Annie Nicholas is paying a return visit to my site today with her sixth book in her Vanguard series, Prima, a sexy and fast-paced paranormal story. So keep reading to see what Annie has to say about this series as well as my review of Prima. May sure to leave a comment before you leave for your chance to win a copy of it......
Waking Up In A New Age:
I love the idea of going to sleep and waking in the future. It’s almost like time travel. I’d wake, finding teleporters and space travel. Maybe aliens. Adjusting to new technology would take time yet still be fascinating.
Then I thought what would it be like to wake in present time if someone went to sleep three hundred years ago? The fastest way to travel was by horse and they’d be waking to planes. Let alone the concept of television or internet. Candle light is only for ambiance now.
In my Vanguard series, I have developed a clan of vampires called Nosferatu. They are less human than most vampires yet they are the strongest. My latest novella has one of theseNosferatu waking to a future he can’t comprehend. As a warrior he understands swords and crossbow but explosives and guns are not part of his vocabulary. He hasn’t much time to adjust before being sent on a mission to bring his clan brother back to his duties.
The vampire council sends an emissary to Daedalus. His clan brother, another Nosferatu, hands him an ultimatum. Return to his post as Prime in Pal Robi or he’ll kill Sugar and her shifter friends. Daedalus has brought enough trouble into Sugar’s life. He won’t be responsible for more, so he agrees to leave Chicago.
To both warriors surprise, Sugar’s not willing to remain behind, and with her own shifter guards she’s ready to assist Daedalus regain control of Pal Robi.
EXCERPT:
Daedalus set his arm around Sugar’s shoulders, something he used to do often but not so much since her return home. His arm felt heavy and solid. He always made her feel safe. Even though they lived together, she missed him and how they used to be. Daedalus guided the tip of the cane back to the ground. “Let’s not kill Pallas right away. He still has his uses.” He pressed a kiss on her head.
She tossed a look over her shoulder where the pack in beast form had poured out the door onto the patio. If the neighbors were watching, there’d be more notes in her mailbox. “Can we move this inside and keep it civil?”
Pallas gave her a short bow and returned to her home.
She elbowed Daedalus in his solid gut. “You never said you had family.” He hardly ever spoke about his past. After three years, she would have expected to know this at least.
“What?”
“They said he’s your brother.” She pointed at the shifters escorting Pallas inside.
“Oh, not by blood, but by vampire clan. I told you that turning females into Nosferatu only kills them, so my clan is a type of brotherhood.”
A familiar throb returned to her temples, and she shrugged his arm off. “Why is he threatening to kill us then?”
“Vampire blackmail tactics. They work remarkably well.”
She frowned. How could he be so nonchalant about a threat on their lives? What could Pallas possibly want from them? Unless… “Who does he want you to kill?”
Daedalus flinched. “Why do you jump to that conclusion?”
“What else would he want? It’s what you’re good at.” The words came out her mouth before she could stop them. Damn it. Daedalus killed. It was a fact she couldn’t seem to live with. They’d been round and round this barbed subject so many times she had scars on her scars. He probably owned as many. Saying sorry just didn’t mean the same after the amount of arguments they’d had. He knew she’d be lying because once again she’d tossed her stupid high morals at him. They stared at each other as the canyon between their hearts grew wider. What was a few more inches when they had miles to bridge?
Daedalus leaned close enough that she’d only have to go on tiptoe to kiss him. Her broken heart ached that she couldn’t manage even that simple task. His blue eyes had gone dark. “He represents the seat of power of my people. They want me to stop neglecting my duties and return to my position.” He smirked, but it didn’t hide the hurt in his voice. “Please, try to remember that I have more skills than just killing. I am Prime of this part of North America, and I haven’t been a very good one since I’ve met you. I’ll take care of Pallas, just like I do everything else.” Daedalus stormed into the house, leaving her to limp back alone.
She stared at the uneven ground and ignored the heaviness pressed against her chest. He had finally given her the space and independence she craved, and it stung.
She tossed a look over her shoulder where the pack in beast form had poured out the door onto the patio. If the neighbors were watching, there’d be more notes in her mailbox. “Can we move this inside and keep it civil?”
Pallas gave her a short bow and returned to her home.
She elbowed Daedalus in his solid gut. “You never said you had family.” He hardly ever spoke about his past. After three years, she would have expected to know this at least.
“What?”
“They said he’s your brother.” She pointed at the shifters escorting Pallas inside.
“Oh, not by blood, but by vampire clan. I told you that turning females into Nosferatu only kills them, so my clan is a type of brotherhood.”
A familiar throb returned to her temples, and she shrugged his arm off. “Why is he threatening to kill us then?”
“Vampire blackmail tactics. They work remarkably well.”
She frowned. How could he be so nonchalant about a threat on their lives? What could Pallas possibly want from them? Unless… “Who does he want you to kill?”
Daedalus flinched. “Why do you jump to that conclusion?”
“What else would he want? It’s what you’re good at.” The words came out her mouth before she could stop them. Damn it. Daedalus killed. It was a fact she couldn’t seem to live with. They’d been round and round this barbed subject so many times she had scars on her scars. He probably owned as many. Saying sorry just didn’t mean the same after the amount of arguments they’d had. He knew she’d be lying because once again she’d tossed her stupid high morals at him. They stared at each other as the canyon between their hearts grew wider. What was a few more inches when they had miles to bridge?
Daedalus leaned close enough that she’d only have to go on tiptoe to kiss him. Her broken heart ached that she couldn’t manage even that simple task. His blue eyes had gone dark. “He represents the seat of power of my people. They want me to stop neglecting my duties and return to my position.” He smirked, but it didn’t hide the hurt in his voice. “Please, try to remember that I have more skills than just killing. I am Prime of this part of North America, and I haven’t been a very good one since I’ve met you. I’ll take care of Pallas, just like I do everything else.” Daedalus stormed into the house, leaving her to limp back alone.
She stared at the uneven ground and ignored the heaviness pressed against her chest. He had finally given her the space and independence she craved, and it stung.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS STORY:
Make love not war.....that's the motto of Prima, the sixth book in her Vanguard series, by Annie Nicholas as readers are rewarded with a slew of steamy sexual interludes. Following the bloody ambush in the previous Vanguard book, Sugar has been left with numerous scars and the left side of her body paralyzed. The depiction of her disability is realistic and her feelings of sorrow with a body that has betrayed her are easy to relate to and I found it easy to immerse myself in her life as it is now. She feels less than a woman due to her disability and has been shutting out her Nosferatu vampire fiancée Daedalus in hopes that he'll move on with his life. His feelings haven't changed for her though and the strength she exhibits in dealing with her disability makes him admire and love her all the more.
In helping her heal he's ignored his responsibilities as Prime and his brother Pallas has been awoken from hibernation to get him to reclaim his duties. Knowing his life is in danger forces her to put aside her depression and stand by his side as he eliminates those who've questioned his authority. She's caught in the crossfire though and awakens with a whole new body with Daedalus as her guide to the sexy world of vampirism. The whole second half of the story shows her growing accustomed to what she'll now have to do to survive and finding out that blood and sex go together beautifully. These sexual interludes are highly erotic and have you picturing the stereotypical Nosferatu vampire in a whole new suave and sexy way.
I've read only a few of the books in the Vanguard series so some of the characters were lost to me, but overall this story can stand on its own as it's mostly about Sugar's transformation into the vampire world. There's moments of sexiness and surprising humor amongst the blood of battle and new life and it added to my enjoyment immensely. The other highlight was the character of Pallas who was snarky and bloodthirsty but still loyal to a fault to his Brother. Seeing him reacquaint himself with a modern world humanized him and made him incredibly endearing and I would love his story to be told. Those looking for an entertaining and fast-paced read that nicely balances humor and action will find all that and more with Prima.
My rating for this is a B+
*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
Annie Nicholas hibernates in the rural, green mountains of Vermont where she dreams of different worlds, heroes, and heroines. When spring arrives the stories pour from her, in hopes to share them with the masses one day. Mother, daughter, wife are some of the hats she happily wears while trudging after her cubs through the hills and dales. The four seasons an inspiration and muse.
Website: www.annienicholas.com
@annienicholas
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**********GIVEAWAY**********
Prize is an e-copy of Prima by Annie Nicholas.
-Giveaway is OPEN TO EVERYONE.
-To be entered, leave a meaningful comment (make sure to leave your email addy as well).
-Winner will be chosen using random.org
-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 5/5.
Thanks for hosting me today and the great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to start reading this series soon! I found Annie Nicholas through Bait (love love loved it!!). I devoured that book and quickly got Catch. I'm really excited about Release, and while I'm waiting I'm going to start the Vanguard series.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to win a copy of Prima!
mengelhorn(at)gmail(dot)com