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Vampires of the Caribbean
Dead men DO tell tales!
There’s no need to dig for treasure in this anthology of 13 short stories by today’s hottest fantasy authors. Stories
In Which An Undead Finds Himself At Sea (In More Ways Than One) A Story of the Draculia Vampires by Colleen Gleason – The year 1802. When sexy, undead Raine St. Albans goes off to the Caribbean on a mission to try and thwart an evil vampire, he finds himself at the mercy of the female pirate captain Arial Bonny…in more ways than one.
A Vampire’s Life for Me by Nikki Jefford - Fane Donado’s always been a grab life by the teeth kind of vampire. When his alluring friend Cassie requests help investigating suspicious vamp deaths in the Caribbean Islands, Fane hops the first plane down. Playing Sherlock Holmes isn’t half as enticing as convincing Cassie to break her number one rule of not dating other vampires. But if it’s true that a vampire hunter’s trolling the islands, they’re all at risk.
Someday My Count Will Come by C. Gockel –Dare is an ancient Night Elf keeping secrets from his own kind and seeking a Night Elf that has gone renegade. Penny is only twenty-four, seeking her lost sister, and hiding a secret as well. To save themselves, and save Dare’s people, they might have to risk letting their secrets go.
No Scions for Old Men by Courtney Sloan – Vampire Queen Esme holds a treasure too tempting for any to pass up. But when a group of South Americans crash onto the island, dragging an entire pirate fleet behind them, Esme must decide if a few refugee souls are worth the destruction of her people’s way of life.
Midnight Escape by Jennifer Blackstream– Where do vampires send their criminals? Paradise.
Out for Blood, by Hailey Edwards - White sand beaches, fresh tropical drinks…and three exsanguinated bodies. So much for Marshal Ayer’s transfer to the island of St. Kitts being a vacation.
Enzili by Mark Henwick - Will Charles Tynes be able to face the true horror that lurks beneath the bright Caribbean sun?
Consume by Charity Parkerson - Jonathan thinks Cin is too perfect to be real. He’s right.
Dawn’s Justice by Phaedra Weldon – A message claiming Robert Guillot is not dead but alive in Havana, starts Solange on her own personal journey to learn the truth about what happened to her secret lover. But will she find him before his scheming sister and overly kind uncle do?
Ship of the Dead by Debra Dunbar - Adeyemi leads a band of rebel Maroons in the mountains of Haiti, but one by one his men are found dead. Are the killings somehow related to the eight strangers that arrived from France on a ship where nearly all of the crew are dead?
There’s no need to dig for treasure in this anthology of 13 short stories by today’s hottest fantasy authors. Stories
In Which An Undead Finds Himself At Sea (In More Ways Than One) A Story of the Draculia Vampires by Colleen Gleason – The year 1802. When sexy, undead Raine St. Albans goes off to the Caribbean on a mission to try and thwart an evil vampire, he finds himself at the mercy of the female pirate captain Arial Bonny…in more ways than one.
A Vampire’s Life for Me by Nikki Jefford - Fane Donado’s always been a grab life by the teeth kind of vampire. When his alluring friend Cassie requests help investigating suspicious vamp deaths in the Caribbean Islands, Fane hops the first plane down. Playing Sherlock Holmes isn’t half as enticing as convincing Cassie to break her number one rule of not dating other vampires. But if it’s true that a vampire hunter’s trolling the islands, they’re all at risk.
Someday My Count Will Come by C. Gockel –Dare is an ancient Night Elf keeping secrets from his own kind and seeking a Night Elf that has gone renegade. Penny is only twenty-four, seeking her lost sister, and hiding a secret as well. To save themselves, and save Dare’s people, they might have to risk letting their secrets go.
No Scions for Old Men by Courtney Sloan – Vampire Queen Esme holds a treasure too tempting for any to pass up. But when a group of South Americans crash onto the island, dragging an entire pirate fleet behind them, Esme must decide if a few refugee souls are worth the destruction of her people’s way of life.
Midnight Escape by Jennifer Blackstream– Where do vampires send their criminals? Paradise.
Out for Blood, by Hailey Edwards - White sand beaches, fresh tropical drinks…and three exsanguinated bodies. So much for Marshal Ayer’s transfer to the island of St. Kitts being a vacation.
Enzili by Mark Henwick - Will Charles Tynes be able to face the true horror that lurks beneath the bright Caribbean sun?
Consume by Charity Parkerson - Jonathan thinks Cin is too perfect to be real. He’s right.
Dawn’s Justice by Phaedra Weldon – A message claiming Robert Guillot is not dead but alive in Havana, starts Solange on her own personal journey to learn the truth about what happened to her secret lover. But will she find him before his scheming sister and overly kind uncle do?
Ship of the Dead by Debra Dunbar - Adeyemi leads a band of rebel Maroons in the mountains of Haiti, but one by one his men are found dead. Are the killings somehow related to the eight strangers that arrived from France on a ship where nearly all of the crew are dead?
530 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2017
27 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Debra Dunbar
90 books1,277 followersDebra lives in a little house in the woods in Maryland with three sons, and a Noah’s ark of four legged family members. She has a corporate job during the day, and writes novels at night, after the kids are tucked in bed.
She drives an Excursion affectionately called The Beast, couldn’t carry a tune if you duct taped it to her back, and enjoys an occasional cosmopolitan (heavy on the vodka). On a good day, she jogs and horseback rides, hopefully managing to keep the horse between herself and the ground.
Her only known super power is ‘Identify Roadkill’.
She drives an Excursion affectionately called The Beast, couldn’t carry a tune if you duct taped it to her back, and enjoys an occasional cosmopolitan (heavy on the vodka). On a good day, she jogs and horseback rides, hopefully managing to keep the horse between herself and the ground.
Her only known super power is ‘Identify Roadkill’.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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March 19, 2017No rating at this point, as I've only read the novella penned by Debra Dunbar. Ship of the Dead is a prequel to her Templar series and centers around the first, struggling Balaj in the new world - and Adeyemi, who has taken another name by the time a certain Templar girl walks into his un-life. I rate Ship of the Dead 3,5 - 3,75 stars.
March 15, 2017
Review of one story. 5/5 stars for Nikki Jefford's A Vampire's Life for Me. Fane Donado’s always been a grab life by the teeth kind of vampire. When his alluring friend Cassie requests help investigating suspicious vamp deaths in the Caribbean Islands, Fane hops the first plane down. Playing Sherlock Holmes. But if it’s true that a vampire hunter’s trolling the islands, they’re all at risk. Its a nice prequel of the Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter series by Nikki Jefford. It can be read as a stand alone. Nikki is one of my favorite author so when I heard that there was going a short story about Fane I had to read it! I was happy with the adventure in the Caribbean its a nice contrast with Alaska. In the end it left you wanting to know more about the Vampire life Nikki has created. If you want to know more about Joss and Fane, its a must read Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter book 1 You are in for a fantastic story!!!
April 4, 2017
So far I have read 2 of these stories and will come along and add to my review as I read more of them.
Enzili by Mark Henwick
I am a HUGE fan of Mark Henwick's Athanate world (also the reason I bought this book) and this was an intriguing little side line into the past. One can only imagine how life would have been in the emerging Americas a few hundred years ago. What we have here is lush imagery and a harsh reality check that is most certainly not romantic. Beautiful yet brutal, this world brought into account what life would have been like for an Athanate. (vampire if you like) It caught me by surprise, for a short story this had many layers. Enjoyable.
A Vampire's life for me by Nikki Jefford
I have long had this author on my list to be read, but I most certainly must move her up. Light, fun and entertaining, this felt like an introduction to an intriguing world that I would most certainly enjoy. I could feel the fun and heat off the page, with the handsome, daring and adventure seeking Fane. I shall read more.
Enzili by Mark Henwick
I am a HUGE fan of Mark Henwick's Athanate world (also the reason I bought this book) and this was an intriguing little side line into the past. One can only imagine how life would have been in the emerging Americas a few hundred years ago. What we have here is lush imagery and a harsh reality check that is most certainly not romantic. Beautiful yet brutal, this world brought into account what life would have been like for an Athanate. (vampire if you like) It caught me by surprise, for a short story this had many layers. Enjoyable.
A Vampire's life for me by Nikki Jefford
I have long had this author on my list to be read, but I most certainly must move her up. Light, fun and entertaining, this felt like an introduction to an intriguing world that I would most certainly enjoy. I could feel the fun and heat off the page, with the handsome, daring and adventure seeking Fane. I shall read more.
Want to read
March 6, 2017(Review of one story. Not giving the collection an official star rating until I finish reading them all.)
4/5 stars for Nikki Jefford's A Vampire's Life for Me.
Having read the first two books in Jefford’s Aurora Sky series, it was a nice surprise to see that she wrote a prequel story for the anthology Vampires of the Caribbean. I really enjoy the world she’s built with the series, and getting a chance to jump back into it for a quick read was a pleasure.
Even if I hadn’t read books within the series before reading this story, I think it would have been just as enjoyable. There’s enough world building to taste what kind of vampires Jefford writes. And characters, while some are already familiar to me, were given descriptions enough to enjoy them, want to read more about them, and enjoy this short trip to the Caribbean with them.
I really felt the island vibe with Jefford’s descriptions. I got to know Fane more, which as a fan, I appreciate. And while the end was a little abrupt for me, even being a short story, it does play as a good prequel to the much more developed series of novels that is Aurora Sky.
4/5 stars for Nikki Jefford's A Vampire's Life for Me.
Having read the first two books in Jefford’s Aurora Sky series, it was a nice surprise to see that she wrote a prequel story for the anthology Vampires of the Caribbean. I really enjoy the world she’s built with the series, and getting a chance to jump back into it for a quick read was a pleasure.
Even if I hadn’t read books within the series before reading this story, I think it would have been just as enjoyable. There’s enough world building to taste what kind of vampires Jefford writes. And characters, while some are already familiar to me, were given descriptions enough to enjoy them, want to read more about them, and enjoy this short trip to the Caribbean with them.
I really felt the island vibe with Jefford’s descriptions. I got to know Fane more, which as a fan, I appreciate. And while the end was a little abrupt for me, even being a short story, it does play as a good prequel to the much more developed series of novels that is Aurora Sky.
March 7, 2017
I received an advanced readers copy of this collection of stories in return for a honest review.
With that being said, rating collections are pretty hard. Instead of giving an over-all rating below I will review each story individually; as I finish reading them.
5/5 stars- A Vampire's Life for Me By-Nikki Jefford. If you have never read any of Nikki's books before I implore you to do so! She is the reason I wanted to read this collection of short stories, and her 5 chapter story did not disappoint! This story is a prequel to her Aurora Sky series. The best part is you can read this without even knowing about the series this is based off of, and it still makes sense. In this short prequel we hear from Fane (sexy Italian vampire) before he and Joss went to Alaska. There have been reports of fellow vampires being killed, so he and Joss travel to the Caribbean to find out what's going on, meet up with an old friend, and party of course. I hope that she continues Fane's tale through his narration. I will NEVER get enough of Joss and Fane.
2/5 stars- In Which an Undead Finds Himself at Sea (In More Ways Than One) A story of Draculia VampiresBy-Colleen Gleason. This was my first time reading any of her work and I was unimpressed. All elements to a good romance story are in here; 1). Sexy, gets what he wants, vampire Raine. 2). Strong female pirate Captain Arial, with a secret of her own 3). Sexual tension 4). An adventure plot. Yet somehow I was hoping this short story would end sooner. The sensual scenes were the best part of this short story, but I found the rest of the dialogue lacking. Yes I know this is a nit-picky review of just a few chapters of a story, but I guess it was just not for me.
With that being said, rating collections are pretty hard. Instead of giving an over-all rating below I will review each story individually; as I finish reading them.
5/5 stars- A Vampire's Life for Me By-Nikki Jefford. If you have never read any of Nikki's books before I implore you to do so! She is the reason I wanted to read this collection of short stories, and her 5 chapter story did not disappoint! This story is a prequel to her Aurora Sky series. The best part is you can read this without even knowing about the series this is based off of, and it still makes sense. In this short prequel we hear from Fane (sexy Italian vampire) before he and Joss went to Alaska. There have been reports of fellow vampires being killed, so he and Joss travel to the Caribbean to find out what's going on, meet up with an old friend, and party of course. I hope that she continues Fane's tale through his narration. I will NEVER get enough of Joss and Fane.
2/5 stars- In Which an Undead Finds Himself at Sea (In More Ways Than One) A story of Draculia VampiresBy-Colleen Gleason. This was my first time reading any of her work and I was unimpressed. All elements to a good romance story are in here; 1). Sexy, gets what he wants, vampire Raine. 2). Strong female pirate Captain Arial, with a secret of her own 3). Sexual tension 4). An adventure plot. Yet somehow I was hoping this short story would end sooner. The sensual scenes were the best part of this short story, but I found the rest of the dialogue lacking. Yes I know this is a nit-picky review of just a few chapters of a story, but I guess it was just not for me.
March 15, 2017
Vampires of the Caribbean a Five-star filled read. This an amazing anthology filled with great authors, I was desperate to read the stories by Nikki Jefford and Hailey Edwards as I have read the series that their characters appear in and already loved them. I especially loved their stories and was pleasantly surprised by most of the other stories.
In which the undead finds himself at sea (In more ways than one) – A story of Draculia vampires by Colleen Gleason. Raine St. Albans, Lord Norrington had been sent on a fools mission, he needs to find something and he need the help of Captain Arial Bonny is the Pirate that rules the Black Lass with great force, she is the Pirate most other pirates are afraid of and St. Albans is at her mercy, will he survive.
A Vampires life for me – Nikki Jefford – Francesco ‘Fane’ Donado is a living it large Italian Vampire, he has an unlikely ‘best friend/non-sexual life partner’ in Joss, who lives in books. (Kinda why I love him as much as I heart Fane) they go to the Caribbean to help an old friend Cassie while she tries to find out who is killing vamps in the islands. Fane thinks he can go all Sherlock Holmes and solve the case, as well as get into Cassie’s pants. Both seem unlikely in the fact she doesn’t date her own kind, and the hunter is playing a very deceptive game. I loved how we get to see Fane before Alaska, before he becomes the Fane I know and love from the Aurora Sky series. This was definitely one of the best stories included.
No Scions for old men by Courtney Sloan - Vampire Queen Esme holds a treasure that many a pirate wants. Will she be able to keep hold?
Midnight Escape by Jennifer Blackstream – When vampires send their criminals to an island that’s called Paradise you would imagine something different, when Brea needs to find something, she needs the help of an old foe, and maybe she realises that not all is as it seems and paradise is what you make it.
Out for Blood by Hailey Edwards – Marshal Ayers is one of the hottest half vampires around, especially when he is in great needs of a vacation and being sent to St Barts is supposed to be a sort of working holiday, get some rest, do a little work. That is until things start to go wrong and he needs to step it up.
I could go on and on with a little about the stories, I have written about the ones I liked most and felt deserved five whole starts, the others were all great, but these were definitely the best of the bunch.
In which the undead finds himself at sea (In more ways than one) – A story of Draculia vampires by Colleen Gleason. Raine St. Albans, Lord Norrington had been sent on a fools mission, he needs to find something and he need the help of Captain Arial Bonny is the Pirate that rules the Black Lass with great force, she is the Pirate most other pirates are afraid of and St. Albans is at her mercy, will he survive.
A Vampires life for me – Nikki Jefford – Francesco ‘Fane’ Donado is a living it large Italian Vampire, he has an unlikely ‘best friend/non-sexual life partner’ in Joss, who lives in books. (Kinda why I love him as much as I heart Fane) they go to the Caribbean to help an old friend Cassie while she tries to find out who is killing vamps in the islands. Fane thinks he can go all Sherlock Holmes and solve the case, as well as get into Cassie’s pants. Both seem unlikely in the fact she doesn’t date her own kind, and the hunter is playing a very deceptive game. I loved how we get to see Fane before Alaska, before he becomes the Fane I know and love from the Aurora Sky series. This was definitely one of the best stories included.
No Scions for old men by Courtney Sloan - Vampire Queen Esme holds a treasure that many a pirate wants. Will she be able to keep hold?
Midnight Escape by Jennifer Blackstream – When vampires send their criminals to an island that’s called Paradise you would imagine something different, when Brea needs to find something, she needs the help of an old foe, and maybe she realises that not all is as it seems and paradise is what you make it.
Out for Blood by Hailey Edwards – Marshal Ayers is one of the hottest half vampires around, especially when he is in great needs of a vacation and being sent to St Barts is supposed to be a sort of working holiday, get some rest, do a little work. That is until things start to go wrong and he needs to step it up.
I could go on and on with a little about the stories, I have written about the ones I liked most and felt deserved five whole starts, the others were all great, but these were definitely the best of the bunch.
September 20, 2025
This one was stuck in my TBR for the longest time and honestly should have stayed stuck 😭 It took me 10 days to convince myself to finish it and I'm soooo disappointed overall by it! I read it because it features a story by Hailey Edwards and I've read other anthologies with her stories and that title seemed fun!
Little did I know how horny this book was going to be 💀 I barely survived the first two stories which were 90% lust and 10% maybe plot. The rest was a lot better but still I did not sign up for that! There were only two or three stories that didn't have explicit sex happening in the pages and this honestly bored me so much. I'm into fantasy for the plot not to read erotica.
Anyway that's not even the worst part. That is saved for the fact that only a few of the stories were working as standalones, all others were obviously a sample, a prequel or a short story created to be a filler in-between longer novels.
So we have abrupt endings just when you want to know more about the story, or hastily explained world mechanics, as well as cameos by characters which we obviously have to know already (but we don't so it's awkward like meeting someone for the third time while you couldn't remember their name).
So overall - I'm regretting picking this one up. I'm still giving it 2 stars for the vast variation of styles, inclusive couples, some truly interesting stories hiding underneath all of that smut and the fact that I managed to finish this collection. But unless you're really into vampire erotica I wouldn't recommend that book.
Little did I know how horny this book was going to be 💀 I barely survived the first two stories which were 90% lust and 10% maybe plot. The rest was a lot better but still I did not sign up for that! There were only two or three stories that didn't have explicit sex happening in the pages and this honestly bored me so much. I'm into fantasy for the plot not to read erotica.
Anyway that's not even the worst part. That is saved for the fact that only a few of the stories were working as standalones, all others were obviously a sample, a prequel or a short story created to be a filler in-between longer novels.
So we have abrupt endings just when you want to know more about the story, or hastily explained world mechanics, as well as cameos by characters which we obviously have to know already (but we don't so it's awkward like meeting someone for the third time while you couldn't remember their name).
So overall - I'm regretting picking this one up. I'm still giving it 2 stars for the vast variation of styles, inclusive couples, some truly interesting stories hiding underneath all of that smut and the fact that I managed to finish this collection. But unless you're really into vampire erotica I wouldn't recommend that book.
March 16, 2017
Vampires of the Caribbean by Nikki Jefford
Vampires of the Caribbean is a collection of shorter stories by a group of authors with great imaginations. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This book covers many different kinds of Vampires, from many different backgrounds thanks to the variety of contributing authors.
I personally loved Nikki Jefford’s contribution, A Vampire’s Life for Me, because it gives the reader a little bit of Fane’s life pre-Alaska. It was cool to see a different side of him when he’s not being influenced by Aurora Sky or the red headed she devil, Valerie. They go on a little adventure investigating the recent deaths of several vampires in the area and we get to see plenty of Fane’s sense of humor even if some of the people around him don’t necessarily appreciate it. We also get a glimpse into Joss’s background, though not much.
Overall, this is a great anthology. There is a little bit of something for every vampire lover out there and I can’t argue with the tropical settings! Each author has plenty to bring to the table to make you want to keep turning those pages to find out what happens next. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a variety of Vampire mythologies.
Vampires of the Caribbean is a collection of shorter stories by a group of authors with great imaginations. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This book covers many different kinds of Vampires, from many different backgrounds thanks to the variety of contributing authors.
I personally loved Nikki Jefford’s contribution, A Vampire’s Life for Me, because it gives the reader a little bit of Fane’s life pre-Alaska. It was cool to see a different side of him when he’s not being influenced by Aurora Sky or the red headed she devil, Valerie. They go on a little adventure investigating the recent deaths of several vampires in the area and we get to see plenty of Fane’s sense of humor even if some of the people around him don’t necessarily appreciate it. We also get a glimpse into Joss’s background, though not much.
Overall, this is a great anthology. There is a little bit of something for every vampire lover out there and I can’t argue with the tropical settings! Each author has plenty to bring to the table to make you want to keep turning those pages to find out what happens next. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a variety of Vampire mythologies.
May 7, 2017
I have read Colleen Gleason, Debra Dunbar and C. Gockel and they are excellent authors. I enjoyed reading most of the stories and bought the book because Debra Dunbar and C. Gockel are two of my favorite authors.But if I had know there were stories about gays I would not have bought the book. I believe gays are entitled to their lives BUT I do not want to read stories involving gays or sexual encounters of them.
March 16, 2017
This anthology of short stories is amazing. Who wouldn’t want to read about Vampires in the Caribbean? The authors out did themselves. Nikki Jefford’s story, “A Vampire’s Life for Me” was so much fun to read. I love this version of Fane. The story itself was so interesting and gave a little insight of what was going on in Fane’s life prior to Alaska. I feel like I got a whole other side of Fane. C. Gockel’s story “Someday My Count Will Come” starts with a bang – so much going on right away that it will suck you in. Overall the anthology of “Vampires of the Caribbean” of 10 short stories are fun, quick stories to read. I highly recommend it.
March 17, 2017
Good prequel to dip your toe in
I bought this anthology because of Nikki Jefford's A Vampires Life for me staring Fane. I thoroughly enjoyed the prequel and to see what transpired, prior to meeting him and Joss in Alaska.
It was interesting to read the other authors' take on Vampires too. Each seems to have a different idea of what Vampires are and how they came to be. Most stories also seem to be prequels to their own series.
I bought this anthology because of Nikki Jefford's A Vampires Life for me staring Fane. I thoroughly enjoyed the prequel and to see what transpired, prior to meeting him and Joss in Alaska.
It was interesting to read the other authors' take on Vampires too. Each seems to have a different idea of what Vampires are and how they came to be. Most stories also seem to be prequels to their own series.
March 16, 2017
What a great idea for an anthology. If you love pirates and
vampires, then these stories are perfect for you. I totally loved
A Vampire's Life For Me by Nikki Jefford. I love Fane and this story
about him was amazing and fun. I would definitely recommend
this story and all of the others, to everyone. You will not be disappointed.
vampires, then these stories are perfect for you. I totally loved
A Vampire's Life For Me by Nikki Jefford. I love Fane and this story
about him was amazing and fun. I would definitely recommend
this story and all of the others, to everyone. You will not be disappointed.
March 16, 2017
Review for Consume by Charity Parkerson
“Nothing tasted better than his man turned on.”
Smexxy vamps are my fav, and I devoured this short by Charity Parkerson. “I’m about to kiss you…” Cin lives up to his name and his tale is swoon worthy! This is an introduction to what I hope to be an ongoing series! If you luvs your vamps hawt, then be sure to snag this collection! I can’t wait to read the rest!
“Nothing tasted better than his man turned on.”
Smexxy vamps are my fav, and I devoured this short by Charity Parkerson. “I’m about to kiss you…” Cin lives up to his name and his tale is swoon worthy! This is an introduction to what I hope to be an ongoing series! If you luvs your vamps hawt, then be sure to snag this collection! I can’t wait to read the rest!
April 9, 2017
I like these anthologies for a chance to discover new authors. I did not love all the books in this one. In fact, there were a couple that I simply could not finish, and one that I didn't even bother starting.
April 13, 2017
Mixed mix of vampire stories, some quite confusing, some not very fulfilling but others enjoyable, for example C. Gockel's Someday my count will come with a quirky story and an especially nice ending (go, dwarves!) and Jennifer Blackstream's Midnight Escape with a very unique prison for vampires and a meeting with Kirill, who I had a thing for from book one. If you don't know her Blood Princes series you may be confused by her story too though. Phaedra Weldon's story was very no-holds-barred, I liked that.
April 25, 2017
Rating only for Out For Blood by Hailey Edwards.
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