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Tooth & Claw #2
Hot Blooded
Desperate times call for desperate measures…
Saddled with insurmountable debt, Tessa is desperate for a way out. When she’s referred to an agency that pairs vampires with blood donors as a quick way to make some cash, she has no choice but to accept an arrangement. She expects pain. She expects fear. She expects a predator. But what she gets is something entirely different. Her vampire match is... sweet. Kind. Protective. And the way he makes her feel is anything but painful.
Can the ends justify the means…?
Amos has long since given up on the idea of ever finding a blood mate. Accepting that the only live blood he’ll ever enjoy will be from paid donors, he finally gives in and enlists a blood-matching service. But when he finally meets his match, she’s everything he could have asked for in a mate—kind, funny, beautiful. He knows right away that he wants her for keeps, but it’s a huge leap from temporary donor to eternal blood mate. If Amos is going to keep Tessa forever, he’ll have to win her heart first.
Saddled with insurmountable debt, Tessa is desperate for a way out. When she’s referred to an agency that pairs vampires with blood donors as a quick way to make some cash, she has no choice but to accept an arrangement. She expects pain. She expects fear. She expects a predator. But what she gets is something entirely different. Her vampire match is... sweet. Kind. Protective. And the way he makes her feel is anything but painful.
Can the ends justify the means…?
Amos has long since given up on the idea of ever finding a blood mate. Accepting that the only live blood he’ll ever enjoy will be from paid donors, he finally gives in and enlists a blood-matching service. But when he finally meets his match, she’s everything he could have asked for in a mate—kind, funny, beautiful. He knows right away that he wants her for keeps, but it’s a huge leap from temporary donor to eternal blood mate. If Amos is going to keep Tessa forever, he’ll have to win her heart first.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2021
553 people are currently reading
4458 people want to read
About the author
Heather Guerre
13 books1,035 followersHeather Guerre writes sexy-sweet fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary romances. A hopeless romantic and an unapologetic nerd, Heather loves everything to do with romance, aliens, shifters, monsters, magic, and outer space.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 755 reviews
February 15, 2022
4 Consume and Claim Stars ⭐
“You fight me now, but I’ll make you like it.”
Tessa was never meant to fall in love with a vampire, like who would actually even think it? Working as a blood donor for HemoMatch was a quick way to earn much needed money. Yet it took one feeding from the vampire Amos for her to realise how much she was missing.
He needed to be the kind of man Tessa wanted and deserved. He couldn’t allow himself to be a monster even if, deep in his heart of hearts, a monster was what he truly was.
Amos hasn't fed from an actual human in eons. Using a service that provides willing donors is ecstacy in itself until meeting Tessa. When they both experience a euphoria that is unique between vampire and human, it's inevitable that these two lonely souls would find a lot to connect over. So what follows is a beautiful courtship.
“I wanted to see more of you. I wanted to watch over you. Guard you.”
“‘Guard’ me. Like a possession?” Tessa asked, anger stiffening her spine. She’d never been able to tolerate jealousy in men. It frightened her, made her feel caged.
“No,” Amos said quietly. “Like a queen.”
Hot Blooded was a sweet slow burn romance. Featuring a sexy old world gentleman and a woman discovering beauty during nightfall. With a little drama, a hint of kinky hunting to get the blood pulse racing, Amos and Tessa were indeed fated to be forever...
“You fight me now, but I’ll make you like it.”
Tessa was never meant to fall in love with a vampire, like who would actually even think it? Working as a blood donor for HemoMatch was a quick way to earn much needed money. Yet it took one feeding from the vampire Amos for her to realise how much she was missing.
He needed to be the kind of man Tessa wanted and deserved. He couldn’t allow himself to be a monster even if, deep in his heart of hearts, a monster was what he truly was.
Amos hasn't fed from an actual human in eons. Using a service that provides willing donors is ecstacy in itself until meeting Tessa. When they both experience a euphoria that is unique between vampire and human, it's inevitable that these two lonely souls would find a lot to connect over. So what follows is a beautiful courtship.
“I wanted to see more of you. I wanted to watch over you. Guard you.”
“‘Guard’ me. Like a possession?” Tessa asked, anger stiffening her spine. She’d never been able to tolerate jealousy in men. It frightened her, made her feel caged.
“No,” Amos said quietly. “Like a queen.”
Hot Blooded was a sweet slow burn romance. Featuring a sexy old world gentleman and a woman discovering beauty during nightfall. With a little drama, a hint of kinky hunting to get the blood pulse racing, Amos and Tessa were indeed fated to be forever...
December 8, 2024
*4.5* It could have been my mood, or the fact that's it's been awhile since I've read a vampire story, but I loved this one! My favorite of this author's work so far.
I'm so impressed with the storytelling here, and a complete flip from book one, where werewolves were the heroes and fought the "evil" vampires. (These books can be read as a standalone)
Amos gave this story a slightly old-fashioned feel. (He was born in 1877) This wasn't inst-love but with Tessa having a physical reaction while sharing blood, that created a kind of emotional vulnerability. She's as much in his thrall and he is in hers.
The only downside was her annoying mother and brother. But that's family!
*The bonus chapter you get when you sign up for the authors newsletter, is perfection. Highly recommended!
I'm so impressed with the storytelling here, and a complete flip from book one, where werewolves were the heroes and fought the "evil" vampires. (These books can be read as a standalone)
Amos gave this story a slightly old-fashioned feel. (He was born in 1877) This wasn't inst-love but with Tessa having a physical reaction while sharing blood, that created a kind of emotional vulnerability. She's as much in his thrall and he is in hers.
Amos growled against her throat, pulling long, steady draughts from her that seemed to spike her pleasure higher with each one.I wouldn't classify this as a slow burn by any means, but I liked that despite the sexual nature of their transactions, Amos is ever the gentleman.
“I’d like to court you,” Amos said. She froze. “You… what?” Amos threaded his fingers together, resting his forearms on his knees as he searched her stunned face. “I’d like to court you. If that’d be acceptable to you.”Even though they took months to get to know each other before becoming more intimate, her reaction to his bite, and his reactions to her were very sensual. And once the spice began, it was hot.
Amos bent down low, skimming his lips along her cheekbone. “Let’s see how long you can come on this cock,” he whispered against her ear. His fangs pierced her throat.I enjoyed the hunting kink, and his contented purr. Amos was such a gentleman overall. Tessa is sensitive and compassionate, they worked so well together.
The only downside was her annoying mother and brother. But that's family!
*The bonus chapter you get when you sign up for the authors newsletter, is perfection. Highly recommended!
February 7, 2025
Reread 02/07/25: read this like 4–5 times now. still slays.
First and foremost, calling a human who orgasms while being fed on by a vampire a “bed and breakfast” is SO cheeky. I was giggling about it for the entirety of the novel.
MAIN CHARACTER NAMES AND AGES
Teresa “Tessa” Vargas (33) | Amos Hansen (42 when turned, born in 1877)
FEATURES
∘ vampire-human romance
∘ sweetheart, respectful mmc
∘ contractual agreement (blood drinking)
∘ primal play 🤭
REVIEW
Amos is a vampire who is bashful and self-controlled. Tessa is the broke but hard-working human assigned to him as a living donor.
Amos was adorable and sweet, especially when he blushed, and it made his surprising desires/instincts all the more …enthralling (I’m so sorry—I had to). Tessa had such a great sense of humor while also being genuine and empathetic. They were well-matched in their thoughtfulness, making the development of their romance so endearing.
Other characters in this book had their own charms, and while some tended to be overbearing cough Tessa’s mother cough, they had redeeming qualities that made them at least sympathetic, if not liked (harsh, I know). Etta and Fran had so much personality for what little we saw of them, and don’t even get me started on Phillipe because I will not be able to shut up about how much I love him.
Hot Blooded expanded the universe created in Cold Hearted, creating an alternative point of view that makes for a compelling dynamic within the over-arching plot of the series.Wow, I’m just using words, trying to be all fancy when really I just mean to say I love this series so goddamn much.
OW/OM DRAMA none
CHEATING none
THIRD ACT BREAKUP no
ENDING HEA — ~6 months later epilogue
POV dual / third person
SPICE LEVEL 4 / 5
RATING 5 / 5
Reread Notes: Edited original review to fit current review format, but contents are mostly the same.
First and foremost, calling a human who orgasms while being fed on by a vampire a “bed and breakfast” is SO cheeky. I was giggling about it for the entirety of the novel.
MAIN CHARACTER NAMES AND AGES
Teresa “Tessa” Vargas (33) | Amos Hansen (42 when turned, born in 1877)
FEATURES
∘ vampire-human romance
∘ sweetheart, respectful mmc
∘ contractual agreement (blood drinking)
∘ primal play 🤭
REVIEW
Amos is a vampire who is bashful and self-controlled. Tessa is the broke but hard-working human assigned to him as a living donor.
Amos was adorable and sweet, especially when he blushed, and it made his surprising desires/instincts all the more …enthralling (I’m so sorry—I had to). Tessa had such a great sense of humor while also being genuine and empathetic. They were well-matched in their thoughtfulness, making the development of their romance so endearing.
Other characters in this book had their own charms, and while some tended to be overbearing cough Tessa’s mother cough, they had redeeming qualities that made them at least sympathetic, if not liked (harsh, I know). Etta and Fran had so much personality for what little we saw of them, and don’t even get me started on Phillipe because I will not be able to shut up about how much I love him.
Hot Blooded expanded the universe created in Cold Hearted, creating an alternative point of view that makes for a compelling dynamic within the over-arching plot of the series.
OW/OM DRAMA none
CHEATING none
THIRD ACT BREAKUP no
ENDING HEA — ~6 months later epilogue
POV dual / third person
SPICE LEVEL 4 / 5
RATING 5 / 5
Reread Notes: Edited original review to fit current review format, but contents are mostly the same.
January 2, 2022
✩ 𝟯.𝟳𝟱
Amos was the perfect combination of old-world gentleman and sexy-as-fuck apex predator. I mean … enough said, am I right 😌
Amos was the perfect combination of old-world gentleman and sexy-as-fuck apex predator. I mean … enough said, am I right 😌
❝Don’t be nervous,❞ Amos told her. ❝I’ll rip the tongue out of anyone who bothers you.❞
❝No ripping out tongues!❞ Tessa said, her voice high and panicky.
❝Aww,❞ Etta pouted.
❝It would eventually grow back,❞ Amos muttered sulkily.
May 30, 2022
/r/romancebooks spoke highly of this book but unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.
I think my biggest problem was that the pacing felt very off. Some parts of the book felt way too slow while others felt way too fast. Pieces of information would be dropped but never really elaborated on, or only elaborated on very late into the book. Other bits felt repetitive like Tessa's response to Amos biting her.
Overall, the beginning of the book felt stronger than the end. It kind of felt like the author was just writing as she went. Which, is how all books are technically written, and a lot of authors do well with pantsing, but if this was Guerre's strategy for the book I didn't think it worked well in this instance because of how all over the place the book sometimes felt.
What saved this romance somewhat was the main pairing. I think Guerre did a great job of illustrating Tessa's struggles, particularly with her family, and how she faces those struggles throughout the book. Amos is a caring MMC and it was interesting to read about his idiosyncrasies (and the idiosyncrasies of the other vampires we meet). I just think they were done dirty by the pacing of the plot they were set in.
I really appreciated that Guerre displayed the content warnings on the first page of the book. You can see them with the "Look Inside" feature on Amazon without having to purchase the book. Generally, it's a steamy romance with CNC and difficult family dynamics on Tessa's part. And blood drinking since Amos is a vampire.
For more of my reviews, please visit my blog.
I think my biggest problem was that the pacing felt very off. Some parts of the book felt way too slow while others felt way too fast. Pieces of information would be dropped but never really elaborated on, or only elaborated on very late into the book. Other bits felt repetitive like Tessa's response to Amos biting her.
Overall, the beginning of the book felt stronger than the end. It kind of felt like the author was just writing as she went. Which, is how all books are technically written, and a lot of authors do well with pantsing, but if this was Guerre's strategy for the book I didn't think it worked well in this instance because of how all over the place the book sometimes felt.
What saved this romance somewhat was the main pairing. I think Guerre did a great job of illustrating Tessa's struggles, particularly with her family, and how she faces those struggles throughout the book. Amos is a caring MMC and it was interesting to read about his idiosyncrasies (and the idiosyncrasies of the other vampires we meet). I just think they were done dirty by the pacing of the plot they were set in.
I really appreciated that Guerre displayed the content warnings on the first page of the book. You can see them with the "Look Inside" feature on Amazon without having to purchase the book. Generally, it's a steamy romance with CNC and difficult family dynamics on Tessa's part. And blood drinking since Amos is a vampire.
For more of my reviews, please visit my blog.
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January 31, 2026DNF - Don’t Ask Where, It Was Tragic 💀
It was all smooth sailing, hunky-dory even, until the kink barged in like it owned the place. And I was like, ‘Honey, sweetie… pack it up, we’re done here.’
It was all smooth sailing, hunky-dory even, until the kink barged in like it owned the place. And I was like, ‘Honey, sweetie… pack it up, we’re done here.’
January 6, 2023
5 STARS!!
Holy shit! One of the best heroes ever written.
Holy shit! One of the best heroes ever written.
Mild-mannered, yet deadly. All that brute power simmering inside of him, and he unleashed it only for Tessa, whether he was fighting for her or fucking her.Heather Guerre is officially on my very short auto-read list. Gah, I need me a sweet, yet deviant man just like Amos.😍😍
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February 7, 2022Fluffy and delightful!
October 25, 2022
This was a different kind of take on a vampire romance (no brutally handsome billionaires or castle-dwelling royalty here!) and I enjoyed it.
It was refreshing to see a male vampire with some insecurities who didn’t resort to being an asshole as a defense mechanism. Amos was an average-looking, down-to-earth guy who happened to be a vampire. He didn’t present as an alpha male, but he was absolutely strong/powerful when he needed to be. Amos was introverted and sweet; he worried about impressing Tessa and wanted to court her, old-style.
I liked Tessa and found her relatable. Her family was a toxic mess and while she had clearly sacrificed for them, she wasn’t a doormat. Her involvement with Amos helped her put up better boundaries and pursue what she wanted to for herself.
It was also nice to see bi representation (male and female) where it was just a normal thing instead of being fetishized or in the context of a three-way relationship. Their chemistry was lovely, and it was easy to root for them.
It was refreshing to see a male vampire with some insecurities who didn’t resort to being an asshole as a defense mechanism. Amos was an average-looking, down-to-earth guy who happened to be a vampire. He didn’t present as an alpha male, but he was absolutely strong/powerful when he needed to be. Amos was introverted and sweet; he worried about impressing Tessa and wanted to court her, old-style.
I liked Tessa and found her relatable. Her family was a toxic mess and while she had clearly sacrificed for them, she wasn’t a doormat. Her involvement with Amos helped her put up better boundaries and pursue what she wanted to for herself.
It was also nice to see bi representation (male and female) where it was just a normal thing instead of being fetishized or in the context of a three-way relationship. Their chemistry was lovely, and it was easy to root for them.
April 18, 2023
It took me some time to finish but not because of the book, just life getting in a way.
Every time I came back to it though, it was a delight.
The chemistry between the characters was freaking H.O.T. and I absolutely loved their kinky games.
PS. Chemistry-wise this story was so much better than the first one.
Every time I came back to it though, it was a delight.
The chemistry between the characters was freaking H.O.T. and I absolutely loved their kinky games.
PS. Chemistry-wise this story was so much better than the first one.
May 14, 2022
Hot Blooded was a complete 180 from book 1 in the series. Amos (H) is a sweet, introverted vampire who hasn’t had blood from a live source for a century (which also means that’s how long he’s been celibate). Tessa (h) is a sweet, caretaking personality nurse who’s trying to do everything she can for her family and becomes a blood donor for pay. This is a character-driven romance that’s slow burn and low angst. I loved these two together. Completely safe with no ow/om drama, neither were virgins, and no need for bc. This is told in third person, dual POV narrative.
There are some suspenseful and action scenes due to a thrall obsessed with one of them and a showdown with some werewolves. But other than those scenes, just sweetness and eventual steam. Now the steam, Amos is a sweetheart but that predator nature translates to primal play and some CNC. They discussed limits and safeguards ahead of time and those scenes were h-o-t (but I know not for everyone).
Amos is also possessive and I loved when he’s claiming Tessa and where he wants his mark. Their HEA concludes with a slight jump ahead epilogue and the author has a bonus scene for newsletter subscribers. I really enjoy Ms. Guerre’s writing style and characters and this one was esp a winner for me.
There are some suspenseful and action scenes due to a thrall obsessed with one of them and a showdown with some werewolves. But other than those scenes, just sweetness and eventual steam. Now the steam, Amos is a sweetheart but that predator nature translates to primal play and some CNC. They discussed limits and safeguards ahead of time and those scenes were h-o-t (but I know not for everyone).
Amos is also possessive and I loved when he’s claiming Tessa and where he wants his mark. Their HEA concludes with a slight jump ahead epilogue and the author has a bonus scene for newsletter subscribers. I really enjoy Ms. Guerre’s writing style and characters and this one was esp a winner for me.
November 24, 2022
Nerdy vampire gets a blood donor for the first time. He is awkward and adorable and gets just a little bit primal along the way.
Heroine needs money to help her family and she falls hard for her new vampire. Even more when he wants to hunt her... for fun!
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
Heroine needs money to help her family and she falls hard for her new vampire. Even more when he wants to hunt her... for fun!
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
June 5, 2022
This author writes heroines that i respect. They’re often hardworking and lonely, and care just a bit more than they want to, because they have good hearts.
And her heroes are often sweet, strong men with some vulnerabilities. And they’re fuck-hot in bed, mmm.
This story was tender and sexy and exciting all in one.
Edit upon rereading: the real vampire in this story is Tessa’s Mom
And her heroes are often sweet, strong men with some vulnerabilities. And they’re fuck-hot in bed, mmm.
This story was tender and sexy and exciting all in one.
Edit upon rereading: the real vampire in this story is Tessa’s Mom
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September 26, 2022
2.75 stars
This was fine, but not all that gripping for me personally. This couldn’t have been more different from the first book in every aspect, these don’t even really feel like they should be a part of the same series. The only loose tie was the aftermath of the heroine from book 1’s crazy ex boyfriend, turns out he was an incredibly old, powerful, insane, evil vampire and his super boring personality and obsession with an English school teacher makes even less sense to me now. I did like seeing the vampire side of things and that they’re not all evil, but everything I liked about book 1: the remote Alaskan setting, small town vibes, pack life/community, the poetic gloom of it all, etc was not here for obvious reasons.
I found Tessa’s doormat situation with her whole family to be pretty upsetting/depressing and that was never properly resolved. They had one nice dinner and the author was like ✔️✍️ that’s wrapped up perfectly and I was like um, no. Plus logistically I’m confused about how she’s going to explain to her family that she’s not aging, that was not even attempted to be explained they just mention she’ll have to watch everyone she loves die so I felt like some world building aspects were a little muddy. Amos was kinda boring. Idk what it is about this author and making vampires not interested in ever leaving the house or doing anything fun but it’s a little off brand for the genre lol I feel like she tried to combat that by throwing in the CNC kink but it just really wasn’t believable for me with these two, idk they just weren’t doing it for me. In general their relationship building was pretty route: he feeds, she comes, he feeds her snacks, repeat. I got bored. They had their cute moments, but overall this book had a hard time keeping my attention. That said I did finish it and I found the ending with Phillipe pretty cute so I wonder if anything more will ever come with him? Kinda random to just throw in especially since his story feels so open ended, but I see book 3 is back to being about werewolves so idk if we’ll ever follow up there or not.
This was fine, but not all that gripping for me personally. This couldn’t have been more different from the first book in every aspect, these don’t even really feel like they should be a part of the same series. The only loose tie was the aftermath of the heroine from book 1’s crazy ex boyfriend, turns out he was an incredibly old, powerful, insane, evil vampire and his super boring personality and obsession with an English school teacher makes even less sense to me now. I did like seeing the vampire side of things and that they’re not all evil, but everything I liked about book 1: the remote Alaskan setting, small town vibes, pack life/community, the poetic gloom of it all, etc was not here for obvious reasons.
I found Tessa’s doormat situation with her whole family to be pretty upsetting/depressing and that was never properly resolved. They had one nice dinner and the author was like ✔️✍️ that’s wrapped up perfectly and I was like um, no. Plus logistically I’m confused about how she’s going to explain to her family that she’s not aging, that was not even attempted to be explained they just mention she’ll have to watch everyone she loves die so I felt like some world building aspects were a little muddy. Amos was kinda boring. Idk what it is about this author and making vampires not interested in ever leaving the house or doing anything fun but it’s a little off brand for the genre lol I feel like she tried to combat that by throwing in the CNC kink but it just really wasn’t believable for me with these two, idk they just weren’t doing it for me. In general their relationship building was pretty route: he feeds, she comes, he feeds her snacks, repeat. I got bored. They had their cute moments, but overall this book had a hard time keeping my attention. That said I did finish it and I found the ending with Phillipe pretty cute so I wonder if anything more will ever come with him? Kinda random to just throw in especially since his story feels so open ended, but I see book 3 is back to being about werewolves so idk if we’ll ever follow up there or not.
September 15, 2022
Woman signs up to be a blood donor for a vampire who's sweet on the streets and mean in the sheets. 😈🔥
Honestly I wasn't expecting anything too deep from this smutty book but damn I got hit in the feels with how her family treated her. Pretty good stuff, glad to see her become the queen she deserves to be
Honestly I wasn't expecting anything too deep from this smutty book but damn I got hit in the feels with how her family treated her. Pretty good stuff, glad to see her become the queen she deserves to be
September 30, 2023
RATING: 3.5✨overall and 4.5✨for spice
SPICE: 🌶🌶.5
Trope/Setting Highlights:
✔ ~280 pages
✔ Standalone paranormal romance in a larger shared universe
✔ Human hospice nurse FMC x Vampire MMC
✔ Live blood donor service meet-cute
✔ Spice elements include: biting/blood, primal hunting roleplay, CNC, domination (by MMC)
✔ HEA
Review:
Hot Blooded by Heather Guerre is Book 2 in the Tooth & Claw universe, which also includes wolf shifter/werewolf romances. I haven’t read any other book in the series other than this one, so I have nothing to compare or contrast to, and while there probably was additional context I could’ve picked up on if I had, I was equally as pleased to treat this as a standalone. And it DOES work as a standalone.
I went into this book with no expectations other than a good time, and I got that and more. But I think what drew me in the most was hearing that the MMC, Amos, was a nerdy, humble vampire on the streets but an absolute feral freak in the sheets, and yeah, say less. Finally, some good fucking food. Happy to say that held true😍
The overall story is dual-POV between the main characters. Our FMC Tessa is a 33-year-old human who works as a hospice nurse. Her caretaking extends to outside of her profession as well, as since her father’s passing, she’s had to move back home with her mom to help with things and take on the patriarchal role in the family. And with her dual Mexican and Italian heritages, family is everything. But Tessa feels like she’s drowning. She feels like she’s following in the footsteps of her father, taking care of everyone until she has nothing left for herself but to die a slow death from chronic stress.
For extra income to keep the family afloat while dealing with her father’s lingering medical debt, Tessa signs up for the service HemoMatch, which pairs up willing humans to vampires looking for live blood sources in a humane manner. It’s anonymous at first, but Tessa soon meets the vampire who will be sipping from her neck three times a week.
Born in the late 1890s but forever frozen at 42-years-old, Amos has lived a mostly solitary life, save for his relationship with his dam (sire) Etta and her bloodmate Fran. Pushing his own innermost desires to find a bloodmate of his own aside, Amos deals with a more pressing matter; after not consuming live human blood for over a century, his hunger is nearly all-consuming. He expected to find a willing blood source in HemoMatch, but little did he know he was about to find so much more.
The chemistry between the main couple was insane!🔥🔥🔥 From their first awkward interaction to the slow-burn courting leading up to the spicy scenes, I really enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. Their conversations felt substantial and emotional, and even if the physical chemistry wasn’t as strong as it was, I would’ve believed the emotional chemistry just as well.
I also deeply appreciated Heather’s Guerre ode to the struggle of an eldest daughter in Tessa. I felt Tessa’s frustration, her warring feelings of hate and love for her family, her pain at being taken advantage of. It felt like a very real storyline for me in an otherwise basic plot.
This book was the perfect length, long enough to feel the development of the main relationship, while also being short enough that it didn’t drag for very long. By the end, it did start to lose its steam. I’m not sure if it was the author’s intention to introduce Phillipe as a MMC of a future book, but his inclusion as a plot point in this one felt wildly misplaced and unnecessary. With the spice being as good as it was in this book, I would’ve 100% rather have seen an additional epilogue sex scene or something. I know some of the spice elements used in this aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they are mine, and I needed more😈
Additionally, I did spot more than average editorial mistakes throughout. I was OK with glossing over them and not letting it ruin my experience in this case, but for future reference, this could be THAT much better.
SPICE: 🌶🌶.5
Trope/Setting Highlights:
✔ ~280 pages
✔ Standalone paranormal romance in a larger shared universe
✔ Human hospice nurse FMC x Vampire MMC
✔ Live blood donor service meet-cute
✔ Spice elements include: biting/blood, primal hunting roleplay, CNC, domination (by MMC)
✔ HEA
Review:
Hot Blooded by Heather Guerre is Book 2 in the Tooth & Claw universe, which also includes wolf shifter/werewolf romances. I haven’t read any other book in the series other than this one, so I have nothing to compare or contrast to, and while there probably was additional context I could’ve picked up on if I had, I was equally as pleased to treat this as a standalone. And it DOES work as a standalone.
I went into this book with no expectations other than a good time, and I got that and more. But I think what drew me in the most was hearing that the MMC, Amos, was a nerdy, humble vampire on the streets but an absolute feral freak in the sheets, and yeah, say less. Finally, some good fucking food. Happy to say that held true😍
The overall story is dual-POV between the main characters. Our FMC Tessa is a 33-year-old human who works as a hospice nurse. Her caretaking extends to outside of her profession as well, as since her father’s passing, she’s had to move back home with her mom to help with things and take on the patriarchal role in the family. And with her dual Mexican and Italian heritages, family is everything. But Tessa feels like she’s drowning. She feels like she’s following in the footsteps of her father, taking care of everyone until she has nothing left for herself but to die a slow death from chronic stress.
For extra income to keep the family afloat while dealing with her father’s lingering medical debt, Tessa signs up for the service HemoMatch, which pairs up willing humans to vampires looking for live blood sources in a humane manner. It’s anonymous at first, but Tessa soon meets the vampire who will be sipping from her neck three times a week.
Born in the late 1890s but forever frozen at 42-years-old, Amos has lived a mostly solitary life, save for his relationship with his dam (sire) Etta and her bloodmate Fran. Pushing his own innermost desires to find a bloodmate of his own aside, Amos deals with a more pressing matter; after not consuming live human blood for over a century, his hunger is nearly all-consuming. He expected to find a willing blood source in HemoMatch, but little did he know he was about to find so much more.
The chemistry between the main couple was insane!🔥🔥🔥 From their first awkward interaction to the slow-burn courting leading up to the spicy scenes, I really enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. Their conversations felt substantial and emotional, and even if the physical chemistry wasn’t as strong as it was, I would’ve believed the emotional chemistry just as well.
I also deeply appreciated Heather’s Guerre ode to the struggle of an eldest daughter in Tessa. I felt Tessa’s frustration, her warring feelings of hate and love for her family, her pain at being taken advantage of. It felt like a very real storyline for me in an otherwise basic plot.
This book was the perfect length, long enough to feel the development of the main relationship, while also being short enough that it didn’t drag for very long. By the end, it did start to lose its steam. I’m not sure if it was the author’s intention to introduce Phillipe as a MMC of a future book, but his inclusion as a plot point in this one felt wildly misplaced and unnecessary. With the spice being as good as it was in this book, I would’ve 100% rather have seen an additional epilogue sex scene or something. I know some of the spice elements used in this aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they are mine, and I needed more😈
Additionally, I did spot more than average editorial mistakes throughout. I was OK with glossing over them and not letting it ruin my experience in this case, but for future reference, this could be THAT much better.
May 25, 2022
3 stars. Not bad, but I’m starting to think that this author isn’t quite for me. I haven’t really been able to find books that are all that appealing recently, so it’s probably more me than the author.
I just felt like this book was going well - until it wasn’t. I liked the beginning but then it just became kinda blah. All of the scenes that were meant to be exciting and maybe a little dramatic, fell totally flat. I really was pretty checked out of the story by the end, and had to force myself to finish reading. The epilogue was also a disappointment, which seemed to focus more on a different side character than on the H&h.
I did like the way that the author tied together book 1 & 2 of this series - I found her choices interesting. Especially since the death of the horrible ex boyfriend from book 1 set off some events that caused problems in this book. I’m interested to see where she takes the series plot, but idk if I’ll read the next book.
Safe; no virgins, no om/ow drama, no cheating, no scenes with om/ow, hero has been celibate for 100 years but he also had a male lover in the 1960s - so I’m not sure how those two things work together, but it really was a minor part of the story.
I just felt like this book was going well - until it wasn’t. I liked the beginning but then it just became kinda blah. All of the scenes that were meant to be exciting and maybe a little dramatic, fell totally flat. I really was pretty checked out of the story by the end, and had to force myself to finish reading. The epilogue was also a disappointment, which seemed to focus more on a different side character than on the H&h.
I did like the way that the author tied together book 1 & 2 of this series - I found her choices interesting. Especially since the death of the horrible ex boyfriend from book 1 set off some events that caused problems in this book. I’m interested to see where she takes the series plot, but idk if I’ll read the next book.
Safe; no virgins, no om/ow drama, no cheating, no scenes with om/ow, hero has been celibate for 100 years but he also had a male lover in the 1960s - so I’m not sure how those two things work together, but it really was a minor part of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2024
“Hot Blooded” by Heather Guerre
5⭐️/5⭐️
3🌶/5🌶
“Amos gazed down at her, entranced for a moment by the sight of her. She looked soft and warm and sweet. She was the sunshine he would never again witness, brought to him instead in the form of a quietly beautiful woman.”
-This is a book I constantly recommend, and whenever I do it makes me want to reread it again. I recently had a small space in between books I read and planned on reading, so I decided it was the perfect time to reread “Hot Blooded” and write a proper review.
-This is the second book in the Tooth and Claw series, but you absolutely can read this as a standalone! The unique thing about this series is that the first book focuses on werewolf culture, and the vampires are the bad guys. But in “Hot Blooded” we get to see vampire culture, and the werewolves are the baddies! Everything comes to a head in “Once Bitten” (which I read and reviewed when it was released).
-There are so many wonderful qualities to this story that aren’t found in a ton of romance books. The MCs are older (he’s forever 42 because that’s when he became a vampire, and she’s 33), there's clear and mature communication between the MCs, the conflict is outside of the relationship and it’s not overbearing, and there’s a lot of kinks explored.
-I completely adore the relationship between Amos and Tessa. You’ve got Amos, a somewhat reclusive vampire who owns a software company, who decides to pay for a living blood donor; this is the first time he’s had live blood in one hundred years. Then there’s Tessa, a night nurse at a hospice facility who is trying to save as much money as possible to help her family, so she becomes a living blood donor for vampires. The connection between Amos and Tessa is immediate, she experiences a rare reaction when he drinks her blood, which causes them to quickly become infatuated with each other.
-Now, while their attraction and admittance happens early in the story, this is somewhat of a slow burn. There are lots of orgasmic blood feedings, intense make out sessions, and one instance where Amos kind of loses control (it’s amazing). But they don’t really hook up until ~80% into the book. However! There’s so much tension and small moments between them, it makes the wait worth it.
-Heather Guerre is one of the best indie authors out there; she is incapable of writing a bad book. If you haven’t read any of her books, this is a great place to start! She writes in all kinds of romance subgenres: fantasy, paranormal, contemporary, sci-fi. Rereading this book makes me want to go back and reread the first and move onto the third!
5⭐️/5⭐️
3🌶/5🌶
“Amos gazed down at her, entranced for a moment by the sight of her. She looked soft and warm and sweet. She was the sunshine he would never again witness, brought to him instead in the form of a quietly beautiful woman.”
-This is a book I constantly recommend, and whenever I do it makes me want to reread it again. I recently had a small space in between books I read and planned on reading, so I decided it was the perfect time to reread “Hot Blooded” and write a proper review.
-This is the second book in the Tooth and Claw series, but you absolutely can read this as a standalone! The unique thing about this series is that the first book focuses on werewolf culture, and the vampires are the bad guys. But in “Hot Blooded” we get to see vampire culture, and the werewolves are the baddies! Everything comes to a head in “Once Bitten” (which I read and reviewed when it was released).
-There are so many wonderful qualities to this story that aren’t found in a ton of romance books. The MCs are older (he’s forever 42 because that’s when he became a vampire, and she’s 33), there's clear and mature communication between the MCs, the conflict is outside of the relationship and it’s not overbearing, and there’s a lot of kinks explored.
-I completely adore the relationship between Amos and Tessa. You’ve got Amos, a somewhat reclusive vampire who owns a software company, who decides to pay for a living blood donor; this is the first time he’s had live blood in one hundred years. Then there’s Tessa, a night nurse at a hospice facility who is trying to save as much money as possible to help her family, so she becomes a living blood donor for vampires. The connection between Amos and Tessa is immediate, she experiences a rare reaction when he drinks her blood, which causes them to quickly become infatuated with each other.
-Now, while their attraction and admittance happens early in the story, this is somewhat of a slow burn. There are lots of orgasmic blood feedings, intense make out sessions, and one instance where Amos kind of loses control (it’s amazing). But they don’t really hook up until ~80% into the book. However! There’s so much tension and small moments between them, it makes the wait worth it.
-Heather Guerre is one of the best indie authors out there; she is incapable of writing a bad book. If you haven’t read any of her books, this is a great place to start! She writes in all kinds of romance subgenres: fantasy, paranormal, contemporary, sci-fi. Rereading this book makes me want to go back and reread the first and move onto the third!
January 6, 2022
This was such a fun read. It was so refreshing to read a FMC that I could actually relate to and a MMC that was different from your typical alpha vampire. The feeding sessions were VERY spicy and the consensual prey games were HOT. I need more romance books like this that flip the typical tropes.
June 25, 2022
Well, that's insta-love if I have ever seen one. That's all I'm gonna say. 👀
February 7, 2022
Recommended by Ruby Dixon.
Tessa, the eldest daughter of an Italian-American mom and a Mexican-American dad is working her fingers to the bone trying to support her mom and get out of the medical debt incurred while her father was dying. She's working night shifts as a hospice nurse and living with her overbearing mother, and to boost her income she signs up to be a blood supply for a vampire.
Amos is a vampire who has not had blood from a live person in 100 years and signs up to have a human donor come to his house. He's got strong principles and mostly avoids being involved in the shady politics of the vampire council and most of the other vampires in Chicago, but is close with his dam and her human bloodmate who seem like really cool people. He becomes very protective of Tessa just at the time that the city is experiencing an uptick in supernatural problems--namely, werewolves and the numerous illegal thralls created by Alex (the problem vampire from book #1!).
The conflicts in this story are mostly external-- there's attacks, Tessa's mom's situation, the vampire council. Amos is very thoughtful and protective of Tessa. One of my issues with the book is that Tessa has no friends of her own other than her coworkers, but it's realistic in this case I think. I really liked the pacing of the story and honestly just felt so much love and relief for Tessa, she deserves the best! I went on a little bit of a Guerre binge over the weekend and this was my favorite but I do recommend checking out the first in this series as well.
Some big CWs apply. I think it's perfect for fans of Ruby Dixon! Amos is very similar to a lot of her male MCs and the humor is similar.
And after some of the Romance discourse lately... behold! A man of average height!
*Sign up for the author's newsletter to get a bonus epilogue for this book.
Tessa, the eldest daughter of an Italian-American mom and a Mexican-American dad is working her fingers to the bone trying to support her mom and get out of the medical debt incurred while her father was dying. She's working night shifts as a hospice nurse and living with her overbearing mother, and to boost her income she signs up to be a blood supply for a vampire.
Amos is a vampire who has not had blood from a live person in 100 years and signs up to have a human donor come to his house. He's got strong principles and mostly avoids being involved in the shady politics of the vampire council and most of the other vampires in Chicago, but is close with his dam and her human bloodmate who seem like really cool people. He becomes very protective of Tessa just at the time that the city is experiencing an uptick in supernatural problems--namely, werewolves and the numerous illegal thralls created by Alex (the problem vampire from book #1!).
The conflicts in this story are mostly external-- there's attacks, Tessa's mom's situation, the vampire council. Amos is very thoughtful and protective of Tessa. One of my issues with the book is that Tessa has no friends of her own other than her coworkers, but it's realistic in this case I think. I really liked the pacing of the story and honestly just felt so much love and relief for Tessa, she deserves the best! I went on a little bit of a Guerre binge over the weekend and this was my favorite but I do recommend checking out the first in this series as well.
Some big CWs apply. I think it's perfect for fans of Ruby Dixon! Amos is very similar to a lot of her male MCs and the humor is similar.
And after some of the Romance discourse lately... behold! A man of average height!
*Sign up for the author's newsletter to get a bonus epilogue for this book.
February 24, 2025
★★ 𝟐 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 .ᐟ.ᐟ
╰ definitely a chill read. it's not typically what i gravitate towards when i'm looking for a romantasy book as this had a modern setting but it still included a few unique fantastical elements (sort of)
the mmc was a big softie, which i actually liked for a change, it was sweet and quite wholesome. ⊹˚. ♡
i also found it funny at the beginning because of the Tessa's description of Amos:
like is that supposed to be a compliment cause ??😭
▸ apart from the romance, i didn't feel like the plot was that gripping. i didn't seem to care much for the council of vampires and all that nonsense. it didn't feel like the book had a climax (even with the ending, i still feel like it was sort of predictable), instead it just felt like a steady line of "plot", if that makes sense ꩜.ᐟ
the mother really pissed me off for the majority of the book and i do wish that the fmc stood up for herself properly, but in a way Tessa's responses felt the most realistic to her situation so i can't fault that
OMG AND THE SEX SCENES PLEASE 😭 it was all so repetitive i actually got so bored
tooth and claw ⟢ ݁₊ .
Cold Hearted #️1
Hot Blooded #️2 ﹕✮✮✮
Once Bitten #️3
Twice Shy #️4
╰ definitely a chill read. it's not typically what i gravitate towards when i'm looking for a romantasy book as this had a modern setting but it still included a few unique fantastical elements (sort of)
the mmc was a big softie, which i actually liked for a change, it was sweet and quite wholesome. ⊹˚. ♡
i also found it funny at the beginning because of the Tessa's description of Amos:
"he wasn't model material"
"he looked like a sturdy, corn-fed farm boy"
like is that supposed to be a compliment cause ??😭
▸ apart from the romance, i didn't feel like the plot was that gripping. i didn't seem to care much for the council of vampires and all that nonsense. it didn't feel like the book had a climax (even with the ending, i still feel like it was sort of predictable), instead it just felt like a steady line of "plot", if that makes sense ꩜.ᐟ
the mother really pissed me off for the majority of the book and i do wish that the fmc stood up for herself properly, but in a way Tessa's responses felt the most realistic to her situation so i can't fault that
OMG AND THE SEX SCENES PLEASE 😭 it was all so repetitive i actually got so bored
tooth and claw ⟢ ݁₊ .
Cold Hearted #️1
Hot Blooded #️2 ﹕✮✮✮
Once Bitten #️3
Twice Shy #️4
August 30, 2022
Ok- I loved this couple. I liked this book so much I didn’t even try to pick it apart. I told my hubby that if I was a vampire and could have him as a B&B forever, I would choose him. He looked at me real funny but said “thanks honey”. lol
Amos- what a doll. He just wanted love and he was a straight up man to declare his intentions to court Tessa. We have the only noble vampire around and he was perfect.
He was cute with Etta and Fran, blurting out the B&B thing to them like it was Christmas morning.
Feeding scenes, love scenes, banter, sex scenes- scorching and very well done.
Tessa- oldest daughter tired of being the one to take care of everyone else and have no life. Girl- I understand. I can’t have my sisters in my house and ask for basics like toilet paper for me to feel used by them :) How dare they ask me for 1 MORE thing? Don’t they know everything I have ever done for them??
Anyway- HG hit a nerve about the blackmail babysitting quote - loved it. Glad Tessa could stand her ground with Amos and tell him what she needed ( as she figured it out herself).
The thrall thing was interesting- loved the quote where Amos congratulates Tessa- you are now a Mom!
Happy to continue this series! Glad to see some cross over from book 1 about Alex- but no spoilers here.
Amos- what a doll. He just wanted love and he was a straight up man to declare his intentions to court Tessa. We have the only noble vampire around and he was perfect.
He was cute with Etta and Fran, blurting out the B&B thing to them like it was Christmas morning.
Feeding scenes, love scenes, banter, sex scenes- scorching and very well done.
Tessa- oldest daughter tired of being the one to take care of everyone else and have no life. Girl- I understand. I can’t have my sisters in my house and ask for basics like toilet paper for me to feel used by them :) How dare they ask me for 1 MORE thing? Don’t they know everything I have ever done for them??
Anyway- HG hit a nerve about the blackmail babysitting quote - loved it. Glad Tessa could stand her ground with Amos and tell him what she needed ( as she figured it out herself).
The thrall thing was interesting- loved the quote where Amos congratulates Tessa- you are now a Mom!
Happy to continue this series! Glad to see some cross over from book 1 about Alex- but no spoilers here.
December 2, 2022
No because r/romancebooks on reddit popped off with this recommendation. I stayed up past my mf bedtime to finish it.
A fun, light hearted pnr book. Not too long, no super convoluted plot line. Just cute #vampire dating.
•just did a reread of this and i’m still ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED!!! Amos and Tessa are one of my fav book couples I think. Amos is such a cute gentleman. and the spice 😩🤭🌶
A fun, light hearted pnr book. Not too long, no super convoluted plot line. Just cute #vampire dating.
•just did a reread of this and i’m still ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED!!! Amos and Tessa are one of my fav book couples I think. Amos is such a cute gentleman. and the spice 😩🤭🌶
November 23, 2025
Imaginative world where vampires have a blood service. Human h registers as a donor as her family needs money. H is old, very proper and careful with her. Great writing offers a great view of vamps, werewolves and humans.
May 22, 2024
I’m quite obsessed with the vampire lore in this universe. I’ve never really gotten the blood drinking vampire kink until this book and I was not expecting how steamy it could be. I liked how reasonably moral (except those few bad eggs) the vampire council was, and the relationships that the vampires cultivate between who created them (the vampire lineage powers!) and also with their bloodmates. The only thing that really irked me with this was the heroine’s family situation which was infuriating, and doesn’t really go anywhere.
December 14, 2022
Unexpected surprise are the best.
Like I said this book took me by surprise. I went into it completely blind and enjoyed it so much.
Amos a lonely and introverted vampire and responsibility laden, courageous, bold human Tessa complimented each other very well. I loved how their relationship progressed from acquaintance to friends to lovers. He was such a gentleman in real life so imagine my surprise at how he turned out to be in bed.
I loved his interactions with Etta and I adored Phillipe. I just wished there was more of him.
An easy well written romance that could be read as standalone.
Recommended and included in kindle Unlimited.
Like I said this book took me by surprise. I went into it completely blind and enjoyed it so much.
Amos a lonely and introverted vampire and responsibility laden, courageous, bold human Tessa complimented each other very well. I loved how their relationship progressed from acquaintance to friends to lovers. He was such a gentleman in real life so imagine my surprise at how he turned out to be in bed.
I loved his interactions with Etta and I adored Phillipe. I just wished there was more of him.
An easy well written romance that could be read as standalone.
Recommended and included in kindle Unlimited.
May 9, 2023
OK romance, little disappointed with the rest
Hmm, didn’t care for this one a whole lot, it’s just…fine. The biggest plus is the romance—Amos and Tessa make a great couple and really balance each other out.
As individual characters, I like Tessa, even if she verges close to doormat territory for me. I also like Amos but he’s one of my biggest hang-ups here—I have a really hard time seeing him as both the flustered, bumbling idiot and the growly, dangerous vampire. I know those two kinds of personalities could coexist but idk, it felt disjointed in this story, like they didn’t go together. I would’ve preferred him to be more of a softer character all the time, or a darker character all the time. Having both didn’t work for me.
I was also pretty bored overall because really, there was no plot here. It really was just about their relationship and the focus was nice, but it ended up being boring. And the small conflict towards the end was pretty disappointing because it was just so random. Sure, it’s loosely connected to events from the previous book, but that has nothing to do with Amos and Tessa so it felt so out of place.
I know this is personal, but I’m also a little salty that Tessa never really stood up to her family. That whole situation is one of my biggest pet peeves and I wish she would have done a little more to get them to recognize that they were in the wrong. That whole resolution was extremely unsatisfying.
As for spice, definitely a good chunk of open-door scenes, some primal hunting stuff, lots of biting (duh, vampires).
Hmm, didn’t care for this one a whole lot, it’s just…fine. The biggest plus is the romance—Amos and Tessa make a great couple and really balance each other out.
As individual characters, I like Tessa, even if she verges close to doormat territory for me. I also like Amos but he’s one of my biggest hang-ups here—I have a really hard time seeing him as both the flustered, bumbling idiot and the growly, dangerous vampire. I know those two kinds of personalities could coexist but idk, it felt disjointed in this story, like they didn’t go together. I would’ve preferred him to be more of a softer character all the time, or a darker character all the time. Having both didn’t work for me.
I was also pretty bored overall because really, there was no plot here. It really was just about their relationship and the focus was nice, but it ended up being boring. And the small conflict towards the end was pretty disappointing because it was just so random. Sure, it’s loosely connected to events from the previous book, but that has nothing to do with Amos and Tessa so it felt so out of place.
I know this is personal, but I’m also a little salty that Tessa never really stood up to her family. That whole situation is one of my biggest pet peeves and I wish she would have done a little more to get them to recognize that they were in the wrong. That whole resolution was extremely unsatisfying.
As for spice, definitely a good chunk of open-door scenes, some primal hunting stuff, lots of biting (duh, vampires).
April 19, 2022
4 stars.
Contains: both MCs bi, predator prey kink, CNC, vampire + human, feeding kink, “sex” work (heroine hired for blood feeding), orgasm while feeding, “let me court you properly,” heroine 34ish hero 42 (body) 150ish (total), nurse heroine, overnight shift, protective/possessive, bond link, external threat, complicated family dynamics, Chicago, immortality, heroine = Mexican and Italian descent, hero = Norwegian descent
CW: offscreen/past death of parent, blood (Obvs), mortal peril, stalking
3.5🔥 (more if you count all the scenes where she comes from feeding but there’s no traditional sexual touching)
Contains: both MCs bi, predator prey kink, CNC, vampire + human, feeding kink, “sex” work (heroine hired for blood feeding), orgasm while feeding, “let me court you properly,” heroine 34ish hero 42 (body) 150ish (total), nurse heroine, overnight shift, protective/possessive, bond link, external threat, complicated family dynamics, Chicago, immortality, heroine = Mexican and Italian descent, hero = Norwegian descent
CW: offscreen/past death of parent, blood (Obvs), mortal peril, stalking
3.5🔥 (more if you count all the scenes where she comes from feeding but there’s no traditional sexual touching)
September 2, 2022
4.5 stars!
I actually really liked this one! It wasn’t anything earth-shattering, but it was fun and sweet and interesting, and I have been super into vampires and werewolves lately. I enjoyed reading it, which is what it’s all about. Amos is a great male vampire: sweet and loving and devoted but still a predator, he just has manners.
I liked Cold Hearted, but this one was better. And it being set in Chicago was like the cherry on top! 🍒
I actually really liked this one! It wasn’t anything earth-shattering, but it was fun and sweet and interesting, and I have been super into vampires and werewolves lately. I enjoyed reading it, which is what it’s all about. Amos is a great male vampire: sweet and loving and devoted but still a predator, he just has manners.
I liked Cold Hearted, but this one was better. And it being set in Chicago was like the cherry on top! 🍒
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