Piper has enough masters in her life. She sure as hell didn't need to add a whole Vampire Council to the mix.
Unfortunately, Piper doesn't have much choice in the matter. With the leader of the Vampire Hunter's Guild has a vice grip on her life, there isn't much else for her to do but go along with his plan. Even if that plan involves taking out the head of the whole vampire organization.
With Durands still wanted for murder, Piper has to find a way to clear their names and finally be free to live their own lives. If she can stay alive long enough to succeed.
Erin Bedford is an otaku, recovering coffee addict, and Legend of Zelda fanatic. Her brain is so full of stories that need to be told that she must get them out or explode into a million screaming chibis. Obsessed with fairy tales and bad boys, she hasn’t found a story she can’t twist to match her deviant mind full of innuendos, snarky humor, and dream guys.
On the outside, she’s a work from home mom and bookbinger. One the inside, she’s a thirteen-year-old boy screaming to get out and tell you the pervy joke they found online. As an ex-computer programmer, she dreams of one day combining her love for writing and college credits to make the ultimate video game!
Until then, when she’s not writing, Erin is devouring as many books as possible on her quest to have the biggest book gut of all time. She’s written over thirty books, ranging from paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and even scifi romance.
Also, third person is really weird when writing about yourself. Just putting that out there.
This was an interesting installment in the series. We get to go back to the beginning everything is different and we get a crazy surprise. Plus, of course, a cliffhanger ending. But I think the next book is the last so I'm excited to see how it all get wrapped up.
What can I say? The saga continues. Piper and the boys are called before the vampire council to answer for recent activities. As a punishment, she has her memories temporarily taken away so she and the Durable can prove their relationship is sustainable and always meant to be. The council gives six months for Piper to fall in love with all of them. Vincent from the hunters wants to know the location of the council and is holding g Piper's freedom as dangling bait. What's a girl to do, especially when she doesn' t remember that vampires exist or anything that's happened before now?
Judged by the vampire is the eight book in the House of Durand series by Erin Bedfod.
Piper and her guys are waiting to passed in front of the Vampire Concils and of course that won't go without any trouble. Force to prove something to them something they didn't see coming will fall on them and they will need to go back in front of the concil before the end of their test.
I have really loved this one and can't wait to read the next one in the serie.
This is another fab addition to this series! Short but sweet Piper and her sexy men still have troubles and strife. It’s full on all the time, got twists and turns and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. Love the story, love the characters, now just waiting for the next instalment!
Odette was so cute...until she admitted to eating her mother. Caleb was a dick for what he did to Antoine. THE MEMORY WIPE ALWAYS TAKES ME OFF GUARD IN BOOKS FFS. Now I'm sad, and I just wanted to get through this book so I could almost finish the series *sigh* I FEEL SO BAD FOR DARREN; THIS IS KILLING ME. Also feel bad for Wynn. I just feel bad. The ending made me more uneasy what the actual fuck is going on.
Favourite quotes: "How can you stretch your love to cover them all? Is it not painful?" - “As far as ruining everything, what is the point of living forever if you must do it alone?” - I could undress myself. We both knew it. Sometimes it wasn’t about what one could do or couldn’t. It was about control. Giving up your control to someone else so you did not have to think for a moment. It was especially important when your mind and body was so full of emotion that you could not find an outlet for it. That was all this was. A release we both needed because where else would we get it? - “We’re both feeling the pressure right now. It’s hard to connect when you’re too focused on what you don’t have.” Wynn hummed and sipped his blood. “Do you ever think it’s easier as a human?” “What?” “Loving someone.” - “I’m telling you, you have to try french fries in ice cream. It will change your life.” (note to self) - I could barely go three days without having her in my arms. There was no way I could let her go without a fight. I needed her to look at me the way she was looking at Marcus right now. Like I was the one thing in life she wanted more than anything. I needed to know the smell and taste of her skin under my mouth once more. If I had to give her up, I wasn’t sure that I could go on. Eternity seemed like such a long time alone. - I smirked at her before backing her up against the nearest bookshelf to kiss her. Kissing Piper was like breathing air when I was alive. I didn’t need it. I had to have it. If Piper were the sun, then I would gladly stand in its rays and burn.
Funny notes: - A loud explosion came from the television. I jumped in my seat on the couch and the bowl of popcorn in my lap spilled over onto Darren who sat in front of me. “Excuse me,” Darren shot a pointed look back at me from where he painted my toenails a bright pink, “Am I to be your trash disposal as well as pedicurist?” - "Piper," Antoine warned, a hand on my arm, making me pause. "That's right, bitch," Morpheus laughed. "Heel." That was it. I launched myself out of Antoine's grasp and threw myself onto Morpheus, grabbing a handful of that long flowing hair he was so proud of. "Get off me, you blood whore." Morpheus howled before I bashed his head into the floor. "Fuck, get off. Antoine! Antoine!" "Shouldn't we stop her?" someone asked. (haha fuck no) - Rayne bobbed his head then turned back to Gretchen. “So? Crackers?” Gretchen placed her hands on both hips and arched a brow. “You know very well where they are. Why don’t you get them yourself?” Rayne groaned. “But you’re so much closer.”
Favourite scene: - A low growl beginning in my chest rolled out of my mouth and I had Wynn by the throat and across the room shoved up against the bookshelves causing several of the books to fall. My fangs bared inches away from Wynn's calm face. (drama here) "Do you think I hide myself for my benefit?" I hissed, shoving him against the shelf just a bit harder. "Do you think I am so heart hardened that I could not possibly love her?" "You tell me?" Wynn responded coolly. "I feel everything she feels. Every minute. Every breath. Her fear. Her anger. Every single piece of her being. How could I be anything but completely and totally enraptured by Piper? If it would mean she'd be safe, I would end my life in a second. I'd gladly turn back time and make her leave this house if it would mean she didn't have to bear any more pain and suffering by our hands."
Plot notes: - There's instructions in the safe. If I die. So will she. You must save her. Like I saved you. I blinked at Antoine. Not quite believing what he was saying. He wanted me to what now? Save Piper? The way he saved me? I didn't know if I could do that. It took a lot of power to change someone into a vampire. Something I never had a lot of. - “You claim that you would have fallen for each other regardless of all the events that have happened. We want you to prove it,” Tuma explained with a nod. I inched back from Caleb’s outstretched hand. “And how exactly am I supposed to do that?” “I’m going to erase your memories,” Caleb said plainly. (OH MY GOD I HATE WHEN BOOKS DO THIS.) - "You know this is completely nuts, right? The Piper of today is not the same one who came through those doors two years ago. How do you even know you'll get her to fall for you again? We'd be lucky if we could even get Wynn to get her, let alone the six of you." - Ok the memory wipe and then piper discovering she's pregnant and not knowing why ffs
Smut notes: - "Oh, pet," he whispered into my mouth. "I'm always offering." - Wynn tightened his grip on my waist. "I believe the lady has answered for me. However, you must praise a woman's body the way you would a goddess. For to treat her as anything less would make you less than worthy of her touch." Drake smirked at me. "And sometimes a lady just needs a good hard fuck." Everyone laughed until we hit the foyer where Antoine and Morpheus waited for us. - “I’m getting real concerned for you here,” I commented as I continued the hunt. “You seem to be losing clothing at an alarming rate. Should I just assume you mean to do so?” Piper’s voice came from close by, low and sultry. “Only if you mean to catch me.”
🩸 Reverse Harem 🩸 Vampire Romance 🩸 Urban Fantasy 🩸 Memory Loss Arc 🩸 Identity Reset Arc 🩸 Forced Proximity 🩸 Vampire Political Council 🩸 Vampire Hunters 🩸 High Stakes Action Romance 🩸 Amnesia Romance Trope 🩸 Unexpected Pregnancy 🩸 Cliffhanger
This installment takes the series in a direction I wasn’t expecting, but honestly ended up really enjoying for most of the ride. The memory wipe premise completely resets the board in a way that feels chaotic but intentional, forcing every relationship dynamic to rebuild from scratch while layering in even higher external stakes with the vampire council and hunter politics closing in.
What I continue to enjoy most about this series is how fast and external-conflict driven it is. It genuinely reads like a paranormal action series first, with romance threaded through it rather than centered. There’s always something happening, which keeps the pacing addictive and very “one more chapter” readable.
The reset dynamic was especially interesting because it finally created real pressure around the relationships. With Piper having no memories of the men, we get to see who can actually connect with her on a clean slate versus who relied heavily on history, proximity, or shared trauma. Darren, in particular, stands out as the most emotionally grounded connection, even if that also makes his situation the most painful in this arc.
That said, this is also where my biggest frustration comes in: just as the relationships start to rebuild in a meaningful way, the story introduces another major twist that completely shifts the trajectory again. It’s bold, and it definitely raises the stakes, but it also interrupts a lot of the emotional development I was finally getting invested in.
The pregnancy reveal was unexpected. I’m neutral on the direction itself, but it did feel like it pulled focus away from continued relationship rebuilding at a point where that was finally starting to feel like the payoff.
Overall, I still really enjoy the series. It’s addictive, fast-paced, and very clearly building toward a larger convergence where everything collides. But this installment especially leans into the “constant escalation” style, which is both its biggest strength and its biggest limitation when it comes to emotional payoff between Piper and her guys.
Piper would love to just be able to live in peace with her men without the involvement of hunters or the vampire council. None of the house of Durand have a choice but to play along with both sides. In order to protect her men, Piper is meant to be helping Vincent with the location of the council so they can be wiped out. The council themselves wish to punish the Durand's for their apparent betrayal but their sick amusement will complicate matters further. Alistair is still wanted for a murder he didn't commit and they must toe the line if they want to survive.
I have loved this series as if it was a baby of my own creation with its constant drama, emotion, pure love, action, humor and pleasure. The author is actually one I would place on a pedestal above all others. From the start I have adored these characters and their strength in the face of danger. I can't help but laugh out loud at the banter and attitude especially where Piper is involved... Her personality is more than your typical heroine. She displays a deep desire for each of the Durand's and I have lived this journey with them. There are moments to break and melt your heart plus those that will kindle a fire deep inside. I shall never grow tired of these books with their shocks, twists, surprises and unforeseen plot points. This author is an absolute grandmaster of paranormal romance and takes this literary genius to the next level. My heart lies with the characters as each seem to own a piece of it. The pure excitement from reading a Erin Bedford creation is off the scale and I loved the continuity within this book. With her memories repressed we see a different side to the one character who isn't as clear as the others... Marcus has his chance but ultimately his love for the real Piper prevents him. This way of writing always manages to awaken my mind's eye and I can see the action as it unfolds... It is rare for that to happen in my experience as a bookworm. I shall hold on with great struggle for the next offering in this talented and exceptional series. A true gem with the brightest gleam which nestles in with costume jewelry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3 1/2 stars This is book eight of the House of Durand and Piper is in even more danger than ever before, as the Hunters are using her as a killer, awaiting the Durand brother’s revelation of the location of the Vampire Council. Allister is still on the hook for a murder he didn’t commit and they are awaiting a summons by the Council leaders and are fearful of it and what it might involve. Vincent, the Vampire Hunter Guild’s leader, has a hold on her life and her men won’t be allowed to be free from being hunted, until they provide what he wants. They have captured Morpheus, or could be said to be keeping him under guard, until they appear in front of the Vampire Council, but he is not an easy house guest and gives Gretchen a hard time, until Piper puts a stop to him doing so. Their call to see the Vampire Council is not held anywhere they might have expected, and is made up of a very weird combination of vampires. Some very ancient and powerful vampires! These ancient immortals are bored with life amongst humans and decide to play a game with the Durands and Piper. Piper can’t be left alone by either side to just live her life with all of her men in peace, and the Council can’t see to get their heads around how all of them could have fallen in love with her and Piper love all of them, all at the same time! They make a game out of the punishment for the Durands and use Piper to test them, but nothing works out quite as it should. This punishment drives Darren and all of the Durands crazy, as Piper is not herself after what one of the Council did to her as part of their test, but Vincent turning up and insisting on seeing her and a visit to her doctor, both throw up a curve ball and place Piper in an impossible position and her men are helpless to stop it! A short story that takes most of the action back to when they all first met, but doesn’t really get them any further out of the clutches of either the Hunters or the Council. I hope the next book will have more of a conclusion to the tale. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
The council has summoned the Durands, although somehow Darren manages to skate. The council consists of three powerful vampires. Who appointed them? When did the child get turned and what qualifies her to be a member?
The Durands are sanctioned for allowing Piper to work for the vampire hunters, despite the reasoning behind it. The council members refuse to believe that the six vampires and Piper can love one another. Therefore, their punishment is a test to verify if this is real. One of them suppresses all of Piper’s memories concerning her feelings for the men and she will have a do-over as if she had just been hired by them. The vampires have six months to make her fall in love with them again.
An unexpected plot twist causes them to return to the council to have Piper’s memories restored. She now has to live under the council’s constant scrutiny. Tuma swears an extremely shady blood oath - “...none of the council members or any of our own will harm your child or the child’s mother until after she has been placed back into your protection.” Essentially he’s promising they won’t hurt Piper until after she’s rejoined her vampires. Also note it just says “she,” not both her and the baby.
Vincent, the vampire hunter leader, is suspicious that Piper isn’t available to see him when he visits. He’s also pissed when he’s told that the council’s whereabouts haven’t been discovered.
I’m still vague on who set Allister up as the fall guy for the women’s murders. For what purpose? The council doesn’t need a reason to force them to appear. Someone had gone to the trouble of altering the club’s camera footage so it couldn’t be determined what time he left after each visit.
If I remember correctly, Vincent told Piper that he had hidden cameras installed in the mansion. No mention is made of the vampires removing them. How can they feel secure discussing their plans to annihilate both the council and hunters? At some point they bring in a ringer to make Vincent believe that Piper is still living there so they are taking advantage of his monitoring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The vampire council is now supporting the Durands, along with the vampire hunters. Stuck between the two organizations, Piper is anxious for freedom for herself and her men.
Trigger Warning~ Blood, violence, explicit content, and death.
The plot of this entire book was very surprising and unexpected! I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was so much better! I loved seeing Piper become extremely angry with Morpheus, while everyone except Antoine kept encouraging her to satisfy her bloodlust.
The council was surprising; they were almost similar to the ones from the Twilight series, except this council wasn't as evil as them. I mean, they were evil, but the ones in the Twilight series are way worse.
And the punishment they gave? God, that was kind of cruel. We are nothing without our memories, and things happen for a reason. So, them demanding a reality TV show-like drama from the Durand's lives was crazy.
Thankfully, that was cut short due to another complication.
I thoroughly enjoyed this rollercoaster of emotions in this book.
I am fully invested in the story, in the series, and cannot wait to see what happens in the final book. If you like a why choose, vampire romance with a sassy heroine and infuriatingly likable heroes, then do read the series. It is not a standalone, so you would have to start from the first book - Indebted to the Vampires.
4.5 stars Piper's back - funny, tough as ever, and surprising twists
POV: multiple HUMOR: yes F BOMBS: yes CLIFFHANGER: yes NEW AUTHOR FOR ME: no POSSIBLE TRIGGERS: gory, m/m theme, creepy undead girl who ate an adult
Because of the past two books, I almost didn't read this one. Boy am I glad I did!
Looks like this series is expanding, another book coming out 8/2022 so the series has 9 books now (maybe more?).
This is book 8 of 9 in this ongoing series about Piper, who used to be a clumsy human maid for the Durand brothers (vampires) and is now their precious human lover.
CONS: It's taken so long for this book to be released that I've already forgotten some of the secondary characters. There was mention of one and I couldn't remember who he was.
Also, I've always seen Antoine as being the head of the Durands and therefore expected more alpha-ness from him but it wasn't really there in this book.
There were a couple of twists I didn't see coming - which was really cool and more of a PRO - but one of them could've elicited more emotions and angst from the Durands, and accordingly the readers, but I never felt it got to that level - it just had such potential to be more.
PROS: The past two books were just not as funny nor Piper-style spunky. I felt that the author brought it back in this one - so yay!
I enjoyed that she spent more romantic time with one of the less "screen-time" brothers.
Although this one didn't have many steamy moments, there were only two and both of them were incomplete, I did enjoy how the story turned out. I only wish I didn't have to wait another year to find out what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sooooo, this went to 3 stars because of a few things that happened that would be major spoilers so let’s see how much I can avoid. Piper is in a good place with the Durand’s, things with Marcus haven’t moved much further but overall everything is good. The council does call them in early on in the book, but their decision and actions are all spoilers. I found some of what happens next to be a bit much with the plot holes for me and had a hard time with suspension of disbelief. I enjoyed the storyline with Marcus, felt bad for Darren for most of the book, and am wondering if he and Antoine can would be able to have a relationship anymore if Piper weren’t there or if she’s changed things too much for that. Wynn still comes out as the sweetest but also a bonehead. I would almost suggest rereading the series before this, because it makes a mention of Rayne never talking to her before but it’s been so long that I don’t remember that at all. The Durand’s and Piper are such a team and have been that I don’t remember a time when someone other than Marcus didn’t talk to her(not counting Allister in the last book once)
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
So far along Piper's journey, there isn't much left to completely surprise the reader, yet there were quite some turns in this book that achieved it. Called in front of the Vampire Council, the Durands and Piper have to face a punishment designed by the council members - and what a punishment they get. The council, bored by their immortality, gets curious about the relationship between Piper and her men, and removes her memories to put them through a test; only to be forced to unexpectedly change the decision. In the meanwhile, Vincent does not like to wait.. Another fast read in the series, with swiftly developing plot and some interesting developments in the relationships area. Piper is back to her old self we met in book one, yet different, as even the memory loss cannot erase the experience and "muscle memory". I quite enjoyed the development between Piper and Marcus in this book, and am curious how will Piper fare under the new conditions.
I couldn't put this book down and finished it in less than 12 hours. My heart went every where with this book. These characters - All of the Durands, Piper, Gretchen - all of them have become one to my heart. My heart ached for them, cried out in joy for them. Was angry for them.
Piper continues to surprise and impress me. Her love of her family shows as she continues to put them before herself. While she tries to do what is best, she is also trying not to loose herself.
3 new characters are introduced. I totally thought one was going to loose his head in one scene!
Then, there is one scene with Marcus that totally melted my heart. Love him even more now.
I wish we didn't have to wait for the next book. I HAVE TO KNOW what happens next. The big revelation towards to end of the book - game changer!
Piper and her men are caught between the rock and a hard place. On one hand, Piper and company are being pressured by the vampire hunters to reveal where the vampire council can be found. On the other, the group is scheduled to appear before the council for judgement for the recent events. Then 2 surprises appear with major effects on Piper and her men and the pressure is on.
This entry in the Durand Vampires has a few surprises up its sleeve. Things are becoming more and more complicated. This one seemed a bit rushed; something I’ve not felt in earlier books.
The series continues to be entertaining. This entry seems to be transitional and setting up for the next phase or the finale for this series of adventures and set up for the next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
So much chaos. Memories wiped only to have memories back, what was the reason?! This gave me major Twilight, meeting the Voltari vibes. There's so much going on now, and with Pipers "revelation" I'm glad the lack of memories is no longer a factor. That would have just put everything into a soap opera style bubble that would have just been too much chaos. There seems to be a lot to wrap up here with one book left, and I'm not sure how it's all going to be pulled together, but I'm looking forward to it. This series is not a literary masterpiece, but dammit I do find myself entertained. And I've really grown to like the characters. So at the end of the day I'd call that a win.
I love this RH/PNR of hot and handsome vampires and Piper & Darren human slaves-lovers. They get into some serious craziness at every turn, either fighting past masters, vampire hunters, or the vampire council. This one dropped a bomb shell of crazy and twists I did not see coming. Loved every minute of it and can not wait to continue the serious…cause the ending was super suspenseful. If you have not read this series, I recommend it. 18+ 4/Stars & mild spice in this one.
Another fantastic book in the House of Durand series.
Short and sweet! With yet another obstacle thrown in Piper's path, she not only have to deal with the leader of the Vampire Hunter's Guild, but also the Vampire Council. Piper has to learn how to juggle how to deal with both and still figure out how to clear her men's name of murder.
A lot of drama, twist and turn. But you still get some hot action. I enjoyed reading this series very much and can't wait to see what's next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It still comes as a shock when I read Piper's character right now. She changed when the Durand vampires abandoned her and Darren in a previous book and it strikes home the difference in this book how different she is from the maid she was in the past. Doesn't make me love the character any less, just different. The guys I love as much as always and always crave more. I cackled, purred and read with rapt attention and cannot wait for the next one
Judged by the Vampires - book 8 in this series and things get turned on their head for Piper and the Durands. When the Vampire Council start to involve themselves in their lives they stir up complications for all of them. It definitely a twist you don't see coming but one that keeps you on your toes and damn that ending was knockout!! I'm dying for the next book now. I'm loving this series so much. A cracking read
Puper and the Durands are back, with more universal trouble than anyone is meant to handle. Things just go from bad to worse to bad again, and everyone, except the Council members are reeling. And they are a weird bunch indeed, intent on punishing the Durands. So, just when you thought it was all right to go out into the night…you can’t. I need to see how this is going to unfold!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Piper and the guys are back in Book eight of the House of Durand series and this book picks up where book seven left off. Piper and the guys have been through a lot in this action packed series. From the unexpected twists to the great storyline this is a great addition to the series. The writing is great, the characters are well developed and I cant' wait to read the next book in this series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
I have not read all of the books in the series but Erin Bedford is one of my favorite authors and this book is short and sweet, also well worth reading. It follows the storyline of the series keeping the reader glued to the pages. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I will definitely go back and read the ones I missed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another 5 star installment of the House of Durand. At first I was like what the AF is Erin Bedford doing to me why must she torture "us" the readers? Then I'm all about it, I'm all in again. Piper is a fun character and you never know what shenia going to say or do. I love this series!!
I couldn't help but read this one in a day because it went too fast and I was really enjoying myself. I'm still in love with Piper and all the Durands. She's still taking one for the team but its a shame she's suffering to keep them all safe. Not liking that she had to loose her memory as a punishment. But I really loved this one! I so can't wait for more!
Nothing should surprise me anymore with Piper and her Durand family, but this plot twist was unexpected! I love the direction this is going in, but I’m not sure I can stand so much suspense! Please hurry with the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a short and sweet continuation of the House of Durand series. The author does a fantastic job keeping you glued to the pages right to the end and still leaves you with wanting more. I'm looking forward to the next book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
This installment in the series was a shorter read. There were a few twists in the storyline. Piper and her men are still "hot" together...but. After eight books in the series, some of the excitement has dulled.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.