Consequences: Owned by the Vampire

Out of the Fire #1

by Candace Blevins

Daniel was part ogre and part human, way back in the sixth century. Now he’s a nearly seven-foot-tall genius vampire who consults for NASA. Since he lives an hour and a half from his coterie, he maintains his own flock, and he purchases slaves through the Concilio, rather than dealing with the hassle of enticing shapeshifters to voluntarily provide his sustenance. He has needs few would volunteer to slake.

Mariah is a sexy gazelle shifter, tall and lithe. She grew up in flyover country, and despite the Concilio’s rules against shapeshifters playing organized sports with humans, she played high-school basketball in her small town without getting caught. However, a college scout turned her in, and now she’s owned by the Concilio, trained as a pleasure slave.

Daniel hitches a ride to Italy with a friend to attend an auction, and he returns home with a statuesque gazelle who was aiming for an applied physics degree on a basketball scholarship. She’s intelligent enough she doesn’t annoy him simply by opening her mouth, and sturdy enough to withstand the things he plans to do to her.

It isn’t the ogre part of Daniel’s personality that’s needed toning down over the centuries, but his inner Viking. Razing and pillaging, indeed.

Genres: Vampires, BDSM, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Romance

Unknown Binding

Published January 27, 2023

About the author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Candace Blevins writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, epic fantasy contemporary BDSM romance, and two kick-ass motorcycle club series. She’s published more than fifty books. Candace lives with her husband of twenty-four years and their two teenaged daughters. The family’s beloved, goofy, retired racing greyhounds are usually at her side as she writes, quietly keeping her company. Or sometimes not so quietly.

Her urban fantasy series, Only Human, gives us a world where weredragons, werewolves, werelions, three different species of vampires, and a variety of other mythological beings exist.

Candace's various paranormal romance series are all sister series to the Only Human series, and give some secondary characters their happily ever after.

Her Dark(ish) Faerie Tale series gives us a close-up and personal look at Queen Mab, and her Dark Underbelly series is, as you’d expect, dark and (if you’re a little twisted) oh-so-yummy.

Her contemporary Safeword series gives us characters who happen to have some extreme kinks. Relationships can be difficult enough without throwing power exchange into the mix, and her books show characters who care enough about each other to fight to make the relationship work. Each couple in the Safeword series gives the reader a different take on the lifestyle.

You can visit Candace on the web at candaceblevins.com. Feel free to friend her on Facebook at facebook.com/candacesblevins and Goodreads at goodreads.com/CandaceBlevins. You can also join facebook.com/groups/CandacesKinksters to get sneak peeks into what she's writing now, images that inspire her, and the occasional juicy teaser.

Stay up to date on Candace’s newest releases, and get exclusive excerpts by joining her mailing list at http://bit.ly/cb-new-release.

Only Human series, urban fantasy
• Only Human
• An Unhuman Journey
• Of Humans and Monsters
• Defining Human
• Edge of Humanity
• Infinitely Human
• Unhuman Acts

Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club
• Duke
• Brain
• Bash Volume I
• Bash Volume II
• Bash Volume III
• Horse
• Gonzo
• Nix
• Ghost
• Bud
• Razor
• Bubbles
• McGyver

The Birmingham RTMC
• Bobcat
• Dementor
• Frost
• Squatch

Cat out of Hell, series, paranormal romance:
• Cat out of Hell Volume I
• Cat out of Hell Volume II
• Cat out of Hell Volume III

The Dark Underbelly of The Chattanooga Supernaturals
• Pride (A short story featuring The Lion King)
• Indentured Freedom: Owned by the Vampire
• Leashed
• An Elegant Weapon

A Dark(ish) Faerie Tale
• Slave
• Lady
• Consort
• Queen

A Paranormal Halloween, paranormal romance
• Hallowed Destiny – Forged by Darkness
• Unhallowed Murder
• Countdown to Murder
• Unholy Murder

Pleasure Times Four Christmas series, ménage/RH paranormal romance
• Unexpected Gifts
• The Gift
• Present Tense
• Imperfect Gifts

Chattanooga Supernaturals series, paranormal romance:
• The Dragon King
• Riding the Storm
• Acceptable Risk
• Careful What You Ask For
• Uncaged
• Cocky Queen

The Safeword series, intense BDSM contemporary romance
• Safeword Rainbow
• Safeword: Davenport
• Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon
• Safeword: Quinacridone
• Safeword: Matte
• Safeword: Matte – In Training
• No Safeword: Matte – The Honeymoon
• No Safeword: Matte – Happily Ever After
• Safeword: Arabesque
• Safeword: Mayday (TBA)

Reviews

[Melanie Marnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very happy to once again visit Candace Blevins" erotic, supernatural world. I am always amazed by her creativity, imagination, the depth and diversity of her characters and the stories she weaves around them. I loved the evolution of Daniel and Mariah's relationship both in the things they accomplished singly and together.

Daniel was a Viking/ogre. Ravaging and marauding were imprinted on his DNA before he was turned. Of course in these times his behavior is extremely modified but that doesn't mean that he can't act on his base instincts in private. Mariah flaunted the Concilio edicts until it became necessary to contain her. Now she's destined to be enslaved for the remainder of her days because she freely chose the path she followed. Having Daniel become her Master may have some benefit. He saw her potential before he bought her. Now recognizes that her intelligence in on a par with his. The question becomes...what will he do about it?

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are bad boys, and then there are creatures like Daniel! He was unashamedly sadistic, and had no desire to be any other way. Mariah caught his attention from the start, and while she didn’t seem to fit with him, it soon became apparent they were well suited. Loved the growth of both characters, the bond they formed, and the discoveries they made about each other. It was fun to catch the easter eggs planted in the story, and always great to catch up with characters from previous books. This story had some ‘eek’ moments, some ‘ugh’ moments, and some ‘aww’ moments, and it all swirled around our couple finding each other, finding out about each other, and finding out about themselves to be together. Their journey together wasn’t easy, but they found the way to make everything work just for them <3

[Coccibelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing darkish coming of age

Candace Blevins is a prolific writer, in the last 5 months she published 3 new books, and this latest one is my favourite out of the 3.

I love how she often writes strong willed and smart female leads or in this book, a genius. I really enjoyed experiencing the characters development and their growth. This book was intriguing and I could not put it down, I read it in one sitting. It's a book I see myself rereading.

In my opinion, it was not that dark for this author, and the dark elements were concentrated in the first 1\3 of the book. Still, I am struggling with the power imbalance in this couple; their status as former slave\master, the age gap between a 19 years old highschool student with a thousand years old vampire with the equivalence of multiple PhDs.

Overall, what I like in this book are :

-genius and strong-willed female lead
-fascinating case study about inhabiting Mars
-compelling characters development
-fastpaced story
-last chapter has a 5 years time skip
-cameos from characters of her other series and some "Inception" type of references
-bonus point for the characters going into my country and my region !

However, I was a little uneasy about these elements:

-the big power imbalance between the couple, almost grooming
-how the male leads is supposed to be a sapiosexual but fell in love with a 19 years olds, I can't believe in thousands of years he couldn't find a smart and fully matured person for his romantic partner
-how the male leads completely changed his personality once he fell in love
-even if I enjoyed my region being mentioned, I was ill at ease with how the population was portrayed
- repetitive theme of former slave falling in love with their master, I think it's her 4th book with this trope (A Dark(ish) Faerie Tale, Imperfect Gifts, Cat out of Hell, and this book, Consequences)


Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to readers who do not mind darkish romance, big age gap, and who would enjoy a spicy genius couple.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Jaycee · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best things about a Candace Blevins book is that you can actually feel the authenticity with every page swipe/turn. My personal favourites are the paranormal stories. Partly because real people suck, and partly because of the inherent artistic license allowed. The caveat with the latter is that a world needs to be bang-on consistent, and in this, combined with a blow-your-mind imagination, Ms. Blevins never wavers. I can't get enough of this particular paran-urban-fantastical. The setting is so familiar by now, but there is never a dull moment and there's always a twist.

I wasn't sure I'd like Mariah and Daniel, and I'm one of those who needs to at least understand a character. Or rather, I want to understand a character. Without oversharing, suffice it to say that the histories of these two are woven into the evolution of their relationship, all revealed kind of in the way you'd come to know a friend. You slowly, progressively come to understand and appreciate the people, who also just happen to live in this fantastical world that challenges your imagination as well as the way you think.

"Authenticity" in fantasy is always in the character's mettle. Always. In supernatural settings, where they come from and the things they can do and survive may be the stuff of imagination, but in a Blevins journey, who they are and how they struggle to carve and keep relationships is never presented through trendy, rose-coloured glasses. It is presented the way an actualized adult approaches partnership. It isn't in your face because you're engrossed in the woo-woo stuff. But if it was missing, you'd notice. Its safe to say that the intensity of this particular relationship is standard Blevins fare, but I will take her authentic approach over glossy, half-baked, misrepresented trend every day of the week. In the end you come away entertained, and if you're lucky, with some food for thought.

As an aside?: I even came to have some respect for Becca after this book, a fact which has me asking Mr. Google for therapist recommendations...

[Marybeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy that we have another book so quickly! This author is one of my 'must buy' authors and she did not disappoint. She tells a well-planned story with strong intriguing characters that get themselves into interesting circumstances. This book is set in the period as the last book: the twins from Imperfect Gifts and Mariah are bought at the same auction. I think the thing I like the best about this author's books is that she uses characters from other books and series she has. These characters are not static, they have moved along in their lives as time has passed in this world. I just find these books so compelling and, sometimes, surprising.

I read this book straight through in one day. And then I started to read again as I find nuances that I miss on the first pass. I received an advanced copy from the author but, as always, I find I want to support this author in her writing and bought my own copy.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to intense BDSM, my go to author is Ms. Blevins. In this latest installment of her paranormal world, we see through the eyes of a Viking who is trying to live in modern times. In some ways, the paranormal world allowed him to stay constant as the world continued to change. Every once in a while, someone comes into a person's world and creates such an impact that it redefines a person's world. Whilst this story may be focused on Daniel's slave, I personally felt it was more profoundly a character growth for Daniel.

To read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website.

[Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I visited Ms. Candace world and again she amazed me. I love the way she takes me on a ride that consumes me.

What can I say about Daniel, Sadistic, smart and dangerous creature. Intelligent and unapologetic about who he is. I loved how he was growing and adapting through their relationship. Mariah was like the other side of his coin, also smart, intelligent and strong.
I really love how strong she is and willing to adapt to better serve her future. It was not an easy ride and not for weak, that's what makes her special. I think it had to do with both of them being super smart and not worrying about pesky and unimportant banal things.

This is darkish story, about two characters who grow together into love and partnership. There was struggling and finding their own power balance. He was her Master, Guardian and Guide which I liked the most. Helping her meet her true potential and meeting consequences when seems fit. The way he was advising her and tutoring her was an art that comes with living so many years and experiencing so many different eras. I absolutely loved their interactions, conversation and glimpses into both of their psyche. I didn't though much about him at first, I thought he was just a brute, which he was, but with brains and dedication. But I came to love them both.

The scenes were pretty hard - he was huge (sadist) (pun intended) :) after all and it seems logical he was friends with Gavin. I really like how there are mentions of people I already know - that's what makes reading better, when you know the character from other books and you know about their world.

Overall This was one of the best books lately and I can't praise enough how the title fits.

"My brain, my intelligence, saved me from a life of slavery, but it's the consequences - good and bad, that've created the roadmap of my life."

"Choices. Consequences. Cause and effect in action."

[DemetraP · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book. It is a very dark book.

There were many scenes of graphic rape resulting in severe injuries with blood everywhere and torn muscles. But since the heroine is a shapeshifter who can turn into a gazelle, she can "change" shape and heal the injuries quickly.

The hero (a vampire ogre hybrid) is a former Viking. So he enjoys violating men and women. He repeatedly rapes his male and female slaves. He lets other slaves and friends of his rape her repeatedly. He enjoys watching other men rape the heroine.

I just didn't like how the hero treated her. Basically everybody under the sun could rape her and hurt her as long as he got to watch.

SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER

The heroine was sentenced to life as a slave because as a teenager she played basketball on her high school's team. As a shapeshifter, she's not allowed to play human sports. So for this ridiculous reason, she's sentenced to slavery. The hero can't even free her because she must remain a slave for life. Her memories were taken so she doesn't remember who she is.

The hero keeps putting her in a corset (or waist cincher) because he likes it. She hates it. He does things he knows she hates over and over (he's a vampire and can read her mind).

She is very smart. So he lets her take classes online because he works for NASA and enjoys being able to discuss math and science with her. Eventually, he allows her to attend MIT. She is still his slave.

[Evita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any time I read a Candace Blevins book I know I need to give myself time or just stay up half the night to ‘just read another chapter’. That’s exactly what happened with this story. I just could not put it down!

Mariah’s story is pretty much as the title states, consequences. She did wrong and in the paranormal world, actions are taken to ensure that world is kept from humans. Daniel, a very old vampire, purchases her in an auction and this is where their tale begins.

I am just always in awe of the world building, the characters have such depth you could swear you know them personally, or want to stay away from them. This vivid world takes us into a vampires lair and little by little we are given glimpses into each other's past and just how they will live in the current.

Master and slave traverse quite a journey together, a bond was not there at the beginning because they had to learn about themselves and that’s another thing I love about Candace’s story, just when you think there’s no way they will get an HEA, she finds a way to make it work for the characters.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Leslie OBrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Admittedly, not sure what that says about me other than my fab taste in authors. Candace Blevins’ Consequences is a delightful read (smirks) that will have you both cringing and cheering. I did a lot of both. There are so many tiny little details that bring out this story for me. I love that Daniel is a Viking first and an ogre second, and how much that impacts his mindset. And that despite the decades (centuries), his Viking lust hasn’t diminished. And I LOVE their height. It’s common to read stories like this where there’s a discrepancy in the couple’s height, but these two easily exceed six feet and it just adds to my idea of the two of them as a power couple, well, as much as is possible given Mariah’s status with the Concilio and Daniel’s preferences for a relationship, and well, the story. The relationships, the politics, the details make me giddy because you wouldn’t think they’d be important until you read them in a well-crafted story and it becomes like the best tasting frosting on the tastiest of cakes.

[Daria · Rating 5 out of 5]

*claps* Oh I so loved this story, the characters the world the writing. Intense with some feels in the mix add that special Candace flair and we have a winner.

I adored Daniel cuz, he made apologies for what or how he did things. He keeps the line just about until he sees the girl, that hidden spark of intelligence calls to him.

Mariah, to be here but really not her. That had to really be the mind@$%# knowing you not yourself, Whew. When she's allowed to be herself she isn't nice about it. can't say I blame her, her circumstance though not fault of Daniels. As he said. *she's a slave, he purchased her but he can't set her free.*

The negotiation scenes so well done on both Daniel and Mariah's part. Kindric's wise words as well as Becca's perfect. The journey of two lost souls from beginning to end, fab to read the great mix of detail with emotions all over the place. At the end of the story I fell in love with both characters. Great read. Enjoy.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hot intense paranormal read to start off 2023! Daniel is as hardcore a Master as I've read in the Author's universe. The way the author revealed Daniel's background help me get into the story and understand what makes him tick. Mariah coming to understand what led her to Daniel (the books she reads seem very familiar, lol) was a great journey that led to them becoming the best versions of themselves. The spicy scenes mixed in with the sadistic side had me reading this story in only a few sittings. I enjoyed Mariah's coming into her own and Daniel supporting her endeavors. It was great to see all the other characters from her other stories, but new readers will have no problems following.

[Titania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to start by saying I struggled reading this book. I love Candace Blevins' stories and she warned her Facebook group that this book was edgy and dark. She did not lie. But once I got past the first third of the story I found myself understanding both Daniel and Mariah. Not only was I able to understand how we got her Ms. Blevins allowed both Daniel and Mariag to change and grow. She found a way to allow us to accept the tough to get to a future. A future I would have never thought possible nor was it possible between the characters we met at the beginning of this story. But as she wove this tale, I found myself looking forward to and enjoying the the journey. Something I would not have expected and just shows just how skillful Ms. Blevins is as a storyteller.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very dark but it all ties together for a happy ending. I was not a fan of Daniel for the first part of the book but slowly I came to understand him. Mariah was shown going through major character development with Daniel seeming to follow with his own development. I am not sure that it would have happened that fast for Daniel, due to his age, but I believed it.

I would not recommend this book for sensitive readers at all but if you can handle the dark romance aspect, the book is wonderfully balanced between plot, romance, and BDSM scenes. I'd say the author kept up her high standards of writing with this book.

[Pat Orendorff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel is a huge scary guy who is unapologetically a true sadist, no safewords allowed. Ms. Blevins is a writer who gives us characters that seem out of the realm of possibility and then supplies us with a world they fit into.
And what a wonderful treat visiting so many characters that we have previously met or heard about.
As always with this writer I read this book from beginning to end without stopping and will most likely do it again.

[Sha Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

While it took me time to work through this book, I enjoyed the journey with Daniel and his slave. It was so worth it to see the characters grow. Does it have a dark mindset, yes. Do I find it way to dark, no and this coming from someone who can’t watch movies like Saw at night because I will have twisted dreams. You must be open minded, I feel to enjoy this book as I feel it was intended.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started out rough. If I didn’t know and trust the author I might have quit early on but she made it worth the pain of the first few chapters. I had to remove myself from the characters in this book as the S/m dynamic was important to the story but too tough for me. I continued Daniel and Mariahs story and was thrilled with the way the author took their journey.

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candace is one of the few authors that can make world building that isn’t a snooze or overly complicated, but still logical. This was erotic, challenging, dark, dare I say romantic… heed the warnings. I loved the intellectual aspects of this. Women in STEM >>>

An earned pairing.

[Jeanny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the story well-written but unappealing. So many trigger warnings... 2 stars

[Tee Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had trouble liking Daniel at first as he was not wanting to let Mariah try to gain her freedom. Afraid he wouldn't be able to control her or that she might leave. Daniel is a really dark personality and doesn't know how to love. Though he knows there are feelings there but his need to control wins over all else. But I think love may conquer all in the end, when he realizes she really does love him.