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90th out of 1,946 books
—
6,563 voters
Blood & Spirits (The Coming Storm #1)
by
Dennis Sharpe (Goodreads Author)
Small-town life can be hard for a dead girl...
For Veronica Fischer the night to night life of a bloodsucking madam in Middle America is tough enough before she adopts Rachel Gregory, an eight year old ghost.
After her house is set on fire, and Rachel disappears, all signs point to foul play. When she finds herself with a hit out on her unlife, and warrants for her arrest,...more
For Veronica Fischer the night to night life of a bloodsucking madam in Middle America is tough enough before she adopts Rachel Gregory, an eight year old ghost.
After her house is set on fire, and Rachel disappears, all signs point to foul play. When she finds herself with a hit out on her unlife, and warrants for her arrest,...more
Paperback, 310 pages
Published
April 21st 2011
by Createspace
(first published April 19th 2011)
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I was completely amazed by Veronica. A Vampire with real heart, soul, emotions, desires, and fears. Not larger than life immortal kinds of things, but real down to earth things that almost any girl could relate to. She wants to protect what's hers, and those she cares about, even if she wishes from time to time she didn't care so much.
I can't wait to see where the second book in this series is going to lead V, but I hope we get to see more of her relationship with Garrett. I felt like there just...more
I can't wait to see where the second book in this series is going to lead V, but I hope we get to see more of her relationship with Garrett. I felt like there just...more
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So I must say that this normally isn't my genre but I loved this book!!! It was fast paced but not too fast where you get confused and want to give up all together, which I loved. I can't wait for book 2 and can't wait to see the film!!! Congrats Dennis!!
I LOVED this book! IF you like vampires and paranormal, you've found your next read right here. Amazing!
I am an avid "Anita Blake" fan---however the series has gone a bit over the edge with the sex. The "Sookie Stackhouse" novels were ok, but they lack the umph the show True Blood makes you think they have. This is where Veronica of BLOOD & SPIRITS comes in. Blood & Spirits has the bite that Sookie is missing and all the action and plotting that Anita has bypassed to focus on sex.
Veronic...more
I am an avid "Anita Blake" fan---however the series has gone a bit over the edge with the sex. The "Sookie Stackhouse" novels were ok, but they lack the umph the show True Blood makes you think they have. This is where Veronica of BLOOD & SPIRITS comes in. Blood & Spirits has the bite that Sookie is missing and all the action and plotting that Anita has bypassed to focus on sex.
Veronic...more
I'll get right into the review and say that I was pleasantly surprised by the book itself. I've mentioned before, recently in fact, I have such a hard time with vampire novels, and with this book added to my list, I can say that in just a short period of time, my faith in the fact that people are writing good vampire novels has been restored.
The book has a modern day setting, and the vampire herself is extremely unique. She's not the typical main-character that is perfect, not bursting at the se...more
The book has a modern day setting, and the vampire herself is extremely unique. She's not the typical main-character that is perfect, not bursting at the se...more
"Blood & Spirits" by Dennis Sharpe is the first in The Coming Storm series and was recommended to me by a friend. I used to like True Blood but for some time now I have found the market for Vampire stories oversaturated and did not expect too much from the book.
I was pleasantly surprised when from the first few pages the quality of style and content showed a confident and purpose-driven manner of writing. A short prologue introduced the background of the main character with great sensitivity...more
I was pleasantly surprised when from the first few pages the quality of style and content showed a confident and purpose-driven manner of writing. A short prologue introduced the background of the main character with great sensitivity...more
Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Down and dirty first person narrative that follows a “madam” vampire and her troubles.
Opening Sentence: I’m told that it’s an oddity that I still sleep.
The Review:
In a market flooded with vampire stories, I was not expecting much from debut author, Dennis Sharpe. I have never been so happy to be wrong. Blood & Spirits, the first book in The Coming Storm series, is as gritty as it is captivating. I am also pleasantly surprised at how well...more
Quick & Dirty: Down and dirty first person narrative that follows a “madam” vampire and her troubles.
Opening Sentence: I’m told that it’s an oddity that I still sleep.
The Review:
In a market flooded with vampire stories, I was not expecting much from debut author, Dennis Sharpe. I have never been so happy to be wrong. Blood & Spirits, the first book in The Coming Storm series, is as gritty as it is captivating. I am also pleasantly surprised at how well...more
First of all, I have to say I'm surprised that a male author wrote this book from a woman's point of view, and did it well! Veronica, the lead in this story, is a vampire who runs a brothel. She is a strong, likeable character that gets herself into a lot of trouble. She basically adopts an 8 year old ghost named Rachel, whom she becomes really close to. When Rachel is taken, Veronica is determined to get to the bottom of it. Veronica is desperate and willing to do anything for answers, which in...more
I'm a first time book reviewer. I guess I should start by saying that I normally read urban fantasy and paranormal romance. I heard about this book on goodreads listopia lists. I bought this book from amazon.com, based on the reviews I read here. I got it and ended up staying awake until after three in the morning finishing it.
I was hooked from the first chapter. It was easy to read, moved at a fast pace, had an exciting plot, and really believable characters I could sink into. It’s nice to rea...more
I was hooked from the first chapter. It was easy to read, moved at a fast pace, had an exciting plot, and really believable characters I could sink into. It’s nice to rea...more
It's rare when two of the things you've wished for come together in one book. Not only am I thrilled that Dennis Sharpe has written a book of fiction but that he has written one that is so truly unique for this, my favorite, genre. I have read all three of his poetry books and fell in love with his arresting style and have so hoped he would venture into fiction. Blood & Spirits possesses the same lyrical phrasing as his previous work but this time we are taken on a dark journey with Veronica...more
Some of my favorite books have been set in the south so I was excited to try this paranormal novel by Dennis Sharpe.
I'm into being able to "see" the world the authors create and Mr. Sharpe did a really awesome job of it throughout the book. I could feel and see every moment of Blood and Spirits. Just for that I'd give it 5 stars.
The MC, (a madam, no less!) Veronica is a tough woman and easily fits into the mold of favorite character. Her adoption of ghostie Rachelle begins a sequence of events t...more
I'm into being able to "see" the world the authors create and Mr. Sharpe did a really awesome job of it throughout the book. I could feel and see every moment of Blood and Spirits. Just for that I'd give it 5 stars.
The MC, (a madam, no less!) Veronica is a tough woman and easily fits into the mold of favorite character. Her adoption of ghostie Rachelle begins a sequence of events t...more
I was warned that this book would be gritty and only one scene really was (but it's entirely possible that this is because I've been desensitized by violent video games and modern TV or I'm just a heartless person but either way) and I will be honest and say that it unsettled my stomach.
The premise of the story is very good. I won't give a summary (that's what the Goodreads product summary is for) but it's an unconventional vampire book with a few ghosts, a legion of demons, a sort-of zombie sor...more
The premise of the story is very good. I won't give a summary (that's what the Goodreads product summary is for) but it's an unconventional vampire book with a few ghosts, a legion of demons, a sort-of zombie sor...more
Um did you read that synopsis? A vampire madam , ghosts, and *gasp* (my fav) ZOMBIES! Sounds super awesome right?
Right from the get go, I freaking LOVED Veronica. She's sharp, funny and has a totally killer attitude... and she's a madam! Is it crazy strange that I loved this little idiosyncrasy about her? Maybe so.
I HAVE to say that I am absolutely astonished that a man wrote this book, and I don't mean that in a bad way at all! Sharpe made Veronica undeniably real. I've read awesome books writt...more
Right from the get go, I freaking LOVED Veronica. She's sharp, funny and has a totally killer attitude... and she's a madam! Is it crazy strange that I loved this little idiosyncrasy about her? Maybe so.
I HAVE to say that I am absolutely astonished that a man wrote this book, and I don't mean that in a bad way at all! Sharpe made Veronica undeniably real. I've read awesome books writt...more
May 12, 2011
Roger
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Adults tired of sparkly vampires
Recommended to Roger by:
Dennis Sharpe
Basic review: This is not the great american novel. People will not be celebrating how it made humanity better as a whole. What it is is a good ride into the world of a middle-american madam with some peculiar habits and some strange friends...and stranger enemies. Good book, will read it again! Looking forward to the next one in the series!
scroll down for larger review:
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Do your vampires sparkle? Mine don't. Blood & Spirits does not contain anyt...more
scroll down for larger review:
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Do your vampires sparkle? Mine don't. Blood & Spirits does not contain anyt...more
I picked this book up for the author, despite the fact that it was listed as horror. The tags said it was dark urban fantasy, and I'm just starting to get into that recently. I've found that after a while it becomes difficult to find books in the genre that are original in any way, but I thought the horror angle might make for a good twist.
I expected it to be average at best, even though I like other works by the author, but it wasn't. The world, the characters, the creatures, and even the take...more
I expected it to be average at best, even though I like other works by the author, but it wasn't. The world, the characters, the creatures, and even the take...more
I am blown away by how good this book was! V, the main character, is a vampire and quite a powerful woman…in many different ways. ;-) However, there was a vulnerability about her that I haven’t seen with many vamp books. This one is about so much more than vampires. I love the ‘family’ she has created and the loyalty that exists.
This book was a roller coaster ride – one moment I was cringing in disgust, the next moment I was laughing out loud and then the next moment I was tearing up. Several t...more
This book was a roller coaster ride – one moment I was cringing in disgust, the next moment I was laughing out loud and then the next moment I was tearing up. Several t...more
Dennis Sharpe’s first novel, Blood and Spirits, completely wowed me. Blood and Spirits is the first book in the coming series of “dark, urban” vampire stories and promises a wild unfolding storm.
In this book we are introduced to Veronica Fischer—a madam, a vampire, and a friend of spirits, who has to endure the sick, disturbing, and disgusting whims of a flesh-rotting, self-aware zombie.
Sharpe's story takes some unexpected turns. Some will make you gasp, some will make you laugh, and some may ma...more
In this book we are introduced to Veronica Fischer—a madam, a vampire, and a friend of spirits, who has to endure the sick, disturbing, and disgusting whims of a flesh-rotting, self-aware zombie.
Sharpe's story takes some unexpected turns. Some will make you gasp, some will make you laugh, and some may ma...more
Vampires yet again, I thought, when I came across Dennis Sharpe's Blood and Spirits. This is a genre I have never really cottoned to and yet when I started reading, it was a book I couldn't put down till the wee hours of the dark. Which goes to prove, never judge a book by its cover or its genre.
Veronica Fischer, a vampire and also a brothel madam, a combination that blew me away, has an eight year old ghost under her care who has gone missing. Along with that, Veronica's world comes under attac...more
Veronica Fischer, a vampire and also a brothel madam, a combination that blew me away, has an eight year old ghost under her care who has gone missing. Along with that, Veronica's world comes under attac...more
A breath of fresh air... That's what I thought when I finished the last sentence of this book. Blood & Spirits had all the great elements of strange; vampires, ghosts, spirits, zombies, but all of them weren't completely typical, which I loved. Add in some magic, and I'm hooked for life.
The story line was great; I wanted to keep reading to see what the next twist was going to be. It was funny, scary, and emotional. The characters were fantastic. V is great. She's loyal, she's caring, and she...more
The story line was great; I wanted to keep reading to see what the next twist was going to be. It was funny, scary, and emotional. The characters were fantastic. V is great. She's loyal, she's caring, and she...more
It’s been a long time since I've read a vampire novel and I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I picked up Sharpe’s 1st installment in ‘The Coming Storm’ Trilogy. It took only a few pages before I was completely sucked in and only able to put it down when I absolutely had to do something else (like go earn a paycheck). Don’t expect this to be the usual repackaged vamp lore - this is a genre that has been done and redone so many times so it was a HUGE breath of fresh air to find that this one...more
Cute story - leaves it open for another book to continue the path of destruction :)
The book is about a Vampire - Veronica who runs a brothel. She loves these girls, and looks after them all. She has taught them that they only do what they want to do, and nothing more. These girls are very high class.
She comes across this little spirit girl, Rachelle, she's about 8 - and Veronica really grows attach to her spirit -
One day Veronica is out and about and everything starts to fall apart. Rachelle...more
The book is about a Vampire - Veronica who runs a brothel. She loves these girls, and looks after them all. She has taught them that they only do what they want to do, and nothing more. These girls are very high class.
She comes across this little spirit girl, Rachelle, she's about 8 - and Veronica really grows attach to her spirit -
One day Veronica is out and about and everything starts to fall apart. Rachelle...more
I loved this book! I’m a sucker for any book with vampires (except the sparkly kind), but this was exceptional. Admittedly, it did take a few chapters to really catch my interest, but once it did, I couldn’t put this book down. The characters are very well-written and surprisingly funny. My favorite character has to be Veronica, a strong-willed vampire madam with a sarcastic sense of humor – how can she not be completely awesome, right? Right.
Sharpe’s writing is refreshing. I was so astonished...more
Sharpe’s writing is refreshing. I was so astonished...more
I can't stand vampires. I do not know how I got dragged into reading this book. But it doesn't matter, I am flucking glad I did as Sharpe paints a hilarious, dark world that defies stereotype. Who doesn't like Brothels? Or Veronica, for that matter? I have a nasty habit of faling in love with female characters and Veronica, that headstrong shedevil, is another notch on the imaginary bedpost for me. It's kind of strange when you think about it that a man wrote this, so my love may be skewed but w...more
The coming storm trilogy, in book one, looks to be the perfect storm. It has vampires, spirits of all varieties, emotion, depth, and richly unique visual elements.
Blood & Spirits takes us on a whirlwind ride through Veronica, or “V’s”, life as a small town, Middle American madam who happens to be a “Bloodsucker”.
The Vampire/Paranormal genre is approached from a direction I’ve not seen a lot of in the more modern urban fantasy releases. The flavor was as refreshing, as the characters were viv...more
Blood & Spirits takes us on a whirlwind ride through Veronica, or “V’s”, life as a small town, Middle American madam who happens to be a “Bloodsucker”.
The Vampire/Paranormal genre is approached from a direction I’ve not seen a lot of in the more modern urban fantasy releases. The flavor was as refreshing, as the characters were viv...more
Dennis Sharpe’s Blood & Spirits was a tightly written good read which I enjoyed. The story is written in the first person of the character Victoria Fischer who is an interesting combination of vampire and madam, alluring in obtaining her meals literally and metaphorically. Her mentor and source of what converted her from human to vamp, Jules, is who she turns to for help when things around her start to fall apart and others are out to destroy her. The cast of characters expands to include gi...more
The Goods: The characters, especially Veronica, were explosive. They just jump off the page and attack you and pretty much leave you wanting more of their usual cynical, snide, small town hickery that you've come to love. I also thought that the plot was well worked out. I mean it's part detective book, part urban fantasy and all curves. Interesting twist on vampires and ghosts and zombies really. Although I'd like to think less about the zombies, and the sewers for that matter. The farther away...more
What do you get when you mix a vampire madam, wicked spirits, and a zombie with a lust for power? Blood & Spirits.
Veronica, better known as V to those closest to her, is a vampire, but not your ordinary vampire. This chick is tough as nails with a heart of gold for those she holds near and dear. Did I mention she runs a brothel?
The storyline is through V's POV. It spins a tale of a woman who is meeting with her vampire maker after years of being apart from him. She's dreading the reconnect...more
Veronica, better known as V to those closest to her, is a vampire, but not your ordinary vampire. This chick is tough as nails with a heart of gold for those she holds near and dear. Did I mention she runs a brothel?
The storyline is through V's POV. It spins a tale of a woman who is meeting with her vampire maker after years of being apart from him. She's dreading the reconnect...more
I'm going to work damn hard to have no spoilers here :).
I enjoyed this book. It is overall a strong start to what looks to be a very interesting series. It took me a couple chapters to really get into the book, but then when the ball got rolling it REALLY moves fast. I am enjoying the world so far, dark urban fantasy with a rich paranormal mythos that really feels fresh. Not a lot of romance, but I'm more than ok with that. I'm much more in it for the paranormal. And as a horror fan the gore als...more
I enjoyed this book. It is overall a strong start to what looks to be a very interesting series. It took me a couple chapters to really get into the book, but then when the ball got rolling it REALLY moves fast. I am enjoying the world so far, dark urban fantasy with a rich paranormal mythos that really feels fresh. Not a lot of romance, but I'm more than ok with that. I'm much more in it for the paranormal. And as a horror fan the gore als...more
Dennis Sharpe
Blood & Spirits
The Coming Storm #1
This book intrigued me from the start, and I was soon completely transfixed by the world and characters the author had built. Well written, the story flowed smoothly and definitely has a unique spin on creatures of the night. Never a dull moment, I was kept entertained throughout and happily turned page after page to see what was next in store for Veronica & co. A great book that’s fast paced and full of action.
I received an e-copy from t...more
Blood & Spirits
The Coming Storm #1
This book intrigued me from the start, and I was soon completely transfixed by the world and characters the author had built. Well written, the story flowed smoothly and definitely has a unique spin on creatures of the night. Never a dull moment, I was kept entertained throughout and happily turned page after page to see what was next in store for Veronica & co. A great book that’s fast paced and full of action.
I received an e-copy from t...more
Jun 11, 2012
Scarlett Sharpe
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
urban-fantasy,
vampire,
paranormal,
zombie,
ghost,
horror,
fantasy,
1st-in-series,
vampires,
must-read,
ghosts
There is currently a barrage of books dealing with the supernatural and paranormal and very few of them are really worth the read. Blood & Spirits was a pleasant surprise that rose out of the drivel of most books in its genre and left me wanting more! I was actually upset when I finished the story that the second book was not yet out, but I have it on good authority it will be out before year end!
Blood & Spirits delicately blends together so many things that can easily become cliche and...more
Blood & Spirits delicately blends together so many things that can easily become cliche and...more
Blood and Spirits
Blood and Spirits is about vampire who runs a house of 12 girls she takes care of, each who have their own individual powers and abilites. She also watches over a little girl who was mudered, is now a ghost and has disappeared. She has to deal with her hunger, a determination to find the little girl, and one heck of a mystery.
This book reads like a detective novel, and I quite enjoyed it. It's fast paced, with the heroine getting herself into one hairy situation after another. I...more
Blood and Spirits is about vampire who runs a house of 12 girls she takes care of, each who have their own individual powers and abilites. She also watches over a little girl who was mudered, is now a ghost and has disappeared. She has to deal with her hunger, a determination to find the little girl, and one heck of a mystery.
This book reads like a detective novel, and I quite enjoyed it. It's fast paced, with the heroine getting herself into one hairy situation after another. I...more
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Born and raised in the middle of the American Midwest, Dennis Sharpe has been a writer as long as he can remember. His mother has told many people about the fantasy and science fiction stories he'd write on scraps of paper, and staple together as his 'books', before he'd attended his first day of formal education.
He has spent many late nights at diners and dives, drinking coffee with a tattered no...more
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He has spent many late nights at diners and dives, drinking coffee with a tattered no...more
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