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Charmslinger #1
Blood Bounty
Gracie Boswell's got a charmed bullet, a brand new posse, and a pack of outlaw vampires to kill.
The tiny town of Penance has a big vampire problem—and charmslinger Gracie Boswell aims to be the solution. A whole nest of vampires makes for a mighty fine bounty, though, and Gracie is far from the only charmslinger angling for the job. When a charming local layabout and an old competitor elbow their way into Gracie's posse, she's forced to at least pretend to play nice...but trust is scarce in the west, and smart bounty hunters always sleep with one eye open.
But Gracie doesn't have much time to watch her fellow bounty hunters—Penance's vampire nest is bigger and more organized than anyone suspected, and there's at least one traitor in the town's midst. Soon, Gracie finds herself in the unenviable position of leaning on her posse...and at least one of them isn't what he claims to be.
USA Today best-selling author Liza Street continues to thrill with a brand new western gothic series of outlaw vampires, sinister fae, and good old-fashioned treachery. Pick up Blood Bounty for a wild ride through the dark and dangerous west!
The tiny town of Penance has a big vampire problem—and charmslinger Gracie Boswell aims to be the solution. A whole nest of vampires makes for a mighty fine bounty, though, and Gracie is far from the only charmslinger angling for the job. When a charming local layabout and an old competitor elbow their way into Gracie's posse, she's forced to at least pretend to play nice...but trust is scarce in the west, and smart bounty hunters always sleep with one eye open.
But Gracie doesn't have much time to watch her fellow bounty hunters—Penance's vampire nest is bigger and more organized than anyone suspected, and there's at least one traitor in the town's midst. Soon, Gracie finds herself in the unenviable position of leaning on her posse...and at least one of them isn't what he claims to be.
USA Today best-selling author Liza Street continues to thrill with a brand new western gothic series of outlaw vampires, sinister fae, and good old-fashioned treachery. Pick up Blood Bounty for a wild ride through the dark and dangerous west!
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2020
184 people are currently reading
590 people want to read
About the author
Liza Street
111 books505 followersLiza got her start in romance by sneak-reading her grandma’s paperbacks. Now she divides her time between freelance editing and writing books about shifters with fierce and savage hearts.
FREE BOOKS--Book 1 in Liza's Sierra Pride series is free to anyone! Join Liza's mailing list and get Book 2, Fierce Heartbreaker, FREE, as well as an exclusive Sierra Pride prequel story! Start by clicking here to sign up and receive Fierce Heartbreaker and the prequel story.
FREE BOOKS--Book 1 in Liza's Sierra Pride series is free to anyone! Join Liza's mailing list and get Book 2, Fierce Heartbreaker, FREE, as well as an exclusive Sierra Pride prequel story! Start by clicking here to sign up and receive Fierce Heartbreaker and the prequel story.
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October 1, 2020Yep, I read my own published book! Needed details for writing Blood Beast and this was the fastest way to get them! And I want the credit toward my Goodreads challenge, haha, so I'm recording it here. :)
November 4, 2021
SPFBO7 Semi-finalist.
Placed in the Fantasy-Hive's batch of 30 books, you can read our reviews here:
Making it to semi-finalist:
https://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2021/09/sp...
Final Review:
https://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2021/10/sp...
Happy Reading!
(Star rating reflects my personal opinion)
Placed in the Fantasy-Hive's batch of 30 books, you can read our reviews here:
Making it to semi-finalist:
https://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2021/09/sp...
Final Review:
https://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2021/10/sp...
Happy Reading!
(Star rating reflects my personal opinion)
June 4, 2021
If you're a lover of the more urban fantasy and action side of all things paranormal romance, this one is well worth checking out. It takes your usual cast of surly slayer and big bad humanoid beasties out of their same-old-same-old contemporary city and thrusts them into a fantastically realised Weird West setting that'll charm your socks off.
We follow an orrery gal named Gracie who prides herself on her bounty hunting skills. She's got a gun and a grudge against all things preternatural, but mostly it's the vamps. Ever since something known as "the Rift" opened up, supernatural nasties have been running amok and it's up to people like her to keep them down. When she tries to take on a bounty, the Sheriff demands she take extra backup. And what do you know, there happen to be two guys in town who'd fit the bill: one a dandy lookin' kid who'd make a perfect patsy (he ain't gonna fight, right?), and one more seasoned hunter who won't take no for an answer...
What I adored about this book was the world. It's full of fae and vamps, wolves and witches, and a whole bushel of prejudices against even those who fight against them. The setup is so well done you can feel the small town xenophobia wherever Gracie goes. She's a tough as nails character with a stubborn streak who, despite some questionable judgement, never comes across as Too Stupid To Live. She's got magic, smarts and mild snark; what more could a gal need? The imaginative world is a 100% winner.
The thing that didn't work out so well for me personally was the development of relationships between Gracie and her new companions Carson and Boone. They're pivotal to the plot and reasons why things happen the way they do, but I just wasn't buying the early insta-friend chemistry. To me, it seemed like they just got together because the plot needed them to, skipping over the introductions and getting straight into the action. I didn't feel I really knew the side characters very well beyond their specific genre-dictated roles. It's something that bothers me about the usual UF/PNR stories. While it doesn't feel forced exactly, the relationships seemed sudden and convenient. A couple of plot reveals didn't quite hit the same high for me either as there didn't seem to be a great deal of foreshadowing There is also, naturally, a romance element. I think I was looking again for more of a gradual build up rather than what felt to me to be something of a sudden change.
There's plenty of Buffy style action with some gore to go with you wicked world building. The dark fantasy setting and the gritty narration is so on point that I think it's just my feelings on the PNR character tropes and the relationship building that made me find it harder to enjoy as it went along. Without those character foundations, I'm not sure it's quite my cup of tea, but it'd go down well for PNR-ers who just want something that bit more creepy and fantastical.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
We follow an orrery gal named Gracie who prides herself on her bounty hunting skills. She's got a gun and a grudge against all things preternatural, but mostly it's the vamps. Ever since something known as "the Rift" opened up, supernatural nasties have been running amok and it's up to people like her to keep them down. When she tries to take on a bounty, the Sheriff demands she take extra backup. And what do you know, there happen to be two guys in town who'd fit the bill: one a dandy lookin' kid who'd make a perfect patsy (he ain't gonna fight, right?), and one more seasoned hunter who won't take no for an answer...
What I adored about this book was the world. It's full of fae and vamps, wolves and witches, and a whole bushel of prejudices against even those who fight against them. The setup is so well done you can feel the small town xenophobia wherever Gracie goes. She's a tough as nails character with a stubborn streak who, despite some questionable judgement, never comes across as Too Stupid To Live. She's got magic, smarts and mild snark; what more could a gal need? The imaginative world is a 100% winner.
The thing that didn't work out so well for me personally was the development of relationships between Gracie and her new companions Carson and Boone. They're pivotal to the plot and reasons why things happen the way they do, but I just wasn't buying the early insta-friend chemistry. To me, it seemed like they just got together because the plot needed them to, skipping over the introductions and getting straight into the action. I didn't feel I really knew the side characters very well beyond their specific genre-dictated roles. It's something that bothers me about the usual UF/PNR stories. While it doesn't feel forced exactly, the relationships seemed sudden and convenient. A couple of plot reveals didn't quite hit the same high for me either as there didn't seem to be a great deal of foreshadowing There is also, naturally, a romance element. I think I was looking again for more of a gradual build up rather than what felt to me to be something of a sudden change.
There's plenty of Buffy style action with some gore to go with you wicked world building. The dark fantasy setting and the gritty narration is so on point that I think it's just my feelings on the PNR character tropes and the relationship building that made me find it harder to enjoy as it went along. Without those character foundations, I'm not sure it's quite my cup of tea, but it'd go down well for PNR-ers who just want something that bit more creepy and fantastical.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 18, 2024
I planned for an entertaining “Magic Wild West” story and was not disappointed. While some characters were tropes, part of the fun is seeing them in a Magic setting. Thus, while there were some minor weaknesses with the storytelling, the world-building was very good and it fulfilled my hopes for an enjoyable read.
However, I was not shopping for a romance novel. And even if it was not a major plot element, I considered the love tangle between our heroine and her nemesis unnecessary, unrealistic and contrived. However, I cannot punish Ms. Street for my errors in choosing, and what I consider unrealistic is often the silently agreed-upon plot development in romances. Thus, even if it was more a 3-3.5 for me personally, I give it the 4 stars I would have given it, if I would actually like romance novels.
However, I was not shopping for a romance novel. And even if it was not a major plot element, I considered the love tangle between our heroine and her nemesis unnecessary, unrealistic and contrived. However, I cannot punish Ms. Street for my errors in choosing, and what I consider unrealistic is often the silently agreed-upon plot development in romances. Thus, even if it was more a 3-3.5 for me personally, I give it the 4 stars I would have given it, if I would actually like romance novels.
August 25, 2020
Blood Bounty (Charmslinger Book 1) by Liza Street is a fantastic story that I have read. This is book number one in this fantastic start to a brand new series that I have loved reading and can not wait to read the rest of this fantastic series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about vampires, Fae and thrillers.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
March 3, 2022
Okay, that was amazing. There's a special place in my heart for american western meets fantasy stories. Gracie was a truly interesting character and I loved the development that occurred with her and her posse. I can't wait to read more of this series!
January 22, 2023
Although a little unoriginal with a lot of flaws, I could have enjoyed this one for what it was, if the heroine didn‘t behave like an edgy teenager and had a little more for a brain than a pebble.
March 6, 2025
It's good but kind of depressing
September 8, 2020
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a free copy of Blood Bounty well in advance of its publication, though I wasn't asked to review it (I decided to review the book because I enjoyed it!). The very first page grabbed my attention with a fantastic mixture of strange setting and irreverent humour. The novel takes place in a unique, creative Wild West setting (with vampires and faeries and demons—oh my!). Gracie was a strong, witty, compelling character, but ALL of the protagonists and villains were whip-smart, and watching them dance with each other was a pleasure. I stayed up well past my bedtime with this one!
This book is a very different beast from author Liza Street's usual work, which is normally more modern paranormal romance. Blood Bounty is a dark, gothic western, with a few more fanciful elements of historical fantasy. The novel is genuinely dark and gritty, and even some beloved characters die before the story is over. The romance is incredibly slow-burn, and will presumably be continued in the rest of the series, but I enjoyed what was there, and I'm glad it wasn't rushed.
I've never seen a setting quite like this one before, and I'm not sure I could do it justice even in a longer review. The faeries, briefly on-screen, were delightfully dark and twisted. The vampires always felt chilling. There was a general brutality to events that conveyed the danger, but it wasn't gratuitous—characters always responded to that brutality with humanity and gave it the sort of conflicted respect that it was due. I deeply dislike over-the-top violence for its own sake, so it was refreshing to read a story where gruesome things affected the characters in realistic ways, and character reactions to a brush with that violence could span several pages longer than the violence itself.
I loved Gracie and her posse, and I look forward to seeing where the story goes next.
This book is a very different beast from author Liza Street's usual work, which is normally more modern paranormal romance. Blood Bounty is a dark, gothic western, with a few more fanciful elements of historical fantasy. The novel is genuinely dark and gritty, and even some beloved characters die before the story is over. The romance is incredibly slow-burn, and will presumably be continued in the rest of the series, but I enjoyed what was there, and I'm glad it wasn't rushed.
I've never seen a setting quite like this one before, and I'm not sure I could do it justice even in a longer review. The faeries, briefly on-screen, were delightfully dark and twisted. The vampires always felt chilling. There was a general brutality to events that conveyed the danger, but it wasn't gratuitous—characters always responded to that brutality with humanity and gave it the sort of conflicted respect that it was due. I deeply dislike over-the-top violence for its own sake, so it was refreshing to read a story where gruesome things affected the characters in realistic ways, and character reactions to a brush with that violence could span several pages longer than the violence itself.
I loved Gracie and her posse, and I look forward to seeing where the story goes next.
December 16, 2020
I won this book Blood Bounty by Liza Street in a contest over the weekend. I wasn't going to read it until after Christmas as I have other ARCs on my plate. I finished reading one last night and decided I would take a look at the first few chapters to see what the book was about as I hadn't read a blurb on it. Let's just say, I just finished the book and I started it last night.
This is not your usual romance. Gracie Boswell is a charmslinger in a world where a rift has opened and monsters have encroached on her world. She is a bounty hunting lone gun and doesn't have much use for other people. Most people throw insults her way as she uses charms and is a woman. Levi Boone is a bounty hunter who has been snagging some of her bounties. He has secrets. Carson is a lazy fellow who has no place to call home and is thrown into the mix. Vampires are killing the townsfolk in Penance and they have posted a reward for the heads of the vampires. Gracie has come to collect the bounty and that is where the excitement begins. This is a wild west mixed with paranormal mixed with romance and a woman who is full of just plain oneryness. I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
This is not your usual romance. Gracie Boswell is a charmslinger in a world where a rift has opened and monsters have encroached on her world. She is a bounty hunting lone gun and doesn't have much use for other people. Most people throw insults her way as she uses charms and is a woman. Levi Boone is a bounty hunter who has been snagging some of her bounties. He has secrets. Carson is a lazy fellow who has no place to call home and is thrown into the mix. Vampires are killing the townsfolk in Penance and they have posted a reward for the heads of the vampires. Gracie has come to collect the bounty and that is where the excitement begins. This is a wild west mixed with paranormal mixed with romance and a woman who is full of just plain oneryness. I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
August 21, 2020
Amazing new series. I had to let the author know how much I liked it.
Gracie is a charmslinger--a bounty hunter who uses witches charms to help her catch the evil creatures, in this case, vampires. While humans want her to rid them of the vamps, they don't respect her methods and show it.
When a nest of vamps threatens the town, she reluctantly takes on a couple of other bounty hunters and eventually more because the nest is bigger than they thought.
There are surprises, revelations, good guys, bad guys, close calls, and most importantly a fantastic story set in a world the author has created. A world that will amaze and keep you reading. This new series is one I can get behind.
Gracie is a charmslinger--a bounty hunter who uses witches charms to help her catch the evil creatures, in this case, vampires. While humans want her to rid them of the vamps, they don't respect her methods and show it.
When a nest of vamps threatens the town, she reluctantly takes on a couple of other bounty hunters and eventually more because the nest is bigger than they thought.
There are surprises, revelations, good guys, bad guys, close calls, and most importantly a fantastic story set in a world the author has created. A world that will amaze and keep you reading. This new series is one I can get behind.
August 15, 2020
Wow!!! I will say this is different from what Liza usually writes but I loved it. It is almost like the old west just with a paranormal bent. The main characters are wonderful with many surprises I will not reveal here. The story is well written and it keeps you engaged, guessing and jumping all the time. I like the charms they use for sight for them and the horses. The stakes being charmed to fly straight and true is a wonderful thought. Shooting charms from a six shooter is a nice twist. I will be looking for other books in this series because the snippet at the end of this left me curious.
August 13, 2020
I’m not usually fond of books written in the first person, but this one grabbed me from the beginning and wouldn’t let go. This great story has lots of adventure, danger, betrayal with some surprises thrown in for good measure. Grace usually works alone, but this time the number of vampires involved means she needs help from Boone and Carson. Can these three mixed characters work together to bring down the vampire nest, or will outside events work against them? I enjoyed this book and recommend it to paranormal lovers everywhere.
August 19, 2020
Blood Bounty by Liza Street is book 1 of her new series Charmslinger. It's set in the old West with a twist. The twist is the Rift that allowed outlaws, vamps, faes, shapeshifters and more into the human world. The twist and turns of fate change bounty hunting into hunting evil creatures. This old like a new series that's going to change the old West and how we see it. I received an ARC from the author. This is my voluntary honest review.
September 24, 2020
This was a gripping series opener and yes, it follows a different path than this author's usual work. Gritty, violent, dangerous, yet compassionate, witty and brave. It flows well, is full of action, and the characters were just so interesting. If you're looking for an alternate history of the old west, one filled with vampires, fae and witches, be ready for a wild reading ride when you crack this one open ;)
September 30, 2020
This is the 2nd book I've read written by Lisa Street; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
August 21, 2020
This book is a definite win. I highly recommend it. I like the action & the characters. They seem so real that you almost feel like you've known some of them for awhile. I love westerns and vampires & this book is a perfect mix of the 2. I hope to see more from Gracie & her posse.
February 4, 2024
3.5 rounded up to 4
Setting:
This book takes place in the wild west with the minor change of the Rift. The rift is some sort of magical anomaly through which all manner of supernatural beasties have entered our world. Vampires and fae, witches and shapeshifters all lurk in the shadows now and most of these supernatural beings, collectively called outlaws, are none too kind to humans.
Characters:
Gracie: Gracie hunts vampires. Ever since her father was turned into one and nearly ate her, she’s hated the blood sucking fiends and she wants to put them all back in the dirt where they belong. She’s not real good with trust. Most people she runs across hate her on account of her willingness to use magic, even if that very magic is what allows her to kill the dangerous monsters she hunts. She dislikes people only a little less than they dislike her.
Boone: Boone is another hunter but, in contrast to Grace’s closed off loner attitude, he’s quite a charming guy who makes friends readily.
Plot:
Gracie finds a contract that would pay very well. It’ll be hard work as the contract is for a next of four vampires but the pay is more than worth the risk. Upon arriving at the town that put out the bounty the sheriff refuses to give her information, thinking it would be tantamount to suicide to have Gracie go against the vamps by herself. Gracie reluctantly agrees to find a couple more guys to help her. She teams up with Boone and another man by the name of Carson and the trio set out to hunt down the vampires.
My Thoughts:
There’s a good chance you’ve seen this story before. I mean, probably not this exact story but you’ve seen all these pieces. There’s really nothing new here but that’s not an issue. Not every story needs to be brand new and unique and different. For one, we’d very very rapidly run out of stories that made any kind of sense and for two good execution in the telling of the story is far more important that a new and inventive plot or setting.
Does Street tell the story well then? Yes she does. The story does everything you might expect it to. Of course Gracie will eventually learn that perhaps there is value in having friends with her and will grow less callous towards her companions. Of course the job will turn out to be far more dangerous and complicated than initially expected. None of these things are shocking but the story is still told well. It’s quick and punchy and while it’s not inventive it’s still quite enjoyable for what it is.
Setting:
This book takes place in the wild west with the minor change of the Rift. The rift is some sort of magical anomaly through which all manner of supernatural beasties have entered our world. Vampires and fae, witches and shapeshifters all lurk in the shadows now and most of these supernatural beings, collectively called outlaws, are none too kind to humans.
Characters:
Gracie: Gracie hunts vampires. Ever since her father was turned into one and nearly ate her, she’s hated the blood sucking fiends and she wants to put them all back in the dirt where they belong. She’s not real good with trust. Most people she runs across hate her on account of her willingness to use magic, even if that very magic is what allows her to kill the dangerous monsters she hunts. She dislikes people only a little less than they dislike her.
Boone: Boone is another hunter but, in contrast to Grace’s closed off loner attitude, he’s quite a charming guy who makes friends readily.
Plot:
Gracie finds a contract that would pay very well. It’ll be hard work as the contract is for a next of four vampires but the pay is more than worth the risk. Upon arriving at the town that put out the bounty the sheriff refuses to give her information, thinking it would be tantamount to suicide to have Gracie go against the vamps by herself. Gracie reluctantly agrees to find a couple more guys to help her. She teams up with Boone and another man by the name of Carson and the trio set out to hunt down the vampires.
My Thoughts:
There’s a good chance you’ve seen this story before. I mean, probably not this exact story but you’ve seen all these pieces. There’s really nothing new here but that’s not an issue. Not every story needs to be brand new and unique and different. For one, we’d very very rapidly run out of stories that made any kind of sense and for two good execution in the telling of the story is far more important that a new and inventive plot or setting.
Does Street tell the story well then? Yes she does. The story does everything you might expect it to. Of course Gracie will eventually learn that perhaps there is value in having friends with her and will grow less callous towards her companions. Of course the job will turn out to be far more dangerous and complicated than initially expected. None of these things are shocking but the story is still told well. It’s quick and punchy and while it’s not inventive it’s still quite enjoyable for what it is.
October 29, 2022
Wild West Vampire Bounty Hunter…what more could you ask for?!
If you are a fan of Westerns and “things that go bump in the night”, you should absolutely give the Charmslinger series a chance. I love the idea of the Old West having Vampires and such. I randomly found a recommendation for this on Facebook and was instantly hooked when I read the blurb. Just like in the olden days, for the most part, bounty hunters were frowned upon because they simply found people for money. It is no different in this story. But add another twist to it because our MC, Gracie Boswell, is a human bounty hunter that slings witch charms. They have helped her more times than not and she just keeps her distance from the people that have nothing better to do than look down on her. She is the one that keeps their little towns and lives safe.
She comes across a wanted poster for a nest of vampires that are wreaking havoc on Penance with a great bounty. Money that could help change her life. She goes to Penance to get more info and to start the hunt but ends up with a posse that is very different than she is. She has worked alone for so long that she has an incredibly difficult time working with the posse but it turns out, she is going to need them.
The story started out a bit slow for me but I think that it needed to in order to get a really good feel for the world and the characters. As you get further into the story and things start to pick up, you will get to the point where you can’t stop turning the pages. This nest is intriguing and these vampires are not similar to the ones that have been used over and over in other stories. This series definitely has my attention and I am looking forward to reading book two to see what other trouble Ms. Boswell can get into.
If you are a fan of Westerns and “things that go bump in the night”, you should absolutely give the Charmslinger series a chance. I love the idea of the Old West having Vampires and such. I randomly found a recommendation for this on Facebook and was instantly hooked when I read the blurb. Just like in the olden days, for the most part, bounty hunters were frowned upon because they simply found people for money. It is no different in this story. But add another twist to it because our MC, Gracie Boswell, is a human bounty hunter that slings witch charms. They have helped her more times than not and she just keeps her distance from the people that have nothing better to do than look down on her. She is the one that keeps their little towns and lives safe.
She comes across a wanted poster for a nest of vampires that are wreaking havoc on Penance with a great bounty. Money that could help change her life. She goes to Penance to get more info and to start the hunt but ends up with a posse that is very different than she is. She has worked alone for so long that she has an incredibly difficult time working with the posse but it turns out, she is going to need them.
The story started out a bit slow for me but I think that it needed to in order to get a really good feel for the world and the characters. As you get further into the story and things start to pick up, you will get to the point where you can’t stop turning the pages. This nest is intriguing and these vampires are not similar to the ones that have been used over and over in other stories. This series definitely has my attention and I am looking forward to reading book two to see what other trouble Ms. Boswell can get into.
July 10, 2022
Gracie
Carson
Boone
The first few sentences were so wildly different from what I normally read and so entertaining that I decided a wild west novel with vampires is on the A-list. The story revolves around one bounty, but when Gracie takes it, she has no idea that this would require a posse. The sherif won’t let her take the bounty without a group, and Boone and Carson immediately volunteer.
Naturally, Gracie is suspicious about her companions’ motivations, more than she is about the vampires. After her own father was turned, she has spent a lifetime killing and maintaining a life of introversion.
Boone is also a bounty hunter, but he slowly tries to demonstrate that kindness and social skills help, and she slowly warms up to his companionship. Carson describes himself as lazy but tags along and holds his own. Because, yes, there is fighting…in the town, in the hills.
The plot is not that deep, but there are clever tricks throughout. The magic system helps: any intelligent being can use charms to enhance their skills, heal, or obscure. While I don’t see any rhyme or reason to the magic charms, it does seem to have a system behind it. As a charmslinger, though, a person becomes instantly lower caste. I don’t get that.
The theme, though, revolves around discovered friendship.
I was entertained. It was a different kind of urban fantasy for me. Will I continue? Not really. The pacing was slower than I like, and I also prefer standalones.
Carson
Boone
The first few sentences were so wildly different from what I normally read and so entertaining that I decided a wild west novel with vampires is on the A-list. The story revolves around one bounty, but when Gracie takes it, she has no idea that this would require a posse. The sherif won’t let her take the bounty without a group, and Boone and Carson immediately volunteer.
Naturally, Gracie is suspicious about her companions’ motivations, more than she is about the vampires. After her own father was turned, she has spent a lifetime killing and maintaining a life of introversion.
Boone is also a bounty hunter, but he slowly tries to demonstrate that kindness and social skills help, and she slowly warms up to his companionship. Carson describes himself as lazy but tags along and holds his own. Because, yes, there is fighting…in the town, in the hills.
The plot is not that deep, but there are clever tricks throughout. The magic system helps: any intelligent being can use charms to enhance their skills, heal, or obscure. While I don’t see any rhyme or reason to the magic charms, it does seem to have a system behind it. As a charmslinger, though, a person becomes instantly lower caste. I don’t get that.
The theme, though, revolves around discovered friendship.
I was entertained. It was a different kind of urban fantasy for me. Will I continue? Not really. The pacing was slower than I like, and I also prefer standalones.
February 20, 2021
BLOOD BOUNTY is the first book in the Charmslinger series. For maximum enjoyment, read this series as a serial in the order of release.
Is this our future or is it the old west? A dystopian past? Whatever you may call it, it is unique.
Gracie is strong, a feminist before that was a recognized trait. Gracie’s gun doesn’t shoot bullets, it shoots hexes – charms that neutralize vampires and other beasties that have come out of the Rift.
Gracie Boswell and Levi Boone are both bounty hunters who drift from town to town taking coin in exchange for removing vampires that are terrorizing the citizens. Sam Carson is a lazy dandy who is the opposite of Gracie and Boone and yet rounds out their posse perfectly.
I don’t want to give away any of the story, so I won’t say too much except that it is exceptional, exciting, and amazing. The world-building is new, and I won’t miss any future editions. I recommend this series for wild west, romance, and paranormal readers.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: BLOOD BOUNTY
Series: Charmslinger #1
Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Keira Blackwood
Is this our future or is it the old west? A dystopian past? Whatever you may call it, it is unique.
Gracie is strong, a feminist before that was a recognized trait. Gracie’s gun doesn’t shoot bullets, it shoots hexes – charms that neutralize vampires and other beasties that have come out of the Rift.
Gracie Boswell and Levi Boone are both bounty hunters who drift from town to town taking coin in exchange for removing vampires that are terrorizing the citizens. Sam Carson is a lazy dandy who is the opposite of Gracie and Boone and yet rounds out their posse perfectly.
I don’t want to give away any of the story, so I won’t say too much except that it is exceptional, exciting, and amazing. The world-building is new, and I won’t miss any future editions. I recommend this series for wild west, romance, and paranormal readers.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: BLOOD BOUNTY
Series: Charmslinger #1
Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Keira Blackwood
July 10, 2025
giving this two stars almost feels too harsh. i think the setting is really cool and i enjoyed how it was woven into the fabric of the story. the core characters were fun enough, though carson in particular leaves me with a lot of questions. however this is book one, so perhaps some of those questions will be answered further down the line.
on the other hand, there were several major story moments that i don’t really think worked; either they relied on characters who are supposed to be smart missing obvious clues or making dumb decisions or they were.. well, why and how does one manacle themself to a wall? also the relationships between the characters just kind of happen. particularly between gracie and boone, like they know they’re a third of the way through their story and that the two main characters usually start feeling attracted to each other by now.
idkk, i might pick up the next one some time. i do enjoy gracie carson and boone and it would be nice to see their dynamic develop now that gracie firmly trusts them and knows the care about her. maybe some time.
on the other hand, there were several major story moments that i don’t really think worked; either they relied on characters who are supposed to be smart missing obvious clues or making dumb decisions or they were.. well, why and how does one manacle themself to a wall? also the relationships between the characters just kind of happen. particularly between gracie and boone, like they know they’re a third of the way through their story and that the two main characters usually start feeling attracted to each other by now.
idkk, i might pick up the next one some time. i do enjoy gracie carson and boone and it would be nice to see their dynamic develop now that gracie firmly trusts them and knows the care about her. maybe some time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2021
Gracie Boswell is a Charmslinger who hunts vampires for a bounty. The town of Penance which is near the rift has a nest of vampires that need to be killed. Gracie now has a posse which is a first for her. But the nest is bigger and more organized than anyone thought. Can Gracie fight with her new team and wipe out the monsters?
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review. While this book is definitely different than what I usually read, I really enjoyed it. I was drawn in from the start and kept hooked until the end. This is a world where western meets magic with evil vampires and diabolical Fae as well as humans and their variety of personalities. You'll love this well-written book that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. I'm looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this one.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review. While this book is definitely different than what I usually read, I really enjoyed it. I was drawn in from the start and kept hooked until the end. This is a world where western meets magic with evil vampires and diabolical Fae as well as humans and their variety of personalities. You'll love this well-written book that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. I'm looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this one.
September 26, 2020
The wild west with a paranormal twist and characters that are entertaining, in a dark, twisty, world that mixes fantasy with the old west.
Gracie Boswell's got a charmed bullet, a brand new posse, and a pack of outlaw vampires to kill.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gracie Boswell's got a charmed bullet, a brand new posse, and a pack of outlaw vampires to kill.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 30, 2021
Something different to what I usually read, still has vampire, supernaturals and romance but much more. I found it a compelling read that was hard to put down. Good world building and character descriptions, I was surprised by some of the revelations near the end. Look forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 24, 2021
This was a fun western read, I enjoyed the supernatural elements and getting to know the characters. This was a great introduction to the characters and their world and I look forward to seeing this series grow.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 15, 2021
Great Book
This is a great story featuring a heroine who is damaged but has self-insight, and the friends/partners she unexpectedly makes when forced to by circumstance. Her world is an interesting one--the old West with a deadly incursion of vampires, shifters, fae, and demons when a rift opens between worlds. Excited to see where this goes.
This is a great story featuring a heroine who is damaged but has self-insight, and the friends/partners she unexpectedly makes when forced to by circumstance. Her world is an interesting one--the old West with a deadly incursion of vampires, shifters, fae, and demons when a rift opens between worlds. Excited to see where this goes.
October 7, 2022
Gracie, Boone and Carson set out to clear the West of vampires. I like the combination of gunslinger and vampire bounty hunter plus one of them is in it for more than the money, it looks like seeking personal revenge for past wrongs. They save the town of Penance and collect their reward to go on as a posse to save humans from "outlaws" from the Rift. Good story and characters.
August 16, 2020
Gracie is a charmslinger and comes upon a poster for a nest near the rift causing issues with a town. She gets there and the sheriff says posse with her or not doing it at all, Gracie forms a posse and sets about taking down the nest with help from Carson and Boone .
May 11, 2021
Like Wynonna Earp, this is so much better. Or should I say, what do a vampire, a bounty hunter and the town playboy have in common. Not much unless they are hunting a vampire mastermind. This is the best of paranormal westerns. Worth the read.
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