Blood Kiss

Sanguis Syndicate #1

by Christa Tomlinson

Passion burns slow, sweet, and hot between a ruthless vampire and a human mob prince.

Everett – powerful vampire and ruthless crime lord. He doesn’t have time for relationships and has zero interest in taking care of a human in exchange for their blood. Then, one night, he attends an auction where humans are sold as blood pets to wealthy vampires. The moment a young redhead steps on to the stage, Everett is instantly attracted to his beauty. Money is no object and he’ll pay any amount to possess the gorgeous human. And once Everett has Solan alone in his mansion, he plans to woo him, charm him, and finally, seduce him into his bed.

Solan – spoiled and playful prince of the Kane mob family. He entered the blood pet auction as a lark. But things quickly turn serious when he meets the glowing blue gaze of the tall, stern vampire who purchased him. Solan fights his attraction to Everett, determined to complete his contract without any physical or emotional entanglements to his new patron. However, the sensual intimacy of sharing his blood with Everett, of feeling his fangs pierce his neck, makes it near impossible to resist the devastatingly handsome and seductive vampire.

Bound together by a contract, passion slowly begins to burn between the vampire and his pet. But with each sweet caress and every heated kiss, Everett realizes that he feels much more for his pretty human than simple desire. His heart enthralled, he becomes determined to do whatever it takes to make Solan his mate. Will Solan return Everett’s love or will he leave the vampire behind forever once their contract comes to an end?

Blood Kiss is an M/M vampire romance. It has a spoiled but loving mob prince, the stern vampire who adores him, blood drinking hot enough to melt your e-readers, and a guaranteed Happily Ever After.

♥Paranormal Romance

♥Vampires

♥Organized Crime

Genres: M M Romance, Vampires, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, LGBT, Urban Fantasy

314 pages, ebook

First published August 15, 2022

About the author

Christa Tomlinson is a pop culture loving, anime watching, nerdy fangirl who loves to read and write romance. She creates stories that are emotional and lovely with intimacy that is integral to the characters’ romantic arc.

Christa grew up reading romance giants Johanna Lindsey, Julie Garwood, and Virgina Henley - thanks to her older sister who gave her her first romance novel many years before she should have been reading such saucy content. Christa's first attempt at writing her own romance novel was in middle school - a historical that will never see the light of day. Since that first attempt, Christa has written many spicy fanfictions of her favorite characters and romances featuring her own hot and sexy heroes. Her first self-published romance, The Sergeant, was an Amazon best seller in Gay Romance for seven weeks in a row.

After many years in the sunny warmth of Houston, Texas, Christa has returned home to St. Louis, Missouri. She is a former high school social studies teacher and retired roller derby player. Don't ask her if romance requires an HEA or she'll use her roller derby skills to hip check you.

Reviews

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christa Tomlinson is a new-to-me author and when I saw this was a MM human/vampire romance with a little bit of mafia thrown in, it was a definite 'must read' for me.

Blood Kiss is a paranormal romance, with a background story of organised crime, including legal vampire services such as auctions to purchase blood pets. Which is where Everett and Solan first meet.

As the owner of the auction house and vampire mafia crime boss, Everett has no intention of making a purchase, but when he sees Solan that thought goes out of the window. Everett buys him to be his personal blood donor on a whim.

But Solan comes from an organised crime family too - and as the baby of the family, is used to getting his own way. When Solan tries to break the agreement, Everett insists the contract is honoured - with some concessions.

Although there is a contract at the heart of their understanding, this is about what happens when the two feel the pull of more than just the written contract...

Be warned, this is a slow-burn romance, but once it kicks in there's enough steam to make up for it.

3.5 -4 vampy stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[ᗰ.ᑕ. ❄️ O͎L͎D͎E͎R͎ ͎&͎ ͎W͎I͎S͎E͎R͎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

🇩‌🇳‌🇫‌'🇩‌ May 2023

𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗥𝗕: Passion burns slow, sweet, and hot between a ruthless vampire and a human mob prince.


🅸 🅆🄸🅂🄷 🆃🅷🅰🆃 🅆🄴🅁🄴 🆃🆁🆄🅴❗

The spoiled mob prince KEPT pushing the nice, patient vampire away ⬇
✋ He hoped Solan would allow him to hold him for a few moments. But no. He immediately moved off his lap and back onto the couch cushion.
✋ Everett knew that Solan enjoyed his bite. And he could make it even more pleasurable for him. But Solan fought against it every time.
✋ ...if Everett touched him in return, a hand on his waist or allowing their fingers to brush, he grew flustered and moved away. It was driving Everett mad.

🇵‌🇱‌🇺‌🇸‌,
⊠ Excessive details/descriptions
⊠ Too slow of a pace
⊠ Too many dull, everyday activities
⊠ Too much inner monologue (thinking)
⊠ No angst, sexual tension or strong desires
⊠ A beta vampire crime boss who's a pushover.

🇦‌🇱‌🇱‌ 🇹‌🇭‌🇦‌🇹‌



🇩‌🇳‌🇫‌ 𝗔𝗧 4️⃣0️⃣%

[Christa Tomlinson]

Today is release day for Blood Kiss! Wooot! I love this story so dang much. Solan was a lot of fun to write. And Everett was very sexy in his three-piece suits. I've wanted to write a vampire romance for the past few years but nothing came to mind. Then, when I was watching the first episode of KinnPorsche, "vampire mafia" popped into my head like a big shiny balloon. I was so excited that I started planning the story out that week.

Some of my favorite parts are - wait I can't tell you because you haven't read it yet. Let me know what your favorite parts of Blood Kiss are and I'll tell you if they're the same as mine. Lol. Anyway, I'm completely hooked on the Sanguis Syndicate world and I can't wait to start the next story.

I hope you enjoy Solan and Everett! And thank you so much for reading.

Love,
Christa
*side note. I made a mistake in uploading. I corrected a few errors I found but didn't save correctly when uploading the new file. So if you have the pre-order or bought it early, your copy might still have those errors. My apologies for that!

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/20/2022)! 🎁

[brownsoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This read was my first time reading this author. mafia, vampires, and pets are tropes I am always onboard for. Solan a spoiled child of a mafia family (headed by his sister) decided to attend a blood pet auction. Wanting to be the pet with highest price is all he’s after. Fulfilling the year blood pet contract is not part of his agenda. Solan’s rich and spoiled, he doesn’t need looking after.
Everett the head of Mafia family that deals in casinos, sex-trade, blood pets etc is checking on his investments and happens to be at the auction by chance. He takes one look at Solan and out bids everyone. Solon decided to bounce not realizing not fulfilling his contract could have consequences for his family name.
Everett and Solan’s sister agree that Solan will have to fulfill 3months of his contract. Solan is not happy about losing and decided to making Everett rue his decision. Solan is unaware of the patience the Everett possesses to have him.
The world building is off to a solid start. I am interested in this alternate world, where vampires live somewhat comfortable around humans. How the interconnected mafia families and their rivals work. Much of the book is spent with Solon spending his time being contrary. Solon and Everett are fun together, the verbal sparing is on solid. Their fight into intimate relationship feels natural. I like prefer high heat romance, Blood Kiss had more than enough.
My only complaints are Solon not doing much but waiting around for Everett; and being a contrary brat a little too long.
Overall I enjoyed this read. I am looking forward to the next read in this series. This is my review; I received a copy from Gay Romance Reviews.

[ShelfLife · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5. Good, not great.

This was a very slow read for me. And a much slower burn than I was expecting. Even once their physical relationship started, it felt uninspired and bland..just going through the motions. I could not connect with the characters at all, and ended up skimming the last 30%. The writing isn't bad...it's just that the pacing is really off. Nothing was happening to keep my interest or to make me invested in their relationship. The conflict is just thrown in and not used as a way to create suspense. There's a lot of time spent on unnecessarily long descriptions of things that don't matter or add to the story. Solan's rules lasting as long as they did really bothered me. I could understand having boundaries in the beginning, but once your vampire shows how much he respects and cares for you, and starts calling you "Love," it's time to reevaluate those boundaries. I needed their relationship to evolve faster than it did. I kept waiting to be hit with real emotion from them, but it just never came. Waiting till the last 10% to start solidifying their relationship didn't evoke angst, just annoyance, because I wasn't invested enough. Anyways, I don't think I'll be continuing this series. Like I said, the writing isn't bad: few errors and whatnot, so I'm not writing the author off just yet. I just need more depth, emotion, and development.

[Monica Vidal]

A solid 3.5. I'd have given more stars if it weren't for Solan being a bitchy, kinda spoiled brat who annoyed me to an end. Also, I felt the book lacks world building...like, why are the vampires and super natural being a common thing? How did that happen?

But all in all, I enjoyed it. Even though like I said, the MC is a spoiled brat who didn't deserve Everett in my humble opinion.

[Carol (bookish_notes)]

This book was fine. It was a part of KU. I’m only not rating this since I essentially skim read it.

At first I was tempted to DNF because it took too long for Everett and Solan to get together but then I wanted to see what happened? The writing is very…straightforward. I don’t know how else to describe it? It’s fine but at the same time I kinda wanted for depth and day-to-day intimacy and angst.

The book, while set in a world of mobsters and crime syndicates, isn’t DARK dark like I expected. Or wanted. The killings and the blood pet parts were the only iffy bits. But it never felt like it dig deep enough to how *I* like reading darker romances.

The stalker subplot was late in the game and had nothing to do with any of the characters or did anything to the story. Which is a thing about a lot of stalker plots I’ve read? Stalker plots just don’t work for me when the most dangerous character in the room is usually the main character (aka the vampire hero). I don’t think the stalker subplot had any affect on the story and nothing would’ve changed if it had been removed.

The ending kind of feels rushed and out of nowhere with how it resolved the fact that Solan is human and Everett a vampire, and what would happen if Solan kept aging and obviously Everett wouldn’t. It just felt rushed to me. But it’s also been many, many months since I’ve read a standalone romance so it could be just me not used to the pacing of a romance having to wrap everything up in one book. For how long it took for the two to get together, I would’ve also liked to see this drawn out across multiple books?

Like I said, this book is fine for a KU story and a quick read. I will probably pick up the next book in the series when that comes out. Is it about Solan’s human best friend Todd and whoever Brian is? I would like to know more about that.

[Rose B.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowwww, this was really good. It really lived up to its high rating.
Okay so at first, I had trouble with this because Solan was the biggest brat. I thought that if he was gonna be like this for the rest of the book, I didn’t know if I would survive it. Like, I don’t mean brattiness if it’s cute, but he was plain annoying and rude. He gets really cute and needy later on so don’t worry.
And of course, how could we forget our stud, the one and only Everett. Where is my Everett?? I need one. Who wouldn’t want a rich, possessive, respectful, super hot, and sweet vampire husband??
The only thing that I questioned, funnily enough since I read so many of these, is that we normalize men that do morally questionable things?? Like if you really think about it, this man sells people’s bodies for money. Mmm, I don’t know about you but that’s pretty questionable to me. It’s too bad that I love my mafia men and mobsters, so I wouldn’t give up these kinds of books for anything. Literally in my top 5 trope/relationship dynamics.
Anyways, definitely lives up to all the great reviews so 10/10 recommend!

[Cale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read for the new year and it delivered.

Solan applied to be a blood pet in an auction, and Everett was the highest bidder. Solan tried to get out of the contract, but Everett, who is a mob boss, went to Solan’s sister, also a head of a mob, to enforce the contract. Thus, Solan was forced to honor his obligation for three months. Now, I really like how the bond between Solan and Everett progressively became deeper until I was fully convinced by the end of the book that these two are in love with each other. Since this was a vampire book, I was expecting some dark romance that would involve some coercion but nope, this was just a sweet book overall, which does have some dark elements, but not between the main characters who are just super cute together. I don’t know what else to say because I’m still a bit hung over but really I just love it when a book is able to convince me that the main characters are into each other. This book really hit that spot for me. I wish there is another book in the series because I would read it in the drop of a hat. But given that there’s nothing after this, I guess I’ll check out the other books by the same author.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely enjoyable!

I'd say this is a 4.5 that I'm happy to round up. I really enjoyed MOST of this book. To be honest, there were times that I got a bit bored and started skimming, and towards the beginning I almost put it down for good. Really glad I didnt.

For the first 30ish% I really didn't like solan much. He was kind of a brat's brat and I found that tone really irritating. Once he warmed up to Everett it got better and the slow build up of accepting his feelings for his vampire brought him around. Loved that they didn't just immediately jump into bed together, the tension was palpable and that's one of the best things in romance.

Sex scenes were astoundingly hot! Steam definitely rolled of this kindle. The stalker thing.... I get it? I didn't agree that there really needed to be more outside angst and I felt like maybe the author agreed because it was not really an issue and dealt with in like 3 pages.

Very much enjoyed this book and would absolutely reccomend this series or the author on any day ending in "y".

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampire Everett wea just monitoring the auction when he saw a man he wanted for his blood pet. He really had no time for one as he was a crime lord in the Sanguis Syndicate, but could not resist the beautiful redhead on stage. Solan entered the auction as a lark and for fun. He planned to refund the money and go on his way. However, Everett had other ideas. Solan signed a contract after all.

This is an intriguing concept. You allow yourself to be auctioned and then live with the vampire for a year. Solan wanted to experience the auction but not the aftermath. Everett had other ideas and soon the two are engaged in a sensual battle made dangerous by more than one thing. As they find themselves seriously attracted to each other, neither one is willing to communicate their true needs. I hope there are many more in this series. It has everything pleasurable in a book – paranormal aspects, sensual desire, love, passion, great characters, an amazing world and a touch of danger and unknown. Blood Kiss is reading pleasure.

[Rhode PVD]

I basically DNFed at about 50% but skipped ahead to read the last few pages.

All power to everyone who enjoys this frothy fantasy. I could not get over how similar the younger man’s role and demeanor was to the kinds of cishet romances I hate because femme gender roles.

He is a young man who has nothing to recommend him except for his looks. He has no interests, no ethics, no endeavors, no goals. He’s pretty and spoiled and that’s it. When left to himself all day, for weeks, he can’t think of anything to do but watch tv.

But, because he’s so pretty, a powerful man can’t help but yearn, love and provide for him. (The question of what would happen when the young man isn’t pretty anymore is never addressed.)

I can imagine how nice it would be for someone else to carry all the burdens of my life for me. I get the fantasy. I don’t get why it is fun to read about a spoiled, utterly useless boy winning that prize.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everett and Solan’s story is one with plenty of chemistry and an engaging plot: one in which connection comes from an unexpected place and there ends up being a fair amount of patience and persuasion involved. The book offers an interesting take on the “vampire romance” that contains some potentially dark/gritty elements (vampires, crime lords, blood auctions, etc) that are atmospheric but not particularly dark or angst-inducing on the page: they make for interesting background, but there’s no truly dystopian feel to this book, which works, I think for the characters. Everett and Solan can both be fitted into some recognizable tropes: there’s a stoic, outwardly scary, really quite caring one and a deeply attractive, dynamic (and a tiny bit entitled) one with a bit of a bratty streak and obvious charm— I’ll let you guess which is which. All things considered, a fun read.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.*

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood Kiss by Christa Tomlinson is the first book in the Sanguis Syndicate, and I love this story and want more.

Everett: he is a vampire. He is attending an auction for a blood pet. He never really has been interested in a pet before. But after seeing Solan, he will do anything to obtain him. He is a crime lord who can get anything he wants, and he wants Solan.

Solan has entered to be a blood pet on a lark. So, he doesn’t really take it seriously.

I did not like Solan at first. All of his objections and “drama” he signed up for it. I don’t understand why he was so snippy about it all. After a while, he loses that attitude then I liked him. But before…. Noo really was not into him.

This is a great story, and I cannot wait to read more in this series in the future.

Four Twinkling Stars

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everett and Solan first meet when Everett wins an auction that Solan placed himself in as a joke. After a brief conversation with Solan's sister, Solan agrees to be Everett's companion for 3 months instead of a full year.

Everett knows that Solan isn't ready for the real purpose of being his "B" companion and gives him time and space to get used to the idea of having to do so. Until one day, Everett is desperate and decides to use the donor company he previously frequented. Solan finds out and is instantly jealous and Everett is using someone else for his needs that Solan has yet to meet. Solan caves and thus begins the intimate moments that neither of them can ignore.

When Solan finally lets down his walls, their relationship becomes so beautiful (and spicy!) Even with the bit of danger thrown in, it doesn't take away from their story.

[Morgan Lysand · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed right up my alley, but fell flat for me. Took me around 60% to get into and I was still really meh to both MCs. The bratty Solan wasn't that bratty to me. I did like Everette the few times he got to be a crime boss because he went from doting vamp lover to holy heck that's right he's a crime boss.

I think what bugged me the most is the introduction of the stalker. Everette's like we're on it. Then it gets dropped until the end. I would have liked to have seen Everette actually look into it for the reader. Because it ended up being... weeks? Months? Without an update for the reader. And I was like... how the heck does a crime boss not take this stalker out quickly??? And why no updates for the reader?

The spicy scenes were fun and I enjoyed how they built up to them.

[Tracy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It is a low angst, hot, romantic love story. For me, Everett was completely swoon worthy. He was so patient with Solan, giving him the time he needed to adjust to his role as a blood pet. Solan, while spoiled, had a good heart. When he finally allows himself to enjoy his time with Everett, they are perfect together. There is the tiniest bit of stalker drama, but nothing Everett can’t handle. I can’t wait to see which one of Everett’s counterparts will get the next story. I also hope to see Solan’s best friend Todd in a future book. I couldn’t put this one down and I will definitely continue with this series. I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.

[Akame · Rating 2 out of 5]

Książki o wampirach kojarzą mi się w tajemniczym, trochę mrocznym, niebezpiecznym klimatem. Tym bardziej o wampirach, którzy są szefami mafijnego syndykatu. Gdybym chciała przeczytać o Kubusiu Puchatku i jego wesołej rodzince, sięgnęłabym po bajki dla dzieci. To było słodkie, urocze, cukierkowe i nudne. Dawno żadna książka tak mnie nie zmęczyła. Wszyscy się kochali i wspierali, zwłaszcza mafijna rodzina krwiopijców. W ogóle tego nie czułam, ani romansu, ani seksu, ani poczucia zagrożenia. Za to dokładne wiedziałam, w co są ubrani, jakie kolory noszą i co zjedli na śniadanie. To książka dla tych co lubią pączki z dużą ilością lukru, bohaterów wzdychających do siebie i patrzących sobie czule w oczy, niestety nie dla mnie.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampire Everett bought Solan's services as a blood pet at an auction. Solan tries to back out but Everett insisted he fulfill the contract for part of the time. Solan was a spoiled brat and not likable at first. This book has sexy times and lots of passionate possession once the attraction was fixed. It was a different take on a vampire relationship for me so kept my interest throughout the book. I loved Everett and most of his friends. It's the beginning of a new series so there will be more of Christa's writings to enjoy. I received a copy of this book through Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.

[Bkwrm24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everett and Solan 🔥❤️🔥

Ok, this was my first book from this author and it certainly won't be my last!!! This book was so so good!! The story was engaging and exciting with a touch of mystery mixed in, not to mention mobsters, mates, a lovable vampire with a heart of gold, blood pets, a spoiled brat of a mob prince, scorching hot sexy times and a cast of secondary characters that I can not wait to see more from ❤️ I mean what more can you want from a book??? I literally devoured this one, and you should too!! I most definitely would recommend!!!

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *

[Joanne Mccorkell · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my intro to Christa Tomkinson, I was not disappointed. This story had a bit of mystery, and alot of people/vampires routing for the main couple.

Solan is a spoiled brat, he knows hes doted on my his sister the head of the crime family amd feels untouchable.
Everett runs the sexual side of his Syndicate, and something about Solan calls to him from the start.

I adored how Everrett knew how to handle Solan and respected all the lines he drew. Solan finally met the man of his dreams... he just had to let him in.
I loved how even the staff started to ask his opinion on things. Hopefully Todd is next

[Claire Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this vampire romance
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 October 2022
I absolutely loved Blood Kiss an m/m PNR. Book one in the Sanguis Syndicate.
Everett & Solan are so very different but when they come together they are explosive even at Solan doesn’t want it to be.
This Vampire romance is completely different to any others I’ve read and I was all there for that.
In this world the vampires & humans mix and have blood donor auctions. It was intriguing, hot & heavy, one bratty human and big mafia vampire. What’s not to love.
This lots of twists & turns and kept me fully invested throughout.
Would highly recommend.

[Leelah🍁♋️ Orion · Rating 4 out of 5]

yes

I love the set up of this world. This was great world build with a great story. I loved the back and forth of these two. I love that the human isn’t helpless. He’s rather sassy. I enjoyed reading about their day to day. Including the parties I wish we had more and that all the being together wasn’t at the end. The writing was amazing, the smexy was goodish, a little more research could be done. The diversity was great. I need other authors to take note. This author described different people very well. The side characters “the family” were fun. Can’t wait to read their books.

[Mir Jak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable book. If you're looking for a mafia type story but without the high angst/non-stop violence, then this is your story. I loved Solan - he may seem like a spoilt brat (which he is and totally owns it !!) but there is more to him. He's sassy, sweet, kind, mischievous and absolutely adorable ! And Everett - very much a ruthless gentleman ..... but he's got his work cut out for him !! Story is funny and adorable and passionate as they try to work out their arrangement/relationship. Brilliant start to series !!

[Maria771 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Everett and Solan, it is the first book in the Sanguis Syndicate series. Please read the trigger warnings. I loved this book, found it thoroughly entertaining. The world created by the author is amazing and at times seem so real that you feel like you 9there with them on their journey. I loved Everett and he is absolutely perfect for Solan. The mystery and moments of heat keeps you reading. Definitely recommended.

I received this book as an Arc and I am happily reviewing it voluntarily.

[Vialet Napisom · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to start off my year! While I did notice a few editing things here and there, they weren't enough to retract from my love of the story and the characters. One thing I love is dialogue, and I have to say that the dialogue in this was some of my favorite. It was witty, funny, emotional when it needed it, and all around brought the sense that the characters actually got to know each other. Solan and Everett work really well together, and their interactions were adorable, funny, spicy, and all around genuine. I definitely recommend this book!

[camireads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Por lo menos el primer 50% del libro me divertio, habia buena tensión sexual, buena explicación de su entorno, buen smut y indicios de que habría un clímax importante..... pero lamentablemente no fue asi para la otra mitad💔💔

Tenía toda la esperanza que este libro sobre vampiros no fuera tan cliché como los demás que he leído pero.... terminó siendo igual que los demás. Quería más escenas de acción, quizás interiorizar un poco más en la historia de vida de los personajes, me quedaron muchas incógnitas y siento que todo el final fue muy apresurado🤡💔

[Xiomara Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo he disfrutado muchísimo. Ahora mismo estoy pasando un mal momento, buscaba algo para distraerme, no tenía expectativas, y este libro me ha sorprendido. Siento que la autora es un poco seria, pero me gusta como escribe, su relación está bien planteada, desarrollo bueno. Se nota la atracción. No hay confusiones tontas porque Everett es un hombre que comprende, que es paciente. Solan es encantador y, a pesar de su resistencia inicial, todos sabíamos perfectamente que iba a sucumbir.
Lo que no me gustó que no se haya desarrollado el tema del acosador, es muy prescindible.
Gracias, muy chulo el libro.