Love Without Blood

Eternal Eros Trilogy #1

by Raz Steel

When a chance encounter with a stranger leads her into the dark world of vampires, brilliant Dr. Lara West is torn between forbidden love and the government agents sworn to destroy them. Original.

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Fiction, Fantasy, Horror

323 pages, Paperback

First published December 30, 2008

About the author

I’m a grandfather for the first time! Baby and mom are doing fine. “Dad” reports being exhausted. You can see an adorable pic of my grandson being introduced to “Captain Raz” on my Facebook page at RAZSTEELAuthor. (see the post from October 31, 2016)

Speaking of births, I was born in a chalet in Frisco, Colorado. My alter-ego was born farther east—or farther west if you go the long way. I’ve always been an incredible storyteller, and as a child, that may have been one thing my father didn’t appreciate 100% of the time. I’m a pilot, a teacher, a recycler, a dad, and the aforementioned granddad! My degree from Lafayette College is in Philosophy, and I currently reside in Pennsylvania.

My writing career began on the heels of becoming a pilot. Being terrified of heights (anything over the third rung of a ladder) the choice didn’t seem difficult: fly or write. You may be asking, why did I become a pilot? Dad always said, “Son, face your fears head-on.” So, I went as high as I could. Didn’t work.

I gravitate toward science fiction in the bookstore, and I enjoy reading romance. I just finished reading A Man Called Ove, which of course is neither.

Reviews

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Jan09

I read so much (every day) that it’s not often I come upon a book that I can’t describe. Well…mark the day because that’s how I feel about “Love Without Blood” by Raz Steel. The easy path would be to say that it’s a paranormal romance since that’s how it’s marketed under Dorchester’s Love Spell line, but it didn’t read that way for me. In my (humble) opinion this story is more of a dark urban fantasy with a little sex thrown in.

Lara is over-tired, over-stressed, and over-worked—but it’s all about to pay off. Very soon she has every intention of being the youngest Chief of Emergency Medicine at her hospital. Her career goal is almost within reach…until one night she’s awakened by intruders in her home, demanding she remove a bullet from one of them. She does so under duress and is thanked by being hogtied and left to die when they set her home on fire. Recovering in the hospital, she is suddenly taken into protective custody by the WPAVU, a section of the witness protection program. For her own protection (from a vampire!), she has to die…changing her name and appearance and losing the career she’s worked so hard for. At first Lara is sure the whole vampire thing is a joke, but when she begins her new job strange events keep occurring.

Bobby has lived all these centuries by learning how to leash and co-exist with his inner demon. In the modern world, it’s easiest to work as a nurse at a hospital and take sustenance from the psych ward, without killing the donor. He’s immediately attracted to the new nurse on his ward and feels a bond with her, but is determined to stay away to keep her safe. But when blood begins disappearing and it looks like Bobby’s not the only vampire in the area, can he afford to keep her in ignorance?

In many ways, this book read like a potboiler mystery. The story is written in the first person of whichever character is currently acting…at times this was a bit confusing and distracting from the plot while I tried to figure out who the “I” was at any given moment. In addition, I could never really warm up to any of the characters including the hero and heroine; I always felt the dialogue was a bit detached from the action. I didn’t feel a connection to the characters and didn’t feel the characters connection to each other either. I think the last is what keeps me from labeling this as any kind of romance. For me, if I can’t feel a connection between the characters at least, then the story loses the whole ‘romance’ feel.

While the action is fast-paced once the story really kicks off, the first few chapters go back and forth in time which increased my disorientation. There were several plot devices that were never fully explained. For example: the heroine’s burning tattoo, the villain’s history, the hero’s split-personality, how does a vampire live on consecrated ground, who is Dog, etc. I seemed to be left with more questions than answers.

“Love Without Blood” seems to be author Raz Steel’s first novel. If I were the publisher, I’d likely market Mr. Steel’s works in a different genre whether it be urban fantasy, fantasy, or horror. His writing style and imagination would probably work fine without the albatross of romantic expectations hanging over his work.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wasn't liking this book before he raped her. After, I was done with this book and this author.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly couldn't even finish. Hard to read and follow.

[Melissa Levine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was not a fan of this story. It was really boring and confusing at times. Usually I have no problem following a story that involves going back and forth between the different stories involving the main characters. This one, I don't know. I guess the fact that the main male characters were Bobby/Roberre and Robert. Could the author have come up with a different name? I mean seriously, those 3 names are basically the same thing. In that regard, I only got to about page 150. I just couldn't handle reading anymore. But I do have some questions/comments:

So Bobby was talking about how he didn't like killing people, hence he became a nurse to help people. Now he only drinks from psych patients. If he stopped working as a nurse he would be forced to drink animal blood. Why? Why can't he just drink from anyone? How would drinking only from psych patients keep you from killing them?

What is with Lara always talking about her 'essence?' And her not wanting to give it away, hence her not interested in giving blood. Weird!

The who Bobby/Roberre thing: so apparently vampires have alter egos? Never heard this scenario before. Very strange too, especially when Bobby and Roberre were talking to each other, out loud!

I had to do a little research to get a guesstimate of how old Bobby was. He mentions that he knew Genghis Khan, he of which died in 1227, so we can assume that Bobby is around 900+ years old. YET, he still has trouble controlling himself. Or Robert getting caught? I mean I didn't really all the book so I only know about him trying to kill Lara, but still. Seems like all the characters are really stupid.

What is with him only drinking once a month? During the full moon? Again very strange. What would the moon have to do with a vampire? Did the author have a brain fart or something and think her main character was a werewolf?

What is with the Vampirical Harmony thing? Sounded like a joke to me. I mean what was Bobby doing prior to starting this considering he started it when he met Freud? How did Robert cope? He seemed completely fine compared to Bobby. And the imaginary sex part he did....why not have the actual sex? He kept saying how he didn't want to get emotionally connected to another female because of Marilyn but seriously! And the one psych patient that he kept feeding from, he wakes her up prior to biting her? And then makes her forget? Why?

This had to have been a joke. The whole Lara getting restrained with newspaper? Really? And with Lara moving around it causes 'the paper to bite into her flesh'? How exactly? I get paper can be sharp, paper cuts. But I can't imagine how it would cut her, if it's wrapped around her wrists and ankles. Or the fact Robert used it to hog tie her!

How was Lara as stupid as she was? I mean having a supposed Witness Protection Agent showing up at the hospital and asking her questions about Robert? Huh? I'm pretty sure they can't force you to leave and start over. But the fact that it was that agency and not just a regular FBI agent asking questions. Or better yet, why were any of the special agencies there anyways? Lara never said anything supernatural like when she told the police what had happened.

"What if Robert wants her dead." That was thought by Lara. I'm not sure how to even respond to that stupid question. I mean he had already tried killing her, the fire. So why would she still be wondering about that? It's like hello! His goon Tony is still after you, use your common sense here.

Haha Having Katie disguise Lara while she's in the hospital. That was such a joke. Buzzing all her hair off, painting lines on her fact, putting her in prayer robes and having her walk around chanting? Seriously? Nope, that wouldn't cause any attention. Very stupid! Especially since they just have her wondering around the hospital by herself.

God...is actually a little old lady. And her wanting Jake to 'waste' Lara? Of course Lara still thinks everything's fine and nothing weird going on in this situation, even though she's strapped to a chair and everything. Nope, completely normal here.

What was with the whole, being itchy but not having a place to scratch? Both Bobby and Lara were saying things like that. I've never had an itch but with no spot to scratch.

Bobby, when thinking about Lara. "she was a mystery, and to humans, a mysterious woman always appealed." Or "her eyes danced across his human soul." ?? Usually vampires are considered human anymore, once they've been changed.

What was with Lara's sun tattoo? It seemed to be a very active part of her, with the flare-ups and whatnot.

Or the whole having a vampire being interested in drinking from 'the soles of your feet.' Really! Ew! I get they avoid the neck because it's an obvious spot but the foot? There weren't any better...smelling...areas to bite?

Sadly I paid for this book. Nothing really caught my attention. I didn't care about the characters or what happened to them either. Did I mention that Lara seemed like a complete moron? She was just too stupid for my liking. I don't even know what to say about Bobby. He's like 1000 years old is still struggling? REALLY?

[Kaiulani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lara’s essence? Weird. Roberre the alter-ego? Weirder. Could have been an interesting take but it was just not.
And in case you forgot the first 100 times, his pupils and irises blended together.

[Sandy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was browsing my local Target and, of course, couldn’t stay away from the book aisle. I picked this book up, thought the blurb sounded good, so decided to try it. One of those impulse buys when you’re not expecting to really buy anything at all. When I started reading, the first chapter started out grabbing at me right away, held on tight and didn’t loosen its grasp one little bit. Until I got to the second chapter, that is.

The only reason I hesitated when I started the second chapter is that it totally broke the heart-pounding, the anticipation, the grip of the first chapter. Dead stop. All of that did pick up again with the third chapter, but the fourth chapter brought me to a dead stop again. I was a tad irritated by this time. But I have to admit that when all of these different chapters finally came to together and it was clear where the author was leading me, I forgave him for jerking me around those first however many chapters.

I really can’t go into a lot of what happens in this book because everything is so closely related by name, by character, by events, etc., that it would give too much away. I can say that I did like the characters in this book. Lara West is a surgeon and is ready to step into the top dog position of her ER. She’s a very strong lady, is even able to block most of the mind control that goes on in this book.

Bobby is a vampire who makes a good life for himself working at hospitals where it’s easier for his kind to feed. He’s one of those good vamps who doesn’t kill humans when feeding. He has a little humanity left in him, no matter what the government team who searches for and destroys vampires says. A favorite character is Phillipe, a gay nurse who befriends both Lara and Bobby.

There’s so much that goes on in this book, it’s nearly difficult to even tell much of what happens. Lara is carted off by that government team to help them out. Bobby is just trying to keep his current life on stable ground. Both of them get caught up in something ground breaking, but that nearly does them both in and only sheer grit and determination keep them alive. The only thing I didn’t like about these two is the author keeps them apart for the longest time. It’s great scenes when they finally do come together, but I would have liked to have had more. Not sure if that’s even feasible, but I still would have liked it.

All in all, this is quite an interesting read, even given my apprehension in the beginning. The addition of Phillipe’s parents at the end, I’m not sure if that was needed, especially with no explanation as to their belief in vampires. The villain is one evil bastard and he has a heyday reigning havoc in the last quarter of the book.

Take a chance. I think you might be surprised.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Without Blood by Raz Steel is a fun and original slant on a vampire romance fantasy novel. The characters include Dr Lara West, a surgeon, a male vampire pretending to be gay, a gay male nurse who knows his secret and his parents, an evil vampire, and a government agency with an vampire agenda. Let the hunt begin.

“Dr West. I came to your house because I can’t go to a hospital. do what you can for me.”

And that is how Dr Lara West begins her journey into the world of vampires.

Lara’s dream was to be the youngest Chief of Emergency at Jefferson Memorial, smack in the middle of gangbanger territory. But she has something else to be afraid of.

A vampire working in a hospital and pretending to be gay, this has got to be good.

Raz Steel shifts the point of view between the past and the present, then and now. It caught me by surprise and confused me for a while, but I quickly caught on and became captured in the story.

She is approached and recruited by Jake Plummer after her run-in with Robert, the vampire who appeared at her home demanding she remove a bullet and then proceeding to set her house on fire with her in it. Jake works for the WPAVU – Witness Protect Agency Vampire Unit and recruits her, telling her he will keep her safe.

In the beginning it didn’t really make a lot of sense and kept repeating itself, scene after scene. I couldn’t understand her wilingness to go along with everything. Then I thought, it’s a novel, just let it go and let’s see where the story takes me.

I can’t help but laugh at Bobby/Roberre, even though he is quite the monster.

Lara seems to be the “dumb blond”, if you know what I mean, but she goes on and on, like the energizer bunny,

I know they will all cross paths and I think I know what’s coming. I am curious to find out if I am right. I can’t help but look at this in a comical way, like Supernatural and Buffy. You know, monsters, but having a good time chasing them. Gruesome, yet funny. Well, I was close to predicting the outcome, but there is a surprise or two and I definitely enjoyed the ride to the end. I would be interested in reading more about this team of hunters.

I won Love Without Blood by Raz Steel (a first edition paperback) in a giveaway. My thanks go out to Laura at fuonlyknew.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not the best written book, however the author did try a very unique approach at telling a story. I will read the next book if there is one, which I am sure there is because of the cliff hanger in the end that actually grabbed my attention enough to make me want to read the next one. The author did a great job describing things and certain situations that made you feel as if you there running with Dr. Lara for your life as well, but it lacked the emotional connection I was hoping for. I had a really hard time with the fact that the main male character was named Bobby and the bad guy was named Robert. I truly believe that it was the Authors intention to confuse us and make us think who could this Bobby be, but instead of finding it intriguing I found it annoying. I did like that the Romance wasn't so in your face, but, and this is my Honest opinion and its weird I know, I don't like reading sex scenes written by men. Yet these scenes didn't bother me at all and I was actually shocked to find that it was man who wrote the story. Don't ask me how I didn't now but I didn't not till I was done with it. All in all this is going to be one of the books that will have a good argument or discussion whether or not it was in fact a good book. Which in my opinion make it a good book. Books are there for thrills and entertainment so when you have one that makes your head hurt because you have to think, then I deem it worthy of a try.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an impulse buy that paid off. It was difficult to get into at first (which is why I gave it three stars), but I think that was more to do with the style of writing along with the past present aspect rather than the story being told. Once the story came together, the pace and my interest grew.

It takes a while for the plot to evolve, but I think the author's intent was for the reader to get to know the main characters. My only problem with that was too much thinking and not enough action. It's better when actual dialogue between characters provides the character building and backgrounds. Thoughts alone become boring after a while especially when the same thoughts and ideas are repeated over and over again.

The romance was not in your face, but it was there even if it was subdued. Love Without Blood could be dark fantasy, paranormal, romance, mystery... all in one. Overall the book was enjoyable, and I think the heroine and hero make this story a great starting point for a series especially given the unanswered questions and teaser at the end (HINT, HINT). I would like to read more.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story line was great. The characters were interesting though you were never givien a description of them until later in the book.
I did find the heroine enterily exasperating and just wanted to smack her up the head. A bunch. And to be honest it was written like it was a B movie. Each scene was only B movie worthy. Dispte a strong story line. Very disappointed. It's also not an exotica so don't think that may win it points. It's just romance. Vampiric romance. Which I suppose can work. Each to their own.

[jD · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was strange all the way around. I still don't know if I liked it. I read it expecting something totally different than it turned out to be. The title makes no sense. The vampire is interesting until you figure out he has a split personality. I don't like that the vampire that started the story is pretty much absent from most of the book. Weird.

[marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was actually pretty good once i put all of the pieces together. in the beginning though it was like i was reading two books. but now that i have finished it i am glad i took the time to read it all.

[Kris Topper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book the detail and the emotion expressed in every scene was so powerful and the description of what each character wrestled with inside was incredibly moving and relatable not to mention the whole vampire theme which is so sexy when it's used in this way.

[Barbi Huhn · Rating 2 out of 5]

My hubby got this book for me thinking it might be something I would enjoy. This book was okay and kinda weird for me. It got really weird at the end when Phillipe's parents came in to the story. Then, it just became very odd and laughable.

[Jen Dively]

I just finished this book. I picked it up to add to the whole vampire genre kick the world has been on. It was disappointing overall...poor language usage and the story flow was stilted.

[Kylie Stoneburner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paranormal romance. Great new twist on vampires and their special abilities.

[Lindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

book errors

[Jordan Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that it had romance, mystery, and two sides of the characters lives.

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The location and the doctor made the story very fun to read. I enjoyed how the story evolved with the doctor and the vampire. It's a fun read.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't even describe this right now.