Red Veil series Blog Tour: reviews

This Thursday is devoted to vampires--the vampires and their mates in Elizabeth Marx's paranormal series. We are today's stop on the Red Veil Series Blog Tour hosted by Full Moon Bites Blog Tours.

Descent of Blood (The Red Veil Series, Prequel) by Elizabeth Marx 

Paranormal romance*Paperback, eBook 

Publisher: Self published 

Purchase: Amazon | B&N |

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.

Ascent of Blood (The Red Veil Series, #1) by Elizabeth Marx

  Paranormal romance*Paperback, eBook

Publisher: Self published

Purchase: Amazon | B&N | 

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.

As many of our readers know, I love vampires. In film, in graphic novels, manga, anime, and especially in books. I'm always looking for new and unique tales about these fanged immortals so imagine my happiness at discovering a new author of a series which has become my favorite of 2013--Elizabeth Marx's Red Veil series.

"When all hope is lost, one vampire will fight unto death for his forbidden love." That line captures the true feel of the prequel story, Descent of Blood. What can I say about about Severian Pearce, Vampire Prince and all around great guy? The way he commands a scene, a quiet yet threatening presence, made him an instant favorite. I haven't been this excited about vampires since reading and adoring the Vampire Empire series by Clay and Susan Griffith. 

What I thoroughly enjoyed about Descent of Blood was, well, everything! From the opening chapter, I couldn't move my eyes off the page. First meeting Meridian as she hides herself from becoming a victim of a murderous spree taking those she cares for at her home to Severian's walk through the same castle viewing the carnage. When they meet I realized I was already taken by this story. Things only got better from there.

I need to say how impressed I am with author Elizabeth Marx. This is self-publishing at its best. Yes, there were typos (and I find them in a lot of books, no matter the publisher), but the heart of this story, the characters, dialogue, descriptions, plot, and pace of Descent of Blood exemplify just how well-written this work is. It is entertaining and made me an instant fan. Marx has successfully blended the 'feel' of historical with the hint of a blooming romance along with the threat of blood drinking creatures. There are Nosferatus--the 'true' vampires who pass on their infection--to the "Houses" of the vampires (classification system) to war hounds and more. The attention to detail was apparent. My favorite characters were Severain, Meridian and Philabe. The idea of a "red veil" linking an immortal to his true love fascinated me. The politics of war and deceit of 1464 in Scotland was well conveyed and came to life in my mind. 

What I truly loved was the chemistry between Severain and Meridian. What a couple! Both strong minded and smart, he has to deal with her stubborn ways and she has to have patience with his 'old' ways of thinking and treating women. This theme was quite apparent in Ascent of Blood, the next book in the Red Veil series which tells the story of their son, Sebastian Pearce, and his pursuit of the American woman, Dr. Everleigh Marbut. This time history jumps ahead six hundred years to Wales as he is alerted to a woman searching for knowledge of a certain book. 

I wasn't immediately taken with Sebastian as I was with Severain. He was brooding and moody, and over time I came around to liking him as I understood him. Everleigh was a great character--feisty, intelligent, and quick with the snark. She made me laugh with her retorts. Again, the author created quite a story. Sebastian is aware of the Red Veil with the outspoken American, but she has her own baggage. She is human, a breeder, and his true mate, and she is already pregnant. Hmm... This revelation may be surprising and the way the author expounds upon this conflict only made me more of a fan. A new set of characters to like from Gillian to Cain, Ascent of Blood told an involving and engaging story. I loved both stories in this series and hungrily await the next novel by Elizabeth Marx. Vampire fans and paranormal junkies should have this series on their reading radar. 

Rating: 

A solid 5 for both. Love this series!

Cover comment: 

I like them both but I am curious as to what the leading men look like. Perhaps we'll be privy to one on the next cover?

Book source: 

I received a promotional copy of both books in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author: 

 

Elizabeth Marx

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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.