One and Only

Tales of the Were: Brotherhood of Blood #1

by Bianca D'Arc

A deadly crash changes the fate of one lonely vampire.Brotherhood of Blood, Book 1 Vampire enforcer Atticus Maxwell stands at the edge of his own oblivion...until the faint heartbeat of a desperately wounded mortal woman calls him back. The terrible crash that almost took both their lives has brought him a charming, intriguing woman who just might give him a reason to live again. Lissa was headed for a conference at a resort in a last-ditch attempt to find a job. Instead, on a rain-slick mountain road that almost killed her, she finds the love of her life. A love with the most eligible, reclusive vineyard owner in Napa Valley—one that isn't quite human. No barrier—not even breaking the news to Lissa's friends—seems too great to hold back their blossoming love. Until they learn the accident that brought them together wasn't an accident at all, but a murder attempt by an unknown enemy. Atticus saved Lissa once. Can he keep her that way in the face of a renewed threat? This book contains graphic language, hot neck biting, outdoor loving and a hot man with a killer smile. This book has been previously published and has been substantially revised and expanded from its original release.

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Erotica, Fantasy, Magic

79 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 7, 2008

About the author

Bianca D'Arc is the USA Today bestselling author of over 100 romance titles. She has been published traditionally, by a few notable small presses, and indie. Before becoming a full-time writer, she ran a laboratory, a legal department, and jetted around the country on business while working for a Fortune 500 engineering firm.

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Atticus has walked the earth for a millennium and for so long he has searched for his One, the one woman in all the world meant to be his other half. Now, after having resigned himself to not finding her, after debating the final sleep and turning further and further away from existence, he steps on a girls toes and his entire world changes.

Lissa was feeling apprehensive about taking the shuttle bus up the mountain, but she got on anyway. Slightly psychic, she's feeling very uneasy until she sees a man who literally robs her of breath and makes her heart race. Suddenly those psychic warnings are blaring conflicting messages and when he trods on her toes and looks into her eyes, Lissa knows she'll remember that fantastic stranger for the rest of her days.

A tragedy leads them to each other and dedication to each other will see them through to eternity.

It's not the premise to this short novella that I have a problem with. It's perhaps not the most original of stories, but it has a bunch of sexy male vampires in it, and that's pretty much all I need to enjoy a short story like this. Unfortunately, it was just about every other aspect of the story that made me wince.

I think D'Arc had some sizzling sex scenes in the book that are deliciously graphic and temperature raising, but that's where the good points end. The dialogue is so unbelievable, so cliched and trite and way beyond soap opera-ish that it actually hurt to read some of it. I totally don't get it. I've read D'Arc before and didn't have that problem with the book, but this one was quite literally painful.

The development (and I use the term loosely) of the relationship between Atticus and Lissa was nearly comical in its speed and lack of anything resembling realism, and the 'conflict' of the story arc was...just bizarre. If that wasn't bad enough, it ends with a cliffhanger, and I have a huge issue with cliffhangers. They're in my top three of reading anathemas. At this point not even a life threatening cliffhanger could prompt me to continue with this series, though I did like the interaction between Atticus' friend Marc and Lissa's friend Kelly. I just don't know if I would risk dialogue as horrible as it was here.

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Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

wow this was awful. i mean really like best of the worst awful. the plot wasnt too atrocious but everything else was. the writing...oh god i dont even know where to begin. maybe the fact that half the time the hero talked like a "hip" 90s teen and the other half he was harkening back to thees and thous? or the fact that in one paragraph the heroine is "lustrous" and in the next she's "mousy"? or how about the fact that even though this is a book about vampires theyre barely mentioned except in a tangential/peripheral manner...and theres no origin myth WHICH IS MY FAVORITE PART???!!! grrr! now the couple...i understand that this is a short and naturally the progression of relationship must be shortened but this was a little insane. hey we met less than 2 days ago and this is crazy but can you turn me into a vampire, baby? *copyright pending* :P. but no really they knew each other for less than 2 days before saying i love you (and saying it once a paragraph). maybe ill lose my girl card for this but that is terrifying to me and it completely turned me off and i shut down for the rest of it. which brings us to sex scenes: for the most part not great but not atrocious (though i couldnt really get into them because the scary love fest made me lose my lady boner) however once we get to the part where couple is roleplaying and hes talking about sharing her with other men? im sorry but no no no no way in hell is this sexy. unless its like a consensual threesome thing im not so much into the man who "loves" me saying hes going to let others have their way with me because ive been a "bad girl" even if it is roleplaying thats just not cool dude and the hero lost all remaining brownie points for that one (not that he had that many by then anyways). the heroine was kind of bland and not very interesting. the cliffhanger really pissed me off because i soooo dont want to read another one of these. this one was awful but the banter between 2 secondary characters intrigued me enough that im not going to delete the whole series off my nook...but im also not mentally prepared to give the sequel a try yet so im gonna soak up something i KNOW is good and maybe try again tomorrow and hoping this author redeems herself in a major way

[Cindyg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually one of three short stories in the book Brotherhood of Blood. Because the stories are short there is not the character development that we get from a full length book. But I was drawn in by Atticus & Lissa in One On One, then by Marc & Kelly in Rare Vintage and finally Dmitri & Carly in Phantom Desires. All the guys are Master Vampires who have lived their entire vampire lives without their mates until Atticus saves Lissa's life after an accident. Interestingly enough all three women are friends and all three are great. All in all it was a good read. It is a fast read, it took me one day to get the stories read.

[Alba M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Es que ni siquiera se puede considerar una verdadera historia. Esto sobrepasa las historias cortas y rápidas... para pasar el tiempo? Puede pero no sé yo...

[Debrac2014 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short story about Atticus, a vampire, saving Lisa from a bus crash and discovering she was his One and only.

[The BookChick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series re-read

I read Bianca's Brothers in Arms series years ago and had a moment of nostalgia today and wanted to do a re-read. It stood the test of time and is still very much a favorite series.

[Cruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of sex. And then some more sex. InstaLove and still more sex. Some spanking with the sex. And mind melding sex (to prove she likes it). Plus vampires. And a doormat heroine.

It's fine.

But nothing special.

[Sydney M Neblett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweeter than wine

These bloodletters are unlike any you have seen before. Vampire is not a word one uses in civilized company, or so the characters would have you believe. And with such enchanting characters how can we do anything other than be civilized. This was such a wonderful story. It was sweet and gentle with just that little bit of edginess to keep the story moving. I really enjoyed how the author gave us little hints into future books and I can’t wait to read them.

[Shantal (VERIFED BOOK LOVER) · Rating 2 out of 5]

so much potential but the writing was mediocre to my taste and also the plot was simply too rushed . Sooo many questions left unanswered . their was basically no real climax , it just went like POOF . sigh

[GuisBell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro para pasar un buen rato.

[Theresa Bischoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

INTERESTING, DIFFERENT TAKE ON THE VAMPIRE STORY. I LIKED IT.

[Jitka · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5

[Mai · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't bad. I just felt instead of the plot that WAS used, the sharing mind would have made a stronger plot and been better for the length. I mean if the author were sowing the seeds for bringing back a super bad evil or some extreme hate group, she missed the mark. That bad guy at the end was so incompetent and disappointing.

I'm not going to comment on the instant sex with a stranger cause erotica and that's just how the genre is. HOWEVER regardless of how hot and good at sex Atticus is, if I was Lissa I still would have freaked about the vampire thing and DEFINITELY the mind sharing thing. Yeah she might be psychic but when what you know most of your life is vampire=blood=I'm food, that's a prejudice that's hard to break. Throw in the "I know your every thought and you know mine" and any girl would need time to get use to that.

The relationship was super fast. Lissa moved in with Atticus within a day and was already planning her wedding. I didn't like the insta-love plot because it felt fake, especially with the dialogue. OMG the dialogue was so corny. It was just too much. It's the main reason why I felt the story would have been better if it centered around Atticus trying to convince Lissa she was his One by sweet talking to her mentally. I mean wouldn't that have been sweet? It might be cliché but I think it would have work better.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My true rating is 3.7 stars.

Although I've previously read works by this author, it's been a while, and I'm resuming where I stopped. Despite its brevity, the story features well-crafted characters in their world.

Atticus, a vampire on the edge, is ready to greet the dawn and end his immortal existence, until... he senses the weak pulse of a woman in peril. A woman who might be his fated mate. Her rescue gives him a purpose to persist, but will fate permit them a lasting bond?

The narrative incorporates all the quintessential romance tropes, yet I find it enjoyable nonetheless. The characters and plot are engaging, even without a detailed explanation for the unfolding events. The text has several spelling and grammatical mistakes, yet they are easily self-corrected while reading. The audio version's drawback is its computer-generated voice, which replicates the errors verbatim, but it's still quite satisfactory overall. Ultimately, I found pleasure in the story, and despite the swift romance, it's a rewarding read.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Téma knihy je přesně dle mého vkusu, bohužel nejsem z knihy nadšená... Knize velmi uškodil krátký rozsah díky kterému byla kniha uspěchaná. Neviděla jsem žádný vývoj postav nebo děje samotného = vše bylo vyřešeno hned, nebyli zde žádné problémy ať už ve vztahu nebo kdekoliv jinde. Mám z této knihy dojem spíše pohádky nebo první kniha začínajícího autora, který teprve objevuje svůj talent, také se musím přiznat že jsem chvilku měla dojem že čtu amatérskou tvorbu z různých fan stránek..
Dávám knize 4 hvězdy a to jen díky tématu, který mě bavil, jelikož vždy ráda prozkoumám nové "světy" kde je romantika s nadpřirozenem (upíři, vlkodlaci,....)

[jackie h. mcallister · Rating 5 out of 5]

One and Only

I m reading this series again after the current books by this author had a cameo of Atticus. They are as wonderful now, as r they were then. They are actually better because now I am marathon reading the series and don't Ned to wit for the next installment.
Absolutely marvelous!!!!!!

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immortals, magic, adventure and love

A timeless weave of danger, immortals, magic, and romance. The mid of old world and modern to build a unique story line and paranormal world that you will wish to visit again and again.

[Flip · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very simplistic story/plot. Almost no logic in actions of bad guy.
Way too soon skipping to sex (a little bit of a build up would have helped).
Character development? Story is way too short and abrupt to have something like that.

[Lynxie]

DNF @ 20%.

Too much repetition and appallingly bad writing. The eyerolling was almost enough to drive me mad.

By the time I’d read he still needed to heal her despite how delicious she tasted 15 times I’d decided I’d had enough.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gusto ... Me gusto bastante

[Deja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Read

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

How did I miss this series? I usually don’t go for books that have a “happy for now” ending, but I’m not going to be able to resist getting the rest of this series!

[Debbie W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ 📚 👍. 💕💕💕

[Fran Alsaud · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lectura corta para entretener por un rato.

[Tracie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only the One will save you!!

Atticus Maxwell has been alive longer than any person should be and if he could have anything after all his time here it would be to find his One. Over the centuries Atticus has reinvented himself many times but it is getting harder as the years pass without finding his mate, the one person who could once again bring meaning to his life and share in his eternity.

Lissa Adams is at a crossroad. She has just lost her job due to company downsizing so has decided to attend a Professional Conference to get her networking and hopefully help her with her career.

When Lissa nears the shuttle to take her to the conference she senses danger but she also senses something much different and then she sees him. Pushing away the danger Lissa boards the shuttle more intrigued by the man captivating her vision than the danger her physic is telling her to heed. The shuttle had been a last minute decision for Atticus but now he is aboard he is distracted by the strange noise coming from the engine that is until he stepped on the mysterious woman who had invaded his thoughts. Atticus and Lissa boarded the shuttle not knowing each other but fate will make sure they realise they were both there for a reason and now their lives will be entwined forever.

I enjoyed the first instalment to this series by Bianca D'arc. One and Only is a novella length book and contains all of the foundations for the start of a great series.

Reviewing with Book Monster Reviews

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow. This was bad.

I didn't have a problem with the concept.
I think what I had a problem with was main twofold.
Someone else pointed out that the dialogue was just atrocious, and very soap opera-ish. Oh my gods was it ever.
It urked me literally the entire time I was reading it, which worries me as I've not read any of the author's other works.

And secondly, the speed of things. There was no actual development at all of any kind.
I didn't quite understand why the speed was so necessary, especially after the 'drama' situation was over.
There is nothing wrong with a whirlwind romance, but I didn't see why they needed to get married right away. They made a point that secrecy was needed and not to draw attention to the vampires at all.

Um, I'm sorry, but when someone acts out of character and literally tells her friends that she is going to marry a man that she only met like 3 days before, that is going to make people question things.

The plot was quite lacking, though it had potential.
I wasn't expecting much from a 70 page novella, but it would have been nice to have a bit more substance and polish to it all. (Though with how much the dialogue and twee-ness of it all bothered me, I couldn't imagine slogging my way through 270 pages of it, so I guess it's all well and good that it was as light and short as it was.)

I rarely give 1 stars. I generally give an author the benefit of the doubt almost a little too much at times.. but this was just... ugh. I don't know if I'll bother with the follow up novellas at all.

[Barb Caruso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and have read it many times since I got it over a year ago. Ms. D'Arc presented a world which vampires are not as over the top as they are depicted by some other authors. The society which these vampires congregate is more from the perspective of a regular person, they just have lived longer. Their relationships are more instantaneous and more intense in the love they share but they live very low keyed in how they counteract with everyone they meet or come across. One of the fun things about her version of vampires is how they recognize their mates. When you read the book you'll understand that there really is no if's or maybe's when they find their mates that's it. I loved how heartwarming it was when they realized one another and the impact it had on them. The story line holds your attention but it's the connection that keeps me returning. I guess it's the girly fantasy of what commitment should be between two people that love one another, or at least it's what most of us fantasize about the idea of soul mates are. That's what this book introduces from this series.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really quite bizarre. My initial thoughts went straight to how reminiscent of Christine Feehan's earlier books in her Carpathian series it is. But that generalised feeling is soon taken over by the abrupt story changes and next to non existent build up in the romantic aspects.
Lissa wakes up to find herself naked in the presence of a strange man and barely blinks an eyelid, she almost immediately consents to having sex with him which is followed immediately by instalove and an even more out of place left turn straight into kinksville.
Novellas, due to their length or more specifically the lack of it are often a little hit and miss. This story runs so fast through what should be important character and relationship building storyline features that it is more miss than hit for me. All of which is a shame, because taken individually and given a little more lead up and time to develop those same features would have made a good story.
So, sexy romp but overall too fast and underdeveloped for my tastes - perhaps the full length novels will be better?

[Stephanie Duncan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is very well written, the author has promise.

HOWEVER

the plot is absolutely terrible !!!!

Lissa loses her job and is on her way to a conference, in transit, the bus goes off the road and takes a tumble down a ravine, the hero in the story, Atticus then decides to save her, the takes her off to a cave and undresses her whereupon he then drinks her blood to gain strength.
Lissa wakes up and he then drinks her blood again and she loves it so much she has an orgasm. right there i lose absolute interest in the story, it's insta love, no woman in her right mind would allow a stranger to undress her, take liberties with her body (in a bloody cave) and then decides she's in love with him all in the space of 24 hours (which most of that time she was asleep)

the villan in the story is some nameless mage that "felt her power" and decided she is evil and must die ... hence the bus going over a cliff (rolls eyes)

this book has a lot of promise, however, the characters need MORE, the plot needs MORE. this is something a teenager would write and think fantastic.

[Fairyblood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Atticus was an ancient vampire. Living a recluse life as the owner of the most prestigious winery. Lissa is looking to network her way into finding for a job at a conference. Both find themselves on a shuttle heading up the mountain. When the shuttle mysteriously skids off the road overturning down a hill, they find they are the only ones that have survived. It has been a long and lonely life for Atticus, and he almost welcomes the end but for the pull to make sure that the young woman is safe.

Too much to hope for, has Atticus found the One?

If you're looking for more sex than plot in a vampire story, this is your book. I have to admit it was a bit too fluffy for my taste with the profession of love being thrown out there within the first two chapters. There is more of a plot later in the story which was enjoyable. I did find Atticus to be a very sexy character and a delight to read.