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Leap of Faith
Chomp necks and don’t get caught: the life of a vampire as Rufino Endicott would have described it before he became one. Six years later, he knows that dodging the angry men with the swords is the easy part of being what he is, and that the paranoid, isolated lifestyle is the real enemy. Oh, he’s deluded himself into believing that his life isn’t so bad, but that bubble is about to burst.
One night, completely out of nowhere, Rufino develops feelings for one of his potential blood donors. In doing so, he begins to realize just how much his vampirism has cost him, and how much he wants to regain what he’s lost. What he doesn’t realize is that this woman is not who she seems to be, and that his road to recovery will be a treacherous one.
One night, completely out of nowhere, Rufino develops feelings for one of his potential blood donors. In doing so, he begins to realize just how much his vampirism has cost him, and how much he wants to regain what he’s lost. What he doesn’t realize is that this woman is not who she seems to be, and that his road to recovery will be a treacherous one.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2016
2 people are currently reading
1679 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Rem
7 books2 followersI live in Vancouver, Canada, where I'm currently self-employed. My life was a constant battle against depression until I stopped defining myself by my income and embraced my inner artist. Since I started writing The Rufino Factor, the rest of my life has fallen into place. If you knew me a decade (or more) ago, you'd never recognize me today.
When I'm not writing books, sneaking up on people in my electric car, or tinkering with my five computers, I can be found on a golf course or sim racing on iRacing.com. Animal & human rights are the issues closest to my heart, and I have a special empathy for the homeless and for those who suffer from addiction. "There, but for the grace of God, go I."
In a nutshell, I'm an unrepentant nerd with a social conscience. I love to laugh and to make others laugh.
When I'm not writing books, sneaking up on people in my electric car, or tinkering with my five computers, I can be found on a golf course or sim racing on iRacing.com. Animal & human rights are the issues closest to my heart, and I have a special empathy for the homeless and for those who suffer from addiction. "There, but for the grace of God, go I."
In a nutshell, I'm an unrepentant nerd with a social conscience. I love to laugh and to make others laugh.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 31, 2018
Transfiguration
Leap of Faith is the first book of the Rufino Factor Series by Joshua Rem and it’s based in the fantasy land of Nyobi. Nyobi is a peninsula nation which is home to various mythical beings including vampires, druids, dwarves, trolls and humans. All is not well in the kingdom, as forests are being destroyed, vampires are hunted, and various factions are manoeuvring for battle.
Rufino Endicott is a halfling vampire, who can feed off his victims, without killing them. He is wonderfully drawn as a witty opportunist, especially with the women, but he must keep his vampire reality hidden. In the Salty Squid Tavern in Borallis, he seeks an opportunity to connect with a woman and feed of her for his blood needs. Into the tavern walks a 6-foot stunning woman that has a strange effect on him, he sees her not just as a food source, but with a twinge of attraction, a feeling he hasn’t experienced since his conversion to vampirism 6 years earlier. After a period of time and a little drunk, she invites him back to her room.
In her room, behind a locked door, she soberly reveals her name as Kiralyn Frostwhisper, a druid, a powerful infamous sorceress that is sworn to kill all unnatural beings. Rufino expects death to be instant but instead, Kiralyn makes him an offer, kill someone the druids have targeted and make it look like a vampire attack gone wrong. Accept, and he can name a price – refuse, and she will kill him. Understandably he accepts and his price is a proper date with her so he can understand how he has developed these feelings. This precarious atmosphere is wonderfully created with a sense of deception, threat, manipulation and greater forces that are playing a high-risk game of conflict.
The essence of the book now unfolds as Rufino decides to take the Leap of Faith and meet Kiralyn rather than go on the run. He travels, metamorphosed as a bat, separately to the rendezvous location, questioning how he can just kill someone, wondering how he has developed feelings for Kiralyn as an undead, and who, and why do the druids want someone killed. She did suggest it wasn’t murder, it was an execution for crimes committed against the land. The pace of the story was quite slow at this point and I did wonder why so much storyline was consumed with very little action or reveal. The plot in this book is very thin and while it’s great that the story isn’t rushing to get all the details to you immediately, you realise that this is the first book of the series and we’re in this for the long haul.
When Rufino and Kiralyn meet in Tundora, their dialogue and strategic manoeuvring to discover each other’s background and character, is brilliantly done. The probing humorous conversations are the real high point of this novel and how they delicately position themselves while still untrusting of the other is superb. There is a growing bond, mainly based on Rufino's humour but he does push the discussion as they examine the reasons for killing someone and the impact on their conscience if they take another life. Is there another way and how can you feel so protective of nature and freedom, yet plan to commit murder? Why do 2 killers think like this?
In the great tradition of a “To Be Continued” story the biggest surprise in the final chapter of the novel leaves the reader on a cliffhanger. Now I have to read the next book, which I’m looking forward to.
I would like to thank Joshua Rem for a copy of his book in return for an honest review.
Leap of Faith is the first book of the Rufino Factor Series by Joshua Rem and it’s based in the fantasy land of Nyobi. Nyobi is a peninsula nation which is home to various mythical beings including vampires, druids, dwarves, trolls and humans. All is not well in the kingdom, as forests are being destroyed, vampires are hunted, and various factions are manoeuvring for battle.
Rufino Endicott is a halfling vampire, who can feed off his victims, without killing them. He is wonderfully drawn as a witty opportunist, especially with the women, but he must keep his vampire reality hidden. In the Salty Squid Tavern in Borallis, he seeks an opportunity to connect with a woman and feed of her for his blood needs. Into the tavern walks a 6-foot stunning woman that has a strange effect on him, he sees her not just as a food source, but with a twinge of attraction, a feeling he hasn’t experienced since his conversion to vampirism 6 years earlier. After a period of time and a little drunk, she invites him back to her room.
In her room, behind a locked door, she soberly reveals her name as Kiralyn Frostwhisper, a druid, a powerful infamous sorceress that is sworn to kill all unnatural beings. Rufino expects death to be instant but instead, Kiralyn makes him an offer, kill someone the druids have targeted and make it look like a vampire attack gone wrong. Accept, and he can name a price – refuse, and she will kill him. Understandably he accepts and his price is a proper date with her so he can understand how he has developed these feelings. This precarious atmosphere is wonderfully created with a sense of deception, threat, manipulation and greater forces that are playing a high-risk game of conflict.
The essence of the book now unfolds as Rufino decides to take the Leap of Faith and meet Kiralyn rather than go on the run. He travels, metamorphosed as a bat, separately to the rendezvous location, questioning how he can just kill someone, wondering how he has developed feelings for Kiralyn as an undead, and who, and why do the druids want someone killed. She did suggest it wasn’t murder, it was an execution for crimes committed against the land. The pace of the story was quite slow at this point and I did wonder why so much storyline was consumed with very little action or reveal. The plot in this book is very thin and while it’s great that the story isn’t rushing to get all the details to you immediately, you realise that this is the first book of the series and we’re in this for the long haul.
When Rufino and Kiralyn meet in Tundora, their dialogue and strategic manoeuvring to discover each other’s background and character, is brilliantly done. The probing humorous conversations are the real high point of this novel and how they delicately position themselves while still untrusting of the other is superb. There is a growing bond, mainly based on Rufino's humour but he does push the discussion as they examine the reasons for killing someone and the impact on their conscience if they take another life. Is there another way and how can you feel so protective of nature and freedom, yet plan to commit murder? Why do 2 killers think like this?
In the great tradition of a “To Be Continued” story the biggest surprise in the final chapter of the novel leaves the reader on a cliffhanger. Now I have to read the next book, which I’m looking forward to.
I would like to thank Joshua Rem for a copy of his book in return for an honest review.
December 12, 2017
My little sister is a big fan of YA fiction, and is always encouraging to read more, as you really get to use your imagination to create wild and wonderful worlds. If I was going to follow her advice, I wanted to read something that didn't seem like the standard YA novel that everyone has read. So, when browsing amazon kindle books, I found 'Leap of Faith' by Joshua Rem. It had an eye catching cover and it was enticing to know that it was the first in a series of novels.
Rufino Endicott has been a vampire for six years. It is a lonely existence – too paranoid to get close to anyone, constantly running from the men that would kill all of his kind. It isn't until he falls in love that he begins to let his guard down, but this could be a really big mistake. Has Rufino been so blinded by love that he cannot see the danger approaching? And now that he has finally started to care about his life, will he be able to find a solution to his little problem with vampirism, after all his mobile coffin is starting to feel a little cramped? You will have to read to find out, and I hope you love it as much as I do.
On a personal note, I was really moved by his dedication to sufferers of depression. As a sufferer myself, it is really nice to know that you're never as alone as you think you are.
Rufino Endicott has been a vampire for six years. It is a lonely existence – too paranoid to get close to anyone, constantly running from the men that would kill all of his kind. It isn't until he falls in love that he begins to let his guard down, but this could be a really big mistake. Has Rufino been so blinded by love that he cannot see the danger approaching? And now that he has finally started to care about his life, will he be able to find a solution to his little problem with vampirism, after all his mobile coffin is starting to feel a little cramped? You will have to read to find out, and I hope you love it as much as I do.
On a personal note, I was really moved by his dedication to sufferers of depression. As a sufferer myself, it is really nice to know that you're never as alone as you think you are.
February 20, 2018
Rufino is a character we can all relate to. He’s a feisty, intelligent, food-loving, game-playing vampire. His small stature in no way minimizes the amount of trouble he finds himself in. His main goal, like most of us, is self-preservation. Beyond that, he lets his non-vampire like feelings lead the way.
Kiralyn is an anomaly to Rufino. His attraction to her was not vampire-like. This was something he hadn’t experienced since before his turning. His need to know overrode all the warning signs flashing in his head.
What would you do if all your appeals for justice were denied? What if the country’s fate was hanging in the balance? If you were Kiralyn, you would search for another way to stop the greed. If you were Rufino, you might agree to help. No matter who you are, trust only goes so far.
This was a great read. Now that I’m at the end I have so many questions that need answering. What killed that soldier? What happened to Martin? What will become of Rufino? And I refuse to believe Kiralyn is serious. I’m so glad I have book 2, The Darkest Depths, loaded up and ready to explore!
Kiralyn is an anomaly to Rufino. His attraction to her was not vampire-like. This was something he hadn’t experienced since before his turning. His need to know overrode all the warning signs flashing in his head.
What would you do if all your appeals for justice were denied? What if the country’s fate was hanging in the balance? If you were Kiralyn, you would search for another way to stop the greed. If you were Rufino, you might agree to help. No matter who you are, trust only goes so far.
This was a great read. Now that I’m at the end I have so many questions that need answering. What killed that soldier? What happened to Martin? What will become of Rufino? And I refuse to believe Kiralyn is serious. I’m so glad I have book 2, The Darkest Depths, loaded up and ready to explore!
December 28, 2017
With Leap of Faith, Joshua Rem has created a vivid, vibrant and engrossing world, with the fictitious Kingdom of Nyobi. His protagonist, Rufino Endicott is a vampire, with a particular taste for the blood of women, they taste so better than men. He calls his meals 'blood donors', perhaps to distance himself from their humanity. But, what will he do when he develops feelings for one of his 'donors' – will it be his ruin or his redemption? In Nyobi, nothing is as it seems.
What a cracking read, and it would really suit adults and young adults. I'm so grateful that Leap of Faith is the first in a series of novels, as I definitely want more from Rufino. He is such a likeable and empathetic character that I couldn't help but identify with, you really do become invested in him. Great work by Josuha Rem, bring on book 2 so I can once again visit Nyobi.
What a cracking read, and it would really suit adults and young adults. I'm so grateful that Leap of Faith is the first in a series of novels, as I definitely want more from Rufino. He is such a likeable and empathetic character that I couldn't help but identify with, you really do become invested in him. Great work by Josuha Rem, bring on book 2 so I can once again visit Nyobi.
January 25, 2018
“...Rufino had learned over the years that emotions came not from the heart, but from the soul. And he certainly still had one of those.”
Rufino is a vampire, has been for 6 years, and learned early on that it is an isolated existence. Bartenders seem to be his only acquaintances, but if he wants to stay alive (kind of), it has to be that way. There are some people in Nyobi that don't take too kindly to vampires...they do drink blood (and whisky in Rufino's case) after all.
In this great piece of teen fiction, we follow Rufino as he grapples to deal with his fate, a confusing new love, and the dangers that stalk him, as he navigates life in the mythical Kingdom of Nyobi. It is brilliantly written, full of great characters, a compelling and twisting plot, and an ending that makes you want more.
Rufino is a vampire, has been for 6 years, and learned early on that it is an isolated existence. Bartenders seem to be his only acquaintances, but if he wants to stay alive (kind of), it has to be that way. There are some people in Nyobi that don't take too kindly to vampires...they do drink blood (and whisky in Rufino's case) after all.
In this great piece of teen fiction, we follow Rufino as he grapples to deal with his fate, a confusing new love, and the dangers that stalk him, as he navigates life in the mythical Kingdom of Nyobi. It is brilliantly written, full of great characters, a compelling and twisting plot, and an ending that makes you want more.
January 29, 2018
Joshua Rem, the author of Leap of Faith(The Rufino Factor Book 1) has certainly created and interesting character and story line in this book. Rufino Endicott, a vampire of roughly six years, convinces himself that life isn't too bad. He does his thing, and never gets attached. That is, until one of his "blood donors", elicits feelings in Rufino that have long been dormant. The mythical kingdom of Nyobi is center stage in this tale and is a great backdrop for Rufino's character as he tangles with his feelings. As the first in the series, the foundation is all set for future installments in this story, featuring a highly likeable main character. With a strong plot, twisty elements to the story, and a touch of romance, this book is sure to be a success with the YA crowd and older. Strongly recommend for good escapist style reading.
January 31, 2018
Rufino is a vampire, a vampire that lives a very solitary lifestyle, and has convinced himself that he is content with his lot. Traveling around Nyobi, masquerading as a merchant, and enjoying the hospitality of bars and blood donors, he fools himself that he is happy. That is until he meets a part elvish, blood-haired, school teacher in a bar in the slummy Borallis. She is witty, charming, and seemingly interested in his bumbling advances, but is Kiralyn all that she seems? Well actually no, she is powerful sorceress, wanted for many, many counts of attempted murder. Rufino sure can pick them.
This novel is great fun, with plenty of adventure, plenty of laugh out moments, and even a lot of hear. I enjoyed Leap of Faith by Joshua Rem, from start to finish, and cant wait to read the next installment in the Rufino Factor Series.
This novel is great fun, with plenty of adventure, plenty of laugh out moments, and even a lot of hear. I enjoyed Leap of Faith by Joshua Rem, from start to finish, and cant wait to read the next installment in the Rufino Factor Series.
March 26, 2018
“Chomp necks and don’t get caught: the life of a vampire as Rufino Endicott would have described it before he became one.”
Excellent! Rem’s Leap of Faith is a vampire novel that doesn’t take itself too seriously and is a really good read because of it. The chemistry between Ruffino and Kiralyn was very well constructed, and at the end of the book it definitely left me wanting more with questions yet to be answered. The Darkest Depths is now top of my to-read pile and more Ruffino inspired goodness to come.
Excellent! Rem’s Leap of Faith is a vampire novel that doesn’t take itself too seriously and is a really good read because of it. The chemistry between Ruffino and Kiralyn was very well constructed, and at the end of the book it definitely left me wanting more with questions yet to be answered. The Darkest Depths is now top of my to-read pile and more Ruffino inspired goodness to come.
February 5, 2022
The author is an anti-vaxxer, so it's no wonder he's a fiction writer. Unfortunately his lack of awareness mirrors his imaginative ability, with a story that slowly treads from one cliché to the next. While this book may be a slog, it at least works as an effective sleeping pill.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews