The Viper’s Nest Roadhouse & Cafe

Sam Quinn #6

by Seana Kelly

I’m Sam, the werewolf book nerd owner of The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore & Bar. Clive, Fergus, and I are moving into our new home, the business is going well, and our folly is taking shape. The problem? Clive’s maker Garyn is coming to San Francisco for a visit, and this reunion has been a thousand years in the making. Back then, Garyn was rather put out when Clive accepted the dark kiss and then took off to avenge his sister’s murder. She was looking for a new family. He was looking for lethal skills. And so, Garyn has had plenty of time to align her forces. When her allies begin stepping out of the shadows, Clive’s foundation will be shaken.Stheno and her sisters are adding to their rather impressive portfolio of businesses around the world by acquiring The Viper’s Nest Roadhouse & Café. Medusa found the place when she was visiting San Francisco. A dive bar filled with hot tattooed bikers? Yes, please!Clive and I will need neutral territory for our meeting with Garyn, and a biker bar (& café, Stheno insisted) should fit the bill. I’d assumed my necromancy would give us an advantage. I hadn’t anticipated, though, just how powerful Garyn and her allies were. When the fangs descend and the heads start rolling, it’s going to take every friend we have and a nocturne full of vamps at our backs to even the playing field. Wish us luck. We’re going to need it.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Demons, Shapeshifters

286 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2023

About the author

She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, and one fish. When she's not dodging her family, hiding in the garage and trying to write, she's working as a high school teacher-librarian. She's an avid reader and re-reader who misses her favorite characters when it's been too long between visits.

She's represented by the delightful and effervescent Sarah E. Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency

Reviews

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone has personal favorites and this series is one of mine. It is tightly written and IMHO has just the perfect balance of action, intrigue, romance, and UF awesomeness! I enjoyed every single word and minute I was reading this story. The only downside is Ms. Kelly only publishes one book a year and that is truly a travesty of talent.

[Mary Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Sam and Clive they are so.much fun.

Just because the monsters are out to get you doesn't mean you can't life your best life and that's what Sam Fitzgerald nee Quinn is.doing. For.many years Sam hid herself away, the.survivor of an extremely brutal attack by werewolves where she was kept beaten and tortured as well as being raped, Sam carries the scars of the damage done to.her all.over her body. As a result Sam hides away, when we first meet her she lives and works in her bookstore/bar only leaving when her wolf demands exercise. Then there's Clive, he's the thousand plus year old master vampire of San Francisco and.Sam's protector, he keeps an eye on her and makes sure she's safe. Now six books in Sam's and Clive's lives are totally different (they are married for one thing) Clive has given up his role as master of the San Francisco nocturne and devotes himself to protecting his wife. Sam and Clive have fought off several enemies but no matter what there's always.another big bad coming after them. This time it's Clive's maker a vampire called Garyn, she has been furious with Clive for centuries he walked away from her and no one walks away from Garyn........ Ever....... Now that Clive has married she is on her way to San Fransico , for a visit she says.........nobody believes that. Clive is the.one that got away and she wants him back but more...........she wants to destroy Sam first....It's about to get bloody in San Fransico.as Garyn is not coming alone she's bringing an army with her.......... There's so much tongue in cheek humour in these books I love them..

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun series with shifters, vampires, necromancers, witches, and more. Like most urban fantasy, the Sam Quinn series is best listened to in the order of its release.

Sam, Clive and their dog, Fergus, have recently moved into their new home and the wards are about to be tested. Garyn, Clive’s maker, is expected in San Francisco, but trouble arrives first. Stheno and her sisters have opened the Viper’s Nest Roadhouse & Cafe. Sam and Clive attend opening night as a show of support, but a dead man drained of his blood, have local PD looking at Clive. Then we have vampire battles, and hoards arriving all to support Fergus. Yikes.

Our duo and their friends will be tested and Kelly kept me listening as the action and suspense were never ending from battles to attempted break-ins at their home and bar. It was a barrage of mischief, magic, mayhem, and kickassary. Sam needed to hone all of her skills fast. A character stepped up and surprised us all. It was impressive.

As always, Kelly wrapped things up with just enough of a tease to have me excited for the next audio release. Samantha Desz does the narration and really captures Sam’s spark and Clive’s sensual tones.

Perfect for fans of urban fantasy, paranormal romance and supernatural elements. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[❀⊱RoryReads⊰❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Entertaining as usual. This is my favorite, fun, undemanding, urban fantasy series. On to book 7!

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This is one of my favorites series ( along with Sophie and the Ofd Ones) Sam is back and this time she’s in protector mode. An ancient vampire is in town and seems to be bent on enthralling Clive. Well Sam’s not going to stand for that. Along with old friends and new, the fight is on and it’s epic to have vampires, dwarves, Garvins, Medusa, demons, wolves and more all fighting together against a common enemy. Plus Fergus the bottomless pit is hilarious.

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

More good stuff

This is one of the few authors that I autobuy. This story is a good continuation from before with so much action and lots of character growth. Fun reading.

[charlene ✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars  

★★★★☆

First Read: 3rd October 2022
Second Read: 8th December 2023

The Sam Quinn series reviews: 
#1    The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar: ★★★★★
#2    The Dead Don’t Drink at Lafitte’s: ★★★★★
#3    The Wicche Glass Tavern: ★★★★★
#4    The Hob and Hound Pub: ★★★★☆
#5    Biergarten of the Damned: ★★★★☆
#6    The Viper’s Nest Roadhouse & Cafe: ★★★★☆
#7    The Bloody Ruin Asylum & Taproom: release date: 1st October 2024

Blog ✿ Goodreads ✿ Twitter ✿ Instagram ✿ Pinterest ✿ StoryGraph ✿ Discovery ✿ 

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this series, but this one............OUTSTANDING

[Jeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

More more more

I can feel the ramp up. It's all coming to a head for this arc and gotta say the wait for the next book is going to be painful. BUT! Soooooo worth it.

[Stephaniec · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 5 ⭐️
This series just does it for me, I could nit pick but why? I am entertained and invested from beginning to end. The audio and narration are spot on and make these even better!!!!!!!

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I [am] just a bookish werewolf. Why [do] I seem to attract so much trouble?

The Viper's Nest Roadhouse & Cafe is Stheno's new venture.

“I forget how much I hate working. Times goes by, I get bored, and then I watched you and it seemed like fun, so I suggested our next business venture be a bar. I need to hire people to do this shit so I can just sit in a booth and drink like my sister.”

😆 Stheno cracks me up!

While attending the soft opening, Sam meets Thoth, an interesting God and one that will help her greatly. It's also there that they learn humans are being killed by vampires who are leaving fang marks in their neck, which could draw the attention of humans. Worse, Clive's business card is found on one, so whomever is responsible wants Clive to be implicated.

More worrisome, Garyn, Clive's super old and powerful maker, has just requested to visit Russell's nocturne. With her in town, you know things are about to get dicey. No one could've predicted just how dicey - seems Garyn can and does influence all the vampires in the nocturne including Clive. Thankfully, Sam's able to push off her compulsion and reign Clive in as well as alert Russell and the others to her abilities.

“When you need to protect others, the self-doubt falls away and what is left is a canny warrior. You need to put those skills to work in protecting yourself the way you do others.”

One of Sam's lesser known abilities allows her to learn more about Garyn that she'd like. Will it be enough to stop her and her plan to reclaim what (or who) she wants? Sam's circle has grown exponentially and, when the time comes, she has dragons, gorgons, a wicche, a demon, a fae soldier and countless vampires on her side.

I loved this installment. It was full of great Sam + Clive moments, booknerdery, Sam learning more about her abilities, a new God thrown in the mix and a wackadoo vampire who gets what she deserves and it ain't Clive.


Where do I get my hands of the recipe for Dave’s meringue cookies? Sam's binges created a craving!

Fans of Sam Quinn should also check out:
⧉ The Sea Witch Chronicles (#1 Bewicched) - featuring Arwyn, Sam's Corey wicche cousin
⧉ All I Want for Christmas is a Dragon - featuring Owen, Sam's wicchey friend and the Slaughtered Lamb's manager and George, his dragon-shifter beau
⧉ The Banshee & the Blade - featuring half-demon Dave and his banshee girlfriend Maggie.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m Sam, the werewolf book nerd owner of The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore & Bar. Clive, Fergus, and I are moving into our new home, the business is going well, and our folly is taking shape. The problem? Clive’s maker Garyn is coming to San Francisco for a visit, and this reunion has been a thousand years in the making. Back then, Garyn was rather put out when Clive accepted the dark kiss and then took off to avenge his sister’s murder. She was looking for a new family. He was looking for lethal skills. And so, Garyn has had plenty of time to align her forces. When her allies begin stepping out of the shadows, Clive’s foundation will be shaken.
Stheno and her sisters are adding to their rather impressive portfolio of businesses around the world by acquiring The Viper’s Nest Roadhouse & Café. Medusa found the place when she was visiting San Francisco. A dive bar filled with hot tattooed bikers? Yes, please!
Clive and I will need neutral territory for our meeting with Garyn, and a biker bar (& café, Stheno insisted) should fit the bill. I’d assumed my necromancy would give us an advantage. I hadn’t anticipated, though, just how powerful Garyn and her allies were. When the fangs descend and the heads start rolling, it’s going to take every friend we have and a nocturne full of vamps at our backs to even the playing field. Wish us luck. We’re going to need it.

Heather's Notes
A lot happened in this book. It was really busy. I liked that Sam is not an all powerful girl, but sometimes needs help. I like that Clive lets Sam be Sam but still protects her. I like all the supporting characters. I don't know what about this book doesn't make it a 5 start other than the fact I don't think I will ever read it again. It was a good book, but not a great book in my opinion.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Viper’s Nest Roadhouse & Cafe is the sixth book in the Sam Quinn urban fantasy series about a werewolf, her vampire husband Clive, and their ever-increasing circle of supernatural friends. While the plots of each book do stand alone, the world Kelly has created and the dynamics between the various characters are quite complex so this is a series best read in order I think. I really enjoyed this one as Sam is now fully mastering her various powers and so gets to be a proper badass without always having to be rescued like she did earlier in the series.

Sam and Clive have settled into their new home with their giant puppy Fergus, and all is going well until Clive’s maker Garyn, a thousand plus year old vampire with scary mind control powers, shows up in San Francisco intent on bringing him back into her circle - but why is she so obsessed with him and Sam?

I very rarely buy books these days - with such a huge backlog that I already own, and more ARC opportunities than I could wish for, it’s too hard to justify, but I make an exception for a couple of favourite series and this is one of them. A few books ago I contemplated giving it up, because there was too much focus on the romance and not the action, and they were getting quite repetitive, but Kelly turned it around and now there’s a great blend of intrigue, humour, battle scenes and fun interactions between the very varied array of minor characters. I also appreciate the lack of sex scenes and that they’re not too gory (despite all the vampire decapitations!) I already have the next one lined up so look forward reading it soon.

[Vannessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this next book in this series! It is fast becoming one of my favourite series of the year, especially alongside the spin off series, The Sea Wicche Chronicles.

In this one, Clive's maker, Garyn, decides to come to San Francisco, which makes Clive and Russell thee current Master of the City a little unnerved to say the least. Why is she coming? What does she want? Who does she want?! Everything she does stems from a prophecy she was given hundreds and hundreds of years ago and cannot seem to break loose from it.

With more and more of Garyn's own allies invading their turf, Clive, Sam and Russell work hard with all their other supernatural friends to defend themselves and their city, but with Garyn's vampire severely outnumbering them all, will it be enough? Will they manage to survive?

This was a great read, a real page turner, full of action and constant mayhem! I loved how Sam used her necromancer powers in this one - it definitely helped in the final battle. And Fangorn was back! If only, for a short time. And I loved how everyone came together to stand up against the invasion - not just the vampires, but dragons, demons, gorgons, fae and even Furgus, the dog!

I can't wait to get to the next book in this series now!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will continue to read these books until there are no more in the series. The world and its characters are so fun that I couldn’t stop reading this one (just like the rest!).

This book finally gets to address the business with Clive’s maker, Garyn. We knew she was skulking around and that it would become a point in a future book, but this really spun up quick! They barely have time to visit their under construction “folly” before they are informed that Garyn is showing up for a visit. Should be easy, right? But nothing in Clive and Sam’s lives is ever easy. Turns out, Garyn is not just here for a nice check-in visit, but wants to turn this into an all out war.

How does it all go down? Well, I don’t want to spoil anything too big, but Gary’s powers end up surprising everyone involved. Sam, as usual, is forced to train some more and become an even bigger magical power by the end of all this. There’s lots of battles, powers, magic, mayhem, and alliances thrown into this one. After this fun romp, I’m somehow even more excited about the next book!

[J.S. Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t get enough

I adore this series mostly because most supernaturals are aware of one another. Each mythology is steeped in the rudimentary understanding. Once the world building begins is where the originality takes over. Sam has met yet another God and although this all powerful creature helps her to better shield her mind I feel that this war could have easily been avoided if the God has stepped up and eliminated the threat. However I suppose Gods who have existed since creation cannot get involved in the mundane at a level of extinguishing life or we run into another Noah’s Ark or Sodom & Gomorrah. It’s sort of a hands off the humans who have divine rights to choice, free will.
Other than that inquiry the rest of the novel is filled with camaraderie and love. Sam went from existing on the fringes of her former self to creating bonds and forging friendships across the mythos and I’m thoroughly invested.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things are going really well with Sam (half wicche/half werewolf book nerd & bar owner), Clive (Former Master Vampire of San Francisco) & good doggy Fergus when Russell, new Master of the City hears that Garyn is coming to town.

Garyn is Clive's maker, and a very, very powerful vampire. She is also able to mesmerize vampires and is bat-shit crazy. She's been keeping tabs on Clive for a 1,000 years waiting till he fell in love, so she can stop a prophecy.

Garyn has surrounded herself with yes vampires, so is a lot entitled, and the aforementioned crazy. She thinks she only has to eliminate Sam for Clive to come back to her and all will be right with her world. She has planned everything, however, she has no idea of any of the actual people in Sam & Clive's world ~ the dragons, demon, banshee, wicches, fae, dwarves, Medusa & Sethno, the God Thoth, and plenty of vampires.

As Garyn cannot kill Sam, her henchmen all seem to die trying, this sends her even more crazy.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series and a segue to what comes next

This was an interesting and different book that kind of wraps up the first arc in the series. You could say we’ve finalized the past and are now in the present and taking a look at the future.

Clive’s maker, who is really, really old has come to town and she’s bringing lots of other vamps loyal to her into town also. Sam and Clive can’t figure out what she’s up to but they know it’s not good. As the story develops things become more interesting. This book serves as a nice wrap up to this portion of the story arc and I love the way the author subtly brought it all together. The climactic scene is intense and the ending is sweet. Then at the very end we get the segue to the next book in the series which will take things in a new direction.

I’m looking forward to book 7!

[Fernanda Fatio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. It’s good to see how far Sam has come since the first book. She and Clive make a great couple. I like how he protects her without being overbearing and knows she can protect herself. He doesn’t go all alpha on her because of his own powers/money/age. Strong and independent women who know how to defend themselves and don’t go on stupid brawls to prove a point are my favourite kind of female characters. In this book, we finally see Clive’s creator. She’s manipulative, narcissistic and mentally insane. So, pretty much like some of their old enemies like St. Germaine or Sam’s aunt. I liked how the supernatural powerful ones of San Francisco banded together to kick the vampires’ asses. As the arc finishes, Sam and Clive will travel to Eastern Europe for Clive’s new position. Very curious to see how it will work.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just so much fun to read! You have Sam and Clive settling in, the bookstore doing great, new employee Mary, fitting right in. I really want more with her, she's a spitfire! Now Stheno opening a place near by. The only downer was Clive's maker coming to town and what a shit show that turned out to be. It was hard for Clive, Sam and the other vamps in town to stay on top of them, to stop what was trying to happen. In the end, all the Supernaturals in town had to band together to make sure this threat would go away. It led to a great battle that was so much fun to read about, but it was the aftermath talk where more interesting things happened. It will be fun to see where things go from here for Sam and Clive and everyone else in town.

On a side note, I would love to have a Mermaid Bar in my town, like the one that was talked about, it sounded so cool.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from one of my favorite authors. I can't belive it took me so long to first pick up this series. It kept popping up when I'd search for a new book and I kept skipping over it for whatever reason. My only complaint is how long it takes for the next book to be released. It is always worth the wait though. I even enjoyed her other series with Sam's cousin thankfully the next book in that series should be out soon so I can get a fix. This is an author I will keep reading and rereading.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read this whole series and love it; however, this is where I part ways with Seana Kelly. I noticed that I had it on my DNF shelf and thought that couldn't be so I started it again and now I know why it was on that shelf. I got as far as 59% this time (originally ended at 19%) and am walking away. I love Sam & Clive and their story but it is just getting too farfetched now (even for a fantasy). Part of it could be the narration, the accents are not good and it takes away from the story for me.

[Laura (Kyahgirl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the books in the Sam Quinn series. This one resolved a fairly significant conflict and left the field open for more stories in different directions. That being said, the author is in danger of doing that thing where a main character gets more and more special and imbued with amazing abilities, to the point where its too far fetched. I know, its fantasy, so that sounds like an unfair criticism but that’s just a reaction I have, reading this book.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

misgivings

There is just so much to contend with. I love how Sam is so much more and we read about a GOD. The different supernaturals are amazing and how they support each other is incredible. The world building makes it that much more enjoyable to read. Clyde and Sam have such a beautiful relationship that we all want that. I hope we get to see more sides of that in upcoming books.

[Michelle Rush · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often get bored reading about the same characters for multiple books, but Seana Kelly keeps me hooked on my favorite vampire and werewolf couple!
I would say the steaminess of this book is very low, which says a lot since these books are low on the spicey level.
I did love the storyline and getting to know the characters better and Clyve"s past. I also love the continued growth of Sam.
So 4.5 stars on this one for me.

[Sarah Leenart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has become everything that's good about modern urban fantasy to me and as such is on my auto buy, can be guaranteed to love books. This instalment did not disappoint and I love the feeling of going back to visit with old friends that you get from visiting a favourite series. Sam never has it easy but she does have a strong community and family around her now and I loved every moment of this read.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have so much fun with this series! Sam and Clive are wonderful and I love their relationship. I'm also loving the found family and friends that are growing around them as the series goes on. The banter is hilarious, the action is entertaining and every type of supernatural being you can think of makes an appearance at some in the series. Would highly recommend if you are looking for something fun and entertaining.

[Katie Kissel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit every time I get to the next book I put it off because I really enjoy the series but hate when it gets to a point where the plots from book to book feel the same. But so far I haven’t really felt much of that from this series and have enjoyed all of the various characters and new conflicts. It feels like another level of intrigue or a deeper layer to the mystery and that takes a lot of creativity!

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun-filled, dark adventure. Sometimes she seems a little amiss to me to just slaughter dozens without any doubt, though. Ah well, the epic end battle was that - epic - we had the town supes get involved, not just Russell's smaller nocturne. And Meri in the bookstore with the protective dad is adorable. It seems though next book is way out of town near Transylvania, so I'll see. I'll miss the townsfolk characters.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 as always!

I’m giggling like a school girl after finishing this book. Like always I’m very excited for the next installment and can’t wait to see what awaits our heros. You can never go wrong with a cozy yet exciting paranormal romance. I don’t know how Seana Kelly does it. 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️