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Saturday, August 20, 2011

REVIEW: Rachel Vincent's BLOOD BOUND (Unbound Bk 1)




Title: BLOOD BOUND (Unbound Bk 1)
Author: Rachel Vincent
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Publisher: Mira
List Price: $7.99
Language: English
Reading Level: Adult
ISBN-10: 0778312550
ISBN-13: 978-0778312550



My Ratings

Plot: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Originality of Plot: 5/5
Characters Development: 4.5/5
Ending: 4.5/5
Cover Art: 4.5/5
Likelihood to Recommend: 5/5

Overall: 38/40 = 95%


Synopsis

By blood, by word, by magic...

Most can't touch the power. But Liv Warren is special – a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood.

Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one.

But when her friend's daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can't rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her.

Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner...every touch...every kiss.

And more blood will be spilled before it's over...


My Review

Sir Walter Scott's quote "What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!" came to mind when I read Blood Bound. Layers upon layers of lies and oaths bind this story together.

In the Unbound world, you are bound by your word. Whether by blood or verbal oath, you are compelled to keep your promises. Going against your word can be hazardous to your health and even deadly. This world is filled with Skilled and un-Skilled humans. Most Skilled humans align themselves with one of two mob-type bosses, sometimes against their better judgment or even against their own will.

Liv Warren's life isn't always her own. A school girl promise, has Liv using her Blood Tracking Skills to help a childhood friend against her will. Liv is also forced to team up with he oh-so-sexy x-boyfriend Cam. He’s the one man she can’t live without, but has to. She is also secretly bound to a syndicate that basically owns her body and mind.

I absolutely loved the dynamic between Liv and Cam. They have a sexual tension that is so electric it jumps off the page. You can feel it in every word shared and even in every casual touch. I enjoyed uncovering their past while reading the story, it make me root for them more and more. Liv is strong both physically, mentally, and emotionally. She’s willing to give everything for the people she cares about. She isn’t a victim, like most modern female characters. You can’t help but fall in love with her character. I also enjoyed the secondary characters, and cannot wait to read more about them in Rachel’s Unbound upcoming books.

In true Rachel Vincent fashion, the ending of Blood Bound left me aching for more. She writes the most dramatic endings, that leave you torn between throwing the book at the wall and selling your first born for an advanced copy of the next book.

Rachel has an amazing knack for building unique fictional worlds. In a sea of carbon copy urban fantasy series, Blood Bound is a breath of fresh air. Her writing is both multifaceted and brilliant!

Overall, Blood Bound is a dark and seductive thrill ride. I found myself getting pulled in the Rachel’s Unbound world, and not wanting to leave. I enjoyed untangling the web that is Blood Bound!


Websites

Buy BLOOD BOUND from Amazon
Rachel Vincent's Website
Rachel's Discussion Board
Rachel's Twitter



BLOOD BOUND - Trailer




Other Books by This Author

Soul Screamers (YA Series):
0.5) My Soul to Lose (2009)
1) My Soul to Take (2009)
2) My Soul To Save (2010)
3) My Soul To Keep (2010)
4) My Soul to Steal (2011)


Shifters Series (Adult Series):
1) Stray (2007)
2) Rogue (2008)
3) Pride (2009)
4) Prey (2009)
5) Shift (2010)
6) Alpha (2010)

Friday, August 5, 2011

My Naughty & Nice Must Reads for 2011 Part 2 (Aug.-Dec.) *CONTEST*


Hey readers! Now that we're more then half-way done with 2011, it's time for My Naughty & Nice Must Reads Part 2. Several of my favorite authors have up-coming releases. New books, new series and new characters...I can't wait!

Scroll down to enter to my August New Release eBook contest. I am giving away copies of 3 amazing up-coming books: (1) Rachel Vincent's BLOOD BOUND, (1) Richelle Mead's BLOODLINES, and (1) Rachel Caine's WORKING STIFF.


AUGUST:

SEPTEMBER:
OCTOBER:
NOVEMBER:DECEMBER:

What books are you looking forward to most? Did I miss an up-coming book from your favorite author? Please comment and tell me below.


ENTER TO WIN: BLOOD BOUND, BLOODLINES & WORKING STIFF


I am giving away 3 eBooks from my top releases for August:
(1) Rachel Vincent's BLOOD BOUND, (1) Richelle Mead's BLOODLINES, and (1) Rachel Caine's WORKING STIFF. The contest closes August 25, 2011 at midnight. The winners will be notified via e-mail and will have FIVE days to respond & claim their prize! Since I'm gifting this eBook through Amazon.com, the winner must be have a US amazon.com account set up to receive their prize.

Here is what you need to do:

  • In the contest entry box below, please leave your first name/last initial and e-mail address
  • Tell me which book you are most looking forward to this year
  • Link contest via Twitter/Facebook/Blog 1 point for each link provided.
  • Follow this blog for bonus 2 points! (button located on left-hand side)
  • Follow my twitter for bonus 2 points! (button located on left-hand side)
Rules and Legal Disclaimers:
  • I will use random.org to choose the winner.
  • Contest is open to readers in the USA only.
  • The winners have FIVE days, from the day I e-mail them, to claim their prize. Failure to contact me result in forfeit of your prize. At that time, I will choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
  • These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
  • Contest is void where prohibited.
  • By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry.
(Scroll down in the box to fill in contest information. Please make sure to hit submit.)


Tuesday, August 2, 2011

TRAILER & UP-COMING RELEASE: Rachel Vincent's BLOOD BOUND


Today, Rachel Vincent released the trailer for her up-coming new series, Blood Bound. I actually just started reading my ARC copy, and I love this new and unique world she's created. If this is as amazing as her Shifters and Soul Screamers series, you won't be let down. Rachel has also posted the first chapter from Blood Bound on her website. Take a few minutes, and check out her new series!




Title: Blood Bound, Book 1
Author: Rachel Vincent
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Mira
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0778312550
ISBN-13: 978-0778312550




Synopsis


By blood, by word, by magic…

Most can't touch the power. But Liv Warren is special— a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood.

Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one.

But when her friend's daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can't rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her.

Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner…every touch…every kiss.

And more blood will be spilled before it's over…