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Beignets and Fangs
When Kei, a handsome Japanese vampire, meets Shauna, a waitress at her family's restaurant and college student, he is taken with her immediately. Can he get the girl or will his dark nature stand in his way?
93 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2016
7 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Gisele R. Walko
6 books121 followersI am a wife, mother and Media Assistant at an Elementary School. I like to write in my spare time. In my past life I was a social worker, so some of my stuff focuses on social issues. My children are products of an interracial marriage, and there are lots of biracial kids in my extended family, so lots of my characters are biracial. I love watching horror shows, and puzzles.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 29, 2017
2 Stars
Is murder monstrous?
I’ve been seeing a troubling trend lately in vampire novels, not an entirely new one but more common now than I remember it being when I was younger. And that trend is: if the person the vampire is killing is a shitty person, the vampire is not evil. That troubles me on several levels but the biggest is the “god complex” (for lack of a better term). There is an inherent issue with anyone thinking they have a right, and often even a ‘duty’, to commit a heinous crime because the person isn’t a ‘good’ person. To say this trend makes me uncomfortable is a supreme understatement.
As a survivor of two decidedly unpleasant crimes against my person, this trend hits me hard in my lizard brain. It would be easy, for me, to say things like these people don’t matter but I feel like it would take my power away from me. It makes me not a survivor but product of these crimes, and I don’t like that at all. I won’t get into it too much more, I promise. And maybe this is just a me thing, it probably is.
Beignets and Fangs is the story of Kei and Shauna, and while the above needs to be noted, I thought this story had a lot of potential but the execution was a bit forced feeling, for me. I also had a very difficult time distinguishing between their voices, they sounded way too similar, especially considering their backgrounds.
Kei is a half-Japanese vampire, which I freaking LOVED! I don’t think Asian cultures get enough page time in vampire stories, I think this is because the lore of vampirism is more European in origin (maybe?) but I definitely liked the deviation from the status quo here. I really wanted to like Kei, however his actions made him decidedly unlikable. This vampire be crazy, yo! Way too jealous, excessively possessive, just entirely OVER THE TOP in so many ways.
There were a whole slew of cool ideas in this story that I felt essentially got shoved in the back seat to make room for vengeance killing and an overabundance of apologizing by our male love-interest. I would like to have seen more world-building
Is murder monstrous?
I’ve been seeing a troubling trend lately in vampire novels, not an entirely new one but more common now than I remember it being when I was younger. And that trend is: if the person the vampire is killing is a shitty person, the vampire is not evil. That troubles me on several levels but the biggest is the “god complex” (for lack of a better term). There is an inherent issue with anyone thinking they have a right, and often even a ‘duty’, to commit a heinous crime because the person isn’t a ‘good’ person. To say this trend makes me uncomfortable is a supreme understatement.
As a survivor of two decidedly unpleasant crimes against my person, this trend hits me hard in my lizard brain. It would be easy, for me, to say things like these people don’t matter but I feel like it would take my power away from me. It makes me not a survivor but product of these crimes, and I don’t like that at all. I won’t get into it too much more, I promise. And maybe this is just a me thing, it probably is.
Beignets and Fangs is the story of Kei and Shauna, and while the above needs to be noted, I thought this story had a lot of potential but the execution was a bit forced feeling, for me. I also had a very difficult time distinguishing between their voices, they sounded way too similar, especially considering their backgrounds.
Kei is a half-Japanese vampire, which I freaking LOVED! I don’t think Asian cultures get enough page time in vampire stories, I think this is because the lore of vampirism is more European in origin (maybe?) but I definitely liked the deviation from the status quo here. I really wanted to like Kei, however his actions made him decidedly unlikable. This vampire be crazy, yo! Way too jealous, excessively possessive, just entirely OVER THE TOP in so many ways.
There were a whole slew of cool ideas in this story that I felt essentially got shoved in the back seat to make room for vengeance killing and an overabundance of apologizing by our male love-interest. I would like to have seen more world-building
June 12, 2017
Disclaimer: Gisele is my friend but this has no bearing on my rating.
I really like the fangs image on the cover! ♥
This is a novella about two people who meet an fall in love. One of them happens to be a vampire, which happens to be my favorite. Shauna is a human woman with feminist tendencies who goes to school and plans to take over the family business.
Kei is a 200-year-old vampire who really likes her. He also happens to indulge his murderous tendencies by killing pedophiles.
Being a vampire and all, he stalks Shauna, coming to eat at the restaurant where she works once a week. Once he's a regular, Shauna decides he's not an assassin and that it's maybe okay to go on a date with him.
By the way, the restaurant reminded me of Café du Monde in New Orleans. I'd totally eat here:
Although the romance was a bit on the instalove side, I thought it was well done (sometimes this can be pulled off as long as the romance is based on something other than looks). Kei got a little out of line at times and really needed to be smacked in the head, but I thought Shauna's reactions to him, both wanting and fearing him, were appropriate. And, well, she was just a little crazy herself... which maybe you have to be to want to date a vampire? But I wouldn't know anything about that. Ha. Hahaha. *clears throat*
There was a bit more drama than I would have cared for, but exes always tend to pop up when you least want them, and no one wants to deal with parents. On the plus side, none of this drama truly came between Shauna and Kei's relationship. I like when the romantic leads are true to each other and actually communicate despite a few speed bumps.
I really like this author's writing style and look forward to more of her work.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for beta reading and an honest review.
I really like the fangs image on the cover! ♥
This is a novella about two people who meet an fall in love. One of them happens to be a vampire, which happens to be my favorite. Shauna is a human woman with feminist tendencies who goes to school and plans to take over the family business.
Kei is a 200-year-old vampire who really likes her. He also happens to indulge his murderous tendencies by killing pedophiles.
Being a vampire and all, he stalks Shauna, coming to eat at the restaurant where she works once a week. Once he's a regular, Shauna decides he's not an assassin and that it's maybe okay to go on a date with him.
By the way, the restaurant reminded me of Café du Monde in New Orleans. I'd totally eat here:
Although the romance was a bit on the instalove side, I thought it was well done (sometimes this can be pulled off as long as the romance is based on something other than looks). Kei got a little out of line at times and really needed to be smacked in the head, but I thought Shauna's reactions to him, both wanting and fearing him, were appropriate. And, well, she was just a little crazy herself... which maybe you have to be to want to date a vampire? But I wouldn't know anything about that. Ha. Hahaha. *clears throat*
There was a bit more drama than I would have cared for, but exes always tend to pop up when you least want them, and no one wants to deal with parents. On the plus side, none of this drama truly came between Shauna and Kei's relationship. I like when the romantic leads are true to each other and actually communicate despite a few speed bumps.
I really like this author's writing style and look forward to more of her work.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for beta reading and an honest review.
March 31, 2018
RIP Gisele Walko...
Loved possessive Kei and Shauna who could at times be as dark as the vampire in "Beignets and Fangs."
Loved possessive Kei and Shauna who could at times be as dark as the vampire in "Beignets and Fangs."
March 19, 2017
First off, I should state that I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
'Beignets and Fangs' was well written, and if there were any writing issues, I didn't detect any. I loved the author's writing style, particularly with the two-way first-person narrative. I was really into the book.
I don't want to spoil it, so I won't comment on what's going on in the story; I think that others should check out the synopsis, then read the book for themselves to appreciate the great writing and the dark humor. With that being said...
I laughed my ass off throughout the reading of this. Sure, it had dark twisted moments...that had me howling. There is definitely something a bit twisted in my psyche to make me enjoy the antics of the characters...especially the charming serial-killer ones.
Kei and Shauna are a great couple, and being inside of their heads was a hoot; they were both really sweet too. And Kei's mother, Naomi...she is over-the-top hilarious. (Nothing like an elegant, classy mom calling another woman a bitch-cunt...lol)
I hope to read more of these folks in a future book!
'Beignets and Fangs' was well written, and if there were any writing issues, I didn't detect any. I loved the author's writing style, particularly with the two-way first-person narrative. I was really into the book.
I don't want to spoil it, so I won't comment on what's going on in the story; I think that others should check out the synopsis, then read the book for themselves to appreciate the great writing and the dark humor. With that being said...
I laughed my ass off throughout the reading of this. Sure, it had dark twisted moments...that had me howling. There is definitely something a bit twisted in my psyche to make me enjoy the antics of the characters...especially the charming serial-killer ones.
Kei and Shauna are a great couple, and being inside of their heads was a hoot; they were both really sweet too. And Kei's mother, Naomi...she is over-the-top hilarious. (Nothing like an elegant, classy mom calling another woman a bitch-cunt...lol)
I hope to read more of these folks in a future book!
August 4, 2016
4.5 stars
A somewhat dark, but charming romance.
We meet Kai a two-hundred-year-old vampire, who pass time going after pedophiles.
One day following his prey in a cafe he meets Shauna, a waitress. Totally smitten with her and her family beignets Kai starts visiting once a week slowly convincing Shauna to give him a chance.
--> What I like
-Loved how Kai and Shauna were described.
Man-bun and tattoos? YASSSSS. Curvy and dark skin beauty. Hell yasss. To be honest, there really haven't been that many books with dark skinned beauties lately. (I'm starting to miss that.)
-Good flow.
---> What I didn't like
-Kai got a tiny bit intense with his possessive nature.
- It was a novella.
Not gonna lie, I want more. I have some questions. That I hope the author decides to do a part two. If so, maybe it'll be answer.
- Prelude
*Book one is written 1st dual POV*
ARC for honest review
A somewhat dark, but charming romance.
We meet Kai a two-hundred-year-old vampire, who pass time going after pedophiles.
One day following his prey in a cafe he meets Shauna, a waitress. Totally smitten with her and her family beignets Kai starts visiting once a week slowly convincing Shauna to give him a chance.
--> What I like
-Loved how Kai and Shauna were described.
Man-bun and tattoos? YASSSSS. Curvy and dark skin beauty. Hell yasss. To be honest, there really haven't been that many books with dark skinned beauties lately. (I'm starting to miss that.)
-Good flow.
---> What I didn't like
-Kai got a tiny bit intense with his possessive nature.
- It was a novella.
Not gonna lie, I want more. I have some questions. That I hope the author decides to do a part two. If so, maybe it'll be answer.
- Prelude
*Book one is written 1st dual POV*
ARC for honest review
July 23, 2016
As with all really good novellas I read, I always want more. This is the case with Walko's new release, "Beignets and Fangs." There is a level of creepiness in this book not present in her other books. Scenes of intimacy are also more intense in this book. Put together, it made reading about Kei and Shauna all the more enjoyable. Kei is so much more than he appears. And, at times, I really felt for Shauna being in a relationship with him. On a power level, she simply can't compete, which made their relationship somewhat imbalanced. This book could've easily been much longer, and would have benefited from a deeper exploration into some of the emotional, psychological, and criminal issues raised in the book. It's these issues that make this novella stand out from other vampire-human romance books. Overall, a solid, entertaining read from an author who consistently delivers.
July 30, 2016
Folklore tells us that every vampire needs its prey. Kei hunts and kills those who walk among us who are most deserving (and the least missed) of a slow and excruciating death.
Kei meets Shauna quite accidentally in the covert mission of stalking his "next-on-the-list" prey who enters her family-owned (Bellerose) restaurant. Though his prey is soon dealt with, he finds that he quite enjoys beignets and coffee and the sightings of his very attractive waitress Shauna. He's not alone, as Shauna and Kei soon discover that they are on the same page in all things that matter.
Can Kei help Shauna overcome the pain of her past? Will his dark secret drive her away or bring her closer?
This book is dark and humorous and never strikes a wrong note AND I'm adding kerfuffle as one of my new favorite words. I loved it!
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Kei meets Shauna quite accidentally in the covert mission of stalking his "next-on-the-list" prey who enters her family-owned (Bellerose) restaurant. Though his prey is soon dealt with, he finds that he quite enjoys beignets and coffee and the sightings of his very attractive waitress Shauna. He's not alone, as Shauna and Kei soon discover that they are on the same page in all things that matter.
Can Kei help Shauna overcome the pain of her past? Will his dark secret drive her away or bring her closer?
This book is dark and humorous and never strikes a wrong note AND I'm adding kerfuffle as one of my new favorite words. I loved it!
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2016
An interesting read
So I was super excited when I stumbled upon Beignets and Fangs. I'm a huge fan of Vampire lore, and vampire romance is one of my favorite genres. I was also stoked when I found out that this book not only included a dark skin/plus size heroine...but also a Japanese hero. Its somewhat rare to come across AA vampire romance...and even rarer to have an east Asian hero in them. I felt like the book had a really interesting plot and I really liked the couple together. The humor was great and the love scenes were A++!
I'd love to read more books like this one, and I would definitely recommend it :)
So I was super excited when I stumbled upon Beignets and Fangs. I'm a huge fan of Vampire lore, and vampire romance is one of my favorite genres. I was also stoked when I found out that this book not only included a dark skin/plus size heroine...but also a Japanese hero. Its somewhat rare to come across AA vampire romance...and even rarer to have an east Asian hero in them. I felt like the book had a really interesting plot and I really liked the couple together. The humor was great and the love scenes were A++!
I'd love to read more books like this one, and I would definitely recommend it :)
September 5, 2016
Lovingly detailed and filled with sensual romance, Beignet and Fangs was a real treat to read!! The descriptions made me hungry as I read them and I thoroughly enjoyed the heroine,Shauna. She was easy to relate to and tried her very best to remain sane in an insane situation with Kei, the Dexter of the Vampire world!
July 30, 2016
I wasn't going to rate this,but then I accidentally gave it a 1, and everybody knows I'm biased anyway.
August 2, 2016
3.5 stars...
This was fun, odd and dark in ways I wasn't expecting (vampires and death is one thing but any time spent in the mind of a paedophile is way dark IMO... and that happens in the prologue/Amazon preview so no I didn't spoil anything!). I liked all of the characters and I quite liked that Shauna had normal reactions to the situations she found herself in -even the Timothy situation felt like it fit. A few mistakes and some awkward spots but overall it was a good read.
*I received an ARC for an honest review*
This was fun, odd and dark in ways I wasn't expecting (vampires and death is one thing but any time spent in the mind of a paedophile is way dark IMO... and that happens in the prologue/Amazon preview so no I didn't spoil anything!). I liked all of the characters and I quite liked that Shauna had normal reactions to the situations she found herself in -even the Timothy situation felt like it fit. A few mistakes and some awkward spots but overall it was a good read.
*I received an ARC for an honest review*
August 25, 2016
Who wouldn't love a vampire whose life work is eliminating known pedophiles? A fine tale of a multiracial love affair between a fine woman who made a good life for herself after having been raped as a child and the aforementioned vampire. She gets to end her nightmare pedophile. There are lots of misunderstandings between them, and then his parents come in to further complicate things! And it's set in NOLA!
August 5, 2016
Great read
I loved everything about this book, the cover and title are wonderful.
I also really liked this couple, the only thing that would have made it better was if the story was longer. The mother of the hero was funny, I would recommend this book to my friends and family.
I loved everything about this book, the cover and title are wonderful.
I also really liked this couple, the only thing that would have made it better was if the story was longer. The mother of the hero was funny, I would recommend this book to my friends and family.
January 16, 2020
Beignet and Fangs tells the love story of an attractive black woman and a sexy 200 year old asian vampire.
This was a fast read and a fast pace. I appreciated the lightness of it all: a touch of humor, a zest of fairy tale ending, cute babies, not overwhelming nice sex scenes .
It was brief but good.
One aspect of the book should have been explored thoroughly to make it perfect: the oriented kills.
Romance fans: you will be pleased.
Fantasy fans looking for stories about the vampire world: this is not a story about vampires, for me, the vampire hero of this book is very peculiar. It's mostly a love story.
This was a fast read and a fast pace. I appreciated the lightness of it all: a touch of humor, a zest of fairy tale ending, cute babies, not overwhelming nice sex scenes .
It was brief but good.
One aspect of the book should have been explored thoroughly to make it perfect: the oriented kills.
Romance fans: you will be pleased.
Fantasy fans looking for stories about the vampire world: this is not a story about vampires, for me, the vampire hero of this book is very peculiar. It's mostly a love story.
December 3, 2016
Short and fast paced IR read!!!
I really enjoyed this story of Shauna and Kei hmm he is so alpha and loved it. Shauna is a strong, beautiful, and intelligent woman who gets to be with a great manpire. I look forward to reading more from Gisele.
I really enjoyed this story of Shauna and Kei hmm he is so alpha and loved it. Shauna is a strong, beautiful, and intelligent woman who gets to be with a great manpire. I look forward to reading more from Gisele.
May 10, 2018
2.25 Stars. This is a so-so paranormal romance between Kei, a handsome, wealthy 200 year-old Japanese vampire and Shauna, a young, beautiful Black American college student. Kei sustains himself by feeding and killing pedophiles and by eating human food, Kei meets Shauna when he follows a pedophile into her family’s restaurant where she works. They fall in love instantly, he tells her about his vampirism and how he only kills and feels from peddophiles and she convinces him to allow her to kill the pedophile that molested. Eventually both their families meet and Kei and Shauna marry and start a family. KUB #8
May 4, 2017
Good short story
Out of all the books that I have read from this author, I really liked these characters the most. So much so, I couldn't give it a full five stars because it was too short a story and time jumped much too frequently. I would love to read another story in this universe if the author ever consider writing some sort of sequel.
Out of all the books that I have read from this author, I really liked these characters the most. So much so, I couldn't give it a full five stars because it was too short a story and time jumped much too frequently. I would love to read another story in this universe if the author ever consider writing some sort of sequel.
June 14, 2022
Hmmm
Ok. Overall this is a good story. The premise is different. The writing is really good. However the insertion of quirky humor falls flat like a dad joke. But I liked the story to the point I want to check out the author's other works.
Ok. Overall this is a good story. The premise is different. The writing is really good. However the insertion of quirky humor falls flat like a dad joke. But I liked the story to the point I want to check out the author's other works.
August 9, 2018
Edited: It wasn't my favorite Gisele Walko book. But I love the title and location of the story.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews