Format Read: e-Book submitted by author for review
Length: 100 pages
Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance
Series: The Dark Element Book I
Release Date: June 27, 2011
Formats Available: Kindle, e-Book
Book Blurb:
Darkness is settling over San Francisco—vampires in the throes of blood lust are taking innocent lives. One witch will need to see past her fear, and trust her Guardian, before everyone is in danger, including herself…
Earth Witch, Sabi, has been gifted with the ability to see premonitions of the darkness that threatens human lives. Safe in the Otherworld, she adjusts to these new visions…which isn’t going so well. Luckily, she’s got the sexy Guardian, Ryker to help her work through these visions. He’s intent to show her how to distance herself from them and help her gain control of life. Not that it’s really helping. The visions are leaving her crippled and unable to help pinpoint the killer’s locations to stop the acts from happening.
If that’s not enough to deal with, she soon begins to see vampires on a killing rampage in San Francisco. Vampires are being born and left to fend for themselves, resulting in innocent lives being taken while they’re in the throes of blood lust. But as Sabi’s visions begin to kick up a notch, personal matters need to be put aside. And as the mystery begins to unravel, Sabi will begin to see that these visions are getting far more dangerous and that humans are not the only ones at risk―she is.
My Thoughts:
In Tainted Blood Ms. Kennedy takes readers back to the world she created and expanded in her Magical Sword series. Sabi is a gentle, kind witch who has visions of violent future events. She doesn’t fully understand, or embraced her gift and therefore lacks the focus necessary to be able to comprehend the visions and find her place among the supernaturals of the Otherworld.
Sabi is involved with Ryker who is a Guardian meaning he is one of the protectors gifted with extraordinary strength and abilities which he utilizes to hunt and destroy supernaturals who have killed. Sabi became involved with the sexy, handsome Guardian prior the opening of Tainted Blood and they are enjoing a fiery sexual relationship which is strengthening. Ryker, however is not known as a Guardian who will commit to one woman and Sabi does not belive their relationship will endure. Sabi is a vulnerable heroine and Ryker’s strength and protective instincts compliment her insecurities with respect to her power and ability.
Sabi experiences a horrific vision revealing the violent slaughter of a number of humans at the hands of a vampire. When the event actually occurs, she and Ryker must obey orders to go to Earthworld to investigate. They are drawn into a web of intrigue and danger surrounding the creation of rogue vampires who possess speed and strength well beyond the norm. Sabi is forced to move past her fear and try to interpret her visions to assist the Guardians in finding whoever is causing the vampires to change. It is when Sabi’s life is threatened and forever altered that Ryker realizes how much she means to him, but is it too late?
Tainted Blood is a fast paced story that offers readers plenty of action involving a variety of paranormal beings, mystery and sensuality. I really like Ms. Kennedy’s voice and the imaginative storyline of
Tainted Blood, while there are some bloody scenes including beheadings these are tempered with humorous dialogue and a somewhat whimsical prose. If you are a fan of Ms. Kennedy’s
Magical Sword series you will recognize many of the characters who play key roles in this story. Ryker is a very appealing alpha hero and I liked the way he supported Sabi in her struggle to embrace and understand her gift.
My only niggle with Tainted Blood was editing. There were numerous spelling and grammatical errors, and I found the sentence syntax at times cumbersome. That being said, I did enjoy Tainted Blood and will look forward to reading more of Ms. Kennedy’s work.
I give Tainted Blood 4/5 Bookies
***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.
About Lea
Lea is an animal loving, tree hugging vegetarian who lives in Toronto, Canada with her family, which includes three dogs. She is a prolific reader and has been blogging and reviewing since 2008. Lea is a contributor at the USA Today HEA Blog and an active member at Goodreads.
Blog RSS Feed
Follow Me on Twitter
My Facebook
Is that the Buffy font? *turns head*
Looks like it.
Anyway, sounds good 😀 I just got distracted
I can't wait to read this book, I am a huge fan of Stacey Kennedy! This review makes me want to read even more.
I enjoy Stacy's books. Looking forward to this one.