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Vampire Huntress Chronicles #1
Blood Hunt
Hunting vampires is her legacy.
Detective Rainey Astor walks a dangerous line between the human and supernatural worlds. As a vampire hunter, she’s a formidable opponent, having killed hundreds of their kind. Yet, when her latest foray into the supernatural world goes terribly wrong, she finds herself rescued by the very creature she’s vowed to kill.
Elijah Hawthorne is unlike any vampire Rainey has ever met. His sexy as hell exterior hides a tortured soul seeking redemption. Rainey knows she should avoid him at all costs, but fate has other plans. Together, they’re forced down a twisted path of ancient revenge and tainted love.
With Elijah guarding her back, Rainey must protect her heart, because giving in could mean a death sentence for them both. But if they don’t discover the hidden identity of their enemy before the clock runs out, she’s as good as dead anyway.
Detective Rainey Astor walks a dangerous line between the human and supernatural worlds. As a vampire hunter, she’s a formidable opponent, having killed hundreds of their kind. Yet, when her latest foray into the supernatural world goes terribly wrong, she finds herself rescued by the very creature she’s vowed to kill.
Elijah Hawthorne is unlike any vampire Rainey has ever met. His sexy as hell exterior hides a tortured soul seeking redemption. Rainey knows she should avoid him at all costs, but fate has other plans. Together, they’re forced down a twisted path of ancient revenge and tainted love.
With Elijah guarding her back, Rainey must protect her heart, because giving in could mean a death sentence for them both. But if they don’t discover the hidden identity of their enemy before the clock runs out, she’s as good as dead anyway.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2020
1325 people are currently reading
1812 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Wayne
84 books693 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author of steamy PNR and fantasy romance.
Ever since my grandmother first handed me a Nora Roberts novel, I KNEW I wanted to write romance.
I love love. Crave it. For me, genre doesn't matter as long as there is a beautifully epic love story woven into the storyline.
Which is exactly why I chose to write across so many genres. Paranormal, fantasy, contemporary, suspense...no matter which of my books you choose you always know what you're getting: a love story for the ages.
And before I was an author, I was a reader! Please be sure to follow me here, or add me as a friend! I love to connect!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
December 17, 2020
Caution ⚠️ Stupidity abounds in generous heaps. A dose for each character, with seconds and thirds, all complementary.
In fact, if TSTL came as a character, then her name would be Rainey. She was so incredibly stupid, oh mi gosh!
Let’s start with hunting vampires without knowing the slightest about the structure of the vampire society. Then this moron went on hunts blindly. There was no casing the joint, no gathering intel, no partners, no exit plan for when shit hits the fan, hell half the time she wasn’t even properly armed or outfitted. All the while she was wading into danger stupidly, she knew someone was trying to kill her. All the stupidity eventually forcing people to save her, like every freaking time!
The book even called to attention how hunters are not known for their smarts. I swear it was meant literally... not as an insult but an observation with proof. If Rainey was any indication, the line of hunters should have been extinct a long time ago. But of course, vampires in this world must be much dumber, cause I can think of no other reason why hunters haven’t been wiped out.
And let’s face it, vampires were actually portrayed to be incredibly stupid too. Elijah was also so stupid, it’s a shock to me that he got past childhood. The sheer stupidity and recklessness of basically every character is actually quite baffling. Just wow!
If you can get past this, and the bouncing first-person present tense POV between Rainey and Elijah, then the book is great.🥴 Fast read too.
In fact, if TSTL came as a character, then her name would be Rainey. She was so incredibly stupid, oh mi gosh!
Let’s start with hunting vampires without knowing the slightest about the structure of the vampire society. Then this moron went on hunts blindly. There was no casing the joint, no gathering intel, no partners, no exit plan for when shit hits the fan, hell half the time she wasn’t even properly armed or outfitted. All the while she was wading into danger stupidly, she knew someone was trying to kill her. All the stupidity eventually forcing people to save her, like every freaking time!
The book even called to attention how hunters are not known for their smarts. I swear it was meant literally... not as an insult but an observation with proof. If Rainey was any indication, the line of hunters should have been extinct a long time ago. But of course, vampires in this world must be much dumber, cause I can think of no other reason why hunters haven’t been wiped out.
And let’s face it, vampires were actually portrayed to be incredibly stupid too. Elijah was also so stupid, it’s a shock to me that he got past childhood. The sheer stupidity and recklessness of basically every character is actually quite baffling. Just wow!
If you can get past this, and the bouncing first-person present tense POV between Rainey and Elijah, then the book is great.🥴 Fast read too.
November 20, 2020
Wow! What a pilot episode.
Rainey is a hunter which means she has a bit of a supernatural boost that allows her to hunt down and kill vampires. She's also a police detective during the day. This aids her ability to gain more information about the players she's hunting but also prevent humans from finding out vampires exist. Ever since her sister Delaney was killed, Rainey has been driven to uphold her sister's legacy even though she originally wanted nothing to do with the hunter life. Now, being the last of her line and with nefarious supernatural happenings increasing in her town, she's had to re-evaluate her entire existence. A lot of this is driven by a vampire hybrid named Elijah.
Elijah has been around for a few centuries. He's also the last of his line and very unique because he is half vampire, half witch. He met Delaney and became a really good friend of hers before she was murdered. Before she died, he promised her he'd keep an eye on Rainey. He's also hoping Rainey can help him find the rumored vampire cure. He realizes that Rainey's supernatural education is quite stunted because she doesn't even understand the extent of her powers but he's going to be the one to teach as well as learn.
These two would normally be like oil and water because Rainey absolutely cannot stand vampires and Elijah has no interest in consorting with a hunter outside of her ancestral usage for his own gain. But as these two keep getting into skirmishes, that almost get Rainey killed a few times, they start to grow closer. Not to mention the fact that there's this powerful draw they have to one another that's incredibly hard to resist, especially for Elijah. I enjoyed watching this relationship grow from total enemies to just lukewarm enemies. Near death experiences and adrenaline have away of making you trust people you would never normally trust and the fact that Elijah knew more from Delaney than Rainey adds to the intrigue of this relationship.
I really enjoyed the world building. There are lots of story time instances that drew me right in, such as how vampires, hunters, etc came into existence. I definitely enjoyed Rainey's personality. She was pretty perfectly cast as the character who is constantly surrounded by blood. She makes bold and reckless decisions but it's all in the name of eliminating evil. I loved Elijah. He's definitely an enigma. His story was as compelling as Rainey's. I cannot wait to learn more about these characters as they grow closer to each other but also about the war that's on the horizon so I will definitely be diving into book two.
Rainey is a hunter which means she has a bit of a supernatural boost that allows her to hunt down and kill vampires. She's also a police detective during the day. This aids her ability to gain more information about the players she's hunting but also prevent humans from finding out vampires exist. Ever since her sister Delaney was killed, Rainey has been driven to uphold her sister's legacy even though she originally wanted nothing to do with the hunter life. Now, being the last of her line and with nefarious supernatural happenings increasing in her town, she's had to re-evaluate her entire existence. A lot of this is driven by a vampire hybrid named Elijah.
Elijah has been around for a few centuries. He's also the last of his line and very unique because he is half vampire, half witch. He met Delaney and became a really good friend of hers before she was murdered. Before she died, he promised her he'd keep an eye on Rainey. He's also hoping Rainey can help him find the rumored vampire cure. He realizes that Rainey's supernatural education is quite stunted because she doesn't even understand the extent of her powers but he's going to be the one to teach as well as learn.
These two would normally be like oil and water because Rainey absolutely cannot stand vampires and Elijah has no interest in consorting with a hunter outside of her ancestral usage for his own gain. But as these two keep getting into skirmishes, that almost get Rainey killed a few times, they start to grow closer. Not to mention the fact that there's this powerful draw they have to one another that's incredibly hard to resist, especially for Elijah. I enjoyed watching this relationship grow from total enemies to just lukewarm enemies. Near death experiences and adrenaline have away of making you trust people you would never normally trust and the fact that Elijah knew more from Delaney than Rainey adds to the intrigue of this relationship.
I really enjoyed the world building. There are lots of story time instances that drew me right in, such as how vampires, hunters, etc came into existence. I definitely enjoyed Rainey's personality. She was pretty perfectly cast as the character who is constantly surrounded by blood. She makes bold and reckless decisions but it's all in the name of eliminating evil. I loved Elijah. He's definitely an enigma. His story was as compelling as Rainey's. I cannot wait to learn more about these characters as they grow closer to each other but also about the war that's on the horizon so I will definitely be diving into book two.
November 27, 2020
Solid UF. Slow to medium burn, but with some nice tension building between the characters. I do wish we got to know a bit more about Elijah, as the entire book was a bit short for the number of attacks/explosions/ plot twists and turns. It came off as rushed and a little chaotic (eh—Delores who?).
Looking forward to the next installment.
Looking forward to the next installment.
Read
January 31, 2022Üç kitap olduğunu düşündüğüm serinin dokuz kitaptan oluşuyor olduğunu öğrenmenin şoku😱 Bu iki oluyor sanırım 🤣Neyse ki her üç kitapta karakterler değişiyor. Duruma göre es verebilirim.
Uzun zamandır vampir temalı bir şey okumadım diye bir bakayım dedim. Evet fantastiklerde çok denk geldim ama ana karakter olarak uzun zaman olmuştu. Biraz eskidiler mi ne 🙈
Öncelikle evrene değinelim. Yine her tür canavarın cirit attığı bir dünya... Vampiri, cadısı, şekildeğiştireni, faesi... Elbette güç dengeleri biraz değişiklik gösteriyor ama yine de benzer özelliklere sahipler. Birde canavarları yok eden Avcı'lar var... Türlerin insanlardan saklandığı ve her türün kendi konseyinin olduğu da bilinenlerden...
Bu dünyada Rainey Astor gündüzleri bir dedektif geceleri bir Avcı... İki işi idare etme şekli bende biraz kaş kaldırmaya sebep oldu ama şimdilik gözümüze sokmayalım.
Hikaye, abla Delaney'in ölümüyle başlıyor. Ve iki yıl sonrasına gidiyoruz. Rainey Avcı yetenekleri yada tarihi ile bir şey yapmak istemez. Ama soyunun tek temsilcisi olarak kalınca iş başa düşer. Ve bu süreci bol kan ve acıyla atlatsa da iyi idare eder... Her şey değişene kadar...
Kitap bize serinin açılışını sunuyor. Her mânada olay yaşıyoruz, dost-düşman bilinmeyen kişilerle karşılaşıyoruz. Ortada bir şeyler dönüyor ama ne olduğunu bilmiyoruz. Bir şeyler kazmaya çalıştıkça başka şeyler çıkıyor. Rainey'in doğru bildiği yanlışlar bir yana aslında kendisini ve ne yapabileceğini bilmediğini fark ediyoruz.
Avcı'lar bir insana göre daha uzun süre yaşıyor ve daha çabuk iyileşiyor. Biraz doğaüstülük var. İyi vampir tabiri ya da iyi şekil değiştiren henüz gösterilmedi. Hepsi canavar. Neden? Çünkü cadının birinin canı sıkılmış 🤦🏻♀️En saçma bulduğum ilk vampir / şekildeğiştiren / avcı oluşması. Ortaya çıkma hikayeleri beni azıcık sinir etti. Daha doğrusu çocukça geldi...Basit?
Diğer yanda, gözleri kan çanağına dönmemiş vampirimiz, programın İlyas diye çevirdiği Elijah var.🙈😅Beyefendinin kendi planları var. Bu yüzden de Rainey'in peşinde. Korur kollar ve ilk fırsatta kalbini deşmesin diye güven kazanmaya çalışır. Bu süreçte biraz çekim, biz imkansız aşklar için yaratılmışız saçmalığı ve bolca aksiyon var. Sürekli bir saldırı. Kim? Neden? soruları hep etrafta...
Bence bir iki sinir kısmı dışında, başlangıç hikayesi olarak fena değildi. İlk kitapta hep soru işaretleri verilmiş. Henüz bir cevap yok ortada... Son sahne biraz merakta bıraktı... Devam edilir 🤭
Uzun zamandır vampir temalı bir şey okumadım diye bir bakayım dedim. Evet fantastiklerde çok denk geldim ama ana karakter olarak uzun zaman olmuştu. Biraz eskidiler mi ne 🙈
Öncelikle evrene değinelim. Yine her tür canavarın cirit attığı bir dünya... Vampiri, cadısı, şekildeğiştireni, faesi... Elbette güç dengeleri biraz değişiklik gösteriyor ama yine de benzer özelliklere sahipler. Birde canavarları yok eden Avcı'lar var... Türlerin insanlardan saklandığı ve her türün kendi konseyinin olduğu da bilinenlerden...
Bu dünyada Rainey Astor gündüzleri bir dedektif geceleri bir Avcı... İki işi idare etme şekli bende biraz kaş kaldırmaya sebep oldu ama şimdilik gözümüze sokmayalım.
Hikaye, abla Delaney'in ölümüyle başlıyor. Ve iki yıl sonrasına gidiyoruz. Rainey Avcı yetenekleri yada tarihi ile bir şey yapmak istemez. Ama soyunun tek temsilcisi olarak kalınca iş başa düşer. Ve bu süreci bol kan ve acıyla atlatsa da iyi idare eder... Her şey değişene kadar...
Kitap bize serinin açılışını sunuyor. Her mânada olay yaşıyoruz, dost-düşman bilinmeyen kişilerle karşılaşıyoruz. Ortada bir şeyler dönüyor ama ne olduğunu bilmiyoruz. Bir şeyler kazmaya çalıştıkça başka şeyler çıkıyor. Rainey'in doğru bildiği yanlışlar bir yana aslında kendisini ve ne yapabileceğini bilmediğini fark ediyoruz.
Avcı'lar bir insana göre daha uzun süre yaşıyor ve daha çabuk iyileşiyor. Biraz doğaüstülük var. İyi vampir tabiri ya da iyi şekil değiştiren henüz gösterilmedi. Hepsi canavar. Neden? Çünkü cadının birinin canı sıkılmış 🤦🏻♀️En saçma bulduğum ilk vampir / şekildeğiştiren / avcı oluşması. Ortaya çıkma hikayeleri beni azıcık sinir etti. Daha doğrusu çocukça geldi...Basit?
Diğer yanda, gözleri kan çanağına dönmemiş vampirimiz, programın İlyas diye çevirdiği Elijah var.🙈😅Beyefendinin kendi planları var. Bu yüzden de Rainey'in peşinde. Korur kollar ve ilk fırsatta kalbini deşmesin diye güven kazanmaya çalışır. Bu süreçte biraz çekim, biz imkansız aşklar için yaratılmışız saçmalığı ve bolca aksiyon var. Sürekli bir saldırı. Kim? Neden? soruları hep etrafta...
Bence bir iki sinir kısmı dışında, başlangıç hikayesi olarak fena değildi. İlk kitapta hep soru işaretleri verilmiş. Henüz bir cevap yok ortada... Son sahne biraz merakta bıraktı... Devam edilir 🤭
June 2, 2021
3.25 Stars
Enjoyed it overall, for the most part, although it did take awhile for me to be fully invested in it. I'm not a huge fan of the MC couple though. The heroine has some serious anger issues that became super annoying, and she definitely could have used a few more brain cells. The hero was just alright. Nothing special about him really, and I can't say I enjoyed his character all that much as of yet. Constant talk of his past fiancee, the "love of his life", made it worse too, especially if him and the heroine end up being mates. Why is it always the hero who has a dead ex/lover, and not the heroine?🙄 Anyways, I will be reading the next one, so I'm just hoping it's gonna be better than this one.
Enjoyed it overall, for the most part, although it did take awhile for me to be fully invested in it. I'm not a huge fan of the MC couple though. The heroine has some serious anger issues that became super annoying, and she definitely could have used a few more brain cells. The hero was just alright. Nothing special about him really, and I can't say I enjoyed his character all that much as of yet. Constant talk of his past fiancee, the "love of his life", made it worse too, especially if him and the heroine end up being mates. Why is it always the hero who has a dead ex/lover, and not the heroine?🙄 Anyways, I will be reading the next one, so I'm just hoping it's gonna be better than this one.
April 12, 2021
Dnf-ed at 20%. I really could not get into this and the more I read the more detached I felt from the story and the characters.
November 18, 2020
DNF at 35%
the entire time I was reading this book it was giving me Budget Halfway to the Grave vibes. Which isn't bad. I loved that series and the fact that it was drawing so many parallels was actually exciting to me. If you've read the Night Huntress series let me outline the start of this book for you and see if It starts ringing any bells
Supernaturally powerful human goes to clubs and uses her youth and beautiful looks to lure vampires into trying to take her out for a 'bite'. once they make their move, she mercs them. While at a club she runs into a supernaturally good looking man with a hot foreign accent. She does pretty well for herself in a one of one fight as she is, but she is untrained, and the man notices and decides to look out for her, to teach her how to use her power.
Was I talking about Halfway to the Grave or Blood Hunt? Whos to say? Anyway, Their similarities aren't that big of a gripe for me, its just the writing and story were soooo eye rolling and easy to see where things were going.
Rainey just seemed so... wet behind the ears. She is reckless with her health and just constantly puts her life in danger. I get thats a plot point, something that urges the male character to want to protect her. but it just doesn't seem to fit. shes a grown ass woman, not a teenager, and has been killing vampires for what? 2 years? and been on the force and a detective for so so much longer and yet she just continues to take these huge risks and go in blind.
I also think the story would have been better if we didn't see from the guys perspective. I think it would have left him in more of a shroud of mystery and left us guessing to his intentions, kept us on our toes. Is he a good guy or is he just using her for something? Whats his angle? Why Rainey? All of these questions and more would have been fun and interesting to see the characters work though. but instead we instantly know all of these things because we see from his perspective. Not to mention the connection to her sister could have been a big reveal to us too. but no, all of this information is served to us, easy as you can, on a platter within a few paragraphs. Where's the fun in that?
for me this DNF was caused 100% by a literary dropping of the ball. Passing up on so many opportunities to present the information/story in a more exciting light. Maybe I'm just being a snob about it. but I really did try to give it a chance.
the entire time I was reading this book it was giving me Budget Halfway to the Grave vibes. Which isn't bad. I loved that series and the fact that it was drawing so many parallels was actually exciting to me. If you've read the Night Huntress series let me outline the start of this book for you and see if It starts ringing any bells
Supernaturally powerful human goes to clubs and uses her youth and beautiful looks to lure vampires into trying to take her out for a 'bite'. once they make their move, she mercs them. While at a club she runs into a supernaturally good looking man with a hot foreign accent. She does pretty well for herself in a one of one fight as she is, but she is untrained, and the man notices and decides to look out for her, to teach her how to use her power.
Was I talking about Halfway to the Grave or Blood Hunt? Whos to say? Anyway, Their similarities aren't that big of a gripe for me, its just the writing and story were soooo eye rolling and easy to see where things were going.
Rainey just seemed so... wet behind the ears. She is reckless with her health and just constantly puts her life in danger. I get thats a plot point, something that urges the male character to want to protect her. but it just doesn't seem to fit. shes a grown ass woman, not a teenager, and has been killing vampires for what? 2 years? and been on the force and a detective for so so much longer and yet she just continues to take these huge risks and go in blind.
I also think the story would have been better if we didn't see from the guys perspective. I think it would have left him in more of a shroud of mystery and left us guessing to his intentions, kept us on our toes. Is he a good guy or is he just using her for something? Whats his angle? Why Rainey? All of these questions and more would have been fun and interesting to see the characters work though. but instead we instantly know all of these things because we see from his perspective. Not to mention the connection to her sister could have been a big reveal to us too. but no, all of this information is served to us, easy as you can, on a platter within a few paragraphs. Where's the fun in that?
for me this DNF was caused 100% by a literary dropping of the ball. Passing up on so many opportunities to present the information/story in a more exciting light. Maybe I'm just being a snob about it. but I really did try to give it a chance.
October 8, 2020
I feel like most vampire stories fall into three categories.
You have your Twilight and young adult paranormal romance stories.
You have your Anne Rice and Stephen King horror stories.
And then you get your vigilante, vampire assassin, action stories. Blood Hunt falls under this category.
There is nothing soft or sweet about Vampire Hunteress Rainey Astor... or sexy Irish Vampire Elijah Hawthorne for that matter. But that's not necessarily a bad thing! Both characters are interesting and the way their unusual relationship evolved from reluctant allies to lovers kept me reading. I was especially intrigued by the emergence of other supernatural entities throughout the book. I can't wait to find out what happens next!
You have your Twilight and young adult paranormal romance stories.
You have your Anne Rice and Stephen King horror stories.
And then you get your vigilante, vampire assassin, action stories. Blood Hunt falls under this category.
There is nothing soft or sweet about Vampire Hunteress Rainey Astor... or sexy Irish Vampire Elijah Hawthorne for that matter. But that's not necessarily a bad thing! Both characters are interesting and the way their unusual relationship evolved from reluctant allies to lovers kept me reading. I was especially intrigued by the emergence of other supernatural entities throughout the book. I can't wait to find out what happens next!
December 18, 2020
That was pretty damn near perfect! It was a LITTLE slow at the beginning but I am So glad I gave it a chance. It’s a relatively fast moving plot after about 40% with a nice build up of sexual tension.
If you are looking for a book about
⭕️ vampire/hunter MF paranormal romance
⭕️cop/ detective /action
⭕️strong warrior MC
⭕️VERY SOFT enemies to lovers, no bullying or abuse here at all... it’s sexy sexy forbidden fruit kind of deal.
⭕️family legacy
⭕️multi supe kind of set up/ witches / shifters / hunters / vamps and more
The series is finished in pretty sure which is a total win! I am def off to read more ! Highly recommend!
If you are looking for a book about
⭕️ vampire/hunter MF paranormal romance
⭕️cop/ detective /action
⭕️strong warrior MC
⭕️VERY SOFT enemies to lovers, no bullying or abuse here at all... it’s sexy sexy forbidden fruit kind of deal.
⭕️family legacy
⭕️multi supe kind of set up/ witches / shifters / hunters / vamps and more
The series is finished in pretty sure which is a total win! I am def off to read more ! Highly recommend!
November 22, 2020
4.5.
Well, who'd have thought it? I've found the holy grail. A vampire book in haven't already read that is really good!
To be honest, there is nothing massively new to the genre in this, but what UF does it does very well. Forbidden romance, danger, anti heroes and heroines, excellent chemistry, fast paced, slow burn - there's a lot to love in this.
If, like me, you're always in the search for decent, new Urban Fantasy you havent already read, then try this!
Well, who'd have thought it? I've found the holy grail. A vampire book in haven't already read that is really good!
To be honest, there is nothing massively new to the genre in this, but what UF does it does very well. Forbidden romance, danger, anti heroes and heroines, excellent chemistry, fast paced, slow burn - there's a lot to love in this.
If, like me, you're always in the search for decent, new Urban Fantasy you havent already read, then try this!
Read
September 24, 2020Blood Hunt is NOW LIVE and enrolled in Kindle Unlimited!
I am so excited for you guys to meet Rainey and Elijah!
Enjoy this sneak peek and grab your copy today-> https://geni.us/ReadBloodHunt
____
“You are intoxicating,” he groans and inhales deeply.
“Am I?” I ask, honestly.
“It’s a terrible thing,” he says, lifting a finger to trail through the thick strands of my loose hair.
“Is it?” I’ve apparently lost the ability to speak in full sentences…so that’s great.
He nods. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.” He steps toward me, placing both hands on the bookcase and caging me in.
But here in his arms, I’ve never felt more free.
“I—”
Elijah leans in, trailing his nose over my throat, the gentle caress lighting fires along my skin. If he’d just touch me—
“You know we could never…” he starts, but trails off.
Wood crunches.
“Why?” The word leaves my lips on a sigh, and Elijah is gone from me as quickly as he came, and with the distance, I finally see reason. We’re already being hunted—that much is true. But if a relationship bloomed between us—and word got out—we’d be hunted mercilessly.
It would no longer just be the vampires after me. Hunters would come. They would kill everyone near us for the shot at being the one to put blades in our hearts.
My heart practically breaks for the passion I’ll never get to experience even as I know I shouldn’t want him as badly as I do.
A shiver tears through me, and Elijah is back in front of me in a blur of movement, this time with the throw blanket off the back of the couch. He wraps it around my shoulders.
“I want you, Rainey. But I would ruin you.”
“I’m not as innocent as you seem to want to believe.”
He chuckles darkly and tucks the hair behind my neck. “There’s not an innocent thing about you, Rainey Astor. But you are good—light—and I am nothing but shadows.”
“You aren’t as dark as you’d like to believe. But I do agree with you. Anything between us…” I trail off because I know how sour my next words are going to taste. “It would be a mistake.”
“It would,” Elijah agrees. “Goodnight, Rainey.” He kisses my cheek and turns away from me. Once his door shuts, I relax and start to head for my room, stopping the moment I’m no longer directly in front of the bookcase.
Reaching out with a shaking hand, I run my fingertips over the now cracked wood where Elijah’s hands were braced on either side of me—proof of his control.
Even as I believe the words I said—that it would be a mistake—I can’t help but wonder.
What would it be like if that control snapped?
Keep reading-> https://geni.us/ReadBloodHunt
I am so excited for you guys to meet Rainey and Elijah!
Enjoy this sneak peek and grab your copy today-> https://geni.us/ReadBloodHunt
____
“You are intoxicating,” he groans and inhales deeply.
“Am I?” I ask, honestly.
“It’s a terrible thing,” he says, lifting a finger to trail through the thick strands of my loose hair.
“Is it?” I’ve apparently lost the ability to speak in full sentences…so that’s great.
He nods. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.” He steps toward me, placing both hands on the bookcase and caging me in.
But here in his arms, I’ve never felt more free.
“I—”
Elijah leans in, trailing his nose over my throat, the gentle caress lighting fires along my skin. If he’d just touch me—
“You know we could never…” he starts, but trails off.
Wood crunches.
“Why?” The word leaves my lips on a sigh, and Elijah is gone from me as quickly as he came, and with the distance, I finally see reason. We’re already being hunted—that much is true. But if a relationship bloomed between us—and word got out—we’d be hunted mercilessly.
It would no longer just be the vampires after me. Hunters would come. They would kill everyone near us for the shot at being the one to put blades in our hearts.
My heart practically breaks for the passion I’ll never get to experience even as I know I shouldn’t want him as badly as I do.
A shiver tears through me, and Elijah is back in front of me in a blur of movement, this time with the throw blanket off the back of the couch. He wraps it around my shoulders.
“I want you, Rainey. But I would ruin you.”
“I’m not as innocent as you seem to want to believe.”
He chuckles darkly and tucks the hair behind my neck. “There’s not an innocent thing about you, Rainey Astor. But you are good—light—and I am nothing but shadows.”
“You aren’t as dark as you’d like to believe. But I do agree with you. Anything between us…” I trail off because I know how sour my next words are going to taste. “It would be a mistake.”
“It would,” Elijah agrees. “Goodnight, Rainey.” He kisses my cheek and turns away from me. Once his door shuts, I relax and start to head for my room, stopping the moment I’m no longer directly in front of the bookcase.
Reaching out with a shaking hand, I run my fingertips over the now cracked wood where Elijah’s hands were braced on either side of me—proof of his control.
Even as I believe the words I said—that it would be a mistake—I can’t help but wonder.
What would it be like if that control snapped?
Keep reading-> https://geni.us/ReadBloodHunt
February 21, 2021
This is a GREAT story
OMG, no no no no no!!! I got so caught up that I didn't realize when I turned the page it ended and I actually yelled out, my husband stirred from sleep asking me if I was ok. No, I'm not ok, what the hell? This is a really good story that builds, so give it some time. Where you begin and where it ends is a crazy ride. Rainey is a good character, she took a minute to grow on me but I did like her, she's just very guarded. Elijah, is a good character as well. Has lots of action, good secondary characters and a slow developing but great plot which it seems were just barely scratching, which I'm so excited to read on. This is a good story!! The end kinda freaked me out, what the hell is that??
OMG, no no no no no!!! I got so caught up that I didn't realize when I turned the page it ended and I actually yelled out, my husband stirred from sleep asking me if I was ok. No, I'm not ok, what the hell? This is a really good story that builds, so give it some time. Where you begin and where it ends is a crazy ride. Rainey is a good character, she took a minute to grow on me but I did like her, she's just very guarded. Elijah, is a good character as well. Has lots of action, good secondary characters and a slow developing but great plot which it seems were just barely scratching, which I'm so excited to read on. This is a good story!! The end kinda freaked me out, what the hell is that??
Want to read
December 5, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/24/2021)! 🎁
September 1, 2025
Hey things are important and we need to know the information now… let’s wait and tell during random later moments for no reason or better yet… SCAVENGER HUNT! 🙄 that’s so dumb
March 5, 2022
Rainey is a vampire Hunter. The last in her families line after her sister’s gruesome murder.
Elijah is a powerful vampire who rescues Rainey after a hunt goes bad.
Can Rainey put aside what she has been trained to do all her life?
Can she reconcile her growing feelings for something she is sworn to kill?
Vampires ... need I say more? Well, normally no, but in this case I do. This is not your typical vampire novel. Blood hunt is so much more. Magic, witches, a hunter who is more than meets the eye, and a vampire with an Irish accent… I mean come on just turn me already. I will spend the millennia by your side.
I can’t say enough about the twists and turns in the story. Just when you think you understand what is going on Jessica throws another curveball at you. Add to that a cliffhanger ending that left me with my jaw to the floor, and it’s everything you could ask for and much more. I am so excited for the series, and to see what is in store for rainy and Elijah.
Elijah is a powerful vampire who rescues Rainey after a hunt goes bad.
Can Rainey put aside what she has been trained to do all her life?
Can she reconcile her growing feelings for something she is sworn to kill?
Vampires ... need I say more? Well, normally no, but in this case I do. This is not your typical vampire novel. Blood hunt is so much more. Magic, witches, a hunter who is more than meets the eye, and a vampire with an Irish accent… I mean come on just turn me already. I will spend the millennia by your side.
I can’t say enough about the twists and turns in the story. Just when you think you understand what is going on Jessica throws another curveball at you. Add to that a cliffhanger ending that left me with my jaw to the floor, and it’s everything you could ask for and much more. I am so excited for the series, and to see what is in store for rainy and Elijah.
September 5, 2020
Buffy fans NEED to read this one!
Rainy Astor is a vampire hunter and the last surviving member of her family.
After Rainy and her sister were orphaned, Rainy did everything in her power to avoid the life her parents chose, but when the creatures that creep in the dark take out her sister, duty catches up with Rainy.
And so does the ancient yet dreamy Irish vampire, Elijah.
He's been stalking her for nearly two years after her sister's death, determined to make Rainy learn the truth about her family --and herself. But he must tread carefully, because Elijah needs the last vampire hunter on his side.
After reading Wayne's other books (The Cambrexian Realm series, look it up, it's awesome) I already knew Jessica Wayne would be a favorite of mine. But dare I say Blood Hunt may be even better than I expected?!?!?!
Possibly I'm a little biased because I love vampires, but Blood Hunt is an adrenaline fueled roller coaster ride that'll have you tearing through the pages until the very last word.
I really like Rainy. She's stubborn as hell, but in the best way. She's not a woman to mess with unless you don't mind having your teeth knocked out. But honestly, Rainy's character was delightfully "real" and vulnerable while still being a total badass.
And Elijah - he manages to be the perfect blend of Alpha male + respectful gentleman. Which is refreshing in a genre where too many alpha-holes exist. Elijah is sexy and mature, and while the dude has his complected history, he's not at all annoying or broody. On the contrary, he adds a fun element to Rainy's tough exterior. I love them together.
Okay, enough fan girling from me. Just trust me and go read it. ;)
Oh and Ms. Wayne? When is book 2 due? I need it asap please!
Rainy Astor is a vampire hunter and the last surviving member of her family.
After Rainy and her sister were orphaned, Rainy did everything in her power to avoid the life her parents chose, but when the creatures that creep in the dark take out her sister, duty catches up with Rainy.
And so does the ancient yet dreamy Irish vampire, Elijah.
He's been stalking her for nearly two years after her sister's death, determined to make Rainy learn the truth about her family --and herself. But he must tread carefully, because Elijah needs the last vampire hunter on his side.
After reading Wayne's other books (The Cambrexian Realm series, look it up, it's awesome) I already knew Jessica Wayne would be a favorite of mine. But dare I say Blood Hunt may be even better than I expected?!?!?!
Possibly I'm a little biased because I love vampires, but Blood Hunt is an adrenaline fueled roller coaster ride that'll have you tearing through the pages until the very last word.
I really like Rainy. She's stubborn as hell, but in the best way. She's not a woman to mess with unless you don't mind having your teeth knocked out. But honestly, Rainy's character was delightfully "real" and vulnerable while still being a total badass.
And Elijah - he manages to be the perfect blend of Alpha male + respectful gentleman. Which is refreshing in a genre where too many alpha-holes exist. Elijah is sexy and mature, and while the dude has his complected history, he's not at all annoying or broody. On the contrary, he adds a fun element to Rainy's tough exterior. I love them together.
Okay, enough fan girling from me. Just trust me and go read it. ;)
Oh and Ms. Wayne? When is book 2 due? I need it asap please!
January 8, 2021
Epic & action packed novel!
Holy heck, I LOVED this book!
It gave me Supernatural (the TV show) vibes! The writing style was phenomenally addictive and the darkness and brutality of this world made for a capturing setting.
Rainey was such a strong MC, and her character planning of her being a detective as well as a supernatural hunter worked amazingly. Elijah is definitely book boyfriend material; broody, attractive and supernatural, trying to make amends for his past? Yes plz.
There was just so many incredible elements to this story, inclusive of the characters, the species and the hidden truths of who Rainey really is and what is coming to her world being revealed at just the right pace! Arghhh, can’t wait to start book two!
Holy heck, I LOVED this book!
It gave me Supernatural (the TV show) vibes! The writing style was phenomenally addictive and the darkness and brutality of this world made for a capturing setting.
Rainey was such a strong MC, and her character planning of her being a detective as well as a supernatural hunter worked amazingly. Elijah is definitely book boyfriend material; broody, attractive and supernatural, trying to make amends for his past? Yes plz.
There was just so many incredible elements to this story, inclusive of the characters, the species and the hidden truths of who Rainey really is and what is coming to her world being revealed at just the right pace! Arghhh, can’t wait to start book two!
November 5, 2021
Good start to series, huge cliffhanger
Entire series is out, bit for those that don't have KU, there is a huge cliffhanger. Series will need to be read in order.
I loved the h and H, though I liked Elijah more. He is kind of an anti hero. Rainey is a hunter, the last or her line. Her entire family was picked off. Apparently Rainey has a little extra something. We start getting hints toward the end. I really hope no one in the core characters dies. They both have a huge bounty on their heads. Looking forward to book two in series. This one was fast paced, lots of fight scenes.
Entire series is out, bit for those that don't have KU, there is a huge cliffhanger. Series will need to be read in order.
I loved the h and H, though I liked Elijah more. He is kind of an anti hero. Rainey is a hunter, the last or her line. Her entire family was picked off. Apparently Rainey has a little extra something. We start getting hints toward the end. I really hope no one in the core characters dies. They both have a huge bounty on their heads. Looking forward to book two in series. This one was fast paced, lots of fight scenes.
September 27, 2020
Absolutely amazing. Nothing like I have read before. I am hooked. I need the next one. I need more. I need it. Just amazing. I have no words. I am shook!
Full review at ABookHaven
Full review at ABookHaven
Read
September 16, 2024Dnf. Do not like narrator.
April 11, 2021
Wow an amazing start to a series the charters have definitely sucked me in and the story line in so unique. I really love a kick ass heroine who doesn’t need a man to save her but will allow one as her equal I can’t wait to see if the love interest (I won’t give spoilers in a name) can live up to her and my expectations. Bring on book two.
May 31, 2021
Favorite Quote:
“Love is what it all comes down to. It’s the only thing more powerful than power itself. Love can shift the course of history.”
“Love is what it all comes down to. It’s the only thing more powerful than power itself. Love can shift the course of history.”
February 7, 2021
What a gem!
I really liked this book! It popped up in my "recommended reads" in the Kindle store, and I'm glad I have it a try.
The characters are well-written, each with their own unique background, likes, dislikes, abilities, emotions - diverse and rich. Rainey is one, kick-a$$ female. Some books try to portray a tough as nails heroine, and fail miserably. Rainey really is grit and fortitude. She has her flaws, her regrets and experiences that have made her work hard to hold her own. She isn't afraid to get her ass-kicked either. She's not infallible nor invincible, and this makes a reader relate to her more.
Elijah is mysterious and intriguing. He's a legit alpha, and doesn't turn into complete mushy fluff once a reader gets to delve deeper into his character - thank God for that! Too often, I get annoyed with PNR where romantically tied characters falk into bed in their first week of meeting and are soul-mates. Let's be clear here. Elijah and Rainey hail from polar opposite paranormal groups here. They have a whole luggage store of baggage to unpack and overcome. They're both smart, realistic, and don't sugar-coat. There's some simply delicious tension and build up.
Throw in a dash of humor, and a deeper plot that makes you wonder what endgame is goin' down, and you've got this series! Definitely diving straight into book 2.
I really liked this book! It popped up in my "recommended reads" in the Kindle store, and I'm glad I have it a try.
The characters are well-written, each with their own unique background, likes, dislikes, abilities, emotions - diverse and rich. Rainey is one, kick-a$$ female. Some books try to portray a tough as nails heroine, and fail miserably. Rainey really is grit and fortitude. She has her flaws, her regrets and experiences that have made her work hard to hold her own. She isn't afraid to get her ass-kicked either. She's not infallible nor invincible, and this makes a reader relate to her more.
Elijah is mysterious and intriguing. He's a legit alpha, and doesn't turn into complete mushy fluff once a reader gets to delve deeper into his character - thank God for that! Too often, I get annoyed with PNR where romantically tied characters falk into bed in their first week of meeting and are soul-mates. Let's be clear here. Elijah and Rainey hail from polar opposite paranormal groups here. They have a whole luggage store of baggage to unpack and overcome. They're both smart, realistic, and don't sugar-coat. There's some simply delicious tension and build up.
Throw in a dash of humor, and a deeper plot that makes you wonder what endgame is goin' down, and you've got this series! Definitely diving straight into book 2.
June 21, 2021
This is another "new to me" author. This is the first book in a new series, and I honestly had no idea until I finished this first book that there are like 12 books in this series. Apparently, the author writes the series in vignettes of three books - trilogies - each on a different couple. At least I think that's what I got when taking a quick peek at a couple of reviews.
One of the things that I came away with after finishing this first book was that I really wasn't sure if I liked the female MC. For apparently being the last Hunter in her line - and SUPPOSEDLY her line is the most powerful line of Hunters - Rainey is pretty clueless about the world she lives in. She really has quite a few TSTL moments and honestly, those moments pretty much start right from the beginning. (i.e. running into a vampire nest with no backup, without finding out ANY information on the place that she is barging into like .....how many vamps are in there? How many exits does the place have? Are the vamps that she is trying to kill anyone special....? Like maybe part of the very powerful Vampire Council? These are just simple things that might be helpful if you are going to go running into a place where being outnumbered could be deadly to your health.
I liked Elijah for some reason. I actually liked him quite a bit more than I liked Rainey. This world is interesting. There is lore here that we don't usually see in normal vampire stories.
There is quite a bit going on and Elijah and Rainey are just scratching the surface. It'll be interesting to see what is on the agenda for book 2.
One of the things that I came away with after finishing this first book was that I really wasn't sure if I liked the female MC. For apparently being the last Hunter in her line - and SUPPOSEDLY her line is the most powerful line of Hunters - Rainey is pretty clueless about the world she lives in. She really has quite a few TSTL moments and honestly, those moments pretty much start right from the beginning. (i.e. running into a vampire nest with no backup, without finding out ANY information on the place that she is barging into like .....how many vamps are in there? How many exits does the place have? Are the vamps that she is trying to kill anyone special....? Like maybe part of the very powerful Vampire Council? These are just simple things that might be helpful if you are going to go running into a place where being outnumbered could be deadly to your health.
I liked Elijah for some reason. I actually liked him quite a bit more than I liked Rainey. This world is interesting. There is lore here that we don't usually see in normal vampire stories.
There is quite a bit going on and Elijah and Rainey are just scratching the surface. It'll be interesting to see what is on the agenda for book 2.
August 12, 2022
I picked this up about a year ago for a steal of 99p because it sounded like something I'd enjoy.
This starts with Rainey at a bar where, as a hunter, she's looking for supernaturals gone rogue. When she finds some, she runs into a little more trouble than she anticipated and help arrives in the form of fellow hunter, Jack. When a group of hostages escape vampires and ask for Rainey, in her day job as a cop, she's shocked they asked for her but as she investigates further it seems she may have someone else she can rely on - although when she learns he's a vampire, she grabs her silver knives first. When it turns out there's a bounty on both of their heads, they have to work together to figure out who is behind the hit on them.
There seemed to be a lot going on throughout this. With Rainey living a double life as a cop by day and a hunter by night - meaning she was investigating a lot of the murders she'd commited since the victims didn't turn to ash etc. when they died. It was different in a lot of ways.
I was drawn into the mystery of who had set the bounty on them but I'm not sure if it worked out how I expected. I felt the ending was separate from what had been happening back in the city. I was also intrigued by what was inside Rainey. The blackouts happening when she got really angry tended to end with people in pieces and blood everywhere and that bit hasn't been explained yet.
At the same time I don't know if I was into this enough to continue the series.
This starts with Rainey at a bar where, as a hunter, she's looking for supernaturals gone rogue. When she finds some, she runs into a little more trouble than she anticipated and help arrives in the form of fellow hunter, Jack. When a group of hostages escape vampires and ask for Rainey, in her day job as a cop, she's shocked they asked for her but as she investigates further it seems she may have someone else she can rely on - although when she learns he's a vampire, she grabs her silver knives first. When it turns out there's a bounty on both of their heads, they have to work together to figure out who is behind the hit on them.
There seemed to be a lot going on throughout this. With Rainey living a double life as a cop by day and a hunter by night - meaning she was investigating a lot of the murders she'd commited since the victims didn't turn to ash etc. when they died. It was different in a lot of ways.
I was drawn into the mystery of who had set the bounty on them but I'm not sure if it worked out how I expected. I felt the ending was separate from what had been happening back in the city. I was also intrigued by what was inside Rainey. The blackouts happening when she got really angry tended to end with people in pieces and blood everywhere and that bit hasn't been explained yet.
At the same time I don't know if I was into this enough to continue the series.
September 24, 2020
Detective Rainey Astor is from a long line of vampire Hunters. With her sister’s murder, she is now the last from her family. Elijah Hawthorne is a powerful vampire who rescues Rainey when a hunt goes bad.
Elijah is unlike any vampire Rainey has ever met. He seeks redemption. Rainey must hold off from falling in love or it could be a death sentence for them both. Can they identify the hidden enemy they are tracking and who hunts them? Or will Rainey lose her life?
This is a very exciting story that will pull the reader in and, with the twists and turns interspersed, will keep the tension heightened to make an even better story line! The characters are strong and amazing, and their own doubts along the way make them more real for the reader. Grab your copy and let yourself be carried along on the mystery and the critical search.
Elijah is unlike any vampire Rainey has ever met. He seeks redemption. Rainey must hold off from falling in love or it could be a death sentence for them both. Can they identify the hidden enemy they are tracking and who hunts them? Or will Rainey lose her life?
This is a very exciting story that will pull the reader in and, with the twists and turns interspersed, will keep the tension heightened to make an even better story line! The characters are strong and amazing, and their own doubts along the way make them more real for the reader. Grab your copy and let yourself be carried along on the mystery and the critical search.
September 26, 2020
DNF - quit at 61%
The flow is incredibly slow, & too many mysteries stacked on top of each other with no resolution to anything, & some plot holes, that all just frustrated me. I lost interest with the story & put it down & just couldn’t bring myself to pick it back up. I also didn't like Rainey, she has a horrible personality/attitude that just grated on my nerves. Sadly, the story just isn’t my jam, & I’m sure there will be lots of others who do like this.
At my age (approaching 60), life is way too short & my time is too important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
The flow is incredibly slow, & too many mysteries stacked on top of each other with no resolution to anything, & some plot holes, that all just frustrated me. I lost interest with the story & put it down & just couldn’t bring myself to pick it back up. I also didn't like Rainey, she has a horrible personality/attitude that just grated on my nerves. Sadly, the story just isn’t my jam, & I’m sure there will be lots of others who do like this.
At my age (approaching 60), life is way too short & my time is too important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
December 31, 2021
OMG Jessica did NOT disappoint! This book was amazing, filled with hot tension and extreme action with a badass hero AND heroine! No weakling herione here and I love it! There is mystery and im dying to find out the answers, absolutely cant wait for the next!
February 12, 2022
Found a new series to binge! Rainey could be a bit much sometimes and I'm not totally sold on her quite yet, but overall I'm hooked and am so glad I picked up the Kindle boxset so I don't have to wait to dive straight into book 2.
April 16, 2022
amazing!!!
This book kept me intrigued from the beginning! Vampires and witches and hunters and shifters…and that ending was fantastic! Can’t wait to read the next one!
This book kept me intrigued from the beginning! Vampires and witches and hunters and shifters…and that ending was fantastic! Can’t wait to read the next one!
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