Be Mine Tonight (Brotherhood of Blood, #1)

May 15, 2012 Buggy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-rom, shelf-10, hist-rom, vampalicious

Opening Line:" It was obvious the door was not meant to be opened."

This is one of those books that you either love or hate and while I didn’t love this it did manage to redeem itself enough so that in the end I didn’t hate it either. Set in 1899 (which for some reason I didn’t know until I started reading) Kathryn Smith knows her stuff when it comes to writing a historical. The attention given here to the clothing, home trappings, servants and ones status all make for a rich and well written nov...more Opening Line:" It was obvious the door was not meant to be opened."

This is one of those books that you either love or hate and while I didn’t love this it did manage to redeem itself enough so that in the end I didn’t hate it either. Set in 1899 (which for some reason I didn’t know until I started reading) Kathryn Smith knows her stuff when it comes to writing a historical. The attention given here to the clothing, home trappings, servants and ones status all make for a rich and well written novel. However my mind wandered… a lot, as I grew bored with a story that took forever to get going and conversations that had as much internal dialogue as spoken word. I also felt that Smith was unsure of where to take her story; giving us hints of a great protagonist but never utilizing him, removing central characters for no apparent reason and throwing in several erotic sex scenes which were appreciated but felt gratuitous.

The story begins in 1307 with a group of King Philips soldiers locating what they believe to be the Holy Grail and drinking from it. In actuality they have stumbled across something truly evil and its contents have now transformed them into blood lusting, sun sensitive immortals or Smith's version of Vampires. Travelling forward we enter England in 1899 and are introduced to Prudence who along with her friend Marcus is on a hunt for the lost Holy Grail. Pru’s quest is somewhat personal for she hopes that the Grail will prolong her life and cure her inoperable cancer.

Prudence lives with her family in the English countryside and it’s at the family manor that the entire book takes place. Starting at a dinner party Pru is introduced to Chapel who works for the church and has come to visit out of interest for the Grail. Chapel although charming is your typical self loathing Vampire, thinking he’s a monster and certain he’s going to hell (yawn) I did however like him because he’s sexy and also just tortured enough to capture my attention. Of course our couple are immediately besotted, spending their evenings together and falling in love, although because Chapel considers himself a monster he refuses to ‘change’ Pru and a moral battle ensues as Pru grows sicker and after 600 years Chapel finally learns to live.

If you like historical romances and vampires then you’ll probably enjoy this one which is very popular and has since become a series (The Brotherhood Of Blood) Cheers (less)

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Mar 23, 2010 Ronda Tutt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, erotic, favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Excelent!!! I could not put this book down. I read this in one day.

I have to let you know that this book brought tears to my eyes at the end.

Chapel and Prudence's romance wrapped me into the story. Prudence's determination to find the Holy Grail not for wealth but for healing really touched me. She was dieing at a young age and she only wanted to live and she did for a short time when Chapel came into her life.

Chapel who has lived for 6 centuries now was immortal from drinking from the Holy Grai...more

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Oct 02, 2009 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Future and present fans of vampire romance

Shelves: historical-romance, part-of-a-series, owned-copy, vampire, angsty-read, victorian, hero-or-heroine-gravely-ill, favorite-or-autobuy-author, paranormal-romance

This book made me cry like a baby towards the end. It reminded me of what it was like to lose my father to cancer. It reminded me of the vicious hatred I have for that disease, and the message of this book hit home with increased potency because of seeing my father succumb to this disease, and how Pru suffered in this way.

Yet it was a wonderful book to read. It had the elements of a traditional vampire story that I love. Good versus evil is a part of this story, but Ms. Smith poses a question th...more This book made me cry like a baby towards the end. It reminded me of what it was like to lose my father to cancer. It reminded me of the vicious hatred I have for that disease, and the message of this book hit home with increased potency because of seeing my father succumb to this disease, and how Pru suffered in this way.

Yet it was a wonderful book to read. It had the elements of a traditional vampire story that I love. Good versus evil is a part of this story, but Ms. Smith poses a question that gave me food for thought. Was Chapel evil merely because he was a vampire? Was he a monster and an abomination just because he had to take the blood of humans to live? Or, like Professor Broome asks in Hellboy, 'What is the measure of a man?' Like Hellboy, Chapel is a creature of the night, born from what is considered evil. But fundamentally, like Hellboy, he makes a choice not to be evil. And this defines who he is ultimately.

This story has a lot of lessons for me. It also speaks of living one's life to the fullest, a lesson I still need to work on. Through the eyes of Pru, a woman doomed to die young by her disease, I was shown to see that life is so precious that it is important to grab at every experience of value to us with both hands.

She was tough on Chapel for what she considered him wasting hundreds of years brooding and feeling sorry for himself. It seemed harsh, but she was right. He was tormenting himself for his part in his love Marie's suicide. Tormenting himself wrongly, I believe. His past love had made a choice. We all make choices. And it's not fair for us to hold ourselves accontable for the choices that others make. I love the scene where she calls Marie, Chapel's long deceased love, a 'cow.' That was classic and really true. Pru knew that a woman in love should look past the surface and to the man beneath, although Marie could only see the beast. Granted Marie lived in a time where the church had a stranglehold over reason and a strict and narrow view of black and white. Yet, Marie didn't try at all to see what Chapel was, her beloved.

Chapel could not see the goodness inside of himself, and from the beginning, it is clear that Chapel is a very good man. I am a lover of antiheroes and dark heroes, and there is no darkness in this hero. He might be a vampire. He might have killed in the past. He might have a raving thirst that he has to control, but in his heart, this man made a choice to do right, and he didn't stray from that path. Simply put, I loved Chapel. He frustrated me in his insistence not to change Pru into a vampire, but I could understand from his frame of reference (of many years indoctrinated by the church) that he was an abomination likely damned to hell. He loved Pru far too much to allow that to happen to her. I never, ever doubted his love for Pru.

Chapel had to go on a journey of enlightment and although Pru, his friend and companion priest Molyneux, Marcus, the young archaeologist looking for the Holy Grail to save Pru's life, and her father Thomas, urged him along to see himself clearly, he had to learn to look inside his heart and see the truth for himself. I liked the message about faith, and how what we believe personally, and how we know God intimately is much more important than what a group or a church might have us believe. And lastly, the messages about forgiving oneself and accepting that God's gifts may come in a different form than what we are expecting.

This book broke my heart reading about Pru's progression in her cancer, but I truly enjoyed the beautiful relationship between her and Chapel. There is a little bit of adventure, but the true joy of this story is the blossoming love between Pru and Chapel, and its power to save them both.

This is going in my top favorites from the delightful Kathryn Smith. She is an authoress who knows how to write a beautiful and poignant love story. I really appreciate how she took the vampire myth and gave it so much life and skillfully interwined it with a moving and delectable romance.

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Feb 26, 2009 Shawna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kathryn-smith-kady-cross-kate-locke, pnr-vampires, historical-romance, 2008-post-gr-reads, i-read-own-faves-keepers, favorites, favorite-romance-series, heroine-i-adore, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, hero-mix-of-alpha-beta, series-brotherhood-of-the-blood, historical-romance-victorian, 5-stars, made-me-cry, hh-physical-mental-disability-ill, hero-brooding, cop-bodyguard-govop-merc-military, hh-warrior, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, pnr-occult-magic, heartbreaking-gutwrenching-romance, knights-templar-crusades, gothic-romance, a-all-time-fave-heroine, tearjerker-tugs-at-heartstrings, hh-resist-cause-im-no-good-for-you, heroine-in-pursuit, hero-silent-quiet-type-reticent, heroine-plucky-lively-feisty-spunky

5 stars – Vampire/Historical Romance

This is a great start to a fantastic vampire historical romance series. The Brotherhood of the Blood series is a unique take on vampire mythology, centering on six soldiers who became vampires by drinking from an ancient chalice infused with the essence of Lilith. Be Mine Tonight, set in 1899, focuses on the brooding vampire Chapel and feisty heroine Prudence “Pru”. I found author Smith’s vampire lore intriguing, the plot well developed, and the romance believ...more

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May 09, 2012 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, paranormal-romance, vampires, virgin-heroines, warriors, knights-templar, secret-society, victorian

Be Mine Tonight
3.5 Stars

Synopsis
In 1307, six knights break into a Templar stronghold in search of the Holy Grail only to be turned into vampires when they inadvertently drink from the Blood Grail. 700 years later, the Blood Grail is in danger of being unearthed once again and the warrior known as Chapel must travel to Tintagel England to thwart the attempt. Once there, he encounters Prudence Ryland, a feisty young woman desperate to obtain the grail for her own reasons, and is torn between savin...more Be Mine Tonight
3.5 Stars

Synopsis
In 1307, six knights break into a Templar stronghold in search of the Holy Grail only to be turned into vampires when they inadvertently drink from the Blood Grail. 700 years later, the Blood Grail is in danger of being unearthed once again and the warrior known as Chapel must travel to Tintagel England to thwart the attempt. Once there, he encounters Prudence Ryland, a feisty young woman desperate to obtain the grail for her own reasons, and is torn between saving the woman he has come to love or allowing her to be cursed as he once was.

Review
An original mix of Arthurian and biblical motifs but there are also some predictable moments.

The writing flows but lacks that immersing quality that would make it excellent. The story gets off to an exciting start but slows down and takes a while to get back on track toward the end.

The romance is the focus of the book and it is sweet and tender with some spicy moments that contribute to the natural progression of Chapel and Pru's relationship. Pru is witty, sarcastic and direct and is a good contrast with the dark, brooding and sexy Chapel, who is an endearing character although he does have a tendency to wallow in self pity too often.

The thing that irritated me the most was the portrayal of Pru's illness. She is supposedly dying of cancer, but except for one or two incidents, carries on regardless. While this may be explained by her desire to live life to the fullest, it is unrealistic. Moreover, even though the descriptions of Pru's sense of loss and sadness at missing out on life, love and family are touching, there is no sense of urgency regarding her impending death and dire need to be saved.

The conspiracy plot is weak and underdeveloped as there is no real quest or sense of adventure, excitement or danger. The origins and agenda of the mysterious Order of the Silver Palm are never described or explained.

The secondary characters are superficial - Pru's sisters are interchangeable and while Marcus and Molyneux are interesting, it is obvious that their role will remain small. The other Knights (love their names - Bishop, Saint, Reign and Temple) are compelling even though they don't actually make an appearance in the book and I am interested enough to read their stories.

Despite its shortcomings, this is a good introduction to a series that has definite potential and I will be continuing on to the next installment, which is Bishop's book. (less)

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Mar 29, 2011 Hbeebti rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: used

This is a story of Prudence and Chapel. I was pleasantly suprised by this book. I have issues with books in this time era. It takes place in 1899 and although it is from that era it did not bother me in the least. I loved how she decribed her Vampires and yes there was a lot of religious talk revolving around the Vampires. But it was refreshing. Talking about the Templar Knights and the Holy Grail was very cool as well.

This book was very hot when it came to the lovin. I mean seriously in public?...more

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Feb 13, 2012 Alicia Jespersen(orangepeacock313) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Let me start off my saying, i am not a huge fan of historical romance. Kathryn Smith changed that for me. While i was reading “Be Mine Tonight” i forgot that i was even reading historical romance. I really loved the way Kathryn Smith chose to put her own twist on what vampires are like. She didn’t just follow the norm’. “Be Mine Tonight” is an amazing start to a hopefully amazing series.

Don’t be discouraged by the fact that the main male lead in this book is named Chapel. He is a very excellent...more

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Aug 19, 2011 Nicki rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, series

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Jan 10, 2011 Bronwyn Rykiert rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, historical-romance, series, vampires

While Severian de Fonce was on an errand, with 5 companions, for King Phillip of France in 1307 he along with his companions were turned into vampires by drinking blood from the Blood Grail (they had thought it was the Holy Grail) and for the next 6 centuries he has been trying to redeem himself.

In 1899 he travels from France to Cornwall with his priest companion Father Molyneux to hopefully find the Blood Grail again so that it does not get into the wrong hands and he meets Prudence Ryland and...more

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Apr 29, 2010 Brenda rated it 3 of 5 stars

The first of The Brotherhood of the Blood series, this book features Pru and Chapel, who is one of the brotherhood. It serves as an introduction to the series and the brotherhood. Chapel was the first soldier in the group to become a vampire, and it's been about 600 years since his change when he meets Prudence Ryland in 1899. I loved the character of Pru right from the start. She's witty and rather forward for a young woman of her time, mostly because she's dying and doesn't have time to play g...more The first of The Brotherhood of the Blood series, this book features Pru and Chapel, who is one of the brotherhood. It serves as an introduction to the series and the brotherhood. Chapel was the first soldier in the group to become a vampire, and it's been about 600 years since his change when he meets Prudence Ryland in 1899. I loved the character of Pru right from the start. She's witty and rather forward for a young woman of her time, mostly because she's dying and doesn't have time to play games or be overly gracious. It took me a little longer to warm up to Chapel. He's a tortured, brooding man who has lost his sense of humor along the way. Pru tells him:

"What have you done with your time? Spent it mooning over a woman who didn't want you and hiding behind a church that despises you?"

Be Mine Tonight is what I would call a historical paranormal romance. It takes place in the 1800's, so the writing isn't gritty or snarky, but instead the humor is subtle, and the romance anguished. There is a bit of intrigue and adventure as Pru, Chapel and their colleagues search for the Holy Grail or it's antithesis, the Blood Grail.

I read on the author's website that she consulted with her niece, who works in oncology, for the scenes involving Pru's cancer. I can tell that she took special care in writing about her symptoms and her emotional distress in regards to the cancer. It's heartbreaking, yet Pru's strength is amazing as she refuses to give up until the last possible moment, and then she faces her death with grace. If I hadn't already grown to like Chapel, I would have been won over by his care and nurturing of Pru during her sickness.

Be Mine Tonight is foremost a romance with the paranormal elements as an aspect of the story, along with the adventure and suspense. Pru and Chapel's love story is one of hope, and forgiveness above all else. There are sexual elements to the book, though I wouldn't consider it an erotic story. They come with the natural progression of Pru and Chapel's relationship. I don't think the story would have been as intense or heartbreaking without the sex scenes.
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Dec 27, 2011 Chelsea rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Plot: Chapel became a vampire when he drank from a mystical cup known as the Blood Grail, having mistaken it for the Holy Grail. Six hundred years later, in the year 1899, Pru Ryeland is searching for the Holy Grail in hopes of curing her terminal illness. Chapel fears that what she will actually find is the Blood Grail and that she will become cursed as he believes he is cursed. But as he begins to fall in love with Pru, his belief in his own soul-less nature is challenged.

The use of histor...more The Plot: Chapel became a vampire when he drank from a mystical cup known as the Blood Grail, having mistaken it for the Holy Grail. Six hundred years later, in the year 1899, Pru Ryeland is searching for the Holy Grail in hopes of curing her terminal illness. Chapel fears that what she will actually find is the Blood Grail and that she will become cursed as he believes he is cursed. But as he begins to fall in love with Pru, his belief in his own soul-less nature is challenged.

The use of history and mythology is fun, interesting, and well put together. The time period and setting is rich and unique, and in fact is one of the few things that sets this book apart from other paranormal books. Chapel is a surprisingly sexy, if somewhat frustrating character. He is loyal, determined, and fun. His love for Pru is heartbreaking.

The Problems: First of all, Pru's terminal illness is-it's never given an exact name, so I assume uterine cancer-the biggest plot point/conflict in the book. We expect her to be saved, obviously, whether she finds the Holy Grail or becomes a vampire. But it takes THE ENTIRE BOOK. We are forced to watch Chapel hem, haw, and struggle with his own self-pity while the love of his life suffers unnecessary pain. I

And Pru's cancer is a seriously painful one. I don't know how well Smith researched the disease but I happen to know from what I've witnessed that 1)Even early stage cancer patients are often exhausted, suffer from easy bruising, and tend to have compromised immune systems, and 2) The physical reality of advanced uterine cancer does not usually allow for any kind of comfortable sexual relationship. So the fact that Pru is so active right up until the very end is seriously problematic.

In the end, I felt like the illness was treated as an artificial ticking clock to force the hero to work out his "issues". I didn't care for that concept, and I didn't care for the resolution. But, obviously my reservations with this book are more to do with my own experiences than with the flaws of the book itself. I would (very cautiously) recommend this book to those who like historical paranormal, with a dose of religious mythology. 3 stars. (less)

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Feb 07, 2010 ൠSinful rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: PNR fans, adults

Shelves: full-novel, historical, pnr-series, romance, series, suspense, sweet, vampires

A historical adventure series where 5 friends try to make right the wrong of thier youth committed 600 years earlier. With romance along the way, tears and laughter, this story by an author unfamiliar to me took be by surprise. This is the first book in the series.

Although it is rumored that the holy grail can provide immortality, there is another grail that provides damnation as well.. Drink from it and you become a vampire. Mistake one for the other and you end up like Chapel and his friends-...more

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Nov 07, 2009 Sabrina rated it 2 of 5 stars

2.5 stars. Where to begin - Smith does manage to introduces an original concept to explain the origin of vampires. Those who walk the night are the descendants of Lilith, Adam's first and forsaken wife who was cursed by God. Our hero, Chapel, after being turned into what he considers an abomination, has chosen to live his life in service to the Church in hopes he will perform enough good works to earn his redemption and entry into heaven.

And it all goes downhill from there. The problem with thi...more

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Apr 19, 2009 Corrine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-fantasy-sci-fi-romance, victorian-uk-historical, vampire

Another pretty original take on vampires, this one includes Arthurian legend, Knights of the Templar, and some biblical lore. I don't believe I've ever read anything by this author, but I was impressed enough to seek out more by her.

Chapel aka Severian de Fonce was a 14th century mercenary until he was sent on a mission with a group of men to obtain treasures of the Knights of Templar for King Philip. Then, in an effort to save his own life after he is poisoned, he mistakenly drinks from what he...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Nina rated it 1 of 5 stars

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Jan 20, 2009 Iraida rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: accion-adventure, angels-demons, brotherhood-of-blood, drama, fantasy, historical, kathryn-smith, mystery-suspense, paranormal, romance, series, vampires

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Jul 19, 2010 Maja rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, paranormal-romance, vampires, historical-fiction, historical-england

This story was more a romance story than anything else and that's really what dragged it down in my opinion. When I read paranormal romance I am mosty looking for a perfect blend between the paranormal and the romance, but in this case the romance heavily outweighed the paranormal, which is a shame. It isn't as if there was an opportunity to have some sort of battle, Kathryn Smith just never took it there. Instead this book is nothing but a little fluff between a mortal woman dying of cancer and...more

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Sep 04, 2010 Katherine Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book in THE BROTHERHOOD OF BLOOD series. I loved this book. It was the most romantic book I've read thusfar. "Chapel" blows "Edward Cullen" away!! And I've read the Twilight saga more than once. I have a thing for Vampire romance, and these books deliver. And the "Vampire" story/history Kathryn Smith created is so original, it's more believable than any other author has invented. She takes you back to the story of "Adam and Eve",(and although I don't have faith in any one relig...more

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Jul 01, 2009 Susan added it

Shelves: did-not-finish

I didn't care for this book at all. Forgettable characters who felt like I was just scratching the surface to know. Although the Knights Templar and holy grail are interesting in themselves, it wasn't enough for me to keep reading.

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Apr 18, 2010 Nonieღserenity2bliss rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love historical romance and paranormal romance. And this book is the combination of both genres. Therefore, to say this book is 'good' is an understatement for me.

The story builds up in a good pace, and it gives the characters time to build. The whole plot revolves around the search for grail; Holy and Unholy. But the core or the essence of the story is the romance, between vampire, Chapel and Pru, who is dying of cancer.

However, towards the end, the story kind of falters a little bit, espec...more

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May 14, 2010 ~*~Princess Nhya~*~ rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was pretty good. I liked it. I loved Chapel and Pru. Their interactions together as well as her family was good. I liked that there were a lot of layers to these people and their story. It felt real. But their HEA just felt a little too, I don't know.... I kinda hoped that maybe Chapel would not have saved Pru. I mean he loves her how could he not. But he was just so determined through this whole story not to make her into what he is, "damn her soul" as he believed he would, because he...more

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Oct 26, 2011 Candy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had no idea from the excerpt that I read that this was a historical paranormal romance . I usually avoid reading historical romances due to the fact that a lot of them seem to be over dramatic with too much heaving of bosoms,etc. Be Mine Tonight was nothing like that at all.
The story revolves around Chapel, a 600 year old vampire who as a human mistakenly drank from the Blood Grail believing it to be the Holy Grail. The chalice transforms Chapel and his fellow soldiers. Believing that they ar...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Karry rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a heart-warming story! The characters were fantastic. The plot was intense, but in a good way. The ending was perfect. It was a happy ending (at least in my version of a happy ending), and set up the continuation of the series in just the right way. I cried like a baby, laughed, cringed with pain, felt the passion, and celebrated like it was my party! I love it when a book draws me in so much that I feel what they feel, live what they live, learn what they learn! That is what it was with th...more

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Feb 18, 2013 Diane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: uf-pr

Loved it. Captivated the entire way through and I want to know the stories of the other 3 men who thought they were about to find immortality by drinking from the Holy Grail, only to find it filled with the blood of Christ an be changed into a vampire. It was a different more sinister cup from which they drank.

1899...600 years after that, the men are each out and about in the world on their own. One has committed suicide because he despised his blood lust.

Chapel, one of the four, comes to the e...more

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May 04, 2013 Bookworms rated it 5 of 5 stars

New book, new luck. I have bought this book for some cent and saw it with a lot of skeptic. Too many books were very poor in the last time or my requirements for a very good book too high.

What I first noticed was the positive language of the book. The story is a bit different and also the origin of vampires is told in a very nice and new style. It's all about the Holy Grail and also Lilith is mentioned. I was happy about the new idea and the beginning of the book. I appreciated the whole idea a...more New book, new luck. I have bought this book for some cent and saw it with a lot of skeptic. Too many books were very poor in the last time or my requirements for a very good book too high.

What I first noticed was the positive language of the book. The story is a bit different and also the origin of vampires is told in a very nice and new style. It's all about the Holy Grail and also Lilith is mentioned. I was happy about the new idea and the beginning of the book. I appreciated the whole idea and the century in which the story is happening. The men all wear their frock coats and are still gentlemen, the women every day bodice and beautiful clothes. The whole play on the homestead of a noble family, and accordingly also the behavior. I enjoy this very much because too many books today have a poor language and often also the story is playing in not nice regions. Kathryn Smith writes in a fluently language with high standard. That's what I really liked and it gave the whole book a certain charm.

Even the characters are really not the typical. Masculine, aggressive vampire vulnerable and poor chosen one. No, not here. Chapel is a polite and gentel man who knows how to behave. His language and manner in which he gives himself over and Pru and the other behaves is really very interesting and enjoyable. One could well imagine him as a present contemporary. It would be a typical academic, in whose environment you feel comfortable and well cared for and respected at all times. He isn't sexy because of his bursting muscles and evil aura but rather by his gentleman. Pru is the funny person of the two. She is deathly sick and yet so brave. She want to experience so much about her life as simply as possible and also shows no fear to try some new and crazy things. She is a happy person even she know that she will die soon. Anyway, it is really admirable as she remained calm while her family suffers all the time under the very fact of the deathly sick daughter and sister. And she shows no fear regards Chapel, the vampire. Even when she finds out what he is.

The story is not a typical 0815 vampire love story. It is really high level to meet literary achievement and an exciting storyline. In part, all very dramatic, just as Pru's last days are described and how the cancer she suffer. You can imagine very well as a reader how she feels and cannot wait to know how it will end.

I can only say that I am thrilled and overwhelmed to have found this series. After a long long search it seems I found another great vampire series. Anyway, I hope the author keep going on with this high standard(less)

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Jun 14, 2010 Kasey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: series, kindle, romance-four-star, historical, pnr-uf

I really enjoyed the fact that this story was well written and developed/progressed in a manner which felt realistic and well timed, especially the romance, which was a nice surprise. You see, if there's one thing that really makes me roll my eyes (especially in PNR) is when characters go from not wanting/hating/keeping away from each other one moment, to being lost in love/unable to exist without the other the next - and sometimes all of it developing within the same chapter! *cough*GS*cough*

No...more

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Jan 19, 2010 Nenia Campbell rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: urbane-fantasies, x-series-bk-1, holy-shit-a-vampire-get-in-the-car, x-2006s, reviewed, specialsnowflakes

If I could, I'd give this one and a half stars. I'm kind of torn between hating it and feeling sorry for it. As other reviewers have stated, Smith introduces a fairly novel concept when it comes to the vampire creation myth, mixing Arthurian and biblical legends. And somebody gets poisoned Indie-Jones style right in the beginning!

This book HAS to be good, right?

Nope. Not at all. For starters, Pru really got on my nerves. Pru. Don't even get me started on Pru. I have this issue where, if the char...more If I could, I'd give this one and a half stars. I'm kind of torn between hating it and feeling sorry for it. As other reviewers have stated, Smith introduces a fairly novel concept when it comes to the vampire creation myth, mixing Arthurian and biblical legends. And somebody gets poisoned Indie-Jones style right in the beginning!

This book HAS to be good, right?

Nope. Not at all. For starters, Pru really got on my nerves. Pru. Don't even get me started on Pru. I have this issue where, if the character has a silly name, it makes me not take the character seriously. And how on Earth can you take a woman seriously if her name rhymes with "Doo"? She tries too hard to be all "Girl Power!" and stuff, but she's too childish and annoying to have any kind of credibility.

And considering that she's the main character, this is not a good thing.

Chapel was interesting but he was far too angsty. I feel like we didn't really get enough background on him to sympathize with him as a character. And the whole Marie thing kind of came out of left-field. She should have been introduced much sooner, so the parallels between her and Pru (ick) were clearer.

And the sex. Well. The sex wasn't that great. Not steamy. Hardly even lukewarm, and it doesn't happen until like 250 pages in. And when it did happen, it was silly. Lots of gasping with passion and moaning with need-type escapades (although not quite as bad as Lara Adrian). I might have been able to live with all of that IF NOT FOR THE ENDING!!! OH MY GOD. It pissed me off. What a cop-out. I'm not going to say any more on this, though, because I am coming dangerously close to treading on spoiler-territory and trying desperately hard not to give too much away.

Maggie Shayne, who I am reading now, is much, much better. So if you're looking for a good paranormal romance maybe shelve this and check out one of those instead (although, unfortunately, I still have two other books by this author, so I'm kind of hoping that they might be better further down the road).(less)

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Feb 29, 2012 Marissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Friday, the 13th of October, 1307
By order of the King of France, Severian de Foncé and his five friends, all mercenaries, raided a Templar’s keep to find the Holy Grail. They found a cup and all six drunk from it, except that the cup they drunk from was not the Holy Grail but the Unholy Grail. Their doom was sealed with this one action, for who drinks from the Unholy Grail becomes a son of Lilith, or better said, a vampire...

Tintagel, Cornwall, 1899
Prudence Ryland is a spirited woman who wants t...more Friday, the 13th of October, 1307
By order of the King of France, Severian de Foncé and his five friends, all mercenaries, raided a Templar’s keep to find the Holy Grail. They found a cup and all six drunk from it, except that the cup they drunk from was not the Holy Grail but the Unholy Grail. Their doom was sealed with this one action, for who drinks from the Unholy Grail becomes a son of Lilith, or better said, a vampire...

Tintagel, Cornwall, 1899
Prudence Ryland is a spirited woman who wants to enjoy every facet of life, but she is seriously ill and has not much time left in this world, she desperately wants to find the Holy Grail to prolong her life. The Church has given her permission for the excavation of a parcel of land where she is convinced the Grail is hidden, provided that she hands over the Grail if she finds it. The Church has send a historian to help her, a certain Mr. Chapel. She immediately feels attracted to this handsome, mysterious stranger who shuns the sunlight. He seems to like her too, could this be her chance of a life-time to experience unbridled passion?

Severian de Foncé now goes by the name of Chapel. He hopes to save his soul by serving the Church and to see to it that the Unholy Grail will never be found again. So now he is in Cornwall to protect the interests of the Church. The moment he meets Prudence he feels this strong attraction for her, she is the first woman in 600 years who touches his heart. Therefore, he is flabbergasted when he finds out why she so desperately wants to find the Holy Grail. He could save her life, he should because he does not want to lose her, but does he truly dare to risk her soul by giving her his immortal kiss?

This is the first part in the Brotherhood of Blood Series of Kathryn Smith and you better brace yourself for an intense and emotional roller coaster ride. This story was such a joy to read, it made me cry, it made me laugh, I kept turning the pages faster and faster because I could not get enough of it and wanted to know how it would end.

Seldom have I felt so connected with the hero and the heroine of a story. Prudence is such a courageous, stubborn and bold woman. She knows her time on earth is limited and tries to live her life to the max, therefore she doesn’t care a fat lot about propriety. Chapel is such a tormented guy, he believes that his being a vampire is a punishment from God, that he is a monster, he does not see all the good things he has done and how this effects other people. Their encounters are so intense that they vibrate from the pages! If ever a couple deserves a happy ending, it is this couple. Your heart just cries out for them.

Prudence to Chapel and vice versa:

“Oh? Is that my punishment for not kissing you?” “Not your punishment.” “Mine.” “Yours?” “Denying myself the taste of you has caused me more pain than you will ever know.”

Except for Father Molyneux and Marcus Grey, who we will meet again later on in this series, the supporting cast of characters is charming but definitely subordinate to the primary characters. This story is all about the plot and the relationship between Prudence and Chapel. With this first part Kathryn Smith lays the foundation of the Brotherhood of Blood and a stunning, original and intriguing plot that will have its grand finale much later on in this series, it undoubtedly will rise your blood pressure!

This addictive and dazzling story will pull at all your heartstrings! It is masterfully written and researched with charming characters of debt. This story will grab you and keep you glued to your seat! I am looking forward to read the next Brotherhood of Blood novel, because this one left me breathless!

Be Mine Tonight is top-notch entertainment!
(less)

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Jan 04, 2012 ♡KarLynP♡ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-paranromal, genre-historical, steam-warm

This book read much more like a typical regency historical romance, even though it was written in Victorian times (1899) and had a vampire. The book was good, but if you are looking for a dark, edgy, sensual story about an underworld of vampires and creatures that go bump in the night, then pass on this book. What this book delivers is a tender romance between a man and a woman, whereas the man is cursed with immortality, drinks human blood and has lived in solitude for the last 600 years unsure...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Jody rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library, supernatural, vampire

The Kings Templar, The Holy/Unholy Grail and Vampires all mixed up and set in a historical romance. Not really much not to like about that, at least to me. Chapel and Molyneux are sent to Cornwall to look into a possible Grail discovery. Prudence and Marcus Gray are doing everything the can to find the Holy Grail. Pru desperately needs it. What she finds is in a way an answer to her prayers. While looking for the Grail she is drawn to Chapel. I don't think either was looking for what they found....more

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title link	preview: Be Mine Tonight
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/383143.Be_Mine_Tonight?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348830684l/383143.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/383143.Be_Mine_Tonight?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Be Mine Tonight by Kathryn Smith[/url]

Be Mine Tonight (Brotherhood of Blood #1)

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