Blood Memory

The Jade Murphy Diaries #2

by Sandra Barret

Vampires have it easy—stay out of the limelight (and the sunlight), earn a living (preferably legal), and for Jade Murphy, avoid human blood directly from the vein.

When Jade’s vampire friend gets some unwanted attention from a human stalker, Jade is forced to break more than one of those rules. Can she protect her friend, scare off the stalker, and keep her dates with Beth without revealing her secrets?

Best two out of three, Jade?

Genres: Lesbian, LGBT, Fantasy, Novella, Urban Fantasy

107 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2022

About the author

Sandra Barret is a native New Englander who wanted to be an archaeologist. So of course she ended up a writer. She focuses her fiction writing on science fiction and fantasy stories where strong women save the day. Two of her books (Eye of the Damned and Face of the Enemy) were Goldie finalists. When not writing, she’s reading, gardening, and occasionally digging holes too deep in the back of her historic home in the hopes of finding something more archaeologically significant than coal slag. Dreams never die, they just adapt to life circumstances! You can find Sandra at https://sandrabarret.wordpress.com.

Reviews

[Lex Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.00 Stars. This was the second novella in the The Jade Murphy Diaries, and it was even better than the first. I don’t get to read much urban fantasy anymore, so this series about a socially awkward vampire, who just wants to focus on dating her new crush Beth, but something evil is usually in the way, definitely has my attention. One of my biggest complaints about the first book was that Jade didn’t feel quite badass enough for a vampire. While I still think she could be a little more badass, she felt more vamp-like to me, and I thought overall this was a better story than the first novella Racing the Dawn. You can read this without reading book one, or read them in order, it is up to you.

I don’t know if Barret has anymore of these in the pipeline, but I hope so. You just don’t see vamp books, especially queer ones, much anymore so I’m all for keep the fun ones around. I also like that this is a series of novellas. They are entertaining and fast reads but still feel complete.

A copy was given to me for an honest review.

[Fiona Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid entry in the series from Sandra Barret - I've really enjoyed both of these, so hopefully there's more to come!

A blast from a friend's past has Jade on the rescue path again - this time it's not a dog or a cat, but a fellow vampire young enough to have dangerous connections to her old life. Beth is back - and awesome, I really like that character.

Cute in the romantic parts, well written, and short enough to make a nice bite-sized (I will never apologise for a vampire pun) book snack.

[Della B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jade Murphy is a vampire with anger issues. She is also smitten with Beth, the fire fighter whom she met after saving a litter of kittens from a fire. Even though Jade is not a people person, there is something about Beth which keeps drawing her closer to them.
Keri, Jade’s friend and her supplier of pints of blood is being followed and is terrified. Both Jade and Beth step in to find out who is Keri’s stalker and to try to keep her safe.

Jade’s character is a refreshing change from the majority of vampire stories I have read. She is not all powerful and surrounded by centuries of accumulated wealth. She works the nightshift in a warehouse to keep a roof over her head. And she has issues. Human issues.

Barret knows how to tell an interesting story. Her writing is very solid. Jade is a character who is far from perfect yet likeable and you end up rooting for her.

Blood Memory is an enjoyable read which I recommend to all the vampire lovers out there.

I received a free advance review copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Another fun Jade the vampire story.

Jade needs fresh blood to keep going and her supplier Keri gets blood from a local blood bank and supplies it to all the New England vampires. Keri is a baby vamp of only seven years. Back when she was a human teenager she was a attacked by her wanna be boyfriend for being trans.

Current day, the old boyfriend tracks her down and she and Jade go into battle mode.

Jade girlfriend Beth, the firefighter, is always trying to protect her, which made the story humorous to me.

Barret made a great twist in the plot that enhanced the story and made me very curious to see how Jade would deal with it.

I’m very curious if in book #3, if Jade will tell Beth the truth that she is a vampire.
I’m reading that one next.

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A more action-packed sequel novella to Racing the Dawn.

Vampire Jade is slowly allowing Firefighter Beth into her life, in her own awkward ways. I love that Beth is so supportive and accepting of Jade, in turn. But she still doesn't know the whole truth.

Beth goes by they/them pronouns. I also appreciate that Jade is biracial, and her friend Keri is trans. Those subtle additions just work to make a wonderfully inclusive setting. There's also mention of an autistic brother for Beth, and how her handling of Jade and Jade's own actions/attitudes may cross-over. Which as someone also on the spectrum, I couldn't help but also feel.

Jade is socially awkward and yet is trying hard for Beth, and with the help from Keri - her bloodbanker so to speak. But when Keri is being stalked - danger looms far too close for comfort!

It was thrilling and heart-clenching to follow the action, while the mental strain and physical elements manifested for Jade, throughout. You really felt for all the characters, and wanted the best for them all.

These are fast-paced, quick reads that I would recommend to lovers of paranormal / vampire stories, but with a lot of modern inclusivity thrown in.

I really hope we get more installments soon!

[Jo reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. It’s short tho, but a good vampire story. Creepy in parts, but that’s what ‘grabs’ hold of you to continue reading. Didn’t know this was the sequel, so added the first book to my ‘to read’ shelf, so I’m looking forward to this one. And to any further books by Sandra Barrett.

3.9 out of 5

[Henriette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A vampire story with a difference
I picked this vampire story up because I was thoroughly impressed by Barret’s Terran-Novan scifi series. With Blood Memory Barret shows again that she really can write and write well - this is an action-packed vampire romp with a lot of creep and a total villain. I love that Murphy, the vampire, is different, shy, socially awkward, with issues - so not your usual arrogant, aloft vampire. And there is more than a pinch of inclusiveness here which is very well folded into the story.

**mild spoiler **
What didn‘t work well for me was the blood bond. Why, when, when not - I was at times confused and couldn‘t follow.

Thanks for the ARC via netgalley and Bold Strokes Books. The review is left voluntarily.

[MaxDisaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,25 stars
Equally as short as the previous book in the series and equally well written. I like this version of "what happens when you drink from humans". Makes for very interesting situations.

[Alicia Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood memory

Arc

Bold strokes

NetGalley




I have to say vampire stories always get me. I did enjoy this story. It was a quick read. Both main characters kept the story interesting. For me it was a page turner. This is book one of the series and my first time reading the author and I am looking forward to the next book. The book does give you some  variety . Paranormal books are always fun to read and Jade added intrigue to the book and I’m excited about the next installment.





I would like to thank Bold Strokes and NetGalley for the arc 4 stars.

[Sky. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one frustrated me a bit, with all the stupid thing she did and SAID she would be better if she told Beth that she’s a vampire, And Beth can’t be that stupid come on????
I suspected that Beth have some supernatural power so i am excited about the next book, hope it doesn’t disappoint me like this one.

[Patty Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good short paranormal story. The main character Jade who's a vampire was well written. Her girlfriend Beth is a firefighter who might have some magical powers as well was written not as thoroughly as Jade , but I get the since that there's another story in the making there. The villain was really creepy and the paranormal action had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what would happen next. This is the first book I have read from this author, but it won't be my last time. I will definitely read more of this authors books and I will definitely recommend this book to my friends and family.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I will say that while I did really enjoy this I think I liked book one a bit better. This one was a little slow going in the beginning but on the plus side we get a lot more of Beth in this one which I love because Beth is so dreamy. Jade is still a hot ass mess of a vampire and she tries her best to do the right thing. She’s an awesome character and I love how snarky she is. Her and Beth are dating but taking things slow and they are just so cute together. Romance aside, once the plot kicks in and gets going this was a lot of fun and I really did like the reveal of Beth being a fire elemental. I love them even more now! and I’m excited to see how that’s going to play out going forward. The next one comes out next month and I cannot wait.

[Aria Harlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Quick and easy paranormal read that i read in one sitting and had me on the edge of my seat, This book has some really atmospheric and creepy moments that I loved. REally enjoyable

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable easy, fast paced read that captivates you from the beginning to the end. I definitely recommend. 4. stars.

Thank you, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[bookster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars