Vampires Don't Babysit

Vampire Mythicals #1

by Candice Gilmer

Surviving should have been enough. It wasn't.

Vampire Mythicals, Book 1

Jake Reynolds and his fellow vampires survived the slaughter of their master, Melios, at the hands of the Immortal Knights Templar.

Call it luck. Call it fate. Call it whatever the hell you want.

Jake just knows that he should have been dead—another pile of sooty ash on the ground. Now he must find his place in the mythical world—vampires aren’t all that’s out there.

Even his doctor is a super-hot werewolf. He’s not even sure if he should find her sexy, but he does. And he wants to see if wolves and vamps are compatible.

In all the ways.

But the world’s a chaotic mess, and he’s been tasked to help fix it. Penance for previous crimes. They do what they’re told, and go where they have to, learning to live without being monsters among men. And kick ass, occasionally, in the name of Jackstone Foundation.

But when The Kid—Melios’s pet—needs help, Jake will not leave her out in the cold. She fed him too many times on the sly to leave her hanging now.

Mythicals are coming for her. And it’s up to Jake to keep her safe.

But what can one lone vampire do against an army and an ancient bloodline?


*A spin-off series from the Mythical Knights Series

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Vampires

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2022

About the author

USA Today and NY Times bestselling author Candice Gilmer leads a dangerous double life as a mommy and a writer. In between boo-boo healing and fixing broken toys, she writes stories usually to the tune of children's television shows.

Growing up in the Midwest, Candice stays close to her family, especially the ones with basements when the tornadoes come around.

All in all, she stays very busy, but really, she wouldn't have it any other way.

Well, maybe a little less children's television.

Website: Candicegilmer.com

Reviews

[Elizabeth McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting and exciting read about different supernaturals including the Templar knights. Megan was a doctor and a shifter wolf. Jake was a vampire. She tried to resist their pull to each other. He was charged to protect a young girl but things weren’t as they seemed. Good read

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Myst]

The Mythical Knights world by Candice Gilmer has always been enjoyable. This book is no different! Can not wait for more!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Knight's Templar don't take prisoners, but for some reason these six vampires have been saved. Now they are awaking from the coma they've been in since their maker Melios was killed. They are 'young' vampires but they were once military and part of Melios' army.

Now they are starting to wake and it's time to see if they can live. They are being kept in a facility run by the Jackstone Foundation that helps humans who have been hurt by mysticals and help mysticals relocate or needing medical assistance. The Vampires are another story a chaos ensues.

Two of the waking vampires had run as soon as they woke, Travis Collins and Joanie Alekhine had always done everything together. As Jake Reynolds wakes there's a lot more commotion, he sees the others that had been under his command with him in the room. Issac Malcolm, Edward Thompson, and Deke Smith. It was Deke causing the ruckus and Jake couldn't seem to get him to listen before he bit the nurse who had been tending them.

Now there was someone else Melios held as a pet, a teenage girl. She often snuck to feed these young vampires when Melios would rather starve them. It's this young woman that the Knights Templar are now trying to protect and being overwhelmed by vampires at every turn.

In the meantime as Eve works with the 5 remaining vampires, Jake and the werewolf doctor Megan seem to have an attraction. She also starts visiting him in her wolf form which leads to some very interesting scenes.

When Richard a Knight Templar shows up wanted Eve to watch over the kid, Jake recognizes her and volunteers to help. Kid or Child, no name, but Jake and his team know her well.

This book heats up with plenty of action as this take with the Child unfolds and the romance between Megan and Jake, sizzles off the pages.

I absolutely need to continue this series.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 1st read and review for this author and wow what a fantastic story I loved it. The Knights Templar all but killed 6 young vampires who are now in a coma now that their maker Melios is dead they shouldn’t be under his thrall anymore, the last 6 vampires were a part of Melios’s army and Megan who is a wolf shifter and doctor look after them in the Jackstone Foundation. When Jake and the other vampires wake chaos ensues and what’s this about a child Melios used as a pet she fed the vampires when Melios starved them and Jake remembers her because she fed him too. I loved this story there’s plenty of action, suspense, danger, mystery, intrigue, passion and so much more to keep you entertained and turning the pages and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - quit at 15%
This was all over the place, I couldn’t keep up with who was even the main characters, with so many “sort” of introduced so quickly (we get names & job titles, which side they seem to be on, or what species of “mystical” they are, but no other “real” background to form connections). It also jumps time going 6 weeks later, no real feel for who all the characters are to the story. Just lost my interest since I couldn’t keep up or even form a “like” for ANY of them. Deleting this from my Kindle.

At my age (61), life is way too short & my time is too important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.

[Kathy Wortham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six soldiers made vampire, just another battle

Somewhere in a hidden facility six combat trained vampires are in a type of coma. Their prior lives as military and swat team members made them valuable to their sire. Now that he's dead they are going to be asked to change allegiances. Betrayal comes from where they least expect it. A different story line with some interesting characters. Short with a bit of a cliffhanger.

[Stephanie Bolen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a quick read

The world building is awful. Avalon, Immortal Knights Templar, and a charity to help mythicals. The story of a vampire boy falling in love with a werewolf girl is cute. I liked that her wolf sought him out. The remembering in bits and pieces seems like an unnecessary hindrance. And the fact that all mythicals turn to ash upon death is weird. Good palate cleanser but don't think about it too hard that way lay madness.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast moving story that has an amazing plotline. I had a hard time putting this book down. This is an exciting and well written story. This has plenty of action, adventure, intrigue, danger, romance and passion. This is a fantastic read!!!

I am voluntarily leaving a honest, unbiased review.

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start for a supernatural series about six vampires that had been in a coma and what happens now that they have awoken. I couldn't put it down and the mix of Megan, a werewolf, and Jake, a vampire, together was a good one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Silke K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becoming a vampire isn't a cake walk

Doing what your told, military orders or not; they need to be followed. Having a fight on there hands in nothing new, but now waking up in an all white room; was different. It seems only a handful survived. What's to happen next will either strengthen our divide them.

[Amanda Bhear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it! I don't have the time do a deep review. I just can say when I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down. I was always wanting to know what was going to happen next. It seems like there is always another clan with a plan waiting to come out of the shadows to take over, you just never know when!

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whatever you want, Doc." - When a vampire patient meets his werewolf doctor....

I liked the idea of ​​the Jackstone Foundation. The story is short, but well thought out. Unfortunately, the romantic part comes a bit to short. Nevertheless, this story makes you want to read more in this book series.

[Sara Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written vampire story with great characters and a good story. I cannot wait to read more from this Author

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic paranormal romance! I really liked it! It is very unique and creative, exciting and interesting..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book one of the Vampire Mythicals series a well written paranormal romance story. I enjoyed reading and will be looking for the next book in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather Bane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. I enjoyed the storyline and it held my interest throughout. The characters are well written and developed. I would recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great paranormal romance and I loved how it played out. The characters were great and the story had interesting twists and turns. I loved it and I would recommend it to others!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced read

Awesome vampires. I love their dynamics between the team members. Jake is sexy as hell and Megan is kick ass. But don't forget Eve, not sure where my loyalties lie with her. I can't wait to read the next installment.

[Lizzy Muller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your typical vampire werewolf book

Not your typical vampire werewolf book. It did take me a little bit to get into reading it but I did enjoy it. I would recommend reading this book and I will start the next one

[Dawn Ireland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t think it’s well thought out

I really tried to like this story, but with all the typos and the questionable things happening, I couldn’t give it any better score. 3 stars was generous. Needs better character development, plotting, and dialogue.

[Denise Doughten · Rating 5 out of 5]

great supernatural romance

This was a very interesting story. Love the vampire and werewolf romance. Lots of fun characters. Highly recommend read for paranormal lovers

[Sn8wflake · Rating 3 out of 5]

urban

So just wanted more details, i felt out of the loop. There is a very quick romance. It is set up for a sequel

[Lisa McDermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This was a fast pace reading book. The character and the plot was good. I would recommend this book for everyone.

[Stella Shahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

This is a good yet different vampire story with great characters great action funny quips and suspenseful scenes. I love it.

[Shawna Sears · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vampires Don't Babysit wasn't quite what I expected. There was a smidge of babysitting involved, but mostly what pleasantly surprised me was how well the book balanced the serious with a bit of lighthearted humor. There was also a very strong thread of camaraderie. The book is written in first person perspective from multiple people.

Jake and his misfit band of ex-military vampires got a pretty raw deal with the whole 'immortal and all powerful' shtick they got fed. Definitely didn't end up being what any of them really expected or wanted. They finally catch a lucky break and end up with a second chance after their less than moral master is dusted. This series is about their adventures post humanity.

Megan is a great character to start us off with in that she's a good link to the paranormal world as well as being a sympathetic doctor. Her relationship with Jake takes it's time in manifesting, but it felt like a fitting amount of time. Some of her adventures in her wolf form are quite fun.

This book really felt like the groundwork book, and I think that's exactly what it was meant to be. We set the stage, meet our unique and somewhat quirky (I'm looking at you, Eve) cast of characters, and build our hopes for their futures from there. It's clear there will be challenges, but the team has real hope for their future and this reader at least has hope for their future mates.

If you enjoy a large helping of paranormal creatures, second chances at life, sweet meant to be romances, a tad bit of steam, and a healthy dose of team work and the snark that goes with, this is a good book for you.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There is a moment, in every man’s life, where he must evaluate his choices.” This is not only true of those choices from the past, but the ones made going forward as well. Former Sergeant First Class Jake Reynolds had a lot to think about.

Alarms sounded, warning the Immortal Knights Templar of an incoming attack. They had previously slaughtered Master Melios and his vampires at Jackstone, but a few of the vampires had survived. The attack now was most likely to retrieve “The Kid”, a young female. However, she looked out the window and did not recognize any of them, so they were not the ones from Jackstone. One of them shot out the ultraviolent black lights that had been keeping them back from the porch, and they rushed at the door and windows. Richard sent the kid to the safe room while he and Adrian battled the horde pushing inside.

Dr. Megan Criger, a werewolf, worked at the hospital in the basement of the Jackstone Foundation. She found it ironic that the CEO co-owner of the Jackstone Foundation, James Henrick, was a vampire who tried to disguise his scent. Sometimes she approved of the work they did here; other times, she looked at it with disgust because she knew what was really going on. She had 6 vampire patients that had been left alive by the Immortal Knights Templar and she had no idea why they had done that and killed all of the others. All were in a coma and she wasn’t sure if any would ever wake up. Melios had been very talented with mind control and they were not sure what he may have done to them. But it didn’t look like any would awaken. When their master dies, vampire minds are normally released from the control. Their brainwaves were still firing but were very different and not at all typical.

When James told Megan he had been there at the slaughter, and told her more about Melios, she finally asked him what he was up to with these survivors. His smile, and admission that he could do nothing while they remained in comas, had her hackles rising. The nurse, Amy, interrupted their discussion as she went in to care for the patients. Finally James told her he wanted to save those vampires and give them the chance to live in the real world. She saw genuine sorrow in his expression and understood.

As Amy continued caring for the vampires, the monitors suddenly started flashing as their brain readings surged! Amy stepped back as all of them woke at once! The largest grabbed her by the throat. The door flew off as two came toward Megan and James called for security to seal off the basement to prevent their escape! What will happen now? Are the six military vampires on a mission implanted in their brains by Melios? Can the hospital contain them? And what is happening to the Immortal Knights Templar and “The Kid”?

Things are quickly happening as the vampires awaken! The author’s description of what is going through Jake’s mind is amazing! I think the reader will enjoy the excitement and mystery of this story line as it begins to race toward something we can feel but not imagine! Keeping the reader in the dark has made a perfect environment to experience the chaos and shivers! Grab your copy and be part of the excitement!

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.