From the USA Today bestselling author of Vampire Girl comes a new vampire romance that will suck you in. *** Why am I tied to a tree in the middle of a freezing Ukrainian forest waiting for a god to come devour me? Funny story. While traveling for the winter during my last year of grad school, my Ukrainian friend convinced me to join them in their homeland for a few days. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Only our plane crashed and I woke up here, in a village that's a throwback to the Dark Ages, with no electricity, no Wi-Fi and a strong superstition in gods and human sacrifices. Yay me. I mean, I'm all about the authentic local experience when traveling, but this is a little too authentic. I'm expecting to die from the cold. Not some made-up god monster. But then he walks out of the shadows, and an entirely different fear seizes me. Lust and terror war within me as I'm taken captive by something so much more than a man. A vampire. Straight from the legends. And he needs my blood to survive. But he's chosen to spare me. Unfortunately, I'm not sure either of us will survive the winter. Because something is hunting the people of this mysterious village. Something even a vampire fears. And we may be its next victims.
Karpov Kinrade is the pen name for the husband and wife entertainment duo Lux and Dmytry Karpov-Kinrade, aka The KK Duo.
Together, they write award-winning, internationally and USAT bestselling books, make music, create art, write screenplays and direct -- all the things.
Look for more from Karpov Kinrade in the Vampire Girl series, Endless Magic Online, The Night Firm, The Last Witch, Dungeon Queen, The Nightfall Chronicles and The Forbidden Trilogy. If you’re looking for their suspense and romance titles, you’ll find those under Alex Lux.
Check out their music by clicking on the Music tab.
They live in wine country California with their three offspring who have crazy creative genius oozing out of them in the form of music, art, performance, and all the things, and too many cats who all think they rule the world (spoiler alert: they do).
I love how the story started, it is pretty funny and entertaining. I also like the concept of the story. I really like reading about other culture. Though I wish there's more of Ivan, he got me intrigued. Hopefully Yana too on the next book 😉
This was perfect! I’m not normally a huge fan of novellas because I feel like they go by too quick and I’m done reading them too fast. Also, sometimes the stories are really under developed and rushed. That is so not the case with this one! I loved the action, romance, and magic that happens in this short tale. Definitely recommend it!!
This was still only an OK read even when compared to the only other novella I read in this series By Kim Loraine titled Forever Claimed. I liked how the story was written. It wasn't overly rushed and the story was interwoven enough to justify the fast bonding while giving the two main characters each a reasonable backstory.
Evangeline was an average character. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time for this story to unfold. She's a fighter but has a "dark" past that damaged her beyond belief (in her eyes).
Ivan was also just OK. He doesn't have enough dialogue in the story for me to get a feel of what his personality actually is aside from being infatuated with the heroine.
The ending was where this dropped the ball for me. It was rushed unlike the rest of the story. This also was way shorter than the other novella I read. So this author could have made the ending less rushed and chose not to.
My Favorite Quotes:
"We will all die eventually. And none of us are guaranteed another day with any certainty."
"As someone who grew up on books about schools for witches and doors to magical lands, I'm 100% down for finding some real magic in a world that is far too bleak most of the time."
"It is our imperfections that make us truly beautiful."
◦ I've received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ◦
⮞ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 ⮜ This story has been funny as heck from the beginning. I LOVED the female MC, she had spunk was a badass, and tried her best to still live by the end of the novella. The fact the male and the female MC weren't speaking the same language was hilarious because their communication skills were better than in some lengthier books. The book did read as a dark fantasy, the elements were spookier and I think even tho this was such a short book it is perfect for the Spooky October reads. There is also a quick spicy scene but not overly detailed. The romance is fast-forwarded with a very quick romance happening and that made sense considering is a novella and you don't have time to detail / prolong the romance from happening. However, the plot twists and the story line in general were really catchy and I've enjoyed it.
I don’t know it was hard for me to really get into this one. The story was too predictable and just didn’t draw me in. The concept was interesting and the story itself wasn’t bad just couldn’t really get into it.
I absolutely love the take of the alchemist. I didnt see the twist coming. As always Karpov-Kinrade kept me on edge and I read this book in one sitting. For a romantic Novella it did very well with helping through personal flaws as well as acceptance if yourself and being in a place to allow others to accept us even if we believe we are monsters in our own right. Forever Bound wS an awesome read with a clear message and just the right amount of romance. The hype for the collaboration of the authors for the Vampire Brides was fantastic I cant wait to read more. Thank you again Karpov-Kinrade
I honestly wish this was a full length novel because it was soooo good. There was Russian culture mixed in with magic and a new twist on the usual vampire tale. I found the character Evangeline Love so much fun to read about and I just wanted to keep reading! Having said all of that, this novella is so worth checking out if you love tales of the supernatural and/or mythological creatures. There was some romance too, but even if you are NOT a romance fan, I think you will enjoy this novella because the romance is just the right amount without taking over the story.
A dash of spice, entertaining chapter headers and inner dialogue, a tortured hero, fabulous Russian cultural tidbits, and a relatable heroine who believes that she's the monster. This compelling novella is both intriguing and touching. And... have you seen the gorgeous cover!?
If ancient vamps with a marshmallow side make you melt, and fast-paced storytelling is your jam, don't miss out on this perfect fall read! This is a perfect introduction to Karpov Kinrade or just a delight if you're already a fan.
This was a very “meh, it’s okay.” read. I don’t know how else to describe it. I understand that it’s a novella but I felt like I was on a non-stop fast-forward mode while going through this book.
I just found the whole thing very jarring. Don’t get me wrong, I have read novellas prior to this but I didn’t feel this way. I guess if you’re looking for a (very) fast paced read, plot-wise, then this is for you.
The only Bad thing I seem to find it was too short and rushed. I wanted some more as I always do woth this duo. And did not like the insta love even tho I do dig the imprint and one true mate concept. I get that novel is supposed to be short, but surely was a good entertainment read.
The Vampire Brides series are stand along books. This book is by my favorite team. Their ability to bring you into the story is one of the many reasons I read Karpov Kinrade. Can't wait to see where this series goes!
Love Kinrade's writing, but because this was a novella, it was super fast and unable to create depth of characters. I will probably read a few more of these, hopefully getting a feel for new authors!!
This is a very good short story about one woman’s journey of emotional discovery. She blames herself for something bad that happened to her parents and only sister when she was a teenager. Along the way she meets a vampire who helps her.
Forever Bound by Karpov Kinrade is a steamy vampire romance that opens in a freezing Ukrainian forest in late December, can be read in an afternoon, and I had it in Fierce Hearts: A 2022 Charity Anthology of Romantic Fantasy & Fantasy Romance For Ukraine.
And not enough "meat". This is a short story, not a book. Not enough character descriptions and overall lacks in detail. I love these writers but this story falls short.
I've read better from this team and expected more... Quality than I got. Interesting story concept but I'm not interested enough to keep going should there be more. Expected better...
The title of the chapters are the best. This is a novella and these Authors did not disappoint. I am a fan of the books they write. This book is alittle bit of old and a little bit of modern.
First time reading something by Karpov Kinrade and I can honestly say I am now a fan. I’m not usually one to want to read novellas as I find them too short and quick to read that you don’t really get the full picture and enjoyment of the journey that has happened. But I do feel as this book was written so well that you were able to get enough to enjoy what is going on. I do think it would be fantastic if we are able to revisit Ivan and Evangeline again in the near future, or perhaps a pre-Evangeline, follow Ivan’s journey.
An unexpected plane accident tears Evangeline‘s world apart. Landing into the middle of an ancient battle that had nothing to do with her. Been thrust into a world where nothing is as it seems. Being a sacrifice for a ‘God’ was not on her to do list while visiting Ukraine with best friend Yama, but her she was tied to a tree, gagged and waiting for so called ‘God’, but she never expected it to turn out to be a Vampire. Vampires don’t exist at least this is what she tells herself, even with the evidence right in front her in a shape of a gorgeous specimen of a man. On her death bed waiting for the end she is saved by Ivan and so begins the ritual of the mating bond.
We have all read multiple versions of Vampire Lore and we think we have heard them all, but KK puts a new spin on it that will have you turning every page to find out what’s going to happen next.
Ivan protects the village night after night against the true monster Koschei, never telling the residents that he isn’t the reason for the deaths. But when the latest sacrifice is left for him almost dead, pleading for his help, her smell is too intoxicating to leave behind. He offers her his blood to heal knowing that it would cause for the mating ritual to begin. But when Angel’s life is at risk again and the battle this night doesn’t go so well for him, Angel gives him her blood to help heal him and by doing so completes the ritual.
This book was so enjoyable to read, there was so much going on that I was addicted and wanted more. An ancient Alchemist turned Vampire, an apprentice turned beast, a town cursed so no one can ever leave, a mating bond between human and vampire, wow who wouldn’t want to read this to find out what is going to happen.
An unexpected accident tears Evangeline Love's world asunder. Plunged into the midst of an argument that has nothing to do with her, she realizes she's been thrust into a world where nothing is as it seems. Vampires are creatures of legend. They don't exist. At least this is what she tells herself with every passing second. No matter how much she tries to deny what she sees, the truth grows larger and darker by the day. If she's to survive, she'll have to accept the inevitable before the darkness that surrounds her takes hold completely.
A dark, yet totally engrossing paranormal romance, Forever Bound presents the reader with a unique take on vampire lore. Presented in what is a Ukranian setting, we meet Evangeline, a young woman whose world changes in the blink of an eye. She ends up questioning her own sanity, unsure if she'll ever get to see another day.
The authors have done a beautiful job of setting up this unique story. They've given us believable, yet enigmatic characters. Characters who will do whatever is necessary to survive. While this book is a standalone, the world they've created alongside the other authors who've also written additional books is large and all-encompassing. I suspect these authors have more to share with us of the world they're constantly creating. I'm looking to seeing what's to come.
I'll start out by saying that I am NOT usually a fan of novellas, so if you're like me - don't let that stop you from reading this one! It's SO GOOD! The story may be short, but it's full of depth and plot twists and steamy romance! One of my favorite parts of the book is the Ukrainian culture that's woven into it. If you liked "Forever Blood" from this Vampire Brides collection because of the Scottish history, you'll love the world "Forever Bound" is placed in! This book also has an inner beauty theme to it that I love. It gives even more meaning to it that makes it more than "just another vampire romance book".
I’m surprised and impressed with how much character depth Karpov Kinrade was able to pull off in this novella. I found the MC very relatable and love how she meets obstacles head on.
The MC is heading out on a vacation to the Ukraine with her best friend when disaster strikes. Her plane crashes and she finds herself stuck in a mysterious village that is being stalked by a monster that the villages treat like a god. The villagers quickly hand her over to a handsome vampire as a blood sacrifice. However he spares her and she soon realizes that not everything is what it seems.
An enchantingly, dark fairytale full of mystery. Loved from beginning to end.
This novella was okay. I liked the concept and the fact that the author used a Ukranian theme/folklore. It was definitely cool in that regard, as you don't see that too often. The chapter titled were great. The characters were decent. Evangeline and Ivan's backstories were interesting. The pacing was good for the most part, except for the insta-love part. There is an actual reason for it though. The bad guy was not who I thought it was. Overall the story was okay, I just couldn't get as in to it as I would have liked. I am voluntarily reviewing this book, gifted to me by the author, with no obligation.
Forever Bound is fantastic!! I really really loved this novella! It is a great stand-alone story with an amazing storyline that kept me hooked from the first page until the end of the epilogue. This is shorter than a book but the author was able to fit in more backstory, details, action, and twists and turns than I’ve seen in many full-length books. I wouldn’t have minded seeing another book to go along with this one because I honestly really loved the story but the ending was so perfect that it leaves you satisfied with how it progressed. I have a feeling I’ll be rereading this in the near future when I’m stuck in a book hangover. This is a book you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
Evangeline Love, a.k.a Angel, has secret that only here best friend Yana knows about. It's holiday season so when Yana goes home she invites Angel to come with her. Angel has no family so she is happy to tag along. But things go from good to bad very fast. Angel finds herself in a few hairy predicaments.
Forever Bound was a fun story to read. I highly recommend this for a quick read that makes you appreciate all you may have in life!!!