Vein Pursuits (Black Badge Series, Book 2)

Black Badge #2

by Rhett C. Bruno, Jaime Castle

The path to Heaven runs through miles of icy Hell … James Crowley has ridden the road to Crescent City before, but never with companions like these. Never with a woman whose very presence jeopardizes everything he’s fought for over the past two decades. The swamps are a brutal, nasty place filled with creatures most people think only exist in nightmares and fever dreams. When Crowley, along with Rosa, Bram Stoker, Harker, and Irish stumble upon such a creature, and one of their party finds themselves mortally wounded, they must find help in the most unlikely of places. But that wasn’t James Crowley’s mission. As a Black Badge, a Hand of God, he’s been tasked with hunting down the worst Hell has to offer, and at Shargrafein’s beckoning, he must suss out the Betrayer -- a mysterious being about whom no information is given. What he finds is something he never could have guessed. The city is overrun with vampires, werewolves, and worse, including an old acquaintance with nothing good in mind. Meanwhile, Rosa has continued her pursuit to reconnect with her dead husband, Willy Massey. With the help of a Voodoo Queen, she must do the unthinkable. Only Crowley stands between her and a choice that would forever scar her soul. But will he be able to escape the clutches of Hell in order to keep her from destroying everything and everyone in her path? With the question of right and wrong always nagging at Crowley’s undead heart, he must decide where his loyalties lie in this pulse-pounding sequel to the hit Cold as Hell . The Witcher meets The Dresden Files in this weird Western series by the Audible number one bestselling duo behind Dead Acre .

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Westerns, Audiobook, Paranormal, Weird West, Fiction

319 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 2023

About the author

Rhett is happy to hear from his fans and can be reached at rcbruno44@outlook.com. Please subscribe to his newsletter for exclusive access to updates about his work and the opportunity to receive limited content and ARCs.
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Rhett Bruno grew up in Hauppauge, New York, and studied at the Syracuse University School of Architecture where he graduated cum laude.

He has been writing since he can remember, scribbling down what he thought were epic short stories when he was young to show to his parents. When he reached high school he decided to take that a step further and write the “Isinda Trilogy”. After the encouragement of his favorite English teacher he decided to self-publish the “Isinda Trilogy” so that the people closest to him could enjoy his early work.

While studying architecture Rhett continued to write as much as he could, but finding the time during the brutal curriculum proved difficult. It wasn’t until he was a senior that he decided to finally pursue his passion for Science Fiction. After rededicating himself to reading works of the Science Fiction author’s he always loved, (Frank Herbert, Timothy Zahn, Heinlein, etc.) he began writing “The Circuit: Executor Rising”, The first part of what he hopes will be a successful Adult Science Fiction Series.

Since then Rhett has been hired by an Architecture firm in Mount Kisco, NY. But that hasn’t stopped him from continuing to work on “The Circuit” and all of the other stories bouncing around in his head. He is also currently studying at the New School to earn a Certificate in Screenwriting in the hopes of one day writing for TV or Video Games.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very exciting adventure!

Vein Pursuits
By Rhett Bruno & Jaime Castle
This continues the adventure Crowley, the Hand of God, with his friends Rosa, Irish, Bram, and Harper. Crowley is trying to do his job for the White Throne and help his friends. He ends up almost dying again when he goes up against both vamps and werewolves. But the White Throne wants him to kill someone even he can't kill and they know it!

[ShannaBanana✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this but then it became all about Rosa. I loved the first book when the MC was just badass and then at the end he became infatuated with this woman who is actually way too young for him. The story is so good and a few characters are likable in a way. I do t now if I’ll continue with this now that it’s all “Rosa.” Doesn’t surprise me that she’s turned out to be some sort of “special”

[Barefoot Gypsy Jimerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuck that was good

That was a hell of a lot of fun to read. James is a new city to kill the King of Vampires. Will everything goes to hell in a hand basket. He destroyed another city. Vampires an wear wolf's an a old dead boss is on his tail. Know he has to run with Rosa out cold. Oh yes Shar is really pissed an wants him dead.

[Ziggy Nixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is their world you protect, but you are not of this world.

Tarnation! These stories just keep gettin' better and better! I started this here journey way back a ways with the initial "Dead Acre" (also referred to as Book #0.5) and flat out adored "Cold As Hell" earlier this year (shucks, I was done thinkin' it was longer ago than that)! But dang if I dinnit wait at least a handful o' full moons for this new one to come out then gobbled it up in barely a full day's readin'! Le sigh: I'm guessin' that's to be expectorated what with this kinda fun! Oh well, we've always got tomorrow… I hope… Truth be told, after readin' this here tale, I ain't real sure that's a safe bet no more!

Life’s a shootout. You shoot or get shot.

Well, gentle readers, our beloved purveyors of all things weirdly and most wickedly western, namely Messieurs Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle have done it again! "Vein Pursuits" - which much to my surprise had nothing to do with exploranatin' fer gold (riiiiight) - is yet another thrilling chapter into what I hope will be a very long series, namely, the "Black Badge" books! This is truly where my new-found love for everything "weird western" originated and I haven't looked back since! I just love the beauty of the prose this sub-genre seems to elicit from so many talented authors! And then to combine all that with an "urban fantasy" twist! Delicious!

The heart in her chest still beat, sending blood coursing through her veins, whereas mine was still as footprints in the snow.

So in case you were wondering - and I'll do my best not to spoil thangs fer ya'! - we're tagging along again at first with the heroes we left behind at the end of the last book, namely James Crowley, our aforementioned reanimated servant of Heaven (maybe?); Rosa, the widow with eyes like a "viridescent sky before a tornado"; Harker, artist and above all else unimpressive whiner; Abraham - Bram - Stoker, who is, quote, "an old coot from Britain with a hard-on for the supernatural"; and Irish, Mr. Stoker's tough as nails bodyguard and all-around, well, Irish lady you do NOT want to mess with!

We are shadows. Darkness itself. Ever fleeting.

Oh and if you don't want to limit the guest list to mortals (+/-), then we also get reacquainted with the ever-pleasant Shargrafein - or Shar as Crowley calls her (because she hates that name) - his angelic handler and assigner of all tasks relayed down (?) from the White Throne. There will be other names you'll recognize from previous happenings, but that would be too spoil-y at this stage. What I can share is that this tale isn't quite as focused on the Wild West of dusty trails and what-not, as we find ourselves in New Orleans … oops, ignore that, the city is called Crescent City, totally my mistake! But there is as you will imagine no shortage of hellish goings on at all! Plus there's swamps galore, jazz (maybe even zydeco? Not totally sure on the timing there…), carousing about and burying dead folks above ground. So again, definitely NOT NOLA!
UPDATE:A friend on another author's page pointed out this IS indeed a nickname for New Orleans! My google search had up to that point only provided input about Crescent City, FLORIDA and other books featuring the name (but again, not NOLA!).

People are, by and large, two acres dumber than dirt.

Now, no worries, as to be expected we get into the weird stuff pretty darn quick! Before you even get a chance to feel even slightly saddle sore, we run into chupacabra - or grunches as they're referred to - vampires of various rank, werewolves, imps and oh so many more! It truly is a veritable cornucopia of creepies which if you're like me will have you squeeing like a bat out of hell (literally)! And that's not even counting meeting up with the resident Voodoo Queen nor checking out what's really in the basement of the best little whorehouse in all of… this place! Yeah! But even if you may recognize some of the creatures in a general sense, I know you'll be just as thrilled as I was at the authors' unique take on their origins, powers and more! That's always what I look for when the "traditional" beasties like this show up!

Thing to know about vampires—feral and uncivilized as they come—is they move in stuttering flickers.

This chapter also contains quite a great deal of philosophical… reflection? Introspection? Not sure how to best phrase it, but this time, Crowley's musings go well beyond the usual (more or less) "why me?" we've seen in the past. Instead, we are treated to musings - and even face-to-face confrontations - that bring into question the entirety of humanity's history and certainly at least - um, how to put this? - the reality behind at least one major religion in the world today! It makes for equally fascinating thinkin' on the part of the reader as well, where it seems we're being asked to consider mortality from both a literal, "holy cow, these characters are dying RIGHT NOW!" perspective to a more ethereal pondering on whether Heaven is really on our side or not! I mean, I'm left wondering if angels truly do have OUR best interests at heart vs. seeing to their own agendas! What's the saying: "well, I know SOMEONE is out to get me!"?

Freedom … There’s no such thing in a world of gods and men.

That's probably not a good summation but I really think this is one of those books where 10 people could each read the book twice and we'd get AT LEAST 50 different perspectives on some parts before the review discussions were done! I will say that all of this was very welcome indeed! It kept me interested, it kept me reading like a vampire on speed and it kept me delightfully surprised at every twist and turn! And just like before, we are once again treated to some truly awesome fight sequences that will have you dodging and weaving as you join along! And I haven't even mentioned that terrific ending that has me just wildly imagining what could happen next! This is just fantastic stuff and I cannot wait for these two masters of their craft to bring us the next exciting chapters! Happy trails, y'all!

[Kathy Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say - this is one of my favorite series at the moment. I think part of it is Roger Clark reading it - you can't possibly get the whole feeling of the book without listening to it. He does an awesome job.

This one just came out, which means I have at least a year, probably two, before the next one hits the shelves. I hate that.

[Drizzt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another chapter in the adventures of James Crowley, whom I will forever nickname Arthur Morgan as thanks to the voice of Roger Clark giving my imagination the absolute distinct feeling that this story could easily be just like Arthur. A gentleman cowboy who threw his lot in with outlaws thanks to poor parenting and low guidance, now facing his old boss which could just as easily have been Dutch.
Although admittedly Ace is a vindictive and crafty monster with true narcissistic traits.

What started as a ride out to DeadAcre to handle a Necromancer and reunite with a sad widow, now turns into a true double agent story.

Throughout this reading I had wished that Crowley would have realized sooner that the vampire king Judas had been telling the truth all along. Heaven prefers hands of god to care so little for mortals because their complicated plans don't require them being alive. Char and her fellow angels are clearly planning something that would involve giving the proverbial finger to Hell. Char is not only counting on Crowley to fail, she desperately needs him out of the way. Both she and Judas dislike Crowley's affection for humans, but in Char's case I think she fears just how strong Crowley could become if he both gets free of her power which he now has, and if his resolve to protect humans becomes the defining focus in his ongoing battle.

Having Ace as a black badge will obviously bite the angels in the butt when the time comes. Ace doesn't care about eternal torment. He lived his life believing that he was a survivor and that no matter who got in his way it all served the purpose of curing his boredom. He hates the numbness of beinf a black badge, he is now openly consorting with Rugaru and his pack not to serve the white throne but to finally get the one up he thinks he deserves over Crowley.

I also found a lot of dislike for Judas, I don't care much that he was the first vampire. He started life as a human and helped betray the son of god to crucifixion. He should realize better than anyone that Heaven and Hell are ignoring mortals at their peril. Point being that Rosa is quite likely the descendant of something ancient. She could very well be a key, but a key that could change the holy war for either side, depending on who discovers her. Clearly Jakoketh has known for a very long time who Rosa is reborn from, and it's his interference that kept pushing Crowley and her together.

Now as we wait for the next book, I'd have to guess that Rosa will continue to remain in that coma unless Crowley decides to finally do something right with his undead life and let her make her own choice, trying to protect her like she's still 8 years old won't cut it anymore.
Then there is Judas fleeing to Transylvania, likely to tap his child Dracula. Which would be intensely interesting as Dracula is a much more refined vampire much like his maker and more well known. I have a vision that Crowley will soon fight both angels and demons while fighting alongside vampires.

[Danny Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding story

This is a fantastic story about the Supernatural and the Old West. The story itself, plot and such, is very good. It has a couple of well-placed twist and turns along the way but that’s not what makes this book so good.

When I’m reading a book about a time period, I want to believe I’m there. The settings and descriptions here match the way I felt when I was a kid reading my dad’s old western books.
The settings, the dialog, the descriptions, the vocabulary… all these are what make this book so amazing. I listened to Roger Clark read it and he is an amazing performer, but I found myself reading along in Kindle so I could really soak up the words. This is a book for people who are tired of hearing things described the same way over and over again. The action here is described so well that I found myself becoming completely lost in the sounds and smells of the moment, only to look up an hour later wondering where the time went.
I haven’t been this taken in by a book in a very long time. Outstanding job by a talented team of authors. Kudos, gentlemen!

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something I really admired about the authors of the black badge series is the way they’re able to write scenes. I felt like I could picture everything in my head clearly like a movie. Not only that, but the pacing of the first book was enjoyable. Where other supernatural or fantasy books bomb rushed you with lore as you begin, the first book gradually got you used to the powers and creatures that exist in the world in a way that flowed. Personally I felt like this book was a little short on that. The first part was enjoyable but once I reached a little past the halfway point I felt so overwhelmed by plot twists and lore. I almost felt like I should be reading book 4 instead of book 2. That, coupled with the alterations to biblical lore, just didn’t sit right with me (but that’s just due to me personally being a Christian).Also ,I just felt like there was such a big jump in tone from the first book to this in such a short amount of time. I cant say it didn’t keep me from having a love for the characters, which is why I wished their backstories and identities were revealed a little more gradually.

[Corey Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow! All I can say is I had high anticipation going into this sequel and by the White Throne did it deliver! We left Cold As Hell with me feeling like we were just getting a glimpse at this world. Vein Pursuit knocked a hole through the wall and ripped the veil a new as—ah well, you get the point.

So much was revealed in this book that the first built as a foundation. And the twists!!! Oh the twists were amazing. The utilization of historical places and people, as well as linking up characters without giving up names was amazing.

We dive deeper yet into the mind of James Crowley and Bruno/Castle have a way to make the undead feel more human than the living! We see him go from outlaw to Black Badge to reluctant hero all the way to be willing to freeze in Hell for trying to do the right thing.

The addition of Crescent City and all the darklings it beholds was done so well it feels real. Like I need to take a trip and fulfill Stoker's curiosity. Once again, these amazing authors take something familiar and known and twisting it just enough to blend fiction and reality.

Amazing job. Absolutely brilliant storytelling!

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Cold As Hell, the first in the series in the summer of 2022, and enjoyed the zombie/Western fusion. (Goodreads review here.) The preorder of the second volume in the series landed a little less than a year later. It continues the adventures of “Black Badge” James Crowley, saved from damnation but sentenced to police a supernatural-infused Old West. Crowley and the sultry widow Rosa join Bram Stoker, Jonathan Harker, and their bodyguard, Irish, in a journey across an accursed swamp and into the dangers of Crescent City. The plot stays interesting, and we get to explore a little bit of what it’s like to be an undead sheriff of the supernatural. The writing is solid--it stays out of the way of enjoying the story--and word use/choice was improved over the first one. Solidly entertaining, and I'd happily buy and read future installments!

[Jai Rahim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how both Ace, then Rosa become major pawns in the schemes being played out by the Nephillim, and the White Throne. Both of them push Crowley’s buttons, in different ways. With Ace, it’s clear that Crowley is ambivalent over his past subordinate relationship, making it difficult for Crowley to kill Ace. Now, the Nephillim has put them on an equal playing field, by making Ace a Hand of God, and giving Ace the go-ahead to put Crowley down. Reluctant as he formerly was, Crowley is now being forced to deal with Ace, in a permanent way. Rosa presents an entirely different vulnerability for Crowley. It’s amusing how manic he gets over anything he even remotely perceives as a threat to Rosa. And now, the ultimate threat has happened, leaving Crowley desperate to save her. Neither of these two situations gets resolved in this book, so I eagerly await book three, to see what happens next.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold as Hell introduced readers to James Crowley, an undead gunman who was killed trying to protect an innocent woman and her daughter Rosa from his gang’s boss. The White Throne saw fit to spare Crowley from Hell and put his talents to use dispatching the creatures of hell who torment and prey on humanity. Authors Rhett Bruno & Jaime Castle created a unique dark fantasy / western mix, integrating southwestern mythology into a story of a bounty hunter who targeted supernatural creatures. Vein Pursuits continues the story of Crowley, who — in the events of Cold as Hell — was reunited with the rescued girl from long ago, now a mysterious and beautiful woman who attracts both mortal men and the spawn of Satan alike. Rosa saw things in Cold as Hell that she cannot explain, and she’s driven to Crescent City (a thinly veiled New Orleans) for answers. Crowley is also dispatched to the City by the White Throne, and as they travel in the company of Bram Stoker (yes, really), they quickly realize that something dark is waiting for them in the big easy. Vein Pursuits is far more fantasy-dominant than Cold as Hell, but introduces some elements that make the overall story increasingly interesting. Frankly, the coolest part of this book is one I can’t say thing about for spoilers.

First things first: if you are a fan of Roger Clark from Red Dead Redemption II, who narrates this book and who was the actor for its main character Arthur Morgan (who bears an uncanny resemblance to Crowley in terms of character & background), Vein Pursuits continues to deliver.. We open with Crowley/Arthur encountering reptilian beasts in the swamps outside of Crescent City, which can only be New Orleans given its size and the cryptids and personalities we meet there, including the Voodoo Queen, and Crowley’s contempt for the city mirror’s Arthur’s of “St. Denis”, Rockstar’s version of NOLA. At some point, I know, my brain is primed to see links where the authors did not intend them — but using the word “Chelonian” when a cult of that name has a presence in St. Denis? Crowley hunting vampires in New Orleans like Arthur can in one of the game’s many eerie secrets that players can stumble upon? The mention of Tesla, who has an obvious doppelganger in RDR2? Crowley urging someone to “Don’t look back”, just like Arthur does John? Okay, that may a bit of a reach. All the same, it’s extremely easy to see Arthur in this story, which gets extremely deep in fantasy-mythic lore. In Cold as Hell, the basic premise was that there was a gang of thieves hitting banks and using the powers of hell to aid them: here, Crowley is sent to Crescent City to hunt down The Betrayer, who we discover is the descendant of Cain and the father of all vampires — but things aren’t quite that simple. The enemies of the White Throne are not a uniform mass of coordinated villains: like mortal creatures, they fight in between themselves, and in the case of The Betrayer, have motives that go beyond merely resisting the Throne and being evil for the sake of evil. I’m really looking forward to what happens next in this series, because Crowley’s attachment for Rosa makes the Throne overtly hostile towards him, despite his being their servant, and by the end…..well, let’s just say things are never easy for a Black Badge. I’m definitely continuing in this series.

[Dennis Plante · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dumb and Dumber

Hero (Crowley, the Black Badge) is stupid, an idiot, a blow hard, and he loves his horse. To me this was worse than the first book. This author writes like a 90s TV show. He has Crowley get the drop on the bad guys, demons etc, then starts talking to them or threatening them until he is distracted and the bad guys get away or get the drop on Crowley. Really got predictable and irritating. Author also has not decided if angels are good or bad, so far they seem pretty evil. Don't recommend picking up this series.

[Oliver Bogert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a good continuation to the first book, but moved a bit slower than the first book or the short story that originally interested me in the series. The author has a very descriptive style of prose that seemed to get in the way during some of the action scenes. There seemed to be a few chapters of puff that could have been edited where character development felt to be constantly repeated. Nothing horrible but some chapters dragged the plot.

[Vida Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small spoiler:

I think I may have misunderstood something? I thought Crowley could only divine the newly dead? So when he bumped the skull, just before getting his new lasso?

Ah well, it didn't distract from the story.

And I need M O R E of this story! That hook's in deep, and I ain't going anywhere.
ᕦ⁠(⁠ಠ⁠_⁠ಠ⁠)⁠ᕤ

[Caitlin McCoid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sequel to Cold as Hell. Here we follow our Black Badge to New Orleans with a band of friends and travel companions. This book delves into all the mystery, voodoo and vampire lore of New Orleans while staying true to the characters we met in book one. Now we not so patiently wait for book 3 next year.

[Austin Pistulka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, but it is very similar to another series that I love. The Dresden Files. While sometimes that can be a good thing, in this instance, the two series are so similar that it rubs me the wrong way.

As for the book itself, it's got good action, interesting plot development, and it's overall very fun, especially as an audiobook. Bruno loves a cliffhanger, I do not.

[Billy Fitzmaurice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a worried feeling going into my most anticipated release of the year that it wouldn’t reach my excitement.

What a feeling it is when it not only meets it but exceeds it in every way.

That was phenomenal! Now the long wait for book 3 😭

[Deshawn Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely scratching the itch while I wait for Dresden Book 18. Dead Acre and Cold as Hell were super fun and this is no different. The prose is perfectly matched for Roger Clark's reading and I like how the world has opened up.

[Colm Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Western supernatural what a combination

I never really knew what to expect next and it's nice to read a book that keeps you guessing. Well written, good characters and the story moves at a good pace.

[C.L. Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruno has done it again. A smashing job of using myth & lore to create a gripping action-packed urban fantasy story, set in the old west. So, Mr. Bruno, when is book 3 dropping? Because I need it...lol

[John Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has solidified this series as a must read as new books come out. I originally just read these casually but after book 2 I'll be reading book 3 as soon as it comes out. The direction the overarching storyline is going is fascinating and really added some unexpected depth to this series.

[Πέτρος Ίων · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read, though I listened to the audio book the performance in which is great.
The story continues and the plot thickens very much. It's so compelling. I listened to the books within a week and then I was sad that I did. I want more and I can't wait for the third one.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing

When the action starts, it blows up! The writing makes an imagination easily inspired. The ending was intriguing and sparks that desire to read the next book, it ties into already established lore. A good read.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this original series. It is action packed, full of suspense, has humor, great characters. I like James Crowley, he's an interesting person. I think Roger Clarke, the narrator, is wonderful. I'm not sure I would like this as well if I read it. I recommend listening to the audiobook.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

another hit

James Crowley rides again. Cowboys, demons , voodoo queen, , and the Deep South. What else do you need in a novel

[John McDonnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite like the theme and characters.

[Pedge40 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment in this Saga. Nice ending leaving plenty of options for the next book.

[Marek Dohojda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than first

I am not into old west, but this was great read!

Loving the series let em coming! Honestly I really like where this is going.

[Jon Bauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good western meets vampires meets other genres that develops characters from the first book and teases out other fun things.