***4 Stars***
A secret band of brothers fighting against the monsters that go bump into the night is a familiar trope, whether it be in PNR or or otherwise, and it’s one that tends to peak my curiosity because I want to see how the author will make it their own. And while there are a few things I’m still waffling over a bit, I found Releasing the Demons to be an overall enjoyable first in series read with a good balance of action, humor and characters that I want to know more about.
After being taken prisoner and tortured Blaze’s life was tilted on it’s axis, but with the help of his brothers he worked at setting things right and getting back on track with what he was created to do. I really liked Blaze. For all the scars that he bears, both inside and outside, and the constant battle he has going on with the monster within him, he is a good man. He cares about his mission in life and ensuring the safety of those he calls his own, even if he doesn’t realize they are his at the time. He may slip every so often, but even then his lapses are never towards those who are innocent.
On the surface Valerie’s life doesn’t look much different than anyone else’s, but the brutal murder of her sister when she was young set her on a path where protect and serve weren’t just words, but sacred vows. Valerie is one tough cookie. She sees the havoc that the vampires wreak every night and wants to stop it, but no matter how intense the situation is, she doesn’t step into the vigilante realm, most of the time. She respects the process and knows her limitations.
Blaze and Valerie’s relationship starts off rocky, but I enjoyed how it all played out between them. I loved their battle of wills and the banter that came from it. They were honest, or at least as honest, as they could be about who they were and their motives and really liked that Blaze respected Valerie’s strength even as he worked at protecting her. Things progress somewhat quickly between them from when they meet to when the “L” word starts appearing in their heads, but I wouldn’t necessarily label it as “insta-love” because to me that would mean they declared their feelings, even if only in their heads, the moment they met. There are a few obstacles they have to work through and I liked that it was done without too much OTT drama associated with it.
I was hooked from the first page, it was a brutal way to start things off, but it did exactly as it was meant to. I found the writing style easy to read and I liked multiple 3rd person POV’s. Where my waffling comes into play centers around the fact that I would have liked a little more detailed background on the Senary and specifically Blaze himself. We find out how he was created, but only go as far back as him imprisonment and the fallout from it. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story, but it would have bumped up my rating had we gotten a more indepth look at the man.
In the name of total honesty, I was contacted by the author to see if I’d be interested in reading the second book of the series and opt’d to read and review the first as well since it is a series. I did a little research and read a few reviews before taking the plunge. I will say that the comparisons to some of the more popular ‘band of brothers’ PNR series was one of the reasons I decided to give this one a go and will say that while there are similarities, the author made it her own with what each member brings to the table. I enjoyed the family vibe and camaraderie between them all and am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for The Order of the Senary.
~ Copy provided by the author ~
Blaze Knight has been through hell and back, but the nightmares aren't over yet.
Five years after Blaze was maimed by Cyrus Chimola, a powerful vampire with a penchant for torture, he's still trying to pick up the pieces of his shattered life. As a genetically engineered mercenary with the ability to bend fire to his will and to see in infrared, Blaze's mission is to protect what's left of humanity. When Chimola and his crew return to the Bronx gunning for Blaze's blood, Blaze is forced to face the demons of his past. Hell-bent on revenge, he seeks the help of Valerie Medeiros, an NYPD detective who manages to steal his heart and save his life in more ways than one.
Motivated by her sister's gruesome death, Valerie has made it her life's goal to bury every vampire in the ground where they belong. When she brings in Blaze Knight for suspected murder, she discovers he's not only innocent, he isn't a man at all-he's a half-vampire hybrid working with a band of brothers for the U.S. military. Valerie has a hard time trusting anything with fangs, yet she quickly falls headlong into Blaze's life, a life full of darkness and horror she can't even begin to fathom. The bodies are stacking up, but Valerie can't seem to let go of this hybrid, a beautiful monster filled with pain, rage, and passion unlike anything she's ever known.
In a world where the line between good and evil is blurred, Blaze and Valerie will find danger at every turn, risking everything they've come to know and love, including one another.
L.D. Rose is a neurotic physician by day, crazed writer by night, and all around wannabe superhero. She writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy, but she's been known to delve into horror, sci-fi, and medical suspense on occasion. L.D. Rose is a PAN member of the RWA, FF&P, NEC-RWA and CoLoNY. She currently lives in Rhode Island with her studly hubby, her hyperactive boxer, and her two devious cats.
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