Book Review
of Blood and Guitars Sponsored by Bewitching Book Tours
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Blood
and Guitars
Book One
By
Heather Jensen
Blurb:
When Aurora meets Trey, a famous singer and
musician, she’s only hoping to get her fill of human blood for the week. The
last thing Aurora expects is for Trey to make her feel alive for the first time
since she was, well, alive.
It begins with a casual painting lesson at her
art studio, The Waking Moon, and quickly turns into a forbidden romance. Aurora
is forced to hide her true identity from Trey, while keeping her relationship
with the human a secret from other vampires in her Brood. Trey’s band is
recording a new album and with Aurora as his muse, Trey is writing songs like
never before.
After being hired by their record label to
paint the album cover, Aurora has a legitimate reason for spending so much time
with Trey and his band mates. Aurora can’t deny the unexpected connection she
has with Trey, which is fueled by limpses into his emotions every time they
share a kiss.
Caught between two worlds, Aurora must attend
celebrity award shows and vampire rituals, find time to feed, and protect Trey
from the dangers of the night, all while preserving her secrets.
Immortals And Melodies
Blood And Guitars #2
Book Blurb:
"I found myself wishing for the
power and whimsy of fairy tales. If only things were as simple as we’re led to
believe as children. I remembered the story of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.
Both were saved by the power of a kiss, drawn out of their lifeless state to
live happily ever after. Desperately, I bent and left a soft kiss on Trey’s
lips. It was foolish. I knew that, but even that knowledge couldn’t prepare me
for the agony that ripped at my heart when he didn’t respond."
-Aurora
Catalyst frontman Trey is no stranger to chaos,
but even the life of a rock star couldn’t prepare him for the consequences of
loving a vampire. Trey’s life is in danger; threatened by the very group he
must join to stay alive.
His struggle to continue his career and release
a new album is marred bye vents that force him to go to a powerful Synod Elder
for help. Aurora has to keep Trey alive until she can make him a vampire, but
her own kind will stop at nothing to prevent it.
The head of the Emissary is having her
followed, and if she can’t figure out who is behind the violent attacks, Trey
might not make it to the full moon. As Aurora battles her own kind, she’s also
plagued by the risk she’s taking by changing Trey.
Will her moon-given power be enough to carry
Trey through the change, or will he be left floating in the wake of
destruction?
Author Bio:
Heather Jensen writes paranormal fantasy for
teens and adults. She began writing her first book at the age of 16. She is an
avid reader and loves anything vampire-related, but likes all kinds of fantasy.
When she’s not writing she enjoys traveling, listening to music, going to
concerts, playing guitar and spending time with friends and family.
She is addicted to Oreos and White Knight
drinks from Perks. Her favorite color is green and the uglier the shade the
better.
Heather lives in Southern Utah with her husband
and son where she continues to write the Blood And Guitars series.
The second book in the series, Immortals And Melodies
has just been released on Kindle.
Website www.heatherjensen.info
To purchase the first book in the Blood And
Guitars series in e-book or paperback, visit http://heatherjensen.info/about-the-book/shop/
Facebook www.facebook.com/BloodAndGuitars
Book Trailer playlist on Youtube
Goodreads Author Page
Excerpt Blood and Guitars:
The clock on
the wall in the loft of The Waking Moon read ten after midnight. I was standing
at the easel, a brush in my hand, while Trey worked out a new song on his
acoustic guitar. He sat on the floor with his back against the half-wall while
his voice echoed around the loft.
“I lie awake
These sleepless nights can last
forever
I try to take you in.
“I can’t believe …
You’re in my arms- and here with
me
I pinch myself again.
“Cause I know … it’s worth it
You’re worth- whatever it takes
To make you stay.
“And I’ll show … you over and
over
Every day- as long as you’ll
stay
With me….”
I’d been painting him for half an hour, although of course, he had no idea
that’s what I was doing. He just looked so incredible sitting there barefoot in
his jeans and t-shirt, cradling his guitar, that I couldn’t help myself. The
song was getting to me, too. It was poetic, the way words flowed from him
effortlessly. Who knew I was a sucker for musicians? I’d already finished
painting Trey, capturing every aspect of him from the carefree spirit in his
azure eyes to the fashionably worn holes in his jeans. As I switched to a
silver metallic paint to work on the details of Trey’s instrument, I struggled
to shake off memories of the night before.
After hours of playing Guitar Hero two nights ago, I’d spent all day
yesterday sleeping and had gone hunting after dark. Finding someone to feed
from had been the easy part, but when I got close enough to get a good look at
his face, I’d been surprised to discover that he had a remarkable resemblance
to Trey. It wasn’t as if I’d thought it was Trey at any point. I could
definitely tell the difference. But the similarities were shocking. He’d had
hair just like Trey’s, and his eyes … they were the same crystal clear blue.
Instead of using whatever lie of a story I had in my mind to distract him like
I’d planned, I’d found myself staring at him in astonishment until he was
asking if I was okay. In the end I’d mumbled something about how he might
consider a career as a celebrity impersonator as I walked away.
Not exactly the ending I’d had in mind. I’d gone out for drinks with Mark
afterward, trying to forget about the incident. He’d known something was
bothering me, but I hadn’t explained myself and he’d been smart enough not to
push the issue.
Even if Mark had been clued in to just how much time I’d been spending with
Trey, which he wasn’t, I could never have explained what was running through my
mind. It wasn’t the lack of feeding that was bothering me. It was the fact that
I’d been so repulsed by the idea of feeding from someone who could have been
Trey’s double. I’d clearly been in denial about my feelings for Trey. I just
hadn’t expected those feelings to manifest in a way that would literally stop
me in my tracks and cost me a meal.
The vampire in me could point out with ease all of the logical reasons why
I should never see Trey again. He was only human, after all. What did he really
have to offer me? The answer to that was simple, if I looked deep enough.
Freedom.
Trey was all of the things I liked to pretend I was, but could never be
again. Admittedly I was getting good at going through the motions of being free
spirited and adventurous but in my moonlit reality I felt trapped. A spirit
like Trey’s was something I’d admired as a human, envied even. I’d tried to
live like that myself, never quite managing to do it. Aden had been the free
spirited one. I’d loved that about him, too. As an immortal creature, I’d
hoped to finally grasp the independence I’d always strived for. I’d made the
age-old mistake many of my kind make, assuming that being free from age and
free of death would give me freedom in life. I’d since learned that things
didn’t exactly work out that way.
The only taste of that freedom I experienced was with Trey. It was as if
his innate ability to live so carefree was contagious and rubbed off on me more
and more with each second we spent together. It was a powerful feeling, and not
one I was ready to give up.
The blood-laced drinks Mark and I consumed had curbed my appetite but only
temporarily. I’d gone out tonight and managed to feed from someone who in no
way resembled Trey, or anyone else I know for that matter. One thing was
certain; I seriously needed to get a grip.
Trey set his guitar down on the ground and gave an exaggerated old man
groan as he got to his feet, stretching his limbs. With a few tiny strokes of a
brush I finished adding the metallic paint to the likeness of Trey’s guitar on
my canvas. I stepped back to admire my work as Trey sauntered over and stood
next to me. I watched his face out of the corner of my eye, anxious to see his
reaction.
“Wow,” he said in astonishment. “This is incredible. I didn’t realize what
you were – that I was the subject.”
“It was your idea,” I responded.
He stared, open-mouthed at the painting. “Yeah, but I had no idea you would
come up with something like this. You even used the metallic paints. It’s
insane!”
“I’m glad you like it,” I said.
“Like it? I can’t wait to show it to the guys,” he professed. “Do you have
any others, you know, from the studio?”
I gestured with a hand to my giant sketchpad. Trey picked it up and flipped
through the first few pages, taking a few seconds to admire the random drawings
I’d done there, including the sketch I’d done of him and O’Shea playing their
guitars in the studio. I might have started to worry that he didn’t like it,
but the lopsided grin on his face when he glanced up at me was answer enough.
“Let’s show the rest of the guys tomorrow,” he suggested. “Then if they’re
on board we can get Wes to take your sketches to the label.”
“If you say so.”
“Definitely,” he added. “Then, I’ll help you sell this on eBay so it
doesn’t waste space in here,” he joked.
“And deprive some loyal, pubescent fan of the joy that would come from
winning this through your fan club?” I said incredulously. “I don’t think so.”
He took a step forward and smiled again, that half-smile that was so full
of boyish charm and sincerity. With all my inhuman advantages, I was still
powerless against it. His calloused fingers gently gripped my hand as he pulled
my palm to his chest where I felt every beat of his heart. It was a bold move
on Trey’s part in ways he couldn’t even understand. I recognized the gesture as
one of openness without needing to search his mind. Even though I was aware of
the delicious blood pumping through his veins, my mouth didn’t so much as
water. I gazed back at him, his blue eyes blazing, and I had to resist the
intense urge not to look away for the ridiculous fear that he’d see right
through me. See the wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Then his lips were on mine and I lost myself, overwhelmed by the surge of
Trey’s emotions as they flooded through me. I kissed him back wanting to forget
my fear of being discovered, of putting him in danger, and focus only on how
good it felt being in his arms. After all, relinquishing some control was a
sacrifice worth making if it meant I could continue to live in this fantasy
with Trey. But the dreaded tingling in my teeth started up again and I reluctantly
pulled away. Trey closed his eyes and let out a slow breath, resting his
forehead against mine. It was obvious he was trying to be patient with me.
“Trey, I…” I wanted to apologize but what could I say? I’m sorry but I’m
afraid my fangs might freak you out. Oh, and by the way, my eyes sort of glow
in the dark when I get excited. I hope you’re cool with that?
“It’s
okay,” he breathed, resting his hand on mine over his heart. I wondered how
long he would put up with me pulling away like this. It was selfish of me and
dangerous for us both, but I wasn’t willing to give him up. I didn’t want to
lose him, or the effect he had on my spirit. It was time to accept the truth. I
was falling in love with Trey.
Book Review:
This book was cute, but a little pedantic. The plot was similar to other vampire
books: vampire falls in love with human,
human’s life is endangered because of it, vampire turns human (or in the case
of this book, plans to turn human).
There are some salient points that
give this story enough of a difference to encourage me to read book 2 in the
series (Immortals And Melodies). The
vampires are not harmed by sun or garlic, they just have extra powers when the
moon is up. The human in this case is a
Rock Star, and the vampires aren’t very happy about her turning him. In fact, they want him dead for daring to
love a vampire.
I had trouble connecting with this
book in a meaningful way. I’m so over
vampires. That said the book had good
writing and some very funny points. I
enjoyed the interactions between the characters that were ‘real’ and not like
the vampires were perfect. I will read
the second book (Check back Sunday for the review) and see if it improves my
view of the series.
I give this book 3 out of 5
clouds. I could take it or leave it.
This
product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my
opinions or reviews.
Thank you for the promo and for your review of Blood And Guitars! :)
ReplyDeleteWow Heather! This book sounds amazing!! A Must-Read!!! I must get a didgital copy for our kindle!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shana! That means a lot to me! :)
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