesans, then, yes, I wanted the whole story." YES! YES! YES! ahem Yes, please Gwen, tell me WHOLE story!! What I wouldn't give to be a Blood Courtesan!! *dreamy sigh* HOLY CRICKETS!! Now THIS is one BLOODY FANGTACULAR & VAMPIREIFIC book!! I ABSO-FANG-LUTELY love, Love, LOVE this book! I love EVERYTHING about it!! Every little drop of it - the storylines & plots, the characters, the humor, the heat, the good, the bad, the ugly, the love for friends & family, the outcome of it all, but especially *dreamy sigh* Ethen. There is so much I could say about it, but I don't want to accidentally let slip a spoiler or 3! Besides I am sure you would much rather read this VAMPIRELICIOUS story than my review!! I know I would! Oh wait! I already did! TWICE!! I was so instantly & deeply enthralled!! In fact, I still am even after reading it for the second time!! When I’m reading, I always highlight possible lines to use to open my review, as well as make notes for various reasons, like key parts to remember, for example. I highlighted so many parts by the time I was halfway through, it was crazy! But I did it for one reason & one reason only - this book has me sunk so deep into it, I not only feel like I am living it as Winter, but that I AM Winter and Gwen is telling readers everywhere how I met Ethen, my Vampire Mate!! “The only mouth on you tonight will be mine.” And why the hell does that turn me on?” Oh Winter, trust me! You are NOT the only one! Ethen says possessive things and I get weak in the knees, feel it deep inside me, he growls and it turns me on. “Looked like I was popping a different cherry tonight, and it was going to be bloody.” Oh how FANGLICIOUSLY naughty in all the right ways!!! While I have connected with various books & characters over the years, I honestly cannot remember one affecting me quite like this one nor to this degree!! That is the best way I can explain just how much I love it all! It's also all the ABSO-FANG-LUTE proof you need to see just how phenomenally talented and genuinely gifted Gwen Knight truly is! She is so wickedly talented that no matter what book of hers I have read, I have been transported into the story’s depth, never coming up for air until I have to because those two little words that I hate so much (The End) made their untimely appearance! I can only hope & prey that Gwen has marked this in her To-Do List titled “VAMPTACULAR Books to Turn into My Own Series”! In no way, shape or form am I ready to say good-bye to these multifaceted characters, the FANGTASTIC world they live, love, play & mate in, nor am I ready to move on! Gwen has me completely, utterly, wholly, madly, truly, deeply, marked and consumed - mind, body, spirit and soul! (ALL puns fully intended)
Profile Image for Gwen Sargeant.
213 reviews5 followers
June 21, 2016
First off, I could NOT put this book down. I started right before I went to bed and woke up about midnight, I had to continue reading. Before I knew it, 2am was upon me. The book was a lovely story between Amelia and Ethen in their quest to fulfill a contract. I haven't read anything of Gwen Knight before so I had no clue what to expect. I was very impressed with the storyline and ending and I believe you will be as well. I love this genre of books and hope to read more of Gwen Knight in the future.
Profile Image for Debbie Herbert.
Author 76 books682 followers
May 31, 2016
Amelia Winter is a heroine you can't help but love. She's fiercely loyal to friends and family and admits her fear - but does the heroic thing anyway. When she sees her best friend's life in danger, she puts her own on the line to help her.

Ethen Rune has all the attributes you would expect in a classic romance - rich, handsome, and powerful. I love how the heroine taps into his dark history and understands him, bringing light and warmth to his silent and cold existence.

Five stars!
Profile Image for Andrea Stoeckel.
3,143 reviews132 followers
February 21, 2017
“I find it’s those dearest to you who always end up hurting you.”

Amelia Winter, baby sister in a family of Chicago slayers, is about to go where no one in her family has gone: to become a blood courtesan to help her BFF out of a jam with another vampire. This is the last thing she wants to do...or is it? Her contract with Ethen Rune could be an education all in itself, if she survives it.

This is another of the blood courtesan series edited by Michelle Foxx and written by Gwen Knight. Its interesting to see another city's vamps and how things are done. Not the strongest of the series, hut Knight's descriptive sense makes up for what might be "lacking" in the storyline
Profile Image for Tabi Ann.
1,102 reviews5 followers
January 25, 2017
Intriguing

What would you be willing to do to save a friend? Would you give up your life for another? Go against everything your family has stood for? Those are the things that our lovely Winter has to decide for herself. This story was one of those rollercoaster rides where you were not sure where you were going to go next. Who was bad, who was good? Would these people get out alive?

If you live books that make you laugh, cry, and scream like me, then this is the perfect book for you. You will not be disappointed when you read this.

Until Next Time... Tabi
Profile Image for Karen.
1,424 reviews2 followers
January 21, 2019
Young and stupid

When Winter's best friend becomes indebted to a ruthless vampire through a series of bad decisions, she asks Winter for help. They hatch a plan for Winter to become a blood courtesan to earn enough money to repay the debt rather than going to Winter's slayer family for help.

Ethan doesn't usually attend auctions or bid on the offerings, but he's instantly attracted to Winter. He wins the bid, takes her home and things move very slowly, until near the end. Then the story goes into hyperdrive, ends quickly and could benefit from an epilogue.
Profile Image for Lauren.
717 reviews
August 21, 2019
Good and quick read

This book was perfect for a lazy day read. I’ve already read a few books from the Blood Courtesan series and none are the same. They are all unique in their own way. Winter was an incredible m, determined, and stubborn character. She took way too much responsibility on her shoulders and risked her own life for those she loves. It was enjoyable to read and the relationship with Ethen was pretty steamy with plenty of sexual tension in the beginning. Overall, it was a good vampire read that wasn’t super long.
522 reviews
July 18, 2020
Love this series

I understand ppl think they have too lie tho protect themselves or others but the truth is always the best as winter realizes. I'm so glad the hard and lonely Ethan found love and Winter realized her slayer family aren't just ruthless killers only vamps that do wrong. Such a great story would have been nice tho continue a little further into Amelias story after what that ahole did. So good didn't put it down. Definitely going too check this author out.
Profile Image for Amber Koch.
34 reviews11 followers
July 3, 2017
Another amazing book in this series

I really enjoyed that this book was different then the others I've read so far. I mean they all are different from eachother but this one had a very unique plot to me. I lived seeing the relationship evolve between winter and Ethan. Can't wait to get to the next.
143 reviews2 followers
July 11, 2018
Love at first bite

This book was awesome. Very suspenseful, with many twists. I could not put it down. Ethan is the kind of vampire we all want to meet. Amelia is the good friend we all wished we had in our lives. Together they have built a life only they two deserve. This is a must read.⚘⚘⚘
127 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2017
Amazing

Ethan and Winter are characters you can fall in love with. I loved this book. This is the 2nd blood courtesan book i have read. I am off to read the next one. Superb writing, great authors. A must read.
Profile Image for Terri West.
2,152 reviews
October 29, 2017
This book was okay but not outstanding. I would have to question the H intelligence to be honest and the story itself is pretty much as old as time.
Worth a read if you want something light to go to bed on, however not much good if you want a good knife edge experience.
Profile Image for Beth C..
1,856 reviews15 followers
October 29, 2017
Perfect vampire romance book!

Great story with great characters. Full of suspense, danger, lust and plenty of steaminess. But underneath it all was friendship and loyalty and love. Thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Profile Image for JB.
2,179 reviews8 followers
August 11, 2020
Great read

I don’t like to give spoilers on the books that I read. I believe the blurb on the back is enough for you to decide if you will read the book or not. If you choose to read, enjoy!
344 reviews10 followers
October 28, 2017
Good

Good book and full of action. Vampires , blood and love. Strong story line and strong characters. So grab your copy and enjoy reading.
9 reviews2 followers
January 18, 2018
Wow,

I’ve only just started reading this series but this book is my absolute favorite! Fell in love with Ethen... lot of feelings
Profile Image for Aimarel Garces.
117 reviews
February 4, 2018
Oh boy!

Ethen and Winter are dynamite together and I hope Tessa finds love in her own time. I love their story.
Profile Image for Maritza Knox.
392 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2018
Loyalty

Strength, love, loyalty are what fuels the characters in this case. Danger, blood, and a mysterious vampire, what more can you ask for.
Profile Image for Monique.
64 reviews
November 1, 2018
Just terribly cliched, one dimensional characters and a boringly predictable storyline. Don’t bother.
Profile Image for Anna Klein.
168 reviews
June 5, 2021
3.5 rounded up. Fun vampire romance with likeable protagonists, even if the villains felt a bit OTT.
Profile Image for Mary aka scooby.
250 reviews
May 15, 2018
a good read . Tess has gotten herself into trouble and Amelie does what ever best friend does she tries to help her. They hatch a plan for Amelie to become a blood courtesan . She must keep it a secret Her family are vampire slayers. Ethen is a vampire that never shows up at these auction as well as bids on anyone. There is a lot of mystery about Ethen . Things go horrible wrong and there too many secrets being kept.
Profile Image for Elle Richards.
1 review21 followers
February 22, 2017
Ethen Rune is a centuries old vampire used to his solitude. He's wealthy and disciplined, he expects extreme competence from those around him. Amelia Winters is the baby sister to a family of vampire slayers, she was raised to hate all vampires. When Amelia's best friend Tessa has a near fatal encounter with a vampire, Amelia must enter the world of blood courtesans to save her friend's life. Blood courtesans are expected to seduce and satisfy their vampire sponsors. Can Amelia bring herself to seduce the very creature her family has hunted for years? She soon realizes that there are no rules where vampires are concerned and that her own life and heart may be at stake.

At first reading this I thought this was going to be the same old cliché vampire romance. Vampire meets seemingly shy young woman and saves her from a dangerous vampire and they fall in instant love. What I discovered was much more, this is a love story of two people who are not supposed to even like each other falling in love and saving each other. The characters were original and complex. Their relationship progressed quickly but the chemistry was authentic. The story takes place in Chicago where vampires make a home for their selves. Marked builds a world within reality giving readers a clear understanding of vampires and what governs their actions.
The only growth area for this book is the setting could have been strengthened a little more. I would have loved to experience the city more in the writing. Marked: Winter (Blood Courtesans) in a few words is action-packed, at the edge of your seat love story of two enemies falling in love. This book held me captive until the very last page.
Profile Image for Victoria.
132 reviews30 followers
June 15, 2016
Originally posted at REVENGE OF THE FEELS

It has been quite some time since my last vampire novel and I must say, MARKED is one of the best vampire, paranormal romance novel I have ever read!

It is not easy to stand out from such a variety of novels, especially for vampire novels in the romance genre, yet Gwen Knight and Michelle Fox have not only successfully done just that, they have also made MARKED one of the best novel in terms of their characters, their story, and most importantly, their ability to hook the reader (that’s me!) on!

Those who know me, would know how fast I read. Technically, the term I use is to ‘fly through the books’.

There are many reasons as to why I read really fast. A novel can be really boring to me, yet I am still able to finish them it because I want to get to the end to know the outcome of the story. Of course, there are novels that are really good, which is why I can read fast!

For MARKED, there is only one reason as to why I am able to finish the book in a day. MARKED does not start slow and build the story towards a climax. No, from the very beginning to the end, the entire story is amazing! An entire novel of climax, if I may say so.

Each page, each sentence, each word…it pulled me in and I find myself unable to stop reading!

Meet Amelia Winters, the girl who knows nothing about seduction yet she finds herself becoming a blood courtesan to save her friend from danger. Winters is determined when she puts her mind to it, hard, protective and someone who will not yield to anyone. Yet, she can also be soft and gentle.

This is what I love about her and because of this, I find myself hating on her friend, her supposedly best friend who was the one who put into the whole blood courtesan thing. Winters is someone who would never give up on the person she loves, and also one who would do anything to keep the people she loves safe.

Amelia Winters is a selfless and amazing person!

Now, let us delve into the vampire.

Ethen Rune is NOT your typical tall, dark and handsome vampire. Nope. He is tall, and dark but, he isn’t handsome. At least, not on the surface. What makes him different from the others, is his confidence and the way he carries himself. That is what make him lethal, different, sexy and hot as hell!

The story is not the only thing that attracted me to MARKED, but the steamy scenes is just…*fans self and inserts fire emojis*

The way the kiss scenes, the steamy scenes, any intimate scenes are written inside this novel, it is just too real and hot. The kiss between Amelia and Ethen, oh my god, it felt like I was drowning in it.

It was as if I can feel it, as if I was Amelia Winters!

MARKED is a novel that has successfully bring out the dark and mysterious world of the vampires, with a gothic feel and a beautiful love story between a hard and gentle woman with her equally difficult yet gentle vampire.

It is a novel highly recommended for all to read! (Above 18 of years, that is!)

*Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for a honest review.
Profile Image for Melinda.
452 reviews18 followers
February 23, 2017
I'm torn between 3.5 and 4 stars so I'm rounding up to 4.

As the title says I was torn on how to rate this book. I found the beginning tedious and even stopped reading about half way through. After reading a dozen or so stories, I picked this one back up about 3 weeks later. I don't know if it was my mood or the story. Overall I enjoyed the author's writing style. I didn't catch any typos or glaring grammar issues. If they were there, they didn't pull me out of the story.

I'm not sure if I liked Winter so much in the beginning. Yes, she was making a huge sacrifice for her friend...not that she let us forget it either.Yes, Tess was beyond stupid. Friends or not, I would have been tempted to smack the broad.

Ethen was my favorite character until the end of the book when Winter's dad took that spot :D. While the book's blurb makes him sound almost like a bad guy, I found him to be quite remarkable and upstanding.

I have to give a shout to Ms. Doyle. Loved her loyalty to Ethen and her advice to Winter.

How would you describe the plot of this book? Some twists
Which of these words best describes the mood? Suspenseful and Thoughtful
How would you describe the pace? slow in the beginning, then fast towards the end
How would you describe the characters? Developed
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews

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