1305 & 1306 - The Oracle and The Vampire

The 13th Floor #5

by Christine Rains

Having fallen for her gorgeous neighbor might not be so bad if Harriet McKay wasn't in her hideous banshee form every time Kiral saw her. Such is her curse. True, he's a vampire struggling with a drug addiction, but he's a good soul. Yet no one could love a cursed witch, especially one not even her cats respect.After having a vision of Kiral's death, Harriet makes it her mission to save him. Never before has she attempted to change fate, but so strong is her love for him.Kiral Ozdemir struggles to make it through every day. The craving for blood laced with drugs directs his every thought until he tastes Harriet's potent blood. The magic immediately addicts him, but she disappears. He's desperate to find her, racing blindly out into a city in chaos.How can Harriet convince Kiral to see past her vile appearance and return her love? If only she can force him to listen to reason coming from a raving crone, perhaps she can save him from the demons hunting him and from himself.

Genres: Paranormal

111 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 6, 2013

About the author

Christine Rains is a multi-genre writer, book blogger, and geek mom. When she's not playing games with her son, she's playing games with her friends. She has four degrees which do not help at all with motherhood but make her a great Jeopardy player.

Christine has several novels, novellas, and short stories published. Her writing covers all genres of fiction, but she loves to lose herself in paranormal romance most of all.

Reviews

[Chrys Fey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet is a banshee. By day, she's a beautiful young woman. By night, she'd a screaming crone thanks to a curse that she can't get rid of. Kiral is the resident vampire of the 13th Floor who has a narcotics addiction. Harriet has a thing for Kiral but he only knows he as "Grandmother." One day Harriet gets a vision about Kiral's death and wants to prevent it from happening at all costs.

Harriet's situation really tore my heart to shreds. I couldn't imagine how devastating it would be to love someone who doesn't know you...or worse, doesn't know you are the young woman he seeks because you no longer look like her. My heart broke for her over and over again.

Ever since 1301: The Marquis I've been curious about Kiral. And since 1302: The Alpha I've been interested in the banshee who was mentioned only briefly. I enjoyed getting to know them and getting into their heads, especially Kiral's. I liked how all the stories tied together in this one. This story is truly the sequel to The Marquis.

Kiral is my favorite hunk on the 13th Floor. And this is my favorite story of the collection.

Well Done, Christine Rains!

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cursed witch, Harriet McKay wants to save the world, but she would settle for saving the man she loves in Christine Rains’ 1305 & 1306 – The Oracle and the Vampire.

The fifth novella in the 13th Floor series, Christine Rains has done it once again in creating a unique and original story featuring a vampire who happens to be an addict and a witch who can’t remove a curse upon herself. Harriet McKay is sweet, caring, smart, and a daydreamer. A banshee and crone by night, she transforms into her beautiful witch and nurse self during the day. Kiral craves redemption, despite being a self-loathing addict and vampire. I loved the contrasts and similarities between the two characters and how their journey together. Once again, Vetis, the villain from The Marquis, is back and more diabolical—and a tad crazier—than ever. For me, Harriet’s cat familiars Ellie and Kerr hold a special place in my heart as they grow to respect their witch. And watch out for Harriet’s clients, especially spunky Catherine Miller. They are an awesome addition to the cast.

Unlike the other 13th Floor novellas, readers get a chance to see both points of view between Harriet and Kiral. The alternating chapters worked brilliantly, and I loved getting a deeper sense of the main characters and seeing both their struggles. In a way, both Kiral and Harriet need saving, and it’s through each other it can happen—if Harriet’s vision of Kiral’s death doesn’t come true. The Oracle and the Vampire is a fast-paced and intense story filled with horrific events as well as touching moments.

Once again, Rains also continues to build the wonderful world she created. I love how Rains integrates her stories within a similar timeframe, so we readers can see the crossover between events and characters. Her hints of things to come always excite me from book to book as one seemingly insignificant mention in one book can become key in the other. It shows how well-thought out the series is and makes it an enjoyable experience.

The Oracle and the Vampire by Christine Rains may be a quick read, but this novella—and series—sticks with a reader. So if you’re looking for original paranormal romance, then look no further than Rains’ 13th Floor series.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Oracle and the Vampire is the fifth novella in Ms. Rains’ The 13th Floor series; this is the story of the residents of 1305 and 1306.
Harriet is a healer, a white witch, who spends her days visiting and caring for elderly clients. She is a naïve but driven character with idealistic dreams for the future and a horrific handicap at night. She fails to seek a spell to protect Kiral after she dreams of his death. Her only plan is to stay by his side so he doesn't get captured by the shadows that are wreaking havoc on Carmine. Kiral is a self-loathing vampire who has addictions which I had problems buying into. Vampires are self healing and the fact that he was affected by drug or alcohol tainted blood was incomprehensible for me. Was he denying himself all blood? He had to drink some blood, right? I had trouble suspending my disbelief with both of these two main characters.

I did like the peripheral characters in this story; the elderly characters that Harriet cared for were entertaining and engaging. The addition of the cat familiars, Elli and Kerr, was an amusing addition to the story. The plot moves quickly and I like the way all of these stories in the 13th Floor series are woven together by the destruction happening in Carmine. Ms. Rains has done an excellent job with this aspect of the storyline. Vetis, the demon from The Marquis that is seeking Marc’s soul, is back and is more twisted than ever. The stakes are getting higher as the final showdown between these two characters approaches. I am looking forward to the next novella in this series despite not loving this one.

FYI:
This book contains mild adult language. I found too few editing issues to count these against the rating of this story.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
June 8, 2013

[T.B. Markinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is a tricky thing. You want to let a person get close to you, yet that action exposes your weaknesses and secrets. Harriet wants Kiral to know her and to love her, but will he accept that she’s a beautiful woman during the day and an old crone at night? You see, Harriet is a cursed witch. And Kiral has his own demons to battle. He’s a vampire with a drug problem. The odds are against them and when their city is attacked by demons, Kiral and Harriet are caught in the middle of the battle. Harriet has been having visions of Kiral’s death and she will do anything to save him. Can she?

This story is a wonderful addition to the 13th Floor novellas. This time Rains allows the readers into both characters heads and it works well. Not only is there the drama of the demon attack, but watching Harriet and Kiral interact adds another level of delicious tension.

I love how Rains has used the same demon attack in each of the stories but each one focuses on different characters. It adds depth to the world she’s created. And each story gives hints to the other stories. It’s like solving a puzzle, which makes it even more entertaining and clever.

[Julie Flanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole 13th Floor series is fantastic and filled with wonderful characters, but Kiral and Harriet are two of my favorites. I'm always a sucker for a vampire story, and this one did not disappoint.

Beautiful young Harriet is cursed and turns into an old crone every night, the only time the love of her life Kiral can actually see her. My heart broke for Harriet each time Kiral called her "grandmother," and I so wanted Harriet to be able to convince him to see beyond her crone exterior to the girl underneath.

The two star-crossed lovers are quickly thrown into a fast-paced and exciting adventure, and I enjoyed seeing elements and characters of the previous 13th Floor stories brought into this installment.

This is a great story that I read in one sitting. I'm looking forward to more from Rains!

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiral is a vampire who isn’t aware that his elderly neighbor, Harriet, has a crush on him. He knows she’s a witch, but he doesn't know that in the daytime, when he’s asleep, she transforms into the beautiful young woman that she really is. A curse turns her into an old woman at night. Demons are destroying their city and Kiral and Harriet get caught in the fray. Harriet worries about Kiral since she’s been having visions of his death. Kiral, after getting a taste of young Harriet’s aromatic blood, looks all over the city for her, eventually falling into the hands of the killer she's been dreaming about. Harriet wants to rescue him, as well as have him see her in her true form. This novella is amazing. Kiral and Harriet have great chemistry and the action is nonstop.

[Jossie Solheim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. Christine Rains has a real way with words. Her writing flows well and her characters are believable and loveable. A must read.

This is one of the books in the 13th floor collection and the way these books mould together is brilliant. Can't wait to get started on the next one. :)

[Heather Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine Rains doesn't disappoint in this new installment of the 13th Floor Series! Kiral and Harriet are very intense characters who share a fast-paced adventure. Their feelings about each other are genuine and overwhelming. Great story from a great storyteller.

[Graeme Ing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two fascinating characters thrown together in almost tragic circumstances, and it was easy to root for them to get together. Definitely a side of the vampire that we rarely see - very original. Love Harriet, the Oracle.

[Tammy Theriault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one, too! I like how "grandma" was takin him on a chase around town. That was semi-humorous.

[Anna Abner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally we get to find out what happens to Kiral. And it's worth the wait.