Haven

Lowtown #1

by Lindsay J. Pryor

'Dark, disturbing, enthralling, breath taking ' P assionate About Bo oks'An incredible voice for paranormal' Rhyannon Byrd, bestselling author of the Bloodrunners series*A spin-off from the bestselling Blackthorn series by Lindsay J. Pryor*Prepare to enter Lowtown - t he dark, gritty world that will grip you and never let you go.Every few days the handsome stranger comes into the café in Lowtown for an hour a time. Most of the time he keeps himself to himself - one drink and he leaves. Sometimes people meet with him but about what remains elusive, the edge of mystery and danger adding to his allure.Not that Ember is allowed to think about him. She's finally on the cusp of gaining her citizenship and escaping Lowtown for good, so she can't be seen to be involved with a vampire - evidence of one single bite would be the end of her prospects. But when those prospects are rocked by her links to the district's dark underbelly, the stranger she must avoid could be her absolution - and she could be his . . .Find out why readers are OBSESSED with Haven :'I truly do feel that if you love the Paranormal genre and have not yet discovered Lindsay J. Pryor or these novels then you need to read them, experience them first hand' Keeper Bookshelf'Adrenaline-inducing, heart-breaking, incrediby addictive . . .It's a story no one should miss.' Netgalley 5-star review'Haven is a darkly enchanting tale' Netgalley 5-star review'Lowtown is dark and gritty. But it's also uplifting [and] inspiring' Tracie Delaney'Absolutely spellbound . . . a must read!' Netgalley 5-star review'Completely blown away by this book . . . utterly engrossing, alluring world-building' Netgalley 5-star review

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Dystopia, Romance, Adult

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 2, 2017

About the author

Sign up to be the first to hear about Lindsay's NEW releases here: http://bit.ly/150twsa

*Lindsay is not an active Goodreads user. Please visit her website if you would like to contact her.*

Lindsay J. Pryor is a speculative fiction author published by Hachette U.K. Her dark, gritty and complex dystopian BLACKTHORN series has achieved numerous Gothic and PNR Amazon number ones both in the UK and the US. Her spin-off LOWTOWN standalone novels are underway as well as her upcoming romantic Gothic horror.

Quickly deciding that fantasy was more interesting than reality, Lindsay has been creating stories since she was nine years old. She holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology and Communication and is a qualified Psychology lecturer and English teacher. She taught for eighteen years before becoming a full-time author.

Lindsay was born and grew up in Wales and now lives in South West England with her husband and a plethora of wild woodland creatures.
To find out more about Lindsay and her books, please visit her website: lindsayjpryor.com

BLACKTHORN is published by Bookouture. Her LOWTOWN novels are being published by Piatkus (Little, Brown Book Group).

I absolutely adore the world she's put into place here. Everything is so well formed with its own history and culture that it really feels like I'm living in Blackthorn... (Marked by Books)

This is a paranormal universe like none you have encountered before. (Keeper Bookshelf)

I don't think I have read such a finely executed dark PNR world before... The world-building is spectacular. (Gaga Over Books)

Lindsay Pryor has crafted a world that's intricate, gritty and genuinely fascinating... (Big Little Sister Blog)

This concept is creative and different from other paranormal books I've read lately. (My Paranormal Book Review)

I cannot say how much I love this author. She is creating a world which sucks you in, which makes you want to know more about Blackthorn and its inhabitants. (I Heart Books)

Not only are Pryor's characters and fathomlessly dark love stories fabulous, but her continual world building of Blackthorn blows me away. (Gravetells)

Lindsay is a wonderful writer. She's crafted one heck of a world... (Vice President of Creative Affairs for Relativity Media Film Studios, California)

Reviews

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always say this but I LOVE PNR. It’s my favourite, out of all the genres. I love how PNR can take you away and anything can be real, the expected is not expected and the surprises are believable. Authors have more leeway when it comes to PNR BUT they do have to have some realism. That’s what Lindsay creates.

Haven has all the grittiness and the rawness of her Blackthorn series. It comes with the depravity and the nitty gritty. She has this way of creating a world that in all reality should disgust you, it should make you want to run for the hills BUT you know with absolute certainty you’d run straight into those pages and into that world. It’s fantastic creativity.

It’s not just the world building that amazes me, it’s also the story itself, there are so many plot twists and second guessing. You go through one chapter thinking you know what’s coming and then bam, you hit another plot twist. If this book was a theme park ride it’d definitely be a rollercoaster.

Let’s move to the characters for a second. Nate, he’s most definitely all male, he’s alpha and from the description very much a hot tamale. However, that isn’t what sells him to me. (although that helps)

He’s enigmatic but without throwing it out there. He has this aloofness that isn’t an act. He lives his life alone and his attitude screams it. He’s aware of his magnetism and isn’t afraid to use it to get what he wants. He screams confidence; however, you break through that tough shell and he’s just as vulnerable as the next guy.

I found myself liking the female lead character and anyone who knows me knows that that very rarely happens. Ember, she has kept her head down, saved money and is moving on and trying to better herself. She’s strong and determined. However, she has this vulnerability and this sense of rightness. I really enjoyed reading her.

The chemistry between the two was electric. The tension palpable. I always love the push and pull of characters who, in hindsight aren’t meant to be together. In this case, vampire – human. Any reader who favours vampires will tell you that the ultimate vampire book boyfriend would be typically a Nate. The elusive alpha, strong but aloof, wary but intrigued. The actual way the character tries to put you off is the very reason you are attracted and Nate very much attracted me.

Lowtown has the feel of Blackthorn, if a little more regimented. In fact, if you’ve read Lindsay’s Blackthorn series, you will know that there is an area in Blackthorn that is called The Row, it’s where the dirtiest and the meanest bullies operate, they are sickeningly depraved and will do ANYTHING to keep what they believe is theirs, even if by force. Haven felt like that to me. When all’s said and done it’s a dog eat dog world and the weakest die and are left to rot. The actual aura of the book read like that to me. It was fantastic writing.

I’m always in awe of an author’s ability to take you away from the real world and Lindsay seems to do this every time. Blackthorn will be my first love but it most definitely won’t be my last. Lowtown has just become a very real contender.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put, Haven, Lindsay J. Pryor’s first standalone Lowtown novel is amazing. No surprise considering it’s Lindsay J. Pryor. :)

With Haven, Lindsay has created yet another enthralling dystopian universe that neighbors the brutal world of Blackthorn. Like its neighbor, Lowtown is plagued by corrupt authorities that have allowed groups to selfishly and mercilessly take control of the entire area, leaving the rest of the inhabitants struggling to survive. With the strict restrictions keeping people from migrating into wealthier communities, Lowtown residents are forever facing a bleak future with no way out; and, this future seems to be getting worse at a very fast pace as two rival gangs are forcefully expanding their territories into some of the only locations remaining that seem to provide as close a feeling to safety as can be felt in Lowtown.

Enter our two main characters: Nate and Ember. Where do I even begin with these two?

If Caleb Dehain in Blackthorn had not already stolen my heart, I think Nate would succeed in doing so. This stranger, who comes every day to the cafe Ember works at, has a delicious, irresistible ruggedness to him; and like, Ember, readers are dying to find out more about this quiet vampire with the tough outer exterior. Speaking of Ember, I think she is my favorite heroine yet that Lindsay has written. Ember is the kind of female character that female readers aspire to be. Rather than a damsel in distress, Ember is a woman who knows her own mind. With her bold, tenacious spirit, she is an extremely strong character mentally, emotionally, and physically. In her determination to make things better, she would do any warrior of social justice proud. Like Nate, she’s also ruthless in her loyalty to those she cares about. Together, these two create a gritty story full of determination, passion, sacrifice, redemption, and love.

Overall, Haven presents a darkly enchanting tale that will leave all readers unable to put the book down until it’s reached its end. If this is the first Lindsay J. Pryor book they have read, readers are sure to be desperate to pick up other books set in this same universe. For those who are already her fans, Haven will provide a lovely feeling of familiarity with hints of characters and events from books in the Blackthorn series while also providing a fresh new perspective on this extremely captivating world. Needless to say, I can’t wait to see what the next Lowtown novel brings and very much hope there will be many more books to come.

[Tracie Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot tell you how long I’ve been waiting to sit down with the long-anticipated ‘Haven’ in my hands. Put it this way…. it’s been a while.

I’ve been a fan of Lindsay J Pryor for some time, but I’ll admit I did have a little nervous anxiety going on in the pit of my stomach as I opened this book. I love her Blackthorn series, and I’m highly anticipating the finale, Blood Broken. But to sit down with something completely new… well, would it meet my expectations?

So for those reading this review, I’m going to put you out of your misery really quickly… it did. It most definitely did.

As with all of Lindsay’s novels, you are transported to the world she has created. She takes you into the heart of the action. You can smell the desperation of what it’s like to live in Lowtown, you can feel the terror, the hopelessness of being one of the unlucky folks who happened to be born into the wrong family, the wrong area.

But you can also be uplifted by the spirit of the people who live there, and none more so than our heroine, Ember, who, on the cusp of getting out of Lowtown to the more affluent Midtown is pulled into what I can only describe as a nightmare not of her making. But instead of crumbling, our girl leads from the front, inspires, thrills, digs her heels in, and stands up to those who seek to oppress.

At the beginning, I read slowly, keen to make sure I followed the story, for Lindsay J Pryor’s writing is not only absorbing, but it’s also intelligent. You have to pay attention. And gradually, I was pulled into Ember and Nate’s world, not like a voyeur, but as an active participant. I could have been Ember. I felt everything she did, I fought right alongside her, I urged her to triumph. From about the fifty percent mark, I couldn’t flick the pages fast enough.

I tried to work out how Ember was going to make it all okay when all seemed lost, but once again, as the author has done many times before, Lindsay J Pryor surprised, shocked, and astounded me with her storytelling, her guts, her ability to make the tough calls. Her ability to pull out something amazing... and when the covers are peeled back to reveal the outcome, she definitely provides that 'What the heck' moment!

Make no mistake: Lowtown is dark and gritty, and gives us more than a glimpse into the depths of human depravity. But it’s also uplifting, inspiring, and shows the strength of humanity, of how there are still those with determination to do the right thing, no matter what it costs them.

Lindsay J Pryor – I salute you. Please hurry up with the next in the series. I can’t wait.

[Dmcl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed Ms. Pryor''s Blackthorn series since the beginning. When I heard she was planning this spinoff set in Lowtown without appreciable crossover from the first series, I was dubious about how interested I would be to read it. I wanted the familiarity of the characters I knew to be in this new series. However, given the opportunity to read Haven, I took the chance offered. It was the best thing I could have done.
This book had me at Chapter 1, I literally could not put it down. It's the first time I've really ever had a book that I didn't want to end. Ms. Pryor is a master storyteller and wordsmith, carefully weaving her world and its characters into a story that is refreshingly original in a genre that at times can be very formulaic. There are just enough allusions to the first series to assuage loyal readers without making new readers feel like they're missing something.. Nate and Ember are fully realized, intense characters to whom a reader will feel instantly drawn.. They are so compelling, the scenes they're written in so smooth and natural that I fell into them and didn't want to ever climb out. By the end, the depth of emotion and passion were overwhelming and so satisfying. I want to read it again, now.
It is an auspicious beginning for this new series. Ms. Pryor has set a very high bar for herself and I know she will anguish over and fine tune every book that follows. But that's alright; I can be patient. I hope.
Highly recommended and grateful for this copy received through NetGalley.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I received my longed for copy of Haven, I had feelings of elation and also a little trepidation. I make no secret of being a huge fan of Lindsay J. Pryor and her stunning Blackthorn series. The Blackthorn series is my favourite PNR series ever, so I actually felt nervous about my reaction, like I was cheating on the series by reading Haven. And it's so amazing, so how can it be topped? But hey, apparently I am a cheater! Haven is different in many ways in that it’s a spin-off from Blackthorn, it’s a standalone and it’s a Lowtown novel. Different district, new characters and a plot that has an end. Blackthorn, in comparison, has an overarching plot that continues throughout the series of eight books. You can absolutely read Haven without having read the Blackthorn series, however, as I found, if you have read the Blackthorn series you do get some extra pleasure hits at the mention of a few familiar names and there are some snippets of information that to Blackthorn fans will stand out as a revelation.

Lowtown is seemingly a ‘safer’ place than Blackthorn. The Blackthorn streets are seeped with danger and depravity. There, with the looming prophecy and the control of the third species reaching the point of all out war, there is an urgency to survive. In Lowtown, there is still that fight to survive, but it’s more subtle. More about conformity as a way of life. And the implications of what happens when you refuse to do so.
So this is where my comparison ends. And rightly so. Because, now I’ve read Haven, it justifiably deserves to be considered in its own right. It HAS to be considered in its own right.



Haven is definitely urban fantasy, with paranormal and romantic elements. Haven is more about the darkness and cruelty of humans rather than the callous nature of the paranormal species. In Lowtown, to survive you comply. Life is hard in a district rife with corruption and control. Ember has worked hard to avoid becoming another statistic, another victim of kidnap that ends in a life as a feeder for the vampires, or possibly worse. She keeps her head down and her nose clean as a way of earning her way out of Lowtown. A few more days and she’ll finally succeed. Though doing so will still be bittersweet as she’ll be leaving behind her job and the friends she cares so much about. And no more handsome stranger. The stranger who comes into the café where she works and makes her pulse leap. Though it won’t be long until he’s a stranger no more.

Nate, a vampire and a collector, forms no relationships and works alone. For months he’s been conducting his business from a café, close to his home in Lowtown. Everyone in Lowtown tries to stay off the radar for risk of becoming embroiled in the control war between rival clans the Voys and the Hordas clans. Except, that becomes impossible for Nate when the café suddenly becomes a point of interest for the Hordas clan – as does Ember.
Now living in the same building and having needed to save each other’s lives, Nate is a no longer a stranger. But was he ever that? When Ember seeks out Nate for vengeance and to secure the safety of those she’ll be leaving behind, it seems their meeting could be less than a coincidence. It also seems that their link to each other puts their very lives on a knife edge. Being together could be their ultimate downfall. Which makes their relationship so beautiful and compelling.

I adored both characters. Ember is strong, brave and righteous, despite her desire to meet her own needs, and Nate, ah Nate. Though, admittedly, he’s true to his dangerous vamp nature (and incredibly hot!) there is also a beautiful vulnerability to him. One that tugs at your heart. And one that makes you question if he and Ember should get together, even though, at the same time, you desperately want them to be together!

This book grips you right from the beginning. The goal, the motivation of the main protagonists seem clear from the start and you invest in them instantly. But then, as you get deeper, so do the goals, so does the motivation, getting more desperate, more urgent. And that’s without the conflict! My goodness does the author put them through an emotional wringer! The plot is amazingly good, simply wonderful, something that is the only thing that doesn’t surprise me about the authors writing. I've never been able to figure out one of her plots and Haven is no exception. Lindsay J. Pryor's world building is perfection. The plot is skilled and engrossing. Each chapter has some snatches-your-breath revelation. The conflict builds and builds, as does the tension. The final word is perfect and deeply satisfying. Everything about this book is satisfying. Dark, gritty, urban fantasy at its absolute best. Ah, Haven. You came, I read, I cried and fell in love. I found my haven in Haven!

Pure fantasy. Pure Genius.

[Antonella · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5⭐
in the minority here but I couldn't get into this book...
I was slugging along..
read for a readathon..

[야일 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely blown away with this book. I knew not to expect anything less as it was Lindsay J. Pryor writing but this was absolutely fantastic.

I can easily predict this new urban fantasy series from her will be my next favorite thing. Loving the fact these books will be standalone.

Haven was utterly engrossing. It had the usual flare of Lindsay's awesome writing, alluring world-building and her fantastic characters that I have come to associate with her after loving and following her Blackthorn series. In this case, Ember and Nate. I loved them. I loved how honest they were. With each other and in general.

I couldn't stop reading this book even when I should have. But I just couldn't. Put. This. Book. Down. It was so captivating.

I loved the plot, the contrast it has to Blackthorn, the rawness and the brutalness--the familiar unpredictability that makes you fall in love with Lindsay's writing and the world(s) she has created.

Rating: 📖📖📖📖📖

Am I crazy to say I want a series on the Midtown and Summerton districts as well. And can we see this world on TV?

Whilst waiting for the final book in Blackthorn to come out. I'ma go dig around more on Lindsay's website. 😙

Also, check my reviews for her books in the companion series to the Lowtown books.

Psst. You don't really need to read her Blackthorn books to get this one but it will be great if you do as that series is awesome.

Special thanks to Netgalley, Piatkus and especially Lindsay J. Pryor for this reading opportunity.

+++

Right after finishing: Omg, I loved this. This was freaking amazing. Wow. Speechless right now.

[Helen Wawrejko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mystery paranormal. Spinoff series of the Blackthorn novels. Great protagonist, worldbuilding, side characters. Escape from Lowtown is within Embers grasp. 15 years she saved and was the model citizen to meet the near impossible criteria to qualify to leave. Everything is about to come crashing down when she is attacked, and saves a life. Ember reaches for that safe haven all her life, to rise out of lowtown. You yearn for her to succeed. The very last sentence in the book was my favorite. I sat right up and smiled, never an ending so apropos. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

[Incy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich in intrigue, and twists and turns, Haven is a dark, dark PNR/urban fantasy novel of the first class. The world building is superb, so too, the action scenes—the frustration, despair and violence, scarily bold and graphic on the page.

Ember (heroine) steals the show. Here’s one woman who stands tall and brave in her own quiet way. Sure, she’ll appear to concede (when it suits her), but her intelligence always keeps her steps ahead of those who would do her, or those she cares about, harm. With Ember its not her physical actions you have to watch, it’s her mind! Nate (hero) is a perfect foil for her, bringing to the fore as he does, her vulnerability. Nate’s not quite an anti-hero, but he’s pretty damn close, and umpteen times you will wonder how these two will ever arrive at the HEA they both deserve—big time.

No comment on the plot because of spoilers, but in a word, DEVIOUS.

So aside from the writing, the plot, the characters, what else raises Haven very much above the average? Well the politics, the social injustice, the raw indignation at how corruption triumphs—fact of life. But amid all that bleak there exists integrity and loyalty and love, keeping hope strong.

Recommended.

[Dawn Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW what a Brilliant,Additive,Spellbounding book this was from Lindsay J Pryor.

I am totally speechless after finishing this story.I loved her Blackthorn series and didn't think anything could surpass that and keep me gripped like that series did but WOW this book blew me away with how this plot unfolded,Lindsay's attention to detail throughtout this story is just astonishing.

This standalone urban fantasy was fantasic and the characters that Lindsay portrays into this story is original that have you hooked right from the off,this is my preferred genre to read, PNR, and she does not dissappoint in this book about Nate and Ember that you are instantley drawn too.

The depth of passion and emotion throught out this book is sheer genius from this author,she has set the bar very high,but this is what she does,Lindsay's stile of writing is awesome that keeps you guessing at every turn.

I was drawn back into this urban world that is Lowtown and the two characters of Nate and Ember,there are lots of obstacles thrown at them at every turn,this was a dark and gritty story with lots of twists along the way that you never see coming.

Nate and Embers story is phenomenal and will stay with me along time as i can't get them out of my head with how this story unfolded and how strong a character Ember is to find out the truth of her past.There was alot of honesty between Nate and Ember which i loved.I don't want to say too much about what this couple went through as i don't want to give spoilers away.

Lindsay is not frightened to take risks that leave us the reader astounded with the outcome,then too put you through the ringer again and again,what a brave clever lady.This book is pure genius from a fabulous author that will keep you hooked and intrigued till the last page.

For all PNR readers this book is Brilliant,its a standalone that will keep you hooked till you have devoured this whole,it is PNR at its very best.SUPERB.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not get over how much I enjoy Lindsay Pryor's writing. Every time I read one of her books You seem to get lost in the world she creates. You get emotionally involved.

This is her spin off series from her Blackthorn series. Loved the book. Loved Nate. Loved Ember. The sex scenes were super hot. I can not wait till she releases the next one. Or any thing she is writing actually.

The only problem or complaint i have is the Human / Vampire relationship not lasting FOREVER. Why oh why could Ember not get some vampire blood or something to prolong her life, not the pesky human years.. Pffffft. I am really sad about this.

Anyway you do NOT have to read the Blackthorn series to enjoy this. This is a stand alone. I would suggest reading this if you want a HOT Immersive paranormal read, read this book now!

[Holly Parker Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would of loved this book to be a series!

A futuristic world with Vampires and witches. Ember is a 30 year old girl that is living in city that is blind to law. Checking over her shoulder and watching people like a hawk. She has a past that haunts her and a future this is not promised. She fights for her freedom and her life.

Nate is a vampire that is drawn to Ember. He watches her from a distance but closes that distance more than he wants. Nate does not make friends or enemies and keeps his distance from everyone. He doesn't build or cultivate relationships. His life depends on him keeping people at arm length.

Once Ember and Nate connect, their world is turned upside.

Great book. I will look for more books by this author.

[Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved the Blackthorn series and was genuinely unsure about how this much- anticipated book would live up to the hype. After seven books, I felt safe and secure with my blackthorn boys and was curious to find out how Lowtown would compare to the world that I knew so well. But I should never have doubted Ms Pryor writing a stand-alone and packing into one book all the thrills, tension, and passion I've been treated to over the Blackthorn series.
From the first chapter, this book had me hooked, on the edge of my seat desperate to know how it pans out for our main characters Nate and Ember. Both believable, both desperate to protect their own worlds but Ember bringing the human touch that Nate doesn't realise he needs.
I loved the subtle references to blackthorn but I also loved the new twist on events I thought I knew inside out.
Lindsay has a way of writing that makes you feel simultaneously exhausted and wrung out yet hyperactive and desperate for more because the story doesn't let up for a single second and even when I thought I had it sussed, in comes a curveball to take me back out to leftfield. Although I knew this was a stand alone, at the end I couldn't help but feel cheated as I wanted Nate and Ember's story to continue. Genuinely engrossing storyline with palpable tension from the start. Totally recommend this book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars!!
I didn’t expect to love this as much as her Blackthorn series but I shouldn’t have been worried. This was an awesome start to a spin-off of the series I love. Can’t wait for more!

[Caroline Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow oh wow. It's no secret I'm a huge fan of Lindsay J. Pryor but she blew me away with this book! I'm still thinking about the characters, the cafe, the feuding clans that threaten everything, but most of all, I'm thinking about Ember and Nate.
Lately, I've been on a bit of a reading downer, my TBR list is huge and has consisted of crime and psychological thriller novels up until now. Haven has brought the enjoyment back into reading again. I used to look forward to reading 'just another chapter' in the snatched moments during the day. When I found out my Amazon Echo could read my Kindle books I was in heaven as I had Alexa read to me when I was cleaning the house too! The only problem now is that it's finished. Thankfully, the author has a big backlist of books that I can reread while I'm waiting for more.

Lindsay has done a terrific job of creating fully fleshed characters and describing scenes so true to life. I'm beginning to wonder if there's an alternate universe out there that the author spends time in, observing it all. If there is, can I please go? I am in awe of her imagination and story-telling skills. She is a true talent and I look forward to the day this is snapped up for TV. I highly recommend this incredible book to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced read with highly interesting characters and a setting you won't want to leave. I can't do it justice with this review. Buy the book and find out for yourself.

[Delphine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I save the ***** rating for books of this calibre. They are a rare find.

It has been a little over a year since Lindsay J Pryor released her last book, and I am sorry to say that I had forgotten just how addictive, dark and intelligent her writing is. Haven is a fantastic read, not least because her characterisation is so incredibly clever. Her main characters have depths that literally lift them away from the page. Once you start turning those pages, it’s almost impossible to stop. Once the book is finished, you WILL suffer from a book hangover, have no doubt.

From the very first page, the reader is transported into a world where something bad can happen at any time, for no rational reason whatsoever, thus providing you with a feeling of simmering intensity and impending doom throughout. It’s like knowing that there is live grenade in the room with the pin out, and you really hope it’s faulty.

Lindsay’s writing is dark, intense, incredibly intelligent, and the shades of grey principle is used to full effect. A skill that I adore, not least because I love the idea that good people make bad decisions, and then have to live with consequences. In Lowtown, rest assured, no one is perfect and they all have a skeleton or two in the closet.

I found the character of Ember to be particularly likeable, and genuinely working hard to try and make the best of a truly awful situation. Nate comes with his own demons, and by the end of the book, you are able to understand why he has made the choices that he has elected to make over the years.

As with Blackthorn, Lowtown is a character in itself, and sounds almost as unpleasant a place to live as Blackthorn. I can fully understand why anyone would want to leave it. And, as with any society, Lindsay is able to highlight and articulate the prejudices and injustices that take place on an ongoing basis and are blatantly overlooked. This is clever writing, not least because this could be construed as a very real social commentary with concerns about where we are heading as a society. Perhaps we should take note.

In terms of the readers’ emotions - You certainly do feel the frustration of living in such a cruel and unjust system, the seemingly inescapable plight of the main protagonists, and the intensity of their feelings, both towards one other and where this relationship will (or will not) lead.

Lindsay’s ability to psychoanalyse or rationalise her characters’ thought processes is wholly unique. I’ve never seen another author use this technique to such excellent effect, and I doubt I will, to be honest. A lesser writer would give you a page of “filling angst” that is frequently immature and dull, but not here. Here, you have complex thought processes, rational and reasonable internal debates, where there are rarely any positive outcomes. Lindsay’s characters are clever. This is something that all her (anti) heroes and (anti) heroines have in common.

I am wholeheartedly looking forward to the next in what clearly is going to be another phenomenal series.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing a spin-off to a popular series can often seem like a no-brainer for authors.

You've created something that your readers just can't get enough of, and of course, your fanbase doesn't ever want the series to end, but for some authors, you just can't squeeze any more juice from the lemon and in some cases, probably shouldn't even try. It takes a certain kind of world-building to be able to pull it off successfully. And you need to be brave enough to sometimes move away from characters that have become well-loved and to whom your readers have become attached to the point where you have to pry them off with a crowbar.

Fortunately for Lindsay J. Pryor fans, Lindsay is both a brave writer and a proficient world-builder, so they have nothing to worry about with her new release from Piatkus Fiction, Haven, the spin-off from the highly successful Blackthorn series.

With the Blackthorn series, we found a world that already seemed mammoth, despite being mostly set in just one of the districts that Lindsay has created - Blackthorn, the dark and dangerous district of the Third Species and any other low-life creature forced to reside there (for those newbies amongst you, the vamps, lycans and cons). But Blackthorn really is just one part of something much bigger, and if you're already a LJP fan, and have checked out the 'About Blackthorn' section on her website, you might already have an understanding in just how huge this world is and how many possibilities there are to create spin-offs and new adventures to appease older readers and hopefully generate new ones. I remember reading Lindsay's posts about Blackthorn and at the time, thinking how there was so much more I wanted her to write about, so many more tales I wanted to read, and this is why I'm so happy to see Lindsay investigate the Lowtown district with Haven.

For me, a successful spin-off should be able to stand in its own right and that's just what Haven does. You can read Blackthorn first, of course (and you should read it anyway because it's all kinds of awesome), but the first thing you should know about Haven, is that if you're new to LJP, then you're not going to have to read an 8 book series before you start on the Lowtown book. Yes, there's a few references to Blackthorn, but you're not suddenly going to find yourself in a world without a handy travel guide and spend forever wandering around, trying to work out what the Hell is going on.

Let's meet Ember and Nate. Ember, a waitress in a cafe, is on the brink of gaining citizenship to the district of Midtown, having been through a gruelling and lengthy process to escape the gritty and brutal confines of Lowtown where she's lived her whole life. She's crossed the T's and dotted the I's and finally, she's been given approval to cross the border, pending her final medical. Nate is a vampire, and has been dropping by the cafe for months. A man of very few words, he keeps himself to himself, but his elusiveness and air of danger has sparked some interest in Ember, even though she knows she has to stay away from him. Any involvement with the Third Species could have her application torn up before the ink is dry on the stamp of approval.

Her determination to gain a new life for herself seems certain to succeed, that is until she discovers Nate has moved into the apartment across the hall from hers and she finds him close to death in the stairwell of the apartment block. Helping him could risk her application, and Ember has to make a quick decision whether to be compassionate and save him or be selfish and leave him to die.

When sinister forces set to rip Ember's world apart and threaten the business and lives of her friends, she finds herself on a mission to help them and the only person who she can turn to is her mysterious neighbour, Nate. But is Nate all he appears to be?

With danger lurking around every corner, and time running out, Ember must fight the demons of her past and her feelings for Nate, if she is to make it to Midtown and start a new life for herself, but it seems as if others have a different path for her.

As with all Lindsay's female characters, Ember is something to be admired. She's everything we want to see in a female MC - feisty, independent, compassionate but flawed - and I genuinely wanted to see her succeed. I was rooting for her from page one, right through to the end, even if I didn't always agree with her decisions. As a reader, I think that's important. I don't want to see a perfect heroine getting it right all the time and turning into the Mary Poppins of urban dystopian fiction. I want someone real. Someone that I can identify with. Someone that I want to see win. I definitely found that in Ember, she's vulnerable at times, but has the capability of great strength, and a protective side to her when it comes to those she loves.

Nate isn't always likeable, particularly to start with. He's aloof, cold at times, detached, but that is something I like in my male MC's; one, because it means we root for our heroine more, and two, because again, I have no desire to see Mary Poppins and Bert chim-chiminey-ing across the rooftops of Lowtown, sprinkling magic over the houses and dancing up a jig. I like to feel a little bit torn when it comes to the male MC's. I want to see tension. I want to see a bit of angst. I want to see two people battling against each other, because let's face it, it makes the coupling all the more sweeter ;-)

I absolutely loved these two. I'm not sure if these characters will pop up again in Lowtown or not, I'm sure we'll meet new characters along the way, but the important part for me was my connection with them both and that is something LJP always gets spot on. Characters that we love, characters that drive us crazy and make us shout at the pages while reading (yeah, I did that), characters that make us want to keep reading and lament the fact we have to put down the book to go back to our lives/jobs etc (yeah, I did that too). I talk a lot about Lindsay's skill for world-building, and I hope if you've read any of my previous reviews, you'll just take that as a given now, but we should never forget the power of the characters she creates. The fans all have their favourites (HELLO, JASK!) but there's something to be said for an author who can change your mind with each book and have you start bumping up new characters to the top of your list, particularly with a spin-off series.

The villains of the book, the powerful and brutal Hordas clan, are a disturbing bunch, seeking out businesses to claim as their own, while crushing, manipulating and abusing anyone who dares get in their way. They're on a mission to rule Lowtown and their icy ambition left me cold in all sorts of good ways, because let's face it, we all LOVE to hate a good villain, right? I definitely had all the bad feels when reading their scenes, but again, that's important, because we shouldn't feel comfortable when confronted with the bad guys and while I loved Ember and Nate, I hated the Hordas clan in equal measure.

The plot went places I never saw coming and as always, I was left with nothing but admiration for how well Lindsay weaves her web, to the point where we're never quite sure what path the story will take. The pacing was fast and relentless, the tension was electrifying throughout, the hot scenes were, well, sizzling (as always) and there was mystery and intrigue on every page. It's been a while since a book got me so hooked that I spent my time in between reading thinking about what might happen next and each time I returned to it, I lapped it up and hoped it would never end. It did, of course and yes, I may have cried a little (although this was mostly due to plot, damn you LJP!).

As always, I'm now left wanting more and counting down the days to a new Lindsay J. Pryor release. This author never disappoints. I love that she never shies away from dark content. I love that she keeps us guessing throughout.

Gritty, relentless and hot as Hell, with new favourite characters to adore and darkness and danger lurking at every turn, Haven is without doubt my PNR top read of the year so far.

If you haven't yet checked out any LJP books, now is definitely the time to start!

Five stars for this breath-taking, brutal, dark fantasy tale!

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

With the finale of the Blackthorn series coming soon it’s time to move on to another sector of the Blackthorn universe… Lowtown.

I’ve loved the Blackthorn series for several reasons, mainly because the stories are dark, gritty, sexy and give me a completely different perspective on the Paranormal world than other series have. If you’ve read that series then you’ll completely understand when I say Haven ratchets that feeling up tenfold into a darker, more dangerous, truly evil world. While an environment can be evil it doesn’t mean that every citizen of Lowtown is as well. There are good people living here trying desperately to go through the hoops and tests and insanely complicated dance to be allowed to move out to another district… somewhere a bit safer, with a better chance at life. Ember is one such citizen. She keeps her head down, saves her money, goes through the complicated dance to be so close to getting out that she can touch it, feel it, breathe it… until he happens and life changes, forever.

Ember’s life isn’t what it seems on the surface. Unknown to her there are connections, history and events that link her to people best avoided and events better left unspoken. When everything she thought she knew for certain goes up in smoke there is one person who has answers, one man who matters in ways she never expected. Nate. Vampire.

Nate is the embodiment of lethal danger, he is the reason you look over your shoulder at night searching the shadows the feeling of being frozen in place while every muscle screams to run, the shiver of darkness that doesn’t allow you to look away from eyes that see too much. Nate is the reason I’m addicted to Paranormal. A man who is dangerous beyond words, yet there is something still human there that flutters at the edges of your vision. Aloof, compelling, a silent deadly killer when needed, a strong capable presence to turn to when necessary. Nate will become the role model for every vampire you read from this day forward to live up to. Yes, he’s that mesmerizing, and that badass.

Ember and Nate have connections to their past, their present and their future should they survive. Each brings power, knowledge, abilities and emotions into their mix. Ember is no simpering woman in need of a hero, she can stand on her own. Nate is no hero, in his own eyes, yet for this human woman he can do and feel things he never expected. He’s lived alone. Truly alone. Now he’s not… and that is both a miracle and a curse.

Haven will draw you in with a compelling couple, a truly dark and gritty world, and a story that will twist, turn, anger, sadden and completely consume you. You’ll find light in this dark world, and watch as two people defend the good that needs to survive while falling deeper into each other. There are moments that will make you want to look away from the page – but you can’t. Moments that will give you a smile in the midst of darkness. And by the ending you’ll want more, so much more… but you’ll have to wait until next time.

I am always amazed at the magic that authors create. Lindsay J. Pryor has given us another paranormal world to rival Blackthorn. Not take its place, but companion with. Her world building, the descriptions that place me right in the middle of the action, the emotions that are drawn out of me while in her worlds always leaves me in awe. And I don’t say that lightly. If you haven’t read Ms. Pryor’s works yet then I would strongly, gently encourage you to take that dive off of a cliff and emerge yourself in this world. You’ll never view Paranormal the same way again.

Also – if you love to hold a book in your hands, then this is also Ms. Pryor’s first print available story. Sometimes you just need the feel of a physical book, so now you can do that as well.

*I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Corrine Pickering · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven: A Lowtown novel by Lindsay J. Pryor

#### 5 Addictive Hashtags ###

Thank you to all the RARE18 readers that pointed me in the direction of this author/book, I absolutely loved it, just what I needed. A good strong PNR story that will keep you wanting more all the way through.

This is my first read from this author, I wasn't at all disappointed, this was very well written one of the easiest reads to give 5 stars.

This book is not only filled with vampires, witches and humans living alongside each other, it feels unique as they seem to live in a dystopian type world with different classes living in different areas.

Ember is so likeable, a great feisty character. Her story keeps you hooked - not knowing which decisions or direction she will take. I really enjoyed her story and was quite sad when it all came to an end.

I'm aware this is a spin-off from this authors Blackthorn series (which I haven't yet read), can there be a spin-off from a spin-off lol... I want more ! I can't wait to read more of Lindsay Priors books.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've found my Haven.

This Author is one of the reasons why I love PnR so much. Lindsay makes it so easy to get swept away in another world you can almost feel like you're part of it.
I've found my own Haven my happy place when I read her words I'm transported on an adventure from the very first page.

This book is a fantastic start to a gripping new series ( I'm hoping there's more than one book ) it's a spin-off of to the amazing Blackthorn series which is one of my all time favourites.

I loved the mysterious Nate straight away. I wanted to know EVERYTHING about him the minute he sat in that Cafe.
Ember really intrigued me too, she is almost on her way to a better life. It's all she's dreamed about, but the Lure of this stranger is hard to ignore.
I admit I was on the edge of my seat wondering if Ember would risk her dreams to find out more about Nate.

I'm really looking forward to the next book.
Congratulations Lindsay on another fantastic story, I'm already desperate for more.

[Stephanie Farrant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning piece of paranormal literature.
As a long-time fan of Lindsay J. Pryor, I couldn’t wait to read this book. I had high hopes, and Lindsay certainly did not disappoint. Indeed, she surpassed them. Throughout the story, as I greedily absorbed the pages, unable to put the book down, I couldn’t help but think how graceful it was. Haven is set in Lowtown, which is an awful place for its residents. It is a district where nowhere and no one are safe, which transcends to the reader, creating an edge of your seat feeling throughout. Yet there is grace to be found, and I think it’s in the seamless way the story has been written. The characters are dynamic and deep, capable of showing incredible strength in the most dire situations. They are fantastic together, yet strong on their own, which makes their desire to protect people all the more powerful.
After reading Haven, I felt there was a hidden meaning to the story, a silent moral. Though set in a paranormal world, where vampires roam the streets, drinking blood (among many other beings, known as the third species, that instil fear), it is the humans that are truly evil, particularly the ones who hold powerful positions. And I couldn’t help but compare them to the people in power within our world today. That rather than fear those we don’t understand, we should embrace them.
Haven is a story that has everything to offer a reader. The action scenes are adrenalin-inducing. The love is heart-warming and at times heart-breaking. The setting is uninviting, yet incredibly addictive, with hidden places that give hope. And the characters are complex. It’s a story no one should miss.

[Faryal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read a vampire book in quite some time now, but this was pretty good!

[Demei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous! The pleasure I received in reading Haven was immense. Such a beautiful love story with a paranormal edge. Nate and Ember are 2 souls who are fiercely independent, heroic, determined and courageous. Yet they are both lonely but because of their complicated past, they should hate each other. However, a common enemy and threat to their way of life gives them a reason to work together and deal with their past so they can protect their future. I so enjoyed this book with all the adventure, thrills, steamy romance, great in depth characters and fantastic world building. Lindsay J Pryor has outdone herself with this book.

[Julia Butterfield - Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.....ever since I heard Lindsay J Pryor was writing a standalone spinoff book to her brilliant Blackthorn series, I've been excitedly waiting for Haven's release. I was not disappointed, I absolutely loved it.

Ember has worked hard her whole life in Lowtown to stay clean, prove herself and conquer the horrendous application process in order to move to Midtown. A handsome but mysterious stranger regularly visits the cafe she works at, but Nate is a vampire and any connection to him would kill her chance for a better future.

If you've read Lindsay's books previously you'll understand how good she is at building a world you want to visit and characters you'd love to get to know. Plus a storyline that grips you and doesn't let go, long after the end you never saw coming. She's also not afraid to go to the dark places of her characters minds and world, regardless of whether they're the good guys or the bad. Yes, the good guys and girls are flawed, they don't always makes the right choices, they embrace their dark side and in order to do the things they have to do to survive and protect the ones they love. They make hard choices and have to deal with the consequences, but this for me makes them so much more real. Haven is all that and brilliantly written.

The odds are stacked against the people who reside in Lowtown, the system is unfair and seriously flawed. The humans in charge don't care about their lack of justice, medical care and basic living requirements. Haven expands beautifully on the details given in the Blackthorn series about the society in this world and I loved the subtle links, particularly to master vampire Kane Malloy. If you haven't read Blackthorn, it matters not one jot, but will hopefully pique your interest! There is a darkness and depravity to this world, but this story also shows how trust, loyalty and love can bring hope to the possibility of a better future, if the people are just brave enough to reach for it.

If you are new to Lindsay J Pryor, Haven is the perfect place to start, if you've read Blackthorn previously, what are you waiting for? Get stuck in, I'm sure you'll absolutely love it too. Five huge stars

[Mellissa Monteforte Jimenez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo, another hit!

Many people do not like spin offs or get confused if they have not read the prior series, for those who are new to Mrs. Pryor work, you can get lost in this story without the confusion & frustration other series read. Blackthorn is a great way to get an introduction and shows the other side of the wall this story is based on, either way, you will become emerresed in this world. Mrs. Pryor has this was of bringing her characters to life, allowing readers to enjoy this story without getting lost at any point. You can enjoy this story, ending it with a content smile but anxious to see what is happening next. A must read for new readers to Mrs. Pryor work, yet those of us who have read Blackthorn will be just as satisfied learning a new angle to this world. Loving it!

[Karinloos · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 blinking stars ,Ms Pryor has done it again.
I was eagerly awaiting this story as I totally loved the Blackthorn series and although the final book in that series is not out yet, I very much love the whole world setting the author has created, and this book/series is set in the same world.

If you have not read her Blackthorn series (seriously why not?, go forth and one-click :) ) , no worries, this book starts a new series with new characters. For those that have read the Blackthorn series , well there are slight overlaps which you will recognize, but the events in this book are completely separate to those in Blackthorn. The time-line of this book coincides with the timeline of the first few books of the Blackthorn series.

I have to mention that this is not your ordinary run of the mill PNR. In my opinion, Ms Pryor has cornered a separate niche in the market which I call PNR Suspense. All her books to date keep you on the edge of your seat, reading as fast as you can while still absorbing the story, because OMG no, OMG yes , oooh didn't see that coming, why?, noooo, yesssss, swoon. This pretty much sums of most of the emotions during one of her books (including this one).

So to clarify the world setting for those who haven't read Blackthorn. We have humans, we have the 2nd Species ( which are witches), we have the 3rd Species (which are vampires and werewolves). (there are also the 4th species, but I wont go into that as they don't feature in this book). In the world Ms Pryor has created, in each city the different species have been segregated into districts, starting with with all the paranormal's (ie 3rd species) and human criminals ( convicts -> cons) in the center district (otherwise known as Blackthorn). Around the center (Blackthorn) is the Lowtown district in which the low income/poor humans , the gangs of thugs and some paranormal's live. Medical facilities in this district are poor to non-existent and ordinary people struggle to survive and make a living. Around this district is Midtown, a more affluent district where NO paranormal's or witches may live or even cross its border. Around Midtown and outlying areas lies Summertown where the privileged humans reside.

The setting of this book is Lowtown where we meet Ember who is a late 20's 30 something waitress/assistant manager of a restaurant who has spent her whole life preparing to move to Midtown. The application process requires a complete clean record, no indications of being a feeder ( as in either donating blood via syringe or having a vampire sire who feeds from her) as well as of course a human bloodline. The book starts with Ember going into the final stages of the application process to be allowed to move to Midtown. In the mean time enter Nate, who has been coming to the restaurant where Ember works for a few weeks and who Ember has become interested in (from afar).

For those who are wondering , does this book have a HEA ( cause I know a lot of readers who wont pick up a book unless there's a HEA ) YES .

[Magwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paranormal romance

Welcome to lowtown a place where good hardworking people are forgotten,crime and extortion is rife and where ember has spent the last ten years trying to escape from. Her one chance is here and she's going to take it and have a better life.
Nothing is going to plan though there a protection racket intimidating her boss,there's the mysterious stranger who happens to be a vampire who she fancies the pants off and her friend who is getting involved with the wrong type.
The story grips you and draws you in to a world of the elites having it all and controlling who gets to live in the sun, whilst the poor remains in the gutter in lowtown.
The story is simple and well written. The characters are sublime and so textured and layered they have a soul and personality that leaps off the page. Forget the supernatural element as that's barely a factor, its more human and emotional. The dialogue is really good between the two characters and Nate is just lush.
I could write more about how fantastic,hot and downright captivating this book is but I don't want to spoil the experience.
The blackwood books are a masterclass in this genre and I cannot recommend these books enough. Go read and enjoy!

[Sue "DavinciKittie" Brown-Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the same story universe as Lindsay Pryor's wildly popular Blackthorne series, Haven spins off a new series that parallels the first series arc, but in Lowtown. You don’t need to have read Blackthorne to enjoy Haven—in fact, Haven would be a good light introduction to Blackthorne—but if you have, the reading experience will be even richer. Ms. Pryor’s vampire stories are dark, gritty urban fantasy style. She doesn’t shy away from violence and things-that-must-be-done, so her stories always have punch and treat readers to a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

Haven features Nate, a vampire “collector” who excels in bringing people what they want—for a price and without asking questions. He’s the best at what he does, so when his latest assignment puts him at odds with his sense of duty and the heart he’d thought long dead, he has some tough decisions to make…and boy does he. Ember is a good girl, doing everything she can to live on the straight and narrow so she can earn her way into Midtown, a feat very few achieve and that her family sacrificed dearly for. Ember and Nate both have secrets, and their secrets are unknowingly part of a larger scheme to control and repress the Lowtown district.

A paranormal romance with British flair and a more romance-oriented slant than the suspense-rich Blackthorne stories, Haven is a recommended read for lovers of dark urban fantasy and vampire romances. Nate is as unapologetic about his nature as he is fierce about keeping Ember safe, and Ember is the most stubborn, determined woman to ever grace Lowdown’s cafes and seedy streets.

[Barbara Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading from start to finish

This was a great start to the new series. I love the world-building, subtle differences but still strong enough to give the sense of continuity with Blackthorn. Consequently the plot is able to pull us straight into the action.

We enter familiar territory connecting with characters who tug at the heartstrings with the wonderful tension of their relationship and their struggle to survive in the brutal world they inhabit. Nate is enthrallingly human despite tendencies to violence.

Combine a great turn of phrase, an excellent pace and a beautiful flow of words and readers find themselves once again captivated by this author in a book that is impossible to put down until the very last page.

[Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a massive Strictly Come Dancing fan, this reminded me of a brilliant Viennese Waltz - beautifully romantic with constant twists and turns that left me dizzy and breathless.

I loved it. Ms Pryor delivers an urban fantasy masterclass. Wow!

I totally adored Nate's sensitivity and all male softness. He reminded me of peanut butter ice cream - cool, unexpected and with real depths of flavour. As for Ember I loved that she was resolute and strong without being tough, spiky or hard.

I've waited ages for this book and it was worth every single long day, hour, minute and second.