Pursued

The Vampire Syndicate #1

by Rebecca Rivard

She accepted my blood bond. She's mine now...

"A must read!" ~ Paranormal Romance Guild

A steamy, gritty vampire mafia romance series from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Rivard

They call us the Dark Angels: Gabriel, Zaquiel and Rafael.
We’re brothers. Princes. Billionaires.
The richer-than-sin heirs to one of the world's most powerful vampire Syndicates.
But we’re not vampires, we’re dhampirs. Half-human, half-vampire, with panty-melting good looks.
The media love us.
Vampires hate us.
And Slayers, Inc. will do anything to take us down.

PURSUED
Mila
I knew Gabriel was dangerous, the eldest son and heir to a Syndicate Primus. You think a Mafia don is scary? You should meet Gabriel's father.
But I thought I could play with fire without being burned.
Now I’m on the run from the Syndicate. Hungry, alone. Not knowing who to trust.
Until the night the vampires hunt me down…

Gabriel
I let Mila run from me once. Now she’s back—right when all hell breaks loose in the Syndicate.
Yeah, I’m suspicious. I know she’s keeping secrets from me.
But this time, I have the upper hand.
Mila’s mine now.
Bound to me by a blood oath that only I can break.
I’ll never let her leave.

A white-hot vampire mafia prince romance!

THE DARK ANGEL TRILOGY
Three powerful brothers and the women they'll do anything to have...

Pursued (Gabriel & Mila)

Craved (Rafe & Zoe)

Taken (Zaq & Ridley)


THE VAMPIRE SYNDICATE
Powerful vampire mafia members who'd burn down the world to possess the women they crave. Perfect for fans of dark fantasy romance, forced proximity romance, and morally gray hero tropes.

Genres: Paranormal, Vampires, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Adult, Dark

283 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2020

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Rivard read way too many romances as a teenager, little realizing she was actually preparing for a career. She now spends her days with vampires, shifters, fae and other magical creatures, which has to be the best job ever.

InD'Tale Magazine calls her work "steamy, spellbinding romance with phenomenal pacing," and the Paranormal Romance Guild named her Vampire Syndicate Series a "must read." Her stories have won multiple awards including the prestigious PRISM, the RONE, and the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewers' Choice Award.

If you crave steamy, emotionally charged romance between dangerous men and the women they'd raze cities to possess, Rebecca's books are for you. HEA guaranteed.

Reviews

[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!! I love Rebecca Rivard's writing style!!! What a fucking awesome ride this book was! The Kral Syndicate vampires is a on the edge of your seat series that hits the ground running and with hot sexy dhampirs like the beautifully sinful Gabriel Kral who is the son and heir to the throne it promises to be not only action packed series but also hot and steamy with plenty of neck bites and lusty romps in and out of the bedroom. The chemistry and heat between Gabriel and Mila was hot as hell and they played well off each other. With a mafia like vibe and ruthless vampire villains and a storyline that moved at a steady pace its definitely a must read. I've read many vampire romances over the years .Too many to count, but every once in a while I come across one that knocks my socks off! And this is one of those books! Can't wait to read Craved book two in this series! And lucky for me its already out.This book can be read as a stand alone but with two more hot sexy Kral brothers to go, why would I !!! Rebecca Rivard is one of the best writers in paranormal romance and all her books are a delicious treat! Until next time Luv's💞💋

[Coco.V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Rivard is a new-to-me author and I enjoyed every second of Mila & Gabriel’s story! This book is well-written and has a captivating storyline that pulls you in from the very beginning and holds your interest to the very end. It’s packed with action, love, passion, intrigue, fated mates and scorching-hot romance between the leads. I haven't read a paranormal book in a while but I am glad I came across this one. Highly recommended if you are a vampire lover. I also recommend reading Tempted, the prequel to the series if you want to know how Mila & Gabriel met and which is also a fantastic introduction to the Kral Syndicate. Overall rating: 4.5 stars! ❣️




🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (4/17/2022)! 🎁

[Melanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Pursued" is a vampire mafia love story served in a chalice of blood-chilling thrills with mouth-watering shots of passion!

Read full review in the 2020 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[TP · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is definitely not a “must read” quite the opposite.
The money isn’t worth it.

Mafia enforcers whose only weapons used are switchblades? How silly soft washed is that? Bad ass vampires and half vampires only have switchblades?

There are no real struggles or conflicts or developments, because they are all so understanding and sympathetic. Everything is forgiven after a short exchange of their reasoning and point of views.
It is all so soft washed it is nauseating unreal and unbelievably boring.

The main plot is not even close to be solved, which left me confused and unsatisfied as the book suddenly ended. Leaving me bereft of a deserving fight and finale, heart beating and thrilling style I would expect from a vampire book.

Plot wise it isn’t a real standalone, besides a romance that is so understanding I asked myself why I needed to read about it?

This was such a boring affair. I can only shake my head in disappointment. Even the sex scenes were simplistic and boring and stereotypical influenced straight from a male made porno. No creativity or female point. The only small thrill was his alpha attitude but even that wasn’t enough for me.

[Buffyanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvellous discovery of a new-to-me author!

A second chance with a vampire prince ...

Camila Vittore fell in love with a vampire crown prince three years ago. Gabriel Kral was tall, dark, handsome, charming and absolutely devoted to her. He was getting ready to make her his human mate when something scared her off. Mila has been running from hideout to hideout ever since, pursued by deadly Kral assassins. When a ruthless adversary captures Mila and puts her in an impossible situation, she has no choice but return to the man (dhampir, actually) she ran from to protect.



This was such an intensely, deeply emotional love story, brilliantly well-written, and full of sizzling passion. The chemistry between Mila and Gabriel re-ignites the moment she steps back into his world. Although the vampires are the apex predators in strength, speed, money and power, Gabriel and Mila's love story feels compressed inside a pressure chamber of peril. There is Mila's captors who want Gabriel dead. There's the Kral Syndicate mole who wants Gabriel and his brothers (the Dark Angels) dead. There's Kral leadership (including Gabriel's father) who may want Mila dead. There's humans from Slayers Inc who definitely want all the vampires dead. Whew! The suspense had my stomach in knots for much of the book. If it wasn't Mila and her family in danger, then it was Gabriel and his brothers, or both.



Just as the highest pressure produces the most beautiful diamonds, I was inspired by Mila and Gabriel's loyalty to each other. They were ready to do anything for one another separately. Why shouldn't they do everything to save each other together, as a couple?

Rebecca Rivard has hooked me in, not only with this first fabulous vampire forbidden lovers story, but with the promise of further suspense in search of Gabriel's brothers, Rafael and Zaquiel.

Follow my Bookstagram reviews on Instagram @buffyanna.canada
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRaIVCQLo...

[Tabi Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!! Wow, just wow

Talk about a story you never want to put down and if you do need to sleep it probably won't be a good idea. I was so drawn into this story that even when I tried to take a break and sleep I actually dreamed about the book. Wow!! Not that something like that happens often.

There is so much excitement in this book, that every page brings you something new. There are bad guys and good guys and you never know which is which. You can't even trust people you have known your whole life.

I know I was on the edge of my seat thru the entire book. How am I ever going to make it until Next year when the next book is set to come out?

Until Next Time... Tabi

[E.G. Manetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars rounded up because the would be florist heroine knows how to use a switch-blade

A creative spin on 'vampires among us' where the vampire's have revealed their existence. Although their enterprises are legal or semi-legal, they are hunted by vampire-slayers and maintain feudalistic/mafia-esque organizations for protection and enrichment. The author does an excellent job relaying the stakes early on, and balances the narrative tension between the underlying suspense/mystery plot and the relationship development between Mila (Camila) and Gabriel.

That said, it took far too much of the story (over half) to resolve an initial plot point and required Mila's well relayed clear thinking to be muddled. Mila is blackmailed by the bad guys to return to Gabriel as a distraction. They mic her earrings so they'll know if she squawks and claim to have eyes that will know if she writes a note. Even at that, there were several occasions when she could have circumvented the restraints. Also, not a lot of high end electronics will survive a being submerged in the ocean.

All in all, a good, steamy read. I'll definitely check out the next in the series.

[Harry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic....
After such a long time a very goooood paranormal...

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

They are 3 brothers and this is the story of the eldest and heir to be Primus to the Kral Syndicate, Gabriel.

You see these are not pure vampires, they are part vampire and part human...dhampires and they had to fight their way through the other bully vampires that thought they were inferior to them, but they earned the title of princes and no one messes with them.

Thus begins the story of of the Dark Angels.

Mila has been running and hiding from vampires for 3 years, after living with the man she loves in luxury she is reduced to hiding in filth, taking the worse jobs possible trying to survive another day...She does all this in order to protect her family and let the man she loves have his due, the title of Primus to the Kral Syndicate if she stays around him it won't happen because the Primus, Gabriel's father Karoly Kral, won't allow it. Little faith does she have in the love that Gabriel has for her, and the lengths he'll go to have her.

Gabriel has only had one love in his life and she stole away in the night with no explanation. Now she comes back into his life after 3 years with no word. He must deal with her, but can he trust the woman who left him all those years ago to really love him, or is she a plant and will she be the end of his family.

Slayers, Inc. and other syndicates would love to take over the powerful Kral syndicate and now someone has kidnapped his brother Zaq in France and his youngest brother Rafe has gone to Canada to infiltrate the Tramblay Syndicate, seduce their princess Zoe and risk certain danger to try to get information on who could have done this terrible deed and get to him before his certain death.

If you love vampire stories, you'll absolutely love this one because you have a mix of PNR and Mafia....Lots of action, intrigue and hotness.

[Kim McDougall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smart, sexy vampire book that stands out in the genre. The main characters have great chemistry and I really appreciated that the romantic plot wasn't based on "the big misunderstanding." Instead, the characters work through their issues that keep them apart like grown ups! Very refreshing. And a great start to a series that I'm looking forward to.

[Nessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I TRIED, REALLY TRIED TO LIKE THIS ONE. I MEAN, IT HAD POINTS BUT THEN EVERYTHING SEEMED LIKE A KIDDIE EDITION OF SOME ORGANIZED CRIME STORIES I'VE READ. I like how this involved vampirism, too bad it failed to meet expectations.

Not to sound jaded but CLICHE is the word to describe this one. The story opens up with our heroine being pursued and blackmailed by the baddies - for her to return to her ex-lover and play the spy. The problem? She's still in love with him, and the big elephant in the room? She ran away from Gabriel 3 years ago 'for his sake' and they've never kept in contact since. You know what makes me cringe? The fact that she's trying to resist him but is just putty in his hands where he's concerned. The story has angst, but is it good if it makes me skip the sex scenes? I felt like I didn't even want to read them...not with unspoken issues and mistrust between the two.

GABRIEL was meh. Boring. He's trying hard to prove himself as a vampire, and while I respect that, I DID NOT GET THAT VIBE FROM HIM AT ALL. It's like he's the kid trying hard to be an adult badass. I wanted to be wowed by his character, I did but sadly his personality, character lacked conviction. Unlike those cocky bastards we always get, Gabriel shows his vulnerability in the moments he questions Mila's love for him, and some part of him could be childish. Clearly her leaving him years ago affects him until today, and the wound has been festering. If only he actually confronted her about it when she left him. Things would have worked out so differently.

MILA was trying to be Joan of Arc in this world she's living in. I thought her CAUSE of leaving Gabriel would blow my socks off, but NOPE, when the author revealed the reason and everything, I was like Ughh, that's so cliche and I could see it coming a mile away. It wasn't enough for me, and in the end, it just made Mila look like a coward. Usually, it's the guy that gets cold feet, not the girl...so yeah, this time it's Mila.

OVERALL the romance between the two, didn't seemed meaningful. It was fueled by lust, and the fact that we missed out how their romance even started, it took half the fun out of everything. The mistrust between the two that leveled into angst just created friction and I couldn't enjoy the story properly, and trust me, I LOVE ANGST, I LOVE CHEATING ROMANCES and DARK ROMANCE, so this one had nothing on me. Sadly. :(

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! “PURSUED” grabbed me from the start! ... This is the first, delicious, steamy, vamp-a-licious, page-turner from the brand new “A Vampire’s Syndicate” world! ... I loved this new storyline, not just vamps but with creatures that are half-human & half-vampire! ... Clever dialogue, well-defined characters, like our strong, smart heroine Mila & a sexier-than-sin billionaire... Of course there’s a vampire syndicate, but then there’s a vampire slayer organization, which all adds to the edge-of-your-seat suspense! This fast-paced rollercoaster ride had me glued to my seat not wanting to stop, so IMHO, this should have 6 stars! ... Even tho I always volunteer to read this author’s books, it is without any outside influences, so I can honestly recommend this to all adult fans of fiction & especially those who love Paranormal and Fantasy! ... I can’t wait for the next one :o but I will

[ElfQueen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just OK. I think the reason for it was that I feel like the plot was going in circles.
When you read about Mila's reason for leaving Gabriel, it goes back and forth to her doing it for him, to his mom talking to her, to Tomas then to the dad + then at some point saying she did it for herself. Several chapters in you are wondering which one it is that's the truth. Her inability to communicate the whole thing was infuriating.
And placement of sex scenes were just fucking weird. Like the third scene when he's debating letting her go but then he wants to bite her but then they go back + forth about their relationship. Seriously fucking annoying.
Like I said in previous reviews, reading is a subjective experience. I didn't like this book but it doesn't mean that vamp fans out there won't. Will definitely not be reading the rest of the series.

[The Literary Vixen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable! Sizzling! Sexy!

Right from the start, I was captivated. I devoured this book in one sitting! The story made it impossible to put it down. I was hooked! Who needs sleep? The pacing is good. The story is entertaining with lots of action and suspense. Great world building by Miss Rivard. She definitely keeps you on your toes! Oh my those sexy scenes.....talk about hotness! *fans self* Gabriel is sexy as sin and totally had me crushing on him. I truly liked Mila. She’s a strong woman who has been through a lot but continues to fight.

From beginning to end, this story will grab you and not let go until the end. You’re in for one heck of a book hangover! I highly anticipate the next book! I give this 5 stars.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

CW: violence, kidnapping,

Mila ran from Gabriel even though they loved each other and were on the verge of committing themselves to each other. She's mentally recalling that she was forced out but doesn't relate more. She's been on the run for three years and thinks she's been captured by his family only to discover that more is happening. She's pushed to reconnect with Gabriel and this is where we see things intertwine. I really enjoyed Mila owning her strength and Gabriel admiring how Mila had changed while she was away. I liked how they learned how to be with each other again. I definitely want to learn more about Gabriel's brothers also.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rivard does it again! Her hot, hot, hot romance novel about a half-vampire, aka a dhampir, whose long lost love is a human who sent herself away for the good of both of them. The intricate story is truly not hard to follow because of the talented writing. It is a love story, a tragedy of sorts, with a paranormal twist.

This is a great new series written by a gifted author. Unfortunately, I read it too fast because I could not put it down, so now I have to wait for the second one to be published.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am quickly falling in love with this series. I wasn't sure at first how I'd feel about a story surrounding a vampire mafia, but I was quickly pulled into the story. It grabbed me and held on for every word. The first book, the prequel, ended in a cliffhanger. This book, while not exactly a cliffhanger as Gabriel and Mila got their HEA, it still has an overall series plot that has some questions still to answer. I'm seriously looking forward to the next book. Well done to the author on changing my mind about Vampire Mafia Romance.

[Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twilight meets 365 Days ...

well, i wouldn't call that card...

it was an okay read, interesting if you like vamps, well, half vamps to be exact but the alpha mode is just the same...

yeah I'm kind of looking forward to reading about he second brother, Raphael...

sue me, lol

[Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honeslty, the brother ruined it for me. Sorry. I hate when they write a sister protecting a brother & how they misconstrue things so badly that they are that mean spirited towards the sister instead of thanking her or actually you know being decent

[Rebecca]

I'm so excited for you all to read my new vampire mafia romance! Pursued: A Vampire Syndicate Paranormal Romance starts a new series for me, and OMG, I love the covers my designer came up with!!

Here's the series blurb:
THE VAMPIRE SYNDICATE ROMANCES
When darkness falls, the monsters come out to play…

They call us the Dark Angels: Gabriel, Zaquiel and Rafael.
We’re brothers. Princes. Billionaires.
The richer-than-sin heirs to one of the world’s most powerful vampires.
But we’re not vampires, we’re dhampirs. Half-human, half-vampire, with panty-melting good looks.
The media love us.
Vampires hate us.
And Slayers, Inc. will do anything to take us down.

Pursued is out October 1, 2020! Watch for Craved in May 2021.
Grab a copy here: https://books2read.com/PursuedVS
Read an excerpt on my website: https://rebeccarivard.com/pursued/

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first of The Vampire Syndicate books, Pursued, was fantastic! I'll admit to having a bit of a weak spot for a sexy, smoldering, sweet-as-sugar vampire. Although Gabriel was a Dhampir (half human, half vampire), he certainly did not disappoint. He managed to bring the sexy! The love of his life, Mila, was smart and sassy. Their chemistry was hot, the storyline captivating, and the action never let up from start to finish. I really enjoyed this one and highly recommend it. Pursued is an exciting beginning to this new series. I can't wait to read more in Craved, Book 2!

[JP · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT Start 😁

Awesome start to a combination of vampires and the mafia 😃. Take the BEST of both worlds and you'll have the beginnings of this series and it promises to be a Great one 😉. Lots of action, intense situations, good sex and fantastic characters 😍. Thanks Rebecca, I truly enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more 🤓.

[ChOOzzz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interested story.

I liked it but didn't love it. I loved the beginning and the build-up, it was very well done. But I feel at about halfway through the book fell flat a little. There wasn't enough conflict for my liking and not enough vampire stuff for my liking. But it was still pretty enjoyable and I'll be reading the next books in the series as well because I loved the writing style.

[Norma Conley-rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect 6+ star read!

This is above great! Rebecca you kept me in a book bubble with this one. Pursued reads like an award winning movie from beginning to end. I can't wait for book two. Thanx Rebecca Richard for sharing your creative mind..

[Joann Herley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pursued was one intense read. It was filled with secrets, lies, temptation, threats, mystery, and steamy sex. The chemistry between Gabriel and Mila was just the perfect amount of caution and passion. Bravo, Ms. Rivard, Bravo!

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just how I like my vampires

My perfect vampire story, full of love, danger and twists, gabriel is dangerous but loving, and will do anything for his woman, can't wait for Rafe's story

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Rebecca Rivard. A great introduction to the Kral Syndicate!

[Scarlett West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gulped this book down in 2 days. Compelling. Sexy. And riveting. The steam is off the charts! I loved Gabriel and Mila. Definitely, a memorable pair.

[Melissa Flanagin · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 rounded up better then the prequel