Mine

by Brenda Huber

Becoming the object of obsession can be deadly. Brilliant songwriter, Alexandra Sinclair swore she’d never return to the predator-filled music industry. Yet her life takes an unexpected tailspin and Alex finds herself neck deep in the business once more. Unwittingly entangled in a world where mythological creatures of the night walk amongst unsuspecting humans, she becomes the target of a serial killer bent on exposing the darkest secret of the one man she can’t resist. In a world where Vampyre hide in plain sight… Ancient Vampyre, Cole Gunnerrson—lead singer for the mega-popular rock band, Stolen Innocence, and reluctant recruit for the Vampyre Task Force—must identify and neutralize a Rogue targeting the music industry. With single-minded determination, Cole decides Alex is the exact lyricist he needs to maintain his cover, and the only female he wants in his bed. When the elusive killer turns his focus on Alex, Cole must face the truth. He’s lost his Immortal heart to a Mortal female. Now Cole’s engaged in the deadliest battle of his life. Will he crack the killer’s bizarre message in time and save Alex before she becomes the next in a long line of innocent victims?

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Erotica, Music, Contemporary

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2010

About the author

For as long as she can remember, Brenda Huber has been a voracious reader...and with that love of reading came a great desire to write. Crafting worlds where passion and danger lurk around every corner became a calling for Brenda. After all, what better place to set your imagination free than inside the pages of a good book? Brenda lives in Iowa with her husband, two children, and one very spoiled dog.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexandra "Alex" Sinclair was at the top of her career as a songwriter when she surprised the world by taking a job as a columnist at a newspaper, never writing another song again. Alex has her own personal reasons for changing her lifestyle, when singer Cole Gunnersson for the band Stolen Innocence request a meeting she quickly turns him down.

Vampyre Cole knows that he needs Alex to keep his band at the top of the charts, but the frustrating human is putting up a hell of a fight. When she reluctantly agrees to spend three weeks with the band, but the second he meets her he begins to fumble making not only an ass of himself but even turning Alex more skittish about the idea. Cole sets out to charm her and keep it professional, per her request, but the second he realizes she is his mate he plans full out seduction. When Alex becomes the target of a serial killer who Cole has been tracking, it is even more imperative to keep her close, now he just have to get the stubborn woman to agree.

Succulent read. From the first page you are seduced into a fantasy world that you don't want to see end. Cole is at a loss with Alex and although Alex feels strongly for Cole, she has been burned one to many times to allow it to happen again. How can you go wrong with a rock star and vampire all in one?

***Just as good the second time.

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cole is a very yummy Vampyre in a rock and roll band called Stolen Innocence. He was reluctantly recruited to help out the Vampyre police (aka TFRA, Task Force for Rogue Apprehension or the Enforcers) track down a killer who is obsessed with the number eleven. Alex is a columnist but she used to be a famous lyricist. Cole is convinced that his band needs Alex not only to help with some songs but to help keep his cover.

This story really has a certain flair to it. It definitely brings back the old timey feel of vampire books such as the Dark Carpathians but with a more modern spin. I found I really liked ~ and missed ~ the concepts of the Vampyre Kiss and finding their Brides.

Cole, as I mentioned, is very yummy but he's been tired of the whole sex scene and feeding so he drinks cold blood from the blood bank except on rare occasions. Alex has just been publicly cheated on and her past love history is not very good. She has closed herself off quite a bit but Cole's offer stirs something in her that she has repressed and she finds she just can't deny it any longer.

Cole and Alex's first meeting was hilarious! I really enjoyed the humor in this book. There are some very hot scenes in this book as well but both Cole and Alex have to earn each other's trust before they take their relationship to the next level.

I really enjoyed Cole's band mates, especially Styx ("like the river, not the wood"...LOL!) I'm very much looking forward to reading his book, Cravings.

The whole killer mystery was quite interesting. I got a kick out of everything being number eleven and even though it was easy figuring out the message, it wasn't so easy finding out who the "Party Crasher" was. Turned out to be who I originally thought it was but Brenda Huber twist things around so much that it had me headed in a different direction.

It's a really good story and I really enjoyed reading it but my main complaint is that it left me hanging. What about the dead body upstairs? No worries, let's just have amazing sex and exchange vows first!! I would have been happy with an epilogue that tied things up nice and tidy! Oh, and it really bothered me that Cole called Alex a whore!! and she forgave him so easily!

Favorite line:

"You are nothing like the others. You aren't like anyone I've ever met. I swear it. Now that I've had a taste of you, no one else will ever be enough for me. I need you...only you. Alex, you have my heart."

[Jst_vishous · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love a very Dominant Possessive Alpha Male Vampyre you will love Mine. Cole is a Vampyre/Warrior and lead singer of the band Stolen Innocence. He has been recruited by the Vampyre Rogue Enforcement Agency to help catch a Rogue vampyre who is killing innocent human females. Cole hires Alex to write new lyrics for the band so their songs remain chart toppers and to help maintain his cover in the music industry to assist with the Rogue investigation. Their is an immediate attraction between Cole and Alex and Cole and the bond is so strong Cole believes Alex is his "Bride". Although their attraction is strong I thought the love scenes were lacking. Not frequent or steamy enough in my opinion but the story and the characters are very well developed and I thoroughly enjoyed the book over all.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I loved this book!!! The short and sweet....

I really enjoyed Huber's writing, and her characters, and her story. I especially loved Cole. He is a super sexy alpha Vampyre who can be sweet and tender, and I love his possessiveness and the fact that he retained part of his humanity over the past 1000 plus years of being a Vampyre. I enjoyed Alex as well, I just don't know how she held out so long because Cole oozes sexuality, and is pure temptation wrapped in a sexy package.

I enjoyed the suspense story as well, just when I thought I had the perp hemmed up, Huber surprised me in the end. I'm really looking forward to Styx's story, cause I really liked him too.

And just so everyone is clear, this is NOT an Erotica novel.

[BleuBelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 50%

[The BookChick · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating:★★★★★

Book Description:
Becoming the object of obsession can be deadly. Brilliant songwriter, Alexandra Sinclair swore she'd never return to the predator-filled music industry. Yet her life takes an unexpected tailspin and Alex finds herself neck deep in the business once more. Unwittingly entangled in a world where mythological creatures of the night walk amongst unsuspecting humans, she becomes the target of a serial killer bent on exposing the darkest secret of the one man she can't resist. In a world where Vampyre hide in plain sight... Ancient Vampyre, Cole Gunnerrson-lead singer for the mega-popular rock band, Stolen Innocence, and reluctant recruit for the Vampyre Task Force-must identify and neutralize a Rogue targeting the music industry. With single-minded determination, Cole decides Alex is the exact lyricist he needs to maintain his cover, and the only female he wants in his bed. When the elusive killer turns his focus on Alex, Cole must face the truth. He's lost his Immortal heart to a Mortal female. Now Cole's engaged in the deadliest battle of his life. Will he crack the killer's bizarre message in time and save Alex before she becomes the next in a long line of innocent victims?

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this story quite a bit. It was an interesting take on a vampire romance with the hero vamp also being a rock star. The story has a bit of the "who done it?" element to it but was really sweet at its core. I liked Alex and Cole as characters and enjoyed seeing their love evolve from attraction to love. Brenda Huber was a new-to-me author but this won't me my last time reading one of her books. I am actually going to pick up Cravings so that I can see Styx get his happily ever after too :).

Reading Time: 6 Hours

[~Vixhen~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sexy, vampire thriller that will leave you panting for more. Cole Gunnarson needs Alexandra Sinclair’s lyric writing expertise to garner a hit for his band, Stolen Innocence. Having had a bad experience in the glamorous world of rock n roll, Alex is wary. And coming off a break up with a philandering ex, she’s feeling less than generous. However, she decides to bite the bullet and give Cole and his band a three week trial. Cole is immediately drawn to Alex like never before. However, he squashes his feelings knowing that any dalliance with a mortal female would be short-lived. The more time that these two spend together the more their desires cannot be denied. There are a just a few problems. Cole is a vampyre who is on assignment with the TRF, an Ex-Files type of agency that brings down rogue paranormal types. The current thorn in their side is known as “the party crasher.” He has baffled them by abducting, draining, and marking his female victims in a cryptic fashion. Unbeknownst to Alex the closer she gets to Cole, the more she becomes tangled the web that “the party crasher” has set for Cole and his compadres. This book contained everything that is good is a successful paranormal romance: a great story, sexy super couple, hot sex and a fabulous ending. Cole is uber, alpha male. He's wicked sexy, unrelenting and fiercely protective of his female. Alex is a sexy, strong, independent, confident woman who can hold her own. They are perfectly matched. Ms. Huber is a stylish writer who's story grabs you from page one. I highly recommend this story as well as her second book, Cravings.

[~*~Princess Nya Vasiliev~*~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three words... SEXY SEXY SEXY! This book once I committed to reading it, I could not put down. It really does have everything in it. Mystery, drama, comical, sensual, heartfelt, endearing, a little bit scary at times, sweet, & just some hot A** Vamps!

This is not a really long read but there is alot of story in it. So it's very interesting. The characters definitely draw you in. You can't help it. Cole OMGOODNESS. This dude is BAD. I was a bit scared of him. But he is so sweet and sexy and Raw @ times but that's just his make-up. Who he is and you just have to take it or leave it.

He and Alex had great chemistry and the story and plot was interesting. Most I think, will find it predictable as far as knowing the villian is someone close to Cole, but the who is what will keep you guessing and of course the why. So that is what I liked when all was revealed. The story is good, it's hot. I would recommend this read.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mine by Brenda Huber

Brilliant songwriter, Alexandra Sinclair swore she’d never return to the predator-filled music industry. Yet her life takes an unexpected tailspin and Alex finds herself neck deep in the business once more. Unwittingly entangled in a world where mythological creatures of the night walk amongst unsuspecting humans, she becomes the target of a serial killer bent on exposing the darkest secret of the one man she can’t resist.

Ancient Vampyre, Cole Gunnerrson—lead singer for the mega-popular rock band, Stolen Innocence, and reluctant recruit for the Vampyre Task Force—must identify and neutralize a Rogue targeting the music industry. With single-minded determination, Cole decides Alex is the exact lyricist he needs to maintain his cover, and the only female he wants in his bed. When the elusive killer turns his focus on Alex, Cole must face the truth. He’s lost his Immortal heart to a Mortal female. Now Cole’s engaged in the deadliest battle of his life. Will he crack the killer’s bizarre message in time and save Alex before she becomes the next in a long line of innocent victims?


Ms. Huber splashes into the world of Vampyre romance with one amazing book. Mouthwatering, hot and not for the timid. The chemistry between Alex and Cole is electricity between the pages. These multi-dimensional characters will have you cheering in their corner and holding your breath for them to come together. The timing and pace of each scene is spot on. Ms. Huber is an author who makes every page look effortless. Paranormal romance lovers... are you listening? You do not want to miss this book!

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It's been on my to-read shelf for a while and I'm glad I decided to read it. I was in the mood for a PNR book.

The world building was good. The writing was good. There was the usual drama you'd have when reading a contemporary romance (for example: misunderstandings) but there was also action, suspense and mystery. I didn't guess who the Party Crasher turned out to be because there was so many possibilities who it could have been that I really just suspected a lot of different individuals who fit the profile.

The romance was hot. I loved the instant attraction and the fact that the author showed us readers the growth and development of their relationship. It wasn't just insta-love. The sex scenes were hot but not as hot as some of the sensual scenes when they were kissing, and that scene in the club... UNF!

I'm very excited to read Styx's story up next!

[P.A. Lupton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read with a good storyline. The hero is a big-time rock star/1100 year old vampire—kind of reminded me of Lestat with more sexual tension. The heroine was talented in her own right and contributed to the band, but she had a bit of history that prevented her from fully trusting the hero. I liked the mix of contemporary romance and paranormal in this book, and it had a nice mystery twisted into the story as well. The only thing that kept this book from a 5 star read for me was, it was a little too wordy at times. Sometimes the author got so wrapped up in describing something that by the end of the paragraph I’d forget what she was describing in the first place. Sometimes, less is more, in my opinion. Still, it was a great story and I had fun with it.

[Elayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Alex is asked to write songs for a rock band she doesn't know what she's letting herself in for. The attraction is instantaneous between her and the lead singer Cole...who just happens to be a vampire.. With a rogue vampire on the loose and Cole being in the agency thats trying to stop this killer..Alex becomes a target for a murderer. Cole has his hands "full" protecting this beauty and trying to figure out how to stop the rogue before Alex is lost to him forever. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the author has a nice way of making the story flow..and the passion is yummy!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yummy alpha hero. This was a pretty good book. I will be looking forward to Styx's story!

[Can't sleep · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars for charm and romance
3.5 stars for some awkward moments that could have been better edited.

If this book were a film it would be Public Enemy. You know, the one with shoot em ups and romance starring Johnny Depp looking fly as a 1930s mobster? It has all the perfect ingredients, but a little more editing would have gone a long way.

The main protagonist is Alexandra Sinclair, a beautiful Journalist/Lyricist with emotional skeletons in the closet. After a bad break up she is contacted by Cole Gunnarsson, a hot rock star viking vampire (points for getting all that in), to become the new lyricist for his wildly successful rock band. They meet, sparks fly.

But meanwhile, a crazed psycho vampire is stalking and murdering young women in the music industry.
It just so happens Cole has been tasked by the vampire equivalent of the police with assisting the investigation, due to his contacts in the music industry. The killer becomes fixated on Alex and so Cole is in a race to find him before she becomes a victim.

There is much to love in this book, it was a real page turner and both the suspense and romance elements work well. I was kept guessing until the end who was the killer, which is unusual- because it is usually the really nice character- and finished with a satisfied "ah lovely" sigh.

However... some of the language and characterisation were absolute howlers. Almost everyone involved was one dimensional except for the leads, the treatment of some of the female characters/cameos borderline misogynistic (whatever happened to the sisterhood?), and the chat up lines were just plain awful

Alex: Tell me, where exactly should I be?
(lengthy ogle by Cole)
Cole: Well now I can think of a few places, my bed for starters...

Top marks for getting to the point (snarf snarf), but it lacked the subtlety of seduction, I feel. The sex suffered from the same problem, with throbbing members taking the steam off the action, which is a shame, as I felt the romantic tension built beautifully.

In short, an enjoyable but flawed book. Costing £3.96 in the UK, I would have liked to have felt there was a little more polish for my hard earned money, but that won't affect me buying the next one.

[Stevie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it when I luck out with new author and bargain priced book. I happened upon this one in the Under $5 B&N section and I snagged it with a bunch of other samples. I mean a hot rockstar vampire? The potential was too fun to ignore. At first, I though meh... put off with the slightly flowery adjectives and a little metaphor-happy. The next thing I know, I'm totally hooked and snuggled right in for the full read, and it kept getting better and better. Alex, the scarred ex-lyrisist, who had miserable mother and even worse luck with men, left writing songs after a nasty experience. She gets pulled back into the music world when she got an offer too good to pass up. She definitely had her moments, putting Cole in his place at first, just a tad on the mousey side for my liking. I absolutely loved Cole. The tattooed, lead singer, was a powerful vampire who started out as a Viking. What's not to like? He loved the mechanics of music and cars, and wasn't the typical playboy with a revolving bedroom door. He already knew he wanted something more. Silent hero by nature. He was trying to solve a series of murders, although that was slightly too obvious for me. Neither he nor Styx (like the river, not the wood) made the connection when it was right there. That weakened the plot a bit. I thought a few times Cole was a smidge too tolerant of Alex and the cat and mouse she played, but all in all it was a well rounded, solid, well told story. It had tension, action, fair amount of steam, a little mystery mixed in and well constructed characters. Granted it was slightly predictable but still a really good read. This is the first I have read from this author, but will not be the last. Whole-hearted thumbs up from me.

[ARB -12 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome book! I loved Mine by Brenda Huber. I’m a huge paranormal romance fan and have many favorite authors, Tessa Dawn, Christine Feehan, Lara Adrian, Rebecca Zanetti, J.R. Ward, Jacquelyn Frank, Sherrilyn Kenyon the list truly goes on and on and these authors NEVER let their fans down. Although this was my first book by Ms. Huber, I’m anxiously waiting for this weekend to begin the next book Cravings and then Shadows, if these two are as good as Mine, she will definitely be up there with the rest of my favorite paranormal authors and that’s saying a lot considering I’ve read hundreds and hundreds of paranormal romance books. :) If you haven’t read mine, it’s only a little over $5 for the kindle fire and well worth it!

[Lisa M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*s Cole is the lead singer of a band, and a Vampyre. Alexandra is a former lyricist that Cole convinces to work for him for three weeks on a trial basis. In he meantime, a serial-murdering Vampyre is killing human women, and Cole is assisting the Vampyre task force in finding the killer. And Alex fits the profile of his victims...

I found the story to be improbable at times (come on, they were just catching on to that clue after 8 months?!), the prose to be a bit purple, and the villain to be easy to guess. Still, Brenda's published and I'm not, so who am I to judge? However, I think I'll give the next book a miss anyway. Sorry, Brenda.

[Crystal Guidroz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mine by Brenda Huber is a fast paced action packed book with smoking hot scences! The book is mouthwatering and steamy and the attraction and heat between the main characters Alex and Cole cathces the pages on fire. You will find yourself cheering for Alex and Cole then smack dab in the mind of a serial killer. The entire story was so well written with each scene so well thought out. The secondary characters are well developed and I cannot wait to read the sexy Spaniard Styx's story! For all paranormal romance lovers I highly recommend adding Mine to your collection, I promise you won't be sorry.

[Charia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am now a fan of Brenda Huber. I decided to read this book after the review from a fellow goodreader. Who doesn't love a bad boy, musician, ancient warrior, vampire lead role! Sounds cheesy but the lead Cole is a great lead male. And with our lovely feisty lead female with a complicated past we've got a great read! I couldn't put this book down and had to finish it within one evening/night.

I am not on to Cravings. These are not showing as a series however Cravings is about Styx, Cole's best friend.

[Angarad · Rating 5 out of 5]

hot hot hot!!! you want a passionate vampiric romance? Mine is definitely for you!!

Both characters are strong willed and short tempered which lead to quite funny situation. However, I loved how uncertain Alex made Cole, how unsure of himself. It made him so much more human.

As for the suspens regarding the Party Crascher, I have to say it was a good surprise, one I didn´t see coming for once. Which is great since guessing the final plot can be so disappointing and boring in this kind of book.

Let´s hope Styx story is as good.

[tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a story that keeps you glued to the pages. I hated to put the book down to sleep or anything. The love Alex and Cole found was addicting and at times scary. I really loved both of their characters and a lot of the others in the book. It's one of those stories that you wish all the characters would have a story. Especially Styx and Zack our wolf friend :) Great props to Brenda. I loved her way with words and I will definitely have to read some more of hers in the future!

[Nea · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Mhari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually quite liked this one, despite being PNR, which I have been reading a lot of recently, not through choice, but of nececcity. Even though, I liked it, characters were believable, story was good and nothing really made me wanna shout at it, which is a bad habit of mine when a book annoys me....

[Firstpella · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Look, either this should be a vampire as rock god tale or a vampire as slayer of the bad guy tale. Not both. Both don't work. And the sex needs to happen throughout and I was still waiting. I wanted a smexy 'Queen of the Damned' but this tale is just a same ole same ole 'there's a rogue vamp out there and we need the good vamp to find him'.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read!! I LOVED the hero!! Cole Gunnerrson an ancient viking warrior vampire rock star.... what else is there to say..
I thought I had read all the great vampire PNR books out there so this was a nice surprise! I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read the next one!

[M.A. Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still totally swooning over Cole...

The author won me over before I'd even started reading, when she listed her musical influences as H.I.M. Added to that a sexy Vampyre & a rock band and I was hooked!

Thoroughly enjoyed it, and one I would certainly read again.

[Lori T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised at how muct I enjoyed this book. I have never read any of Brenda Huber books before but loved the cover so much I thought I would give it a try. I really enjoyed it and I can
hardly wait for the second book Cravings.

[Suzy Cooksey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally read romance...but the author went to high school with my husband! I got to meet her at their high school reunion a few weeks ago. I do love fantasy...this gave me a little of each.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you can see, read in one sitting. Loved it!

[~V~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4 1/2 stars**