Free Blood, The Quinn Chronicles #1
by Marny Copal
Pretty cover art. Love the stained glass and the cool chick.
Let’s talk about the story shall we.
Quinn’s busted. Her cousin Kasey received a text message that was meant for Quinn. It’s from her best friend Jo-Jo.
“Quinn, it’s Jo-Jo. You know that recorder we set last night? You’ll never believe what we caught. It’s more than an EVP. Meet me at Chockablock at six. I’ll bring my laptop and hit you with the details. Gotta run.”
Great. Just great. Her Aunt Renae would kill her if she let Kasey get involved in ghost hunting. She’s here staying with Quinn while she attends college. Besides, there’s much more going in and around the Portland Underground than just ghosts.
Kasey is persistent, and to placate her, Quinn lets her come along to meet Jo-Jo. They get there before her and as Jo-Jo’s crossing the street a vehicle races up and some goons jump out and grab her.
Quinn puts a hurt on some and Kasey jumps in, trying to help. There are too many and they take off with Jo-Jo.
If they’d been ordinary men, Quinn could’ve managed them, but they weren’t. They were vassals. Vassals are people who’ve drank the same vampires blood three or more times, binding them to that vampire and doing his bidding.
To keep Kasey safe, Quinn keeps her by her side. They’re going to have to enter the vampires world to get to the bottom of Jo-Jos kidnapping. And whether she likes it or not, she’s going to need Del’s help.
Quinn and Del have a shared past and still have feelings for each other. They also have secrets they’ve kept to themselves. If they’re to get Jo-Jo back alive, keep Kasey safe, and stay alive themselves, they’ll need to trust each other.
Wow, does this book start with a bang and just keep packing it on.
You’ll get to go into a vampire club and meet some strange beings.
The vampires in this story are pretty vile. They are motivated by their own agendas and are master tricksters.
Then there’s the blood drinkers. The human ones. You have the fastbloods(or vassals) and the freebloods. The freebloods are people who drink vampire blood in order to gain their strength and healing powers. For some, the risk of drinking the same vampires blood too may times is worth the risk of becoming its slave.
About the characters. Quinn is my favorite. She’s flawed, comes with a lot of baggage, and has a nasty habit. That just makes me like her more. She’s also fiercely loyal, quick thinking, and doesn’t hesitate to put her life on the line. She also likes a good battle.
Her cousin Kasey, with her barbie doll looks, really comes into her own and she’s also the comic relief. Her antics had me smiling and laughing. She’s also stubborn and quite good at getting her way.
Del is the alpha male type. He’s the man you’d follow into battle, trusting him to have your back. But he’s vulnerable where Quinn’s concerned. She makes his head spin.
There are other characters you’ll meet along the way, with their own special influences.
The world building is well described and easy to envision. I enjoyed reading about the lifestyles of the vampires and their motivations.
There’s never a dull moment and Marny Copal’s Freeblood doesn’t disappoint.
A great beginning to an exciting new series. I’ll be snatching up the next chapter as soon as it’s available.
Five vials of liquid gold for Freeblood
Giveaway.
Marny is offering one signed paperback for the giveaway.
East to enter. Leave your email address and answer this question, “Would you drink vamp blood to gain their powers, even at risk of becoming their slave?”
Contest ends Dec. 15th.
Sorry. This giveaway is for US only.
About the author and where to find her
Books, school, and farm animals kept Marny Copal busy as a kid in Central Oregon. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Oregon, she worked in archaeology and freelance writing. She lives in Eugene with her husband. No farm animals in their residential neighborhood, but plenty of deer, raccoons, possums, and cats keep her company as she works on her latest writing project.
Freeblood is on sale for 99 cents until January 1, 2013 as part of the Ring in the New Year Holiday Promotion. Click on the cover to get yours.
Have A Holly Jolly Christmas!
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