What do you think?
Blood Kissed #2
Kiss of Life
The vampire’s curse has been awakened, and Jocelyn has no choice but to accept her destiny as the Blood Kissed—the one destined to destroy the vampires…or rule them. While Max and Chad want to help her reach her full potential, not all of the supernaturals share their plan.
The Council of Elders, a crazed sorcerer assassin, and a vampire hunter out for revenge have driven Jocelyn into hiding. She and her ragtag army have holed up in the forests of Michigan’s upper peninsula to get ready for the fight. If training is any indication, they should be ready for war by the time she turns fifty.
But no one is going to let her wait that long. War is nigh, the death toll is rising, and when Michigan’s most famous harbinger of doom shows up on the scene, the army of the Blood Kissed is hoping for a miracle, praying to be graced with a little kiss of life…
The Council of Elders, a crazed sorcerer assassin, and a vampire hunter out for revenge have driven Jocelyn into hiding. She and her ragtag army have holed up in the forests of Michigan’s upper peninsula to get ready for the fight. If training is any indication, they should be ready for war by the time she turns fifty.
But no one is going to let her wait that long. War is nigh, the death toll is rising, and when Michigan’s most famous harbinger of doom shows up on the scene, the army of the Blood Kissed is hoping for a miracle, praying to be graced with a little kiss of life…
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2015
About the author
Seleste deLaney
21 books112 followersAuthor of speculative romance (aka Julie Particka).
My quirky spy series, Agents of TRAIT, is published by Entangled: GAMING FOR KEEPS, CONNING FOR KEEPS, FIGHTING FOR KEEPS, and DYING FOR KEEPS
My steampunk romance series is from Carina Press: BADLANDS and CLOCKWORK MAFIA.
The Blood Kissed novels (KISS OF DEATH, KISS OF LIFE, and TALES OF THE BLOOD KISSED) are available from Seleste deLaney Books. The short stories that begin the Blood Kissed series (OF COURSE I TRY and THE GHOST OF VAMPIRE PRESENT) are currently out of print. They are included in the TALES anthology)
My short stories YES,ALANA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS; MAKING THE NAUGHTY LIST; and A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS were formerly part of Evernight Publishing's holiday anthologies. In addition, Evernight was the home of the Cupid's Conquests multi-author, shared world series. (GUNSHY--book 1, and LOVE & OTHER INDOOR SPORTS--book 4). All my Evernight titles, however, are currently out of print.
My quirky spy series, Agents of TRAIT, is published by Entangled: GAMING FOR KEEPS, CONNING FOR KEEPS, FIGHTING FOR KEEPS, and DYING FOR KEEPS
My steampunk romance series is from Carina Press: BADLANDS and CLOCKWORK MAFIA.
The Blood Kissed novels (KISS OF DEATH, KISS OF LIFE, and TALES OF THE BLOOD KISSED) are available from Seleste deLaney Books. The short stories that begin the Blood Kissed series (OF COURSE I TRY and THE GHOST OF VAMPIRE PRESENT) are currently out of print. They are included in the TALES anthology)
My short stories YES,ALANA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS; MAKING THE NAUGHTY LIST; and A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS were formerly part of Evernight Publishing's holiday anthologies. In addition, Evernight was the home of the Cupid's Conquests multi-author, shared world series. (GUNSHY--book 1, and LOVE & OTHER INDOOR SPORTS--book 4). All my Evernight titles, however, are currently out of print.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 23, 2015
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be unputdownable. I read over 80% of the book in one sitting.
I only recently received a copy of the first book, Kiss of Death, and I read that book in just a few sittings. At first it seemed a bit disjointed, but that's to be expected when there are so many threads to a story. Characters are introduced at random and you only see a little bit of their point of view before you jump to the next character. Some people might find this off-putting, but I found it fascinating because I didn't know who was who, and how they related to each other, and who was good and who was bad. And at first, you kind of like all of them. So as the story progresses and you start to see who's on whose side, and you decide who you're rooting for, you realize that these characters that you like are sort of the bad guys... and you don't quite know how to feel about it.
Part of the fun for me, when starting a book/series that ends up being so much more complex than what was expected, is learning about what's going on a little bit at a time from different character's points of view. At the start of this second installment in the series, you're up to speed and you know what's going on, so you don't get that disjointed feeling.
I won't go over the synopsis because you can read that above. Instead, I'll try to explain what I liked so much about this story. Sometimes you find a story that's very character driven, and you fall in love with one or more of the characters and you want to see what happens to them in their quest or journey or whatever. Sometimes you fall in love with other aspects of the story such as the setting or the magic... perhaps it's a prophecy that is coming to fruition, or the plots and schemes of the characters that you most enjoy.
This series has all of that. It's got great characters that you love, though they may annoy you with the things they do or say, because who is perfect, right? It's got people that you find slightly terrifying yet endearing, or bad ass, or downright hilarious. And it's got this great depth to the story as deLaney weaves multiple threads together into a great story in a relatively short time. There are various kinds of supernatural creatures, some who may be familiar from other urban fantasy type stories, and some that may be new. Some species have slightly different characteristics and different dynamics in relation to each other and to those of the other species, and there are a few different rules and laws than what you might be used to from other urban fantasy. But none of it is tiresome, none of it seems done to death, if that makes any sense.
Having read a lot of urban fantasy with various kinds of supernatural creatures, I took it in stride that there were was a more supernatural aspect than what I had actually expected when picking up this series. But it was all very enjoyable, and it was very easy to accept some of the changes in different species in the series. For my part, I thought those changes were great, I loved the differences and I thought that they gave this story its own flavor.
One thing that kept me reading the majority of this book in one sitting was that I had! to! know! what was going to happen next... to each of the characters, to the various factions who were working together or struggling against one another, and even to the characters whose loyalties were questionable and whose motives were cloudy and confusing. I've gotta say that I'm impressed at the way it all came together. There were some surprises with certain characters in the way their paths crossed, or merged with, or veered away from that of the main protagonist.
I know that what I'm saying may seem rather vague as I don't talk a lot about the events of the story, I don't talk about pacing or tone, I don't talk about specifics of the story or critique the outcome,... this is because I tend to review a book with the express purpose of relaying how it made me *feel*.
This book made me feel excited.
It made me want to go back and start reading the whole thing all over again.
It made me want more.
I only recently received a copy of the first book, Kiss of Death, and I read that book in just a few sittings. At first it seemed a bit disjointed, but that's to be expected when there are so many threads to a story. Characters are introduced at random and you only see a little bit of their point of view before you jump to the next character. Some people might find this off-putting, but I found it fascinating because I didn't know who was who, and how they related to each other, and who was good and who was bad. And at first, you kind of like all of them. So as the story progresses and you start to see who's on whose side, and you decide who you're rooting for, you realize that these characters that you like are sort of the bad guys... and you don't quite know how to feel about it.
Part of the fun for me, when starting a book/series that ends up being so much more complex than what was expected, is learning about what's going on a little bit at a time from different character's points of view. At the start of this second installment in the series, you're up to speed and you know what's going on, so you don't get that disjointed feeling.
I won't go over the synopsis because you can read that above. Instead, I'll try to explain what I liked so much about this story. Sometimes you find a story that's very character driven, and you fall in love with one or more of the characters and you want to see what happens to them in their quest or journey or whatever. Sometimes you fall in love with other aspects of the story such as the setting or the magic... perhaps it's a prophecy that is coming to fruition, or the plots and schemes of the characters that you most enjoy.
This series has all of that. It's got great characters that you love, though they may annoy you with the things they do or say, because who is perfect, right? It's got people that you find slightly terrifying yet endearing, or bad ass, or downright hilarious. And it's got this great depth to the story as deLaney weaves multiple threads together into a great story in a relatively short time. There are various kinds of supernatural creatures, some who may be familiar from other urban fantasy type stories, and some that may be new. Some species have slightly different characteristics and different dynamics in relation to each other and to those of the other species, and there are a few different rules and laws than what you might be used to from other urban fantasy. But none of it is tiresome, none of it seems done to death, if that makes any sense.
Having read a lot of urban fantasy with various kinds of supernatural creatures, I took it in stride that there were was a more supernatural aspect than what I had actually expected when picking up this series. But it was all very enjoyable, and it was very easy to accept some of the changes in different species in the series. For my part, I thought those changes were great, I loved the differences and I thought that they gave this story its own flavor.
One thing that kept me reading the majority of this book in one sitting was that I had! to! know! what was going to happen next... to each of the characters, to the various factions who were working together or struggling against one another, and even to the characters whose loyalties were questionable and whose motives were cloudy and confusing. I've gotta say that I'm impressed at the way it all came together. There were some surprises with certain characters in the way their paths crossed, or merged with, or veered away from that of the main protagonist.
I know that what I'm saying may seem rather vague as I don't talk a lot about the events of the story, I don't talk about pacing or tone, I don't talk about specifics of the story or critique the outcome,... this is because I tend to review a book with the express purpose of relaying how it made me *feel*.
This book made me feel excited.
It made me want to go back and start reading the whole thing all over again.
It made me want more.
May 22, 2017
Oh lord I think i'm going to lose my mind. Everything is happening to fast. Jocelyn has the weight of the world on her shoulder, Max and Chad are driving her insane with the pissing contest. Max was kidnapped by the sorcerer. Jocelyn wants to save Max no needs to save Max. Chad doesn't think its a good idea. Jocelyn tells him you are my shoulder and didn't let you die, I had Max get you and bring you here. So we are going to do the same for max. I just love Jocelyn, she is strong, she loves hard and has good heart. She made a deal with Remy to find Max he can have a taste of her blood. They are at a camp area her grand mother left her. She has some fairies, werewolves, vampires. There is even a hunter that wants to kill the vampires. Since Jocelyn,Max and Chad had killed her brother so now she is out for revenge. Jocelyn is having such a hard time. She doesn't know if she can do this and who to trust. Her feelings for Max and Chad are so confusing. Im hoping she goes for Max. His love is pure. Chad i'm not sure about yet, Thanks to united indie book blog for allowing me to review this book.
May 31, 2017
What a tremendous and exciting story! More than once I found myself talking out loud, wondering about what would happen next and about why a character was doing what they were. Remy is one of the most diabolical vampires I've ever met. I keep asking myself where his game is and I hope he gets what's coming to him. All the characters are so human in spite of their supernatural natures, and I find myself genuinely concerned with their welfare. What 's next for the Blood Kissed, Jocelyn, and her friends and allies? I will be diving into the next book so I don't have to wait too long to find out.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2017
Loved it! This is the second book in the series. Kiss of Life continues Kiss of Death and the two books should really be read in order so you don't get lost and confused. In this book you get more of Jocelyn, Chad, and Max. What a tremendous and exciting story! I can't wait to read your next story in this series. You won't be disappointed in this one. Keep up the great work! I highly recommend this series to anyone that loves reading PNR.
Review by Chantelle
Review by Chantelle
July 13, 2017
Loved it!! I've reviewed this book got United Indie Book Blog. This is the second book in the series. Kiss of Life continues Kiss of Death and the two books should really be read in order so you don't get lost and confused. In this book you get more of Jocelyn, Chad, and Max. What a tremendous and exciting story! I can't wait to read your next story in this series. You won't be disappointed in this one. Keep up the great work! I highly recommend this series to anyone that loves reading PNR.
March 2, 2017
There is a lot going on in this second book in the series. There continue to be tough choices for her and losses. I do really like that you get so many different points of view. I prefer getting that more intimate perspective on the characters. It makes me feel more connected to them and the story.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
February 22, 2015
3.5 stars
Jocelyn has been training for 7 months, and raising an army of separate groups of supernaturals. She's also been avoiding Chad and Max, and they have been behaving and working hard as her generals. A supernatural war is on the horizon along with so much more in the works. The newest member of their cause, the Nain Rouge. But is it good or bad to have him on their side? Remy, a rock star elder vampire, has his own plans which stirs things up faster. The sorcerer Jocelyn, Chad, and Max tangled with before wants his revenge. Someone is attacking those close to Jocelyn to draw her out in the open.
The first third or so of the book is from different point of views. I didn't feel invested in anyone fully until about 35% into the book. Another thing I felt was the author seemed to be pushing to tell us there were characters up to no good and direction others like puppets. A few comments would have been good, then let it shack out for the reader, which it did do after the beginning.
Then something clicked for me and it took off. All ironed out and flowed smoother for me. The characters started to come together, in good and bad ways, and I started to want to read the characters more and what was to come from the attacks and the pending war. I wanted to see each side as to if they would live, find love, and what would happen next to drive them over the edge.
The different point of views we get are from Remy, Jocelyn, Chad, Max, Dominick (a Vampire Elder), Pierre Maisson (an assassin among the supernatural), Logan (a werewolf on Jocelyn's team), and Vianco Nago (A Hunter of vampires). All these characters show all the works and strings that each player in the story is pulling to drive the world and characters. So many events in the works.
Don't let this discourage you. This is a great way to see it all as it's happening. And you'll want to know. The small quirks that I felt early on in the story will NOT stop me from continuing with this series. I love the world and the romance here in Jocelyn's story.
Each character has their own personal baggage along with the supernatural baggage of the world where different beings don't easily blend and work together. Things are moving forward and Jocelyn is trying to pull as many elements into her army as possible to fight the powerful Elders of the Vampires. This draws a bigger world of supernatural and beliefs by bringing these beings together and seeing how they react.
There is romance here, a blooming one along with the heat of those familiar. Jocelyn is still battling herself in need to make a choice. Events bring her closer to her men, then also pull her away. It's hard in a time of war and conniving others work against her for their own benefits.
At the end... oh my! Where the characters end... Gah! I am curious and want to see what is next with all of them. ALL of them. lol.
Jocelyn has been training for 7 months, and raising an army of separate groups of supernaturals. She's also been avoiding Chad and Max, and they have been behaving and working hard as her generals. A supernatural war is on the horizon along with so much more in the works. The newest member of their cause, the Nain Rouge. But is it good or bad to have him on their side? Remy, a rock star elder vampire, has his own plans which stirs things up faster. The sorcerer Jocelyn, Chad, and Max tangled with before wants his revenge. Someone is attacking those close to Jocelyn to draw her out in the open.
The first third or so of the book is from different point of views. I didn't feel invested in anyone fully until about 35% into the book. Another thing I felt was the author seemed to be pushing to tell us there were characters up to no good and direction others like puppets. A few comments would have been good, then let it shack out for the reader, which it did do after the beginning.
Then something clicked for me and it took off. All ironed out and flowed smoother for me. The characters started to come together, in good and bad ways, and I started to want to read the characters more and what was to come from the attacks and the pending war. I wanted to see each side as to if they would live, find love, and what would happen next to drive them over the edge.
The different point of views we get are from Remy, Jocelyn, Chad, Max, Dominick (a Vampire Elder), Pierre Maisson (an assassin among the supernatural), Logan (a werewolf on Jocelyn's team), and Vianco Nago (A Hunter of vampires). All these characters show all the works and strings that each player in the story is pulling to drive the world and characters. So many events in the works.
Don't let this discourage you. This is a great way to see it all as it's happening. And you'll want to know. The small quirks that I felt early on in the story will NOT stop me from continuing with this series. I love the world and the romance here in Jocelyn's story.
Each character has their own personal baggage along with the supernatural baggage of the world where different beings don't easily blend and work together. Things are moving forward and Jocelyn is trying to pull as many elements into her army as possible to fight the powerful Elders of the Vampires. This draws a bigger world of supernatural and beliefs by bringing these beings together and seeing how they react.
There is romance here, a blooming one along with the heat of those familiar. Jocelyn is still battling herself in need to make a choice. Events bring her closer to her men, then also pull her away. It's hard in a time of war and conniving others work against her for their own benefits.
At the end... oh my! Where the characters end... Gah! I am curious and want to see what is next with all of them. ALL of them. lol.
February 28, 2015
I received an ARC copy of this book in return for a honest review. And I can honestly say I enjoyed this more than the first book in this series, Kiss of Death, and I loved the first book, and even though I haven't read the novellas of Course I Try and The Ghost of Vampire Present I'm really excited to read those when they come out in an anthology later on.
For those who haven't read Kiss of Death, I highly recommend reading it first as there is some important character development and storyline you need to understand first. This book takes place several months after the events at the end of Kiss of Death and Jocelyn Max and Chad have started to build their ragtag army and we are introduced to some new characters as well as learning more about characters we THOUGHT we knew. And yes there is a lot more Remy and his devilish deliciousness!
Of course things have only really started in this new bloody world, the sorcerer, you may remember him and know who I mean without giving much away is back in the picture, as well as the dreaded council. and I do admit there may be a few things that you may find hard to read, that will definitely bring tears to your eyes, but every bit of sorrow brings more to this story and we see growth in most importantly Jocelyn and even Chad. I love Max but we even get more of a hint as to why he is the way he is in relation to Remy. But sometimes we seem to get more questions than answers but hell, it has been a very enjoyable read. So read it, I know I will, again and again before the release of the next title Kiss of Eternity in 2016.
For those who haven't read Kiss of Death, I highly recommend reading it first as there is some important character development and storyline you need to understand first. This book takes place several months after the events at the end of Kiss of Death and Jocelyn Max and Chad have started to build their ragtag army and we are introduced to some new characters as well as learning more about characters we THOUGHT we knew. And yes there is a lot more Remy and his devilish deliciousness!
Of course things have only really started in this new bloody world, the sorcerer, you may remember him and know who I mean without giving much away is back in the picture, as well as the dreaded council. and I do admit there may be a few things that you may find hard to read, that will definitely bring tears to your eyes, but every bit of sorrow brings more to this story and we see growth in most importantly Jocelyn and even Chad. I love Max but we even get more of a hint as to why he is the way he is in relation to Remy. But sometimes we seem to get more questions than answers but hell, it has been a very enjoyable read. So read it, I know I will, again and again before the release of the next title Kiss of Eternity in 2016.
February 17, 2015
I have to admit it has been a long time since I've read Kiss of Death and I did not think to re-read it before this so I honestly was a bit lost because apparently my brain doesn't hold a lot of information (I blame that on my day job, I have lots to remember in that). As lost as I was at the beginning, I still liked the book. As a big Sel advocate, I've missed her writing so I'm just happy when I get to read something from her.
This is the lead up and start of the big war between vampires and Jocelyn's army. The story is narrated from lots of different view points - Jocelyn, Chad, Logan and Remy (maybe another person that I just can't remember right now?), and I have to say I found it confusing to keep up. Most books I've read with different POVs have the chapter break as the switch over and/or have the character name at the start of the section. It's easy enough to figure out the POV quickly enough but there was a lot of switching in short periods and I just found it difficult to read smoothly.
Sadly, I think this is my least favourite of the series so far. I found it hard to get into and keep going. I will continue to read this series despite this being my least favourite.
This is the lead up and start of the big war between vampires and Jocelyn's army. The story is narrated from lots of different view points - Jocelyn, Chad, Logan and Remy (maybe another person that I just can't remember right now?), and I have to say I found it confusing to keep up. Most books I've read with different POVs have the chapter break as the switch over and/or have the character name at the start of the section. It's easy enough to figure out the POV quickly enough but there was a lot of switching in short periods and I just found it difficult to read smoothly.
Sadly, I think this is my least favourite of the series so far. I found it hard to get into and keep going. I will continue to read this series despite this being my least favourite.
April 21, 2017
In this second book of the Blood Kissed series, we find Jocelyn, Chad, and Max along with a number of other supernaturals including a poison arrow wielding pixie in their supernatual hidey hole. Where is that? What is going on there? Who is Logan? What happens when his father shows up? Who is Layla? Who or what is the Nain Rouge? What does that mean? Why does he show up at the hidey hole? What happens when he does? What does Max think his appearance means? What end game does Remus seem to be playing in this book? What does Pierre do? Why? What is the result when Jocelyn figures out what is happening? Who is Vianca, what does she do for a living, and why is she being held prisoner now in the hidey hole? What happens that she considers Logan a liar when he goes in to get her out for food? You're going to have to read this book to find out what exactly is going on and why and how they work to combat it. There is a bit of a cliff hanger to this book, even though it is not a cliff hanger. Just know it is very action packed right before the end.
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews