All Hallows Blood by Raven Corinn Carluk

Publisher:  Crescent Moon Press
Pages:  230

From the Cover:

Mourning her mother on Halloween, Keila O'Broin, a psychic warrior and last of her line, isn't prepared for dead teenagers to ask her to avenge them. Compelled by her family creed, Keila combats the vampiric serial killer, despite her atrophied powers.

But defeating one killer is only the start of her adventure. Into her life walks Varick Eitenhauer, centuries old undead master of Portland. The vampire tells her she will now help him defeat his rivals in a battle to control the city, and he will accept no refusals.

Surrounded by her desire and danger, the only way to succeed is to rise from her past like a phoenix from its ashes.

Keila first loses her father, and then a short time later, her mother is taken, both battling against the evil that exists in the world.  It's part of her family motto, help those in need.  But, she's forgotten all that in her grief for her mother.  That is until a small group of spirits contact her, begging her to save another and destroy their murderer.  She's out of shape mentally, not using her skills, and though working out to help relieve her grief, she hasn't been honing her skills physically either.  She gives in and agrees, she can't ignore a cry for help.  But it brings her face to face with vampires, one wanting her help, one demanding her life.

The murderer turns out to a newly made vampire, invading the territory of Varick Eitenhauer, centuries old master vampire.  Keila agrees to help him in his bid to find his nemesis, but there's something else she feels in the core of her self, she needs to help this vampire, keep him safe, because he pulls at her soul.

All Hallows Blood by Raven Corinn Carluk is an engaging, new telling for the story of vampires and psioinic warriors, as well as a love story.  Keila is a gothically romantic character, one complete with tongue stud, and she has lost a lot in her young life, it seems all those who touch her life end up dying.  Her life is a little dark and gritty, not everything is sunshine and roses, she's lived in the dark of her grief for too long.  Keila is lost in her grief, almost to the point of taking over her life, until she can see passed it.  She won't, can't let the same fate touch Simy, her roommate and friend, or Varick, the one who speaks to her heart, mind and soul.  She'll shield those around her, protect them, even if it means her life.  Warning:  sensually told romance that ignites and holds your attention.

All Hallows Blood is the story of what happens when a psychic warrior and a vampire combine forces, on the battlefield and in life.  The romance is red hot, Keila and Varick each feeding the others needs.  The antagonist is an old enemy who has come back to get even with Varick, trying to kill the ancient vampire and take over his territory.  But Varick has other plans for the usurper, and it doesn't include leaving him alive.  He'll need Keila's help with he's going to be successful.  This is the debut novel for Ms. Carluk, and an excellent foray into the vampire/paranormal romance genre.  Her vampires are bloody, no sparkles here, and I'll be looking forward to what she offers next, maybe a companion book?  I found myself wanting to compare the story to an unique sexy retelling of a the Cinderella story where Keila is the abused by life battered beauty waiting to be discovered and Varick is Prince Charming with a vampire twist, ready to ride to her rescue as she is to his.  Each needs the other to survive, each completes the other.  I recommend this read for those who enjoy/loves vampires (like I do), Varick is an unique vampire, ancient but with other powers as well, some having nothing to do with vampirism.  Also lovers of pararomance and urban fantasy will find this story engaging and want to give it a try too.  I found the story unique, intense, entertaining, and gripping, hard to put down.


I received my e-copy from the author, I very much enjoyed it.  All opinions expressed are my own.