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39th out of 275 books
—
343 voters
Blood and Roses
by
Aislinn Kerry (Goodreads Author)
In this world, love can put you on the wrong end of a stake…
The last thing Arjen wants is a vampire in his bed. The rest of the world may be enamored of the creatures, but he doesn’t share the obsession. When local vampire Maikel van Triet pays a visit to the brothel, Arjen tries to slip away—drawing the one thing he doesn’t want: Maikel’s attention. Arjen’s too pragmatic...more
The last thing Arjen wants is a vampire in his bed. The rest of the world may be enamored of the creatures, but he doesn’t share the obsession. When local vampire Maikel van Triet pays a visit to the brothel, Arjen tries to slip away—drawing the one thing he doesn’t want: Maikel’s attention. Arjen’s too pragmatic...more
ebook, 60 pages
Published
November 10th 2009
by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
(first published 2009)
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**4.5 upped to 5**
This was one of the most sensually beautiful stories I can ever remember reading. Everything about it was just passionate; the characters, the setting, the writing style so calm but at the same time, keeping me on edge for what would happen next. Even the indifference shown from one character to the other at various parts of the book was moving and emotional.
Arjen is a sensuous man without even having to try; sensuous and beautiful and so needy in ways he doesn't even realize...more
This was one of the most sensually beautiful stories I can ever remember reading. Everything about it was just passionate; the characters, the setting, the writing style so calm but at the same time, keeping me on edge for what would happen next. Even the indifference shown from one character to the other at various parts of the book was moving and emotional.
Arjen is a sensuous man without even having to try; sensuous and beautiful and so needy in ways he doesn't even realize...more
Why I bought this book: I honestly can't remember. I do know that I bought it shortly after its release in November 2009 and it's been on my TBR since then, making it one of the oldest books on my TBR pile.
Plot: The story is set in Amsterdam and follows male prostitute Arjen. When famous vampire Maikel arrives at the brothel where he works, Arjen isn't impressed by the simpering from the female whores and starts to make his way up to his room. He's surprised when he's called back by Maikel who w...more
Plot: The story is set in Amsterdam and follows male prostitute Arjen. When famous vampire Maikel arrives at the brothel where he works, Arjen isn't impressed by the simpering from the female whores and starts to make his way up to his room. He's surprised when he's called back by Maikel who w...more
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Arjen is a prostitute in Amsterdam. Not sure of the time period. Vampires are a given in this society. Maikel is a vampire who comes to the brothel and selects Arjen, but all he wants is to feed and have a safe place to sleep for the night. Arjen isn’t happy about it but agrees. This becomes a weekly event. Until their personalities get in the way - Arjen thinks he doesn’t want the vampire, even though Maikel makes his affection clear. Maikel accededs to Arjen’s wishes that he go away. This is b...more
A nice little read
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The story accomplishes a convincing “enemies to lovers” plotline in a fairly short amount of time.
- I was amused by how long it takes Arjen to realize that he’s fallen for Maikel. He dislikes the vampire passionately but is inexplicably hurt when Maikel avoids him.
CONS:
- Maikel says some insulting things to Arjen that Arjen hardly even reacts to. This irritated me.
- The whole story is tol...more
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The story accomplishes a convincing “enemies to lovers” plotline in a fairly short amount of time.
- I was amused by how long it takes Arjen to realize that he’s fallen for Maikel. He dislikes the vampire passionately but is inexplicably hurt when Maikel avoids him.
CONS:
- Maikel says some insulting things to Arjen that Arjen hardly even reacts to. This irritated me.
- The whole story is tol...more
It was actually quite good, though too short to be really enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong, even though it was really really short there was still story to this story... just not enough to be very satisfying. That being said there was a lot to like, I have no complaints about the characters, premise or setting and the storyline (thought a little clichéd) was quite solid.
In short, if you’re the type of reader that doesn’t have the patience for a long, complicated story with character development and...more
In short, if you’re the type of reader that doesn’t have the patience for a long, complicated story with character development and...more
I think it's the first story I've read by this author. It was interesting.
Maikel is not the ordinary vampire in the sense that he's not all powerful. He has a reputation, he is coveted, but in a very superficial way. Arjen works in a brothel and is not seduced in the least, proving himself a challenge for the vampire. Their encounters are not really sexual at the beginning, Maikel asks to be fed and Arjen agrees for a fee. The vampire bite is also painful and not enthralling at all.
Slowly their...more
Maikel is not the ordinary vampire in the sense that he's not all powerful. He has a reputation, he is coveted, but in a very superficial way. Arjen works in a brothel and is not seduced in the least, proving himself a challenge for the vampire. Their encounters are not really sexual at the beginning, Maikel asks to be fed and Arjen agrees for a fee. The vampire bite is also painful and not enthralling at all.
Slowly their...more
Blood and Roses is a relatively short story that has love blossoming between a bored vampire and a realistic male prostitute. Mikhail is used to the masses of humans fawning all over him and vying for his attention. When he stumbles upon Arjen, a male prostitute who ignores him, his interest is peaked.
Arjen’s unique response to Mikhail is enough to keep his interest. He returns time and again to feed from Arjen, and to pass the time he asks Arjen to talk. As their interesting relationship grows...more
Arjen’s unique response to Mikhail is enough to keep his interest. He returns time and again to feed from Arjen, and to pass the time he asks Arjen to talk. As their interesting relationship grows...more
This is a novella from a new to me author but one that is rather addictive. As a fan of anything urban fantasy, I love any well done vampire book even if it’s just rehashing common themes. In this offering the themes are classic and well used with a slight twist but the dialogue and writing is engaging. The characters have tremendous potential and the world building is evocative. Unfortunately, likely due to the short length, this novella is empty and forgettable but still enjoyable and fun to r...more
Dec 02, 2009
Elisa Ramblings
added it
Blood and Roses is a novella that I think will appeal to the most romantic readers. It’s fantasy, without doubt, but it’s not so clearly bounded by this genre. The world where Arjen, male whore, lives, is an Amsterdam lost in time; from some small details, the use of specific words, the absence of machines, the presence of carriages and other “old-fashioned” elements, all let you think that this is a fantasy world that takes inspiration from a not long ago past, maybe nineteen or eighteen centur...more
The writing creates a sense of distance from the characters which normally is a bad thing. In this instance it worked quite well for me. The distance I felt from the characters, I think, underlined Arjen's desire to distance himself from Maikel. It wasn't completely clear why Maikel felt the need to disappear from Amsterdam, and the resolution between Arjen and Maikel was a bit too quick to be completely believable. Otherwise, a good, solid read.
Great Story!! It's a fast read (took me about 2hrs) but the characters are deep, their actions thoughtful and their personalities well rounded. You get a good "feel" for the characters in the story. The author does a wonderful job of grabbing you only a few paragraphs in and, before you know it, you're emotionally invested. I've finished the book but find that my mind will still drift toward Arjen & Maikel and wonder how they're getting along in the world. At least I'm sure they're happy.
Short story of a vampire, Maikel and a male prostitute,Arjen who meet when Maikel buys him for the night just for a meal and sleep. Arjen's distaste for Maikel stop him from taking the fare. This continues for weeks until you guessed it big fight, Maikel leaves and Arjen finds he can't live without him.
This was a little to predictable for me to really like very well.
This was a little to predictable for me to really like very well.
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Did I love this story? Hell yes! I have re-read it a dozen times. I read the excerpt and was so interested I could not wait to get a review copy, so I bought it. I PAID MONEY FOR THIS BOOK. I have not bought a book in almost a year. So yes I read the excerpt and I was desperate.
READ MY REVIEW
http://www.naughtyinthebackseat.com/b...
READ MY REVIEW
http://www.naughtyinthebackseat.com/b...
4.3 stars
It was a beautiful and fairy tale like story. I very much enjoyed it.
Short, yes. But i can't imagine it longer than it is. I think the length of the story is perfect, any longer than this would have been a drag.
It was a beautiful and fairy tale like story. I very much enjoyed it.
Short, yes. But i can't imagine it longer than it is. I think the length of the story is perfect, any longer than this would have been a drag.
I'm usually don't read books about rent boys but I felt like something short and easy for the night and had this downloaded. It was okey I guess and it was nice to read a book that didn't take place in the US for a change.
It was a nice read with not too much emotional drama and likeable characters. Yes, it was a little predictable but it didn't bother me and I liked the stop and go relationship between Maikel and Arjen.
I presume you know what the book is about. I'm letting you know what I liked or disliked about it.
This book was okay - I liked.
This book was okay - I liked.
The two heroes have emotional and sexual needs that aren't being filled until they meet each other.
I was completely enthralled by this jaded journey to love, an unabashed view of the noir side of life and love. No soft,flowery romance here. I enjoyed the unpredictability of this aloof vampire and contemptuous male prostitute, characters whose very different lives become surprisingly similar by comparison, their vulnerability slowly revealed as they forge an unlikely bond.
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It's like a 3.75ish. It stops a few pages short of where I wanted it.
3.5 stars
An interesting premise, didn't quite deliver, but still a good read that I'd recommend.
An interesting premise, didn't quite deliver, but still a good read that I'd recommend.
This is an enjoyable, touching and somewhat different vampire story which is set in historical Amsterdam. The setting was the reason why I wanted to read it after I learned about it from Jenre’s review over at Well Read. And I’m glad I did, it was a very good story. It's not a full-length novel but more like a longer short story (47 pdf pages) and as such it's hardly a fully plotted tale with well-rounded characters, but for its length the heroes are very engaging and the plot is really entertai...more
Although what I would call a short story, I actually enjoyed this one, but and yeah there is one...I would have liked to have read Maikel's point of view in here and not just Arjen's. It still deserved the rating I gave it, but I'll keep my fingers crossed that there'll be a continuation to appease my appetite.
Short but cute love story
Such a touching story and it wasn't over sexed like the usual shorts. Makes me feel somewhat melancholy.
Good read. Liked the setting and the characters were realistic.
Beautifully written!
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