Hey there everyone! Today I'm taking part in the Blog Tour for Bad Blood by Nikki Jefford, organized by Xpresso Book Tours!
I will be sharing my review & a Blog Tour wide giveaway, so click HERE for the full tour schedule! But before that, let's get you some more information about the book & author, shall we?
(Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #3)
Publication date: June 4th 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Synopsis:
Aurora returns from boot camp
to a new assignment, an unwelcome roommate, and the increasingly amorous
attentions of a certain vampire hunter.
College is starting, and so is Aurora’s undercover work at a network of swanky parties known as “Tastings” for high rolling vampires who like their blood laced with fine wine. But Aurora’s not the only one on the prowl. An underground investigation is under way to find out who killed one of Anchorage’s most prominent vampires… and Aurora is a prime suspect.
***Don’t miss STAKEOUT, Vol. 2.5, a 54,000 word novella featuring Noel Harper and the entire Aurora Sky gang. Now available on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, & iTunes.***
About the author:
Bookaholic, nature girl, and animal lover.
Nikki Jefford is a third generation Alaskan who found paradise in the not-so-tropical San Juan Islands (WA) where she is, once more, neighbors with Canada in a town without a single traffic light.
She married the love of her life, Sebastien, while working as a teaching assistant in France. They reside with their Westie, Cosmo in Friday Harbor.
Loves fictional bad boys and heroines who kick butt.
College is starting, and so is Aurora’s undercover work at a network of swanky parties known as “Tastings” for high rolling vampires who like their blood laced with fine wine. But Aurora’s not the only one on the prowl. An underground investigation is under way to find out who killed one of Anchorage’s most prominent vampires… and Aurora is a prime suspect.
***Don’t miss STAKEOUT, Vol. 2.5, a 54,000 word novella featuring Noel Harper and the entire Aurora Sky gang. Now available on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, & iTunes.***
Bookaholic, nature girl, and animal lover.
Nikki Jefford is a third generation Alaskan who found paradise in the not-so-tropical San Juan Islands (WA) where she is, once more, neighbors with Canada in a town without a single traffic light.
She married the love of her life, Sebastien, while working as a teaching assistant in France. They reside with their Westie, Cosmo in Friday Harbor.
Loves fictional bad boys and heroines who kick butt.
My Review
Bad Blood is the third book in the Aurora Sky series, even if the Stake Out novella could count as a book on its own, though it recounts the events of book 2 from Noel's perspective.
Here Aurora is at boot camp after the quite grim and disastrous events of book 2 and we see her how camp has helped her and how she still has a ways to go to get herself together. Then her return to Alaska isn't exactly as she was expecting.
I really liked how this book handled the conflict of Aurora's real nature and her final acceptance of it. How she wasn't sure who were her allies and who weren't and discovering even more than wrong and right have more areas of grey that she had thought at first.
The conflict between Noel and Aurora is one that kept me hoping it'd be resolved soon, because after reading StakeOut I knew Noel's story better and felt more sympathy towards her, but I could understand how Aurora wouldn't be in the same place as she didn't have the same information we did. Still, I'm glad that little by little Aurora decided to stop avoiding and start listening.
There is a love triangle of sorts in the book, but somehow it is well done enough to not irritate me. Aurora isn't sure of her relationship with Dante, even if he is, and despite her attraction to Fane, she is quite sure she should be keeping her distance from him. She tries to be as sincere with both boys (men, males?) as possible and I think that's what saves this romance mess for me!
I was glad to see that Aurora's mum and gran are still part of the book and that instead of a source of conflict are a source of support for her, not matter how much each of them knows about what's going on. I was also really happy to see how supportive this all females family were of each other!
The plot feels a little secondary to the character progression, there's more overall series plot progression than the specific limited to the book, so to speak. The ending is a bit too open and a little too cliffhangery, even if we are given the assurance than Aurora is not left helpless or indicisive, since she's stronger and more assured of herself and her path by the end of the book.
Now, I'm really looking forward to the next book and I'm seriously hoping that Tommy will be okay, I think that might be the worst part of the cliffhanger for me! IS THE PUPPY OK?!? TELL ME HE IS!?!
3.5 to 4 stars to this one!
Giveaway
Tour wide giveaway
--Femme Fatale Handmade sterling silver pendant (INTL)
--"Bite Me" Drawstring bag with swag (INTL)
Hosted by the author
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/293e8a50/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway
I'm not thrilled about the love triangle aspect of this one Pili, but I'm glad it at least was done well enough that it didn't drive you crazy. I just can't believe how commonplace love triangles have become, I can't even remember the last book that featured a romance where there wasn't the potential for a triangle. Grrrr. Too bad on the open/cliffhanger ending, but it obviously did it's job and has you looking forward to the next book!!! Lovely review:)
ReplyDeleteYou know I really don't like love triangles at all, Jenny! But somehow it was not a straight up love triangle and didn't feel bothersome. Mostly it felt messy and realistic and completely undefined. Mostly cause Aurora doesn't choose any guy or keeps on letting that be her bigger worry!
DeleteSounds like Aurora is growing a bit and their relationship too in the process. I also like that the triangle sounds well done - a few people mentioned that. I actually enjoy a well written love triangle. Just not those that are just for drama or bc they think they had to have one. I haven't read this series yet but it sounds like a lot of fun and good to be warned about this ending! ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't like love triangles and this one didn't bother me, so it was quite well done!
DeleteAnd yeah, wait till Hunting Season comes out to start bing reading the series, cause the wait is not gonna be fun!
Stakeout really did put Noel in a whole new light, I'm too was glad Aurora eventually was willing to be open minded.
ReplyDeleteYep, StakeOut was one of those novellas well worth reading!
DeleteI haven't read the prior two books but they sound interesting!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics
It is a cool take on vampire books! Thank you, Jen!
DeleteI've never heard of this one! I do love the cover. I've been giving vampires a break... for like, five years now :D Perhaps a good one will bring me around. Awesome post, Pili!
ReplyDeleteAlyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Either check this one and/or the Blood of Eden by Julie Kagawa! That one is a great vampire series!
DeleteLove triangles are always bothersome for me but I am glad that the one in this one was handled in such a matter that it didn't bother you.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the sound of a supportive family. Those are the best aren't they?
I am glad you enjoyed this instalment overall, Pili, and hopefully the next book will come out soon enough so you won't be kept waiting long after that cliffhanger!
Lovely review, Pili! :)
Rashika @ The Social Potato
Thank you, Rashika! I'm hoping the next book will come soon, according to the author is 2/3rds done! =D
DeleteAwesome post and review sweetie :D Thank you for sharing. <3 Looks like an interesting book :)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, sweetie! =D
DeleteOh my gosh, poor Noel! I agree, I was also hoping things would be settled between them soon. Before Stakeout I had no idea that she had so much stuff going on with her! And Fane, he is such a great supportive friend :) That ending though... wow! I can't wait to read book 4!!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! :)
Yep, Stakeout was such a game changer!!
DeleteAnd yeah, I cannot wait for book 4!! Luckily Nikki said she's almost done!