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Blood Moon Rising Trilogy #1
Blood Law
For all eternity, only one thing shall separate them—until the Blood Law is avenged…
The coming of the Blood Moon will lead two Lycan packs into war, spur two rival brothers into conflict, and spark an act of vengeance so evil that its effects will be felt for generations.
One woman stands at the center of it all.
As undisputed Alpha, Rafael must choose a life mate to preserve the dominance of his Lycan pack. He never suspected, his mate would be a human, the same wounded, girl-woman he seduces from the brink of death. Falon is a dangerous combination of Lycan and Slayer—beings bred to destroy his kind. Even more, she’s a mesmerizing beauty whose sensuality tempts the seasoned warrior to take unnecessary risks. The primal heat between them is irresistible, yet surrendering to it could destroy them both…for a vengeful foe stands ready in the shadows to fulfill what is rightfully his by Blood Law.
The coming of the Blood Moon will lead two Lycan packs into war, spur two rival brothers into conflict, and spark an act of vengeance so evil that its effects will be felt for generations.
One woman stands at the center of it all.
As undisputed Alpha, Rafael must choose a life mate to preserve the dominance of his Lycan pack. He never suspected, his mate would be a human, the same wounded, girl-woman he seduces from the brink of death. Falon is a dangerous combination of Lycan and Slayer—beings bred to destroy his kind. Even more, she’s a mesmerizing beauty whose sensuality tempts the seasoned warrior to take unnecessary risks. The primal heat between them is irresistible, yet surrendering to it could destroy them both…for a vengeful foe stands ready in the shadows to fulfill what is rightfully his by Blood Law.
323 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2011
67 people are currently reading
5861 people want to read
About the author
Karin Tabke
38 books723 followersKarin is a multi-published, national bestselling, award-winning author.
Karin has sold more than a dozen stories to US publishers: Kensington, Simon & Schuster, and Penguin Random House. Her self-publishing debut, THE CHRONICLES of KATRINA, was met with resounding enthusiasm. Never one to disappoint her readers, Karin happily launched the spinoff series The Bad Boys of the Bay, featuring the heroes she knows so well–hot cops. Translation rights to Karin’s books have been licensed in Japan, Thailand, Germany, France, Spain, Brazil, Italy, Portugal and the UK.
In 2008, Karin’s novel JADED (Simon & Schuster) won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotic Romance Suspense. In 2011, her paranormal romance BLOOD LAW (Berkley) won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice award for Best Erotic Fiction and was the first book in her Blood Moon Rising series. In 2012, the second book in the trilogy, BLOODRIGHT, was nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotic Paranormal Romance. Karin’s other awards include a CAPA and the Holt Medallion, as well as a finalist nod for the Prism. Her debut single title, GOOD GIRL GONE BAD (Simon & Schuster), was featured in the October 2006 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.
Karin’s most rewarding award, however, was not bestowed for her storytelling skills but for her mentorship of unpublished writers. She was honored to receive RWA’s (Romance Writers of America) Pro Mentor of the Year award in 2008. She has served as president of her local RWA chapter in San Francisco and as Director-at-Large on the RWA National Board of Directors.
Karin has been married to her own hot cop–now licensed Private Investigator–for over thirty years and she writes what she knows. She has also started and sold several profitable businesses, but her true love is writing passionate love stories. When she isn’t writing, Karin loves to travel and does so extensively, meeting readers and sharing her knowledge via workshops at writer conventions and conferences.
Karin has sold more than a dozen stories to US publishers: Kensington, Simon & Schuster, and Penguin Random House. Her self-publishing debut, THE CHRONICLES of KATRINA, was met with resounding enthusiasm. Never one to disappoint her readers, Karin happily launched the spinoff series The Bad Boys of the Bay, featuring the heroes she knows so well–hot cops. Translation rights to Karin’s books have been licensed in Japan, Thailand, Germany, France, Spain, Brazil, Italy, Portugal and the UK.
In 2008, Karin’s novel JADED (Simon & Schuster) won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotic Romance Suspense. In 2011, her paranormal romance BLOOD LAW (Berkley) won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice award for Best Erotic Fiction and was the first book in her Blood Moon Rising series. In 2012, the second book in the trilogy, BLOODRIGHT, was nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotic Paranormal Romance. Karin’s other awards include a CAPA and the Holt Medallion, as well as a finalist nod for the Prism. Her debut single title, GOOD GIRL GONE BAD (Simon & Schuster), was featured in the October 2006 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.
Karin’s most rewarding award, however, was not bestowed for her storytelling skills but for her mentorship of unpublished writers. She was honored to receive RWA’s (Romance Writers of America) Pro Mentor of the Year award in 2008. She has served as president of her local RWA chapter in San Francisco and as Director-at-Large on the RWA National Board of Directors.
Karin has been married to her own hot cop–now licensed Private Investigator–for over thirty years and she writes what she knows. She has also started and sold several profitable businesses, but her true love is writing passionate love stories. When she isn’t writing, Karin loves to travel and does so extensively, meeting readers and sharing her knowledge via workshops at writer conventions and conferences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
May 21, 2011
5 + STARS!
SEE MY FANTASY CAST FOR BLOOD LAW HERE: Under the Covers review/fantasy cast
MY THOUGHTS:
WARNING! This review will contain squealing, fan-girl obsessions and perhaps a happy dance!
Blood Law is one of the best books I’ve read this year! I’m not quite sure what I was expecting when I picked up this book. Having never read anything by Karin Tabke before, I did not have any real expectations. But once I opened this book, I was completely blown away by the attention to detail, the complex laws they abide by and the compelling characters! If I wasn’t a fan of Ms. Tabke before, I certainly am now! I LOVE THE BLOOD MOON SERIES!
I will admit, Ms. Tabke starts up early in the beginning, detailing the Blood Law and past events that have altered how Rafael and his brother, Lucien live their lives now. It was a little confusing at first because you are thrust into her world and are bombarded with a lot of information all at once. But once you get accustomed to the initial shock and the names settle in, you are right on track with her!
There are so many good things about this book! First off, the characters come off the page, grip you by your shirt and take you on a ride from beginning to end. And when I say that, I mean that Rafael and his heroine, Falon are the most compelling characters I’ve read in a long time. Rafael is the alpha of his pack and he is as ruthless as can be. There is something darkly alluring about him, where he uses fear to his advantage. At first, he refuses to accept Falon as his chosen one but despite his hardened soul, he still cares deeply for her.
Falon is my new favourite heroine! I love her! She was cunning and funny, sexy and sweet! She was the perfect counterpart to Rafe. But perhaps the best thing about her was that, she was a strong, independent heroine, one who didn’t rely on the hero to save her from her own troubles. Falon possesses some special abilities, such as increased strength and speed, but that wasn’t what made her stand out as a heroine. It’s her internal strength that really shone through for me. Falon simply kicked ass.
Another favourite character was Lucien. As Rafe was day, Luca was night and I loved that comparison. The juxtaposition in characters was clearly showcased in their confrontations and I loved every moment of this action-packed book. So much occurs and it was as if a movie was playing inside my head. I completely devoured this book and am now feeling withdrawals because I want the next book so badly!
SEE MY FANTASY CAST FOR BLOOD LAW HERE: Under the Covers review/fantasy cast
MY THOUGHTS:
WARNING! This review will contain squealing, fan-girl obsessions and perhaps a happy dance!
Blood Law is one of the best books I’ve read this year! I’m not quite sure what I was expecting when I picked up this book. Having never read anything by Karin Tabke before, I did not have any real expectations. But once I opened this book, I was completely blown away by the attention to detail, the complex laws they abide by and the compelling characters! If I wasn’t a fan of Ms. Tabke before, I certainly am now! I LOVE THE BLOOD MOON SERIES!
I will admit, Ms. Tabke starts up early in the beginning, detailing the Blood Law and past events that have altered how Rafael and his brother, Lucien live their lives now. It was a little confusing at first because you are thrust into her world and are bombarded with a lot of information all at once. But once you get accustomed to the initial shock and the names settle in, you are right on track with her!
There are so many good things about this book! First off, the characters come off the page, grip you by your shirt and take you on a ride from beginning to end. And when I say that, I mean that Rafael and his heroine, Falon are the most compelling characters I’ve read in a long time. Rafael is the alpha of his pack and he is as ruthless as can be. There is something darkly alluring about him, where he uses fear to his advantage. At first, he refuses to accept Falon as his chosen one but despite his hardened soul, he still cares deeply for her.
Falon is my new favourite heroine! I love her! She was cunning and funny, sexy and sweet! She was the perfect counterpart to Rafe. But perhaps the best thing about her was that, she was a strong, independent heroine, one who didn’t rely on the hero to save her from her own troubles. Falon possesses some special abilities, such as increased strength and speed, but that wasn’t what made her stand out as a heroine. It’s her internal strength that really shone through for me. Falon simply kicked ass.
Another favourite character was Lucien. As Rafe was day, Luca was night and I loved that comparison. The juxtaposition in characters was clearly showcased in their confrontations and I loved every moment of this action-packed book. So much occurs and it was as if a movie was playing inside my head. I completely devoured this book and am now feeling withdrawals because I want the next book so badly!
November 25, 2012
Cover & Title - 4 out of 5 (Hot)
Favorite Character - Falon
Here is my visual of Rafa & Falon
Are you drooling? ;) Wait till you read the book :)
(teeheehee) ;)
The story was an interesting mix of sex, action, shifters & slayers. I am a complete wolf fan girl - no reanimated corpses in my knickers *shakes head* nuh-uh, so this book really worked for me. The fact it had two hot sexy alphas in it made my night! I couldn't decide which one a fancied more, what a book character slut i have become *sigh*
I actually loved all three of the leads; Falon for her humor, Rafael for his strength & Lucian for his wickedness.
I did not find the book predictable or boring, i found it the complete opposite in fact. With the chemistry & sexual tension between the trio sparking constantly & sex scenes hotter than Hades it was impossible to be bored.
The story has some surprises & twists.. enough sex & story to keep me totally satisfied :)
The book gave me a -
Oh and what an ending my head is still spinning, i think i might be in shock!
This was my reaction -
Click here for my book review blog
Favorite Character - Falon
Here is my visual of Rafa & Falon
Are you drooling? ;) Wait till you read the book :)
(teeheehee) ;)
The story was an interesting mix of sex, action, shifters & slayers. I am a complete wolf fan girl - no reanimated corpses in my knickers *shakes head* nuh-uh, so this book really worked for me. The fact it had two hot sexy alphas in it made my night! I couldn't decide which one a fancied more, what a book character slut i have become *sigh*
I actually loved all three of the leads; Falon for her humor, Rafael for his strength & Lucian for his wickedness.
I did not find the book predictable or boring, i found it the complete opposite in fact. With the chemistry & sexual tension between the trio sparking constantly & sex scenes hotter than Hades it was impossible to be bored.
The story has some surprises & twists.. enough sex & story to keep me totally satisfied :)
The book gave me a -
Oh and what an ending my head is still spinning, i think i might be in shock!
This was my reaction -
Click here for my book review blog
Read
February 12, 2019The book was spoilt for me when I realised she was going to end up in a three way relationship with both brothers. Nothing wrong with the book but it’s just my personal taste that I don’t like sharing. Will not rate as it was a good book just obviously not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2014
Quick & Dirty: An explosive new series with a captivating mythology, intriguing characters, and pulse-pounding action.
Opening Sentence: In medieval Europe, wolves were feared and looked upon as the scourge of the earth.
Excerpt: Here
The Review:
Ms. Tabke introduces her heroine, Falon, who is a dynamic and gutsy character. Falon has an uncertain past and a complicated future. She’s an orphan and knows very little about her birth parents. Every day is a struggle for Falon to survive. She can’t make her rent and she eats by shamefully stealing from Del’s Grocery. On one particularly bleak night, Falon couldn’t ignore her hunger pains. Deciding to go on a “food” run, she runs into trouble at Del’s Grocery. As fate would have it, Rafael happens upon the increasingly popular Del’s. Rafael, the undisputed alpha of the Vulkasin pack, is on a Slayer hunt. Rafael’s curiosity is piqued because the Slayers clearly want this average human girl. Rafael decides to save Falon from certain death, healing her from her injuries. As events progress, Rafael ends up marking Falon as his life mate. Unfortunately, this is the beginning of the end for Rafael and Falon. A vengeful foe steps out of the shadows to claim what’s rightfully his, and will stop at nothing until he gets his revenge.
Falon has very tough choices to make, yet she remains strong under pressure. She shares such a passionate connection with Rafael, and establishes her own identity. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship develop and it added so much depth to an already intriguing story. Rafael is an amazing alpha male. It’s been awhile since I was this emotionally caught up and engrossed by a character. Rafael’s presence easily grips the reader because he’s such an authentic character. When he’s troubled, you feel it. When he’s highly sexual, you feel it. When he’s in agony and let’s his inner wolf out, you root for him to exact his will because it’s for the pack and he’s alpha. The pack is all that matters – well, that and Falon.
Blood Law satisfies on many levels. The sexual tension is intense and the romance is deeply moving. One of the strongest elements of this story is the mythology. The history between the Lycans and Slayers is riveting and complex. The Lycans have been hunted since medieval times, constantly defending their bloodlines, packs and running from the power of the deformed great wolf, Fenrir. The “Godfather” of Slayers is Peter Corbet – aka Peter the Wolf. Peter stopped at nothing to eradicate Lycans in England and Scotland. I can’t tell you too much more about the lore because I would be spoiling this amazing story for you, but it’s layered and interwoven beautifully into the story. I loved everything about this world.
Overall, Blood Law is an extraordinary story. It’s gripping, steeped in emotion, and filled with tension. Ms. Tabke succeeds in delivering complex characters and a fresh take on Lycan mythology. Betrayal, treachery and danger abound as loyalties are tested, and the lines between justice and vengeance are blurred. The Blood Law must be upheld and Blood Rights won’t be denied.
Notable Scene:
Rafael raised both of his swords over his head. “Vengeance is all mine tonight, Slayer!” Despite the added Slayers and the loss of a handful of his men, Rafael’s confidence soared. He was at the pinnacle tonight. Nothing could hurt him! With the help of his magnificent Berserkers, who were making hash out of anything that got in their way, and the power of the ring, he would lead his pack to victory.
Slayers were smart, but he was smarter. Slayers killed because of an eight-hundred-year-old command by a long-dead king. Lycans killed to survive and to avenge the deaths of their loved ones. Tonight, he would avenge hundreds of slain Lycans, including his own mother and father.
He looked up at the ceiling two stories high to several heavy looped metal chains hanging from a swing arm mounted from a think steel beam. He leapt straight up, grabbing into a think, blunt hook looped over the swing arm. He shoved the hook up, freeing it. Securing his right foot in the bend of the hook and wrapping the chain around his calf for leverage, Rafael did a free fall. In a wide, forceful swath, he swung down with both swords drawn, hacking at the rush of Slayers. Bullets zinged past him as the Slayers opened fire, several hitting his vest but not penetrating. As he came in for his first hard hit, he took several Slayers out. As the swing reached its full rotation, he unwound his leg from the chains and leapt onto the bottom of the east ramp that led to the platform, then bounded onto the platform where the girl stood screaming bloody murder.
The Blood Moon Rising Series:
1. Blood Law
2. Blood Rights
3. Blood Moon Rising
FTC Advisory: The author provided me with a copy of Blood Law. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don’t receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.
Opening Sentence: In medieval Europe, wolves were feared and looked upon as the scourge of the earth.
Excerpt: Here
The Review:
Ms. Tabke introduces her heroine, Falon, who is a dynamic and gutsy character. Falon has an uncertain past and a complicated future. She’s an orphan and knows very little about her birth parents. Every day is a struggle for Falon to survive. She can’t make her rent and she eats by shamefully stealing from Del’s Grocery. On one particularly bleak night, Falon couldn’t ignore her hunger pains. Deciding to go on a “food” run, she runs into trouble at Del’s Grocery. As fate would have it, Rafael happens upon the increasingly popular Del’s. Rafael, the undisputed alpha of the Vulkasin pack, is on a Slayer hunt. Rafael’s curiosity is piqued because the Slayers clearly want this average human girl. Rafael decides to save Falon from certain death, healing her from her injuries. As events progress, Rafael ends up marking Falon as his life mate. Unfortunately, this is the beginning of the end for Rafael and Falon. A vengeful foe steps out of the shadows to claim what’s rightfully his, and will stop at nothing until he gets his revenge.
Falon has very tough choices to make, yet she remains strong under pressure. She shares such a passionate connection with Rafael, and establishes her own identity. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship develop and it added so much depth to an already intriguing story. Rafael is an amazing alpha male. It’s been awhile since I was this emotionally caught up and engrossed by a character. Rafael’s presence easily grips the reader because he’s such an authentic character. When he’s troubled, you feel it. When he’s highly sexual, you feel it. When he’s in agony and let’s his inner wolf out, you root for him to exact his will because it’s for the pack and he’s alpha. The pack is all that matters – well, that and Falon.
Blood Law satisfies on many levels. The sexual tension is intense and the romance is deeply moving. One of the strongest elements of this story is the mythology. The history between the Lycans and Slayers is riveting and complex. The Lycans have been hunted since medieval times, constantly defending their bloodlines, packs and running from the power of the deformed great wolf, Fenrir. The “Godfather” of Slayers is Peter Corbet – aka Peter the Wolf. Peter stopped at nothing to eradicate Lycans in England and Scotland. I can’t tell you too much more about the lore because I would be spoiling this amazing story for you, but it’s layered and interwoven beautifully into the story. I loved everything about this world.
Overall, Blood Law is an extraordinary story. It’s gripping, steeped in emotion, and filled with tension. Ms. Tabke succeeds in delivering complex characters and a fresh take on Lycan mythology. Betrayal, treachery and danger abound as loyalties are tested, and the lines between justice and vengeance are blurred. The Blood Law must be upheld and Blood Rights won’t be denied.
Notable Scene:
Rafael raised both of his swords over his head. “Vengeance is all mine tonight, Slayer!” Despite the added Slayers and the loss of a handful of his men, Rafael’s confidence soared. He was at the pinnacle tonight. Nothing could hurt him! With the help of his magnificent Berserkers, who were making hash out of anything that got in their way, and the power of the ring, he would lead his pack to victory.
Slayers were smart, but he was smarter. Slayers killed because of an eight-hundred-year-old command by a long-dead king. Lycans killed to survive and to avenge the deaths of their loved ones. Tonight, he would avenge hundreds of slain Lycans, including his own mother and father.
He looked up at the ceiling two stories high to several heavy looped metal chains hanging from a swing arm mounted from a think steel beam. He leapt straight up, grabbing into a think, blunt hook looped over the swing arm. He shoved the hook up, freeing it. Securing his right foot in the bend of the hook and wrapping the chain around his calf for leverage, Rafael did a free fall. In a wide, forceful swath, he swung down with both swords drawn, hacking at the rush of Slayers. Bullets zinged past him as the Slayers opened fire, several hitting his vest but not penetrating. As he came in for his first hard hit, he took several Slayers out. As the swing reached its full rotation, he unwound his leg from the chains and leapt onto the bottom of the east ramp that led to the platform, then bounded onto the platform where the girl stood screaming bloody murder.
The Blood Moon Rising Series:
1. Blood Law
2. Blood Rights
3. Blood Moon Rising
FTC Advisory: The author provided me with a copy of Blood Law. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don’t receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.
June 3, 2011
This book definitely takes you on a ride....on a LOT of things actually;)
Falon is a girl on the run. She grew up bouncing from one foster home to the next, until one day she fled. She has been on the run, barely surviving, having to steal her meals ever since. She knows that she is different. Weird things seem to happen when she is around. And then there is the rage....
Everything goes from strange and lonely, to stranger and horrid when Falon walks to Mr. D's deli to steal her dinner. She can feel it in the air. Tension, death, and something dark assails her senses. A battle breaks out between to men, rage starts to take her over.
Wait are they fighting over her? How dose the one guy know her name? Has she met them before?
Just when she thought she was the weird one Rafiel walks into her life. Well more like rides in on his Harley, takes out the bad guy in all his sexy dangerous glory, and kidnaps her...but semantics shmantics *shrugs* Falon doesn't know much accept that there is something some serious issues between Rafe and his twin Lucien. But she will learn very soon that the battle between her feelings for Rafe and the evil tie that binds her to Lucien ultimately means nothing when the Blood Law steps in.
Her fate was decided 14 years ago...she doesn't stand a chance.
So for me this book wasn't bad, but could have been better. There was a little too much history/information at the wrong times.
Example:
One minute your in the middle of a action packed fight scene, it's awesome, your on the edge of your seat, white-knuckle gripping the book, and then....Now we are learning about the history behind this fight. The long drawn out detail. Five pages later your brought back to the present to learn someone is fatally injured, and you think to yourself Well DUH! maybe if you were fighting instead of daydreaming about what led you to this fight and made this enemy you would have been better focused. Thus not lying on the floor with a sword through your chest.
That's what this book was like for me...some good parts mixed in with a lot of bad timing. I just felt it could have been the same story just arranged better. Also there is a few parts that, while short lived and can be easily over looked, I felt a little squidgy about. Like Rafe having thoughts about having sex with Falon, while shifting into a wolf...boarder line beastialty maybe? I dunno I mean I guess it's ok because he is a werewolf, NOT a wolf...but still it kinda creeped me.
In the end the story here is good. Falon is awesome and I love her badassness. And Mrs. Tabke knows how to leave you hanging...I will be giving the second book a looksy because I need to know what happens!
Falon is a girl on the run. She grew up bouncing from one foster home to the next, until one day she fled. She has been on the run, barely surviving, having to steal her meals ever since. She knows that she is different. Weird things seem to happen when she is around. And then there is the rage....
Everything goes from strange and lonely, to stranger and horrid when Falon walks to Mr. D's deli to steal her dinner. She can feel it in the air. Tension, death, and something dark assails her senses. A battle breaks out between to men, rage starts to take her over.
Wait are they fighting over her? How dose the one guy know her name? Has she met them before?
Just when she thought she was the weird one Rafiel walks into her life. Well more like rides in on his Harley, takes out the bad guy in all his sexy dangerous glory, and kidnaps her...but semantics shmantics *shrugs* Falon doesn't know much accept that there is something some serious issues between Rafe and his twin Lucien. But she will learn very soon that the battle between her feelings for Rafe and the evil tie that binds her to Lucien ultimately means nothing when the Blood Law steps in.
Her fate was decided 14 years ago...she doesn't stand a chance.
So for me this book wasn't bad, but could have been better. There was a little too much history/information at the wrong times.
Example:
One minute your in the middle of a action packed fight scene, it's awesome, your on the edge of your seat, white-knuckle gripping the book, and then....Now we are learning about the history behind this fight. The long drawn out detail. Five pages later your brought back to the present to learn someone is fatally injured, and you think to yourself Well DUH! maybe if you were fighting instead of daydreaming about what led you to this fight and made this enemy you would have been better focused. Thus not lying on the floor with a sword through your chest.
That's what this book was like for me...some good parts mixed in with a lot of bad timing. I just felt it could have been the same story just arranged better. Also there is a few parts that, while short lived and can be easily over looked, I felt a little squidgy about. Like Rafe having thoughts about having sex with Falon, while shifting into a wolf...boarder line beastialty maybe? I dunno I mean I guess it's ok because he is a werewolf, NOT a wolf...but still it kinda creeped me.
In the end the story here is good. Falon is awesome and I love her badassness. And Mrs. Tabke knows how to leave you hanging...I will be giving the second book a looksy because I need to know what happens!
June 30, 2011
This is my first read by Karin Tabke, but it will most certainly NOT be the last, in fact I am dying to get my hands on the next book in this series.
I've never really been a fan of shape-shifting novels. I've never really gotten into them because, even though I enjoy paranormal, shape shifters just really seemed "too out there" for me. After seeing some amazing reviews for this book I decided to give it a try and I'm so glad I did.
For me, paranormal novels have to have some exceptional world building to grasp my attention and it has to happen fast or I'm on to my next book in my enormous "to read" pile. J.R. Ward's BDB novels, Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series, and Larissa Ione's Demonica books are good examples of what I'm looking for. Karin Tabke's Blood Moon Series has now been added to that list.
Tabke sets the scene with a brief, yet informative background as to how the wolves became wolves and how their breed eventually produced a new species , the Lycans and that's where we meet the twin brothers Rafael and Lucien.
Lycans are hunted by Slayers; human's who's role is to rid the world of Lycans. To mate with a Slayer is a law, under Lycan's, penalized with death.
Rafael returns to his pack after an extended absence to find his brother literally in the heat of mating with none other than a Slayer. Slayers are know to posess magic and to trick others into giving them what they desire. Even though Rafe can see the treachery in her eyes, Luca is blinded by lust and desire. Rafe, concerned for the well-being of the pack and his brother, kills Luca's potential mate in front of his eyes. Naturally, Luca is furious and the two of them proceed to almost kill each other. They're spared with the help of a spiritual healer within their village and from that moment on their pack divides. Luca is dark and represents all dark things, Rafe is light and represents what's right and good. Not only is their pack now divided, Luca is now entitled to the Blood Law. Because Rafe killed his mate, Luca now has the right to kill Rafe's mate when and if he ever decides to take one.
Rafael now leads the pack on his own as Lucien has branched away from him. All this time, Rafe has been careful to never mate or mark a female as his, for fear that Luca will only kill her only to even the score. During an encounter with a Slayer, Rafael comes across Falon, a gangly homeless looking girl. After being left for dead by the Slayers, Rafael decides to take her with him and his pack. He cannot ignore the voice inside him that urges him to mark her, to mate with her. Rafael decides to mark her and let the Blood Law be avenged. She is nothing but a human and he knows that in order for his pack to thrive and be able to breed( yeah, the blood law hinders that also) he has to take a mate. What Rafael isn't prepared for, is how much he's drawn to her and how much he wants her.
Falon has know for a long time that something is different about her. She can detect negative vibes and can tell when something bad is about to happen. When she meets Rafael she isn't prepared for the world she's introduced to, and she's not prepared to experience the incredible passion she feels in his arms.
This book was fantastic. I absolutely loved it and devoured it within 24 hours. Too often, first books in series tend to focus on the logistics of world=building and background information and the story is sort of lost in that. This book was an exception to that rule as I didn't feel the story was lost at all. I was immediately drawn in and my attention was held throughout.
This has some seriously HOT stuff in it. The sex scenes between Rafael and Falon are blazing hot and left me on fire! This man is the epitome of "alpha" and makes it no secret how much he wants his woman.
The fight scenes were engaging and the action fast paced. There are many nail biting moments within this story where you're left wondering what will happen
The ending of this story blew me away. Literally I am stunned still and Mrs. Tabke has already charged my credit card for the next book in this series!!
FIVE STARS for an amazing first story in what's sure to be another great paranormal series!!
I've never really been a fan of shape-shifting novels. I've never really gotten into them because, even though I enjoy paranormal, shape shifters just really seemed "too out there" for me. After seeing some amazing reviews for this book I decided to give it a try and I'm so glad I did.
For me, paranormal novels have to have some exceptional world building to grasp my attention and it has to happen fast or I'm on to my next book in my enormous "to read" pile. J.R. Ward's BDB novels, Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series, and Larissa Ione's Demonica books are good examples of what I'm looking for. Karin Tabke's Blood Moon Series has now been added to that list.
Tabke sets the scene with a brief, yet informative background as to how the wolves became wolves and how their breed eventually produced a new species , the Lycans and that's where we meet the twin brothers Rafael and Lucien.
Lycans are hunted by Slayers; human's who's role is to rid the world of Lycans. To mate with a Slayer is a law, under Lycan's, penalized with death.
Rafael returns to his pack after an extended absence to find his brother literally in the heat of mating with none other than a Slayer. Slayers are know to posess magic and to trick others into giving them what they desire. Even though Rafe can see the treachery in her eyes, Luca is blinded by lust and desire. Rafe, concerned for the well-being of the pack and his brother, kills Luca's potential mate in front of his eyes. Naturally, Luca is furious and the two of them proceed to almost kill each other. They're spared with the help of a spiritual healer within their village and from that moment on their pack divides. Luca is dark and represents all dark things, Rafe is light and represents what's right and good. Not only is their pack now divided, Luca is now entitled to the Blood Law. Because Rafe killed his mate, Luca now has the right to kill Rafe's mate when and if he ever decides to take one.
Rafael now leads the pack on his own as Lucien has branched away from him. All this time, Rafe has been careful to never mate or mark a female as his, for fear that Luca will only kill her only to even the score. During an encounter with a Slayer, Rafael comes across Falon, a gangly homeless looking girl. After being left for dead by the Slayers, Rafael decides to take her with him and his pack. He cannot ignore the voice inside him that urges him to mark her, to mate with her. Rafael decides to mark her and let the Blood Law be avenged. She is nothing but a human and he knows that in order for his pack to thrive and be able to breed( yeah, the blood law hinders that also) he has to take a mate. What Rafael isn't prepared for, is how much he's drawn to her and how much he wants her.
Falon has know for a long time that something is different about her. She can detect negative vibes and can tell when something bad is about to happen. When she meets Rafael she isn't prepared for the world she's introduced to, and she's not prepared to experience the incredible passion she feels in his arms.
This book was fantastic. I absolutely loved it and devoured it within 24 hours. Too often, first books in series tend to focus on the logistics of world=building and background information and the story is sort of lost in that. This book was an exception to that rule as I didn't feel the story was lost at all. I was immediately drawn in and my attention was held throughout.
This has some seriously HOT stuff in it. The sex scenes between Rafael and Falon are blazing hot and left me on fire! This man is the epitome of "alpha" and makes it no secret how much he wants his woman.
The fight scenes were engaging and the action fast paced. There are many nail biting moments within this story where you're left wondering what will happen
The ending of this story blew me away. Literally I am stunned still and Mrs. Tabke has already charged my credit card for the next book in this series!!
FIVE STARS for an amazing first story in what's sure to be another great paranormal series!!
April 26, 2012
This was pretty good for a first in the trilogy. I enjoy the wolf pack and how they interacted. There was some serious sexing going on and plenty of action. I was nervous though when Rafe's brother goes from wanting to kill Falon to wanting to have sex with her. It was almost like yeah he wants revenge and all but he has his own obsession with her as well. I loved Rafael, talk about Alpha male. Geez. And Falon turned out to be a lot tougher than I had originally thought. But Lucien ? Well I'm not feeling the love for him yet. I feel bad for him. But at times he just felt like a spoiled child to me. Now that I know what the next book is about and how this book ended I am seriously nervous. I mean I just cant see Falon without Rafael.Gah now I need the next book .
May 30, 2011
Real quick.....
I really liked this book!! And I love Tabke's story telling. It is Gritty, bloody, plot filled, and OH SO HOT!!!! Worthy hero, and a kick ass heroine!
I really liked this book!! And I love Tabke's story telling. It is Gritty, bloody, plot filled, and OH SO HOT!!!! Worthy hero, and a kick ass heroine!
May 9, 2011
This is the first book I have ever read by this author. I enjoyed her writing. I will certainly read more of her books. The book was fast paced; she created a world and its history in a few short pages so that she did not take pages away from the storyline and plot. I probably will not continue reading this series until the third and final book is published, which the author’s web page claims to be June of 2012. This book ends in a monumental sized cliffhanger. Had I known this going into the book I would have waited until all three were in my hands. Not only is this one of the largest cliffhangers I have ever seen at the end of a book, but it leads to questions about the Happily Ever After for the main couple Rafael and Falon.
Falon has hidden herself from the world for years and has grown up on her own. She always knew she was different, she just never knew why. Falon is a strong female character. She is a fighter. Rafael stumbles upon her while he is pursuing Slayers. She is fighting the Slayers he is after. When he discovers that the Slayers want her, he is intrigued and sees it necessary that he take her with him to find out why she is so important to them. The attraction is fierce and quick. Rafael knows that his desire for her is also a death sentence to her. Due to a justice he inflicted on behalf of the Blood Laws his mate will suffer dire consequences for it. The history of the ways of this world is fascinating. The laws the Lycan live by are complicated and centuries old. This is just one of the many aspects that make this particular Lycan world so interesting.
The back of the book describes this as a “paranormal erotic romance.” I do not think Blood Law falls into erotic. It is a heavily sexed romance. The couple has a great chemistry and attraction. The romance moves at a smooth pace. I have full intentions of reading the remainder of the books in this trilogy, I just plan on waiting to have them both in my hands. My mind is spinning on so many different directions that the ending could lead into the second book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes shifters in a heavily sexed paranormal romance.
Falon has hidden herself from the world for years and has grown up on her own. She always knew she was different, she just never knew why. Falon is a strong female character. She is a fighter. Rafael stumbles upon her while he is pursuing Slayers. She is fighting the Slayers he is after. When he discovers that the Slayers want her, he is intrigued and sees it necessary that he take her with him to find out why she is so important to them. The attraction is fierce and quick. Rafael knows that his desire for her is also a death sentence to her. Due to a justice he inflicted on behalf of the Blood Laws his mate will suffer dire consequences for it. The history of the ways of this world is fascinating. The laws the Lycan live by are complicated and centuries old. This is just one of the many aspects that make this particular Lycan world so interesting.
The back of the book describes this as a “paranormal erotic romance.” I do not think Blood Law falls into erotic. It is a heavily sexed romance. The couple has a great chemistry and attraction. The romance moves at a smooth pace. I have full intentions of reading the remainder of the books in this trilogy, I just plan on waiting to have them both in my hands. My mind is spinning on so many different directions that the ending could lead into the second book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes shifters in a heavily sexed paranormal romance.
August 17, 2012
Not as good as the second surprisingly because Lucian was my guy and he was in the second a lot more hehe!
Loving this series though, I mean hot werewolf guys? Mmmm yes please!
Definitley worth a read, it will get you all hormonal and hot. Because Lucian and yes Raf too are very very dream worthy.
Loving this series though, I mean hot werewolf guys? Mmmm yes please!
Definitley worth a read, it will get you all hormonal and hot. Because Lucian and yes Raf too are very very dream worthy.
did-not-finish
December 4, 2011I made it to 17% but couldn't continue after heroine was nearly unconscious from injuries and didnt even know who was fucking her. The hero marked her, mated her, and took her virginity and didn't even know her name. Easy dnf for me. I wasn't much into the story anyway.
August 17, 2011
Absolutely loved it !!! Not a new take on werewolves , but the story really keeps the reader on the edge of their seat . Reading this book was like watching a movie in your head . It has hell lot of action , hot and sizzling romance and little tid bits of laughter . Definitely recommended .
August 18, 2016
3.5 STAR Review:
The Plot:
Nothing is more vengeful than an eye for an eye. For the Lycans, this saying translates to Blood Law.
Fourteen years ago, Lycan Alpha Rafael Vulkasin slayed the Chosen One of his twin brother, Lucien. Rafael maintained that Lucien's chosen mate revealed to him that she was a Slayer, an ancient exterminator of Lycan kind, and that he was charged by their laws to kill her irregardless of the fact that she and Lucien were intertwined in the most intimate of moments. To protect the pack, Rafael didn't even hesitate when he slew her whilst still in the arms of his brother. Unfortunately, Rafael's claims could not be verified with proof and the Amorak council, a governing body made up of a centuries old spiritual clan charged with guarding the Lycans, granted Lucien the right of Blood Law. Now as decreed by law, when Rafael claims his future Chosen One, Lucien will avenge the crime committed against him and slay Rafael's mate as his right.
Falon Corbet has always known she was different but different is a rarely a blessing. Surviving on her thievery skills, Falon teeters along the edge of despair and the need to end her pitiful and frightened existence. Having been on the run since her foster care days, Falon does what she can with a whole lot of nothing. However, it's her sense of a future destiny that keeps her taking that next breath. It's a deep knowing, one that Falon can't shake. One day she'll be needed.
The last thing that Rafael needs right now is the burden of a woman whom even in a near death state has the terrifying power to make him burn with desire and the primal urge to claim. With the Blood Moon and its subsequent rising mere months away, Rafael should be focusing on joining the North American Lycan packs in an effort to eliminate the Slayer clans once and for all. Humans' descendant from the time of England's King Edward I, Slayers continue to enforce the directive that their King once demanded of their great ancestors: kill all the Lycans. Left with no choice but to retaliate and fight for the survival of their species, the Lycans have been fighting back ever since but it's time for things to end and Rafael plans on being the last one standing. But one mere slip of a human will bring him to his knees.
Awakening from a nightmare turned reality, Falon finds herself thrown into the mix of a previously unknown world where mythical creatures actually do exist. Immediately tossed between two angry brothers and the past that haunts them, Falon will have to come terms with not only her new burgeoning powers, but with the soul deep yearning that blossoms for Rafael all while knowing that her life will soon end at the hands of his brother. Needless to say, escape is at the forefront of Falon's mind until she slams hard against the barrier of love. Torn between two brothers and the destiny that awaits her, Falon will have to choose to either continue running down the path of a life filled with fear and the unknown, or take hold of her power and wield it like no other before her.
The Heroine:
Resembling a skittish alley cat, Falon Corbet begins her journey by surviving on petty thievery and a moral code that lands her into trouble more often than not. An orphan with no link to her family except for her last name, Falon struggles with a waining will to live. Lonely, scared, and starving, she hangs on by the barest of threads until she lands in the arms of Rafael. Discovering a well of strength within the alpha Lycan, Falon draws from him a self confidence that she's never experienced before. Armed with new powers and a newly re-kindled desire to live despite the fact that she's practically on death row, Falon embraces her life like never before. For the first time Falon embodies the courage to not only live but to fall completely in love with a Lycan filled with such honor and such strength that she can't give him anything less than her heart.
The Hero:
For the last fourteen years, Rafael Vulkasin's life has been ruled by a double-edged sword. For him to take a mate means that he'll have to hand her over to Lucien and her death. Don't take a mate, and his pack will not survive for without an alpha pair the pack can't breed. Assuaged with guilt and resentment, Rafael has resisted his duty for to do what he must means the death of an innocent. At first, Falon seems the perfect choice to avenge the Blood Law. She's human and therefore worthless to Lycans but from the first moment he breathes her in, Rafael is entranced. As their relationship grows so does Rafael's desperation to keep Falon from meeting her death at the hands of his brother. Armed with Falon's love and her mark, Rafael forges ahead to protect what is his with every determined breath and bone in his body.
My Final Thoughts:
BLOOD LAW is not your run-of-the-mill paranormal romance by any stretch of the imagination. Themes converge while myths are resurrected then twisted to produce a whole new breed within the subgenre. And while the bones of the plot articulated wonderfully, the guts left a little something to be desired. Word of advice: dispel any notions of similarities between Karin Tabke and Nalini Singh or Karin Tabke and Kresley Cole. Pack and Lycan do not mean the same in BLOOD LAW. Also, this is a novel that revolves around the hero and the heroine as well as an anti-hero of sorts. Don't expect any charismatic secondary characters to claim any of the limelight. With that in mind, let's forge ahead.
*S*P*O*I*L*E*R*S*
Read At Your Own Peril!
First, let's talk love. Undoubtedly in a paranormal romance, we find love but the love in BLOOD LAW betwixt Rafael and Falon is as simple as it is complex. Of course there's the instantaneous and burning lust that is undeniable between hero and heroine. We can all resolutely agree that this is a-typical in paranormal romance but the magic wielded by an author is the written creation of love's evolutionary process. We want to see them grow! Yes, Rafael and Falon individually evolved but their love never quite develops a weighty maturity. However, this may be intentional, but we'll get to that later. There's a rather dark shadow cast upon Rafael's and Falon's love and it's not just that Rafael intends to hand Falon over to her death after cementing what is a highly intimate and emotional joining. Even worse, worse in terms of romance reading, there is infidelity. *gasps*
Lucien, Rafael's prodigal twin brother, hopes to inflict as much pain upon Rafael as possible. One has to sympathize with this but Lucien takes a definite turn for an enemy title as he's quite consumed with not only hatred but also with lust for Falon. As his need for revenge rages with his desire to claim, Lucien begins to delight in tormenting Falon by using hers and his sexual awareness to further pollute Rafael's life and corrupting the love he and Falon share. In addition, Falon finds herself both despising and enjoying Lucien's pursuit of her even though his means are sick at best. To top everything off, she doesn't tell Rafael! Now, from the interview, Ms. Tabke's intentions are apparent in that she's creating a series long threesome between her main characters. This is all well and good, hell, I'm enjoying the idea, but during the heat of it all, as a reader I felt majorly betrayed and feeling a little less than friendly toward Falon.
Now, let's talk Happily Ever After. Well, let's just take the hood off the prize: there is none! Be prepared to take on the mother of all romance cliffhangers! This is either genius or suicide for Tabke. Lucien is really a despicable character and the hand he deals to Rafael and Falon will have you flipping through the last blank pages screaming No! No! No!. In general, I'm not a fan of the cliffhanger mainly and especially when there's a long gap between releases, but more importantly, I crave closure for my characters which then translates to closure for me. In the case of BLOOD LAW, it all comes back to Falon and her cheating with Lucien. In any event, I'm anticipating the next installment and how Tabke will or will not redeem Lucien.
In closing, and for those few blog readers still with me *cyber hugs*, BLOOD LAW stands on its own as read unlike any others. It's stripped free of comedic humor and cumbersome layers leaving only the raw flesh and bones. No taboo is left unscathed and no soft words are used to cushion the often shocking and primal sexuality exhibited by Tabke's Lycans. While I warred with myself over the rating, BLOOD LAW went against the grain and despite the fact that I applaud the risk, Falon and her actions sadly did not sit well with my reader heart. In addition, more questions than answers have been raised and while this gears me up hotly for round two with BLOOD RIGHT, I hope that a year from now, I don't forget or wonder why.
The Plot:
Nothing is more vengeful than an eye for an eye. For the Lycans, this saying translates to Blood Law.
Fourteen years ago, Lycan Alpha Rafael Vulkasin slayed the Chosen One of his twin brother, Lucien. Rafael maintained that Lucien's chosen mate revealed to him that she was a Slayer, an ancient exterminator of Lycan kind, and that he was charged by their laws to kill her irregardless of the fact that she and Lucien were intertwined in the most intimate of moments. To protect the pack, Rafael didn't even hesitate when he slew her whilst still in the arms of his brother. Unfortunately, Rafael's claims could not be verified with proof and the Amorak council, a governing body made up of a centuries old spiritual clan charged with guarding the Lycans, granted Lucien the right of Blood Law. Now as decreed by law, when Rafael claims his future Chosen One, Lucien will avenge the crime committed against him and slay Rafael's mate as his right.
Falon Corbet has always known she was different but different is a rarely a blessing. Surviving on her thievery skills, Falon teeters along the edge of despair and the need to end her pitiful and frightened existence. Having been on the run since her foster care days, Falon does what she can with a whole lot of nothing. However, it's her sense of a future destiny that keeps her taking that next breath. It's a deep knowing, one that Falon can't shake. One day she'll be needed.
The last thing that Rafael needs right now is the burden of a woman whom even in a near death state has the terrifying power to make him burn with desire and the primal urge to claim. With the Blood Moon and its subsequent rising mere months away, Rafael should be focusing on joining the North American Lycan packs in an effort to eliminate the Slayer clans once and for all. Humans' descendant from the time of England's King Edward I, Slayers continue to enforce the directive that their King once demanded of their great ancestors: kill all the Lycans. Left with no choice but to retaliate and fight for the survival of their species, the Lycans have been fighting back ever since but it's time for things to end and Rafael plans on being the last one standing. But one mere slip of a human will bring him to his knees.
Awakening from a nightmare turned reality, Falon finds herself thrown into the mix of a previously unknown world where mythical creatures actually do exist. Immediately tossed between two angry brothers and the past that haunts them, Falon will have to come terms with not only her new burgeoning powers, but with the soul deep yearning that blossoms for Rafael all while knowing that her life will soon end at the hands of his brother. Needless to say, escape is at the forefront of Falon's mind until she slams hard against the barrier of love. Torn between two brothers and the destiny that awaits her, Falon will have to choose to either continue running down the path of a life filled with fear and the unknown, or take hold of her power and wield it like no other before her.
The Heroine:
Resembling a skittish alley cat, Falon Corbet begins her journey by surviving on petty thievery and a moral code that lands her into trouble more often than not. An orphan with no link to her family except for her last name, Falon struggles with a waining will to live. Lonely, scared, and starving, she hangs on by the barest of threads until she lands in the arms of Rafael. Discovering a well of strength within the alpha Lycan, Falon draws from him a self confidence that she's never experienced before. Armed with new powers and a newly re-kindled desire to live despite the fact that she's practically on death row, Falon embraces her life like never before. For the first time Falon embodies the courage to not only live but to fall completely in love with a Lycan filled with such honor and such strength that she can't give him anything less than her heart.
The Hero:
For the last fourteen years, Rafael Vulkasin's life has been ruled by a double-edged sword. For him to take a mate means that he'll have to hand her over to Lucien and her death. Don't take a mate, and his pack will not survive for without an alpha pair the pack can't breed. Assuaged with guilt and resentment, Rafael has resisted his duty for to do what he must means the death of an innocent. At first, Falon seems the perfect choice to avenge the Blood Law. She's human and therefore worthless to Lycans but from the first moment he breathes her in, Rafael is entranced. As their relationship grows so does Rafael's desperation to keep Falon from meeting her death at the hands of his brother. Armed with Falon's love and her mark, Rafael forges ahead to protect what is his with every determined breath and bone in his body.
My Final Thoughts:
BLOOD LAW is not your run-of-the-mill paranormal romance by any stretch of the imagination. Themes converge while myths are resurrected then twisted to produce a whole new breed within the subgenre. And while the bones of the plot articulated wonderfully, the guts left a little something to be desired. Word of advice: dispel any notions of similarities between Karin Tabke and Nalini Singh or Karin Tabke and Kresley Cole. Pack and Lycan do not mean the same in BLOOD LAW. Also, this is a novel that revolves around the hero and the heroine as well as an anti-hero of sorts. Don't expect any charismatic secondary characters to claim any of the limelight. With that in mind, let's forge ahead.
*S*P*O*I*L*E*R*S*
Read At Your Own Peril!
First, let's talk love. Undoubtedly in a paranormal romance, we find love but the love in BLOOD LAW betwixt Rafael and Falon is as simple as it is complex. Of course there's the instantaneous and burning lust that is undeniable between hero and heroine. We can all resolutely agree that this is a-typical in paranormal romance but the magic wielded by an author is the written creation of love's evolutionary process. We want to see them grow! Yes, Rafael and Falon individually evolved but their love never quite develops a weighty maturity. However, this may be intentional, but we'll get to that later. There's a rather dark shadow cast upon Rafael's and Falon's love and it's not just that Rafael intends to hand Falon over to her death after cementing what is a highly intimate and emotional joining. Even worse, worse in terms of romance reading, there is infidelity. *gasps*
Lucien, Rafael's prodigal twin brother, hopes to inflict as much pain upon Rafael as possible. One has to sympathize with this but Lucien takes a definite turn for an enemy title as he's quite consumed with not only hatred but also with lust for Falon. As his need for revenge rages with his desire to claim, Lucien begins to delight in tormenting Falon by using hers and his sexual awareness to further pollute Rafael's life and corrupting the love he and Falon share. In addition, Falon finds herself both despising and enjoying Lucien's pursuit of her even though his means are sick at best. To top everything off, she doesn't tell Rafael! Now, from the interview, Ms. Tabke's intentions are apparent in that she's creating a series long threesome between her main characters. This is all well and good, hell, I'm enjoying the idea, but during the heat of it all, as a reader I felt majorly betrayed and feeling a little less than friendly toward Falon.
Now, let's talk Happily Ever After. Well, let's just take the hood off the prize: there is none! Be prepared to take on the mother of all romance cliffhangers! This is either genius or suicide for Tabke. Lucien is really a despicable character and the hand he deals to Rafael and Falon will have you flipping through the last blank pages screaming No! No! No!. In general, I'm not a fan of the cliffhanger mainly and especially when there's a long gap between releases, but more importantly, I crave closure for my characters which then translates to closure for me. In the case of BLOOD LAW, it all comes back to Falon and her cheating with Lucien. In any event, I'm anticipating the next installment and how Tabke will or will not redeem Lucien.
In closing, and for those few blog readers still with me *cyber hugs*, BLOOD LAW stands on its own as read unlike any others. It's stripped free of comedic humor and cumbersome layers leaving only the raw flesh and bones. No taboo is left unscathed and no soft words are used to cushion the often shocking and primal sexuality exhibited by Tabke's Lycans. While I warred with myself over the rating, BLOOD LAW went against the grain and despite the fact that I applaud the risk, Falon and her actions sadly did not sit well with my reader heart. In addition, more questions than answers have been raised and while this gears me up hotly for round two with BLOOD RIGHT, I hope that a year from now, I don't forget or wonder why.
August 15, 2014
This book started off really good for me. It had a feel from the beginning as the world building in the Underworld movies, which I liked, so it had me intrigued. But my excitement soon fizzled out.
The main idea of the story is that there's two brothers who were to lead the Lycans. Rafael and Lucien. Rafael was supposed to be the leader but he left their people in the hands of Lucien and disappeared for many years. When he returns, he finds Lucien has taken a woman and intends to claim her as his mate. But Rafael can tell she's a hunter, and kills her... as she's having sex with his brother. They battle it out and almost kill each other. Rafael ends up leading his people and Lucien leaves, but holds on to the anger and wishes revenge.
Years later, now Rafael leading his people, he meets a woman who is destinted to play an important role in the war between the Lycans and the Hunters. They've waited too long for the Blood Moon. But Rafael also realizes that she is his mate, and he keeps her hostage in his home, so the Hunters can't get to her and use her against them in battle.
Their people live by the Blood Law, an eye-for-an-eye. Which is why Lucien now, by right, can kill his brothers mate. But Lucien wants to play with her a bit, not kill her right away. She ends up sharing blood Lucien first, which allows him to come to her without Rafael knowing.
Ummm.... OK, one point I have to put out there. I was kinda scared there might be some doggie-loving as I was reading. I really thought more than once I might have to put the book down if they went in that direction, but thank God nothing like that happened.
I think I had the most problems with the heroine and how her love for the hero developed, while he had her captive, and then how she was letting his brother have too many liberties. Be warned there's a huge cliffhanger at the end!!!! So I am interested to see where the story will go and will be picking up the next book when it comes out.
The main idea of the story is that there's two brothers who were to lead the Lycans. Rafael and Lucien. Rafael was supposed to be the leader but he left their people in the hands of Lucien and disappeared for many years. When he returns, he finds Lucien has taken a woman and intends to claim her as his mate. But Rafael can tell she's a hunter, and kills her... as she's having sex with his brother. They battle it out and almost kill each other. Rafael ends up leading his people and Lucien leaves, but holds on to the anger and wishes revenge.
Years later, now Rafael leading his people, he meets a woman who is destinted to play an important role in the war between the Lycans and the Hunters. They've waited too long for the Blood Moon. But Rafael also realizes that she is his mate, and he keeps her hostage in his home, so the Hunters can't get to her and use her against them in battle.
Their people live by the Blood Law, an eye-for-an-eye. Which is why Lucien now, by right, can kill his brothers mate. But Lucien wants to play with her a bit, not kill her right away. She ends up sharing blood Lucien first, which allows him to come to her without Rafael knowing.
Ummm.... OK, one point I have to put out there. I was kinda scared there might be some doggie-loving as I was reading. I really thought more than once I might have to put the book down if they went in that direction, but thank God nothing like that happened.
I think I had the most problems with the heroine and how her love for the hero developed, while he had her captive, and then how she was letting his brother have too many liberties. Be warned there's a huge cliffhanger at the end!!!! So I am interested to see where the story will go and will be picking up the next book when it comes out.
June 25, 2011
I did a re-read of this one immediately after finishing it the 1st time around. I felt like I judged it harshly. I am so glad I did the re-read. This book is very very good. It's the 1st in a trilogy and I cannot wait for the 2nd installment.. You are left with a MAJOR cliff hanger!
The story just has that "It" factor. You are drawn in completely. The brothers and Falon and the pack itself, all these characters bring something major to this story. You find yourself a bit torn the more you learn of the brothers and their plight. You just know that this one is gonna get a whole lot more messy before things are put right. And the history given on the Lycans and Slayers is written great. You get the point of this over 800 year war without all the pointless chatter. I recommend this read.
The story just has that "It" factor. You are drawn in completely. The brothers and Falon and the pack itself, all these characters bring something major to this story. You find yourself a bit torn the more you learn of the brothers and their plight. You just know that this one is gonna get a whole lot more messy before things are put right. And the history given on the Lycans and Slayers is written great. You get the point of this over 800 year war without all the pointless chatter. I recommend this read.
June 21, 2011
More 1.5 stars, but I was feeling generous.
I'm so disappointed. I wanted to like this -- I wanted to LOVE this. The sad truth is, I just didn't care.
I connected with none of the characters, their reactions seeming rather unbelievable, even for a paranormal novel!
By page60 or so I was debating giving up completely, but the fact that so many people had rated it so highly had me stumbling through it.
There is too much information at the start, allowing you to plot exactly where this is heading. I found Rafael hypocritical in the extreme, and Falon wishy-washy at best.
Such a shame.
I'm so disappointed. I wanted to like this -- I wanted to LOVE this. The sad truth is, I just didn't care.
I connected with none of the characters, their reactions seeming rather unbelievable, even for a paranormal novel!
By page60 or so I was debating giving up completely, but the fact that so many people had rated it so highly had me stumbling through it.
There is too much information at the start, allowing you to plot exactly where this is heading. I found Rafael hypocritical in the extreme, and Falon wishy-washy at best.
Such a shame.
February 20, 2015
I enjoyed the writing and the lore of this story, but I am afraid that the actual characters didn't appeal to me so I struggled to finish this. Unfortunately I already have the next two books in this series that I will get around to reading, but there is no hurry.
I am sure that it is more my own personal taste then the book, so I would recommend that you read this and decide if this appeals to you or not.
I am sure that it is more my own personal taste then the book, so I would recommend that you read this and decide if this appeals to you or not.
November 4, 2018
Wow what a twist.. I gotta give this book 5 Sexy Stars.. I was feeling so many different emotions with this book. It literally had be from the start! Lucien was the big mean brother then turned out to be a sex god!! I am literally fanning myself right now. Lucien is my fantasy husband. I think I am in love. Move over Barrons.. Lucien just took your spot! 😍☺️
March 26, 2013
I have nothing nice to say...so like my mother says, I won't say anything at all.
December 1, 2021
Well, hell......
🔸4 stars🔸
🔸4 stars🔸
March 15, 2017
Blood Law by Karin Tabke
Blood Moon Rising Trilogy #1
Falon has been running for her whole life, though she's not quiet sure from who or what. She just get these feelings that something bad is about to happen, so she does what she does best, she runs. But of course one night, she goes out to shoplift, even though she's got that feeling that something not right, and gets cought up in between a fight. Falon used her powers, that she doesn't quiet understand yet, and try to get away, but even though she's powerful, it isn't enough in that situation. Lucky for her, somebody comes to her rescue. Alpha of his Lycan pack, Rafael, has made his life mission to do what is best for his pack, even giving up his own life, his joy, everything. That is until Falon. His whole life, Rafael has been hunting Slayer's - beings bred to destroy his kind. What he doesn't know is that Falon is half Lycan and Slayer, which is a dangerous combination. Falon doesn't even know it herself. Never did Rafael belive his soulmate would be a human (or so he thinks), though, for the blood law to be fulfill, Falon must be sacrificed by the hands of Rafael's twin brother Lucien. The twin brothers are like day and night. And even though they might love each other, and be the only hope for their kind, Lucien is obsessed by making his life mission to make his brother's life miserable, by taking the his soulmate like Rafael did Lucien's...
I like this book. The characters were great, and the story was quiet interesting. The twins, Rafael and Lucien, equally powerful and gorgeous. Both had to watch their parents getting killed by Slayers. Never did they belive that they'd end up becoming enemies. Long has Lucien been waiting for his revenge, to getting to kill Rafael's soulmate, and then she comes, Falon. Falon's independent, strong, sarcastic and funny. She doesn't give up easily, and she hates being told what to do. Specially when she's practually being hold/kidnapped and just waiting for her death. Though in the process, she never would belive that she would feel like home, safe, and to fall in love with Rafael. Their connection is a pull she cannot escape, and the heat and desire between them is irresistible. Rafael refuses to open up his heart knowing that she must die for his pack to survive, but somehow Falon manages to break his walls. Choosing between his soulmate and his pack is an impossible choise. Everyone depends on him, but he cannot just give Falon up, can he? When i first started reading this book, i really thought that Rafael would be cold-blooded, harsh, dominating, bad-boy type of a guy, but he was really a strong, powerful, nice guy! He knows his fighting, and is good with his sword and in bed, but other than that i really belive he's a good boy. Lucien, on the other end... he's what you could call a bad-boy, but i belive he's missjugde though.. At least we get to see his side/pov in the next book. But i think i will still be Team Rafael.
The book ended pretty harsh, and i seriously got pissed at Karin Tabke... I mean how dare she end it like that?! Now i MUST read book #2. Karin's a great author, and the story is one of a kind, which that alone made the book worth reading. It was alot of action, some twists i didn't expect, and an ending that makes you want to stab yourself or just lay down and cry.. can't really decide xp
Rate: 3.5 stars
Blood Moon Rising Trilogy #1
Falon has been running for her whole life, though she's not quiet sure from who or what. She just get these feelings that something bad is about to happen, so she does what she does best, she runs. But of course one night, she goes out to shoplift, even though she's got that feeling that something not right, and gets cought up in between a fight. Falon used her powers, that she doesn't quiet understand yet, and try to get away, but even though she's powerful, it isn't enough in that situation. Lucky for her, somebody comes to her rescue. Alpha of his Lycan pack, Rafael, has made his life mission to do what is best for his pack, even giving up his own life, his joy, everything. That is until Falon. His whole life, Rafael has been hunting Slayer's - beings bred to destroy his kind. What he doesn't know is that Falon is half Lycan and Slayer, which is a dangerous combination. Falon doesn't even know it herself. Never did Rafael belive his soulmate would be a human (or so he thinks), though, for the blood law to be fulfill, Falon must be sacrificed by the hands of Rafael's twin brother Lucien. The twin brothers are like day and night. And even though they might love each other, and be the only hope for their kind, Lucien is obsessed by making his life mission to make his brother's life miserable, by taking the his soulmate like Rafael did Lucien's...
I like this book. The characters were great, and the story was quiet interesting. The twins, Rafael and Lucien, equally powerful and gorgeous. Both had to watch their parents getting killed by Slayers. Never did they belive that they'd end up becoming enemies. Long has Lucien been waiting for his revenge, to getting to kill Rafael's soulmate, and then she comes, Falon. Falon's independent, strong, sarcastic and funny. She doesn't give up easily, and she hates being told what to do. Specially when she's practually being hold/kidnapped and just waiting for her death. Though in the process, she never would belive that she would feel like home, safe, and to fall in love with Rafael. Their connection is a pull she cannot escape, and the heat and desire between them is irresistible. Rafael refuses to open up his heart knowing that she must die for his pack to survive, but somehow Falon manages to break his walls. Choosing between his soulmate and his pack is an impossible choise. Everyone depends on him, but he cannot just give Falon up, can he? When i first started reading this book, i really thought that Rafael would be cold-blooded, harsh, dominating, bad-boy type of a guy, but he was really a strong, powerful, nice guy! He knows his fighting, and is good with his sword and in bed, but other than that i really belive he's a good boy. Lucien, on the other end... he's what you could call a bad-boy, but i belive he's missjugde though.. At least we get to see his side/pov in the next book. But i think i will still be Team Rafael.
The book ended pretty harsh, and i seriously got pissed at Karin Tabke... I mean how dare she end it like that?! Now i MUST read book #2. Karin's a great author, and the story is one of a kind, which that alone made the book worth reading. It was alot of action, some twists i didn't expect, and an ending that makes you want to stab yourself or just lay down and cry.. can't really decide xp
Rate: 3.5 stars
April 27, 2011
Blood Law by Karin Tabke
Paranormal Romance –May 3rd, 2011
4 ½ stars
Blood Law is a phenomenal new book in am exhilarating series about Lycans (werewolves).
Falon is an orphan down on her luck. Hiding and unaware of her heritage, she is startled when a strange man hunts her down. But she soon finds herself saved by a blond God welding a sword! His name is Rafael.
Rafael is an alpha Lycan. He leads a pack that is desperately trying to stay alive. He is puzzled why he would rescue a human female no matter how beautiful she is. But he decides to interrogate her on why a rogue slayer named Viktor would want her. She is a mystery he wants to unravel. However, Falon is injured and as he heals her he forms a healing bond. As a result, Rafael cannot seem to resist her and finds himself marking her as his mate. But the trouble is now that he has mated, his mate will be hunted down.
Rafael and his brother Lucien were close brothers who ruled the Vulkasin pack. However, Rafael deliberately killed his brother’s supposed ‘mate’ because he knew she was a wolf Slayer in disguise. Sent to infiltrate and kill their Lycan pack. But Lucien loved this woman and cannot forgive Rafael. He believed that she was his mate and invoked the Blood Law, which means a mate for a mate. Lucien vows to kill any mate of Raphael’s in retribution.
Blood Law is a mythical story filled with rich history that will draw in the reader!
This book makes for exciting reading because Lucien’s vengeance makes for an unbelievably emotional and tense story. Plus the Slayers are trying to exterminate the Lycans so they are hanging onto existence.
The scenes between Rafael and Falon are scorching HOT! But the best thing is the rich history that Karin Tabke has created. I wanted to know everything about their long vendetta with the Slayers. I felt like I was reading a fantasy adventure like Underworld. I was caught up in the brutal survival of their race. Rafael is aggressive and all male. Rafe fears being bonded since he knows it is instant death for his mate. He fights for the need to protect her but also to allow justice be meted, even if it pains him.
Mythical, primitive and thrilling. If you love books about shifters, dark fantasy, and steamy sex this book will thrill you!
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Paranormal Romance –May 3rd, 2011
4 ½ stars
Blood Law is a phenomenal new book in am exhilarating series about Lycans (werewolves).
Falon is an orphan down on her luck. Hiding and unaware of her heritage, she is startled when a strange man hunts her down. But she soon finds herself saved by a blond God welding a sword! His name is Rafael.
Rafael is an alpha Lycan. He leads a pack that is desperately trying to stay alive. He is puzzled why he would rescue a human female no matter how beautiful she is. But he decides to interrogate her on why a rogue slayer named Viktor would want her. She is a mystery he wants to unravel. However, Falon is injured and as he heals her he forms a healing bond. As a result, Rafael cannot seem to resist her and finds himself marking her as his mate. But the trouble is now that he has mated, his mate will be hunted down.
Rafael and his brother Lucien were close brothers who ruled the Vulkasin pack. However, Rafael deliberately killed his brother’s supposed ‘mate’ because he knew she was a wolf Slayer in disguise. Sent to infiltrate and kill their Lycan pack. But Lucien loved this woman and cannot forgive Rafael. He believed that she was his mate and invoked the Blood Law, which means a mate for a mate. Lucien vows to kill any mate of Raphael’s in retribution.
Blood Law is a mythical story filled with rich history that will draw in the reader!
This book makes for exciting reading because Lucien’s vengeance makes for an unbelievably emotional and tense story. Plus the Slayers are trying to exterminate the Lycans so they are hanging onto existence.
The scenes between Rafael and Falon are scorching HOT! But the best thing is the rich history that Karin Tabke has created. I wanted to know everything about their long vendetta with the Slayers. I felt like I was reading a fantasy adventure like Underworld. I was caught up in the brutal survival of their race. Rafael is aggressive and all male. Rafe fears being bonded since he knows it is instant death for his mate. He fights for the need to protect her but also to allow justice be meted, even if it pains him.
Mythical, primitive and thrilling. If you love books about shifters, dark fantasy, and steamy sex this book will thrill you!
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
February 18, 2020
Holy inner monologue Batman. Pages and pages and pages of inner monologue intersperse any action. Relentless, repetitive, boring and irritating. My God!! Cut out the inner monologue and you've dispensed with 60% of the book.
When it's not inner monologue it's mind numbing, exposition. An intro that explains the history. Then the history all explained again whenever Fallon asks a question. Edward tells her the whole history, Raph does, Luca does. Then a council meeting where the history is told all over again. You hear the same stuff 15 times. How did you know Luca's mate was a slayer? I just did, let me tell you, the Council, Luca, Sharia... anyone who asks and you, reader, you will get it too; at least 20 times in this book.
4 stars lost for that. Because this is yet another book that doesn't need to be a trilogy. It's just padded with unyielding inner thoughts. Take away all the exposition and monologue and you have a 10 oage book, if that. Plot stretched so thin it's like Kate Moss' smile.
When it's not inner monologue it's mind numbing, exposition. An intro that explains the history. Then the history all explained again whenever Fallon asks a question. Edward tells her the whole history, Raph does, Luca does. Then a council meeting where the history is told all over again. You hear the same stuff 15 times. How did you know Luca's mate was a slayer? I just did, let me tell you, the Council, Luca, Sharia... anyone who asks and you, reader, you will get it too; at least 20 times in this book.
4 stars lost for that. Because this is yet another book that doesn't need to be a trilogy. It's just padded with unyielding inner thoughts. Take away all the exposition and monologue and you have a 10 oage book, if that. Plot stretched so thin it's like Kate Moss' smile.
July 1, 2011
5 stars and OMG...
"The girl can never completely belong to you or Lucien. Only when you each discover and accept your true mate and the sacrifices you must make to possess her,will there be peace. Only then will the packs thrive. Only then, Rafael, can the Slayers be defeated."
...WTF...
What an exciting, awesome, sexy, interesting and intriguing read...nuff said...for now.
"The girl can never completely belong to you or Lucien. Only when you each discover and accept your true mate and the sacrifices you must make to possess her,will there be peace. Only then will the packs thrive. Only then, Rafael, can the Slayers be defeated."
...WTF...
What an exciting, awesome, sexy, interesting and intriguing read...nuff said...for now.
June 14, 2011
I loved this book. Falon was a strong fearless female just the way i like for lead chicas to be!! Her and Rafe's chemistry burned off the pages.... It was a page turner that you can read over and over, the ending was one of the best i read this year. I cannot wait for Tabke's next book in the Blood Moon series Blood Right is surely to be good!! Tabke spoilers pleeeaaase!!
May 23, 2011
The ending...OMG now I HAVE to read the next book!
May 30, 2011
Falon Corbet’s life is irrevocably changed when she stumbles across a murder-in-progress. Ever since she was a little girl, Falon has had feelings and premonitions that inevitably come true . . . so she can’t come up with a reasonable explanation for why she walked into that supermarket, knowing bad things would befall her entrance.
And as always, Falon was right. She was accosted by a bulldozer of a man, who was ranting and raving about Slayers and Lycans and claiming that Falon is ‘one of them’.
Then an Adonis-lookalike blustered his way onto the scene and all hell broke loose. Falon was near-death and failing fast when this golden-haired biker saved her life and insisted on keeping her prisoner in his Sierra compound.
But Falon has not been saved by a well-meaning citizen. His name is Rafael Vulkasin, and he is bad news. His mansion is populated with feral bikers who cavort in lusty abandon. He has his golden guard-dog watch over Falon like a hawk . . . and when his brother, Lucien, comes to stay, Falon realizes what sort of danger she is really in.
Lucien is a dark, menacing presence in the compound. He and Rafael circle one another like battering rams, and there is talk of Falon being offered to Lucien as a blood sacrifice . . .
Falon knows she has to escape, but Rafael has marked her somehow and she finds herself reluctant to leave his side, while terrified of what he and his brother have planned for her.
‘Blood Law’ is the first book in Karin Tabke’s paranormal erotica trilogy, ‘Blood Moon Rising’.
I was really excited for this book. Last year I read (and loved) Tabke’s medieval romance, ‘Master of Surrender’. So when I heard she was writing a paranormal erotica trilogy, I was over the moon and salivating at the prospect.
Sadly, I was disappointed by this much-anticipated book. It was a case of convolution, boredom, disbelief and frustration.
The ‘Blood Moon Rising’ trilogy is grounded in Lycan mythology, and a sibling battle to rival Cain and Abel. In Tabke’s universe, Lycans (‘werewolves’) origins are connected to a bitter and disfigured werewolf called Fenrir. This back-story is mired in Druid fairytale and self-fulfilling prophecy about Slayers who are the Lycan’s mortal enemies.
Fast-forward and two Lycan Alpha brothers, Rafael and Lucien, are carrying-out their own tragic destiny. Rafael arrives at his clan’s home to discover that his brother has taken a human mate – a Slayer, no less. Clouded by some sort of dark magic, Lucien cannot see that the woman he loves is out to destroy him, so Rafael kills her while she and Lucien are mid-coitus. Understandably, Lucien holds a grudge.
Present day sees Lucien quietly biding his time until Rafael takes his own mate . . . for then Lucien intends to exact Blood Law, and kills his brother’s mate just as Rafael killed his.
When Rafael stumbles across the human, Falon, he is intrigued as to why a Slayer would single her out for abuse. He is also oddly drawn to her . . . and thus, an idea forms. Rafael knows that Lucien is awaiting his vengeance. Meanwhile, because Rafael is reluctant to take a mate only to have Lucien kill her, the Lycan pack has been unable to mate or procreate (since they need to follow in their Alpha’s footsteps). As it is, a child has not been born into the pack for 14 years and their morale and numbers dwindle.
In Falon, Rafael sees the perfect escape-goat. He is drawn to her, but not in love with her. If he takes her as his mate, he is sure he will feel no remorse when Lucien inevitably slaughters her. She will literally be a sacrificial lamb . . . unless, of course, Rafael has a change of heart.
It’s a very convoluted plot – intertwined with Druid mythology, a brother’s vengeance and a mortal-enemy lurking in the shadows. By the time you get to Chapter Five you pretty much know everybody’s motivations, their pitfalls and can spot the curve-balls a mile away.
Despite guessing where the plot was going, and predicting character’s motivations, I was surprised by how little I believed character reactions.
Falon was my biggest road-block. She has recently been attacked, near-death and now finds herself kidnapped by a hulking biker boy. Apart from the initial struggle and fright, she actually takes the whole situation pretty calmly. Sure, people are having mass orgies all around her and she finds herself somewhat aroused by a golden wolf – but hey!, it’s all good! Tabke reasons a lot of Falon’s lack-of-freaked-out by saying she is thoroughly turned-on by Rafael. Even when Falon discovers Rafael’s plan to offer her to his brother as a murder-sacrifice, she doesn’t really try very hard to escape or scream the place down. And pretty soon she’s offering to help the Lycan gang out in a hunt for a missing girl.
I also guessed that Rafael’s plan to sacrifice Falon wouldn’t go smoothly because his own heart would get in the way. This curveball was a given. So it’s a shame that Tabke didn’t take more time to legitimately throw these two together and create some sparks. All of their attraction can be attested to the pull of the mate bond, as opposed to genuine chemistry.
His gaze locked for a long, silent moment with Falon’s. He knew she was special, so special Salene wanted her. So special, Rafael, an alpha, had marked her, a human, before he knew her. So special she could jump high fences, read people’s minds, and sniff out a Slayer among a pack of Lycans. So special she could disarm an alpha as powerful as his brother with glare. Sacrificing her for the sake of the Blood Law was not going to be easy. And it would be a sacrifice.
Despite his hard heart, in just a few days, she had wormed her way under his skin.
Despite all these pitfalls, I still persevered with this book because the big draw-card for me was the brother dynamic. Rafael and Lucien. Lucien and Rafael. There’s so much Biblical promise in the rivalry of these two that I couldn’t help but hope their feud would save the story . . . sadly, no.
Lucien could have been the bad-boy stand-out. The ‘so-wrong-they’re-right’ sexy villain. Unfortunately he’s more of a cardboard cut-out nemesis. All dark and brooding, malevolent and predictable. I hoped he would at least have palpable chemistry with Falon, to create a lusty love triangle . . . but their interactions left me cold too.
‘Blood Law’ is the first book in a trilogy – so be warned that there is a cliff-hanger ending. Whereas many readers are complaining about this abrupt end, I am actually a little bit pleased by it . . . because it almost saves the trilogy for me. The book ends on a promising note – with a hint that the next book in the series will focus more on the Rafael/Falon/Lucien triangle in a way that ‘Blood Law’ abysmally failed to. ‘Blood Right’ is the second book in the ‘Blood Moon Rising’ trilogy, and is currently scheduled for a February 2012 release.
I was so looking forward to ‘Blood Law’, but found myself bitterly disappointed. I loved Tabke’s previous romance foray, and thought her writing a paranormal erotica would be a slam-dunk. Perhaps I counted my eggs before they hatched and raised the bar too high . . . but for me, ‘Blood Law’ was a convoluted, twisted and unsexy read. I only have hopes for the second instalment, considering the interesting end-note of this first book.
1.5/5
And as always, Falon was right. She was accosted by a bulldozer of a man, who was ranting and raving about Slayers and Lycans and claiming that Falon is ‘one of them’.
Then an Adonis-lookalike blustered his way onto the scene and all hell broke loose. Falon was near-death and failing fast when this golden-haired biker saved her life and insisted on keeping her prisoner in his Sierra compound.
But Falon has not been saved by a well-meaning citizen. His name is Rafael Vulkasin, and he is bad news. His mansion is populated with feral bikers who cavort in lusty abandon. He has his golden guard-dog watch over Falon like a hawk . . . and when his brother, Lucien, comes to stay, Falon realizes what sort of danger she is really in.
Lucien is a dark, menacing presence in the compound. He and Rafael circle one another like battering rams, and there is talk of Falon being offered to Lucien as a blood sacrifice . . .
Falon knows she has to escape, but Rafael has marked her somehow and she finds herself reluctant to leave his side, while terrified of what he and his brother have planned for her.
‘Blood Law’ is the first book in Karin Tabke’s paranormal erotica trilogy, ‘Blood Moon Rising’.
I was really excited for this book. Last year I read (and loved) Tabke’s medieval romance, ‘Master of Surrender’. So when I heard she was writing a paranormal erotica trilogy, I was over the moon and salivating at the prospect.
Sadly, I was disappointed by this much-anticipated book. It was a case of convolution, boredom, disbelief and frustration.
The ‘Blood Moon Rising’ trilogy is grounded in Lycan mythology, and a sibling battle to rival Cain and Abel. In Tabke’s universe, Lycans (‘werewolves’) origins are connected to a bitter and disfigured werewolf called Fenrir. This back-story is mired in Druid fairytale and self-fulfilling prophecy about Slayers who are the Lycan’s mortal enemies.
Fast-forward and two Lycan Alpha brothers, Rafael and Lucien, are carrying-out their own tragic destiny. Rafael arrives at his clan’s home to discover that his brother has taken a human mate – a Slayer, no less. Clouded by some sort of dark magic, Lucien cannot see that the woman he loves is out to destroy him, so Rafael kills her while she and Lucien are mid-coitus. Understandably, Lucien holds a grudge.
Present day sees Lucien quietly biding his time until Rafael takes his own mate . . . for then Lucien intends to exact Blood Law, and kills his brother’s mate just as Rafael killed his.
When Rafael stumbles across the human, Falon, he is intrigued as to why a Slayer would single her out for abuse. He is also oddly drawn to her . . . and thus, an idea forms. Rafael knows that Lucien is awaiting his vengeance. Meanwhile, because Rafael is reluctant to take a mate only to have Lucien kill her, the Lycan pack has been unable to mate or procreate (since they need to follow in their Alpha’s footsteps). As it is, a child has not been born into the pack for 14 years and their morale and numbers dwindle.
In Falon, Rafael sees the perfect escape-goat. He is drawn to her, but not in love with her. If he takes her as his mate, he is sure he will feel no remorse when Lucien inevitably slaughters her. She will literally be a sacrificial lamb . . . unless, of course, Rafael has a change of heart.
It’s a very convoluted plot – intertwined with Druid mythology, a brother’s vengeance and a mortal-enemy lurking in the shadows. By the time you get to Chapter Five you pretty much know everybody’s motivations, their pitfalls and can spot the curve-balls a mile away.
Despite guessing where the plot was going, and predicting character’s motivations, I was surprised by how little I believed character reactions.
Falon was my biggest road-block. She has recently been attacked, near-death and now finds herself kidnapped by a hulking biker boy. Apart from the initial struggle and fright, she actually takes the whole situation pretty calmly. Sure, people are having mass orgies all around her and she finds herself somewhat aroused by a golden wolf – but hey!, it’s all good! Tabke reasons a lot of Falon’s lack-of-freaked-out by saying she is thoroughly turned-on by Rafael. Even when Falon discovers Rafael’s plan to offer her to his brother as a murder-sacrifice, she doesn’t really try very hard to escape or scream the place down. And pretty soon she’s offering to help the Lycan gang out in a hunt for a missing girl.
I also guessed that Rafael’s plan to sacrifice Falon wouldn’t go smoothly because his own heart would get in the way. This curveball was a given. So it’s a shame that Tabke didn’t take more time to legitimately throw these two together and create some sparks. All of their attraction can be attested to the pull of the mate bond, as opposed to genuine chemistry.
His gaze locked for a long, silent moment with Falon’s. He knew she was special, so special Salene wanted her. So special, Rafael, an alpha, had marked her, a human, before he knew her. So special she could jump high fences, read people’s minds, and sniff out a Slayer among a pack of Lycans. So special she could disarm an alpha as powerful as his brother with glare. Sacrificing her for the sake of the Blood Law was not going to be easy. And it would be a sacrifice.
Despite his hard heart, in just a few days, she had wormed her way under his skin.
Despite all these pitfalls, I still persevered with this book because the big draw-card for me was the brother dynamic. Rafael and Lucien. Lucien and Rafael. There’s so much Biblical promise in the rivalry of these two that I couldn’t help but hope their feud would save the story . . . sadly, no.
Lucien could have been the bad-boy stand-out. The ‘so-wrong-they’re-right’ sexy villain. Unfortunately he’s more of a cardboard cut-out nemesis. All dark and brooding, malevolent and predictable. I hoped he would at least have palpable chemistry with Falon, to create a lusty love triangle . . . but their interactions left me cold too.
‘Blood Law’ is the first book in a trilogy – so be warned that there is a cliff-hanger ending. Whereas many readers are complaining about this abrupt end, I am actually a little bit pleased by it . . . because it almost saves the trilogy for me. The book ends on a promising note – with a hint that the next book in the series will focus more on the Rafael/Falon/Lucien triangle in a way that ‘Blood Law’ abysmally failed to. ‘Blood Right’ is the second book in the ‘Blood Moon Rising’ trilogy, and is currently scheduled for a February 2012 release.
I was so looking forward to ‘Blood Law’, but found myself bitterly disappointed. I loved Tabke’s previous romance foray, and thought her writing a paranormal erotica would be a slam-dunk. Perhaps I counted my eggs before they hatched and raised the bar too high . . . but for me, ‘Blood Law’ was a convoluted, twisted and unsexy read. I only have hopes for the second instalment, considering the interesting end-note of this first book.
1.5/5
July 22, 2011
3.5/5 - Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
It’s good to surprised, especially in a book and BLOOD LAW took care of that by being a story and a world that I was not at all expecting. The story opens giving us a quite a bit of background as to how the Lycans came to be and how their war with the Slayers started. We meet young brothers, Rafael and Lucien, get important pieces of their history and how the feud with the Slayers hit them so personally. The last flashback at the start of the story showed us how the two close brothers became bitter enemies. It is against all pack laws to sleep with a Slayer so when Rafael walks in on Lucien and a Slayer in bed, with Lucien moments away from marking her as his mate, Rafael ends it immediately and kills her…while she and Lucien are having sex. Um…awkward. Lucien and Rafael fight and while both are lying on the ground dying, the pack healer finds them, and casts a spell that basically binds them together. They can both be in human form at the same time for only 2 hours a day, right before sunrise and sunset. Otherwise Rafael is human at night, Lucien is human during the day. Lucien, furious that his intended mate was killed, claims Blood Law - an eye for an eye. When Rafael finds and marks a female as his own, Lucien has the right to kill her, as Rafael did to his mate-to-be. Rafael is insistent that the woman was a Slayer, but with only his word to go on, and all evidence destroyed by arson, their ruling council has no other option but to grant Lucien Blood Law.
Ok, whew. There is a ton of information packed into the start of this book, information specifically about the spell that saved Rafael and Lucien’s lives that will need to be referred to in the next 2 books. While it took a little bit to get into the story and the world, it ended up being a shifter world unlike anything I’ve read before. The pack members and the world are gritty, they live and die by their pack codes and laws and the alpha rules. Completely. So much so, that the members are unable to mate or reproduce until their alpha does. With the Blood Law hanging over Rafael’s head, he’s not taken a mate and his pack and the members who split off to follow Lucien have all suffered. No children, no one able to mate and claim anyone, they’re all in a state of limbo. Until Falon comes along.
Falon was living basically on the streets, when she’s attacked as she’s trying to steal a sandwich. Slayers come after her, wanting her for reasons she doesn’t understand when Rafael comes on the scene. His purpose and that of his pack is to eliminate Slayers. Period. They killed his parents and he’s out to put an end to the war, and kill every Slayer to get his revenge. Rafael has absolutely no need for Falon, even orders her death after the Slayers who attacked her were killed, as not to leave any loose ends. He realizes that there must be something more to her to attract the attention of the Slayers and takes her back to the pack’s home.
Falon gives us an inside look into Rafael’s pack and what their lives are like. The hierarchy, how she fits in and as she and Rafael become closer, her dealings with Lucien, who won’t let anyone forget that he’s ready to claim Blood Law as soon as the couple is mated. Rafael tries hard to resist, but can’t and even Lucien is drawn to Falon. Initially it was simply because she was his way to finally get revenge on his brother, but after forcing a blood exchange with Falon he gets in her head and has a little fun, Lucien style.
Following the mating of Falon of Rafael was never a dull moment. Even though Rafael fought it initially, he quickly realized what a strong female Falon is and how proud he’d be to have her as his alpha mate. When Rafael fell, he fell hard and vowed to protect her against the Blood Law and Lucien to the death. Falon, never knowing love at all, feels just as deeply for Rafael and so many new feelings and power awaken in her, just from being with Rafael. She’s strong, she stands up to anyone, and she’ll do whatever it takes to stay with Rafael, even with Lucien standing on the side ready to take her life.
He watched her about to erupt again. He moved into her space in an attempt to make a rational case on both of their behalves. He pressed his fingers to her lips, shushing her. He didn’t mean to shake his head; it must have been his brain thinking out loud. Her dark brows dipped ominously low over her flashing eyes, then she nipped his fingertip, and to his surprise drew blood. He yanked his hand back in surprise. What a vicious little -
“I bite, too, mister, and if you’re not careful” – she swiped at his blood on her bottom lip – “I’ll eat you up and spit you out.”
The sex – simply hot. It’s animalistic, rough at times and while I was slightly bothered by Falon and Rafael’s first time, she was in a dream-like state when he took her and she was a virgin, it simply fit in their world. When I first read it, it didn’t sit well, but after getting more understanding of the Lycans, learning their personalities and seeing Falon discover who she really is, it made a bit more sense. I guess I just wasn’t ready for the animal like mating that took place throughout the book. It’s hot, don’t get me wrong, and the Lycans make no excuse for feeling their animal always at the surface at all times.
I knew going in this was part of trilogy, but it didn’t really register until the end that it’s part 1 of 3. I was expecting Rafael and Falon’s story to wrap up, while the ongoing Slayer vs. Lycan story moved into book 2. OH NO! Karin Tabke gives us the mother of all cliffhangers and I was left wondering a few things:
* It’s said many times throughout the book that Rafael will NOT share Falon. He’s possessive and won’t do it. Lucien may have something to say about that.
* Falon, while being completely in love with Rafael, can’t get Lucien out of her head, literally. After a steamy scene with both brothers, I wonder just how long Falon will be able to resist Lucien.
* There are still details about Falon that she and Rafael don’t know, the biggest being who her dad is. We the readers know and the fireworks that will happen when that little piece of info comes out…yikes, would be putting it mildly.
Falon is the key to quite a few things in this series, the most important will be somehow mending the huge rift between the brothers. But the ground rules have been set, and I’m very interested to see where Karin takes the series and characters in book 2. We’ve had our fun with Rafael and Falon in this installment, next it’s Lucien’s turn.
Side note – this cover is one of the hottest I’ve seen for one simple reason, the woman. Thank you to whoever picked these models for this cover. First, the guy *drool*. Second, the woman is no stick figure, she has curves, looks crazy hot and is exactly what I would picture for a kickass female standing next to her alpha mate.
It’s good to surprised, especially in a book and BLOOD LAW took care of that by being a story and a world that I was not at all expecting. The story opens giving us a quite a bit of background as to how the Lycans came to be and how their war with the Slayers started. We meet young brothers, Rafael and Lucien, get important pieces of their history and how the feud with the Slayers hit them so personally. The last flashback at the start of the story showed us how the two close brothers became bitter enemies. It is against all pack laws to sleep with a Slayer so when Rafael walks in on Lucien and a Slayer in bed, with Lucien moments away from marking her as his mate, Rafael ends it immediately and kills her…while she and Lucien are having sex. Um…awkward. Lucien and Rafael fight and while both are lying on the ground dying, the pack healer finds them, and casts a spell that basically binds them together. They can both be in human form at the same time for only 2 hours a day, right before sunrise and sunset. Otherwise Rafael is human at night, Lucien is human during the day. Lucien, furious that his intended mate was killed, claims Blood Law - an eye for an eye. When Rafael finds and marks a female as his own, Lucien has the right to kill her, as Rafael did to his mate-to-be. Rafael is insistent that the woman was a Slayer, but with only his word to go on, and all evidence destroyed by arson, their ruling council has no other option but to grant Lucien Blood Law.
Ok, whew. There is a ton of information packed into the start of this book, information specifically about the spell that saved Rafael and Lucien’s lives that will need to be referred to in the next 2 books. While it took a little bit to get into the story and the world, it ended up being a shifter world unlike anything I’ve read before. The pack members and the world are gritty, they live and die by their pack codes and laws and the alpha rules. Completely. So much so, that the members are unable to mate or reproduce until their alpha does. With the Blood Law hanging over Rafael’s head, he’s not taken a mate and his pack and the members who split off to follow Lucien have all suffered. No children, no one able to mate and claim anyone, they’re all in a state of limbo. Until Falon comes along.
Falon was living basically on the streets, when she’s attacked as she’s trying to steal a sandwich. Slayers come after her, wanting her for reasons she doesn’t understand when Rafael comes on the scene. His purpose and that of his pack is to eliminate Slayers. Period. They killed his parents and he’s out to put an end to the war, and kill every Slayer to get his revenge. Rafael has absolutely no need for Falon, even orders her death after the Slayers who attacked her were killed, as not to leave any loose ends. He realizes that there must be something more to her to attract the attention of the Slayers and takes her back to the pack’s home.
Falon gives us an inside look into Rafael’s pack and what their lives are like. The hierarchy, how she fits in and as she and Rafael become closer, her dealings with Lucien, who won’t let anyone forget that he’s ready to claim Blood Law as soon as the couple is mated. Rafael tries hard to resist, but can’t and even Lucien is drawn to Falon. Initially it was simply because she was his way to finally get revenge on his brother, but after forcing a blood exchange with Falon he gets in her head and has a little fun, Lucien style.
Following the mating of Falon of Rafael was never a dull moment. Even though Rafael fought it initially, he quickly realized what a strong female Falon is and how proud he’d be to have her as his alpha mate. When Rafael fell, he fell hard and vowed to protect her against the Blood Law and Lucien to the death. Falon, never knowing love at all, feels just as deeply for Rafael and so many new feelings and power awaken in her, just from being with Rafael. She’s strong, she stands up to anyone, and she’ll do whatever it takes to stay with Rafael, even with Lucien standing on the side ready to take her life.
He watched her about to erupt again. He moved into her space in an attempt to make a rational case on both of their behalves. He pressed his fingers to her lips, shushing her. He didn’t mean to shake his head; it must have been his brain thinking out loud. Her dark brows dipped ominously low over her flashing eyes, then she nipped his fingertip, and to his surprise drew blood. He yanked his hand back in surprise. What a vicious little -
“I bite, too, mister, and if you’re not careful” – she swiped at his blood on her bottom lip – “I’ll eat you up and spit you out.”
The sex – simply hot. It’s animalistic, rough at times and while I was slightly bothered by Falon and Rafael’s first time, she was in a dream-like state when he took her and she was a virgin, it simply fit in their world. When I first read it, it didn’t sit well, but after getting more understanding of the Lycans, learning their personalities and seeing Falon discover who she really is, it made a bit more sense. I guess I just wasn’t ready for the animal like mating that took place throughout the book. It’s hot, don’t get me wrong, and the Lycans make no excuse for feeling their animal always at the surface at all times.
I knew going in this was part of trilogy, but it didn’t really register until the end that it’s part 1 of 3. I was expecting Rafael and Falon’s story to wrap up, while the ongoing Slayer vs. Lycan story moved into book 2. OH NO! Karin Tabke gives us the mother of all cliffhangers and I was left wondering a few things:
* It’s said many times throughout the book that Rafael will NOT share Falon. He’s possessive and won’t do it. Lucien may have something to say about that.
* Falon, while being completely in love with Rafael, can’t get Lucien out of her head, literally. After a steamy scene with both brothers, I wonder just how long Falon will be able to resist Lucien.
* There are still details about Falon that she and Rafael don’t know, the biggest being who her dad is. We the readers know and the fireworks that will happen when that little piece of info comes out…yikes, would be putting it mildly.
Falon is the key to quite a few things in this series, the most important will be somehow mending the huge rift between the brothers. But the ground rules have been set, and I’m very interested to see where Karin takes the series and characters in book 2. We’ve had our fun with Rafael and Falon in this installment, next it’s Lucien’s turn.
Side note – this cover is one of the hottest I’ve seen for one simple reason, the woman. Thank you to whoever picked these models for this cover. First, the guy *drool*. Second, the woman is no stick figure, she has curves, looks crazy hot and is exactly what I would picture for a kickass female standing next to her alpha mate.
April 29, 2012
Rafael Vulkasin killed his twin brother’s Chosen One fourteen years ago, a slayer who put Lucien Mondragon under her spell and would have destroyed the pack. But Lucien would not believe Rafael that his love was a slayer and so they fought to the death as their wolves. When their pack’s healer asked the great spirits to spare them they did but only under the condition that Rafael would live his nights as a man and his days as a wolf and Lucien vice versa until the Blood Law is avenged. To do that, Rafael must take a mate and sacrifice his Chosen One to Lucien. Rafael has refused though to sacrifice an innocent for his brother’s revenge and so the brothers live as enemies, with the packs split and each an alpha of their own. The great Rising is coming though, the battle between Slayers and Lycans and if the brothers cannot reunite then their nation has no hope of coming out victorious.
Falon always knew she was different but she didn’t know just how different until, starving, she walks into a convenient store to pilfer a sandwich and runs into a Conan look-alike who tries to kidnap her. Fearing for her life Falon calls upon the strange powers she feels inside of her but it’s not enough to stop Conan until a gorgeous man pulls up on a motorcycle wielding two swords. The two warriors fight and when Falon is badly injured the stranger, who turns out to be Rafael Vulkasin, takes her back to his pack’s compound to heal her and there he decides that since Falon is only human than she is expendable and he can mark her as his Chosen One to give to his brother and finally end this blood feud by fulfilling the Blood Law. But there is something more to Falon and Rafael quickly develops feelings for her. Can Rafael give Falon up to Lucien for the good of his pack and the future of all Lycans?
Blood Law was a fantastic read that is sure to leave you howling for more! Karin Tabke masterfully introduces you to her fantastical world of Lycans and Slayers pulling you in with their history right away. From there she takes you on a thrilling and sensual ride that you never want to end. The world of the Blood Moon Rising novels is complex but easy to understand and the characters are well-developed with a multitude of layers that immediately capture the reader. Rafael Vulkasin is a golden, sexy and strong alpha wolf that reigns supreme in his pack and has earned the respect of his neighboring packs. One of the strongest pack leaders in the country, Rafael is honorable to a fault and he places the good of his pack above his own personal wishes or needs. When he meets Falon he thinks of her only as a means to an end but the electrical chemistry between them is hard to deny and flares strong and hot. And Falon quickly feels a connection with Rafael, at first she doesn’t understand what he is but she knows that he is different like her and finally feels as if she has a place in this world. I really loved her growth throughout this novel from a scared, inexperience girl to a confident woman who is not afraid to kick butt. But then enters Rafael’s twin brother Lucien, the dark to Rafael’s light. Falon can’t stop the way her body responds to him and Lucien takes full advantage of it, seeking any way to make his brother suffer. I have to say; I was more intrigued by Lucien then Rafael. I blame it on the bad-boy-effect, you know there is really a huge heart and a lot of hurt under that tough exterior and I’d really like to explore that more as well as what he and Falon could have together.
The sexual scenes were well-written and down-right sizzling but I was uncomfortable with some of them. A few felt forced on the heroine; her body might have been saying yes but if she is not fully conscious or repeatedly saying stop, I think that is a pretty big ‘No.’ The characters, and especially the males, didn’t seem to see it this way though so that made it a little hard for me to believe that Falon would welcoming go along with it all.
Blood Law was full of action, intrigue and suspense with sexy, passionate characters. I think this would be a great read for any werewolf lover. The end had a big, bad cliffhanger and I was thankful that I had the next book, Bloodright, to read right afterwards because the wait would have been harsh! The series is a continuous story line following the Rising, Falon’s heritage and the prophecy of three and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Falon always knew she was different but she didn’t know just how different until, starving, she walks into a convenient store to pilfer a sandwich and runs into a Conan look-alike who tries to kidnap her. Fearing for her life Falon calls upon the strange powers she feels inside of her but it’s not enough to stop Conan until a gorgeous man pulls up on a motorcycle wielding two swords. The two warriors fight and when Falon is badly injured the stranger, who turns out to be Rafael Vulkasin, takes her back to his pack’s compound to heal her and there he decides that since Falon is only human than she is expendable and he can mark her as his Chosen One to give to his brother and finally end this blood feud by fulfilling the Blood Law. But there is something more to Falon and Rafael quickly develops feelings for her. Can Rafael give Falon up to Lucien for the good of his pack and the future of all Lycans?
Blood Law was a fantastic read that is sure to leave you howling for more! Karin Tabke masterfully introduces you to her fantastical world of Lycans and Slayers pulling you in with their history right away. From there she takes you on a thrilling and sensual ride that you never want to end. The world of the Blood Moon Rising novels is complex but easy to understand and the characters are well-developed with a multitude of layers that immediately capture the reader. Rafael Vulkasin is a golden, sexy and strong alpha wolf that reigns supreme in his pack and has earned the respect of his neighboring packs. One of the strongest pack leaders in the country, Rafael is honorable to a fault and he places the good of his pack above his own personal wishes or needs. When he meets Falon he thinks of her only as a means to an end but the electrical chemistry between them is hard to deny and flares strong and hot. And Falon quickly feels a connection with Rafael, at first she doesn’t understand what he is but she knows that he is different like her and finally feels as if she has a place in this world. I really loved her growth throughout this novel from a scared, inexperience girl to a confident woman who is not afraid to kick butt. But then enters Rafael’s twin brother Lucien, the dark to Rafael’s light. Falon can’t stop the way her body responds to him and Lucien takes full advantage of it, seeking any way to make his brother suffer. I have to say; I was more intrigued by Lucien then Rafael. I blame it on the bad-boy-effect, you know there is really a huge heart and a lot of hurt under that tough exterior and I’d really like to explore that more as well as what he and Falon could have together.
The sexual scenes were well-written and down-right sizzling but I was uncomfortable with some of them. A few felt forced on the heroine; her body might have been saying yes but if she is not fully conscious or repeatedly saying stop, I think that is a pretty big ‘No.’ The characters, and especially the males, didn’t seem to see it this way though so that made it a little hard for me to believe that Falon would welcoming go along with it all.
Blood Law was full of action, intrigue and suspense with sexy, passionate characters. I think this would be a great read for any werewolf lover. The end had a big, bad cliffhanger and I was thankful that I had the next book, Bloodright, to read right afterwards because the wait would have been harsh! The series is a continuous story line following the Rising, Falon’s heritage and the prophecy of three and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
April 9, 2012
Originally posted at PaperbackDolls.com
Blood Law is the debut in author Karin Tabke’s sultry new trilogy, Blood Moon Rising , mixing old and new Lycan mythology to create a fresh take on an old favorite. For those of you who don’t know, Ms. Tabke is the alter ego of Karin Harlow who I just so happen to absolutely adore! Karin makes some of the best Alpha heroes out there and she doesn’t disappoint as she brings us not one, but two.
Now there is a ton of back story to this series that you’ll only find out if you read Blood Law, but I’m nice enough to throw you a bone (ha,ha) and give you the down and dirty. For hundreds of years, wolves have been hunted down by Slayers at the decree of King Edward I, but about eight hundred years ago during the first Blood Moon Rising, a huge battle was fought between the Slayers and the two great wolf packs – the Mondragon of Europe and the Vulkasin of the New World. Though the wolves fought bravely they were on the verge of extinction so, Singarti, the great spirit guide of the Intuit people, called to the gods for intervention who in turn; turned the wolves into Lycan so as they might blend in with the humans.
Skip ahead to fourteen years ago. Rafael and Lucien, twin alpha males of the Mondragon/Vulkasin pack, are in a blood feud. There is one law that governs the Lycans, Blood Law, where first and foremost, a Lycan must not lie with a Slayer, to do so is punishable by death. And second, if another Lycan shall take another’s person or thing, eye for an eye can be invoked. In an extreme twist of fate, Rafael returned home to find his brother, Lucien, about to mark a Slayer as his one true mate and rather than see his brother dead, Rafe slew her by his own righteous hand. However, Lucien doesn’t see his brother’s actions as kind, nor does the governing council, and Blood Law now hangs over both packs until Rafe finds a mate so Lucien can finally take his vengeance.
Fast forward to present day where Blood Law truly begins. By now, the blood feud has taken a powerful toll on the world’s leading alpha pack, pinning them against one another. One side, the Mondragon, for Lucien. The other side, the Vulkasin, with Rafeal. One single human girl stands between them both as destiny unfolds. Falon Corbet always knew she was different, but it wasn’t until Rafael saves her from Slayers and marks her as his own does she truly find out just how truly different she really is.
Trust me when I say Karin Tabke knows her alpha males. They’re dominant, arrogant, erotic and sexy as hell. It makes my breath quicken just thinking about them. Alpha Lycan, Rafe, has been avoiding connections with the female body at all cost, because he’s never wanted to be responsible for the loss of an innocent life. When he meets Falon , he sees her as nothing but a mere human. In an effort to finally be done with the blood feud, he marks her for Lucien to do with as he wills. However, the more he gets to know her, the deeper she crawls into his head. Something about Falon makes his blood quicken and his beast call to her.
When we first meet Falon, she’s desperate, hungry, and savage. Homeless and an outcast orphan for most of her life, she’s only had to rely on herself and her own fundamental moral code. When Rafe takes her, she’s confused and yet drawn to him. There were numerous times when I wanted to scream at her, so furious with her for her hair brain actions and ideas that brought her further into trouble or just plain didn’t make any since at all. She actually tip toed the line for a TSTL heroine, but I’m happy to say how well she recovers and has only the most epic come back I have ever seen!
Ms. Tabke delivers in Blood Law an intense, erotic paranormal romance with compelling multilayered storytelling. Her mythical narrative with full rich history draws in the reader, but it’s her characters that keep them glued to the pages. Although, the cliffhanger at the end wrenched a tortured sigh from my lips, I’m eagerly awaiting to read the entire trilogy to see where she will take us next.
Blood Law is the debut in author Karin Tabke’s sultry new trilogy, Blood Moon Rising , mixing old and new Lycan mythology to create a fresh take on an old favorite. For those of you who don’t know, Ms. Tabke is the alter ego of Karin Harlow who I just so happen to absolutely adore! Karin makes some of the best Alpha heroes out there and she doesn’t disappoint as she brings us not one, but two.
Now there is a ton of back story to this series that you’ll only find out if you read Blood Law, but I’m nice enough to throw you a bone (ha,ha) and give you the down and dirty. For hundreds of years, wolves have been hunted down by Slayers at the decree of King Edward I, but about eight hundred years ago during the first Blood Moon Rising, a huge battle was fought between the Slayers and the two great wolf packs – the Mondragon of Europe and the Vulkasin of the New World. Though the wolves fought bravely they were on the verge of extinction so, Singarti, the great spirit guide of the Intuit people, called to the gods for intervention who in turn; turned the wolves into Lycan so as they might blend in with the humans.
Skip ahead to fourteen years ago. Rafael and Lucien, twin alpha males of the Mondragon/Vulkasin pack, are in a blood feud. There is one law that governs the Lycans, Blood Law, where first and foremost, a Lycan must not lie with a Slayer, to do so is punishable by death. And second, if another Lycan shall take another’s person or thing, eye for an eye can be invoked. In an extreme twist of fate, Rafael returned home to find his brother, Lucien, about to mark a Slayer as his one true mate and rather than see his brother dead, Rafe slew her by his own righteous hand. However, Lucien doesn’t see his brother’s actions as kind, nor does the governing council, and Blood Law now hangs over both packs until Rafe finds a mate so Lucien can finally take his vengeance.
Fast forward to present day where Blood Law truly begins. By now, the blood feud has taken a powerful toll on the world’s leading alpha pack, pinning them against one another. One side, the Mondragon, for Lucien. The other side, the Vulkasin, with Rafeal. One single human girl stands between them both as destiny unfolds. Falon Corbet always knew she was different, but it wasn’t until Rafael saves her from Slayers and marks her as his own does she truly find out just how truly different she really is.
Trust me when I say Karin Tabke knows her alpha males. They’re dominant, arrogant, erotic and sexy as hell. It makes my breath quicken just thinking about them. Alpha Lycan, Rafe, has been avoiding connections with the female body at all cost, because he’s never wanted to be responsible for the loss of an innocent life. When he meets Falon , he sees her as nothing but a mere human. In an effort to finally be done with the blood feud, he marks her for Lucien to do with as he wills. However, the more he gets to know her, the deeper she crawls into his head. Something about Falon makes his blood quicken and his beast call to her.
When we first meet Falon, she’s desperate, hungry, and savage. Homeless and an outcast orphan for most of her life, she’s only had to rely on herself and her own fundamental moral code. When Rafe takes her, she’s confused and yet drawn to him. There were numerous times when I wanted to scream at her, so furious with her for her hair brain actions and ideas that brought her further into trouble or just plain didn’t make any since at all. She actually tip toed the line for a TSTL heroine, but I’m happy to say how well she recovers and has only the most epic come back I have ever seen!
Ms. Tabke delivers in Blood Law an intense, erotic paranormal romance with compelling multilayered storytelling. Her mythical narrative with full rich history draws in the reader, but it’s her characters that keep them glued to the pages. Although, the cliffhanger at the end wrenched a tortured sigh from my lips, I’m eagerly awaiting to read the entire trilogy to see where she will take us next.
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