Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Skin Trade #1

Blood Slave: Skin Trade Season One

Rate this book
A New Paranormal Romance from Author Mason Sabre
In a world where vampires reign supreme and humans are merely their food source, Payton is just another blood slave, a commodity to be bought and sold at the Blood Auctions. But when the powerful and enigmatic vampire king of the North, Seth Hayden, purchases her for a staggering ten million, she finds herself questioning everything she knows about her life.

As she spends more time with Seth, Payton discovers that there's more to him than meets the eye. His touch ignites a fire within her, and his words promise a future that seems almost too good to be true.

Yet, with her newfound freedom comes danger. Seth's enemies are hunting her, and Payton soon finds herself embroiled in a deadly power struggle between the ruling vampire elite. As the world she thought she knew crumbles around her, Payton finds herself torn between the freedom she's always wished for and the safety Seth provides.

In this intense dystopian paranormal romance, Payton must make a choice that could mean the difference between life and death.


If you like paranormal romance in a dystopian world, with a slow burn romance and many, many secrets to unravel, this is for you. Blood Slave is a full-length novel and is season one of the Skin Trade series. It ends on a slight cliff-hanger and is recommended for 18+ due to the language, gore and sexual content.

288 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2021

412 people are currently reading
410 people want to read

About the author

Mason Sabre

64 books469 followers
My name is Mason Sabre. I have been writing since I was a small child and discovered I could have a million adventures at the stroke of my pencil (I wasn't allowed to use pen back then). I have written more stories than I could even publish, some of them I wouldn't ever put out, but I have had a blast writing them. I love writing, I love reading. I love to have a fictional adventure. When I am not doing that I am with my children or studying. I have a lifelong love of learning too.

I live in the North of England. It's a little chilly here and a little wet, but it is what I call home and where pretty much all of my stories are based.

Mason’s author page Amazon UK http://tinyurl.com/masonuk
Mason’s author page Amazon US http://tinyurl.com/masonus

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
268 (48%)
4 stars
149 (26%)
3 stars
83 (14%)
2 stars
39 (6%)
1 star
19 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Profile Image for ZARIA (Sheldon Cooper lover).
698 reviews
Read
October 20, 2019

DNF
TSTL heroine, she was shallow and frustrating....
“I’m not into girls,” she barely managed. Another minute and she was going to … what? She wasn’t sure. Melt? Give in? No.
“Oh, I can assure you, Tasha isn’t a girl. She is very much all woman.”
One.
Two.
She sounded silently in her head, took a breath and turned her head so their faces were less than an inch apart. She met his gaze with her defiance. “I am not into women either.”


Profile Image for Kirsty Adams - Kindle Freak Book Blog.
921 reviews26 followers
August 25, 2021
A whole range of emotions were expertly pulled from me as the action unfolded, in this mesmerising story. Mr Sabre’s brilliant mind creates such fascinating characters and he is a master of creating new worlds. A world of vampires and humans, the scenes described are so vivid, I literally felt I was there.

The attachment I felt for both Payton & Seth was strong. Their story is one with many intriguing layers and one that will make you want to keep turning those pages. I especially loved how Seth was so mysterious and boy did my heart feel like it went through the wringer, at certain points along the way. Coupled with the steamy hot chemistry that sizzled between them, Seth & Payton have joined my list of favourite book couples.

BIG 5 STARS! Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Mary.
496 reviews5 followers
July 15, 2019
Beyond love

Payne was innocent and didn't know the truth about her family and childhood. She was a blood salve and treated poorly. She was out up for auction and Seth paid a fortune for her. She didn't trust anyone but finally Seth a little. He had a pull in her that she couldn't understand and didn't like. SLowly and surely Seth got into her brain and she loved him. But jealousy also reared it's head and made.Payne make decisions which we are better left undone. She learned truths but felt and saw who she really loved. The stories so much more please read it. Mason has outdone himself on this beauty. LOVED IT!!!!!!
Profile Image for Heather.
407 reviews47 followers
November 27, 2023
I DNF’ed this book at 89%. I really wanted to love it. I truly did because I was like, “Wow! A man that writes paranormal romance?! This is going to be great!” And for the record I don’t think it’s because he’s a guy that made it all go sideways for me.



I think the concept was great, but I just couldn’t get into the writing style of the author. It felt as though every single minute was documented and I don’t do well with that. I need some time to lapse within a story.



Aside from that, some of the writing seemed fragmented in a way that he would know what’s going on (obviously because he’s the author and his mind fills in the gaps since he’s writing the story) but as a reader it was confusing and hard to follow. You know what I mean?



I might try another one of his stories, as this one just might not have been for me. It also may not be an accurate representation of his work as a whole.



Like I said, I really did enjoy the concept and I also liked some of the raw descriptions he brought to the genre that I don’t normally get to enjoy, but I’d like to read something that’s maybe a little more formatted (there were a good bit of typos too) and possibly something where the storyline is more fully plotted out so the writing has more direction and doesn’t feel like borderline rambling.

Profile Image for Angela.
2,514 reviews10 followers
January 27, 2020
Not sure

Ok, didn’t like the ending at all. But I did love the characters. Story was good, then took a total left turn into something. Not sure what happened. But the whole book needs a proofreader.
Profile Image for Julie Sherman.
1,465 reviews24 followers
April 28, 2022
Great book

This is a great book with lots of surprises. I am really happy I picked up this book to read. I will be reading the next one.
Profile Image for Mabel Mumbles.
278 reviews2 followers
August 1, 2021
This story has everything packed in to it! Love, pain, mystery, twists and turns, all wedged in to the pages, you will be gripped from the first chapter nothing is boring in this world!

We are shown a time ravaged by disease and how only the strongest survive. A world where the highest bidder wins. But you're rooting for love to conqure all. Yes it does end on a cliff hanger and your left with questions that you need answers to, but this series promises to hook you in and drag you under in the best possible way 😍 I can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Danielle.
508 reviews2 followers
April 1, 2024
This book had an interesting premise, with a post apocalyptic world riddled with zombies (essentially, they are vampires driven mad by thirst but are rotten and mindless like a zombie) and ruled by vampires. I liked the premise but I struggled with the FMC. It felt like she had no agency in this story, like things just happened to her and she just passively went along with it, and it made it hard for me to connect with her.
Profile Image for Jennifer K.
103 reviews5 followers
December 28, 2024
Read this review at your own risk. Possible spoilers below.

I'm on the fence with this series. At first I really really was drawn in and couldn't put the book down. I'm a sucker for the damsel in distress being rescued by the powerful, elusive, scary hero. Where she struggles to find herself after years of abuse and is very guarded with everyone and everything. I enjoy a story that unfolds of her finding her way and this world is unique in the post apocalyptic setting. I found the story well written and for the most part enjoyable, but I'm having a very hard time getting behind the MFC in this story. It's understandable that she is naive to how the world has changed since she was forced into servitude for a vampire master as a blood slave and locked away, beaten and tortured into submission almost ten years ago, however, for as smart as she seems, she doesn't learn or adapt to her new situation and continues to make odd, even bad choices which I can only assume serves the author to move the plot forward. Rather than find out what's been happening all of this time through narrative or actions of others, the MFC has to learn about each thing by personally experiencing it, even if she's been told about the horrid things happening outside the walls that keep her safe and how to avoid it. She continually puts herself in danger after telling herself that she is strong, but when faced with a new monster she freezes and is practically useless arguing with herself why she should or shouldn't hurt said creature and eventually has to be rescued by someone else or loses her weapon. So instead of understanding how things have gotten this depraved in the world and what the bigger picture is, I find myself screaming at her to listen to the one person she instinctually trusts one minute, feeling in her gut she must save him, to disregard anything he tells her to help keep her safe the next. If this is a love story its incredibly slooooooow burn. The heroes have said about five words to each other and spent even less time in each others presence. I started book two, but put it down for the moment frustrated that the two main characters spent much of book one separated, have barely had a chance to even get to know one another and are once again separated as she has left the building, wandered away from its protection, met a new character and run away with him to escape a deadly monster chasing them down. This is how we meet another faction in this world and I'm guessing how she "learns" about what is happening with them.
This story is a mix of The Walking Dead meets The Blood Alliance Series meets The Stand. I really want to love this series but I picked thinking it was a love story mixed in the pages of this world. While it might be there (hints of reincarnation) I am not a fan of the trope of separating the two main characters, especially at this point because they have spent all of five minutes together. I'm also disappointed because we seem to now be focused on the minutia of this world and we don't yet even understand the hierarchy of everyone/everything. There are Kings, but we don't know anything about how that came to be or who the other kings are. His brother wants him dead or overthrown. Who is he working with? Who's to say. Then there's the Death Bringers who we spend some time with. They are immune to the virus that wiped out most of the world. Instead we are left with our naive MFC while she wonders if she can sense the human that the crazy monster used to be. Ugh. This would be so much better if I cared about our gal but she just makes so many dumb mistakes and choices that this feels too convenient at this point in the plot. I will likely finish this at some point and if it gets better I'll be back to change my review. It had so much potential in the beginning but has been kind of a letdown going into book two...
Profile Image for Desiree Derouen.
158 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2023
Beyond awesome ! its Fantastically Supercalifradulisticespialidosious!!

Bet you didn’t see that review title coming!! This freaking book, because calling it a just a « regular book » to read would be like saying the Guardians of the Galaxy was « Just a movie » …. This story is like TWD (umm for you non-geeks The Walking Dead) meets Mila Jojovavich stumbling into Chelize Theron in Mad Max while while accidentally bumping into Kate Beckinsale with splash of Underworld, Sprinkle in some Reezz Evil && everyone decided to have an Urban Apocalypse..!! Yes, IT. IS. THAT. GOOD. !! It’s POV is from a victim of a new world… New Society (if y’a will) & possible life for those of us that would survive. How it could be for the « OTHER half » He doesn’t spell everything out. Its not your typical « Meet-cute » && mushy cheesy want to roll your eyes romance arc. I tell y’a wasn’t sure what to expect BUT IT SURE WASN’T what I got. I. LOST. SLEEP.!! I Looovveee my sleep 😴 Especially after work (2) 12hr stressful shifts @ Hospital && all I want to do is collapse but NOOOoooo I just HAD to pick up THIS PHONE & get BACK TO THIS STORY…… 😔… HIGHLY HIGHLY THOROUGHLY EXTREMELY & MAGNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND THIS FREAKING BOOK!! 😜 😜 😆 HAPPY READING !!! Or in this case not sleeping & becoming quite obsessed with this story…..dammit.!
Profile Image for Rin.
303 reviews8 followers
July 15, 2019
Sexy Seth And Pretty Payton

Vampires have taken over and humans are used for pleasure and food.. After purchasing Payton, it's the first time she's been outside in close to a decade. He repeatedly flirts, gets her all hot and bothered and tells her she isn't a prisoner. Feeling like she knows him which is impossible, Payton believes because Seth is a vampire, enemy, that he's trying to take her mind over and making her body feel excited . But he said she isn't a prisoner so she ends up walking out into the sunlight so she can get back to her father who she was kidnapped from. She soon finds out that there's things that go bump in the day and begins chasing her all the way back into Seth's building as he waits for her with with a shotgun ready to kill the monster that's trying to kill her. Instead of being grateful that Seth saved her life, Payton yells at him for not telling her ...

This was definitely one of my favourite books from this author and really hoping he writes more about these characters... Maybe Payton wants to be a vampire too!!!!!
Highly recommended...Kept me guessing until the end..
Profile Image for Micheala.
1,263 reviews80 followers
August 12, 2019
Going into it, I worried it would be too similar to K.A. Linde’s Blood Type series. The idea of a human being sold to a vampire to be their personal feeder. Besides sharing the same beginning concept, this one is so different. The author created a story with plenty of twists and a large mystery that comes out at the end. Payton is bought by a rich vampire who owns a club. He keeps fairly to himself, doesn’t use her like he does the other women. Instead, they get close to each other organically and a bond forms between the two.

You could tell he is hiding something, but the author does a good job of making it not obvious. Until the end, we’re fairly kept in the dark. Then a whole lot or large bombs are dropped on us. By this point the characters have formed such a bond that regardless of what was just announced, they move on together.

It was a tad rushed at the end, since everything came out at once. But in this case, I did find that it worked.
Profile Image for Debs.
1,194 reviews4 followers
February 19, 2022
Fab story

I loved this exciting story about vampire King Seth and blood slave Payton. Seth rescued Payton from years of vampire abuse. He gave her the option to leave any time she wanted. Unfortunately psycho brother Donovan also wants Payton all to himself and starts a war which results in Seth being injured and taken in by his friend Killigan and his team. They have all been rescued at one time by Seth. There seems to be a lot of jealousy and hatred towards humans and Payton is left feeling very vulnerable.

There are abominations outside who have gone mad and are blood crazed. They storm Killigan's base, killing many team mates. Payton managed to gain access to the room in which Seth is being held and gives him her blood to help him regain his strength.

Now it's Seth who is in the war path and aiming for his brother.
377 reviews
September 29, 2025
Just a simple WOW!!

This is fully addictive & hypnotic in feel & tone. It's vampires but not in a way that I've come across before, it's far more complex & layer upon layer builds, giving a dreamlike quality to the narrative. What & who are Seth & Payton?

The prose goes above & beyond the usual run of vampire books. It's bone shatteringly graphic about Payton's miserable existence before Seth rescued her, it's visceral in the picture it paints of the degradation & pain. Then that segues into the lyrical passages describing her fumbling towards an understanding of the world with Seth in it. It's not until the very last few pages that we're given a peek behind the curtain to the connection between them.

I am now going to the next book & I don't think I've been happier to say that in a long time.
Profile Image for Yvette  Grimes.
247 reviews
July 9, 2019
OMG!! Ever read a book that grabs your attention from the first paragraph? Skin Trade is that kind of book! Make sure your dinner has been taken care of (pizza delivery) because you will end up burning food if you try to cook! Oh and one more thing, be prepared to take the next day off because I promise you will be up reading all night. The world created by the author was captivating. Payton and Seth had so much chemistry. We should all be so lucky! If you want a well written romance filled with mystery and intrigue, then this is for you!!
Profile Image for Cassy.
271 reviews11 followers
July 12, 2019
I loved this book! The mystery surrounding these characters was intense, along with their connection. As I read, I slowly got pieces, but not enough to complete the puzzle until the end. I liked Payton's strong, sassy personality when she would push Seth's boundaries. Seth was a mystery, but ever so patient, even when he would show his authority, leaving me to wonder why he has done what he has so far. This was a fantastic read, that had me hooked from beginning to end. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Rebecca  Nadine.
83 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2019
I cannot say enough about this book.
Seth is a master vampire with dark secrets and a mystery to newly acquired, human blood slave, Payton.
Sabre, once again, demonstrates his writing genius with a story so tightly woven that, while clues to the mystery surrounding this couple are subtle, they jump off the page with a second look. Character development, plot, and scenes brilliantly unfold.
And, it is hot! The chemistry between Seth and Payton is off the charts! Break out the fan, you're going to need it.
So much more than five stars. Welcome to Skin Trade!
Profile Image for Stephanie Holmes.
102 reviews
October 30, 2025
I really liked this more than I thought I would. I like the world building but I was definitely left with a sense of wth is happening throughout the book as not much is explained of a back story in the first book at all. I love the concept behind this story and that’s what has drawn me in to keep reading. I had a few spelling mistakes in my copy which made it feel a little unfinished. It definitely feels like an underrated little gem. I did find some of MFC behaviour odd given her history of trauma but it’s a fantasy so you kinda give it a pass. I’m excited to read the next one.
Profile Image for lisa jane costello.
97 reviews
April 9, 2022
Just the beginning

I'm not sure what to make of this yet, it's different! I'm going to read the next book because I feel like it's only just getting started. The setting is different from anything I've read before so this book literally sets the scene and we beginning to get to know the characters. It's interesting and i hope I'm not going to be disappointed, it has great potential.
39 reviews
August 5, 2022
Complicated, and shock of last 30pages were rushed sudden change of expected. Barley any hints or understanding. It was good but better writers strive you to read it again and see the clues now you know the truth, this just avoided that. You had no idea (don't know if that was good or bad).
Also he had a thing about not lieing to her bit he did, like alot. And she was annoying, always complaining. Always the rich girl which she wasn't even in the end. She never accepted the bad bits.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mrs Clarereadstoomuch.
283 reviews3 followers
August 9, 2023
Good 1st Book to series

So this is a vampire tale. It’s written well and has great potential for a series.

It’s a little confusing so hence the 4 stars. No explanation as to why the vampires are herding humans. Also development from vampire making out with others to the end is a bit odd.

That said I’m going to read the second book and hope it contains those explanations.
1 review
November 22, 2025
Interesting

Nice read has some editing issues. Repeats in an early chapter. Suddenly we know his name . Even though he hasn’t been introduced. Other than that a nice story not much happens and when it does it isn’t explained. The main character Payton is a bit annoying. No explanation as to why she is sold or why he is there. If she is his mate or bonded . His point of view might have been helpful to help the flow.
Profile Image for Tabbie Fayth.
92 reviews
December 31, 2025
Dystopian meets monster romance

I loved this story! I started by listening and quickly went to reading because I absorb better that way. I knew from the start I didn't want to risk missing a scene.

Not too fond of the absolute cliffhanger of an ending. If I had read this without the next book being out I would have given less stars just for the way the book ended. Nothing at all was wrapped up. It literally ends in the middle of something big.
Profile Image for Cathy Dionne.
109 reviews2 followers
July 16, 2019
I now have one of the worst book hangovers. I devoured this book in one day and wished it could just go on and on. Skin Trade is not your average vampire story. Mason Sabre always writes stories with clever characters, unique locations, emotion that grips the reader and twists that you never see coming. I highly recommend this story to all book lovers out there. You will not be disappointed!
Profile Image for Sandi Meshach-Manwiller.
30 reviews
July 16, 2019
Savory

I absolutely cannot say enough about this book. It is one of my favorites of Mr. Sabre’s. You knew there was so much more to the story but you could not guess how it was going to end. If I had to pick one word out that keeps coming to mind is trust. So trust me when I say that you want to read this book.
Profile Image for Sammie J..
Author 20 books538 followers
July 19, 2019
Amazing

Payton and Seth's story is one I will not forget in a hurry. I was sucked in from the first page. It has everything from angst, betrayal, sex, twists I didn't see coming, and a love that stands the testimony of time. This is a paranormal story at its best, and I highly recommend vampire lovers to read it.
77 reviews8 followers
July 28, 2019
This is one of those books you just want to devour in one go, thanks to the amazing writing skills of the author. He creates a vivid world where vampires rule and humans are used and abused as they see fit. Seth and Payton have instant chemistry and the element of suspense keeps you hooked till the very last page. Thanks to Mason Sabre for yet another satisfying read.
2,293 reviews5 followers
February 10, 2023
Good first book in the series. Ends in a cliffhanger.

Payton is strong in some ways and weak in others. Payton goes through a wide range of emotions. Seth is a mysterious vampire whom Payton slowly gets to know. The world- building is good. There is action and violence. There are surprises in the plot. I will be reading the next book.
447 reviews3 followers
March 15, 2025
Started out well

But got cringey. The FMC is traumatised, which I thought realistic at first, but an entire book of her being a victim got old. The MMC is so opaque that I don't have any thoughts about him. It wasn't predictable, which was good, but the the spanning the ages romance was overwrought, particularly when the MCs seem so featureless.
Profile Image for April Hyman.
96 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2025
I really enjoyed the world building in this book. I felt the MFC gave a good portrayal of someone struggling with freedom after servitude, I understand some complaining that she was too passive, but someone can't change straight away after 9 years of being a slave. Looking forward to reading the next book and seeing how the story progresses.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.