Review: Blood Seductions: Gavin by Celeste Hall

Review

Good morning everyone. I am happy to be reviewing Celeste Hall's new novel - Blood Secudtions: Gavin.

Beware of dark desire… When a vampire falls in love with a human, there is more at risk than a broken heart. How do you protect the one you love from becoming the thing she fears most in the world? How do you share your life with someone knowing fully well that your blood carries a virus which could destroy her?

About Celeste Hall

The oldest of nine children, I was tutored at home during childhood, first by my mother and then a German woman with a passion for science and history. I could never find enough books to keep my mind busy, even with the vast library that my father kept. I wrote my first short stories around the age of nine, and was completing full length manuscripts by the age of twelve.

I left home around fourteen or fifteen, staying with family and friends among the western States. As the years passed I continued to read everything I could lay hands on. In adulthood I began building towards a career in criminal justice, particularly criminal psychology. I received various certifications, awards and schooling in the field before discovering parapsychology and finding myself drawn into the mystery of the mind.

I received a PhD in Parapsychology but continued working towards a future in criminal justice until a car accident in 2005 left me with a traumatic brain injury and learning how to walk again in a swimming pool.

After two years of physical therapy I knew that my body was no longer capable of supporting the rigors of the career I'd chosen. After my mother discovered some of my old manuscripts in her basement, I decided to try writing once more. And I couldn’t be happier!

Where to find Celeste:

Her Website | Her Blog | Facebook Page | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

Excerpt

A warm feathery sensation against the back of her neck had Sarah turning to find that Gavin was now directly behind her.

She startled at the proximity, stumbling as she made a desperate attempt to put some distance back between them.

He caught her before she could fall, holding her securely braced against the rock solid support of his body, the unexpected and shocking heat of his hands against her skin immediately halting all thought of escape.

Sarah looked up at him with the wide eyed stare of Bambi caught in the headlights, every nerve in her body singed by his touch.

Her gaze locked with his.

A thick fringe of dark lashes framed eyes that were a brilliant green with small flecks of gold. And those impossibly green eyes were now studying her with a dangerous level of intensity.

Sarah tried to tell herself that it was fear which made her heart try to pound its way out of her chest and had her breath trapped in her lungs.

She was firmly ensnared within the arms of the most dangerous creature she knew. And that was very likely blood lust making his eyes spark like green fire. But there was an excited swirl of sensations forming low in her belly, warning that if she didn’t soon escape, she would stop wanting to.

Her gaze dropped to his mouth.

Those strong, sensual lips seemed to grow fuller even as she watched. Sarah knew at once that his canines were growing erect behind that slight curve of a very predatory smile.

She should have been terrified.

Instead, she felt a brilliant wash of heat shoot straight down to her core, lighting up that silken bundle of nerves hidden between her thighs with such immediate need she nearly moaned.

Gavin hadn’t intended to get so close to her, but now that he had her in his arms he felt everything male within him come alive.

She was slim and elegantly built, like a fine boned thoroughbred. Panting as if she’d just run a long race, the sweet scent of mint on her breath feathering against his mouth, making his gums ache as his fangs grew even more painfully erect.

Sarah had high cheekbones that only further accentuated her delicate features and those deep brown eyes. Dark pools that widened as they gazed up at him, making her appear even more innocent and beautiful.

“I didn’t mean to frighten to you,” he offered, one hand still gently grasping her arm as the other supported her back.

Big, powerful hands, which Sarah knew were capable of incredible violence. Yet he held her with the care of a lion cradling a newborn cub. Infinitely aware of just how deadly he could be.

“Boundaries…bloodsucker…”

The warning growl was barely audible to Sarah’s human ears, but she recognized the voice. She also recognized the slight vibration of wings suggesting that Mikhail was not only standing nearby, but he was posed for violence.

Instead of releasing her and stepping back, Gavin’s hand on her arm smoothly glided down to cup her fingers against his palm.

He held her there for a moment, as if preparing for a waltz.

“Beautiful,” he murmured with a slow smile that suggested he knew exactly how pissed off Mikhail was growing, and found it terribly amusing. But that smile was having an entirely different affect on Sarah’s body.

Her skin flushed as she began to tremble.

She was sure now. It wasn’t fear that made her heart pound and her breath catch. How could she possibly be attracted to this…this, creature? He was a vampire! He was a monster! He was the embodiment of everything that terrified her in this world. Yet she only watched as he studied her, his eyebrows drawing together in a look of interest and speculation.

Could he actually sense what was happening to her body at that moment?

Did he sense the unbelievable heat now pooling in her panties?

Oh dear god!

Sarah made a jerky attempt to free herself, but Gavin’s hands tightened reflexively around her.

If anything, he actually looked more intrigued by the flush that covered her cheeks and reached clear down to where her nipples were puckered into little pink diamonds, pressing eagerly up against the cotton barrier of her shirt.

Mikhail’s furious snarl was now coming in stereo as Nikolai landed opposite of him, boxing Gavin between them as they raised their wings into gargoyle like arches, the hard boney edges forming quivering blades poised to strike.

The sound was terrifying.

The twins had been working alongside Gavin almost exclusively these past weeks, without a single hitch.

Of all the vampires and incubi, they’d come the closest to becoming friends. All of that appeared to be balancing on a razor’s edge now.

Gavin must have realized this at the same time it struck Sarah. He released her even as his expression resumed the hard emotionless mask of a vampire commander. As Sarah beat a hasty retreat, she saw Gavin’s lips moving.

The words were spoken too softly for her to hear, but whatever he said seemed to soothe the incubi. Their wings faded and Mikhail began to ask questions about the new vampire recruits.

Despite her pounding heart and desperate need to escape, Sarah couldn’t help but pause halfway down the hallway and turn to look back.

Gavin’s green eyes instantly locked with hers and she shivered again.

How could she feel such naked fear and raw desire at the same time, for the same man?

No, not man…a vampire.

She turned and practically ran for the privacy of her chambers.

Review

Sarah knows that falling for Gavin is the last thing she should be doing. With a threat which can turn her into a blood thirsty, potentially crazed vampire, she needs to stay safe in the sanctuary with the incubi. However, even with the threat of Adam coming closer and more super-vampires on the loose, she can't help but eye and try nd be close to Gavin

Gavin knows that Sarah should be off limits considering she is staying with the incubi, who are fiercely loyal and protective of those they've marked as theirs. But when the new military recruits arrive, they cause trouble and Gavin ends up with more than he bargained for.

One night Adam is on the move towards another city and the people are at risk, Gavin and the recruits go out to try and stop Adam leaving Sarah unprotected from him. When Sarah decides to return to the sanctuary, she runs into a bloodbath and many of her friends in trouble. But she's attacked and harmed. Gavin to the rescue, but she is very badly harmed and unconscious. Gavin is left to keep an eye on he and treat her wounds.

When Sarah finally awakens she is feeling 150% better than before and not feeling the reprecussions of her injuries. However she's afraid with having been bitten in the attack that she's gong t becomes a super-vamp. There are a few surprises left and Gavin has a few thoughts of his own. Will Sarah stay with Gavin, even if she doesn't become a vampire, will she ever let Gavin mark her and claim her as his or will she return to sanctuary? Read to see the twists and turn this tale takes.

I really liked Celeste's writing style, she was very descriptive in describing her vampires and their features, and with the super-vamps it makes them sound like blood-thirsty goons and out of control. I was falling for their story as they got to know each other and give in to their desires. And seeing their relationship change was more natural and not forced. A very solid 4 of 5 stars to the story.