Book Tour for Descent of Blood & Ascent of Blood by Elizabeth Marx (Review & GIVEAWAY)

Today's a busy day here at my site as I bring you not one but two great books!  So keep reading to discover an exciting new paranormal series and comment for your chance to win both of these books...

When times are darkest, some vampires desire more than blood......

England, 1465. Mortal men clash in the War of the Roses for the English crown, while vampire warriors’ move undetected among their ranks, savoring the flow of blood that battlefields provide.
Vampire prince, Severian Pearce, fears the revelation of the immortal clans to humankind should King Henry fall from power. While in pursuit of Henry’s enemies, Severian comes to the aid of Meridian Neville, a human woman he craves—and not for the scent of her blood … Meridian is torn between honoring her father’s dying wish and her unexplainable yearning for Lord Severian. But as Severian and Meridian work together to protect a relic hunted by mortals and immortals alike, the red veil descends over them. This all-consuming attraction can drive immortals to the brink of madness. Will the existence of this powerful bond between a human and a vampire be enough to unite the immortal clans or is the red veil a scourge set on destroying any chance they might have of happiness?
When all hope is lost, one vampire will fight unto death for his forbidden love.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

What an intriguing start to what promises to be an entertaining series! After a rather slow start full of a lot of information this story picks up speed quickly to get to the best part of the story, the romance that will completely change the future.

War and the buckets of blood being spilled is the perfect place for vampires as the powerful Vampire Prince Severian Pearce and his men find out as they assist in the War of the Roses and he encounters Meridian Neville.  Severian has a brutal and bloodthirsty edge and is the epitome of vampire but his unexpected meeting with Meridian soon shows a different, more romantic, side to him.  The difference is the result of the Red Veil that strengthens the connection between any vampire and a special mortal and could drastically change the future.

Meridian's introduction to Severian has her shooting an arrow into him with love developing soon after.  She's strong-willed, brave, and willing to do anything to keep an ancient relic safe as it was her father's last request.  She's attracted to Severian but torn between her feelings for him and desire to enter the church which leads to a tug of war of the heart as they battle their way through an action-packed story.

Ms. Marx does a wonderful job combining the sexually tension-filled romance between Severian and Meridian with the bloody battle scenes that had me on the edge of my seat completely invested in their relationship.  The realism of the language, wardrobe, and way of living helped to further immerse me in the story.  Another intriguing aspect of the story involves internal narration courtesy of former priest Philabe who adds special insight into the vampires and a greater complexity to the action.  Fans of historical and paranormal romances will find this story pure delight and I'm excited to return to this intriguing world.

My rating for this is an A-

BUY LINKS:  Amazon | BN

Sometimes, love is conceived in the mind of a man long before it is ever realized.

1990, Cardiff, Wales.  Vampire prince, Sebastian Pearce, has waited six-hundred years for the right human mate. His own beloved mother was a mortal capable of carrying immortal offspring. While vampires no longer require live donors for sustenance, Mother Nature has played a cruel trick on them making breeders a rare commodity. As numbers in Sebastian’s Imperial House continue to dwindle, his virgin bride eludes him. That is, until he happens upon a young woman searching for information about a sacred vampire text, the Book of Descent. Sebastian’s desire for her is more potent than anything he’s felt for another woman, but Everleigh Marbut isn’t innocent. She’s an American with a mind of her own, and worst of all, she’s already carrying an immortal being. As Sebastian and Everleigh fight their attraction to each other, they don’t realize they’re being lured into a battle pitting medieval myth against the power of modern science to recreate life until it’s too late.
The destiny of his lineage, and the bond forged between them, now rests in their acceptance of each other as they are.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Ms. Marx has crafted another action-packed story with clever and intricate world building and an entertaining main couple in Sebastian and Everleigh.  As the second book in the Red Veil series we seamlessly reconnect with this unique vampire world but this time it's 600 years from the conclusion of Descent of Blood.  

Sebastian is an old-fashion vampire in a modern world.  He's set in his ways, isn't overly demonstrative, and when picturing his mate he sees someone demure.  What he gets is the outspoken and self-sufficient Everleigh.  She's willing to go toe to toe with him and what follows is a battles of wills that's sexually charged from the moment they set eyes on one another.  Further complicating their relationship is that Everleigh's pregnant.  The reasons behind this pregnancy open up a big can of worms that will greatly affect the future.

This story again shows the darker side of vampires as we see the Nosferatu along with others in the vampire hierarchy.  The cast of secondary characters yields one or two that I would love to see more of, particularly Lillian and Lucian/Luke whose romantic connection is palpable.  As Everleigh researches her past and her pregnancy the answers cause more problems and lead to even more implications.  

From the delightfully witty banter between the h/h to the intriguing world building to the exciting action I found myself completely immersed in this story.  It's an exciting continuation of the Red Veil series and one fans of the paranormal will want to get their hands on.

My rating for this is an A.

*I received both of these books from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

BUY LINKS:  Amazon | BN

AUTHOR INFO:

Windy City writer, Elizabeth Marx, brings cosmopolitan life alive in her fiction—a blend of romance, fast-paced Chicago living, and a sprinkle of magical realism. Elizabeth resides with her husband, girls, and two cats who’ve spelled everyone into believing they’re really dogs. She grew up in the city, has traveled extensively, and still says there’s no town like Chi-Town.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Author Page

**********GIVEAWAY**********

An e-copy of BOTH Ascent of Blood and Descent of Blood to a random commenter.

-GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO ALL!!!!

-To be entered, leave a comment, along with your email addy.

-Winner will be chosen using random.org.

-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 4/5.

***For even more chances to win visit the author blogs hosting this tour.