Dirty Blood

The Crane Diaries #2

by Apryl Baker

Deep in the swamps of the Louisiana bayou, a horrifying secret lies waiting to be discovered. A legend haunts the bayou, a chilling tale of a beast that is born from a curse…the Rougarou. When Emma Rose Crane lets hunter Cass Willow convince her to help him on a ghost hunt, she never imagined she’d be trudging through the swamps, let alone stumbling upon a mess of mangled bodies—or running into the creature responsible for the rotting remains. With no backup available to them, she’s forced to show Cass her demonic side to help them escape, but that’s not the only problem. When the creature attacked them, it infected them with the same curse that drove it mad. There’s only one hope—kill the beast to cure the infection. Time is not on their side as they race to save themselves and discover the truth behind the legend. But first they have to survive the effects of the curse long enough to find the creature and put it down… Before they succumb to the hunger eating them alive.

Genres: Fantasy, Supernatural, Young Adult, Adult

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2018

About the author

So who am I? Well, I'm the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesn't love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep.

Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama on you. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.

Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my family and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce...lol.

I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.

You can reach me at any of these places:
Blog: http://apryl-baker.blogspot.com/
Twitter:@AprylBaker
The Promise Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO2zTi...

PS: DO NOT GET IN MY WAY IF THERE IS A SALE ON AT TARGET - my home away from home!

Reviews

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I have to say that Apryl has done it again with another amazing paranormal story that had me up till 3am in the morning needing to finish it to find out what happened to my girl Emma.

Emma has grown so much since the first book and she is finally coming into herself and helping others out when they need it. So when Cass comes and asks her for help she is more than willing to help out.What she doesn't know is what they are going to be hunting and when she finds out she never thought she would be wandering in the swamps looking for a legend. Or is it a legend because when she and Cass come across the legend and is bitten they will have to race to save their lives because this creature has claimed many bodies and they might just be next.

With the help of her friends she and Cass will have to hunt down this creature and it's maker to find the cure. Will they find them in time or will they succumb to death?

[Tina H · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I’m terrified of losing all the people who love me, the people I love. It would be just my luck, though. I always end up broken and bruised in some fashion or other."

I love Mattie/Emma. She is feisty and a lot stronger than she thinks. And even when past insecurities surface she still fights for herself and those she loves.

I've loved this group of characters since The Ghost files and I enjoy watching them grow as their stories continue.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I love this series and it just keeps getting better. I love that the author decided it was time for Mattie and Dan to grow up a little more. I enjoy going on adventure with these two characters! This book has everything, new characters and all of our favorites too. I think We could use some more on how much Mary is growing up as well. Maybe a novella, on Mary's experiences???? I can't wait for the next books!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/9/2019)! 🎁

[❀ Crystal ✿ - PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this spin-off series has lost some of the thrill factor present in the Ghost Files. I’m still obsessed with the characters and I know I won’t give up but i just didn’t find this one as exciting. Even the storyline with the werewolf like creature, I won’t even try to spell it off the top of my head, was lackluster. While things were tense because it was a literal life threatening experience the solving of it By calling Mattie’s birth mom just took the fun out of it and made it all seem too easy. I’m glad this book brought Caleb back and now dan will be moving to New Orleans to be with Mattie. I just haven’t been blown away with this book or the previous one. It kind of feels like the author just winged each story and it wasn’t bad at all, I’m just expecting an overall theme like Deleriel was in the other series. But he damn if that ending doesn’t have me on edge lol. Will they or won’t they finally get it on, Mattie and dan? I neeeeeed to know lol. Eager to see where the series will go just hoping it becomes a little more thrilling. Mattie getting hurt always seems to be inevitable but considering she’s part goddess, part demon, human and reaper there’s so much that I need to know about what she can do.

[Mac Dubista Keso The Bibliobibuli v(=∩_∩=) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much cheesy lines. Redundant details. But I still love Mattie. 🙂

[Christine Rains · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Crane was on a routine ghost hunt in the Louisiana bayou when a Rougarou attacks and curses her and her fellow hunter. They must find the creature before the next full moon or they will succumb to the same horrible fate, and that's only 8 days away! Yet with both Emma and her friend hurt, they have to call in a lot of favors. With the curse causing Emma to be famished and amplifying her emotions, her demon side gets out more than she'd like. Which may end up causing someone else to kill her before the curse does.

This is a fun NA urban fantasy with a Supernatural feel. There's a lot of tension not only with the clock ticking, but between the varied cast of characters too. I can understand why Emma wants to go off with her boyfriend Dan for a quiet life! That's one thing I very much like about this story. Dan and Emma's relationship is real. It's built on a history of building trust and friendship and respect. He doesn't go all Alpha male on her and ignore what she wants. It's a healthy relationship. While there are a lot of fantastic secondary characters, my favorites are Silas and Cass. I think they have plenty of stories for their own series!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apryl Baker doesn't disappoint with The Crane Diaries: Dirty Blood. Emma (aka Mattie) is grown up now and making her own way in the world. She has new friends in the supernatural community and is a valuable asset to the local hunters. While out on a hunt, Emma and her new friend Cass run across a Rougarou, a cursed werewolf like beast that attacks them both, transferring his own curse of unceasing hunger and a bitter death at the end of the moon cycle. Emma must rely on the help of Dan, her old friends, and newfound family members to help her track down the person who transferred the curse of the rougarou, kill him and save herself and Cass before it's too late.

[Celina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really Good

I loved it. There's so much good content. And I love Mattie, I have loved her since The Ghost Files book 1 but her boyfriend, not much, though I don't mind him.

Now Zeke, my man, I love him. And Rhea, I love her. I love Greek mythology so much. And getting ghosts and Greek together is so refreshing. I know the crane series are more about Mattie, but pls, don't forget the ghosts, Silas and those evils coz that's what really really intrigues me.

[Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boom! Another fantastic, wild ride. This book screamed supernatural to me. (Like the series) Every single book gets better. This author is so insanely talented at creating g characters.

[Mummy's Naughty Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well these aren't like the ghost files although it's the same characters, the horror as actually been really dulled down on them. I'm still liking the stories but they are not the same. I'm liking finding out more about the characters.

[Cody Smith-Candelaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Crane Diaries, the continuation of the Ghost files. Emma Rose, aka Mattie, has grown up a lot. She has come into her own and has learned to stand stong. She still has a lot to learn though, like when to ask for help, how to trust others and lean on them.
There is a new cast that joins Mattie in this series but you still have all the original players that really matter. You get to see Mattie and how her relationships are changing with others, her growth and their growth together. You get to see her really start to understand love on a family level, on a friend level and even in a romantic relationship. We still have all the joy of a case of the creepies that has to be dealt with, the twists, the turns, the danger, but we also get a lot more of the humanity as she grows and learns.
I am so thrilled that Apryl Baker continued Mattie's story. I wll be here for the whole journey, for as long as she allows us to be part of it.
Great characters, excellent development, steady pace that is logical, just brilliant story telling.

[Mark Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma ...

I love Mattie/Emma and enjoy reading this series. This was a little different of a read for me. One is that Emma is fiercely protective of her friends but she didn't race to Cass' side quickly enough when she had a way to help him. Second is the set up in the beginning where Cass takes her out to the swamps to look for a ghost but never allows her to properly prepare. Cass is a seasoned hunter and knows how dangerous the swamps are. Characters flit in and out without resolution or complete follow-up and there's less spooky action. I do understand that Emma has transformed from a teenager to an adult and this changed the tone of the book. I think the final scene with Dan and Emma was very tastefully written and applaud Apryl's restraint. April is a master storyteller. Her characters come alive and you just want to read more and more. I still recommend this book and applaud the author for trying something different. This was just a bit of a miss for me.

[Kimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and better no lie. I am so addicted. And I'm totally not ashamed to admit it either haha. I love Emma Rose's aka Mattie's story! She keeps growing as a character and keeps becoming stronger and stronger as well. So many surprises and so much action. I love everything about this story. I can't wait for more! I need to know what happens next. I highly highly recommend this series as a must read as well as any other works by Apryl Baker. She is such an amazing writer story teller!!! You will be hooked as well once you start reading. Also i wanted to say I love how Emma's relationship with Dan is finally taking it up to another level... I don't mind more of a steamy read haha. Either way, it doesn't change how i feel about the story as a whole. It's AWESOME!

[Carrie Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mattie Hathaway, aka Emma Rose Crane is growing up. She is attending college in New Orleans with her best friend and her sister, while trying to catching up with a family she never knew she had. After she went toe to toe with the fallen angel and shattering her soul she just want a quite life to process everything. However New Orleans is brimming with the supernatural, and she is tossed in blindfolded.
She wants to get to know her new self, without overwhelming Dan so she dampens their soul bond, this puts her in jeopardy.

This is the first step in an all new Mattie. I would enthusiastically recommend this book. It has everything a great book should, it flows nicely. The plot is extremely well thought out. The character are so easy to visualize, you would think they are part of you life forever.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma aka Mattie Hathaway is out hunting ghosts again because that’s what she does best. Only this time Emma and her friend Cass are attacked by a “roogie “ which has now left them both seriously injured with a deadly infection. The infection is spreading and it can only be stopped by killing the roogie that attacked them in the first place.

With the help of officer Dan and their friends, they start their hunt to find and kill the roogie before the infection can spread. Will they kill the beast before it’s too late?

To get the most out of this book you really need to have read Homecoming, The Crane Diaries part 1. This book sees Emma emerge from a girl into a young woman as her relationship with Officer Dan starts to bloom. A great follow up to the first book, highly recommend!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great MUST read! I have followed the characters since the Ghost Files to this spin off series and I cannot get enough of Maddie/ Emma. The book is a page turner and keeps you wanting more. We have seen Maddie’s character develop from a child (in ghost files) to a strong young woman (crane diaries.) this book picked up right where Homecoming left off, expanding on characters introduced in Homecoming. This book had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen, but wanting to read it as slow as possible because I cannot get enough. The is one of the series a re-read time and time again.

Apryl is an extremely talented author who keeps you on the edge of your seats wanting to know more. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

[Ariel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeah no

I tried. I really did. I read all of ghost files and got through this book of the crane diaries and I can’t take it anymore! It’s the same dialogue over and over I was getting mad while reading. I don’t even care about the overall story! It’s butchered by her constant reminders of her life and justification of her actions and feelings that the story gets back seated. After reading 454927 pages of her thoughts, boom! Climax over just like that! Like, what?! Not build up, no suspense? I just can’t.

Also, there was some promise with the ghost files on fear factor, some descriptive scary scenes or gruesome sounding scenarios but crane diaries? Tame. She took a step back. And that ending? I’m so disappointed.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3. 5 stars The healing seemed a little too convenient and the story felt incomplete. Sure they kill the roogie but there was no urgency to that as Rhea had healed them and it didn't feel like a resolution because the roogie was a victim too and the actual villain was not found. I expect it will be in the next book but I prefer resolution of the main storyline in my books. Not finishing that is lazy writing and a cheap trick to make you buy the next book. Also Dan & Mattie's relationship has gone from show in the Ghost File books particularly the early ones where you can see the connection between Dan & Mattie to tell in the Crane Diaries where we just keep being told about it.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is getting better. As a reader out of my teens, I'm glad the characters are getting a little older and hopefully wiser. Emma/Mattie is constantly learning new things about her family and what she's capable of doing. I enjoyed this one and look forward to the next. The one thing I didn't like was they didn't actually solve the case in this one and I'm hoping they get around to doing so. The third will be out soon so I look forward to seeing what happens next.

[Sarah Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good

Although so far this series hasn’t got the edge that the ghost files have it is still so so good!

The only thing I hated about this book is that it is constantly reminding you of what has happened in the past. I felt that I personally didn’t need them reminding as I have read (more than once) the past books.

Looking forward to where the next book will take us with the dreaded court case of dans mother and also can’t wait to get back to the malones

[Michelle Willms · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, annoying character

I really enjoyed the story, and much of the time, thought I might want to read more in the series. However, the main character was often so annoying and immature that I wanted to smack her. She just got on my last nerve and I couldn't see myself reading further. The entire book was saving Mattie, and holding Mattie, and patching up poor Mattie. Ugh.

[Jadedove · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Crane Diaries series definitely does not disappoint! Mattie/Emma runs into a rougarou and must overcome the effects of the encounter before time runs out. And then there's Dan. Mattie's literal soul mate. Everyone needs a Dan in their life!
This book is a definite must read!

[Kristen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma sure does know how to get into trouble. Poor girl can't help but find it no matter where she goes. While searching for a ghost, Emma and Cass encounter a Rougarou becoming cursed themselves. Now it's a race against time to find the beast and kill it before the curse kills them. Living in New Orleans can be hazardous to a girls health.

[Jana Gundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing still after all this time

I was sucked into Mattie’s life from the start and I can’t get enough of her stories. The books aren’t just quick reads and then you go on. They are so full of real life even while dealing in the paranormal. I love every mystery, every bit of romance, drama and emotion that comes out of this series.

[Books 2 Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. It keeps you turning the page only to be really sad when it’s over. I need to know what happens next. I was left with so many questions. Mattie has grown up and thinks she’s safe. She ends up having to show her true self in order to survive. I’m not one for giving spoilers but you should definitely read this one.

B2B Sandra

[Aditi Merchant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by Apryl Baker. I loved how Mattie's character has developed in this book, along with new relationships, like with her mother and brother. Looking froward to the next book in the series, to see what trouble Mattie finds herself in this time.

[Chrissi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so written and the storyline so addictive, it will pull you in and spit you out the other side. I love seeing the relationships between the characters develop, this will have you feeling all those feels! Definitely cannot wait for book 3 in this series!

[Tabitha Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another home run....

The author always ends the books in a good plane fore the storyline but makes me (the reader) wanting more. Really enjoy all of Ms. Bakers books!! Can't wait for the next installment!!!

[Lanelle Wald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready for next book release

It’s so many questions I hope gets answered in the next book. I also hope that the next book covers more new ground and less Mattie the foster kid story 🤦🏽‍♀️