Thaddeus Dupont has had over eighty years to forget…
The vampire spends his nights chanting the Liturgy of the Hours and ruthlessly disciplines those unnatural urges he’s vowed never again to indulge. He is at the command of the White Monks, who summon him at will to destroy demons. In return, the monks provide for his sustenance and promise the return of his immortal soul.
Sarasija Mishra’s most compelling job qualification might be his type O blood…
The 22-year-old college grad just moved across the country to work for some recluse he can’t even find on the internet. Sounds sketchy, but the salary is awesome and he can’t afford to be picky. On arrival he discovers a few details his contract neglected to mention, like the alligator-infested swamp, the demon attacks, and the nature of his employer’s “special diet”. A smart guy would leave, but after one look into Dupont’s mesmerizing eyes, Sarasija can’t seem to walk away. Too bad his boss expected “Sara” to be a girl.
Falling in love is hard at any age…
The vampire can’t fight his hungers forever, especially since Sara’s brought him light, laughter and a very masculine heat. After yielding to temptation, Thaddeus must make a choice. Killing demons may save his soul, but keeping the faith will cost him his heart.
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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)
When an author sets out to write any story, no matter the genre, he or she ponders how they can make their story different, stand out among the crowd. For stories centering around vampires, it’s hard to come up with a unique twist that’ll keep you firmly planted in a reader’s mind. Marvel comics brought us Blade, the day-walking vamp. Irene Preston & Liv Rancourt delivered us Thaddeus Dupont, a vampire who is unique in his own right.
Thaddeus had heighten senses, mind control, slept like the dead, and had superior speed and strength compared to normal men. However, he had a few slight differences that’s usually not synonymous with the bloodsuckers. Most authors don’t mention a vampire having a heartbeat. However, Thaddeus had a faint one. Holy water and crosses have been known to be a vampire’s kryptonite. Him, no effect. Also, how many vampires in the books/movies/shows you’ve entertained yourself with had a vampire working with the church? How many vampires do you recall pray, quote scriptures?
Thaddeus worked with the church in hopes of earning his soul back. He reminded me of Angel (tv show and character). Another vampire who battled evil, day in and day out. Like Angel, Thaddeus battled his dark urges and, despite all odds, found love.
With all the positives regarding “Vespers”, one area didn’t ring true to me. I get Sara’s desperation to help out HIS family, including accepting a job 3000 miles away without actually meeting the bossman. Desperate times call for desperate measures and all that. However if my boss turned out to be a bloodsucker and I just watched him DINE AND DASH, I think I would’ve reacted a bit differently than Sara. He just found out fiction became fact in a bloody way. Maybe it’s the girl in me, but I might’ve screamed a whole lot of obscenities such as: “What the f*ck!?” “Holy f*ck!” Or, “*!*@&#^$%*!*@&#^$%$%%*!*@&$%*!**@&” <—–> One gigantic combination of curse words in a long freak-out.
Seriously, Sara (mortal man) handled everything with a calmer head than me. Heck, he fought multiples demons. That takes big cajones!! HUGE!!
Speaking of huge, yup there was some man on man action. Quite intense but you’d expect a high level of intensity when a vampire is aroused.
(Vespers is a complete novel with no cliffhanger. It can be enjoyed as a standalone or read as the first book in the Hours of the Night series.)
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤
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****** OUT NOW ******
Silent night, holy hell.
Thaddeus and Sarasija are spending the holidays on the bayou, and while the vampire’s idea of Christmas cheer doesn’t quite match his assistant’s, they’re working on a compromise. Before they can get the tree trimmed, they’re interrupted by the appearance of the feu follet. The ghostly lights appear in the swamp at random and lead even the locals astray.
When the townsfolk link the phenomenon to the return of their most reclusive neighbor, suspicion falls on Thaddeus. These lights aren’t bringing glad tidings, and if Thad and Sara can’t find their source, the feu follet might herald a holiday tragedy for the whole town.
This holiday novella can be enjoyed alone or as book 1.5 of the Hours of the Night Series. Bonfire takes place the December after the events in Vespers.
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)
Thaddeus Dupont isn’t your ordinary vampire. He’s a hitman for the Catholic church, eliminating the world of the demons he’s assigned. He’s also a vamp in love with a man, donates money to a women’s shelter, and celebrates Christmas.
Yeah, Christmas and vampires shouldn’t go together. Picking out a tree, decorating it, and gift exchanging isn’t common practice for blood suckers. Stepping out of the norm is was separates Liv and Irene from the other vampire/supernatural writers. For me, I never know what new human quality they’ll have Thaddeus possess. It’s the tiny things that turn an ordinary book to extraordinary.
Now despite the praise I showed for them, I had to knock off some points for a couple reasons.
1.) Thaddeus is several decades old but he wasn’t familiar with the term commando. Seemed quite unlikely.
2.) When Sara went missing in the swamp, Dupont couldn’t locate him. He was on the lookout for his light. I thought due to him consuming Sara’s blood (quite regularly, too) he would be able to find him anywhere, anytime. Yet, Thaddeus only located him when he heard Sara singing Christmas carols. That section went completely against everything I have learned.
Other than those two things, I rather enjoyed the unorthodox Christmas tale and I think so shall you.
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Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤1/2
About Irene Preston
Irene Preston has to write romances, after all she is living one. As a starving college student, she met her dream man who whisked her away on a romantic honeymoon across Europe. Today they live in the beautiful hill country outside of Austin, Texas where Dream Man is still working hard to make sure she never has to take off her rose-colored glasses.
IrenePreston.com | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Mailing List | Goodreads
About Liv Rancourt
I write romance: m/f, m/m, and v/h, where the h is for human and the v is for vampire … or sometimes demon … I lean more towards funny than angst. When I’m not writing I take care of tiny premature babies or teenagers, depending on whether I’m at home or at work. My husband is a soul of patience, my dog’s cuteness is legendary, and we share the homestead with three ferrets. Who steal things. Because they’re brats.
LivRancourt.com | Facebook | Twitter | Mailing List | Goodreads
Thank you for the great reviews. I am still reading them. Loving them and I have put some on my TBR List. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!!!! I am still lingering in the shadows.
I had a wonderful week and I hope yours was spectacular too.
Thank you for your continued support.
Don’t be a stranger! 💜
Thanks Elaine. Kam writes great reviews, doesn’t she?!
Aw, thanks! I try to inform and entertain the readers so they keep coming back.
Good luck with your sales. I’m sure they’ll be many.