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Immortality Bites #6
Blood Bath & Beyond
BOOK #1 IN THE SARAH DEARLY SERIES! When fledging vampire Sarah Dearly’s fiancé Thierry takes a job with the Ring—the secret council in charge of keeping vampires in line—Sarah’s about to get more than a taste of danger…
Being in love with a centuries-old master vampire can be challenging—especially when he takes a job with the Ring. Thierry’s in for an unpredictable life of travel and deadly risk. It’s enough to make any woman reconsider saying “I do!”…well, any woman except Sarah Dearly.
In Las Vegas, for his first assignment, Sarah and Thierry must investigate a vampire serial killer leaving victims drained of blood, potentially exposing the existence of vampires to the whole world. But when Thierry’s past comes back to haunt him, and he’s framed for a crime he didn’t commit, it’s up to Sarah to clear his name. Can she save him before it’s too late?
Being in love with a centuries-old master vampire can be challenging—especially when he takes a job with the Ring. Thierry’s in for an unpredictable life of travel and deadly risk. It’s enough to make any woman reconsider saying “I do!”…well, any woman except Sarah Dearly.
In Las Vegas, for his first assignment, Sarah and Thierry must investigate a vampire serial killer leaving victims drained of blood, potentially exposing the existence of vampires to the whole world. But when Thierry’s past comes back to haunt him, and he’s framed for a crime he didn’t commit, it’s up to Sarah to clear his name. Can she save him before it’s too late?
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2012
214 people are currently reading
1765 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Rowen
67 books2,722 followersNational bestselling author MICHELLE ROWEN writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and young adult fantasy, both light and dark, sexy and sweet, long and short -- it all depends on the story! She's won a Holt Medallion for Best First Book and a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award for Vampire Romance. For more information, please visit Michelle at her website at www.michellerowen.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
December 7, 2012
So, first in a new series is really a bit misleading as evidently these are characters from the Immortality Bites series. I kept feeling like I was missing something as characters mention past events and what not, but then I flipped to the cover, read "First" and just figured maybe stuff would be explained later. Nope. This really probably needs to be marketed with the other series. While I enjoyed it, I probably would have enjoyed it more had I read the series in order and knew about Thierry & puppy's relationship. Although I did really like Victoria, the rest of the characters are pretty lacking.
Guess it's time to find the actual first book and get a bit more of the background for these characters.
Guess it's time to find the actual first book and get a bit more of the background for these characters.
August 7, 2012
Blood Bath & Beyond is a clever paranormal mystery with laugh-out-loud moments that charm the reader; an easy read seasoned with seriously fun helpings of vampire heroine Sarah Dearly’s signature wit and trouble magnet ways.
This book is the first in a new series, and author Michelle Rowen transitions established and beloved characters from paranormal romance to the paranormal mystery genre with style and ease.
You do not have to have read her Immortality Bites series to appreciate her new Immortality Mystery series, but after reading, you will probably want to.
I absolutely loved, loved, loved the ending. Loved. Loved it.
I am totally looking forward to the next installment in this series. Totally.
This book is the first in a new series, and author Michelle Rowen transitions established and beloved characters from paranormal romance to the paranormal mystery genre with style and ease.
You do not have to have read her Immortality Bites series to appreciate her new Immortality Mystery series, but after reading, you will probably want to.
I absolutely loved, loved, loved the ending. Loved. Loved it.
I am totally looking forward to the next installment in this series. Totally.
August 16, 2012
i loved the last series with Sarah and Thiery, i was hoping this new branch off series was going to be just as good. it didnt disappoint! great story that had me guessing and falling in love with the characters all over again. cant wait for the next installment :-)
Want to read
November 23, 2019Freebie on Amazon 23rd November 2019
March 9, 2020
Sarah Dearly, a fledgling vampire, follows her fiance Thierry to Las Vegas. Thierry is a master vampire on a possible job for the Ring. The Ring is a vampire council. They are investigating a killer draining victims of blood. Now they are in Vegas, Thierry has become a suspect. It's up to Sarah to try and clear his name while avoiding vampire hunters and the one known as the Enforcer.
This series starts off with a bang. Sarah is a wonderful, strong heroine who just happens to be a vampire. I love the relationship between Sarah and Thierry. There's quite a few interesting characters that I hope will make appearances in future books as I read them. The mystery is nicely written with red herrings galore. Yes, I would recommend. Get ready to be brought over to the dark side of cozies.
This series starts off with a bang. Sarah is a wonderful, strong heroine who just happens to be a vampire. I love the relationship between Sarah and Thierry. There's quite a few interesting characters that I hope will make appearances in future books as I read them. The mystery is nicely written with red herrings galore. Yes, I would recommend. Get ready to be brought over to the dark side of cozies.
November 27, 2018
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71 points/100 (3 ¾ stars/5)
Sarah Dearly is a vampire. She has adjusted to this new way of life. Now, one by one, her friends are leaving to continue on their lives, and she is left alone with just her fiancé Thierry. When he gets called away to join The Ring, a group who polices vampires, for a fifty year contract, she knows she has to go with. The two travel to Las Vegas where they meet a child beauty pageant contestant as well as a vampire serial killer.
Immortality Bites Mystery is a new sequel series by Michelle Rowen with the same main character as the original series, Sarah Dearly. This actually came out three whole years after the end of the last series, and I didn't even learn about this series until it was already over. After the last book in the original series, and frankly the rest of the series as well, annoyed me so much I was a bit apprehensive to start Immortality Bites Mystery. While Immortality Bites was a reread, so I remembered a little bit about what was going to happen, this is a completely new experience.
With the new series, we have a slight change in genre. We've gone from paranormal chick lit to cozy mystery with vampires. I actually found the change to be a very smart, good move on the part of Rowen's. It adds a new level to the series that can definitely extend it out for a few more books. Rowen has also improved as a writer. I enjoyed Blood Bath & Beyond more with just this one book than I did for the first five books combined.
With the new series, we also get a complete change of scenery. Right of the bat, her "best friend" who constantly was talking shit about her isn't around anymore, making it instantly a better book. Even then, she is still in the book, only we talk to her on the phone - and boy am I super glad she isn't around anymore.
Las Vegas is actually a really fun place for Sarah and Thierry to be, too. It holds a lot of new, interesting things to show us. And we aren't always just running back to a blood bar. Though, there is still some of that here, too. It did make me think of Anita Blake a bit too much, though. Everything that happened in Blood Bath & Beyond made me think of Anita Blake. There is even a little girl vampire in this book, which really sealed the deal for me. At least this little girl is happy, and actually a little girl, compared to the alternative crazy vampire in Anita.
Thierry is also way, way overprotective of Sarah. Sure, they're hopping into a situation in which he can't really protect her all the time. Yet, he wants to basically leave her in Canada and go off and do this for 50 years and come back. He wants to keep her safe by never, ever being around her essentially. He is such a lone wolf, has to do everything on his own. This is just as annoying as it was in the original Immortality Bites series. Yet, I also finally feel hope for the first time. I feel like he might actually be able to change finally. I have the hope they'll actually become a real couple!
This is, a mystery. The plot plays out like a mystery. It wasn't especially challenging, and it wasn't especially interesting. But it was entertaining.
71 points/100 (3 ¾ stars/5)
Sarah Dearly is a vampire. She has adjusted to this new way of life. Now, one by one, her friends are leaving to continue on their lives, and she is left alone with just her fiancé Thierry. When he gets called away to join The Ring, a group who polices vampires, for a fifty year contract, she knows she has to go with. The two travel to Las Vegas where they meet a child beauty pageant contestant as well as a vampire serial killer.
Immortality Bites Mystery is a new sequel series by Michelle Rowen with the same main character as the original series, Sarah Dearly. This actually came out three whole years after the end of the last series, and I didn't even learn about this series until it was already over. After the last book in the original series, and frankly the rest of the series as well, annoyed me so much I was a bit apprehensive to start Immortality Bites Mystery. While Immortality Bites was a reread, so I remembered a little bit about what was going to happen, this is a completely new experience.
With the new series, we have a slight change in genre. We've gone from paranormal chick lit to cozy mystery with vampires. I actually found the change to be a very smart, good move on the part of Rowen's. It adds a new level to the series that can definitely extend it out for a few more books. Rowen has also improved as a writer. I enjoyed Blood Bath & Beyond more with just this one book than I did for the first five books combined.
With the new series, we also get a complete change of scenery. Right of the bat, her "best friend" who constantly was talking shit about her isn't around anymore, making it instantly a better book. Even then, she is still in the book, only we talk to her on the phone - and boy am I super glad she isn't around anymore.
Las Vegas is actually a really fun place for Sarah and Thierry to be, too. It holds a lot of new, interesting things to show us. And we aren't always just running back to a blood bar. Though, there is still some of that here, too. It did make me think of Anita Blake a bit too much, though. Everything that happened in Blood Bath & Beyond made me think of Anita Blake. There is even a little girl vampire in this book, which really sealed the deal for me. At least this little girl is happy, and actually a little girl, compared to the alternative crazy vampire in Anita.
Thierry is also way, way overprotective of Sarah. Sure, they're hopping into a situation in which he can't really protect her all the time. Yet, he wants to basically leave her in Canada and go off and do this for 50 years and come back. He wants to keep her safe by never, ever being around her essentially. He is such a lone wolf, has to do everything on his own. This is just as annoying as it was in the original Immortality Bites series. Yet, I also finally feel hope for the first time. I feel like he might actually be able to change finally. I have the hope they'll actually become a real couple!
This is, a mystery. The plot plays out like a mystery. It wasn't especially challenging, and it wasn't especially interesting. But it was entertaining.
November 26, 2022
I loved this book. It was quirky and fun and I love paranormal cozies.
November 15, 2012
I'm a huge fan of Michelle Rowen so when the Autumn depression hit me I knew exactly what book I should read. BLOOD BATH & BEYOND continues Michelle Rowen's exhilarating, well written row of books.
Sarah is as sassy as before and Thierry as stone-faced as usual. Thierry has been offered a new job with the frightening organization full of the creepiest vampires of all times. He agrees to join them as they make him an offer he just cannot refuse. Sarah decides to go with him but before Thierry gets his hands on his new job they find themselves tangled with a serial killer mystery and some very messed up vampire hunters. Thierry tries to negotiate them out of the not-so-good-situation but with Sarah as a trouble magnet it does not go so well. Sarah tries to help him but sometimes her bravery comes close to stupidity and she needs a miracle that will save them both!
Very enjoyable read!
Sarah is as sassy as before and Thierry as stone-faced as usual. Thierry has been offered a new job with the frightening organization full of the creepiest vampires of all times. He agrees to join them as they make him an offer he just cannot refuse. Sarah decides to go with him but before Thierry gets his hands on his new job they find themselves tangled with a serial killer mystery and some very messed up vampire hunters. Thierry tries to negotiate them out of the not-so-good-situation but with Sarah as a trouble magnet it does not go so well. Sarah tries to help him but sometimes her bravery comes close to stupidity and she needs a miracle that will save them both!
Very enjoyable read!
August 16, 2012
I really liked this one! Apparently Michelle Rowen has another series of books with some of these characters, but they look like standard "chick lit" so I'll just go with this series. I do love my vampires and putting them in a mystery is just up my alley. If you enjoy the same, give this one a shot. RECOMMEND!
January 2, 2019
So, this is the first in a new series but the characters had another series already, which is evident in the references to back story. Fun, witty dialogue, good plot, good twists. I'd say it's a higher level genre mystery. I'll read more from this, especially during the fall since it's all about vampires, without feeling compelled to back up to the other series.
October 31, 2020
Sarah Dearly is a vampire and invisible to humans (not literally.) A snarky b#@ch, she can walk in daylight relaying phrases like, “Bite me…or I might just bite you.” All in all, she had a natural born talent to rub people the wrong way. She was the immortal pessimist with a fear for flying. With this, I kind of liked her.
We find out that her and her fiancé have to fly to Las Vegas to look into a string of vampire-related murders (bodies with puncture marks on the neck.) Okay, that sounded interesting. But then the real case was catching a vampire posing as a toddler contestant in a beauty pageant. Wait, what? Why? What about the murders.
I thought I’d wait to see how this story would develop (and hopefully get back to the murders,) but I just couldn’t stand Sarah’s incessant babbling. There was also too many vampire politics. Why were we even at the stupid pageant?
This was a disappointment.
We find out that her and her fiancé have to fly to Las Vegas to look into a string of vampire-related murders (bodies with puncture marks on the neck.) Okay, that sounded interesting. But then the real case was catching a vampire posing as a toddler contestant in a beauty pageant. Wait, what? Why? What about the murders.
I thought I’d wait to see how this story would develop (and hopefully get back to the murders,) but I just couldn’t stand Sarah’s incessant babbling. There was also too many vampire politics. Why were we even at the stupid pageant?
This was a disappointment.
March 23, 2019
Two strikes from the beginning, apparently. 1. This series is the continuation of another series, and while you can read and understand without having read the other, I felt like I was missing a good bit of backstory. 2. Clearly, I am not a vampire story fan. Loved Interview With..., but haven't liked one since. But I did try.
Granted this was an impulse read grabbed from the library shelves, but not my cup of tea (see previous strikes). It wasn't awful. I just didn't especially care for it. Sarah grated on my nerve (flaky chicks do that) and the other characters didn't really appeal to me either. The young vamp was amusing as far as that went. The story was okay and the action moved along, but I just wasn't that interested. Others have enjoyed it and readers that like vampires will probably like it, but for me it was just okay.
Granted this was an impulse read grabbed from the library shelves, but not my cup of tea (see previous strikes). It wasn't awful. I just didn't especially care for it. Sarah grated on my nerve (flaky chicks do that) and the other characters didn't really appeal to me either. The young vamp was amusing as far as that went. The story was okay and the action moved along, but I just wasn't that interested. Others have enjoyed it and readers that like vampires will probably like it, but for me it was just okay.
November 24, 2019
What a refreshing adventure!
This is the first time reading this author and I am hooked. The glib persona from the main character Sarah Dearly is spectacular and comedic. Plus it doesn't emphasize gore or mention sex scenes. It's all about the story. Plus seeing our main female attract trouble - definitely worth reading. The analogies and example references are witty and clever. A joy to read especially when Sarah keeps landing herself into deeper messes - it's the worst luck or would it be predictable misfortune? So her fiancee Thierry is sent to Vegas to forcibly take a consultant position into some murders. And Sarah goes along. I don't want to mention too much because spoilers. Wonderful, lovely read
This is the first time reading this author and I am hooked. The glib persona from the main character Sarah Dearly is spectacular and comedic. Plus it doesn't emphasize gore or mention sex scenes. It's all about the story. Plus seeing our main female attract trouble - definitely worth reading. The analogies and example references are witty and clever. A joy to read especially when Sarah keeps landing herself into deeper messes - it's the worst luck or would it be predictable misfortune? So her fiancee Thierry is sent to Vegas to forcibly take a consultant position into some murders. And Sarah goes along. I don't want to mention too much because spoilers. Wonderful, lovely read
August 9, 2018
What a fun book, and better than I expected!
I had been in a huge cozies rut, unable to find a good series that was worth continuing: so many of them are lackluster and/or poorly written, so it’s a crapshoot every time. Luckily I found this gem—recommended by one of my fave authors, Victoria Laurie—and decided to take the plunge!
I love the fact that Sarah, the main character, gives no f*cks and speaks her mind. I love that she’s witty AF. I also love that she takes no crap from her fiancé, a dark, brooding, old-ass “master vampire” albeit with a genuine heart. 🧛🏼♂️🧛♀️❤️
If you’re looking for a fun and funny cozy, I highly recommend you give this a shot!
I had been in a huge cozies rut, unable to find a good series that was worth continuing: so many of them are lackluster and/or poorly written, so it’s a crapshoot every time. Luckily I found this gem—recommended by one of my fave authors, Victoria Laurie—and decided to take the plunge!
I love the fact that Sarah, the main character, gives no f*cks and speaks her mind. I love that she’s witty AF. I also love that she takes no crap from her fiancé, a dark, brooding, old-ass “master vampire” albeit with a genuine heart. 🧛🏼♂️🧛♀️❤️
If you’re looking for a fun and funny cozy, I highly recommend you give this a shot!
May 5, 2021
Sarah and Thierry's story continue in this book, fast-forwarded to a few months later, with a short recap of what has been happening with the other characters from the previous series. The story is about solving mysteries revolving around the Vampire world, as per the series' title, Immortality Bites Mystery.
I'm still disappointed with Sarah because she still not a badass character. I wished some of her nightwalker abilities have stayed with her. Nevertheless, we might see her new talent in the next book. Hopefully, that's not it! Please give us more, Sarah.
I'm still disappointed with Sarah because she still not a badass character. I wished some of her nightwalker abilities have stayed with her. Nevertheless, we might see her new talent in the next book. Hopefully, that's not it! Please give us more, Sarah.
April 25, 2025
Vampire mystery
Sarah is a newly turned vampire and she is engaged to a very old vampire named Thierry. When she returns home she finds Thierry packing so she assumes he is leaving her, but no he has a job offer from the vampire council so off to Vegas that go to investigate a vampire serial killer. Thierry's friend is killed after they have an argument so he was set up as the killer. Now Sarah and Thierry are on the hunt for the real killer and find out why. Good mystery with some twists, interesting characters and some romance.
Sarah is a newly turned vampire and she is engaged to a very old vampire named Thierry. When she returns home she finds Thierry packing so she assumes he is leaving her, but no he has a job offer from the vampire council so off to Vegas that go to investigate a vampire serial killer. Thierry's friend is killed after they have an argument so he was set up as the killer. Now Sarah and Thierry are on the hunt for the real killer and find out why. Good mystery with some twists, interesting characters and some romance.
November 5, 2018
Loved this
This book is awesome. I really enjoyed the story and the fact that the leading lady isn’t a damsel in distress but a bad luck magnet who tries her best to fight her own battles. Thierry is great as well and I really want to read more about the couple.
The plot was great. There was always something unexpected waiting around the corner so you never got bored with the story. Just loved it!
This book is awesome. I really enjoyed the story and the fact that the leading lady isn’t a damsel in distress but a bad luck magnet who tries her best to fight her own battles. Thierry is great as well and I really want to read more about the couple.
The plot was great. There was always something unexpected waiting around the corner so you never got bored with the story. Just loved it!
January 5, 2020
Sarah, a fledgling vamp, engaged to Thierry, a master vamp, is a trouble magnet. On a trip to Vegas, their afterlife happiness is out to the test. A vampire is killing humans every day, leaving them out in the open. Thierry gets accused of having another camp killed, and Sarah is sent to the airport for a flight back to Canada. Sneaky Sarah never boards the flight. She has to escape all sorts of trouble in her quest to prove Thierry innocent. What happens in Vegas stays in vegas.
March 19, 2018
More like 3.5 stars, as it was a fun little read. My husband picked it up at a local thrift shop for me, and I wasn't aware of it being a sort of continuation of a previous series, so I felt a little lost about some of the backstory. Overall all though I enjoyed it for the wonderful little fluff it was.
November 21, 2019
A good a humorous mystery.
I like the plot. Sarah's fiance is accused of murdering a fellow vampire. Sarah sets off to solve the murder. I like the quirky characters Sarah meets while investigating. There are red-herrings and surprises. Vampire in Los Vegas just seem so natural.
I like the plot. Sarah's fiance is accused of murdering a fellow vampire. Sarah sets off to solve the murder. I like the quirky characters Sarah meets while investigating. There are red-herrings and surprises. Vampire in Los Vegas just seem so natural.
December 12, 2019
All sorts of fun!
As someone who lived in Vegas, it was fun to read a story like this. Was it perfect? Of course not, but it was a fun read. Sarah was a believable character and the story has some nice pacing. Overall, it was just a fun read. I definitely will read more from this author.
As someone who lived in Vegas, it was fun to read a story like this. Was it perfect? Of course not, but it was a fun read. Sarah was a believable character and the story has some nice pacing. Overall, it was just a fun read. I definitely will read more from this author.
March 6, 2020
Great vampire themed new series
Sara and Thierry are a compelling couple trying to get their life together. When Thierry gets an offer he can't refuse.
Mayhem, mystery and a cast of interesting characters are what you get in this new series.
As a lover of vampire books, from Southern Vampire Mysteries to Betsy, Queen of vampire, I highly recommend this book.
Sara and Thierry are a compelling couple trying to get their life together. When Thierry gets an offer he can't refuse.
Mayhem, mystery and a cast of interesting characters are what you get in this new series.
As a lover of vampire books, from Southern Vampire Mysteries to Betsy, Queen of vampire, I highly recommend this book.
November 17, 2019
This book is NOT the first in the series. It is number 5. I started it and I kept feeling that I was missing something. After investigating the author I found the other books. This might be a good series but without reading the other books I don’t know. So I did not finish the book.
November 21, 2019
Enjoyable
Enjoyable two hardheaded folks that are madly in love with each other ; but are having trouble finding out what that means. Add in the fact that they're vampires adds a new dimension to till death do us part.
Enjoyable two hardheaded folks that are madly in love with each other ; but are having trouble finding out what that means. Add in the fact that they're vampires adds a new dimension to till death do us part.
January 8, 2020
Fun
Appealing vampire heroine struggling with some very human trust issues in her relationship with a senior vampire. Logical plot enhanced by intriguing characters whom I am guessing show up in future volumes. Loved it.
Appealing vampire heroine struggling with some very human trust issues in her relationship with a senior vampire. Logical plot enhanced by intriguing characters whom I am guessing show up in future volumes. Loved it.
December 29, 2020
Loved it
This book has it all, plus it’s completely clean! It’s awesomeness includes such deep abiding love, sigh. Murder, lies and a truly twisted plot amongst other sub stories to make this a fast paced well constructed story. Told in good humour,
With an amazing array of characters that all add up to a really brilliant bit of writing. Total fun, I loved it.
This book has it all, plus it’s completely clean! It’s awesomeness includes such deep abiding love, sigh. Murder, lies and a truly twisted plot amongst other sub stories to make this a fast paced well constructed story. Told in good humour,
With an amazing array of characters that all add up to a really brilliant bit of writing. Total fun, I loved it.
May 14, 2023
Blood Bath & Beyond
Great book which I once again highly recommend that you read. Very well written and intriguing just as the previous five. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
Great book which I once again highly recommend that you read. Very well written and intriguing just as the previous five. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
July 5, 2018
I didn't think it could get any better but them BAM! It did.
November 23, 2019
Four and a half ****
Kept my attention was a fun read couldn't put it down makes me want to read next one as soon as possible
Kept my attention was a fun read couldn't put it down makes me want to read next one as soon as possible
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews